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International Women's Day: An invitation for societies to do better 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

In a ceremony marking International Women’s Day, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi and astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti addressed MEPs in Strasbourg, Plenary session, FEMM.Political group speakers paid tribute to the women heroes who are an inspiration to young girls - to working mothers taking care of their families, those affected by gender-based violence, women refugees running from war, schoolgirls in danger and the women helping other women fight for their right to a safe abortion. Speaking of the case of activist Justyna Wydrzynska, convicted to eight months of community service in Poland yesterday for helping a woman access an abortion, some MEPs called for the right to abortion to be added to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. They reiterated that women outside of Europe who need our solidarity must not be forgotten.President Metsola said International Women’s Day is not only a moment to recognise the achievements of women and girls across the world. It should also ...

SPCA Monterey County rescues more than 200 pets from Pajaro River flooding

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

PÁJARO – While the community of Pájaro was left reeling from disaster over the weekend, as flooding from the massive Pájaro River levee breach forced thousands to evacuate their homes, SPCA Monterey County turned its attention to some family members left behind in the emergency.“For many people, when they had to evacuate, they were unable to take their pets with them,” said Beth Brookhouser, vice president of marketing and communications for SPCA Monterey County. “We started receiving calls pretty quickly after the flooding started.”SPCA Monterey County’s disaster response team rescues chickens after the Pajaro River levee breach. (Courtesy SPCA Monterey County) After the Pájaro River levee beached Friday around midnight, Brookhouser said the SPCA’s disaster response team was out at the scene Saturday, alongside the California National Guard and other first responders performing rescues. Using high-water rescue vehicles deployed to help stranded residents, the SPCA was able to ...

Demolition of Seacliff State Beach pier to begin next week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

APTOS — Weeks after California State Parks announced an intention to take down the irreparably damaged pier at Seacliff State Beach, a date has been set for work to commence.According to a State Parks release, the demolition process will begin March 20 and is expected to take six weeks. When the work is complete, no visible portions of the pier will be left for those passing by to view, but attempts will be made to remove items such as the lifeguard tower and memorial benches prior to the pier’s destruction.To mitigate safety hazards, officials say public access will be limited from the waterline to the bluffs during the demolition work which will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The visitor center will be open during its normal operational hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.California State Parks announced it will demolish the pier leading out to the Cement Ship at Seacliff State Beach later this month. (Courtesy State Parks)The Cement Ship and Sea...

Disneyland cleans every skull, mummy and snake in Indiana Jones Adventure refurbishment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

Disneyland cleaned every skull, mummy and snake during a three-month refurbishment of Indiana Jones Adventure that refreshed the classic dark ride without disturbing any of the beloved rubble and debris in the crumbling Temple of the Forbidden Eye.The Indiana Jones Adventure attraction will reopen on Friday, March 17 after an extensive renovation by the Disneyland operations and facility services teams along with Walt Disney Imagineering.I got to ride Indiana Jones Adventure a few times on Thursday, March 16 before the attraction reopened to the public and found my favorite Disneyland ride fully restored to its glory days.Indiana Jones Adventure feels brand new once again just like when the thrill ride first opened in 1995. The Indy attraction that visitors and cast members alike have been missing for so long is finally back again.Imagineering “plussed up” the ride with two new digital effects scenes designed to demonstrate the power of Mara, the antagonist deity within the Temple o...

Here’s how much it’s rained in Southern California so far this season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

When it rains in Southern California, it pours, evidently.Across the region, the National Weather Service’s latest data has shown dramatic increases in precipitation totals for the rainy season thus far. Several Southern California spots have even seen their totals double only a few months into the rainy season, which is measured beginning Oct. 1.“It’s definitely been an impressive winter,” said NWS meteorologist Rich Thompson.For one, Downtown LA usually sees about 10 inches total for the rain season. As of Thursday, it’s nearly 12 inches ahead of normal, Thompson said.Places in Orange County, like Santa Ana and Fullerton, also had rainfall totals that were far above average for the season, NWS meteorologist Mark Moede added.The same was true in the Inland Empire. For example, Chino saw about 9 more inches of rain than average; by the same metric, Riverside saw about 3 inches more than normal for the season so far, he added. Ontario had an “incredible 10.40 inches above normal” for...

Abcarian: Reports of Warren-Harris rift plays into Republican hands

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

There are so many ways to delegitimize a woman in politics: Attack her for the sound of her laughter, for shedding a tear on the campaign trail, for her choice of clothing, for being cranky with her staff or eating her salad with a comb.But no tactic is more tiresome than trying to exploit a rift between two major political figures who happen to be women.In January, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was asked during a Boston Public Radio interview whether President Joe Biden should keep Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate in 2024. Apparently not wanting to step on the president’s toes, Warren politely dodged the question.“I really want to defer to what makes Biden comfortable on his team,” she said. “I’ve known Kamala for a long time. I like Kamala. I knew her back when she was an attorney general and I was still teaching and we worked on the housing crisis together, so we go way back. But they need — they have to be a team,...

Review: Fonda, Tomlin anchor a darkly funny ‘Moving On’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated PressThe on-screen pairing of Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin is not exactly a novelty at the moment. Seven seasons of “Grace and Frankie” and the movie “80 for Brady” has, perhaps, spoiled us a little lately. And, unfortunately, second-act movies with Hollywood legends have a very hit or miss track record (sorry “Queen Bees” and “Poms”).But don’t let either of those facts dissuade you from trying out ” Moving On,” which was written and directed by Paul Weitz (“Grandma,” “About a Boy”) and opens in theaters this weekend. This is one of those rare films that balances a darkly comedic conceit with authentic, emotional resonance, allowing Fonda, Tomlin and co-stars Malcolm McDowell and Richard Roundtree to actually act rather than be demeaned by cheap caricatures of senior citizens.It begins with a funeral. We never meet the deceased, but it brings the main characters back ...

Rubin: Oscar-winning film ‘Navalny’ tells a story everyone should see

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

The awarding of the Oscar for best documentary to the film “Navalny” was well-deserved, not only because it is a riveting film, but because it prods us to think about what will happen to Russia if Vladimir Putin loses his war on Ukraine.Alexei Navalny is Russia’s best-known opposition politician, whose health has been deteriorating since he was jailed on trumped-up charges in 2021. The film is a gripping detective story that traces how he was poisoned by Russian intelligence agents while on a speaking tour in Siberia, miraculously escaped death, and returned to Moscow after treatment in Germany. Navalny was arrested at the airport and is likely to stay imprisoned so long as Putin retains power.When Navalny’s wife, Yulia, took the stage to accept the award for him, she praised her husband for “defending democracy.” In an emotional speech, she said softly, “Alexei, I’m dreaming of the day when you will be free and our country will be fre...

Review: ‘Shazam!’ sequel has more stars, less charm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

By Jocelyn Noveck | Assocoiated PressSequels, by nature, are more. Whatever the original had, just add more, the rule seems to be. Even more words in the title — how often is a sequel’s title shorter than the original?And so, exactly four years after the original DC superhero pic “Shazam!” surprised with its clever blend of innocence and silliness, and enough wit to blunt the inevitable ridiculousness of plot, we have “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.” It brings five times the title wordage, more action, more villains, more monsters and more star wattage — Oscar winner Helen Mirren, for example.But not more charm. The sequel, again directed by David F. Sandberg, feels less breezily funny, less fresh, less fleet of foot. (At two hours and 10 minutes, it’s actually two minutes shorter than the original, but doesn’t feel shorter).In its favor, though, are some elements that lent the original its pleasures, especially Zachary Levi and his goofy efforts...

2-bedroom home on corner lot in Alameda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:10 GMT

It’s an extraordinary opportunity: Live in a World War II-era two-story attached home in the West End not far from Alameda Landing shopping and restaurants, the Webster Posey Tube, S.F. commuter ferry, and Spirits Alley for sumptuous craft beers and food.Experience historic charm at this home built in 1940 for workers at the Alameda Bethlehem Shipyard during World War II. When you walk through the front door you will see fresh paint, new light fixtures, wood floors, a coat closet and heating furnace. The kitchen includes a new, never-been-used stainless-steel gas range oven and refrigerator and linoleum floor.Outside the back door is a patio area and upstairs there are two bedrooms with new light fixtures and door knobs as well as a newer full bathroom with a shower over tub.Location: 1732 Main Street, AlamedaOverview:  two bedrooms, one bathroom, 800 square feetListed at: $525,000Open house: Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.Website: www.1732MainSt...