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Argentina devalues peso to respond to economic ’emergency’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

By Debora Rey | Associated PressBUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina on Tuesday announced a sharp devaluation of its currency and cuts to energy and transportation subsidies as part of shock measures new President Javier Milei says are needed to deal with an economic “emergency.”Economy Minister Luis Caputo said in a televised message the Argentine peso will be devalued by 50% to 800 to the U.S. dollar from 400 pesos to the dollar.“For a few months, we’re going to be worse than before,” Milei said, two days after the libertarian was sworn in as president of the second largest economy in South America and immediately warned of tough measures.Milei said the country didn’t have time to consider other alternatives.Argentina is suffering 143% annual inflation, its currency has plunged and four in 10 Argentines are impoverished. The nation has also a yawning fiscal deficit, a trade deficit of $43 billion, plus a daunting $45 billion debt to the Internati...

Sale closed in Monte Sereno: $11.8 million for a two-bedroom home

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

16363 Ridgecrest Avenue – Google Street ViewA historic house located in the 16300 block of Ridgecrest Avenue in Monte Sereno has a new owner. The 1,691-square-foot property, built in 1924, was sold on Oct. 27, 2023. The $11,800,000 purchase price works out to $6,978 per square foot. The layout of this single-story home consists of two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Additionally, the house is equipped with a single carport.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:On Ridgecrest Avenue, Monte Sereno, in June 2023, a 1,941-square-foot home was sold for $3,200,000, a price per square foot of $1,649. The home has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In July 2023, a 2,824-square-foot home on Hernandez Lane in Monte Sereno sold for $2,715,000, a price per square foot of $961. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 3,400-square-foot home on the 18500 block of Beck Avenue in Monte Sereno sold in January 2023, for $4,729,000, a price ...

Letters: Investigation needed | Bring charges | Cease-fire veto | Urban gardens | Checks and balances | Ammunition plant

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Police handling ofstandoff needs probeRe: “Arrest caps troubling dayslong standoff” (Page B1, Dec. 10)The Pleasant Hill Police Department and Central County SWAT’s abysmal handling of this standoff in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood demands an immediate independent investigation.To place the residents of this historically marginalized neighborhood in grave danger over three days is unconscionable.Mary Rae FoutsPleasant HillPerhaps charges willclean up CPS messRe: “Blame game erupts in baby’s fentanyl poisoning death” (Page A1, Nov. 15).Thanks to the East Bay Times for the excellent coverage of tragic baby deaths due to Fentanyl and the follow-up with Santa Clara County stating they tried to prevent the babies from going back to homes that had drugs. I would also like to point out all the other children left in horrible homes by child protective services (Sophia Mason in ...

Zelenskyy runs into GOP resistance to more Ukraine aid

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

By Lisa Mascaro, Aamer Madhani and Stephen Groves | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told America his country was fighting for “our freedom and yours” as he made an impassioned plea Tuesday for Congress to approve more assistance to fight Russia’s invasion.But prospects for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine appeared seriously delayed, if not in grave doubt, despite his whirlwind diplomacy in Washington.After hours of talks on Capitol Hill, Zelenskyy spent more hours at the White House meeting with President Joe Biden and his aides about a way forward. The U.S. has already provided Ukraine $111 billion since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his grinding invasion more than 21 months ago, but Republicans are insisting on linking any more money to strict U.S.-Mexico border security changes that Democrats decry.The White House is warning that if new money isn’t provided by year’s end it will have swift consequences f...

Transgender sex worker fatally shot client who demanded his money back at Crissy Field: court docs

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The suspect in a deadly shooting at Crissy Field last month was working as a sex worker and shot her client after he learned she was transgender and demanded his money back, court documents revealed. Leniyah Butler, also known as Christopher Butler, was working as a sex worker on Nov. 12 when the victim approached her, according to documents released by the United States District Court Northern District of California SF Division.Butler asked the victim if he wanted a date, to which he replied yes, adding that he was looking for "everything," documents state. After discussing price, the victim said he needed to stop at an ATM and the defendant agreed to get in his car.After stopping at an ATM, the victim insisted on driving to Crissy Field, despite the defendant wanting to pull over somewhere close. The defendant stated it felt like he was taking her "out of her element" since it was 20 minutes from where he picked her up. SF tech exec forced assistant to si...

Three SF restaurants added to Michelin Guide

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Three San Francisco restaurants have been added to the latest Michelin Guide, Michelin announced Tuesday. The Michelin Guide is a book that reviews restaurants and other establishments. Seven California restaurants were added to the guide this month, including Movida, Kiln, and Dalida in San Francisco. Ex-First Republic Bank employee sentenced for sabotaging former employer’s computer network DalidaDalida is a Mediterranean restaurant tucked into the Presidio. It is co-owned by a pair of chefs who are married to one another: Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz. Michelin describes its menu as mostly Eastern Mediterranean, inspired by Istanbul. Notable dishes include short rib kebabs. "Whatever else you opt for, consider it all but mandatory to start your meal with 'breaking bread,' an assortment of spreads, olives, and pickles, served with superlatively pillowy, toasty pita that is rolled and hearth-baked to order—you’re unlikely to find better in the Bay Area," Miche...

Chargers QB Justin Herbert will miss rest of season after surgery on his broken index finger

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert’s fourth year as an NFL starting quarterback is over with four games remaining in the season.The Los Angeles Chargers placed Herbert on injured reserve Tuesday after he had surgery to repair the broken index finger on his right hand.With Herbert sidelined, Easton Stick will get his first NFL start on Thursday night at Las Vegas. Los Angeles is 5-8 and has dropped four of its past five.“Obviously, this isn’t how I envisioned it,” Stick said. “When they selected me five years ago, this is what you want as a kid — an opportunity to go play. I’m excited for that.”Stick said he has talked to Herbert the past couple days and that they will remain in communication.Herbert visited two hand specialists on Monday after he suffered the injury during the second quarter of Los Angeles’ 24-7 loss to visiting Denver on Sunday.Coach Brandon Staley said Herbert’s surgery went well and that “he’s on the road to recovery.”Herbert is the sevent...

Andrew Chafin’s $4.75 million, 1-year contract with Detroit Tigers is finalized

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Left-hander Andrew Chafin’s $4.75 million, one-year contract was finalized by the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.Chafin gets a $4.25 million next year, and the deal includes a $6.5 million team option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout.He can earn $1.25 million in performance bonuses each season for games pitched: $125,000 for 50, $250,000 each for 55 and 60, $300,000 for 65 and $325,000 for 70.Chafin was 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA for the Tigers in 2022, striking out 67 and walking 19 in 57 1/3 innings. He allowed five of 36 inherited runners to score.Chafin signed a one-year contract with Arizona that guaranteed $6.25 million and went 3-4 with eight saves for the Diamondbacks and Milwaukee, which acquired him on Aug. 1. He struck out 63 and walked 28 in 51 1/3 innings.He earned $500,000 in performance bonuses in addition to his $5.5 million salary, and the Brewers declined a $7.25 million, triggering a $750,000 buyout.Chafin was 2-4 with a 1.83 ERA in 2021 for the Chicago Cu...

Zelenskyy pleads for Ukraine aid at Capitol and White House, says to U.S.: Our fight is yours

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told America his country was fighting for “our freedom and yours” as he made an impassioned plea Tuesday for Congress to approve more assistance to fight Russia’s invasion.But prospects for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine appeared seriously delayed, if not in grave doubt, despite his whirlwind diplomacy in WashingtonAfter hours of talks on Capitol Hill, Zelenskyy spent more hours at the White House meeting with President Joe Biden and his aides about a way forward. The U.S. has already provided Ukraine $111 billion since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his grinding invasion more than 21 months ago, but Republicans are insisting on linking any more money to strict U.S.-Mexico border security changes that Democrats decry. The White House is warning that if new money isn’t provided by year’s end it will have swift consequences for Ukraine’s capacity to hold its territory, let alone take back land captu...

How Prince William County’s Seals on Wheels program boosts access to court services

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:11 GMT

A Prince William County, Virginia, program that aims to make court services more accessible is returning to the region early next year.Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith first launched the initiative, called Seals on Wheels, last year. She came up with the concept while campaigning for her first term in office. A Dumfries, Virginia, resident told her that in order to go to court and get a marriage license, he had to take the day off from work because he didn’t have a car.“That’s not acceptable, for a citizen to have to give up an entire day’s wages, just to go exercise their constitutional rights,” Smith said.So, Smith launched Seals on Wheels, which uses a sprinter van with several service windows to make court services more accessible in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park. Residents walk up to one of the windows, staffed by county volunteers, and explain what they need help with.Smith described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind mo...