Unbiased headline news – Bird flu is believed to be widespread among birds across Massachusetts, according to state health and environmental officials on Wednesday.
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that bird flu, formally known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, is suspected to be the cause of death in both wild and domestic birds across multiple municipalities in the state.
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Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Lukoil refinery early Wednesday morning, sparking fires and causing extensive damage, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence.
The Kyiv Independent, citing Ukraine’s military intelligence agency HUR, reported that four drones targeted the refinery, which is believed to be supplying Russian occupation forces, just before midnight local time. Russian Smolensk region Governor Vasily Anokhin described it as a “massive drone attack” and stated that one drone was intercepted while attempting to strike a nuclear energy facility.
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A federal judge sentenced a tearful former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez to 11 years in prison on corruption charges after he was found guilty of leveraging his political power in exchange for bribes, including gold bars, a luxury car, and other valuables.
“You stood at the apex of our political system,” Judge Sidney Stein said while delivering the sentence. “Somewhere along the way, you lost your way.” Menendez, 71, was convicted on all 16 counts last year in his federal trial, making him the first sitting member of Congress to be found guilty of acting as a foreign agent. His children, Alicia and Rob, were present in court to witness the sentencing.
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A simple blood test could help determine which patients are at risk of developing long COVID, according to a new study.
Researchers reported in the journal Menopause on Wednesday that higher levels of leukocytes, a type of white blood cell, were linked to more severe long COVID symptoms among older women. For the study, scientists analyzed blood samples from over 1,200 women who participated in a COVID study conducted between June 2021 and February 2022.
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A tree trimmer lost his life after becoming caught in a wood chipper while working near a town hall outside Miami, officials reported.
The fatal incident took place around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning when the Ocean Ridge Police Department responded to a call at Ocean Ridge Town Hall, located about 60 miles north of Miami, regarding “an accident involving one employee from a contracted tree trimming vendor,” according to a statement released by the town of Ocean Ridge on social media.
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Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga were among the artists who took the stage at the FireAid benefit concert on Thursday to support those impacted by the Southern California wildfires.
Funds raised through the FireAid benefit concert will assist wildfire victims by providing financial aid “for rebuilding communities devastated by wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.” Former Microsoft CEO and current Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, along with his wife Connie, are matching all donations made during the live broadcast of the event.
