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Intensity and insults rise as lawmakers debate debt ceiling

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fights over increasing the nation’s borrowing authority have been contentious in Congress, yet follow a familiar pattern: Time and again, lawmakers found a way to step back from the brink before markets began to panic and the nation risked a dangerous default on its debt.But this year’s fight has a different feel, some lawmakers say.A new Republican majority in the House is itching for a spending showdown, and determined not to yield. They blame what they view as excessive federal spending for higher food and gasoline prices and the growing national debt. Led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, they have ruled out passing a “clean” debt ceiling increase even as the White House insists such legislation be passed without conditions. It’s an impasse that shows no signs of easing ahead of this summer’s deadline for action.“Very worried. Very worried,” was how Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., a close McCarthy ally, described his outlook. “And frankly, I don’t see how we get there a...

Trump indictment ends decades of perceived invincibility

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — When Donald Trump steps before a judge next week to be arraigned in a New York courtroom, it will not only mark the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal charges. It will also represent a reckoning for a man long nicknamed “Teflon Don,” who until now has managed to skirt serious legal jeopardy despite 40 years of legal scrutiny. Trump, who is the early frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, is expected to turn himself in Tuesday. He faces charges including at least one felony offense related to hush money payments to women during his 2016 campaign. Like any other person facing trial, he will be booked, fingerprinted and photographed before being given the chance to enter a plea.The spectacle that is sure to unfold will mark an unprecedented moment in American history that will demonstrate once again how dramatically Trump — who already held the distinction of being the first president to be impeached twice — has upended democratic nor...

Harris seeks billions for climate resilience in Africa

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris is pushing for $7 billion in private-sector investments to help Africa prepare for the effects of climate change.The announcement comes as she wraps up her weeklong trip to the continent on Saturday. Harris plans to visit a farm outside Lusaka where workers are using new techniques and technology to grow more produce, part of her effort to demonstrate ways to secure food supplies despite global warming.“The United States is committed to these types of innovative solutions to support climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience,” she said Friday during a press conference with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.The $7 billion announcement is the biggest-ticket item that Harris has unveiled during her trip, but more work will be needed to follow through.For example, African Parks, a nonprofit group, has committed to raise $1.25 billion over the next 7 years in order to expand its conservation program. Another organization, One Acre ...

Kyle Freeland, Charlie Blackmon carry Rockies to win over Padres

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO — K-Free was filthy, Chuck got Nazty again, and the Rox are 2-0.Translation: Left-hander Kyle Freeland pitched six shutout innings, Charlie Blackmon broke a career-long drought with a two-run homer and the Rockies beat the Padres, 4-1, Friday night at Petco Park.The Padres are projected as World Series darlings by many baseball pundits, while the Rockies are projected to be a 100-loss team, but it’s the Rockies who took the first two games of the series to begin the season.Freeland, who pitched for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, allowed just three hits, struck out one and walked one. He wasn’t overpowering but he did what he does best — mixing his pitches, keeping hitters off-balance and getting weak contact.Freeland also turned in a “Tuloesque” web gem to rob Austin Nola of a cheap leadoff hit in the fifth. Nola nubbed a ball down the third-base line but Freeland scooped up the ball and made a jump throw worthy of former Rockie...

“Biggest win of the year”: Valley Christian shuts out No. 1 Mitty in baseball

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

SAN JOSE — For the most part, Friday’s showdown between No. 1-ranked Archbishop Mitty and No. 3 Valley Christian was just what you’d expect from two of the best teams in the Bay Area: a clean game, two pitchers putting up zeroes, flawless defense and solid execution of fundamentals.Both sides were waiting for one big hit and Valley Christian got it from senior shortstop PJ Mountzouridis, who sent a high fastball from Mitty standout left-hander Luka Pintar over the fence in left-center in the fourth inning to break up a scoreless battle.And then after Mitty coach Brian Yocke went to his bullpen in the seventh inning, Mountzouridis drilled a two-run single to provide some breathing room. He came around to score on a single by Quinten Marsh, his second hit of the game, for the final run in Valley Christian’s 4-0 victory at Mitty.“A very big win, the biggest win of the year,” Mountzouridis said.High school baseball: Valley Christian PJ Mountzouridis (...

Warriors rally past Spurs with fourth-quarter surge

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Two days after overcoming a 20-point deficit to stun the New Orleans Pelicans, the Warriors faltered early again Friday night, but overcame the slow, sloppy start against the San Antonio Spurs to pull out a 130-115 victory. Stephen Curry scored 33 points, Klay Thompson had 31 and Jordan Poole added another 27 off the bench to lead Golden State to its fifth win in six games.The Spurs’ fate has already been decided. They join the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons as having the best lottery odds to land the No. 1 overall pick of the upcoming draft and presumably French phenomen Victor Wembanyama. But Friday was still a high-stakes game for the Warriors, who are trying to maintain their spot outside the play-in tournament in the Western Conference standings. The Warriors turned the ball over five times in the first five minutes of the game, and the Spurs jumped ahead by as many as nine points in the opening quarter. San Antonio led for most of the second qu...

SF launches new program to fight opioid crisis

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – San Francisco is launching a new program to help fight the opioid crisis. Starting Saturday, emergency responders will be able to start administering a drug called buprenorphine.Health experts say that buprenorphine, also known as suboxone, reduces the risk of an overdose death by 50%. San Francisco has a number of initiatives to combat the opioid crisis and the newly launched program is part of that. Dr. Hillary Kunins, the director of behavioral health services in San Francisco, explained how the drug’s effects work similarly to methadone. Three suspected drug overdoses on BART in 3 days “To help a person not experience withdrawal if they have an opioid addiction, reduce or stop cravings for the illicit substance and for that reason both are highly successful in supporting a person in their recovery,” she said.For years, buprenorphine prescriptions were heavily regulated, but last year President Biden relaxed those federal regulations. Starting Saturd...

Hayward man reported missing

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

HAYWARD, Calif. (KRON) -- The Alameda County Sheriff's Office is searching for a missing man who is considered at-risk. Stephen Uslanghi, 37, was last seen walking southbound on Western Avenue towards A Street. Uslanghi left his Hayward home at 20668 Fuchsia Court at about 12:10 p.m. His mental capacity is diminished due to a head injury he suffered in 2006, police said. Uslanghi is a white man who stands 5-foot-3, 150 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. He was wearing a white shirt, blue pants and white shoes.Police said Uslanghi walks the area regularly and is familiar with Hayward and Castro Valley. However, he does not have a cell phone or cash and does not know how to use public transportation. Anyone who sees him is asked to check on his welfare and call ACSO at (510) 667-7721.

Freeland’s great play, Blackmon HR carry Rockies past Padres

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Left-hander Kyle Freeland made a brilliant defensive play while holding San Diego to three hits in six scoreless innings and Charlie Blackmon hit a two-run homer in the Colorado Rockies’ 4-1 victory over the Padres on Friday night.The Rockies have won the first two games of the season against the Padres, who have World Series aspirations after making it to the NL Championship Series last year. Not only are the Padres off to a rough start, but they were booed for the second straight night at Petco Park. Freeland (1-0) made a sensational play to retire Austin Nola opening the fifth. Nola hit a weak chopper down the third base line and Freeland hopped off the mound, gloved the ball, took two steps, made a leaping spin and threw to first baseman C.J. Cron, who made a nice stretch to retire the runner. Freeland ended up sprawled face down in foul territory.He squatted behind the mound for a few minutes and was checked by a trainer and manager Bud Black. He remained...

Alvarez’s bases-clearing double sends Astros past White Sox

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:24 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit a go-ahead three-run double in the seventh inning, and the Houston Astros rallied past the Chicago White Sox 6-3 on Friday night for their first win of the season.Kyle Tucker hit a two-run homer in the sixth and made a spectacular catch at the wall in the seventh to rob Andrew Benintendi of extra bases and keep the World Series champion Astros within one run.“That excited us, and the fans,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “Sometimes you can make a defensive play that will ignite your offense.”Eloy Jimenez hit two RBI doubles for the White Sox, both off Astros starter Cristian Javier.Jimenez’s first double scored Tim Anderson in the first inning. In the sixth, Javier gave up three straight doubles to Benintendi, Jimenez and Joan Moncada to make it 3-0 and end his night.“I was feeling good, but things didn’t work out for me that inning,” Javier said.White Sox reliever Kendall Graveman (1-1) loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh on two w...