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Ukraine ready to compromise ahead of EU decision on launching membership talks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

KYIV ­— The European Commission’s recommendation that Ukraine start formal talks to become a member of the EU afforded a rare moment of joy to a country fighting off an invasion by Russia, Olga Stefanishyna, Ukrainian deputy prime minister, said Thursday. “Ukraine inspired Europe” and the EU “returned the faith,” added Stefanishyna, whose portfolio includes European and Euro-Atlantic integration.However, much work remains ahead of a December European Council meeting, at which EU leaders will decide whether to back the Commission’s advice.Ukraine will have to persuade EU countries such as Hungary, which has threatened to block negotiations on its accession to the bloc as long as a language law that Budapest says affects the Hungarian minority in Ukraine remains in force, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview with NOS on Tuesday.Although the Commission’s enlargement report acknowledged that Kyiv has made tremendous progress on reforming the coun...

France condemns Russian disinformation campaign linked to Stars of David graffiti

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

PARIS — France on Thursday condemned what officials termed a Russian destabilization effort that amplified online the appearance of dozens of Stars of David graffiti on buildings across Paris.According to a press statement by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, a Russian network associated with online disinformation campaigns, Recent Reliable News (RRN/Doppelgänger), was involved in posting the first photos of the graffiti and in amplifying their circulation on social media. French digital watchdog Viginum detected a network of more than 1,000 bots on X (formerly Twitter), which published more than 2,500 posts on the Stars of David tags last Monday. Four people — including a Moldovan couple arrested last week — are suspected of painting more than 250 blue Stars of David across the French capital, acts likely to fuel unrest in France amid a surge of antisemitic acts since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Tuesday th...

State’s Shelter Cap Hit With Enrollment Of 37 New Families

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

The number of families housed in the state’s emergency shelter system hit Gov. Maura Healey’s limit on Thursday afternoon, triggering a new regulation that will allow the shelter system to begin to turn people away.Meanwhile, temperatures are dropping and there’s no agreement among Beacon Hill Democrats on standing up an overflow shelter site.As of Thursday there were 7,517 families enrolled in the system, according to state data. Of those, 37 enrolled in the last 24 hours.That’s 17 families over Healey’s 7,500 family cap, as a flood of immigrant arrivals has strained shelters over the past year and more than doubled the number of families the state has been required to house under its 1983 right-to-shelter law.State emergency assistance director L. Scott Rice announced the system hit the limit on Thursday afternoon.“Today, the family shelter system has reached 7,500 families, and we are at the point where we do not have enough shelter units,...

Beyoncé drops new worldwide trailer for ‘Renaissance’ film

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

(CNN) — The “Renaissance” is not over.That’s according to Beyoncé, who on Thursday dropped a new trailer for her forthcoming “Renaissance” concert film.The Queen talks about some challenges in the trailer.“In this world that is very male-dominated, I’ve had to be really tough,” she says. “To balance motherhood and being on this stage. It just reminds me of who I really am.”The trailer takes viewers behind the scenes of her sold out 57-show“Renaissance” tour across Europe and the US.“RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ accentuates the journey of RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR, from its inception, to the opening in Stockholm, Sweden, to the finale in Kansas City, Missouri,” a caption for the trailer reads. “It is about Beyoncé’s intention, hard work, involvement in every aspect of the production, her creative mind and purpose to create her legacy, and master her craft. Received with extraordinary acclaim, Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR created a sanctuary for freedom, and shared joy, for mo...

Tracy Chapman wins CMA Award for ‘Fast Car’ decades after song’s debut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

(CNN) — Tracy Chapman continues to make history with her 1988 hit “Fast Car” after winning song of the year at Wednesday’s Country Music Awards.Chapman was not present during the telecast, which took place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, but country star and the category’s presenter Sarah Evans read a message on Chapman’s behalf after announcing her as the winner.“I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut. Wow. Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke (Combs) and to all of the fans of ‘Fast Car,’” Evans said on behalf of Chapman.The CMA win is a remarkable achievement given “Fast Car” debuted 35 years ago, and saw a resurgence in popularity in July after country star Luke Combs released a cover of the hit single.Combs’ cover went on to reach No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, making Chapman the first Black woman to top the chart since it came into existence...

Should you buy travel insurance for holiday travel?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

By Amrita Jayakumar | NerdWalletHoliday travel can be taxing even without the added stress of disruptions such as cancellations, flight delays or lost bags.Last winter, Southwest Airlines’ holiday travel meltdown left millions of travelers stranded and angry. Travelers were still filing for compensation for ruined trips weeks later. Consumer complaints against U.S. airlines to the Department of Transportation in February 2023 increased sixfold compared with February 2019, forcing the agency to temporarily stop reporting more data as it processes complaints.Despite the chaos, holiday travel shows no signs of slowing down this year. About 50% of Americans plan to pay for flights or hotel stays this holiday season, according to a NerdWallet survey conducted by The Harris Poll in September among over 2,000 U.S. adults. They will be referred to as “2023 holiday travelers” going forward.More than a third of 2023 holiday travelers (35%) say they will keep their usual holiday travel p...

What I learned about modern romance from watching ABC’s ‘Golden Bachelor’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

Yes, he is charming and handsome in a boyish way for a 72-year-old man.No, I would not go on national television to try to win his heart.But 22 single senior women had a different take.From as far east as New Jersey, as far south as Florida and as close to home as Sierra Madre and Downey, these women stepped up to stake their claim on the first-ever Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, star of ABC’s new addition to their reality dating franchise.A widower after a 43-year marriage, the retired restaurateur from Hudson Indiana, melts our hearts with his vulnerability as he talks about missing his wife and hopes for finding love again.I admit to being skeptical about the show while holding out hope that it would give a realistic view of later-life romance that might eschew the stereotypes. The debut episode began with Gerry putting in his hearing aids as he gets ready to meet the women vying for his attention.When two of these women, who were obviously deeply interested in Gerry, left the sh...

The 98.5 Toucher and Rich intrigue continues: Shertenlieb will no longer run show’s social media account

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

The speculation about Toucher & Rich’s future continued on Thursday after a major change to the 98.5 The Sports Hub radio show’s popular social media account.Two weeks after host Fred Toucher signed a multiyear contract with the Boston radio station, host Rich Shertenlieb announced that he will no longer run the Toucher & Rich account on X (formerly Twitter).This change also comes a couple weeks after the X account with nearly 150,000 followers had dropped Toucher’s name and left the account for only Shertenlieb (@heyrichhey). But now, the account’s handle is back to @touchernrich.“Hello, this is Rich. As of this post, I will no longer maintain and will not be communicating through this account. Please contact me and follow me at my personal X account at @HeyRichHey. Thanks! – Rich Shertenlieb,” the host posted from @touchernrich on Thursday.Shertenlieb then posted from his new personal account.“HEY GUYS HEY. Well look at that,...

Suspected Norovirus outbreak cuts MLB GM meetings short

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

Major League Baseball was forced to cut their annual GM meetings short on Wednesday when more than 10% of the executives in attendance fell ill at the Omni Montelucia Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.The meetings – which serve as the unofficial kickoff to the offseason – began on Tuesday and were scheduled to conclude on Thursday morning, but several attendees were already sick on the first night. When more illnesses were reported on Wednesday afternoon, the league pulled the plug.What was originally thought to be food poisoning from Tuesday’s lunch buffet is now believed to be the highly contagious Norovirus, as evidenced by the fact that several of the afflicted hadn’t partaken in the meal.The Norovirus is primarily spread through direct contact, but also via contaminated food, water, and surfaces. Common symptoms are diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Though nicknamed the “stomach flu,” it isn’t related to influenza viruses. If afflicted, the ...

Boston College and Virginia Tech renew old rivalry in big stakes game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:44 GMT

The Boston College and Virginia Tech football programs have more in common than their past association with the Big East and as permanent crossover rivals in the old divisional structure of the ACC.Over the course of the 2023 season, the Eagles and the Hokies have been on the business end of season-altering encounters with No. 11 Louisville, another ACC refugee from the Big East.BC’s season hit its low point with a 56-28 loss at Louisville on Sept. 23. Since then, BC has won five straight games and has a winning record in the ACC.Virginia Tech endured a 34-3 beatdown by the host Cardinals last Saturday, the Hokies’ worst loss of the season. Virginia Tech must win two of the next three against BC, NC State and Virginia to secure bowl eligibility.BC (6-3, 3-2) will look to extended its win streak and enhance its bowl season prospects when it hosts Virginia Tech (4-5, 3-2) on Saturday (noon) at Alumni Stadium.“We knew we were a good team and we kind of stumbled out trying to find our i...