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European leaders approve opening of accession talks for Ukraine

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

European leaders have approved the opening of accession negotiations for Ukraine, European Council President Charles Michel announced Thursday.Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left the room when the decision on enlargement was taken, according to a national official and a EU diplomat who were both briefed on the discussion. This allowed for an unanimous decision from the European Council. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the news was “a victory of Ukraine … a victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens.”Michel hailed the decision, achieved despite fierce opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as “a clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent” in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.European leaders were quick to celebrate the move.“Historic day! Against all odds, we achieved a decision to open accession negotiations with #Ukraine and #Moldova,” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said.Finnish Prime...

UK’s Cameron hits back after Israeli ambassador rejects two-state solution

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

LONDON — David Cameron branded comments by Israel’s ambassador to the U.K. ruling out a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict “disappointing.”Speaking at a parliamentary committee hearing on Thursday afternoon, the British foreign secretary — a former prime minister brought back into government last month — downplayed Tzipi Hotovely’s interview and insisted a separate Palestinian state was “still possible.”Hotovely told broadcaster Sky News that there was “absolutely no” prospect of Israel’s government agreeing to a two-state solution — which would involve the recognition of a Palestinian state.In a wide-ranging hearing with lawmakers in the U.K. House of Lords, Cameron was asked whether he believed Hotovely was speaking “on instruction” from her government.“I don’t know, is the answer. I read the transcript and it is disappointing,” he said.Cameron added: “I don’t think ...

Frédéric Michel quitte l’Élysée pour un groupe privé suisse

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

Frédéric Michel rejoindra au 1er janvier 2024 le groupe MCH, un groupe de marketing et d’événementiel qui organise le salon du marché de l’art de Bâle, en Suisse. Le conseiller spécial en stratégie et communication auprès d’Emmanuel Macron depuis septembre 2022 sera notamment en charge de la communication du groupe, selon un communiqué publié jeudi sur LinkedIn.L’un des actionnaires principaux de MCH est Lupa Systems, un fonds d’investissement contrôlé par James Murdoch, dont Frédéric Michel était l’un des associés avant son arrivée à l’Elysée.La rumeur du départ de Frédéric Michel circulait depuis de longs mois — il était même un temps annoncé pour le mois de juillet dernier. Le Figaro avait révélé en novembre dernier que l’ex-lobbyiste avait sollicité la Haute autorité de la transparence de la vie publique dans la perspective d’un éventuel retour vers le privé, ce qui ne l’avait pas empêché d’assurer à nos confrères : “Je sais que je ne suis pas sur le départ.”Succédant à l’a...

Thousands to attend wake services for fallen Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

Friends, family, and members of the Waltham Police Department will gather Thursday afternoon for wake services honoring Officer Paul Tracey, who was killed last week in a crash that also claimed the life of a utility worker and led to the arrest of a New Hampshire man.The wake for the fallen officer will be held from 3-8 p.m. at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted in Waltham, where a massive American flag was positioned and draped from a ladder by the Waltham Fire Department Thursday morning – all with Tracey’s police cruiser stationed nearby.“The city agencies, along with all the outside agencies are all working together, planning the event to honor Officer Tracey,” said Deputy Fire Chief Richard Grant. “The Waltham Police Department and the Waltham Fire Department – we really are a brotherhood. Our hearts are broken for the Tracey family and we’re just here to support them.”Tracey, 58, was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 6 while w...

NY appeals court hands Trump another defeat over gag order

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

New York (CNN) — A New York appellate court rejected Donald Trump’s challenge of the gag order in his civil fraud trial Thursday. Trump’s attorneys petitioned the court over the gag order that bars him and the attorneys from speaking publicly about Judge Arthur Engoron’s court staff.In rejecting the challenge Thursday, the appeals court said Trump didn’t use the proper legal vehicle to challenge the gag order and sanctions.The Appellate Division First Department has not yet addressed a Trump request to allow his legal team to seek a review of the gag order by the Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court.Trial testimony ended Wednesday after 11 weeks in court.The parties are scheduled to file supplemental briefs in the case January 5 and return to court for oral arguments January 11 before Engoron renders a final verdict.

Gov. Maura Healey endorses Falmouth Democrat Dylan Fernandes in state Senate bid

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey waded in early to the race for a South Shore and Cape Cod Senate seat Thursday, endorsing Falmouth Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who announced his candidacy for the post at the start of December.Fernandes, a Democrat, said he was running for the seat after Sen. Susan Moran, also a Democrat from Falmouth, said she would not seek re-election to the Legislature to instead pursue an elected county position. At least one Republican is running for the seat while others are considering bids.Healey touted Fernandes as a leader in bringing clean energy jobs to the area and protecting abortion access.He is running for Senate with “a focus on making housing more attainable for working families, creating jobs, and ensuring that the district receives the infrastructure it needs,” a statement sent by the governor’s political spokesperson said.“Rep. Fernandes knows the district, its people, and has the track record of delivering on the issues that matter most in their lives. I am proud t...

Patriots LB Anfernee Jennings making the most of opportunity

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

It took Anfernee Jennings a while to find his footing in the NFL. The former third-round pick battled injuries early in his career and served primarily as a backup once he finally got on the field.That wasn’t expected to change this season, but injuries to other key players thrust him into the spotlight and the 26-year-old linebacker has proven up for the task.Now in his fourth season, Jennings’ emergence has been a notable bright spot amid what has otherwise been a disappointing season. Jennings currently leads the team with eight tackles for a loss along with 46 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery, and he’s also played a key role in helping the Patriots run defense allow just 3.2 yards per attempt, by far the best mark in the league.“He’s done a hell of a job answering the bell,” said defensive line coach Demarcus Covington. “Every week he gets better, he does a really good job and he’s part of the reason why our run defense has...

Israeli defense minister vows to fight on in Gaza despite rising international pressure

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

By NAJIB JOBAIN and KAREEM CHEHAYEB (Associated Press)RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel’s defense minister said Thursday it will take “more than several months” to destroy Hamas, predicting a drawn-out war even as his country and its top ally, the United States, face increasing international isolation and alarm over the devastation from Israel’s campaign in Gaza.Yoav Gallant’s comments ahead of talks in Tel Aviv with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan underscored a dynamic that has held between the two allies for weeks.The Biden administration has shown unease over Israel’s failure to reduce civilian casualties and its plans for the future of Gaza, but it continues to offer wholehearted support for Israel’s campaign with weapons and diplomatic backing. Meanwhile, Israeli leaders have repeatedly said they plan to pursue their military assault until Hamas is crushed, though any hopes of a swift victory have vanished. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization ...

Mass. House passes bill requiring employers to give time off for voting on Election Day

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

The House passed legislation Thursday that requires employers to provide their workers “sufficient time” off to vote in person on Election Day in state or municipal elections, an effort to expand a roughly 100-year-old state law that covers some of the Massachusetts’ oldest industries.In a rare December movement, Beacon Hill representatives quickly moved the bill out of the House’s budget writing committee, where it had sat for a month and half, and onto the floor where it passed on a voice vote during a sparsely attended informal session.“The legislation that was advanced by the House today will help to guarantee that every Massachusetts voter has time to vote on Election Day, regardless of the constraints of their job, a critical step towards ensuring that every eligible voter has the chance to make their voice heard at the ballot box,” House Speaker Ron Mariano said in a statement.The proposal was originally sponsored by Rep. John Lawn, a Watertown Democrat, and Sen. Brenda...

An emboldened, confident Putin says there will be no peace in Ukraine until Russia’s goals are met

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

By HARRIET MORRIS (Associated Press)MOSCOW (AP) — Emboldened by battlefield gains and flagging Western support for Ukraine, a relaxed and confident President Vladimir Putin said Thursday there would be no peace until Russia achieves its goals, which he says remain unchanged after nearly two years of fighting.It was Putin’s first formal news conference that Western media were allowed to attend since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The highly choreographed session, which lasted over four hours and included questions from ordinary Russians about things like the price of eggs and leaky gymnasium roofs, was more about spectacle than scrutiny.But while using the show as an opportunity to reinforce his authority ahead of an election in March that he is all but certain to win, Putin also gave a few rare details on what Moscow calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine. He said that a steady influx of volunteers means there is no need for...