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China flies 103 military planes toward Taiwan in a new high of activity the island calls harassment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China’s military sent 103 warplanes toward Taiwan in a 24-hour period in what the island’s defense ministry said Monday was a daily record in recent times.The planes were detected between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday, the ministry said. As is customary, they turned back before reaching Taiwan.China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has conducted increasingly large military drills in the air and waters around Taiwan as tensions have grown between the two and with the United States. The U.S. is Taiwan’s main supplier of arms and opposes any attempt to change Taiwan’s status by force.Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said that 40 of the planes crossed the symbolic halfway point between mainland China and the island. It also reported nine naval vessels in the previous 24 hours.The ministry called the Chinese military action “harassment” that it warned could escalate in the current tense atmosphere. “We urge the Beijing authorities to bear responsibili...

Reigniting vaccine leadership in the EU

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and fierce global competition in health, the European Union’s position and attractiveness as a hub for pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing has faced a steady decline. While the vaccines industry constitutes a relatively small segment within the broader pharmaceutical sphere, it holds paramount importance for the EU. Based on findings from a new report commissioned by Vaccines Europe and developed by Charles River Associates, the European Commission’s industry scorecard demonstrates that the health industry delivers the second highest level of investment value when compared to other innovative industries. It also significantly contributes to the EU economy, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs each year while also serving as an investment that delivers health and prosperity, protecting people against infectious diseases at all stages of life.By January 2022, the EU had contributed to nearly 40 percent of the world’...

Callahan: Patriots offense fails to deliver again, putting season in danger

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

FOXBORO — The dam appeared to break Sunday with 8:45 remaining.Out of the dam flowed shock, disappointment, grief, frustration. All thanks to Raheem Mostert.Leading 17-10, Mostert burst through the middle of Bill Belichick’s defense and left waves of stadium silence in his wake on a 43-yard sprint to the end zone. The first defender to touch him was a teammate who patted him on the back as he reached the Dolphins’ sideline.Miami had seemingly broken a Patriots team that had achieved the following: a fourth-quarter interception of Tua Tagovailoa, holding Tyreek Hill to 40 harmless yards and a blocked field goal.All the Pats needed was an average showing from their offense. Mac Jones and Co. couldn’t deliver.Again.The Patriots scored two touchdowns, including one on the drive immediately after Mostert’s dagger. Great.They also coughed up two turnovers: an early fumble by rookie receiver Demario Douglas and a gross interception in the third quarter. They average...

Patriots can’t finish comeback, fall to Dolphins in 24-17 heartbreaker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

FOXBORO — Patriots quarterback Mac Jones for the second straight week had the ball in his hands with the chance to extend the game and came up short in excruciating fashion.The Patriots took over from their own 45-yard line after a missed 55-yard kick from Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders down 24-17. The Patriots went 22 yards on five plays to set up a fourth-and-3 from the Dolphins 33-yard line. Quarterback Mac Jones hit tight end Mike Gesicki for what appeared to be heading for a 1-yard loss. Gesicki, with some heads-up thinking, lateraled to guard Cole Strange. The play was initially ruled a first down. On further review, Strange was decided to be inches short.That was game. The Dolphins kneeled on the ball to squeak past the Patriots, who are now 0-2 on the young season, 24-17.Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez made the play of the day, intercepting Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on a deep ball to wide receiver Tyreek Hill that had just a little bit too much air under it wit...

Sunday Forecast: Partly to mostly cloudy skies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

Sunday Night: Partly to mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of showers. N 5-10 mph. Low: 54 Chicago Area Radar | WGN TVMonday: A chance of showers early then partly sunny. NNE 5-10 mph. High: 69Extended outlook calls for partly sunny skies on Tuesday with a chance of showers in the afternoon. More sunshine for Wed/Thu/Fri. The last days of summer will feel like summer with highs for several days in a row near 80. Fall begins with the equinox on Saturday. Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)

Austin FC's downhill slide continues in 2-1 loss at home to Portland Timbers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Felipe Mora had a goal and an assist and the Portland Timbers snapped an eight-match winless streak on the road with a 2-1 victory over Austin FC on Sunday night.Mora scored his third goal of the season, unassisted in the 39th minute to give the Timbers (9-11-9) a 1-0 lead at halftime.VERDE LIGHTS: Miss the latest show? Watch the replay on Austin FC's website, but remember to tune in for the next show at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on The CW AustinMora notched an assist on Evander da Silva Ferreira's eighth goal of the campaign, giving Portland a 2-0 lead in the 64th minute.Austin (9-13-6) pulled within a goal when Sebastián Driussi found the net for the ninth time this season, unassisted in the 75th minute.Austin has lost four straight at home in all competitions for the first time since joining the league in 2021.David Bingham saved four shots for Portland. Brad Stuver finished with three saves for Austin.The Timbers improve to 4-0-1 in their last five mat...

Theater review: Talented Guthrie cast improves upon ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

It’s been 60 years since celebrated English theater director Sir Tyrone Guthrie opened the Minneapolis theater that now bears his name. And it’s worth remembering that one of his central missions was to create new productions of “the classics.”The Guthrie’s season-opening take on Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” provides a welcome reminder that “the classics” don’t have to be suffered through like a necessary medicine, good only for your intellectual edification but not particularly flavorful. Director David Ivers’ vibrant staging strikes an ideal balance between silliness and thoughtful social satire, taking what can be an overly wordy play and lending it a delightful physicality, augmented by a consistently eye-catching design scheme.Among the keys to its success is Ivers’ emphasis upon the eccentricities of each of its nine characters. Almost every actor has crafted a memorable creation in this outrageous comedy of manners, taking Wilde’s words in all sorts of inve...

Fred Astaire hosts 3rd annual Havana Nights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Fred Astaire Dance Studios hosted their third annual Havana Nights event. Not only does the party celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with signature dance, but also raise money for the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST). Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Saratoga Race Course may only be in-season for 40 days, but there is a community of support for track workers called the Backstretch Employee Service Team that spend from April to November getting the track ready. The dance studio uses its year-round model to help out."We oversee all of the medical, mental health, social services, and addiction programming for the migrant backstretch population. We believe a healthy worker is a better worker and we are always trying to share the stories of what we do back there," stated Saratoga Program Director of BEST, Nancy Underwood. Drunk driver sentenced in tow truck driver’s death The dance st...

UAW leader highlights union's goals amid Wentzville strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo. - Sunday marked the third consecutive day in which autoworkers stood outside the General Motors plant in Wentzville, picketing as a national strike continues for the United Auto Workers union. Each gate at the GM plant was full of picketers. Union representatives are also busy amid negotiations. “They’re negotiating, they’re doing a great job for us," said Katie Deatherage, President of UAW Local 2250. "We’re supporting them down here, holding the line for them, and it’s not just for us. It’s for all UAW." PHOTOS: St. Louis Renaissance Festival returns for its 25th year She said this strike feels the same as the one in 2019. That one lasted 40 days. This time around, 13,000 workers linked to the United Autoworkers union nationwide, or less than 10 percent of the UAW’s total hourly workers, have taken a stand against three automaking giants – General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. Among the union’s demands, a 36% pay raise (down from the original ask of 40%), medical...

Local man one of 2 pilots killed in collision after air race in Reno

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:16 GMT

Two pilots were killed at an air racing event in Reno Sunday when their planes collided after landing, officials with the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced.  The incident occurred at around 2:15 p.m. at the end of the T-6 Gold race.  “...upon landing, two planes collided and it has been confirmed that both pilots are deceased,” RARA said in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.  Officials added that there were no civilian injuries and that they were in the process of gathering and confirming additional details about the collision. Families of both of the victims were notified.  One of the pilots, identified by City News Service as Chris Rushing, flew out of Van Nuys Airport. The other pilot, identified as Nick Macy, was based out of Siskiyou County in Northern California.  “Both expertly skilled pilots and Gold winners in the T-6 Class, Macy piloted Six-Cat and Rushing flew Baron’s Revenge,” RARA said.  Racing officials said the...