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Moldova says it thwarted Russia-linked plot ahead of anti-government protests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

The Moldovan police said on Sunday that they arrested a group of men with ties to Russia who were scheming to whip up unrest at anti-government protests in Moldova.The arrests come just a few days after the White House warned that Moscow is trying to “weaken the Moldovan government.”Moldova, a small country of around 2.5 million people located between Romania and Ukraine, has been facing mounting political pressure from Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Moldova, which is led by pro-Western President Maia Sandu, was granted candidate status for EU membership last June.Last month, Sandu said the Kremlin was planning to stage a coup in Moldova.The head of Moldova’s police, Viorel Cernăuțeanu, revealed on Sunday that 50 to 100 people were set to be involved in the plot, each to receive up to $10,000 for participating in the anti-government demonstrations.The Moldovan police said they managed to foil the plot on Saturday, leading to seven people being detained, after an und...

Los Angeles Rams trading star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Miami Dolphins: reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

The Los Angeles Rams agreed to trade star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins, according to reports. The Rams will receive a 2023 third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long in exchange for the six-time Pro Bowler.The deal is expected to be finalized when the 2023 league year officially begins on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.“I prayed for this specifically for about a month & now it’s happening,” Ramsey posted on his Twitter account Sunday. Ramsey will join four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard in Miami when the deal finalizes, created a duo in the secondary that would improve a defense that ranked 24th in points per game (24.1) last season.This is a developing story. Check back for more details. ()

Dolphins, Rams agree on trade that brings All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to Miami

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams have agreed on a trade that sends three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Miami, according to a league source Sunday.In exchange for Ramsey, the Dolphins send the Rams a 2023 third-round pick, No. 77 overall, and tight end Hunter Long.The Dolphins, on the eve of free agent negotiations beginning Monday, were in the market for a top cornerback. The team recently cut Byron Jones after his failed rehab from lower left leg surgery in March 2022 that never allowed him to suit up for Miami last season. The Dolphins also had fellow cornerback Xavien Howard struggle through groin injuries despite earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2022, and nickel cornerback Nik Needham’s season ended prematurely due to a torn Achilles.Ramsey has made three All-Pros and six Pro Bowls in seven NFL seasons between the Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a member of Los Angeles’ 2021 Super Bowl-winning team. The former Florida State standout has 19 caree...

Shriners Rosters announced

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

The MHSFCA and Aleppo Shriners of Wilmington announced the rosters have been selected for the 45th edition of the Shriners Game on Friday, June 16 at Bentley University with a 7 p.m. kickoff.The coaching staff for the North Squad is headed by head coach Gavin Monagle of Masconomet. Monagle will be assisted by Joe Gaff (Malden Catholic), Sean Driscoll (St. Mary’s), Eddie Blum (North Reading), Bruce Rich Jr. (Westford Academy) and Jim Rabbitt (KIPP). Serving as the North liaison is Pat Lamusta from Lynnfield.The South Squad Head Coach is Jim Kelliher of Abington. Assisting Kelliher are Bryce Guilbeault (Old Rochester), Todd Kiley (Holliston), Chris Landolfi (Hanover), Brandon Mendez (Old Colony) and Mike O’Donnell (Hull). Returning this year as the South liaison is Bob Bancroft. ​​North Squad​​​​​​                                                          South Squad1 Karmarri Ellerbe ​QB ​Everett HS               ​​1 Shamir Morales ​WR​ Brighton HS​2 David Brown Jr.​ RB​ St. Mary...

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra vents after a night of ‘egos’ and an officiating ‘last laugh’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

The consternation began when Jimmy Butler took an elbow to the face and was called for a foul midway through what would turn into Saturday night’s 126-114 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic at Amway Center.The final bit of fuel on the fire was when the Miami Heat were called for a technical foul with 10.4 seconds to play after Butler walked off the court and into the locker room amid play, while still technically in the game.Both calls were made by referee James Williams, the last seemingly triggering a breaking point for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.“It was kind of a bizarre deal,” Spoelstra said of the late technical in a game already decided. “There was like half a dozen instances we had with that official.“It’s neither here nor there.”Spoelstra attempted to leave it there, with criticism of officiating last week leading to a $30,000 fine for Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, albeit with a diatribe far more pointed and profane than Spoels...

8 dead after 2 suspected smuggling boats overturn near Black's Beach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Eight people are dead after two suspected smuggling boats overturned near Black's Beach overnight, authorities said.Lifeguards responded to an area near the beach after receiving a 9-1-1 call around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokeswoman Mónica Muñoz. The caller reported two vessels, one carrying eight people and another carrying approximately 15 had overturned, San Diego Lifeguard Chief James Garland said during a Sunday morning news conference. ‘Teacher of the Year’ re-arrested When lifeguards and Customs and Border Protection officers arrived, they found a total of eight bodies and both capsized boats, SDFD said. Lifeguards also found several lifejackets and fuel barrels. No survivors were found, but people may have left the beach before authorities arrived, Garland said.Agencies were still searching the area Sunday morning and planned to continue into the afternoon.It was not immediately clear what caused the capsizing or wh...

At least 19 people killed in Congo by suspected extremists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Rebels in eastern Congo killed at least 19 people and set fire to a health center and houses, authorities reported Sunday. Gunmen suspected of being part of the Allied Democratic Forces, a militia with links to the Islamic State group, attacked civilians in Kirindera town, Carly Nzanzu, the former governor of North Kivu province, said in an interview with state media. ADF attacks have killed dozens of people in several North Kivu villages in recent days. Congo’s authorities say people were slaughtered with guns, knives and machetes.Aamaq, a news agency linked to the Islamic State group, posted a statement Saturday in which IS claimed responsibility for killing more than 35 “Christians” and wounding dozens in eastern Congo last week. Conflict has simmered for decades in eastern Congo, where more than 120 armed groups fight for power, influence and resources, and some to protect their communities. The ADF has been largely active in North Kivu province but recent...

How does Oscars voting work? This is how winners are decided

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The road to an Oscar winds through a long awards season, which finally culminates Sunday at the Academy Awards. We take you through the process of getting that golden statuette into a winner’s hand — this is how Oscar voting works:WHO VOTES ON THE OSCARS?The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences boasts some 10,000-plus members, divided among 17 branches. All academy members have to be involved in the movie business in some capacity, but membership isn’t restricted to creatives — there are branches for executives and marketing and public relations professionals, as well.While nominations are mostly decided by members of the relevant branch (directors nominate directors, for instance), all voting members can nominate films for best picture. Once nominees are decided, all voting members are eligible to cast their ballots in any category.In recent years, the academy has taken steps to diversify its membership, especially after receiving criticism for...

Federal officials pause plan to rename Georgia’s Lake Lanier

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Federal officials are pausing a plan that could lead to new names for Georgia’s Lake Lanier and Buford Dam after locals objected to changing the monikers of landmarks now named for Confederate soldiers.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a statement Friday announcing the pause pending further guidance from the Department of the Army.U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Republican who represents much of northeast Georgia, said he called the Corps of Engineers Friday to express opposition. He said the pause is a “a tremendous victory” and that “renamings would have attempted to rewrite history, impose massive burdensome costs on our community, and create unnecessary mass confusion.” Lake Lanier is an enormous reservoir spanning almost 58 square miles (150 square kilometers) and impounding the Chattahoochee River northeast of Atlanta. It was named for poet Sidney Lanier when it was built after World War II. Lanier served as a private in the Confederate army and l...

1 man dead, 2 officers injured in day-long standoff in London, Ont.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:55 GMT

A man is under arrest and two police officers are recovering from injuries sustained in a day-long standoff in London, Ont.London police say they were called to an apartment at 621 Kipps Lane in the northeast part of the city around 5 a.m. Saturday following reports of an unresponsive male. Police say when they arrived they found a man with serious injuries who was later pronounced dead. Police then began negotiating with an individual who they believed to be armed and had barricaded himself inside an apartment.At around 7:30 p.m., police say two officers were injured at the scene. Both were taken to hospital with what police said were serious but non-life threatening injuries. Police would not elaborate on the extent of their injuries or if the two had been shot. About an hour later a man was taken into custody “without incident,” according to police. A gun was recovered at the scene. Neither the name of the dead man nor the suspect has been released. Our thoughts are w...