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Back in China 50 years after historic trip, a Philadelphia Orchestra violinist hopes to build ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Fifty years after the Philadelphia Orchestra’s history-making visit to China in 1973 that helped build then-fledgling U.S.-China ties, Davyd Booth hopes for a repeat performance. The 73-year-old violinist returned to China this week with 13 fellow orchestra members to mark the 50th anniversary of the trip and carry on the ensemble’s decadeslong effort to bring the United States and China closer together despite current political disagreements.“People all over the world are absolutely the same,” Booth said Thursday in Beijing, on the eve of their performance with the China National Symphony Orchestra at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. The orchestra’s return in itself is a sign of improving ties ahead of a highly anticipated meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping.There may be differences in governments and religion but people’s reaction to music is the same, Booth said after playing piano at a hospital with a violinist a...

New Zealand edges closer to semifinal with clinical win over Sri Lanka at Cricket World Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

BENGALURU, India (AP) — Fast bowler Trent Boult picked up 3-37 as New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by five wickets on Thursday to edge closer to the last remaining semifinal spot at the Cricket World Cup.Boult, who had previously picked up 10 wickets in eight games, roared back to form at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 171 in 46.4 overs.Fit-again paceman Lockie Ferguson claimed 2-35 in 10 overs, including two maidens, while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner bagged 2-22 as the Black Caps made easy work of a must-win game.In reply, New Zealand hurried to 172-5 in 23.2 overs thanks to Devon Conway (45), Rachin Ravindra (42) and Daryl Mitchell (43).The victory means New Zealand is fourth with 10 points from nine games and a net run-rate of plus-0.922. Pakistan and Afghanistan can still overtake the Black Caps but will need to win their final league games against England (Nov. 11) and South Africa (Nov. 10) respectively.The big winning margin, especially chasing dow...

Live updates | Macron urges Israel to protect civilians in Gaza, calls for a humanitarian pause

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

French President Emmanuel Macron has opened a Gaza aid conference with an appeal for Israel to protect civilians, saying that “all lives have equal worth” and that fighting terrorism “can never be carried out without rules.” Macron repeated calls a humanitarian pause in Israel’s operations against Hamas but also stressed that protecting civilians is “non-negotiable.” France wants Thursday’s aid conference that brings together more than 50 nations to address the besieged Palestinian enclave’s growing needs including food, water, health supplies, electricity and fuel. The aid conference coincides with negotiations for a three-day humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza in exchange for the release of about a dozen hostages held by Hamas. Two officials from Egypt, one from the United Nations and a Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic efforts. said the negotiations were underway.The war, now in its second month, was triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas a...

Nedbank Golf Challenge Scores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

ThursdayAt Gary Player Country ClubSun City, South AfricaPurse: $6 millionYardage: 7,819; Par: 72First RoundDan Bradbury, England33-33—66Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark34-32—66Max Homa, United States33-33—66Vincent Norrman, Sweden34-32—66Julien Guerrier, France33-34—67Ryo Hisatsune, Japan34-33—67Adrian Meronk, Poland32-35—67Francesco Molinari, Italy33-35—68Matthieu Pavon, France34-34—68Richie Ramsay, Scotland34-34—68Shubhankar Sharma, India35-33—68Sebastian Soderberg, Sweden36-32—68Jeff Winther, Denmark34-34—68Jorge Campillo, Spain35-34—69Ryan Fox, New Zealand32-37—69Rasmus Hojgaard, Denmark36-33—69Matthew Jordan, England33-36—69Victor Perez, France34-35—69Aaron Rai, England34-35—69Matthew Baldwin, England33-37—70Alexander Bjork, Sweden35-35—70Jens Dantorp, Sweden36-34—70Hennie Du Plessis, South Africa34-36—70Ewen Ferguson, Scotland37-33—70Joost Luiten, Netherlands34-36—70Tom McKibbin, Northern Ireland35-35—70Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark34-36—70Adrian Otaegui, Spain33-37—70Matthew Southgate,...

Nedbank Golf Challenge Par Scores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

ThursdayAt Gary Player Country ClubSun City, South AfricaPurse: $6 millionYardage: 7,819; Par: 72First RoundDan Bradbury, England33-33—66-6Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark34-32—66-6Max Homa, United States33-33—66-6Vincent Norrman, Sweden34-32—66-6Julien Guerrier, France33-34—67-5Ryo Hisatsune, Japan34-33—67-5Adrian Meronk, Poland32-35—67-5Francesco Molinari, Italy33-35—68-4Matthieu Pavon, France34-34—68-4Richie Ramsay, Scotland34-34—68-4Shubhankar Sharma, India35-33—68-4Sebastian Soderberg, Sweden36-32—68-4Jeff Winther, Denmark34-34—68-4Jorge Campillo, Spain35-34—69-3Ryan Fox, New Zealand32-37—69-3Rasmus Hojgaard, Denmark36-33—69-3Matthew Jordan, England33-36—69-3Victor Perez, France34-35—69-3Aaron Rai, England34-35—69-3Matthew Baldwin, England33-37—70-2Alexander Bjork, Sweden35-35—70-2Jens Dantorp, Sweden36-34—70-2Hennie Du Plessis, South Africa34-36—70-2Ewen Ferguson, Scotland37-33—70-2Joost Luiten, Netherlands34-36—70-2Tom McKibbin, Northern Ireland35-35—70-2Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark34-...

AdventHealth Porter hospital reopens after failed boiler

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — After being closed for more than a week due to a lack of hot water and heat from a failed boiler, AdventHealth Porter is back open. AdventHealth Porter, a hospital in Denver, said it reopened its doors for all acute and emergency clinical services at 7 a.m. Elective procedures will resume on Monday, Nov. 13.On Oct. 30, the boiler failed after a cold snap, and patients had to be transported to nearby facilities. According to the hospital, two permanent operational boilers and a temporary boiler are back online. The hospital spent the past few days testing the boilers to ensure they functioned. CU Boulder student in coma after unknowingly taking fentanyl-laced pill Only 15 patients were transferred back to AdventHealth Porter, while the other patients who were transferred out have been discharged. "In partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and other state agencies, we have ensured all quality and safety measures have been met before...

5,000 Role Models of Excellence empower Miami-Dade youth at Regional Tie Tying Ceremony

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

In a significant milestone, the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project celebrated its Regional Tie Tying Ceremony at North Miami Senior High School, Wednesday night. For three decades, this dropout prevention and mentoring program has positively impacted the lives of minority boys, ages 9-19, in Miami-Dade County schools.The organization’s commitment involves connecting young boys with male mentors from diverse backgrounds, offering guidance, tutoring, and instilling hope.7News’ Tavares Jones was also honored and inducted as a mentor into the program to help those young men.

Pennsylvania woman finds new furry friend wearing late dog’s bandana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

BLOOMSBURG, Penn. (WSVN) — In a tale that proves anything is “paw-sible,” a Pennsylvania woman, Kaitlyn, discovered an unexpected connection while searching for a new canine companion. After losing her first dog, Kaitlyn donated some of his belongings, including a special bandana, to an animal rescue center.Last week, as Kaitlyn embarked on the journey to adopt a new furry friend, she encountered “Ella” at the shelter. Ella had spent seven years awaiting adoption. The connection between Kaitlyn and Ella was instant, and to their surprise, Ella was adorned with the same bandana Kaitlyn had donated when her first dog passed away.

Israel agrees to 4-hour daily pauses in Gaza fighting to allow civilians to flee, White House says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israel has agreed to put in place four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in its assault on Hamas in northern Gaza starting on Thursday, the White House said, as President Joe Biden pressed Israelis for a multi-day stoppage in the fighting in a bid to release hostages held by the militant group.Biden said Thursday that there was “no possibility” of a formal cease-fire at the moment, but he also expressed frustration that it had taken so long for Israel to agree to the humanitarian pauses. Biden had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to institute the daily pauses during a Monday call and said he had also asked the Israelis for a “pause longer than three days” to allow for negotiations over the release of some hostages held by Hamas.“It’s taken a little longer than I hoped,” Biden told reporters.National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the first daily humanitarian pause would be announced Thursday and that the Israelis had committed to announ...

Germany’s Scholz: Every form of antisemitism ‘poisons our society’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:24 GMT

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday vowed to protect Jewish institutions and communities amid growing acts of antisemitism in Germany since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.“Every form of antisemitism poisons our society. We won’t tolerate it,” Scholz said on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the Nazis’ “Kristallnacht” pogrom of Jews.“Never again — that means the physical protection of Jewish institutions and communities. It means that the police and judiciary consistently enforce applicable law,” he said, adding: “October 7th allows only one conclusion: Germany’s place is on Israel’s side.”Scholz also said he was glad that many have shown their solidarity with the victims of the Hamas attack. “That gives us confidence and strengthens our community,” he said.Josef Schuster, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, told the Jewish weekly newspaper Jüdische Allgemeine that “the images from German streets in which people of Arab ...