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China’s government tries to defuse economic fears after real estate developer’s debt struggle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China’s government is trying to reassure jittery homebuyers after a major real estate developer missed a payment on its multibillion-dollar debt, reviving fears about the industry’s shaky finances and their impact on the struggling Chinese economy.There is no indication Country Garden’s problems might spread beyond China, which seals off its financial system from global capital flows, economists say. But they highlight the industry’s struggle under pressure from the ruling Communist Party to reduce soaring debt that is seen as an economic threat. That has bankrupted hundreds of small developers and depressed China’s economic growth.The Country Garden episode has echoes of Evergrande Group, which is trying to restructure more than $340 billion owed to banks and bondholders. Fears of a possible Evergrande default in 2021 rattled global markets, but they eased after the Chinese central bank said its problems were contained and Beijing would keep credit markets functionin...

The European Parliament is open for visitors! 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

Visit the centre of European democracy, the place where decisions affecting the whole EU are made.Visit the ParlamentariumThe Parlamentarium in Brussels is Europe’s largest parliamentary visitors centre. It hosts a cinema where you can get a 360° view of Europe and the European Parliament. Discover how the Parliament works, how laws are made and why European politics matter. An interactive floor map takes visitors on a virtual tour around the EU, featuring more than 100 stories highlighting the diversity of the bloc.Parlamentarium is open seven days a week and entrance is free of charge. It is fully accessible for visitors with disabilities.Book a visit to the Parlamentarium.Make a tour at the House of European historyWant more? In The House of European History a permanent exhibition guides visitors through European history, from Europe’s origins and evolution, to the descent into war and search for a better life. Workshops and learning resources allow students to engage with Europe...

Police may carry new nonlethal device on L.A. Metro system

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Commission has given the police department approval to use a special nonlethal device on Metro trains and buses. If approved by Metro, officers would carry the BolaWrap, a handheld device that fires a lasso-like cord that wraps around a person’s legs or waist. The wraps are equipped with hooks that are supposed to sink into clothing and restrict a person’s ability to move until police can detain them.  The device was introduced in 2019 as a less than lethal way of dealing with people in mental distress, as a way to avoid hurting people, but being able to restrain them, officials said.  LAPD officers in Hollywood and the Central Division have not used the bola launcher that much in the last few years, but Chief Michel Moore wants to change that and give the device to officers who patrol the Metro’s buses and trains as part of a year-long pilot program.  Officials with the police department met with Metro Wednesday afternoon in order to ...

Man found dead next to his car in downtown Palo Alto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

PALO ALTO – A man was found dead next to his parked car Wednesday morning in downtown Palo Alto, according to police.Officers did not find any evidence that a crime had occurred and there were no obvious signs of foul play, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release.A passerby made the discovery around 6:25 a.m. in the 600 block of Waverley Street. The body was on the ground between a legally parked green 2021 Dodge Challenger and the sidewalk, police said, adding that the sports car belonged to the man.Palo Alto firefighters went to the scene and confirmed the person was dead, police said.The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will continue the investigation into how the man died, according to police. The coroner’s office will also release the man’s identity once it is confirmed and his next of kin is identified.Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at 650-329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or t...

East Oakland residents concerned following drive-by shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – People living in an East Oakland neighborhood say police are ignoring their concerns about crime. One woman shared video of shell casings found in the street the morning after a drive-by shooting.She says she called police, but she doesn’t think officers ever showed up. Not only were there casings, but there’s also video where you can hear and see the gunshots ringing out.The woman who is trying to raise awareness about this says the crime terrorized her neighborhood and there was practically no response from police. She says it feels like her area of East Oakland is often being forgotten. Suspect in custody after San Jose police officer shot responding to family disturbance The video is grainy but the sound is unmistakable -- a barrage of gunshots ringing out on 100th Avenue between Cherry and Plymouth Streets Monday night.The next morning, residents found shell casings all over the street – even after police told them they found nothing the night before....

Emeryville police continue to search for person of interest connected to homicide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

(KRON) -- The Emeryville Police Department continues to search for a person of interest connected to a May homicide. The shooting happened in the area of 41st Street and San Pablo Avenue on May 26 at about 11:38 p.m. A man in his 30s was shot and killed. Suspect in custody after San Jose police officer shot responding to family disturbance Police released video on Wednesday of a person of interest who police say was in the area at the time of the shooting. An image of that person can be seen above. EPD is asking anyone who can identify the person to get in contact with the department at (510) 596-3700.

China’s Xi calls for patience as Communist Party tries to reverse economic slump

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for patience in a speech released as the ruling Communist Party tries to reverse a deepening economic slump and said Western countries are “increasingly in trouble” because of their materialism and “spiritual poverty.”Xi’s speech was published by Qiushi, the party’s top theoretical journal, hours after data Tuesday showed consumer and factory activity weakened further in July despite official promises to support struggling entrepreneurs. The government skipped giving an update on a politically sensitive spike in unemployment among young people.Xi, the country’s most powerful leader in decades, called for China to “build a socialist ideology with strong cohesion” and to focus on long-term goals of improving education, health care and food supplies for China’s 1.4 billion people instead of only pursuing short-term material wealth.Since taking power in 2012, Xi has called for restoring the ruling party’s role as an economic and ...

Braves complete sweep as Yankees end brutal road trip with sub-.500 record

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

ATLANTA — The Yankees wrapped up an abysmal road trip in fitting fashion on Wednesday, as the Braves completed a sweep with a 2-0 victory at Truist Park.Atlanta, baseball’s best team, scored the only runs of the game in the second inning when Eddie Rosario crushed a two-run shot for his second home run of the series. The blast came after Marcell Ozuna doubled.While Ozuna’s two-bagger was well-struck to right field at 102.1 miles per hour, the ball had a catch probability of 70%. Giancarlo Stanton, limited in his mobility but playing the field with Aaron Judge DHing, could not come up with it.Those were the only runs Randy Vásquez and the Yankees allowed against a stacked offense, but the rookie right-hander lasted just 3.1 innings. Vásquez walked three, including two in the fourth, and struck out three over 60 pitches before Michael King took his place on the mound.King, whom the Yankees would like to stretch out if possible, struck out three and walked o...

A camp teaches Ukrainian soldiers who were blinded in combat to navigate the world again

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

RIVNE, Ukraine (AP) — Along a bustling street in a western Ukrainian city, Denys Abdulin takes his first independent strides since he was severely wounded and blinded while fighting invading Russian troops more than a year ago. The 34-year-old former soldier, wearing black glasses and gripping a white mobility cane, steps onto a more crowded stretch of sidewalk. His movements become tentative and tense. He accidentally blocks the path of a woman approaching an ATM to withdraw cash. Like many other pedestrians, she responds with a compassionate smile and gracefully moves aside. Gradually, Abdulin covers 600 meters (almost 3/10 of a mile), guided by a trainer walking ahead of him with a bracelet of small metal bells. Five other Ukrainian military veterans conquered similar challenges while attending a rehabilitation camp for ex-soldiers who lost their vision in combat. Over several weeks, the men would learn to navigate the city of Rivne, to prepare their own meals and to use public t...

Pakistan arrests 129 Muslims after mob attacks churches and homes of minority Christians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:48 GMT

JARANWALA, Pakistan (AP) — Police arrested more than 100 Muslims in overnight raids from an area in eastern Pakistan where a Muslim mob angered over the alleged desecration of the Quran by a Christian man attacked churches and homes of minority Christians, prompting authorities to summon troops to restore order, officials said Thursday.There were no casualties as Christians living in a residential area in the city of Jaranwala in the Faisalabad district quickly moved to safer places along with their families following one of the country’s most deadly attacks against Christians.Christians slowly returned to their homes Thursday, only to see the destruction of at least one church that was burned. Four other churches were also damaged. Two dozen homes were torched or badly damaged during the riots.“We were sitting at home when suddenly we heard that a mob is coming and it is burning homes and attacking churches,” said Shazia Amjad, as she wept outside her home, which was torched ...