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Macron fails to move Xi Jinping over Russia’s war on Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping showed no sign of changing his position over Russia’s war on Ukraine after talks Thursday with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.On the second day of Macron’s state visit to China, Xi took his long-standing line on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine — saying that “all sides” have “reasonable security concerns” — and gave no hint he would use his influence to help end the conflict.“China is willing to jointly appeal with France to the international community to remain rational and calm,” was as far as the Chinese leader would go, during a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. “Peace talks should be resumed as soon as possible, taking into account the reasonable security concerns of all sides with reference to the U.N. Charter … seeking political resolution and constructing a balanced, effective and sustainable European security framework,” he added, sitting next to Macron.The ...

Dump truck catches fire on Mass Pike westbound in Brighton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

A dump truck caught on fire on the Mass Pike westbound in Brighton Thursday morning.Smoke could be seen billowing from the truck near Exit 130. The two right lanes of the highway remain closed as of 8 a.m. Drivers should expect delays.It is unclear if anyone was injured. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.https://twitter.com/MassDOT/status/1643937040151576576?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Basketball fans line up outside Boston store for early release of Jayson Tatum’s signature Jordan sneakers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

Basketball fans lined up outside a Boston store Wednesday for the early release of Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum’s signature Jordan sneakers.Dozens of people of all ages waited in line at the Concepts store on Newbury Street to be among the first to get their hands on the new kicks. “The line outside – I was very surprised,” one fan told 7NEWS. “I wasn’t ready to be standing outside in the cold, but you know, you gotta do what you gotta do to support.”Tatum says he has long dreamed of this moment. A new commercial shows him dreaming big as a cartoon kid and rising as a basketball star. Now it’s all becoming a reality with the Tatum 1 shoe from the Jordan brand. The store says Tatum wanted to make sure there were sizes for all ages during this drop because of his son Deuce, a star in his own right at TD Garden.“They’re getting really creative now, so you have to be a little bit more innovative than usual,” said Kali...

Hugh Jackman undergoes skin cancer tests and encourages sun safety

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

(CNN) — Hugh Jackman has revealed he is undergoing skin cancer tests following a medical check up, and urged his fans to protect themselves in the sun.In a video message posted to his Instagram account, the Australian actor, who had a plaster on his nose, said he’s awaiting the results of skin cancer tests after his doctor spotted irregularities that “could be or could not be basal cell [carcinoma].”Jackman has received treatment for basal cell carcinoma several times, and in 2013, revealed he had a cancerous growth removed from his nose.“Just to remind you, basal cell, in the world of skin cancers, is the least dangerous of them all,” said the “X-Men” star, who has famously portrayed the character of Wolverine since 2000. He added that he will receive his results in the coming days.Basal cell carcinoma of the skin is one of the most common cancers in the US and treatment can be highly effective ...

Late-stage RSV vaccine trials show ‘exciting promise,’ some scientists say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

(CNN) — A Pfizer vaccine to protect older adults and infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has shown what some scientists are calling “exciting” promise in late-stage trials.In one company-funded trial in adults 60 and older, the results of which were published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, the vaccine prevented RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness — which includes acute bronchitis and pneumonia — and prevented RSV-associated acute respiratory illness, with no apparent safety concerns.In another company trial, whose interim results were also published in the journal on Wednesday, the RSV vaccine was given during late-stage pregnancy and was found to be effective against severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, or inflammation of the small airway passages entering the lungs, in infants. There were no safety concerns identified.Pfize...

Breaking down the most interesting position group at each of the Orioles’ minor league affiliates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

The rebuild is over, but the building never really ends.There’s renewed excitement and expectations for the big league club, but the Orioles still own the top farm system in baseball.For the first time since Baseball America began ranking prospects in 1984, the publication this offseason crowned the Orioles’ collection of young talent as the best in the sport. In total, 10 Orioles prospects were recognized by a major top 100 prospect list.While the Triple-A season began last weekend, the rest of the Orioles’ full-season minor league affiliates start their 2023 campaigns Thursday. After minor league spring training ended last week, the organization announced the roster assignments, including No. 2 pitching prospect DL Hall to Triple-A Delmarva, 2020 second-overall draft pick Heston Kjerstad to Double-A Bowie and 2022′s top selection Jackson Holliday to Low-A Delmarva.But there’s much more to the Orioles’ farm system than those high-profile names. H...

Patriots 7-round mock draft: Bill Belichick trades up, fills major needs with 11 picks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

Three weeks away from the NFL Draft, the Patriots’ roster holes are clear.Offensive tackle and cornerback lead the pack, followed by some order of wide receiver, tight end, edge defender and inside linebacker. The Pats typically invest their top picks into positions that will become areas of need within a year or two. Will they do so again this month, a time when Bill Belichick, Mac Jones and the rest of the franchise can hardly afford to look ahead?Here is the Herald’s second seven-round Patriots mock draft.1st roundNo. 14: Tennessee OT Darnell WrightHt/Wt: 6-5, 333A right tackle who allowed the third-lowest pressure rate in the FBS last year and is a road-grading run-blocker? How fast do the Patriots turn in this card?Wright projects as a Day 1 starter in New England, where everyone would soon learn how he dominated Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson, a projected top-5 pick, in their head-to-head matchup last season. He immediately addresses a position of need in the sh...

John Kerry’s Gmail account ‘discouraged’ but still defended by State Department

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

The U.S. State Department argues Climate czar John Kerry can use a personal Gmail account for government business — despite the risky practice being “discouraged” in the very manual they cite.The “Foreign Affairs Manual” referenced, particularly section 5 FAM 434, does not support outside messages.“All Department personnel with an official State Department email account are discouraged from using a personal email account(s),” including Gmail, the manual reads. That section goes on to add Gmail can be used in “very limited circumstances.”It also clearly states “convenience is not an appropriate reason” to use outside email.The State Department’s push-back on Kerry’s behalf comes after the Herald reported Sunday that the former Massachusetts senator and onetime Democratic presidential candidate was cc’d a Climate memo to a Gmail account.It’s all part of an ongoing struggle by the Herald and watch...

Saudi, Iran restore ties, say they seek Mideast stability

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Long-time Mideast rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia took another significant step toward reconciliation Thursday, formally restoring diplomatic ties after a seven-year rift, affirming the need for regional stability and agreeing to pursue economic cooperation.The agreement was reached in Beijing during a meeting between the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers, a month after China had brokered an initial reconciliation agreement between the two regional powerhouses.The latest understanding further lowers the chance of armed conflict between the rivals, both directly and in proxy conflicts around the region. It could bolster efforts by diplomats to end a long war in Yemen, a conflict in which both Iran and Saudi Arabia are deeply entrenched.Thursday’s announcement also represents another diplomatic victory for the Chinese as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States slowly withdrawing from the wider region.Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahia...

Snake on a plane! South African pilot finds cobra under seat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:42 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A pilot in South Africa made a hasty emergency landing after discovering a highly venomous cobra hiding under his seat.Rudolf Erasmus had four passengers on board the light aircraft during Monday’s flight when he felt “something cold” slide across his lower back. He glanced down to see the head of a fairly large Cape Cobra “receding back under the seat,” he said.“It was as if my brain didn’t know what was going on,” he told The Associated Press. After taking a moment to compose himself, he informed his passengers of the slippery stowaway.“There was a moment of stunned silence,” he said. Everyone stayed cool, especially the pilot.Erasmus called air traffic control for permission to make an emergency landing in the town of Welkom in central South Africa. He still had to fly for another 10 to 15 minutes and land the plane with the snake by his feet.“I kept looking down to see where it was. It was happy under the seat,” Erasmus said. “I d...