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'Ethical' smartphone lets you easily replace parts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

Innovation is everywhere at IFA Berlin 2023. Companies from all over the world come here to show off their latest gadgets.IFA show organizers took me to Berlin to experience it all!You probably recognize the name ZAGG. They were hamming away, showing off the strength of their new Glass XTR3, which is now made with more recycled glass and is 20 percent stronger."I'm going to pound this nail into the wood, replacing the hammer with my iPhone, and there's not a scratch on that screen protector," said Jeff Dubois of ZAGG. He's right. It looked like something I would NEVER think to do with an iPhone, but somehow the glass stayed intact. I don't recommend trying this at home.Aiper Surface 1 is a $600 dollar solar powered, pool skimming robot."We are trying to achieve 100% of a clean pool. You will have a lot of debris on top, on the surface of the pool that is not going to be cleaned by a regular robot. So you're going to need a skimmer," said Andres Gomez of Aiper. They also make a popul...

Kenneth Michael Van Buren Killed in Mobility Scooter Crash on South 12th Avenue Tucson, AZ]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

77-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Scooter Accident on West Michigan DriveTUCSON, AZ (September 8, 2023) – Early Sunday morning, Kenneth Michael Van Buren was killed in a mobility scooter crash on South 12th Avenue.Officers responded to the scene just before 6:00 a.m., near West Michigan Drive on August 20th.Per reports, Jorge Elfido Reyes Fajardo was driving a northbound Nissan Altima and crossed into oncoming traffic. There, he struck Buren who was riding a mobility scooter on 12th Avenue.Reports indicate that 22-year-old Fajardo initially fled the scene on foot and later returned.Following preliminary duties, officers determined that Fajardo-Reyes was impaired and driving with a suspended license. As a result, officers booked him into the Pima County Jail with charges of second degree murder and felony DUI.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, 77-year-old Buren later succumbed to his injuries.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate mom...

Rider Killed in Motorcycle Hit-and-Run Crash on Odelia Road [Albuquerque, NM]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

Suspects At Large after Killing Motorcyclist in Hit-and-Run IncidentALBUQUERQUE, NM (September 8, 2023) – Early Wednesday morning, a motorcyclist was fatally struck in a hit-and-run crash on Odelia Road.On August 30th, just after 12:00 a.m., a motorcyclist was struck by a BMW SUV near Edith Boulevard.Upon investigation, the authorities have discovered that the motorcyclist was rear-ended by the BMW and was dragged by half a mile onto the highway.Furthermore, the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries, and first responders immediately transported him to the hospital.Unfortunately, due to the severity of his injuries, the motorcyclist did not survive, and he was pronounced dead.Meanwhile, the BMW continued to drive and pulled over to the intersection of Broadway and Arvada, where witnesses saw three people leave the BMW. A portion of the roadway was temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.Moreover, an additional investigation showed that the motorcycle ...

Federal officer shot in Oakland ambush testifies as alleged Boogaloo follower trial opens

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

In courtroom testimony Friday that left him choking back tears, a federal security officer shot during a social justice protest in late May 2020 described the attack as a complete surprise – one that left his body riddled with bullet holes and his partner lying dead just a few feet away.He didn’t even hear the gunshots before finding himself lying on the ground and bleeding.“I just felt getting hit, and getting knocked down,” Sombat Mifkovic recalled from the witness stand.“I called out to my partner and he was not responsive.”The officer’s words highlighted the opening day of testimony in the trial of Robert Alvin Justus Jr., a 33-year-old Millbrae man accused of helping in the shooting of Mifkovic and  the assassination of another Federal Protective Services security officer. Authorities suspect it was all inspired by the far-right, anti-government Boogaloo movement, whose members are known to post online about an impending start of a second American Civil War.Justus faces f...

The nine most expensive homes reported sold in Oakland in the week of Aug. 28

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

A house in Oakland that sold for $1.4 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Oakland in the past week.In total, nine residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $1.1 million. The average price per square foot ended up at $732.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Aug. 28 even if the property may have been sold earlier.9. $375,000, condominium in the 800 block of York StreetThe sale of the condominium in the 800 block of York Street in Oakland has been finalized. The price was $375,000, and the new owners took over the condominium in July. The condominium was built in 1975 and has a living area of 621 square feet. The price per square foot was $604. The condominium features one bedrooms and one bathrooms.York Street8. $730,000, condominium in the 600 block of Athol Ave.The 1,096 square-foot condominium in the 600 block of At...

Letters: Transit funding | Good faith | Taiwan and UN | Founders’ standards

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Transit needs betterfunding source than tollsRe: “Bridge toll hike plan faces big divide” (Page A1, Aug. 28).As an urban planner, I’m gratified to see this article about an important topic. However, the impact of toll increases on lower-income people is not only about the tolls themselves.Higher tolls are an opportunity cost that impedes families from exploring the Bay Area. Fares for a whole family on BART are prohibitive. Piling into the car and crossing the bridge is probably cheaper. Too many people do not explore outside their neighborhoods because of financial (and other) barriers.Also, tolls are a regressive tax. A more progressive means of raising transit money is needed.Michael CassidyOaklandLafayette making goodfaith housing effortRe: “Places like Lafayette cause gentrification” (Page A6, Sept. 1).Perhaps Valerie Sloven of Pleasant Hill should spend more time worry...

Letters: Suffering in ACC | Land grab | Sites Reservoir | Immigration policy | Pharmaceutical profits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Stanford footballwill suffer in the ACCRe: “Greed has led to death knell of college football” (Page A1, Sept. 3).Thank you, Dieter Kurtenbach, for your sage observations of how greed is killing what was great about college football and local college culture.To the ACC leadership, most of us on the West Coast didn’t care about your schools before. Cal and Stanford joining you from 2,500 to 3,000 miles away doesn’t change that.To Cal and Stanford leadership, I wonder what beneficial influence 10- to 12-hour round trip flights could possibly have on your student-athletes (and staff and their families)? How might it influence students’ grades and ability to study well and attend classes? I wouldn’t approve of my student-athlete child joining your teams. Since we won’t be watching, we also won’t notice the absent alumni in ACC stands.In addition, your teams will...

Bay Area home prices could be falling. Here's why:

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

(KRON) -- Due to fewer homes being listed for sale and a strengthening labor market, mortgage rates are still hovering near 20-year highs. However, economists say we may be heading toward a more balanced market.Senior Zillow Economist, Orphe Divounguy, details a trend that Zillow says is actually resulting in a growth in home values that has continued through the summer. The combination of high mortgage rates and low inventory across the country is keeping potential homebuyers off the market and sellers in their homes."Zillow research shows that 70 percent of homeowners and sellers end up buying again. And, so a lot of these homeowners are sitting on the sideline, enjoying near-record home equity and choosing not to move," said Divounguy.According to Divounguy, nationwide home values appreciated more than 1.5 percent through the summer, and he expects that number to grow to 6.5 percent by next July.In the Bay Area, Divounguy forecasts prices rising 2.5 percent."A recent Zillow surve...

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect in DC area for the evening, including large hail and flooding

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

The storms dumped large hail on Aldie, Virginia. (Courtesy Elizabeth Little) The storms dumped large hail on Aldie, Virginia. (Courtesy Elizabeth Little) A week of extreme heat is followed up by a Friday night and weekend of on-and-off showers. Part of the D.C. region could be seeing severe weather on Friday evening, with flash floods and the potential for hail in some areas. Here’s what you need to know.The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 7:15 p.m. in Northwestern Prince William County, Southeastern Loudoun County and Northwestern Fairfax County in Virginia. This storm includes 60 mph winds gusts and two-inch hail.The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thund...

Missouri constitutional amendment would ban local gun laws, limit minors’ access to firearms

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The Democratic stronghold of St. Louis and other cities in the Republican-leaning state of Missouri would be blocked from cracking down on guns under a newly proposed constitutional amendment. A petition for a November 2024 vote on the proposal, filed this week, also would require parents’ permission for minors to use and carry firearms. Missouri currently has no age restrictions on gun use and possession, although federal law largely prohibits minors from carrying handguns.The proposed measure makes exceptions to the parental permission rule in case of emergencies and for members of the military. Each branch of the military requires that people be at least 17 years old in order to enlist.Paul Berry, a suburban St. Louis Republican, filed the proposal with the secretary of state’s office in response to efforts by the city to sidestep the state Legislature and impose restrictions on gun use. “Constitutional rights should apply to all individuals of th...