Kazakhstan looks for further and faster progress in EU relations

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

Kazakhstan looks for further and faster progress in EU relations The foreign ministers of the five Central Asian republics and of the 27 EU member states have held their first-ever joint meeting.They came together in Luxembourg to endorse the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the European Union and Central Asia. It has the potential to be a major milestone in their relations, but the test will be how it is implemented, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.Viewed from Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, progress in relations between Central Asia and the EU is welcome but could do with a boost. Looking forward to the Central Asia Investors Forum, to be held in Brussels in January, Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko said it will come only after a year-long EU study, followed by seven months to arrange the event.Of the five Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan has the closest relationship with the EU, through an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The foreign ministers’ gathering was immediately followed by a meeting of the EU-K...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom plows into child while playing basketball in China 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

California Gov. Gavin Newsom plows into child while playing basketball in China  California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited China last week to strengthen cultural ties between the Golden State and the powerhouse Asian nation, but one of the governor's moves may not make relations that much better. That move was a behind-the-back crossover. While in Beijing over the weekend, the governor took a break from diplomatic activities to let loose on the basketball court with some students, and after spinning the ball on his finger a few times, he began to drive towards the basket. Only, he didn’t get very far. California Gov. Gavin Newsom plowed into a child while on a trip to Beijing, China. (X/@TripInChina)After a spin move around a double team, Newsom pivoted and went for a behind-the-back crossover before temporarily losing the ball (thanks to some good defense from one of the children) and plowing into the other child who was defending him. L.A. Mayor Bass focuses on ‘customer experience of Angelenos’ with new executive directive Had a referee been ...

Deputies seek transient who stabbed person in Rancho Cucamonga

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

Deputies seek transient who stabbed person in Rancho Cucamonga The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is looking for a homeless person who stabbed a person in Rancho Cucamonga Saturday night.The attack was reported at about 10:30 p.m. in the 9700 block of Arrow Route, the SBSD said in a news release. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was in an argument with the homeless person when the transient pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim, authorities said."The victim sustained a non-life-threatening injury and ran into a nearby business for help," the release said. Despite an "extensive search," including with a helicopter, the assailant was not found.The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and their condition is unknown. The investigation is ongoing.Anyone with information is asked to call 909-477-2800 or report it anonymously by calling WeTip at 800-78-CRIME or online at wetip.com.

Authorities investigating fatal crash in Huntington Beach

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

Authorities investigating fatal crash in Huntington Beach A 61-year-old man died after a two-vehicle crash occurred Sunday night in Huntington Beach.Around 7 p.m., authorities responded to a traffic collision call on Magnolia Street and Hamilton Avenue involving a blue BMW X3 and a blue Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycle.The two vehicles collided at the intersection of Magnolia Street, a preliminary investigation found. The 61-year-old man, only identified as a Costa Mesa resident, was driving the blue Harley-Davidson and died at the scene.The driver of the BMV, identified as an 82-year-old man from Huntington Beach, was uninjured and cooperated with investigators, a news release said.The preliminary investigation found that the BMW was traveling westbound on Hamilton Avenue and proceeded to make a left turn onto Magnolia Street. The blue Harley-Davidson was traveling eastbound on Hamilton Avenue and entered the intersection as the BMV turned left.Impaired vision does not appear to be a factor, authorities said.An investigation into the co...

Man Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Crash on Terraza Boulevard [Rio Rancho, NM]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

Man Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Crash on Terraza Boulevard [Rio Rancho, NM] Man, Dog Struck by Vehicle while Crossing near Valle AltoRIO RANCHO, NM (October 30, 2023) – Early Tuesday morning, a male pedestrian died following a deadly crash on Terraza Boulevard.According to the Rio Rancho Police, the incident occurred just before 6:00 a.m., October 24th, near Valle Alto Drive NortheastFurthermore, the authorities responded to the scene and found a man lying unconscious on the highway.Upon initial investigation, the officers learned that a man with his dog was crossing along a marked crosswalk when they were struck by a vehicle.Unfortunately, responding authorities pronounced the man dead at the scene, and there was no update about the dog.At this time, the identity of the deceased was not yet released by the investigators. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with them.Further investigation is currently underway, and an update will be released once available.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Dee...

Oakland loses contract dispute with developer in latest battle over coal

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

Oakland loses contract dispute with developer in latest battle over coal OAKLAND — The developer fighting for years to transport coal through Oakland is on the way to another legal victory that could thwart efforts by the city’s leaders to prevent the pollutive substance from being stored at the harbor.In a tentative ruling, an Alameda County court judge found that the city breached its contract with developer Phil Tagami by not granting him an extension amid delays in the planned construction of a large marine terminal at the city’s port.The Oct. 27 decision, while not yet final, could pave the way for Tagami to store large amounts of coal at the planned 34-acre terminal before shipping it overseas, despite criticism from environmental advocates that the substance could further pollute West Oakland.Attorneys for Tagami’s firm, Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal LLC (or OBOT), successfully argued that the delays were the result of unforeseen events — namely, the city’s own efforts to stall the project.“OBOT prov...

Pac-12 power ratings: Oregon’s on top, Utah slips and USC staggers through another week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

Pac-12 power ratings: Oregon’s on top, Utah slips and USC staggers through another week Even for USC, the noise is next level these days.The Trojans have two losses but are being treated like they have six.Fans and talking heads alike are wondering whether defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is about to get fired, quarterback Caleb Williams is ready to shut it down for the season and coach Lincoln Riley is seeking salvation in the NFL.Did we mention USC has only two losses?The issue isn’t with performance. The 24th-ranked Trojans (6-2) are exactly who we thought they would be: Dynamic on offense, wobbly on defense and at the whim of the breaks and bounces.Which brings us to the theme of this column: The breaks and bounces.For all the fingers pointed at Grinch and Riley and the offensive line, the Hotline believes a critical piece has been overlooked.What if we told you the Trojans are actually better than last year in perhaps the most important efficiency metrics?— Last season, USC’s offense averaged 7.2 yards-per-play. This season, the Trojans are humm...

Huge San Jose housing development is eyed at ex-Fry’s Electronics site

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

Huge San Jose housing development is eyed at ex-Fry’s Electronics site SAN JOSE — A huge housing development with several hundred residences could be built on the site that once housed the Fry’s Electronics headquarters and one of the failed retailer’s most iconic stores, city documents show.The potential residential project also suggests that the site’s owners have ditched their plans for a vast tech campus totaling millions of square feet on the property.The tech industry’s move to significantly scale back its appetite for new plans for office space in the Bay Area, including Silicon Valley, has made speculative office projects a much less feasible proposition.Bay West Development, which had proposed an office campus with up to 2 million square feet of office space on the Fry’s site at 550 East Brokaw Road, is now instead pushing forward with a proposal to build residences, including multifamily apartments.All told, at least 500 residential units — and possibly more than 1,000 housing units — might be b...

Oregon man accused of killing Bay Area boy in 1987 pleads not guilty

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

Oregon man accused of killing Bay Area boy in 1987 pleads not guilty Charged with the 1987 murder of a 6-year-old Vallejo boy, Fred Marion Cain III pleaded not guilty and denied all enhancements during a brief jail arraignment hearing Friday in Solano County Superior Court.Shackled and again seated in a wheelchair at the defense table, Cain, 69, and his attorney, Chief Public Defender Oscar Bobrow entered the plea in Department 11 in the Justice Center in Fairfield.Later during the proceeding, Judge William J. Pendergast assigned the case to Department 9, denied bail for Cain, then scheduled a readiness conference for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 22, when it will be heard by Judge Wendy Getty. She has been assigned the case.RELATED: Exclusive: Man charged in Vallejo boy’s killing is now a suspect in killing of Martinez boyFred M. Cain III (Solano County DA’s Office) But before the proceeding ended, Pengergast heard an objection from Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Sequeira, who asserted that the Public Defender’s Office representation of Cain presents a p...

No more attending classes: These community colleges let students learn at their own pace

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:28:23 GMT

No more attending classes: These community colleges let students learn at their own pace Elaine S. Povich | Stateline.org (TNS)Jaqueline Yalda, who has been a campus police officer at El Paso Community College in Texas for a decade, sought a promotion earlier this year. But first, the department required her to complete a college-level course in criminal justice.It had been many years since Yalda had taken any college classes. And at age 38, she felt a little intimidated.But, a few weeks later, Yalda had earned an ‘A’ in Introduction to Criminal Justice and was promoted to sergeant. Now, she’s eyeing moving up to lieutenant, which will require finishing her full associate degree.Her secret? Taking the course at El Paso Community College through a “competency-based education” program, which let her move through an online course at her own pace. She finished in four weeks, faster than the eight allowed, and said professors responded quickly online when she had questions.“This was my first time taking a CBE course,” Yalda said in a phone interview from the police headquart...