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German Chancellor Scholz tests positive for COVID, visit by new Slovak leader canceled

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, and the government said a visit by Slovakia’s new prime minister had to be canceled as a result.Scholz wrote on social media platform X that “with few symptoms, I am counting on a mild case.” Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said the chancellor was in his office and communicating by phone and videoconference but would not perform any public duties on Monday and Tuesday.Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was scheduled to meet Scholz in Berlin on Tuesday, and the visit had to be canceled, Hebestreit said.It is not yet clear whether Scholz will be able to lead a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday in person, he added.Scholz, who is 65, received a COVID-19 booster shot this year, Hebestreit said.The Associated Press

Live updates | Israel’s allies step up calls for a halt to the assault on Gaza

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

After France, the U.K. and Germany joined global calls for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Tel Aviv Monday, and is also expected to press Israel to wind down its offensive in Gaza. The 10-week-old war has killed over 18,700 Palestinians and transformed much of the north of Gaza into a moonscape. Nearly 85% of Gaza’s population have fled their homes.More than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed since Israel declared war on Hamas, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Israel says 116 of its soldiers have died in its ground offensive after Hamas raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking about 240 hostages. Currently: — In Israel’s killing of three hostages, some see the same excessive force directed at Palestinians.— Israel finds a large tunnel adjacent to the Gaza border, raising questions about prewar intelli...

Intense storm causes floods, power outages as it moves up East Coast

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) — An intense late-year storm barreled up the East Coast on Sunday with heavy rains and strong winds that shattered rainfall records, forced water rescues from flooded streets and washed out holiday celebrations.Authorities rescued dozens of motorists stranded by floodwaters in South Carolina's waterfront community of Georgetown, Georgetown County spokesperson Jackie Broach said. More than 9 inches (22.9 centimeters) of rain fell in the area situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach since late Saturday.“It’s not just the areas that we normally see flooding, that are flood-prone,” Broach said. “It’s areas that we’re not really expecting to have flooding issues...It’s like a tropical storm, it just happens to be in December.” A stormy day for Connecticut with heavy rain, gusty winds & tidal flooding The tide in Charleston Harbor hit its fourth highest level on record and was “well above the highest tide for a non-tropical system,” according to t...

Ask Amy: Readers should put “A Book on Every Bed”

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

Dear Readers: For the past 14 years, I have devoted one December column entirely to the idea of giving books to children on Christmas morning (or whatever wintertime holiday you celebrate).I was first inspired by a sweet story I read about historian David McCullough’s childhood, where he and his three brothers would wake up on Christmas morning to a wrapped book, left by Santa on the foot of their beds.I communicated with Mr. McCullough, and from his home in Massachusetts he confirmed the story and generously gave me permission to use his childhood tradition to encourage families to start their holiday by unwrapping a book — and reading together.That’s the origin story of “A Book on Every Bed,” and in the years I’ve published this appeal (to give books to children, and to start your holiday by reading together), it has grown into a literacy campaign. Schools, libraries, bookstores, churches and community centers have picked up this idea and are helping families to bring books ...

Editorial: Xcel says the new headquarters in RiNo will save money, but it still stings for ratepayers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

Xcel’s big move to a fancy new building in the hot River North Arts District raised a few eyebrows on The Denver Post’s editorial board – ratepayers will be picking up the tab for rent in the building as it is one of the power company’s operating expenses.The new 220,000-square-foot building was described by its builder and owner in a quote put out by Xcel as “the next evolution of workplace that combines a creative and hospitality-driven customer experience with state-of-the-art amenities.”We met the claim that the move will save the company $2.5 million a year in operation costs with a healthy dose of skepticism.To Xcel’s credit, when we expressed our concern, the company’s president spent an hour with us discussing not only the decision to move the headquarters from its current location in Lower Downtown to RiNo but the company’s $15 billion plan to increase renewable energy, build transmission lines, and update Denver’s transmission infrastructure.Xcel president Robert Kenney ex...

The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement on updating EU product liability rules for the digital age and circular economy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached today by the European Parliament and the Council to update and adapt the EU liability rules to new technologies, ensuring better protection for consumers and greater legal certainty for economic operators. The Product Liability Directive ensures that if a person suffers damage caused by a product, they can claim compensation from the manufacturer or another person that placed the product on the Single Market.This update of the current set of rules adapts them to digital products, like software and artificial intelligence systems. It does so by taking account of software updates and machine learning. Since products are increasingly complex, the agreement allows victims' burden of proof to be made lighter when they face excessive difficulties.Furthermore, considering that more and more products are manufactured outside the Union, the agreement ensures that victims always have an economic operator in the EU from whom to claim co...

Invest Cyprus secures WAIPA regional steering committee directorship

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

Invest Cyprus has successfully secured the directorship for the Eastern Europe region of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). The announcement was made during the 27th World Investment Conference held at the India International Convention and Expo Center in New Delhi from 11 to 14 December 2023.Invest Cyprus, represented by CEO Marios Tannousis, emerged successfully from the shortlisting process, reflecting the organisation's commitment to advancing the global agenda of sustainable development through strategic foreign direct investment (FDI) initiatives.The World Investment Conference, hosted by WAIPA, is a prestigious platform that brings together government officials, business leaders, and high-level representatives from investment promotion agencies (IPAs) worldwide. This year's conference focused on the theme "Empowering Investors: IPAs Pioneering Future Growth" and provided a unique opportunity for Invest Cyprus to showcase its dedication to fosterin...

Bridge: Dec. 18, 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

I found Unlucky Louie in the club lounge, morosely assessing his credit card bill.“Judging by what my kids have on their Christmas want lists,” Louie told me, “they think this parenting gig pays really well.”Louie might handle his Christmas expenses if he did better in his penny games. When he was today’s South, he did well to open one heart; North would have raised a 1NT opening to 3NT. West led the jack of spades: queen, king, ace. Louie then led a trump to dummy’s king and back to his jack; he brightened up when the jack won.NINE TRICKSLouie next took the ace of trumps and started the diamonds, but his luck ran out when the suit broke 4-1. Louie took nine tricks.Good technique makes the game. Louie leads a diamond to dummy at Trick Two, returns a trump to his jack and cashes the ace. He then takes the ace of diamonds. As it happens, East has four diamonds as well as the queen of trumps, so Louie can take the queen of diamonds, ruff a diamond and return to the king of trumps to ta...

Man City gets Copenhagen and Napoli drawn against Barcelona in Champions League’s round of 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

Manchester City got a kind draw for the round of 16 in the Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain’s opponent could have been much tougher, too.City will continue its title defense against Copenhagen, which is making its first appearance at this stage since 2011. The Danish champion qualified ahead of Manchester United in group play.Paris Saint-Germain wasn’t punished as hard as it could have been for finishing second in its group. The French champion, still without a Champions League title under its Qatari ownership and eliminated in the last 16 for the past two years, will face a Real Sociedad team playing in Europe’s top competition for the first time in a decade.The draw for the two-legged round of 16 was made Monday at UEFA’s headquarters, with the standout matchup being Napoli vs. Barcelona — two of the late Diego Maradona’s former clubs. Barcelona hasn’t advanced beyond the round of 16 since the 2019-20 season.Real Madrid, seeking a record-extending 15th...

DC region deals with flooding, slippery roads after overnight showers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:17 GMT

Listen to WTOP for weather updates on the 8s.Heavy rains roared into the D.C. region Sunday night and continued into Monday morning, leaving behind slippery roads and flooding concerns as commuters hit the roads to start their work week. Here’s what you need to know. Here’s what you need to know, according to the National Weather Service:A flood warning is in effect through 7 a.m. for portions of Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Prince George’s and Howard counties in Maryland; D.C. and Culpeper, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Loudoun, Arlington and Stafford counties in Virginia.A wind advisory has been issued from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes the entirety of the District, Maryland and northern Virginia.Rain pushing along the East Coast is expected to continue impacting the D.C. metro area throughout the early Monday morning hours, with an inch to 1.5 inches of rain already on the ground, according to WTOP meteorologist Chad Merrill.11:19 PM Radar Update: A...