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Scherzer roughed up by Astros in return from injury, leaving with Rangers down 5 in loss

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer was roughed up again by the Houston Astros, this time in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series.The Texas Rangers right-hander, who missed more than a month with a right shoulder strain, says he’ll be ready for another shot at the in-state rival if needed.Scherzer lasted four innings Wednesday night, leaving with a five-run deficit in an 8-5 loss to the Astros that cut the Rangers’ series lead to 2-1.“I don’t know exactly how I’ll be used from here on out,” Scherzer said. “But my arm feels good. That’s the No. 1 thing.”The three-time Cy Young Award winner gave up three runs in the second on a wild pitch and Martín Maldonado’s two-run single, then allowed Jose Altuve’s leadoff homer in the third. Houston took a 5-0 lead on Mauricio Dubón’s RBI single in the fourth, when Scherzer struck out Jeremy Peña and Maldonado with a man on.“I still feel like I had more in the tank,” said Scherzer, who threw 63 pitches. “Given what the s...

Detienen en Rusia a ciudadana estadounidense que trabaja para Radio Europa Libre

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

(CNN) — Una ciudadana de doble nacionalidad ruso-estadounidense que trabaja para Radio Europa Libre fue detenida en Rusia y acusada de no registrarse como agente extranjero, informó la organización de noticias este miércoles.Alsu Kurmasheva trabaja actualmente como periodista y editora del servicio tártaro-bashkir de Radio Europa Libre/Radio Libertad (RFE/RL, por sus siglas en inglés), financiado por Estados Unidos, desde Praga.Según su empleador, Kurmasheva fue detenida el 2 de junio en Kazán, Rusia, mientras esperaba un vuelo de regreso a la República Checa. Inicialmente llegó a Rusia el 20 de mayo debido a un asunto familiar urgente, dijo RFE/RL.RFE/RL dijo que los empleados del aeropuerto de Kazán inicialmente confiscaron sus dos pasaportes y poco después fue multada por no registrar su pasaporte estadounidense ante las autoridades rusas. Kurmasheva estaba esperando la devolución de sus pasaportes cuando se anunciaron los nuevos cargos el 18 de octubre, dijo RFE, añadiendo...

Pavia accounts for all four TDs in New Mexico State’s 28-7 win over UTEP

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Diego Pavia ran for two scores and threw two touchdown passes to Thomaz Whitford to propel New Mexico State to a 28-7 victory over UTEP on Wednesday night.The Aggies (5-3, 3-1 Conference USA) turned their first two possessions of the second half into a two-touchdown lead. Pavia threw a 6-yard pass to Whitford for the first score and followed that with a 41-yard touchdown run for a 21-7 advantage.Pavia and Whitford teamed up for a 16-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.Pavia completed 15 of 25 passes for 186 yards. He also carried 14 times for 96 yards. Monte Watkins rushed for 109 yards on just 10 carries. Eli Stowers had five receptions for 80 yards. The Aggies grabbed a 7-0 lead with 1:18 remaining in the first quarter when Pavia capped an eight-play, 74-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run.Kevin Hurley’s 1-yard plunge for UTEP (2-6, 1-3) was the only score of the second quarter and tied the game at halftime.Cade McConn...

Stock market today: Asian shares follow Wall Street lower, and Japan reports September exports rose

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares tumbled in Asia on Thursday following a retreat on Wall Street after big U.S. companies delivered mixed profit reports and Treasury yields added pressure on stocks. Worries about war in the Middle East also are dragging on markets. Benchmarks in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul fell about 2%.Japan reported its exports swung into positive territory in September as vehicle shipments surged. Exports rose 4.3% while imports sank 16.3% in September and the trade balance swung to a surplus of 62.4 trillion yen ($410 billion). Exports to the U.S. were up 13% while those to the rest of Asia declined 4.3%. Imports fell as the price of oil moderated for a short time before surging once again with the start of fighting following the Oct. 7 surprise attack by the militant group Hamas on Israel. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index lost 2% to 31,418.01 and the Kospi in Seoul lost 1.8% to 2,417.70. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined 2% to 17,379.66 and the Shanghai Composite ind...

Parents breathe sigh of relief after bomb threat toward South Bay elementary school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. - Parents in the South Bay attended an informational school safety meeting. This comes the same day as Lincoln Acres Elementary held classes remotely due to a threat called into the school. It's a good day for big sister Madison Barreda. She's feeling grateful to play outside the elementary school with her three younger brothers Wednesday after quite the scare.“It made me want to cherish my brothers even more because you never know what’s going to happen," shared Madison Barreda, who is a student at Granger Middle School which is within the National School District.“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. You take them to school, to learn, to be safe," said parent Maria Figueroa, whose young daughter attends TK at the school. Parents are now breathing a sigh of relief after shocking news over the weekend when getting a notice in the mail. It warned of a bomb threat toward the campus with the target date set for Wednesday, Oct.18. “You can't help but think…is it true, ...

City of Escondido approves water rate increases for five years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

ESCONDIDO, Calif. — Escondido City Council approved new water rate increases set to begin Jan. 1 and will increase each year for the next five years.Residents had been outspoken about the possibility of a nearly 20% increase next year alone.“It is by far the highest hike proposed over the past 12 years,” Sandra Otteson said.The city’s utilities department had proposed the steep increases to maintain the city's water infrastructure — and to pay for more imported water. “We find ourselves grappling with escalating grocery prices, soaring gas, costs, elevated electricity, bills and soon-to-be higher water rates. Where is the empathy? Where is the compassion,” Matthew Roxo asked.Escondido purchases about 75% of its water from the San Diego County Water Authority.“I’m frustrated in particular with the county water authority and not putting their focus on more water storage,” Escondido Mayor Dane White said. San Diego takes top spot in ranking of most expensive places to live in U.S. Ul...

Former US officials ask Pakistan not to deport Afghans seeking relocation to the United States

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A group of former U.S. diplomats and representatives of resettlement organizations asked Pakistan not to deport thousands of Afghans who have been waiting for U.S. visas under an American program that relocates at-risk Afghan refugees fleeing Taliban rule.The appeal in an open letter on Wednesday signed by 80 former U.S. officials, dignitaries and resettlement groups came weeks after Pakistan announced a crackdown on migrants living in the country illegally, including 1.7 million Afghans, telling them to return to their home countries by Oct. 31 to avoid mass arrest and expulsion.Last week, the United Nations said such forced deportations of Afghans could lead to human rights violations — including the separation of families. However, Pakistan denies targeting Afghans and says the focus is on people who are in the country illegally, regardless of their nationality. On Thursday, authorities in Pakistan said time was running out for migrants who are living in the coun...

Japan’s exports rise and imports decline in September as auto shipments to US and Europe climb

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s exports climbed 4.3% in September from a year earlier as shipments of vehicles, machinery and electronics rose while imports of oil and gas fell sharply, the government said Thursday.Exports totaled 9.2 trillion yen ($61 billion) in September while imports fell 16.3% from the year before to 10.9 trillion yen ($72 billion), according to provisional customs data released Thursday. That left a positive balance of 62.4 trillion yen ($410 billion), the first monthly trade surplus in three months.September’s increase in exports was the biggest gain since March and was stronger than analysts had expected. The figures suggest strong activity in Japan’s vital manufacturing sector despite faltering global demand. Economists said the drop in imports was mainly due to base effects from the year before.In the first half of Japan’s fiscal year, from April-September, exports edged up just 1.4% from a year earlier, to a record 50.2 trillion yen ($330 billion) ...

Commission proposes measures to reduce microplastic pollution from plastic pellets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

The Commission is proposing for the first time measures to prevent microplastic pollution from the unintentional release of plastic pellets.Currently, between 52 and 184 thousand tonnes of pellets are released in the environment each year due to mishandling throughout the entire supply chain. The proposal aims to ensure that all operators handling pellets in the EU take the necessary precautionary measures. This is expected to reduce pellet release by up to 74%, leading to cleaner ecosystems, contributing to plastic-free rivers and ocean, and reducing potential risks to human health. Common EU-wide measures will also help level the playing field for operators. The proposal covers notably best practices for operators regarding handling of pellets, mandatory certification and self-declarations, and a common methodology to estimate losses. Lighter requirements will apply to small and medium businesses to help them comply. The proposal will now be taken forward by the European Parliamen...

EU leaders hold extraordinary meeting on the Israel-Hamas war as differences appeared in their messaging

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:18 GMT

The 27 EU leaders met on Tuesday (17 October) in Brussels for an extraordinary Council on the Israel-Hamas war. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen showed a more stronger pro-Israel position than EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, writes Yossi Lempkowicz. In a statement issued Sunday by European Union Council President Charles Michel, the 27 leaders condemned “in the strongest possible terms Hamas and its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel”.But the statement also addressed the situation in Gaza, stressing the importance of “the provision of urgent humanitarian aid” and the need to help citizens most in need in the Gaza Strip.A number of EU citizens have been taken hostage in the conflict. And other EU citizens are in the Gaza Strip.Despite this statement, ension has appeared between the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell .Last week, the European Copmmissioner responsible for neighbor...