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Jordan backs expanding interim speaker powers as third vote is scrapped

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

(CNN) — Rep. Jim Jordan is vowing to stay in the race for speaker, but may now be poised to pivot strategy by endorsing a plan to expand the power of the interim speaker for the rest of the year, a risky move that may trigger a backlash from members of his party.Jordan won’t hold a third speaker vote on Thursday, sources told CNN, as he has struggled to flip holdouts and was at risk of bleeding more support. He is also now leaning toward backing a resolution to expand the powers of interim Speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry, sources said, but wants to see how a currently ongoing conference meeting goes. The idea, according to a Jordan ally, is to give Jordan more time to build support without the chaos of a speaker-less House – and Jordan does not plan to drop out of the race and wants to remain the speaker designee, the source said.The resolution being pushed by some in the conference would empower McHenry until January or until a new speaker is elected.But many Jordan ...

Gaza awaits international aid convoys, Israeli invasion

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

By Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab and Ravi Nessman | Associated PressKHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes on Thursday, including in the south where Palestinians were told to take refuge, and the country’s defense minister told ground troops to “be ready” to invade, though he didn’t say when.Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals tried to stretch out ebbing medical supplies and fuel for diesel generators to keep the equipment running, as authorities worked out logistics for a delivery of aid into from Egypt. Doctors in darkened wards across Gaza stitched wounds by mobile phone light, and others used vinegar to treat infected wounds.The Israeli military has relentlessly attacked Gaza in retaliation for a devastating Hamas rampage in southern Israel almost two weeks ago. Even after Israel told Palestinians to evacuate the north of Gaza and flee south, strikes extended across the territory, heightening fears among the territory’s ...

Labanc denies being told by Sharks that he was going on waivers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

SAN J0SE — Kevin Labanc on Thursday denied a report that he had been informed by the San Jose Sharks that was going to be placed on waivers.Frank Seravalli of dailyfaceoff.com tweeted Thursday morning that, per sources, Labanc, would be placed on waivers prior to the team’s game with the Boston Bruins. Labanc had been scratched from the Sharks’ first three games.Seravalli later tweeted that the Sharks “reversed course” and that Labanc would play against the Bruins.Efforts to reach Sharks general manager Mike Grier and Labanc’s agent, Michael Curran, for further clarification were not immediately successful.Sharks coach David Quinn said Wednesday that Labanc, who had 33 points in 72 games last season, would play against the Bruins.Labanc spoke briefly to reporters Thursday morning and said he was never told he was being placed on waivers.“I’m happy to be in the lineup and help the team, do everything that we can to win the game,” ...

A classic El Niño winter is expected this year, forecasters say. Here’s what that means for snow and cold

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

By Mary Gilbert | CNN MeteorologistEl Niño will drive what could be a warmer or wetter winter in parts of the US this year, according to an outlook released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday.But don’t worry, snow lovers. El Niño – a natural ocean and weather pattern in the tropical Pacific – could also mean higher snow chances in some atypical spots and fuel more potent northeast snowstorms, forecasters say.El Niño is forecast to be strong this winter and reach the most significant level since a very strong El Niño fostered the warmest winter on record across the US mainland during 2015-2016, according to NOAA.While no two El Niño winters are the same, this shift typically brings wetter and cooler weather to the South while the north becomes drier and warmer.And that’s exactly what’s expected this winter. Above-average temperatures are likely across much of the northern US, according to NOAA’s outlook.Parts of the Northwest, Great Lakes and Northeast...

A ‘last hurrah’ for the Bay Area heat hits on Thursday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

In the perfect melting pot of peak-California weather in October, what’s likely to be the most scorching day for the rest of the calendar year could be followed by weekend rain showers, according to the National Weather Service.The two-day heat wave that left pumpkin-patch attendees clinging to blotches of shade on Wednesday only ramped up on Thursday with triple-digit potential in the forecasts.NWS meteorologist Crystal Oudit said more records could fall on Thursday. San Francisco International Airport tied its record temperature with a high of 86 on Wednesday.Several forecast highs on Thursday threatened records, including Santa Rosa’s prediction of 95 (against a record of 95 in 1921), San Jose’s 95 (91 in 1913), Half Moon Bay’s 88 (82 in 1998), Downtown San Francisco’s 90 (90 in 1992) and SFO at 92 (86 in 2022).“Some of the forecasts are predicted to either tie (the records) or break them,” Oudit said.Other Bay Area forecast highs include...

United Airlines will now make passengers in aisle seats board last

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN and DAVID KOENIG | AP Business WritersUnited Airlines will institute a new boarding procedure for economy class, with passengers in aisle seats boarding last.The airline said in an internal memo that it will implement the plan on Oct. 26 for domestic flights and some international flights. It was tested at several locations and deemed to shave up to two minutes off boarding time.“It spreads people out along the aisle of the airplane so that more people can put their luggage away at the same time. That’s the main thing that speeds up the boarding process,” said Jason Steffen, an associate professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who designed his own boarding model a decade ago.The change will not affect those with priority boarding privileges. The new boarding sequence is this:Preboarding: Customers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, families with children under 2, active-duty military, Global Services members, Premier 1K membersGro...

‘America does not deserve me.’ Why Black people are leaving the United States

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

Kate Linthicum | (TNS) Los Angeles TimesPUERTO VIEJO, Costa Rica — Filmmaker Jameelah Nuriddin was locked down in Los Angeles during the pandemic, watching as the nation convulsed in protest over the murder of George Floyd, when she had an epiphany: “America does not deserve me.”As a Black woman, Nuriddin always tried to work twice as hard as those around her, thinking: “If I’m smart enough, pretty enough, successful enough … then finally people will treat me as a human being.”But as she grieved yet another unarmed Black man killed by police, she decided she was done trying to prove herself to a society that she felt would never really love her back.So Nuriddin, 39, packed her bags and left.She ended up in Costa Rica, in an idyllic beach town on the Caribbean coast that has become a hub for hundreds of Black expatriates fed up with life in the United States.She now spends her days working for U.S. clients from chic cafes, leading healing ceremonies at a local waterfall and try...

Petaluma fatal crash caused by driving at 'unsafe speed,' according to CHP

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

(KRON) – One person died as a result of a fatal crash on Bodega Avenue in Petaluma, according to police.The Santa Rosa California Highway Patrol officers and the Petaluma Fire Department responded to a crash on Bodega Avenue near King Road at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Oct. 17.  Alleged copper thieves arrested in Milpitas According to police, a male driver of a Nissan Versa was pronounced deceased at the scene at the officer’s arrival. The driver was the only person in the car. Police investigation indicates the Nissan was traveling eastbound on Bodega Avenue, west of King Road, at an unsafe speed. According to the police investigation, the driver lost control of the Nissan, which veered off the right side of the roadway and then collided with a tree. The Nissan overturned and continued down an embankment before landing on its roof, police said.Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the Santa Rosa CHP Office at (707)-588-1400.

Newsom traveling to Israel ahead of trip to China

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

California Governor Gavin Newsom will visit Israel just ahead of a trip to China that had already been planned for some time. "I’m on my way to Israel. I’ll be meeting with those impacted by the horrific terrorist attacks and offering California’s support," the governor posted on social media Thursday morning. IRS postpones tax filing deadline one month for California storm victims Newsom is making the trip as Israel nears two weeks of war against Gaza-based Hamas, which overran the Israeli border on Oct. 7 in a surprise attack, killing hundreds and taking dozens of hostages. The governor's press secretary said, “The Governor adjusted his planned international trip and will briefly visit Israel ahead of going to China. While in Israel, the Governor will meet with those impacted by the violence.”Newsom's office also said that California will send medical supplies and other aid to the region, including to Gaza. ‘Partnership is everything’: Jennifer Siebel Newsom says the words ‘F...

San Jose greenlights hotel conversion for student housing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:24 GMT

(BCN) -- San Jose leaders have reluctantly agreed to a plan to convert hundreds of hotel rooms into student housing amid concerns it will harm tourism.The San Jose City Council unanimously approved a deal yesterday between San Jose State University and the owner of the former Fairmont Hotel, rebranded as Signia by Hilton last year, to sell off the south tower -- about a third of the hotel's 705 guest rooms for student housing. The Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill set for today City officials say the deal is a double-edged sword: with hotel occupancy rates down, the move can potentially save the hotel from bankruptcy and bring students to support surrounding businesses. But fewer rooms may limit the city's hotel tax revenue from hosting conventions.Charlie Faas, vice president of administration and finance at San Jose State, said the only two events capable of filling up the "struggling hotel" are the World Cup and Super Bowl, both scheduled to come to San Jose in the com...