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A southern Swiss region votes on a plan to fast-track big solar parks on Alpine mountainsides

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — Voters in a southern Swiss region cast their ballots Sunday to decide whether to allow large solar parks on their sun-baked Alpine mountainsides as part of the federal government’s push to develop renewable energy sources.The referendum in the Valais canton centers on economic and environmental interests at a time of high and rising concerns about climate change. It’s also a noteworthy test of public opinion. “Not-in-my-backyard”-style opposition to the plan over a presumed blight on bucolic Swiss mountain vistas has made for some unusual political allies in the Alpine country.A rejection would not torpedo solar parks entirely if the private sector wants to develop them. But a “no” would set back the region, seen as one of the sunniest and most apt for solar parks in Switzerland, against others like central Bern Oberland or eastern Graubünden for generous federal funding for such projects — up to 60% of needed financing for big solar parks.Proponents say Switzerl...

G20 leaders pay their respects at Gandhi memorial on the final day of the summit in India

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — G20 leaders paid their respects at a memorial site dedicated to Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi on Sunday, a day after the forum added a new member and managed to reach agreement on a range of issues but softened their language on Russia’s war in Ukraine. India, this year’s host of the Group of 20 rich and developing nations, ended the first day of the summit with what were seen as diplomatic wins despite pointed disagreements among powerful members, particularly over the war in Ukraine. As the weekend’s first session began, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the group was adding the African Union as a member — part of the Indian leader’s drive to uplift the Global South. A few hours later, India announced that it was able to get the disparate group to sign off on a final statement, but only after softening language on the contentious issue of Russia’s war in Ukraine. It also unveiled an ambitious plan with the United States, t...

Sweden brings more books and handwriting practice back to its tech-heavy schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — As young children went back to school across Sweden last month, many of their teachers were putting a new emphasis on printed books, quiet reading time and handwriting practice and devoting less time to tablets, independent online research and keyboarding skills.The return to more traditional ways of learning is a response to politicians and experts questioning whether the country’s hyper-digitalized approach to education, including the introduction of tablets in nursery schools, had led to a decline in basic skills. Swedish Minister for Schools Lotta Edholm, who took office 11 months ago as part of a new center-right coalition government, was one of the biggest critics of the all-out embrace of technology. “Sweden’s students need more textbooks,” Edholm said in March. “Physical books are important for student learning.”The minister announced last month in a statement that the government wants to reverse the decision by the National Agency for Education ...

Students accuse former El Segundo water polo coach of sexual abuse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

Three former students of an El Segundo water polo coach are accusing the man of alleged sexual abuse that took place over several years in a new lawsuit.George Harris Jr., a former geography teacher and water polo coach at El Segundo High School, was named in the suit filed by the three young men who were not identified. The alleged abuse took place between 2002-2010.The lawsuit also names the El Segundo Unified School District, claiming officials were aware of the issues and allowed the abuse to continue. The plaintiffs said Harris abused his position as a trusted father figure and confidant while grooming, harassing and abusing them for years.Harris joined the El Segundo Unified School District as a teacher in 1981 before joining the water polo staff at El Segundo High in 1991. He left the school in 2009, reportedly due to an unknown medical condition, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.El Segundo High School. (KTLA)El Segundo High School. (KTLA)“I can’t tell you how beloved ...

USC demolishes Stanford 56-10

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

What may have been the last conference game between Stanford and USC was one of the biggest blowouts in the 118-year history of the series.The Trojans led by 46 at halftime and cruised to a 56-10 win late Saturday night at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams played only the first half and still managed to account for 281 passing yards and four touchdowns, one on a 21-yard run. Williams completed 19 of 22 passes.Stanford QB Ashton Daniels appeared to suffer a right arm injury early in the second quarter when he was hit from the side while throwing. He was replaced by Syracuse transfer Justin Lamsen.Lamsen led a 55-yard drive that resulted in a 38-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, but Williams hit Brenden Rice with a 75-yard TD pass on the next play from scrimmage.The most lopsided score in the 102-game series was in 1977 when USC won 49-0.  

Bennett guides Sac State to 34-6 win over Texas A&M-Commerce

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kaiden Bennett had a touchdown pass and ran for 101 yards and two scores to lead Sacramento State to a 34-6 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday night.Bennett capped off a seven-play, 80-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown run on the opening drive and the Hornets (2-0), ranked No. 8 in the FCS coaches poll, never trailed. Zach Schreiner added a 33-yard field goal and Sac State led 10-0 after one quarter.Bennett hit Chris Miller for a 16-yard score and followed that with a 40-yard TD run on the next possession to give Sac State a 24-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Schreiner’s 40-yard field goal on the final play of the first half left the Hornets leading 27-6.Marcus Fulcher completed the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run in the final quarter.Bennett completed 14 of 22 passes for 176 yards with one interception. He topped the century mark on just 10 carries. Fulcher rushed for 79 yards on 12 totes.Peter Parrish completed 11 of 24 ...

May accounts for 3 TDs, East Tennessee State waits out storm, blanks Carson-Newman 42-0.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — Baron May ran for one score and threw for two more as East Tennessee State blanked Division II-member Carson-Newman, 42-0 on a stormy Saturday night. The game was delayed for more than three hours by a thunderstorm in the Johnson City, Tennessee area. Once the game got underway the Buccaneers wasted little time getting into the end zone. Bryson Irby capped a four-play, 19-yard drive by punching over from the 1 seven minutes into the contest. May ran the final 29 yards of a four-play, 51-yard drive to make it 14-0 after a quarter. May added a 14-yard touchdown pass to Will Huzzie and a 32-yard scoring strike to Xavier Gaillardetz in the third quarter. Carson-Newman managed just 204 yards of offense. ETSU had 208 yards on the ground. __AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollSource

Air Force uses familiar ground assault to churn out 13-3 win over Sam Houston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Owen Burke ran for 75 yards on 18 carries and scored the lone touchdown and Air Force beat Sam Houston 13-3 on Saturday.Burke’s 5-yard scoring run ended an 11-play, 60-yard drive that took almost 6 1/2 minutes and concluded with 5:14 left to seal it.Air Force (2-0) outgained the Bearcats in total yards 258-80, including 244 yards rushing, and held Sam Houston to six first downs. Air Force held the Bearkats to just two plays of double-digit yards in the game.In the slugfest, Sam Houston (0-2) linebacker Trevor finished with a game-high 14 total tackles 11 of which were solo.___AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollSource

Nick Ostmo and Eli Gillman each run for 2 TDs as Montana beats Utah Tech 43-13

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) — Nick Ostmo and Eli Gillman each ran for two touchdowns to help Montana beat Utah Tech 43-13 Saturday night. Ostmo finished with 12 carries for 118 yards and Gillman added 78 yards rushing on 16 attempts. Clifton McDowell completed 7 of 10 passes for 94 yards for Montana (2-0). Ostmo scored on a 4-yard run and Gillman added a 2-yard scoring run to make it 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. After Ostmo ripped off a 46-yard touchdown run early and Junior Bergen returned a punt 47 yards for a score, Gillman capped an eight-play 53-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run that made it 36-0 at halftime. Kobe Tracy was 15-of-33 passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions for Utah Tech (0-2). Jaivian Lofton had 95 yards receiving, including a 50-yard touchdown, on four receptions. ___AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollSource

Legas, Williams each throw 2 TD passes to help power Utah State in 78-28 rout of Idaho State

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:39 GMT

LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Cooper Legas and Levi Williams each threw a pair of touchdown passes and Davon Booth ran for two scores as Utah State routed Idaho State 78-28 on Saturday night. The Aggies blew the game open by scoring six straight touchdowns in the second quarter, including runs by Booth from 8 and 40 yards out, a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ike Larsen and capped by a 60-yard scoring run by Rahsul Faison.Christian Fredericksen caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Cooke in the first quarter and a 15-yard toss from Hunter Hays with 16 seconds left in the first half for Idaho State.Robert Briggs Jr. led Utah State with nine carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. Faison added 95 yards and a touchdown on five carries and Booth finished with six carries for 83 yards. The Aggies finished with 380 yards rushing. Vaughn caught 11 passes for 73 yards.Cooke was 20-of-30 passing for 185 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Hays was 11 of 17 for Idaho State (0...