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Syria’s main al-Qaida-linked group denies it was behind the killing of an Islamic State leader

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s main insurgent al-Qaida-linked group denied it was behind the killing of the Islamic State group’s leader in the country’s northwest saying it would have otherwise claimed responsibility.The security arm of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, made the announcement Friday night, a day after IS blamed the Syrian insurgent group for the death of its little-known leader, Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurayshi, who headed the extremist organization since November.“We categorically deny this claim,” the spokesman of HTS, General Security Diaa al-Omar, said in a terse statement. He said HTS would continue to fight “evil acts” by IS in rebel-held parts of Syria, adding that had his group been behind al-Qurayshi’s death “we would have given the good news to Muslims and announced it directly.”Al-Qurayshi was the fourth IS leader to be killed since the group was founded by Iraqi militant Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and declared a caliphate in large parts of Syria and Iraq in Jun...

Norwegian climber retires after becoming the fastest to climb world’s highest 14 peaks in 92 days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A Norwegian who just became the fastest climber to scale all the world’s 14 highest mountains announced she was retiring from climbing high peaks on Saturday upon her return to Nepal. Kristin Harila along with her Sherpa guide Tenjin were given a hero’s welcome at the Kathmandu airport where hundreds including mountaineers, government officials and well-wishers gathered to welcome them back with cheers and flower garlands.Harila and Tenjin scaled Mount K2 in Pakistan last week, thus concluding the climb of the 14th peak — that is more than 8000 meters (about 26,000 feet) — high in 92 days, shattering the previous record of 189 days.“I don’t think I will try any eight-thousand meters for a while.” Harila said. “I have done 28 eight-thousand meters in total so I think I have done my part.”The 37-year-old climber began the mission of setting a new record in April by scaling Mount Shishapangma followed by other peaks in China as well as Nepal, i...

Daily horoscope for August 5, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023:You are very good at what you do. You’re independent and like to call the shots. You’re an excellent manager and can organize the efforts of others. This year is slower-paced and more laid-back. It’s time to rejuvenate yourself and focus on relationships that make you happy.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★★Enjoy fun outings today. In fact, this is the perfect day for a vacation. Performance arts, the theater, musical concerts, sports events and playful activities with children will be fun choices. Accept invitations to socialize. Enjoy your day! Tonight: You win!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Get ready to entertain today, because this is a wonderful day to entertain friends and groups. You have been busy with redecorating and making things look better. Why not show off what you’ve done? (Or enlist the help of friends to do m...

Miss Manners: Should we warn our guests about our house’s acoustic anomaly?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I just moved into a new two-story home. The primary suite is on the main floor, directly under the only room that will work as a guest room.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: My co-worker said what I did was insulting, but I’ve never heard of this rule Advice | Miss Manners: We accidentally invited them to the wedding. How do we undo it? Advice | Miss Manners: Should I report my mother-in-law for her workplace crime? Advice | Miss Manners: Can we tell the in-laws what wedding gift would be appropriate? Advice | Miss Manners: Am I allowed to point out that these people are short? Unfortunately, we have discovered that when we are in our bedroom, we are able to hear every little noise made in the room above.We plan to have as many visitors, both friends and family, as will honor our home. We don’t want to create any awkwardness or discomfort for our guests ...

Dear Abby: The bride’s dramatic cousins unleashed wedding backlash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I was recently married, and I didn’t invite several of my cousins, some of whom are quite dramatic.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: This unpleasant couple is ruining my peace and quiet Advice | Dear Abby: He put security cameras everywhere, and now he’s logging our activities Advice | Dear Abby: The photos he takes of me are threatening our marriage Advice | Dear Abby: My friends are going to be angry about what I’ve hidden from them Advice | Dear Abby: My parents took in my ex while I had to live in my car While I care about them, we aren’t close, and I rarely hear from them. I don’t regard a wedding as an excuse for a family reunion, so I chose to invite friends who are like family and who have demonstrated they wanted to be a part of my life.I’m now getting backlash from those who were not invited.Was it wrong to invite only the people I knew were genu...

Pakistani police have arrested former Prime Minister Imran Khan at his home in the eastern city of Lahore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police have arrested former Prime Minister Imran Khan at his home in the eastern city of Lahore.Source

Pakistani court convicts former PM Imran Khan in asset concealment case, which could disqualify him from politics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani court convicts former PM Imran Khan in asset concealment case, which could disqualify him from politics.Source

Milwaukee Brewers host the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (49-60, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (59-52, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Saturday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Bailey Falter (0-0); Brewers: Corbin Burnes (9-6, 3.44 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 136 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -252, Pirates +205; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.Milwaukee is 30-25 at home and 59-52 overall. The Brewers have a 23-11 record in games when they did not allow a home run.Pittsburgh is 23-32 on the road and 49-60 overall. The Pirates have a 38-5 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Saturday’s game is the ninth meeting between these teams this season. The Brewers are up 6-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has 16 home runs, 52 walks and 63 RBI while hitting .293 for the Brewers. William Contreras is 14-for-44 with six doubles, a home run and nine RBI over the past 10 games.Brya...

Spain routs Switzerland 5-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Aitana Bonmati scored twice as Spain routed Switzerland 5-1 on Saturday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time. Spain responded emphatically to its 4-0 loss against Japan in its group-stage finale in a blowout against the Swiss in Auckland.Alba Redondo, Laia Codina and Jennifer Hermoso also scored in the win at Eden Park. Codina showed plenty of relief to score from close range after conceding an own goal in the first half. Spain coach Jorge Vilda made some big calls after his team was routed by Japan. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was left on the bench and goalkeeper Cata Coll was picked for her full international debut. They were among five changes to his starting lineup, which paid off as his team produced a dominant performance. Switzerland was one of only three teams that didn’t concede a goal in the group stages, but was 4-1 down by halftime against Spain, which wore blue jerseys instead of i...

Goalkeeper on debut, Putellas benched for Spain’s 5-1 win over Switzerland at Women’s World Cup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:10 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Star playmaker Alexia Putellas came off the bench and goalkeeper Cata Coll made her full international debut on Saturday as Spain beat Switzerland 5-1 to reach the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.Coll, who was the only uncapped player in Spain’s roster, was a surprising replacement for Misa Rodriguez after Spain conceded four goals in a group-stage loss to Japan. Spain coach Jorge Vilda made five changes to his starting lineup for the round of 16 match in response. That included a first start of the tournament for center back Laia Codina, who had an own goal early before scoring just before halftime to give Spain a 4-1 lead.Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Putellas had a 10-month layoff with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee and is still recovering. Spain coaches have managed her gametime so far over the last month.She went on in the 77th minute against Switzerland when the result was already beyond doubt.___ AP World C...