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Iranian exiles file legal complaint in Switzerland against Iranian president, urging his prosecution on the verge of his Geneva trip

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

A group of former political prisoners in Iran, survivors of the 1988 massacre now residing in Switzerland, have filed a legal complaint against Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran (pictured). They seek his prosecution for Genocide and crimes against humanity. Raisi is accused of being a key figure in the 'death commission' in Tehran during the 1988 massacre. This massacre, following a decree by Ruhollah Khomeini, the regime's founder, led to the execution of 30,000 political prisoners over several months, writes Shahin Gobadi.The complaint was filed as the coordinator of the United Nations Global Refugee Forum announced that Raisi is expected to attend the forum in Geneva on Wednesday, December 13.The plaintiffs, associated with the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), a primary Iranian resistance movement, allege that Raisi, then a Deputy Prosecutor in Tehran, was directly involved in the execution of thousands of political prisoners. They also highlight Raisi's involvem...

Wild encounter captured on video at Lake Tahoe ski resort

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

A handful of skiers and snowboarders had a close call with nature when a black bear darted across a ski run at Heavenly Mountain Resort on Sunday.Tao Feng, who nearly collided with the bear, captured the moment on video and posted it on TikTok.He was skiing down the Ridge Run trail around 11 a.m. Sunday when the bear came charging out of the woods and across the slope in between skiers and snowboards."Didn't realize it was a bear until it was too close," Feng said.Video captured by Tao Feng shows the bear darting across the ski slope at Heavenly on Dec. 10, 2023. (TikTok: @tao7570)Video captured by Tao Feng shows the bear darting across the ski slope at Heavenly on Dec. 10, 2023. (TikTok: @tao7570)Video captured by Tao Feng shows the bear darting across the ski slope at Heavenly on Dec. 10, 2023. (TikTok: @tao7570)Thankfully, no one collided with the bear.Feng says he felt better about the situation when he saw the bear reunite with its mother on the other side of the trail. Califor...

Significant deadline looms in California's U.S. Senate race

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

California's official deadline to file to run for office has come and gone giving voters an even clearer picture of candidates they'll choose from heading into the March 2024 primary. But in the race to fill the late Dianne Feinstein's seat for a six-year term in the U.S. Senate, the deadline is extended for several days.The deadline to file Declaration of Candidacy papers for elected office passed on Friday at 5 p.m. Still, this time, because the incumbent has decided not to run for the seat, the deadline has been extended by five days to Dec. 13. New poll shows widening gap in California’s U.S. Senate race An official list of certified candidates from the Secretary of State's Office will be available by Dec. 28.Some candidates, while unofficial, have been on the campaign trail for months, announcing their intention to run for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat. Rep. Katie Porter (D-Orange), one of the leading contenders, announced her candidacy in January. Rep. Adam Schiff (D...

Robert Green Airlifted after Pedestrian Collision on West Frank Avenue [Lufkin, TX]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

64-Year-Old Man Hospitalized after Pedestrian Accident near North Raguet StreetLUFKIN, TX (December 11, 2023) – Medics airlifted Robert Green to a hospital after a pedestrian crash on West Frank Avenue, Tuesday night.On December 5th, at approximately 9:00 p.m., authorities were called to the 600 block of West Frank Avenue near North Raguet Street. According to reports, 36-year-old Jesus Perez, driving an eastbound Nissan Altima, and collided with 64-year-old Green as he was walking in the vicinity.Upon the arrival of paramedics, Green was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he is expected to recover. Perez, on the other hand, did not sustain any injuries and remained at the scene.Emergency personnel temporarily closed off the surrounding area for cleanup and preliminary duties. An active investigation is ongoing to gather additional information.A reminder for all drivers to remain vigilant for pedestrians and other vehicles while on the road, especially in residential areas, ...

Martin Revs Up at Zebulon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

Martin Revs Up at Zebulon: When the world lost innovative noise-punk Alan Vega in 2016, not only did that naturally spell the end for the band Suicide, but we were also deprived of the talents of a bonafide artist. Thankfully, his partner in Suicide Martin Rev is still with us, and he’s performing at Zebulon on Tuesday. Demolition 9, in 2017, is Rev’s most recent solo album so it’ll be interesting to see what he get in L.A.But the legacy of Rev and Suicide should never be forgotten, or understated. Their synth punk approach broke boundaries (along with L.A.’s own Screamers) that have remained blissfully broken. Nowadays, punks can play any instrument that they want to. Back then. Rev hammering on his keys was shocking and they’d often clear CBGBs.DPSD and Taylor E. Burch also perform.Martin Revs Up at Zebulon: The event takes place at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12 at Zebulon.                ...

Monday Morning Lights: Time to fix broken CIF Open Division state championship game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

CIF: SAD STATE OF OPEN DIVISIONThere is a lot of good about high school football in California and plenty that is not so good. Nothing we write here is going to magically solve the issues.But there is one matter that California Interscholastic Federation officials should start addressing now. It’s the same one that should have been dealt with after last season.The Open Division state championship game is broken.Can someone fix it?This is a game that should be a celebration for CIF, the Super Bowl of California high school football, the biggest game between the two best teams.Instead, it has become a sad letdown with no sign of letting up.Private schools have advantages, yes. They do across the state. But Mater Dei and St. John Bosco are not normal private school powers in football. Haven’t been for approaching a decade.They are closer to Florida’s IMG Academy than traditional private-school powers. CIF schools are not allowed to play IMG because it doesn’t play by the same rul...

San Jose is California’s mobile home capital. See where those residents live.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

San Jose is home to the most mobile home communities in California, with about 35,000 residents living in such homes. The map above gives the location and details of the communities.On Dec. 12, the San Jose City Council is set to add a layer of protection to 13 of these mobile home communities, with the goal of eventually preserving nearly 60 of them — the last strongholds of affordable housing in the entire region. | Read the full article

San Francisco fire leaves seven people displaced, two injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Officials said two people were injured early Monday morning in a residential fire between Golden Gate Park and Alamo Square in San Francisco.The fire was reported around 3:20 a.m. at a home in the 700 block of Masonic Avenue, according to the city’s fire department.3rd Alarm Fire on 700 block of Masonic. Multiple buildings evacuated with a partial floor collapse. 1 person rescued and transported to local area hospital. Masonic between Hayes and Fulton is closed to traffic. Please avoid the area and find alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/atvTExY9Rt— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) December 11, 2023Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Editorial: After Interstate 10 inferno, California should stop leasing freeway land Crashes and Disasters | Here’s where Caltrans is concerned about Bay Area under-freeway storage after L.A.’s I-10 fire Crashes and Disasters | Caltrans identifies 15 pote...

Why universities from UC Berkeley to Harvard are teaching courses on Taylor Swift

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

By Scottie Andrew | CNNTaylor Swift once said that if she were not a record-breaking, hit-making, three-time-Grammy-album-of-the-year winning superstar (our adjectives, not hers), she would’ve liked to have returned to the classroom.“I would have gone to college, and I would probably be involved with a form of business where words and ideas are at the forefront,” she told GQ in 2015. “Such as marketing.”She might be a bit too famous now to sit in on a business class for a marketing degree. But her music and persona have proven ripe for academic dissection on college campuses, amongst Swifties or otherwise.Universities across the US, from Harvard to the University of Texas at Austin to Stanford, are now offering courses on Swift’s body of work and the decade-plus-long discourse her work and life have inspired. It’s a fitting honor for the singer-songwriter, whose stardom and success have reached new heights in 2023.Arizona State this semester offered a course on the psychology of Swi...

Ariana Grande's 'Last Christmas' is most dangerous Christmas song for driving: study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:52 GMT

(KRON) -- Ariana Grande's "Last Christmas" is the most dangerous Christmas song for driving, according to a new study. The study, which was conducted by CSGOLuck, sourced the top 200 Christmas songs on Spotify and analyzed them by beats per minute.According to research cited by the survey, music between 50 to 80 beats per minute puts the brain into an "alpha state." This renders you more relaxed, focused and receptive, the study claimed. SantaCon, Haney fight in SF draws nearly 100K BART riders Conversely, songs with more beats per minute become more distracting because your brain has to work harder to process the sounds. With 206 beats per minute -- more than triple what experts recommend -- Grande's 2013 hit tops the list for most distracting. Another Grande hit, 2014's "Santa Tell Me,"also made it into the top 10 of most distracting Christmas songs.Other Christmas songs that are dangerous for driving include Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka," Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderf...