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Media company Axel Springer and OpenAI launch global partnership

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

POLITICO’s parent company Axel Springer announced Wednesday it is partnering with the artificial intelligence company OpenAI to “strengthen independent journalism in the age of artificial intelligence.”Under the new global partnership, the first of its kind, users of OpenAI’s ChatGPT will have access to summaries of “selected global news content” from Axel Springer’s brands, which include POLITICO, Business Insider, and German media outlets Welt and Bild. The articles, including paid content, will be linked to in ChatGPT’s answers.“We are excited to have shaped this global partnership between Axel Springer and OpenAI — the first of its kind,” Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, said. “We want to explore the opportunities of AI empowered journalism — to bring quality, societal relevance and the business model of journalism to the next level.”As part of the deal, OpenAI will use Axel Springer content to train its large language models. Axel Springer is the first publishing hou...

Hunter Biden flouts subpoena for closed-door testimony, demanding to testify publicly: ‘I am here’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

(CNN) — President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden defied Republican investigators’ subpoena for closed-door testimony, demanding to testify publicly Wednesday.In his first public statement since being criminally indicted twice, Hunter Biden, the president’s son, said that he has “made mistakes” but slammed House Republicans for trying to “dehumanize me all to embarrass and damage my father.”“For six years, I have been the target of the unrelenting Trump attack machine shouting ‘Where’s Hunter?’ Well, here is my answer, I am here,” Hunter Biden told reporters outside the Capitol.House Oversight Chairman James Comer and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan repeated their threat to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress after he made his remarks.House Republicans had subpoenaed Hunter Biden to appear for closed-door deposition Wednesday morning to answer questions about his actions as part of search for whether the president committed an impeachable offense in connection to his family’s...

Fatal crash on I-93 in Stoneham under investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

Several lanes on I-93 northbound were closed to traffic Wednesday morning as authorities responded to what state police are calling a “fatal motor vehicle crash.”Posting an update on social media around 9:50 a.m., Massachusetts State Police said the crash appeared to have happened south of Exit 26 and that troopers had launched an investigation.https://twitter.com/MassStatePolice/status/1734948893022978315As of 11 a.m., details on how many vehicles were involved in the crash or the number of victims have not yet been released.As the investigation continues, the MassDOT stated several lanes were closed to traffic, with three right lanes on I-93 northbound shut down at one point.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.https://twitter.com/MassDOT/status/1734944107636641905

Temporary Shelters Opening In North Central Mass.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

With 242 families on a state waiting list for emergency shelter, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay announced Wednesday that it is partnering with a pair of organizations to open temporary, overnight shelters in north central Massachusetts that will serve up to 23 families.The Spanish American Center and Opportunities for Hope plan to use grants to “provide shelter to extremely low-income families with children, and pregnant people who have an urgent and immediate need.” The shelter option will be available to local families and newly arriving migrant families, the United Way said. The locations of the new temporary shelters were not announced due to “security and privacy reasons,” according to a United Way official.Gov. Maura Healey on Nov. 7 announced the grant program, appealing for communal gathering spaces with restroom facilities and heat, such as community centers, school buildings, and places of worship. The United Way released the SafetyNet Shelter ...

Boston Police Guns for Gift Cards buyback program Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

The Boston Police Department is giving residents an opportunity to safely and anonymously dispose of handguns, whether possessed legally or illegally, in exchange for gift cards and amnesty. Guns for Gift Cards will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents who turn over a gun will be given a $100 gift card and, when protocol is properly followed, can breathe easy, safe from prosecution for unlawful possession of that specific firearm, if that situation applies. Legally possessed guns can be exchanged as well. Guns must be delivered unloaded and put in a clear plastic bag, which is then put in another container like a gym bag or a backpack. If handing over ammunition as well, ammunition must be delivered in a separate bag. If transporting the gun by car, it must be transported in the trunk of the vehicle.Guns can be anonymously dropped off at six locations throughout the city:New Life Restoration Temple38-40 Centre St.Codman SquareDorchesterSacred Heart Church...

Healey asks Biden for major disaster declaration after damaging September storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey asked President Biden Wednesday to declare a major disaster in parts of Massachusetts so communities hit by damaging September storms can access federal assistance.Heavy rains and flooding left roads and homes damaged in Leominster and North Attleboro and prompted Healey to declare a four-day state of emergency as crews worked to clean up the municipalities. The storms required evacuations, water rescues, and the construction of temporary roadways so first responders and residents could access homes.Healey, who traveled to North Attleboro and Leominster, said she saw first-hand the “devastating impacts” of the storms.“The extraordinarily heavy rainfall flooded thousands of homes and businesses, destroyed infrastructure, and required a significant public safety response. I’m requesting federal assistance to support our ongoing recovery efforts as communities and residents continue to rebuild,” Healey said in a statement.A president can declare a major disaster for a...

'Always be my second home': Antonio Gates enters Chargers Hall of Fame with message for San Diego

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- When legendary tight end Antonio Gates was inducted into the Los Angeles Chargers' Hall of Fame Sunday, he had a heartfelt message for San Diego.During a halftime ceremony at the Chargers-Broncos game in Inglewood, Gates became the 41st member to be enshrined in the team's Hall of Fame, joining Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson and Charlie Joiner."To the city of San Diego," Gates began, as roars erupted from the crowd. "You supported me. You embraced a 22-year-old kid from Detroit. And you will always be my second home." Watch: Antonio Gates inducted into Chargers Hall of Fame The eight-time Pro Bowler finished his 16-year career with the Chargers -- 14 years in San Diego and two in Los Angeles -- with the most touchdown receptions and multi-touchdown games by a tight end in the National Football League’s history.Gates was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after not having played organized football since his senior season at Detroit’s Central High...

Anthony Anderson to host strike-delayed Emmys ceremony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Anderson has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, and now he’ll be presiding over January’s strike-delayed ceremony.The Fox network announced Anderson will host the Jan. 15 ceremony, which honors the best shows, performances and other work on television.The Emmys are traditionally held in September but have moved into Hollywood’s traditional awards season due to this year’s actors and writers strikes.“Succession” is the leading nominee for its final season, with other HBO series like “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us” also receiving multiple nominations.Anderson is a seven-time leading comedy actor nominee for his starring role in the ABC series “black-ish.” The show ended its groundbreaking eight-season run in 2022.Anderson is no stranger to headlining an awards show — he served as host of the NAACP Image Awards for eight years.The Associated Press

Reaction to the death of Andre-Braugher, including from Terry Crews, David Simon and Shonda Rhimes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

A collection of reactions to the death of Andre-Braugher, the actor whose credits included the gritty “Homicide: Life on The Street” and the silly “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”“I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You left us too soon. You taught me so much. I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you. Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship.” — “Brooklyn 99” co-star Terry Crews, via Instagram.“Deeply saddened by the news of Andre Braugher’s passing. I mourn not only the loss of an extraordinary actor but, more profoundly, the departure of a warm and kind soul. His talent was undeniable, but it was his genuine kindness that truly set him apart. Rest well.” — Shonda Rhimes via Instagram.“Andre Braugher. God. I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful actors. I’ll never work with one better. Stunned and thinking of Ami and his sons and so many mem...

Many top Russian athletes faced minimal drug testing in 2023 ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:58:25 GMT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Two of Russia’s top swimmers have been drug tested by their country’s anti-doping agency only twice apiece in 2023, part of a larger trend in the country that adds an extra layer of uncertainty to the IOC’s decision to allow some Russian athletes to compete next year at the Paris Olympics.The Russian Anti-Doping Agency lists on its website the number of tests it gives to individual athletes, in following a best practice it had long been urged to adapt. It has administered some 10,500 tests in 2023 — a number the IOC highlighted in a memorandum signed by key members of the Olympic movement at a summit last week that “emphasized that doping controls in Russia continue.”Among those tests, only two each were given to defending 100 and 200-meter backstroke champion Evgeniy Rylov and 50-meter backstroke world-record holder Kliment Kolesnikov.Another medal contender, Evgeniia Chikunova, has been tested three times by the agency. A pair of Ru...