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Democrats accuse Twitter of profiting off Hamas propaganda

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

By Brian Fung and Samantha Delouya | CNNA group of House Democrats has accused X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, of profiting from Hamas propaganda and misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war after reports by independent researchers found numerous accounts glorifying the US-sanctioned terror group.More than two dozen US lawmakers signed the letter dated Tuesday addressed to X owner Elon Musk and CEO Linda Yaccarino.Citing analyses by groups including the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, NewsGuard and the Tech Transparency Project, Tuesday’s letter said lawmakers were “outraged by the clear indicators that X is profiting from the spread of Hamas’s terrorist propaganda — both through monthly subscription fees collected from some propaganda spreaders, and through ads displayed in replies to posts by both Premium and regular accounts.”One of the reports in question, published last month, claimed to have identified examples of paid X subscribers sharing videos bearing Hamas i...

Dutch voters embrace anti-Muslim populist Geert Wilders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

By Mike Corder and Raf Casert | Associated PressTHE HAGUE, Netherlands — The far-right, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders was headed for a massive parliamentary election victory Wednesday in one of the biggest political upsets in Dutch politics since World War II, and one that is bound to send shockwaves through Europe.The result puts him in line to lead talks to form a new ruling coalition and possibly become the country’s first hard-right prime minister at a time of political upheaval through much of the continent.The exit poll published by national broadcaster NOS said that Wilders’ Party for Freedom won 35 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament, more than double the 17 he won at the last election. Final official results were only expected on Thursday.“I had to pinch my arm,” a jubilant Wilders said.Wilders’ election program includes calls for a referendum on the Netherlands leaving the European Union, a total halt to accepting asylum-seeker...

Man convicted in San Jose ‘thrill kill’ released, touching off polarized reactions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

SAN JOSE — A man convicted as a teen nearly a decade ago in a San Jose “thrill kill” murder case was freed this week, reviving wounds for the victim’s family and a contentious split over the juvenile justice reform law that paved the way for his release.Jae Williams, now 29, was ordered released Monday at a juvenile court hearing in San Jose, and walked out of the Santa Clara County jail the following day.The release follows a multi-year court battle over the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1391 — a state law passed in 2018 that outlawed charging teens under 16 as adults in criminal court — and how the court system would apply it to Williams, who was 15 when he and Randy Thompson killed their classmate Michael Russell.Russell’s aunt, Cathy Russell, said her family struggled with the inevitability of Williams’ release.“Even if you know it’s coming, you can’t prepare yourself for until it happens. We’ve had a lot of sleeples...

Thanksgiving weekend off to a smooth start despite looming snow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

By Dee-Ann Durbin | Associated PressThe late crush of holiday travelers picked up steam Wednesday, with about 2.7 million people expected to board flights and millions more planning to drive or take the train to Thanksgiving celebrations.Airline officials say they are confident they can avoid the kind of massive disruptions that have marred past holiday seasons, such as the meltdown at Southwest Airlines over last Christmas. As of Wednesday evening that appeared to be the case.U.S. airports reported 59 flight cancellations into, out of or within the U.S. Wednesday and 2,750 flight delays, according to FlightAware, a tracking service. FlightAware said anything less than 300 cancellations and 4,000 delays per day is considered very good.Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York said it was checking all vehicles arriving at the airport and performing additional security screenings after a car crashed and exploded at a nearby checkpoint on the U.S.-Canada border. But the airport...

Bay Area rapper BussDown Bandy charged with human trafficking of teen girl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

OAKLAND — A Fairfield rapper has been arrested and charged with trafficking a 16-year-old girl after she allegedly identified him from one of his music videos, court records show.Michael Isrealishia Moore, 28, was charged this month with human trafficking of a minor, as well as pimping and pandering, all related to the same girl, who came forward to police on Nov. 2. Authorities say patrol cops in Oakland stumbled upon the girl outside of a local convenience store and struck up a conversation with her because she appeared upset. The conversation led to a police interview where she allegedly identified Moore as her pimp.The girl said she had been trafficked by other men, and was walking along a high-prostitution area in Los Angeles when Moore allegedly approached her, invited her to smoke marijuana, and invited her to work for him as a prostitute instead. She later identified Moore by his stage name “BussDown Bandy,” and identified him from a music video on YouTube,...

The 49ers’ red zone offense is good. There’s no excuse for it to be less than great.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

The 49ers are the envy of 31 other NFL teams for their offensive weaponry.An efficient and accurate quarterback in Brock Purdy. The league’s most celebrated touchdown machine in Christian McCaffrey and another dual-threat wild card in Deebo Samuel. A classic wideout in Brandon Aiyuk and an old-school sure-handed tight end in George Kittle.That doesn’t even include fullback Kyle Juszczyk, a seven-time Pro Bowler who can produce offensively when overlooked amidst the galaxy of stars.The 49ers are tied for sixth in red zone offense with 24 touchdowns in 40 trips to the 20-yard line or closer. That’s 60 percent. Miami, with former 49ers running game coordinator Mike McDaniel running the offense as head coach, is first at 73 percent, followed by the L.A. Chargers (66.7), Buffalo (65.9), and Baltimore (65.2) with Indianapolis also at 60 percent.Tied for sixth isn’t bad. In fact, it’s good.But if the 49ers have made anything clear in 2023, it’s that bein...

California ramps up efforts to combat organized retail crime ahead of holidays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

(KRON) -- As the holiday shopping season kicks off retailers are gearing up for more foot traffic and law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols to combat the rising tide of organized retail theft. From Sacramento and San Francisco to San Diego, the California Highway Patrol is deploying more uniformed and plainclothes officers to busy shopping corridors to stop retail thieves."These operations and efforts will result in increased safety for shoppers, merchants and our retailers," said CHP commissioner Sean Duryee.During a virtual news conference Wednesday announcing the launch of a statewide crackdown on organized retail thefts, the CHP was joined by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the San Francisco District Attorney. Two charged in organized retail thefts targeting Bath & Body Works "When stores are forced to close due to rampant theft, our communities lose important valuable jobs and access to much needed goods and services," said SF DA Brooke Jenkins.J...

SFO in 'close contact' with federal authorities following explosion at US-Canada border

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) --A vehicle crashed and exploded at a checkpoint in Niagara Falls at the U.S.-Canada border in New York on Wednesday. The explosion resulted in two fatalities. As of now, there is no indication that this was a terrorist attack.Although flights have not been affected, officials told travelers at Buffalo Niagara International Airport to expect additional screenings for security purposes. As for the Bay Area, the three major airports in the region (SFO, Oakland Airport and San Jose Airport) have not been affected. Best and worst times to hit the road for Bay Area Thanksgiving travel San Francisco International AirportSFO officials said there have been no changes in security protocol. However, the airport is in "close contact" with federal government agencies and prepared to make any adjustments if necessary.Oakland AirportAs of Wednesday afternoon, operations at Oakland Airport have not been affected. The airport did not disclose its security plans, if any, rega...

Hundreds of California jobs at stake if NASA Mars mission axed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

(KRON) -- Hundreds of tech and science jobs will be lost in California if NASA moves forward with a plan to cut funding from the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, according to state lawmakers. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.-30), sent a letter on Wednesday to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson to reverse a decision to slash the mission's funding. The funding cut would "result in the loss of hundreds of California jobs, prevent the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) from making its 2030 launch window, and lead to the cancelation of billions of dollars in contracts supporting American businesses," the lawmakers wrote. JPL is a federally funded NASA research and development center managed by Caltech in Southern California. Lawmakers said they were "mystified" by NASA’s "rash decision."If the mission goes forward in 2030, it will mark the first time in human history that a spacecraft is launched from the surface of another planet. The spacecraft wo...

Cooper Kupp misses practice and Puka Nacua is limited in Rams’ initial preparation for Cardinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Cooper Kupp missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury, and rookie receiver Puka Nacua was limited by a shoulder injury when the Los Angeles Rams began their preparations to face Arizona.Kupp sprained his ankle during the Rams’ 17-16 victory over Seattle last Sunday after making just one reception. The Super Bowl 56 MVP already missed the first four games of this season with a serious hamstring injury.“He’s feeling good,” coach Sean McVay said. “We’re going to hold him out today. See what (Thursday) looks like.”Kupp returned impressively from his hamstring injury with two big games last month, including seven catches for 148 yards and a touchdown in a 26-9 win over Arizona. His impact has been much more muted since then, with only nine receptions for 109 yards and no scores over the Rams’ past four games.Nacua hurt his shoulder in the fourth quarter of the win over the Seahawks, but he was able to participate in some of Wed...