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Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, has died at 68

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, died Friday of a heart attack in Shanghai, state media CCTV reported. He was 68. Li was China’s No. 2 leader in 2013-23 and an advocate for private business but was left with little authority after President Xi Jinping made himself the most powerful Chinese leader in decades and tightened control over the economy and society.The Associated Press

B.C.’s new fossil emblem an 80-million-year-old marine reptile called elasmosaur

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

VICTORIA — British Columbia has officially designated a large, fierce-looking marine reptile that swam in waters off Vancouver Island 80 million years ago as the province’s official fossil emblem.The government adopted the long-necked, sharp-toothed 12-metre elasmosaur as the fossil emblem on Thursday, adding to the list of provincial symbols.The designation follows a five-year recognition effort by paleontology enthusiasts and a provincewide public poll in 2018 where the elasmosaur received 48 per cent of the votes.Tourism Minister Lana Popham says in a statement the elasmosaur designation raises awareness that B.C. has a fossil heritage worthy of celebration and stewardship.The first elasmosaur fossil was discovered in 1988, along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island, marking the first fossil of its kind found west of the Canadian Rockies.The elasmosaur lived along the coast of B.C., dating back to the Cretaceous period. Other official B.C. emblems include the Pacific dog...

DC pandas will be returning to China in mid-November, weeks earlier than expected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo’s three celebrity giant pandas will be heading home a little earlier than expected. Zoo officials told The Associated Press on Thursday that adult bears Mei Xiang and Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji will be returning to China sometime in mid-November.The zoo’s exchange agreement with the Chinese government, originally brokered by President Richard Nixon 50 years ago, expires Dec. 7. Ongoing negotiations to extend the agreement haven’t produced results, amid speculation from China-watchers that Beijing is gradually pulling its pandas from Western nations due to deteriorating diplomatic relations with the U.S. and other countries.Panda-philes around the country had circled the December date as the last chance to view the iconic bears. But the zoo, for undisclosed reasons, said the departure would happen about three weeks earlier. “Discussions with our Chinese partner, the China Wildlife Conservation Association, to develop a future gia...

Police investigate ‘hate-motivated’ threat against doctor in Mississauga

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

Police in Peel Region are investigating a threat made against a physician with Trillium Health Partners as a hate-motivated crime.Police did not elaborate on the nature of the threat made, but a spokesperson for Trillium Health Partners says an anti-Semitic death threat was received by a hospital staff member at a non-hospital work premises.“This threat was targeted towards a team member who identifies as Jewish,” read the statement sent to CityNews. “In response to this incident, we immediately increased security presence at THP and are continuously working with community partners, including police, peer hospitals, and others, to assess and respond to all risks to security.”“THP unequivocally stands against all forms of hate, including this act of anti-Semitism. We have zero tolerance for threats of any kind against our staff, professional staff, volunteers, learners, patients, and community. “Trillium Health Partners encompasses Credit Valley Ho...

Ayo Dosunmu gets an award from the NBA as his third Bulls season begins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

CHICAGO — As he's just beginning his third season with the Bulls, a Chicago native is being honored by the NBA.This award for Ayo Dosunmu, however, comes for his work away from the basketball court.An honor for Bulls guard Ayo Dosummu arrived today from the NBA as he was announced as the winner of the Lanier Community Assist Award for the offseason..It comes from his efforts in Chicago through his foundation..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/gYaR24M9j6— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) October 26, 2023The Chicago native, former Morgan Park High School and Illinois star was named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award offseason winner on Thursday. Also given during the seven months of the NBA regular season, it awards players for their outstanding work in their communities, with Dosunmu's efforts coming in his hometown. He was notified of the award during Thursday's practice at the Advocate Center and will receive the award at the November 6 game against the Jazz at the United Cen...

Texas judge orders state not to release A-F school ratings after districts sue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Travis County judge on Thursday ordered the Texas Education Agency not to release its annual A-F school ratings after more than 100 school districts sued the education commissioner over the anticipated changes to how the scores will be calculated. The districts, including Dallas ISD and Pflugerville ISD, allege the state agency and its top leader did not provide adequate notice, under Texas law, of changes to how the 2022-23 A-F rating will be calculated. The school leaders testified in a hearing earlier this month the changes had the potential to lower scores for campuses even if performance improved. The judge, Catherine Mauzy, stated the school districts made sufficient showing the education commissioner's implementation of the A-F accountability system for 2022-23 school year "violates Texas law and would cause irreparable harm" to all school districts in the state. Texas Education Agency will delay A-F school ratings “I think it is clear we have a unified f...

Judge grants temporary injunction in lawsuit over TEA A-F ratings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Education Agency is prohibited from assigning A-F performance ratings for the 2022-23 school year until the court issues another order or a final judgment in the suit, whichever occurs first.Pflugerville Independent School District, Del Valle Independent School District and multiple other districts are suing the head of the Texas Education Agency over the agency’s decision to change how the state grades schools. Lawsuit: Texas school districts ask court to temporarily stop new A-F ratings The districts previously asked a judge to temporarily stop the state from issuing ratings based on the new methods. In the lawsuit, the districts claim the agency did not follow the law in notifying districts of changes to the A-F system before the beginning of the school year in which the new metrics will be applied.The suit also claims the new methods would dramatically decrease campus and district scores. According to Austin ISD officials, 22% of its schools wou...

Lady Liberty statue returned to Gateway Plaza in Schenectady

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A replica of the Statue of Liberty is back at Schenectady's Gateway Plaza. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The statue stood there for more than 50 years before it was moved to the corner of Erie Boulevard and Union Street in 2017 while the plaza, which used to be known as Liberty Park, was renovated.Community members have been calling for it to be moved back. The Boy Scouts donated the statue to the city in 1950.

Heavily armed police surround home in search for suspect in the fatal shooting of 18 in Maine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Heavily armed police surrounded a home Thursday as they searched for a U.S. Army reservist who authorities say killed 18 people and wounded 13 in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine.“You need to come outside now with nothing in your hands. Your hands in the air,” police shouted through a megaphone outside the home owned by suspect Robert Card’s relative near the town of Bowdoin.Dozens of law enforcement officials had descended on the property, with extended announcements calling for Card and anyone in the home to come out into the driveway. In most instances when police execute warrants — even for suspects wanted for violent crimes — they move quickly to enter the home.“The announcements that are being heard over a loudspeaker are standard search warrant announcements when executing a warrant to ensure the safety of all involved,” state police spokesperson Shannon Moss said. “It is unknown whether Robert Card is in any of the homes ...

CB Fabian Moreau makes most out of first start with Broncos: “He played very clean”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:51:09 GMT

Fabian Moreau didn’t let Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs out of his sight.On Green Bay’s second play of the third quarter, quarterback Jordan Love attempted a deep throw to Doubs, but Denver’s veteran cornerback applied tight coverage and broke up the pass before staring down the second-year wideout.In Denver’s 19-17 win over the Packers in Week 7, Moreau replaced second-year cornerback Damarri Mathis in the starting lineup and didn’t disappoint. He had four tackles and allowed two catches for seven yards on five targets, making a case for more reps moving forward.“He played very clean,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Thursday. “That’s his role. When you’re a corner opposite of (cornerback) Pat (Surtain II), you have to be ready for all kinds of looks and different concepts and routes.”Moreau was told he would be in the starting lineup in the middle of the week, as Joseph thought he would improve the defense.Mathis had started the previous six games. And even though he ma...