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Abortion fight: North Carolina governor vetoes 12-week limit, launches override showdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — In front of an exuberant crowd, North Carolina’s Democratic governor vetoed legislation Saturday that would have banned nearly all abortions in his state after 12 weeks of pregnancy.About 1,000 abortion-rights activists and voters watched on a plaza in the capital of Raleigh as Gov. Roy Cooper affixed his veto stamp to the bill in an unconventionally public display. The veto launches a major test for leaders of the GOP-controlled General Assembly to attempt an override vote after they recently gained veto-proof majorities in both chambers. The bill was the Republican response to last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.“We’re going to have to kick it into an even higher gear when that veto stamp comes down,” Cooper told the crowd. “If just one Republican in either the House or the Senate keeps a campaign promise to protect women’s reproductive health, we can stop this ban.”Andrea Long, a 42-y...

Islamic Jihad leader tells Egyptian TV station that cease-fire with Israel has been reached

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Islamic Jihad leader tells Egyptian TV station that cease-fire with Israel has been reached.Source

Wrexham’s Hollywood owners get their wish as Notts County promoted too

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Wrexham’s Hollywood owners got their wish.Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney had thrown their support behind Notts County to gain promotion from the National League after seeing their own team win a tight title battle in England’s fifth tier.And McElhenney took to Twitter to congratulate Notts County after its penalty shootout victory over Chesterfield in the National League playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. The match finished 2-2 after extra time.“Never a doubt,” tweeted McElhenney, the creator of TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” “Congratulations Notts County!!!!!!! What an extraordinary run. See you next year.”Wrexham and Notts County passed the 100-point mark in the regular season, the first time two teams reached that milestone in the same season.Wrexham sealed promotion on April 22.___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Sweden’s Simon Forsstrom stays on course for wire-to-wire win at Soudal Open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Swedish golfer Simon Forsstrom stayed on course for a wire-to-wire victory at the Soudal Open on the European tour by shooting 4-under 67 in the third round on Saturday.Belgium’s Thomas Detry was making a run at the title in his home country, however, after moving into second place — one stroke behind Forsstrom — with a round of 66.Forsstrom, who came through qualifying school at the end of last year to gain his tour card, was on 15 under overall as he goes for his first senior victory.The No. 429-ranked Forsstrom has made only one bogey all week — in his second round, in which he also shot 67 — and made three birdies in his final six holes on Saturday.Julien Brun of France and Jens Dantorp of Sweden both shot 67s and were tied for third place, three strokes from the lead. ___More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

AC Milan’s troubles continue with loss at Spezia before 2nd leg of CL semifinal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

ROME (AP) — AC Milan’s troubles were extended after losing at relegation-threatened Spezia 2-0 in Serie A on Saturday, three days after falling to city rival Inter Milan by the same score in the Champions League semifinals.Przemysław Wisniewski and Salvatore Esposito scored their first Serie A goals late in the second half for Spezia.Wisniewski knocked in a rebound of a shot from Kelvin Amian that had hit the post following a corner, then Esposito curled in a free kick over Milan’s wall.Milan was left in fifth place — two points behind Inter and the final Champions League spot, with Inter hosting Sassuolo later.Inter Milan won the first leg of the “Euroderby” against AC Milan on Wednesday. The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday at the San Siro.Earlier, Salernitana beat Atalanta 1-0 with a stoppage-time winner from substitute Antonio Candreva.Atalanta was in seventh place and five points below the Champions League places. Victory virtually sealed another season in the top-flight for...

‘You represent the best in us’: President Biden delivers Howard University commencement speech

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

President Joe Biden gave his commencement speech to Howard University’s Class of 2023 at D.C.’s Capital One Arena.“Today, I come here to Howard to continue the work to redeem the soul of this nation because it’s here where I see the future,” Biden said to the crowd.He became the first sitting president since Barack Obama in 2016 and seventh U.S. president to speak at Howard University’s commencement.Biden along with Rep. Jim Clyburn received the honorary Doctor of Letters from a university that has been a main focus for the president and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is a Howard alum, during their time in office.During his speech, Biden called for unity and acceptance.“Love over hate, union over disunion, progress over retreat. To stand up against the poison of white supremacy as I did in my inaugural address to single out as the most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland is white supremacy,” he said.Biden’s speech comes...

Omanyala takes 100 at Kip Keino Classic, wins for US’ Richardson and Terry

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Home favorite Ferdinand Omanyala won the 100 meters at the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya on Saturday, beating a pair of Americans for a world-leading time of 9.84 seconds.The United States’ Sha’Carri Richardson took victory in the women’s 200 in a meet record of 22.07 seconds to follow up on her win in the 100 at the Doha Diamond League a week ago.Kyra Richardson (22.77) and Shannon Ray (22.82) completed an American sweep in that race.Kenya’s Omanyala, who has eyes on the 100 title at the world championships in Hungary in August, had the backing of the crowd at the Moi International Sports Centre, which included Kenyan President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.Omanyala won a tight race to edge Kenneth Bednarek, who was second in 9.98 seconds. Marvin Bracy-Williams (10.03) was third.“Though I did not break the African record as promised, I’m happy with the world lead,” Omanyala said. “This year, it’s me against time with the ...

Zelenskyy meets with Italian officials, Pope Francis in Rome

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held private talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, after meeting earlier in the day with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who promised full military and financial backing for Ukraine.Zelenskyy said he sought support for his peace plan from Pope Francis, who in the past has offered to try to help end the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in February 2022. The pontiff also indicated the Vatican would help in the repatriation of Ukrainian children taken by Russians.In a tweet after the 40-minute audience with the pope, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Francis for “his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians.” He said he spoke with the pontiff “about the tens of thousands of deported (Ukrainian) children. We must make every effort to return them home.”Last month, Pope Francis told reporters that the Vatican was engaged in a behind-the-scene peace mission to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine, without...

Lacrosse notebook: Deep, talented Reading girls team off to 14-1 start

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

READING — When the time finally came to return to the practice field for tryouts this past spring, Kate Leone finally was able to breathe a sigh of relief.The Reading girls lacrosse star had spent months working her way back from a series of left knee injuries, most notably a torn ACL and meniscus. Now following two surgeries, the senior and her teammates have the program off to one of its best starts in school history at 14-1.“It felt amazing,” said Leone. “I was a little nervous at first, because tearing your ACL is a big deal. I think it’s more of a mental game than it is physical. It just felt good to get back out there with my teammates, and make an impact.”A DePauw women’s lacrosse commit, Leone (25 goals, eight assists) has proven to be a Swiss Army knife for the Rockets, as has St. Michael’s commit Julia Barbato (27 goals, 23 assists). Meanwhile, the Rockets have been fueled offensively by a trio of sophomore sensations with Libby Quinn (45 goals, 18 assists), Megan Sh...

Celtics’ Marcus Smart clarifies comment about criticism of Joe Mazzulla

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

With two words, Marcus Smart raised some eyebrows after the Celtics’ Game 6 victory in Philadelphia on Thursday.Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla had made a key adjustment, starting Robert Williams instead of Derrick White. It worked, fueling Boston to its best defensive performance of the playoffs. But in praising Mazzulla’s adjustment, Smart also acknowledged the criticism his coach has been taking during his first playoff run.“I know he’s been killed a lot,” Smart said. “Rightfully so.”It was certainly an unusual remark made from a player about their coach. But the relationship between Mazzulla and his Celtics players is also unique.Smart meant no malice behind his words. The point guard clarified them Saturday, and reiterated how the Celtics are operating in a collaborative environment, one that Mazzulla has been fostering since he took the job suddenly in September. Mazzulla makes the final decisions, but the Celtics – who are experienced in these playoff moments – are there to help t...