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Russia blames Ukraine for drone barrage on Moscow and Crimea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

Russia said it downed 13 drones overnight near Moscow and Sevastopol, in Russian-occupied Crimea, accusing Kyiv of being responsible for the attacks.“In the vicinity of the city of Sevastopol, two UAVs were destroyed by air defense equipment on duty, and nine more were suppressed by electronic warfare equipment and crashed in the waters of the Black Sea without reaching their target,” the Russian defense ministry said. There were no casualties or damage, the statement added. Moscow has regularly blamed Ukraine for launching drone attacks deep inside Russian territory, often targeting the capital. Ukrainian officials have largely avoided taking responsibility for these strikes, the frequency of which has increased in recent weeks. “At night, around four o’clock in the morning, the air defense forces shot down two attack UAVs flying toward the city,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a statement, adding that one drone was shot down near Moscow’s ...

Tropical Storm Khanun pours intense rain on South Korea and heads toward its urban centers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

BUSAN, South Korea (AP) — Tropical Storm Khanun was pouring intense rain on South Korea on Thursday, turning roads into chocolate-colored rivers as it advanced north toward major urban centers near the capital.More than a foot of rain has already fallen in southern areas from the storm that made landfall on the mainland during the morning. Emergency workers were responding to growing reports of flooding and landslides by afternoon. More than 10,000 people, mostly in southern coastal areas, were forced to evacuate from their homes and the number was expected to grow as the heavy rains continue and rivers and streams rise.No storm-related deaths or injuries have been reported so far, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Officials shut down hundreds of motorways, streets and public parks and sent text alerts warning about the perils posed by Khanun, which is hitting South Korea just weeks after torrential rains caused flash floods and landslides that killed at least 47...

Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed as markets brace for the US inflation report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Asian benchmarks mostly fell Thursday after shares declined on Wall Street and investors braced for a highly anticipated United States inflation report.Later in the day, the U.S. government will give its monthly update on the inflation that consumers are experiencing. Economists expect to see an acceleration to 3.3% in July from 3% in June. Tina Teng, markets analyst at CMC Markets, called the looming update “a pivotal event for global markets.” Inflation in China also remains a huge concern. “A slowdown in consumer spending and high-interest rates remain issues for the global economy,” said Teng. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.8% to finish at 32,473.65. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.3% to 7,357.40. South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.3% to 2,596.62. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.2% to 19,208.28, while the Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% to 3,253.08. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 fell 31.67, or 0.7%, to 4,467.71, for its sixth drop in seven days. The Dow Jones...

Hawaiian wildfires delay flight to British Columbia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

Some Canadians vacationing in Hawaii saw their flight home with Air Canada cancelled, as parts of the island of Maui were being scorched by a devastating wildfire.A statement from the air carrier said the most recent scheduled flight from Maui to Vancouver was cancelled as access to the airport was closed. It also said a larger, and empty, plane lifted off from Vancouver Wednesday evening, bound for the island, to pick up the stranded passengers and those booked on the next regularly scheduled flight.The company added that it is continuing to monitor the situation, with regular daily flights between Vancouver and Maui still scheduled. It is also putting in place a flexible rebooking policy for passengers travelling to and from Maui.The wildfires continued to burn as night set in for Hawaiians, fanned by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, which is at sea south of the island chain. Officials say at least six people have been killed, dozens more wounded, and more than 270 structures wer...

Commission approves €16 million Bulgarian measure to support Bulgartransgaz's natural gas storage facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a €16 million Bulgarian measure to support the expansion of Bulgartranstaz's natural gas storage facility in Chiren.Bulgartranstaz decided to invest approximately €285 million to expand the capacity of its natural gas storage plant in Chiren, which is the only natural gas storage facility in Bulgaria. The storage capacity of the facility is expected to increase from 550 million to 1 billion cubic meters. Moreover, the capacities for withdrawal and injection of natural gas in the grid will also be increased.Bulgaria notified to the Commission its plans to support Bulgartransgaz's investment with a nine-year €16 million public guarantee on the loan to finance the measure. The aim is to ensure security of gas supply, enhance competition in the gas market, also thanks to a greater integration of the plant in the network, and encourage gas trade in the region.The Chiren storage expansion is a project of common interest (‘PCI...

Japan tries to stake its claim as favorite at Women’s World Cup when quarterfinals begin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Japan has hardly been tested in this Women’s World Cup and rolled with a perfect 4-0 record into the quarterfinals, where a win over Sweden would show the Nadeshiko are very much a true contender. But Friday’s opening day of the quarterfinals also gives Netherlands an opportunity to take control of a wide-open World Cup. The Dutch were runners-up to the United States four years ago, and the Americans beat them in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics. With the U.S. already eliminated, Netherlands has a major obstacle out of its way. But first up comes a match against Spain, which had never before advanced into the quarterfinals of the World Cup until this year. A look at Friday’s games: JAPAN-SWEDENSweden is rated third in the world by FIFA and the highest-ranked team still in the World Cup. After three third-place finishes in the tournament, the Swedes are ready to play in a championship game. Sweden ended America’s run toward an unp...

‘Road Shark’ campaign in Fairfax Co. bites nearly 25,000 drivers for unsafe driving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

In March, Fairfax County Police and Virginia State Police teamed up to put a focus on catching motorists driving dangerously in the county. It was called the 2023 “Road Shark” campaign and in four waves, 25,000 warnings and citations went out.“That means these are 25,000 people that are aware that we’re enforcing these traffic laws, and that they need to be more careful and safer on our roadways to protect everyone involved, including themselves,” said Alaina Gertz with Fairfax County Police.The results are in! Road Shark has come to a successful end. Thank you to our dedicated officers, @VSPPIO, and the community for their continued support. https://t.co/VWRsWIWgDp pic.twitter.com/LEpJqUmfeE— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) Aug. 9, 2023Officers and troops looked for speeders, aggressive and distracted drivers, and even those driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.“I would say Road Shark specifically has contributed to the overa...

Chicago visits New York after Ionescu’s 31-point game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

Chicago Sky (12-16, 3-10 Eastern Conference) at New York Liberty (22-6, 11-3 Eastern Conference)New York; Friday, 8 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: New York hosts the Chicago Sky after Sabrina Ionescu scored 31 points in the New York Liberty’s 99-61 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.The Liberty are 11-3 against Eastern Conference opponents. New York leads the WNBA with 29.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Breanna Stewart averaging 7.6.The Sky are 3-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago ranks second in the Eastern Conference shooting 37.4% from 3-point range.The teams square off for the third time this season. The Sky won the last matchup 86-82 on June 4. Kahleah Copper scored 27 points to help lead the Sky to the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Ionescu is averaging 17 points, six rebounds and 5.8 assists for the Liberty. Stewart is averaging 21.9 points over the last 10 games for New York.Courtney Williams is averaging 10 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Sky. Copper is averag...

Las Vegas takes on Washington following Wilson’s 28-point game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

Washington Mystics (13-15, 6-9 Eastern Conference) at Las Vegas Aces (25-3, 15-1 Western Conference)Las Vegas; Friday, 10 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Las Vegas hosts the Washington Mystics after A’ja Wilson scored 28 points in the Las Vegas Aces’ 104-84 win over the Dallas Wings.The Aces are 13-0 on their home court. Las Vegas is 18- when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 11.4 turnovers per game.The Mystics are 4-10 in road games. Washington ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference shooting 32.2% from 3-point range.The Aces and Mystics square off Friday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Wilson is scoring 20.6 points per game and averaging 9.6 rebounds for the Aces. Kelsey Plum is averaging 21.5 points and 3.1 rebounds over the last 10 games for Las Vegas.Brittney Sykes is scoring 14.7 points per game and averaging 4.9 rebounds for the Mystics. Li Meng is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Washington.LAST 10 GAMES: Aces: ...

Beerensteyn says bye to USA as Netherlands prepare for Spain in Women’s World Cup quarterfinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:15 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn is happy to admit her first reaction on learning the United States had been knocked ou t of the Women’s World Cup was “bye!”It was raw and spontaneous relief, coupled with a little schadenfreude. The joy over someone else’s demise was, perhaps, understandable. The U.S. and Netherlands played out a tight 1-1 draw during the group stage in Wellington, where the Dutch will meet Spain on Friday in the quarterfinals. The group-stage match was a repeat of the 2019 final, when the United States beat Netherlands 2-0.Beerensteyn played in that final, which in part may explain her relief that she won’t have to play the United States again at this tournament. The Americans lost in a penalty shootout to Sweden after their round-of-16 game ended in a draw after extra time.“From the first moment I heard they were out I was just like ‘Yes! Bye!’” Beerensteyn said Thursday. “From the start of the tournament they … were alre...