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FRENCH OPEN 2023: Nadal’s absence changes complexion of Roland Garros

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

There’s a reason a statue of Rafael Nadal stands outside Court Philippe Chatrier on the southwest outskirts of Paris.No player ever lorded over any Grand Slam tennis tournament the way Nadal has ruled the French Open, winning it year after year after year for a read-it-again-to-make-sure total of 14 times. It is impossible to overstate what a monumental development it is that Nadal’s name will be absent from the bracket when play begins Sunday.The last time they held the clay-court major without him? Back in 2004 — back before women and men received equal prize money there, before the main stadium was reconstructed with a retractable roof, before night sessions were added to the schedule.“Him and Roland Garros is something special,” said Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old Floridian who was the runner-up to Iga Swiatek for the 2022 women’s title in Paris. “I remember last year … I made the mistake of doubting him. Next thing you know, he pretty much stormed his way to the final and wo...

NBA Playoffs: Nuggets will keep waiting, after Boston forces a Game 5 in the East

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

The Denver Nuggets will have to wait at least a couple more days before finding out their NBA Finals opponent.Maybe even longer, if the Boston Celtics get their way.The Celtics are still very much alive in the Eastern Conference finals, after Jayson Tatum scored 33 points to lead Boston to a 116-99 win over the Miami Heat in Game 4 of that series on Tuesday night. Boston still trails the series 3-1, but has Game 5 at home on Thursday.Meanwhile, the Nuggets keep waiting. They won the Western Conference on Monday, finishing off a sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers. And they won’t play Game 1 of the NBA Finals until June 1 — at home to start if the opponent is Miami, on the road if the opponent is Boston.WHAT’S NEXT?Boston will play host to Game 5 of the East finals on Thursday. If Game 6 is necessary, it would be Saturday in Miami, and a Game 7 — again, if necessary — would be Monday in Boston.HOW TO WATCH— The Eastern Conference finals are on TNT.— All games are scheduled to...

Suicide car bomber hits checkpoint in northwest Pakistan, killing 4 in second attack in as many days

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

MIR ALI, Pakistan (AP) — A suicide car bomber targeted a security checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing two soldiers, a policeman and a civilian, the military and security officials said. It was the second militant attack to hit Pakistan in as many days.The bombing happened in North Waziristan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan and is a former stronghold of the militant Pakistani Taliban group, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. A number of civilians were also wounded in the attack, according to Rehmat Khan, a local police official.The military in a statement also confirmed the car bombing and the casualties. It said the attacker wanted to target a nearby public gathering but security forces “prevented a major catastrophe” by immediately intercepting the car bomber. No one claimed responsibility for the attack but suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban.Separately, security forces killed six militants in a raid...

Nepal prosecutors accuse 30 people, including prominent politicians, of selling fake refugee papers

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Prosecutors filed a case in a Nepal court on Wednesday against 30 people, including a former deputy prime minister, a former home minister and a prominent rights activist, for allegedly taking money from Nepalese citizens in exchange for promises to provide fake documents identifying them as Bhutanese refugees eligible for relocation overseas.The case has shaken Nepal’s political world because the arrested politicians belong to both the governing coalition and the opposition.Prosecutors filed the case at Kathmandu District Court after weeks of investigation.It was unclear whether anyone has gone abroad using the fake refugee documents.The defendants include former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand. They also include Tek Nath Rizal, who campaigned for the rights of minority ethnic Nepalis in Bhutan and was jailed for years by the Bhutanese government and later exiled to Nepal.Sixteen of the defendants ...

Citigroup to spin off Banamex, its longtime Mexican banking business

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Citigroup plans to spin off its Banamex banking franchise, the company said Wednesday, a deal that would bring an end to Citi’s two-decade push into Latin America.Citi had announced last year that it planned to explore options for the Banamex business, which included a possible sale of the company to a rival bank or a major investor. Under CEO Jane Fraser, Citi has been looking to simplify its business and pull out of 14 international markets where the bank does not have scale or significant operations. But Banamex, or Banco Nacional de Mexico, is not a small part of Citi’s business. Since buying the company in 2001, Citi has grown Banamex to Mexico’s fourth-largest banking company, with 1,300 branches and 13 million customers. Banamex employs roughly 38,000 workers in the country. Since announcing its plans for Banamex last year, any deal has come with significant political complications. Mexican politicians had pushed for job guarantees and there ...

1 person seriously injured, 2 animals killed in house fire

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — An early morning fire at a Lakewood home left one dog and one cat dead, and one adult was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.West Metro Fire Rescue responded to a fire at a family home just after 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. Firefighters were in the 9900 block of West Wesley Avenue in the Carmody neighborhood northeast of Bear Creek Lake Park. Neighbors from across the street alerted 911 after they saw smoke coming from the home. Which areas are under a marginal risk for severe storms? According to WMFR, four people were being treated for possible injuries from the blaze. One adult was later transported to the hospital with serious injuries. West Metro Fire Rescue responded to a house fire in Lakewood that killed one dog and one cat. (West Metro Fire Rescue) West Metro Fire Rescue responded to a house fire in Lakewood that killed one dog and one cat. (West Metro Fire Rescue) West Metro Fire Rescue responded to a house fire in Lakewood that killed one dog ...

Boulder company suing Twitter for alleged unpaid dues

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A cleaning company based in Boulder is suing Twitter, claiming that the company owes them thousands in unpaid dues.Avalanche Commercial Cleaning filed a complaint in Boulder County District Court on May 18 accusing Twitter of not paying their dues for services from October through December 2022. What is Twitter Spaces? DeSantis expected to use platform to announce presidential run According to the complaint, Twitter allegedly owes a sum of $93,504.13 in unpaid invoices from Avalanche Commercial Cleaning for services provided at the Wencel Building, located at 1301 Walnut St. in Boulder. The cleaning company claimed that they had provided services to Twitter since August 2015 until Twitter terminated its contract with them on Dec. 19, 2022, and no cleaning services were provided after that day. Majority of US Twitter users took a break from the platform in past year: poll FOX31 has reached out to Twitter for comment but has not yet received a response.

Bodycam video shows Georgia deputies arresting 3 armed robbers as boy exits getaway car

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

GRIFFIN. Ga. (WSVN) — Bodycam video was released after three men were arrested in connection to an armed robbery in Georgia. Deputies said they not only found the stolen $365,000, but they were also shocked to see a 4-year-old boy walk out of the getaway vehicle.On May 15, Spalding County deputies responded to a call about suspects who held up the driver of an armored car at a Ross store in Griffin, Georgia. A former officer who witnessed the whole thing followed their car and called 911.Deputies were able to catch up to the suspect’s car and that was the moment bodycam video captured each suspect as they were told to walk backward toward the deputies with their hands up.”Alright walk backward to the side of my voice,” said one officer on bodycam footage. “Keep coming — keep coming.”As one of the men was being arrested, a child ran from the car to one of the deputies.Authorities said the young boy was turned over to child services and l...

Man recalls encounter after striking bear while bicycling on Canadian trail

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

NORTH VANCOUVER (WSVN) — Cyclist Kevin Milner struck a black bear while on his regular bike ride through a North Vancouver trail and although he attempted to move out of the animal’s way, the grisly creature had other plans.“He decides to run from the left side directly across the road in front of my path and I hit him right behind the shoulder blades,” said Milner. He was cycling upwards of 25 miles an hour before slamming into the bear.“I just remember the big shock of impact and I guess I was flying through the air,” he continued.The 30-year-old said when he hit the ground, the whole left side of his body went completely numb.“I was in pretty excruciating pain and I couldn’t get myself up,” said Milner. “I was obviously panicking at that point.” Other cyclists tried to call 911 but they couldn’t get cell reception so some left to get help. Moments later, the bear doubled back to the scene while Milner was sti...

Night train from Brussels to Berlin is ready to go. Next stop, Barcelona

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:53 GMT

BERLIN — Startup railway company European Sleeper launches the first direct sleeper train between Berlin and Brussels in more than a decade on Thursday, but it’s already seeking investment to put on a second scheduled service, running to Spain.“We’re making good progress” on the financing side for extra carriages, said European Sleeper’s co-founder Chris Engelsman. “This is one of the areas where the European Commission can help.” Engelsman is hoping to capitalize on a surge in interest in rail as a green alternative to cheap flights with the launch of the Brussels-Berlin service on Thursday evening, which will run via Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp. The service will run three times a week in each direction, departing Brussels on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:22 p.m. and arriving in Berlin the next morning at 6:48 a.m.In the opposite direction, the European Sleeper service will depart from Berlin on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 10:5...