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Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party calls for Hubert Aiwanger’s resignation following Nazi scandal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

BERLIN — Leading members of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party called on Bavarian Deputy Premier Hubert Aiwanger to resign following a widening anti-Semitic scandal. His boss, Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, also faced mounting pressure to fire Aiwanger if he doesn’t step down voluntarily.Aiwanger admitted over the weekend he was involved in distributing an antisemitic leaflet during his high school years in the late 1980s, even though he denies being the author. On Wednesday, a former classmate of Aiwanger claimed that the Bavarian politician made Hitler salutes while in school, along with anti-Semitic jokes and impersonating Hitler.This has developed into a political storm ahead of the Bavarian state election on October 8, in which Söder — who hails from the center-right Christian Social Union — hopes to get reelected thanks to the political support of Aiwanger’s right-wing Free Voters party, currently governing in a coalition with the Söder and poll...

Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in January 6 case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

(CNN) — A leader of the Proud Boys who led the far-right organization’s infamous march to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison – among the longest sentences handed down yet for a convicted rioter.Joe Biggs was convicted by a Washington, DC jury of several charges including seditious conspiracy for attempting to forcibly prevent the peaceful transfer of power from then-President Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 election.“Our Constitution and laws give you so many important rights that Americans have fought and died for and that you yourself put on a uniform to defend,” District Judge Timothy Kelly said in handing down the sentence. “People around the world would give anything for these rights.”But January 6, 2021, Kelly said, “broke our tradition of the peaceful transferring of power” in the United States.“The nature of the constitutional moment we were in that day is something that is so sensitive that it deserves a significan...

Overdose Awareness Captured In Field Of Flags

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

Surrounded by roughly 20,000 purple flags representing Bay Staters lost to the opioid epidemic in the last decade, Kar-Kate Parenteau wore a beaming photo of her husband Marc, who died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2017.In the photo hanging from her lanyard, Marc’s arms are spread wide against the backdrop of the ocean on Martha’s Vineyard.Parenteau, who was joined by family members on Boston Common Thursday wearing the same image, said Marc’s smile makes her happy.But just by looking at his face, one would never know that Marc, whom Parenteau described as outgoing and a big sports fan, was struggling with substance use and addiction issues. He died at age 30.“He was definitely more than his addiction,” Parenteau said, as she invoked the epicenter of Boston’s opioid crisis around Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. “When people think of someone that is struggling with substance use, they have a certain image, and a lot of...

Healey Recommends More Pardons, Nominates Parole Board Member

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday nominated a clinical social worker to fill an opening on the Parole Board, and recommended a new set of pardons including one for a man convicted of armed robbery just seven years ago.Sarah Beth Coughlin works as director of community engagement and partnerships at Mass General Brigham and was also described by Healey’s office as a community organizer. She also spent eight years as director of the Charlestown Coalition, which focuses on social determinants of health, and works with the Committee for Public Counsel Services on evaluations, coordination of re-entry plans, and helping defendants secure treatment placement, according to her resume.If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Coughlin would fill one of the three vacant seats on the panel that makes parole decisions and vets pardon applications.Healey endorsed four pardons, recommending forgiveness for Kenny Jean, convicted of armed robbery in 2016; Evan Willey, convicted of operating ...

Column: Jerry Reinsdorf’s ‘search’ for a new GM sends a message to Chicago White Sox fans — the status quo is OK

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

Jerry Reinsdorf’s search for a new leader of the Chicago White Sox baseball department ended nine days after the dismissal of executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn.That is, if you consider opening the staff directory and picking Chris Getz as the new GM a real search.By promoting Getz to senior vice president and GM, the Sox chairman showed who is boss and sent a message to fans: The status quo is acceptable.“Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within our organization to this role,” Reinsdorf said in a statement. “Most importantly, he knows our players, both at the major-league level and in our system, knows our staff and is familiar with all aspects of our baseball operations department.”Reinsdorf added he was “greatly” impressed by Getz and has become “energized by his vision, approach and sense of what this organization needs to become competitive again.”“With his existing know...

Healey activating National Guard to help with emergency shelters, sources say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey issued an executive order Thursday activating up to 250 members of the National Guard to provide basic services at emergency shelter hotels that do not currently have a contracted service provider, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.State officials said the administration has about 40 emergency shelter hotels that Guard members could be deployed to, including a site at the Marriott South Bay. Sources said officials will be evaluating which sites require Guard members and deploying them next week.The administration also plans to launch “Regional Rapid Response Teams” to help oversee shelter sites and serve as a direct contact to the Healey administration to address any concerns.The mobilization comes weeks after Healey declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts because of an influx of migrants crowding the state’s emergency shelter system. The increase in new arrivals along with surging housing costs here has put a strain on th...

Texas high court allows law banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors to take effect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

By JIM VERTUNO (Associated Press)AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court allowed a new state law banning gender-affirming care for minors to take effect on Friday, setting up Texas to be the most populous state with such restrictions on transgender children.Legal advocates who sued on behalf of the families and doctors, including the American Civil Liberties Union, called the law and the high court’s decision Thursday “cruel.“ “Transgender youth and their families are forced to confront the start of the school year fearful of what awaits them. But let us be clear: The fight is far from over,” the advocacy groups said in a joint statement.Last week, a state district judge ruled the pending law violated the rights of transgender children and their families to seek appropriate medical care, and violated doctors’ ability to follow “well-established, evidence-based” medical guidelines under threat of losing their license. The jud...

Ex-Proud Boys organizer gets 17 years in prison, second longest sentence in Jan. 6 Capitol riot case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — A former organizer of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison for spearheading an attack on the U.S. Capitol to prevent the peaceful transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 presidential election.The sentence for Joseph Biggs is the second longest among hundreds of Capitol riot cases so far, after the 18-year prison sentence for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes.Federal prosecutors had recommended a 33-year prison sentence for Biggs, who helped lead dozens of Proud Boys members and associates in marching to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Biggs and other Proud Boys joined the mob that broke through police lines and forced lawmakers to flee, disrupting the joint session of Congress for certifying the electoral victory by Biden, a Democrat.U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly said the Jan. 6 attack trampled on an “important American custom,̶...

Yankees’ outfielder Harrison Bader claimed off waivers by Cincinnati Reds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

The Cincinnati Red have claimed center fielder Harrison Bader off waivers, the Yankees announced Thursday.Bader, a native of Bronxville, N.Y., batted .237 with seven home runs, 46 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 98 regular season games with the Yankees.“I’m a New York City kid and I never, in a million years, thought I’d play in the big leagues, let alone for the New York Yankees,” Bader told reporters Tuesday. “Just the opportunity has been incredible and I’ve loved every second of it. Whatever happens, happens. I understand it’s a business.”The Yankees acquired Bader, a 2021 Gold Glove Award winner, before the 2022 trade deadline from the St. Louis Cardinals for starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery.The speedy center fielder was out with plantar fasciitis when the Yankees traded for him, delaying his team debut by more than a month, but he quickly ingratiated himself with a torrid 2022 postseason in which he hit five home runs in nine games....

Fall movie preview 2023: Our 10 titles from a Hollywood season subject to change

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:57 GMT

Michael Phillips | Chicago Tribune (TNS)In the annals of fall movie previews, never has the phrase “dates subject to change” felt quite so obvious, or so fraught.Contract negotiations between studios and the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America remain, at press time, at an impasse and the strikes continue. “Dune 2,” no longer a major late 2023 title, has been pushed back to March 2024. Will the studios tick more of its dominoes from there?Answer: unknown. Meantime, let’s scan the ledger for some prospects already in the bag and ready for screens near you. That phrase “in the bag” always makes me think of “Sweet Smell of Success,” the 1957 drama starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. Written by Ernest Lehman, then punched up, gloriously, by co-writer Clifford Odets, the movie is a writer’s movie to the core. At one point, asked if he has taken care of his latest morally compromised errand, the unscrupulous press agent played by Curtis says not to worry. “The cat’s i...