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Son of jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai lobbies UK foreign secretary for his release

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The son of jailed Hong Kong media mogul and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai will meet with Britain’s foreign secretary on Tuesday to lobby for the U.K.’s help in securing his release from prison.Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, an outspoken pro-democracy newspaper, faces a long-delayed trial next week over charges he violated sweeping national security laws that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong after anti-government protests.The 76-year-old British citizen has been in detention since 2020 over other offenses. He faces life in prison if convicted of the national security charges.His son Sebastien Lai, who leads an international campaign to call for his father’s release, said he was hopeful that the meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron will help raise the case’s profile and add to international pressure on Hong Kong’s government.“I’m optimistic that it would be very helpful in my father’s case,” Lai told reporter...

Busy Rhode Island bridge closed suddenly after structural problem found, and repair will take months

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Authorities have found a critical structural failure in one of the busiest bridges in Rhode Island and have closed its westbound side to begin a repair job expected to take months.The Washington Bridge carries Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River from Providence to East Providence and serves as a key gateway to the state’s largest city. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation said Monday evening that a “critical failure of some original 1960s bridge components” was located in the bridge.The repair work could take three months or more. All westbound lanes will be closed and traffic diverted at first, the agency said.RIDOT said it will redirect traffic to two lanes on the eastbound side in the next two to three weeks.The closures brought major traffic delays to the Providence area on Tuesday. The bridge carries close to 100,000 vehicles every day.The Associated Press

Thousands gather to honor Mexico’s Virgin of Guadalupe on anniversary of 1531 apparition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Thousands of people sang the traditional Mexican birthday song “Las mañanitas” at Mexico City’s Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Tuesday to honor the virgin on the 492th anniversary of her apparition in 1531.Authorities estimated that over five million faithful visited the Basilica during the days leading up to the annual celebration of the country’s patroness.Many had walked from distant villages, others had ridden bicycles or buses to reach the Basilica’s enormous patio, where a sea of tents held pilgrims who had slept overnight to greet the virgin in the morning.The journey was not without dangers and risks. Mexico City prosecutors said Tuesday that three pilgrims, who were among a group on motorcycles, had been run over and killed on a highway leading from Mexico City east toward the city of Puebla.Ten others were injured when a pickup truck ran into the group late Monday. The driver was arrested at the scene. Such groups of pilgrims walking or ri...

Polish far-right lawmaker extinguishes Hanukkah candle in parliament

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

A far-right lawmaker in the Polish parliament used a fire extinguisher on Tuesday to put out a candle on a menorah that was lit for Hannukah.The speaker of the parliament, Szymon Holownia, denounced the incident carried out by Grzegorz Braun, and said there would be no tolerance for antisemitic and xenophobic behavior in the Sejm, the Polish parliament.TVN24 showed footage of Braun with a red fire extinguisher putting out the fire and causing smoke or haze to fill the area.The parliamentary proceedings were suspended.New Prime Minister Donald Tusk called it a disgrace and said such a thing should never be repeated. Tusk was elected on Monday and gave his inaugural speech to parliament on Tuesday, pledging to demand that the Western world keep up its help for Ukraine.Braun, a pro-Russian member of the Confederation party, in the past has falsely claimed that there is a plot to turn Poland into a “Jewish state.”The Associated Press

The Dutch counterterror agency has raised the national threat alert to the second-highest level

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch counterterrorism agency lifted the country’s threat alert to its second-highest level on Tuesday, saying the possibility of an attack in the country is now “substantial.”The announcement marked the first time the threat level has been so high since the end of 2019 and came a week after the European Union’s home affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson, warned that the continent faces a “ huge risk of terrorist attacks ” over the Christmas holiday period because of the fallout from the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.The Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security also said in its threat assessment that “the violent conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories, Quran desecrations in various European countries and calls for attacks from terrorist organizations have increased the threat from jihadism.”The report cited recent attacks in nearby European countries and arrests of terror suspe...

Teen charged with North Austin murder of 17-year-old girl who wanted to be a dental hygienist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

CHICAGO — A 16-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder of a 17-year-old girl who was shot and killed at a North Austin park.Ashuntice Wilburn was at Galewood Park, located in the 5700 block of West Bloomingdale Avenue on Aug. 19.The 17-year-old, who wanted to grow up to be a dental hygienist, was with a 16-year-old boy in the park when they were both shot. She was transported in critical condition and later died.On Monday, a 16-year-old boy was arrested in the 2400 block of North Lockwood. He has been charged with first-degree murder. ‘She wanted to be a dental hygienist:’ Grandmother remembers granddaughter after fatal West Side shooting Wilburn was preparing to begin her senior year of high school.“She wanted to be a dental hygienist,” said Patty Ringo, Ashuntice’s grandmother. “She helped me with all kinds of activities … She volunteered in the community, she was an exceptional person, [an] exceptional individual.”

Uber offers holiday-themed party buses in some cities — including Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) - As the holiday season approaches, Uber is giving customers a chance to ride in style to parties, festivities and gatherings. Beginning Monday through Sunday, Dec. 17, customers can book a Festive Fleet with Uber, a holiday-themed party charter bus filled with karaoke, festive lights, Christmas decor and photo props to help stir up the holiday spirit. Uber offering festive, holiday-themed party buses in LA (Uber)The holiday-themed charter trips will be available in Los Angeles; New York; Washington, D.C.; Miami, and Chicago. Riders who book a charter up until Sunday will receive 10% off with promo code “FESTIVE 10.” In addition to the holiday party buses, there are several other special holiday offerings from Uber, including the Gift Hub in the Uber Eats app to easily find and send gifts, Robot Reindeers that will be delivering food during the month of December, and free package returns using Uber Connect. 

Publix grocery chain expanding into its 8th state next year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida-based grocer Publix will soon be welcoming customers in a new state.The company announced that it will be opening its first store in Kentucky on Wednesday, Jan. 10, in Louisville.Publix said the new 55,701-square-foot store will have a drive-thru Publix Pharmacy and an adjacent 3,200-square-foot Publix Liquors offering beer, wine and spirits. Kentucky will have the first Publix Liquors location outside the state of Florida. Publix launches online flower shop "When our founder, George Jenkins, opened the first Publix store, he wanted to create a better grocery store — one that kept associates and customers top of mind," Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a previous news release. "More than 90 years later, we’ve kept true to our values, including supporting the communities in which we live and work. We look forward to sharing the Publix difference with Kentuckians.” Publix plans to build at least four more stores in Kentucky: two in Lexington and an...

How did two tickets sold at the same gas station win the Mega Millions jackpot?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

(KTLA) — It's not unheard of for there to be two (or three) tickets that win a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot. Usually, those split tickets are sold in separate states, like the $502 million Mega Millions jackpot hit by tickets in California and Florida last year. But the most recent Mega Millions jackpot win, a $394 million prize hit over the weekend, was even more uncommon.A Chevron station in Encino, California, sold not one, but two winning tickets that matched all six numbers in Friday night’s drawing including the gold Mega Ball, according to a press release from lottery officials.  Waffle House server receives $1,000 tip from Broncos player So how did this happen?"We won’t know exactly how this happened until the prize is claimed," Carolyn Becker, deputy director of public affairs for the California Lottery said in a press release. “There are any number of explanations; perhaps one person wanted to try their luck on two different rows for whatever reason, or maybe ...

High school basketball coach recovering after assault; player, brother arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:24 GMT

WILLIS, Texas (KIAH) -- A high school basketball player and his brother have been arrested after they allegedly attacked his basketball coach following a game last week, according to Texas authorities. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the alleged assault happened after the Willis High School boys basketball team played against Conroe High School in Conroe, Texas, about 40 miles north of Houston. After returning to Willis High School from the game, a player and his family confronted the coach. The conversation allegedly escalated, and the 17-year-old player reportedly punched the coach in the face. At the same time, authorities reported that his 22-year-old brother began assaulting the coach. Another coach and bystanders broke up the fight, and the family left the scene. Man, woman accused of keeping kitten in duct-taped sandwich container The coach suffered injuries to his hands, neck, arms and face from the assault, deputies said. The coach later told authori...