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Franco-German disagreement stalls EU fiscal rules reform

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

LUXEMBOURG — France and Germany remain at odds over the EU’s plan to overhaul rules on government spending — making a bloc-wide deal by the end of the year still look some way off.Sparks flew between EU finance ministers when they discussed the matter in Luxembourg on Tuesday. The meeting ended without any sign of breaking the stalemate. The European Commission has made a priority of reforming the Stability and Growth Pact, designed to ensure governments don’t accumulate too much debt or maintain too high a deficit. Reaching an agreement between the EU’s 27 countries is urgent because the rules will be reapplied from next year after being suspended at the onset of the COVID pandemic. While there’s agreement on the broad outline of the reform and on the need to conclude it before the Commission’s mandate ends next year, the exact nature of the overhaul remains in dispute, with Paris and Berlin at opposite ends of the argument.At the behind-closed-doors meeting, fin...

Mother of Israeli woman in Hamas hostage video appeals for her release

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The mother of a young Israeli woman held by Hamas appealed for her release on Tuesday, calling the seizure of around 200 hostages by the Palestinian militant group “a crime against humanity.”Hamas’ military wing released a video on Monday showing a dazed Mia Schem, 21, having her arm wrapped with bandages. It was the first sign of life from any of the hostages since Gaza-based gunmen smashed through border fortifications on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people in Israel.“I didn’t know if she’s dead or alive until yesterday,” her mother, Keren Schem, said at a news conference. “All I knew is that she might be kidnapped. I’m begging the world to bring my baby back home. She only went to a party, to a festival party to have some fun. Now she’s in Gaza.”Mia Schem was seized at a desert rave just over the border from Gaza that became the site of what is believed to be the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history. At least 260 people were...

Police search for suspect after robbery at convenience store in Plympton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

An investigation got underway in Plympton over the weekend after police said a man assaulted two employees at a local convenience store and fled the scene with cash. Plympton police in a statement late Monday morning said officers responded to Plympton Gas and Convenience on Main Street around 8 p.m. Sunday after receiving a report of an armed robbery. Once on scene, police said, officers determined a male suspect first entered the store and displayed what appeared to be a handgun. Police said the suspect left through the back of the store after assaulting the two employees and taking cash. Plympton police said the two employees were taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. A search got underway, in the meantime, as police looked for the suspect in this case. Police said the suspect is believed to be between 5’9” and 5`10” in height. He was believed to be wearing jeans, white shoes and a black hooded sweatshirt with a Reebok symbol on the right shoulder at ...

What to know about the deadly stabbings of a Palestinian mother and her 6-year-old in Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

By Chicago Tribune staffOn Saturday, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy named Wadea Al-Fayoume was killed after being stabbed 26 times in his suburban home. His mother also suffered dozens of stab wounds, and is hospitalized as she fights for her life.Law enforcement and authorities from Illinois’ Will County, where the attack occurred, determined it was a hate crime and that the mother and son’s landlord targeted them over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 16: Six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume's casket is carried into a funeral service at the Mosque Foundation on October 16, 2023 in Bridgeview, Illinois. According to reports, Wadea was killed and his mother seriously wounded when her landlord, Joseph Czuba, attacked them because they were Muslim. Czuba has been arrested and charged with murder. (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images)BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 16: Oday Fayoumi (R) attends the funeral service for his...

Report: Levine, Click among external candidates for Red Sox GM role

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

The Red Sox search for a new head of baseball operations seems to evolve with each passing day, and though the club has been tight lipped about the process a picture is beginning to emerge of who is and isn’t in contention.According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Minnesota Twins general manager Thad Levine and former Houston Astros GM James Click are both candidates for the Red Sox position. Heyman reported that Levine is interviewing for the job, making him the second known candidate to interview after Red Sox assistant GM Eddie Romero, and Click is being considered as well.Levine is the No. 2 man to president of baseball operations Derek Falvey in Minnesota and was previously a top candidate for the top Philadelphia Phillies job that ultimately went to Dave Dombrowski. He took his current role after the 2016 season and since then has helped lead the Twins to four playoff appearances. This year the Twins went 87-75 to win the AL Central, snapped an 18-game playoff losing...

4 ways married couples can use tax breaks to build wealth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

By Elizabeth Ayoola | NerdWalletThe investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.“Two is better than one” is an old adage that translates to finances, too. Two incomes can go much further than one, especially between married couples.People who say “I do” also have access to various tax breaks that can give them a financial edge when it comes to building wealth. For instance, married couples filing their taxes jointly get a standard deduction of $27,700 in 2023, while single filers get a $13,850 deduction.How can married couples act on the many tax breaks they have access to and use them to build wealth? Two certified public accountants share a few strategies for couples to consider.Strategy 1: InvestingWhen married couples get a tax deduction or tax credit, there’s an opportunity t...

Boston Palestinian Rally At Copley Square

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters join in prayer during a rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporter at the rally in front of the libr...

Breast cancer is deadlier for Black women. A study of mammograms could help close the gap

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

By CARLA K. JOHNSON (AP Medical Writer)Are 3D mammograms better than standard 2D imaging for catching advanced cancers?A clinical trial is recruiting thousands of volunteers — including a large number of Black women who face disparities in breast cancer death rates — to try to find out.People like Carole Stovall, a psychologist in Washington, D.C., have signed up for the study to help answer the question.“We all need a mammogram anyway, so why not do it with a study that allows the scientists to understand more and move closer to finding better treatments and ways of maybe even preventing it?” Stovall said.The underrepresentation of women and minorities in research is a long-simmering issue affecting health problems including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and COVID-19. Trials without diversity lead to gaps in understanding of how new treatments work for all people.“Until we get more Black women into clinical trials, we can’t change the science. And we need better science for Black bod...

Photos: What the solar eclipse looked like from San Diego

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Did you see it? Saturday's annular solar eclipse wowed people across the Americas over the weekend.While the "ring of fire" -- the burning rim visible when the moon lines up perfectly with the sun -- wasn't visible from Southern California, since the region wasn't in the eclipse's "path of totality," San Diegans were still able to enjoy a partial view of the phenomenon. FOX 5 viewers from Oceanside to Hillcrest submitted their photos of the eclipse.The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Point Loma (Michael Klose)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Escondido (Don Biadog)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Sunrise Highway (Melissa Noland)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Oceanside (Daniel Politte)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from La Mesa. (Patrick Ellis)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Hillcrest (Sister Ida K)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Clairemont (MIchael Aline)If you missed t...

Live updates | House prepares to vote on Jim Jordan as speaker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives is set to vote on Jim Jordan’s nomination for speaker on Tuesday afternoon, two weeks after the chamber ousted Kevin McCarthy from the top spot.Jordan has been scrambling to shore up the votes needed to clinch the speakership in the closely divided chamber. He can likely only lose a few GOP votes to win the nod.What to knowJim Jordan’s rapid rise has been cheered by Trump and the far rightHow the vote for a new speaker worksScalise ends bid to become speaker as holdouts refuse to back himMcCarthy was an early architect of the GOP majority that became his downfallSpeaker McCarthy ousted in historic House voteDemocrats gasp and groan over wrestling mentionA reference to Jordan’s wrestling career during Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nominating speech received an audible gasp and groan from Democrats across the aisle.Stefanik said ahead of Tuesday’s vote: “Whether on the wrestling mat or in the committee room, Jim Jorda...