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Brussels to curb imports of Chinese green tech

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

European Union plans to restrict the import of green technology from China. This will reduce the chances that Chinese companies win public contracts and create additional barriers for buyers looking for subsidies. The report stated that public procurement bids involving products from countries with more than 65% EU market shares would be downgraded. It cited a draft of Net Zero Industry Act, which was seen by the Financial Times.However, the European Commission's Trade Directorate is concerned that the revisions proposed to the public procurement rules book could violate international law. Sources familiar with the matter told FT.The Financial Times reported Tuesday (14 March) that the European Union sought new ways to monitor European companies' investments in overseas production facilities, to limit China’s access to new technology from the West.Our Standards

Russia must answer for all war crimes in Ukraine

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

Russia, which considers itself the legal successor of the USSR and the country-winner of Nazism, by committing aggression against Ukraine today is likened to Hitler's Nazi Germany. Moscow has adopted the bloodiest practices of Nazism, in particular the brutal treatment of prisoners of war, the torture and murder of civilians and the forced deportation of Ukrainians, including children, to Russia.It has been a year since the brutal bombing by the Russian army of the Drama Theatre in Mariupol, where at least 600 civilians were killed, including children, who had sought refuge there from the constant shelling of their hometown. On that day, a Russian plane dropped two heavy-duty bombs on the Drama Theatre building. The Russians were not even deterred by the fact that there was a large sign saying "Children" on the square in front of the building. Transparency International's research confirmed that the attack came from a Russian plane and called it a war crime, as there was no military...

Ask Amy: My son’s wife blocked me from her Ph.D. celebration because I was ‘unsupportive’

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

Dear Amy: My daughter-in-law just completed her Ph.D. I am very proud of her. She has worked hard for many years to accomplish this goal.I asked to take her and our son out to dinner to celebrate. My son informed me that, while they appreciate the sentiment, they would rather not.I was a bit miffed to be rejected because I know that they were celebrating with her parents. My son finally confessed that our daughter-in-law has felt “unsupported” by me in her pursuit of the Ph.D.I routinely asked after her Ph.D. studies, and she often responded with something like, “I’m stressed about [this or that].”My typical response was to tell her that I was sure that she would do just great at whatever it was. I thought I was being supportive, but apparently she heard this as, “You are complaining over nothing and it is wrong for you to be stressed.”At this point, we seem to be at an awkward impasse.Am I wrong to be hurt and insulted? I think she was bein...

Harriette Cole: Is this too much to ask of my ex-addict boyfriend?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: My brother has been battling substance addiction for a while now. My boyfriend struggled with the same thing for years before I met him, and he is now completely sober, healthy and thriving. I want the same thing for my brother.The emotional and psychological toll that my brother’s addiction has taken on our family is immeasurable, and I’m always looking for resources to help him.I was wondering if my current partner could provide some insight into his journey and be a supportive, positive presence for my brother in a way that only those who have lived through similar experiences can truly do. Could this be too big of a request?My brother and my boyfriend do not have much of a relationship.Desperate for HelpDEAR DESPERATE FOR HELP: Talk to your boyfriend. Reveal what’s been going on with your brother, and ask your boyfriend if he would be willing to talk to him.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: My husband’s cute habits are we...

Iraqis Tortured by the U.S. in Abu Ghraib Never Got Justice

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

Before the “shock and awe” invasion of Iraq launched and the contrived toppling of Saddam Hussein’s statue, U.S. special forces, private contractors, and intelligence agents had begun sweeping up suspects in the new “war on terror.” The brutalization of so-called enemy combatants was a well-established practice by the time American boots hit the ground in Iraq 20 years ago next week, and it would be carried onto Iraqi soil.Tens of thousands of Iraqis in the early years of the war would pass through interrogation and detention sites where CIA agents, military intelligence, military police, private contractors, special operation, and ordinary soldiers inflicted abuse that no longer gets cloaked by euphemisms: It was torture.The photos released from Abu Ghraib prison in 2004 — showing humiliated, naked men leashed like dogs, electrocuted, beaten, piled in pyramids, with smiling military service members laughing and giving a thumbs-up over their bodies — gave the first public glimpse in...

Alexandria City School Board approves metal detector pilot program in schools

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

The school board in Alexandria, Virginia, voted on Thursday to roll out a pilot program to introduce weapons screening metal detectors in the city’s schools.Results from a survey released in February on the potential use of weapons screening equipment found that of the 4,374 respondents, 85% supported the use of the equipment in all or some schools and 58% supported it in all schools. And 28% of the 1,181 students who responded voted against the implementation of the equipment.More Alexandria NewsMore Virginia NewsMore Education NewsDr. Alicia Hart, the board’s chief of facilities and operations, shared the survey’s results during Thursday’s meeting and said the main reason for the community’s support was an overall need to feel safer in their schools as weapons in schools are a “significant concern and problem.”Those who responded against the use of the equipment said their main concerns were the cost of putting them in all the city’s...

Slovakia’s government has approved a plan to give Ukraine its fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s government has approved a plan to give Ukraine its fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets.Source

Former One Direction member to perform at White House St. Patrick’s Day festivities

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

Although it seems White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre doesn’t know of him, ask any 20-something-year-old woman and she’ll give you just the right reaction.Former One Direction member and 2010s Irish heartthrob Niall Horan will be kicking off the White House’s celebration of St. Patrick’s Day with a performance of his hit songs.It’s an honour to be invited and represent my country. Looking forward to performing and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the White House tomorrow https://t.co/iGODUCH4f2— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) March 16, 2023Press secretary Jean-Pierre joked, “Niall is a multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter who has toured the globe, including with One Direction. Going to keep my comments to myself on One Direction, I don’t know who they are. Sorry. Many of you, I’m sure, do.”Horan will perform at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Presentation ceremony on Friday afternoon. The ceremony is closed to the public, but w...

Former Gallaudet University student found guilty in Jan. 6 involvement

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

A former Gallaudet University student has been found guilty for his involvement in the disruption of Congress during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.Vitali GossJankowski, 34, of Florida, was found guilty by a jury of obstructing, impeding or interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder, among multiple felony and misdemeanor charges for disrupting a joint session of Congress in the process of counting the electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election, according to a statement from D.C.’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.More Local NewsMore DC NewsGossJankowski was enrolled at the D.C. college for the deaf at the time of his involvement.He can be seen in multiple videos pushing Capitol Police officers, grabbing one by his helmet and tas him with a stun gun. He alleges the stun gun was handed to him by another rioter.According to evidence presented during the trial, GossJankowski traveled from the Ellipse to the Capitol on Jan. 6. He was one of the first individuals to en...

Patrick Vieira fired by relegation-threatened Crystal Palace

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:24:04 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Patrick Vieira was fired by Crystal Palace on Friday with the team having been dragged into the Premier League’s relegation fight.Palace is in 12th place in the 20-team league but is only five points ahead of last-place Southampton.The team has lost three straight league games and has no wins in any competition in 2023.“It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made,” Palace chairman Steve Parish said. “Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status.”Palace said the process to find Vieira’s successor has already started.Vieira, a former Arsenal midfielder, was in the role for 20 months after being appointed in 2021. Three members of his coaching staff, Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson and Saïd Aïgoun, have also left the club.Vieira’s departure comes quickly after Palace’s 1-0 loss to Brighton on Wednesday, a result wh...