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US commerce secretary will visit China next week at a critical moment for the world’s top two economies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

(CNN) — US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will visit China next week at a critical time for the world’s second-largest economy — and for the Biden administration’s relationship with the country and its leaders.China’s economy is in trouble, and some economists and market analysts fear the contagion could spread beyond the country’s borders.Chinese consumer prices are falling, a real estate crisis is deepening, exports are slumping, youth unemployment is at a record high and Hong Kong’s stock market has tumbled more than 20% from its January peak. Last week, the Chinese yuan fell to its lowest level in 16 years. While all that could help tame US inflation, it also raises the risk of a recession.Officials are taking action by lowering interest rates and attempting to shore up the property market. But economists have said President Xi Jinping’s government hasn’t gone far enough, and its intervention lacks the forcefulness of the stimulus program tha...

Attorney John Eastman surrenders on charges in Trump’s Georgia 2020 election subversion case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

By KATE BRUMBACK (Associated Press)ATLANTA (AP) — John Eastman, the conservative attorney who pushed a plan to keep Donald Trump in power, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday on charges in the Georgia case alleging an illegal plot to overturn the former president’s 2020 election loss.Eastman was booked at the Fulton County jail and is expected to have an arraignment in the coming weeks in the sprawling racketeering case. He was indicted last week alongside Trump and 17 others, who are accused by District Attorney Fani Willis of scheming to subvert the will of Georgia voters in a desperate bid to keep Joe Biden out of the White House. It was the fourth criminal case brought against the Republican former president.Trump, whose bond was set Monday at $200,000, has said he will surrender to authorities in Fulton County on Thursday. His bond conditions prohibit him from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case, including on social media. He has a hist...

The Obamas’ chef died from an accidental drowning on Martha’s Vineyard: Massachusetts medical examiner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

The Obamas’ 45-year-old personal chef died from an accidental drowning near the former president’s Martha’s Vineyard estate, according to the state’s Chief Medical Examiner.Tafari Campbell, of Virginia, died in late July after paddleboarding on Edgartown Great Pond. His body was recovered a day after he went missing by Mass State Police divers — about 100 feet from shore at a depth of about eight feet.Campbell was not wearing a personal flotation device and he was not leashed to the paddleboard when he lost balance and went underwater.The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Tuesday released the finalized cause and manner of death for Campbell:Cause: DrowningManner: AccidentHow injury occurred: Submersion in a body of waterIn the immediate aftermath of Campbell’s death, Massachusetts State Police said the initial investigation showed that there was no evidence that the death was suspicious. Police did not find any external trauma or injuries.An...

Rescuers save 8 people trapped in cable car dangling above canyon in Pakistan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

By RIAZ KHAN and MUNIR AHMED (Associated Press)PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Army commandos using helicopters and a makeshift chairlift rescued eight people from a broken cable car dangling hundreds of meters (feet) above a canyon Tuesday in a remote part of Pakistan, authorities said.The six children and two adults became trapped earlier in the day when one of the cables snapped while the passengers were crossing a river canyon in Battagram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The children had been on their way to school.Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar congratulated the military and other rescuers for the success. The dramatic effort transfixed the country for hours as Pakistanis crowded around televisions in offices, shops, restaurants and hospitals.“Relieved to know that … all the kids have been successfully and safely rescued,” Kakar said on X, the service formerly known as Twitter. “Great team work by the military, rescue departments, ...

Consumer Health: Back to school — and bullying

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

Laurel Kelly | (TNS) Mayo Clinic News NetworkFor many families, the start of school is a busy, exciting time of year. For some students, though, returning to school also means bullying and the feelings of anxiety, sadness, and loneliness bullying can cause.Up to 20% of students 12 to 18 years old experience bullying in the U.S. each year, and only 46% notify an adult at school about the bullying, according to StopBullying.gov, which is a resource managed by the Department of Health and Human Resources dedicated to providing information about bullying.What is bullying?Bullying is a form of aggression in which one or more children repeatedly and intentionally intimidate, harass or harm a victim perceived to be less powerful. While bullying once was considered a childhood rite of passage, it is now recognized as a serious problem that can affect a child’s physical health, emotional well-being and academic performance. Children who are bullied are at increased risk of depression, ...

Gretchen’s table: Spicy shrimp tostadas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

Gretchen McKay | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)Here’s the thing about 110-year-old houses. They ooze charm and character, but they also can be a royal pain in the neck.I say this on my fifth day without hot water or gas … during a heat wave in which I can barely walk from my car to my front door without breaking into a major sweat.My local gas company discovered a gas leak outside the house last weekend and, because of all the regulations, it’s taking forever to get the line repaired. So along with learning to enjoy cold showers, I’ve had to adjust how I usually cook.Even without my gas stovetop/oven working, I still had options when it came to dinner. I could fire up the grill, pull out the Instant Pot or reheat my takeout leftovers in the microwave. One night, a sympathetic neighbor took pity and dropped off Thai food.Today, craving something both quick and crunchy as I patiently wait for the plumber, I decided to cheer myself up with one of my favorite no-c...

Should you DIY roof replacement or repairs?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

Sean Jackson | Bankrate.com (TNS)A new roof is an expensive endeavor. It’s rarely less than a four-figure job, and costs can climb as sky-high as $46,000. Of course, given the importance of a roof to a home, you shouldn’t skimp on fixing it, but it sure would be nice to save. Which leads to the thought: Can repairing/replacing your roof be a DIY project? Should you even consider doing your own roofing?Here’s when you should, when you shouldn’t, and what you should know about roof replacements and repairs to help you decide.Do-it-yourself roofing pros and consWhen considering a DIY roof repairs, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages to weigh.Pros of DIY roofing•You’ll save money: Anytime you can do a home improvement project yourself, you’ll save on labor costs. And with roofs, the labor costs are considerable — overall, often 60 percent of the price tag, according to Angi, the contractor-search site. The average expenditure for having a pro replace your roof is $10,530, ...

Hilary dumped record rainfall on California, but it might not ease wildfire risk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Yet another deluge was dropped on Southern California this year as Tropical Storm Hilary moved through the region over the weekend. While the storm broke rainfall records for this time of year in some parts, experts say the rainfall might not have much impact on local wildfire risk moving into the peak of the season.After Sunday's downpour, Cal Fire officials said the potential for fires might ease slightly in the short-term as vegetation responds to the added moisture. But, they are still expecting wildfire season to proceed as normal moving into the state's driest and most fire-prone months."As of right now, it's kind of a near-normal September and October," Cal Fire Public Information Officer Matthew Cornette told FOX5SanDiego.com. "The rain could help slow down the fires a little bit until the fuels dry out again and then we'll be back to where we were before the storm." PHOTOS: Tropical Storm Hilary moves through San Diego According to Cal Fire, California's hydr...

San Diego Unified welcomes students for first day of class following delay from Hilary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

SAN DIEGO — Students in San Diego’s largest school district went back to school Tuesday morning.The first day was actually delayed by one day for nearly 100,000 San Diego Unified School District students due to Tropical Storm Hillary.Despite that, the energy was off the charts Tuesday, with the cheerleaders and a marching band greeting students as part of a back to school celebration at Hoover High School.The Cardinal’s mascot “Cardi” was dancing and so was SDUSD Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson, who describes himself as a product of San Diego Unified. PHOTOS: Tropical Storm Hilary moves through San Diego The district chose Hoover High as the school to highlight on the first day because of all the new and unique academic programs, like sports medicine.Their athletic department is also gaining more attention. This year, there are five new CIF sports for women, including flag football.“I appreciate this community, and the love it has for our community and the fact that they love ed...

Man arrested in connection to Mira Mesa apartment stabbing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:51 GMT

SAN DIEGO — A man was arrested Monday on suspicion of stabbing another man inside a Mira Mesa apartment, San Diego police said.According to SDPD, the stabbing happened around 8:40 p.m. at an apartment complex located at 9669 Gold Coast Drive.For reasons still under investigation, the two men involved got into a physical altercation that led to one man getting stabbed in his upper abdomen, SDPD Watch Commander David O'Brien said. Pedestrian hit, killed by trash truck in downtown The victim, a 40-year-old man, was transported to a nearby hospital with a non-life threatening injury.The suspect, identified by police as 36-year-old Jonathan Boaz, remained at the apartment and surrendered himself to police without incident, O'Brien said. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.The circumstances that led to the stabbing are still under investigation and anyone with information on the incident was asked to contact SDPD's Northeastern Division at 888-538-8000 or leave ...