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Ticker: Yellen and China’s No. 2 aim for improved communication; Fire that killed 2 aboard a cargo ship to burn for days

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed hopes Friday for better communication as Yellen appealed to Beijing not to let frustration over U.S. curbs on technology exports disrupt economic cooperation.Both governments used positive terms to describe Yellen’s visit to China’s capital, which was aimed at improving strained relations, and stressed the importance of U.S.-China economic ties.Yellen and Li announced no new plans for more high-level meetings to revive contacts that disputes over technology, security and other irritants have disrupted. Yet, Yellen is the latest of several senior U.S. officials traveling to Beijing to encourage Chinese leaders to revive interactions between the governments of the world’s two largest economies.Fire that killed 2 aboard a cargo ship to burn for daysA cargo ship docked at the East Coast’s biggest port smoldered for a third day and will likely burn for several more after the fire claimed t...

Sea breeze

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

The beach was the place to beat the sticky heat. Inlets, nearby bridges, rocks, they all were fine spots, too, as summer has arrived in the Bay State.Seaside temps will come close to 80 degrees Saturday and early Sunday before rain possibly moves in. Dive in while you can.Scarlett Dean 13, jumps off a rock into the cool waters on Friday in Cohasset. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)Hendrix Gustafson 15, jumps off a bridge into the water on Friday in Cohasset. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)New York transplant Ousmane Sam cools off from the hot weather at the splash fountain at the Christian Science Plaza in Boston. (Amanda Sabga/Boston Herald)Mia Laral, 6, runs through the splash at the Christian Science Plaza. (Amanda Sabga/Boston Herald)

Wu looks to increase EV charging stations on Boston streets

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

The City of Boston is looking to partner with private businesses to expand the availability of electric vehicle charging stations on public roads.The aim of two requests for proposals released this week by the city is to “bolster the number of public, curbside charging stations equitably distributed citywide” for residents who drive electric vehicles, but don’t have driveways to charge them.“With rapidly advancing technology and subsidies from federal and state sources, electric vehicles can be affordable for families looking for a cleaner, greener alternative, but we must develop the public charging infrastructure to ensure accessibility across all our communities,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement.Wu added, “As we work to improve multimodal transportation access across walking, biking and public transit, we also strive to make the transition to electric vehicles possible and create jobs building the infrastructure necessary for our city.”One request is looking to test the pri...

Lack of transparency in rush to stockpile abortion pills

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

A federal judge hadn’t even ruled yet on suspending approval of the abortion pill mifepristone in April when Gov. Maura Healey orchestrated a major reserve shipment of the drug through the state’s flagship university. But despite pledges of public records transparency, any paper trail of how that response came together is still being kept locked away.The governor was quick to act, and the ink had barely dried on the judge’s decision when Healey fired off a four-page executive order aimed at preserving legal access to the abortion pill in Massachusetts.A public records response from the governor’s office offers a glimpse into some of the people looped into the development of that order. But it’s unclear how much of the mifepristone collaboration happened over email, or what other options may have been weighed, after the administration — which previously advertised that it would “follow the public records law and provide more transparency̶...

Biden takes aim at ‘junk’ insurance, vowing to save money for consumers being played as ‘suckers’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

By JOSH BOAK (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday rolled out a new set of initiatives to reduce health care costs: a crackdown on what he called “junk” insurance plans that play consumers as ‘suckers,’ new guidance to prevent surprise medical bills and an effort to reduce medical debt tied to credit cards.Biden is building on previous initiatives to limit health care costs, with the Department of Health and Human Services releasing new estimates showing 18.7 million older adults and other Medicare beneficiaries will save an estimated $400 per year in prescription drug costs in 2025 because of the president placing a cap on out-of-pocket spending as part of last year’s Inflation Reduction Act.Gearing up for his 2024 reelection campaign as inflation remains a dominant concern for voters, the Democratic president has emphasized his policies to help families manage their expenses, as well as a spate of government incentive...

Man swept into Omaha manhole during heavy rain was washed down pipes for a mile before rescue

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Firefighters rescued two men who fell into a manhole during heavy rain in downtown Omaha on Friday, including one who was washed about a mile through sewer pipes before getting trapped behind a metal grate.The men, who were workers for a private contractor, Ace Pipe Cleaning, were swept into a manhole near the Old Market just after 9 a.m., the Omaha World-Herald quoted Lt. Neal Bonacci of the Omaha Police Department as saying. One of the men, who was tethered to a safety system, was quickly pulled out. A large-scale rescue effort ensued for the other, who was apparently not tethered. He was found around 10:20 a.m. The 41-year-old man had extricated himself from the water, but was found behind a metal grate covering a culvert. An Omaha Fire Department crew cut the grate to free him, Assistant Fire Chief Jason Bradley told the newspaper.He was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center. His name and condition were not immediately released.The Associated Press

Dutch premier resigns because of deadlock on thorny issue of migration, paving way for new elections

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government collapsed Friday because of irreconcilable differences within the four-party coalition about how to rein in migration, a divisive issue that has split nations across Europe.The resignation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the longest-serving premier of the nation, means the country will face a general election later this year. Rutte and his government will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new ruling coalition is chosen.“It is no secret that the coalition partners have very different views on migration policy,” Rutte told reporters in The Hague. “And today, unfortunately, we have to draw the conclusion that those differences are irreconcilable. That is why I will immediately … offer the resignation of the entire Cabinet to the king in writing”Opposition lawmakers wasted no time in calling for fresh elections even before Rutte formally confirmed his resignation.Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Party for Freed...

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds brief meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

CALGARY — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed carbon emissions and the strike by B.C. port workers during a brief meeting Friday with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.Both leaders were in town for the first day of the Calgary Stampede, a 10-day celebration of western culture that features a parade, rodeo events, pancake breakfasts and concerts. The meeting with Smith was his first stop on a two-day visit.The two shook hands and then sat down, briefly outlining their concerns to the media before meeting privately.“We do have some serious things that we need to discuss,” Smith said.“We’d like to bring our emissions reduction and energy development plan with a targeted carbon neutrality by 2050 and line up with some of the objectives of the federal government. That will require us to have some conversations.”Smith also flagged the federal government’s goal of having a net-zero electricity grid by 2035, saying it isn’t realistic for Alberta wi...

Francophonie ministers stress collaboration on official languages action plan

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

VANCOUVER — Ministers have wrapped up a meeting in Vancouver with the hope of increasing francophone immigration and addressing the decline of French across Canada.The Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie representing francophone and Acadian communities had been meeting for the past two days, involving representatives of all three levels of government.Federal Official Languages Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor says the ministers discussed immigration, supporting the vitality of francophone communities and opportunities connected to the recently modernized Official Languages Act and the Action Plan for Official Languages.The council says in a statement that it’s pleased the 4.4 per cent target for francophone immigration outside Quebec was achieved in 2022.Adrian Dix, B.C.’s minister responsible for francophone affairs, says many federal-provincial-territorial meetings are often combative, but the Francophonie gathering was highly co-operative.Next year&#...

A 10-year-old Calgary girl is wowing the skateboarding world

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:27:40 GMT

Skateboarding is more than just a way of life for Reese Nelson, it’s all she’s ever known.The 10-year-old from Calgary can’t remember when she first started skating or when she first dropped into a halfpipe, it’s just been omnipresent in her life.Given that, it’s no surprise she has caught the attention of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.Nelson will be competing in the women’s vert and the best trick events at the upcoming X-Games. Skating in the women’s vert is especially important for Nelson, since that event hasn’t been held at the X-Games since 2010, three years before she was born.“It’s really exciting,” Nelson from Carlsbad, California, told The Canadian Press. “I’m excited for everybody to see what women can do on vert.”Hawk, who has become a mentor and coach for Nelson, created his Vert Alert event in 2021 to try and promote the sport that made him an internationally renowned star. He made sure his tour has men’s and women’s events to help re-establish vert skateboardin...