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Amsterdam ‘erotic centre’: EMA unhappy at planned red-light district

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

The European drugs regulator says it does not want a purpose-built red-light district near its post-Brexit headquarters in Amsterdam.The European Medicines Agency (EMA) says it fears "nuisance, drug-dealing, drunkenness and disorderly behaviour".Amsterdam's mayor, Femke Halsema, wants to build a multi-storey "erotic centre" to replace its central red-light area.But she faces strong local opposition to the new centre, where legalised prostitution would take place.Now the EMA has joined the criticism, saying the problems currently plaguing the red-light district would simply be transferred to any new location."Locating the Erotic Centre in close proximity to EMA's building is likely to bring the same negative impacts to the adjacent area," it said in a statement.The EMA moved its headquarters to Amsterdam's southern Zuidas district in 2019 after the UK left the EU. Zuidas is one of several locations under consideration for the erotic centre.In 2021, Amsterdam officials agreed plans to...

More bodies found amid San Bernardino County mountain snowstorm crisis

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

More bodies have been discovered on Wednesday following a brutal storm battering the mountain communities in San Bernardino County this month.At least 12 bodies have been found amid a historic winter storm that left residents stranded for almost two weeks as they desperately awaited help from emergency crews.“There’s going to be a lot more,” said Megan Vazquez, a volunteer. "It's been very cold here. It's been below freezing, so if somebody didn’t have electricity or gas to heat their home, they may have frozen to death. I mean, it's shocking."The heavy snowstorm blocked off road access to mountain areas, leaving stranded locals to fend for themselves without power as supplies of food, medicine and fuel were dwindling.Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the area on March 1.With another storm on the way this week, authorities remain concerned over a potentially deadly mix of rain and snow conditions.“There are concerns with rain and snow in the forecast,” said Justin C...

Utah man robs bank of $1 just to get locked up

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

A man accused of robbing a Salt Lake City bank of $1 on Monday said he wanted to be locked up in federal prison, according to Salt Lake City Police, KTLA sister station KTVX reports.Donald Matthew Santacroce, 65, now faces one charge of robbery, a second-degree felony.On March 6, police say Santacroce approached bank tellers at a Wells Fargo and presented a note stating, "Please pardon me for doing this but this is a robbery. Please give me $1.00. Thank you."Police say the tellers agreed and gave Santacroce $1 before asking him to leave. Santacroce reportedly told the tellers he was not leaving and that they should call the police. Man charged after eating stolen chips dropped by thief, police say According to the affidavit, Santacroce sat down in the bank lobby and waited for police to arrive. While waiting, he allegedly told the victims that they are "lucky he didn't have a gun because it was taking so long for the police to get there."The branch manager then reportedly ushered ...

Gov. Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

SACRAMENTO – California Gov. Gavin Newsom has tested positive for COVID-19 following a personal trip to Baja California, a spokesperson for his office said.“Today, the governor tested positive for COVID-19 after exhibiting mild symptoms,” Deputy Communications Director Alex Stack said in a statement Wednesday night.Newsom will work remotely and self-isolate, per California Department of Public Health guidance, Stack said. On Thursday, the governor is set to join a virtual news conference with Attorney General Rob Bonta and other state leaders to make a “major announcement.”First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has tested negative for COVID-19, Stack said.The governor’s positive test follows a personal trip to Baja last week, as first reported by the Sacramento Bee. After returning to the state Sunday, Newsom met with emergency response officials and received an update on winter storms as well as the state’s work to support disaster response and relief efforts, according to Stack.Rela...

Evacuation warnings issued for parts of Watsonville

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KRON) -- Watsonville police issued an evacuation warning for parts of the city on Wednesday night with a storm set to roll in on Thursday. The evacuation zone is in the eastern part of the city, particularly in areas east of East Beach Street and McKenzie Avenue. Refer to the map below to see which areas are under an evacuation warning. "There is a strong likelihood these areas will flood during this week’s storm," police said. "Residents should be prepared, protect their property, and be ready to leave should conditions change." Flood watch to go into effect Thursday as atmospheric river approaches An atmospheric river is expected to bring in storm conditions across the Bay Area beginning Thursday. A flood watch has been issued for the region. “March has been an interesting weather month already and as we get in to the second half of this week, that trend continues,” KRON4 Meteorologist Kyla Grogan said. “After a cool system that’s brought us chilly air, rain...

Georgian lawmakers withdraw criticized draft law on foreign agents after days of protests against it

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Georgian lawmakers withdraw criticized draft law on foreign agents after days of protests against it.Source

3 Los Angeles K-9 officers wounded; suspect dead in standoff

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three Los Angeles police officers were shot and wounded Wednesday evening in a confrontation with a wanted parolee who was found dead hours later after a standoff, police said.The three officers, all senior officers and members of an Los Angeles Police Department’s K-9 dog-handling unit, were hospitalized in stable condition after the shooting that occurred in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood near downtown.The three were alert and Mayor Karen Bass said she had a conversation with two of them at the hospital and they asked her about colleagues who were looking for the suspect.“They weren’t concerned about themselves,” she said at a news conference.“Our hearts go out to them for their speedy recovery and also for the trauma that their families are facing right now,” Bass said.Officers were looking for a parolee at large at around 4 p.m. but when they found him he was barricaded in a shed and refused to obey commands to surrender, the departme...

DePaul edges Seton Hall in wild finish 66-65

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Umoja Gibson made three free throws with 3.9 seconds left and Nick Ongenda blocked a layup at the buzzer to give DePaul a 66-65 win over Seton Hall on Wednesday in the first round of the Big East Tournament.The 10th-seeded Blue Demons will face second-seeded Xavier in Thursday’s semifinals.After Gibson gave DePaul the lead, Seton Hall’s Femi Odukale drove the length of the floor but had his layup at the buzzer blocked from behind by Ongenda. Initially, the block was ruled to be goaltending. But after a review, the officials reversed their decision and DePaul had the win, snapping a 12-game losing streak.Javan Johnson made five 3-pointers and scored 19 points to lead the Blue Demons (10-22). Ongenda scored 15 points and blocked four shots. Jalen Terry made all four of his 3-point tries and had 14 points and Gibson finished with 10. Tyrese Samuel scored 16 points and had 12 rebounds for the seven-seed Pirates (18-15). KC Ndefo added 14 points, Al-Amir Dawes...

NSO’s ‘In Your Neighborhood’ series brings free public concerts to Ward 5 in D.C. this week

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews NSO 'In Your Neighborhood' (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); The National Symphony Orchestra is best known for its ticketed events at the Kennedy Center or Wolf Trap, but it’s also become an orchestra of the people in recent years.The NSO’s “In Your Neighborhood” series brings free concerts this week to Ward 5 in D.C.“This is the 13th year ...

Ukrainian officials report at least 5 people killed, several wounded in massive Russian missile barrage around country

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:53:29 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials report at least 5 people killed, several wounded in massive Russian missile barrage around country.Source