TV sitcom ‘Extended Family’ inspired by real-life relationship of Celtics owner, wife and her ex

TV sitcom ‘Extended Family’ inspired by real-life relationship of Celtics owner, wife and her ex

BOSTON — When Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck felt like his life could be the premise for a television sitcom, he knew just where to turn: His friend Tom Werner, a Red Sox owner and TV veteran who was behind megahits like “The Cosby Show,” “Roseanne” and “That ’70s Show.” The result is “Extended Family,” … Read more

Charlie Sheen’s neighbor arrested after being accused of assaulting actor in Malibu home

Charlie Sheen’s neighbor arrested after being accused of assaulting actor in Malibu home

Charlie Sheen’s neighbor was arrested after being accused of assaulting the actor in a Malibu, California, home this week, authorities said LOS ANGELES — Charlie Sheen’s neighbor was arrested after being accused of assaulting the actor in a Malibu, California, home this week, authorities said. Electra Schrock was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, … Read more

Live updates | UN Security Council calls for Gaza aid, but stops short of demanding a cease-fire

Live updates | UN Security Council calls for Gaza aid, but stops short of demanding a cease-fire

The U.N. Security Council passed a new resolution that calls for speeding up humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, but without the original insistence on an “urgent suspension of hostilities” between Israel and Hamas. The United States and Russia abstained from Friday’s vote, which was delayed for days as diplomats sought to avoid a veto by … Read more

Now you see it, now you don’t: Banksy stop sign taken from London street soon after it appears

Now you see it, now you don’t: Banksy stop sign taken from London street soon after it appears

LONDON — The elusive artist Banksy displayed his latest work on a London street corner and it was taken less than hour after he confirmed its installation Friday. A red stop sign with three military drones on it was taken in the middle of the day by a man with bolt cutters as witnesses snapped … Read more

Michael Mann still has another gear. At 80, he’s driving ‘Ferrari’

Michael Mann still has another gear. At 80, he’s driving ‘Ferrari’

NEW YORK — Michael Mann, who gave Crockett a white Ferrari on “Miami Vice,” pummeled cars with bullets in the shootout in “Heat” and set the thriller “Collateral” in a taxicab, has had an affection for automobiles since growing up in Chicago. “It’s a city in which you drive, you know?” Mann says. “It rains … Read more

For years, he couldn’t donate at the blood center where he worked. Under new FDA rules, now he can

For years, he couldn’t donate at the blood center where he worked. Under new FDA rules, now he can

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Over the last six years, blood center employee Dylan Smith was often asked how frequently he gave blood himself. His answer was always the same: As a gay man, he couldn’t. That changed this month. Thanks to new federal guidelines finalized in May, gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships can now … Read more

Busiest holiday travel season in years is off to a smooth start with few airport delays

Busiest holiday travel season in years is off to a smooth start with few airport delays

NEW YORK — The holiday travel rush hit its peak Friday as mild weather and lower flight cancelation rates raised hopes for merrier drivers and airline passengers than last year. U.S. airlines are predicting a blockbuster holiday season and have projected confidence they can handle the crowds after hiring thousands of pilots, flight attendants and … Read more

China drafts new rules proposing restrictions on online gaming

China drafts new rules proposing restrictions on online gaming

HONG KONG — China released draft guidelines Friday aimed at curbing excessive spending on online gaming in the latest move by the ruling Communist Party to keep control of the virtual economy. The proposal caused shares in the biggest Chinese gaming companies, Tencent and NetEase, to plunge in Hong Kong. China’s gaming regulator, the National … Read more

Chatty robot helps seniors fight loneliness through AI companionship

Chatty robot helps seniors fight loneliness through AI companionship

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Joyce Loaiza lives alone, but when she returns to her apartment at a Florida senior community, the retired office worker often has a chat with a friendly female voice that asks about her day. A few miles away, the same voice comforted 83-year-old Deanna Dezern when her friend died. In central … Read more

Grammy nominee Gracie Abrams makes music that unites strangers — and has Taylor Swift calling

Grammy nominee Gracie Abrams makes music that unites strangers — and has Taylor Swift calling

NEW YORK — The year 2023 was good to Gracie Abrams. She released her debut album. She opened for Taylor Swift. She sold out a U.S. tour, and took that tour to Europe. She started writing new music. And to cap it all off, she got her first Grammy nomination: best new artist. When the … Read more