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‘Was that man drunk?’ Ukrainian grain fight triggers EU fury

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

When Ukraine’s trade representative, Taras Kachka, revealed to POLITICO that Kyiv was going to sue EU governments in a dispute over grain, it proved too much for one of the bloc’s diplomats to take. “Was that man drunk?” the exasperated envoy demanded, all thoughts of diplomacy vaporizing in the heat of his frustration. Ukraine made good on Kachka’s promise on Monday, formally filing lawsuits against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia at the World Trade Organization after the trio decided to defy Brussels and ban Ukrainian grain imports. The dispute has fractured European unity, leaving other EU diplomats privately furious with Poland, especially, for going rogue. And the clash is sorely testing relations between Kyiv and Brussels at a sensitive moment in Ukraine’s 18 month-old war against Russia’s invaders. The worst bit? It’s all just a taste of the fights to come. For his part, Kachka barely flinched at the “drunk” jibe. EU diplomats, he told POLITICO, were app...

2 local 'Bachelorette' contestants among 5 saved after boat sinks on fishing trip

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

SAN DIEGO - Five men, including two local contestants from the reality television show "The Bachelorette," are lucky to be alive after their fishing trip ended with their boat under water. That ship sank 15 to 20 miles off the coast of San Diego and luckily for the people on board, two people found them and were able to bring them back to shore. “It’s like being trapped and helpless because there’s no service, we weren’t able to send a distress signal at all, and the only thing you have out there is hope, hope that somebody finds you, hope that a helicopter flies over," said Aaron Schwartzman who owned the boat. He and his friends took to sea for a good day out in the sun, hoping to catch some fish, but soon found themselves stranded in water for three-and-a-half hours, about 15 miles away from the coast. “I finally bought the boat of my dreams, or so I thought, for it to sink on me," Schwartzman said. He and his friend Brayden Bowers met while filming the latest season of the "Bach...

The Versailles Palace celebrates its 400th anniversary and hosts King Charles III for state dinner

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

PARIS (AP) — France is rolling out the red carpet for King Charles III’s state visit at one of its most magnificent and emblematic monuments: the Palace of Versailles, which celebrates its 400th anniversary.Charles and Queen Camilla’s three-day trip to Paris and Bordeaux, starting Wednesday, includes a grand dinner at Versailles in the presence of over 150 guests in the Hall of Mirrors. It comes as the Palace of Versailles just opened to the public the gallery that retraces its history, from its creation as a modest hunting lodge in 1623 to last century’s key diplomatic events — including the visits of Charles’ predecessors. French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said Wednesday’s dinner echoes the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, when she was greeted at the Palace by President Georges Pompidou. King Charles liked the idea of following in his mother’s footsteps, according to Macron’s office. Elizabeth II also visited the palace in 1958 and 1...

Once a global ideal, Germany’s economy struggles with an energy shock that’s exposing longtime flaws

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

ESSEN, Germany (AP) — For most of this century, Germany racked up one economic success after another, dominating global markets for high-end products like luxury cars and industrial machinery, selling so much to the rest of the world that half the economy ran on exports. Jobs were plentiful, the government’s financial coffers grew as other European countries drowned in debt, and books were written about what other countries could learn from Germany. No longer. Now, Germany is the world’s worst-performing major developed economy, with both the International Monetary Fund and European Union expecting it to shrink this year.It follows Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the loss of Moscow’s cheap natural gas — an unprecedented shock to Germany’s energy-intensive industries, long the manufacturing powerhouse of Europe.The sudden underperformance by Europe’s largest economy has set off a wave of criticism, handwringing and debate about the way forward.Germany risks “...

Making a mark: London’s historic blue plaques seek more diversity as 1,000th marker is unveiled

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A resounding thump breaks the silence as Julia Land drops a lump of grey-brown clay onto the slab roller before Ned Heywood cranks it through the machine once, twice, three times, creating a rectangle about an inch thick.Laying a pattern on top of the slab, Heywood slices through the clay to create a disc the size of an extra-large pizza that will become one of the blue plaques that dot the walls of buildings throughout London, marking the places where scientists, artists, politicians and activists have made history.As English Heritage prepares to unveil its 1,000th blue plaque on Tuesday, the charity is working to broaden the program to include more women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds and community groups so that it better reflects the diversity of the capital. The latest installation marks the offices where the Women’s Freedom League “campaigned for women’s equality” in the early 20th century, satisfying at least two of those goals.“The names are no ...

Diplomats expelled as Trudeau links Indian government to B.C. Sikh leader’s death

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

OTTAWA — Senior diplomats have been ordered expelled in both Canada and India after Prime Minster Justin Trudeau linked agents of India’s government to the shooting death of a Sikh leader near Vancouver.Hardeep Singh Nijjarwas killed in the parking lot of his gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., on June 18. While Sikh community leaders in Canada have insisted the government of India was involved, police previously said they had not made any link to foreign interference. But in a sombre address to the House of Commons Monday afternoon, Trudeau said there is credibility to the allegations.“Over the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen,” he said.“Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. It is contrary to the fundam...

Commissioner Simson in Finland this week to discuss EU energy policy with policymakers and stakeholders 

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

This week, Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 September, Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson (pictured) is in Finland to discuss the EU's energy policy with policymakers and stakeholders. On Monday morning, Commissioner Simson met Finland's Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo. She then held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Climate and the Environment, Kai Mykkänen, to discuss the ongoing reforms of the EU's electricity and gas markets, as well as the role of nuclear power and the EU's climate target for 2040. In the afternoon, the Commissioner visited the Loviisa power plant to get insights into the disposal of spent nuclear fuels. During the second day of her country visit, the Commissioner will meet with members of the Finnish Parliament's Commerce and Environment Committees as well as with representatives of Energiateollisuus (Finnish Energy), a trade organisation for the Finnish energy sector, representing around 260 companies.

USA-Caribbean Investment Forum: Partnering for sustained development in the Caribbean

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

The Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) proudly announces the highly anticipated USA-Caribbean Investment Forum, scheduled for 15-16 September 2023, in New York City. This forum is a pivotal event for investors, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders seeking to capitalize on the numerous opportunities within the Caribbean region.As the premier platform for collaboration between potential investors and the Caribbean’s business ecosystem, the USA-Caribbean Investment Forum offers an array of benefits for participants:Speed-to-Market Opportunities: Discover fast-track entry points to the Caribbean market, leveraging the expertise of regional professionals to expedite your business endeavors.Explore Public-Private Partnership Opportunities: Uncover potential collaborations with governmental bodies to drive sustainable development projects across the Caribbean.Shovel-Ready Site Availability: Identify prime investment locations ready for immediate development, reducing...

Magnitude 4.5 quake hits in Diablo Range, is felt in Bay Area

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

DIABLO GRANDE – A magnitude 4.5 earthquake hit Monday night in the Diablo Range east of San Jose and was felt throughout the Bay Area, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.The quake was reported at 9:13 p.m. about three miles north of Diablo Grande, a bedroom community nestled in the mountains between San Jose and Patterson, the USGS reported.A “felt report” on the USGS website indicated the earthquake was felt throughout the Bay Area, including San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland, and as far north as Portola in Plumas County, as far east as Mammoth Lakes and as far south as Visalia.There were no immediate reports of any injuries or damage.The quake was preceded by two others Monday in the same general area – a magnitude 4.0 around 5:15 p.m. and a magnitude 3.6 around 8:45 p.m., according to the USGS.The magnitude 4.5 earthquake was followed by a pair of magnitude 3.2 quakes at 9:40 p.m. and 10:25 p.m., the USGS reported.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Responde...

Croatia won’t import Ukrainian grain, says prime minister

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:51:14 GMT

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said his country will not import Ukrainian grain and did not rule out a ban on such imports in line with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.“Croatia’s stance and desire is that we are a transit country, not a country receiving enormous amounts of Ukrainian grain that is cheaper than ours, which would mean our farmers are in trouble,” Croatian national broadcaster HINA quoted Plenković as saying. Kyiv launched legal action on Monday against the three European Union countries at the World Trade Organization, over their refusal to drop a ban on Ukrainian agricultural products.Poland, Hungary and Slovakia implemented unilateral bans to protect their domestic agricultural industries from a surge in cheap grain exports from Ukraine, defying the European Commission, which last Friday decided to allow Ukrainian grain sales across the EU.When asked whether Croatia would implement a similar ban, Plenković would not say, but reiterated that ...