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Pakistan’s thrice-elected, self-exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returns home ahead of vote

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s thrice-elected former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was returning home Saturday on a special flight from Dubai, ending four years of self-imposed exile in London as he seeks to win the support of voters ahead of parliamentary elections due in January.Sharif is expected to address a massive homecoming rally in the eastern city of Lahore later Saturday and his return comes as Pakistan experiences deepening political turmoil and one of its worst economic crises.“Today I am going to Pakistan after four years and I am feeling very happy with the grace of Allah,” Sharif told reporters before leaving for Islamabad from Dubai. He had arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Friday from Saudi Arabia after traveling there last week from London.He said he wished the situation in the country had improved in his absence. He left Pakistan in 2019, two years after he stepped down after being convicted in a graft case.He said Pakistan’s economy and politica...

Egypt-Gaza border crossing opens, letting desperately needed aid flow to Palestinians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened on Saturday to let desperately needed aid flow to Palestinians running short of food, medicine and water in the territory that is under an Israeli siege.More than 200 trucks carrying roughly 3,000 tons of aid, which had been positioned near the crossing for days, began heading into Gaza.Israel blockaded the territory and launched waves of punishing airstrikes following the Oct. 7 rampage by Hamas militants on towns in southern Israel.Many in Gaza, reduced to eating one meal a day and without enough water to drink, are waiting desperately for the aid. Hospital workers were also in urgent need of medical supplies and fuel for their generators as they treat huge numbers of people wounded in the bombings. Hundreds of foreign passport holders also waited to cross from Gaza to Egypt to escape the conflict.The opening came hours after Hamas released an American woman and her teenage daughter, the first of some 200 c...

Live updates | Aid starts moving into the Gaza Strip after 2 weeks of war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

Aid deliveries have begun moving into the besieged Gaza Strip, two weeks after the militant group Hamas rampaged through southern Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes.Israel says Hamas has freed two American hostages who had been held in Gaza since the war began Oct. 7. Israeli airstrikes continued to hit southern Gaza, an area swollen by civilians who fled there from the north on Israeli instructions. The war, which is in its 15th day on Saturday, is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Friday that 4,137 Palestinians have been killed and more than 13,000 others wounded.More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly in the initial attack on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants stormed into Israel. In addition, 203 people were believed captured by Hamas during the incursion and taken into Gaza, the Israeli military has said. Currently:1. The Rafah border crossing has opened to allow aid deliveries in to Gaza.2. Egypt is host...

Dear Abby: I’ve been told to shut up about this sweet woman’s risky behavior

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My mother-in-law is a sweet retired teacher. She lives an active life volunteering at her local Boys and Girls Club and keeping up with her friends.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My neighbor doesn’t know what my camera captures every morning Advice | Dear Abby: I’m hurt he didn’t make time for me amid his family crisis Advice | Dear Abby: She stages these embarrassing displays, and I can’t deal with it anymore Advice | Dear Abby: He’s just a little boy, but he’s already on the wrong path. What can I do? Advice | Dear Abby: I have a wedding dress and a man I love, but I’m ready to scrap everything The issue is, her mobility and her memory are in decline, and she and her family are in denial about it.She still drives and has recently had several fender-benders. She also admitted to getting lost on her way home from the store and needing to call her ...

Marco Jones dominates as San Ramon Valley beats California in EBAL showdown: ‘Sometimes, you just have to win ugly’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

SAN RAMON – San Ramon Valley’s Marco Jones is listed as a linebacker on the Wolves’ roster, and as a four-star prospect on college recruiting websites.But against Cal High, the 6-foot-4 junior looked like a five-star at running-back, safety and wide receiver too in San Ramon Valley’s 14-0 victory on Friday night, scoring both of SRV’s touchdowns while blanketing the entire field on defense with his athleticism.San Ramon Valley had six days to process its grueling 33-27 overtime loss to De La Salle, a game where SRV authored a 15-point comeback in the final four minutes to put itself in a position to snap De La Salle’s 31-year section winning streak.Jones said it didn’t take long for the team to move on from the defeat, and that he was ready to prepare for a talented new opponent in Cal High.“It feels good to get it out of the way,” Jones said, with quarterback Luke Baker adding, “We knew it was kind of a trap game, and tried to mentally battle through that.”While the normally ...

Daily horoscope for October 21, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping and important decisions from 10:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. PDT today. After that, the Moon moves from Capricorn into Aquarius.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023:You are eloquent, charming, talented and intelligent. You are also impulsive, dramatic and always happy to be noticed. This is a slower paced year for you. It’s OK to rest and rejuvenate yourself. Focus on friendships and close partnerships that benefit you. Choose people who have your back.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Look for ways to boost your income today, especially related to your job, because they do exist. Job related travel is also likely. However, a conversation with a parent, boss or member of the police will be intense, probably too intense. You might want to avoid this. Tonight: Friendships.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★You feel the need for a change of pace today. However, you might get involved with intense religious or philosophical discussions with someone that perhaps revea...

Invitation Concert Solidarity with Israel - Monday 23 10 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

SLAVONIC EUROPE presents  Solidarity with IsraelIt's a pleasure to invite you to this concert. Let us give our sign of solidarity and enjoy great music.  Info & Register hereMonday 23 10 2023 - Cercle Royal Gaulois - Brussels

Harriette Cole: I’m not cut out for this class, and the professor isn’t making it any easier

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have never been a morning person. I would rather stay up until the sun rises than wake up before it does.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: She came to my photoshoot, and I’m sure she made a bad impression Advice | Harriette Cole: My boyfriend freaked out in the haunted house. Am I dating a coward? Advice | Harriette Cole: I asked my sister to watch my teen, and she broke my trust Advice | Harriette Cole: I finally told my parents I’ll be leaving the U.S. next week, and they’re livid Advice | Harriette Cole: My co-worker cornered me about my son, and I was very uncomfortable Unfortunately, this semester, one class that I need for my major is at 8 a.m. Not only is it at 8, but it is also a 75-minute class with more than 350 people in a poorly ventilated room.My professor claims that she understands how early the class is for college students, but even so, she uses...

Miss Manners: I tried to finesse her short-notice cancellation, and she blew up at me

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My friend “Agnes” and her husband wanted to see my friend “Axel,” as well as his house. So Agnes asked me to ask Axel to have the three of us over for dinner.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: A stranger sent a letter blasting me. Must I respond? Advice | Miss Manners: How do I bring up the problem of the neighbor’s cats? Advice | Miss Manners: The bride hung up on me, and her mother was rude, too. Was I in the wrong? Advice | Miss Manners: This lady at church got stuck, and I accidentally laughed out loud Advice | Miss Manners: This well-off bride’s wedding shower has me baffled Axel lives alone, is not very sociable and does not entertain, so instead, I asked him if he’d be willing to have us over for drinks — of which I would supply a good portion. He agreed, and then spent a lot of time worrying over it: cleaning his house and sho...

Maryland’s US attorney charges out-of-state police chiefs, firearms dealers with machine gun conspiracy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:33 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.Former police chiefs in North Dakota and North Carolina are facing charges in Maryland in connection with a conspiracy to illegally acquire machine guns and other firearms — and court records indicate the case could reach into other states as well.The charges are similar to those faced by Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins (R), who sought during a hearing in U.S. District Court on Thursday to have the case against him dismissed.“A top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office remains holding accountable those who illegally possess or traffic firearms,” a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Erek Barron said in an emailed statement.At issue in both cases are the use of “law letters” sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to obtain firearms that are generally prohibited from sale in the U.S., such as fully automatic...