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Today: January 19, 2025
Today: January 19, 2025
The Los Angeles Post

The Los Angeles Post

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World

Wildfires driven by climate change are on the rise - Spain must do more to prepare, say experts

Spain must do more to prepare for increasingly virulent wildfires stoked by climate change, a large group of the country’s leading wildfire prevention experts said on Thursday. A declaration backed by 60 experts and institutions said the “increasingly intense fires … are producing unprecedented ecological and social consequences.” The experts concluded that Spanish society must come to terms with the emergencies that it will likely face, given that wildfires in increasingly hot and dry conditions in the Iberian Peninsula are often “beyond the capability (of firefighters) to extinguish” with their own means. The declaration was the

Wildfires driven by climate change are on the rise - Spain must do more to prepare, say experts
World

Lionel Messi scores, gets hugged by a fan during Argentina's 2-0 win over Australia

Lionel Messi got hugged by a fan who ran onto the field wearing a No. 10 Argentina shirt Thursday during a 2-0 friendly win over Australia in which the World Cup champion scored the fastest goal of his career. Messi was standing near the corner flag in the second half when the fan ran onto the field and embraced him. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared to be surprised as the fan approached, but then put his arm around the interloper’s back before security guards quickly moved in. The fan bolted across the field and high-fived Argentina

Lionel Messi scores, gets hugged by a fan during Argentina's 2-0 win over Australia
World

Lionel Messi scores, gets hugged by a fan during Argentina's 2-0 win over Australia

Lionel Messi got hugged by a fan who ran onto the field wearing a No. 10 Argentina shirt Thursday during a 2-0 friendly win over Australia in which the World Cup champion scored the fastest goal of his career. Messi was standing near the corner flag in the second half when the fan ran onto the field and embraced him. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared to be surprised as the fan approached, but then put his arm around the interloper’s back before security guards quickly moved in. The fan bolted across the field and high-fived Argentina

Lionel Messi scores, gets hugged by a fan during Argentina's 2-0 win over Australia
Political

How much prison time could Trump face? Past cases brought steep punishment for document hoarders

The FBI investigators who searched Harold Martin’s Maryland property in the fall of 2016 found classified documents — including material at the top secret level — strewn about his home, car and storage shed. Unlike former President Donald Trump, the former National Security Agency contractor didn’t contest the allegations, ultimately pleading guilty in 2019 and admitting his actions were “wrong, illegal and highly questionable.” But his expressions of contrition and guilty plea to a single count of willful retention of national defense information didn’t spare him the harsh punishment of nine years in prison. The resolution of

How much prison time could Trump face? Past cases brought steep punishment for document hoarders
World

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett enters Year 2 focused on the details

Kenny Pickett spent his first few months in the NFL intentionally buried on the Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart, coach Mike Tomlin’s way of trying to ease the pressure on a young quarterback saddled with the outsized expectations that come with being a first-round pick at the most important position in the game. A year later, a lot has changed. Pickett is no longer running with the scout team. And a strong finish to his rookie season has Pickett entering his second year in the league seemingly in full command of a Steelers offense that believes it can

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett enters Year 2 focused on the details
Arts

Justin Guarini, Briga Heelan honor music of Britney Spears in ‘Once Upon a One More Time’

Performing in a fairy tale musical with songs by the Princess of Pop can be both magical and daunting. That’s the way Justin Guarini and Briga Heelan, who star in “Once Upon a One More Time,” see their roles in the jukebox musical that features songs by Britney Spears. The musical debuted at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., in 2021 and now it’s on Broadway with Heelan and Guarini reprising their roles as Cinderella and Prince Charming. On a recent two-show day, fans of all ages were wearing Britney-themed attire waiting to be seated

Justin Guarini, Briga Heelan honor music of Britney Spears in ‘Once Upon a One More Time’
Arts

Robert Caro's last book on LBJ likely won't be delayed by editor Robert Gottlieb's death

Robert Caro’s fifth volume on Lyndon Johnson, one of the book world’s most long-awaited publications, is unlikely to be delayed by the death of his longtime editor, publishing luminary Robert Gottlieb. “Mr. Caro is continuing his work on Volume 5 with limited interruption,” Caro spokesperson Paul Bogaards said Thursday, a day after Gottlieb’s death at 92. No release date has been set for what’s supposed to be the final book in “The Years of Lyndon Johnson” series, the first of which was published in 1982. Late last year, Caro told The Associated Press he had no

Robert Caro's last book on LBJ likely won't be delayed by editor Robert Gottlieb's death
World

A Missouri doctor's death is steeped in mystery and speculation. Authorities aren't talking

John Forsyth was known as a hard-working doctor who cared deeply for his patients and often teased nurses in the emergency room to ease tension. He was a father of eight and newly engaged. He also co-founded a cryptocurrency business with his brother. His sudden disappearance from a southwestern Missouri town last month — and the eventual discovery of his body in an Arkansas lake — has led many to wonder what happened to the man who seemed happier than he’d been for some time. A lack of information from law enforcement has only deepened the

A Missouri doctor's death is steeped in mystery and speculation. Authorities aren't talking
World

Man indicted in chokehold death of New York subway rider Jordan Neely, prosecutor confirms

A grand jury has indicted a man who put an agitated New York City subway rider in a fatal chokehold, prosecutors confirmed Thursday. Daniel Penny was initially charged with manslaughter last month in the May 1 death of Jordan Neely, a former Michael Jackson impersonator who struggled in recent years with homelessness and mental illness. A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed the grand jury voted to indict, adding the specific charges will be unveiled at a scheduled June 28 arraignment. Penny had initially been charged with manslaughter in the second degree, which carries

Man indicted in chokehold death of New York subway rider Jordan Neely, prosecutor confirms
Arts

Generative AI is a minefield for copyright law

Still from ‘All watched over by machines of loving grace’ by Memo Akten, 2021. Created using custom AI software. Memo Akten, CC BY-SA In 2022, an AI-generated work of art won the Colorado State Fair’s art competition. The artist, Jason Allen, had used Midjourney – a generative AI system trained on art scraped from the internet – to create the piece. The process was far from fully automated: Allen went through some 900 iterations over 80 hours to create and refine his submission. Yet his use of AI to win the art competition triggered a heated backlash online, with one

Generative AI is a minefield for copyright law
World

MLB to start months-long approval process for Oakland Athletics' move to Las Vegas

Major League Baseball will start a months-long approval process for Oakland Athletics’ proposed move to Las Vegas, which appears set to become the second shift of a franchise in the last half-century. A day after the Nevada Legislature approved $380 million in public financing for a ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip, baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred bemoaned the team’s inability to obtain a new stadium in Oakland and defended A’s owner John Fisher, who has maintained public silence. “I feel sorry for the fans in Oakland. I do not like this outcome. I understand why they

MLB to start months-long approval process for Oakland Athletics' move to Las Vegas
Political

Republicans in Oregon Senate end six-week walkout that blocked bills on abortion, trans health care

Enough Republican members showed up in the Oregon Senate on Thursday to end a six-week walkout that halted the work of the Legislature and blocked hundreds of bills, including some on abortion, transgender health care and gun safety. The boycott, which prevented the Senate from reaching a two-thirds quorum needed to pass bills, was prompted by a sweeping measure on abortion and gender-affirming care that Republicans said was too extreme. The walkout also blocked the approval of the two-year state budget and a gun-safety measure opposed by the GOP that would increase the purchasing age to

Republicans in Oregon Senate end six-week walkout that blocked bills on abortion, trans health care
World

Diversity study finds percentage of Black MLB players at another record low

An annual study reviewing diversity hiring for Major League Baseball reported a record low of Black players on opening day rosters for the second straight year. Thursday’s report card from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida issued an overall grade of C-plus, with a B for racial hiring and a C for gender hiring. The report examined a range of positions at MLB’s headquarters and within franchises using data collected by the league from March shortly before the start of the 2023 season. Those grades were similar to the previous year, when the league had

Diversity study finds percentage of Black MLB players at another record low
World

Sam Bankman-Fried could face 2 criminal trials, with prosecution on some charges delayed until 2024

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried may face two criminal trials after a federal judge on Thursday granted a request by prosecutors to delay a trial on some of the charges until next year. Bankman-Fried faces trial in October on charges brought against him last year. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in Manhattan set a March 11 trial date for him on newer charges filed three months ago. Kaplan chose to schedule two trials after prosecutors said they will only go ahead with the newer charges if authorities in the Bahamas — where Bankman-Fried was first arrested — agree

Sam Bankman-Fried could face 2 criminal trials, with prosecution on some charges delayed until 2024
Political

DeSantis ratchets up feud with Newsom and dares California governor to take on Biden in 2024

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida escalated his feud with California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, daring the West Coast Democrat to “stop pussyfooting around” and launch a primary challenge against President Joe Biden. DeSantis, who announced his presidential campaign late last month, took on Newsom during a news conference in Florida in which he was asked about Newsom’s recent comments to Fox News agreeing to a hypothetical debate with DeSantis hosted by Sean Hannity. “He’s got huge problems in his state –- I mean, like, huge problems in his state,” DeSantis said. “Yet with all

DeSantis ratchets up feud with Newsom and dares California governor to take on Biden in 2024
World

A nun commends Dodgers' handling of Pride Night controversy; some archbishops call it blasphemy

Devout baseball fans might view their teams’ performance as heavenly or hellish, depending on the quality of play. Currently, it’s the Los Angeles Dodgers’ handling of their annual Pride Night — not the team’s record — that has provoked emotional reactions from religious people, including prominent faith leaders, Catholic nuns, and even the team’s All-Star ace. Indeed, three high-ranking U.S. Catholic leaders this week suggested the team had committed blasphemy. The Dodgers have been holding Pride Nights for 10 years, but this year’s edition — taking place Friday night — became entangled last month in a high-profile controversy. Under a

A nun commends Dodgers' handling of Pride Night controversy; some archbishops call it blasphemy
Arts

'Abbott Elementary' star Chris Perfetti feels at home with 'King James'

Chances are you won’t find Chris Perfetti fiercely debating on social media if LeBron James is indeed the GOAT, nor will you find him waiting hours outside of hotels, hoping to get an autograph or selfie from the basketball legend — but you wouldn’t know it from watching his latest play, “King James.” “I grew up in a very heavy sports household. But I knew early on that that was not going to be my thing … it’s why I want to be an actor. I want to do things that are that are different from

'Abbott Elementary' star Chris Perfetti feels at home with 'King James'
Political

Critics blast Georgia's plan to delay software updates on its voting machines

Critics of Georgia’s plan to wait until after next year’s presidential election to install a software update to address security flaws on the state’s voting equipment called that irresponsible, saying the machines would be left open to attack. The vulnerabilities in the Dominion Voting Systems equipment were identified by an expert witness in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Georgia’s election system. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, last year published an advisory based on those findings that urges election officials to take steps to mitigate the risks “as soon as possible.” Georgia election

Critics blast Georgia's plan to delay software updates on its voting machines
World

Fowler, Schauffele break US Open record with 62s at Los Angeles Country Club

Rickie Fowler can always say he was the first to shoot 62 in the U.S. Open. But only by about 15 minutes. Xander Schauffele soon matched him on the North course at Los Angeles Country Club with an 8-under 62 of his own, making Thursday a most extraordinary day for scoring in the major known as the toughest test in golf. The tough part was keeping track of their birdies. “It’s not really what you expect playing a U.S. Open,” Schauffele said. “But monkey see, monkey do. Was just chasing Rickie up the leaderboard. Glad he

Fowler, Schauffele break US Open record with 62s at Los Angeles Country Club
Science

How to see 5 planets line up in the sky on Saturday morning

Wake up early this weekend to catch a celestial sight: Five planets will line up in the sky before sunrise on Saturday. Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, Uranus and Mercury will appear together, weather permitting. Here’s how to spot the planet parade. WHEN AND WHERE CAN I SEE THEM? For the best views, seek a spot with little light pollution and a clear view of the horizon. Mercury will be the last to come into view, about an hour before sunrise. If you go outside at that time, you’ll be able to see all five planets stretching across

How to see 5 planets line up in the sky on Saturday morning
World

Agricultural producers and food businesses throught nation getting $320M boost from USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeding agricultural producers and food businesses with millions of dollars in investment funds to improve markets, create and strengthen jobs, control food prices and improve nutrition, Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday. “We’re here to underscore the important role that local and regional food systems play for American agriculture and farmers, and to announce $320 million of variety of loans and grants which are designed to strengthen the supply chain, to make the food system more resilient and to create a number of opportunities for mid- and small-size operators,” he said.

Agricultural producers and food businesses throught nation getting $320M boost from USDA
Arts

Al Pacino, 83, is a father for the fourth time, welcoming son Roman with Noor Alfallah

Al Pacino is a father for the fourth time. Pacino’s publicist, Stan Rosenfield, confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the actor, 83, and 29-year-old Noor Alfallah welcomed a son named Roman. No other details, including when or where the baby was born, were released. The news was first reported by TMZ. He is Pacino’s fourth child and first with Alfallah. Pacino has a 33-year-old daughter, Julie Marie, with acting coach Jan Tarrant and 22-year-old twins Anton and Olivia with actor Beverly D’Angelo. Pacino and Alfallah reportedly began dating last year. She describes herself as a “raconteur” on her

Al Pacino, 83, is a father for the fourth time, welcoming son Roman with Noor Alfallah
World

15 people, mostly seniors, killed in highway crash in Canada, official says

A bus carrying mostly seniors collided with a semi-trailer truck at a highway intersection in a rural part of the province of Manitoba on Thursday, killing 15 people and injuring 10 more, Canadian police said. Rob Hill, Commanding Officer of the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the bus was carrying 25 people and authorities are deploying all their resources in the province to the scene. Ten people were taken to hospitals. TV broadcasters aired images of what looked like a large van or bus smoldering in a ditch near a transport truck with a smashed engine

15 people, mostly seniors, killed in highway crash in Canada, official says
World

Ex-NYC Mayor de Blasio ordered to pay $475K for misusing public funds on failed White House bid

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was ordered Thursday to pay $475,000 by a city ethics board that found he misused public funds on a police security detail during his failed presidential bid. The hefty fine is the largest ever handed out by New York’s Conflicts of Interest Board, capping off a yearslong investigation into the two-term mayor’s use of taxpayer dollars to cover the travel costs of NYPD officers who accompanied him on cross-country campaign stops. Under the ruling, which he has vowed to appeal, de Blasio, a Democrat, will be forced to

Ex-NYC Mayor de Blasio ordered to pay $475K for misusing public funds on failed White House bid
World

MLB commissioner suspects many pitchers are using banned sticky stuff

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred thinks the use of banned sticky stuff is more widespread than the three pitchers ejected this season for illegal grip aids. “I am sure that out of an abundance of caution and good judgment, umpires have had questionable situations that they decided: just not quite sure,” Manfred said Thursday following an owners meeting. “And I am 100% certain they err on the side of no violation.” New York Mets pitcher Drew Smith was suspended for 10 games Wednesday, a day after he was ejected. That followed similar bans for Mets teammate Max

MLB commissioner suspects many pitchers are using banned sticky stuff

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