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Orioles offseason guide: From pending free agents to positions of need, here’s what you need to know

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

During a news conference last week, Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias did not detail the team’s offseason goals. He didn’t commit to a higher payroll next season — although that seems all but guaranteed — nor did he specify any specific additions he hopes to make.“We’re looking to get better,” he said, “and we also have to look to maintain.”But after a stellar 2023 campaign, attention in Baltimore has shifted to 2024, a season in which, for the first time in years, many fans will enter the season expecting a playoff appearance. Here’s an early look at how the Orioles’ 2024 roster could shift in the coming months.Pending free agentsFive players — all of whom the Orioles acquired within the last year — will soon hit free agency: right-handed pitchers Kyle Gibson, Jack Flaherty and Shintaro Fujinami, infielder Adam Frazier and outfielder Aaron Hicks.It’s unlik...

Lucas: Markey rightly booed for ‘de-escalation’ call

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

U.S. Sen. Eddie Markey stood up for Israel at a pro-Israel rally last week, and that was a good thing.After all, he is a progressive who spoke to progressives at a progressive rally on a progressive issue—support for Israel.The only thing is that he stood up for the Hamas terrorists as well.Which is why the crowd booed him.And if this doesn’t get him a Democrat primary opponent in 2026 when he seeks reelection at age 80 then nothing will.And his potential opponent was right behind him waiting to speak next.He is fellow progressive Democrat U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, 35, of Newton who is champing at the bit to run for higher office. He was elected in 2020 to succeed Joe Kennedy III, who Markey defeated for the U.S. Senate,The rally zeroed in the atrocities afflicted upon on innocent civilians by Hamas and its depraved  killers who murdered and mutilated hundreds of Israeli women, children and the elderly in a surprise attack last weekend.They crossed into Israel from Gaza and initia...

Stock market today: World shares mostly fall, oil prices mixed as investors brace for Gaza invasion

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares fell and oil prices were mixed as investors braced Monday for an expected invasion by Israel in the Gaza Strip.The future for the S&P 500 rose 0.2% and that for the Dow industrials gained 0.3%. Germany’s DAX was down 0.1% at 15,168.16 and the CAC 40 in Paris declined fell less than 0.1%, to 6,999.82. Britain’s FTSE 100 reversed early losses, gaining 0.3% at 7,624.99. Israeli forces, supported by a growing deployment of U.S. warships in the region and the call-up of some 360,000 reservists, have positioned themselves along Gaza’s border and drilled for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the militant group Hamas. More than a million people have fled their homes in the besieged enclave in the past week, ahead of the anticipated invasion meant to eliminate Hamas’ leadership after its deadly Oct. 7 attack. “Who can blame markets for being jittery,” RaboResearch Global Economics and Markets said in a commentary. “The w...

Police investigating after person killed in southeast Austin overnight

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 54th homicide of the year after a person was killed overnight in southeast Austin. APD officers responded to the area near 2237 East Riverside Drive around 1:30 a.m. That area is near Emo's Austin and the AutoZone Auto Parts. Officers found a person with multiple injuries and tried to save their life, but the person died on the scene. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? A person of interest was detained. Police said this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 54th homicide of the year after a person was killed overnight in southeast Austin. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 54th homicide of the year after a person was killed overnight in southeast Austin. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 54th homicide of the year af...

Tuesday morning likely to be the coldest since April

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gorgeous fall weather continues into the start of the new work week... but the 90s won't stay away too long.Temperatures in the 40s and 50s this morning will gradually warm into the low to mid-70s by this afternoon. Sunshine, dry skies and breezy north winds (10-20 mph) can be expected areawide. Overall, a fairly pleasant fall day.One of the biggest talkers in this week's forecast will be the chill expected Tuesday morning. Overnight lows will fall to the 40s -- one of our coldest mornings in months!Tuesday morning temperaturesTemperatures rebound nicely Tuesday afternoon with highs climbing into the low to mid-70s. We'll add a few degrees to the morning and afternoon temperatures each day, eventually putting us in the low 90s by Friday. This week's temperature trendIt is looking like this year's Formula 1 race weekend at Circuit of the Americas will be dry but hot for October standards.Hot and dry for Formula 1 race weekend PHOTOS: Solar eclipse passes over Austi...

Ask Amy: Relationship rescue and redo is really risky

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

Dear Amy: I have been in a relationship for the past eight months with a guy.Two months in, he lost his job and moved in with me and my daughter.I took care of him and helped him to get a much better job. I wake up before him, pack his lunches, do his laundry, and cook and clean up after him.He had a very bad drinking problem that would cause him to black out and act very badly.I also found out that he was connecting with other women the entire time.Eventually, he cut out all hard alcohol. We would do well for a little while, but then he’d start drinking again and would verbally abuse me and leave me crying.Afterward, I would explain how this was not OK!We broke up about a week ago because he put his hands on me.I asked him to leave, and he did.I started to feel so much better, but of course I missed him like crazy.My girlfriends took me out and I met a lawyer — very respectful, very kind, and he seems like a gentleman.Related ArticlesAsk Amy | Ask Amy: Husband’s le...

Commission approves €53.6 million Polish state aid scheme to support corn traders in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

The European Commission has approved an approximately €53.6 million (PLN 240 million) Polish scheme to support corn traders in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies. The new Framework amends and prolongs in part the Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted on 23 March 2022 to enable member states to support the economy in the context of the current geopolitical crisis, already amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022.Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants to small and medium-sized companies active in the trading or purchasing of corn. The purpose of the scheme is to support the eligible beneficiaries that are at risk of losing financial liquidity due to the lack of stability on the agricultural market caused by the cur...

Bridge: Oct. 16, 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

“I think I’m basically a good person,” a club player told me, “but the way I react when someone drives like a turtle in the left lane makes me wonder. And long huddles at the bridge table drive me nuts.”My friend was today’s North.“When my partner opened four diamonds,” she said, “I raised. I wish I hadn’t. West led a heart, and my partner took dummy’s ace, drew trumps and disappeared into a mull, consulting regularly with the ceiling. He finally led the A-K and a third club. West won and led a spade, and East got two spades for down one. All that thought for nothing.”FRUITLESSI sympathize. Players need to think, but I like to see a card played every so often. And a little thought early in the play can avoid fruitless thought later.South must play dummy’s deuce on the first heart. If East wins and returns a heart, South discards a club, takes the king of trumps and the K-A of clubs, and ruffs a club. He dr...

Biden warns Israel against occupying Gaza as ground invasion appears near

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

President Joe Biden speaks at the 2023 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)(AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta) President Joe Biden speaks at the 2023 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)(AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (CNN) — President Joe Biden warned Israel against occupying Gaza in one of his most notable public calls for restraint as the Israelis respond to this month’s terror attacks by Hamas.In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday, Biden said it would be a “big mistake” for Israel to occupy Gaza. Israel has been signaling it is preparing for a ground invasion of Gaz...

‘It frees your mind up’: Prince George’s Co. line dancing group helps breast cancer survivors stay healthy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:28:00 GMT

This is part of WTOP’s continuing coverage of people making a difference from our community authored by Stephanie Gaines-Bryant. Read more of that coverage.If you’ve ever tried line dancing, you know it can be lots of fun. A Prince George’s County, Maryland, group is using the fun activity to help breast cancer survivors stay healthy.Jeannette Jones is a breast cancer survivor, line dance instructor and one of the coordinators of Line Dance N’ Pink. The group, organized by the breast cancer advocacy organization 2for2 Boobs, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.Jones said she was diagnosed with breast cancer after having two breast scares. She first discovered a lump on her breast in 1994.“I was scared,” Jones said. “I knew it was there but didn’t do anything about it.”She said it took years for her to get the lump checked and, when she did, it turned out to be a benign (noncancerous) tumor.“Had it been cancerous, I would not be here...