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7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes off the southern Philippines, prompts tsunami warnings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Saturday off the southern Philippine coast, prompting many villagers to flee their homes in panic around midnight after Philippine authorities issued a tsunami warning.The quake struck at 10:37 p.m. at a depth of 32 kilometers (20 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially said that based on the magnitude and location, it expected tsunami waves to hit the southern Philippines and parts of Indonesia, Palau and Malaysia. But the center later dropped its tsunami warning.In Japan, authorities issued evacuation orders in various parts of Okinawa Prefecture, including for the entire coastal area, affecting thousands of people.Teresito Bacolcol, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, told The Associated Press his agency advised residents along the coast of sou...

Oakley man guilty of murdering romantic rival on Valentine’s Day, faces life without parole

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

MARTINEZ — After two full days of deliberation, a Contra Costa jury convicted an Oakley man of murdering a 21-year-old man due to jealousy on Valentine’s Day 2020.Jose Quintanilla, 27, was convicted Friday of first degree murder, an enhancement for lying in wait, and another enhancement for personal use of a firearm. Prosecutors say he plotted with co-defendants Sabrina Glenn and Angel Rodriguez to set up the victim, Brentwood resident David Olivares, based on a belief that Olivares had sex with Quintanilla’s wife.During trial, Quintanilla’s lawyers asked the jury to convict him of conspiracy to commit robbery but said Quintanilla had no involvement in any murder plot. Jurors did just the opposite; they convicted Quintanilla of murder but acquitted him of robbing and conspiring to rob Olivares.Quintanilla allegedly told Glenn that Olivares had sexually assaulted a family member and used another lie to get Rodriguez on board with the plot, telling them both he...

Trump and DeSantis are at dueling campaign events in Iowa with the caucuses just six weeks away

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ron DeSantis plans on Saturday to complete his campaign promise to visit each of Iowa’s 99 counties, a timeworn tactic for presidential candidates hoping to make their mark in the leadoff state over months mingling with voters at the state’s diners, cookouts and Pizza Ranches.But the Florida governor’s moment, like much of his campaign, will take place under the towering shadow of former President Donald Trump.Around the same time DeSantis is set to take the stage Saturday afternoon in Newton, Iowa, Trump will be addressing cheering supporters about 100 miles away in Cedar Rapids. Just six weeks are left before the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses, which DeSantis has said he “absolutely” expects to win. He’s bet his campaign on the state, winning key endorsements from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and high-profile evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats.“He’s showing up,” Reynolds said in an interview. “He’s not just landing, doing an event and heading out...

Caída de autobús por precipicio deja 5 fallecidos y 13 heridos en Ecuador

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

QUITO, ECUADOR – Unas 5 personas fallecieron y 13 resultaron heridas luego de que un autobús se precipitara por un abismo en el sur andino de Ecuador, confirmó el sábado el servicio integrado de seguridad ECU 911.Según información difundida a los medios en un chat de periodistas, el hecho se produjo por el volcamiento del autobús la noche del viernes cuando recorría la ruta Cuenca-Molleturo-Naranjal, en la provincia del Azuay, unos 300 kilómetros al sur de la capital. Según declaraciones del jefe de bomberos de Cuenca, Sixto Heras, el vehículo de la empresa Occidental tuvo una “pérdida de pista”, se volcó y descendió unos 300 metros por la pendiente. Mueren 7 personas que presuntamente practicaban la minería ilegal en Zambia; más de 20 desaparecidas Mueren 9 personas en accidente de autobús y un camión en República Dominicana El jefe de los bomberos agregó que el registro del autobús que se encontró en el lugar daba cuenta d...

NBAGL Showcase Cup Glance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

For Showcase Cup play, the league’s 31 teams are separated into four regional divisions. The teams with the best winning-percentage in each region, along with the next four teams across the league with the best win-percentages, will advance to compete for the Showcase Cup in a single-elimination tournament during the NBA G League Winter Showcase. The remaining teams will each play two games outside of the Showcase Cup tournament during the event.EASTWLPctGBWestchester72.778—Capital City52.7141College Park53.6251½Delaware43.5712Long Island43.5712Maine44.5002½Greensboro27.2225Raptors18.1116CENTRALWLPctGBIndiana51.833—Motor City63.667½Sioux Falls64.6001Windy City43.5711½Cleveland54.5561½Wisconsin44.5002Iowa26.2504Grand Rapids07.0005½SOUTHWLPctGBRio Grande Valley63.667—Osceola63.667—Birmingham43.5711Mexico City54.5561Oklahoma City44.5001½Austin44.5001½Memphis37.3003½Texas26.2503½WESTWLPctGBSanta Cruz61.857—Ontario63.6671South Bay53.6251½Stockton44.5002½Salt Lake City45.4443Rip Cit...

State set to announce deep cuts to transportation agencies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

Maryland’s Department of Transportation is facing billions in cuts to address shortfalls that will squeeze operations and construction budgets.State officials spent the better part of this week briefing lawmakers and local leaders on an 8% across-the-board cut to all the agencies within the Maryland Department of Transportation.The Department of Transportation, in a statement responding to questions about the cuts and an expected public announcement next week, blamed the troubles on flagging revenues used to support road and transit projects.“During a period when families are still feeling the effects of inflation, it’s incumbent on state government to take a balanced approach that tightens its belt while still making strategic investments in the future,” the department said in a statement. “The Moore-Miller Administration has been clear about the challenging budget shortfalls facing Maryland that have long been forecasted to take place. The depths of those structural problems only ...

Klesmit’s fast start, Wisconsin’s rebounding helps Badgers beat No. 3 Marquette 75-64

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Max Klesmit scored all 21 of his points before halftime, Steven Crowl added 16 and Wisconsin capitalized on its rebounding superiority to beat No. 3 Marquette 75-64 on Saturday.Wisconsin (6-2) beat Marquette (6-2) for a third straight season in this in-state rivalry between schools separated by just 79 miles. This marks the first three-game winning streak for either team in the 130-game series since the Badgers won four straight from 1998-2001.After trailing by 16 in the closing seconds of the first half, Marquette went on a 17-2 run to get the margin down to one with 14:46 left in the game. But the Golden Eagles never could grab the lead and failed to make a basket for more than seven minutes at one point in the second half, enabling Wisconsin to regain its double-digit advantage.Marquette cut the lead to 67-62 on a Tyler Kolek 3-pointer with 3:52 left, but the Golden Eagles got no closer the rest of the way.Kam Jones scored 19 and Kolek added 11 for Marquette....

McKneely, Beekman power Virginia’s 84-62 win over Syracuse in ACC opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Isaac McKneely scored 22 points, Reece Beekman added 13 points with eight assists, and hot-shooting Virginia defeated Syracuse 84-62 in an ACC opener on Saturday.McKneely was 8-for-11 shooting, making 6-of-8 3-pointers, and grabbed five rebounds. Andrew Rohde added 10 points, four assists and three rebounds. Virginia shot 54.5% for the game and made 12 of 21 3-pointers (57.1%).The Cavaliers (7-1) hit eight 3-pointers in the first 12 1/2 minutes of the second half, pushing a 13-point halftime lead to 33 points, 75-42. The Orange struggled from 3-point distance in the second half, making only 2 of 12, but a 10-0 run over a 3-minute stretch helped cut their deficit to 22 points by game’s end.JJ Starling led Syracuse (5-3) with 16 points and Maliq Brown added 10. Syracuse shot 40.7% overall and 5-for-20 on 3-pointers.Judah Mintz, who leads Syracuse in scoring this season (20.4ppg coming in), was held to five points after going for a career-high 33 again...

More than 700 flights cancelled as southern Germany sees heavy snowfall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

(CNN) — Around 760 flights were cancelled at Munich Airport on Saturday due to heavy snowfall, an airport spokesperson told CNN.Buses, trams, and some train services in Munich were also suspended due to the snow, according to Munich’s public transport company.Munich’s central train station was closed for arrivals, while long-distance services have been suspended entirely, according to Germany’s national railway company Deutsche Bahn.Deutsche Bahn warned that rail traffic would be “impacted severely” until Monday.Germany’s regional Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that huge numbers of travellers have been left stranded at Munich’s main station.“I’ve been sitting here in this place since one o’clock in the morning,” one passenger told the publication, while another said: “We just want to know if there’s still a chance of getting out of here.”Police on Saturday asked people in Munich not to use their cars unless absolutely necessary, while resid...

No. 17 UNC uses 22-point run to erase 14-point hole and beat Florida State 78-70 in ACC opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — RJ Davis scored 27 points and No. 17 North Carolina ran off 22 unanswered points in the second half to rally past Florida State 78-70 on Saturday in both teams’ Atlantic Coast Conference opener.Armando Bacot added 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Tar Heels (7-1, 1-0), who trailed by 14 early after the break after managing just one field goal over nearly 11 minutes of game action. But on a day when the Tar Heels struggled to make outside shots, UNC found its jolt with fullcourt pressure that took the Seminoles out of sync and forced turnovers while providing some needed zip.That drove up the pace of play, and finally the Tar Heels started giving their home crowd a reason to roar.Seth Trimble’s transition layup finally tied it at 56-all, then freshman Elliot Cadeau followed with the go-ahead layup at the 7:24 mark. UNC stayed on the attack, getting two and-1 scores among five made free throws. And then there were the baskets coming off FSU miscues...