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Pakistan government supporters to stage rare sit-in, protest release of former Premier Imran Khan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Convoys of buses and vehicles filled with Pakistani pro-government supporters are flooding the main road leading to the country’s capital on Monday to protest the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Thousands are making their way toward the Supreme Court for a rare sit-in against its decision to give Khan, now opposition leader, an “undue reprieve” following his arrest in a graft case. The 70-year-old Khan was released on bail and given protection from arrest until later this month. The call to protest is a sign of escalating tensions between the judiciary and the government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who replaced Khan after his ouster in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April 2022.Pakistan Democratic Movement, an alliance of 13 political parties affiliated with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League has called for the sit-in over the weekend. The radical Islamist political party Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam is leading the protest call.Also as part of ...

Mets face the Nationals with 2-1 series lead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

New York Mets (20-21, fourth in the NL East) vs. Washington Nationals (17-23, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Monday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: David Peterson (1-5, 7.68 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 40 strikeouts); Nationals: Patrick Corbin (1-5, 4.87 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 30 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -157, Nationals +133; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets face the Washington Nationals leading the series 2-1.Washington is 17-23 overall and 7-14 at home. The Nationals have a 4-2 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.New York has gone 13-13 in road games and 20-21 overall. The Mets have a 14-8 record in games when they record at least eight hits.Monday’s game is the seventh time these teams match up this season. The season series is tied 3-3.TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Garcia has five doubles, a triple and three home runs for the Nationals. Lane Thomas is 12-for-42 with three home runs and seven RBI over the past 10 games.Brandon Nimmo h...

Brewers try to keep win streak going against the Cardinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (23-17, first in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (16-25, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Monday, 7:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Freddy Peralta (4-2, 2.88 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 46 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jack Flaherty (2-4, 6.18 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 39 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -113, Cardinals -106; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers will try to keep their three-game win streak alive when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals.St. Louis has a 6-13 record in home games and a 16-25 record overall. The Cardinals have gone 9-5 in games when they did not give up a home run.Milwaukee is 23-17 overall and 10-9 on the road. The Brewers have a 15-2 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Monday’s game is the fourth time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Nolan Arenado has four doubles, a triple, six home runs and 26 RBI for the Cardinals. Paul Goldschmidt is 16-for-45 with four dou...

Giants bring 3-game losing streak into matchup with the Phillies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (20-20, second in the NL East) vs. San Francisco Giants (17-23, fourth in the NL West)San Francisco; Monday, 9:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Bailey Falter (0-6, 5.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 26 strikeouts); Giants: Alex Wood (0-0, 2.45 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 12 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -116, Phillies -104; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants come into a matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies as losers of three games in a row.San Francisco has a 17-23 record overall and a 10-10 record at home. The Giants have hit 62 total home runs to rank third in the NL.Philadelphia has a 20-20 record overall and a 9-13 record on the road. The Phillies have hit 42 total home runs to rank eighth in the NL.Monday’s game is the first time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Thairo Estrada has nine doubles, six home runs and 14 RBI for the Giants. Michael Conforto is 6-for-31 with a double, three home runs and four RBI o...

Rockies take on the Reds in first of 3-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (18-22, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Colorado Rockies (17-24, fifth in the NL West)Denver; Monday, 8:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Hunter Greene (0-3, 3.69 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 51 strikeouts); Rockies: Connor Seabold (1-0, 4.56 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 17 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -124, Rockies +104; over/under is 11 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies host the Cincinnati Reds to open a three-game series.Colorado is 8-11 in home games and 17-24 overall. The Rockies are 15-4 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Cincinnati has an 18-22 record overall and a 6-13 record in road games. The Reds have a 10-6 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.Monday’s game is the first meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: C.J. Cron leads the Rockies with six home runs while slugging .426. Randal Grichuk is 13-for-39 with four doubles, a home run and three RBI over the past 10 games.Jake Fraley leads Cincinnati with...

See the show that inspired ‘RENT’ with Washington National Opera’s ‘La Bohème’ at Kennedy Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); It was penned in 1896 and, a century later, it’s themes inspired Jonathan Larson’s 1996 Broadway musical “RENT.”Now, Washington National Opera performs “La Bohème” at the Kennedy Center from May 13 to May 27.The story follows four Frenchmen — poet Rodolfo, painter Marcello, musician Schaunard and philosopher Colline — who experience the ...

UK government says Ukraine’s Zelenskyy has arrived in Britain for talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

LONDON (AP) — UK government says Ukraine’s Zelenskyy has arrived in Britain for talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.Source

This Week in Business: retail sales, Target results, existing home sales

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

RETAIL RECEIPTSThe Commerce Department on Tuesday releases retail sales data for April.Analysts expect that sales improved last month, rising 0.8% from March to April. In March, Americans cut their spending at retail stores for the second straight month, a sign consumers are becoming more cautious after a burst of spending in January. Retail sales fell 0.6% in March from February. Retail sales, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted:Oct.: 1.1Nov.: -1.3Dec.: -0.7Jan.: 2.8Feb.: -0.7March: -0.6Source: U.S. Department of CommerceTARGET RESULTSRetailer Target reports its latest quarterly financial results on Wednesday.Wall Street analysts expect Minneapolis-based Target made $1.77 in the period on sales of $25.3 billion. In the same period last year, Target missed profit projections, posting earnings of $2.19 per share. In February, Target announced plans to invest as much as $5 billion this year expanding services for customers, including a drive up service for returns, store renov...

The U.S. is undergoing its worst bird flu outbreak ever. Is a poultry vaccine the answer?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

While bird flu likely poses little health danger to humans, it’s contributed to spikes in U.S. egg prices and decimated poultry flocks. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung/Flickr)This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.The deadliest outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history is prompting growing concern in Congress, and Department of Agriculture researchers are awaiting the preliminary results of four trials of vaccines for poultry.Some lawmakers are warming to the idea of a vaccination campaign, long considered a fringe idea due to the cost and potential consequences. Trade groups warn that vaccinated poultry would not be accepted in many overseas markets, disrupting exports.While bird flu likely poses little health danger to humans, it’s contributed to spikes in U.S. egg prices and decimated poultry flocks. Among the domestic poultry affected are chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, d...

UK promises more arms for Ukraine as Zelenskyy meets Sunak on European tour

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:23 GMT

LONDON (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Britain Monday on his whirlwind European tour, as the staunch ally of Kyiv promised to give Ukraine hundreds more missiles and attack drones in an effort to change the course of the war.Zelenskyy landed by helicopter at Chequers, the British leader’s official country retreat, and was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. It’s Zelenskyy’s second trip to the U.K. since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.This is the fourth European country Zelenskky has visited in the past few days. He is seeking more aid as Ukraine prepares a long-anticipated spring offensive to retake territory seized by Russia.Ukraine’s leader made an unannounced visit to Paris on Sunday evening to meet French President Emmanuel Macron, after trips to Germany and Italy, where he met those countries’ leaders and Pope Francis.A message posted Monday on Zelenskyy’s official Telegram Channel said: “Today — London. The UK is leading th...