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Marine Le Pen scores big win on toughened immigration bill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

PARIS ― The allies of far-right leader Marine Le Pen have claimed “an ideological victory” as Emmanuel Macron’s government seeks a compromise with hardline conservatives on a beleaguered immigration bill.The French president’s centrist coalition in recent days have openly discussed requesting immigrants to work or reside in France for several years before claiming benefits. The proposals echo some of the far right’s long-time obsessions, including the ideas of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the National Rally party, who campaigned in favor of a “national preference,” which meant excluding foreigners from state benefits and council housing.While the proposals put forward by Macron’s Renaissance party do not go that far, the National Rally has been jubilant over the government’s decision to take what they claim is a step in their direction.“All the decisions are moving towards Marine Le Pen’s [2017] presidential mani...

Putin could attack Baltics and Moldova next, says Belgian army chief

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

After Ukraine, the Kremlin’s next targets could be Moldova and the Baltic countries, Belgian army chief Michel Hofman has warned. Russia has “already shown that they have the will to attack a neighbor,” Hofman told Belgian news outlet VRT while visiting Belgian soldiers stationed in Romania. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s language “is always ambiguous. It is absolutely possible that they will also have other ideas later. Either in the south in Moldova or the Baltic states,” he said. “Europe must urgently prepare and make it clear that it can defend itself” and that “it will … counterattack if necessary,” said Hofman, who is the chief of defense of the Belgian armed forces. Ukraine has been fending off Putin’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022 and shows no signs of abating despite fierce resistance from Kyiv’s forces. “Russia has switched to a war industry,” Hofman added...

Thousands still without power as recovery from Monday storm continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

More than 120,000 residents were still without power Tuesday morning, waking up the day after a wet and windy storm rocked southern New England. Many schools were closed Tuesday due to continued issues with power, including schools in Cohasset, Duxbury, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke and Millis. South Shore Christian Academy, Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical and Foxborough Regional Charter were also closed for the day day. Scituate closed schools for Tuesday morning. At the storm’s peak, around 12:30 p.m. Monday, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported more than 285,000 outages statewide, with South Shore communities among the hardest hit.“Our crews worked throughout the day today, where safe to do so, and will continue throughout the night and around the clock to restore power to our customers as quickly and safely as possible,” Tim Moore, National Grid’s Vice President for Electric Operations for New England s...

At least 100 elephants die in drought-stricken Zimbabwe park, a grim sign of El Nino, climate change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — At least 100 elephants have died in Zimbabwe’s largest national park in recent weeks because of drought, their carcasses a grisly sign of what wildlife authorities and conservation groups say is the impact of climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon.Authorities warn that more could die as forecasts suggest a scarcity of rains and rising heat in parts of the southern African nation including Hwange National Park. The International Fund for Animal Welfare has described it as a crisis for elephants and other animals.“El Nino is making an already dire situation worse,” said Tinashe Farawo, spokesman for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.El Nino is a natural and recurring weather phenomenon that warms parts of the Pacific, affecting weather patterns around the world. While this year’s El Nino brought deadly floods to East Africa recently, it is expected to cause below-average rainfall across southern Africa...

Negotiations underway at UN ahead of vote on resolution calling for halt in hostilities in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

(CNN) — Intensive negotiations were underway at the United Nations ahead of an expected vote Tuesday on a resolution calling for a halt in hostilities to allow much needed aid to enter Gaza, according to diplomats.The vote was originally scheduled for Monday, but was delayed a day to allow more time for negotiations. At the center of the talks is drafting language that could gain a “yes” vote from the United States, or at least an abstention, which would allow the measure to pass.The draft resolution is said to have originally included a call for a “cessation of hostilities” to allow much-needed aid to enter Gaza. Diplomats were hopeful that changing the language to “suspension of hostilities” could gain American support.The US has vetoed previous measures at the UN Security Council and voted against a call for a ceasefire in the larger UN General Assembly.That lends significance to Tuesday’s vote; if the US allows the resolution to pass, it would amount to an important si...

‘Toucher and Hardy’ in the mornings: Rob ‘Hardy’ Poole named co-host of 98.5 morning show with Fred Toucher

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

The widely considered top candidate to be the new co-host of the 98.5 The Sports Hub morning show is getting the gig.Rob “Hardy” Poole, who has been a staple on the 98.5 midday show, has been named the co-host of the morning show with longtime host Fred Toucher — who made the announcement on Tuesday.There has been an opening on “Toucher and Rich” since last month when Rich Shertenlieb left the most popular sports talk radio morning show in the region.Toucher, who recently signed a multiyear contract to stay with 98.5, announced Hardy’s move during the show on Tuesday.“Starting on January 4th, there will be a new member of this show, and that person’s name is Rob ‘Hardy’ Poole,” Toucher said on air. “He has signed a contract, and it is official.”Beasley Media Group announced that the morning show will be named “Toucher & Hardy.”Hardy joining the morning show is “not much of a surprise,”...

Toyland: Workers sort gifts at Boston’s Toys For Tots distribution center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

Pedestrian killed after hit by multiple vehicles on I-5, prompting lane closures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

SAN YSIDRO, Calif. — Multiple lanes of the northbound Interstate 5 through San Ysidro were closed off Tuesday morning after a pedestrian was fatally struck by several vehicles, according to California Highway Patrol.The incident was reported just after 3:10 a.m. in the far right lane of the highway near the exit at Dairy Mart Road. According to CHP Sgt. Kyle Johnson, the pedestrian, described as an adult male, had entered the lane, where he was struck by a vehicle.After the collision, the motorist pulled off the freeway and into an Arco Gas Station to call authorities. Before officers arrived on scene, CHP said several additional cars struck the pedestrian after the initial collision."At this time, we're still conducting the investigation, but we do believe additional vehicles struck the pedestrian after he was initially hit," Johnson said. "Several vehicles did pull over and our officers contacted those individuals."According to Johnson, the pedestrian was pronounced dead on scene....

Playing live, ‘Nutcracker’ musicians bring unseen signature to holiday staple

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Musicians in a cramped space under a Phoenix stage send up the familiar tones of “The Nutcracker.” Overhead, satin-and-glue pointed toes pitter-patter across stage in a performance of the holiday favorite.For Ballet Arizona and many other productions around the world, a pit full of musicians is as much part of the tradition as the dancers above.Shows can turn to recordings as they weather costs and crises, and in recent years, productions across the country have been working to recover after the pandemic forced them to go silent during public health closures. But fans, musicians and union leaders say live music brings an unseen signature to each show — even if the path is sometimes fraught. In New York, a production some consider the quintessential American “Nutcracker” opened minutes after musicians agreed to a contract. In Los Angeles, a company gives audiences both options. And in the Phoenix show, the pit was put on hiatus during the Great Recession tied to the 20...

The color purple: It’s a new movie and an old hue that’s rich in meaning and history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:23 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it,” Shug tells Celie in Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple.”In nature, among the priestly and royal, as a symbol of independence, pride and magic, purple is weighty in history and culture. Now, with the Christmas Day opening of the second film based on Walker’s 1982 book, purple takes a seat at the box office after the historic popularity of “Barbie” and all things pink.Consider it a many-layered cultural counterpart to its frothier cousin.Power, ambition, luxury. Purple reflects them all. It also expresses creativity, independence, pride, peace, mystery and magic. In contemporary history and fiction, it often represents something sought dearly. In the early 20th century, purple attire and signage signified loyalty and dignity among the suffragists. In Walker’s novel, Celie, the main character, wants a pair of purple shoes but can’t afford the...