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6 things that threaten Europe, according to … the EU

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

BRUSSELS — The EU is thinking bigger.The European Commission on Thursday unveiled its annual strategic foresight report, setting out its focus for the coming years.The 21-page document illustrates the EU’s take on where the world is going. It’s also a rough guide to understand the ideology of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who still hasn’t indicated whether she intends to continue in her role for another five years.Spoiler alert: There are no major surprises. The report includes many of Brussels’ favorite words: “open strategic autonomy,” “resilience,” “sustainability,” and “geoeconomics.” The overarching idea is that the EU needs to beef up its autonomy as the golden age of globalization comes to an end. But in so doing, it must push forward its green transition at the cost of €620 billion per year and clamp down on domestic inequality.POLITICO unpacks the details and answers critical questions about the EU’s big-picture exercise.1. The return of geopol...

US Navy intervened to stop Iran seizing two tankers in Gulf of Oman, US defense official says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

(CNN) — The US Navy intervened to stop Iranian Navy ships attempting to seize two oil tankers in separate incidents in the Gulf of Oman early on Wednesday morning, according to a US defense official.An Iranian ship opened fire at the tanker in the second seizure attempt, according to the official.In the first incident, an Iranian Navy vessel approached the TRF Moss, a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, in international waters in the Gulf of Oman at approximately 1 am local time, the official said. The tanker was through the Strait of Hormuz and heading toward the Arabian Sea when the Iranian vessel approached.The Iranian ship had no reason to be there or approach the tanker except to attempt to seize it, the official said. A US Navy destroyer, along with maritime patrol aircraft, approached the ships to prevent the oil tanker being seized, the official said, at which point the Iranian vessel changed course and left the area.But only a few hours later, a second Irani...

VW to test self-driving tech in retro-styled electric Microbuses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

(CNN) — Ten self-driving electric Volkswagen buses will soon cruise the streets of Austin, Texas, testing autonomous driving technology. The automaker said it plans to launch commercial services in Austin by 2026.VW’s announcement comes less than a year after the German automaker and its partner Ford announced they would no longer invest in Argo AI, a start-up working on autonomous-driving technology in which both automakers had invested heavily.But Vokswagen did not give up on what are sometimes called “self-driving cars.” The 10 Volkwagen ID. Buzz electric vans will test technology VW is working on with Mobileye, an Israeli company once owned by Intel that also works with BMW, General Motors and Ford. Volkswagen of America plans to expand the testing program to “at least” four more cities in the US over the next three years, but it did not specify which cities.Each van will have a human driver on board for safety during at least the initial test runs,...

The Eagles announce ‘final’ tour dates after 52 years as a band

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

(CNN) — After more than 50 years The Eagles are heading on the road for what they say will be their “final” tour.On Thursday the legendary band announced “The Long Goodbye” tour that is set to kick off September 7 in New York.“The Eagles have had a miraculous 52-year odyssey, performing for people all over the globe; keeping the music alive in the face of tragic losses, upheavals and setbacks of many kinds,” the band said in a statement shared with CNN.“We know how fortunate we are, and we are truly grateful,” the statement also said. “Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed. But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle.”The Eagles’ longtime friends and fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Steely Dan, will open for the “Hotel California” music makers.According to the statement, Eagles members Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey “will perform as many shows in each market as t...

Britney Spears, slapped by NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s security, slaps guard with battery charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

Singer Britney Spears is pressing charges against a member of NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s security detail after the guard allegedly slapped her in Las Vegas.The incident occurred when the pop superstar approached the San Antonio Spurs player for a photo on Wednesday. Spears filed a police report with the Metropolitan Police Department for the alleged assault, TMZ reports.Damian Smith, the Director of Team Security for the Spurs, was reportedly listed in the police report. Sources told the celebrity gossip site that authorities determined Smith was not trying to harm the “Toxic” singer but was defending Wembanyama.“Britney saw Victor and walked up to tap him on the back to ask for a photo,” another source told Us Weekly. “His security was being mobbed with fans and he turned around trying to push Britney off and hit her in the face, knocking off her glasses.”Spears reportedly returned to her table at Catch restaurant at the ARIA Hotel where ...

The US will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package: AP sources

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

By NOMAAN MERCHANT, LOLITA C. BALDOR and ELLEN KNICKMEYER (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision.The decision comes despite widespread concerns that the controversial bombs can cause civilian casualties. The Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced “dud rate,” meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.U.S. officials said Thursday that the cluster munitions would be part of about $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine.Long sought by Ukraine, cluster bombs are weapons that open in the air, releasing submunitions, or “bomblets,” that are dispersed over a large area and are intended to wreak destruction on multi...

Recipe: Have a lot of summer squash? Try making this salad

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

This time of year, summer gardens and farmers markets yield an abundance of squash, primarily yellow crookneck, and zucchini. Here’s a delicious salad that uses both varieties raw, cut into 3/8-inch dice.Olives make a great garnish for this colorful mix. Their salty brininess adds an appealing contrast. Olives with their pits still in place taste better than pitted, but if using the unpitted beauties, be sure to put them off to the side rather than atop each serving so guests have a better visual clue that they aren’t pitted.For a vegetarian version, omit the salami.Summer Squash Orzo SaladYield: 6 servings1 teaspoon salt8 ounces orzo (rice-shaped pasta)2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil2 medium yellow crookneck squash, trimmed, cut in 3/8-inch dice2 medium zucchini squash, trimmed, cut in 3/8-inch dice1/2 large red onion, cut in 1/4inch dice1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, cut into 3/8-inch dice1 cup grape tomatoes or cherry, halved lengthwiseMinced zest of 1 lemon (colored portio...

4 vacation destinations for music lovers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

Ebony Williams | (TNS) The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionWhy not plan your next vacation around your love of music?Plenty of vacation destinations cater to specific interests, from national parks and museums, to food tours. For music lovers, part of a great vacation is finding the local hotspot or hidden gem where you can enjoy some live music. That’s a whole lot easier if you choose a destination where music is king.Here are four vacation destinations that are perfect for music lovers:Kansas City, MissouriKansas City has many intimate concerts venues spread throughout the city, from small mom-and-pop restaurants to large concert halls.The city has a rich jazz history, and it’s jazz district, centered around 18th and Vine, is still home to some legendary venues, including The Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum, which offers free jazz jam sessions many times throughout the week.People gather at the annual Africa in April festival in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. (Dreamstime/TNS)Memph...

East Boston apartment scam: Cape Cod man accused of stealing $32,000 from potential renters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

Police have nabbed an alleged apartment scammer who’s accused of stealing more than $30,000 from potential tenants who wanted to rent in East Boston.Timothy Andreev, 40, of Mashpee, has been arrested on eight outstanding warrants for larceny by scheme, according to Boston Police.This arrest stems from eight reports of apartment fraud in Eastie over the last month, police said.The alleged victims told police that they were looking for an apartment to rent in East Boston using Facebook Messenger, and they contacted Andreev who was showing the apartment.He’s accused of showing the residence, and then the alleged victim would send him a deposit to secure the apartment. Andreev promised the person that they would receive the keys at a later date.Afterwards, Andreev would not return any of the victims’ calls and would block the victims, police said.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Mass and Cass arrest: Weymouth man allegedly assaults State Police li...

Misinformation obscures standards guiding gender-affirming care for trans youth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:56 GMT

Helen Santoro | (TNS) KFF Health NewsAlmost three weeks after Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, signed a bill making it a felony for doctors to provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors, a judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of the law for three children whose parents are part of an ongoing lawsuit.Florida is one of at least 20 states that have limited gender-affirming treatment for minors. The legislators sponsoring some of these bills say their intent is to protect children and families from pressure “to receive harmful, experimental puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones and to undergo irreversible, life-altering surgical procedures,” as a new Montana law puts it.“Gender transitions involving major surgeries not only result in sterility, but other irreversible negative biological effects,” said Montana state Sen. John Fuller, the Republican who introduced the bill.Such laws and policies, and statements — such as Fuller’s — used to ju...