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Ask Amy: An ex worries that she’s been “unfollowed”

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

Dear Amy: My ex-boyfriend, “Chet,” was my first boyfriend (and longest relationship so far). Chet recently “unfollowed” me on Instagram — my main social media tool.We had an amicable ending, and it’s been about three years since we broke up.I have been working as an exotic dancer, so I am wondering if that is the reason he decided to unfriend me?This hurt, because he was so special in my life, even if we were now just online friends.I recently found out that his brother has cancer, and it makes me sad.I want to reach out to his family, to see if they are OK.I haven’t spoken to them since our breakup, so I am not trying to get back into their lives, but I do want to see if they need anything, as they are very sweet people.How can I help?— Bittersweet BreakupDear Bittersweet: I don’t know why your ex unfollowed you on Instagram, but if you post photos of yourself dancing, he might not have wanted to see them.He might also be in a new relationship with someone w...

Better consumer protection: New EU rules for defective products 

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

The EU wants to update the existing rules for defective products to better protect consumers and keep up with the development of new technologies, Economy.The existing Product Liability Directive was adopted almost 40 years ago. In September 2022, the European Commission published a proposal to adapt the guidelines to address the technological advantages newer products may have.The aim of the revised directive is to set uniform rules for Eu countries, ensure proper functioning of the digital and circular economy and help victims of defective products get fairer compensation.Scope of the revised liability rulesTo better reflect the changes in the digital and green world, the existing definition of a product needs to be expanded to include software updates, artificial intelligence or digital services, for example robots, drones or smart-home systems.At the same time, the revised rules exclude open-source or free software from the scope as such software relies on improvements from user...

Leadership Continuity in the DRC is in the EU’s Best Interests

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

Brussels has every reason to believe that the reelection of incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi, shown to be leading in recent polls, would serve its foreign policy and economic interests – writes Nathalie Beasnael.Despite current instability in the Middle East and limited to capacity for additional strategic focal points, the upcoming presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), scheduled for 20th December 2023, should be of interest to all politicians, economists, business leaders and climate activists in the European Union. The DRC has been an invaluable partner of the EU. With the potential for the upcoming election to upend the balance of power in the country, what the EU requires now is stability in this country integral to its long-term economic interests.     The centrality of the DRC to EU economic interests can be seen most clearly in the import of raw materials, primarily copper and cobalt ore. Copper is one of the most w...

Top 7 Tailored Tours in Portugal: Capturing the Essence of Sun, Sea, and Fado

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

Portugal, with its rich tapestry of landscapes, from rugged coastlines to verdant valleys and bustling urban centers, is a traveler’s dream. Yet, beyond the renowned landmarks and popular destinations, lies a realm of curated experiences that delve deeper into the country's soul, which some of the best Portugal vacation packages are made of. They beckon the discerning traveler with tales of old, whispers of the sea, and the melancholic strains of Fado. These tailored tours are not just journeys across land but deep dives into culture, history, and emotion. Here, we unfurl the map to Portugal’s heart through seven meticulously crafted tours that promise more than sights – they pledge experiences.1. Douro Valley Wine and Heritage Tour:Nestled in Northern Portugal, the Douro Valley stretches with terraced vineyards that stand testament to centuries of wine-making traditions. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this region is the birthplace of the famed Port wine. A specialized tour here is a...

Granderson: GOP hate for LGBTQ+ people fueled Mike Johnson’s rise

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

The older I get, the more reminders I see that Maya Angelou was right: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”Take the new House speaker, Mike Johnson, for instance.He’s been showing who he is since 1998, when he graduated from law school and started going after the LGBTQ+ community every chance he could. And I’m not just talking about trying to stop same-sex marriage, because let’s face it, many progressives were against it back then as well. But Johnson was extreme by comparison — advocating for laws that banned two adults from having consensual sex in their own home.So, to anyone who considers themselves an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, know this: Same-sex marriage and other protections are not safe.Johnson, R-La., has made attacking the queer community a huge part of his life’s work. We don’t yet know his style as a leader in the House, but we know exactly where he intends to go.And judging from how the speake...

ILGM Reviews [2024]: Is This Seed Bank Legit? Honest Reviews From Verified Users

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

 Sponsored ContentIn recent years, ILGM (I Love Growing Marijuana) has emerged as one of the top-rated online seed banks, with multiple prominent ILGM seed reviews praising the company.But is ILGM legit? Are their seeds high-quality? We took an in-depth look at this company, plus various verified ILGM reviews, to see if this seed bank is worth your time. We also searched for available ILGM coupon code deals, and will share our findings in subsequent paragraphs. Keep reading to learn more!ILGM: Brand OverviewI Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM) is a renowned name in the field of cannabis cultivation. It was established by Robert Bergman, an expert grower, and offers over 100 strains of top-quality seeds, detailed grow guides, and a supportive community forum.ILGM sells high-quality marijuana seeds, as well as guides, tips, and resources for growing cannabis at home. It also provides a 100% germination guarantee, free shipping to the US and Europe, and excellent customer service. >...

Horoscopes Oct. 31, 2023: Letitia Wright, seize the moment

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Letitia Wright, 30; Patti Harrison, 33; Mike O’Malley, 57; Brian Doyle-Murray, 78.Happy Birthday: Choose what makes you passionate and head in that direction. Seize the moment and you’ll find extraordinary ways to turn your thoughts into a reality. Your determination will shine through as you conquer your dreams, hopes and wishes through the changes you make and the new beginnings you embrace. Stand tall, speak your mind and follow the path that makes you feel alive. Your numbers are 7, 15, 21, 27, 33, 38, 46.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Monitor and maintain joint ventures and investments. Getting along with your peers will be critical to get ahead. Sharing your personal or political thoughts will leave you in a precarious position. Silence is golden; let your actions speak for you. 4 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t waste time on things you can’t change. Focus on trends and how to use your attributes, funds and peers to reach ...

Europe’s inflation eased to 2.9% in October thanks to lower fuel prices. But growth has vanished.

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The inflation that has been wearing on European consumers fell sharply to 2.9% in October, its lowest in more than two years as fuel prices fell and rapid interest rate hikes from the European Central Bank took hold.But that encouraging news was balanced by official figures showing economic output in the 20 countries that use the euro shrank by 0.1% in the July-September quarter.Inflation fell from an annual 4.3% in September as fuel prices fell by 11.1% and painful food inflation slowed, to 7.5%. The drop to under 3% is down from the peak of over 10% in October 2022 and puts the inflation figure at least within shouting distance of the European Central Bank’s target of 2% considered best for the economy. But growth disappeared as output shrank after months of stagnation near zero. Germany, the largest of the 20 countries that use the euro, saw its economy output fall by 0.1%, while No. 2 economy France only scraped out 0.1% growth, slowing from 0.6% ...

Granite Construction: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Granite Construction Inc. (GVA) on Tuesday reported earnings of $57.6 million in its third quarter.The Watsonville, California-based company said it had profit of $1.13 per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were $1.69 per share.The contractor and construction materials producer posted revenue of $1.12 billion in the period.Granite Construction expects full-year revenue in the range of $3.35 billion to $3.45 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GVA at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GVASource

CorVel: Fiscal Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:55:26 GMT

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — CorVel Corp. (CRVL) on Monday reported earnings of $19.9 million in its fiscal second quarter.The Fort Worth, Texas-based company said it had profit of $1.15 per share.The health care management company posted revenue of $195.5 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CRVL at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CRVLSource