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Spy hunt or witch hunt? Ukrainians fear the two are merging

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

KYIV — From the glass cage in a Kyiv courtroom, Roman Dudin professed his innocence loudly. And he fumed at the unusual decision to prevent a handful of journalists from asking him questions during a break in the hearing.The former Kharkiv security chief is facing charges of treason and deserting his post, allegations he and his supporters deny vehemently. “Why can’t I talk with the press?” he bellowed. As he shook his close-cropped head in frustration, his lawyers, a handful of local reporters and supporters chorused his question. At a previous hearing Dudin had been allowed during a break to answer questions from journalists, in keeping with general Ukrainian courtroom practice, but according to his lawyers and local reporters, the presence of POLITICO appeared to unnerve authorities. Suspiciously, too, the judge returned and to the courtroom’s surprise announced an unexpected adjournment, offering no reason. A commotion ensued as she left and further recr...

1 missing, 4 injured after explosion at chemical plant in Newburyport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

One person is unaccounted for after an explosion at a chemical plant in a Newburyport industrial park, officials say. Firefighters from multiple communities responded to the scene around 1 a.m. Crews said an industrial-sized vat from inside the building had moved about 30 feet because of the explosion and was in the parking lot when they got there. Officials say five workers were injured in the explosion. Four were treated and released and one remains unaccounted for as of 6 a.m. The plant is the site of two other recent incidents, including an explosion in 2020 and a chemical fire in 2021. The incident remains under investigation and no additional information has been released. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Defense for Karen Read, charged in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, says she is being framed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

Karen Read was back in court Wednesday amid accusations that she killed her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, who was also a Boston Police officer. As court proceedings continued, Read’s lawyers went head to head with prosecutors, arguing their client has been framed.Read, 42, of Mansfield, has been charged with motor vehicle homicide and second-degree murder in connection with O’Keefe’s death in January of last year. She has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have said Read and O’Keefe had been out drinking with friends on the night O’Keefe died.O’Keefe’s battered body was later found in a snowbank outside a Canton home. While prosecutors have accused Read of running O’Keefe over in her SUV after dropping him off, the defense has suggested other people inside the house where O’Keefe was dropped off beat O’Keefe to death before he was attacked by a dog and dumped outside. The courtroom in Dedham where Read appeared on Wednesday was packed as representatives for ...

Wave of Russian attacks on Kyiv worst in a year, Ukrainian military says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

(CNN) — Russia unleashed its worst attacks on Kyiv in a year, Ukraine’s military said, as for the third time in four days missiles and drones hit the city.The barrage came after Moscow accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin in a drone strike at the Kremlin overnight on Wednesday, allegations Kyiv has vehemently denied.“Our city has not experienced such a heavy intensity of attacks since the beginning of this year! Last night, the aggressor launched another large-scale air strike on the capital,” Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, wrote on Telegram.All Russian missiles and drones “were destroyed in Kyiv airspace by our air defense forces,” Popko said after Moscow attacked the city with “Shahed-type barrage munitions and missiles, presumably ballistic.”There were no civilian casualties or damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, he added.Iran ...

Police: Student will face charges after bringing BB gun to Brookline High School

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

A student will face charges after bringing a BB gun to Brookline High School on Wednesday, according to police. Police say someone thought the student had a gun and he ran off when security approached him. Officers caught the student a few blocks away and found a BB gun in his backpack. .The student will be charged for carrying a weapon on school grounds and making threats.

Boston Police search for suspect in recent assault and battery incidents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

Boston Police are searching for a suspect in connection with two recent assault and battery incidents.Police say the incidents took place Tuesday morning in the area of 450 Brookline Avenue and 80 Francis Street.The suspect is described as a male who is about 6 feet tall with a thin build and dark facial hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, dark blue pants, and dark colored sneakers.Anyone with information is asked to call police at 617-343-4275.Those who wish to assist the investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).

Battenfeld: Maura Healey hobnobbing with Washington elites again

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

Has Gov. Maura Healey caught Potomac fever already?The new Democratic governor has been hobnobbing with Washington elites and increasing her national exposure at least four times since taking office in January.Is it really that boring being a stay-at-home governor in Boston? Is Healey going to turn into another Mitt Romney, who had barely started his first gubernatorial term before running for president?The frequent out-of-state trips are an early sign that Healey may be more interested in her national ambitions or running for U.S. Senate than staying for another term in Massachusetts.While there don’t appear to be any openings in 2024, Healey certainly is young enough to wait another four years before laying the groundwork for a national campaign – either as president or vice president.Healey is also close enough to President Biden that the former Massachusetts attorney general would be considered for a Biden administration appointment to the Justice Department.The new governor’s f...

Ex-Patriots scout, Senior Bowl executive Jim Nagy reviews Patriots’ 2023 draft class

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

When it comes to evaluating the Patriots’ draft, it’s tough to find anyone with a better credential than a former scout.Jim Nagy, executive director at the Senior Bowl and a former scout with the Patriots and Seahawks, has studied several hundred prospects over the past 12 months, including most of the players the Pats drafted last week. Nagy did not scout first-round rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez or sixth-round receiver Kayshon Boutte, both true juniors, too heavily. But their other drafted rookies, from second-round pass rusher Keion White to new punter Bryce Baringer, were all on his radar.Nagy recently spoke with the Herald about the Patriots’ draft class. The following Q&A has been edited for clarity and brevity.Q: What is your overall impression of the Patriots’ draft class?Nagy: “They addressed special teams, they got a couple of really versatile pieces on defense, they got a guy (Troy offensive lineman Jake Andrews) they feel like is ...

Building up: How Legos have helped Orioles rookie Gunnar Henderson ‘decompress’ through early-season struggles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

For Gunnar Henderson, “Star Wars” Legos aren’t only a way to compete with Orioles prospect Colton Cowser, though their 2023 race is set to begin soon. They’ve also helped Baltimore’s prized rookie put his mind at ease amid a relatively slow start to his first full major league season.Hits have been hard to come by for Henderson, a 21-year-old infielder who began this year as baseball’s unanimous top prospect and a favorite to be American League Rookie of the Year. That’s why many nights, he’s found himself piecing together a Lego Imperial Star Destroyer.“Everybody has their own way to decompress, and it’s just something that just kind of gets your mind off everything,” Henderson said. “You just go back home, build for a little bit, and then eventually you come out with something fully made. It’s definitely different, but I enjoy it.”Modeling the triangular spaceship from the opening scene of the fran...

As Chicago Cubs prospect Ben Brown earns a promotion to Triple A, their organizational starting pitching depth is being tested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya smiled at the mention of right-hander Ben Brown.“He’s nasty,” Amaya said.Amaya caught all four of Brown’s starts at Double-A Tennessee before the Chicago Cubs promoted the 6-foot-6 right-hander to Triple-A Iowa over the weekend. Brown posted an 0.45 ERA in 20 innings at Double A, surrendering just one earned run while totaling 30 strikeouts and only six walks.“Awesome dude,” Amaya said. “He trusts his stuff, he attacks the zone and goes after hitters. That’s why he’s having success.”Brown, acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline last year for reliever David Robertson, has quickly positioned himself to earn a call-up. Before he gets to that point, the Cubs wanted to get a better understanding of where he is in his development by moving him up to Iowa. The “enhanced-grip” baseballs Major League Baseball is testing in the Double-A Southern League have noticeab...