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Brussels must deliver for CEE farmers to reduce inequalities and preempt the populist wave

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

With the Ukraine Black Sea grain deal hanging in the balance amid Russia’s threats to pull out ahead of the 18 May extension deadline, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has set out his vision for its preservation in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, has poured cold water on breakthrough hopes, deeming progress towards meeting its agricultural export demands “not very noticeable,” after meeting with Guterres on 24 April.Concerningly, the deal’s potential collapse comes at a time when patience within the EU’s central and eastern European (CEE) countries is running out over the torrents of Ukrainian grain exports entering the bloc via its ‘solidarity lanes’ scheme, which has left local farmers in dire straits and fueled protests. Considering the region’s upcoming general elections and their farmers’ significant electoral weight, Brussels must seize the opportunity to adapt its often out-of-touch, unfair agri-food policies to...

Miss Manners: What do I say to these people who won’t wait their turn?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had an incident at a deli counter and I am wondering what would have been the appropriate way to handle it.I parked my car in the deli’s lot and walked toward the building. As I was entering, a large pickup truck pulled up to the building — literally! He parked right on the sidewalk in front of the entrance!I shook my head and silently entered the deli, then stood at the counter waiting to place my order. A minute later, the sidewalk parker came in and stood next to me. When the deli worker asked, “Can I help who’s next?,” the man — with no hesitation — began reciting his order!He knew that I was there waiting first, but chose to ignore me and cut me in line. I was shocked! I didn’t know how to handle it, but by the time I sorted through my options in my head, I felt that the moment had passed.And can you believe it happened to me again the next day at the grocery store?! Is it me? Should I start wearing a neon gre...

Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

DEAR ABBY: In many ways, I am blessed. I have an amazing family, a great husband and a well-paying job that I enjoy. My only problem is, I hate myself.I hide my pain with humor (I’m pretty funny). I have some childhood sexual abuse trauma and have had a lot of counseling. I’m hesitant to blame my current issues on something that happened so long ago, but why can’t I get my life together? I’m so happy now, so why is this dragging me down?I combat my inner pain, stress and hate by eating. I cannot stop. I have gained so much weight it is hard to do normal activities. I am tired, disgusted and ashamed of being so out of control. None of my clothes fit. Every social situation is unbelievably overwhelming.I have tried diet after diet. Some work, but nothing sticks long term. I have removed all the mirrors in my house so I won’t have to look at myself.My family and friends are amazing, loving and supportive. My world would be nothing without them. How can I m...

Nationals host the Pirates to start 3-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (18-8, first in the NL Central) vs. Washington Nationals (9-15, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Saturday, 1:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Rich Hill (2-2, 4.85 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 22 strikeouts); Nationals: Patrick Corbin (1-3, 5.88 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 19 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Pirates -135, Nationals +115; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals start a three-game series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.Washington has a 9-15 record overall and a 2-9 record in home games. The Nationals have a 7-3 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.Pittsburgh has an 18-8 record overall and a 9-4 record on the road. The Pirates have the fifth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .258.Saturday’s game is the first time these teams square off this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Keibert Ruiz has four doubles and two home runs for the Nationals. Joey Meneses is 15-for-45 with two doubles and a home run over the last ...

Atlanta Braves and New York Mets play in game 2 of series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

Atlanta Braves (18-9, first in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (15-12, second in the NL East)New York; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Spencer Strider (3-0, 1.80 ERA, .83 WHIP, 49 strikeouts); Mets: Tylor Megill (3-1, 3.96 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 19 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -173, Mets +148; over/under is 7 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves take a 1-0 advantage into the next game of the series against the New York Mets.New York has a 15-12 record overall and a 5-5 record at home. Mets hitters have a collective .332 on-base percentage, the ninth-best percentage in the majors.Atlanta has an 11-2 record in road games and an 18-9 record overall. Braves hitters are batting a collective .255, which ranks sixth in the NL.The teams square off Saturday for the second time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Pete Alonso has two doubles and 10 home runs for the Mets. Francisco Lindor is 8-for-40 with five doubles and four RBI over the last 10 games.Ronald Acuna Jr....

Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs meet in game 2 of series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

Chicago Cubs (14-11, third in the NL Central) vs. Miami Marlins (14-13, third in the NL East)Miami; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Caleb Kilian (0-0); Marlins: Edward Cabrera (1-2, 4.91 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 24 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Marlins -126, Cubs +105; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins host the Chicago Cubs with a 1-0 series lead.Miami has an 8-6 record at home and a 14-13 record overall. The Marlins have the ninth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .245.Chicago has a 6-3 record on the road and a 14-11 record overall. The Cubs have gone 11-4 in games when they record at least eight hits.The teams meet Saturday for the second time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Jorge Soler leads the Marlins with 13 extra base hits (eight doubles and five home runs). Jazz Chisholm is 9-for-40 with three home runs and six RBI over the last 10 games.Patrick Wisdom leads Chicago with nine home runs while slugging .624. Yan Gomes is 15-for-37 with fou...

Padres begin 2-game series with the Giants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

San Francisco Giants (11-14, fourth in the NL West) vs. San Diego Padres (13-14, third in the NL West)Mexico City; Saturday, 6:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Sean Manaea (0-1, 6.61 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 18 strikeouts); Padres: Joe Musgrove (1-0, 5.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, six strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -181, Giants +154; over/under is 15 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres host the San Francisco Giants on Saturday to open a two-game series.San Diego has a 5-8 record at home and a 13-14 record overall. The Padres have a 9-2 record in games when they scored five or more runs.San Francisco has an 11-14 record overall and a 4-7 record in road games. The Giants have the 10th-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .319.The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.TOP PERFORMERS: Xander Bogaerts leads the Padres with a .316 batting average, and has four doubles, five home runs, 14 walks and 12 RBI. Jake Cronenworth is 7-for-36 with five...

Dodgers face the Cardinals with 1-0 series lead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (10-16, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-13, second in the NL West)Los Angeles; Saturday, 9:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Jordan Montgomery (2-3, 3.81 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 25 strikeouts); Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (4-1, 2.32 ERA, .87 WHIP, 32 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -149, Cardinals +127; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers lead 1-0 in a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Los Angeles is 13-13 overall and 7-6 in home games. The Dodgers have gone 6-3 in games when they did not give up a home run.St. Louis is 5-9 in road games and 10-16 overall. The Cardinals have an 8-2 record in games when they scored five or more runs.Saturday’s game is the second time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Max Muncy has 11 home runs, 20 walks and 21 RBI while hitting .254 for the Dodgers. James Outman is 13-for-41 with four doubles, four home runs and nine RBI over the past 10 games....

Rockies host Arizona Diamondbacks, look to break home losing streak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (15-12, first in the NL West) vs. Colorado Rockies (8-19, fifth in the NL West)Denver; Saturday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Tommy Henry (0-0, 6.23 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, one strikeout); Rockies: Noah Davis (0-0, .93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 10 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -113, Rockies -106; over/under is 12 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies host the Arizona Diamondbacks looking to stop their six-game home slide.Colorado is 8-19 overall and 3-8 at home. The Rockies have a 0-18 record in games when they have allowed at least one home run.Arizona has a 7-6 record in road games and a 15-12 record overall. The Diamondbacks have the fifth-best team batting average in MLB play at .262.The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Kris Bryant has three home runs, nine walks and eight RBI while hitting .309 for the Rockies. Ryan McMahon is 11-for-38 with three doubles, a home run and four RBI ove...

Le Maire doubles down on reform plans after Fitch cuts France’s credit rating

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:24 GMT

French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire vowed that the government will push ahead with structural reforms after Fitch Ratings pointed to social unrest over the planned pension reforms in lowering its assessment of France’s credit rating.“I believe that the facts invalidate the assessment by the Fitch agency,” Le Maire told AFP on Saturday.Citing the government’s reform plans for pension and unemployment benefits, Le Maire added that “we are in a position to pass structural reforms for the country … And we will continue to pass structural reforms for the country.”Le Maire said the government of French President Emmanuel Macron is planning a “whole series of reforms” that will speed up “the transformation of France’s economic model.” A green industry plan, which the government will present “in a few days,” will allow France to “open new industrial sites and create new jobs,” he said.Fitch on...