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As Macron’s criticism reverberates, US economist says she won’t take top EU job

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — One day after French President Emmanuel Macron criticized her appointment because of her nationality, the American candidate to become one of the European Union’s chief economists will now not take up the position because of the political controversy it stirred, the bloc announced Wednesday. In a letter to the EU’s executive Commission released early Wednesday, Yale economics professor Fiona Scott Morton wrote that she had “determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw and not take up the Chief Economist position.” EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who had pushed through the decision to appoint an American to such a high-level position, said, “I accept this with regret and hope that she will continue to use her extraordinary skillset to push for strong competition enforcement.” Macron had not been the only one to criticize the unusual move to take on an American for such a post but his criticism had the most impact. On Tuesday, h...

UK inflation falls by more than anticipated to 15-month low of 7.9%; may limit interest rate hikes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Inflation in the U.K. has fallen by more than anticipated to a 15-month low, official figures showed Wednesday, a development that may ease the pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates sharply over the coming months, to the potential relief of struggling households.The Office for National Statistics said that inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index, fell to 7.9% in the year to June from 8.7% the previous month. Most economists had expected a more modest decline to 8.2%.The statistics agency said the falling of fuel prices was the biggest driver behind the drop, while food price inflation also pared back, though they remained historically high. Despite the decline, inflation is still running far higher than the Bank of England’s target rate of 2%. As a result, the central bank is expected to raise its main interest rate further at its upcoming meeting in early August. However, the bigger-than-expected fall may mean it only raises it by a...

Climate and violence hobble Nigeria’s push to rely on its own wheat after the hit from Russia’s war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Abubakar Salisu was terrified when he discovered arid sand in the middle of his farmland, rendering a broad strip unfit for crops. Now, extreme heat is killing his wheat before it is ready for cultivation.Wheat normally requires heat, but in the last three years, farmers in Nigeria’s far north, part of Africa’s Sahel region that largely produces the country’s homegrown food, have seen an “alarming” increase in heat — much more than required, said Salisu, a local leader of wheat farmers in Kaita, Katsina State. Plus, rain is irregular.“The unpredictable rain pattern is affecting us because wheat is planted immediately after the rainy season, but sometimes we will plant it thinking the rain has stopped, only to have it start again, thereby spoiling the seeds,” said Salisu, 48.The vicious heat and rain cycle, worsened by climate change, has contributed to his wheat yield dropping in half.He is not alone — others in northern areas ripped apart by violen...

A look at other Americans who have crossed into North Korea over the years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. and U.S.-led United Nations Command say they are working to resolve the situation involving a U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea at a border village. The incident involving Private 2nd Class Travis King comes at a time of high tensions on the Korean Peninsula.The pace of both North Korea’s weapons demonstrations and U.S.-South Korean military exercises has intensified lately in a cycle of tit-for-tat.Other Americans have crossed into North Korea over the years, including a few U.S. soldiers. Some of the Americans were motivated by evangelical zeal or simply attracted by the mystery of a severely cloistered police state fueled by anti-U.S. hatred. Other Americans were detained after entering North Korea as tourists. In one tragic case, it ended in death.Here’s a look at other Americans who entered North Korea in the past years:CHARLES JENKINSBorn in Rich Square, N.C., Charles Jenkins was one of the few Cold War-era U.S. soldiers who fled to...

Tropical Storm Calvin Approaches Hawaii; Dangerous World Heat; Chicago temp Outlook

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

WIDE TUESDAY AFTERNOON (Chicago time) GOES WEST VIEW of Tropical Storm Calvin bearing down on Hawaii's Big IslandCloser view of Tropical Storm Calvin with its 45 mph sustained winds headed for Hawaii's Big Island.Active watches, warnings and advisories out of the National Weather Service-Honolulu office TuesdayHourly SIMULATED RADAR panels produced by the National Weather Service's new HAFS model--this panel for 5pm Hawaii time Tuesday8pm Hawaii time Tue11pm Hawaii time Tue2am Hawaii time Wed5am Hawaii time Wed8am Hawaii time Wed11am Hawaii time Wed2pm Hawaii time Wed5pm Hawaii time Wed8om Hawaii time WedOfficial NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast track for Trop Storm CalvinHAFS wind forecast 11pm Hawaii time Tue nightWind forecast 2am Hawaii time5am Hawaii time winds Wed8am Hawaii time Wed winds11am Hawaii time wind forecast2pm Wed windsWAVE HEIGHT FORECAST off the European Centre model for 2am Hawaii time WedPeak wave height forecast for 2am Hawaii time WedMajority of C...

Protection of journalists in the EU: MEPs back rules to stop abusive legal cases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

Under draft legislation endorsed last week in plenary, journalists, media organisations, human rights defenders, activists, researchers and artists will be protected in the EU from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), the aim of which are to intimidate and penalise them. With 498 votes to 33 and 105 abstentions, MEPs adopted their negotiating position on new rules to protect those working on matters of public interest like fundamental rights, the activities of public officials or corruption allegations.Cross-border application and protection safeguardsThe new rules should apply in cross-border cases when the defendant, claimant and court are not based in the same country or when the act of public participation - be it a press article, social media post, video, piece of research, or artwork - has relevance for more than one member state and can be accessed electronically. The draft directive foresees safeguards for victims of SLAPPs, including the possibility of ...

Five-bedroom home sells for $3.8 million in Palo Alto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

192 Walter Hays Drive – Google Street ViewA 1,711-square-foot house built in 1950 has changed hands. The property located in the 100 block of Walter Hays Drive in Palo Alto was sold on June 30, 2023, for $3,760,000, or $2,198 per square foot. This single-story home provides a generous living space with its five bedrooms and two baths. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Additionally, the home provides a two-car garage, granting ample space for parking and storage purposes. Nestled on a generous 7,910-square-foot lot, the property provides abundant outdoor space including a pool.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:A 1,427-square-foot home on the 100 block of Lois Lane in Palo Alto sold in May 2023, for $3,550,000, a price per square foot of $2,488. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In June 2023, a 2,378-square-foot home on Walter Hays Drive in Palo Alto sold for $3,690,000, a price per square foot of $1,552. The home has 6 bedrooms an...

Women’s World Cup spotlight shining on Australia as co-host New Zealand seeks its own attention

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — In a country known more for its love of rugby than women’s soccer, New Zealand is aiming to win fans as well as matches. The Football Ferns kick off the Women’s World Cup on Thursday night with a Group A match against Norway. The Ferns got the nod for the tournament opener just an hour ahead of co-host Australia’s match against Ireland in Sydney. “I hope there will be a lot of people here for not just our games, but all of the games. It’s a world tournament and something we’ve been so excited to have here now. I’ve been looking forward to this for three years,” defender Ali Riley said. “So I hope the excitement is there and I hope we do well, so that maybe the people who didn’t know about it will hear about it and will want to come to see us make history.”New Zealand Football announced that the opener at Auckland’s Eden Park will have the biggest crowd for a soccer match in the country’s history, estimated to be at least 50,...

ANÁLISIS | ¿Por qué una tercera acusación contra Trump podría ser una mancha tan profunda en su legado?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

(CNN) — Pocos ciudadanos se enfrentan al tipo de tormenta perfecta de amenazas legales que envuelve a Donald Trump. Y dado que es un presidente pasado y posiblemente futuro que se postula para un nuevo mandato, todo el país podría compartir su terrible experiencia histórica.Hay fuertes indicios este martes de que Trump pronto podría ser acusado en un tercer caso, este en la investigación del fiscal especial Jack Smith sobre los esfuerzos para anular las elecciones de 2020, lo que profundizó la tensión legal y política en torno a las elecciones de 2024. Trump dijo que Smith le envió una carta el domingo informándole que era objeto de la investigación, un paso que suele preceder a los cargos. Este desarrollo aumentó la posibilidad de que Trump, quien se declaró inocente en otras dos acusaciones penales, deba puntuar su tiempo en la campaña con largos días en los tribunales y pagar costosas facturas legales.Trump ya ha sido acusado en un caso en Manhattan que surge de un supuesto...

Los Angeles visits Minnesota after Collier’s 35-point game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:52 GMT

Los Angeles Sparks (7-13, 6-8 Western Conference) at Minnesota Lynx (9-12, 7-6 Western Conference)Minneapolis; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Minnesota hosts the Los Angeles Sparks after Napheesa Collier scored 35 points in the Minnesota Lynx’s 82-73 loss to the Atlanta Dream.The Lynx are 7-6 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 18.7 assists per game led by Lindsay Allen averaging 4.3.The Sparks have gone 6-8 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles is seventh in the WNBA allowing 82.2 points while holding opponents to 46.2% shooting.The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Lynx won the last matchup 67-61 on June 21. Collier scored 26 points to help lead the Lynx to the victory.TOP PERFORMERS: Collier is scoring 21.9 points per game with 7.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Lynx. Kayla McBride is averaging 11.8 points over the last 10 games for Minnesota.Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 19.8 points, 9...