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Why a potential Israel-Hamas cease-fire has so many names

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

Politicians around the world are calling for Israel to curtail its intensive military operation in the Gaza Strip. But they’re using different — and often confusingly vague — phrasing to push for peace.Sustainable cease-fire. Mutual and permanent end to the violence. Immediate de-escalation and cease-fire. Mutually agreed-upon bilateral humanitarian pause.One of the most popular is “bilateral cease-fire,” which has been adopted by dozens of U.S. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Katie Porter (Calif.). In a statement Monday night, Porter used the term when calling for the release of all hostages seized in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the end of Hamas control of Gaza and “security for Israel.”But it’s not always clear exactly what those proposing Israel pull back its operations are advocating for. That may be the point. Vague terms make it possible for politicians to accomplish two tasks: advocate for some semblance of peace in the Middle East without...

Arlington Catholic teacher resigns amid allegations of ‘inappropriate contact’ made towards students

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

A teacher at Arlington Catholic High School has resigned amid allegations of “inappropriate contact” made towards students at the school, according to a 7NEWS source.Sharing a letter that went out to parents on Tuesday, a source described how a teacher submitted their resignation as police investigate the matter.The letter, referring to the case as an “incident,” described how the allegations were brought forward last week before class and detailed inappropriate contact made towards students by a teaching staff member.“On Thursday, December 14, allegations were brought forward before school regarding inappropriate contact from a member of the teaching staff towards students,” the letter stated. “The students had reported the activity to a teacher/teachers after school the previous day, and, as mandated reporters, they notified the administration.”Following the allegations being made, the letter described how the teacher involved was pl...

Police seek public’s help as they search for missing South Boston woman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

The Boston Police Department is asking for the public’s help as it works to locate a missing woman from South Boston.Boston PD said Mary Sinnerty, 63, was last seen Tuesday afternoon around 2:15 p.m. in the area of 130 Dorchester St.Police described Sinnerty as a white female with a slim build, who was believed to be wearing a tan cardigan, white shirt, gray leggings, and dark color shoes. She was also said to have a walker with a basket on it.Anyone who may have seen Sinnerty is asked to contact 911 or the department’s C-6 Detectives at 617-343-4742.Those who wish to submit information anonymously may do so via Boston PD’s CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-(494)-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).

Mass. immigrant driver’s license law spurred massive spike in driver’s licenses, permits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles reported a massive spike in demand in the six months after an immigrant driver’s license law went into effect this summer,  state transportation officials said Tuesday afternoon.The registry issued 91,961 new learner’s permits and 54,952 new, first-time driver’s licenses to Massachusetts residents since July 1. That’s when people without lawful proof of presence in the United States could start applying for a standard, five-year driver’s license or learner’s permit if they provided at least two documents proving their identity and date of birth.The massive spike in new learner’s permit issued is a 244% increase and new driver’s license issued is a 120% increase over the same time period in 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said.The RMV hired more than 250 front line staff and road test examiners, expanded service hours Monday through Friday, and opened additional road test locations in anticipation of high demand ...

Greater Boston brothel case: Names still unknown for alleged high-powered sex buyers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

We still don’t know the names of any of the alleged clients of a sex ring operating multiple “brothels” in Greater Boston and in eastern Virginia.A commercial sex ring was brought to light on Nov. 8, when its three alleged leaders James Lee, 68, of Torrance, Calif.; Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham; and the alleged ringleader Han Lee, 41, of Cambridge — who are not related — were arrested and charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, according to U.S. District Court filings.On Monday, acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy announced that a member of the Cambridge Police Department who is part of a Homeland Security Investigations task force submitted applications for complaints at Cambridge District Court against 28 alleged clients of the sex ring spanning Greater Boston and down to eastern Virginia.On Tuesday, the Herald was told by a clerk of that court that those documents are not public record until complaints have actually been filed. Lev...

Colorado Supreme Court bars Donald Trump from appearing on the state’s ballot in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

Donald Trump cannot appear on Colorado’s primary ballot, the state’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in a legal challenge that has gained national notice as the former president seeks the 2024 Republican nomination.The Colorado Supreme Court, in a 4-3 opinion, found that Trump is barred under a provision of the 14th Amendment that prohibits people who engaged in insurrection from running for office.“We conclude that because President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three (of the 14th Amendment), it would be a wrongful act under the Election Code for the Secretary to list President Trump as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot,” the court’s majority wrote in its opinion. “Therefore, the Secretary may not list President Trump’s name on the 2024 presidential primary ballot, nor may she count any write-in votes cast for him.”Colorado’s case is the first of many legal challenges across the country to result in a ruling disqualifying Tr...

Beacon Hill’s Republican leaders express hesitancy with Healey’s temporary shelter funding plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

Beacon Hill’s top Republicans cast doubt Tuesday on a Healey administration proposal to use surplus dollars to plug Massachusetts’ emergency shelter system’s $224 budget deficit this fiscal year, and help pay off a $915 million tab shelters are expected to run up next fiscal year.Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and House Minority Leader Brad Jones expressed hesitancy about using $700 million in surplus dollars leftover from the COVID-19 pandemic to address financial challenges in the shelter system, arguing the plan Gov. Maura Healey released Monday is only a temporary solution to a potentially long-term problem with no end in sight.Tarr said he is “hesitant to see us use those funds” because they came from sources — robust tax revenues during the pandemic and large amounts of federal aid — that Massachusetts is not likely to see again.“Once they’re gone, they won’t be available for any other contingency that might arise,” he told the Herald. “That being sa...

Trump kicked off Colorado ballot in 14th Amendment case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

Colorado’s highest court on Tuesday knocked former President Trump off the state’s Republican primary ballot under the 14th Amendment in a 4-3 ruling, making it the first state to block him from seeking the presidency because of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The court put its ruling on hold until Jan. 4, so Trump can first seek review from the Supreme Court. Assuming he does, Trump’s name automatically remains on the ballot until the justices resolve the appeal. In a major legal blow to Trump, the court affirmed he engaged in insurrection by inflaming his supporters with false claims of election fraud and directing them to the Capitol — preventing him from a second White House term under the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection clause.” The state justices determined that the office of the president is covered under the insurrection clause, which specifically lists those who previously took oaths to support the Constitution as “a member of Congress,” “officer of t...

Missouri Supreme Court strikes down law against homelessness, COVID vaccine mandates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a law that threatened homeless people with jail time for sleeping on state land. Judges ruled unanimously to toss the law for violating a section of the Missouri Constitution that prohibits legislation from containing multiple unrelated subjects. In this case, the sweeping 64-page bill also dealt with city and county governance and banned COVID-19 vaccine requirements for public workers in Missouri. Judges ruled that the law is “invalid in its entirety,” Judge Paul Wilson wrote in the court’s decision. The judges’ ruling means unhoused people no longer face up to 15 days in jail and a $500 fine after an initial warning for sleeping on state land without permission, and vaccine mandates for public workers now are allowed in Missouri.The law, enacted in 2022, also had prohibited state funding from being used for permanent housing for homeless people, instead directing it toward temporary shelters and as...

DeSantis calls a legal complaint against his campaign a ‘farce’ as he pushes toward Iowa caucuses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:56 GMT

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Ron DeSantis wrinkled his face as he talked to reporters Tuesday and declared a Federal Elections Commission complaint filed against his presidential campaign “a farce.” “I mean, give me a break,” DeSantis told reporters after headlining a morning campaign event in Iowa.It was the latest hurdle for the Florida governor with fewer than four weeks left in an Iowa campaign he says he expects to win. A campaign watchdog group accused DeSantis’ campaign of coordinating in violation of federal law with the outside super PAC responsible for millions of dollars in advertising and the organizational groundwork supporting him in the leadoff caucus state. “Trust me, I have no — there’s a lot of things that happen that I wish I had control over,” DeSantis said in response to a question about the complaint. Neither the complaint nor the staff turnover in his political operation — including the departure of the super PAC’s chief adviser on Saturday — seem...