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BERLIN, Feb 20 (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Christian Lindner considers the budget demands made by his government coalition partners to be excessive and "simply unrealistic", he told Reuters in a TV interview on Monday. Lindner said the requested additional spending amounted to about 70 billion euros ($70.78 billion) compared with earlier plans. According to the finance minister, the demands head into the range of 100 billion euros more per year for the years 2025 and onward. The new Defence Minister Boris Pistorius wants 10 additional billion euros for the defence budget next year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. "However, what is clear is that 10 billion euros more in 2024 than now is an unrealistic figure," he said.

☆ Woods goes low at Riviera but still 12 back of leader Rahm
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Feb 18, 2023; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; Tiger Woods hits from the twelfth hole tee during the third round of The Genesis Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY SportsFeb 18 (Reuters) - Tiger Woods nearly posted an albatross while shooting one of the lowest third-round scores at the Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, California, on Saturday where he will head into the final-round 12 shots back of leader Jon Rahm. "I've been pretty one dimensional on how to hit my tee shots. I've kind of gone to my little -- my stock shot, because I just haven't played enough where I feel like I can hit different shots," Woods told reporters. But Woods put on a ball-striking display during a round that included one eagle, three birdies and a bogey.

☆ Co-chief of Germany's ruling SPD sceptical of NATO spending goal
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The co-chief of Germany's ruling Social Democrats (SPD) is sceptical about NATO's goal for each member to spend 2% of economic output on defence, according to a newspaper report, underscoring ambivalence in the country about bolstering the military. The party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz did recently commit to the 2% NATO goal, but as with junior coalition partner the Greens, has members who remain unconvinced. According to FAZ, Esken expressed scepticism about the efforts of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, also of the SPD, to hike defence spending in next year's budget. "Ten billion euros (more) is a lot of money," she was quoted as saying. Germany's regular 2023 defence budget was around 50 billion euros ($53.5 billion), well short of 75 billion euros, or 2% of economic output.

LONDON, Feb 17 (Reuters) - London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday, with organisers dedicating the five-day event to late designer Vivienne Westwood, who died in December. "She is the embodiment of our extraordinary industry," British Fashion Council (BFC) chair David Pemsel told London's Evening Standard newspaper. [1/12] Models present creations during the Paul Costelloe catwalk show during London Fashion Week, in London, Britain, February 17, 2023. Highlights this season include designer Daniel Lee's debut at Burberry, while a BFC initiative with Ukraine Fashion Week will see three Ukrainian designers presenting their creations. "Fashion needs to be continually evaluating what it's giving back," Natasha Bird, ELLE UK’s Executive Editor (Digital), told Reuters.

The bloc's highly-anticipated AI Act is widely expected to be put to a vote at the European Parliament at the end of March, at which point individual nations will begin negotiating final terms of the legislation. Following a crunch five-hour meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, however, MEPs had yet to agree to a set of basic principles. One of the most controversial areas of debate is deciding which AI systems would be categorised as "high risk", such as those affecting a person's safety or infringing fundamental rights. “The obvious tension here is between the focus on fundamental rights, on the one hand, and those who say these necessarily conflict with innovation,” said Greens MEP Sergey Lagodinsky. A source at the European Parliament said negotiations were ongoing with a view to agreeing a strong text.

☆ Chipotle is launching Farmesa, a spinoff selling 'California-inspired' bowls of salmon, whipped potatoes, quinoa, and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Chipotle is launching a virtual restaurant brand featuring "California-inspired" bowls. The virtual restaurant makes its debut later this month in a ghost kitchen in Santa Monica, California. Farmesa will operate at the Kitchen United Mix food hall at Third Street Promenade, a tourist-heavy outdoor retail center in Santa Monica. Kitchen United is a Pasadena, California-based ghost kitchen operator with locations all over the US. Chipotle's new concept, Farmesa, is opening later this month at ghost kitchen/food hall Kitchen United Mix.

☆ Berlin chooses change in rerun election with clear lead for conservatives
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Riham Alkousaa | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/7] Berlin?s frontrunner for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Kai Wegner, for the rerun of state elections reacts at the regional state parliament in Berlin, Germany, February 12, 2023. The Social Democrats, who have governed the German capital in a coalition with the environmentalist Greens and hard-left Die Linke, scored 18.2%. "Berlin chose change", CDU top candidate Kai Wegner said of the results, adding that there was a clear mandate for his party to form a state government. Berlin's left-wing mayor Franziska Giffey acknowledged the election defeat but said the CDU would still need a stable majority to govern in the city. Talk of a possible two-way coalition with the CDU was received with booing at the Greens election party on Sunday.

☆ Deep-Fried Artichokes and Other Healthy Foods
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Bee Wilson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

The best thing I’ve eaten so far in 2023 was a deep-fried globe artichoke. If you’ve never had one, a deep-fried artichoke is a glorious thing. If all vegetables tasted like this, few children would need to be coaxed to eat their greens. This artichoke made me think—and not for the first time—that our whole idea of healthy eating needs redefining. By February most people who started a New Year’s diet will have already abandoned it, and no wonder.

☆ I tried 25 of Trader Joe's award-winning foods, and would buy at least 21 of them again
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Savanna Swain-Wilson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +42 min

I hit up my local Trader Joe's and bought as many award-winning foods as I could to see which ones deserved their hype. In other words, I agree with the many customers who have dubbed this their favorite Trader Joe's snack. As long as I live within reasonable driving distance of a Trader Joe's, I will continue to buy this loaf. Trader Joe's butter chicken with basmati rice is a satisfyingly spicy comfort meal for oneTrader Joe's butter chicken with basmati rice had a delicious sauce. Trader Joe's cheddar with caramelized onions offers a memorable balance of savory, salty, and sweetThe cheddar smelled like caramelized onions.

Persons: —, Monterey Jack, burrito, Savanna, Wilson, didn't, I've, It's, Joe's, I'm, they're, chorizo, I'd, Butter, they'd, Joe's cashiers, who's, fryer, Swain Wilson Organizations: Service, of Fame, Business, I'd, Wilson, panini Locations: Monterey, Monterey Jack, skillet, Savanna, Peru, treacly, San Francisco

☆ Analysis: Swiss neutrality on the line as arms-for-Ukraine debate heats up
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( John Revill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Buyers of Swiss arms are legally prevented from re-exporting them, a restriction that some representing the country's large weapons industry say is now hurting trade. Under Swiss neutrality, which dates back to 1815 and is enshrined by treaty in 1907, Switzerland will not send weapons directly or indirectly to combatants in a war. Third countries can in theory apply to Bern to re-export Swiss weapons they have in their stocks, but permission is almost always denied. Meanwhile the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), the lower house's largest party and traditionally staunch defenders of neutrality, now appears divided. ($1 = 0.9132 Swiss francs)Reporting by John Revill; editing by John Stonestreet and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ MIT neuroscientist: 4 things I never do to avoid 'brain fog and forgetfulness'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Tara Swart | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In addition to stress and lack of sleep, it can be caused by the immune system creating an inflammatory response in the brain. As a neuroscientist, I study the causes of brain fog and forgetfulness. Even if you think you're relaxed, your body may be physically tense (e.g., stiff neck, back or shoulder pain). Box breathing is a simple way to help calm your brain. More than that can lead to a depressed mood, and less than that doesn't give the brain enough time to rest and reset.

☆ Jump or be pushed: German conservatives turn on ex-Nazi hunter over race comments
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BERLIN, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Once he was Germany's top Nazi hunter. Now the conservative opposition want to kick former domestic security chief Hans-Georg Maassen out of their party for allegedly repeating anti-Semitic and racist tropes. But the long-time member and one-time parliamentary candidate of former Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) lost that job after being accused of ignoring video evidence of far-right gangs chasing immigrants in riots. Maassen, who has always strongly denied charges of racism, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Under German party democracy laws introduced to prevent the re-emergence of dictatorial parties like Hitler's Nazis, expulsion can only follow a series of quasi-judicial hearings to establish whether a member is in conflict with the party's values.

One company is injecting liquid clay into California desert to trap moisture and help fruit to grow, while another in Malaysia boosts soil with droppings from fly larvae. Biochar, liquid clay and fly larvae droppings are all in limited commercial production. Some, like liquid clay and biochar add nutrients while also improving the ground's ability to retain water, and require fewer applications than fertilizer. Norway-based Desert Control has spent 18 years and $25 million developing liquid clay to boost soil. In Malaysia, Nutrition Technologies produces "soil conditioner" from frass - the waste and skin of Black Soldier Fly larvae.

On energy, the ministry has “completely overhauled the previous government’s Russia-friendly policy” to reduce Germany’s dependence on Russian natural gas, it said. “That tells you something.”Germany consistently underestimated the Russian threat and gave counterintelligence work a low priority, but that is changing now in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, experts and Western officials said. Last April, Berlin expelled 40 Russian Embassy employees for allegedly working for Russian intelligence services. Germany’s intelligence services failed to anticipate that Russia would invade Ukraine, a failure that has yet to be the subject of any publicly released “lessons learned” review. Such a review would show Germany is serious about altering its approach, the Western official said.

☆ These are Trader Joe’s customer’s favorite items
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Trader Joe’s asked its customers a simple question: If you were to spend the rest of your life on a deserted island, which nine Trader Joe’s products would you take with you? The first Trader Joe’s opened in Pasadena, California, in 1967. Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips Chili & Lime Trader Joe'sSee the all-time favorites included in Trader Joe’s Hall of FameThe chips also won in the poll’s favorite snack category. Top EntreeReplacing the longtime Mandarin Orange Chicken is Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken – spiced chicken in a tomato and cream sauce with basmati rice. Indian is popular with Trader Joe’s customers.

☆ A teenager who found comfort in a deodorant's smell because her mother used it died from inhaling the spray, family warn
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A 14-year-old girl in England went into cardiac arrest and died after inhaling aerosol deodorant. Her parents are raising awareness and advocating for clearer labeling on aerosol products. "People don't know how dangerous the contents of those tins can be," her father, Paul Green, told BBC News on Thursday. Giorgia, who was autistic, found comfort in the smell of the deodorant because her mother used it, he added. So far, Clare and Paul Green have raised nearly $4,000 to address "the dangers of aerosol spray use."

☆ A dietitian shares the smoothie-making mistake that causes blood sugar spikes — and 5 healthy recipes to try instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Rachel Hosie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Making smoothies with fruit alone is a mistake that causes blood sugar spikes, a dietitian said. It's important to add healthy fats, protein, and fiber, Nichola Ludlam-Raine told Insider. She shared five recipes for nutritionally balanced smoothies, from carrot cake to apple pie flavors. "The main mistake people make when making smoothies is making them with 100% fruit," registered dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine told Insider. "These combined help to slow down the release of the energy from the blended fruit," Ludlam-Raine said.

☆ Every year, ‘Invasion Day’ forces Australia to confront some painful truths
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Victoria’s state government called time on Melbourne’s Australia Day parade after two years of Covid cancellations, and Kmart, a normal go-to for party supplies, announced it wouldn’t be stocking traditional Australia Day merchandise – clothing, plates, napkins and other memorabilia draped in the Australian flag. Cooper is among a growing band of Indigenous allies who now refer to Australia Day as Invasion Day or Survival Day, after learning more about the nation’s history from those who suffered. Every year, Australia Day – or Invasion Day – forces a difficult conversation about those left behind, and what role everyone can play in finding a way forward. And it really is for many.”The Australia Day Live 2023 concert at Sydney Opera House on January 26, 2023. In the far western Queensland town of Boulia, Beck Britton had been worried that her attempts to throw an Australia Day party could fall flat.

Persons: Fred Leone, ” Leone, ”, Leone, Hilary Whiteman, Union Jack, Kate Darian, Smith, “ It’s, Christine Cooper, she’s, “, Cooper, ” Cooper, Cooper’s, they’re, ” Darian, Karlie Brand, Don Arnold, WireImage, Tracey Hanshaw, Aunties, Beck Britton, Britton, there’s, Jan Norton, wasn’t, Anthony Albanese, ” Albanese, Lidia Thorpe, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Darian, Justice Aunties, “ We’ve Organizations: Australia CNN, CNN, Union, University of Tasmania, Kmart, Facebook, University of Newcastle, It’s, Nations, Invasion, Australia, First Nations, National, Day Council, Sydney Opera House, ”, Torres Strait Islander, Australian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait, ” Greens, Voice, Commonwealth, Heart Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Musgrave Park, Sydney Cove, Sydney, Musgrave, Brisbane’s, Newcastle, New South Wales, Queensland, Boulia, Britton’s, Melbourne, “

☆ A home flipper who helps sellers get up to 30% more for their properties shared 5 easy upgrades that help boost resale value — and 5 design choices that turn buyers off
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Zoe Rosenberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Her company, Homegirl, advises clients on the interior design trends that boost resale value. She spoke with Insider about what trends buyers want right now that will help sellers get up to 30% more when listing their homes, and what styles are no longer in their favor. Minimalist art, right, is out of style. Unlacquered brass hardware, left, adds a sense of age to a room while black hardware, right, has fallen out of favor. Nadav Havakook/Homegirl, Wachirawut Priamphimai/EyeEm/Getty ImagesStatement-making, sculptural lights that double as art pieces are what buyers are looking for these days.

☆ Explainer: How to correctly re-export German tanks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The following explains defence export rules in Germany and other countries and the way such deals have been handled previously:HOW DO GOVERNMENTS CORRECTLY RE-EXPORT GERMAN TANKS? The same goes for cases where the weapons may be used to wage a war of aggression or the re-export approval might violate Germany's obligations under international law. As defence exports are a touchy issue in Germany, foreign countries usually do not directly submit a formal request for re-export to the German authorities. If not, the foreign country abstains from submitting a formal re-export request, and no diplomatic harm is done. GERMANY'S HIGH HURDLES FOR DEFENCE EXPORTSGermany has one of the toughest defence export regimes in the world – largely due to its bloody pre-1945 past.

☆ Germany names new defence minister, faces pressure to send tanks to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Holger Hansen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Following several missteps, Christine Lambrecht resigned as defence minister on Monday, ahead of a conference on Friday at the U.S. military base in Ramstein on Western plans to provide Kyiv with more arms. Other countries with such tanks also need Berlin's approval before they can be passed on to another country. The new defence minister is expected to host his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, in Berlin on Thursday. "I want to make the armed forces strong for the time ahead," he said. Scholz has signalled a policy shift by promising to boost defence spending to more than 2% of its economic output.

☆ 45-year-old brain expert shares how he eats like a 'SuperAger' every day to stay 'young and energized'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Marc Milstein | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

SuperAgers are a great example of how both genetics and lifestyle choices play a role in how the brain ages. In my book, "The Age-Proof Brain," I explore how they keep their brains young, boost immunity and memory, and fight neurological disorders like dementia. The workday beginsI tackle my most difficult and creative tasks early in the day, when my brain is most alert. Before bedtime, I'll catch up on baseball news and talk to my wife about our day. At 9:30 p.m., it's time to shut off all devices and listen to some music before turning out the lights.

☆ Germany's RWE calls for end to protest showdown over coal mine expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Today, RWE Power will start to demolish the former settlement of Luetzerath," the company said in a statement. The protest follows a regional court decision on Monday that upheld an earlier ruling to vacate the village whose land and houses now belong to RWE. "RWE is appealing to the squatters to observe the rule of law and to end the illegal occupation of buildings, plants and sites belonging to RWE peacefully," RWE said. Those include firing up mothballed coal power plants and extending the lifespan of nuclear power stations after Russia cut gas deliveries to Europe in an energy standoff that sent prices soaring. The government has, however, brought forward the date when all brown coal power plants will be shut down in North Rhine-Westphalia, to 2030 from 2038, acceding to a campaign promise from the Greens.

☆ German police clash with activists in showdown over coal mine expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Many Greens oppose the mine's expansion, but Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens party has fronted the government's decision. Some activists dumped 250 kg (551 lb) worth of coal blocks in front of a local Greens party headquarters, German media reported. Some of the activists have built treehouses in Luetzerath, believing these would make it harder for police to force them to leave. The move echoes a similar protest in 2013 in the Hambach forest, which delayed an RWE coal mining project for years and became a symbol of anti-coal demonstrations. Those include firing up mothballed coal power plants and extending the lifespan of nuclear power stations after Russia cut gas deliveries to Europe in an energy standoff that sent prices soaring.

☆ German minister reignites coalition row with call to review nuclear exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BERLIN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Germany's transport minister called for an expert committee to examine whether the lifespan of the country's nuclear plants should be extended, reopening a row within Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition. But Free Democrat Transport Minister Volker Wissing reignited the argument, telling the Frankfurter Allgemeine that the environmental benefits of electric cars would be reduced unless they were charged using nuclear energy, which is emissions-free. Critics of the nuclear exit say it could force Germany to rely more than planned on coal, which is more polluting than gas, during the transition to renewable energy. The Greens strongly oppose revisiting Germany's nuclear exit, which was introduced in response to the 2011 disaster at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant. Advocates of the policy say an extension would be costly and that more can be achieved by building out renewables.

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