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Metsola: 'We have a duty to meet this moment' 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

Addressing the European Council, President Metsola (pictured) said that taking a strong stance against terror and making all efforts to alleviate Gaza's humanitarian crisis are not mutually exclusive.In her discussion with the leaders, she said:“As a Union, we have a responsibility to remain coherent and united. To do this is not to condone more death and violence but to avoid a dangerous regional escalation of the conflict. We must leave even a sliver of possibility that peace can ultimately be found.The European Parliament has condemned Hamas in the strongest possible terms. We know that Hamas must be stopped.As a Parliament we have always and will always keep insisting on respect for international law, that the humanitarian consequences of stopping Hamas must be a priority and that aid must be able to reach the innocent people in need.Taking a strong stance against terror and making every effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza are not mutually exclusive.That is why w...

Spies to test AI: Insights from Yesterday's UK AI Summit

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

The United Kingdom recently hosted an AI summit that brought together experts, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI). While the event covered a wide range of topics and applications, one notable aspect was the significant focus on AI's role in intelligence and security, where it was revealed that spies would be testing new AI technologies. In this article, we delve into the key takeaways from the summit, particularly the implications of AI in the intelligence and security sector.The AI Summit in the UK: A SnapshotThe UK AI summit served as a platform for unveiling the latest advancements in AI technology and understanding how it can be harnessed to address various challenges and opportunities. The summit gathered thought leaders from academia, industry, and government agencies, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and fostering innovation. The headline-grabbing highlight was the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's interview with El...

Copyright protection has become a sensitive issue worldwide

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

Increasing globalization and rapid proliferation of technology has led to an increasing need to protect copyright.More and more organizations are falling victim to attacks and exposures and, in globally 2023, the average cost of a data breach was an all-time high of $4.45 million - a 2.3% increase from the previous year and a 15.3% rise from 2020.But it is not just breach of copyright coming under the spotlight – so too are the regulators and authorities overseeing the sector.Take Georgia, for example.Since 2019 the Georgian Government has been attempting to update its copyright regulations, aiming to bring them into alignment with international standards and practises. New legislation has been introduced to this end but this has been beset by delays due to a combination of factors.These include Covid, the war in Ukraine and also perceived lobbying by international organisations.The organisation which oversees copyright in the country is the Georgian Copyright Association (GCA).It i...

Busting destination complex - that's Stonham Barns Park

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

The economic slump has left many wondering how to generate extra  income.While there are different ways of achieving that, there are few that combine income generation with good old pleasure.That is where owning your own holiday home comes in.It is an ideal way of, yes, raising income from a different source but it is also a means of escaping the rat race. A holiday home gives you the chance to escape the trials and tribulations of everyday life, for either a short break or a longer term get-away-from-it-all experience.But  when you own your own holiday home you also have the option of renting it out and that is where the income generation element comes in.One holiday home business that is well worth considering is Stonham Barns Park, based in East Anglia, a region that is often overlooked by people in Belgium but is well worth visiting. All you need here is to provide proof of a permanent address - in Belgium or anywhere. This allows you to purchase either ...

Bridge: Nov. 3, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

Most of us would define a good contract as one that will succeed more often than not. (It’s right to bid vulnerable games with under a 50-50 chance.) Cy the Cynic’s definition of a “good contract” is one that makes.Today’s North-South bid boldly to slam. West led the ace of trumps (“to see dummy,” I guess) and a second trump. South won and took the A-K of clubs. When East-West followed, South cashed the A-K of diamonds to pitch dummy’s last club and ruffed a club.DIAMOND LOSERSouth then drew the missing trump and took two club winners, but he had a diamond loser. He finessed with the queen of hearts — and went down two.Six spades was a fair contract (but by Cy’s definition it was terrible). South succeeds with better timing. After he wins the second trump, he takes the top diamonds to pitch a club from dummy, ruffs a diamond, cashes the top clubs and ruffs a club.South then takes the ace of hearts, ruffs a heart and draws t...

Horoscopes Nov. 3, 2023: Dolph Lundgren, leave nothing to chance

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Elizabeth Smart, 36; Gemma Ward, 36; Colin Kaepernick, 36; Dolph Lundgren, 66.Happy Birthday: You’ll score big this year by focusing on what’s important. Leave nothing to chance or up to someone else, and you’ll gain respect and the momentum you require to go above and beyond your goal. Don’t let any opportunity go by the wayside. It’s your turn to explore the possibilities and to utilize your skills and expertise to get ahead personally and professionally. Your numbers are 5, 16, 24, 28, 33, 42, 47.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Let go of what isn’t working and embrace what excites you. It’s time to eliminate stress and focus on what makes you happy. Engage in learning new skills and fine-tuning how you present yourself to the world. Please yourself and sport a new look. 2 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Pave the way for new beginnings by eliminating unfinished business. Reach out to those who can speed up the proce...

Ask Amy: She sent me your advice column and told me I did something unacceptable

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

Dear Amy: My question is about calling someone out when they do something offensive.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: My sister asked these teens a question I found thoughtless Advice | Ask Amy: I was upset about what they were eating, and they laughed when I objected Advice | Ask Amy: My parents aren’t really fighting, but it makes my husband uncomfortable Advice | Ask Amy: Yes, I drink too much, but here’s why I won’t do AA Advice | Ask Amy: My wife’s family is horrible to me, and she pretends it’s not happening What would you say is a reasonable amount of time for this to be done?My friend “Shari” emailed me about a letter in your column. The letter was about the propriety of a friend taking a photo of someone while they were eating.In her email, Shari stated that she remembered me doing the same thing and told me to stop taking pictures of people without their permission...

Four-bedroom home in Pleasanton sells for $1.8 million

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

1959 Valdosta Court – Google Street ViewThe property located in the 1900 block of Valdosta Court in Pleasanton was sold on Sept. 22, 2023. The $1,800,000 purchase price works out to $999 per square foot. The house, built in 1975, has an interior space of 1,802 square feet. This single-story house presents a roomy floor plan, featuring four bedrooms and two baths. Outside, the home presents roofing composed of wood shake roofing / shingles materials. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. The property is equipped with forced air heating and central A/C. In addition, the home includes a garage.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:In April 2023, a 1,919-square-foot home on Morganfield Court in Pleasanton sold for $1,550,000, a price per square foot of $808. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,439-square-foot home on the 4100 block of Morganfield Court in Pleasanton sold in September 2022, for $1,571,500, a price per square foot of $1,092....

Harriette Cole: The trait that got me this far isn’t working anymore

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: As a perfectionist, I have always striven to do my best in school and in life. Now that I have entered the workforce, I am starting to realize that my perfectionist tendencies are causing undue stress at work.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I’m seeing a huge red flag in my new marriage Advice | Harriette Cole: I chose this job for the money, but now I dread going to the office Advice | Harriette Cole: All the doors were locked, but there she was in my kitchen Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m jealous of my friend’s magic pixie dust Advice | Harriette Cole: Is he just using this as an excuse not to marry me? Despite this, it is difficult for me to let go of the need to be perfect, as it has been a part of my identity for so long. I am wondering how I can learn to be OK with not being perfect and still feel satisfied with the work I do at the end of each day.— Pe...

Local Construction Firm for Secret U.S. Base in Israel Also Built an Illegal Settlement

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:39 GMT

The U.S. military’s recent $35 million contract to do construction at its secret base in Israel went to a joint venture that includes an American firm and an Israeli one. The Israeli company, Y.D. Ashush Infrastructure, has been involved in many large-scale infrastructure and public works projects — including building an illegal settlement in occupied Palestinian territory.In a section on its website touting its projects, Ashush mentions construction work in the settlement of Leshem. Originally planned to include nearly 700 homes, Leshem was constructed in the 2010s as a satellite of Alei Zahav, a settlement established in 1982. “I estimate that Leshem has tripled the number of settlers in Alei Zahav.”“Leshem is an Israeli settlement that was established in 2010, officially as a ‘neighborhood’ of an older settlement called Alei Zahav,” Dror Etkes — founder of Kerem Navot, an Israeli organization that monitors Israeli land policy in the West Bank — told The Intercept. Etkes said...