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Ohtani cashes in as fans in Japan wait for him to deliver more goods and play in a World Series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Now that Shohei Ohtani has his money — a record $700 million, 10-year contact with the Los Angeles Dodgers — some fans in Japan are waiting for one more thing to complete the deal.“I want Ohtani to play in the World Series,” said Isshin Watanabe, a baseball fan speaking on Sunday near Tokyo’s famous Ginza shopping area, “That’s my hope,” he added.Baseball fans across Tokyo lined up on Sunday to buy special editions of the Yomiuri newspaper, announcing Ohtani’s move across town from the Los Angeles Angels to the Los Angeles Dodgers.This is perhaps the largest contract in sports history, topping highs believed to be set by soccer stars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.Ohtani is likely to only play this coming season as a designated hitter as he recovers from surgery that is expected to keep him from pitching.“I think Ohtani will return to the two-way role the year after next,” Watanabe, the fan, said. “I want him to be the home run king next ye...

Poffenbarger, Easton lead Albany over Idaho 30-22 for first FCS semifinal berth

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Reese Poffenbarger threw three touchdown passes to Brevin Easton, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, and Albany rallied for a 30-22 victory over Idaho on Saturday night in the Kibbie Dome to advance to the semifinals of the FCS Championship.No. 5 seed Albany (11-3) advances to the semis for the first time in program history after notching a victory in its first trip to the quarterfinals. The Great Danes, who won the Coastal Athletic Association for the first time, will play No. 1 seed South Dakota State on Friday. No. 2 seed Montana will host unseeded but nine-time champion North Dakota State in the other semifinal on Saturday.Idaho (9-4), the fourth seed, scored first on freshman Gevani McCoy’s 36-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Dwyer six minutes into the game. Poffenbarger, a sophomore who leads the FCS with 36 touchdown passes this season, needed just four plays to pull Albany even, firing a 64-yard scoring strike to Easton 90 seconds lat...

Over 300 Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar arrive in Indonesia’s Aceh region after weeks at sea

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

ACEH BESAR, Indonesia (AP) — Two boats carrying more than 300 Rohingya Muslims, including emaciated women and children, arrived at Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh on Sunday morning after being adrift for weeks One boat, which had been at sea for about one and a half months and carrying 135 passengers, arrived at a beach in Lamreh village in Aceh Besar Regency. Shahidul Islam, a 34-year-old survivor, said they left their refugee camp in Bangladesh. “The boat was sinking. We had no food or water left,” he said.The other boat carrying nearly 180 people docked at a beach in Blang Raya village at Pidie Regency. It has been adrift in the Andaman Sea without adequate supplies for about 27 days. Mahmud Husein, 25, a survivor, said he gave 40,000 taka ($363) to the boat owner to help him leave Bangaldesh. “We came to Indonesia, but we want to go to other countries if they want to help us,” Husein said.Another boat, carrying more refugees, embarked from Bangaldesh at the same time, ...

Egyptians vote for president, with el-Sissi certain to win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptians began voting Sunday in a presidential election in which President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi faces no serious challenger and is certain to win another term, keeping him in power until 2030.The election has been overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Almost all Egyptians’ attention has been on the war on their country’s eastern borders and the suffering of Palestinian civilians in the coastal enclave.The three-day vote, beginning Sunday, is also taking place amid a staggering economic crisis in Egypt, a country of 105 million people in which nearly a third live in poverty, according to official figures. The crisis stems from mismanagement of the economy but also from the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, which rattled the global economy.El-Sissi faces three other candidates: Farid Zahran, head of the opposition Social Democratic Party; Abdel-Sanad Yamama, chairman of Wafd Party; and Hazem Omar, head of the...

At COP28, sticking points remain on fossil fuels and adapting to climate as talks near crunch time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Negotiators have been urged to narrow down their options so they can agree on how to save Earth from disastrous levels of warming and help vulnerable societies adapt to weather extremes as the clock runs down on United Nations climate talks.“Now is the time to shift gears and get to consensus,” COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber said in a plenary session late Saturday. The president remained determined for the talks to finish on Tuesday as planned, although previous climate summits have run well past their end dates.There some were signs negotiators were moving forward Sunday: A new draft agreement on global adaptation goals — which will determine how poor countries will brace themselves for climate change-fueled weather extremes like drought, heat and storms — was released.The draft text expresses concern over the gap between the money needed for adaptation and how much countries are getting, but it doesn’t say exactly how much cash countries need to...

France says one of its warships was targeted by drones from direction of Yemen. Both were shot down

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

PARIS (AP) — France said Sunday that one of its warships in the Red Sea was targeted by drones coming from Yemen. Both were intercepted and shot down. A short statement from the Armies Ministry did not say who fired the drones at the French Navy frigate Languedoc on Saturday night. It said the drones “came straight at” the vessel — one after the other, two hours apart — from the direction of Yemen. The warship destroyed them both about 110 kilometers (70 miles) off the Red Sea port of Al Hudaydah on the Yemeni coast, it said.The statement did not say what weaponry the Languedoc used to bring down the drones. The frigate is on a French Navy mission in the Red Sea.The Associated Press

Heavy fighting across Gaza as Israel presses ahead with renewed US military and diplomatic support

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Heavy fighting raged overnight and into Sunday across Gaza, including in the devastated north, as Israel pressed ahead with its offensive after the U.S. blocked the latest international push for a cease-fire and rushed more munitions to its close ally.Israel has faced rising international outrage and calls for a permanent cease-fire after the killing of thousands of Palestinian civilians. Nearly 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where U.N. agencies say there is no safe place to flee.The United States has lent vital support to the offensive once again in recent days, by vetoing United Nations Security Council efforts to end the fighting that enjoyed wide international support, and by pushing through an emergency sale of over $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel.The U.S. has pledged unwavering support for Israel’s goal of crushing Hamas’ military and governing abilities in order to ...

Daily horoscope for December 10, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Scorpio.Happy Birthday for Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023:You’re an idealist who is a determined leader and reformer. Once you believe in something, you totally embrace it. This is a year to rest and rejuvenate yourself. Focus on your needs and what brings you happiness, especially in terms of friendships and partnerships.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★★Issues regarding shared property or the wealth and resources of someone else are unpredictable today. Something might not be quite right. If so, now is the time to find out, not later. Tonight: Generosity. This Week: Expect to hear from parents or bosses from your past. (Look good.)TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★You might feel restless today. Perhaps you will encounter someone who is unusual. A surprise is very likely. Stay off your heels. Tonight: Cooperation. This Week: For the rest of this month, travel delays and changes are likely due to Mercury ...

Ask Amy: How did my adventurous life end up like this, and can I get it back?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

Dear Amy: I am in my mid-30s. Over the last 10 years, my life has changed significantly. I’m married now, and my husband and I have two children.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: My husband can’t see why these houseguests disturb me Advice | Ask Amy: My neighbors want money because the leaves fall in their yard Advice | Ask Amy: My wife objects to my strategy for mellow shopping with our 3-year-olds Advice | Ask Amy: After this man’s behavior at my wedding, I want my best friend to dump him Advice | Ask Amy: Now I realize what stay-at-home spouses are complaining about I’ve been struggling a bit lately with looking way down the road.I used to be this very adventurous person. I was more or less up for anything. I’d describe myself as almost daring and unconventional.Yesterday my husband and I had a lengthy (and I mean lengthy) conversation about granite countertops.Our kids are 3 and 5 years o...

Dear Abby: My kids want the inheritance but I’m scared to give it to them

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My husband of 30 years died. I was 54 years old. We weren’t rich. We each had a will leaving all our assets to the other.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: Do I need to be honest about what happened to their gift? Advice | Dear Abby: If my friend dies without revealing the truth, should I tell what I know? Advice | Dear Abby: The grandkids were upset by the fight, and now my husband is barred from their home Advice | Dear Abby: We learned the truth about our daughter when her fiance ditched her Advice | Dear Abby: His ex-wife is coaching her children to be mean to this little girl We were self-employed, so there was no IRA or 401(k). I sold our only piece of property, and as a result, I have a small savings.My daughters have now cut ties with me because I won’t give them money that I need to live on and will need for my future. I have been alienated from all the grandchildren as ...