Category: News
Estudiante deportada por EEUU en viaje de Acción de Gracias denuncia intimidación de agente del ICE
Por HOLLY RAMER
CONCORD, Nueva Hampshire, EE.UU. (AP) — Una estudiante universitaria de Massachusetts que fue deportada por Estados Unidos mientras intentaba visitar a su familia para el Día de Acción de Gracias denunció que un agente de inmigración le dijo que no importaría si hablaba con un abogado, porque de todas formas iba a ser expulsada del país.
Any Lucía López Belloza, una estudiante de primer año en Babson College, fue enviada a Honduras el 22 de noviembre, dos días después de ser detenida en el aeropuerto de Boston y un día después de que un juez ordenara que permaneciera en el país.
En un documento judicial presentado el sábado, describió dos noches sin dormir: primero, permaneciendo despierta con emoción ante la expectativa de ver a su familia, y luego, estando hacinada con otras 17 mujeres en una celda “que era tan pequeña que ni siquiera teníamos suficiente espacio para dormir en el piso”.
López Belloza, de 19 años y quien ahora se encuentra con sus abuelos, llegó a Estados Unidos en 2014 a los 8 años y se ordenó que fuera deportada varios años después. Aunque el gobierno ha argumentado que perdió múltiples oportunidades para apelar, López Belloza afirmó que su abogado anterior le dijo que no había una orden de expulsión.
“Si hubiera estado al tanto de mi orden de deportación de 2017, no habría viajado con mi pasaporte válido”, escribió. “Habría dedicado un tiempo y esfuerzo significativos durante los últimos ocho años a contratar a un abogado que pudiera ayudarme a resolver mi situación migratoria”.
El gobierno alega que el juez que emitió la orden del 21 de noviembre para evitar su expulsión carecía de jurisdicción porque para entonces, López Belloza ya estaba en Texas para salir del país. Pero los abogados de la estudiante argumentan que el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) hizo casi imposible localizarla.
Según López Belloza, cuando se negó a firmar un formulario en el que aceptaba la deportación y pidió llamar a sus padres o a un abogado, un agente del ICE “dijo que no importaba si hablaba con un abogado porque de todas formas iba a ser deportada”. Más tarde se le permitió llamar a su familia desde Massachusetts, pero eso fue antes de saber que sería enviada a Texas y luego a Honduras.
En un documento separado, los abogados de López Belloza dijeron que el gobierno actuó “de mala fe y con sigilo” al no responder llamadas telefónicas a la oficina de ICE en el área metropolitana de Boston ni actualizar su base de datos de localización de detenidos y al trasladarla sin permitirle notificar a sus padres o abogado. Solicitaron a un juez que programe una audiencia y permita a López Belloza regresar a Estados Unidos para testificar.
Los documentos se presentaron un día después de que un grupo de siete jueces retirados enviaron una carta al tribunal en la que apoyan la solicitud de López Belloza para una audiencia sobre si el gobierno debería ser considerado en desacato por violar la orden. Dijeron que permitir que el gobierno desobedezca órdenes deliberadamente sería una burla a la Constitución. ___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Cloudy future for bourbon has Jim Beam closing Kentucky distillery for a year
Bourbon maker Jim Beam is halting production at one of its distilleries in Kentucky for at least a year as the whiskey industry navigates tariffs from the Trump administration and slumping demand for a product that needs years of aging before it is ready.
Jim Beam said the decision to pause bourbon making at its Clermont location in 2026 will give the company time to invest in improvements at the distillery. The bottling and warehouse at the site will remain open, along with the James B. Beam Distilling Co. visitors center and restaurant.
The company’s larger distillery in Boston, Kentucky, will continue to operate, the company said.
“We are always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand,” the company said in a statement that added they were talking with the distillery’s union to determine whether there will be layoffs or other reductions.
Bourbon makers have to gamble well into the future. Jim Beam’s flagship bourbon requires at least four years of aging in barrels before being bottled.
Whiskey makers are dealing with back-and-forth arguments over tariffs in Europe and in Canada, where a boycott started after the Trump administration suggested annexing the country into the U.S.
Overall exports of American spirits fell 9% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to a year ago, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. The most dramatic decrease came in U.S. spirits exports to Canada, which fell 85% in the April-through-June quarter
Bourbon production has grown significantly in recent years. As of January, there were about 16 million barrels of bourbon aging in Kentucky warehouses — more than triple the amount held 15 years ago, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
But sales figures and polling show Americans are drinking less than they have in decades.
About 95% of all bourbon made in the U.S. comes from Kentucky. The trade group estimated the industry brings more than 23,000 jobs and $2.2 billion to the state.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/22/jim-beam-kentucky/
$1.6B Powerball jackpot to be drawn Monday, but the odds still aren’t in your favor
Powerball will be drawing its winning lottery numbers Monday night for a record 46th time since its last jackpot was claimed, as a string of failed sweepstakes ballooned the top prize to $1.6 billion.
So far, it’s the 5th-largest jackpot in U.S. history after more than three months without a Powerball winner. The game’s long odds created a massive windfall that has enticed people to splurge on $2 tickets ahead of the live drawing at 10:59 p.m. ET Monday night.
Lottery officials made the odds tougher in 2015 to create these humongous jackpots and draw more attention, while also making it easier to win smaller prizes.
Experts say it’s a sign the lottery is operating exactly as designed, and that no one should really expect to match all six numbers and make a killing. Still, somebody will likely win at some point, and many players are hoping to be that lucky winner.
“Everybody wants to be a millionaire,” said Saqi Anwer, an Atlanta gas station manager who sold $800 worth of tickets on Saturday.
How much would the winner take home?
Monday’s estimated $1.6 billion jackpot has a cash value of $735.3 million.
That means a winner can choose to be paid the whole amount through an annuity, with an immediate payment and then annual payments over 29 years that increase by 5% each time. Winners almost always opt for the up-front cash value, however both eye-popping figures are before taxes.
The last time someone won the Powerball top prize was on Sept. 6, when players in Missouri and Texas won $1.787 billion — the second-highest jackpot in U.S. history.
Matt Strawn, who chairs the Powerball Product Group, said in an interview that nothing special predated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots this year other than the odds of the game. Still, he said it would be magical for a winning ticket to be cashed in during the holidays.
“Imagine if someone is giving the gift of a winning Powerball ticket away, whether it’s in a stocking or a thank-you note to your mail carrier,” Strawn said.
How does the prize rank among the largest jackpots ever?
Monday’s potential bounty now tops the existing 5th-biggest jackpot of a $1.586 billion drawn on Jan. 13, 2016.
Four other jackpots, all from the past three years, have bested the current prize. The biggest U.S. jackpot ever was $2.04 billion back in 2022.
That lotto winner bought the ticket at a Los Angeles-area gas station and opted for a lump-sum payment of $997.6 million.
In Atlanta on Sunday, players were lining up to get their tickets ahead of Monday’s drawing.
“My wife encourages me to buy a ticket because she wants to go on a big trip and she wants to do something good in society,” Bob Wehner said outside a car wash. “And she thought, ‘Well, we can do both if we win, for crying out loud!’”
Ronan Farrell, a middle schooler, speculated about buying an Xbox and a Lamborghini if his family won.
“With an Xbox controller as well,” he added.
What are the odds of winning? Not good
The odds of winning Monday’s jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, according to Powerball. Before the switch a decade ago, the odds were 1 in 175 million. Players now have a 1 in 24.9 chance overall of winning some kind of prize.
Tim Chartier, a Davidson College math professor, said he’s never bought a lottery ticket despite knowing those odds inside and out.
“Picking a winning lottery ticket is equivalent to selecting one marked dollar bill from a stack 19 miles high — roughly the height of more than 115 Statues of Liberty,” or 30 kilometers, Chartier said.
“If you have the funds and you enjoy dreaming about a billionaire life, enjoy the ride. Of course, you could win,” Chartier said. “But when the numbers don’t fall your way, recognize that the odds were never in your favor — and that the twinkle of possibility is what made the journey worth the almost-certain letdown.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/22/powerball-jackpot-monday/
Gol tardío de Al-Hilal asegura récord perfecto en la fase de grupos de la Liga de Campeones AFC
Associated Press
SHARJAH, Emiratos Árabes Unidos (AP) — Al-Hilal de Arabia Saudí derrotó el lunes 1-0 a Sharjah de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos para seguir siendo el único equipo con un récord perfecto en la fase de grupos de la Liga de Campeones de la AFC Elite.
Malcom anotó para el campeón en cuatro ocasiones a nueve minutos del final, el extremo brasileño disparó alto a la red desde cerca del punto de penalti tras un pase del uruguayo Darwin Núñez. La victoria hizo que fueran seis de seis partidos ganados.
Habiendo asegurado ya un lugar en las etapas eliminatorias, Al-Hilal se encuentra cuatro puntos por delante en la cima de su grupo de la zona occidental de 12 equipos, por encima de Tractor de Irán, que derrotó 2-1 a Al-Duhail de Catar.
Los ocho mejores de este y oeste avanzan a los octavos de final.
El entrenador Simone Inzaghi prometió aún más después de que Hilal extendiera su racha ganadora en todas las competiciones a 14 partidos.
“Siempre estamos tratando de hacer felices a los aficionados y mejorar el equipo”, señaló Inzaghi, quien llevó al Inter de Milán a la final de la Liga de Campeones de la UEFA en mayo.
En otros juegos, el campeón defensor Al-Ahli ganó en Al-Shorta de Irak 5-0, una victoria que elevó al club de Jeddah al tercer lugar.
El defensor brasileño Ibanez abrió el marcador e Ivan Toney, Galeno, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat y Ziyad Al-Johani también encontraron la red después del descanso.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Boston Red Sox acquire All-Star Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals for three young righties
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox acquired three-time All-Star Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday in a trade for right-hander Hunter Dobbins and two pitching prospects.
The 33-year-old Contreras is a .258 hitter with 172 homers and 548 RBIs in 10 seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Cardinals. He spent most of his career as a catcher before moving to first base last year, when he batted .257 with 20 homers and 80 RBIs.
Contreras was part of the World Series-winning 2016 Cubs team. His younger brother, William Contreras, is a catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Dobbins, 26, went 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA as a rookie in Boston last year before tearing the ACL in his right knee and missing the second half of the season. The Cardinals will also receive Single-A righties Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo.
St. Louis also sent cash to Boston as part of the deal.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/22/boston-red-sox-acquire-willson-contreras/
Six alleged Chicago gang members indicted in federal racketeering case alleging 13 homicides
A federal grand jury has indicted six purported Chicago gang members for racketeering conspiracy, accusing the gang of involvement in 13 homicides as well as spates of other violence across the city in service of protecting their South Side territory.
In a sweeping indictment unsealed on Friday, the Faceworld street gang members are accused in carjackings and armed robberies, along with shooting at passengers on a Chicago Transit Authority bus and mourners at a rival gang member’s funeral.
Charged in the indictment with racketeering conspiracy are Dontae Harper, 28, Tyrone Foy, 31, Tyjuan Tapplar, 25, Robert Lee Thomas, 22, Davion Harris, 28, and Deavean McClure, 26. Harper, Foy, and Tapplar are also charged with murder in aid of racketeering.
The South Side-based street gang has been an ongoing target for federal law enforcement, with at least two other associates charged in 2023 with murder and racketeering.
Associates and leaders enriched themselves through drug dealing and robberies while using violence to protect their territory and operations, the indictment alleges.
“The Faceworld Enterprise engaged in longstanding and violent feuds with several rival street gangs, including ‘Wuga World’ and ‘900,’ among others,” the indictment alleges. “Over the course of these conflicts, Faceworld Enterprise members and associates committed acts of violence against their rivals inside rival territory and in areas where rivals were believed to be located.”
Among murders alleged the indictment are the 2019 slayings of Brittani Rice and Senobia Brantley and Chantell Grant and Andrea Stoudemire.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/22/federal-indictment-street-gang/
Maduro Must Go, DHS Secretary Noem Says, Vows More Tanker Intercepts
Maduro Must Go, DHS Secretary Noem Says, Vows More Tanker Intercepts
Washington is making clear – in case there was still lingering confusion in anyone’s mind – that we have entered the “Maduro must go” phase of looming regime change operations targeting Venezuela.
A fresh Monday statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem makes clear that “We’re not just interdicting these ships, but we’re also sending a message around the world that the illegal activity that Maduro is participating in cannot stand, he needs to be gone, and that we will stand up for our people.”
“This is an enemy of the United States that we’re taking strong action against, and our Coast Guard is doing a rock-star job going out there and interdicting these ships safely, but also sending a strong message that we will stop this flow and we will continue to stand up for our country,” Noem said.
The Coast Guard falls directly under Noem’s jurisdiction, and while it has been the Pentagon doing the drug boat strikes with drones, the Coast Guard has been seeking to intercept and take control of a third ‘illicit’ tanker in waters off Venezuela.
Sources have told Bloomberg that US forces are still in pursuit of the Bella 1 tanker, which was en route to Venezuela to be loaded with oil. Amid conflicting reports that it had been boarded by American troops, US officials later told The New York Times that the Bella 1 refused to be boarded and fled to the northeast, into the Atlantic Ocean.
It remains unclear whether the Bella 1 will ultimately “get away” or not:
U.S. forces approached the Bella 1 late on Saturday. But it refused to be boarded, instead turning and creating what one U.S. official described as “an active pursuit.”
By Sunday, the Bella 1 was still fleeing the Caribbean and was broadcasting distress signals to nearby ships, according to radio messages reviewed by The New York Times and first posted online by a maritime blogger. The vessel was traveling northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, more than 300 miles away from Antigua and Barbuda, the messages showed. By Sunday evening, Bella 1 had sent over 75 alerts.
It is not clear what steps the United States is taking to pursue the ship. The White House said Mr. Trump would make an announcement on Monday afternoon with his defense secretary and his navy secretary but provided no indication of the subject.
These tanker interdict actions have clearly been stepped up, and more will likely follow, raising the stakes also as China and Russia could react with strong condemnations:
The Coast Guard on Saturday stopped and boarded the Centuries, a tanker that had recently loaded Venezuelan oil, reportedly for a Chinese trader. The U.S. authorities did not have a seizure warrant for the Panamanian-flagged vessel and said they were verifying the validity of its registration. It was unclear how long the ship would be detained.
On Dec. 10, the United States had seized another tanker, the Skipper, which was transporting Venezuelan crude but had earlier carried Iranian oil. The Skipper has been escorted to Galveston, Texas.
This month the US strikes on alleged trafficking boats have have killed about 100 people total since early September. While these actions have remained deeply controversial, denounced in many quarters as ‘extra-judicial killings’ – Congress has essential neutered itself.
NY Times: the tanker the US seized today, called “the Centuries, is not on a list of tankers under U.S. sanctions that is publicly maintained by the Treasury Department. The people inside Venezuela’s oil industry said the cargo belongs to an established China-based oil trader… pic.twitter.com/UXNkKBKgUq
— Steve Lookner (@lookner) December 20, 2025
Recent bills before the House have sought war powers for Congress, which would have required President Trump to seek Congressional approval for further military action; however, these efforts have been voted down, and the strike down was largely bipartisan.
* * *
Enter the “days are numbered” rhetoric on Venezuelan strongman Maduro. There’s been speculation he could flee to places like Qatar or even Russia, like someone else did a year ago…
Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/22/2025 – 15:45
Sudáfrica vence 2-1 a Angola en inicio triunfal de la Copa Africana
Por CIARÁN FAHEY
RABAT, Marruecos (AP) — Lyle Foster le dio el lunes a Sudáfrica un comienzo ganador en la Copa Africana de Naciones con una dura victoria por 21 sobre Angola.
Los Bafana Bafana pusieron fin a una racha de seis partidos sin ganar contra Angola, que había ganado tres y empatado tres de sus encuentros desde un clasificatorio para la Copa del Mundo en noviembre de 2015.
Oswin Appollis de Sudáfrica abrió el marcador en Marrakech con un disparo bajo dentro del poste izquierdo en el minuto 21, pero el centrocampista Show igualó algunos minutos después al desviar un tiro libre de Fredy desde la banda dentro del poste cercano.
Los ánimos se caldearon después de una falta de Aubrey Modiba de Sudáfrica antes del descanso.
Tshepang Moremi pensó que había anotado un gol brillante después de eso. El gol fue anulado por fuera de juego tras una revisión del VAR, y Mbekezeli Mbokazi golpeó el travesaño con un disparo feroz mientras Sudáfrica seguía presionando.
El entrenador de Angola, Patrice Beaumelle, refrescó su alineación ofensiva al enviar a Mabululu y Milson en el minuto 76, pero fue Foster quien anotó en el otro extremo al curvar el balón más allá del brazo extendido de Hugo Marques en el minuto 79.
La campaña del siete veces campeón Egipto comienza más tarde contra Zimbabue en la ciudad costera de Agadir. Un octavo título ampliaría el récord de los Faraones y le daría a Mohamed Salah su primero. La estrella de 33 años del Liverpool nunca ha ganado la principal competición de África.
Salah estaba capitaneando al equipo en su primera titularidad desde el 26 de noviembre cuando el Liverpool perdió ante el PSV Eindhoven en la Liga de Campeones.
Mali frustrado
Patson Daka anotó en el tiempo de descuento para que el campeón de 2012, Zambia, lograra un empate 1-1 contra Mali en el primer partido en Casablanca.
Mali dominó y falló un penalti antes del descanso cuando Willard Mwanza detuvo el esfuerzo de El Bilal Touré, el segundo penalti detenido en igual número de partidos en el torneo.
Lassine Sinayoko finalmente rompió el empate alrededor de la hora de juego, pero Daka tuvo la última palabra con un cabezazo para darle a Zambia un punto en el Grupo A.
El país anfitrión, Marruecos, lidera el grupo con tres puntos después de abrir con una victoria por 2-0 sobre Comoras el domingo.
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AP en la Copa Africana: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Lake County Toys for Tots benefits thousands of children: ‘This is a blessing’
Jon Johnsoon was busy gathering Christmas presents — 28 in all for his four children between the ages of 7 and 12 — during a Toys for Tots distribution in Waukegan over the weekend.
Johnson said the ability to take them home, wrap the gifts and place them under his family Christmas tree for his children Christmas morning will bring excitement to the youngsters and make the rest of the holiday easier for him and his wife.
“This is very, very helpful because it frees us to take care of other things,” he said. “They don’t realize how hard we have to work to put a roof over their heads. Christmas is a time for joy, and we want them to have it. This is a blessing for them and us.”
Johnson’s children were among more than 7,100 youngsters who received toys, games and books through the Lake County Toys for Tots program Friday through Monday, providing presents for under-resourced families at the People’s Choice Family Fun Center in Waukegan.
Rachel Chenier, the executive director of Family First Center of Lake County in Waukegan, partners with the United States Marine Corps based at Naval Station Great Lakes to distribute the toys the Marines collect through donations or purchase with funds from financial contributions.
Parents, sometimes with their youngsters tagging along, walked through what Chenier said she designs as much like a toy store as possible. They picked a large toy, two stocking stuffers, a family game, two books and a coin bank.
A woman looks at the collection of stuffed animals during a Toys for Tots distribution Saturday in Waukegan. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
“The games are for family time for parents and children to play them together,” Chenier said. “Literacy is so important,” she added, referring to the books. “The books are age-appropriate, so they can read and understand them.”
New this year was a scheduling system to avoid long lines stretching out the door — often in inclement weather. Chenier said people entered in groups of 50 every 30 minutes. More than the weather, the revamped system had to do with community fear over federal immigration enforcement.
“The new system was born out of protection for the immigrants,” Chenier said. “I needed to make sure there was no line outside at any time that might bring attention to ICE, and that discretion was where I thought of the appointment system.”
Chenier said arrangements were also made to deliver toys, books and games to people who were afraid to leave their homes to go to the distribution event.
On the weekend before Christmas, two Marines continue to collect gifts for Toys for Tots at the American Place Casino’s Kris Kringle Market Saturday in Waukegan. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
With Family First growing from eight to 27 employees this year, Chenier said staffed the distribution primarily with people from the organization, though longtime volunteers like poet and writer Sharon Epps continue to donate their time.
Epps said it is important to help make sure the tables are fully stocked with stuffed animals, trucks, dolls, books, games and more. She understands the importance of Toys for Tots on a personal level.
“I’ve stood in that line at Toys for Tots, so I could get gifts for my children,” Epps said. “When my children were young, that’s what I had to do. Now I’m here for those who need the help.”
Kalah Nickerson and Cordell Bailey of Zion were selecting gifts for their three young children, who were not with them. They said the toys would be wrapped and placed underneath the Christmas tree after the kids went to sleep on Christmas Eve.
Shoppers get ready to enter the checkout line at the annual Toys for Tots distribution in Waukegan on Saturday. There is no cash register at this toy store. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
“They’re going to really appreciate it,” Bailey said. “This is going to help us give them a nice Christmas.”
Nickerson said Toys for Tots enables the family to do other things important for the holiday, like planning a festive meal and decorating their home.
“We love what Toys for Tots does to help us give them some really nice things, and we love how the kids are going to enjoy them,” Nickerson said.
Generally, families who are on Medicaid or receive help from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are eligible to register for Toys for Tots. Chenier said they begin registration earlier in the fall. Gifts are all new and unwrapped. Stuffed animals, cars, trucks and Barbie dolls are among the most popular choices.
People wait for their appointed time to select gifts for their children at the annual Toys for Tots distribution Saturday in Waukegan. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
While people were getting the gifts for their families, Marines were busy collecting more on Saturday at places like the American Place Casino, where its initial Kris Kringle Market was taking place in front of the building.
While the Marines were gathering toys and other gifts at the market, 40 merchants and artisans were displaying their wares to potential shoppers. Julie Ivic, American Place’s director of communications, said it was an event for the community the weekend before Christmas.
“This was our very first outdoor event open to all ages,” Ivic said. “These are local businesses. Tonight, we’re giving $15,000 to six not-for-profit organizations.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/22/waukegan-marines-toy-for-tots/
Cancelan planes para albergar partido de la Serie A entre AC Milan y Como en Australia
Associated Press
MILÁN (AP) — Los planes para jugar un partido de la Serie A entre el AC Milan y el Como en Australia el próximo mes han sido abandonados.
La liga italiana y los organizadores locales emitieron un comunicado conjunto el lunes diciendo que el partido se cancelaba.
El presidente de la Serie A, Ezio Simonelli, afirmó que la Confederación Asiática de Fútbol emitió recientemente una “escalada de solicitudes adicionales e inaceptables” que hicieron imposible organizar el partido.
Milan estaba buscando un sitio alternativo para jugar el partido cuando su estadio San Siro no está disponible debido a la ceremonia de apertura de los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno de Milán-Cortina.
Habría sido el primer partido doméstico de una de las cinco principales ligas de Europa jugado fuera del continente.
Milan y Como están a menos de una hora de distancia. El partido del ocho de febrero aún no ha sido reubicado.
El otro partido programado en el extranjero, el partido de La Liga entre Barcelona y Villarreal fuera de Miami este mes, fue cancelado en octubre tras las protestas de jugadores y aficionados en España.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
