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G-7 diplomats reject Chinese, N. Korean, Russian aggression

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

KARUIZAWA, Japan (AP) — Top diplomats from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies are vowing a tough stance on China’s increasing threats to Taiwan and on North Korea’s unchecked tests of long-range missiles, while building momentum on ways to boost support for Ukraine and punish Russia for its invasion. Russia’s war in Ukraine will consume much of the agenda Monday as the envoys gather in this Japanese hot spring resort town for Day Two of talks meant to pave the way for action by G-7 leaders when they meet next month in Hiroshima.The world is at “turning point” on the fighting in Ukraine and must “firmly reject unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its threats of the use of nuclear weapons,” Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told his colleagues, according to a Japanese summary.For the American delegation, the meeting comes at a crucial moment in the world’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and eff...

U.S. warship sails in Taiwan Strait after China’s exercises

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The U.S. Navy has sailed a warship through the Taiwan Strait in its first known transit since China carried out a large encirclement exercise around self-ruled Taiwan. The U.S. 7th Fleet said the transit through the strait by the USS Milius on Sunday was routine. The cruisers “transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State,” the statement said.China conducted many military drills in the strait in retaliation for Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on a visit to the U.S. earlier this month. China said Wednesday that the air and sea drills simulating an encirclement of Taiwan were intended as a “serious warning” to pro-independence politicians on the self-governing island and their foreign supporters. China also sanctioned the organizations involved with Tsai’s visit in the U.S., including the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where her meeting with McCart...

Joshua Wong sentenced in another Hong Kong activism case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong was sentenced Monday to three months in prison for breaching court bans on disclosing personal information about a police officer during 2019 anti-government protests.Wong rose to prominence in 2014 pro-democracy protests in the Chinese territory and is in prison after being convicted of multiple charges during authorities’ crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy movement. He intends to plead guilty in the city’s biggest national security case, in which he faces a potential penalty of up to life in prison.The former student leader of the 2014 protests was not a leader of the 2019 protests, but his continued activism and high profile made him a target of the authorities. The jailing and silencing of activists like Wong have damaged faith in the future of Hong Kong, with many young professionals responding to the shrinking freedoms and autonomy by moving abroad. During the protests, violent clashes between police and prot...

One person dead in fight at west end apartment building

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

Police say one person is dead after reports of a fight in the west end of the city. Police say they were called to an apartment building on Lisgar Street, south of Queen Street West just after 9 p.m. Sunday. When they arrived they discovered one person without vital signs and life-saving measures were started as paramedics arrived on the scene. However, the victim was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.No further details on the victim’s age or gender were provided. Police said the circumstances surrounding the fight and the cause of death were still being investigated

Performance review: Mary Prescott’s ‘Tida’ at Public Functionary is a lush, intimate portrait of family

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

Composer, pianist and interdisciplinary artist Mary Prescott presented an introspective, innovative and ethereal work at Public Functionary gallery’s new space in the Northrop King Building in Minneapolis on Saturday. The piece, “Tida,” reflected on grief, family heritage, and where home lives in the body.With music degrees from the University of Minnesota and the Manhattan School of Music, Prescott is an accomplished pianist and composer, but that’s only part of her artistry. Her music is layered with other art forms to create an immersive, dynamic and narrative experience.A Thai American, Prescott shared the story of her own family going back several generations, with a particular focus on her matrilineal lineage. Weaving in words, music, movement and video projection, Prescott’s story was both specific to her own family but also resonated with broader themes of yearning for connection to one’s roots.A Steinway piano stood center stage. A translucent screen hung in front of it, wh...

Theater review: The Guthrie stages a passionate, insightful ‘Hamlet’ for 60th anniversary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

“So that’s where that came from.” Such words surely pop into the mind of audience members at a performance of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” which could merit its own lengthy chapter in “Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations.” It’s probably the most widely quoted work of literature ever written in the English language.When was the last time you referred to your mind’s eye? Or that something caused your hair to stand on end? How about “woe is me”? Those terms all originated in “Hamlet,” but, brevity being the soul of wit, I’ll stop there.I’ll move on to saying that I’ve never experienced a production of “Hamlet” that so clearly conveyed what meaning lies in the words of Shakespeare’s wordiest play than the one currently being offered at Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater.Michael Braugher as Hamlet in the Guthrie Theater’s production of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” which runs April 8 – May 21, 2023. (Dan Norman / Guthrie Theater)Presented in honor of the 60th anni...

You Paid For It: Training St. Louis youngsters for tech jobs at NGA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency is opening its new, $1.7 billion headquarters in north St. Louis in 2025. The state of Missouri is spending millions in tax dollars on a deal that, hopefully, will provide young people a new future with the spy agency.The NGA is not the easiest place to land a job, especially for the underserved and minority youngsters who may not have the educational credentials. That’s where a new program, Gateway Global, comes in. It will pave the way for youngsters, ages 16 to 18, to receive training for jobs with not only NGA, but other organizations like Homeland Security and emergency response.Gateway Global is a bridge between the high school diploma and higher education for high-tech jobs. Top Story: 4 tornadoes hit St. Louis region Saturday, National Weather Service says Zekita Armstrong Asuquo, CEO of Gateway Global, said the organization’s mainly based in the St. Louis area for now, but she hopes it will expand nationwide. The org...

Keeler: Nuggets fans’ playoff expectations for Nikola Jokic, coach Michael Malone? “You’ve got to get to a conference final.”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

Andrea Matheson held a sign in Serbian. Husband Blake Matheson held his breath.You worried?A smile.“Oh, we’re Nuggets fans,” Matheson said before Game 1 of Denver’s first-round NBA playoff series against Minnesota.  “We’re always worried.”The Mathesons, locals who hail from New Mexico, came to Ball Arena early Sunday night carrying a white, homemade placard and a blanket of cautious optimism.I mean, sure, the national media are talking about the Nuggets the way Moe used to talk about Larry and Curly. But come on. What do they think we are, a bunch of imbeciles?“It’s kind of a weird feeling,” Blake said. “I guess at some point, I want to tell myself, ‘We’re the team that came back from down 3-1 twice in the (COVID) bubble.’ I’m like, ‘That was us.’“I mean, am I worried? Yes. But feel like this is the best feeling I’ve taken into the playoffs. Like before, it’s always that hopeful optimism. But now, it’s a little more confidence.”Confidence. That part’s new. That and the No. 1 seed in...

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves: Denver up by 11 at halftime

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

Playoff basketball is here. For the first time in franchise history, the Nuggets are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver.Halftime analysis — Nuggets 55, Timberwolves 44Sean Keeler, sports columnist: A year ago, three first-half fouls for Aaron Gordon in a playoff game might be cause for mild panic, especially with no Jamal Murray or MPJ to turn to. This year? A healthy MPJ, a (relatively) healthy Murray, and The Bruce Brown Experience (11 points, 2 boards, 1 block, all kinds of hustle plays). Calvin Booth 55, Tim Connelly 44.Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: MPJ and Jamal Murray are a combined 7 of 21 from the field, and the Nuggets are still up 11 points going into halftime. If I’m Michael Malone, I’m feeling pretty good about that. (Although that late burst from Anthony Edwards is a tad concerning.)Second-quarter updatesLast shot (9:52 p.m.): The Nuggets were d...

Leonard scores 38 to lead Clippers past Durant, Suns 115-110

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:42 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Kawhi Leonard had a great shooting night while Russell Westbrook had a horrible one.Both players nonetheless had a huge impact for the Los Angeles Clippers in their 115-110 win over the Phoenix Suns in the teams' Western Conference playoff series opener on Sunday.Leonard poured in 38 points, including two late 3-pointers, while Westbrook was a menace everywhere except the scoring column. The veteran guard shot just 3 of 19 from the field, but finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and two steals.“My whole career, I pride myself every season on doing everything,” Westbrook said. “Whatever is needed of me to win the game, I'll do it.”That's exactly what happened in the final 30 seconds. Westbrook made a pair of free throws with 17.7 seconds left for a three-point lead, then blocked Devin Booker's layup attempt at the other end and swatted the ball off Booker to give the Clippers the ball with 10.1 seconds remaining.Eric Gordon added 19 point...