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Hungary’s Orbán casts doubt on European Union accession talks for Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cast doubt Friday on the prospect of the European Union beginning negotiations any time soon for Ukraine to join the bloc, saying it was unrealistic to launch the accession process with a country that’s at war. Speaking to state radio, Orbán noted that unanimity among the EU’s 27 member states is required to admit a new country into the bloc. In the case of Hungary, he said, the parliament would have to give the go-ahead to Ukraine, which has ambitions to join the EU within two years. “When I’m in the chamber, I don’t feel the insurmountable desire for the Hungarian parliament to vote for Ukraine’s membership of the European Union within two years. So I would be careful with these ambitious plans,” Orbán said. Ukraine was officially granted EU candidate status last year — an unusually rapid decision for the EU and its go-slow approach to expansion, prompted by the war in Ukraine. The European Council is...

Blast at rally celebrating birthday of Islam’s prophet kills 35 people in southwestern Pakistan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — A powerful bomb exploded near a mosque at a rally celebrating the birthday of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least 35 people and injuring nearly 70 others, police and a government official said.The bombing occurred in Mastung, a district in Baluchistan province, where hundreds of people had gathered for a procession to celebrate the birth anniversary of the prophet. Muslims hold rallies and distribute free meals to people on the occasion, which is known as Mawlid an-Nabi.Those injured in the blast were taken to nearby hospitals and some were in critical condition, government administrator Atta Ullah said.A senior police officer, Mohammad Nawaz, was among the dead, Ullah said. Officers were investigating to determine whether the bombing was a suicide attack, he added.Friday’s bombing came days after authorities asked police to remain on maximum alert, saying militants could target rallies making the birthday...

Disparan a un hombre en una protesta contra la instalación de una polémica estatua de un conquistador de Nuevo México

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

(CNN) — Un hombre recibió un disparo este jueves durante una protesta contra los planes de reinstalar la estatua de un polémico conquistador español en el norte de Nuevo México, informó la policía.Manifestantes se reunieron en la ciudad de Española, donde las autoridades habían planeado reinstalar una estatua de Juan de Oñate, pero cancelaron el evento por motivos de seguridad pública.Ryan Martínez, de 23 años, es sospechoso de disparar a un hombre durante un altercado que estalló en la protesta, dijo el sheriff del condado de Rio Arriba, Billy Merrifield. Martínez fue detenido, según el sheriff.El hombre que resultó herido fue trasladado por aire a un hospital en Albuquerque, dijo Merrifield, quien no sabía la condición de la víctima.La Policía Estatal de Nuevo México está investigando el tiroteo, dijeron.Mira las estatuas budistas de 600 años de antigüedad que la sequía dejó al descubiertoLa estatua de Oñate, que estableció la colonia de Nuevo México hace más de 400 años, se...

Cardinals bring home losing streak into matchup with the Reds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (81-78, third in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (69-90, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Brandon Williamson (4-5, 4.46 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 96 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jake Woodford (2-2, 5.09 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 29 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -118, Cardinals -102; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to end their three-game home losing streak with a victory against the Cincinnati Reds.St. Louis has a 33-45 record in home games and a 69-90 record overall. The Cardinals have a 36-22 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.Cincinnati is 81-78 overall and 43-35 in road games. The Reds are 58-32 in games when they record eight or more hits.The matchup Friday is the 11th meeting between these teams this season. The season series is tied 5-5.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt has 29 doubles and 25 home runs for the Cardinals. Tommy Edman is 12-for-39 with two doubles...

Dodgers visit the Giants to start 3-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (98-61, first in the NL West) vs. San Francisco Giants (78-81, fourth in the NL West)San Francisco; Friday, 10:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Lance Lynn (12-11, 5.83 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 187 strikeouts); Giants: Keaton Winn (0-0)BOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants begin a three-game series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.San Francisco has a 44-34 record at home and a 78-81 record overall. The Giants have a 48-14 record in games when they scored five or more runs.Los Angeles has a 98-61 record overall and a 45-33 record in road games. Dodgers hitters have a collective .342 on-base percentage, the second-best percentage in MLB play.Friday’s game is the 11th time these teams match up this season. The season series is tied 5-5.TOP PERFORMERS: LaMonte Wade Jr has 14 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 46 RBI while hitting .261 for the Giants. Thairo Estrada is 10-for-37 with two home runs over the past 10 games.Mookie Betts has 40 doub...

Cubs aim to end losing streak in game against the Brewers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

Chicago Cubs (82-77, second in the NL Central) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (90-69, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (6-8, 3.80 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 91 strikeouts); Brewers: Colin Rea (6-6, 4.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 104 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -114, Brewers -106; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs, on a three-game losing streak, take on the Milwaukee Brewers.Milwaukee has a 90-69 record overall and a 47-31 record at home. The Brewers have gone 37-10 in games when they hit at least two home runs.Chicago has a 37-41 record in road games and an 82-77 record overall. The Cubs are 64-11 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Friday’s game is the 11th meeting between these teams this season. The season series is tied 5-5.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has 34 doubles, two triples and 19 home runs for the Brewers. William Contreras is 14-for-38 with four doubles and a home run over the...

Mets host the Phillies to begin 3-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (89-70, second in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (72-86, fourth in the NL East)New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Taijuan Walker (15-5, 4.40 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 135 strikeouts); Mets: Tylor Megill (8-8, 4.92 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 98 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -119, Mets -100; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets host the Philadelphia Phillies to begin a three-game series.New York has gone 40-37 in home games and 72-86 overall. The Mets have gone 50-20 in games when they scored five or more runs.Philadelphia has a 40-38 record on the road and an 89-70 record overall. Phillies hitters have a collective .439 slugging percentage to rank fifth in the majors.The matchup Friday is the 11th time these teams square off this season. The Phillies have a 6-4 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Francisco Lindor has 33 doubles, two triples and 30 home runs for the Mets. Brandon Nimmo is 15-for-44 with four do...

Nationals visit the Braves to start 3-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

Washington Nationals (69-90, fifth in the NL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (103-56, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Friday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Trevor Williams (6-10, 5.55 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 107 strikeouts); Braves: Allan Winans (1-2, 4.33 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 32 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -285, Nationals +232; over/under is 10 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals on Friday to begin a three-game series.Atlanta has a 103-56 record overall and a 51-27 record in home games. Braves hitters have a collective .502 slugging percentage to lead the NL.Washington is 69-90 overall and 35-43 in road games. The Nationals are 21-12 in games when they did not allow a home run.The teams meet Friday for the 11th time this season. The Braves are up 7-3 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Ozzie Albies has 30 doubles, four triples, 33 home runs and 107 RBI for the Braves. Ronald Acuna Jr. is 15-for-43 with two doubles, a triple and four hom...

Pirates take on the Marlins in first of 3-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

Miami Marlins (82-76, third in the NL East) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (75-84, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Friday, 6:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: No starters namedBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Miami Marlins to begin a three-game series.Pittsburgh is 75-84 overall and 38-40 at home. The Pirates have a 30-9 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.Miami has an 82-76 record overall and a 36-41 record on the road. The Marlins are 52-8 in games when they scored five or more runs.Friday’s game is the fifth time these teams square off this season. The Marlins are ahead 3-1 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Suwinski has 20 doubles, two triples and 26 home runs for the Pirates. Bryan Reynolds is 7-for-40 with three home runs over the past 10 games.Luis Arraez has 30 doubles, three triples and 10 home runs for the Marlins. Jon Berti is 14-for-28 with two doubles, a triple, four home runs and six RBI over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Pirates:...

The Purge: Meloni clears critics out of Italian culture

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:26 GMT

ROME — Italy prides itself on its spectacular cultural heritage, with a peerless pedigree of some of the Western world’s greatest artists, stretching from Leonardo da Vinci, Dante and Vivaldi to Federico Fellini. Now many of the country’s foremost cultural institutions — including those charged with safeguarding that national legacy — find themselves in a political battle, raising fears that their independence is at risk. Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stands accused of trying to stamp her authority on the arts and media, in a purge her critics say is designed to silence dissent.In recent months, her government has cleared out the old leadership of some of Italy’s most prestigious museums and cultural organizations and installed sympathetic executives at the top. Even EU officials in Brussels are starting to worry. Last week two politicians from parties in Meloni’s coalition demanded a senior museum dir...