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Russian mercenary leader Prigozhin’s commanders met Putin after short-lived mutiny, pledged loyalty

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

By The Associated PressJust five days after staging a short-lived rebellion, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin ‘s commanders met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledged loyalty to the government, a senior government spokesman said Monday, the latest twist in a baffling episode that has raised questions about the power and influence both men wield.The three-hour meeting took place June 29 and involved not only Prigozhin but commanders from his Wagner Group military contractor, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin gave an assessment of Wagner’s actions on the battlefield in Ukraine — where the mercenaries have fought alongside Russian troops — and of the revolt itself.“The commanders themselves presented their version of what happened. They underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue to fight for their homeland,” Peskov said....

Phillips: Yankees’ oldest hand insists ‘new messenger’ is needed

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

There comes a time when a struggling organization determines a new voice is needed.Yankees general manager Brian Cashman reached that conclusion on Saturday when he sought permission from owner Hal Steinbrenner to fire hitting coach Dillon Lawson. The decision became official shortly after the fourth-place Yankees lost their final game of the first half on Sunday. They’re 49-42 this season.Lawson’s firing marked the first time Cashman, more than two decades into his job, has dismissed a coach mid-season.“I wanted to give things a chance to work its way through, but I feel honestly at this point, it’s not going to improve – at least as it sits,” Cashman said, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “It doesn’t mean the offense couldn’t have gotten better organically, but I feel like we’ll be better served with a new messenger.”The messages will now come from Sean Casey, who will take on the role of hitting coach, per multiple ...

How to get a credit card with no credit history

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

Janna Herron | Bankrate (TNS)These days, having good credit is less of a suggestion and more of a mandate. Let’s face it, when you have good credit, you have more opportunities. You can lease a nicer apartment and put a downpayment on a new car. Having good credit also comes in handy when you need to apply for a loan.So, what do you do when you have no credit history whatsoever? Do you qualify for any type of credit card? Younger people, students, immigrants and anyone afraid of the notion of debt are left wondering how they can get a credit card with no credit history.Luckily, there are ways you can get a credit card with no credit. It is possible, and while it might take some work, the benefits go well beyond getting approved. In fact, some credit cards are designed with this type of individual in mind. However, some require collateral as a result.The idea of putting down a deposit in order to get a credit card shouldn’t cause you to run for the hills. Getting a credit card with n...

When to start regular breast cancer screenings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

DeeDee Stiepan | (TNS) Mayo Clinic News NetworkEarly detection and regular breast cancer screenings are key to reducing death from breast cancer. Mammograms remain the best tool available and have been shown to reduce deaths from breast cancer. That’s why Mayo Clinic recommends women start screening mammograms yearly at age 40. While that recommendation has been firm for the past 10 years, other institutions have shifted the recommended screening age over the years.The latest to consider a change is the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which is proposing changing its guidelines to recommend all women begin screening mammography at age 40, a decade earlier than previous guidelines.Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, with Mayo Clinic’s Breast Diagnostic Clinic and Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, is pleased to see the shift.“Mayo Clinic has always taken the stance to screen beginning age 40, every year. And I think other organizations are doing that. And these (recommend...

Deadly flooding hits several countries, scientists said this will be increasingly common

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

Schools in New Delhi had to close Monday after heavy monsoon rains battered the Indian capital. Landslides and flash floods killed at least 15 people over the last three days. Further north, the overflowing Beas River swept vehicles downstream as it flooded neighborhoods.In Japan, torrential rain pounded the southwest, causing floods and mudslides that left two people dead and at least six others missing Monday. Local TV showed damaged houses in Fukuoka prefecture and muddy water from the swollen Yamakuni River appearing to threaten a bridge in the town of Yabakei. In Ulster County, in New York’s Hudson Valley and in Vermont, some said the flooding is the worst they’ve seen since Hurricane Irene, called the worst weather event in that county’s history when it hit in 2011. Although destructive flooding in India, Japan, China and Turkey and the United States might seem like distant events, atmospheric scientists say they have this in common: Storms are forming in a warmer atmosp...

CP NewsAlert: B.C. announces total campfire ban amid huge surge in wildfires

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

VANCOUVER — British Columbia is imposing a total campfire ban across the entire province, except Haida Gwaii, after lightning combined with tinder-dry conditions to spark a huge surge in wildfires over the weekend.More coming.The Canadian Press

West Virginia University reviews academic programs amid budget shortfall

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University announced Monday nearly half of its academic programs are under evaluation as it looks for ways to trim amid a $45 million budget shortfall.Among the departments being reviewed are law, engineering and mineral resources, education, art, music, agriculture, English, math, communications, chemistry, pharmacy and public health. The departments were identified in part through enrollment trends since 2018. The university said in a statement the goal of the review is to align its academic programs with student demand, career opportunity and market trends while ensuring an efficient delivery of its offerings.Some programs are exempt from the review along with its Potomac State and WVU Tech campuses and the WVU Extension Service, the university said.Preliminary recommendations will be made to individual colleges and departments by Aug. 11 and appeals will be heard starting later that month. The WVU Board of Governors is scheduled to make fin...

Novak Djokovic wants Wimbledon to start matches earlier at Centre Court. Good luck with that

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Novak Djokovic is a bit tired of not getting on Centre Court at Wimbledon until nearly 9 p.m. The waiting. The uncertainty. The rushing to try to finish matches by the 11 p.m. local curfew — or the annoyance at having to stop midway through a contest and wait until the following day to resume.He offered a solution Monday afternoon after winning his 32nd consecutive match in the grass-court tournament by wrapping up a 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4 victory over Hubert Hurkacz that began Sunday evening but was halted after two sets: Start play in the All England Club’s main stadium earlier than 1:30 p.m. Maybe at noon, say.“It would make a difference,” said Djokovic, who is now into the quarterfinals and three wins away from what would be a fifth championship in a row at Wimbledon, an eighth overall at the place and a 24th career Grand Slam title.“There are different ways that I’m sure they will address this issue,” said Djokovic, whose shoes are stamped with the...

Northwest Territories to increase minimum wage by nearly 5.6 per cent

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — The Northwest Territories government says it plans to increase the minimum wage by almost 5.6 per cent to reflect an increase in the consumer price index.The territory says its minimum hourly wage will increase from $15.20 to $16.05 beginning Sept. 1.The Northwest Territories last increased its minimum wage by $1.74 in September 2021, when it had been unchanged since April 2018.The territorial government says beginning this year, the minimum wage will be adjusted each September.This is the first time it is using a new formula based on the percentage change in the consumer price index for Yellowknife and the percentage change in the average hourly wage in the territory for the preceding calendar year.The Department of Education, Culture and Employment says it is to conduct a public survey on the new method, which aims to take the cost of living into account, this fall.“We recognize that the minimum wage needs to work for both employers and employees,” Minist...

Justin Steele won't get another first at All-Star Game

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:39 GMT

SEATTLE — Despite a strong first half of the season, and teammates speaking up on his behalf, Justin Steele won't have another first in the "Midsummer Classic."While a strong candidate for the honor, Cubs pitcher Justin Steele was not named the starter for the National League for the 2023 All-Star Game on Tuesday at T-Mobile Park in SeattleInstead, that honor went to Zac Gallen of the Diamondbacks, who is making his first appearance in the contest. In 19 games this season with Arizona, he was 11-3 with a 3.04 ERA with 125 strikeouts compared to 23 walks.Steele was certainly a candidate to start the All-Star Game after he was selected for the first time in his career. A 2014 fifth round pick of the Cubs, he's enjoyed a strong start to his third year at the MLB level, going 9-2 with a 2.56 ERA with 82 strikeouts compared to 19 walks. In June, Steele posted a 1.56 ERA in his three starts after going on the IL with a left forearm strain, allowing three earned runs in 17 1/3 innings with...