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Ask Amy: Mother wants another baby despite family’s wishes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

Dear Amy: At 54, my mother, already blessed with two academically accomplished children in the eighth and 12th grades, says she wants to have a third child.I am nearly 18 years old and will leave for college next year.My father, who is 57, is adamant that he doesn’t want another baby. He is a middle-school teacher and could retire within a few years. The idea of raising another child weighs heavily on him, having managed students his whole life.Plus — would a 12-year-old want a father in his 70s?Nobody except my mother wants another child. To accomplish this without enduring another pregnancy, she’s exploring surrogacy. She says she is encouraged by medical professionals who believe her fertility levels can produce a baby.I’m also concerned about my mom’s demanding work schedule. She works extremely long hours, and yet still wants to add another child to our family.Am I selfish in questioning the allocation of resources, as my mother contemplates fundin...

Deal reached on stricter EU rules for waste shipments

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

Last week, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on revising EU procedures and control measures for waste shipments.The agreed law aims to protect the environment and human health more effectively, while contributing to achieve the EU’s climate neutrality, circular economy and zero pollution goals.Strengthening the rules governing exports of waste outside the EUEU exports of certain non-hazardous wastes and mixtures of non-hazardous wastes for recovery (i. e. to be used for other purposes) will be allowed only to those non-OECD countries that consent and fulfil the criteria to treat such waste in an environmentally sound manner, including by complying with international labour and workers’ rights conventions. The Commission will draw up a list of such recipient countries, to be updated at least every two years.Parliament ensured that plastic waste can no longer be exported to non-OECD countries within two and a half years after the entry into force of the regulation...

Design and decorate for transitions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

Builders began addressing the needs of buyers before buyers asked for flexible and transitional offerings throughout their homes.As a result, new-home offerings mean spaces within homes can easily convert from one use to the next. Additional en suite bedrooms, workspaces, home gyms, flexible living areas or indoor and outdoor kitchens can be worked into many new-home plans.A bonus space can serve as both a media room and a home studio. A main-level bedroom can have a dedicated entrance separate from the home’s main entrance. The primary suite can be arranged to incorporate a private nook for exercise, reading or hobbies. And the indoor-outdoor ease of a California Room sets new construction apart from older homes.But given so many opportunities for flexibility and transition, the new-home buyer might wonder about how to connect all of these spaces, creating flow and uniformity that still expresses personality and style.Consider taking a seasonal approach.Set the stageNeutral tones a...

Draw for the 2024 European Championship qualifying playoffs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Draw made Thursday for the 2024 European Championship qualifying playoffs:Path ASemifinalsMarch 21Poland vs. EstoniaWales vs. FinlandFinalMarch 26Wales or Finland vs. Poland or EstoniaPath BSemifinalsMarch 21Israel vs. IcelandBosnia-Herzegovina vs. UkraineFinalMarch 26Bosnia-Herzegovina or Ukraine vs. Israel or IcelandPath CSemifinalsMarch 21Georgia vs. LuxembourgGreece vs. KazakhstanFinalMarch 26Georgia or Luxembourg vs. Greece or Kazakhstan___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerSource

President and first lady to attend service for Rosalynn Carter in Georgia next week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

(CNN) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Atlanta next week for a tribute service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter.Vice President Kamala Harris and the second gentleman will also attend the Tuesday service.A number of ceremonies  are slated to take place next week to celebrate the life of Carter, the wife of former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 96.According to the Carter Center, members of the public will be able to pay their respects as the former first lady lies in repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum on Monday, while the tribute service will be held for invited guests Tuesday at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University. A funeral service will take place Wednesday for family and invited friends at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, according to the schedule shared by the Carter Center.The president, speaking with reporters shortly after Rosalynn Carter’s death, praised the Carter family, sayin...

Jamie Foxx accused of sexual assault in new lawsuit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

(CNN) — Actor Jamie Foxx faces sexual assault and battery charges in a lawsuit filed on Monday with the New York State Supreme Court.The alleged incident occurred in 2015 at Catch NYC, a popular New York City restaurant, according to the complaint obtained by CNN.CNN has reached out to representatives for Foxx as well as the plaintiff’s attorney.The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, claims in the suit that Foxx “intentionally and without consent used force to offensively touch Plaintiff’s person,” including groping her breasts and genitals. The complaint alleges Foxx seemed “intoxicated” at the time of the incident.As a result, the complaint states the woman suffered and continues to suffer “physical and emotional injuries, anxiety, distress, embarrassment and economic harm,” and is seeking an unspecified amount.The plaintiff is also suing the restaurant’s parent company, Catch Hospitality Group, and various related business entities as defendants for negligent hiring, training and...

Everton fueled by resentment and ire at record sanction as Man United heads to Goodison Park bearpit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

Fueled by a sense of perceived injustice, Everton is ready to turn its Goodison Park home into a bearpit in response to being deducted a Premier League-record 10 points for breaching financial rules.Manchester United, beware.Everton’s first match since receiving a sanction that stunned many in soccer — not least those associated with the Merseyside club in question — is on Sunday when United visits a stadium which will be seething with fury and resentment.Goodison Park, an old and compact ground, is famously atmospheric and often hostile, with the vocal home fans never shy about getting their point across — even toward their own players and officials.This time, the ire will be directed toward the Premier League following a penalty that puts Everton’s 70-year status in the top flight at huge risk.An appeal has been launched by Everton but that hasn’t stopped its director of football, Kevin Thelwell, speaking of a “wholly disproportionate and unjust ruling” that will provide “addition...

A MILDER FEEL FOR SOFLA ON THANKSGIVING

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving, South Florida!Hopefully everyone has had enough time to prepare for the holiday and can take it easy today! It seems the weather for South Florida may be okay as a weak front slides through our area today. However, this morning it did not feel that way!  Plenty of cloud cover and temperatures in the mid to low 70s made it feel like a summer morning for many. Portions of the Florida Keys saw a few showers early this morning. And while today’s front isn’t expected to be a strong one, at least it could bring some slight changes to the forecast. However, cloud cover may stick around on & off throughout the day. Let’s jump right into the important stuff – the Thanksgiving forecast for South Florida! As we watched most of the country be affected by a large storm system that brought rain sleet, snow and much colder air, South Florida will get the bits and pieces of what’s left of this front. Although the front is forecast to clear most of our area today, it w...

Euroskeptics cheer shock Wilders win in Dutch election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

Europe’s far-right politicians are lining up to congratulate the anti-Islam, Euroskeptic radical Geert Wilders on his shock victory in Wednesday’s Dutch parliamentary elections.Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally, said she was “delighted” by Wilders’ triumph. “Geert Wilders and his movement are allies of the National Rally,” Le Pen told French public radio broadcaster France Inter Thursday morning. “They demonstrate that more and more countries within the European Union are contesting the way it works,” Le Pen said.Wilders’ far-right Freedom Party (PVV) made an unexpected breakthrough, securing 37 of the 150 parliamentary seats, according to the latest polls on Thursday morning — making PVV the biggest party in the country.The election results sent shudders through Brussels, as Wilders has openly called for a “Nexit” referendum on leaving the EU. Asked whether a potential “Nexit” referendum would be good news, Le Pen answere...

Nice weather for Thanksgiving!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:33 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving! Whether you’re participating in a Turkey Trot, watching football or running last-minute errands to cook the big meal, the weather will cooperate with us. It’s dry and seasonable today. We’ll see a lot of sunshine. It’ll be breezy so that’ll add a bit of a chill to the air. High temperatures head for the upper 40s/low 50s.Tonight, it’ll be cold for MetroWest will temperatures falling into the low 30s. It’ll be cooler tomorrow in the mid/upper 40s. A slight breeze will still be around, once again adding a chill to the air. Luckily, it stays dry for any Black Friday shopping. You might just want to wear a coat!A dry cold front drops in late Friday ushering in much colder air overnight into Saturday morning. That cold air is with us all day Saturday. High pressure will also be nearby promoting sunny conditions. Temperatures fall to the teens and only rebound to the 30s. It’ll be slightly better Sunday ahead of rain late...