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B.C. professor pushing plan to protect marbled murrelet habitat in old growth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

It is only a little bird, weighing a few ounces, but the marbled murrelet is known for its remarkable ability to fly far out to sea to catch fish before returning in the darkness of night to inland treetop nests on mossy limbs.It also inspires outsized devotion among those who want to study and protect it.Royann Petrell of Courtenay on Vancouver Island has been an avid bird watcher since childhood, but in retirement she has taken up the cause of protecting the marbled murrelet’s habitat. The seabird has been listed as “threatened” for decades as habitat loss on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border adds to its precarious existence. Petrell’s birding activities have even landed her in court, fighting a logging company that put up gates in the contentious Fairy Creek area where protests over old-growth logging landed hundreds in handcuffs. Petrell, who’s a retired associate professor at the University of B.C. in the faculty of applied science, claimed the gates ...

Daily horoscope for July 23, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

Moon Alert: After 2:15 a.m. EDT today, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Libra.Happy Birthday for Sunday, July 23, 2023:Others gravitate to you because you are a caring person, which is wonderful. Kindness and generosity are important, but don’t let yourself be taken advantage of. This year is the beginning of a fresh, new cycle for you. Be courageous, adventurous and open any door!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Issues related to vacations, social outings, sports events, romantic relationships, as well as your kids, are a bit up for grabs and in the air at this time. Things are changing fast. Because of this, wait until the dust settles before you act or make a decision. Stay chill. Tonight: Listen. This Week: Socialize and do your own thing!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Home repairs and family conversations might suddenly assume more importance in your world. Ditto for redecorating projects. Listen to what everybody has to offer, th...

F16s needed now

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

Modern fighter jets are levelling the Kremlin's attempts to initiate a naval blockade of UkraineRussia has launched massive missile strikes on Ukraine's Black Sea ports - after the Kremlin pulled out of the grain deal, air attacks are carried out every night. Putin has ordered the complete destruction of Ukraine's port infrastructure and the Russian Navy has launched a naval blockade of its Black Sea coast. The Kremlin wants to economically weaken Ukraine by making it impossible to export its goods by sea. To counter this, the supply of modern F-16 fighter jets will contribute to the lifting of such a blockade, as it will allow it to control the space above Ukraine's territorial waters, as well as to strike deep into Russian defence lines, Dispatches, IFBG.Russia is consistently applying scorched-earth tactics in its war with Ukraine - this time Putin's target was the Ukrainian port infrastructure. Missile strikes take place almost every night, using types of missiles with a ballist...

Ask Amy: The bride’s wedding plan violates my personal standards

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

Dear Amy: I am a Christian woman in my 60s. I have to go to a grandniece’s wedding, and they are having a cocktail hour at a bar next door.I don’t want to go to a bar.My husband thinks it’s OK to go there and have a soft drink. For me, no. I don’t want to be seen in a bar and do not think it’s right for me to even pretend I’m drinking alcohol or put on the illusion of doing so.I want to set a good example for others and maintain my own standards.This wedding is being held in a casino, which I don’t care to go to either, but I am obligated.Would it be acceptable to just stay at the casino between the end of the ceremony and beginning of the reception? Or go to my car?I believe I am being led to stay out of the bar.NondrinkerDear Nondrinker: People who order soft drinks at bars are not pretending to drink alcohol. They are simply enjoying a soft drink at a venue that also serves alcohol.However, you are not obligated to attend the cocktail hour before the reception. This cocktai...

Dear Abby: I’m leaving, and I don’t want to hear their phony farewells

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m a shareholder in a small firm. The other shareholders do not like me. It’s not due to performance or personality issues. It’s because they are a cliquey bunch and I don’t live in their city.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: This guy I just met has gotten very creepy online Advice | Dear Abby: My teen’s phone has deranged her life, but I’m not allowed to take it away Advice | Dear Abby: Am I out of line in asking my college daughter to be an RA? Advice | Dear Abby: My neighbor found out my income and is spreading lies about me Advice | Dear Abby: What if I don’t want to say grace? I will be retiring soon. The tradition is to have a retirement dinner complete with speeches. Any speeches from them would be phony. As for me, a speech about the positives of being with the firm would be very, very short.I would prefer not to have a retirement dinner. W...

Marta enters her sixth Women’s World Cup seeking scoring record, Brazil’s first championship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Brazil starts the Women’s World Cup trying to remain undefeated in opening matches, and then take superstar Marta deep into her sixth and final tournament. It shouldn’t be difficult to move to 9-0 in opening matches for the Selecao, who start Group F play on Monday against tournament newcomer Panama in Adelaide, Australia. Brazil is one of seven teams to qualify for all nine Women’s World Cups, while Panama is one of eight teams playing in the tournament for the first time. Marta’s sixth World Cup will be her last, but she has a chance to make history as the first player — male or female — to score in six tournaments. She’s already the all-time leading scorer in the Women’s World Cup with 17 goals. But more important to Marta is winning the World Cup, something the women’s national team has never done. Brazil lost in the 2007 final to Germany, made it to the quarterfinals in 2011, but was eliminated in the round of 16 ...

Brewers and Braves meet in series rubber match

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

Atlanta Braves (63-34, first in the NL East) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (55-44, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Sunday, 2:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Bryce Elder (7-2, 3.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 84 strikeouts); Brewers: Julio Teheran (2-4, 4.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 35 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -171, Brewers +144; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.Milwaukee has gone 27-22 at home and 55-44 overall. The Brewers have gone 35-13 in games when they record at least eight hits.Atlanta has gone 31-15 on the road and 63-34 overall. Braves hitters are batting a collective .268, the top team batting average in the NL.The teams meet Sunday for the third time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has 23 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 54 RBI for the Brewers. Willy Adames is 9-for-40 with three doubles, three home runs and five RBI over the last 10 games.Rona...

Nationals host the Giants, look to continue home win streak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

San Francisco Giants (54-45, third in the NL West) vs. Washington Nationals (40-58, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Scott Alexander (6-0, 3.04 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 15 strikeouts); Nationals: MacKenzie Gore (5-7, 4.59 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 114 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -116, Nationals -104; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals, on a four-game home winning streak, host the San Francisco Giants.Washington has a 17-32 record in home games and a 40-58 record overall. The Nationals have a 10-16 record in games decided by one run.San Francisco has a 54-45 record overall and a 28-23 record on the road. The Giants have gone 34-9 in games when they scored at least five runs.Sunday’s game is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Nationals have a 4-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Garcia has 12 doubles, four triples and five home runs for the Nationals. C.J. Abrams is 18-fo...

Diamondbacks take on the Reds looking to stop road slide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (54-45, second in the NL West) vs. Cincinnati Reds (54-46, second in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Jose Ruiz (3-1, 5.48 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 38 strikeouts); Reds: Luke Weaver (2-2, 7.22 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 64 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -110, Diamondbacks -109; over/under is 11 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks travel to the Cincinnati Reds looking to break a three-game road slide.Cincinnati has a 54-46 record overall and a 27-26 record in home games. The Reds are 42-10 in games when they scored at least five runs.Arizona is 28-21 on the road and 54-45 overall. Diamondbacks hitters are batting a collective .256, which ranks fifth in the NL.The matchup Sunday is the third time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Steer has 20 doubles, two triples and 14 home runs for the Reds. Matt McLain is 13-for-38 with two doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games.Christian Walker has...

Cubs bring 2-1 series advantage over Cardinals into game 4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (44-55, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Chicago Cubs (47-51, third in the NL Central)Chicago; Sunday, 2:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Jordan Montgomery (6-7, 3.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 101 strikeouts); Cubs: Jameson Taillon (3-6, 6.05 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 67 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -144, Cubs +123; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs bring a 2-1 lead into the next game of the series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Chicago has a 47-51 record overall and a 26-26 record in home games. Cubs hitters have a collective .330 on-base percentage, the eighth-best percentage in MLB play.St. Louis has a 44-55 record overall and a 22-29 record in road games. The Cardinals have hit 135 total home runs to rank seventh in the majors.The teams match up Sunday for the ninth time this season. The season series is tied 4-4.TOP PERFORMERS: Nico Hoerner has 16 doubles, four triples, six home runs and 54 RBI for the Cubs. Cody Bellinger is 17-for-3...