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Forget Paris, what if the EU hosted the Olympics?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

Imagine if Brussels was hosting the 2024 Olympics. Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? But believe it or not, while the EU’s capital might not have the necessary infrastructure to hold the world’s largest sporting showpiece, there are some events that it would be ideally placed to host.We took a look at nine of the best.Kicking the can down the roadThis is the blue ribbon event of any Brussels Olympics, where decision-makers compete to see how long they can put off making a key decision.Much like Usain Bolt in the men’s 100 meters, U.K. and EU negotiators put the world record out of reach for generations during the protracted Brexit talks of 2016-2020. Some say the contest is still ongoing.SlalomThe death-defying sidewalk stroll from Schuman roundabout to Arts-Loi is Brussels’ answer to the 3,000-meter steeplechase. But with added danger.Successful completion requires the physical ability to dodge flying bikes and speeding e-scooters, and the mental agility needed to rack up st...

Man taken into custody after allegedly shooting at crews responding to fire in Mattapan

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

A man has been taken into custody after police say he opened fire on crews who were responding to a fire at a building in Mattapan on Saturday and then had to be removed from the building.Firefighters responding to a reported structure fire around 11:30 a.m. said they heard gunshots fired as they arrived at the scene, prompting officials to call in a Boston police SWAT unit as crews worked to evacuate the builfing.“It was very scary in the moment because I wasn’t really thinking, I just wanted to get out of the house with my kids, that’s all. And now I’m scared to go back in because I want to make sure no one is in my closet,” one woman said.Police say the man was taken into custody after about two hours and was transported to a hospital with a leg injury.Mayor Michelle Wu praised first responders who cleared the building and ended the situation without firing a shot.“Our first responders are ready at a moments notice for whatever might come there...

Netanyahu says Gaza war on Hamas will go on for ‘many more months,’ thanks US for new weapons sales

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza will continue for “many more months,” pushing back against persistent international cease-fire calls after mounting civilian deaths, hunger and mass displacement in the besieged enclave.Netanyahu thanked the Biden administration for its continued backing, including approval for a new emergency weapons sale, the second this month, and prevention of a U.N. Security Council resolution seeking an immediate cease-fire. Israel argues that ending the war now would mean victory for Hamas, a stance shared by the Biden administration, which at the same time urged Israel to do more to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians.In new fighting, Israeli warplanes struck the urban refugee camps of Nuseirat and Bureij in the center of the territory Saturday as ground forces pushed deeper into the southern city of Khan Younis.The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturd...

Luke Kornet’s breakout game highlights why he’s Celtics’ ‘ultimate teammate’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

There have been games throughout Luke Kornet’s NBA career in which the center suited up but knew he probably wasn’t going to play that night. That has included during his time with the Celtics. Over the last three years, his on-court contributions have typically been minimal.Kornet has fully embraced his role, self-aware and humble enough to know his place on a championship contender. He’s the unofficial team jokester, always keeping things light in the locker room. He’s the most animated supporter on the bench who catches frequent attention with his funny celebrations. But he’s also always staying ready for when his number is called. That came on Friday night, when he was asked to make a rare spot start on a night the Celtics were shorthanded in the frontcourt. Kornet likely won’t be a difference-maker when the C’s make their championship push this spring, but there’s real value in what he brings to the table and the culture that Joe Mazzulla has created.“Luke is the ultimate teamm...

Mexico and Venezuela restart repatriation flights amid pressure to curb soaring migration to U.S.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico and Venezuela announced Saturday that they have restarted repatriation flights of Venezuelans migrants in Mexico, the latest move by countries in the region to take on a flood of people traveling north to the United States.The move comes as authorities say at least 10,000 migrants a day have been arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, many of them asylum seekers. It also comes as a migrant caravan of thousands of people from across the region — largely Venezuelans — has trekked through southern Mexico this week. The repatriation flights are part of an agreement made between regional leaders during a summit in Mexico in October that aimed to seek solutions for migration levels that show few signs of slowing down.Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Relations said the two countries began repatriations with a flight on Friday and a second on Saturday in an effort to “strengthen their cooperation on migration issues.” The statement also said the two countries plan t...

Maine state official who removed Trump from ballot was targeted in swatting call at her home

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

A fake emergency call to police resulted in officers responding Friday night to the home of Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows just a day after she removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause. She becomes the latest elected politician to become a target of swatting, which involves making a prank phone call to emergency services with the intent that a large first responder presence, including SWAT teams, will show up at a residence.Bellows was not home when the swatting call was made, and responding officers found nothing suspicious.While no motive for the swatting attempt was released by the Maine Department of Public Safety, Bellows said she had no doubts it stemmed from her decision to remove Trump from the ballot.The swatting attempt came after her home address was posted on social media by a conservative activist. “And it was posted in anger and with violent intent by those who have been ext...

In a crisis-ridden world, Germany’s chancellor uses his New Year’s speech to convey confidence

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s chancellor used his New Year’s speech to call on his country’s citizens not to lose confidence in the future as they adapt to a world experiencing multiple crises and changing at an ever-faster pace.“So much suffering; so much bloodshed. Our world has become a more unsettled and harsher place. It’s changing at an almost breathtaking speed,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in the prerecorded speech to be broadcast Sunday. Scholz was referring to Russia’s war on Ukraine, a resulting rise in energy prices, the suffering during the coronavirus pandemic, and the attack by Hamas that triggered Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.“The result is that we, too, are having to change,” he said. “This is a worrying thing for many of us. In some, it is also causing discontent. I do take that to heart. But I also know this: We in Germany will get through it.”The chancellor pointed out how despite widespread worry a year ago, Germans did not e...

Chicago woman facing hate crime charges after allegedly defacing several businesses, apartment building

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

CHICAGO — Hate crime charges have been filed against a Chicago woman accused of defacing several businesses, an apartment building and park property on Thursday. Chicago police say 30-year-old Mariana Lynch, a Rogers Park resident, is facing three felony hate crime charges, one felony count of a hate crime to a school, two felony counts of damage to government property and four misdemeanor counts of criminal defacement to property. Oswego man charged in connection with South Side shooting Lynch is accused of defacing several businesses, an apartment building and park property over the course of about an hour, but authorities did not provide details on where it occurred or how they were vandalized.Chicago police say Lynch was taken into custody in the 7300 block of Noth Sheridan Road just before 1 p.m. on Thursday.Lynch appeared in court on Saturday for a detention hearing.

State of Texas: 'We cannot respond to politics' - Chief Justice Hecht on court confidence, controversial cases

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht played a role in some of the year's biggest stories in Texas politics: on the inauguration day stage, at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's historic impeachment trial in the Senate, and in the courtroom for some of the most contentious cases in the country.State law forces Hecht to leave the court next year, and as he nears the end of his influential career, the longest-serving Justice in Texas' history sat down for an interview to reflect on what his tenure has meant for Texas. But he also looked forward, answering questions about how Texas can improve justice for all, and how politics influences that justice - including in a crucial abortion case still pending before the court.That case involves 20 women, many who almost died from serious pregnancy complications. They argue that the state's abortion ban does not give doctors the ability to intervene, even when in their best medical judgment they believe it's necess...

Kull, Thomas: Safeguarding democracy from artificial intelligence

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:11 GMT

The Founding Fathers asserted that elected officials should listen to and be influenced by the views of the electorate. As James Madison said, “it is the reason, alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government.”However, the means for government officials to hear from the people are limited. Elected officials receive emails, letters, phone calls and input at town halls, and some agencies occasionally ask for public comments on complex regulations. Americans express very low levels of confidence that they influence the policymaking process and that elected officials understand the views of the people, undermining trust in the democratic process.With developments in artificial intelligence, this situation is growing worse. AI can generate vast numbers of communications to policymakers masquerading as citizen input.When the Federal Communications Commission in 2016 took public comments on whether to retain net neutrality, the New York Attorney General...