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Keir Starmer says no to UK drugs reform

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

LONDON — U.K. Labour Party boss Keir Starmer said he has “no intention” of changing drug laws in the country if his party wins at the next election.Speaking to Anne McElvoy, the host of POLITICO’s new Power Play podcast, opposition leader Starmer said: “Other countries will take different approaches they traditionally have, but our approach is settled and not really a subject of great debate even within the Labour Party.”Yet some in the party have been calling for just that. Earlier this year, Labour peer and former U.K. Home Secretary David Blunkett told POLITICO’s Westminster Insider podcast that there should be an “open debate” about how victims of drug abuse are treated, and urged Starmer to launch an inquiry into the decriminalization of drugs. Meanwhile, Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has introduced pilot projects to end the prosecution of young people caught with cannabis in some London boroughs.They’re not alone in their changing attitude toward drug use p...

Keir Starmer International: UK Labour leader puts the world to rights

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Google Play EN_Google_Podcasts_Badge Created with Sketch. Acast In this inaugural episode of POLITICO’s new global podcast Power Play, host Anne McElvoy talks to the man who hopes to be Britain’s next prime minister, Keir Starmer.In a wide-ranging interview on global affairs, the Labour leader reveals his concerns about China. He warns that the U.K. needs to “wean itself off” China “when it comes...

For a super-comfy fall, make it cashmere

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

There are so many fall pleasures, from apple picking to leaf peeping. I’ll tell you mine: cashmere sweaters.With all due respect to other materials — fluffy Angora, say, or warming boiled wool, or maybe a super practical fleece — nothing is quite like cashmere. The extreme comfort it affords makes every moment of my day 100% better.Of course, not all cashmere is created equal. There are many different levels of quality. Some are sustainable (my preference), and others aren’t. A few fun facts about cashmere: It comes from the undercoat of a specific goat that originated in Kashmir, and the best quality fibers are thought to come from that breed who live in Mongolia now. Cashmere is naturally moisture-wicking, meaning it adjusts to all different kinds of environments and temperatures. And it gets softer with time. As long as you take good care of it (I brush mine softly and carefully between wearings to take care of any pilling), it will last for many years and remain a super solid in...

‘It Lives Inside’ a skillful horror debut

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

An intense, Indian-American-centric horror film, “It Lives Inside” will appeal to fans of such cult horror hits as “It Follows” and “Talk to Me.” Directed and co-written by award-winning India-born, U.C. Berkeley graduate Bishal Dutta making his feature film debut, the film stars Megan Suri of “Never Have I Ever” as Samidha, a high school student who is seriously conflicted about her heritage and frankly more interested in fashion, TikTok, make-up and flirting with a good-looking white guy from school. Samidha’s beautiful mother Poorna (Neeru Bajwa) is a fine cook, who wants her daughter to accept her heritage and its beliefs and to continue to speak Hindi at home. For example, Poorna wants Samidha to attend a Puja gathering with her father at their home with friends and relatives. Samidha prefers to hang out with her non-Indian friends, who appear to accept her.But when Tamira (Mohana Krishan), once Samidha’s dearest childhood friend, shows up at the “Home of the Werewo...

Coggin: Is that rescue dog really a trafficking victim?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

If you’re thinking about adopting a rescue dog, good for you. But you should also do your homework.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently declared an extension of a suspension of dog imports from 110 countries. The move is designed to mitigate the risk of animal diseases accidentally spreading.According to the Agriculture Department, 1 million dogs are imported every year and regulations are lax. That’s convenient if you take your pet dog on a trip. But the lack of regulations has also given rise to pet trafficking, often under the guise of “animal rescue,” and a serious risk of disease outbreak.According to the CDC, “Many dogs are bred irresponsibly in large numbers in ‘puppy mills’ overseas, where the risk of congenital abnormalities and disease is high. Importers then fly them as cargo in large batches, claiming them as ‘rescue’ dogs, valued at $0 on their paperwork, and allowing the importers to evade entry and broker fees.”In June 2020, a Ukrainian Internationa...

Editorial: The meter’s running on Bay State shelter crisis

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

House Speaker Ronald Mariano wants to get a handle on the state’s emergency shelter crisis and migrant surge, asking for “hard numbers” before acting on a $250 million funding request from Gov. Maura Healey.It’s perfectly reasonable to want to know how much things cost, where the money’s going and how much more is going to be needed going forward.Unfortunately for Mariano, Healey and Massachusetts taxpayers, the cost of the shelter crisis is a moving target.The state is caught in the crossfire of two converging emergencies: 1. the rise in the number of local homeless residents and 2. the influx of new migrants.Either situation on its own would be formidable to solve, but together, the ship of state is taking on water, fast. The Massachusetts housing department estimates we could see 1,000 families enter the emergency shelter system each month. More than 6,500 families are staying in the emergency shelter system as of Tuesday.The Bay State’s “right to sh...

Lucas: Diehl dresses down Healey over migrant crisis

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

Would Gov. Geoff Diehl be dealing with the state’s growing illegal immigration crisis any better than Gov. Maura Healey?Perhaps not, but we will never know.Because the Trump-supporting conservative Republican did not become governor. He was soundly defeated in the November election by progressive Democrat Healey.So, it is her problem, not his. But Diehl does have a few comments to make about it, one of which is accusing Healey of “adding fuel to the fire” by calling for work permits for the migrants which will only urge more to come.And while several issues were highlighted during the 2022 campaign for governor, like Diehl’s support of Trump, illegal immigration was not one of them, even though some 50 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, had just landed at Martha’s Vineyard in September.The migrants arrived on two planes provided by Florida Gov. Ron DiSantis to make a point, and he did.  And that was to show how welcoming to illegal immigrants liberals can be as long as they don’t end up ...

Raise a glass to Oktoberfest fun

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

If you love fun, festivals and maybe a little beer, you know what this time of year means: Oktoberfest.Greater Boston and New England at large is at no shortage of Oktoberfest choices. From cityscape to mountainside to overlooking the sea, you can find the perfect Octoberfest for you.While Oktoberfest is centered around great brews, it’s not just about the beer. Great Octoberfests marry brewing and brats, kegs and camaraderie. It’s a kind of festival atmosphere that yes, does celebrate beer, but works more as an Autumn outdoor party.City setting: Boston is a beer bonanza, to be sure, and perhaps the king (unless you’re old enough to recall the days of Haffenreffer), is Sam Adams and the Boston Beer Company. While they celebrate everywhere with their annual Oktoberfest beer, you can mark the festivities with them at their annual Oktoberfest Sept. 22-24 at their Boston Taproom and their brewery in Jamaica Plain.You’ll find live music (plenty of Oompah bands) and DJ’s, festival-inspire...

Dear Abby: Son chooses possessive GFs over aging mom

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

Dear Abby: My son’s former wife was difficult — manipulative, spoiled and possessive. I tried to get along with her, but no matter what I did, she gave me no respect and turned my son against me. They have been divorced for six years. He began dating a few years ago, and each woman is a carbon copy of the ex-wife. He falls right back into the same pattern of ignoring me and letting his girlfriends “possess” him. I’m deeply hurt. I don’t understand why he feels he has to choose between them and me. He is my son, and I shouldn’t have to compete for his love.I’m getting older now and have asked him for some help, but he refuses. I would just like a regular phone call and to see him. I am no longer invited to his house for holidays, nor does he randomly call just to talk. He has a new girlfriend, and it’s back to the same old pattern. Please advise me. — Low Priority in OhioDear Low Priority: Please accept my sympathy. I know y...

2 San Diego spots rank among top pan dulce places in US: Yelp

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:47 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Pan dulce, which means "sweet bread" in Spanish, is a popular pastry in the Hispanic culture.Yelp recently ranked the top 20 pan dulce spots in the U.S., with two San Diego spots making the list.Panchitas Bakery in Golden Hill ranked No. 15, while Cafeina Cafe in Teralta East came in at No. 20.Panchitas Bakery offers a variety of pan dulce on its menu such as Terrones, Ladrillos, Campechana and Piedras. 2 local ‘Bachelorette’ contestants among 5 saved after boat sinks on fishing trip "Authentic panadería. Fresh, no-nonsense. Delish and fresh!!! Located in the heart of Golden Hill. This is a real Mexican bakery," Yelper Jeffrey E said.Cafeina Cafe has a rotating menu with partner Split Bakehouse, a vegan bakery in La Mesa."This place is a hidden gem. The coffee was delicious and the pan dulce was amazing! I would have taken a pic but everything was gone so quickly I didn't have time. Will definitely be returning!" Yelper Patricia G commented.Yelp's methodology for the ...