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Tensions rise as West African nations prepare to send troops to restore democracy in Niger

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Tensions are escalating between Niger’s new military regime and the West African regional bloc that has ordered the deployment of troops to restore Niger’s flailing democracy. The ECOWAS bloc said on Thursday it had directed a “standby force” to restore constitutional order in Niger after its Sunday deadline to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum expired. Hours earlier, two Western officials told The Associated Press that Niger’s junta had told a top U.S. diplomat they would kill Bazoum if neighboring countries attempted any military intervention to restore his rule.It’s unclear when or where the force will deploy and which countries from the 15-member bloc would contribute to it. Conflict experts say it would likely comprise some 5,000 troops led by Nigeria and could be ready within weeks. After the ECOWAS meeting, neighboring Ivory Coast’s president, Alassane Ouattara, said his country would take part in the military operation, along wi...

Chinese tech giant Huawei reports sales, profit up despite US sanctions

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese tech giant Huawei on Friday reported its revenue rose 3% over a year earlier in the first half of 2023 and its profit margin widened despite sanctions that block access to U.S. processor chips and other technology.China’s first global tech brand has responded to U.S. curbs that devastated its smartphone brand by increasing emphasis on selling network gear to hospitals, ports, electric car brands and other industrial customers it believes will be less vulnerable to sanctions.Revenue in the six months ending in June rose 3.1% to 310.9 billion yuan ($43.1 billion), Huawei Technologies Ltd. said. It gave no profit figure but said its profit margin was 15%, which would be about 45 billion yuan ($6.5 billion) and an increase over the 4.3% margin in the first quarter of this year.Sales by its infrastructure unit were 167.2 billion yuan ($23.2 billion), according to Huawei. Consumer sales were 103.5 billion yuan ($14.3 billion). Sales by the fledgling automotive...

Broadcasters to lobby Supreme Court chief justice to allow cameras at Trump’s trials

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump likes being on television. But the most dramatic moment of his political career — standing trial in the U.S. capital on charges of trying to subvert democracy — is set to transpire beyond the gaze of cameras. A growing chorus of voices, including from the former president’s own defence team, hopes to convince the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court to change that. “The public not only has a right but has a need to see what happens in that courtroom,” said Dan Shelley, president and CEO of the Radio Television Digital News Association.“The only way the world can have any modicum of trust in whatever the outcome of the case is if they’re able to see it and hear it with their own eyes and ears.”The RTDNA has been advocating for American broadcast journalists since 1946, the very same year the U.S. court system first prohibited photography or broadcasting during federal criminal proceedings. That 77-year symmetry will com...

Federal officials to provide wildfire update amid devastating season

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

OTTAWA — Federal officials are set to provide an update today on the outlook for the rest of this year’s devastating wildfire season.Officials have already said Canada is experiencing its worst fire season on record, charring more than 130,000 square kilometres to date, which is more than six times the 10-year average.Hundreds of homes were destroyed by wildfires in Nova Scotia earlier this year, and about 4,000 firefighters in British Columbia are currently battling hundreds of blazes, some of which have threatened communities and forced evacuations.Natural Resources Canada said last week there were more than 650 fires burning across Canada, about two-thirds of them in B.C. Four firefighters have died this summer fighting wildfires in B.C., Alberta, and the Northwest Territories.International firefighters from the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, Dominican Republic, South Korea and Colombia have been helping local firefighting crews.The fed...

Repatriation: How many migrants in the EU are sent back? 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law, Society.The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.In April 2023, Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the screening regulation and asylum procedures regulation ahead of discussions with the Council.Read more about the EU's migration policy.Returning migrants: Key factsIn 2022, 141,060 people were refused entry into the EU, the main reasons being not having a valid visa or residence permit (23%) or not being able to justify the purpose and conditions of stay (23%). In 2022, EU countries issued 422,400 return decisions. However, less than a quarter of non-EU nationals were returned to a country outside the EU...

Miss Manners: My rule is no gift for a second wedding, no attendance for a third

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What are your thoughts on wedding gifts for second, third or fourth marriages?For a second marriage, I myself do not send a gift, just a “best wishes/congratulations” card. For a third, fourth, etc., I do not send anything or attend.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: She became irate when I corrected her statement about the moon Advice | Miss Manners: I complimented this celebrity, and his reply was insulting Advice | Miss Manners: My summer dresses make my boyfriend uncomfortable Advice | Miss Manners: My fiancee says she must have a diamond, despite my objection Advice | Miss Manners: Should we warn our guests about our house’s acoustic anomaly? GENTLE READER: Why? Are you protesting?Admittedly, it can be exhausting and expensive to support multiple attempts at marriage that you feel certain are doomed to fail. But as these matrimonial optimists are presumably f...

Dear Abby: I had to get rid of my beautiful furnishings because of guests’ stupid comments

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

DEAR ABBY: How do I deal with guests and friends who make unfortunate comments about personal belongings in my home?Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: She’s trying to one-up me by being the fun aunt Advice | Dear Abby: I’m 20, he’s 46 and married, and my family isn’t being supportive Advice | Dear Abby: I feel bad about it, but I had to squash my husband’s dream Advice | Dear Abby: We’re nervous about telling our kids this family secret Advice | Dear Abby: The children’s impersonal fundraising requests annoy me For example, I have a favorite print of a woman seated at a table. A friend commented, “Oh, we used to call her Mrs. Potato Head.” About my beautiful handwoven table runner depicting sliced fruit, a guest said, “Those look like women’s private parts!” I also display a beautiful statue of the three Graces, which I inherited fr...

Montgomery County Fair returns for 74th year in Gaithersburg

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews the Montgomery County Fair (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); For 74 years, it’s become a beloved summer tradition for folks in Gaithersburg, Maryland.The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair returns Friday, running Aug. 11 through Aug. 19.“The sights and sounds and smells of the fair are things that live with folks forever,” executive director Marty Svr...

Mets host the Braves in first of 4-game series

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

Atlanta Braves (72-41, first in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (52-62, fourth in the NL East)New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Charlie Morton (10-10, 3.86 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 132 strikeouts); Mets: Tylor Megill (6-5, 5.45 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 61 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -175, Mets +148; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets begin a four-game series at home against the Atlanta Braves on Friday.New York has a 52-62 record overall and a 28-24 record at home. The Mets have gone 23-9 in games when they did not allow a home run.Atlanta has a 72-41 record overall and a 35-21 record in road games. The Braves have a 31-13 record in games when they did not allow a home run.The teams meet Friday for the seventh time this season. The Braves lead the season series 5-1.TOP PERFORMERS: Francisco Lindor has 25 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 69 RBI while hitting .246 for the Mets. Pete Alonso is 12-for-37 with two doubles and five home r...

Diamondbacks host the Padres on home losing streak

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:10 GMT

San Diego Padres (55-60, fourth in the NL West) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (57-58, third in the NL West)Phoenix; Friday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Blake Snell (8-8, 2.69 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 164 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson (6-6, 5.16 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 80 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -163, Diamondbacks +138; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks play the San Diego Padres looking to break a three-game home losing streak.Arizona has a 28-30 record at home and a 57-58 record overall. The Diamondbacks are 21-12 in games when they hit at least two home runs.San Diego has gone 25-32 in road games and 55-60 overall. The Padres have a 42-9 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.Friday’s game is the seventh time these teams match up this season. The Padres have a 4-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Walker leads the Diamondbacks with 55 extra base hits (32 doubles and 23 home runs). Lourdes Gurriel...