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Papua rebels release videos showing kidnapped NZ pilot alive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) — Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua province released more photos and videos Friday appearing to show the New Zealand pilot they took hostage last month alive.In a video distributed Friday by rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom, a man wearing a blue jacket is identified as Philip Mark Mehrtens of Christchurch, a pilot for Indonesian aviation company Susi Air who was abducted by independence fighters from the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement. He sat at a wooden block on the ground surrounded by separatists holding various weapons, with the morning star flag that is a separatist symbol. Mehrtens was instructed to read a statement from a piece of paper he held. He said foreign pilots weren’t allowed to work or fly in Papua until it is independent, and that the Free Papua Movement requested the United Nations mediate independence negotiations.In a separate video, Mehrtens delivered a message to his family asking them t...

IS claim attack on senior Taliban governor in Afghanistan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed the governor of Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province and two other people at his office. The regional affiliate of IS — known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province — is a key rival of the Taliban. The militant group has increased its attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover of the country in August 2021. Targets have included Taliban patrols and members of Afghanistan’s Shiite minority. Thursday’s attack in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif killed three people, including governor Daud Muzmal, and injured four others, said local police spokesman Mohammad Asif Waziri.The Islamic State late Thursday claimed responsibility for the attack, naming the assailant as Abdul Haq al-Khorasani. It said Khorasani passed through all security measures to enter the official building and carry out the attack.Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesman, said Muzmal was k...

State aid: Commission approves €200 million Flemish scheme to compensate for reduction or closure of pig production

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a €200 million Flemish scheme to compensate pig producers for reducing or entirely closing their production capacity. The aim of the scheme is to reduce nitrogen emissions in the agricultural sector that result from pig production.The scheme is open to micro, small and medium-sized companies operating a pig breeding unit in Flanders. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants amounting to up to 120% of the loss of value of assets, namely of pigs and facilities, related to the closure of capacity. The scheme will run until 30 June 2025.The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, and in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables member states to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the Guidelines for state aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that ...

Single family residence sells in San Jose for $2.2 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

4326 Belvedere Drive – Google Street ViewThe property located in the 4300 block of Belvedere Drive in San Jose was sold on Feb. 15, 2023. The $2,150,000 purchase price works out to $1,207 per square foot. The house built in 1955 has an interior space of 1,782 square feet. The property features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage, and two parking spaces. It sits on a 6,100-square-foot lot, which also has a pool.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:On Rockwood Drive, San Jose, in September 2022, a 2,147-square-foot home was sold for $1,848,000, a price per square foot of $861. The home has 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In August 2022, a 1,666-square-foot home on Elmhurst Drive in San Jose sold for $1,800,000, a price per square foot of $1,080. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,511-square-foot home on the 1000 block of Maraschino Drive in San Jose sold in November 2022 for $1,710,000, a price per square foot of $1,132. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.&...

Warriors lose in Memphis to go winless on road trip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

MEMPHIS — The Memphis Grizzlies delivered a 131-110 beatdown Thursday night to hand the Warriors their eighth straight road loss in what was another chippy meeting between the teams.Ja Morant remains away from the Grizzlies as the NBA investigates an incident where he flashed what appeared to be a handgun on Instagram Live at a Denver-area nightclub. But even without their star guard, forward Brandon Clarke (Achilles) and center Steven Adams (knee), the Grizzlies controled the game from the start, receiving contributions from up-and-down its roster with six players finishing in double figures scoring.The Warriors weren’t at full strength either. Andrew Wiggins missed his 10th straight game because of a family matter and Jonathan Kuminga became a late scratch after he rolled his right ankle during warmups. With Kuminga out, coach Steve Kerr went with a four-guard lineup, hoping to reverse the Warriors’ trends of slow starts.Again, it didn’t work.Memphis took a...

Data Doctors: Signs your computer is infected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

Q: I’m seeing unusual activity on my computer — what are the signs of it being infected?A: It could be malware. Malware is a general term for any kind of ‘malicious’ software designed to exploit users or cause harm to their devices.Signs of a malware infection can be somewhat obvious or, in some cases, very difficult to detect, depending upon the goals of the author of the software.More Tech NewsMalware that’s designed to exploit users for their personal information, ransomware, or ID theft is the most dangerous, so it’s important not to ignore strange behavior from your computer.Slow PerformanceOne of the most obvious signs of malware is noticeably slower performance.If you’re waiting a long time for your computer to start up or it seems to lag regularly, it’s not necessarily a sign of malware, but it should be investigated either way.Your computer has a finite number of resources that malware or running excessive programs can silently be consuming, which can lead to diminished per...

Maryland DOE releases annual statewide report card, more than half of schools retain gold stars

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

For the first time since the pandemic, Maryland’s State Department of Education has issued its annual report card, complete with star ratings for each school.The report card system includes student achievement growth on state tests in English language, arts, math, postsecondary readiness, proficiency for English language learners, graduation rate and a well-rounded curriculum.The data for the 2021-2022 school year shows that 63% of the state’s public schools held onto their 2019 ratings, one quarter lost a star, and 139 schools gained a star. By a different measure, the MSDE reported that 75% of schools earned three or more stars.More Local NewsMore Maryland NewsMore Education NewsCombination schools are those with an elementary, middle and/or high school configuration (K-12).Of note, 44 of the state’s more than 1,400 schools received one star.According to data in the report, the attendance rate for the state’s 881,471+ students is 91% and the graduation rate is 86%. However, ...

Palestinian suspect killed by Israeli fire in West Bank

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Palestinian man who entered a settlement in the occupied West Bank armed with knives and explosive devices was shot and killed by an Israeli settler on Friday, the Israeli military said, just hours after a Palestinian gunman shot and wounded Israelis in downtown Tel Aviv. The new violence was the latest to grip Israel and the West Bank in one of the deadliest periods of unrest between Israelis and Palestinians in years. The Israeli military said the armed Palestinian slipped into a farm near the settlement of Karnei Shomron, in the northern West Bank, and was fatally shot by an Israeli settler overseeing the land. Palestinian authorities identified the man as 21-year-old Abed al-Sheikh and said Israeli security forces had raided his house and several others in the nearby Palestinian village of Saniriya.Hours earlier, Israeli security forces entered the Palestinian village of Naalin and prepared to demolish the family house of the Palestinian suspected of carrying ...

Memphis Tigers and UCF Knights square off in AAC Tournament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

UCF Knights (18-13, 8-10 AAC) vs. Memphis Tigers (23-8, 13-5 AAC)Fort Worth, Texas; Friday, 7 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: The Memphis Tigers play in the AAC Tournament against the UCF Knights.The Tigers’ record in AAC play is 13-5, and their record is 10-3 in non-conference play. Memphis is the top team in the AAC with 39.8 points in the paint led by DeAndre Williams averaging 10.3.The Knights are 8-10 against AAC opponents. UCF averages 72.1 points and has outscored opponents by 6.6 points per game.TOP PERFORMERS: Kendric Davis is averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals for the Tigers. Keonte Kennedy is averaging 1.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Memphis.Taylor Hendricks is averaging 15.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Knights. CJ Kelly is averaging 13.1 points and 2.2 steals over the past 10 games for UCF.LAST 10 GAMES: Tigers: 7-3, averaging 78.7 points, 31.3 rebounds, 14.5 assists, 8.3 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from th...

San Diego State Aztecs play the San Jose State Spartans in MWC Tournament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:08 GMT

San Jose State Spartans (20-12, 10-8 MWC) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (25-6, 15-3 MWC)Las Vegas; Friday, 9:30 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: San Diego State -8.5; over/under is 127.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 20 San Diego State Aztecs play in the MWC Tournament against the San Jose State Spartans.The Aztecs’ record in MWC play is 15-3, and their record is 10-3 in non-conference play. San Diego State is second in the MWC in team defense, allowing 64.3 points while holding opponents to 42.0% shooting.The Spartans are 10-8 against MWC opponents. San Jose State has a 3-3 record in one-possession games.TOP PERFORMERS: Adam Seiko averages 1.8 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, scoring 6.7 points while shooting 49.0% from beyond the arc. Matt Bradley is shooting 45.2% and averaging 12.8 points over the last 10 games for San Diego State.Omari Moore is averaging 17.8 points and 4.9 assists for the Spartans. Alvaro Cardenas Torre is averaging 9.6 points over the last 10 games for San J...