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The ancient ways of natural wine is finding new fans

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — Wine made in ancient ways is gaining new fans.Natural wine — which emphasizes sustainability and minimal processing — is seeing growing interest in the U.S even though overall wine consumption has been declining since 2015, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, a research firm. While natural and other sustainable wines made up less than 1% of sales in 2021, demand was rising faster than the wine category as a whole, according to alcohol delivery site Drizly.Generally, natural wine is made with hand-picked organic grapes that haven’t been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. Once they’re crushed — sometimes by foot, the way they were crushed by ancient Romans — they are naturally fermented with no added water, yeast or other ingredients. Some natural winemakers add sulfites, a chemical found naturally in grapes, as a preservative; others don’t. Some filter their wines; others leave them cloudy and full of sediment.The result is wines that are earthy, savor...

Rite Aid files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, names new CEO

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (NEXSTAR) — Major U.S. pharmacy chain Rite Aid said Sunday that it has filed for bankruptcy and obtained $3.45 billion in fresh financing as it carries out a restructuring plan while coping with falling sales and opioid-related lawsuits.In 2022, Rite Aid settled for up to $30 million to resolve lawsuits alleging pharmacies contributed to an oversupply of prescription opioids. It said it had reached an agreement with its creditors on a financial restructuring plan to cut its debt and position itself for future growth and that the bankruptcy filing was part of that process.The plan will “significantly reduce the company's debt” while helping to “resolve litigation claims in an equitable manner,” Rite Aid said.In March, the Justice Department filed a complaint against Rite Aid, alleging it knowingly filled hundreds of thousands of unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances from May 2014-June 2019. It also accused pharmacists and the company of ignoring “red flags” in...

Gaza's hospitals near breaking point as Israeli invasion looms

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinians in besieged Gaza crowded into hospitals and schools on Monday, seeking shelter and running low on food and water. More than a million people have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas after its fighters rampaged through southern Israel.As the enclave’s food, water and medicine supplies dwindled, all eyes were on the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, where trucks carrying badly needed aid have been waiting for days as mediators press for a cease-fire that would allow them enter Gaza and allow foreigners to leave.A convoy of Israeli armoured personnel carriers (APC) head towards the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians sheltering in U.N. facilities are on less than 1 liter (1 quart) of water per day. Hospitals warn they are on the verge of collapse, with emergency generators that power machines like ...

Commission approves €24 million Romanian scheme to support investments in sea and inland ports in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

The European Commission has approved an up to €24 million Romanian scheme (RON 118,6 million) to support investments in sea and inland ports in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.Under the scheme, the aid will consist of limited amounts of aid in the form of direct grants. The measure, partially funded through the cohesion funds, will support private port operators in order to enhance the functioning of the “Ukraine-EU Solidarity Lanes”.The aim of the measure is to overcome the shortcomings of the capacity of the ports' superstructure, among others for the procurement of equipment for short-distance transport of freight and the extension of storage capacities for temporary storage. It will also facilitate grains transport and transit via Romanian ports that need urgent support to handle the increased traffic flows of goods.The Commission concluded that the Romanian scheme is necessary, ap...

Word Game: Oct. 16, 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — MAROONS (MAROONS: muh-ROONS: Leaves in isolation or without hope of ready escape.)Average mark 21 wordsTime limit 30 minutesCan you find 20 or more words in MAROONS? The list will be published tomorrow.SATURDAY’S WORD — MISNOMER memo memoir merino meson mien mime mimeo mine miner minor mire miser miso moire monies monism more mores morn iron semi senior senor sermon simmer sine sire siren snore some sone sore noes noise norm nose nosier omen osier emir rein resin rime rinse rise risen rose rosinTo 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, slan...

Horoscopes Oct. 16, 2023: John Mayer, challenge yourself to do better

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kyler Pettis, 31; John Mayer, 46; Kellie Martin, 48; Tim Robbins, 65.Happy Birthday: Take your time and evaluate where you are and where you see yourself heading. A logical approach to change will be comforting and encourage you to forge ahead confidently. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek experts to help you avoid mistakes. Challenge yourself to do better and to reach for the stars. Choose to turn this year into a memorable experience. Your numbers are 8, 12, 22, 25, 33, 37, 48.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be careful not to reveal too much information. Listen to what others say before you contribute to something that makes you hesitant. When in doubt, say no and head in a direction that makes you feel more at home. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Explore your options and make your dream a reality. Tweak whatever is necessary to obtain the balance needed to get you where you want to go. Change begins with you, and being mindful of what’...

Ask Amy: I’m on edge about a suspicious meeting of my child’s grandmothers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

Dear Amy: I decided to completely cut off my mother immediately after my son was born.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: If I were a mouse, I’d be applauding my husband. I am not a mouse. Advice | Ask Amy: She has some nerve to invite me to the gender reveal Advice | Ask Amy: Grandma’s diary told a scandalous story. Should I track down the family? Advice | Ask Amy: I just found out that a famous entertainer is my brother. Should I reach out? Advice | Ask Amy: I know my friend took a photo without my permission, but she won’t hand it over She is an extremely toxic person who doesn’t respect any boundaries, and I decided it was more important to protect my son than to try to have a relationship with her.Her actions afterward only made me more confident about my decision.My son is now 4 months old.My mother recently reached out to my mother-in-law and told her that she would be in her...

Single-family residence sells for $2.2 million in San Ramon

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

30 Primrose Way – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the first block of Primrose Way in San Ramon has new owners. The 2,565-square-foot property, built in 1995, was sold on Sept. 21, 2023. The $2,157,000 purchase price works out to $841 per square foot. This two-story house offers a capacious living environment with its four bedrooms and three bathrooms. In addition, the home provides an attached two-car garage, granting ample space for parking and storage purposes.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:On Sunflower Court, San Ramon, in April 2023, a 2,907-square-foot home was sold for $2,010,000, a price per square foot of $691. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In August 2022, a 2,847-square-foot home on Honeysuckle Lane in San Ramon sold for $2,000,000, a price per square foot of $702. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 3,189-square-foot home on the 100 block of Coriander Court in San Ramon sold in November 2022, for $2,150,000, a price per s...

Why Big Tech, Cops, and Spies Were Made for One Another

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

Illustration: Jovana Mugosa for The InterceptCory Doctorow’s latest book is “The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation.”The techlash has finally reached the courts. Amazon’s in court. Google’s in court. Apple’s under EU investigation. The French authorities just kicked down Nvidia’s doors and went through their files looking for evidence of crimes against competition. People are pissed at tech: about moderation, about monopolization, about price gouging, about labor abuses, and — everywhere and always — about privacy.From experience, I can tell you that Silicon Valley techies are pretty sanguine about commercial surveillance: “Why should I care if Google wants to show me better ads?” But they are much less cool about government spying: “The NSA? Those are the losers who weren’t smart enough to get an interview at Google.”And likewise from experience, I can tell you that government employees and contractors are pretty cool with state surveillance: “Why would I worry a...

Pulsating Rugby World Cup quarterfinals highlight enduring strength of the southern hemisphere

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:53:00 GMT

South 3, North 1.Talk of a potential shift in the balance of power in world rugby toward the northern hemisphere might have been premature.According to the world rankings, the teams from Europe were favored to win the four quarterfinals in the Rugby World Cup over the weekend.Rugby is played on grass, though, not on paper. And after a quartet of titanic games with razor-thin margins, it’s the southern hemisphere which emerged — again — as the likelier to win the Webb Ellis Trophy.The semifinals are set: Argentina vs. New Zealand on Friday and England vs. South Africa on Saturday, both at the Stade de France outside Paris.The smart money is on a New Zealand-South Africa final on Oct. 28, a repeat of the 1995 title match and the latest episode of the ultimate rugby match and the biggest rivalry in the sport. Both are bidding for a record fourth world title.England and Argentina still have plenty to say about that but, on the evidence of the quarterfinals, the All Blacks and the ...