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Biden, Xi hold first talks in a year. Global conflicts, fentanyl and stable ties top their agenda

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

WOODSIDE, Calif. (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping opened their first face-to-face meeting in more than a year Wednesday with a solid handshake ahead of talks with far-reaching implications for a world grappling with economic cross currents, wars in the Middle East and Europe, tensions in Taiwan and more.The two leaders, meeting at a bucolic country estate outside San Francisco, are looking to get communication back on track after a tumultuous year and to show the world that while they are global economic competitors, they’re not locked in a winner-take-all faceoff.Biden arrived first and awaited Xi, who got out of a black car and took Biden’s hand before the two leaders walked a red carpet through the estate’s grand entrance with a China flag on one side and a U.S. flag on the other. Five Marines stood in formation.Since they last met, already fraught ties have been further strained by the U.S. downing of a Chinese spy balloon that had traversed the cont...

3 people injured in Brockton crash, including mother and child

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

Authorities in Brockton say a mother and her child suffered minor injuries after a crash involving two vehicles Wednesday morning.The Brockton Police Department said the two-car collision happened at 11 a.m. by the intersection of Forest and Warren avenues.According to authorities, the driver of a Toyota Corolla had been heading south on Warren Avenue when she allegedly crashed into a sedan, with the impact of the crash sending the Corolla into the side of a building.Police said the driver of the Corolla and her child were taken to South Shore Hospital with “multiple injuries” that were not considered life-threatening, while a 50-year-old man in the other vehicle was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for what were also believed to be minor injuries.Authorities did not say whether there would be any charges in the crash, but noted that the business struck would be shut down.No additional details were released.

Kevin Hart to receive the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

(CNN) — Kevin Hart is set to receive one of the most prestigious awards in the world of comedy.He will be presented the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on March 24, 2024 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.“I’ve been doing comedy since the inception of this award 25 years ago. To be honored in this commemorative year feels surreal,” Hart said in a statement. “Comedy is my outlet for social commentary and observations on life—I am grateful to the Kennedy Center for recognizing my voice and impact on culture.”“I can’t wait to celebrate!” he added.The Prize is named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists and will be awarded at a gala performance featuring some of the biggest names in comedy.It recognizes individuals who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist Samuel Clemens, who was colloquially known as Mark Twain.“For over three decades, Kevin Hart has been a source of laughter across America ...

New Hampshire’s 2024 primary will take place on January 23

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

(CNN) — New Hampshire will hold its “first-in-the-nation” presidential primary on January 23 next year, putting the state at odds with national Democrats and President Joe Biden, who will not be on the primary ballot.New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan made the announcement Wednesday at the statehouse in Concord.The primary is now scheduled to take place about one week after Iowa holds its Republican caucuses on January 15, setting up the earliest start to the presidential nominating process since 2012.Under state law, New Hampshire must hold its primary before any other state’s primary.While the Republican contest in New Hampshire will be recognized by the national party, the January 23 date will make the state’s Democratic primary noncompliant with the Democratic National Committee’s revamped nominating calendar. That will likely cost the state delegates to the national convention next summer.Under a Biden-backed plan approved by the DNC ea...

Driver charged in death of New Hampshire state trooper to change plea to guilty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — A Connecticut truck driver who was charged in a highway crash that killed a New Hampshire state trooper has indicated he will change his plea to guilty.The crash killed Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill in fall 2021. Jay Medeiros of Ashford, Connecticut, was later charged with negligent homicide and reckless conduct.Authorities say Medeiros was driving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 in Portsmouth that struck Sherrill’s cruiser while the trooper was working at the site of an overnight paving project.Medeiros filed an intent to change his plea from not guilty to guilty earlier this month, the Foster’s Daily Democrat reported. Plea and sentencing for Medeiros are scheduled for January, the newspaper reported.Medeiros is represented by attorney Ronald Caron, who declined to comment to the Daily Democrat.Sherrill was 44 at the time of his death and had worked in law enforcement in New Hampshire for 20 years.

Red Sox reliever claimed off waivers by San Diego Padres

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

The Red Sox announced Wednesday that right-hander Logan Gillaspie has been claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.The 26-year-old reliever came to Boston late in the season, with the Red Sox claiming him off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 4. Though Gillaspie made four appearances at Triple-A Worcester, he never appeared in a big league game for Boston.Through two big league seasons Gillaspie has made 28 appearances and posted a 4.10 ERA over 26.1 innings, all with the Orioles. Last season he had a 6.00 ERA in nine big league appearances with Baltimore along with a 4.20 ERA in 38 Triple-A outings, including four scoreless appearances with the WooSox.Originally from Bakersfield, California, Gillaspie played community college baseball at Oxnard College and two years of indy ball before signing with the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2018. He then joined the Orioles after sitting out 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and made his big league debut in 2022.With Gillas...

Fact check: Do Republican spending cuts threaten federal HIV funding? For some programs, yes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

Grace Abels | KFF Health News (TNS)Republicans in Congress are “trying to wipe out federal funding to end the HIV epidemic.”President Joe Biden on Oct. 14, 2023, in remarks at the 2023 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner.____Are Republicans threatening to stop spending federal money to end one of the world’s most pressing public health epidemics? That’s what President Joe Biden said during a dinner hosted by an LGBTQ+ advocacy group.“In the United States Congress, extreme MAGA Republicans are trying to undo virtually every bit of progress we’ve made,” Biden said Oct. 14 at the Human Rights Campaign event. “They’re trying to wipe out federal funding to end the HIV epidemic.”Programs to treat HIV and fight its spread have enjoyed bipartisan funding support in recent years, experts said, so Biden’s portrayal signals a significant departure.When we asked the White House what Biden was referring to, it pointed us to reports of budget recommendations from House Republicans that call for...

Chicago Cubs add 3 minor leaguers to 40-man roster — and Craig Counsell is runner-up again for NL manager of the year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

The Chicago Cubs have added a trio of pitching prospects to the 40-man roster.Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to protect eligible minor leaguers from the Rule 5 draft in December, Triple-A Iowa left-hander Bailey Horn, Double-A Tennessee right-hander Porter Hodge and High-A South Bend right-hander Michael Arias were put on the Cubs’ 40-man roster.The moves filled the remaining open spots as free agency gets underway.Horn spent six games at Double A to start the season before moving up to Triple A in April. He saw action in 39 games as a reliever for Iowa, posting a 4.58 ERA in 53 innings pitched. Horn, 25, was selected by the White Sox in the fifth round of the 2020 draft out of Auburn. The Cubs acquired him from the Sox ahead of the 2021 trade deadline for reliever Ryan Tepera.Hodge spent the full 2023 season with Double A, earning a 5.13 ERA in 35 games, including 12 starts as he primarily pitched out of the bullpen for the first time in his career. Drafted by the Cubs in ...

US to cover HIV prevention drugs for older Americans to stem spread of the virus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

Michael Scaturro | (TNS) KFF Health NewsA proposed federal policy aims to protect older Americans from contracting HIV by offering free preventive medication, the latest effort to catch up to much of Europe and Africa in stemming the spread of the virus.Under the plan from the Biden administration, Medicare would cover patients’ full cost of preexposure prophylaxis drugs, which prevent HIV transmission. The drugs, known by the shorthand “PrEP,” would be free in pill form and — for the first time — as long-acting injectables through the government insurance program designed for those 65 and older. Those 50 and over make up half of all people in the U.S. already living with HIV.The proposed policy change represents a big shift because it means that even new long-acting injectable versions of PrEP drugs, which can cost more than $20,000 a year in the U.S., would be covered fully, without requiring patients to kick in copayments. It is not yet clear what the plan would mean for taxpayer...

It’s November and that means year-end financial planning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:52 GMT

While many of us were hoping that 2022’s market volatility and challenges for investors would be in the past, this year has reminded us that an unpredictable market is, actually, normal.The year so far has given us a stock market filled with highs and lows, a flat bond market, high mortgage rates, rising interest rates and the global effects of wars in Europe and the Middle East.Yet as with any year, a general financial review is necessary at year-end to stay focused on your financial goals and objectives. With that in mind, here are a few year-end topics that would be prudent to review:Tax-loss harvestingTax-loss harvesting is an investing approach used for taxable accounts. Retirement accounts do not qualify.To take advantage of tax-loss harvesting, consider selling select investments at a loss to help offset tax implications from other holdings that have generated taxable capital gains. Eligible investments aren’t limited to stocks or stock funds, which means losses from bonds an...