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Packaging: New EU rules to reduce, reuse and recycle  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

The Environment Committee adopted its proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to promote the use of recycled content.MEPs in the Environment Committee adopted their position on a proposed regulation establishing requirements for the entire packaging life cycle, from raw materials to final disposal, by 56 votes in favour, 23 against and five abstentions.MEPs want to ban the sale of very light weight plastic carrier bags (below 15 microns), unless required for hygiene reasons or provided as primary packaging for loose food to help prevent food wastage.Besides the overall packaging reduction targets proposed in the regulation, MEPs want to set specific waste reduction targets for plastic packaging (10% by 2030, 15% by 2035 and 20% by 2040). The plastic part in packaging would need to contain minimum percentages of recycled content depending on the type of packaging, with specific targets set for 2030 and 2040.By the end of...

Harriette Cole: They think I’m lying about my mental health issues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m a 17-year-old high school student. I have been struggling with mental health issues for some time now.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: Should I tell this man why I won’t get serious about him? Advice | Harriette Cole: I’ve been extremely on edge, and I need a quiet solution Advice | Harriette Cole: My best friend asked to date my crush, and I don’t know what to say Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m not cut out for this class, and the professor isn’t making it any easier Advice | Harriette Cole: She came to my photoshoot, and I’m sure she made a bad impression Unfortunately, my parents do not seem to believe that I am struggling. They accuse me of exaggerating and even outright lying about my feelings.I understand that it can be hard for someone who hasn’t experienced these challenges themselves to understand, but it is extremely frust...

At least 22 people dead and ‘person of interest’ sought after shootings in Lewiston, Maine, officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

(CNN) — At least 22 people are dead and dozens are injured following two shootings Wednesday night at a bowling alley and a restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, and an intensive manhunt is underway for a person of interest, officials say.Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, is a person of interest and should be considered armed and dangerous, Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said.Law enforcement officials in Maine tell CNN that Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve. Card had recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco, Maine, and also reported mental health issues, including hearing voices, the officials said.During a news conference Wednesday night, Sauschuck declined to provide further information about Card. “We’re not prepared to go into (Card’s) background,” he said.At least 22 people were killed, Lewiston City Councilor Robert McCarthy told C...

Miss Manners: I don’t find it adorable what she has trained her dog to do

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend has a small dog. Though well-loved and generally well-behaved, he barks when anyone arrives, not stopping until someone gives him a treat.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: We’re afraid they’ll try to raid the house after the funeral Advice | Miss Manners: I want to abandon this ‘Mom’ business after my mother-in-law’s bad behavior Advice | Miss Manners: The bride’s dress code for wedding guests strikes me as pretentious Advice | Miss Manners: I tried to take the edge off her short-notice cancellation, and she blew up at me Advice | Miss Manners: A stranger sent a letter blasting me. Must I respond? The hostess keeps treats at the door and hands them to guests upon arrival. I gather many find this adorable. I don’t. The barking hurts my ears. Moreover, because I worked to train my own troubled rescue dog, I know rewards reinforce be...

DC police increase patrol in Bloomingdale neighborhood after attack on teachers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

D.C. police have increased their presence in the Bloomingdale neighborhood and escorted kids at the Petit Scholars day care on walks this week, after officials said a homeless man attacked two teachers walking with young kids on Monday.During a Ward 5 safety call Wednesday afternoon, Council member Zachary Parker said he expects the police escorts to continue, and addressed parent and community concerns, explaining it’s a “dynamic and active case.”Russell Fred Dunkley III, 38, was arrested and faces two simple assault charges. He was also charged with lewd acts, misdemeanor sexual abuse of a child and assault on a police officer.Police said Dunkley approached the group and asked for money, and refused to leave them alone despite being asked. When a teacher started calling 911, police said he punched her in the head and then punched the other teacher in the head. Witnesses also said Dunkley exposed himself and started masturbating.Giving an update on the case during...

South Africa selects Pollard to start in Rugby World Cup final and goes with high-risk 7-1 bench

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

PARIS (AP) — South Africa selected Handre Pollard on Thursday to start at flyhalf in the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand and packed its bench with forwards in a high-risk 7-1 split.Pollard was promoted from the reserves along with scrumhalf Faf de Klerk – the same halves combination that started in the Springboks’ victory in the final four years ago.The big surprise from Springboks management Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber was the bench split, with lock Jean Kleyn and No. 8 Jasper Wiese added for an extended “bomb squad” of seven reserve forwards to face the resurgent All Blacks in the first World Cup final between the two fierce rivals since 1995.South Africa experimented with a then-unprecedented 7-1 split in a warmup game against New Zealand ahead of the Rugby World Cup and won by a record 35-7 against a 14-man All Blacks.Hooker Bongi Mbonambi was named in the starting lineup and cleared to play after World Rugby said there was insufficient evidence to ...

Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi cleared to play in Rugby World Cup final

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi will be available to play in the Rugby World Cup final after the sport’s governing body said it found no evidence that he racially abused a rival player. Mbonambi was selected for Saturday’s orld Cup final against New Zealand but his participation could have been jeopardized if he’d been found guilty of misconduct. The case started after England flanker Tom Curry complained of being subject to a racial slur during the Rugby World Cup semifinal against South Africa at the Stade de France last weekend. “Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation,” World Rugby said in a statement Thursday.“Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additio...

Thailand’s Suwannapura takes a first-round lead in the LPGA tournament in Malaysia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Jasmine Suwannapura of Thailand had seven birdies and an eagle for a 9-under 63 on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the LPGA’s Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.Australian Hannah Green, the 2019 PGA Championship winner, was a stroke behind after a 64. Australian Grace Kim and Americans Rose Zhang and Gina Kim were among the players two strokes behind and tied for third after 65s.Norway’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez were among those with 66s, three strokes behind in the tournament being held for the first time in Malaysia.Play was suspended late in the day due to storms. About 25 players, none of them threatening to take the lead, had to halt their rounds.It is the third of four LPGA events on the tour’s Asian swing. Australian Minjee Lee won last week’s South Korea stop in a playoff and the final tournament is next week’s Toto Classic in Japan. Lee is not playing th...

Fiscales dicen que se necesita una orden de silencio de Trump en el caso de interferencia electoral de 2020 porque está apuntando nuevamente a testigos potenciales

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

(CNN) — Fiscales del equipo del fiscal especial Jack Smith instaron a un juez federal este miércoles a restablecer la orden de silencio que emitió sobre Donald Trump en el caso penal de interferencia electoral de 2020 del expresidente, citando sus publicaciones en las redes sociales contra un posible testigo del juicio: el ex secretario general de la Casa Blanca de Trump.La jueza de distrito estadounidense Tanya Chutkan, que supervisa el caso, emitió una orden de silencio limitada contra el expresidente la semana pasada, restringiendo la capacidad de Trump de atacar públicamente al personal del tribunal, a posibles testigos, al fiscal especial y a su personal.Trump apeló la orden y Chutkan emitió una breve suspensión administrativa mientras el equipo de Smith y los abogados de Trump litigan si la orden debe suspenderse indefinidamente mientras se desarrolla el proceso de apelación.En una presentación de este miércoles por la noche, los fiscales pidieron a Chutkan que pusiera f...

Armenia on verge of signing peace deal with Azerbaijan, PM says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:02 GMT

Armenia could agree terms on a comprehensive peace agreement with neighboring Azerbaijan, ending a bitter regional rivalry after three decades of hostilities, the South Caucasus country’s prime minister said Thursday.Speaking at a conference in Georgia, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that his government could sign “an agreement on peace and the establishment of relationships” with its neighbor “in the coming months.”At the same time, he unveiled a “Crossroads of Peace” project designed to reopen road and railway links that have been blocked for decades amid the simmering conflict with Azerbaijan and its close ally, Turkey.The announcement comes just weeks after Azerbaijan launched a lightning offensive to take control of the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been fought over by the two sides since the fall of the USSR. An estimated 100,000 ethnic Armenians living in the mountainous territory were forced to flee their homes ...