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After escaping the Taliban, hundreds of Afghans languish in Albania in a prolonged US visa process

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

SHENGJIN, Albania (AP) — Almost two years since he fled Afghanistan to escape the Taliban takeover, Firooz Mashoof is still haunted by the memory of his last day in Kabul — the bus that took him to the airport, getting on a packed plane and taking off as gunfire echoed across the city. “The last thing I saw were the mountains around Kabul and the dreary sunset as the Qatar Airways took off,” he said. Today, thousands of miles from his homeland, the 35-year-old photojournalist and former employee of the Afghan soccer federation, is languishing in warm and sunny Albania. With each passing day, his anxiety grows over the delay in the promised U.S. visa, casting a shadow on his dreams of a new beginning in America. For hundreds of others like him, it’s an emotional roller coaster. Some try to find work and live with a semblance of normalcy but the concern and fear for families back home permeates their days — even in welcoming Albania. They are hopeful, despite the prolonged bureaucracy...

Shooting suspect arrested after 5 people wounded near Washington state music festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

GEORGE, Wash. (AP) — Five people were injured in a shooting near a Washington state campground area hosting a music festival Saturday night, police said.The Grant Count Sheriff’s Office received a report of a shooting shortly before 8:30 p.m. at the camping area near the small city of George, 149 miles (239 kilometers) east of Seattle. Officers pursued the suspect, who was then taken into custody.Five victims suffered gunshot wounds, the sheriff’s office said in a social media post. The names and conditions of the victims were not immediately available.Police said a nearby concert was going ahead as planned. KREM-TV reported the concert was an electronic dance music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre.Organizers of the Beyond Wonderland festival posted a tweet asking concertgoers to avoid a specific gate to the campground but said there was no danger.The Associated Press

Walters: Newsom just another attention-seeking political blowhard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

There’s always been a performative aspect to American politics. Politicians say or do things to seek attention, rather than contribute to governance. But it has become pervasive in recent years.Former President Donald Trump personifies the bombastic approach, saying anything to get his supporters riled up — even to the point of violence – and draw media attention, no matter how detached from reality.Unfortunately, however, Trump is not alone. Politicians of all ideological stripes now see attention-grabbing verbiage as an end unto itself, making declarations and issuing promises with little or no grounding in reality — but that can fool the unwary.California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, is a particularly active performer, scarcely letting a day pass without uttering — or tweeting — something that draws the attention that he apparently craves, particularly from national political media.Newsom regularly exchanges incendiary rhetoric and cheesy stunts with Florida ...

Cinco heridos y un sospechoso detenido tras un tiroteo en un camping en Washington

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

(CNN) — Cinco personas resultaron heridas de bala y un sospechoso está detenido tras un tiroteo en el camping cercano al Gorge Amphitheatre, un lugar de conciertos al aire libre en el centro de Washington, según una publicación en Facebook de la oficina del sheriff del condado de Grant.Beyond Wonderland, un festival de música EDM de dos días de duración, se celebra este fin de semana en el Gorge Amphitheatre.Las autoridades recibieron informes de un tirador en torno a las 8:25 pm hora del Pacífico de EE.UU. en el camping cerca de la ciudad de George, dijo la publicación de la oficina del Sheriff del condado de Grant. A continuación, los agentes persiguieron y “cercaron al sospechoso”, según la oficina del sheriff.Estado de Washington promulga ley que prohibe la venta de la mayoría de armas de asalto“Tenemos cinco heridos confirmados. El sospechoso está bajo custodia. La escena fue asegurada”, dijo la oficina del sheriff. No se facilitaron detalles sobre...

David Freese declines induction into the St. Louis Cardinals’ Hall of Fame

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — David Freese has decided to decline his induction into the St. Louis Cardinals’ Hall of Fame.The former third baseman was a postseason hero for his hometown team in helping the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series. He was chosen for the Hall of Fame by fans, garnering the most votes in online balloting for this year’s class.But in a statement Saturday, the Cardinals said Freese recently informed them he wanted to withdraw his candidacy. That leaves José Oquendo and Max Lanier to be enshrined during ceremonies on Aug. 20.“This is something that I have given an extreme amount of thought to, humbly, even before the voting process began. I am aware of the impact I had helping the team bring great memories to the city I grew up in, including the 11th championship, but this honor means more to me,” Freese said in the statement.One of baseball’s most storied and successful franchises, the Cardinals count the likes of Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Rogers Hornsby a...

Tszyu crushes Ocampo in devastating 1st round to retain WBO interim super-welterweight title

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Tim Tszyu retained his WBO interim super-welterweight title with a stunning first round knockout of Mexican Carlos Ocampo on Sunday.It took the Australian just 77 seconds to knock Ocampo down and successfully defend the belt he claimed with a ninth-round stoppage of American Tony Harrison in Sydney in March.Tszyu first knocked down Ocampo with a big right before finishing the Mexican with a left hook to the delight of the parochial home crowd at the Gold Coast Convention Centre to extend his undefeated record to 23 wins from 23 fights with a 17th KO.“I copped a lot of different adversities going into this fight so for me it was all about getting the job done, just pushing through,” Tszyu said. “I didn’t think it was going to be this early because this guy’s a warrior. But it’s Tim Tszyu here.”Tszyu’s next opponent is undisputed world champion Jermell Charlo, who he will fight on Oct.1 for the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF belts. The pair’s original bout fo...

¡Spoiler! Una explicación de todos esos cameos locos en “The Flash”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

Nota del editor: Esta historia contiene spoilers importantes de la nueva película “The Flash”.(CNN) — La nueva película de superhéroes protagonizada por Ezra Miller, “The Flash”, sigue al héroe titular y superrápido en una odisea en el tiempo en la que literalmente “los mundos colisionan”, tal y como sugiere el eslogan, en una asombrosa secuencia culminante que muestra varias versiones de universos alternativos de ciertos personajes principales de DC. Seguramente emocionará a algunos, mientras que a otros les dejará rascándose la cabeza.La película muestra claramente un amor descarado por el Universo Extendido de DC, así como por todas las películas y series de televisión que le precedieron, además del material original de los cómics. Pero algunas de las referencias presentes al final de “The Flash” son verdaderos huevos de Pascua que ni siquiera los fans más avezados entenderán del todo.“The Flash” se adentra en el m...

Manitoba community to pray for loved ones who died in highway crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

DAUPHIN, Man. — Residents of Dauphin, Man., are expected to seek solace at church services today as they mourn 15 community members who died in a highway crash that also left 10 gravely injured. Father Brent Kuzyk of St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church says part of his liturgy is to be dedicated to victims of the crash. He says he plans to offer prayers for those who died and speak to the community’s overall suffering. The Ukrainian church is among many places of worship in Dauphin that are to address the tragedy during their regular Sunday services. Deacon Frances Stewart of St. Paul’s Anglican Church says she will offer a moment of silence for those who died. She says now is a time to offer comfort and be compassionate as people grieve. “As Christians, we have this wonderful hope, this wonderful promise of the life to come. But at this stage, the important thing is to just get through the first few days and then to be there for the months and years to come,” Stewart said....

Daily horoscope for June 18, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

Moon Alert: After 7 a.m. EDT today (4 a.m. PDT), there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Cancer.Happy Birthday for Sunday, June 18, 2023:You are charming, playful, passionate and adventurous, and you hate to be bored. You have an excellent head for business. Simplicity is the key to life this year. Take charge of your health. Create solid foundations. Explore physical exercise, or perhaps martial arts or yoga.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★For those of you who want to putter around home and get things done, this will be a productive day. You also might entertain at home today. Group gatherings are favored. Tonight: Confusion. This Week: Home and family are your focus.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★You might learn something today. This is certainly an excellent day to study or make long-range practical plans. It’s also a great day for a short trip, because you are particularly upbeat and optimistic. You will enjoy schmoozing with others. Tonight: ...

Dear Abby: I’ve reached my limit with this woman’s unprovoked attacks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:31:25 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m hoping you can help with an ongoing issue I’m having with my husband’s sister.She has verbally assaulted me four times, each time acting like she doesn’t remember what she said or apologizing — only to do it again.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: His mother turns my husband into a bratty child Advice | Dear Abby: I try to help my boyfriend meet people, but he’s resistant Advice | Dear Abby: My husband’s only response is screaming or a death stare Advice | Dear Abby: He gets mad if I say his driving scares me Advice | Dear Abby: My wife is secretive about her meals out, and it makes me suspicious When these assaults happen, she’s intoxicated and high (I suspect she has an addiction problem).I have never been anything but kind to her, her husband and her children, and I never fight back. These attacks happen mostly via phone or text, after w...