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WTOP Book Report: ‘What the Taliban Told Me’ reveals lessons from a battlefield translator

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio Author Ian Fritz talks with WTOP's Terik King $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); if( typeof gtag === "function" ){ gtag('event', 'post_audio', { 'play': audio_filename, 'permalink': window.location.href }); } }); }); This story was written as part of the WTOP Book Report series authored by Terik King. Read more of that coverage. War literature, at its most powerful,...

Un científico africano podría acabar con la malaria editando el ADN de un mosquito

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

(CNN) —  Abdoulaye Diabate enfrentó un ataque de malaria que puso en peligro su vida cuando solo tenía cinco años. Diabate sobrevivió por poco a la enfermedad transmitida por mosquitos, pero sus primos de tres y cuatro años no fueron tan afortunados.Diabate, que ahora dirige entomología médica y parasitología en el Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud de Burkina Faso, está desarrollando una técnica innovadora que potencialmente podría eliminar las especies de mosquitos transmisores de malaria mediante la alteración de sus genes.El científico y profesor nacido en Burkina Faso recibió el Premio Falling Walls de Gestión de la Ciencia y la Innovación 2023 por su investigación, que según los organizadores “ofrece esperanza para el control de la malaria”.Diabate fue nombrado en septiembre como el único africano entre los 10 ganadores mundiales del prestigioso premio de este año y también fue reconocido por la Fundación Falling Walls por “contribuyendo con algunos de lo...

Cameron and Baerbock call for ‘sustainable cease-fire’ in Gaza

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Sunday called for a “sustainable cease-fire” in the Middle East, lamenting that “too many civilians have been killed” in the Israel-Hamas war.In a joint article in the Sunday Times, Baerbock and Cameron made clear that: “We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate cease-fire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward.” “We must do all we can to pave the way to a sustainable cease-fire, leading to a sustainable peace,” they said.The article represents a significant shift in the U.K.’s stance on the conflict in Gaza. The British government has called for a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting, but has stopped short of urging a cease-fire. Germany has staunchly defended Israel’s right to defend itself since the attacks by Hamas on October 7.Last Tuesday, both Germany and the U.K. abstained from voting on the U.N. General Assembly...

Trump quotes Putin in bid to portray Biden as authoritarian

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

DURHAM, New Hampshire — Donald Trump on Saturday turned to the words of an authoritarian in his latest effort to paint President Joe Biden as one.“Even Vladimir Putin … says that Biden’s, and this is a quote, politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy,” the former president told a packed stadium in New Hampshire.Trump also basked in praise from Hungary’s authoritarian prime minister Viktor Orbán.“Viktor Orbán, the highly respected prime minister of Hungary said Trump is the man who can save the western world,” Trump said. Later on he touted his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, “who is very nice.”“He’s not so fond of this administration, but he’s fond of me,” Trump said.During his time in the White House, Trump cozied up to authoritarian leaders like Putin and Kim, praising both at turns and infamously si...

Jimmy Butler’s buzzer-beater denies the Chicago Bulls a sweep in Miami. 6 takeaways from the 118-116 loss to the Heat.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

The Chicago Bulls could not escape the inevitability of Jimmy Butler in the final seconds of Saturday’s 118-116 loss to the Miami Heat.The Bulls overcame two double-digit deficits, surging back to regain a seven-point lead in the third quarter. But several critical mistakes in the final minute dropped them Bulls into another loss.The Heat grabbed four offensive rebounds in the final three minutes, scoring off three of them to tie the game. Then DeMar DeRozan — who finished with a team-high 27 points — turned the ball over with 34 seconds left after the Heat utilized a trap to force the ball out of his hands.Butler hadn’t made waves in the fourth quarter, scoring only two points in the frame before the game-winner. But with the ball in his hand, the score tied and 12 seconds left on the clock, Butler targeted Coby White, a matchup the Heat had been fervently attacking all night. The Bulls failed to spring a trap, leaving White to guard Butler on his own.“...

Patriots mailbag: Another free-agent spending splurge should be coming in 2024

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

The Patriots’ 2023 season has been a slog, but this upcoming offseason should be one of the most exciting in franchise history.Even dismissing potential changes the Patriots could be making on their coaching staff, they have a ton of salary-cap space, needs across their roster and a requirement to spend cold hard cash.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Four under-the-radar Patriots players to watch Week 15 vs. Chiefs New England Patriots | Patriots-Chiefs preview: Can the Pats upset Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid? New England Patriots | NFL notes: Inside the Dirty Show, one of the last hallmarks of New England’s dynasty New England Patriots | Patriots-Chiefs injury report: Bill Belichick adds 2 starters to 7 questionable for Sunday New England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains Patriots veteran running back’s lack of playing time For more on what the Patriots need to spend this offse...

Stephen L. Carter: Activist nuns aren’t likely to outduel Smith & Wesson

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

The internet is buzzing with the news that four orders of Roman Catholic nuns have filed a shareholder derivative suit against Smith & Wesson Brands, seeking to force the company to impose stricter standards for manufacturing and marketing the M&P15 rifle, which is similar in style to the AR-15. What seems to be getting less attention is the question of whether the lawsuit will succeed.(Spoiler alert: almost certainly not.)The shareholder derivative suit has long been the bête noire of boards of directors. But plaintiffs in such cases face a tough slog. Although details vary from state to state, as a general proposition the board will prevail as long as its actions, even if mistaken, were business judgments made in good faith. True, the rule has exceptions, but even plaintiffs asserting more traditional governance claims rarely prevail.For social activists, the slog is tougher still.Consider: Over the past three years, at least 40 shareholder suits have been filed challengin...

Word Game: Dec. 17, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — INTERNED (INTERNED: IN-ternd: Worked in a professional setting to gain supervised practical experience.)Average mark 42 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 55 or more words in INTERNED?TODAY’S WORD — INTERNED indent inert inner intend inter intern need nene nerd nine teed teen tend tender tern tide tied tier tiered tinder tine tinned tinner tire tree trend tried trine edit eider enter entire erne reed rein rend rent retie ride rind rite deer deet denier dent dentin deter diet dieter dine diner dinner dint dire dirtTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissibl...

Horoscopes Dec. 17, 2023: Eugene Levy, control your destiny

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Milla Jovovich, 48; Bill Pullman, 70; Eugene Levy, 77; Ernie Hudson, 78.Happy Birthday: Trust your intuition to point you in the best direction. Opportunity is apparent, but it’s up to you to make the changes conducive to taking advantage of what comes your way. Be wary of anyone trying to scam you. When in doubt, research, ask questions, get the facts and speak up. It’s up to you to control your destiny by blocking outside interference. Your numbers are 5, 16, 22, 25, 33, 37, 46.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Choose to do something energizing and mentally challenging. Traveling or attending a reunion will offer insight into the changes that are taking place in your circles. You may disagree with what you hear or see, but refrain from commenting. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Research will change how you view a global situation. Don’t ignore the truth when dealing with matters that influence loved ones. Be a good listener, but refrain f...

Home design trends spurred by pandemic still booming, architects say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

Home design trends that started during the pandemic are still booming, according to a survey released by the American Institute of Architects this week.D.C.-area homebuyers continue to ask architects for massive windows, multifunctional backyards and grand kitchens that double as workspaces and entertainment places, said David Shove-Brown, AIA member and founding partner at 3877 Design in Washington, D.C.Large windows and cross-functional kitchens are among the “must haves” in home design among buyers and owners, according to the American Institute of Architects survey. (Courtesy 3877 Design)“The home became school, office, recreation center, restaurant and bar all at once,” Shove-Brown said. “Then it became, how do you maximize the use of spaces while maintaining some sense of sanity?”The AIA surveyed more than 300 residential architect firms to gather the data.It discovered that trends like cross-functional outdoor spaces are among key features owners and buyers want and purchase,...