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Russian fighter jets harass American drones over Syria, US military says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Russian fighter jets have “harassed” American drones over Syria for the third day in a row this week, the U.S. military said. Tension between Russian and U.S. troops is not uncommon in Syria as both countries conduct patrols on the ground as well as overflights. Syria’s 12-year conflict has left half a million people dead and over 1 million wounded. The U.S. military said in a statement that Friday’s encounter lasted for about two hours during which three MQ-9 drones were “once again harassed” by Russian fighter aircraft while flying over Syria.“Russian aircraft flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations,” Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, head of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, said in a statement.Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov, head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, said earlier this week that the Russian and Syrian militaries have started a six-day joint training that ends Monday.Gurinov added in comments carried by ...

Ukraine’s president hails the country’s soldiers from a Black Sea island to mark 500 days of war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the 500th day of the war Saturday by hailing the country’s soldiers in a video from a Black Sea island that became the symbol of Ukraine’s resilience in the face of the Russian invasion.Speaking from Snake Island, Zelenskyy honored the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for the island and all other defenders of the country, saying that reclaiming control of the island “is a great proof that Ukraine will regain every bit of its territory.”“I want to thank – from here, from this place of victory – each of our soldiers for these 500 days,” Zelenskyy said. “Thank you to everyone who fights for Ukraine!”Russian forces took control of the tiny stone island on Feb. 24, 2022, the day Moscow launched its invasion, in the apparent hope of using it as a staging ground for an assault on Odesa, Ukraine’s biggest port and the headquarters of its navy. The island took on legendary significance for Ukraine’s resistance to the Russ...

‘Tornado detectives’ at Western University out to demystify Canada’s twister history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

WASHINGTON — Confirming a tornado in Canada used to be a bit like the proverbial tree falling in the forest: if no one was there to see it, it never officially happened.But a group of Canadian weather scientists, engineers and university students is out to change all that with modern technology and dogged forensic work — plus no small measure of that aforementioned toppled timber.“I like to think of myself more as a tornado detective,” said Connell Miller, a full-time wind engineer with the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University in London, Ont. “I don’t go out there personally and put myself at risk. I’ll leave that to the storm chasers.”The project, founded in 2017 with the help of ImpactWX, a Toronto-based social impact fund focused on mitigating the consequences of severe weather, is fast becoming a pioneer in the field of post-tornadic investigation. With climate change on the march, the fund’s goals include better tornado dete...

Stolen dinos, giant spiders and burnt jackets: A look at memorable public art fiascos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

OTTAWA — A recent dino-napping in Ottawa’s Chinatown was just the latest in a string of incidents that had people in Canada’s capital astir about public art. Three people yanked a cartoonish purple dinosaur statue, part of a four-month-old art installation, off the sidewalk in late June.They returned the hostage this past week after police got involved, but other pieces of the Chinatown BIA’s “selfie station” project have also been subject to neighbourhood torment — like a yellow dino that disappeared earlier this year.Pandas have gone missing, too, and Logger Vick, a character from the popular Chinese cartoon Boonie Bears, has been beheaded. The dinosaur crime saga came as Ottawans were squawking about a new National Capital Commission art installation made of torn-up tires. The piece, called When Rubber Meets Road, portrays a large crow that symbolizes roadkill.But is Ottawa really cornering the market on the country’s zaniest public art — or th...

‘Like the mental illness version of the Cheers bar — they know when you’re having an off day’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

When her mother and step-father relocated out of state, Marissa Wegner found herself visiting youth drop-in centers in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Bloomington to pass her days. Wegner, who grew up in Rosemount and lives in public housing in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood, aged out of youth programs when she turned 25, leaving her with few social outlets.Then came the pandemic, which further isolated her — an especially scary place to be for a person struggling with lifelong mental illness.“During COVID I went stir crazy,” said Wegner, 28, who said she lives on the autism spectrum and suffers from depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorder.She found the community she was looking for at Vail Place, a nonprofit service provider that runs “Clubhouse”-themed day centers offering adults with mental illness structuredMartha Bird, center, teaches a basket weaving class at Vail Place, a nonprofit service provider that offers daytime activitie...

Ask Amy: Progressive dinner offers no just desserts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

Dear Amy: I started two different progressive dinner groups with other couples in our neighborhood.These dinners happen about three times a year for each group. It has been going on for six years.I call to coordinate our open Saturdays and let them pick the course they are willing to make (we trade off making the main course).My pet peeve is that some couples occasionally ask if they can ask another couple that I don’t know to join us (these people don’t live in the area).This is a walking progressive dinner because we all live close by, and lends itself to safe drinking.Including an extra couple means this “new couple” would provide a portion of the meal BUT bring it to one of the other couple’s houses instead of offering their own home — because they live out of town.I always say no with a gentle explanation, but end up in a fight with these women who are my good friends.This has happened three times now. I caved twice, but the third time I stood my ground and it turned into...

Word Game: July 8, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — FRAGILITY (FRAGILITY: fra-JIL-ih-tee: Physical weakness.)Average mark 37 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 51 or more words in FRAGILITY? The list will be published Monday.YESTERDAY’S WORD — OBVIATES obit obviate ovate bait base baste bate beast beat besot best beta bias biota bite boast boat vase vast vest veto vibe visa vise vista vote iota abet above east sabot sate save seat site soviet stab stave stoveTo 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 creat...

Horoscopes July 8, 2023: Anjelica Huston, learn from the best

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Sophia Bush, 41; Milo Ventimiglia, 46; Kevin Bacon, 65; Anjelica Huston, 72.Happy Birthday: Trust your inner voice to point you in the right direction this year. Let your emotions lead the way, and let your imagination turn your thoughts into a reality. Discipline and hard work will pay off. A financial, emotional or legal gain looks promising and should help convince others to join your crusade. An opportunity to work with someone extraordinary will not disappoint. Learn from the best, and that’s what you’ll become. Your numbers are 2, 24, 25, 28, 31, 37, 42.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Select your words carefully when dealing with those close to you. Choose peace and love over discord and chaos. Put greater emphasis on personal growth, not trying to change others. Don’t share too much information, or someone will use it against you. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Live with what you’ve got and simplify your life. Opportunity beg...

Belgian tennis great Justine Henin receives ITF’s highest honor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The International Tennis Federation has awarded Justine Henin its highest honor, the Philippe Chatrier Award.Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, and was part of Belgium’s team that won the Fed Cup — now called the Billie Jean King Cup — in 2001.The award, named after the former ITF president, was introduced in 1996 and recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the sport on and off the court.“She was one of the best players of her generation on the court and since retirement has made a significant and ongoing contribution to our sport at all levels,” ITF president David Haggerty said Saturday.The 41-year-old Henin has established a successful academy in Belgium and a charitable foundation that helps provide sporting opportunities for children with disabilities.The award will be presented Saturday at the ITF World Champions Awards at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.“I always gave my very best throughout my career...

Orlando off-duty officer arrested after speeding and fleeing from deputies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:22 GMT

Deputies in Orlando arrested an off-duty officer after allegedly trying to escape from being pulled over.“You want to run? Seriously? Are you a cop? Yes? So you know better,” said an officer that arrested him, captured on bodycam footage. Lake County Deputy Juan Morales-Padilla was speeding on a motorcycle Wednesday night. When other deputies tried to pull him over, he took off.Padilla was eventually arrested once backup officers arrived at the scene.Orange County Sheriff’s Office has fired him.