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Women’s tennis works to safeguard against predatory coaches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

Lindsay Brandon is a lawyer whose past clients include athletes disputing doping suspensions. In her new post as the WTA’s first director of safeguarding, Brandon is leading an increased effort to protect athletes from predatory coaches — and others — on the women’s professional tennis tour.“Safeguarding is about emotional abuse. Physical abuse, as well. And it’s not just coach-athlete,” Brandon said in a telephone interview from the BNP Paribas Open, which wrapped up Sunday in Indian Wells, California, and was the first tournament she visited as part of the job she began 3 1/2 months ago.“There are other people that are part of this process,” Brandon told The Associated Press. “There can be athlete-to-athlete issues. There can be issue with respect to training staff separate from coaches. Those are just some of the examples.”Her priorities include managing the WTA security team’s investigations of complaints — she did not reveal how many are currently active — and “monitoring any p...

Md. bill would allow nonviolent offenders to get jobs at casinos

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

A new bill in Maryland would make it possible for people convicted of specific nonviolent crimes to get jobs at local casinos.“These are opportunities that help create a change within our community,” Maryland State Del. Nick Charles from Prince George’s County told WTOP.More Maryland NewsMore Local NewsCharles sponsored the bill, saying it’s an opportunity to change the law to help support reentry into the workforce. MGM Resorts is working in partnership with Charles to help get the bill passed.“For folks who have misdemeanors, nonviolent crimes, you know, this is a big deal,” Charles said.The bill is making its way through the State House but hasn’t been voted on yet.Right now, Maryland law stops those with a conviction, on active parole, or on probation for crimes from applying for a lottery employee license in order to get a job at a casino seven years from the date of the offense.The new law would allow previous nonviolent offenders whos...

March Madness rounds the corner to the Sweet 16

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

We know you’re upset. Underdogs have blown up every bracket in the country.Upside of the upsets: perhaps the maddest March ever.Defending national champion Kansas and fellow No. 1 seed Purdue are gone — the Boilermakers with a slice of unwanted history. The Sweet 16 won’t have blue bloods Kentucky, Duke or North Carolina for the second time since 1979.In are upstarts like Princeton, Florida Atlantic and a team picked to finish last in the Big 12.And, this being March, of course there’s Tom Izzo.SOUTH REGIONAlabama has looked every bit the No. 1 overall seed, blowing out Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Maryland despite turmoil swirling around the program. Waiting for Alabama in Louisville, Kentucky will be San Diego State. The fifth-seeded Aztecs are old and love to knock you around — just ask College of Charleston and Furman.The second game marks Princeton’s first Sweet 16 in 56 years. The No. 15 seed Tigers had the first major March upset by knocking off No...

11 tips to get your garden ready for spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

Spring cleaning for the yard.The season is on the cusp of changing, and that means one thing to gardeners: It’s time to get started, and there’s a lot to do before you can plant. Right now is a great time to get your garden ready for the warm season ahead. Follow these tips to help plan your strategy.Test the soil.Before you can have a successful garden, you have to know what you’re working with. A basic soil test can be performed using a home kit, or you can contact your university extension for an in-depth analysis.“Soil testing is important for gardeners because it can provide them with valuable information about the nutrient levels, pH, and overall health of the soil,” says Tom Monson, owner of Monson Lawn & Landscaping in St. Paul, Minnesota. “This information can then be used to determine which fertilizers and soil amendments will be most beneficial for the specific crop being grown.”Plan your garden.While you’re waiting for ...

Dozens in Indonesia protest Israel’s presence at U-20 Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Dozens of conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Monday to protests Israel’s first-ever participation in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 in Indonesia. The world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation is hosting the U-20 World Cup from May 20 to June 11 in Indonesia’s six major cities. A total of 24 countries from five continents are participating, including Israel, after a two-year delay because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the host country, Indonesia is automatically qualified for the tournament.Although Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel and is a strong supporter of the Palestinians, officials say the government will not prevent Israel from taking part in the tournament. Waving white flags bearing the Islamic declaration of faith along with Indonesian and Palestinian flags, more than 100 demonstrators filled a major thoroughfare in downtown Jakarta. They halted traffic, chanting “Allahu Akbar” and “Get ...

A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died last year amid Somalia’s historic drought, half of them children.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died last year amid Somalia’s historic drought, half of them children.Source

Denver weather: Front Range rain showers, mountain snow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver’s weather will stay mild for the first day of spring with mostly cloudy skies and a chance of an afternoon and evening rain shower.Pinpoint Weather: First day of springThe mountains will see snow showers, heavy from time to time, throughout the week. Voluntary evacuations lifted for Poudre Canyon fire Weather today: Cloudy with mountain snowThe mountains will see scattered snow showers throughout the day on Monday. Pinpoint Weather: Mountain snow showers on March 20.Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are in place, meaning most of the high country could see road and travel impacts from the snow.Pinpoint weather: Watches and warnings on March 20. Snowfall totals will range from 1 to 8 inches in the central and northern mountains with up to 12 inches in southwest Colorado.Pinpoint Weather: Snow totals for March 20. Denver will hit the mid-50s on Monday with a 10% chance of an isolated rain shower in the afternoon and evening. Skies will stay mo...

12th atmospheric river headed toward storm-fatigued California, threatening even more floods

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

(CNN) — Still reeling from an onslaught of powerful storms and destructive floods, California is bracing for a 12th atmospheric river that’s expected to bring a new round of heavy snow and rain to the state.The latest in the parade of storms ushered moisture into California Sunday, lashing the state with high winds and dumping more rain and snow over the region before it was expected to spread inland Monday.Thousands were under evacuation orders Sunday in two small central California towns — Alpaugh and Allensworth — as officials worried roads could become impassable and isolate residents, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. First responders from dozens of agencies, including the California National Guard, were out Sunday afternoon helping residents evacuate — a sight that has become familiar in the flood-ravaged state this winter season.“The devastation is indescribable,” Tulare County farmer Brandon Mendonsa told CNN aff...

Cool start to Spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

Chance of showers continues through Monday morning with a stubborn deck of clouds holding through early afternoon. Winds increase out of the North and turn gusty, making temperatures feel cooler. Highs forecast to range in the low to mid 70’s. We will have a cool-ish Tuesday morning in the low 60’s, temperatures are expected to gradually go up as winds swing around high pressure off the ocean into mid-week. The remainder of the week remains dry and simply nice. Have a wonderful day South Florida and make it a safe one! Vivian GonzalezMeteorologist, AMS Certified WSVN Channel 7

Russian government to officials: Bin your iPhone or ‘give it to the kids’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:11:57 GMT

Staffers of the Russian presidential administration have until the end of March to replace their iPhones with smartphones of other brands considered less susceptible to hacking and espionage, Russian news outlet Kommersant reported  Monday.Sergei Kiriyenko, first deputy chief of staff of the presidential administration, told officials during a Kremlin-organized seminar in March to dispose of the American smartphone by April 1 due to security concerns. Officials of regional political blocs are expected to receive similar recommendations. The government is even considering purchasing new phones for employees, the report reads.“It’s all over for the iPhone. Either throw it away or give it to the kids,” a person attending a March meeting on the topic reportedly said.The condition applied to the four departments within the presidential administration, including domestic policy, public projects, State Council activities, and information and communication technologies and infrastructu...