South Africa opens World Cup qualifying with 2-1 win over Benin

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

South Africa opens World Cup qualifying with 2-1 win over Benin DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa started its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 home win against Benin on Saturday to take the early lead in Group C. Percy Tau put the host ahead in the second minute following a swift interchange of passes, and South Africa doubled its lead at the Moses Mabhidha Stadium when Khuliso Mudau finished from close range on the stroke of halftime after Benin failed to clear the ball. Benin captain Steve Mounié reduced the deficit in the 69th by coolly slotting the ball past South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from inside the box.The other four teams in Group C all drew their opening games, including Nigeria being held to a surprising 1-1 stalemate at home against Lesotho on Thursday. South Africa hasn’t appeared at a World Cup since hosting the 2010 edition, and last qualified for the tournament in 2002. South Africa coach Hugo Broos, a 71-year-old Belgian, now has the task of taking Bafana Bafana back to the showcase tournament in ...

Brazil recovers to reach second round at U17 World Cup. US to face Germany in round of 16

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Brazil recovers to reach second round at U17 World Cup. US to face Germany in round of 16 JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Defending champion Brazil recovered from an opening-game loss at the Under-17 World Cup to set up a second-round match against Ecuador in the Indonesian city of Surakarta on Monday.The four-time title-winner was stunned by Iran in the opening Group C game but recovered against New Caledonia and then beat 2017 champion England 2-1 on Friday to advance.“The most important thing is not the final result, it’s how we react to the circumstances,” Brazil coach Phelipe Leal said. “The team showed their mental strength and their quality of play. I think we deserve to advance and we reached the very strong final phase.”Group winner England will face Uzbekistan while Iran also advanced to meet Morocco on Monday.The top two from each of the six groups of four as well as the four best third-placed teams advanced to the round of 16.Despite being on home soil and backed by passionate crowds, Indonesia, in its first appearance at any World Cup for over 80 years, was elimin...

Argentine presidential candidate Milei goes to the opera — and meets both jeers and cheers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Argentine presidential candidate Milei goes to the opera — and meets both jeers and cheers BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Both jeers and cheers for Argentina’s right-wing presidential candidate resounded with acoustic perfection inside the country’s legendary Colón Theater, laying bare the country’s polarization on the eve of Sunday’s runoff.The audience had gathered Friday evening in Latin America’s premiere opera house that is world-renowned for its acoustics to watch a performance of “Madama Butterfly” — but Javier Milei soon became the main event. A group began insulting him as he sat in the front row of a box alongside his girlfriend.“Milei, trash, you are the dictatorship!” some attendees can be heard chanting at the candidate in videos on social media. He has downplayed Argentina’s bloody 1976-1983 military rule, saying the number of its victims is far below what human rights organizations have long claimed, among other controversial positions.Some videos on social media also showed a few orchestra musicians playing the “Peronist March,” an anthem of the poli...

Inmate located in Larkspur after manhunt, shelter in place

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Inmate located in Larkspur after manhunt, shelter in place DENVER (KDVR) -- An escaped inmate was located hiding in a barn on private property in the Larkspur area by a citizen and Douglas County Sheriff's Office deputies, the agency reported Saturday morning.On Friday, parts of Larkspur near Fox Farm and Spruce Mountain were under a shelter-in-place Friday while police searched for the escaped inmate. Victim killed in El Paso County courthouse shooting was carrying baby: police According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the county's SWAT team was in the area looking for Luis Fernando Certa-Regaldo. Investigators remained there Friday night, but they had not found him "after an exhaustive search."The Sheriff's Office said Certa-Regaldo was taken into custody without incident but was unable to provide further information as this is still an open investigation. Certa-Regaldo was arrested Wednesday in Weld County on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, obstruction and attempting to influence law enforcement.While in custody, h...

Ousted OpenAI CEO Altman welcome in France, digital minister says

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Ousted OpenAI CEO Altman welcome in France, digital minister says Ousted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is welcome in France, French Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Saturday, a day after the creator of ChatGPT fired Altman.“Sam Altman, his team and their talents are welcome in France, where we are accelerating [efforts] to put artificial intelligence at the service of the common good,” Barrot said in a post on X.OpenAI’s board on Friday said it had lost confidence in Altman, according to a blog post by the company. He is being replaced by chief technology officer Mira Murati.Altman met with French President Emmanuel Macron in May to discuss the place of France and Europe in the global race for artificial intelligence (AI). It was part of a tour around Europe by the OpenAI chief to pitch his version of AI rulemaking, which also included stops in Germany, the U.K., Spain and Poland. The EU has been trying to come to grips with regulating AI virtually since OpenAI’s ChatGPT was launch in November 2022. The software i...

Milan Lucic on indefinite leave from Boston Bruins after ‘situation,’ team says

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Milan Lucic on indefinite leave from Boston Bruins after ‘situation,’ team says Boston Bruins player Milan Lucic is on indefinite leave from the Boston Bruins after an incident, according to the team.In a statement Saturday, the Bruins said, “The Boston Bruins are aware of the situation involving Milan Lucic Friday evening. Milan is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team. The organization takes these matters very seriously, and we will work with the Lucic family to provide any support and assistance they may need. We will have no further comment at this time.” No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Suspect identified in shooting that killed guard at New Hampshire State Hospital

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Suspect identified in shooting that killed guard at New Hampshire State Hospital Authorities have identified the shooter who killed a 63-year-old guard at New Hampshire State Hospital in Concord on Friday as John Madore, a 33-year-old man they described as transient.Investigators say Madore used a 9mm pistol when he shot and killed Bradley Haas, of Franklin, N.H., a state Department of Safety Security Officer working at the hospital’s front lobby entrance around 3:30 p.m. Friday.Speaking to reporters Saturday, officials did not release the name of the state trooper who immediately responded to the scene, shooting and killing Madore, who they said most recently stayed at a hotel on the Seacoast after spending time in the Concord metro area.“Make no mistake, if not for the heroics and sacrifice of Bradley Haas, the bravery of the New Hampshire Hospital staff, the unflinching response of New Hampshire State Police, this tragedy could have been much, much worse,” Gov. Chris Sununu said.“New Hampshire owes a debt of gratitude to them all,” he added.Autopsies for the ...

Milan Lucic on leave from Boston Bruins after Friday incident

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Milan Lucic on leave from Boston Bruins after Friday incident The Boston Bruins announced that forward Milan Lucic will be taking “an indefinite leave of absence” following an alleged incident of domestic violence.“The Boston Bruins are aware of an incident involving Milan Lucic Friday evening. Milan is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team. The organization takes these matters very seriously, and and will work with the Lucic family to provide any support and assistance they may need. We will have no further comment at this time.”Lucic, 35, spent his first 8 seasons with the Bruins before returning to the club this season after 8 seasons playing for LA, Edmonton and Calgary.A Boston Police Department spokesman said he could neither confirm nor deny whether any arrest was made and cited public records law that allowed the department 10 days to release any police report on the incident.The chief records officer for the department, who another officer at the media office told the Herald is the only person who...

Connecticut judge sets new primary date for mayor’s race tainted by alleged ballot box stuffing

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Connecticut judge sets new primary date for mayor’s race tainted by alleged ballot box stuffing BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut judge has set Jan. 23 as the date for a new Democratic primary election in the Bridgeport mayor’s race after having tossed out the September election results because of alleged ballot box stuffing.Judge William Clark issued the order late Friday afternoon after Mayor Joe Ganim and challenger John Gomes agreed on the Jan. 23 date. Clark also ruled a new general election, if needed, would be held Feb. 27.Clark’s order also includes specific procedures to be followed in the new primary, including making absentee ballot applications available on Dec. 29 and a new safeguard requiring the town clerk to stamp each absentee ballot received through drop boxes with the words “Drop Box.”The judge ordered a new primary earlier this month, citing surveillance videos of Ganim supporters stuffing what appeared to be multiple absentee ballots into outdoor collection boxes for the Sept. 12 primary. Two women seen in the videos were summoned to court...

Leslieville restaurant owner paying it forward

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:16:25 GMT

Leslieville restaurant owner paying it forward People all over social media are raving about a Leslieville restaurant.Yes, Samaira’s Kitchen has great food but people are posting about the free meal tickets in the window and the sign that says “if you’re hungry but can’t pay, come in anyway.”Chef Rajesh says his customers can add $16 to their bills to put a ticket in the window.“It’s just an amazing, amazing feeling when you are able to help somebody and I think the blessings you get from them and the appreciation that you get from the community,” says Rajesh who’s cooked nearly 400 meals so far.He’s grateful for the generosity of his customers.“It’s when you see the smile and the joy and the tears of, you know when people, enjoy that meal.”Kelsey lives across the street and tells CityNews 680 Rajesh is generous even outside of his restaurant. She says when she and her partner moved in and had no hot water, Rajesh offered his shower.Rajesh says as long...