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Dick Durbin, AIPAC’s First Successful Recruit, Becomes First Senator to Call for Gaza Ceasefire

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

Democrat Dick Durbin became the first senator to call for a ceasefire in the Israel–Gaza war on Thursday, as Israel’s bombing and ground campaign picks up in ferocity. Durbin, speaking on CNN, said that a ceasefire must come along with the release of hostages. “I think it is,” the Illinois senator and Judiciary Committee chair said when asked if it was time for a ceasefire, a term that has been off-limits for the Biden administration and the vast majority of Democrats. “At least in the context of both sides agreeing. For example, the release of those who have been kidnapped should be part of this — immediate release. That should be the beginning of it,” Durbin said. “An effort should be made to engage in conversation between the Israelis and Palestinians,” he added. Durbin’s willingness to tiptoe ahead of his colleagues is all the more surprising given his own electoral history. Durbin, as a House candidate in 1982, was the first successful recruit of the American Isr...

Some Va. lawmakers say it’s time to eliminate daylight saving time

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

The sense of dread that so often accompanies Mondays could feel slightly more bearable for some next week as Virginians gain another hour of sleep this Sunday from daylight saving time. (Of course, that extra rest comes at the cost of darker nights for the next four months.)If some lawmakers had their way, the tradition would have ended in Virginia years ago because of its disruptive and impractical nature.The latest attempt to eliminate daylight saving time in the commonwealth came from Sen. Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland, whose bill narrowly died on the Senate floor this January.“If you can tell time, I think we’re gonna be just fine,” Stuart said. “We’re gonna get an extra hour in the evening when you come home from work. That way we don’t have to go to work in the dark, come home in the dark and it’s medically proven that we need to stop changing the time.”While several lawmakers have agreed the elimination of daylight saving time could help businesses and improve health quality...

A gas explosion at a building north of New York City injures 10

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — A gas explosion collapsed part of a brick multifamily building north of New York City, trapping victims in the rubble and injuring 10 people, according to officials. There were no fatalities in the Thursday afternoon explosion and fire, which sent thick smoke billowing in the air about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of the city. Rescuers scrambled to pull people from the wreckage.“I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve got 27 years as a volunteer fireman and chief. So I think they did a remarkable job,” Wappingers Falls Fire Chief Jason Enson told reporters at a briefing late Thursday.Eight adults and two children suffered blast or burn injuries. One child and two adults were flown by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center. Three patients remain hospitalized in critical condition and five more in serious condition as of Friday. Another victim was listed in good condition at a separate area hospital, according to the Westchester Medical Center ...

Will Taylor Swift be at the Chiefs’ game in Germany? Travis Kelce wouldn’t say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Travis Kelce declined to discuss Taylor Swift’s status for Sunday’s game in Germany — and their status as a couple.The Chiefs tight end spoke Friday at a press conference but wouldn’t say whether the pop star plans to attend the game against the Miami Dolphins at Deutsche Bank Park.“When I mention or everybody knows that she’s at the game, the Vegas, the over under on my catches kind of goes up and down, the spread goes up and down,” Kelce joked. “I don’t want to mess with any of that stuff, so I’m just going to keep it to myself.”The Chiefs arrived Friday morning and practiced at the campus of the German national soccer team in Frankfurt.Kelce was asked for his relationship status and if he’s “in love” — which drew oohs and chuckles.“The latest status is I got to see her last week,” he good-naturedly replied.The reporter repeated the second part.“I’m going to keep my personal relationship personal,” Kelce sai...

‘Free Solo’ filmmakers dive into fiction with thrilling swim drama ‘Nyad’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

Filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin have given audiences thrilling and sometimes terrifying front-row seats to incredible feats of human ambition in their documentary work.From Alex Honnold’s white-knuckle climb up Yosemite’s El Capitan in the Oscar-winning “ Free Solo ” to the claustrophobic blackness awaiting the cave divers who rescued the trapped soccer team in Northern Thailand in “ The Rescue,” their understanding of the personalities capable of such impossible accomplishments is almost unparalleled in filmed storytelling.It is not surprising, then, that they’d be interested and uniquely equipped to tell the story of Diana Nyad and her treacherous 110-mile (177-kilometer) swim from Cuba to Key West at age 64 for their first narrative film, “ Nyad,” now available to watch on Netflix. But there would be at least one big difference in bringing “Nyad” to life: actors.“In nonfiction, you observe. You’re like the closest listener,” Vasarhelyi told The Associated Pres...

Prosecutor says officer who used neck hold on Elijah McClain should be convicted in his death

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments Friday that a police officer who stopped Elijah McClain, put the 23-year old Black man in a neck hold and then abandoned him as his condition deteriorated should be convicted of manslaughter in his 2019 death.Aurora Officer Nathan Woodyard is among three officers and two paramedics charged in the death of McClain after protests over the 2020 killing of George Floyd renewed interest in the case. The trial against the two other officers resulted in a split verdict last month with one convicted of homicide and one acquitted.Woodyard was the first officer to confront McClain as the massage therapist walked home from a convenience store in the Denver suburb of Aurora. A 17-year-old 911 caller had reported McClain — who was listening to music, wearing a mask and dancing as he walked — as suspicious.“Elijah McClain was walking home, he was dancing. As he told the defendant he was stopping the music to listen,” Colorado As...

MATCHDAY: ‘Klassiker’ in Germany as Bayern visits Dortmund. Newcastle vs. Arsenal in Premier League

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:ENGLANDArsenal’s trip to Newcastle in the Premier League should give an indication of which team has taken the biggest step forward since both exceeded expectations last season. Arsenal is back in second place — where it finished the previous campaign — and can provisionally climb above leader Tottenham with a win at St. James’ Park, while Newcastle is already six points outside the top four and can’t afford to lose much more ground. But the teams had contrasting fortunes in the League Cup this week, as Newcastle knocked out Manchester United 3-0 and Arsenal lost 3-1 at West Ham. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta is hoping captain Martin Odegaard is fully fit again after struggling with a hip problem. Man United tries to turn around its troubling form when it visits Fulham in the early kickoff, while defending champion Manchester City hosts Bournemouth in one of five 3 p.m. games. United will be without influential...

Prince George’s Co. man charged with attempted murder in stabbing, carjacking of elderly woman

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

The man who police say followed an elderly woman into a Prince George’s County, Maryland, business earlier this week, stabbed her multiple times and then stole her car has been charged with attempted murder.In addition to first- and second-degree attempted murder charges, 30-year-old James Minor, of Clinton, Maryland, is also charged with auto theft and other offenses.In an update Friday, police said they are still investigating the motive for the attack but, so far, it does not appear Minor and the woman knew each other.Earlier this week, police described it as a “random crime.”The attack took place Wednesday evening around 8 p.m. on Temple Hill Road, near Allentown, as the woman was entering a business.Police said Minor approached her, stabbed her, then snatched the keys to her car.According to authorities, the attacker stole the woman’s car before abandoning it nearby.The woman who was stabbed remains in stable condition after being taken to the hospital i...

Direct deposits delayed nationwide due to ACH banking system issue

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Some people are not getting their paychecks Friday due to a banking system issue. Deposits are reportedly delayed at multiple banks across the U.S.The Federal Reserve is reporting an issue with the Automated Clearing House, which is the primary system agencies use for electronic funds transfers. Customers of Bank of America, Chase, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo and other banks have been reporting issues with deposits on X, formally Twitter, and Downdetector. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Both Chase and Bank of America gave statements to CNN, confirming that some deposits may be delayed.The Fed reported a batch of transfers had a processing issue. The agency further stated that the issue appears to be a processing matter with EPN, which is ACH's private-sector operator. Any deposits authorized on Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. appear to have the account and recipient information obscured, according to the Federal Reserve.According to Downdetector, ...

New York man sentenced to 35 years in prison for Miami murder plot

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:42:20 GMT

A New York man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, with an additional five years of supervised release, for his involvement in a plot to travel to Miami and shoot and kill a man, according to officials.Julian Jimenez, 27, traveled from New York to Miami, where he conducted extensive surveillance on the victim, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.Over a four-day period, Jimenez closely monitored both the victim’s home and business. Disguised with a mask, gloves, and armed with a firearm, Jimenez approached the victim as he was about to park his vehicle in the garage.Jimenez ambushed the victim, firing eight rounds at point-blank range. Although the victim survived the attack, he suffered three gunshot wounds that required surgery to remove the embedded projectiles.Jimenez had previously pleaded guilty to the charges in August. A restitution hearing is scheduled for January 30, 2024.