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World’s largest kidney stone removed – and it’s the size of a grapefruit

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

(CNN) — The world’s largest kidney stone has been removed from a patient in Sri Lanka – and it’s about the size of a grapefruit, as long as a banana and as heavy as four hamsters.At 13.372 centimeters (5.26 inches) long and weighing 801 grams (1.76 lbs) the kidney stone broke two world records when it was removed by Sri Lankan Army doctors on June 1.Previously the records were 13 centimeters for length, set in India in 2004, and 620 grams for weight, set in Pakistan in 2008, according to Guinness World Records.Guinness World Records has confirmed that both records have been broken by the Sri Lankan stone, removed at the Colombo Army Hospital.Kidney stones consist of solid pieces of material that crystallize in the kidney, ureters or bladder due to genetic and environmental factors.They are relatively common, affecting around 10% of people at some point in their lives, and some studies suggest they may be becoming even more common.Most types can be prevented by staying hydrated and r...

28-year-old Louisiana woman posed as a teen to enroll in high school, police say

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

(CNN) — A 28-year-old woman in Louisiana posed as a teenager and enrolled in high school because she wanted to learn English, officials said.Martha Jessenia Gutierrez-Serrano, 28, enrolled in Hahnville High School in June 2022 and attended the entire 2022-2023 school year, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.School officials notified the sheriff’s office in May they had received a tip that a student on record as being 17 was in fact an adult in her mid-20s, the release said.Detectives determined Gutierrez-Serrano and her mother, 46-year-old Marta Elizeth Serrano-Alvarado, used a fraudulent passport and birth certificate to enroll Gutierrez-Serrano in school, the sheriff’s office said.Both were arrested this week and charged with one count each of injuring public records, the release said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether they have an attorney.Gutierrez-Serrano told investigators she enrolled in school to learn the English language, St. Charles...

Tom Holland says he gets more love for ‘Lip Sync Battle’ than his movies

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

(CNN) — When the sun shines, Tom Holland and Rihanna can shine together.The “Spider-Man” star appeared on “Lip Sync Battle” back in 2017 and performed to the superstar singer’s hit song, “Umbrella.” People are still talking about it.Holland was asked about the performance in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying he’s “proud” of it.“I like that it left a lasting impact,” he said. “It was an amazing time.”Holland said he had zero issue with the dance moves or the fishnet stockings he wore to get his full Rihanna on.“I’ve grown up in the most non-toxic-masculine environment possible,” he said. “I didn’t realize what I was doing was so forward-thinking.”As much as he enjoyed it, Holland said it’s not something he would repeat.“Because I’ve really worked hard in my career and I’ve really been calculated in deciding what it is I do and when I do it,” the actor said. “And for all the movies that I’m incredibly proud of, the ‘Lip Sync Battle’ is what I get the most complime...

Do Ya Think I’m Guilty? Rod Stewart offers Boris Johnson comeback tips

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

LONDON — Boris Johnson may be facing a ban from the British parliament — but at least Rod Stewart has his back.The veteran rocker — who once declared Blondes Have More Fun — told Sky News Thursday that he “was and still am a big fan of Boris because I think he’s got wonderful charisma.”And he offered to furnish Johnson with some top tips on a comeback.Johnson was the subject of an excoriating report from a top parliamentary committee Thursday, which ruled that he misled MPs on his knowledge of coronavirus rule-busting behavior in government and was “complicit” in an intimidation campaign against the committee’s members. Johnson has dismissed it as a “kangaroo court.”“You knew what you were getting with Boris, you know,” said Stewart in the wake of the report. “It’s not unusual. He’s told a few porkies over the years so I’m not surprised [by the committee’s findings.]”But Johnson, he conce...

Spain’s election won’t disrupt EU presidency, PM Pedro Sánchez says

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez downplayed the prospect that snap elections would disrupt Spain’s upcoming Council presidency as he emphasized making EU reindustrialization his central ambition.Spain takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU for six months on July 1 — just three weeks before holding national elections on July 23, which Sánchez called after a miserable defeat of his socialist party in regional and local elections last month. “Democracy is never a problem,” he said in Madrid, defending the upcoming national vote as he announced Spain’s plan for the presidency. “It’s not the first time in Europe that elections take place during a rotation. There have been changes of government as well,” he said. He underlined how Spain has been preparing for its presidency the past year with “all the institutional, social and political actors.”Sánchez, who is scrapping for his political survival against a possible coaliti...

Eastern European COP summit in limbo over Russian blockade

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

BONN, Germany — Geopolitical tensions have cast doubt on whether Eastern Europe can host next year’s global climate conference. The five U.N. regional groups take turns hosting the COP summit each year, and 2024 should be Eastern Europe’s turn — but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has resulted in a stalemate. The EU has supported Bulgaria’s candidacy, but amid the war in Ukraine, Moscow has vowed to block any EU country from hosting. The regional group has to decide by consensus. On Wednesday night, a last round of talks to break the impasse at preparatory climate talks held in Bonn ended without agreement, according to three people close to the negotiations who were granted anonymity as they’re not cleared to discuss the negotiations publicly.That means the question of where next year’s COP takes place has to be resolved at this year’s climate summit in Dubai, giving the ne...

Closing arguments begin in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

(CNN) — Closing arguments began Thursday morning in the trial of the gunman who killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018.Robert Bowers, 50, has pleaded not guilty to 63 charges, including obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and hate crimes resulting in death. If convicted of any of 22 capital charges, the trial will move to a separate penalty phase, in which the same jury will listen to further evidence and decide whether to sentence him to death.The case stems from the mass shooting on October 27, 2018, in which Bowers stormed into the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood and killed 11 people and wounded six others.Prosecutors called 60 witnesses over more than two weeks to make the case that Bowers carried out the shooting because of his hatred for Jewish people, citing a series of antisemitic comments before, during and after the mass shooting, online and in person. The gunman stated matter-of-fact...

Biden to announce Live Nation and Ticketmaster will allow consumers to see all fees up front

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

(CNN) — President Joe Biden will announce Thursday that entertainment giant Live Nation (LYV) and ticketing behemoth Ticketmaster have pledged to give US consumers the ability to see the full price of tickets up front, minimizing the frequently frustrating experience of watching additional fees add up late in the checkout process when buying online.The announcement comes amid increased pressure on the industry from debacles over exorbitant ticketing fees and as the president has urged Congress to pass legislation targeting other hidden costs paid by consumers throughout the economy. It marks Biden’s latest effort to address kitchen table issues as economic concerns remain top of mind for voters heading into the 2024 election.“President Biden has been working to lower costs for hardworking families by bringing down inflation, capping insulin prices for seniors, and eliminating hidden junk fees,” said National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard in a written st...

Bud Light, America’s top beer for decades, falls to second following LGBTQ+ marketing criticism

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

By DEE-ANN DURBIN (AP Business Writer)After more than two decades as America’s best-selling beer, Bud Light has slipped into second place.Modelo Especial, a Mexican lager, overtook Bud Light in U.S. retail dollar sales in the month ending June 3, according to Nielsen data analyzed by Bump Williams Consulting. Modelo controlled 8.4% of U.S. grocery, convenience and liquor store sales; Bud Light fell to 7.3%. Grupo Modelo, the Mexican brewer, is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the same parent company of Bud Light.It’s a milestone in Bud Light’s months-long sales decline since early April, when critics who were angered by the brewer sending a commemorative can to transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney vowed to boycott the brand. Bud Light has also faced backlash from Mulvaney’s fans, who think the brand didn’t do enough to support her.Dave William, Bump Williams’ vice president of analytics and insights, said Bud Light has been the top-selling U.S. bee...

Closings arguments set in trial of gunman in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:52 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Closings arguments were set to get underway Thursday in the federal trial of a truck driver who killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in the nation’s deadliest attack on Jews.Robert Bowers is charged with 63 criminal counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death. Some of the charges carry a potential death sentence.Bowers’ attorneys did not call any witnesses or present any evidence after conceding at the trial’s outset that he attacked and killed worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018. Seven people were injured in the attack, including five responding police officers.Prosecutors say the 50-year-old was motivated by his hatred of Jewish people. Over 11 days of testimony, jurors learned that Bowers had extensively posted, shared or liked antisemitic and white supremacist content on Gab, a social media platform popular with the far right.The defense ...