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Sweeney: Fireproofing saves lives & property, it must be licensed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

Fires can destroy buildings, lives, and entire communities in a flash. That’s why it’s essential to do everything in our power to prevent fires from happening in the first place and to help limit the damage if they do occur.  For this life-saving work, fireproofing demands licensing — and legislation to make it the law.We all understand the importance of making a building resistant to fire, but many don’t understand how complex the fireproofing process can be.Fireproofing requires specialized knowledge and expertise to apply fire-resistant materials to structural elements like beams and columns that hold our buildings together. When correctly done, fireproofing can help a building withstand the heat of a blaze long enough to allow firefighters to get everyone out of the building and get the fire under control. But when fireproofing is done poorly, the entire structure can quickly collapse which can result in severe injuries and even death.Poorly done fireproofing also costs. Accordi...

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ uninspiring & unnecessary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

Are we tired yet of American film corporations taking our favorite screen characters and sucking them dry by forcing them into hard labor in one mediocre sequel after another? Take a look at the completely redundant and unnecessary “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and ask yourself. While I’m happy the great Harrison Ford, the best thing about this derivative-by-design, new film, is still in demand, I am not happy that he has appeared in such weak efforts as the risible “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008) opposite Shia LaBeouf’ for crying out loud.Now, we have “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”(ugh, that title),  the first “Jones” film not directed by Steven Spielberg or written by George Lucas. We are told this is 80-year-old Ford’s last appearance as Jones (but don’t bet on it). In this installment of the Indiana Jones saga, we begin during World War II with a “de-aged” (I call it “youth-enized”) Ford a la “The Irishman” b...

On the court or off, chic tennis wear sets up a stylish summer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

You don’t have to be a Wimbledon junkie or a Royals gawker to appreciate the Princess of Wales’s latest fashion-meets-fitness move — i.e., donning perfectly pristine whites to train with Roger Federer. Of course, not everyone can train with a world champion, but that doesn’t mean looking smart in tennis togs is out of  reach.So with that as inspiration, and in honor of Wimbledon’s opening on July 3, it’s time we think about tossing on some tennis chic of our own.Let’s kick things off with the most seminal piece of all: the tennis skirt. Polo Ralph Lauren’s Wimbledon Pleated Wrap Skort ($168 on ralphlauren.com) comes in a ceramic white that pretty much nails the iconic design. I love the subtle side pleating and super smooth front, and its crispness is so nicely contrasted with an emerald green and navy band at the waist — its the pinnacle of prep, met with the ease of shorts, so you can wear them biking all over town after your match.Equally adorable (though note: not especial...

Dear Abby: Fiance leery of guest under house arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

Dear Abby: I come from a very close family, and I am the rock of the family. If someone needs help, I’m the one they come to. Recently, my nephew has been in a downward spiral because of drugs. He is now in jail.He is only 19 and was always an amazing young man, but he started on the wrong road after witnessing his father take his own life a few years ago. When he gets out of jail, he wants to start over — come live with me, go to rehab and begin a new life.My problem is my fiance. He does not want to help my nephew, especially if he will be on house arrest. I know my nephew’s potential, and I can’t throw him away and refuse to help. How do I get my fiance to understand this without jeopardizing our relationship? — Caring Aunt in IndianaDear Aunt: It may be a challenge, considering the role you have assumed as “the rock of the family.” What your nephew witnessed was horrific. Compounding the tragedy is the fact that he didn’t receive c...

Lifeguards stress heavy enforcement on illegal boat renting in Mission Bay during holiday weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

SAN DIEGO - San Diego police and lifeguards are cracking down on illegal boat and jet ski rentals in a popular part of America's Finest City with the Fourth of July just days away. It's always a packed house in Mission Bay on holiday weekend as people from near and far soak up the sunshine out on the water; but for experienced boat owners like Michael Provence, he'd rather stay away. “I mean I’m now repairing damage that I wasn’t even aware of from a collision when the boat was hit from behind right here,” Provence said. This year will hopefully be different than most as lifeguards are enforcing citations of any illegal renting of watercrafts in the area. “Since COVID, we’ve seen a rise in rentals of vessels. We also saw a rise in accidents and deaths on Mission Bay, it kind of led to overcrowding," explained San Diego Lifeguard Lieutenant Rick Romero. SeaWorld closes ‘Electric Eel’ rollercoaster after reported injury He says these past few years, there has been a spike in crashe...

Australian prosecutor says former Israeli principal feigned mental illness to avoid extradition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A former principal of an Australian Jewish school feigned mental illness in a seven-year battle to avoid extradition on child sex abuse charges, a prosecutor said Thursday.Malka Leifer fought her extradition in Jerusalem courts from 2014 until 2021, when she was flown from Israel with her ankles and wrists shackled.Leifer appeared Thursday in the Victoria state County Court for a sentencing hearing after she was convicted in April of sexually abusing two students between 2003 and 2007 while she was principal of Melbourne’s ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School for girls.Prosecutor Justin Lewis told Judge Mark Gamble that Leifer deserved less credit in her sentence for time she spent in custody and under house arrest in her native Israel because she had “improperly frustrated and delayed the extradition proceedings.”The District Court of Jerusalem ruled she was fit to stand trial and had been pretending to be mentally ill in order to avoid extradition, he said...

Jury says health clinic in Montana Superfund town submitted 337 false asbestos claims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A federal jury ruled Wednesday that a health clinic in a Montana town where hundreds of people have died from asbestos exposure submitted 337 false asbestos claims that made patients eligible for Medicare and other benefits they shouldn’t have received.The seven-person jury said that the fraudulent claims caused more than $1 million in damage to the government.The case focused on the Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby, Montana. BNSF Railway filed a lawsuit against the clinic under the federal False Claims Act in 2019.The railroad company owned by billionaire Warren Buffett is also a defendant in numerous lawsuits over its own role in the town’s contamination. In 2020, Montana’s Supreme Court found BNSF liable for shipping asbestos-tainted vermiculite from a nearby mine through Libby.The clinic and its high-profile doctor, Brad Black, have been at the forefront of efforts to help residents of the town, which came to national prominence when it w...

California Black reparations task force concludes historic 2-year work

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s first-in-the-nation slavery reparations task force wraps up its historic work Thursday with the official submission of a report two years in the making, one that documents the state’s role in perpetuating discrimination against Black residents and suggests dozens of ways to atone.The report heads to lawmakers who will be responsible for turning policy recommendations into legislation. Reparations will not happen until lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom agree. The recommendations include a formal apology to descendants of people enslaved in the U.S. and financial compensation for harms descendants have suffered, such as overpolicing and housing discrimination. The panel also recommended the state create a new agency to oversee reparations efforts. “It’s been a whirlwind, it’s been very work intensive, but also very cathartic and very emotional,” said Kamilah Moore, 31, task force chair and a Los Angeles-based attorney. “We’re standing i...

Stock market today: Asian shares are lower after central bankers say interest rates must stay high

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets were mixed Thursday after leaders of major central banks said they need to keep interest rates high to fight persistent inflation despite fears that might tip the global economy into recession.Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul retreated while Tokyo and Sydney advanced. Oil prices declined.U.S., European and Japanese central bankers meeting in Portugal said Wednesday that with hiring still strong in major economies, they have yet to extinguish upward pressure on prices. “Policy hasn’t been restrictive enough for long enough,” said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.“The end of hiking interest rates is not in sight yet,” said Carl B. Weinberg of High-Frequency Economics in a report.The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.1% to 3,185.56 while the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo gained 0.4% to 33,340.66. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong sank 0.9% to 18,995.31. The Kospi in Seoul gave up 0.1% to 2,560.67 while Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 advanced less than 0.1% to 7,203.30. ...

Safety concerns dominate Norfolk Southern railroad CEO’s job since Ohio derailment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:27 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Norfolk Southern’s CEO has spoken often of safety and better service since he took the job over a year ago, but it’s safety that has dominated discussions after one of his trains derailed and caught fire in February in Ohio, creating towering black smoke, forcing evacuations and raising environmental worries.Alan Shaw has said his plans include adding more trackside detectors to help spot mechanical problems. He also has hailed work with unions to improve safety — something labor leaders say Norfolk Southern hasn’t done much of since it began overhauling operations in 2019.“That interaction and that engagement with our craft colleagues is really important to me,” Shaw said in an interview with The Associated Press at the railroad’s Atlanta headquarters last week, a day before federal hearings on the East Palestine derailment began. “I need all 20,000 voices at Norfolk Southern pushing for safety. And that’s what you’re going to see.”In the interview,...