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Garcetti's India envoy nomination passes Senate test vote

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti appeared headed for confirmation Wednesday as the next U.S. ambassador to India, 20 months after he was initially selected for the post and amid fallout from a sexual harassment scandal involving a onetime top adviser.The nomination cleared a key test vote in the Democratic-controlled Senate, 52-42, with a final vote expected late Wednesday. The session began with uncertain prospects for Garcetti, a two-term, progressive Democrat first nominated to the prominent diplomatic post by President Joe Biden in July 2021. With several Democratic defections, Garcetti's fate rested with enlisting Republicans in a chamber often divided along partisan line. He secured seven GOP votes to advance the nomination to a final vote. Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said, “I met with him personally. He clearly has an enormous amount of expertise about India. India’s been two years without an ambassador, and that is far too long. And I am go...

Leon Hughes, founding member of The Coasters, dies at 92

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

Leon Hughes, the last original member of the 1950s rhythm and blues hitmaker, The Coasters, has died at age 92.Hughes died peacefully at his home in Watts on March 1 from natural causes, family members tell KTLA 5 News.The Coasters formed in Los Angeles in 1955 with Hughes, Carl Gardner, Bobby Nunn and Billy Guy comprising the original lineup. In a span of three years, they released a series of hits including “Yakety Yak,” “Down in Mexico,” “Poison Ivy” and “Charlie Brown.”“Yakety Yak” enjoyed a resurgence in 1986 when it was featured on the soundtrack for Rob Reiner’s coming-of-age film, “Stand by Me,” along with other R&B/Doo Wop classics “Stand By Me,” “Lollipop” and “Rockin’ Robin.”In 1987, The Coasters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Hughes’ tenure with the original lineup was relatively short-lived. He left the band in 1957 after a bout with illness that compromised his singing voice, his daughter said. Later in life, he fronted several variations of The ...

French bulldog ousts Labrador retriever to become top U.S. dog breed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

For the first time in three decades, the U.S. has a new favorite dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club.Adorable in some eyes, deplorable in others, the sturdy, push-faced, perky-eared, world-weary-looking and distinctively droll French bulldog became the nation's most prevalent purebred dog last year, the club announced Wednesday. Frenchies ousted Labrador retrievers from the top spot after a record 31 years.Why?“They’re comical, friendly, loving little dogs,” says French Bull Dog Club of America spokesperson Patty Sosa. City-friendly, with modest grooming and exercise needs, she says, “they offer a lot in a small package.”Yet the Frenchie's dizzying rise — it wasn't even a top-75 breed a quarter-century ago — worries its fans, to say nothing of its critics.The buzzy little bulldogs have been targeted in thefts, including last month's fatal shooting of a 76-year-old South Carolina breeder and the 2021 shooting of a California dog walker who was sq...

Four Hurt after Two-Vehicle Crash near 94th Street [Scottsdale, AZ]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

Traffic Collision near Bell Road Left Several HurtSCOTTSDALE, AZ (March 15, 2023) – Friday afternoon, a two-vehicle crash near 94th Street injured four people, reports say.The incident happened on March 10th at around 3:00 p.m., involving an ambulance and another vehicle.According to the Scottsdale Fire officer, the ambulance was on its way back to the station with it collided with a vehicle.As a result, the ambulance rolled over and ended up on its side. Two EMTs and the firefighter inside the ambulance were able to get out.Furthermore, two EMTs and the firefighter together with the 60-year-old driver of the involved vehicle were all transported to the hospital with minor injuries.Luckily, the ambulance was not transporting any patients at that time.Meanwhile, the officers announced closures on both 94th Street southbound and Bell Road.At this time, the cause of the incident was not yet determined and further investigation is still underway.Thousands of people are injured eac...

1 Killed in Pedestrian Crash on Antelope Road [Sacramento County, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

Pedestrian Versus Car Collision near Daly Avenue Resulted in FatalitySACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (March 15, 2023) – Tuesday morning, one person was killed in a pedestrian crash on Antelope Road.The incident happened on March 14th, at around 4:00 a.m., near the intersection of Antelope Road and Daly Avenue.According to reports, a westbound gray BMW, traveling on Antelope Road, failed to yield at the intersection and collided with the pedestrian. The impact of the collision left the pedestrian with serious injuries.Emergency crews arrived to the site of the accident shortly after. There, medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene. At this time, officials have not released the identity of the deceased pedestrian.Meanwhile, the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators.Sacramento County Officials reported that intoxication was not a factor in the Antelope Road pedestrian crash. At this time, they have not released any additional information regarding the incident....

Rider Dies in Motorcycle Crash near Camelback Road [Glendale, AZ]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

27-Year-Old Man Killed in Car Crash near Camelback Road near 75th AvenueGLENDALE, AZ (March 15, 2023) – Saturday night, a motorcycle vs. car crash near Camelback Road claimed the life of a man.The incident happened on March 11th, just before 7:00 p.m., near the intersection of Camelback Road and 75th Avenue.For reasons currently unknown, a motorcycle and a car collided as they were traveling along Camelback Road. The impact of the collision left the rider with serious injuries.Emergency crews transported the man to a local hospital for treatment. However, the rider succumbed to his injuries. At the hospital, medics pronounced the 27-year-old victim dead, due to the extent of his condition.Following the crash, the involved driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the authorities. He was assessed by the officers and did not show any signs of impairment.At this time, the officers were not yet able to determine what caused the incident and further investigation is still ac...

Meet Andrey Lysenko – tech expert turned real estate mogul and crypto investor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

Born in Moscow, Russia, Andrey migrated to the United States at the age of 16, settling in Stamford, Connecticut. Driven by his love for technology and computers, Andrey started working at a young age and landed his first corporate IT job at the tender age of 20. Over the next decade, he worked for top companies like Mastercard Worldwide, GE Capital, Allianz Global Investors and Seacor Holdings.At the age of 28, Andrey moved to Miami, Florida, and stumbled upon his passion for real estate. He bought his first property in Fort Lauderdale and started renting it out on Airbnb, and thus began his journey towards becoming the founder and CEO of Miami Luxury Access, a successful short-term rental business.Andrey is a well-known name in the high profiled circuit, having worked with several music artists and athletes, providing them with luxurious homes and transportation in Miami.He is also involved in the crypto, real estate, and NFT investment space and is an avid investor himself.When A...

Woman Fatally Injured in Pedestrian Accident on Highway 1 [Laguna Beach, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

Female Pedestrian Pronounced Dead after Fatal Collision near Moutain RoadLAGUNA BEACH, CA (March 15, 2023) – Friday evening, one woman was fatally injured in a pedestrian accident on Highway 1.Laguna Beach police officers responded to the scene around 6:45 p.m., in the area of South Coast Highway and Mountain Road.According to a witness, the driver of a sedan struck the victim while she was crossing the southbound lanes outside of a marked crosswalk.Despite life-saving efforts, medical personnel later pronounced the female pedestrian dead at the scene.Meanwhile, the involved driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.Following preliminary duties, officers determined that impairment did not play a factor. However, an active investigation is still currently underway. Emergency crews closed off the surrounding area for a brief time during cleanup and preliminary duties.Those with additional information about the pedestrian accident on Highway 1 are encourage...

Historic Oakland theater and church will become tech charter school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

OAKLAND — A tech-focused charter school is slated to sprout in Oakland on the site of a century-old performance venue and church after a deal to buy the property, according to Newmark, a commercial real estate firm.A wide-ranging renovation is being planned at the historic Palace Theater, located at 1445 23rd Avenue in east Oakland’s San Antonio neighborhood.The building was constructed in 1923 and has been the site of an array of activities over the decades.BayTech Charter School, acting through its affiliate 1445 23rd Avenue LLC, paid $2.2 million for the property, documents filed with the Alameda County Recorder’s Office show.Palace Theater located at 1445 23rd Avenue in Oakland’s San Antonio district. (Google Maps)Brokers with real estate firms Newmark, Maven Properties and Weinstein Local arranged the property purchase.The seller was an affiliate headed up by real estate investor Edward Hemmat, state and county business records show.The charter scho...

SF Giants’ Cactus League split-squad games rained out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:50 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants were slated to play a pair of split-squad games Wednesday but both fell victim to the soggiest day yet of an abnormally wet and chilly Arizona spring.With a steady stream of rain forecasted to continue throughout the day, the Giants’ home game against the Chicago White Sox and their road contest at the Diamondbacks, only a few miles away, were both canceled. It being spring training, neither exhibition will be rescheduled.The biggest concern for the Giants was getting their players their scheduled work without a game to play.Alex Wood was set to make his third start of the spring at Scottsdale Stadium, while Sean Hjelle was their scheduled starter at Salt River Fields in what would have been his fourth appearance this spring.At about 11 a.m., manager Gabe Kapler said they were still working through contingency plans but wasn’t concerned. Both pitchers should be able to continue to build up their workload in side sessions. After pitching int...