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Borrell backs UN call for humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter for the first time in more than 30 years to call on the Security Council to intervene in the war in Gaza, in a move that was backed by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. In a letter on Wednesday addressed to the president of the Security Council, Guterres wrote that the conflict in Gaza and Israel had created “appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”Guterres called on the Security Council to “press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe” and for a “humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.”“The situation is fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region,” he wrote. “Such an outcome must be avoided at all costs.”Article 99 allows the secretary-general to alert the Security Counci...

Former Polish President Lech Walesa, 80, says he is better but remains hospitalized with COVID-19

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Lech Walesa, Poland’s 80-year-old former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, said Thursday that he is improving after being hospitalized with COVID-19.A post on Walesa’s Facebook page shows him lying on a hospital bed with his thumbs raised and a brief caption saying he believes he is going to pull through once again.The former anti-communist dissident has faced multiple health scares in past years. He has diabetes and a heart condition that requires him to use a pacemaker.Two days earlier, a photo posted on Facebook showed him on a hospital bed with an oxygen mask on, with a caption saying “I have been hit by Covid.” His aide, Marek Kaczmar, told Polish media then that Walesa was seriously ill but was receiving good care in a hospital in Gdansk, the Baltic port city where he lives. It’s Walesa’s second bout of COVID-19. Starting in 1980, Walesa spearheaded Poland’s pro-democracy Solidarity movement that nine years later led to the peaceful ouster of ...

Daily horoscope for December 7, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Libra.Happy Birthday for Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023:You are a courageous, freethinking pioneer of ideas. You are original and not afraid to be different. This is a powerful year for recognition for you. Expect a promotion, awards, accolades and major accomplishments. This is also a busy year for you because people are aware of your strengths.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★This is an excellent day to talk to bosses, parents and VIPs, because your optimism and ability to see the big picture will impress everyone. Make your wishes known. Share your views. You will be convincing and persuasive. Tonight: Learn.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★This is a marvelous day to study and learn. It’s also a wonderful day to teach, because you’re so enthusiastic about whatever interests you. Enjoy pursuing anything that expands your world. This is also a great day to travel and talk to people from other...

Commission approves up to €1.2 billion of state aid by seven member states for an Important Project of Common European Interest in cloud and edge computing technologies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

The Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, an Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI') to support research, development and first industrial deployment of advanced cloud and edge computing technologies across multiple providers in Europe.The project, called IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI CIS), was jointly notified by seven Member States: France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.The member states will provide up to €1.2 billion in public funding, which is expected to unlock additional €1.4bn in private investments. As part of this IPCEI, 19 companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs'), will undertake 19 highly innovative projects.The press release is available online.

Dear Abby: The grandkids were upset by the fight, and now my husband is barred from their home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My common-law husband and my daughter don’t get along. Even though he is good with kids, she doesn’t want him around her children.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: We learned the truth about our daughter when her fiance ditched her Advice | Dear Abby: His ex-wife is coaching her children to be mean to this little girl Advice | Dear Abby: My boyfriend doesn’t want this woman to know about me Advice | Dear Abby: My son’s wife and mother-in-law are ganging up on him Advice | Dear Abby: I am furious that the bride disinvited my little girl from the high-profile wedding The last time we were at her home was a year ago. On that occasion, he got upset with me; he demanded we leave and went out to the car to wait for me. (I had told my daughter we were staying for two nights. This happened after one night.) My daughter felt he was disrespectful. She was upset and asked me wha...

Sale closed in San Jose: $1.6 million for a five-bedroom home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

6068 Golden Vista Drive – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 6000 block of Golden Vista Drive in San Jose was sold on Nov. 13, 2023 for $1,560,000, or $611 per square foot. The house, built in 2015, has an interior space of 2,555 square feet. This three-story home boasts a generous living space with five bedrooms and four baths. The property is equipped with forced air heating and a cooling system. Additionally, the home is equipped with a two-car garage, accommodating vehicles and storage needs efficiently.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:On Sunstone Drive, San Jose, in September 2023, a 2,555-square-foot home was sold for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $626. The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.A 2,555-square-foot home on the 800 block of Rosepoint Loop in San Jose sold in September 2022, for $1,500,000, a price per square foot of $587. The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.In November 2022, a 1,497-square-foot ho...

John Kerry wants to interview the world’s top musicians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told POLITICO he would love to grill some of the world’s top musicians in his dream interview.“I’d like to hear from one of our global premier musicians, as to how they keep on being creative and moving forward with hope in the midst of all this chaos,” Kerry said in an interview with POLITICO’s Power Play podcast. Kerry, who is currently in Dubai for COP28, sat down with POLITICO’s Anne McElvoy to discuss the summit, climate goals and fossil fuels on this week’s podcast.But he also said that, given the chance to stand on the other side of the microphone, he would choose to interview some of music’s most popular names from the 1960s, 70s and 80s as guests, including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen.“We’d have a great time,” he said.

Russia to hold presidential elections in March

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

Russia will hold presidential elections on March 17, following a vote in the Russian Senate on Thursday. The election date was approved during a session of the Federation Council — the Russian parliament’s upper house — with 162 senators backing the timing, state-owned newswire TASS reported.President Vladimir Putin, who has been in power either as president or prime minister for 24 years, has yet to formally announce a new presidential bid.But there is no doubt he will run again, and he is more than likely to win, having successfully silenced almost all of his domestic political opposition. If — or rather when — he wins, Putin would remain in power until at least 2030.The Russian leader first became president following Boris Yeltsin’s resignation in December 1999. He also ruled the country during a brief stint as prime minister between 2008 and 2012, as the Russian constitution would not allow him to serve three presidential terms in a row.In 2021, Putin signed into law...

Rishi Sunak to face COVID-19 inquiry grilling next week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to face a grilling by the country’s official COVID-19 inquiry next week.Sunak, who was chancellor during the pandemic, will appear on Monday morning for a day-long hearing on his handling of the crisis.While many of the most uncomfortable questions at the inquiry have focused on his predecessor and former boss, Boris Johnson, Sunak is unlikely to face an easy ride. The COVID-19 inquiry has already heard claims that Sunak, then running the finance ministry, fought hard to lift restrictions at crucial stages.Diary entries from former Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance said Sunak used “pure dogma” and scant evidence to argue against curbs to deal with a resurgence of COVID cases in October 2021.His flagship scheme to reopen the British economy during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic — dubbed “Eat Out To Help Out” — was described as “highly likely” to have led to increased deaths.

Restaurant review: Los Chiringuitos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:43:30 GMT

Place de la Liberté 9What’s hot: From the warm welcome, to the choice of music and serving sizes, Los Chiringuitos does not disappoint. According to the owner, Xavier, tapas-style dishes from around the world are the inspiration, so you can be sure to find a range of options. On the menu are well-executed Spanish classics such as patatas bravas, but also more unexpected dishes like Camembert à la truffe, an addictive baked cheese dish with truffle, or a tasty pulled pork. The star of our evening was the Artichauts à l’ail, garlicky baked artichokes with crispy outer leaves and a juicy interior which was bursting with flavor. The cocktails were beautiful, tasty and not too strong. What’s not: Service is generally fast, but this can also make you feel a little rushed, as they try to make room for the next diners.Vibe: Great music, decoration and very friendly and accommodating staff make for a pleasant experience. Tables fill up quickly in this small...