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MassGOP chair calls for return to formal sessions, defends delay tactics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

Democratic lawmakers must return to formal session and put their name on the record for or against a proposed $3.1 billion spending plan containing hundreds of millions for migrant shelter costs, according to the head of the MassGOP.In a statement calling on the state’s liberal majority to interrupt their December-long holiday and return to their posts, MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale says Democrats had plenty of time to pass a supplemental budget before they took the rest of the year off from formal meetings.“Democratic leadership on Beacon Hill is doing everything possible to avoid regular order. Leaders seem more concerned with bypassing debate and votes than allowing previously negotiated provisions to proceed without interruption. Included among these provisions already negotiated are important cost of living increases for state union workers. Instead, Democrats are once again choosing to try and push back room deals through a process that does not allow for accountability,” C...

Bailey Zappe not ensured Week 14 start after Patriots’ continued offensive struggles?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots’ quarterback controversy seemingly will continue even after Bailey Zappe replaced Mac Jones as the starter in Week 13.The Patriots will play four days after they were shut out by the Chargers 6-0 at Gillette Stadium, so head coach Bill Belichick was asked if Zappe will start Thursday night against the Steelers.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Source: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson to undergo MRI to confirm ankle sprain New England Patriots | Patriots never turn to Malik Cunningham after practice squad elevation New England Patriots | Patriots QB change does nothing to fix offense in 6-0 loss to Chargers New England Patriots | Patriots to dress three QBs vs. Chargers; Deatrich Wise inactive with illness New England Patriots | Patriots-Chargers preview: Can Bill Belichick scheme an upset of Justin Herbert? “Yeah, we just finished the game,” Belichick sa...

Commercial ships hit by missiles in Houthi attack in Red Sea, US warship downs 3 drones

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

By JON GAMBRELL (Associated Press)DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Three commercial ships in the Red Sea were struck by ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen on Sunday and a U.S. warship shot down three drones in self-defense during the hourslong assault, the U.S. military said. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.The attacks marked an escalation in a series of maritime attacks in the Mideast linked to the Israel-Hamas war, as multiple vessels found themselves in the crosshairs of a single Houthi assault for the first time in the conflict.In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the attacks “represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.” It said the three commercial ships and their crews are connected to 14 countries.According to Central Command, the USS Carney, a ...

Former US ambassador arrested in Florida, accused of serving as an agent of Cuba, AP source says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — A former American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia has been arrested in a long-running FBI counterintelligence investigation, accused of secretly serving as an agent of Cuba’s government, The Associated Press has learned.Manuel Rocha, 73, was arrested in Miami on Friday on a criminal complaint and more details about the case are expected to be made public at a court appearance Monday, said two people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing federal investigation.One of the people said the Justice Department case accuses Rocha of working to promote the Cuban government’s interests. Federal law requires people doing the political bidding of a foreign government or entity inside the U.S. to register with the Justice Department, which in recent years has stepped up its criminal enforcement of illicit foreign lobbying.The Justice Department declined to comment. It was not immediately clear if Rocha ...

Man wanted for sexual assault in North York

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

Toronto police are looking for the suspect in a sexual assault that happened in North York on Sunday morning.At approximately 3:30 a.m., a woman was sexually assaulted in her apartment in the Sheppard Avenue West and Bathurst Street area.Reportedly, a 21-year-old female was asleep on the couch inside her apartment, when she awoke to a male touching her arm and trying to converse with her.The suspect pulled down his pants and gestured to his genitals and then sat down on the victim’s stomach. The victim pushed the suspect off and ran to alert a witness. Scaring off the suspect, he then fled on foot and was last seen going eastbound on Sheppard Avenue WestThe suspect is described as male, 30 to 40 years old, with a thin build and was clean shaven. He was wearing a white t-shirt, white jacket, and grey pants.

Watchdog: Western arms companies failed to ramp up production capacity in 2022 due to Ukraine war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Many Western arms companies failed to ramp up production in 2022 despite a strong increase in demand for weapons and military equipment, a watchdog group said Monday, adding that labor shortages, soaring costs and supply chain disruptions had been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.In its Top 100 of such firms, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, said the arms revenue of the world’s largest arms-producing and military services companies last year stood at $597 billion — a 3.5% drop from 2021.“Many arms companies faced obstacles in adjusting to production for high-intensity warfare,” said Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, director of the independent institute’s Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program.SIPRI said the revenues of the 42 U.S. companies on the list — accounting for 51% of total arms sales — fell by 7.9% to $302 billion in 2022. Of those, 32 recorded a fall in year-on-year arms revenue, most of them citing ongoing s...

46th annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade moves through Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

CHICAGO — Motorcyclists made their way through the city on Sunday for the 46th annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade.Thousands of bikers, including some who decked out their rides with holiday decorations, took part in the 15-mile trip around Chicagoland.The parade got underway at 6 a.m. at the Dan Ryan Woods, on West 83rd Street and South Western Avenue, before heading north toward Lane Tech College Prep High School in North Center. Weekend Break: Museum of Illusions in Chicago Those who participated in Sunday's event were required to bring at least one new, unwrapped toy to donate.The annual event, which takes place on the first Sunday in December, brings riders together to help those in need ahead of the holidays.Toys for Tots has several Toy Box locations around the city for people to donate new, unwrapped toys. Visit the Chicagoland Toys for Tots website for more details on how to take part.

Man beaten, stabbed in early-morning attack on Near North Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is recovering after he was beaten and stabbed on the Near North Side in the early morning hours on Sunday, police say. According to Chicago Police, the attack happened around 3 a.m. in the 400 block of North Clark Street in River North.  Fire rekindles at historic Swift Mansion in Chicago Police say the 32-year-old man was walking on a sidewalk in the area when he was approached by a group of men. One of the men in the group then punched, kicked and stabbed the man. Police say the victim suffered a head injury and a stab wound to his stomach and was taken to the hospital in good condition. Currently, it is unclear what led to the attack and police say no arrests have been made. An investigation by Area Three detectives is now underway.  9-year-old boy critical after falling from window on North Side: CPD Anyone with information that could help authorities in their investigation is asked to call CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263.Tips fo...

Felicity Huffman opens up about college admissions scandal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

(The Hill) -- Four years after “Varsity Blues,” Felicity Huffman is opening up about her role in the college admissions bribery scandal that sent her to prison.“It seemed like — and I know this seems crazy at the time — that that was my only option to give my daughter a future,” the former “Desperate Housewives” star told KABC’s Marc Brown in a Thursday interview.“I know hindsight is 20/20, but it felt like I would be a bad mother if I didn't do it,” Huffman, 60, said. Students from very wealthy families overrepresented in elite colleges: research The actor was sentenced to 14 days at a California prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to mail fraud and honest services fraud charges. Huffman paid an SAT proctor to alter her daughter’s scores.“People assumed that I went into this looking for a way to cheat the system and making proverbial criminal deals in back alleys, but that was not the case,” she said.“I worked with a highly recommended college counselor named Rick Sing...

4 dead after multi-vehicle crash in southeast Travis County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:17 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Four people died in a multi-vehicle crash on State Highway 130 Sunday in southeastern Travis County, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.ATCEMS tweeted about the crash at 4:24 p.m. and said five people were pinned in their vehicles with multiple ambulances and commanders responding, in addition to two STARFlight helicopters. The crash is near where the TX 130 northbound service road intersects with Maha Loop Road, close to US 183.One person was taken to St. David's South Austin Medical Center via STARFlight and another refused treatment, ATCEMS said. The area will be closed for an extended amount of time, ATCEMS said, and people should avoid driving in that area.This is a developing story and more details will be added when they become available.