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Islanders return to hockey roots, debuting pond hockey rinks outside UBS Arena at Belmont Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Dan Craig, longtime ice guru in charge of more than 30 outdoor NHL games, can hardly contain his enthusiasm surveying his latest creation — a pond hockey surface outside the New York Islanders home arena at Belmont Park.The Park at UBS Arena is a season-long outdoor ice experience and Craig’s fresh sheet of ice is reminiscent of hockey’s purest form.“It’s for the kids, so we can get the younger generation out here,’’ Craig said about the 120-foot-by-60-foot rink which features low-slung boards and easy access for cleaning crews with snow shovels. “It’s about the community and the kids. That’s the whole premise for me.”The Islanders this week unveiled Northwell Pond which will host 4-on-4 hockey tournaments for youth and adults. Isles Pond nearby will host “Learn to Skate,” “Learn to Play” and “Try Hockey for Free” programs on synthetic ice.The Park was largely the idea of John Collins, who joined the Islanders following last season to oversee business operations. Col...

Gil de Ferran, Indianapolis 500 winner and Brazilian icon, dies at 56

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner and holder of the closed-course land speed record, died Friday while racing with his son at The Concourse Club in Florida, multiple former colleagues confirmed to The Associated Press. He was 56. Fellow Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan said de Ferran was with his son, Luke, at the private course in Opa-Locka, Florida, when he pulled over and said he wasn’t feeling well. Kanaan said de Ferran apparently suffered a heart attack and could not be revived. When de Ferran won the 2003 Indy 500 for Roger Penske, it was the third-consecutive win in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for Penske, who has now amassed a record 19 victories in the iconic Memorial Day weekend race. “We are terribly saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gil de Ferran. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke and the entire de Ferran family,” Penske said in a statement. “Gil defined class as a driver and a gentleman. As an IndyCar Champi...

Oakland, California, officer killed while answering burglary call; shooter being sought, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — An Oakland police officer was shot and killed Friday while answering a report of a burglary at a marijuana dispensary, authorities said.Tuan Le, 36, was one of several who responded to a report of a burglary in progress at the cannabis business near Jack London Square at about 4:30 a.m., about 3 1/2 hours after an earlier burglary was reported at the same business, authorities said.The arriving uniformed and plainclothes officers saw several people leaving the business and one opened fire several times, hitting the officer, who was in plainclothes and driving an unmarked car, interim Police Chief Darren Allison said at a news conference.Other officers took the wounded officer to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about four hours after the shooting. “Officer Le was surrounded by his wife, mother, and members of his OPD family when he died,” a statement from the city said.No officers returned fire, the chief said.No arrests were immediately made, but Alli...

This College Football Playoff thing is practically routine for Texas WR Adonai Mitchell

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell, there’s no mystery surrounding the College Football Playoff.Monday’s semifinal matchup between third-seeded Texas (12-1) and second-seeded Washington (13-0) in the Sugar Bowl will be the fifth CFP game of Mitchell’s college career. And the transfer from Georgia likes to think his experience winning two national titles with the Bulldogs will benefit a Longhorns program that hasn’t entered the postseason with a shot at a national title since the 2009 season.“Confidence is always a good thing. It’s good energy that people can feed off of, good energy that’s contagious,” Mitchell, who has touchdown catches in all four of his previous CFP games, said on Friday. “That’s just exactly what you need … ,” he continued. “You get three weeks to prepare, the other team gets three weeks to prepare, so you can be caught off guard a lot. And just keeping your composure, keeping poised ...

Group behind voting misinformation campaign in Northern Va. loses federal appeal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth District has dismissed an appeal by a right-wing advocacy group ordered to stop distributing false, threatening and misleading mailers prior to November’s election, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Friday.In October, Miyares issued a cease-and-desist order to Look Ahead America Inc., after the group was found distributing voter misinformation in Prince William, Loudoun and Fauquier counties.The flyers, distributed by the D.C.-based nonprofit operating under the name “Virginia Voter Assistance,” erroneously told voters the government could “seize their assets,” bank accounts and vehicles if they chose not to participate in upcoming elections. The organization also falsely told residents who don’t vote that as a result, they could lose Social Security income, Medicare benefits, unemployment benefits, child custody rights and concealed carry permits.The group sued Miyares after the cease-and-desist, challenging Virginia’s ...

Omier secures one of Miami’s three double-doubles in 95-55 victory over North Florida

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Norchad Omier had 27 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season and Miami beat North Florida 95-55 on Friday night.Omier scored 14 points in the opening 10 minutes to help Miami build a 27-14 lead. Omier made his first six shots, including a 3-pointer, while North Florida started 5 of 22 from the field.Omier finished the half with 19 points as Miami led 42-27. Seven of North Florida’s nine field goals in the first half came from behind the arc. Kyshawn George and Bensley Joseph each made a 3-pointer during Miami’s 17-5 run to begin the second half for a 59-32 lead.Bensley Joseph and Matthew Cleveland also had double-doubles for Miami (10-2). Cleveland had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Joseph had 11 points, 10 assists and four steals. Christian Watson added 14 points and George finished with 10. Omier reached the 1,500-point mark for his career.Wooga Poplar, Miami’s leading scorer at 17.5 points per game, played just 15 minutes a...

Lepolo scores career-high 20, No. 9 Stanford women beat rival Cal 78-51

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Talana Lepolo scored a career-high 20 points with six 3-pointers, Kiki Iriafen had 16 points and 10 rebounds and the No. 9 Stanford women won their third straight game by beating California 78-51 on Friday in the Pac-12 opener for both teams.Lepolo was 7 of 11 for the game, connecting on six of her 10 attempts beyond the arc. That provided a big boost for the Cardinal (11-1) while leading scorer Cameron Brink was mired in foul trouble much of the game.Brink had 13 points and seven rebounds.Ioanna Krimili was the only Cal player in double figures. She scored 12 points. The Bears (10-3) shot 26.5% from the floor (18 of 68) and finished 4 of 31 on 3-point attempts.Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer, already the all-time leader in women’s college basketball with 1,197 victories, needs six more wins to slip past Mike Krzyzewski’s record of 1,202 to become the winningest coach in college basketball history.NO. 22 FLORIDA STATE 95, GEORGIA TECH 80TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) ...

Muere el empresario venezolano Gustavo Cisneros

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

(CNN Español) — El empresario de telecomunicaciones y otros sectores Gustavo Cisneros Rendiles murió a los 78 años, informaron este viernes las páginas corporativas de las empresas del grupo corporativo Cisneros, incluido el canal Venevision.“Venevision informa con profundo pesar el fallecimiento del presidente de la Junta Directiva de Cisneros, Gustavo Cisneros Rendiles, un líder excepcional que trascendió lo empresarial, caracterizado por su visión estratégica y compromiso con la innovación”, informó la cadena televisiva en su cuenta de X, antes Twitter.Fundada en 1929 por Diego Cisneros, su padre, el corporativo Cisneros ha sostenido operaciones globales en publicidad digital, medios y entretenimiento, bienes raíces, liderazgo social, emprendimiento y nuevas tecnologías durante más de 90 años, detalla la página web del corporativo.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.Source

Landscape worker hospitalized after dispute at NW Miami-Dade tire shop ends in shooting; 1 detained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

A dangerous dispute in Northwest Miami-Dade landed a landscape worker in the hospital.According to Miami-Dade Police, the victim was doing landscape work on the grass median at a tire shop along Northwest 79th Street and 15th Avenue, Friday afternoon.At around 12:30 p.m., investigators said, an argument broke out between the landscaper and an employee at the shop.Police said the employee pulled out a gun and shot him.The victim was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.Police said the shooter was detained and is being questioned.

‘Barbenheimer,’ industry strikes and Taylor Swift dominate 2023 entertainment headlines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:14 GMT

What a year it was. 2023 was filled with big Hollywood headlines, from box office smashes to Academy Awards breakthroughs, hotly anticipated books and one sexy Super Bowl halftime show. Here’s a look back at the last year in entertainment.In 2023, writers and actors took to the picket lines for a Hollywood double strike. It shut down the entertainment industry for months.The Writers Guild of America started May 2, SAG-AFTRA on July 14. It was the first time in more than 60 years both guilds were on strike together.The unions were negotiating contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The issues included wage increases, streaming residuals and protections over artificial intelligence.WGA reached a deal Sept. 27. SAG-AFTRA’s was signed Dec. 5.Matt Damon (as Gen. Leslie Groves: “Let’s go recruit some scientists.”But right before the strike, the double feature of the summer — “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,...