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Russia launches fresh drone strikes in Ukraine after promising retaliation for Belgorod attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched a fresh drone assault on Ukraine after promising that strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod that killed 24 people Saturday “would not go unpunished.”The Ukrainian Air Force said Sunday that it had shot down 21 of 49 drones launched by Russian forces overnight.The retaliatory Russian attack wounded 28 people in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. A hotel, kindergarten, apartment buildings, shops and administrative buildings sustained damage, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had targeted “decision-making centers and military facilities” in Kharkiv. The ministry said the hit on the Kharkiv Palace Hotel had “destroyed representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate and Ukrainian Armed Forces” involved in the “terrorist attack” in Belgorod.Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said a British journalist was among the wounded, while public...

Colorado's paid family leave program starts January 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Workers across Colorado will be able to take advantage of the state's paid family leave program starting Jan. 1, 2024.In 2020, voters approved Proposition 118, which paved the way for the state-run Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program.The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) explained that the program will ensure that workers will have access to paid leave to take care of themselves or their families during life circumstances that take them away from work.This includes things like maternity and paternity leave, medical leave, as well as caring for a loved one with a serious health condition.People will be able to take up to twelve weeks of paid leave. People who suffer from complications of pregnancy or childbirth may also be eligible for an additional four weeks.In the case of parental leave, it may be taken anytime within the first 12 months after a birth, adoption or foster care placement. Why plastic bags may start disappearin...

Queen of Denmark announces surprise abdication in New Year’s address

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark used her New Year’s address on Sunday to unexpectedly announce her abdication on live television.The queen, who has reigned for 52 years, said she will abdicate on January 14 and will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik.The 83-year-old queen, who took over the throne in 1972, is the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

China’s Xi says reunification with Taiwan ‘inevitable,’ ahead of crucial vote on island

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the country’s reunification with Taiwan was “inevitable” in his New Year’s address on Sunday, just weeks before the self-ruled island holds elections that could reshape relations between the two.“The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability,” Xi said; “China will surely be reunified,” according to the official translation of his speech.“All Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” the text adds.Though Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, Beijing considers the self-ruled island of 23 million its “sacred territory” and hasn’t ruled out the use of force in bringing the island under its control. China has increasingly ramped up its rhetoric around Taiwan and increased military pressure on the island with regular drills in recent mont...

Week 17 updates: Cole Kmet is active for the Chicago Bears and likely to extend his consecutive games streak vs. the Atlanta Falcons

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

The 6-9 Chicago Bears will play the 7-8 Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field in a Week 17 matchup. Here’s what you need to know before kickoff (noon, CBS-2).Inactives announcedBears tight end Cole Kmet is active for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.Kmet dealt with a knee injury during the week and was listed as questionable. He never has missed a game in four seasons with the Bears, a streak of 65 straight entering Sunday.Bears center Lucas Patrick is also active after being listed as questionable with a knee issue. Left guard Teven Jenkins will return after clearing concussion protocol.Running back D’Onta Foreman, however, is inactive after practicing all week. The Bears will rely on Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson instead.As the Bears announced Friday, they will be without wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who is in concussion protocol. Linebacker DeMarquis Gates, safety Quindell Johnson, offensive lineman Ja’Tyre Carter and quarterback Nathan Peterman also are...

Boston Wine Expo’s revamped format aging well

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

The Boston Wine Expo returns in March with various vendors, tastings, and other events, spearheaded by show director Raffaele Scalzi.The two-day expo running from March 2-3 at the Park Plaza Hotel is anticipating more than 4,000 attendees and over 100 wineries represented. While the expo has more than 20 years of existence, Scalzi took the organizational reins in 2018.Before Scalzi took over, the expo would feature around 400 vendors and roughly 12,000 attendees. With recent modifications to heighten the event’s exclusivity, Scalzi believes it will enhance the overall quality of the expo.“We hit that 4,000 attendee projection last year, so we know that there was an audience here in Boston,” he told the Herald. “We know that even though the expo had a little pause, this affluent and knowledgeable wine community is still here.”Modifications include splitting the two-day events into multiple sessions to ensure a safer environment, a more optimal tasting space for attendees and to deter...

Boston Herald EMass girls basketball Top 25 rankings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

Here is the first in-season installment of the Boston Herald EMass Top 25 girls basketball rankings. Records are through Saturday, December 30 and are as close to accurate as we could ascertain. Only games that count towards tournament seeding are stated. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to report their scores to Arbiter.1. St. Mary’s (7-0)2. Cathedral (5-1)3. Foxboro (5-1)4. Bishop Feehan (3-2)5. Central Catholic (5-1)6. Bishop Fenwick (5-1)7. Medfield (4-1)8. Andover (5-1)9. Pentucket (3-1)10. Notre Dame (4-0)11. Billerica (5-0)12. Norwood (4-0)13. Framingham (6-1)14. Winchester (5-1)15. Peabody (3-0)16. Bridgewater-Raynham (4-0)17. Dartmouth (5-0)18. Walpole (4-2)19. Needham (5-1)20. Sandwich (6-0)21. Acton-Boxboro (5-1)22. Weymouth (4-2)23. Norwell (3-1)24. Wellesley (3-1)25. Bedford (4-0)   

Tom Brady thought about unretiring in May before friends forced his hand?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

Tom Brady could have been suiting up this weekend if it weren’t for his pesky friends.As an addendum to his end-of-year Instagram post, Brady revealed (possibly in jest) that he nearly unretired for a second time in May.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Healthy-scratch Trent Brown among Patriots’ Week 17 inactives vs. Bills New England Patriots | Patriots make series of roster moves ahead of Week 17 matchup with Bills New England Patriots | Four Patriots players who can build off momentum Week 17 vs. Bills New England Patriots | Patriots-Bills preview: Can Bill Belichick upset Josh Allen and Co. again? New England Patriots | NFL notes: 9 Patriots share Bill Belichick’s impact on them “PS: The only downside to 2023 was when I was about to unretire in May and my friends threw a surprise retirement party. Kind of forced my hand ,” Brady wrote in parentheses. View this pos...

Chicago Bulls lean into a new tradition: Thor’s hammer award for defensive output. ‘You take on that challenge.’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

Throughout this week’s stretch of home games, DeMar DeRozan’s locker was decorated with a new acquisition — a replica of Thor’s hammer emblazoned with a Chicago Bulls logo.It’s a prized possession, one DeRozan had been eagerly awaiting a chance to brag about after a win against the Atlanta Hawks.“I don’t know how they keep score or how they go about it with numbers, but I got the hammer,” DeRozan said. “That’s all I know. I’m Thor for the week.”The hammer is a new tradition that reflects the Bulls coaching staff’s desire to award individual improvement on the defensive end of the court. It is awarded to a player after each five-game stretch of the season based on a variety of defensive statistics.Assistant coaches John Bryant and Josh Longstaff came up with the idea during the offseason, presenting it to coach Billy Donovan and the players as a way to motivate defensive improvement throughout the season.Th...

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II to step down from throne on Jan. 14

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:58 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has announced her decision to abdicate the throne next month. The 83-year-old monarch, whose role is largely ceremonial, made the announcement on Sunday during her New Year’s speech.She said she would step down on Jan. 14, which is the anniversary of the 1972 death of her father, King Frederik IX, and her succeeding him on the throne. The Associated Press