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On democracy, the people have the best say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

Over the years, the United States has claimed to be a "beacon of democracy". But even at best as a "lamp", it has become increasingly dim and could barely shed light on itself. Taking its electoral system as an example, more than US$16.7 billion was spent by both parties in the 2022 midterm elections, dwarfing the 2021 GDPs of more than 70 countries. The top 21 families making political donations contributed at least a million each, totalling US$783 million. Over 90% of those elected as lawmakers won by splurging funds. The so-called American democracy is merely a “game of the rich” founded on capital. Americans’ pride in their democracy has dropped sharply, from 90% in 2002 to 54% in 2022, according to a joint Washington Post-University of Maryland survey.Despite mounting problems at home, the United States continued to behave with a sense of superiority, usurp the role of a “lecturer of democracy”, and organized another edition of the so-called “Summit for Democracy”. The purpose ...

Verstappen wins in wild finish to F1 Australian Grand Prix

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has claimed his first Australian Grand Prix in remarkable circumstances in a chaotic Formula 1 race filled with drama from the green light to the checkered flag.Although Red Bull’s first triumph in Melbourne since 2011 was expected, the carnage that unfolded in the latter stages of the race at Albert Park made it an extremely hard-fought triumph.Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who drove superbly in his Mercedes, finished second, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso filled third spot on the podium.“That is a really good weekend for us. I am happy with that,” Verstappen said to his team on radio.Verstappen had appeared to be coasting to victory with an eight-second lead when debris from Kevin Magnussen’s Haas forced the second of three red flags issued in the race with three laps remaining.On the restart, Verstappen was able to hold Hamilton to the first turn as bedlam unfolded behind his RB19, sparking a massive reshuffl...

Finns vote in tight election; young leader seeks reelection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — Polling stations opened Sunday in Finland, where three parties were expected to be in a tight race as Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Social Democrats fight to secure a second term running the government.Over 2,400 candidates from 22 parties were vying for the 200 seats in the Nordic country’s parliament, the Eduskunta. Marin, who at age 37 is one of Europe’s youngest leaders, has received praise for her Cabinet’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and for her prominent role, along with President Sauli Niinistö, in advocating for Finland’s successful application to join NATO. Her vocal support of Ukraine in the last year has increased her international visibility.“Of course we hope that the Social Democrats will win this election … It’s so important because we want to stay an open society. We also want to work together internationally. We want to build a better green sustainable future where people have the same opportunities in life,” Marin told the As...

Dodgers take on the Diamondbacks following Thompson’s 3-home run game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (1-2) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1)Los Angeles; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Zach Davies (0-0); Dodgers: Noah Syndergaard (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -189, Diamondbacks +160; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers play the Arizona Diamondbacks after Trayce Thompson hit three home runs against the Diamondbacks on Saturday.Los Angeles went 111-51 overall and 57-24 in home games a season ago. The Dodgers averaged 3.5 extra base hits per game, including 1.3 home runs.Arizona went 74-88 overall and 34-47 on the road a season ago. The Diamondbacks pitching staff had a 4.26 ERA collectively last season while averaging 7.7 strikeouts and 3.2 walks per nine innings.INJURIES: Dodgers: Alex Reyes: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Pepiot: 15-Day IL (oblique), Jimmy Nelson: 15-Day IL (elbow), Daniel Hudson: 15-Day IL (knee), Gavin Lux: 60-Day IL (knee), Tony Gonsolin: 15-Day IL (ankle), Walker Buehler: 60-Day IL (elbow)...

Reds and Pirates meet, winner takes 3-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (1-1) vs. Cincinnati Reds (1-1)Cincinnati; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Vince Velasquez (0-0); Reds: Graham Ashcraft (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -136, Pirates +116; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates play on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.Cincinnati had a 62-100 record overall and a 33-48 record in home games last season. The Reds slugged .372 with a .675 OPS as a team in the 2022 season.Pittsburgh had a 62-100 record overall and a 28-53 record in road games last season. The Pirates pitching staff averaged 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings while giving up 5.0 runs per game in the 2022 season.INJURIES: Reds: Joey Votto: 10-Day IL (bicep/shoulder), Nick Senzel: 10-Day IL (toe), Tony Santillan: 15-Day IL (back), Justin Dunn: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tejay Antone: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lucas Sims: 15-Day IL (back), Luke Weaver: 15-Day IL (forearm), Vladimir Gutierrez: 60-Day IL (elbow)Pirates...

Cubs and Brewers meet in series rubber match

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (1-1) vs. Chicago Cubs (1-1)Chicago; Sunday, 2:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Eric Lauer (0-0); Cubs: Jameson Taillon (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -125, Brewers +105; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series.Chicago had a 74-88 record overall and a 37-44 record at home last season. The Cubs averaged 8.0 hits per game last season while batting a collective .238.Milwaukee went 86-76 overall and 40-41 in road games last season. The Brewers slugged .408 with a .723 OPS as a team in the 2022 season.INJURIES: Cubs: Brandon Hughes: 15-Day IL (knee), Kyle Hendricks: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Seiya Suzuki: 10-Day IL (oblique), Codi Heuer: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ethan Roberts: 60-Day IL (elbow)Brewers: Justin Wilson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Urias: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Aaron Ashby: 15-Day IL (labrum), Adrian Houser: 15-Day IL (groin), Tyrone Taylor: 10-Day IL (elbow), Jas...

Rockies face the Padres leading series 2-1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

Colorado Rockies (2-1) vs. San Diego Padres (1-2)San Diego; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Austin Gomber (0-0); Padres: Seth Lugo (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -226, Rockies +187; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies play the San Diego Padres with a 2-1 series lead.San Diego had an 89-73 record overall and a 44-37 record at home last season. The Padres pitching staff had a 3.82 ERA collectively last season while averaging 9.1 strikeouts and 2.9 walks per nine innings.Colorado had a 68-94 record overall and a 27-54 record on the road last season. The Rockies averaged 8.7 hits per game in the 2022 season with 2.9 extra base hits per game.INJURIES: Padres: Joe Musgrove: 15-Day IL (toe), Robert Suarez: 15-Day IL (elbow), Adam Engel: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Adrian Morejon: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Castillo: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Drew Pomeranz: 15-Day IL (elbow/flexor), Eguy Rosario: 60-Day IL (ankle)Rockies: Daniel Bard: 15-Day IL (anxiety), R...

Arraez leads Marlins against the Mets after 4-hit outing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

New York Mets (2-1) vs. Miami Marlins (1-2)Miami; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Kodai Senga (0-0); Marlins: Trevor Rogers (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -122, Marlins +103; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins take on the New York Mets after Luis Arraez had four hits against the Mets on Saturday.Miami had a 69-93 record overall and a 34-47 record in home games last season. The Marlins batted .230 as a team in the 2022 season with a .658 OPS.New York had a 101-61 record overall and a 47-34 record on the road last season. The Mets averaged 8.8 hits per game in the 2022 season with 2.9 extra base hits per game.INJURIES: Marlins: Max Meyer: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nic Enright: 15-Day IL (illness), Steven Okert: 15-Day IL (adductor), Tommy Nance: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Anthony Bender: 60-Day IL (elbow)Mets: Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (teres major), Stephen Ridings: 15-Day IL (lat), Edwin Diaz: 60-Day IL (knee), Elieser Hernandez: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Jo...

Nationals try to avoid series sweep against the Braves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

Atlanta Braves (2-0) vs. Washington Nationals (0-2)Washington; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Jared Shuster (0-0); Nationals: MacKenzie Gore (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -191, Nationals +161; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals play in the final game of a three-game series. The Braves will sweep the series with a victory.Washington had a 55-107 record overall and a 26-55 record at home last season. The Nationals averaged 8.3 hits per game last season and totaled 136 home runs.Atlanta had a 101-61 record overall and a 46-35 record in road games last season. The Braves slugged .443 as a team in the 2022 season while hitting 1.5 home runs per game.INJURIES: Nationals: Corey Dickerson: day-to-day (calf), Israel Pineda: 10-Day IL (finger), Stephen Strasburg: 60-Day IL (ribs/shoulder), Tanner Rainey: 60-Day IL (elbow), Victor Arano: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Cade Cavalli: 60-Day IL (elbow), Carter Kieboom: 10-Day IL (f...

Rebounding Pope Francis begins Palm Sunday Mass at Vatican

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:08 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis opened the celebration Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, presiding at his first ceremony after his hospital stay for bronchitis. On a cloudy morning, Francis wore a long, ivory-colored coat as he was driven into the square aboard a pope mobile. Ahead of him, scores of prelates and priests and tens of thousands of rank-and-file faithful clutching palm fronds or olive branches filled the square. Francis, 86, received antibiotics administered intravenously during his three-day stay. He last previous appearance on St. Peter’s Square was for his regular Wednesday public audience. He was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Policlinic that same day after feeling ill.Palm Sunday opens a heavy schedule of Holy Week appointments for him. At the start of the Mass, Francis took his place in a chair before the towering obelisk as a procession of cardinals in bright-red vestments and other faithful moved through the square.His voice sounded strong as he o...