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‘Sesame Street’ welcomes its first Filipino muppet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

(CNN) — There’s a new kid on the block.“Sesame Street” recently introduced TJ, its first Filipino muppet, on a segment with Kal Penn. TJ and his friend Ji-Young, a Korean American muppet who debuted in 2021, talk to the actor about the word of the day: confidence.Confidence, Penn explained, is “when you believe in yourself and your abilities, or in the abilities of others.” TJ marvels at Grover’s confidence as he attempts to jump over the Sesame Street sign while riding a unicycle and balancing a tall stack of books. And when Penn shares with TJ and Ji-Young that he leans on others when he doesn’t feel confident, TJ opens up about his own experiences.“I’m learning Tagalog. It’s a language my Filipino family speaks and I have confidence because I can always ask my lola for help when I don’t know a word,” TJ says.The character of TJ is voiced by puppeteer and performer Yinan Shentu and cr...

Jacklyn Zeman, beloved ‘General Hospital’ star, dead at 70

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

(CNN) — Jacklyn Zeman, who starred on the soap opera “General Hospital” for more than four decades portraying Bobbie Spencer, has died, the show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, announced on Wednesday.She was 70.“Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends and family,” Valentini wrote in a social media post.Zeman first joined the cast of the long-running daytime drama in 1977, according to Imdb.“She leaves behind a lasting legacy for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of the bad girl turned heroine and will always be remembered for her kind heart and radiant spirit,” read a post from the “General Hospital” Twitter account. “We are devastated by the news of her passing, and send our deepest condolences to Jackie’s family, friends and loved ones.”Born in Englewood, New Jersey, ...

Cillian Murphy says fans are ‘underwhelmed’ when they meet him

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

(CNN) — Cillian Murphy has appeared in some of the biggest movies and television shows of the 21st century, taking on a range of critically-acclaimed and cinematic roles, from “Peaky Blinders” boss Thomas Shelby to “Batman” villain Scarecrow. Yet the Irish actor has revealed that fans are actually “underwhelmed” when they meet him.Speaking in a rare and wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone UK for its latest issue, released Thursday, Murphy opens up about his uneasiness with fame and being in the spotlight.“I don’t really partake. I don’t go out. I’m just at home mostly, or with my friends, unless I have a film to promote. I don’t like being photographed by people. I find that offensive,” Murphy said.The 46-year-old believes his fans are underwhelmed at his lack of “charisma” and “swagger.”“I think it’s the Tommy Shelby thing. People expect this m...

Chicago Bears 2023 schedule: Latest leaks before tonight’s official NFL announcement at 7 p.m.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

The Chicago Bears will announce the dates and times of their 2023 games at 7 p.m. Thursday as part of the NFL’s schedule release.Bears single-game tickets and executive suites for home games at Soldier Field will go on sale after the announcement. A presale for season ticket holders and fans on the season ticket priority list will begin at 7 p.m., followed by sales to the public at 8:30 at chicagobears.com/tickets.The Bears know their home and road opponents in 2023.Along with playing home and away NFC North games against the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, the Bears will host the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals.The Bears will go on the road to play the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns.The NFL will air its schedule release show at 7 p.m. on NFL Network. The league announced its five international games...

Bus driver strike ends in Marlboro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

After a three-day strike, Marlboro bus drivers and the transportation company reached a contract deal Wednesday evening and kids were back on their normal buses Thursday morning.“I am happy to report that the bus driver strike has ended,” Marlboro Superintendent Mary Murphy wrote in a Facebook post just before 6 p.m. Wednesday. “Full bus service will resume immediately.”The drivers, represented by Teamsters Local 170, went on strike Monday following months of stalled contract negotiations.The union stated it was looking for significant wage increases, especially targeting lower paid positions like minibus drivers and bus monitors, along with healthcare and retirement benefits.Details of the contract agreement were not immediately released Thursday morning.Nearby Framingham and Westboro, which receive school bus service through NRT and have drivers represented by Teamsters Local 170, also came close to striking this week.Framingham reached a contract Sunday ni...

Patriots 2023 schedule: Home opener set against NFC East power

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

The Patriots will have no time to waste entering a critical 2023 season.Their Week 1 opponent may be the toughest on their schedule.The Pats will open next season at home against the Eagles, according to sources. Philadelphia is coming off a Super Bowl appearance, having lost a 38-35 thriller to the reigning champion Chiefs last February. The Eagles went 14-3 during the regular season en route to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Tom Brady returning for Patriots’ 2023 home opener New England Patriots | Patriots sign CB Tae Hayes, cut practice-squad wide receiver New England Patriots | Patriots 2023 schedule: NFL announces opponent, date and time for Germany game New England Patriots | New Patriots free-agent addition explains team ‘really wanted’ him New England Patriots | Patriots linebacker reacts to Aaron Rodgers joining the Jets This offseason, Philade...

A new film sheds light on the history of Black players in the NBA, but doesn’t tell the whole story | GUEST COMMENTARY

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

Most Americans are familiar with how Major League Baseball was integrated, the 76th anniversary of which was recently observed. Jackie Robinson broke the color line in 1947, and before then Black players had to play in the Negro Leagues.But what about pro basketball? Who was the first African American in the NBA, and when did he join?A recently released film, “Sweetwater,” sheds light on this previously little-known chapter in professional sports history. It’s an important story and a good film, recognizing former New York Knick Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton as the trailblazer he was for African American players in the NBA. But like many Hollywood tales, it doesn’t tell the whole story.On May 24, 1950, Clifton signed a contract with the Knicks. While the film and elsewhere have identified him as the first Black player to sign an NBA contract, many sources say that distinction actually belongs to Harold Hunter, who signed with the Washington Capitols a ...

Jimmy Butler ready for 48 minutes and confident about eliminating Knicks in Game 6: ‘We’ll win’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

Jimmy Butler seems confident the Heat will eliminate the Knicks on Friday — especially if he never leaves the court.“If [coach Erik Spoelstra] tells me to play 48 minutes, I’ll be suited and booted and ready to do that,” Butler said. “And we’ll win.”The delivery made “we’ll win” feel more like a throwaway than a guarantee from Miami’s best player, but it certainly continued Butler’s theme of assuredness in his postgame presser. For the first time in these playoffs, he was decidedly outplayed by an opponent, Jalen Brunson, who actually played all 48 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 5 and kept New York’s heart beating for at least a couple more days.Now some of the pressure shifts back to the Heat, which needs to win at home on Friday night to avoid a Game 7 on the road.“I don’t ever think losing is encouraging,” Butler said. “I hope that the only way is up from here. So we will be b...

Suspect arrested in potential hate crime on elderly Asian man

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A suspect has been arrested in connection with a potential 2021 hate crime against an 81-year-old Asian man, authorities said Thursday.The attack occurred on Dec. 17, 2021 when the victim, identified as Mark Sanouvong, was on a morning walk around the Lincoln Park neighborhood shortly after 9 a.m., according to the San Diego Police Department. Woman shot during e-bike robbery in North County Authorities say Sanouvong was walking southbound past Porter North Elementary School on South 47th Street and Franklin Avenue when he was severely attacked. SDPD explained that the assault spilled into the middle of South 47th Street and Ocean View Boulevard, bringing traffic in the area to a halt.After an extensive investigation, 35-year-old Jesus Baucer has been identified as the suspect in this potential hate crime attack, SDPD said. Authorities say Baucer was already in custody on unrelated charges and currently remains in custody.Anyone with information on this case is asked...

US ambassador accuses South Africa of providing arms to Russia; president cites investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:33:19 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The U. S. ambassador to South Africa accused the country Thursday of providing weapons to Russia via a cargo ship that docked secretly at a naval base near the city of Cape Town for three days in December. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said an investigation was underway.Ambassador Reuben Brigety said the U.S. was certain that weapons were loaded onto the vessel at the Simon’s Town naval base and then transported to Russia, according to reports of his comments carried by multiple South African news outlets.Ramaphosa was in Cape Town answering questions in Parliament when news of Brigety’s comments broke. When a lawmaker asked about the weapons, the president replied that “the matter is being looked into, and in time we will be able to speak about it.”Ramaphosa declined to comment further, citing the need for an investigation to play out.The leader of the political opposition, John Steenhuisen, asked the president if South Africa wa...