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West African nations threaten to use force if Niger’s president isn’t reinstated within a week

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — West African nations have given Niger’s coup leaders one week to reinstate the country’s democratically elected president and have threatened to use force if the demands aren’t met. The announcement came at the end of an emergency meeting of West African countries Sunday in Nigeria, where the regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, convened to respond to last week’s military takeover. President Mohamed Bazoum remains under house arrest and has yet to resign.“In the event the authority’s demands are not met within one week, (the bloc will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force,” said the statement. The bloc also imposted strict sanctions, including suspending all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger and freezing of assets in regional central banks.Economic sanctions could have a deep impact on Nigeriens, who live in th...

Europe’s economy shows modest growth after months of stagnation as rate hikes weigh on businesses

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European economy grew modestly in the most recent quarter, breaking out of a months of stagnation or contraction as higher interest rates designed to fight inflation make it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow, invest and spend. The 20 countries that use the euro currency and their 346 million people saw 0.3% growth in the April-to-June period, the EU statistics agency Eurostat reported Monday. That’s an improvement over zero growth in the first quarter of this year and a slight decline in fourth quarter of last year, but not by much.A revision raised figures for the first quarter from a decline of 0.1%, wiping out two straight quarters of declining output. Inflation in the eurozone, meanwhile, continued its gradual decline, falling to 5.3% in July from 5.5% in June.Europe’s economic growth got a boost by 0.5% growth in France and 0.4% in Spain, where lower inflation has helped lift consumer spending power.The French figure, how...

Wes Boyea is a game-changer in senior track and field

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

PITTSBURGH, PA (NEWS10) -- Weslie Boyea is a senior track athlete that was living like a champion, but that changed eight years ago when his health took a hit. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “So, I went through a heart attack, a five-way cardio bypass surgery and then I had a major choice," Boyea said. "Do I want to come back to that and still compete or stop and lay on the couch and not do anything and I made the choice with my family urging me on as much as they possibly could both my two daughters and my wife to say let’s go you gotta get up.Boyea got up and to the surprise of many people went back to competing.“A lot of people are very surprised that I was able to come back from that," said Boyea. "As a matter of fact, I was talking with some people today I volunteer at a youth camp up north, it’s called sky farm camp and retreat center and one of the guys said, I had no idea that you had that medical problem and that you ...

Commission approves €2.36 billion Hungarian scheme for accelerated investments in strategic sectors to foster the transition to a net-zero economy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

The European Commission has approved a €2.36 billion (approximately HUF 880bn) Hungarian scheme for accelerated investments in strategic sectors to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.Under this measure, the aid will take the form of (i) direct grants; and/or (ii) tax advantages. The measure will be open to companies producing relevant equipment, namely batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers, equipment for carbon capture usage and storage, as well as key components designed and primarily used as direct input for the production of such equipment or related critical raw materials necessary for their production.The Commission concluded that the Hungarian scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the green transition and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of imp...

Commission approves €246 million Dutch scheme to support renewable hydrogen production

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a €246 million Dutch scheme to support the production of renewable hydrogen. The measure aims to contribute to the development of renewable hydrogen in line with the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the European Green Deal. The scheme will also contribute to the objectives of the REPowerEU Plan to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition.The scheme will support the construction of at least 60 MW of electrolysis capacity. The aid will be awarded through a competitive bidding process planned to be concluded in 2023. The tender will be open to all companies established in the European Economic Area and operating, or wishing to build and operate, a hydrogen production unit in the Netherlands. The aid will take the form of a direct grant for a 7-to-15-year period.The scheme will contribute to the Netherlands's efforts to achieve 500 MW of electrolyser capacity in 2025 and 3-4 GW ...

Ask Amy: I just can’t win with my partner’s irritating college friends

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

Dear Amy: My partner of four years has a group of college friends. With every reunion, I have done my best to be kind, to participate, to be funny and inquire about their lives.It’s hard for me to engage with many of the members of his friend group. They don’t understand my humor, I am rarely asked questions about how I am doing or what I am up to, and I find that the majority of their conversations are satirical putdowns of other people from college.I’m a realistic person; I don’t need to be liked by everyone, simply because I, myself, do not like everyone.That being said, I love my partner.He makes a notable effort with my numerous friends and family, winning approvals and gaining acceptance with each encounter.I don’t understand why I haven’t had the same experience with his friends and family members.The people in his life don’t seem to reflect the man that I know, and it is upsetting to me that I may never fit into some parts of his lif...

Single-family house sells in Oakland for $2.1 million

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

5935 Whitney Street – Google Street ViewThe spacious historic property located in the 5900 block of Whitney Street in Oakland was sold on June 14, 2023 for $2,100,000, or $684 per square foot. The house, built in 1905, has an interior space of 3,070 square feet. This two-story house offers a roomy layout with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Additionally, the home includes a three-car garage. The property sits on a 4,280-square-foot lot.Additional houses have recently been sold nearby:In August 2022, a 1,166-square-foot home on 60th Street in Oakland sold for $1,620,000, a price per square foot of $1,389. The home has 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom.On 62nd Street, Oakland, in October 2022, a 1,127-square-foot home was sold for $1,640,000, a price per square foot of $1,455. The home has 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom.A 2,174-square-foot home on the 600 block of 63rd Street in Oakland sold in October 2022, for $2,000,000, a price per square foot of $920. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

After His Mother Asked for Help, FBI Terrorism Sting Targets Mentally Ill Teen

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

On a recent Monday, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of an 18-year-old man, Davin Daniel Meyer, on charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Meyer had been arrested the previous Friday, July 14, at Denver International Airport as he tried to board a flight to Turkey. Meyer thought he was going to the Turkish city of Ankara for a rendezvous with members of the Islamic State terrorist group.In a press release announcing the arrest, the Justice Department said that Meyer had been caught after he had “pledged an oath of allegiance to the leader of ISIS and intended to travel to serve as a fighter for ISIS in Iraq.” Join Our Newsletter Original reporting. Fearless journalism. Delivered to you. I'm in Beneath the surface of these serious allegations, however, are troubling details about what really happened between Meye...

A growing number of companies are dropping marijuana drug testing

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

As more states make the move to legalize marijuana, a growing number of businesses are eliminating or drastically changing their drug testing policies.“The majority still have their drug-free workplace policies in place,” said Amber Clayton, senior director of Knowledge Center Operations at the Society of Human Resources Management.Clayton said her organization has seen a boost in businesses asking how to navigate the challenges linked to new laws that legalize marijuana.“We’ve been getting questions for years,” she said. “They want to understand what are the laws. What can and can’t they do? Can they have policies? Can they test?”Clayton said the short answer is to always check state laws.But some businesses have done away with marijuana testing altogether, especially for job applicants. About 15% of employers recently surveyed said they have eliminated preemployment drug testing entirely. The move widens the talent pool for businesse...

Undrafted rookie receiver Jason Brownlee is showing Aaron Rodgers and the Jets he can be ‘special’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:30 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Jason Brownlee’s phone provides a constant reminder of how far he has come in his football journey.And how much further he expects to go.The New York Jets rookie wide receiver’s home screen is a photo of him being coached up by Aaron Rodgers on the field during offseason workouts. It’s a welcome to the NFL moment that will be forever cherished by Brownlee.“I’m definitely going to get it framed,” a smiling Brownlee said after practice Sunday.The undrafted free agent from Southern Miss has been among the early standouts in training camp, regularly making plays and impressing his new quarterback and coaches. He might appear buried on the depth chart behind the likes of Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Corey Davis, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb. But being an underdog doesn’t faze Brownlee. It never has.“I’ve been through this type of situation before where I had to start all over and build from the ground up,” Brownlee said in...