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UK parliament calls Taiwan ‘independent country’ as Cleverly visits China

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

The British parliament has for the first time referred to Taiwan as an “independent country” in an official document, breaking a political taboo as Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits China this week.The new language, adopted in a report published Wednesday by the influential foreign affairs committee of the House of Commons, risks a stinging backlash from Beijing and comes as Cleverly becomes the first top British envoy to visit Beijing in five years amid a frosty relationship.Beijing has long denied Taiwan’s statehood, insisting the self-governing democratic island is part of its territory. Only 13 countries around the world recognize Taipei instead of Beijing diplomatically.“Taiwan is already an independent country, under the name Republic of China,” the committee report says. “Taiwan possesses all the qualifications for statehood, including a permanent population, a defined territory, government, and the capacity to enter into relations wi...

Rhode Island man held on $50,000 bail in connection to crash that killed Foxboro resident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

A Rhode Island man is being held on $50,000 bail after he allegedly caused a massive crash on Interstate 95 in North Attleboro that ended up killing a 58-year-old Foxboro resident.A judge set the cash bail during a hearing at Attleboro District Court in which Joseph Pompei Jr., 50, of Cranston, pleaded innocent to charges of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, leaving the scene of an accident that caused personal injury or death, and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury.Pompei is accused of driving a Buick Lacrosse on I-95 southbound around 4:15 p.m. Monday, when authorities allege he struck a Cadillac Escalade. The impact from the collision caused the SUV to veer off the road, through a median, before smashing head on into a Jaguar XJ traveling northbound, according to a police report.Randall Ricketts, the driver of the Jaguar, died from his injuries at Attleboro’s Sturdy Memorial Hospital later Monday evening, and the driver of the Cadilla...

Boston to remove sex, gender identification from marriage licenses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

The City of Boston is stripping sex and gender identification from marriage licenses, a measure aimed at providing a more inclusive experience for residents whose identities have historically been ignored by the government.Gender markers will be included upon request, but otherwise, marriage certificates will be issued without a couple’s identifying information, the Wu administration announced at a Tuesday press conference.“For people like me, the marriage certificate’s outdated and narrow gender markers were a glaring reminder that our city still had a long way to go to acknowledge our existence,” said Kimberly Rhoten, a non-binary resident who works in the mayor’s office of returning citizens.“They were a subtle, yet powerful message that our love, our relationships, and our identities were somehow less valid and less recognized underneath the eyes of the law and the City of Boston. Today, by removing gender markers, we actually alleviate dysphoria for many in our community.”Those...

Third of BPS parents seeking alternative high schools, poll shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

Over one third of BPS parents polled said they are not satisfied with the BPS high school options, according to a MassINC poll released Tuesday, and over another third said they’ve considered finding a new school for their child.“It definitely highlights the challenge for city leaders and BPS leaders specifically, that these are the things that are on parents’ minds,” said Steve Koczela, president of the MassINC Polling Group.The poll, conducted by MassINC and sponsored by the Shah Family Foundation, surveyed 841 BPS parents from mid-July to early August, including oversamples of Black, Latino, and AAPI parents of K-12 students. The poll has been conducted three times a year over the last two years.The poll showed 55% of parents with high school age kids responded that they are satisfied with the options available to them in Boston Public Schools and 37% are not.Along different demographic groups, 46% of Black parents and 45% white parents polled said they ar...

Hurricane Idalia to bring ‘catastrophic’ storm surge to Florida, an ‘unprecedented event’ for the Florida Big Bend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

Florida was bracing for the first major hurricane of the season to make landfall on Wednesday, as Hurricane Idalia continued to strengthen and was expected to spark “catastrophic” storm surge impacts to the Florida Big Bend.Hurricane Idalia intensified into a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. Meteorologists predicted that the storm would strengthen even more into a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds by the time it slams into the Florida coast on Wednesday.The National Hurricane Center was warning about “catastrophic” impacts from storm surge inundation of 10 to 15 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves between the Aucilla River and Yankeetown. Evacuation orders were issued for those in the path of the storm along the coast, on barrier islands, and in low-lying areas.National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome pointed to the small community of Cedar Key, off the northwes...

Trump’s eligibility for New Hampshire ballot under review

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

Officials in New Hampshire are looking into whether or not former President Donald Trump is constitutionally qualified to appear on the statewide presidential ballot in 2024.Included in the Fourteenth Amendment is an oft forgotten but of late extraordinarily relevant clause which states no one who swore an oath to the U.S. Constitution who then participates in or aids an insurrection against the government no longer qualifies for elected office.The Granite State’s Attorney General and Secretary of State announced Tuesday they are looking into whether Trump fits the bill.“The Secretary of State’s Office has requested the Attorney General’s Office to advise the Secretary of State regarding the meaning of Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the provision’s potential applicability to the upcoming presidential election cycle. The Attorney General’s Office is now carefully reviewing the legal issues involved,” New Hampshire Attorney Genera...

Patriots depth chart reset: Projecting New England’s starters after surprising 53-man roster cuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

The Patriots finalized their initial roster Tuesday with a whirlwind of 24 roster moves to reach their 53-man limit.The Patriots are not done with transactions yet, however. Expect many of the players who were cut Tuesday to be brought back Wednesday to the practice squad. The Patriots could quickly re-sign veteran players to the 53-man roster after placing others on injured reserve Tuesday, as well.Here’s a look at the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster in depth chart form. It could look different by Sept. 10 when the Patriots play the Eagles in Week 1.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots’ offensive line gets good news on roster cutdown day New England Patriots | Patriots cut Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham, leaving Mac Jones as lone QB New England Patriots | Patriots practice attendance hints at potential roster cuts New England Patriots | Patriots trade K Nick Folk to Titans for draft pick, rookie...

Red Sox notebook: Jarren Duran to undergo season-ending toe surgery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

Jarren Duran’s breakthrough season is officially over.The soon-to-be 27-year-old outfielder will undergo season-ending surgery on his sprained left big toe, Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed prior to Tuesday’s game. Duran is scheduled to have the surgery on Wednesday, and Cora said while the timing of the injury is unfortunate, he expects Duran will be ready to return by the start of spring training.“He had a good season, he did well for us, this is a guy we’re counting on in the future and he’ll be ok,” Cora said.Duran suffered the injury last Sunday while scaling a wall at Yankee Stadium attempting to track down a home run. He came out with what was initially described as a bruised toe, but subsequent evaluations confirmed Duran had suffered a bad case of turf toe, a type of sprain that occurs when the big toe is bent back too far or too forcefully.Cora said Duran’s injury is similar to the one Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Maho...

Fire erupts at South Bay home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. -- Firefighters are battling a fire that broke out in Imperial Beach Tuesday evening.The blaze erupted around 4:37 p.m. at 527 5th St, according to authorities. School bus catches fire in San Marcos with students inside SkyFOX is over the scene where a cloud of white smoke can be seen spewing from the home.No injuries have been reported at this time.Check back for updates on this developing story.

Commuters fume as trespasser on subway tracks halts service on stretch of Line 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:43 GMT

Subway service has been suspended on Line 1 between Osgoode and Dundas stations for a trespasser on the tracks, the TTC says.The closure originally stretched from Osgoode to Bloor-Yonge, but Wellesley and College stations have since resumed normal service.It’s not clear when the other stations will reopen.The closure was first initiated just before 6 p.m. and has now stretched on for several hours, leading to frustration from commuters.I walked back to the office. Might as well get some work done.— Manpreet S. Matharu (@matharu_techie) August 29, 2023How the hell are we getting home?— Jonathan Bullen (@Jonniboi_A) August 29, 2023No shittle busses for over 30min— james (@jimab13) August 29, 2023I am literally buying a car at this point! Prefer to spend more money than taking the TTC— cyborgpunk (@xe605050punk) August 29, 2023This is a MAJOR SUBWAY DISTUPTION that is ongoing for over 60 minutes.— AlexR1821 (@R1821Alex55568) August 29, 2023