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An additional 42 EU and Japanese geographical indications protected for both sides

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

In the framework of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, both parties will protect as from today an additional 42 geographical indications (GIs), such as Raclette de Savoie, Vinagre de Jerez for the EU and sanuki shiro miso (miso paste), or Osaka wine for Japan.This is the third time that the list of geographical indications protected in Japan and in the EU is extended, following the additions of 56 GIs in February 2021 and 56 in February 2022. The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force on 1 February 2019, protects the listed agri-food names against imitation and usurpation, bringing mutual trade benefits and introducing consumers to guaranteed, authentic products from two regions with a rich culinary and cultural tradition. The EU and Japan also agreed to add up to 6 GIs from Japan by the end of this year and to decide in 2025 on another extension of the list of protected GIs. Japan is the 5th largest outlet for EU's agrifood exports. The main pro...

Omar Harfouch: A Champion Against Corruption in Lebanon Faces Political and Judicial Repression

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

Harfouch, a prominent figure in Lebanese politics and the leader of the Lebanese Third Republic initiative has been at the forefront of a relentless battle against corruption in his homeland. His unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability has earned him both admiration and adversaries. On Wednesday, September 27th, Harfouch was the guest of honour and speaker at a reception held in the members' lounge of the European Parliament, a testament to his dedication to fostering positive change. However, his journey has not been without its challenges, as he faces political and judicial repression in his quest to transform Lebanon.Omar Harfouch's vision for Lebanon centres around the creation of a "Third Republic," a concept that envisions a nation free from the clutches of corruption, nepotism, and political patronage. In a country that has long been plagued by systemic corruption, Harfouch's initiative represents a beacon of hope for many Lebanese citizens who yearn for a mo...

Review: ‘The Creator’ is glorious but humanity takes a back seat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

By Lindsay Bahr | Associated PressThe artificial intelligence in Gareth Edwards’ ” The Creator,” a visually magnificent if by-the-books epic, is not the AI making headlines at the moment. This is AI in the classic sci-fi mold — the Roy Battys of “Blade Runner,” the Avas of “Ex Machina,” the ones whose sentience we question and debate endlessly. Will the machines kill us? Take our jobs? Or do something that the movies haven’t dreamed possible yet?As the retired special forces guy cleaning up nuclear debris, Joshua (John David Washington), flatly tells a fellow worker when she posits that the AIs were indeed after their jobs: “They can have this one.”Regardless, for now, artificial intelligence is more allegory for the other than aspiring screenwriters, filmmakers or trash collectors. And, for Edwards and his co-writer Chris Weitz, they might even have more capacity for humanity and goodness than humans, which is not exactly ...

Single-family house sells for $2.4 million in San Jose

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

1230 Swinging Gate Court – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 1200 block of Swinging Gate Court in San Jose was sold on Aug. 24, 2023. The $2,350,000 purchase price works out to $847 per square foot. The house, built in 1974, has an interior space of 2,773 square feet. This two-story home offers a spacious layout with six bedrooms and three bathrooms. The home’s outer structure has wood shake roofing / shingles. In addition, the house features a two-car garage, providing ample room for vehicles and storage needs.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:In November 2022, a 1,737-square-foot home on Lazy River Way in San Jose sold for $1,800,000, a price per square foot of $1,036. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Serene Valley Court, San Jose, in July 2022, a 2,305-square-foot home was sold for $2,250,000, a price per square foot of $976. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 3,206-square-foot home on the 1200 block of Melba...

Horoscopes Sept. 29, 2023: Halsey, pay attention to your needs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Halsey, 29; Kevin Durant, 35; Roger Bart, 61; Bryant Gumbel, 75.Happy Birthday: Pay it forward. Give what you no longer use to someone who’s in need. Declutter, and embrace the freedom that letting go can offer. Pay attention to your needs and live life your way. Put a cap on spending, and discover the joy of doing things that aren’t costly. Taking a walk with someone you love, embracing nature or spending downtime with people who stimulate your mind will ease stress. Your numbers are 6, 14, 21, 25, 33, 37, 42.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Energy is mounting and needs positive directing to avoid a clash. Compatibility is necessary if you want to get things done on time. Refuse to let persuasive people interfere with doing what’s right and best for you. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Focus on pastimes that make you think and inspire you to direct your talent toward something desirable. Bring about change that gives you more control over ...

Man United winger Antony to resume playing after allegations of domestic abuse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United winger Antony is available for selection again after taking a leave of absence to address allegations of domestic abuse, the Premier League club said Friday. The Brazil international was cut from his country’s World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru earlier this month after details of alleged violence towards an ex-girlfriend appeared in the media. Antony denied the accusations and was given the leave of absence by United to defend himself. He has since returned to the U.K. and United has said the time is right for him to resume playing. “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has cooperated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so,” the Premier League club said. “As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. This will be kept under review pending further developme...

Ryder Cup Pairings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

At Marco Simone Golf & Country ClubGuidonia Montecelio, ItalyYardage: 7,248; Par: 72EUROPE 4, UNITED STATES 0FridayFoursomesEurope 4, United States 0Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, Europe, def. Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns, United States, 4 and 3.Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg, Europe, def. Max Homa and Brian Harman, United States, 4 and 3.Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka, Europe, def. Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa, United States, 2 and 1.Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, Europe, def. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, United States, 2 and 1.Source

Live updates | US counting on Spieth and Thomas to start Ryder Cup comeback with Europe leading 4-0

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — U.S. captain Zach Johnson is counting on the veteran partnership of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas to spark a comeback in afternoon fourballs at the Ryder Cup after Europe swept the morning session 4-0.Spieth and Thomas will face Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton in the opening match of the day’s second session.Brooks Koepka will also get his first action in a pairing with Scottie Scheffler against Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard.The third match features Max Homa and Wyndham Clark against Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose. The last match has Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick.All 12 players on both teams will have played by the end of the day.___Europe made its best ever start to a Ryder Cup, sweeping the opening foursomes 4-0 in a stunning response to its record loss to the Americans at Whistling Straits two years ago.Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood completed the morning shutout at the Marco Simone club b...

Doncic, Irving believe full season with Mavs will make encore better than debut that flopped

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — The first preseason together for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will include long flights overseas and a herky-jerky schedule with fewer games than usual for the Dallas Mavericks.They’ll take that over the rushed effort for the All-Star pairing to click last season after the blockbuster trade, which went bust when the Mavericks faded late and missed the playoffs a year after reaching the Western Conference finals.“It was so quick last year,” Irving said. “There was so much pressure on us to win now, win big. ‘It’s Luka and Kyrie. Why can’t you guys win games?’ So we were answering a lot of questions that honestly I don’t think we were ready for.”They weren’t ready, Irving surmised, because they weren’t healthy. Both battled injuries, and in the first 18 games of the first pairing of All-Star starters in franchise history, Doncic and Irving shared the court just nine times.Irving sat the last two games of the season when the Mavericks openly tanked — and...

Analysis: Thriving NFL benefits most from Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce relationship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here.The NFL didn’t need a popularity boost before Travis Kelce became enchanted with Taylor Swift.They’ll gladly welcome millions of Swifties to watch this love story unfold.The biggest news that came out of Week 3 wasn’t Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins lighting up the scoreboard against Denver with only the fourth 70-point performance in NFL history.It wasn’t Arizona shocking Dallas, Houston upsetting Jacksonville or Matt Gay kicking four 50-yard field goals to help Indianapolis knock off Baltimore.Instead, Swift stole the headlines by simply showing up at Arrowhead Stadium to watch Kelce and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs destroy the woeful Chicago Bears. The pop star joined Donna Kelce in a suite and mesmerized the world with her high-fiving, glass-pounding, chest-bumping enthusiasm.Swift then left the stadium with Kelce and accompanied the four-t...