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Qatargate: Parliament committee backs asset disclosure for MEPs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

Nine months after an alleged cash-for-influence scandal rocked the European Parliament, MEPs remain split over how much they reveal about potential conflicts of interest.The latest partisan divide on ethics overhaul — this time on a set of concrete rule changes designed to close gaps revealed by Qatargate — comes as new analysis documents how MEPs frequently maintain affiliations with organizations that lobby the EU even as they serve in the Parliament.On Thursday, Conservative MEPs on the Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee refused to back a slate of rule changes after amendments that would require asset disclosures and other tougher measures were tacked on to an earlier compromise text. The legislation received majority support from left-leaning and centrist groups, setting the stage for a measure-by-measure brawl when the package is put before the plenary next week.Gabriele Bischoff, a vice president of the Socialist & Democrats group, knocked the center-right Europ...

One person killed, another hospitalized after fire breaks out at home in Athol

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

ATHOL, MASS. (WHDH) – Authorities say a woman was killed after a fire broke out at a home near the center of Athol Thursday morning. First responders from nine neighboring towns were called in at one point after crews initially responded to Fern Street just after 9:40 a.m., according to the Athol Fire Department.“I looked out my window on the second floor – and we saw all the black smoke and we heard two explosions,” said neighbor Ginger May. “The black smoke was coming in between all the houses across the street from me, and the smoke was so thick, it was terrible.”SKY7-HD flew over the scene just after 11 a.m. and spotted at least four fire engines surrounding the property, with firefighters spraying down what was left of the structure. Aerial pictures showed a majority of the home had been scorched, with portions of its roof visibly caved in.Authorities said a woman was unable to get out of the home as the fire burned and was later declared dea...

‘Oppressive heat,’ safety concerns lead Woburn schools to schedule early release for Friday as other districts make similar decisions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

Soaring temperatures and a lack of air conditioning continue to drive school districts to either let classes out early or cancel them altogether this week.Woburn Public Schools was one of them, announcing Thursday that due to excessive heat and safety concerns, the school district would have early releases on Friday, just a day after the school year started.“We are writing to let you know that due to the oppressive heat and safety concerns at some of our buildings without air conditioning, we will be having an early release tomorrow, Friday, September 8th for all schools,” officials said in a statement to the school community. “Our early dismissal times are as follows: 11:30 a.m. for WMHS, 12:00 for Middle Schools, and 12:30 at our elementary schools. Our Kindergarten students will still have the delayed start time, and be dismissed at 12:30.”The decision came after a day of brutal temperatures, with hot, humid and hazy conditions plaguing the state, with are...

Company behind ‘One Chip Challenge’ says it will pull product from shelves days after Worcester teen died

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

The company behind the “One Chip Challenge” is working with stores to pull its extremely spicy single-serving One Chip Challenge product off shelves, the company announced on Thursday. The company, Paqui, announced the move in a statement on its website days after a teenage boy died in Worcester. The teen, identified as Harris Wolobah, 14, had taken part in the One Chip Challenge hours before his death, according to family members and friends. The “One Chip Challenge” dares people to consume a single extremely spicy chip, wait as long as possible before drinking or eating and then post video of the experience to social media. In its statement this week, Paqui said the challenge “is intended for adults only, with clear and prominent labeling highlighting the chip is not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or who has food allergies, is pregnant or has underlying health conditions.”“We have seen an increase in teens and other individuals not heeding these war...

Person taken to hospital after car crashes into building in Watertown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

One person was taken to an area hospital Thursday after their car crashed into a building in Watertown, fire officials said. The Watertown Fire Department in a post on social media said companies responded to the scene on Arsenal Street early Thursday afternoon. The fire department said the car’s driver suffered minor injuries. Fire officials said the scene remained active shortly before 3 p.m. “while the vehicle is removed from the building and the building is made safe.”“An incident like this takes considerable coordination between various departments and organizations including Watertown Police, Watertown Building Department, Perfection Towing and others,” the fire department said.No further information was immediately available.

Patriots-Eagles injury report: OT Trent Brown upgraded, defensive starter sits Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

Patriots cornerback Jack Jones was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice due to a hurt hamstring, according to the team’s latest injury report.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Matthew Judon wants every Patriots pass rusher to be a ‘threat’ New England Patriots | What Mac Jones learned from ‘good friend’ Jalen Hurts ahead of Patriots-Eagles matchup New England Patriots | Patriots’ Mac Jones’ areas of improvement include attitude, lesson from Tom Brady New England Patriots | Patriots have concerning absence from practice ahead of Week 1 New England Patriots | Patriots S Kyle Dugger: No update on possible contract extension On Wednesday, Jones was listed as limited. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Trent Brown (illness) was removed from Thursday’s report after also being limited Wednesday. Two other projected starting offensive linemen remained on th...

MBTA track inspectors had ‘limited track maintenance experience,’ didn’t understand job duties: Report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

A bombshell report examining MBTA track safety revealed major flaws in the transit agency’s record, including inspection teams that were unqualified, inexperienced, or both, and workers “not completely understanding” their jobs.Workers responsible for track inspections in the MBTA’s Maintenance of Way (MOW) organization also had “inadequate training,” according to an independent report focused on track maintenance safety released on Thursday.“This is about ensuring that the workforce — even at the entry level, all the way to the top — have the proper training, qualifications and clear direction from management,” MBTA GM and CEO Phillip Eng said during a press conference announcing release of the report.“I continue to challenge the leadership team to take a hard look in the mirror,” he added. “As an agency, we need to evolve. The status quo is unacceptable. And this is about strengthening our organization and emp...

Trump White House official Navarro convicted of contempt after defying House Jan. 6 subpoena

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump White House official Peter Navarro was convicted Thursday of contempt of Congress charges for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.The verdict came after a short trial for Navarro, who served as a White House trade adviser under President Donald Trump and later promoted the Republican’s baseless claims of mass voter fraud in the 2020 election he lost. Navarro was the second Trump aide to face contempt of Congress charges after former White House adviser Steve Bannon. Bannon was convicted of two counts and was sentenced to four months behind bars, though he has been free pending appeal.Judge Amit Mehta scheduled Navarro’s sentencing for Jan. 12. He was convicted in Washington’s federal courthouse of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress, both punishable by up to a year behind bars. Defense attorney Stanley Woodward move...

Matthew Judon wants every Patriots pass rusher to be a ‘threat’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

FOXBORO — Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has harped on the Eagles’ dangerous pass rush as the team gets prepared for their season opener Sunday. But Eagles QB Jalen Hurts could be under siege, as well, on Sunday.The Patriots are returning two of the NFL’s most productive pass-rushing edge defenders this season in Matthew Judon and Josh Uche. Now they’ve added defensive end Keion White to a mix that already included Deatrich Wise and Christian Barmore, as well.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | What Mac Jones learned from ‘good friend’ Jalen Hurts ahead of Patriots-Eagles matchup New England Patriots | Patriots’ Mac Jones’ areas of improvement include attitude, lesson from Tom Brady New England Patriots | Patriots have concerning absence from practice ahead of Week 1 New England Patriots | Patriots S Kyle Dugger: No update on possible contract extension New England ...

More Americans plan vacations, even as they sour on the economy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:25 GMT

Augusta Saraiva | (TNS) Bloomberg NewsAmericans might be fretting about the job market and inflation, but it’s not stopping them from splurging on vacations.Nearly half of consumers in August were planning a trip in the next six months — the highest share all year, according to Conference Board survey data Tuesday. And about one in five of them are going abroad, a record share in the data going back to the 1970s.Demand for international travel has largely recovered as Americans take advantage of reopening borders, a strong dollar and lower airfares in recent months. That’s prompting airlines to boost service and expand routes, and has helped drive a measure of spending abroad by US travelers to an all-time high earlier this year.The vacation plans reflect Americans’ incessant demand for experiences in a post-pandemic world. Despite an overall easing in consumer confidence in August as inflation and interest-rate expectations rose, many households are still buoyed by the healthy labo...