Sports

More wins, more drinks: Opening hours in pubs could extend in England and Wales during Women’s Euros

Feb. 24, 2025

Soccer fans in England and Wales might be allowed to spend more time in pubs if their teams go far at the Women’s European Championship being held in Switzerland in July. The British government is launching a four-week consultation to discuss whether pubs can extend their opening hours from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. should England or Wales reach the semifinals or final of Euro 2025. Britain’s home secretary has the power to extend licensing hours for occasions of “exceptional international, national or local significance,” the government said Monday.

Sports

Nordic combined, the only Winter Games sport without gender equity, faces shaky future at Olympics

Feb. 24, 2025

Nordic combined has a rich history in the Olympics and potentially, a bleak future. Since the first Winter Games in 1924, the unique sport has tested the bravery and endurance of athletes in ski jumping and cross-country skiing. A year from now, it might be a former Olympic sport. “That’s a big concern — or a big issue — that we talk about,” four-time Olympic champion Joergen Graabak of Norway said in an interview with The Associated Press. Nordic combined is scheduled to wrap up competition at the Milan-Cortina Olympics on Feb. 19, 2026, and that may be its finale on the world stage.

Weather

Warmup This Week: Fool’s Spring Or The Real Thing?

Feb. 24, 2025

Although the above-average temperatures this week will be perfect for getting a reprieve from cabin fever, be warned - it’s not time to get out in the garden yet. On average, much of the country has not experienced its last freeze of the season. However, high temperatures reaching into the 60s and 70s across much of the southern tier will be perfect for getting outside. Winter continues to linger though, with chilly lows and a return to average temperatures late this week. Time it out here.

Sports

Anna Nordqvist to captain Europeans at next year’s Solheim Cup in bid to reclaim trophy from US

Feb. 24, 2025

Swedish golfer Anna Nordqvist was appointed Monday as the captain of the European team for next year’s Solheim Cup being staged in the Netherlands. Europe will look to reclaim the cup after losing 15½-12½ on U.S. soil last year. That was the Americans’ first win since 2017. The 37-year-old Nordqvist, who is still active on the Ladies European Tour, was a playing vice-captain in the 2023 and 2024 matches and has represented Europe nine times in the biggest team event in women’s golf.

Sports

New Zealand wins the toss and elects to field against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy

Feb. 24, 2025

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the coin toss and elected to field against Bangladesh in their Group A game of the Champions Trophy on Monday. A New Zealand win would send both India and the Black Caps to the semifinals and end Pakistan’s tournament. Pakistan lost to archrival India by six wickets at Dubai on Sunday with Virat Kohli scoring a match-winning unbeaten century. The Black Caps are in strong form since arriving in Pakistan earlier this month. It won the tri-nation series, which also featured South Africa, and also went on to beat Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening game of Champions Trophy at Karachi.

Sports

Fiorentina forward Moise Kean discharged from hospital after collapsing during Serie A match

Feb. 24, 2025

Fiorentina forward Moise Kean has been released from the hospital after collapsing on the field during a Serie A match on Sunday following a head injury. Kean was carried off on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital after the incident in the second half of Fiorentina’s match at Hellas Verona. “Fiorentina can confirm that Moise Kean was discharged from hospital in Verona overnight and has returned to Florence. Medical and diagnostic tests all produced negative results,” his club said in a brief statement on Monday.

Sports

Indiana coach Mike Woodson adds new twist to an old story on anniversary of Knight’s thrown chair

Feb. 24, 2025

Mike Woodson arrived Sunday at Assembly Hall ready to honor his mentor, the late Bob Knight, once more. So the outgoing Indiana coach brought his own red plastic chair, placed it on the floor between the Hoosiers’ metal folding chairs that are still tethered together and used it during the rivalry game against No. 13 Purdue. Then Woodson added yet another twist to a question that has mystified Indiana fans for 40 years — where is the chair Knight tossed across the court in anger on Feb. 23, 1985?

Sports

No. 13 NC State’s 2OT win over No. 1 Notre Dame gives women’s basketball a showcase thriller

Feb. 24, 2025

Sonia Citron was down to the final frantic seconds, her top-ranked Notre Dame team down three and on the verge of its first loss since November. There was just enough time to launch a contested 3-pointer over N.C. State’s Aziaha James. The ball dropped cleanly through, sending Citron’s jubilant teammates to mob her while leaving James walking in fists-clenched disbelief. Yet James later had her own highlight-reel response, a transition layup in which she smoothly took the ball around her back to change hands and avoid a strip attempt by Olivia Miles during the 13th-ranked Wolfpack’s clinching run in the second overtime.

Sports

Mets infielder Nick Madrigal dislocates non-throwing shoulder in spring game against Nationals

Feb. 24, 2025

New York Mets infielder Nick Madrigal dislocated his non-throwing shoulder Sunday in a spring training game against the Washington Nationals. Madrigal is fighting for a roster spot with the Mets, and it’s unclear how much time he’ll miss after the injury to his left shoulder. The 27-year-old was playing shortstop and charged a grounder up the middle, firing to first base before falling to the grass. He’ll undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury, according to MLB.com.

Sports

Timberwolves add another injury to the list when Jaylen Clark hurts neck against Thunder

Feb. 24, 2025

The short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves had their rotation thinned further when guard Jaylen Clark left their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of neck pain from an awkward fall on the court in the third quarter Sunday night. Clark got a steal and attacked the basket for an off-balance layup attempt against Oklahoma City 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein, before he landed on his back and banged his head on the floor while his neck jerked backward. Clark was down for awhile before being slowly helped up and guided to the locker room, and the Timberwolves eventually ruled him out for the remainder of Minnesota’s 130-123 loss.