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Lionel Messi set to play on the pitch after phenomenal first game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

After a spectacular debut on Friday night, soccer superstar Lionel Messi is poised to make another electrifying appearance on the pitch as he gears up to play in Tuesday night’s highly anticipated match. The Argentine maestro, who signed with Inter Miami recently, is already making waves in Major League Soccer (MLS) with his remarkable skills.Messi, 34, showcased his extraordinary talent during his first game against Cruz Azul, where he made a jaw-dropping entrance in the 54th minute. The crowd erupted in cheers as the legendary forward displayed his sheer brilliance, eventually sealing the victory with a stunning game-winning free kick.Fans and critics alike were left in awe, as Messi’s impact on the match was evident from the moment he stepped onto the field. His presence alone injected a new sense of energy and excitement into the game, solidifying his position as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.The anticipation is palpable as Inter Miami prepares to fa...

Exposure to extreme heat and pollution may double risk of a deadly heart attack, study shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

(CNN) — As heat waves and wildfire smoke continue to affect parts of the United States, doctors are warning that people need to watch their heart health — particularly if they live in areas with high pollution levels.The risk of a deadly heart attack may double when people are exposed to extreme heat and high levels of particle pollution, a new study found. The study, published Monday in the journal Circulation, found that extreme cold could also put patients at greater risk for a fatal heart attack.The study looked at more than 202,000 heart attack deaths between 2015 and 2020 in Jiangsu province, China. It found that when temperatures were extremely high or low, or there was a high level of particulate matter pollution, there was a “significantly associated” risk that a person would die from a heart attack.When there was extreme heat combined with high pollution levels, people faced the greatest risk that they would die from a heart attack.Older people and women seemed to be most ...

Zoo Miami animals find relief from scorching heat through special enrichment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

With record-breaking temperatures scorching Miami, Zoo Miami has taken extensive measures to help its diverse array of animals beat the heat. As the city faces an unprecedented heatwave, the dedicated zoo staff is working tirelessly to ensure the well-being of their animal inhabitants, who hail from tropical and sub-tropical climates.While most of the animals at Zoo Miami are naturally acclimated to hot weather, the recent extreme temperatures have prompted keepers to provide additional enrichment, offering both stimulation and relief to the animals.Among the efforts to keep the animals cool and hydrated, keepers are ensuring that pools are filled for drinking and bathing while providing special cool showers and piles of ice for the animals to chew on and cool off. An example of these special enrichment items is the creation of colorful sloth bear popsicles. Weighing over 50 pounds, these massive popsicles were a collaborative effort between Zoo Miami interns and the Well-Being and ...

EU agriculture officials work on ways to move Ukrainian grain to the world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — European Union agriculture ministers met Tuesday to discuss ways of moving grain vital to global food security out of Ukraine after Russia halted a deal that allowed Black Sea exports. At the same time, countries bordering the war-ravaged nation are seeking to protect prices for their farmers.Germany’s agriculture minister, Cem Ozdemir, warned that they must seek to balance those two issues without eroding the 27-nation bloc’s support for Ukraine.If cracks open up in EU unity, “the only one who is happy is Vladimir Putin,” he said of Russia’s leader.The ministers met in Brussels for the first time since Russia pulled the plug last week on the wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, where hunger is a growing threat and food prices are high.That leaves routes by river, road and rail through Europe as the only ways for Ukraine, a major gl...

‘I’m having so much fun again.’ How Kyle Hendricks is trying to soak it all in, despite a murky Chicago Cubs’ future.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

Kyle Hendricks tends to keep his focus on a day-to-day level.His mantra helps center his attention on what he can control: his methodical five-day routine and each pitch he must execute over the course of a start. Life experiences and age also put things in perspective.There are times Hendricks, 33 and now in his 10th major-league season, tries to take things in and appreciate the moment. That especially was true May 25 at Wrigley Field when Hendricks made his season debut. The uncertainty surrounding Hendricks’ capsular tear in his right shoulder last year ended his season in early July and required nearly 11 months for him to get back into a big-league game.“You start to smell the roses, like they say, just a little bit more,” Hendricks told the Tribune. “I looked around, really soaked it in. You’re just so grateful for what you’re able to do on a day-in and day-out basis. Obviously you’re in the moment and in the competition of doing your...

Mariano puts Massachusetts gun reform bill on hold until fall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

Top House Democrats will back down from their controversial push to approve a 140-page omnibus gun reform measure before lawmakers break for vacation in August.Less than a week after he convened a series of closed-doors meetings to hear from representatives about the sweeping proposal unveiled June 26, House Speaker Ron Mariano told his chamber Monday evening that the new goal is to bring the measure forward in autumn.“While the House’s commitment to pursuing a comprehensive update remains steadfast, a new legal landscape will be the greatest threat to those efforts. That is why the House believes that we must thoroughly evaluate all of the proposals made in [the legislation] over the Summer, and that House Members must have the chance to continue to speak with their constituents and provide feedback,” Mariano wrote in a message obtained by the News Service. “House leadership will continue to work on the bill until it is ready for debate this Fall.”The ...

Russian antiwar group in Serbia says authorities have rejected activist’s residence permit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — A Russian antiwar group in Serbia said Tuesday that authorities have refused to extend the residence permit of one of its activists, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.The Russian Democratic Society said one of its founders, Vladimir Volokhonski, had all the necessary documentation but the authorities cited a security risk as the reason for their decision.Serbian police have not commented. A copy of a police document provided by the Russian group said a security assessment of Volokhonski’s case showed unspecified “obstacles” for the extension of his stay.Earlier this month, Serbian police temporarily banned entry to another prominent Russian antiwar activist, Peter Nikitin, who was forced to spend more than a day at the Belgrade airport before he was allowed in.The Balkan nation has maintained friendly relations with Russia and has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow, despite condemning its invasion of Ukraine.The United States recentl...

Bayreuth Festival plans to present Wagner’s ‘Rienzi’ for the first time in 2026

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

BAYREUTH, Germany (AP) — The Bayreuth Festival intends to present “Rienzi” for the first time in 2026 for its 150th anniversary, going outside the canon of Richard Wagner’s final 10 operas for the first time.Wagner’s family still runs the festival in Bayreuth Germany, and until now has limited it to only what are considered his mature works.Katharina Wagner, a great-granddaughter who directs the festival, announced future plans during a Zoom news conference on Monday, a day before this year’s schedule opens.“Rienzi” will be staged along with the 10 other operas in 2026. “Rienzi,” Wagner’s third completed opera, opened in 1842 and is based on the 14th century Italian politician Cola di Rienzo.Wagner said the 2024 festival will feature a new staging of “Tristan und Isolde” directed by Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson, conducted by Semyon Bychkov and starring Andreas Schager and Camilla Nylund. The 2025 festival will have a new production of “Die Meistersing...

Saquon Barkley, Giants settle on 1-year deal worth up to $11 million, AP source says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants settled on a contract for the star running back just in time for training camp, signing a one-year contract worth up to $11 million, a source close to the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Giants had not announced the signing of the player they had placed the franchise tag on in March.The deal, which adds $909,000 in incentives to the $10.1 million Barkley will earn playing under the franchise tag, came on the day players reported to training came in New Jersey and a day before they started practice for the 2023 season.The team and Barkley failed to come to an agreement on a long-term extension by the NFL deadline of Aug. 17. Since the former Penn State star had not signed his tender offer under the franchise tag, he would not have been able to attend training camp. There was speculation he might sit out camp and miss some of the season.That ende...

Jill Biden marks US reentry into UNESCO with a flag-raising ceremony in Paris

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:44 GMT

PARIS (AP) — U.S. first lady Jill Biden attended a flag-raising ceremony at UNESCO in Paris on Tuesday, marking Washington’s official reentry into the U.N. agency after a controversial five-year hiatus.The Stars and Stripes was hoisted up outside UNESCO’s headquarters with the Eiffel Tower on the skyline to rousing applause, to a rendition of the national anthem. Biden made remarks about the importance of American leadership in preserving cultural heritage and empowering education and science across the globe.“I was honored to join you today as we raise the flag of the Unites States, the symbol of our commitment to global collaboration and peace,” Biden said. She said that this move was an example of President Biden’s pledge about “restoring our leadership on the world stage.”“We are so proud to rejoin UNESCO,” Biden proclaimed at the UN’s education agency, acknowledging that “as a teacher I’m a little biased.”The U.S. had announced its intention to rejoin UN...