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UK minister wants clampdown on ‘gender-neutral’ bathrooms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

LONDON — U.K. developers could be required to provide separate male and female bathrooms under draft rules to be unveiled on Monday, amid claims by a U.K. minister that a move towards “gender neutral” facilities is removing the “fundamental right” to “privacy and dignity” for women and girls. Kemi Badenoch, who is Britain’s women and equalities minister, as well as business and trade secretary, said Sunday that the proposed new regulations would apply to new non-residential and public buildings.Under the proposals, which will be published in draft form on Monday, separate single-sex toilet facilities would need to be provided for men and women “and/or” a self-contained private toilet installed. “These proposals will ensure every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities, and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of all,”...

MLB notes: Criticized at the time, Red Sox may have dodged some bullets in free agency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

Over the past few years the Red Sox have battled the perception that they aren’t willing to spend big in free agency. Even though the club has maintained one of the higher payrolls in MLB, the Red Sox have faced intense criticism for not being bigger players at the top of the free agent market.Things came to a head during this past December’s Winter Meetings when one big name after another came off the board, and the Red Sox seemingly were content to sit on the sidelines.Ultimately the Red Sox wound up having a better offseason than they were given credit for at the time. Masataka Yoshida has proven himself a worthy investment and Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin and Justin Turner have all been valuable additions. Chaim Bloom had a few misses too, but for the most part the Red Sox have been competitive even without some of the splashy signings fans pined for.In many instances, fans should be thankful those players slipped away.For all the big-ticket, premium free agents the R...

China’s foreign minister visits Cambodia days after incumbent premier hands off the job to his son

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — China’s foreign minister visited Cambodia over the weekend to reaffirm his country’s commitment to the southeast Asian country after its incumbent prime minister handed off the job to his son following a one-sided election last month, officials said.Wang Yi is the first foreign leader to visit Cambodia, days after Hun Sen’s announcement that his 45-year-old son and the country’s army chief, Hun Manet, is replacing him. A video of the meeting was posted on Hun Sen’s Telegram channel on Sunday.Eang Sophalleth, Hun Sen’s spokesman, told reporters after the meeting that Wang Yi expressed China’s willingness to cooperate with the newly-appointed prime minister.Hun Sen, the longest-serving government head in Asia, and his party sealed a landslide victory in the country’s general election after barring the main opposition group —the Candlelight Party— from contesting the polls on a technicality. Western nations and rights grou...

Reports: Explosion at restaurant in eastern China kills two

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A gas explosion Sunday at a restaurant in eastern China killed two people, state media reported, two months after a deadly restaurant blast prompted the government to order a safety crackdown.The explosion at 7:15 a.m. at a grilled fish restaurant in the city of Gaomi was powerful enough to knock a passing car sideways on the street outside, according to a video on the website of the Beijing Youth Daily newspaper.The cause was under investigation, state TV reported on its website. The reports gave no details of who was killed or how. State TV said two people also were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordered a national safety campaign in June after 31 people were killed in cooking gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in the northwestern city of Yinchuan.The Associated Press

Niger’s junta gains upper hand over regional bloc threatening military force, analysts say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — One week after a deadline passed for mutinous soldiers in Niger to reinstate the country’s ousted president or face military intervention, the junta has not acquiesced. No military action has been taken and the coup leaders appear to have gained the upper hand over the regional group that issued the threat, analysts say.The West African regional bloc ECOWAS had given the soldiers that overthrew Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum until last Sunday to release and reinstate him or they threatened military action. On Thursday, the bloc ordered the deployment of a “standby” force to restore constitutional rule in Niger, with Nigeria, Benin, Senegal and Ivory Coast saying they would contribute troops.But it’s unclear when, how or if the troops will deploy. The move could take weeks or months to set into motion, and while the bloc decides what to do the junta is gaining power, some say.“It looks the putschists have won and will st...

Daily horoscope for August 13, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Cancer.Happy Birthday for Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023:You are purposeful, tenacious and ambitious. You remember things, and you are multitalented. This is an exciting time for you because you are beginning a new nine-year cycle. Stay flexible so that you can consider your options and be ready to move in a new direction whenever you want.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★★This is a five-star day for having fun, socializing and enjoying entertaining diversions, the theater, movies, playful activities with kids and sports. Pack a picnic. Meet some friends. This is also a lovely day to begin a new flirtation or enhance an existing romance. Enjoy! Tonight: Surprise. This Week: Party, socialize!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★You will enjoy redecorating or doing something to make your home more beautiful today. Then you can invite family and friends over to admire your efforts. This is a fabulous day to entert...

Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My son dated a girl for 3½ years in high school. Both were sure they had found their life mate. While my husband and I knew it was a long shot, they believed it was true because the girl’s parents had been high school sweethearts.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant Advice | Dear Abby: I had to get rid of my beautiful furnishings because of guests’ stupid comments Advice | Dear Abby: She’s trying to one-up me by being the fun aunt Advice | Dear Abby: I’m 20, he’s 46 and married, and my family isn’t being supportive Advice | Dear Abby: I feel bad about it, but I had to squash my husband’s dream When school ended, they split up, hoping to remain friends and maybe rekindle when they were older. They are now off to college.Before my son left, rumors started flying that the breakup was his faul...

Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates play in game 2 of series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (61-57, third in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (52-64, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Luke Weaver (2-4, 6.75 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 78 strikeouts); Pirates: Mitch Keller (9-8, 4.39 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 154 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Pirates -159, Reds +135; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds take a 1-0 lead into the next game of the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.Pittsburgh has a 52-64 record overall and a 28-31 record in home games. The Pirates are 39-5 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Cincinnati is 61-57 overall and 32-26 on the road. The Reds have a 23-10 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.The teams meet Sunday for the ninth time this season. The Pirates lead the season series 5-3.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 23 doubles, three triples and 15 home runs for the Pirates. Ke’Bryan Hayes is 9-for-32 with a double, a triple, thre...

Diamondbacks and Padres play in series rubber match

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

San Diego Padres (56-61, fourth in the NL West) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (58-59, third in the NL West)Phoenix; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Seth Lugo (4-6, 4.19 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 90 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Brandon Pfaadt (0-6, 7.16 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 42 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -139, Diamondbacks +118; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series.Arizona has a 29-31 record at home and a 58-59 record overall. Diamondbacks hitters have a collective .322 on-base percentage, the eighth-ranked percentage in the NL.San Diego has a 26-33 record on the road and a 56-61 record overall. The Padres have hit 150 total home runs to rank fourth in the NL.The teams meet Sunday for the ninth time this season. The Padres are up 5-3 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Ketel Marte has 19 doubles, seven triples, 19 home runs and 59 RBI while hitting .281 for the D...

Rockies head into matchup against the Dodgers on losing streak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:24 GMT

Colorado Rockies (45-72, fifth in the NL West) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (70-46, first in the NL West)Los Angeles; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Kyle Freeland (4-12, 4.84 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 76 strikeouts); Dodgers: Julio Urias (9-6, 4.39 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 87 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -363, Rockies +288; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies look to break their four-game slide with a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.Los Angeles is 37-20 at home and 70-46 overall. The Dodgers have the eighth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .252.Colorado has a 20-42 record on the road and a 45-72 record overall. The Rockies have the 10th-ranked team batting average in the NL at .247.The teams play Sunday for the ninth time this season. The Dodgers lead the season series 7-1.TOP PERFORMERS: Freddie Freeman has 43 doubles, two triples and 23 home runs while hitting .344 for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts is 14-for-39 with four doubles and three home ...