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Rishi Sunak to consult ethics adviser over top minister’s handling of speeding fine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

LONDON — Rishi Sunak will consult his ethics adviser amid pressure on Home Secretary Suella Braverman over her handling of a speeding offense. According to reports in the Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday this weekend, Braverman — while attorney general in 2022 — asked civil servants to try and arrange a one-on-one driving awareness course after she was caught speeding. In the U.K., people who have broken the speed limit can opt to attend a course rather than pay a fine — but these are usually run as group sessions. A private course could therefore have reduced the likelihood of other motorists recognizing the senior minister in a public session.The officials reportedly refused to pursue the idea on advice from the Cabinet Office, with Braverman instead accepting a fine and points on her license.Sunak will on Monday meet Laurie Magnus, his independent adviser on ministerial interests, to discuss the Braverman situation — which dominated the tail-end of the prime minister’s trip ...

Greece’s center-right in landslide election victory, but will need new vote to form government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — It was the most tantalizing of victories. Despite inflicting the most crushing defeat in half a century on the opposition, Greece’s center-right Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected Monday to seek a second national election within weeks, as he lacks the majority in Parliament to govern alone.With 99.55% of the votes counted early Monday, Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party won 40.79% — twice the leftwing main opposition Syriza’s 20.07%. Socialist Pasok came in third at 11.46%.The margin far outstripped pollsters’ forecasts and was the biggest since 1974, when Greece’s first democratic elections were held after the fall of the seven-year military dictatorship.But the one-off proportional representation system in effect Sunday means ND only gains 146 of Parliament’s 300 seats, five short of a governing majority. The new elections, expected in late June or early July, will revert to the previous system that grants the firs...

At Cannes, Polish filmmaker’s ‘In the Rearview’ spotlights Ukrainians escaping war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — When Polish filmmaker Maciek Hamela first began evacuating Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war on their country, he wasn’t intending to make a film. He was one of the many Poles extending humanitarian aid to neighbors under attack, and had turned down an offer to film a television investigation there.But the reflections of the people he was transporting to safety in his van were so poignant that soon he began filming them. He asked a friend who is a director of photography to help him film — and drive — and directed his camera squarely back at his passengers as they traversed their war-scarred land.The result is “In the Rearview,” a documentary film being shown at the Cannes film festival in France as part of a parallel program devoted to independent cinema. It is not in competition.A Polish-French co-production, it takes place almost entirely in Hamela’s van, with the camera capturing the harrowed passengers, one group after another in countless journe...

G20 officials arrive in disputed Kashmir as India largely puts region’s intense security out of view

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Delegates from the Group of 20 nations arrived in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Monday to participate in a tourism meeting condemned by China and Pakistan, as authorities significantly reduced visibility of the security in the disputed region’s main city.The meeting scheduled for later Monday is the first significant international event in Kashmir since New Delhi stripped the Muslim-majority region of semi-autonomy in 2019. Indian authorities hope the meeting will show that the controversial changes have brought “peace and prosperity” to the region.The delegates will discuss topics like green tourism and destination management. Side events on ecotourism and role of films in promoting tourist destinations have also been scheduled.On Monday, the region’s main city of Srinagar, appeared calm and roads never as clean. Most of the security checkpoints were removed or camouflaged with cubicle-like security posts made of G20 signages behind which security offici...

Rare earths, Ukraine top agenda on French President Macron’s historic visit to Mongolia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Access to rare earth minerals and Russia’s war against Ukraine topped the agenda on French President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Mongolia. Macron met with his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on Sunday in the capital Ulaanbaatar and pledged cooperation on the extraction and trade of minerals used in satellites, cell phones and other key technologies. The visit was the first by a French head of state to Mongolia, a landlocked democracy of 3 million people twice the size of Texas sandwiched between Russia and China. Mongolia’s grasslands, mountains and deserts hold vast deposits of coal, copper and lesser-known minerals vital to the modern economy. Macron’s trip followed his attendance at the Group of Seven summit in Japan, where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a key topic. The conflict is having a global impact, Macron said, referring to high food prices and more refugees. More than 8 million Ukrainians have been forced from their homes, accor...

At G7, Macron and Meloni meet to bury hatchet after migration spat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met on Saturday (20 May) at the Group of Seven nations summit seeking to turn the page after a French minister accused Rome of mishandling an influx of migrants.French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in early May that Meloni's right-wing government had been unable to solve the migration problems on which she was elected and that she had lied to voters that she could end the migrant crisis.That prompted demands by Rome for an apology.On Saturday, the two leaders had a 45-minute meeting at the G7. The two looked relaxed and Macron appeared to ask Meloni about the floods which hit the north of her country this week.She is set to leave the summit in Hiroshima a day earlier to lead the response, sources said.Briefing reporters, a French presidential official said the two leaders had spoken about Ukraine, but also migration and Tunisia."There was a widespread discussion that showed our convergence of views o...

Andrea Zannetti: Triumphing Over Challenges as an International Content Advertising Producer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

In the ever-changing landscape of content advertising, Andrea Zannetti emerges as a trailblazing international producer who has conquered numerous challenges in his pursuit of success. Starting with humble beginnings in Italy and displaying unwavering determination in the UK and Los Angeles, Andrea’s extraordinary journey and accomplishments continuously motivate aspiring professionals in the industry. As a highly sought-after content advertising producer, he has left a significant imprint in the field, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Zannetti faced various hurdles while making a name for himself in foreign countries, but his perseverance and passion for the entertainment industry have led to a dazzling career filled with accolades.Zannetti’s career took flight when he attended one of Italy’s most prestigious colleges. He then moved to the UK, where he began working in the entertainment industry. Eventually, he found his way to LA, t...

Dear Abby: The photos my son’s wife posts make me worry for their marriage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

DEAR ABBY: Our son and his wife are professionals who reap the financial benefits of their chosen fields.Our daughter-in-law goes to her workplace most days, while our son works from home. As such, he is tasked with much of the cleaning, shopping and cooking.Our DIL has a large cadre of college friends, and she’s often away to sunny, exotic locales, posting pictures of herself along with others, all holding drinks in their hands. Recently, she went on a trip with her “best friend,” a gay man, posting poolside, restaurant and bar photos with both wearing big smiles. Meanwhile, our son is home working and taking care of their pets.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: What happened to make Gen Xers so rude like this? Advice | Dear Abby: I can’t forgive myself for not watching my husband’s TV show with him Advice | Ask Amy: The wedding invitation has an aggressive edge I don’t like Advice | Harri...

Single-family residence sells for $2.4 million in Milpitas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

572 Kevenaire Drive – Google Street ViewA 2,817-square-foot house built in 1979 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 500 block of Kevenaire Drive in Milpitas was sold on April 25, 2023, for $2,350,000, or $834 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a garage, and two parking spaces. It sits on a 6,580-square-foot lot.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:In August 2022, a 2,254-square-foot home on Altamont Drive in Milpitas sold for $1,700,000, a price per square foot of $754. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Martil Way, Milpitas, in September 2022, a 1,659-square-foot home was sold for $1,644,500, a price per square foot of $991. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,921-square-foot home on the 700 block of Rivera Street in Milpitas sold in November 2022, for $1,710,000, a price per square foot of $890. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

This Week in Business: housing market and inflation updates, Federal Reserve insight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:40 GMT

Housing market updateThe Commerce Department delivers data on April newly constructed home sales Tuesday.Economists forecast that sales slowed last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 650,000 homes from 683,000 in March. The housing market has cooled since the Federal Reserve began raising its main borrowing rate a year ago in its fight to bring down inflation. That substantially raised borrowing costs in an already expensive housing market.New home sales, seasonally adjusted annual rate, by month:Nov.: 582,000Dec.: 622,000Jan.: 648,000Feb. 623,000March: 683,000April (est): 650,000Source: FactSetFed insightThe Federal Reserve on Wednesday releases minutes from its policy meeting earlier this month.It raised its key interest rate by a quarter point in May. It has been raising rates at a feverish pace since 2022 to fight inflation. Inflation has shown signs of cooling, but analysts are growing increasingly worried about a possible recession. The latest minutes could provide ...