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A price tag to reject migrants? It’s not the only fight threatening a reform package

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

The EU is trying to put a price tag on rejecting migrants as a creative — and controversial — solution to unblock the multiplying disagreements threatening to derail Europe’s chance to reform how it welcomes asylum seekers.For months, officials have been locked in tense negotiations to find a formula that would ensure the tens of thousands of people seeking protection in Europe are more evenly distributed across the EU’s 27 countries. Such a prospect, however, is loathed in countries such as Poland and Hungary, which have always opposed any set quotes for accepting migrants. As a workaround, diplomats have privately discussed a very capitalist solution: Countries could simply pay to opt out of the relocation program.Negotiators are haggling over a per-migrant fee — somewhere between €10,000 and €22,000, according to numerous people involved — to charge a country if it declines to take in asylum seekers. Another option would let the country instead give material support, e...

Watch out Ukraine, here comes the Hungaro-Austrian Empire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

VIENNA — Austrian politician Herbert Kickl is a pro-Russian, anti-American conspiracy theorist who champions horse dewormer as a remedy for COVID-19 and wants to turn the Alpine country into a “fortress” against migration.He’s also the odds-on favorite to become his country’s next leader and Europe’s next big headache.Kickl’s far-right Freedom Party has been leading the country’s national polls by several points since November as soaring inflation and a sharp increase in asylum applications fuel discontent with the current government, a coalition between the center-right Austrian People’s Party and the Greens. With the other main opposition party, the Social Democrats, plagued by infighting, Kickl’s party has the best chance in years to seize power.That would spell major trouble for the European Union, which is already struggling to cope with Hungary, where nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has systematically taken control of all major levers of power and undermined inde...

This is Ukraine’s D-Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

Jamie Dettmer is opinion editor at POLITICO Europe. Ukraine is on the cusp of what may well prove to be one of the two key battles of the war that was unleashed on it by Russia.  The first was Ukraine’s successful defense of Kyiv over a year ago. Russia had a plan, but it was badly executed — Ukraine didn’t have much of one and, greatly assisted by Western-supplied Javelin and NLAW anti-tank missiles, winged it. Eventually, Russia’s overly cocky and poorly commanded forces were outmaneuvered by the agility, bravery and improvisational skills of Ukraine’s forces.We are now likely in the opening gambits of the second crucial battle, as Ukraine’s much anticipated counteroffensive in the east of the country appears imminent — if not already underway. However, officials in Kyiv still worry about whether they’ve enough of all they need to strike hard and deep.We are now on the brink of the second crucial battle, as Ukraine’s much anticipated counteroffensive in the east of ...

State response team assisting after 15 residents, 10 staff members test positive for COVID-19 at Chelsea Veterans’ Home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

A new round of coronavirus concerns recently hit the Chelsea Veterans’ Home, with several residents and staff members testing positive for COVID-19, according to state officials. Officials said 15 residents and 10 staff members have tested positive over the last week. A Department of Public Health response team, in turn, has been assisting with the outbreak since Friday.State Secretary of Veterans’ Services Jon Santiago in a statement said the state Executive Office of Veterans’ Service “is actively monitoring” the Veterans’ Home. “I wish those infected a speedy recovery and want to express my gratitude to all those who are working to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and staff,” Santiago said. “We remain vigilant in monitoring the situation in Chelsea, recognizing that although we are past the height of the pandemic, COVID-19 is endemic and cases will occur.”Santiago continued, saying officials are “taking a proactive and hands-on approach to th...

Texas sheriff’s office recommends criminal charges in connection with migrant flights to Martha’s Vineyard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

A sheriff’s office in Texas is recommending criminal charges in connection with last year’s flights of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.The incident happened in September, when 49 migrants were flown to the Vineyard from Florida after being picked up in Texas. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has claimed responsibility for the move. Back in Texas, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office on Monday said several accounts of unlawful restraint were filed. The case was being reviewed by the Bexar County District Attorney’s office as of Monday afternoon.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Compass Medical files for bankruptcy after sudden closure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

Health care provider Compass Medical has filed for bankruptcy after abruptly closing its practices last week, records show. Compass had locations in Quincy, Braintree, East Bridgewater, Easton, Middleborough and Taunton. It then confirmed an “imminent plan” to close its practices on Wednesday of last week, leaving hundreds without a job and thousands with health care headaches. The company is now facing a class-action lawsuit that has said, in part, Compass’ sudden closure placed patients “…in the chaotic, stressful, disruptive, and unsafe position of having to scramble to find new medical providers, to fill and/or refill prescriptions, to schedule and/or reschedule important medical tests and appointments…”“This business went about its closure decision in the wrong way,” said attorney Jonathan Sweet in an interview with 7NEWS last week.In a statement, the lawsuit’s plaintiff Richard Callanan also said the move was “totally unnecessary.” “If Compass had given us some ...

Investigation underway after suspected pellet gun fired near Boston school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

Frightening moments unfolded at the Richard J. Murphy School in Dorchester on Monday when leaders said someone drove up and shot what appeared to be a pellet gun at students outside. The incident happened on Monday afternoon while students were at recess. The school’s principal later addressed the situation in a letter to parents saying no students or staff were injured. “School staff immediately notified BPS Safety Services to provide assistance and an investigation into this incident is ongoing,” said Courtney Sheppeck. “Any student in need of support is encouraged to speak with the school psychologist or social worker.”Sheppeck continued, saying “The Murphy School and all Boston Public Schools are committed to building learning environments where all students feel safe, respected, and academically challenged.”“We encourage any community member to immediately report any safety concerns to a member of school leadership,” she said. If a pellet gun was indeed inv...

Motorcyclist killed in I-5 crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A motorcyclist died last week when his motorcycle collided with a car on Interstate 5, authorities said.The crash occurred around 9:33 p.m. on May 28 on I-5 southbound just north of L Street, per the California Highway Patrol.According to law enforcement, the 47-year-old old man riding a Harley Davidson was traveling on I-5 when he struck a Nissan sedan and was ejected from the motorcycle. Man killed in North County crash; driver arrested on suspicion of DUI First responders took him to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.The victim was later identified as Gabriel John Novello, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed on its website.His manner of death was determined as an "accident," medical officials said.

Hollywood actors guild votes to authorize strike, as writers strike continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

Actors represented by the Hollywood union SAG-AFTRA voted Monday evening to authorize a strike if they don’t agree on a new contract with major studios, streamers and production companies by June 30. The strike authorization was approved by an overwhelming margin — nearly 98% of the 65,000 members who cast votes.The guild, which represents over 160,000 screen actors, broadcast journalists, announcers, hosts and stunt performers, begins its negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Wednesday, over a month after the Writers Guild of America began striking over its own dispute with AMPTP. If the actors union ultimately moves forward with the strike, it would be limited to television and film productions; news and broadcast work would not be directly affected.At stake is increased base compensation, which actors say has been undercut by inflation and the streaming ecosystem, the threat of unregulated use of artificial intelligence, benefit plans ...

Too many people in NYC are stopped, searched and frisked illegally, federal monitor says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s reliance on the tactic known as “stop and frisk” as part of a new initiative to combat gun violence is harming communities of color and running afoul of the law, a court-appointed federal monitor reported Monday.Monitor Mylan Denerstein said the NYPD ‘s Neighborhood Safety Teams — special units deployed in the past 14 months to seize guns in high-crime areas — were engaging in “unconstitutional policing” by stopping and frisking too many people without justification.In one police precinct, Denerstein said, only 41 percent of stops, 32 percent of frisks and 26 percent of searches were lawful.The Neighborhood Safety Teams, a replacement for the anti-crime units that the NYPD disbanded in 2021, operate in 34 areas that account for 80% of the city’s violent crime — largely communities of color. Of the people the teams have stopped, Denerstein said, 97% are Black or Hispanic.A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams said city officials “have se...