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23.2.26

Kings end 16-game skid with 123-114 win over Grizzlies

8:22:00 PM
Kings end 16-game skid with 123-114 win over Grizzlies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Russsell Westbrook scored 25 points and Precious Achiuwa had 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Sacramento Kings snapped a 16-game losing streak — the longest in franchise history — with a 123-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.

Associated Press

DeMar DeRozan and Daeqwon Plowden finished with 19 points each, with Plowden scoring 10 in the fourth quarter. Sacramento has the NBA's worst record and hadn't won since beating Washington on Jan. 16.

Javon Smalls led Memphis with 21 points and nine assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper had 17 points and GG Jackson added 16 points.

SPURS 114, PISTONS 103

DETROIT (AP) —Victor Wembanyamahad 21 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks, Devin Vassell scored 28 andSan Antoniobeat the Detroit in a potentialNBAFinals preview.

The Spurs have won a season-high nine games in a row and trail only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.

The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who had won five straight, host Oklahoma City on Wednesday night in another test.

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Detroit star Cade Cunningham struggled, missing 21 of 26 shots and finishing with 16 points and 10 assists.

ROCKETS 125, JAZZ 105

HOUSTON (AP) — Jabari Smith Jr. had 31 points and nine rebounds and Amen Thompson scored 20 points as Houston beat Utah.

Smith hit his first five shots and matched a career-high with 14 points in the first quarter. He converted 12 of 17 shots overall and made six 3-pointers.

Thompson shot 8 for 9 from the field and finished with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Kevin Durant scored 18 points and added a season-high 12 assists. Reed Sheppard scored 15 points off the bench.

With the win, the Rockets (35-21) into third place in the Western Conference, behind Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

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Milan church concert strikes a chord for inclusion ahead of Winter Paralympics

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Milan church concert strikes a chord for inclusion ahead of Winter Paralympics

MILAN (AP) — Days ahead of theWinter Paralympics, when disabled athletes will take center stage at the Milan Cortina Games, a choir from northernItalyperformed a pop music concert inside Milan's Sant'Antoniochurch, calling for harmony and inclusion — particularly of those with disabilities.

Associated Press The Rev. Stefano Guidi, head of the Archdiocese of Milan's Service for Oratories and Sport, addresses attendees during a concert at the church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/María Teresa Hernández) Members of Coro Terzo Tempo gather inside the church of Sant'Antonio Abate before a concert in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/María Teresa Hernández) Coro Terzo Tempo perform during a concert at the church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/María Teresa Hernández)

Paralympics Milan Church Inclusion

Around 70 teenagers and adults in the Terzo Tempo choir traveled from the neighboring city Abbiategrasso for their Feb. 18 performance, titled "Like Yeast in the Dough." It drew on a Gospel image that reflects the project's spirit: a discreet presence that helps anyone rise from within.

The choir's concert in Milan formed part of the archdiocese's strategy to seize the Olympic and Paralympic moment to impartChristian values.

"The Olympics and theParalympicsare not something that simply passes over our heads, but something that also touches our lives," said the Rev. Stefano Guidi, who heads the Archdiocese of Milan's Service for Oratories and Sport.

Milan's Catholic Church created in 2021 a special branch that focuses on raising awareness of inclusion. Its work stretches through local parishes and communities, encouraging welcoming environments for everyone, disabled and non-disabled alike.

"If we focus on organizing things only for people with disabilities, we risk segregation," said the Rev. Mauro Santoro, who leads the office alongside 13 volunteers. "Instead, we try to bring everyone together — children's catechism, sports, the simplest activities — because this is true inclusion."

Inclusion rooted in parish life

The Catholic Church's work with young people in Italy largely relies on oratories, parish spaces where children and teenagers gather after school for sports and recreational activities. In these spaces, Santoro said, training to involve people with disabilities and discussions regarding values connected to the Paralympics take place, as well.

"There are testimonies from athletes, including Paralympians," he said. "The real challenge is to change the game so everyone can play well and participate."

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This goal was reflected in the choir's concert at Sant'Antonio. The repertoire was in Italian, English and included a Congolese samba — a choice aimed at diversifying and conveying values associated with the Olympic spirit.

"We tried to choose songs that speak about the desire to achieve something and about constant commitment because that is what really matters beyond the result," said the choir's director, Silvia Gatti. "These are values that athletes believe in, but they should concern everyone."

The choir, whose motto is "Where singing is unity, passion, freedom and joy," welcomes participants from all backgrounds and encourages children to sing with people in their 70s.

In previous performances, the choir has addressed themes such as peace and opposition to violence against women, underscoring its community-focused mission.

AP Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP'scollaborationwith The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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A selection of photos from Major League Baseball's spring training

8:22:00 PM
A selection of photos from Major League Baseball's spring training

Spring training exhibition games have begun inMajor League Baseball. Here's a selection of photos curated by AP photo editors.

Associated Press Logan Eaton, age 9, plays catch in the outfield before a spring training baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Boston Red Sox's Braiden Ward scores past Minnesota Twins catcher Andrew Cossetti in the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) San Francisco Giants' Christian Koss works out during spring training baseball Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Lively Hagauer, of Atlanta, with permanent marker on her face, yells out for autographs before a spring training baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins in North Port, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Atlanta Braves Drake Baldwin tries to catch pumpkin seeds as he is greeted in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in North Port, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Minnesota Twins outfielder Kyler Fedko warms up during a spring training baseball workout in Fort Myers, Fla., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) New York Yankees fans, wearing powdered judge's wigs, watch Aaron Judge take batting practice during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Tampa Bay Rays Carson Williams is tagged out at first base by Boston Red Sox first baseman Nathan Hickey on a double play to end the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game in Port Charlotte, Fla., Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill tosses a ball to fans during spring training baseball practice Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) A man walks through the concourse before a spring training baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) An anole climbs on the batting cage netting during a Minnesota Twins spring training baseball workout in Fort Myers, Fla., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

APTOPIX Rockies Rangers Spring Baseball

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AP photography:https://apnews.com/photography

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Videos from Puerto Vallarta show smoke, flames and chaos after killing of Jalisco drug kingpin

7:42:00 PM
Videos from Puerto Vallarta show smoke, flames and chaos after killing of Jalisco drug kingpin

Smoke filled the sky as the swanky beach town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, erupted into chaos Sunday after the government killed a drug kingpin.

NBC Universal

Shops and cars were set ablaze, allegedlyby cartel members. Tourists and residents cowered in fear.

The Mexican military killedNemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known by his nickname "El Mencho,"the head of the New Generation drug cartel, Sunday in a shoot-out 180 miles east of Puerto Vallarta, in the same state of Jalisco. Mexico had a $15 million reward for his capture.

A day after the violence broke out, streets are deserted Monday as locals and tourists heed remain-in-place orders. Schools in several states canceled classes,The Associated Press reported.

Burned-out shells of vehicles remained on the streets, while damaged stores were heavily scorched from flames, videos showed.

"We saw the taxicabs all blown up and blocking the streets and people running down and towards us," Jim Beck, an American tourist who sheltered in his Puerto Vallarta hotel, told NBC's "TODAY" show. "After this morning was the first time we actually felt fear."

Firefighters work to extinguish flames from buses allegedly set on fire by members of organized crime in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026.  (Reuters)

Marcus Brady, a Chicago resident currently in Puerto Vallarta, shared videos of the violence with NBC News. He said he thought the cartel's intent was to send a message to the Mexican government and American and Canadian tourists that, "If we want to, we will take complete control of everything and everyone here, no one can stop us."

He said the violence happened in two waves starting early Sunday morning. First, a few cars were set on fire on the main road and bridges in and out of the Zona Romántica area of Puerto Vallarta, he said, with much of that taking place in an area behind foothills.

"When those fires were going out, everyone thought it was over. I know I did. So many of us thought it OK to venture out and I decided to walk down to the boardwalk, through the zone," Brady said.

But the second wave was the worst, targeted inside the zone, he said. Brady said he mistook buses and taxis positioned at intersections as barricades to prevent violence, but they had been put there by the cartel during the night. "And when the second wave started, they coordinated setting them on fire, so it would last all day. The intention was to terrify," he said.

Tourists stand outside and watch a column of smoke in the distance down a road (Stringer / Reuters)

A video from KXAS in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, showed several cars in the parking lot of a Costco set ablaze.

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Yoni Pizer told NBC Chicago that he, his husband and friends had to run for their lives to escape what he said were members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Puerto Vallarta.

"The gunmen were following us and they were shooting," Pizer said. "And they were attacking cars and pulling out drivers. At that point, we just ran as fast as we could." His SUV was torched, but a passerby helped them get away.

Video on social media from Sunday showed sirens blaring andpassengers and workers runningthrough the airport in Puerto Vallarta. It was unclear why the sirens went off or why people were running. Images showed a long line ofpeople hiding behind ticket counters.

Road closures affected some travelers' ability to get to airports, according to U.S. and Mexican embassy and consulate officials.

Steven Polito, a drag performer who divides his time between New York City and Puerto Vallarta, said in an essay forBusiness Insiderthat he was struck by how "unusually quiet it was" when he went to gym at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

"When I left around 10:00 a.m., it was a very different scene," Polito said. "Everyday life was juxtaposed against horrendous property againsthorrendous property damage. There was an older woman sweeping leaves in the street, while burned-out car after burned-out car was in flames."

Over at the Guadalajara International Airport, officials saidthe violence in the nearby cities did not affect theiroperations. It said social media reports did not reflect what was happening at the airport.

But the violence was not confined to Puerto Vallarta.

Jalisco's capital, Guadalajara, appeared deserted Sunday night as civilians hunkered down. Authorities later announced they had cleared most of the more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states.

Omar Casillas was running a half marathon, about to cross the finish line when things became chaotic. He began getting texts from his family telling him to "barricade the door, pack all your stuff, be ready to leave if you need to, if you have the chance to," NBC Chicago reported.

Casillas' flight out of Guadalajara's airport was canceled.

Avideo posted onlineshows a customs booth in Reynosa, Mexico, about 5 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, filled with flames and smoke.

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Feds investigate shooting at New Hampshire-Canada border crossing; suspect hospitalized

7:42:00 PM
Feds investigate shooting at New Hampshire-Canada border crossing; suspect hospitalized

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A person was shot near the Canadian border in New Hampshire early Sunday by a U.S. Border Patrol agent who was returning fire, investigators said Monday.

Associated Press

The person was taken to a hospital, officials said.

The FBI said the shots were fired around 1 a.m. Sunday in Pittsburg, a town of about 800 people at the border with Canada. The agency did not provide a name of the suspect, but said the person was receiving medical attention at a hospital.

The Border Patrol agent, whom the FBI also did not name, was unharmed, an agency spokesperson said.

Pittsburg is a rural community that is home to the state's sole border crossing with the Canadian province of Quebec.

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The shots were fired near the port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said. The FBI's Boston field office will be investigating the shooting along with the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of New Hampshire, authorities said.

"Initial reports indicate that the subject opened fire on the agent at which time the agent returned fire," Scott said in a statement. "CBP is cooperating fully with investigators."

Officials with the FBI, CBP and U.S. Attorney's Office declined to provide more detail on the suspect or the circumstances that led to the exchange of gunfire. The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement that information would be released if charges are brought against the person.

Pittsburg is about 150 miles (241 kilometers) north of the state capital of Concord. The town borders Maine and Vermont as well as Canada. The shooting took place near a usually quiet crossing in the only town in New Hampshire that borders Canada. That international border stretches for close to 60 miles (97 kilometers).

Whittle reported from Scarborough, Maine.

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