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Iran bans Mahsa Amini’s family from traveling to receive the European Union’s top human rights prize

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian authorities banned members of the late Mahsa Amini’s family from traveling to receive the European Union’s top human rights prize on her behalf, a civil rights monitor reported. Amini’s death while in police custody in 2022 sparked nationwide protests that rocked the Islamic Republic.The U.S.-based HRANA said late Saturday that authorities have refused to allow Amini’s father, Amjad, and two of her brothers to fly out to Strasbourg, France, to receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Reports said only the family’s lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, would be able to travel to receive the award on their behalf. The EU award, named for Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is “the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work,” as per the EU Parliament website.Earlier in Sep...

Bangladesh opposition party holds protest as it boycotts Jan. 7 national election amid violence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Hundreds of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters protested Sunday to mark International Human Rights Day, as the country gears up for a general election on Jan. 7 that the opposition says should be held under a non-partisan, caretaker government.The party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is boycotting the election, leaving voters in the South Asian nation of 166 million with little choice but to re-elect Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League for a fourth consecutive term.At Sunday’s protest in front of the National Press Club in downtown Dhaka, opposition activists said they do not think a fair and free election can take place under Hasina’s watch. The gathering took place weeks after a massive opposition rally on Oct. 28 turned violent.The party’s decision to boycott the polls comes amid a monthslong crackdown that has reportedly seen hundreds of opposition politicians jailed and critics silenced, an allegation auth...

2 Southern California cities ranked 'Best Places to Live in the U.S.' by Money

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

Finding the perfect place to settle down in that checks all the boxes can be a difficult task. Most renters and homeowners want a city that offers the best combination of low crime rates, excellent school systems, a thriving local economy, access to quality healthcare and more. In a new report by Money, researchers scoured the nation to find the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023 with two Southern California cities making the list: Irvine (#13) and San Diego (#22).Researchers considered a variety of aspects including the number of economic opportunities, quality of life, overall diversity, and the city's future trajectory.Irvine, CaliforniaNestled in the heart of Orange County, Irvine is a bustling community that offers an excellent range of job, school, community and entertainment opportunities. Residents have no shortage of access to world-class shopping and dining at nearby malls including the Irvine Spectrum, South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island.Outdoor enthusiasts ...

Video shows SoCal school crossing guard tossed in the air during crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

Video captured the moment a school crossing guard was thrown into the air by a vehicle that jumped the curb and smashed into him in Lakewood.On Dec. 1, Eduardo Villalpando, 38, had just walked a group of children across the street when suddenly, a speeding driver slammed into him. As Villalpando was standing on the corner of Centralia and Pioneer Streets, a speeding Dodge Challenger slammed into a Honda Pilot SUV that was turning left at the intersection. The violent impact sent the Challenger barrelling into the street corner, through a cement shopping sign and directly into Villalpando who was propelled into the air by the nose of the vehicle.Villalpando’s left leg was completely severed and his right leg was severely injured. Although he survived the violent collision, he faces a long road to recovery ahead.Video captured the moment a school crossing guard was thrown into the air after a vehicle jumped the curb and smashed into him in Lakewood on Dec. 1, 2023. (SuperFin...

As expected, Serra falls to Mater Dei in CIF Open Division state championship game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

MISSION VIEJO — One of the greatest teams in Central Coast Section history, a group of players led by a passionate and driven coach who knows how to motivate young men, took another shot at perfection Saturday night, another swing at the state’s top championship.But like the past two years, Serra fell short, a second consecutive unbeaten season ending in defeat against one of Southern California’s superpowers.This time, Mater Dei-Santa Ana took down the Padres, winning the CIF Open Division championship 35-0 at Saddleback College behind its all-star collection of major college talent. The final 11:50 was played with a running clock.The Open title was Mater Dei’s fourth, all since 2017, and second at Serra’s expense.A massive underdog on this stage for the third time in as many appearances, the Padres pulled out every trick in their book to keep Mater Dei out of sorts and ran down the play clock before snaps to shorten the game.It worked, to some degree.Serra trailed 14-0...

Bay Area native Haney beats Prograis in front of sold-out crowd at Chase Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Bay Area native Devin Haney showed out in front of his hometown fans on Saturday night at a sold-out Chase Center. Haney notched a unanimous decision win over Regis Prograis to become the new WBC super lightweight champion.All three judges scored the fight 120-107 in favor of Haney -- all 12 rounds went to Haney. Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) scored a knockdown in the third round (pictured below) that garnered a roar from the sold-out crowd.The pro-Haney crowd began chanting "Haney, Haney, Haney" after the knockdown, hoping the Oakland native would finish his opponent in the third round. Prograis survived and finished the 12-round fight but lost his 140-pound belt. Regis Prograis, left, falls down next to Devin Haney during the WBC super lightweight title boxing bout Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)With the win over Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs), Haney becomes a two-division world champion. In June 2022, Haney, then-23, became the youngest undi...

San Francisco native Devin Haney wins WBC belt in front of hometown crowd

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Devin Haney beat Regis Prograis by unanimous decision in his division debut to win the WBC super welterweight title in his hometown on Saturday night.Haney (31-0) remained unbeaten with a slow but dominant victory over Prograis in front of a sellout crowd at Chase Center in San Francisco, home of the Golden State Warriors.All three judges scored the bout 120-107 in Haney’s favor. Prograis (29-2) lost for the first time since October 2019.“It’s a dream come true,” Haney said. “I knew I had him hurt a few times. I went in there and was real disciplined. I made it as easy as possible.”It was Haney’s first fight as a super welterweight after dominating as the undisputed lightweight crown. Haney made the decision to move up after having trouble making weight at lightweight.Now as a two-division champion, Haney is eyeing a third title.“I want to talk to my dad and see what’s next,” Haney said. “I want to do a fight at 147 but there’s a lot of fights at 140.”The San Fr...

Parrish’s layup with 10.4 seconds left lifts No. 25 Aztecs to 63-62 win over UC Irvine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Micah Parrish made a layup with 10.4 seconds left for No. 25 San Diego State, which blew a 16-point lead before rallying to beat scrappy UC Irvine 63-62 on Saturday night. Darrion Trammell missed a 3-pointer, Jay Pal rebounded and fed Parrish, who made the bucket and drew a foul. He missed the free throw, UC Irvine rebounded and Justin Hohn missed a 3-pointer with about four seconds left. The Aztecs (8-2) were playing without leading scorer Jaedon LeDee and went nearly 14 minutes without a field goal as they watched their lead shrink and then disappear.Hohn banked in a 3-pointer with 58.4 seconds left for a 62-57 lead but missed two free throws with 41.5 seconds to go. Pal made a free throw and Trammell hit a 3-pointer with 30.5 seconds to pull the Aztecs within one before Parrish’s winning shot. Pal scored 15 points off the bench while Parrish had 14, Reese Waters 11 and Trammell 10.Hohn had 16 and Derin Saran 14 for UC Irvine (6-4), which lost its third stra...

Turner and Hayes combine for 46 points to help San Diego rally to an 89-84 win over Arizona State

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Deuce Turner and PJ Hayes each made five 3-pointers and finished with 23 points apiece as San Diego rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half to beat Arizona State 89-84 on Saturday night. Turner scored five points during a 13-0 run that gave San Diego a 78-71 lead with 3:44 remaining. Arizona State answered with a 12-5 spurt to tie it at 83-all. Jamiya Neal made a pair of 3-pointers for the Sun Devils during the stretch. The Toreros then made 4 of 6 free throws and Kevin Patton Jr. scored on a second-chance layup to end it. Turner and Hayes combined for 15-of-30 shooting from the field and 10 of 20 from long range. Wayne McKinney III added 15 points and Steven Jamerson II had 10 for San Diego (7-4). Neal scored 20 points to lead Arizona State (6-3), which had a four-game win streak end. Jose Perez, Frankie Collins and Brycen Long each added 15 points. Alonzo Gaffney scored 11. Arizona State took the lead about four minutes into the game, led 36-28 at half...

Washington rallies in second half and tops No. 7 Gonzaga 78-73. Snaps 7-game losing streak to Zags

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:39 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Keion Brooks Jr. scored 17 points, Sahvir Wheeler added 16 and Washington rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to beat No. 7 Gonzaga 78-73 on Saturday night.The Huskies (6-3) snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Bulldogs and picked up their first win over their in-state foe since a 99-95 win in 2005, also in Seattle. It was also Washington’s first win over a top 10 opponent since beating Arizona in the 2017-18 season.Wheeler was responsible for some of the biggest shots in Washington’s rally, but he had plenty of help. Brooks added eight rebounds and made four key free throws in the final minute. Moses Wood added 12 points and Koren Johnson scored 11 off the bench. Franck Kepnang also had a big game controlling the paint with 14 points, seven rebounds five blocked shots for Washington.Graham Ike led Gonzaga (7-2) with 18 points and Nolan Hickman scored 17. But Washington was able to slow down Hickman after he scored 15 in the first half, and Gonzaga...