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Heavy rains in Afghanistan unleash flash floods that kill 12 people and leave 40 missing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Heavy flooding from seasonal rains in Afghanistan has killed at least 12 people and left dozens missing, according to a Taliban spokesman and local officials.Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Sunday that around 40 people are missing after the flash flooding late Saturday night in the Jalrez district of Maidan Wardak province, west of Kabul.He added that all relevant authorities have been ordered to provide necessary assistance to the people in the affected areas.The provincial governor’s office in a statement said that hundreds of homes are either damaged or destroyed and the missing people are believed to be under the rubble of collapsed homes.The statement also said that hundreds of hectares of agricultural land were washed out and destroyed and the highway between the capital Kabul and the central Bamiyan province is also closed due to the floods.The Associated Press

Four people still missing after record rainfall causes flooding across Nova Scotia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

Communities across Nova Scotia are still assessing the damage following massive floods triggered by widespread rainstorms over the weekend.Two children are among four people reported missing Saturday after intense thunderstorms dumped record amounts of rain across a wide swath of the province.The downpour started Friday afternoon across the Halifax region, dumping more than 200 millimetres of rain in the Hammonds Plains, Bedford and Lower Sackville areas. The port city typically receives about 90 to 100 millimetres of rain during an average July.Environment Canada says based on radar estimates and unofficial observations, some parts of Nova Scotia may have received more than 300 mm in 24 hours.Premier Tim Houston declared a provincewide state of emergency, which will remain in effect until Aug. 5, unless the government terminates or extends it.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2023.The Canadian Press

B.C. professor pushing plan to protect marbled murrelet habitat in old growth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

It is only a little bird, weighing a few ounces, but the marbled murrelet is known for its remarkable ability to fly far out to sea to catch fish before returning in the darkness of night to inland treetop nests on mossy limbs.It also inspires outsized devotion among those who want to study and protect it.Royann Petrell of Courtenay on Vancouver Island has been an avid bird watcher since childhood, but in retirement she has taken up the cause of protecting the marbled murrelet’s habitat. The seabird has been listed as “threatened” for decades as habitat loss on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border adds to its precarious existence. Petrell’s birding activities have even landed her in court, fighting a logging company that put up gates in the contentious Fairy Creek area where protests over old-growth logging landed hundreds in handcuffs. Petrell, who’s a retired associate professor at the University of B.C. in the faculty of applied science, claimed the gates ...

Daily horoscope for July 23, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

Moon Alert: After 2:15 a.m. EDT today, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Libra.Happy Birthday for Sunday, July 23, 2023:Others gravitate to you because you are a caring person, which is wonderful. Kindness and generosity are important, but don’t let yourself be taken advantage of. This year is the beginning of a fresh, new cycle for you. Be courageous, adventurous and open any door!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Issues related to vacations, social outings, sports events, romantic relationships, as well as your kids, are a bit up for grabs and in the air at this time. Things are changing fast. Because of this, wait until the dust settles before you act or make a decision. Stay chill. Tonight: Listen. This Week: Socialize and do your own thing!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Home repairs and family conversations might suddenly assume more importance in your world. Ditto for redecorating projects. Listen to what everybody has to offer, th...

F16s needed now

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

Modern fighter jets are levelling the Kremlin's attempts to initiate a naval blockade of UkraineRussia has launched massive missile strikes on Ukraine's Black Sea ports - after the Kremlin pulled out of the grain deal, air attacks are carried out every night. Putin has ordered the complete destruction of Ukraine's port infrastructure and the Russian Navy has launched a naval blockade of its Black Sea coast. The Kremlin wants to economically weaken Ukraine by making it impossible to export its goods by sea. To counter this, the supply of modern F-16 fighter jets will contribute to the lifting of such a blockade, as it will allow it to control the space above Ukraine's territorial waters, as well as to strike deep into Russian defence lines, Dispatches, IFBG.Russia is consistently applying scorched-earth tactics in its war with Ukraine - this time Putin's target was the Ukrainian port infrastructure. Missile strikes take place almost every night, using types of missiles with a ballist...

Ask Amy: The bride’s wedding plan violates my personal standards

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

Dear Amy: I am a Christian woman in my 60s. I have to go to a grandniece’s wedding, and they are having a cocktail hour at a bar next door.I don’t want to go to a bar.My husband thinks it’s OK to go there and have a soft drink. For me, no. I don’t want to be seen in a bar and do not think it’s right for me to even pretend I’m drinking alcohol or put on the illusion of doing so.I want to set a good example for others and maintain my own standards.This wedding is being held in a casino, which I don’t care to go to either, but I am obligated.Would it be acceptable to just stay at the casino between the end of the ceremony and beginning of the reception? Or go to my car?I believe I am being led to stay out of the bar.NondrinkerDear Nondrinker: People who order soft drinks at bars are not pretending to drink alcohol. They are simply enjoying a soft drink at a venue that also serves alcohol.However, you are not obligated to attend the cocktail hour before the reception. This cocktai...

Dear Abby: I’m leaving, and I don’t want to hear their phony farewells

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m a shareholder in a small firm. The other shareholders do not like me. It’s not due to performance or personality issues. It’s because they are a cliquey bunch and I don’t live in their city.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: This guy I just met has gotten very creepy online Advice | Dear Abby: My teen’s phone has deranged her life, but I’m not allowed to take it away Advice | Dear Abby: Am I out of line in asking my college daughter to be an RA? Advice | Dear Abby: My neighbor found out my income and is spreading lies about me Advice | Dear Abby: What if I don’t want to say grace? I will be retiring soon. The tradition is to have a retirement dinner complete with speeches. Any speeches from them would be phony. As for me, a speech about the positives of being with the firm would be very, very short.I would prefer not to have a retirement dinner. W...

Marta enters her sixth Women’s World Cup seeking scoring record, Brazil’s first championship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Brazil starts the Women’s World Cup trying to remain undefeated in opening matches, and then take superstar Marta deep into her sixth and final tournament. It shouldn’t be difficult to move to 9-0 in opening matches for the Selecao, who start Group F play on Monday against tournament newcomer Panama in Adelaide, Australia. Brazil is one of seven teams to qualify for all nine Women’s World Cups, while Panama is one of eight teams playing in the tournament for the first time. Marta’s sixth World Cup will be her last, but she has a chance to make history as the first player — male or female — to score in six tournaments. She’s already the all-time leading scorer in the Women’s World Cup with 17 goals. But more important to Marta is winning the World Cup, something the women’s national team has never done. Brazil lost in the 2007 final to Germany, made it to the quarterfinals in 2011, but was eliminated in the round of 16 ...

Brewers and Braves meet in series rubber match

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

Atlanta Braves (63-34, first in the NL East) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (55-44, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Sunday, 2:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Bryce Elder (7-2, 3.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 84 strikeouts); Brewers: Julio Teheran (2-4, 4.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 35 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -171, Brewers +144; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.Milwaukee has gone 27-22 at home and 55-44 overall. The Brewers have gone 35-13 in games when they record at least eight hits.Atlanta has gone 31-15 on the road and 63-34 overall. Braves hitters are batting a collective .268, the top team batting average in the NL.The teams meet Sunday for the third time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has 23 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 54 RBI for the Brewers. Willy Adames is 9-for-40 with three doubles, three home runs and five RBI over the last 10 games.Rona...

Nationals host the Giants, look to continue home win streak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:14 GMT

San Francisco Giants (54-45, third in the NL West) vs. Washington Nationals (40-58, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Scott Alexander (6-0, 3.04 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 15 strikeouts); Nationals: MacKenzie Gore (5-7, 4.59 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 114 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -116, Nationals -104; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals, on a four-game home winning streak, host the San Francisco Giants.Washington has a 17-32 record in home games and a 40-58 record overall. The Nationals have a 10-16 record in games decided by one run.San Francisco has a 54-45 record overall and a 28-23 record on the road. The Giants have gone 34-9 in games when they scored at least five runs.Sunday’s game is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Nationals have a 4-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Garcia has 12 doubles, four triples and five home runs for the Nationals. C.J. Abrams is 18-fo...