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Council and Parliament strike deal on new rules to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a new law to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU. The European media freedom act (EMFA) will establish a common framework for media services in the EU’s internal market and introduce measures aimed at protecting journalists and media providers from political interference, while also making it easier for them to operate across the EU’s internal borders. The new rules will guarantee the right of citizens to access free and plural information and define the responsibility of member states to provide the appropriate conditions and framework to protect it."Democracy cannot exist without media freedom, independence and plurality. Today’s agreement confirms the EU’s position as a world leader in protecting journalists, guaranteeing the independence of media providers, and ensuring that citizens have access to a wide and diverse range of reliable news sources." Ernest Ur...

U.S. homelessness up 12% to highest reported level as rents soar and coronavirus pandemic aid lapses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

The United States experienced a dramatic 12% increase in homelessness to its highest reported level as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday.About 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness, the most since the country began using the yearly point-in-time survey in 2007 to count the homeless population. The total in the January count represents an increase of about 70,650 homeless people compared to a year earlier.The latest estimate also indicated that people becoming homeless for the first time were behind much of the increase, and it ended a downward trend in family homelessness that began in 2012. “This data underscores the urgent need for support for proven solutions and strategies that help people quickly exit homelessness and that prevent homelessness in the first place,” House and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge said in a prepared statement.The U.S. had ...

Suspects evade LAPD after string burglaries on Ventura Boulevard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

Police are searching for four suspects connected to a string of burglaries at businesses along Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley Friday morning. The burglaries took place between 3:30 and 4 a.m. across three Los Angeles-area neighborhoods. It was unclear which business was struck first, but police believe the same burglars are responsible for the following break-ins. Equivalence, located at 18007 Ventura Blvd. in EncinoMichael's Custom Clothes, located at 13757 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman OaksBliss Nail Bar, located at 22996 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland HillsBliss Pharmacy located at 22998 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland HillsOfficers spotted the suspect vehicle, described as a black Dodge Durango, driving eastbound on Ventura Boulevard following the burglary at high-end shoe retailer Equivalence and initiated a pursuit. L.A. singer to admit to hiding 200 lbs. of cocaine The erratic driving of the suspect vehicle prompted officers to call off the pursuit after only a few minutes, L...

US homelessness up 12% in highest reported level

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

By Kevin Freking | Associated PressWASHINGTON — The United States experienced a dramatic 12% increase in homelessness as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday.About 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness during the January snapshot. That’s the highest number since the country began using the yearly point-in-time survey in 2007 to count the homeless population. The total represents an increase of about 70,650 homeless people compared to January 2022.The latest estimate also indicated that people becoming homeless for the first time were behind much of the increase, and it ended a downward trend in family homelessness that began in 2012.“This data underscores the urgent need for support for proven solutions and strategies that help people quickly exit homelessness and that prevent homelessness in the first place,” House and Urban Development Secretar...

49ers’ Hargrave, Armstead are likely to miss Arizona game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

SANTA CLARA — It appears the 49ers will be without both starting defensive tackles Sunday when they visit the Arizona Cardinals.Official designations will come later Friday from coach Kyle Shanahan, but general manager John Lynch made it sound as if both Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead will be spectators.Hargrave has a hamstring strain, while Armstead has foot and knee issues. The 49ers (10-3) have already clinched a playoff spot and have an extra day of preparation following the Cardinals game as they host Baltimore in a Monday night game on Christmas.In a 28-16 win over Seattle, Hargrave played a season-low 28 snaps and reported hamstring tightness. In his eighth season, Hargrave missed just three games with Pittsburgh (2016-19)  and Philadelphia (2020-22) and he has played in 13 games with six sacks for the 49ers after signing a four-year contract worth a maximum of $84 million.“I think it would be a reach for him to play this week but we’ll see,” Lynch s...

People with disabilities hope autonomous vehicles deliver independence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

Tony Leys | KFF Health News (TNS)GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. ― Myrna Peterson predicts self-driving vehicles will be a ticket out of isolation and loneliness for people like her, who live outside big cities and have disabilities that prevent them from driving.Peterson, who has quadriplegia, is an enthusiastic participant in an unusual test of autonomous vehicles in this corner of northern Minnesota. She helped attract government funding to bring five self-driving vans to Grand Rapids, a city of 11,000 people in a region of pine and birch forests along the Mississippi River.The project’s self-driving vans always have a human operator in the driver’s seat, poised to take over in complicated situations. But the computers are in control about 90% of the time, and they’ve given 5,000 rides since 2022 without any accidents, organizers say.“It’s been fun. I’m really sold on it,” said Peterson, who used to rely on her power wheelchair to travel around town, even in winter.Autonomous vehicles, which...

Young hockey player dies after being hit in the throat with puck

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

By Rachel Lau | CTV NetworkMONTREAL – An 11-year-old boy has died days after being hit by a puck in the throat during a minor hockey league practice session on Tuesday in Saint-Eustache, about 40 minutes away from Montreal.Saint-Eustache police confirmed the news of the boy’s death on Friday.“This morning, we were saddened to learn of the child’s death. We offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones,” a press release from the force reads.Following the incident at the Walter-Buswell complex, the child was rushed to a Montreal hospital to be treated for his injuries.“The Saint-Eustache minor hockey association and all its members are saddened by the accident that injured our young player,” the association told Noovo Info at the time. “We are working with the town to offer the necessary support to members who witnessed the accident. We are aware that the emotional impact is immense.”Related ArticlesWorld News...

New Year’s Eve 2023: 14 cool shows worth checking out on last night of the year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

Our New Year’s Eve plans usually consist of a movie, Chinese food and then trying to get back to our pad before things get too wild out there.Others, understandably, prefer a more rockin’ way to bring one year to a close and kick-start another. That’s why going to a concert continues to be such a popular NYE tradition for so many.And Bay Area fans definitely have a lot of tuneful options for Dec. 31, 2023. The offerings range from cool R&B and real-deal blues to electronic rock and Latin jazz.Then, of course, there are a variety of comedy gigs taking place around these parts as well.Many of these events will sell out, so now’s the time to make your plans.To help with that pursuit, here is our guide to the top NYE concerts and comedy shows taking place in the Bay Area.LCD SoundsystemThe incredibly popular electronic rock act — which headlined the huge Outside Lands festival at Golden Gate Park in 2016 — is set to thrill their many Bay Area fans with two year-ending sh...

Car fire spreads into vegetation, burns 20 acres near Pittsburg

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

BAY POINT — A car fire on a bypass road connecting eastern and central Contra Costa County spread into vegetation early Friday, burning 20 acres and threatening homes, fire officials said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Letters: Ghost Ship | Vote Democrat | Who Musk is | Grand juries Crime and Public Safety | Flaring reported Wednesday at Martinez refinery Crime and Public Safety | Martinez residents sue refinery after a year of accidents shakes community Crime and Public Safety | Fire in backyard tree spreads to nearby house in Concord Crime and Public Safety | ‘I’m committed to Oakland,’ Matt Horn says; post-fire GoFundMe effort launched Investigators were working to determine if the two-alarm blaze was set intentionally, spokesperson Capt. Chris Toler said. The car appeared to be abandoned when crews arrived about 1:50 a.m. to the Pittsburg side of Bailey Road, sugges...

Concord man charged with murdering his grandmother

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:50 GMT

CONCORD — A Concord man has been charged with stabbing his grandmother to death in an attack earlier this month, court records show.Fabian Gonzalez Cruz, 23, was charged Dec. 8 with murder and an enhancement alleging use of a sharp weapon in the death of 69-year-old Josefina Gonzalez, of Concord. He is being held in the West County Detention Facility in lieu of $1 million bail, records show.Josefina Gonzalez was stabbed to death in the morning of Dec. 5. Concord police arrested Fabian Gonzalez Cruz and booked him into jail around 7:30 a.m. that day, according to arrest records.Authorities haven’t publicly disclosed the suspected motive for the attack. Gonzalez Cruz has pleaded not guilty and is next due in court on Jan. 10, court records show.