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Japan’s exports grow better than expected as auto shipments climb

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan reported Thursday that its exports increased by 1.6% in October from a year earlier, as auto and ship shipments rose. Government data showed exports to the rest of Asia fell, while exports to the U.S. and Europe surged. Japanese imports fell 12.5% to 9.8 trillion yen ($64 billion), mainly due to lower costs for oil, gas and coal. Shipments of computer parts and cereal also were lower, while steel imports surged. With exports at 9.15 trillion yen ($60.5 billion) The trade deficit for October shrank by 70% a year earlier to 662.5 billion yen ($4.4 billion). October marked the second straight month of export growth, but the climb slowed from 4.3% in September. That could be bad news for the world’s third largest economy, which heavily depends on export manufacturing to drive growth. Economists polled by data provider FactSet had expected exports to rise by 1.5%.“Exports helped drive stronger growth in the first half of this year, but now that the export recovery has ...

Police and protesters clash outside Democratic HQ during demonstration over Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict. Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying “Cease Fire Now.”However, the situation swiftly devolved. U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning. “It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and mem...

Johnson's new migrant plan includes 60-day limit in shelters, dedicated entry point for asylum seekers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago has a new plan in the migrant crisis. In a news conference announcement following the passage of his first budget, Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled some changes for the new arrivals Wednesday."Above all, we are treating our new neighbors with compassion because it is the humane thing to do," Johnson said. "Because with support they can become productive members of our communities, contributing to our economy, our culture and our society."The first bus carrying migrants arrived in Chicago on Aug. 31, 2022. Since then, more than 20,000 people, many from Venezuela, have arrived."We've got people sleeping on floors and outside, our police districts have been overwhelmed since the very beginning of our mission," Johnson said.Johnson said the new plan will give migrants a 60-day limit in city-run shelters and that there will be a dedicated entry point for the asylum seekers. According to Johnson, this will all be part of an expedited plan to process migrants and get them o...

Zach LaVine answers questions on trade rumors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls guard Zach Lavine answered questions surrounding trade rumor speculations ahead of the Bulls game against the Orlando Magic Wednesday.Here's a transcription of Lavine's back and forth with media:Introductory question:"People talk, you know. I've been in trade talks for a long time. So, I understand the situation and the news is broken it's always a big thing. It's not the first or last time it's going to happen with my name.""As of right now, I'm excited to still put this jersey on and go out and play, get this win tonight."Do you want to be elsewhere?:"If we need to talk about that at a different time, right now isn't really the time to talk about that … if something comes later on, that'll be the time to talk about it."On Lavine's relationship with the Bulls front office, "somebody must not believe in this product, right?":"I think it's a combination of things where, if you're in a losing situation when you're not winning games, people are frustrated — from...

Timberwolves blown out by Phoenix to end seven-game win streak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

The Timberwolves have been on the good end of rest advantages this season, facing a number of opponents who were on the second night of back to backs.Such was the case in wins over Miami and Golden State (Atlanta was on the second half of one, as well, but that didn’t go so well for the Wolves).But Minnesota found itself on the flip side of the equation Wednesday, playing in Phoenix one night after playing in San Francisco. And it did not go well.The Timberwolves looked lifeless en route to being trounced 133-115 by the Suns, a loss that snapped Minnesota’s seven-game winning streak.“We didn’t answer the bell very well. Just a little flat,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters. “And when we did find moments here and there, we couldn’t sustain it.”Minnesota sports the NBA’s top defense, which suffocates opponents on a nightly basis. But it lacked any vigor Wednesday. Phoenix (5-6) got open looks seemingly every possession...

Saratoga Police welcome K-9 Lepa

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -K-9 Lepa joining the explosive detection team of the Saratoga Springs Police Department. The German Shorthaired Pointer and her handler, Dean Gaetano, are becoming good friends.The two are working together after six weeks of intense training. "We’ll be a lot more busy now as well as a lot more responsibilities. All these events that we do here in Saratoga," said the patrol officer. Mohawk Hudson Humane Society overfilled with dogs The team is getting ready to retire Mo, their senior K-9. The black lab was a busy pup in his time, serving at concerts and the busy track seasons year after year."The working life of our dogs is between eight and ten years. They did their time; they served the community. It’s great to have them go into retirement and enjoy the time that they have left," explained Lieutenant, Paul Veitch. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The department brought in K-9 Axel, demonstrati...

Congress passes bill to avert government shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval Wednesday night to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an overwhelming 87-11 tally and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.“This Friday night there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of the final vote.The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term p...

St. Louisans share their favorite mall memories

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Long before star St. Louisan Cedric the Entertainer had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he’d walk to a North St. Louis bus stop on his way to shop in Jennings.“I used to catch the 41 Lee River Roads bus baby right there are Kingshighway and Lee and ride it to River Roads mall. That was one of my favorites right there. River Roads Mall They don’t even have that any more. It doesn’t exist," said Cedric.Demolished nearly 20 years ago, Cedric’s River Roads remembrances remain. In fact, everyone who shared their mall memories with us expressed a fondness for those gone but not forgotten St. Louis shopping centers.“Getting on the bus at the Delmar Loop and coming here to Westroads to come to the Stix, Bear and Fuller," said Diana Lerman. Mayor resigns, hired weeks later in new job making 6x more “Coming to the mall, either Northwest Plaza or St. Louis Centre, looking for an outfit before we go out the club at night," said Irving Moorehead.St. Louis Centre closed a litt...

Avs blast Ducks, 8-2, responding from previous home blowout and notching first consecutive wins in three weeks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

Four days after an 8-2 beatdown by the Blues in Colorado’s previous home game left coach Jared Bednar seething, the Avs responded on Wednesday by reversing that score with a no-doubt 8-2 victory over the Ducks at Ball Arena.The win highlighted by two tip-in goals by Valeri Nichushkin, coupled with a 5-1 shellacking of Seattle on the road on Monday, indicates this year’s Avs might be finally starting to find a consistent identity after an up-and-down opening month.Colorado controlled the momentum from the opening puck drop, at times skating circles around an Anaheim team that appeared gassed from a cross-country trip following their game in Nashville on Tuesday night. The Avs outshot the Ducks 38-17, including 17-2 in an opening period in which Colorado dominated before suffering a letdown in the final seconds.Samuel Girard, who missed Monday’s game due to injury, put home a rebound in front of the net to light the lamp first, his first goal of the season.Related Ar...

Cherry Creek student’s racist video raises concerns for Colorado equity advocates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:00 GMT

A video of a Cherry Creek School District student using racial slurs and stating Black people shouldn’t be alive is prompting Colorado equity advocates to call for increased education, awareness and safety.The video shows a student from West Middle School in Greenwood Village calling Black people racial slurs and stating that Black people should not be alive.The student also states that they hate Black people, their skin color and how they talk.At a news conference in front of the middle school on Wednesday, NAACP Rocky Mountain President Portia Prescott said the video points to a larger problem of children thinking it’s acceptable to use racist language like the N-word.“This is not an isolated incident,” Prescott said. “This is a state problem.”In a statement, Cherry Creek School District officials said they were made aware of the video, which was shared in a group text, in late September.“While this incident occurred off campus, we realized the potential impact this video wo...