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Sweden torn between free speech, respecting minorities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

By Karl Ritter and Jan M. Olsen | Associated PressSTOCKHOLM — A Quran burning and a string of requests to approve the destruction of more holy books have left Sweden torn between its commitment to free speech and its respect for religious minorities.The clash of fundamental principles has complicated Sweden’s desire to join NATO, an expansion that gained urgency after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but needs the approval of all current members. Turkey has blocked Swedish accession since last year, citing reasons including anti-Turkish and anti-Islamic protests in Stockholm.Then, last week, an Iraqi Christian immigrant burned Islam’s holy book outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, an act that the man said displayed his feelings about the Quran.The burning triggered widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. And along with similar recent protests by a far-right activist, it sparked a debate in Sweden about the limits of freedom o...

Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of planning nuclear plant attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

By Samya Kullab | Associated PressKYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine and Russia accused each other Wednesday of planning to attack one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants, but neither side provided evidence to support their claims of an imminent threat to the facility in southeastern Ukraine that is occupied by Russian troops.The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been a focus of fear since Moscow’s forces took control of it early in the war. Ever since then, Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame for shelling the facility and accused each other of nuclear terrorism.Regular power outages resulting from shelling made it impossible to operate the plant safely, and its six reactors have been shut down to minimize the threat of a disaster.Over the last year, the U.N.’s atomic watchdog repeatedly expressed alarm over the possibility of a radiation catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl after a reactor exploded in 1986.Ukraine has alleged more recently that Moscow might try to ...

Three-bedroom home sells in Oakland for $1.6 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

3959 Fruitvale Avenue – Google Street ViewA house located in the 3900 block of Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland has a new owner. The 1,956-square-foot property, built in 1953, was sold on May 26, 2023. The $1,600,000 purchase price works out to $818 per square foot. The property features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garage. It sits on a 0.3-acre lot.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:A 1,840-square-foot home on the 3900 block of Lyman Road in Oakland sold in December 2022, for $1,520,000, a price per square foot of $826. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In June 2022, a 1,403-square-foot home on Waterhouse Road in Oakland sold for $2,000,000, a price per square foot of $1,426. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Oakmore Road, Oakland, in October 2022, a 1,888-square-foot home was sold for $1,500,000, a price per square foot of $794. The home has 2 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. 

What to watch: ‘Joy Ride’ is one of the funniest films you’ll see all year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

One of the funniest films of the year comes out this week. So does one of the most piercing character studies of 2023. Other new releases focus on two best buddies living and sparring in a biodome and literary figures getting down and dirty.Here’s our roundup.“Joy Ride”: The hard-R-rated comedy features a fantastic quartet of actors — Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu — who portray a diverse quartet of Asian American friends who meet up in China and get into all sorts of outlandish mischief. Director Adele Lim’s directorial debut is as much raunchy fun as “Bridesmaids” and “Girls Trip,” but it’s smart, too, commenting on the need to embrace our true identities. I’ve seen it twice and would gladly see it twice more. It’s the best comedy of the summer. Details: 3½ stars out of 4; in theaters July 7.“Earth Mama”: Olympiad-turned-filmmaker Savanah Leaf’s impressive feature debut adopts a John Cassavetes-like approach to observing pregnant single mo...

Two who died on Highway 4 crash in Pittsburg identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

A man and woman who died in the most recent fatal crash on a dangerous stretch of an East Bay highway were identified early Wednesday by authorities.Virginia Lopez, 29, of El Sobrante, and Recadeo Valdez, 27, of Pittsburg, died in the June 30th crash on eastbound Highway 4 near the Bailey Road exit in Pittsburg. Both were ejected from a GMC pickup truck after colliding with a Volkswagen sedan, the California Highway Patrol said. The crash happened about 8:15 p.m.They died after being rushed to a hospital.The Volkswagen driver, that car’s only occupant, was not injured.The deaths of Lopez and Valdez brings to six the number of people killed in crashes on the highway in Contra Costa County in less than eight weeks. There have been four fatal crashes since May 9.Forty-four people have died in 39 fatal crashes on the highway since the start of 2021, including 10 in eight separate wrecks this year, according to totals kept by this news organization. In Nov. 2022, five people were k...

Taylor Swift fined thousands for letting trash pile up outside her New York City home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

Perhaps Taylor Swift has been too busy on her Eras world tour to make sure that the sidewalk outside her multiple New York City residences is kept clean and free of garbage.Then again, Swift’s “Bad Blood” with the city’s Sanitation Department predate her tour and goes back to 2018, the New York Post has reported. Her reported unsanitary behavior has led to her racking up thousands of dollars in fines over trash that has periodically piled up outside her units in the Tribeca neighborhood.Between January 2018 and January 2023, Swift has been ticketed 32 times, totaling $3,010, for failing to keep the sidewalk clean, the Post reported, citing city records. The records show that the sidewalk has been found to be dirty, or that she — or the people who work for her — have failed to improperly dispose of garbage. The records alleged that the “the unsightly stream of grime” over the years has included piles of newspapers, bottles and cardboard...

Earth keeps breaking temperature records due to global warming

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

Global temperatures have smashed through records this week, underscoring the dangers of ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions generated from burning fossil fuels.The average worldwide temperature reached 17C (63F) on Monday, just above the previous record of 16.9C in August 2016, according to data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The threshold only lasted a day. On Tuesday, the average temperature hit 17.2C.The new highs illustrate the extremity of 2023’s summer in the northern hemisphere, and bring into focus the slow pace of global progress on curbing emissions.“It’s a death sentence for people and ecosystems,” said Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment. The El Niño weather phenomenon is set to push global temperatures higher, she said.The heat this summer has already put millions of people around the world at risk. China is experiencing a scorching new heat wave less than two weeks after tempe...

Fire crews respond to over 60 fires in Contra Costa County during July 4 celebrations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

(KRON) – The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District responded to more than 60 fire calls overnight on July 4. Fifty of those fires are suspected to be caused by fireworks, officials said.In the 11 p.m. hour, Con Fire responded to 10 fires with all likely being caused by fireworks. One person had a serious injury to their hand due to fireworks, officials said.(Photo: Con Fire)In the 10 p.m. hour, firefighters responded to 19 grass and exterior fires along with two structure fires. Officials said three of the fires are known to have been caused by fireworks with the other 16 fires being suspected as firework-starters. (Photo: Con Fire)At 10:53 p.m., Con Fire responded to a two-story house on fire in the 1500 block of Fieldcrest Drive in Pleasant Hill. Fire crews reported a heavy fire involvement. According to the neighbors in the area, there was an explosion followed by the fire. Con Fire contained a one-acre vegetation fire on Holub Lane in Antioch at 10:28 p.m. ...

Bay Area air quality moderate following Tuesday night's fireworks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Air quality across the Bay Area following Tuesday night's fireworks is moderate, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The district's website shows that all five air quality zones are in the yellow, moderate tier for air quality as of Wednesday morning. Six people shot in Hayward on 4th of July The moderate tier reflects a particulate matter count of between 51 to 100. Moderate is one tier below the green, "Good" level and one above the orange "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" tier.Map: Bay Area Air Quality Management DistrictThe five Air Quality Index (AQI) tiers listed on the BAAQMD website are:Good (green) 0-50 Moderate (yellow) 51-100Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange) 101-150Unhealthy (red) 151-200Very Unhealthy (purple) 201-300Hazardous (rust) 301-500The BAAQMD breaks the Bay Area down into five zones:Northern ZoneCoast and Central BayEastern ZoneSouth Central BaySanta Clara ValleyIn addition to fireworks, air quality in parts ...

Stiff-person syndrome: What is it and how it’s treated

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:50 GMT

This content is sponsored by MedStar Washington Hospital Center.Late last year, Celine Dion announced that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological autoimmune condition, which impacted her ability to move and sing. The diagnosis led her to cancel her 2023 tour dates.“Unfortunately, the spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to,” the five-time Grammy-winning artist said in a video message.Since Dion announced her diagnosis in December 2022, the public is now more aware of the uncommon condition, which affects one in 1 million people. It’s so rare that MedStar Washington Hospital Center has only seen about 100 people with a suspected diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome, also known as SPS.SPS symptoms include stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs. Also, those who have SPS have a greater sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, ...