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Polish government plans referendum asking if voters want ‘thousands of illegal immigrants’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s ruling party wants to ask voters in a referendum whether they support accepting “thousands of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Africa” as part of a European Union relocation plan, the prime minister said Sunday, as his conservative party seeks to stave off a challenge from the political opposition.Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the referendum question in a new video published on social media. It indicated that his party, Law and Justice, is seeking to use migration in his general election campaign, a tactic that helped it take power in 2015.The government has previously said it wants to hold the referendum alongside the fall parliamentary election, scheduled for Oct. 15. Leaders have announced two other questions in recent days.Morawiecki said that the question would say: “Do you support the admission of thousands of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Africa under the forced relocation mechanism imposed by the European ...

4 people dead and 1 missing after explosion destroys 3 structures in western Pennsylvania

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

PLUM, Pa. (AP) — Four people were dead and a fifth was unaccounted for following a house explosion in western Pennsylvania that destroyed three structures and damaged at least a dozen others Saturday morning, authorities said.Allegheny County officials said three people were taken to hospitals after the blast shortly before 10:30 a.m. in the borough of Plum, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh.Three people were transported to area hospitals, including one who was listed in critical condition and two who were treated and released. More than 20 firefighters were evaluated, many for heat exhaustion, authorities said.The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office was expected to provide additional information about the deceased victims.Emergency officials suspended operations Saturday night due to weather and concern for the safety of investigators. Crews were expected to resume working at the site on Sunday morning.Emergency responders reported people trapped under debris...

Las Vegas hosts Atlanta after Wilson’s 40-point performance

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

Atlanta Dream (15-14, 9-8 Eastern Conference) at Las Vegas Aces (26-3, 15-1 Western Conference)Las Vegas; Sunday, 9 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Aces -17.5; over/under is 175.5BOTTOM LINE: Las Vegas hosts the Atlanta Dream after A’ja Wilson scored 40 points in the Las Vegas Aces’ 113-89 victory over the Washington Mystics.The Aces are 14-0 in home games. Las Vegas scores 94.2 points while outscoring opponents by 14.1 points per game.The Dream are 7-9 on the road. Atlanta is sixth in the WNBA with 8.1 offensive rebounds per game led by Cheyenne Parker averaging 2.4.The teams meet for the third time this season. The Aces won 93-72 in the last matchup on Aug. 2.TOP PERFORMERS: Wilson is scoring 21.3 points per game and averaging 9.7 rebounds for the Aces. Kelsey Plum is averaging 19.4 points and 2.9 rebounds over the last 10 games for Las Vegas.Rhyne Howard is averaging 17.7 points and 3.2 assists for the Dream. Allisha Gray is averaging 16.7 points over the last 1...

Guatemaltecos se preparan para votar en conflictivas elecciones presidenciales

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

(CNN) — La segunda vuelta presidencial de Guatemala el 20 de agosto verá a una ex primera dama competir contra el hijo de un expresidente, culminando una carrera problemática que ha preocupado a los observadores sobre el futuro del país, ya que la desigualdad y la corrupción generan turbulencia política en toda la región.Sandra Torres, vista en gran medida como candidata de continuidad para el establecimiento político, competirá contra el candidato anticorrupción Bernardo Arévalo, quien desafió las predicciones al terminar en segundo lugar en la primera ronda de votación en junio.Torres ganó el 16% de la primera vuelta en junio y Arévalo obtuvo el 11,8% de los votos emitidos. Aún así, más del 24% de los votantes emitieron votos en blanco o inválidos y alrededor del 40% de los votantes registrados se abstuvieron, lo que los analistas han atribuido a los altos niveles de desencanto con el sistema electoral de Guatemala luego de que el Estado descalificara a los candidatos de la ...

UK minister wants clampdown on ‘gender-neutral’ bathrooms

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

LONDON — U.K. developers could be required to provide separate male and female bathrooms under draft rules to be unveiled on Monday, amid claims by a U.K. minister that a move towards “gender neutral” facilities is removing the “fundamental right” to “privacy and dignity” for women and girls. Kemi Badenoch, who is Britain’s women and equalities minister, as well as business and trade secretary, said Sunday that the proposed new regulations would apply to new non-residential and public buildings.Under the proposals, which will be published in draft form on Monday, separate single-sex toilet facilities would need to be provided for men and women “and/or” a self-contained private toilet installed. “These proposals will ensure every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities, and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of all,”...

MLB notes: Criticized at the time, Red Sox may have dodged some bullets in free agency

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

Over the past few years the Red Sox have battled the perception that they aren’t willing to spend big in free agency. Even though the club has maintained one of the higher payrolls in MLB, the Red Sox have faced intense criticism for not being bigger players at the top of the free agent market.Things came to a head during this past December’s Winter Meetings when one big name after another came off the board, and the Red Sox seemingly were content to sit on the sidelines.Ultimately the Red Sox wound up having a better offseason than they were given credit for at the time. Masataka Yoshida has proven himself a worthy investment and Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin and Justin Turner have all been valuable additions. Chaim Bloom had a few misses too, but for the most part the Red Sox have been competitive even without some of the splashy signings fans pined for.In many instances, fans should be thankful those players slipped away.For all the big-ticket, premium free agents the R...

China’s foreign minister visits Cambodia days after incumbent premier hands off the job to his son

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — China’s foreign minister visited Cambodia over the weekend to reaffirm his country’s commitment to the southeast Asian country after its incumbent prime minister handed off the job to his son following a one-sided election last month, officials said.Wang Yi is the first foreign leader to visit Cambodia, days after Hun Sen’s announcement that his 45-year-old son and the country’s army chief, Hun Manet, is replacing him. A video of the meeting was posted on Hun Sen’s Telegram channel on Sunday.Eang Sophalleth, Hun Sen’s spokesman, told reporters after the meeting that Wang Yi expressed China’s willingness to cooperate with the newly-appointed prime minister.Hun Sen, the longest-serving government head in Asia, and his party sealed a landslide victory in the country’s general election after barring the main opposition group —the Candlelight Party— from contesting the polls on a technicality. Western nations and rights grou...

Reports: Explosion at restaurant in eastern China kills two

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A gas explosion Sunday at a restaurant in eastern China killed two people, state media reported, two months after a deadly restaurant blast prompted the government to order a safety crackdown.The explosion at 7:15 a.m. at a grilled fish restaurant in the city of Gaomi was powerful enough to knock a passing car sideways on the street outside, according to a video on the website of the Beijing Youth Daily newspaper.The cause was under investigation, state TV reported on its website. The reports gave no details of who was killed or how. State TV said two people also were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordered a national safety campaign in June after 31 people were killed in cooking gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in the northwestern city of Yinchuan.The Associated Press

Niger’s junta gains upper hand over regional bloc threatening military force, analysts say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — One week after a deadline passed for mutinous soldiers in Niger to reinstate the country’s ousted president or face military intervention, the junta has not acquiesced. No military action has been taken and the coup leaders appear to have gained the upper hand over the regional group that issued the threat, analysts say.The West African regional bloc ECOWAS had given the soldiers that overthrew Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum until last Sunday to release and reinstate him or they threatened military action. On Thursday, the bloc ordered the deployment of a “standby” force to restore constitutional rule in Niger, with Nigeria, Benin, Senegal and Ivory Coast saying they would contribute troops.But it’s unclear when, how or if the troops will deploy. The move could take weeks or months to set into motion, and while the bloc decides what to do the junta is gaining power, some say.“It looks the putschists have won and will st...

Daily horoscope for August 13, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:27 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Cancer.Happy Birthday for Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023:You are purposeful, tenacious and ambitious. You remember things, and you are multitalented. This is an exciting time for you because you are beginning a new nine-year cycle. Stay flexible so that you can consider your options and be ready to move in a new direction whenever you want.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★★This is a five-star day for having fun, socializing and enjoying entertaining diversions, the theater, movies, playful activities with kids and sports. Pack a picnic. Meet some friends. This is also a lovely day to begin a new flirtation or enhance an existing romance. Enjoy! Tonight: Surprise. This Week: Party, socialize!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★You will enjoy redecorating or doing something to make your home more beautiful today. Then you can invite family and friends over to admire your efforts. This is a fabulous day to entert...