El Salvador Congress votes to end ban on metal miningStudent arrested after allegedly bringing gun into Wisconsin high schoolHOUSTON (AP) — The Astros welcomed first baseman Christian Walker to the team Monday, in one of two moves that almost certainly marks the end of Alex Bregman’s time in Houston. Walker signed a $60 million, three-year contract that will pay him $20 million annually just more than a week after the Astros acquired infielder Isaac Paredes from Cubs . “The way I view it right now is Paredes is going to play third base and Walker is going to play first base,” general manager Dana Brown said Monday. “And Bregman’s still a free agent.” The Astros had hoped to re-sign Bregman, the team’s third baseman for the last nine seasons, but Brown said the negotiations stalled. “I thought we made a really competitive offer, showing that we wanted him back,” he said. “But we had to pursue other options. We couldn’t just sit there. We locked in Paredes early in that trade, knowing that he could play third or first and then when the opportunity to add another bat came up we just jumped on it.” The addition of a first baseman was a priority this offseason for the Astros after they less than halfway through a $58.5 million, three-year contract. “We knew we had to get better at first base,” Brown said. “We pursued (Walker) and we’re excited to have him because we know that we’re going to have a really good first baseman that can defend and also hit the ball on the seats from time to time.” Walked was attracted by the sustained success of the Astros, who won their first two World Series titles in 2017 and '22. “I’ve been watching this team for a while now, and that edge, the energy, the expectation, you can tell that they’re going out there with a standard,” he said. “And I’m very excited to be a part of it.” Walker is looking forward playing on an infield with star second baseman Jose Altuve. He’s fascinated by the success and consistency Altuve has had over his 14-year career. “I get a chance to learn from Jose Altuve,” Walker said. “Nothing really gets better than that.” Brown was asked what he would tell fans disappointed to see the Astros lose another star after George Springer and Carlos Correa left as free agents in recent years. “I would just tell the fans that look, we are very focused on remaining competitive,” he said. “We’re very focused on winning division and going back to the World Series, and I think with these additions that we have the ability to do that. So, I feel strongly that we’re going to be picked to win the division first off. And if our pitching holds up, which I feel strongly about, as well, I think we’ll get deep into the postseason.” The Astros won the AL West for a fourth straight year this season before being swept by the Tigers in an AL Wild Card Series. Walker, who turns 34 during the opening week of the season, hit .251 with 26 homers, 84 RBIs, 55 walks and 133 strikeouts this year. That was down from 2023, when he batted .258 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs as the Diamondbacks reached the World Series. Walker played in 130 games this year, down from 157 in 2023 and 160 in 2022. He was sidelined between July 29 and Sept. 3 by a strained left oblique. He spent the last eight seasons with the Diamondbacks, where he hit 146 homers with 442 RBIs and a .251 batting average. He didn’t secure a full-time job in the big leagues until 2019. He’s provided consistent power over the past six seasons and has grown into an elite defensive first baseman, winning Gold Gloves in each of the past three seasons. Walker played college ball at South Carolina and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012. He made his big league debut with the Orioles in 2014 but couldn’t stick in the majors and was claimed off waivers by Atlanta, Cincinnati and Arizona in a five-week span. Walker’s contract has a limited no-trade provision allowing him to block deals to six teams without his consent. He would earn $200,000 for winning an MVP, $175,000 for second, $150,000 for third, $125,000 for fourth and $100,000 for fifth. Walker also would get $100,000 for World Series MVP, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $75,000 apiece for making the All-Star Game or winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Award. Infielder Grae Kessinger was designated for assignment to open a roster spot. AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. AP MLB:Wall Street headhunters are gearing up for a 'bonkers' hiring market in 2025 — here's what to expect
The Nassau II championship game was stuck in a tie Friday night at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium, and it was fourth-and 6 for Carey at its own 47 in the third quarter. Time to send the ball flying via a punt toward Mepham. Or was it? Punter Billy Koutsoumbaris took off through the middle, cut left and by the time his surprise run was over, the senior was at the Pirates’ 24. Five plays later, it became a turning point. Justin DePietro carried the ball in, and undefeated Carey was headed in the direction of the title. DePietro ran 35 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns, and the top-seeded Seahawks’ top-shelf defense held up its end, allowing all of 14 yards in the second half. And so Carey emerged with a 28-7 victory over third-seeded Mepham and claimed this football program’s first county crown since 2014. “I’m just so happy for the kids,” coach Mike Stanley said. “They’ve worked so hard all season long. They were committed to the offseason. They did everything that we asked them to do and more. They’re a great group of kids, a special group of kids.” They’re now an 11-0 group of kids. The Seahawks — who had fallen in the final last season against Garden City, which moved to Nassau III before this school year — advanced to the Long Island championship game against Half Hollow Hills East (10-1) at 4:30 p.m. next Friday back at Hofstra. “We’re hungry for another one,” Koutsoumbaris said. “We want it. We want it bad.” Brian Heyman covers high school, college and pro sports. He joined Newsday in 2021 and previously worked as a sportswriter for The Journal News in White Plains and The Hudson Dispatch in Union City, New Jersey. His work has appeared in The New York Times, MLB.com and Baseball Digest magazine.Caoimhin Kelleher saves Kylian Mbappe penalty as Liverpool close in Champions League last-16 with win over Real Madrid
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The digital revolution has transformed healthcare globally, and India is no exception. However, the vast rural-urban divide remains one of the biggest barriers to equitable healthcare delivery. At the heart of rural India’s healthcare system are Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), frontline workers who play a critical role in improving maternal and child health, immunisation coverage, and public health awareness. Recognising their indispensable role, the digital upskilling of ASHAs could emerge as a game-changer in transforming rural healthcare. By leveraging technology, empowering ASHAs with digital tools, and addressing systemic challenges, we can ensure sustainable improvements in primary healthcare delivery countrywide. Under the NHM launched in 2013, ASHAs were recruited as community-based health workers to educate, promote healthy practices, and help rural populations access healthcare services. From immunisation drives to antenatal care, ASHAs are trusted figures who bridge the gap between formal healthcare systems and communities. However, their potential is yet to be fully unlocked due to challenges like limited access to medical resources, inadequate training, and the overwhelming scope of their responsibilities. Digital interventions like Elsevier’s pilot project, ‘Digital Innovations & Interventions for Sustainable HealthTech Action’ (DIISHA), have shown that artificial intelligence-based tools can equip ASHAs to perform their duties more effectively. AI tools like ClinicalPath Primary Care India support clinical decision-making by offering expert-level screening capabilities even in the most remote areas. The power of digital upskilling lies in its ability to decentralise care. ASHAs, armed with AI-driven tools, can identify early symptoms, suggest appropriate care, and streamline referrals, significantly reducing delays in treatment. Further, these tools can generate high-quality clinical data helping formulate healthcare policy, resource allocation, and district-level healthcare planning. India’s rural areas often face a shortage of healthcare professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and minimal access to advanced medical care. AI-powered tools democratise access to healthcare knowledge and clinical decision-making, effectively bringing expert care to underserved communities. However, while technology holds immense potential, its success depends on how effectively it is implemented. The need for adequate training, digital literacy, and infrastructural readiness cannot be overstated. ASHAs must be digitally upskilled with robust training programs tailored to their roles, ensuring that they are comfortable using new tools and technologies. Additionally, technological solutions must be accessible offline or in areas with poor connectivity to ensure seamless adoption in remote villages. Incentivising ASHAs for their efforts in improving healthcare outcomes will further motivate them and ensure the successful adoption of digital health solutions. Digital tools should not only enable them to work more effectively but also reduce their burden and give them a sense of ownership and professional growth. Projects like DIISHA and digital tools such as ClinicalKey AI reflect the transformative role of AI in healthcare. However, successful pilot projects must be scaled up and replicated across states to bring about systemic changes. Collaboration between the government and private players is critical in ensuring that digital tools are accessible, affordable, and standardised across regions. The National One Health Mission and other pandemic preparedness initiatives can also incorporate such tools to strengthen healthcare systems against emerging challenges. While AI has tremendous potential, its use in healthcare must adhere to ethical principles of transparency, accountability, and traceability. Tools like ClinicalKey AI, which links every response to peer-reviewed sources, set a benchmark for responsible AI usage. By incorporating inputs from Indian clinicians and developing clinical overviews based on credible local content, such tools can address potential biases and deliver contextually relevant solutions. The digital upskilling of ASHAs represents a critical opportunity to transform rural healthcare in India. By equipping these frontline health workers with AI-based tools, we can bridge the urban-rural divide, improve healthcare delivery, and empower ASHAs to take on more advanced roles. However, this transformation requires a multifaceted approach: government support, adequate training, incentivisation, and scaling of proven digital solutions. India’s healthcare future hinges on ensuring that technology reaches the grassroots, where it can make the most significant impact.Karachi University To Stop Thousands Of Fee Defaulter Students From Sitting Exams
Stephen A. Smith berated the Giants in a scathing rant while defending his ESPN colleague Elle Duncan, who might’ve made herself an enemy of the Giants. Duncan’s remarks about Daniel Jones’ farewell speech — during which he thanked the Giants before they granted his release on Friday — didn’t sit well with Giants faithful , including Pat Hanlon, the team’s senior vice president of communications, who called her out on X. During Friday’s installment of “First Take,” Smith told the Giants to stop whining and claimed the organization called ESPN to complain about Duncan’s “Taking the L” segment about Jones. “The New York Giants, respectfully, shut the hell up,” Smith said. “Y’all are awful as an organization ... Y’all are sorry! Y’all are pathetic! The only reason why you get away with it is because the Jets have been worse ... and you’ve got the nerve to sit up there and call the network because you want to whine and moan about your ineptitude being put on public display?” Duncan didn’t spare Jones one bit while discussing him getting benched for Tommy DeVito and demoted to fourth string after he was unable to control the Giants’ offense. “You guys think he had this saved in his notes since like 2020? In all seriousness, DJ, I could have saved you like 90 seconds,” Duncan said, referring to his speech. “A rewrite: I’m sorry you paid me $108 million for one playoff win. And I look forward to reviving my career as Brock Purdy’s backup. The end.” Hanlon wasn’t thrilled with Duncan’s remarks. “That an ESPN personality would mock Daniel Jones’ statement today is mind boggling,” he wrote on X . “Given what has happened at that company over past few years, tone deaf.” Hanlon didn’t explain further about what happened at ESPN. The company recently went through multiple rounds of layoffs. Many Big Blue fans thought Duncan was overly harsh and disrespectful to Jones. Duncan, who was a guest on Friday’s “First Take,” stood by her comments. “You want to call me disrespectful to Daniel Jones?” she said. “Am I more disrespectful than the Giants making him a scout team safety? Am I more disrespectful than all of those same fans that are in my mentions right now who booed him mercilessly for the last six seasons? I stand by everything that I said.”West Virginia knocks off No. 3 Gonzaga in overtimeHeather home to curling hub
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