Sports

ESPN and MLB to end their decades-long relationship after 2025 season

Feb. 20, 2025

ESPN and Major League Baseball are parting ways and will end their decades-long partnership after the 2025 season, the league announced on Thursday, a little less than a month before the start of the season. The network first aired MLB games in 1990, but the league said in a statement that it is dismayed at how ESPN has pared back its baseball coverage. “Given that MLB provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN’s demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement,” the league said in a statement.

Health

Why isn't the U.S. using a bird flu vaccine in poultry?

Feb. 20, 2025

The United States has so far avoided vaccination as a strategy to eradicating bird flu in poultry, instead relying on culling infected flocks. With the escalating outbreak driving up egg prices to record highs, could that approach soon change? And as millions of flocks continue to die, why aren’t vaccines being given already?

International News

Russian aircraft fly in Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, US says

Feb. 20, 2025

Russian military aircraft were spotted flying in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday and Wednesday, activity that North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said "occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat." In both instances, NORAD said the Russian aircraft were detected and tracked. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and didn’t enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

Sports

A life-threatening blood clot sidelined NBA All-Star Victor Wembanyama. Here’s what to know

Feb. 20, 2025

A dangerous blood clot has taken San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama out of play for the rest of the 2024-2025 basketball season, the NBA announced Thursday. Wembanyama, a 21-year-old French professional named Rookie of the Year last season, has deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder — a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep in the body.

International News

Make your house cozier this winter with these 9 products

Feb. 20, 2025

Winter is a great time to slow down and relax, whether that means reading a good book in a comfortable reading corner or sitting back and binging your favorite show, surrounded by blankets. You can easily turn your home into a cozy paradise with a few easy additions to each room. Add some warm blankets to your bed, throw some soft pillows on the coach and switch out your bright light for warm lamps. Once you add these cozy products to your space, your home will be the place you can’t wait to get back to.

Sports

Victor Wembanyama expected to miss rest of NBA season with shoulder injury

Feb. 20, 2025

San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss the rest of the NBA season with a shoulder injury, the team announced Thursday. The 21-year-old has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, a form of a blood clot, in his right shoulder, according to the Spurs. “The condition was discovered when Wembanyama returned to San Antonio following the All-Star Game in San Francisco. Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season,” San Antonio said in its statement. The reigning Rookie of the Year was having another impressive season and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.

International News

21 baby registry essentials to grab during Amazon's February baby sale

Feb. 20, 2025

If you are an expectant parent with a lot on your to-buy list, an Amazon baby registry can be a great option that lets family and friends help out with the costs of getting ready for a baby. Your list of items can be easily browsed and purchased directly on Amazon. Moreover, you can personalize your registry by adding notes, specifying preferred colors, and even enabling group gifting for larger items. In addition, parents get a free welcome box, a 15% completion discount, and free returns for a year. This not only makes shopping easier but also saves you money and ensures you get the items you need for your baby.

Business

Mortgage rates fall for fifth week in a row, hover near 7%

Feb. 20, 2025

Mortgage rates fell for a fifth consecutive week, hitting the lowest level since December but remaining elevated near 7%. Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, showed that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage edged down to 6.85% from last week's reading of 6.87%. The average rate on a 30-year loan was 6.9% a year ago.

International News

China, Iran and Russia condemned by dissidents at UN watchdog's Geneva summit

Feb. 20, 2025

Dissidents from across the globe gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, to tell the stories of their survival and escape from authoritarian regimes. In just a few days, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will kick off its 58th session in that same city. In his opening remarks at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer set the record straight on the UNHRC.

International News

Chinese warships make 'unusual' voyage near US ally Australia

Feb. 20, 2025

Australia is "keeping close watch on" Chinese military ships traversing waters off its coast, Richard Marles, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, noted during an interview on Sky News Australia. Marles said that the ships "have been abiding by international law," though he described the situation as "not unprecedented, but an unusual event." He said that while the ships have the right to be located in international waters, Australia has the right to surveil the ships.