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CIF state volleyball: Valley Christian, Crystal Springs Uplands win championships

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

ORANGE — Undersized but unfazed and undaunted, Valley Christian upended powerful Palos Verdes 25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23 to win the CIF Division I state championship at Santiago Canyon College on Friday night.Charley Staats led the Warriors (26-10) with 26 kills and Addison Carbonara belted 21 kills, with freshman opposite Whitney Fleming contributing 12 kills.The CIF crown came in the Warriors’ first appearance since 2016, which capped a four-year run of three appearances with two titles. Both the 5-foot-7 Staats and 5-foot-9 Carbonara play libero in club volleyball, yet had success against a much taller SoCal powerhouse.“The key is being able to move the ball around and set the ball fast so as to not let the block set up,” Valley Christian setter Hailey Newell said.Palos Verdes (25-12) was led by Kendall Beshear with 30 kills and a .311 attack percentage. Beshear is a Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo commit whose club team won the 17s Open Division at Junior Nationals.Middle Daniela...

Israel investiga actos de violencia sexual cometidos por Hamas durante el horror del 7 de octubre

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

Nota del editor: esta historia contiene relatos gráficos y perturbadores de violencia sexual.(CNN) — La policía israelí está utilizando pruebas forenses, videos, testimonios de testigos e interrogatorios de sospechosos para documentar casos de violación durante los ataques de Hamas a Israel el 7 de octubre.Mujeres y niñas atrapadas en los ataques fueron víctimas de brutalidad sexual, tortura física y asesinato, según afirman los testigos.El superintendente de policía Dudi Katz declaró que los agentes han recogido más de 1.000 declaraciones y más de 60.000 videos relacionados con los ataques que incluyen relatos de personas que declararon haber visto mujeres violadas. Añadió que los investigadores no disponen de testimonios de primera mano y que no está claro si alguna de las víctimas de violación sobrevivió.Alrededor de 1.200 israelíes murieron y otros más resultaron heridos ese día en pueblos y granjas cercanos a Gaza cuando combatientes de Hamas pasaron a través de la fronte...

Netanyahu scrambles to quell revolt by far right over Gaza fuel

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel — Benjamin Netanyahu scrambled to quell a revolt by religious nationalists and settler leaders within his increasingly unruly governing coalition demanding he reverse a decision to let two fuel trucks per day enter Gaza — a concession the Israeli prime minister made amid growing U.S. and international pressure. Rebellious coalition partners demanded to have more say over the conduct of the war after Netanyahu’s decision was announced Friday. They argued there should be no delivery of fuel, however limited, to the Palestinian coastal enclave — or any other humanitarian concessions — until Hamas frees the 240 Israeli hostages the group seized on October 7, when gunmen launched an attack on southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people, Israeli officials say.Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right settler leader, insisted the war cabinet be expanded from three people, including Netanyahu, so that all seven parties in the coalition government have a s...

Daisaku Ikeda, head of global Japanese Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai, dies at 95

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Daisaku Ikeda, who headed Soka Gakkai, a Japanese Buddhist organization, that includes famed musician Herbie Hancock and other celebrities in its fold, has died at 95, the Japanese religious organization said Saturday.Ikeda died on Nov. 15 at his home in Tokyo, “from natural causes,” the group said in a statement, without giving details.Along with his two predecessors, Ikeda is credited with reviving Nichiren Buddhism in the modern age, making it more accessible for present-day practitioners by emphasizing a philosophy of goodness, respect for others and being happy and at peace.Soka Gakkai has been set up in 192 countries, drawing more than 8 million member households in Japan and nearly 3 million people outside Japan, according to the group.An educator, photographer and poet, Ikeda played a key role in spreading the teachings abroad, founding Soka Gakkai International in 1975.He met Josei Toda, the second president of Soka Gokkai, during the 1950s when Ikeda was just ...

B.C. New Democrats gather in Victoria for convention ahead of next year’s election

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

VICTORIA — British Columbia New Democrats gather in Victoria this weekend to debate policy and strategy at the party’s convention ahead of next year’s provincial election.Premier David Eby will address party delegates this afternoon.Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is expected to speak to delegates Sunday. Party officials say the weekend gathering marks the first in-person convention since 2019, and the first under Eby, who took over as party leader from former premier John Horgan last November.Eby’s first year as premier has seen the NDP introduce housing policy initiatives, public safety reforms and cost-of-living assistance measures.The B.C. election is scheduled for fall 2024.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2023.The Canadian Press

Shifa Hospital patients, staff and displaced leave the compound, Gaza health officials say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza health officials say many patients, medical staff and the displaced on Saturday left Gaza’s largest hospital, which was taken over by Israeli forces earlier in the week. Palestinian officials and the Israeli military offered conflicting versions about what prompted the mass exodus from Shifa Hospital. Health officials they received an evacuation order from the military on Saturday morning, while the military said it had offered safe passage to those hoping to leave. Before the departure, several thousand people, including medical patients in serious condition, were trapped in Shifa in dire conditions.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Internet and phone service was partially restored to the Gaza Strip on Saturday, ending a telecommunications blackout that forced the United Nations to shut down critical humanitarian aid deliveries because it was unable to coordinate its convoys.Meantime, ...

Daily horoscope for November 18, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. EST today (12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. PST). After that, the Moon moves from Capricorn into Aquarius.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023:You are exuberant, energetic, outgoing and passionate. Your approach to things is refreshing and upbeat. This is the final year of a nine-year cycle, which means it’s time to take inventory of your life. Let go of people, places and things from the past that have held you back.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★This is a wonderful day to enjoy the company of friends and groups. There is one tiny caveat, however. It’s possible to be a bit smug and think that you have all the answers. Be careful about that. Tonight: Generosity.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★You make a marvelous impression on others today because the Moon is at the top of your chart dancing with lucky Jupiter. This makes you appear like a benevolent, successful, affluent person. (Milk this for all it...

Presidential aide Hikmat Hajiyev says Azerbaijan wants peace and normalized relations with Armenia

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

Hikmat Hajiyev, assistant to the president of Azerbaijan on Foreign Policy Affairs, met with journalists in Brussels this week to discuss relations with Armenia after Karabakh's freedom. Armenia has occupied the region since 1991, declaring the Nagorno Karabakh Republic a de facto autonomous state.Hajiyev stated Armenia's unlawful regime is disarmed and out of Azerbaijan.This eliminates hurdles to an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal.We believe this is a historic opportunity to end antagonism and hostility between two countries and construct durable peace based on Azerbaijan's five principles for Armenia.“Then I think that Azerbaijan has also established a model of resolution of one of the most prolonged conflicts on the wider map of Eurasia.”The Karabakh conflict has been one of the OSCE's issues since its founding, although it has not been resolved.Because its aim was to maintain Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijan, the Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship Institute failed.We've ended the milit...

Excellence in journalism recognized at awards ceremony

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

EU Reporter is proud to have sponsored the Journalists’ Charity Media Awards, held in Cardiff this month. The event in the Welsh capital raised money for an organization founded by Charles Dickens, a journalist who became one of the greatest novelists the world has ever known. It also recognised achievements in journalism, at a time when it both faces more challenges and is more essential than ever, writes Nick Powell. Jeremy Bowen reporting from GazaBBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen won the headline Outstanding Contribution to Journalism award in recognition of his 40-year career reporting on conflicts from around the world. He is currently covering the Israel-Hamas conflict but in a video message said: “I would like to thank you all for this fantastic award. It’s a great honour and I’m disappointed not to be with you.”He added: “April next year will be 40 years since I signed on the dotted line with the BBC to become a journalist. I’m very fortunate that I have had a part in s...

What to know about Turkey before your visit

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:57 GMT

Turkey not only offers natural beauty and impressive historical landmarks. It also has infrastructure to support the large number of visitors that enter the country each year. It features excellent public transportation in its major cities, well-connected flights, accessible travel packages and more.You can explore different areas of the country and marvel at its richness. However, there are several things to know before making a trip. From Turkey’s entry requirements, top destinations, mosque etiquette, to travel advisory. Read further to find out more.What should US travelers know before traveling to Turkey?The US and Turkey do not have a visa waiver agreement. What this means for US passport holders is that they must get the Turkey e-Visa online before their trip to the country. The Turkey online visa requirements for US travelers are straightforward. To apply, a passport, email, and debit or credit card are necessary. In the past, it was possible to get a visa on arrival. Howeve...