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Dutch and Luxembourg prime ministers urge Serbia and Kosovo to defuse tensions under shadow of war in Ukraine

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia — The prime ministers of the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Monday urged Serbia and Kosovo to act to defuse recent tensions that have threatened to push the Balkan region into instability as Europe faces Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Dutch PM Mark Rutte and Xavier Bettel, the Luxembourg PM, spoke after meeting Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. Rutte and Bettel travel to Kosovo on Tuesday for meetings with top officials there.“We cannot, both of us, emphasize enough how important it is that both Serbia and Kosovo take steps toward de-escalation and ultimately normalization of their relations through the EU-led dialogue,” said Rutte.“This is crucial for the two countries themselves, first and foremost, but also for the entire region and Europe as a whole,” he added. “With a war raging between Russia and Ukraine on our continent, it’s more important than ever that we act together.”Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades...

Getaway driver to 14-year-old who shot woman after Denver fender bender sentenced to prison

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

The getaway driver to a 14-year-old who used a high-powered assault rifle to shoot and kill a 32-year-old woman after their cars had been in a fender bender was sentenced last week to 35 years in prison and 14 years of parole, according to the Denver District Attorney’s Office.Although Neshan Johnson did not pull the trigger in the murder, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jake Friedberg said Johnson “certainly bore partial responsibility for what happened, and as a result, owes a debt to the city, the community and to Ms. Cabriales’s family that he has yet to pay.”Pamela Cabriales was shot and killed while sitting in her car in February 2021 at Colfax Avenue and Interstate 25 in Denver. Johnson was 18 years old when he and the 14-year-old juvenile were charged with Cabriales’ homicide, the DA’s office said.During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Cabriales’ loved ones described her as the “best example of Live, Laugh and Love,” the DA’s office said...

Family of influencer mom who suffered from an aneurysm one week before due date provides an update

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

The family of the mom influencer, who was in a medically induced coma after suffering an aneurysm while nine months pregnant, provided an update on her condition.Jackie Miller James, a digital creator with nearly 85,,000 Instagram followers, was about one week away from her due date when she suffered an aneurysm rupture that led to severe brain bleeding and injury.The new mom was rushed to the hospital by her husband, Austin, where doctors simultaneously performed an emergency C-section and brain surgery on her. Her family provided an update on her condition through Instagram on Sunday.“We are beyond thrilled to share that your loving prayers for Jackie have been working. Jackie is awake and was recently transferred to one of the best neurological rehabilitation hospitals in the country,” a statement from the family said.“The doctors have been pleased with her latest tests, numbers and evaluations, noting that Jackie is performing above expectations at this stage of her recovery an...

Workers strike at major Southern California hotels over pay, benefits

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

Workers picketed major Southern California hotels again Monday after walking off the job during the July Fourth weekend to demand better pay and benefits.The strike by bellhops, front desk agents, room attendants, cooks, servers and dishwashers began early Sunday in Los Angeles and Orange counties just as summer tourism ramps up. Employers accused the union of failing to negotiate.Members of Unite Here Local 11 voted last month in favor of authorizing the strike. In addition to higher wages, the union wants improved health care benefits, higher pension contributions and less strenuous workloads.Contracts expired at midnight Friday at more than 60 hotels, including properties owned by major chains such as Marriott and Hilton. The strike affects about half of the 32,000 hospitality workers the union represents across Southern California and Arizona.Osiris Gaona, a phone operator at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, was joined on the picket line by her husband, 15-year-o...

HBO's 'Insecure' now streaming on Netflix; 'Ballers' and more headed there soon

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

Issa Rae's hit HBO series "Insecure" may have come to an end years ago, but fans can relive the magic or watch it for the first time on Netflix. The HBO original series dropped on the streamer on Monday. The company revealed the big news via Twitter saying, "All five seasons of Issa Rae's Peabody and NAACP award-winning series Insecure are now on Netflix!"This is the first time HBO content can be found on Netflix within the United States.The series stars Rae alongside Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell and Amanda Seales. The series aired its finale in December 2021.This just weeks after Deadline reported that Warner Bros. Discovery was set to make a licensing deal with Netflix. This all happened under the helm of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.Other titles headed to the streaming service are Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's series "Ballers," "The Pacific" and "Six Feet Under," Netflix confirmed to the outlet.Fans may notice that "True Blood" is on Hulu, but Deadline r...

Girl Killed in U-Haul vs Electric Scooter Collision on Pecos Road [Henderson, NV]

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

17-Year-Old Girl Killed in Electric Scooter Accident near Sunshadow AvenueHENDERSON, NV (July 3, 2023) – Friday morning, a girl was killed in a U-Haul vs electric scooter collision on Pecos Road.Authorities responded to the scene shortly before 10:30 p.m., near Sunshadow Avenue on June 23rd.Investigators say a U-Haul truck was heading east on Sunshadow approaching Pecos Road. There, the U-Haul struck the girl who was riding an electric scooter north in the southbound lanes of Pecos Road.Paramedics arrived and transported the 17-year-old girl to Sunrise Trauma where she later died. Although, police have not yet released her identity.Emergency crews closed off the surrounding area for a brief time during cleanup and preliminary duties. Once available, further details will be provided about the fatal electric scooter collision on Pecos Road.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Deepest condolences and sympathies are with the family and f...

Humberto Munoz Vasquez Killed in Two-Vehicle Collision on Panama Lane [Bakersfield, CA]

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

54-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after 2-Car Accident on Akers RoadBAKERSFIELD, CA (July 3, 2023) – Early Sunday morning, Humberto Munoz Vasquez was fatally injured in a two-vehicle collision on Panama Lane.Police responded to the scene around 3:15 a.m., at the intersection of Panama Lane and Akers Road on June 22nd.Per reports, the female driver of a vehicle lost control and struck another car driven by Vasquez. Upon impact, the woman’s vehicle spun out and hit a tree causing injuries to its driver and passenger.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced 54-year-old Vasquez dead at the scene around 3:39 a.m.Following preliminary duties, officers believe that intoxication and speed played a role. At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.Sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Humberto Munoz Vasquez. Thoughts are with them during this very diffic...

Oakland: Arrest warrant issued in shooting death of flower delivery man

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

OAKLAND — Prosecutors here have filed a murder charge against a 22-year-old man suspected of shooting a flower delivery man in broad daylight last month, court records show.Eric Loc Elvira, of Oakland, was charged with murdering Matheus Gaidos, 27, of Daly City, in the June 21 shooting. Loc Elvira has not been arrested and police have not publicly revealed if they have any clues to his whereabouts.Gaidos was shot and killed on the 400 block of 26th Street, roughly one block away from Loc Elvira’s residence. Surveillance footage shows that Gaidos was delivering flowers when he and a man who was walking his dog began arguing. The shooting happened around 6:40 p.m.Loc Elvira was arrested after a former employer saw photos of the person of interest that police released to the media, and identified him from the still, authorities said in court records. Police say he was also tied to the crime by “electronic data” and an inquiry to the DMV.Since Gaidos’ death...

Heat wave cools down, modest temperatures expected for most of the Bay Area on Fourth of July

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

The weekend’s sizzling high temperatures began to descend on Monday, with modest temperatures and warm, clear skies forecast for Tuesday’s holiday.Conditions should present plenty of opportunity for Fourth of July backyard barbeques and soaks in the pool. The mercury is not expected to rise above the 90s Tuesday, with Livermore’s 88-degree forecast showing as the highest forecast in the region, according to the National Weather Service. Other highs include 86 in San Jose, 87 in Concord, 72 in Oakland, 65 in San Francisco and 80 in Palo Alto.The coastal cities are expected to see a mild day, with highs of 63 in Half Moon Bay and 70 in Santa Cruz.Those highs are a significant down shift from the weekend, which saw temperatures soar into the 90s in the South Bay and reach triple digits in parts of the East Bay.“For the Fourth of July it is going to be cooling down a little bit,” National Weather Service meteorologist Alexis Clouser said. “Temperature...

Fourth of July trash at Lake Tahoe beaches to be cleaned up by robots

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:53 GMT

There’s a new tool in the effort to reduce litter on Lake Tahoe’s famous beaches this Fourth of July weekend.Think of it as kind of like R2D2 with a trash bag. Or the Mars Rover with a “Keep Tahoe Blue” bumper sticker.On Wednesday, the morning after many crowds have gone home from the famous Sierra Nevada lake that Mark Twain once called “the fairest picture the whole earth affords,” a remote-controlled robot will sift through the sands at Kings Beach, Zephyr Cove and other popular Tahoe beaches to pick up bottle caps, cigarette butts and other trash left behind by the holiday masses.The computerized custodian moves about 2 miles an hour, and is roughly the size of a riding lawn mower.Known as “BeBot,” for “beach robot,” the remote-controlled, solar-powered, self-driving battery-operated contraption methodically sifts sand, collecting trash up to four inches below the surface that otherwise could end up eventually in the pr...