The Political Thread

[Chris]

Durbin, No. 2 Senate Democrat, to Retire After 44 Years in Congress

Senator Richard J. Durbin’s departure will set off a primary for a rare open Senate seat in Illinois and open a top leadership slot. He said it was time to “face reality” and make way for someone new.

www.nytimes.com

Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat for two decades and a leading liberal voice on Capitol Hill, will not seek re-election next year, closing out a 44-year congressional career focused on immigration, the federal justice system and anti-smoking initiatives.

The decision to be announced on Wednesday by Mr. Durbin, 80, was widely expected and will immediately touch off a crowded competition for a rare Senate vacancy in his solidly blue state. It also intensifies a generational shift in the chamber as he becomes the fifth sitting senator to announce a retirement, all of them over the age of 65.

In an interview revealing his plans, Mr. Durbin, who is in his fifth Senate term, said it was not an easy choice to step away from his prime perch doing battle with President Trump, whom he considers a dire threat to democracy. He described moments in recent days “where I thought, ‘Man, I don’t want to miss this fight.’”

 

[Chris]

JD Vance says US will 'walk away' unless Ukraine and Russia agree to proposals

Vance issued the warning after top US officials pulled out of London talks aimed at securing a ceasefire.

www.bbc.com

US Vice-President JD Vance said his country would "walk away" unless Ukraine and Russia agree on a deal, echoing recent comments from US officials.

His warning came after London talks between officials from the UK, France, Germany, Ukraine and the US aimed at securing a ceasefire were downgraded after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff pulled out.

The US is focused on talks this week in Moscow, where Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the fourth time, as the pace of diplomacy to end the war quickens.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, said he insisted on "an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire".

"Stopping the killing is task number one," Zelensky said on social media on Wednesday.

 

[Chris]

Nassau County police reveal ID of Gilgo Beach victim 'Peaches' and her toddler

The woman was found inside a Rubbermaid container in June 1997 and the skeletal remains of her child were found more than a decade later.

abc7ny.com

Nassau police revealed the identity of the Gilgo Beach homicide victim known as Jane Doe No. 3, commonly referred to as "Peaches," and her toddler, at a news conference in Mineola on Wednesday.

The woman was found inside a Rubbermaid container at Hempstead Lake State Park in Lakeview in June 1997.

The skeletal remains of her child were found during a series of discoveries off Ocean Parkway in April 2011, and the toddler was linked to her five years later through DNA analysis as part of the renewed Gilgo Beach homicide investigation.

The identifications were previously made, but had not been made public for investigative reasons.

On Wednesday morning, police announced the mother was a 26-year-old Army veteran from Alabama named Tanya Denise Jackson. Her 2-year-old daughter was identified as Tatiana Marie Dykes, born in Texas on March 17 1995.

Her remains, and her daughter's, were buried at Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort in Alabama, in with military honors.

Family members provided DNA samples to confirm their identifies.

The girl's father has been cooperative in the investigation. She was estranged from some family members and was never reported missing, police said.

A $25,000 reward is now being offered to anyone with information leading to an arrest in their deaths.

 

[Barry Poppins]

JD Vance says US will 'walk away' unless Ukraine and Russia agree to proposals

Vance issued the warning after top US officials pulled out of London talks aimed at securing a ceasefire.

www.bbc.com

US Vice-President JD Vance said his country would "walk away" unless Ukraine and Russia agree on a deal, echoing recent comments from US officials.

His warning came after London talks between officials from the UK, France, Germany, Ukraine and the US aimed at securing a ceasefire were downgraded after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff pulled out.

The US is focused on talks this week in Moscow, where Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the fourth time, as the pace of diplomacy to end the war quickens.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, said he insisted on "an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire".

"Stopping the killing is task number one," Zelensky said on social media on Wednesday.

That's basically premeditated, they know Russia will be more than happy to annex territory and have their supremacy recognized over Ukraine, and the Trump Admin knows that Ukraine will never agree to any deal that sees them lose territory or future protection from the EU or NATO.

Their whole plan is for when Ukraine (reasonably and justifiably) turns down the peace deal, the US will throw their hands up, say they tried their best, and let Russia continue to slaughter Ukrainians en masse, and leave Ukraine unprotected.

 

[Samoa Looch]

Levi's Board urged shareholders to reject the anti-DEI proposal, writing: “we believe in the strong business case for a diverse and inclusive workforce because it supports company performance and also enhances our culture and the well-being of those who make our Company thrive: our employees."

Levi's Board further wrote in its proxy statement, urging shareholders to reject the anti-DEI proposal: "Our ‘One Team’ approach is about harnessing our talent, culture and values and we believe it is a competitive advantage and serves as a driver of business results.”

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[Chris]

I feel more vindicated that the pair of Levi's I'm wearing rn is the most comfortable jeans I've had in years