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China accuses Taiwan’s government of using economic and trade issues to seek independence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government on Wednesday accused Taiwan’s ruling party of seeking independence, a day after the self-governing island’s president lobbied for Australia’s support in joining a regional trade pact. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, also said the recent Chinese military drills around Taiwan were held to combat “the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces.”China claims Taiwan, an island about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off its east coast, as its territory. The two split during the civil war that brought the Communists to power in China in 1949, with the losing Nationalists setting up their own government in Taiwan.Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, meeting with six visiting Australian lawmakers on Tuesday, sought their country’s support for Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-nation free trade agreement.The Australian parliame...

Russia or the West: How does Iran think?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

Whenever there is a slight thaw in relations between Washington and Tehran, it sparks the age-old question about how Iran handles its interactions with the rival powers vying for control and influence in the 21st century. Does Iran lean towards maintaining its close ties and new partnerships with China and Russia, or does it lean towards the West if there is a significant breakthrough achieved through a revived Iranian nuclear agreement, writes Salem AlKetbi, UAE political analyst and former Federal National Council candidate.Answering these questions involves numerous factors, some aligning and others conflicting, all of which influence the decisions made by the Iranian government concerning their relations with global powers.At the core of these considerations lies the very nature of the Iranian government itself. When it comes to dealing with the world, whether it is in the East or the West, Iranian leaders do not always see eye to eye, and their approaches vary.Indeed, there is...

Thousands of dollars in equipment lost after arsonist torches Santa Monica pickleball court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

A suspect remains at large after a pickleball storage shed in Santa Monica was set on fire, destroying thousands of dollars worth of equipment.The fire erupted Monday night at Memorial Park around 1 a.m. The storage shed housed pickleball equipment including nets, paddles, balls and more. A nearby fence was also damaged from the blaze.Boasting over 1,800 members, the Santa Monica Pickleball Club is a nonprofit organization created to allow the public to play the sport for free.City workers can transform an existing standard tennis court into four pickleball courts, allowing up to 16 people to play at one time.Community members are distraught over the targeted attack and want the arsonist to be caught before they strike again. Authorities are investigating the case as a suspected arson.“It’s still subject to an open investigation, but it would be a pretty far reach to call it anything but arson,” said Maryanne LaGuardia from the Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission.Police are...

Hollister man killed in crash near municipal airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

HOLLISTER – A 31-year-old Hollister man was killed in a crash over the weekend near the Hollister Municipal Airport, authorities said.The two-car collision happened around 10:15 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of State Route 156 and San Felipe Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.The man was driving a 2016 Honda Civic southbound on San Felipe Road and did not stop for a red light, the CHP said. As he traveled through the intersection, he was hit by a 56-year-old Gonzales man driving a 2001 Kia Spectra westbound on the highway.The Honda driver died of his injuries at the scene, according to the CHP. The San Benito County Coroner’s Office will release his identity once it is confirmed and his next of kin is notified.The other driver suffered a cut to his left hand, the CHP said.As of Tuesday, the CHP did not know if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.Anyone with information related to the case can contact the CHP Hollister-Gilroy area office at 408-427-0700.Relate...

SF Giants eliminated from postseason after being shut out by Padres

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have been mathematically eliminated from the postseason with a 4-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.Though the official MLB standings website have the Giants at one loss away from elimination, the team’s only shot to get close to a Wild Card berth would be to win out their final four games and reach a tie with the Chicago Cubs in which case the Cubs hold the head-to-head tiebreaker and all other tiebreaker scenarios don’t fall in their favor, according to MLB. The official standings website doesn’t account for tiebreakers.This is the fourth time the Giants have missed the playoffs since Farhan Zaidi took over as president of baseball operations — their 107-win division title in 2021 marks the only postseason berth. It’s a disappointing finish for a team that was 12 games over .500 in early August and that spiraled out of contention in the last two months having lost 14 of their last 17 road games. A 8-16 rec...

Deal close to bring WNBA team to Bay Area: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

(KRON) -- A deal that would bring a WNBA team to the Bay Area is close to being completed, according to reports from The Athletic and ESPN Tuesday. The team would be owned by Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, the Athletic said. While Oakland, which is on the verge of losing its third professional sports team, has been seen as a potential landing spot for a WNBA team, The Athletic reported that this potential franchise would play its home games at San Francisco's Chase Center. The team headquarters and practice facility would be in Oakland. The deal is close but details need to be resolved before it is complete, according to The Athletic. Kaepernick pens letter to Jets asking to be signed to practice squad WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said last year that she plans to expand the league. The Bay Area was on the short list of cities that could land a team. “Certainly Bay Area, generally, including Oakland or San Francisco, is certainly on our list, high on our list,” she tol...

CHP: Over $600K worth of drugs seized from Oakland residents in Fresno County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Two Oakland residents were arrested after officers seized over $600,000 worth of fentanyl and methamphetamine during a traffic stop, the California Highway Patrol said on Tuesday.CHP says on Friday, around 6:00 p.m., CHP conducted an enforcement stop on a 2009 Toyota Camry for a traffic violation. The stop occurred on northbound I-5 at Nees Avenue in Fresno County. During the contact, the sergeant determined the driver and female passenger were unlicensed. While conducting a vehicle inventory prior to impounding the Toyota, the sergeant says to have located approximately 42 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in the trunk. The sergeant also located approximately two pounds of fentanyl powder while searching the interior of the vehicle. The drugs had an estimated street value of $601,360.Seidy LopezCristhofer GalvezCHP identified the driver as 23-year-old Christhofer Armando Galvez of Oakland and the passenger as 33-year-old Seidy Aleman Lopez of Oakland. ...

Wilson’s 30 points, 11 rebounds leads Aces to 91-84 win over Wings in Game 2 of WNBA semis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — After saying it “hurt like hell” to just miss out on winning her third MVP, A’ja Wilson responded on Tuesday night with 30 points and 11 rebounds to help lift the Las Vegas Aces to a 91-84 victory over the Dallas Wings and 2-0 series lead in the WNBA semifinals.The top-seeded Aces can close out the best-of-five series when it shifts to Dallas on Friday.Las Vegas also received contributions from Chelsea Gray with 23 points and eight assists, Kelsey Plum with 18 points, and Jackie Young with 13 points and nine rebounds.Arike Ogunbowale led No. 4 Dallas with 24 points, Natasha Howard had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Teaira McCowan added 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Satou Sabally scored 13 points.Wilson came out determined, scoring 10 points and collecting four rebounds in the first quarter. After driving by Howard for a transition layup and 3-point play late in the period, the crowded chanted “M-V-P!” when Wilson went to the free-throw line. That became a theme a...

Shohei Ohtani headlines majors’ soon-to-be free agents, and there’s a sizable gap to the next name

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — There is Shohei Ohtani, and then there is the rest of baseball’s soon-to-be free agents.With the season winding down and the playoffs coming up, it’s almost time for major league teams to go shopping once again. And there is one player that is sure to dominate the conversation until he makes a decision.It looks as if Ohtani is going to the open market after another stellar season with the Los Angeles Angels. The Japanese slugger is the favorite for the AL MVP award after batting .304 with 44 homers, 95 RBIs, eight triples and 20 steals. The right-hander also went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts on the mound.The questions surrounding Ohtani’s free agency once centered on the money and length of a contract that could set multiple financial records for the sport, and exactly which teams might be willing to go into that territory to secure his services.Those questions remain, but the situation has grown more complicated than it was as late as the All-S...

Lugo, Soto keep Padres’ slim playoff hopes alive with 4-0 win over Giants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:53 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Seth Lugo allowed three hits and came within an out of his first career complete game, Juan Soto homered twice and the San Diego Padres stayed alive in the NL wild-card race, beating the San Francisco Giants 4-0 on Tuesday night.The teams are tied at 78-80, 4 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs for the final NL wild-card spot. They also are three games behind Cincinnati and four games in back of Miami.Lugo, who beat San Francisco behind six scoreless innings at Petco Park on Sept. 3, was just as crisp at Oracle Park. He had seven strikeouts and worked around three walks while throwing 123 pitches for his career-best eighth victory.The 33-year-old Lugo (8-7) pitched with runners on base in four innings, and retired 14 of 15 during one stretch. It marked the 17th time in 26 starts that Lugo has thrown 90 pitches or more.Lugo got the first out of the ninth on a line drive to second base. Luis Matos walked before Joc Pederson reached on a fielder’s choice. Thairo Estr...