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Florida man convicted of stealing sports camp tuition funds from hundreds of families

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — A Florida man has been convicted by a federal jury of stealing sports camp tuition from hundreds of families and spending the money on plastic surgery, vacations and gambling.Mehdi Belhassan, 53, of Tampa, Florida, was found guilty of two counts of wire fraud and will be sentenced Jan. 11. A charge of wire fraud carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.Belhassan falsely claimed he was running an annual sports camp at a Boston-area college in July and August 2019 and collected $380,000 in payments from more than 300 families across the United States. He also collected $191,000 in advance payments from an online payment company and a commercial finance company.“Mr. Belhassan preyed upon the trust of families, promising summer fun while plotting his own indulgence. He lured in, deceived and betrayed over 300 families — diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars not to the promised camps, but to personal...

MI5 considers raising UK terror threat level

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

LONDON — British intelligence chiefs are considering putting the U.K. on high alert for a terrorist attack, as tensions rise around the world after the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel. According to people familiar with the matter, officials are weighing up whether to raise the government’s terrorism alert level to “critical,” the maximum state of vigilance. The current level is set at “substantial,” which means an attack is “likely,” according to the government’s definitions. Raising it two levels to “critical” would mean that intelligence and security services regard an attack as “highly likely in the near future.” No final decision has been taken, according to the people, who discussed sensitive security matters on condition of anonymity. The level could also remain the same or be raised one notch to “severe.” Security officials across the West have been assessing the threat of violence i...

American mother and daughter taken hostage by Hamas have been released, sources say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

(CNN) — Hamas released two American hostages, Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natali Raanan, on Friday after they abducted around 200 people from Israel in a deadly attack on October 7.The US citizens were handed over at the border with Gaza and are now in the care of the Israel Defense Forces, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Friday. They are currently on their way to an Israeli military base to be reunited with family, according to the office for Israel’s prime minister.The Raanans are from Chicago and had been visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, when they were taken, according to their family.The two were handed over to the Red Cross and are “on their way out,” a source familiar with negotiations for their release said earlier on Friday.   They are being released on “humanitarian grounds” because the mother is in poor health, the same source said. The release was the result of negotiations between Qatar and ...

It’s rained every weekend for nearly two months in the Northeast. Here’s what’s causing it and when it might end

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

(CNN) — Prepare for another dose of wet weekend weather in the Northeast, but this time, the dreary déjà vu comes with a twist – some snowflakes may fly in high elevations.It has rained on a Saturday or Sunday in parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic every weekend since late August. Other locations have managed to stay dry for a weekend here and there, but have endured mostly dreary conditions for almost two full months.In Philadelphia and New York City, this weekend is shaping up to be the seventh consecutive wet weekend, and the eighth wet weekend since late August.It’s not just been miserable. Wet weekend weather has also put a damper on vital fall foliage tourism in New England.Why is the Northeast stuck in this seemingly-never-ending loop? Meteorologists say to blame the upper atmosphere, where a stubborn weather pattern has opened the door for storms to cross the region.“We have these overall patterns that generally last roughly six to eight weeks with storm s...

Tyson Foods, one of the biggest meat producers, is investing in insect protein

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

New York (CNN) — Tyson, a major US producer of beef, pork and chicken, is betting on protein that comes from insects.The meat processor said on Tuesday that it has invested in Protix, a Netherlands-based insect ingredients maker. Tyson is not only taking a minority stake in the company, but is working alongside it to build a US factory. That facility will use animal waste to feed black soldier flies, which will then be turned into food for pets, poultry and fish. Tyson did not disclose the financial specifics of the deal.Those flies are not going into human food, at this point. “Today, we’re focused on more of [an] ingredient application with insect protein than we are a consumer application,” said John R. Tyson, chief financial officer of Tyson Foods.Insect protein, long hailed as a sustainable food source, hasn’t caught on in the mainstream. But in recent years, interest in insects as ingredients for animal food has been growing.A 2021 report from Rabobank ...

Revolution set to battle Philly on D-Day at Gillette Stadium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

Decision Day for the New England Revolution will be waged on two fronts with home field in round one of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference still undecided.The Revolution (14-9-10) are in a must-win situation when they host the third-place Philadelphia Union (15-8-10) on Saturday night (6) at Gillette Stadium. A victory would also lock up a berth in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup tournament.The Revolution are in fifth place with 52 points, two behind the Columbus Crew and three behind the Union. Columbus (15-9-9) closes out the season at home against eighth-place Montreal (12-16-5), which is on the playoff bubble and has an incentive to win.A New England win combined with a Columbus loss would leave the Revolution in fourth place with home field in the best of three Round One series.If the Revolution beat Philadelphia by three goals, they would win the tiebreaker with the Union. If the Crew draw with Montreal, they would win the first tiebreaker (goal differential) ...

Bill Belichick honors Dante Scarnecchia, Mike Vrabel ahead of Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

FOXBORO — Former offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia and ex-linebacker Mike Vrabel will be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in a ceremony closed to the public Saturday.The event originally was supposed to take place outside of Gillette Stadium but due to weather has been moved inside the Cross Insurance Pavilion & Business Center and limited to alumni and invited guests.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots need to find Demario Douglas more snaps coming off of injury New England Patriots | Is the Patriots’ health improving before Sunday’s Bills game? New England Patriots | Patriots mailbag: What changes are coming in the next year? New England Patriots | Callahan: Bills QB Josh Allen has become Bill Belichick-proof New England Patriots | Patriots release 2023 NFL Draft pick, freeing up roster spot Belichick discussed Scarnecchia, who coached with the Patriots for...

Celtics waive Wenyen Gabriel, while Neemias Queta earns more opportunity

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

The Celtics waived big man Wenyen Gabriel on Friday, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, which opened a roster spot for the team as Wednesday’s season opener nears.Gabriel was signed earlier this month as a potential frontcourt depth option but the Kentucky product – who played last season with the Lakers – only played in three preseason games and was passed over for playing time by other big men. The Celtics now have 14 players on their roster which gives them some flexibility to add.“It’s always tough to see guys go,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I think Wenyen gave us everything he had and brought a great attitude and spirit and competitiveness to training camp.”The cut of Gabriel may be factored in by the emergence of Neemias Queta, the Portuguese big man who has opened eyes with his strong play in the preseason. With Al Horford not making the trip to Charlotte, Queta was the first big off the bench for Thursday’s preseason finale – ahead of Luke Kornet – and impres...

When booking a cruise, here’s how to choose less scary destinations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

Halloween or any time of year, tourists who are too relaxed while on vacation may be subject to more tricks than treats due to evil that walks among us or lurks in the shadows. As sure as well wishes of “safe travels” by loved ones cannot be guaranteed in this topsy-turvy world, a momentary lapse of awareness in the presence of unsavory souls can be the difference between a trip as sweet as Skittles or as sour as Lemonheads.Still in our Debbie Downer costume, we must note that cruise vacations are not exempt from holiday hazards at the hands of heisters, or worse. While it’s almost always smooth sailing for passengers onboard, conditions onshore can get choppy if one isn’t cautious.The Department of State’s travel advisory list indicates smooth sailing in and around near-trouble-free Australia. Here, a Carnival ship heads toward Brisbane. (Photo by David Dickstein)Whether arriving by land, air or sea, tourists are prime targets for crime because they typically carry fat wallets and ...

‘Hitchcock’s Blondes’ explores the director’s films with Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:21 GMT

As biographer Laurence Leamer settled in front of the television to research the films of Alfred Hitchcock, he realized he had a problem.“I started watching this as an author writing the book and trying to get material,” Leamer says on a recent call. “And after five minutes, his stuff is so fascinating I forget that and just watch it because I’m enjoying it so much.“That’s how good he is,” he says. “That’s how he involves you. He knows just what he’s doing.”Leamer persevered and “Hitchcock’s Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director’s Dark Obsession” arrived on Tuesday, Oct. 10.In it, Leamer explores the work of Hitchcock and eight actresses with whom he worked, from June Howard-Tripp in 1925’s “The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog” to Tippi Hedren in “The Birds” and “Marnie” in 1963 and ’64.In between, Leamer explores Hitchcock’s work with Madeleine Carroll (“The 39 Steps,” “Secret Agent”), Ingrid Bergman (“Spellbound,” “Notorious,” “Under Capricorn”), Grace K...