The Daily Populous

Friday April 14th, 2023 evening edition

image for China vows not to sell arms to any party in Ukraine war

China vows not to sell arms to any party in Ukraine war.

BEIJING (AP) — China won’t sell weapons to either side in the war in Ukraine, the country’s foreign minister said Friday, responding to Western concerns that Beijing could provide military assistance to Russia.

Qin Gang is the highest-level Chinese official to make such an explicit statement about arms sales to Russia.

He added that China would also regulate the export of items with dual civilian and military use.

“Regarding the export of military items, China adopts a prudent and responsible attitude,” Qin said at a news conference alongside visiting German counterpart Annalena Baerbock.

The White House on Friday welcomed Qin’s pledge that China won’t supply weapons to Russia, but expressed a measure of trepidation.

Under the ardently nationalist Xi, China has sharpened its rhetoric, particularly on the issue of Taiwan, which split from mainland China amid civil war in 1949. »

Topeka Zoo welcomes new African Lion as female sprouts mane

Authored by wibw.com

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Topeka Zoo has welcomed a new African Lion to its pride, a male, as one of its females started to sprout a mane following the 2021 passing of the pride’s last male.

The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center announced on Thursday, April 13, that Tatu, a 4-year-old African Lion, has arrived in the Capital City.

He comes to Topeka from the Denver Zoo and his arrival marks a time of growth for the zoo. »

Police search for group of suspects who stole 2 million dimes from truck in Northeast Philadelphia

Authored by 6abc.com
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Police said the suspects got away in a white Chrysler 300 with tinted windows and a dark-colored pickup truck.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police are looking to locate a group of suspects who are responsible for breaking into a tractor-trailer and stealing $200,000 worth of dimes in Northeast Philadelphia.

Police on the scene say an estimated two million dimes, worth $200,000, were stolen. »

EU unable to simply seize frozen assets of Russia’s central bank, report says

Authored by yahoo.com
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The report notes that Brussels is still looking for ways to put the funds to use.

One of the options envisages pouring the money into EU bonds at a 2.6% interest rate, and then use those interest payments to aid Ukraine’s recovery.

Furthermore, Die Welt adds that EU officials say it’s very difficult to track Russian central bank reserves stashed abroad. »

Ron DeSantis quietly signs Florida's 6-week abortion ban into law

Authored by nbcnews.com

Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed legislation Thursday that would ban most abortions after six weeks in Florida, a move that will weigh on his likely 2024 presidential bid.

The Florida law bans abortions at six weeks but creates new exemptions for rape and incest up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Last year, DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature that is currently before the Florida Supreme Court. »