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Rights group: World Bank, Jordan use flawed formula for aid to kingdom, excluding some poor people

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The World Bank and Jordan are using a “flawed” algorithm to calculate aid for the kingdom, excluding some people who are impoverished, hungry or otherwise struggling, a leading rights group said Tuesday. Human Rights Watch reported that the automated program ranks the income and socio-economic status of Jordanian families, a practice known as “poverty targeting.” The report said that approach leaves out some needy people — such as the owners of modest businesses — in a nation of 11 million, increasing poverty and with more than 1 million Syrian refugees.“Many people in Jordan are not getting financial support because their hardships don’t fit an algorithm’s rigid model of what poverty should look like,” said Amos Toh, senior technology and human rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.The Hashemite kingdom that celebrated a glittering royal wedding this month is also facing rising poverty. The World Bank said the poverty rate in Jordan — the percentage of tho...

Chinese man arrested over anti-US graffiti at US Consulate in Hong Kong, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong police on Tuesday arrested a man who allegedly spray-painted graffiti on the wall and gate of the U.S. Consulate, according to media reports and the police.Photos from local media including the South China Morning Post showed the English word “hegemony” and the Chinese words for “double standards” painted in white on the gate and a nearby wall.The vandalism comes amid a deterioration in US-Chinese relations as the nations clash over trade issues and tensions over Taiwan, a self-governed island that China claims is part of its territory.Police said that they received a report at 5.22 a.m. from the consulate reporting the vandalism. They arrested a 47-year-old man surnamed Wen from mainland China on suspicion of criminal damage.Offenders found guilty of destroying or damaging property could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.The consulate did not immediately comment when contacted by The Associated Press.The graffiti was removed by late Tuesday morni...

In The News for June 13 : Canada experiencing worst wildfire season of 21st century

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 GMT

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what’s on the radar of our editors for the morning of June 13 …What we are watching in Canada …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 Barringt...

Police respond to ‘serious incident’ in central England city of Nottingham

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Police say the emergency services are responding to an “ongoing serious incident” in the central England city of Nottingham.Nottinghamshire Police said Tuesday that “there are multiple road closures in place throughout the city while the incident is being investigated.” Images on social media showed police standing near cordons at several locations in the city center.The city’s tram network said it had suspended all services.“Officers are on scene at multiple road closures due to an ongoing incident,” said Chief Inspector Neil Humphries of Nottinghamshire Police. “Please avoid these areas as they are expected to remain closed for some time.”The fire department and ambulance service referred all inquiries to the police.Nottingham is a city of about 350,000 some 120 miles (190 kilometers) north of London.The Associated Press

Thousands evacuated in India and Pakistan as Cyclone Biparjoy approaches

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:04 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...