Category Archives: WPTF News

US-EU deal sets a 15% tariff on most goods and averts the threat of a trade war with a global shock

US-EU deal sets a 15% tariff on most goods and averts the threat of a trade war with a global shock

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — The United States and the European Union have agreed to a trade framework setting a 15% tariff on most goods. President Donald Trump announced the agreement on Sunday after meeting with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland. This deal prevents higher import taxes that could have impacted global economies. Trump described the negotiation as beneficial for both parties. Von der Leyen noted the deal brings stability and predictability for businesses. The agreement includes major U.S. energy purchases and investments by the EU. Some strategic products will have zero tariffs, but details are still being finalized.… Continue Reading

Virginia Tech is reviewing claim that coach tried to lure NC Central player into transfer portal

Virginia Tech is reviewing claim that coach tried to lure NC Central player into transfer portal

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Virginia Tech is looking into an allegation by North Carolina Central’s football coach that a Hokies assistant improperly tried to lure running back J’Mari Taylor into the transfer portal last season. Virginia Tech released a statement saying it was made aware of the allegation on Friday. ESPN reported that the allegation surfaced when N.C. Central coach Trei Oliver said he discovered a Virginia Tech assistant coach on the sideline for one of the Eagles’ 2024 games. Oliver said that assistant was trying to contact his running back. Taylor, a star RB, eventually transferred to Virginia.… Continue Reading

Renaming of military bases stirs debate over Confederate ties

Renaming of military bases stirs debate over Confederate ties

More than half a dozen Army bases’ names were changed in 2023 because they honored Confederate leaders. Those same bases are reverting back to their original names, this time with different namesakes who share Confederate surnames. Critics of the latest name changes argue it undermines efforts to move away from Confederate associations. The issue has long split people who favor preserving an aspect of southern heritage and those who want slavery-supporting rebels stripped of valor. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to restore the names is his latest move to align with Trump’s purging of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.… Continue Reading

Heat advisories and warnings issued for Southeast and Midwest as temperatures and humidity soars

Heat advisories and warnings issued for Southeast and Midwest as temperatures and humidity soars

The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for the southeastern United States. The advisories cover areas from central Florida to Virginia through the weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 90s, with heat indexes between 105 and 110. Extreme heat warnings are in effect for eastern North Carolina and parts of South Carolina. Forecasters warn of dangerously hot conditions, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees in parts of the Carolinas. Over 30 million people could be affected. The Midwest is also experiencing extreme heat, with watches in place for Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. Storms in Iowa have triggered flash flood warnings.… Continue Reading

Company involved in Coldplay KissCam drama hires Gwyneth Paltrow as spokesperson

Company involved in Coldplay KissCam drama hires Gwyneth Paltrow as spokesperson

BOSTON (AP) — A tech company whose CEO resigned after being caught on video at a Coldplay concert embracing another employee has hired Gwyneth Paltrow as a temporary spokesperson. The “Shakespeare in Love” and “Ironman,” star, who was previously married to the band’s frontman Chris Martin, appeared in a video on Astronomer’s X account Friday to announce her new role. The move follows the resignation of the company’s CEO Andy Byron and a human resources executive, Kristin Cabot, after they were caught cuddling on a KissCam at Coldplay concert in July. The video resulted in endless memes, parody videos and screenshots of the pair’s shocked faces.… Continue Reading

Comic-Con salutes James Gunn and gets first looks at ‘Coyote vs. Acme,’ and new ‘Star Trek’ forays

Comic-Con salutes James Gunn and gets first looks at ‘Coyote vs. Acme,’ and new ‘Star Trek’ forays

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The day three highlights at Comic-Con included a standing ovation from thousands for “Superman” director James Gunn, led by John Cena. Cena was in full costume at a panel on his HBO series “The Peacemaker,” part of Gunn’s take on the DC Comics screen universe. The day in Comic-Con’s vaunted Hall H also included a preview of Ryan Gosling’s forthcoming space adventure “Project Hail Mary.” And fans also get a sneak peek at “Coyote v. ACME,” a hybrid live-action and animated project featuring Cena. This film was shelved by Warner Bros., but it will now get a theatrical release.… Continue Reading

Crocosmia: From Sweet Melissa’s Grandparents to Your Garden

Crocosmia: From Sweet Melissa’s Grandparents to Your Garden

We have enjoyed growing the very colorful Crocosmia-“montbretia” or “Coppertips”- a summer-blooming flower that reminds me of a miniature gladiola. Crocosmia grows from corms which are sort of like bulbs that store nutrients. Crocus, Dalias, Anemones, and Gladiolus do too. We have had them in our landscape for decades. This flower grew abundantly in Sweet Melissa’s grandparents’ landscape in Pittsboro and she transplanted a few bulbs to our yard. The few are now many. Melissa’s paternal grandparents, Marvin and Myrtle Reeves were special people. Everyone who knew them said so. That makes our crop of Crocosmia extra special.… Continue Reading

Trump plays golf in Scotland while protesters take to the streets and decry his visit

Trump plays golf in Scotland while protesters take to the streets and decry his visit

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — President Donald Trump has played golf at his course on Scotland’s coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American. Trump and his son Eric played on Saturday near Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump family’s company took over in 2014. Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the U.S. Consulate about 100 miles away in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Protests were planned in other cities. While in Scotland, Trump is set to talk trade with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president.… Continue Reading

Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner are set for Hall of Fame induction

Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner are set for Hall of Fame induction

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki was always known for his meticulous preparation during his 19-year Major League Baseball career. For his induction into the Hall of Fame? Not so much. Suzuki said on the eve of his enshrinement that he spent his morning on the field playing baseball. He is the first Japanese player chosen for the Hall. He will be joined Sunday by CC Sabathia, a six-time All-Star who won the 2007 AL Cy Young Award, and relief pitcher Billy Wagner. Dave Parker, who died a month before he was to be inducted, and Dick Allen will be honored posthumously.… Continue Reading

Parts of the Appalachian Trail are still damaged after Helene. Volunteers are fixing it by hand

Parts of the Appalachian Trail are still damaged after Helene. Volunteers are fixing it by hand

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (AP) — Volunteers are still rebuilding parts of the iconic Appalachian Trail in eastern Tennessee nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. Two damaged spots along the trail require hikers to take detours. A group of volunteers and staffers with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and local groups worked on repairs at a spot on the trail near the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter in mid-July. Volunteers say their priority is fixing root ball holes in the ground caused by fallen trees. The work is intensive and slow. But the group hopes it can improve the trail’s resiliency against future severe weather.… Continue Reading

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