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Hurkacz beats Rublev to claim Shanghai Masters title

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

SHANGHAI (AP) — Hubert Hurkacz claimed his second Masters title in a dramatic final at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, saving a match point before prevailing 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8) against Andrey Rublev.Like he did in his impressive semifinal win over Sebastian Korda, the Polish player’s serve was again his strike weapon as he sent down 21 aces and won more than 80% of his first serve points.Hurkacz struck the first blow of the final with a forehand winner to break Rublev in the sixth game, which proved decisive in taking the opening set. It was the first set that the 25-year-old Russian player had dropped in the tournament but it seemed to spur him on, as the No. 7-ranked player found his range in the second, hitting 16 winners to force a decider.As the match tightened, Rublev saved one match point on serve at 4-5 before taking a 5-2 advantage in the third set tiebreaker. Hurkacz responded by firing back-to-back aces before forcing a Rublev error to level at 5-5. Rublev then earne...

F1 governing body FIA to review Hamilton’s actions after crossing track at Qatar GP

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

Formula One’s governing body is reviewing a penalty giving to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for crossing the track after climbing out of his car following a first-lap collision at last Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.Hamilton tangled with his Mercedes teammate George Russell after making a flying start and went spinning off into the gravel trap when trying to overtake him. He jumped straight out of the cockpit and crossed the circuit, which is a breach of regulations.Following a stewards’ investigation, he was issued his first reprimand of the season and fined 50,000 euros ($52,560), with 25,000 euros ($26,280) suspended pending any further breach this season.But given his role model status within the series, and the danger represented, governing body FIA feels this may not have been enough. Hamilton reached the inside edge of the Losail track shortly before Russell arrived at full speed having exited the pit lane.“The FIA notes that Lewis was apologetic during the ...

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie / Belkys

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, melted¼ cup packed brown sugar2 tbs. granulated sugar1 egg1 tsp. vanilla extract3/4 cup + 2 tbs. all-purpose flour, fluffed and leveled¼ tsp. baking soda¼ tsp. salt¾ cup chocolate chips or chunksMethod of Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 6-8″ cast iron skillet.In a medium bowl with an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars together until creamed, about 3-4 minutes.Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing to incorporate.Add flour, salt, and baking soda, and mix on low until completely combined.Stir in chocolate and spread evenly into the prepared skillet (feel free to throw some extra chocolate chunks on top!).Bake for 20-22 minutes or until edges are crispy and center is just set (NOTE: if using a 6-inch pan, you may need up to 25 minutes of baking time; if you’re using individual skillets or ramekins, you may only need 12-15 minutes).Let the cookie skillet cool slightly. Serve by...

China says Israel’s actions go beyond self-defense: Report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

China’s foreign minister said Saturday that Israel has gone too far in responding to last week’s invasion by Hamas, China’s official news agency reported.Speaking to Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Israel’s actions have extended beyond self-defense.According to Xinhua, China has an interest in helping resolve the conflict and the underlying issues involving the Palestinian population.The report contained no direct quotes, but Xinhua said about Wang’s remarks during the phone conversation: “China is in intensive communication with all parties to push for a ceasefire and an end to the fighting, he said, adding that the pressing task is to ensure the safety of civilians, open humanitarian corridors for aid as soon as possible, and protect the basic needs of the people in Gaza.”Before the Hamas incursion and subsequent Israeli military response, it was believed that Israel and Saudi Arabia, driven by a common animus toward ...

Putin to meet Xi in China this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing this week — a rare international visit by the Russian leader.Putin will attend a forum marking 10 years of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s global infrastructure program that has helped boost its influence worldwide. The visit to Beijing on October 17-18 marks Putin’s first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest in March over the forced transport of children to Russia from Ukraine. China is not party to the ICC. Washington and Brussels have been eyeing with alarm the relationship between China and Russia, with Beijing refusing to condemn Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, even as it has voiced support for the principle of territorial integrity. Russia has increased its energy exports to China as it grapples with Western sanctions imposed as a response to the invasion of Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borre...

How to protect your mental health while keeping tabs on the Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

(CNN) — As the situation in Israel and Gaza continues to unfold, many people far from the conflict are nonetheless exposed to countless images, stories and sounds of conflict via television and radio news reports, newspaper and digital stories, and of course social media.And this is taking a toll on all of us, including our children. The American Psychological Association released a statement this week warning that consuming violent and traumatic news can in and of itself negatively affect our mental health.“Psychological science tells us that fear, anxiety and traumatic stress have long-term effects on health and well-being. These impacts are also being felt by people around the world who have families and friends in the region, as well as those concerned about the effects of war everywhere,” it says.So how do we stay informed and stay connected while protecting our mental health and that of our children? This is an issue that has come up over and over in the co...

Cooler Air Setting Up Shop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

A cool and brisk day is on tap for today, really giving us the October feel that has been pretty hard to come by this month so far. Temperatures will climb to around 60° today but a gusty breeze will develop and make it feel a little brisk outside. Clouds will break up a little bit today and give us at least some sunshine this afternoon.There’s a big area of low pressure JUST offshore from us, throwing clouds our way this morning and a few light showers across the Cape and Islands. The shower chance there will continue to diminish this morning as the storm pushes northeast. However, as it moves toward the Canadian Maritimes, it will spin down a trough that will keep things rather cloudy and unsettled to kick off the work week.The rain chances Monday and Tuesday are just spotty showers. It’s not an all day rain, nor is it heavy, but enough where you probably will want to grab the umbrella out the door tomorrow morning. The better chance of these showers both Monday and Tu...

5 takeaways from the MLB postseason, including the ‘attaboy’ heard round the world and Lance Lynn’s record-setting feat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

The matchups in the league championship series, which begin Sunday with the Texas Rangers at the Houston Astros in the ALCS, aren’t exactly what MLB had hoped for.Three teams with 100-plus wins — the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles — all bowed out quickly, leaving baseball with the all-Texas matchup in the ALCS and an NLCS series pitting a rebuilding Arizona Diamondbacks team with no household names against the star-studded Philadelphia Phillies.A possible repeat of an Astros-Phillies World Series would likely be greeted by yawns. Last year’s matchup was the second-lowest rated World Series in history.But who knows? It could be riveting baseball, which is something the postseason has lacked in the first two rounds thanks to all the blowouts and sweeps.Here are five takeaways from the postseason.1. Obviously the playoff format will be questioned when 3 of the top 4 seeds who had byes are gone.The long wait for the first postseason...

Biden and Democrats report raising $71 million-plus for his 2024 race from July through September

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee raised more than $71 million for his reelection in the three months ending Sept. 30, a strong indication that party donors remain united behind him going into a 2024 race that may feature a rematch with Donald Trump. Sunday’s announcement comes after the Biden campaign and the party reported raising $72-plus million in the 10 weeks between his official campaign announcement on April 25 and the end of the second quarter on June 30. Both totals include donations to Biden’s campaign and to a network of joint fundraising arrangements with the national and state parties. The campaign said Democrats had $91 million in cash on hand through the end of last month, the highest-ever total by a Democrat at this point in an election cycle.“This quarter’s fundraising haul and historic cash on hand speak to the very real enthusiasm and support,” Julie Chavez Rodriguez, manager of Biden’s reelection campai...

Water runs out at UN shelters in Gaza. Medics fear for patients as Israeli ground offensive looms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:40 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Water has run out at U.N. shelters across Gaza as thousands packed into the courtyard of the besieged territory’s largest hospital as a refuge of last resort from a looming Israeli ground offensive and overwhelmed doctors struggled to care for patients they fear will die once generators run out of fuel.Palestinian civilians across Gaza, already battered by years of conflict, were struggling for survival Sunday in the face of an unprecedented Israeli operation against the territory following a Hamas militant attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,300 Israelis, most of them civilians.Israel has cut off the flow of food, medicine, water and electricity to Gaza, pounded neighborhoods with airstrikes and told the estimated 1 million residents of the north to flee south ahead of Israel’s planned attack. The Gaza Health Ministry said more than 2,300 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting erupted last weekend.Relief groups called for the protecti...