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Putin in crisis: Wagner chief Prigozhin declares war on Russian military leadership, says ‘we will destroy everything’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

Vladimir Putin is facing a major military crisis after Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin declared war on Moscow’s own defense ministry, claiming Kremlin officials had killed thousands of his soldiers.In a statement issued Friday night, the FSB security agency said it had “legally and reasonably begun criminal proceedings” against the Wagner Group warlord “for the organization of armed insurrection.”Prigozhin, meanwhile, claimed he had pulled his troops back from Ukraine and into Russia’s Rostov, and vowed: “If anyone gets in our way, we will destroy everything!”The feud between Prigozhin and Russia’s ministry of defense has been building for months but now appears to have boiled over.According to Russian state media, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Putin is aware of the rapidly unfolding situation and “all necessary measures are being taken.”“Prigozhin’s statements and actions are actually the calls for the beginning of an armed civil conflict...

North Grafton child granted new treehouse, marking local Make-A-Wish chapter’s 10,000th wish

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

A 9-year-old from North Grafton had his dream come true Friday. Kyle Osterman, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia, was granted his wish of having a treehouse in his backyard.His mom said he was thrilled after hearing the news.“I talked to Kyle about it. He was excited. He said ‘Oh yeah I thought I had bad luck but now I know — this is great luck’ so he was excited about it,” Stephanie Paglione said.The Make-A-Wish Foundation teamed up with contractor W.T. Rich Company to build “Kyle’s Krib,” and Cardi’s Furniture donated some items to enhance his new play spot.Kyle’s treehouse also marks the 10,000th wish granted by the local chapter.“Just to see this come to life, to see the excitement in so many people, Kyle, and his family in particular of course, but so many people were rewarded by being part of this process and helping deliver on this not-so-small tree house,” Jonathan Rich, CEO of W.T. Rich Company, said.A special guest was invited to attend the b...

Arrest made in Denver Nuggets post-championship shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

Denver police made a third arrest in connection to a mass shooting that occurred after the hometown Nuggets won the NBA championship earlier this month.Kenneth Blakely, 24, is being held for investigation of attempted first-degree murder, according to the Denver Police Department. Two other suspects were previously apprehended for their alleged involvement in a June 13 firefight that left 10 people injured around 12:30 a.m.The chaos erupted as Nuggets fans celebrated their team’s first professional basketball title a short time earlier. One of the suspects suffered a gunshot wound. Both men allegedly had weapons.“Preliminary information indicated there was an altercation that led up to the shooting,” cops said in a statement released Friday.CPR News in Denver said Blakely became involved in a confrontation with one of the other suspects, whose gunfire caused several injuries. Blakely is accused of escalating the situation before firing shots that also hit multiple ...

Tim Anderson makes his 1st career start at 2nd base in his return to the Chicago White Sox lineup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

Tim Anderson got a taste of second base this spring playing for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic.Sidelined a majority of the time since exiting Saturday’s game in Seattle with right shoulder soreness — a pinch-hitting appearance Tuesday the exception — the Chicago White Sox shortstop moved to second so he could return to action Friday against the Boston Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.He originally wasn’t in the lineup.“TA went out there, threw, was taking his ground balls at short (before the game) and brought it up to me that ‘I can play second if we need it,’ ” manager Pedro Grifol said shortly after the Sox made the lineup switch. “I said, ‘How do you feel with it?’ He said, ‘I’d like to go over there to get in the lineup. I’d like to be a part of this thing.’ ”Grifol discussed it with Anderson and general manager Rick Hahn and inserted him at second, hitting second in the ...

Boston Bruin Charlie Coyle named dog ambassador

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

Tails were wagging in Tewksbury, as a Boston Bruin scored a nifty new title.The Weymouth native and Boston Bruins hockey player Charlie Coyle was officially appointed “hometown treat officer,” as Wellness Pet Co. celebrated ahead of National Take Your Dog to Work Day this week.Dogs of all breeds and sizes gathered on the company grounds to commemorate the day, while welcoming Coyle, along with his two golden retrievers, Bodie and Gracie, for the festivities.“This is great,” said Coyle. “I feel honored. I love my dogs. I love being a dog parent, and I love giving them treats, so if I can be the treat officer for the day here with these guys it’s very humbling.”The event featured over 100 employees and their dogs engaging in arts and crafts, canine fitness, sensory activities, and mobile grooming.Both of Coyle’s dogs came dressed for the occasion, sporting custom-made purple pullovers with his name and familiar No. 13 emblazoned on them.“The jerseys are a little different, but they lo...

Dorchester man sentenced to life for binding, burning New Jersey woman in 2015

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

A Dorchester man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murder of a 29-year-old New Jersey woman, who he bound, gagged and set on fire alongside commuter rail tracks in Bridgewater more than seven years ago.A Plymouth Superior Court jury on Wednesday found Fernando Owens, 51, guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping of Ashley Bortner, 29, of New Jersey, a woman he thought was involved in the death of his own son earlier that day.On Friday, Judge Elaine Buckley sentenced Owens to life in prison. He is the second of three people charged in connection with the murder. Julian Squires, 49, was found guilty of the same counts in June of last year and is currently serving life in state prison. Shannon Squires, 46, is next scheduled to appear in court on July 20.“I am proud of the work that this jury did to come to a just verdict in this case,” said Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz in a statement following Owens’ verdict. “They heard the evidence of what t...

Mets Notebook: Tylor Megill heading to Triple-A searching for answers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — Tylor Megill and the Mets have struggled all season to find answers to why he has taken a step back since 2022. Opportunities to make adjustments are few and far between at the Major League level, so the Mets have sent the struggling right-hander to Triple-A Syracuse in order to give him a chance to figure some things out and attempt to find better form.Megill was optioned Thursday night and the Mets called up right-hander Vinny Nittoli to take his spot on the roster Friday, ahead of a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Nittoli was already on the 40-man roster after being acquired in a trade by the Chicago Cubs for future considerations.“It’s just a chance for him to get back to what he’s capable of,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said Friday at Citizens Bank Park while waiting on word of whether or not the two teams would play through the rain. “He’ll be the first to tell you that it wasn’t what he could...

Rapper 'Boosie' to be released on bond after San Diego arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Louisana-based rapper Torrence "Boosie" Hatch Jr. is set to be released on a $100,000 bond after his arrest in San Diego last month on firearm possession charges.This comes after two federal judges denied prosecutors' requests to keep the rapper in custody during hearings this week, allowing him to be released under certain conditions.Hatch, 40, was first arrested by San Diego police on May 6 after a traffic stop in the Chollas View neighborhood in which authorities say officers recovered two loaded handguns in the vehicle.Prosecutors say the arrest was initiated after a law enforcement officer viewed an Instagram livestream that showed a man with a black handgun tucked into the waistband of his pants while filming a music video in what appeared to be the backyard of a residence. SDPD later identified the man as Hatch, court documents allege, prompting law enforcement to use a helicopter to track the vehicle he was riding in to allow officers to conduct the traffic stop...

Mother suspected of shooting daughter in rural East County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A woman was arrested Friday on suspicion of shooting her daughter at their home in rural East County, authorities said.Andrea Najera, 42, was identified as the suspect, Lt. Jeff Ford with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said in a news release.Around 10 a.m., a 22-year-old woman showed up at a fire station located in the 36000 block of Church Road with a gunshot wound, according to law enforcement. Deputies determined the victim and her mother had gotten into an argument earlier that morning inside their home near the fire station, when Najera retrieved a shotgun and both began to struggle over the weapon. Fatal shooting leads to police chase, shootout with suspect As the daughter attempted to take the gun from her mother, the weapon fired and struck the victim in the stomach, Ford said.The 22-year-old woman was taken to the hospital via helicopter and is expected to survive, authorities confirmed.Deputies then arrested Najera on suspicion of assault with a...

New York City leans on public for help with e-bike crackdown after deadly fires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:20 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City officials called on the public to help with a crackdown on unsafe e-bike shops after a spate of deadly fires caused by lithium ion batteries, the latest of which killed four people in Manhattan’s Chinatown on Tuesday. In the days since, fire officials have issued citations to 10 e-bike shops for unsafe handling of the batteries. The inspections followed tips from members of the public, the media and local politicians, officials said.Daniel Flynn, the chief fire marshal of the FDNY, encouraged New Yorkers to report “hazardous conditions” inside repair shops, such as batteries being charged in close proximity, damaged-looking devices, or shops using extension cords for charging.“These fires go from zero to 100 in a second,” Flynn said. “If you feel within yourself that there’s a dangerous situation, give us a call.”New York City has seen over 100 fires and 13 deaths this year linked to e-bikes, more than double the total number of fatalities from last yea...