The United States opened a new air defense base in northern Poland on Wednesday, an event the European nation's president said showed the country was secure as a member of NATO even as Russia wages war in neighboring Ukraine.  Situated in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, the base has been in the works since the 2000s.   At a time when Donald Trump's election victory has caused jitters among some NATO members, Warsaw says the continued work on the base by successive U.S. presidents shows Poland's military alliance with Washington remains solid whoever is in the White House.  "The United States... is the guarantor of Poland's security," President Andrzej Duda said.  He said the permanent presence of U.S. troops at the base showed that Poland, a communist state until 1989, was "not in the Russian sphere of influence."  The Kremlin on Wednesday called the base a bid to contain Russia by moving American military infrastructure nearer its borders.  The opening comes amid a nervous reaction among some NATO members to the election of Trump, who has vowed not to defend countries that do not spend enough on defense.   However, Poland says it should have nothing to fear as it is the alliance's biggest spender on defense relative to the size of its economy, and conservative Duda has stressed his warm ties with Trump.  The U.S. base at Redzikowo is part of a broader NATO missile shield, dubbed "Aegis Ashore," which the alliance says can intercept short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.  Other key shield elements include a site in Romania, U.S. navy destroyers based in the Spanish port of Rota and an early-warning radar in Kurecik, Turkey.  Moscow had already labeled the base a threat as far back as 2007, when it was still being planned.   NATO says the shield is purely defensive.  Military sources told Reuters the system in Poland can now only be used against missiles fired from the Middle East and the radar would need a change in direction to intercept projectiles from Russia, a complex procedure entailing a change of policy.  Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Monday the scope of the shield needed to be expanded, which Warsaw would discuss with NATO and the United States.  NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw later on Wednesday. 

brussels — As China and Peru prepare to sign an updated free-trade agreement at this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to inaugurate a Chinese-financed mega port in Peru, known as Chancay, while attending the APEC meetings. China promotes the Chancay port on Latin America's Pacific coast as a key hub to boost trade connectivity with South America. The plan includes using infrastructure projects to link Chancay, reducing shipping times for goods. A senior U.S. official downplayed the port’s implications for the United States, stating that it does not complicate U.S. relationships in the region and that it is natural for Latin American countries to have diverse trade and investment partnerships beyond the U.S. Matt Murray, the U.S. senior official for APEC, spoke to VOA on Wednesday from Lima, Peru, outlining the U.S. agenda for this year’s APEC meetings. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. VOA: Could you unpack for us the agenda of APEC 2024? Matt Murray, U.S. senior official for APEC: APEC, as you know, is a multilateral forum with 21 member economies that account for half of global trade and 60% of global GDP. Each year, APEC is hosted by a different member economy. The United States was delighted to host in 2023, and this year, the forum has moved to Peru for 2024. APEC always focuses on three key areas: trade and investment, innovation and digitalization, and sustainable, strong, secure, inclusive and balanced growth. Peru has continued these priorities by bringing APEC economies together to discuss these issues and make progress on specific initiatives, including a renewed focus on sustainability. This year, during the energy ministerial meeting in August, Peru launched the Just Energy Transition Initiative within APEC. They have also supported new programming, focused on curbing food loss and waste in the region, which is crucial for the sustainability of our agricultural sectors. VOA: Chinese President Xi Jinping will sign an updated free-trade agreement with Peru and inaugurate a new mega port north of Lima, called Chancay. Can you talk about the implications for the United States? Murray: I think we expect countries, including APEC economies like Peru, to engage in trade and investment relationships with a variety of partners, including the People’s Republic of China. As President Xi arrives in Lima, attention will be given to areas where China has invested in Peru, as well as the trade and investment ties between the two countries. However, from the U.S. perspective, our primary focus is on our own relationship with Peru and with Latin America, particularly in terms of trade, investment and broader engagement. I don’t necessarily see this as complicating our relationship in the region. We view it as a natural part of business that Latin American countries will have diverse trade and investment partners. VOA: Given President-elect Donald Trump's stance on tariffs and the potential withdrawal from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and with several IPEF members also part of APEC, how might the U.S. reassure global leaders about its commitment to deepening economic ties with other nations? Murray: Since 1989, both Democratic and Republican U.S. administrations have engaged with APEC. We view it as an opportunity to engage a wide range of partners in a consensus-based, nonbinding way. One of the key ways we reassure leaders is simply by showing up. This week, we’re showing up in a big way. The best way to demonstrate our commitment to deepening economic ties with the region is by having the president, secretary of state and U.S. trade representative all come to Lima to participate in APEC Economic Leaders Week. That, I think, demonstrates leadership and our willingness to continue engaging. VOA: What does the future look like for APEP, or Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, an economic initiative for Latin America, and IPEF? Murray: I don't think I can speculate on the future of these particular arrangements. As you know, this is part of our democracy. We have administrations in power that transition to new ones, which may make different or sometimes similar decisions. There are, in fact, areas where we've seen continuity from the Obama administration to the Trump administration and then to the Biden administration, and there may continue to be such continuity. So, I don’t think it's possible to speculate on any one particular issue.

[Dabanga] Adré / El Fasher -- The World Food Programme (WFP) has appealed to Sudan to keep the Adré border crossing open, as a convoy carrying crucial humanitarian aid heads toward the Zamzam camp for displaced people in North Darfur, where famine was confirmed earlier this year.

Zendaya got candid on how she feels working with her beau Tom Holland.While joining the star-studded lineup on the cover of Vanity Fair’s 31st Annual Hollywood Issue, the actress shared about the “chemistry” she has with Holland when the couple is working together.When asked if...

LONDON — UK's King Charles will celebrate his 76th birthday on Thursday (Nov 14) by opening two food distribution hubs which are part of his project designed to cut waste and support charities that help those who are hungry. Last year, the king, an outspoken campaigner on environmental issues and supporter of a sustainable economy, launched the 'Coronation Food Project', his mission to 'bridge the gap between food waste and food need'. On Thursday, the monarch will open the initiative's first two food hubs — distribution centres which are designed to save and circulate tonnes of surplus food. He will visit one of the hubs in south London which will host a 'surplus food festival' making meals created from food which would have gone to waste, as well as virtually opening the other site in northern England. Their aim is to make it easier for food charities such as FareShare and the Felix Project to provide support for those in need, Buckingham palace said. It said since the launch of the scheme, the project had helped save an additional 940 tonnes of surplus food which was to the equivalent of more than 2.2 million meal portions.

President-elect Trump meets President Biden in the Oval Office.

Pharmacists in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to reduce opening hours and stop home deliveries.

25hours Hotel The Oddbird throws open its doors to all daydreamers, night owls and urban nomads looking for something different in the urban jungle of Jakarta on 22 November 2024. Well-connected in the heart of the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) within District 8, 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird rises 38 stories above Ashta Mall in the charming Senopati district, a neighborhood that - despite the city’s reputation - can be easily explored by foot. The hotel offers 210 rooms, 135 residences for longer stays, eleven creative lounges, one ballroom and an outdoor pool with spa. Five restaurants and bars will gradually complete the property. For the design, 25hours has teamed up with the interior design studio 1508’ Singapore Studio, which creates extraordinary places worldwide. With 25hours Hotel The Oddbird, 25hours brings its own spirit and ’come as you are’ philosophy to Asia in the rapidly developing and vibrant city of Jakarta. It is place for those who live life on thei...

Tharaldson Hospitality Management proudly announces the grand opening of their 88th hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Porter Ranch Los Angeles. This milestone marks another significant achievement in THM’s continued expansion and commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences. Located in the vibrant and rapidly growing area of Porter Ranch, CA, the new Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton boasts 100 modern and beautifully designed guest rooms, providing visitors with the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Guests can enjoy premium amenities, including complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a refreshing outdoor pool. The opening of this new hotel comes thanks to the hard work and dedication of the entire THM team, who have worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless and successful launch. THM extends sincere gratitude to every team member for their unwavering commitment and efforts. The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Porter Ranch Lo...

Acclaimed San Diego hospitality group CH Projects today announces its second hotel, Baby Grand, opening in early 2025. Situated across from the iconic Hotel Del Coronado in the town center on Orange Avenue, the hotel will be the first design hotel of its kind in two decades in the popular Southern California destination. The $17 million project by award-winning Brooklyn design firm Post Company will feature 31 keys and three new restaurant concepts. The design will thematically reference the area’s coastal setting paired with CH Projects’ signature maximalism, striving to progress the social landscape of San Diego’s distinctive neighborhoods and cultures. CH Projects is behind some of the city’s most acclaimed restaurant and bar destinations, including Morning Glory, Youngblood, Born & Raised and more, as well as the trailblazing Lafayette Hotel and Club, the team’s first hotel project in North Park. "Coronado is such a unique element of San Diego’s layered persona. We wanted to creat...

Radisson Hotel Group is pleased to announce the opening of its second hotel in Kuwait - Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Apartments Kuwait. The new hotel is located in the bustling Mahboula district, just south of Kuwait City, and offers easy access to key locations, including the Warehouse Mall and Kuwait Towers. The hotel is conveniently situated 30 minutes from Kuwait International Airport, with the famous Al Kout Mall only a 10-minute drive away. Kuwait has a dynamic blend of rich history and modern development, offering visitors a unique cultural experience. From the traditional charm of Souq Al-Mubarakiya to the architectural marvel of Kuwait Towers, the city effortlessly merges its heritage with contemporary advancements. Visitors can explore the vibrant cityscape, indulge in world-class shopping at The Avenues Mall, or experience the tranquility of the Arabian Gulf coastline. The country’s strategic location at the crossroads of global business makes it a key destination for corpo...

Radisson Hotel Group proudly announces the opening of Radisson Hotel Mersin, a dynamic addition to the Group’s portfolio in the vibrant port city of Mersin. As one of Türkiye’s leading trade hubs, with a bustling commercial life and prominent port, Mersin provides an ideal setting for both business and leisure travelers. This development marks another step in the Group’s commitment to expanding its presence in Türkiye, bringing it closer to the goal of reaching 100 hotels by 2030. Mersin, located on the Mediterranean coast, is home to one of Türkiye’s largest ports and a key tourism hub. With its rich history and stunning coastline, the city offers a blend of heritage, culture, and natural beauty. Visitors can explore landmarks like Mersin Marina, Tarsus Waterfall, the Heaven and Hell Caves, and the Archaeology Museum. The city’s vibrant arts scene is highlighted by the Mersin State Opera and Ballet, the Mersin International Music Festival, and the Orange Blossom Carnival, offering di...

Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) and Artisan Hospitality, a joint venture led by a subsidiary of Singapore’s Oxley Holdings, are proud to announce the planned opening of The Langham, Kuala Lumpur in 2027. Part of the Oxley Towers KLCC complex, a premium property development situated in the prestigious Golden Triangle neighbourhood of the Malaysian capital’s central business district, the hotel will occupy the upper half of a lustrous new structure that boasts stunning cityscape views and seamless access to Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park, numerous shopping malls and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The project is the second Southeast Asia hotel to be announced by LHG this year, coming hot on the heels of recently publicised plans for The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok. The two properties will join the group’s multi-award-winning branch of The Langham in Jakarta, taking to three its footprint in a region fast shaping up to be a key source of growth. The Langham, Kuala Lumpur will house ...

Le Petit Pali, the newest addition to Avi Brosh’s Palisociety portfolio, has expanded its bespoke footprint with the debut of its third signature hotel, Le Petit Pali Brentwood, a reimagination of the former Brentwood Inn (née Brentwood Motor Hotel in 1947), a storied motor lodge and well-recognized westside property in Los Angeles. Le Petit Pali, which debuted with two signature hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California in July 2023, is a bespoke bed & breakfast concept from Brosh and team, rooted in unique and distinct details, beautiful and comfortable interiors, and exceptional locations for today’s well-traveled and discerning guest. Sitting on a winding stretch of Sunset Boulevard, just west of The Getty Center and slightly north of the bustling and charming enclave of Brentwood Village, Le Petit Pali Brentwood is a 25-room hotel completely reimagined by Brosh and the Palisociety in-house design team. The exterior is anchored by a classic center court layout with four guest room b...

Sensex was trading at 78,260 after slipping 414 points and Nifty was trading at 23,706 after dropping 167 points.

1. Mendis, Fernando and spinners star as Sri Lanka clinch rain-affected ODI opener  Cricbuzz
2. Sri Lanka beat NZ to go 1-0 up  DAWN.com
3. Kusal Mendis 143 and Avishka Fernando 100 put Sri Lanka 1-0 up  ESPNcricinfo
4. Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Highlights: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 45 runs (DLS method)  Mint
5. Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st ODI Highlights: SL beat NZ by 45 runs via DLS method  The Times of India

The number of skilled Indian workers in Germany has increased to 1.3 lakh from 23,000 a decade ago

The Broncos designated wide receiver Josh Reynolds for return from injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.

Decision to open new counters taken following reports of devotees experiencing discomfort in queue at the previous counter, particularly during inclement weather, says TTD Additional EO

The company will consider spreading wings to one more such location, in addition to Mahbubnagar where it has about 350 employees

The Jharkhand opener exhibits ample patience and a tight defence

The stock listed at ₹420 on India's National Stock Exchange, compared to its issue price of ₹390

The opener exhibits ample patience and a tight defence as Jharkhand reached 136 for three in the 55 overs that were possible after the start of play was delayed by two hours

CEO Bruch emphasises India’s value, yet exit remains a possibility

His return comes after a series of departures at OpenAI, including its former Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati

The BSE Sensex fell 189.68 points or 0.24 per cent to 78,485.50, while the NSE Nifty declined 98 points or 0.41 per cent to 23,785.45 in early trade

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu sailed into the pre-quarterfinals but Lakshya Sen made an opening-round exit from the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 tournament in Kumamoto, Japan on Wednesday.

Kanguva is set to take third biggest opening in Tamil Nadu this year after Thalapathy Vijay's The Greatest of All Time and Rajinikanth's Vettaiyan.

'People should realise he is an impact player, like Virender Sehwag.'

Two-and-a-half months ago Einar Vollset and I announced TinySeed, the first startup accelerator designed for bootstrappers. The response was overwhelming. Hundreds and hundreds of tweets, re-tweets, likes, Hacker News upvotes, email responses…it was immediately obvious that there is pent up demand for this kind of alternative early-stage startup funding. Previously On..TinySeed To catch you up, here’s a briefRead More →

The post TinySeed Applications Open January 18th first appeared on Rob Walling - Serial Entrepreneur.

Fr. Barnabas opens the lines on this episode for calls, chat room questions, and emails on matters of Faith, Fasting, and the Theotokos.

A lively program tonight on a variety of subjects including "once saved, always saved", Syrian refugees, Catholics considering Orthodoxy, and a Baptist Pastor call! Well worth 90 minutes of your time!

Fr. Barnabas opens the lines for listener questions and takes calls about "conjugal friendships", the end times, the seven deadly sins, and more. He also talks about the recent research on evangelism in the Orthodox Church commissioned by the Assembly of Bishops.

Fr. Barnabas Powell went solo on this episode and opened up the phones for any comments or questions. Nine calls later the 90 minute show came to a conclusion. Lot's of interesting topics discussed!

Kabanov, P. Journal of the Geological Society vol. 177, 2020 p. 231, https://doi.org/10.1144/jgs2019-205
<a href="https://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/images/geoscan/20190636.jpg"><img src="https://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/images/geoscan/20190636.jpg" title="Journal of the Geological Society vol. 177, 2020 p. 231, https://doi.org/10.1144/jgs2019-205" height="150" border="1" /></a>

Italian pop songs immediately establish the mood at Gusto Mio, a new focacceria in downtown Walnut Creek. The emotionalism of the music is briefly transportive. With each slice of pizza or sandwich, a customer can dream of being elsewhere—in a remote Italian village, perhaps, where one’s biggest concern is the flavor of baked goods and […]

Gabriella Arnold competed in the Kentucky Open Road racing series 3rd race in Ewing, Kentucky. Arnold, competing in the women’s pro race finished 8th crossing the line in a time of 2:07:24. Related Stories Cyclists Head To Guyana For Championships National Criterium Championships Results Arnold And Narraway Compete In Brazil White & Narraway Continue In […]

The Women’s and Men’s National Volleyball Teams are gearing up for the US Open Volleyball Championships in Columbus, Ohio, on May 23rd. A spokesperson said, “The Women’s and Men’s National Volleyball Teams are travelling to Columbus, Ohio to compete in the US Open Volleyball Championships on Thursday, May 23rd. The championships are being held in […]

The women’s and men’s national volleyball Teams continued competing in the US Open Volleyball Championships in Columbus, Ohio. The women fell in all three matches in the gold/silver rounds. The Bermuda women were defeated 25-10, 25-16, to the Buffa-hoes, they would then fall 25-9, 25-18 to the Elite Titans, and the final defeat came at […]

1. Philippe Gilbert reageert misnoegd na mislopen job als wielerbondscoach: “De vacature stond nooit open”  Het Nieuwsblad
2. Philippe Gilbert hekelt interne afspraken bij wielerbond: "Heb nooit kunnen solliciteren"  sporza.be
3. Serge Pauwels en Angelo De Clercq volgen Sven Vanthourenhout op als nieuwe bondscoaches: “Ik ben enorm vereerd”  Het Nieuwsblad
4. "De vacature stond nooit open": Philippe Gilbert misnoegd nadat niet hij, maar Serge Pauwels aangesteld wordt als bondscoach  Het Laatste Nieuws
5. Belgian Cycling kiest Angelo De Clercq als nieuwe bondscoach veldrijden  Wielerflits

1. "Belangrijk om hém af te stoppen": Roeselare houdt in CL-opener vooral een Belg in de gaten  sporza.be
2. LIVESTREAM: Tiebreak! Milaan zit helemaal in de wedstrijd en sleept vijfsetter uit de brand tegen Roeselare  sporza.be
3. Stijn D’Hulst kijkt enorm uit naar Europese opener van Knack Roeselare in Milaan: “Met één punt zullen we het goed gedaan hebben”  Het Nieuwsblad
4. LIVESTREAM: Milaan knokt zich in de wedstrijd, Roeselare incasseert ace op setbal voor 1-2  sporza.be

1. Kosten energie-eiland in Noordzee lopen op tot 630 miljoen euro per jaar  De Tijd
2. Prijsstijging energie-eiland voor kust kan huishoudens jaarlijks "20 euro" extra kosten  VRT.be
3. Kamerleden willen uitstel van miljardencontract voor energie-eiland  De Standaard
4. Kamerleden willen uitstel voor toewijzing duur contract energie-eiland  Knack.be
5. Van der Straeten: “Voorbarig om stekker uit energie-eiland te trekken”  Gazet van Antwerpen