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New rules for consumer credits in the EU

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

As of Sunday 19 November, new EU rules on consumer credit to safeguard consumers, enter into force. From now on, consumers who are financing their projects and goods through credits shall be better aware of the costs they face and better protected against the risks of new forms of credits offered online, such as Buy Now Pay Later schemes. No matter whether consumers are leasing a car, financing their online shopping, their holidays or projects related to house renovation works, with the new legislation it is less likely they'll end up over-indebted.  Values and Transparency Vice President Vera Jourová (pictured) said: “Consumer credits can help many customers to afford all sorts of goods and projects. However, if the costs of the credit are excessive, its conditions unclear or its consequences not carefully assessed, the credit becomes a risk. With the rules entering into force today, we are making it easier for consumers to avoid such risks and stay safe.”     Justice Commissioner ...

Bridge: Nov. 20, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

Many good books appeared this year, including John Carruthers’ delightful “Bridge with Another Perfect Partner” and “Twelve Important Bridge Lessons” by the prolific author David Bird. My 25th book, “Let’s Play Some Bridge,” was published recently; it’s a collection of pieces where you listen in on my thoughts in 80 deals.Advancing players will profit from “The Magic of Defense” by Barbara Seagram, a noted teacher and author. In discussing planning the defense, Seagram uses today’s deal to illustrate the “forcing game” – making declarer ruff so many times that he loses control – and how a capable declarer might survive.HIGH TRUMPSAt four spades, South ruffs the third heart and leads high trumps. If West plays low twice, declarer can’t lead a third trump: West would win and lead a fourth heart, forcing out declarer’s last trump while West still had one.Instead, declarer takes the Q-J of diamonds and the A-K of clubs. When West can’t ruff, South leads high diamonds, and West can score...

Word Game: Nov. 20, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — INCIDENT (INCIDENT: IN-sih-dent: A happening or occurrence.)Average mark 18 wordsTime limit 30 minutesCan you find 23 or more words in INCIDENT? The list will be published tomorrow.SATURDAY’S WORD — COLISEUM cesium clime close clue coil cole coleus come coulis lice lieu lime limo locus lose louse lues isle scum semi silo slice slim slime sloe sluice slum smile soil sole some soul sumo mesic mice mile miso moil mole moue mouse muesli mule muscle muse musicTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit w...

Horoscopes Nov. 20, 2023: Joel McHale, be the person you want to be

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ashley Fink, 37; Dan Byrd, 38; Joel McHale, 52; Bo Derek, 67.Happy Birthday: Rely on your intuition when it’s necessary to act. Size up situations using common sense and emotions. Choose diplomacy to ensure you don’t burn bridges or regret something you share. Look for opportunities that help you make positive lifestyle changes. Distance yourself from people who cause trouble. It’s essential to put your energy into something that enables you to be the person you want to be. Your numbers are 4, 11, 15, 23, 27, 34, 46.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do your best to keep up with technology and advancements at work or in your industry of choice. Take the initiative to stand out by using your skills uniquely and trying to finish what you start in record time. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t hesitate to go after what you want. It’s up to you to open doors if you want to move forward. An opportunity is a phone call away; reunite...

Four-bedroom home sells in Pleasanton for $2.1 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

2488 Sanderling Drive – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 2400 block of Sanderling Drive in Pleasanton has new owners. The 2,315-square-foot property, built in 1969, was sold on Oct. 6, 2023. The $2,050,000 purchase price works out to $886 per square foot. This two-story home offers a spacious layout with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. In addition, the house comes with a garage. The property’s backyard showcases a pool.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:A 2,146-square-foot home on the 4800 block of Ganner Court in Pleasanton sold in December 2022, for $1,750,000, a price per square foot of $815. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Raven Road, Pleasanton, in April 2023, a 2,747-square-foot home was sold for $1,618,000, a price per square foot of $589. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In September 2022, a 2,167-square-foot home on Raven Road in Pleasanton sold for $2,120,000, a price per square foot of $978. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2...

Ask Amy: We’re baffled by our sister’s behavior. Is a surprise visit in order?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

Dear Amy: Our family is pretty close. We live near one another, do lots of things together and get along great.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: After 25 years with my fiancé, I’m apparently not family yet Advice | Ask Amy: I’m hurt that my friends didn’t realize I needed their help Advice | Ask Amy: We rushed home from our trip, and then we learned what our friend’s ’emergency’ was Advice | Ask Amy: Am I wrong to think my son should put aside his trauma for our family’s sake? Advice | Ask Amy: I found out why I was behaving badly, but my wife won’t come back However, in the last year and a half, one sister who lives three hours away has declined any invitations to events, including most recently Thanksgiving.We are at a complete loss as to understand what is going on.I have told her that she is welcome to stay with me for any amount of time and have includ...

Pop star Shakira reaches a deal with Spanish prosecutors on the first day of tax fraud trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pop star Shakira agreed to a deal with Spanish authorities on the first day of a tax fraud trial in Barcelona on Monday, avoiding the risk of a prison sentence.Shakira told the presiding magistrate, José Manuel del Amo, that she accepted the agreement reached with prosecutors. She answered “yes” to confirm her acknowledgement of six counts of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros (about $15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.Under the deal, Shakira is to receive a suspended three-year sentence and a fine of 7 million euros ($7.6 million).The trial, which would have included more than 100 witnesses over the following weeks, was instead called off after just eight minutes.Prosecutors said in July that they would seek a prison sentence of eight years and two months and a fine of 24 million euros ($26 million) for the singer, who has won over fans worldwide for her hits in Spanish and English in different musical genres.The case hinged o...

Reading program keeps deployed service members connected to home through the holidays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

As more service members are deployed to the Middle East amid rising tensions in the region, one organization has a fun way to keep them connected to their families this Thanksgiving.United Through Reading uses the power of books and reading to help military families, said Jessica Hall, the organization’s vice president of marketing and communications.“It’s just a wonderful way to stay connected,” she said. “I would hope that we all have a really great memory of growing up and sitting on the couch with a loved one reading a book. Our program still allows that memory to happen.”Here’s how the program works: military members record themselves at “story stations” reading a book. Those stations can be located on ships, aircraft carriers and at military bases.The recording is sent back home along with a free copy of the book so the service member’s children who can watch and read along on demand, Hall said.Since the organization’...

Bruins’ Milan Lucic expected to face assault charge in court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

Bruins veteran winger Milan Lucci is set to be arraigned on a criminal charge in Boston Municipal Court today.Lucic was reportedly arrested in Boston’s North End on Saturday morning a following domestic incident and is now facing an assault and battery charge.The Bruins announced Lucic was placed on indefinite leave from the team following the arrest, saying in a statement: “The organization takes these matters very seriously, and we will work with the Lucic family to provide any support and assistance they may need.”Lucic has been limited to just the first four games of this season. He had been placed on long term injured reserve and has not played for the past four weeks.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Authorities investigating deadly officer-involved shooting in Franklin, NH

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:48 GMT

An investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot by police in Franklin, New Hampshire early Monday morning, officials said.Officers responding to a report of a barricaded suspect following an armed disturbance in the area ordered a shelter-in-place for residents in the area of Central and West Bow streets, according to a statement issued by New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella.The name of the man who was shot has not been released. An autopsy will be scheduled by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. No law enforcement officers have been physically injured and there is no threat to the public.The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.