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Denmark floats Quran-burning ban after far-right protests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

Denmark is considering banning events where “religions are being insulted,” the foreign ministry said Sunday after Qurans were burned in recent weeks by far-right groups in front of foreign embassies from Muslim-majority countries in Copenhagen.The Danish government will “explore the possibility of intervening in special situations where, for instance, other countries, cultures, and religions are being insulted,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding the burnings were “deeply offensive” and “play into the hands of extremists.”“We must find a legal tool that allows us to prevent Quran burnings in front of foreign embassies in Denmark,” Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR on Sunday, adding there had been “five Quran burnings” in Copenhagen that day.Several Quran burnings have taken place in Denmark and Sweden, where the act is permitted under freedom of expression and right ...

Fans pay tribute to Coco Lee, Hong Kong singer who had international success

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects to their idol at her funeral in Hong Kong on Monday.The evening services were expected to be attended by her family, friends and supporters. Lee died July 5 at age 48. She was born in Hong Kong and attended school in San Francisco before releasing her first album in 1994 at age 19. She began her career as a Mandopop singer but branched out to release albums in Cantonese and English.She was the first Chinese singer to break into the American market, and her English song “Do You Want My Love” climbed to #4 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Breakouts chart in December 1999. In 2001, she sang “A Love Before Time” from Ang Lee’s movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” at the Academy Awards, becoming the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars.Lee was also the voice of heroine Fa Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney’s “Mula...

Our bears are real, a Chinese zoo says, denying they are ‘humans in disguise’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A zoo in eastern China is denying suggestions some of its bears might be people in costumes after photos of the animals standing like humans circulated online.The sun bears from Malaysia are smaller than other bears and look different but are the real thing, the Hangzhou Zoo said Monday on its social media account.“Some people think I stand like a person,” said the posting, written from the bear’s point of view. “It seems you don’t understand me very well.”An employee who answered the phone at the zoo declined to talk about the bears but said visits were being arranged for reporters Monday to see them.Internet users questioned whether the zoo’s bears were real after photos circulated showing one standing upright on slender hind legs.“Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are ‘humans in disguise,’” the newspaper Hangzhou Daily said.Sun bears are the size of large dogs, standing at most 1.3 meters (50 inches) tall on their hind le...

Pakistan holds funerals as government vows to hunt down those behind the weekend’s suicide bombing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan held funerals on Monday for victims of a massive suicide bombing that targeted a rally of a pro-Taliban cleric the previous day as the death toll climbed to at least 45 and the government vowed to hunt down those behind the attack. No one immediately claimed responsibility for Sunday’s bombing, which also wounded nearly 200 people. Police said their initial investigation suggests the Islamic State group’s regional affiliate could be behind the attack. The victims were all from the Jamiat Ulema Islam party, which is headed by hard-line cleric and politician Fazlur Rehman. He did not attend the rally, held under a large tent close to a market in Bajur, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan.The IS regional affiliate — known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province — is based in neighboring Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and is a rival of the Afghan Taliban. Bajur was a stronghold of the Pakistani Talib...

EU leader warns Europe won’t tolerate aggression: ‘not in Ukraine, not in the Indo-Pacific’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned Monday that Europe would not tolerate aggression in Ukraine or the Indo-Pacific, as she renewed in a speech the EU’s recognition of a 2016 arbitration decision that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea.Von der Leyen spoke in a joint news conference with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after holding talks in Manila that aimed to bolster trade, economic and security relations. The leaders announced the 27-nation bloc would resume negotiations with the Philippines for a free-trade agreement that stalled in 2017 under Marcos’s predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.She underscored the need for security cooperation citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which showed how authoritarian leaders “are willing to act on their threats.”“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine shakes the foundation of the international order. It is in violation of the U.N....

Commission steps up protection of children from unsafe toys

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

On 28 July, the Commission proposed a Toy Safety Regulation revising the current rules to protect children from potential risks in toys. Toys put on the EU market are already among the safest ones in the world. The proposed rules will further improve this protection, in particular from harmful chemicals. They also aim at reducing the high number of unsafe toys that are still sold in the EU, especially online, increasing the level playing field between toys manufactured in the EU and imported ones. At the same time, they will continue to ensure the free movement of toys within the Single Market.Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton, said: “This proposal will ensure that children are even more protected when playing with toys, including from harmful chemicals. Enforcement will be stepped up thanks to digital technologies, allowing unsafe toys to be more easily detected, notably at EU borders. As a result, the proposal increases the level playing field for the EU toy manufacturin...

Single family residence in San Ramon sells for $1.9 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

429 Silvercrown Way – Google Street ViewA 2,534-square-foot house built in 2017 has changed hands. The spacious, recently built property located in the 400 block of Silvercrown Way in San Ramon was sold on July 11, 2023. The $1,900,000 purchase price works out to $750 per square foot. This two-story house offers a spacious layout with four bedrooms and three baths. The property is equipped with central A/C. Additionally, the house includes an attached two-car garage, offering generous space for vehicles and storage requirements. The property is situated on a lot spanning 3,321 square feet.Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include:A 3,159-square-foot home on the 200 block of Zinnia Court in San Ramon sold in January 2023, for $2,380,000, a price per square foot of $753. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In July 2023, a 3,095-square-foot home on Roseum Court in San Ramon sold for $2,197,500, a price per square foot of $710. The home has 4 bedrooms and ...

Connecticut hosts Minnesota following Bonner’s 31-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

Minnesota Lynx (13-13, 8-7 Western Conference) at Connecticut Sun (18-7, 10-3 Eastern Conference)Uncasville, Connecticut; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Connecticut hosts the Minnesota Lynx after DeWanna Bonner scored 31 points in the Connecticut Sun’s 87-83 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.The Sun have gone 8-4 in home games. Connecticut leads the Eastern Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 78.9 points while holding opponents to 42.8% shooting.The Lynx are 7-5 in road games. Minnesota gives up 85.3 points to opponents and has been outscored by 4.8 points per game.The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Lynx won the last meeting 87-83 on July 30, with Kayla McBride scoring 19 points in the victory.TOP PERFORMERS: Alyssa Thomas is averaging 14.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.8 steals for the Sun. Bonner is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games for Connecticut.McBride is averaging 12.9 points for the Lynx. Napheesa Collier is averagin...

Las Vegas plays Atlanta, seeks 8th straight victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

Atlanta Dream (14-11, 8-8 Eastern Conference) at Las Vegas Aces (23-2, 14-1 Western Conference)Las Vegas; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Las Vegas comes into a matchup with Atlanta as winners of seven games in a row.The Aces are 12-0 on their home court. Las Vegas is 17-1 in games decided by 10 or more points.The Dream are 7-5 in road games. Atlanta is 0-1 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.The teams play for the second time this season. The Aces won the last matchup 92-87 on June 3, with A’ja Wilson scoring 21 points in the victory.TOP PERFORMERS: Chelsea Gray is averaging 15.1 points, 6.9 assists and 1.5 steals for the Aces. Wilson is averaging 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks over the last 10 games for Las Vegas.Cheyenne Parker is averaging 13.4 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Dream. Allisha Gray is averaging 18.5 points over the last 10 games for Atlanta.LAST 10 GAMES: Aces: 9-1, averaging 96.5 points, 34.8 rebounds, 21.6 assists, 7.6 steals and ...

Los Angeles hosts New York following Stewart’s 25-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:42 GMT

New York Liberty (19-6, 11-3 Eastern Conference) at Los Angeles Sparks (9-16, 6-10 Western Conference)Los Angeles; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: New York visits the Los Angeles Sparks after Breanna Stewart scored 25 points in the Liberty’s 87-79 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks.The Sparks have gone 7-7 at home. Los Angeles is fifth in the Western Conference scoring 78.5 points while shooting 42.4% from the field.The Liberty are 9-2 in road games. New York ranks fifth in the WNBA allowing 82.5 points while holding opponents to 42.6% shooting.The teams play for the second time this season. The Liberty won the last matchup 87-79 on July 30. Stewart scored 25 points to help lead the Liberty to the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Jordin Canada is averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 assists and 1.7 steals for the Sparks. Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 19.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.Stewart is averaging 23.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the ...