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Israel ‘creating massive obstacles’ to Gaza aid, UN chief says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said the way Israel is conducting its offensive against Hamas is “creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza,” in a post on X Friday night. The Portuguese diplomat issued his statement shortly after the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling for increased aid deliveries to Gaza.He added that 136 U.N. aid workers in Gaza have been killed in 75 days of combat — something he described as unprecedented in the body’s history.“An effective aid operation in Gaza requires security; staff who can work in safety; logistical capacity; and the resumption of commercial activity,” wrote in his Friday night statement.The U.N. resolution urged to “create the conditions for sustainable cessation of hostilities,” but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire in the conflict.After days of fraught negotiations, the U.N. Security Council passed the text with 13 votes in favor and no votes against...

Turkish MPs set to restart talks on Sweden’s NATO application

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee will once again take up the issue of Sweden’s NATO accession Tuesday, according to a parliamentary statement cited in media reports.Turkey is one of two NATO countries, along with Hungary, that has yet to approve Sweden’s bid to join the military alliance following Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine.Turkey has complained that Stockholm is not doing enough to curb what it calls Kurdish terrorists in Sweden.The committee’s approval of Sweden’s application would clear the way for a full parliament vote on ratification, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling alliance commands a majority. This is necessary before Erdoğan can sign it into law.The move follows a call between the Turkish leader and Joe Biden, during which the White said the U.S. president raised the issue of Sweden’s NATO application.Erdoğan later said Biden linked the issue to congressional approval for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. U.S...

Division 1-2 girls hockey preview: Expect heavyweight Div. 1 battles after realignment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

Longtime Shrewsbury head girls hockey coach Frank Panarelli can recite how each star aligned for his program to secure its first Div. 1 state title in a special year.Panarelli recognizes that the dominoes might not fall the same way this time. Realignments have shifted several of the state’s best programs into Div. 1, and programs across the board have improved. This is perhaps the most wide open the field has been since the pandemic.And yet, Shrewsbury still ranks among the contenders, anchored by senior Risa Montoya’s return in net. Senior defenders Bridget McLaughlin and Kealy Fay are back behind key returning forwards Mia Ryder (junior) and Paige Umile (senior).The St. Mary’s of Lynn team they topped at TD Garden looks a lot different, but again like a formidable power. Eighth-grader Vanessa Hall and Kasey Litwin anchor four returning defensemen.Notre Dame Academy of Hingham boasts quality depth as an early title favorite. Juniors Sarah White and Devon Moore lead a well-balanced...

What stores are open and closed on Christmas Day in 2023? Hours for Walmart, Kroger, CVS and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — With Christmas right around the corner, you might want to check the list of what stores are open (and closed) twice.From retail to grocery chains, many companies across the U.S. close early on Christmas Eve and shut their doors entirely on Christmas Day — while others opt to cut back hours. But there’s also a handful of businesses that stay open on the holiday.Before you run out the door this Christmas — whether it’s to buy last-minute gifts or simply get out of the house — it’s wise to double-check operating hours, which can range by location. When in doubt, call ahead or look up more specific schedules for spots in your neighborhood online.Here’s a rundown of how major chains are operating this Christmas Day.IS WALMART OPEN ON CHRISTMAS?Walmart will be closed on Christmas Day — and reopen at 6 a.m. Dec. 26.IS TARGET OPEN ON CHRISTMAS?Most Target stores will be closed on Christmas and reopen at 7 a.m. Dec. 26. You can check location hours her...

‘Silence is not a solution’: LGBTQ+ parliamentarians reflect on polarization, protest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

OTTAWA — Members of the LGBTQ+ community have long faced discrimination and prejudice in Canada and beyond, having to fight for job protection, access to services and basic human rights.Canada legalized same-sex marriage nearly two decades ago and the Canadian Human Rights Act has for years prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.But this year brought a heated debate over LGBTQ+ rights when it comes to transgender and other gender non-conforming children. Both New Brunswick and Saskatchewan brought in policies that require parental permission before using a student’s preferred name or pronouns at school.And Egale Canada, an advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ people and issues, reported more than 6,400 anti-LGBTQ+ protests and instances of online hate in the first three months of 2023 alone.The Canadian Press reached out to members of the multi-partisan Canadian Pride Caucus on Parliament Hill about the past year of LGBTQ+ rights and discour...

From bone-chilling highs last year to balmy above normal temps this year—radically different weather heading into Christmas 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

Another unseasonably mild day has gone on the books Friday with highs of 45 at O'Hare ands 47 at Midway---readings which match mid to late November temp levels. AND IT'S GOING TO GET MILDER in what is sure to be December's warmest weekend yet with daytime highs running 17, 23 and 20-degrees ABOVE NORMAL RESPECTIVELY on Saturday (51), Sunday (57) and Monday Christmas Day (54).Those highs aren't records. Record highs this weekend range from 62 to 64-degress and have stood for 41 to 134 years. Sunday's predicted high of 57 will come with 7-deg of the Christmas Eve day record high of 64-deg set back in 1889.As it stands now—with today's 15-deg ABOVE NORMAL AVERAGE TEMP factored into Chicago's December temp average, the month ranks 13th warmest of the past 153 years—and put the month 6.6-deg above normal and among the 8% warmest Decembers on the books here since 1871. DECEMBER 2023 is running 6.3 deg warmer than the opening 22 days of the month a year ago.ILLUSTRATING HOW RADICALLY DIFFE...

Roger Barr’s annual holiday story: ‘Dream Christmas Gifts’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

St. Paul author Roger Barr continues a 25-year Christmas story tradition with “Dream Christmas Gifts.” Author Roger Barr (Courtesy of Brad Stauffer)The series began with “The Last Christmas,” which was published by the Villager newspaper in 1997, Barr says. With the exception of 1998, there had been a new Bartholomew story in the Villager every year until 2020, when the tradition moved to the Pioneer Press. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Matthew Bartholomew met his friends Handyman and Carter at the Hope Breakfast Bar for their weekly breakfast. Matt had picked the restaurant for its eclectic menu and optimistic name. Usually, the three men consumed the morning news along with their pancakes and omelets, plotting strategies to manage their daily lives amidst the social, political and economic chaos that gripped the country. But a month ago, Handyman had rebelled, declaring: “I’ve got chaos fatigue! I need a respite.” By unanimous consent, they’d banned current events as ta...

Ask Amy: Siblings ponder obligation to former stepmother

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

Dear Amy: Many years ago, my father married a woman 30 years his junior. “Sharon” is only two years older than I. She is younger than my older sisters.I was not in favor of the marriage, but Dad apparently was happy.Sharon has a brash personality, a grating voice, and is very self-centered.My siblings and I tolerated her for our father’s sake, and she was “Grandma Sharon” to our kids (they never had any children together).Our father died over a decade ago; a couple of years later, Sharon had a relationship with another older man — who has also since died.Sharon continues to maintain contact with our kids — who now have young children of their own.When Dad was alive, she hosted an annual holiday gathering, and even though he has passed, she continues to carry on the tradition.My older siblings and I believe that carrying on this tradition with our family members has run its course and we are not interested in participating.Our children, however, relish in the ...

Bridge: Dec. 23, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

My wife regards my attempts at wrapping Christmas gifts with a combination of bemusement and horror.“If you can’t wrap packages neatly,” she tells me, “can you at least make it look like they put up a good fight?”Against today’s 3NT, West led the six of hearts. When East put up the king, declarer could have taken the ace and hoped to find the ace of diamonds with West. Instead, South judged to play low. East returned the ten: jack, queen, nine. When West led a third heart, South won and led a diamond to dummy’s jack.MAKINGEast took the queen and led a spade, and South won with the ace and led a second diamond: ten, king, ace. Declarer won the next spade and claimed the rest, making 3NT.West didn’t put up much of a fight. Since he lacked a quick entry, to lead a third heart was futile. At Trick Three, West should shift to the queen of spades. When East gets in with the queen of diamonds, he will return a spade. Then South can take only eight tricks.DAILY QUESTIONYou hold: S 8 6 5 4 H...

Surgen nuevos detalles sobre las víctimas del tiroteo de Praga

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:50 GMT

(CNN) — República Checa observa este sábado una jornada de luto nacional tras el peor tiroteo de la historia del país en tiempos de paz, que ha dejado 14 muertos y decenas de heridos en la Universidad Carolina de Praga.Entre las víctimas había varios jóvenes estudiantes, un profesor muy querido y un respetado jefe de departamento. El gobierno ordenó que las banderas ondearan a media asta y dijo que se guardaría un minuto de silencio a mediodía en todo el país.Las campanas de todo el país repicarán por las víctimas del atentado, según el primer ministro checo, Petr Fiala.La nación centroeuropea de 10 millones de habitantes quedó conmocionada y horrorizada después de que un hombre armado abriera fuego en la Escuela de Artes de la universidad el jueves, en lo que debía ser el penúltimo día de clases antes de las vacaciones de Navidad.En total hubo 14 víctimas mortales: 13 fueron halladas muertas en el lugar de los hechos, descrito por varios policías veteranos como el sitio más h...