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UN says insurance coverage secured to salvage rusting oil tanker off Yemen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — The United Nations has secured an insurance coverage to start a ship-to-ship transfer of 1.1 barrels of crude from a rusting tanker moored off the coast of war-torn Yemen — oil that could cause a major environmental disaster.The United Nations Development Program described the insurance is “a pivotal milestone” in a yearslong effort to evacuate the cargo of the FSO Safer, which is at risk of rupture or exploding. The UNDP has been trying to start a salvage operation to avert what it says could amount to “one of the world’s largest, man-made disasters in history.” It secured tens of millions of dollars in pledges for the operation, which started late in May with experts pumping inert gas to remove atmospheric oxygen from the oil chambers of the vessel.“Insurance became a critical element of enabling this salvage operation to proceed. Without it, the mission could not go forward,” said Achim Steiner, a UNDP administrator.Transferring the stored oil is expected to start la...

Philippine villagers flee ashfall, sight of red-hot lava from erupting Mayon volcano

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

SANTO DOMINGO, Philippines (AP) — Truckloads of villagers on Tuesday fled Philippine communities close to the erupting Mayon volcano, traumatized by the sight of red-hot lava flowing down its crater and fearful of sporadic blasts of ash.Nearly 15,000 people have left the mostly poor farming communities within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mayon’s crater in northeastern Albay province in forced evacuations since volcanic activity spiked last week. Albay’s governor extended the danger zone by a kilometer (more than half a mile) on Monday and asked thousands of residents to be ready to move anytime.But many opted to flee from the expanded danger zone even before the mandatory evacuation order.“There’s lava and ashfall already,” Fidela Banzuela, 61, said from a navy truck where she, her daughter, grandchildren and neighbors clambered up after leaving their home in San Fernando village close to Mayon. “If the volcano explodes, we won’t see anything because it would be so...

Russian missile attack on Zelenskyy’s hometown kills at least 6, several trapped in rubble

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — At least six people were killed when Russian missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack Tuesday in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, regional officials said, as rescuers scrambled to retrieve people believed trapped under the rubble.The strike involving cruise missiles hit a five-story residential building, which was engulfed in fire, Gov. Serhiy Lysak of the Dnipropetrovsk region wrote on Telegram.After initial reports of three dead, Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul wrote on the social media app that the death toll had risen to a least six, and seven people were feared trapped under the rubble. Authorities initially said at least two dozen people were injured. The devastation in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown is the latest bloodshed in Russia’s war in Ukraine, now in its 16th month, as Ukrainian forces are mounting counteroffensive operations using Western-supplied firepower to try to drive out the Russians.Images from the scene r...

Jokic’s hometown in Serbia celebrates Nuggets’ first NBA title

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

SOMBOR, Serbia (AP) — It was barely dawn when Nikola Jokic’s hardcore fans in his Serbian hometown of Sombor chanted MVP, MVP and celebrated the Denver Nuggets’ first NBA title.Denver trailed Miami Heat halftime of Game 5 but rallied to win 94-89, with the two-time league MVP Jokic posting 28 points and 16 rebounds and collecting the trophy for the most valuable player of the finals.Every shot, rebound or block the Serb center made sparked loud cheers and shouts in a decrepit sports hall in the small and otherwise sleepy northern Serbian city near the borders with Croatia and Hungary where fans local watched the final on a large screen.The loudest ovation came when typically humble and stone faced Jokic said in a post-game, on-court interview: “It’s time to go home.” Soon, those fans who spent sleepless nights watching the NBA finals series will see him in person as he returns home to take care of his racehorses.For the small Balkan state of just over six million people, June ...

Rights group: World Bank, Jordan use flawed formula for aid to kingdom, excluding some poor people

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The World Bank and Jordan are using a “flawed” algorithm to calculate aid for the kingdom, excluding some people who are impoverished, hungry or otherwise struggling, a leading rights group said Tuesday. Human Rights Watch reported that the automated program ranks the income and socio-economic status of Jordanian families, a practice known as “poverty targeting.” The report said that approach leaves out some needy people — such as the owners of modest businesses — in a nation of 11 million, increasing poverty and with more than 1 million Syrian refugees.“Many people in Jordan are not getting financial support because their hardships don’t fit an algorithm’s rigid model of what poverty should look like,” said Amos Toh, senior technology and human rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.The Hashemite kingdom that celebrated a glittering royal wedding this month is also facing rising poverty. The World Bank said the poverty rate in Jordan — the percentage of tho...

Chinese man arrested over anti-US graffiti at US Consulate in Hong Kong, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong police on Tuesday arrested a man who allegedly spray-painted graffiti on the wall and gate of the U.S. Consulate, according to media reports and the police.Photos from local media including the South China Morning Post showed the English word “hegemony” and the Chinese words for “double standards” painted in white on the gate and a nearby wall.The vandalism comes amid a deterioration in US-Chinese relations as the nations clash over trade issues and tensions over Taiwan, a self-governed island that China claims is part of its territory.Police said that they received a report at 5.22 a.m. from the consulate reporting the vandalism. They arrested a 47-year-old man surnamed Wen from mainland China on suspicion of criminal damage.Offenders found guilty of destroying or damaging property could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.The consulate did not immediately comment when contacted by The Associated Press.The graffiti was removed by late Tuesday morni...

In The News for June 13 : Canada experiencing worst wildfire season of 21st century

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what’s on the radar of our editors for the morning of June 13 …What we are watching in Canada …Canada is experiencing its worst wildfire season of the 21st century.Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair announced the grim milestone Monday, saying more than 47,000 square kilometres have burned so far this year, with 431 wildfires currently burning across Canada. One of those continues to threaten the Alberta community of Edson, where 8,400 residents remain under an evacuation order issued Friday.Hundreds of people in B.C. have either been forced from their homes or are under an evacuation alert as the 4,660-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze continues to rage, having grown to be the second largest ever recorded wildfire in the province.A massive fire in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, remains out of control, although officials say the 235-square-kilometre Barringt...

Police respond to ‘serious incident’ in central England city of Nottingham

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Police say the emergency services are responding to an “ongoing serious incident” in the central England city of Nottingham.Nottinghamshire Police said Tuesday that “there are multiple road closures in place throughout the city while the incident is being investigated.” Images on social media showed police standing near cordons at several locations in the city center.The city’s tram network said it had suspended all services.“Officers are on scene at multiple road closures due to an ongoing incident,” said Chief Inspector Neil Humphries of Nottinghamshire Police. “Please avoid these areas as they are expected to remain closed for some time.”The fire department and ambulance service referred all inquiries to the police.Nottingham is a city of about 350,000 some 120 miles (190 kilometers) north of London.The Associated Press

Thousands evacuated in India and Pakistan as Cyclone Biparjoy approaches

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

BENGALURU, India (AP) — Pakistan’s army and civil authorities are planning to evacuate 80,000 people to safety along the southern coast, and thousands in neighboring India sought shelter ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy, which is forecast to slam ashore in the densely populated region later this week, officials said Tuesday. The cyclone is likely the most powerful to hit western India and Pakistan since 2021, and follows devastating floods that ravaged Pakistan last year, leaving 1,739 people dead and $30 billion in losses.Biparjoy was packing maximum sustained winds of 180 kph (111 mph), according to the India Meteorological Department. It’s projected to hit land on Thursday near Jakhau port in the Kutch district of Gujarat. Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority said the cyclone was 470 kilometers (292 miles) south of Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, on Tuesday morning.In India, thousands were evacuated from low-lying regions, including residents living within 5 k...

Picnics at Montreal’s unique plane-spotting park risk bird strikes: airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:59 GMT

MONTREAL — The Montreal Trudeau International Airport is cracking down on picnickers at its plane-spotting park, fearing hungry birds will collide with landing or departing aircraft.Montreal’s main airport is the only one in Canada with its own observation park, Anne-Sophie Hamel, spokesperson for the airport, said Monday. But Jacques-de-Lesseps Park has become a victim of its popularity, she added.To the dismay of airport authorities and plane-spotting hobbyists, an increasing number of people have started holding picnics at the park, which are strictly prohibited because they can attract birds.“With this growing popularity, we’re noticing some behaviour that could be dangerous for us,” Hamel said in an interview.The airport has launched a campaign — installing signage and posting on social media — explaining how dangerous picnics can be. Special constables with Airport Patrol, who can distribute fines, have also increased surveillance.“Not everyone is...