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Finns have one question for their next president 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 GMT

HELSINKI — As five months of campaigning for Finland’s presidential election get underway, one key question looks set to dominate: Whom do Finns trust to deal with Russia?Finland’s president has a big say over foreign policy, and when the Nordic state decided to join NATO last year, it was head of state Sauli Niinistö who led the diplomacy in capitals from Washington to Ankara. Now, with Niniistö heading for the exit after serving the maximum two six-year terms in office, voters must decide who should succeed him at a time when relations with Russia are as frosty as they have been in decades. On the streets of Helsinki on a recent weekday, voters focused on the international nature of the presidential role and the need for a safe pair of hands, with Russia’s assault on Ukraine raging and Finland still finding its feet as a NATO member after its April accession.“The president is the face of the country,” said Tommi Vaurio, a 37-year-old nurse ...

PHOTOS: San Diego sky lit up by rocket blazing over county

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diegans looked up to the sky Thursday night as a rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara blazed over the county. The object was first seen over the region around 7:30 p.m. While some initially speculated that it was a SpaceX mission, the base's Space Systems Command confirmed after 11:30 p.m. that the rocket was apart of a mission known as VICTUS NOX. The mission was a coordinated effort between the U.S. Space Force and Firefly Aerospace, successfully launching a Millennium Space Systems-built vehicle -- known as the Alpha FLTA003 -- with a VICTUS NOX satellite into the atmosphere.Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha FLTA003, carrying the VICTUS NOX satellite for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command, successfully lifted off Sept. 14 at 7:28 p.m. PDT from Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. (Courtesy photo: Firefly Aerospace)According to officials, liftoff took place at 7:28 p.m., which was the first available...

California lawmakers approve bills including eviction protections and mental health care reform

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Legislature voted Thursday to bolster eviction protections for renters and close a loophole in an existing law that has allowed landlords to circumvent the state’s rent cap.The eviction reform bill was among hundreds approved before the end of a late legislative session, including giving striking workers unemployment benefits and reforms to the state’s mental health system.Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Oct. 14 to act on the bills by signing them into law, rejecting them with a veto or allowing the bills to become law without his signature. The rental bill by Democratic state Sen. María Elena Durazo would update a 2019 landmark law creating rules around evictions and establishing a rent cap at 5% plus the inflation rate, with a 10% maximum.The governor was the architect of the 2019 law on renter protections, but he has not indicated whether he will sign the new eviction legislation, the bill sponsors said. Under the 2019 law, landlord...

Ukrainian forces reclaim a village in the east as part of counteroffensive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — As part of a multi-pronged counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces have recaptured a village in the country’s east after intense battles with Russian troops, the country’s military said Friday.The village of Andriivka — about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the Russia-occupied town of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region — is the latest gain for Kyiv in a counteroffensive that has seen slow but steady gains by Ukrainian forces.The announcement of reclaiming Andriivka came early Friday from the General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces.The 3rd Assault Brigade said it captured the village after surrounding the Russian garrison in Andriivka in what it described as a “lightning operation” and destroying it over two days. It described the capture of Andriivka as a breakthrough on the southern flank of Bakhmut and “key to success in all further directions.”Just hours before confirming the capture of Andriivka early Friday, the brigade contested a statement by U...

Stock market today: Asian shares gain after data show China’s economy stabilizing in August

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher Friday after China reported that its slowing economy showed signs of stabilizing in August. Benchmarks rose in most regional markets but fell back in Shanghai. Oil prices advanced. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 1.0% to 18,219.51 in afternoon trading, while the Shanghai Composite index was down 0.5% at 3,110.22. Late Thursday, the People’s Bank of China said it would cut the reserve requirement for banks by 0.25 percentage points as of Friday, “In order to consolidate the foundation for economic recovery and maintain reasonable and sufficient liquidity.”Further boosting sentiment, the government reported Friday that China’s industrial output rose 4.5% in August from a year earlier, up from 3.7% in July. That is seen as a sign the economy may be breaking out of its post-pandemic malaise.Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 1.2% to 33,551.04. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.3% to 7,279.00. South Korea’s Kospi...

Key trade crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan reopens after 9 days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:07 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 ...