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Beware China’s salami tactics in Taiwan

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, is president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and host of the weekly podcast “World Review with Ivo Daalder.” Shortly before setting off for Japan and Taiwan to lead a delegation of prominent Chicagoans on a visit, I received an email from one of the travelers asking whether we had contingency plans for getting out of Taiwan in case something happened.  The question didn’t surprise me —discussions in the United States regarding China and Taiwan have focused on the increasing likelihood of war in the region for months now. Whether China will invade the island seems to be a given at this point — the questions are when and how.  Our visit to Taiwan, however, underscored that this debate misses the point: There’s no doubt that, under Xi Jinping, Beijing is bent on ensuring the People Republic of China’s control over the island it regards as sovereign territory — and few in Taiwan doubt he’s willing to use forc...

Labour MP accused of sexually harassing junior colleagues

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

LONDON — A Labour MP has been accused of multiple incidents of inappropriate behavior toward junior female colleagues over a long career in British politics.Five women said that Geraint Davies, a former House of Commons select committee chair who was first elected in 1997, subjected them to unwanted sexual attention, both physical and verbal, after coming into contact with them through his work as an MP.Many of the alleged incidents took place on the parliamentary estate, sometimes in bars or after late-night votes. One of the women he allegedly targeted was just 19 years old at the time.Davies, 63, said that he did not “recognize” the allegations, adding: “If I have inadvertently caused offence to anyone, then I am naturally sorry.”POLITICO spoke to more than 20 people who worked with Davies in parliament, including serving MPs and current and former members of Labour Party staff. They described a pattern of excessive drinking, sexual comments and unwanted t...

State investigating after healthcare company, Compass Medical, closes local practices

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

A sudden shutdown left patients in the dark Wednesday as local healthcare company Compass Medical confirmed an “imminent plan” to close its practices.As patients eyed next steps, state officials said they are investigating what went wrong. Compass — with locations in Quincy, Braintree, East Bridgewater, Easton, Middleborough and Taunton — shared a message on its website saying “After a steady stream of challenges, we were ultimately forced to make the devastating decision to close all offices of Compass Medical PC. effective immediately.”  “There is no good way to share this news,” Compass said. “We are heartbroken and truly sorry as we know the unprecedented impact on our valued patients.”The statement came after many patients previously learned the news from their providers as they arrived at their appointments on Wednesday.“I’m devastated,” one person said. “I don’t know what to do.” “That was quite a shock,” sai...

Manhole fire leaves customers without power in Boston

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

An underground fire at an intersection in Boston dislodged a manhole cover and left close to 200 customers without power Wednesday night, according to Eversource officials. Eversource said an initial call came in around 8:50 p.m. reporting the incident at the intersection of Boston Street and Dorchester Avenue. Emergency crews responded and remained on scene as of around 10 p.m. A total of 196 customers were without power after this incident, according to Eversource. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Reds rally to beat Red Sox 5-4, beat Boston in series for 1st time since ’75 Fall Classic

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Spencer Steer hit a two-run homer to break a seventh-inning tie and the Cincinnati Reds took advantage of Rafael Devers’ throwing error to come from behind and beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Wednesday night.Kevin Newman, Matt McLain and Nick Senzel had two hits apiece for the Reds, who have won five in a row, taking the first two of their three games in Boston to beat the Red Sox in a series for the first time since the 1975 World Series.Ian Gibaut (5-1) pitched one inning of perfect relief for Cincinnati, which trailed 2-0 and 3-1 before scoring one in the sixth and three unearned runs off Josh Winckowski (2-1) in the seventh to take a 5-3 lead. Buck Farmer pitched the ninth, retiring Devers on a deep fly to center to end it and earn his first save.Masataka Yoshida curled a home run around the Pesky Pole and Emmanuel Valdez landed one on the shelf atop the Green Monster for Boston. Devers and Jarren Duran had RBI doubles.Boston led 3-1 after five and 3-2 through...

Mother of 2-year-old from Whitman pleads guilty in connection with toddler’s death

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

The mother of a two-year-old child from Whitman pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges in connection with her toddler’s death, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office announced. In December of 2019, police said Lyric Farrell, was taken to a local hospital after police received a call for an unresponsive child. Farrell was later taken off life support. In its statement, the DA’s office said investigators determined Farrell’s mother, 29-year-old Shaniqua Leonard, failed to take action when her daughter was in need of medical attention.“Lyric Farrell was a perfectly healthy 2 1/2 year-old who loved bubbles, her daycare, and the colors blue and purple,” District Attorney Timothy Cruz said this week. “She was loved, she was special, and didn’t deserve what happened to her.”The State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Farrell died from complications of blunt force trauma to the head. Leonard this week pleaded guilty to charges...

Danny Masterson convicted of 2 counts of rape, ‘That ’70s Show’ actor faces 30 years to life

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

By ANDREW DALTON (AP Entertainment Writer)LOS ANGELES (AP) — “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson was led out in handcuffs from a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and could get 30 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial, in which the Church of Scientology played a central role.Masterson’s wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, gasped when the verdict was read and wept as he was taken into custody, while a group of family and friends who sat stone-faced behind him throughout both trials.The jury of seven women and five men reached the verdict after deliberating for seven days spread over two weeks. They could not reach a verdict on the third count, that alleged Masterson raped a longtime girlfriend. They had voted 8-4 in favor of conviction.Masterson, 47, will be held without bail until he is sentenced. No sentencing date has yet been set, but the judge told Masterson and his lawyers to retu...

The Revolution rally to secure a 3-3 tie at Atlanta United

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

Midfielder Carles Gil scored his second goal of the game in stoppage time to salvage a 3-3 draw against Atlanta United on Wednesday night at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.The Revolution (7-3-5) gave up three unanswered goals in the second half and fell behind 3-2 in the 87th minute. Gil’s brace provided a needed point in the second match of three games in eight days. The Revolution resume MLS play at New York City FC on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.“That was the positive out of all of this, we probably didn’t deserve the point to be honest with you,” said Revolution coach Bruce Arena. “We were dominated in the second half in our inability to get around the ball and our passing was poor.“It took a tremendous goal by Carles Gil to get us a point and hopefully this is one to those games every team has. It was a bad game you generally loss and we got a point.”In order to accommodate the busy schedule, Arena made changes to both the Starting XI and attacking scheme that battled the Chicag...

Terrence Shannon Jr. will return to Illinois for 1 more year as players make NBA draft decisions at the deadline

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

Illinois got a big boost Wednesday night when All-Big Ten guard Terrence Shannon Jr. announced on social media that he will return to Champaign for a fifth college season in 2023-24.The 6-foot-6 Shannon, who went to Lincoln Park High School, averaged 17.2 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Illini last season after transferring from Texas Tech.“Excited to be back in Littyville and play for the best fans in the country,” Shannon tweeted. “Let’s do this!!”Wednesday was the NCAA’s deadline for players who declared as early entrants to the NBA draft to withdraw and retain their college eligibility. Purdue center Zach Edey, the AP player of the year, and guard Tristen Newton of national champion Connecticut also were among those withdrawing.But Kentucky’s star big man, Oscar Tshiebwe — the 2022 AP player of the year — is sticking with his pro pursuit, announcing that he will remain in the draft.Newton (10.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.5 reboun...

Yankees Notebook: Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, Tommy Kahnle could all return vs. Dodgers

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:58 GMT

SEATTLE — Aaron Boone is saying “there’s a chance.”That was the manager’s response when asked if Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle could all return when the Yankees begin a three-game series with the Dodgers on Friday. “We’ll see,” Boone added.Donaldson and Kahnle were already expected to return for the series, but MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reported that Stanton was flying with the two to Los Angeles.“They’ve all been doing pretty well here for a while and been able to do a lot of physical work to get themselves prepared,” Boone said. Stanton and Donaldson have been out since April 15 and April 5, respectively, following hamstring injuries, while bicep tendinitis derailed Kahnle’s spring training and the start of his latest stint with the Yankees.Donaldson and Kahnle have played in multiple rehab games, but Stanton has only played in one, an 0-for-3 appearance at Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. B...