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Rains unleashed by typhoon worry thousands of people fleeing restive Philippine volcano

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

BONGA, Philippines (AP) — Thousands of people who fled their homes in the central Philippines to escape a restive volcano have to contend with another threat that’s complicating the ongoing evacuations: monsoon rains that could be unleashed by an approaching typhoon. More than 6,000 villagers have been forced to leave rural communities within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mayon volcano’s crater in northeastern Albay province. Thousands more may also need to be moved to safety from the permanent danger zone, officials said. Others living outside the perimeter have packed their bags and voluntarily left with their children for evacuation centers in Albay, which was placed under a state of calamity on Friday to allow more rapid disbursement of emergency funds in case a major eruption unfolds.Authorities raised the alert level for the volcano on Thursday after superheated streams of gas, debris and rocks cascaded down its upper slope, indicating activity below the surface tha...

Islamic State claims responsibility for suicide bombing on memorial service in northeast Afghanistan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing on a memorial service in northeast Afghanistan that killed at least 13 people and wounded 30 others.In a statement late Friday, the IS regional affiliate — known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province — said the attacker targeted the service near Nabawi Mosque in the city of Faizabad in Badakhshan province on Thursday.The militant group’s statement gave higher casualty figures than those provided by the Taliban-run government, claiming that at least 20 senior Taliban officials died and 50 others were injured.The memorial service was being held for Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi, the deputy governor of Badakhshan killed in a car bombing on Tuesday in Faizabad. That attack, which killed the deputy governor’s driver and wounded 10 others, was also claimed by the Islamic State group.A former Taliban police official was among those killed in the memorial service explosion, said the Taliban interior ministry spok...

Hong Kong launches bid to attract Canadian companies, but rights group warns of risks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

Hong Kong’s government is betting that Canadian companies and other overseas businesses will put profits over politics as it tries to lure talent and industry back to the city that has been cracking down on dissent after quashing a pro-democracy protest movement. A Toronto-based official involved in the pitch that was advertised in Canadian newspapers this week says it’s targeting companies that want to “just get on with business” and remain “focused on their balance sheets.”Billions of dollars in Hong Kong government funding are available to foreign firms setting up shop there.But activists warn that businesses and individuals alike considering a move to Hong Kong face risks since the passage of a controversial national security law in 2020 and subsequent arrests of government critics.Aileen Calverley, co-founder of the human rights group Hong Kong Watch, said Canadian authorities should be highlighting such risks to Canadian companies. “Fo...

5 killed in explosion at rocket and explosives factory in Turkey

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — An explosion at a rocket and explosives factory has killed five workers, Turkey’s defense ministry said.The explosion occurred early on Saturday in the district of Elmadag, on the outskirts of the capital, Ankara.The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.The Associated Press

Daily horoscope for June 10, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Pisces.Happy Birthday for Saturday, June 10, 2023:You love glamour, the arts and intense unions. You also love to schmooze and be active and in the thick of things. This is a year of change for you, which means you have to be courageous and stay flexible. Seek out new opportunities! Open any door!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★Behind-the-scenes discussions for research might ultimately boost your income. Pay attention! You also might dream up or hear from someone else about new and better ways to use something that you already own. Perhaps you can repurpose it or combine it with something. Tonight: Make plans.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Be careful, because it’s easy to become obsessed with things today. Or perhaps you can’t get a song out of your head, like “I Shot the Sheriff.” This quality will also make you persuasive with ideas that you value. You actually might hav...

Common values and common interests: 50 years of Bangladesh-EU Partnership celebrated in dance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

Bangladesh and the European Union completed 50 years of their diplomatic relations in 2023. As a mark of celebration, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Brussels showcased a vibrant display of Bangladeshi culture, colours, tradition and history through dance at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels.It was a joyous occasion but also a significant one, with the European External Action Service confirming that it was ready to negotiate a new comprehensive partnership agreement with the country that has become the economic miracle of South Asia, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.The dancing was spectacular indeed. Six dancers had travelled specially from Dhaka to mark 50 years of Bangladesh-EU relations with a moving and impressive interpretation of their country’s history, of the country’s partnership with the EU, followed by a celebration of the rich ...

Miss Manners: I’m insulted when they imply my profession makes me a monster

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a small-animal veterinarian. Often, when people hear of my career, they coo, “Oh, I wanted to be a vet too, but I’m just too tenderhearted.” Sometimes they’ll follow up with a horrified whisper: “All that euthanasia! How can you do it? Don’t you feel horrible?”Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Would this combo party be too peculiar? And what about gifts? Advice | Miss Manners: They ram my shopping cart and then just stare at me Advice | Miss Manners: Whose fault is this distressing situation with my pants? Advice | Miss Manners: He’s my husband, not my brother, and why are you even asking? Advice | Miss Manners: Am I really being perverse not to have my DNA tested? Miss M, this makes me feel like a monster.I am proud to be able to offer animals a good death and end their suffering. When people call me to euthanize their pets, th...

Dear Abby: Our poker wives’ group has been hijacked by a pious new member

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

DEAR ABBY: Recently, I started a group dinner for the wives of my husband’s poker buddies.It started out well. However, a newer member of the group has instigated praying in the restaurant, including holding hands while we do it. This is not my style, nor is it for some of the others.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My mausoleum plan has alienated my children Advice | Dear Abby: The bride is afraid her cringey grandma will be an embarrassment Advice | Dear Abby: I’m too old to deal with this new nonsense from my husband Advice | Dear Abby: Am I being childish about this workplace snub? Advice | Dear Abby: Nobody else sees how scary my sister is, and I want to cry We feel we are being held hostage to her request, and we’re not sure how to put a stop to this display.I’m private about my spiritual life, and another group member is agnostic. Can you please advise me on a tactful wa...

Turkey’s defense ministry says 5 killed in explosion at a rocket and explosives factory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s defense ministry says 5 killed in explosion at a rocket and explosives factory.Source

Una cadena de sushi demanda por US$ 480.000 a un estudiante que lamió una botella de salsa de soja

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:54 GMT

(CNN) — Una cadena de restaurantes de sushi decidió demandar a un estudiante de secundaria por 67 millones de yenes (US$ 480.000) después de que unas imágenes en las redes sociales le mostraran lamiéndose el dedo y tocando un plato de sushi cuando pasaba por delante de él en la cinta transportadora, informó la agencia de televisión pública japonesa.Akindo Sushiro Co., que gestiona la cadena de restaurantes Sushiro, afirma haber sufrido una fuerte caída de clientes después de que las imágenes de sus acciones en un establecimiento Sushiro de la ciudad de Gifu se hicieran virales, según la cadena japonesa NHK.En las imágenes del estudiante también se le veía lamiendo una botella de salsa de soja y una taza que luego volvía a colocar en una pila común.El breve clip fue ampliamente compartido en Japón y forma parte de una serie de videos similares —incluso en algunos de los competidores de Sushiro— que contribuyeron a dar origen al término “terrorismo del sushi”.El térm...