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Macron doubles down on French ‘independence’ amid pension reform crisis

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron drew a connection between his country’s pension reform and Europe’s independence from other countries, during a televised address Monday evening. “We are a people who intend to control and choose our destiny, who do not want to depend on anyone, neither on the forces of speculation, nor on foreign powers, nor on wills other than our own, and we are right,” Macron said during the 15-minute speech. The French head of state’s TV appearance was the first time he has addressed the nation since he signed his contentious pension reform — which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64 — into law amid a prolonged political and social crisis.The president’s reference to independence from “foreign powers” echoed controversial comments he made earlier this month in an interview with POLITICO and French daily Les Echos. On his way back from China, the French president created a stir by saying Europe...

Angela Merkel receives Germany’s highest honor

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

BERLIN — Former Chancellor Angela Merkel received Germany’s highest federal decoration on Monday, an honor bestowed on only two other former leaders before her, though some within her own party questioned whether her legacy matches up.Merkel, who led the country for over 16 years as one of its longest-serving chancellors, received the top Grand Cross of the Order of Merit for special achievement from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, her former vice chancellor and foreign minister.Steinmeier praised Merkel as an “unprecedented politician” who successfully steered Germany through difficult times, including the 2008 financial meltdown and the 2015 refugee crisis.“You have helped our country achieve economic success anew under unprecedented challenges. We look back on 16 years of almost uninterrupted economic growth, during which the scourge of unemployment increasingly lost its horror for most Germans,” Steinmeier said. “At a time when our continent threatened to break apart, you hel...

Man arrested after alleged armed robbery at Peabody Kay Jewelers 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

A 27-year-old Peabody man is set to face charges, according to police, in connection with an alleged armed robbery at a Kay Jewelers store in Peabody on Monday. The incident happened around 1 p.m. at the Northshore Mall involving a man wearing all-black clothing, a white mask and a backpack with a note inside, police said. “Put everything in the bag,” the note said, according to police. “I give you two minutes before I shoot. Don’t make a sound.”In a statement, police said an employee later told them the man at one point “made a motion to his waist that he had a gun.”Police said a sergeant saw the man still wearing the white mask and walking close to an access road near the mall after the incident. The man tried to flee the scene, but was taken into custody, according to police.Police said officials found a black BB gun as well as several stolen necklaces and watches during the arrest. The man is now expected to face charges including armed masked robbery at an arraig...

MBTA: Eastbound Green Line service suspended at Arlington, Medford/Tufts & Union Square service terminating at Haymarket

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

Service for eastbound Green Line trains has been terminating at Arlington station, according to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, with Medford/Tufts and Union Square service terminating at Haymarket.The MBTA announced the service suspensions around 3:20 p.m., while informing riders that buses were dispatched for service between Arlington and Back Bay.https://twitter.com/MBTA/status/1648044146588807168“Riders are encouraged to use Orange Line between North Station and Back Bay for alternate service Downtown,” the transportation authority’s Twitter account stated.The announcements came as MBTA personnel continued to respond to a disabled train at Boylston station, with announced 15 minute delays extending into a full hour.The delays came as runners and spectators from the Boston Marathon continued to make their way home, with MBTA Transit Police tweeting at 3:16 p.m. that “plenty of TPD officers” were on scene to assist with crowds at A...

Good Boy, ‘Little Man’: Emaciated, ‘likely abandoned’ dog found on Cape now recovering, soon to go up for adoption

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

A four-year-old, emaciated dog found in Cotuit has been making steady progress and will soon be up for adoption, according to the Animal Rescue League.The canine, dubbed “Little Man” by officials, was brought to ARL’s Brewster facility after a local at Mariner Circle contacted Barnstable Animal Control to report a dog seen around the neighborhood that did not appear to be owned by anyone.In a news release, ARL Media Relations Manager Mike DeFina said Little Man was likely abandoned and had no collar or ID tags when he was found.“Little Man was likely abandoned, and when he was found he was underweight to the point of emaciation, ravenously hungry, and had a very dirty and unkempt coat,” DeFina stated. “During his seven-day stray wait period an owner of the dog did not come forward, and after spending a couple of weeks with Barnstable Animal Control, he was brought to ARL’s Brewster facility where he as undergone a veterinary exam and is scheduled ...

Runners have ‘definitely got the advantage,’ but Chicago White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal is working to stop them

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

The Chicago White Sox knew they’d be tested facing a team on the go like the Baltimore Orioles.The Orioles entered the weekend series at Guaranteed Rate Field with 19 stolen bases — a franchise record through 13 games — and had been caught only once.The Sox nabbed them once Saturday, a “pivotal” moment according to manager Pedro Grifol in his team’s 7-6 extra-innings win.Sox starter Michael Kopech struck out Cedric Mullins in the fifth inning, and catcher Yasmani Grandal fired to second to throw out Jorge Mateo, who was attempting to swipe the bag.“I know they stole one bag (Saturday), but that caught stealing was a big part of the ballgame,” Grifol said. “That double play right there was a big part of the game, if not the biggest.”The Sox didn’t have to contend with any type of running game Monday as their scheduled game against the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed because of a forecast of high winds and cold temp...

Josh Hart sprained his ankle during heroic playoff performance

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

CLEVELAND – Josh Hart is dealing with a left ankle sprain that he suffered just before hitting the biggest shot of Game 1.The reserve guard, a big reason New York holds a 1-0 lead over the Cavs, was a spectator for most of Monday’s practice and coach Tom Thibodeau wasn’t making predictions about Hart’s status for Game 2 on Tuesday night.“He did some (running). It was pretty light,” Thibodeau said. “Just got mainly treatment. Did a little bit of what we were doing. But more mental today, just get treatment again tomorrow, see where he is.”Logic and the playoff circumstances indicate Hart will play, but he was noticeably limping after Saturday’s victory. Hart turned the ankle by landing awkwardly after a rebound attempt with 2:12 remaining, when the Cavs took their first lead since the opening quarter.On the following possession, Hart buried a stepback 3-pointer over Cedi Osman that gave the Knicks the advantage for good in their 1...

Switzerland’s Marcel Hug wins wheelchair race in course record time

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

Just minutes after the finish of the BAA 5K on Saturday where he demolished the field and set a course record, wheelchair winner Marcel Hug explained that competing in a short, fast race two days before the big day fit perfectly into his build up.“We don’t have the impact on the muscles so it’s different for us,” said the 37-year-old Swiss competitor. “For me it’s (5K) very good training. It’s the best preparation I think we can have.”Nicknamed ‘The Silver Bullet’ for the bright helmet he often wears in competition, Hug simply bulled away from the field to capture his fifth Boston Marathon title in 1 hour, 17 minutes, 6 seconds. The win was Hug’s most dominant of the five as he put his stamp on the 26.2 mile trek in emphatic fashion, averaging a eye-popping 2:57 per-mile on the way to winning by 10 minutes, 39 seconds.Hug’s time broke his 2017 course record of 1:18:04.“I tried to go fast from the first dow...

DeSantis ups ante in Disney fight, floats nearby prison

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Legislature will reassert that the state has control of Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared in the theme park’s backyard Monday.At a news conference in Lake Buena Vista, DeSantis also said lawmakers would take away the company’s self-inspection of rides and monorails and also allow the state to examine a ride if someone is seriously injured on it.He then mused about potentially selling off utilities, and even developing Reedy Creek land that Disney doesn’t own.“People are like, ‘Well, there’s what should we do with this land?” said a smiling DeSantis. “ … Maybe create a state park, maybe try to do more amusement parks? Someone even said, ‘Maybe you need another state prison?’ Who knows? I just think that the possibilities are endless.”He also claimed the last-minute moves by the outgoing board to grant Disney wide-ranging powers over the district had a “plethora of legal infirmities” and that a provision of st...

All eyes now on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s bruised back in Heat-Bucks, coach ‘optimistic’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:02 GMT

It might not have appeared that way Sunday, but the Milwaukee Bucks have already shown this season they can have their way with the Miami Heat even when Giannis Antetokounmpo is not fully healthy.That is especially meaningful at the moment, with the Bucks All-Star forward dealing with a back contusion and Milwaukee down 1-0 to Heat in this best-of-seven Eastern Conference opening round NBA playoff series that continues Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Fiserv Forum.X-rays on Antetokounmpo’s back came back negative Sunday, with the coach Mike Budenholzer confirming Monday that the MRI came back clean. Like the Heat, the Bucks did not practice Monday, limited to film and non-court work.On March 24, despite Antetokounmpo being lost 6:28 into the game due to a knee injury, the Bucks throttled the Heat 128-99.Now, after falling 130-117 Sunday to the Heat, it may have to again be Antetokounmpo’s supporting cast stepping forward in a similar fashion.With 4:13 left in Sunday’s first ...