Home

Czech billionaire Pavel Tykac acquires Slavia Prague soccer club

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — Czech businessman Pavel Tykač has acquired Slavia Prague from Chinese investment group CITIC, the club said Thursday.Tykač, an energy investor, is the fourth-richest Czech whose wealth is estimated at $8.2 billion, according to Forbes.Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. The transaction includes Slavia’s stadium.The 59-year-old Tykač said he is a diehard Slavia fan, like his father and grandfather, and it would be “a big honor” for him to oversee the club’s development. He will chair Slavia’s board.During five years under CITIC’s ownership, Slavia reached the quarterfinals of European competitions three times, won three domestic titles and three Czech cups.The club has qualified for the round of 16 in the Europa League this season.The sale is expected to get final regulatory approval in February.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerSource

Kitley sets ACC career rebounding record in No. 15 Virginia Tech’s 76-43 win over William & Mary

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Elizabeth Kitley had 23 points and 17 rebounds, setting the Atlantic Coast Conference career rebounding record, and the No. 15 Virginia Tech women found their shooting touch in the second half on Thursday to pull away for a 76-43 win over William & Mary.Kitley, who has 1,304 rebounds, moved past former Hokey Regan Magarity (2015-19) and became the first ACC woman to surpass 3,000 rebounds.Carys Baker made all three of her 3s in the second half and added 13 points for the Hokies (9-2). Georgia Amoore had 12 points and seven assists.Bella Nascimento scored 15 of her 22 points in the first half to keep William & Mary (4-7) close, but the Tribe never found their shooting touch. They finished at 24% (14 of 59), 5 of 21 from long distance.NO. 8 COLORADO 78, NORTHERN COLORADO 56BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Jaylyn Sherrod scored 13 of her 16 points in the second quarter, Aaronette Vonleh added 14 and Colorado recovered from a 14-0 deficit to start the game to beat No...

Rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton draw 1-1 to launch Premier League’s hectic festive period

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The Premier League’s hectic festive schedule was launched Thursday with another 1-1 draw between rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton, for whom Danny Welbeck grabbed an 82nd-minute equalizer at Selhurst Park.Welbeck, a second-half substitute, rose to meet Pascal Gross’ inswinging cross with a looping header that found the top corner.That canceled out Jordan Ayew’s opener in the first minute of first-half stoppage time that arose from a mistake by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. The Dutch keeper’s weak clearance went straight to Michael Olise, who headed to Will Hughes and received the ball back before crossing for Ayew to head home.It meant Brighton conceded for a 22nd straight league game — the club’s longest ever run without a clean sheet.It was a fifth straight 1-1 draw between the teams at Selhurst Park.“It’s frustrating — we played a really good first half, I don’t remember them having clear cut chances, but Danny Welbeck scores a fantastic goal,” Palace ...

Tied early in second half, Wake Forest rolls over Presbyterian 91-68

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Andrew Carr scored 21 points, Hunter Sallis added 20 and Kevin Miller 19 as Wake Forest ran away from Presbyterian in the second half for a 91-68 win Thursday.Carr added nine rebounds and Miller seven assists while Efton Reid scored 14 points with eight rebounds plus five blocks and Cameron Hildreth had 11 points. The Demon Deacons (8-3) shot 55%, made 8 of 14 3-point attempts and outscored the Blue Hose 26-5 off turnovers. The win was Wake Forest’s sixth straight and its 27th consecutive nonconference home victory.Samage Teel scored 17 points and Jamahri Harvey 14 for the Blue Hose (7-7) but combined for only eight in the second half when Presbyterian was outscored by 20.The game was tied early in the second half when the Demon Deacons outscored Presbyterian 23-4 over six minutes to lead 63-44 with Miller hitting a pair of 3-pointers and scoring eight points. Sallis added six during the run which included five Presbyterian turnovers.The second of tw...

Browning, Bengals look to keep the momentum going while reeling Steelers turn to Rudolph

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

CINCINNATI (8-6) at PITTSBURGH (7-7)Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EST, NBC.OPENING LINE: Bengals by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Bengals 6-7-1; Steelers 7-7.SERIES RECORD: Steelers lead 69-39LAST MEETING: Steelers beat Bengals 16-10 on Nov. 26 in Cincinnati.LAST WEEK: Bengals beat Vikings 27-24 (OT), Steelers lost to Colts 30-13.BENGALS OFFENSE: OVERALL (21), RUSH (31), PASS (13), SCORING (14).BENGALS DEFENSE: OVERALL (30), RUSH (28), PASS (27), SCORING (20).STEELERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (27), RUSH (16), PASS (28), SCORING (28).STEELERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (20), RUSH (22), PASS (20), SCORING (9).TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Bengals plus-11; Steelers plus-10.BENGALS PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Tee Higgins had some clutch catches last week, including an amazing 21-yard TD reception in the final minute of regulation that saw him bending backward to break the plane of the goal line as a defender wrestled him out of bounds. He could be even more important since WR Ja’Marr Chase is o...

Therapeutic horse ranch improving quality of life, one ride at a time

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

LONGMONT (KDVR) - Some describe it as a science. Others call it magic. Maybe it is a little of both. Whatever it is, no one can argue the healing power of a horse is real. Colorado photographer pursues his passion for profit and adventure Founded in 1980, the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center works with hundreds of patients every year who are dealing with physical and emotional challenges. It is the combination of horses and nature that has a powerful and positive effect.It was a cool and crisp Colorado morning when FOX31's Dan Daru visited. Saunders, a Norwegian Fjord horse was getting tacked up with a blanket, bridle and saddle by his handler. Saunders is one of 25 horses at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center. Robert Hesse, 18, thinks it's a good day for a ride. Robert has Down syndrome, a genetic disorder causing developmental and intellectual delays.“(Robert) has got such an unfiltered, natural response," said Mark Hesse, Robert's father. "There is no hidden agenda with ...

Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery by former assistant in lawsuit

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Fast and Furious” star Vin Diesel has been accused by his former assistant of sexual battery while working for him in 2010.Astra Jonasson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Thursday alleging that Diesel forced himself onto her in a hotel suite in Atlanta. The lawsuit alleges she tried to escape from the room after being forced into Diesel’s bed, but the actor moved toward her then groped her breasts and kissed her chest.Diesel attempted to pull down her underwear, causing her to scream as she ran toward the nearby bathroom. He eventually forced her to touch his erect penis and began to masturbate, the suite says.The lawsuit said Jonasson closed her eyes in fear of angering Diesel any further and wished the assault would end.Jonasson was fired hours later by Diesel’s sister Samantha Vincent, who is also the president of his One Race Productions.The lawsuit stated that Jonasson felt like she was a “piece of trash” and her self esteem was “demolished.”“It was c...

Santa and the Grinch join FLFR tactical teams rappelling down Broward Health Medical Center to spread holiday cheer

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

Jolly Old Saint Nick and friends spread cheer where it was needed the most this holiday season.Fort Lauderdale Fire Tactical Rescue teams dropped into the spirit of the season and teamed up with Santa, the Grinch, Buddy the elf and a reindeer to rappel down the Broward Health Medical Center.The festive bunch waved through the windows to the patients inside.“The holiday season is always a happy season, and often we forget about those that are in the hospital,” said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan. “Seeing this and seeing the smile on these kids’ faces, and being able to make their holiday season just a little bit brighter, it really, truly warms all of our hearts.”Crowds of cheering patients and staff gathered around the building for pictures and fun interactions with these holiday heroes.

Rush of new defense deals with US shows Europe’s growing concern over Russia

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

Northern European countries are rushing to shelter under Washington’s security umbrella.A surge of new defense agreements between the U.S. and allies in Northern Europe allow for the fast-track deployment of American troops, marking the latest response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.New multi-year pacts with Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania signed this month signal a major shift that has occurred within NATO over the past two years as member countries race to restock arsenals after sending weapons to Ukraine and steel themselves for a new era of confrontation with Moscow.At the heart of all six defense security cooperation deals are guidelines for allowing U.S. troops to operate in the country for training missions and easing red tape for personnel and their equipment to deploy quickly in case of emergency.“This allows the U.S. to say: This entire region is one defense region. How can we work together, both in planning, exercises, deterrence operations? Now y...

Shooter kills 14 in Prague

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:48:04 GMT

A shooter killed 14 people and injured dozens more in a violent attack at Charles University in Prague on Thursday afternoon before being killed himself, according to Czech police.“The shooter has been eliminated!!! The entire [university] building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens injured,” Czech police reported Thursday afternoon. “The intervention at the site is still ongoing. At the moment we can confirm more than 15 dead and dozens injured. We have no information at this time that the perpetrator is linked to any terrorist organization,” the police said, before revising the number of mortalities downward to 14. The injured people have been cleared from the attack site, but “a smaller number of crews remain on site as a precaution,” Prague’s Medical Rescue Services reported. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala will convene an “extraordinary meeting of the government” on Thursday evening, followed...