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An ailing Pope Francis appears at a weekly audience but says he’s not well and has aide read speech

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis presided at his weekly audience with the public at the Vatican, but he said that he’s still unwell and asked an aide to read his remarks for him on Wednesday, a day after canceling an overseas trip.Francis, who will turn 87 on Dec. 17 and had part of one lung removed as a young man,, stood up briefly at the start of the event in a Vatican auditorium and made the sign of the cross, and then sat down.With a soft voice, barely above a whisper, Francis told the public that “since I am not well,” his reading of his speech wouldn’t sound “pretty.” He then handed the printed speech to the aide while Francis remained seated on the stage.On Tuesday, the Vatican announced that doctors had asked the pope, who has a lung inflammation causing breathing problems, to skip a three-day trip to a U.N. climate conference, known as COP28, in Dubai. The trip would have begun on Friday and have seen the pontiff return to Rome on Sunday. The Holy See’s an...

Live updates | Mediators try to extend Gaza truce, which could expire within a day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

With hours left to go before a truce in Gaza expires, international mediators worked to extend it in order to facilitate the release of militant-held hostages and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The cease-fire has paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades.Israel has agreed to extend the truce, which was originally set to expire on Monday, by one day for every 10 hostages freed, and Hamas is expected to release another group of hostages later Wednesday. Twelve hostages, including 10 Israelis, were released Tuesday, bringing the total number of people freed during the truce to 81.Israel has vowed to resume the war in an effort to end Hamas’ 16-year rule of Gaza, but it’s facing mounting international pressure to extend the truce and to spare south Gaza a devastating ground offensive like the one that has demolished much of the north.Hamas’ ability to negotiate and implement the cease-fire suggests that Israel’s air and ground c...

Kuwait’s ruling emir, 86, was hospitalized due to emergency health problem but is reportedly stable

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The ruling emir of oil-rich Kuwait was hospitalized Wednesday “due to an emergency health problem” but later reported to be in stable condition, renewing the longstanding concerns over his health since he became ruler in 2020. The report by the state-run KUNA news agency did not elaborate on the problem faced by 86-year-old Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah. However, Sheikh Nawaf has handed over power several times during his rule to his deputy while facing medical checks and other issues. Given Sheikh Nawaf’s age, the emergency renews concerns about his health. State-run news previously reported that he traveled to the United States for unspecified medical checks in March 2021. The health of Kuwait’s leaders remains a sensitive matter in the tiny Mideast nation bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia which has seen internal power struggles behind palace doors.Sheikh Nawaf was sworn in as emir following the 2020 death of his predecessor, the late Sheikh Sabah...

EU completes ratification of state-of-the-art trade agreement with New Zealand

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

The EU has completed political procedures ratifying the ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand. The decision by the Council of the European Union comes less than a week after the European Parliament gave its consent. The deal is expected to cut some €140 million a year in duties for EU companies. As a result, bilateral trade is expected to grow by up to 30% within a decade, with EU exports growing by up to €4.5 billion annually. EU investment into New Zealand is expected to grow by up to 80%.This landmark agreement also includes unprecedented sustainability commitments, including respect of the Paris Climate Agreement and core labour rights. Trade agreements form part of the EU's open trade – or ‘partnering' - approach, which is one of the three goals of the European Economic Security Strategy presented in June. This agreement also strengthens the EU's engagement in the strategically and economically important Indo-Pacific region.Before the agreement can enter into fo...

When it comes to Russian businessmen, legality and consistency of EU’s sanctions remain obscure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

There is no question that Europe’s reaction to Russia’ invasion of Ukraine called for a unified response from the bloc as it sought to establish itself as a moral force in world politics. However, as the European Union is finalizing its 12th package of sanctions against Russia this month, the lingering question is whether the previous 11 packages are “working as intended” or EU policymakers may have been too hasty in introducing some of them.While the logic of some sanctions was apparently to hurt Russian leadership (and the country’s economy and citizens by extension) for their aggression against the neighbouring country and is quite clear and consistent, others may seem like a proverbial case of throwing baby out with the bathwater. By design, the sanctions are supposed to achieve specific goals by adding economic, financial, and political pressure on entities and individuals. What appears to be missing is a clear-cut exit strategy once the goals are achieved or it becomes clear t...

Dear Abby: I accidentally opened my son-in-law’s mail. Should I tell what I learned?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My stepdaughter, “Lily,” who lives in Canada, is married to an American, “Tom.” Somehow, collection agencies have connected Tom to my husband and me, and we have been receiving letters addressed to him. I opened one by mistake and learned the extent of his debt.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I’m tired of older people sneering about smartphones Advice | Dear Abby: I can’t believe my son spoke to his partner that way Advice | Dear Abby: My sister met a British guy, and now she’s a mouse Advice | Dear Abby: My husband says he can’t wear his wedding ring to the office Advice | Dear Abby: All these women want to date me, and I don’t know what to do Now we are receiving two letters each month for him, and I fear he may have even more debt than I have discovered.We don’t know if Lily is aware of their financial situation. They have spok...

Purdue Fort Wayne takes home win streak into matchup with Green Bay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

Green Bay Phoenix (3-3) at Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (6-1)Fort Wayne, Indiana; Wednesday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Mastodons -10.5; over/under is 140BOTTOM LINE: Purdue Fort Wayne hosts Green Bay aiming to continue its four-game home winning streak.The Mastodons are 3-0 on their home court. Purdue Fort Wayne ranks eighth in college basketball with 44.9 points in the paint led by Jalen Jackson averaging 8.0.The Phoenix have gone 1-2 away from home. Green Bay gives up 63.8 points to opponents while being outscored by 3.6 points per game.Purdue Fort Wayne makes 50.1% of its shots from the field this season, which is 11.9 percentage points higher than Green Bay has allowed to its opponents (38.2%). Green Bay averages 60.2 points per game, 5.5 fewer points than the 65.7 Purdue Fort Wayne allows.The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.TOP PERFORMERS: Rasheed Bello is shooting 45.1% and averaging 15.9 points for the Mastodon...

No. 13 Florida Atlantic hosts Metheny and Liberty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

Liberty Flames (6-0) at Florida Atlantic Owls (5-1)Boca Raton, Florida; Thursday, 6 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Liberty visits the No. 13 Florida Atlantic Owls after Kaden Metheny scored 20 points in Liberty’s 99-62 victory over the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks.The Owls are 1-1 in home games. Florida Atlantic is second in the AAC scoring 83.0 points while shooting 49.4% from the field.The Flames play their first true road game after going 6-0 to begin the season. Liberty ranks sixth in college basketball averaging 12.2 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 42.4% from deep. Kyle Rode leads the team averaging 3.2 makes while shooting 47.5% from 3-point range.Florida Atlantic averages 9.7 made 3-pointers per game, 4.9 more made shots than the 4.8 per game Liberty allows. Liberty scores 18.3 more points per game (85.8) than Florida Atlantic allows (67.5).TOP PERFORMERS: Vladislav Goldin is scoring 14.7 points per game and averaging 6.3 rebounds for the Owls. Johnell Davis is averaging ...

Milton and UAPB host No. 25 Oklahoma

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (4-4) at Oklahoma Sooners (6-0)Norman, Oklahoma; Thursday, 8 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: UAPB takes on the No. 25 Oklahoma Sooners after Kylen Milton scored 25 points in UAPB’s 85-60 win against the Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes.The Sooners are 4-0 in home games. Oklahoma has a 5-0 record in games decided by 10 or more points.The Golden Lions are 1-3 in road games. UAPB averages 17.1 assists per game to lead the SWAC, paced by Rashad Williams with 4.1.Oklahoma makes 50.4% of its shots from the field this season, which is 3.6 percentage points higher than UAPB has allowed to its opponents (46.8%). UAPB has shot at a 47.0% rate from the field this season, 10.1 percentage points above the 36.9% shooting opponents of Oklahoma have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: Otega Oweh is scoring 15.0 points per game and averaging 4.8 rebounds for the Sooners. Le’Tre Darthard is averaging 1.7 made 3-pointers for Oklahoma.Williams is shooting 41.9% from beyond the arc with...

Ohio State plays Central Michigan after Battle’s 21-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:14 GMT

Central Michigan Chippewas (2-4) at Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1)Columbus, Ohio; Wednesday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Buckeyes -23.5; over/under is 140.5BOTTOM LINE: Ohio State takes on the Central Michigan Chippewas after Jamison Battle scored 21 points in Ohio State’s 86-56 win over the Santa Clara Broncos.The Buckeyes are 3-1 on their home court. Ohio State scores 78.7 points while outscoring opponents by 13.5 points per game.The Chippewas are 1-2 in road games. Central Michigan gives up 74.5 points to opponents and has been outscored by 9.7 points per game.Ohio State scores 78.7 points per game, 4.2 more points than the 74.5 Central Michigan allows. Central Michigan averages 64.8 points per game, 0.4 fewer than the 65.2 Ohio State gives up to opponents.TOP PERFORMERS: Bruce Thornton is scoring 17.2 points per game and averaging 2.3 rebounds for the Buckeyes. Roddy Gayle Jr. is averaging 15.0 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 56.7% for Ohio State.Anthony Pritchar...