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French far right calls out ‘cabal’ after new report on Russian interference

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

PARIS — France’s far-right National Rally says a new report on Russian interference in French democracy is part of a “cabal” against the movement, after a Washington Post investigation revealed Moscow’s efforts to promote “political discord” in France and undermine support for Ukraine through “political figures and social media accounts.”“Let’s be serious, this is a cabal,” National Rally MP and spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli said in a radio interview on Tuesday, claiming the newspaper’s report, which quotes Kremlin documents, insufficiently lists its sources and unfairly draws ties between Russian troll farms and France’s main far-right political force.“This is more akin to gratuitous accusations than journalistic work,” he added.The WaPo investigation says Kremlin strategists were tasked with delivering talking points to unnamed political figures to stress the alleged negative consequences of...

New antibiotic uses novel method to target deadly drug-resistant bacteria, study says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

(CNN) — Scientists say they have developed a new type of antibiotic to treat bacteria that is resistant to most current antibiotics and kills a large percentage of people with an invasive infection.The bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii, can cause serious infections in the lungs, urinary tract and blood, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s resistant to a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics called carbapenems.Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, also known as CRAB, was at the top of the World Health Organization’s list of antibiotic-resistant “priority pathogens” in 2017. In the United States, the bacteria caused an estimated 8,500 infections in hospitalized patients and 700 deaths that year, according to the most recent data from the CDC.CRAB accounts for about 2% of infections found in US hospitals. It’s more common in Asia and the Middle East and causes up to 20% of infections in intensive care units worldwide.The b...

Online scammer indicted for swindling Plymouth County woman out of $300,000

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

A New York-based online scammer was indicted Tuesday after allegedly tricking a Massachusetts resident out of $300,000. Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz announced that a grand jury indicted Nikeisha Lewis, 42, on one count of larceny over $1,200, one count of receiving stolen property over $1,200, and one count of money laundering.According to authorities, Lewis conducted an “elaborate online scheme” targeting a female victim in Plymouth County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the victim made online contact with an individual operating a profile under the name “Richard Kobstar” who “purported to be a CIA agent and owner of a successful diamond mining company”. The victim sent large sums of money through checks, cash, and wire transfers to Lewis, who “Kobstar” had said was his assistant. Officials said Lewis fraudulently deposited these funds into her bank account and quickly withdrew cash from random ATMs in an attempt to conce...

Patriots aren’t using final week of 2023 season to find out what they have in young players

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots aren’t using Week 18 as a scouting mission for the 2024 season.Head coach Bill Belichick was asked Wednesday morning if the Patriots might try to get some lesser-used players, like rookie center Jake Andrews or recently-claimed cornerback Marco Wilson, snaps in the final week of a lost 2023 season.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots’ Jerod Mayo reacts to ‘hurtful’ report he’s rubbed people the wrong way New England Patriots | Bill Belichick cites ‘moving parts’ on why Patriots didn’t pursue Lamar Jackson New England Patriots | Bill Belichick too committed to current Patriots to address 2024 NFL Draft pick New England Patriots | Patriots-Bills film review: Bill Belichick’s latest loss a microcosm of lost season New England Patriots | Bill Belichick compares rookie’s interception to play All-Pro made vs. Patriot...

Chicago Bears Q&A: Does Ryan Poles have enough autonomy to make big changes? Will Sunday’s result affect the offseason?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

Justin Fields has one more start to convince the Chicago Bears brass he can be the quarterback of the future. The Bears finish their season Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field (3:25 p.m., CBS-2).Brad Biggs answers questions about general manager Ryan Poles, Fields’ future, hypotheticals and much more in the latest Bears mailbag.Ryan Poles was in Kansas City when the Chiefs had Alex Smith, a serviceable and even popular quarterback, and traded up to the No. 10 spot to choose Patrick Mahomes. Fast-forward to 2024 and Ryan Poles finds himself on the precipice of a similar situation, only this time he’s in charge. Poles has made shrewd decisions with an eye to the future, and Ted Phillips would likely have greenlighted anything to copy the KC formula. But does Poles have enough autonomy with Kevin Warren if he wants to execute a change this seismic? — Kamal T., North Smithfield, R.I.Interesting question and quite a bit to unpack here. The Chiefs had l...

Iran says at least 103 were killed in blasts at a ceremony honoring slain general

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

By JON GAMBRELL (Associated Press)DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Two bombs exploded minutes apart Wednesday at a commemoration for a prominent Iranian general slain in a U.S. drone strike in 2020, officials in Iran said, killing at least 103 people as the Middle East remains on edge over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.No one immediately claimed responsibility for what appeared to be the deadliest militant attack to target Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. The blasts shook the city of Kerman, about 820 kilometers (510 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran, and sent shrapnel hurtling into a screaming crowd fleeing the first explosion. At least 211 people were wounded.The gathering marked the fourth anniversary of the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force, in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq. The explosions occurred near his grave site as long lines of people gathered for the event. Iranian state telev...

San Diego pastry shop among top gluten-free bakeries in US, according to Yelp

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KSWB) -- From donuts and croissants to Danishes and scones, pastry lovers looking to indulge in all the baked goodness without the gluten have several good options in California. What does gluten-free mean? According to John Hopkins Medicine (JHM), a gluten-free diet excludes any foods that contain gluten -- a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and several other grains. This type of diet is usually followed by people with celiac disease, which JHM described as an autoimmune response to gluten that causes the body to attack the small intestine, causing belly pain, nausea, bloating or other discomfort. These California cities are among richest in US: report Health professionals with JHM also explained another related condition is a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, sometimes called "gluten intolerance." Simply put, gluten can cause some people who consume it to feel unwell after. Top gluten-free bakeries in CaliforniaFor those looking for these kinds of options, Ye...

Prosecutors seek to drop three felony charges against the brother of Patrick Mahomes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

Prosecutors in Kansas are asking a judge to drop three felony charges related to accusations that Jackson Mahomes — the younger brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — grabbed a woman by the neck and kissed her against her will.Johnson County Assistant District Attorney Megan Ahsens on Tuesday filed a motion to dismiss three counts of aggravated sexual battery. A fourth charge — misdemeanor battery — would remain.The court filing cited a lack of cooperation from the alleged victim.Jackson Mahomes’ attorney, Brandan Davies, said in a statement that his client “has done nothing wrong. We had full confidence that the truth of the matter would ultimately be revealed.”The original charges accused Jackson Mahomes, a 23-year-old social media influencer, of crimes that occurred Feb. 25 at Aspens Restaurant and Lounge in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City.Investigators said Mahomes shoved a waiter who tried to come into a room where he was with the resta...

Nylander’s bet paying off as contract talks with Maple Leafs heat up

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

William Nylander keeps reminding the Toronto Maple Leafs how important he is to the team’s success.This should make his reportedly imminent whopper of a contract extension a little more digestible for the executives cutting those eight-figure cheques and a diehard fan base who studies salary-cap charts closer than box scores.A few hours prior to Nylander’s two-goal, six-shot performance Tuesday in the Maple Leafs’ clean 3-0 road win over the Los Angeles Kings, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported that 2024’s most coveted impending unrestricted free agent had been engaged in positive negotiations with GM Brad Treliving.In the works is the blueprint for an eight-year deal that would net the stud winger approximately $11.25 million annually and about $90 million in total – the same AAV that Nylander’s friend, winger David Pastrnak, netted from Boston early in 2023 before his own bargain deal expired. Related: Leafs’ Nylander not r...

Shohei Ohtani was ‘exceptionally attracted to this country,’ Blue Jays GM says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:22 GMT

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has shed some light on the team’s failed pursuit of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani after being famously tight-lipped about the entire process during MLB’s Winter Meetings last month.Speaking to reporters over Zoom on Wednesday, Atkins confirmed Ohtani did travel to the Blue Jays spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla., and said, “There’s no doubt in my mind” that Ohtani was interested in joining the club.“We were obviously disappointed with the outcome, and it was a very difficult phone call to receive. One of the more difficult ones in my career,” Atkins said. “At the same time, (it was an) incredible process and just group effort and collaboration that (we) feel so good about. Not only that process, but what it meant to be in that position for this organization, for the city, for the country. There’s no doubt in my mind he was exceptionally attracted to this country, this city, th...