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Australian and Chinese leaders talk pandas and wine as ties improve despite disagreements

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The leaders of Australia and China joked about the relative cuteness of pandas and Tasmanian devils on Monday in a largely symbolic meeting that reflected the ongoing upswing in relations between the two countries after several years of acrimony and division.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is making the first visit by an Australian leader to China in seven years in a sign of both how low relations fell and how they have begun to stabilize.He and Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the gradual improvement in ties in the past year and emphasized the importance of engaging with each other despite differences on issues such as defense.China, a major market for Australia, has lifted some trade restrictions on Australian products since the two leaders first met in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022.“The progress we have made in advancing our relationship over that time has been unquestionably very positive,” Albanese said in opening remarks to Xi before the media. “T...

Tyson recalls 30,000 pounds of chicken nuggets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

New York (CNN) — Tyson Foods is voluntarily recalling about 30,000 pounds of its dino-shaped chicken nuggets after some consumers reported finding small metal pieces in their patties.The recall, announced on Saturday, is for 29-ounce plastic bag packages containing frozen, “fully cooked fun nuggets breaded shaped chicken patties,” according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.Those bags have a “best if used by date” of September 4, 2024, and were sold in Alabama, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.There has been “one minor oral injury” associated with consumption of the nuggets, according to the USDA, but no other reports of harm so far.But officials at the agency said they were concerned consumers may still have bags of the recalled “fun nuggets” in their freezers, and advised anyone who does should discard or return the product immediately.Tyson advised purchasers and consumers of recalle...

War veteran speaks out after service dog denied entry to American Legion in Fort Myers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WSVN) — A Gulf War veteran has been denied access to the American Legion in Fort Myers due to her service dog. The veteran received her service dog over the summer and now she’s fighting to make sure no other veterans are turned away. Dorthea “Dee” Pilkons served her country during the Gulf War in the Army and is now living with PTSD and hearing loss. “My psychiatrist at the Bedford VA, she noticed a really big change in me without my dog. And so, she suggested a service dog, and she helped me find America’s Vet Dogs,” sai Pilkons. Her journey led her to her service dog, Beth, who has made a profound impact on her life. Beth, a certified service dog from America’s Vet Dogs, has been instrumental in helping Pilkons manage her condition.“She really calms me down,” Pilkons shared. “She keeps me very, very level. She helps me with my hearing. Yeah, I’m a completely different person now.” Howe...

Marlins hire Peter Bendix to lead their front office. He leaves his job as Rays GM for Miami

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins have hired Peter Bendix as their new president of baseball operations, a job that convinced him to leave the Tampa Bay Rays after 15 seasons.Bendix had most recently been the Rays’ senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager. He and the Marlins struck the deal over the weekend, and Miami formally announced it Monday.“Peter has a great reputation within baseball and is committed to achieving sustained excellence in all areas of Baseball Operations,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said in remarks distributed by the club. “I am looking forward to working alongside Peter to bring the Marlins back to the playoffs.”The Marlins announced Bendix’s hiring one day before the start of baseball’s annual general managers’ meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona.Bendix will take over the department previously overseen by Kim Ng, who had been general manager of the Marlins for the last three seasons. Ng elected to leave the team l...

Trump takes the stand in New York civil case alleging financial fraud

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump began testifying Monday morning in his civil fraud trial, producing a spectacle of a former president and the leading Republican presidential candidate defending himself against allegations that he dramatically inflated his net worth.His turn on the witness stand, in a case that cuts to the heart of the business brand he spent decades crafting, amounts to a remarkable convergence of his legal troubles and his political ventures.The testimony gives him the opportunity to try to use the witness stand as a campaign platform as he eyes a return to the White House while facing multiple criminal indictments, but its under-oath format, before a judge who has already fined him for incendiary comments outside of court, creates clear peril for a businessman and candidate famous for a freewheeling rhetorical display.“It’s going to be a stunning moment. This is dramatic enough if he was simply an ex-president facing these charges. But the fact that he is the overwhe...

Suspect wanted in connection with shooting inside of a Brockton Ocean State Job Lot turns himself in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

Police in Brockton say the alleged suspect wanted in connection with a shooting inside of an Ocean State Job Lot store turned himself in early Monday morning.The Brockton Police Department said the “gunman/employee” turned himself in without incident a day after the shooting off Campanelli Industrial Drive.Authorities said at the time that the shooting occurred after an argument between an employee and a shopper escalated on Sunday.Police said the employee shot the customer when the shopper allegedly pulled a knife on them. After the shooting, the worker allegedly fled the scene.As of Sunday night, authorities said the shooting victim was expected to survive.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Two more companies recall cinnamon applesauce pouches due to potential lead contamination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

(CNN) — Two more companies are recalling fruit puree pouches due to potential contamination with lead, the US Food and Drug Administration said.Schnucks-branded pouches sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores and Weis-branded pouches sold at Weis grocery stores are being recalled, in addition to WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree sold by multiple retailers, including Sam’s Club, Amazon and Dollar Tree, that were recalled last month.In an update on Friday, the FDA said seven cases of adverse events have been found in five states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri and North Carolina.Last month, the FDA warned about lead in WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches after North Carolina health officials began investigating four children with elevated blood lead levels and found that the pouches could be the common source of exposure. Testing showed the pouches had “extremely high concentrations of lead.”The FDA says consumers should not...

Marijuana use raises risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke, studies say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

(CNN) — Older adults who don’t smoke tobacco but do use marijuana were at higher risk of both heart attack and stroke when hospitalized, while people who use marijuana daily were 34% more likely to develop heart failure, according to two new non-published studies presented Monday at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia.“Observational data are strongly pointing to the fact that … cannabis use at any point in time, be it recreational or medicinal, may lead to the development of cardiovascular disease,” Robert Page II, chair of the volunteer writing group for the 2020 American Heart Association Scientific Statement: Medical Marijuana, Recreational Cannabis, and Cardiovascular Health, said in a statement. He was not involved in either of the new studies.The AHA recommendations advise people refrain from smoking or vaping any substance, including cannabis products, because of the potential harm to the heart, ...

Researchers find sensitive personal data of US military personnel is for sale online

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

(CNN) — Sensitive personal information like the apparent home addresses and health conditions of thousands of active-duty US military personnel can be bought cheaply online from so-called data brokers, according to a study published Monday by Duke University researchers.The researchers could shop for data on servicemembers based on geolocation, including whether they lived or work near Fort Bragg, Quantico or other sensitive military locations. In some cases, they were able to buy the data for as cheap as $0.12 per record.The study points to longstanding national security concerns from US officials and outside experts that a foreign intelligence service, for example, could build a picture of the whereabouts and vulnerabilities of US military members simply by shopping for the information online. Scammers could also use the data to stalk or blackmail military families, the researchers concluded.The researchers were taking advantage of a vast data-broker ecosystem ...

BAT increasing its stake in Organigram with $124.6M investment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

TORONTO — Shares of Organigram Holdings Inc. rose 30 per cent after it says BAT signed a deal to increase its stake in the cannabis company by investing $124.6 million.The company says it plans to use $83.1 million of to create a strategic investment pool to help grow its geographic footprint and invest in emerging growth opportunities. The rest of the money will be will be used for general corporate purposes.Organigram says the investment will help it extend its footprint beyond Canada and strengthen its financial position for long-term, sustainable growth. Under the proposal, which is subject to regulatory and Organigram shareholder approvals and other conditions, BAT has agreed to buy 38,679,525 common shares and non-voting class-A convertible preferred shares over three tranches. The first tranche is expected to close on or around Jan. 16, 2024, followed by two more on or around Aug. 30, 2024 and Feb. 28, 2025.BAT already holds an 18.8 per cent stake in Organigram. Organigram sa...