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December Nights kicks off first night in Balboa Park

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A tradition that is "So San Diego" returned to Balboa Park to kick off the holiday season."The celebration, the people, the international houses and the foods from the different countries, my favorite," Susan Stocker said.San Diego natives and visitors alike were soaking in all that December Nights had to offer Friday evening. The decades-long tradition offers family-friendly activities, light displays, food, music, and more."I got here early about 4:30 so I was here before the big crowds and so then they just sort of keep building," Stocker said.The event is expected to draw about 300,000 people throughout Friday and Saturday. Person hit, killed near Coronado Holiday Parade route "First, you get the exercise at the 25-minute walk from parking which was great and then just a carnival of delights," Adam Shames said.The tree lighting is a highlight for many, packing the Spreckels Organ Pavilion patiently awaiting the big moment. However, this year that portion of the ev...

Somalia president hails lifting of arms embargo as government vows to wipe out al-Shabab militants

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed Saturday the U.N. Security Council vote to lift an arms embargo imposed on the Horn of Africa nation more than 30 years ago.The 15-member council unanimously voted Friday night in favor of the British-drafted resolution to lift the weapons ban. However, France was the only member to abstain when voting on another resolution to reimpose an arms embargo on al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militants, saying the resolution lacked references to the territorial disputes between Djibouti and Eritrea.In a statement sent to the Associated Press, Information Minister Daud Aweys said the embargo lift will help modernize the country’s armed forces. “Somalia has been grappling with significant security challenges, including the presence of extremist groups such as al-Shabab. The Somali government needs access to modern arms and equipment to effectively combat these threats and maintain security within its borders,...

Israel intensifies its assault on southern Gaza, causing renewed concern about civilian deaths

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel pounded targets in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, intensifying a renewed offensive that followed a weeklong truce with Hamas and giving rise to renewed concerns about civilian casualties.At least 178 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting resumed Friday morning, even as the United States urged ally Israel to do everything possible to protect civilians. “This is going to be very important going forward,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday after meetings with Arab foreign ministers in Dubai, wrapping up his third Middle East tour since the war started. “It’s something we’re going to be looking at very closely.”Israel’s attacks Saturday were focused on the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, where the military dropped leaflets the day before warning residents to leave. As of late Friday, however, there had been no reports of large numbers of people leaving, according to the United Nations.“There is no pla...

The surfing venue for the Paris Olympics is on the other side of the world but could steal the show

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

PARIS (AP) — The giant waves form in the storm belts of the Southern Ocean, off Antarctica, where whales roam. Supercharged by intense winds, the swells then roll on an ocean journey of thousands of kilometers (miles) to crash into Tahiti in the South Pacific.There, in the waters of the volcanic island that will host next year’s Olympic surfing events, surfer Kauli Vaast waits.If the Tahitian-born 21-year-old catches one of the waves just right, he’ll harness its awesome power as it rears up to become a furious, frothing wall of water. If he stays upright, he’ll zip through the crystal-blue tunnel that forms around him as the wave breaks, emerging unscathed and whooping, with a grin on his face.“Just the most perfect wave in the world,” says Vaast, who hopes the island’s legendary surfing conditions are his ticket to a gold medal.The decision to hold Olympic surfing in French Polynesia next July will require competitors to brave some of the world’s bigg...

Developing nations press rich world to better fight climate change at U.N. climate summit

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Leaders of developing nations jumped into Saturday’s second-day of a U.N. climate summit to press rich industrial countries to share their knowhow to fight global warming and ease the financial burdens they face — while trumpeting their own natural resources that swallow heat-trapping carbon in the air.The annual United Nations Conference of the Parties, known as COP28, in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates featured about 150 presidents, prime ministers, royals and other leaders who are presenting their plans to cut heat-trapping emissions and mostly seek unity with other nations to avert climate catastrophe that seemed to draw closer than ever in 2023.The developing world took center stage early Saturday, with Vice President Kamala Harris of the United States set to speak later. African leaders noted their continent’s rainforests help gobble up excess carbon dioxide in the air and their countries have belched out a tiny fraction of heat...

How Acalanes ran away with the NorCal 3-AA championship: “Our superpower is speed”

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

LAFAYETTE – Before the third quarter rain, before the fourth quarter running clock, and before Acalanes celebrated the program’s first NorCal title by housing the 3-AA trophy after routing Escalon 49-14, the victors survived a long first-quarter drive.The run-heavy Cougars methodically drove the ball downfield on a nine-play drive, keeping the ball away from Acalanes and chewing up clock using an old-school wing-T offense.But after six minutes, all of that progress was undone in 10 seconds as a flash of blue and white, also known as Acalanes senior Trevor Rogers, jumped in front of a pass at around the 2- yard line, ran downfield, cut back inside to shake any pursuers, and strolled into the end zone for a 7-0 Acalanes lead.That’s how the game went: Escalon, the reigning 4-AA state champions and bigger and stronger than Acalanes, controlled the ball and the clock.But the Dons turned the game into a sprint during key moments, and on Friday night, there was no beating the track s...

Another ex-FCI Dublin correctional officer receives prison time for sexually abusing inmates

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

DUBLIN — Another former correctional officer at the Bay Area’s only federal prison for women has been sentenced for sexually abusing inmates under his authority, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Suspect arrested in East Bay house party shooting that killed teen Crime and Public Safety | Man fatally stabbed in Oakland; suspect later arrested Crime and Public Safety | Man dies in Oakland hit-and-run traffic collision Crime and Public Safety | Second man charged in shooting death of East Bay barber Crime and Public Safety | Man gets 6 years, woman gets probation for Oakland shootout that killed bystander John Bellhouse, 40, a former resident of Pleasanton, was convicted earlier this year of two counts of sexual abuse of a ward and three counts of abusive sexual conduct.On Friday, Bellhouse was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, the Justice Departme...

Throwback domination: De La Salle goes old-school, routs Clovis North to win a NorCal championship

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

CONCORD — Clovis North brought bus loads of fans, a team of cheerleaders and dozens of band members. It decorated the visiting bleachers blue and blew up an inflatable Bronco behind one of the end zones.De La Salle responded with old-school football.In a throw-back to the Concord school’s storied past, the Spartans dominated this California Interscholastic Federation Division 1-AA regional championship game from start to finish, routing its previously undefeated opponent 41-0.The visitors thought they deserved the home game because they were 13-0 and De La Salle had two losses, to Orange Lutheran and Serra.But given what unfolded, would location have made up six touchdowns?“We knew they were coming in with a chip on their shoulder, but so were we,” said DLS running back Derrick Blanche, who ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns in 19 carries, all in the opening half. “I think we were the underdogs because they were undefeated and we were not.”De La...

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix dejected after loss in Pac-12 championship, mum on status for bowl game

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Oregon quarterback Bo Nix couldn’t move, sitting in shock, slumped in distraught for several minutes with a towel over his head after his Ducks lost 34-31 to Washington in the Pac 12 Championship on Friday.“Football is a tough game and sometimes you put it all out there and you come up short,” said Nix, who finished 21 of 34 for 239 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. “I think that’s what sometimes hurts, is when you put it all out there, it’s still not good enough.“And there at the end, it was just one of those things where you want the moment to last longer than what it can. Even though we lost, it was one of those types of games that was really fun to play in.”Which is why he gathered himself, walked across the field and embraced his counterpart, Washington quarterback and fellow Heisman Trophy contender Michael Penix Jr.“When it ends, it just happens very quickly,” Nix added. “I’ve got all the respect in the world for Michael. He’s play...

No. 3 Washington rallies to beat No. 5 Oregon 34-31 and secure playoff spot

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:15:25 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Washington went into what likely was the last Pac-12 Championship living on the edge, and of course the Huskies were going to do it again Friday night.They blew a 17-point lead, watched Oregon go ahead by four and immediately responded with the drive of the game.And now the third-ranked Huskies not only are the Pac-12 champions, they secured a spot in the College Football Playoff with a 34-31 victory over No. 5 Oregon.Washington didn’t panic when pressed in the second half, having closed the regular season by winning three consecutive one-possession games by a combined 12 points. Oregon entered with a six-game winning streak, five of them decided by double digits.“The love and trust we have on our team is unmatched,” said Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., the game MVP after passing for 319 yards and a touchdown. “We’ve been doing it each and every week. We’re not going to say we want those games to be close.”The game was likely the final Pac-12...