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Feel the Force: Hamill carries ‘Star Wars’ voice to Ukraine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — “Attention. Air raid alert,” the voice says with a Jedi knight’s gravitas. “Proceed to the nearest shelter.” It’s a surreal moment in an already surreal war: the grave but calming baritone of actor Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker of “Star Wars,” urging people to take cover whenever Russia unleashes another aerial bombardment on Ukraine.The intrusion of Hollywood science-fiction fantasy into the grim daily realities of war in Ukraine is a consequence of Hamill’s decision to lend his famous voice to “Air Alert” — a downloadable app linked to Ukraine’s air defense system. When air raid sirens start howling, the app also warns Ukrainians that Russian missiles, bombs and deadly exploding drones may be incoming. “Don’t be careless,” Hamill’s voice advises. “Your overconfidence is your weakness.” The actor says he’s admired — from afar, in California — how Ukraine has “shown such resilience … under such terrible circumstances.̶...

Harris to pledge support for African innovation in Ghana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will pledge a new era of partnership with Africa on Tuesday when she speaks from Black Star Gate, which commemorates Ghana’s independence from colonialism.The speech on her second full day in Ghana is part of a weeklong trip that will include visits to Tanzania and Zambia. Harris is the most high-profile member of President Joe Biden’s administration to visit Africa as the U.S. escalates its outreach to the continent. “Together, we will address the challenges we face, and the opportunities ahead,” she says in excerpts from the speech provided by her office.Much of the vice president’s remarks will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, part of her effort to spotlight Africa as a place for American private-sector investment. It’s something that Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo said he hopes to see after years of being overlooked.“We want to be able to change that dynamic,” Akufo-Addo said when he met ...

Family fuels Gary native Johnell Davis as FAU soars into Final Four

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

GARY, Ind. - It's often said family should be your biggest fan and your greatest source of support.There's absolutely no missing that when it comes to the most impactful player from the greater Chicagoland area still playing in the NCAA Tournament.Johnell Davis might be the baby of Lucresia and John's four children, but Nelly - as he's called by those who know him best - continues to be the proud centerpiece of the Davis family, following the leads of his older brothers Jonathan and Jeffery."He would sit on his little ball and he would watch and watch," explained Lucresia. "They'd take him out there and they'd work him out. He'd do everything. He was like, 'This is what I want to do.' Anything his brothers did, it was over. He was going to do what they did and do it better."Johnell's sister Jaunesia provides reason to be proud as well. For three years, she's owned and operated 'We Are the Village' - Gary's only non-profit for special needs children, with no similar facility closer t...

Balanced Timberwolves move into No. 6 seed in West with win over Sacramento

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

The Kings were set for a party Monday night in Sacramento. With a win over Minnesota, the Kings would’ve clinched the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2006.The celebration will have to wait.Minnesota delayed Sacramento’s gratification via a 119-115 victory — its fourth straight win — in California. And, in the process, the Wolves took another major step toward securing their own postseason position.The Timberwolves jumped into the No. 6 seed — which would keep them out of the dreaded play-in tournament — with the win, as Minnesota currently owns the tiebreaker with Golden State.“We’re happy to get the win,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters. “Sacramento has had an unbelievable season so far. They’ve done an amazing job. I’ve got a lot of people here that I’m close with . … I’m pretty sure they’ll get what they deserve out of this season. Those guys are all class and...

Two dead after shooting in Hamburg - investigation ongoing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

Two persons were killed in a shooting in Hamburg, police said on Sunday (26 March) in a second fatal shooting in Hamburg this month.Police stated that they had completed an operation and are now investigating. The spokesperson for the police declined to comment.Bild reported that police were called just before midnight and that 28 vehicles raced to the scene.

Investors to turn to unconventional visa routes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

Experts are predicting that more professionals will use unconventional immigration routes into the UK after the budget failed to offer any significant flexibility for those wishing to start businesses here.Changes to legal immigration policy contained in the budget do not make it any easier for investors and potential business owners to start businesses in Britain. Consequently, many will favour routes such as self-sponsorship, according to one of the UK’s top immigration and visa specialists.The self-sponsorship route has been used by several migrants to legally establish businesses in Britain, and then sponsor themselves on a Skilled Worker visa. The protocol is not an official visa route but is within the rules and can only apply to roles that qualify for Skilled Worker visas.Yash Dubal, director of A Y & J Solicitors which pioneered the route said: “The concessions made in the Budget regarding immigration policy include adding five construction industry roles to the shortage...

Woman hospitalized after social media stunt goes wrong in Orange County Target

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

A new social media challenge, which has people putting buckets on the heads of strangers and filming their reactions, went horribly wrong when woman in Tustin fainted after a group of young men unexpectedly targeted her for the prank.  The incident happened Sunday afternoon at a Target store in Tustin.  Lana Clay-Monaghan, a new mom of twin boys, said she was shopping for baby supplies when she was caught completely off guard by four teenage boys who tossed a bucket over her head and then started recording. They eventually ran out of the store.  “I was looking at some baby soap. I leaned down and my whole world changed,” Clay-Monaghan said. “Everything went quiet, dark and there was really no air. I flipped off what was put over me, around my neck, and I turned around and looked over my left shoulder. To my dismay, it was a group of individuals who were filming me, seemingly for some sort of prank or maybe for something like TikTok.”  A 30-year cancer survivor, C...

LAPD Officers Receive Threats After Names And Photos Published Online

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

Los Angeles District Attorney (LADA) George Gascón said threats have been made on LAPD officers after names and photos of more than 9,000 were published online.The information was unintentionally released by LAPD after a records request, with a site later publishing the officer names and information, including agents working undercover.“LADA is aware that a searchable online database published photos of more than 9,300 Los Angeles Police Department officers, complete with name, ethnicity, rank, date of hire, division/bureau and badge number, including those officers who work undercover,” Gascón said in a statement. “LADA is also aware that threats have been made against officers whose names and information were disclosed on this website. LADA takes the safety of police officers seriously and is working with law enforcement to ensure that anyone threatening to harm law enforcement officers will be held accountable.”LAPD Chief Michel Moore said the request was ...

Prep roundup: Willow Glen freshmen power upset at Mitty – “These two girls are the future”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

Willow Glen 2, No. 2 Archbishop Mitty 0A few hours after the final out, second-year Willow Glen softball coach Don Spingola succinctly summed up how his first-year pitchers performed against a loaded Archbishop Mitty lineup. “In all honesty, our two freshman pitchers lit it up,” Spingola said. The precocious duo of Lea Crawford and Alanna Clincy combined to allow one hit in Willow Glen’s 2-0 victory at crosstown rival Archbishop Mitty. Not only did Willow Glen hand Mitty its only loss of 2023, the Rams were also the first Bay Area public school to defeat the storied private school since Foothill in 2020.“These two girls are the future of Willow Glen,” Spingola said. “We need to make sure we’re throwing them against the best competition.” Sophomore Sienna Wilson and senior McKenna Campbell each drove in a run during the sixth inning to put Willow Glen on top. However, it could be argued it was a defensive play in the second inning that was Wilson’s most important contribution. “It wa...

Las amistades fuertes y estables pueden ser un activo para su salud física, según un estudio

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:09 GMT

(CNN) — Los buenos amigos y la buena salud física pueden estar más estrechamente relacionados de lo que se pensaba, según un nuevo estudio.Según un estudio publicado este lunes en la revista Society for Personality and Social Psychology, los investigadores descubrieron que las experiencias sociales positivas no solo influyen en el nivel de estrés y la capacidad de afrontamiento de una persona, sino también en los indicadores de salud física.En el estudio se hizo un seguimiento de más de 4.000 personas durante tres semanas, que completaron cada tres días en sus teléfonos inteligentes o smartwatches comprobaciones sobre sus experiencias positivas y negativas con sus relaciones sociales más cercanas, así como evaluaciones de su presión arterial, frecuencia cardíaca, estrés y afrontamiento.Según el estudio, tener más experiencias positivas en las relaciones sociales se asoció en general con un mejor afrontamiento, un menor estrés y una presión arterial sistólica más baja, o picos ...