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Russian lawmaker calls for ban on Wagner Group mercenaries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

A veteran Russian politician and former army commander called for a crackdown on the country’s notorious private military company, Wagner Group, as tensions rise over its role in the invasion of Ukraine.Viktor Sobolev, a former lieutenant general in the armed forces who now sits as a Communist Party MP, branded the mercenary outfit “an illegal armed formation” in a statement on Tuesday. “It is not clear where [the Wagner Group] is registered and what it does,” Sobolev said. He warned regular soldiers defecting into its ranks could face up to 15 years in prison.Moscow outsourced much of the fighting around the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut to Wagner in recent weeks. The group’s founder, oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, accused top generals of failing to supply his troops in a series of furious attacks on the top brass.The Washington Post reported on Monday leaked documents revealed Prigozhin may have offered to give information on Russian army positions to ...

10 residents, 4 pets displaced after early morning fire in Mattapan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

No injuries were reported after a fire burned across a three-family home in Mattapan, leaving a number of residents without a home according to officials.In a post on Twitter at 4:43 a.m., the Boston Fire Department said its crews were called to 15 Capen St. and were able to put out flames that had spread throughout the structure.Significant damage to what appeared to be the back of the building could be seen in an image shared by the fire department.According to Boston FD, ten residents and four dogs were displaced as a result of the fire. Officials said the American Red Cross was providing assistance.https://twitter.com/BostonFire/status/1658392814365863936

Stop & Shop to eliminate single-use plastic bags from Northeast stores, apply 10-cent charge for paper bags

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

If you shop at Stop & Shop, you’ll soon have more reasons to remember to bring your reusable bags.The supermarket chain said it plans on eliminating all single-use bags from its stores in the northeast by July of this year, while also instituting a 10-cent charge for any paper bags provided to consumers.In a statement, a spokesperson for Stop & Shop said the changes are part of an effort to “minimize waste and encourage customers to shop with reusable bags.”“Reusable bags are available for purchase at all Stop & Shop stores at various price points, as low as 10-cents per reusable bag,” the statement read. “Stop & Shop also offers reusable bags for sale where $1 from every purchase goes to a local non-profit.”Earlier this year, Walmart instituted a similar ban in parts of the northeast that included not only plastic bags, but single-use paper bags as well in New York and Connecticut, an elsewhere in the country like Colorado, ...

WHO: Artificial sweeteners have no weight-loss benefit, may raise health risks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

Brian Niemietz | New York Daily NewsThe World Health Organization has come out against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) as a means to control weight or limit noncommunicable sickness.“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children,” WHO said in a statement Monday.That review also determined long-term use of NSS could contribute to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and serious illness in adults.“Replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with weight control in the long term,” WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety Francesco Branca said in a statement. “NSS are not essential dietary factors and have no nutritional value.”Branca suggests people reduce consuming sweets altogether, starting at an early age.Aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose and stevia are among the additives addressed i...

Arlington Heights considering Bears’ demolition request because town ‘does not have any authority’ not to, mayor says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes said the village has received questions and concerns about the Chicago Bears’ recent application for a demolition permit at Arlington International Racecourse, prompting the mayor to explain at the Village Board meeting Monday night why the request is being considered.“The village does not have any authority to withhold approval of demolition for any reason if the application is complete and the property owners’ demolition plans comply with the village code,” Hayes said at the meeting.He and other Village Board members said the village is “100% committed” to transparency as the village and team navigate the early stages of what could be a behemoth project at the old racetrack.The Bears closed on the 326-acre racecourse site in February, then applied May 3 to tear down the iconic grandstand. The team has proposed building a multibillion dollar NFL stadium and adjoining mixed-use commercial, residential and enter...

Patriots OT Riley Reiff has one goal in debut season with New England

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

FOXBORO —  In free agency, the Patriots turned to Riley Reiff to address one of their most glaring roster holes at offensive tackle.Entering his 12th NFL season, Reiff turned to New England for a surprising reason: a ring.The 34-year-old veteran said Tuesday a championship is what keeps him motivated at this late stage of his career. Two years ago, Reiff came close to a title with the Bengals after an ankle injury sidelined him for the end of Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run. But instead of joining his teammates on the sideline for an eventual 23-20 loss to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI, he was stuck in the stands.“I was there – up in the press box,” he told reporters. “Not a nice press box, either.”That year, Reiff started 12 games at right tackle — a position he may soon play with the Patriots. Prior to playing in Cincinnati, he was the Vikings’ left tackle from 2017-2020. That stint followed a five-year run with the Lions, when he played both tac...

Trying to time the stock market? Read this first

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

Bob Haegele | (TNS) Bankrate.comTiming the market refers to buying securities when the price is low and selling them when the price is high. Trying to time the market can be tempting because it might seem like you can make a lot of money, but it’s not without risks.Buy low, sell high. While it’s simple in theory, in reality, it’s highly unlikely you will be able to time the market successfully. Chances are, you will buy things you think will increase, but it never happens. Then you’re left selling it at a loss. This scenario is all too common, and it’s why you should avoid trying to time the market.While you could try to time the market, it’s better to avoid it in most cases. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to it instead. Depending on your goals, one of the alternatives might be a better choice.The problem with timing the marketTiming the market is difficult. Actually, that is probably an understatement as very few people can time the market consistently. In fact, even p...

Family of sisters killed in Mother's Day hit-and-run crash speaks out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The family of two sisters, who were killed in a hit-and-run crash in the Bay Terraces neighborhood on Mother’s Day morning, spoke to FOX 5 about their loved ones.Daniel Jimenez, the husband of 25-year-old Elizabeth Higuera Cano, says he’s having a hard time accepting the fact his wife is gone, let alone the fact it happened on Mother’s Day.“A beautiful person inside and out and I know that she’s impacted a lot of people. Talking to friends, I just found out she was four weeks pregnant. She was trying to celebrate Mother’s Day,” Jimenez said. “She’s really an amazing mom and wife, my soulmate and the best person I could ask for to be with.”Elizabeth and her 23-year-old sister Jazmin Higuera Cano were killed by a hit-and-run driver around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Two other friends in the car with them were injured, but survived.Jimenez speaks of Liz being bold, saying she was an artist, supportive of his career in the Navy and above all else, a loving mother.Speaking about Jazmi...

CTE cases in soccer players raise fresh questions about safety of heading the ball

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

English soccer star Jimmy Fryatt was known for his ability to head the ball, and the proof of his prowess may be in the damage it did to his brain.Still physically fit in his late 70s, Fryatt played tennis but couldn’t keep score or remember which side of the net he was supposed to be on. He lived in Las Vegas for almost 50 years but started to get lost while riding his bicycle in the neighborhood.“I had to put a tracker on him,” his wife, Valerie, said this week. “I’d call him and say: ‘Stop. I’m coming to get you.’”A North American Soccer League champion who played 18 years in Britain, Fryatt is one of four former professional soccer players newly diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The Concussion Legacy Foundation announced Tuesday that English pro and Oregon State head coach Jimmy Conway, Scottish and Seattle NASL midfielder Jimmy Gabriel, and NCAA champion Franny Pantuosco also were found to have the degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions in...

Cannes Film Festival kicks off with Johnny Depp, ‘Jeanne du Barry’ and plenty to talk about

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:36 GMT

CANNES, France (AP) — The Cannes red carpet sprang to life again Tuesday with the premiere of the Louis XV period drama “Jeanne du Barry,” with Johnny Depp, as the French Riviera movie pageant launched a star-studded and potentially controversy-rife 76th edition. Throngs of onlookers shouted “Johnny!” as Depp, in purple-hued sunglasses signed autographs and edged back into the spotlight following his explosive trial last year with ex-wife Amber Heard. “Louis XV,” directed and co-starring Maïwenn, has been billed as Depp’s comeback — though his prominent presence at Cannes has been hotly debated. A coterie of stars streamed down Cannes’ famous red carpet for the opening night ceremony, including Brie Larson, Uma Thurman, Gong Li, Elle Fanning, Catherine Deneuve (who graces this year’s festival poster) and a blue-haired Helen Mirren, who carried a fan labeled #worthit. Michael Douglas, who was to receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the opening night ceremon...