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Senate sidesteps Tuberville’s hold on military promotions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, TARA COPP and LOLITA BALDOR (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate circumvented a hold by Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Thursday and confirmed Adm. Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, making her the first woman to be a Pentagon service chief and the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Franchetti’s historic confirmation as the chief of naval operations comes as Tuberville has drawn bipartisan criticism for holding up almost 400 military nominations in an effort to protest Pentagon abortion policy. In a remarkable display, several Republican senators angrily held the floor for more than four hours on Wednesday evening and called up 61 of the nominations for votes, praising each nominee for their military service. Tuberville showed no signs of letting up, standing and objecting to each one.The Senate confirmed Franchetti with an overwhelming 95-1 vote. Senators are scheduled to confirm two other top officers on Thursday — Gen. Da...

SF man convicted in 2021 Walgreens smash-and-grab

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

(KRON) -- A San Francisco man was convicted of burglary for his part in a 2021 group smash-and-grab robbery at a Walgreens on Market Street, the San Francisco District Attorney announced Thursday. Daron Wilson, 23, was found guilty of burglary during a state of emergency, second-degree burglary and resisting an officer.Wilson took part in a brazen smash-and-grab robbery at the Walgreens in the 1300 block of Market Street almost two years ago, according to the DA. Jewish parents pen letter to Berkeley school district demanding better student protection On Nov. 19, 2021, shortly before noon, San Francisco Police Department officers were flagged down by security guards regarding a burglary in progress. The store's entire front window as well as glass on multiple entry and exit doors were broken out, the DA said.Inside the store, officers found cash registers and prescriptions on the floor and the place in a state of disarray. Wilson was behind the front counter at the time.Officers a...

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

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 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...

Utah woman’s leg amputated after she was attacked by her son’s dogs in her own backyard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (AP) — A 63-year-old Utah woman had a leg amputated after being attacked by her son’s dogs in her own backyard in a Salt Lake City suburb.Officers who arrived at the home in Taylorsville had to shoot and kill one of the seven dogs when it threatened them, according to a police statement.KSL reported that the injured woman called 911 on Tuesday while still in her backyard with the adult male and female dogs and their five puppies, all of which were pit bulls.Officers arrived to find the woman still surrounded by the dogs. They used pepper spray to drive them away so they could get over the fence, according to police.The adult female dog then broke loose and police shot it. The fate of the other six dogs remained unclear after the owner surrendered them to police following the attack.Police didn’t immediately return a phone message Thursday seeking an update.“We are grateful the victim was able to call 911 for help as quickly as she did — even as the attack was happ...

Inconsistent Saints aim to extend struggling Bears’ long Superdome skid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

CHICAGO (2-6) at NEW ORLEANS (4-4)Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FoxBETTING LINE: Saints by 8 1/2, according to FanDuel SportsBook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Bears 2-5-1; Saints 3-4-1.SERIES RECORD: Saints lead 18-15.LAST MEETING: Saints beat Bears 21-9 in a wild-card playoff game on Jan. 10, 2021, in New Orleans.LAST WEEK: Bears lost to Chargers 30-13; Saints beat Colts 38-27.BEARS OFFENSE: OVERALL (19), RUSH (6), PASS (26), SCORING (T17).BEARS DEFENSE: OVERALL (23), RUSH (3), PASS (30), SCORING (28).SAINTS OFFENSE: OVERALL (12), RUSH (20), PASS (T9), SCORING (T17).SAINTS DEFENSE: OVERALL (5), RUSH (15), PASS (7), SCORING (9).TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Bears minus-4; Saints plus-3.BEARS PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Tyson Bagent. Bagent is set to start his third consecutive game with Justin Fields sidelined because of a dislocated right thumb. The undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University in his home state of West Virginia struggled against Los Angeles after delivering a steady performance in Chicago’...

The final ‘Yellowstone’ episodes delayed until late 2024 due to Hollywood strikes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

The long-awaited final installment of “Yellowstone” — featuring Kevin Costner ’s final episodes — has been delayed until November 2024, the Paramount Network announced Thursday.Originally scheduled to return this month, Paramount says production was delayed by this year’s strikes by actors and screenwriters. The first half of the fifth season debuted in November 2022.Paramount also announced two spin-offs, a prequel tentatively called “1944” and a sequel to the current series, called “2024.” There’s no word yet on any casting for either series.“Yellowstone” has been a phenomenon for Paramount Network. The premiere episode of season five was watched by 12.1 million people, more than for any other scripted series airing at the time.CBS also began airing “Yellowstone” from the beginning this fall to help fill out its primetime schedule due to the strikes, and 21.6 million people tuned in to season one. It’s now begun airing season two.“Yellowstone” is a contemporary Western...

UN will reduce number of refugees receiving cash aid in Lebanon by a third, citing funding cuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Faced with an increasing funding crunch, the United Nations will cut the number of refugee families receiving cash assistance in Lebanon by nearly one-third next year, a spokesperson for the U.N. refugee agency said Thursday.Due to “significant funding reductions,” UNHCR and the World Food Program will give monthly cash aid to 88,000 fewer families in 2024 than in 2023, UNHCR spokeswoman Lisa Abou Khaled said.About 190,000 families will continue receiving the assistance, which is capped at a monthly maximum of $125 per household, she said. In the past, some families received extra assistance in the winter months for heating fuel expenses, but this year that program will also be halted, Abou Khaled said. That aid “was critical for vulnerable families to survive the winter season,” she said.Lebanon, which has been in the throes of a severe financial crisis since 2019, hosts some 790,000 registered Syrian refugees and potentially hundreds of thousands more who are unregis...

Ex-gang leader pleads not guilty in 1996 Tupac Shakur killing in Las Vegas; judge appoints lawyers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

Duane "Keffe D" Davis appears in court Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Las Vegas. Davis has been charged with killing Tupac Shakur in 1996. (AP Photo/John Locher, Pool)(AP/John Locher) Duane "Keffe D" Davis appears in court Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Las Vegas. Davis has been charged with killing Tupac Shakur in 1996. (AP Photo/John Locher, Pool)(AP/John Locher) LAS VEGAS (AP) — A former Southern California street gang leader pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder in the 1996 killing of rap music icon Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas — a charge prompted by his own descriptions in recent years about orchestrating the deadly drive-by shooting.Duane Keith “Keffe D” Davis, the only person still alive who was in the vehicle from ...

Jets look for 4th straight win as they square off against Chargers on Monday night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-4) at NEW YORK JETS (4-3)Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST, ABC, ESPNOPENING LINE: Chargers by 3, according to FanDuel SportsBook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Chargers 3-4; Jets 4-2-1.SERIES RECORD: Chargers lead 23-14-1.LAST MEETING: Chargers beat Jets 34-28 on Nov. 22, 2020, in Los Angeles.LAST WEEK: Chargers beat Bears 30-13; Jets beat Giants 13-10 in OT.CHARGERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (7), RUSH (22), PASS (6), SCORING (9)CHARGERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (31), RUSH (6), PASS (32), SCORING (24)JETS OFFENSE: OVERALL (29), RUSH (18), PASS (31), SCORING (26)JETS DEFENSE: OVERALL (14), RUSH (31), PASS (5), SCORING (8)TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Chargers plus-6; Jets plus-3.CHARGERS PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Justin Herbert. He’s averaging 270 yards passing per game, which ranks sixth in the league, and both of his 300-yard games this season have come on the road. Herbert passed for 366 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions the previous time he faced the Jets in 2020. He needs 11 completions to...

Second place in ACC at stake as No. 15 Louisville hosts Virginia Tech in matchup of stingy defenses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

Virginia Tech (4-4, 3-1 ACC) at No. 15 Louisville (7-1, 4-1, No. 13 CFP), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ACCN)Line: Louisville by 9 1/2, according to FanDuel.com Sportsbook.Series record: Virginia Tech leads 6-2.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Louisville is coming off its first shutout of a ranked opponent and looks to maintain second place behind No. 4 Florida State in the ACC. Virginia Tech stands a half-game back after consecutive league wins and aims to overtake the Cardinals.KEY MATCHUPWhich team defends best is the question with two of the ACC’s stingiest units on display. Louisville ranks second at 303.4 yards allowed per game and capped a nasty October at home by holding Duke to just 51 yards rushing and 202 yards overall in last week’s 23-0 victory. Before that the Cardinals intercepted Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman three times and dropped him five times while limiting the Irish to 298 yards and just 44 rushing. The visiting Hokies are yielding 316 per contest and have racked up 15 sacks the...