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Polish election ‘debate’ descends into farce

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

Poland’s highly anticipated — and only — election debate descended into farce on Monday as the format of the show on state TV ruled out the possibility of … any actual debate.Instead, opposition leader Donald Tusk, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and other candidates scrambled to beat a one-minute buzzer to answer a series of questions put by their hosts.Marketed as a key moment before Sunday’s general election, the debate on TVP’s main channel already lacked appeal after Poland’s de facto leader Jarosław Kaczyński pulled out last week.Viewers who tuned in were subjected to a format that had about as much appeal as a low-budget daytime quiz show, in which the questions were blatantly biased in favor of the party in power. Arguably, the only thing the Q&A session showcased was the steep decline of media freedom in a nation that overthrew communism and embraced democracy over 30 years ago.“Will it be a debate? No, it’s not even verging on a deb...

Fall Feel Hangs Around

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

After a warm start to October with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, October is now showing us what October *should* feel like this week with temperatures in the 60s. There’s a big upper level low pressure to our northwest that’s just going to hang out for the next several days, so don’t expect much to change for most of the work week.You can see the swirl of the low in Canada, and underneath it is the real chilly air. We won’t tap into that, but we won’t be talking about any good warm ups either.But with the cool air in close proximity and no warm air surging in, we’ll get rather chilly tonight as temperatures fall to the 40s out the door tomorrow morning!Temperatures for us should be just warm enough to keep us out of any frost risk, but just to our north the same cannot be said. A frost advisory is in effect for northern New England, but it’s mid October now so this isn’t unexpected. And if you still have any plants left outside, may...

Hundreds gather on Boston Common to show solidarity with Israel after surprise attack by Hamas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

Hundreds of people came together on Boston Common Monday to show solidarity with Israel after this weekend’s surprise attack by Hamas. Fighting continued on Monday, days after the attack started on Saturday morning.Even thousands of miles from the violence, people in Boston were feeling the raw reality of the war. “This is horrific,” one person said. “It’s terrifying for everybody here who knows someone, who feels the pain.”Religious and community leaders spoke during Monday’s gathering in Boston, affirming the city’s connection to Israel.“Boston stands with Israel,” one leader said.When the Boston Marathon was bombed 10 years ago, the MGH emergency teams had been trained by Israeli counterparts on how to respond to mass casualties,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “That training saved lives in Massachusetts.”Massachusetts’ congressional delegation has been calling for the federal government to do more. On Monday, though, emotions were running hot when Sen. Ed Markey se...

Police identify individuals allegedly involved in vandalism at East Bridgewater church

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

Authorities say a pair of juveniles were allegedly involved in a case of vandalism at an East Bridgewater church.Officials with the East Bridgewater police and fire departments announced that after investigating the incident, which involved someone setting a fire at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, two 12-year-old juveniles were identified as suspects.The announcement came after authorities were first called to the church on Friday afternoon and found a fire had been lit in the building, damaging part of an altar and a Bible before those responsible tried to extinguish the flames themselves.In an update, officials said an investigation that included a witness led police to the two juvenile suspects – identified only as a boy and a girl.As of Sunday night, police said no charges had been filed in the case.“The investigation into this incident was all around great police work,” East Bridgewater Police Chief Jenkins said in a statement. “Thank you to...

Harvard prof wins Nobel in economics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

STOCKHOLM  — Claudia Goldin, a professor at Harvard University, was awarded the Nobel economics prize for research that helps explain why women around the world are less likely than men to work and to earn less money when they do.Fittingly, the announcement marked a small step toward closing a gender gap among Nobel laureates in economics: Out of 93 economics winners, Goldin is just the third woman to be awarded the prize and the first woman to be the sole winner in any year.Her award follows last year’s three winners in economics: Former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, Douglas W. Diamond and Philip Dybvig for their research into bank failures that helped shape America’s aggressive response to the 2007-2008 financial crisis.Only about half the world’s women have paid jobs, in contrast to 80% of men. Economists regard the gap as a wasted opportunity: Jobs have often failed to go to the most qualified people because women either weren’t competing for work o...

Could Bill Belichick change course and bench Mac Jones ahead of Week 6?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

Patriots QB Mac Jones has now been benched in consecutive games, and for the second straight week, head coach Bill Belichick said postgame that Jones would continue as the team’s starting signal caller.Still, there seems to be some skepticism that the Patriots could start Jones after two consecutive blowouts in which they’ve lost by 34-plus points.ESPN’s Adam Schefter talked about the Patriots’ quarterback situation on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Monday and noted that despite Belichick saying he was sticking with Jones “other head coaches say similar things before only to go a different route during the week.”Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick hints at potential Patriots personnel changes after consecutive embarrassing losses New England Patriots | Bill Belichick addresses relationship with Mac Jones, belief in Patriots backup QB New England Patriots | J.C. Jackson has an idea of how he can be ‘big help’ to Patri...

Markey’s ‘de-escalation’ comments bring boos from pro-Israel crowd

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

Bay State Sen. Ed Markey was booed today for calling for “de-escalation” of the war in Israel and Palestine in a midday Boston rally.The state’s senior senator paused as the crowd at the “gathering in solidarity with Israel under fire” pushed back at his comments.“(Hamas) are violent extremists. They gain support in a crisis. That is why the United States and the international community must keep pushing for diplomacy and the ending of civilian casualties on all sides. There must be a de-escalation of the current violence,” Markey said in a speech, cut off by a wave of loud boos from the tense crowd at the word “de-escalation.”Many public officials, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Gov. Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu, also spoke at the rally in Boston Common early Monday afternoon.U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss pushed back on the de-escalation comments in his own remarks when it was his turn to speak after Markey.  Auchincloss al...

RFK Jr.’s independent run for president draws GOP criticism and silence from national Democrats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

By ALI SWENSON (Associated Press)PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Republicans attacked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday as the longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist launched an independent bid for the White House, reflecting growing concerns on the right that the former Democrat now threatens to take votes from former President Donald Trump in 2024.The Republican National Committee and Trump’s campaign both took aim at Kennedy’s liberal background while national Democrats stayed silent as Kennedy insisted in a speech in Philadelphia that he was leaving both political parties behind.“Voters should not be deceived by anyone who pretends to have conservative values,” said Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung in a statement. He labeled Kennedy’s campaign “nothing more than a vanity project for a liberal Kennedy looking to cash in on his family’s name.”The fiery response exposes the unknowns that lie in Kennedy’s long-anti...

GO Transit station ambassadors being moved onto platforms to help address issues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

If you’ve been out and about on the GO Transit train network over the past year, there’s a chance you may seen staff members sporting bright, neon green vests.In a bid to address customer service, safety and on-time performance issues, Metrolinx launched a program to bring station ambassadors onto platforms at certain stations during peak periods before trains arrive. Workers also have devices that allows them to work outdoors, such as access to the public address system.In years past, these GO Transit staff members typically stayed behind booths inside stations to process ticket sales.Station ambassador Dina Abdou works on the Lakeshore East GO train line and described herself as the “first point of contact” for many coming through the station she is assigned to.“We are essentially ones that help relay information, help answer any inquiries. We are ones that if there are any incidents or emergencies, we do ensure that we employ the correct departments...

Man succumbs to injury in hospital after shooting at Scarborough townhouse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:25:33 GMT

A man has succumbed to his injuries in hospital after a shooting at a townhouse in Scarborough in September.Emergency crews were called to a townhouse complex at the intersection of Morningside Avenue and Danzig Street, south of Lawrence Avenue East, around 11:15 p.m. on Sept. 24, and a man in his 20s was found at the scene with gunshot wounds.The shooting occurred in the complex parking lot. Police tell CityNews multiple shots were fired.The man was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and on Sunday the victim succumbed to his injuries.Joshua Bernard-Reis, 21, of Toronto, has been identified as the victim.Investigators say they are looking for multiple suspects who fled the area in a vehicle at high speed.The investigation is ongoing.With files from CityNews reporter Carl Hanstke and Michael Ranger