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This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 11 FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Union is taking another big step toward cutting its energy ties with Russia. The 27-nation bloc is banning Russian refined oil products like diesel fuel and joining the U.S. and other allies in imposing a price cap on sales to non-Western countries. Europe's ban takes effect Sunday following its embargo on coal and most oil from Russia. The move is meant to further slash reliance on Russian energy and payments into the Kremlin's war chest as the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine nears. The newest energy sanctions have risks: Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and there's uncertainty about how the EU embargo and price cap by the Group of Seven major democracies will affect the market for a fuel crucial to the global economy. Most things people buy or eat … [Read more...] about How will EU ban and West’s price cap on Russian diesel work?

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 8 EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — A train derailment and resulting large fire prompted an evacuation order and a declaration of a state of emergency in an Ohio village near the Pennsylvania state line, covering the area in billows of smoke lit orange by the flames below. About 50 cars derailed in East Palestine as a train was carrying a variety of freight from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, rail operator Norfolk Southern said in a statement Saturday. There was no immediate information about what caused the derailment. No injuries were reported. Mayor Trent Conaway of the village of East Palestine declared a state of emergency, citing a “train derailment with hazardous materials.” Air quality was being monitored throughout a one-mile zone ordered evacuated and there had been no dangerous readings to report, he said. Norfolk Southern said the … [Read more...] about 50-car train derailment causes big fire, evacuations in Ohio

WHEN Lyle Lovett went to Trinity Lutheran Church in Klein last Sunday -- it's the church his family has attended forever -- several members congratulated him on headlining the upcoming RodeoHouston. "I could tell from the greetings that, finally, because I'm playing the rodeo, I'm doing OK. This (music career) might work out," he says with a grin. The 43-year-old singer-songwriter, who has won several Grammy Awards and acted in movies (he's a favorite of director Robert Altman 's), is thrilled about performing at the rodeo for the first time, on Feb. 19. But if music is Lovett's passion, motorcycles rank a close second. When Lovett was 7, his family vacationed in Galveston. His father rented a small Honda sport bike, and they took a ride on the beach. "It was exhilarating. I had never felt anything like it," he recalls. "And I felt comfortable and safe, because I had my arms around my dad." Ever since that day on the beach, Lovett has held intense feelings about … [Read more...] about Lyle Lovett found peace on the seat of a Harley

Texas is the second largest state in the U.S., big enough to have seven distinct natural regions, including the High Plains. From its wide open spaces to its well-known cowboy culture and oversized food items, there is no place quite like this beautifully rugged area of the state. From visiting famous wineries and learning about the history of ranching in the U.S., to visiting USA Today's " best brewpub in America" and having can't-miss culinary experiences, here are 10 fun and surprising things to do in Lubbock. Where are the Texas High Plains located? Stretching from the Oklahoma state line to New Mexico and south through Lubbock, the High Plains is geographically higher in elevation than the areas to the east and west of that region. Lubbock is one of the largest cities here. It has a younger population than the rest of the region and contributes to the area's cultural identity through its museums, culinary scene and cultural activities. Dallas and Austin may … [Read more...] about Surprisingly fun things to do in Lubbock, Texas

As Texas begins recovery from this week's winter ice storm, Houstonians can look forward to a little relief from the cold, gray weather. The break in Houston's dreary days comes as power outages continue to plague North and Central Texas following the winter storm. As of 10:04 a.m. Friday, more than 245,000 Texans were without power, according to the website Poweroutage.us. A week has passed since Houston has experienced anything other than overcast skies and chilly temperatures."That week-long streak will end at some point today. Most of the area will see at least some sun, if not full sun before the end of the day, and everyone sees sunshine tomorrow," Space City Weather's Matt Lanza forecasted Friday morning. "In addition, we’ve gone over 100 straight hours below 50 degrees, not a particularly big deal, but it has certainly been cold and quite damp," Lanza continued in his Friday morning forecast. "That should end today also. All in all, if you have weekend plans, you … [Read more...] about Texas ice storm: Sun returns to Houston, outages remain across state

Listen to this article BTCC organiser TOCA made the announcement at lunchtime on Tuesday, in the middle of the series’ Launch Day at Silverstone – from which spectator attendance was banned on Monday evening . The BTCC was supposed to kick off at Donington Park on 29 March, followed by rounds at Brands Hatch on 12 April and Silverstone on 26 April. All have now fallen by the wayside, although TOCA will attempt to reschedule them for later in the season to bring the calendar back up to its intended 10 events and 30 races. Like Formula 1, the BTCC has a summer break, in its case from mid June to late July, while there is a further four-week gap free of racing prior to the penultimate round at the end of September. The season is now scheduled to kick off at Thruxton over the weekend of 16-17 May. The TOCA statement read: “ Yesterday [16 March] the government introduced updated coronavirus directives. These included asking citizens to avoid all non-essential … [Read more...] about BTCC postpones season until mid-May due to coronavirus

Checking in! With 12 bedrooms, 10 with en suite bathrooms, the historic Farris Hotel , aka Hotel Dallas, could be just about anything. The building, just off Main Street in Eagle Lake, TX , has come on the market with a list price of $1,650,000. “It was built in 1912 and, throughout its life, it has been a hotel at least twice and then a restaurant. And the individual who owns it now is using it as a single-family residence,” says Tim Grimes of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty, who is co-listing the property with Brian Spack . “There are so many possibilities somebody could do with this. If somebody has an imagination and is creative, it could be something really special,” Grimes adds. Built for rail travelers Published reports say a hotel building has been on the site since the Good Hotel was built for rail travelers in 1858. At one point, Bill and Helyn Farris restored and operated the hotel for 20 years. Bill died in 2012, and records show the … [Read more...] about $1.6M Texas Hotel Is Looking for a Buyer To Check In

Listen to this article This Week in Racing History December 28 - David Empringham born (1964). December 29 - Allan McNish born (1969). December 30 - Tony George, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway born (1959). December 31 - Speed record holder Malcolm Campbell dies of natural causes (1948). - Ralph Deshon and Fred Koster drive a Crosley Hotshot to victory in the 6-hour Sam Collier Memorial Grand Prix of Endurance, the first autorace held at Sebring, Florida. It is also the first sportscar endurance race held in the United States. The little Crosley was able to defeat faster Ferraris, Jaguars, and others because the race was run under an Index of Performance handicapping system (1950). - Tony Kanaan born (1974). January 2 - Walter Sobraske, machinist for Miller, Schofield, Offenhauser, and Meyer & Drake (later shop forman), born in West Virgiania (1901). Previous installments of This Week in Racing History can be found at the Motorsport News … [Read more...] about This Week in Racing History (December 28 – January 3)

Listen to this article The French GP slips off the schedule this year, after a four-year return to the calendar at Paul Ricard from 2018-2022, that could mean another lengthy spell on the sidelines. It was previously dormant from 2009-2017 after an 18-year run at Magny-Cours, which took over from Ricard in 1991 due to political reasons. Former Tyrrell, Ferrari, Benetton, Sauber, Prost and Jordan F1 racer Alesi, who took up his new role this week, is clear over where the blame lies for the loss of the race. “The problem with Formula 1 in France is not with the circuit, it’s with the politics,” he told Motorsport.com. “It’s probably the only F1 Grand Prix that’s never had a president come to watch it – except for at Magny-Cours once, when [Francois] Mitterrand attended as part of his political wish for the race to be there. “Since then, it’s never happened. The problem is not with the circuit; the problem is the wish of the country. My other job is a Formula 1 … [Read more...] about Alesi: “Politics”, not F1, to blame for French GP exit