Poland’s parliament elects centrist party leader Donald Tusk as prime minister after 8 years of stormy conservative rule

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

Poland’s parliament elects centrist party leader Donald Tusk as prime minister after 8 years of stormy conservative rule WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s parliament elects centrist party leader Donald Tusk as prime minister after 8 years of stormy conservative rule.Source

Special counsel Smith asks the Supreme Court to rule quickly on whether ex-President Trump is immune from prosecution

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

Special counsel Smith asks the Supreme Court to rule quickly on whether ex-President Trump is immune from prosecution WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Smith asks the Supreme Court to rule quickly on whether ex-President Trump is immune from prosecution.Source

Jury seated in election workers’ defamation damages trial against Rudy Giuliani

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

Jury seated in election workers’ defamation damages trial against Rudy Giuliani WASHINGTON (AP) — A jury was sworn in Monday in the federal case that will determine how how much Rudy Giuliani might have to pay two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of fraud while pushing Donald Trump’s baseless claims after the 2020 election. The former New York City mayor has already been found liable in the defamation lawsuit brought by Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, who endured threats and harassment after they became the target of a conspiracy theory spread by Trump and his allies. The only issue to be determined at the trial is the amount of damages, if any, Giuliani must pay. Giuliani did not speak to reporters as he entered Washington’s federal courthouse — the same building where Trump is set to stand trial in March on criminal charges accusing the former president of scheming to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden. Opening arguments in the case were expected to start Monday afternoon.Giuliani is expected to take the witne...

Colorado spot named one of the best ski restaurants in North America

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

Colorado spot named one of the best ski restaurants in North America DENVER (KDVR) -- Gone are the days when the best food at a ski lodge is deli meat and french fries. Restaurants across North America now serve gourmet food near the slopes, and one of the best spots for post-ski grub is in Colorado.USAToday released winter surveys of the best cross-country skiing, ski resorts, places to learn how to ski and ski hotels in the U.S. and across North America. These Colorado spots are the best in US for cross-country skiing Unsurprisingly, Colorado made all of these lists.USAToday also surveyed experts and readers on the best ski restaurants across North America, and a restaurant in Crested Butte restaurant ranked. No 6 on the list.Here's the full list of the best ski restaurants in North America:The Reserve - Tamarack, IdahoCorbet's Cabin - Jackson Hole, WyomingThe Chalet at Alpine Meadows - Alpine Meadows, CaliforniaWhitehorn Bistro - Lake Louise, AlbertaThe Goldener Hirsch Restaurant - Park City, UtahUley's Cabin - Mt. Crested Butte, ColoradoThe Mar...

‘Day of the Dozens’: Krispy Kreme selling dozen donuts for $1 for annual celebration

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

‘Day of the Dozens’: Krispy Kreme selling dozen donuts for $1 for annual celebration Donut lovers, listen up! Krispy Kreme’s dozen donuts will be on sale for $1 on December 12th as part of their “Day of the Dozens” annual celebration.Customers can purchase the dozen donuts for $1 with the purchase of any dozen or a 16-count of Minis at regular price.The deal will only last one day and can be redeemed in-store, through the drive-thru, or online using promo code “DOZEN.” at all participating restaurants. Customers who buy it in-store or through the drive thru will be limited to two boxes of donuts while those who buy it online will be limited to one box.

52-foot-long dead fin whale washes up on San Diego beach; cause of death unclear

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

52-foot-long dead fin whale washes up on San Diego beach; cause of death unclear SAN DIEGO (AP) — A 52-foot-long (16-meter-long) dead fin whale washed up on a San Diego beach over the weekend and officials said there was no obvious sign of the cause of death.The young female whale was found Sunday in Mission Beach and was later towed out to sea, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.Fin whales are the second largest whales in the world after blue whales. They can grow to 70 to 80 feet (21 to 24 meters) long and weigh about 50 tons, or 100,000 pounds (45,000 kilograms). They are endangered and thought to number around 8,000 off the West Coast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.“It’s probably in the first couple years of its life,” Michael Milstein, a spokesperson for NOAA Fisheries West Coast region, told the newspaper. “It didn’t appear to have been dead very long because there wasn’t much evidence of scavenging or decomposition. But there was also no obvious sign of the cause of death.”In cases where whales have been killed by...

Trump who? Republicans in Dubai try to carve out their own climate agenda.

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

Trump who? Republicans in Dubai try to carve out their own climate agenda. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Republicans at global climate summits don’t talk about Donald.The GOP lawmakers who trekked to Dubai for the U.N. climate gathering made it plain they’re not eager to discuss Donald Trump and his long history of denouncing climate change as a Chinese-inspired “hoax.” The reality is that the former president’s views are several multiverses away from the mainstream at this nearly 200-nation gathering in Dubai. Never mind his commanding lead in the 2024 Republican primary race and the polls suggesting he would beat President Joe Biden.The lawmakers insist they came to COP28 to promote their own Republican vision of climate action, one that champions American fossil fuels and nuclear energy while acknowledging the need — and growing political imperative — to offer some plan for cutting greenhouse gas pollution. They prefer not to dwell on the chances of that agenda surviving the tsunami of a second Trump administration.“No. 1, he’s not the nominee right now...

Donald Tusk wins parliament’s backing to be new Polish PM

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

Donald Tusk wins parliament’s backing to be new Polish PM After nine years out of power, Donald Tusk is back — securing the support of the Polish parliament on Monday evening to head a new government. The vote was 248 in favor and 201 against, cementing his return nearly two months after a coalition of opposition parties led by the former European Council president delivered a surprising win in the October 15 national election. “I want to thank the Polish people,” Tusk told cheering MPs. “Thank you Poland, this is a great day, not for me, but for all those who for these long years deeply believed that it will still be better, that we will chase away the darkness, chase away the evil.”Earlier on Monday, Poland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki lost a vote of confidence 266-190 in the lower house of parliament, officially putting an end to the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party’s eight-year stint in power. That paves the way for Tusk to forge a centrist, pro-EU government from his Civic Coal...

No major injuries reported after vehicle fire in garage triggers evacuation at Waltham medical facility

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

No major injuries reported after vehicle fire in garage triggers evacuation at Waltham medical facility No major injuries were reported after a vehicle caught fire next to a Waltham medical facility, leading to dozens of people evacuating. According to a statement issued by Mass General Brigham, it was a vehicle in the patient parking garage at Mass General Waltham that caught fire Monday morning, leading to firefighters being called in and police closing off access to the medical center.During the response, officials said a portion of the facility closest to the fire was evacuated as a result, with “no major injuries” reported during the incident.“Delays related to this incident have resulted in some patient appointments being rescheduled,” the statement read. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Waltham Fire Department and the Mass General Waltham staff for their quick response and assistance.”No details on what led to the vehicle catching fire have been released, with MGB officials noting that the car was quickly extinguis...

The rise of all-cash homebuyers, and what it means for the market

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:06 GMT

The rise of all-cash homebuyers, and what it means for the market Mia Taylor | (TNS) Bankrate.comFor many Americans, owning a home is a major life goal. An overwhelming 74% of U.S. adults consider homeownership to be a part of the “American dream,” according to Bankrate’s Financial Security survey. But realizing that dream has become much more challenging recently. It’s not just today’s steep home prices and record-high mortgage rates that are pushing homeownership further out of reach. Lately, there has also been a proliferation of all-cash home purchases, which is making an already daunting market even trickier for hopeful buyers.All-cash homebuyers don’t require a mortgage loan to make a home purchase, instead paying for the home in full, upfront. These types of transactions have skyrocketed to their highest levels in nearly a decade, according to a November 2023 study by Redfin. For buyers who don’t have such deep pockets, it’s yet another obstacle in an already difficult market.The rise of all-cash home purchasesWith record high mortgage rate...