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Estonia could close Russian border in face of ‘hybrid attack’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

A dramatic surge in the number of migrants from Africa and the Middle East arriving on the EU’s eastern frontier are part of a “blatant hybrid attack” orchestrated by Moscow, Estonia’s foreign minister said, warning that crossings from Russia could be banned altogether.In a statement Wednesday, Margus Tsahkna said the Baltic nation is “prepared to close its border with Russia” if the situation continues. The growing crisis, he added, “is yet more proof that Russia is not fighting only in Ukraine; instead it poses a threat to other countries.”At the same time, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said the government was planning to deal with a potential rise in the number of crossings after Finland closed all of its checkpoints with Russia on Tuesday, accusing the Kremlin of attempting to stoke a migrant crisis. Helsinki argues Moscow’s “influence activity” is intended as retribution for the Nordic country&#...

Un gendarme chez la grande conso

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

Notre newsletter quotidienne sur les enjeux de lobbying et de transparence en France.Par OCÉANE HERREROAvec AURORE GORIUS, ALEXANDRE LÉCHENET et PAUL DE VILLEPINInfos, tuyaux et mini-drames à partager ? Ecrivez à Océane Herrero, Aurore Gorius, Alexandre Léchenet et Paul de Villepin | Voir dans votre navigateurLE MENU DU JOUR— INFO Influ : Le lobby des marques de la grande conso dans le viseur de l’Autorité de la concurrence.— La COP28 débute aujourd’hui, voici votre pense-bête. — NumSpot, nouveau champion français de l’IA ?Bonjour à toutes et à tous, si vous avez la chance de textoter un ministre, préparez-vous à installer les applications françaises Tchap ou Olvid. Les membres du gouvernement ont eu ordre, selon Le Point, de désinstaller WhatsApp, Signal et Telegram, applications dont l’exécutif était, jusqu’au sommet, particulièrement friand. En bon élève, le ministre délégué chargé du Numérique, Jean-Noël Barrot, assurait, hier soir sur X, être déjà à fo...

Elton John addresses Britain’s Parliament, urging lawmakers to do more to fight HIV/AIDS

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Elton John has urged British lawmakers to do more to fight HIV and AIDS, saying the U.K. can be the first country in the world “to defeat this awful virus.”The British star spoke to lawmakers and campaigners in the grand Speaker’s House of Parliament on Wednesday evening at an event honoring his dedication to fighting HIV in the U.K. and beyond.“I implore you not to waste your allotted time as political leaders,” John urged dozens of lawmakers packed into the ornate gold-trimmed room. “Take action and push things a little further than might feel comfortable. And as you do, I can promise you this: I will be there with you.”John set up his AIDS Foundation in 1992 and has helped raise millions of dollars to prevent HIV infections and reduce stigma. “This evening I was privileged to welcome Sir Elton John and acknowledge his exceptional contribution to the global fight against HIV and AIDS — personally and through the Elton John AIDS Foundation,” Commons ...

86 million fake items worth over €2 billion detained last year in the EU internal market and at borders

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

Approximately 86 million fake items were detained in the European Union in 2022 (at the EU external border and in the internal market), according to a joint report published today by the European Commission and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The estimated value of fake items detained in the EU amounted to over €2 billion overall, an increase of approximately 3% compared to 2021.The report also shows that the five most detained products, in terms of the number of items detained across the EU, were games, packaging material, toys, cigarettes and recorded CDs/DVDs. These items accounted for more than 72% of the products recorded. While the number of items detained at the EU border in 2022 went down by 43% compared to 2021, their value increased by 11%, because more items with a higher domestic retail value were detained. When it comes to internal market detentions, more fake goods were stopped by police and market surveillance authorities than in 2021 (an increase of almo...

Single-family house in San Jose sells for $1.8 million

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

2083 Jonathan Avenue – Google Street ViewA 1,240-square-foot house built in 1949 has changed hands. The property located in the 2000 block of Jonathan Avenue in San Jose was sold on Nov. 13, 2023, for $1,826,000, or $1,473 per square foot. The layout of this single-story home includes three bedrooms and one bath. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. In addition, the house includes a two-car garage.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:In June 2023, a 1,441-square-foot home on Malone Road in San Jose sold for $1,775,000, a price per square foot of $1,232. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Ellen Avenue, San Jose, in September 2022, a 1,512-square-foot home was sold for $3,180,000, a price per square foot of $2,103. The home has 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom.A 1,529-square-foot home on the 2100 block of Ellen Avenue in San Jose sold in September 2022, for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $1,046. The home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

Teenage amateur golfer Rachel Lee tied for the lead in the Australian Open women’s field

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — Teenage amateur Rachel Lee was almost late to the first tee but finished the first round of the Australian Open in a tie for the lead with American Jenny Shin.The 16-year-old Lee had to hurry to start her round Thursday after getting the times confused, and she carried momentum to a 6-under 67 at The Lakes Golf Club in a tournament that has men’s and women’s fields and a two-venue format.“I was putting and my coach says, ‘Rachel, you’re on the tee,’” Lee, who attends a Sydney high school, explained. “So I just ran out there. I’ve learned my lesson.”Jenny Shin was also 6 under after a 66 at The Australian Golf Club. The pair had a one shot lead over two-time major winner Jiyai Shin of South Korea.Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa and local Stephanie Kyriacou were in fourth place at 4 under.Cameron Davis led the men’s field by a stroke at 9 under after an opening 63 at The Lakes. The 2017 champion had an eagle at the par-5 14th and seven birdies to finish one ahead of Ameri...

Panama’s high court declared a mining contract unconstitutional. Here’s what’s happening next

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

PANAMA CITY (AP) — In a historic ruling, Panama’s Supreme Court this week declared that legislation granting a Canadian copper mine a 20-year concession was unconstitutional, a decision celebrated by thousands of Panamanians activists who had argued the project would damage a forested coastal area and threaten water supplies.The mine, which will now close, has been an important economic engine for the country. But it also triggered massive protests that paralyzed the Central American nation for over a month, mobilizing a broad swath of Panamanian society, including Indigenous communities, who said the mine was destroying key ecosystems they depend on.In the unanimous decision Tuesday, the high court highlighted those environmental and human rights concerns, and ruled the contract violated 25 articles of Panama’s constitution. Those include the right to live in a pollution-free environment, the obligation of the state to protect the health of minors and its commitment to promote the ...

Sanders’ 22 help Cal Poly take down San Jose State 81-77 in OT

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) — Kobe Sanders’ 22 points, including a 3-pointer with six seconds left in regulation, helped Cal Poly defeat San Jose State 81-77 in overtime on Wednesday.Sanders shot 6 for 14 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 8 of 10 from the free throw line for the Mustangs (3-4). Quentin Jones scored 15 points and added five rebounds. Jarred Hyder was 4 of 9 shooting (3 for 6 from 3-point range) to finish with 12 points.Myron Amey Jr. finished with 22 points, six rebounds and two steals for the Spartans (5-3). San Jose State also got 17 points and nine rebounds from Tibet Gorener. Trey Anderson also had 13 points.NEXT UPBoth teams play again on Saturday. Cal Poly visits Idaho and San Jose State travels to play Montana.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Greek archbishop: Rishi Sunak’s marbles snub ‘deeply insults Greeks worldwide’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

The leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America slammed U.K. PM Rishi Sunak for canceling a meeting with his Greek counterpart over his comments seeking the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum.“Rishi Sunak’s decision to abruptly cancel his meeting with [Kyriakos Mitsotakis] over the Parthenon Sculptures deeply insults Greeks worldwide,” Archbishop Elpidophoros wrote on X.“These Sculptures are beacons of our shared human heritage, and their reunification in Athens fulfills UK’s moral and historical responsibility,” he added. Sunak was scheduled to meet Mitsotakis on Tuesday. But the Brit called off the talks late Monday after Mitsotakis gave an interview to the BBC in which he insisted upon the return of the Parthenon Marbles, the ancient sculptures that Britain’s Lord Elgin removed from Greece in the 19th century.“I express my annoyance that the British prime minister canceled our planned meeting just hours before it was due to take place,” Mitsotak...

Ireland’s social media enforcer prepares for an uncertain battle

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:20 GMT

DUBLIN — Jeremy Godfrey will soon have immense powers to police social media. He’s just not quite sure how he’s going to do it.Working from a nondescript building a mere stone’s throw from the offices of many of the tech giants now under his oversight, Godfrey is nine months into his tenure as executive chairman of Ireland’s Coimisiún na Meán, or Media Commission. The newly created regulator is on the front line of enforcing the European Union’s new social media rules, known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), as many of the companies under its purview — like Google and TikTok — have their European headquarters in the Irish capital.But ahead of early next year, when the Commission’s powers — including levying potentially hefty fines for infractions — take effect, Godfrey and his team of 75 regulators are still figuring out how it’s all going to work. The Irish watchdog’s remit covers everything from overseeing the country’s broadc...