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Truce deal set to free hostages in swap, raising hopes of halting worst Mideast violence in decades

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for a four-day halt to the devastating war in Gaza, accompanied by the release of dozens of hostages held by the militant group in return for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, mediators said Wednesday.The truce marks the biggest diplomatic breakthrough since Hamas’ Oct. 7 rampage into southern Israel ignited a war that has devastated vast swaths of Gaza, fueled a surge of violence in the occupied West Bank and raised fears of a wider conflict across the Middle East.The Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, which has played a key role in mediating with Hamas, announced the deal without saying when it would go into effect. Fifty hostages will be released in stages, in exchange for what Hamas said would be 150 Palestinian prisoners.Both sides will release women and children first, and the supply of humanitarian aid flowing into the besieged territory will be ramped up.Prime Minister Benjamin Netany...

India restores e-visa services for Canadian nationals, easing diplomatic row between the 2 countries

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India restored electronic visa services for Canadian nationals, an Indian foreign ministry official said Wednesday, two months after Canada alleged the South Asian nation was involved in the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Canada.The electronic visa was back in order on Wednesday, the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to reporters.The move could ease tensions between the two countries that swapped accusations and expelled each other’s diplomats with India introducing a visa ban on Canadian nationals. A diplomatic spat erupted between the two countries after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in September that there were “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in suburban Vancouver in western Canada. Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh activist and plumber, was killed by masked gunmen in June in Surrey, outside Vancouver. For years, I...

A hand grenade explosion leaves 9 injured at a market in southern Kosovo

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — A hand grenade exploded in an animal market in a southern city in Kosovo on Wednesday, injuring nine people, police said. Three suspects are at large following the explosion in Prizren, 85 kilometers (52 miles) south of the capital Pristina, police said. The injured were hospitalized but their condition was not life-threatening.An investigation is ongoing. Prizren, Kosovo’s second biggest city along the Prizren River, is a tourist attraction for its medieval castle and cobblestone streets.The Associated Press

Pope Francis meets with relatives of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

Associated Press (AP) — Pope Francis met separately Wednesday with relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel and begged for peace and an end to what he called terrorism and “the passions that are killing everyone.”Francis spoke about the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians after his meetings, which were arranged before the Israeli-Hamas hostage deal and a temporary halt in fighting was announced. Francis didn’t refer to the deal, which marked the biggest diplomatic breakthrough since the war erupted following Hamas’ Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel.Francis said he met at the Vatican with relatives of some of the more than 200 hostages held in Gaza, and separately with a delegation of Palestinians with relatives who are prisoners in Israel. In the VIP seats of St. Peter’s Square were people holding Palestinian flags and scarves as well as small posters showing apparent bodies in a ditch and the word “Genocide” written undernea...

UAlbany men's basketball tops Army in Glens Falls thriller

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

GLENS FALLS, NY (NEWS10) -- The University at Albany men's basketball team edged out the Army Black Nights from Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls on Tuesday night, winning by a score of 62-59. The game was the final of the Doc Sauers Classic, honoring the winningest coach in UAlbany history. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Coach Dwayne Killings"I think we are learning how to win. We pulled out a really good victory. It was great to have a crowd. It was big for Jonathan [Beagle] to come up here and play in front of his friends and family… I'll take the win, it makes Thanksgiving a lot better."Key Stat LinesSebastian Thomas led the way with 17 points, including the game-winner. He also led the team in assists (3) and minutes (39(.Amar'e Marshall followed with 16 points. He finished 6-12 from the field and was a perfect 3-3 on free throws.Aaron Reddish also dropped 16 in the game, leading the team with three three-...

European Hydrogen Week 2023 kicks off in Brussels

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

The biggest annual event dedicated to hydrogen in Europe began in Brussels on 20 November, co-organized by the Commission. The European Hydrogen Week 2023 features a four-day high-level policy conference and forum which will bring together policymakers and hydrogen stakeholders to discuss the latest developments, challenges and opportunities in the sector. This afternoon, the event will launch with a video message from President von der Leyen and a keynote speech by Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič on the role of hydrogen and the global challenges ahead, in particular the need to preserve the EU industry's competitiveness.  Commissioner Thierry Breton (pictured) attended the seventh Hydrogen Forum of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance. The Forum takes stock of the progress achieved so far by the Clean Hydrogen Alliance and underlines the actions that are still necessary to scale up hydrogen production capacity across the supply chain to achieve our 2030 hydrogen ambition, i...

Kazakhstan’s tribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights emerged as a beacon of hope amidst the ruins of a world torn by war. As we mark its 75th anniversary this year, we not only celebrate this landmark in history but also pause to reflect on the progress made in the decades since. what was, without a doubt, the most significant milestone in the history of human rights, writes Kazakhstan's Human Rights Commissioner Artur Lastayev.The emergence of the UDHR, undeniably a watershed moment in international law and multilateralism, continues to inspire and guide us, today, in confronting the dynamic challenges to human dignity and equality around the world.As we honor this milestone, it is, thus, crucial to recognize that the UDHR remains a living instrument – empowering people globally to strive for freedom, equality and dignity. It continues to prove, time and time again, a north star in our collective quest for a fairer, more just world.The relationship between the European Union (EU) and...

Horoscopes Nov. 22, 2023: Scarlett Johansson, get rid of what doesn’t matter

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Scarlett Johansson, 39; Mark Ruffalo, 56; Jamie Lee Curtis, 65; Steve Van Zandt, 73.Happy Birthday: Show confidence in all that you pursue this year; you’ll make headway. Your insight, creativity and desire to bring about positive change will unfold if you take the initiative. Believe in yourself and refuse to let outside influences come between you and your plans. Get rid of what doesn’t matter to you anymore, and you’ll have more time and energy to target your goal. Your numbers are 6, 14, 17, 29, 33, 35, 42.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Learning from your mistakes and observing others will help you figure out how to get ahead. An investment opportunity will change how you make or handle your money. An honest assessment of a situation will be necessary. Get expert advice if warranted. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t let anyone interfere with your plans or cause you to miss an opportunity to network. Take advantage of someon...

Word Game: Nov. 22, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — ADHERES (ADHERES: ad-HEERS: Holds fast to.)Average mark 30 wordsTime limit 40 minutesCan you find 37 or more words in ADHERES? The list will be published tomorrow.YESTERDAY’S WORD — BATISTE bait base baste bate beast beat best beta betta bias bistate bite bitt abet taste teat test testa sate seat site stab stat state stet eastTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at [email protected].

Bridge: Nov. 22, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:00 GMT

The Bridge World is the granddaddy of bridge magazines. The centennial year of contract bridge comes in 2025, and in October 1929, The Bridge World published its first issue. It has appeared every month since, observing and influencing the game’s evolution.TBW has a reputation among experts but offers material for all players. In a quiz deal, South plays at six clubs, and West leads the king of diamonds.FINESSESouth is safe if East has the king of spades, but he can always make the slam by guessing who has the king of hearts: If West has it, declarer succeeds by leading the queen to finesse. If the king lies with East, declarer can lead a low heart from dummy; East must take his king or lose it, and declarer gets two spade discards on high hearts.The analysis suggests playing East for the king of hearts. Declarer can assume that West has the king of spades since the slam is cold if East has it. But if West had both major-suit kings plus the K-Q of diamonds, he might well have acted ...