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Top 10 most beautiful cities in the world include one that’s right here

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

Earlier this year, TheLuxuryTravelExpert.com embarked upon a potentially controversial mission: ranking the most beautiful cities in the world. Why? Well, because they could. Because it’s fun. Because we all love lists?We especially love this one, because it includes several cities near and dear to our hearts — and one most of all.The voice behind the list — a well-traveled doctor and devoted blogger who keeps his identity under wraps — admitted that choosing cosmopolitan beauties “may sound like a mission impossible.” Some people gravitate to historic wonders, he pointed out, and others to spectacular views, “but although we all have our personal favorites, there are some cities that are so exceptionally beautiful – whether it be because of their historical character or natural setting – that they should be on everyone’s bucket list.”The list skews European with four out of the 10, but Cape Town takes the top spot, thanks to its beaut...

Bassitt goes 8 strong for Jays, who improve playoff positioning in 7-1 win over Athletics

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

OAKLAND — Former Athletics ace Chris Bassitt allowed one run in eight strong innings and the Toronto Blue Jays took sole possession of the third AL wild card spot with a 7-1 win over Oakland on Tuesday night.Toronto’s fifth win in six games moved the Blue Jays past the Rangers in the crowded AL playoff race. Texas lost to Houston 14-1 earlier in the day.“We’re showing a lot of maturity behind the scenes of not chasing a 3½-game deficit within one game,” Bassitt said. “Just concentrate on ourselves and win every series. If we win every series the rest of the way, we’re going to be world champions. That’s the way it is.”The Blue Jays did it behind plenty of offense and a superb outing from Bassitt (14-7), who was 30-24 over six seasons with the A’s and was an All-Star in his final season with Oakland in 2021. The 6-foot-5 right-hander allowed seven hits and didn’t walk anyone while striking out seven.Despite his history with the A’s, Bassitt said he didn’t have any added motivation ot...

How to contact the DMV for a special driving test: Roadshow

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

Q: I really enjoy your informative column. Perhaps you can help me with my problem. My husband has been diagnosed with  dementia. Twice Kaiser has sent a report to the DMV requesting them to schedule him for a driving test for medical reasons, in order to keep his license. I don’t think he should be driving.Kaiser said the DMV would contact us to set up an appointment, but we have heard nothing. Kaiser now says I must contact the DMV, but who do I contact? I would appreciate any help in finding out who to contact. The DMV website has me befuddled and frustrated.Linda SchlageterA: You wrote this email a few weeks ago. I forwarded it to the DMV. Recently you wrote again.Q: Thank you! I did get to the right department to set up the test.Linda SchlageterA: I’m glad you’ve reached the right person now. If others are facing a similar circumstance, the DMV’s senior ombudsman program may be able to help. For more information and phone numbers to call, visit the DMV&#...

Alameda County prosecutors seek shutdown of flavored tobacco, synthetic cannabis company

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

LIVERMORE – Alameda County prosecutors are taking aim at a Livermore-based company they claim is illegally selling flavored tobacco products to children and manufacturing illegal synthetic cannabis products.A lawsuit filed by the district attorney’s office seeks to shutdown Apollo Future Technology, which does business as Apollo E-cigs, prosecutors said in a statement Tuesday.The company, prosecutors said, “poses a grave threat to the children of Alameda County.”On Friday, the district attorney’s office obtained a temporary restraining order that bars Apollo from selling flavored tobacco products or synthetic cannabis products locally and online pending the resolution of a preliminary injunction hearing on Sept. 21.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Time capsules, social media or parking disputes – what was the motive for Mission Peak pole vandalism? Crime and Public Safety | Killing of East Bay girl ended with juvenile court sentence for shooter, c...

Driver shot on I-280 in San Bruno in possible road rage incident: CHP

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

(KRON) -- Southbound Interstate 280 was blocked on Tuesday due to a shooting in San Bruno, according to a 511 alert. All lanes have since reopened. California Highway Patrol said it received a call at 5:38 p.m. regarding the incident. The shooting happened on I-280 near the San Bruno Avenue exit. According to CHP, both the victim and suspect vehicles were possibly involved in a road rage incident. Shooting at Skyline High in Oakland results in 2 arrests The victim pulled off to the side of the road on I-280 near the Trousdale Drive off-ramp. He had two gunshot wounds, and was conscious, breathing and talking, per CHP. He was taken to Stanford Hospital. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. CHP shut down all lanes of southbound I-280 at 6:12 p.m., and by 6:37 p.m. most of them had reopened. Drivers are told to expect delays on the highway.The San Bruno Police Department is investigating the shooting. It is unknown whether the victim and attacker knew each other. This i...

Ordinances aim to improve fire safety, disaster response in SF

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

(BCN) -- San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan introduced a package of legislation Tuesday in efforts to improve fire safety and disaster response in the city. During the Board of Supervisors' meeting, Chan, who represents the Richmond District, said the city can do more to increase emergency preparedness and response efforts. Chan said she worked with San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu to create a set of ordinances that would amend the San Francisco fire code to improve the sprinkler system inspection process. If passed, the city's five-year inspection process would require permit filing and additional training and licensing. Her ordinances would also mandate sprinkler systems for new accessory dwelling units and require a minimum of five feet of fire safety access from the public way to a divided lot. 2 men shot in SJ, police pursue suspects in chase Chan said these amendments to the fire code could improve fire safety and increase the fire department's capacit...

Thieves arrested after assaulting Macy's loss prevention agent in San Mateo

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

(KRON) -- Two people were arrested Saturday night after stealing merchandise from a Macy's store at the Hillsdale Shopping Center and assaulting a loss prevention agent, according to the San Mateo Police Department.Around 7:52 p.m., the loss prevention agent confronted the suspects after they stole several items and was punched by one of the suspects. The thieves, Anson Lopez, 36, and Taneisha Morales, 37, were located a few blocks away from the shopping center by police and were arrested, San Mateo police said. Driver shot on I-280 in San Bruno in possible road rage incident: CHP The stolen merchandise was also located by SMPD. Lopez and Morales, both residents of San Francisco, were booked into the San Mateo County Jail on robbery charges and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Russian shelling of an eastern Ukrainian city kills 16 and wounds dozens, the prime minister says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — At least 16 people were killed and dozens were wounded Wednesday when Russian shelling struck a market in a city in eastern Ukraine, officials said. The deadly attack came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv and was expected to announce more than $1 billion in new American funding.Associated Press journalists at the site of the attack in Kostiantynivka saw covered bodies on the ground and emergency workers extinguishing fires at market stalls, with blackened and mangled cars nearby.Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at least 16 people were killed. At least 28 were wounded, according to Internal Minister Ihor Klymenko.Emergency service workers extinguished the fire that damaged about 30 pavilions at the outdoor market, Klymenko said.Blinken’s visit also was aimed at assessing Ukraine’s 3-month-old counteroffensive and signal continued U.S. backing as some Western allies express worries about Kyiv’s slow progress in driving out Russian forc...

UK government likened to ‘cowboy builders’ as 147 schools named at risk due to crumbling concrete

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The British government has been accused of “cutting corners” as it published Wednesday a list of 147 schools in England that are potentially at risk of collapse from crumbling concrete.The list from the Department for Education suggests that 19 schools have had to delay the start of the new academic year because of the concrete crisis and that students at 24 others will receive some remote learning, with four having switched to fully remote learning at the weekend. Other educational establishments could be added to the list over the coming days or weeks.Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, likened the government to “cowboys running the country” during a rowdy first Prime Minister’s Questions session following the summer break. “The truth is this crisis is the inevitable result of 13 years of cutting corners, botched jobs, sticking-plaster politics,” he said. “It’s the sort of thing you expect from cowboy builders saying that everyone el...

Three people found dead at northern Minnesota resort; police say no threat to the public

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:20 GMT

BREEZY POINT, Minn. (AP) — Three people were found dead at a resort in northern Minnesota, police said Wednesday.The bodies were discovered around 8:50 p.m. Tuesday at Whitebirch Resort in Breezy Point in Breezy Point. Police have not disclosed names of the victims or how they died, but said in a statement there was “no indication of any ongoing threat to the public.”The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting in the investigation.The resort is in a popular vacation area in north-central Minnesota, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Minneapolis.Source