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The Schemer: Inside French commissioner Thierry Breton’s plot to run Europe

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

BRUSSELS — When Thierry Breton first floated the idea of becoming European Commission president, not even he seemed to take the idea very seriously.“I may be able to consider a new Plan B assignment,” the internal market commissioner replied with a smile, when asked at a POLITICO event whether he wanted the top job, prompting laughter.But as the European Parliament election draws closer, Breton’s “Plan B” pitch to take over leadership of the EU executive is coming into greater focus.A former minister and tech CEO who was France’s second choice for European commissioner, Breton amassed a vast amount of power within the Berlaymont building where the commissioners sit, putting his stamp on everything from COVID vaccines to artillery shells for Ukraine’s war effort to enforcement of the EU’s digital rules. His job — overseeing the hallowed single market of the 27 EU member countries — is one of the most critical portfolios in Brussels, and previous occupants of the post have includ...

The British public’s mounting food price anxiety

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

Liv Walsham is an associate director at Public First.“The cost of the food shopping. That has just gone up by a stupid amount.’’These are the words of a woman from Bolton who voted Conservative in 2019 and is now thinking about voting Labour. It was also the sentiment of every single voter I spoke to for a report on boosting Britain’s agriculture to make its food system more resilient. And this palpable anxiety about rising prices was echoed in our Public First poll too, with 94 percent of the British public reporting they’re concerned about food prices — similar to the level of concern they have about energy prices and wait times for the National Health Service.The British public are feeling out of pocket, and they’re highly stressed about the cost of their weekly shopping. So, while many in government might feel comforted by recent inflation figures showing a small drop, it’s worth remembering that for the people we spoke to, prices will still be going up. And that when the prime ...

China found influence in Europe’s west — not east

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

Andreea Brinza is vice president of the Romanian Institute for the Study of the Asia-Pacific.Soon after its inception in 2012, China’s then 16+1 mechanism for cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) was deemed by some observers as a divide et impera strategy against the European Union.But what a difference a decade makes, as it is, ironically, Western Europe that’s now putting the Continent’s unity on China to the test.Regarded as small, in need of money, plagued by democratic issues and easy to influence, CEE countries were once seen as Beijing’s Trojan horse in Europe. And there were fears that a flood of Chinese investment would buy political influence, threatening the bloc’s cohesion when it comes to China — but that’s not how it happened.Firstly, China didn’t deliver on its promises. With CEE countries only getting around 10 percent of promised investments between 2000-2022, China had a negligible economic footprint in most of these nations. But more importantly, most...

Excitement builds for fans as Beyoncé takes the stage at Gillette Stadium for first local show since 2018

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

The stage is set in Foxboro where Beyoncé is scheduled to take the stage at Gillette Stadium Tuesday night for her first local show since 2018. Beyoncé will be making her fourth appearance in Foxboro as she brings her Renaissance tour to town.As fans prepare for the concert, crews were making final preparations on Monday, setting up the stage and other equipment. Parking lots were scheduled to open for Beyoncé’s show at 4 p.m. The show itself is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early because there is no opening act. Fans expressed excitement for seeing Beyoncé live, citing her emotional lyrics, fashion and artistic concerts.

Batman, Captain Marvel among superheroes bringing smiles to children at MGH

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

A team of superheroes made a difference for children at Massachusetts General Hospital.“We’re here to spread some smiles and meet some heroes,” Captain Marvel said.Batman, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch and Harley Quinn stopped by MGH for a special visit with the pediatric patients and their families, bringing smiles to children’s faces, one cape at a time.The heroes are all cosplayers in town for Fan Expo Boston in Seaport. The superheroes played games with the children and helped bring their favorite movie and comic book characters to life.“This is a great event for the patients that we have here at Mass General,” a healthcare provider said. “It’s not easy being hospitalized, and anytime we have an opportunity to bring a little cheer and joy to a difficult situation, it goes a really long way for our patients and their families.”Several healthcare workers also got to attend the event, and they said the real heroes are the patients.

Virtual event: Sun Orioles journalists to field subscribers’ post-trade deadline questions at noon Friday

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

The Orioles moved early and late to upgrade their roster leading up to Tuesday’s trade deadline, dealing for right-handed reliever Shintaro Fujinami on July 19 and for right-handed starter Jack Flaherty with minutes left to go. Going into the regular season’s final two months, the American League’s winningest team could have additional reinforcements coming from within.Since spring the Orioles have essentially flipped the probability models give them of playing in the postseason. With their new additions and increasing local and national attention, how deep could they go? Your subscription is your pass to a virtual Q&A with Baltimore Sun Orioles reporters Nathan Ruiz and Jacob Calvin Meyer, moderated by Sun sports content editor C.J. Doon. To participate, return to this page at noon ET on Friday, Aug. 4. (Use the adjacent button to add the event to popular digital calendars.)Submit your questions ahead of time here: ()

Billy Eppler believes Mets can reach ‘sustainability’ without tanking: ‘That’s another part of our goal’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

KANSAS CITY — The Mets don’t want to rebuild and they don’t want to spend years at the bottom of the standings in order to acquire prospects. But they also don’t see a path to contention this or year or next, so in order to get those coveted prospects, the Mets had to sell.The club traded four players ahead of the deadline Tuesday and in total parted with six in the last week and seven in the last two months. That would put them firmly in the “seller” category, but in a sense, they actually bought prospects. They paid down the salaries of players in order to obtain better prospects in return. GM Billy Eppler is confident the Mets can turn things around in a span of two to three years. It’s a much shorter timeline than a full-blown rebuild.“To get to the sustainability that we always talk about, we were going to have to do that organically,” Eppler said on a Zoom call. “There are lots of ways to do that and I think some of t...

Mets deal 3-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander back to Astros

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

KANSAS CITY — Justin Verlander is going back to the Houston Astros.The Mets have traded the right-hander back to Houston hours ahead of Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline, the team announced. The Mets are getting a pair of highly-touted outfielders in return, Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.The 40-year-old three-time Cy Young Award-winning Verlander signed a two-year, $86.66 million deal with the Mets as a free agent during the winter meetings in December. The contract also carries a vested option for a third season worth $35.33 million. His signing with the Mets solidified them as bonafide contenders in the National League, but that status didn’t last long.Verlander pitched well in 16 starts with the Mets, going 6-2 with a 3.15 ERA, but the veteran ace looked like a different version of himself than the one who won a Cy Young Award and a World Series with the Astros last season. He started the season on the injured list with a teres major strain in his right should...

Framber Valdez throws 16th no-hitter in Astros history in 2-0 victory over Guardians

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez threw the 16th no-hitter in Houston Astros history in a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.Hours after the Astros reacquired ace Justin Verlander from the New York Mets, Valdez allowed just one baserunner on a walk in the fifth inning, but still faced the minimum thanks to a double play in that frame.Gabriel Arias grounded out to start the ninth before Myles Straw lined out to center field. Cam Gallagher then lined out to Jeremy Pena to end it and set off the celebration.Valdez (9-7) raised his arms above his head and then clapped as a huge smile crossed his face. He’s the first left-hander to throw a no-hitter for Houston. The 29-year-old from the Dominican Republic had pitched five complete games, including two complete game shutouts before Tuesday’s gem.The no-hitter was the third in the majors this season. New York Yankees right-hander Domingo Germán pitched a perfect game at Oakland on June 28, and Matt Manning, Alex La...

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers say attempt to jail him before trial is wrong

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:10:57 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried said Tuesday that prosecutors are wrong to seek his detention prior to trial because their arguments are built on “innuendo, speculation, and scant facts.”The written submission in Manhattan federal court was a response to the prosecution’s claim last week that no bail conditions can stop the onetime cryptocurrency power broker from trying to improperly influence the potential jury pool for his October 2 trial.Bankman-Fried, 31, has been free on a $250 million personal recognizance bond since his December extradition from the Bahamas to face charges in New York that he defrauded investors in his businesses by diverting millions of dollars from their intended purpose. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.At a hearing last week, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan told lawyers to submit written arguments before he decides if Bankman-Fried must be jailed or can remain confined to his parents’ Palo Alto, California, home, where his e...