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Quebec confronts 150 wildfires, effects felt as far away as New York City, New England

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

MONTREAL (AP) — Northern Quebec’s largest town was being evacuated while another that had been threatened by wildfires lifted an evacuation order Tuesday, as firefighters worked to beat back threats from out-of-control blazes in remote communities in the northern and northwestern parts of the province.According to the province’s forest fire prevention agency, more than 150 forest fires were burning in the province on Tuesday, including more than 110 deemed out of control. The intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. and parts of Eastern Canada in a haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.The effects of hundreds of wildfires burning in Quebec could be felt as far away as New York City and New England, blotting out skylines and irritating throats.Late Tuesday, authorities issued an evacuation order for Chibougamau, Quebec, a town of about 7,500 in the remote region of the province. Auth...

Mike Johnston elected Denver's next mayor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Mike Johnston has been elected mayor of Denver, defeating Kelly Brough in the runoff race.The race had been tight since the two advanced to the runoff following April's election, with a poll early in the race showing Johnston with a slight lead over Brough. A total of 17 candidates for mayor were on the ballot in April.Johnston had a significant advantage in money raised to support his candidacy, with millions more in super PAC money backing his campaign than Brough's. Full results: Denver runoff election Johnston will be sworn in as Denver's 46th mayor on July 17.This was the first open mayor’s race in 12 years, since Michael Hancock was first elected in 2011.As the city's new mayor, Johnston will face issues including homelessness in the city, school safety and an influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border.As the leader of the city and county of Denver, the mayor proposes the budge and oversees the operations of Denver International Airport, the police dep...

Uber chief doubles down on Europe in face of new tech rules

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

AMSTERDAM — Europe tamed Uber. The once-rebellious ride-hailing application faces European Union legislation that aims to overhaul its business model, but the company’s chief executive officer is pledging allegiance to the European market, doubling down on the firm’s presence. “The European way is increasingly going to become the Uber way,” Dara Khosrowshahi told POLITICO in an interview at Uber’s European headquarters in Amsterdam. “If you characterize a European model, probably too simplistically, as responsible capitalism, capitalism with protections, we think that is an appropriate model going forward.”The European Union is finalizing a Platform Work Directive law that could make many Uber drivers and couriers full employees. The law takes aim at the lack of social protections and benefits in the so-called gig economy driven by apps organizing short-term work stints. Uber, for its part, has long been the poster child for the regulation-defying Silicon Valley firms that cre...

‘Past Lives’ gets personal for star John Magaro

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

“Past Lives,” a celebrated Sundance and Berlin directing debut for screenwriter Celine Song, is also a life-imitates-art experience for leading man John Magaro.A self-described “journeyman” actor, Magaro’s profile has risen after working with writer-directors like Todd Haynes (“Carol” opposite Cate Blanchett) and Kelly Reichardt (“First Cow,” “Showing Up”).As Arthur in “Past Lives,” he’s married to Nora, a Korean-American (Greta Lee) who finds herself wondering “What if?” when a Korean man (Teo Yoo) she knew 20 years earlier shows up in Manhattan.“Nora’s family emigrated to Canada from Korea when she was 12,” Magaro, 40, explained. “She went to college in New York City, is building a career as a budding playwright and writer and met Arthur at a writer’s retreat.“Celine’s husband Justin is, like Arthur, a writer. Celine drew from her own experiences for the kernel of this story.”Magaro didn’t base Arthur on Song’s husband. “I met him after I got cast. Celine and Justin came ove...

Hamrock: We can optimize mental health, addiction care for most vulnerable

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

As a longstanding primary care and addiction medicine physician in Boston, I see a tremendous opportunity to properly address the significant health disparities brought to light by the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in opioid overdoses, and the inadequate responses to mental health crisis situations in our region. All these challenges demand a more comprehensive and humanistic approach to optimize the physical and mental health and safety of our most vulnerable citizens.This would be accomplished by bringing these vital services directly into the homes and neighborhoods of our residents by Mobile Integrated Community Care Units (MICCUs). MICCUs could serve as extensions of the local Community Health Centers in Boston with close partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission and all Boston hospitals.These units would be staffed by an EMT-Paramedic, a clinical social worker, and an alcohol and drug counselor. They would have immediate and direct access for consultations with the b...

Editorial: All victims deserve timely DNA evidence testing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

The arrest of New Jersey attorney Mathew Nilo on a series of rape and assault charges was a feat of forensic mastery. Nilo, who has pleaded not guilty, was charged after his DNA was lifted from a glass and utensils at a corporate event he attended, according to prosecutors.Rape kits were performed on the victims in the 2007 and 2008 cases and the DNA collected linked to one genetic profile. No suspect, however, was identified.That’s often the case when suspects aren’t convicted offenders, who have their DNA collected and sent to CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System. That computer software program enables police to search for DNA matches when working a case.Without a suspect, these cases, like so many, remained unsolved, until Boston police revisited them last year, according to Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Lynn Feigenbaum, using newer “forensic investigative genetic genealogy” tools.Thanks to this breakthrough, DNA from a suspect’s family can serve as a tool...

Buford-Young: Women entrepreneurs at risk if IP protections fall

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

Nearly 10 years ago, American society crossed a gender rubicon.In 2014, for the first time in history, more women than men graduated with a four-year college degree.Yet while women are an ever-increasing presence in boardrooms and C-Suites, there is one critical area where things seem stuck in time. That’s venture funding for women-led startups, especially in tech.That’s why I’m worried about an upcoming decision at the World Trade Organization. Without meaning to, global policymakers could take action that makes it harder for women entrepreneurs – especially in the life sciences – to attract venture capital.In the United States and elsewhere, strong protection for intellectual property rights is key to innovation. That’s what start-ups start with — a discovery or invention that’s securely their own, either because they themselves own the patent or have licensed it on an exclusive basis. When a talented entrepreneur seeks investors, she is pitchin...

Mets lose, 6-4, despite home runs from Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

ATLANTA — The last time the Mets were in Atlanta, their stars went dim. This time, the Mets’ biggest stars hit like stars early in the game, but by the end the pitching and hitting failed to come through.After an hour and 40 minutes of a rainless rain delay to start a three-game NL East series, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso homered, with the latter extending his league lead to 22 on the season. But right-handers Carlos Carrasco and Drew Smith (3-2) imploded in the sixth and the Mets lost 6-4.Carrasco started the sixth inning with a 4-1 lead, but a walk and back-to-back doubles helped the Braves close the gap to 4-3 and he was removed in favor of right-hander Smith before recording an out.Smith got Eddie Rosario to strike out on a high fastball for the first out, but he was burned by his breaking stuff later on.Marcell Ozuna lined a double to right field with two outs to score Murphy and tie the game at 4-4. A wild pitch put him in position to score on Orlando Arcia...

Lowry: What Trump got wrong about the term ‘woke’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

Donald Trump hasn’t been known for his scrupulously correct use of language, but now wants to police the use of “woke.”“I don’t like the term ‘woke’ because I hear, ‘woke, woke, woke,'” he said the other day. “It’s just a term they use, half the people can’t even define it, they don’t know what it is.”Of course, Trump wasn’t volunteering his equivalent of an elementary rule of usage from Strunk & White at random. His newfound disdain for the term “woke” has everything to do with his contest with Ron DeSantis for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.The former president’s by-any-means-necessary approach to fighting DeSantis means that he doesn’t care if he’s adopting the arguments of the other side as long as he’s taking a dig at the Florida governor; it’s his version of what people who are woke — to use the offending word — call “a...

Four fab finger foods for casual summer feasts

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:27 GMT

For many of us, summer is the best time to throw a party.Getting everybody outside onto the porch, yard or patio means you don’t have to worry about cleaning the house or squeezing a ton of people into a crowded space. Also, summer entertaining tends to be more casual, which lends itself to finger foods that aren’t as fussy or upscale as a big fall or winter bash.Which is not to say appetizers and hors d’oeuvres served with cold beer and fruity cocktails shouldn’t look impressive. We just want something that echoes summer’s laid-back vibes and is simple for you to make and easy for your guests to grab and devour.TAG GOES HERERoasted Olives with Lemon, Garlic and HerbsINGREDIENTS2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil6 3-inch sprigs fresh thyme2 3-inch sprigs fresh rosemary1/2 teaspoon coarsely crushed fennel seeds1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes1 pound olives, such as Cerinola and Castelvetrano, in assorted colors and sizes (about 3 cups)1/2 lemon, cut i...