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Moldovans cast ballots in local elections amid claims of Russian meddling

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldovans are casting ballots in nationwide local elections on Sunday amid claims by Moldovan authorities that Russia has been conducting “hybrid warfare” to undermine the vote in the European Union candidate country.While local elections in Moldova, a country of about 2.5 million people situated between Romania and Ukraine, would not usually garner much international attention, ongoing accusations of Russian meddling add a geopolitical dimension to the vote.Sunday’s ballot will elect nearly 900 mayors and 11,000 local councilors for a four-year term, including key positions such as mayor of the capital, Chisinau. The ballot will be monitored by around 1,500 national and international observers.Two days ahead of the election, Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced a ban on candidates from the pro-Russia Chance Party, which came after Moldova’s national intelligence agency published a report Friday alleging that Russia was trying to “influence the el...

EU should welcome Central Asian workers to train in Europe, EU-Uzbek business meeting told

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

The Europe-Uzbekistan annual business meeting has been held in Brussels. It brought together business and political leaders just days after a roadmap for Europe and Central Asia was signed in Luxembourg, at the first-ever meeting of all of Europe’s and Central Asia’s foreign ministers. It’s an exciting time for relations between the EU and Central Asia’s most populous country, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.The chair of EUROUZ, the Europe-Uzbekistan Association for Economic Cooperation, Klaus Mangold said Central Asia is now much more in focus for Europe. People are looking for a region of peace, growth and stability, a market of 80 million people. He said German exports to Uzbekistan have doubled in the last two years, most importantly of machinery for industrial use.“Raw materials and an educated people equals industrialisation”, he observed. He told German businesses to go to the Technopark in Tashkent to see what was happening. Uzbekistan has advantages in manufacturing, th...

Saturday Night Five: Washington survives, Arizona goes bowling, WSU and Colorado stumble and the CFP path widens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Instant reaction to Pac-12 developments on the field …1. Pinball wizardsThe marquee matchup of Week 10 unfolded exactly as expected, with Washington and USC combining for 94 points, 1,087 yards and one unlikely player of the game: UW tailback Dillon Johnson, who ran over and around the Trojans for an astounding 256 yards — or 156 more than he had gained in any previous game this season..Then again, USC’s defense is like a clump of interstellar dust and gas: It gives birth to stars.Two weeks ago, Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes was on the receiving end of USC’s ineptitude.Last week, Cal  freshman quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the lucky beneficiary.This week, Johnson averaged 9.8 yards per carry — that’s right: 9.8 — scored four touchdowns and rushed for the same number of yards that UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. generated through the air.As a result of their 52-42 victory, the Huskies (9-0/6-0) retain the cushion that accompanies a perfe...

Dear Abby: My sister-in-law always has ‘other plans.’ Should I stop asking?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

DEAR ABBY: “Greta” is married to my husband’s older brother. I have invited her and their family to our home countless times over the past 10 years, giving plenty of time to RSVP.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I haven’t told my wife what I know. Should I stick around? Advice | Dear Abby: I just wanted to sit in their house for a few hours, and they wouldn’t let me in Advice | Dear Abby: I just learned my brother knew a secret that would have changed my life Advice | Dear Abby: My sister says this skeevy man needs to be part of our family Advice | Dear Abby: I was blindsided by my fiance’s threat over this business deal Greta has done the same, and I show up with my “brings.” I then help to clean up and am pleasant.Greta never attends our parties, gatherings, etc. She always responds with, “We have other plans,” or, “We are just going ...

Notre Dame begins season at home against Niagara

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Niagara Purple Eagles at Notre Dame Fighting IrishSouth Bend, Indiana; Monday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Fighting Irish -9; over/under is 129.5BOTTOM LINE: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish host the Niagara Purple Eagles for the season opener.Notre Dame went 11-8 at home a season ago while going 11-21 overall. The Fighting Irish averaged 69.6 points per game last season, 10.2 from the free throw line and 26.4 from beyond the arc.Niagara finished 11-11 in MAAC play and 4-10 on the road a season ago. The Purple Eagles averaged 65.0 points per game while shooting 44.8% from the field and 34.4% from 3-point distance last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

No. 16 Kentucky opens season at home against New Mexico State

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

New Mexico State Aggies at Kentucky WildcatsLexington, Kentucky; Monday, 8 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wildcats -18; over/under is 141.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats host the New Mexico State Aggies for the season opener.Kentucky finished 22-12 overall with a 14-4 record at home during the 2022-23 season. The Wildcats averaged 74.5 points per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 34.7% from deep last season.New Mexico State finished 1-9 on the road and 9-15 overall a season ago. The Aggies allowed opponents to score 71.7 points per game and shot 42.7% from the field last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

No. 22 Villanova begins season at home against American

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

American Eagles at Villanova WildcatsBryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; Monday, 7:30 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wildcats -21; over/under is 139BOTTOM LINE: The No. 22 Villanova Wildcats start the season at home against the American Eagles.Villanova finished 17-17 overall last season while going 10-4 at home. The Wildcats averaged 11.1 assists per game on 23.7 made field goals last season.American finished 9-12 in Patriot League action and 9-9 on the road last season. The Eagles gave up 65.9 points per game while committing 15.2 fouls last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Wisconsin hosts Arkansas State to begin season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Arkansas State Red Wolves at Wisconsin BadgersMadison, Wisconsin; Monday, 8 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Badgers -14.5; over/under is 134.5BOTTOM LINE: The Wisconsin Badgers begin the season at home against the Arkansas State Red Wolves.Wisconsin went 20-15 overall with an 11-6 record at home during the 2022-23 season. The Badgers averaged 65.3 points per game last season, 28.7 in the paint, 12.4 off of turnovers and 3.9 on fast breaks.Arkansas State went 13-20 overall last season while going 2-11 on the road. The Red Wolves gave up 67.6 points per game while committing 16.8 fouls last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

UCLA hosts Saint Francis (PA) for season opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash at UCLA BruinsLos Angeles; Monday, 11:30 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bruins -28.5; over/under is 139BOTTOM LINE: The UCLA Bruins open the season at home against the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash.UCLA finished 31-6 overall with a 17-0 record at home during the 2022-23 season. The Bruins averaged 19.6 points off of turnovers, 12.1 second-chance points and 12.7 bench points last season.Saint Francis (PA) went 10-8 in NEC play and 3-13 on the road a season ago. The Red Flash allowed opponents to score 73.7 points per game and shot 45.2% from the field last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

BYU begins season at home against Houston Christian

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Houston Christian Huskies at BYU CougarsProvo, Utah; Monday, 9 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cougars -29.5; over/under is 152.5BOTTOM LINE: The BYU Cougars open the season at home against the Houston Christian Huskies.BYU went 19-15 overall a season ago while going 12-4 at home. The Cougars averaged 7.3 steals, 3.9 blocks and 13.7 turnovers per game last season.Houston Christian finished 10-22 overall last season while going 2-13 on the road. The Huskies averaged 14.8 assists per game on 26.6 made field goals last season.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source