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POLITICO London Playbook awards 2023: all the winners from a wild year in UK politics

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

LONDON — It was meant to be the year two quiet technocrats, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, brought calm to the fevered Westminster swamp. Unfortunately SW1 didn’t get the memo.Politics remained pretty much as wild in 2023 as it has been since David Cameron — back in action as U.K. foreign secretary — last stalked the corridors of power. POLITICO hardly need remind you that with a general election looming in Britain and Donald Trump battling for the U.S. presidency, next year is unlikely to get any calmer. But before we embark on the joys of 2024, it’s time to honor those who excelled in 2023 with the London Playbook awards.Minister of the yearHonorable mention to Grant Shapps for managing to hold down five Cabinet jobs in the space of 12 months — imagine the sheer number of briefing notes he’s waded through. Scotland Secretary Alis...

Maine Mother and child found safe after Amber Alert

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

SACO, Maine (WHDH) — Maine State Police have cancelled an Amber Alert issued Thursday at the request of the Saco Police Department after the missing mother and child were found safe.The two, who were residing in the Biddeford area, were forced into a white Ford Explorer with New York registration by a male suspect. At 3:41 p.m. the vehicle crossed the tolls into New York State.Police have not released details on where the two were located. This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Plum Island house fire likely caused by Christmas tree

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

The Newburyport Fire Department said a Plum Island house fire may have been caused by the resident’s holiday décor. Firefighters responded to the fire Thursday night. Authorities said when they arrived on scene they saw flames coming from a Christmas tree in the home’s living room. The person living in the home and her dog both got out safely.Fire officials are reminding residents to water their trees and not to plug lights into an extension cord.

State Police investigating 495 crash in Littleton

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

Massachusetts State Police are investigating a bad crash on Route 495 in Littleton.A section of the northbound side of the highway was shut down overnight near Route 2.Crews worked to remove a van that was off of the highway overnight.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

5 takeaways from a 120-104 Bulls loss to the Pacers, including Dalen Terry leading a comeback and Tyrese Haliburton’s 20/20

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

Short-handed and fighting uphill against a higher-ranked opponent, the Chicago Bulls nearly landed yet another acrobatic feat Thursday as they erased a 25-point deficit to the Indiana Pacers.The Bulls trailed by double-digits until the final 90 seconds of the third quarter. They took the lead for all of seven seconds in the fourth. But as the roster continues to struggle with the absences of Zach LaVine, Torrey Craig and Nikola Vučević, the Bulls didn’t have enough in the tank to complete the comeback.With a 120-104 loss to the Pacers, the Bulls are now 14-19 as they jockey to maintain their 10th spot in the Eastern Conference — and claw closer to .500.Here are five takeaways from the loss.1. Dalen Terry played a key role in the second-half run to erase a 25-point deficit.Dalen Terry was at the heart of the comeback in the second half, scoring a tough layup through traffic to extend the offensive run to 10-0 and drawing a charge to erase a bad pass turnover on ...

Position switch has paid off for Patriots impending free agent

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

FOXBORO — Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson has made a position switch look seamless five years into his NFL career as he continues to make plays week after week on a defense that’s shining despite the team’s 4-11 record.Wilson, 25, started playing the majority of his defensive snaps on the edge, rather than his natural position at off-ball linebacker, after the Patriots’ Week 11 bye. He’s found a new lease on life as an NFL defender with sacks in three consecutive games and 12 total hurries, all of which have come since Week 9.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Marco Wilson excited about Patriots’ history developing cornerbacks New England Patriots | Patriots Christian Barmore reluctantly acknowledges he just had his best game New England Patriots | Patriots OC Bill O’Brien once advised Alabama QB Jalen Milroe to change positions New England Patriots | Patriots-Bills injury report: Ezekiel Elliott out wi...

New Year’s Eve: Here’s where you can ring in 2024 across the Greater Toronto Area

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

As 2023 comes to a close, municipalities and other organizations across the Greater Toronto Area are ramping up preparations for New Year’s Eve.If you’re looking to enjoy New Year’s festivities Sunday night and into Monday morning, there are several options to consider. As for getting around across the region, GO Transit and UP Express will be offering fare-free rides after 7 p.m. on Sunday.TorontoOnce again, the main festivities will be held along Toronto’s waterfront this year instead of at Nathan Phillips Square and city hall.Celebrations will begin at 10 p.m. on Sunday. The City of Toronto Festivities, music, and pop-up dance performances will be happening at Sherbourne Common (61 Dockside Dr.), Harbourfront Centre’s Exhibition Common (235 Queens Quay West) and the Toronto Music Garden (476 Queens Quay West). Other recommended viewing spots included Sugar Beach, Harbour Square, HTO and Little Norway parks.The countdown to the midnight fireworks show...

Weekend need-to-know: Take a dip into the New Year

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

While most people will be preparing to celebrate New Year’s Eve this Sunday, there are still lots of events to attend in the GTA over the weekend.More information on how to celebrate New Year’s can be found here and make sure to take advantage of the free TTC service on Sunday evening to get you to your celebrations safely.There are no TTC or GO Train closures over the weekend, and if you want full details of what’s open and closed over the holidays, click here.Here are some of the events you can enjoy.Polar Bear Dips across the GTAWhy not start off 2024 with a dip in the freezing cold Lake Ontario? There are lots of opportunities to take part. The Toronto Polar Bear Club will be doing their Annual New Years Day dip in support of Boost CYAC which provides support for child abuse victims all under one roof. Each ticket costs $30 with all the proceeds going to Boost CYACIn Oakville, the 39th annual Courage Polar Bear Dip will be happening at Coronation Park on Jan. 1....

North Korea’s new reactor at nuclear site likely to be formally operational next summer, Seoul says

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A light-water reactor at North Korea’s main nuclear complex will likely be formally operational by next summer, South Korea’s defense minister said, amid suspicions that the North may use it as a new source of fissile materials for nuclear weapons.Concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program deepened recently as the U.N. atomic agency and foreign experts said they’ve detected signs indicating that North Korea had begun operating its light-water reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear complex.IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said last week that his agency had observed increased levels of activity at and near the reactor and since mid-October, a strong water outflow from its cooling system. He said the reactor is “a cause for concern” because it can produce plutonium — one of the two key ingredients used to manufacture nuclear weapons, along with highly enriched uranium.The South Korean Defense Ministry said Friday that Defense Minister Shin Wonsik told local repo...

Palestinians stream into a southern Gaza town as Israel expands its offensive in the center

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:02:32 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into an already crowded town at the southernmost end of Gaza in recent days, according to the United Nations, fleeing Israel’s bombardment of the center of the strip, where hospital officials said dozens were killed Friday.Israel’s unprecedented air and ground offensive against Hamas has displaced some 85% of the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless also bombed. That has left Palestinians with a harrowing sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave.People arrived in Rafah in trucks, in carts and on foot. Those who haven’t found space in the already overwhelmed shelters have built tents on the roadsides.“People are using any empty space to build shacks,” said Juliette Touma, director of communications at UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. “Some are sleeping in their cars, and others...