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Tensions erupt between McCarthy and Gaetz at closed-door House GOP meeting as shutdown nears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

(CNN) — Tensions erupted as House Republicans met behind closed-doors on Thursday, the latest sign of deep divisions and infighting as the House GOP conference has failed to coalesce around a plan to avert a shutdown.GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and Speaker Kevin McCarthy got into a testy exchange during the meeting, according to a source in the room. Gaetz stood up and confronted McCarthy about whether his allies were paying conservative influencers to bash Gaetz in social media posts – an allegation circulating on social media and one the speaker’s office has denied.McCarthy’s response, according to the source in the room, was that he wouldn’t waste his time or money on Gaetz. Another source said McCarthy also shot back that he doesn’t know what Gaetz is spending time on, but he (the speaker) is donating $5 million to help keep the majority.McCarthy and Gaetz have long had a tense relationship and Gaetz has led the charge in threatening to force a vote to oust the speaker as pressure ...

Pokémon teams up with Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

(CNN) — Pokémon is partnering with the Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam as part of a new collaboration to teach youngsters about the work of one of the Netherlands’ most famous artists.A number of Pokémon-themed exhibits will run at the Van Gogh Museum from Thursday as part of the museum’s 50th anniversary celebrations, according to a press release published Wednesday.“This collaboration will allow the next generation to get to know Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way. The Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company have drawn on many years of educational expertise to create a special experience for children, their supervisors, and we hope many others at the Van Gogh Museum,” said Emilie Gordenker, general director of the Van Gogh Museum, in the release.One activity teaches visitors how to draw Pikachu, the yellow character that is one of the most recognizable faces of the Pokémon brand, while another lays out the connection between Van Gogh...

Convicted felon suspected of killing a 26-year-old Baltimore tech CEO is arrested at a train station

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

(CNN) — A convicted felon suspected of killing tech executive Pava LaPere in Baltimore this week has been arrested, ending a dayslong manhunt across the city, police said early Thursday.Jason Dean Billingsley was wanted on first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the death of LaPere, the 26-year-old CEO of Baltimore-based startup EcoMap Technologies, Baltimore police said.Billingsley was arrested at a train station in Bowie, Maryland, Deputy US Marshal Albert Maresca Jr. told CNN affiliate WBAL. Bowie is about 25 miles southwest of downtown Baltimore.Police did not immediately provide details about the arrest, but said more information would be announced in a news conference at 11 a.m. ET Thursday.LaPere was reported missing Monday morning and was found dead hours later in a downtown Baltimore apartment building with apparent blunt force trauma to her head, police said. Officials had urged the public to come forward with any informa...

As Swiftmania sweeps the NFL, Travis Kelce mum on details of relationship with superstar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travis Kelce called an appearance by Taylor Swift at the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the Chicago Bears last weekend pretty bold, but the All-Pro tight end insisted Wednesday that he wants to keep future details about their relationship private.Kelce discussed the pop superstar’s well-publicized appearance in a suite at Arrowhead Stadium on his podcast, “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.” The younger of the Kelce brothers said it was “awesome” how everyone treated Swift during her time in his suite, and he was in awe of the way the 12-time Grammy Award-winner connected with his mom, Donna.“She looked amazing,” said Kelce, who had invited Swift to the game after trying — and failing — to give her a friendship bracelet when her Eras Tour made its stop in Kansas City. “Everybody was talking about her and in a great light. And on top of that, you know, the day went perfect for Chiefs fans. Of course, we ...

Michael Gambon, veteran actor who played Dumbledore In 'Harry Potter' films, dies at age 82

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Michael Gambon, the Irish-born actor knighted for his storied career on the stage and screen and who gained admiration from a new generation of moviegoers with his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films, has died. He was 82.A statement by his family, issued by his publicist Thursday, said the actor died following “a bout of pneumonia.”“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside,” his family said.While the Potter role raised Gambon’s international profile and found him a huge audience, he had long been recognized as one of Britain’s leading actors. His work spanned TV, theater and radio, and he starred in dozens of films from “Gosford Park” and “The King’s Speech” to the animated family movie “Paddington.” He recently appeared in the Judy Garland biopic “Judy,” released in 2019. Gambon was...

The American soldier who bolted into North Korea 2 months ago has returned to the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The American soldier who sprinted into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas more than two months ago was whisked to a Texas Army base Thursday for medical checks and interviews after his return to the U.S., according to the Pentagon.North Korea abruptly announced a day earlier that it would expel Pvt. Travis King. His return was organized with the help of ally Sweden and rival China, according to the White House. While officials have said King, 23, is in good health and the immediate focus will be on caring for him and reintegrating him into U.S. society, his troubles are likely far from over. King, who had served in South Korea, ran into the North while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the isolated country in nearly five years. At the time, he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault convict...

Biden is targeting Trump’s ‘extremist movement’ as he makes democracy a touchtone in reelection bid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — President Joe Biden is ready to argue “there is something dangerous happening in America” during a speech in Arizona on Thursday as he revives his warnings that Donald Trump and his allies represent an existential threat to the country’s democratic institutions.“There is an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs of our democracy. The MAGA movement,” Biden says in excerpts of the speech released in advance by the White House, referring Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan.Although voting in the 2024 Republican primary doesn’t begin for months, Biden’s focus reflects Trump’s status as the undisputed frontrunner for his party’s nomination despite facing four indictments, two of them related to his attempts to overturn Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.Biden’s speech is his fourth in a series of presidential addresses on the topic, a cause that is a touchstone for him as he tries to remain in office even in...

Quebec police watchdog investigating shooting of Legault, Trudeau threat suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

SCOTSTOWN, Que. — Quebec’s police watchdog is investigating after a member of a provincial police tactical team shot a man suspected of making threats toward Premier François Legault and Prime Minster Justin Trudeau.The agency, known as the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, says the shooting occurred during an attempted arrest early Wednesday morning at a home in Scotstown, Que., about 180 kilometres east of Montreal.According to the BEI, an officer who was looking through a window shot the suspect when he saw him point a gun toward the door where officers were entering.It says the man was wounded and is in stable condition.Montreal police confirmed late Wednesday that the suspect had allegedly made threats against Legault and Trudeau.Legault’s office said in a statement that it is aware of the situation and that all threats against elected officials are unacceptable and should be denounced. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2023. The Canad...

House Republicans start making their case for President Biden impeachment inquiry at first hearing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After insisting for months that they have the grounds to launch impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden, House Republicans on Thursday opened their first formal hearing to make the case to the public, their colleagues and skeptics in the Senate.The chairmen of the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees are using the first hearing of their impeachment inquiry to review the constitutional and legal questions surrounding their investigation of Biden. They are trying to show what they say are links to his son Hunter’s overseas businesses, though they have yet to produce hard evidence of any serious wrongdoing. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky, the Oversight chairman, said in opening remarks the lawmakers have “a mountain of evidence” that will show that the elder Biden “abused his public office for his family’s financial gain.It’s a high-stakes opening act for Republicans as they begin a process that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a pre...

Israel reopens the main Gaza crossing for Palestinian laborers and tensions ease

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:51 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel reopened a main crossing with the Gaza Strip on Thursday, easing tensions and allowing thousands of Palestinian laborers to enter the country for the first time since it was sealed earlier this month. The opening of the crossing was a sign of de-escalation after two weeks of violent protests along Gaza’s frontier with Israel, where Palestinian demonstrators have thrown explosives and rocks and launched incendiary balloons that have sparked fires in Israeli farmland. The outbreak of protests came as the Hamas militant group that rules Gaza, cash-strapped as its financial crisis worsens, slashed the salaries of its civil servants by nearly half this month. Political analysts have described the protests at the separation fence as an attempt by Hamas to wring concessions from Israel and the militant group’s financial patron, Qatar. Hamas insists that it never called for the protests, though it gave the rallies tacit consent. In response to...