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San Jose: Federal excessive force lawsuit from George Floyd protests is greenlit for trial

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

SAN JOSE — An excessive force lawsuit against the San Jose Police Department and the city over officers’ violent tactics to break up downtown crowds protesting the police killing of George Floyd three years ago —  which elicited national notoriety and condemnation — will proceed to trial after a federal judge’s ruling Thursday.Among the five plaintiffs whose claims of First and Fourth Amendment violations were approved to go forward is Michael Acosta, a man who lived downtown and was passively watching the protests that started in late May 2020 when an officer shot him in the face with a hard foam projectile, causing him to lose an eye.Other plaintiffs allowed to eventually argue in front a federal civil jury include a woman shoved or jabbed with batons “at least seventeen times” by two officers, a woman hit by projectiles while observing the protests, a man shoved to the ground by police and who claims he was hit by multiple projectiles, and a man who ...

Greek zoo offers frozen treats to help animals beat the heat

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

By Derek Gatopoulos | Associated PressSPATA, Greece — At first sight, Tiembe studies his frozen breakfast with hesitation: Chunks of red meat and bone packed in a foot-long block of ice.The 15-year-old Angolan lion eventually licks the ice before gnawing free pieces of meat.Animals at the Attica Zoological Park outside the Greek capital were being fed frozen meals Friday as temperatures around the country reached 40 C (107.5 F) and were set to rise further, in the fourth heat wave in less than a month.The extreme temperatures and wildfires — a growing concern for biodiversity in southern Europe — have had an impact on Greek wildlife.A fire on the island of Rhodes burned for 11 successive days, triggering the evacuation of 20,000 people, mostly tourists.The island’s animals were less fortunate.As the fire tore through mountain forests and a nature reserve, an estimated 2,500 animals and beehives were burned, along with 50,000 olive trees, according to Agriculture Ministry offic...

Inland Bay Area temperatures skyrocketing for brief weekend heatwave

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

Scientists say that July was the hottest recorded month in human history, and while it didn’t exactly feel that way in the Bay Area, portions of the region will get a taste of triple-digit temperatures on the first weekend of August, according to the National Weather Service.“Through the weekend, temperatures are warming up sharply,” said NWS meteorologist Rick Canepa. “(We’ll see) three days of warming up and then cooling returning next week.”Temperatures were forecast to rise the highest in inland cities out in Contra Costa County and other parts of the East Bay. On Saturday, highs in those areas include 96 degrees in Walnut Creek, 96 in Concord, 94 in Livermore and 90 in Dublin.On Sunday, those temperatures could clear triple digits with blistering days anticipated. NWS predictions included 98 in Walnut Creek, 101 in Concord, 98 in Livermore and 94 in Dublin.Other parts of the region anticipated warm but less stifling weekend numbers. Forecast ...

49ers QB Roll Call: Brock Purdy finds Deebo Samuel for scary touchdown

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Friday’s action at 49ers training camp saw all four quarterbacks participate in team drills, unlike the previous day when Brandon Allen got skunked on the snap count. Here is how they looked:BROCK PURDYEven after a 20-pass barrage marked his most extensive action of training camp, Brock Purdy wasn’t done. He retreated to the side field with the 49ers’ three other quarterbacks for extra-credit work, and, in Purdy’s case, that meant connecting with George Kittle on a couple of out routes.No pass weighed more in Friday’s two-hour session than when Purdy connected with Deebo Samuel on a 12-yard fade route for a touchdown at the end zone’s front, right pylon. Covered tightly by Charvarius Ward, Samuel landed hard on the ground, apparently on his right hip, which he rubbed after a few pregnant seconds of staying on the grass while concerned teammates rushed to his aid.Samuel threw the ball up in the air in apparent frustration after ...

Pac-12 survival: What’s next for Oregon State, Washington State, Stanford and Cal after mass exodus to Big Ten, Big 12

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

In the dead of summer, nuclear winter is coming for a handful of Pac-12 schools excluded from the vicious realignment game.USC, UCLA and Colorado have already given notice.Oregon and Washington are leaving for the Big Ten.Arizona, Arizona State and Utah are likely headed for the Big 12.The remaining quartet — Stanford, Cal, Washington State and Oregon State — is facing a Defcon 1 scenario.What are their options?Can they maintain competitive football and basketball programs without the massive revenue that comes with membership in a top conference?How will their Olympic sports and athletic department employees be impacted?First, the schools have a morsel of time to spare. The Pac-12 will remain intact through the upcoming academic year, with all 12 schools competing.More importantly, the money will keep flowing to each campus thanks to a media rights agreement with ESPN and Fox that remains intact until next summer.But as the situation stands, the Pac-12 likely will be reduced to the...

Why the Sharks’ ongoing Erik Karlsson situation could be clarified soon

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

SAN JOSE – The ongoing saga as to where San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson will play this upcoming season might be given some clarity in the next few days.The Pittsburgh Penguins, who have made clear their interest in acquiring Karlsson, had a second buyout window open after forward Drew O’Connor filed for arbitration early last month. The Penguins and O’Connor settled on a two-year, $1.85 million contract on Wednesday, leaving the team approximately $3.2 million over the NHL salary cap of $83.5 million for this upcoming season, per CapFriendly.According to collective bargaining agreement rules, a 48-hour second buyout window now opens up for the Penguins, starting on Saturday. That gives Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas the flexibility to buy out any player on his roster whose salary cap hit is at least $4 million, and forward Mikael Granlund’s deal – worth $5 million each of the next two seasons – could be in jeopardy.Buying out Granlund, 31, would save the ...

2 bodies found in San Jose home after welfare check

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

(KRON) -- Two bodies were found inside a residence on Friday after officers responded to a welfare check, the San Jose Police Department said. Police found two dead people at a home on the 1600 block of Parkmor Avenue. It is unknown at this time what the cause is of their deaths. Police are asking the public to stay out of the area as they conduct their investigation.SJPD responded to the call of the welfare check at around 10:06 a.m. on Friday. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as KRON4 learns more.

Giants offensive line seemingly more unsettled than before camp started

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — When the New York Giants reported to training camp last week, there seemed to be a few questions about their offensive line.After a week of practices, there are seemingly more, especially with second-year right tackle Evan Neal walking off the field early on Friday with what the team said later was diagnosed as a concussion.Neal, left tackle Andrew Thomas and right guard Mark Glowinski were about set on the line when camp opened. The left guard and center spots were up for grabs.Now are three, and possibly four .The center spot opened when Jon Feliciano signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent after a one-year stint in New York. Second-round draft pick John-Michael Schmitz and veteran Ben Bredeson were the front runners to replace him.Bredeson was also a candidate for left guard, too, after playing there some last season along with second-year pro Josh Ezeudu, Shane Lemieux and veteran Tyre Phillips.Glowinski, who was signed as a free agent la...

Actor Mark Margolis, murderous drug kingpin on ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul,’ dies at 83

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Veteran character actor Mark Margolis, who had a breakout role as a mobster in “Scarface” and became best known for playing vindictive former drug kingpin Hector Salamanca in TV’s “Breaking Bad” and then in the prequel “Better Call Saul,” has died at age 83.The actor died on Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness, according to a statement from his son, Morgan Margolis.Margolis was nominated for an Emmy in 2012 for “Breaking Bad,” for outstanding guest actor, as Hector, the elderly don of his drug clan who was unable to speak or walk due to a stroke. Much of his character’s backstory later played out on “Better Call Saul,” the prequel in which he guest-starred from 2016 to 2022. Margolis has said he based his portrayal of the drug kingpin partly on his own experience caring for a relative who had suffered a stroke.On social media, many shared scenes of murderous Hector “Tio” Salamanca — and his explosive demise — who communic...

Initially delayed, the ‘Barbie’ movie is now set to be released in the United Arab Emirates

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:51:44 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates has approved the release of the “Barbie” movie after a three-week delay over possible content issues.UAE officials didn’t explain the screening delay, which has also occurred in other Arab nations. The film is now set to screen on Aug. 10, according to a tweet by Vox Cinemas, a regional cinema company. “The UAE Media Council has granted the Barbie movie the approval to be screened in the UAE’s licensed cinemas after completing the necessary procedures in line with the standards of media content and the UAE age classification,” the council announced late Thursday.The movie’s inclusion of a transgender actress in one of the Barbie roles and other messaging on LGBTQ+ issues could be an issue in Arab countries with Muslim majorities that consider homosexuality and transgender identity to be contrary to Islamic religious beliefs.The movie about the world-famous doll stars Margot Robbie in the titular role and Ryan Gosling ...