UNITED STATES

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has proudly posted a photo of all the attendees of her “electeds of color” holiday party despite the gathering coming in for heavy criticism for excluding white lawmakers. Wu, 38, who is the city’s first Asian-American mayor, posted a photo to Instagram of 17 people smiling and sitting around a dinner table at the exclusive bash which took place Wednesday. “Last night was my turn to host the annual holiday dinner for Boston’s elected officials of color – a special moment to appreciate that our affinity group now includes leadership across city, state, county, and federal offices,” Wu wrote in the caption alongside the photo.  BOSTON MAYOR ACCIDENTALLY INVITES EVERYONE TO HOLIDAY PARTY FOR NON-WHITE ELECTED OFFICIALS Earlier this week, a member of Wu’s staff mistakenly sent the entire city council an invitation to the party at the city-owned Parkman House near the Massachusetts Statehouse. Having realized the error, the aide sent out a second email about 15 minutes later apologizing for the initial email. The 13-member city council is made up of six minorities and seven White members. It is understood that the White members were not invited.  While the mayor and her aide apologized for the accidental invite, they did not apologize for planning a party that excluded White city leaders. BOSTON MAYOR TAKES HEAT FOR ‘ELECTEDS OF COLOR’ HOLIDAY PARTY: ‘GEORGE WALLACE WOULD APPROVE’ Critics have panned the party as being segregationist and anti-White, with Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld accusing Wu of having a history of “blatant racism.” The exclusionary invite was criticized Wednesday by one White member of the city council as “unfortunate and divisive,” according to the Boston Herald. However, Black City Councilor Brian Worrell held a different opinion and defended the invitation, suggesting the holiday party was merely a way to represent “all kinds of special groups” in the Boston government.  On Friday, Wu championed the dinner party as a celebration of diversity, writing that the number of minority lawmakers has grown since she was first elected to the city council in 2014.  “Not too long ago in Boston, we didn’t need such a big table to fit electeds of color,” Wu wrote in her Instagram post.  “But over my time as a City Councilor and now Mayor, following so many leaders who have paved the way, I’ve proudly watched this group grow and create space for mentorship and fellowship among many who are breaking down barriers while holding the weight of being the first or only.” “And at the holidays, we take the time to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company!” Ricardo Patrón, Wu’s press secretary, said no city funds were used to pay for the party. The photo sparked a mixed reaction online, although one poster claimed Wu was pulling down unfavorable comments. “You can delete my comment over and over commies, I will continue to celebrate your segregation efforts!” wrote one poster. “You’re an absolute disgrace to the city of Boston!!! Shame on you,” wrote another. Wu did have supporters in the comments section. “Great to see such diversity! Every American should see themselves represented in their elected officials!” wrote one of them. “To everyone saying this is segregation, literally every space of prominence and power has been only White people for centuries,” wrote another advocate of Wu’s actions.  “We are allowed to gather and find solidarity with other POC (people of color) [in] most every other space we are in we are a minority. It is okay for us to TAKE UP SPACE.” Fox News’ Kristine Parks and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 



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Publish date : 2023-12-16 15:13:59

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An important part of the observance of Advent during this liturgical season is the playing and singing of Advent music. It’s similar to — but also different than — the more well-known genre of Christmas music.  While Christmas music celebrates the arrival of the infant Jesus Christ, “Advent music is the soundtrack of the Church’s preparation for Christmas,” Joe Frederickson, music lead at Hallow, told Fox News Digital. Hallow is a Christian prayer app that links technology and faith — allowing users to personalize their prayer experience. ADVENT’S PEACE AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS OUTSHINES THE CULTURE’S REMOVAL OF FOUNDATIONS OF RIGHT AND WRONG It launched in late 2018 and since that time has facilitated many millions of prayers across some 150 countries, as its creator, 29-year-old Alex Jones, previously told Fox News Digital. The company is headquartered in Chicago. “Listening to music in the days and weeks leading up to Christ’s birth helps us to slow down in the midst of a busy season and let Jesus permeate our lives,” said Frederickson.  Rather than a celebration of the birth of Christ, “Advent music helps us wait with joyful hope for His second coming,” he said.  In addition to a variety of meditations and prayers, Hallow also has a music section — which includes “music for every mood and setting during the Advent and Christmas seasons,” said Frederickson.  “From cozy, piano-driven Christmas classics with Ben Rector, to moving, inspirational hymns by the Bocelli family, to uplifting songs of praise with Matt Maher, to instrumental and chant music — there is something for everyone,” he added. ADVENT IS A TIME TO SLOW DOWN, REFLECT ON THE GIFT OF ‘PRESENCE,’ URGES TEXAS FAITH LEADER  Advent encompasses the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to Christmas. The holy season is centered on penance and preparation for both the birth of Jesus Christ and the eventual Second Coming of Christ.  During the season of Advent, the “Gloria” hymn is omitted during Catholic Mass.  HAVE TRUST IN THE LORD THIS ADVENT SEASON, EVEN WHEN TIMES SEEM GLOOMY AND HOPELESS, SAYS CALIFORNIA JESUIT “This omission is meant to remind us that we are not quite ready to celebrate Christ’s arrival just yet, but need to strive to stay vigilant and awake for his coming,” says the website Catholic Spirit. The Gloria makes its return during Christmas — and is included in the liturgy of Christmastide Masses.  “It’s an appropriate return date, as the hymn itself is inspired by the very angels who announce to the shepherds the arrival of the Messiah,” noted Catholic Spirit.  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Popular Advent hymns include “O Come O Come Emmanuel,” “On Jordan’s Bank,” and “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns,” among many, many others.  All of these songs center on preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ — rather than celebrating that He was born. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.



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Publish date : 2023-12-16 10:15:22

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A single night of binge-drinking is more likely to cause liver disease than a few drinks spread across the week, a study revealed. According to a study done by the University College London, first reported by the London Standard, measuring the pattern of alcohol intake was more accurate than volume for predicting the risk of developing alcohol-related cirrhosis (ARC). According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, ARC is a stage of liver disease where the liver has become significantly scarred and may cause the liver to stop working correctly. The scientists analyzed data from 312,599 active alcoholic drinkers in the United Kingdom to assess the impact of the pattern of drinking, genetic predisposition and type-2 diabetes on the likelihood of developing ARC. ONE FAMILY DONATES FOUR KIDNEYS TO SAVE A NEW YORK MAN’S LIFE: ‘DEFIED ALL ODDS’ Dr Linda Ng Fat, a first author of the study from UCL Epidemiology and Public Health, said that the study’s approach was a “better indicator of liver disease risk than volume alone.” “We took a different approach by focusing on the pattern of drinking and found that this was a better indicator of liver disease risk than volume alone,” Dr. Fat told the London newspaper. “The other key finding was that the more risk factors involved, the higher the ‘excess risk’ due to the interaction of these factors.” Dr. Fat said the study revealed that those who engaged in heavy binge-drinking, which is defined as having 12 units of alcohol in a day, were three times as likely to develop ARC. ARKANSAS MILITARY VETERAN RECEIVES WORLD’S FIRST WHOLE-EYE AND PARTIAL-FACE TRANSPLANT The risk for those with a high genetic predisposition was four times higher and the risk for type-2 diabetics was two times higher. People who engaged in binge-drinking while also having a genetic predisposition were six times more likely to develop ARC, the study found. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust told the London Standard that this study revealed that the way people drink alcohol is important and that excessively drinking can have “servious consequences.” “This research is important because it reveals that it’s not just how much you drink overall but the way that you drink matters,” Healy said. “Drinking a lot, quickly, or drinking to get drunk can have serious consequences for your liver health.” For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.



Source link : https://www.foxnews.com/health/single-night-binge-drinking-more-likely-cause-liver-disease-than-few-drinks-week-study

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Publish date : 2023-12-16 05:30:35

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Friday granted clemency to 23 people, including a woman convicted of first-degree murder for her involvement in the death of a motel worker more than 20 years ago. The announcement marks the Republican’s third round of clemency since taking office in 2019. Lee approved 22 pardons and one commutation. “Clemency is a very powerful tool and it is not something that I take lightly,” Lee told reporters on Friday, stressing that it is “unique to the role of the governor at the state level.” TENNESSEE DEMOCRAT CALLS GOP GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL CHOICE EXPANSION PLAN A ‘REAL SCAM’ A pardon serves as a statement of forgiveness to someone who has completed their prison sentence and are no longer incarcerated, while commutation shortens a sentence but lets the conviction stand. Similar to last year, Lee didn’t issue any exonerations, in which the governor declares that the applicant didn’t commit the crime. Lee said that the actions he signed off on the 23 applications aligned with nonbinding recommendations from the state Board of Parole, with no victims speaking in opposition. Of the thousands of applications before Lee’s desk, only Michelle Lockwood-Tipton of Sevier County received a commutation. According to the governor’s office, Tipton was convicted of first-degree murder after her boyfriend at the time killed Pamela Hale, who was working at motel in eastern Tennessee. Her boyfriend, who she married a day after Hale’s murder using the money they robbed, was also convicted of first-degree murder. Tipton has served 21 years in prison and was not eligible for parole until 2052. However, with Lee’s intervention, Tipton will now be eligible for parole. She will not immediately be released from prison, per the governor’s office. “It was determined that she was shocked by the killing and unaware that that was going to happen,” Lee said. Lee added that Tipton has since been “exceptional” throughout her incarceration, noting that she’s currently working to get her Master’s degree in theology. Meanwhile, the 22 pardons include: Amanda Vaughn of Perry County; Ann Marie Byrd of Davidson County and Williamson County; Brendan Sullivan of Blount County; Cheryl Douglas of Rutherford County; Chris Ann Hobson of Fayette County; Christopher Park of Davidson Sumner and Wilson counties; DeAndre Brown of Shelby County; Demetria Garner of Davidson County; Donnell Spraggins of Shelby County; Catrina Cabe of Hamilton County; Eddie Criswell of Madison County; Edward Guthrie of Bradley County; Jimmy Harris of Overton and Putnam counties; Joseph Claggett of Davidson County; Joshua Owens of Bradley County; Kamiko Michelle Paris of Hamilton County; Kevin Campbell of Hamilton County; Melissa Whitehead-Gregory of Tipton County; Rhonda Shelton of Davidson County; Robert Scales of Davidson County; Tara Woods of Hamilton County; and Tylor Trotter of Knox County.



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Publish date : 2023-12-16 00:47:48

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A Texas sheriff sounded the alarm Friday on “America’s Newsroom” about the worsening border crisis, explaining that officials and law enforcement feel overwhelmed by the unprecedented number of migrant crossings. “It’s a real bad situation. I feel bad for the Border Patrol agents, especially the troopers, DPS. I can see in their faces that they’re tired of this situation. It’s bad,” said Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber, stressing that he doesn’t have enough officers to deal with the influx. “I don’t have enough deputies, and working at the border, they’re tired of working all the time. … I don’t have a lot of manpower.” MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS HIT DAILY RECORD AT SOUTHERN BORDER, AS WASHINGTON STRUGGLES TO AGREE ON SOLUTIONS  “What we need is more help from the federal government. Maybe that would help a lot, but we haven’t had anything from the federal government.” Schmerber warned that not all individuals are coming to America “for a better life.”  “We’ve had some burglaries here, and we had a homicide … with the immigrants. So I know my constituents … they’re afraid of what’s going on.”  Schmerber said he has also received requests for extra patrols in one of the suburbs but is having trouble providing security due to a lack of manpower and officers having to deal with illegal immigrants.  “It’s very difficult. … It takes a lot of time away from doing our regular job, which is criminal activity in our county,” he told Shannon Bream. Thousands of migrants lined railroad tracks this week as a freight train passed about three hours south of Eagle Pass, Texas, in Piedras Negras, Mexico, waiting for a chance to jump aboard to the southern border, where they are expected to arrive in the coming days. Border Patrol agents are already overwhelmed and dealing with unprecedented numbers of migrants, and according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources, migrant encounters topped 10,000 in a single day on Tuesday. Last week, there were over 12,000 migrant encounters in a single day, breaking daily records and still at levels overwhelming agents on the ground. Fox News’ Greg Wehner and Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.



Source link : https://www.foxnews.com/media/texas-border-sheriff-sounds-alarm-migrant-crisis-overwhelms-law-enforcement-real-bad-situation

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Publish date : 2023-12-15 21:00:50

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