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Former Barcelona, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas announces retirement from soccer at 36

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas announced his retirement from soccer on Saturday at the age of 36 — nearly 20 years after making his debut for Arsenal as a 16-year-old.The 2010 World Cup winner made the announcement on Twitter, one year into a two-year contract he signed last summer with Italian second-division team Como. “It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots,” Fabregas said. After joining Arsenal from Barcelona’s youth academy, he became the London club’s youngest player when he made his debut in a League Cup game in October 2003 at the age of 16 years, 177 days. He went on to become Arsenal captain but left the club to return to Barcelona in 2011, a year after after helping Spain win the World Cup in South Africa. He was also a part of the Spain teams that won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.At Barcelona he won the 2012-13 Spanish league title but left the club to retur...

Australia rips out top order in England chase of 371 after injured Lyon bats at Lord’s

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A masterclass of pace bowling put Australia on course to go 2-0 up in the Ashes after an England team chasing 371 runs to win was reduced to 114-4 in the second test at Lord’s on Saturday.Australia thought it had a fifth wicket 13 minutes before stumps when Mitchell Starc caught Ben Duckett’s ramp on the fine leg boundary. Starc made the moving catch on his knees but scraped the ball along the ground to slow his skid. That lack of control made the third umpire decide it wasn’t a clean catch.Duckett was unbeaten on 50 after he also was almost caught in the first over, and captain Ben Stokes on 29. They rescued England from 45-4 to trail by 257 at stumps.“There’s always hope with Ben there, two Bens there, Jonny (Bairstow) coming in and the bowlers,” England batting coach Marcus Trescothick said. “If someone can get a big score, we can challenge them.”On an extraordinary fourth day, an injured Nathan Lyon batted in obvious pain for an Australia te...

Knicks are trading former lottery pick and fan favorite Obi Toppin to Pacers, AP source says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks are trading Obi Toppin to the Indiana Pacers, dealing away a former lottery pick who was loved by fans but never as much by coach Tom Thibodeau.The Knicks will get back two second-round picks, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade is not yet official.It was first reported by ESPN.Toppin was the No. 8 pick in the 2020 draft after winning national player of the year honors at Dayton. But when that season ended early and his first professional one was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Toppin lost out on vital time to expand his skills and earn Thibodeau’s confidence.He was also stuck playing behind All-Star Julius Randle, so playing time was hard to come by. Toppin made only 15 starts in his three seasons in New York.Fans desperately wanted more, often chanting his name at Madison Square Garden in hopes of seeing the acrobatic ...

English trio among 6 players tied for lead after 3rd round of British Masters at The Belfry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

SUTTON COLDFIELD, England (AP) — English trio Andy Sullivan, Oliver Wilson and James Morrison were part of a six-way tie going into the final round of the British Masters, while tournament favorite Justin Rose remained in contention despite carding a 2-over 74 on Saturday. Joost Luiten of the Netherlands, Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and Niklas Norgaard of Denmark were also tied at 7-under 209 as a blustery wind wreaked havoc at The Belfry.Rose took the early lead after a 65 in the opening round but carded a 73 in the second and was a shot worse on Saturday to sit three shots back in an event he won in 2002 and hosted in 2018.Luiten and Migliozzi both shot a 68, while the other four co-leaders all carded 70 in the third round. Sullivan said he was “absolutely buzzing” to be in contention for a fifth European tour title after making birdies on the 17th and 18th.“I wanted to do something like that all day to try and get it going, fortunately it came on the last,” Sullivan said after holing...

Keeping pets safe and calm during Independence Day celebrations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- While humans are celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks and parties, our four-legged furry friends might not be thrilled with the sounds of bombs bursting in air.Even though fireworks are illegal in Colorado, people break that law, and others are qualified to set off fireworks. Where to watch Colorado’s 4th of July fireworks, drone shows this year With the holiday weekend upon us, Animal Protection from the Denver Public Health and Environment Department have made a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to keeping your pets safe and calm when fireworks are going off.Here are some tips from DAP.Keep fragile items out of reachKeep pets indoors in a safe, quiet area or in a crateMake sure your pet is licensed and wearing tags Get a microchip for extra peace of mindUse a leash or carrier in transporting your petTalk with your vet about your pets anxiety needsKeep sparklers, glowsticks, charcoal, food scraps and kabob skewers away from curious petsHere is what t...

United CEO apologizes after taking private jet while thousands of passengers stranded

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

(AP) -- United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby apologized Friday for hopping on a private plane to get out of the New York area earlier this week while thousands of United passengers were stranded because the airline canceled so many flights.“Taking a private jet was the wrong decision because it was insensitive to our customers who were waiting to get home," Kirby said in a statement issued by the airline. “I sincerely apologize to our customers and our team members who have been working around-the-clock for several days — often through severe weather — to take care of our customers.” Unions blame United for airline’s ongoing travel issues Kirby concluded by promising "to better demonstrate my respect for the dedication of our team members and the loyalty of our customers.”Kirby caught the private flight from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Denver on Wednesday, when United canceled 750 flights — one-fourth of its schedule for the day. That figure does not include flights on United Express.Uni...

What to do if you see seemingly illegal fireworks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- It's illegal to use fireworks that explode or leave the ground in Colorado without the proper certifications. The only permissible fireworks in the state, according to Colorado law, may not contain more than 50 milligrams of explosive composition and includes fountains, ground spinners, illuminating torches, dipped sticks and sparklers, trick noisemakers and tube devices. Where to watch Colorado’s 4th of July fireworks, drone shows this year Despite fireworks being outlawed, you still might see them, especially around the Fourth of July. If you see anything that explodes or launches into the air, police say you should report it, but not by calling 911."We get it. You hear the fireworks going off and know that Aurora doesn't allow anything that explodes or leaves the ground. It's annoying," the Aurora Police Department said in a tweet. "But calling 911 isn't the best way to let us know."How to report illegal firework usage and salesSince fireworks are illegal throu...

New immigration, permitless gun carry laws go into effect across Florida amid protests, concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

Out of more than 200 new laws that have gone into effect in Florida this weekend, two are drawing the most attention — and generating the most controversy: permitless carry and a new immigration law.When it comes to immigration employers of 25 or more people are now required to go through a federal e-verify system to ensure employees are in the country legally. If a business does not use the system, they’ll be penalized.In addition, if an employer knowingly employs an undocumented worker, the penalty is now a second-degree felony.On Saturday morning, an event was held in Northwest Miami-Dade to help immigrants understand the new law.“How it is that through our office we can assist them, in case they have any type of difficulties,” said Vanessa Calva Ruiz, Director General of Consular Protection and Strategic Planning at the Foreign Ministry.7News cameras on Saturday afternoon captured a rally in Miami in protest of the new immigration law....

Crews put out fire at Northwest Miami-Dade apartment building; no reported injuries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

Firefighters raced to put out flames at an apartment building in Northwest Miami-Dade.Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the blaze along Northwest 26th Avenue, near 68th Street, at around 10:30 a.m., Saturday.Fire and smoke spread through the building as crews battled the flames.Some of the windows were boarded up, forcing firefighters to remove them.No injuries were reported.

Storms, smoke and heat threaten Fourth of July travel and holiday weekend plans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:26 GMT

(CNN) — Mother Nature will threaten Fourth of July travel and holiday plans as severe storms, record heat and wildfire smoke converge on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.AAA projects more than 50 million people will take to the roads or skies over the next few days, and millions of them will have to contend with potential disruptions from storms.More than 100 million people face the risk of damaging winds, tornadoes or hail in the next 48 hours. This, after tens of thousands of flight delays and thousands of flight cancellations have created travel chaos for more than a week.Atlanta, St Louis, Nashville, and Cincinnati face the biggest threat for air travel disruptions Saturday. For Sunday, storms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic could cause interruptions to major airports in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.A level 3 of 5 enhanced risk for severe storms is in place for portions of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, including St. Louis and Louisvi...