Friday 13 August 2021

Spread of delta variant ignites covid hot spots in highly vaccinated parts of the U.S., Post analysis finds

The Post analysis illustrates how rapidly the state of the pandemic changed in July from a problem for the unvaccinated to a nationwide concern, though life in highly vaccinated states is still safer.
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Olympics now ended, Japan races to vaccinate as the coronavirus surges

TOKYO (AP) — The Tokyo Olympics have ended, but it's still vacation season in Japan, and many people are ignoring government pleas to avoid travel and stay away from bars and restaurants even as the coronavirus spikes at record levels.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is pinning his hopes on vaccinations, ...
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Spread of delta variant ignites covid hot spots in highly vaccinated areas

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Booster shots are coming for immunocompromised people. Here’s what that means.

Federal health officials have estimated that about 3 percent of U.S. adults are immunocompromised.
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Thursday 12 August 2021

Dan Snyder attends first Washington preseason game

Despite ceding day-to-day operations of his football team to his wife, Tanya, Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder was at the preseason opener Thursday against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. 

Snyder voluntarily took a step back from the franchise after the NFL fined the team ...
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Nationals swept by Mets, now losers of 9 of 10

The Washington Nationals entered the seventh inning Thursday afternoon trailing by three against the New York Mets, rallied as Luis Garcia scored on a wild pitch and celebrated when Andrew Stevenson drove in two more to knot the score.

None of it mattered.

The New York fans went home happy ...
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Jamie Spears, Britney Spears' father, to step down from conservatorship

LOS ANGELES — Britney Spears' father said in a court filing Thursday that he is planning to step down from the conservatorship that has controlled her life and money for 13 years, but his departure is not imminent.

James Spears filed legal documents saying that while there are no grounds ...
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Humble beginnings: Sam Cosmi's Texas upbringing prepares him for NFL life

As the Dallas Cowboys were on the clock in the first round of April's NFL draft, Sam Cosmi picked up the phone and held it to his ear. Those packed in the suburban Houston home for the Texas tackle’s draft party suddenly stopped. His high school offensive line coach, Todd ...
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Blu-ray TV review: 'Original Cast Album: Company'

“Company,” composer Steven Sondheim and director Harold Prince's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical comedy about a serial bachelor, got an award-winning, behind-the-scenes look back in 1970, thanks to documentarian D.A. Pennebaker.

Now remastered in 4K and available in the Blu-ray format, Original Cast Album: Company (Criterion, rated G, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, ...
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Brandon Nimmo drives in four, Marcus Stroman strong, Mets beat Nationals

NEW YORK — Brandon Nimmo hit a three-run homer and drove in all the Mets' runs, Marcus Stroman took a shutout into the sixth inning and New York beat the Washington Nationals 4-1 in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday.

The four RBIs tied a career high for ...
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Judge rejects sex assault count against Harvey Weinstein

LOS ANGELES (AP) – A Los Angeles judge on Thursday again rejected one of 11 sexual assault counts in an indictment of Harvey Weinstein.

Judge Lisa B. Lench first dismissed the count of sexual battery by restraint as too old and outside the statute of limitations two weeks ago, but ...
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Inspirational film exposes challenges of homeschooling and the battle for 'our children's intellect'

Homeschooling and individual freedom have taken center stage in "God's Not Dead: We the People," an upcoming faith-based film that includes Fox News host Janine Pirro and veteran actor Isaiah Washington in the cast.

The plot is centered on a judge's decision to order a homeschool co-op to put their ...
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203 cases of COVID-19 linked to Chicago's Lollapalooza

CHICAGO (AP) – Chicago health officials on Thursday reported 203 cases of COVID-19 connected to Lollapalooza, casting it as a number that was anticipated and not yet linked to any hospitalizations or deaths.

“Nothing unexpected here,” Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said at a news conference. “No ...
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Tucker Carlson says he felt like a 'lunatic' for accusing NSA of spying on him

Fox News host Tucker Carlson felt like a "lunatic" for saying that his electronic communications have been intercepted by the U.S. National Security Agency, the conservative commentator acknowledged Wednesday.

The host of "Tucker Carlson Tonight" explained during an interview that he was initially reluctant to go public with accusations that ...
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Chris Davis announces retirement from Orioles

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis announced his retirement Thursday, citing back and hip injuries that have caused him to miss the entire 2021 season.  The 35-year-old steps away after 13 seasons in the majors. 

Once a powerful slugger, Davis' performance at the plate fell dramatically in recent years. In ...
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Wednesday 11 August 2021

Russell Westbrook eager to help LeBron James in Lakers homecoming

LOS ANGELES — Russell Westbrook was a Lakers fan from childhood, and he skipped school to attend their championship parades. After he became close friends with Kobe Bryant, they spoke about the responsibility and honor of playing for this decorated franchise.

Yet even after Westbrook became an NBA superstar with ...
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Montrezl Harrell arrives to Wizards unsure of role, but with perspective

Montrezl Harrell's best friend is Lou Williams, his former teammate on the Los Angeles Clippers, and Harrell says he learned a lot from his buddy's career. 

For example: Williams, Harrell said, has never signed a contract for more than $10 million annually in 17 seasons. And he’s never been a ...
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Landon Collins to Sammis Reyes: Five players to watch in Washington's preseason opener

Not everyone can casually name-drop the greatest basketball player of all time, so no one could blame Washington coach Ron Rivera for doing so this week when he was asked a question about Thursday’s preseason game.

“Michael Jordan told me this one time,” Rivera said, carrying on with the story. 

...
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Limp Bizkit cancels premature 'Post Pandemic' tour over COVID-19 safety concerns

Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst said his rock band canceled the rest of its U.S. tour dates because it became apparent that fans would not be safe attending at this point in the coronavirus pandemic.

The "Break Stuff" and "Nookie" singer explained his group's recent decision to abruptly call off ...
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Alex Smith joins ESPN as an analyst

Alex Smith's on-field career may be over, but he's not leaving football — ESPN has hired the former Washington Football Team quarterback as an analyst, according to the New York Post.

Smith, who retired in April, will be an analyst across all of ESPN's NFL programming, including "Monday Night Countdown," ...
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Stevie Nicks cancels U.S. concerts over rising coronavirus cases

Stevie Nicks has canceled plans to perform headlining sets at several U.S. music festivals due to what the Fleetwood Mac singer described as concerns about the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

"These are challenging times with challenging decisions that have to be made," Ms. Nicks said Tuesday. "I want everyone ...
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Washington Spirit coach-turned-exec on leave following verbal abuse allegations

A day after citing health concerns in resigning from his post, former Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke has been placed on administrative leave amid reports he verbally abused players on the professional women's soccer team.

The Washington Post published a story on Tuesday, detailing the language and verbal abuse ...
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D.C. concert venues to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results

Some of the largest concert venues in and around Washington, D.C., will soon require attendees to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative test result during the past 72 hours.

I.M.P., a concert promotions company that operates popular D.C. venues such as the 9:30 Club and The ...
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They worry the Johnson & Johnson shot isn’t enough. A new study offers answers — and questions.

New research offers encouraging evidence about how the Johnson & Johnson vaccine stacks up against its competitors — and the delta variant — according to infectious-disease specialists.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci to partner with Gen Z, TikTok influencers to boost COVID-19 vaccination

White House chief health adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci will partner with “millennial moms” and Generation Z influencers to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will do weekly conversations on TikTok with a range ...
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Some worry the J&J shot isn’t enough. A study offers answers — and questions.

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Tuesday 10 August 2021

Aubrey Huff, ex-MLB slugger, permanently banned from Twitter

Former MLB slugger Aubrey Huff has been permanently suspended from Twitter.

According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, citing a Twitter spokesperson, he was expelled for "repeated violations of [Twitter's] COVID-19 misleading information policy."

Mr. Huff had downplayed the severity of COVID-19, opposed vaccination mandates, ...
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Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope bring defensive presence to Wizards

Before he gave any inclination that he wanted to trade Russell Westbrook, general manager Tommy Sheppard’s wish list for the Washington Wizards centered around one idea. He wanted to get the team better at defense.

Specifically, the Wizards needed to add wings who could defend on the perimeter. 

“We've got ...
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Summerfest, Bonnaroo to require COVID-19 vaccination or negative test

Summerfest and Bonnaroo on Tuesday became the latest U.S. music festivals to announce that attendees will be required to show they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have tested negative in the previous three days.

Less than a month before Summerfest begins in Milwaukee and and Bonnaroo kicks off in ...
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Montez Sweat's goal with Chase Young? Break the tandem sack record

ASHBURN — Historically great NFL defenses generally have an elite pass-rushing tandem in the mix. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware anchored the 2015, Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos. Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan led the 2007 New York Giants to a championship. Dexter Manley and Charles Mann were a ferocious duo ...
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Richie Burke cites health concerns in resigning Spirit job

Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke stepped down from his position due to “health concerns,” the team announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Burke, who’s been the Spirit head coach since 2019, will be re-assigned to a front-office position when he’s able to return.

“Yesterday Richie advised me of some health concerns ...
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‘Goldilocks virus’: Delta vanquishes all variant rivals as scientists race to understand its tricks

The coronavirus pandemic in America has become a delta pandemic. By the end of July, it accounted for 93.4 percent of new infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Almost perfect: Alex Lenderman just misses a shutout in U.S. Open chess win

He lost his perfect chess game in — almost literally — the bottom of the ninth, but GM Alex Lenderman still emerged with the victory in the just-concluded 121st U.S. Open, held this year in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

With a perfect 8-0 score, the New York GM agreed to ...
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Christina Applegate reveals she has multiple sclerosis

Emmy Award-winner Christina Applegate has announced that she has multiple sclerosis, describing her diagnosis as a “tough road.”

The 49-year-old actor known for her roles in “Married ... with Children” and “Dead to Me,” said in a tweet late Monday that she was diagnosed “a few months ago.”

“It’s been ...
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Women filmmakers denounce Spanish cinema prize for Johnny Depp

MADRID (AP) — Spain's leading group of women filmmakers on Tuesday condemned the San Sebastian film festival’s decision to award Johnny Depp its highest honor, saying it gave the international event a bad name after a British judge ruled last year that allegations of domestic violence against the actor were ...
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Should you cancel travel because of the delta variant?

Asking yourself a few questions can help you decide whether to keep your travel arrangements.
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Greta Thunberg tapped for Vogue Scandinavia cover

Vogue added a Scandinavian branch over the weekend, and the world-famous fashion magazine launched with a famous Swede on the cover — 18-year-old Greta Thunberg.

In a cover story headlined "The Wonders of Greta Thunberg," Vogue sung the praises of the climate-advocate teen and dubbed her the "most recognisable activist ...
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Monday 9 August 2021

Robert Durst takes stand in own murder trial, denies killing Susan Berman

LOS ANGELES — Robert Durst took the stand at his California murder trial Monday and immediately denied killing his best friend.

“Bob, did you kill Susan Berman?” Durst’s attorney Dick DeGuerin said to open the testimony of the 78-year-old New York real estate heir.

“No,” Durst answered.

“Do you know ...
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Spencer Dinwiddie feels 'love' from Bradley Beal and Wizards

Technically speaking, Spencer Dinwiddie and Bradley Beal couldn’t have any conversations about the possibility of playing together before free agency officially began last week. So good luck trying to get an answer from the Wizards’ newest point guard on the role reportedly Beal played in getting him to the ...
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Epstein accuser sues Prince Andrew, citing sex assault at 17

NEW YORK (AP) – One of Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime accusers sued Prince Andrew on Monday, saying he sexually assaulted her when she was 17.

Lawyers for Virginia Giuffre filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court.

In a statement, Giuffre said the lawsuit was brought under the Child Victims Act to ...
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Review: Aretha Franklin bio 'Respect' maybe too respectful

The tag line for the latest biopic about an American icon reads: “Find out what it means.” Good luck with that.

After more than two hours of the new messy Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect,” it’s not clear what it means, wasting a lot of superb screen talent in the slapdash ...
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Elena Delle Donne received help from Russell Westbrook on journey back to the court

It’s been more than 660 days since Elena Delle Donne has set foot on a basketball court to play in a game. That’s more than two years and two back surgeries later, but the Washington Mystics star is nearing a return. 

She returned to practice last ...
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Rockies: Fan yelled for 'Dinger' mascot, not racial slur

The Colorado Rockies’ investigation into a fan yelling a racial slur was completed Monday and found that the man was calling for the team’s mascot, Dinger, instead of using the N-word, according to multiple reports. 

Dinger is a purple, polka-dotted dinosaur.

On Sunday, the Rockies released a ...
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Simone Biles made right decision to withdraw, but isn't worthy of canonization

Like a farmer who gets paid for not growing his crops, Simone Biles has reaped the rewards of not competing as these Coronavirus Olympics came to a close.

We’ve seen Biles compete before — four gold medals in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, plus 19 first-place finishes at the World Championships ...
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Will gyms go the way of arcades and movie rental stores?

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) – Going to the gym was always part of Kari Hamra’s routine until last year’s government-ordered shutdowns forced her to replace the workouts with daily rides on her Peloton stationary bike.

That’s when she discovered something surprising - she did not miss the gym. At least not ...
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In sudden bout of racial killings, a South African suburb sees a dark history repeating itself

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Colorado Rockies launch investigation after racial slur yelled at Miami Marlins OF Lewis Brinson

The Colorado Rockies announced Sunday they would launch an investigation after a fan was overheard yelling a racial slur at Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson.

Miami's television broadcast picked up a fan yelling the N-word while Brinson, who is Black, was at the plate in the ninth inning of the ...
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In public, Cuomo cast himself as an advocate of women. In private, women say, he was harassing them at the same time.

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Sunday 8 August 2021

Ola Kamara continues hot streak, DC United beats Montreal 2-1

Ola Kamara scored in his fifth consecutive game, Andy Najar scored his first MLS goal since 2011, and D.C. United beat Montreal 2-1 on Sunday night.

Kamara's goal in the 54th minute - his sixth in his last five appearances - gave D.C. (8-7-3) a 2-1 lead.

Montréal (6-7-5) is ...
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Jannik Sinner wins Citi Open in three sets for third career title

Jannik Sinner cruised through the Citi Open field this week at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center to the final, where he ran into Mackenzie McDonald and it wasn’t so easy.

Sinner, who hadn’t lost a set through his first four matches, dropped the second set on ...
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Remembering all of the firsts at the Tokyo Olympics

From athletes to countries to events, the Tokyo Olympics featured many impactful firsts.
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Home runs doom Patrick Corbin in Nationals' loss to Braves

ATLANTA — Ozzie Albies and Adam Duvall each hit a two-run homer off Patrick Corbin, Max Fried pitched six strong innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Sunday.

Albies was 3 for his last 26 when he went deep for the 18th time to make it ...
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New Orleans Jazz Fest canceled due to COVID-19 again

NEW ORLEANS — With new COVID-19 cases surging in Louisiana, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival won't be returning this year after all, organizers said Sunday.

The festival, which traditionally is held in the spring, had been scheduled to run Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 15-17 this year after being ...
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Markie Post, 'Night Court' actor,' dies at 70

NEW YORK — Markie Post, who played the public defender in the 1980s sitcom “Night Court” and was a regular presence on television for four decades, has died. She was 70.

Post's manager, Ellen Lubin Sanitsky, said Post died Saturday in Los Angeles after a years-long battle with cancer.

Post ...
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Wizards see first Summer League game postponed due to coronavirus outbreak

The Washington Wizards had their regular season ravaged by COVID-19. Now, its Summer League schedule has also been gutted by the virus. 

The NBA postponed the Wizards’ first Summer League game Sunday when Washington was scheduled to face the Indiana Pacers due to coronavirus issues among the team.

Second-year guard ...
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‘Pops, I didn’t do it’: The heartbreak of Richard Torrez Jr. over the gold medal he didn’t win

The fight had been over for half an hour, and the U.S. super heavyweight boxer wasn't bringing home the gold medal he promised everyone he was going to win when he called his father.
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How local Olympians did in the Tokyo Summer Games

From Katie Ledecky’s dominance in the 1,500-meter freestyle to Kevin Durant’s team-high 29 point performance in the men’s basketball gold medal game, local athletes put on a show in Tokyo. 

The D.C. area had more than 20 athletes participating in the games and here’s how they performed on the world ...
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U.S. women’s volleyball team lays down its burdens, picks up a gold medal

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Fewer and fewer cities want to host the Olympics. That should tell the IOC something.

Whatever the numbers, this isn't sustainable, nor has it been for decades. It's time to fix the Olympics.
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Saturday 7 August 2021

Team USA baseball, a ragtag, charming bunch, comes up just short in quest for gold

With Saturday's 2-0 loss to Japan, Team USA's eclectic baseball squad settled for silver medal as the sport heads into an uncertain Olympic future.
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Erickson suspended from Twitter after calling Olympian Laurel Hubbard a man

Conservative Christian radio host Erick Erickson said Saturday his Twitter account was suspended over a tweet in which he described New Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard as a man.

The Georgia-based Erickson, formerly the editor-in-chief of RedState, posted on Instagram a screenshot from his Twitter account ...
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Olympic karate finishes with cinematic kick, downer ending

TOKYO (AP) — The final bout of karate's Olympic debut seemed to have everything that makes combat sports so fascinating, right down to an incredible ending that should have made fans hungry for more of a martial art fighting for a place on future Olympic programs.

Instead, the gold medal ...
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Kevin Durant is a USA Basketball constant and an American hero

The NBA star embossed his legacy just by showing up in Tokyo. Then he won his third straight gold medal.
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Durant and US men extend dominance in Olympic basketball

TOKYO (AP) — The American reign over Olympic men's basketball lives on, even though the Tokyo Games took some work to win.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points and joined Carmelo Anthony as the only three-time men’s gold medalists in Olympic history as the U.S. held off France 87-82 on Saturday ...
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Springsteen, US fall to Swedes in jump off, earn silver

TOKYO (AP) — The Springsteen family has gone platinum many times over.

Time to make space for a little silver, too.

Jessica Springsteen and the U.S. equestrian jumping team came up just short of Olympic gold, falling to Sweden in a jump off Saturday night that still left the Americans ...
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British diver Tom Daley says sport has ‘a lot further to go’ on LGBTQ acceptance

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Allyson Felix goes for 11th medal; U.S. men’s basketball wins gold

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U.S. men’s basketball wins gold; baseball, track and field on deck

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U.S. men’s basketball wins gold; more track and field on deck

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A brutal marathon; U.S. men’s basketball wins gold; more track and field on deck

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Friday 6 August 2021

A memorable marathon, track and field, baseball and wrestling all on the docket

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Medals in track and field, basketball, baseball and wrestling all on the docket

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Quinn, Canadian soccer player, wins Olympic gold, makes transgender history without uproar

The same people accused of being transphobic for wanting to ban male-born transgender athletes from women’s sports have no problem with Canadian soccer player Quinn.

The 25-year-old midfielder won a gold medal Friday with the Canadian women’s team and was promptly hailed as the first out transgender non-binary athlete to ...
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Gable Steveson, named for wrestling great, completes stunning rally to win gold

Steveson won with two takedowns in the final seconds to become an Olympic champion.
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Meghan McCain makes low-key exit from 'The View'

NEW YORK (AP) – Meghan McCain made a low-key departure from “The View” after four years on Friday, joking that she wanted to apologize to show producer Brian Teta “for making his blood pressure rise as much as I did.”

Her mother, Cindy McCain, and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema appeared ...
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Minnesota celebrates Olympic champion Sunisa Lee with parade

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The city of St. Paul will host a parade to celebrate Olympic champion Sunisa Lee, who took home the gold medal in the women’s gymnastics all-around, as well as a silver in the team event and a bronze in the uneven bars.

The parade will ...
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With 1.3 billion people and just 33 medals ever, India remains an Olympic mystery

The world's second-largest nation is an Olympic puzzle.
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Americans go for gold in basketball, volleyball, water polo

TOKYO (AP) – The U.S. women's basketball team will be playing for a record seventh gold medal Saturday night when the Americans play Japan at the Tokyo Games.

Track and field competition comes to a close on Day 15 of the Olympics and Allyson Felix, fresh off her record-setting 10th ...
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Good day on beach and courts for US women in Tokyo

TOKYO (AP) — American women had a good day at the beach and on the courts in Tokyo on Friday, with one Olympic gold medal won and a couple more set up for the taking.

The United States beach volleyball team of April Ross and Alix Klineman won gold in ...
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Griner leads US to gold medal game with 79-59 win vs Serbia

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Soon after the U.S. women finished off Serbia to reach the Olympic gold medal game, members of the Japanese military honor guard started practicing for the medal ceremony.

The U.S. already knows that drill.

Brittney Griner had 15 points and 12 rebounds to help the Americans ...
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Belarus Olympic officials stripped of accreditation, sent home

The officials have been accused of trying to force sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya to return home against her will.
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Thursday 5 August 2021

Lionel Messi will not return to FC Barcelona, club cites 'financial and structural obstacles'

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will not return to FC Barcelona despite initially agreeing to a new contract, the soccer club announced Thursday.

The Spanish giants cited "financial and structural obstacles" in the announcement.

"FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the ...
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Tokyo Olympics’ lasting lesson: Sometimes it’s better to let go than push through

The mental health conversations shouldn't end once the cauldron is extinguished.
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Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer set to miss U.S. tour after unexpected, 'successful' procedure

The Rolling Stones plan on performing on stage without longtime drummer Charlie Watts when the group resumes its "No Filter" tour in the U.S. next month, the legendary British rock band announced Thursday.

Mr. Watts, 80, a Stones member since 1963, said he is recovering from a medical procedure and ...
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Toughest Olympics? Decathletes and heptathletes say probably

TOKYO (AP) – Even for the athletes good enough and brave enough to take on the decathlon or the heptathlon at the Olympics, Tokyo was next-level hard.

Injuries took out world champions, world-record holders, gold-medal contenders and more.

By the end of the two days, which covered 10 events for ...
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Trump blames 'Leftist Maniacs' for women soccer team's Olympic bronze medal

Former President Donald Trump ripped into the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team after they took home a bronze medal, blaming “Leftist Maniacs” for the team not winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics. 

The comments, which came in a press release, are the latest shot at the team from the former ...
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U.S. men’s 4x100 relay bungles baton handoff, will miss final

Male sprinters and coaches face more questions after another failure.
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Rafael Nadal wins in D.C debut at Citi Open

In front of a packed stadium at Rock Creek Park, Rafael Nadal topped Jack Sock in three sets in his D.C. debut at the Citi Open on Wednesday night.

The match spanned just over three hours as Nadal, the world No. 3, won 6-2, 4-6, 7-6.

With the Citi Open ...
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Olympic women's soccer final rescheduled because of heat

TOKYO (AP) — Concerns from the Canada and Sweden soccer teams about Tokyo's fierce morning heat have resulted in the late rescheduling and relocation of the Olympic women's final.

Rather than kicking off at 11 a.m. local time Friday in Tokyo's Olympic Stadium, the gold-medal match will start at 9 ...
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U.S. women earn bronze medal with 4-3 win over Australia

KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd each scored a pair of goals and the United States won the bronze medal in women's soccer at the Tokyo Olympics with a 4-3 victory over Australia on Thursday.

It was arguably the best the Americans had looked during the course ...
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U.S. women’s soccer team beats Australia for the bronze medal

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U.S. women’s soccer team goes for the bronze

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Wednesday 4 August 2021

Washington bans headdresses, face paint at FedEx Field in new fan policies

ASHBURN — The Washington Football Team introduced a new set of guidelines Wednesday for fans attending games at FedEx Field this upcoming season — announcing face masks will be “recommended” for unvaccinated individuals, while banning fans from wearing American Indian-inspired headdresses and face paint. 

The changes come after a year ...
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How Nastia Liukin helped viewers, and NBC, navigate Simone Biles’s absence

Liukin, a gold-medal-winning gymnast for Team USA in 2008, has been a fixture on NBC, discussing everything from the "twisties" — gymnastics' (much more dangerous) version of the yips — to Biles's status in the competition.
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France advances to semifinals with 67-64 win over Spain

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) – Gabby Williams and her French teammates were all smiles after beating rival Spain and advancing to the semifinals of the women's basketball tournament.

Marine Johannes scored 18 points and Williams hit key free throws late to help France edge Spain 67-64 on Wednesday night.

“I don't ...
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Seward plans parade to honor hometown gold medalist swimmer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Alaskan swimmer Lydia Jacoby, who won a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympic Games, will get a parade in her honor.

Festivities are planned Thursday in her hometown of Seward.

The 17-year-old and her parents will drive in a parade through Seward beginning at 6 p.m. ...
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Andre de Grasse of Canada bests trio of Americans in 200-meter sprint

Entering the men’s 200-meter final in Tokyo on Wednesday, much of the attention was focused on a trio of Americans.

There was Noah Lyles, who won the 2019 World Championships in the event. 22-year-old Kenneth Bednarek and 17-year-old Erriyon Knighton were attracting notice, too. But then came Canada’s Andre de ...
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Sebastian Korda's rapid rise: 'He going to be a great one'

A year ago, Sebastian Korda was ranked No. 220 in the world. After a breakout year, the 21-year-old tennis player is ranked in the top 50 for the first time in his career.

Korda, who won his second-round match against Vasek Pospisil at the Citi Open on Tuesday, is fresh ...
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Denis Kudla advances in Citi Open tennis tournament for second time in career

As his opponent walked off the tennis court, Denis Kudla walked to the middle of the playing surface and gave a fist pump to the crowd. The emotion came after he accomplished something that had eluded him: advancing in the Citi Open.

Kudla knocked off Feliciano Lopez in three sets ...
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Olympic women’s gymnastics once was mostly for teens. That’s changing.

The window between ages 14 and 18 was once seen as the best time to compete at the Olympics, but the average age of medal winners in Tokyo was 20.6, the highest since 1968.
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"Uuuh-aaah!" Sport climbing's Ondra screams his way to top

TOKYO (AP) — Weightlifters are among the most vocal athletes at the Olympics, letting out screams as they lock out at the top of a lift: “ahhhhhh!"

Tennis players have long been known to be grunters, usually with some form of “ha-uh!" or “ha-ooah!"

The loudest vocalizations of the Tokyo ...
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Australia faces US in bid for 1st women's soccer medal

KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — Australia's women's soccer team has already made team history at the Tokyo Games.

Now the Matildas want more.

The Australians have reached the medal round for the first time ever at an Olympics. They'll face the United States in Kashima on Thursday for the bronze medal.

...
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As Japan racks up skateboard medals, the long-stigmatized sport gains a foothold

The country's skateboarding community hopes exposure and success will foster acceptance, but remains wary of a newcomers.
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Tuesday 3 August 2021

Nationals roster turned over rapidly in two years since World Series

When the final strike whizzed past Michael Brantley, Daniel Hudson threw his glove in celebration. Yan Gomes soon pulled Hudson into a hug. And then the mob scene came, with Max Scherzer, Brian Dozier and others joining a mass of screaming, jumping bodies.

Those four players aren’t with the Washington ...
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Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott to headline Coachella

Performers scheduled to headline the 2020 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival before it was canceled because of the novel coronavirus are being given top billing on the line-up once again.

Concert promoter and Coachella co-founder Paul Tollett discussed the future of the long-running California music festival in a rare ...
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World record may be broken in shot put on Day 12 of Olympics

TOKYO (AP) – The main action for Day 12 of the Tokyo Games is at Olympic Stadium with live track & field events anchoring Wednesday coverage.

The men’s 200-meters will be decided in morning action streamed on Peacock.

A world record could be set in primetime when defending Olympic champion ...
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Washington Football Team's vaccination rate continues to climb

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington coach Ron Rivera said he was pleased by the number of players who recently stepped forward to get the vaccine — and the percentages appear to back him up. 

According to multiple reports, the Washington Football Team now has 84% of players with at least one ...
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Stephanie Barrett, Canadian Olympic archer, triggers clash over transgender transparency

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard became Monday the first openly transgender women's Olympian to compete based on gender identity, but the key may be "openly."

Canadian archer Stephanie Barrett, who finished her events last week, finds herself at the center of a fracas over whether a transgender athlete's privacy rights ...
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Simone Biles won the Olympics by taking care of her mental health

"I just did this for me," she said, "and me only."
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Sam Shankland shines in defeat at World Cup chess knockout tourney

The Sam Shankland secret is starting to get out.

Long known as one of the best American players, the low-profile California GM is starting to make a name for himself across the pond as well. Shankland captured the Prague Masters tournament in June over a world-class field and just made ...
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U.S. committee defends Raven Saunders' 'respectful' podium protest at Olympics

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has come to the defense of shot putter Raven Saunders' "respectful" podium protest as the International Olympic Committee weighs whether to impose sanctions on the track-and-field star.

Saunders, who placed second in the shot put, crossed her arms above her head in an “X” ...
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Cornelius Lucas activated off COVID-19 reserve list; Deshazor Everett passes physical

ASHBURN — The Washington Football Team got a number of players back for Tuesday’s practice when tackle Cornelius Lucas was activated off the COVID-19 reserve list, safety Deshazor Everett (non-football illness) passed his physical, and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen returned after minor hamstring tightness.

The additions are much welcomed for ...
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Biles returns to competition with a bronze medal and a smile

TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles returned to the competition at the Tokyo Olympics in style, and will leave with another medal.

What color it is really isn't the point. That she delivered a tense, heart-pounding routine on the balance beam and nailed it with a smile meant everything.

Biles looked ...
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Simone Biles sticks landing on balance beam final, wins bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics

Gymnast Simone Biles won a bronze medal on the balance beam Tuesday, her first of the Tokyo Olympics.

The American gymnastics star finished behind gold medalist Guan Chenchen and silver medalist Tang Xijing both of China.

A week after taking herself out of several competitions to focus on her mental ...
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Monday 2 August 2021

Biles set to return to competition for balance beam final

TOKYO (AP) – Simone Biles will at last return to Olympic competition Tuesday on Day 11 of the Tokyo Games.

The 2016 Olympic champion pulled out of competition a little over a week ago to focus on her mental health, but will return for the balance beam final in what ...
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Review: Stephen King's 'Billy Summers' stars a hitman writer

“Billy Summers,” by Stephen King (Scribner)

Among the many remarkable things about Stephen King is that he has yet to run out of ideas. Or put another way: He’s very good at finding new ways to explore themes that have interested him his entire career.

“Billy Summers” tells the story ...
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Laurel Hubbard, transgender weightlifter, fails to complete lifts in Olympic bid

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard made history Monday by becoming the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the women’s Olympics based on gender identity, but her bid to win a medal fell flat.

Hubbard, 43, did not finish after failing to lift successfully in her three tries in the ...
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Belarusian sprinter who sought protection in Japan granted Polish visa

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This U.S. women’s soccer core group has been one for the ages. It’s time to pass the baton.

Fully half of this team — nine of 18 — is in its 30s. Had there been any fans in the stands here — American fans — it would have been time for tribute videos on the scoreboards at either end of the stadium.
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Simone Biles plans to compete in beam final Tuesday

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Wilson leads US to quarters with 93-82 win over France

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) – The U.S. can do something no other women's basketball team can at the Tokyo Games: bring former WNBA MVPs Tina Charles and Sylvia Fowles off the bench.

The Americans' depth in the post continues to be the difference for the U.S.

“We know that’s the strength ...
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Canada upsets U.S. with 1-0 win in women's soccer

KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — Jessie Fleming scored on a penalty kick in the 74th minute and Canada earned a 1-0 semifinal victory over the United States in the Olympic women’s soccer competition on Monday.

Canada goes on to face the winner of the late semifinal in Yokohama between Sweden and ...
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Simone Biles plans to compete in balance beam final

The U.S. gymnast intends to compete one more time after missing several events to prioritize her mental health.
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In 9.80 seconds, a broad-shouldered, baldheaded Italian man born in Texas shocked the world

The first Olympic men's 100 meters without Usain Bolt since 2004 delivered a surprise winner from Italy who was born in America: Lamont Marcell Jacobs.
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In 9.80 seconds, a baldheaded Italian man born in Texas shocked the world

The first Olympic men's 100 meters without Usain Bolt since 2004 delivered a surprise winner from Italy who was born in America: Lamont Marcell Jacobs.
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Sunday 1 August 2021

Belarusian sprinter says she was pressured to leave Tokyo after criticizing her country’s Olympic officials

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Washington adds Daron Payne to COVID-19 reserve list

Another day, another player sidelined because of the virus.

The Washington Football Team placed defensive tackle Daron Payne on the COVID-19 reserve list Sunday — its seventh player to be put in the league’s protocols. Payne’s addition to the list follows Saturday’s addition of guard Brandon Scherff ...
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'The Rafa effect': Citi Open hopes to inspire future generations of tennis players

Frances Tiafoe remembers attending the Citi Open as a child, admiring the professional players he saw on the tennis courts at Rock Creek Park. 

The Hyattsville, Maryland, native watched tennis greats like Juan Martin del Potro and James Blake play on the grounds and he was motivated to ...
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Rapper DaBaby cut from Lollapalooza after homophobic remarks

CHICAGO — Rapper DaBaby was cut Sunday from Lollapalooza's closing lineup following crude and homophobic remarks he made last week at a Miami-area music festival. 

The Grammy-nominated artist, whose name is Jonathan Kirk, had been scheduled as a closing act on the final night of the four-day music festival in ...
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Evander Kane denies he gambled on games after wife's claims

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane denied claims made by his wife, Anna, that he has a gambling addiction and bet on his own games in a pair of statements posted to Twitter on Sunday.

Kane’s wife accused Kane of “throwing games to win money” in a series of posts ...
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MTV relaunch on 40th anniversary returns to 'Moon Person' image

MTV is marking its 40th anniversary with a relaunch of its iconic image of an astronaut on the moon, with an MTV flag planted nearby.

On Sunday, the video channel unveiled a large scale “Moon Person" during a ceremony at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The new ...
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American women take to track with 400 meter hurdles rivalry

TOKYO (AP) – One of the best rivalries on the track moves into the spotlight on Day 10 of the Tokyo Games and takes a step closer to a big finish when United States teammates Sydney McLaughlin and Dalilah Muhammad size each other up in the semifinals of the women's ...
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Ryan Murphy said swim meet was ‘probably not clean.’ Then the ‘not okay’ comments came.

The U.S. swimmer says he "never mentioned specific countries" when he suspected some Olympic swimmers were doping.
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Russia cites Olympics medal haul amid anti-doping scandals

"Scoreboard."

Russian sports officials, stung by charges of widespread performance drug abuse but thrilled by the country's mounting medal haul at the Tokyo Olympics, are employing the familiar American sports taunt against those who would question their athletes.

Stanislav Pozdnyakov, president of the Russian Olympic Committee, was not in ...
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Rojas sets world record to win Olympic women's triple jump

TOKYO (AP) – Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela set a world record with her final attempt Sunday to win the women’s triple jump gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Rojas already had the gold medal assured when she took the last of her six attempts, finishing with a mark of 15.67 ...
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Olympic champion Sunisa Lee adds bronze on uneven bars

TOKYO (AP) – Sunisa Lee will have her carry-on stuffed with medals when she heads back to the United States.

The 18-year-old Olympic gymnastics champion from Minnesota added a bronze in the uneven bars finals on Sunday. Lee earned a silver in the team competition on Tuesday before grabbing gold ...
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Saturday 31 July 2021

Tanya Snyder, following NFL investigation, touts 'new era' in first address to fans

RICHMOND — Making her first public comments since taking over temporary day-to-day operations of the franchise, Washington co-CEO Tanya Snyder addressed the team’s fans Saturday after practice — telling them the Burgundy-and-Gold were in a “new era” with coach Ron Rivera. 

Earlier this month, the NFL fined the Washington Football ...
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Ted Nugent resigns from NRA board after 26 years, citing 'scheduling conflicts'

Ted Nugent said Friday he resigned from the board of directors of the National Rifle Association, attributing "scheduling conflicts" with causing the rock guitarist to give up his seat after some 26 years.

"The time has come for me to face the dangers of burning the candle at both ends," ...
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Bromell looks to replace Bolt atop Olympic 100-meter podium

TOKYO (AP) – There will be a new fastest man of the Olympics crowned Sunday when the 100-meter dash is run without Usain Bolt in the finals for the first time since 2008.

The favorite to claim the gold is American sprinter Trayvon Bromell, a 26-year-old from St. Petersburg, Florida. ...
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Washington struggling to contain virus after low vaccination rate

RICHMOND — After struggling to get players vaccinated, the Washington Football Team is having trouble containing the virus. 

Washington placed All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff and tackle David Sharpe on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list — bringing the franchise’s total to six players who are now sidelined in training camp because ...
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Bill Maher likens cancel culture to Stalinist purge, 'an insanity that is swallowing up the world'

HBO host Bill Maher railed against cancel culture during his weekly cable program late Friday, earning rare praise from several conservatives who found themselves agreeing with the liberal comedian.

The host of "Real Time with Bill Maher" ended the latest episode of the series with a segment in which he ...
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Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum help U.S. rout Czech Republic

The victory qualified as a big relief for USA basketball, which dropped its Olympic opener against France and trailed the entire first quarter.
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Spain, Brazil advance to semifinals of Olympic men's soccer

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) – Mikel Oyarzabal helped Spain into a second semifinal in a month. Brazil remains on track for a quick return to another final.

Olympic men's soccer lacks the status of the European Championship or Copa America. The Tokyo Games still offer the chance for the countries to ...
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The Tokyo Games are streaming along, but American viewers aren’t watching

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The women’s 100 meters might be the biggest track event in Tokyo. But someone’s missing.

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Different strokes, still gold for Caeleb Dressel, who’s not done yet

Dressel's most hectic session of the Games included a world record.
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‘Maybe in a way we overthought it’: U.S. sifts through mixed medley relay wreck

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Friday 30 July 2021

Virtual cheers, recorded sounds, videoconferencing: How Olympians and fans are ‘connecting’

To compensate for the lack of ambience and in-person fan support, Tokyo organizers have come up with a variety of ideas — to mixed results.
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Landon Collins returns to WFT from Achilles injury in shape, with added pressure

RICHMOND, Va. — When Landon Collins walked onto the field in May for his first day of practice for the Washington Football Team since tearing his Achilles tendon, he felt something he hadn't "in a long time."

He was nervous.

Collins, who suffered the injury against the Dallas Cowboys in ...
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As China absorbs Hong Kong, why do both get Olympic teams?

TOKYO (AP) – Two teams, from two Chinese cities, confronting each other on a badminton court, thwacking the shuttlecock back and forth.

Nothing unusual there. In China, teams play each other all the time. For the mixed doubles pairing from Beijing that emerged victorious, the match this week had the ...
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'Toxic' podcast explores Britney Spears conservatorship

NEW YORK (AP) – As the fate of Britney Spears' conservatorship is in the hands of a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, two podcast hosts who have spent hours dissecting the case are hopeful change is coming for the singer to become more independent.

Tess Barker and Barbara Gray co-host ...
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Swimming wraps up with Dressel going for another gold medal

TOKYO (AP) – The final night of swimming gives Caeleb Dressel and four-time Olympic medalist Simone Manuel more chances to collect hardware on Day 8 of the Tokyo Games.

Dressel is a gold medal favorite in the men’s 50-meter freestyle and is the two-time reigning world champion. Manuel will compete ...
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Amanda Knox blasts film 'Stillwater' for exploiting her case

NEW YORK (AP) – Amanda Knox is speaking out about her name being associated with the new film “Stillwater,” saying any connection rips off "my story without my consent at the expense of my reputation."

“Stillwater” stars Matt Damon as a father who flies to France to help his estranged ...
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Russia is banned at the Tokyo Olympics for systemic doping, but Russians are everywhere

The country is serving a reduced ban for its systemic doping at the Sochi Games, but to some, it doesn't feel like a punishment at all.
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Starlin Castro to be released by Washington Nationals after 30-game suspension

The Washington Nationals will release infielder Starlin Castro after he completes an unpaid 30-game suspension as Major League Baseball found he violated the league's domestic violence policy, the team announced Friday.

Castro has been on MLB's administrative leave list since July 16 as the league investigated a violation of its ...
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Novak Djokovic loses in semifinals, ending quest for ‘Golden Slam’

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Melding newcomers with experienced vets keeps US golden

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) – The U.S. women’s basketball has won six consecutive gold medals by being able to successfully meld first-time Olympians with veterans.

The Tokyo Games are no different. With six newcomers on the team, USA Basketball’s latest crop of Olympic rookies is giving early indications of being more ...
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EXPLAINER: How 'the twisties' stopped Simone Biles cold

TOKYO (AP) — Maybe Simone Biles made soaring through the air look too easy. It's not — a fact that she and other gymnasts who constantly negotiate with the laws of physics have long understood.

Every leap, no matter how routine, requires an innate sense of time and space. You ...
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Thursday 29 July 2021

Caeleb Dressel goes for more gold on Day 7 of Tokyo Games

TOKYO (AP) – Caeleb Dressel is expected to be the star of Day 7 at the Tokyo Games as he seeks his third gold medal in Friday night coverage of the Olympics.

The U.S. women's soccer team plays Netherlands in a rematch of the World Cup final, and Allyson Felix ...
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Brad Hand traded to Blue Jays, beginning Nationals trade deadline sell-off

The Washington Nationals began their sell-off Thursday, sending closer Brad Hand to the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced.

The move comes one day before Friday’s trade deadline, and it could be the first of several trades general manager Mike Rizzo makes. Washington received 25-year-old Riley Adams in return from ...
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Quintet of US post players may be best group ever assembled

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) – The U.S. has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to talented post players, possibly the best ever assembled.

No team in the world has the height, experience or depth to match up with the American bigs - a group of women that includes three of ...
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Sunisa Lee takes gold in women's gymnastics final

TOKYO (AP) — An American finished atop the podium in the women's Olympic gymnastics all-around, just like always.

Sunisa Lee became the fifth straight American woman to claim the Olympic title on Thursday, edging Rebeca Andrade of Brazil in an entertaining and hotly contested final while defending champion Simone Biles ...
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At these Games, gender equity is achieved one paddle at a time

Australian legend Jessica Fox won the canoe slalom gold medal. Women's canoe slalom was once simply an afterthought at the Olympics.
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Gymnast Sunisa Lee wins Olympic gold medal in women's all-around

TOKYO (AP) — An American finished atop the podium in the women's Olympic gymnastics all-around, just like always.

Sunisa Lee became the fifth straight American woman to claim the Olympic title on Thursday, edging Rebeca Andrade of Brazil in an entertaining and hotly contested final while defending champion Simone Biles ...
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Straka leads Olympic golf on day of low scoring, surprises

KAWAGOE, Japan (AP) – Rikuya Hoshino did not have the first tee to himself Thursday for the start of Olympic golf.

The grandstand behind him, normally empty like at so many other venues at the spectator-less Games, was filled with volunteers in their Tokyo2020 shirts wanting to see the 25-year-old ...
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Katie Ledecky medals again; gymnastics goes on without Biles

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USA Boxing’s next big thing spends his free time building rockets and reading philosophy

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Ron Popeil was the sizzle of American ingenuity, personified

Come, young ones: Gather around the glow of the smartphone's screen for a tale of a distant time when we watched TV on big boxy machines, and switched channels when we were bored.

There were commercials - several of them - between the segments of TV shows. What's more, in ...
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With an epic final length, Bobby Finke wins unexpected gold in the 800 meters

"I had no idea I was going to do that," swimmer said after passing four others in final 50 meters.
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Wednesday 28 July 2021

ZZ Top: Bearded bassist Dusty Hill dies in his sleep at 72

HOUSTON (AP) – ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, one of the Texas blues rock trio’s bearded figures, died at his Houston home, the band announced Wednesday. He was 72.

In their Facebook post, guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard said Hill died in his sleep. They didn't give a ...
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Washington players stress individual choice over coach's vaccination rate concerns

RICHMOND — Terry McLaurin didn’t hesitate to say it: He’s vaccinated. 

The Washington wide receiver can be counted among the 60% of the team’s players who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. He is not in the group that drew the ire of a frustrated Ron Rivera ...
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Jonathan Allen, Logan Thomas deals should help Ron Rivera maintain culture

RICHMOND —  There were times during negotiations that, no matter how much he tried to keep his cool, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen found himself “emotional” over the way talks with Washington were progressing. Logan Thomas, similarly, thought the team’s opening offer was not “what I thought I could have had.”

...
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Olympic Stadium opens in Tokyo for start of track and field

TOKYO (AP) – Track and Field begins competition on Day 7 of the Tokyo Games and four medal events will be decided in the pool in Friday's coverage of the Olympics.

The gymnastics women’s all-around competition will go on without defending gold medalist Simone Biles, who pulled out citing struggles ...
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Simone Biles said she got the ‘twisties.’ Gymnasts immediately understood.

The cute-sounding term describes a frightening predicament: Gymnasts lose control of their bodies as they spin through the air.
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Rizzo: Nationals to 'attack' trade deadline

Mike Rizzo can look at the state of the Washington Nationals and realize, with two days to go before the trade deadline, the general manager must look to sell some key pieces of his team.

But in his weekly interview Wednesday with the Sports Junkies on 106.7 ...
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U.S. wins inaugural Olympics 3-on-3 women's basketball gold medal

The U.S. women’s 3-on-3 basketball team made history Wednesday as it won the Olympics gold medal in the new event.

The quartet of Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, Stefanie Dolson and Allisha Gray won gold against the Russian Olympic Committee in Tokyo, 18-15, in the debut of 3-on-3 basketball at the ...
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Fellow Olympians, in supporting Simone Biles, say the spotlight can burn just as it shines

Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, surfer Carrisa Moore and USA softball pitcher Cat Osterman were among the Olympians who offered Biles support Tuesday.
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Bob Odenkirk collapses on 'Better Call Saul' set

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Better Call Saul” star Bob Odenkirk collapsed on the show's New Mexico set on Tuesday and had to be hospitalized.

Crew members called an ambulance that took the 58-year-old actor to a hospital, where he remained Tuesday night, a person close to Odenkirk who was not ...
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Olympic champ Simone Biles withdraws from all-around competition

TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles will not defend her Olympic title.

The American gymnastics superstar withdrew from Thursday's all-around competition to focus on her mental well-being.

USA Gymnastics said in a statement on Wednesday that the 24-year-old is opting to not compete. The decision comes a day after Biles removed ...
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Katie Ledecky wins gold, Simone Biles drops out of all-around at Tokyo Olympics

TOKYO (AP) — Katie Ledecky got her first gold medal of these Olympics, while Simone Biles pulled out of another event she came into the Summer Games favored to win.

Ledecky bounced back from losses in her first two events in Tokyo to win the inaugural 1,500-meter freestyle for women ...
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Tuesday 27 July 2021

Aaron Rodgers, Packers boss Murphy come from different worlds

As training camps open in the NFL, many will be watching the events that take place at St. Norbert College, a private liberal arts college in De Pere, Wisconsin, about a 10-minute drive from Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Is Aaron Rodgers — who reported to training camp after giving ...
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The U.S. women’s soccer team has always dazzled and entertained — until now

Fans of the team who woke early to watch the Americans face Australia were put right back to sleep. Such boring affairs are as unusual as U.S. defeats.
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Crowning achievement: Niemann, Wang and Kaidanov claim chess titles

July proved a disorienting month for patriotic American chess players. We opened the month celebrating our declaration of independence from a foreign king and closed the month with a triple coronation right here at home.

New York GM Hans Niemann is the new U.S. junior champion, clinching his crown with ...
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Aaron Rodgers arrives at Packers training camp after offseason uncertainty

For Green Bay, it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood now that Mr. Rodgers is back.

After an offseason filled with uncertainty regarding Aaron Rodgers’ immediate future with the Packers, the quarterback reported to training camp Tuesday morning.

Rodgers and Green Bay have been at a crossroads for most of ...
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Lydia Jacoby, 17-year-old bluegrass musician, delivers the most stirring upset of the Olympics

The Jacoby family from Seward, Alaska, planned to visit the Olympics as fans last year. This year, Lydia won gold instead.
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Olympic champ Simone Biles withdraws from team finals after vault

Simone Biles withdrew from the U.S. gymnastics team Olympics final after the team’s first rotation in the event.

A U.S. coach told the NBC broadcast that Biles left due to a “mental issue she is having.” According to USA Gymnastics, Biles withdrew “due to a medical issue.”

The team said ...
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Olympic champ Simone Biles out of team finals with apparent injury

TOKYO (AP) — Reigning Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles is out of the team finals after apparently suffering an injury during the vault.

The 24-year-old U.S. star, considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time, huddled with a trainer after landing her vault. She then exited the competition floor ...
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Belgium women beat Australia 85-70 in their Olympic debut

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) – Emma Meesseman led Belgium to an impressive win in its Olympic debut.

She had 32 points, nine rebounds and five assists to help Belgium beat Australia 85-70 on Tuesday in the opener for both teams.

“It’s amazing because this is part of our history right now, ...
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Alaska's first Olympic swimmer Lydia Jacoby wins gold

TOKYO (AP) – When you're a swimmer from Alaska, there are some misguided stereotypes that must be laughed off.

Lydia Jacoby has surely heard them all before.

“She practically swims in iced-over lakes,” teammate Gunnar Bentz said.

Uhh, no.

Jacoby does her swimming at a pool, though even that has ...
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U.S. women’s soccer team plays to a scoreless draw vs. Australia

The tie secured a spot in the quarterfinals for the Americans.
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U.S. women’s soccer team faces Australia

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Monday 26 July 2021

Texas, Oklahoma take first step toward leaving Big 12 for SEC

Texas and Oklahoma took a critical first step toward breaking away from the Big 12 Athletic Conference on Monday to join the SEC. In a joint statement, the schools announced they had informed the Big 12 that they won’t renew their grants of media rights once the deal expires in ...
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Tokyo Olympics: A success? A failure? And how to judge?

TOKYO (AP) – Will it be a success? A failure? Or none of the above?

It will take something much more nuanced than those basic notions to access the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics when they wrap up in two weeks. The response will be twisted by dozens of parties with their ...
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Russia edges Japan to take gold in men’s gymnastics team final; U.S. finishes fifth

Theoretically, the Americans were in contention for a medal — if the Russian Olympic Committee, Japan or China had a disastrous routine to end the meet. That didn't happen.
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Mets, Dodgers listed as gambling favorites for Max Scherzer

These could be the final days of Max Scherzer in a Washington Nationals uniform.

MLB's trade deadline is Friday, and with the Nationals eight games behind in the NL East, Scherzer could be one of the biggest names on the market if Washington does look to become sellers.

If Scherzer ...
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Coach Dean Boxall produces meme-worthy celebration after Ariarne Titmus' upset over Katie Ledecky

Dean Boxall's 15 minutes of fame started with a 16-second clip.

After Ariarne Titmus's thrilling upset over Katie Ledecky in the 400-meter freestyle final, NBC cameras cut over to the Australian coach, who was celebrating his pupil winning the gold medal with, uh, enthusiastic energy.

Boxall ripped off his mask, ...
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Houston Texans open to trading QB Deshaun Watson

The Houston Texans are now reportedly willing to trade quarterback Deshaun Watson. But the price to land the 25-year-old remains quite high. 

Multiple outlets reported Monday that the Texans are seeking at least three first-round picks for Watson, who demanded out from Houston earlier this year after the team hired ...
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Celebrating an Olympic gold medal, on opposite sides of the Pacific

Reaching the Olympics is a family affair, but the parents aren't here to share the moments with their children.
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Wearing unitards, German gymnasts take stand against sexualization

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Pandemic Olympics endured heat, and now a typhoon's en route

TOKYO (AP) – First, the sun. Now: the wind and the rain.

The Tokyo Olympics, delayed by the pandemic and opened under oppressive heat, are due for another hit of nature’s power: a typhoon arriving Tuesday morning that is forecast to disrupt at least some parts of the Games.

“Feels ...
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Joy and pain at the Olympic pool, measured in hundredths of seconds

Torri Huske's near miss of the medal stand and the men's 4x100 relay gold reveals the impact of the tiniest margins.
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A Dutch cyclist thought she had won Olympic gold, but an Austrian was way ahead of her

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Sunday 25 July 2021

Bradley Beal 'seriously mulling' future with Wizards

The Washington Wizards took care of one significant task this offseason when they hired Wes Unseld Jr. to be their coach. But they could soon have a much more pressing issue to address.

According to multiple reports, Bradley Beal is “seriously mulling” whether he wants to stay in the District. ...
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At the archery field, a South Korean dynasty of enchanting ruthlessness

At some future Olympics, someone else might win the gold medal in women's archery. But not this one.
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Deshaun Watson to report for Texans training camp: reports

Deshaun Watson will reportedly show up to the Houston Texans' training camp on Sunday when players are required to report. 

The 25-year-old quarterback returns to the franchise at a tumultuous time. Watson is dealing with 22 civil lawsuits from women who accused him of sexual misconduct when receiving massages. Watson ...
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U.S. men's basketball loses to France, first Olympic loss in 25 games

Time to hit the panic button.

The U.S. men's basketball team fell 83-76 to France in its debut at the Tokyo Games on Sunday — marking the first Olympic loss by the country since 2004, when America finished only with a bronze medal.

Sunday's loss followed a shaky series of ...
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Basketball-shooting robot wows at half-time of USA-France game

With no fans in attendance at this year’s Olympics, you would think there would be little need for an entertainment act at half-time. 

Think again. 

During Sunday’s basketball game between the United States and France in Japan, a 7-foot-tall robot was trotted out and displayed its mechanical shooting form. The ...
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Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky debut

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U.S. loses to France in Olympic opener

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US takes 45-37 lead into halftime despite Kevin Durant’s foul trouble

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U.S. takes 22-15 lead over France after first quarter

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For U.S. men’s basketball, new challenges — and same expectations

Opponents will have roster continuity advantages, starting with France on Sunday, but the Americans are the gold-medal favorites nonetheless.
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For U.S. men’s basketball, new faces, new challenges — and same expectations

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Saturday 24 July 2021

P-Funk leader George Clinton cancels retirement plans at 80: 'You're going to have to drag me off'

Funk legend George Clinton has called off plans to retire from performing live, announcing his change of heart in an interview released on the Parliament-Funkadelic's bandleader's 80th birthday this week.

"I'm pulling back from that," Mr. Clinton recently told Rolling Stone magazine about his previously announced retirement plans. "It's hello ...
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Max Scherzer scratched from start with mild tricep discomfort

Max Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled start about two hours before first pitch Saturday due to “mild discomfort” in his right tricep, the Washington Nationals announced. Jon Lester will take the ball for Washington against the Orioles instead.

The injury stems from a recent batting practice session rather than ...
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Tokyo Olympics win kudos for honoring 'Munich massacre' victims in historic first

The Tokyo Olympics made history by honoring the Israeli team members killed at the 1972 Munich Olympics, marking the first time the games have recognized the slain athletes at an opening ceremony.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett led those commending organizers for holding a moment of ...
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