(BURLINGTON, N.C.) — A North Carolina couple became first-time parents on “Twosday.”
Aberli and Hank Spear welcomed their first child — a girl they’ve named Judah Grace Spear — on Feb. 22, 2022, at 2:22 a.m. at Cone Health Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, North Carolina.
“Everyone in the room, all the nurses were cheering and there’s excitement,” Aberli Spear told Good Morning America. “I was like, maybe it’s because she’s finally born. But then I looked at my husband and I asked him, ‘Wait, what time was she born?’ And he was like, ‘2:22.’ It was funny because we were in room two, and then find out her weight is 122 ounces. So we’re like, ‘OK!’”
Jessica Brown, a nursing director at the Women’s & Children’s Center at Alamance Regional, told GMA the numerology of Judah’s birth stood out to the hospital staff too. “We share in the excitement of every birth at the Women’s & Children’s Center at Alamance Regional, but when you come up with all two’s like this, it is very exciting.”
Aberli Spear said she had initially planned to be induced at the hospital on Feb. 20.
“We were asked to come in to be induced — her due date’s originally the 22nd — but just for blood pressure reasons, they wanted me to come in earlier,” she said. “And so they induced me but it took a while. We labored for 26 hours. She ended up coming on her due date, which is awesome.”
Baby Judah’s memorable arrival is especially sweet for Spear and her husband since at one point they were told they may never have children.
Aberli Spear, 27, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer, in 2014.
“My husband and I had been dating for three months before I was diagnosed … we were told if we got married, wanted to start a family or something, it’d be nearly impossible,” she said. “And so we went to the clinic to talk about freezing eggs and stuff, but it’s like, it’s really expensive and insurance doesn’t cover it so we didn’t do that either.”
Spear, who said she’d always wanted kids, decided to undergo chemotherapy and hope for the best. In 2020, six years after her initial diagnosis, she found out she had finally beat her cancer.
Her cancer journey helped inspire her daughter’s name as well.
“She got her name Judah because it means praise in Hebrew. So it’s kind of funny because I love numbers, love math and all that stuff so this is kind of icing on the cake for me,” Spear said.
Spear’s mom, Kristi Engelbrecht, also told GMA that despite all the “pain and suffering” that Aberli and Hank have endured, she’s excited to see what’s in store for their growing family.
The Spears are over the moon about their little one. “This is something that we didn’t think that we could achieve,” Aberli Spear said.
“She’s definitely a miracle baby,” she added.
As for Judah, Aberli Spear said she had a message for her baby girl: “I want her to know that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, there’s always hope. God is always restoring, repairing and fulfilling your heart’s deepest desires, no matter what they are. He also has a sense of humor clearly. But it’s just, don’t give up hope.”
GAYLE‘s become a global star thanks to her song “abcdefu,” but there’s a lot more to her than just that one song, and fans will get a chance to hear that on her debut EP, which Rolling Stone reports is coming out next month.
It’s called A Study of the Human Experience Volume One, and according to Rolling Stone, it drops March 18. GAYLE says the songs on it are about how life is “f***ing weird, and life is so hard, but it’s so lovely at the same time.”
“And that’s really confusing. Especially when you’re growing up,” she tells Rolling Stone.
The EP includes her recent single “Ur Just Horny,” as well as “Sleeping with My Friends” and “Luv Starved,” all of which are about a friendship that turned intimate.
“I thought I was the one at fault,” she tells Rolling Stone. “But then I realized, ‘No. They were trying to get into my pants the whole entire time: That was their goal. They never cared in the first place. Maybe I’m not completely the problem.’”
As for where she is as an artist now that she’s had some success, GAYLE notes, “I’m not necessarily set on ‘This is who I am.’ I’ve gotten really comfortable with who I am as a person and what I want. But I know I’m going to change. I know that the things I want are going to change. And that’s O.K.”
Elton John‘s private jet was forced to make an emergency landing Tuesday after experiencing technical failure at 10,000 feet, according to various reports.
The U.K. tabloid The Sun reported that Elton was flying from England to New York for a concert when the plane on which he was traveling suffered a hydraulic failure about an hour after takeoff.
The pilot made the decision to return to the U.K.’s Farnborough Airport and declare an emergency landing, it was reported.
Witnesses tell The Sun that the pilot made two unsuccessful attempts to land in winds that reportedly gusted to 80 mph before successfully touching down on the third try.
The legendary rocker, 74, was said to be shaken by the ordeal, but he boarded another flight to New York just hours later to make his gig at Madison Square Garden
Elton made it to New York City safely and confirmed that the show would go on as scheduled, tweeting, “Hello New York! See you @TheGarden tonight.” He also has a second concert scheduled at Madison Square Garden tonight.
ABC has not been able to reach Elton’s reps for comment.
(NEW YORK) — President Joe Biden said the world is witnessing “the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine” after weeks of escalating tensions in the region as he announced new economic sanctions on Russia Tuesday.
Biden’s remarks followed a fiery address from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Russian public on Monday evening, when the leader announced he was recognizing the independence of two Russia-backed separatist areas in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region: the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DNR and LNR) — prompting a set of sanctions from Western countries, including Germany halting approval of a major gas pipeline from Russia.
While the U.S. says some 190,000 Russian troops and separatist forces are estimated to be massed near Ukraine’s borders, Russia has denied any wrongdoing and reiterated its demands Tuesday that Ukraine pledge to never join NATO.
Here’s how the news is developing Wednesday. All times Eastern:
Feb 23, 9:22 am
US sanctions to be met with ‘strong response,’ Russia warns
Russia warned Wednesday that the latest sanctions imposed by the United States “will be met with a strong response.”
“The round of sanctions announced by the United States Administration [already the 101st in a row] affecting the financial sector with the expansion of the list of persons against whom personal restrictions are imposed is in line with Washington’s ongoing attempts to change Russia’s course,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “There should be no doubt that the sanctions will be met with a strong response, not necessarily symmetrical, but well-grounded and sensitive for the American side.”
U.S. President Joe Biden announced Tuesday the latest sanctions, which he said would target two Russian banks, Russia’s sovereign debt and, starting Wednesday, the Russian elite and their relatives.
Feb 23, 9:06 am
Russia marks Defender of the Fatherland Day
Russia marked Defender of the Fatherland Day on Wednesday.
In a video message, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his fellow Russians on the public holiday and noted the importance of ensuring the country’s defense capability.
“Dear comrades, today ensuring the defense capability of our country remains the most important state task, and the armed forces serve as a reliable guarantee of national security, the peaceful and calm life of our citizens, and the stable, progressive development of Russia,” Putin said.
The Russian leader was seen taking part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow.
Feb 23, 6:24 am
Ukrainian military begins calling up 36,000 reservists
Ukraine’s military said Wednesday it has begun calling up some reservists in response to an order from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The military general staff said they will be calling up reservists aged 18 to 60 starting Wednesday.
The secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, said Wednesday that the number of reservists being called up was 36,000, most of whom he said already have combat experience.
On Tuesday, while signing a decree to call up some of Ukraine’s military reservists, Zelenskyy emphasized that it was not yet a full mobilization but just the “active reserve,” or troops with combat training.
Zelenskyy said the order was necessary because Ukraine’s military now needs to be at “heightened readiness” for any changes in the situation on the ground with Russia.
Feb 23, 6:17 am
Ukraine to declare nationwide state of emergency
The secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, announced Wednesday that a nationwide state of emergency will be declared due to the threat of a Russian invasion.
The declaration must be approved by the Ukrainian parliament before the state of emergency can go into effect for an initial 30 days. The move, which differs from the introduction of martial law, would allow local authorities across the country of 41 million people to put restrictions and heightened security measures in place, such as curfews and limits on movement.
Danilov said the state of emergency would be a “preventative” measure “so that the country preserves its calm, so that our economy works and our country works.” Any restrictions imposed under the declaration would likely vary from region to region, according to Danilov.
“Depending on situation on the ground in a particular area, the local bodies can impose various measures including curfews, only if needed,” Danilov said at a press conference Wednesday. “We won’t make people suffer unnecessarily but we must insure people’s safety.”
He then gave examples of what those restrictions could be: “It can the reinforcing of security around public order and critical infrastructure facilities. It can be certain limits imposed of the movement of transport. It can mean additional vigilance. It can be the checking of various documents for people.”
Danilov noted that the state of emergency would be imposed on all of Ukraine’s territory except for the eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk because a special emergency status has been in place there since 2014, when pro-Russian separatists took control of some areas.
Feb 23, 5:33 am
Ukrainian right-wing volunteer battalion mobilizes
One of Ukraine’s far-right volunteer battalions announced Wednesday it is mobilizing to prepare to fight, amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion.
During Russia’s first invasion in 2014, the Ukrainian army was in disarray, prompting civilians to form volunteer battalions — many of them with right-wing ideologies. These highly motivated private armies — some funded by oligarchs — helped stem the fall of eastern Ukraine to Russia-backed separatists.
But once large-scale fighting had ended, the Ukrainian government moved the volunteer battalions back from the front line because they were seen as potentially provocative and problematic.
The so-called Right Sector is one of Ukraine’s most famous volunteer battalions. It’s made up of radical nationalists who played a crucial role in the 2014 revolution. In Russia, the group was made into a propaganda boogeyman.
The Right Sector’s return to the front line in eastern Ukraine will be used heavily by Russian propaganda. But it also shows how worried Ukrainians are getting, especially if more volunteer battalions start mobilizing.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, Right Sector said it is mobilizing its “assault brigade” due to the “high probability of the start of a full-scale invasion by the Russian army.”
“Our unit has already defended Ukrainian independence for 8 years from the occupiers,” the group said. “In the case of a full scale invasion we, as always, will be at the front of the fight.”
Feb 23, 4:29 am
Russia claims 100,000 refugees have fled eastern Ukraine
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed Wednesday that 100,000 refugees from two Russia-backed separatist areas in eastern Ukraine have arrived across the border in Russia.
The claim was unverified and highly improbable, as it appeared to be part of Russia’s intensifying efforts to spin an image of a major humanitarian crisis in the region to build a pretext for a possible invasion.
Russia-backed separatists have forced civilians living in the areas to evacuate despite the fact that there is no increased threat from the Ukrainian military. While thousands of people have been bused out of the region to Russia, the alleged figure of 100,000 appeared vastly exaggerated.
Russia’s claims have been accompanied by a barrage of false stories and staged videos of alleged attacks by Ukrainian forces, all of which have been blaring across Russian state media in recent days.
Feb 23, 12:03 am
Russia-backed separatists make ‘terror attacks’ claim as Russia continues to build pretext
Russian-controlled separatists are claiming two large “terrorist attacks” took place in their territory Tuesday night, as the separatists and Russia continue to intensify their efforts to create a pretext for a possible Russian attack.
The separatists claimed explosions went off at a TV tower and near a trolley bus depot, and they released video afterward they claim shows emergency workers looking at damage.
The claims are highly suspect, and they came amid a barrage of fake reports of supposed Ukrainian attacks that are being swiftly debunked.
The claims also came as Ukraine released video showing heavy artillery fire from separatists hitting a village called Chastiya — which means “happiness” — on the Ukrainian side of the frontline. The video appears to show rockets striking a house.
Artillery fire also hit a power station nearby yesterday.
It appears the Russian-controlled separatists have intensified their fire onto Ukrainian positions in the hope of stoking return fire and creating an impression of a general escalation.
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Opening arguments will take place Wednesday in the trial for the sole Louisville, Kentucky, police officer charged in connection to the “no-knock” search warrant raid that killed Breonna Taylor.
Brett Hankison is charged with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment of Taylor’s neighbors. He allegedly fired shots that endangered three people who were inside an apartment directly behind Taylor’s.
Hankison was fired from the Louisville Police Department after the March 2020 shooting.
Hankison is the only officer charged in connection with the incident and no officers have been charged with shooting Taylor.
The deadly shooting took place shortly after midnight on March 13, 2020. Taylor, a 26-year-old Black medical worker, was asleep at home with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker.
Officers arrived and executed a “no-knock” search warrant as part of an investigation into a suspected drug operation, allegedly linked to Taylor’s ex-boyfriend.
Walker, who claims he thought the officers were intruders, fired one gunshot, striking an officer in the leg. In response, police opened fire, and Taylor was shot multiple times. No drugs were found in Taylor’s apartment.
Hankison has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
Two other officers involved were also fired from the police department: the officer who fired the shot that killed Taylor per a ballistics analysis and the officer who prepared the search warrant.
(NEW YORK) — Wall Street is jittery as tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine.
On Tuesday, stocks were down, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing 482.57 points lower, a decrease of 1.42%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also took a hit, falling 44.11 points and 166.55 points, respectively.
“People are feeling it in their 401(k)s and in their retirement savings,” says ABC News’ Rebecca Jarvis.
But, she notes, consumers are also feeling the impact of the crisis overseas at the pump.
“[P]rices up overnight again, now $3.54 a gallon is the national average — up 20 cents over the last month,” Jarvis says. “And we were already dealing with inflation coming into this — that is why the market has been jittery for some time, and it continues to feel jittery and cautious.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s opening bell, stock futures were up across the board.
Everybody — The Backstreet Boysand their fans — are going to have to hustle to get ready to rock their bodies a few weeks early, because the group’s DNA World Tour now will be resuming in April at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The group, who wrapped a Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood in 2018, got the call to take over what would’ve been the final four dates of Adele‘s now-postponed Colosseum residency: April 8, 9, 15 and 16.
“We have a great relationship with the Caesars family, and these dates became available,” Backstreet’s Kevin Richardson tells ABC Audio. Brian Littrell adds, “I mean, we’re just excited to get back, you know? It opened up. It was good timing, I think, for everybody. And what better place to do it than Las Vegas?”
Brian continues, “Vegas is like our second home. It’s just a wonderful opportunity to kind of get our legs back underneath us,” noting that he can’t wait to “see the smiling faces.”
“You can’t duplicate that feeling anywhere in the world unless you experience it yourself,” he adds.
And as Kevin points out, it’s been a long time since 2020, when Backstreet Boys’ DNA World Tour was put on hold due to COVID. He laughs, “We’re very excited to get back out on stage and have that energy exchange with other human beings!”
But now the guys need to be stage-ready ahead of schedule. Kevin says, “I’m easing back in…You got to start training, strength training, dancing…because people want to see you at your best — and that’s what we want to give them!”
The general on-sale date for Vegas tickets is this Monday, February 28, at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster.com; a fan club pre-sale begins Thursday, February 24, at 10 a.m. PT.
The Critics Choice Association on Tuesday announced the nominees for the second annual Critics Choice Super Awards, and Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Spider-Man: No Way Home lead the film nominations, with five apiece. Two of the three Peter Parkers — Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland — landed acting nods. Zack Snyder’s Justice League also snagged nominations in the best superhero movie category alongside Black Widow, Eternals, Shang-Chi, Spider-Man and The Suicide Squad. On the TV side, Paramount Plus’ Evil and Netflix’s Midnight Mass led with six each. Disney+ dominated the superhero categories with multiple nominations for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, Loki and WandaVision. The winners will be announced on March 17. Disney is the parent company of ABC News…
Aziz Ansari, who created the Netflix series Master of None, will write, produce, direct and star alongside Bill Murray in as yet untitled comedic drama for Searchlight Pictures, according to Variety. The project is being adapted from Atul Gawande’s 2014 nonfiction book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, which centers on aging, patients’ anxieties regarding death, and doctor’s tendencies to fall back on false hope — as having the potential to “change medicine — and lives.” Plot details have not been announced, nor have Ansari or Murray’s roles been revealed…
Universal has unveiled a first-look photo from Christopher Nolan’s anticipated thriller Oppenheimer, about J. Robert Oppenheimer, one of the creators of the atomic bomb, and announced the addition of Kenneth Branagh to its already star-studded cast, according to Deadline. The Oscar-nominated Belfast filmmaker joins previously announced stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, Dane DeHaan, Jack Quaid, Matthew Modine, Dylan Arnold, David Krumholtz, Alden Ehrenreich and Michael Angarano. Production is now underway…
(NEW YORK) — Gas prices are continuing to soar with no relief in sight.
The national average price per gallon now stands at $3.53, the highest it’s been since 2014, and experts expect that number to keep going up.
So what can you do to save some money the next time you need to fill up your tank? ABC News’ Gio Benitez appeared on Good Morning America Wednesday to share some tricks you can use at the pump:
Martin Lawrence and his TV series crew are back together again to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his self-titled sitcom. Taping for reunion special began Sunday; it’ll air on BET+ later this year.
“To be able to sit here thirty years later with this amazing cast that has had such an impact on pop culture is truly a blessing,” Lawrence said in a statement. “I am always humbled that the fans still want more of the show and its characters. I am looking forward to the reunion special.”
Lawrence and Tisha Campbell, who portrayed his girlfriend Gina, both won NAACP Image Awards for their roles in the show. Martin also won Outstanding Comedy Series in 1994 and 1995. Martin aired from 1992-1997.
In addition to Martin and Tina, the reunion will also feature TichinaArnold, who starred as Pam, and CarlAnthony Payne II, who played Cole. You can expect some very emotional moments as the fifth regular cast member, the late Thomas Mikal Ford, is remembered. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 52.
