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Pakistan sets up deportation centers to hold migrants who are in the country illegally

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan is setting up deportation centers for migrants who are in the country illegally, including an estimated 1.7 million Afghans, officials said Thursday. Anyone found staying in the country without authorization from next Wednesday will be arrested and sent to one of centers. The move is the latest development in a Pakistani government crackdown to expel foreigners without registration or documents.Jan Achakzai, a spokesman for the government in southwestern Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, said three deportation centers were being set up there. One will be in Quetta, the provincial capital.Azam Khan, the caretaker chief minister for northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said the region also would have three deportation centers. More than 60,000 Afghans have returned home since the crackdown was announced, he said. Migrants who are living in the country illegally should leave before a Tuesday deadline to avoid arrest, he said. Pakistan&#...

Flash flood risk Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While many of us stay dry, we're continuing to watch an area of heavy rain moving through the Hill Country.That widespread rain will slowly move eastward bringing a level 3 out of 4 flash flooding risk to the Hill Country and northwest Austin Metro overnight and into early Thursday. If you're driving overnight, be extra careful and "turn around, don't drown" if you encounter a flooded road. While 1-3 inches of rain will be widespread west of I-35 Wednesday night, localized 4-6"+ rainfall amounts could cause problems.Flash Flood Threat Wednesday night (WPC)NEW: The National Weather Service has expanded the timing and area of the Flood Watch to include ALL of the Austin Metro Counties. The Flood Watch now continues into early Thursday afternoon.Flood Watch until 1 p.m. ThursdayThe rain will continue its eastward movement and approach I-35 during the Thursday morning commute before moving into our eastern counties by late morning. Live, updated rain totals During the...

Taylor ISD names finalist for superintendent

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -– The Taylor Independent School District Board of Trustees named their lone finalist for superintendent on Tuesday night.Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen will start Nov. 13, the district announced. She was Chief of Schools at New Braunfels ISD, Deputy Academic Officer at Hays CISD and a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Del Valle ISD. “We believe Dr. Garcia-Edwardsen’s strong instructional leadership and high expectations will help every student achieve their unique potential. We are excited for the future of our district and community,” Taylor ISD President Marco Ortiz said in the district statement. Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen (Courtesy: Taylor ISD) “I am truly thrilled and profoundly thankful for the opportunity to serve the Taylor ISD community. Our family is enthusiastic about growing alongside Taylor as we embark on growth and development in the area,” said Garcia-Edwardsen in the statement.The district said it chose Garcia-Edwardsen from a na...

Packaging: New EU rules to reduce, reuse and recycle  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

The Environment Committee adopted its proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to promote the use of recycled content.MEPs in the Environment Committee adopted their position on a proposed regulation establishing requirements for the entire packaging life cycle, from raw materials to final disposal, by 56 votes in favour, 23 against and five abstentions.MEPs want to ban the sale of very light weight plastic carrier bags (below 15 microns), unless required for hygiene reasons or provided as primary packaging for loose food to help prevent food wastage.Besides the overall packaging reduction targets proposed in the regulation, MEPs want to set specific waste reduction targets for plastic packaging (10% by 2030, 15% by 2035 and 20% by 2040). The plastic part in packaging would need to contain minimum percentages of recycled content depending on the type of packaging, with specific targets set for 2030 and 2040.By the end of...

Harriette Cole: They think I’m lying about my mental health issues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m a 17-year-old high school student. I have been struggling with mental health issues for some time now.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: Should I tell this man why I won’t get serious about him? Advice | Harriette Cole: I’ve been extremely on edge, and I need a quiet solution Advice | Harriette Cole: My best friend asked to date my crush, and I don’t know what to say Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m not cut out for this class, and the professor isn’t making it any easier Advice | Harriette Cole: She came to my photoshoot, and I’m sure she made a bad impression Unfortunately, my parents do not seem to believe that I am struggling. They accuse me of exaggerating and even outright lying about my feelings.I understand that it can be hard for someone who hasn’t experienced these challenges themselves to understand, but it is extremely frust...

At least 22 people dead and ‘person of interest’ sought after shootings in Lewiston, Maine, officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

(CNN) — At least 22 people are dead and dozens are injured following two shootings Wednesday night at a bowling alley and a restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, and an intensive manhunt is underway for a person of interest, officials say.Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, is a person of interest and should be considered armed and dangerous, Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said.Law enforcement officials in Maine tell CNN that Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve. Card had recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco, Maine, and also reported mental health issues, including hearing voices, the officials said.During a news conference Wednesday night, Sauschuck declined to provide further information about Card. “We’re not prepared to go into (Card’s) background,” he said.At least 22 people were killed, Lewiston City Councilor Robert McCarthy told C...

Miss Manners: I don’t find it adorable what she has trained her dog to do

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend has a small dog. Though well-loved and generally well-behaved, he barks when anyone arrives, not stopping until someone gives him a treat.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: We’re afraid they’ll try to raid the house after the funeral Advice | Miss Manners: I want to abandon this ‘Mom’ business after my mother-in-law’s bad behavior Advice | Miss Manners: The bride’s dress code for wedding guests strikes me as pretentious Advice | Miss Manners: I tried to take the edge off her short-notice cancellation, and she blew up at me Advice | Miss Manners: A stranger sent a letter blasting me. Must I respond? The hostess keeps treats at the door and hands them to guests upon arrival. I gather many find this adorable. I don’t. The barking hurts my ears. Moreover, because I worked to train my own troubled rescue dog, I know rewards reinforce be...

DC police increase patrol in Bloomingdale neighborhood after attack on teachers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

D.C. police have increased their presence in the Bloomingdale neighborhood and escorted kids at the Petit Scholars day care on walks this week, after officials said a homeless man attacked two teachers walking with young kids on Monday.During a Ward 5 safety call Wednesday afternoon, Council member Zachary Parker said he expects the police escorts to continue, and addressed parent and community concerns, explaining it’s a “dynamic and active case.”Russell Fred Dunkley III, 38, was arrested and faces two simple assault charges. He was also charged with lewd acts, misdemeanor sexual abuse of a child and assault on a police officer.Police said Dunkley approached the group and asked for money, and refused to leave them alone despite being asked. When a teacher started calling 911, police said he punched her in the head and then punched the other teacher in the head. Witnesses also said Dunkley exposed himself and started masturbating.Giving an update on the case during...

South Africa selects Pollard to start in Rugby World Cup final and goes with high-risk 7-1 bench

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

PARIS (AP) — South Africa selected Handre Pollard on Thursday to start at flyhalf in the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand and packed its bench with forwards in a high-risk 7-1 split.Pollard was promoted from the reserves along with scrumhalf Faf de Klerk – the same halves combination that started in the Springboks’ victory in the final four years ago.The big surprise from Springboks management Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber was the bench split, with lock Jean Kleyn and No. 8 Jasper Wiese added for an extended “bomb squad” of seven reserve forwards to face the resurgent All Blacks in the first World Cup final between the two fierce rivals since 1995.South Africa experimented with a then-unprecedented 7-1 split in a warmup game against New Zealand ahead of the Rugby World Cup and won by a record 35-7 against a 14-man All Blacks.Hooker Bongi Mbonambi was named in the starting lineup and cleared to play after World Rugby said there was insufficient evidence to ...

Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi cleared to play in Rugby World Cup final

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:02:36 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi will be available to play in the Rugby World Cup final after the sport’s governing body said it found no evidence that he racially abused a rival player. Mbonambi was selected for Saturday’s orld Cup final against New Zealand but his participation could have been jeopardized if he’d been found guilty of misconduct. The case started after England flanker Tom Curry complained of being subject to a racial slur during the Rugby World Cup semifinal against South Africa at the Stade de France last weekend. “Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation,” World Rugby said in a statement Thursday.“Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additio...