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Germany's Scholz in Bucharest to shore up support for Romania

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Romania on Monday to underscore Western support for a key NATO ally that borders Ukraine and also for neighbouring Moldova, which has looked especially vulnerable since Russia's invasion last year.Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who accuses Moscow of fomenting unrest in her tiny former Soviet republic, met Scholz and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest, pressing for support to speed up Moldova's accession to the European Union.Russia denies causing trouble in Moldova, which is situated between Romania and Ukraine.Scholz's visit to Bucharest comes a day after German armsmaker Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) announced it was setting up a maintenance and logistics hub in northern Romania on the Ukrainian border to service weapons used in Ukraine.Scholz praised Romania's willingness to take in refugees spilling over the border from the war in Ukraine, adding: "Germany stands firmly by Romania's side."Asked why Romania specifically had been chosen to...

Presale Codes for Melanie Martinez Portals Tour

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

Think I just remembered something, I think I left the faucet running… oh and the enigmatic Melanie Martinez is going on a 29 city tour, possibly to a city near you! Dubbed the “Portals” tour in support of her recent album of the same name, Melanie Martinez will be criss-crossing the country, starting May 30 in Denver, CO and wrapping July 15 in Montreal, QC, with stops here in Southern California along the way on June 9 in Inglewood at the YouTube Theater and June 10 in San Diego at the Viejas Arena — see below for all dates. Passwords and presale codes for Melanie Martinez Portals Tour tickets are as follows:Presale codes for Melanie Martinez Portals TourPresale tickets for Melanie Martinez Portals Tour go on sale today, April 5 and we’ve been told the following presale codes and passwords may work. Details are subject to change, and vary by event date:Chase card presale code or password: 541712 (you will need a Chase card to make the purchase)Live Nation website ...

Ask Amy: How could I come in second to a dead woman?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

Dear Amy: I need your objective opinion. I’m a divorced mom of two and last year, my boyfriend moved in with me, followed by his daughter (age 12). I love them both very much.I helped him through his alcoholism, which stemmed from a tragic event. His first wife died shortly after they got married. More tragic was that when she died, she was expecting their first child together.After some time, he went on to marry another woman, and their daughter was born. That wife got involved in drugs and cheated on him. His health deteriorated and he ended up having life-saving surgery.He now has a great job, no longer drinks, and we are generally happy.The issue is that he often brings up his first wife. He has a pendant of her face on their wedding day hanging in his car. He has also brought me and his daughter to her grave. The marker has a photo of him, and his burial plot is next to hers.He once made a comment that if she hadn’t died, we wouldn’t be together, and his daugh...

Harriette Cole: I’m rattled by my friend’s unexplained death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: A woman who is peripheral to my social circle passed away a month ago. It was sudden, and to the best of my knowledge, she was not ill.  Her death has shaken our friend group.Now, every time I feel even the slightest bit sick, I run to the doctor. I don’t want to become a hypochondriac or anything, but I’m worried.My friend was only 50 years old, and she seemed healthy. I’m not sure what killed her, but I want to do my part to make sure I don’t drop dead out of the blue. What can I do?In a PanicDEAR IN A PANIC: You are not wrong to be conscious of your health. However, you also know that people can die at any age. Additionally, you know that tomorrow is not promised. Your friend’s untimely passing proves that.Yes, it is wise to check your health. Get a complete physical annually. Share details of your personal health history as fully as you can recall. Be sure to share your family’s health history as well.Related ArticlesAdvice | ...

UN officials condemn Taliban ban on female Afghan staffers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — U.N. officials have condemned a Taliban decision to bar Afghan female staffers from working at the agency.Despite initial promises of a more moderate rule than during its previous stint in power, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures since taking over the country in 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces were pulling out of Afghanistan after two decades of war.Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade. Women are barred from working, studying, traveling without a male companion, and even going to parks. Women must also cover themselves from head to toe.Afghan women are already barred from working at national and international non-governmental organizations, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid, but the ban did not previously cover working for the U.N.On Tuesday, however, the U.N. mission in Afghanistan expressed concern after its female staffers were prevented from reporting to work in eastern Nangarhar province. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said agency o...

Germany’s Lufthansa to sell catering business LSG Group

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German airline Lufthansa said Wednesday that it has agreed to sell the remainder of its catering business to European private equity group Aurelius for an undisclosed sum.Lufthansa said selling the rest of its LSG Group business, which follows the sale of European LSG Sky Chefs activities to Gategroup in 2019, is part of its strategy to focus more on its core airline activities.The sale involves “all classic catering, onboard retail and food commerce activities and brands” of the LSG Group, plus all 131 LSG Sky Chefs customer service centers in the U.S., Latin America, Asia-Pacific and emerging markets; Europe-based onboard retail unit Retail InMotion and SCIS Air Security Services in the U.S., Lufthansa said in a statement.LSG Group has about 19,000 employees and 36 joint ventures worldwide.Lufthansa chief financial officer Remco Steenbergen said the deal “enables us to focus even more on further improving the profitability and capital returns of the Lufthansa Group c...

Cities will get nearly $200M in grants for pipeline upgrades

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Federal officials announced the first $196 million of grants Wednesday in a $1 billion program to repair and replace aging and sometimes leaking natural gas pipelines across the country.The Transportation Department and its Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced that the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, will get $10 million as the first grant recipient. Nineteen other communities will also get grants to help upgrade 270 miles (435 kilometer) of natural gas pipelines, although the government didn’t identify all the recipients.Another nearly $400 million of grants will be announced later this year.The grants, announced by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, will be paid for with money from the infrastructure law President Joe Biden’s administration is touting in a series of events across the country.Several of the pipelines that will be repaired or replaced were installed decades ago, and some of them are leaking. Offi...

Premier League condemns ‘tragedy chanting’ by Chelsea fans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The Premier League criticized a section of Chelsea fans for their “tragedy chanting” during the 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, saying it is an “unacceptable issue.”Some Chelsea supporters could be heard during the second half Tuesday directing taunts at the traveling Liverpool contingent, relating to the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in 1989 that resulted in the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.“The Premier League condemns the tragedy chanting heard at (the) match between Chelsea and Liverpool,” the league said late Tuesday, adding it was seeking to address the problem “as a priority.”Chelsea released a statement after the game, apologizing to Liverpool fans and saying “hateful chanting has no place in football.”Liverpool said that type of chanting “has to stop” for the sake of those “who continue to suffer as a result of football tragedies.”On Saturday, Manchester City was forced to apologize for hateful chanting by some of its fans during the 4...

DC could see more street vending after proposed bill passes council vote

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

In a unanimous decision, the D.C. Council passed a bill to decriminalize street vending. The bill would also create vending zones in places such as sidewalks, make it easier for vendors to secure a license and wave currently unpaid citations for vendors.“It’s an emotional moment that this day has finally come, and I was glad we were joined by all of the vendors in the chamber today,” Council member Brianne K. Nadeau said in a statement. “This legislation would not have come into existence, and likely would not have gone very far, were it not for their tireless advocacy.”More DC NewsMore Food & Restaurant NewsMore Local NewsThe bill’s next stop is Mayor Muriel Bower’s office. If the mayor signs off on the bill, it will head to Congress for approval.Nadeau said street vendors are a part of the District’s culture, bringing an energetic feel to D.C.’s neighborhoods.“Street vendors contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of Col...

Aleksander Čeferin wins new term as UEFA president

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:25 GMT

Aleksander Čeferin, president of European football’s governing body UEFA, was reelected unopposed for a new four-year term on Wednesday.First elected in 2016, Čeferin was chosen by acclamation during the organization’s annual Congress in Lisbon. As with his first reelection in 2019, Čeferin was the only candidate.“It really means a lot to me, it is a great honor but mainly it is a great responsibility towards you and towards football,” he said Wednesday. “I will do my best not to disappoint you and to disappoint football.”A professional lawyer, the 55-year-old Slovenian took over as head of UEFA from France’s Michel Platini, who resigned over a conflict of interest and abuse of power scandal. Platini and then-FIFA boss Sepp Blatter later faced criminal charges in that case in Switzerland, but were eventually both acquitted last July.Čeferin has proved to be a smooth political operator in the role, cultivating key relationships in Brussels and in national capi...