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US investigates claims American gear used in raids on Russia

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

KYIV — Washington is investigating reports that U.S. military vehicles were used in raids on Russia, a White House official said Wednesday, warning Ukraine and pro-Ukraine forces against using U.S. equipment to attack inside Russia.Two pro-Ukraine Russian paramilitary groups claimed responsibility for an incursion Monday into Russia’s Belgorod region from Ukraine, in which they overran several small villages. Moscow said Wednesday it had defeated the groups, killing more than 70 people and destroying U.S.-made military vehicles.U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday the White House is “looking into those reports that the U.S. equipment and vehicles could have been involved,” hinting at frustration in Washington.“We’ve been pretty darn clear: We don’t support the use of U.S.-made equipment for attacks inside Russia … we’ve been clear about that with the Ukrainians,” Kirby said. “I won’t get int...

Ron DeSantis files paperwork to run for US president

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

Ron DeSantis filed paperwork on Wednesday to run for president after months of anticipation, putting the Florida governor in direct competition with former President Donald Trump for the heart of the Republican Party.His entry into the race came ahead of an expected Twitter Spaces session with Elon Musk on Wednesday night, where he had planned to announce his campaign.DeSantis, who has been visiting battleground and early voting states for more than a year, was widely praised by Republicans after his historic Florida reelection win last November. But his poll numbers slipped after Trump spent months attacking him.He will wage his campaign on two fronts: persuading Republicans that Trump’s baggage will weigh him down in the general election, while lambasting the Democratic president, Joe Biden, as a weak executive beholden to the left.DeSantis, in laying out the stakes for the contest, has described a country in crisis — gripped by what he portrayed as far-left hellscape where childr...

New LEGO Discovery Center in Somerville gets ribbon cutting ahead of Thursday opening

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

A new, hands-on building experience for kids in Somerville is set to soon open its doors to the public.A special ribbon cutting was held for the new LEGO Discovery Center in Assembly Row, with Governor Maura Healey on hand as some kids got an early look at the new attraction, complete with LEGO replicas of iconic buildings and sights across Boston.“Looking before us are tomorrow’s engineers and those who are going to help create and build wonderful things for our state, for our New England region, and that’s super, super exciting,” Healey said at the event.Kids will be able to practice their building skills in areas dedicated to creativity at the center. There’s also a LEGO version of many of Boston’s iconic landmarks – from the State House to the subway.“I like doing LEGOs because you put something together and then you kind of love what you build, and you kind of can make other things once you make one thing,” said Tenley Hurd....

Man who shot two dead is killed by Rhode Island police

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

JOHNSTON, R.I. (AP) — A man suspected of shooting and killing two people and wounding a third in Rhode Island on Wednesday morning was himself fatally shot by police after fleeing the scene, law enforcement officials said.Officers responding to 911 calls about gunfire found one adult victim in the suspect’s home in Johnston and another adult victim in a neighbor’s home at about 7:30 a.m., Johnston Police Chief Mark Vieira said at a news conference. A 15-year-old girl was also shot and taken to the hospital but is expected to survive, he said.The victims’ names were not released.The killings were sparked by some sort of neighborhood dispute, but police did not provide details because the investigation is ongoing. Vieira did say officers had been to the neighborhood where the shootings occurred at around midnight, but he did not disclose why.The suspect, identified as James Harrison, 52, of Johnston, did not appear to have a criminal record in the state.Police in Cra...

Mystery good Samaritan helps officer save Maine residents trapped on roof during fire

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

HALLOWELL, Maine (WMTW) — A good Samaritan helped an officer save two residents after a fire broke out at a Hallowell home on Tuesday.At 10 p.m., emergency responders received reports of two people trapped on the roof of the Franklin Street home.Officials say a Hallowell Police Department officer was able to get to the fire in less than a minute, joined by a good Samaritan who ran to help.Image provided by the Hallowell Police DepartmentAuthorities do not know the identity of the person who helped, but say they grabbed a ladder and were able to help get the residents to safety.No one was injured.If you know the person who helped first responders, you’re asked to send a message to the Hallowell Police Department Facebook page.An investigation into what caused the fire is ongoing.Image provided by the Hallowell Police Department

Photos: Look back at Tina Turner’s legendary career

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

She was simply the best. Tina Turner, the stiletto-wearing, gravel-voiced diva who heroically escaped the clutches of a domestic abuser to strike out on her own as an international superstar, died at her home in Switzerland after a long illness. She was 83.TMZ was among the first to report the news, via a rep, who did not specify the nature of the illness.Proud Mary personified, Turner’s glorious career had two musical acts. First, she gained fame as the soul-stirring singer to the innovative guitar-playing band leader Ike Turner as part of the wildly popular Ike and Tina Turner Review.Later, she became an inspirational icon, rebounding from domestic abuse to build her own brand of musical dominance with such runaway hits as “Simply the Best,” “Private Dancer,” “I Don’t Wanna Fight” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”Here’s a look back at Turner’s career.Singer Tina Turner wearing a fur coat as she poses next to a fountain on the eve of her first solo performance in Bri...

Typhoon Mawar flips cars, cuts power on Guam as scope of damage emerges in US Pacific territory

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

By GRACE GARCES BORDALLO and SARAH BRUMFIELD (Associated Press)HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Powerful Typhoon Mawar churned slowly over the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam on Thursday, lashing the island with wind and rain, tearing down trees, walls and power lines, flipping cars, and pushing dangerous storm surge ashore as first-responders waited for daylight to see the full extent of the damage.The typhoon, the strongest to hit the U.S. territory of roughly 150,000 people since 2002, briefly made landfall Wednesday night as a Category 4 storm at Andersen Air Force Base on the northern tip of the island, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Doll.The slow-moving storm was battering the island with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph), and it was expected to intensify through Friday, the weather service said.Videos posted on social media showed fallen trees, a flipped pickup truck, solar panels flying through the air, parts of a wall of a multistory hotel c...

BBQ Recipe: Barbecued Peri Peri Chicken

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

This easy recipe for spicy Barbecued Peri Peri Chicken is one of 50 in a new palm-sized “barbecue in a box” cookbook that’s tailor made for the grilling enthusiast in a hurry. Fan the deck of recipe cards, pluck one — like this red chile pepper and paprika-spiked take on grilled chicken — and you’re good to go.Other recipes include Grilled Cabbage Salad, Rum-Spiked Barbecue Banana Boats and more.Barbecued Peri Peri ChickenServes 4 to 6INGREDIENTS3-pound whole chicken5 fresh long red chiles5 garlic cloves, unpeeled1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon sweet paprika1 teaspoon brown sugar1/3 cup olive oil1¾ ounce cider vinegar1½ teaspoons saltDIRECTIONSPreheat oven to 425 degrees.Butterfly the chicken. Pat the skin dry with paper towels.Place the chiles on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool, then roughly chop. (Turn oven off.)Meanwhile, blanch the garlic cloves in boiling water for 30 seconds, then peel and roughly chop. In a small saucepan set over medium heat, co...

My worst moment: ‘Ted Lasso’ star Jeremy Swift missed his cue for a nude entrance

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

Nina Metz | Chicago TribuneOn “Ted Lasso,” Jeremy Swift plays the team’s delightfully offbeat director of operations, Leslie Higgins. A lover of jazz, he is a man who might be more beaten down if he didn’t have the quiet self-confidence of a person who has his personal life figured out.“I know some of the other actors had a trajectory planned out at the beginning,” said Swift, “but I didn’t. I didn’t really know where he was going. I’m not sure the writers did, either. The first season was very much about divorce for two of the central characters, and they needed a contrast. So they went with a relatively harmonious family for Higgins.” Summing up his experience on the show over the last three seasons: “I just have to pinch myself that I’m in it.”Swift’s resume includes roles in “Mary Poppins Returns,” “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “Downton Abbey,” among many others. When asked about a worst moment in his career, he started off with a disclaimer: “I’m not sure at all what I ...

Police conduct welfare check on Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant: report

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:10:50 GMT

Ja Morant continues to make headlines off the floor.The Shelby County Sheriff’s department conducted a welfare check Wednesday after the Memphis Grizzlies star posted cryptic messages on social media, according to TMZ.Morant posted a series of photos with the captions: “Love ya ma” with a blue heart emoji, “Love ya pops” with a blue heart emoji and “You da greatest baby girl” — blue heart emoji — “love ya.” finished off with a simple, “Bye.”A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told the gossip website that Morant was fine and said the NBA star told them he is just taking a break from social media.Morant is back in the headlines less than two weeks after he was suspended by the Grizzlies from all team activities after a second video of him holding a gun surfaced on social media. The video was from his friend Davonte Pack’s Instagram live account and has since been deleted.“We are aware o...