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More cargo ships from Ukraine use a civilian corridor despite Russian threats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — A third cargo vessel to depart Ukraine despite Russian threats has been located at a short distance away from Bulgarian territorial waters, maritime officials said Saturday.The Anna-Theresa, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier carrying 56,000 tons of pig iron, left the Ukrainian port of Yuzhny on Friday, Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said. He added that a second vessel – the Ocean Courtesy, traveling under a Marshall Islands flag — left the same port on Friday with 172,000 tons of iron ore concentrate. It was expected to reach Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta Saturday afternoon, according to the global ship tracking website MarineTraffic.The two vessels sailed through a temporary corridor for civilian ships from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports to the Bosporus, Kubrakov said on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. The corridor goes along the western shores of the Black Sea avoiding international waters and using instead those co...

‘Margaritaville’ singer Jimmy Buffett, who turned beach-bum life into an empire, dies at 76

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who popularized beach bum soft rock with the escapist Caribbean-flavored song “Margaritaville” and turned that celebration of loafing into an empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions, has died. He was 76. “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement posted to Buffett’s official website and social media pages said late Friday. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.” The statement did not say where Buffett died or give a cause of death. Illness had forced him to reschedule concerts in May and Buffett acknowledged in social media posts that he had been hospitalized, but provided no specifics.“Margaritaville,” released on Feb. 14, 1977, quickly took on a life of its own, becoming a state of mind for those ”wastin’ away,” an excuse for a life of low-key fun and escapism for those ...

Scholz dismisses talk of keeping nuclear energy option open in Germany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed a suggestion by a junior coalition partner that the country should keep open the option of using its closed nuclear power plants, declaring that atomic energy is a “dead horse” in Germany.Germany switched off its last three nuclear reactors in April, completing a process that received wide political support after Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactor disaster in 2011. But some argued for a rethink after energy prices spiked because of the war in Ukraine.Among those who advocated a reprieve were members of the Free Democrats, a pro-business party that is part of Scholz’s governing coalition.This week, the Free Democrats’ parliamentary group approved a policy statement saying that it wants “to stop the dismantling of the nuclear power plants that are still fit to use” as part of efforts to be prepared for worst-case scenarios. “That is the only way we will remain capable of acting in every situation,” it said.Scholz b...

Russia says it thwarted attacks on Crimea bridge, which was briefly closed for a third time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia’s Defense Ministry said early Saturday that its forces destroyed three Ukrainian naval drones being used in an attempt to attack a key bridge linking Russia to Moscow-annexed Crimea, forcing its temporary closure for a third time in less than a year.One naval drone was destroyed late Friday and two others early Saturday morning, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials. A key supply route for Kremlin forces in the war with Ukraine, the Kerch bridge has come under repeated attack since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. An explosion in October, which Russian authorities said was caused by a truck bomb, left three people dead. A further attack on the bridge in July, killing a couple and seriously wounding their daughter, left a span of the roadway hanging perilously. The bridge connecting Crimea and Russia carries heavy significance for Moscow, both logistically and psychologically, as a key arter...

School boards grappling with AI use in classroom, but formal policies still elusive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

Some of the largest school boards across Canada will begin the new school year without formal policies on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, despite concerns about how the technology will impact learning and academic integrity. But while there seems to be wide consensus on the need for more guidance and vigilance when it comes to AI in schooling, one education expert says blanket policies are not likely to help anyway. The Canadian Press asked 10 school boards in different parts of the country whether they would implement a formal policy for the 2023-24 school year that covers teacher and student use of AI, such as chatbots that can solve math problems or write essays. Among the boards that responded to the survey, none had an official AI-specific policy in place. Some said they would apply their existing codes of conduct to the use of AI in the classroom, while others said they’re in consultations on how to best tackle the fast-growing issue. Toronto District Scho...

Ecologists say life will return to B.C. wildfire zone, but trees may never grow back

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

The charred hills surrounding Lake Okanagan in the B.C. Interior will likely look very different in a year’s time and beyond as life returns to the wildfire-ravaged landscape, ecologists predict.An eruption of low plants, grasses, and shrubs will turn the hills green. Birds and small mammals, as well as deer and bears, will return to feast on berries and other plant life. Carnivores including cougars could move in.But the tall trees destroyed by the fires may never recover or return, said Robert Gray, a wildland fire ecologist.“When you look at West Kelowna, it’s really rocky, steep ground and trees aren’t going to come back very well there. There is not a lot of moisture in the soil and it’s only going to get drier with climate change,” said Gray. “A lot of that landscape may not see a lot of trees come back.”Gray said that by next June, people should expect to see “an explosion of shrubs, grasses, and herbs” sprouting from the ruined forest.“What will happen on that landscap...

N.W.T. officials set to share details about lifting of Yellowknife evacuation order

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — Residents of Yellowknife and a nearby First Nation have been told they’ll be allowed home as early as Sept. 6, barring any increase in wildfire risk.The city and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, which includes the nearby communities of Ndilo and Dettah, issued a joint statement on Friday announcing people will be able to return starting at noon that day.A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon to provide information about the return. Some of the details expected to be shared by government officials include the level of services expected to be initially available, how to plan to travel home safely, and supports that will remain in Alberta for Northwest Territories residents who can’t return immediately because of health concerns.Shane Thompson, the territory’s minister of municipal and community affairs, says people are asked to stay where they are until the evacuation order is lifted on Wednesday.Thompson says people from Hay River, Fort ...

Daily horoscope for September 2, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023:Equality and fair play are important issues for you. You value what is authentic and dislike pretension. This year it’s time to let go of habits, attitudes, possessions and even relationships or friendships that are holding you back. This is because next year is a fresh beginning for you!ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★★★This is a romantic day; the perfect day for a romantic date. It’s a wonderful time to socialize with friends, your kids and casual acquaintances. Everyone will be warm and friendly. Take advantage of this wonderful planetary influence. Make hay while the sun shines! Tonight: Be happy.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★You’re a marvelous host! Because you enjoy good food and drink, your guests benefit from your excellent tastes and enjoy their own quality gustatory experience as well. (Yummers!) Today is a great time to ...

25 Visionary Female Leaders Driving the Climate Change Revolution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

In this groundbreaking feature, we delve into the inspiring lives and accomplishments of 25 remarkable women shaping our planet’s future. This article by solarempower.com will highlight these trailblazers’ contributions to renewable energy and climate change. Through their bold strategies, innovative solutions, and fearless leadership, these women are not only breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, but also leading the charge towards a sustainable and resilient future.Get ready to be inspired by these champions of change who demonstrate that a greener future is not only possible but is being created right now, by those with the vision and courage to drive it forward.25 Women Who Are Leaders in Fighting Climate Change and Promoting Renewable EnergyHere are 25 women who are the planet’s defenders and those who need help exercising their rights. Their story and experience are worth telling for our future global leaders.Christiana FigueresFormer Executive Secret...

Miss Manners: Please decree that people should not knock on a bathroom door

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What should be the proper etiquette/expectation for approaching a single-occupancy bathroom?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: They say they’d rather die than live like I do. How should I respond? Advice | Miss Manners: How should I warn my neighbors about months of noise? Advice | Miss Manners: I cringe when I picture my dear friend in our house Advice | Miss Manners: Is the fundraising tactic of my child’s school tacky or smart? Advice | Miss Manners: Will foreigners just assume I’m a nuisance? When using such bathrooms — at work, at a restaurant or elsewhere — I have no inclination to respond vocally to a knock (and inevitably the knock is loud and jarring). The door is locked and the knocking person will quickly discover that upon trying to enter.I can’t imagine anybody likes to announce their presence in the bathroom when the occupancy quest...