Afghans Intensify Taliban Contact

by Shauneen Miranda, Florida Phoenix May 23, 2024 WASHINGTON — As Democrats continue to ramp up their push against the oil industry, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others on Thursday called out big oil companies and their executives for high gas prices heading into the heavily traveled Memorial Day weekend. Republicans in turn have blamed President Joe Biden’s energy policies for high gas prices, with the potency of the issue for both parties illustrated by a new poll in seven battleground states that shows the economy and cost of living at the top of voters’ minds in the 2024 campaign for the presidency. The Biden administration earlier this week said 1 million gallons of oil will be released from reserves in the northeastern United States, in an effort to curb prices ahead of summer driving.

by Jim Small, Arizona Mirror May 23, 2024 Arizona is one of 29 states and the District of Columbia that have signed on to a federal lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, alleging its practices have hurt consumers and venues by monopolizing the live entertainment industry. “For years, Live Nation’s anti-competitive and monopolistic practices have resulted in Arizonans paying more to see their favorite artists than they otherwise would have,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a written statement.

PHILADELPHIA — The Denver men’s lacrosse program restored itself as a national title contender this season. The Pioneers’ second NCAA tournament championship, however, will have to wait for another year. The fifth-seeded Pioneers struggled to generate possessions as top-seeded Notre Dame pulled away in the second half for a 13-6 victory in the NCAA semifinals before 32,269 at Lincoln Financial Field. Richie Connell and Michael Lampert each scored twice, and Malcolm Kleban made nine of his 10 saves in the first half for the Pioneers (13-4), who were denied their second national championship game appearance and first since winning the title in 2015. “I thought we probably needed to have a perfect game today, and that we did not,” first-year coach Matt Brown said.

The suspect in a fatal shooting in Aurora on Friday night is in custody after falling out of a moving vehicle that was being trailed by officers, according to police. Officers responded to reports of shots fired at a home in the 3600 block of South Zeno Way about 10:45 p.m.

8212; Nicki Minaj’s concert in Manchester scheduled for Saturday night was postponed after police in the Netherlands discovered marijuana in her bags as she was preparing to leave the country. Promoter Live Nation said the performance will be rescheduled and tickets will be honored. “Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible,” the promoter said in a statement.

By DOUG FERGUSON (AP Golf Writer) Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial. There were no immediate details on the circumstances of his death, only shock and grief from the PGA Tour and his management team. “I am at a loss for words,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said.