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It’s time Europe reduced its defense reliance on the US, Czech president says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

BRUGES, Belgium — Europe should reduce its reliance on the U.S. and strengthen the European pillar of NATO instead, Czech President Petr Pavel said Tuesday.“The dominant role of NATO as a security provider must no longer mean that Europe neglects its defense obligations,” said Pavel, speaking at the opening ceremony of the new academic year at the College of Europe in Bruges. “Reducing the reliance on the U.S. and developing European strategic enablers is to be seen as our contribution to our transatlantic partnership.“Very likely, we will have to go beyond the 2 percent spending on defense,” he noted.NATO allies agreed at the Vilnius summit in July that the target, in the words of Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, should be treated as a floor instead of a ceiling. “We affirm that in many cases, expenditure beyond 2 percent of GDP will be needed,” the joint communiqué stated. Only about a third of the 31-strong alliance — including many Eastern allies — is meeting or close to...

If the bond markets aren’t scaring you yet, they should be

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

Bond markets, famously, can scare everyone. And if you aren’t scared by what’s happening with them yet, maybe you should be paying more attention.In less than three months, long-term interest rates have risen nearly a full percentage point in the U.S., dragging up borrowing costs for governments, companies and households around the world. And they don’t show any sign of stopping yet. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury, the world benchmark for long-term capital, rose another 0.11 percentage points on Tuesday to a new 16-year high after another surprisingly strong set of data from the U.S. labor market, which forced market participants to push back their expectations of an American recession yet again. In Europe, its German counterpart, the 10-year Bund, is now yielding nearly 3 percent, a level it hasn’t seen since 2011.As Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid pointed out, the weekend deal to avoid a U.S. government shutdown has, if anything, made things worse in the ...

Animal care workers, police work to save fox that survived illegal animal trap in Lexington

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

A fox found limping through the streets of Lexington ended up losing a leg, but is on the mend thanks to the work of local police and animal care workers, according to a wildlife rescue center.The Newhouse Wildlife Rescue said the animal was found on Saturday, Sept. 30, as it tried to walk in a neighborhood with a hold trap stuck to his leg – a device banned by Massachusetts state law.According to the rescue center’s Facebook page, a passerby alerted a nearby officer, leading to police working to corner the animal into a garage.With the homeowner assisting as well, police were able to keep the animal in place and call in Massachusetts Environmental Police, who in turn contacted Newhouse.The group was able to later get in contact with Dr. Victoria Vasilakis at Linwood Animal Hospital, who volunteered to come in and provide emergency care.In an update on Tuesday, the wildlife rescue said that despite the fox having no broken bones, blood flow did not return to the animal&#...

Massachusetts teenager charged for Cape Cod boat crash that killed teen girl; he was drunk while steering the boat, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

A Medfield teenager has been charged in connection to the fatal boat crash in Dennis over the summer, which killed a 17-year-old girl.David K. Sullivan, 19, of Medfield, was recently indicted by a Barnstable County Grand Jury for his role in the July 21 death of Sadie Mauro — who was heading into her senior year at Dover-Sherborn High School.Sullivan was allegedly drunk while steering the boat, according to police.The boat crash in Dennis’ Sesuit Harbor led to Mauro’s death, and the crash also caused serious injuries to two other people on the boat.Months following the crash, the Cape and Islands DA has announced the charges against Sullivan: death of a person caused by operating vessel/boat under the influence of intoxicating liquor; possess false RMV documents; minor in possession of alcohol; operation of a vessel while under the influence of intoxication liquor causing serious bodily injury (x2); and reckless or negligent operation of a vessel causing death.R...

How Sandy and John Carpenter will celebrate 10 years of terror in graphic novels

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

Sandy King Carpenter never imagined getting into the world of graphic novels.Sure, the Los Angeles-based writer and film and TV producer enjoyed comic books and appreciated the form’s artistry, but it wasn’t until a television pitch meeting about a dozen years ago that she seriously considered diving into that realm. On that day, Carpenter sat at a large table alongside her husband, “Halloween” director and composer John Carpenter, actor and screenwriter Thomas Ian Griffith across from a bunch of industry gatekeepers to share the idea for a proposed supernatural horror series called “Asylum.”“All the signposts were there that told us we weren’t really going to go into production,” Carpenter said during a recent phone interview. “All it took was an assistant saying, ‘Well, it’s not like you’re matching to a graphic novel or anything.’”It was the lightbulb moment.Los Angeles-based Storm King Comics’ will release the ninth volume of “John Carpenter’s Tales For a...

Mayo Clinic Minute: Correcting the curve with scoliosis surgery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

Jason Howland | (TNS) Mayo Clinic News NetworkScoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve. It often is diagnosed in children — perhaps during a growth spurt or in and around the time of puberty. However, it can be associated with other conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, infection or injuries to the spine. There are also other conditions, including congenital or neuromuscular diseases, that con contribute to a curvature.Surgery is usually a last resort to fix the problem. And as Dr. Jamal McClendon Jr., a Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon, explains, new technology and techniques have improved the safety and recovery time for patients who have surgery to correct the curve.Most people with scoliosis have a mild spinal curve that can be monitored by their healthcare team over time or treated with a back brace and physical therapy.“Most individuals who we see, or I see, in the office, greater than 90% do not need any form of a procedure,” says Dr. McClendon.But wh...

Gretchen’s table: Green chili with salsa verde chases away that fall chill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

Gretchen McKay | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)Now that it’s officially fall, and the weather is getting cooler, many of us are turning to foods that are a little heartier.A rich and warming pot of chili is a good dish to make the transition from summer to autumn in part because it’s a perfect football food — it feeds a crowd and it’s so easy to eat on the couch in front of the TV. Chili is also versatile, and can satisfy a vegetarian as well as a carnivore, depending on the mix of ingredients.It’s also equal opportunity when it comes to spice. If you love a dish that makes your lips and taste buds burn, throw a few more chili peppers or tablespoons of chili powder into the pot. If you’re more reserved, use less or choose a milder chili pepper, such as poblano.This green chili combines chunks of pork tenderloin with white onion, garlic and salsa verde. Cannellini beans, a type of white kidney bean, add protein and fiber without overpowering the other flavors. I also add fresh jalapen...

With Matthew Judon out, Patriots rookie Keion White expected to play bigger role

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

Losing either one of Matthew Judon or Christian Gonzalez to injury would have been a massive blow, but to lose both at once could potentially be catastrophic.How will the Patriots move forward after losing two of their best defensive players to serious injuries? Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo said Tuesday that others will have to step up in their absence.“Judon’s been great for us in the locker room, in the meeting room and on the field, but we have other players,” Mayo said. “It’s not going to be just one guy, it’s going to be multiple guys trying to fill that role. We’ll see what happens, we’ll see if he comes back but in the meantime we feel pretty confident about the guys on the roster.“We have great players, we always talk about how the rush and the coverage have to marry up, so look, we have guys who can play in those roles,” Mayo continued when asked about Gonzalez specifically. “Obviously it hurts to lose a guy ...

Who polices hospitals merging across markets? States give different answers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

Samantha Liss | (TNS) KFF Health NewsSt. Louis’ largest health system, BJC HealthCare, plans to merge with Kansas City’s second-largest, Saint Luke’s Health System, uniting more than 28 hospitals on both sides of Missouri by the end of this year.The merger, which would span markets 250 miles apart and include facilities in neighboring Kansas and Illinois, is just one of the latest in a quickly consolidating hospital industry. Cross-market deals accounted for more than half of all hospital mergers and acquisitions during the last decade, according to a paper from experts on antitrust law. Today, nearly 60% of health systems operate multiple hospitals in different geographic markets.Not only are such deals more common, they can increase costs for patients. Merged hospitals in the same state but in different markets raised prices as much as 10% compared with other hospitals, researchers found after analyzing past deals. A separate study found stand-alone hospitals raised prices 17% aft...

For a classic Italian comfort food, try meatballs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:51 GMT

By Carla Vigos | Laguna Woods Globe cooking columnistSeptember is my birthday month. It’s a time for reflection of all the special times and people in my life. I love my Italian heritage, and I am a huge fan of the food – which for most Italians go hand in hand.There are so many memories tied to the food my mother made. I think that’s one reason I love to cook.Spaghetti and meatballs is a comfort food memory. When the garlic hits the olive oil, it brings back memories of when I helped my mother in the kitchen.Sunday was sauce day. We would invite relatives over for spaghetti, and play cards after the meal.This month, meatballs are the star of this column, with a plain red sauce.For questions or comments, email [email protected] pounds 80% ground beef2 eggs2 to 3 large garlic cloves, minced1 cup bread crumbs softened with 3/4 cup water13/4 teaspoons salt3/4 teaspoon pepper1 teaspoon dried oregano3/4 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese1/4 cup chopped parsley1 ta...