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Jordan’s foreign minister offers blistering criticism of Israel as its war on Hamas rages on

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

Jordan’s foreign minister offered blistering criticism Saturday of Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, describing it as “blatant aggression” against Palestinian civilians that threatens to engulf the wider Middle East. Ayman Safadi’s harsh assessment, alleging Israel was committing “war crimes” by besieging the Gaza Strip and cutting off food, medicine and fuel shipments, shows how strained relations have become between Israel and Jordan — which reached a peace deal in 1994. “All of us have to speak loud and clear about the catastrophe that the Israeli war is bringing, not just on Gaza, but on the region in general,” Safadi told the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Manama Dialogue summit in Bahrain. “This is not a time for mincing words. This is a time to state facts as they are.”He added: “This is not self-defense. This is a blatant aggression, the victims of which are innocent Palestinians.”Israel did not immediately respond to SafadiR...

Report claims rain caused massive landslide in Rolling Hills Estates

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

After a massive landslide destroyed a dozen homes and forced widespread evacuations in Rolling Hills Estates, a new report released Friday claims excessive rainfall was to blame for the destruction.In July, when the ground shifted more than 40 feet on Peartree Lane on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, at least a dozen homes were destroyed or heavily damaged. Residents were forced to evacuate as homes were red-tagged and monitored for additional movement.At the time, the cause of the massive landslide was a mystery as geologists and experts worked to determine the origin.Since then, two separate investigations were launched — one from city and county officials and another by the homeowners association.L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted an update to Twitter on Sunday afternoon saying that homes on Peartree Lane were "completely destroyed." (Twitter/@SupJaniceHahn)L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted an update to Twitter on Sunday afternoon saying that homes on Peartree Lane were...

CCS football playoffs: Palo Alto heats up, rolls past Leigh in Division IV semifinal

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

PALO ALTO — Rainfall and a wet playing field didn’t stop top-seeded Palo Alto from scoring six touchdowns en route to a 45-14 home win over Leigh on Friday night in a Central Coast Section Division IV semifinal.Senior quarterback Declan Packer threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another. Running backs Jeremiah Madrigal and Isaiah Phillips added a touchdown each in the win.“We faced so much adversity this year,” Palo Alto coach David DeGeronimo said. “We had a ton of injuries early in the season. We had a tough schedule, but I think that prepares you for the end of the season. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”Leigh took an early 14-7 lead after senior Shayan Shariat scored his second touchdown of the first half on a one-yard plunge with just over seven left in the second quarter.Palo Alto tied the score at 14 when junior Isaiah Phillips took a toss 15 yards for a touchdown. A 21-yard field goal from Gerardo Becerra right before halftime gave the Vikings a 17-14 le...

How Pittsburg’s electrifying backfield ran past California and into the NCS Division I title game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

PITTSBURG – The rain never became anything more severe than a steady downpour during Pittsburg’s 35-14 victory over visiting California in its North Coast Section Division I playoff victory  on Friday night.But the electric talents of Pitt running backs Elijah Bow and Jamar Searcy, who combined for  349 rushing yards and four total touchdowns, were on full display as Bow bolted through tacklers and Searcy flashed across the field.“Jamar Searcy, he’s lightning in a bottle,” Pitt quarterback Marley Alcantara said. “And Elijah, he’s him. He’s been doing  that all year.”California, which got 170 passing yards from Jayden Macedo and a 75-yard touchdown reception by Nick Fox, was able to hang with Pittsburg for a half, going into halftime trailing just 14-7.But the Grizzlies were unable to corral the Pirate backfield in a show of force by the home team. In the final 24 minutes. Bow rushed for two touchdowns and Searcy caught a 35-yard wheel route out of the end zone to pull away.“Th...

A Canadian security forum announces it will award the people of Israel for public service leadership

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — A Canadian security forum will present an award Saturday to the people of Israel following the Hamas incursion into the country that left some 1,200 dead and 240 abducted.Following U.S. Sen. John McCain’s death in 2018, the Halifax International Security Forum presents the award annually in his honor to “individuals from any country who have demonstrated uncommon leadership in the pursuit of human justice.” The forum, which attracts military officials, United States senators, diplomats and scholars, announced the decision in a statement late Friday. “On the 75th anniversary of Israel’s creation, and in the aftermath of the October 7 attack that resulted in the greatest loss of life to the Jewish people since the Holocaust, it is fitting to present an award that bears Senator McCain’s name to: The People of Israel,” the statement read. McCain was a regular at the forum and his wife, Cindy McCain, is due to present the award to representatives of Brothers i...

Johnson’s 16 lead Portland State past Cal Baptist 66-63

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Isaiah Johnson scored 16 points as Portland State beat Cal Baptist 66-63 on Friday night at the Lancer Joust.Johnson was 7-of-10 shooting and 2 of 5 from the free-throw line for the Vikings (4-0). Kendall Munson scored 10 points, shooting 3 of 6 from the field and 4 for 5 from the foul line. Ismail Habib shot 3 for 8, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc to finish with nine points.Blondeau Tchoukuiengo finished with 18 points for the Lancers (2-1). Yvan Ouedraogo added 16 points and nine rebounds for Cal Baptist. Dominique Daniels Jr. also had 13 points.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Ekman-Larsson scores again as Panthers beat Ducks 2-1 to keep up strong November

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored his second goal in the last four games, Anton Lundell had two assists and the Florida Panthers continued their hot November with a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.Eetu Luostarinen also scored for the Panthers, who have won seven of their nine games in November. Anthony Stolarz stopped 33 shots for the Panthers.Frank Vatrano put in his team-leading 12th goal for Anaheim. John Gibson, who was in net for his 441st game with the Ducks and tied Guy Herbet for second-most in franchise history, made 31 saves.JETS 3, SABRES 2WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Cole Perfetti scored in a fifth consecutive game and Winnipeg beat Buffalo.Mason Appleton and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored for the Sabres, and Nino Niederreiter and Vladislav Namestnikov each had two assists. Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves.Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka scored for the Sabres, who have lost three straight. Eric Comrie, making his first return to action since sufferin...

Filipinas prohíbe de por vida el ingreso a un estadounidense acusado de escribir “blasfemias” en un formulario de inmigración

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

(CNN) — Filipinas prohibió de por vida la entrada a un viajero estadounidense al que acusa de escribir “palabras blasfemas” en un formulario digital de inmigración y de ser grosero con los funcionarios de inmigración.A Anthony Laurence, de 34 años, se le denegó la entrada y se le incluyó en una lista negra de forma permanente a raíz de su comportamiento supuestamente “irrespetuoso”, según declaró la semana pasada en un comunicado el comisario de la Oficina de Inmigración filipina, Norman Tansingco.Laurence había llegado al aeropuerto internacional Ninoy Aquino de Manila procedente de Bangkok, Tailandia, en un vuelo de Air Asia el 7 de noviembre, según el comunicado.Según las autoridades filipinas, a su llegada “mostró desdén” hacia un funcionario de inmigración cuando se le recordó que rellenara un formulario de viaje en línea y arrojó su pasaporte y su teléfono móvil a otro.Laurence, que declaró a CNN que es un inversor inmobiliario que viv...

James Harden’s tiebreaking 4-point play snaps Clippers’ 6-game skid, beats Rockets 106-100

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Harden hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer while getting fouled sending the Los Angeles Clippers to their first victory since his arrival and snapping their six-game losing streak with a 106-100 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night in the NBA In-Season Tournament.Harden dramatically drew the foul from Jae’Sean Tate and drilled his vintage 26-footer from atop the key with six seconds to play before completing the four-point play to secure the win for the Clippers, who had lost their first five games since acquiring Harden from Philadelphia.Kawhi Leonard added two free throws in the final second and finished with 26 points as the Clippers avoided their longest losing streak since Leonard and Paul George arrived in 2019. Harden had a season-high 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists against the Rockets, his team for nine seasons from 2013-21. George added 23 points and eight rebounds.Alperen Sengun had 23 points and eight rebounds for the Rockets, wh...

Sam Altman ousted from OpenAI

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:38:40 GMT

Sam Altman, often considered the face of the new wave of artificial intelligence — and an influential figure in the national AI policy debate — was removed from his role as CEO of OpenAI Friday.Altman’s departure comes after OpenAI’s board lost confidence in him, according to a blog post from the company.“Mr. Altman’s departure follows a deliberative review process by the board, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities,” according to the post. “The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI.”Altman will be replaced by chief technology officer Mira Murati.Altman over the past several months has played an active role in shaping Washington’s response to AI, meeting personally with President Joe Biden and other CEOs, and testifying in a high-profile Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing in May.He has pushed Congress to pass laws to mitigate the catastroph...