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EU’s two presidents, von der Leyen and Michel, to hold separate Biden meetings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

WASHINGTON — EU leaders in Washington for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday had an important objective: projecting a united front after days of mixed messages on the Israel crisis. But even before the meeting started, the divides were on full display. European Council President Charles Michel, who is visiting the White House for the first time, will hold a bilateral meeting with Biden in the Oval Office ahead of the EU-U.S. summit. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will instead join the U.S. leader for a scheduled walk through the Rose Garden after the meeting. The arrangement speaks to an increasingly problematic issue facing the EU as it engages internationally — working out who speaks for Europe on foreign policy. Von der Leyen, who heads the EU executive, and Michel, the former Belgian prime minister who leads the European Council representing the bloc’s 27 national governments — have a notoriously tetchy relationship.The latest b...

Israeli official slams Greta Thunberg after she backs Palestinians in Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

The Israeli military lashed out at Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Friday, after she sent a message supporting Palestinians and endorsed a comment which said a “genocide” was being perpetrated in Gaza. Thunberg said “the world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected,” as the Israel-Hamas war escalates and threatens to become a regional conflict. Thunberg also shared on her Instagram account a post by a German-based pro-Palestinian account which says a “genocide” is happening in Gaza.The group, Palestine Speaks, talked of its “indignation against genocide in Gaza and the repressive state terror of many Western states against anyone who shows and acts in solidarity with the Palestinians.”In reaction, Arye Sharuz Shalicar, spokesman for the Israeli army, told POLITICO: “Whoever identifies with Greta in any way in the future, in my view, is a terror supporter.”He added...

Trump fraud trial judge suggests gag order violation could result in imprisonment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

(CNN) — The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial admonished the former president’s attorneys for a “blatant violation” of a gag order and suggested that violations could result in “imprisonment.”Judge Arthur Engoron said despite his clear order to take down a social media post attacking his clerk, “I learned that the subject post was never removed from the website.”“And, in fact, had been on that website for the past 17 days. I understand that it was removed late last night but only in response to an email,” Engoron said.The post was removed from Truth Social right after the gag order was issued but not from Trump’s campaign website, DonaldJTrump.com.The judge hinted at serious sanctions for the former president.“I will now provide defendants an opportunity to explain why this blatant violation of this gag order should not result in serious sanctions including financial penalties… and or possibly imprisonment.”Trump attorney Chris Kise apologized to ...

Driver cited for death of UMass Dartmouth student charged with negligent motor vehicle homicide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

A 22-year-old driver previously cited for a crash that killed a UMass Dartmouth student has officially been charged with negligent motor vehicle homicide, according to officials.The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office announced that Danasia Sampson of Boston had been charged in connection with the death of 19-year-old Frank Petillo Jr.Petillo Jr. was killed on April 6 after authorities said he was struck by a vehicle on Ring Road on campus. University police had found the New Jersey resident lying in the road and suffering from serious injuries before he was later pronounced dead at nearby St. Luke’s Hospital.Sampson, also a student, was later cited for negligent motor vehicle homicide and was scheduled to appear for a clerk magistrate’s hearing to determine if a criminal charge would be issued.According to the DA’s office, the clerk magistrate determined during the hearing on Thursday that probable cause did exist to formally charge the 22-year-old.Authoriti...

Ex-Elizabeth Warren 2020 staffers call on her to ‘demand an immediate cease-fire’ in Israel, Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is facing pressure from hundreds of her former staffers who are pushing her to “demand an immediate cease-fire” and de-escalation in the Israel-Hamas war, while an estimated 200 Israeli hostages are still captive in Gaza.A letter signed by hundreds of ex-staffers from Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign comes after protesters chanting for a ceasefire were arrested as they tried to enter the senator’s Boston office on Wednesday. Also, progressive House reps introduced a cease-fire resolution earlier this week, which was backed by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.The former Warren staffers in their letter, posted online late Thursday night, urged the senator to publicly call for a cease-fire and to introduce a cease-fire resolution in the Senate.“We were horrified by the Hamas attack on October 7, and we are devastated for those who are dying as the Israeli army continues to commit unconscionable horrors in Gaza,” the former ...

Mike Preston: For Ravens and Lions, Sunday’s matchup is a chance to prove something | COMMENTARY

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

When asked about his emotions going into Sunday’s game at M&T Bank Stadium against the highly regarded Detroit Lions, Ravens middle linebacker Roquan Smith had a calm answer.“I just think about it … Sunday, we’ll be ready, so we’ll be ready to welcome those guys here,” said Smith, who leads the team in tackles with 63. ‘They’re playing good ball, but, hey, I’m from the ‘Show Me’ business, so you have to show me.”The Lions (5-1) are probably saying the same thing about the Ravens (4-2), especially Baltimore’s No. 2 ranked defense. The Ravens are No. 10 in rush defense (97.7 yards allowed per game) and No. 2 in pass defense (163.3).But the Ravens have yet to play an offense as diversified as Detroit’s, which is averaging 383.7 total yards — and they certainly haven’t played a quarterback as good as Jared Goff.The Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow was struggling with a calf injury, an...

MBTA track worker injured Friday morning after brushing up against electrified third rail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

An MBTA track department employee dropped his wrench Friday morning and brushed his right leg against an electrified third rail while working at North Quincy Station, according to an internal safety alert and a spokesperson for the agency.The employee was transported “conscious and alert” to Boston Medical Center with a minor burn to their leg, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in a statement to the Herald. The Quincy Fire Department and transit police responded, according to an internal MBTA safety alert.“The MBTA Safety Department and the Department of Public Utilities are investigating,” Pesautro said.The incident did not pause work on the track, Pesautro said, because the overnight work was just ending at the time of the incident.The MBTA shut down other parts of the Red Line — JFK/UMass through Ashmont and Mattapan stations — for two weeks so crews can make repairs to tracks in an effort to eliminate slow zones.A work site inside the Red Line’s Ashmont Tunnel was shut down over ...

House Republicans rejecting Jim Jordan for a third time as he tries for speaker’s gavel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

By LISA MASCARO, FARNOUSH AMIRI, STEPHEN GROVES and KEVING FREKING (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jim Jordan was failing again Friday on a third ballot for the House speaker’s gavel, rejected by a steady roll call of more mainstream Republicans who warned the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump that no threats or promises could win their support.Republicans have no realistic or workable plan to unite the fractured GOP majority, elect a new speaker and return to the work of Congress that has been languishing since hard-liners ousted Kevin McCarthy at the start of the month.Ahead of the vote, Jordan showed no signs of stepping aside, insisting at a Capitol press conference: “The American people are hungry for change.”Drawing on his Ohio roots, Jordan, who is popular with the GOP’s right-flank activist base of voters, positioned his long-shot campaign alongside the history of American innovators including the Wright brothers, urging his colleagues to elect him t...

Patrick Williams and Coby White are set to start for the Chicago Bulls — and 5 other takeaways from their preseason finale

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

The Chicago Bulls ended the preseason with a 114-105 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, finishing 1-4 in exhibition games.Nikola Vučević led the Bulls with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Ayo Dosunmu scored 15 points and added two steals in his second start of the preseason.The Bulls have five days to prepare for their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.Here are six takeaways from Thursday’s game.1. Patrick Williams and Coby White likely to start in the opener.Coach Billy Donovan started Williams and White in all five preseason games — and that will most likely continue into the regular season.Donovan did not commit to a starting lineup for opening day after Thursday’s game. But he said it’s a “fair assessment” that White and Williams will continue in their roles.2. Zach LaVine and Andre Drummond sit out, Alex Caruso returns.LaVine (illness) and Drummond (personal reasons) did not attend Thursday...

Overturned big rig prompts closure of SR-905 ramp to I-805 in San Ysidro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:34 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The westbound State Route 905 connector ramp to the northbound Interstate 805 in San Ysidro is closed due to an overturned big rig.The semi-trailer truck was seen on its side at an incline with water bottles strewed about downhill, FOX 5 confirmed at the scene. There are no reported injuries at this time.The eastbound lanes on SR-905 appeared backed up around 8:20 a.m.The cause of the incident has yet to be determined.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.