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Your garden doesn’t like the wildfires, either. Here’s how to help plants handle smoke and ash

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

Smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada drove down air quality across swaths of the Eastern U.S. this week, a problem all too familiar in many Western states. In the New York City suburbs where I live, the air became smoggy and orange, categorized for a time by monitoring agencies as “hazardous.”During the worst of it, I wore a mask inside my house and kept my dog mostly indoors.But my plants stood in the garden with no choice but to breathe the toxic air through the tiny pores in their leaves.If your area is heavily affected by smoke or ash, the first priorities should, of course, be human, home and pet safety. But after securing those, you might find your plants need a little help, too.“When they’re exposed to smoke particles for a short amount of time, plants will bounce back, but a heavy amount of smoke is different than a passing event,” according to Oregon State University Extension community horticulturist Brooke Edmunds, who also is a plant pathologist. “It depend...

PSG president Al-Khelaifi distances himself from Man United bid

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said Saturday that he is not part of a potential Qatari-based bid to buy Manchester United.Speaking in Istanbul ahead of the Champions League final, Al-Khelaifi distanced himself from countryman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s proposed takeover of the storied Premier League club.“Paris Saint-Germain is my club, my heart and nothing to do with Man United,” he said of his Qatari-backed French club.On Friday it was reported Al-Khelaifi, who is also the chairman of the European Club Association, had played a “significant” role in talks over Sheikh Jassim’s attempt to buy out United owners, the Glazer family.Al-Khelaifi said potential investors frequently seek his advice and that he would offer his opinion about United or any other club. He said he was approached at Formula One’s Miami Grand Prix by an investor considering bids for two unnamed English teams.“I’m not working for anyone. I want the best for football,...

¿Cómo tramitar el certificado de discapacidad en Argentina?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

(CNN Español) — El certificado único de discapacidad (CUD) en Argentina es un documento público que posibilita que un ciudadano pueda contar con el acceso a las prestaciones previstas en las leyes nacionales 22.431 y 24.901, según indica la página web del Gobierno de Argentina, que establecen un sistema de protección integral. El trámite para solicitar el certificado es gratuito y se le otorga a quien lo solicite luego de un análisis de la Junta Evaluadora Interdisciplinaria.Las personas que obtengan el certificado de discapacidad tendrán determinados derechos sanitarios cubiertos: contarán con cobertura completa en cualquier servicio de rehabilitación que fuese necesario, medicamentos, equipamiento específico o tratamientos solicitados, según la discapacidad que haya sido certificada. Los poseedores del CUD accederán en forma gratuita al transporte público de pasajeros. Además, según la legislación vigente, se proveerá una ayuda escolar y asignación familiar, por hijo o cónyu...

Canada’s Trudeau shows up in Kyiv on second surprise visit

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

OTTAWA, Ont. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to Kyiv Saturday to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and commit C$500 million in new military aid at a pivotal moment for Ukraine.The Canadian leader started his day placing a wreath at the wall of remembrance at St. Michael’s Monastery, looking at pictures of the thousands of faces of Ukrainians killed in the war so far.Trudeau’s show of solidarity comes at a critical time for Zelenskyy, who has been busy appealing to world leaders for weapons and jets to mount a long-awaited counteroffensive.It’s been nearly 16 months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Progress has been incremental. Canada has pledged more than C$8 billion in financial, humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine to date — and the visit signals there’s more support to come.Trudeau arrived with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. The unannounced visit to Ukraine is both Trudeau and Freeland’s second since war broke out in the co...

Nord Stream saboteurs may have used Poland as base of operations, WSJ reports

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

Poland could have been used as an operating base to carry out the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing findings of a Germany-led investigation.German investigators are examining why the yacht believed to have been used to carry out the sabotage deviated into Polish waters, according to the report. The investigators have been able to reconstruct the two-week journey of the the boat — the Andromeda — during the operation, the newspaper said.The investigators established that the yacht had entered Polish waters by looking into the Andromeda’s radio and navigation equipment, satellite and mobile phones, as well as Gmail accounts, the WSJ said.The report comes after the Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Western intelligence agencies were aware of a Ukraine-backed plan to damage the Nord Stream pipelines three months before the blasts took place. The allegations were promptly dismissed by Ukrainian President Vo...

Boston’s Pride Parade kicks off at Copley Square Saturday morning

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

Boston’s Pride Parade returns Saturday morning as a part of the city’s celebrations for Pride Month.Last year, the parade was canceled because of leadership shake-ups within the Boston Pride Committee.The parade starts at 11 a.m. in Copley Square, and the route will end at Boston Common.

Thousands of bees descend on cricket match forcing play to be suspended

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

(CNN) — In the world of sport, there are many reasons for games to be suspended or postponed.Fans are used to seeing games stopped for downfalls of rain, heavy snow, injuries or even, as seen in recent days, smoke from wildfires.But have you ever heard of bees stopping play?At a cricket festival in Ireland, a game had to be suspended as a swarm of bees descended onto the pitch forcing everyone in the vicinity to hide from the buzzy mob.Players and umpires were pictured lying on the ground at the Mardyke in Cork, trying to avoid the 20,000 bees making themselves familiar with their new surroundings.The bees felt so at home that they even started to make a hive near the pavilion, where lots of the spectators were sat watching.The live stream showing the event declared “bees stop play” as the presence of the bees near the clubhouse meant the game had to be suspended for 112 minutes before it could be restarted.Mauro Dias, who works for local bee rescue service Buzz ...

Trump set to appear at Georgia, North Carolina GOP events | Live updates

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Follow along for live updates on former President Donald Trump, who has been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate. The indictment marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president faces criminal charges by the federal government he once oversaw. Trump faces the possibility of prison if convicted.___What to know:— A timeline of events leading to Trump’s indictment in the classified documents case— Indictment accuses Trump of scheming and lying to keep secret papers— A look at the charges, the special counsel’s investigation and what’s next— Trump faces a string of inquiries in various states and venues as he campaigns for a return to the White House— Does the indictment stand to damage Trump’s standing with voters?___TRUMP HEADED TO GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA FOR CAMPAIGN APPEARANCESTrump is set to campaign in Georgia and North Carolina on Saturday, making his fir...

Canada to send more weapons to Ukraine, Trudeau says on trip to Kyiv

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine — Canada will spend $500 million to help Ukraine’s military fight Russia’s invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday on an unannounced visit to Kyiv, including more weapons and fighter-pilot training.“Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine with whatever it takes as long as it takes,” Trudeau said in a press conference while standing beside Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.“You’re fighting for your country and for values like democracy, freedom, respect, and dignity. And in fighting for Ukraine, you’re also fighting for the future of us all,” Trudeau told Zelenskyy.The visit, which is happening at the invitation of Ukraine, comes amid signs a long-awaited spring counteroffensive against Russia could be underway.It is also happening as there have been wildfires across Canada, with smoke reducing air quality, and after Friday’s resignation of the special rapporteur Trudeau had assigned to p...

Trump’s Congressional allies ready public defense | Live updates

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:21:31 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Follow along for live updates on former President Donald Trump, who has been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate. The indictment marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president faces criminal charges by the federal government he once oversaw. Trump faces the possibility of prison if convicted.___What to know:— A timeline of events leading to Trump’s indictment in the classified documents case— Indictment accuses Trump of scheming and lying to keep secret papers— A look at the charges, the special counsel’s investigation and what’s next— Trump faces a string of inquiries in various states and venues as he campaigns for a return to the White House— Does the indictment stand to damage Trump’s standing with voters?___INDICTMENT EXPECTED TO ADD FUEL TO GOP CAMPAIGN AGAINST JUSTICE DEPARTMENTCongressional Republicans have prepared an aggressive campaign against the Justice Department for months, a key part of former Presi...