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Algeria bans 'Barbie' almost a month after movie's local release

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — The “Barbie” movie was pulled from theaters in Algeria this week almost one month after its release in the North African country. Online news outlet 24H Algerie said Algeria's Ministry of Culture and Arts notified cinemas in Algiers, Oran and Constantine to “immediately” pull the movie. Neither the ministry nor the Algerian Audiovisual Regulatory Authority commented on the reported directive or provided a rationale for it.“Barbie” opened in some some Algerian cinemas last month. The film’s distributors removed the Hollywood blockbuster from their screening schedules starting this week..The move comes after authorities in Kuwait and Lebanon banned the live action movie based on the American fashion dolls for allegedly threatening conservative values.Some people in Algeria protested the cancellation on social media, posting their complaints along with the hashtag “#IAmBarbie.” Others denounced it as “censorship” and “bigotry."“The ‘Barbie’ film ‘is a threat to ...

Suspect at large after woman stabbed in Reseda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

A 40-year-old woman was stabbed in Reseda Tuesday morning and police are looking for the assailant.The incident was reported around 10:10 a.m. near the intersection of Reseda Boulevard and Sherman Way, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.Responding officers found the victim suffering from a stab wound. She was taken to a hospital in unknown condition.Police were searching the area for the suspect, but he has not been located, authorities said.He is described as a bald Black man with tattoos on his head.No further details about the incident have been released.KTLA's Isabel Ochoa contributed to this story.

Sage Steele leaves ESPN after settling lawsuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

Former ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor Sage Steele has left the network after settling a lawsuit with the Disney-owned company, according to both parties involved.“Life update. Having successfully settled my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely. I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and am excited for my next chapter!” Steele shared Tuesday morning on X, formerly known as Twitter. Algeria bans ‘Barbie’ almost a month after movie’s local release “ESPN and Sage Steele have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank her for her many contributions over the years," an ESPN spokesperson told KTLA. Steele filed the lawsuit last year after claiming that the company “sidelined” her for making controversial comments on a podcast regarding ESPN’s vaccine mandates, the racial identity of former President Barack Obama, female sports reporters and sexual harassment.After her comments drew criticism, Steele...

Police seek motive in fatal Oxnard shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the person who fatally shot a man early Tuesday.The shooting was reported around 12:40 a.m., and when officers found 28-year-old Diego Espinoza in the 1600 block of East First Street, he was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said in a news release.Espinoza was taken to the Ventura County Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries around 6:40 a.m.The investigation is ongoing, and so far, "there is no clear motive for the shooting," police said.A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered by the city for information leading to the shooter's arrest and conviction.Anyone with tips is asked to call 805-385-7755 or visit oxnardpd.org. To report information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

Orange County judge pleads not guilty to killing wife

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

An Orange County judge accused of killing his wife has pleaded not guilty and will continue to remain free on bail, though he'll do so without his passport, weapons and alcohol.Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, who faces a murder charge and felony enhancements in the shooting of his 65-year-old wife, Sheryl, at their Anaheim Hills home on Aug. 3, submitted to prosecutors' stipulations to his release, as reported by Los Angeles Times reporter James Queally.Ferguson, who faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted on all counts, is free on $1 million bail. O.C. judge confessed to coworkers after fatally shooting wife, prosecutors say At prosecutors' requests, Ferguson agreed to surrender his passport; remain in Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange counties; wear an ankle GPS monitor; allow his concealed weapon permit to be revoked; possess no guns, ammunition or alcohol; and avoid contact with his son who reported the shooting to police, except under certain circumstances.The Fergusons' adult so...

Anoeil Molhempour: Paving the Way for Iranian Artists in the Global Music Scene

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

From the bustling city of Tehran in Iran, known for its diverse ethnicity, a young talent named Anoeil Molhempour is making waves in the global music industry. From the age of 15, Anoeil discovered his passion for music, and since then, he never thought of any other career options. His fascination for music took him to major cities worldwide where he captivated audiences with his soulful melodies. Years later, we see Anoeil Molhempour as an acclaimed name in the music industry, known for his refined sense of music production and composition. He is also a pop singer enthralling audiences with his dazzling stage performances.To pursue his passion for music as a full-time career, Anoeil immersed himself in the world of Solfege. To hone his craft, he underwent rigorous training in Iran. Eventually, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Music from a prestigious Iranian university. Realizing that he doesn’t want to limit his craft to his native country, Anoeil moved to the US, where hi...

A Legacy of Excellence: DiBara Masonry Receives Congressional Award for Four Generations of Outstanding Craftsmanship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

In the heart of Los Angeles, one family’s masonry and concrete lineage has stood the test of time, quietly building a legacy of exceptional craftsmanship. DiBara Masonry, a fourth-generation masonry firm, has recently been recognized with a prestigious congressional award celebrating their commitment to quality and craftsmanship, solidifying their position as a leader in the construction industry.With a journey beginning over a century ago, Michael Larusso and Matteo DiBara, immigrated from Italy to the United States. What started as building homes for their neighbors evolved into a lasting legacy built on trust and dedication to delivering the finest work.DiBara Masonry recently received the Quality and Craftsmanship award from Congressman J. Luis Correa, affirming their dedication to excellence and restoration practices. Matthew DiBara, the current owner, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I stand on the shoulders of three generations before me who worked to set the standard...

John Hannum and PPS Solutions: Empowering Businesses Growth with (Fractional) Financial Firepower

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

Leading the charge in transforming the financial landscape for growing businesses, John Hannum and his company, PPS Solutions, have set their sights on enabling entrepreneurs to achieve their business goals through the power of Fractional Finance. With well-established corporate experience in finance and operations, John now brings his skill set to growing businesses of all sizes, championing success for entrepreneurs and business leaders ready to change the world.To fully appreciate the mission John is on, one must trace his entrepreneurial journey back to its roots. When he was a child, his parents bought their first business – a SCUBA diving store in Florida. He watched the struggles they encountered by working with them in the shop, learning the value of hard work and keeping a good set of books. Both in the business and at school, he developed an interest in numbers and systems which ultimately lead to a remarkable finance career and a passion for entrepreneurship.Followi...

Motorcyclist Injured in Vehicle Accident on Home Avenue [San Diego, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

25-Year-Old Male Rider Hospitalized after Motorcycle-Vehicle Collision near NeighborhoodSAN DIEGO, CA (August 15, 2023) – Late Friday night, a motorcyclist sustained injuries in a vehicle accident on Home Avenue.On August 4th, shortly before 10:20 p.m., officers responded to a call involving a collision between a 2017 Yamaha motorcycle and a 2011 Hyundai Tucson.The investigation showed that the rider was traveling eastbound and the woman came to a stop at the bicycle lane.Furthermore, the woman made a U-turn and turned in front of the rider causing him to hit the driver’s side front fender.As a result, the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries including multiple fractures and cuts on his ankle.Meanwhile, the female driver remained at the scene and police did not suspect impairment as a factor in the collision.Further investigation is still being conducted by the San Diego Police Traffic Division.Any witnesses of the collision are encouraged to call the authorities at 85...

California judge pleads not guilty to murdering his wife in their Anaheim Hills home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:40 GMT

An Orange County Superior Court judge pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday, Aug. 15, to a charge of murdering his wife in their Anaheim Hills house.Judge Jeffrey Ferguson made his plea through his attorneys before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ricardo Ocampo, who granted Orange County prosecutors’ requests that Ferguson wear a GPS monitoring device, stay away from alcohol and submit to searches as conditions of his $1 million bail.Ocampo rejected a request by prosecutors for Ferguson to not have any contact with his 22-year-old son, who authorities say witnessed the killing. Ocampo said such contact was up to the son.Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson appears during a hearing at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, right, sits next to his attorneys John Drummond Barnett, left, and Paul Meyer during a hearing a...