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Commission snubs Charles Michel’s 2030 EU enlargement target

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

BRUSSELS — The European Commission on Tuesday shot down Charles Michel’s 2030 target for EU enlargement.The top two institutions in Brussels clashed again as the EU executive pushed back against the European Council president’s remarks Monday that the bloc should be ready to accept new members in 2030.“We are not focused on a date, but focused on working very closely with candidate countries to get ready for joining the European Union,” the Commission’s deputy spokesperson Dana Spinant said at a daily press briefing Tuesday.She added that Michel had not consulted Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about the content of his enlargement speech Monday at a conference in Bled, Slovenia.The latest public disagreement between von der Leyen and Michel — dubbed “Europe’s odd couple” for their difficult relationship — comes as the topic of EU enlargement is gaining momentum in Brussels. Also Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a “multi-speed”...

Indict 2, Get None Free: Two Taunton women indicted for counterfeit coupon ring, stealing $27,000 worth of goods

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

A grand jury has handed down indictments for two women who authorities say ran a counterfeit coupon ring that netted $27,000 worth of stolen goods.The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday that Jacqueline White, 41, and Crystal Travis, 40, were indicted on multiple larceny-related charges following a months-long investigation by police in Hingham, Abington and the Coupon Information Center (CIC), a non-profit that focuses on fighting coupon fraud.“The indictments allege that from March 10, 2023 through June 2, 2023, White and Travis entered numerous Stop and Shop grocery stores in Massachusetts, and used counterfeit coupons to steal approximately $26,547 of products,” the DA’s office stated in a news release. “The indictments further allege that White and Travis operated a complex scheme using social media sites and apps like Facebook and Dropbox to purchase counterfeit coupons.”Authorities said the two women would allege...

The 2023 VMAs: From nominees to performers, here’s what to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

Alexandra Del Rosario | (TNS) Los Angeles TimesThe 2023 MTV Video Music Awards are just around the corner. In the words of this year’s top nominee, VMAs veteran Taylor Swift, “Are you ready for it?”On Sept. 12, silver statues of MTV moon people will be ripe for the picking by a handful of today’s top musicians. The annual ceremony will return to New Jersey for the second year in a row for what’s sure to be a night of bold performances, moving acceptance speeches and vital viral moments.“Celebrating one of our biggest nights in music with the Garden State’s incredible fans has been our goal since last year’s highly successful event,” Bruce Gillmer, president of music talent at Paramount, said in a statement.In the weeks leading up to this year’s awards show, MTV has unveiled honorees and artists who are set to take the stage. Here’s everything we know so far.Where is the show and how can I watch?The MTV Video Music Awa...

Hurricane Idalia chases Florida residents from the Gulf Coast as forecasters warn of storm surge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

By DANIEL KOZIN (Associated Press)CEDAR KEY, Fla. (AP) — Idalia strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday and barreled toward Florida’s Gulf Coast as authorities warned residents of vulnerable areas to pack up and leave to escape the twin threats of high winds and devastating flooding.Idalia was churning in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 1 storm, but it was projected to come ashore early Wednesday as a Category 3 system with sustained winds of up to 120 mph (193 kph) in the lightly populated Big Bend region, where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula. The result could be a big blow to a state still dealing with lingering damage from last year’s Hurricane Ian.The National Weather Service in Tallahassee called Idalia “an unprecedented event” since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend region.On the island of Cedar Key, Commissioner Sue Colson joined other city officials in packing up documents and el...

University of North Carolina graduate student charged in killing of faculty advisor denied bond

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, GARY D. ROBERTSON and SARAH RANKIN (Associated Press)CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Authorities charged a University of North Carolina graduate student Tuesday with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his faculty advisor, in an attack that caused a campus lockdown while police searched for the gunman.During a brief hearing, Orange County Superior Court Judge Sherri Murrell ordered 34-year-old Tailei Qi to remain jailed without bond as an interpreter explained to Qi in Mandarin what was happening in the courtroom. She scheduled his next court date for Sept. 18.Dana Graves, a public defender who represented Qi during the hearing, left the courtroom without talking to reporters.Qi is charged with first-degree murder and having a 9mm handgun on educational property in the the Monday killing of Zijie Yan inside of a science building on UNC’s flagship campus in Chapel Hill. The attack led to a roughly three-hour lockdown of the campus, a week after students return...

Life in a rural ‘ambulance desert’ means sometimes help isn’t on the way

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

Taylor Sisk | (TNS) KFF Health NewsCARROLLTON, Ala. — Annie Jackson can’t know whether her sister Grena Prude might have survived had an ambulance been more readily available when she went into cardiac arrest on May 10. But Jackson is convinced her sister would have at least had a chance.Prude, 55, died at the steps of Carrollton City Hall, less than a half-mile from her county’s only ambulance station. When someone called 911 to get her help, two ambulances were on duty: One was transporting a patient to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 45 minutes away, and the other a patient to Columbus, Mississippi, a 30-minute drive.“It was a horrible situation,” said Vicky McCrory, supervisor of the nonprofit Pickens County Ambulance Service, but not an isolated one. There have been multiple similar tragedies.That single ambulance station in Carrollton serves all of Pickens County, dispatching one and sometimes two ambulances to serve just under 20,000 residents spread across 900 square miles. The farthes...

U.S. takes down rogue robot network that infected 200,000 computers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

By Nathaniel Percy, Southern California News GroupFederal law enforcement officials have disrupted a malware known as Qakbot — a computer code used by cybercriminals to commit ransomware, financial fraud and other cyber crimes leading to massive losses worldwide, they announced on Tuesday, Aug. 29.The Qakbot malware infected more than 700,000 victim computers, federal authorities said, before it’s infrastructure was taken down. The malware was being deleted from those computers, preventing it from doing more harm.The Department of Justice said authorities had seized more than $8.6 million in cryptocurrency in illicit profits.It’s the largest United States-led financial and technical disruption of a botnet infrastructure used by cybercriminals, according to the Department of Justice. The operation also involved actions in France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Romania and Latvia.“An international partnership led by the Justice Department and the FBI has resulted in the...

Which veterans could be nearing the end of their Yankees tenure?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

With the Yankees all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the team has been focusing on its younger players.With Anthony Volpe already starting at shortstop all season, Everson Pereira and Oswald Peraza joined the fray when they were promoted on Aug. 22. Oswaldo Cabrera is also expected to play more regularly than he has, and the Yankees have spent a great deal of time talking about other prospects in recent days.But what about the team’s veterans? How do they play into the rest of this season and the team’s 2024 plans?Let’s take a look at a handful of notable, seasoned players and what their futures may hold.LUIS SEVERINOStatus: Impending free agentA former Cy Young finalist, Severino has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball this year with a 6.64 ERA through 81.1 innings. But the righty has shown flashes of his old self over his last two starts, something he’d like to do more of as he heads for the open market.Either way, the 29-year-...

Recipe: While plums are still available, use them in this couscous salad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

Every year when the season for stone fruit draws to an end, I am eager to use it in as many dishes as possible. Plums are generally available through most of September and one of my favorite ways to show them off is in an irresistible couscous salad.It’s delicious as a side dish served with grilled pork or lamb. To make it a meaty entrée, toss in some cubed cooked chicken (boned and skinned) at the beginning of step number three.The recipe yields about 12 servings, making it perfect for a potluck or party. If you want a smaller amount, reduce the ingredients by half.Couscous with Plums and Fresh MintYield: About 13 cups, amounts can be halved if desiredINGREDIENTS4 1/2 cups water1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 teaspoon ground cumin2 teaspoons salt2 (10-ounce) packages couscous (3 1/3 cups uncooked)1/2 cup dried currants or golden raisins1/2 cup chopped dried apricots4 small shallots, or 2 large shallots, minced (about 4 tablespoons)1/2 cup rice vinegar1/3 cup honey1/2 cup extra-virg...

Patriots practice attendance hints at potential roster cuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:49 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots saw two major returns and seven absences from Tuesday’s practice at Gillette Stadium.The good news: Cornerback Christian Gonzalez returned to practice after missing Sunday’s session. Offensive tackle Calvin Anderson also was practicing for the first time this summer after being activated off of the non-football illness list. The team was in shells and shorts rather than full pads.Guard Cole Strange and wide receiver Demario Douglas also appeared to be increasing their participation in practice.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots trade K Nick Folk to Titans for draft pick, rookie K Chad Ryland starting New England Patriots | Patriots activating offseason free-agent signing off NFI list before cuts New England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains Patriots’ trades for OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Vederian Lowe New England Patriots | Sources: Patriots release QB Trace McSorley,...