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Among Orioles’ spring stars, Heston Kjerstad grateful to have focus on baseball: ‘That’s all I want to do’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

Heston Kjerstad’s offseason was shorter than a typical player’s. He still felt it lasted too long.“I was getting pretty bored,” Kjerstad said, “itching to get back out here to play again.”Much of Kjerstad’s time in the Orioles’ farm system has been spent with that itch. Drafted second overall in 2020, the outfielder went two years before taking an at-bat for a Baltimore affiliate, developing the heart condition myocarditis shortly after the draft and suffering a severe left hamstring strain last spring.He’s spent this one showing “what kind of hitter he can be,” manager Brandon Hyde said. Kjerstad has eight hits in his 17 spring at-bats, homering the other way in the first two and lacing a 107.2 mph triple Thursday in Clearwater. Entering Friday’s exhibition — in which he went 0-for-2 but hit the ball hard twice — only four players throughout the league had as many plate appearances as Kjerstad with ...

Woman dead, man in custody after Scarborough incident

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

The homicide unit has been called in after the body of a woman was discovered in a Scarborough apartment. Police say they were called to an apartment in the area of Sheppard Avenue East and Kingston Road just after 1 p.m. Friday. When they arrived they found a woman suffering from life-threatening injuries who was later pronounced dead at the scene. Police say a man has been taken into custody but provided no further details. It’s unknown at this time what the relationship is, if any, between the man and the woman.

Woman sexually assaulted in Scarborough neighbourhood

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

Police are searching for a suspect wanted in connection with a sexual assault in a Scarborough neighbourhood.Investigators say a woman was walking in the area of Danforth and Robinson avenues around 4 a.m. Friday when she encountered a man who she did not know. The woman claims she was sexually assaulted by the man, who was believed to be armed with a gun. The suspect is described as being five-feet-11 to six-feet tall with a slim build and a black beard. He was last seen wearing a black “Moose Knuckle” jacket with fur on the hood, a black medical mask, grey jogging pants and white running shoes. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Farmers, environmental activists hold demos in The Hague

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Thousands of farmers and other anti-establishment demonstrators protested Saturday in a park in The Hague against Dutch government plans to reduce nitrate emissions, while elsewhere in the city climate activists angry at what they call state support for the fossil fuel industry broke through police lines to block a major road.The simultaneous demonstrations — a few kilometers (miles) from one another — come days before Dutch voters go to the polls in provincial elections Wednesday that indirectly also elect the national parliament’s upper house and could have an effect on proposals for reducing nitrate pollution.Police said they stopped an unknown number of tractors that were headed for the farmers’ demonstration. The municipality banned all but two “symbolic” tractors from participating, citing safety concerns.As thousands of people, many carrying the upside-down Dutch flags that have become synonymous with farmers’ protests and balloons em...

Haunted by post-election riot, Brazil’s Lula reins in army

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

SAO PAULO (AP) — When rioters stormed Brazil’s top government buildings in January to dispute the outcome of the presidential election, many soldiers stood by as far-right protesters broke windows, defecated in offices and destroyed valuable art.The images from Brasilia that day still haunt the left-leaning government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He has strived ever since to ensure that military leaders defend South America’s largest democracy and stay out of politics.The threat isn’t just hypothetical. Brazil has lived through four military coups – the most recent one in 1964, followed by two decades of brutal dictatorship.Lula’s task is fraught. The military is filled with supporters of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, and its role in the new government is being diminished by the day.Lula has already tapped more than 100 civilians to replace military officers Bolsonaro appointed to key positions, and he has moved oversight of the country’s intelligence agency to...

China denies hidden motives after hosting Iran-Saudi talks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — After hosting talks at which Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations, China said Saturday it has no hidden motives and isn’t trying to fill any “vacuum” in the Middle East. The agreement announced Friday to reestablish Iran-Saudi ties and reopen embassies after seven years was seen as a major diplomatic victory for China, as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States as reducing its presence in the Middle East.The Foreign Ministry quoted an unidentified spokesperson as saying China “pursues no selfish interest whatsoever” and opposes geopolitical competition in the region. China will continue to support Mideast countries in “resolving differences through dialogue and consultation to jointly promote lasting peace and stability,” the spokesperson said. “We respect the stature of Middle East countries as the masters of this region and oppose geopolitical competition in the Middle East,” said the statement posted on the Foreign Ministry’s w...

UK: Russian advance in Bakhmut could come with heavy losses

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces have made progress in the front-line hotspot of Bakhmut, a key target of Moscow’s monthslong campaign in eastern Ukraine that has resulted in staggering casualties, but their assault will be difficult to sustain without further harsh losses, U.K. military officials said in an assessment Saturday.The U.K. defense ministry said in the latest of its regular Twitter updates that units from the Kremlin-controlled paramilitary Wagner Group have captured most of eastern Bakhmut, with a river flowing through the city center now marking the front line. However, the update added, it will be “highly challenging” for Wagner forces to push ahead, as Ukraine has destroyed key bridges over the river, while Ukrainian sniper fire from fortified buildings further west has made the thin strip of open ground in the center “a killing zone.” At the same time, Ukrainian troops and supply lines in the mining city remain vulnerable to “continued Russian attempts to outfla...

Quebec truckers worry problems at auto board will force them to park their rigs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

MONTREAL — As frustrated motorists continue to deal with long lineups at Quebec’s automobile insurance board, truck drivers are worried that they won’t be able to leave the province come April 1.The provincial auto insurance board has been dealing with lengthy lineups at many of its service centres since introducing a new online portal on Feb. 20, which users have had trouble accessing due to an authentication issue.Richard Pellerin, a self-employed truck driver based in the province’s Mauricie region, said that if he does not receive his renewed registration he will have to park his rig. Truck drivers who transport goods outside Quebec have to be registered under what is known as the International Registration Plan.“This issue at the auto insurance board affects us all, but specifically for our industry, it’s really the registrations that directly impact us, which expires on March 31 for all of us,” Pellerin said in an interview. The new website ...

Woman fatally stabbed on CTA platform in Loop: Police

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman is dead after being stabbed in the chest on a CTA platform in the Loop early Saturday morning. According to police, the 26-year-old woman was standing on the Washington/Wabash platform at the 200 block of South Wabash Avenue around 1:26 a.m. when a man stabbed her multiple times in the chest, abdomen and left arm. COPA reports officer-involved shooting in Lincoln Park She was transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition was pronounced dead shortly after.There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

What musicians would you like to see in Austin?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)-- What musicians, bands and performers would you like to see in Austin? KXAN did a social media callout asking for your opinion, the answers did not disappoint.There were a few artists in various genres people mentioned on Facebook that show Austin's diverse taste in music.One particular band mentioned in the social post officially made an announcement it was coming to Austin in a news release Tuesday.KISSLegendary rock band KISS will spend one of its final shows rocking out at Austin’s Moody Center, the band announced in its tour schedule. KISS to play Austin’s Moody Center in band’s final 50 shows KISS will kick off the North American leg of its final tour playing at the Moody Center on Oct. 29, per the schedule. The KISS Army presale is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT March 6, with a public sale slated to begin at 10 a.m. CT on March 10.Tool, A Perfect Circle and PusciferTo stay on the topic with rock bands, in general, some other bands mentioned were Tool, A Perfect Cir...