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Leaders from emerging economies are visiting China for the ‘Belt and Road’ forum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A stream of leaders of emerging market countries are arriving in Beijing for a meeting organized by the Chinese government that will mark the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative.Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed landed in Beijing on Monday, following Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Sunday night. Under the initiative, a signature policy of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Chinese companies have built ports, roads, railways, power plants around the world in a bid to boost trade and economic growth. But the massive Chinese development loans that funded the projects have also burdened some poorer countries with heavy debts.Others leaders from Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Mideast will attend the Belt and Road Forum, whose main day is on Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend, as are representatives of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.The Associated Press

Candlelight vigil held in Toronto to honour lives lost in Israel and Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

Members of the Jewish community gathered for a vigil in downtown Toronto on Sunday night to honour the lives lost in Israel.Dozens of mourners gathered at Matt Cohen Park near Bloor Street West and Spadina Road for the candlelight vigil, sharing stories and listening to music while remembering the men, women and children killed in the attacks.Those at the rally also called for the safe release of hostages being held, an end to the bombings in the Gaza Strip, and they want the Canadian government to push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.“You cannot bring back dead people, you cannot bring back the murdered by murdering more people – we want to say that loud and clear, that a ceasefire must happen now,” said Daniel Roth, one of those present at the vigil.“I think that people have drawn lines between Israelis and Palestinians and I think what we need to do is draw lines between those who are for life and for humanity and those who are against it, those w...

Hundreds attend Israel, Palestine rallies at Texas Capitol

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — While the Israel-Hamas war rages on thousands of miles away, it's hurting many people living right here in Central Texas.Sunday, hundreds of protestors filled the front of the Texas Capitol and downtown streets. Some were pro-Israel and others were pro-Palestine. The two groups had rallies back to back. 'There has to be a change'The Austin branch of the Israeli-American council and the Texas Israel Alliance held its rally first. "Two members of my extended family have been murdered in cold blood," said one speaker at the rally. "You cannot tolerate it. This time there has to be a change."The Austin branch of the Israeli-American Council and the Texas Israel Alliance hosted a rally from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Texas Capitol Sunday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Austin branch of the Israeli-American Council and the Texas Israel Alliance hosted a rally from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Texas Capitol Sunday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Austin branch of the Israeli-American Coun...

Theater review: ‘Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress’ is a lovely exploration of imagination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

Maybe our biggest problem right now is a love shortage. Perhaps we’ve reached a point in human history at which we’re turning our backs on compassion, empathy and understanding and turning our hearts toward hatred in hopes that this will somehow make us happier, even though there’s no evidence that that’s ever worked before.These thoughts permeated my mind as I departed Children’s Theatre Company on Saturday night after the premiere performance of “Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress.” It may sound like a flighty title, but I came away regarding it as perhaps the most important production CTC has offered so far this century.Granted, this simple little show does nothing to project any sense of grave import. It comes off as something of a week in the life of a grade schooler, but it’s a week in which the protagonist of the title first encounters roadblocks for his vivid imagination.Adapted from a 2014 picture book by Christine Baldacchino (with vibrantly colorful illustrations ...

Minnesota officials overshot tax rebate estimate by $144M

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

State revenue officials overestimated how many Minnesotans would be eligible for tax rebate checks, resulting in $144 million less going out the door.When lawmakers approved the one-time rebates this spring, they had projections of a giveback that would top $1.1 billion. The final amount was below $1 billion.The difference was noted in a quarterly economic memo released Wednesday by the Minnesota’s finance agency.Minnesota Department of Revenue officials said they used 2019 income tax returns to set their estimate for rebate checks. Those were adjusted to account for population growth between 2019 and 2021. But that led to an overcount of how many dependents could be covered.Lawmakers approved and the governor signed into law a tax bill earlier this year that granted a one-time rebate of $260 to individuals under a certain income cap, or $520 to married couples. And families with dependents could see an extra $260 for up to three dependents.Single filers had to make less than $75,00...

COVID-19 ticks down in Minnesota; flu and RSV barely present

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

Emergency room visits for COVID-19 have dropped during the last couple of weeks in Minnesota.While there is no guarantee that trend will continue, there has been a longer downward trend for the United States as a whole. That may be a sign that COVID ER visits will continue to decline in Minnesota as well.‘Tis the season, however, for two other major respiratory illnesses to become more prevalent — influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. So far, flu is barely registering above zero for Minnesota ER visits. Flu visits in the United States overall have increased in recent weeks but still remain very low — below 0.5 percent. RSV visits have also increased nationally but remain at zero in Minnesota.More on the latest COVID-19 data in Minnesota below, but first an update on the lingering aftereffects of COVID on the cardiovascular system.New evidence linking COVID-19 to cardiac issuesScientists have now identified how SARS-COV2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — leads to heart ...

2023 Wild About Blue Wilton Preserve fundraiser

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

GANSEVOORT, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park held its annual Wild About Blue fundraising event with a goal of forty thousand dollars to be raised. Partygoers enjoyed some cuisine at The Wishing Well while donating to their year-round education model."This is our annual Wild About Blue fundraiser. It’s a celebration of our mission and our mission is environmental education, outdoor recreation, and conservation," described Executive Director of Wilton Wildlife, Margo Olson. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! All things that the public has come to enjoy over the years.  From self-guided nature trails to school groups and workshops, the preserve and park connects its visitors with nature thanks in part to many volunteers. "They call it "nature bathing," where actually breathing in the air that has been out in the forest is actually healthful and healing," said Olson.Part of appreciating nature is protecting nature....

Ending homelessness for female veterans in St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

PINE LAWN, Mo. – A north St. Louis County church has an ambitious goal to solve a major crisis: they want to end homelessness among women veterans in St. Louis by the end of 2024.The Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Pine Lawn hosted a meeting late Sunday afternoon to bring attention to the problem of female veteran homelessness and talk about solutions. Church leaders said it’s time the Show Me State showed the rest of the country how to eradicate the issue.Superintendent Ronald Coleman said many times that it begins with getting those female veterans out of unsafe environments.“It might be drug-infested. Places that have crime and bad influences. Things that send you the wrong way rather than the right way,” Coleman said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW ...

UCity pins hopes on flood basin while pushing for home buyouts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. – University City officials are pinning their hopes on a flood basin while attempting to remain optimistic that the federal government will come through with a buyout of homes.The city just recently received $3.2 million in federal aid to buy an apartment complex that routinely floods. University City applied for the money in a national competition and was one of the local winners.The apartment complex will be converted into greenspace. However, the money to buy out flood-prone homes on Wilson Avenue is still on hold.City Manager Gregory Rose said University City is putting more stock in a flood basin than potential flood buyouts. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW “The first project was the detention basin project, which...

Rally in support of Israel outside Jewish Federation of St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:18 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – About 500 people turned out for a rally outside the Jewish Federation of St. Louis on Sunday to show support for Israel in the wake of last week’s terror attacks by Hamas.“That we condemn the actions of Hamas by going into the homes of our brothers and sisters, massacring their children, and taking hostages. We want the hostages released as well,” Traci Goldstein, a rally organizer, said. “The point is: we want to live in our land, and we’d love to live with peace, but you can’t make peace with someone when they want you dead.”Organizers discussed a fundraiser for Israel. St. Louis is one of the many cities raising money, according to Goldstein.“That money is also going over to Israel to help with the needs of the soldiers, the needs of people who are displaced. There are children whose parents got killed,” she said. “They have nowhere to live, so that money goes 100% directly to the people of Israel. That fundraiser can be found on the Jewish Federation webs...