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Wagner and Russia are here to stay in Africa, says Lavrov

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

PARIS – Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has vowed Wagner’s operations in Mali and the Central African Republic “will continue” despite the failed rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary Wagner Group.The paramilitary group has expanded its reach across Latin America, the Middle East and Africa in recent years and it has been seen by western governments as Russia’s armed foreign policy apparatus. Prigozhin’s mutiny raised questions about the future of its overseas operations.Prigozhin led an uprising against Vladimir Putin’s army on Friday, first seizing the major southern city of Rostov-on-Don and sending his mercenary forces on a march to Moscow before abruptly standing down his men a day later. In Africa, where the group is present in the Central African Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso, Wagner offers its services and help to prop up anti-Western governments in exchange for access to natural resources.“At their request, several hundred servicemen are...

Crews install modular units as part of addition to Beth Israel-Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

Work moved forward on an addition to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth on Monday as the first five of 20 modular units arrived at the hospital. Together, the modular units will form a new observation unit. On Monday, a crane helped lift the structures and put them in place. The addition will include 25 beds for incoming patients to be admitted for observation and testing before receiving care in the hospital’s emergency department. The emergency department was originally built to serve around 25,000 patients a year. Now, staff say they are seeing almost double that figure. “We’re seeing between 45,000 and 50,000 patients a year in that emergency department right now,” said Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Plymouth President Kevin Coughlin. “So, it’s a very small space.”“So, it’s really important that we right-size the facility to take care of the number of patients that are coming here right now,” Coughlin said. ...

Putin and Prigozhin break silence after rebellion throws Russia into uncertainty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

(CNN) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin both broke their silence after the military group’s short-lived and chaotic insurrection at the weekend threw the country into uncertainty.In a short address to the nation, Putin said Wagner fighters made the “right decision” by halting their advance, adding that the “armed rebellion would have been suppressed anyway.”Those forces would now have the opportunity to sign a contract with Russia’s Ministry of Defense “or other law enforcement agencies, or to return to your family and friends,” he said. He added that fighters could also opt to go to Belarus, where Prigozhin is expected to go to following a deal apparently brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.During his address Putin did not mention Prigozhin by name. The five-minute speech appeared to be pre-recorded from inside the Kremlin, according to Russian state media TASS.It came soon after Prigozhin made his own comments, saying ...

Putin says the aborted rebellion played into the hands of Russia’s enemies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

By The Associated PressRussian President Vladimir Putin on Monday blasted organizers of a weekend revolt as “traitors” who played into the hands of Ukraine’s government and its allies. The rebellion by armed mercenaries, which lasted less than 24 hours, was the gravest threat yet to Putin’s authority.Putin said the nation had stood united, and he praised the rank and file mercenaries for not letting the situation descend into “bloodshed.”Earlier in the day, the rebellion’s leader, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, defended his short-lived insurrection. He taunted Russia’s military, but said he hadn’t been seeking to stage a coup against Putin.Putin did not name Prigozhin in his televised address but said organizers of the mutiny had tried to force the group’s soldiers “to shoot their own.” Putin blamed “Russia’s enemies” and said they “miscalculated.” The Kremlin a lso showed Putin...

Tripadvisor’s top 10 experiences around the world and in the US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers Choice announcements continue to roll out, with its most recent awards bestowed on top experiences, the top 10 tours and attractions around the world and the top 10 in the United States.It’s a very fun list, accompanied by photos, descriptions and — of course — links so you can book those experiences with their partners. (Tripadvisor is in the travel business, after all.)“Experiences turn travelers into adventurers, connecting them with the local community and giving them unforgettable stories for years to come,” says Kate Urquhart, the company’s general manager of experiences. “We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to share their reviews and help fellow travelers plan their next escape.”Related ArticlesTravel | Looking for a summer break? Head to these NH ski resorts Travel | 10 Florida summertime destinations for a relaxing getaway Travel | 7 ways for couples to earn travel points and miles together ...

Prolific bank robber pleads guilty to robbing 4 Massachusetts banks in 5 days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

A Fall River man who has gone on the record with his belief that the movie “The Town” was based on him has pleaded guilty to even more bank robberies — four separate banks in five days, with a try for a fifth.William Sequeira, 60, by his own admission has spent nearly 40 years of his life in prison, according to an appearance he made on the show “Caught in Providence” with Providence, R.I., municipal Judge Frank Caprio in November 2020. He said he’d probably robbed 150 banks or so in his life.With his pleas in federal court in Boston on Wednesday, he’s looking at another possible 20 years for each robbery. He pleaded guilty to robbing four banks in Massachusetts between Sept. 26 and Sept. 30 of last year, during which he also tried to rob another one.Prosecutors and defense attorneys signed a plea agreement Thursday that agrees to sentence of 54 months, or four and a half years, in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, but the court doesn’t have to abide by the...

Biden calls mutiny a ‘struggle within the Russian system’ and says US and NATO played no part

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

By SEUNG MIN KIM, AAMER MADHANI and ELLEN KNICKMEYER (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden declared Monday that the United States and NATO played no part in the Wagner mercenary group’s short-lived insurrection in Russia, calling the uprising and the longer-term challenges it poses for President Vladimir Putin’s power “a struggle within the Russian system.”Biden and U.S. allies supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion emphasized their intent to be seen as staying out of the mercenaries’ stunning insurgency, the biggest threat to Putin in his two decades leading Russia. They are concerned that Putin could use accusations of Western involvement to rally Russians to his defense. Biden and administration officials declined an immediate assessment of what the 22-hour uprising by the Wagner Group might mean for Russia’s war in Ukraine, for mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin or for Russia itself.“WeR...

17 must-read summer romance novels

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

Who’s searching for a little summer romance?Because it looks like there’s plenty of romance available: Sales in the genre increased by more than 50 percent between 2021 and 2022, according to Publisher’s Weekly.So, feeling flirty? Swipe right to your local bookstore for an abundance of great titles, authors and diverse genres.Since romance is not my area of expertise (that dating app joke above probably alerted you to this already), I reached out to a squad of romance experts that included Southern California booksellers Leah Koch and Ashley Dang from The Ripped Bodice; bookseller Iz Lawler from Once Upon a Time bookstore; Nathan Allen, co-owner of Underdog Bookstore; and Subverting Expectations shop owner Bobbi Lee Smart. They each provided personal recommendations you can read below.I also talked again Billie Bloebaum, the bookseller who created Bookstore Romance Day, which brings together independent bookstores to focus on romance books. This year, BRD lands on Saturday, August 1...

Bay State to net $147M for internet access

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

The federal government is sending $147 million Massachusetts’ way to expand high-speed internet in the state.President Biden announced $42 billion in federal funds for broadband expansion across the country on Monday, $147 million of which will be directed to the Bay State.Biden declared high speed internet an “absolute necessity” and vowed all Americans would be connected by 2030.“These investments will help all Americans,” he said. “We’re not going to leave anyone behind.”In Massachusetts, the funding will be deployed through a five-year plan that the Massachusetts Broadband Institute is developing with the Massachusetts Broadband and Digital Equity Working Group.As part of that work, the institute is seeking input from residents about their barriers to internet access, affordability and adoption through a statewide Digital Equity survey. The institute’s plan to use the funds is due back to the federal government later this year.“This new funding from...

Everything you need to know about the Knicks ahead of 2023 free agency

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:20 GMT

The Knicks strolled through the draft like a 2 a.m. covert refrigerator raid. Quiet. A couple minor commitments. No picks. Kept the fridge stocked. Maybe some regrets. Definitely more questions for tomorrow.Next up on Leon Rose’s calendar is free agency, which officially kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. We’ll break down four important questions about where they stand below:HOW MUCH CAP SPACE DO THE KNICKS HAVE?None. But they will have access to the mid level exception, which maxes out at about $12.4 million. Some of their flexibility is tied to the decision of Josh Hart, who has until Thursday to decide whether to opt into his deal next year at a $12.9 million salary.WHY WOULD JOSH HART OPT IN?Hart would definitely make more money and if he declines the option and hits free agency. League sources peg his value at about four years, $70-75 million. But there are reasons Hart may choose the other route. If he does accept next year’s $12.9 million option, Hart, 28, is eligib...