LEFTIST CANDIDATE WINS IN AUSTRIA
vienna» Left-leaning Alexander Van der Bellen triumphed over his right-wing rival Sunday in the vote for Austria’s presidency, a victory welcomed by moderate politicians across Europe as a blow against the nationalist forces looking to weaken the European Union.
While the Austrian presidency is a mostly symbolic post, it had attracted attention from across Europe as the next possible victory for nationalists after political outsider Donald Trump’s presidential win in the United States and the Brexit vote in Britain.
“What happens here today has relevance for all of Europe,” Van der Bellen said as he cast his ballot, later noting that his win showed most voters backed his message of “freedom, equality, solidarity.”
Renzi quits after losing reforms referendum by big margin
B rome» Italian Premier Matteo Renzi announced he will resign Monday after suffering a stinging loss in a reforms referendum, triggering immediate calls from a populist party and other opposition forces for elections to be held soon.
“I lost, and the post that gets eliminated is mine,” Renzi said. “The government’s experience is over, and in the afternoon I’ll go to the Quirinal Hill to hand in my resignation” to President Sergio Mattarella.
Leaders of the nationalist 5-Star Movement, which is led by comic Beppe Grillo, joined the chorus for early elections. The 5-Stars are the chief rivals of Renzi’s Democrats and are anxious to achieve national power for the first time.
Wyoming police to dole out donated money for good deeds. A good deed
could turn into a $50 tip from Jackson law enforcement officials who will dole out donated money ahead of the holidays.
Teton County Sheriff Jim Whalen says anonymous donors have contributed enough for deputies, officers and troopers to give $50 to $100 gifts.
Whalen said the money could be given out for almost anything, including good drivers or people who are simply down on their luck.
He said the cash gifts are about spreading goodwill.
Donations last year helped officials run a similar effort.
More private college presidents top $2 million in pay, study finds
B boston» Presidents of eight private colleges in the U.S. were paid more than $2 million in 2014, the most ever to hit that mark, according to a new study.
They join a total of 39 chiefs who made more than $1 million that year, passing the previous high of 32 the year before, according to new annual rankings released Sunday by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Maryland may extend fracking ban. Maryland
fracking opponents are pushing hard for a state law to prohibit the controversial gas-extraction method, but lawmakers seem more likely to extend the existing moratorium on the practice during the upcoming legislative session.
Advocates for a ban expect resistance from Sen. Joan Carter Conway, D-Baltimore, who leads a committee that oversees environmental affairs and has stopped previous attempts to prohibit the drilling technique, also known as hydraulic fracturing.
“Moana,” “Fantastic Beasts” rule box office again B
hollywood» Audiences came back for a second helping of “Moana” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” this weekend. Both family-friendly films topped the post-Thanksgiving box office, with “Moana” bringing in $28.4 million and “Fantastic Beasts” earning $18.5 million, according to studio estimates. Disney’s “Moana,” in only its second weekend in theaters and second weekend at No. 1, has grossed $119.9 million, while Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter spinoff “Fantastic Beasts” has earned $183.5 million in three weeks.