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☆ I'm a college student studying abroad. I'm shocked at how many luxury trips my classmates take.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Katherine Borsting | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I was excited to study abroad in Florence and to take small, cheap trips while abroad. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAs a third-year college student attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins, I jumped at the chance to study abroad. I knew studying abroad was a privilege before getting here, but "a weekend in Dubai" was not what I expected. Traveling while studying abroad is a competitive sport with a large price tag that no one told me to train for.

Persons: I'm, —, hasn't, I've Organizations: Service, Colorado State University, Ryanair Locations: Florence, Dubai, Fort Collins, Italy, Morocco, Prague, Instagram, Copenhagen

☆ Nelly Korda wins third straight LGPA title, claims Ford Championship in Arizona
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

1 Nelly Korda won her 11th career title on Sunday and claimed her third LPGA victory in a row, winning the Ford Championship at Seville Golf and Country Club. Despite starting the day two shots off the lead, Korda expressed afterwards that she felt it was a comfortable victory. I’m very, very pleased with how I played today in the tough conditions.”Korda won the LPGA Drive On Championship in January before taking a seven-week break. She made a winning return at the Seri Pak Championship in California on March 24 before taking before taking victory at this past weekend’s inaugural edition of the Ford Championship. “I would say the reset that I had after [the LPGA Drive On Championship] really, really helped me.

Persons: Nelly Korda, Hira Naveed, Korda, ”, “, ” Korda, Christian Petersen, Nancy Lopez, Yani Tseng, JoAnne Carner, “ I’m, I’ve, Naveed, ” Naveed, Nelly, it’s Organizations: CNN, Ford, Seville, Country Club, Seri Pak Locations: Gilbert , Arizona, California, American, Prague

☆ Slovaks Vote in Presidential Election That Might Bolster PM Fico
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

(Reuters) - Slovaks vote in a presidential election on Saturday that could strengthen Prime Minister Robert Fico's grip on power as he seeks more control over public media, softer anti-corruption laws and a dissenting voice to EU support for Ukraine. Polls are open in the first round of voting from 7:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) until 10:00 p.m. (2100 GMT). A run-off between the top two candidates is due on April 6 if no one wins a majority this weekend. Pellegrini, a former prime minister and member of Fico's leftist, ruling SMER party and now the head of junior coalition partner HLAS, is hoping to duplicate that success. Caputova won the last presidential election in 2019, riding an anti-corruption wave aimed at Fico's party, which was in power then.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Fico's, Peter Pellegrini, Zuzana Caputova, Fico, Pellegrini, HLAS, Ivan Korcok, Caputova, Korcok, Jason Hovet, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Reuters, Ukraine, EU, Constitutional, RTVS Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, Kyiv, Prague

☆ Mo Salah sets Liverpool goalscoring record in team’s stunning 11-2 aggregate victory over Sparta Prague
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —As bad days at the office go, it’s unlikely Sparta Prague will have endured many worse than on Thursday. Things did get slightly better for Sparta – albeit very briefly – as Veljko Birmančević reduced the aggregate deficit to seven goals when he scored just before half-time to make it 4-1 on the night. “We were really, really after them, at them – however you want to call it – and scored wonderful goals. “A long time in my life, I obviously worked for a smaller club – not that Sparta are a small club – but I worked in Germany for a smaller club with Mainz. You can win games, but you need a little bit of help from the opponent – we didn’t give any help [tonight].

Persons: Darwin Nuñez, Bobby Clark, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Birmančević, Liverpool wasn’t, Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, “, ” Klopp, –, ”, Klopp, Salah, ” “ I’ve, Peter Byrne, Brian Priske Organizations: CNN, Europa, Anfield, Liverpool, Sparta, Sparta ”, Press Association Locations: it’s, Sparta Prague, Sparta, Germany, Mainz

It was a private dinner in a Parisian garden on the Boulevard St. Germain, meant to cement the important personal relationship between the leaders of France and Germany. Barely disguised insults between them in recent days have pointed to deeper differences over Ukraine, how to confront and contain an aggressive Russia and how to manage an increasingly polarized United States. This week, while visiting Prague, Mr. Macron repeated his refusal to rule out Western troops in Ukraine, a suggestion that surprised his allies who want to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia. Germany, especially, pushed back. Mr. Macron replied in kind.

Persons: Germain, Olaf Scholz, “, Emmanuel Macron muttered, Macron Locations: France, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Prague

☆ Automation helps insulate Rohlik from a bruising 2023 for the grocery delivery sector
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewInvestors couldn't get enough of grocery delivery startups during the pandemic. Rohlik is on a pathway to profitability and has broken even in several key cities, CEO Tomas Cupr told Business Insider. Advertisement"The online grocery industry didn't have the best year in 2023, but we're still growing, which is super positive," Cupr told BI. At least 19 grocery delivery startups were operating across Europe at the height of the market. "The grocery delivery market remains a challenging area in Europe.

Persons: —, Tomas Cupr, Cupr, we've, Turkey's, Germany's, Nalin Patel, Jan Hammer Organizations: Service, Venture, Business, Ventures Locations: Europe, Prague, Czechia, Hungary, Munich, London, Paris, Budapest, Vienna, Istanbul, New York

☆ Scientists use cosmic rays to date earliest evidence of humans in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Archaeologists have recovered 90,000 stone tools from the site, which lies close to Ukraine’s southwestern border with Hungary and Romania. Some 90,000 stone tools made by early humans have been found at the site but no human fossils. Garba‘s colleagues measured two nuclides, aluminum-26 and beryllium-10, found in quartz grains from seven pebbles discovered in the same layer as the stone tools. The earliest human fossils unearthed in Europe are from the Atapuerca site in Spain and date back 1.1 million years, according to the study. Korolevo would have been appealing to ancient humans because it’s near the Tisza River, which leads to the Danube, and there was a readily available source of hard rock to knap stone tools, Garba said.

Persons: Roman Garba, ”, “, ” Garba, Garba, It’s, Briana Pobiner, wasn’t, hominins Organizations: CNN, Czech Academy of Sciences, Archaeological Institute, NAS, Smithsonian National Museum of Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Prague, Hungary, Romania, Africa, Spain, Georgia, Dmanisi, Washington , DC, hominins

☆ Don't want Russia to successfully invade your country? Then do this.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Even though Russia may dwarf a small state, that doesn't guarantee a successful airport seizure. AdvertisementHere's some advice for nations who don't want Russian troops as uninvited guests: Guard your airport. However, other Russian airport takedowns have been largely successful. Stringer points to a special airport defense regiment that Switzerland stationed at Zurich Airport during the Cold War, as a good model. "Understanding and delineating the sequence of events Russia has historically used to initiate a coup and devising countermeasures to thwart these actions may prove critical in defending against the next Russian invasion."

Persons: —, Russia's, Kevin Stringer, Heather Gregg, Stringer, Hafizullah Amin, Amin, playbook, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Guard, Kremlin, West, Institute ., Air, US Army, Russian, Spetznaz, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Rapid, Brigade, National Guard, Antonov, Zurich Airport, United States, 75th Ranger Regiment, Air Force, CIA, Hostomel, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Hostomel, Russia, Kyiv's Hostomel, Ukraine, Institute . Moscow, Prague, Kabul, Sevastopol, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Warsaw, Czechoslovakia, Baltic States, Moldova, Georgia, Russian, Switzerland, Zurich, Europe, Finland, Sweden, Forbes

☆ Liverpool: These three teenagers have inspired the club this week. The trio’s fathers were all professional soccer stars
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

With the English Premier League club vying to win an historic quadruple this season, and with injuries ravaging the senior squad, manager Jurgen Klopp has turned to the club’s famed academy for help. And while Danns and Koumas got on the scoresheet, 19-year-old Bobby Clark produced an assist for the latter. Jon Super/APHis father, former Premier League player Neil Danns, was at Anfield to watch his son score his first two goals for the senior side. Bobby Clark, perhaps the standout star from this latest crop of players, talking with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Inglethorpe recently spoke to Liverpool Jamie Carragher about the demands and expectations set for youngsters coming through the ranks at the Premier League club, and it’s clear that character means just as much as talent.

Persons: Jurgen Klopp, they’ve, –, Lewis Koumas, Jayden Danns –, Koumas, Danns, Liverpool –, ”, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Kaide Gordon, Trey Nyoni, Nyoni, it’s, Clark, Jayden Danns, Jon Super, Neil Danns, I’m, ” Danns, “, ” Lewis Koumas, Jason Koumas, Liverpool’s, Jayden, Richard Jolly, Peter Byrne, Lee Clark, “ I’d, ” Clark, Justin Setterfield, Alex Inglethorpe, Inglethorpe, Liverpool Jamie Carragher, Klopp, ” Inglethorpe, Carragher Organizations: CNN, English Premier League, hasn’t, Liverpool, Southampton, FA, Premier League, Anfield, Wembley, Chelsea, Tranmere, Athletic, Wales, Wigan, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle, Fulham, Premier League club, Manchester United, Sparta Prague, Europa League Locations: Anfield, Newcastle, Sudan, Oman, Liverpool, The Telegraph

☆ I've lived in 7 different countries. Here are 11 things that surprised me about living all around the world.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Nasha Smith | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Since then, I've lived in places like Wales, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, and Greece. But I loved immersing myself in new cultures, forming close friendships, and discovering new delicacies in every possible city. I felt knowledgeable about my destinations from my education, books, and television, but you never truly know a country until you've lived like a local. Here are 11 things that surprised me during my travels. AdvertisementLiving in Spain can require a lot of paperworkSome parts of Spain still embrace the tradition of siesta.

Persons: —, Lucia, I've, you've, Shutterstock There's, Lucian, Nasha Smith, haven't, St, Nasha Smith Kentucky Fried Organizations: Service, Business, siesta, KFC, Barbados, Rihanna Locations: St, Wales, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Greece, Prague, Crocetta del, Venice, Bologna, Texas, New York, Kansas , Mississippi, Tennessee, Europe, Caribbean, Olympia, Skafidia, Barcelona, Llobregat, Barcelona's, Nasha Smith Kentucky, Asia, New Zealand, Detroit , Louisiana, Central Europe, Czech

☆ FTC fines cybersecurity company Avast $16.5 million for tracking and selling user data
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cybersecurity software company Avast faces a $16.5 million fine from the Federal Trade Commission after the agency filed a complaint Wednesday accusing the company of selling consumer data to third parties. The FTC says Avast, a firm that promises to protect consumer data from online tracking, has done the opposite, collecting and selling user browsing data without knowledge or consent while simultaneously misleading users. Furthermore, the FTC says Avast told users it would only share information in “anonymous and aggregate form,” though this was not the case. “Because it is intrinsically sensitive, browsing data warrants heightened protection.”The FTC says Avast sold data to a range of over 100 clients, including consulting firms, advertising companies and data brokers. On top of the multi-million dollar fine, Avast is being hit with a ban from the FTC to prohibit the company from selling or licensing data for advertising purposes.

Persons: Avast, Lina Khan, “, ” Khan, “ Avast, ” Samuel Levine, ” Avast Organizations: CNN, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Soviet Bloc, Gen Digital, Avast, Consumer Protection Locations: Czechoslovakia, Tempe , Arizona, Prague, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Czech, FTC’s

☆ Prague, Budapest Hold up EU Move to Sanction Violent Israeli Settlers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in December he would propose similar measures. The EU has not spelled out what the sanctions would entail but officials have said they would include bans on travel to the EU. The EU has already imposed sanctions on Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks and diplomats say more are in the pipeline. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday now was "definitely not the time" to sanction Israeli settlers, state news agency MTI reported. (Additonal reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague and Boldizsar Gyori in Budapest; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Persons: Andrew Gray, John Irish, Josep Borrell, Israel, Peter Szijjarto, MTI, Jan Lipavsky, Jan Lopatka, Boldizsar, Nick Macfie Organizations: West Bank, West Bank ., EU Locations: John Irish BRUSSELS, PARIS, EU, Hungary, Czech Republic, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, United States, Britain, Budapest, Czech, France, Prague

☆ Slovakia Approves Criminal Law Reforms That Sparked Protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The government said the changes modernise the criminal code by lowering long prison terms and preferring alternative punishments. President Zuzana Caputova immediately signalled she would try to stop the changes, possibly through a veto or a court challenge. The law was a "monstrous amnesty" for that circle, said deputy Michal Sipos from the opposition Slovensko party. An EU official said on Thursday the commission's concerns remained, which could possibly lead to legal action and budgetary consequences. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague; additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

Persons: Robert Fico, SMER, Tibor Gaspar, Zuzana Caputova, Michal Sipos, Jan Lopatka, Gabriela Baczynska, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Reuters, European Commission, European, Slovak, EU Locations: Poland, Hungary, Prague, Brussels

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s central bank cut its key interest rate for the second straight time Thursday in an effort to help the struggling economy. The cut by a half-percentage point brought the interest rate down to 6.25%. Photos You Should See View All 15 ImagesThe Czech bank's decision comes as major central banks around the world are discussing when to start bringing down borrowing costs. The European Central Bank left its benchmark rate unchanged at a record-high 4% on Jan. 25, saying it was premature to discuss cuts. Last week, the U.S. Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate steady, indicating that it needed to see more evidence that inflation is truly in check before making cuts.

Organizations: Czech Statistics Office, European Central Bank, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of England Locations: PRAGUE, Czech

☆ Ukraine’s railways are still running after two years of war. Here’s how
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Ben Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Ukraine’s rail network, known as Ukrzaliznytsia or UZ for short, has always been a source of pride and practicality in the eastern European nation, even before the war. ‘Constant threat’Ukraine's rail network, known as Ukrzaliznytsia or UZ for short, has always been a source of pride and practicality in the eastern European nation. UZ says a further $9 billlon is likely required to repair and modernize the existing UZ network, which at 19,700 kilometers is one of the world’s longest. “Our responsibility is to be a stable partner.”Indeed, despite the war, UZ says it has repaired and renewed 289 kilometers of track in 2023, rebuilt 15 bridges, built 528 new freight cars and repaired around 9,000 others. Britain’s Network Rail and Swiss Federal Railways are providing engineering support to help rebuild damaged infrastructure, while the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force (GURTF) was established in 2022 to raise funds to support Ukrainian rail workers and their families.

Persons: UZ, – UZ, ”, Jeff J Mitchell, Yarema Dul, “, ” UZ, it’s, Ukraine’s, Olena Zelenska, Dul, Transport Network Mykola Panov, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Yevhen Liaschenko, ” Liaschenko, GURTF, Andy Bagnall Organizations: CNN, UNICEF, Russia, UZ’s, Transformation Department, Transport Network Mykola, CNN Travel, “, ” Railway, Publishing, Transport Network, Britain’s, Rail, Swiss Federal Railways, Global Ukraine Rail Task Force, Rail Partners Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Lviv, Warsaw, Vienna, Panama7, Odesa, Kharkiv, Russian, Poland, Germany, Soviet Union, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Hungary

The quake would be tied as the fourth-strongest in Oklahoma history if seismologists maintain the rating, according to Oklahoma Geological Survey data. WHAT'S CAUSING THE OKLAHOMA QUAKES? “It's very difficult when there's an earthquake to know exactly what caused it.”WHAT HAS OKLAHOMA DONE TO STOP THEM? “Some people had chimney damage near the epicenter,” Greff said. The strongest recorded earthquake in Oklahoma was a 5.8-magnitude quake near the town of Pawnee in 2016.

Persons: Nick Hayman, Hayman, “, Matt Skinner, Skinner, Jim Greff, Greff, Tim Holik, haven't, ” Holik, doesn't, ” Organizations: OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma Geological Survey, Oklahoma Corporation Commission Locations: Oklahoma, OKLAHOMA, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Prague , Oklahoma, Prague, sheetrock, Praque, Pawnee, Illinois, Texas, California

☆ At 25, I saw zero career opportunities in my hometown. I spent all my savings on a one-way ticket out, and I have no regrets.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Veronica Pulido left her hometown at 25 because finding a career there felt impossible. My country isn't in the best economic situation and I always felt like I had nothing to do there. I always wanted to travel, and when I saw her story, I thought, "I could be her, right?" It took two years of savings, which is everything I had, to buy a one-way ticket to Spain, where my sister lives. I keep 400 euros, or $435, in my fund, and I pretend I don't have that money until it's an emergency.

Persons: Veronica Pulido, Pulido, She's, Workaway, —, Veronica Puldio Organizations: Service, Spain, Kids Locations: Europe, Venezuela, Switzerland, Prague, Czech Republic, Spain, Romania, Germany, Balkans, Croatia, Bulgaria, Venezuelan, Sofia, Asia

☆ Torah Scrolls That Survived the Nazis Now Fuel Faith Around the World
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Milton Esterow | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Since the Congregation Bonai Shalom in Boulder, Colo., was founded in 1981, one of its several Torahs has been taken from the ark each Sabbath, and on other holy days, and read to members of the congregation. In August, another, particularly special Torah arrived at the temple, one of some 1,400 scrolls whose survival during the Holocaust has inspired Jewish congregations around the world. Confiscated by the Nazis as they purged synagogues and communities throughout Bohemia and Moravia, the Torah scrolls were shipped to the Jewish Museum in Prague. The scrolls were rescued from Prague years after World War II and have become part of a sprawling inventory of faith administered by a London trust that loans the Torahs out to synagogues, universities, hospitals and other institutions in 25 countries.

Persons: Bonai Organizations: Jewish Museum Locations: Boulder, Colo, Bohemia, Moravia, Prague, London

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook an area near Oklahoma City late Friday night, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The earthquake hit at 11:24 p.m. and was centered 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) northwest of Prague, Oklahoma, the agency said. Prague is about 57 miles (92 kilometers) east of Oklahoma City, where residents reported feeling the shaking. At least six earthquakes, including two greater than magnitude 4.0, were recorded near another Oklahoma City suburb in January. In April, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake was among a series of six that struck the central Oklahoma town of Carney, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northeast of Oklahoma City.

Organizations: OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma City, U.S . Geological Survey, KFOR Locations: Oklahoma, U.S, Prague , Oklahoma, Prague, Oklahoma City, Shawnee, Stillwater, Tecumseh, Carney

☆ Russian Court Extends Pre-Trial Detention of U.S. Journalist Kurmasheva
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) - A Russian court on Thursday extended the pre-trial detention of Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist who is accused of violating a law on "foreign agents". A Reuters reporter in court in the city of Kazan said Kurmasheva's custody was extended until April 5. Kurmasheva is the second U.S. journalist to be arrested and charged in Russia since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. According to court documents, Kurmasheva was fined 10,000 roubles ($103) on Oct. 11 for failing to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. That case has yet to come before the Kazan court.

Persons: Alsu, Evan Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, Kurmasheva's, Pavel Butorin, Paul Whelan, Mark Trevelyan, Guy Faulconbridge Organizations: Reuters, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, RFE, U.S . Congress, Wall Street, U.S, Kurmasheva, ., The State Department, Wall Street Journal Locations: KAZAN, Russia, Russian, American, Kazan, Prague, Radio Free Europe, Ukraine, Washington

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s government signed an agreement with the United States on Monday to acquire 24 U.S. F-35 fighter jets as part of a deal worth about 150 billion Czech koruna ($6.6 billion), the biggest single purchase for the Czech military. The Czech government approved the deal in September. The first of the 24 fighter jets should be delivered in 2031, with the rest by 2035. The American aircraft will replace the 14 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden that are currently used by the Czech army. The Czech ministry has been negotiating the deal with the U.S. for more than a year during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Persons: Jana Černochová, Bijan Sabet, ” Černochová, JAS, Černochová, Karel Rehka Organizations: U.S, Czech, Czech Defense Ministry, American, Gripen Locations: PRAGUE, Czech, United States, Sweden, Czech Republic, Ukraine

☆ Slovak Lawmakers to Fast-Track Criminal Law Reforms Debate Despite Objections
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Slovakia's parliament will fast-track debate on government plans to scrap a special prosecutor's office fighting corruption and lower sentences for financial crimes after ruling lawmakers approved the move on Thursday despite objections. Opposition parties had delayed the vote on whether to fast-track the criminal law reforms for weeks, looking to slow Prime Minister Robert Fico's changes that they argue will afford impunity for politicians and business leaders linked to him. Pushing the reforms on a faster track has also raised warnings from the European Union and United States. Opposition parties have led near weekly protests drawing tens of thousands, with another string of rallies planned for Thursday evening. Slovakia's special prosecutor's office, around for two decades, has been in Fico's sights since he won a September election and returned to power.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Caputova, Jason Hovet, Nick Macfie Organizations: Reuters, European Union, European Commission, Brussels, USP Locations: United States, Hungary, Poland, Prague

☆ Slovak Parliament Chief Confirms Presidential Bid, Facing Ex-Foreign Minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jason Hovet(Reuters) - Slovak parliament chief Peter Pellegrini, leader of the second-biggest party in the government coalition, confirmed on Friday that he would run in a March presidential election. Pellegrini, a prime minister in 2018-2020 and former member of Fico's SMER party, has seen a shrinking poll lead against his closest contender - Ivan Korcok, who was foreign minister in a previous government led by opposition forces. A second round in the likely case that no candidate wins an outright majority is on April 6. Pellegrini leads Korcok 40.6% to 37.7% in an AKO agency poll released on Thursday. Pellegrini led the government until anti-corruption parties won a 2020 election.

Persons: Jason Hovet, Peter Pellegrini, Robert Fico, Pellegrini, Fico's, Ivan Korcok, Zuzana Caputova, Korcok, Fico, Hugh Lawson Organizations: European Union Locations: Korcok, AKO, Prague

☆ Will My Next Trip Be by Train Instead of Plane?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Paige Mcclanahan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Train lovers and travelers concerned about their carbon footprint have a lot to choose from this year — especially in Europe. While some European governments are mulling short-haul flight bans, many passengers are already opting for rail, where new connections are numerous. Nightjet, part of the Austrian federal railway, ÖBB, started running a sleeper train between Berlin and Paris in December, while the French rail operator, S.N.C.F., started overnight service between Paris and Aurillac, in south-central France, the same month. And the Italian rail operator Trenitalia has recently started running a weekly high-speed connection between Rome and the station serving the Pompeii archaeological park. Other new European connections include a sleeper service between Brussels and Prague, coming in late March, and an overnight train between Brussels and Bratislava, Slovakia, expected late this year or early next.

Persons: Trenitalia Organizations: Orient, Accor Locations: Europe, Austrian, ÖBB, Berlin, Paris, Aurillac, France, Vienna, Nice, Rome, Brussels, Prague, Bratislava, Slovakia, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Italy, Palermo, Portofino, Siena

☆ Why Calvin Klein ads still get people talking
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Joan Kennedy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The strategy was classic Calvin Klein, a brand which has been synonymous with sexy, conversation-starting campaigns since the 1970s. From Calvin KleinBut the White ads were just the start of the headlines for Calvin Klein. Adorning a New York City phonebooth, Mark Wahlberg is seen in a 1992 Calvin Klein campaign. Meanwhile, no one besides the ASA seems to be admonishing Calvin Klein over the FKA Twigs ads. For Calvin Klein, both sets of ads are an example of that old adage — there’s no such thing as bad publicity.

Persons: CNN —, Jeremy Allen White’s, Calvin Klein, —, Calvin, White, Bottega, Kendall Jenner, FKA, “, Milan Jaros, Kate Moss, Brooke Shields, innuendos, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, ”, Matt Kissane, Landor, Calvin Klein’s, Moss, Wahlberg, Marky Mark ”, Justin Bieber’s, Justin Bieber's Calvin Klein, Stacy Walsh Rosenstock, he’s, popstar Rosalía, Amy Kommatas, Jenner, Hadid, Allen Adamson, Alas, Adamson, Henry McGee, Launchmetrics, Jeremy Allen White, “ They’ve Organizations: The, Fashion, CNN, Authority, Standards Agency, Standards Authority, ASA, Bloomberg, Getty, Hulu, Business, US Justice Department Locations: SoHo, Prague, Czech Republic, Zara, York's, Los Angeles, New York City

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