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WARWICK, R.I./May 25, 2018 (AP)(STLRealEstate.News) — Rhode Island home prices continue to rise as the number homes on the market declines.

The Rhode Island Association of Realtors said Friday that the median price of a single-family home in the state was up 10 percent in April when compared to the year-ago month, while there was a 9 percent drop in inventory year over year.

Realtors President Joe Luca says the lack of inventory is hindering sales but the supply of homes on the market has been rising since the beginning of the year.

Continue reading Sales of single-family homes down in April at STL.News.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Flinching when he heard himself described as a man who used power to prey on women, Harvey Weinstein was arraigned Friday on charges of rape and a criminal sex act in the first criminal prosecution to result from the wave of allegations against him that sparked a national reckoning over sexual misconduct.

Seven months after the allegations destroyed his career and catalyzed the #MeToo movement, the once-powerhouse movie producer turned himself in to face the charges, which stem from encounters with two of the dozens who have accused him of sexual misdeeds ranging from harassment to assault.

Continue reading NEW YORK | Weinstein faces sex charges in prosecution amid #MeToo at STL.News.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the sexual misconduct probe of film producer Harvey Weinstein (all times local):
11:25 a.m.

A woman who says Harvey Weinstein subjected her to unwanted groping and kissing in 1991 says she’s thrilled at his arrest Friday on sex charges involving two other women.

But Louise Godbold predicts the movie mogul will now “play hard and dirty.”

Godbold tells The Associated Press her cell phone lit up Friday with messages from other Weinstein accusers.

Continue reading NEW YORK | The Latest: ‘Elated’: Reaction from a Weinstein accuser at STL.News.

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MILWAUKEE (AP) — NBA player Sterling Brown says he tried to remain calm when Milwaukee police used a stun gun to take him down during his arrest for a parking violation.

In an interview aired on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Friday, the Milwaukee Bucks player says police pinned him down and held his hands behind his back then used a Taser on him outside a Walgreens store Jan. 26.

An officer approached Brown for illegal parking, called for backup and six squads responded.

Continue reading MILWAUKEE | Bucks player says he tried to stay calm during arrest at STL.News.

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BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Former tennis player Ilie Nastase was arrested twice in the space of six hours in his native Romania on Friday, first on suspicion of driving a car while drunk and refusing to take a breathalyzer test, and then for going through a red light on a scooter.

Nastase had a level of 0.55 mg of alcohol per liter of breath, Bucharest chief police traffic officer Victor Gilceava said, far enough over the legal limit to face a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Continue reading BUCHAREST, Romania | Still bad: 71-year-old Ilie Nastase arrested twice in a day at STL.News.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday warmly welcomed North Korea’s promising response to his abrupt withdrawal from the potentially historic Singapore summit and said “we’re talking to them now” about putting it back on track.

“Everybody plays games,” said Trump, who often boasts about his own negotiating tactics and skill.

The president, commenting as he left the White House for a commencement speech, said it was even possible the summit could take place on the originally planned June 12 date.

Continue reading WASHINGTON | Summit talk turns warmer; Trump says ‘talking to them now’ at STL.News.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday accused Democrats of “rooting against” upcoming nuclear talks with North Korea, and said his political opponents were trying to coddle gang members.

With the 2018 midterm elections on the horizon, Trump has gone out of his way to poke Democrats. On Friday, he lumped his grievances against them into a tweet:

“Democrats are so obviously rooting against us in our negotiations with North Korea.

Continue reading WASHINGTON | Trump accuses Dems of ‘rooting against’ NKorea talks at STL.News.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the sexual misconduct probe of film producer Harvey Weinstein (all times local):
10:40 a.m.

A lawyer representing one of Harvey Weinstein’s alleged victims called his arraignment on criminal charges “an emotional moment.”

Attorney Carrie Goldberg represents former actress Lucia Evans, who says Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex in his office in 2004.

Weinstein was charged Friday with attacking Evans and raping another, unidentified woman at a hotel in 2013.

Continue reading NEW YORK | The Latest: Weinstein attorney: He’ll be exonerated at STL.News.

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POMPANO BEACH, Fla./ May 25, 2018 (STLRealEstate.News) –“Big Price On Shaq’s Big Florida House”
Pro basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal has put his 28-room lakefront mansion near Orlando on the market at $28 million. A longtime Orlando-area resident shortly after he was the #1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic, Shaq played for the Magic from 1992 to 1996 before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers for $121 million. At the end of the contract he returned to Florida in 2004 to play for the Miami Heat, then played for several other teams before retiring in 2011.

Continue reading Top 10 Celebrity Real Estate News – Shaquille O’Neal’s Florida Mansion Is For Sale at STL.News.

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VATICAN CITY (AP) — In a story May 21 about the shortage of Catholic priests, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the number of Catholics rose from 1.27 million to 1.29 million between 2014 and 2015. The number of Catholics rose in that period from 1.27 billion to 1.29 billion, according to Vatican statistics.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Pope laments ‘hemorrhaging’ of priests and nuns in Europe
Pope Francis alarmed by “hemorrhaging” of priests and nuns seen in Europe

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis voiced alarm Monday at the “hemorrhaging” of nuns and priests in Italy and Europe, saying God only knows how many seminaries, monasteries, convents and churches will close because fewer people are being called to lives of religious service.

Continue reading VATICAN CITY | Correction: Vatican-Priest Shortage story at STL.News.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Energy companies and oil prices are sinking again Friday morning on reports OPEC countries plan to produce more oil soon. Overall U.S. stocks are slightly lower again as falling bond yields put pressure on banks, even as they help dividend-payers like household goods makers. Gap is tumbling after it had a weak first quarter as its namesake brand continued to struggle.

KEEPING SCORE: The S&P 500 index slid 8 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,719 as of 9:52 a.m.

Continue reading NEW YORK | Oil prices and energy companies keep falling; US stocks dip at STL.News.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein leaves court; his lawyer says sex assault charges aren’t supported by evidence.

By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC(R.A)

Continue reading NEW YORK | Harvey Weinstein leaves court; his lawyer says sex assault charges aren’t supported by evidence at STL.News.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein arraigned on rape, sex assault charges; will post $1 million bail and wear electronic monitor.

By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC(R.A)

Continue reading NEW YORK | Harvey Weinstein arraigned on rape, sex assault charges; will post $1 million bail and wear electronic monitor at STL.News.

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LONDON (AP) — London police have seized half a million pounds ($667,000) worth of bitcoin from a prolific computer hacker in a case described as the first of its kind for the 188-year-old department.

Cybercrime detectives seized the bitcoin from Grant West, 26, who was sentenced to 10 years and 8 months in prison Friday for attacking some 100 companies worldwide, largely using ‘phishing’ email scams to obtain the financial data.

Once he obtained the data, West would then sell the material to market places on the dark web and convert his profits into bitcoin.

Continue reading LONDON | London police seize bitcoin worth $667,000 from hacker at STL.News.

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MONACO (AP) — Women will make a return of sorts to the Formula One grid at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, although not in the previous “grid girls” role now discarded.

Instead of women standing in front of each car, holding up the driver’s race number, men and women representing watchmaker Tag Heuer will take photos of the drivers for social media purposes.

There will be a man and a woman for each driver and they will also report fans’ comments back to drivers.

Continue reading MONACO | Women back on the grid at Monaco GP, but in a different role at STL.News.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says the Fed’s independence from political pressure is key in enabling the central bank to fight inflation, stabilize the economy, and regulate the financial system.

His remarks Friday come after Kevin Warsh, a former Fed official who President Donald Trump interviewed for the chairman post, said in an interview earlier this month with Politico that Trump did not appear to view the Fed as an independent body.

Continue reading WASHINGTON | Fed Chair Powell stresses importance of an independent Fed at STL.News.

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LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts welcomed Kentaro Sonoura, Special Adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to the State Capitol. The meeting comes in advance of the 50th Annual Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference, which will be held in Omaha in September.

“Nebraska and Japan have a long tradition of building strong partnerships, which has created a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Governor Ricketts. “Our shared values underlie the success of these partnerships—family, hard work, and innovation. 

Continue reading NEBRASKA | Gov. Ricketts Hosts Special Adviser to Japan’s Prime Minister Abe at STL.News.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says the Fed’s independence from political pressure plays a key role in enabling the central bank to fight inflation, stabilize the economy, and regulate the financial system.

His remarks Friday come after Kevin Warsh, a former Fed official who President Donald Trump interviewed for the chairman post, said in an interview with Politico that Trump did not appear to view the Fed as an independent body.

Continue reading WASHINGTON | Fed Chair Powell highlights importance of independent Fed at STL.News.

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CHICAGO/ May 25, 2018 (STLRealEstate.News) — With over 10,000 people a day turning 65, Americans throughout the country are facing the need to change their living situations. Children have grown and gone and family homes are often too large and expensive to maintain. In other situations, a serious illness or even death of a spouse necessitates a move.

The CRTS™ course – Certified Relocation Transition Specialist – is a comprehensive 18 module course that systematically trains professionals to guide seniors through the process.

Continue reading NCBAC Announces New Enhancements for CRTS(tm) Course Aimed at Helping Seniors Downsize Their Homes at STL.News.

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BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — A car bombing on a busy street in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi early on Friday killed at least seven people, including a girl, and wounded 20, a security official said.

The blast, the latest to rock Libya’s second-largest city, took place on a commercial street full of people behind the city’s largest hotel, Tibesti, said Capt. Tarek Alkharraz, spokesman for the military and police forces in Benghazi.

Continue reading BENGHAZI, Libya | Libya: Car bombing near hotel in Benghazi kills 7 at STL.News.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein emerges from police station smiling, in handcuffs, taken to court to face rape and sex assault charges.

By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC(R.A)

Continue reading NEW YORK | Harvey Weinstein emerges from police station smiling, in handcuffs, taken to court to face rape and sex assault charges at STL.News.

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The state Department of Environmental Quality has extended the public comment periods for two draft consent orders that will establish agreements for Duke Energy to drain coal ash ponds more quickly at the company’s Buck, Belews Creek, Mayo and Roxboro facilities.  The consent orders will allow the utility to close out the impoundments earlier than the deadline that is required by the state Coal Ash Management Act.

Copies of the draft consent orders and related documents are available on the department’s website at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-permits/wastewater-branch/npdes-wastewater-permits. 

Continue reading NORTH CAROLINA | State extends public comment period for Duke Energy draft consent orders at STL.News.

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NEW YORK — Harvey Weinstein was arrested Friday on rape, criminal sex act and other charges from encounters with two women, police said Friday as the former movie mogul faced the first criminal case stemming from misconduct claims that scores of women made against him.

Seven months after the allegations destroyed his career and set off a national reckoning known as the #MeToo movement, Weinstein, 66, left a Manhattan police station in handcuffs, with a strained smile, to head to court for arraignment.

Continue reading NEW YORK | Harvey Weinstein arrested on rape, criminal sex act charges at STL.News.

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NEW YORK — The Latest on the sexual misconduct probe of film producer Harvey Weinstein (all times local):

8:45 a.m.

Harvey Weinstein has left a police station in handcuffs to head to court to face rape, criminal sex act and other charges.

The movie mogul had a strained smile on his face Friday as he headed to a black SUV to be driven to a Manhattan court. He had turned himself in at a police precinct earlier Friday.

Continue reading NEW YORK | The Latest: Weinstein heads to court in handcuffs at STL.News.

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WASHINGTON — Orders for long-lasting manufactured goods fell in April amid weaker demand for aircraft. But a key category that tracks business investment rose after sliding in March — a sign of health for American industry.

The Commerce Department says U.S. orders for durable goods — manufactured items from washing machines to battleships that are meant to last at least three years — fell 1.7 percent from March. The figure was pushed down by a 29 percent plunge in orders for civilian aircraft.

Continue reading WASHINGTON | US durable goods orders fell 1.7 percent in April at STL.News.

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed North Korea’s statement that it was still willing to meet despite his cancellation of the summit. He called the North’s reaction “warm and productive” and expressed hope for “long and enduring prosperity and peace.”

Trump tweeted Friday morning, a day after he withdrew from the June 12 summit. In a letter to North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, Trump had blamed “tremendous anger and open hostility” by Pyongyang, but held out hope that the meeting could happen.

Continue reading WASHINGTON | Trump welcomes NK ‘warm’ response to canceled summit at STL.News.

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NEW YORK  — Harvey Weinstein turned himself in to police Friday morning to face the first criminal charges to be filed against him after months of misconduct allegations from scores of women that destroyed his career and set off a national reckoning known as the #MeToo movement.

Weinstein, 66, stepped from a black SUV wearing a blazer and carrying books under his arm, and lumbered into a Manhattan police station before a crowd of news cameras.

Continue reading NEW YORK  | Harvey Weinstein turns himself in to face sex crime charges at STL.News.

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NEW ORLEANS/May 25, 2018 (AP)(STLRealEstate.News) — The city council in tourist-friendly New Orleans voted Thursday to halt the proliferation of one type of tourist housing: short-term rentals such as those facilitated by Airbnb and Homeaway.

Council member Kristin Palmer’s measure affects those who rent out entire homes for short-term visitors for as much as 90 days a year. It imposes a nine-month moratorium on licenses for such rentals — including renewals of existing annual licenses— while a study is made of the effects of short-term rentals.

Continue reading New Orleans council votes to halt some short-term rentals at STL.News.

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WASHINGTON — The Latest on President Donald Trump and North Korea (all times local):

8:23 a.m.

President Donald Trump says North Korea’s latest statement on nuclear talks is “good news” and that “we will soon see where it will lead.”

The North Korean government on Friday said it is still “willing to give the U.S. time and opportunities” to reconsider talks “at any time, at any format.” The statement was issued in response to Trump’s abrupt cancellation of the June summit between the two countries in the U.S.

Continue reading WASHINGTON  | The Latest: Trump says NKorea statement on talks ‘good news’ at STL.News.

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NEW YORK  — The Latest on the sexual misconduct probe of film producer Harvey Weinstein (all times local):

8:20 a.m.

A law enforcement official says Harvey Weinstein will face criminal sex act and rape charges in a New York court.

The official says the film producer will be charged with committing a criminal sex act in a 2004 encounter with an aspiring actress who told a magazine he forced her to perform oral sex.

Continue reading NEW YORK  | The Latest: AP source: Weinstein charges to include rape at STL.News.

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BUCHAREST, Romania  — Former tennis player Ilie Nastase was arrested twice in the space of six hours in his native Romania on Friday, first on suspicion of driving a car while drunk and refusing to take a breathalyzer test, and then for going through a red light on a scooter.

Nastase had a level of 0.55 mg of alcohol per liter, Bucharest chief police traffic officer Victor Gilceava said, an offense that carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Continue reading BUCHAREST, Romania  | Nastase arrested twice in a day, accused of drunken driving at STL.News.

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TORONTO  — An explosion caused by an “improvised explosive device” ripped through an Indian restaurant in a mall in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga, wounding 15 people, Canadian police said.

Police said Friday two suspects with their faces covered to conceal their identity entered the Bombay Bhel restaurant late Thursday, dropped the device and fled.

“There is no indication that this is a terrorism act. There is no indication that this is a hate crime at this time.

Continue reading TORONTO  | Explosion in Indian restaurant in Canada wounds 15 people at STL.News.

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DUBLIN  — It’s decision time in Ireland as citizens tackle one of the traditionally Roman Catholic country’s most divisive issues — whether to repeal a constitutional amendment that imposes a strict abortion ban.

Under sunny skies, voters throughout Ireland cast votes Friday in a bitterly contested referendum that may alter the country’s constitution and clear the way for the introduction of more lenient abortion laws.

The referendum will decide whether the eighth amendment of the constitution is repealed or stays in place.

Continue reading DUBLIN  | Decision time in Ireland as voters decide on abortion law at STL.News.

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NEW YORK  — Harvey Weinstein turned himself in to police Friday morning to face the first criminal charges to be filed against him after months of sexual abuse allegations from scores of women that destroyed his career and set off a national reckoning known as the #MeToo movement.

Weinstein, 66, stepped from a black SUV wearing a blazer and carrying books under his arm, and lumbered into a Manhattan police station before a crowd of news cameras.

Continue reading NEW YORK  | Harvey Weinstein arrives to surrender in sex assault probe at STL.News.

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DUBLIN  — The Latest on the abortion referendum in Ireland (all times local):

12:40 p.m.

A plane carrying Irish voters trying to return home to vote in the abortion referendum has collided with another plane on a taxiway at a London-area airport, delaying passengers but causing no injuries.

Ryanair says the winglet of a Primera plane traveling flight to Malaga clipped the tail of a stationary Dublin-bound Ryanair passenger plane at Stansted Airport, northeast of London.

Continue reading DUBLIN  | The Latest: Minor plane incident delays Irish voters at STL.News.

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LONDON  — The Latest on the European Union’s new data privacy law (all times local):

12:35 p.m.

A group that campaigns for data protection rights in Europe says it’s filed legal complaints against Google, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp over the way they obtain users’ consent under new EU privacy rules.

The group NOYB.EU — which stands for “none of your business” — claims its action could force the U.S.

Continue reading LONDON  | The Latest: Complaints vs Google, Facebook under new EU law at STL.News.

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WASHINGTON — Republican and Democratic lawmakers have gotten classified briefings about the origins of the FBI investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election, a highly unusual series of meetings prompted by partisan allegations that the bureau spied on Donald Trump’s campaign.

Democrats emerged from the meetings saying they saw no evidence to support Republican allegations that the FBI acted inappropriately, although they did express grave concern about the presence of a White House lawyer at Thursday’s briefings.

Continue reading WASHINGTON  | Dems alarmed when WH lawyer shows up at classified briefing at STL.News.

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NEW YORK  — The Latest on the sexual misconduct probe of film producer Harvey Weinstein (all times local):

7:27 a.m.

Harvey Weinstein has arrived at a police station in New York where he is expected to surrender himself to face criminal charges in a sexual assault probe.

Weinstein stepped from a black SUV and walked slowly into a Manhattan police station before a crowd of news cameras. He didn’t answer respond to shouts of his name.

Continue reading NEW YORK  | The Latest: Weinstein arrives to surrender in assault probe at STL.News.

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LONDON — The Latest on the European Union’s new data privacy law (all times local):

11:25 a.m.

The new data privacy law has some Europeans scratching their heads over what to do.

In Finland, the government says it has been contacted by households asking whether the law means they can no longer email invitations for a child’s birthday party.

The Finnish Justice Ministry’s Anu Talus told broadcaster YLE that the data privacy rules do not affect private households.

Continue reading LONDON  | The Latest: Some Europeans confused by scope of new data law at STL.News.

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LONDON — The Latest on the European Union’s new data privacy law (all times local):

10:55 a.m.

The Los Angeles is freezing readers in parts of Europe out of its website as new privacy rules come into force across the European Union.

Web users in Germany who visited the site Friday got a notice saying the L.A. Times is “engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to the EU market.”

It adds that the company is trying to “identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.”

No further details were provided.

Continue reading LONDON | The Latest: LA Times site offline in EU amid new data rules at STL.News.

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LOS ANGELES — Daniel Craig is back as Bond, the spy series’ producers confirmed, in a Danny Boyle-directed film due for release in 2019.

Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions announced Thursday that production on the 25th official James Bond thriller will begin in December at London’s Pinewood Studios.

Craig will reprise his role as 007 and Oscar-winner Boyle (“Trainspotting,” ”Slumdog Millionaire”) will direct from a screenplay by Boyle’s frequent collaborator John Hodge.

Continue reading LOS ANGELES | Daniel Craig to return as 007 in 2019, Danny Boyle at helm at STL.News.

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LONDON — Starting Friday, companies that collect or process the personal information of EU residents must comply with new rules that protect the privacy of people’s data.

The rollout of the General Data Protection Regulation has been welcomed but is also causing confusion.

Companies are trying to understand what level of protection different data needs, whether this could force them to change the way they do business and innovate, and how to manage the EU’s 28 national data regulators, who enforce the law.

Continue reading LONDON | Amid confusion, EU data privacy law goes into effect at STL.News.

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St Louis Weather Conditions, Forecast & Air Quality Index readings published by STL.News

ST LOUIS, MO – St Louis weather conditions & forecast readings from the St. Louis Lambert International Airport at 3:51 a.m at Latitude: 38.75°N, Longitude: 90.37°W – Elevation 604 feet. Forecast is provided by the National Weather Service (N.W.S.).

Current Conditions

Sky: MOSTLY CLOUDY
Temperature: 75°F – 24°C
Humidity: 66%
Wind Speed: S 6 mph
Barometer: 29.99 in (1014.2 MB)
Dew-point: 63°F – 17°C
Visibility: 10 Miles
Heat Index: N/A°F – N/A°C
Wind Chill: N/A°F – N/A°C
Heat Index: N/A°F – N/A°C

Extended Weather Forecast for the St Louis, Missouri area beginning May 25, 2018

Today: 40 percent chance of showers/ thunderstorms, mainly after 11 am, partly sunny – high near 87 with SW wind 3 to 6 mph.

Continue reading ST LOUIS WEATHER CONDITIONS & FORECAST, MAY 25, 2018 at STL.News.

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LONDON — A day after the Bank of England’s governor warned about the damaging consequences of a “disorderly” Brexit, official figures Friday confirmed that the British economy barely grew in the first three months of the year.

The Office for National Statistics said the economy expanded by a quarterly rate of just 0.1 percent amid weak household spending and business investment. Both have been held by factors directly related to the country’s vote to leave the European Union.

Continue reading LONDON | Amid mounting Brexit concerns, UK economy is barely growing at STL.News.

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HONG KONG — World stock markets were mixed Friday after North Korea issued a surprisingly restrained response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to cancel a planned summit.

KEEPING SCORE: European shares rose in early trading. Germany’s DAX rose 0.9 percent to 12,973.47 and France’s CAC 40 added 0.5 percent to 5,577.16. Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.4 percent to 7,745.00. Wall Street was poised to open higher. Dow futures added 0.3 percent to 24,865.00 and broader S&P 500 futures were up 0.2 percent to 2,732.90.

Continue reading HONG KONG | World stocks mixed as NKorea’s restraint eases concerns at STL.News.

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FRANKFURT, Germany — A closely watched survey of German business executives’ optimism was unchanged in May after five straight monthly drops, offering a hopeful sign that Europe’s economy is still growing strongly.

The Munich-based Ifo institute said Friday its index stayed at 102.2 points, the same as in April.

The 19-country euro currency union has seen a string of less than impressive economic data in the first three months of this year, after finishing 2017 strongly.

Continue reading FRANKFURT, Germany | German data suggest eurozone economy still on upward path at STL.News.

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Netherlands and Australia are holding Russia legally responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down over war-ravaged eastern Ukraine nearly four years ago, killing all 298 people on board.

The announcement Friday came a day after international investigators announced that the missile system that brought down the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight came from a Russia-based military unit.

Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok says that following that conclusion, “the government is now taking the next step by formally holding Russia accountable.”

Blok says that the Netherlands and Australia have “asked Russia to enter into talks aimed at finding a solution that would do justice to the tremendous suffering and damage caused by the downing of MH17.”

Russia denies involvement in the July 17, 2014, missile strike.

Continue reading THE HAGUE, Netherlands | Netherlands, Australia hold Russia liable for downing MH17 at STL.News.

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BANGKOK— Thai police have raided several factories near Bangkok that allegedly were processing illegally imported electronic waste in a sign that China’s crackdown on waste recycling is pushing such operations offshore.

Police and industry ministry officials said Friday that they were still investigating the case, which involves at least four factories in an industrial park in the outskirts of the capital and nearly 100 tons of electronic waste such as discarded computers, computer display screens and other items.

Continue reading BANGKOK | Thai police probe suspected illegal e-waste recycling at STL.News.

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BEIJING— A Chinese dissident who founded a website documenting rights abuses will be tried on June 20 for allegedly leaking state secrets, his lawyer said Friday.

Huang Qi was arrested in November 2016. His attorney, Liu Zhengqing, confirmed his trial date and said he was charged with “illegally providing state secrets abroad.”

Huang, 55, has been jailed twice before, including in 2008 after advocating for parents whose children were killed in a massive earthquake in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

Continue reading BEIJING | China sets trial for dissident who chronicled rights abuses at STL.News.

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NEW DELHI— Indian officials say an outbreak of a deadly virus has not spread but issued a series of warnings to people in stricken areas.

Press Trust of India news agency quoted an unidentified senior Health Ministry official saying a total of 12 people had died of Nipah virus since the outbreak began a few weeks ago in the southern state of Kerala.

Officials have issued a set of warnings to two parts of Kerala, including telling the public to avoid consuming partially eaten fruit from date palms and abandoned wells.

Continue reading NEW DELHI | Officials: Deadly Nipah virus has not spread in south India at STL.News.

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