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Russia’s diplomatic clash with Europe flares in Estonia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

TALLINN — The front line in a shadowy intelligence war between Europe and Russia currently runs along sleepy Pikk Street in the medieval heart of Estonia’s capital Tallinn.Behind the mirrored windows of the quiet Russian embassy at No. 19, a raft of newly vacated desks — including that of the very ambassador — are testament to Estonia’s recent harder line.Estonia is calling out Russian agents’ hostile intelligence operations and influence campaigns, which have been bubbling up in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Last month, Estonia expelled 21 Russian embassy staffers, saying it would host only eight diplomatic officials on its territory — matching the size of Tallinn’s team in Moscow.The Kremlin responded by kicking Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre out of Russia — the first ambassadorial expulsion from the country in the year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Tallinn then ended Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipayev’s tenure on Pikk Street.O...

Sunshine returns Sunday, but it’ll be windy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

After a soggy Saturday, sunshine looks to return to the area on Sunday as a low pressure system exits the region. Temperatures will climb into the low to mid 50s for most as warmer air moves into the region behind the low.Windy conditions are also expected with gusts increasing to over 30mph by the afternoon. Peak wind gusts could reach 40mph on some of the higher terrain in northern Worcester County, with most places experiencing gusts to 35mph.

Red Sox Notebook: Garrett Whitlock to start Triple-A WooSox Opening Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

Garrett Whitlock will be the Opening Day starting pitcher, but in Triple-A Worcester.The WooSox open their season on Friday, March 31, a day off for the Red Sox after their own Opening Day at Fenway on Thursday.It will be a rehab start for Whitlock, who had season-ending hip surgery (right hip arthroscopy) last September. The Red Sox are being careful with his progression this spring, as they hope he can be a key member of the starting rotation moving forward. That’s also why they signed him to a four-year, $18.75 million extension last April, a year and six days to the one-year anniversary of his big-league debut.Thus far, the 26-year-old righty has been a diamond in the rough that is the Chaim Bloom era. Plucked from the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft before the 2021 season, Whitlock debuted, and proceeded to have a criminally underrated rookie season. In 46 appearances, he posted a minuscule 1.96 ERA, finished 11 games, earned a pair of saves, and struck out 81 batters across ...

Trump invokes Jan. 6 at Waco rally ahead of possible charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

By JILL COLVIN and MICHELLE L. PRICE (Associated Press)WACO, Texas (AP) — A defiant and incendiary Donald Trump, facing a potential indictment, held the first rally of his 2024 presidential campaign Saturday in Waco, Texas, a city made famous by deadly resistance against law enforcement.In an extraordinary display, Trump opened his rally by playing a song, “Justice for All,” that features a choir of men imprisoned for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol singing the national anthem and a recording of Trump reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Some footage from the insurrection was shown on screens.Trump, in his speech, defended the insurrectionists and railed against prosecutors, including those overseeing multiple investigations of the Republican former president. “You will be vindicated and proud,” Trump said “The thugs and criminals who are corrupting our justice system will be defeated, discredited and totally disgrac...

BU advances to the Frozen Four with a 2-1 win over Cornell

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Terrier Trinity of scoring, defense and goaltending elevated Boston University to a 2-1 victory over Cornell in the Manchester Regional final on Saturday night at SNHU Arena.BU advanced to the Division 1 NCAA Frozen Four for the 23rd time and will face the winner of the Fargo Regional matchup between No. 1 ranked Minnesota and St. Cloud on April 6 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The No. 5 ranked Terriers improved to 29-10-0 and are 6-0 in NCAA tournament games played in Manchester.BU goalie Drew Commesso made 13 saves to record his 25th win of the season. Commesso allowed just two goals in BU’s wins over Western Michigan (5-1) and Cornell to secure the Manchester Regional MVP award.“It feels great that we all put together that effort and it wasn’t just the last two nights, it was the last two weekends,” said Commesso. “We knew every game going forward is going to be a battle, it was going to be close and it was the little things that made the difference.“Blocki...

Tornadoes deadliest in Mississippi since 2011

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

With at least 25 people dead in Mississippi, tornadoes that ravaged parts of the Deep South overnight were the deadliest in the state in more than a decade, according to National Weather Service records.By comparison, 31 people died in Mississippi in April 2011 during tornadoes that tore through several states, mostly in the southeastern U.S., weather service meteorologist Chris Outler said Saturday. Alabama was hit hardest during that so-called “super outbreak” of hundreds of twisters that killed more than 320 people and caused an estimated $12 billion in damage.Just a month later, another deadly twister ripped through Joplin, Missouri, killing 158 people. Outler, in Las Vegas, called 2011 “the headline year for tornadoes for the last 20 years or so.”The sheriff’s office in Morgan County, Alabama, reported one storm-related death on Saturday, bringing the overall total during overnight storms to at least 26. Records show that 12 people died in Mississippi during Easter ...

University of Toronto Mississauga co-hosts inaugural All-Nations Powwow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

The University of Toronto Mississauga campus and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation partnered on Saturday to celebrate the inaugural All-Nations Powwow.  “The idea for the event came before the pandemic,” said Tee Duke, the director of Indigenous initiatives at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. “It doesn’t just take one person; it actually takes an entire community to really bring this to fruition and make this successful. We are a very small team here, a tiny office, but it really did take the entire UTM community to bring this entire event to success.”The festivities included traditional signing, detailed dancing to the pounding of the drums by dancers clothed in full regalia, and a Jingle Dress competition.“All of my grandparents and great-grandparents all went to Indian residential schools, so my family has a lot of generational trauma,” said Indigenous dancer Deanna Hupfield from the Ojibwe First Nation. “I’ve spent my life learning and reclaimi...

Johnson, Vallas debate public safety, education and supporting small businesses in latest mayoral forum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas squared off in the latest mayoral forum held ahead of Chicago's mayoral runoff election Saturday.The forum, hosted by One Chicago For All, an alliance made up of 28 community organizations around Chicago, asked each candidate questions based on seven topics, which included public safety's effect on the youth, education, affordable housing, and how each candidate would support small businesses, among others."We have to create opportunities for those economic drivers a lot earlier, before you even get to high school," Johnson said. "So, that’s about trades, that’s about manufacturing jobs."Both candidates verbally committed to working with the collective on various topics if elected into office."I already told all 24 unions that are endorsing me that they are going to have to create work study opportunities for both our high school, as well as college students," Vallas said.When asked about small business support — specifically for minority ow...

Non-profit director honored at celebration of life

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

CHICAGO — The director of a local non-profit was honored for her joy, tenacity and infectious energy at a celebration of life on Saturday.No matter what she was going through, Amanda Longe-Asque had a way with words. Ramadan 2023: Everything you need to know "One thing that has been constant. I keep a smile on my face," Longe-Asque said. "That smile. That light illuminates my path, so I don’t give up. I was seeing a cardiologist and urologist, I said I’m a joyologist and I want to bring joy to any person that comes in contact with me."On a Sunday afternoon in January, those who knew and loved her searched for the words to describe what she meant to them. "It was beautiful to work with her, just beautiful," Marge Nykaza said. "She taught me so many things about life, I just loved her, So, she really was the heart of Harmony Hope and Healing." Nonprofit works to improve maternal mortality rate nationwide Nykaza is the founder of Harmony Hope and Healing, which uses the power of mu...

Chicago Red Stars open their 2023 season on Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:24:52 GMT

CHICAGO - It's been an offseason of change both on and off the pitch for the club, but the time to play has finally arrived for the Chicago Red Stars in 2023.The club will open its National Women's Soccer League regular season on Saturday night as they face San Diego Wave FC at 9 p.m. central time at Snapdragon Stadium. It's the first of 28 matches for manager Chris Petrucelli's team as they look to qualify for the playoffs for an eighth-straight year and make a run for their first NWSL championship. Most of the attention this offseason has been on the team's upcoming ownership change as Arnim Whisler prepares to sell the franchise. This comes after a few reports were critical of his handling of abuse claims made against former Red Stars manager Rory Dames. There are a few veterans who are returning to the club including forward Mallory Swanson, one of the best players in the league, along with goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, one of the best in the world at her position. Defenders Arin Wr...