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As Ukraine aid falters in the Senate, Biden signals he’s willing to make a deal on border security

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Senate Republicans blocked the advance of tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine Wednesday, President Joe Biden berated their tactics as “stunning” and dangerous. Yet he also signaled an openness to what GOP lawmakers ultimately want: border policy changes.Biden at the White House warned of dire consequences for Kyiv — and a “gift” to Russia’s Vladimir Putin – if Congress fails to pass a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel as well as other national security priorities. Hours later, Senate Republicans defiantly voted to stop the package from advancing, something that they had threatened to do all week.“They’re willing to literally kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield and damage our national security in the process,” Biden said.But even as he lashed Republicans for their stance, Biden stressed that he is willing to “make significant compromises on the border,” if that’s what it takes to get ...

A new bedtime story voiced by Jimmy Stewart just in time for Christmas, 26 years after his death

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

(CNN) — Thanks to generative AI technology, you can now listen to a soothing Christmas bedtime story told by the late legendary actor Jimmy Stewart.Stewart, star of “It’s a Wonderful Life” who died in 1997, is the voice behind a new audio story released Tuesday on the sleep and meditation app Calm. Generative AI helps to imitate Stewart’s distinctive tone, replicated with the approval of the actor’s family and estate, managed by CMG Worldwide.Titled “It’s a Wonderful Sleep Story,” the bedtime tale kicks off on Christmas Eve, giving listeners a festive story as part of Calm’s Sleep Stories. The collection is meant to guide users to bed with calming voices and very few plot points, with Stewart’s story now available to premium Calm subscribers.“We are excited for our Dad to be the voice of Calm’s latest Sleep Story,” said Kelly Stewart Harcourt via a Calm statement to CNN. “It’s amazing what technology can do and wonderful to see Dad’s legacy live on this holiday season in new ways, l...

The meaning behind Pantone’s Color of the Year 2024

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

(CNN) — If we could visualize the year ahead, what color would it be? The abstract thought is an annual consideration for the experts at the Pantone Color Institute, who trawl through high-fashion runways, interior design trends, pop culture moments and human psychology to make their pick.According to their research, the shade that will come to define 2024 is “Peach Fuzz” — a light, fruity tone that conjures peace and serenity. “We’re going through a lot of turmoil in our lives, and we have a need for a color that’s nurturing,” Pantone color specialist Leatrice Eisman told CNN over video call. “It’s a warm and cozy shade. And it’s very tactile. We feel that at a time like this, tactility is really important — to touch other people and gather them into our homes.”Peach tones have been a fixture of the Spring-Summer 2024 runways, particularly in Milan with Italian houses such as Gucci, Jil Sander and Sportmax leading the way. At the Oscars Vanity Fair Afterparty in March, Hilary ...

Woman shot, killed in car in Brockton

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

Massachusetts State Police and the Brockton Police Department are investigating a homicide that took place early Friday.Brockton patrol officers were called to Nason Street shortly after midnight after receiving a report of a person shot in their car.Heavy police presence was seen at the location of the shooting, as was a shattered window in the driver’s side of a vehicle. A female in the car was confirmed deceased.Investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information on the individual responsible for the shooting or any other pertinent information is asked to call Brockton Police Detectives at 508-941-0200.

Healey Deflects When Asked About Legislative Pace

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

The current moment demands “urgent action like never before,” the governor said Thursday, but she again brushed off the suggestion that the glacial pace of Beacon Hill legislating complicates state attempts to swiftly act on issues like housing, affordability and more.Most of Gov. Maura Healey’s agenda rests in the hands of the Legislature, including her massive housing bill, the economic development plan her administration filed this week, her plan to leverage interest on state savings to attract federal grants, and more. On WBUR’s “Radio Boston” Thursday, she did not take the bait when host Tiziana Dearing asked if the Legislature was “an actual impediment” to addressing the economy and competitiveness.“Well, I’m proud of the things that we were able to get done this year. You know, as I look back, and it’s a time of reflection to a certain extent, as I look back on the year, I mean, the budget that we passed that I...

Jon Rahm leaving PGA Tour for LIV Golf

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

(CNN) — Jon Rahm, currently ranked No. 3 in the world and the reigning Masters champion, is poised to leave the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.“I am proud to join LIV Golf and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport,” Rahm said in a statement on Thursday. “I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and my family and am very excited for the future.”Rahm will make his debut with LIV Golf next season, with the first tournament teeing off February 2-4, 2024, at LIV Golf Mayakoba in Mexico. As part of the three-year, $300 million deal, Rahm will have an ownership stake in a new LIV Golf team, according to ESPN, citing unnamed sources.“It’s not an easy decision because I’ve had a really successful career and I’ve been really happy,” Rahm said in an interview with Fox News.“But there’s a lot of things that LIV Golf has to offer that were very, very enticing, starting with team golf. Being part of a team is something that’s be...

Major donor calls on UPenn president to resign for disastrous testimony on antisemitism, threatening $100 million gift

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

New York (CNN) — The walls appear to be caving in on the University of Pennsylvania’s president, Liz Magill, who faces scathing criticism over her performance at a House hearing earlier this week.Prominent donor Ross Stevens threatened to claw back a $100 million donation. The university’s board of trustees held an emergency meeting Thursday. And the powerful Wharton Board of Advisors that leads the university’s prominent business school called for a leadership change at the university.Magill remained president after the hastily arranged board gathering concluded Thursday, a source familiar with the proceedings told CNN. But Magill faced a rebellion from Wharton’s Board of Advisors, and a growing coalition of donors, politicians and business leaders who denounced her testimony.During Tuesday’s House hearing, Magill, along with the presidents of Harvard and MIT, did not explicitly say that calling for the genocide of Jews would necessarily violate their code ...

Renovations coming to LeLacheur Park, but return of Spinners unlikely

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

NASHVILLE — Ever since the Lowell Spinners became a casualty of Minor League Baseball’s contraction in 2020, hope has lingered that the franchise could one day make a return. Local and state officials have worked to help make that a reality, and the Red Sox have notably refused to close the door on the possibility.Yet while needed renovations are coming to LeLacheur Park, the prospect of a Red Sox affiliate returning to Lowell seems to be dimming.Since the Spinners folded nearly four years ago, LeLacheur Park has sat mostly vacant. The 25-year-old facility continues to host the UMass Lowell baseball team, but lacking either a full-time minor league affiliate or even an independent club, the park has fallen into a state of disrepair.That may soon change. In July 2022, the City of Lowell agreed to sell LeLacheur Park to the UMass Building Authority for $1 million, effectively handing control of the facility to UMass Lowell. The deal also calls for the university to invest up to ...

As ties warm, Turkey’s president says Greece may be able to benefit from a Turkish power plant

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey is considering allowing neighboring Greece to benefit from a nuclear power plant it plans to build near its Black Sea coast, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying on Friday.Erdogan made the comments on his return from a visit to Athens on Thursday, where longtime regional rivals Greece and Turkey took significant steps toward mending their troubled ties.“We strive to develop and expand cooperation with Greece not only in the field of energy but also in all areas, including nuclear energy,” Erdogan told a group of journalists on his flight back. “For example, we can provide Greece the opportunity (to benefit) from energy from our nuclear power plant to be built in Sinop (Province).”His comments were reported by state-run Anadolu and other media on Friday.During Erdogan’s visit on Thursday, Greece and Turkey signed more than a dozen cooperation deals on trade, energy and education and announced a roadmap for future high-level consulta...

Key events in Vladimir Putin’s more than two decades in power in Russia

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:48:47 GMT

Significant dates in Vladimir Putin’s 24 years in power in Russia:Dec. 31, 1999 — In a surprise address to the nation, President Boris Yeltsin announces his resignation and makes Putin, the prime minister he appointed four months earlier, the acting president.May 7, 2000 — After winning election with about 53% of the vote, Putin is inaugurated for his first four-year term.May 11, 2000 — Tax police raid the offices of NTV, a popular independent broadcaster noted for critical coverage of the Kremlin. It is the first salvo in moves against prominent independent media that have characterized the Putin era.Aug. 12, 2000 — The submarine Kursk sinks in the Barents Sea with 118 people aboard, setting off the first widespread criticism of Putin, who stayed on vacation early in the crisis and waited five days before accepting Western offers of help. Oct. 23, 2002 — Militants from Russia’s region of Chechnya take about 850 people hostage at a Moscow theater. Three days later, Russian spe...