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With Kerr and her Matildas on home soil, Australia has high expectations for Women’s World Cup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

By JOHN PYE (AP Sports Writer)BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Sam Kerr’s Matildas will have more than 80,000 fans in the stadium and much of Australia watching when they get their Women’s World Cup campaign started against Ireland, making it the hottest sports ticket Down Under at a time usually dominated by men playing rugby league or Aussie rules.It’s a phenomenal difference from just over two decades ago, when a group of Matildas players agreed to pose nude for a calendar leading into the 2000 Sydney Olympics in a bid to raise much-needed money and awareness for the women’s national soccer team.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has even floated the idea of a public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup, a tournament being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The team’s main focus, though, is on topping a group containing Olympic champion Canada, Ireland and Nigeria.After all, they’ve never gone past the quarterfinals at seven previous Wor...

Applications for jobless benefits in the U.S. retreat after three weeks of elevated claims

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

By MATT OTT (AP Business Writer)Applications for unemployment benefits fell significantly last week after claims appeared to stabilize at modestly elevated levels in recent weeks.U.S. applications for jobless claims fell by 26,000 to 239,000 for the week ending June 24, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists were expecting the elevated claims numbers to continue above 260,000, where they had settled the past three weeks.“We have no specific explanation for this sudden dip, after three straight weeks in a narrow range from 262K to 265K, but observations for individual weeks always have to be viewed with skepticism, especially when they move against the established trend in claims and other data,” said analysts with Contingent Macro Research in a note to clients Thursday. The four-week moving average of claims, which evens out some of the weekly fluctuations, rose by 1,500 to 257,500.Jobless claims applications are seen as representative of the number of layoff...

Minors robbed of their shoes in Irvine Spectrum Center bathroom

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

Police asked for the public's help Wednesday in locating two suspects who used a handgun to rob four minors in an Irvine restroom earlier this week. The incident occurred around 9:22 p.m. Monday at the Spectrum Center and was partially captured on surveillance video posted to the Irvine Police Department's Twitter feed.Investigators said the minors were followed into the restroom by two suspects who demanded their shoes.One of the suspects can be seen in the video displaying a black handgun. A robbery suspect is seen carrying a gun in an image posted by the Irvine Police Department on June 28, 2023. The first suspect was described as a male Hispanic between 15 and 20 years old. He stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He was wearing a black baseball cap with a red emblem, a black fanny pack, a gray tank top, black pants and white shoes.Police said the suspect was armed with a handgun. The second suspect was also believed to be a male Hispanic between 15...

Deadly crash results in hourslong lane closures on 101 Freeway through Studio City

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

A fiery crash that left one dead on the 101 Freeway prompted a SigAlert for four eastbound lanes through Studio City Thursday morning.The incident was reported around 3 a.m. when a vehicle struck a construction truck and caught fire just west of the 134 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol's traffic incident log.The vehicle became fully engulfed in flames with the driver still inside.Authorities respond to a fatal crash on the 101 Freeway in Studio City on June 29, 2023. (KTLA)A coroner's vehicle was sent to the scene to recover a body after the fatal incident, according to the CHP. Two people working in the construction vehicle, which was described as a striper truck, were apparently taken to the hospital.Officials issued a SigAlert around 3:40 a.m. for the closure all lanes but one on the eastbound 101 Freeway.Traffic was still reduced to a single lane as of 6:45 a.m.

First look at 'Rogers: The Musical' coming to Disney CA Adventure Park

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

We're getting a first look at "Rogers: The Musical" at Disney California Adventure Park. The production is based on the story of Steve Rogers, Captain America(Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort)"Rogers: The Musical," is a one-act musical production at the park's Hyperion Theater. The 30-minute show includes dancers and singers as they take the audience through the origin story of the superhero. It'll feature other characters like, Peggy Carter, Nick Fury, and select members of the Avengers.The last live production at the theater was “Frozen: Live at the Hyperion” before the resort shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Inside the Magic reported.(Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)"The real-life production of 'Rogers: The Musical' draws inspiration from the fictional Broadwaymusical theater sequence featured in the first episode of the Disney+ series 'Hawkeye,'" according to a news release. The musical is a project between Disney Live Entertainment and book writer Hunter Bell, who sta...

Show Your Lungs Some Love With CBD — The Effects Of CBD Oil On Asthma

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

Health authorities now estimate that 300 million people worldwide have asthma. Unfortunately, it’s expected the total number of asthma patients will increase in the ensuing years. Although various medications like steroids can help people manage their symptoms, a growing number of patients are curious about all-natural remedies for asthma.Interestingly, CBD has become a popular topic of conversation in the global asthma community. Many asthma patients have already started incorporating CBD oils, tinctures, and gummies into their lives with impressive results. But does the latest science support these spectacular testimonials?How Does CBD Oil Work For Asthma?We don’t have any clinical trials exploring CBD oil’s effect on asthma. However, some preliminary rat trials suggest CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects positively affect pulmonary health. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to say if scientists can replicate these findings in humans.While we can’t say if CBD specifically helps address as...

Man Alive — Man on Man is here to provoke

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

Man Alive: Roddy Bottum and Joey Holman, collectively the magnificently queer rock duo MAN ON MAN, want to ruffle feathers and get a reaction. These proud gay men are on the same page when it comes to their own romantic relationship and their musical venture – they’re here to provoke and to hell with anyone that doesn’t like it.Bottum is, of course, best known for playing keyboards with the always glorious Faith No More. Alongside Mike Patton and the rest of that dazzlingly eclectic band, Bottum was able to confuse and dumbfound the people who wanted more versions of the same early singles, again and again. No FNM album was like the last, and not everyone liked that. Bottum’s alt-pop troupe Imperial Teen likely confused people further. But by god, what a band that was and is.Enter MAN ON MAN! Bottum and Holman formed the project out of necessity – a need to be creative during the COVID lockdown.“We had no idea we were making a band when we first started making the record,” say...

7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend, June 30-July 2

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

Whether you’re getting an early jump on Independence Day or are a purist who’d rather enjoy this weekend on its own terms — we salute you! And we’ve got lots fun stuff to toss your way, so let’s get to it, shall we?As with everything these days, be sure to double check websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.1 WATCH: Indiana Jones is backHarrison Ford’s swashbuckling archaeology professor (and how often does one get to use that phrase?) returns for what is likely his last adventure in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” It tops our list of new movies and shows you should know about.2 COOK & EAT: It’s barbecue timeYou may not be aware of it, but it is federally mandated that on Fourth of July weekend, you...

REAL ID options if the name you’re using is not what’s on your birth certificate: Roadshow

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

Q: I am loving all the DMV information in your column these days, as I’m about to do the big 7-0 renewal. I am also going to get a REAL ID. I obtained a copy of my birth certificate for the REAL ID. I learned that, after a lifetime of being Gayle, my birth certificate says my name is Gail.When I filled out the online form to start the process, I was asked if there’s a name difference between the birth certificate and current name on the license. They also asked, “If so, how did it occur?” I checked the “legal change” box, but really, it was just honest parental oversight.Will this minor spelling discrepancy cause problems at renewal/REAL ID time?Gayle GoldblattA: The DMV responded and said that a REAL ID must reflect the customer’s legal full name. If a customer has another acceptable identity document, such as a U.S. passport, with their first name spelled the preferred way, they can use that instead of a birth certificate when applying for a REAL ID.If a customer does ...

Overstock.com is changing its name. It’s one you may recognize

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:03 GMT

New York  — Overstock.com, one of the biggest names in e-commerce, is ditching its name for something just as recognizable: Bed Bath & Beyond.The change comes following a judge’s approval of Overstock’s purchase of the bankrupt brand’s name, domain and loyalty program assets earlier this week for more than $21 million. However, the acquisition doesn’t include the Bed Bath & Beyond brick-and-mortar stores, which are closing.Calling the acquisition a “significant and transformative step,” Overstock CEO Jonathan Johnson said in a press release that “combining the strengths of the Overstock operational model and the Bed Bath & Beyond brand will create a powerful synergy.”Related ArticlesRetail | Costco is cracking down on sharing membership cards Retail | Bankrupt David’s Bridal gets tentative bid to keep most stores open Retail | PetSmart to pay more than $1 million to settle Bay Area multi-county lawsuit Retail | K...