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Long-lost ‘Star Wars’ X-wing model fetches over $3.1 million at auction

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

(CNN) — A long-lost model of an X-wing fighter used in the original 1977 “Star Wars” movie sold at auction for over $3.13 million on Sunday.Used in the filming of the final battle in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” as the Rebel Alliance fight the Empire above the Death Star, the model represented “the pinnacle of Star Wars artifacts to ever reach the market,” Dallas-based auction house Heritage Auctions said ahead of the sale.The top two wings of the fighter are both painted with a single red stripe, identifying it as the squadron’s “Red Leader.”The model is part of a collection that belonged to the late Greg Jein, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated miniature-maker known for his work on “Star Trek” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”Long known as “the missing X-wing,” it was discovered by a team of visual effects experts, including Gene Kozicki (“Face/Off” and “Flight of the Phoenix”), as they helped Jein’s family sift through his collection, Kozicki told the Hol...

Mickey Mouse Parliament? EU train to Strasbourg takes wrong turn, ends up at Disneyland

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

ON A (DIFFERENT) TRAIN FROM BRUSSELS TO STRASBOURG — A train carrying hundreds of MEPs and European Parliament officials briefly ended up at Disneyland on Monday, after taking the wrong turn on the way to Strasbourg. It was an incident that will do nothing to deter those who deride the institution as a Mickey Mouse Parliament. Every month the European Parliament charters trains exclusively for lawmakers and EU officials to get them between its two seats in Brussels and Strasbourg, in eastern France. It’s a monthly upheaval that is enshrined in EU treaties and is fiercely defended by France but often scoffed at as a traveling circus in which Goofy would be proud to participate.After departing from Brussels Midi station, the train left Charles de Gaulle Airport and headed to Marne la Vallée Chessy, where Disneyland is located — causing a 45-minute delay.“Team Disneyland,” wrote Dutch MEP Samira Rafaela in a photo she posted on X, showing her in the café carriage...

16-day partial Red Line shutdown gets first real test during Monday morning’s commute

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

The partial shutdown of MBTA’s Red Line will get its first real test on its third day Monday, when shuttle buses will temporarily replace trains between JFK/UMass and Ashmont stations and the Mattapan Trolley for the morning commute.The shutdown is slated to continue for 16 days and will make way for a series of repairs on the Red Line.The T has said work on the Red Line will involve upgrading light fixtures, updating stations and replacing nearly 1.5 miles of track with the goal of cutting down on slow zones where wait times have tripled for some riders.The Red Line is the lowest rated T line in speed and service, with trains last month running nearly 1.5 hours behind schedule, according to the watchdog group TransitMatters. In August, the group’s head said the Red Line could send the MBTA into a death spiral if repairs don’t fix its issues. The MBTA’s Fairmount Commuter Rail line will also be free during the closure.

Showers Are Back

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

After finishing up a dry weekend for much of Southern New England (there were some showers near the South Coast Sunday AM), we’re back to tracking scattered showers today. While the pattern is a bit unsettled to start the week, it’s not a washout of a day. Any heavier shower, albeit brief, that gets going this afternoon will be capable of producing some graupel (soft hail) thanks to some really cold air aloft. A few breaks of sun are possible from time to time too as highs nudge up into the mid 50s to near 60. A few isolated showers are left over tomorrow with clouds, breaks of sun and highs 55-60 once again. Wednesday is a bit milder and Thursday looks like the best day of the week with highs running in the mid to upper 60s with mostly sunny skies by then. The shower chances start going up Friday afternoon/night and we’ll likely deal with more wet weather at times Saturday, into Saturday night. Sunday looks to try to dry out with a gusty breeze developing.

Judge Chutkan will hear arguments over a proposed gag order in Trump’s US election interference case

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors and lawyers for Donald Trump will argue in court Monday over a proposed gag order aimed at reining in the former president’s diatribes against likely witnesses and others in his 2020 election interference case in Washington.In pressing U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to impose the narrow gag order, special counsel Jack Smith’s team has accused the Republican of using increasingly incendiary rhetoric to try to undermine the public’s confidence in the justice system and taint the jury pool.Trump’s defense has called the proposal an unconstitutional effort to “silence” his political speech as he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.“This desperate effort at censorship is unconstitutional on its face,” his lawyers wrote in court papers.The gag order fight underscores the unprecedented complexities of prosecuting the former president as he tries to retake the White House&n...

Orioles offseason guide: From pending free agents to positions of need, here’s what you need to know

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

During a news conference last week, Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias did not detail the team’s offseason goals. He didn’t commit to a higher payroll next season — although that seems all but guaranteed — nor did he specify any specific additions he hopes to make.“We’re looking to get better,” he said, “and we also have to look to maintain.”But after a stellar 2023 campaign, attention in Baltimore has shifted to 2024, a season in which, for the first time in years, many fans will enter the season expecting a playoff appearance. Here’s an early look at how the Orioles’ 2024 roster could shift in the coming months.Pending free agentsFive players — all of whom the Orioles acquired within the last year — will soon hit free agency: right-handed pitchers Kyle Gibson, Jack Flaherty and Shintaro Fujinami, infielder Adam Frazier and outfielder Aaron Hicks.It’s unlik...

Lucas: Markey rightly booed for ‘de-escalation’ call

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

U.S. Sen. Eddie Markey stood up for Israel at a pro-Israel rally last week, and that was a good thing.After all, he is a progressive who spoke to progressives at a progressive rally on a progressive issue—support for Israel.The only thing is that he stood up for the Hamas terrorists as well.Which is why the crowd booed him.And if this doesn’t get him a Democrat primary opponent in 2026 when he seeks reelection at age 80 then nothing will.And his potential opponent was right behind him waiting to speak next.He is fellow progressive Democrat U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, 35, of Newton who is champing at the bit to run for higher office. He was elected in 2020 to succeed Joe Kennedy III, who Markey defeated for the U.S. Senate,The rally zeroed in the atrocities afflicted upon on innocent civilians by Hamas and its depraved  killers who murdered and mutilated hundreds of Israeli women, children and the elderly in a surprise attack last weekend.They crossed into Israel from Gaza and initia...

Stock market today: World shares mostly fall, oil prices mixed as investors brace for Gaza invasion

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares fell and oil prices were mixed as investors braced Monday for an expected invasion by Israel in the Gaza Strip.The future for the S&P 500 rose 0.2% and that for the Dow industrials gained 0.3%. Germany’s DAX was down 0.1% at 15,168.16 and the CAC 40 in Paris declined fell less than 0.1%, to 6,999.82. Britain’s FTSE 100 reversed early losses, gaining 0.3% at 7,624.99. Israeli forces, supported by a growing deployment of U.S. warships in the region and the call-up of some 360,000 reservists, have positioned themselves along Gaza’s border and drilled for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the militant group Hamas. More than a million people have fled their homes in the besieged enclave in the past week, ahead of the anticipated invasion meant to eliminate Hamas’ leadership after its deadly Oct. 7 attack. “Who can blame markets for being jittery,” RaboResearch Global Economics and Markets said in a commentary. “The w...

Police investigating after person killed in southeast Austin overnight

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 54th homicide of the year after a person was killed overnight in southeast Austin. APD officers responded to the area near 2237 East Riverside Drive around 1:30 a.m. That area is near Emo's Austin and the AutoZone Auto Parts. Officers found a person with multiple injuries and tried to save their life, but the person died on the scene. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? A person of interest was detained. Police said this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 54th homicide of the year after a person was killed overnight in southeast Austin. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 54th homicide of the year after a person was killed overnight in southeast Austin. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) The Austin Police Department is investigating the city's 54th homicide of the year af...

Tuesday morning likely to be the coldest since April

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:26:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gorgeous fall weather continues into the start of the new work week... but the 90s won't stay away too long.Temperatures in the 40s and 50s this morning will gradually warm into the low to mid-70s by this afternoon. Sunshine, dry skies and breezy north winds (10-20 mph) can be expected areawide. Overall, a fairly pleasant fall day.One of the biggest talkers in this week's forecast will be the chill expected Tuesday morning. Overnight lows will fall to the 40s -- one of our coldest mornings in months!Tuesday morning temperaturesTemperatures rebound nicely Tuesday afternoon with highs climbing into the low to mid-70s. We'll add a few degrees to the morning and afternoon temperatures each day, eventually putting us in the low 90s by Friday. This week's temperature trendIt is looking like this year's Formula 1 race weekend at Circuit of the Americas will be dry but hot for October standards.Hot and dry for Formula 1 race weekend PHOTOS: Solar eclipse passes over Austi...