Google is rolling out significant changes to its Maps Timeline feature, which tracks your location history. As part of this update, you will soon receive notifications that your Timeline data will be automatically deleted after a specific deadline unless you take action to back it up. This transition represents a shift towards enhanced privacy as Google plans to store Timeline data locally on your device instead of on its servers. While this change aims to protect your data from unauthorized access, it also means that any unbacked location history may be permanently lost.

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What’s changing with Google Maps Timeline? 

Google Maps’ location-tracking feature, known as Timeline, is undergoing a major update. Previously, Google announced plans to shift this data to local storage. Now, the company is sending out emails alerting you to this upcoming change.

Google will start deleting the last three months of Timeline data unless you take action. While this shift to local storage offers more privacy for those concerned about sharing location data with Google, it also means that if you don’t act, your past location history may be permanently lost.

After receiving the notification, you will have about six months to save or transfer your Timeline data before it’s deleted. The email will be sent by “Google Location History,” with the subject line: “Keep your Timeline? Decide by [date].”

Keep in mind that not everyone has received these notifications yet, so there’s no immediate rush. But once you get the email, you’ll have a six-month window to decide.

A man using Google Maps on his phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW GOOGLE MAPS IS GIVING YOU MORE POWER OVER YOUR LOCATION DATA

Why save your Timeline data?

There are several compelling reasons why users may want to save their Google Maps Timeline data.

Personal memories: The Timeline feature allows you to revisit past trips and experiences, serving as a digital diary of places visited and routes taken. For many, these memories are valuable and worth preserving.

Travel planning: Accessing historical location data can aid in future travel planning. You can analyze previous trips to make informed decisions about destinations, accommodations and activities based on past experiences.

Safety and security: Keeping a record of locations visited can be beneficial for personal safety. In case of emergencies or disputes, having a detailed history of movements can provide crucial information.

Data ownership: With the shift to local storage, you have greater control over your data. Saving this information ensures that it remains accessible and private without relying on cloud services that may be vulnerable to breaches.

Avoiding loss: Google has indicated that any unbacked location history will be deleted after the transition. Those of you who wish to retain your data must act promptly to prevent permanent loss.

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How to back up your location history 

If you’ve received the above email or simply want to make sure your Timeline data is preserved, here’s what you can do:

1) Google’s Timeline export tool:

• Visit takeout.google.com
• Deselect all options except for Location History (Timeline)
• Click Next Step
• Choose Create Export. You’ll receive a backup of your data and see this note at the bottom of the screen, “Google is creating a copy of data from Location History (Timeline).” This process can take a long time (possibly hours or days) to complete. You’ll receive an email when your export is done.

2) Google is rolling out a feature that allows you to export your Timeline data directly from your devices. To use it:

On your phone or tablet:

• Open the Google Maps app
• Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner.
• Select Your Timeline
• Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
• Select Location & privacy setting
• Scroll down and tap Export Timeline data
• You will likely be presented with various options for exporting your data, such as sharing via email, messaging apps or saving to a cloud service. Select the method that suits your needs best. 1) If you choose to share via email, tap on the email option, and it will open your email app with the exported data attached. Enter the recipient’s email address and send it. 2) If you select a messaging app, follow the prompts to send the file through that app.

On your computer:

• Go to Google Maps in your web browser
• Click the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of the screen
• Select Saved
• Click the Maps tab.
• Scroll down and click Create a map
• Tap Create 
• In the new window, click Import to upload your exported data.

Keep in mind that this backup will be specific to that device, so you may need to repeat the process on other devices you use.

Note: Some users have reported their data being deleted even after they requested not to lose anything. To avoid this, we recommend regularly backing up your Timeline data.

Google reminder email (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

THIS GOOGLE MAPS TRICK CAN SUPERCHARGE YOUR ABILITY TO NAVIGATE DIRECTIONS

More ways to stay private

While this update may help you avoid sharing location data with Google, it’s important to remember that Google collects personal data in other ways as well. Here are some additional steps you can take to protect your privacy.

1) Turn off location data on Google: This prevents Google Photos from estimating where your photo was taken. Here’s how to do it.

On your phone or tablet:

• Open your Google Photos app
• Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen
• Select Google Photos settings
• Click Privacy 
• Click Location options 
• Toggle off next to where it says Estimate missing locations. This will prevent Google Photos from estimating where your photos were taken based on location history data.

2) Disable facial recognition: Sharing your facial data with Google puts you at risk of the company collecting information without your consent, potentially sharing it with third parties and using it in ways you may not be aware of. Here’s how to turn it off.

• Open Google Photos on your phone
• Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
• Go to Google Photos settings and select
• Click Privacy
• Disable Face Grouping by toggling off next to where it says Face Groups 

3) Delete your YouTube history: Google tracks your YouTube viewing history and suggests videos based on your past activity. While this can be convenient for discovering similar content, it can also feel like an intrusion on your privacy. Here’s how to end it.

On desktop:

• Go to YouTube.com
• Sign in to your YouTube account
• Click your Profile icon in the top right corner
• Click Your Data in YouTube
• Click Manage your YouTube Seach History
• Click Delete, then click Delete all time
• It will ask you to confirm your decision by clicking Delete
• Then click Got it

On mobile:

• Open the YouTube app on your phone
• Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner
• Go to Settings in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and give it a tap
• Select History & Privacy
• Tap Clear Watch History
• Confirm your decision by clicking Clear watch history
• You get a pop-up notice that your watch history has been cleared

YouTube history example (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

4) Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can significantly enhance your privacy when using Google Maps and other online services. Here’s how it helps:

• Masks your IP address: A VPN hides your real IP address, making it harder for Google to track your physical location.
• Encrypts your data: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your data from potential eavesdroppers.
• Bypasses geo-restrictions: You can access Google Maps and other services as if you’re in a different location, potentially avoiding location-based tracking.

To use a VPN with Google Maps:

• Choose a reputable VPN service provider
• Install the VPN app on your device
• Connect to a VPN server before opening Google Maps
• Use Google Maps as usual, with added privacy protection

Important caveat: While using a VPN can enhance your privacy, it may interfere with Google Maps’ ability to provide accurate directions. This is because a VPN may route your connection through a server in a different location, causing the app to misidentify your current position. If you need precise navigation or directions from your current location, consider temporarily disabling the VPN while using Google Maps to ensure accurate results.

Pro tip: For maximum privacy, combine the use of a VPN with Google Maps’ incognito mode. This ensures that your searches and location data aren’t tied to your Google account, providing an added layer of anonymity.

Recommended VPN Services: To find the best VPNs that work across devices like Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, check out my expert reviews of top VPN software. These reviews highlight options that prioritize privacy, speed and reliability.

6 WAYS TO TAKE BACK YOUR PRIVACY ON GOOGLE

Kurt’s key takeaways

Google’s decision to delete location history after three months is a big move toward giving you more control over your data and offering improved privacy by storing information locally. As privacy concerns grow, it’s encouraging to see companies like Google take steps toward greater transparency and user choice.

What other Google privacy concerns do you have? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Dozens of passengers are feared dead after an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, reports say.

The Embraer 190 passenger jet flying from Azerbaijan to Russia had 62 passengers and five crew on board, Kazakh authorities announced, saying 32 survivors had been rescued.

Flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea. Officials did not immediately explain why it had crossed the sea, but the crash came shortly after drone strikes hit southern Russia. Drone activity has shut airports in the area in the past and the nearest Russian airport on the plane’s flight path was closed on Wednesday morning.

Russia’s aviation watchdog, meanwhile, said it was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike.

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Those aboard the plane included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhstani and three Kyrgyzstani citizens, according to Kazakhstani officials. 

Russian news agency Interfax reported that both pilots died in the crash, citing a preliminary assessment by emergency workers at the scene. The news agency also quoted medical workers who stated that four bodies had been recovered from the crash so far. 

A total of 29 survivors, including two children, have been hospitalized, the ministry told Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti, the Associated Press reported. Many passengers have yet to be accounted for.

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More than 30 are feared dead following the crash near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau. (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP Photo)

Video of the crash showed the plane descending rapidly before bursting into flames as it hit the seashore, and thick black smoke then rising, Reuters reported. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who had been traveling to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan upon hearing news of the crash, the president’s press service said. Aliyev was due to attend an informal meeting of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a bloc of former Soviet countries founded after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in St. Petersburg.

Emergency crews at the site of the Azerbaijani airliner crash on Dec. 25, 2024. (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP Photo)

Aliyev expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in a statement on social media. 

“It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” he wrote.

He also signed a decree declaring Dec. 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan.

The plane was en route from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus, the Associated Press reports. (The Administration of Mangystau Region/AP Photo)

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In a statement, Azerbaijan Airlines said it would keep members of the public updated and changed its social media banners to solid black.

“We ask God for mercy on the passengers and crew members who lost their lives,” a translated statement on X said. “Their pain is our pain. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured.” 

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

As the smell of pine fills the air and the stockings are hung with care, some liberal media outlets served up advice that’s as hard to swallow as a dry fruitcake. Their mission? Equipping you to survive holiday conversations with Trump-supporting relatives. 

From suggested scripts that sound more like hostage negotiations to icebreakers better suited for therapy sessions than a festive family gathering, here are five of the most over-the-top ideas mainstream media is dishing out to keep your Christmas “Trump-proof.”

1. Cancel Christmas altogether

For one HuffPost contributor, the election of Trump wasn’t just a political turning point – it was a holiday deal-breaker. Faced with the knowledge that her husband and his family voted for the former president, she decided to cancel both Thanksgiving and Christmas altogether. No lights, no carols, no awkward family dinners. 

“But I will not give thanks and hold hands in a circle with people who voted for a party that wants to take rights away from LGBTQ people,” guest contributor Andrea Tate wrote. “I will not pass the turkey to someone who supports people who have signaled they will cause harm to people with disabilities and the elderly. I will not sit by a Christmas tree celebrating the birth of Jesus and sipping eggnog when I know how many people may now find themselves in grave – even deadly – danger because they cannot get the reproductive care they need. I will not unwrap gifts given to me by people who voted for a party that has talked about building internment camps and mass deportation.”

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2. ‘The View’ co-host agrees with advice to cut off pro-Trump family at holidays

After a psychologist made headlines last month arguing people should avoid Trump-supporting relatives this holiday season, “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin agreed, saying many people feel “someone voted not only against their families but against them.”

Shortly after the election, Yale University chief psychiatry resident Dr. Amanda Calhoun spoke to MSNBC host Joy Reid about how liberals who are devastated by Trump’s re-election can cope with the news, including separating from loved ones. 

“There is a push, I think just a societal norm that if somebody is your family, that they are entitled to your time, and I think the answer is absolutely not,” Calhoun told the talk show host. “So if you are going to a situation where you have family members, where you have close friends who you know have voted in ways that are against you, like what you said, against your livelihood, it’s completely fine to not be around those people and to tell them why, you know, to say, ‘I have a problem with the way that you voted, because it went against my very livelihood and I’m not going to be around you this holiday.’”

3. Use therapy techniques to divert the conversation 

If your holiday feast feels more like a political debate than a festive gathering, Time magazine has your back with a list of 11 carefully crafted phrases to defuse family tension.

The top pick? A simple yet stern declaration: “I won’t be talking about politics today.” Framed as a way to create a politics-free safe zone, the advice encourages setting boundaries with relatives whose views you loathe – so you can focus on what really matters.

“Emphasize that you want to keep the focus on the festivities at hand, and ask for a commitment to avoid polarizing topics. If the conversation still ends up turning in that direction, shut it down: ‘OK, that’s enough of that,’ or, ‘We’re not talking about that here today,’” the Time article states. 

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(Patrick L. Pyszka, City of Chicago)

4. Take a break and potentially leave the gathering

The Associated Press has a simple solution: take a breather. Whether the conversation veers into a political minefield or Uncle Bob just won’t stop, the AP suggests calmly excusing yourself from the fray. No need for a dramatic exit – just a composed stroll to the kitchen, the porch, or anywhere that isn’t the battlefield of your family table. 

“Things getting intense? Defuse the situation. Walk away. And it doesn’t have to be in a huff. Sometimes a calm and collected time out is just what you – and the family – might need,” the article recommends.

HOW TO THIEF-PROOF YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

5. ‘Ban the bad actors’ 

In a searing MSNBC op-ed, writer Amira Barger challenges the notion that family gatherings should always be sacred if they have different beliefs. The author doesn’t differentiate between Trump-supporting family members and liberal voters.

“I have come to realize that being related by blood doesn’t necessarily mean that those gathered will protect you,” Barger wrote. “Finding family isn’t always about unity, or forcing yourself to remain in a place that causes you harm. Sometimes, it’s about clarity, and the difficult choices that come with it.

“This fall, after a conversation that spanned more than 1,000 texts in various family group chats, my husband and I made the difficult decision to hold a hard and fast boundary with much of my immediate family, whose stated values and votes made it clear to us that we could not feel comfortable around them.”

She adds, “These were decisions we did not make lightly or hastily, but sometimes the best course of action is, in fact, to ban the bad actors.”

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Fox News Digital’s Alexander Hall contributed to this report. 

Cozy up this Christmas with Fox Nation!

The streaming service is gifting new members 50% off their annual subscription and offering several specials to watch on Christmas Day. Here are some of the latest holiday titles for you to celebrate with:

Broadmoor Christmas

The holiday season reminds many of warm, cozy areas to shelter from the winter cold.

Now, “Broadmoor Christmas” takes audiences inside one of the most luxurious and historic hotels in the United States. Located in Colorado Springs, Co., at this beautiful location, guests can meet Santa, take a train ride and soak in the scenic views of the white light ceremony.
 

Welcome to Santa School with Abby Hornacek

Fox Nation fan favorite Abby Hornacek hosts this holiday special that takes viewers to Midland, Michigan, for a crash course on all things Santa Claus! 

The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, founded in 1937, is the oldest such institution in the world. From toy making, the red suit and embracing a merry attitude, Abby’s adventure is all about learning to spread Christmas cheer – and now you can join the adventure, too!

IN ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS, OUR ‘FAITH REALLY COMES INTO FOCUS,’ SAYS FOX NEWS’ RACHEL CAMPOS-DUFFY

Lights, Camera, Christmas!

In this 39-minute special, host Mike O’Hara ventures out to some of the most famous Christmas movie locations in America. 

From New York City where the film “Elm” was made, to the small town that inspired the classic film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” these destinations are at the very heart of what makes each Christmas nostalgic and special.

MARTIN SCORSESE ILLUMINATES HISTORY’S BOLDEST SAINTS IN FOX NATION SERIES HE ‘DIDN’T KNOW COULD BE DONE’

Also available to stream on Fox Nation are non-Christmas titles that will still renew your faith this holiday season:

The Saints

Critically acclaimed film director Martin Scorsese narrates and hosts this new docudrama that takes a deep dive into some of the most famous saints in history. 

Some of the icons analyzed in this series include Joan of Arc, John the Baptist, Saint Sebastian and Maximilian Kolbe.

The first part of the episodic event ran through Advent, having premiered in New York City on Nov. 17, with Fox Nation hosting a panel with Scorsese himself. The second part will be returning to Fox Nation on March 28 to air during Lent.

Jesus Crown of Thorns

This epic eight-part docudrama tells the story of Jesus Christ like never before. 

The episodic political thriller reveals Jesus’s story with shifting allegiances and infighting where a revolutionary dared to challenge the status quo.

Major plot points of the series include Jesus’s relationship with John the Baptist, as well as political turmoil in Rome.

The first four episodes are available to stream now.

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Fox Nation programs are viewable on-demand and from your mobile device app, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite Fox News personalities.

The NFL is giving fans a present on Christmas, with two high-profile matchups between AFC contenders with a lot of playoff implications.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers play at 1 p.m. ET, and the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans play at 4:30 p.m. ET, with both games streaming exclusively on Netflix.

After many had streaming issues during the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight in November, Netflix is under a lot of pressure to ensure their viewers don’t have any issues watching the games. 

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One Netflix subscriber even filed a lawsuit against Netflix for “breach of contract” because of constant glitches during the fight, per TMZ. 

This will be the first time an NFL game has been streamed exclusively on Netflix, and no matter how the viewing experience is for fans on Wednesday, it won’t be the last game they see on the streaming service.

The NFL and Netflix announced in May that they agreed to a three-year deal where the streaming service will broadcast at least one Christmas Day game over the life of the deal. 

Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of nonfiction series and sports, said the company learned from what went wrong in the Tyson-Paul fight.

“The sheer tonnage of people that came to watch was incredible. And for all the testing that the engineering team had done ahead of that, and I think they’re the best in the business, the only way to test something of that magnitude is to have something of that magnitude,” Riegg said.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson takes the field against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

“We never want to have technical issues or a disappointing experience for our members. There was a subset of people that were watching that struggled with that and we acknowledge that. The good news is they stress-tested the system to such a degree that there’s a lot of these fixes and improvements that they realized that they could make, and they’re applying all that stuff.”

Netflix’s first test will be a showdown between the Chiefs (14-1) and Steelers (10-5). 

The Chiefs have already secured their ninth consecutive AFC West title and are now playing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which would grant them the all-important bye week. 

If the Chiefs were to win on Wednesday, they would have the No. 1 seed locked up before Week 18, giving head coach Andy Reid a chance to rest his starters during the final week of the regular season.

The Chiefs are coming off a 27-19 win over the Texans on Saturday, where quarterback Patrick Mahomes played well. The star quarterback threw for 260 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 33 yards and a touchdown despite playing through an ankle sprain. 

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens breaks through the Bengals defense for a touchdown reception at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Dec. 1, 2024. (IMAGN)

The Steelers, on the other hand, are coming off a tough 34-17 loss against their arch-rival Ravens on Saturday. 

It looked like the Steelers were going to have a chance to come back after safety Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted Lamar Jackson down 24-17 in the fourth quarter. 

However, Ravens’ cornerback Marlon Humphrey thwarted any chance of a Steelers’ comeback with a Pick Six off Russell Wilson on the ensuing drive, putting the Ravens up 31-17 and effectively sealing the win. 

The Steelers’ defense had a tough time handling running back Derrick Henry, who ran the ball 24 times for 162 yards in the win for Baltimore. 

For the Steelers, their game against the Chiefs is crucial to winning the AFC North. Pittsburgh has already clinched a playoff spot, but their loss on Saturday was a big blow to their chances of winning the division, as the Ravens are also 10-5. 

TEXANS COACH REVEALS EXTENT OF TANK DELL’S HORRIFIC INJURY

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey returns an interception for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)

Some good news for the Steelers is that wide receiver George Pickens has a “real chance” to play against the Chiefs, coach Mike Tomlin said on Sunday.

Pickens has missed the last three games, and he’s been sorely missed. In the three games without Pickens, the Steelers are averaging just 248.3 yards per game, almost 77 yards less than their season average of 324.9. 

As big a blow as the loss was for the Steelers on Saturday, the Ravens win over Pittsburgh was just as big a boost for them. 

The Ravens played well on Saturday, outgaining the Steelers 418-315 in terms of yards, with 220 of those yards coming on the ground. 

Jackson threw three touchdowns in the win, and will have a chance to make his MVP case with the whole world watching on Wednesday. 

The Ravens quarterback is having another fantastic year, as Jackson and Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen are considered the two favorites for the award. 

TEXANS ADD PRO BOWL WIDE RECEIVER DIONTAE JOHNSON AFTER DEVASTATING INJURY TO TANK DELL

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)

A win for the Ravens on Christmas would go a long way in their race against the Steelers for the AFC North crown.

The Ravens (10-5) are taking on the Texans (9-6) in the second part of the NFL’s Christmas doubleheader on Netflix. 

They are taking on a Texans team that just lost to the Chiefs. In addition to the loss, the Texans also lost second-year wide receiver Tank Dell for the season after he suffered a gruesome leg injury while catching a touchdown in the loss. 

The Texans also lost wide receiver Stefon Diggs for the season after the star receiver tore his ACL, leaving what was once a strong wide receiving corps now thin. 

A win over the Ravens on Christmas for the Texans would not only clinch them a playoff spot, but also the AFC South title and a home playoff game. 

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud scrambles against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)

The Texans-Ravens matchup will also come with a special halftime performance by Beyoncé.

All four of the teams playing on Wednesday are playing their third game in 11 days.

With so many playoff implications, and a big halftime performance, Netflix will be under a lot of pressure from NFL fans and the “BeyHive” to make sure things go off without a hitch. 

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Mural conservators are working to uncover 20 angels hidden under layers of paint for more than a century at the Boston church made famous by Paul Revere.

Gianfranco Pocobene has been working atop scaffolding at Old North Church, to uncover eight of the 20 angels that have been hidden.

The painted angels with childlike faces and wings were once among the defining features of Old North Church, the oldest church building in Boston, when they were painted around 1730. But the angels in 1912 were painted over with thick coats of white paint as part of a renovation that restorationists are seeking to reverse.

“When we first looked at the project six months ago, we had no idea what was here,” Pocobene said as the church was preparing to reveal eight of the 20 angels.

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“It’s really been quite a revelation to find these really interesting and historic works of art on the walls of the church that nobody has seen in our lifetime,” he continued. “Just to be part of a project where we are revealing something from colonial America is really extraordinary.”

The Old North Church is best known for the two lanterns hung from its steeple on the night of Paul Revere’s April 1775 ride to warn that the British army was coming. Revere was also a bell ringer at the church as a teenager.

“For much of the church’s history, people who were coming here to the church would have seen those angels, would have seen the colorful interior,” Old North Illuminated associate director of education Emily Spence said. Old North Illuminated operates the church as a historic site.

“The color scheme was an important part of the identity of the people who worshiped here as members of the congregation of a Church of England church,” she said.

A nearly 300-year-old painted angel appears on a wall of Old North Church, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Boston. (AP)

Spence said that efforts began in September to restore the sandstone and teal-colored angels, of which eight were completed this month and another eight are expected to be finished by the spring.

Researchers knew based on the historical record that the angels were still on the walls, and they still have a copy of a contract signed with John Gibbs, a congregation member who painted them. A paint study conducted in 2017 confirmed they were still on the walls.

Corrine Long, a painting conservator who works with Pocobene, said one of the challenges in restoring the angels was removing seven layers of paint without damaging the angels. Conservators first applied a solvent gel to soften the layers of paint before manually removing it with a plastic scraper. They then cleaned the angels with cotton swabs and retouched to remove any signs of damage.

“They all have their own character — they’re not copies,” Pocobene said. “The artist John Gibbs painted them individually and they’re all in different poses, which gives them a really wonderful rhythmic kind of pattern across the surface of the church.”

MINIATURE BIBLE PUT ON DISPLAY IN TIME FOR GUESTS TO READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY

Recently restored, nearly 300-year-old painted angels, at top right, adorn an arch at the historic Old North Church in the North End neighborhood, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Boston. (AP)

Long said one of the most satisfying parts of the project was returning parts of the church to what the founders had intended.

“Whenever I go into a building with history, it amazes me to be surrounded with paintings or the decorations that were there originally,” she said. “When it’s been repainted to be white, it takes away some of that majesty and some of that history.”

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One recent day, the church was largely empty except for the conservators. But a pair of tourists, Sean Dixon and Sarah Jardine from California, were there as well and walked the aisles and observed the scaffolding which obstructed the view a bit.

“I was kind of shocked when I first saw it,” Dixon said. “It looks really cool, and I’m really excited to see the full picture once the scaffolding comes down.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A Chicago woman was just weeks away from giving birth when a nagging cough led to a shocking medical discovery.

MaKenna Lauterbach, then 26 years old, began experiencing severe coughing fits in the last three months of her pregnancy.

“They would be so severe that I would become winded and nauseous to the point of vomiting,” she told Fox News Digital.

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Lauterbach, who lives on a farm in Washburn, Illinois, also began noticing shortness of breath while tending to her horses and goats.

“I give hay to the horses every morning and noticed how winded I was becoming with a dry cough,” she said. “My body felt like I just ran two miles, when, in reality, I had only walked to the barn and back.”

Some doctors dismissed Lauterbach’s symptoms, she said, repeatedly telling her, “It’s because you are pregnant.”

Eventually, though, when the coughing led to vomiting, doctors performed scans and detected a large, grapefruit-sized tumor in her middle chest cavity and right lung, which was completely blocking the artery to the right lung. 

PREGNANT MOM WITH CANCER DEFIED DOCTORS’ ABORTION GUIDANCE

“It’s extremely rare to see this type of tumor invading into the major blood vessels of the heart,” said Chris Mehta, M.D. — a cardiac surgeon with the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute who specializes in complex heart reconstruction — in a press release. 

“It’s extremely rare to see this type of tumor invading into the major blood vessels of the heart.”

“We may see something like this once every few years.”

The tumor had put Lauterbach — and her baby — into respiratory distress.

‘In real trouble’

Lauterbach was flown to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where a large medical team was waiting for her.

“MaKenna was in real trouble, and we had to act quickly – this wasn’t something that could wait for Monday morning,” said Lynn Yee, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine, in the release. 

Though he was born three weeks early, little Colter is a thriving, happy baby boy today. “As for myself, I am still healing, emotionally and physically,” said Lauterbach. (MaKenna Lauterbach)

“When you’re pregnant with a baby that’s nearly full term, your lungs already aren’t functioning at full capacity, and when you add a huge tumor on top of it, you run the risk of having respiratory collapse and cardiac arrest.” 

The baby was not tolerating the contractions well and Lauterbach’s blood pressure was plummeting. 

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The team performed an emergency cesarean section — and on Easter Sunday, a healthy baby boy, Colten, was born. 

‘Blindsiding news’

After the delivery, it was time to address the tumor.

“The tumor was sitting on top of MaKenna’s heart and extended into the right lung, impacting all three lobes and the entire main trunk of the pulmonary artery,” said Kalvin Lung, M.D., a thoracic surgeon with the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute, in the release.

Doctors performed a biopsy and diagnosed Lauterbach with stage 3 melanoma.

The Lauterbach family lives on a farm in Washburn, Illinois. MaKenna Lauterbach first experienced severe coughing fits and shortness of breath when tending to the horses and goats. (MaKenna Lauterbach)

The doctors believe she may have had a melanoma on her skin at some point, and that “a cell or two escaped” and began growing inside her body.

“It was truly blindsiding news,” Lauterbach told Fox News Digital. “When I first got the diagnosis, I went through a roller coaster of emotions.”

“I was grieving the birth plan I had spent months preparing, while also dealing with the news of my unexpected diagnosis.”

After first feeling relief at having an answer, she said she felt some anger that her symptoms had been dismissed earlier. Then there was the fear of the cancer itself.

“Because of the tumor, the delivery happened so quickly. I was grieving the birth plan I had spent months preparing, while also dealing with the news of my unexpected diagnosis,” she said.

“My situation was serious, and while my clinical team was working on a plan to treat my cancer, it was comforting to know that the NICU nurses [at Northwestern] were taking such wonderful care of our son.”

Taking life-saving action

The team at Northwestern recommended that Lauterbach undergo three cycles of immunotherapy before surgery, which helped shrink her tumor by 30%.

Dr. Lung and Dr. Mehta removed Lauterbach’s entire right lung, parts of the main pulmonary artery and her lymph nodes. 

The Lauterbach family is pictured with, left to right, Dr. Kalvin Lung, registered nurse Mary Schuessler and Dr. Lynn Yee. (Northwestern Medicine)

“The surgery was risky relative to other cancer surgeries due to the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, and the need to repair the main artery going to both lungs, but it was done under very safe conditions with well-proven techniques,” Dr. Lung told Fox News Digital. 

“We were concerned that even with the extent of surgery, we would not be able to completely remove the tumor,” he went on.

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If the tumor had grown just slightly more into the main artery going to the lungs, or if it had involved the heart, it would have been a different outcome.

But the surgery was a success, and Lauterbach’s latest scans showed no evidence of metastatic melanoma.

Colter Lauterbach is pictured with Santa ahead of his first Christmas. (MaKenna Lauterbach)

“Her outcome was very good,” Dr. Lung told Fox News Digital. “She has recovered from surgery almost entirely, and her main issue is shortness of breath, which is a consequence of only having one lung.”

“In terms of cancer prognosis, we expect it to be quite good, given that the entire tumor responded to the immunotherapy treatment she received.” 

‘New normal’

Today, though he was born three weeks early, little Colter Lauterbach is a thriving, happy baby boy.

“As for myself, I am still healing, emotionally and physically,” said MaKenna Lauterbach. “My lung capacity is getting close to ‘the new normal’ for me and I’m finally starting to return to some sort of normal routine.”

“There are some days when the bad memories and the unknowns haunt my thoughts.”

Looking ahead, Lauterbach will continue immunotherapy treatments for one year, and the doctors will continue to monitor CT scans to ensure the cancer doesn’t come back.

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Her cancer is currently considered a “stable disease,” doctors say, which means no new tumors have appeared. 

The new mother, who turned 27 in October, said she is looking forward to her son’s first Christmas on the farm.

MaKenna and Parker Lauterbach are pictured with their son, Colter, after he was born by emergency cesarean section. (MaKenna Lauterbach)

“Emotionally, I try my best not to let reality weigh on me, but there are some days when the bad memories and the unknowns haunt my thoughts,” she said.

“Colter and my wonderful husband, Parker, are what have given me the strength to make it through everything.”

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For other women, Lauterbach emphasized the importance of “knowing your body.”

She advised, “If you know something isn’t right, don’t take ‘I don’t know’ for an answer. Find someone who will take your concerns seriously and would rather do extra testing just in case, as opposed to missing something life-threatening.”

A Russian-born U.S. citizen who was already behind bars in Russia on a bribery conviction has been handed a second sentence for espionage.

Eugene Spector was sentenced to a new 15-year term for his espionage conviction, according to Russian news agencies. Spector was born and raised in Leningrad, Russia, but later moved to the U.S. and became a citizen.

A Moscow court brought espionage charges against Spector in August of last year, although details surrounding the case were not made publicly available.

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The U.S. State Department said it was aware of reports of a U.S. citizen in Russia being sentenced and that it was monitoring the situation.

Spector, a former executive at a medical equipment company in Russia, was sentenced in September 2022 to three and a half years in prison for enabling bribes to an aide of former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich.

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A Moscow court brought espionage charges against Spector in August of last year. (iStock)

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The aide, Anastasia Alekseyeva, was sentenced to 12 years in April for accepting bribes of two expensive overseas vacation trips.

Dvorkovich was a deputy prime minister under former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in 2012 to 2018. Dvorkovich is currently head of the international chess federation FIDE.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.