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Bernie Sanders May Push Vote on Conditioning Aid to Israel in Coming Weeks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., may bring a vote on conditioning aid to Israel in the coming weeks, he told The Intercept.Sanders spoke to The Intercept minutes before a Senate Democratic caucus luncheon, where the question of placing conditions on $14 billion in aid to Israel is on the agenda. “Yes,” he replied gruffly when asked if there was a chance he would push for a floor vote. Sanders’s comment comes as the death toll in Gaza is around 15,000 — with some estimating it to have exceeded 20,000 — and amid a temporary pause in the fighting between Israel and Hamas. The Vermont senator has thus far refrained from calling for a permanent ceasefire, a key demand of activist groups that has broad support among the American public and has gained traction among members of Congress. He has instead only gone as far as calling for humanitarian pauses in fighting. The Department of Defense has already sent a variety of heavy weapons and ammunition to Israel to support its continuin...

All the Times Israel Has Rejected Peace With Palestinians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

Palestinians in Gaza displaced due to Israeli attacks move toward the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 28, 2023.Photo: Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty ImagesIsrael has been widely condemned for its brutal response to the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas. With the coming expiration of the ceasefire, this will only become more vociferous. But many U.S. supporters of Israel have responded to the criticism with a question: What else is the beleaguered country supposed to do?The answer is simple. Israel should do what it has never done before: agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state, based on international law.This straightforward statement is scarce in mainstream U.S. political culture. In the speeches of politicians and in newspaper op-eds, it’s a matter of faith that Israel has always yearned for peace but has been constantly rebuffed by the Palestinians. The Palestinians, according to this narrative, prefer holding onto a dream of destroying Israel. This is not quite...

The Israeli military says the latest group of 12 hostages freed by Hamas has exited Gaza into Egypt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Israeli military says the latest group of 12 hostages freed by Hamas has exited Gaza into Egypt.Source

White Sox finalize $1.75 million deal with SS DeJong, designate OF Haseley for assignment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox finalized a $1.75 million, one-year contract with shortstop Paul DeJong on Tuesday and designated outfielder Adam Haseley for assignment.The 30-year-old DeJong, who grew up in Antioch and attended Illinois State, played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2017 until he was traded to Toronto this past Aug. 1. He was released by the Blue Jays on Aug. 21 and signed two days later with San Francisco.An All-Star in 2019 when he batted .233 with 30 homers and 78 RBIs, DeJong hit .226 with 14 homers and 37 RBIs this year in the final season of a $26 million, six-year contract. He has a .229 career average with 116 homers and 344 RBIs.Tim Anderson, Chicago’s shortstop since 2016, became a free agent after the White Sox declined a $14 million option for 2024.Haseley was 8 for 36 with two RBIs and six runs in 28 games with Chicago last season.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlbSource

WWE Hall of Famer Tammy ‘Sunny’ Sytch sentenced to 17 years in prison for fatal DUI crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Former pro wrestler Tammy “Sunny” Sytch has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for drunkenly colliding with another car, killing a 75-year-old man, while her blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit, authorities in Florida said.Sytch, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, pleaded no contest in August to driving under the influence manslaughter and other charges. She also had an unsealed bottle of vodka in her vehicle and cannabis in her system at the time of her arrest in Volusia County in March 2022, authorities said.She had faced up to more than 25 years in prison during her sentencing hearing on Monday. During the hearing, Sytch said she felt remorse and regret “deep in my soul” for killing Julian LaFrancis Lasseter of Daytona Beach.Sytch, 50, previously had been arrested multiple times from driving under the influence in Pennsylvania, where her driver’s license had been suspended. She didnR...

El Fresco Tex-Mex grill expands with franchise-owned Alexandria location

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

El Fresco Tex-Mex Grill, whose first restaurant was opened by Iranian immigrant Steve Ganji in Chantilly, Virginia, in 2008, has turned to franchising for expansion, with a franchise-owned El Fresco opening in Alexandria next month.Last year, El Fresco sold its Centerville location to its first franchisee. A location in Sterling, which opened in September, and the new Alexandria location, at 7324 Richmond Highway, are franchise-owned restaurants. The original Chantilly location remains company-owned.Ganji has more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant business, opening his first restaurant in 1988 in Alexandria, Casa Amigo, which he eventually sold.Ganji’s decision to franchise El Fresco was prompted in part by the success of the concept and the food as well as his goal to share his experience in the business with entrepreneurs.More than 95% of the items on the menu are prepared from scratch in-house.El Fresco locations are fast-casual, meaning counter menu with dining...

Pope Francis cancels his trip to Dubai for the UN climate conference on doctors’ orders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis cancels his trip to Dubai for the UN climate conference on doctors’ orders.Source

Poderosa red política Koch apoya candidatura de Nikki Haley en las primarias republicanas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

NUEVA YORK – Americans for Prosperity, el brazo político de la red política Koch, declaró formalmente su apoyo a Nikki Haley como candidata presidencial del Partido Republicano el martes, prometiendo usar su extensa red de activistas y fondos casi ilimitados para que la exgobernadora de Carolina del Sur derrote al expresidente Donald Trump en las primarias.“AFP Action se enorgullece de dar nuestro respaldo total a Nikki Haley, quien ofrece a Estados Unidos voltear la página a nuestra era política actual, para que gane las primarias republicanas y derrote a Joe Biden en noviembre próximo”, escribió la presidenta de AFP, Emily Seidel, en un memorándum anunciando la decisión de la agrupación.“Ella tiene lo que se requiere para encabezar una agenda que encare los mayores desafíos de nuestra nación y ayude a asegurar que los mejores días de nuestro país están por venir. Con la organización de bases y los datos que aportaremos a esta contienda, ninguna organización está mejor equipa...

Stock market today: Wall Street wavers following strong consumer confidence report, Fed hopes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading on Tuesday following a strong report on consumer confidence and a boost to hopes that the Federal Reserve is finished with its aggressive interest rate hikes.The S&P 500 fell 0.1%, but remains on track to close out November with its strongest monthly gain of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 32 points, or 0.1% to 35,363 as of 1:12 p.m. Eastern. The Nasdaq fell 0.1%.Bond yields fell. The 10-year Treasury yield, which influences mortgage rates, slipped to 4.37% from 4.39% late Monday. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which tracks expectations for Federal Reserve action, fell significantly, to 4.78% from 4.89% late Monday.U.S. crude oil prices rose 2.7%.Investors are closely watching several economic updates this week for more clues about how consumers feel and whether the rate of inflation is still easing. They are betting that the Fed will continue to hold its benchmark rate steady. That sentiment...

Amtrak seeks to take DC’s Union Station in eminent domain case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:34 GMT

Amtrak will argue in federal court Tuesday that eminent domain privileges dictate it should be granted full control of historic Union Station in D.C.In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Amtrak is seeking control of the property managed by a private company, Union Station Investco or USI. The U.S. has owned the property since 1985, and authorized the nonprofit Union Station Redevelopment Corporation to oversee the property.Currently, Union Station Investco subleases a small portion of the station — approximately 13% — to Amtrak for its railroad operations, including ticket counters and concourse.Amtrak filed the eminent domain case in April 2022, seeking control of Union Station Investco’s stake, citing federal code that says Amtrak has the authority to seize property “necessary for intercity rail passenger transportation.”In its lawsuit, Amtrak claimed it needs control of Union Station “to ensure that the Station is safely and effectively brought back t...