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Rebounding Pope Francis begins Palm Sunday Mass at Vatican

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis opened the celebration Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, presiding at his first ceremony after his hospital stay for bronchitis. On a cloudy morning, Francis wore a long, ivory-colored coat as he was driven into the square aboard a pope mobile. Ahead of him, scores of prelates and priests and tens of thousands of rank-and-file faithful clutching palm fronds or olive branches filled the square. Francis, 86, received antibiotics administered intravenously during his three-day stay. He last previous appearance on St. Peter’s Square was for his regular Wednesday public audience. He was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Policlinic that same day after feeling ill.Palm Sunday opens a heavy schedule of Holy Week appointments for him. At the start of the Mass, Francis took his place in a chair before the towering obelisk as a procession of cardinals in bright-red vestments and other faithful moved through the square.His voice sounded strong as he o...

Boat operated by missing man found near bodies of migrants in St. Lawrence River

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

The search continues for a missing Akwesasne resident whose boat was found near where eight bodies were pulled from the St. Lawrence River this past week.Akwesasne Mohawk Police say two of the migrants have been identified as Cristina (Monalisa) Zenaida Iordache, 28, and Florin Iordache, also 28 and who was carrying Canadian passports for the two recovered children, a one-year-old and a two-year-old.The identities of four Indian nationals have not yet been confirmed.The police service says they are still looking for 30-year-old Akwesasne resident Casey Oakes, whom officers were searching for when the first bodies were discovered on Thursday.Oakes was last seen Wednesday night operating a boat that was found next to the migrants’ bodies, but no direct connections have been made between Oakes and the deaths. Police estimate that there are eight kilometres of waterway to search.Akwesasne straddles the Canada-U.S. border, with parts of the territory in Ontario, Quebec and New York...

Daily horoscope for April 2, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 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 Virgo.Happy Birthday for Sunday, April 2, 2023:You will be forever young. You have an optimistic look on life and are realistic about your hopes and dreams for the future. This year it’s time to create solid foundations in your life, both physically and in an interior way. Let simplicity be a theme as you become grounded and more levelheaded.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★You have duties and responsibilities to perform. Nevertheless, later today, your energy picks up for lively discussions with family members. Tonight: Work. This Week: Problems with others diminish after Thursday’s Full Moon.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★Children might be an increased responsibility. Likewise, you might be discouraged about social plans and relationships with romantic partners. Fortunately, as the day wears on, you have more energy to give. Tonight: Socialize. This Week: Y...

Ask Amy: Should I intervene in my friends’ dog park dispute?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

Dear Amy: I am a retiree and one of my daily pleasures is taking my pup to a neighborhood off-leash dog park.Over time I have developed friendly relationships with a few fellow dog owners. Recently “Friend One,” one of my closer park buddies (a professional dog walker), arrived with an air horn. She claims it’s for the safety of the dogs in the event of a pup scuffle.It does seem to work, although fights are very rare at this park. The problem is that it scares the heck out of another friend’s beloved (non-aggressive) pooch.Friend Two nicely asked Friend One to refrain from honking while her dog was present. Now Friend One won’t show if Friend Two is on-site.I enjoy the company of all involved, and this little fracas has made my daily outings awkward. Should I intervene?Caught Up in a DogfightDear Caught Up: Air horns are an effective and non-invasive “safe” way to distract dogs and break up a fight.I assume that being near an escalating dog fight could be at least as traumati...

Dear Abby: My neighbor lurks near my house and takes pictures. What should I do?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I met one of our neighbors while she was walking her dog. She has since befriended me via additional meetings on the street and walks about once a week.She’s 68, has been looking unsuccessfully for a job for three years and has financial difficulties. I have given advice to her on job searches.I have noticed that she has taken pictures with me in them and pictures of the front of our house. I recently came home late, and she seemed to be lurking near the front of our house. She has asked about our alarm system and when we will be out of town.It is starting to freak me out. How do I unload this person and determine whether she is just troubled or dangerous?CREEPED OUT IN THE EASTDEAR CREEPED OUT: Start being less available for those walks. Vary your schedule so she won’t run into you as often. Use your alarm system religiously and install cameras in your home.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: She dumped me and then she died, and her ...

One motorcyclist killed on Highway 1, another injured in crash with Subaru

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

One motorcyclist was killed and another was seriously injured Saturday after a crash with a Subaru Crosstrek on Highway 1 near the seaside town of Bolinas, according to the California Highway Patrol.Emergency crews declared the first motorcyclist dead at the scene. The motorcyclist with major injuries was airlifted to John Muir hospital. The driver of the Subaru received minor injuries, according to CHP Officer Darrell Horner.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Marin County crash kills one on Highway 1 near Bolinas Crashes and Disasters | Teen boy killed in dirt bike crash in East Bay Crashes and Disasters | Deputy fired after fatal Central Valley crash; he was going 121 mph in the fog Crashes and Disasters | Southern California police pursuit of East Bay man ends in crash, 1 killed and 7 others injured Crashes and Disasters | Pedestrian dead following collision on Highway 4 Horner didn’t have all th...

‘Absurd and destructive:’ Zelenskyy slams Russia’s UN Security Council presidency

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin taking on the rotating monthly presidency of the 15-member United Nations Security Council came just after a young boy was killed by artillery launched by Moscow’s invading forces, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Saturday.“Unfortunately, we … have news that is obviously absurd and destructive,” Zelenskyy said in his daily address Saturday night. “Today, the terrorist state began to chair the U.N. Security Council.”The Ukrainian leader announced that a five-month-old child named Danylo had been killed by Russian munitions in Donbas on Friday. “One of the hundreds of artillery strikes that the terrorist state launches every day,” the Ukrainian leader said. “And at the same time, Russia chairs the U.N. Security Council.”Even though the position at the top of the Security Council is largely ceremonial, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called Russia’s preside...

MLB Notes: Yoshida settling in as one of the boys after hectic spring

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

Masataka Yoshida’s had a lot on his plate these past few months.The new Red Sox outfielder has had to adjust to life in a new country, get to know his new colleagues and prepare for his first big league season, all while taking a three-week detour to participate in arguably the most highly anticipated baseball showcase in his home country’s history.That would be enough to overwhelm almost anyone, but by all accounts the Japanese standout has handled it with aplomb.He’s made fans of his new teammates in the process.“Man he’s fantastic to be around,” said fellow outfielder Rob Refsnyder. “Just great, good energy, super professional, a lot of fun to watch somebody create that much bat speed and power, it’s so sound.”With the World Baseball Classic and now Opening Day in the rearview mirror Yoshida should finally get to settle into a more normal routine. But even in the short time he’s spent with the Red Sox he’s already made a strong impression and established himself as one of the guy...

Magic still have plenty to play for with 5 games left in regular season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

At this point in the NBA regular season, most teams make clear their priorities for the season’s final stretch.Some teams turn their attention to giving players at the end of their rotation more playing time and also focus on moving down the standings with the hopes of improving their draft lottery odds.Others teams take the opposite approach: they push to move up the standings with the hopes of securing a spot in the play-in tournament/playoffs or better seeding for the playoffs.The Orlando Magic have made it clear they’re among the teams taking the second approach.“We know what we’re working toward,” guard Gary Harris told the Orlando Sentinel. “We’re building. We put ourselves in a position to continue to be in the race to make the play-in. Regardless if we make it or not, we know we want to be playing our best basketball this time of the year. Regardless of what happens this year, we know how good we can be. Our goal is the playoffs.R...

With early steals record, Orioles taking advantage of baseball’s bigger bases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

If a base is open in front of Jorge Mateo, get ready. He’s running.The speedy shortstop has been leading the Orioles’ record-setting pace for stolen bases. Baltimore’s 10 steals heading into Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox are the most by any team through its first two games of a season since at least 1901. Mateo is responsible for four of those swiped bags, one of only eight players with multiple steals in each of his team’s first two games and one of two in the 21st century.Major League Baseball introduced larger bases this season — going from 15 inches-by-15 inches to 18-by-18 — thus shrinking the distance between them. And anytime Mateo has set foot on one of those bigger bases, he’s taken off to try to reach the next.“I really love it,” Mateo said. “You gotta be smart. Be healthy this season, just be smart, get on base to take advantage of it.”Last season, Mateo led the American League wit...