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Xavi: Barcelona needs to ‘wake up’ and show some ‘soul’ if it still wants to succeed this season

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

MADRID (AP) — The jeers from the fans and the criticism from the media are usually a sign that things have not been going well for Barcelona.Recent lackluster performances and poor results have left the Catalan club on the brink of a crisis. Coach Xavi Hernández apparently has had enough, and is demanding immediate changes if the team still wants to succeed this season.Xavi didn’t spare anyone in a heartfelt news conference after yet another disappointing performance by his team to beat last-placed Almeria 3-2 in the Spanish league on Wednesday. Fans jeered Barcelona as it struggled against the only team yet to win in La Liga.“If we aren’t going to take our chances, at least we need to be aggressive and show some soul,” he said. “Unless we run like animals we won’t get anywhere. Unless we leave our skin out there we won’t win anything. We need to wake up. It’s not a football issue, it’s about soul.”The coach said the players need to step up and understand that the team can’t live of...

Republican Kim Taylor wins 82nd district race after recount, Democrats maintain majority in Va. House of Delegates

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican Kim Taylor narrowly defeated Democrat Kimberly Pope Adams in their race for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates following a recount.Adams conceded defeat Wednesday after a hearing in Dinwiddie County Circuit Court in which a panel of judges reviewed a handful of disputed ballots.Taylor led by 78 votes, out of nearly 29,000 ballots cast, before the recount. The recount narrowed Taylor’s winning margin by 25 votes, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.Adams congratulated Taylor in a written statement.“This race was far closer than many anticipated, and we petitioned for this recount to ensure every eligible voter had their ballot counted. With the final results in, it is now clear we came up just short,” she said.Taylor, in a written statement, thanked her volunteers and elections officials.“Although this was a long process, we knew November’s results would be upheld,” she said.Even with Taylor’s victory, Democrats w...

Congreso de EEUU cerca de acuerdo sobre seguridad fronteriza

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

En medio de negociaciones, se empieza a dilucidar el bosquejo de un acuerdo sobre inmigración y seguridad fronteriza en el Congreso estadounidense, si bien los legisladores han entrado en receso sin revelar detalles del paquete que será clave para desbloquear la ayuda a Ucrania.Las negociaciones entre la Casa Blanca y senadores clave no se han distanciado de tres áreas principales bajo discusión: endurecer los protocolos para pedir asilo, fortalecer la seguridad fronteriza con más agentes y sistemas tecnológicos y disuadir a los migrantes de hacer la travesía.El líder de la mayoría demócrata en el Senado Chuck Schumer y el líder de los republicanos en esa cámara, Mitch McConnell, en una inusual declaración conjunta, dijeron que las negociaciones avanzan. Se reunieron el miércoles para analizar maneras de impulsar la política fronteriza y permitir el paquete de 110,000 millones de dólares en ayuda para Ucrania, Israel y otros temas de seguridad nacional.“Todos sabemos que hay un prob...

Tinder expands offering of invite-only $499 monthly membership

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

(CNN) — Tinder is now offering users a highly exclusive $499 monthly subscription option, but only if they receive a coveted invitation and get through the application process.Tinder SELECT offers users perks beyond those granted to the average swiper. Paying nearly $6,000 a year gives users the chance to see and be seen by the app’s “most sought after profiles,” to direct message other profiles without first matching, enjoy early access to new features, turn off advertisements and sport a badge on their page announcing their SELECT status.Since the initial batch of invitations went out in September, Tinder has been steadily inviting additional users to apply as part of a gradual expansion, but the option remains highly exclusive.According to the company, less than 1% of the app’s users get a spot.But getting the invite and being willing to hand over nearly $500 is not enough to unlock the new tier. Those online daters who want to join need to first apply, as well as meet ...

Football’s Super League gets win at EU top court

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

European football was rocked on Thursday, as the top European Union court ruled that governing bodies UEFA and FIFA breached competition law by attempting to block the breakaway Super League. The Court of Justice said that the governing bodies had abused their dominant position running the sport and that “FIFA and UEFA rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful.”The judgment is a shock for football on the Continent and threatens to upend nearly 70 years of established governance of the world’s most popular sport. Real Madrid and Barcelona, fronted by Super League promoter company A22 Sports, had accused UEFA of running an illegal monopoly in European football and aimed to topple it from its position as European football’s competition organizer and regulator. While the Spanish giants’ dreams of creating a Super League still ...

Hermes billionaire wants to bequeath fortune to his former gardener

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

London (CNN) — A descendant of Europe’s richest family has reportedly begun a process to adopt his middle-aged former gardener, planning to leave him at least half of his roughly €12 billion ($13 billion) fortune.Nicolas Puech, 80, a fifth-generation descendant of the founder of French luxury goods company Hermes, wants to cancel a contract that would bequeath his fortune to the Isocrates Foundation, which he founded, and instead make his employee a legal heir.Swiss newspapers Tribune de Geneve and 24 heures reported the news earlier this month, describing the potential heir as Puech’s “servant, former gardener and handyman.”The charitable foundation is contesting Puech’s plan to cut ties, which it says it learned of only recently. “From a legal point of view, a unilateral cancellation of the contract of inheritance seems void and unfounded,” the organization said in a statement shared with CNN Wednesday. “The foundation has therefore opposed the cancellation of the contract, w...

Judge halts California law that would have banned carrying concealed firearms in many public places

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

(CNN) — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked parts of a California law that would have banned carrying concealed firearms in certain “sensitive places,” including places of worship, public libraries, amusement parks, zoos and sporting events.California is planning to file an appeal of the decision, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Wednesday, adding that “the court got this wrong.”The law, among a series of gun control measures signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, applies to those with licenses to carry a concealed weapon.US District Judge Cormac Carney granted a preliminary injunction, and indicated that provisions of Senate Bill 2 that were being challenged “unconstitutionally deprive” concealed carry holders of their rights to carry a handgun.The judge called the coverage of California’s law “sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court.”“SB2 turns nearly every public place in California into a ‘sensitive place,...

Chilly Air… For Now

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

Winds have kicked back to the north and chillier air will settle in over the next couple of days. Temps start off near 30 this morning, but won’t move much to the higher side this afternoon as we max out in the low to mid 30s. Factor in a wind that gusts 20-30mph, and it’ll feel cold outside with wind chills staying in the 20s. Even a few gusts to 40mph will be felt across the Cape and Islands. Ready for winter? The winter solstice is this evening, at 10:27pm, marking the official start of astronomical winter. It will feel like winter too with lows dropping into the teens and lower 20s. While the cold air remains tomorrow, the wind will be light, allowing for a chilly day, but a nice one overall too. We’ll warm up a bit over the weekend with more clouds in the mix Sunday. While there may be a spot sprinkle or flurry Sunday morning, expect the pattern to be mainly dry right through Christmas Day. By Christmas Day, temps run near 50! Sorry for those hoping for a whit...

Division 1-2 boys hockey preview: Xaverian, Canton among the teams to beat

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

There might just be a brisk chill in the building. You can hear the occasional puck being shot, echoing as it ricochets off a nearby board.To those here in New England, it is an environment folks know all too well. Finally, high school hockey has made its anticipated return, and this year’s campaign is expected to bring unforgettable highlights.For Xaverian, the wounds are still fresh from last winter’s game at TD Garden, when the Hawks faltered in a 3-2 heartbreaker to Pope Francis during a Div. 1 title bout for the ages.Yet, there is also an enthralling sense of optimism along Clapboardtree Street in Westwood as the program enters a newfound season. As usual, the school returns with a loaded roster, with key contributors such as standout goaltender Cole Pouliot-Porter (93.8% save percentage, 1.97 GAA) coming back.“We are very excited,” said Xaverian coach Dave Spinale. “I would say that certainly having Cole back, it’s wonderful, that he decided to stay and was very happy with the...

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is big, brawny and priced right

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:59:41 GMT

With 2024 around the corner, manufacturers are destined to release vehicles in the fleet in order to keep up with consumer demand and consumer wants. Gas Mileage, new aesthetics, larger capacities, are just a few of the items that come to mind. For Toyota, the 2024 Grand Highlander is their major focus, as if the long-lasting Highlander wasn’t enough for consumers, a bigger and more brawny version hits the dealerships in hopes of keeping up with Jeep’s Grand Wagoneer for a much less price.With 7-passenger vehicles all the craze and 3rd row seat being a more prime component in vehicle sales in 2023, manufacturers are riding that wave into 2024 and releasing bigger than ever vehicles, while smaller SUVs and sedans diminish. For Toyota, bigger is always better as their long history or conquering the large SUV market has always been a priority. The Grand Highlander is no different as it is big and brawny and boasts tremendous legroom and storage capabilities. Our Platinum AWD Gran...