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Study reveals dogs respond to ‘sing-songy’ speech, prefer women’s voices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

A new study sheds some light on the intricate communication dynamics between humans and their canine companions after researchers discovered that dogs exhibit a distinct preference for “sing-songy” speech, similar to the way mothers communicate with their infants. The findings also emphasize dogs’ heightened sensitivity to speech directed at them, particularly when delivered by women. Conducted by researchers in Hungary, the study delved into the nuanced ways in which dogs process human speech and respond to various vocal cues. The investigation revealed that dogs are more attuned to a sing-songy voice, characterized by rhythmic and melodic patterns, commonly used when conversing with young children. The study also found that dogs appear to favor women’s voices over men’s when it comes to processing speech. This heightened receptivity to female voices suggests a complex interplay between the dog’s auditory processing and the tonal qualities of spe...

Hurricane Idalia Beginning to Bring Impacts to Florida Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

There is now a hurricane in the Gulf — Idalia strengthened into a hurricane as of the 5AM Tuesday advisory. The system is forecast to continue to intensify until it makes landfall on the west coast of Florida during the day Wednesday.The latest forecast track shows Idalia will most likely make landfall between the Cedar Key and Perry areas of Florida on Wednesday as a 120 mph hurricane, which is equivalent to Category 3, major hurricane strength.Much of Florida will expereince impacts from this storm regardless in the form of gusty winds, heavy rainfall, isolated tornadoes and storm surge.The worst storm surge will be near and just south and east of where exactly Idalia makes landfall. Up to 8-12 feet of inundation is currently forecast by the National Hurricane Center.Across the Florida Keys, up to 1-2 feet of surge is forecast, with the concern for coastal flooding occuring during times of high tide through Wednesday.As far as rainfall is concerned, up to 1-2 inches is forec...

South Florida’s Urban Search and Rescue teams mobilize to aid West Coast preparations ahead of Hurricane Idalia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

In anticipation of the impending threat posed by Hurricane Idalia, South Florida is stepping up its support efforts by dispatching its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to the west coast of the state. Miami Police’s USAR team, renowned for its rapid response to major emergencies, is gearing up to deploy on Tuesday morning to areas that are at risk of being severely impacted by the approaching hurricane.Having earned recognition for their unparalleled expertise and swift actions, the Miami Police USAR team has a track record of offering crucial assistance in times of crisis. Their experience extends to previous hurricane responses, including their involvement in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida last year.Joining them in the mission is Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Task Force, an essential unit specializing in emergency response and search and rescue operations. This cooperative effort symbolizes the unity and collective strength of South Florida’s e...

Ukraine walks telecoms tightrope between China and the West

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

Ukraine faces a conundrum: Use Chinese telecom kit to repair its shattered infrastructure or side with Western allies in icing out the likes of Huawei and ZTE.Either decision carries risk. Cutting Chinese equipment from networks could come at a steep cost even if it plays well with the United States and Europe. On the other hand, China’s willingness to discreetly deliver military equipment to Moscow, as previously reported by POLITICO, demonstrates its friendliness toward Kyiv’s antagonist. “It must be clearly understood that today China has already determined its position regarding Ukraine,” said Yuriy Matsyk, the head of fixed broadband at the Ukrainian Ministry for digital transition.China, still, could provide both Russia with wartime equipment while gaining from Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts through its telecom companies’ contracts. Kyiv is now contemplating a ban on Chinese telecom vendors as it seeks to secure ties with the European Union and NATO. We...

1 dead after multi-car crash on I-95 in North Attleboro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

A 58-year-old Foxboro man died and another person was seriously injured Monday in a multi-car crash in North Attleboro, state police said. The crash happened on I-95, starting on the southbound side of the highway when, police said, Buick and a Cadillac vehicle collided near Exit 7. Police said the driver of the Cadillac, a 61-year-old Providence man, lost control of his car and crossed the median before colliding with a Jaguar vehicle on I-95 north. The driver of the Jaguar was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The driver of the Cadillac was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Police said driver of the Buick fled the scene.State police said troopers responded to the area around 4:15 p.m. and spoke with witnesses who described the fleeing Buick. Around 5 p.m., police said, authorities in Attleboro reported finding a Buick that matched the description of the fleeing vehicle with front-end damage and a flat tire. “Troopers responded to Attle...

Putin is not planning to attend the funeral for Wagner chief Prigozhin, the Kremlin says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — President Vladimir Putin is not planning to attend the funeral for Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin said, following reports that the mercenary chief who challenged the Russian leader’s authority would be buried Tuesday.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov wouldn’t say where or when the chief of the Wagner Group military company would be buried, adding that he couldn’t comment on a private family ceremony.St. Petersburg’s Fontanka news outlet and some other media said the 62-year-old Prigozhin could be laid to rest as early as Tuesday at the city’s Serafimovskoye cemetery, which has been used for high-profile military burials. Heavy police cordons encircled the cemetery, where Putin’s parents are also buried, but no service was immediately held and increased police patrols also were seen at some other city cemeteries.Later in the day, a funeral was held at St. Petersburg’s Northern Cemetery for Wagner’s logistics chief V...

Police respond to violent, multi-vehicle crash on Route 3 in Burlington

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

Police are investigating a crash on Route 3 in Burlington overnight.Crews responding to a reported crash on the northbound side of the highway found vehicles overturned and at least one in the woods.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Biden administration targets diabetes drug, blood thinner, others for Medicare price negotiations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A popular diabetes treatment and the blood thinner Eliquis are among the first drugs that will be targeted for price negotiations in effort to cut Medicare costs.President Joe Biden’s administration on Tuesday released a list of 10 drugs for which the federal government will take a first-ever step: negotiating drug prices directly with the manufacturer.The move is expected to cut costs for some patients but faces litigation from the drugmakers and heavy criticism from Republican lawmakers. It’s also a centerpiece of the Democratic president’s reelection pitch as he seeks a second term in office by touting his work to lower costs for Americans at a time when the country has struggled with inflation. The diabetes treatment Jardiance from Eli Lilly and Co. made the list, along with Amgen’s autoimmune disease treatment Enbrel. Other drugs include Entresto from Novartis, which is used to treat heart failure. Medicare spent about $10 billion in 2020 on Eliquis, acc...

Ontario could return some land to Greenbelt after developers tried to sell: Ford government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

Two parcels of land could soon be returned to the Greenbelt after the property owners listed the land for sale, the Ford government says.A statement from Premier Doug Ford alleges two sites in Ajax were put up for sale and the government has immediately started the process of putting the land back into the Greenbelt. The property was chosen as part of a land swap that the province says will bring tens of thousands of new homes to Ontario.“At no point was the intention to sell disclosed to the government’s facilitator during active and ongoing discussions,” reads Ford’s statement. “This behaviour goes against everything that our government is doing to bring home ownership into reach for more people.”Ford says other property owners involved are being put on notice and their land could also be returned if they don’t meet the government’s conditions, “including showing real progress by the end of the year to get shovels into the ground by 2025.&...

3 activists are acquitted of defaming a Thai poultry company accused of violating labor laws

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Three human rights activists were acquitted Tuesday of criminally defaming a Thai poultry company with social media posts that supported other activists who had accused it of abusive labor practices, according to the defendants and their lawyer. They were charged under a law that could have led to a 42-year prison sentence if convicted. The company, Thammakaset, said the defendants’ social media comments linked indirectly to what it called a defamatory video produced by a human rights group, Fortify Rights, containing an interview with a worker who claimed abusive working conditions. In total, the case involved 30 counts of criminal defamation.The company’s representative, Chanchai Pheamphon, did not answer telephone calls seeking comment and did not reply to text messages. Several Asian countries have criminal defamation laws. Critics say such defamation cases are often used by companies and politicians to silence and intimidate critics. Since 2016, Thammakaset...