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Historic NHL preseason game under way in Australia after solving apparent ice issues

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The National Hockey League’s first preseason game in the Southern Hemisphere got underway Saturday after officials apparently solved some issues with the quality of the ice at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.Ahead of Saturday’s Global Series game between the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes there were reports and photos on social media of the state of the ice surface — puddles, ruts and uneven coloring of the painted lines. A second game between the same teams was scheduled for Sunday in the same arena.On Friday, both teams were scheduled to hold an open practice for fans wanting to see NHL “ice” hockey in Australia for the first time. Although the Kings held their practice, the Coyotes were reported to have had to cancel their session.The NHL has been asked for comment.It’s early spring in Australia and the game-time temperature in Melbourne on Saturday was 16 Celsius, or 61 Fahrenheit.Many of the players on both teams attended a...

A’s rally to beat Tigers 8-2 and end 8-game losing streak

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Shea Langeliers hit a pinch-hit three-run home run in the sixth inning, and the Oakland Athletics rallied to end their eight-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over Detroit on Friday night, spoiling another milestone for Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera.All-Star Brent Rooker hit his 29th home run for the last-place A’s (47-107), who won for the first time since Sept. 12 and avoided tying the team’s Oakland-era record for most losses in a season.Cabrera, the two-time MVP who plans to retire at season’s end, hit his 624th career double off starter Ken Waldichuk in the fourth inning, tying Hank Aaron for the 13th most in major league history. It was the 3,168th hit of Cabrera’s career, 16th in majors history.Waldichuk (4-8) tied his season-high with seven strikeouts and allowed two runs and four hits in six innings for his first win as a starter since May 6. Two of his other wins came in relief.Lucas Erceg, Dany Jiménez and Zach Neal each retired three batters...

No winning ticket sold for Friday’s $20 million Lotto Max jackpot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

There was no winning ticket sold in Friday’s Lotto Max $20 million draw.The jackpot for the next draw on Sept. 26 will be an estimated $25 million.The Canadian Press

Chinese government sentences famed Uyghur scholar to life in prison, foundation says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A prominent Uyghur scholar specializing in the study of her people’s folklore and traditions has been sentenced to life in prison, according to a U.S.-based foundation that works on human rights cases in China.Rahile Dawut was convicted on charges of endangering state security in December 2018 in a secret trial, the San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation said in a statement Thursday. Dawut appealed but her conviction was upheld, the foundation said.“The sentencing of Professor Rahile Dawut to life in prison is a cruel tragedy, a great loss for the Uyghur people, and for all who treasure academic freedom,” John Kamm, executive director of the Dui Hua Foundation, said in a statement.Dawut was a professor at Xinjiang University and founder of the school’s Ethnic Minorities Folklore Research Center. She disappeared in late 2017 amid a brutal government crackdown aimed at the Uyghurs, a Turkic, predominately Muslim ethnicity native to China’s northwest Xinjiang regio...

India-Canada tensions shine light on complexities of Sikh activism in the diaspora

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

The shocking accusation this week by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India may have been behind the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia has raised several complex questions about the nature of Sikh activism in the North American diaspora.Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside India. There are about 800,000 Sikhs in Canada — roughly 2% of the population. The United States is home to about 500,000 Sikhs. While some Sikhs argue there is widespread support in the diaspora for an independent Sikh state in the subcontinent called Khalistan, others say there is no such consensus.The debate over support for Khalistan and what activism looks like in the Sikh diaspora has intensified after Trudeau’s accusation that India may have had a hand in the assassination of 45-year-old Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen shot dead outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey on June 18. That information is based on Canadian intelligence as wel...

‘Spirit of MuchMusic’ still alive at doc premiere with former VJs in attendance

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

TORONTO — While the party died years ago at MuchMusic’s broadcast centre on the corner of Queen and John streets in Toronto, the screening of a new documentary on Friday proved nostalgia for the nation’s music station is still very much alive.Thousands of people filed into Roy Thomson Hall, only a few blocks away from Much’s former headquarters, to catch the Canadian premiere of “299 Queen Street West,” a feature-length look at the legacy of the TV channel.Joining the crowd were some of Much’s most famous video jockeys, better known as VJs, including Rick Campanelli, Erica Ehm, Sook-Yin Lee and “Electric Circus” host Monika Deol. Many of them were stunned by the enthusiasm around their reunion.“This is surreal,” said Campanelli, known to viewers as “Rick the Temp,” from the red carpet as he surveyed the crowd outside the venue.“I didn’t expect it to be like this — but in the back of my mind, I sort of was ...

Suspect arrested in deadly stabbing of young Hemet mother

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

A suspect was arrested Friday after a young mother of three was found stabbed to death in Hemet earlier this week.The suspect was identified as Autumn Goodwin, 27, according to the Hemet Police Department.Following a search warrant at a residence on the 600 block of Vista Del Monte, Goodwin was taken into custody.On Sept. 18, officers responded to a domestic disturbance call on the 1000 block of South Gilbert Avenue around 12:35 a.m.Arriving officers found the victim, Shawna Weems, 28, suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a local hospital where she died from her injuries, police said.Loved ones called the incident a “senseless homicide,” and said Weems had “her whole life ahead of her.”Shawna Weems is seen in an undated photo posted on a GoFundMe page. Suspect Autumn Goodwin, 27, in a photo from the Hemet Police Department.Weems leaves behind three young children and her husband. Details remain limited and it’s unclear what led up to the deadly incident.“Her c...

Chance The Rapper Celebrates 10 Years Of ‘Acid Rap’ At The Forum

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

It’s been 10 years since Chance the Rapper dropped his underground hit mixtape, Acid Rap and he chose the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood as one of three destinations to celebrate the anniversary Thursday, September 21.The Chicago rapper had just turned 20 when Acid Rap made its way to free digital streaming platforms such as SoundCloud and DatPiff. The album served as a key piece of what was known as the “blog era” of music and built a cult following before the term “SoundCloud rapper” became a derogatory term.Joined by fellow Chicagoan Vic Mensa, who was also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his Innanetape, a sold-out Forum was treated to what can only be described as an aggressively 2013 night.From the moment you parked your car, you could hear early Drake and Ty Dolla Sign hits blaring from the outdoor speakers. Upon entering the famous Inglewood arena, the DJ pumped out more music from the early 2010s, setting the tone for the night.Chance seemin...

High school football: San Ramon Valley’s massive first quarter leads to big win over Liberty

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

DANVILLE – Liberty’s game plan heading into Friday’s matchup against San Ramon Valley was simple on paper.Maintain control of the ball, minimize turnovers and get first downs. In short, the Lions wanted to keep their offense on the field and, in turn, keep the Wolves’ dynamic offense, led by quarterback Luke Baker, off of it.“I knew that [Baker] was going to come out, they were gonna do things, make players, they were gonna score points and it was gonna be an offensive shootout,” Liberty coach Mike Cable said.But Friday ended up being a one-sided fight after a wild first quarter, dominated by San Ramon Valley’s opportunistic defense and lethal offense, leading to a 66-12 rout of Liberty.Baker did exactly as Cable predicted, wasting no time getting the Wolves on the board. On the fourth play of the opening drive, he connected with receiver Owen Scott, who ran it in for a 41-yard touchdown.Meanwhile, Liberty’s offense looked out of sorts from the st...

Back to old school: De La Salle grinds out physical victory over Folsom

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:48 GMT

FOLSOM — It was a throwback to another era for De La Salle on Friday night, a physical display of relentless grit for a team that clearly has put a 0-2 start in the rearview mirror.The Concord powerhouse ran, ran and kept on running behind junior tailbacks Derrick Blanche and Dominic Kelley and their convoy of blockers.On defense, the Spartans were aggressive and mostly dominant against an opponent known for keeping scoreboard operators busy.When it ended, De La Salle had beaten Folsom 14-7, the Spartans’ third consecutive victory after opening the season with losses to Orange Lutheran and Serra.Blanche rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown in 22 carries. Kelley had 102 yards in 25 carries. De La Salle finished with 293 yards on the ground and 16 through the air.De La Salle quarterback Toa Fa’avae (13) congratulates teammate Derrick Blanche (22) after scoring on a three-yard touchdown against Folsom in the first quarter of their game at Folsom High School in Folsom,...