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‘Christmas Tree Cluster’ and a celestial snow globe sparkle in new, starry NASA images

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

(CNN) — New images captured by two of NASA’s space telescopes showcase how the light from young stars can deck the cosmos with holiday cheer.Groupings of stars resembling a Christmas tree aglow with lights and a scintillating snow globe shine in new observations taken by the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope, respectively.NGC 2264, which is about 2,500 light-years from Earth, is also called the “Christmas Tree Cluster,” where a group of young stars surrounded by the gaseous cloud of a nebula call to mind a cosmic evergreen decorated with twinkling lights.The stars are between 1 million and 5 million years old, and vary in size — some are smaller and some larger than our sun. The new composite image, rotated clockwise by 160 degrees so that the top of the tree is upright, includes different wavelengths of light detected by Chandra as well as ground-based surveys.In an animated version of the image, blinking blue and white lights represent the X-ray li...

Driver caught on camera stealing mail in Fort Lauderdale’s South Middle River neighborhood

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

A mailbox menace is on the prowl in Fort Lauderdale, and the driver was caught on camera committing the crime. Twelve days before Christmas, a thief was seen stealing mail in the South Middle River neighborhood.“Shocked, absolutely,” Michael Barger said. “I think it’s because it’s Christmas, hoping for packages or checks.”Another similar theft happened on Dec. 12, at around 5 a.m. when, investigators said, someone in what appeared to be in a lighter colored Lexus turned onto Northwest Sixth Avenue from 15th Street.“Hit my neighbors’ mailbox, opened it, pulled everything out, and then pulled up to my mailbox, opened it, pulled everything out, and then he started going down the street,” said Barger.The subject then went down Sixth Avenue and took the mail that wasn’t theirs. “This is the time of year when everyone comes together and you have someone coming along who just wants to take from the joy and happiness that everyone wants to share around,” ...

Israel uncovers major Hamas command center in Gaza City as cease-fire talks gain momentum

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military on Wednesday said it had uncovered a major Hamas command center in the heart of Gaza City, inflicting what it described as a serious blow to the Islamic militant group as pressure grows on Israel to scale back its devastating military offensive in the coastal enclave.The army said it had exposed the center of a vast underground network used by Hamas to move weapons, militants and supplies throughout the Gaza Strip. Israel has said destroying the tunnels is a major objective of the offensive.The announcement came as Hamas’ top leader arrived in Egypt for talks aimed at brokering a temporary cease-fire and a new deal for Hamas to swap Israeli hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.Israeli leaders have vowed to press ahead with the two-month-old offensive, launched in response to a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas in October that killed some 1,200 people and saw 240 others taken hostage.The offensive has devastated much of northern Gaza,...

Takeaways from Colorado’s historic ruling that Trump is ineligible for office based on 14th Amendment’s ‘insurrectionist ban’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

(CNN) — The Colorado Supreme Court made history Tuesday with an unprecedented, freeze-in-your-tracks ruling that former President Donald Trump is constitutionally ineligible to run in 2024 because the 14th Amendment’s ban on insurrectionists holding public office covers his conduct on January 6, 2021.But importantly, in their 4-3 decision, the Colorado justices paused their decision so Trump can appeal to the US Supreme Court, which his campaign said he will “swiftly” do. The pause means Trump’s spot on the Colorado GOP primary ballot in March might be safe, if the nation’s highest court doesn’t settle the matter quickly.In many ways, the landmark ruling holds Trump accountable for trying to overturn the 2020 election and provides a political punishment for his anti-democratic behavior. The ruling is also a massive vindication for the liberal groups and constitutional scholars of all stripes who championed such 14th Amendment lawsuits despite their long odds.But legal scholars on al...

EU countries reach deal on national spending rules reform

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

BRUSSELS ― EU finance ministers on Wednesday clinched a deal to overhaul the bloc’s spending rules that will enable countries more time to rein in spending.After weeks of fraught negotiations, governments finally agreed to the reformed framework that will set out a laxer pace of debt and deficit reduction than had previously been the case.  “The rules are more realistic ,” Nadia Calviño, finance minister of Spain, which holds the rotating EU presidency, told reporters on Wednesday evening. “They respond to the post-pandemic reality and they incorporate also the lessons learned from the great financial crisis. And I think that from this point of view there is increased ownership.” The decision was taken at a virtual meeting and followed a dinner between the French and German finance ministers in Paris on Tuesday night. The so-called Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) was put on hold at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to allow governments to increase spending in the wake o...

Brookline PD issue warning to parents after arrest of alleged drug dealer accused of targeting teens

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

Police in Brookline are warning local parents after officers recently arrested a man accused of targeting teens with drugs, often selling items bought at pot dispensaries that would end up at Brookline High School.Posting on the department’s Facebook page, Brookline PD said authorities arrested a 22-year-old man in Brookline Village referred to as “Niko,” who would allegedly buy items legally from local marijuana dispensaries and then sell them to underage teenagers.A number of the items ended up on the Brookline HS campus, according to police, where a number of students were caught with the products.“[Niko] is suspected of having many teen customers, although there is no way to know exactly how many he has had over the past several years,” the police department stated. “Many kids [were] unwitting victims of his harmful chemicals and toxins.”Among the items were THC-infused gummies packaged in bags that resemble those of common candies ̵...

State troopers raise thousands in support of retired trooper after Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

A retired state trooper in Braintree recently received some big support just in time for the holidays after fellow troopers stepped in to help him out.Rich White retired from the force in 2018 at the age of 58. Just two months later, he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, which soon made simple tasks like leaving the home challenging. Seeking to lend a hand, the State Police Commissioned Officers Association raised thousands of dollars for a new ramp to help White get in and out of his home. “He will always be part of the team,” said State Police Lieutenant Daniel Popovich. “He will always be part of the state police and we don’t forget our members.”A former boat captain and member of the dive team, White’s career was filled with notable missions, including the recovery of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s plane. “He was a great teacher and an awesome mentor,” Popovich said.After his diagnosis, White’s wife, Heidi, said he was losing words. He has also started using a wh...

Patriots-Broncos injury report: Hunter Henry among 4 out Wednesday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

Patriots tight end Hunter Henry and safety Jabrill Peppers were newly absent at practice Wedensday.Henry suffered a knee injury in last weekend’s loss to the Chiefs, while Peppers has a new hamstring injury. Backup left tackle Conor McDermott (concussion) and running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) were the other non-participants. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle), left tackle Trent Brown (ankle/hand) and core special teamer Matthew Slater (hamstring) were among the limited.In Denver, the Broncos listed just six players on their initial report. Both teams’ complete injury reports are below.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Rhamondre Stevenson among 3 Patriots starters missing at practice Wednesday New England Patriots | Bailey Zappe’s personal goal to finish Patriots season is an obvious one New England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains why Patriots claimed new QB Nathan Rourke New England Patriots | ...

Supreme Court will hear challenge to EPA rule limiting downwind power plant pollution in 10 states

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

By MARK SHERMAN (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will hear arguments in February on whether the Environmental Protection Agency can continue enforcing its anti-air-pollution “good neighbor” rule in 10 states, an effort to restrict smokestack emissions from power plants and other industrial sources that burden downwind areas with smog-causing pollution.The high court put off a decision on whether to halt enforcement of the rule Wednesday, allowing it to stay in effect at least until after it hears arguments during its February session.The rule is being challenged by three energy-producing states — Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia — as well as industry groups and individual businesses.The EPA declined to comment Wednesday, referring questions to the Justice Department. The Justice Department also declined to comment.The environmental agency said power-plant emissions dropped by 18% in 2023 in the 10 states where it has been allowed to ...

Ticker: IRS to waive $1B in 2020, 2021 penalties; Consumer confidence heading up 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:53:50 GMT

The IRS said Tuesday it is going to waive penalty fees for people who failed to pay back taxes that total less than $100,000 per year for tax years 2020 and 2021.Nearly 5 million people, businesses and tax-exempt organizations — most making under $400,000 per year — will be eligible for the relief starting this week, which totals about $1 billion, the agency said.The IRS temporarily suspended mailing automated reminders to pay overdue tax bills during the pandemic, beginning in February 2022, and agency leadership says the pause in automated reminders is a reason behind the decision to forgive the failure-to-pay penalties.“Due to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, these reminders would have normally been issued as a follow up after the initial notice,” the IRS said in a statement.“Although these reminder notices were suspended, the failure-to-pay penalty continues to accrue for taxpayers who did not fully pay their bills in response to the initial ...