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A top Chinese military official visits Moscow for talks on expanding ties

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A senior Chinese military official held talks in Moscow Wednesday, praising strong ties between the countries during a visit that underlined growing cooperation between them. Gen. Zhang Youxia, China’s second-ranking military official and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that relations between Russia and China are “at the highest level in the new epoch.” He said they “invariably support each other on issues of fundamental interest and key concerns.” Beijing declared last year that it had a “no-limits” friendship with Russia. China has denounced Western sanctions against Moscow, and accused NATO and the United States of provoking Russia’s military action in Ukraine even as it tried to project itself as neutral in the Ukrainian conflict.Russia, in turn, has continuously voiced support for Beijing on issues related to Taiwan.Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Moscow in March to further cement ties and Russian President Vladimir Putin tr...

Pakistani premier tries to reassure Afghans waiting for visas to US that they won’t be deported

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister on Wednesday sought to reassure Afghans waiting in Pakistan for resettlement in the United States that they won’t be deported as part of his government’s widely criticized crackdown on undocumented migrants in the country.Islamabad this month launched a crackdown on illegal migration, saying any unregistered foreign national and migrant lacking proper documentation would face arrest and deportation. The drive mostly affects Afghans because they are the majority of foreigners living in Pakistan, although the government says it’s targeting all who are in the country illegally. Pakistan has long hosted about 1.7 million Afghans, most of whom fled during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation. In addition, more than half a million people fled Afghanistan in August 2021, when the Taliban seized power in the final weeks of U.S. and NATO pullout. At least 25,000 of those who escaped the Taliban takeover had worked for the American milit...

Cambodian deports 25 Japanese nationals suspected of operating online scams

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Twenty-five Japanese nationals suspected of involvement in a cyberscam operation based in Cambodia were deported to Japan on Wednesday, said Gen. Khieu Sopheak, a spokesperson for Cambodia’s Interior Ministry.The Japanese government arranged a charter flight to transport the suspects, who were detained in September after Cambodian police received a tip-off from their Japanese counterparts, he told The Associated Press.The 25 were arrested in the capital, Phnom Penh, according to Gen. Keo Vanthan, a spokesperson for the immigration police.Khieu Sopheak thanked the Japanese government “for their support and good cooperation with the Cambodian government in order to arrest these people.”Cybercrime scams have become a major issue in Asia.In August, the U.N.’s human rights office said that criminal gangs have forced hundreds of thousands of people in Southeast Asia into participating in unlawful online scam operations, including false romantic ploy...

Denmark’s intelligence agencies win a case against a foreign fighter who claims he worked for them

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s domestic and foreign intelligence services on Wednesday won a case against a Dane of Syrian origin who claimed he worked for them in Syria in 2013 and 2014 and spied on Danish jihadi fighters.Ahmed Samsam was sentenced to eight years in 2018 in Spain for fighting with the Islamic State group in Syria. He sued Denmark’s two spy agencies in an attempt to have a court order them to admit that he had worked for them, and hoping it would enable him to reopen the case in Spain.The Eastern High Court in Copenhagen said in its ruling that Samsam had not made it likely that he could reopen his case in Spain. He immediately appealed the ruling to Denmark’s top court.The case has proven embarrassing for the Danish government, which has opposed an inquiry into the case. A preliminary parliamentary committee that was supposed to probe the 34-year-old Danish citizen’s claims was dropped in June.Danish media say the case is probably linked to a former def...

Patrick Dempsey named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine for 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — He's not just “McDreamy” anymore — Patrick Dempsey is now also People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.Patrick Dempsey poses for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film "Ferrari" during the 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival, Aug. 31, 2023, in Venice, Italy. On Tuesday, Nov, 7, People magazine named Dempsey as its Sexiest Man Alive. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File)The “Grey's Anatomy” star and race car driver takes the mantle from “Captain America” star Chris Evans, who was 2022's selection. The pick was revealed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Tuesday night."I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” Dempsey, 57, told the magazine about his initial reaction. “I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”The actor stars in the upcoming Michael Mann film “Ferrari.” He told The Associated Press last year that he did all the driving himself, calling it “the best role I’ve ever had...

Georgetown voters approve $130 million bond

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Georgetown voters Tuesday approved a $130 million bond package to expand multiple city facilities. ELECTION DAY BLOG: Texans vote on 14 state constitutional amendments, local propositions There were four propositions in this bond package. Prop A costs $56 million and would allow the City of Georgetown to build an 80,000-square-foot customer service center.In an October interview, City Manager David Morgan said the facility would streamline several city service departments that are spread out among different buildings.He said the building would also create a more convenient way for residents to pay utility bills and other services. Election Results Prop B costs $49 million and would expand the city’s existing recreation center. The measure would add 30,000 square feet to the facility, add a third gymnasium, and renovate the center’s parking lot and indoor pool.Proposition C, at $15 million, would give Georgetown the option of expanding its existing anim...

5 things to know this Wednesday, November 8

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- We're halfway to Friday, everyone. Happy Wednesday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we can expect a brisk and breezy day with cloud coverage coming later on. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! NEWS10 is your local election headquarters. Check out our website to see all the Capital Region election results. In other news, a landlord from Queensbury was arrested and is accused of trying to coerce revealing images from a potential tenant in exchange for a better leasing opportunity. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A has proposed a new location in the city of Albany. The restaurant would be located at 944 Central Avenue. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Wednesday morning. 1. John Safford declares victory in Saratoga Springs mayoral raceIn the race for Saratoga Springs Mayor, Republican John Safford is declaring victory over incumbent Ron Kim. Safford told NEWS10 that homelessne...

EU increases humanitarian aid to Gaza by €25 million

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

As part of the EU's continued support to people in Gaza, the Commission will provide a further €25 million in humanitarian aid. This quadruples EU humanitarian assistance to over €100m for Gaza this year.The new assistance will be provided to humanitarian organizations to provide life-saving assistance, in particular focusing on water and sanitation, health, food and other essential items.Announcing the funding, President Ursula von der Leyen said: “I can announce that we are further increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza by another €25 million. By doing so, the European Union would spend a total of €100 million in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. At the same time, we are working with Israel, Egypt, and the United Nations, to let more convoys into Gaza, including through corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs.”A full press release is available here.

Word Game: Nov. 8, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — BELATED (BELATED: bee-LAY-tid: Delayed beyond the usual time.)Average mark 28 wordsTime limit 30 minutesCan you find 35 or more words in BELATED? The list will be published tomorrow.YESTERDAY’S WORD — CALLOUSLY call callous callus clay cloy coal cola cull alloy ally also lacy local locally locus loll lousy loyal lull sally saucy scaly scull slay soul soya sullyTo 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. 8, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:18 GMT

Ola Rimstedt and Zia Mahmood captured the Life Master Pairs at the Summer NABC, overtaking the leaders in the final session. In today’s deal (reported by Daniel Gullberg in the excellent Daily Bulletin), the winners collaborated on a remarkable defense.Zia’s bid of one club wouldn’t have occurred to me; if he was intent on directing a lead, he might have preferred one spade. On lead against 3NT, Rimstedt placed his partner with some major-suit length – North-South weren’t playing at a major – hence diamond shortness. So Rimstedt led a club: seven, king, ace.TEN TRICKS?Assuming the hearts came in, declarer saw nine easy tricks; but at matchpoint scoring, he felt compelled to try for ten, reasonably placing East with at least one diamond honor. So South led a heart to dummy’s king and returned a diamond: ten, jack, king.South won the club return and needed a dummy entry to lead a second diamond. He cashed the ten of hearts and (though Zia followed!) led a fiendish jack! Presented with...