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Taiwan factory fire leaves at least 5 dead, more than 100 injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A fire and subsequent explosions at a golf ball factory in southern Taiwan killed at least five people and injured more than 100 others, and five people are still missing.The fire began on Friday night at the factory in Pingtung county and raged overnight. Authorities said rescuers were still looking for four factory workers and one firefighter who remained unaccounted for.More than 100 people were taken to the hospital with injuries.The cause of the fire was under investigation, Chou Chun-mi, magistrate of Pingtung county, said in a Facebook post.“Facing the grief of the family members, I could not say anything except to bow deeply, apologize, and express my deepest condolences,” she said in the post, after visiting the funeral home and meeting with victims’ families.Authorities said that natural gas may have contributed to the explosions, which occurred as firefighters were attempting to put out the fire.The Associated Press

Tropical Storm Ophelia forecast to make landfall early Saturday on North Carolina coast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Tropical Storm Ophelia was expected to make landfall on the North Carolina coast early Saturday morning with the potential for damaging winds and dangerous surges of water, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Life-threatening flooding caused by the weather system was forecast for parts of eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, the center said in an update at 11 p.m. Friday. Ophelia was about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, and heading north-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph) late Friday after spinning into tropical storm during the afternoon. The system had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (113 kph) with some higher gusts, but was forecast to weaken after landfall, the hurricane center reported.Ophelia was expected to turn north Saturday and then shift northeast on Sunday. The storm promised a weekend of windy conditions and heavy rain up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) in parts of North Carolina and Virginia and 2 to 4 ...

A Venezuelan man and his pet squirrel made it to the US border. Now he’s preparing to say goodbye

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

MATAMOROS, Mexico (AP) — During the weeks it took Yeison and Niko to migrate from Venezuela toward the U.S., they navigated dangerous jungles and over a dead body. The two are so inseparable that Yeison sold his phone so both had enough bus money to continue their journey.Now as Yeison prepares to finally enter the U.S., it’s likely he will have to leave Niko behind.That’s because Niko is a squirrel. The 23-year-old man and his pet squirrel are an unusual but blunt reflection of the emotional choices migrants make over what to take — and what to leave behind — as they embark on the dangerous trip north. Yeison, who declined to give his last name because he fears for his family’s safety in Venezuela, said going without Niko was out of the question. But Mexico is where they might be forced to part ways. Yeison, who is among millions of Venezuelans fleeing political and economic unrest back home, secured an appointment for Saturday to present himself at the border to seek e...

With temporary status for Venezuelans, the Biden administration turns to a familiar tool

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — From a White House podium in May, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlined new legal pathways to the United States for Venezuelans and others, along with a “very clear” message for those come illegally.“Our borders are not open. People who cross our border unlawfully and without a legal basis to remain will be promptly processed and removed,” he said.On Wednesday, Mayorkas announced temporary legal status for an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans who had arrived in the country as of July 31 — including some who ignored his stern warnings and came illegally. Circumstances change, but the Biden administration’s sharp expansion of Temporary Protected Status may complicate its messaging.Many Venezuelans will migrate to the United States with or without prospects for TPS, a 1990 law that empowers the Homeland Security secretary to grant eligibility for work permits in renewable increments of up to 18 months to people whose home countries are deemed...

League of Legends, other esports join Asian Games in competition for the first time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

HANGZHOU, China (AP) — The world of online gaming takes its place this year at the Asian Games as an official event for the first time, with gold medals in play across seven top titles. The Asian Games has long featured other so-called “mind games,” like bridge and chess, so it’s not surprising that extremely popular — and lucrative — esports are being added to the lineup. Teams from more than 30 countries are taking part, with South Korea and host China expected to dominate what is anticipated to be one of the most watched events of the two-week Asian Games. The competition features five PC games and two mobile games, covering both multiplayer online battle arena, or MOBA, and single-player genres. The lineup consists of: League of Legends, Arena of Valor Asian Games Version (also known as Honor of Kings); Peace Elite Asian Games Version (also known as PUBG Mobile); Dota 2; Dream Three Kingdoms 2; Street Fighter V: Champion Edition; and EA Sports FC (also known as FIFA Online...

$1.5 million ancient Buddha statue stolen from Los Angeles art gallery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

Security cameras captured the moment an ancient Buddha statue worth $1.5 million was stolen from a Los Angeles art gallery.The bronze sculpture was stolen on Sept. 18 from the Barakat Gallery in Beverly Grove around 3:45 a.m., officials said.Weighing 250 pounds, the artifact dates back to Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1867), according to gallery owners. It was believed to have been commissioned for the centerpiece of a temple.Historical bronze Buddha statue worth $1.5 million stolen from the Barakat Gallery in Los Angeles on Sept. 18, 2023. (Barakat Gallery)Security camera catures a thief stealing a historical bronze Buddha statue worth $1.5 million from the Barakat Gallery in Los Angeles on Sept. 18, 2023. (Barakat Gallery)Security camera catures a thief stealing a historical bronze Buddha statue worth $1.5 million from the Barakat Gallery in Los Angeles on Sept. 18, 2023. (Barakat Gallery)Barakat Gallery on La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles. (KTLA)“I prize it so much,” said Fayez Bar...

Homeless man steals phone from man taking pictures in Santa Monica

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

A homeless man was arrested on Tuesday after brutally beating and robbing a man in Santa Monica while he was walking through Palisades Park. Residents are worried about the escalating crime and rising homeless population in the beach town.Santa Monica police officers responded to a report of a battery in Palisades Park around 3:30 p.m. When they arrived, they found the victim, public safety advocate John Alle, on the ground suffering from injuries to his face and head.Alle says that while he was walking through Palisades Park, he was knocked out cold by a homeless man. He says he woke up in an ambulance while being transported to UCLA Medical Center with his jaw broken in two places, two broken teeth, and a concussion."I’m horrified," said Santa Monica City Councilman Phil Brock in response to the attack. "I’m horrified by any violence against any resident any business owner or visitor to our city."Alle was taking pictures with his cell phone, which he feels illustrates the public s...

San Jose State football: Air Force runs all over Spartan Stadium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

SAN JOSE — San Jose State dropped its fourth game in five weeks, losing 45-20 to Air Force on Friday night. The Falcons ran for 400 yards and six touchdowns to hand the Spartans a loss in their Mountain West opener..Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro completed 24 of 35 passes for 239 yards, ran for a touchdown and threw an interception. Running back Kairee Robinson rushed for 82 yards and scored 2 touchdownsSJSU jumped out to an early 20-10 in the second quarter after Robinson scored his second rushing touchdown of the half on a 1-yard plunge. Air Force running back Emmanuel Michel scored on the Falcons’ final possession of the first half to cut the deficit to 20-17 going into the halftime break.The Falcons’ rushing attack started to wear on SJSU as they scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.Air Force grew its lead to 18 in the fourth quarter when running back John Eldridge III bulldozed his way to a 34-yard touchdown, putting the Falcons in full control of the game.The Spartans’ ...

Campolindo surprises itself during dominant victory at Monte Vista: “I don’t know where this came from”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

DANVILLE – When Luke Bonardi jumped in front of and then picked off a Monte Vista pass midway through the third quarter, the Danville crowd groaned at the familiar sight. The Cougars played defense with 11 young men, but the junior ballhawk made it seem like the visitors had 12 or even 13 swarming around the field during Campolindo’s 38-14 victory over the Mustangs. Bonardi had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries, and it was obvious that the former cornerback was finally comfortable as a playmaking safety. “I just needed to get my confidence up and trust myself,” Bonardi said. “The first few games, I was thinking too much. I just needed to think freely and make a play.”A Bonardi fumble recovery and interception at the end of the first half helped turn a 7-7 tie midway through the second quarter into four- and seven-play scoring drives that ended with a short field goal and an Isaiah Ortiz quarterback sneak for a touchdown. Campolindo led 17-7 at halftime, and continued...

Oakland: One killed in shooting near Lake Temescal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:24 GMT

OAKLAND – A person was shot and killed Friday night near Lake Temescal in Oakland, police said.The shooting happened just before 7:45 p.m. in the 6500 block of Broadway, the Oakland Police Department said in a statement. Officers arrived to find a person suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The person was pronounced dead at the scene.An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the death, police said.Anyone with information related to the case can call the OPD Homicide Section at 510-238-3821 or the tip line at 510-238-7950.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | BART rider stabbed in Oakland; suspect arrested Crime and Public Safety | Hayward man charged with carrying loaded pistol with silencer on BART train Crime and Public Safety | Pittsburg man ID’d as recent Oakland homicide victim Crime and Public Safety | Gang sweep: Thirteen arrested after ambush-style slaying of East Bay man Cr...