Latest news with #MartinMeissner
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
UEFA monitoring storms which could affect Germany-Portugal semifinal in Nations League
A flag with Ronaldo of Portugal waves in front of the town hall in Munich, Germany, ahead of the Nations League Finals, starting tomorrow with Germany against Portugal, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) MUNICH (AP) — UEFA says the Nations League semifinal between Germany and Portugal is still scheduled to go ahead Wednesday despite warnings of possible storms in Munich. European soccer's governing body said it 'continues to monitor the meteorological situation closely along with the relevant local authorities' and recommended that fans heading to the game should allow for extra travel time and dress appropriately. Advertisement 'The match is planned to go ahead as scheduled and any updates will be communicated to ticket holders directly,' UEFA said. The German national team's account on X issued a similar warning to fans to allow plenty of time for travel to the stadium and to bring raincoats, ponchos or small umbrellas because of the risk of 'adverse weather conditions.' Germany's national weather service has warned of the risk of storms, high winds and hail late Wednesday in the state of Bavaria, where Munich is the capital. France plays Spain in the other semifinal in Stuttgart on Thursday. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Inflation slides to 1.9% in Europe, as worries shift from prices to Trump and tariffs
A view of the European currency Euro sculpture, at Germany's main financial district in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File) Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Inflation in the 20 countries that use the euro fell to 1.9% in May from 2.2% in April, clearing the way for more rate cuts from the European Central Bank to support growth in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff offensive. Lower energy prices helped bring consumer prices in May to below the ECB's 2% target for the first time since September. Increasing signs that inflation is back under control after a painful outbreak in 2021-23 leaves room for the ECB to turn its attention to worries about the impact of a slew of new import taxes on EU goods in the US that threaten to slow Europe's export-oriented economy. Reductions in the ECB's benchmark rate, currently at 2.25%, lower borrowing costs throughout the economy, making it easier to buy things on credit and stimulating economic activity and investment. Higher rates combat inflation, but for the moment that battle appears to have been won. The ECB's rate-setting council meets on Thursday under bank President Christine Lagarde to determine the next step on rates. Analysts expect a cut of a quarter percentage point and for Lagarde to indicate that at least one more cut is possible at future meetings. Trump has raised tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos from almost all trading partners to 25%, and has now said he will raise the rate to 50% on steel, as well as proposing a 20% tariff on all European Union goods. That last tariff has been paused ahead of a July 14 deadline pending negotiations with EU officials. Worries about the impact of tariffs on growth led the European Union's executive commission to cut its growth forecast for the 20 euro member countries this year to 0.9% from 1.3% in its fall 2024 forecast. The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.
Economic Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
After five-year feud, Fortnite finds its way back to Apple's App Store as tech giants clash over money
AP Epic Games' Fortnite returns to Apple's U.S. App Store after a five-year legal battle over in-app payments, spotlighting growing tensions in Apple's $27 billion services empire (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File) Human voices push Apple to act, court ruling changes gameFor players like 17-year-old Dylan Harper, Tuesday's return of Fortnite to Apple's App Store means more than just another game night. 'It was weird not being able to download it,' he said in an interview to CNBC, remembering the abrupt disappearance back in 2020. For Epic Games, it marks a hard-fought victory in a long, complex legal war with Apple that reshaped the way tech giants handle payments and game was removed in 2020 after Epic modified Fortnite to accept payments directly, bypassing Apple's in-app payment system that charges developers fees of up to 30 per cent. This move triggered Apple's swift retaliation and Fortnite was removed from the App Store, making Epic's developer account revoked. Also read: Fortnite fans shocked as Apple blocks game on iOS globally, despite Epic Games' major legal victory just weeks ago But the tide turned in April 2025 when a judge ruled that Apple cannot charge a commission when apps link out to external payment platforms, nor can it dictate whether those links look like buttons. This decision was seen as a landmark moment in the ongoing debate about Apple's control over its app ecosystem, especially as its App Store fees have become a key pillar of its services business, which brought in nearly $27 billion in the March quarter alone. Legal pressure forces Apple's hand as developer revolt grows Epic submitted Fortnite for review on May 9, but the app sat in limbo. After filing a legal challenge last week, a judge on Monday, May 19 forced Apple to either approve the app or explain the delay, with Apple comprehending and accepting the ruling a day after. Apple is now appealing the court ruling and seeking a pause to delay changes already made to its App Store. Meanwhile, major players like Amazon and Spotify have already taken advantage of the ruling, updating their apps to include external links for purchases. iPhone users can now buy Kindle books directly inside the Kindle app, a move that would have been blocked under Apple's previous read: Fortnite vanishes from iPhones worldwide: Apple blocks comeback in explosive tech showdown Epic's struggle extended beyond the US. The company recently secured a European developer account, allowing Fortnite to be distributed via a third-party app store under the Digital Markets Act. Even there, Apple initially tried to revoke Epic's account before backing down, according to Epic. Though Fortnite could be played through cloud gaming in the interim, fans and developers alike saw the return to the App Store as symbolic, almost representing a shift in the balance of power in an ecosystem long dominated by Apple's terms.
South Wales Argus
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Eurovision Song Contest attracts two million more viewers than FA Cup Final
Eurovision attracted more viewers than the FA Cup Final on the BBC (Martin Meissner/AP) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. The Eurovision Song Contest grand final attracted two million more TV viewers than the FA Cup Final, the BBC has said. Saturday's event in Basel, Switzerland, which saw Remember Monday compete for the UK and Austria's JJ win the competition, achieved a peak of 7.9 million viewers, with an average of 6.7 million viewers. It represents a decline on the average viewing figures of last year's contest in Malmo, Sweden, which was won by Swiss entrant Nemo, which saw 7.9 million on average tune in, with a peak of 8.5 million. The BBC said Eurovision viewing figures peaked during Remember Monday's performance (Martin Meissner/AP) The 2025 final's viewing peak came when Remember Monday, made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, performed their song What The Hell Just Happened?, which finished 19th in the final table with 88 points. The figures for linear viewing beat the men's FA Cup Final coverage on both ITV and the BBC according to the corporation, which saw Crystal Palace win their first major trophy beating Manchester City 1-0. Eurovision's 2025 final also saw Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who is an October 7 survivor, finish as runner-up. The singer was left 'shaken and upset' after pro-Palestinian protesters rushed towards a barrier when she was on stage on Saturday night, her team said. Swiss police confirmed two people were handed over to them and that they were later released, while the organiser, Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, released a statement saying that a crew member was hit with paint but is 'fine'. Despite much speculation that former Swiss winner and Canadian singer Celine Dion might give a performance at Eurovision, she did not appear at the final on Saturday.
Glasgow Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Remember Monday say Eurovision gave them ‘memories that will last a lifetime'
The trio, made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, finished 19th during Saturday's grand final in Basel, Switzerland, after receiving 88 points from the national juries, including 12 points from Italy, for their song What The Hell Just Happened?. Speaking about their experience in the competition, the trio said: 'Wow – what a ride. 'Three best mates walked onto the world's biggest music stage and came out with a top 10 Jury score, massive streaming numbers, and memories that will last a lifetime. Yuval Raphael from Israel (Martin Meissner/AP) 'Performing at Eurovision was one of the most surreal and emotional moments of our lives. 'The love we've felt from fans, our incredible team, and everyone who streamed, voted, and believed in us has been overwhelming. 'This is just the beginning for Remember Monday. 'We've got new music coming your way, a UK and Ireland headline tour this year, a summer packed with festivals, and we'll be hitting the stage at Wembley Stadium for the Summertime Ball, no big deal. 'We're so grateful for the platform, the media support, and every single new fan who's joined us on this wild journey. Eurovision? Completed it. Let's go.' The trio were the UK's first girl group entrant since 1999, and fared slightly worse than Olly Alexander who came 18th in Malmo in 2024. The contest was won by Austria's JJ with his emotional song Wasted Love, while Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who is an October 7 survivor, was the runner-up. In the centre of the city there were clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and police, and three officers were injured, according to the police. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators (Peter Schneider/Keystone/AP) Raphael was left 'shaken and upset' after pro-Palestinian protesters rushed towards a barrier when she was on stage on Saturday night, her team said. A spokesman for Israeli broadcaster Kan said the protesters 'were blocked by security officials' and their delegation 'needed to move location' for 15 minutes. Swiss police confirmed the two people were handed over to them and that they have now been released, while organisers Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR released a statement saying that a crew member was hit with paint but is 'fine'. Youth Demand, which is calling for a trade embargo on Israel, said its supporters 'did attempt to enter the stage, and some cornstarch-based powder paint appears to have got onto both the action taker and a member of staff in the ensuing kerfuffle' but denied it was 'thrown'. A spokesperson for the group said David Curry, 22, from Manchester, and Meaghan Leon, 27, from London, had been detained and 'released'. JJ from Austria, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest (Martin Meissner/AP) About 800 pro-Palestinian protests demonstrated against Israel's inclusion near a free concert in the centre of Basel shortly after 7pm on Saturday, and a small group nearby protested with Israeli flags. Later the group advocating for Israel to be removed from the singing competition moved across Basel towards the Eurovision Village, where they were met by a significant police presence and tear gas was used. Basel police said in a statement that during identity checks on about 400 people, a group 'threw firecrackers at the emergency services, injuring three police officers who were taken to hospital with suspected blast trauma'. A protester was also treated by ambulance workers, the force said. The UK gave its top public vote of 12 points to Israel during the grand final, but the British jury awarded no points to Raphael's New Day Will Rise as Israel finished with 357 points to Austria's 436 points. Winner JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, said 'love is the strongest force in the world, let's spread more love' after receiving the trophy for his boat trip themed performance of the song. At a press conference, the 24-year-old called for spreading 'love', adding: 'Forget hate, love is the strongest force, and be active. Use your voice.' When asked how he felt being the third 'queer' artist in a row, after Swiss singer Nemo, and Sweden's Loreen, the Austrian said the wins meant there was 'amazing acceptance and equality for everyone, I'm so so so happy that I'm representing this amazing community'. Celine Dion speaks during a pre-recorded video message during the dress rehearsal for Tuesday's semi-final (Martin Meissner/PA) Despite much speculation that former Swiss winner and Canadian singer Celine Dion might give a performance at Eurovision, she did not appear at the final on Saturday. The singer did send a message during Tuesday's semi-final in which she called her win at the 1988 edition in Dublin with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, when she was just 20 years old, 'life changing'. The 57-year-old, who has had health issues, recently made a return to the stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics during the closing ceremony from the Eiffel Tower where she sang Edith Piaf's L'Hymne A L'Amour.
