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EU looks at investing frozen Russian state assets to raise cash for Ukraine

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

The European Commission expects to generate returns of around 2.6 percent from investing assets belonging to Russia’s central bank frozen under EU sanctions, according to a document obtained by POLITICO.The EU has been looking into the legal options for using Russian foreign reserves frozen in the bloc, including investing them to generate returns that could be used to help fund Ukraine’s reconstruction. Such an unprecedented attempt raises legal, political and economic questions, and EU countries last month set up a working group to look into what can be done. “There is a consensus among [EU] member states that it’s important to examine very, very carefully, what can be done under the instructions that we’ve been given, including that what is going to be done will have to be in compliance with EU and international law,” Anders Ahnlid, a Swedish diplomat tasked with chairing the group, told POLITICO, adding: “We are in an exceptional situation and probably an...

Berlin vote could turbocharge German capital’s climate plans

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Voters in Berlin go to the polls this weekend to decide on a proposal that would force the city government to drastically ramp up the German capital’s climate goals.Sunday’s referendum, which has attracted considerable financial support from U.S.-based philanthropists, calls for Berlin to become climate neutral by 2030, meaning that within less than eight years the city would not be allowed to contribute further to global warming. An existing law sets the deadline for achieving that goal at 2045, which is also Germany’s national target.The center-right Christian Democratic Union, which won a recent local election in the capital and is likely to lead its new government, opposes the earlier target but would be bound to implement it if the referendum passes.Jessamine Davis, a spokesperson for the grassroots group that initiated the vote, said Berlin’s current target isn’t in line with the 2015 Paris climate accord, which aims to cap global warming ...

‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — From Zimbabwe, where many must work at night because it’s the only time there is power, to Nigeria where collapses of the grid are frequent, the reliable supply of electricity remains elusive across Africa. The electricity shortages that plague many of Africa’s 54 countries are a serious drain on the continent’s economic growth, energy experts warn. In recent years South Africa’s power generation has become so inadequate that the continent’s most developed economy must cope with rolling power blackouts of eight to 10 hours per day.Africa’s sprawling cities have erratic supplies of electricity but large swaths of the continent’s rural areas have no power at all. In 2021, 43% of Africans — about 600 million people — lacked access to electricity with 590 million of them in sub‐Saharan Africa, according to the International Energy Agency. Investments of nearly $20 billion are required annually to achieve universal electrification a...

Dear Abby: She torpedoed her marriage and expects us to be on board with it

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My daughter, “Maddie,” 34, just left what I thought was a great marriage. After only five years, she cheated on her husband, “Glenn.” Their 6-year-old son is crushed.I know there are two sides to every story, but our entire family loves Glenn. He’s a hard worker, quiet and kind of a homebody.I think poor communication and lack of excitement were her issues with him. (She refuses to talk with me about the situation, so I’m surmising based on what I know of them both.)This was their first marriage, but ever since high school, Maddie had a long string of boyfriends. Most of them seemed to be nice guys (she’s had a few duds), but when Maddie’s dad and I got to know them and became fond of them, she’d dump them.I think Maddie is upset with me because I can’t warm up to her newest guy. When she started cheating with him, he was also married. (He’s now divorced.) He’s a good bit older than she is, and I don&...

Kansas State and Florida Atlantic meet in Elite 8

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

Florida Atlantic Owls (34-3, 18-2 C-USA) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (26-9, 11-7 Big 12)New York; Saturday, 6:09 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Kansas State -1.5; over/under is 144BOTTOM LINE: The No. 15 Kansas State Wildcats and No. 25 Florida Atlantic Owls play in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.The Wildcats’ record in Big 12 play is 11-7, and their record is 15-2 against non-conference opponents. Kansas State is 3-1 in games decided by less than 4 points.The Owls’ record in C-USA action is 18-2. Florida Atlantic has a 26-3 record against teams over .500.TOP PERFORMERS: Keyontae Johnson is scoring 17.7 points per game and averaging 6.9 rebounds for the Wildcats. Markquis Nowell is averaging 18.0 points and 3.9 rebounds over the last 10 games for Kansas State.Johnell Davis is shooting 49.6% and averaging 13.9 points for the Owls. Alijah Martin is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Florida Atlantic.LAST 10 GAMES: Wildcats: 7-3, averaging 75.7 point...

Texas and Miami (FL) meet in Elite 8

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

Miami Hurricanes (28-7, 15-5 ACC) vs. Texas Longhorns (29-8, 12-6 Big 12)Kansas City, Missouri; Sunday, 5:05 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Texas -4.5; over/under is 149.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 5 Texas Longhorns face the No. 16 Miami Hurricanes in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.The Longhorns’ record in Big 12 play is 12-6, and their record is 17-2 in non-conference games. Texas averages 10.9 turnovers per game and is 3-0 when it wins the turnover battle.The Hurricanes are 15-5 in ACC play. Miami (FL) leads the ACC with 34.9 points per game in the paint led by Jordan Miller averaging 9.3.TOP PERFORMERS: Marcus Carr is shooting 42.9% and averaging 15.8 points for the Longhorns. Jabari Rice is averaging 15.5 points over the last 10 games for Texas.Isaiah Wong is scoring 16.3 points per game and averaging 4.5 rebounds for the Hurricanes. Nijel Pack is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Miami (FL).LAST 10 GAMES: Longhorns: 8-2, averaging 72.9 po...

San Diego State Aztecs take on the Creighton Bluejays in Elite 8

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

Creighton Bluejays (24-12, 14-6 Big East) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (30-6, 15-3 MWC)Louisville, Kentucky; Sunday, 2:20 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: San Diego State -1.5; over/under is 133BOTTOM LINE: The No. 18 San Diego State Aztecs take on the Creighton Bluejays in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.The Aztecs are 15-3 against MWC opponents and 15-3 in non-conference play. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 28.6 points per game in the paint led by Keshad Johnson averaging 4.9.The Bluejays’ record in Big East games is 14-6. Creighton ranks eighth in the Big East with 7.4 offensive rebounds per game led by Ryan Kalkbrenner averaging 2.5.TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Bradley is averaging 12.8 points for the Aztecs. Darrion Trammell is averaging 9.7 points over the last 10 games for San Diego State.Baylor Scheierman is shooting 36.6% from beyond the arc with 2.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Bluejays, while averaging 12.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Kal...

Gonzaga and UConn play in Elite 8

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

UConn Huskies (28-8, 13-7 Big East) vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-5, 14-2 WCC)Las Vegas; Saturday, 8:49 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Gonzaga -2; over/under is 153.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs play the No. 10 UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.The Bulldogs’ record in WCC games is 14-2, and their record is 17-3 against non-conference opponents. Gonzaga leads the WCC averaging 42.9 points in the paint. Drew Timme leads the Bulldogs with 15.0.The Huskies are 13-7 against Big East teams. UConn is second in the Big East with 11.5 offensive rebounds per game led by Adama Sanogo averaging 2.6.TOP PERFORMERS: Timme is averaging 21.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Bulldogs. Julian Strawther is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Gonzaga.Sanogo is averaging 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Huskies. Jordan Hawkins is averaging 16.0 points over the last 10 games for UConn.LAST 10 GAMES: Bulldogs: 10-0, averaging ...

Myanmar lawyer accused of helping army slain by guerrillas

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — A veteran corporate lawyer has been shot dead in Myanmar’s biggest city by self-proclaimed urban guerrillas, highlighting the bloody struggle between the military government and its foes in the country’s cities as well as the remote countryside.Min Tayza Nyunt Tin was shot multiple times while driving his car in Yangon on Friday, according to a business colleague, media reports and a statement from the guerrilla group.The group, calling itself Urban Owls, accused him of being a business associate of the country’s military leaders who seized power two years ago, and claimed he helped them launder money in order to buy real estate and business assets abroad in deals totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.Its claims could not be independently verified, and a colleague of Min Tayza denied the guerrillas’ allegations. The victim was the founder and CEO of BIZ Law Consult Myanmar, a law firm specializing in intellectual property and trademark law.Media outlets sympathetic...

Asylum seeker deal between U.S. and Canada won’t stop drama at border, advocates say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:34:24 GMT

MONTREAL — The new asylum seeker agreement between Canada and the United States will not deter migrants from trying to cross into Canada outside official ports of entry, Quebec immigration advocacy groups say.Restricting access to the border and preventing migrants from accessing a safe pathway into the country will only incentivize bad-faith actors, said Abdulla Daoud, executive director of Montreal-based The Refugee Centre.“This type of decision-making … in the past has led to the creation of many human traffickers and smuggling rings,” Daoud said in an interview on Friday. “Canada never really had to deal with that too much. But now I think we’re going to see the numbers increase because these individuals are not going to go away.”The deal was announced on Friday during U.S. President Joe Biden’s trip to Ottawa. It was described in U.S. documents as a “supplement” to the 2004 treaty known as the Safe Third Country Agreement. That tr...