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Senior Taliban officials visit villages struck by earthquake that killed at least 2,000 people

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A senior Taliban delegation was visiting western Afghanistan’s Herat province on Monday in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that killed at least 2,000 people over the weekend and flattened entire villages, a statement said. Saturday’s magnitude 6.3 quake hit a densely populated area in Herat and was followed by strong aftershocks in what was one of the deadliest temblors to strike the country in two decades. The Taliban-appointed deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar, and his team will visit the quake-affected region on Monday to deliver “immediate relief assistance” and ensure “equitable and accurate distribution of aid,” according to a statement from the capital, Kabul. The quake also trapped hundreds and people have been digging with their bare hands and shovels to pull victims — both dead and alive — from under the rubble. Authorities said Monday they were still waiting for an update on the latest casualties form Herat.The U.S. ...

This Week in Business: Delta earnings, consumer and producer prices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

Inflation insightThe Labor Department on Wednesday releases producer price data for September.The producer price index measures inflation at the wholesale level, before businesses pass costs along to consumers. On a month-to-month basis, prices rose 0.7% in August, the biggest increase in more than a year. Economists forecast that growth slowed to 0.3% in September.Producer price index, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted:March: -0.4April: 0.2May: -0.3June: -0.1July: 0.4Aug.: 0.7Sept. (est.): 0.3Source: FactSetDelta Air LinesDelta reports its third-quarter financial results before the bell on Thursday.Analysts expect the Atlanta-based airline made profit of $1.96 per share on $14.6 billion in sales. In the same period a year ago, Delta earned $1.51 per share on $12.8 billion in sales. Like other airlines, rising fuel costs spurred Delta last month to lower its profit outlook in the quarter to a range between $1.85 and $2.05 per share, down from the previous guidance of $2.20...

High stakes for homeowners facing choice between fixed- or variable-rate mortgage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

OTTAWA — Deciding between a fixed- or variable-rate mortgage has always been a challenging choice for borrowers looking to buy a home or renew a loan, but with interest rates sitting at levels not seen in decades, the stakes are especially high.Variable-rate mortgages fell out of favour as Bank of Canada interest rate hikes sent the cost of loans linked to the big banks’ prime rates soaring, but the cost of fixed-rate mortgages have also climbed from their pandemic lows.Frank Napolitano, co-founder and mortgage agent at Mortgage Brokers Ottawa, said he’s still seeing some borrowers opt for a variable rate, even noting that a recent client who was struggling with a variable-rate mortgage chose to stick with it after consolidating some other debt and extending the amortization period.“He’s decided he’s going to go variable only because he believes that the rates are now probably at the peak and the payment that’s been set up for him at 25 years is s...

Average First Freeze Dates; Potentially impressive rainfall totals later this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

There is the potential for some impressive rainfall totals through next Sunday evening.  Both the European and the GFS models forecast totals that top more than 2.5".  The GFS is likely too high, but strange things can happen, and we will have watch out for the potential for flooding if several bands of rain set up shop over the same areas.  Check out the graphic below from the Weather Prediction Center.  You get into the bright red and that's 3" of rain.  We aren't married to any of the numbers from the two computer models, but they show that it could get very wet.Autumnal "Harvest Sunsets"This time of year, we can get some stunning sunsets. The graphic explains why sunsets are reddish. Basically, the light must travel through more of the earth's atmosphere.  Shorter wavelength colors, like blue, are scattered away from our eyes, leaving the longer wavelength colors, like red and orange. Then you get into harvest time, there's an abundant amount of dust the farmers put into the air...

Daily horoscope for October 9, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Leo.Happy Birthday for Monday, Oct. 9, 2023:You like people, which makes you perceptive, observant and popular. You are intelligent and multitalented. You are also sensitive and kind. This is a wonderful year for you because you are getting the recognition you deserve. Expect a raise, praise, awards and acknowledgement. Bravo!ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★Aries parents: Be aware that this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Be smart and keep an eye on them. Know where they are at all times and remove them from hazardous situations. Meanwhile, romantic partners might have a surprise. Note: Duties and obligations will prevail. Tonight: Socialize.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★Your home routine will be interrupted today. Something unexpected might happen. You might run out of something, or someone might show up unexpectedly or cancel when you were expecting them. Romance might disappoint today, b...

Commission sets new reduced limits for nitrites and nitrates as food additives

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

To ensure that the food on the market in the EU is as safe as possible for consumers and protect them from carcinogenic substances as part of the actions under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission is setting new limits for the use of nitrites and nitrates as food additives. These new significantly reduced limits protect against pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Listeria, Salmonella, Clostridia), as well as reduce the exposure to nitrosamines, some of which are carcinogenic. Based on a stringent scientific assessment by EFSA, the new limits were endorsed unanimously by the member states last spring.Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said: “Our citizens expect the peace of mind that comes with safe food to eat, this has always been a cornerstone of my mandate. Today, by setting new limits for nitrites and nitrates additives in food, we are taking another step in this direction and delivering on another important action under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. I now call...

Harriette Cole: I’m tired of hearing about her kids’ private school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who constantly talks about how fortunate she is to send her children to private school while making it clear that she would never consider sending her children to public school.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I outed a cheating husband, and I didn’t expect the repercussions Advice | Harriette Cole: It’s hard to resist getting even with my no-show friend Advice | Harriette Cole: It seems like my co-workers are avoiding me. Is it because of how I got hired? Advice | Harriette Cole: When she acted puzzled about my marriage, it got me thinking Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m wondering if his new wife is the reason he won’t see me Meanwhile, as much as I would love to send my own children to private school, I simply cannot afford it.Every time she talks about this topic, I feel hurt and insecure. Am I taking this too personally?— School Is Sc...

Miss Manners: I wasn’t going to let a runty lobster ruin my carefully planned dinner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve been married to my husband for 33 years and have three stepsons. The problem is with one of them, “Roy,” who is 47 years old and lives in another state.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: What could I have said to this blithe line-jumper? Advice | Miss Manners: My wife insists this is a rule about children’s birthday parties Advice | Miss Manners: I’m stunned by my father’s request for the wedding dinner Advice | Miss Manners: My husband doesn’t like my strategy for dealing with his vexatious relatives Advice | Miss Manners: Don’t they know it’s an insulting thing to say to the bride? Whenever I host small family events, Roy inevitably invites another guest and asks me afterward if they may attend. His guests are always pleasant and I have nothing against them. However, I carefully plan these events and have limited seating ...

Dear Abby: All these years later, I freak out when I hear her name

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

DEAR ABBY: Forty years ago, my husband had an affair that left me emotionally damaged. I took him back when he asked, and we went on with our lives — well, he did.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My wife now ‘doesn’t remember’ our crucial conversation Advice | Dear Abby: What I said about his girlfriend got back to her Advice | Dear Abby: The holiday dinner came with an unpleasant surprise Advice | Dear Abby: This family constantly breaks the rules of our potluck Advice | Dear Abby: After this emotional blow, I feel I can’t trust my friends Even today, if I hear a song from that time or her name, I freak out. When I remember how he told me he loved her, something inside me dies.I went to counseling, but all I got from it was a bill I couldn’t afford.He treats me well and says “I love you” every day, yet the cut is still fresh and deep. Any suggestions?&#...

College Football Corner: Terps one of several unbeaten teams to tumble

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

Dave Preston is an AP Top 25 voter. Read his latest rankings here.The first Saturday of October brought a few autumn winds that changed the directions of more than a few college football seasons. Maryland learned about “Moving Month” the hard way as their attempt to move into the Big Ten Contenders category was denied by a blueblood wearing scarlet and gray. And, the Terps weren’t the only team to fall from the ranks of the unblemished.In Dallas at the Cotton Bowl, No. 12 Oklahoma used a last-minute touchdown to say that Texas might be back, but they’re no longer unbeaten. Six other FBS schools would go down in defeat for the first time this fall, from SEC pretenders Kentucky and Missouri to Pac-12 loyalist Washington State, plus potential playoff gate-crashers Fresno State and Marshall. I thought that No. 5 USC would join that bunch after falling behind 17-0 in the first half at home, and while the Trojans were pushed to within an inch of their lives late Sa...