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MATCHDAY: Mbappé and France host Ireland in European Championship qualifying

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

A look at what’s happening in European Championship qualifying on Thursday:GROUP BTwo-time champion France will look to maintain its perfect start in Group B when it hosts Ireland at Parc des Princes. That’s the home stadium of World Cup star Kylian Mbappé, who will look to add to his 40 international goals and could likely be paired in attack with veteran Olivier Giroud. France has not conceded a goal. Ireland is struggling with only one win from its first three matches. Netherlands faces Greece in Eindhoven, where a win would move the Dutch level with the Greeks on six points.GROUP EPoland is already in trouble after losing two of its opening three games, including a loss to low-ranked Moldova last time out. Another slip-up at home to the Faeroe Islands would be costly. Poland has not missed out on qualifying for a European Championship since 2004. The Czech Republic and Albania occupy the group’s two qualifying spots ahead of their game in Prague.GROUP GThe two unbeat...

Suncor fined, to buy EV lawn equipment to settle Clean Air Act violations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Suncor will pay fines and buy electric lawn equipment for the public for producing noncompliant fuel, including 32 million gallons with too much cancer-causing benzene, according to federal regulators.The Environmental Protection Agency said some of the fuel produced at Suncor's refineries in Commerce City was noncompliant and resulted in hazardous air pollution."This settlement demonstrates that EPA will hold refineries accountable when the fuel they produce fails to meet legal requirements," said David M. Uhlmann, assistant administrator of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, in a statement. "This settlement and the supplemental environmental project that Suncor agreed to include will provide better air quality for residents affected by Suncor’s misconduct." Tiny home builder who owes $6M spent lavishly before bankruptcy: report The incidents are alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, but as part of the settlement, Suncor agreed to the fac...

Demonic apparition is back for more chills and frights in ‘The Nun II’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

Is it really fall if there isn’t a scary movie playing at the movie theaters? Luckily for horror fans, “The Conjuring” series has something spooky up their sleeve … or habit, in this case. The demonic sister from “The Nun” is back for Round 2, so you might want to keep the lights on.This is no “Sister Act.” This is “The Nun II.”Michael Chaves: “The exorcism of Maurice in ‘Conjuring 2,’ we realize that, that that possession was actually the demon Valak, and she manifests as a nun in that film. We learn more about her in ‘The Nun’ spinoff, and this is a continuation of it.”Taissa Farmiga (as Sister Irene): “This thing, it’s come back for me.”Peter Hudson (as Father Ridley): “This demon was once an angel.”Taissa Farmiga returns as Sister Irene, and if the name Farmiga sounds familiar, it’s because her big sis Vera is also a veteran of “The Conjuring”...

Why Cup Noodles is going ‘gamer-friendly’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

Tokyo (CNN) — For dedicated gamers across Asia, late-night sessions often mean chugging cans of Red Bull or snacking on fast food to stay awake.But what about the greasy fingerprints left on keyboards? Or the danger of keeping drinks near gaming equipment?Noodle maker Nissin says it has the answer: caffeinated Cup Noodles.“The gaming population in Japan is growing year by year, especially among young people, and the number is said to have surpassed 50 million,” the company said in a Monday news release. “To meet this demand, Nissin Foods is launching a new ‘gamer-friendly’ product for the first time in its history from its flagship brands Cup Noodles and Nissin Curry Meshi.”The caffeinated noodles will come in two flavors: garlic and black pepper yakisoba — which contains shrimp, pork, egg and cabbage — and curry, which uses a base of pork and vegetables.Both products are sauce-based and “soup-free, so there is no need to worry about getting your hands or peripherals dirty...

Lee becomes a Hurricane

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

Lee is fast on its way of becoming a monster in the tropics. On Wednesday afternoon, Lee was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane while over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Lee has been able to organize quickly over the hotter-than-usual water temperatures and lack of wind shear. These favorable conditions are likely to continue and Lee is forecast to become a major hurricane by the end of this week. Winds (over the weekend) could elevate to 150 mph while (still) over the Atlantic and away from land. The current forecast track has the center of Lee moving east, then north, of the Lesser Antilles. While missing the islands, It’s possible that swells from Lee could reach some spots as early as Friday. By the time Lee moves north of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico, dangerous surf and rip current conditions are possible for those islands. As we look at the future of Lee going into next week, there are still plenty of questions. However, what DOES seem imminent is that ...

Kourtney Kardashian shares she underwent ‘urgent fetal surgery’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

(CNN) — Kourtney Kardashian is full of gratitude after experiencing a scary medical complication during her pregnancy.“As someone who has had three really easy pregnancies in the past, I wasn’t prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent fetal surgery,” she wrote on her verified Instagram page on Wednesday, next to a black and white photo of her hand holding husband Travis Barker’s in what appears to be a hospital bed.She continued, “I don’t think anyone who hasn’t been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear. I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant.”“I will be forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our baby’s life,” she wrote.Kardashian and Barker, who is the drummer for Blink-182, are expecting their first child together. She also has three children with her ex Scott Disick, and Barker is dad to two children and stepdad to one, from a previous relationship.“I am...

Biden administration cancels remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic Refuge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

By BECKY BOHRER and MATTHEW DALY (Associated Press)JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — In an aggressive move that angered Republicans, the Biden administration canceled the seven remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, overturning sales held in the Trump administration’s waning days, and proposed stronger protections against development on 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.The Department of Interior’s scrapping of the leases comes after the Biden administration disappointed environmental groups earlier this year by approving the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve, a massive project by ConocoPhillips Alaska that could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope. Some critics who said the approval of Willow flew in the face of Biden’s pledges to address climate change lauded Wednesday’s announcement. But they said more could be done. Litigat...

App-based worker classification ballot battle brewing in Massachusetts for second time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

A battle over the classification of app-based rideshare and delivery drivers is gearing up for the second year in a row after Attorney General Andrea Campbell gave her approval Wednesday to multiple versions of a question that would define those workers as independent contractors.Clearing the first major hurdle to appear on the fall 2024 ballot represents an initial comeback for the Flexibility & Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers coalition, which saw their proposal struck off the ballot last year by the state’s highest court.The coalition said Massachusetts rideshare and delivery drivers “are one step closer to having their independence protected while receiving access to historic new benefits.”“We’re pleased that the Attorney General’s office has certified our ballot proposals to ensure drivers can maintain the flexibility to work when, how often, and for how long they want as independent contractors, while also accessing new benefits and protections,” coalition spokesperson C...

Voters could have chance to weigh-in on power to audit Massachusetts Legislature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

A battle over the power to audit the Massachusetts Legislature could end up before voters in 2024 after Attorney General Andrea Campbell certified a ballot question Wednesday that would grant that authority to the state auditor.A proposed ballot question from State Auditor Diana DiZoglio cleared the initial hurdle but whether Campbell will approve a parallel request from the Methuen Democrat to pursue legal action to force the Legislature to open up their books is unclear.“Our state Legislature is frequently ranked as the least transparent state Legislature in the entire nation — not subject to public records laws, not subject to open meeting laws. For legislative leaders to continue to refuse to cooperate with our office is unacceptable,” DiZoglio told the Herald. “Working Families in Massachusetts deserve better. It’s the people’s house, not the politician’s house.”Both House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka have declined to participate in...

Here are the ballot questions AG Campbell certified, rejected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:31 GMT

Attorney General Andrea Campbell certified 34 voter petitions Wednesday, including 31 proposed laws and three proposed constitutional amendments, on everything from rent control to psychedelics. She did not certify seven proposals. One was withdrawn.Certified petitionsTwo proposed laws removing the MCAS as a graduation requirement for high school studentsTwo proposed laws related to the gas taxA proposal relative to voter registrationA proposed constitutional amendment related to the right to voteA proposal related to voter registration at polling placesA proposal requiring full minimum wage for tipped workers with tips on topTwo proposals related to the regulation and tax of natural psychedelicsA proposed constitutional amendment related to recall election electionsEight proposals related to voter identification in MassachusettsNine proposal related to the classification of rideshare and delivery driversA proposal related to public health educationA proposal allowing the state audi...