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Ethics chairman launches a new bid to expel George Santos after a withering report on his conduct

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House Ethics Committee announced Friday he has filed a resolution to force a vote on expelling Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., from Congress, one day after the committee issued a withering report detailing substantial evidence that Santos converted campaign donations for his own personal use.Santos easily survived an expulsion vote earlier this month as lawmakers in both parties stressed the need to allow due process, as Santos is also facing nearly two dozen charges in federal court. But the release of the committee’s findings has generated new momentum for ousting the scandal-plagued freshman. Shortly after the report was released, Santos announced he would not seek reelection.“The evidence uncovered in the Ethics Committee’s Investigative Subcommittee investigation is more than sufficient to warrant punishment and the most appropriate punishment, is expulsion,” said Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss.The Ethics Committee referred its fi...

California fugitive sentenced for killing Florida woman in 1984

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A 65-year-old California fugitive who eluded authorities for nearly four decades before his arrest in June has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for killing a Florida woman.Donald Santini pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a deal with prosecutors to avoid a first-degree murder charge. Circuit Judge Samantha Ward approved the deal before issuing the sentence in Tampa on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The case had been set to go to trial in two weeks.“Good luck,” the judge told Santini, who has been in jail without bond since his arrest in June at his home near San Diego.”Thank you, Your Honor,” Santini, whose hands were cuffed in front of him, replied.Before his arrest, Santini had lived in California under the name of Wellman Simmonds. He was president of a local water board in Campo, a tiny suburb of San Diego, and he regularly appeared at public board meetings.The life he had built in California came to an end thanks to a tip from the Flo...

Apple will make a big change to iPhone messages next year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

(CNN) — The long-standing battle over the iOS’ blue and Android’s green text bubbles will soon take a more friendly turn.Apple announced on Thursday plans to adopt a messaging standard that will finally bring iMessage features to Android users, eroding what some considered an element of Apple’s walled garden.The change – first reported by tech site 9to5Mac – will add features, such as read receipt, typing indicators, better support for group chats and higher quality media sharing of images and videos, across platforms.Apple told CNN in a statement it will add support for the standard, called RCS (Rich Communication Services), later next year. RCS is considered the replacement to alternatives such as SMS, or short messaging service, and can work over both Wi-Fi and mobile data.“We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS,” the company said in the statement. “This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be t...

Missing EU: Scotland’s nationalists make fresh pitch to undo Brexit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

LONDON — Scotland can “regain what has been lost because of Brexit” by rejoining the EU as an independent nation, the Scottish government argued Friday. But it’s got plenty of big hurdles to clear first.A new paper — written by senior officials working for the pro-independence government led by the Scottish National Party — sets out how an independent Scotland, no longer shackled to the U.K., could rejoin the bloc years after it was wrenched out by the Brexit referendum.The paper comes, however, at a difficult time for the Scottish independence movement. After losing a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014, the prospect of a second one appears more distant than ever. Declining polling numbers for the SNP, and the Westminster government’s long-running refusal to play ball both play a part. Thanks to the chaos that followed Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation as Scottish first minister and the steady revival of the Scottish Labour Party, the SNP is also w...

Scotland shares the EU’s values. Here’s how we’d seek to rejoin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

Humza Yousaf is the first minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party.Scotland, like all European countries, is wrestling with huge challenges, while trying to build a better society and a stronger economy for our citizens. It’s been my job since I became first minister in March this year to lead Scotland through these challenging times and create those opportunities. To a large extent, my politics have been defined by the principle of solidarity: the sense that there is much more that unites us than divides us.The motto of the EU — “united in diversity” —  for me is much more than a nice phrase. The idea of working, as the EU says, for peace and prosperity, while recognizing that we are all enriched by different cultures, traditions and languages, goes to the very heart of my political beliefs.Seven years ago, people in Scotland voted decisively to remain inside the EU. They were driven, of course, by the economic advantages that come from b...

Boston Fire crews respond to two-alarm fire in Mattapan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

The Boston Fire Department was called to a heavy fire in Mattapan Friday morning, successfully knocking down the blaze.Crews arrived at the two-and-a-half story building on Rector Street to find billowing smoke and flames shooting through the roof and upper level walls.“Heavy fire [through] the roof as companies continue to chase the fire through the building,” officials posted to X. “Companies have to work around the wires to reach the roof as the fire is traveling in the eaves.”https://twitter.com/BostonFire/status/1725541917033701572The department reported that the fire had been knocked down shortly after 11 a.m.Six adults were displaced by the fire, but no injuries were reported.

Former Sen. Tran Indicted Again, This Time For COVID Fraud

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

Former Sen. Dean Tran’s legal troubles expanded Friday when he was arrested and charged in federal court for allegedly collecting fraudulent unemployment benefits and failing to disclose income to the IRS.Federal prosecutors announced a 28-count indictment against the Fitchburg resident alleging that after he departed the Massachusetts Senate in 2021, he collected $30,120 in pandemic unemployment benefits while also working as a paid consultant for a New Hampshire automotive parts company.Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s office also alleged that Tran failed to disclose more than $50,000 he earned from consulting for the company — which prosecutors did not identify — on his 2021 federal tax return as well as rental income he collected from tenants of a Fitchburg property.Tran, who in September was indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury on two counts of violating state ethics laws, now also faces 25 counts of wire fraud and three counts of filing false tax r...

Chicago Bears Week 11 storylines: Dan Campbell’s magic touch, Cairo Santos’ reliability and a new power in the NFC North

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

The Chicago Bears are hoping to build on last week’s 16-13 win against the Carolina Panthers and see Sunday’s test against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions as a measuring stick. The Bears have shown encouraging improvement on defense over the last month and a half and will get starting quarterback Justin Fields back as well.Now comes the task of competing with — and perhaps upsetting — a high-quality opponent in the Lions. With kickoff approaching, here’s the inside slant on three notable storylines.‘Be ready to roll’The Lions were staring at a potential go-ahead 44-yard field-goal attempt in the final minutes Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Fourth-and-2 from the Chargers 26-yard line and well within range for kicker Riley Patterson. But their coach, Dan Campbell, was staring up at the clock — 1:47 remaining — then across at the opposing sideline, where quarterback Justin Herbert and his offense were waiting for one more opportunity a...

VIDEO: Bioluminescent waves spotted at these San Diego beaches

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Bioluminescence -- It's like electric waves rolling along the coastline, and it has been spotted in San Diego, once again. San Diego photographer Vishwas Lokesh, known as @shotbyvish on Instagram, took his Canon camera down to the coast after dark this week to capture some illuminating moments on two particular beaches.As seen in the video at the top of this article, bioluminescent waves were seen rolling along La Jolla Shores both Monday and Tuesday night. The waters at Torrey Pines State Beach also became a light show for onlookers post-twilight Tuesday. Atmospheric river may bring isolated showers to San Diego County "This famed glowing phenomenon is triggered by dinoflagellates, often referred to as 'fire plants' for their ability to emit light. Essentially, these are chemicals generated by marine organisms when agitated," Lokesh explained to his viewers. In essence, he's referring to microalgae that's associated with what's known as a red tide, or a discolorati...

Allison Russell, Burton Cummings, Tom Cochrane set for Gordon Lightfoot charity show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:03:20 GMT

TORONTO — A packed lineup of Canadian musicians is headed to Massey Hall for a concert tribute to late folk legend Gordon Lightfoot next year.Grammy nominee Allison Russell, the Guess Who’s Burton Cummings and rocker Tom Cochrane are among a dozen names set to appear at Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot on May 23.The evening will pay tribute to Lightfoot’s music and legacy at his favourite venue in Toronto, with Blue Rodeo and members of Lightfoot’s longtime band serving as dual house bands.Some other artists set to appear include folkie Sylvia Tyson, country singer William Prince and rising Oji-Cree musician Aysanabee, with more names to be added ahead of the show.The “Sundown” and “If You Could Read My Mind” singer died in May after a series of health problems, leading to tributes from across the world.Tickets for Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot go on sale Thursday through Massey Hall’s website and by calling the venue’s box office.Pro...