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Know The Significance Of Growing Barley During Navratri

**Navratri and the Sacred Tradition of Barley Sowing (Jau Sowing)**

Navratri is a festival deeply rooted in rituals and symbolism, with one of its most important traditions being the practice of sowing barley seeds (jowar/jaun) at the beginning of the nine days. This ritual, also known as Jau Sowing or Khetri Sthapana, holds immense spiritual significance and is considered a way of invoking the blessings of Goddess Durga.

### Rituals of Jau Sowing

On the first day of Navratri, devotees install the Kalash (a sacred pot) and place a small earthen pot filled with soil beside it. Barley seeds are then sown in this soil, and water is sprinkled daily to nurture their growth. By the end of the nine days, the barley sprouts into fresh green shoots.

These shoots are distributed among family members after the completion of Navratri rituals, symbolising prosperity, positivity, and new beginnings.

### Significance of Growing Barley

The act of growing barley during Navratri is more than just a ritual — it is a representation of life, fertility, and abundance. In ancient times, barley was one of the primary crops and was closely linked to food security and prosperity. As a result, the growth of barley during Navratri came to be seen as a divine sign.

The health and length of the barley shoots are often believed to indicate the future prosperity and blessings of the household.

### A Symbol of Faith and Positivity

Spiritually, the barley shoots symbolize the inner growth of devotees throughout the nine days of worship. Just as the seed transforms into a thriving plant with care and devotion, worshippers are reminded to nurture their faith, patience, and positivity.

Offering these shoots to Goddess Durga is regarded as a gesture of gratitude and surrender.

Thus, growing barley during Navratri is not only a sacred tradition but also a beautiful reminder of growth, hope, and the nourishing power of divine energy that sustains all life.

### About Shardiya Navratri

Shardiya Navratri is considered one of the most significant Navratris, second only to Chaitra Navratri, and is celebrated by millions of Hindus worldwide. This festival falls in the month of Ashwin and begins on Shukla Paksha Pratipada, continuing until Navami.

It is dedicated to Goddess Durga, as according to legend, on this day, she defeated the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Devotees observe this festival with great devotion, performing numerous rituals to honor the Goddess.

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Experience the spiritual essence of Navratri by participating in the age-old tradition of Jau Sowing and embracing the blessings of Goddess Durga for a prosperous and positive year ahead.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/know-the-significance-of-growing-barley-during-navratri

The Netherlands Teetering at the Immigration Precipice

In the Netherlands, hardly a day passes without furious citizens besieging town halls, often successfully demanding a ban on asylum seekers. On Saturday, September 20, at The Hague, riot police only just managed to keep violent demonstrators from storming an empty Parliament building.

The brutal murder, a month earlier, of a 17-year-old Dutch girl named Lisa has fanned the flames of anti-immigration fury. Lisa was dragged from her bicycle in the middle of the night while returning to her home village of Abcoude after an evening partying in nearby Amsterdam. The suspect is a 22-year-old African asylum seeker, possibly from Nigeria, who was arrested in a refugee center nearby. He is also accused of sexual assaults on two women in Amsterdam, who barely escaped with their lives.

The criminal and anti-social behavior of many asylum seekers dominates the campaign leading up to the parliamentary elections on October 29. According to all opinion polls, the Freedom Party (PVV) of anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders stands to win, as it did in 2023.

In his first reaction to Lisa’s murder—which horrified the nation—Mr. Wilders announced that, under his rule, the more than 300 centers for asylum seekers (AZCs) in the country would be closed forthwith.

The police remain tight-lipped about the suspect, assuming that he is Nigerian but uncertain of his identity. He only recently arrived in the country. Nothing is being divulged about his asylum claim, nor whether he lived in the AZC near the scene of Lisa’s death where he was arrested. This has led to speculation that he used it as a hotel from where he preyed on women and girls.

The Council for Asylum Seekers, the government’s regulatory body, has a lot of explaining to do. The center in question, housing around 800 people, is heavily guarded by police to prevent it from being stormed or worse by irate citizens, as has happened in Britain.

In this toxic political climate, the left accuses Mr. Wilders and others on the radical right of spreading hatred against non-Western immigrants in general and asylum seekers in particular. They argue that Wilders co-inspired the protests by more than a thousand football hooligans at The Hague, with scenes of violence rarely seen in this country.

Two police cars were set on fire, and attempts failed to set ablaze the offices of a center-left party deemed pro-immigration. Yobbos belted out slogans like “Sieg Heil,” yelled nasty things about Jews, and proudly flaunted T-shirts emblazoned with “white power.”

The hatred of foreigners of the criminal variety has united Dutch football hooligans, normally at each other’s throats, in violent protests. At The Hague, a black-clad army of football fans from all over the country, accompanied by members of extreme right-wing fringe movements, had hijacked what was to have been a peaceful demonstration— notably for women’s safety on the streets.

Here, too, Lisa’s fate was uppermost in people’s minds, inspiring the hard-core political and hooligan elements to honor her on huge banners before taking on the riot police.

An odd alliance has thus seen the light between tough young men looking for trouble and women and girls understandably scared of men in crowded AZCs all over the country. Well before Lisa’s murder, people had complained about foreigners’ behavior against (very) young girls and women. Villagers started organizing vigilante groups, making citizens’ arrests during patrols armed with sticks and intimidating dogs.

Immigration was not the only reason why at The Hague bovver boys took to the streets. The perceived denigration of Dutch culture and the Netherlands’ colonial past by the left and leaders of ethnic minorities came a close second. Perhaps on a par with the housing crisis, which asylum seekers are partially blamed for, as they are prioritized on waiting lists for social housing once their applications get approved.

The abundant research by Dutch mathematician Jan van de Beek on the high criminality rates among male asylum seekers used to be anathema to the Dutch left, which cherished its own pundits judged less alarmist. Now, after Lisa’s murder, the united front has started to crack.

Progressives had argued, in response to hateful messages about “rapefugees,” that women’s lack of security in public spaces is a man’s problem, be they foreigners or Dutch. That Lisa had possibly fallen victim to a migrant is therefore deemed a minor detail.

A female columnist in the usually “woke” newspaper NRC begged to differ and came close to sharing the views of Dr. Jan van der Beek, who deems frightful the over-representation of asylum seekers in all aspects of crime in the Netherlands.

For many years, politicians and left-wing media were quick to ridicule people objecting to asylum seekers coming to their town. This pattern has started to change since early this year. Not only are the protests of the erstwhile “yokels” taken seriously, but in quick succession their wishes are also being granted.

Public broadcaster NOS, distrusted by the right, estimates that in the last few months the mayors of at least 15 towns and villages scrapped plans to welcome AZCs. Protests, often violent, outside town halls had a lot to do with it, even though mayors are loath to admit it.

Within the same week in late September, uprisings took place in at least five small provincial towns. In the seaside resort of Noordwijk, stars of the Netherlands’ best-watched TV reality show cheered the protesters on. Everywhere, demonstrators in front of town halls, violent or otherwise, mentioned Lisa’s fate, fearing the same would happen to their daughters.

Supposing the popular anger again leads Mr. Wilders’ party to victory, chances are that it will be a Pyrrhic one. In November 2023 he came in first, only to squander his political capital in less than a year of endless bickering with his three coalition partners under the inexperienced Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

No one on the moderate right wants to again play second fiddle to the authoritarian Wilders. He cuts a lonely figure, living under constant threat of assassination by Islamists, unable to go out and meet the voters unless surrounded by a phalanx of bodyguards.

He had heeded their warnings not to attend the rally in his honor at The Hague that had started peacefully but ended in violence and tears in an already highly-strung political climate.

—

*Related Articles:*

– Is This the End of the Road for Marine Le Pen?
– Knife Attack in France Exacerbates Ongoing Quarrel With Algiers
https://spectator.org/the-netherlands-teetering-at-the-immigration-precipice/

Plea to cut down tree by carer for 75-year-old mother rejected

Mr Wong submitted plans to fell a sycamore tree down to stump level at his property on Exleigh Close. He cited the tree as “contributing to significant overgrowth” and causing “maintenance difficulty” in the back garden.

In his application, Mr Wong explained that he works full-time while also caring for his 75-year-old mother. He stated, “This makes it extremely difficult for me to keep up with garden maintenance.” He added that their goal is to restore the back garden into a safe, accessible, and low-maintenance area for the household.

Despite these reasons, the plans to remove the sycamore have been rejected by officers at Southampton City Council. The applicant had proposed repurposing the wood to create a “natural, wildlife-friendly habitat using logs and cuttings.”

However, the council’s decision notice explained that the justification for felling the tree does not outweigh the harm it would cause to the local area. The notice stated:
“Therefore, the felling of the protected trees that are within the 1971 area order is refused.”

**READ MORE:** Residents warned of £1,000 fines for parking on their own driveways
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25491889.southampton-carers-plans-chop-sycamore-tree-rejected/?ref=rss

Latin superstar Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bad Bunny will bring his Latin trap and reggaeton swagger to the NFL’s biggest stage next year. The Grammy winner has been announced as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show in Northern California.

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation revealed on Sunday that Bad Bunny will lead the halftime festivities at Levi’s Stadium on February 8 in Santa Clara, California. The Puerto Rican superstar’s selection comes amid another career-defining run. He is fresh off a historic Puerto Rico residency this month that drew more than half a million fans and is currently the leading nominee at the Latin Grammys this November.

Bad Bunny has become one of the world’s most streamed artists, thanks in part to albums such as Un Verano Sin Ti, an all-Spanish-language LP that has received widespread acclaim. In addition to his musical achievements, Bad Bunny will host Saturday Night Live on October 4.

“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown. This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”

Roc Nation founder Jay-Z praised the artist, saying, “What Bad Bunny has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”

The 31-year-old artist, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, has won three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys. He has become a global ambassador for Latin music, starred in films such as Bullet Train, Caught Stealing, and Happy Gilmore 2, and collaborated with top fashion houses.

Bad Bunny will enter the Latin Grammys as the leading nominee with 12 nods, dethroning producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera.

Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton directing. Jon Barker, Senior Vice President of Global Event Production for the NFL, said: “We know his dynamic performances, creative vision, and deep connection with fans will deliver the kind of unforgettable experience we’ve come to expect from this iconic cultural moment.”

Last year, Kendrick Lamar shined with guest SZA in New Orleans, setting the record for the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show with 133.5 million viewers. His performance surpassed the audience for Michael Jackson’s 1993 show.

Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music and Beats, commented, “His music has not only broken records but has elevated Latin music to the center of pop culture, and we are thrilled to once again partner with the NFL and Roc Nation to deliver this historic performance to millions of fans worldwide. We know this show will be unforgettable.”

https://www.mymotherlode.com/sports/nfl-general-news/10005081/latin-superstar-bad-bunny-will-headline-the-2026-super-bowl-halftime-show.html

Omaha police ticket boxing champ Crawford for reckless driving, order him out of vehicle at gunpoint

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police ordered champion boxer Terence Bud Crawford out of his vehicle at gunpoint during a traffic stop for reckless driving early Sunday, just hours after his hometown held a parade celebrating his victory over Canelo Alvarez two weeks ago.

A video circulating on social media showed part of the traffic stop, prompting Police Chief Todd Schmaderer to order an internal affairs investigation—a move supported by Mayor John Ewing.

According to a news release, officers working in the downtown area observed a vehicle driving recklessly shortly before 1:30 a.m. While speaking with the driver, an officer noticed a gun on the driver’s side floorboard. All four occupants were ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint.

The driver was later identified as Crawford upon verification of his driver’s license. Crawford was ticketed for reckless driving. One passenger, a member of Crawford’s security team, was also found to be carrying a legal firearm. Police confirmed all occupants of the vehicle are legally permitted to carry firearms.

A police supervisor and lieutenant responded to the scene at Crawford’s request. Crawford’s spokeswoman said Sunday night that he had no comment.

Mayor Ewing posted on Facebook that he spoke to Crawford after learning of the traffic stop.

“I acknowledge the seriousness of what occurred and how trust between law enforcement and our community is important and shows the need to be continuously vigilant about building relationships,” Ewing said. “Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer has pledged an internal investigation, which I support and want to be full and thorough. We will gather all the facts and be transparent with the public about our findings.”

Crawford became the unified super middleweight champion with his unanimous decision victory over Alvarez in Las Vegas. He is the first male boxer to capture three unified division titles and currently holds a record of 42-0 with 31 knockouts.

The city held a parade through downtown in Crawford’s honor during the day, and a party celebrating his 38th birthday was held at a live music venue near where the traffic stop occurred.

“Understand that my heart dropped in learning of this end to an otherwise wonderful day and evening celebrating our city’s world boxing champion,” Ewing said. “Omaha needs to remember this important day as a good one while we seek answers to how it ended. Meanwhile, we must ensure that every resident, no matter who they are, feels safe and respected in Omaha.”

___

AP Boxing
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2025/09/28/omaha-police-ticket-boxing-champ-crawford-for-reckless-driving-order-him-out-of-vehicle-at-gunpoint

Stratham Memorial School breaks ground on $11.9 million renovation project

With students and staff wearing hard hats, school officials recently broke ground on a new $11.9 million project to renovate Stratham Memorial School.

The renovation aims to bring the school up to current building codes and modern educational standards, ensuring a safe and effective learning environment for all students and staff.

This significant investment reflects the community’s commitment to providing quality education and improved facilities for years to come.
https://www.unionleader.com/news/education/stratham-memorial-school-breaks-ground-on-11-9-million-renovation-project/article_ed7f5f47-21b8-4776-addb-4db063f9ee75.html

Indore News: 52% Candidates Take Mining Officer Exam

**Indore (Madhya Pradesh):** Nearly 52 percent of candidates appeared for the Mining Officer exam conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) on Sunday. Due to the low number of applicants, MPPSC designated only one exam center at SGSITS, Indore.

Out of 625 registered candidates, 325 took the exam, marking an attendance rate of 52 percent. The examination was held under a new syllabus and revised pattern after several years. Candidates found the questions comparatively easy, especially in the general studies section, which covered current affairs, history, geography, economics, and state-specific topics related to Madhya Pradesh.

The second paper tested subject knowledge in geology and mining. This year, the Commission introduced negative marking, with one mark deducted for every four incorrect answers.

The exam lasted from 12 noon to 3 pm, with candidates arriving an hour early. Security measures were strictly implemented and included frisking, biometric verification, and photo identification checks before entry. Officials confirmed that no cases of malpractice were reported during the examination.

Subject experts suggest that the relative ease of the paper may push the cutoff score as high as 70 to 80 percent. Results are expected to be declared within a month, by the first week of November, after the evaluation of OMR sheets.

This recruitment drive by the Department of Mineral Resources was announced for just 10 vacancies.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-news-52-candidates-take-mining-officer-exam

Tajikistan’s petroleum output picks up steam on back of motor fuel surge

Tajikistan’s petroleum products sector has experienced a notable shift in production trends. There has been a sharp rise in the output of motor fuel and asphalt, signaling growth in these key areas.

Conversely, the production of fuel oil and diesel fuel has declined. This contrast highlights a mixed performance within the sector.

Overall, despite these variations, Tajikistan’s petroleum products industry is part of a broadly expanding industrial landscape, reflecting dynamic changes in the market.
https://www.trend.az/casia/tajikistan/4096456.html

Jaguars’ Coen and 49ers’ Saleh clash over sign-stealing accusations

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The pregame tiff between San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Jacksonville coach Liam Coen over accusations of legal sign stealing by the Jaguars spilled over into the postgame.

Coen could be seen yelling at Saleh as he was being held back by offensive lineman Robert Hainsey following Jacksonville’s 26-21 win over San Francisco on Sunday.

“No big deal,” Coen said. “I’m just going to keep that between us right now. That’s it.”

It seemed like a bigger deal than that, as the two coaches were yelling at each other while walking off the field.

Saleh had called Coen’s staff elite when it comes to stealing defensive signals in a legal fashion. Coen brushed aside those remarks when asked during the week and wouldn’t talk about it with the media after the game.

But his players saw what had happened and used it as motivation on Sunday.

“You use everything you can,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “If you’re going to give me free fuel, you take it. That’s something that you always do. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to go play the game. That stuff doesn’t really matter. You take care of business and execute and find a way to win the game, which we did today. So it feels great.”

Saleh said on Thursday that many coaches who worked under Sean McVay on the Rams or Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota are skilled at stealing signs. Coen spent four seasons on McVay’s staff in Los Angeles while Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski spent the past three seasons working for O’Connell on the Vikings.

“They’ve got legally, a really advanced signal-stealing type system where they always find a way to put themselves in an advantageous situation,” Saleh said. “They do a great job with it. So, we’ve got to be great with our signals and we’ve got to be great with our communication to combat some of the tells that we might give on the field. They’re almost elite in that regard.”

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said he believed Saleh was trying to compliment the Jaguars staff but that the use of a loaded phrase like “sign stealing” took away from that. Shanahan said he didn’t see the postgame interaction but doesn’t believe the whole kerfuffle means that much.

“I tried to clear it up (this week). I didn’t see what happened, so I’m not sure,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think (Coen) should be that sensitive about it. But it is what it is. I don’t worry about it.”

Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who spent four seasons playing under Saleh in San Francisco, said he believes it’s not a major issue.

“I know coaches get competitive,” he said. “They’re two great coaches and obviously both fiery. I don’t really know what that was about.”

___

AP NFL
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/nfl/2025/09/28/jaguars-coen-and-49ers-saleh-clash-over-sign-stealing-accusations

Costly Free Agents Help Yankees And Dodgers Reach Playoffs Again

**Follow the Money: The 2025 Baseball Season Recap**

The time-tested philosophy of **“Follow the money”** perfectly bookended the 2025 baseball season. It began with a pair of record-breaking free-agent signings and ended with two of the three top-paid teams making deep playoff runs. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees—last year’s World Series opponents—invested heavily in the open market and reaped big rewards as a result. Meanwhile, the New York Mets, another big-spending team, weren’t so fortunate.

—

### Soto’s Windfall

After a wild winter bidding war, the Mets successfully lured slugging outfielder **Juan Soto** from the Yankees with a record contract worth $765 million. The deal spans 15 years, paying Soto an average of $51 million per year, all up-front.

Not to be outdone, the crosstown Yankees redirected some of the funds earmarked for Soto to sign star starting pitcher **Max Fried** to an eight-year, $218 million contract—the largest and longest ever awarded to a left-handed pitcher.

Playing between Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso in a potent Mets lineup, Soto delivered a career-best 43 home runs and narrowly missed joining the rare 40/40 club by finishing with a league-leading 38 stolen bases.

On the Yankees’ side, Fried stepped up as the team ace following **Gerrit Cole’s** Tommy John surgery. He dominated the mound with a career-best 19 wins—the most in the majors—and a 2.86 earned run average, propelling the Yankees into the playoffs.

—

### Payroll Powerhouses and Playoff Results

The season reaffirmed the adage that teams who pay well usually perform well. According to Roster Resource, the Dodgers topped payroll charts with a record $394 million, followed by the Mets at $339 million and the Yankees at $294 million.

Yet, dreams of the first Subway Series since 2000 were dashed when the Mets missed the playoffs on the season’s final day, despite having the best record in baseball as recently as June 12.

—

### Detroit’s Disaster and Cleveland’s Comeback

The Detroit Tigers suffered a crushing collapse after leading the American League Central by double digits as late as Labor Day. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians mounted a historic comeback, clawing back from 15½ games behind Detroit on July 8 to clinch their second consecutive division title.

Both Cleveland and the Milwaukee Brewers reached the playoffs without exorbitant payrolls. The Brewers, with a $123 million payroll, won home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by posting 97 wins—the most in the majors and just shy of a .600 winning percentage. Cleveland’s $102 million payroll ranked 25th according to Roster Resource.

—

### Playoff Picture and Division Titles

Entering the final day of the 162-game season, three playoff spots remained undecided: the winners of both the AL East and Central Divisions as well as the third and final National League wild-card spot.

The AL East champion earned the top seed, securing a playoff bye starting September 30 and home-field advantage through the Championship Series. The **Toronto Blue Jays** finished with the same record as the Yankees at 94-68 but claimed the division crown by winning the season series against New York. This marked Toronto’s sixth AL East title and their first since 2015.

The other American League playoff bye went to the **Seattle Mariners**, who earned their first divisional title in 24 years. Seattle’s success was powered by switch-hitting catcher **Cal Raleigh**, who produced the seventh 60-homer season in baseball history. Mid-season trade acquisitions **Eugenio Suarez** and **Josh Naylor** also bolstered the Mariners’ roster.

—

### Home Run Highlights and MVP Contenders

Suarez, while still with Arizona, hit four home runs in a single game—a feat later matched by rookie **Nick Kurtz** of the Athletics and veteran **Kyle Schwarber** of the Phillies. Philadelphia clinched their second straight National League East crown.

Schwarber emerged as a strong candidate for NL MVP but could face stiff competition from **Shohei Ohtani**, the only two-way player in the majors. Ohtani led the majors in several categories, including on-base percentage and runs scored, while topping 50 home runs for the second consecutive season.

Other players to reach the 50-home run milestone included Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, and defending AL MVP **Aaron Judge**. Suarez finished just one home run short.

—

### The 30/30 Club and Notable Performances

The 30/30 club—the group of players with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases—saw record membership this season with seven players joining the elite group. Leading the pack were Mets teammates **Francisco Lindor** and Juan Soto. Other members included **Corbin Carroll**, **Jazz Chisholm Jr.**, **Jose Ramirez**, **Pete Crow-Armstrong**, and **Julio Rodriguez**.

Red Sox-Giants slugger **Rafael Devers** combined to hit 34 home runs after playing 163 games—the only player to exceed the regular schedule since **Justin Morneau** in 2008.

—

### Pitching Stars and Rookies

Though no no-hitters were recorded in 2025, several pitchers shined. Detroit’s **Tarik Skubal**, the defending American League Cy Young Award winner, made a strong bid to retain his title. Pittsburgh’s **Paul Skenes** was the overwhelming favorite for the National League Cy Young Award.

Rookies who reached stardom included **Nick Kurtz**, who hit 35 home runs for the Athletics after his April 23 promotion, and catcher **Drake Baldwin**, who took over for the Braves during Sean Murphy’s struggles and injuries.

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### Strange Ending to the All-Star Game

For the first time in history, the All-Star Game concluded without a winning pitcher. The game ended in a 6-6 tie after nine innings. The winner was decided with an in-game Home Run Derby, won by Kyle Schwarber, representing the National League.

The regular Home Run Derby, held the previous night, was won by Cal Raleigh, offering a compelling preview of the season ahead.

—

### Minor League Parks and Team Future Concerns

Two teams played their home games in minor-league ballparks this season: the Tampa Bay Rays at **George M. Steinbrenner Field**—borrowed from the Yankees—and the Oakland Athletics at **Sutter Health Field** in West Sacramento, awaiting the completion of their new stadium in Las Vegas.

Tampa Bay’s future remains uncertain after new ownership took over. The costly restoration of the Tropicana Field roof, damaged by Hurricane Milton, is in jeopardy even on a temporary basis. Without a stable home park, discussions about expanding Major League Baseball to 32 teams have been put on hold, according to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

—

### Innovations and Labor Concerns

Manfred announced that next season MLB will implement **ABS (Automated Balls and Strikes)** technology to aid umpires with home plate decisions, aiming to improve accuracy.

However, the bigger concern looming over the league is maintaining labor peace between players and owners. The current Basic Agreement expires after the 2026 season and could trigger a serious work stoppage, with financial issues at the core.

Many teams advocate for a salary cap or at least a payroll cap, an idea firmly opposed by the Players Association. In 2025, the average player salary topped $5 million for the first time, reaching $5.2 million—a 3.6% increase from roughly $4.7 million the previous year, according to The Associated Press.

—

The 2025 baseball season demonstrated once again that while money often paves the way to success, the game remains unpredictable—full of historic comebacks, rising stars, and dramatic finishes that keep fans eagerly watching year after year.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/costly-free-agents-help-yankees-and-dodgers-reach-playoffs-again/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=costly-free-agents-help-yankees-and-dodgers-reach-playoffs-again