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Russia, Belarus, Iran disinvited to Nobel Prize ceremonies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

The Nobel Foundation on Saturday withdrew its invitation for representatives of Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend this year’s Nobel Prize award ceremonies after the decision announced a day earlier “provoked strong reactions.”Several Swedish lawmakers said Friday they would boycott this year’s Nobel Prize award ceremonies in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, after the private foundation that administers the prestigious awards changed its position from a year earlier and invited representatives of the three countries to attend, saying it “promotes opportunities to convey the important messages of the Nobel Prize to everyone.”Some of the lawmakers cited Russia’s war on Ukraine and the crackdown on human rights in Iran as reasons for their boycott. Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Friday called on the Swedish Nobel Foundation and the Norwegian Nobel Committee not to invite representatives of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s “illegitimate regime t...

Yankees Notebook: Youngsters delighted by chance to reunite at highest level

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

HOUSTON — When the Yankees beat the Astros on Friday night, they did so with five rookies in their lineup. Another came out of the bullpen.With Jasson Domínguez (20), Everson Pereira (22), Oswald Peraza (22), Anthony Volpe (22) and Austin Wells (24) all starting, it marked just the second time since 1971 that the Yankees had five players 24 or younger start the same game. Randy Vásquez, also 24, then delivered two scoreless innings in relief.“It’s very special,” Wells, who debuted alongside Domínguez, said before the game. “I don’t know a lot of guys who can say they debuted with four or five guys from the minors that they played with.”Domínguez, whose MLB debut had been highly anticipated ever since he signed a $5.1 million contract as a 16-year-old, stole the show when the centerfielder homered off Justin Verlander — who is twice his age — in his very first at-bat.Wells, meanwhile, picked up a single in his ...

Patriots great Devin McCourty to be recognized for his off-the-field contributions to New England

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

Devin McCourty won’t be suiting up for the Patriots anymore, but the spotlight is still shining on the former team captain’s contributions to the New England community.McCourty, who announced his retirement from the NFL in March, will be recognized in November for his service off the field when he receives the Embracing the Legacy Award from RFK Community Alliance.The Lancaster-based nonprofit that provides all kinds of family support services is specifically placing its focus on what it says is one of McCourty’s “most pivotal moments in his career”: helping free a man serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole.McCourty, teammates and other members of the Patriots organization during the 2021 season partnered with social justice advocates to free Brockton resident William Allen, who was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1997 after committing an armed robbery that killed 42-year-old Purvis Bester in 1994.The advocacy work led to former Gov...

Bill Richardson, former New Mexico governor and UN ambassador, dies in Massachusetts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

Bill Richardson, a two-term Democratic governor of New Mexico and an American ambassador to the United Nations who also worked for years to secure the release of Americans detained by foreign adversaries, has died. He was 75.The Richardson Center for Global Engagement, which he founded and led, said in a statement Saturday that he died in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts.“He lived his entire life in the service of others — including both his time in government and his subsequent career helping to free people held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad,” said Mickey Bergman, the center’s vice president. “There was no person that Gov. Richardson would not speak with if it held the promise of returning a person to freedom. The world has lost a champion for those held unjustly abroad and I have lost a mentor and a dear friend.”Before his election in 2002 as governor, Richardson was the U.S. envoy to the United Nations and energy secretary under President Bill C...

DeSantis’ redistricting map in Florida is unconstitutional and must be redrawn, judge says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

A Florida redistricting plan pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis violates the state constitution and is prohibited from being used for any future U.S. congressional elections since it diminishes the ability of Black voters in north Florida to pick a representative of their choice, a state judge ruled Saturday.Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh sent the plan back to the Florida Legislature with instructions that lawmakers should draw a new congressional map that complies with the Florida Constitution.The voting rights groups that challenged the plan in court “have shown that the enacted plan results in the diminishment of Black voters’ ability to elect their candidate of choice in violation of the Florida Constitution,” Marsh wrote.The decision was the latest to strike down new congressional maps in Southern states over concerns that they diluted Black voting power. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Republican-drawn map in Alabama, with two conservative justices joining liberal...

For at least a day, all the world is ‘Margaritaville’ in homage to Jimmy Buffett

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

KEY WEST, Florida (AP) — All the world was “Margaritaville” on Saturday, from Key West to New York City and beyond, as legions of fans mourned the passing of beach-bum balladeer Jimmy Buffett at the age of 76.Buffett’s eponymous hit song has long been the anthem of Florida’s Key West, where Buffett once lived and built his enduring legacy.“Everybody equates that song with our city,” said Clayton Lopez, a Key West city commissioner. “I mean, when you say Margaritaville, you’re talking about the city of Key West.”The community planned a remembrance Sunday along Duval Street, home to some of Key West’s most well-known eateries and music venues, including the Chart Room, a dive bar where Buffett sang early in his career.“He’s doing another show now, but it’s in the sky,” said Jimmy Weekley, who owns Fausto, a restaurant that is one of Key West’s landmarks.Buffett’s fandom was widespread, and tributes poured in Saturday. President Joe Biden sent condolences to Buffett’s family “and...

Man found shot in Englewood dies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

CHICAGO — An investigation is underway after a 20-year-old man died after being shot in Englewood on Saturday afternoon, according to Chicago police. Police say the man, who had been shot in the chest, was found lying on the sidewalk in the 1100 block of West 58th Street just before 2:50 p.m.  Joliet man charged in connection with teen’s fatal overdose According to police, the man was taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Officers have not yet identified the slain man and say no arrests have been made in connection with the deadly shooting. Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and the detectives say an investigation is underway.  FBI agents search for man who robbed bank in Elgin Anyone with information on the deadly shooting can leave a tip for police at CPDtip.com. Tips can be left anonymously.

$38,000 recovered after robbery, high-speed chase in Bensenville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — A Texas man accused of robbing an ATM technician and leading police on a high-speed chase in Bensenville is in custody, according to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.Police say the robbery happened just after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday while an ATM technician was servicing a machine in the drive-thru lanes of the Chase Bank near Entry Drive and Grand Avenue. Police exchange gunfire with female suspect on East Side overnight Bensenville Police say 23-year-old Earnest Hudson, of Houston, Texas, and another man who has not yet been identified, pulled into one of the drive-thru lanes and allegedly approached the technician and ordered them to leave. Police say after the technician left, Hudson and the other offender allegedly took the ATM containers that had cash and checks inside before fleeing the scene in a Nissan Murano. A bank employee who witnessed the alleged robbery then called police.Shortly after, just before 5 p.m., officers from the Elmhurst P...

Police identify man shot, killed at Wentworth Gardens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is dead after a shooting Friday evening at Chicago's Wentworth Gardens.This shooting happened around 6:15 p.m. in the 3800 block of South Wentworth. Community rallies to support man injured in shooting at nephew's funeral Police say 26-year-old Daquon Rice was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the shooting. According to information from the Chicago Police Department, Rice was outside when three people fired shots at him.No one has been arrested yet and Area One detectives are still investigating.

State of Texas: Senators face historic duty in Paxton impeachment trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:57 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Tuesday, Texas Senators will take on a constitutional duty that few in the state's history have faced before: acting as jurors in a court of impeachment. The Senate chamber will become a courtroom for the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton.At the end of May, the House voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton on allegations that include making false statements, obstructing justice, accepting bribes from a campaign donor and more. KXAN will have live coverage for the entirety of the Ken Paxton impeachment trial. Click here for in-depth coverage and the latest live stream of the trial.Although an impeachment trial is purely political, in the sense that lawmakers are not bringing any criminal charges against Paxton, legal experts note that the process will likely mirror what happens in a criminal or civil courtroom. The House acts like a grand jury, with their vote signifying that the majority found there was enough probable cause to impeach Paxt...