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Nets’ Ben Simmons ‘as healthy as he’s ever been’ since last season in Philly’: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

Ben Simmons is healthy.At least that’s what his camp is saying.The former three-time NBA All-Star who battled back issues the past two seasons is “as healthy as he’s ever been since his last year” with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN’s Marc Spears.Spears, who read a text message from someone close to Simmons live during an ESPN broadcast, delivered the most encouraging news regarding the star, whose season ended due to an ongoing back injury shortly after the All-Star break.“I would say he’s in the final stage of prep for the season and has passed every benchmark and is healthy as he’s ever been since his last year in Philly,” Spears read from his phone. “Brooklyn has been incredibly supportive, and the plan is for him to be the Nets’ point guard and primary ball handler this coming season. The expectation is he will fully resume his career at the level he was prior to leaving Philadelphia.”Simmons arr...

The Federal Reserve keeps raising rates. That means it’s harder to get a car loan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

By CORA LEWIS and TOM KRISHER (AP Business Writers)NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s decision Wednesday to raise its benchmark rate for the 11th time, by a quarter-point, could once again send ripple effects across the economy.Mortgage rates, which have surged since the Fed began lifting rates in March 2022, may now rise further. So could rates on credit cards and some business loans.Perhaps no one has felt the pain more than car buyers. It’s not just that sticker prices are way up. Or that lenders have tightened credit standards. On top of all that, steadily higher auto loan rates have elbowed many would-be buyers out of the market.Consider: A study by the New York Federal Reserve has found that 14% of applicants for auto loans were rejected over the past year — the highest such proportion since the New York Fed began tracking the figure in 2013 — up from 9% in February.Auto-loan applicants, of course, aren’t the only borrowers being turned d...

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown already emphasizing commitment to defense after Marcus Smart’s departure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

Jaylen Brown didn’t hide his feelings about how much he’ll miss Marcus Smart after the Celtics traded their beloved point guard last month.“My brother and my teammate and one of my best friends is not on the team anymore,” Brown said Wednesday at his press conference to announce his contract extension. “Everybody knows it. I learned so much from Marcus. Marcus has been somebody that’s, like, we butted heads at times, we fought, we did it all, we put each other in headlocks. The journey won’t feel the same without him, to be honest.”But as much as the Celtics will miss Smart, Brown doesn’t want his departure to be an excuse next season.Among the most notable things Brown said on Wednesday was his desire for the Celtics to improve defensively after they lost their identity on that end of the floor last season. Without Smart – the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year – and Grant Williams, who was one of the Celtics’ most versatile defenders, Boston has gotten weaker defensively this offse...

Justice Department investigating Memphis policing methods, months after Tyre Nichols’ death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

By ADRIAN SAINZ and JONATHAN MATTISE (Associated Press)MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday it is investigating how Memphis Police Department officers use force and conduct arrests, nearly seven months after the violent beating of Tyre Nichols by five officers after a traffic stop strengthened nationwide calls for police reform.The in-depth federal probe adds more scrutiny to a city dealing with the aftermath of Nichols’ killing and answers long-standing calls for such an investigation from critics of the way police treat minorities.Federal authorities will look collectively at the Memphis Police Department’s “pattern or practice” of force and stops, searches and arrests, and whether it engages in discriminatory policing.Even in the majority Black city of Memphis, the police department may be disproportionately focusing its traffic enforcement on Black drivers, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rig...

Column: Oh, jeez. The Chicago White Sox begin their sell-off with a flourish — and no one should feel safe.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn seemed surprised by the question.“Oh, jeez,” he said late Wednesday when asked if the trade of Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López to the Los Angeles Angels for two prospects signaled the start of another rebuild.Hahn assured the reporter there would be plenty of time for “declaring titles” for whatever the game plan turns out to be, and all he was doing now was making moves that “make sense and put us in the best position going forward.”“Oh, jeez” is as good an epitaph for the current White Sox rebuild as anything I can think of. It began in 2016 with the trade of Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox and was full steam ahead with the deal that sent Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals.That deal, which netted three top pitching prospects in Giolito, López and Dane Dunning, turned out to be one of the best moves Hahn has made for the Sox. Giolito became an All-Star, Dunning was used to ac...

Shohei Ohtani rewards Angels with 1-hit shutout as Los Angeles runs risk with keeping him

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

It didn’t take long for Shohei Ohtani to reward the Angels — at least in the short-term — for apparently deciding not to trade him.Hours after Sports Illustrated reported Los Angeles plans to keep the impending free agent through the season, Ohtani pitched the first complete-game shutout of his career Thursday, holding Detroit to only one hit in the first game of a doubleheader.The dominant outing was the latest highlight in a season full of them for the two-way sensation, who improved to 9-5 as a pitcher and whose 37 home runs as a hitter lead Major League Baseball.Until recently, many believed the Angels would shop Ohtani, 29, who is expected to command a record contract exceeding $500 million this offseason. Los Angeles entered the All-Star break at 45-46 and, even with a strong start to the second half, remained 3.5 games out of the third and final American League wild card spot after the win.It’s a controversial decision by the Angels, who now risk losin...

Fighting intensifies in southeastern Ukraine with Kyiv claiming gains in its counteroffensive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

By HANNA ARHIROVA and DASHA LITVINOVA (Associated Press)KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Fierce fighting raged Thursday in southeastern Ukraine, where a Western official said Kyiv has launched a major push and Russian President Vladimir Putin said “hostilities have intensified significantly.”Battles in recent weeks have taken place on multiple points along the over 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line as Ukraine wages a counteroffensive with Western-supplied weapons and Western-trained troops against Russian forces who invaded 17 months ago.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated his troops on reclaiming control of a village, while Putin praised Russian troops “heroism” in repelling attacks in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.Putin insisted on state TV that the Ukrainian troops’ push “wasn’t successful” and charged that they suffered heavy casualties, although it was not possible to independently verify his claim. Putin wa...

Bronny James discharged from hospital as LeBron sends thanks and says family is ‘safe and healthy’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

By GREG BEACHAM (AP Sports Writer)LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James has been discharged from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is resting at home, three days after the 18-year-old son of LeBron James went into cardiac arrest.Dr. Merije Chukumerije, a consulting cardiologist for Bronny James, said in a statement issued by the hospital Thursday that James was “successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest.” Chukumerije gave credit to “the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff” after the incident Monday at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center, where the incoming freshman guard was participating in basketball practice.“He arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable,” Chukumerije said. “Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly-trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting. Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his respon...

Former 'Teacher of the Year' faces new charges involving second minor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- A former National City "Teacher of the Year" is facing new charges of sexual misconduct involving a second minor.An amended complaint filed this week by the San Diego County District Attorney's office accuses Jacqueline Ma, 34, of committing a lewd act with the student, who was under the age of 14.The ex-Lincoln Acres Elementary School teacher appeared in a Chula Vista courtroom Wednesday for a readiness conference.Ma, who is being held without bail, was first arrested in March after a parent suspected her 13-year-old child was having an inappropriate relationship with her.She now faces 19 total charges.

Hot temperatures to ease up by end of weekend for San Diego County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

SAN DIEGO — A few more days of hot conditions are in store for San Diego County before a subtle cool down early next week.Above-average temperatures will continue through Saturday, while inland and mountain heat advisories are expected to expire by Friday evening. On Wednesday, Ramona topped out at 102 degrees, tying the daily temperature record from 1977. Palm Springs also tied a record for July 26th , with a whopping daytime high of 119 degrees. Arizonans don't want to hear any complaining from Californians about the heat because every day in July so far has been above 110 degrees in Phoenix.  People flocking to San Diego coast to beat the heat Here in San Diego County, high temperatures will continue to reach five to ten degrees above average for inland areas into the weekend. Beaches are the coolest spot in the region, relatively speaking, as the marine layer has helped to moderate temperatures at the coast.Friday temperatures at the coast will reach upper 70s to low 80s,...