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Don Gullett, a standout major league pitcher who played for four consecutive World Series champions in the 1970s, died on Wednesday. The Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees and Baseball Hall of Fame all paid tribute to Gullett in social media posts. Gullett went 109-50 with a 3.11 ERA in nine seasons with the Reds and Yankees. He then signed with New York in free agency, and the Yankees won it all in ‘77 and ’78. “Don dedicated 24 years to this franchise as a player, coach and minor league instructor," Reds owner Bob Castellini said in a team post on X.

Persons: Don Gullett, Gullett, “ Don Gullett, Johnny Bench, “ Don, Bob Castellini, ” Organizations: Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Baseball Hall of Fame, Cincinnati Enquirer, Reds, Yankees, Hall of Fame, ”, Cincinnati, Big, New Locations: Lynn , Kentucky, New York

The near-absence of laws criminalizing the practice of fertility fraud until recently means no doctors have yet been criminally charged for the behavior. In 2019, Indiana became the second state, more than 20 years after California, to pass a statute making fertility fraud a felony. He added some of his biological children have “expressed gratitude for their existence” to him and even sent him photos of their own children. Cline’s case spurred lawmakers to pass legislation that outlawed fertility fraud but wasn’t retroactive, meaning he was never prosecuted for it. “In fertility fraud, no parent is saying that – no parent is saying I would have gotten an abortion,” she said.

Persons: Hill, –, Burton Caldwell, “, ” Hill, we’ve, ”, Jody Madeira, Laura Oliverio, wasn’t, Eve Wiley, Marvin Yussman, Yussman, Victoria Hill, ” Yussman, Dr, Donald Cline, general’s, Cline, Stephanie Bice, Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Democrat –, Kelly Wilkinson, Katherine L, Kraschel, Julia T, Woodward, Laura High, we’re, ’ Let’s, it’s, let’s, OBGYN Narendra Tohan, isn’t, Tohan, ‘, Janine Pierson, Doreen Pierson, Caldwell –, Doreen, Alyssa Denniston, Caldwell, Pierson, ” Pierson, she’d, doesn’t, texted, Jamie LeRose, Maralee Hill, Victoria, Sean Tipton, Tipton, Caldwell “, didn’t Organizations: CNN, Indiana University, Savin Rock, CNN CNN, Netflix, Oklahoma Republican, New, New Jersey Democrat, Indianapolis Star, DC, Northeastern University, Duke University Health System, CNN Fertility, United, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Seagulls Locations: Connecticut, Savin Rock Beach, West Haven , Connecticut, Indiana, California, Kentucky, Wethersfield , Connecticut, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Indianapolis, Wethersfield, New Britain, Madeira, Yale, Victoria, Hartford , Connecticut, Victoria Hill's, Norwalk, Norway, Germany, United States, Cheshire, New Haven

☆ McConnell defends push for Ukraine aid amid attacks from Trump wing of GOP: ‘Every argument against this is wrong’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“I feel strongly this is in our best interest, America’s best interest and the world’s best interests to do this. Meantime, the House GOP has aligned itself closely with Trump and taken steps that have made some Republican senators uneasy – including impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the problems at the border. But McConnell didn’t think the flap would have much of an impact on Senate races. “I think that every one of these races will hash that out one way or another,” McConnell said. “The age issue is obviously front and center for both candidates,” McConnell said when asked about the matter.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, McConnell, –, “ It’s, ” McConnell, Trump, Mike Johnson, McConnell harkened, – we’ve, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, I’ve, we’ve, Alejandro Mayorkas, hadn’t, Oklahoma GOP Sen, James Lankford, ”, Tom Suozzi, Biden, Robert Hur’s, ” CNN’s Clare Foran, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: GOP, CNN, Trump, Republican, “, Kentucky Republican, Homeland, Oklahoma GOP, Wall Street, Washington Post, Republicans, Democrats, New, Democrat Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Oklahoma, New York

☆ Angela Chao, C.E.O. of Family’s Big Shipping Company, Dies at 50
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Keith Bradsher | Michael Forsythe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Angela Chao, the chief executive of a shipping company and part of a family prominent in American politics and business deals with China, died in a car crash on Sunday, in Texas. Ms. Chao had since 2018 been the chair and chief executive of the Chao family’s Foremost Group, which operates a global fleet of bulk carrier ships. Elaine Chao is married to Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate Republican leader. The Chao family, led by Angela and Elaine Chao’s father, James S.C. Chao, stands out because of its deep political and commercial ties in both the United States and China. He moved to the United States in 1958 and helped found the Foremost Group in 1964.

Persons: Angela Chao, Chao, Elaine Chao, Donald J, Trump, George W, Bush, Mitch McConnell of, Angela, Elaine Chao’s, James S.C, . Chao, Jiang Zemin Organizations: Republican, Nationalists Locations: China, Texas, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, United States, Taiwan, Shanghai

☆ How Senate Democrats Flipped the Border Issue on Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To Mr. Schumer of New York, the majority leader, the ultimatum revived unpleasant memories of his participation in difficult immigration negotiations in 2013 that yielded a compromise, only to collapse despite strong bipartisan support in the Senate. But saying no could doom the Ukraine aid and leave Democrats holding the bag. He and his staff grappled with the problem for a week, then gathered for a conference call on Sunday, Nov. 5. “We had an epiphany — sort of, lightning strikes,” Mr. Schumer recalled in an interview. The final package notably did not contain new border security provisions, after Senate conservatives opted to kill that element of the legislation despite their initial insistence that it be included.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, “, ” Mr, it’s Organizations: Kentucky Republican, Democratic, Capitol Locations: Ukraine, New York, Israel, U.S

☆ Washington D.C. is the 'loneliest city' in America for the second year in a row, says new Chamber of Commerce data
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

More than 37 million Americans live alone or about 29% of all U.S. households, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. The covid-19 pandemic helped accelerate the rise of solo living, with 2.4 million more people living alone today than in 2019. The report looked at the number of one-person households in each city as well as the number of males and females living in one-person households. Data from the American Community Survey was not available for 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic. Data for the following cities was not available for 2022, so they were omitted from the analysis: Macon, Georgia; Louisville, Kentucky; Columbus, Georgia; Spokane Valley, Washington and Rancho, California.

Organizations: U.S . Census, American Community Survey, Commerce, American, Survey Locations: U.S, America —, Macon , Georgia, Louisville , Kentucky, Columbus , Georgia, Spokane Valley , Washington, Rancho , California

☆ Wendy’s newest breakfast item is made by another fast-food chain
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Wendy’s is sweetening its breakfast lineup with a new treat that comes from an unusual place: Another fast food chain. Also, most Cinnabon locations haven’t yet opened for the day when Wendy’s sells breakfast, which ends at 10:30 am. Perhaps Wendy’s adding cinnamon pull-aparts might entice some dissatisfied customers of McDonald’s, which last year scrapped its McCafé bakery lineup that also included a cinnamon roll. The “Cinnabon Pull-Aparts” are made from sweetened dough that’s dunked in a glaze then baked with cinnamon, brown butter and sugar. The chain previously predicted that breakfast would make 10% of its sales, with figures reaching 8.5% in 2021 before Wendy’s stopped reporting individual sales for the morning menu.

Persons: New York CNN —, Wendy’s, Cinnabon, Jonathan Maze, “, ” Maze, McDonald’s, It’s, ”, John Li, “ Cinnabon, Todd Penegor, it’s, Wendy’s Li, ” Li Organizations: New, New York CNN, Subway, CNN, Culinary Innovation, Bell Locations: New York, Indiana, Kentucky

We've got you covered when looking for how to buy tickets for Blink 182's 2024 tour. Blink 182 2024 tour scheduleThe One More Time Tour, a North American extension of the 2023/2024 World Tour, begins on June 20. How much are Blink 182 tickets? Ticket prices to Blink 182's 2024 concert series vary by date, location, and demand for each show. On StubHub, the least expensive Blink 182 2024 tour tickets begin between $36 (Lexington, Kentucky on August 1) and $212 (Salt Lake City, Utah on July 11).

Persons: Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker –, We've, Pierce, StubHub Organizations: Business, FL, UT, SC, Ticketmaster, America Locations: North America, Orlando , Florida, American, United States, Canada, Toronto, Orlando, Miami, Antonio, Worth , TX, Denver, Diego, Glendale, AZ, Vegas, Angeles, CA, Fresno, Francisco, Lake City, Portland, Quincy, WA, Flushing, NY, Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, Washington, Greenville, Raleigh, NC, Lexington, KY, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Louis, Detroit, MI, Columbus, ON, Kansas City , Missouri, Fort Worth , Texas, Lexington , Kentucky, Salt Lake City , Utah, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Ireland

As advocates push this year for ballot measure initiatives aiming to protect abortion rights, key differences have emerged in the language of proposed measures. Among them is the inclusion of mental health exceptions. Meanwhile, proposed ballot measure language in Arkansas only says “physical health,” excluding a mental health exception. “We don’t as a society have a great track record of treating mental health the same way we do physical health.”Policies that dismiss mental health as less important than physical health put lives at risk, said Columbia University psychiatrist Paul Appelbaum. We felt it was unlikely for a version that explicitly names mental health to pass.”Arkansas advocates were also worried the opposition campaign would target a mental health exception, Diaz said.

Persons: Kaniya Harris, Harris, don’t, “, ”, Roe, Wade, Michelle Oberman, ” Oberman, Paul Appelbaum, Appelbaum, ” Jayme Trevino, Mallory Schwarz, —, Gennie Diaz, ” Diaz, Diaz, Ingrid Duran, Duran Organizations: CHICAGO, Alabama, U.S, Supreme, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Santa Clara University, Columbia University, American Psychiatric Association, OB, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Republican, Associated Press, AP Locations: Bethesda , Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, Arizona, Michigan, Arkansas, Florida , Montana and Nebraska, — Florida, Georgia , Idaho , Iowa , Kentucky, Louisiana , Ohio , Tennessee, West Virginia, Wyoming, Alabama, ” Arkansas, Santa

☆ Why the New York special election for George Santos’ seat matters
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The special election in New York’s 3rd Congressional District to succeed the infamous George Santos offers perhaps the best chance to test Democrats’ theory ahead of the presidential election. The candidate favored by Democrats won a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, which gave the more liberal justices a majority on that court. Of course, we’re now in a presidential election year, and there are also signs that these off-year results may have been pointing at something important. All the other competitive races were state elections, and voting patterns between US House and presidential elections are far more correlated than they are for state offices and presidential elections. Moreover, that 3-point Republican edge in 2022 looks a lot like Trump’s current advantage over Biden among registered voters nationally.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, George Santos, Tom Suozzi, Mazi Pilip, Biden, Santos, we’re, Donald Trump, Pilip, hasn’t, there’s Organizations: CNN — Democrats, Congressional District, Biden, Newsday, Siena, Republicans, Senate, Kentucky, Virginia Senate, Virginia House, Democrats, Wisconsin Supreme, Voters, Democratic, New York Times, Republican Locations: New York’s, Nassau, Long, Nassau County, Queens, Long Island, Virginia, Wisconsin, York

☆ Prevailing on Ukraine Funding, McConnell Took Political Hits
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Senator Mitch McConnell put his standing on the line in aggressively pursuing military assistance for Ukraine over deep Republican resistance, and he achieved the outcome he wanted: a strong Senate vote to bolster embattled U.S. allies at a critical moment. “History settles every account,” Mr. McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader, said in a statement issued early Tuesday, minutes after the Senate voted 70 to 29 for a $95 billion foreign aid package. “And today, on the value of American leadership and strength, history will record that the Senate did not blink.”But his hard-fought legislative victory came at a cost. The bitter Senate fight over the aid package — money that Mr. McConnell framed as essential to preserving Western power — exposed serious divisions among Senate Republicans not just over Ukraine and border security policy but over his leadership. The fallout underscored Mr. McConnell’s waning influence over his party’s rank and file and raised new questions about his future.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, ” Mr, McConnell Organizations: Republican, Senate, Republicans Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Kentucky

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Darrion Williams had a perfect night for Texas Tech, and the Red Raiders never trailed in a lopsided victory over sixth-ranked Kansas. I do believe the game rewards those people that play it to win,” Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland said. Williams hit a 3 on the first shot of the game for the Red Raiders (18-6, 7-4 Big 12). He was part of two NCAA Tournament teams while playing 79 games in three seasons at Texas Tech from 2019-22. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders improved to 13-1 at home.

Persons: — Darrion Williams, Williams, “, Grant McCasland, ”, Kevin McCullar Jr, Dajuan Harris, “ We're, Bill Self, Self, Hunter Dickinson, ” Pop Isaacs, Warren Washington, Nicolas Timberlake, Johnny Furphy, Harris, Dickinson, McCullar, Joe Toussaint's, Kerwin Walton, Isaacs, Kansas, KJ Adams, ___ Organizations: Texas Tech, Red Raiders, Kansas, ” Red Raiders, NCAA, ESPN, Baylor, ” Jayhawks, Tech, Jayhawks, Texas, Kentucky, Big, Top, . Texas Tech, UCF, NEXT Kansas, Iowa State, AP Locations: LUBBOCK , Texas, Texas, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma

Johnson isn't buying arguments from the bill's Republican backers that she didn't inspire the proposed change to a longstanding law. Republican state lawmakers who favor the ban have argued that winning twice often means abandoning the lower office, creating a costly special election. Johnson narrowly escaped expulsion last year for her role in a pro-gun control protest inside the Tennessee House chamber. Republican lawmakers are considering changes that target Jones and Pearson, too. In California, a judge ruled Republican state Assemblymember Vince Fong could run for Congress and reelection to his state seat at the same time.

Persons: Johnson, David Hawk, Republican Sen, Marsha Blackburn, “ That’s, Ron DeSantis, Rand Paul, Paul, Sen, Cory Booker, Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's, Joe Lieberman, Al Gore's, Blackburn, Gloria Johnson, ”, Abigail Sigler, Blackburn's, she’s, Randy McNally, Justin Pearson, Justin Jones, Pearson, Jones, Vince Fong, State Shirley Weber, Marc Levy, Adam Beam, Sean Murphy, Amy Beth Hanson, John Hanna Organizations: Republican, National Conference of State Legislatures, Republican Gov, Republican U.S, Sen, Kentucky GOP, Democratic, Former U.S . Rep, statehouse, Covenant, Tennessee, Congress, State, Democrats, Associated Press Locations: Tennessee, Knoxville, Kentucky, Montana , Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona , Florida, Hawaii, Georgia, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Wisconsin, U.S, Connecticut, Washington, California, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Sacramento , California, Oklahoma City, Helena , Montana, Topeka , Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate early Tuesday passed a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, pushing ahead after months of difficult negotiations and amid growing political divisions in the Republican Party over the role of the United States abroad. But a bipartisan deal on border security struck by Republican Sen. James Lankford fell apart just days after its unveiling, a head-spinning development that left negotiators deeply frustrated. After the border bill collapsed, the two leaders abandoned the border provisions and pushed forward with passing the foreign aid package alone — as Democrats had originally intended. In an unusually raw back-and-forth, GOP senators who support the aid challenged some of the opponents directly on the floor. Turner posted on X, formerly Twitter, after the trip that “I reiterated America’s commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.”But Speaker Johnson is in a tough position.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, It’s, ”, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Jeff Merkley, Peter Welch of, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden's, Schumer, McConnell, “, ” McConnell, Republican Sen, James Lankford, J.D, Vance, Russia's Putin, Putin, Kentucky Sen, Rand Paul, Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, ” Tillis, ” Sen, Jerry Moran, Moran, Trump, Russia “, Mike Turner, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Turner, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, ” Johnson, Abigail Spanberger, Zelenskyy, ” Spanberger, Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Republican Party, Ukraine, Republican, Republicans, Sens, Ukraine —, GOP, U.S . Senate, Trump, Ohio Republican, Kentucky, NATO, House Republicans, House Intelligence, Russia, ”, Senate, Virginia Democrat, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, United States, U.S, Oregon, Peter Welch of Vermont, Russia, Kyiv, China, Gaza, Ohio, Carolina, Europe, America, Virginia

He said he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” with a NATO member country who did not meet its defense spending guidelines. How Did Trump Mischaracterize NATO Defense Funding? That stance is not tied in any way to the 2% defense spending target. Which Countries Meet NATO’s 2% Defense Spending Goal? They were:How Did Leaders and Lawmakers React to Trump’s Recent NATO Comments?

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, we're, ”, Kathleen McInnis, “, ” McInnis, aren't, it's, United States doesn't, Jens Stoltenberg, Trump’s, ” Stoltenberg, NATO Ally, Joe Biden, Nikki Haley –, –, Rand Paul of Kentucky, he’s, ” Sen, Marco Rubio, It’s, Lindsey Graham of Organizations: NATO, Trump, Press, Donald Trump View, Ukraine, Center, Strategic, International Studies, NPR, “, South Carolina Gov, Republican, CBS, Sen, GOP, CNN, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, The New York Times Locations: South Carolina, Russia, Germany, France, Norway, NATO, United States, U.S, ” U.S, Florida, Lindsey Graham of South

☆ Bob Edwards, longtime host of NPR’s ‘Morning Edition,’ dies at 76
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Bob Edwards, the longtime National Public Radio host and a goliath of the broadcasting world, died on Saturday, his wife, NPR reporter Windsor Johnston, confirmed in a Facebook post. “Bob Edwards understood the intimate and distinctly personal connection with audiences that distinguishes audio journalism from other mediums, and for decades he was a trusted voice in the lives of millions of public radio listeners,” NPR CEO John Lansing said in a statement Monday. “Staff at NPR and all across the Network, along with those millions of listeners, will remember Bob Edwards with gratitude.”Edwards began his 30-year tenure at NPR in 1974, when the network was still in its infancy. He co-hosted “All Things Considered,” NPR’s evening show, before spearheading “Morning Edition” as its inaugural host in 1979, a position he held until 2004. “Morning Edition will continue to be my first source for news,” he wrote in a letter to listeners about his exit.

Persons: Bob Edwards, Windsor Johnston, “ Bob Edwards, John Lansing, ” Edwards, Ellen McDonnell, Edwards, Bob, ”, “, we’ve, It’s, Edward R, Murrow, Gabriel, Alfred I, du Pont, Red Barber, “ Edward R Organizations: New, New York CNN, longtime National Public Radio, NPR, “ Staff, Los Angeles Times, University of Louisville, US Army, American Forces Korea Network, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Catholic Association of Broadcasters, Columbia University Award, Radio Hall of Fame, Journalism Locations: New York, Kentucky, New Albany , Indiana

☆ Bob Edwards, Longtime Host of NPR’s ‘Morning Edition,’ Dies at 76
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Trip Gabriel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Bob Edwards, the host of NPR’s “Morning Edition” for nearly a quarter-century, whose rich baritone and cool demeanor imbued his radio broadcasts with authority in reaching millions of listeners, died on Saturday in Arlington, Va. His death, at a rehabilitation facility, was from heart failure and complications of bladder cancer, his wife, Windsor Johnston, said. Mr. Edwards, a Kentucky native who knew from an early age that he wanted to be in radio, joined NPR in 1974, during the Watergate hearings. Its success led to the spinoff “Morning Edition” in 1979. Mr. Edwards began as a 30-day temporary host of that program before going on to serve as its anchor for 24 and a half years.

Persons: Bob Edwards, Windsor Johnston, Edwards, ’ Organizations: NPR Locations: Arlington , Va, Kentucky

☆ Where to see April’s total solar eclipse
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Marnie Hunter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —The total solar eclipse passing over a swath of North America is less than two months away. The August 2017 total solar eclipse is seen from John Day Fossil Beds National Monument near Mitchell, Oregon. There’s a lunchtime Solar Eclipse Watch Party in downtown Dallas on eclipse Monday with live music and food trucks. Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis is located along the center line of the path of totality for the April 8 total solar eclipse. The city’s last total solar eclipse was nearly 100 years ago on January 25, 1925, according to a Rochester eclipse website.

Persons: it’s, Airbnb, “, John, Adrees Latif, Dave Clark, that’s, Clark, Michael Zeiler, GreatAmericanEclipse.com, Jay Anderson, ”, ” Anderson, Cerra, David Esquivel, Esquivel, El, Natalia Silyanov, There’s, Christopher Roth, Anderson, Adam Stiles, Catharines, Geoff Robins, haven’t Organizations: CNN, Reuters, CNN Travel, Planetarium Torreón, Astronomical Society of Mazatlán, Llano Visitor Center, Chamber of Commerce, Enchanted, Natural Area, Natural, ., Dallas , Texas Dallas, Eclipse Watch Party, Dallas, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Arboretum, Botanical, Sixth, Eclipse, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASA, Indy, Euclid, Great Lakes Science Center, NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Circle, Cleveland Museum of, Wade, Wade Oval, Destination Cleveland, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Niagara Falls Tourism, Niagara Parks, . Parks, Getty Locations: North America, Mexico, Canada, Texas , Oklahoma , Arkansas , Missouri , Illinois , Kentucky , Indiana , Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York , Vermont , New Hampshire, Maine, Texas, Mitchell , Oregon, Torreón, Mexican, Coahuila, That’s, las, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, El Faro, Llano , Texas, Llano, Enchanted Rock, Dallas , Texas, Dallas, Fort Worth, Dealy, Russellville , Arkansas, Russellville, Indianapolis , Indiana Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Cleveland , Ohio Cleveland, Lake Erie, Edgewater, Euclid Beach, There’s, Cleveland, Independence, North Olmsted, Beachwood, Westlake, Destination Cleveland . Rochester , New York Rochester, Rochester, Ontario, Niagara, Niagara Falls, The City, St, ., AFP

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez Smith, a renowned soprano known for her performance in the 1981 French cult-classic film “Diva” and who sang through the U.S. and Europe during her operatic career, has died at age 75. Funeral services were held Friday for Fernandez Smith at a church in Lexington, Kentucky, where she had moved after residing for years in her native Philadelphia. She died of cancer Feb. 2 at her home in Lexington, daughter Sheena Maria Fernandez told The Philadelphia Inquirer. Billed as Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez, she opened the movie directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix wearing a white gown and singing in an aging theater the aria “Ebben? “Wilhelmenia was always a very quiet person and did not crave the limelight,” Everett McCorvey, director of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, told the Lexington newspaper.

Persons: — Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez Smith, ”, Fernandez Smith, Sheena Maria Fernandez, Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez, Jean, Jacques Beineix, La Wally, “, Andrew Smith, “ Wilhelmenia, ” Everett McCorvey, Fernandez Smith’s, Kerr Organizations: U.S, Philadelphia Inquirer, Academy of Vocal Arts, Juilliard School, Filmmakers, Inquirer, Kentucky State University, Lexington Herald, Baptist Church, University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, Lexington Locations: LEXINGTON, Ky, Europe, Lexington , Kentucky, Philadelphia, Lexington, New York, Paris, Kentucky

☆ McConnell’s GOP critics grow louder as party descends into feud over Ukraine and immigration
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Manu Raju | Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Mitch McConnell had long prided himself on maintaining GOP unity during his 17-year tenure as Senate GOP leader. Now they’ve spilled into public view as the Kentucky Republican heads into what could be his final year as leader. “We did what Donald Trump wanted.”With McConnell’s backing, the Senate is now taking a different approach. “Sen Cruz talks every day with his colleagues, and his conversations with fellow senators are confidential,” the Cruz spokesperson said. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama and close Trump ally, said that “everybody” has concerns about McConnell’s handling of the talks.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, That’s, Donald Trump, McConnell, “, Mitch, ”, Sen, Kevin Cramer, “ Mitch, he’s, Cramer, Larry Hogan, ” McConnell, Trump, Alex Brandon, …, I’ve, Josh Hawley, Republican Sen, Rand Paul, what’s, McConnell’s, GOP Sen, James Lankford of, –, Trump –, “ Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, John Cornyn of, John Thune of, John Barrasso of, ” Sen, Ron Johnson of, “ He’s, Florida Sen, Rick Scott, ” “, Ted Cruz, “ McConnell, Chip Somodevilla, Cruz, nodded, “ Cruz, “ Sen Cruz, Mike Rounds, Rounds, ” McConnell’s, Tucker Carlson, ” Romney, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, ” CNN’s Morgan Rimmer Organizations: GOP, Kentucky Republican, North Dakota Republican, Republican, Democratic, Senate, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Missouri Republican, Republicans, Lankford, Committee, Texas Republican, CNN, Trump, Capitol Locations: Ukraine, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, Missouri, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Utah, Israel, Taiwan, Sens, John Cornyn of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Washington ,, South Dakota, Alabama

WASHINGTON (AP) — As a growing number of Republicans oppose U.S. aid to Ukraine, the Senate's leaders are arguing in strong terms that the money is crucial to pushing back against Russian President Vladimir Putin and maintaining America's global standing. In the Capitol for a rare weekend session, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky issued stark warnings about the consequences of abandoning longtime U.S. allies in Europe. “Today it’s no exaggeration to say that the eyes of the world are on the United States Senate,” McConnell said. He recounted a story he has told before about an unidentified NATO member who confronted him over his threat not to help them. Objections from Republicans adamantly opposed to the aid have delayed quick action, forcing the weekend votes as negotiations continue over potential amendments to the legislation.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, ” McConnell, “, Donald Trump, Trump, ”, McConnell, ” Schumer, doesn’t, “ Putin, Schumer Organizations: WASHINGTON, Russian, Capitol, Kentucky, United States Senate, Republican, NATO, GOP, Trump, Senate Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Israel, South Carolina, Russia, U.S, Kyiv, Taiwan, China, Gaza

☆ Putin gets a propaganda opportunity as Congress dithers over Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

► Russian President Vladimir Putin was about to be isolated worldwide as a pariah. They also fact-check Carlson on his assertion that US media organizations have not tried to interview Putin. From their report:In fact, journalists have repeatedly been requesting interviews with Putin, but the Russian president had declined to grant access. Ukraine funding has run dryThe Pentagon has essentially exhausted the money Congress allocated for Ukraine over the past two years. In the Senate, there is support for Ukraine aid.

Persons: Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin, ► Elon Musk, Donald Trump, ► Putin, Carlson, Trump, Joe Biden, Putin, X Carlson, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, ”, Darcy, Alexei Navalny, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Vadim Krasikov, CNN’s Nathan Hodge, Katharina Krebs, Helen Regan, Tucker Carlson's, CNN Putin, Webster, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valerii, Zelensky, Biden, autocrats, Sen, Rand Paul of, Mitch McConnell, Mike Johnson, Johnson Organizations: CNN, Fox News, unflappable, Twitter, Republicans, Republican, Pentagon, SpaceX, Putin, Street, Big Tech, Trump, Biden, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, bewilderment, US, Chechen, Berlin, Russian, West, Ukrainian, Mariupol, Merriam, Israel, Rand Paul of Kentucky

☆ Trump says US should no longer provide foreign aid unless it’s structured as a loan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Kate Sullivan | Shania Shelton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The day before the Senate is set to begin voting on a $95.3 billion foreign aid package that would provide for Israel and Ukraine, former President Donald Trump on Saturday said the US should stop providing foreign aid unless it is structured as a loan. Trump’s comments come after he launched a torrent of attacks on a $118 billion bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package that Senate Republicans ended up blocking Wednesday. The former president’s comments Saturday suggest the new foreign aid package, on which the Senate is slated to begin procedural votes Sunday, will end up similarly torpedoed. Trump celebrated the failure of the $118 billion bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package at a rally on Saturday. The $95.3 billion foreign aid package the Senate is currently working to pass was advanced on Thursday on a tally of 67 to 32.

Persons: Donald Trump, “, ” Trump, — James Lankford of, Joe, Republican Sen, Rand Paul, Kentucky —, ” Paul, CNN’s Manu Raju, Mike Johnson Organizations: CNN, UNITED STATES, Republicans, Trump, Israel, West Bank, White House, Republican, Senate, Russia Locations: Israel, Ukraine, — James Lankford of Oklahoma, Conway , South Carolina, Russia, Gaza, Trump

☆ Herculaneum scrolls: Philosopher’s words emerge from ancient artifacts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And now, researchers investigating artifacts from the neighboring city of Herculaneum are using new technology to peek beneath Vesuvius’ blanket of ash and mud to uncover more of history’s best kept secrets. The wonderOne of the Herculaneum scrolls undergoes analysis using lasers. EduceLab/University of KentuckyArtificial intelligence has revealed the first nearly complete passages to be decoded from the charred, brittle Herculaneum scrolls. Mimas could change the way scientists understand ocean worlds across our solar system, which may harbor life beyond Earth. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world.

Persons: Julius Caesar’s, papyrologists, Philodemus, ”, Roger Macfarlane, Drake, Nima Sarikhani, Joshua Newton, Frédéric, IMCCE Mimas, —, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, University of Kentucky, Brigham Young University, Wildlife, Perth Zoo, Curtin University’s School, Molecular, Life Sciences, “, PACE, CNN Space, Science Locations: Herculaneum, South America, Antarctica, British, Western, London

Senators conducted a late-night vote Friday, advancing to next steps as they spin through objections from a core group of Republicans. More closely aligned with Donald Trump, the GOP's presidential front-runner, the Republican senators aren't putting a priority on stopping Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion. Attendance slipped Friday night as senators advanced the bill, 64-19, with 14 Republicans joining Democrats to move it forward. "The failure of the United States Congress, if it occurs, not to support Ukraine, is close to criminal neglect,” Biden said. In a key vote Thursday, 17 Republican senators agreed to start debate on the bill — but 31 voted against it.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, aren't, Vladimir Putin's, Chuck Schumer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden, ” Biden, Olaf Scholz, Trump, ” Sen, Mike Lee, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, ” McConnell, Sen, Dan Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Senators groused, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Bernie Sanders, Sanders, Netanyahu, “, ”, Chris Van Hollen, Mike Johnson Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Senate, Republican, New York Democrat, Republicans, Democrats, Ukraine, White, United States Congress, GOP, Capitol, Senators, European Union Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Israel, U.S, Europe, Taiwan, China, Gaza, Central, United States, Utah, Alaska, Rafah, “, Vermont, Maryland, Washington

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