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China tightens access to Tiananmen Square on anniversary of 1989 pro-democracy protests

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China tightened already strict access to Tiananmen Square in central Beijing on Sunday, the anniversary of 1989 pro-democracy protests. In Hong Kong, which had been the last Chinese-controlled territory to hold commemorations, police detained at least two protesters on the eve of the anniversary at Victoria Park. The large public space had been the scene for an annual candlelight gathering to remember the hundreds or thousands killed when army tanks and infantry descended on central Beijing on the night of June 3 and into the morning of June 4, 1989. Discussion of the events has long been suppressed in China and become increasingly off-limits in Hong Kong since a sweeping national security law was imposed in June 2020, effectively barring anyone from holding memorial events. The death toll from the 1989 violence remains unknown and the Communist Party relentlessly harasses those at home or overseas who seek to keep the memory of the events alive.In Beijing, additional...

Canadian soldiers, American firefighters now battling blazes in Nova Scotia

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

HALIFAX — Canadian soldiers and firefighters from abroad are now on the ground helping to extinguish wildfires burning in several parts of Nova Scotia for the past week.Members of the Canadian Armed Forces and a number of American firefighters arrived in the province on Saturday and will be deployed to combat the most significant blazes. Those include the wildfire that forced thousands of people from their homes near Halifax, though that blaze is no longer considered to be burning out of control. Provincial officials said on Saturday the Westwood Hills fire, in Tantallon, was 85 per cent contained and was unlikely to spread further due to a combination of firefighting efforts and heavy rain that fell throughout the day. Meanwhile, the nearby Hammonds Plains blaze is now under control and considered 100 per cent contained.In Shelburne County, however, the Barrington Lake wildfire — the largest in the province’s history — continues to burn out of control. The blaze c...

June means trouble for B.C. wildfires with hot, dry forecast set to compound drought

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

Underlying drought, unseasonably warm temperatures last month and hot, dry conditions in the June forecast mean “the table has been set” for significant wildfire activity this summer, an official with the British Columbia Wildfire Service says.Lead fire weather forecaster Matt MacDonald said he and his colleagues have been waiting to see if this month might bring desperately needed rain.“The classic adage we hear every year is the intensity of the fire season will greatly depend on the amount of rain received in June,” he said. Now that it’s here, the June forecast does not bode well.MacDonald said the service has been looking at how much rain would be needed to alleviate persistent drought conditions and lower the risk of wildfire. They found it would require two to three millimetres of rain per day for 10 to 20 days in a row, he said.“I can almost guarantee that is not going to happen,” he said.A day or two of heavy rainfall here and there...

A Pretty Nice Day to Go Outside Sunday—But Wear a Hat and some Sunscreen

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

Colorado State hurricane researcher Dr. Phil Klotzbach (https://twitter.com/philklotzbach) indicates in a post last Thursday that CSU's 2023 Atlantic season update (https://tropical.colostate.edu/Forecast/2023-06.pdf) has increased its predicted number of 2023 hurricanes and tropical storms. In so doing, the Colorado State outlook joins their NOAA tropical forecasting colleagues in predicting a "NORMAL" number of hurricanes and tropical cyclones in the months ahead (https://www.noaa.gov/.../2023-atlantic-hurricane-season...). In so doing, the COLORADO STATE TROPICAL FORECAST TEAM is predicting the WARMER THAN NORMAL OCEAN TEMPS may well prevail over the wind shear increase which typically occurs over the Atlantic Basin during El Niños. Increases in wind shear often decrease hurricane numbers by disrupting the organization of t-storms which must occur if a hurricane is to develop.But as with seasonal weather of any kind, MULTIPLE FACTORS go into producing a given season's weather---a...

Dear Abby: They seem to be hinting my illness is imaginary

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I am struggling with an invisible illness and losing patience with friends, family and acquaintances.I’m working with doctors to manage my conditions, and I’m tired of all the suggestions and seemingly positive comments I’m hearing, like, “You can do it; just put your mind to it!”Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I was shocked to see this behavior at a funeral Advice | Dear Abby: He learned things in kindergarten that made him cry Advice | Dear Abby: My husband is upset that I find his new look mortifying Advice | Dear Abby: I have news about my co-worker that his girlfriend should know Advice | Dear Abby: What the bridesmaid told me sent my wedding stress off the charts I am seeing a therapist to help with the emotional stress, and even they are trying to armchair-diagnose me and question my knowledge of specific vitamins, probiotics and treatments. Some of the...

Nationals and Phillies meet in series rubber match

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (26-32, fourth in the NL East) vs. Washington Nationals (25-33, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Ranger Suarez (0-2, 7.13 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 17 strikeouts); Nationals: Trevor Williams (2-3, 3.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 40 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -160, Nationals +137; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.Washington has a 12-18 record at home and a 25-33 record overall. The Nationals have a 17-6 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Philadelphia is 26-32 overall and 12-22 on the road. The Phillies are 22-9 in games when they out-hit their opponents.Sunday’s game is the third time these teams square off this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Jeimer Candelario has 17 doubles, two triples and seven home runs while hitting .264 for the Nationals. Keibert Ruiz is 8-for-36 with three home...

Reds host the Brewers on 3-game home slide

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (31-27, first in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (26-32, third in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Adrian Houser (1-1, 4.07 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 17 strikeouts); Reds: Ben Lively (3-2, 1.99 ERA, .93 WHIP, 24 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -115, Brewers -104; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds play the Milwaukee Brewers looking to end their three-game home slide.Cincinnati has a 26-32 record overall and a 14-16 record at home. The Reds have a 22-6 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Milwaukee has gone 15-15 on the road and 31-27 overall. The Brewers have a 20-6 record in games when they record at least eight hits.The teams meet Sunday for the third time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Steer has 15 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 30 RBI while hitting .292 for the Reds. Matt McLain is 18-for-48 with two doubles, a triple and a home run over the last 10 games.Christ...

Cardinals look to stop 3-game road losing streak, play the Pirates

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (25-34, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (30-27, second in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Sunday, 11:35 a.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (4-1, 3.75 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 58 strikeouts); Pirates: Rich Hill (4-5, 4.91 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 55 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -154, Pirates +132; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals will try to break a three-game road losing streak when they play the Pittsburgh Pirates.Pittsburgh is 30-27 overall and 14-13 at home. Pirates hitters have a collective .323 on-base percentage, the eighth-ranked percentage in the NL.St. Louis has a 25-34 record overall and a 13-18 record on the road. The Cardinals have hit 80 total home runs to rank third in the NL.Sunday’s game is the seventh time these teams square off this season. The Pirates are ahead 4-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 17 doubles, three triples and seven home runs for the Pirates. T...

Diamondbacks and Braves play to determine series winner

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

Atlanta Braves (34-24, first in the NL East) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (35-24, first in the NL West)Phoenix; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Michael Soroka (0-1, 6.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, three strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (7-2, 2.72 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 82 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -133, Braves +113; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.Arizona has a 35-24 record overall and a 20-13 record in home games. The Diamondbacks have a 15-6 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.Atlanta is 34-24 overall and 19-10 on the road. Braves pitchers have a collective 3.65 ERA, which ranks third in the majors.Sunday’s game is the third time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has 17 doubles, two triples and nine home runs for the Diamondbacks. Emmanuel Rivera is 11-for-32 with three doubles over the past ...

San Diego Padres host the Chicago Cubs Sunday

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:03:25 GMT

Chicago Cubs (25-32, fourth in the NL Central) vs. San Diego Padres (27-31, fourth in the NL West)San Diego; Sunday, 5:30 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Marcus Stroman (5-4, 2.59 ERA, .99 WHIP, 62 strikeouts); Padres: Ryan Weathers (1-3, 4.28 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 22 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -111, Cubs -109; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres play the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.San Diego is 27-31 overall and 13-16 in home games. The Padres have a 20-6 record in games when they record at least eight hits.Chicago has a 25-32 record overall and a 10-16 record on the road. The Cubs have the ninth-best team on-base percentage in MLB play at .328.The teams meet Sunday for the sixth time this season. The Cubs are up 3-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto has 15 doubles, 10 home runs and 26 RBI for the Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr. is 10-for-43 with three doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI over the past 10 games.Nico Hoerner has four home runs,...