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Commission to question Bulgaria over Russia sanctions loophole

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

BRUSSELS — The European Commission will probe Bulgaria after a Russian oil firm in the country exploited a loophole in EU sanctions to raise €1 billion for the Kremlin’s war chest.Taking advantage of its unique exemption from the EU’s Russian oil ban agreed last year, Bulgaria let millions of barrels of Moscow’s oil reach a Russian-owned refinery on its territory, which then exported various refined fuels abroad including to EU countries, as POLITICO first reported Thursday.“We’re paying attention to it and we’ve asked the Bulgarians to explain themselves,” said a senior Commission official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. “It’s true that these derogations and exceptions can pose problems,” the official said, adding that “we’re trying to eliminate them gradually, but I can’t hide the fact that there are still a few holes here and there.” Aside from the estimated €983 million the loophole raised for Russia via production and export levie...

Latest mortgage news: 30-year rate backs off from 8%

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

Jeff Ostrowski | Bankrate.com (TNS)The average rate on 30-year fixed mortgages retreated to 7.69% this week, down from near-8% the previous week, according to Bankrate’s weekly national survey of large lenders.The slight reprieve doesn’t change the big picture, however. The average rate on 30-year home loans is at its highest level since the year 2000. The current run-up in mortgage rates reflects a variety of factors: a resilient U.S. economy, the Fed’s ongoing war on inflation and, more recently, a sharp rise in 10-year Treasury yields, which serve as an informal benchmark for 30-year mortgage rates.That yield increase has cooled somewhat as investors look for less risk, giving prospective homebuyers some breathing room with lower mortgage rates.“Finally, it looks as if the flight to safety has finally kicked in and the demand for 10-year Treasurys has jumped significantly, driving down the yield on these notes,” says Ken Johnson, an economist at Florida Atlantic University. “Long...

Patriots return key offensive starter to practice before Germany trip

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session for personal reasons.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Shaun Wade ‘worthy of more opportunities’ with Patriots New England Patriots | Callahan: The Patriots’ midseason MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year New England Patriots | Patriots-Colts injury report: Trent Brown out Wednesday, 8 others limited New England Patriots | Callahan: Bill Belichick is hurting his own fight to keep the Patriots locker room New England Patriots | Patriots CB J.C. Jackson among 2 starters missing at practice Wednesday Brown was also listed on Wednesday’s injury report with the ankle injury that kept him out of last weekend’s loss to Washington. It is unknown if the 6-foot-8, 380-pounder is traveling with the team to Frankfurt, Germany, for Sunday’s game against the C...

5 things to watch in the Chicago Bears-Carolina Panthers game on Thursday night — plus our Week 10 predictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

The Chicago Bears will play their second Thursday night game of the season, welcoming the Carolina Panthers to Soldier Field. The teams were partners in the early March trade that sent the No. 1 pick to Carolina in exchange for wide receiver DJ Moore and four other draft selections.Now the Bears and Panthers, with a combined 3-15 record, will meet on the field in a prime-time clash. As kickoff nears, here’s our snapshot look at Thursday’s game.Player in the spotlightDJ MooreThe last time Moore played on a Thursday night, he owned the stage. Eight catches, 230 yards, three touchdowns in a blowout of the Washington Commanders. It was an explosive outing that represented just how good Moore can be and how valuable he is to the Bears offense.This Thursday night show at Soldier Field comes against Moore’s former team, with the 26-year-old receiver predictably downplaying the reunion and dismissing the idea he’ll have extra motivation.“The extra juice comes f...

Man receives the first eye transplant plus a new face. It’s a step toward one day restoring sight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

By LAURAN NEERGAARD (AP Medical Writer)NEW YORK (AP) — Surgeons have performed the world’s first transplant of an entire human eye, an extraordinary addition to a face transplant — although it’s far too soon to know if the man will ever see through his new left eye.An accident with high-voltage power lines had destroyed most of Aaron James’ face and one eye. His right eye still works. But surgeons at NYU Langone Health hoped replacing the missing one would yield better cosmetic results for his new face, by supporting the transplanted eye socket and lid.The NYU team announced Thursday that so far, it’s doing just that. James is recovering well from the dual transplant last May and the donated eye looks remarkably healthy.“It feels good. I still don’t have any movement in it yet. My eyelid, I can’t blink yet. But I’m getting sensation now,” James told The Associated Press as doctors examined his progress recently.“...

Free gas for veterans, active military members at these San Diego locations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Did someone say free gas? You heard it correctly. During select hours on Thursday, Nov. 9 and Friday, Nov. 10, veterans and active military members can get their tanks filled free of charge at two CIRCLE K locations in San Diego County. Prince Harry, Meghan visit San Diego ahead of Veterans Day Those at "Helpful Honda," a campaign that was set up by Southern California Honda dealerships to perform random acts of kindness in the community, will be pumping gas for those who have served the country in celebration of Veteran's Day.Active and retired military members with valid I.D. will be greeted by "Helpful Honda people" between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on both days at the following gas stations: ‘Take a Veteran to School Day’ celebrated in Coronado -- Thursday: CIRCLE K located 4360 Genesee Ave. in San Diego.-- Friday: CIRCLE K located 2903 Jamacha Rd. in El Cajon.Free gas will be offered on a first-come-first served basis with up to 100 drivers per location. ...

Elnaz Hajtamiri’s ex-boyfriend charged with 1st-degree murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

Missing woman Elnaz Hajtamiri’s ex-boyfriend Mohamad Lilo is now facing a first-degree murder charge. Hajtamiri hasn’t been seen since disappearing from a Wasaga Beach home in early 2022.An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) spokesperson confirmed with CityNews that Lilo is facing the charge for Hajtamiri’s death. Hajtamiri was forcibly removed from the Wasaga Beach residence by three suspects dressed in police gear on Jan. 12, 2022. They fled in what is believed to be a white Lexus RX sport utility vehicle.Police have arrested four people in the kidnapping case. An outstanding arrest warrant has been issued for a fifth suspect in the case — Deshawn Davis, 35, of Toronto. Related: 4th suspect arrested in kidnapping of Elnaz Hajtamiri 5th suspect charged in frying-pan attack on woman who was later abducted in Wasaga Beach A few weeks before her abduction, on Dec. 20, 2021, Hajtamiri was attacked at an underground parking garage on ...

Puerto Rico declares flu epidemic as cases spike. 42 dead and more than 900 hospitalized since July

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico health officials on Thursday declared an influenza epidemic in the U.S. territory.At least 25,900 cases have been reported since July, with 42 deaths and more than 900 hospitalizations on the island of 3.2 million people, Health Secretary Carlos Mellado said.Epidemiologist Melissa Marzán noted that officials have seen nearly six times more cases so far this year compared with the same period last year.Those who are 0 to 19 years old have been most affected, with more than 13,600 cases reported in that population, Mellado said.Health officials said there were plenty of vaccines, tests and treatments available on the island.A record 53,708 influenza cases were reported in 2015 in Puerto Rico.The Associated Press

NDP MP calls on Commons to support her bill seeking to criminalize coercive control

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

OTTAWA — New Democrat MP Laurel Collins says she began paying close attention to the issue of coercive control when her sister showed up to her door in tears.The member of Parliament from Victoria says her sister’s partner had taken away her keys and bank cards, and tried preventing her from leaving.Collins shared her sister’s story during a press conference in Parliament Hill today, as she called on MPs to support her private member’s bill seeking to criminalize a pattern of behaviour known as coercive control.She says advocates who support women dealing with domestic violence have called it a “crucial” step to criminalize behaviour in which abusers seek to limit their partners’ independence and keep them in potentially violent situations.Justice Minister Arif Virani expressed an openness to criminalizing such actions in a letter he penned to Ontario’s chief coroner this summer following an inquest into the 2015 slaying of three women in th...

Pastor’s suicide brings grief, warnings of the dangers of outing amid erosion of LGBTQ+ rights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:21:28 GMT

SMITHS STATION, Ala. (AP) — After the 2019 suicide of a local teenager, small-town mayor and pastor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland helped students place roadside signs in his Alabama community to try to reach others who might be hurting. “You are worthy of love.” “Don’t give up.” “You matter.”Those were the same messages friends said they tried get through to Copeland before he took his own life along one of those county roads two days after a conservative news site exposed social media posts where he appeared in women’s clothing, a wig and makeup.The disclosure bombarded Copeland, 49, with online ridicule and his death, experts said, underscores the dangers of outing people in an era that has seen the erosion of LGBTQ+ rights as states across the country introduce legislation based on sexual orientation and gender identity.Copeland’s friends said they hope it prompts a wave of self-examination about how we treat others.“I just want to ask you people who thought it humorous to publicly...