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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: A Dogue de Bordeaux looks out from its kennel on first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'.

Crufts Dog Show | 03.06.14

Thousands of dogs compete in one the largest dog shows in the world in Birmingham, England

File-This Feb. 22, 2014, file photo shows Tyler Perry speaking on stage at the 45th NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. Perry reminded black filmmakers that there is “more than one path” as he implored them to find alternatives to getting films made at an event honoring black men in Hollywood. Perry was among those honored by Essence at a celebration held at his own mansion on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. Others honored included Spike Lee, Malcolm Lee (director of the “Best Man” films) and Sidney Poitier, who gave a moving speech that in part paid tribute to black actors who opened the doors for future generations.

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Sports

North Carolina's Xylina McDaniel is guarded by Wake Forest's Chelsea Douglas during the first half at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro.

UNC survives Wake Forest 69-65 in women’s ACC second round

Diamond DeShields led the way with 17 points as No. 13 North Carolina squeaked past Wake Forest 69-65 in the second round of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament on Thursday night. 3 hours ago

Local/State News

Coal ash is shown in settling ponds at Duke Energy’s Riverbend power plant on Mountain Island Lake.

Judge rules Duke must take “immediate” action to stop groundwater pollution at coal ash sites

A Wake County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday that Duke Energy must immediately stop the source of groundwater pollution at its 14 coal-fired power plants in North Carolina.

Business

FILE - In this May 17, 2011 file photo, a Staples sign is displayed on the front of a Staple store, in Portland, Ore. Staples says it will shutter 225 North American stores, about 10 percent of Staples Inc.'s worldwide total of 2,200, by the end of 2015, and the office-supply retailer has started a plan to save about $500 million annually.

Staples to shutter 225 stores as sales move online

Staples will close up to 225 stores in North America by the end of next year as it seeks to trim about $500 million in costs annually by 2015.

Politics

Senator Martin Nesbitt addresses the Senate on Sept. 4, 2013 in Raleigh.

State Sen. Martin Nesbitt dies at 67

State Sen. Martin Nesbitt, a veteran lawmaker whose slow drawl belied his powerful Democratic voice, died Thursday at age 67. 3 hours ago

President Barack Obama declared on Thursday that a referendum in 10 days on the future of a Ukraine's Crimea peninsula would violate international law. The United States also moved to impose visa restrictions and financial sanctions on Russians and... 9 minutes ago