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Geert Wilders’ coalition scout resigns over fraud scandal

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

Dutch Senator Gom van Strien on Monday resigned from his role seeking to identify potential coalition partners for far-right election-winner Geert Wilders, after accusations of fraud resurfaced in Dutch media.“This weekend, articles appeared in the media about activities in my past, in which my integrity is questioned,” van Strien said, according to NRC.In the Netherlands, the leader of the party that wins the largest share of the vote in an election chooses a senior official to scout out possible governing coalition options. Wilders had appointed van Strien, who is also a member of his far-right Freedom Party, as his point man.“In my view, both the unrest that has arisen about this and the preparation of a response to it do not relate to my current work as a scout,” van Strien said. “That is why I have informed Geert Wilders and the speaker of the House of Representatives that I will resign from my duties as scout with immediate effect.”Van Strien...

Biden will convene his new supply chain council and announce 30 steps to strengthen US logistics

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday will convene the first meeting of his supply chain resilience council, using the event to announce 30 actions to improve access to medicine and needed economic data and other programs tied to the production and shipment of goods.“We’re determined to keep working to bring down prices for American consumers and ensure the resilience of our supply chains for the future,” said Lael Brainard, director of the White House National Economic Council and a co-chair of the new supply chain council.The announcement comes after supply chain problems fueled higher inflation as the United States recovered from the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. While consumer prices are down from last year’s peaks, polling shows that inflation remains a political challenge for Biden going into the 2024 presidential election.Among the 30 new actions, Biden, a Democrat, will use the Defense Production Act to have the Health and Hu...

Drying Out, Busy Breeze

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

Back to work, back to school and back to some drier air on this Monday morning as overnight rain has tapered off. It’s a mild start for the time of year too with temps in the 40s and 50s to kick off the day. While it’s mild this morning, temps don’t go far today as they steady in the mid 40s to low 50s through early afternoon. Then they’ll fade quickly this evening. The breeze is active today, gusting 20-30mph, but will help dry us out too. Colder air pours back in for your Tuesday and Wednesday as the breeze remains busy, gusting 20-30mph. Both days look dry, aside from a spot flurry in the air on Tuesday. Thursday and Friday see temps moderating back into the 40s to low 50s with the next chance for showers coming late Friday into Friday night. Next weekend looks pretty seasonable with mainly dry air, although showers could start up again by Sunday night, and likely continuing into next Monday.

No injuries in 3-alarm Scituate fire

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

Firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire in Scituate Monday morning.Heavy fire was reported at a large, centuries-old family home on Clapp Road before 5 a.m., with wind conditions contributing to the spread of flames from the bottom to the top of the building and making it more difficult for firefighters to known down.Extensive damage was reported in the basement and attic of the structure.The single occupant of the home evacuated without assistance and with no reported injuries.The fire is under investigation, but no foul play is suspected.

Boston man accused of damaging historic headstones during vandalism spree, including Paul Revere’s

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

A suspect was arrested Sunday morning in connection with vandalism spree throughout Boston starting late Saturday night.Lawrence Hawkins, 46, of Boston was placed under arrest by Boston Police officers at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26 and charged with multiple counts of destruction of property, and destruction of a place of worship.Authorities were first called to the area of 125 Charles St. South around 11:30 p.m. Saturday night for a report of breaking and entering. Officers saw the front door of the business smashed and located a brick inside. After checking video surveillance a description of the suspect was circulated.About 30 minutes later, an officer checking his cruiser before starting his shift found the windshield of the vehicle smashed. Officers once again were able to view video surveillance of the incident and share a description of the suspect.Similar vandalism damage was later seen in the area of 15 Sudbury St.; further investigation generated a suspect description sim...

Ravens force 4 turnovers, hold off Chargers, 20-10, to retain top spot in AFC

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

The Ravens’ defense did it again.Just 11 miles separate SoFi Stadium from Hollywood, and Baltimore’s game against the Chargers on Sunday night was a thriller. It was also a familiar script, with the defense playing a starring role.Baltimore forced four turnovers, including one early in the fourth quarter, and held on for a 20-10 victory that was closer and more nerve-wracking than the final score indicated.Midway through the final period and with the Ravens clinging to a three-point lead, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney strip-sacked quarterback Chargers Justin Herbert deep in Baltimore territory and recovered the fumble to stamp out one comeback attempt. Then blitzing cornerback Arthur Maulet hurried Herbert into a fourth-down incompletion with 2:23 remaining.Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers followed by dousing the flames for good, breaking free for a 37-yard scamper with 1:44 remaining to put the game out of reach.At 9-3 on the season, the Ravens will enter t...

Elon Musk visits Israel to meet top leaders as accusations of antisemitism on X grow

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

Elon Musk, who’s been under fire over accusations of antisemitism flourishing on his social media platform X, paid a visit Monday to Israel, where he toured a kibbutz that was attacked last month by Hamas militants and was set to meet with top leaders. The billionaire and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the Kfar Azza kibbutz, which was stormed by Hamas militants on Oct. 7. Musk, wearing a protective vest and escorted by a phalanx of security personnel, used his phone to take photos or videos of the devastation, according to video released by Netanyahu’s office. Musk also was due to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Benny Gantz, a former defense minister who’s now part of a special war Cabinet. Government spokesperson Eylon Levy declined to say whether Musk was invited or came on his own. X, formerly known as Twitter, did not respond to a request for comment. Israel’s communications minister, Shlomo Karhi, tweeted earlier Monday about a deal t...

New incentives could boost satisfaction with in-person work, but few employers are making changes

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Ryan Horton has two jobs. When he’s not working 24-hour shifts as a firefighter, the 22-year-old is working as an administrative assistant for a local community college from his home in Colorado Springs.Firefighting is, of course, not a work-from-home kind of job. So when the community college position gave Horton the choice to clock in remotely, he took it.“I’m gone a lot being a firefighter,” Horton said. “Instead of coming home and then seeing my family for a few minutes before leaving to go to my other job… I feel like I have just more time with (them) when I work from home.”The COVID-19 pandemic upended what working looks like for millions of people all around the world. While many jobs can only be done in person, swaths of employers shuttered their physical doors and moved their workplaces increasingly online.Workers have since begun to return to the office in waves, at least for part of the week, and navigating that transition is...

Indonesia’s 3 presidential contenders vow peaceful campaigns ahead of next year election

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s three presidential hopefuls vowed a peaceful race on Monday, a day before campaigning for next year’s election officially began as concerns rose their rivalry may sharpen religious and ethnic divides in Southeast Asia’s largest democracy.The election, due in February, will determine who will succeed President Joko Widodo, serving his second and final term.Hundreds cheered as the presidential and vice presidential candidates arrived at the General Election Commission compound in central Jakarta. Students from state-owned institutions held a parade with a colorful marching band.The election is shaping up to be a three-way race between the current defense minister Prabowo Subianto and two former governors, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. If none of the candidates secures more than 50% of the votes in the first round, a runoff between the top two is scheduled for June 26.The three vowed to hold an amicable 75-day election campaign “without …...

Tensions simmer as newcomers and immigrants with deeper US roots strive for work permits

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:46 GMT

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — In New York, migrants at a city-run shelter grumble that relatives who settled before them refuse to offer a bed. In Chicago, a provider of mental health services to people in the country illegally pivoted to new arrivals sleeping at a police station across the street. In South Florida, some immigrants complain that people who came later get work permits that are out of reach for them.Across the country, mayors, governors and others have been forceful advocates for newly arrived migrants seeking shelter and work permits. Their efforts and existing laws have exposed tensions among immigrants who have been in the country for years, even decades, and don’t have the same benefits, notably work permits. And some new arrivals feel established immigrants have given them cold shoulders.Thousands of immigrants marched this month in Washington to ask that President Joe Biden extend work authorization to longtime residents as well. Signs read, “Work permits for all...