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The EU needs to seek partnership, not conflict

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

When Ursula von der Leyen (pictured) took up her seat as the president of the European Commission, we were promised – in her words – a “Geopolitical Commission”, which would elevate Europe’s role on the world stage. That meant – or so we were led to believe – that she would lead the Commission to engage in the hard choices and necessary compromises of diplomacy and trade, writes Ladislav Ilčić MEP.In some areas, it could be argued that the von der Leyen Commission has made progress in its geopolitical ambitions. Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU has shown – although with some opposition within its ranks – that it stands with nations fighting for freedom. The approach to another geopolitical adversary – China – has changed, with proposed regulations targeting Chinese exports, such as a tougher ban on imports produced from forced labour. There has been some improvement in relations with the U.S., including greater coordination on commo...

Harriette Cole: Should I tell her she’s not burly enough to come on the road trip?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ll be moving across the country soon, and my female best friend really wants to make the drive with me for our last little adventure together.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: She’s ignoring the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy, and I want to say something Advice | Harriette Cole: I hate to think it, but maybe I’m a helicopter mom Advice | Harriette Cole: This macho guy is now being kind to me, and I’m suspicious Advice | Harriette Cole: Should I tell my wife what my friend said about us? Advice | Harriette Cole: I didn’t mean to get the Airbnb host banned I have to transport some heavy items, and my friend and I aren’t the strongest or the most agile. I can’t afford movers at the moment, so it would just be a move-in crew of two. I have a large, strong male friend who offered to make the drive with me and help me move instead. I ...

Miss Manners: I was annoyed by the fuss over the cost of my dinner

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the proper way to handle paying a restaurant bill?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: They stormed off and forgot the cooler. Do I have to keep it for them? Advice | Miss Manners: What am I allowed to say about a stranger’s hair? Advice | Miss Manners: My husband doesn’t understand why I was so mad at his friend Advice | Miss Manners: Did I deserve this treatment for being a few minutes late? Advice | Miss Manners: If I’m in the aisle seat, do I have any say over the window blind? Three met for dinner. Two of us (my husband and I) had more expensive meals than the third. When the check came, the other diner grabbed the check and pointed out the cost of my meal. Next came the calculator (embarrassing).At that point I looked at the bill and asked my husband if he would put more money down. But I was getting annoyed, and I told our companion, “What’...

New York set for road matchup with the Sun

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

New York Liberty (32-8, 16-4 Eastern Conference) at Connecticut Sun (27-13, 14-6 Eastern Conference)Uncasville, Connecticut; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Liberty -3.5; over/under is 159.5WNBA PLAYOFFS SEMIFINALS:BOTTOM LINE: The Connecticut Sun host the New York Liberty.The Sun are 14-6 against Eastern Conference opponents. Connecticut is second in the Eastern Conference scoring 82.7 points while shooting 44.5% from the field.The Liberty’s record in Eastern Conference games is 16-4. New York is the Eastern leader with 37.9 rebounds per game led by Breanna Stewart averaging 9.3.TOP PERFORMERS: Alyssa Thomas is averaging 15.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.8 steals for the Sun. DeWanna Bonner is averaging 17.1 points over the last 10 games for Connecticut.Courtney Vandersloot is averaging 10.5 points and 8.1 assists for the Liberty. Stewart is averaging 20.1 points over the last 10 games for New York.LAST 10 GAMES: Sun: 6-4, averaging 80.9 points, ...

Restaurant review: Le P’tit Chouia En +

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

Rue de la Pacification 38What’s good? A starter platter with lentils, hummus and marinated vegetables was fresh and beautifully presented. You can’t go wrong with the wonderfully spiced couscous dishes and tagines, both the vegetarian and the lamb versions were excellent. Portions are generous and come out piping hot (on a warm late summer night, they’ll definitely make you sweat!) What’s not? Service can be slow and a little grumpy. As a large group, we were warned off ordering dishes that would take too long to prepare and told the kitchen had run out of several options. Luckily the food was worth the wait.Vibe: The place is airy and light, with tiled tables and subtle touches of Moroccan design. The restaurant sits on a quiet square, and on a recent sweltering evening the windows had been thrown open to let in a breeze.Who’s picking up the check? Prices are very reasonable, with most mains under €15. Spotted: Close to the EU Quar...

Rishi Sunak faces a prime minister’s greatest nemesis: Local radio interviews

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

LONDON — Wily local radio journalists dealt a mortal blow to Liz Truss — and even won an award for it. On Thursday it was Rishi Sunak’s turn.The U.K. prime minister faced a tough round of questions — on everything from transport to crumbling schools — Thursday as a clutch of plugged-in local radio hosts got their chance to grill him. It comes a year after his short-serving predecessor Truss stuttered her way through a car-crash round of local radio interviews. Some of those hosts even bagged a broadcasting award for their interrogation.The regional media round has become a fixture of the pre-party conference scene for a British prime minister, with Downing Street hoping to flood local media with the PM’s messages and show a government in touch with everyday concerns.But as Sunak prepares to face his party diehards at Tory conference this weekend, he’s facing intense scrutiny over the fate of High Speed 2, a long-planned rail line that has been rolled back from its ...

EU wants defense upgrade to resist Russia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

The EU is set to boost its defense capabilities to counter Russia amid a threatening global environment, according to a draft summit declaration seen by POLITICO.“We will strengthen our defense readiness and develop the European defense technological and industrial base, including with more investments,” reads the text from an informal leaders’ meeting to be held in Granada, Spain next week. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the prospect of Donald Trump returning as U.S. president next year in Washington — which could lead to less military support for Kyiv — has forced Brussels to rethink its approach to defense. The so-called Granada declaration, first reported by Bloomberg, aims to prepare a political direction for the next European Commission, tackling various subjects such as competitiveness, migration and enlargement.On EU enlargement, the text argues that it will enhance “European sovereignty and is a geo-strategic investment in peace, s...

Video appears to show American soldier who crossed into North Korea arriving back in the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

The American soldier who sprinted into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago arrived back in the U.S. early Thursday, video appeared to show.Pvt. Travis King’s release was secured with the help of ally Sweden and rival China, the White House said Wednesday. North Korea abruptly announced earlier that day that it would expel the soldier.While officials have said King, 23, is in good health and the immediate focus will be on caring for him and reintegrating him into U.S. society, his troubles are likely far from over.King, who had served in South Korea, ran into the North while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the isoin nearly five years. At the time, he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.He has been declared AWOL from the Army. In many cases,...

On the cusp of AL East title, 2023 Orioles join club’s proud lineage of breakout teams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

Austin Hays knows this season won’t soon be forgotten.He was around when the Orioles lost twice as many games as they won. He felt every step they climbed over the past five years.“This is what you dream of,” he said Tuesday. “Going from multiple 100-loss seasons … to turn it around this year and be right on the cusp of winning 100 games, it’s going to always stick with us.”The Orioles rekindled a fan base’s hope when they leapt from 52 wins in 2021 to 83 last year, but few analysts predicted another jump. Vegas sportsbooks had the team’s over/under at 76.5 wins. Instead, the Orioles are nearing 100 wins and on the doorstep of an American League East title, achievements that put them among the greatest breakout teams in franchise history.Over their 70 seasons in Baltimore, the Orioles have fielded brilliant teams and putrid ones, but only a precious few carried the whiff of fresh, wonderful surprise that exists around th...

Israel’s High Court hears a challenge to a law that makes it harder to remove Netanyahu from office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:09 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Supreme Court on Thursday was hearing a challenge to a law that makes it harder to remove a sitting prime minister, which critics say is designed to protect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has been working to reshape the justice system while he is on trial for alleged corruption.The hearing is part of several pivotal court challenges against a proposed package of legislation and government steps meant to alter the country’s justice system. It comes after months of turmoil in Israel over the plan and deepens a rift between Netanyahu’s government and the judiciary, which it wants to weaken despite unprecedented opposition. Thursday’s hearing on the law, the second by the High Court, took place in front of an expanded 11-judge panel, underscoring the importance of the deliberations.Netanyahu’s governing coalition — Israel’s most religious and nationalist ever — passed an amendment known as the “incapacitation law” in March which allows ...