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Like an uncool nightclub: Top EU tweeters don’t love Elon Musk’s big Twitter rebrand

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

Twitter is dead; long live … X? It’s been less than a week since Elon Musk rebranded his microblogging platform Twitter as X. As part of the shift, Musk replaced Twitter’s iconic blue bird with a stylized black-and-white X. The change rattled many users, who worry — following algorithmic changes and cutting thousands of staffers — that Musk is on his way to transforming their favorite platform beyond recognition.But where does this leave the Twitter elite of Brussels, a city where no parliamentary discussion or Commission initiative can go by without a witty tweet and an attendant hail of sarcastic replies and barbed quotes? Well, dear reader, we checked so you didn’t have to.POLITICO reached out to some of the most active tweeters — Xers? — in the EU bubble to get their take on the big rebrand and Musk’s tweaks. Here’s what they told us: Dave Keating, @DaveKeating, journalist, 53K followers“Twitter has become an embarrassing place to be. Like if...

How the Chicago Cubs could upgrade as they prepare to bolster the roster at the trade deadline

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

Kyle Hendricks couldn’t help but laugh after his postgame media availability ended Sunday.As much as the Chicago Cubs have tried to ignore the inevitable questions surrounding the trade deadline the last couple of weeks, their inconsistencies and a brutal May performance had them trending toward a third consecutive season as sellers. Their turnaround, winning 10 of their last 12 games, successfully shifted the focus onto how they would improve the roster rather than what the Cubs’ most valuable assets could net in return.“I do appreciate that, the shift in tone,” Hendricks said, smiling, of the trade deadline seller-turned-buyer questions.So when they ended their series Sunday in St. Louis with a 3-0 loss to halt their season-high eight-game winning streak, the Cubs could still appreciate what they accomplished over the last two weeks and the opportunity that lies ahead over the next two months. They stepped up to deliver the wins and the movement up the stan...

EU leader pays rare visit to Philippines after stormy ties with past president over human rights

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was holding talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Monday in a sign of improving ties after a stormy period between the EU and his predecessor over human rights.Von der Leyen arrived in Manila Sunday night for the first such top-level visit in nearly six decades of relations with the Philippines. Her visit is aimed at strengthening diplomatic, trade, security and overall relations, European and Philippine officials said, adding that she came at Marcos’s invitation.The talks between von der Leyen and her delegation with Filipino officials were also expected to cover the Philippines’ chances of retaining special trade incentives depending on its adherence to international conventions on human and labor rights and good governance.In February, a group of European parliamentarians said Manila’s chances of retaining those incentives, including slashed tariffs for a wide array of products, would inc...

Man injured when stabbed during alleged robbery attempt in Scarborough

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

One person has been injured when stabbed during an alleged robbery in the Markham Road and Steeles Avenue East area in Scarborough.At approximately 9:54 p.m. police responded to reports of a man stabbed during what appeared to have been a robbery.STABBING:Markham Rd & Steeles Ave E9:54 pm– reports of a man stabbed – police o/s– appears to have been a robbery– man being transported to hospital w/not life-threatening– 2 male suspects fled in a blue BMW X3– ongoing investigation#GO1774974^sc— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 31, 2023The man was transported to hospital with not life-threatening injuries.Two male suspects fled in a blue BMW X3 and there is an ongoing investigation.

Skepticism prevails as Chinese leaders promise to back private businesses to spur slowing economy

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The Fangbiaogan Real Estate Agency in the southern city of Nanning is still waiting for China’s post-COVID rebound.Home sales are 30-40% below last year’s depressed level after the economy barely grew in the latest quarter, according to the owner, who would give only his surname, Cai. He has cut staff by 80% to 40 employees. Their income from sales commissions has fallen as much as 90%.“People are worried,” said Cai. “They feel safer holding onto their savings instead of spending them.”Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is making ambitious promises to drag the economy out of that crisis of confidence aggravated by tension with Washington, wilting exports, job losses and anxiety among foreign companies about an expanded anti-spying law.Its most striking pledge: To support entrepreneurs who generate jobs and wealth but have felt under attack over the past decade as the ruling Communist Party built up state-owned industry, tightened control over business and pr...

Blue blood from horseshoe crabs is valuable for medicine, but a declining bird needs them for food

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A primordial sea animal that lives on the tidal mudflats of the East Coast and serves as a linchpin for the production of vital medicines stands to benefit from new protective standards.But conservationists who have been trying for years to save a declining bird species — the red knot — that depends on horseshoe crabs fear the protections still don’t go far enough.Drug and medical device makers are dependent on the valuable blue blood of the crabs — helmet-shaped invertebrates that have scuttled in the ocean and tidal pools for more than 400 million years — to test for potentially dangerous impurities. The animals are drained of some of their blood and returned to the environment, but many die from the bleeding.Recent revisions to guidelines for handling the animals should keep more alive through the process, regulators said. The animals — not really true crabs but rather more closely related to land-dwelling invertebrates such as spiders and scorpions —...

Sunday Night Forecast: Mostly clear skies, dry & mild, low 60's

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

Sunday Night: Mostly clear skies, dry & mild. SSE 5-10 mph. Low lower 60s Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Monday: Mostly sunny & a bit warmer. NNW/NNE 5-10 mph. High 84, cooler lakeside. 

Lark Street Revitalization Project to start in Albany

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -When it comes to the way Lark Street operates, city contractors are looking to modernize the block for a more walkable future. On July 31, the work zone will be set up, and on August 7, construction will begin. The streetscape is expected to be finished by late Fall of 2023.From overall safety to cleanup efforts, Lark Street has some busy months ahead of itself. Over at Herbie’s Burgers, a former resident was catching up with family over some food and drinks. When told about the coming changes, Nick Vicente was hopeful for what the city will do. Crossing With Dignity Act in the works “I do look forward to, as a former resident, coming to see the old structures that are still being held up. But I do look forward to some of the things coming to change downtown," said Vicente.To current residents, some say the cobblestone intersections are part of the history of Albany. The city plans to alter the streetscape by removing all three entirely, with Tara Ramsey won...

Pasadena power outage hits some 3,000 customers

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

Several power outages affecting more than 3,000 customers in East Pasadena were reported Sunday night.  Just before 8 p.m., officials with the Pasadena Department of Water and Power said over Twitter that they were aware of the outages and that crews were troubleshooting the issue.  A map of the outages showed areas near Pasadena City College, along with the Mid Central, Daisy-Villa and Brigden Ranch neighborhoods impacted.  An outage map posted by Pasadena Water and Power on July 30, 2023. It is unclear what led to the outages, but by 8:30 p.m., the utility company reported that power had been restored. Anyone in Pasadena experiencing an outage are asked to call the power emergency line at 626-744-4673. 

Racist flyers left in driveways in Corte Madera, Larkspur

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:50:04 GMT

(BCN) -- Police in Marin are investigating racist messages disseminated in driveways Sunday similar to those strewn in many Bay Area cities for over a year. Several residents of Larkspur and Corte Madera woke up to find small, clear plastic bags in their driveways that contained leaflets with anti-Semitic and racist language, Central Marin Police said. No one has reported seeing anyone drop off the leaflets or other suspicious activity, according to police. However, by obtaining surveillance video from residences, police say they may have captured the suspect(s) and their vehicle. Any information gathered is being forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney's Office, police said. Possible pipe bomb found at Fremont business: police Similar flyers have been left in driveways in Danville, Concord, Berkeley, Palo Alto and other cities. In February 2022, Berkeley Police and the City Council said the messages there were placed by a "small, fringe white sup...