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Russia’s FSB opens criminal case against Wagner boss, accusing him of calling for ‘armed rebellion’

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

(CNN) — Russia’s domestic intelligence service has opened a criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of private military group Wagner, after he appeared to cross a red line with the Kremlin on Friday when he vowed to retaliate against the country’s military leadership for what he described as strikes launched against his forces.The open confrontation was sparked by a series of Telegram posts on Friday, where Prigozhin accused Russian forces of striking a Wagner military camp. “A huge amount of our fighters were killed,” he said, in a radical escalation of a longstanding feud with Russia’s military leaders.Russia’s Ministry of Defense denied the claims, calling it an “informational provocation.”The mercenary, who has frequently criticized Russia’s traditional military hierarchy, then warned that retribution would be meted out. “We will deal with those who destroy Russian soldiers and return to the front, justice for the troops will be restored, and then justice fo...

Savin Hill station temporarily closed as crews perform stairwell maintenance, MBTA says

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

Red Line service will bypass the Savin Hill station in Dorchester through the end of service Friday as crews perform stairwell maintenance inside the station, the MBTA said. The T announced the sudden change in a tweet early Friday afternoon, saying service will bypass Savin Hill in both directions. The T initially said the change would remain in place “until further notice.” In a later update, officials said Savin Hill will reopen Saturday morning. In the meantime, the T said trains will continue operating through Savin Hill but will not stop.The T said shuttle buses will run between Fields Corner and JFK/UMass with an option for Savin Hill riders to board buses at the intersection of Dorchester Avenue and Savin Hill Avenue. Bus route 18, which traces a path between the Ashmont and Andrew Red Line stations “is also available,” the T said.

Mets deal Eduardo Escobar to Angels for minor leaguers Coleman Crow, Landon Marceaux

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — Third base officially belongs to Brett Baty.The Mets traded Eduardo Escobar and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for two minor league pitchers Friday night in the middle of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Mets trailing their NL East rivals 2-0, the club announced the trade for right-handers Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux, both of whom are Double-A starters.Escobar, a 34-year-old Venezuelan third baseman, has had a tough season, though you wouldn’t know it by his upbeat demeanor. There was pressure for him to perform this spring with Baty, one of the Mets’ top prospects, knocking at the door. He struggled during the World Baseball Classic and in spring training. He failed to hit during the early part of the season and the Mets were forced to call up Baty in late April.Escobar performed well in a reserve role, hitting .394 with two home runs in the month of May, but he’s come back down again, going 4-...

Task force convenes to study literacy rates in Boston

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

Boston officials have formed a task force that will be charged with studying literacy rates and developing a plan on how city residents, young and old, can improve those scores.The city hasn’t conducted such a study since 2003, according to Councilor Julia Mejia, who proposed the group two years ago so officials can better serve residents who need help learning how to read.“This work is very personal to me,” Mejia said in a release. “My mother only made it to the third grade and struggles to read and write in Spanish as well as English. Unfortunately, there are many others like my mom.”Friday marked the first meeting of the “Task Force to Address Literacy Rates in the City of Boston,” a coalition of 15 appointed representatives of community organizations, current and former city public school students, adults with “lived literacy experience,” and city employees.The task force started developing a vision and work plan that it will follow during its existence, which could be up ...

Boston fire union blasts Mayor Wu’s version of Southie OD den call

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

The fire union is pushing back at the mayor and police, saying firefighters stand by what they reported after rushing into a South Boston apartment this past weekend, a matter that triggered a 51A child-neglect alert.Sam Dillon, president of Boston Firefighters Local 718, defended the firefighters who responded to an incident involving a dead man found in an apartment where four children were present, after the mayor and police department made statements debunking details reported by the fire department and media.“Local 718 stands squarely behind the actions taken by our firefighters,” Dillon told the Herald on Friday. “The integrity of the firefighters involved in this incident is beyond reproach. Their swift action to address what they encountered should be commended by everyone involved.”Dillon said the incident report prepared by the Boston Fire Department is “100% accurate,” and noted that firefighters arrived prior to police officers, and therefore encountered a different scen...

Sights and sounds from London Stadium: Chicago Cubs expect high-scoring games this weekend. ‘The ball flies out of here.’

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

A big smile broke across Christopher Morel’s face.Morel had just finished batting practice Friday afternoon on a humid workout day at London Stadium before the Chicago Cubs’ two-game weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals.“From what I can tell, the ball flies out of here,” Morel said through an interpreter.London Stadium, home to Premier League’s West Ham United, originally was built and created for the track and field events at the 2012 Olympics. It was designed to minimize wind and air flow in the stadium in an effort to reduce weather’s impact on events. The unique wind dynamics made the pitch-turned-diamond an offensive haven during the 2019 London Series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox when they combined for 50 runs in two games.The distance of the outfield wall in center field was pushed back 7 feet while the power alleys gained an additional 5 feet for this series. Based on the Cubs’ batting practice experience...

US intelligence report on COVID-19 origins rejects some points raised by lab leak theory proponents

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials released an intelligence report Friday that rejected several points raised by those who argue COVID-19 leaked from a Chinese lab, instead reiterating that American spy agencies remain divided over how the pandemic began. The report was issued at the behest of Congress, which in March passed a bill giving U.S. intelligence 90 days to declassify intelligence related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Intelligence officials during the Biden administration have been pushed by lawmakers to release more material about the origins of COVID-19. But they have repeatedly argued China’s official obstruction of independent reviews has made it perhaps impossible to determine how the pandemic began. The newest report is likely to anger Republicans who say the administration is wrongly withholding classified information and researchers who accuse the U.S. of not being forthcoming. There was newfound interest from researchers following the revelation earlier ...

‘Hi this is Doug Ford calling!’: Premier wades into Toronto mayoral election in final days

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

When the byelection for Toronto mayor was announced, Premier Doug Ford stated he was “staying out of that election.”But as the campaign enters its final few days, many Toronto residents are getting this: “Hi this is Doug Ford calling!”Robocalls featuring a pre-recorded message from the premier pleading with residents to support mayoral candidate Mark Saunders, “number 84 on the ballot.”“We all have to unite behind Mark, it’s absolutely critical for the future of our city,” Ford goes on to say, explaining how he is the only one who will keep taxes low, keep the streets safe and create thousands of jobs. “Please make sure you, your family and friends all go out and vote for Mark Saunders,” he concludes. RELATED: Mayoral candidate’s texts irk TorontoniansDespite maintaining he is staying out of the race, Ford has made no secret that Saunders is his preferred candidate. Earlier in the week, a Saunders campaign sign ...

Chicago Ald. Vasquez said he had cancerous tumor removed

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

CHICAGO — 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez said he had a cancerous tumor removed last week.In a newsletter and on social media, Vasquez said the tumor was found when he went for a check-up for what he thought was a hernia. ‘Kindness and compassion’: Suburban man passes away after 10-year ALS battle On Tuesday, Vasquez said it was confirmed the tumor was cancerous and a stage 1A Seminoma. He said because a CT scan looked normal, it appears he might not need further treatment.He said he is still planning to set up a long-term plan schedule of check-ins to make sure he continues to heal."I am grateful that I was able to catch this to get it addressed, and I want to make sure that others who have any pains or other discomforts get them checked out if you can," he wrote. "I am fortunate that I have this opportunity to reflect on what I need to do to take care of myself and find a balance the keeps me in good shape to continue doing this work."He thanked his staff, neighbors, family and hi...

Eric Adams sent migrants to Florida, Texas, abroad: reports

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:48:42 GMT

(The Hill) — New York City sent migrants all over the country and the world, months after Mayor Eric Adams chastised red-state governors Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott for similar trips.The city has spent about $50,000 for the resettlement of 114 migrant households, mostly to Florida and Texas, according to documents obtained by Politico. Some went abroad, one even as far as China.  Who is the head of the mercenary group calling for an armed rebellion in Russia? DeSantis and Abbott came under fire after they sent migrants via bus and plane north to blue states: Abbott sending buses to New York City and DeSantis sending planes full to Martha’s Vineyard last year.Adams said those transfers of migrants “part of a political ploy,” and that many of the migrants did not want to go north or did not understand why they were being moved. Some of the migrants had immigration appointments all over the country which they wouldn’t be able to attend without help.In total, Abbott has sent about 9,...