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Don’t isolate China, Brussels tells EU capitals

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

BRUSSELS — The EU’s high command is calling on European governments to keep talking to China amid deepening tensions between Washington and Beijing. The European Union’s diplomatic arm wants member countries to “be prepared” for a potentially critical escalation in the crisis over Taiwan, warning that a military conflict would upend the vital supply of microchips to Europe. But while there’s a need to reduce risks to Europe, it may not seal itself off from China, according to an internal document drafted by the European External Action Service and seen by POLITICO. The document, which will be discussed by the bloc’s foreign ministers at a gathering in Stockholm on Friday, comes at a crucial time for the EU as it navigates an increasingly complex relationship with China. The U.S. is doubling down on its hawkish stance toward Beijing, while European leaders have not yet agreed on a unified approach. The paper triggered immediate backlash from some of Europe’s more ...

WHO declares end of mpox global health emergency 

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of the global public health emergency for mpox, a viral disease that spread rapidly in 2022, including in countries where it does not usually occur. “We now see steady progress in controlling the outbreak based on the lessons of HIV and working closely with the most affected communities,” said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday. However, he said that the work to tackle mpox was not over and that the disease “continues to pose significant public health challenges.” The decision comes just days after Tedros declared the end of the COVID-19 global health emergency. Mpox, formerly monkeypox, was declared a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022, when more than 16,000 cases had been reported to the WHO. Now, more than 87,000 cases have been confirmed in 11 countries, with 140 people dying from the infection, which causes a painful rash as well as othe...

Restaurant review: L’Horloge du Sud

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

Rue du Trône 141What’s good? For starters, Sénégalaise inspired pastels are a great option, quick out of the kitchen with a crispy exterior, packed with fish and vegetables. The drink menu features Belgian beers, French wines and a rotating chalkboard menu of cocktails. The Malian-inspired vegetarian dish features wok-fried eggplants, carrots, green beans and zucchini with cassava couscous. It is both immensely flavorful and delicate. If you’re looking for a good stew, the Angolan moqueca (fish stew) comes served with shrimp that complement its thick and juicy broth. Pair either with a side of plantains or sweet potatoes. What’s not? The Dibi is disappointing. While the lamb — or whatever meat you choose — is juicy and carefully cooked, it is drizzled with an underwhelmingly bland sauce. The dish also comes served with a dejected-looking salad.Vibe: From murals to photography, the art gives the space a refined feel while maintaining the charming and traditional dinin...

Italy’s Meloni likes one French idea: Its presidency

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

Italian leaders have long had a dream to turn the country’s weak prime minister into a French-style decision-maker. For decades, everyone has failed — but current right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thinks she can crack the code.This week, Meloni set out her plans to give more powers to the head of government, potentially transforming the traditionally weak leader into a power broker directly elected by voters.In a round of talks with opposition leaders Tuesday, Meloni floated the idea of introducing a French-style presidential system.But she encountered strong resistance from the center-left opposition, who fear that her reforms would concentrate too much power in the hands of a single individual. That’s something Italy’s modern founding fathers wanted to avoid when they set up the political system after the country was led by defeated fascist dictator Benito Mussolini during World War II.“No to the one strong man or woman in power,” said Elly Schlein, the leader of Italy’s ma...

Firefighter uninjured after falling through floor while battling ‘stubborn fire’ in Arlington

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

A frantic Mayday call was sent out after a firefighter fell through the floor as crews battled a raging, multi-alarm blaze that ripped through a building in Arlington late Wednesday night.That firefighter managed to escape injury and continue working to extinguish the flames in the mixed-use building on Dudley Street, according to officials. Arlington Fire said there was no one inside the building when the fire broke out around 11 p.m. In a news release, Arlington Fire Chief Kevin Kelley said the structure was home to an electrician’s shop, a bike shop, and a machine shop.“I want to commend the women and men of the Arlington Fire for their swift response in suppressing this stubborn fire,” Kelley said in a statement. “We also want to thank Arlington Police Department and regional fire companies for their assistance.”Firefighters from Belmont, Cambridge, Lexington, Medford, Somerville, Winchester, and Woburn also assisted with Wednesday night’s effort. Crews continued to work e...

Title 42 expires tonight. Here’s what happens next

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

(CNN) — There are just hours left before the expiration of a pandemic-era public health restriction will significantly alter several years of US immigration policy, threatening chaos as an estimated tens of thousands of migrants mass near the US-Mexico border in anticipation.Issued during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Title 42 allowed authorities to swiftly turn away migrants at the US borders, ostensibly to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. But that will change at 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday, when the public health emergency and Title 42 are set to lapse.Here’s how border crossings could be impacted after the order expires:Title 8 will be back in effectTitle 42 allowed border authorities to swiftly turn away migrants encountered at the US-Mexico border, often depriving deprived migrants of the chance to claim asylum, and dramatically cutting down on border processing time. But Title 42 also carried almost no legal consequences for migrants crossing...

Ukraine says its counteroffensive now delayed; Britain says it’s sent cruise missiles to Kyiv

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

By SUSIE BLANN and JILL LAWLESS (Associated Press)KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in remarks broadcast Thursday that Kyiv is delaying its long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia’s occupying forces, saying that while such a campaign would succeed, too many Ukrainian lives would be lost.His remarks, in an interview with European broadcasters, came shortly before Britain said it has sent air-launched cruise missiles to Ukraine that would allow pilots to target locations deep behind the front line.A Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia’s more than 14-month-old invasion has been expected as winter turned to spring, and Zelenskyy said in an interview that “we can go forward and be successful,” according to the BBC.“But we’d lose a lot of people. I think that’s unacceptable,” he was quoted as saying in the interview, which was conducted in Kyiv with public service broadcasters who are members of Eurovis...

Tom Brady returning for Patriots’ 2023 home opener

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

Tom Brady is coming home.The Patriots will honor Brady during their home opener of the 2023 regular season, owner and CEO Robert Kraft announced Thursday morning.Kraft, appearing on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, said it will be the start of several celebrations to honor Brady this year.“I invited him back to come here and be with us at the opening game and let the fans in New England thank him for the great service he gave us for over 20 years,” he said.According to The Score’s Jordan Schultz, the Patriots’ home opener will be a Sunday Night Football kickoff against Miami in Week 2. Kraft did not specify how the Patriots plan to honor Brady outside the home opener.Brady announced his retirement from football earlier this offseason. The 45-year-old is widely recognized as the greatest quarterback of all time, a seven-time Super Bowl champion who spent 20 seasons in New England and powered the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Brady finished his car...

5 takeaways from CNN’s Trump town hall; what do you think? Take our poll

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

The morning after for CNN’s town hall forum with former President Donald Trump is a public relations disaster for the cable network. Time will tell if they pull out of this, but here’s 5 quick observations and take our POLL HERE and tell us what you think:Related Articles Trump spars with CNN host during prime time town hall forum #BOYCOTTCNN: The hash tag was trending with the cable network’s base the ones fired up. But CNN is facing more serious blowback for allowing Trump to double-down on claims the 2020 election was bogus as moderator Kaitlan Collins seemed over her head at first and didn’t want to move on to real news. Trump does not admit defeat. Period. It’s both his strength and weakness. We all know it so move on. Rival MSNBC scorched CNN this morning with the headline: “CNN’s Trump town hall was doomed to fail. But it didn’t have to be this embarrassing.” Basically, CNN looked like amateurs and that̵...

How do HOV lanes work? CHP explains

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Still unsure how High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes work? Sgt. Brian Pennings with the California Highway Patrol stopped by the FOX 5 studio to discuss the Rules of the Road.What's the purpose of HOV lanes?The purpose for HOV lanes is to allow people to carpool to reduce the amount of total vehicles on the roadways during commute traffic in high density populations, according to Pennings. HOV lanes are marked by black and white regulatory signs.Who is allowed in HOV lanes?Vehicles with more than one person are allowed in HOV lanes. Drivers in electric vehicles that have a red or purple decal issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can drive by themselves unless prohibited by local signs, according to CHP. Motorcycles can use the lanes as well.Who cannot use the HOV lanes?Vehicles with only one occupant except some electric cars, as well as combination vehicles (tractor-trailer, doubles, triples, straight truck with trailer) that are required to maintai...