Author: catfish

A chance discussion on a starry evening in Botswana, Africa, in 2019 launched an unlikely writing project that teamed the creator of the Mutts comic strip with the Dalai Lama and a prominent La Jolla couple.Cartoonist Patrick McDonnell was on a safari with Jerry Cesak, former “Jeff and Jer” radio personality, and Jerry’s wife, Pam. The men were colleagues on the National Humane Society board at the time.As talk turned to the beauty and exotic creatures around them, Pam related a comment by the Dalai Lama, whom the Cesaks had visited in Dharamshala, India, where the Buddhist leader has lived…

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The threat of deadly terrorism in Africa has grown from strength to strength, with the frequency of attacks rising exponentially. By the counts of African Union’s Algiers-based African Centre on the study of terrorism, Africa witnessed a 400 percent rise in attacks, fueling a 237 percent rise in deaths between 2012 and 2020. And civilians are bearing the brunt of much of these violent attacks by the perpetrators, but also sometimes from counterterrorism operations. According to the Centre’s 2022 Mid-Year Africa Terrorism Trends Analysis, 433 out of the 699 terrorist attacks perpetrated during the first half of 2022 were launched against civilians.…

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Gallery contains 1 image × Photo 1 of 1 africom_logo_jpgrelease_thumbnail Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs  At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 20, 2023.The strike occurred approximately 260 km northeast of Mogadishu near Galcad, Somalia where Somalia National Army forces were engaged in heavy fighting following a complex, extended, intense attack by more than 100 al-Shabaab fighters.The combined actions by partner forces on the ground and the collective self-defense strike is estimated to have resulted in…

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Alec Baldwin’s wife, Hilaria Baldwin’s alleged fake Spanish accent grabbed the attention of the internet when she requested the media to give her family some space. After Alec was charged with involuntary manslaughter following a shooting incident on the Rust set in 2021, Hilaria spoke with reporters in front of her home in Greenwich Village, New York City. While speaking to a few reporters, she said: “I want you guys to realize that we have seven kids, and you being here to escort them to school and to be there when they come home is not good. So on a…

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In 2017 trains hauled 81m tonnes of coal to export terminals. This year about 54m tonnes will go that way; lorries will carry only another 9m. The decline reflects a missed opportunity: international coal prices soared last year after Russia invaded Ukraine. The gap between what coal miners could dig and what they could export last year represents a loss of at least $4.7bn, estimates Jan Havenga of Stellenbosch University. Other miners and manufacturers report similar deficits. The total hit to South African firms from lost exports and the extra costs of going by road will amount to about 400bn…

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A FUND-RAISING day and night will take place at Droitwich Men’s Club to raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice. The event, organised by the club committee and Workies FC, will take place next Saturday, January 28, starting at 10am with a tabletop sale, fun family activities, a tombola and a raffle with numerous prizes donated by local companies. Workies FC coach Chris Elt will also be put in the stocks to raise cash. On the evening there will be a fancy dress disco with a blue and orange theme – the colours of the Acorns logo. Other games will also…

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I WISH to correct the comments made by Oliver Lewis of Reform and his contempt towards the new Welsh school at Maesydre Welshpool. In the first place the previous Powys Independent and Conservative administration need to be congratulated for committing to investing in new schools at Welshpool and ensuring that our young people there have the appropriate facilities for the 21st Century. Likewise the current Lib Dem and Labour administration for ensuring the work is completed. Yes, we’re all well aware of the extra work and cost as a result of Cadw registering part of the old school, and attempts…

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Members of the Pelican Point Book Club in Millsboro recently made an investment in potential future members when they donated children’s books to Read Aloud Delaware. Book club members Bonnie Koether, Susan Adams and others are volunteers in the children’s literacy program. Adams also serves on the Sussex County Committee of Read Aloud Delaware. The book club members also made a monetary donation to the program. Sussex County Director Stacy Penaranda said she is excited about the possibility of more partnerships like this one. “We’d love to get other neighborhood communities involved,” said Penaranda. “These annual book drives are a…

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Former champion Australia and defending champion Belgium displayed tremendous fire power as they thrashed South Africa and Japan respectively to directly qualify for the quarter finals of the Hockey world Cup at the Birsa Munda Stadium here on Friday. Riding on striker Blake Govers’s four goals, title contenders Australia thrashed South Africa 9-2 to top Pool A and later star Tom Boon led the charge with five goals as Belgium outplayed Asian Games champion Japan 7-1 to be at the top of Pool B with better goal difference over Germany. Govers struck in the fourth, 15th, 19th and 20th minutes as…

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Accelerating Digital Inclusion and Sustainable Transformation Global Executives, experts and leaders will take stage, as we return with the 7th Edition Connected Banking Summit in Nairobi, Kenya on March 7, 2023. The Connected Banking Summit Series focuses on building future-oriented banking models by accelerating the pace of digital transformation and delivering a delightful customer experience in line with policy and regulations while ensuring the highest standards of privacy and security. Connected Banking Summit is a not to be missed opportunity for experts, business people, and practitioners from the BFSI fraternity to discuss practical and cost-effective solutions to developing digital banking…

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