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FDA takes ‘momentous’ step toward banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

(CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration took a “momentous” step Monday toward banning menthol in cigarettes and banning flavored cigars, proposing a rule that public health experts say could save hundreds of thousands of lives.The FDA has been talking about banning menthol and flavored cigars for years and has said the issue is one of its top priorities. In April, it announced it would move ahead with proposed product standard restrictions because such a move had “the potential to significantly reduce disease and death” and reduce “youth experimentation and addiction” as well as increase the number of smokers who quit.The agency has sent the rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review, the last regulatory step before the rule becomes final.“It’s a big, vital and critical step on the way to banning these products,” said Erika Sward, assistant vice president of national advocacy with the American Lung A...

Cool Day, but Warm October

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

Well… at least we had a nice weekend for once because the rain wasn’t too far away. It moved right back in to kick off the work week with scattered showers through the day, but especially this afternoon. It wasn’t just the showers today, we had a lot of clouds and cool temperatures that really made it feel like fall outside. Temperatures struggled to even make it to 60°.I don’t think tomorrow is a great day, but it’ll be better than today. Temperatures will still be cool and a hair below average but we’ll add one or two degrees on top of where we finished today. Most of the showers should exit tomorrow but a spot shower will likely linger behind with the best chance being on the coast or the closer to the coast you are versus inland where the showers were more focused today.Also notice that sunset time tomorrow! Tonight is our last sunset in the 6pm hour until next March… tis the season.These cool days certainly are a reminder of what’...

IDF soldier stopping in Mass. to drop family off shares images, describes scenes from Israel as war with Hamas continues

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

A soldier fighting for the Israeli Defense Forces is in Boston this week, dropping off family members who were able to escape the violence overseas before returning to the fight himself.Major Omri, who requested his last name be omitted to protect his family, sat down with 7NEWS while he was in the area.“[My family] saw me go upstairs and organize my uniform and my gear and they ask if I’m going ‘to play in the arm’ – exact words,” he said. “I told them ‘No – I’m going to fight for our freedom.'”Speaking with the news station, he discussed what he had seen in southern Israel after a series of surprise attacks by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7 left hundreds of civilians and soldiers dead and led to all-out war.The IDF soldier described how Hamas fighters video-recorded the violence and used social media to taunt Israelis.“Sometimes, they even took the phones of the deceased and killed soldiers, and posted on their beha...

Soccer match between Belgium and Sweden abandoned after deadly shooting in Brussels

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

By Samuel Petrequin and Raf Casert, Associated PressBRUSSELS (AP) — A soccer match between host Belgium and Sweden was abandoned at halftime Monday after two Swedes were killed in a shooting in central Brussels before kickoff.Fans remained inside the King Baudouin stadium after the European Championship qualifier was stopped and chanted “All together, All together!”The match was being played around 3 miles (5 kilometers) away from the shooting. The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime.Belgium’s crisis center raised the level of threat in Brussels and its region to the maximum and asked citizens to avoid unnecessary travel.The Swedish FA said in a message to Swedish supporters on site that the Belgian police wanted supporters to stay in the arena for security reasons.“Keep calm and take care of each other,” the FA said. “Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels.”It was not immediately clear if the shooting was linked to terrorism, or to the Israel-Hamas war.A...

Lake Forest mansion once owned by Chicago Bulls head coach Bill Cartwright listed for $2.4M

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

A six-bedroom, 7,100-square-foot mansion in Lake Forest that onetime Chicago Bulls star center — and later, head coach — Bill Cartwright once owned has been listed for $2.35 million.Cartwright owned the Georgian-style home from 1998, when he paid $823,000 for it, until selling it in 2008 for $1.97 million. Cartwright played for the Bulls from 1988 until 1994, including being part of the team’s first “three-peat” set of titles, and then was an assistant coach from 1996 until 2001. He served as the Bulls’ head coach from 2001 until 2003.The home’s current owners, ACCO Brands executive chair Boris Elisman and his wife, Karen Hymes, bought the mansion from Cartwright in 2008. Now, they have placed the home for sale through real estate agents’ private listing agent network. Built in 1988, the home has three full bathrooms, two half bathrooms, a two-story foyer, new hardwood floors, high ceilings and a newer DaVinci roof.The mansion&...

How Jrue Holiday is viewing transition to Celtics after two weeks in Boston

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

Two weeks since he was suddenly traded to the Celtics, it seems that Jrue Holiday has enjoyed a relatively smooth transition to Boston. But he’s had one minor hiccup in the process.“I’m still looking for a place to live,” Holiday said Monday. “It’s just the market’s weird, some things fell through, weird stuff happened. It never goes smoothly.”Holiday’s been here before. The guard has been traded twice in his career, first in 2013 when he was dealt from the 76ers to the Pelicans and then again in 2020 when he was moved to the Bucks. The latter represents a more relatable situation to now, since the deal came early in the 2020-21 season, forcing Holiday to immediately acclimate to his new team like he is right now.That transition went well, as Holiday ultimately won a championship in Milwaukee in his first season.The Celtics, obviously, are hoping for the same result this time. Holiday wasted no time in his adjustment period. The morning after he was traded, he beat Brad Stevens to t...

Mac Jones details what he saw on Patriots costly last-minute safety

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

The Patriots’ Week 6 comeback attempt was officially foiled when quarterback Mac Jones was sacked in the end zone late in the fourth quarter for safety.Facing third-and-15 at the Patriots’ own 4-yard line with 1:54 on the clock, Jones’ three wide receivers ran downfield routes, tight end Mike Gesicki slipped as he attempted to chip Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby off the edge, and running back Rhamondre Stevenson was open in the middle of the field after running a swing route. Jones stood in the pocket and was sacked by Crosby and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols in 3.3 seconds. The Raiders fair caught the Patriots’ safety punt and then kneeled on the ball for the 21-17 victory.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Important Patriots QB question remains a mystery New England Patriots | Is Kendrick Bourne playing his final games with the Patriots? New England Patriots | How Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers avoided fl...

Baseball, softball to return to Summer Olympics in 2028

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

Baseball and softball will return to the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028.The International Olympic Committee announced the approved additions, as well as cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, in the early hours of October 16. Flag football and squash are newcomers to the international event, but it’s been over a century since cricket (1900 Paris Olympics) and lacrosse (1904 St. Louis, 1908 London) made the cut.Baseball has occupied an inconsistent place in Olympic history. It technically made its debut at the 1904 event in St. Louis, but wasn’t played as a demonstration sport until the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. In that first contest, the United States bested Sweden – a team filled out by several Americans – 13-3 in a six-inning contest that inexplicably included the Swedes having a six-out sixth inning. Brief exhibition and modified games were featured at the Paris Summer Olympics in 1924, Berlin in ‘36, Helsinki in ‘52, ‘56 Melbourne, and ‘64 Tokyo before a tournament fo...

Ticker: Gas prices drop in Bay State; CCC names acting executive director

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

Gas prices have dropped a nickel in the last week, hitting $3.64 in Massachusetts despite the war in Israel and the decision by OPEC countries earlier this year to ratchet down production. The price at the pump is a full 13 cents lower than just a month ago.“Domestic gasoline prices have continued their daily decline despite uncertainty and volatility gripping oil markets last week after the outbreak of war in Israel …” said AAA Northeast Senior Spokesperson Mark Schieldrop. “Meanwhile, domestic oil production reached an all-time high last week and demand remains tepid, which suggest further price drops at the pump in the weeks ahead.”Gas in Massachusetts is running about 4 cents higher than the national average, which came in at $3.60 per gallon in the most recent survey.CCC names acting directorCannabis regulators decided Monday to appoint their head of human resources as acting executive director of the Cannabis Control Commission while its administrative head is out on leave and...

Belgian authorities raise terror alert after 2 Swedes are fatally shot in Brussels

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:23 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian authorities raised the terror alert to its highest level in the capital late Monday after the fatal shooting of two Swedes in Brussels that Prime Minister Alexander De Croo linked to terrorism. The gunman remained at large.The killings happened some 3 miles (5 kilometers) from a stadium where over 35,000 fans were watching a Belgium-Sweden soccer match, Belgium’s anti-terror center said. The match was abandoned half way through.“The population needs to be actively vigilant and avoid any unnecessary travel,” anti-terror center spokeswoman Laura Demullier said, adding that the top priority for authorities was to get the thousands of fans safely out of the King Baudouin Stadium.The center also said that the terror alert for the rest of the country was raised to its second-highest level. Raising the terror level in the capital to the top 4 rating means that a “threat is extremely serious.” It previously stood at 2, which means the threat was average.“I have...