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Poland adopts amended Kremlin influence law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda late Wednesday signed off on a bill creating a special body to probe Russian influence in Polish politics which critics say is unconstitutional and could be used to intimidate political opponents.Backed by the ruling right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, the amended law was approved last week by Poland’s parliament with a narrow 235-214 majority.The law allows the appointment of a nine-member commission by parliament — where PiS has a majority — who will have access to all government departments and documents to investigate Russian interference in Polish politics from 2007 to 2022.But it has sparked criticism from the Polish opposition, which argues the law could be used to target its leader Donald Tusk — who was prime minister from 2007 to 2014 — ahead of an upcoming general election later this year. Tusk will lead the Civic Coalition party in that election.Faced with mounting international pressure, Duda in June introduced several amen...

EU mayors’ top challenge: A fair, green city

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

This article is part of POLITICO’s Global Policy Lab: Living Cities, a collaborative journalism project exploring the future of cities. Sign up here.The old adage is that all politics are local — and in Europe’s cities, that’s reflected in municipal policies that mirror the major issues dominating the global conversation.In an informal survey, seven mayors from cities across the bloc — Athens, Brussels, Bucharest, Mannheim, Rennes, Umeå and Vienna— told POLITICO that the threat posed by climate change was top of mind in their administrations.“The future of Europe will be shaped by its just, green and productive cities,” said Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, who stressed that municipal governments needed additional funding to become more climate-resilient. “Vienna is committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2040 and, to this end, we have set up a comprehensive and ambitious program to phase out the use of gas,” Ludwig said, addi...

Living Cities’ Summer Movie Club

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

Ahead of Living Cities’ summer break, we asked our readers to submit their favorite films about European cities. With entries ranging from “Trainspotting” to “The Third Man,” they didn’t disappoint. Grab some popcorn, turn down the lights, and hit play: With our map of films that capture the spirit of European cities, you’re sure to stay entertained through the rest of the summer.

Bit Warmer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

A little touch of September air was in place yesterday as the high in Boston only reached 72 degrees, a good 10 degree below average for the time of year. Away from the coast, it was a bit warmer, but comfy overall with low humidity and highs in the upper 70s. Today, we’ll step it up a notch in the humidity (still comfy by August standards), and a couple notches in the temp department as highs run in the lower 80s for many, included 80 in Boston. Overall, it’s still a pleasant August afternoon as a southerly breeze kicks in, gusting 20-25mph this afternoon and evening. We’ll stay dry most of today, with just a spot shower possible late afternoon in northern Worcester County or western NH. Humidity comes up more tonight and the shower and thunderstorm threat increases tomorrow. Showers/storms will be isolated in the morning and more widespread in the afternoon and at night. Dew points run 65-70 as highs near 80. Warm and muggy overall. The main risk with the showers...

A woman escaped a makeshift cinder block ‘dungeon’ in Oregon, police say. The FBI believes there are more victims in other states

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

(CNN) — After a woman escaped from a makeshift “dungeon” made of cinder blocks in a man’s Oregon home, the FBI says it is looking for additional victims in other states.The man, 29-year-old Negasi Zuberi, was taken into federal custody on suspicion of kidnapping across state lines after a woman from Seattle escaped from his home in Klamath Falls, Oregon, according to a news release from the FBI Portland Field Office. The woman also claimed she was sexually assaulted, the FBI said.Zuberi, who has lived in at least 10 different states since 2016, has been linked to violent assaults in at least four different states, according to the FBI. Investigators have reason to believe there could be several other victims, the agency said. He was indicted by a grand jury in Oregon on one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation with intent to engage in sexual activity, court documents filed Wednesday show.Zuberi’s attorney, Heather Fraley, told CNN she had no comment Wed...

Patriots extra points: JuJu Smith-Schuster sees Pats having multiple No. 1 receivers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

FOXBORO — Through seven training camp practices, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s performance would indicate he is the Patriots’ new No. 1 receiver.But don’t tell him that.Smith-Schuster told reporters Wednesday he believes the team could have as many as three, including veterans DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots training camp Day 8: Mac Jones shines again in Bill O’Brien’s offense, Marte Mapu flashes New England Patriots | Source: Patriots open roster spot by waiving rookie wide receiver New England Patriots | Patriots’ offense returning favor by challenging defense in training camp New England Patriots | Patriots rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte finally breaks out after ‘slow start’ New England Patriots | Patriots continuing to manage Rhamondre Stevenson’s workload in practice “I mean, just because the...

Grayson Rodriguez stacking ‘building blocks’ since rejoining Orioles rotation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

In evaluating Grayson Rodriguez’s quartet of starts in the majors since returning to the Orioles’ rotation, both the rookie right-hander himself and his manager compared them with those that came before.“A lot better than the first set,” Rodriguez said.“Much improved over earlier in the year,” Brandon Hyde offered.If one took the 7.35 ERA the 23-year-old posted in his first 10 majors league outings across April and May and arranged those digits in the ideal order, it would result in what Rodriguez has done since rejoining Baltimore last month. He has a 3.57 ERA in four starts, a figure that could be improved upon if not for some troubles late in his outings. That includes Wednesday night’s start against the Toronto Blue Jays, when he was one out from completing the sixth for the second straight start before consecutive full-count walks ended his night. Both runners eventually scored off reliever Shintaro Fujinami.Those final two batters were...

Battenfeld: New public safety alarm at Mass and Cass a testament to failed policies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

The deteriorating situation at Mass and Cass in Boston stands as a testament to the failed policies that the current and previous mayors have tried to get the area under control.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s admission that Mass and Cass has become a major safety threat is also an acknowledgement that what she’s been trying is not working.“We have to get going on a different approach,” Wu said on the “Java with Jimmy” podcast.“In the last month or so, especially in the last couple of weeks, it has gotten to a new level of public safety alarm. All of the non-city teams have said in the last few weeks the situation has gotten so dangerous that we are pulling our people out — we cannot be in there.”Wu said that “drug trafficking, human trafficking and violence taking place,” — as well as the storage of weapons — present too many risks for outreach workers to be there.It’s not clear what Wu is planning but something drastic appears to be immin...

’23 Versa SR is a sporty means of transportation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

As the small sedan market dwindles, and mass-market manufacturers focus their time on SUVs and what EV’s they can draw up to top the competition, Nissan sits quietly in the corner and thrives on rightly-priced, small sporty sedans. The Versa is a prime example of small sedan excellence and our 2023 Versa SR tester brings back what commuting is all about. Over 35 mpg’s on our test and under a $20K base price, the Nissan Versa SR is very appealing visually and easy on the pocket.Powering the commuter, a 1.6 liter, DOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower. Paired with a basic CVT transmission, powertrain noise was certainly present. Although in the commuter category, the CVT is commonly present, it fits the bill for this price range and increases fuel mileage drastically.17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and SR emblems were nicely standard items on the Versa SR, while we noticed an array of standard safety features. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM and NissanCo...

Bud Light sales plunge following boycott over campaign with transgender influencer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

Anheuser-Busch Inbev reported a drop in U.S. revenue in the second quarter as Bud Light sales plunged amid a conservative backlash over a campaign with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.The world’s largest brewer said Thursday that revenue in the United States declined by 10.5% in the April-to-June period from a year earlier, “primarily due to the volume decline of Bud Light.”It has lost its place as America’s best-selling beer after more than two decades, slipping into second place in June behind Mexican lager Modelo Especial, which is also owned by the Belgium-based ABInBev.The company faced blowback after sending a commemorative Bud Light can to Mulvaney, who posted it to her millions of social media followers.Conservative figures and others called for a boycott of Bud Light, while Mulvaney’s supporters criticized the beer brand for not doing enough to support her. Mulvaney has said she faced bullying and transphobia, criticizing the brand for not reaching out to her am...