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South Korea summons China’s envoy over comments accusing Seoul of tilting excessively toward US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s Foreign Ministry summoned China’s ambassador on Friday to protest comments he made accusing Seoul of tilting toward the United States and away from China, as competition between Washington and Beijing for global influence intensifies.South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin warned Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming over his “senseless and provocative” remarks made during a meeting with a South Korean opposition leader. The ministry accused Xing of violating diplomatic protocols and interfering with South Korean domestic politics but didn’t specify the parts of Xing’s comments it saw as inappropriate. The ministry also didn’t share what Xing said in reply to Chang. In a meeting Thursday with South Korean Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, a key rival of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, Xing accused Yoon’s government of leaning excessively toward Seoul’s treaty ally, the United States, and damaging its relati...

Why Turkey’s currency is crashing after Erdogan got reelected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection last month despite a battered economy and a cost-of-living crisis that experts say are exacerbated by his unconventional economic policies. The longtime leader appointed an internationally respected former banker as finance and treasury minister and on Friday named a former co-CEO of a U.S.-based bank as head of the central bank.But lingering uncertainty over Erdogan’s economic direction and an apparent move to loosen government controls of foreign currency exchanges have led Turkey’s currency to plunge to record lows against the U.S. dollar this week. The Turkish lira has now weakened by around 20% against the dollar since the start of the year. It has raised fears of even higher prices for people already struggling to afford basics like housing and food amid high inflation.“I am anxious. I am unhappy. Soon my income won’t pay the rent,” said Sureyya Usta, a 63-year-old who lives in Ankara.Here’s a lo...

Biden heads to North Carolina to push clean energy agenda and promote order aiding military spouses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday will sign an executive order that aims to bolster job opportunities for military and veteran spouses whose careers are often disrupted by their loved ones’ deployments.Biden is using a visit to the recently renamed Fort Liberty in North Carolina to highlight the order. The order directs agencies to develop a federal government-wide strategic plan on hiring and job retention for military spouses; bolster child care options; improve the collection of data on military and veteran spouses, caregivers and survivors in the federal workforce; and more than a dozen additional actions.First lady Jill Biden, in a call with reporters to preview the action, said the order was largely framed by conversations through the White House’s Joining Forces initiative, which looks to support families, caregivers and survivors of members of the U.S. military. The Democratic president is expected to sign the order during his visit to the base.With...

Child victims of stabbing attack in France in critical but stable condition, president visits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

PARIS (AP) — France’s president traveled Friday to the side of families traumatized by the savage stabbings of four very young children, all said to be in stable condition after emergency surgery, while investigators worked to unravel the motives of a Syrian man taken into custody.President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte traveled together to a hospital treating three of the four children who suffered life-threatening knife wounds in Thursday’s still unexplained attack in and around a play park in the Alpine city of Annecy. Macron’s prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, said all four children — aged between 22 months and 3 years — underwent surgery and “are under constant medical surveillance.” “Their situation is stable,” she said. Government spokesman Olivier Veran, a medical doctor by training, said two of the children remain in critical condition.Most of the children were rushed after the attack to a hospital in the French Alpine city of Grenoble — the first s...

Giant inflatable ducks make a splash in Hong Kong as pop-art project returns after 10 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Two giant inflatable ducks made a splash in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor on Friday, marking the return of a pop-art project that sparked a frenzy in the city a decade ago.The two 18-meter-tall yellow ducks by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman resemble the bath toys many played with in their childhood. Shortly after their launch, dozens of residents and tourists flocked to the promenade near the government headquarters in Admiralty to snap photos of the ducks.Hofman said he hopes the art exhibition brings joy to the city and connects people as they make memories together. “Double duck, double luck,” he said. “In a world where we suffered from a pandemic, wars and political situations, I think it is the right moment to bring back the double luck.”The inflatable ducks will stay in Hong Kong for about two weeks.Many Hong Kongers at the promenade recalled the happiness his work brought to the shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui in 2013. Some were excited to see a ...

Get a 99-cent single scoop cone at Stewart's for Father's Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- This Father's Day, treat Dad to a 99-cent single scoop cone at any Stewart's Shop location! Father's Day this year is on Sunday, June 18. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Instead of a new tie, Dad can try new seasonal flavors such as Strawberry Sunrise Sherbert, Brownie Points, Peanut Butter Pie, Very Berry Shortcake, Daily Grind, or the fan-favorite Salted Caramel Cheesecake. These seasonal specialties, along with classics like strawberry or vanilla, will all be just 99 cents for single scoops.

Chatham holds state semi send-off for baseball, softball

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

CHATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It was a special scene at Chatham High School on Thursday morning. A massive send-off parade was held for the baseball and softball teams, as both squads head out for the state semi-finals. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Panthers have reached new heights on the diamond with both teams making the state semis. "I don't know how long Chatham has been open, but this is the first time in our school history, so that's a pretty big accomplishment," said head baseball coach Scott Steltz. "Hats off to the girls as well. Everyone in the town supports us. It's brought our community back together over the last two years, and it's just so cool to be a part of, and even cooler to see, and then have the memories of.""This is really like a dream," said senior softball pitcher Emily Mesick. "We wouldn't be here without our community, and our amazing softball and baseball programs. So, it means a lot."The base...

Former Yankee Dellin Betances visits Langan School

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Former Yankee Dellin Betances visited the Langan School at the Center for Disability Services in Albany on Thursday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The former relief pitcher met with students, walking in to a rave applause. "It was great. I felt like I was coming in to pitch in a game at Yankee Stadium," said Betances.While the Washington Heights native was there to provide some smiles and inspiration, he walked away inspired by the strength of the students. "It just helps you appreciate life in a different way," said Betances. "Sometimes as an athlete you have your bad days but then coming to see stuff like this it's like, 'Man, this is amazing.' Seeing these kids' pure joy and excitement and the people that are here, just everything that they do for this program, it just puts a smile on your face."

Patroons lean on culture in pursuit of TBL title

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Derrick Rowland returned to the Albany Patroons prior to this season. In his last season with the team before his return, he led the Patroons to the TBL title in 2019. This season, Mr. Patroon has built another contender. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Patroons begin the TBL Eastern Conference Finals on Friday in Newfoundland against the Newfoundland Rogues. The best of three series tips off at 5:30 PM. Albany is looking to return to the TBL championship series, after falling in the title series under head coach Will Brown last year. The team that went 20-4 this season is a completely different team from last year's squad. Guard Trevis Wyche is the only returner. While the team's talent shines on the court, Rowland believes it's their camaraderie off the court that makes this team special. "One of the things that has helped me this year as a coach is I recruited character," Rowland said. "We h...

NATO needs to discuss security assurances for Kyiv - Stoltenberg

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:41 GMT

NATO must discuss options for giving Ukraine security assurances for the time after its war with Russia, the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg (pictured) said on Wednesday (7 June).When the war ends, NATO will need arrangements in place to ensure that Russia does not simply relocate its forces for another attack, he told reporters at an event in Brussels.At the same time, Stoltenberg made it clear that NATO - under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty - will provide full-fledged security guarantees to full members only.