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Key trade crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan reopens after 9 days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A key northwestern border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan reopened Friday after a nine-day closure due to clashes between border forces, officials from both sides said.Pakistan shut the Torkham border with its neighbor on September 6 after guards from both countries exchanged fire. It accused Taliban authorities of building “unlawful structures” in the vicinity.Pakistani government official Nasir Khan said the crossing reopened Friday morning. Afghanistan’s commissioner in Torkham, Ismatullah Yaqoob, said stranded trucks and pedestrians have started passing through the border.A representative from the Pakistan and Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce welcomed the move.“The reopening has ended the nine-day-long trouble faced by traders on both sides of the border,” said Ziaul Haq Sarhadi. Traders have faced heavy losses in perishable items, he said.Pakistan’s envoy to Afghanistan Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani met the Taliban administration’s...

North Korea’s Kim gets a close look at Russian fighter jets as his tour narrows its focus to weapons

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un peered into the cockpit of Russia’s most advanced fighter jet as he toured an aircraft factory Friday on an extended and rare foreign trip that has raised concerns about banned weapons transfer deals between increasingly isolated countries.Since entering Russia aboard his armored train on Tuesday, Kim has met President Vladimir Putin and visited weapons and technology sites, underscoring deepening ties between the nations locked in separate confrontations with the West. Foreign governments and experts speculate Kim will likely supply ammunition to Russia for its war efforts in Ukraine in exchange for receiving advanced weapons or technology from Russia. Earlier Friday, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti published video showing Kim’s train pulling into a station in the far eastern city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Kim’s convoy sweeping out of the station shortly afterward.Later, the region’s governor posted ...

Things to know about Sweden’s monarchy as King Carl XVI celebrates 50 years on the throne

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrates his golden jubilee on Friday, marking 50 years since he ascended the throne on Sept. 15, 1973.He is the longest-reigning king in the history of the Swedish monarchy, which stretches back more than 1,000 years.Here are five things to know about the 77-year-old king and the monarchy in Sweden.DON’T BELIEVE THE NUMERALSKing Carl Gustaf uses the Roman numeral XVI to show that he is the 16th king named Carl to reign in Sweden.Except he isn’t.Centuries ago, Swedish kings based their regnal numbers on a list of sovereigns that was partly made up. To make the kingdom’s history seem longer and more interesting, mythical kings were added to the list, including six named Karl or Carl.As a result the early 17th century monarch who should have been named Karl III instead became Karl IX.Counting only people who actually existed, the current king would be the 10th – not 16th – Carl/Karl on the Swedish throne.THE KING HAS NO FORM...

A German tailor who specializes in bespoke lederhosen is in high demand ahead of Oktoberfest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

BAD HINDELANG, Germany (AP) — As Germany’s city of Munich prepares to tap the kegs for Oktoberfest this weekend, Bavaria state residents and foreign regulars of the world’s most conspicuous beer party are getting ready to drink and celebrate while showing off their traditional lederhosen and dirndl dresses.Bavarians have worn lederhosen — knee-long leather pants with suspenders and embroidery — for hundreds of years. They own everyday lederhosen and special pairs for weddings, harvest festivals and hunting season.These days, lederhosen-style garments made in China are available online for less than 100 euros ($107). Revelers preferring a more classic look book an appointment with leather tailor Klaus Bensmann for customized, handmade britches fashioned from deer or cow leather. Bensmann, 64, who wears metal-rimmed glasses and a Santa-Claus-like beard, has made leather pants for almost four decades in his workshop in Bad Hindelang, a small Bavarian village in the foothills of the Alp...

InvestEU: New agreement worth €15 million to support sustainable food and organic farmers in Europe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a venture debt loan of €15 million, backed by the InvestEU programme, with CrowdFarming, an online platform for European farmers that sell directly to end-consumers. The company is based in Spain, with a strong presence in France, Germany, Austria, and Italy.Overall, CrowdFarming's marketplace currently has more than 300 farmers from 13 European countries selling to end-consumers without intermediaries. The EIB financing will help to boost the research, development and innovation activities of the company by enhancing their digital marketplace and developing tools that promote sustainable agricultural practices across Europe, and a more sustainable and fair food supply chain.  Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni (pictured) said: “The InvestEU programme plays a vital role in helping businesses across Europe to access the financing they need. Thanks to this agreement, we are fostering economic growth and job creation, while ensuring ...

AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA Peace Treaty is far away on the horizon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been a major challenge for security and posed obstacles for regional economic and political integration in the South Caucasus. The Second Karabakh War in late 2020 ended the occupation of the major part of the Azerbaijani territories and opened new horizons for regional economic integration and stability. By signing the Trilateral Declaration on November 9, 2020 between Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Russian Federation which ended the Second Karabakh war, the parties agreed to support post-war peace efforts and economic development.The last two years were the most dynamic period for peace talks between the two South Caucasus countries as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in different platforms to discuss many controversial issues and achieve the long-awaited signing of a peace agreement. The last trilateral meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian P...

Bangladesh Government expresses its utter disappointment at European Parliament resolution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

The Government of Bangladesh expresses its utter disappointment at the adoption of a resolution by the European Parliament earlier this week (14 September 2023) on the “Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar”.The timing and language of the joint motion, tabled by some political groups in the European Parliament, for making judgemental comments over sub-judice matters and a court verdict on two ‘Odhikar’ officials delivered today in Dhaka is reflective of their intention of interfering in the independent judiciary of a sovereign state.The independent judiciary of Bangladesh continues to ensure that judicial proceedings are conducted openly and fairly and that the rights of the parties are fully respected. Bangladesh judiciary decides matters before them based on evidence and in accordance with the law, without any restrictions, influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason.The Government...

Teen recalls being brutally beaten at McDonald's in Los Angeles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

A teen girl who was seen being beaten inside a McDonald's is speaking out after the terrifying incident unfolded last week.Video of the violent confrontation showed 13-year-old Kassidy Jones being punched, kicked, and knocked to the ground by a female suspect.She was walking home from school when the attack happened.There were dozens of witnesses at the restaurant and Kassidy’s family said they're disappointed no one stepped in to intervene or help the girl.Her family said the attack was completely unprovoked and they're still trying to understand what exactly happened."I'm okay,” Kassidy said, as she recovers from the attack. “Just trying to keep it together. Still getting to process it."Image of the woman accused of beating 13-year-old Kassidy Jones inside a Harbor City McDonald's on Sept. 6, 2023. (Angelina Gray)Kassidy Jones, 13, is speaking out after she was beaten inside a Los Angeles McDonald's by a unknown woman on on Sept. 6, 2023. (KTLA)Video of 13-year-old Kassidy Jones g...

Four-bedroom home in Los Gatos sells for $3.5 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

696 Bicknell Road – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 600 block of Bicknell Road in Los Gatos has new owners. The 2,648-square-foot property, built in 1977, was sold on Aug. 23, 2023, for $3,520,000, or $1,329 per square foot. This single-story house provides a generous living space with its four bedrooms and three baths. Outside, the home presents roofing composed of composition shingles materials. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. In addition, the home includes a two-car garage, ensuring ample room for parking and storage. The property’s backyard is further enhanced by both a spa and a pool.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:On La Rinconada Drive, Los Gatos, in September 2022, a 2,053-square-foot home was sold for $3,700,000, a price per square foot of $1,802. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In June 2023, a 3,368-square-foot home on Montclair Road in Los Gatos sold for $3,300,000, a price per square foot of $980...

A medida que se acerca el huracán Lee, partes de la costa de Nueva Inglaterra y el Atlántico canadiense están bajo advertencia de tormenta tropical

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:42 GMT

(CNN) — Se espera que el huracán Lee azote partes de la costa de Nueva Inglaterra y el Atlántico canadiense el viernes con lluvias torrenciales y fuertes vientos que podrían provocar inundaciones en algunas zonas y dejar sin electricidad a varias comunidades.No se espera que las zonas del interior de Nueva Inglaterra vean impactos significativos del ciclón. Sin embargo, este sí podría empapar partes del este de Nueva Inglaterra y partes de la provincia canadiense de Nueva Escocia con hasta 10 cm de lluvia a partir de la noche del viernes al sábado.El tamaño descomunal de Lee posibilitará que sus fuertes vientos derriben tendidos eléctricos y posiblemente provoquen algunas inundaciones.El Centro Canadiense de Huracanes emitió una advertencia de tormenta tropical para New Brunswick desde la frontera entre EE.UU. y Canadá a Fort Lawrence, incluyendo la isla de Grand Manan, dijo el Centro Nacional de Huracanes a las 11 p.m. hora de Miami. Otra advertencia de tormenta tropical tamb...