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Peer review report on Portugal now online

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

Eurostat is pleased to announce that another peer review report within the third round of European Statistical System (ESS) peer reviews — the peer review report on Portugal — is now publicly available on Eurostat’s dedicated web page and on the web page of Statistics Portugal.The report was produced following the peer review visit to Portugal by a dedicated team of four experts, including one from Eurostat. The visit took place from 19 to 23 September 2022 in a face-to-face format.The peer reviews of national statistical systems are conducted by external experts (from both inside and outside the ESS) and follow the same methodology. This includes the completion of self-assessment questionnaires by several statistical authorities followed by a peer review visit. The results are a peer review report containing expert recommendations for improvement, and an action plan to address these recommendations that is developed by the national statistical institute of the reviewed country.The ...

Enough with the Political Farce of the US “Stopover”

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

This week, Lai Ching-te, the lead candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the 2024 local elections of China’s Taiwan region, had “stopovers” in the US. Under the pretext of “stopover”, Lai Ching-te sneaked a visit to the US to campaign for the election in the Taiwan region, and solicit US support for words and actions of “Taiwan independence”. When in the US, Lai Ching-te clamored about the fallacy of “Taiwan independence”. His claim to maintain “the cross-strait status quo” is in essence to create “one China, one Taiwan”, and seek external support for the separatist agenda.Lai Ching-te has openly described himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence”, attacking the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus and proposing egregiously wrong remarks such as “building up Taiwan’s deterrence”. He is an out-and-out “Taiwan independence” separatist. Driven by selfish gains, Lai has no scruples to betray the greater national interests and Taiwan compatriots, and ...

Bangladesh: The Scars of 21 August 2004

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

Photo courtesy: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Nineteen years after the violent explosions at a political rally that claimed the lives of 22 people and left more than 200 injured, with many maimed for life, it is time to revisit the tragedy. There is a clear need behind such a revisit, given that since the appalling occurrence of 21 August 2004, nothing was done by the then government by way of an investigation of the crime to show that the guilty would be punished - writes Syed Badrul AhsanAt the time the tragedy occurred, a political government dominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its rightwing ally the Jamaat-e-Islami was in power. Strangely enough, the government demonstrated little inclination toward taking the issue seriously and indeed appeared to be creating an entire ground to have crime take a back seat to everything else.Murder of Ivy RahmanWhat became clear in August 2004 is that the grenade explosions that rocked the public rally of the Awami L...

Miss Manners: Our friend doesn’t have a husband but she still wants the big bedroom

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We occasionally travel on vacation with our couple friends. One of our friends lost her husband to an illness. We, of course, still wanted her to join us.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Shouldn’t I be the one to decide if my kid is being rude? Advice | Miss Manners: The bride told me to lie to her fiance about why I can’t be ‘best woman’ Advice | Miss Manners: How do I tell them I won’t serve the fancy dessert they brought? Advice | Miss Manners: They come to my house and yell at my dog Advice | Miss Manners: Why are parents miffed at me? They’re the ones who spell the kids’ names wrong. We stay in rental houses rather than hotels, because they are located where we want to be, and it’s so much nicer to have a common space where we can visit. We divide the cost of the house per person, so the singleton pays half of what a couple doe...

Dear Abby: I was taken aback by her appearance, and I hope my face didn’t give me away

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I buy pet food from a small local pet shop. (The store does not sell animals, only food and supplies. I support pet adoption.) I’m a regular customer and have been on a first-name basis with the owner for several years.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My husband justifies his behavior by saying he doesn’t like boys Advice | Dear Abby: I find it obnoxious when my boyfriend preaches that I’m going to hell Advice | Dear Abby: Our neighbors are such narcissists. How do we deal with this? Advice | Dear Abby: My neighbor is too noisy but I’m the one catching flak Advice | Dear Abby: Is it weird that I think this actress could be my sister? When I went to buy my dog’s food the other day, the owner was wearing a scarf to cover her head. She has always had shoulder-length hair. It was obvious that she’s ill. (I suspect breast cancer.)I didn’t know what to do...

Rights group says Saudi Arabian border guards fired on and killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Border guards in Saudi Arabia have fired machine guns and launched mortars at Ethiopians trying to cross into the kingdom from Yemen, likely killing hundreds of the unarmed migrants in recent years, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Monday.The rights group cited eyewitness reports of attacks by troops and images that showed dead bodies and burial sites on migrant routes, saying the death toll could even be “possibly thousands.”The United Nations has already questioned Saudi Arabia about its troops opening fire on the migrants in an escalating pattern of attacks along its southern border with war-torn Yemen. A Saudi government official, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly, called the Human Rights Watch report “unfounded and not based on reliable sources,” without offering evidence to support the assertion. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who allegedly make tens of thousands of dollars a week smuggling migr...

Giants visit the Phillies to open 3-game series

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

San Francisco Giants (65-59, second in the NL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (67-57, second in the NL East)Philadelphia; Monday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Scott Alexander (6-2, 4.06 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 22 strikeouts); Phillies: Aaron Nola (10-8, 4.58 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 160 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -165, Giants +140; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the San Francisco Giants to open a three-game series.Philadelphia is 34-24 at home and 67-57 overall. The Phillies have the seventh-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .324.San Francisco is 65-59 overall and 30-31 on the road. The Giants have the ninth-best team ERA in MLB play at 3.94.Monday’s game is the fourth time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber leads the Phillies with 32 home runs while slugging .429. Trea Turner is 14-for-39 with two doubles, three home runs and six RBI over the past 10 games.LaMonte Wade Jr leads the Gi...

Mets visit the Braves to begin 3-game series

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

New York Mets (58-67, fourth in the NL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (80-43, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Monday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: David Peterson (3-7, 5.45 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 79 strikeouts); Braves: Allan Winans (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -203, Mets +168; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets to open a three-game series.Atlanta is 80-43 overall and 42-21 in home games. The Braves have the top team on-base percentage in the NL at .345.New York is 58-67 overall and 27-39 in road games. The Mets have gone 40-18 in games when they scored at least five runs.Monday’s game is the 11th meeting between these teams this season. The Braves hold an 8-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Ronald Acuna Jr. has 29 doubles, two triples and 28 home runs for the Braves. Ozzie Albies is 15-for-41 with a double and three home runs over the past 10 games.Pete Alonso leads the Mets with 54 extra base hits (13 doubles, tw...

Cardinals visit the Pirates to begin 3-game series

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (55-70, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (55-69, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Monday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Drew Rom (0-0); Pirates: Bailey Falter (0-7, 4.86 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 38 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -157, Pirates +133; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates begin a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.Pittsburgh has gone 29-32 in home games and 55-69 overall. The Pirates are 40-5 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.St. Louis is 55-70 overall and 27-33 in road games. The Cardinals have the fourth-best team on-base percentage in MLB play at .332.Monday’s game is the eighth time these teams match up this season. The Pirates are ahead 5-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Ke’Bryan Hayes has 19 doubles, six triples, eight home runs and 45 RBI for the Pirates. Bryan Reynolds is 13-for-45 with two doubles, a triple an...

Padres play the Marlins in first of 3-game series

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:25:20 GMT

Miami Marlins (64-61, third in the NL East) vs. San Diego Padres (59-66, fourth in the NL West)San Diego; Monday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Johnny Cueto (0-3, 5.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 26 strikeouts); Padres: Michael Wacha (9-2, 2.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 78 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -180, Marlins +150; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres begin a three-game series at home against the Miami Marlins on Monday.San Diego is 33-32 at home and 59-66 overall. The Padres have a 45-10 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Miami has a 27-34 record in road games and a 64-61 record overall. Marlins pitchers have a collective 4.24 ERA, which ranks eighth in the NL.Monday’s game is the fourth time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto leads the Padres with 51 extra base hits (26 doubles, a triple and 24 home runs). Xander Bogaerts is 10-for-38 with two doubles, two home runs and five RBI over the last 1...