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Man United sale: Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim is withdrawing his bid – AP sources

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is withdrawing his offer to buy Manchester United, a person with knowledge of the process told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of confidentiality restrictions. Sheikh Jassim had been one of the leading contenders to complete a takeover of the storied soccer club, which was put up for sale last year. Along with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, the Qatari banker was one of only two bidders to publicly declare their intention to buy out United owners, the Glazer family. But almost a year since bids were invited for the 20-time English league champions, Sheikh Jassim has informed the Glazers he is withdrawing his offer, the person said. The person said Sheikh Jassim’s bid was almost double United’s current market valuation of $3.2 billion. Ratcliffe’s offer remains in place, although it has been reported that he is prepared to accept a mi...

Argentina reaches Rugby World Cup semifinals after coming back twice to beat Wales

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Argentina came from behind twice to beat Wales 29-17 and reach its third Rugby World Cup semifinal on Saturday.The underdog Pumas were 10-0 down in the first half then 17-12 behind going into the last quarter.They regained the lead thanks to a freshened pack which overpowered Wales for replacement prop Joel Sclavi to barge over for their first try in the 68th minute. Emiliano Boffelli’s extras made it 19-17.Matias Moroni then pulled off a try-saving tackle on Louis Rees-Zammit with six minutes to go, and three minutes later new flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez intercepted Wales’ Sam Costelow and scooted 50 meters to secure victory for the Pumas.Their first semifinal since 2015 next Friday in Paris will be against Ireland or New Zealand, which met later Saturday.Only five weeks ago, the Pumas started the World Cup by losing to 14-man England in the same Stade Velodrome. They crawled out of Pool D with three straight must-wins and, on Saturday, won a quarte...

Houston reliever Graveman won’t be on ALCS roster against Texas because of shoulder problem

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros reliever Kendall Graveman won’t be on the AL Championship Series roster against the Texas Rangers because of right shoulder discomfort.The right-hander missed the Division Series with the problem but had hoped that he could recover in time for the next round.Instead, manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that “he’s not improved” and Graveman wouldn’t be on the roster for the series, which begins Sunday night.Graveman, who was acquired in a trade with the White Sox in July, was 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA in 23 appearances for Houston this season.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbSource

Israeli military spokesman says Israel to strike Gaza City “very soon.”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli military spokesman says Israel to strike Gaza City “very soon.”Source

EU leaders to discuss Israel-Hamas war on Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

EU leaders will hold a video conference on Tuesday to discuss the Israel-Hamas war.The extraordinary European Council meeting will be held by video conference on Tuesday (October 17) at 5:30 p.m.European Council President Charles Michel said in a statement: “We stand in full solidarity with the people of Israel and the victims of the terrorist attacks. Israel has the right to defend itself in full compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law.”He added: “The unfolding tragic scenes in the Gaza Strip resulting from the siege and the lack of basic needs combined with the destruction brought by significant shelling, are raising alarm bells in the international community.“It is of utmost importance that the European Council, in line with the Treaties and our values, sets our common position and establishes a clear unified course of action that reflects the complexity of the unfolding situation,” Michel said.

‘Climate resilience’ a top priority in redesigning Boston park blocks from Mass and Cass

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

All options are on the table when it comes to envisioning the future of the dilapidated Clifford Playground in Roxbury, according to officials overseeing a redesign process.“When we’re looking at park designs, it’s not made in a bubble. There are so many things that go into the decisions,” said Lauren Bryant, a project manager leading the effort for the city.“There are City of Boston priorities, in terms of things like climate resiliency,” Bryant said during a meeting last week, ” … and then there’s community input which is a huge part of what we are here for,” .Residents and advocates have long called on officials to address Clifford Playground’s disorderly state, as the 8-acre recreational space festers with needles, human feces and other trash. The city has said it’s responded with increased clean ups, and police frequently monitor the area.But those efforts have only gotten so far. The intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, a grow...

ICE to deport accused rapist, fraud suspect amid migrant crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

An illegal immigrant facing multiple rape charges was allowed to walk out of court after federal immigration agents were denied a request to interview him first, the Herald has learned.That same suspect had a driver’s license permit from the RMV, a law enforcement official said.Elgin Antonio Bamaca Zacarias, a 30-year-old citizen of Guatemala, is now in federal custody awaiting a deportation hearing.He was arrested in Lynn after being arraigned — and released — on two counts of rape, three counts of assault to rape, and one count of assault and battery on a pregnant victim.“These crimes, which include multiple charges of rape and assault and battery on a pregnant victim, are deeply disturbing,” said Todd Lyons, director of the Boston field office of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). “ERO Boston is committed to apprehending and removing immigration violators who present a threat to public safety.”It’s not known when and how Zaca...

K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER on their new album, working with Anitta and the Jonas Brothers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In 2019, when the K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT for short) first debuted, they were best known as the first BigHit Entertainment boy band since BTS. Those days went as quickly as they arrived.The quintet of Yeonjun, Soobin, Taehyun, HueningKai, and Beomgyu are one of the most influential contemporary K-pop groups, lovingly referred to as “K-pop’s voice for Gen Z” for their high-concept, relatable albums and their fearless genre eclecticism. No two records are the same, but the accolades are many. Last year, TXT made their U.S. debut at Lollapalooza, the famed festival in Chicago. This year, they became the first ever K-pop group to headline it, a few months after their album, “The Name Chapter: Temptation,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. On Friday, the TXT story continues, and they will release another album, “The Name Chapter: Freefall.” There’s a very specific, whimsical mythology behind it: “Temptation” centered on a narra...

‘Ring of fire’ eclipse moves across the Americas, bringing with it cheers and shouts of joy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.. (AP) — First came the darkening skies, then the crescent-shaped shadows on the ground, and finally an eruption of cheers by crowds that gathered Saturday along the narrow path of a rare “ring of fire” eclipse of the sun.It was a spectacular show for millions of people across the Americas as the moon moved into place and the ring formed. There were hoots, hollers and yelps for those with an unfettered view in Albuquerque, where the celestial event coincided with an international balloon fiesta that typically draws tens of thousands of spectators and hundreds of hot air balloon pilots from around the world.They got a double treat, with balloons lifting off during a mass ascension shortly after dawn and then the eclipse just hours later. Some pilots used their propane burners to shoot flames upward in unison as the spectacle unfolded.“It’s very exciting to be here and have the convergence of our love of flying with something very natural like an eclipse,” said Allan ...

Palestinians struggle to evacuate northern Gaza amid growing Israeli warnings of ground offensive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:16:36 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinians struggled Saturday to flee from areas of Gaza targeted by the Israeli military while grappling with a growing water and medical supply shortage ahead of an expected land offensive a week after Hamas’ bloody, wide-ranging attack into Israel.Israel renewed calls on social media and in leaflets dropped from the air for Gaza residents to move south, while Hamas urged people to stay in their homes. The U.N. and aid groups have said such a rapid exodus along with Israel’s siege of the territory would cause untold human suffering.The evacuation directive covers an area of 1.1 million residents, or about half the territory’s population. The Israeli military said “hundreds of thousands” of Palestinians had heeded the warning and headed south. It gave Palestinians a six-hour window that ended Saturday afternoon to travel safely within Gaza along two main routes.A week after Hamas’ attack, Israel was still working to assess the full extent of the c...