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US defense chief passes the baton at a pivotal moment for Ukraine

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley is handing the reins over to his replacement on Friday. It couldn’t come at a more precarious time, as the West show signs of running out of weapons — and out of patience — with Ukraine.As the top military adviser to the president, Milley has weighed in on every major decision in the Ukraine conflict, from what weapons to send Kyiv to how to best train its forces. He has a longstanding relationship with Ukrainian Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as other chiefs of defense around the world. He and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a former four-star general, have led the charge in rallying the West to support Ukraine with modern arms and equipment.But the war is far from over, and Milley is leaving his successor, Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown, an array of challenges. As Ukrainian forces push for a breakthrough before winter sets in, there is a growing sense in Washington and Europe that the West may be weary of the...

Big critical raw materials meeting has no space for indigenous groups

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

A global meeting on the key raw materials needed for the world’s green energy transition will have no representatives of indigenous peoples, even though many such resources lie on their lands.The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Thursday hosts its first international summit on the issue; not a single indigenous organization will be in the room, according to the guest list.“We are not invited, actually, we knock on the door all the time, saying: ‘Look, we need to be there. This will impact directly our communities,'” said Edson Krenak Naknanuk, advocacy coordinator at Cultural Survival, an NGO defending the rights of indigenous peoples. The IEA discussion will gather government representatives from both resource-rich and consumer countries, as well as representatives from international organizations, industry, investors and academic institutions. Only one NGO — the Natural Resource Governance Institute — will be present.“Voices from civil s...

US soldier who went to North Korea heads home after trip through China

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

North Korea has decided to expel the American soldier who fled across the border into the authoritarian country two months ago, according to state media.Following an investigation by North Korean officials, Pvt. Travis King confessed to illegally entering the country, state-run news outlet KCNA reported on Wednesday, adding that he expressed “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”It was not possible to verify the statements attributed to King, which were reported only through KCNA.Pyongyang has “decided to expel Travis King,” the outlet reported. The report did not say when they would move him or to where.King, who in July was supposed to return to the U.S. after spending time in a South Korean prison for assault, opted instead to cross the heavily armed border into repressive North Korea while he was part of a tour group.Shortly after the Army private’s actions, Army Secretary ...

Man accused of attacking 5 Taunton officers, including police chief, ordered to undergo mental health evaluation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

A 35-year-old man accused of attacking multiple police officers with a knife in Taunton was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation during a court appearance on Wednesday.Douglas Hagerty could be seen wearing a hospital gown as he stood before a judge at Taunton District Court. The suspect had been hospitalized the night before after a series of events that police say started when Hagerty approached officers during a traffic stop.The Taunton Police Department said the stop on County Street had involved another driver who was cooperating when Hagerty appeared and began shouting at authorities.According to Taunton PD, he then returned to his own vehicle and drove away.While police did not pursue Hagerty at the time, they stopped his vehicle soon afterwards after he was seen allegedly driving in an “unsafe and reckless manner,” according to the department.During the stop, Hagerty allegedly sped off, nearly striking an officer before leading police on a chase. At one p...

Man pulled from water after falling from oil tanker near Boston coast dies

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

A man who was pulled from the water off the coast of Boston after falling from an oil tanker has died, according to authorities.In a statement to 7NEWS, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the death of a crew member who fell from the MTM Dublin early Tuesday morning.The individual had been pulled from the water by a fishing vessel some time after 4:30 a.m., after the Dublin first issued a distress call.The captain of the nearby “America” told 7NEWS his was the closest ship when the mayday call was sent out. In pitch blackness, he said the ship was able to locate the crew member and help bring him to shore, where he was then transported to Mass General Hospital.The United States Coast Guard said that what led up to the man going overboard remains under investigation.

Shrek’s ‘swamp’ now available to rent on Airbnb

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

(CNN) — A vacation rental that describes itself as a “mud-laden, moss-covered, murky-watered swamp” wouldn’t usually be in demand.But this new Airbnb listing in the Scottish Highlands is an exception to the rule. That’s because it’s a faithful recreation of the home of DreamWorks Animation’s beloved ogre Shrek.Shrek’s “swamp” is located on the grounds of Ardverikie Estate, a 19th-century Scottish mansion in the Scottish Highlands, some 60 miles south of the city of Inverness.One-off experienceIn a special Airbnb promotion, vacationers are invited to register interest in staying at the swamp – which sleeps up to three guests over the age of five – from October 13. Only one group will be lucky enough to secure a two-night stay, earmarked for October 27-29.While vacationers will need to organize their own travel to and from the Highlands location, their sojourn at Shrek’s house will be free. Meanwhile, Airbnb has pledged to make a one-time donation to HopScotch Children’...

Ask the Pediatrician: What are some no-cost, screen-free activities to play with my preschooler?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

Dr. Suanne Kowal-Connelly | (TNS) American Academy of PediatricsMost parents want to provide more for their children than their parents were able to do for them. But have you ever noticed how kids tend to have fun with things as simple as a cardboard box?When it comes to play, which is essential to healthy development, simple toys such as blocks, balls, jump-ropes and buckets are often the best kind for kids. In fact, they’re more effective in allowing children to be imaginative and creative than more expensive toys that may be out of reach for many parents.So why not take that cardboard box and play with them? More than any material gift, YOU are the best toy your child will ever receive.While it may be hard to relax and give yourself over to play, view this time with your child as an adventure. You are not only promoting the many benefits of play, but also getting to know your child better and strengthening the parent-child bond. For starters, your role can actually be quite...

Reporter’s Notebook: John Connolly, ‘Whitey’ Bulger and the murderers among us

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

This addendum to Tuesday’s parole hearing for ex-FBI agent John “Zip” Connolly falls into the category that the past can forever be painful.More than 25 convicts and parolees had their cases reviewed by the Florida Commission on Offender Review before Connolly’s “compassionate release” came up for the ultimate 2-1 vote to allow him to remain at home in Massachusetts. The board, however, will review the matter at the next 90-day medical update. (All the coverage is here…)So what about those other cases? They are the stuff of nightmares. It’s also part of Connolly’s story. These killers and rapists are convicts Connolly may be sent back to bunk with if his parole is reversed.Some Herald readers say he made that choice when he partnered with slain Southie mobster James “Whitey” Bulger; others argue at 83, Connolly should be left alone. As readers asked, here are examples of the other cases the parole board reviewed Tuesd...

What to stream: A grab bag of new releases and returning reality shows

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

Katie Walsh | Tribune News ServiceThankfully, the Writers Guild of America and major Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement over the weekend, ending 146 days of picketing. While pencils are not back up again for the TV and film writers in the guild, it’s a great sign for progress, and new productions will likely begin soon.There’s still an interesting grab bag of new stuff to stream this week, from spinoff miniseries to long-standing reality TV favorites, to other curios available on streamers. So let’s check out what’s new this week.First up, the “John Wick” prequel “The Continental: From the World of John Wick” is a three-part miniseries that premiered last week on Peacock, with Episodes 2 and 3 dropping Friday, Sept. 29, and Friday, Oct. 6, respectively. The miniseries focuses on the mysterious hotel for assassins that features in the Wick movie franchise, and takes place in the 1970s, offering ample opportunity to play in the styles of kung fu and blaxploitation. Colin ...

Hep C’s number comes up: Can Biden’s 5-year plan eliminate the longtime scourge?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:42 GMT

Michelle Andrews | (TNS) KFF Health NewsRick Jaenisch went through treatment six times before his hepatitis C was cured in 2017. Each time his doctors recommended a different combination of drugs, his insurer denied the initial request before eventually approving it. This sometimes delayed his care for months, even after he developed end-stage liver disease and was awaiting a liver transplant.“At that point, treatment should be very easy to access,” said Jaenisch, now 37 and the director of outreach and education at Open Biopharma Research and Training Institute, a nonprofit group in Carlsbad, California. “I’m the person that treatment should be ideal for.”But it was never easy. Jaenisch was diagnosed in 1999 at age 12, after his dad took him to a San Diego hospital because Jaenisch showed him that his urine was brown, a sign there was blood in it. Doctors determined that he likely got the disease at birth from his mom, a former dental surgical assistant who learned she had the viru...