Don’t expect EU sanctions on Azerbaijan — even though MEPs will vote for them

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Don’t expect EU sanctions on Azerbaijan — even though MEPs will vote for them STRASBOURG — The European Parliament is expected to call for sanctions against Azerbaijan on Thursday over the seizure of the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh last month, but Baku’s long lobbying reach in Europe and its crucial gas reserves mean EU countries will probably ignore the MEPs’ demand. Azerbaijan launched a lightning strike into the breakaway territory in September, forcing 100,000 people to flee. The crisis has exposed a deep division over Europe’s attitude to the two parties. While European politicians are often willing to take Armenia’s side in symbolic appeals and expressions of concern, Azerbaijan has established more hard power, not least because the EU is increasingly turning to Caspian Sea gas as an alternative to Russia after the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. The situation “looks like it did with Ukraine,” said Nathalie Loiseau, a French lawmaker from the centrist Renew group and chair of the Parliament’s def...

Erdoğan cancels Granada summit trip after falling ill

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Erdoğan cancels Granada summit trip after falling ill Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan canceled his trip to Spain to attend this week’s European Political Community (EPC) meeting after catching a cold. During his now-canceled trip to Granada, Erdoğan was also supposed to discuss bilateral relations with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. On the domestic front, the Turkish leader also had to cancel a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).It is the second time this year that Erdoğan has had to pull out of political events due to sickness. Earlier this year, during the Turkish election campaign, the 69-year-old Erdoğan canceled public appearances and political rallies for three days after catching gastroenteritis during a live TV interview. The EPC in Granada brings together 47 heads of state and government from EU member countries, plus other nations including Turkey, Ukraine and the U.K. The goal of the EPC summit — which precedes an informal meeting of heads of state or government on Friday — i...

Tractor-trailer rollover spills garbage, closes Mass Pike/I-495 ramp in Hopkinton

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Tractor-trailer rollover spills garbage, closes Mass Pike/I-495 ramp in Hopkinton Multiple emergency crews responded to a tractor-trailer truck rollover in Hopkinton that closed a ramp on the eastbound side of the Mass Pike Wednesday morning.The Hopkinton Fire Department said fire engines and an ambulance were called to the Exit 106 ramp that connects I-90 to I-495 for the crash around 9 a.m.Officials shared an image from the scene showing a tractor-trailer truck on its side, taking up more than half of the pavement while its cargo appeared to spill over the side of the road.Massachusetts State Police also shared an image on social media, stating that the truck’s driver had suffered minor injuries and that the truck itself had been hauling trash.In their update just after 10 a.m., state police estimated it would take at least two hours for the scene to be cleared and ramp to fully reopen. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.https://twitter.com/MassStatePolice/status/1709572807129026666

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez likely to miss 2023 season with shoulder injury

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez likely to miss 2023 season with shoulder injury Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is likely to miss the rest of the season with the torn labrum and dislocated shoulder he suffered in last Sunday’s loss to Dallas, according to the NFL Network.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Source: Patriots reacquire CB JC Jackson via trade from Chargers New England Patriots | Source: Patriots signing veteran defensive tackle after successful workout New England Patriots | Patriots OLB Matt Judon facing season-threatening timeline with torn bicep New England Patriots | Patriots-Cowboys film review: Bill Belichick’s fingerprints all over latest blowout loss New England Patriots | Mac Jones brings up ‘job security’ while addressing Patriots turnovers Gonzalez, 21, started the first four games of the season and was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. He has one interception, a sack, three pass breakups and...

Source: Patriots reacquire CB JC Jackson via trade from Chargers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Source: Patriots reacquire CB JC Jackson via trade from Chargers The Patriots reacquired Pro Bowl cornerback JC Jackson in a trade with the Chargers for a late-round pick swap, according to a source.Jackson began his career with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland. The Patriots let him walk in free agency in 2022 when he signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Chargers.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez likely to miss 2023 season with shoulder injury New England Patriots | Source: Patriots signing veteran defensive tackle after successful workout New England Patriots | Patriots OLB Matt Judon facing season-threatening timeline with torn bicep New England Patriots | Patriots-Cowboys film review: Bill Belichick’s fingerprints all over latest blowout loss New England Patriots | Mac Jones brings up ‘job security’ while addressing Patriots turnovers The move didn’t pan out for the Chargers...

Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to scientists Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexi Ekimov for work on tiny quantum dots

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to scientists Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexi Ekimov for work on tiny quantum dots STOCKHOLM (AP) — Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to scientists Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexi Ekimov for work on tiny quantum dots.

Phones, TVs and radios are set to alert nationwide today, here's why

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Phones, TVs and radios are set to alert nationwide today, here's why (KDVR) — On Wednesday, Oct. 4, at approximately 11:20 a.m. PT, two odd-sounding national alerts will go off on all TVs, radios and phones.Just remember: this is only a test. The messages are part of a nationwide test conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission.The point of these alerts is to test out the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency System. When will we know if the government is shutting down? The alert will only last a minute on the radio, television broadcasts, cable systems, satellite radio, television providers and wireline video providers. The message will read:“This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."In an actual emergency, this system provides the president with the capability to address Americans within 10 minutes.Meanwhile, t...

Poland’s central bank cuts interest rates for the second time in month

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Poland’s central bank cuts interest rates for the second time in month WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s central bank lowered its key interest rate Wednesday, pointing to a drop in inflation despite a still-high rate of 8.2% last month, raising concerns about the cut being a political move.The National Bank of Poland cut its benchmark rate a quarter of a percentage point to 5.75%. Analysts were expecting it after annual inflation dropped last month from 10.1% in August. Inflation was over 18% earlier this year.It was the second rate cut since Sept. 9, when the central bank surprisingly slashed rates by three-quarters of a point. Other central banks worldwide are increasing borrowing costs or holding rates at high levels to tackle inflation stemming from the global economy’s rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which spiked food and energy costs.The European Central Bank hiked its key rate by a quarter-point last month to fight inflation, which has since dropped to a two-year low of 4.3% in the 20 countries using...

Tropical Storm Philippe soaks northeast Caribbean on a path toward Bermuda, New England and Canada

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Tropical Storm Philippe soaks northeast Caribbean on a path toward Bermuda, New England and Canada SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Philippe drenched the U.S. and British Virgin Islands on Wednesday as it spun away from the northeast Caribbean on a path that would take it toward Bermuda and later New England and Atlantic Canada.The storm was located 150 miles (240 kilometers) north-northwest of St. Thomas late Wednesday morning. It had winds of up to 45 mph (75 kph) and was moving northwest at nine mph (15 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.Schools in St. Martin and St. Barts remained closed Wednesday morning, and officials in the French Caribbean territories banned people from swimming in the ocean or doing any nautical activities until Thursday.Forecasters said up to eight inches (20 centimeters) of rain could fall in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, with a maximum of 12 inches (30 centimeters). Meanwhile, up to four inches (10 centimeters) were predicted for Puerto Rico.Philippe is expected to approach Bermuda late Thursday and Friday and ...

Stock market today: Wall Street steadies after selloff as reports suggest US economy may be cooling

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:31:20 GMT

Stock market today: Wall Street steadies after selloff as reports suggest US economy may be cooling NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is holding steadier in mixed trading Wednesday after reports suggested the U.S. economy may be cooling. The S&P 500 was 0.1% higher in morning trading, coming off a 1.4% tumble that had sent it to its lowest level in four months. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 52 points, or 0.2%, a day after wiping out its gains for the year so far. The Nasdaq composite was 0.4% higher, as of 10:15 a.m. Eastern time.Stocks have struggled since the summer under the weight of soaring Treasury yields in the bond market, which have touched their highest levels in more than a decade. High yields undercut stock prices by pulling investment dollars away from stocks and into bonds. They also crimp corporate profits by making borrowing more expensive.The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which is the centerpiece of the bond market, pulled back from its highest level since 2007, down to 4.76% from 4.80% late Tuesday. Shorter- and longer-term yields also eased a bit to o...