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Israel’s finance minister now governs the West Bank. Critics see steps toward permanent control

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

ASA’EL, West Bank (AP) — With attention focused on its contentious judicial overhaul, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has quietly taken unprecedented steps toward cementing Israel’s control over the West Bank — perhaps permanently.Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a leader of the settlement movement, assumed new powers over the occupied territory in his coalition agreement with Netanyahu. Smotrich moved swiftly to approve thousands of new settlement homes, legalize previously unauthorized wildcat outposts and make it more difficult for Palestinians to build homes and move about.As the first government minister to oversee civilian life in the West Bank, his role amounts to a recognition that Israel’s 56-year military occupation is not temporary but permanent, observers say. “If Smotrich keeps this position for four years we will be at a point of no return,” said Ilan Paz, former head of Israel’s Civil Administration, a military body overseeing civilian affairs i...

Sydney blanketed by smoke for a 4th day due to hazard reduction burning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney was blanketed under thick wood smoke for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday due to hazard reduction burns in preparation for the wildfire season.Australia’s most populous city after Melbourne has recorded some of the world’s worst air quality readings since the controlled burning of fuel loads in the surrounding landscapes began on Sunday.Fire authorities have only carried out 14% of planned hazard reduction burns across New South Wales state as of this week and are attempting to catch up before what is forecast to be a hot and dry Southern Hemisphere summer.New South Wales Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Shepherd said the burns were suspended on Thursday and Friday because of excessive pollution levels and that Sydney’s air was expected to clear soon.“It’s mostly due to the smoke,” Shepherd said of the postponements.“For the next 48 hours, we’ll give this smoke a chance to clear without fire agencies adding additional smoke to it,” Shepherd added.Rain had pr...

Senators concerned about pending PGA-LIV Golf deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate put the PGA Tour and LIV Golf back in the hot seat as they are concerned over their pending deal. The hearing Wednesday was looking into Saudi Arabia's Public Interest Fund and why lawmakers said it should be subject to U.S. laws and oversight. Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other lawmakers announced they are ready to use their subpoena powers to investigate the deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-owned LIV Golf tour. "It must be subject to United States law and oversight," Blumenthal said. The governor of the Saudi's Public Interest Fund, or PIF, did not attend Wednesday's hearing, but that's not stopping Blumenthal from demanding all records related to PIF's investment in the U.S."The issues here go beyond golf," Blumenthal said. A review of PIF's SEC filings shows that its public U.S. holdings have increased from approximately $2.5 billion in 2018 to more than $38 billion today. "If I was ...

‘Barbiecore Castle’ — part of Wisconsin woman’s pink empire — hits market for $1.1 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

Brooke Fleetwood has been painting houses pink for years, but Barbie’s recent influence has made her pink rental properties as popular as the doll’s pink Dreamhouses.“I would say that interest has blown up since the ‘Barbie’ movie,” Fleetwood says. “The Barbie theme is really hot right now.”The Wisconsin entrepreneur who has created her own line of pink dream houses hasn’t had time to see the “Barbie” movie, which shares her pink aesthetic. The Hudson woman has been especially busy since the movie debuted on July 21, and now one of her freshly-painted pink properties — the “Barbiecore Castle” — is for sale.While Barbie’s Dreamhouse might cost about $200, this version is a bit pricer: $1.1 million.The house, located in the border city’s historic downtown, comes with features also included in Barbie’s Dreamhouse, such as a swimming pool and a pink staircase.“This dreamy pi...

Robbery suspect identified by DNA, busted a year after violent attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

A 19-year-old man from Covina was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon and vehicle theft after investigators recovered some of his DNA and used it to identify him more than a year after he committed the crimes, authorities announced earlier this month.  The robbery and theft occurred on Aug. 21, 2022, in the 3600 block of Grand Avenue in Chino Hills, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  The suspect, Johnny Lee Richardson, along with another unidentified male suspect, attacked a man who was walking on crutches and had a cast on his leg from a previous injury as he was walking out of a local restaurant, where had been on a date.  Richardson and the other suspect knocked the victim to the ground and proceeded to kick and punch him.  “One suspect pointed a gun at the victim and they demanded the victim’s wallet and vehicle keys. Fearing further injury, the victim submitted to the suspects without resistance. T...

Over $81 million approved to tackle homelessness in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

Officials approved more than $81 million to tackle the homelessness crisis in California.Grants from the Encampment Resolution Fund will be dispersed to 11 communities and 12 projects throughout the state.The funds will help around 2,693 homeless people move out of encampments and into permanent housing, officials said.“Everyone deserves a safe and clean place to call home,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “California is moving with compassion and care to help move thousands of people out of encampments and into housing.”The Encampment Resolution Fund was designed to provide communities of all sizes with the funding to move people living in encampments into housing.Southern California areas receiving funds include:- Los Angeles - $2.4 million to serve 40 people and house 40 from along Jefferson Boulevard in the Ballona Ecological Reserve.- Garden Grove - $1.9 million to serve 300 people and house 50 from along SR 22 to the west of Beach Boulevard.- San Diego - $3.2 million to serve 90 p...

California lawmakers pass speed camera bill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) – It’s now up to Governor Gavin Newsom if three Bay Area cities will get speed safety cameras. Lawmakers passed a bill on the cameras Wednesday and sent it off to Newsom’s desk.The proposed cameras are aimed to make streets safer for drivers and pedestrians, but some opposed to the potential law continue to question the approach.City leaders in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose have been looking for solutions to stop dangerous speeding and deaths. Many believe these cameras are worth a shot. Ed Sheeran’s crowd will be bigger than Taylor Swift, Beyoncé at Levi’s Stadium However, getting to this point took some stretching with the bill going through several changes to curb opponents’ concerns. Some are still not satisfied with what’s being proposed.San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan explained why he likes the bill.“We need to invest in technology, education and continued enforcement, and this is part of the enforcement strategy to hold people accountable for follow...

Newsom plans to intervene in court case preventing clean-up of SF encampments

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Governor Gavin Newsom is weighing in on San Francisco’s homeless encampments. He said during an interview with Politico on Tuesday that the state will intervene in the federal court case barring the city from clearing tents.The Coalition On Homelessness filed a lawsuit against the City of San Francisco last year, claiming they were clearing homeless encampments without offering those who are unhoused a place to live. They were successful, and the city’s appeal against the ruling was rejected last month. Newsom is now speaking up, siding with the city.In any one of San Francisco’s neighborhoods, you’re likely to see tents along the sidewalk. During a sit-down interview Tuesday with Politico, Governor Gavin Newsom said he plans on filing an amicus brief, supporting the city’s efforts to overturn the ruling that bars the clearing of homeless encampments. San Francisco’s Cliff House restaurant to reopen in 2024 “I’ve had it,” he said. “We’re going to intervene, ...

Major traffic delays on eastbound I-80 due to crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

(KRON) -- Traffic was delayed on eastbound Interstate-80 near Fairfield Wednesday night due to a crash, the Fairfield Fire Department said. The wreck happened near Waterman Boulevard. There were only minor injuries. Image from the Fairfield Fire Department.Image from the Fairfield Fire Department.Four lanes were closed as crews cleared the scene, but they have since reopened. The crash caused major traffic delays.

Defending champion Aces begin WNBA playoffs with 87-59 win over Sky

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:12 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chelsea Gray had 20 points and seven assists, Jackie Young added 18 points and the top-seeded Las Vegas Aces beat the Chicago Sky 87-59 on Wednesday night to begin a WNBA playoff series.The defending champion Aces host Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Sunday. Las Vegas, which had the best record in the league at 34-6, has won all four matchups with Chicago this season.Kelsey Plum scored 16 points and A’ja Wilson had 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for Las Vegas. Alysha Clark added 13 points.The Aces defense held Chicago to 33% shooting.Kahleah Copper scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half for Chicago. Courtney Williams had nine points, 11 rebounds and six assists.SUN 90, LYNX 60UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — DeWanna Bonner scored 17 points and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds as Connecticut routed Minnesota in the opener of their best-of-three series.Alyssa Thomas added 15 points and 10 assists for the Sun, who earned the No. 3 seed after going 27-13...