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Sri Lanka wins toss, opts to bat against Australia in crucial Cricket World Cup encounter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Kusal Mendis called correctly as Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat against Australia on Monday in what is almost a must-win game for both teams at the Cricket World Cup.Mendis took over captaincy duties from Dasun Shanaka, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury.Five-time champion Australia is coming off losses to host India and South Africa and is in last spot in the 10-team league stage, while Sri Lanka has lost to South Africa and to Pakistan in high-scoring games. The match started in Lucknow not long after the International Olympic Committee voted in Mumbai to include cricket on its sports program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Injuries forced changes in Sri Lanka’s starting lineup. Bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne replaced Shanaka in a like-for-like squad replacement, and was elevated immediately into the XI. Wayward medium pacer Matheesha Pathirana was ruled out because of injury and replaced by Lahiru Kumara.Aust...

Israeli military says 199 hostages being held in Gaza, higher than previous estimates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli military says 199 hostages being held in Gaza, higher than previous estimates.Source

Cricket and flag football among 5 sports given Olympic status for 2028 Los Angeles Games

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

MUMBAI, India (AP) — Cricket is an Olympic sport again. Flag football gets in for the first time.Five sports were finally added to the 2028 Los Angeles Games by the International Olympic Committee on Monday with baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash also confirmed for the program.The slate of sports cleared a final hurdle from the Olympic body’s full membership after being proposed by Los Angeles officials one week ago and recommended by the IOC executive board on Friday. All five were voted in as a single package with two “no” votes from about 90 IOC members in the room in Mumbai, India.The decision to elevate cricket to Olympic status for the first time since 1900 was made in one of the hotpots of the sport where the IOC is meeting while India hosts the sport’s World Cup.Adding cricket to the Olympic program is expected to raise the value of India’s broadcasting rights for the IOC by more than $100 million. The Olympic tournaments for men and women should each have six team...

Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks in NLCS Game 1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78, second in the NL West during the regular season) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (90-72, second in the NL East during the regular season)Philadelphia; Monday, 8:07 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (17-9, 3.47 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 220 strikeouts); Phillies: Zack Wheeler (13-6, 3.61 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 212 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -168, Diamondbacks +143; over/under is 7 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks meet in Game 1 of the NLCS.Philadelphia has a 49-32 record in home games and a 90-72 record overall. Phillies hitters have a collective .327 on-base percentage, the ninth-best percentage in the majors.Arizona has gone 41-40 on the road and 84-78 overall. The Diamondbacks are 10th in the NL with 166 total home runs, averaging 1.0 per game.Monday’s game is the eighth time these teams square off this season. The Phillies are ahead 4-3 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarb...

Acusan a propietario de crímenes de odio después de apuñalar fatalmente a un niño de 6 años e herir a su madre porque era musulmana, dicen las autoridades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

(CNN) — Un propietario del área de Chicago fue arrestado y acusado de asesinato y crímenes de odio después de que las autoridades dijeran que apuñaló y mató a un niño de 6 años e hirió gravemente a su madre, supuestamente porque los inquilinos son musulmanes.Joseph M. Czuba, de 71 años, fue acusado de asesinato en primer grado, intento de asesinato en primer grado, dos cargos de crimen de odio y agresión agravada con un arma mortal, dijo la oficina del Sheriff del condado de Will, Illinois, en un comunicado de prensa. El Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos también abrió una investigación federal por crimen de odio sobre el ataque, anunció este domingo el fiscal general de Estados Unidos, Merrick Garland.La oficina del Sheriff dijo que Czuba no hizo ninguna declaración a los detectives, pero los investigadores determinaron que las víctimas eran “el objetivo del sospechoso debido a que eran musulmanes y al conflicto en curso en Medio Oriente que involucra a Hamas y ...

College Football Corner: While Maryland flounders, two future Big Ten teams shine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

Dave Preston is an AP Top 25 voter. Read his latest rankings here.On a weekend where Maryland had issues against a Big Ten West school, two of the Terps’ future foes went toe-to-toe in a midseason matchup of unbeatens that saw then-No. 7 Washington outscore No. 8 Oregon 36-33 behind the arm of Heisman Trophy favorite (and former Indiana quarterback) Michael Penix Jr.With the Huskies and Ducks joining USC and UCLA (all four teams are ranked in this week’s Top 25) in the next wave of Big Ten expansion, the ante will be upped in 2024 as the Terps trade the Big Ten East gauntlet for a different group tough teams.Saturday’s Games:James Madison (6-0, 3-0 Sun Belt) exacted revenge on the team that knocked them out of the unbeaten ranks last year and, unlike 2022’s 45-38 shootout, this was a day the Dukes dominated, handing Georgia Southern a 41-13 drubbing. They may be ineligible for postseason play this year (per NCAA rules regarding their transfer from FCS to FBS)...

Putin hammers Ukraine with West distracted by Middle East crisis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

KYIV — With world leaders focusing their attention on trying to solve the Israel-Hamas conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin has resumed hammering Ukraine on all fronts. Over the weekend, Kremlin forces attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure and struck regions with missiles and drones. Newly replenished Russian forces have also been pressing Ukrainian troops on all parts of the front line.On Saturday and Sunday, Russia shelled the Kherson region alone more than 200 times, Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor, said in a statement.Massive attacks caused disruption of electricity and water supply in Kherson and in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening statement Sunday. Kherson’s electricity supply has since been restored, with water restored to all but ten houses, he added.“We must be aware that there will be more such Russian strikes as winter approaches. More on generation facilities, on the network. You have to be ready for ...

Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 24-16 win over the Tennessee Titans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

The Ravens could not afford to blow another game a week after they fell apart in Pittsburgh, and they didn’t, scoring enough in the first half and making enough critical defensive plays in the second to come home from London with a 24-16 win over the Tennessee Titans.Here are five things we learned from the game.This was a critical week for the Ravens’ season, and they acted like itThe Ravens boarded their flight to London as a team in peril. Their inability to finish overmatched opponents, a trend that reached a new nadir as they unraveled against the Steelers, had fans in Baltimore apoplectic. Their 44-7 loss the last time they traveled overseas hovered as a reminder of what could happen if they showed up to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium woefully unprepared.Coach John Harbaugh respected the possibility of a disaster that would send his team spiraling, so he treated the past week as anything but normal. The Ravens (in contrast to the Titans) flew to London on Monday, givi...

Analysis: Reliable Red Sox bullpen shouldn’t get lost in shuffle of last-place finish

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

When a top baseball operations executive gets fired, especially as abruptly as Chaim Bloom’s dismissal in mid-September, it’s difficult not to see the forest for the trees, but to see the trees for the forest.Likewise for a team that collectively finishes last, especially when it’s the third time in four seasons; the parts may be great, but they’re obscured by their sum.In a rebuild, a general manager-type leader’s true impact is often felt later. When the farm system Bloom replenished produces strong Major League talent in coming years, the Red Sox will benefit, but he won’t be around to enjoy the fruits of his labor.For now, at least, give Bloom credit for the bullpen he made over.After the ‘pen blew 29 saves (fourth-most in MLB) in 2022, the Red Sox made three significant changes. They signed Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen to two-year deals, and cut bait with Matt Barnes, designating him for assignment and trading him to the Miami Marlins for left-hander Richard...

French authorities say school where teacher was fatally stabbed last week evacuated over bomb alert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

French authorities say a high school where a teacher was fatally stabbed in an attack last week has been evacuated over a bomb alert, as France’s president cut short travel plans abroad to host a security meeting Monday.The prefecture of the northern Pas-de-Calais region said the decision was made to evacuate the high school in Arras after police received a bomb threat via its website.A demining team was on site, the prefecture said, adding that “all precautionary and safety measures” are being taken until the site is clearedFrance is on heightened alert against feared terror threats following the stabbing incident.The Associated Press