Latest news with #lifting
Canada News.Net
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
MLB roundup: After rain delay, Twins walk-off Red Sox
(Photo credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images) Brooks Lee hit a walk-off, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Minnesota Twins to a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night in Minneapolis. The game was delayed by violent storms before the start of the bottom of the ninth. The teams resumed after more than an hour delay, and the Twins promptly rallied for the victory. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. singled before Red Sox reliever Jordan Hicks (1-7) hit back-to-back batters with pitches. Boston got a forceout at home before Lee singled to left. Keirsey went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer. Christian Vazquez also drove in a run for the Twins, and Royce Lewis had two hits. Alex Bregman went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer for Boston. Roman Anthony went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Wilyer Abreu had three hits. Angels 6, Rangers 4 Kevin Newman and Luis Rengifo hit two-run homers and Taylor Ward added a solo shot, leading Los Angeles to a victory over Texas in the opener of a three-game series at Anaheim, Calif. Gustavo Campero went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and a run for the Angels, who snapped the Rangers' six-game winning streak by logging their third victory in four games. Kenley Jansen pitched 1 1/3 innings of hitless, scoreless relief to notch his 19th save. Josh Jung homered and Josh Smith tripled and scored for Texas, which took just its second loss in 10 games. Jacob deGrom (10-3) gave up a season-high five runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out eight and walking one. It was deGrom's first loss since May 26. Padres 7, Mets 6 Elias Diaz's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted San Diego to a wild win over visiting New York. Robert Suarez (3-4) got the win despite blowing the save when Ronny Mauricio cracked a one-out solo homer in the top of the ninth to tie the game. Padres starter Dylan Cease gave up five runs on five hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings, striking out nine. Mets starter Frankie Montas left after 4 1/3 innings, permitting eight hits and five runs while walking two and fanning three. Mariners 3, Athletics 1 Luis Castillo pitched seven strong innings and Josh Naylor smacked his first homer with the Mariners to help Seattle post a victory over the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif. Naylor had two hits and scored twice for the Mariners, who are three games behind the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West. Cal Raleigh notched two hits and an RBI and Ben Williamson produced two hits, one run and a big defensive play for Seattle. Castillo (8-6) allowed one run and five hits. Brent Rooker had an RBI for the Athletics, who were coming off a four-game road sweep of the Astros. A's starter JP Sears (7-9) gave up three runs (two earned) and five hits over 4 1/3 innings. Athletics All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson (left hand) sat out his third straight game. Brewers 8, Cubs 4 Christian Yelich had a two-run homer and Milwaukee overcame a shaky first inning from All-Star rookie Jacob Misiorowski to rally for a victory over visiting Chicago in the opener of the three-game series between the National League Central leaders. The Brewers, who moved into first place one game ahead of the Cubs, erased a 3-0 first-inning deficit with four runs in the third off Matthew Boyd (11-4). Andrew Vaughn had a solo homer, his ninth, in the fifth and Sal Frelick had a solo shot, his eighth, an inning later to make it 6-3. Misiorowski finished his 80-pitch outing with three scoreless innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits. The Cubs took a 3-0 lead in the first with the aid of a wild pitch and throwing error in a 40-pitch inning against Misiorowski. Tigers 5, Diamondbacks 1 Dillon Dingler had a solo homer and two singles, and Troy Melton pitched seven shutout innings to collect his first career victory as host Detroit downed Arizona to open a three-game series. In his second career start since being promoted from Triple-A Toledo, Melton (1-1) surrendered five singles without issuing a walk for the Tigers. Andy Ibanez, also recalled from Toledo earlier in the day, added a home run, a double and two runs. Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez (3-7) gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings. Alek Thomas hit a solo shot for the Diamondbacks, who have lost six of their last seven contests. Rays 4, Yankees 2 Junior Caminero hit a two-run homer and the Rays pulled back above .500 with a victory over the host Yankees. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen (8-5) allowed a pair of run-scoring walks in the first inning before pitching five innings, holding the Yankees scoreless the rest of the way. Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler (1-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings during his third career start. The hard-throwing right-hander struck out five and walked four. Nationals 2, Astros 1 Riley Adams clubbed a two-out, tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, and visiting Washington edged reeling Houston. Adams socked his sixth homer of the season to right field off Astros reliever Bryan King (3-2). Reliever Konnor Pilkington (2-0) got two outs in the sixth, and Kyle Finnegan recorded his 20th save with a perfect ninth. The Astros took their sixth consecutive home loss, their fifth straight defeat overall. The Nationals won their third game in a row. Houston starter Framber Valdez fanned 12 in six innings. Cardinals 7, Marlins 1 Andre Pallante allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings as St. Louis defeated visiting Miami. Pallante (6-7) struck out four and walked one while enjoying quite a turnaround from his previous three starts, when he allowed 18 runs, 17 earned, on 25 hits in 15 2/3 innings. Masyn Winn went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run and three RBIs for the Cardinals, who won for just the fourth time in 11 games since the All-Star break. Alec Burleson had a homer, two runs and two RBIs. Marlins starter Edward Cabrera (4-5) allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits in six innings. Braves 10, Royals 7 Ronald Acuna Jr. and Marcell Ozuna each hit a two-run homer, Austin Riley homered and drove in four, and visiting Atlanta emerged with a win over Kansas City. The Royals tied a franchise record by issuing 14 walks, a mark reached four times previously. The Braves' offense matched its best-ever walk total, equally a record achieved twice before. Riley broke things open with a three-run double in the eighth for the Braves, who snapped a five-game losing streak. Atlanta's Spencer Strider (5-8) allowed two first-inning runs but no more while grinding into the sixth. Rich Hill (0-2) walked six and allowed four runs and three hits in four innings during his second start for Kansas City, which had won five of the previous seven. Dodgers 5, Reds 2 Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed just one run with nine strikeouts over seven innings, and Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run double to send the visiting Dodgers to a win over the Reds. Yamamoto (9-7) matched a season-high seven innings, allowing just four hits and one run. The right-hander improved his road record to 6-3 in 11 starts. The only blemish on his slate was an RBI groundout by former Dodger Gavin Lux in the first inning. Ohtani walked twice and cashed in a pair of runners to break a 1-1 tie with a double to center field off Cincinnati starter Chase Burns (0-3). Pirates 6, Giants 5 Andrew McCutchen broke a tie with a seventh-inning homer, the Pittsburgh bullpen threw seven innings of two-run ball and the Pirates ran their winning streak to three in a row with a triumph at San Francisco. Nick Gonzales also homered for the Pirates. Yohan Ramirez (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 shutout innings, and David Bednar recorded his 17th save despite allowing a run in the ninth. Willy Adames totaled three hits and two RBIs for the Giants, who have lost four straight, all at home. Reliever Carson Seymour (0-1) permitted two runs in three innings. Orioles 11, Blue Jays 4 Cedric Mullins and Coby Mayo belted back-to-back homers and Adley Rutschman had a big night at the plate in his first game off the injured list as Baltimore topped visiting Toronto. Ramon Laureano and Colton Cowser also homered and Jordan Westburg joined Rutschman and Mayo with three hits apiece. The Orioles finished with 16 hits as they won their third game in a row. Corbin Martin (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 innings of shutout relief for his first win since 2019. Bo Bichette had four hits and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Nathan Lukes homered for the Blue Jays, who have lost two games in a row for the first time since the All-Star break. White Sox 6, Phillies 2 Colson Montgomery and Luis Robert Jr. homered and Davis Martin pitched 5 2/3 sharp innings to help host Chicago to a victory against the Phillies. Chicago has won the first game in each of its four series since the All-Star break and is 7-3 out of the break overall. Robert connected for a go-ahead, two-run blast to the opposite field in the fourth as Chicago struck against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, a National League Cy Young award contender, in key spots. Sanchez (9-3) had allowed just four earned runs with 31 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings over his past four starts entering Monday. Rockies 8, Guardians 6 Tyler Freeman had three RBIs against his former team and Hunter Goodman homered and drove in two runs over the last two innings, giving visiting Colorado a wild victory over Cleveland. Colorado rookie Warming Bernabel homered for the second game in a row. The Rockies scored four times in the ninth to erase a 5-4 deficit against Cade Smith (2-4), who retired one batter and gave up four runs, one earned. Tyler Kinley (1-3) was the winner, and Seth Halvorsen gave up Nolan Jones' RBI single in the bottom of the ninth but still earned his 11th save. The game was delayed 2 1/2 hours at the start due to rain.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
US says lifting of some Myanmar sanctions had no link to general's letter to Trump
WASHINGTON: White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly has rejected Human Rights Watch comments on the lifting of some US sanctions on Myanmar as "fake news," and a second senior Trump administration official said the sanctions decisions were not indicative of a broader shift in US policy toward Myanmar. The United States has lifted sanctions designations on several allies of Myanmar's ruling generals that had been imposed under the former Biden administration. The US Treasury Department announcement on Thursday (July 24) came two weeks after the head of Myanmar's ruling junta praised President Donald Trump in a letter and called for an easing of sanctions in a letter responding to a tariff warning. John Sifton, Asia advocacy director of Human Rights Watch, called the sanctions move "extremely worrying." "The action suggests a major shift is underway in U.S. policy, which had centered on punitive action against Myanmar's military regime," he said in emailed comments. But Trump administration officials said there was no link between the letter and the sanctions decision. A notice from the USTreasury Department said KT Services & Logistics and its founder, Jonathan Myo Kyaw Thaung; the MCM Group and its owner Aung Hlaing Oo; and Suntac Technologies and its owner Sit Taing Aung; and another individual, Tin Latt Min, were being removed from the US sanctions list. The Treasury Department declined to say why the individuals had been removed from the list. In a statement to Reuters, Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender said: "Individuals, including in this case, are regularly added and removed from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List in the ordinary course of business." Early this month, as part of a slate of import tariffs ordered by Trump, Myanmar was notified of a 40 per cent tariff to take effect on August 1. On July 11, Myanmar's ruling military general, Min Aung Hlaing (pic), responded by proposing a reduced rate of 10 to 20 per cent, with Myanmar slashing its levy on US imports to a range of zero to 10 per cent. He said he was ready to send a negotiating team to Washington if needed. "The senior general acknowledged the president's strong leadership in guiding his country towards national prosperity with the spirit of a true patriot," Myanmar state media said at the time. Min Aung Hlaing also asked Trump "to reconsider easing and lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar, as they hinder the shared interests and prosperity of both countries and their peoples." A senior Trump administration official said the decision to lift sanctions was unrelated to the general's letter. "The decision to lift sanctions reflects a lengthy process that began in the prior administration," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "There is no connection between these decisions and the letter." White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said that sanctions delistings "were collected over the last year in accordance with standard Treasury course of business." KT Services & Logistics and Jonathan Myo Kyaw Thaung were added to the sanctions list in January 2022 under the administration of US President Joe Biden in a step timed to mark the first anniversary of the military seizure of power in Myanmar that plunged the country into chaos. Sit Taing Aung and Aung Hlaing Oo were placed on the sanctions list the same year for operating in Myanmar's defence sector. Tin Latt Min, identified as another close associate of the military rulers, was placed on the list in 2024 to mark the third anniversary of the coup. Representative Ami Bera, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Asia subcommittee, in a statement to Reuters called the decision to lift sanctions against the individuals "a bad idea" that "goes against our values of freedom and democracy." Other US sanctions on Myanmar generals, including on Min Aung Hlaing, remain in place. Myanmar is one of the world's main sources of sought-after rare earth minerals used in high-tech defence and consumer applications. Securing supplies of the minerals is a major focus for the Trump administration in its strategic competition with China, which is responsible for 90 per cent of rare earth processing capacity. Most of Myanmar's rare earth mines are in areas controlled by the Kachin Independence Army, an ethnic group fighting the junta, and are processed in China. - Reuters
UPI
4 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Analysis: Syria's path to reconciliation faces new sectarian violence
Israeli soldiers patrol at the cease-fire line with Syria, near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights village of Majdal Shams, on Tuesday. Photo by Atef Safadi/EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 25 (UPI) -- Syria, which experienced a renewed wave of sectarian violence last week targeting the predominantly Druze southern province, remains far from achieving genuine national reconciliation, a meaningful political settlement and unity, analysts said. Syria's new leader, Ahmad Sharaa, a former Jihadist, has gradually gained Arab and international support since he ascended to power after toppling President Bashar Assad in December. But the most significant shift came from the United States, when President Trump met with him in Saudi Arabia in May and announced the lifting of sanctions that had been imposed during Assad's rule. Trump decided to give Sharaa a chance on the basis that a stable Syria is crucial to peace and security in the Middle East. Despite organizing a national dialogue conference to discuss the future of the war-torn country, signing an interim constitution that establishes a five-year transition period, forming a transitional government and beginning to attract much-needed investment, the new Syrian leader still does not appear to be fully in control. The widespread sectarian violence that erupted last week in the southern province of Sweida revealed the limits of his centralized authority and of his efforts to assert control and sovereignty over the country. It also once again brought to the forefront the issue of protecting minorities and the urgent need to rein in the most extremist Islamist groups and Jihadists operating within Sharaa's security forces, who continue to act as sectarian rebels. Sharaa has so far failed to absorb all armed factions into a national army, address the presence of foreign fighters still in control of several areas and persuade key minority groups to lay down their weapons. Fears and mistrust, initially sparked by sectarian violence against Alawites in Syria's coastal region last March, resurfaced strongly when clashes broke out July 12 between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin groups in Sweida, a predominantly Druze city in southern Syria. The situation took a dramatic turn when government security forces, dispatched from Damascus to restore order, were confronted by Druze fighters -- backed by their spiritual leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri -- who sought to block their advance into the city, accusing them of siding with the Bedouins. The two sides engaged in heavy fighting for more than a week, during which incidents of looting, arson, sectarian abuse and summary executions -- primarily by government forces -- were reported. Bedouin and Druze armed groups were also implicated in serious abuses, according to Human Rights Watch. The international non-governmental organization warned that the violence had fueled sectarian hate speech and heightened the risk of reprisals against Druze communities across the country, amid accusations of complicity with al-Hijri's fighters and support for the Israeli intervention. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the killing of 1,386 people from all sides, including 386 civilians, 238 of whom were "summarily executed by government forces." At the height of the fighting, Israel intervened to protect the Druze, launching airstrikes on the Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus and on military positions in and around Sweida. The attacks forced government troops to withdraw from the city to avoid what Sharaa reportedly described as "an open war." According to Nanar Hawach, a senior Syria analyst at the International Crisis Group, the conflict in Sweida began as a local intercommunal dispute, but "snowballed into a regional conflict." Hawach explained that the government saw an opportunity to assert control over the semi-autonomous region and acted on it, encouraged by U.S. "confidence-building signals" and ongoing talks with Israel. "However, they overplayed their hand, and it backfired on them, weakening the government on multiple levels," he said in an interview with UPI. "One of the main reasons it escalated so dramatically was the government's approach and its overreliance on the use of force." This time, it was clear that the confrontation in Sweida was not directly linked to the long-standing rivalry between the Druze -a minority group in Syria- and the Bedouins. Rather, it was essentially an attempt by Sharaa to "subjugate the Druze," some of whom had refused to disarm and integrate into the new state, said Makram Rabah, a political activist and history professor at the American University of Beirut. "They [the Druze] simply did not like the heavy-handed approach that Sharaa and his Islamist allies were using," Rabah, a Lebanese Druze, told UPI. Did Sharaa miscalculate or fall into a trap when he hastily sent his security forces to take control of the semi-autonomous province? He not only miscalculated, but also believed he could get away with it, only to find out he couldn't, Rabah said, adding that "He had some form of support ... but not support to carry out massacres or kill civilians." As a result, Hijri -- one of Sweida's three religious leaders -- became increasingly popular among the Druze for echoing their existential fears and for openly seeking Israel's protection. The Druze were left with few options, argued Anas Joudeh, a Damascus-based political researcher and founder of the Nation Building Movement in Syria. "They are unable to accept what happened ... [and] under the present circumstances, no one would hand over his weapons." Believing that Israel, which acts in its own interests, could protect them was wrong, Joudeh and other analysts said. One person who understood this well was Lebanon's Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, who called for restraint and a political resolution to the Sweida crisis, warning that it could become protracted and risk triggering sectarian partition. Sharaa's desire and efforts to consolidate the state, establish a monopoly on weapons and reunify the war-torn country are fully understandable. The problem lies in how these goals are being implemented, Joudeh explained. "It is impossible to reunify the country under such an authority," he told UPI in a telephone interview from Damascus. Observers noted that Sharaa still enjoys considerable support from Sunni and other communities, who aspire to rebuild Syria as one nation for all after suffering decades of brutal rule under the Assad family. Hawach, however, cautioned that unless the government changes its policies and adopts more inclusive, peace-building approaches -- along with "a very clear message" that it represents all segments of the population- "short-term projections are not very positive in Syria." He warned that, without such changes, Syria's various constituencies would be further encouraged to seek access to arms and potential foreign backing, which could "create a highly hostile and divided environment." While Washington reiterated its support for the new Syrian government and criticized Israel's intervention in Sweida, Sharaa received a significant boost Thursday when Saudi Arabia announced $6.4 billion in investments to help rebuild the country after a 14-year civil war. Sharaa has not only been given another chance, but also a real opportunity to lead Syria toward stability, if he succeeds in stopping the sectarian killings, addressing the fears of minorities, punishing those responsible and purging his ranks of extremist jihadists. The question remains whether he can meet this challenge.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
QPR pip the competition to land Stellenbosch FC's Tylon Smith
Queens Park Rangers have signed 20-year-old Stellenbosch FC defender Tylon Smith, a standout player from South Africa's Under-20 Afcon-winning team, with permanent contract starting in their development squad. Picture: Queens Park Rangers Image: Queens Park Rangers Tylon Smith has completed a permanent transfer to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) from Stellenbosch FC, trading the vibrant fields of the Winelands for the bustling atmosphere of West London, marking a pivotal moment in his blossoming career. The 20-year-old defender's growth in the footballing world has been nothing short of meteoric over the past year. Just a year ago, Smith signed his first professional contract following a successful run with South Africa's U20 team, where he played a key role in lifting the COSAFA U20 Challenge Cup. His standout performance in the final against Zambia earned him the Player of the Match accolade and a place in the Team of the Tournament, signalling his potential on the international stage. Since then, Smith has only grown in stature, further enhancing his reputation in May with a pivotal role in South Africa's U20 Africa Cup of Nations victory. His contributions were instrumental enough to earn him the title of Player of the Tournament, underscoring the impact he has made early in his career. QPR's CEO, Christian Nourry, expressed enthusiasm about securing Smith's services, stating: 'We are happy to beat significant competition to land the services of Tylon. "His raw attributes give him every opportunity to become a successful central defender, and we are excited that the player feels, as we do, that we are best placed to develop and extract that potential from him. We will take it step by step.' Smith's transition to QPR will initially see him integrated into the development squad, where he will have the opportunity to hone his skills further within a club renowned for nurturing young talent. Expressing his excitement about the move, Smith remarked: 'I'm happy to be here. "I'm proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent. QPR is well known for developing young players. The style of play here is like how we play in South Africa, and it's a style that I like.' Rob Benadie, the CEO of Stellenbosch, described Smith's move as a monumental achievement, not only for the player but for the club as well. 'This is a very proud moment for everyone at the club, the town, and his family. We've watched Tylon grow from a young boy in Jamestown into a player ready to take on the world stage. "His move is a reward for years of hard work, not just from him, but from everyone involved in his development, and we hope it inspires the next generation to dream even bigger.' Notably, Smith's transfer represents a landmark achievement for Stellenbosch FC, as he becomes the first player to progress through the club's youth ranks — including Under-14, Under-16, Under-18, and reserve teams—before securing a move abroad. His journey to the UK serves as a compelling narrative of hard work and dedication, reflecting the bright future of South African football.
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
European negotiators head for Washington after Trump agrees Japan deal
European shares climbed early on Wednesday, led by automobile stocks, after US president Donald Trump revived hopes for a trade deal with the European Union following an agreement with Japan. European automobile stocks led a broad-based rally, rising 3.6%, tracking strength in Asian rivals. Carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Porsche gained between 7.4% and 5.1%. Mr Trump struck a trade deal with Japan, lowering tariffs on auto imports and sparing Tokyo from punishing new levies on other goods in exchange for a $550bn (€468bn) package of US-bound investment and loans. The Japan deal included reduced 15% tariffs for auto exports to the US, down from 25% earlier. Meanwhile, the prospects of an EU-US trade agreement improved after Mr Trump said that EU representatives would come for trade negotiations on Wednesday. "The message is that things are negotiable," said RBC Brewin Dolphin's head of market analysis, Janet Lui, mentioning how Japan faced similar difficulties in reaching a tariff consensus with the U.S. "The read across is there is potential to reach a trade deal that's lifting European markets across the board." Among individual stocks, Temenos gained 18.1%, the biggest gainer in the STOXX 600, after the banking software company raised its full-year earnings forecast. UniCredit rose 3.4% after the Italian lender posted higher-than-expected quarterly profit and raised its fiscal-year outlook. Lonza rose 6.3% after the Swiss company topped core profit forecast. Conversely, Nokia slumped 7.7%, pressuring media stocks, after the Finnish group lowered its guidance for 2025 comparable operating profit on Tuesday. ASM International fell the most in the benchmark index, down 9.3%, after the computer chip equipment maker reported second-quarter bookings below market expectations. SAP fell 2.5% after the German software maker reported a positive second-quarter profit on cost cuts and increased demand. Meanwhile, the latest earnings forecasts showed on Tuesday that the outlook for European corporate health has slightly improved. On the day, Alphabet and Tesla will kick off the results season for the "Magnificent Seven" stocks. Investors will also focus on euro zone consumer confidence flash for July later in the day. Meanwhile Mr Trump said on Tuesday he would use import restrictions to force foreign suppliers to cut drug prices and that pharmaceutical companies would have a lot of problems if they did not agree to bring prices down. Speaking at the White House at an event with Republican lawmakers, Trump pledged to reduce what consumers must pay for prescription drugs.
