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B.C.’s wildfire crisis was forecast, but it arrived decades sooner than expected

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

The onset of large, severe wildfires that threaten communities year after year has occurred earlier in British Columbia than previous research projected, and experts say the record-shattering 2023 season must serve as a springboard for action.The surge stems from a combination of climate change and entrenched forest management practices, which have together created a landscape more conducive to large, high-intensity blazes, says Lori Daniels, a professor in the department of forest and conservation sciences at the University of B.C.“Society is already paying a huge cost for these climate change-fuelled fires,” she says. “The thing we can control in the short term is the vulnerability of the landscape.”Reducing that vulnerability means transforming how B.C.’s diverse landscape is managed. Shifting away from a timber-focused approach that prioritizes conifers over less-flammable broadleaf trees and ramping up prescribed burningare key steps toward protect...

Daily horoscope for September 10, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT today (5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Cancer into Leo.Happy Birthday for Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023:You have strong opinions and a strong will. You are versatile, independent and a survivor. This is a wonderful year for you, because now you are getting credit or acknowledgement for your past efforts. Expect a promotion, an award or kudos of some sort. You deserve this.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Look for ways to enjoy fun plans, entertaining diversions, sports events, playful activities with kids and a chance to appreciate the arts. Kick back and relax today. Ignore people who have an agenda. Tonight: Work. This Week: Work opportunities and improved health.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Although this is a playful time, today you might want to relax among familiar surroundings. You might entertain. Efforts to make your home look more beautiful will be rewarding. Tonight: Socialize. Th...

EU confirms official from Sweden detained in Iran

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

The European Union has confirmed that a Swedish man working for its diplomatic service has been detained in Iran for more than 500 days and vowed to work "relentlessly" to secure his release.Johan Floderus, a 33-year-old official based in Brussels, was arrested in Tehran in April 2022 while on holiday.Iran announced three months later that it had arrested a Swedish national on espionage charges but did not name him.His identity was also kept secret by the EU and Sweden's government.But on Monday it was revealed in a report by the New York Times.The Swedish foreign ministry subsequently confirmed that a Swedish citizen in his 30s had been "arbitrarily deprived of his freedom" and urged Iranian authorities to release him. It said it could not go into any more detail because doing so "would complicate the handling of the case".As he arrived at a meeting in the Spanish city of Cadiz on Tuesday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters that Mr Floderus was inde...

UK rejoins EU science research scheme Horizon

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

The UK is to rejoin the EU's flagship scientific research scheme, Horizon, the government has announced. UK-based scientists and institutions will be able to apply for money from the £81bn (€95bn) fund.Associate membership had been agreed as part of the Brexit trade deal when the UK formally left the EU in 2020. However, the UK has been excluded from the scheme for the past three years because of a disagreement over the Northern Ireland Protocol.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "With a wealth of expertise and experience to bring to the global stage, we have delivered a deal that enables UK scientists to confidently take part in the world's largest research collaboration programme."We have worked with our EU partners to make sure that this is the right deal for the UK, unlocking unparalleled research opportunities, and also the right deal for British taxpayers."Thursday's announcement also states that the UK will associate to Copernicus, the EU's £8bn (€9bn) Earth observation program...

Dear Abby: Why do I meet so many dumb men?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 57-year-old, attractive, single, childless woman. Why is it that the men I meet are just plain dumb?Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: The houseguests know my sheet rule but they refuse to comply Advice | Dear Abby: I’m worried about my 12-year-old’s serious dating Advice | Dear Abby: This boy makes me so happy. Must we break up because of his parents? Advice | Dear Abby: I thought I’d get over my husband’s misdeed but it haunts me Advice | Dear Abby: She decided I can’t be near her children They have the conversational skills of 5-year-olds and the same juvenile behavior. They are either emotionally unavailable and just after sex, or at the opposite end of the spectrum — available emotionally, but the sex is just … OK.I cannot be the first woman to ask the question: Are boys just dumb?— SMARTER THAN I THINK IN IOWADEAR SMARTER: As a...

Nationals and Dodgers play to decide series winner

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (86-55, first in the NL West) vs. Washington Nationals (64-78, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: TBD; Nationals: Trevor Williams (6-9, 5.21 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 102 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Nationals -124, Dodgers -103; over/under is 7 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.Washington has a 31-42 record in home games and a 64-78 record overall. The Nationals are 23-13 in games when they hit at least two home runs.Los Angeles has an 86-55 record overall and a 39-31 record in road games. The Dodgers have the fourth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .257.The teams play Sunday for the sixth time this season. The Dodgers are ahead 3-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Lane Thomas has 32 doubles, three triples and 24 home runs while hitting .285 for the Nationals. C.J. Abrams is 10-for-39 with a triple and tw...

Reds host the Cardinals on home losing streak

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (63-79, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (73-71, third in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (7-10, 4.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 114 strikeouts); Reds: Hunter Greene (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -116, Cardinals -103; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds take on the St. Louis Cardinals looking to stop their three-game home slide.Cincinnati is 35-39 at home and 73-71 overall. The Reds have a 47-14 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.St. Louis has gone 32-39 on the road and 63-79 overall. The Cardinals have the seventh-best team on-base percentage in the majors at .329.Sunday’s game is the 10th meeting between these teams this season. The Cardinals have a 5-4 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Hunter Renfroe leads Cincinnati with 20 home runs while slugging .430. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is 14-for-38 with two home runs and six RBI ...

Phillies and Marlins meet to determine series winner

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

Miami Marlins (73-69, third in the NL East) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (78-63, second in the NL East)Philadelphia; Sunday, 1:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Steven Okert (3-1, 3.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 65 strikeouts); Phillies: Ranger Suarez (2-6, 3.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 94 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins play on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.Philadelphia has gone 42-27 in home games and 78-63 overall. The Phillies are 26-11 in games when they did not give up a home run.Miami has a 33-37 record on the road and a 73-69 record overall. The Marlins have gone 37-12 in games when they did not give up a home run.Sunday’s game is the 13th time these teams meet this season. The season series is tied 6-6.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber leads the Phillies with 59 extra base hits (16 doubles, a triple and 42 home runs). Trea Turner is 16-for-40 with a double, a triple, eight home runs and 18 RBI over the past 10 games.Luis Arraez leads the M...

Braves square off against the Pirates in series rubber match

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (66-76, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Atlanta Braves (92-49, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Luis L. Ortiz (4-4, 4.90 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 48 strikeouts); Braves: Allan Winans (0-0)BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates play on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.Atlanta is 46-25 at home and 92-49 overall. Braves hitters are batting a collective .276, the best team batting average in MLB play.Pittsburgh has a 32-39 record on the road and a 66-76 record overall. The Pirates are 27-8 in games when they hit two or more home runs.The matchup Sunday is the seventh meeting between these teams this season. The season series is tied 3-3.TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Olson leads Atlanta with 48 home runs while slugging .603. Ronald Acuna Jr. is 15-for-44 with six home runs and 12 RBI over the last 10 games.Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with a .268 batting average, and has 30 doubles, five triples, 20 home runs, 43...

DC area prepares for another round of afternoon storms

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

Ominous storm clouds were captured overhead on Saturday afternoon Sept. 9, 2023. (Courtesy, Carol Brown)(Courtesy Carol Brown) Ominous storm clouds were captured overhead on Saturday afternoon Sept. 9, 2023. (Courtesy, Carol Brown)(Courtesy Carol Brown) Forecasters expect another round of wet weather on Sunday after severe storms brought flash flood warnings and widespread power outages to the D.C. area. Here’s what you need to know.WTOP Meteorologist Briana Bermensolo said Sunday’s weather will likely include another chance for storms with “pockets of steady rainfall.” Those rains could bring about another wave of watches for the area.“Heavy downpours and storms will continue through...