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EU to Elon Musk: We’re snubbing your paid Twitter verification plan 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

Twitter is this month unrolling its new paid-verification plan, but the European Union institutions are staying away from the controversial blue checks.The European Commission and European Parliament are not currently planning to pay Twitter to get their hundreds of official EU accounts — including those of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Parliament President Roberta Metsola — verified under the “Twitter Blue” program, according to the institutions’ press services. Reversing a previous policy that aimed to limit misinformation, Twitter said it will this month remove legacy blue checks that used to certify the authenticity of government officials, journalists and public figures’ accounts unless they pay. Meanwhile, any users could also soon be able to subscribe to get the once-coveted blue tick. Announced in November 2022 after Elon Musk bought the platform, the plan has sparked fears that it could result in a wave of fake accounts and an uptick in fake...

Thursday Turnaround

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

A damp and dreary start requires some patience this morning to see the improvements that are ahead. Although the turnaround won’t be quick, it will happen, as temps surge into the 60s and 70s away from the immediate coast by mid to late afternoon. AM clouds and drizzle taper off, allowing for some midday/afternoon breaks of sun as well. With that said, I do expect a few spotty showers late this afternoon and the risk for some evening showers/thunder rolling through. Below is a mid to late afternoon snapshot of temps. Boston will hang in the 50s most of the day and bump up into the 60s early this evening. The showers and thunder that slide through tonight are with a cold front, and on the other side of that front, we’ll catch a gusty breeze and chillier air with highs in the 50s and winds gusting 30-35mph. Easter weekend looks bright with some seasonable chill as highs near 50 on Saturday and near 55 Sunday. Both days start frosty, so plan on a cool feel to the air for th...

Southborough Police warn of ‘Trouble Bubble’ TikTok challenge making kids sick

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

Southborough Police are warning residents of a new TikTok challenge that is making kids sick.The department posted a picture of “Trouble Bubble” gum, which has the same active ingredient as police pepper spray, but eight times hotter. Kids can buy the gum online and it can cause difficulty breathing if swallowed.Several children at an elementary school in Orange went to the hospital on Tuesday after chewing the gum. Some people say just touching it caused a reaction. “Their hands were red, their faces were beet red and they were crying and saying it hurt,” said Kathleen Woodard, whose son ate the gum. “Some of them were a deep red.”Police say if you chew the gum, you should rinse your mouth out repeatedly.

Former Boston Police officer arrested in connection with Jan. 6 US Capitol riot set to appear in court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

A former Boston police officer who was arrested last week after investigators said he assaulted an officer during the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol is set to appear in court Thursday. The FBI took Joseph Fisher, 52, into custody from his home in Plymouth the morning of March 30. He is facing several felony and misdemeanor charges. Federal authorities said Fisher, who worked for the Boston Police Department for more than 20 years, was in a crowd of thousands storming the Capitol back in 2021. Authorities said images captured on January 6th matched Fisher’s license photograph, adding that Fisher’s cell phone pinged near the Capitol that day. Federal authorities laid out their case in court documents, circling pictures they said show Fisher storming the Capitol. Authorities in court documents said photos show Fisher inside the building. Authorities then said Fisher is seen pushing a chair into an officer and physically attacking the officer, who was pursuing a rioter...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. files paperwork to run for president as a Democrat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

(CNN) — Environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for president in 2024 as a Democrat.The filing was confirmed Wednesday by his campaign treasurer, John E. Sullivan.The 69-year-old is the son of former New York senator, US attorney general and assassinated 1968 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy.Kennedy Jr. is a longtime vaccine skeptic. He has promoted discredited claims linking vaccines and autism and founded the anti-vaccine organization Children’s Health Defense. He has also railed against the coronavirus vaccine and has criticized the federal government’s handling of the pandemic.In 2019, three members of his family — his sister Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, brother Joseph P. Kennedy II and niece Maeve Kennedy McKean — forcefully denounced his anti-vaccine views in a Politic...

John Kerry’s Gmail account ‘discouraged’ but defended by State Department

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

The U.S. State Department argues Climate czar John Kerry can use a personal Gmail account for government business — despite the risky practice being “discouraged” in the very manual they cite.The “Foreign Affairs Manual” referenced, particularly section 5 FAM 434, does not support outside messages.“All Department personnel with an official State Department email account are discouraged from using a personal email account(s),” including Gmail, the manual reads. That section goes on to add Gmail can be used in “very limited circumstances.”It also clearly states “convenience is not an appropriate reason” to use outside email.The State Department’s push-back on Kerry’s behalf comes after the Herald reported Sunday that the former Massachusetts senator and onetime Democratic presidential candidate was cc’d a Climate memo to a Gmail account.It’s all part of an ongoing struggle by the Herald and watch...

Battenfeld: Trump-DeSantis ticket in 2024 would be formidable team

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

It’s not too early for Republicans to start thinking about a winning ticket in 2024  – one that will likely include a dinged-up Donald Trump at the top.Trump’s indictment won’t stop him from running or winning the nomination but it highlights the need for a strong conservative without baggage to stand next to him.Right now the strongest second banana is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has designs of his own on the White House. Trump and DeSantis would be a formidable team if they ever decided to run together.Trump and DeSantis have openly feuded and would seem to be an unlikely pairing but stranger things have happened in politics before.Vice President Kamala Harris trashed Joe Biden during the 2020 primaries and that didn’t stop Biden from picking her as his running mate.The latest polls show DeSantis trailing Trump by a wide margin among GOP voters nationally and in key states like New Hampshire. Trump’s numbers nationally actually improved after his indictment last week.Trump also...

Child advocate slams state after Harmony Montgomery’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

A scathing report released by the Office of the Child Advocate says the state has not done enough to protect its youngest, most vulnerable residents despite recommendations made following an investigation into the tragic death of Harmony Montgomery.“We made a variety of recommendations designed to address systemic challenges and failures that, in the OCA’s view, contributed to the deeply tragic decision to return Harmony to her father’s custody,” the OCA’s Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report reads.“Although the state has made progress on some of those recommendations, particularly those directed at the Department of Children and Families, the OCA continues to be concerned that the welfare and best interest of the child is not adequately presented in care and protection cases, putting some children in unsafe situations,” it continues.According to authorities in New Hampshire, Adam Montgomery murdered his daughter Harmony sometime late in 2019, when she was 5 years old.Harmony,...

ASK IRA: Has Heat’s Jimmy Butler assured himself of an All-NBA berth?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

Q: Imagine actual NBA personnel voting Bam Adebayo as an All-star over Jimmy Butler. Laughable. Bam has a lot to learn about what it takes to win. – Marc, Arlington, Texas.A: Let’s approach this without the denigration. First, when coaches voted for All-Star reserves and selected Bam Adebayo, it was at a stage when Jimmy Butler had missed 13 games due to injury or illness. Second, by that point, Jimmy had made clear that he would rather be elsewhere than Salt Lake City in late February. That elsewhere turned out to be Argentina. So Bam got what he wanted, and Jimmy got what he wanted. Now, when it comes to the media voting for All-NBA, that’s another story. Jimmy’s performance and productivity should make him a lock, with the only question being whether it’s first, second or third team. The Heat’s overall record, fair or otherwise, assuredly will factor into that, as well.Q: Bam Adebayo’s new offensive aggressiveness this season with his mid...

Ravens draft preview: Wide receiver is a must, but who are the best options?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

The calendar has officially flipped to April, which can only mean one thing: It’s time to get ready for the NFL draft.The first round begins April 27 in Kansas City, but until then, the Ravens have plenty to figure out. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a trade while under the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he gets his wish, the Ravens’ draft could look a lot different.Baltimore owns five picks: Nos. 22 (first round), 86 (third round), 124 (fourth round), 157 (fifth round) and 199 (sixth round). A blockbuster deal for Jackson would significantly increase the size of that haul, but the Ravens are guaranteed at least one additional first-rounder this year if Jackson signs an offer with another team before the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.As we get closer to the draft, The Baltimore Sun will examine which players at each position of need (quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, edge rusher...