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Mangystau region sees resurgence of rare Persian leopards 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

The personnel of the Kyzylsay Regional Nature Park received reliable evidence of the return of the leopard to the Kazakhstan ecosystem in April. It became apparent that effective monitoring and protection of these rare and magnificent felines requires the combined efforts of various organizations.In 2018, trail cameras successfully recorded the presence of a young male leopard, who was later given the name Tau Sheri. Unfortunately, his remains were found in 2021, though the reason for his death is unknown. Nevertheless, the documented existence of leopards in the area enabled specialists to collect essential evidence, leading to the official recognition of the Persian leopard’s inclusion in Kazakhstan’s Red Book of Endangered Species. This recognition was endorsed by the government in 2021.In May this year, Kazakhstan launched an international transboundary project to study and protect big cats. It is being implemented in Kazakhstan by the Biodiversity Research and Conservation Cent...

Miss Manners: Was I wrong not to let him have the parking space?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What’s the proper etiquette if you’ve accidentally pulled into a parking space someone else was waiting for — without realizing they were waiting for it, and honestly without having been reasonably able to see that they were, because they were past it, facing the opposite direction, without a blinker on? And what if they then get out of their car when you do, saying that you stole their spot?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Their insinuating comments are getting on my nerves Advice | Miss Manners: I’m fed up with being told I’m using offensive words Advice | Miss Manners: I drove three days, then she said there was no room for me Advice | Miss Manners: She’s supposed to be a friend, but she drops innuendo about my marriage Advice | Miss Manners: Is it tacky to bring pastries when I turn in my son’s school application? I wouldn’t hav...

Unlocking Your Cosmic Destiny: The Power of Personalized Star Maps

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

Sponsored ContentIf you’ve ever researched zodiac signs, chances are you either believe in the power of the stars to determine your personality, destiny, and place in the world; or you think it’s all a load of Taurus crap.Although relentless internet bullying may have led you to believe otherwise, these two perspectives can actually peacefully coexist. Unless you’re a tinfoil hat conspiracy theorist, the one undeniable truth about this subject is that the stars are always above us—or around us in every direction, if you want to get a little more scientifically accurate.They watch over us—they bear witness to how we as individual people and as entire societies grow and evolve over time. Their eternal presence has helped us navigate the planet we inhabit; they’ve lit up the sky since way before the dawn of electricity or even fire.We look up to them for inspiration, solace, and in deeply human curiosity. Whether or not you believe in their ability to affect the outcomes of our decisio...

Dear Abby: She makes Christmas a nightmare with her bizarre demands

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I have a sister-in-law, “Helen,” who has appointed herself as the final word on all family events. No other relative has any input into when, where, what, etc., regarding any family celebration. If it’s not her way, it’s the highway.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: If my wife calls me schlubby, can I point out she’s fat? Advice | Dear Abby: My wife says I’m too sensitive about her lovers Advice | Dear Abby: What can I do about my husband’s embarrassing sneeze? Advice | Dear Abby: My ex-wife says these kids are my grandchildren. I’m not so sure. Advice | Dear Abby: My brother has cut all ties, and I don’t even know what I did The biggest problem with Helen is she schedules everything on the date that fits her calendar without regard for anyone else’s. An example: We once celebrated Christmas in February because that worked best for ...

‘Always advertisements:’ Md. sees high turnover for superintendents, but is working to grow its own

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

In the world of education, July isn’t just a month of squeezing in beach weeks or backyard barbecues.It’s a time of transition for school districts, when new superintendents begin the work of settling in to demanding jobs, and in Maryland, those jobs will require them to work through the implementation of a long-term school reform plan called the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.In Maryland, 12 of the 24 school districts in the state appointed new superintendents or interim superintendents in the past two years.Douglas Anthony is the Director of the University of Maryland’s Doctorate of Education and School System Leadership program and said the issue of turnover isn’t new. Anthony, whose experience includes working as a classroom teacher and administrator in Prince George’s County schools, calls the job of superintendent “the toughest in the school system.”A RAND report in 2022 showed 95% of superintendents surveyed agreed the job had gotten harder in the past decade, but that 85% w...

8 people found dead in a boat off Senegal’s coast and a search was launched for possible survivors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Eight migrants were found dead after a boat capsized off the coast of northern Senegal as it tried to reach Europe, the government said.The bodies were recovered by the fire department and the navy and a search for survivors has been launched, Senegalese Interior Minister Felix Abdoulaye Diome said Thursday in the northern fishing city of Saint-Louis where the bodies were brought.The director of the morgue in Saint-Louis, Mourtalla Mbaye, told The Associated Press that approximately 155 people were on board and many of the survivors were injured and receiving treatment in a military zone in the city. Six bodies were brought to his morgue — all were men who drowned. It was unclear how many people survived and how many were still missing, he said.The boat, rescued Wednesday evening, comes days after seven others were found dead and 50 were rescued on a different vessel also bound for Europe and discovered off the coast of Saint-Louis. At least 90 people are feare...

Pirates host the Giants in first of 3-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

San Francisco Giants (49-41, third in the NL West) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (41-49, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Ross Stripling (0-2, 6.37 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 34 strikeouts); Pirates: Rich Hill (7-9, 4.87 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 91 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -125, Pirates +106; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates open a three-game series at home against the San Francisco Giants on Friday.Pittsburgh is 41-49 overall and 22-21 at home. The Pirates are 22-12 in games when they did not allow a home run.San Francisco is 49-41 overall and 23-19 on the road. The Giants have a 25-9 record in games when they did not allow a home run.Friday’s game is the fourth time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 21 doubles, three triples and nine home runs while hitting .265 for the Pirates. Jack Suwinski is 11-for-31 with three doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.LaMon...

Brewers meet the Reds with 2-1 series lead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (49-42, second in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (50-41, first in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Corbin Burnes (7-5, 3.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 102 strikeouts); Reds: Graham Ashcraft (4-6, 6.28 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 61 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -120, Reds +100; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers face the Cincinnati Reds leading the series 2-1.Cincinnati is 50-41 overall and 23-21 in home games. The Reds are 40-9 in games when they scored at least five runs.Milwaukee has a 49-42 record overall and a 23-21 record in road games. Brewers pitchers have a collective 4.10 ERA, which ranks seventh in the NL.Friday’s game is the eighth time these teams meet this season. The Brewers have a 5-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Steer has 14 home runs, 42 walks and 51 RBI while hitting .277 for the Reds. Elly De La Cruz is 16-for-43 with four doubles, a home run and fiv...

Padres visit the Phillies to begin 4-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

San Diego Padres (43-47, fourth in the NL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (48-41, third in the NL East)Philadelphia; Friday, 6:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Yu Darvish (5-6, 4.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 89 strikeouts); Phillies: Cristopher Sanchez (0-2, 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 22 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -115, Phillies -104; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the San Diego Padres to open a four-game series.Philadelphia is 22-16 at home and 48-41 overall. The Phillies have a 15-6 record in games when they did not allow a home run.San Diego has gone 18-24 on the road and 43-47 overall. The Padres have a 21-10 record in games when they did not give up a home run.The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Alec Bohm has 15 doubles, nine home runs and 57 RBI for the Phillies. Nicholas Castellanos is 9-for-42 with two doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games.Fernando Tatis Jr. has a .288 batting averag...

Dodgers try to extend win streak, take on the Mets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:51 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (51-38, first in the NL West) vs. New York Mets (42-48, fourth in the NL East)New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Julio Urias (6-5, 4.76 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 63 strikeouts); Mets: Justin Verlander (3-4, 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 57 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -125, Mets +106; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to keep their four-game win streak going when they visit the New York Mets.New York has a 42-48 record overall and a 20-19 record in home games. The Mets have a 29-19 record in games when they record eight or more hits.Los Angeles has a 51-38 record overall and a 22-22 record in road games. Dodgers hitters have a collective .331 on-base percentage, the fifth-best percentage in MLB play.The matchup Friday is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Nimmo has 13 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs and 41 RBI for the Mets. Francisco Alvarez is 12-for-34 wi...