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Xi, Putin and other leaders locked in discussions over an expansion of the BRICS economic bloc

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa held closed-door discussions Wednesday on the possible expansion of their BRICS economic bloc, a move they’ve framed as a way to amplify the voice of developing nations, but which also serves the geopolitical interests of Beijing and Moscow.A decision on whether to accept new members had been expected late Wednesday, the second day of a three-day BRICS summit in Johannesburg. But officials said that was looking unlikely and a declaration might be made on Thursday.Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met at a conference center in the Sandton financial district in South Africa’s biggest city.Russian President Vladimir Putin, who did not travel to the summit after being issued an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, joined via video link from Moscow. Foreign Minister S...

Orchards still offering apple picking for fall 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Some apples are about ready to be harvested, and while most orchards don't open until late August to September, a few are already sold out for the season before their doors even open. Here's the status of some of the most sought-out apple orchards: 5 fall trips to start planning for peak leaf season Open reservationsPeachfork Orchards - PalisadeCalling a day or two in advance is usually enough time to make a reservation. The orchard will be open when the apples are ripe, which can range from early September to October depending on the apple. Bolton's Orchards and Farm Market - Grand Junction Bolton's Orchards is usually open from 2 - 6 p.m. but the hours aren't completely set. Call the orchard to make a reservation. Big B's - HotchkissThe orchard is currently updating the "U-pick" calendar for 2023, more information will be out soon. It's not clear if you need a reservation this year. Doesn't require reservations Fruit Basket Orchards - Grand Junction By late Aug...

Louisiana man arrested after driving with deceased woman’s body for a month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

LAKE CHARLES, La. (WSVN) – A chilling case unfolded as authorities discovered that a man had allegedly driven around with a deceased woman’s body in his SUV for a month. On Sunday, August 20, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana received a report of a missing person, Sheila Ortega, 72, from Lake Charles. Family members informed deputies that they had not been in contact with her for approximately 30 days.During the missing person investigation on Monday, August 21, detectives located Ortega’s SUV in a mall parking lot, and shockingly, her deceased body was found inside. The person of interest, Christopher T. Cater, 41, an acquaintance of Ortega, was discovered nearby at a business.According to officials, Cater admitted to detectives that he had killed Ortega about a month prior. Additionally, he confessed to using Ortega’s information to secure loans after her death.Christopher T. Cater was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Cen...

Defense questions victim’s memory during 3rd day of trial for ex-Hialeah PD officer accused of beating up homeless man

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

Jurors heard more testimony from a victim as the trial of a former Hialeah officer accused of kidnapping and beating up a homeless man entered its third day. On Wednesday morning, the defense spent most of their time questioning the victim, Jose Ortega Gutierrez, on events that he did or did not remember. He took the stand on Tuesday. Gutierrez, during his testimony, told attorneys multiple times “You are not going to confuse me.”The defense’s main focus was whether Gutierrez remembered the events that took place on Dec. 30, 2022. Attorneys asked him about that date because Gutierrez was facing 20 years in prison for two pending drug cases. He received time served for one case. During his testimony, Gutierrez appeared frustrated and often took deep breaths as he answered questions. “Isn’t that your hope, that when you go back to court on this pending drug case that you’re facing 20 years, is it you hope the Attorney’s Office will give you ti...

Officer shoots dog after being bitten in Pembroke Pines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

An officer fired their weapon at a dog after they were bitten.The incident happened in the area of 21610 NW 3rd Place, Wednesday morning. According to police, the officer was serving an injunction at the residence when a dog in the area became aggressive and bit the officer. The dog was shot and killed by the officer. Fire rescue arrived at the scene to treat the officer. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Cargo plane crash kills 2 near central Maine airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating the crash of a twin-engine cargo plane near a small airport in central Maine that killed both people on board.The Beechcraft crashed in a field in the town of Litchfield at around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The agency said the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation.The plane crashed “under unknown circumstances” about half a mile (0.8 kilometers) from Wales Airport, said Sarah Taylor Sulick, a spokesperson for the NTSB. Authorities had not identified the two dead as of Wednesday.Litchfield is a small town close to the state capital of Augusta, and is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Portland, the largest city in Maine.“The investigator will document the accident site, airplane, and gather witness statements and any surveillance video that may have captured any part of the accident flight,” Taylor Sulick said.Wreckage from the crash will be recovered ...

FAA announces millions in airport funding to tackle near collisions, including $44.9 mil for Logan Airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

(CNN) — Safety watchdogs call it a runaway problem on America’s runways that could end in tragedy – the near collisions of commercial aircraft. Now, the federal government is funding millions of dollars in airport construction projects to help address the issue.In an announcement shared first with CNN, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that $121 million from agency grants and from a 2021 infrastructure law will be doled out to eight airports from Florida to Alaska.This comes three months after the FAA announced $100 million in similar funding for a dozen other airports.The largest outlay in the latest round of funding is $44.9 million “to simplify the airport layout” at Boston Logan International Airport, the FAA said.Logan is where a collision was narrowly avoided this year. In February, a JetBlue flight was 30 feet from touching down on the airport’s runway 4 Left when a Learjet operated by a charter company took off in front of ...

India becomes the fourth country ever to land a spacecraft on the moon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

(CNN) — India has landed its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the moon, becoming only the fourth nation ever to accomplish such a feat.The mission could cement India’s status as a global superpower in space. Previously, only the United States, China and the former Soviet Union have completed soft landings on the lunar surface.Chandrayaan-3’s landing site is also closer to the moon’s south pole than any other spacecraft in history has ventured. The south pole region is considered an area of key scientific and strategic interest for spacefaring nations, as scientists believe the region to be home to water ice deposits.The water, frozen in shadowy craters, could be converted into rocket fuel or even drinking water for future crewed missions.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently in South Africa for the BRICS Summit, watched the landing virtually and shared broadcasted remarks on the livestream.“On this joyous occasion…I would like to address all the people of the...

Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte is back, and it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

New York (CNN) — The Pumpkin Spice Latte is coming back, again.Starbucks said Wednesday that the signature drink would return to the fall menu on Thursday, marking its 20th anniversary.The perennial Starbucks favorite has become a reliable hit, making it an autumn(ish) mainstay that has given the coffee chain a seasonal sales boost during this time of year, over the past two decades.In 2020, Starbucks said the pumpkin drinks were the “catalyst” for a record-breaking quarterly performance in the three months ending September 27, 2020. In fall 2022, it reported that the platform had grown 17% year-over-year.In addition to the latte, known fondly as PSL, customers will be able to buy other seasonal beverages, including the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato. New on the menu this year are the Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso and Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte.On the food menu, the Owl Cake Pop and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin a...

A new Medicare proposal would cover training for family caregivers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:28 GMT

By Judith Graham, KFF Health NewsEven with extensive caregiving experience, Patti LaFleur was unprepared for the crisis that hit in April 2021, when her mother, Linda LaTurner, fell out of a chair and broke her hip.LaTurner, 71, had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia seven years before. For two years, she’d been living with LaFleur, who managed insulin injections for her mother’s Type 1 diabetes, helped her shower and dress, dealt with her incontinence, and made sure she was eating well.In the hospital after her mother’s hip replacement, LaFleur was told her mother would never walk again. When LaTurner came home, two emergency medical technicians brought her on a stretcher into the living room, put her on the bed LaFleur had set up, and wished LaFleur well.That was the extent of help LaFleur received upon her mother’s discharge.She didn’t know how to change her mother’s diapers or dress her since at that point LaTurner could barely move. She didn’t know how to turn her mother,...