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Graduation gift idea: Step-by-step guide to making a candy-and-cash lei

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

Where do people get those festive candy-and-cash lei for graduation ceremonies? You could scour your local stores and Facebook groups for someone who sells them – but you could also make a custom one for your graduate. The materials for a candy-and-cash lei are relatively inexpensive, and you can customize the different elements especially for your loved one.(Photo by Darleene Powells/MediaNews Group)Materials needed:Cash – the newer the bills, the better.Candy – any fun-sized candy works, but you can also use smaller, compact hard candies.Curling ribbon – you can use your graduate’s favorite colors, or match with their school colors.Clear plastic that can be wrapped around the candy – this guide uses 2-inch clear poly plastic tubing purchased from eBay, but clear cellophane or cling wrap can also be used if necessary.ScissorsTapeAn iron, if available(Photo by Darleene Powells/MediaNews Group)Step one: Sort out the bills. Break out an iron for any that are slightly less than crisp, ...

‘Runnin’, gunnin’ Twins,’ collect first Dodger Stadium win since 2005

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

LOS ANGELES — How’s this for an unbelievable fact?In their entire history — and sure, there hadn’t been all that many opportunities — the Twins had only won one game at Dodger Stadium entering Tuesday night. Ever. That game came in 2005, when most of the players on the current team were just elementary school students.“That blows my damn mind,” designated hitter Byron Buxton said.Buxton and company used a little small ball, some big contributions from relievers forced into different spots and yet another solid start from Bailey Ober to nab the franchise’s second-ever win at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, beating the Dodgers 5-1 and snapping an 11-game losing streak against them.The win came after a hard-fought loss the night before during which the Twins (24-19) twice battled back in the late innings before falling in the 12th. With a bullpen that was taxed from the night before, the Twins knew that if they were going to win on Tuesday, it was going to look a little different than...

Key issues of strengthening political and economic co-operation discussed with EU ambassador

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held a meeting with the Head of the Representative Office of the European Union (EU) in the Republic of Kazakhstan Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas (pictured). The interlocutors discussed further steps to fully realize the potential of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the EU (EPCA). Kazakh Foreign Minister highlighted the effective work of the dialogue platforms established under the EPCA, as well as the dynamically developing engagement at the inter-regional level. In this context, the parties discussed preparation works for the Central Asia – EU Economic Forum that will be held on May 18-19 in Almaty. Special attention was given to the deepening of cooperation in the fields of transport, logistics and infrastructure that have become especially important in the light of the EU Global Gateway strategy. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on relev...

Navigating the mental health epidemic: Challenges and solutions for a connected world

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

Today, we are confronted with the alarming threat of mental health disorders and a growing social divide worldwide. Shockingly, one out of every eight individuals on the planet is affected by some form of mental health issue, and tragically, every 40 seconds, someone takes their own life, writes Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (pictured).An increasing number of individuals are experiencing feelings of being lost, lonely, or invisible. People are becoming more disconnected from one another, as well as from their own inner selves. This leads to heightened stress on an individual's nervous system, which can ultimately lead to a downward spiral of discontent, depression, and even suicidal ideations. Such a negative outlook on life only serves to contribute to further societal polarization and violence.As the world oscillates between extremes of aggression and depression, the growing impact of this endemic is causing widespread socio-economic disruptions. The challenges have only intensifie...

LAPD volunteer identified, recovering after being swarmed by bees in Encino

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

A Los Angeles Police Department volunteer is on the mend and recovering in the hospital after he was attacked by a swarm of bees in Encino Monday.The volunteer identified only as "Gary" was stung anywhere from 50-100 times as he tried to help with traffic control in a residential neighborhood that was actively being terrorized by a swarm of aggressive bees.Gary is an Air Force veteran who has been an LAPD volunteer for nearly 18 years. The terrifying attack happened around 5 p.m. on the 17100 block of West Adlon Road. "It was gut-wrenching," said his son, Daniel, who watched the events unfold on live TV. "I couldn't even believe it. It looked so painful. It’s easy to criticize after the fact, but at the time, I'm sure everyone was doing the best they can or was not sure what to do, but it was just horrible. I was yelling at the screen going, ‘Why aren’t people helping? This is ridiculous. Go out, please help.’"The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene for a report ...

Athletics tie it on Ryan Noda’s grand slam in seventh, win it in 12th against Diamondbacks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

OAKLAND — The Athletics tied it in the seventh inning on a two-out grand slam from Ryan Noda and Esteury Ruiz singled home a run in the 12th for a 9-8 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Coliseum before what was left of a crowd of 3,261.Austin Pruitt (1-1) was the winning pitcher with three scoreless innings of relief despite the presence of a free lead runner. Scott McGough (1-1) took the loss for Arizona. matching Pruitt until the 12th.Ruiz lined a one-hopper off Nick Ahmed with one out, bringing in Ramon Laureano with the winning run.Laureano opened the inning at second and after Shea Langeliers struck out, Jace Peterson was walked intentionally. Nick Allen then reached on an infield single to load the bases, and a Ahmed couldn’t field a smash by Ruiz, allowing the game-winning run to sore.Allen and Laureano also had solo home runs for the A’s, the first for Allen and the fourth for Laureano. For Arizona, Christian Walker hit a two-run shot in the first (hi...

Noda hits tying grand slam in 7th, A’s beat Diamondbacks 9-8 in 12 innings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Noda hit a tying grand slam in the seventh inning, Esteury Ruiz drove in the winning run with an infield single that bounced off Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed in the 12th and the Oakland Athletics beat the Diamondbacks 9-8 on Tuesday night.The A’s came back from deficits of 2-0 and 8-4, winning on a walkoff hit for the second time in five days. Austin Pruitt (1-1) pitched the final three innings for the victory.“We just keep coming in every day believing that we can beat anybody who comes out on that field against us,” Noda said.Both teams wasted scoring opportunities late.Arizona had two on in the eighth and one on in the 11th but couldn’t cash in. The A’s had two on in the 10th and 11th but also failed to score.With Ramón Laureano starting the 12th at second base, Scott McGough (0-4) struck out Shea Langeliers before an intentional walk to Jace Peterson. Nick Allen, who homered in the fourth, then reached on an infield single before Ruiz’s winner in fron...

Muere un veterano del ejército estadounidense en una “descarga” de artillería rusa en Bakhmut

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

(CNN) — Un soldado retirado de las Fuerzas Especiales del Ejército de Estados Unidos fue identificado como el ciudadano estadounidense muerto por la artillería rusa esta semana en la asediada ciudad de Bakhmut, según un amigo cercano y el fundador de un grupo sin ánimo de lucro que trabaja en Ucrania.El sargento retirado Nicholas Maimer se encontraba en un edificio de Bakhmut que se derrumbó tras ser alcanzado por fuego de artillería, según el teniente coronel retirado Perry Blackburn, fundador de la organización sin ánimo de lucro AFGFree, con la que Maimer trabajaba en Ucrania.Los ucranianos que estaban con Maimer creían que había quedado atrapado en el edificio derrumbado o que había muerto por una “andanada” de fuego de artillería ruso, dijo Blackburn.“Llegaron a la posición en la que estaban, la artillería empezó a entrar con fuerza y el edificio empezó a derrumbarse. Fue entonces cuando la mayoría de los estadounidenses y ucranianos que estaban allí pud...

Por ausencia de Biden, Australia cancela la cumbre de líderes del Quad

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

SIDNEY, Australia – El primer ministro de Australia, Anthony Albanese, anunció este miércoles la cancelación de la cumbre de seguridad de los líderes del Quad, que integran Australia, India, Estados Unidos y Japón, por la ausencia de última hora del presidente estadounidense, Joe Biden.“La reunión de los líderes del Quad no se celebrará en Sidney la próxima semana”, dijo Albanese en rueda de prensa sobre esta cumbre programa para el próximo miércoles.La decisión se da horas después de que la Casa Blanca anunciara que Biden regresará a Estados Unidos el domingo tras asistir a la cumbre de G7 que se celebra en Japón, debido a que tiene que negociar el techo de la deuda en su país.La cancelación de viaje de Biden obligó a posponer la cita donde se iba a reunir en la ciudad australiana con Albanese y sus homólogos Fumio Kishida y Narendra Modi, primeros ministros de Japón e India, respectivamente, en la cumbre del Diálogo Cuadrilateral de Seguridad (Quad, siglas en ing...

Australia rules out Quad summit going ahead in Sydney without Biden, but Modi still plans visit

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:00:40 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out a so-called Quad summit taking place in Sydney without President Joe Biden, saying the four leaders will talk at the Group of Seven meeting this weekend in Japan. Albanese said Wednesday he understands why Biden pulled out of the summit to focus on debt limit talks in Washington since they are crucial to the economy. The summit including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had been scheduled for May 24. “The blocking and the disruption that’s occurring in domestic politics in the United States, with the debt ceiling issue, means that, because that has to be solved prior to 1st June — otherwise there are quite drastic consequences for the U.S. economy, which will flow on to the global economy — he understandably has had to make that decision,” Albanese told reporters.Biden “expressed very much his disappointment” at being unable to come to the Sydney summit an...