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Calls for Gaza cease-fire divide Europe’s Socialists 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

MÁLAGA, Spain — Europe’s Social Democrats on Saturday unanimously cheered Pedro Sánchez’s likely return to power in Spain after he agreed to an amnesty for Catalan separatists — but they found it harder to reach a common position on Israel’s war against Hamas.Socialist parties from across the Continent gathered at their annual meeting in southern Spain to chart a course for the EU elections next June, warn about the rise of far-right populists, and cheer on Frans Timmermans, who is leading an alliance with the Greens in the Dutch elections this month.There was a triumphal mood at the meeting as delegates chanted “Pedro presidente” and treated Sánchez to rapturous applause. Choreography aside, however, the gulf between Berlin and Madrid on the Middle East conflict was plain to see.Sánchez in a speech to the gathering demanded a “humanitarian cease-fire” in Gaza, where Israel’s retaliatory strikes and ground invasion have claimed some 11,000 lives, including women and children, s...

Drought and mismanagement have left a French island parched. That holds lessons for the mainland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte (AP) — Drop by disappearing drop, water is an ever more precious resource on Mayotte, the poorest place in the European Union. Taps flow just one day out of three in this French territory off Africa’s eastern coast, because of a drawn-out drought compounded by years of underinvestment and water mismanagement.Diseases like cholera and typhoid are on the rebound, and the French army recently intervened to distribute water and quell tensions over supplies. The crisis is a wakeup call to the French government about the challenges and cost of managing human-caused climate change across France’s far-flung territories.Racha Mousdikoudine, a 38-year-old mother of two living in Labatoir, washes dishes with bottled water, when she can get it. When the water taps run, she says, “I have to choose between taking a shower or preserving my water supply.”“This shortage will be global in a few years. This is an opportunity for all French people to stand in solidarity w...

Heavy fighting rages near main Gaza hospital as Netanyahu dismisses calls for a cease-fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes pounded Gaza City overnight and into Sunday as ground forces battled Hamas militants near the territory’s largest hospital, where health officials say thousands of medics, patients and displaced people are trapped with no electricity and dwindling supplies.In a televised address on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected growing international calls for a cease-fire unless it includes the release of all the nearly 240 hostages captured by Hamas in the Oct. 7 rampage that triggered the war, saying Israel was bringing its “full force” to the battle.Israel has vowed to end Hamas’ 16-year rule in Gaza and crush its military capabilities, while blaming the militants for the war’s heavy toll on the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped in the besieged territory.Israel has come under mounting international pressure, even from its closest ally, the United States, as the war enters a sixth week. A 57-nation gathering of Muslim...

Dear Abby: They hijacked our sentimental lunch. Am I wrong to be upset?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

DEAR ABBY: After my husband’s younger brother recently passed away, the family gathered. When one group of nephews arrived in a city an hour away from us, we were invited to lunch. (The restaurant was where the nephews had first been introduced to beer by their now-deceased uncle.)Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: The bride is my best friend, but I’m not comfortable with her plan Advice | Dear Abby: At 3 a.m. there were two strange girls in my house Advice | Dear Abby: My son is in tears when my mother tells him he must walk Advice | Dear Abby: The thoughtless grandchildren won’t be happy about this gift Advice | Dear Abby: I like to video people who are behaving badly My husband didn’t want to go, saying it was silly to drive that far for one meal. I persuaded him to go, to celebrate family ties and spend time with these nephews we seldom see.When we arrived, one of the nephews...

Karel Schwarzenberg, former Czech foreign minister and nobleman, dies at 85

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — Karel Schwarzenberg, a former Czech foreign minister and a member of a European noble family has died. He was 85.Milroslav Kalousek, his long-term political ally, and the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Sunday his death.“It is with deep sadness and respect that we remember Karel Schwarzenberg, who left us today,” the ministry said. “As a two-time foreign minister and Vaclav Havel’s chancellor, he shaped our foreign policy and always proved with his actions that that he was a true democrat.”Schwarzenberg had been hospitalized in Prague since August with heart and kidney problems and was flown several days ago to a clinic in Vienna, the Austrian capital, where he had lived for years.“A big man in all aspects has died,” President Petr Pavel said. “The service for his country was a natural mission for him.” Born Dec. 10, 1937, in Prague, Schwarzenberg and his family had to flee Czechoslovakia after the Communists took over in 1948 and they lived in exile Austria....

US Rhodes scholars selected through in-person interviews for the first time since COVID pandemic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new batch of Rhodes scholars from the United States has been selected to study at the University of Oxford in a screening process that was conducted in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in 2020.The Office of the American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust said in a statement on Saturday that the class of 32 scholars for 2024 — including 20 female and 12 male recipients — is due to begin their studies in October, and it is “pleased to return to in-person interviews this year.” One winner was the first to apply through Puerto Rico. For three consecutive years, the selection process had been carried out online. The scholars, who are among students selected from more than 70 countries, are due to pursue graduate degrees ranging from social sciences and humanities to biological and physical sciences. “They inspire us already with their accomplishments, but even more by their values-based leadership and selfless ambitio...

Canadians trapped in Gaza still waiting to leave as border crossing set to reopen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

OTTAWA — Hundreds of Canadians hoping to escape the besieged Gaza Strip may get their chance as early as Sunday as the sole available land crossing out of the territory was set to reopen following a two-day closure. The General Authority for Crossings and Borders shared notice of the reopening on a Facebook page where it also posts a daily list of foreigners cleared to make the journey.That list, which is compiled in co-ordination with the Egyptian and Israeli governments, had not been updated as of Saturday night, but Global Affairs Canada previously confirmed that 266 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their families had been cleared to cross the border as of Friday when the latest closure first took effect.Global Affairs did not provide any updates on Saturday and did not respond to multiple requests for information.A total of 107 people with connections to Canada managed to leave Gaza via the Rafah crossing on Tuesday and Thursday of last week.The war, now in its sixth w...

Daily horoscope for November 12, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Scorpio.Happy Birthday for Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023:You are sensual, uninhibited and seductive. You can attract attention. Lucky you! This is a great year to socialize and enjoy life. Your creativity, zest and desire for life is strong! Have fun, but do not lose sight of your goals. Old friends may reappear.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Today is a much easier day! You’re in a good mood, which is why you feel warmhearted and generous to others. Nevertheless, don’t give away the farm. Generosity is profound, but there is such a thing as idiot compassion. Guard against being excessive. Tonight: Socialize. This Week: Happy relations and teamwork with those who are close to you.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★This is a wonderful day to kick back, relax and enjoy good times with those who are closest to you so that everyone can take a moment to enjoy life. Conversations will be philosophica...

Nix has 4 TDs and No. 6 Ducks get closer to the Pac-12 title game with 36-27 win over USC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — While quarterback Bo Nix believes No. 6 Oregon’s offense is among the nation’s best, he’s still wary of this final stretch of the season. Nix threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns and No. 6 Oregon held off a late USC rally for a 36-27 victory on Saturday night, effectively eliminating the Trojans from contention for the Pac-12 championship game. “I just think we’re still putting things out there to where we can be even better,” Nix said. “I think that’s the part that keeps you coming back on Monday and making you go back for another week, because we know we’re not there yet. One of my biggest fears is that we’ll become complacent. So we just have to do a really good job of finding ways to grow.”Tez Johnson caught seven passes for 126 yards and two scores, and Oregon racked up 552 yards in total offense. It was the fourth straight win for the Ducks (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12, No. 6 CFP), who are undefeated at home. Caleb Williams ...

King leads North Carolina Central against Georgia after 26-point game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:13:42 GMT

North Carolina Central Eagles (1-1) at Georgia Bulldogs (1-1)Athens, Georgia; Sunday, 5 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bulldogs -20; over/under is 146BOTTOM LINE: North Carolina Central visits the Georgia Bulldogs after Po’Boigh King scored 26 points in North Carolina Central’s 107-54 win against the Virginia-Lynchburg Dragons.Georgia finished 16-16 overall last season while going 13-4 at home. The Bulldogs allowed opponents to score 71.5 points per game and shoot 44.0% from the field last season.North Carolina Central went 18-12 overall last season while going 4-10 on the road. The Eagles allowed opponents to score 65.9 points per game and shot 42.5% from the field last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source