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France’s waning influence in coup-hit Africa appears clear while few remember their former colonizer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — When Gabon’s longtime leader was detained in the latest coup in Africa last week, France condemned the takeover but did little to intervene — despite having hundreds of troops in the country. It was a striking break from the past.African and French observers say that France, under pressure, is finally shedding its postcolonial tradition of “Françafrique” — an unflattering term that smacks of paternalistic influence and quiet deal-making among elites — as its economic and political powers wane and an increasingly self-confident Africa looks elsewhere.After repeated military interventions in its former colonies in recent decades, the era of France as Africa’s “gendarme” may finally be over.“In the old days of ‘Françafrique,’ this coup would not have happened and, if it did, it would have been quickly reversed,” Peter Pham, a former U.S. envoy for Africa’s Sahel region, said of France’s “muted response” to the coup in Gabon. “Even more than ( the Niger coup ...

A Hot Labor Day In Chicago as Heat and Humidity Combine

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

From the National Hurricane Center 1. Central Tropical Atlantic (AL95):Showers and thunderstorms continue to show signs of organization in association with a tropical wave located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for further development, and this system is expected to become a tropical depression in two or three days. Additional strengthening is likely late this week while the system moves westward to west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph over the central and western portions of the tropical Atlantic.* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.* Formation chance through 7 days...high...90 percent.

NextGenerationEU: Poland submits request to modify recovery and resilience plan and add a REPowerEU chapter

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

Poland has submitted a request to the Commission to modify its recovery and resilience plan, to which it also wishes to add a REPowerEU chapter.The REPowerEU chapter contains new investments aiming atthe development of electricity distribution networks in rural areas, supporting institutions implementing the REPowerEU measures, and developing gas infrastructure to enable diversification of supply in the interest of the Union as a whole. In addition, five investments were transferred from the initial plan to the REPowerEU chapter, three of which have been scaled-up. These concern support for electricity transmission networks, renewable energy sources, energy storage, low- and zero-emission buses, and offshore wind farms. The chapter also includes new proposed reforms concerning energy communities, regulatory aspects linked to the distribution network and measures to facilitate the deployment of technologies for the energy transition and to decrease imports of natural gas from Russia....

Kazakh President sets out his programme of prosperity

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

In his state-of-the-nation address, Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has set out ambitious reforms aimed at putting his country on a fresh economic trajectory. Together with a series of constitutional changes, they are intended to irreversibly transform the republic into a new and just Kazakhstan, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.President Tokayev used his speech to confirm the scale of his ambition for the Kazakh economy. “We have every opportunity for a powerful economic breakthrough; to do this, we must decisively move to a new economic model, which is led not by abstract achievements, but by a real improvement in the lives of citizens”, he said.He promised a course based on fairness, inclusiveness and pragmatism, confirming that the main emphasis would be on the accelerated development of manufacturing. There will be a particular focus on certain sectors like heavy engineering, uranium enrichment, and automotive components. Both foreign and domestic investors wi...

Dear Abby: The wedding is on hold, but the bride is apparently keeping my money

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I was invited to the wedding of my friend’s daughter. The registry requested only money to go toward a honeymoon.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: When he thought I was dying, he revealed his role in this painful deception Advice | Dear Abby: I don’t want to hear her fantasies about the priest Advice | Dear Abby: She offered no remorse for grabbing the spotlight at the engagement party Advice | Dear Abby: My friend’s personality changed, and now she’s stalking me Advice | Dear Abby: Should I consider this my husband’s strike three? About a week before the wedding, I sent a monetary gift via their registry. The next day, I heard the wedding had been postponed indefinitely, although they are still together.I feel the right thing for them to do is to return my money, but it appears they don’t intend to do so. Should I ask for my gift to be returned? What is t...

Sale closed in San Jose: $1.8 million for a four-bedroom home

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

A house located in the 5700 block of Rotterdam Lane in San Jose has new owners. The 1,694-square-foot property, built in 1960, was sold on Aug. 17, 2023, for $1,800,000, or $1,063 per square foot. This single-story house provides a generous living space with its four bedrooms and two bathrooms. In addition, the house features an attached two-car garage.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:In May 2023, a 1,385-square-foot home on Holland Lane in San Jose sold for $1,520,000, a price per square foot of $1,097. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,573-square-foot home on the 5800 block of Chambertin Drive in San Jose sold in October 2022, for $1,648,000, a price per square foot of $1,048. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Weathersfield Way, San Jose, in October 2022, a 2,302-square-foot home was sold for $1,900,000, a price per square foot of $825. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.

China’s Xi will skip G20 summit in India because of downturn in relations and Premier Li Qiang will attend instead

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China’s Xi will skip G20 summit in India because of downturn in relations and Premier Li Qiang will attend instead.Source

¿Por qué se celebra el Labor Day 2023 (Día del Trabajo) el 4 de septiembre en Estados Unidos? ¿Cuál es su origen y significado?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

(CNN) —  Este es un vistazo a la conmemoración del Día del Trabajo, conocido también como Labor Day, una festividad nacional que se celebra en Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico para honrar a los trabajadores. En 2023, el Día del Trabajo es el 4 de septiembre.DatosEl Día del Trabajo se celebra el primer lunes de septiembre.En muchos otros países, el Día de los trabajadores (1 de mayo) es el día en que se honra a los trabajadores. La mayor parte de Europa celebra el primero de mayo.Para muchos, el Día del Trabajo simboliza el final del verano.En agosto de 2023, había más de 161 millones de personas en la fuerza laboral en Estados Unidos.CronologíaDía del Trabajo (Labor Day) 2023: qué estará abierto y qué cerrado en Estados UnidosPrincipios de la década de 1880 – Según el Departamento de Trabajo, la idea de crear un día festivo para honrar a los trabajadores fue propuesta por Peter McGuire del Sindicato de la Hermandad de Carpinteros y Ebanistas o por Matthew Maguire de la Asoci...

Indiana takes on Chicago after Smith’s 30-point game

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

Chicago Sky (15-22, 3-15 Eastern Conference) at Indiana Fever (12-25, 5-13 Eastern Conference)Indianapolis; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Indiana hosts the Chicago Sky after NaLyssa Smith scored 30 points in the Indiana Fever’s 97-84 overtime win against the Dallas Wings.The Fever are 5-13 in conference games. Indiana ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 25.2 defensive rebounds per game led by Smith averaging 7.1.The Sky have gone 3-15 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 8.7 offensive rebounds per game led by Elizabeth Williams averaging 2.3.The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Sky won the last meeting 89-87 on July 2. Courtney Williams scored 28 points to help lead the Sky to the victory.TOP PERFORMERS: Kelsey Mitchell is averaging 18.4 points and 3.2 assists for the Fever. Aliyah Boston is averaging 16.1 points over the last 10 games for Indiana.Courtney Williams is averaging 9.8 points, 5.8 rebound...

Washington visits Phoenix after Jefferson’s 32-point game

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:47 GMT

Washington Mystics (17-19, 8-10 Eastern Conference) at Phoenix Mercury (9-28, 2-16 Western Conference)Phoenix; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Phoenix plays the Washington Mystics after Moriah Jefferson scored 32 points in the Phoenix Mercury’s 86-73 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.The Mercury are 8-10 in home games. Phoenix averages 15.0 turnovers per game and is 3- when it wins the turnover battle.The Mystics are 5-13 on the road. Washington ranks ninth in the WNBA with 6.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Tianna Hawkins averaging 1.5.The teams square off for the fourth time this season. In the last meeting on Aug. 9 the Mercury won 91-72 led by 15 points from Diana Taurasi, while Brittney Sykes scored 24 points for the Mystics.TOP PERFORMERS: Brittney Griner is shooting 56.3% and averaging 17.8 points for the Mercury. Jefferson is averaging 14.5 points over the last 10 games for Phoenix.Natasha Cloud is averaging 12.7 points and 5.9 assists for the Mystics. Sykes is averaging...