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John Kerry’s Gmail account ‘discouraged’ but defended by State Department

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

The U.S. State Department argues Climate czar John Kerry can use a personal Gmail account for government business — despite the risky practice being “discouraged” in the very manual they cite.The “Foreign Affairs Manual” referenced, particularly section 5 FAM 434, does not support outside messages.“All Department personnel with an official State Department email account are discouraged from using a personal email account(s),” including Gmail, the manual reads. That section goes on to add Gmail can be used in “very limited circumstances.”It also clearly states “convenience is not an appropriate reason” to use outside email.The State Department’s push-back on Kerry’s behalf comes after the Herald reported Sunday that the former Massachusetts senator and onetime Democratic presidential candidate was cc’d a Climate memo to a Gmail account.It’s all part of an ongoing struggle by the Herald and watch...

Battenfeld: Trump-DeSantis ticket in 2024 would be formidable team

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

It’s not too early for Republicans to start thinking about a winning ticket in 2024  – one that will likely include a dinged-up Donald Trump at the top.Trump’s indictment won’t stop him from running or winning the nomination but it highlights the need for a strong conservative without baggage to stand next to him.Right now the strongest second banana is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has designs of his own on the White House. Trump and DeSantis would be a formidable team if they ever decided to run together.Trump and DeSantis have openly feuded and would seem to be an unlikely pairing but stranger things have happened in politics before.Vice President Kamala Harris trashed Joe Biden during the 2020 primaries and that didn’t stop Biden from picking her as his running mate.The latest polls show DeSantis trailing Trump by a wide margin among GOP voters nationally and in key states like New Hampshire. Trump’s numbers nationally actually improved after his indictment last week.Trump also...

Child advocate slams state after Harmony Montgomery’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

A scathing report released by the Office of the Child Advocate says the state has not done enough to protect its youngest, most vulnerable residents despite recommendations made following an investigation into the tragic death of Harmony Montgomery.“We made a variety of recommendations designed to address systemic challenges and failures that, in the OCA’s view, contributed to the deeply tragic decision to return Harmony to her father’s custody,” the OCA’s Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report reads.“Although the state has made progress on some of those recommendations, particularly those directed at the Department of Children and Families, the OCA continues to be concerned that the welfare and best interest of the child is not adequately presented in care and protection cases, putting some children in unsafe situations,” it continues.According to authorities in New Hampshire, Adam Montgomery murdered his daughter Harmony sometime late in 2019, when she was 5 years old.Harmony,...

ASK IRA: Has Heat’s Jimmy Butler assured himself of an All-NBA berth?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

Q: Imagine actual NBA personnel voting Bam Adebayo as an All-star over Jimmy Butler. Laughable. Bam has a lot to learn about what it takes to win. – Marc, Arlington, Texas.A: Let’s approach this without the denigration. First, when coaches voted for All-Star reserves and selected Bam Adebayo, it was at a stage when Jimmy Butler had missed 13 games due to injury or illness. Second, by that point, Jimmy had made clear that he would rather be elsewhere than Salt Lake City in late February. That elsewhere turned out to be Argentina. So Bam got what he wanted, and Jimmy got what he wanted. Now, when it comes to the media voting for All-NBA, that’s another story. Jimmy’s performance and productivity should make him a lock, with the only question being whether it’s first, second or third team. The Heat’s overall record, fair or otherwise, assuredly will factor into that, as well.Q: Bam Adebayo’s new offensive aggressiveness this season with his mid...

Ravens draft preview: Wide receiver is a must, but who are the best options?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

The calendar has officially flipped to April, which can only mean one thing: It’s time to get ready for the NFL draft.The first round begins April 27 in Kansas City, but until then, the Ravens have plenty to figure out. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a trade while under the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he gets his wish, the Ravens’ draft could look a lot different.Baltimore owns five picks: Nos. 22 (first round), 86 (third round), 124 (fourth round), 157 (fifth round) and 199 (sixth round). A blockbuster deal for Jackson would significantly increase the size of that haul, but the Ravens are guaranteed at least one additional first-rounder this year if Jackson signs an offer with another team before the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.As we get closer to the draft, The Baltimore Sun will examine which players at each position of need (quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, edge rusher...

Dolphins still have work to do on offensive line either through draft or later in free agency

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

After the initial wave of free agency and ahead of the late April NFL draft, the offensive line remains one area where the Miami Dolphins stand to add to the roster.Coach Mike McDaniel said as much just last week when assessing his team’s early offseason moves at the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix.“We have some ideas and thoughts of players that are still out there,” said McDaniel, adding the team found it better to spend big money elsewhere. “We’re taking our time with the market and seeing how that plays out, and there’s some stuff we have in thoughts of the draft. But, of course, that will be addressed.”It’s clear the Dolphins are not done yet on the offensive line with the only offseason acquisition being former New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers interior lineman Dan Feeney. A priority will likely come in finding a right tackle that can compete and provide depth while also potentially serving as a swing tackle that can back up P...

NY Auto Show brings out the best of the best

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

From April 7-16, consumers will gather at the Jacob Javits Convention Center to experience first-hand what their favorite manufacturers have to offer. As consumers continue to feel the brunt of increased vehicle pricing due to inflation, the conversation with manufacturers revolves around what consumers can afford and whether now is the time to transition to EV. As the 123rd Auto Show begins, manufacturers bring their entire lineups in hopes of attracting consumers to alternative options.With more than 83,000 square feet of indoor EV fun, the 1st floor test track allows consumers to jump behind the wheel and test drive their favorite manufacturers EV products. Signed up this year are Chevrolet, VW, Nissan, Kia and BMW. Additionally, there will be an array of exhibitors to discuss everything EV. On level 1 the Saratoga Auto Museum will have classics on display as well as a hometown heroes section that is filled with Police, Fire and other cool displays to witness.At the NYIAS this ye...

Iran’s FM says agreement reached with Saudi FM on joint plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to jointly pursue economic stability, the Iranian foreign minister said Thursday, as well as reopen missions in their respective countries as the regional rivals stepped toward reconciliation after seven years of tension.Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian made the announcement in a tweet after talks with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, in Beijing. The ministers also agreed Thursday to reopen embassies in the countries’ respective capitals and representative offices in two other major cities.The rapprochement not only lowers the chance of armed conflict between the Mideast rivals – both directly and in proxy conflicts around the region – but also represents a major diplomatic victory for the Chinese as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States slowly withdrawing from the wider region.It comes as diplomats have been trying to end a long war in Yemen, a conflict in which both Iran and Saudi Arabia...

Berlusconi spends 1st night in hospital, said to be stable

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

ROME (AP) — Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is alert and in stable condition on his second day in intensive care at a Milan hospital, a top political aide said Thursday, citing an update from the media mogul’s main doctor.“I spoke this morning with Professor (Alberto) Zangrillo. He told me that Premier Berlusconi spent the night quietly,” said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who is the coordinator of Forza Italia, the political party that Berlusconi created some 30 years ago. “His condition is stable,” Tajani said, interviewed on Italian state television.A statement from Forza Italia said Berlusconi on Thursday morning had telephoned several party officials about political matters.Zangrillo, Berlusconi’s longtime physician, is a chief anesthesiologist at San Raffaele hospital, where his patient is being treated. Only a week earlier, Berlusconi had left the same hospital, after several days of tests. Meanwhile family members continued to visit Berlusconi. ...

Serious crash closes eastbound 401 collector lanes in Scarborough

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:50 GMT

A stretch of Highway 401 is closed in Scarborough following an early morning crash that sent a man to hospital with serious injuries.The collision occurred in the eastbound collector lanes at Markham Road around 3 a.m. Thursday.The closure is snarling traffic for early morning commuters with the collector lanes closed from east of Kennedy Road to Markham Road.#listen-box {box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);animation: pulse 2s infinite;margin:20px;padding:15px;}@keyframes pulse { 0% { box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(0, 157, 79, 0.7); } 70% { box-shadow: 0 0 0 10px rgba(0, 157, 79, 0); } 100% { box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(0, 157, 79, 0); }}Listen to CityNews 680 for traffic updates LIVE now!Police tell CityNews a man became trapped as a result of the crash. He was transported to hospital in serious but stable condition.There is no word on what caused the crash.