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Corona baby bump? First uptick in EU births since 2016, data shows

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

Eurostat data released Thursday shows 4.09 million babies were born in the European Union in 2021 — a 20,000 increase from 2020.This uptick is the first increase in the number of births in the EU since 2016.Although the lockdown measures implemented throughout Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic had led to speculation as to whether these would lead to a birth surge, birth rates actually decreased in 2020, before rising again in 2021 in some countries. This caused some scientists to believe people had simply waited for the initial shock of the pandemic to pass to have children. The fertility rate (the average number of children a woman is projected to have over her lifetime) also increased for the first time since 2016, with an EU average of 1.53 live births per woman — up from 1.50 in 2020. France had the highest fertility rate in Europe, with 1.84 live births per woman, while Malta had the lowest at 1.13 live births per woman.

French judge drops embezzlement case against Sylvie Goulard

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

PARIS — A French judge dropped a case Thursday against former French minister and ex-MEP Sylvie Goulard involving misuse of public funds, AFP reported citing people close to the matter. Back in 2019, Goulard was French President Emmanuel Macron’s top pick as EU commissioner, but the European Parliament rejected her appointment following two parliamentary hearings in which she faced questions on allegations that she used a European Parliament assistant for domestic political work. Her work for a U.S. think tank as well as the size of her portfolio were also called into question.At that time, several MEPs cited “integrity” and “ethical aspects” as reasons to reject her as a potential commissioner. Others suspected that the European People’s Party (EPP) wanted to exact revenge on Macron after he torpedoed EPP group leader Manfred Weber’s campaign for the European Commission presidency.After Goulard’s rejection, Macron backed Thierry Breto...

‘Over my dead body’: How Georgian protesters beat a Russian-style legal threat to their freedoms

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

TBILISI — Victory didn’t come easy for Georgians, who faced down riot police and water cannon over the past two nights to overturn a Russian-inspired law that they feared would derail their prospects of an EU future. While more than three-quarters of Georgians support NATO and EU membership, protesters believe that the ruling Georgian Dream party is deliberately trying to scupper that westward political trajectory in order not to rock the boat with the Kremlin. The latest trigger for anti-government demonstrations was the government’s (very Russian-looking) bill on identifying “foreign agents” — legislation that many feared could be used to muzzle journalists and civic activists in the run-up to elections expected next year. Davit Korbaia, a 39-year-old lawyer, came to the protests with his son upon his back, wrapped in a Georgian flag. “I came for my kid’s better, European future. For our independence,” he said on Wednesday night. Upset that he wasn’t abl...

85-year-old woman to appear in court in connection with Acton hit-and-run that injured teen

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

The 85-year-old Maynard woman accused in connection with a a hit-and-run that injured a teen in Acton earlier this year is set to face a judge Thursday.Police say the woman hit 13-year-old Cesar Soto on Great Road last November and then left the scene.Investigators used surveillance video from nearby businesses to identify the car they believe was involved and track it down.Soto was rushed to a trauma center and spent several weeks in the hospital before finally returning home in mid-December.

Chaim Topol, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ actor, dies age 87

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

(CNN) — Chaim Topol, the actor best known for playing Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” has died, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced. He was 87.Netanyahu paid tribute to Topol on Thursday and conveyed his condolences, calling him a “multi-faceted artist, with great charisma and energy.”“Sadly, the fiddler on the roof is no longer with us. The strings of the fiddle have fallen silent. The story of Haim Topol’s life has been sealed but I am certain that his contribution to Israeli culture will live on for generations,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “He greatly loved the land of Israel, and the people of Israel loved him in return.”Born September 9, 1935 in Tel Aviv, Topol was known by his surname throughout his career.He began his career as an actor after being assigned to the entertainment troop while doing army service in Israel. It was while serving that he also met his future wife, Galia Topo...

Police: 8 people arrested in connection with Hampden County drug trafficking ring

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

Eight people have been arrested in connection with a major drug trafficking ring in Hampden County, according to state police. Police say an investigation that began last month resulted in the seizure of multiple kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine, three firearms, and more than $100,000 in suspected drug sale proceeds.The drug trafficking ring was investigated by multiple police departments and state agencies, including the West Unit of the State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET-West).Officers seized approximately 9.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 2.3 kilograms of a narcotic packaged as heroin and determined to be fentanyl, 28 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, 18 pounds of marijuana, approximately $104,000 in cash, six motor vehicles, and three handguns. “CINRET’s unique mission is to interdict large-scale drug trafficking organizations through long-term, complex investigations,” State Police Interim Colonel John Mawn Jr. said in a ...

Bishop Connelly High School in Fall River to close at the end of the school year

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

Bishop Connelly Catholic High School in Fall River will be closing its doors at the end of the academic year, school administrators announced this week. The Diocese of Fall River says that the school is closing due to a decline in enrollment combined with the financial impact of the pandemic and inflation.The diocese says it will hold meetings and work with families to transition students to new schools. Mount Alvernia High School in Newton will also be closing its doors at its campus on Center Street at the end of the current academic year, school administrators announced on Wednesday. Administrators said the school’s founders who own the property are selling off the land. They added that it will be unsustainable to have the school operating independently on Centre Street.Mount Alvernia is arranging for student transportation and reviewing possibilities to have faculty transition to Fontbonne Academy in Milton.

Dolphins clear more than $14 million in cap space with restructure of Bradley Chubb deal, reports say

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

The Miami Dolphins’ process of clearing cap space this week continued with the team restructuring the contract of edge rusher Bradley Chubb, according to reports Thursday morning.The Dolphins created $14.656 million in cap relief by restructuring Chubb’s deal after trading for him at last season’s early November deadline and reaching a massive five-year, $110 million extension to keep him under contract through 2027, NBC sports and USA Today reported.Miami should now be within $1 million over the 2023 salary cap after also releasing tight end Cethan Carter on Tuesday. The Dolphins are releasing cornerback Byron Jones when free agency begins, but those savings would be realized until June as the organization stood to save around $10 million more by cutting Jones with a post-June 1 designation.The Dolphins are a step closer to regaining flexibility heading into free agency, with negotiations to begin Monday and Wednesday being the first day free agents can sign with ...

Column: Pedro Grifol doesn’t need a T-shirt slogan to win back disgruntled Chicago White Sox fans

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

During a postgame news conference last June at Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa showed up wearing a T-shirt with the word “FAMILY” spelled out in capital letters above the team’s logo.It was clearly a message of unity during a trying time for both the Sox and La Russa, who was in the spotlight for some head-scratching in-game decisions.During a June 11 home game against the Texas Rangers, the first volley of “Fire Tony” chants was heard at the ballpark.“They are coming to the game and they can say whatever they want,” infielder Jake Burger said afterward. “I know this clubhouse is a family and we are going to stick together no matter what. You can have outside opinions, but this clubhouse, we are tight and it’s a family.”La Russa is gone now and the Sox “FAMILY” T-shirts are collectibles. The players themselves didn’t actually believe they were a family, it turns out, but they...

Sentence reduced for man in deadly DUI case

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:35:33 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- On Wednesday, a judge reduced the sentence for a man serving time for driving under the influence in a deadly 2018 crash.Rene Ruiz will now avoid that sentence on part of a re-sentencing law now that went into effect last year. Under Penal Code 654, it gives the court discretion when sentencing two charges that essentially cover the same conduct.Click here to view the Penal Code 654. Man suspected of motorcycle theft, drug possession “I’m going to be perfectly clear: at the time of sentencing, this was not an easy case for the court,” said the San Diego County judge.In 2018, Ruiz was found to be driving under the influence of methamphetamine and Xanax when he crashed his vehicle, in turn, killing one of his passengers -- a woman named Melani Feliciano.Under Penal Code 654, it states while a person may be charged and convicted of more than one crime covering the same conduct, the court can chose to punish on the lesser charge.A jury found Ruiz guilty of murder, gross ...