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MLB Notes: ‘Winning the offseason’ hasn’t translated to on-field success

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Think back to the offseason and how much was made of the big signings that seemed to come one after another.It felt like every other day the New York Mets or San Diego Padres were handing out another record-setting contract, and across the sport teams were extending themselves to make aggressive moves they felt could help get them over the hump.Meanwhile, fans who believed their clubs weren’t doing enough — Red Sox fans among them — grew more frustrated by the day.Looking back, you would have thought the big spenders’ championship success was preordained, but six months later the baseball landscape looks a lot different.Simply put, no matter how good the roster may appear, baseball games aren’t won on paper, and the clubs who made the biggest splashes are learning the hard way as reality often hasn’t lived up to those lofty expectations.As we near the season’s halfway point, most of the clubs that “won the offseason” have fallen far short of...

Greeks vote in second general election in 5 weeks and conservative party is favored to win majority

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greeks headed to the polls for the second time in less than two months on Sunday, with the conservative party in power a strong favorite to win with a wide majority after a campaign focused on economic growth and security.The vote is overshadowed by a major shipwreck just over a week ago that left hundreds of migrants dead or missing off the coast of western Greece. But the disaster is unlikely to significantly affect the overall outcome as Greeks are expected to focus on domestic economic issues.Conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, 55, is eyeing a second term as prime minister after his New Democracy party won by a huge margin in May elections — but fell short of gaining enough parliamentary seats to form a government. With a new electoral law now favoring the winning party with bonus seats, he is hoping to form a strong majority in the 300-member parliament.His main rival is Alexis Tsipras, 48, who leads the left-wing Syriza party and served as prime mini...

Live Updates | Aftermath of Russian mercenary chief’s armed rebellion

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

The latest on the aftermath of the armed rebellion declared by Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin:——There are still no reports of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin arriving in Belarus after he reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and ended his rebellion.Many other questions remained unanswered on Sunday morning, including whether Prigozhin would be joined in exile by any of his Wagner Group’s troops and what role, if any, he might have there.Prigozhin, who sent out a series of audio and video updates during his revolt, has gone silent since the Kremlin announced that the deal had been brokered for him to end his march toward Moscow and leave Russia.——KEY DEVELOPMENTS:Russian mercenary leader’s exile ends revolt but leaves questions about Putin’s powerThe mercenary chief who urged an uprising against Russia’s generals has long ties to PutinFollow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine——The U.S.-based think tank Institute for the...

Taliban leader claims women are provided with a ‘comfortable and prosperous life’ in Afghanistan

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The supreme leader of the Taliban released a message Sunday claiming that his government has taken the necessary steps for the betterment of women’s lives in Afghanistan, where women are banned from public life and work and girls’ education is severely curtailed.The statement from Hibatullah Akhundzada was made public ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday, which will be celebrated later this week in Afghanistan and other Islamic countries.Akhundzada, an Islamic scholar, rarely appears in public or leaves the Taliban heartland in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province. He surrounds himself with other religious scholars and allies who oppose education and work for women.In his Eid message Akhundzada said that under the rule of the Islamic Emirate, concrete measures have been taken to save women from many traditional oppressions, including forced marriages, “and their Shariah rights have been protected,” Moreover, “necessary steps have been taken for the...

Canadian Music Hall of Fame to officially welcome Nickelback at plaque ceremony

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

CALGARY — Nickelback will seal its place in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame with an official plaque ceremony in Calgary.Band members Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake, and Daniel Adair are set to place the Nickelback name plaque at the National Music Centre’s Studio Bell on Sunday.  It will be a private ceremony for media and invited guests, followed by a live interview accessible to members of the public for a fee. Nickelback was inducted into the hall of fame during the Juno Awards broadcast earlier this year.The band recently kicked off the North American leg of the Get Rollin’ Tour, after releasing their tenth studio album last November.The National Music Centre says Nickelback is one of the top-selling acts of all time, with more than 12 consecutive sold-out world tours. The centre is also home to an exhibit celebrating the rock group’s induction. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 25, 2023.The Canadian Press

Large crowds expected as Toronto hosts Canada’s largest Pride parade

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

TORONTO — Massive crowds are expected to pack the streets of downtown Toronto today for Canada’s largest Pride parade.The annual event, which caps off weeks of festivities celebrating the city’s LGBTQ community, is slated to attract thousands of marchers and 250 participating groups. Some prominent politicians are also expected to attend, including federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and a handful of candidates hoping to be elected as the city’s mayor on Monday.But the event will unfold amid heightened security prompted by a rise in threats targeting Pride festivals across the country and a surge in hateful incidents targeting the LGBTQ community.Parade organizer Pride Toronto says policing costs have more than doubled this year, while insurance costs ballooned from $67,000 in 2022 to more than $300,000.The parade is set to get underway at 2 p.m.This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2023.The Canadian Press

Daily horoscope for June 25, 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT today (3 p.m. to 4 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Virgo into Libra.Happy Birthday for Sunday, June 25, 2023:You are creative and sensitive, sometimes psychic. For your well-being, it’s important for you to set boundaries with others. This is a slower-paced year for you. It’s time to rejuvenate yourself and concentrate on your needs and especially the kind of relationships that bring you happiness.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★You might spend a lot of time daydreaming today. Your communications with others might be confusing. Meanwhile, you don’t seem to have your usual energy to work. (It’s that kinda day.) Tonight: Cooperate. This Week: Socialize. Have fun! Avoid accidents with kids and sports.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★Postpone important purchases or financial decisions for another day, because issues are fuzzy and confusing. You might not have all the facts. Or you ...

Dear Abby: He made my life miserable, and my daughter demands I socialize with him

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I was in a mentally and physically abusive relationship for 19 years, until I finally found the courage to take our daughter and leave. Afterward, I met the man of my dreams, and we married. We were together for 30 happy years.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: How do I tell her our dinners are no longer high priority? Advice | Dear Abby: She dressed like a bride at the funeral, and things got worse from there Advice | Dear Abby: My wife demands compensation for housework and sex Advice | Dear Abby: Should I tell her she crossed a line with her behavior toward my husband? Advice | Dear Abby: Must I consent to her odd hygiene requirements? After his death, I sold everything and moved to another state to be with our daughter. My living in her house is a financial advantage for her as I help with the rent, utilities and groceries. I do have my own private space there.Her father is now ailing, an...

Smithsonian Folklife Festival concerts feature music from across the Ozarks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival returns to the National Mall this week with a series of free evening concerts.The featured music celebrates the Ozarks region and diverse spiritual traditions across the U.S.Most concerts start at 6 p.m., with a few exceptions, and will take place June 29-July 4 and July 6-9, according to the Smithsonian’s website.Many of the concerts will be followed by community square dancing and concession stands around the festival will be offering food and drinks.The musical performances will span many genres, from country rock to bluegrass and even gospel music. Beyond music, the June 30, July 6 and July 7 concerts will also include short film screenings.Some gospel groups from Maryland and Virginia will perform on June 30, including Kingdom Fellowship AME Church and The Legendary Ingramettes.A short documentary film on Shelley Ensor, a gospel singer, teacher and Maryland Heritage Award winner, will make its big-screen premiere between sets. The film is...

Phillies play the Mets with series tied 1-1

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

New York Mets (35-41, fourth in the NL East) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (39-37, third in the NL East)Philadelphia; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Carlos Carrasco (2-3, 6.34 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 28 strikeouts); Phillies: Zack Wheeler (6-4, 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 98 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -174, Mets +147; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets play on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.Philadelphia is 39-37 overall and 20-14 at home. Phillies hitters have a collective .414 slugging percentage to rank sixth in the NL.New York is 35-41 overall and 18-26 in road games. The Mets rank sixth in the NL with 90 total home runs, averaging 1.2 per game.The teams match up Sunday for the sixth time this season. The Mets lead the season series 4-1.TOP PERFORMERS: Nicholas Castellanos has 23 doubles, a triple and nine home runs for the Phillies. Brandon Marsh is 15-for-37 with four doubles over the last 10 games.Pete Al...