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EU’s Borrell calls for immediate release of the hostages and condemns the use by Hamas of hospitals and civilians as human shields

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

”It is crucial that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) be given access to the hostages,” said the EU foreign policy chief in a statement."We call on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all hostages,’’ said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in a statement on Sunday (12 November).He also condemned the use of hospitals and civilians as human shields. "We condemn the use of hospitals and civilians as human shields by Hamas. Civilians must be allowed to leave the combat zone. Hostilities are severely impacting hospitals and taking a horrific toll on civilians."He called on Israel to exercise “maximum restraint” to protect civilians in the ongoing war.Borrell’s statement reiterated the EU’s position that Israel has “the right to defend itself in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law."The EU also "joins calls for immediate pauses in hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors” in the Gaza Strip.It also calls o...

The Uzbek nuclear endeavour: Boon or bane for Central Asia?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

In the shadow of the Uzbek-Kazakh border, in a region prone to seismic tremors, Uzbekistan has unveiled plans to construct a nuclear power plant with significant help from Russia. This decision, given Russia’s current war in Ukraine and its resultant sanctions by Western nations, stirs unease and scepticism, writes Alan Kosh in International Policy Digest.Beyond geopolitical ramifications, there are substantial concerns that this project might disrupt the environmental equilibrium and investment climate throughout Central Asia, further exacerbating regional security tensions. One of the glaring consequences of this alliance is not merely its economic implications but the potential for Uzbekistan to be ensnared in a “strategic dependency” on Russia.In this geopolitical chessboard, Moscow, already wielding influence through avenues like labour migration, natural gas, and petrochemical products, stands to gain control over nuclear fuel production and the upkeep of the upcoming nuclear ...

Harriette Cole: I don’t have rich parents, and I’m scared about graduating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am going into my senior year of college next year, and I’m getting scared to become an adult, especially in such an economically trying time.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I asked why my boyfriend’s mom doesn’t like me, and the answer hurt Advice | Harriette Cole: Ever since I committed to being happy, my life has been a trainwreck Advice | Harriette Cole: Does my husband’s full-time job exempt him from child care? Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m staggered by my boyfriend’s rule for living together Advice | Harriette Cole: How can I extract myself from my teen romance? A lot of my friends come from wealth and will have their parents to fall back on when they graduate. They may get an allowance or have their rent paid by their parents, so they don’t have to worry about struggling.I, on the other hand, do not have that luxury and have to wo...

Miss Manners: What do you mean what’s wrong with my arm?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am on dialysis three days a week for kidney failure. I have what’s called an AV fistula in my upper left arm, which is my access site for dialysis.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: My child was upset by this drama on the train. Who was in the wrong? Advice | Miss Manners: I was at the game, too, but I lied to my friend about it Advice | Miss Manners: My neighbor is convinced I’m making this noise. How do I get him to drop it? Advice | Miss Manners: My wife rebuked cinema patrons who walked in front of us. Who was rude? Advice | Miss Manners: The host seemed put out by the guests’ sober dress. Were they rude? Because I have been on dialysis for 11 years, my access site has two large bumps from repeated needle sticks, in addition to a scar from the crook of my arm to just below my shoulder.When I wear short-sleeve shirts (which is year-round, since I live in the ...

Virginia singer, who performed at WTOP with Bach for Rock student band, now competes on ‘The Voice’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

Claudia B. visited WTOP to perform in the Glass Enclosed Nerve Center in 2015 just before her band Out of Line competed in Bachapalooza at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia, a battle of the bands hosted by the Bach to Rock after-school music program.This week, the 24-year-old Virginia native makes her hometown proud by competing on the NBC singing competition “The Voice,” where she’s already advanced several rounds.“I’m so excited to be back! So much has changed,” Claudia B. told WTOP. “That was such a cool moment for me being in high school and trying to chase the same dream I’m chasing now, to come on the radio, that was so cool, so thanks for having me on back then and again today.”After growing up in a musical family and attending The Potomac School in McLean, Claudia B. attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston before moving to Nashville, where she still lives today.“I auditioned a couple of time...

UK leader Rishi Sunak fires interior minister who accused police of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

LONDON (AP) — UK leader Rishi Sunak fires interior minister who accused police of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters.Source

Pittsburgh hosts FGCU following Hinson’s 26-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (1-1) at Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0)Pittsburgh; Monday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Panthers -9; over/under is 144.5BOTTOM LINE: Pittsburgh hosts the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles after Blake Hinson scored 26 points in Pittsburgh’s 89-60 victory over the Binghamton Bearcats.Pittsburgh went 24-12 overall with a 14-3 record at home during the 2022-23 season. The Panthers averaged 75.1 points per game last season, 26.9 in the paint, 13.4 off of turnovers and 7.7 on fast breaks.FGCU finished 6-9 on the road and 17-15 overall last season. The Eagles allowed opponents to score 69.4 points per game and shot 43.5% from the field last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Florida State and Central Michigan to meet in out-of-conference game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

Central Michigan Chippewas (0-2) at Florida State Seminoles (1-0)Tallahassee, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Seminoles -21; over/under is 153BOTTOM LINE: Florida State and Central Michigan face off in non-conference action.Florida State went 9-23 overall with a 5-11 record at home during the 2022-23 season. The Seminoles averaged 13.4 assists per game on 25.1 made field goals last season.Central Michigan finished 10-21 overall last season while going 3-12 on the road. The Chippewas averaged 65.7 points per game while allowing opponents to score 73.0 last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

No. 6 UConn hosts Mississippi Valley State after Newton’s 22-point showing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (0-2) at UConn Huskies (2-0)Hartford, Connecticut; Tuesday, 7 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: No. 6 UConn plays the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils after Tristen Newton scored 22 points in UConn’s 107-67 win over the Stonehill Skyhawks.UConn went 31-8 overall with a 15-2 record at home during the 2022-23 season. The Huskies shot 46.4% from the field and 36.3% from 3-point range last season.Mississippi Valley State went 4-14 in SWAC play and 1-19 on the road a season ago. The Delta Devils averaged 12.8 points off of turnovers, 9.6 second-chance points and 3.6 bench points last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Virginia hosts N.C. A&T after Glasper’s 32-point showing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:43 GMT

North Carolina A&T Aggies (0-2) at Virginia Cavaliers (2-0)Charlottesville, Virginia; Tuesday, 7 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: N.C. A&T visits the Virginia Cavaliers after Landon Glasper scored 32 points in N.C. A&T’s 94-78 loss to the UNC Greensboro Spartans.Virginia finished 25-8 overall a season ago while going 15-1 at home. The Cavaliers averaged 67.8 points per game last season, 28.3 in the paint, 14.5 off of turnovers and 6.8 on fast breaks.N.C. A&T went 13-19 overall last season while going 4-10 on the road. The Aggies averaged 70.8 points per game last season, 12.2 on free throws and 24.9 from beyond the arc.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source