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Spain seeks delay of PM's EU presidency speech due to election

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

Spain wants to delay the presentation of priorities for its upcoming EU presidency until months after assuming the bloc's rotating leadership in July 1 due to a snap election, which some diplomats fear could disrupt Europe's agenda.The move contrasts with the Spanish government's earlier claims that the elections would in no way affect the timetable of the European presidency and that everything would go ahead as planned.On Monday (29 May), Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (pictured) decided to dissolve parliament and call a snap election on 23 July following heavy losses for his Socialist Party in local and regional votes held on 28 May.Sanchez was set to address the European Parliament's plenary session on July 13 to outline Madrid's main policies during the six-month presidency, but has now requested it be delayed to September, an official from Sanchez's Office told Reuters.With the change, EU lawmakers will be informed of Spain's priorities for the bloc two months after the start of...

How Russia Circumvents EU sanctions on machinery imports: the case of Deutz Fahr

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

This week the EU countries expect to agree on the 11th sanctions package against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The new measures will be primarily focused on closing loopholes to circumvent the previous restrictions. It is no secret that despite all existing bans, car dealerships in Moscow continue to sell the newest BMW and Mercedes models, restaurants serve Dom Perignon champagne, and clothing stores like TSUM provide the latest collections from top European brands.Loopholes also work in the opposite direction: Russia's oil exports, a key revenue stream generating over $380 billion for the national budget in 2022, have rebounded to pre-war levels, with a substantial portion still finding its way to the EU market via intermediary countries such as India and China.Russia's agricultural sector has also flourished as a significant revenue generator, raking in over $40 billion in 2022. This figure is on par with the proceeds from the country's metals exports and double the earning...

Village garbage man helped unearth ancient bronze statues in Italy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

One of Italy's most remarkable archaeological finds in decades goes on show this month - Etruscan and Roman statues pulled from the mud in Tuscany thanks in part to the intuition of a retired garbage man.About two dozen bronze statues from the third century BC to the first century AD, extracted from the ruins of an ancient spa, will go on display in Rome's Quirinale Palace from June 22, after months of restoration.When the discovery was announced in November, experts called it the biggest collection of ancient bronze statues ever found in Italy and hailed it as a breakthrough that would "rewrite history".The statues were found in 2021 and 2022 in the hilltop village of San Casciano dei Bagni, still home to popular thermal baths, where archaeologists had long suspected ancient ruins could be discovered.Initial attempts to locate them, however, were unsuccessful.Digging started in 2019 on a small plot of land next to the village's Renaissance-era public baths, but weeks of excavations...

EU countries weaken nature law in hunt for deal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

European Union countries want to water down parts of the bloc's flagship nature law by adding loopholes to dodge certain targets, as they attempt to find a deal on the contested proposal, a draft document showed.The EU's proposed law would set binding targets for countries to restore damaged natural environments. The aim is to turn around the ailing health of Europe's natural habitats - 81% of which are classed as in poor health - but it has faced pushback from some EU lawmakers and government leaders including in France, Belgium and Ireland.A draft negotiating document, seen by Reuters, showed countries plan to weaken proposed targets to revive drained peatlands used in agriculture, and insert a loophole so countries can avoid these targets in certain circumstances."The extent of the rewetting of peatland under agricultural use may be reduced to less than required ... if such rewetting is likely to have significant negative impacts on infrastructure, buildings, climate adaptation o...

Love the VW Bus? The new electric version was just unveiled in California’s Surf City

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

The VW bus is synonymous with Southern California surf culture – the original van-life vehicle that has a cult following among adventurers nostalgic for the good ol’ days road tripping and chasing waves.But Volkswagen is ready to ride into the future, unveiling on Friday, June 2, its North American launch of the ID.Buzz, the all-electric version of the classic VW bus.The gathering in Huntington Beach brought out hundreds of classic buses and fans, media and car enthusiasts, and marked an announcement for June 2 to officially become “International Volkswagen Bus Day.”The ID.Buzz, the all-electric version of the classic VW bus, got its North American introduction during an event in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, June 2, 2023. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)The ID.Buzz, the all-electric version of the classic VW bus, got its North American introduction during an event in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, June 2, 2023. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Regist...

Curriculum that mentions SF gay rights leader Harvey Milk blocked by Southern California school board

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

Temecula’s conservative school board majority has blocked a history textbook because its supporting materials mention slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk.School board President Joseph Komrosky, who opposed the book, called Milk “a pedophile.”In response, the Temecula teachers union staged a rally and plans another before the next Temecula Valley school board meeting Tuesday, June 13.Last month, Temecula Valley Unified School District officials brought the adoption of a book called Social Studies Alive to the board and recommended it be approved for students in first through fifth grades for eight years. The textbook would be used starting with the 2023-24 school year and cost about $1.6 million, according to a report to the board.But members of the board’s new conservative Christian majority raised concerns about the materials that go with the book, which mention Milk in optional supplemental resources. Milk, the subject of a 2008 film starring Sean Penn, isn’t in the actual textboo...

Parents and LGBTQ+ advocates clash at California elementary school Pride protest

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

“Stop grooming our kids,” shouts a group of parents. “No hate in the 818” yells back a group of LGBTQ+ advocates.These chants rang out for hours outside Saticoy Elementary School on Friday morning, June 2, where a group of predominantly Armenian parents protested a Pride-themed book reading that described same-sex marriage and counter-protesters defended the school’s right to teach grade school students about forms of sexuality.Armenian parents and their supporters protesting a Pride assembly are met by LGBTQ+ advocates at Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood on Friday, June 2, 2023. Tensions were heightened last week when a Pride flag was burned at the school. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)Retired teacher Linda Blackwell, 71, supports the LGBTQ+ community as Armenian parents and their supporters protest a Pride assembly at Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood on Friday, June 2, 2023. Tensions were heightened last week when a Pride flag was...

Owner of California bail bonds company accused of look-alike fugitive theft scheme

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

The owner of a prominent Riverside County bail bonds company was arrested on Friday, June 2, after a state Department of Insurance investigation concluded that Fausto Atilano submitted photographs of look-alikes posing as fugitives in order to receive refunds on bail money that his company had forfeited.Atilano, 60, of Temecula, owner of Fausto’s Bail Bonds, was charged with nine counts of perjury and five counts of preparing a false record, Superior Court records show. He was being held in lieu of $529,000 bail — the amount that the Department of Insurance said Atilano stole.Judge Jerry Yang approved the District Attorney’s Office’s request to prevent Atilano from posting bail until a hearing could be held to determine whether Atilano could do so without tapping into what authorities contend is stolen money. Atilano is due in court on July 17.Atilano has not made a court appearance. The court records do not list an attorney who could speak on Atilano’s behalf.The Department of Insu...

Disappearance of wealthy California ranch owner still a mystery after 3 years

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

What happened to Dia Abrams?Bonita Vista Ranch owner Dia Abrams, right, and ranch hand Jodi Newkirk. (Illustration by Staff Artist Jeff Goertzen) Photo by George SakkestadThe answer has eluded Riverside County sheriff’s investigators for three years and baffled residents of the San Jacinto Mountains where Abrams abruptly disappeared on June 6, 2020.It is a whodunit shrouded in a tale of wealth, family estrangement and heated litigation that continues to intrigue and attract attention from local and national media.“It’s like being in a ‘Dateline’ mystery,” said Peggy Kotner, Abrams’ sister. Asked what she thinks happened to her sister, Kotner said, “Your guess is as good as mine. I really want to know.”Abrams, who was 65 when she vanished, is presumed dead, though her body has never been found.Abrams’ disappearanceAbrams had been estranged for years from her husband, a  wealthy La Jolla developer who died in 2018. She loved the outdoors and animals, so in about 2004 or 2005 she ...

Word Game: June 5, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:52 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — COLLISION (COLLISION: kuh-LIZH-en: A crash or conflict.)Average mark 16 wordsTime limit 25 minutesCan you find 20 or more words in COLLISION? The list will be published tomorrow.SATURDAY’S WORD — DESICCATE dais date deceit deet deice dice diet disc ease east edict edit said sate scad scat seat sect sedate seed side site staid stead steed iced idea ideate ides cacti cadet case cast caste cease cede cesta cite accede aced acid acted adit aide ascetic aside tease teed tide tiedTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or...