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UEFA to investigate Barcelona for its referee payments

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — Barcelona is facing a new legal threat from UEFA, including a possible Champions League ban, because of its payments of millions of dollars to a company linked to a Spanish refereeing official.The European soccer body asked Thursday for an investigation into the matter, which is already being pursued by prosecutors in Spain.Champions League regulations in effect since April 2007 allow for clubs to be removed from European competitions if they were involved in fixing matches. Further disciplinary sanctions can follow.UEFA said Thursday it asked disciplinary inspectors to “conduct an investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework by FC Barcelona in connection with the so-called ‘Caso Negreira.’”Court documents show Barcelona paid 7.3 million euros ($7.7 million) from 2001-18 to the company of José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of Spanish soccer’s refereeing committee.Prosecutors in Spain have formally accused Barcelona of cor...

Jury finds former Puerto Rican mayor guilty of corruption

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A federal jury has found a former Puerto Rican mayor guilty of bribery, extortion and conspiracy in the U.S territory’s latest government corruption case.Ángel Pérez Otero, who was mayor of the northern city of Guaynabo and president of Puerto Rico’s Mayors’ Federation, was released on bail after the verdict in U.S. District Court court late Wednesday. He is scheduled to be sentenced in August.Otero had been accused of accepting almost monthly payments of $5,000 for nearly two years in exchange for securing a more than $1 million road work contract for a local company.The U.S. Attorney’s Office submitted pictures and video of Pérez accepting cash payments inside a car and under a restaurant table that were taken by the company’s owner, who was cooperating with federal authorities.Pérez is the 10th Puerto Rico mayor to be accused of corruption in the past couple of years, and the third in the case involving the road work. His attorney, Eduardo Ferrer, sai...

No red carpet: French unrest impacts King Charles III’s trip

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Unrest in France is tarnishing the sheen of King Charles III’s first overseas trip as monarch, with striking workers refusing to provide red carpets amid pension reform protests and critics calling for the visit to be canceled altogether.The British king is scheduled to undertake the trip beginning Sunday on behalf of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government, which hoped the glamour of a royal tour would underscore efforts to rebuild Anglo-French ties that were frayed by the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union.But anger over French President Emmanuel Macron’s resolve to increase the retirement age by two years are clouding what was meant to be a show of bonhomie and friendship. Instead, Charles’ visit is being seen as an unnecessary display of hereditary privilege.“It’s very bad timing. Normally the French would welcome a British king. But in this moment, people protesting are on high alert for any sign of privilege and wealth,” Paris-base...

Slim pickings for buyers amid near-record low homes for sale

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Americans eager to buy a home this spring, beware: It’s slim pickings out there.The number of U.S. homes on the market is at near-historic lows, which could dim would-be buyers’ prospects for finding a house or condo and fuel competition for the most affordable properties, economists say.As of the end of February, just as the spring homebuying season got under way, some 980,000 homes were on the market nationally, according to the National Association of Realtors.That’s an increase of 15.3% from February last year, when the number of homes for sale sank to an all-time low.February’s tally of homes for sale translates into a 2.6-month supply at the current sales pace, according to NAR. In a more balanced market between buyers and sellers, there is a 5- to 6-month supply.While homebuyers will have more properties to choose from now than last spring, the low supply and sharply higher mortgage rates set the stage for a higher overall price tag for homeownership.“Buyer...

NWSL season is last for Gotham defender Ali Krieger

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

While Ali Krieger has no idea what the next chapter of her life will look like, for now she’s just looking forward to some downtime after a professional soccer career that has stretched for some 16 years.First, though, she’s going to finish out a final season with Gotham in the National Women’s Soccer League. The opening stop on the farewell tour comes on Sunday, when Gotham starts the season at Angel City.Krieger announced her impending retirement on Thursday. Her wife, goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, retired in November. The couple has two children.“I feel like my body’s ready,” said Krieger, 38. “I feel like you just know when it’s time and I want to spend a lot of time with my kids and and just enjoy the 16-17 year career that I’ve had, and look back and be really proud.”As a defender, Krieger’s career wasn’t a series of highlight-reel goals. But she’s known as a savvy and strong player who won World Cups with the United States in 2015 and 2019. At ...

Joshua facing pressure, new reality ahead of comeback fight

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

For so long the poster boy of boxing’s heavyweight division, Anthony Joshua has been facing a new reality in recent months.Suddenly, the British fighter is on the outside looking in.His star has fallen — even his promoter acknowledges that — in the wake of punishing, back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk that have led many to question Joshua’s ability, even as a two-time world champion.“You can’t be like, ‘Man, it’s been tough, you know, life’s been down,’” Joshua told the Associated Press. “You always have to walk with your head held high, chest out.“It’s a different perspective for me now, but it’s not one that rules me or makes any difference to my behavior.”So, while the biggest heavyweight fights are being made — or, in the case of the collapsed bout between Usyk and Tyson Fury, not made — around him, Joshua is adapting to his new status and beginning a fresh phase in his career.The hunter, as opposed to the hunted.The pressure, however, is still very much on him.On April 1, Jo...

Armed and dangerous shooting suspect located

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Deputies in Jefferson County were searching for an armed and dangerous suspect involved in an overnight shooting. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the suspect, identified as Kenneth Sanders, was involved in an overnight shooting. No other details on the shooting were released at this time. Colorado’s violent, motor vehicle crimes are concentrated in these counties At 8:37 a.m., JCSO confirmed Sanders was located and placed in custody. Sanders was last seen near Foxton Road and Black Hawk Drive in Conifer. JCSO said Sanders is described as:White male5 feet, 10 inches tallWeighs 200 lbs.Green eyesSalt and pepper hairIn mid-40sLast wearing grey sweatshirt and jeansDo not approach him as he is considered armed and dangerous.

National Puppy Day celebrated across the nation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

Thursday marks National Puppy Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the joy and unconditional love that puppies bring into our lives. Every Mar. 23 encourages people to adopt puppies from shelters, as well as raise awareness about the importance of responsible pet ownership.Across the nation, pet lovers have been sharing photos and videos of their furry friends on social media using the hashtag #NationalPuppyDay. The day has become a trending topic on Twitter, with many users sharing heartwarming stories about their own puppies or dogs they’ve met throughout their lives.The day is not just about celebrating the cuteness of puppies, but also about raising awareness for animal welfare. National Puppy Day serves as a reminder that there are many puppies and dogs in shelters across the country waiting for their forever homes.Shelters and rescues have been using the day as an opportunity to encourage people to adopt pets.One such organization is the American Society for the Preventio...

Miami Beach PD investigating overnight shooting; 1 hospitalized

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

Miami Beach Police are investigating a shooting that occurred around 12:30 a.m. at 845 E. 5th St. after an officer heard gunshots and rushed to the scene, Thursday.Upon arrival, the officer found a homeless male victim with apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was uncooperative and refused to provide any information about the incident. He was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Unit, where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is currently in stable condition.Authorities believe that an unknown female who fled the scene is involved in the shooting. Detectives are actively pursuing several leads in the case and are urging anyone with information to come forward. If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Tense moments when man threatens to jump off highrise in NYC as FBI attempt to serve warrant

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, NY. (WSVN) – A man accused of wire fraud is now in police custody after tense moments in Manhattan New York Wednesday. Ian Mitchell, 35, allegedly once posed as the scion of a wealthy Jamaican family and scammed investors out of thousands of dollars with reports of fraudulent acts dating back to 2015.Mitchell broke a window inside an apartment 31 floors above the sidewalk as police tried to arrest him. Video shows him sitting on the window with his legs dangled over the edge. Bystanders watched from the ground as he refused to go inside. “We intervened with the man in crisis. Tried to speak to him, tried to talk him out of it,” said detective James Tobin with NYPD Emergency Services Unit. Traffic was stopped and emergency responders blocked the street as they inflated a giant mattress in case Mitchell decided to jump. After hours of failed negotiations with the suspect, detective Tobin decided to climb out a window one floor above and repel down the side...