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Biden will meet Xi Jinping in coming weeks, White House says

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

President Joe Biden will meet with President Xi Jinping of China next month during an economic summit in San Francisco, the White House said on Tuesday afternoon, marking a significant diplomatic moment between two great world powers whose relationship has grown increasingly hostile.The meeting of the two countries’ leaders comes after a flurry of diplomatic visits in recent months aimed at breaking the ice in the U.S.-China relationship. The trip also comes on the heels of a promising week in U.S.-China relations, after Gov. Gavin Newsom of California was well received in China during a visit centered on climate cooperation and as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the diplomatic rounds in Washington.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed the Biden-Xi meeting during a press briefing on Tuesday, although she seemed to accidentally reveal the announcement. Previously, a White House readout from Friday said the two countries were working toward such a meeting.“Thi...

Postal worker assaulted, robbed in Medford

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

Home security video shows a postal worker delivering mail on Arden Street in Medford before the mail carrier was assaulted and robbed on Tuesday.Police said the attackers were a group of men who took off after the assault. Investigators were also seen at several nearby streets.The mail truck, believed to belong to the victim, sat parked nearby for hours while the postal worker was taken to the hospital. He suffered serious facial injuries and is in stable condition.“Three individuals assaulted the letter carrier, and we believe that they took the master key to the mailbox he was on his letter route for,” said Medford police officer Jessica Walsh.Police said the attackers took off in a getaway car that was later located in Lowell. The people inside were identified, but no one is under arrest.Sarah Carroll, who was in her home at the time of the attack, said she saw a neighbor helping the mail carrier.“I heard some kind of scream or yell,” Carroll said. “She was comforting a gen...

Trial underway for man accused of shooting bride, bishop in a Pelham church in 2019

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

Opening statements began Tuesday in the trial of Dale Holloway, a man accused of shooting the bride and the bishop at a wedding in a Pelham, New Hampshire church.“As the bishop moved toward the defendant, realizing what was about to happen, the defendant fired a gun,” the prosecutor said, slamming his hand on the table.The suspect, who is representing himself, along with the prosecutors and the jury, visited the New England Pentecostal Church where the 2019 attack happened. Holloway’s charges include attempted murder, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, second-degree assault and simple assault.41-year-old Holloway is accused of shooting the bishop and the bride at a wedding at the church, as well as hitting the groom in the head. Both victims of the shooting survived.“This case is simple,” the prosecutor said, “It’s not complicated. With just a few shots, the defendant turned marriage into mayhem.”Prosecutors said Holloway targeted the wedding because days earlier, the...

Medway man trapped in Gaza with his family describes conditions as war continues

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

A Medway man who remains trapped in Gaza with his family recently described conditions as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.Abood Okal is with his wife and son in southern Gaza. Okal said the family has been staying in a single-family house with 40 other people including 10 Americans. Recently, Okal said he stood in line for two hours waiting for one gallon of water for the whole house. Okal separately said he waited six hours for bread at a bakery. Okal said there has been an increase in Israeli attacks in Gaza and said he is afraid of what will happen once a potential full ground invasion begins. “There’s been an increase in artillery shelling,” Okal said. “That’s been the most noticeable update.” Okal said the family has run out of water. The family had been relying on a nearby desalination station. But Okal said the station has since run out of fuel to run its generators. “Our frustration continues and builds up every day that we are still stran...

MIAA statewide field hockey pairings

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

   MIAA STATEWIDE FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS DIVISION 1SEEDS: 1. Walpole (17-1-0); 2. Andover (15-2-0); 3. Wachusett Regional (13-1-4); 4. Franklin (17-0-1); 5. Acton-Boxboro (13-4-1); 6. Central Catholic (14-2-1); 7. Algonquin (13-2-3); 8. Bishop Feehan (11-5-1); 9. King Philip Regional (14-4-0); 10. Concord-Carlisle (13-4-1); 11. Belmont (14-3-1); 12. Needham (13-5-0); 13. Winchester (13-5-0); 14. Barnstable (13-3-2); 15. Wellesley (10-4-4); 16. Lincoln-Sudbury (8-5-3); 17. Braintree (9-7-2); 18. Arlington (8-8-2); 19. Shrewsbury (6-9-2); 20. Chelmsford (5-9-3); 21. Newton North (12-5-3); 22. Durfee (12-3-2); 23. Natick (6-7-5); 24. Lexington (8-9-1); 25. Brookline (9-7-2); 26. North Andover (6-8-3); 27. Westford Academy (8-8-2); 28. Essex North Shore (10-6-2); 29. Beverly (8-8-2); 30. Attleboro (5-11-2); 31. Methuen (8-5-5); 32. Marshfield (4-4-8)FIRST ROUND – ThursdayGAME 6 – Chelmsford at Winchester, 4:30GAME 12 – Natick at Concord-Carlisle, 4:30GAME 1...

Patriots sit tight at NFL trade deadline, what’s next?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

No deal.The Patriots did not make any trades before the NFL’s trade deadline Tuesday at 4 p.m., locking them into their current roster for the remainder of the season.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots-Dolphins film review: The simple reason Bill Belichick and Mac Jones lost again at Miami New England Patriots | Source: Josh Uche is Patriots’ most likely trade candidate ahead of deadline New England Patriots | Source: Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne suffers torn ACL, out for the season New England Patriots | Bill Belichick would like to see equal protection for Patriots players New England Patriots | Callahan: Robert Kraft should command Patriots to sell at NFL trade deadline At 2-6, the Patriots reportedly received several calls from other front offices and were expected to entertain selling. Their playoff hopes are virtually shot. Many key starters, including Matt Judon, Kendrick B...

A hot travel trend – the ‘hush’ getaway: Expert tips ahead of holiday season

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

Erik J. Martin | (TNS) Bankrate.comYou’ve probably heard of “workcations” that combine work travel with leisure trips, often in desirable locations. But there’s a new twist on this trend: The “hush trip,” in which employees don’t tell their bosses they’re actually working from vacation locales. These secret getaways by remote workers while on the clock seem to be gaining in popularity and frequency, although many companies frown upon this activity.Thinking about taking a hush trip, especially during the upcoming holiday season? Read on to learn more about the benefits and risks of this practice, what employers think of hush trips and ways to pay for your next holiday trip.Understanding the hush trip phenomenonA hush trip can be defined as an excursion where an employee works remotely, usually in a vacation spot, without disclosing to their boss or colleagues where they’re temporarily located, according to Vicki Salemi, a career expert with Monster.“Hush trips are growing more popula...

On Día de los Muertos, sacred altars help reunite the living and the dead

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

Each fall, Maruca Salazar prepares her home for visitors from another realm.The 71-year-old scatters the walkway to her house on Denver’s Northside with the rich, orange petals of the cempasúchil — marigold — flowers. The blossoms, grown by Salazar, are synonymous with the traditional Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos as they are thought to be fragrant enough to attract the spirits of deceased loved ones to their family’s homes and altars.On Thursday, Day of the Dead, Salazar’s family will pack the matriarch’s home and gather around a sacred altar overflowing with photos of the dead and ofrendas — offerings — made up of the departed’s favorite earthly delights. The day serves as a reunion between the living and the dead when the veil between realms is considered thinnest.“It is really peaceful,” Salazar said. “I am happy to know that when you’re gone, there is a beyond, and that beyond is powerful. It is a nostalgic day to remember where you came from and who you came from.”Lit ...

Gretchen’s table: Mummy baked brie with homemade cranberry jam

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

Gretchen McKay | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)The best Halloween costumes are usually the ones that sparkle — or scare — with creativity and imagination.The same can be said for the post-trick-or-treat finger foods served at a Fright Night party.Sure, you could set the table with an array of chips and dips or offer a big bowl of pretzels for snacking. But if you really want something that’s scary good, take a few extra minutes and whip up a ghoulish treat that conjures up one of the holiday’s most popular monsters — a mummy?It’s easier than you might think.A “mummy” wrapped baked brie with homemade cranberry jam is the perfect Halloween appetizer. (Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS)All you need is a wheel of brie, a sheet of frozen puff pastry, a half-cup or so of your favorite red jam and a sharp knife to cut the rolled-out dough into strips of “cloth” to wrap the cheese up with its telltale bandages.This kid-friendly recipe only takes about a half-...

Kids return to school, plan to trick-or-treat as Maine community starts to heal from mass shooting

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:19:24 GMT

By DAVID SHARP (Associated Press)LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Children returned to schools and planned to go trick-or-treating Tuesday evening as the community of Lewiston tried to return to normal after sheltering indoors for days while authorities hunted for the man responsible for the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history.Hundreds of students were back in class at Lewiston High School, petting therapy dogs and signing a large banner that read “Lewiston Strong” — the community’s new motto. Days earlier, the campus had been transformed into a law enforcement command post with three helicopters utilizing the athletic fields and 300 vehicles filling the parking lot.“Today’s going to be hard,” said Superintendent Jake Langlais. “But I think there’s strength in gathering, in unity, in getting back together.”Jayden Sands, a 15-year-old sophomore, said one of his football coaches lost four friends, one of his best fri...