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Pakistan’s prime minister says manipulation of coming elections by military is ‘absolutely absurd’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Pakistan’s interim prime minister said he expects parliamentary elections to take place in the new year, dismissing the possibility that the country’s powerful military would manipulate the results to ensure that jailed former premier Imran Khan’s party doesn’t win.In an interview with The Associated Press Friday, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said it’s the Election Commission that is going to conduct the vote, not the military, and Khan appointed the commission’s chief at the time, so “why would he turn in any sense of the word against him?” Pakistan has been in deepening political turmoil since April 2022 when Khan was removed from office following a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He was arrested in early August on corruption charges and sentenced to three years in prison, later suspended though he still remains in jail. The country is also facing one of the worst economic crises in its history and recovering from last summer’s devastating floods that killed at leas...

Dear Abby: My husband ruins every vacation with his griping. Can I leave him home?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I love to travel, yet I loathe traveling with my husband.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: Why do they think I should give up my barstool for them? Advice | Dear Abby: I shouldn’t have to compete with my son’s clingy girlfriends Advice | Dear Abby: Everyone heard him call his co-worker baby, and I was humiliated Advice | Dear Abby: He never wants to see me again, but we may be thrown together Advice | Dear Abby: How can I break my wife of her rude obsession? He gets anxious and extremely mean on the days leading up to the trip and especially while en route. I do all the planning and pay for everything, and I regard his behavior as not only ungrateful and rude, but unnecessary.Is it wrong for me to not want him to come on the next big trip I plan?Also, while we travel, all he wants to do is sleep, eat and drink. I’m all about taking in the local culture and making sure to no...

Egypt, guns, money, power at center of US Senator Menendez indictment

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

The indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez on Friday accuses one of the most powerful senators shaping American foreign affairs of using his perch to enrich himself and exploit the complicated relationship between the United States and Egypt.It is a story about guns, money and power that strikes at a fraught sector of American diplomacy.Menendez denies any wrongdoing, saying prosecutors “misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office” and attacked him and his wife. But if the allegations are proven, they will represent a damning account of how American policy toward an autocratic ally was compromised for years for venal reasons.Egypt receives about $1.3 billion per year in foreign military financing, but by law, tranches of the aid are conditioned upon Egypt’s progress on human rights concerns, as determined by the State Department. Whether Foggy Bottom clears the aid is often subject to a regular tug-of-war between lawmakers, the advocacy community and the executive br...

B.C. frog relocation project aims to better understand conservation practice

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

VANCOUVER — Almost every day this summer, University of British Columbia master’s student Megan Winand waded through wetlands with an antenna, following the beeping sounds to find Columbia spotted frogs.Winand is one of the first to study the impacts of mitigation translocation, or the movement of animals from one location to “the next available habitat that is of the same or better value than where they came from.”It is typically done as a conservation effort during construction or development projects, she explained.The practice gained attention ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, when the Sea-to-Sky Highway was upgraded andmore than 1,000 amphibians were carefully moved out of the construction zone. Among those animals was the red-legged frog, which is listed as a “species of special concern” in B.C. Frogs are important because they are an “indicator species,” said Winand.“They act as the canary in the coal mine, if you...

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 3: Chargers’ Austin Ekeler won’t play against Vikings

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

UPDATE: 3:38 a.m. Saturday The news regarding Sunday’s showdown of 0-2 teams in Minneapolis focuses on the running backs.The Chargers’ Austin Ekeler has been ruled out because of his injured ankle. And new Vikings RB Cam Akers is not expected to see much action at all and could spend his first game with Minnesota on the inactive list.We’re guessing this game will be a Justin Herbert-Kirk Cousins air battle, but the running backs that are most fantasy relevant this week are Minnesota’s Alexander Mattison and Los Angeles’ Joshua Kelley.There will be a distinct shortage of rookie quarterbacks this week as both the Colts’ Anthony RIchardson and the Panthers’ Bryce Young have been ruled out. Of greater fantasy concern is the uncertain status of Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, who could miss Monday night’s Super Bowl LVI rematch against the Rams. You might need to make a tough decision on Burrow tomorrow morning before the early games begin.Players ruled out for Week 3 include Baltimore RB Justi...

Daily horoscope for September 23, 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Capricorn. The Fall Equinox occurs at 2:49 a.m. EDT.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023:You appreciate beauty and personally, you have a strong inner strength. Your enthusiasm for what appeals to you endears you to others. This is a wonderful year to socialize! Get into your creativity and explore whatever appeals to you. Old friends may reappear. Travel is possible.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Today you’re high-viz, and you make an excellent impression on others. They see you as successful and affluent (even if you aren’t). This is a good day to go after what you want. Don’t hesitate to take the initiative, because it’s all systems go! Tonight: Speak up.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★You couldn’t pick a better day to plan a trip or explore opportunities in publishing, the media, medicine or the law. The energy today is positive; in addition to which, it...

Miss Manners: Did I deserve this treatment for being a few minutes late?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My friend and I traveled out of town to attend an event. The event started at 2 p.m., and we agreed to meet at her home at 11 a.m. to drive to the destination together. Meeting at 11 allotted ample driving time, plus additional time for exploring the neighborhood prior to our event.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: If I’m in the aisle seat, do I have any say over the window blind? Advice | Miss Manners: She claimed she was just kidding. How do I make her see it wasn’t funny? Advice | Miss Manners: My friend claims not to have heard these insulting comments Advice | Miss Manners: We’d go to the wedding but we’re obviously on the bride’s B-list Advice | Miss Manners: I unintentionally insulted a stranger in the store As I was approaching her home at 11:03, I received a call from her, apparently concerned that it was three minutes past our meeting time a...

Brewers bring road win streak into game against the Marlins

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (88-66, first in the NL Central) vs. Miami Marlins (79-75, third in the NL East)Miami; Saturday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Brandon Woodruff (5-1, 1.89 ERA, .76 WHIP, 68 strikeouts); Marlins: Jesus Luzardo (10-9, 3.84 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 194 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -121, Marlins +102; over/under is 7 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers will try to keep a four-game road win streak going when they visit the Miami Marlins.Miami has a 44-35 record in home games and a 79-75 record overall. The Marlins have a 50-8 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Milwaukee has gone 43-36 in road games and 88-66 overall. The Brewers have the No. 1 team ERA in the NL at 3.74.The teams meet Saturday for the sixth time this season. The Brewers lead the season series 4-1.TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Arraez has 30 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 69 RBI for the Marlins. Jake Burger is 12-for-35 with three doubles, two home runs and seven...

Phillies play the Mets leading series 2-0

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

New York Mets (71-83, fourth in the NL East) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (85-69, second in the NL East)Philadelphia; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Jose Quintana (3-5, 3.02 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 45 strikeouts); Phillies: Zack Wheeler (12-6, 3.58 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 201 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -186, Mets +157; over/under is 7 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies lead 2-0 in a four-game series against the New York Mets.Philadelphia has an 85-69 record overall and a 45-31 record at home. The Phillies have a 61-16 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.New York has a 71-83 record overall and a 32-47 record in road games. The Mets have hit 204 total home runs to rank fifth in the NL.The teams meet Saturday for the ninth time this season. The season series is tied 4-4.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber has 18 doubles, a triple and 45 home runs while hitting .198 for the Phillies. Nicholas Castellanos is 13-for-37 with a double an...

Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants Saturday

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:10:29 GMT

San Francisco Giants (77-77, third in the NL West) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (94-59, first in the NL West)Los Angeles; Saturday, 9:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: TBD; Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 2.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 127 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.Los Angeles has gone 51-28 at home and 94-59 overall. Dodgers hitters have a collective .340 on-base percentage, the second-ranked percentage in the NL.San Francisco is 77-77 overall and 34-45 on the road. The Giants have the fourth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.09.Saturday’s game is the ninth meeting between these teams this season. The Giants hold a 5-3 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Mookie Betts ranks second on the Dodgers with 78 extra base hits (38 doubles, a triple and 39 home runs). J.D. Martinez is 11-for-36 with four home runs and 13 RBI over the last 10 games.Thairo Estrada has 26 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs and 48 RBI for the...