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Our galaxy’s black hole spins fast and drags space-time with it, scientists say

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

(CNN) — The supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, Sagittarius A*, is spinning rapidly and altering space-time around it, a new study has found.Space-time is the four-dimensional continuum that describes how we see space, fusing one-dimensional time and three-dimensional space together to represent the space fabric that curves in response to massive celestial bodies.A team of physicists observed the black hole, which is located 26,000 light-years from Earth, with NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, a telescope designed to detect the X-ray emissions from hot regions of the universe. They calculated Sagittarius A*’s rotational speed by using what is known as the outflow method, which looks at radio waves and X-ray emissions that can be found in the material and gases surrounding black holes, otherwise known as the accretion disk, according to the study published October 21 in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.The researchers confirmed that the black hol...

Beyoncé’s mom defends her daughter’s platinum ‘Renaissance’ premiere look

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

(CNN) — Tina Knowles, the woman responsible for giving the Beyoncé Giselle Knowles life, would like to remind Internet commenters that while girls run the world, moms will burn it down if you come after their children.Knowles on Tuesday came to the defense of her superstar daughter against “ignorant, self-hating, racist” statements that the singer endured after debuting a new look at the premiere of “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.”On Saturday, Beyoncé turned heads at the Los Angeles premiere of her film, hitting theaters December 1, with an ethereal head-to-toe look anchored by custom silver gown from Versace and platinum hair.Because we can’t have nice things, the Internet soon had opinions that ranged from glowing to downright gross, prompting a conversation about colorism and, eventually, Knowles’ defense of her daughter.“She does a film, called the renaissance (sic), where the whole theme is silver with silver hair, a silver carpet, and suggested silver attire and you bozos dec...

Elgin marbles row: Labour mocks Rishi Sunak over fight with Greece

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

LONDON — Rishi Sunak was accused of “losing his marbles” over his handling of a major diplomatic spat with Greece.Opposition Labour Leader Keir Starmer launched a pun-filled barrage against Sunak at this week’s session of prime minister’s questions as the row between the U.K. and Greece over custody of the ancient Elgin marbles deepens.Accusing Sunak of engaging in “small politics” for cancelling a meeting Monday with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over his decision to raise the issue of the historic artefacts, Starmer added: “Never mind the British Museum — it’s the prime minister who has obviously lost his marbles.”The marble sculptures were removed from Athens by diplomat and art aficionado Lord Elgin in the 19th century and have been housed in the British Museum since then, despite high-profile campaigning for their return.London and Athens have been locked in a briefing war over the cancelled visit all week, with Sunak’s No.10...

1-year-old child critically injured in Andover crash dies of injuries

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

A 1-year-old girl who was critically injured in a crash on I-495 in Andover on Friday died of her injuries, according to officials.A Massachusetts State Police spokesperson said the 1-year-old child died on Sunday, days after the vehicle she was traveling in crashed off of I-495 North.Authorities at the time said the driver of the vehicle, a 2017 Toyota Camry, lost control of the car around 3:40 a.m., resulting in it going off of the highway, through a grass median and down an embankment before striking a tree.According to state police, the driver suffered minor injuries while the 1-year-old was taken to Lawrence General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was later flown to a hospital in Boston for further treatment before dying of her injuries.“The investigation to determine whether the operator of the Camry will face criminal charges is ongoing,” MSP spokesperson Dave Procopio said in a statement.No additional details were released.

Harris is expected to attend COP28 after pushback over Biden skipping summit, source says

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

Washington (CNN) — Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to attend a global climate summit in Dubai, according to a source familiar with the plans, following pushback over President Joe Biden skipping the opening of the gathering this week.Harris’ expected attendance at COP28 is in line with her recent steps to ramp up public messaging on climate. In recent months, the vice president has attended climate-related events, including talking to students and young voters on an issue central to them.CNN reached out to the vice president’s office for comment. Kirsten Allen, a spokeswoman for Harris, previously said that Harris didn’t have plans to attend the conference. Bloomberg first reported her expected plans.But it also comes after climate activists and experts expressed frustration with Biden missing the gathering this year. Since taking office, Biden has attended the annual UN climate summit in person in 2021 and 2022.A ...

Jonathan Majors assault trial begins Wednesday

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

(CNN) — The trial in the assault and harassment case against Marvel actor Jonathan Majors is set to begin on Wednesday in New York City.The case stems from a March 25 domestic dispute involving Majors and his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Majors has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and aggravated harassment.Following his initial arrest, a Manhattan judge released Majors on his own recognizance and granted a limited order of protection prohibiting contact with Jabbari, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office told CNN at the time.Jabbari claims that Majors struck her “about the face with an open hand, causing substantial pain and a laceration behind her ear,” according to a complaint she filed in New York City in March. She also claims he “put his hand on her neck, causing bruising and substantial pain.”In June, Majors filed a counter-complaint against Jabbari, claiming he was assaulted by her in the same March dispute, according to court fil...

Report: Investors Adding To Mass. Housing Market Strain

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

The housing crisis that has suffocated Massachusetts renters and would-be buyers with record high costs and few options stems from decades of sluggish production and an economy that continues to attract more workers to the greater Boston region.There’s another factor driving the strain, too: profit-seeking investors are snapping up properties at an increasing rate, making it more difficult and pricier for everyone else to compete, according to new research.A report published Tuesday by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council estimates that about one-fifth of all properties in greater Boston between 2004 and 2018 were bought by an investor or speculator, pushing prices upward for everyone else and putting once-affordable homes out of reach for many low- or moderate-income families.“That fact in itself is pretty staggering,” Jessie Partridge Guerrero, the report’s lead author, said in an interview. “I think what’s worse is that this rate is...

The Ravens’ unusual approach that’s helped them lead the NFL in sacks: ‘Being in the same room helps’

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

Nineteen plays and nearly nine minutes. That’s dog years in a football game, but that’s how long the Chargers had possession on a drive that spanned 69 yards and parts of the third and fourth quarters Sunday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where quarterback Justin Herbert was attempting to rally Los Angeles from a 10-point deficit against one of the NFL’s best defenses.Then on third-and-14 from the Ravens’ 16-yard line and with Baltimore showing blitz but only rushing four players, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney ripped past right tackle Trey Pipkins III, hit Herbert as he was about to throw, causing a fumble, and recovered the loose ball.Afterward, Ravens coach John Harbaugh called it the turning point of the game, which Baltimore went on to win, 20-10, to enter its bye week with a 9-3 record that is best in the AFC.“I told him on the sideline [that] he saved us,” defensive tackle Michael Pierce said. “Anytime you’...

Boston Tea Party celebrations start with grave site ceremony, new beer from Sam Adams

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

The first of three ships laden with tea for the Boston Tea Party arrived in the city 250 years ago this week.And on Tuesday, the exact date that the ship had made its stop in 1773, organizers commemorating the semiquincentennial marked the milestone with their first sampling of a new brew at Samuel Adams.A limited edition Green Tea Pale Ale honoring the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party is now available at Samuel Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain and at the brewer’s downtown taproom.“It’s a very impactful environment being in Boston,” said Megan Parisi, head brewer at the downtown taproom. “History is everywhere you’re going to look and walk. You walk on the Freedom Trail to come to our front door here at this tavern. … There’s going to be a good draw to celebrate the Tea Party as well as the beer that is brewed to commemorate it.”Organizers behind a full-scale, live reenactment of the Tea Party scheduled for Dec. 16 stopped by the taproom following a grave marker ceremony at G...

Skateboarder 'not expected to survive' after colliding with minivan: police

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:52:18 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A skateboarder is not expected to survive after colliding with a minivan in Linda Vista Tuesday, said the San Diego Police Department.Shortly before 7:20 p.m., an 18-year-old man was riding his skateboarder eastbound on the 6900 block of Osler Street, on the south side of the Genesee Avenue intersection, against a red light, authorities explained. RV fire leaves family displaced, 2 dogs dead At that same time, a 45-year-old man was driving a Chrysler Pacifica minivan southbound on the 2700 block of Genesee Avenue in the left lane. SDPD said the driver had a green light and struck the skateboarder as he crossed Genesee Avenue. The driver struck the skateboarder with the left front corner of the vehicle, projecting him to the left. At that point, authorities said the skateboarder collided with a Nissan Altima driven by a 25-year-old man, who was stopped at the red turn arrow in the northbound left turn lane.The skateboarder came to rest south of the Nissan Altima in the...