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Sixers’ adjustments stifle Nets in 96-84 Game 2 loss

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — Royce O’Neale slapped the stanchion when reality set in. Jacque Vaughn replayed wide-open missed shots in his head at the podium while attempting to answer questions postgame. Dorian Finney-Smith sat at his locker, solemn.“F—, man,” he said.The Nets had an opportunity to even their first-round playoff series at one apiece after building momentum in an impressive first half in front of a raucous, sold-out Wells Fargo Center crowd on Monday.The wheels fell off in the second, where the offense sputtered — once again. The Sixers went on to win, 96-84. NBA teams that take a 2-0 lead in the playoffs go on to win 93% of the time.And it was a zone defense the Nets were ill-equipped to handle that unraveled Brooklyn’s early offense. While star wing Mikal Bridges successfully handled the Sixers’ attempts to blitz him on the catch, it was Cam Johnson who took advantage of the opportunity — in the first half — scoring 23...

Perrino: Campus disruptions don’t count as free speech

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

America is experiencing two disturbing simultaneous trends: the rise of mob censorship to shut down speaking events on college campuses, and an attempt to justify it as merely the exercise of “more speech.”At SUNY Albany this month, protesters stormed an event, formed an improvised conga line and prevented a lecture — ironically, titled “Free Speech on Campus” — from beginning.In a now notorious incident at Stanford Law School last month, protesters shouted down a federal appellate judge’s speech.And in November, hecklers drowned out conservative commentator Ann Coulter at Cornell, playing loud music, chanting, shouting at her and repeatedly preventing her from speaking. “We don’t want you here, your words are violence,” screamed one heckler.I have defended free speech on college campuses for over a decade. We’ve seen waves of shout-downs before. But few defended the disruptions. In fact, they were usually met with near-universal condemnation.Not so anymore. Some now argue that drow...

Editorial: Income-based billing an idea that should stay in Calif.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

What happens in California doesn’t necessarily stay in California, especially when it comes to liberal policies.The Golden State was the first to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, a motion that spread to a majority of the country.California was also the first to ban gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers, another move that’s being copied by communities across the U.S., including many in Massachusetts.Now a proposal to charge consumers for electricity based on their income is on the table, and bears watching as it ticks off many progressive boxes.As CBS News reported, PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric filed a joint proposal with the state Public Utilities Commission seeking to add a fixed monthly charge for services, based on household income levels.Households earning less than $28,000 a year would pay a fixed charge of $15 a month on their electric bills in Edison and PG&E territories and $24 a month in SDG&E territory. Hou...

Keri Russell reports for duty in ‘The Diplomat’ on Netflix

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

NEW YORK — After six seasons and a trio of Best Actress Emmy nominations with “The Americans,” Keri Russell wasn’t looking for another series when the titular role in Netflix’s “The Diplomat” proved irresistible.“I wasn’t shopping to do a series at all — I still have three little kids at home. I’m trying to be a mom,” Russell, 47, said with a laugh during a one on one interview at Soho’s Crosby Street Hotel.“But this was so fun. There’s a lot of good shows, but there aren’t as many that hit that snappy, fun thing — and I just took a chance.”Russell’s Kate Wyler is an American career diplomat, smart, passionate, work-driven and married to famous, celebrated and controversial Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell).  Theirs is a combustible union.“There are usually two types of ambassadors,” Russell learned. “One set is usually a ‘gift,’ for lack of a better description, as a thank you for a giant donation for a presidential election. Usually those assignmen...

Dear Abby: Family has had enough of drunk uncle

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

Dear Abby: My “Uncle Fred” is rude and obnoxious whenever we’re in his presence. He talks down to not only me, but everyone around him. Holidays are unbearable as he creates constant tension, leaving all guests less than enthused. He also drinks too much at parties, which leads to obscenities and poor decision-making.It would be very easy to just stop being in his presence if not for my darling “Auntie June,” who is kind to us all and always insists on hosting her family for holidays. Even after numerous attempts by family members who have all voiced their displeasure with Uncle Fred, Auntie June seems to be helpless in dealing with his unruly behavior.How do we move forward without hurting our dear sweet auntie by telling her we no longer wish to spend holidays together? — Enough Already in New JerseyDear Enough: You have suffered enough. A way to deal with it would be to put it “a tad” less bluntly. Say, “Auntie, we love you, w...

6 people sprayed with bear mace at Vons

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A person attempting to shoplift sprayed six people with bear mace Monday at a Vons in the University City area, authorities said.The incident occurred around 7:19 p.m. at 7788 Regents Road, the San Diego Police Department confirmed to FOX 5. Have you seen them? Two kids missing in Oceanside Two medics responded to the grocery store, but it is unknown if anyone was taken to the hospital or if they were treated at the scene, per SDPD.Police said the suspect left the scene. There is no description of them at this time.Check back for updates on this developing story.

Apple Inc bets big on India as it opens first flagship store

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Apple Inc. is set to open its first flagship store in India in a much-anticipated launch Tuesday that highlights the company’s growing aspirations to expand in the country it also hopes to turn into a potential manufacturing hub. Dozens lined up outside for the grand opening. Located in India’s financial capital, Mumbai, the store’s design is inspired by the iconic black-and-yellow cabs unique to the city. A second store will open Thursday in the national capital, New Delhi.“India has such a beautiful culture and an incredible energy, and we’re excited to build on our long-standing history,” the company’s CEO Tim Cooke, who is in Mumbai, said in a statement. The tech giant has been operating in India for more than 25 years, selling its product through authorized retailers and the website it launched a few years ago. But regulatory hurdles and the pandemic delayed its plans to open a flagship store. The new stores are a clear signal of t...

How some WH hopefuls inflate their fundraising success

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Long before ballots are tallied and reliable polls are conducted, one of the earliest ways to gauge the popularity of presidential candidates is with dollars.Getting donors to part with their money is a key measure of viability, especially in the early stages of a White House campaign. Those who raise ample amounts of cash will have the resources to pay for ads, travel and hold events deep into the primary. Those who struggle, or run out of cash, often drop out.Facing such high stakes, candidates often have an incentive to essentially juice their numbers to make themselves appear more competitive than they might be in reality. That’s especially true in the opening phase of the 2024 Republican presidential primary, where contenders are aiming to prove they can raise enough money to pose a threat to Donald Trump, a former president who has a reputation as a prolific fundraiser and is eager to retain his status as the GOP’s dominant figure.At such an early...

Supreme Court hears mail carrier’s religious tolerance case

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is being asked to decide under what circumstances businesses must accommodate the needs of religious employees.A case before the justices Tuesday involves a Christian mail carrier in rural Pennsylvania. He was told that as part of his job he’d need to start delivering Amazon.com packages on Sundays. He declined, saying his Sundays are for church and family. U.S. Postal Service officials initially tried to get substitutes for the man’s shifts, but they couldn’t always. When he didn’t show, that meant more work for others. Ultimately, the man quit and sued for religious discrimination.The case is the latest religious confrontation the high court has been asked to referee. In recent years, the court’s 6-3 conservative majority has been particularly sensitive to the concerns of religious plaintiffs. That includes a ruling last year in which the court said a public high school football coach should be allowed to pray on the field after games. Another c...

Draymond Green ejected; Warriors drop Game 2 against Kings

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:19:25 GMT

SACRAMENTO — Kings coach Mike Brown projected Game 2 would be a “dog fight” after Sacramento stole the series opener.And he was right.The Warriors fourth-quarter rally came up short as the Kings beat Golden State 114-106 to take a 2-0 series lead and light the bright purple beam into the night sky for the second time in two days.The Warriors held the Kings to 17 points in the opening quarter, but lost the final three quarters. They also had to play most of the fourth without Draymond Green, who was ejected after getting entangled with Damontas Sabonis.With the Kings up by four in the fourth quarter, Sabonis pulled on Green’s leg, which prompted the Warriors fiery star to stomp on the Sacramento big’s rib cage. Sabonis laid on the court for several minutes while the officials went to review the sequence.Meanwhile, the home crowd roared. Green egged the fans on, at one point stepping on the Warriors bench and yelling back at them.Green was ultimately slap...