Biden calls for repeal of Uganda's anti-gay law, threatens sanctions

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Biden calls for repeal of Uganda's anti-gay law, threatens sanctions President Biden called for the immediate repeal of Uganda’s new Anti-Homosexuality Act and warned of possible sanctions in a statement Monday, as his administration evaluates “the implications of this law on all aspects of U.S. engagement with Uganda.” “This shameful Act is the latest development in an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda.  The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including U.S. government personnel, the staff of our implementing partners, tourists, members of the business community, and others,” Biden wrote after lawmakers passed the law, which Uganda’s president subsequently signed into law.The new anti-gay law would impose the death penalty in cases of “aggravated homosexuality” and would impose a life sentence for engaging in gay sex. The state defines “aggravated homosexuality” as homosexual acts carried out by those infected with H.I.V. or homosexual acts that involve children, disa...

Slater, Bailey homer as Giants bats catch fire against Pirates

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Slater, Bailey homer as Giants bats catch fire against Pirates SAN FRANCISCO — It felt just like old times at Oracle Park.A robust Memorial Day crowd of 39,323 welcomed home a Giants team brimming with homegrown talent that’s starting to turn a once-boring squad into something that inspiring hope. From the mainstays to the young guys, the entire lineup was involved in San Francisco’s 14-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday afternoon.Six Giants had multi-hit games to bring them their 11th win in 14 games.Austin Slater, activated of the injured list prior to Monday’s game, hit a two-run home run off left-handed starter Rich Hill in his second at-bat. The 410-foot home run was the final touch on a five-run second inning; Giants hitters were all over Hill’s curveball, which wasn’t dropping far enough out of the zone to generate swings and misses.The inning started with Mitch Haniger’s single off a curveball that dropped into shallow center field. Rookie Casey Schmitt hit a curve to deep left field, j...

Letters: Fire defense | BART tube | Gun violence | Proclaiming rights | Bolster education

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Letters: Fire defense | BART tube | Gun violence | Proclaiming rights | Bolster education Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Orinda needs to finishfire defense planAs one who witnessed the Oakland Hills Fire, for me wildfires can never be an abstraction. From our orchestra-seats deck, we watched aircraft crisscrossing above us, trailing gouts of water, making desperate lace patterns against the smokey sky, and all the while TV news channels were flashing the header “Orinda Threatened.”Orinda was spared and we were lucky enough to be able to shelter good friends in the wildfires’ aftermath.  But here we are once again at a crossroads, with the following concerns unmet: wildfire evacuation; emergency response capacity; crucial buy-in by Moraga Orinda Fire District/Cal Fire.As a co-leader of Orinda’s incorporation, I sought to empower our community, not endanger it. Just as with incorporation, Orinda is once again being threatened with forfeiting to the political agenda of a more powerful government entity.Once again,...

Fire forces evacuations at UC Berkeley housing in Albany

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Fire forces evacuations at UC Berkeley housing in Albany ALBANY — A fire broke out at an apartment community for UC Berkeley students and their families on Monday morning, prompting evacuations and severely damaging at least one unit, authorities said.UCPD reported the fire at 11:35 a.m. in a tweet that also stated that the fire affected buildings 105, 106 and 107, which are located off Ohlone Avenue near the corner of Jackson and Buchanan streets.In later tweets, the department added that building 104 was also affected, and urged people living in those buildings to evacuate to a predetermined emergency gathering area.At 1:13 p.m., the department announced that the fire was out, but that an “investigation is ongoing.” A little over an hour later, authorities declared the area “all clear” and that anyone whose unit was not affected was free to return home.No major injuries were reported. Firefighters contained the fire to the originating unit, though at least one other unit sustained water damage. NBC Bay Area...

Here's your chance to weigh in on Oakland Athletics' Las Vegas stadium financing

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Here's your chance to weigh in on Oakland Athletics' Las Vegas stadium financing LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- The public will have a chance Monday afternoon to weigh in on the Oakland Athletics' proposed stadium funding bill. The bill is going before Nevada lawmakers at 4 p.m. Senate Bill 509, which was introduced Friday night, would give the A's $380 million in public funding. The majority of the money, $180 million, would come from the state, Clark County would contribute $145 million, and $25 million would come from a special tax district in and around the stadium. A’s-to-Las Vegas stadium funding bill explained; will move to Nevada Senate Finance Committee The A's want to build a $1.5 billion, 30,000-seat stadium on the current site of the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel. Currently, the A's have the worst record and lowest attendance in Major League Baseball. They average 8,000 fans a game in the 56,000-seat Oakland Coliseum.The bill will be heard during a joint meeting of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and will be livestream...

Santa Rosa firefighters respond to fire at homeless encampment

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Santa Rosa firefighters respond to fire at homeless encampment (KRON) -- Units with the Santa Rosa Fire Department responded to a fire involving a homeless encampment just before 4 p.m. on Monday, the department tweeted. The fire is burning near Highway 12, just west of Dutton Avenue. 4 kayakers rescued in SF Bay incident off Hunter's Point The department has dispatched two engines, one battalion chief and a fire investigator. Smoke and flames are visible at the homeless encampment according to the California Highway Patrol. It is not known if there are any injuries at this time.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Family of kayakers rescued from SF Bay on Memorial Day

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Family of kayakers rescued from SF Bay on Memorial Day SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The San Francisco Fire Department responded to multiple reports of overturned kayaks in the bay on Memorial Day. Two adults and two children were rescued after their kayaks capsized. The San Francisco Fire Department water rescue teams, the U.S. Coast Guard and San Francisco Police all coordinated to rescue a family in the water 300 yards from Candlestick Point, just off Hunters Point, SFPD said. Mastodon mystery in Santa Cruz County: Ice Age tooth vanishes from beach The two children were hospitalized for hypothermia. The adults were not injured. All four are expected to fully recover. A coast guard helicopter was used in the rescue.The fire department did not immediately know how the kayaks capsized, but said it was windy and choppy on the bay in that area. The area of the incident is off of Hunter's Point. Bay City News contributed to this report.

All $1 million+ California Lottery winners announced in 2023 so far

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

All $1 million+ California Lottery winners announced in 2023 so far (KTXL) — A couple of very lucky California residents have become instant millionaires so far every month this year.In February, the California Lottery revealed that Edwin Castro was the winner of the largest jackpot in U.S. history: $2.04 billion. Here are all players the California Lottery announced to have won $1,000,000 or more in 2023:JanuaryThe biggest winner was announced in January was Edward Lojewski who won $247 million from matching all six numbers with the Mega Millions lottery purchased at a 7-Eleven in Santa Clara County.Other winners announced in January:•Mary Higelin won $20,000,000 from a scratch-off ticket purchased in Riverside County•Salvador Carbajal who won $10,000,000 from a scratch-off ticket purchased in Los Angeles County•Louis Farillas won $10,000,000 from a scratch-off purchased in Los Angeles County• Roberto Nunes won $10,000,000 from a scratch-off purchased in Los Angeles County• Nicholas Simpson won $2,000,000 from a scratch-off purchased in Los Angeles...

Texas Senate sets impeachment trial for Attorney General Ken Paxton to begin no later than August 28

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Texas Senate sets impeachment trial for Attorney General Ken Paxton to begin no later than August 28 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Senate sets impeachment trial for Attorney General Ken Paxton to begin no later than August 28.Source

Hamlin calls for NASCAR to suspend Elliott after crash at Coca-Cola 600

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:41 GMT

Hamlin calls for NASCAR to suspend Elliott after crash at Coca-Cola 600 CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Denny Hamlin called for NASCAR to suspend Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott after a wreck involving both drivers on Monday at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.After claiming on his radio channel that Hamlin bumped him twice during a four-lap span, Elliott appeared to hook the right rear bumper of Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota on lap 186. That sent Hamlin into the wall, mangling the defending race champion’s car and taking him out of the race.Elliott’s car also sustained significant damage and he exited the race, too.Hamlin was left fuming.“It’s a tantrum and he shouldn’t be racing next week,” Hamlin said of Elliott. “Right rear hooks are absolutely unacceptable. I don’t care.”Elliott, the most popular driver on the NASCAR circuit, denied he deliberately wrecked Hamlin in retaliation.“Once you hit the wall in these things, you can’t drive them anymore,” Elliott said. “So unfortunately not, no, just an unfortunate circumstance.”Hamlin imm...