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As Bangladesh opposition stirs violence, voters urged to respect constitution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

Bangladesh goes to the polls either this December or in January. Delivering a free and fair election will add to the country’s rising global respect, as it graduates to middle-income status. The independent Election Monitoring Forum is hard at work trying to protect the democratic process, amid attempts by an opposition party to undermine the election, writes Political Editor Nick Powell in Dhaka.Bangladesh has made huge progress since the restoration of democracy in 1991 and especially since the government of Sheikh Hasina returned to power in 2009. Her policies have transformed the country’s economy, infrastructure and international reputation but like any democratic politician, she must periodically face the voters and an election is now only months away.Bangladesh has important safeguards to protect its democracy, notably a constitutionally mandated Election Commission to run the entire electoral process independently of the government. Its work is reinforced by a voluntary body...

Harriette Cole: My teen just bought a house with her boyfriend, and I fear it will end badly

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am worried my daughter is moving too fast with her boyfriend, whom she has been dating for a year. She is 19 years old, and they just bought a house with both of their names on the deed.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: This silly friction has ruined car trips for both of us Advice | Harriette Cole: His new girlfriend ruined a trip I was looking forward to Advice | Harriette Cole: I thanked her for the gift — then I found out it wasn’t a gift Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m just a kid, and my parents left this heavy decision to me Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m so anxious about my home that I check on it every few hours They are still young and have a lot of growing up to do. This is a huge purchase that may end poorly if they break up.My daughter works extremely hard and is essentially financially independent from me and my husband. She is paying for her own c...

Miss Manners: Am I allowed to point out that these people are short?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a rather tall lady, and when making new acquaintances, I am often asked if I play basketball.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I don’t want to give away any more avocados after what she did Advice | Miss Manners: Am I the only one bothered by how the kids say no? Advice | Miss Manners: It was a bad time for me, and I can’t believe my friend was so heartless Advice | Miss Manners: In a moment of forgetfulness, I made a mortifying offer to a friend Advice | Miss Manners: This shopper was rude to the cashier. Should I have scolded her? While I realize that people are trying to make conversation, I find it annoying and tedious to explain every time that my height has absolutely nothing to do with my athletic ability. I have never played basketball, nor am I particularly into sports in general.It’s nearly to the point where I dread meeting new people because I kn...

Dear Abby: My parents took in my ex while I had to live in my car

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I am 49 and have been divorced for 20 years. When we first separated, my ex moved in with my parents while I struggled to raise my four kids. He stayed there for seven years.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My friend makes silly excuses for why her husband won’t see me Advice | Dear Abby: Would it be awkward to invite her to my wedding dinner? Advice | Dear Abby: I wasted five years on a man, and I want to start dating efficiently Advice | Ask Amy: My dad’s humiliating tell-all book could affect my job hunt Advice | Dear Abby: The insufferable neighbor is trying to claim my boyfriend He moved out, until a year and a half ago. Again, my parents have allowed him back in!While I understand that they shouldn’t have had to cease contact because of the divorce, I don’t feel it’s right for him to be living there. This has caused an ongoing rift between my family and m...

Zambia’s Barbra Banda scores the 1000th goal in Women’s World Cup history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — Barbra Banda of Zambia scored the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history with her penalty kick in the 31st minute against Costa Rica on Monday.The 23-year-old Zambia captain used a clever stutter in her run up to make goalkeeper Daniela Solera jump before sending her penalty to the left with ease. Soon after, FIFA posted its congratulations to Banda on social media.The referee awarded the penalty after Banda appeared to be taken down in the six-yard box by an out-stretched Katherine Alvarado. Costa Rican players argued the call unsuccessfully. This tournament has been the Women’s World Cup debut for Zambia, and the goal was its second ever, giving the Copper Queens a 2-0 lead. The first Zambian goal came in the third minute of the game from Lushomo Mweemba.FIFA has held a Women’s World Cup every four years since 1991. ___AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

FIFA’s final tiebreaker for Women’s World Cup will be the drawing of lots

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — What happens if teams finishing even on points cannot be separated by all of FIFA’s tournament tiebreakers following the completion of the group stage at the Women’s World Cup? Soccer’s world governing body has confirmed it’s the drawing of lots, So, luck of the draw really could determine which team advances to the Round of 16 and which team goes home. FIFA issued a statement explaining the drawing of lots “will only occur should all steps, as outlined in Article 13 of the Competition Regulations, prove unable to determine the ranking.”The tournament’s tiebreaker criteria starts with which of the tied teams in the group has superior goal difference in its group matches and the greatest number of goals scored.If that’s not enough to determine a final rankings, then the head-to-head results between the teams concerned is the tiebreaker. If that doesn’t work, it goes down to a tabulation of how many yellow and red cards each team has accrued through the...

Diamondbacks visit the Giants to start 4-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (56-50, third in the NL West) vs. San Francisco Giants (58-48, second in the NL West)San Francisco; Monday, 9:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson (6-5, 4.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 74 strikeouts); Giants: Alex Cobb (6-3, 2.97 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 100 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants start a four-game series at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.San Francisco has a 30-23 record in home games and a 58-48 record overall. The Giants have a 32-8 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Arizona has a 56-50 record overall and a 28-22 record in road games. The Diamondbacks have the fourth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .258.Monday’s game is the eighth time these teams meet this season. The Diamondbacks are up 4-3 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Conforto has 10 doubles, 13 home runs and 52 RBI while hitting .241 for the Giants. Wilmer Flores is 12-for-35 with three doubles and two home...

Padres try to keep win streak going against the Rockies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

San Diego Padres (52-54, fourth in the NL West) vs. Colorado Rockies (41-64, fifth in the NL West)Denver; Monday, 8:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Seth Lugo (4-5, 3.62 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 79 strikeouts); Rockies: Austin Gomber (8-8, 5.83 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 72 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -208, Rockies +173; over/under is 11 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres seek to prolong a three-game win streak with a victory against the Colorado Rockies.Colorado has a 41-64 record overall and a 24-28 record in home games. The Rockies have a 21-8 record in games when they did not allow a home run.San Diego is 23-29 in road games and 52-54 overall. The Padres are fourth in the NL with 134 total home runs, averaging 1.3 per game.The teams match up Monday for the eighth time this season. The Padres lead the season series 4-3.TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan McMahon has 22 doubles, three triples and 16 home runs for the Rockies. Randal Grichuk is 15-for-39 with four home runs over the p...

Brewers aim to break road losing streak, take on the Nationals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (57-49, second in the NL Central) vs. Washington Nationals (44-62, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Monday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Corbin Burnes (9-6, 3.46 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 131 strikeouts); Nationals: Jake Irvin (3-5, 5.09 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 60 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -200, Nationals +168; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers visit the Washington Nationals looking to break a three-game road losing streak.Washington has a 44-62 record overall and a 20-33 record in home games. The Nationals are 31-11 in games when they scored five or more runs.Milwaukee has a 28-25 record on the road and a 57-49 record overall. The Brewers are 36-15 in games when they record at least eight hits.The teams meet Monday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Lane Thomas has 26 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 55 RBI for the Nationals. C.J. Abrams is 11-for-40 with a double, two home runs and five RBI over the past 10 ...

Marlins play the Phillies in first of 4-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:47 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (56-49, third in the NL East) vs. Miami Marlins (57-49, second in the NL East)Miami; Monday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Taijuan Walker (11-4, 4.06 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 98 strikeouts); Marlins: Edward Cabrera (5-6, 4.74 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 90 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -114, Marlins -106; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins host the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday to start a four-game series.Miami is 57-49 overall and 33-21 in home games. The Marlins have the ninth-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .320.Philadelphia is 56-49 overall and 28-29 in road games. Phillies pitchers have a collective 4.04 ERA, which ranks fourth in the NL.The matchup Monday is the seventh time these teams square off this season. The Marlins have a 4-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan De La Cruz has 22 doubles and 14 home runs for the Marlins. Jean Segura is 9-for-39 with a double and a home run over the past 10 ga...