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Boston City Council looks to ban the sale of guinea pigs at pet shops

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

With guinea pigs reportedly being surrendered more than ever, the Boston City Council is looking to do all it can to ensure the small critters are receiving the best care possible.That’s the focus behind a proposed ordinance in front of council that looks to ban the sale of guinea pigs in pet shops across the city.The council’s Committee on Government Operations is set to hear feedback from animal welfare leaders and advocates on Monday regarding the proposal, filed by Councilor Liz Breadon this past March.City officials enacted a “pet shop” ordinance in 2016, prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits, except in cooperation with an animal shelter or rescue organization. It left out guinea pigs, a “significant share” of which come from large-scale, out-of-state commercial breeding facilities and brokers,” according to the proposed ordinance.A dozen other cities and towns followed Boston’s initial ordinance, including Cambridge and Attleboro, cities that went further by including...

Source: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson to undergo MRI to confirm ankle sprain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

FOXBORO — Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson had to be helped off of the field with a right ankle injury late in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss.Stevenson was officially ruled out after halftime.The Patriots playmaker will undergo an MRI on his ankle this week, per a source. The belief is that Stevenson suffered a sprain after initial X-rays, but the MRI will confirm the diagnosis.Stevenson suffered the injury while fumbling on a hip-drop tackle by Chargers rookie outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu. Stevenson stayed down on the turf before being helped off of the field by trainers. He couldn’t put weight on his right leg as he was helped straight to the locker room.Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott carried the load for the Patriots after the injury, registering 17 carries for 52 yards while catching four passes on five targets for 40 yards.“(I’m) just thinking about him. Praying for him, hoping for the best,” Elliott said Sunday. “You hate to see him go...

Snow possible Wednesday, according to NWS, with chilly days ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

The first week of December may bring the first real snow storm of the season to the Boston region, according to the National Weather Service.Cold weather overnight Tuesday into Wednesday paired with predicted precipitation could leave about an inch of snow on the ground by the time the morning commute begins, according to NWS Meteorologist Kyle Pederson.“We could see some snow actually for eastern Massachusetts,” Pederson said.A rain “washout” for most of the region on Sunday should mostly subside by the time commuters are heading to work Monday morning, but rain is expected to start falling again by the afternoon. There could be areas of patchy fog Monday before 9 a.m. High temperatures are expected to top out near 48 degrees during an overcast day in Boston, with low-50s south of the city.Rain becomes patchy overnight Monday, Pederson said, with temperatures above freezing and around the mid-30s.Partly sunny skies on Tuesday do not translate to a warm day, with the mercury s...

MassGOP chair calls for return to formal sessions, defends delay tactics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

Democratic lawmakers must return to formal session and put their name on the record for or against a proposed $3.1 billion spending plan containing hundreds of millions for migrant shelter costs, according to the head of the MassGOP.In a statement calling on the state’s liberal majority to interrupt their December-long holiday and return to their posts, MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale says Democrats had plenty of time to pass a supplemental budget before they took the rest of the year off from formal meetings.“Democratic leadership on Beacon Hill is doing everything possible to avoid regular order. Leaders seem more concerned with bypassing debate and votes than allowing previously negotiated provisions to proceed without interruption. Included among these provisions already negotiated are important cost of living increases for state union workers. Instead, Democrats are once again choosing to try and push back room deals through a process that does not allow for accountability,” C...

Bailey Zappe not ensured Week 14 start after Patriots’ continued offensive struggles?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots’ quarterback controversy seemingly will continue even after Bailey Zappe replaced Mac Jones as the starter in Week 13.The Patriots will play four days after they were shut out by the Chargers 6-0 at Gillette Stadium, so head coach Bill Belichick was asked if Zappe will start Thursday night against the Steelers.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Source: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson to undergo MRI to confirm ankle sprain New England Patriots | Patriots never turn to Malik Cunningham after practice squad elevation New England Patriots | Patriots QB change does nothing to fix offense in 6-0 loss to Chargers New England Patriots | Patriots to dress three QBs vs. Chargers; Deatrich Wise inactive with illness New England Patriots | Patriots-Chargers preview: Can Bill Belichick scheme an upset of Justin Herbert? “Yeah, we just finished the game,” Belichick sa...

Commercial ships hit by missiles in Houthi attack in Red Sea, US warship downs 3 drones

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

By JON GAMBRELL (Associated Press)DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Three commercial ships in the Red Sea were struck by ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen on Sunday and a U.S. warship shot down three drones in self-defense during the hourslong assault, the U.S. military said. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.The attacks marked an escalation in a series of maritime attacks in the Mideast linked to the Israel-Hamas war, as multiple vessels found themselves in the crosshairs of a single Houthi assault for the first time in the conflict.In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the attacks “represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.” It said the three commercial ships and their crews are connected to 14 countries.According to Central Command, the USS Carney, a ...

Former US ambassador arrested in Florida, accused of serving as an agent of Cuba, AP source says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — A former American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia has been arrested in a long-running FBI counterintelligence investigation, accused of secretly serving as an agent of Cuba’s government, The Associated Press has learned.Manuel Rocha, 73, was arrested in Miami on Friday on a criminal complaint and more details about the case are expected to be made public at a court appearance Monday, said two people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing federal investigation.One of the people said the Justice Department case accuses Rocha of working to promote the Cuban government’s interests. Federal law requires people doing the political bidding of a foreign government or entity inside the U.S. to register with the Justice Department, which in recent years has stepped up its criminal enforcement of illicit foreign lobbying.The Justice Department declined to comment. It was not immediately clear if Rocha ...

Man wanted for sexual assault in North York

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

Toronto police are looking for the suspect in a sexual assault that happened in North York on Sunday morning.At approximately 3:30 a.m., a woman was sexually assaulted in her apartment in the Sheppard Avenue West and Bathurst Street area.Reportedly, a 21-year-old female was asleep on the couch inside her apartment, when she awoke to a male touching her arm and trying to converse with her.The suspect pulled down his pants and gestured to his genitals and then sat down on the victim’s stomach. The victim pushed the suspect off and ran to alert a witness. Scaring off the suspect, he then fled on foot and was last seen going eastbound on Sheppard Avenue WestThe suspect is described as male, 30 to 40 years old, with a thin build and was clean shaven. He was wearing a white t-shirt, white jacket, and grey pants.

Watchdog: Western arms companies failed to ramp up production capacity in 2022 due to Ukraine war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Many Western arms companies failed to ramp up production in 2022 despite a strong increase in demand for weapons and military equipment, a watchdog group said Monday, adding that labor shortages, soaring costs and supply chain disruptions had been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.In its Top 100 of such firms, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, said the arms revenue of the world’s largest arms-producing and military services companies last year stood at $597 billion — a 3.5% drop from 2021.“Many arms companies faced obstacles in adjusting to production for high-intensity warfare,” said Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, director of the independent institute’s Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program.SIPRI said the revenues of the 42 U.S. companies on the list — accounting for 51% of total arms sales — fell by 7.9% to $302 billion in 2022. Of those, 32 recorded a fall in year-on-year arms revenue, most of them citing ongoing s...

46th annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade moves through Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:12 GMT

CHICAGO — Motorcyclists made their way through the city on Sunday for the 46th annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade.Thousands of bikers, including some who decked out their rides with holiday decorations, took part in the 15-mile trip around Chicagoland.The parade got underway at 6 a.m. at the Dan Ryan Woods, on West 83rd Street and South Western Avenue, before heading north toward Lane Tech College Prep High School in North Center. Weekend Break: Museum of Illusions in Chicago Those who participated in Sunday's event were required to bring at least one new, unwrapped toy to donate.The annual event, which takes place on the first Sunday in December, brings riders together to help those in need ahead of the holidays.Toys for Tots has several Toy Box locations around the city for people to donate new, unwrapped toys. Visit the Chicagoland Toys for Tots website for more details on how to take part.