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21-year-old sentenced to 5 years for thwarted bomb plot that aimed to build Hong Kong resistance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong man was sentenced to more than five years in prison for participating in a thwarted bomb plot that aimed to build resistance forces, in a closely watched case involving high school students accused of serious crimes following the 2019 anti-government protests. Prosecutors said Alexander Au, 21, and the five others in court Thursday had planned to manufacture explosives and target court buildings. Their plot was foiled due to a police investigation, and no bombs were made and no casualties occurred. Though the six are not among the most prominent activists in Hong Kong’s suppressed democracy movement, their case has drawn attention because they were all students when the prosecution began in 2021 and they were charged with conspiracy to carry out terrorist activities under the National Security Law.Earlier this month, Au and four defendants, aged between 17 and 20, pleaded guilty to conspiring to cause explosions that are likely to endanger life and...

But Cool Thursday. Meager Rain Prospects; Potential for Heat Next Week.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

The back-door COLD FRONT'S PASSED and now strong, post-frontal full fetch north/northeast winds have taken hold and are sweeping off Lake Michigan over Chicago's shoreline. Little wonder the winds are strong--with gusts from 30 to 40 mph being reported up and down the western Lake Michigan shoreline.Wednesday morning surface weather map showing a well developed 1037 mb (30.62") high pressure centered over Ontario province in southern Canada. The winds beneath its southern flank are strong.Here's a windy.com depiction of the "full fetch" NNE winds blowing down the length of Lake Michigan. The reference to "full fetch" winds means winds are blowing southward the length of Lake Michigan. That's important because this offers the wind time to transfer its kinetic energy to the lake surface building waves. It's no accident the highest waves to sweep onto Chicago beaches occur in "full fetch" wind set ups like Wednesday's.Here's a snapshot of wind and wind gust reports at 9am CDT Wednesday...

Italy approves $2.2 billion relief package for flood-hit areas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

Italy has approved an emergency aid package of more than €2 billion for flood-affected areas in Emilia-Romagna's northern region, the Prime Minister Giorgia Melons said on Tuesday (23 May).Nearly a week after the disaster, 23,000 people remain homeless, and many cities are still flooded. Thousands of acres of fertile farmland were also destroyed.Meloni convened on Tuesday a cabinet meeting to approve these measures. Meloni visited the region on Sunday (21 May), after returning early from the G7 summit held in Japan.Meloni, after the cabinet meeting, said that the package includes spending for emergency situations and moratoriums of tax and social contributions to affected households and companies.The government announced that it would increase the price of museum entrance tickets by €1 from 15 June to 15 September, and said the money raised would be used to protect cultural artifacts in flood zones.Stefano Bonaccini, the Emilia-Romagna governor, announced that Ursula von der Leyen, ...

The EU must settle its gas bills or face problems down the road

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

In 2017 Regulation EU 2017/1938 created obligations on member states to safeguard the security of natural gas supplies. The initiative was inspired by the 2009 gas crisis which arose when Russia and Ukraine failed to agree on gas prices and gas deliveries through Ukraine were cut, writes Dick Roche.Prompted by Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Regulation EU 2022/1032 was enacted updating the earlier legislation. The Regulation mandated that gas storage facilities should be fully employed to “ensure the security of (gas) supply,” that the facilities should not “remain unused” and that storage capacity be shared across the Union, “in a spirit of solidarity”.The 18 member states with underground gas storage facilities were required to fill the facilities to a minimum of 80% of their storage capacity by 1 November 2022. From 1 November 2023, the target would be set at 90%.The member states without established gas storage infrastructure were required to agree to ...

Religion and Children's Rights - Opinion from Brussels

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

Sex abuse and misconducts by religious authorities are not a new phenomenon but a sad constant that our society still has trouble properly dealing with.From the casual touch to the plain and disgusting abuse our politicians sometimes seem rather lenient towards offenders who belong to the Faiths.

Miss Manners: Is it cute that she’s bringing her boyfriend? No, I’m fuming.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am hosting a destination family reunion. My children, their families and I are all traveling to the area where my sisters and their families live for the event.As plans came together, I sent out invitations saying, “No plus-ones, please.” Yet my sister blithely let me know that her 16-year-old granddaughter is bringing her new boyfriend, as if it were the cutest thing.Nothing against the innocent young man, as any added expense will be negligible, but I am fuming.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Is it OK to use social media to tell the truth about my neighbors? Advice | Miss Manners: I let the hostess know I was angry at her. Was I rude? Advice | Miss Manners. Yes, she’s a service dog. No, I won’t tell you why I need her. Advice | Miss Manners: Would the wedding gift my husband suggested be an insult? Advice | Miss Manners: I tried to fix the shoddy bouquet a...

Dear Abby: The mother overshared with the girls, and now they shun us

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My brother is emerging from a painful two-year-long divorce, during which his two teenage daughters and one grown daughter became estranged from him.His now-ex-wife overshared with them during the divorce and did everything she could to prevent them from seeing him, despite court orders for him to have joint custody, visitation and therapy.My brother isn’t perfect, but he loves his girls and wants them in his life. He’s slowly making progress with one of his minor daughters.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: She led my husband into debauchery. Should I trust him not to stray again? Advice | Dear Abby: She says I can’t see my aunt, and her reasons don’t make sense Advice | Dear Abby: The photos my son’s wife posts make me worry for their marriage Advice | Dear Abby: I can’t forgive myself for not watching my husband’s TV show with him Advice | Dear Abby: My...

Nationals and Padres meet to determine series winner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

San Diego Padres (22-27, fourth in the NL West) vs. Washington Nationals (21-28, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Thursday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Blake Snell (1-6, 5.60 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 48 strikeouts); Nationals: Jake Irvin (1-2, 5.50 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 15 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -176, Nationals +151; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres play on Thursday with the winner claiming the three-game series.Washington is 11-16 in home games and 21-28 overall. Nationals hitters are batting a collective .264, which ranks second in the NL.San Diego has gone 10-12 on the road and 22-27 overall. The Padres have a 17-2 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Thursday’s game is the third time these teams square off this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Garcia has five doubles, a triple and three home runs for the Nationals. Lane Thomas is 14-for-41 with four doubles and three home runs over the last 1...

Steer leads Reds against the Cardinals after 4-hit game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (22-29, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (21-28, fifth in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Thursday, 12:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (2-1, 4.77 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 43 strikeouts); Reds: Luke Weaver (1-2, 6.54 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 31 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -170, Reds +144; over/under is 10 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds play the St. Louis Cardinals after Spencer Steer had four hits against the Cardinals on Wednesday.Cincinnati has gone 14-13 at home and 21-28 overall. The Reds have a 13-6 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.St. Louis is 11-14 on the road and 22-29 overall. The Cardinals have the fourth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .261.The teams match up Thursday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Steer has 12 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 22 RBI for the Reds. Matt McLain is 9-for-32 with four doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games.Paul...

Brewers host the Giants to start 4-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:25 GMT

San Francisco Giants (24-25, third in the NL West) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (27-22, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Thursday, 7:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Scott Alexander (0-0); Brewers: TBDBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers begin a four-game series at home against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.Milwaukee has a 15-9 record at home and a 27-22 record overall. Brewers pitchers have a collective 4.01 ERA, which ranks fifth in the NL.San Francisco has a 24-25 record overall and a 9-14 record in road games. Giants pitchers have a collective 4.30 ERA, which ranks seventh in the NL.The teams match up Thursday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has six doubles and seven home runs for the Brewers. Owen Miller is 15-for-38 with four doubles, three home runs and five RBI over the past 10 games.Thairo Estrada has 12 doubles, a triple and six home runs for the Giants. Michael Conforto is 13-for-40 with two doubles, four home runs and 11 RBI over th...