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Oil Turmoil In Bulgaria, Conservatives Sabotage Their Coalition Cabinet

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

Bulgaria went through a series of five inconclusive elections and caretaker cabinets were in office for the better part of the last 3 years – writes Boyan Koutevski, PhD of Political Science, journalist.The Conservatives, who were in charge of the country for almost a decade, were unhappy to let the Liberal newcomers to the table. Now they are leading the newborn politicians into a trap, which could topple the coalition cabinet and leave the liberals to take the blame while destroying the energy security of the country in the process.Since June, the birth of the new de facto coalition cabinet, the Conservatives began sabotaging the cabinet by refusing to appoint cabinet members. This is a clear sign they don’t intend to share the responsibility of the government for the upcoming energy crisis and fuel deficit.The players behind this ill-conceived cabinetIn July GERB suggested terminating early the Lukoil`s concession on the oil terminal serving their refinery near the city of Burgas...

Miss Manners: What to say to a stranger who wants to touch you

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a dear friend who suffered a stroke as a teenager, which left her with weakness on one side of her body.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: We aren’t invited to the shower but our co-worker wants gifts from us anyway Advice | Miss Manners: My husband was upset by my request at the restaurant Advice | Miss Manners: Am I really ‘trying too hard to be liked’? Advice | Miss Manners: Please decree that people should not knock on a bathroom door Advice | Miss Manners: They say they’d rather die than live like I do. How should I respond? She is now in her 40s and has a wonderful husband and a lovely daughter. She is an avid volunteer and artist.While she was out in public with me recently, a woman approached my friend and asked if she could lay hands on her and pray for her.I’m sure the woman meant no offense, but this embarrassed and upset my friend. S...

Dear Abby: This boy makes me so happy. Must we break up because of his parents?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m in a relationship with someone younger. I’m 17, and he’s 15.We were close friends and have been through so much together, good and bad, and we’ve now been in a six-month relationship.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I thought I’d get over my husband’s misdeed but it haunts me Advice | Dear Abby: She decided I can’t be near her children Advice | Dear Abby: The wedding is on hold, but the bride is apparently keeping my money Advice | Dear Abby: When he thought I was dying, he revealed his role in this painful deception Advice | Dear Abby: I don’t want to hear her fantasies about the priest We don’t have bad intentions because we are waiting for marriage before having sex.I have struggled with depression and anxiety, but he makes me happier than I have ever been. He’s the man I have been asking God for. He treats me like a princes...

Diamondbacks visit the Cubs to open 4-game series

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (72-68, second in the NL West) vs. Chicago Cubs (76-64, second in the NL Central)Chicago; Thursday, 7:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson (0-0); Cubs: Javier Assad (3-2, 2.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 67 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -188, Diamondbacks +158; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs host the Arizona Diamondbacks to open a four-game series.Chicago is 40-31 at home and 76-64 overall. The Cubs have hit 170 total home runs to rank seventh in the NL.Arizona is 72-68 overall and 34-33 in road games. The Diamondbacks have gone 28-12 in games when they did not give up a home run.Thursday’s game is the first time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Cody Bellinger has 24 doubles, a triple, 24 home runs and 86 RBI for the Cubs. Seiya Suzuki is 13-for-39 with five doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI over the past 10 games.Corbin Carroll has 26 doubles, nine triples and 24 home runs for the Diamondback...

Cardinals bring 3-game win streak into matchup with the Braves

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (61-78, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Atlanta Braves (90-48, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Thursday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (3-10, 8.10 ERA, 1.98 WHIP, 45 strikeouts); Braves: Max Fried (6-1, 2.52 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 63 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -307, Cardinals +244; over/under is 10 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals seek to prolong a three-game win streak with a victory over the Atlanta Braves.Atlanta has a 90-48 record overall and a 44-24 record at home. The Braves have the best team slugging percentage in the majors at .502.St. Louis has gone 30-38 on the road and 61-78 overall. The Cardinals have the ninth-best team slugging percentage in MLB play at .430.Thursday’s game is the sixth time these teams square off this season. The Braves are ahead 3-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Ronald Acuna Jr. has 32 doubles, three triples and 32 home runs while hitting .330 for the Braves. Marcell ...

Dodgers look to avoid series sweep against the Marlins

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (84-54, first in the NL West) vs. Miami Marlins (72-67, third in the NL East)Miami; Thursday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Ryan Pepiot (2-0, 1.29 ERA, .71 WHIP, 14 strikeouts); Marlins: Braxton Garrett (8-5, 3.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 136 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -125, Marlins +106; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins will try to sweep a three-game series with a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.Miami has a 72-67 record overall and a 40-31 record in home games. The Marlins have a 54-19 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.Los Angeles has an 84-54 record overall and a 37-30 record on the road. The Dodgers have a 45-18 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.The teams meet Thursday for the sixth time this season. The Marlins lead the season series 3-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Arraez has 29 doubles, three triples and six home runs for the Marlins. Jazz Chisholm is 14-for-43 with two doubles and fou...

Macron: No Russian flags at Paris 2024 Olympics

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that no Russian flags will be allowed at the Paris 2024 Olympics.“Obviously there cannot be a Russian flag at the Paris Games,” Macron said in an interview with French sports paper L’Équipe. “I think there’s a consensus [on that].”Macron went on to add that the Russian flag had “no place” at the 2024 Olympics, at a time when Russia is “committing war crimes, when it’s deporting children.”Asked about whether Russian athletes will be allowed to participate, Macron said that is not a decision for the host country, but rather for the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The committee will have to decide what place to give Russian athletes “who sometimes have prepared for a lifetime, and can also be the victims” of the Kremlin’s regime, he said. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international ...

West Bridgewater star Harris armed for battle this fall

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

WEST BRIDGEWATER — The cars raced loudly along Route 24 through the muggy air. However, the West Bridgewater High School football team barely noticed as they practiced.For stars like senior quarterback James Harris, this campaign presents an opportunity to continue a winning tradition the Wildcats have established.“This is by far the most excited I have been for a season, and it’s not even close,” said Harris. “My friends that I’ve built over these past four years? We’re here. We were working all summer. Some of these guys have been working their butts off. It really pays off, and it shows here.”Harris will be looking to build upon a year in which he finished with 22 touchdowns and averaged 11 yards per carry. Schools like Springfield College and the University of New England have been eying his services, but the captain is focused on making history at his hometown school.“I intend to do better,” Harris said. “Always try to do better, I know I can be better, and I know I can be bett...

Division 7-8 football players to watch

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

EMASS DIVISION 7AmesburyBlue HillsBoston Latin AcademyCaseChelseaCohassetEast BostonHamilton-WenhamIpswichLowell CatholicManchester-EssexMashpeeMonomoyNantucketO’BryantRocklandSouth Shore VokeWest Bridgewater EMASS DIVISION 8Atlantis Charter/WestportBourneBrightonCape Cod TechCarverCathedralEnglish/New MissionGeorgetownHolbrook/AvonHullKeefe TechKIPPLynn TechMillisMinutemanNashoba TechOld ColonyRandolphRoxbury PrepSt. John PaulTech BostonUpper CapeWareham DANDY DOZEN FOR DIVISION 7-8Davion Adediran, Fr., QB, 6-0, 172, Atlantis Charter: As an eighth-grader, Adediran threw for 1,264 yards and 14 touchdowns.Liam Appleton, Sr., RB/LB, 6-2, 205, Cohasset: Appleton was an offensive force in the South Shore League, rushing for 930 yards on 106 carries, while catching 49 passes for a school-record 952 yards and 16 total touchdowns.Will Arsenault, Sr., OL/LB, 6-1, 235, Amesbury: The co-Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Cape Ann League, Arsenault is a force on both sides of...

A lawsuit seeks to bar Trump from the primary in Colorado, citing Constitution’s insurrection clause

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:56 GMT

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI (Associated Press)DENVER (AP) — A liberal group on Wednesday filed a lawsuit to bar former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot in Colorado, arguing he is ineligible to run for the White House again under a rarely used clause in the U.S. Constitution aimed at candidates who have supported an “insurrection.”The lawsuit, citing the 14th Amendment, is likely the initial step in a legal challenge that seems destined for the U.S. Supreme Court. The complaint was filed on behalf of six Republican and unaffiliated Colorado voters by the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.It will jolt an already unsettled 2024 primary campaign that features the leading Republican candidate facing four separate criminal cases.Liberal groups have demanded that states’ top election officials bar Trump under the clause that prohibits those who “engaged in an insurrection or rebellion” against the Constitution from holding...