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China, Russia, Iran and Cuba all tried to meddle in 2022 US congressional elections, intelligence assessment finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

(CNN) — Foreign government efforts to target the 2022 US midterm elections appeared to grow compared with the 2018 elections, according to a declassified intelligence assessment released Monday, with a “diverse and growing group of foreign actors” participating.There was no known order from any foreign leader to “undertake a comprehensive, whole-of-government influence campaign” like the one Russia carried out in 2016, according to the report. But the assessment found that China, Russia, Iran and Cuba all tried to meddle in congressional elections in 2022.The intelligence community assesses with high confidence that China “tacitly approved efforts to try to influence a handful of midterm races involving members of both US political parties” – likely as part of a broad series of directives by Chinese Communist Party leaders since 2020 to “intensify efforts to influence US policy and public opinion in China’s favor.”China intensified its efforts to heighten sociopolitical divisions, a...

How Houthi rebels are threatening global trade nexus on Red Sea

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

The U.S. is mustering an international armada to deter Iranian-backed Houthi militias from Yemen from attacking shipping in the Red Sea, one of the world’s most important waterways for global trade, including energy cargos. The Houthis’ drone and missile attacks are ostensibly a response to the war between Israel and Hamas, but fears are growing that the broader world economy could be disrupted as commercial vessels are forced to reroute. On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a videoconference with 43 countries, the EU and NATO, telling them that “attacks had already impacted the global economy and would continue to threaten commercial shipping if the international community did not come together to address the issue collectively.” Earlier this week, the U.S. announced an international security effort dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian that listed the U.K., Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain as participan...

Bicyclist struck and killed by garbage truck in Allston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

A bicyclist died Tuesday after being struck by a garbage truck in Allston, police said. The crash happened in the area of Hano Street and Cambridge Street near 10 a.m. Emergency crews responded and soon closed Cambridge Street between Harvard Street and Union Square. Boston police in an initial post on X described the bicyclist as an adult male and said he had been taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.Police on scene later confirmed the bicyclist had died.Boston police said the driver in this crash remained at the scene. Republic Services issued a statement near 3 p.m., confirming one of its collection trucks was involved in a crash with a bicyclist in Allston.“We are fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate,” the company said. “Due to the ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide any additional information at this time.”This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest upd...

Authorities provide update on Baby Doe infant death investigation in New Bedford

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has provided more information in the case of a deceased infant found in New Bedford nearly two weeks ago.In an update Tuesday afternoon, the DA’s office shed more light on the investigation launched after New Bedford police officers responded to the area of Fort Taber on Saturday, Dec. 9, after a passerby came across the infant’s body.The DA’s office said a 911 call was made after a woman walking with her niece first spotted a blanket near a bush thicket by a walking path.Noticing “an odor of decay,” according to the DA’s office, the woman approached the blanket and discovered a plastic bag wrapped inside, containing the decomposing body of an infant.“When the woman made the discovery, she immediately yelled out about her discovery to two nearby men who were out walking their dog,” the DA’s office stated in a news release. “Subsequently, one of the men called 911.”Fo...

Caleb Porter hired as coach of Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Caleb Porter was hired as coach of the New England Revolution on Tuesday after leading Portland and Columbus to Major League Soccer titles.Porter replaced Bruce Arena, who quit on Sept. 9, about five weeks after Major League Soccer said he was placed on administrative leave pending a review into allegations he made insensitive and inappropriate remarks. The Revolution scheduled a Jan. 3 news conference to introduce Porter.The 48-year-old Porter coached Akron from 2006-12, leading the Zips to the 2010 NCAA title. He left to coach the U.S. under-23 team, which failed to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.He coached the Timbers from 2013-17, beating Columbus 2-1 in the 2015 MLS championship game, then coached the Crew from 2019-22, defeating Seattle 3-0 for the 2020 title. Porter was selected MLS’s coach of the year in 2013.Arena had coached the Revolution since 2019. MLS did not detail its investigation findings except to say in a statement that the probe “co...

Cinnamon applesauce investigation finds lead levels more than 2,000 times higher than proposed standards, FDA says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

(CNN) — Tests of cinnamon samples collected during a US Food and Drug Administration inspection of a facility in Ecuador linked with contaminated applesauce pouches turned up lead levels that were more than 2,000 times higher than proposed standards, the agency said Monday.The FDA continues to investigate high lead levels in cinnamon applesauce pouches that were sold in the US. The agency says there have been at least 65 reports of illnesses – all in children under 6 – linked to pouches sold under the WanaBana, Weis and Schnucks brands, and those products have been recalled. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which uses different data sources, says it’s gotten reports of 205 confirmed, probable or suspected cases in 33 states.During a recent FDA inspection of an Austrofood facility in Ecuador, investigators took samples of cinnamon that were supplied by another company, Negasmart. The samples had “extremely high levels of lead contamination, 5110 ...

Two-Year Emergency Shelter Tab May Approach $2 Billion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

Emergency shelter costs will approach $1 billion annually this fiscal year and next fiscal year, according to the Healey administration, which plans to drain a $700 million state escrow account to cover a portion of the unanticipated expenses.The Legislature and Gov. Maura Healey in July appropriated just $325 million for emergency shelters in the fiscal 2024 budget, an amount that is not coming close to the funding needed to house homeless families from Massachusetts and new arrivals from other countries.A new report from the Healey administration offers the fullest look to date at the costs of a crisis that caused Healey to declare a state of emergency in August.  The surging costs are rolling in just as state tax revenue growth is slowing and creating budgeting storm clouds.Beacon Hill Democrats are just coming off a heated debate over steering $250 million more into the shelter system, and the new report suggests that more than $350 million in additional funds may...

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown backing up his own All-Defense campaign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

The question was about his loud highlight dunks, but Jaylen Brown wanted to talk about something else.Brown threw down three loud jams in the Celtics’ victory over the Magic on Friday night – including a one-handed poster slam over Anthony Black – but the C’s star was focused on a topic that wasn’t getting as much attention.“I also had a couple of steals, couple of blocks,” Brown said. “I’m gonna start having to run my own campaign for first team all-defense, but it’s cool. I’m really locked in on both sides of the ball, but where I’m really feeling comfortable and I feel like I’m excelling, making plays at the rim, taking the ball from people.“And I’m doing my job and more on the defensive side, whether people want to pay attention to it or not.”It was the second consecutive night Brown went out of his way to bring up his defense. After Thursday’s win over the Cavaliers, he took a question about the Celtics’ team defensive versatility and lauded his ow...

Hotels are doing Elf on the Shelf and in-room trees so you don’t have to

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

Lily Girma | (TNS) Bloomberg NewsHoliday to-do lists can overshadow the fun of the season. There’s gift shopping, decorating, hosting parties and keeping the kids entertained—plus cleaning it all up come January.It’s tempting to want to escape the whole thing. A handful of luxury hotels from Colorado’s snowy peaks to the Caribbean’s warm beaches are dialing up their amenities so you can get away while still experiencing the season’s cheer in all its glory. Hotels are offering in-room tree decorating (ornaments provided), hot chocolate delivered by “elves,” festive cookies at turndown service and even a butler specifically catering to the kids’ Elf on the Shelf doll.While in-room Christmas trees aren’t a novel concept, the options for pre-arrival customized tree décor are getting elaborate. Then there’s the hugely popular Elf on the Shelf tradition that has grown over nearly two decades, which families around the world adopt at the start of the season: A miniature “Santa scout elf” t...

Make sure your Christmas tree is healthy, hydrated, and not a fire hazard with these expert tips

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:32 GMT

Henry Savage | The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)PHILADELPHIA — As the trend of buying Christmas trees earlier becomes more common, whether because of post-Thanksgiving holiday spirit or tree supply shortages rewarding the early bird, taking better care of your home Christmas tree becomes more crucial.This year, local farmers said that Thanksgiving weekend was the busiest sales time of the season, with some growers even closing up shop before December. National trade associations have again urged shoppers to buy trees earlier for the best options due to the persistent stunting of tree growth and supply since 2016. This means for many households, Christmas trees are residing indoors for longer periods, which can lead to headaches and health hazards.Joshua Malik, owner of Lehigh Valley-based Joshua Tree Experts, works to educate people on tree care and safety, especially around winter holidays. He said that there are simple steps to take each day that protect your tree and avoid fire ris...