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Sustained firing heard in Sudanese capital amid tensions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sustained firing was heard in the Sudanese capital Saturday morning amid tensions between the military and the country’s powerful paramilitary forces. The firing could be heard in a number of areas, including central Khartoum and the neighbourhood of Bahri.Tensions between the military and the Rapid Support Forces, as the paramilitary is known, have escalated in recent months, forcing a delay in the signing of an internationally backed deal with political parties to revive the country’s democratic transition.In a statement issued Saturday morning, the RSF accused the army of attacking its forces at one of its bases in South Khartoum. The military used light and heavy weapons in the attack, it said.Current tensions between the army and the paramilitary stem from a disagreement over how the RSF should be integrated into the military and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudan’s unsigned transition agreement.However...

At least 42 people reported killed by rebels in Congo’s east

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A rebel group in eastern Congo’s Ituri province killed at least 42 people Friday, according to a civil society organization. Three towns in Djugu territory were attacked by the CODECO militia group, said Dieudonne Lossa, the president of the organization in Banyari Kilo, the area where the attacks took place. “They burned down several homes. There are also seven people wounded who have not been assisted yet,” Lossa said.The army confirmed the attack to local media Friday and said it was searching for the perpetrators. Fighting between CODECO, a loose association of various ethnic Lendu militia groups, and Zaire, a mainly ethnic Hema self-defense group, has been ongoing since 2017 but worsened recently. CODECO fighters killed at least 32 civilians in February, local officials said. In December, the United Nations said the insurgent group was expanding its areas of control, attacking civilians and members of Congo’s military, and taxing communities i...

Proposed shark tourism project has to walk fine line to balance benefits and safety

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

A proposed tourism project off the coast of Nova Scotia to let people watch great white sharks through the bars of a submerged cage requires a balancing act between sightseeing and the needs of the animals, says one expert.Shark watching is a growing global tourism industry, but it has the potential to do harm, Fred Whoriskey, executive director of the Ocean Tracking Network at Dalhousie University, said in a recent interview.“The balancing act is on the one hand, getting your benefits to come out of that ecotourism activity, versus on the other hand, the potential to either do harm to the animals physically or change their behaviour in ways that could begin to have effects not just on those animals, but on entire ecosystems.”Atlantic Shark Expeditions said it plans to launch its shark-watching tours this fall, offering tourists the opportunity to pay to view the animals from the comfort of a boat — or from inside a cage submerged in the water. Owner Neil Hammerschlag, w...

Daily horoscope for April 15, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

Moon Alert: Caution! Avoid shopping or important decisions from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT today (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Aquarius into Pisces.Happy Birthday for Saturday, April 15, 2023:You are intelligent and have many interests. You are also charming and easygoing. Nevertheless, you’re hardworking and focused. This year you can expect acknowledgement for your hard effort. A promotion or an award will be yours. You deserve it!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Although this is a poor day to shop or make important decisions (see Moon Alert), it’s an excellent day to socialize and have fun. Enjoy the company of friends, groups and organizations. People are upbeat and in a positive mood. Get out and schmooze! Tonight: Solitude.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Because you make an excellent impression on others today, you’re in a position to be the center of attention or catch the eyes of bosses, parents and people in authority. (Note: this includes the ...

Suspects lead police on high-speed pursuit in Los Angeles County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

Four suspects were taken into custody after a high-speed pursuit in Los Angeles County on Friday night.The suspects were wanted for assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.The pursuit began in South L.A. around 9:15 p.m. The driver was seen traveling without headlights and reaching speeds of over 100 miles per hour while dangerously weaving through traffic.The vehicle suddenly slowed down while traveling on the 14 Freeway before stopping and pulling over near the Soledad Canyon Road exit in Santa Clarita.Sky5 video showed all four suspects opening the car windows and sticking their hands outside as they were ordered to surrender one by one.Each suspect backed out of the vehicle with their hands held up and was instructed to lie down on the highway before they were all taken into custody.Sky5 was overhead.

Miss Manners: People look when I drive down the street. How can I seem modest?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For seven years, I’ve owned something I’ve wanted most of my adult life: an antique convertible. My wife and I have always loved antique cars.Weather permitting, I drive it daily with the top down, and I look for others driving their own antique cars. (Don’t worry: I’m also very safe and keep my eyes on the road.) I smile, honk and wave when I see such drivers. They respond in kind.However, looking around does make me worry that other drivers will think I’m showing off, just wanting to see how many people notice my car. The idea makes me feel bad. But if someone likes my car and gets my attention to let me know, I need to show my appreciation somehow — maybe smiling, waving and tooting my horn. To ignore them is rude.How do I behave while driving so that I don’t seem to be looking for how many people notice me, yet acknowledge those who like the car?GENTLE READER: You are overthinking this. For all anyone knows, you could ...

Dear Abby: I don’t know what to do when strangers behave badly

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

DEAR ABBY: Whenever I see strangers — especially those my age, in their 30s — toss gum wrappers and food and beverage containers on the ground, I have conflicted feelings.I want to approach them and say something like, “Did you just throw that on the ground? Is that how you were raised — to expect others to pick up after you?” Then I imagine the dirty looks I would get, or worse, and it escalating into an argument.I care about the environment and the community I live in. It saddens me that people don’t have similar respect or concern about the future of the environment.Do you have any ideas on how to succinctly tell people to stop littering without it appearing as if I am telling them off?CARING CITIZEN IN NEW JERSEYRelated ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My fiance doesn’t know I can see his worrisome Facebook activity Advice | Dear Abby: My son says Dear Abby will confirm what I did was outrageous Advice | ...

Va. law aimed at telling schools about employee arrests to go into effect in July

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

A new law recently signed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will require law enforcement officials to notify school systems whenever employees are arrested for certain offenses.The Virginia General Assembly passed the legislation, which was signed by Youngkin late last month. State Sen. Scott Surovell introduced the bill, after a Fairfax County middle school guidance counselor continued working despite an arrest related to child sex crimes.The law is scheduled to go into effect July 1, and requires state law enforcement agencies to notify school systems within 48 hours of an arrest for a felony or Class 1 misdemeanor. Law enforcement will be tasked with communicating with a division safety official, who will be selected by each county’s superintendent.Updated contact information for the selected safety official, including a mailing address, working daytime phone number, functional email address and fax number will be required to be maintained by the state.“We really apprec...

Sustained firing in Sudanese capital, cause unknown, amid tensions between military and powerful paramilitary group

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sustained firing in Sudanese capital, cause unknown, amid tensions between military and powerful paramilitary group.Source

Happ leads Cubs against the Dodgers after 4-hit performance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:41 GMT

Chicago Cubs (7-5, second in the NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (7-7, second in the NL West)Los Angeles; Saturday, 9:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Jameson Taillon (0-0); Dodgers: Michael Grove (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -163, Cubs +140; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs play the Los Angeles Dodgers after Ian Happ had four hits against the Dodgers on Friday.Los Angeles has gone 4-3 in home games and 7-7 overall. The Dodgers have gone 5-1 in games when they record at least eight hits.Chicago has a 2-1 record in road games and a 7-5 record overall. The Cubs rank eighth in the NL with 15 total home runs, averaging 1.3 per game.The teams play Saturday for the second time this season.TOP PERFORMERS:LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 5-5, .000 batting average, 5.76 ERA, outscored opponents by five runsCubs: 6-4, .000 batting average, 4.20 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runsINJURIES: Dodgers: Will Smith: day-to-day (illness), Alex Reyes: 15-Day IL (shoulder),...