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MLB Notes: AL East may be strongest division ever, but for how much longer?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

This year’s AL East is on track to be the strongest division in MLB history.Up until this week, when the New York Yankees dipped below .500 amid their ongoing swoon, all five AL East teams had been above .500 for the majority of the season. Entering the weekend the division’s collective win percentage was .554, which is the best for a five-team division in MLB history.It’s been a gauntlet for a couple of years now. Last year’s AL East set a new record with a .540 win percentage, and in 2021 four of the five teams topped 90 wins.Is this how it’s going to be from now on? Are these five teams destined to do battle forever?Perhaps not.As strong as the AL East is right now, the cracks are beginning to show and it won’t be a shock if a couple of former contenders began taking a step back.Baltimore seems like the only sure thing. The Orioles have emerged from the other side of their years-long rebuild and now rank among the best teams in baseball. They a...

Live Updates: Lauren James on the bench for England in Women’s World Cup final against Spain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — The Latest from the Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain:___England retained the same starting lineup for the Women’s World Cup final as the Lionesses’ used in their seminal victory, which meant playmaker Lauren James was on the bench Sunday against Spain.James is returning from a two-game suspension for stomping on a Nigeria player in the round of 16. The 21-year-old James apologized to her teammates but was not available for England’s wins over Colombia and Australia. The Chelsea winger scored three goals and had three assists in the tournament prior to her red card. Ella Toone, who started in place of James during her suspension, was the listed starter for England against Spain. ___UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was not in attendance for the Women’s World Cup final despite the championship match featuring two European teams.England and Spain were facing off for what will be the first Women’s World Cup title for either team.UEFA inst...

A tanker believed to hold sanctioned Iran oil starts offloading near Texas despite Tehran’s threats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An American-owned oil tanker long suspected of carrying sanctioned Iranian crude oil began offloading its cargo near Texas late Saturday, tracking data showed, even as Tehran has threatened to target shipping in the Persian Gulf over it.Ship-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed the Marshall Islands-flagged Suez Rajan was undergoing a ship-to-ship transfer of its oil to another tanker, the MR Euphrates, near Galveston, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) southeast of Houston. The fate of the cargo aboard the Suez Rajan has become mired in the wider tensions between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic, even as Tehran and Washington work toward a trade of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets in South Korea for the release of five Iranian-Americans held in Tehran. Already, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has warned that those involved in offloading the cargo “should expect to be struck back.” The U.S. Navy has increased i...

Talks between regional bloc and Niger’s junta yield little, an official tells The Associated Press

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Mutinous soldiers in Niger are under pressure from regional sanctions as they refuse to reinstate the country’s president whom they toppled nearly a month ago while being fearful of attacks from France, an official said.The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity after Saturday’s meeting between Niger’s new military regime and a delegation from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS.He said the roughly two-hour discussion aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the country’s deepening crisis, yielded little with no clarity on the next steps. It was the first time head of the junta, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, met with the delegation after rebuffing previous attempts.Saturday’s meeting was a last-ditch diplomacy scramble by the bloc to resolve the crisis peacefully and followed last week’s announcement that 11 of its 15 member states had agreed to intervene militarily if democratically-elected President Bazoum was not released from h...

A roadside bomb in northwest Pakistan kills 11 laborers near the border with Afghanistan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — At least eleven laborers were killed and two others wounded when a roadside bomb destroyed their vehicle in Pakistan’s North Waziristan district near the border with Afghanistan, police said Sunday.Police officer Ibrar Khan said the incident took place on Saturday night in the Gulmir Kot area. He said the explosion destroyed the vehicle that was carrying 16 laborers, killing 11 of them on the spot while two were taken to a hospital. No trace of the other three could be found and police believe they may have fled into the mountains to save themselves from any further attack. North Waziristan served as safe haven for Islamic militants for decades until the military carried out a massive operation there and other tribal regions along the Afghan border in recent years. Most militants escaped across the border but often strike back, targeting military convoys and civilians. The Associated Press

Battle continues against Okanagan region wildfires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

The fire fight on both shores of Lake Okanagan continues after the British Columbia government brought in travel restrictions to free up space for thousands of evacuees who have been forced out of their homes.More than 30,000 people are under evacuation orders in the Kelowna and West Kelowna area, and while firefighters have said recent calmer and cooler conditions helped in the fight, they are expecting difficult days ahead.About 200 firefighters, including representation for departments around the province, are battling the destructive McDougall Creek wildfire, which was last measured at 105 square kilometres.On Saturday, the province brought in restrictions on travel for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodations like hotels and campgrounds in several communities in the Okanagan.Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said those accommodations are no longer available for anything other than essential travel so the rooms can be available for firefighters and evacuees. Prim...

Cooler, wet weather that helped firefighters in NWT expected to end today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — The break that firefighters defending the capital of the Northwest Territories got at the start of the weekend due to rainy weather is expected to end today, as temperatures are forecast to climb into the 20s.Wildfire information officer Mike Westwick told a news conference Saturday night that the “fire’s taken a nap” and it’s “going to wake up” as temperatures rise today.The blaze, which prompted the evacuation of almost all 20,000 residents Yellowknife, remained about 15 kilometres from the community yesterday.Health Minister Julie Green told the news conference the ramp down of services at the city’s hospital is complete, with the emergency department remaining open for firefighters and other essential workers.Sadly, Green says one patient died during preparations for transport out of the city, which she says was “an expected death” although she wouldn’t provide details, citing confidentiality.Environment a...

Daily horoscope for August 20, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Libra.Happy Birthday for Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023:You are complex and sometimes mysterious. You have an intelligent sense of humor and a genuine concern for others. This is a fortunate year for you. You will receive recognition for your past efforts. Expect a promotion, an award, kudos — something. Seize opportunities and act on them.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★★This is a lovely day to schmooze with others. Enjoy social outings, sports events and fun activities with kids. Because the Moon is opposite your sign today, you will have to go more than halfway when dealing with others. In other words, be cooperative and accommodating. Tonight: Patience. This Week: Be patient with delays and goofy errors.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Whatever you do today, you will get support from others. This might apply to your job or to efforts to improve your health. You might want to get better organized ...

Ask Amy: She lied about the coffee, then scoffed when I complained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

Dear Amy: My friend and I went to a church meeting in the evening, at which they served coffee and dessert.We asked the hostess if the coffee was decaf, and she said that it was. She was quite clear, so I know we heard her correctly.We both drank the coffee.That night I couldn’t get to sleep for many hours. I was still awake at 4 a.m.! My friend also said she was awake most of the night.On Sunday we confronted the woman who had been the hostess, and she just scoffed and said, “It doesn’t make any difference.”She had lied!I know we only lost a few hours of sleep, but what if one of us were allergic to caffeine or had a heart problem? That could have been dangerous.No one should ever lie to someone about something they’re going to ingest!– DisappointedDear Disappointed: I completely agree. A person should be able to trust that the distinctive orange rim around the coffee pot actually stands for something!Furthermore, you shouldn’t be “scoffed at” for raising a legitimate concern.Dear ...

Malaria in Maryland: How health officials say you can protect yourself from mosquitoes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:45 GMT

The Prince George’s County Health Department is advising residents on how to steer clear of mosquito bites, following the announcement of Maryland’s first locally acquired malaria case in more than 40 years.The risk of mosquito-borne illnesses peaks in the summer and into the fall, when the bugs are most active, according to a news release from the department.“Educating our residents on ways to reduce mosquito pools is the best way in preventing mosquito-borne illness,” said Sanmi Areola, the county’s deputy chief administrative officer for health, human services and education.Protect yourself from bitesTry to stay inside at dawn and dusk — that’s when country officials say mosquitoes that carry viruses tend to bite. These mosquitoes can also strike during the day. To reduce your risk of a bite when outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks.Any exposed skin or clothing can be sprayed with mosquito repellent. Look for repellents that incl...