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Bit Warmer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

A little touch of September air was in place yesterday as the high in Boston only reached 72 degrees, a good 10 degree below average for the time of year. Away from the coast, it was a bit warmer, but comfy overall with low humidity and highs in the upper 70s. Today, we’ll step it up a notch in the humidity (still comfy by August standards), and a couple notches in the temp department as highs run in the lower 80s for many, included 80 in Boston. Overall, it’s still a pleasant August afternoon as a southerly breeze kicks in, gusting 20-25mph this afternoon and evening. We’ll stay dry most of today, with just a spot shower possible late afternoon in northern Worcester County or western NH. Humidity comes up more tonight and the shower and thunderstorm threat increases tomorrow. Showers/storms will be isolated in the morning and more widespread in the afternoon and at night. Dew points run 65-70 as highs near 80. Warm and muggy overall. The main risk with the showers...

A woman escaped a makeshift cinder block ‘dungeon’ in Oregon, police say. The FBI believes there are more victims in other states

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

(CNN) — After a woman escaped from a makeshift “dungeon” made of cinder blocks in a man’s Oregon home, the FBI says it is looking for additional victims in other states.The man, 29-year-old Negasi Zuberi, was taken into federal custody on suspicion of kidnapping across state lines after a woman from Seattle escaped from his home in Klamath Falls, Oregon, according to a news release from the FBI Portland Field Office. The woman also claimed she was sexually assaulted, the FBI said.Zuberi, who has lived in at least 10 different states since 2016, has been linked to violent assaults in at least four different states, according to the FBI. Investigators have reason to believe there could be several other victims, the agency said. He was indicted by a grand jury in Oregon on one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation with intent to engage in sexual activity, court documents filed Wednesday show.Zuberi’s attorney, Heather Fraley, told CNN she had no comment Wed...

Patriots extra points: JuJu Smith-Schuster sees Pats having multiple No. 1 receivers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

FOXBORO — Through seven training camp practices, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s performance would indicate he is the Patriots’ new No. 1 receiver.But don’t tell him that.Smith-Schuster told reporters Wednesday he believes the team could have as many as three, including veterans DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots training camp Day 8: Mac Jones shines again in Bill O’Brien’s offense, Marte Mapu flashes New England Patriots | Source: Patriots open roster spot by waiving rookie wide receiver New England Patriots | Patriots’ offense returning favor by challenging defense in training camp New England Patriots | Patriots rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte finally breaks out after ‘slow start’ New England Patriots | Patriots continuing to manage Rhamondre Stevenson’s workload in practice “I mean, just because the...

Grayson Rodriguez stacking ‘building blocks’ since rejoining Orioles rotation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

In evaluating Grayson Rodriguez’s quartet of starts in the majors since returning to the Orioles’ rotation, both the rookie right-hander himself and his manager compared them with those that came before.“A lot better than the first set,” Rodriguez said.“Much improved over earlier in the year,” Brandon Hyde offered.If one took the 7.35 ERA the 23-year-old posted in his first 10 majors league outings across April and May and arranged those digits in the ideal order, it would result in what Rodriguez has done since rejoining Baltimore last month. He has a 3.57 ERA in four starts, a figure that could be improved upon if not for some troubles late in his outings. That includes Wednesday night’s start against the Toronto Blue Jays, when he was one out from completing the sixth for the second straight start before consecutive full-count walks ended his night. Both runners eventually scored off reliever Shintaro Fujinami.Those final two batters were...

Battenfeld: New public safety alarm at Mass and Cass a testament to failed policies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

The deteriorating situation at Mass and Cass in Boston stands as a testament to the failed policies that the current and previous mayors have tried to get the area under control.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s admission that Mass and Cass has become a major safety threat is also an acknowledgement that what she’s been trying is not working.“We have to get going on a different approach,” Wu said on the “Java with Jimmy” podcast.“In the last month or so, especially in the last couple of weeks, it has gotten to a new level of public safety alarm. All of the non-city teams have said in the last few weeks the situation has gotten so dangerous that we are pulling our people out — we cannot be in there.”Wu said that “drug trafficking, human trafficking and violence taking place,” — as well as the storage of weapons — present too many risks for outreach workers to be there.It’s not clear what Wu is planning but something drastic appears to be immin...

’23 Versa SR is a sporty means of transportation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

As the small sedan market dwindles, and mass-market manufacturers focus their time on SUVs and what EV’s they can draw up to top the competition, Nissan sits quietly in the corner and thrives on rightly-priced, small sporty sedans. The Versa is a prime example of small sedan excellence and our 2023 Versa SR tester brings back what commuting is all about. Over 35 mpg’s on our test and under a $20K base price, the Nissan Versa SR is very appealing visually and easy on the pocket.Powering the commuter, a 1.6 liter, DOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower. Paired with a basic CVT transmission, powertrain noise was certainly present. Although in the commuter category, the CVT is commonly present, it fits the bill for this price range and increases fuel mileage drastically.17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and SR emblems were nicely standard items on the Versa SR, while we noticed an array of standard safety features. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM and NissanCo...

Bud Light sales plunge following boycott over campaign with transgender influencer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

Anheuser-Busch Inbev reported a drop in U.S. revenue in the second quarter as Bud Light sales plunged amid a conservative backlash over a campaign with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.The world’s largest brewer said Thursday that revenue in the United States declined by 10.5% in the April-to-June period from a year earlier, “primarily due to the volume decline of Bud Light.”It has lost its place as America’s best-selling beer after more than two decades, slipping into second place in June behind Mexican lager Modelo Especial, which is also owned by the Belgium-based ABInBev.The company faced blowback after sending a commemorative Bud Light can to Mulvaney, who posted it to her millions of social media followers.Conservative figures and others called for a boycott of Bud Light, while Mulvaney’s supporters criticized the beer brand for not doing enough to support her. Mulvaney has said she faced bullying and transphobia, criticizing the brand for not reaching out to her am...

Philippine coast guard rescues 67 people from damaged boat in the second ferry accident in a week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine coast guard rescued all 67 people from a ferry boat that struck a floating object and took on water Thursday off a northeastern province, in the second ferry accident to hit the country in a week, officials said.A passenger on the Jovelle Express 3 managed to contact a coast guard station for help when the vessel was damaged after slamming into an unspecified object around midday off Polillo island in Quezon province, the coast guard said.The 60 passengers and seven crew members were brought to Polillo and were awaiting another boat to take them to their destination in Quezon.Last week, at least 27 people died when an overcrowded ferry boat flipped over in Laguna de Bay minutes after leaving Binangonan town southeast of the capital, Manila. Strong winds had lashed the boat sparking panic among many passengers, who moved to one side of the wooden boat and caused it flip over, the coast guard and police said.More than 40 other passengers and c...

Greenpeace demonstrators drape UK prime minister’s house in black to protest oil expansion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Greenpeace demonstrators draped the country estate of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in black fabric Thursday to protest his plan to expand oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Video posted by the group showed a crew dressed in bright red jumpsuits, helmets, and safety harnesses carrying ladders and climbing onto the roof of the Yorkshire house. They slowly unfurled long black sheets of fabric over the front of the home and held a yellow sign on the roof that read “No New Oil.”The prime minister was not home because he is vacationing with his family in California. North Yorkshire police said officers were at the location. Sunak announced Monday that Britain will grant hundreds of new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea to gain energy independence. The move was widely criticized by environmental groups that have accused the government of backsliding on its pledge to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050.As four Greenpeace members were on the roof of the British...

Typhoon Khanun forecast to turn back to Japanese islands where it already caused damage and injuries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:51 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — The typhoon that damaged homes and knocked out power on Okinawa and other southern Japanese islands this week was slowly moving west Thursday but is forecast to make a U-turn and dump even more rain on the archipelago.Typhoon Khanun, now in the waters between China and Japan’s southwestern islands, is expected to slow to nearly stationary movement before a weakening high pressure system nearby allows it to turn east Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.That forecast would largely spare China, where rain from an earlier typhoon caused deadly flooding and damage this week around the capital, Beijing.Khanun, which means jackfruit in Thai, had sustained surface winds of 162 kph (100 mph) with higher gusts Thursday evening. Up to 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) of rainfall were expected in the Okinawa region by midday Friday, JMA said. China and Taiwan were also making preparations for the storm. Though the eye is forecast to stay offshore as the typhoon turns east...