Today's News Headline

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP) — Viktor appeared nervous as masked Ukrainian security officers in full riot gear, camouflage and weapons pushed into his cluttered apartment in the northern city of Kharkiv. His hands trembled and he tried to cover his face. The middle-aged man came to the attention of Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, after what authorities said were his social media posts praising Russian President Vladimir Putin for “fighting with the Nazis,” calling for regions to secede and labeling the national flag “a symbol of death.” “Yes, I supported (the Russian invasion of Ukraine) a lot. I’m sorry. … I have already changed my mind,” said Viktor, his trembling voice showing clear signs of duress in the presence of the Ukrainian security officers. “Get your things and get dressed,” an officer said before escorting him out of the apartment. The SBU did not reveal Viktor’s last name, citing their investigation.

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP) — Viktor appeared nervous as masked Ukrainian security officers in full riot gear, camouflage and weapons pushed into his cluttered apartment in the northern city of Kharkiv. His hands trembled and he tried to cover his face. The middle-aged man came to the attention of Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, after what authorities said were his social media posts praising Russian President Vladimir Putin for “fighting with the Nazis,” calling for regions to secede and labeling the national flag “a symbol of death.” “Yes, I supported (the Russian invasion of Ukraine) a lot. I’m sorry. … I have already changed my mind,” said Viktor, his trembling voice showing clear signs of duress in the presence of the Ukrainian security officers. “Get your things and get dressed,” an officer said before escorting him out of the apartment. The SBU did not reveal Viktor’s last name, citing their investigation. Viktor was one of nearly 400 people in the Kharkiv region alone who ha

A Stoneham police officer and his brother are charged with multiple counts of fraud after officials say they bribed a company working with the state’s Mass Save program in order to get more than $36 million in contracts, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office said Friday. Joseph Ponzo, 48, of Stoneham, and Christopher Ponzo, 47, of North Reading, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy and 12 counts of wire fraud. Joseph Ponzo is a police officer and Christopher Ponzo is an electrical contractor. Mass Save is a public-private partnership funded by surcharges on Massachusetts residents’ energy bills. That money is used to fund energy efficiency programs for homeowners, who use Mass Save-approved contractors for those projects. Officials said the Ponzos paid a Mass Save lead vendor company tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks and other items — including a John Deere tractor, a computer and home bathroom fixtures — so the vendor would help the Ponzos create companies that

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. A Stoneham police officer and his brother are charged with multiple counts of fraud after officials say they bribed a company working with the state’s Mass Save program in order to get more than $36 million in contracts, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office said Friday. Joseph Ponzo, 48, of Stoneham, and Christopher Ponzo, 47, of North Reading, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy and 12 counts of wire fraud. Joseph Ponzo is a police officer and Christopher Ponzo is an electrical contractor. Mass Save is a public-private partnership funded by surcharges on Massachusetts residents’ energy bills. That money is used to fund energy efficiency programs for homeowners, who use Mass Save-approved contractors for those projects. Officials said the Ponzos paid a Mass Save lead vendor company tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks and other items — including a John Deere tractor, a computer and home bathr

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. A judge ordered a man accused of carjacking an Amazon delivery truck in Malden to get a psychiatric evaluation Friday. Officers responding to reports of a carjacking at Main Street and Bickford Road Thursday were told the driver of the truck had stepped out to deliver a package when the man got behind the wheel, police said. “I was like, ‘Hey, hey what are you doing?’ and ran up to the van and he just took off,” the driver said. Other people chased the suspect and Josef Tesfaye, who works in his parents’ restaurant nearby, tackled him. “I saw the Amazon guy running down going, ‘That’s a thief! That’s a thief,'” Tesfaye said . “Then he runs that way, they come from the other side and just run back to this side and I just caught him. He went under my leg and I caught him.” Police arrested Michael Cunha, 42, of Somerville and charged him with carjacking. Cunha pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned at Medfo

A judge ordered a man accused of carjacking an Amazon delivery truck in Malden to get a psychiatric evaluation Friday. Officers responding to reports of a carjacking at Main Street and Bickford Road Thursday were told the driver of the truck had stepped out to deliver a package when the man got behind the wheel, police said. “I was like, ‘Hey, hey what are you doing?’ and ran up to the van and he just took off,” the driver said. Other people chased the suspect and Josef Tesfaye, who works in his parents’ restaurant nearby, tackled him. “I saw the Amazon guy running down going, ‘That’s a thief! That’s a thief,'” Tesfaye said . “Then he runs that way, they come from the other side and just run back to this side and I just caught him. He went under my leg and I caught him.” Police arrested Michael Cunha, 42, of Somerville and charged him with carjacking. Cunha pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned at Medford District Court Friday and the judge ordered him to undergo a psychiat

(WHDH)– A former Chelmsford man living in Alabama did not appear in court Thursday in connection with the killing of a young girl in Lawrence in 1988. Marvin McClendon, 74, waived his extradition and will be brought back to Massachusetts to appear in Lawrence District Court at a later date. RELATED: ‘Beyond evil’: Man charged with 1988 murder of 13-year-old in Lawrence McClendon is accused of stabbing 11-year-old Melissa Tremblay to death in 1988. Her body was found in a rail yard in Lawrence, and officials say McClendon was working in the city at the time of the murder. from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News Source: https://ift.tt/W6CJ7fE

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded a wide area of Ukraine on Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting, in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow’s forces retreated weeks ago. At least one person was killed and several were injured in the attack on Kyiv, including some who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who said Ukraine has become “an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain.” A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polinne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and in Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa in southern Ukraine said roc

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. Malden police nabbed a man they say tried to steal an Amazon truck Thursday afternoon. Officers were called to the scene near the intersection of Main Street and Bickford Road around lunchtime for reports of a carjacking, according to police. Police said the 42-year-old Somerville man, identified as Michael Cunha, tried stealing the package-filled truck before getting out and attacking the delivery driver. When Cunha began beating on the driver, several good Samaritans jumped into action. “The driver failed initially, but picked himself back up,” said Lieutenant Mike Powell. He was assisted by a bystander who tried to help,” Cunha managed to slip away for a brief time and dump some of his clothes in a nearby backyard but he was taken into custody a short time later without incident. Officers said he did have a knife on him but dropped it immediately. No injuries were reported. “Amazingly no one was hurt — oth

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Aaaaaaaay! The Fonz is heading to Rhode Island to deliver the commencement address at the New England Institute of Technology. Henry Winkler, 76, an Emmy-winning actor, director, producer and children’s author known for his portrayal of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the 1970s and ’80s television show “Happy Days” is scheduled to address graduates of the private university in East Greenwich on Sunday, the school announced Thursday. The school will also bestow an honorary degree on real estate entrepreneur, community leader, and philanthropist Elizabeth Z. Chace at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. Winkler’s professional acting career dates back to 1964, but he became a household name for playing the leather jacket-clad, motorcycle-riding Fonz from 1974 until 1984. He earned two Golden Globes and three Emmy nominations for the role. The New York City native finally won his first Emm

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. BOSTON (AP) — A former Boston transit police officer has pleaded guilty to assaulting and violating the civil rights of a 63-year-old man who refused to get off a bus last year, but has avoided jail and could eventually have the charges dismissed. Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a Superior Court judge to sentence Nicholas Morrissey to a one-year suspended sentence with three years of probation, according to a statement Thursday from the Suffolk district attorney’s office. The judge, citing Morrissey’s military service and the fact he resigned, continued the case for an 18-month probationary period. That means charges could be dismissed if Morrissey complies with the terms of probation. He is also not allowed to seek another job in law enforcement. “The actions of one officer can sow seeds of distrust in our entire system,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “I’m grateful to the Transit Po

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded a wide area of Ukraine on Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting, in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow’s forces retreated weeks ago. At least one person was killed and several were injured in the attack on Kyiv, including some who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who said Ukraine has become “an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain.” A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polinne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and in Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa in southern Ukraine said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. Ukrainian authorities also repor

Malden police nabbed a man they say tried to steal an Amazon truck Thursday afternoon. Officers were called to the scene near the intersection of Main Street and Bickford Road around lunchtime for reports of a carjacking, according to police. Police said the 42-year-old Somerville man, identified as Michael Cunha, tried stealing the package-filled truck before getting out and attacking the delivery driver. When Cunha began beating on the driver, several good Samaritans jumped into action. “The driver failed initially, but picked himself back up,” said Lieutenant Mike Powell. He was assisted by a bystander who tried to help,” Cunha managed to slip away for a brief time and dump some of his clothes in a nearby backyard but he was taken into custody a short time later without incident. Officers said he did have a knife on him but dropped it immediately. No injuries were reported. “Amazingly no one was hurt — other than maybe some egos,” Powell said. “But, other than that, no serious

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Aaaaaaaay! The Fonz is heading to Rhode Island to deliver the commencement address at the New England Institute of Technology. Henry Winkler, 76, an Emmy-winning actor, director, producer and children’s author known for his portrayal of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the 1970s and ’80s television show “Happy Days” is scheduled to address graduates of the private university in East Greenwich on Sunday, the school announced Thursday. The school will also bestow an honorary degree on real estate entrepreneur, community leader, and philanthropist Elizabeth Z. Chace at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. Winkler’s professional acting career dates back to 1964, but he became a household name for playing the leather jacket-clad, motorcycle-riding Fonz from 1974 until 1984. He earned two Golden Globes and three Emmy nominations for the role. The New York City native finally won his first Emmy in 2018 for his role as Gene Cousineau on HBO’s dark comedy “Barry.”

BOSTON (AP) — A former Boston transit police officer has pleaded guilty to assaulting and violating the civil rights of a 63-year-old man who refused to get off a bus last year, but has avoided jail and could eventually have the charges dismissed. Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a Superior Court judge to sentence Nicholas Morrissey to a one-year suspended sentence with three years of probation, according to a statement Thursday from the Suffolk district attorney’s office. The judge, citing Morrissey’s military service and the fact he resigned, continued the case for an 18-month probationary period. That means charges could be dismissed if Morrissey complies with the terms of probation. He is also not allowed to seek another job in law enforcement. “The actions of one officer can sow seeds of distrust in our entire system,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “I’m grateful to the Transit Police Department for their immediate actions to hold a member of their ow

 (CNN) — Intense hurricanes and typhoons — the most  devastating storms on the planet  — could more than double by 2050 in nearly all regions of the world  because of climate change , scientists reported Wednesday. The study,  published in the journal Science Advances ,   defined intense storms as the equivalent of a category 3 hurricane or stronger. It noted that the probability of these storms will be higher in the coming decades, and more people will be impacted by intense storms in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Researchers also found the wind speeds in these storms could increase by as much as 20%, as well as a tremendous increase in the frequency of category 4 and category 5 storms — by more than 200% in some regions. “Our results also re-emphasize that regions that currently have a (very) low risk could start to be really impacted by tropical cyclones under climate change,” Nadia Bloemendaal, a climate scientist at the University of Amsterdam and the lead author

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Corey Gamble, a key witness for the Kardashians, insisted Wednesday that he saw Blac Chyna punch Rob Kardashian and whip him with a phone-charging cord, as Chyna’s lawyer tried to poke holes in his story. “I said that she attacked him,” Gamble, the longtime boyfriend and sometime co-star of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” matriarch Kris Jenner, told the jury during a trial in a Los Angeles courtroom. “What I saw is what I saw.” Chyna is suing Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, alleging they conspired to get her show “Rob & Chyna” canceled and ruin her reality TV career. Chyna alleges they defamed her when they told executives at the E! network that she physically assaulted her then-fiancé Rob Kardashian. Gamble, 41, is the lone third-party eye witness to describe any assault. He testified late Tuesday that on the morning of Dec. 15, 2016, Kris Jenner got an emerge

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the dozens of police officers injured during the U.S. Capitol riot testified Wednesday that he didn’t punch or instigate a fight with a man in the mob, a retired New York City police officer charged with attacking the officer. Thomas Webster, whose trial on an assault charge started this week, claims he was acting in self-defense when he tackled Metropolitan Police Department officer Noah Rathbun outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Rathbun said he reached out with an open left hand and pushed Webster in the face after the New York man shoved a bike rack at him. Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain behind rows of bike racks. “I just think it’s unfortunate to be in the nation’s capital and be treated like that by another citizen,” Rathbun said during the second day of Webster’s trial. Webster’s tr

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. Perhaps no group of people is more alarmed about Elon Musk’s plan to make Twitter a free speech free-for-all than those most likely to be targeted for harassment: women, racial minorities and other marginalized groups. They fear that a more hands-off approach to policing the platform will embolden purveyors of hate speech, bullying and disinformation to ratchet up their bad behavior — a possibility Musk has done little to dispel. Yet even those who have faced extreme harassment on Twitter say they are unlikely to quit the platform. Despite the negative psychological toll, they still place a high value on Twitter as a place to express their views and engage with others. That could help explain why Musk shows little concern for the underbelly of unfettered free speech, although advertisers – who account for 90% of Twitter’s revenue – may not feel the same way. Renee Bracey Sherman, a biracial abortion rights advo

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. Boeing’s CEO is lamenting the deal that his company cut with former President Donald Trump to produce new Air Force One jets. David Calhoun said “it was a public negotiation” and “we took some risks” in accepting a fixed-price contract that made Boeing responsible if it cost more than expected to convert two Boeing 747 jumbo jets into presidential planes. “Air Force One I’m just going to call a very unique moment, a very unique negotiation, a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably should not have taken,” Calhoun said Wednesday, “but we are where we are, and we’re going to deliver great airplanes.” Calhoun commented on the planes when an analyst asked him about the matter during a call to discuss Boeing’s first-quarter earnings results. The company lost $1.2 billion and took a $660 million write-down for Air Force One. Calhoun was on the board but he was not CEO when Boeing agreed to the $3.9 billion deal

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Corey Gamble, a key witness for the Kardashians, insisted Wednesday that he saw Blac Chyna punch Rob Kardashian and whip him with a phone-charging cord, as Chyna’s lawyer tried to poke holes in his story. “I said that she attacked him,” Gamble, the longtime boyfriend and sometime co-star of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” matriarch Kris Jenner, told the jury during a trial in a Los Angeles courtroom. “What I saw is what I saw.” Chyna is suing Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, alleging they conspired to get her show “Rob & Chyna” canceled and ruin her reality TV career. Chyna alleges they defamed her when they told executives at the E! network that she physically assaulted her then-fiancé Rob Kardashian. Gamble, 41, is the lone third-party eye witness to describe any assault. He testified late Tuesday that on the morning of Dec. 15, 2016, Kris Jenner got an emergency call from her son Rob Kardashian, and when she put the phone on spea

WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the dozens of police officers injured during the U.S. Capitol riot testified Wednesday that he didn’t punch or instigate a fight with a man in the mob, a retired New York City police officer charged with attacking the officer. Thomas Webster, whose trial on an assault charge started this week, claims he was acting in self-defense when he tackled Metropolitan Police Department officer Noah Rathbun outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Rathbun said he reached out with an open left hand and pushed Webster in the face after the New York man shoved a bike rack at him. Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain behind rows of bike racks. “I just think it’s unfortunate to be in the nation’s capital and be treated like that by another citizen,” Rathbun said during the second day of Webster’s trial. Webster’s trial is the first among dozens of Capitol riot defendants charged with as

Perhaps no group of people is more alarmed about Elon Musk’s plan to make Twitter a free speech free-for-all than those most likely to be targeted for harassment: women, racial minorities and other marginalized groups. They fear that a more hands-off approach to policing the platform will embolden purveyors of hate speech, bullying and disinformation to ratchet up their bad behavior — a possibility Musk has done little to dispel. Yet even those who have faced extreme harassment on Twitter say they are unlikely to quit the platform. Despite the negative psychological toll, they still place a high value on Twitter as a place to express their views and engage with others. That could help explain why Musk shows little concern for the underbelly of unfettered free speech, although advertisers – who account for 90% of Twitter’s revenue – may not feel the same way. Renee Bracey Sherman, a biracial abortion rights advocate, endures a steady stream of predictable criticism on Twitter and, o

Boeing’s CEO is lamenting the deal that his company cut with former President Donald Trump to produce new Air Force One jets. David Calhoun said “it was a public negotiation” and “we took some risks” in accepting a fixed-price contract that made Boeing responsible if it cost more than expected to convert two Boeing 747 jumbo jets into presidential planes. “Air Force One I’m just going to call a very unique moment, a very unique negotiation, a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably should not have taken,” Calhoun said Wednesday, “but we are where we are, and we’re going to deliver great airplanes.” Calhoun commented on the planes when an analyst asked him about the matter during a call to discuss Boeing’s first-quarter earnings results. The company lost $1.2 billion and took a $660 million write-down for Air Force One. Calhoun was on the board but he was not CEO when Boeing agreed to the $3.9 billion deal with the White House in 2018, and when it took a fixed-cost contract to

This content collected from Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A forensic psychologist testified Tuesday that actor Amber Heard suffers from borderline personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder, as the civil lawsuit between her and ex-husband Johnny Depp continues to wallow in the couple’s personal issues. Depp is suing Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post referring to herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.” The article doesn’t mention Depp by name, but his lawyers say the article contains ”defamation by implication” because it clearly refers to allegations of domestic abuse made by heard when she filed for divorce in 2016. The psychologist, Shannon Curry, was hired by Depp’s legal team. She said she reached her diagnosis during 12 hours of interviews with Heard, as well as from reviewing her mental-health records. Curry also testified that Heard does n