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China boosts German business optimism, but challenges ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A key measure of German business optimism rose in April for the seventh month in a row amid lower natural gas prices and the reopening of the Chinese economy after COVID-19 restrictions.The Munich-based IFO institute’s confidence index went up to 93.6 from 93.2 in March. Analysts said Monday that the move was positive but did not erase the headwinds facing Europe’s largest economy as it struggles to avoid sliding into recession. Consumers are still holding back due to rampant inflation and energy prices still are high, even after utilities found new sources of gas after Russia cut off most of its supply to Europe after the invasion of Ukraine. “Looking beyond the first quarter and particularly looking into the second half of the year, the German economy will continue its flirtation with recession,” Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING bank, said in an emailed analysis. The International Monetary Fund forecasts a 0.1% decline in gross domestic produc...

Palestinians: Israeli troops kill man in West Bank raid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israeli forces operating in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank shot and killed a Palestinian man on Monday, a Palestinian official said, the latest bloodshed in a yearlong wave of violence that has gripped the region.The governor of Jericho, Jihad Abu al-Asal, told Palestinian media that the man, Suleiman Ayesh, was fatally shot in the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in the central West Bank, which has repeatedly been the scene of fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinians in recent months. Abu al-Asal did not disclose the man’s age and there was no immediate comment from the Palestinian Health Ministry.The Israeli military said it was operating in the area when two suspects were spotted fleeing. Soldiers opened fire and struck at least one of the suspects.The violence comes as Israel is set to mark its Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of militant attacks, beginning at sundown on Monday, followed by its 75th Independence Day the fol...

Drones attack Sevastopol, crashed drone found near Moscow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian-appointed authorities in Crimea said the military fended off a Ukrainian strike on the port of Sevastopol on Monday, while a drone was also reportedly found in a forest near Moscow — attacks that come as Ukraine is believed to be preparing for a major counteroffensive.The Moscow-appointed head of the port city of Sevastopol in Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said the military destroyed a Ukrainian sea drone that attempted to attack the harbor in the early hours. He said another drone blew up without inflicting any damage.The attack was the latest in a series of attempted strikes on Sevastopol, the main naval base in Crimea that Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Ukrainian authorities didn’t immediately comment on Monday’s strikes. After previous attacks on Sevastopol and other areas, Ukrainian officials stopped short of openly claiming responsibility but emphasized the country’s right to strike any target in response to the Russian aggression.Rus...

‘Dancing With the Stars’ judge Len Goodman dies at 78

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Len Goodman, the urbane, long-serving judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” has died, his agent said Monday. He was 78.Agent Jackie Gill said Goodman “passed away peacefully,” without giving a cause.A former dancer and British champion, Goodman was a judge on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004. The ballroom dancing competition, which pairs celebrities with professional dance partners, has become one of the network’s most popular shows.Goodman was head judge on the U.S. version of the show, “Dancing With the Stars,” for 15 years until his retirement in November. BBC director-general Tim Davie said Goodman was “a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of ‘Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.”Goodman was also a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in ...

China affirms ex-Soviet nations’ sovereignty after uproar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government said Monday it respects the sovereignty of former Soviet Union republics after Beijing’s ambassador to France caused an uproar in Europe by saying they aren’t sovereign nations.The governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania rejected Ambassador Lu Shaye’s comment to a French broadcaster. While answering a question about the status of Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014, Lu said there was no agreement to “solidify their status as a sovereign country.”Beijing declared it had a “no-limits friendship” with Moscow before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine but has tried to appear neutral, calling for a cease-fire and peace talks. China has repeated Russian justifications for the invasion.“China respects the sovereign status of the former soviet countries after the dissolution of the Soviet Union,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Mao said Beijing’s position is “consistent and clear” but gave no indication whether LuR...

Foreigners airlifted out; Sudanese seek refuge from fighting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — As foreign governments airlifted hundreds of their diplomats and other citizens from Sudan, Sudanese on Monday desperately sought ways to escape the chaos amid fears the country’s two rival generals could escalate their all-out battle for power once evacuations were completed. Many Sudanese, along with Egyptians and other foreigners who could not get on flights, risked the long and dangerous drive to the northern border into Egypt. “We traveled 15 hours on land at our own risk,” Suliman al-Kouni, an Egyptian student, said at the Arqin border crossing with Egypt. Buses lined up at the remote desert crossing carrying hundreds of people, he said. Al-Kouni was among dozens of Egyptian students making the trek. “But many of our friends are still trapped in Sudan,” he said.Prominent Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Abual-Ala wrote on Facebook that his mother, siblings and nephews “are on the road from Sudan to Cairo through Aswan,” referring to Egypt’s southernmost city.Fig...

Morgan Wallen cancels show at Ole Miss after losing voice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Thousands of country music fans were awaiting singer Morgan Wallen when he suddenly canceled his performance Sunday night at Vaught Hemingway Stadium.WTVA-TV reported video boards inside the Ole Miss football stadium showed a message saying the “Thought You Should Know” singer had lost his voice and was unable to perform, adding that people would be refunded their money where they bought the tickets. VIDEO: Morgan Wallen uninjured after falling during concert Some people expressed anger on social media because the announcement of the cancellation came after the opening acts had performed.While Wallen is one of country music's biggest stars, he's no stranger to controversy. He was caught on camera in 2021 outside a home in Nashville, Tennessee, yelling profanities and a racial slur. He apologized at the time but was suspended indefinitely from his label and his music was pulled by radio stations and streaming services.The year before, Wallen was arres...

'Dancing With the Stars' judge Len Goodman dies at 78

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Len Goodman, the urbane, long-serving judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” has died, his agent said Monday. He was 78.Agent Jackie Gill said Goodman “passed away peacefully,” without giving a cause.A former dancer and British champion, Goodman was a judge on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004. The ballroom dancing competition, which pairs celebrities with professional dance partners, has become one of the network’s most popular shows. Trump: ‘Nixon had no support … I have great Jim Jordan’ Goodman was head judge on the U.S. version of the show, “Dancing With the Stars,” for 15 years until his retirement in November.BBC director-general Tim Davie said Goodman was “a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of ‘Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and famil...

Xcel Energy to buy 20 acres of land at The Heights for east metro operations, job training center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

The Heights — the East Side development area formerly known as the home of the Hillcrest Golf Course in St. Paul — will soon have its first industrial occupant. Xcel Energy announced it has signed a $6 million agreement with the St. Paul Port Authority to purchase 20 acres of land for its new east metro operations and job training center.Plans call for a commercial-industrial building spanning at least 150,000 square feet off McKnight Road and Arlington Avenue, as well as a training facility spanning 30,000 square feet, and storage and service areas. Modern amenities will include electric vehicle charging stations — Xcel Energy plans to convert its entire automotive fleet to electric vehicles by 2030.The new location, which will be primarily office space, will replace Xcel’s outdated Rice Street Service Center, which has served St. Paul for roughly 100 years but isn’t well suited to do so into the future, according to company officials. The Rice Street ...

Angry crowd heckles France's Macron over pensions legislation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:23:28 GMT

Protesters greeted French president Emmanuel Macron in his first public outing since he passed a law that increased the retirement age, a move unpopular with many.Macron encountered hostile banners outside a factory in eastern Alsace. Workers were also banging pots. The factory's electrical power was briefly shut off by unionized workers.As he passed through a village nearby, many shouted, "Macron, quit!" One man said to him: "We do not want this reform (of pensions), what don't you get?"A second man said he was the leader of a corrupt regime and added: "You will fall soon. Just wait and see."A woman thanked Macron for his work, and some people asked for selfies.Even in a region that is pro Macron and voted slightly higher for him in 2022 than the national average, the reception was mostly negative.Macron has signed into law a change in the retirement age. This means that citizens will have to work for two more years, up to 64, before they can receive their state pension.This was af...