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Commission welcomes agreement on the reform of the EU's electricity market design

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached today by the European Parliament and the Council on the reform of the EU's electricity market design.This deal will help the EU build a renewables-based energy system, lower energy bills and better protect consumers from price spikes and empower them to benefit from the transition. It will ensure a sustainable and independent energy supply to the EU, in line with the European Green Deal  and the REPowerEU Plan. This reform, which was proposed by the Commission as part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan, will also make the European industry cleaner and more competitive thanks to better access to affordable renewable, non-fossil energy.The reform provisionally agreed today by the EU co-legislators features revisions to several pieces of EU legislation – notably, the Electricity Regulation, the Electricity Directive, and the REMIT Regulation.Building on the lessons of the energy crisis spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the...

EU to invest more than €760 million in digital transition and cybersecurity

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

The Commission has adopted the amendment of the Digital Europe work programmes for 2024, assigning €762.7 million in funding for digital solutions to benefit citizens, public administrations, and businesses.Firstly, the amended main work programme with a 2024 budget of nearly €549 million will focus on deploying projects that use digital technologies such as data, cloud, and advanced digital skills. The work programme will roll out support for the smooth implementation of Digital Decade multi-country projects including opportunities for European Digital Infrastructure Consortia (EDICs). New actions will support the implementation of the AI Act and the development of a European AI ecosystem, including in particular SMEs.The Commission has earmarked the remaining €214 million for 2024 for cybersecurity, to enhance the EU's collective resilience against cyber threats. The actions funded by this work programme will be implemented by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre.Executive...

Horoscopes Dec. 18, 2023: Katie Holmes, stick to the facts

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Christina Aguilera, 43; Katie Holmes, 45; Brad Pitt, 60; Steven Spielberg, 77.Happy Birthday: Take your time and do things right the first time. Listen, evaluate and make every move and moment count. Let your enthusiasm lead the way, but your discipline and insight must take precedence. Stick to the facts and use common sense to navigate your way forward. You have plenty to gain if you are precise and dedicated to finishing what you start. Question anything and anyone lacking facts to back up offers or information. Your numbers are 5, 17, 20, 26, 32, 37, 44.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Address money matters swiftly. Don’t take a risk or trust someone’s discretion. Say little and do a lot. Your actions will be what saves the day, not your words. A change of heart is likely due to someone’s response or lack of having your back. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Opportunity awaits; displaying what you offer will change the dynamics of your p...

Word Game: Dec. 18, 2023

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — CHOREA (CHOREA: ko-REE-uh: A disorder marked by involuntary spasmodic movements.)Average mark 18 wordsTime limit 30 minutesCan you find 22 or more words in CHOREA? The list will be published tomorrow.SATURDAY’S WORD — INDIRECT iced icier incite indict indie indite inert inter irenic nerd nice nicer niter nitric dent dice dicer dicier diet dine diner dint dire direct dirt rein rend rent rice ricin ride rind rite edict edit cent cider cinder cite citrine credit cried tend tern tide tidier tied tier tinder tine tinier tire trend trice tried trineTo 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” ...

Single-family residence sells in Oakland for $1.9 million

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

2707 Camino Lenada – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 2700 block of Camino Lenada in Oakland has new owners. The 3,606-square-foot property, built in 2005, was sold on Oct. 17, 2023. The $1,895,000 purchase price works out to $526 per square foot. This two-story house has three bedrooms and three baths.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:In March 2022, a 2,785-square-foot home on Mountain Gate Way in Oakland sold for $3,500,000, a price per square foot of $1,257. The home has 3 bedrooms.A 2,657-square-foot home on the 2000 block of Mastlands Drive in Oakland sold in September 2022, for $1,610,000, a price per square foot of $606. The home has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Ascot Place, Oakland, in May 2023, a 2,125-square-foot home was sold for $1,525,000, a price per square foot of $718. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

Ask Amy: A boy reading Judy Blume, and other inspiring tales

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

Dear Readers: For the past 14 years, I have devoted one December column entirely to the idea of giving books to children on Christmas morning (or whatever wintertime holiday you celebrate).Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: I swear we will move without her if she can’t get her stuff packed in time Advice | Ask Amy: Could my mother really believe I owe it to her to have children? Advice | Ask Amy: I was surprised by my brother’s advice about my girlfriend. Was he right? Advice | Ask Amy: I’m uncomfortable about my husband’s DNA test request Advice | Ask Amy: He says I’m not small enough to marry I was first inspired by a sweet story I read about historian David McCullough’s childhood, where he and his three brothers would wake up on Christmas morning to a wrapped book, left by Santa on the foot of their beds.I communicated with Mr. McCullough, and from his home in Massachusett...

Harriette Cole: An audience makes my roommate more irritating

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m currently facing a challenging situation with my roommate. She has a habit of imitating everything I do, which is not only irritating but also seems to escalate into arguments over trivial matters, especially when we have company around.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: He’s finally single, but his ex brainwashed him. How can I get through? Advice | Harriette Cole: How do I tell this nice girl I sent the text by mistake? Advice | Harriette Cole: How far should I go with my Christmas to remember? Advice | Harriette Cole: He hasn’t told his therapist about this big problem Advice | Harriette Cole: My mom’s rule kept me stuck at home for the holiday break I’ve noticed she thrives on debates in front of our friends, making our social gatherings uncomfortable.As the new year approaches, I’m eager to create some distance between us without severing...

The Hamas Terrorist Who Wasn’t

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

How’s the backyard, Jason? Is there somewhere we can talk?”It was May 20, 2020, at the height of the pandemic, and an FBI SWAT team had raided the house Jason Fong shared with his parents in Orange County, California. Fong, a 24-year-old Chinese American who, until recently, had been a U.S. Marine Corps reservist, sat handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser outside.“Just a couple of chairs at the back table,” he told the Irvine police detective and FBI agent questioning him.Fong led the two lawmen to the backyard, where all three sat at a table near the pool. A body camera worn by FBI Special Agent Thuan Ngo recorded the conversation. Fong, still handcuffed, wore a blue button-down shirt and a white face mask. The family dog wandered around, happily wagging its tail.“How long have you had this dog?” the detective, Michael Moore, asked.“Since I was 16,” Fong answered.Moore read Fong his Miranda rights; Ngo advised him that making a false statement to a federal agent is a felony.“L...

In Israel, the US defense secretary is expected to press for a more targeted approach in Gaza

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was expected to press Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza on a visit Monday, in the latest test of whether the U.S. can leverage its unwavering support for the offensive to blunt its devastating impact on Palestinian civilians.France, the U.K. and Germany — some of Israel’s closest allies — joined global calls for a cease-fire over the weekend, and Israeli protesters have demanded the government relaunch talks with Hamas on releasing more hostages after three were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops while waving a white flag.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will keep fighting until it removes Hamas from power, crushes its still-formidable military capabilities and returns the dozens of hostages still held by the group after its Oct. 7 attack, which ignited the war.The U.S. has vetoed calls for a cease-fire at the U.N. and rushed munitions to its close ally while pressing it to...

CSP investigating hit-and-run on Lookout Mountain, 2 cyclists hurt

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:18:12 GMT

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) -- Colorado State Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run that happened Saturday afternoon on Lookout Mountain.Investigators said two cyclists were hit, and the driver of a green Ford Mustang fled the scene. The two cyclists were hurt, one with serious and the other with minor injuries. Boulder Police respond to multiple bomb threats at Jewish synagogues CSP said one car slowed down and the green Ford Mustang behind it drove around in the opposite lane to pass it, striking both cyclists.Investigators said the Mustang was later found abandoned, but they have an idea who was responsible."I looked down and I could see there was a blue vehicle and a green vehicle," Paul Mourer said.Mourer was riding past another group of cyclists around a hairpin turn near where it happened."I yelled to them, 'Hey watch out there's some aggressive drivers down there,'" Mourer said.That didn't stop one of those drivers from striking two cyclists on the road, driving toward ...