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Ticker: Retail sales slip in October; FCC adopts rules to eliminate ‘digital discrimination’  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

Americans cut back on retail spending in October, ending six straight months of gains, though the decline was partly driven by falling prices for both gasoline and cars.Retail sales declined 0.1% last month after jumping a strong 0.9% in September, according to a report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department.“The October retail sales report was stronger than expectations, but confirmed a slowdown in consumption,” Ellen Zentner, chief U.S. economist at Morgan Stanley, wrote in a note to clients.September’s figure was revised higher from an initial report of a 0.7% gain. Excluding sales of gas and autos, retail sales ticked up 0.1%.FCC adopts rules to eliminate ‘digital discrimination’The Federal Communications Commission is implementing new rules banning internet providers from discrimination in how they provide service to communities based on income, race and other protected classes.The rules package, which the commission ratified on Wednesday, would empower the a...

Protests erupt in San Francisco as Biden, Chinese leader meet for APEC trade summit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

Hundreds of protesters marched and waved signs and flags and occasionally scuffled Wednesday across San Francisco where President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are attending an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit after holding talks down the road from the city at a Woodside estate.More than 1,000 demonstrators waving Tibetan flags marched mid-day down Market Street chanting “Free Tibet” and criticizing the Chinese Communist Party and its leader Xi. There were reports of isolated pushing and shoving between groups of critics and supporters of China in the city.“The United States is a country that believes in human rights,” said demonstrator Penpa Dhundup, 50, of Berkeley, who was draped in a gold, red and blue Tibetan flag and wore a “Save Tibet” headband. “How can they welcome a Communist Party who takes away everything which the United States is based on?”Earlier in the morning, police in riot gear pushed up against a crowd of demonstrators representing workers’ r...

Healey boosts aid by $62M at UMass, state schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

The state will add $62 million to financial aid for the state’s public community colleges, state universities and UMass schools, Governor Maura Healey announced Wednesday — expanding broad coverage for low-income students and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for middle-income students by up to half.“This expansion of MASSGrant Plus will open doors for more students to access higher education, which will strengthen our economy as a whole,” Healey announced Wednesday morning at Salem State University.The MASSGrant Plus Expansion, which draws on funding from the so-called millionaire’s tax passed last year, is expected to benefit 25,000 students at state colleges and universities.The aid will go to all students who enroll in public colleges and universities in Massachusetts and qualify based on their FAFSA applications and apply retroactively for enrolled students for the current semester by sending credits to their accounts.The program will cover full cost...

Trump wants mistrial in NY civil fraud case 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

NEW YORK  — Lawyers for Donald Trump asked for a mistrial Wednesday in the New York civil fraud case that threatens the former president’s real estate empire. They accused the judge of tainting the proceedings with “tangible and overwhelming” bias.Trump’s lawyers urged Judge Arthur Engoron to stop the case immediately, arguing he had irreparably harmed Trump’s right to a fair trial through “astonishing departures from ordinary standards of impartiality.” They cited his rulings against their client as well as the prominent role played by the judge’s chief law clerk.Engoron gave lawyers for New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office until Thursday to decide whether they will file a response before he rules. Judges have broad latitude to conduct trials as they choose. Last week, Engoron spurned the defense’s request to end the trial through what’s known as a directed verdict.Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Repu...

Expect rain through this weekend in San Diego County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Active weather across San Diego County as quick-moving showers and thunderstorms roll through Wednesday into the weekend.There will be on and off scattered showers through Saturday afternoon as a Pacific storm system off the coast of California brings us two rounds of rain. Storm to bring rain to San Diego starting Wednesday We are experiencing the first round of rain Wednesday through Thursday morning. Already a quarter inch of rain has fallen in many areas including Chula Vista, Ramona, Julian and Brown Field. Showers pushed onshore just after 10 a.m. Wednesday with thunderstorms embedded in that leading edge.There is still a threat of thunderstorms going into Wednesday evening so be careful of lightning strikes, brief heavy downpours and gusty winds. A Beach Hazards Statement for the San Diego County coastline and a Marine Statement for outer waters are in effect until Wednesday evening to warn people of those hazards. Atmospheric river heading for Souther...

Free 'Dump Day' event happening in Chula Vista this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- Another "Dump Day" event will be taking place this week in San Diego County. On Saturday, Nov. 18, from 8 a.m. to noon, San Diegans can bring non-hazardous, unwanted items to the free "Caltrans District 11 Dump Day" event. It will be held in the Chula Vista Maintenance Yard at 570 C Street in Chula Vista. Free ‘Dump Day’ held at two San Diego-area locations in October Multiple dumpsters will be on site for household waste and approved debris. Four mattresses and four tires separated from the rims will be accepted per household.Items that will not be accepted include hazardous waste (batteries, paint, oils, flammables, etc.), construction debris (concrete, dirt, asphalt, asbestos), compressed gas, aerosols, treated wood waste, refrigerators and freezers. City of San Diego one step closer to using smart streetlights Also on Saturday, "I Love a Clean San Diego with Clean CA" – Vista La Mesa Cleanup -- will take place at Vista La Mesa Park in La Mesa fro...

Chula Vista residents call on Councilmember Andrea Cardenas to resign

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- Chula Vista community members held a press conference outside city hall Tuesday, calling on Councilmember Andrea Cardenas to resign amid fraud allegations."She has violated the trust of the city violated the trust of the people that put her there, so it makes it very difficult for her to make decisions and carry on because everything that she does, and has done in the past, now will be looked at under a microscope," said Russ Hall, Chula Vista community activist.Tuesday's council meeting Councilmember Cardenas’ first opportunity to face her constituents since she was criminally charged, but she was noticeably absent."She has shown up for everything else, always here when things are going her way, but tonight she was a coward and did not show up," said Gina E.Councilmember Cardenas and her brother Jesus are accused of fraudulently obtaining a pandemic relief loan for their political consulting firm and using the money to pay for American Express bills and ...

Reward offered for tips in deadly hit-and-run

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego police and Crime Stoppers have released photos of a vehicle suspected to be involved in a fatal hit-and-run in early November, and Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. On Saturday, Nov. 4 around 7:09 p.m., a 57-year-old man was hit by a vehicle in the 300 block of N. 47th Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Man killed in hit-and-run; police search for suspect The vehicle fled the scene north on N. 47th Street, according to police. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Suspect arrested in July City Heights killing The vehicle is described as a white, older model Ford F250 extra cab pickup truck. The truck may have had an “A” frame-type rack in the bed. Police noted the truck will likely have some damage to the front bumper, grille and hood area.Photo Courtesy: Crime Stop...

Report: Roger Waters denied hotel stays in Argentina and Uruguay over allegations of antisemitism

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Hotels in Argentina and Uruguay reportedly rejected reservations for Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters over accusations of antisemitism leveled at the British singer known for his pro-Palestinian views.Waters was due to stay in Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires ahead of shows scheduled for Nov. 21-22 as part of his “This is Not a Drill” tour, but the reservations fell through, with hotels citing a lack of availability, the Argentine newspaper Pagina 12 reported.Hotels in Montevideo, in neighboring Uruguay, also refused to host him but did not provide a reason, a Pagina 12 story on Wednesday quoted Waters as saying.The singer said that as a result he was still in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he performed a few days ago.“I had a dinner date on the 16th with José Mujica, the former president of Uruguay, who is a friend of mine. And I can’t go (…) because the Israeli lobby and whatever they call themselves have canceled me,” Waters told Pagina 12.The president...

Timeline: the prime minister’s evolving statements on the war in the Gaza Strip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:51 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was rebuked Tuesday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a strongly worded statement calling for an end to violence in the Gaza Strip. Here is a look at how the prime minister’s position has evolved as the conflict has unfolded:Oct. 7Hamas militants stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns, killing dozens and abducting others in an unprecedented surprise attack during a major Jewish holiday. Trudeau released a statement within hours condemning the attack. “These acts of violence are completely unacceptable. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itself,” Trudeau wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.Backed by rockets, Hamas gunned down civilians and soldiers as Israel’s military scrambled to muster a response.Israel would later estimate the death toll at 1,200 people, including hundreds of civilians.Hamas fighters took 242 civilians and soldiers captive into Gaza...