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More EU countries threaten to close Russian borders amid migrant surge

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

A growing number of asylum seekers arriving on the EU’s eastern frontier is forcing Baltic countries to consider border closures with Russia, due to fears the Kremlin is weaponizing desperate people to create a migration crisis on the Continent.Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are increasingly concerned after Finland last week shut all of its crossings with Russia for two weeks after undocumented migrants from crisis-hit countries in the Horn of Africa and Asia entered the Nordic nation. The Latvian Ministry of Internal Affairs told POLITICO that Riga “does not currently plan to close the border with Russia and Belarus completely” but revealed officials are “carefully monitoring the further development of the situation with illegal immigration flows. If the situation changes radically and threatens the security of the country, it is not excluded that Latvia can also close its eastern border completely.”Estonia has previously said it is braced for a potenti...

John Kerry shrugs off COP28 chief’s controversial fossil fuel remarks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber’s controversial remarks that “no science” shows a fossil fuel phaseout is needed to hit climate goals may require “clarification,” U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told POLITICO. Kerry’s remarks — his first reaction since the Guardian published al-Jaber’s comments on Sunday — show the U.S. diplomat is not withdrawing his long-standing support for the COP28 chief, despite ongoing concerns about al-Jaber’s other role as CEO of ADNOC, the UAE’s state-owned mega oil firm.“Look, he’s gotta decide how he wants to phrase it, but the bottom line is this COP needs to be committed to phasing out all unabated fossil fuel,” Kerry told POLITICO’s Power Play podcast with Anne McElvoy. Speaking during an online event in November, al-Jaber said there was no scientific basis to conclude that a fossil fuel phaseout is needed to restrict global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius — the most ambitious target of the Paris Agreeme...

Dedham Police investigating assault on Total Wine employee Sunday night

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

Authorities are investigating an attack that took place Sunday night at Total Wine on Route 1 in Dedham.According to Dedham Police, a male employee of Total Wine was assaulted by a group of individuals and threatned with a knife in the business’ parking lot while he was leaving work around 8 p.m.Police said one of the individuals in the group was denied purchase at the liquor store on Saturday.The victim’s cellphone was taken after it fell out of his pocket. He was evaluated on scene but denied further medical treatment.This investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.

Medford Police implement body camera program

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

A group of 33 Medford police officers will begin using body-worn cameras this month, with the remainder of the department joining in the program at the start of the new year.“The launch of our new Body Worn Camera Program marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and strengthen the trust between our officers and the community we serve.” Medford Police Chief Jack Buckley said in a statement.The trial period, which began on Monday, Dec. 4, will “be focused on educating officers on camera usage, identifying glitches and concerns, and working to familiarize officers with the protocols around body cameras.”Officers will wear the cameras at all times during their patrol shifts, activating the recording devices only during specific police interactions.The police department said they have a dedicated server to collect and store the data collected from the cameras and they will regularly review and update their camera policies “to align w...

Hyde Park woman wins $25 million instant prize, 17 years after winning big on another instant ticket

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

A woman from Hyde Park has hit it big once again when it comes to scratch tickets, winning $25 million off an instant game, according to officials.The Massachusetts State Lottery announced that Desiree Fortini-Craft won the $25 million grand prize via a “Billion Dollar Extravaganza” scratch ticket.The win comes some 17 years after Fortini-Craft won another instant ticket prize in 2006, collecting $1 million in that case, state lottery officials said.With her latest winnings, Fortini-Craft told officials she hopes to use the winnings to enjoy life with her fiancé Jason Perkins, who joined her in claiming her prize at the Mass Lottery headquarters in Dorchester. She opted to receive her prize in the form of a one-time payment of $16,250,000 (before taxes).Describing how she and Perkins are hard workers, Fortini-Craft said they planned on having a “really good Christmas in Aruba” and that she hoped to use some of her prize to pay off the student loans of her three daughters...

Bill Belichick reacts surprisingly positively to Bailey Zappe’s performance after Patriots shutout loss

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

It’s still somewhat shocking to hear just how far the bar has lowered for expected quarterback play with the Patriots over the last four years.Bailey Zappe was 13-of-25 for 141 yards after finally relieving Mac Jones as the Patriots’ starting quarterback in Sunday’s 6-0 shutout loss to the Chargers. He also carried the ball four times for 16 yards but was sacked five times.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick leaves door open for Matthew Judon’s return to Patriots practice New England Patriots | Patriots defender sounds off on offense, losing streak: ‘It’s f—ing frustrating’ New England Patriots | Callahan: How much worse can the boring Patriots get? New England Patriots | Source: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson to undergo MRI to confirm ankle sprain New England Patriots | Bailey Zappe not ensured Week 14 start after Patriots’ continued offensiv...

After a fatal attack near the Eiffel Tower, French investigators look into suspect’s mental health

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

By JOHN LEICESTER (Associated Press)PARIS (AP) — French police investigating a fatal weekend attack near the Eiffel Tower were looking Monday into the mental health of the suspected assailant, who swore allegiance to the Islamic State group before stabbing a German-Filipino tourist to death and injuring two other people with a hammer.The French national taken into police custody, Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, has a history of mental illness and of Islamic radicalization, officials said. He faces a possible preliminary charge of terrorist-related murder for the Saturday night attack that raised fresh questions about security in Paris before it hosts the Olympic Games next year.“This is a case that links radical Islam, undeniably, and mental illness. I must tell the French people the truth that there are numerous cases like this,” French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said Monday, adding that around one-third of suspected radicals under surveillance have psychi...

Taylor Swift hits Lambeau Field to watch Travis Kelce, Chiefs face Packers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Taylor Swift was on hand at Lambeau Field to watch Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs in their Sunday night game against the Green Bay Packers.It was the fifth Chiefs game Swift has attended since the pop superstar and the four-time All-Pro tight end started their relationship. The Chiefs won all four of their previous games in front of Swift, but they lost this one 27-19.The 33-year-old Swift watched from a suite at Lambeau alongside Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Swift hadn’t attended a Chiefs game since an Oct. 22 triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers largely because of conflicts with her tour schedule, which is currently on a break. She first watched Kelce in person in a home victory over Chicago, then traveled to games at the New York Jets and Denver.Kelce had four catches for 81 yards, and he now has averaged 102.6 yards receiving in the games Swift has attended. He has averaged 50 yards in his other six games. He m...

Fire blamed on e-bike battery kills 1, injures 6 in Bronx apartment building

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — One person was killed and six others were injured when a fire blamed on an electric bicycle battery tore through a New York City apartment, officials said Monday.The fire started at around 7 p.m. Sunday in a 10th-floor apartment in a public housing complex in the Bronx, a Fire Department spokesperson said.One person was taken to a hospital with critical injuries and later died, the spokesperson said. Two others suffered serious, life-threatening injuries and four others suffered minor injuries, he said.Fire marshals determined that the fire was caused by an e-bike’s lithium ion battery, department officials said.The fatal fire happened three weeks after a fire blamed on a lithium ion battery killed three members of a Brooklyn family.New York City has seen hundreds of fires linked to the batteries that power electric bikes and scooters in recent years. City officials have blamed off-market batteries and chargers for many of the fires and they have lobbied the fe...

Police in Greece allege that rap singer blew up and robbed cash machines to pay for music videos

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:43 GMT

Police in Greece have arrested a rap artist accused of using explosives to rob cash machines and finance his music videos, authorities said Monday.The 28-year-old Greek singer, who was not named, was arrested over the weekend with two other suspects aged 26 and 27 after police raided a property near Athens and searched several vehicles.Police seized 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) of explosives, an M16 assault rifle, four handguns and just over 200,000 euros ($217,200) in cash.“They laundered money by spending exorbitant amounts via the music industry or by gambling at casinos,” police Brig. Gen. Ioannis Skouras alleged.Police spokeswoman Constantia Dimoglidou alleged the gang was linked to 10 ATM attacks in several parts of Greece, mostly in isolated locations, stealing an estimated 710,000 euros ($770,000) in total.The three suspects face charges of multiple counts of robbery, illegal possession of firearms, illegal possession and use of explosives and vehicle theft.Athens,Greece, The ...