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Poll: Mass. Voters Want Tax Relief

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

A sizable majority of Massachusetts voters would prefer for Beacon Hill to deploy its budget surplus toward reducing taxes rather than increasing overall spending, according to a new poll.Three-quarters of the voters surveyed by polling and political advocacy firm Priorities for Progress picked tax cuts as their preferred use of excess tax revenues, while 25 percent said they would rather see the money go toward expanding state programs.The results of the poll, shared with the News Service, indicate sizable support for tax relief as the House prepares to roll out and debate its response to Gov. Maura Healey’s nearly $1 billion tax relief and reform proposal.Overall, pollsters found overwhelming support for Healey’s proposal, which would create a new $600-per-dependent tax credit for parents and caregivers, expand breaks for renters and seniors, triple the estate tax threshold to $3 million and slash the short-term capital gains tax rate from 12 percent to 5 per...

Cat jumps on imam during Ramadan prayers at Algerian mosque

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

A cat interrupted Ramadan services at a mosque in Algeria when it jumped on top of an imam leading a prayer.The imam kept his cool and continued with the prayer unbothered. The animal wandered through the mosque as people cited the verses.

3 Tennessee Democrats face removal from office in Thursday vote after gun control protest on state House floor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

(CNN) — The Tennessee House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Thursday on removing from office three Democratic lawmakers who protested on the chamber floor with a bullhorn to call for gun reform following last month’s school shooting in Nashville — and now are accused of breaking House rules.Three resolutions filed by GOP lawmakers Monday seek to expel Reps. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin Pearson of Memphis, each of whom has already been removed from their committee assignments following last week’s demonstrations.The three lawmakers led a protest on the House floor last Thursday, CNN affiliate WSMV reported, using a bullhorn as demonstrators at the state Capitol called on lawmakers to take action to prevent further gun violence after three 9-year-olds and three adults were killed in a mass shooting on March 27 at The Covenant School, a private Christian school.“It’s morally insane...

Chinese President Xi calls for Ukraine peace talks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping called Thursday for peace talks over Ukraine after French President Emmanuel Macron appealed to him to “bring Russia to its senses,” but Xi gave no indication Beijing would use its leverage as Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic partner to press for a settlement.Xi gave no sign China, which declared it had a “no limits friendship” with Moscow before last year’s invasion, had changed its stance since calling for peace talks in February.“Peace talks should resume as soon as possible,” Xi said. He called on other governments to avoid doing anything that might “make the crisis deteriorate or even get out of control.” Beijing, which sees Moscow as a partner in opposing U.S. domination of global affairs, has tried to appear neutral in the conflict but has given Putin diplomatic support and repeated Russian justifications for the February 2022 attack. Xi received an effusive welcome from Puti...

Rabbit out of a hat on Easter? Heat have pulled such late-season personnel moves before

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

As the clock ticks down to their final days of eligibility for the season, the reality with Miami Heat two-way players Orlando Robinson and Jamal Cain is that it’s not over until it’s over.Twice in the past three years, the Heat have used the final days, even hours, of their regular season to sign a G League prospect to a multiyear standard contract.In 2019, Kendrick Nunn was added the final day of the season after Rodney McGruder was waived three days earlier. And in 2021, Omer Yurtseven was signed with two days remaining in the regular season.The differences in both cases was there was a standard roster spot available to cast such future thought. For the Heat to do the same with Robinson, Cain or another G League prospect by their Easter Sunday deadline, a roster spot would have to be opened prior to Sunday’s regular-season finale against the visiting Orlando Magic.Otherwise, Robinson and Cain would become restricted two-way free-agents in the offseason.Already t...

Italy’s Berlusconi diagnosed with leukemia, doctors say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

ROME (AP) — Doctors for Italian former Premier Silvio Berlusconi say he is being treated for a lung infection that suggests he has a “chronic blood condition” that is a kind of leukemia.Berlusconi’s personal physician, Alberto Zangrillo, signed off on a medical bulletin issued Thursday afternoon that said Berlusconi “has had for some time” leukemia in a “persistent chronic phase.” The 86-year-old media mogul who served three terms as Italy’s premier and now serves in the Senate was admitted to Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital on Wednesday for treatment of what aides indicated was a respiratory problem stemming from a previous infection.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.ROME (AP) — Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is alert and in stable condition during his second day in intensive care at a Milan hospital, a close political ally said Thursday, adding that he couldn’t confirm Italian media reports that Berlusconi had been diagnosed...

Greece to send more arms to Ukraine, but sets limits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece has pledged military assistance to Ukraine for “as long as it takes” but officials cautioned that the country needs to keep much of its Russian-made weaponry for its own defensive needs.Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov visited Athens Thursday as part of regular meetings with officials from NATO countries. He was promised more artillery and small arms ammunition shipments, access to Greek hospitals for wounded military personnel and additional Soviet-era BMP infantry fighting vehicles.Greece “will provide every support to Ukraine at this very important, crucial stage of the war,” Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said during a joint appearance with Reznikov. “We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes — that’s a very clear position that we have taken from the outset.”Military officials said Greece has also provided trainers for Ukraine’s special forces and tank operators, as a contribution to the massive milita...

Troubles shadow lingers as N Ireland marks 25 years of peace

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Peter Olphert was 14 when Irish Republican Army gunmen killed his father. Forty years later, he says it’s time to set aside the past.Mark Thompson lost his brother to British Army bullets, another victim of “the Troubles” that wracked Northern Ireland for three decades. He thinks society can’t move forward until it confronts unfinished business and holds some of those responsible to account.This month marks 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement largely ended bloodshed that left 3,600 people dead, some 50,000 wounded and thousands bereaved. Northern Ireland is observing the anniversary with a reunion of key peace process players and a visit from U.S. President Joe Biden.The peace accord may have stopped the fighting, but deep divisions remain over the conflict’s legacy — making it hard for some of Northern Ireland’s 1.9 million people to move past it. And Britain’s exit from the European Union has only complicated matters, creating poli...

Eight sheltered but more spaces needed as Vancouver seeks rooms for displaced campers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

VANCOUVER — A handful of homeless people set up tents overnight along a stretch of Vancouver’s Hastings Street that was cleared Wednesday in a co-ordinated effort by city officials and Vancouver police.Mayor Ken Sim ordered the long-standing encampment removed after the city’s police and fire chiefs warned of escalating crime and an unacceptable fire risk.At the camp’s peak, about 180 structures covered the sidewalk along the busy street.Now there are questions about where the displaced residents will go, and many have vowed to return to the only place they feel safe as soon as enforcement lifts.Vancouver city manager Paul Mochrie has said there are not enough shelter spaces to accommodate everyone, but a statement issued Wednesday night from Sim’s office said eight people had asked for accommodation and it had been supplied.The statement says “shelter space availability is fluid” but pledged to continue to work with government partners to “...

Bottle battle: Boston talks of banning tiny bottles of booze

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:08 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — The little bottles of booze at Huntington Wine and Liquor are displayed prominently at the front counter of the Boston store, some stacked neatly in display cases, others tossed haphazardly in trays.Steven Rubin, whose family has owned the store since 1970, estimates that they account for up to 15% of his sales.“They are a major part of our business, and have a high profit margin,” he said.But he might be on the verge of losing those sales.Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo has proposed banning city liquor stores from selling the bottles that hold from 50 to 100 milliliters (1.7 to 3.4 fluid ounces), which he says would address both alcohol abuse and excessive litter.“The fact that this handled even one of these two issues would have been enough for me,” Arroyo said at city hall hearing on the issue on Monday. “The fact that it plays in both of these issues I think is an overwhelming reason to move forward with something like this.”The little bottles are favored by p...