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EU prolongs flexibility on auto deals for distribution and repairs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

The European Commission extended for five years the rules that give the auto industry more freedom to enter into agreements with distributors and retailers of spare parts, as well as repair garages. A new focus is placed on vehicle generated data.The EU executive announced on Monday (17 April) that the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation will be in effect until 31 May, 2028. The 2010 regulation was set to expire by the end of this month.Normal circumstances, EU antitrust laws prohibit agreements that limit competition between companies in different levels of production or distribution chains.The MVBER does not allow such agreements unless they meet certain criteria, such as improving distribution and promoting technological progress while sharing some of the financial benefits with consumers.The Commission updated its guidelines to the Regulation, stating that independent repairers must have equal access to vehicle sensor data.Existing rules include the provision of technical d...

Horoscopes April 20, 2023: Jessica Lange, it’s up to you to build your world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Felix Mallard, 25; Joey Lawrence, 47; Carmen Electra, 51; Jessica Lange, 74.Happy Birthday: Declutter your home and turn it into a relaxing space. Feeling comfortable will improve your overall performance this year. Reconnect with people, projects and pastimes, and revive what you miss. It’s up to you to build your world to your specifications and to give others the right to do the same. Strive for balance, integrity and being at your best. Your numbers are 4, 10, 19, 23, 34, 39, 47.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Anger is a waste of time. Size up a situation, change what you don’t like and move on to something more entertaining than aggravating. Updating your image may sound inviting, but before you begin, consider your motives. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll be eager to take charge and do things your way. Set standards, call on people you trust to do things according to your instructions and don’t subject yourself to situat...

Ask Amy: My neighbor’s deceit cost me my dog sitter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

Dear Amy: Several years ago, one of my neighbors asked if I would give her the name of my longtime (about 13 years at that point) dog sitter/walker.This neighbor said that she and her husband never traveled, so she would use the dog sitter only for occasional walks. I gave her the number.Now the neighbor and her husband have begun traveling and have been booking my dog sitter for a week (or longer periods) sometimes a year in advance, so that I can no longer rely on the availability of the dog walker.This neighbor has also given the name and number of the sitter to another neighbor.I asked the neighbors, out of courtesy, to alert me a few weeks before they plan to use my dog sitter and to use another dog sitter if I need mine.They both say they won’t do this. They won’t even allow me to use my dog sitter to walk my dog while they are using the sitter for weeklong stays.What is the etiquette in this situation?Dognapped WomanDear Dognapped: I understand how frustrating this is, but a ...

Harriette Cole: The whole team can see her immodest photo during video calls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a manager of a small remote team. One of my new team members calls into meetings from her bedroom, with a large framed photo of herself prominently displayed in the background.I have a concern about this and am unsure of how to proceed.On one hand, I understand that team members are in their own private spaces on video calls and don’t need to follow certain norms. I don’t want to create an environment where everyone has to censor their home decorations in some way.At the same time, the photo in question is quite personal and revealing, and it does have an effect on the environment of the meeting. I feel uncomfortable about it and am concerned about what it conveys to the rest of the team, especially as it comes from a position of power within the team.What is the best way to approach this?Hide the PhotoRelated ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: My neighbor’s deceit cost me my dog sitter Advice | Miss Manners: People say unplea...

The Hunt: ISIS poses a global threat again

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

In this week’s edition of “The Hunt with WTOP national security correspondent JJ Green,” there is quite a bit of intelligence suggesting ISIS is trying to regroup.It’s the reason why there have been several U.S. military strikes on ISIS targets in recent weeks. Green sat down with WTOP’s Dimitri Sotis to talk it over. toggle audio on and off change volume download audio ISIS is posing a global threat again. $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); ...

DC attorney general pens support of proposal to ban employee noncompete clauses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

The D.C. attorney general joined his contemporaries in 18 states in supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s proposal to ban employers from imposing noncompete clauses on employees.The FTC in January introduced a measure that could make it easier for people to switch jobs and “deepen competition for labor across a wide range of industries,” The Associated Press reported.In a news release, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said that noncompetes harm workers, businesses and the economy.“Non-competes, even if not legally enforceable, deter employees who lack the resources to litigate against their employers from seeking better job opportunities,” Schwalb said, adding they “disproportionately harm women and people of color.”What is a noncompete?A noncompete is a contractual provision that frequently prevents employees from taking a new job or starting their own business, often in a particular industry or geographic area. It also restricts wor...

Prince William Co. middle, high schools to get security screeners starting in August

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

An additional layer of security will soon be implemented at Prince William County, Virginia, middle and high schools. The county’s school board is moving ahead with plans to equip schools with security screeners.The county will begin rolling out the security screeners to schools in August.During a recent school board meeting, Superintendent LaTanya McDade stressed the need for more safety. “The one thing that we all agree on is the need to do more to protect our students and staff,” she said.The weapons detection system, made by Evolv Technology, is a screener that’s already in use at sports stadiums, hospitals and in several districts across the country.Despite some community members speaking out against the cost and questioning the effectiveness, school officials said the system is less intrusive and would allow multiple students to go through the system at a time.“We remain vigilant in the innovative implementation of national best practices and scho...

DC’s forecast promises heat (potentially record-breaking) and much needed rain amid drought

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

Listen to WTOP for the latest weather updates on the 8s and when it breaks.This week’s cool spring-like temperatures and sunny skies will be overtaken by sizzling heat Friday and long-awaited rain Saturday. Here’s a look ahead at the weekend’s forecast in the D.C. area.The latter half of the week will feel more like summer than spring in the D.C. region.In fact, 7news First Alert Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff said record heat could be in the cards for the District. Temperatures are expected to near 90 degrees Friday, just shy of the current record 89 degrees set at Reagan National Airport in 1976.In the southern parts of WTOP’s listening area, some neighborhoods are expected to reach 90 degrees for the first time this year on Friday.Despite the potentially record-breaking temperatures, the heat shouldn’t bring humidity with it this week.Looking ahead at the weekend, temperatures should cool down to the upper 70s ahead of a cold front Saturday. Much-...

Sullivan and Yeongsu share lead of ISPS Handa Championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

OMITAMA, Japan (AP) — Andrew Sullivan and Kim Yeongsu each shot 7-under 63 to share the lead after the first round of the ISPS Handa Championship in Japan on Thursday.Three players were a stroke behind in the European tour event — Alexander Bjork, Aaron Cockerill and Deon Germishuys.It was a bunched leaderboard at Ishioka Golf Club: Almost two dozen golfers were at 5 under or 4 under on a sunny day for golf. Almost 150 players are entered in the first two rounds.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

South Florida drivers finally see fuel supply relief as historic flooding recovery efforts continue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

Residents in South Florida are finally seeing some relief at the gas pump and in their neighborhoods more than a week after historic flooding caused by unprecedented rains swept through the region. The flooding interrupted the supply chain out of Port Everglades, making it difficult for tanker trucks to refill and refuel gas stations. Additionally, several fuel terminals were damaged by the waters, exacerbating the situation. According to a spokesperson with GasBuddy, 58.5% of gas stations in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are being reported as without gasoline. However, filled fuel tankers are now slowly making their way to gas stations in the area. “We now have 9 of our 12 terminals up and operating, which is great news,” said Broward County Mayor Lamar Fisher, “And what that means is obviously gas is getting to the stations that are needed.”While drivers are grateful for the relief, some are still feeling the effects of the flooding. “Thank God they’...