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Former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil, who won the World Cup in 2014, retired from soccer Wednesday at the age of 34.Özil said injuries played a role in his decision.“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity,” Özil wrote on social media. “But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”His immediate retirement brings an early end to his season with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir, where he made only seven appearances for the team.Özil won the Spanish league title with Real Madrid in 2012 and the FA Cup four times with Arsenal. His international career ended abruptly in 2018 when he quit the Germany squad citing “racism and disrespect.” That followed anti-Turkish comments from German politicians and abuse from some fans toward Özil, who has Turkish he...

MLS Leaders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

Through Saturday, March 18GoalsThiago Almada, ATL4Jesus Ferreira, DAL3Klauss, STL3Jordan Morris, SEA3Caleb Wiley, ATL316 players tied with 2AssistsThiago Almada, ATL4Daniel Gazdag, PHI4Julian Gressel, VAN3Eduard Loewen, STL312 players tied with 2___ShotsThiago Almada, ATL19Erik Thommy, KC19Luiz Araujo, ATL17Daniel Salloi, KC17Julian Carranza, PHI15Christian Benteke, DC13Juan Hernandez, CLB13Klauss, STL13Brandon Vazquez, CIN13Lucas Zelarayan, CLB13___Shots on GoalErik Thommy, KC11Julian Carranza, PHI8Daniel Salloi, KC8Heber, SEA7Klauss, STL7Thiago Almada, ATL6Luciano Acosta, CIN5Federico Bernardeschi, TOR5Dylan Borrero, NE5Ivan Franco, HOU5Eduard Loewen, STL5Mahala Opoku, LFC5Emiliano Rigoni, ATX5Lucas Zelarayan, CLB5___CautionsAlejandro Bedoya, PHI3Zac McGraw, POR3Matias Pellegrini, NYC325 players tied with 2___CardsYRTOTALAlejandro Bedoya, PHI303Zac McGraw, POR303Matias Pellegrini, NYC30328 players tied with 2___Goals-Allowed Avg.Stefan Frei, SEA0.25Joe Willis, NSH0.25John McCarthy...

Grains lower, Livestock mixed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were lower Wednesday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for May lost 32 cents at $6.6350 a bushel; May corn fell 7.75 cents at $6.2525 a bushel; May oats was off 1.25 cents at $3.61 a bushel; while May soybeans decined 41.75 cents at 14.46 a bushel.Beef was mixed and pork lower on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.Apr. live cattle fell .22 cent at $1.6185 a pound; Mar. feeder cattle feii .75 cent at $1.8877 a pound; Apr. lean hogs was off .12 cent at $.7715 a pound.Source

Germany arrests Syrian accused of joining Islamic State unit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German authorities have arrested a Syrian man accused of belonging to a unit of the Islamic State group in his homeland that kidnapped and killed opponents, prosecutors said Wednesday.The man, identified only as Asmael K. in line with German privacy rules, was arrested in the western city of Essen on Monday. He is accused of membership in a foreign terrorist group.The suspect is accused of joining IS in Syria in late 2013, swearing a public oath of loyalty to the extremist group and belonging to an IS unit that “kidnapped and executed opposing fighters and otherwise unwanted people,” federal prosecutors said in a statement.They didn’t give further details on his alleged role in that group, or say when he came to Germany.A judge on Tuesday ordered him kept in custody pending a possible indictment.Source

Vote on Biden’s pick to run FAA delayed amid GOP opposition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

A vote on President Joe Biden’s choice to run the Federal Aviation Administration was delayed indefinitely Wednesday in the face of an opposition blitz by Republicans, who say the nominee lacks enough experience in aviation to lead the agency, which is under pressure to stem a surge in dangerous close calls between planes.The Senate Commerce Committee was scheduled to vote on Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington, whose nomination has languished since Biden announced his choice last July.Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said the vote would be delayed to gather information requested by senators. She did not detail the information or name the committee members who sought the delay. The FAA has not had a Senate-confirmed administrator since March 2022, when Stephen Dickson stepped down midway through his term. The agency is being led by an acting administrator, Billy Nolen.The FAA administrator is not a cabinet-level job, but Republicans have turned the nomi...

Israeli foreign minister visits Poland to ‘restore’ ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Israeli and Polish foreign ministers met Wednesday in a step that they hailed as a breakthrough in restoring a relationship that has been badly damaged due to bickering over Holocaust memory over the past five years.The ministers signed an agreement that they say will allow for the resumption of Israeli youth trips to Poland, one of several points of contention that have led to bitter feelings between the two countries.The visit by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen is the first at that level since 2018, and Poland’s Foreign Ministry says it will be followed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog attending observances next month for the 80th anniversary of the World War II Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. “I came here to restore the relationship between our countries, and I found in you, my distinguished colleague, a trusted partner,” Cohen said at a news conference alongside Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, whom he referred to more than once as his friend.“This is an...

Supreme Court chews on Jack Daniel’s dog toy dispute

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is hearing a spirited dispute Wednesday between whiskey maker Jack Daniel’s and the manufacturer of a squeaking dog toy that parodies the liquor’s bottle and label. The question for the court has to do with whether the toy’s maker infringed on Jack Daniel’s trademarks.Arizona-based VIP Products produces the Bad Spaniels toy. While the original bottle has the words “Old No. 7 brand” and “Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey,” the parody proclaims: “The Old No. 2 on Your Tennessee Carpet.” The original bottle notes it is 40% alcohol by volume. The parody features a dog’s face and says it’s “43% Poo by Vol.” and “100% Smelly.”The packaging of the toy, which retails for around $20, notes in small font: “This product is not affiliated with Jack Daniel Distillery.”Jack Daniel’s, based in Lynchburg, Tennesseem isn’t amused.“Jack Daniel’s loves dogs and appreciates a good joke as much as anyone. But Jack Daniel’s likes its...

Cambodian court charges activists with insulting king online

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Two anti-government activists in Cambodia were charged in court Wednesday with insulting the king and incitement to commit a felony for comments they made on social media about Prime Minister Hun Sen and King Norodom Sihamoni.Yim Sinorn and Hun Kosal, both associated with the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved by court order in 2017, could face up to seven years in prison if convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.The two men were arrested after Hun Sen, who has held power for 38 years, claimed to be offended by their online observations about watching a Tuesday television broadcast of him and the king attending a torch-lighting ceremony for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, which Cambodia will host in May.Hun Sen claimed their comments about how he interacted with the king implied he was showing disrespect and usurping the king’s status. He accused the two of trying to drive a wedge between him and the monarch, who is the he...

2 adult faculty members shot at Denver East High

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Two adult faculty members were shot at Denver East High School on Wednesday morning, Denver Public Schools said. Denver Police said the two victims were transported to local hospitals.There is a large police presence at East High School while police investigate the shooting.Denver Police believe that the suspect is no longer on scene and are working to develop information. The Denver Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is on scene assisting. Denver Public Schools said East High has been placed on lockdown and students are being held in their third-period class while police investigate. The district said the school will do a controlled release once police allow. Parents can pick up their students at 17th and Esplanade. Students who drove to school will be escorted to their cars. Students who rode the bus will be held until their bus arrives. Colfax has been shut down near the school. Police are asking everyone to avoid the area.

UM basketball teams gear up for Sweet 16 showdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:43 GMT

The University of Miami (UM) is abuzz with excitement as the men’s and women’s basketball teams prepare to hit the road for the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA March Madness tournament. Both teams have their sights set on the Elite Eight, and with a final practice underway before departure, the anticipation is palpable.Miami is only one of four schools in the nation to make it to the Sweet 16 in both men’s and women’s basketball this year, alongside Tennessee, UCLA, and Yukon. The women’s team, in particular, has reason to celebrate, as they haven’t made it to the Sweet 16 since 1992. On Friday, they’ll face off against the No. 4 seed Villanova Wildcats in Greenville, South Carolina.Meanwhile, the men’s team will be taking on the No. 1 seed Houston in a bid to replicate their Elite Eight success from last year. Despite being underdogs in their respective match-ups, the players are all eager to prove themselves and take their teams one step ...