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Pet hotel safety alert: Wag Hotels pays $150K for neglect

A pet hotel chain with facilities in the Bay Area and Southern California will pay $150,000 to settle allegations that it mistreated animals and failed to report dog bites as required by law. Wag Hotels, which operates day care and boarding facilities, faced a consumer protection lawsuit filed in August by district attorneys from San Francisco, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County. The complaint alleged the business neglected pets in its care, according to officials. The lawsuit followed a San Francisco Chronicle investigation that uncovered allegations of inadequate animal care and

America’s grid is under strain — can rooftop solar panels be the solution?

Migrant student success programs halted, leaving futures in limbo

Lifestyle

Itchy skin? Try this instead of scratching

Scientists have found that rubbing or gently stroking itchy skin provides better relief than scratching, according to recent research that could change how people respond to this common irritation. A 2020 study led by Tasuku Akiyama, an associate professor of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, demonstrated that stroking the skin of mice prevented itch signals from reaching the brain. The research showed that stroking sent a counter-signal that inhibited the uncomfortable sensation. "Once you start scratching, sometimes you can’t sto

Lights, camera, Newport! Film festival returns for its 26th year

Anxiety grows among residents still unsure of post fire contamination risks

Lifestyle

Why everyone is talking about retinol — and you should too

Retinol, a vitamin A-based compound, has emerged as one of the most versatile ingredients in skincare, offering benefits that range from reducing acne to minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. New York-based dermatologist Rachel Nazarian describes retinol as a "multitasking superhero" supported by decades of scientific research. The ingredient works by accelerating cell turnover to reveal smoother skin beneath the surface, which can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing collagen and elastin production. While many associate retinol with anti-aging, Nazarian recommends it to

Tourist arrivals plunge in Los Angeles after wildfires, raids, and tariffs

Newsom navigates political pressure with major climate and energy reforms

US News

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Crime|US

Trump says Illinois governor and Chicago mayor should be jailed as they oppose Guard deployment

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the Illinois governor and Chicago mayor should be jailed as they oppose his deployment of National Guard troops for his immigration and crime crackdown in the nation's third-largest city. The officials said they would not be deterred. The Republican president made the comment in a social media post, the latest example of his brazen calls for his Democratic opponents to be prosecuted or locked up — a break from longtime norms as the Justice Department traditionally has strived to maintain its independence from the White House.

Crime|Political|US|World

Pope Leo tells US bishops to address Trump's immigration crackdown

Pope Leo told U.S. bishops visiting him at the Vatican on Wednesday that they should firmly address how immigrants are being treated by President Donald Trump's hardline policies, attendees said, in the latest push by the pontiff on the issue.Leo, the first U.S. pope, was handed dozens of letters from immigrants describing their fears of deportation under the Trump administration's policies during the meeting, which included bishops and social workers from the U.S.-Mexico border."Our Holy Father … is very personally concerned about these matters," El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, who took part in

Who is Michael Nachmanoff, the judge overseeing James Comey’s case?

Last of 10 New Orleans escapees captured after nearly 5 months following standoff with Atlanta police

Environment|Science|US

Over a month’s-worth of rain could fall in the Desert Southwest as former Hurricane Priscilla juices up the atmosphere

A notable flood threat is on tap for some of the driest areas of the United States as an ailing former Hurricane Priscilla combines with another storm system to create a long-lasting rainfall event.More than an October’s worth of rain could fall within days in some areas of the Southwest as the week comes to a close. And another tropical system following on the heels of Priscilla early next week could pile onto the flood threat.It’s all happening in part because Priscilla, now a tropical storm, will juice up the atmosphere over the Southwest US with near-record levels of moisture for this

Crime|Political|US

Former FBI Director James Comey pleads not guilty and will argue he is unfairly targeted by Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges at his arraignment Wednesday, where his lawyers said they plan to file several motions they hope will kill the case before it makes it to a jury.Comey, if convicted on charges of providing false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding, faces up to five years in prison.His team, however, plans to file at least five motions to try to have the case dismissed.“This prosecution was brought by President Trump,” Comey’s attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in court, adding that his team plans to file an “outr

Authorities charge man with sparking deadly January wildfire that leveled LA neighborhoods

Veteran defense lawyer turned judge oversees case against ex-FBI Director Comey

World News

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World

Israel assesses Hamas may not be able to return all remaining dead hostages, sources say

Israel assesses that Hamas may not be able to find and return all the remaining dead hostages in Gaza, according to three Israeli sources, a fact that may complicate efforts to reach a deal to end the war.Sources say the Israeli government is aware that Hamas may not know the location of, or is unable to retrieve, the remains of some of the 28 remaining deceased hostages. According to one source, the number is between seven and nine, another source put it between 10 and 15.One of the sources said the assessments are based on Israeli intelligence reports, as well as messaging from Hamas and med

Crime|Europe|World

Manchester synagogue attacker pledged allegiance to ISIS, police say

The man who carried out a deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, northern England, had pledged his allegiance to ISIS while carrying it out, police said Wednesday.During the initial stages of the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue last Thursday, the assailant phoned the police “claiming to pledge allegiance to the so-called Islamic State,” a spokesperson for Counter Terrorism Policing North West said in a statement.Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, was named by police last week as the suspected attacker. He was shot dead by fi

US law firm with major political clients hacked in spying spree linked to China

Meet the 22 artists, scientists and authors who will each get $800,000 MacArthur genius grants

Crime|Europe|World

Manchester synagogue attacker pledged allegiance to Islamic State group, police say

The assailant in last week’s attack on a synagogue in the northwest of England that left two congregants dead pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, police said Wednesday. The attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, called emergency dispatchers during his deadly attack on Oct. 2. to express his commitment to the terror group, Counter Terrorism Policing North West said in a statement. Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by police outside the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue in Manchester after he rammed a car into pedestrians, attacked them with a knife and tried to force

Political|World

Gaza aid flotilla says Israeli forces intercepted its boats

A group of vessels attempting to deliver aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Wednesday, the coalition behind the convoy said, the second such interception in the past week.The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organises civilian maritime missions aimed at breaking Israel's blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the enclave.The flotilla's vessels and passengers were safe, had been transferred to an Israeli port and were expected to be deported pr