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EU countries reach deal on national spending rules reform

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

BRUSSELS ― EU finance ministers on Wednesday clinched a deal to overhaul the bloc’s spending rules that will enable countries more time to rein in spending.After weeks of fraught negotiations, governments finally agreed to the reformed framework that will set out a laxer pace of debt and deficit reduction than had previously been the case.  “The rules are more realistic ,” Nadia Calviño, finance minister of Spain, which holds the rotating EU presidency, told reporters on Wednesday evening. “They respond to the post-pandemic reality and they incorporate also the lessons learned from the great financial crisis. And I think that from this point of view there is increased ownership.” The decision was taken at a virtual meeting and followed a dinner between the French and German finance ministers in Paris on Tuesday night. The so-called Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) was put on hold at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to allow governments to increase spending in the wake o...

Brookline PD issue warning to parents after arrest of alleged drug dealer accused of targeting teens

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

Police in Brookline are warning local parents after officers recently arrested a man accused of targeting teens with drugs, often selling items bought at pot dispensaries that would end up at Brookline High School.Posting on the department’s Facebook page, Brookline PD said authorities arrested a 22-year-old man in Brookline Village referred to as “Niko,” who would allegedly buy items legally from local marijuana dispensaries and then sell them to underage teenagers.A number of the items ended up on the Brookline HS campus, according to police, where a number of students were caught with the products.“[Niko] is suspected of having many teen customers, although there is no way to know exactly how many he has had over the past several years,” the police department stated. “Many kids [were] unwitting victims of his harmful chemicals and toxins.”Among the items were THC-infused gummies packaged in bags that resemble those of common candies ̵...

State troopers raise thousands in support of retired trooper after Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

A retired state trooper in Braintree recently received some big support just in time for the holidays after fellow troopers stepped in to help him out.Rich White retired from the force in 2018 at the age of 58. Just two months later, he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, which soon made simple tasks like leaving the home challenging. Seeking to lend a hand, the State Police Commissioned Officers Association raised thousands of dollars for a new ramp to help White get in and out of his home. “He will always be part of the team,” said State Police Lieutenant Daniel Popovich. “He will always be part of the state police and we don’t forget our members.”A former boat captain and member of the dive team, White’s career was filled with notable missions, including the recovery of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s plane. “He was a great teacher and an awesome mentor,” Popovich said.After his diagnosis, White’s wife, Heidi, said he was losing words. He has also started using a wh...

Patriots-Broncos injury report: Hunter Henry among 4 out Wednesday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

Patriots tight end Hunter Henry and safety Jabrill Peppers were newly absent at practice Wedensday.Henry suffered a knee injury in last weekend’s loss to the Chiefs, while Peppers has a new hamstring injury. Backup left tackle Conor McDermott (concussion) and running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) were the other non-participants. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle), left tackle Trent Brown (ankle/hand) and core special teamer Matthew Slater (hamstring) were among the limited.In Denver, the Broncos listed just six players on their initial report. Both teams’ complete injury reports are below.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Rhamondre Stevenson among 3 Patriots starters missing at practice Wednesday New England Patriots | Bailey Zappe’s personal goal to finish Patriots season is an obvious one New England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains why Patriots claimed new QB Nathan Rourke New England Patriots | ...

Supreme Court will hear challenge to EPA rule limiting downwind power plant pollution in 10 states

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

By MARK SHERMAN (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will hear arguments in February on whether the Environmental Protection Agency can continue enforcing its anti-air-pollution “good neighbor” rule in 10 states, an effort to restrict smokestack emissions from power plants and other industrial sources that burden downwind areas with smog-causing pollution.The high court put off a decision on whether to halt enforcement of the rule Wednesday, allowing it to stay in effect at least until after it hears arguments during its February session.The rule is being challenged by three energy-producing states — Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia — as well as industry groups and individual businesses.The EPA declined to comment Wednesday, referring questions to the Justice Department. The Justice Department also declined to comment.The environmental agency said power-plant emissions dropped by 18% in 2023 in the 10 states where it has been allowed to ...

Ticker: IRS to waive $1B in 2020, 2021 penalties; Consumer confidence heading up 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

The IRS said Tuesday it is going to waive penalty fees for people who failed to pay back taxes that total less than $100,000 per year for tax years 2020 and 2021.Nearly 5 million people, businesses and tax-exempt organizations — most making under $400,000 per year — will be eligible for the relief starting this week, which totals about $1 billion, the agency said.The IRS temporarily suspended mailing automated reminders to pay overdue tax bills during the pandemic, beginning in February 2022, and agency leadership says the pause in automated reminders is a reason behind the decision to forgive the failure-to-pay penalties.“Due to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, these reminders would have normally been issued as a follow up after the initial notice,” the IRS said in a statement.“Although these reminder notices were suspended, the failure-to-pay penalty continues to accrue for taxpayers who did not fully pay their bills in response to the initial ...

A passenger hid bullets in a baby diaper at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. TSA officers caught him

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — It was a loaded diaper, but not like you would think.Security officers found 17 bullets concealed inside a disposable baby diaper Wednesday at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, the Transportation Security Administration said.Officers pulled the otherwise clean diaper from a passenger’s carry-on bag after it triggered an alarm in an X-ray machine at an airport security checkpoint, the TSA said.According to the agency, the passenger initially claimed he didn’t know how the bullet-filled diaper ended up in his bag. Later he suggested his girlfriend put it there, the agency said.The TSA identified the passenger as a man from Arkansas who was ticketed for a flight to Chicago’s Midway Airport, but did not disclose his name. Port Authority police cited him for unlawful possession of the 9mm ammunition.Messages seeking details were left with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport, and the Queens district attorney’s office.The diap...

Quebec, Inuit to reopen self-government negotiations in new year

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

MONTREAL — The Quebec government and the organization that officially represents Inuit in the province are reopening negotiations around self-government for the province’s Far North.Pita Aatami, president of the Makivik Corporation, which represents Quebec’s Inuit in their dealings with the federal and provincial governments, says self-government is something his people have been dreaming of for 55 years.Several rounds of negotiations between Quebec and the Inuit have taken place since the 1990s, and most recently a proposed self-government agreement was rejected by Inuit voters in a 2011 referendum.Quebec Premier François Legault says he understands the desire for more autonomy, adding that the negotiations will take place on a nation-to-nation basis.The vast majority of Nunavik, the largely Inuit region of Quebec north of the 55th parallel, is in the territory of the Kativik Regional Government, which provides municipal-level services but is under the jurisdiction of t...

Woman, 72, uses shovel to chase naked intruder from her Vancouver home, police say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

VANCOUVER — Police say a 72-year-old woman used a shovel to chase a combative and naked man from her Vancouver home on Tuesday night. Vancouver police say in a statement the man entered the home by smashing a window with a pointed metal rod.They say the woman, who lives alone in the home, got out of bed, grabbed a shovel and chased the man from her house as he swung the rod at her.Police say the woman then cornered the suspect in his vehicle until police arrived.They say neighbours called 911 and officers responded to the scene.Police say the man has been charged and remains in custody. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2023.The Canadian Press

TTC says no fare increase in $2.6B budget for 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:16:33 GMT

The TTC has approved a $2.6 billion budget for 2024 that includes increased service levels but no fare increases.After raising the cost of Presto and cash fares by 10 cents a year ago, the transit agency says it is freezing fares in 2024 “in recognition of the impact current economic conditions have on its customers.”The 2024 budget represents a 7.5 per cent increase over 2023.The TTC says it expects to increase Wheel-Trans service hours to meet increasing demand while at the same time, it expects to see service levels increase to 97 per cent of its pre-pandemic levels by next September due to “increasing demand growth and increasing congestion on mixed-trafficcorridors.”“TTC customers are coming back quicker than we expected, and this budget allows us to meet their needs for the next year,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “This budget balances our need to deliver safe and reliable service while addressing the increased operating costs associated w...