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Israel reopens Gaza crossing for Palestinian laborers after sealing it over rising tensions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel reopened a main crossing with the Gaza Strip on Thursday, allowing thousands of Palestinian laborers to enter the country for the first time since sealing it last week.The crossing reopens after weeks of violent protests along Gaza’s frontier with Israel, where demonstrators have thrown explosives and rocks and flew incendiary balloons that sparked fires. The protests have driven up tensions, prompting Israel to launch airstrikes in the territory that targeted military posts belonging to the militant Hamas that rules Gaza. Cogat, the Israeli defense body that deals with Palestinian civilian affairs, said late Wednesday that the crossing would reopen and said such measures could continue if calm was maintained. Early Thursday, workers thronged the crossing before being let through, with some resting on patches of grass as they waited to cross.The Erez crossing is the sole pedestrian passageway out of the coastal enclave into Israel for the ro...

In Yemen, 5 fighters from secessionist force killed in clashes with suspected al-Qaida militants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — At least five Yemeni fighters from a secessionist group were killed in clashes with suspected al-Qaida militants in the country’s south, security officials said.The deadly fighting broke out Wednesday night between forces loyal to Yemen’s secessionist Southern Transitional Council and al-Qaida militants in the southern Abyan province, local security authorities said in a brief statement. Abyan’s security department said that the secessionist forces, led by the Eastern Arrows Forces, reclaimed several areas that had been under the militants’ control and that three of its fighters were injured in the clashes. No further details were given.It remains unclear how many al-Qaida fighters died in the battle. The group did not comment on the incident.The Southern Transitional Council is backed by the United Arab Emirates and controls most of Yemen’s south. It is at odds with the internationally recognized government and has repeatedly called for the south Arabian co...

In the news today: Canadian economy to resume growth in 2024: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…Canadian economy to get ‘back on its feet’ next year, Deloitte Canada saysA new report from Deloitte Canada suggests the economy’s near-term struggles will ease next year as the Bank of Canada begins cutting its key lending rate.The report estimates GDP will rise one per cent this year and 0.9 per cent next year. Deloitte Canada had earlier predicted GDP would contract 0.9 per cent in 2023.It says a population surge in Canada and an improved outlook for trade with the U.S. likely prevented the country from going into a deeper recession.The report predicts the Bank of Canada will start lowering interest rates next spring, eventually bringing the overnight rate to three per cent by mid-2025.—Here’s what else we’re watching …MPs expected to dig deeper on condemned inviteThe House of Commons will resume sitting this morning...

Daily horoscope for September 28, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 4:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EDT today (1:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Pisces into Aries.Happy Birthday for Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023:You are charismatic, magnetic and seductive. You are also sensitive and have a strong appreciation of beauty. This is a wonderful year for you because you’re reaping the rewards of past activities. Expect a promotion, award, accolades and acknowledgement. Bravo!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★You are the artisan of the zodiac. You can do practically anything with your hands in an inventive way. Today, especially this afternoon, is a very creative time for you. You’re in touch with your muse and that mystic, inner world that you know exists within you. Tonight: You win!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Because your ideals are aroused today, feelings of sympathy or empathy for someone will prompt you to help a friend if you can do so. You also might lend your energy,...

Digital Services Act: Commission launches Transparency Database

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

The Commission has launched the DSA Transparency Database, putting in action one of the many ground-breaking transparency features mandated by the DSA.Under the DSA, all providers of hosting services are required to provide users with clear and specific information, so-called statements of reasons, whenever they remove or restrict access to certain content. The new database will collect these statements of reasons in accordance with Article 24(5) of the DSA. This makes  this database a first-of-its-kind regulatory repository, where data on content moderation decisions taken by providers of online platforms active in the EU are accessible to the general public at an unprecedented scale and granularity, enabling more online accountability.Only Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) need to submit data to the database as part of their compliance with DSA already now. From 17 February 2024, all providers of online platforms, with the exception of micro and small enterprises, will have to s...

Negative effects of COVID-19 on public health - Overview of research and some predictions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

The coronavirus pandemic has had an enormous impact on health care around the world. On the one hand, it has exposed weaknesses in public health systems, such as shortages of medical personnel, equipment and medicines, as well as insufficient coordination and co-operation between countries. On the other hand, it has had a negative impact on the accessibility and quality of health care for other categories of patients, writes Mukhammadsodik Rakhimov, senior researcher of the Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies under the president of the Republic of UzbekistanIn order to ensure macroeconomic stability, effective social support for the population, and protection of the life and health of the citizens of Uzbekistan during the period of counteraction to the spread of coronavirus infection, the following measures were taken:Presidential Order "On measures to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic, cardinal improvement of the system of sanitary-epidemiological well-being and protection ...

The EU needs to seek partnership, not conflict

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

When Ursula von der Leyen (pictured) took up her seat as the president of the European Commission, we were promised – in her words – a “Geopolitical Commission”, which would elevate Europe’s role on the world stage. That meant – or so we were led to believe – that she would lead the Commission to engage in the hard choices and necessary compromises of diplomacy and trade, writes Ladislav Ilčić MEP.In some areas, it could be argued that the von der Leyen Commission has made progress in its geopolitical ambitions. Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU has shown – although with some opposition within its ranks – that it stands with nations fighting for freedom. The approach to another geopolitical adversary – China – has changed, with proposed regulations targeting Chinese exports, such as a tougher ban on imports produced from forced labour. There has been some improvement in relations with the U.S., including greater coordination on commo...

Harriette Cole: Should I tell her she’s not burly enough to come on the road trip?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ll be moving across the country soon, and my female best friend really wants to make the drive with me for our last little adventure together.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: She’s ignoring the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy, and I want to say something Advice | Harriette Cole: I hate to think it, but maybe I’m a helicopter mom Advice | Harriette Cole: This macho guy is now being kind to me, and I’m suspicious Advice | Harriette Cole: Should I tell my wife what my friend said about us? Advice | Harriette Cole: I didn’t mean to get the Airbnb host banned I have to transport some heavy items, and my friend and I aren’t the strongest or the most agile. I can’t afford movers at the moment, so it would just be a move-in crew of two. I have a large, strong male friend who offered to make the drive with me and help me move instead. I ...

Miss Manners: I was annoyed by the fuss over the cost of my dinner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the proper way to handle paying a restaurant bill?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: They stormed off and forgot the cooler. Do I have to keep it for them? Advice | Miss Manners: What am I allowed to say about a stranger’s hair? Advice | Miss Manners: My husband doesn’t understand why I was so mad at his friend Advice | Miss Manners: Did I deserve this treatment for being a few minutes late? Advice | Miss Manners: If I’m in the aisle seat, do I have any say over the window blind? Three met for dinner. Two of us (my husband and I) had more expensive meals than the third. When the check came, the other diner grabbed the check and pointed out the cost of my meal. Next came the calculator (embarrassing).At that point I looked at the bill and asked my husband if he would put more money down. But I was getting annoyed, and I told our companion, “What’...

New York set for road matchup with the Sun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:17 GMT

New York Liberty (32-8, 16-4 Eastern Conference) at Connecticut Sun (27-13, 14-6 Eastern Conference)Uncasville, Connecticut; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Liberty -3.5; over/under is 159.5WNBA PLAYOFFS SEMIFINALS:BOTTOM LINE: The Connecticut Sun host the New York Liberty.The Sun are 14-6 against Eastern Conference opponents. Connecticut is second in the Eastern Conference scoring 82.7 points while shooting 44.5% from the field.The Liberty’s record in Eastern Conference games is 16-4. New York is the Eastern leader with 37.9 rebounds per game led by Breanna Stewart averaging 9.3.TOP PERFORMERS: Alyssa Thomas is averaging 15.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.8 steals for the Sun. DeWanna Bonner is averaging 17.1 points over the last 10 games for Connecticut.Courtney Vandersloot is averaging 10.5 points and 8.1 assists for the Liberty. Stewart is averaging 20.1 points over the last 10 games for New York.LAST 10 GAMES: Sun: 6-4, averaging 80.9 points, ...