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North Korean art sells in China despite UN sanctions over nuclear program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — For sale at a recent Beijing art exposition was a painting with an asking price of $2,460 that depicted the snow-capped Mount Baekdu, the mythical birthplace of the Korean people. A portrait of a prim young lady in bright brushstrokes was being sold for $5,190. For buyers on a budget, there were colorful landscapes being offered for a few hundred dollars.The dealer hawking the art made no effort to disguise who produced the pieces, despite stiff U.N. sanctions prohibiting the sale of such goods: “They were painted over there,” the dealer said, “in North Korea.”The dealer, who had salt-and-pepper hair and refused to divulge his name, was a representative of an art gallery that trumpets itself as China’s premier seller of North Korean art. The gallery, The Paintings Say Arirang, also operates a studio for North Korean artists in the outskirts of Beijing. Housed in a fenced and heavily surveilled compound, the North Koreans paint glorified, idyllic visions of life ...

North Korea is closing some diplomatic missions in what may be a sign of its economic troubles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea confirmed Friday that it’s closing some of its diplomatic missions abroad, a move that rival South Korea suspects is likely the latest sign of the North’s economic troubles amid persistent international sanctions.Earlier in the week, the South Korean government said North Korea was moving to close its embassies in Uganda, Angola and Spain, as well as a consulate in Hong Kong, because the sanctions have made it extremely difficult for them to continue illegal activities abroad to earn money for their operating expenses.According to South Korean government data, North Korea has diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries but operates just around 50 diplomatic posts abroad.The North Korean Foreign Ministry said Friday that it is “either closing or newly opening diplomatic missions in other countries” in line with unspecified changes in the international environment and the North’s external policy. South Korean officials couldn’t i...

China supported sanctions on North Korea’s nuclear program. It’s also behind their failure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chinese middlemen launder the proceeds of North Korean hackers’ cyber heists while Chinese ships deliver sanctioned North Korean goods to Chinese ports.Chinese companies help North Koreans workers — from cheap laborers to well-paid IT specialists — find work abroad. A Beijing art gallery even boasts of North Korean artists working 12-hour days in its heavily surveilled compound, churning out paintings of idyllic visions of life under communism that each sell for thousands of dollars.That’s all part of what international authorities say is a growing mountain of evidence that shows Beijing is helping cash-strapped North Korea evade a broad range of international sanctions designed to hamper Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program, according to an Associated Press review of United Nations reports, court records and interviews with experts.“It’s overwhelming,” Aaron Arnold, a former member of a U.N. panel on North Korea and a sanctions expert at the Royal Unite...

Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war is a political test in South Florida’s Jewish community

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

SURFSIDE, Florida (AP) — On a recent balmy South Florida night, dozens of people gathered at a synagogue along a palm tree-lined road to talk about the war going on thousands of miles away. Located just north of Miami Beach, the Shul of Bal Harbour is in the heart of South Florida’s Jewish community. Its rabbi is a well-known supporter of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who has long supported conservative priorities on Israel and spoken at the Shul.But in potentially unfriendly territory for Democrats, several people who attended the meeting said they were pleased President Joe Biden’s support of the Israeli offensive against Gaza.“I think he has sent a strong message, and that is very important,” said Georg Lipsztein, a member of the congregation. “Israel is going to do what it has to do.”This swath of South Florida used to be a Democratic stronghold but has moved to the right, helping former President Donald Trump win the state in 2020 and DeSantis coast to a h...

Caribbean Investment Forum showcases entrepreneurial excellence at ‘Survival of the Pitchest’ competition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

The Caribbean Investment Forum, a prestigious annual event dedicated to fostering economic growth and innovation, witnessed a spectacular showcase of entrepreneurial prowess at the 'Survival of the Pitchest' competition, held on 24 October. This event was a highlight of the forum, offering a platform for startups from the Caribbean and beyond to pitch their ground breaking ideas and compete for prestigious prizes. Caribbean Export Development Agency, the driving force behind the Caribbean Investment Forum, is delighted to announce that the competition received a staggering 155 entries from 18 different countries. The remarkable turnout demonstrates the increasing enthusiasm and potential of startups in the Caribbean and the wider region. Out of the talented pool of applicants, seven companies were selected to present their innovative ideas and business models on the grand stage. These budding entrepreneurs seized the opportunity to showcase their creativity, dedication, and vision, ...

Philipp Grubauer makes 33 saves, Vince Dunn’s 3rd-period goal leads Kraken past Predators 4-2

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Philipp Grubauer made enough important saves that the Seattle Kraken goalie could be forgiven for taking his first penalty in nearly eight years. “It’s kind of awkward not being able to sit in the box there after taking a penalty,” Grubauer joked. “But, no added pressure. It’s the same mentality. You’ve got to stop everything.”Grubauer stopped 33 shots, Vince Dunn scored his second goal of the season off a faceoff 8:38 into the third period to give Seattle a two-goal advantage, and the Kraken beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Thursday night.The Kraken withstood a disjointed and sometimes sloppy first two periods thanks to Grubauer, who was terrific, especially in the second period. He stopped 14 of 15 shots in the period, several right around the goal mouth. Grubauer also picked up the second penalty of his career when he was called for tripping Nashville’s Liam Foudy late in the period. It was his first penalty since a 2016 game against Ottawa whi...

Wembanyama scores 38 points, shines in 4th quarter, as Spurs hold off Suns 132-121

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs were flailing in the fourth quarter Thursday night, struggling to find their footing after the Phoenix Suns erased a 27-point lead and threatened to finish an epic comeback victory.Instead, Victor Wembanyama took over.It’s probably not the last time that will happen.The 19-year-old rookie scored a season-high 38 points, Zach Collins added 19 and the Spurs held off Phoenix 132-121 on Thursday night.The Suns erased a 27-point deficit, tying it at 116 with 4:21 left on Keita Bates-Diop’s 3-pointer, but the Spurs responding by scoring the next 12 points, including 10 from the precocious Wembanyama.“Someone’s got to do it,” Wembanyama said. “Tomorrow it might be one of my teammates.”In just his fifth NBA game, Wembanyama produced a handful of highlight plays, including flying down the lane for a dunk in the second quarter. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman shot 15 of 26 from the field and had 10 rebounds.“He’s a multi-faceted player — he&...

North Korea confirms it is closing some diplomatic missions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea confirmed Friday that it’s closing some of its diplomatic missions abroad, a move that rival South Korea suspects is likely the latest sign of the North’s economic troubles amid persistent international sanctions.Earlier in the week, the South Korean government said North Korea was moving to close its embassies in Uganda, Angola and Spain, as well as a consulate in Hong Kong, because the sanctions have made it extremely difficult for them to continue illegal activities abroad to earn money for their operating expenses.According to South Korean government data, North Korea has diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries but operates just around 50 diplomatic posts abroad.The North Korean Foreign Ministry said Friday that it is “either closing or newly opening diplomatic missions in other countries” in line with unspecified changes in the international environment and the North’s external policy. South Korean officials couldn’t i...

Stock market today: Asian shares follow Wall St higher on hopes for an end to Fed rate hikes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares advanced on Friday after Wall Street roared higher on bets that market-rattling interest rate hikes are coming to an end. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 1.2% to 17,296.34, while the Shanghai Composite edged 0.1% higher to 3,026.32. Tokyo markets were closed for a holiday.In China, a services industry survey showed a slight improvement in October, though retail sales hit its lowest level in 10 months. Similar surveys for the manufacturing sector released early this week showed more sluggish market conditions overall. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 1.2% to 6,978.40. South Korea’s Kospi surged 1% to 2,367.53. India’s Sensex was 0.8% higher and Bangkok’s SET rose 0.6%.Hopes that the Federal Reserve may finally be done with raising rates after it opted to keep its benchmark rate unchanged pushed shares higher around the world on Thursday. The Fed has jacked up rates furiously since early last year to try to slow the economy and starve high inflation of its ...

Paolo Banchero scores 30 points, Magic beat Jazz 115-113

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:37 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Paolo Banchero scored 30 points, making the deciding layup with 14 seconds left, in the Orlando Magic’s 115-113 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.Banchero added nine rebounds and five assists to help the Magic win for the third time in 15 games against Utah. He attacked the paint relentlessly for four quarters. Only one of his nine baskets came from the perimeter, and he made 11 of 15 free throws.“I just wanted to be aggressive and take advantage of the mismatches,” Banchero said.Franz Wagner added 21 points, and Cole Anthony had 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists to help the Magic cap a four-game trip with their second road victory.“I think us winning tonight just kinds shows our growth as a team,” Banchero said. “It’s a boost being able to go back home with some momentum.”Attacking the rim consistently paid off for Orlando. The Magic finished with 56 points in the paint and 13 second-chance points. Orlando also went 27 of 36 on free throw...