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6 killed in Damascus suburb bombing near Shiite Muslim shrine ahead of the holy day of Ashoura

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — A motorcycle planted with explosives detonated in a Damascus suburb near a Shiite Muslim shrine Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding dozens a day before the solemn holy day of Ashoura, state media reported, citing the interior ministry. Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabash said in a statement that 26 people wounded in the blast in the Sayida Zeinab neighborhood were being treated at several hospitals. Twenty others were treated on site or discharged, he said.Authorities had initially said the bomb was hidden in a taxi, but later reported that the explosives were on a motorcycle that exploded next to the cab.The Britain-based opposition war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that a woman was among those who died and that her three children were wounded. The Observatory said the explosion occurred close to positions of Iranian militias, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad alongside Russia in Syria’s civil conflict now in its ...

Young Chinese opt out of the rat race and pressures at home to pursue global nomad lifestyle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Shortly after China opened its borders with the end of zero-COVID, Zhang Chuannan lost her job as an accountant at a cosmetic firm in Shanghai and decided to explore the world.“The cosmetics business was bleak,” said Zhang, 34, who explained everyone wore face masks during the pandemic. After being laid off, she paid $1,400 for an online Thai course, got an education visa and moved to the scenic northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.Zhang is among a growing number of young Chinese moving overseas to escape the country’s ultra-competitive work culture, family pressures and limited opportunities after living in the country under the strict pandemic policies for three years. Southeast Asia has become a popular destination given its proximity, relatively inexpensive cost of living and tropical scenery.There is no exact data on the number of young Chinese moving overseas since the country ended pandemic restrictions and reopened its borders. But on the popular Chinese social me...

Hawaii doesn’t want firearms on its beaches. The state’s latest gun control law goes before a judge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — A judge is scheduled to consider Friday whether Hawaii can continue enforcing a new law banning firearms on its world-famous beaches, a measure that state leaders say makes them safer. The state’s latest gun control measure landed in court because of a lawsuit by three Maui residents who want to carry guns on beaches and other places deemed sensitive by the law, which took effect this month and involves a misdemeanor offense. Lawyers for the plaintiffs, Jason and Alison Wolford and Atom Kasprzycki, say they especially want to protect themselves at isolated beaches where they might be fishing or going for a walk rather than sunbathing or swimming. If U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi grants the temporary restraining order they seek, the law would be blocked on an emergency basis as the lawsuit plays out.In a court filing, the state said the law is crucial not only for public safety but for the economy. Hawaii’s beaches “are the most popular recreational...

Michigan school staffer recalls shooting with ‘disbelief’ as judge considers sentence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A woman who was wounded in a Michigan school shooting in 2021 said she blocked her office door with a bulky cabinet and sent a text message to her husband amid the chaos.“I said, ‘I love you. Active shooter.’ He said, ‘Just get safe,'” Molly Darnell told a judge. “I didn’t respond to that. … I was still in disbelief that I had been shot, but I knew I was bleeding.”Darnell, who helped teachers craft lesson plans at Oxford High School, testified Thursday at a key hearing that will determine whether Ethan Crumbley will be sentenced to life in prison or a shorter term with an opportunity for parole.The hearing will resume Friday in Oakland County court.Crumbley, 17, pleaded guilty to murder, terrorism and other crimes. But a life sentence for minors isn’t automatic after a series of decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and Michigan’s top court.Crumbley is “not one of those rare individuals who is irreparably corrupt and can’t be rehabilitated,” def...

The Mega Millions jackpot is now $910 million after months without a big winner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

Lottery players will have another shot at a huge Mega Millions jackpot Friday night and a chance to break a stretch of more than three months without a big winner of the game.The estimated $910 million prize has been building since someone last matched all six numbers and won the jackpot April 18. Since then, there have been 28 straight drawings without a jackpot winner.The jackpot is now the eighth-largest ever in the U.S. It comes a little over a week after someone in Los Angeles won a $1.08 billion Powerball prize that ranked as the sixth-largest in U.S. history. It’s still a mystery who won that prize.Lottery jackpots grow so large because the odds of winning are so small. For Mega Millions, the odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 302.6 million.The $910 million prize would be for a sole winner choosing to be paid through an annuity with annual payments over 30 years. Jackpot winners almost always opt for a lump sum payment, which for Friday night’s drawing wou...

Who’s in charge of Nashville’s airport? US and Tennessee officials disagree under a new state law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — While Nashville International Airport hums to the tune of live music in a terminal filled with tourists and locals alike, this trendy gateway to Tennessee has quietly confronted an identity crisis.Under a new state law, there is no clear agreement now about who’s in charge of airport operations. The confusion comes at a time when the airport is booming, its annual passengers having more than doubled over the past decade to 21.8 million by the 2023 fiscal year.The nonprofit Metro Nashville Airport Authority and state officials argue that a new group of state appointees has lawfully taken over the authority’s board. But federal officials and the city contend the old board picked by Nashville’s mayor still has power.Both boards met at the same time last week across town from each other.The dispute heads to a hearing Friday in a state court in Nashville. Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers approved plans for the state to make enough appointm...

Hollywood actors' strike goes to state capital, Newsom offers to broker negotiations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

Union members took the picket lines to the state capital this week as the actors' strike enters its third week with no deal in sight.“We're responsible for the biggest box office movies in the last 20 years but we're not getting our fair share,” said Pete Antica, Chair of Stunt Safety at SAG-AFTRA.Stunt performers joined writers and actors on the picket lines on Thursday, also seeking higher residuals and royalty payments from studios for rerun shows.“Stunt coordinators currently do not get residuals in that particular deal so they can work three different contracts breaking them down in advance, 15 hours a day and they're so busy that all the performers make more money than them,” Antica said.In Sacramento, about 100 SAG-AFTRA members picketed outside the front steps of the California State Capitol.In Sacramento, SAG-AFTRA members picketed outside the front steps of the California State Capitol. (KTLA)Stunt performers joined writers and actors on the picket lines on July 27, 2023, ...

The 10 most expensive homes that reported sold in Milpitas the week of July 17

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

A house in Milpitas that sold for $1.5 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Milpitas in the past week.In total, 10 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $1.3 million. The average price per square foot ended up at $840.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of July 17 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $1.1 million, condominium in the 1400 block of Bond StreetThe property in the 1400 block of Bond Street in Milpitas has new owners. The price was $1,058,000. The condominium was built in 2018 and has a living area of 1,449 square feet. The price per square foot is $730. The condominium features two bedrooms and two bathrooms.Bond Street9. $1.2 million, condominium in the 600 block of SouthAbel StreetA sale has been finalized for the condominium in the 600 block of SouthAbel Street in Milpitas. The price wa...

Oakland youth organization's van repeatedly vandalized

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – An Oakland nonprofit centered around youth and community programs says they’ve had their van broken into four times in just the past two months.     The latest case of vandalism happened just days ago. The organizer of “Brown Girls Climbing” says a lot of kids and families depend on her program to help them get included in outdoor adventures, and their van is essential to that mission.She believes the broken windows are another example of neglect and flagrant crime in Oakland.  It just keeps happening. Oakland carjacking suspects arrested in connection to Skyline Blvd. incident, others “It’s been really, really hard,” said Emily Taylor, who runs Taylored Fit Solutions, which includes Brown Girls Climbing. “I’m gonna be honest with you. This summer has been the hardest summer that I’ve had.”Brown Girls Climbing describes itself as a youth adventure team for Black people, indigenous people, and other people of color. Their van parked in the Pill Hill area of...

Leclerc asks for patience from F1 drivers as rain threatens to hit Belgian GP at Spa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:18 GMT

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc urged his fellow Formula One drivers not to complain if wet conditions affect racing at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.With rain expected at Spa-Francorchamps, Leclerc says impatience should never influence safety on a circuit where two drivers from other racing series have died from crashes in the past four years.Because this weekend has a sprint-race format on Saturday, qualifying for Sunday’s race takes place on Friday with only one practice session. It means a heavy downpour could potentially curtail that lone practice and send drivers into qualifying without any track time.“(Safety) needs to be the priority,” Leclerc said Thursday. “First of all, us drivers, we shouldn’t complain if we don’t have any laps if it’s not safe to do so, with everything that has happened (in the past).”When Leclerc won the first race of his F1 career at the Belgian GP in 2019, it was the day after F2 driver Anthoine Hubert died following a multi-car crash...