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Thousands evacuated in India and Pakistan as Cyclone Biparjoy approaches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 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...

Canada is experiencing its ‘worst wildfire season of the 21st century’: Blair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 GMT

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 Barrington Lake wildfire is no longer growing.Teams with the province’s Department of Natural Resources will be flying over the fire in southwest Nova Scotia this week and will use infrared scanners to detect areas ...

Daily horoscope for June 13, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping and important decisions from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. EDT today (11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Aries into Taurus.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, June 13, 2023:You are independent, playful and like to live by your own rules. You have a strong love of adventure! This year you are reaping the rewards of your best efforts. Seize opportunities in business dealings and act on them. Expect promotions, kudos, awards and the spotlight!ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★★After the Moon Alert today, it’s a fortunate time for you financially. Go after what you want. Trust your moneymaking ideas. Also trust your generous impulses, because today you will get what you give, especially in terms of kindness, friendship and nurturing support. Tonight: You’re enriched.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★★Lucky you! After the Moon Alert today, the Moon moves into your sign, and then lines up with lucky, moneybags Jupiter. This will give you good feelings and m...

Ukraine says heavy battles going on after first counteroffensive gains

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 GMT

Ukraine's top military command said on Monday (12 June) its forces were engaged in heavy battles in frontline hot spots, a day after Kyiv said it had made the first modest gains in reclaiming territory from Russia as part of its counteroffensive.Some 25 battles had taken place over the past day near the eastern town of Bakhmut, and further south near Avdiivka and Maryinka, all in the Donetsk region, but also near Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, Ukraine's armed forces general staff said.Ukraine said on Sunday (11 June) its troops had made advances on three villages in Donetsk: Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka.The claims could not be independently verified and there was no immediate comment from Russian officials.Some prominent Russian military bloggers indicated that while Ukrainian forces took Blahodatne and Neskuchne, fighting for Makarivka was going on.Both sides have said their forces had inflicted heavy personnel and equipment losses on their opponents over the past week w...

Miss Manners: The way this man sits bothers me no end

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I visit a person in his home regularly. He always has the footrest to his recliner up, no matter who his guests are and no matter how long the visit.Knowing this person extremely well, there is no physical reason he needs to elevate his legs.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Is it just a verbal tic or is she insulting me? Advice | Miss Manners: I’m insulted when they imply my profession makes me a monster Advice | 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? This bothers me no end. First, it puts his feet in our faces, and second, it says to me, “I want to be comfortable and to hell with you.”Is what he is doing rude? Shouldn’t he be sitting in his chair in the same manner a...

Dear Abby: My wife is secretive about her meals out, and it makes me suspicious

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My wife goes to lunch with male co-workers at least a couple times a week.When she has lunch with them, she uses a credit card so I won’t know; when she eats by herself, she uses our bank account.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: This shoplifting incident may be the last straw for my marriage Advice | Dear Abby: How do I tell her I’ve been secretly cleaning her house? Advice | Dear Abby: Our poker wives’ group has been hijacked by a pious new member Advice | Dear Abby: My mausoleum plan has alienated my children Advice | Dear Abby: The bride is afraid her cringey grandma will be an embarrassment I have heard her make breakfast dates by saying, “You know where,” or “The place by work,” rather than saying where.Is this common?— SUSPICIOUS IN CALIFORNIADEAR SUSPICIOUS: You seem to be a very suspicious spouse.It’s not unusual for male and fem...

UK wages rise sharply in April, set to bolster expectations of another rate hike next week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Wages in the U.K. spiked sharply in April, official figures showed Tuesday, a development that is set to cement expectations that the Bank of England will raise interest rates once again next week. The Office for National Statistics found that people’s regular pay packets, which exclude bonuses, were up 7.2% in the three months to April from the same period the year before, as against the equivalent 6.6% increase recorded in January.The spike, which was largely due to a near-10% increase in the minimum wage at the start of April, was the highest on record other from when the figures were distorted by the coronavirus pandemic.Though wages are still lagging the headline rate of inflation, which at the last count stood at 8.7%, the increase is likely to feature heavily in next week’s deliberations among rate-setters at the Bank of England. Higher wages raise the prospect of more spending in the economy, which can fuel price rises.Hannah Slaughter, senior econo...

Giants visit the Cardinals on 4-game road win streak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 GMT

San Francisco Giants (34-32, third in the NL West) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (27-40, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Tuesday, 7:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Alex Cobb (5-2, 3.01 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 71 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jack Flaherty (3-4, 4.15 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 72 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -113, Giants -106; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants will try to keep a four-game road win streak alive when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals.St. Louis has a 13-19 record in home games and a 27-40 record overall. Cardinals hitters have a collective .424 slugging percentage to rank fourth in the NL.San Francisco is 16-15 on the road and 34-32 overall. Giants pitchers have a collective 4.01 ERA, which ranks third in the NL.The matchup Tuesday is the sixth time these teams square off this season. The Giants have a 4-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt leads the Cardinals with a .286 batting average, and h...

Cubs host the Pirates to open 3-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:20 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (34-30, first in the NL Central) vs. Chicago Cubs (28-37, fourth in the NL Central)Chicago; Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Luis Ortiz (1-2, 4.23 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 16 strikeouts); Cubs: Jameson Taillon (1-4, 6.80 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 40 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -143, Pirates +122; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates to begin a three-game series.Chicago has a 28-37 record overall and a 15-16 record at home. The Cubs have a 15-6 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Pittsburgh has a 34-30 record overall and a 16-14 record in road games. Pirates pitchers have a collective 4.07 ERA, which ranks fifth in the NL.The teams meet Tuesday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Ian Happ has 15 doubles and four home runs for the Cubs. Dansby Swanson is 7-for-37 with a double and a home run over the last 10 games.Andrew McCutchen has seven doubles, eight home runs and 23 RBI for...