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Countries call on EU to remove measures against Kosovo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

Twelve countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, are calling on the EU to end its temporary political and economic measures against Kosovo after months of violence led by its ethnic Serb population. In a letter addressed to the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell and the special representative to the Western Balkans, Belgian, Irish and Croatian officials, among others, point to questions of Serbia’s role in the recent months of violence. They wrote: “The quantity and type of weaponry seized after the attack [in Banjska] raise serious questions over what role the Serbian state may have had in supporting the operation,” referring to an attack in a village that ethnic Serb gunmen stormed in September.In April, elections were held in North Kosovo, where more than 90 percent of the population identify as Serbian and boycotted them, resulting in wins for ethnic Albanian mayors. With the aid of police, Kosovo installed the mayors, resulting in months of viole...

State police searching for erratic driver after woman killed in fatal rollover crash in Stoneham

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

State police are asking for the public’s help as it searches for a vehicle following a rollover crash on I-93 that killed a 34-year-old woman.Massachusetts State Police said it was 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday when troopers were first called to the crash on I-93 northbound, south of Exit 26.First responders there came across a 2015 Nissan Rogue that had gone off of the road and rolled over, ejecting the driver, who was declared dead at the scene.An MSP spokesperson said that while authorities investigate what caused the vehicle to go off of the highway, state police are looking to identify another vehicle that was believed to have been in the area “at the time of the crash.”“[The vehicle] is believed to be a dark-colored small SUV similar to a Subaru Crosstrek or a Nissan Rogue,” MSP spokesperson Dave Procopio stated in a news release.Procopio said the vehicle in question was “being operated erratically and at a high rate of speed” while on I-93 n...

One person is treated for smoke inhalation after Bronx deli fire sends flames shooting into night sky

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A fire that started in a deli in New York City early Wednesday spread to several other stores and sent flames shooting into the sky.The fire started in a deli in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx at about 3:30 a.m., New York Fire Department Assistant Chief Thomas Currao said in a briefing at the scene. Some 200 firefighters and emergency medical workers responded, he said.A resident of an apartment in the back of the deli was treated for smoke inhalation, Currao said. No other injuries were reported.A total of five businesses were destroyed or damaged by the fire, Currao said.Videos posted on social media show flames and smoke shooting several stories up in the night sky.The cause of the fire was under investigation.

MBTA Adds To Its Pile Of Safety Incidents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

MBTA workers experienced three safety incidents in the past two weeks, the latest speedbumps as higher-ups work to address deep-rooted problems and overhaul the transit agency’s culture.Officials disclosed the trio of events at a board meeting on Wednesday, where they also acknowledged the agency is falling short of some of its annual targets for safety incidents.On Nov. 29, a track laborer working on the then-closed Green Line near Boylston Station injured his leg when a part of the tool he was using “became dislodged,” MBTA Deputy Chief Safety Officer Nancy Prominski told board members.The T’s maintenance of way department ordered new tools and “protective caps,” and also provided additional instruction about how to inspect tools, Prominski said. The worker has since returned to the job.Early in the morning of Nov. 30, while crews were replacing Orange Line rail between Sullivan Station and Community College, workers activated power for the stre...

Judge pauses Trump election interference case in order that could delay March trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

(CNN) — The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case has temporarily paused all procedural deadlines while appeals over a major issue play out – which could lead to his March 2024 trial date being pushed back.The order from Judge Tanya Chutkan acknowledged that she no longer has jurisdiction over aspects of the criminal case while the DC Circuit Court of Appeals considers whether Trump is immune and can be tried. In a bid to speed that appeals process, special counsel Jack Smith has asked the Supreme Court to step in.Chutkan said in her order that the trial date of March 4, 2024, could be affected, and that she would reconsider that date when the appeals process has concluded.Chutkan, however, said that the pause does not bar her from enforcing measures she has already imposed to “safeguard the integrity of these proceedings,” including the limited gag order against Trump and his conditions of release.“(I)f a criminal defendant...

Cold tonight, chilly tomorrow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

It was a cool day, but felt chillier with the gusty wind. Tonight, it will be cold before a chilly day tomorrow. The cold air is quick to exit as temperatures rebound by Friday afternoon. We’re dry for a few days before it turns wetter at the end of the week and into next week.Overnight, we’ll become mainly clear and keep a slight northwest breeze around. Temperatures will be cold as we fall into the low 20s inland and mid/upper 20s for the coast and Cape. The breeze will make it feel like it’s in the teens tomorrow morning around sunrise (7:06 am)! That’s how you’ll want to dress for the morning dog walk or for the kids at the bus stop.The colder temperatures work in overnight and are with us tomorrow. Expect a chilly day with high temperatures in the 30s. Yes it’s December, but this is still below average. The average high for Boston is 43° tomorrow. We’ll keep a slight breeze, so it’ll feel like the 20s/close to 30°. Luckily, weR...

Boston City Council approves ‘historic’ $82 million police contract

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

The Boston City Council approved a new five-year contract between the city and its largest police union, an $82 million deal that includes a 9% raise in salary and significant reforms around officer discipline, overtime and paid details.The 12-0 vote on Wednesday brings to a close a process that included 18 months of “intense” negotiations, resulting in what the mayor described as a “historic” agreement that was reached Dec. 1 and ratified by union membership days later.“We’re ecstatic about it,” said Larry Calderone, union president. “The men and women in the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association have worked tirelessly over the last three-and-half years and they deserve this thank-you.”The agreement will cost the city roughly $82.3 million, or a 21% increase over a five-year retroactive period, from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025. It includes annual base wage increases for officers of 2%, 1.5%, 2%, 1% and 2.5%.The two votes taken by the Council authorized the city to reduce the fisc...

Puerto Rico’s restaurant scene has never been better. Here’s why

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

Nevin Martell | (TNS) Bloomberg NewsMaybe you’ve heard about the ascendant restaurant scene in Puerto Rico. Most people haven’t: The island is still principally known as a highly convenient place for sun and beaches, with no passport required for U.S. citizens, and the food scene is often relegated to what’s convenient to cruise ship ports.If you didn’t know, Puerto Rico has become one of the most exciting destination-dining scenes in the Caribbean. It’s rich with exciting concepts and heritage-minded chefs who showcase culinary traditions and fresh local ingredients in ways that range from ingenious riffs on Puerto Rican classics to exuberant explorations of Mediterranean cuisine—and even noteworthy pizza. This is all happening in spite of the long-lasting impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic.In fact, those two crippling events inspired many chefs to work with the most readily available ingredients — what they could obtain from the island’s f...

Some 2024 GOP hopefuls call for ‘compassion’ in Texas abortion case but don’t say law should change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

By MEG KINNARD, CHRISTINE FERNANDO and MICHELLE L. PRICE (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Some of the Republicans seeking their party’s 2024 presidential nomination have said the case of a Texas woman whose health deteriorated as she unsuccessfully sought an abortion should be handled with “compassion,” but they did not criticize the state’s law.It’s the latest indication that the candidates see the politics surrounding abortion as a delicate — and fraught — issue for the GOP after the Supreme Court’s reversal of constitutional protections for the procedure helped power Democrats to unexpectedly strong performances in the 2022 midterms.While campaigning Tuesday, both former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed sympathy for Kate Cox, a mother of two who sought an abortion after learning the baby she was carrying had a fatal genetic condition and suffering health complications of her own....

After ‘Barbie’ success, Mattel to make American Doll live-action movie

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:51 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — “Barbie” may soon be joined by another Mattel doll on the big screen. The toy company is developing a live-action film based on its American Girl doll line, Mattel announced Wednesday. “American Girl” will be produced by Mattel Films, Paramount Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment, the production company of “Twilight” and “The Fault in Our Stars.” Attached to write the script and produce is Lindsey Anderson Beer, the writer of this year’s “Pet Cemetery: Bloodlines.” The project adds to the already teeming pipeline of movies in development for Mattel Films. Following its blockbuster first release, “Barbie,” Mattel Films is prepping some 14 live-action films, including movies based on Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ’Em Robots and UNO. “Saturday Night Live” has already spoofed the idea of an American Girl doll movie. In April, the NBC sket...