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Benzema scores in final game with Madrid; Vinícius back in team after racial abuse

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Karim Benzema converted his penalty kick and received a standing ovation from fans before being substituted at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, bringing an end to his memorable career with Real Madrid on Sunday.Benzema was replaced after scoring the 72nd-minute equalizer in Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao in his final game with the Spanish powerhouse after 14 seasons. Madrid had announced earlier Sunday that the French striker would not return next season.The last round of the Spanish league also saw Vinícius Júnior’s return to action for the first time since he was racially abused in a league match against Valencia two weeks ago, as well as Valladolid’s relegation.Vinícius hadn’t played in the last two Madrid games following the latest incident of racist insults targeted at him in Valencia on May 21, prompting a widespread reaction from Spanish authorities and the soccer world. The club had said he was sidelined with a minor knee problem.The Brazil...

Second annual Hazel McCallion Walk for Health another large success

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

The second annual Hazel McCallion Walk for Health in Mississauga appeared to be another large success.Roughly 2,100 people turned out for the fundraiser on Sunday morning with the walk starting at Port Credit Memorial Park before, following the nearby Waterfront Trail.“We will face more demand than any other hospital in the province over the next 20 years,” says Caroline Riseboro, CEO of the Trillium Health Partners Foundation.Money raised at the event will support Trillium Health Partners in their effort to build the new Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital. When completed, it will be Canada’s largest hospital, with construction expected to begin in Mississauga in 2025.The idea for the walk had come from former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion, commonly known as ‘Hurricane Hazel’ in the city. McCallion had served as the city’s mayor for 36 years. She died earlier this year at 101.“She came to us, she wanted an event … where we could engage the entire community,” adds Riseboro, ...

Fathers embrace their inner "Swiftie Dad" on Day 3 of Taylor Swift in Chicago

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

CHICAGO — The final day of Taylor Swift's three-day stop in Chicago for her Eras tour is here, and some dads were just as excited as their daughters to see the pop star perform.Keith Bullock, aka 'Swiftie Dad.'"The girls grew up listening to the music and so did we," said Keith Bullock, flanked by his two daughters while wearing a 'Swiftie Dad' t-shirt outside of Soldier Field. "We're here to celebrate that and Taylor Swift music often brings us together anytime a new album comes out." PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Businesses, fans excited for Taylor Swift in Chicago this weekend Steven Pasquantonio, another father among the T-Swiftie army at Soldier Field Sunday, was wearing a t-shirt custom-made by his daughters, and said they aren't the only ones who enjoy Taylor Swift's music.Steven Pasquantonio, proud father, and Taylor Swift supporter."I enjoy it! I've been listening to her for years with them," Pasquantonio said. "They're teenagers now and they started listening ten years ago when the...

Mayor Brandon Johnson, political leaders help kickoff Pride Month in West Town

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

CHICAGO — Hundreds of people, including local and state political leaders, gathered for Chicago's annual Pride Month kickoff brunch in West Town Sunday."As we kick off pride month, this is not just simply a celebration, this is about the liberation of humanity that love gets to be the conquering force," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. Here are the history-making LGBTQ officials in the Biden administration Johnson and other City officials spoke on the importance of celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community at the event, while also recognizing the challenges in the fight for equality."Pride is a celebration of those living and thriving as their true authentic selves," said Juliana Stratton, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. "There are legislators across our nation who are working to dim the light, the joyful light of our gay, bi and trans siblings … that they bring to our communities in the form of dangerous and extremely harmful legislation."A part of the brunch Sunday was highlighting leaders...

Westlake clinches 1st state berth since 2009 with come-from-behind win over SA Johnson

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In dramatic fashion June 2, the Westlake Chaparrals baseball team earned a spot in the state tournament.The Chaps forced extra innings against San Antonio Johnson and scored a pair in the eighth to complete a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Northeast ISD Stadium to sweep the series and win the Region IV championship.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersWestlake will take on Pearland at 7 p.m. Friday in the Class 6A semifinals at Dell Diamond. Cypress Woods and Flower Mound face off at 4 p.m. Friday in the other semifinal game.After taking the lead with two runs in the top of the eighth inning, the Chaps turned a double play with an outfield assist in the bottom half to end the game. Westlake right fielder Braeden Babb chased down a fly ball in foul ground for the second out, and then he fired a one-hopper to catcher Ben Longoria who applied the tag on Johnson's ...

Twins place reliever Cole Sands on 15-day injured list

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

The Twins placed right-handed pitcher Cole Sands on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 1) due to a right shoulder impingement. Sands, who last pitched on May 30, has a 0.73 ERA his season and has been effective as a long and middle reliever.“Cole has been able to go out there and do his job and pitch, but he’s been a little sore on certain days,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “It’s something he’s been dealing with a little bit. I think it’s probably just gotten a little worse.”Sands is the 20th Twins player to appear on the injured list this season. His spot on the roster has been taken by left-hander Caleb Thielbar, who has completed his rehab assignment with the Saints after dealing with a right oblique strain. Thielbar missed 29 games.Thielbar joins Jovani Moran to give the Twins two left-handers in the bullpen, and both will be used in various situations, Baldelli said. Thielbar replaced starter Joe Ryan in the seventh inning on Sunday and surrendered an RBI tripl...

Royce Lewis OK after scary collision in Twins’ 2-1 loss to Guardians

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

Royce Lewis will spend the Twins’ off day on Monday celebrating his 24th birthday. For one crowd-hushing moment during the Twins’ 2-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field Sunday afternoon, it looked as though he could be spending it in a hospital bed.Lewis was involved in a violent collision with Cleveland first baseman Gabriel Arias in the eighth inning. A throw from Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez led Arias into the base path, with the ball and Lewis arriving at about the same time.Lewis catapulted into the air after bouncing off of Arias’ back and landed face first in the dirt. His momentum caused his legs to flip over his head, leaving his neck in a vulnerable position as his body bounced off the field.Lewis, who served as the Twins’ DH in the game, stayed down for a while as he was attended to by members of the team’s medical staff. He was able to walk off the field.Sporting a lengthy scrape and a bump on his forehead after the game, Lewis said he had some pain ...

Saints stay hot, win series finale in Buffalo

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

Edouard Julien’s three-run homer highlighted a six-run rally in the third inning as the St. Paul Saints beat the Buffalo Bisons 8-4 in the finale of their International League series Sunday in Buffalo, N.Y.The Saints (32-23) have won seven of their past eight games and are now a season-high nine games over .500.Matt Wallner continued his torrid hitting for the Saints, tallying two doubles and two runs batted in.Andrew Stevenson contributed three hits for the Saints, and Jose MIranda chipped in two hits and an RBI.Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda, on a rehab assignment with St. Paul, worked the first three innings. He gave up two runs on five hits while striking out four. He threw 45 pitches, 29 for strikes. He threw 13 fastballs averaging 89.5 miles per hour and topping out at 90.7 mph.St. Paul’s Brent Headrick pitched the bulk of the game following Maeda and a scoreless inning of relief by Connor Sadzeck. Headrick gave up two runs in his five innings and earned his third victory of the se...

Nuggets vs. Heat: Live updates and highlights from Game 2 of the NBA Finals

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

The Nuggets are up 1-0 against Miami after their Thursday night win in their NBA Finals debut. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Heat in Game 2 at Ball Arena in Denver.Live updatesPre-game updatesThree keys and a legend in the making (4 p.m.): Game 2 tips off at 6 p.m. at Ball Arena. If the Nuggets win, they’ll be a perfect 10-0 at home. Read Bennett Durando’s analysis on the three keys Denver needs to do to make that happen.And is Nikola Jokic better than Celtics legend Larry Bird? Denver Post writers Mike Singer, Bennett Durando and Mark Kiszla discuss. — Joe NguyenNuggets-Heat Game 2: Must readsAnalysis: Do Nuggets have habits to improve vs. Miami Heat’s zone defense in NBA Finals Game 2?If there’s a path to the championship for Miami after Denver’s convincing Game 1 win in the NBA Finals, it will involve smacking the immaculately synchronized Nuggets out of their rhythm.Zone defense briefly did the trick in the series-opener.The un...

Watch a replay of the 2023 WeHo Pride Parade on KTLA

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:15:29 GMT

Tens of thousands of people lined Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood for the 2023 WeHo Pride Parade.For decades, the City of West Hollywood has been home to one of the largest yearly Pride celebrations in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of revelers to the City where nearly half of the residents identify as LGBTQ. The Ally Icons for 2023 were RuPaul’s Drag Race, Laith Ashley, Niecy Nash-Betts & Jessica Betts, and Melissa McCarthy. West Hollywood bar owner and former NSYNC singer Lance Bass joined the KTLA broadcast team, remarking that “Pride started as a protest and it’s still a protest.”The parade began at N. Crescent Heights Boulevard at Santa Monica Boulevard and will travel westbound along Santa Monica Boulevard into the heart of the City’s Rainbow District to N. Robertson Boulevard.