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Russian government to officials: Bin your iPhone or ‘give it to the kids’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

Staffers of the Russian presidential administration have until the end of March to replace their iPhones with smartphones of other brands considered less susceptible to hacking and espionage, Russian news outlet Kommersant reported  Monday.Sergei Kiriyenko, first deputy chief of staff of the presidential administration, told officials during a Kremlin-organized seminar in March to dispose of the American smartphone by April 1 due to security concerns. Officials of regional political blocs are expected to receive similar recommendations. The government is even considering purchasing new phones for employees, the report reads.“It’s all over for the iPhone. Either throw it away or give it to the kids,” a person attending a March meeting on the topic reportedly said.The condition applied to the four departments within the presidential administration, including domestic policy, public projects, State Council activities, and information and communication technologies and infrastructu...

Bruce Willis sings with his family in birthday tribute video from ex Demi Moore

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

(CNN) — Demi Moore has shared a touching message dedicated to her ex-husband Bruce Willis on his first birthday since being diagnosed with dementia.Moore and Willis were married from 1987 to 2000 and share three daughters: Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.On Sunday, the Hollywood actress offered fans a glimpse into the “Die Hard” actor’s 68th birthday celebrations by posting an Instagram video that showed Willis celebrating his day with Moore, his current wife Emma Heming Willis, his daughters and other family members.“Happy birthday, BW! So glad we could celebrate you today,” Moore captioned the clip, which showed Willis’ loved ones singing “Happy Birthday” to the retired actor. “Love you and love our family. Thank you to everyone for the love and warm wishes — we all feel them.”After joining in with the singing, the “Die Hard” star was then seen blowing out candles on his birt...

Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company in Framingham hosts polar plunge to raise money for Special Olympics

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company in Framingham hosted a polar plunge Sunday to raise money for Special Olympics teams throughout Massachusetts.The event raises money to help more than 14,000 Special Olympics athletes get the tools they need to train and compete in the sports they love. Organizers and athletes say support from the community goes a long way.“At the end of the day, we’re all coming together for one reason, and that’s the Mission of Special Olympics,” said Mary Beth McMahon President and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts. “To make sure our athletes are included on the fields and courts, as well as the classrooms and [hallways] and the communities.” The organization says polar plunge events across the state have raised a record $750,000 this year.

Jason Sudeikis and ‘Ted Lasso’ cast will meet with Biden for mental health discussion

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

(CNN) — Ted Lasso and President Joe Biden are teaming up to — as the television football coach would say — “believe” in the importance of mental health.Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden will host actor Jason Sudeikis and other members of the cast of “Ted Lasso” at the White House on Monday for a conversation on mental health, AppleTV+ announced Sunday.Cast members joining the discussion include Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Toheeb Jimoh, Cristo Fernandez, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris and James Lance.A White House official said the meeting will focus on discussing “the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall wellbeing.”The president on Sunday tweeted a photo of a yellow poster bearing the word “BELIEVE” above a door leading to the Oval Office. The sign is reminiscent of one affixed above Lasso’s office door in the AFC Richm...

Two 23-year-olds killed in Holliston rollover crash

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

Two 23-year-olds were killed in a single-car rollover crash in Holliston Saturday night, according to police. Officers responded to the area of 717 Highland Street just before 10 p.m. for a report of a crash. Police say Holliston resident Joshua Taylor and Connecticut resident Haley Gens were found dead at the scene. Police say a preliminary investigation indicates the car was traveling southbound on Highland Street at a high rate of speed when it rolled over and hit a tree. State police and the Middlesex County DA’s Office are investigating. No further information has been released.

Endure and survive: Orioles who lasted through rebuild grateful to be ‘on the other side’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

Six years ago, before the Orioles’ most successful run in decades bottomed out, Anthony Santander surveyed the outfield at Double-A Bowie and made a proclamation to Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays.“We are the future of this organization,” he told them.As the Orioles prepare for their first full post-rebuild season, the trio is all part of Baltimore’s present. Pitchers John Means and Dillon Tate join Santander, Mullins and Hays as the five Orioles who played for the team each year from 2019 to now, a group that weathered the struggles through the rebuild to be part of the organization as it turns toward competitiveness.“You don’t want to go back,” Means said. “You want to stay as far away from those years as possible.”After a five-year stretch as the American League’s winningest team from 2012 to 2016, the Orioles collapsed to close the 2017 season, a prelude to a franchise-worst 115-loss campaign in 2018 in which they traded...

ASK IRA: Might Heat finally cash in on their leading investments?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

Q: Ira, I like the tight rotation at the end. Erik Spoelstra knows who wins. Wonder what Pat Riley thinks about all that money sitting on the end of the bench? – Seth.A: With Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro (with his impending extension) there wasn’t much money on the bench at the finish Sunday, save for Duncan Robinson. When Pat was coach, he would do the same, play his best in the biggest moments and shorten his rotation when the games meant the most. You could see at the end in Detroit how much Kyle can settle a team at the finish (and how much Caleb Martin can energize). It will be interesting to see if Kyle automatically is forced to sit out a game in the next back to back. And you know it won’t be in Toronto, which will make the game in New York all the more curious.Q: UM, FAU, Heat. Ira, it’s a basketball town. – Len.A: Sure feels like a lot of March madness. Although there also was a different version of March madness in th...

Chicago Bears spring storylines: Ryan Poles’ patient approach, David Montgomery’s exit and DeMarcus Walker’s newfound purpose

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

The Chicago Bears roster is changing by the day. In an offseason defined by turnover, the Bears have added 10 players this month via trade or free agency.More new faces will be on the way as the latter waves of free agency hit the shore. The Bears also have 10 picks in next month’s draft and will continue to mold their team under the guidance of general manager Ryan Poles.As Poles crosses the bridge from free agency to the draft, here are three notable storylines to keep tabs on.‘We can’t fix everything’Two weeks before the free-agent market opened, Ryan Poles was asked for a realistic vision of what he could accomplish this spring.“You always have to be on your toes to adapt and adjust,” Poles said during the scouting combine in Indianapolis. “But at the end of the day, I’ll make it simple: (The goal) is to improve our football team and get as many guys on our roster who can help us do what we are trying to do — which is win a l...

Wet and warmer week in store for Toronto, GTA as spring arrives

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

Spring officially arrives on Monday and it looks like this week’s forecast is taking the hint.A chilly weekend is giving way to more seasonal temperatures and Toronto could even dip into the double digits later this week.CityNews meteorologist Jill Taylor warns the warmer temperatures will be coupled with some wet weather.“We do have a chance of showers tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday, and then we get into a steadier rain for Thursday,” she says.Monday will see a guaranteed high of 6 C, followed by 8 C on Tuesday, 6 C on Wednesday, and up to 11 C on Thursday.Spring arrives 5:24pm and milder air will move in. It is cool right now though. Wind chill near -8. Enjoy the sunshine today #Toronto GTA. Chance of wet weather tonight, tomorrow, Wed and Thurs. By Thursday, highs near 11°C— Jill Taylor (@JillTaylorCity) March 20, 2023Things will cool down a little bit heading into next weekend with “a rain snow mix on Saturday” and an expected high of 4 C.Saturd...

Trump silent on abortion as 2024 campaign pushes forward

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:38:14 GMT

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — No elected Republican has done more to restrict abortion rights in the U.S. than Donald Trump.But in the early days of the 2024 presidential contest, no Republican has worked harder to avoid the issue than the former president. Far more than his GOP rivals, Trump is sidestepping the issue just nine months after he and his party celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to strip away women’s constitutional right to abortion.Look no further than Trump’s trip to Iowa last week for evidence of his delicate balancing act.Moments after he stepped off his plane just outside Davenport, Trump repeatedly refused to say whether he would support a federal law restricting abortion in every state, a move that anti-abortion activists are demanding of the GOP’s presidential contenders.“We’re looking at a lot of different things,” Trump said when asked twice by The Associated Press whether he supports a federal abortion ban. The former president quickly shifted...