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Germany’s highest court overturns a reform that allowed for new trials after acquittals

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s highest court on Tuesday overturned a reform to the country’s criminal code that allowed for people who have been acquitted to be put on trial again for the same crime if new evidence emerged that could secure their conviction for murder or other serious crimes.The Federal Constitutional Court declared the change, which took effect in December 2021, null and void after considering a challenge by a man who was acquitted of raping and killing a 17-year-old girl in the 1980s and faced new proceedings after an examination of DNA traces.It found that the provision violated both a constitutional clause that precludes anyone being “punished for the same crime more than once” and a ban on applying the law retroactively.The 2021 provision stated that proceedings already closed with a final judgement can be reopened “if new facts or evidence are produced which, independently or in connection with evidence which was previously taken, establish cogent reasons...

On her 18th birthday, Spain’s Princess Leonor takes another step towards eventually becoming queen

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

MADRID (AP) — The heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor, is to swear allegiance to the Constitution on her 18th birthday Tuesday, in a gala event that lays the groundwork for her eventual succession as queen when the time comes. The nationally televised ceremony in the lower house of Parliament is understood to symbolize the continuity of Spain’s parliamentary monarchy and the institution’s allegiance to the chamber.She is expected to use the same oath as her father did when, as prince, he turned 18 in 1986. Leonor de Borbón Ortiz became crown princess when Felipe VI was proclaimed king on June 19, 2014. Her face has been in the media a lot lately and already the term “Leonormania” is being used, underlining her growing popularity as the modern face of the future monarchy.The ceremony Tuesday was necessary for her to be able to succeed to the crown and become queen, if and when needs be.Banners with her picture decorated lampposts along several of Madrid’s main str...

Surge in interest rates and a cloudier economic picture to keep Federal Reserve on sidelines

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is poised to leave its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday at a time when the Fed faces an economy that has proved resilient but is nevertheless under pressure from surging interest rates, overseas turmoil and anxious investors.U.S. economic growth surged in the July-September quarter on the back of robust consumer spending, and inflation showed signs last month of staying uncomfortably high. Chair Jerome Powell will want to make sure that the economy cools and that inflation resumes its descent before signaling any let-up in the Fed’s drive to slow inflation to its 2% target level. At the same time, turbulent financial markets have pushed up longer-term rates on U.S. Treasurys, driven stock prices lower and raised corporate borrowing costs. Powell and other Fed policymakers have said they think those trends may contribute to an economic slowdown — and, in process, ease inflation pressures — without the need for further rate hikes. Since...

Singapore defense minister calls on China to take the lead in reducing regional tensions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Singapore’s defense minister urged China as a dominant power in Asia to take the lead in reducing tensions in the region, warning that a military conflict like the one in Ukraine or the Israel-Hamas war would be devastating for the continent and its future. Speaking Tuesday on the third and final day of an annual defense conference held by China, Ng Eng Hen stressed the importance of military-to-military communication to manage crises, expressing hope that the United States and China would resume the use of their military hotline.Peace is precarious and never a given anywhere in the world, Ng said. “What has happened in Europe and the Middle East must never occur here. … We must do all we can to avoid it.”The Xiangshan Forum brought together defense officials from dozens of countries and organizations. China, which recently sacked its defense minister, was represented by Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.Russian Defense Ministe...

A gunman holed up at a Japanese post office may be linked to an earlier shooting at a hospital

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese police on Tuesday surrounded a post office where a man with a gun was holed up, and said the case may be linked to an earlier apparent shooting at a nearby hospital in which two people were wounded. One post office employee is still believed to be inside the building.Hundreds of police were reportedly mobilized to surround the building housing the post office. Television footage showed police officers wearing bulletproof vests squatting behind the doors of a patrol vehicle parked outside. Television footage also showed an older man wearing a cap at the entrance. Earlier Tuesday, Saitama Prefectural Police said two men — a doctor in his 40s and a patient in his 60s — were wounded after blasts resembling gunfire were heard at a general hospital in the city of Toda, just north of Tokyo. Police did not give details of how exactly the two people were injured. The victims are both conscious and their wounds are not life-threatening, police said. Kyodo News agency sai...

Bud Light brewer is still struggling to sell the beer in North America over trans promotion backlash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

Anheuser-Busch Inbev said Tuesday that revenue growth in most of its global regions was offset by a drop in North American sales, in a sign of continuing fallout from a promotion with a transgender influencer that cost it sales.The world’s largest brewer and parent company of Bud Light said adjusted earnings for the latest quarter rose 4.1% to $5.4 billion on revenues that climbed 5% to $15.6 billion. Revenue in the United States for the July-September period, however, tumbled 13.5%. AB InBev, based in Leuven, Belgium, noted that sales to retailers were down “primarily due to the volume decline of Bud Light.” Bud Light sales plunged amid a conservative backlash after the brand sent a commemorative can to transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in early April.The controversy toppled Bud Light from its position as America’s best-selling beer for more than two decades. In June, it dropped to second place in U.S. retail sales behind Modelo Especial. Modelo – which is own...

5 things to know this Halloween

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Halloween everyone! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we're in for more treats than tricks today with some sun into the afternoon. Despite the sun, everyone may want to layer up come time for trick-or-treating as cloud coverage and cooler temperatures roll in. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Governor Kathy Hochul will address the public following antisemitic threats made against Cornell University's Jewish Community. Cornell's president says the threats were made online on a website unrelated to the school. Governor Hochul will also address recent incidents of hate seen across the state. Meanwhile, two people were arrested in connection to a death that happened at a supervised living facility in Gloversville in 2022. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Halloween. 1. Antisemitic threats made against Cornell University’s Jewish communityOn Sunday, Oct. 29, a s...

Ask Amy: An ex worries that she’s been “unfollowed”

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

Dear Amy: My ex-boyfriend, “Chet,” was my first boyfriend (and longest relationship so far). Chet recently “unfollowed” me on Instagram — my main social media tool.We had an amicable ending, and it’s been about three years since we broke up.I have been working as an exotic dancer, so I am wondering if that is the reason he decided to unfriend me?This hurt, because he was so special in my life, even if we were now just online friends.I recently found out that his brother has cancer, and it makes me sad.I want to reach out to his family, to see if they are OK.I haven’t spoken to them since our breakup, so I am not trying to get back into their lives, but I do want to see if they need anything, as they are very sweet people.How can I help?— Bittersweet BreakupDear Bittersweet: I don’t know why your ex unfollowed you on Instagram, but if you post photos of yourself dancing, he might not have wanted to see them.He might also be in a new relationship with someone w...

Better consumer protection: New EU rules for defective products 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

The EU wants to update the existing rules for defective products to better protect consumers and keep up with the development of new technologies, Economy.The existing Product Liability Directive was adopted almost 40 years ago. In September 2022, the European Commission published a proposal to adapt the guidelines to address the technological advantages newer products may have.The aim of the revised directive is to set uniform rules for Eu countries, ensure proper functioning of the digital and circular economy and help victims of defective products get fairer compensation.Scope of the revised liability rulesTo better reflect the changes in the digital and green world, the existing definition of a product needs to be expanded to include software updates, artificial intelligence or digital services, for example robots, drones or smart-home systems.At the same time, the revised rules exclude open-source or free software from the scope as such software relies on improvements from user...

Leadership Continuity in the DRC is in the EU’s Best Interests

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:46 GMT

Brussels has every reason to believe that the reelection of incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi, shown to be leading in recent polls, would serve its foreign policy and economic interests – writes Nathalie Beasnael.Despite current instability in the Middle East and limited to capacity for additional strategic focal points, the upcoming presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), scheduled for 20th December 2023, should be of interest to all politicians, economists, business leaders and climate activists in the European Union. The DRC has been an invaluable partner of the EU. With the potential for the upcoming election to upend the balance of power in the country, what the EU requires now is stability in this country integral to its long-term economic interests.     The centrality of the DRC to EU economic interests can be seen most clearly in the import of raw materials, primarily copper and cobalt ore. Copper is one of the most w...