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France’s top court OKs Macron’s pensions reform

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

PARIS — France’s Constitutional Council ruled Friday in favor of the most contentious part of President Emmanuel Macron’s pensions reform bill, which raises the legal age of retirement to 64 from 62.However, it chose to block several other measures, including a “senior index” which aims at encouraging the employment of senior workers. Some of them were added as “sweeteners” to the bill, to make it more acceptable to trade unions and opposition MPs.“The Constitutional Council examined the application of the articles invoked [by the government], it found that none of the applications have fallen foul of the rules of the National Assembly,” said one of the Council’s officials on Friday. The government had come under fire during parliamentary debates about the reforms, because it had invoked a controversial constitutional maneuver — known as article 49.3 — as well as other moves that curtailed debates in parliament. Macron’s decision to bypass p...

Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused in classified documents leak appears in court as US reveals case against him

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Billing records of an Internet social media platform and interviews with another user helped the FBI identify a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman as a suspect in the leak of highly classified military documents, according to court records unsealed Friday.The new details came as Jack Teixeira, 21, appeared in court to face charges under the Espionage Act of unauthorized removal and retention of classified and national defense information.A federal magistrate judge ordered him held until a detention hearing next week.Teixeira was arrested by heavily armed tactical agents on Thursday following a weeklong criminal investigation into the disclosure of the government records, a breach that exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments on the war in Ukraine, the capabilities and geopolitical interests of other nations and other national security issues.He appeared in court Friday in tan jail clothes for a brief proceeding at which U.S. Magistrate Judge Davi...

How the Red Sox will observe the 10th anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

Saturday, April 15 marks ten years since two brothers set off homemade explosive devices by the Boston Marathon finish line, killing three people and injuring hundreds.In that moment, Boston and the surrounding region were forever changed.While there was nothing they could do to reverse the events of that heartbreaking day, the Red Sox immediately took it upon themselves to heal the city in the ways they could: philanthropy and baseball.They’ll continue both this weekend, when they return home to Fenway Park for a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels that begins Friday night.But of course, this quartet of contests will be so much bigger than baseball. The schedule is jam-packed with events, ceremonies, and special guests. Stock up on tissues and waterproof makeup now.Here’s the schedule and everything you need to know about the weekend’s and Monday’s events:Friday, April 149 AM: The Red Sox and JetBlue Park have teamed up to donate over 40,000 Red Sox...

Orioles option starting pitcher Cole Irvin to Triple-A; Spenser Watkins called up

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

After his third straight rough start to begin the season, Orioles left-handed starting pitcher Cole Irvin is being optioned to Triple-A.The Orioles have sent down Irvin, whom they acquired in a trade with the Oakland Athletics this offseason, to Norfolk after he posted a 10.66 ERA through his first three starts, the team announced Friday afternoon. Irvin allowed six runs in four innings in Thursday’s 8-7 walk-off win over the A’s.Baltimore is also promoting right-handed pitcher Spenser Watkins from Triple-A. Watkins pitched in 23 games for the Orioles last season, including 20 starts, recording a 4.70 ERA. The 30-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA this season for the Tides, striking out eight in 10 innings.Also on Friday, the Orioles placed left-handed reliever Keegan Akin on the paternity list and recalled right-hander Yennier Canó from Triple-A.Irvin began the season as the Orioles’ No. 3 starter and the second-most experienced arm in the rotation, behind only ...

Prep basketball star Mikey Williams arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon: SDSO

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

SAN DIEGO — Mikey Williams, a local high school basketball star with a massive social media following, was arrested Thursday, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department confirmed.Jail records show 18-year-old Michael Anthony Williams, born June 26, 2004, was arrested near the 2600 block of Bratton Valley Road in the Jamul area around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.He was arrested on suspicion of five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, SDSO Sgt. Gavin Lanning confirmed to FOX 5.Officials said Williams had one firearm in his possession at the time of his arrest. He was booked into the San Diego Central Jail with a bail set at $50,000. Williams has since posted bond and is no longer in police custody.Williams, who played basketball for San Ysidro High School, has amassed millions of followers online and had committed to play for the University of Memphis basketball team next season.As of Friday morning, Williams had deactivated his Instagram account, which has nearly 4 million followers.The ci...

Empty fishing boat pulled from rocks in Carlsbad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

CARLSBAD, Calif. — An empty fishing boat was found Friday in a jetty near Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad.Crews with the Carlsbad Fire Department and Oceanside Lifeguards were working to remove the small fishing boat from the jetty.The circumstances that led to the boat being stuck on the rocks are still under investigation. NOAA issues El Niño watch: Here’s where and when we will feel the impact The boat was empty when crews had gained access to the vessel and nobody was spotted in the water in the surrounding area.The U.S. Coast Guard did a sweep of the area to see if there was anybody in the water, but they did not spot anyone.The boat was secured approximately 1,000 feet off shore and crews will be towing it to the Oceanside Harbor, the City of Carlsbad said.

Man hospitalized after hit-and-run in Logan Heights alley

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

SAN DIEGO — A man was injured Thursday after a hit-and-run crash in the Logan Heights area, the San Diego Police Department confirmed.Around 9:30 p.m., a 22-year-old man was walking in the south alley of 2900 National Avenue when he heard a vehicle driving behind him, according to police.The driver, who was going eastbound in the alley, struck the pedestrian and fled the scene. The pedestrian was was taken to a nearby hospital with several injuries. Homeless encampment ban passes committee, moves to city council Police were unable to locate any witnesses related to the hit-and-run crash and the victim was not able to identify the vehicle, SDPD said.No suspect details were immediately available from police.The incident remains under investigation and anyone who may have information related to the crash was asked to contact SDPD's Traffic Division at 858-495-7800 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Pedestrian seriously injured after being struck by vehicle at Yonge-Dundas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

One person has been rushed to hospital after they were struck by a vehicle near Yonge-Dundas Square.Police were called to Yonge and Dundas streets just after the noon hour on Friday.Paramedics say the person has serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.The driver remained at the scene.More to come

Michigan paper mill temporarily closes due to fungal illness

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

ESCANABA, Mich. (AP) — A paper mill in northern Michigan will close for up to three weeks for a scrubbing after authorities confirmed at least 21 cases of a fungal infection among workers since March and dozens more probable cases.The illness, blastomycosis, is related to a fungus that grows in moist soil and decomposing wood and leaves, according to the public health department in Delta County. Blastomycosis does not pass from person to person, the department said. Common symptoms are cough, fever, shortness of breath, joint pain and weight loss. The Billerud Paper Mill in Escanaba, which employs more than 800 people, will close temporarily, the company said Thursday.The mill will undergo “deep cleaning in high traffic areas through the mill” as well as other steps, including vent inspections, filter replacements and tests on raw materials, said Kevin Kuznicki, president of Billerud North America.Billerud said in a statement that an industrial outbreak of the fungus has not been “d...

Supreme Court lets challenges to federal agencies go forward

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:36:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing challenges to the structure of two federal agencies to go forward in federal court.The high court ruled unanimously Friday to allow challenges to the structures of the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission to go forward in federal court. Lower courts had split on whether those challenges could proceed.In one case, the FTC had brought an enforcement action against Axon Enterprise, the Arizona-based company best known for developing the Taser, arguing that its purchase of its competitor Vievu for approximately $13 million was improper. The other case involved an SEC enforcement action against Michelle Cochran, a certified public accountant. Axon and Cochran responded by suing in federal court and arguing that the structure of the FTC and SEC respectively are unconstitutional. Each said that the administrative law judges that oversee enforcement actions are insufficiently accountable to the president, in viol...