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Eric Montross, a former UNC and NBA big man, dies at 52 after cancer fight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Eric Montross, a former North Carolina and NBA big man, has died after a cancer fight, his family said. He was 52.The school released the family’s announcement Monday morning, saying Montross died Sunday surrounded by loved ones at his Chapel Hill home. He had been diagnosed with cancer in March, leading to him stepping away from his duties as a radio analyst for UNC game broadcasts.“To know Eric was to be his friend, and the family knows that the ripples from the generous, thoughtful way that he lived his life will continue in the lives of the many people he touched with his deep and sincere kindness,” the announcement said.Montross played for the Tar Heels under Dean Smith from 1990-94 and was a two-time Associated Press second-team All-American. He started on Smith’s second NCAA championship team in 1993 before being the No. 9 overall pick by the Boston Celtics a year later and playing in the NBA until 2002.In addition to his broadcast duties,...

Investigation finds no evidence of wrongdoing related to death of Sheffield United Women player

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — There was “no evidence of wrongdoing” related to the death of Sheffield United Women player Maddy Cusack in September, the club said Monday following an independent investigation.Cusack, who also worked as a marketing executive at Sheffield United, died at the age of 27. The team didn’t disclose any details about Cusack’s death.An independent third party was appointed at the request of Cusack’s family to carry out a formal investigation into concerns it raised about conduct at the club.“The investigation has found no evidence of wrongdoing,” Sheffield United said in a statement. “The club is always looking for ways to evolve and will reflect on the outcomes and recommendations arising from the investigation to consider how processes and policies may be improved.”The club said will “review and expand the club-wide wellbeing support offered to our staff and to increase the learning and development opportunities for all staff around language and culture, welfa...

Rhode Island man arrested in connection to false bomb threat at FLL

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

Detectives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office Threat Management Unit arrested a Rhode Island man on bomb threat charges at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) on Sunday.The incident unfolded around 5:26 p.m. when BSO deputies responded to a potential bomb threat in Terminal 1 at 50 Terminal Drive. An airport employee informed authorities that Tyler Baeder said, “Call the cops, I have a bomb in my bag.”Preliminary findings indicated that Baeder made the statement in frustration after encountering difficulties with a kiosk while attempting to check into his flight. The TSA was notified and BSO deputies took Baeder into custody, subsequently evacuating the upper level of Terminal 1.BSO’s Bomb Squad and Threat Management Unit detectives were dispatched to investigate. After a thorough inspection of Baeder’s belongings, the threat was deemed false.Baeder is currently held at BSO North Broward, facing charges of false reporting concerning planting ...

Pope Francis greenlights blessings for same-sex couples

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

Pope Francis on Monday approved blessings for same-sex couples, marking a shift in the Catholic church’s stance toward the LGBTQ+ community.A document published by the Vatican’s doctrinal office — and signed by the pope — says that Roman Catholic priests will be allowed to bless couples “in irregular situations and same-sex couples.”The document specifies that a blessing does not officially validate the couple’s status or change “the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.” It also emphasizes that the blessing should not occur at the same time as a civil union ceremony and can’t be performed with any clothing or gestures associated with weddings, to avoid “any form of confusion or scandal.” But it says this move “implies a real development from what has been said about blessings.”“When people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it. For, those seeking a blessing should not be r...

Germany puts its troops in the line of fire if Russia attacks NATO

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is prompting Germany to do something unprecedented — to permanently base thousands of troops only about 100 kilometers from the border with Russia and right in the line of fire if the Kremlin ever launches an attack on NATO territory.German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was in Vilnius on Monday to sign a deal with his Lithuanian counterpart Arvydas Anušauskas firming up the conditions on which 4,800 German troops plus 200 civilians will be based in the Baltic country.“With this war-ready brigade, we are assuming a leadership responsibility here in the alliance and on NATO’s eastern flank,” Pistorius said, adding: “The speed of the project clearly shows that Germany understood the new security reality.” The war in Ukraine has upended military thinking in Berlin — pressing generals and politicians to move with unaccustomed speed.In a sign of the escalating demands on the Bundeswehr, one of the units making up the new brigad...

More than 260,000 without power in MA, all Logan flights grounded due to wind

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

Residents woke up to a stormy start of their weeks Monday, with heavy rains and strong winds blasting southern New England. Gusts of as fast as 60 to 70 miles per hour were forecast for Monday morning, with peak intensity expected from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights departing Logan Airport in Boston until 1 p.m., with a probability of extension of 30 to 60 percent. There is the potential for both inland flooding from the rain and minor coastal flooding from the wind, as well as possible power outages from downed trees and tree limbs.“Once the storm arrives if you are traveling please stay as far away from our crews as possible if you see them out so they have the space they need to safely do their work and make repairs,” said William Hinkle of Eversource Energy. “If you come across any downed lines, always stay as far away from those as possible as well and report them immediately to 911 and give us a call....

Demi Lovato and Jordan ‘Jutes’ Lutes are engaged

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

(CNN) — Demi Lovato is looking forward to being a bride.The singer took to Instagram over the weekend to share the news that she is engaged to songwriter Jordan Lutes.“I’m still speechless last night was the best night of my life and I can’t believe I get to marry the love of my life @jutesmusic..My love, I’m beyond excited to marry you.. every day I’ve spent with you has been a dream come true and I can’t wait to love and cherish you forever,” Lovato wrote. “Here’s to the rest of our lives. I love you baby”Lovato included a picture where she is wearing a pear-shaped diamond ring.The couple  were engaged on Saturday.Several of Lovato’s famous friends weighed in on the news, with Selma Blair writing, “I am so happy for you both! JutesMusic is so lucky to have you. May this love grow infinity. I love you and am so happy for you. Gorgeous news.”Lutes co-wrote “Substance” with Lovato. She also shared songwriting credits with him on “Happy Ending” and “City ...

Wax off: Depardieu’s figure removed from museum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

PARIS — The wax figure of actor Gerard Depardieu has been removed from Paris’ most famous wax museum, following negative reactions from visitors over allegations about his conduct with women, the museum said Monday.The decision to remove the figure from the Grevin Museum, the so-called “Pantheon of wax celebrities,” followed a recent report on the actor on French television that has dented his reputation in France and around the world.The France 2 documentary showed him repeatedly making obscene remarks and gestures during a 2018 trip to North Korea. Depardieu has also been under investigation for rape since 2020. He denies all charges.Depardieu, 74, has starred in hundreds of movies over more than half a century, including French classics like “The Last Metro,” “Jean de Florette” and “Cyrano de Bergerac,” and English-language movies including “Green Card” and “Life of Pi.”This waxwork’s disappearanc...

Power outages climb as wind-whipped storm rolls through

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

Heavy rain and high winds swept through the Northeast on Monday for the second time in a week, spurring flood warnings, electricity outages, flight cancellations and school closings.The National Weather Service predicted up to 5 inches  of rain in some parts of the region. More than 245,000 power outages were reported from Pennsylvania to New York to New England, with numerous reports of trees falling on power lines. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph were forecast for the southeast New England coast, the Weather Service said.In Massachusetts, more than 180,000 homes were without power according to the state’s emergency services outage map. That number climbed steadily through the morning from about 54,000 at 8 a.m. to 189,955 just past 11 a.m.  Communities including Newbury, Millis, Carver and Pelham are among those affected.In New York City, high winds prompted the temporary closure of the Verrazzano Bridge. It reopened later Monday morning, but with a ban on tractor-trailers and other la...

EXPLAINER: How can Catholic priests bless same-sex unions?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:49 GMT

ROME (AP) — The Vatican document explicitly saying Catholic priests can bless same-sex unions lays out the conditions for what such blessings can, and cannot, involve.The overall goal is to make it abundantly clear to the couple and those around them that the blessing is not a liturgical or sacramental ritual, and that it in no way resembles a marriage. This is because the Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a lifelong sacramental union between a man and woman.Nothing has changed about the church’s position on marriage, its firm opposition to gay marriage, or its belief that any extramarital sex — gay or straight — is sinful.Here are some of the points in the document:— To avoid any confusion that the church was performing a same-sex marriage, the blessing should not be offered in conjunction with a civil union ceremony, gay or straight.— “Nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding.”— Such blessings can be offered during a visit t...