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China’s manufacturing contraction worsens in December as demand weakens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — A survey of factory managers in China shows manufacturing contracted in December in the latest sign the world’s second-largest economy remains sluggish. The official purchasing managers index, or PMI, fell to 49 last month in what officials said was evidence of weak demand, the National Bureau of Statistics reported on Sunday. It was the third straight month of contraction. The PMI is on a scale up to 100 where 50 marks the cutoff between expansion and contraction. The index has fallen in eight of the past nine months, with an increase only in September. In November, the index was at 49.4, down from 49.5 the month before. Despite unexpectedly prolonged weakness after the pandemic, China’s economy grew at a 5.2% pace in the first three quarters of the year and showed signs of improvement in November, with factory output and retail sales rising.In recent months, the government has raised spending on construction of ports and other infrastructure, cut interest rates and ...

North Korea’s Kim says military should ‘thoroughly annihilate’ US, South Korea if provoked

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his military should “thoroughly annihilate” the United States and South Korea if provoked, state media reported Monday, after he vowed to boost national defense to cope with what he called an unprecedented U.S.-led confrontation.Kim is expected to ramp up weapons tests in 2024 ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November. Many experts say he likely believes his expanded nuclear arsenal would allow him to wrest U.S. concessions if former President Donald Trump is reelected.In a five-day major ruling party meeting last week, Kim said he will launch three more military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and develop attack drones this year in what observers say is an attempt to increase his leverage in future diplomacy with the U.S.In a meeting on Sunday with commanding army officers, Kim said it is urgent to sharpen “the treasured sword” to safeguard national security, an apparent reference to his country...

Replay: Fireworks, drone show welcome 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

DALLAS (NEXSTAR/NBCDFW) -- The most spectacular fireworks and drone show in the Central Time Zone welcomed 2024 and the new year in Dallas, Texas. “Lone Star NYE 2024" featured a remarkable nonstop 10-minute fireworks show that illuminated the Dallas city skyline. The show included breathtaking panoramic fireworks with more than 4,000 pyrotechnic special effects fired from 560 feet above ground atop the iconic Reunion Tower.The fireworks were accompanied by a 300-drone light show. Engineered and flown by DFW-based Sky Elements, the drones lit up the sky at heights of up to 700 feet and created an array of visual elements and an immersive experience never seen before above the Dallas skyline. The theme for this year's show was New Year's Eve over the decades. Before and after the fireworks, Bowling for Soup and two other Texas musical acts hit the stage. Known for their humor and infectious energy, Bowling for Soup, a pop-punk band from Wichita Falls, brought the house down with hit...

KRON4 New Years Live: Stream SF Bay Area NYE fireworks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Ring in 2024 with the Bay Area’s only live and local New Year’s countdown show. Hosted by Grant Lodes and Justine Waldman, KRON4’s New Years Live starts Sunday at 11:30 p.m. on KRON4 and streaming on KRON4.com. This year’s show features the stunning fireworks over the San Francisco Bay and performances from ‘Dear San Francisco’ at Club Fugazi and magician Andrew Evans from The Magic Patio. There is also a special musical performance from 98 Degrees.  KRON4's New Year's Day Forecast We have special guests to count you down to the new year. (Hint: They are two players from your San Francisco 49ers). Watch on KRON4 or kron4.com or stream on the KRON app.

Packers take control of playoff spot on Love’s 4-touchdown night in 33-10 cruise past Vikings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score to put the Green Bay Packers in control of a spot in the playoffs with a 33-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.Aaron Jones rushed for 120 yards and Jayden Reed had two touchdown catches for the Packers (8-8), who can get the NFC’s last wild-card spot by beating Chicago at home next week. Seattle’s loss earlier in the day allowed them to climb above the cut.Love went 24 for 33 for 256 yards in what was surely the finest game of his first year as the starter in the post-Aaron Rodgers era. “He’s playing at an incredibly high level. I’m super happy for him, because he’s put in a ton of work to get to this point,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “I really think the sky is the limit for us. He’s just showing a glimpse of what he can ultimately be.”Last season, Rodgers and the Packers lost a win-and-in finale at home to Detroit and missed the playoffs.“It’s an awesome vibe in the...

Japan issues tsunami alert after series of very strong quakes off its northwestern coast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan issued tsunami alerts Monday after a series of strong quakes shook western areas.The Japan Meterological Agency reported a quake hitting Ishikawa and nearby prefectures, one of them measuring a preliminary magnitude of 7.6.It issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the northwestern coast of the island of Honshu.Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV warned torrents of water could reach as high as 5 meters (16.5 feet) and urged people to flee to high land or a top of a nearby building as quickly as possible. Reports of damage were not immediately available. The Associated Press

The world powers seldom place human rights above geo-strategic concerns.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

International Court of Justice in its unofficial press release, issued on December 29, 2023, states, “South Africa today filed an application instituting proceeding against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the ‘Genocide Convention’) in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” - writes Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice.Earlier in December 2019, The Republic of the Gambia, with the support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also filed a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging human rights violations committed by Myanmar against the Rohingya violated various provisions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (“the Genocide Convention”). Both these developments are signi...

Japan issues tsunami alert after series of strong quakes off its western coast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan issued tsunami alerts Monday after a series of strong quakes shook western areas.The Japan Meterological Agency reported a quake hitting Ishikawa and nearby prefectures, one of them measuring a preliminary magnitude of 7.4.Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV warned torrents of water could reach as high as 5 meters (16.5 feet) and urged people to flee to high land or a top of a nearby building as quickly as possible. Reports of damage were not immediately available. Source

Japan issues tsunami alert after magnitude 7.5 quake in northeastern area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan issues tsunami alert after magnitude 7.5 quake in northeastern area.Source

Naomi Osaka returns to elite tennis from a maternity break and wins her first match in Brisbane

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:40 GMT

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Naomi Osaka’s first win at the elite level since becoming a mother didn’t come easily. It did come on Day 1 of the year, though. So that was two items Osaka checked off the list Monday for her comeback to professional tennis.The four-time major winner was broken while serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set and needed three match points in the tiebreaker before converting a 6-3, 7-6 (9) victory over Tamara Korpatsch in the first round of the Brisbane International.A two-time Australian and U.S. Open champion, Osaka pulled out of last year’s Australian Open in Melbourne before later revealing she was pregnant. The U.S.-based Japanese player and her partner, rapper Cordae, became parents to daughter Shai in Los Angeles in July.“I was super nervous the whole time,” the former No. 1-ranked Osaka, 26, said of her comeback match. “A part of me felt like Shai was watching me. I wanted to do my best for her.“While I’m playing, I’m aware of it in the sense t...