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Commission approves €16 million Bulgarian measure to support Bulgartransgaz's natural gas storage facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a €16 million Bulgarian measure to support the expansion of Bulgartranstaz's natural gas storage facility in Chiren.Bulgartranstaz decided to invest approximately €285 million to expand the capacity of its natural gas storage plant in Chiren, which is the only natural gas storage facility in Bulgaria. The storage capacity of the facility is expected to increase from 550 million to 1 billion cubic meters. Moreover, the capacities for withdrawal and injection of natural gas in the grid will also be increased.Bulgaria notified to the Commission its plans to support Bulgartransgaz's investment with a nine-year €16 million public guarantee on the loan to finance the measure. The aim is to ensure security of gas supply, enhance competition in the gas market, also thanks to a greater integration of the plant in the network, and encourage gas trade in the region.The Chiren storage expansion is a project of common interest (‘PCI...

Japan tries to stake its claim as favorite at Women’s World Cup when quarterfinals begin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Japan has hardly been tested in this Women’s World Cup and rolled with a perfect 4-0 record into the quarterfinals, where a win over Sweden would show the Nadeshiko are very much a true contender. But Friday’s opening day of the quarterfinals also gives Netherlands an opportunity to take control of a wide-open World Cup. The Dutch were runners-up to the United States four years ago, and the Americans beat them in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics. With the U.S. already eliminated, Netherlands has a major obstacle out of its way. But first up comes a match against Spain, which had never before advanced into the quarterfinals of the World Cup until this year. A look at Friday’s games: JAPAN-SWEDENSweden is rated third in the world by FIFA and the highest-ranked team still in the World Cup. After three third-place finishes in the tournament, the Swedes are ready to play in a championship game. Sweden ended America’s run toward an unp...

‘Road Shark’ campaign in Fairfax Co. bites nearly 25,000 drivers for unsafe driving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

In March, Fairfax County Police and Virginia State Police teamed up to put a focus on catching motorists driving dangerously in the county. It was called the 2023 “Road Shark” campaign and in four waves, 25,000 warnings and citations went out.“That means these are 25,000 people that are aware that we’re enforcing these traffic laws, and that they need to be more careful and safer on our roadways to protect everyone involved, including themselves,” said Alaina Gertz with Fairfax County Police.The results are in! Road Shark has come to a successful end. Thank you to our dedicated officers, @VSPPIO, and the community for their continued support. https://t.co/VWRsWIWgDp pic.twitter.com/LEpJqUmfeE— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) Aug. 9, 2023Officers and troops looked for speeders, aggressive and distracted drivers, and even those driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.“I would say Road Shark specifically has contributed to the overa...

Chicago visits New York after Ionescu’s 31-point game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

Chicago Sky (12-16, 3-10 Eastern Conference) at New York Liberty (22-6, 11-3 Eastern Conference)New York; Friday, 8 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: New York hosts the Chicago Sky after Sabrina Ionescu scored 31 points in the New York Liberty’s 99-61 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.The Liberty are 11-3 against Eastern Conference opponents. New York leads the WNBA with 29.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Breanna Stewart averaging 7.6.The Sky are 3-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago ranks second in the Eastern Conference shooting 37.4% from 3-point range.The teams square off for the third time this season. The Sky won the last matchup 86-82 on June 4. Kahleah Copper scored 27 points to help lead the Sky to the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Ionescu is averaging 17 points, six rebounds and 5.8 assists for the Liberty. Stewart is averaging 21.9 points over the last 10 games for New York.Courtney Williams is averaging 10 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Sky. Copper is averag...

Las Vegas takes on Washington following Wilson’s 28-point game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

Washington Mystics (13-15, 6-9 Eastern Conference) at Las Vegas Aces (25-3, 15-1 Western Conference)Las Vegas; Friday, 10 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Las Vegas hosts the Washington Mystics after A’ja Wilson scored 28 points in the Las Vegas Aces’ 104-84 win over the Dallas Wings.The Aces are 13-0 on their home court. Las Vegas is 18- when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 11.4 turnovers per game.The Mystics are 4-10 in road games. Washington ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference shooting 32.2% from 3-point range.The Aces and Mystics square off Friday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Wilson is scoring 20.6 points per game and averaging 9.6 rebounds for the Aces. Kelsey Plum is averaging 21.5 points and 3.1 rebounds over the last 10 games for Las Vegas.Brittney Sykes is scoring 14.7 points per game and averaging 4.9 rebounds for the Mystics. Li Meng is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Washington.LAST 10 GAMES: Aces: ...

Beerensteyn says bye to USA as Netherlands prepare for Spain in Women’s World Cup quarterfinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn is happy to admit her first reaction on learning the United States had been knocked ou t of the Women’s World Cup was “bye!”It was raw and spontaneous relief, coupled with a little schadenfreude. The joy over someone else’s demise was, perhaps, understandable. The U.S. and Netherlands played out a tight 1-1 draw during the group stage in Wellington, where the Dutch will meet Spain on Friday in the quarterfinals. The group-stage match was a repeat of the 2019 final, when the United States beat Netherlands 2-0.Beerensteyn played in that final, which in part may explain her relief that she won’t have to play the United States again at this tournament. The Americans lost in a penalty shootout to Sweden after their round-of-16 game ended in a draw after extra time.“From the first moment I heard they were out I was just like ‘Yes! Bye!’” Beerensteyn said Thursday. “From the start of the tournament they … were alre...

“Responsabilizo al gobierno”, dice hermana de candidato presidencial en Ecuador

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

QUITO, Ecuador- Alexandra Villavicencio, hermana del asesinado candidato presidencial ecuatoriano Fernando Villavicencio, responsabilizó este miércoles al gobierno del conservador presidente Guillermo Lasso, por el crimen perpetrado este miércoles en Quito.La mujer, en declaraciones a periodistas, aseguró que su hermano no recibió la protección ofrecida por las autoridades, pese a que había denunciado las amenazas de muerte en su contra.Al momento del crimen, tras salir de un mitin en un coliseo de una zona céntrica de Quito, el candidato estaba custodiado por los agentes asignados para su protección, pero no había un refuerzo de policías.“Responsabilizo al gobierno, al ministro del Interior”, Juan Zapata, quien había garantizado una mayor seguridad para los ocho candidatos presidenciales de cara a los comicios del próximo 20 de agosto, añadió la hermana. Indignación en Ecuador: candidatos presidenciales lamentan asesinato de su rival ...

Egypt’s inflation reaches record high of 38.2% in July, government data shows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s annual inflation rate reached a record high in July, as price hikes continue unabated in the cash-strapped North African country, official figures said Thursday.Consumer prices rose 38.2% from a year earlier, up from 36.8% in June, according to data released by the state-run Central Agency for Mobilization and Statistics.Average food and beverage prices, the main drivers of inflation, increased 68.2% over the past 12 months, the agency’s data showed.Egyptians, particularly working-class households, are struggling to keep up with the rising prices, which have soared since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.Egypt is the world’s largest wheat importer, with most of its supplies traditionally coming from eastern Europe. But Russia pulled out of a wartime agreement in July that allowed Ukraine to ship its grain to the world.Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries have diversified their sources of wheat, the main ingredient for flatbread that is a staple of diets...

West African leaders plan to meet on Niger but options are few as a military junta defies mediation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — West African heads of state are scheduled to meet Thursday after Niger’s military junta defied their deadline to reinstate the nation’s deposed president, but analysts say the Economic Community of West African States may be running out of options as support fades for a military intervention.As Niger’s junta turns away most efforts at mediation, one analyst asserted that Russian meddling in the country has spiked in the two weeks since mutinous soldiers overthrew democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has refused to step down and is under house arrest. The junta announced a new government on Wednesday night. More than half of the 21 positions were filled by civilians. The rest were military appointments.Niger was seen as the last country in the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert that Western nations could partner with to counter jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that has killed thousands and displ...

Hong Kong police arrest 10 people accused of supporting overseas activists after 2019 protests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong police on Thursday arrested 10 people on suspicion of endangering national security through their alleged involvement with a now-defunct fund that aimed to help people arrested in 2019 pro-democracy protests, escalating a crackdown on dissidents in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.The four men and six women are suspected of conspiring to collude with the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund to receive overseas donations and provide financial support to people who fled Hong Kong or organizations that called for sanctions against the city, police said. A police statement did not identify the suspects or those alleged to be supported by them. The arrests further intensified the Hong Kong government’s crackdown on dissidents after the 2019 protests. More than 260 people have been arrested under a Beijing-imposed national security law, including many of the city’s leading pro-democracy activists.Last year, the fund’s former trustees including Roman Catholic Cardi...