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State Department: Israel “Must Not” Pursue “Mass Displacement Of Palestinians From Gaza”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

Israel “must not” engage in the “mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller insisted on Wednesday afternoon at a briefing with reporters. Miller’s remark followed earlier statements from him as well as from U.S. ambassador to the United States Linda Thomas-Greenfield, both of whom issued identical remarks Tuesday, saying, “There should be no mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.” The statements were issued in response to public comments from Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both of whom made clear the end goal of the assault on Gaza is to push out much of the Palestinian population and build Israeli settlements. Because the U.S. has repeatedly insisted that Israel “should” take a variety of steps that it has refused to take — allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza, take efforts to reduce civilian casualties, and so on — the repeated use of the word, “should” rais...

Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa were selected to their 1st Pro Bowl as the starting quarterbacks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa were selected to their first Pro Bowl as the starting quarterbacks for their respective conferences.It’s the first time the two starting QBs are first-time picks since the 1999 season when Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner were chosen.Purdy was one of nine players picked from the San Francisco 49ers, who clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed. He was joined by edge rusher Nick Bosa, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Fred Warner and tackle Trent Williams.The 49ers (13-3) had the most players selected. Baltimore (13-3) and Dallas (11-5) each have seven Pro Bowl players.Quarterback Lamar Jackson, safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith and kicker Justin Tucker were picked from the Ravens, who secured the AFC’s No. 1.Quarterback Dak Presc...

Clemson tailback Will Shipley entering NFL draft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson tailback Will Shipley is giving up his college eligibility to enter the NFL draft. Shipley announced his decision on social media Wednesday night. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior from Weddington, North Carolina, in 2022 became the only player selected to the all-Atlantic Coast Conference first team as a runner, an all-purpose player and a specialist. “I am grateful for the last three years and am excited to see what the future holds,” Shipley said on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. Shipley finished his Clemson career with 2,747 yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground. He also had 85 career receptions and two receiving touchdowns. Shipley ran for 827 yards and five touchdowns this season as Clemson won its final five games to finish 9-4. Shipley chose to play in Clemson’s 38-35 Gator Bowl win over Kentucky last week and it looked as if it might cost him as he was carted off the field after stumbling and somersaulting out of bounds after a...

13-year-old gamer becomes the first to beat the ‘unbeatable’ Tetris — by breaking it

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The falling-block video game Tetris has met its match in 13-year-old Willis Gibson, who has become the first player to officially “beat” the original Nintendo version of the game — by breaking it.Technically, Willis — aka “blue scuti” in the gaming world — made it to what gamers call a “kill screen,” a point where the Tetris code glitches, crashing the game. That might not sound like much of a victory to anyone thinking that only high scores count, but it’s a highly coveted achievement in the world of video games, where records involve pushing hardware and software to their limits. And beyond.It’s also a very big deal for players of Tetris, which many had long considered unbeatable. That’s partly because the game doesn’t have a scripted ending; those four-block shapes just keep falling no matter how good you get at stacking them into disappearing rows. Top players continued to find ways to extend their winning streaks by staying in the ga...

Jewish protesters calling for cease-fire in Gaza disrupt first day of California legislative session

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war interrupted the first day of California’s legislative session on Wednesday, forcing the state Assembly to adjourn just moments after convening.Lawmakers had just listened to the opening prayer and said the Pledge of Allegiance when protesters wearing matching black t-shirts stood from their seats and started singing “Cease-fire now” and “Let Gaza live.”A few people unfurled banners from the chamber’s gallery that read: “Jews say never again for anyone.”At first, Jim Wood, a Democratic assemblymember from Healdsburg who was presiding over the session, tried to continue the session despite the singing. Eventually though he called for a recess and adjourned a few minutes later.Nearly all of the lawmakers left the floor. Protesters cheered when officials turned the lights off in the chamber, holding up the flashlights on their phones as they continued to sing, which includ...

Austin Ekeler weighs future after disappointing season for Chargers with free agency on horizon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Hardly anyone knew about Austin Ekeler when he made the Los Angeles Chargers’ roster as an undrafted rookie in 2017. As the running back approaches what could be his final game in powder blue, Ekeler has been a fan favorite among Chargers fans — even during a frustrating season.Ekeler has reached 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the third straight year and fourth time in five seasons, but it has also been his most challenging season.He led the NFL with 18 touchdowns from scrimmage last season, but has only six going into Sunday’s finale against Kansas City. After becoming the fifth running back in league history to have at least 100 catches in a season last year, Ekeler has 44 this season. Ekeler said he would like to continue playing, but will assess all his options going into the offseason, when he will be an unrestricted free agent.“I think I’m going to be real selective on where I play next season,” said Ekeler, who is averaging a career...

17th Jazz in the Gardens to groove into Hard Rock Stadium in March with star-studded lineup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

If you’re looking to get your groove on, and you know you are, you’re in luck. Jazz in the Gardens is back for its 17th year. Talk about aging gracefully.Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris gave Deco the deets at 99 JAMZ, and it sounds like this year is better than ever.All that jazz will rock the Hard Rock Stadium March 9 and 10.Mayor Rodney Harris: “This is not just a music festival, it’s an experience.”Grab your dancing shoes, because Jazz in the Gardens is back for its 17th year.Mayor Rodney Harris: “You know, this thing has been so big. It started out in a parking lot, and now it has blossomed into one of the biggest musical festivals in the country.”Sure, it’s called Jazz in the Gardens, but the two-day event promises a variety of music.On Saturday, listen to some love lyrics from Omarion, or rock to the Afro beat tunes of Davido.Mayor Rodney Harris: “Then we’re gonna have the soulful sounds of Kirk Franklin, then we go...

Hundreds of documents unsealed in case related to Jeffrey Epstein

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

(CNN) — Hundreds of pages of unsealed documents from a lawsuit connected to accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein were publicly released on Wednesday. The documents are expected to include nearly 200 names, including some of Epstein’s accusers, prominent businesspeople, politicians and potentially more.While much of the information has been released through other means, such as media interviews, this is the first time these documents, filed with a court, have been released through the legal system.The documents contain excerpts of depositions taken of Maxwell and Giuffre. There is also a deposition from Johanna Sjoberg, who in the document described Prince Andrew touching her breast in a joking manner while taking photos.Sjoberg’s story has been public, but this is the first time her deposition has been unsealed. She worked sometimes for Epstein, and she has said that he pressured her to go beyond her comfort level at times in giving sexualized massages.Prince Andrew and Virgi...

Car crashes into beauty salon in Ayer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

One person was taken to a hospital with minor injuries Wednesday after a car crashed into a beauty salon in Ayer, officials said. The crash happened on Main Street Wednesday afternoon, damaging the front of the salon. Ayer fire officials said the person who was injured was inside the car at the time of the crash. Other people were in the salon, officials said, but were not hurt.Ayer police in a post on Facebook near 5:15 p.m. urged community members to avoid the area around Main Street and Washington Street while crews responded. In an update near 6 p.m., police said traffic was once again moving through the area. Speaking with 7NEWS, the owner of a salon next to the business that was struck said this was not the first time a crash like this happened on this part of Main Street. “It always happens,” said Lettensie Alemu-Walker. Alemu-Walker continued, saying she wants more lights in the area. “A lot of times, people don’t have patience,” Alemu-Walk...

New report details possible plan to close or consolidate half of Boston public schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:20 GMT

The oldest public school district in the country could undergo a radical change in the coming years, according to a new long term plan by the Boston Public Schools. The 80-page report was released on Wednesday and details a possible plan to close or consolidate half the district’s 119 schools, although it does not name specific schools. While the Boston Public Schools would have fewer schools with more students, the plan outlines ideas for better facilities and programs to better help students. “Previous efforts have sometimes fallen short, in part because we have often avoided telling hard truths.” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper and School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson wrote in an opening letter attached to the report. “Together, we aim to reverse that trend.”“Shifting our physical footprint will be uncomfortable and will cause disruption,” officials continued. “Mergers and closures are difficult, and new construction and renovation projects tak...