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UK Autumn Statement: 9 secrets buried in the small print

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

LONDON — With a multibillion-pound tax giveaway, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hailed his “Autumn Statement for growth” as a sign Britain has “turned a corner.”The star turn was a 2-pence cut to the National Insurance tax paid by 27 million workers, rushed into effect in January. It shows a government in campaign mode, just in time for a general election that could come as early as spring 2024. But not all is rosy for Hunt or PM Rishi Sunak. As ever, the 114-page “green book” of measures — alongside more than 160 pages of analysis from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) — contain several details buried or ignored in Hunt’s 51-minute speech to MPs. Here’s POLITICO’s spin-busting hot take.1) Frozen tax thresholds dwarf the National Insurance cutWednesday’s National Insurance cut — billed as a crowd-pleasing drop in personal taxes for workers — is dwarfed by the impact of what’s known as “fiscal drag.” That is, effectively, the i...

Northeastern University admissions counselor arrested on child pornography charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

An admissions counselor from Northeastern University recently appeared in federal court after his arrest on child pornography charges, federal prosecutors announced. Beau Christopher Benson, 35, was arrested on Tuesday. In an announcement Wednesday, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said Benson was charged with possession and receipt of child pornography. Citing charging documents, the US Attorney’s office said law enforcement was notified in April of this year “that Benson allegedly participated in Zoom video chat rooms used to share and view (child sexual abuse material).”“It is alleged that Benson recorded his participation in the chat rooms and saved the recordings – which featured videos of CSAM and conversations between Benson and others about the CSAM – to his social media account,” officials said. Officials continued, saying investigators found approximately 15 video files depicting child sexual abuse material in Benson’s Dropbox account.“I...

Thanksgiving Forecast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

Well today wasn’t ideal… pretty brutal actually. Whether it was the wind, the snow, or the cold rain, there was plenty to complain about today. We’ll improve quite a bit for your Thanksgiving. Many of us outside of 495 woke up to a white ground as snow broke out for a few hours last night before flipping to rain by daybreak. Higher elevations picked up a couple of inches overnight. These are some of the highest reports:For late November this isn’t unexpected. Worcester picked up just under 3″ at the airport overnight. On average, Worcester airport gets about 2″ each November.For those that didn’t have snow, it was a coooold rain. And on the coast, a wind-driven rain. Wind gusts on the Cape, Islands, South Shore, and Cape Ann gusted over 50 mph in many spots.The wind will back down tonight and tomorrow but won’t shut off. It will still be a breezy day tomorrow but not as bad as today was. If your family is a Turkey Trot family, bundle u...

JFK Presidential Library honors former president with ceremony on 60th anniversary of his assassination 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

The somber sounds of music filled the pavilion of the JFK Presidential Library in Boston Wednesday on a day that marked the 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Kennedy was killed in 1963. Honoring the 35th president, library officials said they hoped Wednesday’s events will keep Kennedy alive in people’s memories. “It had a huge influence on me, I think, in terms of my values and also seeing what violence in our society could do,” said Judah Leblang while visiting the library. The library offered free entry Wednesday for a special commemorative performance and a rare exhibit featuring items not normally on display. Featured in the exhibit at the library was the American flag that was draped over Kennedy’s casket after his death. There were also condolence letters from notable leaders of the time, including Martin Luther King, Jr. “I think it’s a powerful firsthand experience that’s better than just experiencing it online,” said JFK Pre...

Gifts for young readers: Books that teach kids about gratitude

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

Roxana Popescu | The San Diego Union-TribuneThese books aren’t all directly about gratitude. But they all offer a chance to chat or think about appreciating another person’s effort, gifts or generosity.These books can also help build empathy by reminding kids how nice it feels to be appreciated.They can help children understand that resources like food and time are limited, so they shouldn’t be wasted or taken for granted.And some of these books have a message that life’s best gifts can’t be simply bought or sold.‘Sylvester and the Magic Pebble,’ written and illustrated by William SteigLittle donkey Sylvester Duncan finds a magic pebble and makes a wish. He starts to imagine all the other things he could wish for — to help himself, his family, even everyone. Then a lion walks over, and things go horribly wrong. Steig’s ingenious plot, mighty prose and delicate drawings offer a witty lesson in counting blessings and appreciating good he...

Patriots-Giants injury report: Trent Brown among 8 Patriots limited Wednesday, Saquon Barkley sits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

The Patriots listed eight players as limited on Wednesday’s injury report, including starting left tackle Trent Brown.Brown continues to deal with an injured ankle after missing two games and resting over the team’s recent bye week. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (hamstring), cornerback Jonathan Jones (knee) and receiver DeVante Parker (concussion) were also limited Wednesday.In New York, star running back Saquon Barkley and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence missed practice.Both teams’ complete injury reports are below.GIANTSDid not participateRB Saquon Barkley, Not Injury Related – RestDL Dexter Lawrence – HamstringOL Evan Neal, AnkleLB Bobby Okereke, Hip/RibWR Darius Slayton, NeckLimited participationRB Eric Gray, AnkleDB Adoree’ Jackson, Concussion (non-contact)OL Tyre Phillips, KneeWR Sterling Shepard, HipRelated ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots missing 1 wide receiver at Wednesday practice before Giants game ...

Search continues for the missing after landslide leaves 3 dead in Alaska fishing community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

By BECKY BOHRER and MARK THIESSEN (Associated Press)JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Searchers with heat-sensing drones and a cadaver-dog kept up the search Wednesday for three people missing in a landslide that barreled down a mountain and slammed into homes in a remote Alaska fishing community, leaving three confirmed dead. Monday night’s slide churned up the earth from near the top of the mountain down to the sea, tearing down a wide swath of evergreen trees and burying a highway in the island community of Wrangell during a storm.Rescue crews found the body of a girl in an initial search Monday night and the bodies of two adults late Tuesday in the island community, located about 155 miles (250 kilometers) south of Juneau.Searchers again Wednesday were using a trained dog and heat-sensing drones to search for two children and one adult still unaccounted for. The Coast Guard and other vessels were scouring the waterfront littered with rocks, trees and mud from the slide.Community...

Chula Vista pick-up soccer group pushes back against 'pay to play' at public park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

Editors note: The Measure P sales tax is in the amount of a half-cent in the City of Chula Vista.CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- A South Bay pick-up soccer group is raising concerns over having to "pay to play" at a public park.The City of Chula Vista says they have to follow the same rules as official leagues, but the group is pushing back in hopes of reaching a compromise."It’s a public park. It’s for the public. Nobody here is profiting. Why should the city profit off of us," said Henry Sanchez, the organizer of Chula Vista Pick-Up Soccer.Sanchez has been running the soccer pick-up group for the last three years. It’s been free and open for anyone to show up and play. That is until recently when he was notified by the City of Chula Vista that he needs a permit and has to pay for the lights to come on. Car dealership rampage: Man suspected of smashing windows arrested "It’s about $104 per Tuesday that we play to get the field and the lights," said Sanchez.Sanchez questioned the city’s mu...

The latest on the deadly explosion at the Canada-U.S. border crossing in New York

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Four of the busiest border crossing points between Canada and the United States were abruptly closed Wednesday after a vehicle exploded at a U.S. checkpoint in Niagara Falls. The FBI is investigating the blast, which took place on the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge crossing in Upstate New York.Here are the latest developments (all times are ET):—4:30 p.m.A spokeswoman for the RCMP says officers are working with domestic and international partners on the deadly explosion at the U.S. border crossing in Niagara Falls.She provided no further details.The Niagara Regional Police Service says border bridges in Niagara remain closed due to the blast.It says it’s monitoring developments, and there is no known threat on the Canadian side of the border.—3:50 p.m.Authorities say two people are dead after a vehicle exploded at a checkpoint on the American side of a bridge in Niagara Falls.The blast has prompted the closure of four border crossings in the ...

Youth charged in murder of Brampton food delivery driver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:54 GMT

A young person has been charged in the homicide of a Brampton food delivery driver who was violently assaulted, carjacked and left on the side of the road this past summer.The male driver was working in the Britannia Road and Creditview Road area around 2:10 a.m. on July 9, 2023, when he arrived at an address to drop off an online order.Investigators said the man was confronted by unknown suspects who tried to take his vehicle, leading to a physical altercation.The group of suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle, leaving him at the side of the road with life-threatening injuries. Related: Food delivery driver critically injured in violent Mississauga carjacking Family, friends mourn tragic loss of international student in fatal Mississauga carjacking The victim was rushed to a local trauma centre, where police said he died of his injuries on July 14, 2023. He was identified as 24-year-old Gurvinder Nath of Brampton. Nath’s vehicle...