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Olympic golds for Klaebo and Femke Kok as politics churn from Australia to Thailand, Maryland eyes 2028, Milos warns on overdevelopment, Scottish police talk knife crackdowns, and a Penn Medicine-area water main break snarls University City

Johannes Klaebo wins relay gold as Norway claims men’s cross-country title and his ninth Olympic medal

Norway won the men’s 4x7.5 km cross-country relay in Italy on Sunday, earning Johannes Klaebo his ninth Winter Olympic medal, a new record.

Water main break shuts down Spruce Street near Penn Medicine hospitals in University City

A water main break has closed Spruce Street between 34th and 38th Streets near the Penn Medicine hospitals in University City. The repairs are expected to take several weeks.

Milos faces risks from overdevelopment and weak environmental protection

Milos is increasingly threatened by overdevelopment, with experts warning that continued coastal construction and limited environmental safeguards could permanently damage the island’s distinctive volcanic landscape.

Scottish police union leader says people carrying knives in public should expect to be shot

David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said people who brandish knives in public should expect an armed police response, arguing officers need stronger protection as knife incidents increase. The SPF is pushing for New Zealand-style rules to place firearms in every patrol vehicle for faster access, ahead of the May Scottish Parliament elections. Police Scotland has not endorsed the proposal and said firearms officers prioritise de-escalation and communication, while the Police Federation of England and Wales opposes routine arming but wants more trained firearms volunteers.

Dutch speed skater Femke Kok wins 500 meters gold with an Olympic record

Dutch speed skater Femke Kok set an Olympic record in the women’s 500 meters on Sunday, winning gold and giving the Netherlands its first gold medal in the event.

Farrer byelection set for four-way contest that could signal shifts in Australian politics

Sussan Ley will resign as the longtime MP for Farrer after a farewell period, triggering a byelection likely in April or May that could become an early test of Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and a gauge of whether One Nation can convert polling strength into votes. Independent Michelle Milthorpe, who lifted her profile after taking 20% of the primary vote in 2025 and finishing 44–56 on a two-candidate-preferred basis, would need about a 6% swing and may benefit from Ley’s departure and broader Liberal brand weakness. With Ley gone, the Nationals will also run a candidate, reopening a Liberal–National rivalry not seen in the seat since 2001. One Nation is expected to improve on its 6.6% 2025 result by consolidating votes from other right-wing minor parties, while Labor is unlikely to win but could influence the outcome through preferences.

What Thailand’s election means for the country’s future and its pro-democracy movement

Thailand’s election is set to keep Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in power after his conservative Bhumjaithai Party won the most lower-house seats, while the progressive People’s Party finished second and will lead the opposition. The result underscores the structural barriers facing pro-democracy parties amid strong pro-military and pro-monarchy influence, with renewed legal pressure on reformists tied to efforts to amend the lèse-majesté law. Although the People’s Party topped the national party-list vote and dominated Bangkok, Bhumjaithai’s strength in constituency races—helped by rural patronage networks and allegations of irregularities—delivered a decisive seat advantage. A referendum to amend the constitution passed, but conservatives now control the process and could delay or dilute reforms.

Conflicts in Maryland Could Undercut Wes Moore’s 2028 Prospects

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s national profile is rising, but tensions with fellow Democrats at home are growing. Democratic lawmakers in the state legislature have frequently resisted his agenda and overridden his vetoes, raising questions about his influence in Annapolis as he positions himself for a possible 2028 presidential run.

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