Category Archives: WPTF News

German Baumkuchen ‘tree cake’ survived a disaster and world wars to become a Japanese favorite

German Baumkuchen ‘tree cake’ survived a disaster and world wars to become a Japanese favorite

NINOSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Baumkuchen originated in Germany but has become a wildly popular sweet in Japan, where a prisoner of war on a small western island started making the treat that has thrived in its new homeland. Today, the confectionery known as tree cake because of the resemblance to a trunk with rings is considered a symbol of longevity and prosperity in Japan. Baumkuchen festivals are regularly held. At an outdoor welcome center on Ninoshima island near Hiroshima, visitors learn how prisoner of war Karl Juchheim baked the first batch of Baumkuchen more than a century ago.… Continue Reading

Pope Leo XIV celebrates cinema with Hollywood stars and urges inclusion of marginal voices

Pope Leo XIV celebrates cinema with Hollywood stars and urges inclusion of marginal voices

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has welcomed Spike Lee, Cate Blanchett, Greta Gerwig and dozens of other Hollywood luminaries to a special Vatican audience. Leo encouraged the filmmakers and celebrities gathered in a frescoed Vatican audience hall to use their art to include marginal voices. He called film “a popular art in the noblest sense, intended for and accessible to all.” The encounter was organized by the Vatican’s culture ministry and follows on similar audiences Pope Francis had in recent years with artists and comedians. But it also seemed to have particular meaning for history’s first American pope, who grew up in Chicago in the heyday of Hollywood.… Continue Reading

Draisaitl scores in OT to give Oilers 4-3 win against Hurricanes

Draisaitl scores in OT to give Oilers 4-3 win against Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Leon Draisaitl scored 19 seconds into overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a 4-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Connor McDavid scored twice, Jack Roslovic added a goal and Draisaitl had two assists for the Oilers. Stuart Skinner stopped 33 shots in Edmonton’s third win in four games. Eric Robinson, Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Staal scored for the Hurricanes, who lost for only the second time in seven games. Frederik Andersen made 19 saves. Draisaitl scored on Edmonton’s first rush of the extra period. It was the Hurricanes’ first loss in five OT games this season.… Continue Reading

Wake Forest rides Carlos Hernandez’s big plays, defense past North Carolina 28-12

Wake Forest rides Carlos Hernandez’s big plays, defense past North Carolina 28-12

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Wake Forest’s Carlos Hernandez scored two touchdowns, including one by returning a teammate’s fumble, on plays that caught North Carolina off guard and the Demon Deacons didn’t allow a touchdown in a 28-12 victory. Hernandez racked up 100 receiving yards on six catches and Robby Ashford threw for a touchdown and ran for another for Wake Forest (7-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Demond Claiborne ran for 98 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown. North Carolina’s Rece Verhoff kicked four field goals, including a record-setting boot, but he had two other attempts blocked. The Tar Heels (4-6, 2-4) had a two-game winning streak snapped. They’ll have to win their final two games against in-state rivals to reach bowl eligibility in coach Bill Belichick’s first season as a college head coach.… Continue Reading

Federal officials confirm officers have begun Charlotte immigration enforcement

Federal officials confirm officers have begun Charlotte immigration enforcement

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Federal officials have started a surge of immigration enforcement in Charlotte, North Carolina. Agents were seen making arrests on Saturday. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the move aims to ensure public safety. Local officials including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles are criticizing the arrests, saying they cause unnecessary fear. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden had said earlier this week that he had been told that federal agents would be coming to North Carolina’s largest city. Local residents report agents seeking to arrest people outside businesses and in front yards. Opponents have tried to inform immigrants of their rights and some are protesting.… Continue Reading

Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices

Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced the removal of U.S. tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits and other commodities. This move comes amid pressure to address high consumer prices. Trump had focused on tariffs to boost domestic production and the U.S. economy. However, recent off-year elections showed economic concerns as a top issue, with Democrats gaining wins. Inflation remains a challenge despite Trump’s claims to have vanquished it. The administration insists tariffs weren’t a major factor in rising grocery prices. Democrats and industry groups argue this move acknowledges the impact of Trump’s tariffs on consumers. “We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods like coffee,” Trump said later Friday night.… Continue Reading

Wilson leads No. 18 North Carolina past NC Central 97-53

Wilson leads No. 18 North Carolina past NC Central 97-53

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Freshman forward Caleb Wilson scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half and added 13 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double, leading No. 18 North Carolina past North Carolina Central 97-53. Henri Veesaar contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, and Luka Bogavac scored 13 for the undefeated Tar Heels. Zayden High had 11 points off the bench. Wilson blocked four shots and was 7 of 8 from the floor, with all but one of those attempts coming before halftime. He played only four minutes in the second half with the Tar Heels leading comfortably. Ramondo Battle II scored 14 points for NC Central, which shot only 24.2%.… Continue Reading

Aho scores in OT to lift Hurricanes to 4-3 win over Canucks

Aho scores in OT to lift Hurricanes to 4-3 win over Canucks

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sebastian Aho scored 4:29 into overtime to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Andrei Svechnikov had two goals and an assist, and Taylor Hall also scored for the Hurricanes, who have won six of their last eight games. Shayne Gostisbehere had three assists and Pyotr Kochetkov made 14 saves to help Carolina improve to 4-0 in overtime. Conor Garland, Max Sasson, Elias Pettersson scored for Vancouver, which has lost three straight. Kevin Lankinen stopped 34 shots.… Continue Reading

UNC’s Belichick says he has ‘not and will not’ pursue open NFL jobs, is committed to Tar Heels

UNC’s Belichick says he has ‘not and will not’ pursue open NFL jobs, is committed to Tar Heels

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said he isn’t pursuing any jobs as a head coach in the NFL. That comes amid the first changes of the current hiring cycle. In a statement posted on social media Friday night, the 73-year-old who led the NFL’s New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles said he remains committed to building the Tar Heels program. In the statement, Belichick said: “I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.” Belichick’s Tar Heels have won two straight entering Saturday’s game at Wake Forest.… Continue Reading

Officials in Charlotte vow to resist looming federal immigration crackdown

Officials in Charlotte vow to resist looming federal immigration crackdown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Officials and community leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, are opposing a pending federal immigration crackdown. They describe it as an invasion and urge residents to protest peacefully and record agents’ actions from a distance. Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell criticizes the federal government’s approach. Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents would soon start an enforcement operation. Local organizations are training volunteers to protest and inform immigrants of their rights. President Donald Trump’s administration defends these operations as necessary for fighting crime. Local officials emphasize that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department isn’t involved in federal immigration enforcement.… Continue Reading

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