Democrats fend off challenges to retain control of majorities in New Jersey’s Legislature

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

Democrats fend off challenges to retain control of majorities in New Jersey’s Legislature TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Democrats kept control of their legislative majorities on Tuesday, holding the line against Republican challenges as well as flipping seats in pivotal Senate races and Assembly contests. The results buoyed the party’s prospects after a bleak showing in the last election. Democrat John Burzichelli defeated Republican Ed Durr, who stunned Senate President Steve Sweeney two years ago by beating him in a race that few expected would be competitive that year.Burzichelli, a longtime lawmaker and former appropriations committee chairman, was ousted alongside Sweeney in 2021 by Durr, a truck driver who hadn’t been elected before, and his running mates.He attributed the win on Tuesday to a focus on abortion and reproductive health throughout a campaign that featured relentless attacks against Durr. Burzichelli used comments attributed to Durr from before his election, suggesting women could avoid abortions by not having sex. “I think women’s issues playe...

Republican leads over Democrat whose House of Delegates race became embroiled in sex scandal

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

Republican leads over Democrat whose House of Delegates race became embroiled in sex scandal In this image taken from a video, Virginia legislative candidate Susanna Gibson addresses the Women's Summit in Virginia Beach, Va., in September of 2022. Gibson has denounced the disclosure of live videos on a pornographic website in which she and her husband engaged in sex acts. (Neil Smith via AP)(AP/Neil Smith) In this image taken from a video, Virginia legislative candidate Susanna Gibson addresses the Women's Summit in Virginia Beach, Va., in September of 2022. Gibson has denounced the disclosure of live videos on a pornographic website in which she and her husband engaged in sex acts. (Neil Smith via AP)(AP/Neil Smith) RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican David Owen held a narrow lead over Democrat Susanna Gibso...

Tristan Jarry injured, Magnus Hellberg finishes shutout in Penguins’ 2-0 win over Ducks

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

Tristan Jarry injured, Magnus Hellberg finishes shutout in Penguins’ 2-0 win over Ducks ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Tristan Jarry and Magnus Hellberg combined on a 32-save shutout after Jarry left with an injury late in the second period, and the Pittsburgh Penguins snapped the Anaheim Ducks’ six-game winning streak with a 2-0 victory Tuesday night.Radim Zohorna scored in the first period and Sidney Crosby added an empty-net goal for the Penguins, who avenged Anaheim’s spectacular 4-3 comeback victory in Pittsburgh eight days ago.“What I loved about our third period is that we competed hard, that we defended well,” Pens coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s a good win for our team, especially to close it out in a low-scoring game against a team that’s beaten a lot of good teams lately.”Jarry made 21 saves for Pittsburgh before leaving the game with a cut near his right eye. Jarry’s head hit Ducks forward Adam Henrique, who had his back turned to the goalie outside the crease, yet Jarry still inadvertently stopped the puck when Henrique attempted to fire a reboun...

A broken Netanyahu is miscalculating over Gaza, former Israeli PM says

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

A broken Netanyahu is miscalculating over Gaza, former Israeli PM says TEL AVIV — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been “destroyed emotionally” by his massive failure on national security and is now miscalculating by preparing to take overall control of Gaza’s security for an “indefinite period” after Hamas has been crushed, according to former leader Ehud Olmert. In an interview with POLITICO, Olmert argued Netanyahu was in a state of “nervous breakdown,” as he sought to avoid being thrown out of office for failing to safeguard national security in the murderous Hamas attacks of October 7. This meant Israel was now steering off course strategically, Olmert went on, insisting the priority should be to negotiate an endgame with the international community — involving a return to talks on the formation of a Palestinian state, rather than turning back the clock to full military oversight over Gaza. “[Netanyahu] has shrunk. He’s destroyed emotionally, that’s for sure. I mean, some...

Australian court considers overturning mother’s convictions for killing 4 children

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

Australian court considers overturning mother’s convictions for killing 4 children SYDNEY (AP) — An Australian court will consider overturning a woman’s convictions for killing her four children, a government inquiry reported on Wednesday months after she was pardoned for the crimes due to new evidence that the siblings had died of natural causes.Overturning Kathleen Folbigg’s convictions would end a legal battle that has reached the highest level of Australia’s court system to clear her of responsibility for her children’s deaths, which happened over a decade between 1989 and 1999.Folbigg, 56, was freed in June after spending 20 years in prison when the New South Wales state government pardoned her on three counts of murder and one of manslaughter.The pardon was based on the interim recommendations of a state inquiry into new scientific evidence that created reasonable doubt that Folbigg had smothered her children, as prosecutors had alleged at her trial.The inquiry’s final report recommended on Wednesday that the state Court of Criminal Appeal consider clearing ...

More Canadians could soon be leaving Gaza after names appear in latest document

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

More Canadians could soon be leaving Gaza after names appear in latest document More Canadians could soon be leaving Gaza after their names appeared in the latest published document by Gaza’s General Authority of Crossings and Borders.Wednesday’s document contains 40 names under the “Canada” heading, with many listed as having “Dual” citizenship.Other countries listed include Germany, the Philippines, Ukraine, Romania, and the United States.The Canadian government confirmed that 75 people connected to Canada left the Palestinian territory via its border with Egypt on Tuesday.Global Affairs Canada said that Canada is unable to determine when or how many people can cross each day, and the situation is fluid and unpredictable. It said Canadian officials were on the Egyptian side of the border to welcome those who are leaving and facilitate their transportation to Cairo. The department had said in a statement on Monday that the Israeli military has assured Canada more than 400 of its citizens would be able to cross “in the ...

UAlbany men's basketball falls to UMass in season opener

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

UAlbany men's basketball falls to UMass in season opener AMHERST, MA (NEWS10) -- The University at Albany men's basketball team fell in its season opener to UMass, 92-71. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Coach Dwayne Killings"They broke the game open, I thought it broke our spirit. We couldn't really get back into it. We were really good against two good programs in our scrimmages, we clawed through yhe games, but we couldn't do that today." Key Stat LinesSebastian Thomas led all UAlbany players with 19 points, going 5-10 from the field and 3-4 from deep.Aaron Reddish led the team in with six rebounds, followed by Tyler Bertram with five. Reddish totaled eight points in the game, Bertram was the team's second leading scorer with 11.Freshman Jack Margoupis totaled eight second half points in his first collegiate game.The Great Danes shot 35.7% (20-56) from the field, going 9-26 from beyond the arc. UMass shot 43.4% (33-76) from the field and 45.5% (10-22) ...

President Tokayev welcomes French president in Astana

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

President Tokayev welcomes French president in Astana President Tokayev underlined the historical significance of Macron’s visit, which would give an additional impetus to dynamically developing cooperation between the countries.He highlighted France’s position as Kazakhstan’s key and trusted partner in the European Union and one of the major investors in the Kazakh economy.President Macron thanked Tokayev for the invitation, raising hopes that this visit would enable them to advance on crucial international topics and reiterate their commitment to the United Nations Charter and its principles of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.Macron mentioned substantial contracts signed to promote the strategic and economic relations between Kazakhstan and France.The presidents focused on strengthening the political dialogue and deepening cooperation in the trade, economic, investment, energy, transport, logistics and cultural-humanitarian spheres. and discussed key bilateral issues and exchanged views on current international and reg...

Condominium sells for $2.2 million in Palo Alto

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

Condominium sells for $2.2 million in Palo Alto 154 Hemlock Court – Google Street ViewA 1,717-square-foot condominium built in 1975 has changed hands. The property located in the 100 block of Hemlock Court in Palo Alto was sold on Oct. 26, 2023. The $2,188,000 purchase price works out to $1,274 per square foot. This condominium features three bedrooms and two bathrooms. On the exterior, the house is characterized by the use of wood shake roofing / shingles. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. Additionally, the home includes a two-car garage, offering generous space for vehicles and storage requirements.Additional units that have recently changed hands close by include:On San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, in November 2022, a 1,826-square-foot unit was sold for $1,800,000, a price per square foot of $986. The unit has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In September 2022, a 1,826-square-foot unit on San Antonio Road in Palo Alto sold for $1,966,000, a price per square foot of $1,077. The unit has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 1,826-sq...

Food doc ‘Common Ground’ makes DC premiere at Miracle Theatre starring Donald Glover, Laura Dern

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:14:35 GMT

Food doc ‘Common Ground’ makes DC premiere at Miracle Theatre starring Donald Glover, Laura Dern Their influential documentary “Kiss the Ground” (2020) reached over a billion people globally and inspired the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to devote $20 billion toward the health of American soil.Now, husband-and-wife co-directors Joshua Tickell and Rebecca Harrell Tickell are out with their follow-up documentary “Common Ground,” which makes its D.C. premiere next week at the historic Miracle Theatre on Barracks Row just south of the Eastern Market Metro station in Southeast D.C. on Nov. 13, Nov. 14 and Nov. 15.“Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that grows soil,” Joshua Tickell told WTOP. “We’re building farmer profits, we’re getting farmers out of debt and we’re building healthy food. Those are all positive win-win things that everybody can agree on. … That’s something that Republicans can get behind, Democrats, Independents, everyone can buy into that future because that’s going t...