Associated Press stories, Page 939
Ukrainian president urges African leaders to press Putin on release of political prisoners
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to a group of African leaders to ask his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to free political prisoners from Crimea and beyond — saying it could be an important part of their trip to Russia on Saturday. Seven African leaders — presidents of...
Greek coast guard defends actions as more than 500 migrants heading for Europe feared dead in wreck
ATHENS, Greece — The Greek coast guard on Friday defended its response to a ship that went down off the country’s south coast and left more than 500 migrants presumed drowned. Criticism mounted over Europe’s yearslong failure to prevent such tragedies. Patrol boats and a helicopter spent a third day...
NBA suspends Ja Morant 25 games for 2nd social media video involving a gunVideo
Memphis guard Ja Morant was suspended 25 games by the NBA — his second ban in four months — and commissioner Adam Silver made clear Friday the star must stop his “alarming” habit of flashing guns on social media. The suspension for the upcoming season comes a month after a...
Ray Lewis III, son of 2-time Super Bowl champ Ray Lewis, diesVideo
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ray Lewis III, the son of two-time Super Bowl champion Ray Lewis, has died. Reports said the younger Lewis was 28. Lewis’ coach at Virginia Union, Mark James, said he learned of his former player’s death through family and social media. “He was a great kid. He...
Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked Pentagon Papers exposing Vietnam War secrets, dies at 92
NEW YORK — Daniel Ellsberg, the history-making whistleblower who by leaking the Pentagon Papers revealed longtime government doubts and deceit about the Vietnam War and inspired acts of retaliation by President Richard Nixon that helped lead to his resignation, has died. He was 92. Ellsberg, who announced in February that...
Michael Jordan selling majority ownership stake in Charlotte Hornets
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan is finalizing a deal to sell the majority share of the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise announced Friday, leaving the 30-team NBA without any Black majority ownership. Jordan is selling to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, the Hornets said. Plotkin has...
Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder dies from injuries in crash during Tour de Suisse
GENEVA — Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder died Friday, one day after crashing and falling down a ravine during a descent at the Tour de Suisse. The 26-year-old Mäder crashed after a left-hand turn on a fast downhill road approaching the end of the mountainous fifth stage into La Punt. His...
Unionized UPS workers vote to authorize a strike in high-stakes negotiations for a new contract
NEW YORK — Unionized UPS workers voted overwhelmingly on Friday to authorize a strike, setting the stage for a potential work stoppage if the package delivery company and Teamsters can’t come to an agreement before their contract expires next month. The Teamsters have urged workers to authorize a strike to...
In rare 3-3 decision, Iowa Supreme Court declines to reinstate law largely banning abortion
DES MOINES, Iowa — Abortion will remain legal in Iowa after the state’s high court declined Friday to reinstate a law that would have largely banned the procedure, rebuffing Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and, for now, keeping the conservative state from joining others with strict abortion limits. In a rare...
After George Floyd’s killing, DOJ probe finds Minneapolis police show pattern of violating rights
MINNEAPOLIS — The Justice Department has found that Minneapolis police engaged in a pattern of violating constitutional rights and discriminating against Black and Native American people following an investigation prompted by the killing of George Floyd. The sweeping two-year civil rights investigation concluded that systemic problems in the Minneapolis Police...
U.S. beats Mexico in soccer match marred by 4 red cards, cut short by homophobic chants
LAS VEGAS — Four players were ejected and the match was cut short by the referee after repeated homophobic chants Thursday night. The United States’ 3-0 victory over Mexico for a spot Sunday in the CONCACAF Nations League final against Canada will be remembered as much for the ugliness as...
Pope Francis leaves Rome hospital 9 days after operation; surgeon says ‘he’s better than before’
ROME — Pope Francis was discharged Friday from the Rome hospital where he underwent abdominal surgery to repair a hernia and remove scarring from previous operations, with his surgeon saying the pontiff was “better than before” his nine-day hospitalization. Francis, 86, left through Gemelli Polyclinic’s main exit in a wheelchair,...
German police seek images in attack of Americans pushed down steep slope
BERLIN — Police in southern Germany are appealing for photos and videos taken by witnesses of an attack near Neuschwanstein castle in which an American man allegedly pushed two women down a steep slope, killing one of them. A suspect was arrested following the attack. German news agency dpa quoted...
Gregg Berhalter agrees to return as US men’s national soccer team coach
NEW YORK — Gregg Berhalter has agreed to return as U.S. national team coach, a surprising turn of events 5½ months after his contract expired amid conflict with the Reyna family and an investigation of a three-decades-old domestic violence investigation. Berhalter agreed to coach the team through the 2026 World...
College World Series’ slugging squads know long ball only goes so far in Omaha
OMAHA, Neb. — The batting statistics for the eight College World Series teams suggest there will be home runs aplenty at Charles Schwab Field over the next 10 days. Five of the top 10 home run-hitting squads are in Omaha, and so are individual national leaders Jac Caglianone of Florida...
Conor McGregor accused of sexually assaulting woman at NBA Finals game
MIAMI — The NBA and the Miami Heat are investigating an allegation that former UFC champion Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman inside an arena bathroom after Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The woman’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, said her client has provided Miami police with the clothing she was...
Cleanup begins after tornadoes hit in Texas and Florida, killing 4 and destroying homes
PERRYTON, Texas — Cleanup efforts were beginning Friday morning after severe storms spawned tornadoes that left at least four dead, three in the Texas Panhandle and one in the Florida Panhandle as another series of fierce storms carved its way through Southern states. In Perryton, Texas, Ochiltree County Sheriff Terry...
Las Vegas police arrest man they say threatened mass shooting at Stanley Cup game
LAS VEGAS — Less than four hours before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final was set to begin Tuesday on the Las Vegas Strip, authorities in Nevada arrested a man they say threatened to carry out a mass shooting at the arena where the Golden Knights would capture their...
Fowler, Schauffele break US Open record with 62s at Los Angeles Country ClubVideo
LOS ANGELES — Rickie Fowler always can say he was the first to shoot 62 in the U.S. Open. But only by about 15 minutes. Xander Schauffele soon matched him on the North course at Los Angeles Country Club with an 8-under-par 62 of his own, making Thursday a most...
McIlroy, Koepka shake hands and smile, then turn to chasing down leaders at US OpenVideo
LOS ANGELES — They shared a bro handshake and a laugh or two on the first tee box. Then, the odd couple — Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka — started down the fairway in search of solutions for the biggest problem in golf. On Thursday at the U.S. Open, it...
Who’s running for president? See a rundown of the 2024 candidates
With roughly a year and a half until the 2024 presidential contest, the field of candidates is largely set. Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have dominated the early Republican race as the other candidates look for an opening to take them on. President Joe Biden faces...
Homer Jones, former Giants receiver believed to be the first to spike a ball after TD, dies at 82
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Homer Jones, one of the most prolific wide receivers in New York Giants history and believed to be the first player to spike a football after a touchdown, has died. He was 82. The Giants acknowledged the death, saying his daughter, Lacarroll Jones Nickelberry, confirmed it...
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chiefs enjoy spoils of Super Bowl win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Whoever came up with the saying, “To the victor go the spoils,” never could have had the Kansas City Chiefs in mind. They wouldn’t have believed the amount of spoils that have come their way since their Super Bowl title. There was Patrick Mahomes, the All-Pro...
Record revenue and attendance has business booming again for the American Hockey LeagueVideo
More than 10,000 fans filled the Hershey Bears’ home arena Tuesday night to watch the oldest American Hockey League franchise take on the newest, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, in the Calder Cup Finals. It was the third consecutive game in the AHL championship series to be sold out and pushed...
Guardsman indicted on charges of disclosing classified national defense information
WASHINGTON — The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking highly classified military documents has been indicted on federal felony charges, the Justice Department said Thursday. Jack Teixeira faces six counts in the indictment of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. He was arrested in April on charges...
