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G-7 nations back strong supply chains for energy and food despite global tensions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Trade and economy officials from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies strengthened their pledge Sunday to work together to ensure smooth supply chains for essentials like energy and food despite global uncertainties.The nations promised to maintain “a free and fair trading system based on the rule of law and enhancing economic resilience and economic security,” officials said in a joint statement.Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who co-hosted the two-day event in the western city of Osaka, pointed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war as the latest threats to stable energy and food supplies.“We nations that share important values have a position of responsibility amid growing uncertainties,” she said in closing the meeting, stressing democracy, inclusiveness and human rights.Worries are growing among developed nations about maintaining a stable supply of computer chips as well as essential minerals, like lithium, which are critical these days amid th...

At least one killed and 20 wounded in a blast at convention center in India’s southern Kerala state

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — A blast at a convention center in southern India killed at least one person and wounded over 20 others Sunday, authorities said.Hundreds of Jehovah’s Witness faithful were gathered for a prayer session at the Samra International Convention Center in the town of Kalamassery in Kerala state when the explosion took place, police said without providing further details.The wounded were transported to hospital for treatment. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters police were investigating the “unfortunate incident.”Police and medical personnel were put on high alert state-wide.The Associated Press

Sunday showers likely; first freeze overnight Monday a.m. ; Snow likely Tuesday on Halloween. Fall Foliage Raking Forecast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

Showers are likely here Sunday afternoonDaybreak Sunday looks dry but we could have lake effect showers start around midday. Showers are likely here in the afternoon, better potential in southern sections. Through Sunday, not overly heavy totals, (some of these numbers may be a bit high) not real heavy but most of us could see some rain moving through the area.We're running out of time to enjoy the colors of fall.  The region is currently in the peak of the autumn leaf colors.  During the next week, the Chicago area will move beyond the height of the fall colors and many more leaves will also be on the ground and no longer hanging in trees.As more leaves fall to the ground, we're left with the task of cleaning up the fallen foliage.  Passing showers on Sunday afternoon will make for less-than-ideal raking conditions.  Over the next few days, Monday is the best day for working in the yard, as sunshine and dry conditions return.  Tuesday might not be the wette...

Dear Abby: Everything was great until she came back from her weekend trip with this crazy story

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I met a great woman, and we dated for a year and a half. We talked and messaged every day, we had our inside jokes, and the sex was great. Her parents loved me, my mother loved her.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: An unmade quilt has undercut our friendship. Am I being unreasonable? Advice | Dear Abby: Am I being selfish to think he needs to get over his grief? Advice | Dear Abby: My boyfriend and I resent each other, but we can’t break up Advice | Dear Abby: My church group leader badmouthed my husband and now I’m caught in their feud Advice | Dear Abby: He says he’s not forcing us to eat it, but basically he is I had never felt more connected to someone, and we spoke about marriage.I planned to surprise her with a ring this year — but things changed around my birthday.She spent that weekend away with co-workers (I agreed she should go because she doesn’t norm...

San Jose State football: Spartans roll in Hawaii 35-0

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

Kairee Robinson rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night, helping San Jose State to a 35-0 rout of Hawaii in Chevan Cordeiro’s homecoming to Honolulu.Cordeiro did his part, too. The Spartans quarterback — a Honolulu native who began his college career at the University of Hawaii — passed for 251 yards and two touchdowns as SJSU won its third game in a row.The Spartans (4-5) will qualify for a bowl game if they win two of their remaining three games. After a bye next week, they will host Fresno State (6-1) and San Diego State (3-5) before finishing the season at Nevada-Las Vegas (6-2).  

Walters: California needs to get serious about water management

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

Oct. 1 is the beginning of what hydrologists call the “water year.”Historically, California’s reservoirs are near their lowest levels by this point after months of being drawn down, mostly to irrigate fields and orchards, during the state’s precipitation-free summer.This October is quite different.Last winter’s heavy rain and snow storms, generated by a series of atmospheric rivers, filled reservoirs even as dam managers fully opened their gates to send as much water downstream as possible.So much rain and snow fell in the southern San Joaquin Valley that Tulare Lake, once one of the nation’s largest natural lakes, was recreated, and threatened the town of Corcoran.Virtually every reservoir in the state contains more than 100% of their historic storage levels at the beginning of the water year. The biggest ones, such as Shasta and Oroville, are close to three-quarters full even after giving farmers their full quotas of irrigation water during the growing season.Hydrologists and mete...

Internet being restored in Gaza as Israeli offensive continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

Internet and phone connectivity were being restored for many people in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, even as Israel intensified its strikes on the besieged enclave.The Israeli military’s heavy bombardment of Gaza had cut off most communications in the area late Friday, as military officials suggested an anticipated ground assault against the Hamas militants was starting. Connections were restored to many in Gaza early Sunday, according to the telecom company Paltel, Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmation on the ground, the Associated Press reported.Israel’s military operations in Gaza continued overnight, while Palestinian factions in Gaza fired more rockets into Israel, the BBC reported.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the expanded military operations in Gaza the “second stage” of what will be a “long and difficult” war with Hamas.This is “only the beginning” of the next phase of war, Netanyahu told a pres...

Sikh independence vote takes place in B.C. amid Canada-India tensions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

SURREY, B.C. — Thousands of Sikh voters are expected to turn out today in the Metro Vancouver municipality of Surrey, to vote in an unofficial referendum at the centre of Canada’s ongoing tensions with India.Organizers say the referendum on Khalistan — an independent state in India proposed by some Sikhs — is taking place at the same Surrey gurdwara where activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in June.Today’s vote is the second round of the referendum in British Columbia, after organizers said the first ballot on Sept. 10 was so popular that voting couldn’t be completed in one day.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the House of Commons on Sept. 18 that there were “credible allegations” potentially linking India’s government to Nijjar’s killing.Ballot spokesman Gurpatwant Singh Pannun says Trudeau’s statement has created more open conversations around India and its handling of the Khalistani independence movement, while allowing...

Quebec government to present contract offer to unions on cusp of strike Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

MONTREAL — The Quebec government is expected to present a contract offer today to public sector unions who are on the cusp of a strike.Several union federations, representing around 430,000 workers, have said they’re planning their first strike day for Nov. 6, while 80,000 members of a nurses union plan to strike Nov. 8 and 9. The negotiations have lasted for months, with the unions presenting their demands last fall and initial government offers coming last December. Quebec is offering workers a nine per cent salary increase over five years, with an additional lump sum of $1,000 the first year. A group of unions that include many of the affected workers are looking for a three-year contract with raises equivalent to the increase in the consumer price index plus two per cent the first year, with further increases in the second and third years.  The union group is scheduled to react to the new government offer later this morning.This report by The Canadian Press was first publi...

Explosive device blows up at convention center in south India killing at least one and wounding 36

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:00 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — An explosive device blew up at a convention center in southern India killing at least one person and wounding 36 others Sunday, authorities said.Hundreds of Jehovah’s Witness faithful were gathered for a prayer session at the Zamra International Convention Center in the town of Kalamassery in Kerala state when the explosion took place. The state’s top police officer, Sheik Darvesh Saheb, said an initial investigation has revealed an improvised explosive device was used. The wounded, many of them with burn injuries, were transported to hospital for treatment, he said.Videos filmed right after the blast and shared online showed fire inside the convention center and rescuers helping people evacuate the building. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters police were investigating the “unfortunate incident.”Police and medical personnel were put on high alert state-wide.Jehovah’s Witnesses identify as Christians but are guided by distinctive beliefs and practi...