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Serbia and Kosovo in high-stakes EU-mediated talks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

OHRID, North Macedonia (AP) — Western officials are hoping for progress this weekend in EU-mediated talks between Serbia and Kosovo’s leaders, in a new attempt to ease decades of tensions between the Balkan wartime foes and solve one of Europe’s longest standing disputes.Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti are to meet on Saturday at North Macedonia’s lakeside resort of Ohrid. They tentatively agreed last month to the wording of an 11-point EU plan to normalize relations following the neighbors’ 1998-1999 war and Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.Both countries hope to join the European Union one day, and have been told they must first mend their relations.Solving the dispute has become more important as war rages in Ukraine and fears mount that Russia could try to stir instability in the volatile Balkans where it holds historic influence.“This is the time for the leaders of Kosovo, Serbia, and of the...

Nigeria electing governors after disputed presidential vote

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Millions of Nigerians are headed back to the polls Saturday as Africa’s most populous nation holds gubernatorial elections amid tensions after last month’s disputed presidential vote.New governors are being chosen for 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states as the opposition continues to reject the victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu from the West African nation’s ruling party. On Friday, armed security forces were seen patrolling the streets across the states where elections were to be held.“Ahead of the elections, the security situation across the country appears tense, with reports of violence, kidnap and assassination in several states,” Situation Room, a coalition of civil society groups, said in a statement.Observers have said that the presidential vote was peaceful for the most part, but there are still fears of attacks in many parts of Nigeria where armed groups often carry out violent killings, such as in the northwest and in the southeast...

Daily horoscope for March 18, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aquarius.Happy Birthday for Saturday, March 18, 2023:You’re resilient, courageous and always on the move. You have a lot of physical and emotional strength to keep going. You amaze others. This year is the first year of a new nine-year cycle, which means you’re ready for new beginnings, adventures and major changes. Stay light on your feet!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Interactions with friends and groups will be rewarding and upbeat; nevertheless, there will be a surprise. You might meet someone unusual, or someone might catch you off guard. Trust your research and innovative ideas today. Tonight: Secrets!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Although relations with bosses, parents and people in authority will be positive today, at the same time, you might be caught off guard, or they might surprise you. Know this. Meanwhile, someone younger than you might have a clever idea worth your co...

Miss Manners: When I picked up the tab for a stranger, I didn’t know what I was getting into

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I grew up in an all-military community. My husband and I are not rich, but we made a vow to always pay the restaurant bill for men or women in military uniforms who are dining at the same time with us.The last time, there were six military members in line to pay as we waited for our table. We walked up and told the cashier, who was also the owner, that we would be paying their bills.I was a bit shocked at how high the bill was for only six of them but paid it anyway.After the owner rung up our credit card, he proceeded to hand over several to-go bags to one servicemember who had ordered a bunch of food for his family.We didn’t say anything, but I was upset that the owner or the person who ordered it didn’t inform us about the to-go order.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: You’re married to my son, but I am not ‘Mom’ Advice | Miss Manners: Was it improper how the bride announced the news? Advice | ...

Dear Abby: I’m disgusted by my co-worker’s noises

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I have a co-worker I share an office with. We are cordial, but not friends.The problem is she chews gum most of the day with her mouth open, and occasionally pops it. The noises she makes are extremely disturbing and they disgust me. I have taken to wearing headphones and listening to music as often as possible to tune out her noises, but it feels a bit rude and isn’t practical for all day.I’m on the verge of snapping at her. Is there a kind way I can alert her of the problem without disrupting our working relationship?ABOUT TO POP OFFDEAR POP: Have a congenial chat with this co-worker and ask her to let you know when she’s going to pop in a piece of gum so you can pop on your headphones. It beats popping your cork in frustration.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: She upset her grandmother with this out-of-line fashion choice Advice | Dear Abby: His family doesn’t know we’ve been sneaking around Advice | ...

Extra sweet: Wild winter temperature swings lead to earlier maple production

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

After wild temperature swings in February, Hardwick Sugar Shack owners Joe and Megan Raskett aren’t sure how much longer the maple sugaring season will last.The Rasketts started boiling their maple syrup earlier than in the past as last month’s weather provided pristine conditions for production, with cold nights and warm days.“We’re noticing that some of the trees are starting to bud, especially some of the red maples,” Megan Raskett told the Herald on Friday. “That signals the end of the season. If the temperatures stay too warm or too cold, the sap doesn’t flow.”Optimal sap flow comes when nighttime temperatures are in the low 20s and daytime temperatures are in the 40s, according to the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association.The start of maple production season, which lasts four to six weeks, varies in the Bay State. In the eastern part of Massachusetts, it typically begins in mid to late February, while the central and western regions usually start boiling in the first week ...

Battenfeld: Is Diana DiZoglio an effective auditor or loose cannon?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

Auditor Diana DiZoglio is heading down a treacherous political road filled with landmines and seems more bent on getting revenge on her critics and the Legislature than producing any real results.DiZoglio’s latest gambit – a plan to audit all non-disclosure agreements throughout state government – could expose the state to massive legal damages and is unlikely to win a court challenge.DiZoglio herself was subject to an NDA when she was a legislative aide and fired from her job but now her goal to audit all NDAs in state government is overly ambitious and potentially dangerous.Do people who had to sign NDAs really want lowly government bureaucrats to look into their personal lives and potentially resurrect embarrassing information that could hurt their careers?There is no way the Legislature will cooperate with her audits, assuring that she’ll lose and look ineffectual and overly political, wasting millions of dollars and producing no results.And if she goes to court she’ll probably ...

Pakistan: Police storm Imran Khan home in Lahore, arrest 30

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

LAHORE, Islamabad (AP) — Police in Pakistan stormed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s residence in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday and arrested 30 people amid tear gas shelling after someone opened fire from the roof of the building, officials said. Senior police officer Suhail Sukhera, who is leading the operation in an upscale Lahore neighborhood, said police moved to remove encroachments and a blockade erected by Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party and his defiant supporters. He said baton-wielding Khan supporters attempted to resist police by throwing stones and petrol bombs, but the officers moved on until a man on the roof of Khan’s residence opened fire. No one was hurt. Sukhera said police broke open the main door of Khan’s residence and found masks, petrol-filled bottles, iron rods and batons used in attacks on police during the week. Sukhera said that inside the sprawling residence, illegal structures were erected to shelter those who have been involved in attacks o...

Scholtz visits Japan to firm up economic, defense ties

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday held the first round of government consultations in Tokyo as they seek to strengthen economic and defense ties in a global landscape dominated by China’s growing influence and the war in Ukraine. Scholz brought six of his ministers for talks with Japanese counterparts to deepen cooperation in the economy and national security in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as other global issues including China’s assertiveness in pressing its maritime territorial claims and its closer ties with Russia.“I believe the government consultation will be a springboard to bring cooperation between Japan and Germany even closer,” Kishida said in his opening remarks at the meeting. Kishida said the focus of the talks is on economic security, the Indo-Pacific region, Russia’s war on Ukraine and other mutual concerns.Germany has similar “government consultations” framework with several countries. Of the 1...

California military base locked down after vehicle runs gate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:59 GMT

CORONADO, Calif. (AP) — A California military base was put in lockdown Friday night after a vehicle went through the facility’s main gate without stopping, a military spokesperson said.Naval Base Coronado spokesperson Kevin Dixon told KNSD-TV that the driver was taken into custody by base guards after the “gate runner” drove without stopping through the entrance of Naval Air Station North Island, part of Naval Base Coronado. Several patrol cars surrounded the entrance near 3rd Street and Alameda Boulevard in Coronado around 10:30 p.m., KNSD-TV reported,Multiple gates at the air station near San Diego were closed while security personnel checked the facility, Dixon said.A post on the Facebook page of Naval Base Coronado early Saturday morning said, “The main gate at Naval Air Station North Island is currently closed due to a security incident. Please stay away from the main gate while security conducts its investigation.”The Coronado Police Department were investigating the inc...