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Other voices: The world must support Israel’s war against terror

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

The images from Israel these past few days have been horrific. Almost exactly 50 years after the Yom Kippur War, Israeli forces again appear to have been taken by surprise by their enemies.This murderous Palestinian assault deserves only one response from the world: outrage, and unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself. U.S. President Joe Biden has rightly pledged to stand with Israel “full stop,” as has the European Union. Even as Israel takes the necessary military actions to protect its citizens, all parties in the region need to work to restore some semblance of stability and avoid a broader conflict.An Israeli invasion of Gaza to rescue Israeli captives and reassert control over the territory could last months, if not years. For that reason alone, Israel’s old, new and prospective partners in the Arab world do themselves no favors by not condemning the Hamas attack more forcefully. They understandably fear public opinion, which has never em...

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have been separated for 7 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

For years rumors have swirled about Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's relationship being on the rocks. Amid the talk, the two have kept up public appearances as a happy married couple, even during the infamous Red Table Talk where Pinkett Smith revealed her "entanglement" with singer August Alsina. Now the actress is revealing that she and the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" have been separated since 2016. Presenter Chris Rock, right, speaks onstage as Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, bottom left, look on after Smith went onstage and slapped Rock at the Oscars on March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)She told Hoda Kotb of the Today Show that she and Smith aren't together romantically. Kotb pointed out that the "Set It Off" actress is a "straight talker" except she's "not sometimes," referring to her marriage. Pinkett Smith revealed that she just wasn't ready to speak the truth about her relationship. “(We were) still trying to figure out between...

$1.73B Powerball jackpot 2nd-largest in history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

On Wednesday night, lottery players will have a chance to win a Powerball jackpot so big it's only been offered once before.No one matched all six numbers on Monday, leading to a $1.73 billion jackpot up for grabs in Wednesday's drawing. It's second only to the Nov. 7, 2022, $2.04 billion jackpot.And with that largest score being won on a ticket purchased in Altadena, Southern California residents are hoping lightning strikes twice.That winner, Edwin Castro, has purchased luxury homes in the L.A. area in the months since his win.If someone gets all six numbers on Wednesday, they will also be able to buy some high-end real estate, as the lump-sum payment is worth $756.6 million.If no winner is crowned Wednesday, the jackpot will roll over to Saturday's drawing.

California tops states with worst bullying problems, study says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

California just earned a dubious honor, topping a study of states with the worst bullying problems.WalletHub examined 47 states and the District of Columbia on 20 key metrics ranging from bullying-incident rates to truancy costs for schools, to the share of high school students bullied online. "About 20% of students ages 12-18 experience bullying, whether in-person, online or both," WalletHub states on its website.The states with the worst bullying problems according to the study are:CaliforniaAlaskaNevadaNew JerseyLouisianaThose with the least rated bullying problems are:DelawareMassachusettsRhode IslandDistrict of ColumbiaMaineSource: WalletHubWalletHub produced an interactive map with state bullying ranks (above) and also broke down California's overall bullying ranks (below) into several specific categories. Bullying Prevalence & Prevention in California (1=Biggest, 24=Avg.):Overall rank for California: 1st3rd – % of High School Students Bullied on School Property29th – % of...

Former NFL player taken into custody in connection with his mother’s death, source says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

By Josh Campbell | CNNFormer NFL player Sergio Brown, whose mother was found dead last month near her suburban Chicago home, has been taken in custody by authorities in connection with the death, a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told CNN.Brown, who had traveled to Mexico, was deported Tuesday and taken into custody by US law enforcement officers near San Diego, the source said, based on an arrest warrant issued in Illinois. Police in San Diego are working to transfer Brown from Southern California to the Chicago area, the source said.Sergio Brown’s mother was found near a creek behind her home in a Chicago suburb, police said.(WBBM via CNN) Mexican law enforcement officers have known Brown’s whereabouts since at least September 19, the source said, and deported him after authorities in Illinois finally obtained an arrest warrant pertaining to the death of Brown’s mother.Authorities discovered the body of 73-year-old Myrtle Brown last month after re...

De La Salle vs. San Ramon Valley: Five keys to Friday’s huge football game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

History says De La Salle will beat San Ramon Valley on Friday night. Thirty-two years of history, in fact.But has history watched Luke Baker play quarterback for SRV?Has history seen four-star linebacker Marco Jones make play after play for the Danville school’s defense?Has history witnessed what San Ramon Valley has done this season? The Wolves have won all six of their games by no fewer than 23 points.They hammered St. Ignatius 42-14 and Acalanes 44-21 to open the season. Rolled through Elk Grove 45-7 and McClymonds 35-7. Crushed Liberty 66-12 and cruised past Clayton Valley Charter 35-7.Baker, who received Bay Area News Group player of the year honors after leading SRV to a state championship game as a junior, has again led the way.While completing 67.5% of his passes, he has thrown for 1,845 yards and 22 touchdowns with just two interceptions.He’ll need to be on point on his home field Friday, especially with sparkplug running back John Ben Pau Mendoza (knee) out for the season....

San Jose police arrest man after seven-hour overnight standoff

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

SAN JOSE — A man who was allegedly armed with a rifle and made criminal threats toward his roommates was arrested following a lengthy standoff with police in San Jose, according to authorities.Police received a call at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday reporting that an armed, “despondent” man was threatening his roommates at their residence on the 200 block of South 19th Street. He then barricaded himself and the roommates were evacuated from the building once officers arrived.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | One arrested, four others sought in San Jose smash-and-grab robbery Crime and Public Safety | Arrest made in connection to deadly San Jose shooting Crime and Public Safety | “Watch this guys”: San Jose police encouraged residents of a homeless camp to observe as they beat a mentally ill man Crime and Public Safety | San Jose police body camera footage casts doubt on officers’ version of incident ...

Pac-12 picks ATS: Led by its defense, Arizona covers (once again) as substantial underdog while Oregon edges Washington

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

Only one team in the Pac-12 and five in the country have performed better against the point spread this season than Arizona.Before the Wildcats took USC to overtime as a three-touchdown underdog, they covered a nine-point line at Mississippi State and a 19-point spread against Washington.In six games, they have failed to cover once, as a heavy favorite at Stanford.That 5-1 mark against the spread is second to Oregon (5-0) within the conference, according to TeamRankings.com. (UNLV, Penn State, Oklahoma and Rutgers are also undefeated.)In the underdog role, the Wildcats are winless on the field but perfect against the spread. Will that streak continue this week? They are 8.5-point underdogs at Washington State, a matchup that carries both tactical and emotional challenges.Washington State is averaging 44.3 points per game at home, where quarterback Cam Ward is immensely comfortable and highly efficient. The Cougars (4-1) have beaten two ranked teams on their home turf, Wisconsin and ...

Late harvest finally underway in Santa Cruz Mountains

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

Ryan Beauregard, winemaker for Beauregard Vineyards in Santa Cruz, posted an excerpt from the excellent book, “Late Harvest: Wine History of the Santa Cruz Mountains,” written in 1983 by Michael Holland, on Facebook as he picked Coast Grade and Ben Lomond Ranch pinot noir last week, a full month later than last year. He noted that the book referred to 1982 thusly: “This season is a normal ripening season.”Indeed, we are back to times more typical of the 1990s and 2000s, before the heat spells got progressively more common, culminating in the plus 110-degree 10-day Labor Day scourge of 2022.Happy to harvest without the firedragon breathing down their necks, the Fogarty team began with pinot noir from Razorback Vineyard, as well as Swan clone pinot noir from Wills Cabin on Skyline, the first week of October. It will be grapes galore for the next two weeks, including Kings Mountain Vineyards pinot noir. Viticulturist Ken Swegles says he’s about 40% through harvest at Ascona on Skyline ...

Northern California man’s remains found in Arizona in 1982 identified decades later through DNA testing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:55 GMT

KINGMAN, Ariz. — It took more than four decades but authorities said Tuesday that they have finally identified the remains of a California man found in a desert area of northwest Arizona in 1982.Mohave County Sheriff’s officials said advanced DNA testing concluded that the remains were those of Virgil R. Renner, who left his home in Humboldt County, California, in the early 1970s to search for gold in Nevada.Investigators said Renner never married or had children and his only siblings — a brother and sister — both died long ago.It’s unknown how or why Renner ended up in Arizona.His remains were found in September 1982 in a desert area near Kingman and an autopsy estimated Renner died between 1979 and 1981 at around age 55.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Suspect charged in rapper Tupac Shakur’s fatal shooting appears in a Las Vegas court Crime and Public Safety | A seventh victim of the ‘Happy Face Killer’ is identified Crim...