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Bill to punish oil companies for high gas prices breezes through California Senate

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

A first-in-the-nation bill to punish oil companies for profiting from price spikes at the pump breezed through the California Senate on Thursday at the urging of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, the first major vote in an effort to pass the law by month's end.The proposal is in response to sales last summer, when the average price of a gallon of gasoline in California soared to a record high $6.44. Drivers in some places paid as much as $8 per gallon, prompting widespread outrage in an election year.Newsom, a Democrat seen as a possible presidential candidate beyond 2024, reacted by attacking the oil industry, specifically the five companies that provide 97% of gasoline in the state. He asked the Democratic-controlled state Legislature to pass a new tax on oil company profits, arguing it would protect consumers by preventing price spikes. Newsom: ‘oil company extortion’ behind disproportionately rising gas prices in California That idea went nowhere in the Legislature, as lawmakers f...

7 arrested after jewelry store robbery; second time business has been targeted in a year

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

The Manhattan Beach Police Department has arrested seven individuals in connection with a smash and grab robbery at Pasha Fine Jewelry in Manhattan Beach on Wednesday evening. This is the second time that the store has been robbed in the last year. In June 2022, Pasha Fine Jewelry was targeted when as many as ten thieves robbed the business during a brazen midday heist. Multiple suspects entered the store around 5:50 p.m. Wednesday evening and used hammers to break display cases before fleeing the store with miscellaneous merchandise, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department. No shots were fired despite multiple suspects appearing to be armed with handguns. The suspects were able to escape into “awaiting vehicles” and left the scene in an alley. Approximately two hours later, Manhattan Beach Police Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle involved in the robbery. The driver failed to yield, and the subsequent pursuit ended in the City of Los Angeles,...

Heads up! Asteroid expected to pass close to Earth on Saturday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

Scientists looking to observe asteroids will get a rare chance this weekend. According to NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, a newly discovered asteroid -- which is known as a Near-Earth Object -- will "safely" pass within only 100,000 miles on Saturday.NASA defines Near-Earth Objects as "comets and asteroids that have been nudged by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits that allow them to enter the Earth’s neighborhood."The office says the asteroid, named 2023 DZ2, measures between 140 feet and 310 feet in diameter. "While close approaches are a regular occurrence, one by an asteroid of this size (140-310 ft) happens only about once per decade, providing a unique opportunity for science," the office said. The asteroid, which was first observed on Jan. 14, will pass between the Earth and the Moon's orbit. It is considered to be an Apollo-class asteroid, meaning its diameter is less than 10 kilometers in size. These asteroids' orbits pass through Earth...

From Rejection to Resilience: How StandOut Resume Helps Restore Confidence and Motivation In Their Clients

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

It’s not uncommon for individuals to feel defeated and question their worth after facing multiple rejections or being laid off. Constant rejection can take a toll on one’s mental health and self-esteem, causing feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness. This can be especially challenging for individuals who have worked hard to build a career and have invested a significant amount of time and effort into their professional development. The job search process can be long and grueling, with many applicants facing countless rejections before finally landing a job. It’s important to acknowledge that these experiences can be incredibly disheartening and lead to losing confidence in one’s abilities and skills. However, companies like StandOut Resume provide the support and guidance needed to help individuals overcome these difficulties and regain their confidence in their job search journey.StandOut Resume is a professional resume writing service that helps clients s...

Author/Leadership Expert Kyle McDowell: How Corporate America Can Inspire – Not Terrify – Our Workforce

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

Catching up with Kyle McDowell, the best-selling author of Begin With We: 10 Principles for Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence, takes some tricky planning. McDowell maintains a strict schedule these days, plane-hopping around America, meeting with CEOs, and delivering keynotes to thousands of people. His goal is to do the seemingly impossible: redefine the work culture inside corporations, whose leaders have for years relied upon fear to lead their employees. McDowell’s framework for a new era of business relies on one idea: “WE” is far more important than “me.” With his new book leading the charts of USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon, he took some time out to talk about the secret to inspiring an apathetic workforce: trust, empathy, and authentic leadership.“Stop me if you have ever said this before: I just don’t feel energized or passionate about my job anymore,” says McDowell. “Every hand goes up in the room – it doesn’t matter if it’s an executive or ...

IN CONVERSATION WITH SHAZA MOHARAM, EGYPTIAN MULTI-HYPHENATE ACTOR-DIRECTOR

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

As a two-time Fulbright award recipient in acting and filmmaking, Shaza Moharam is a polymath when it comes to the world of the moving image. From her acclaimed role in the Egyptian/German film “Fakh” (The Trap), that was so well-received at its Cannes premiere, to her intimate award-winning debut documentary “Ahlam”, Moharam seems committed to excellence in all her work. No wonder she was recognized as Berlinale Talent, one of the world’s top 200 talents handpicked by the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.The young thespian opens up about her move to Hollywood, past career and future ambitions. In her eclectic Los Angeles home, Moharam appears poised and graceful, a big contrast to some of the characters she masterfully embodied on the big screen. In “Fakh”, she portrayed Aya, a disheveled working class young woman attempting to escape an abusive and unstable partner and in “The Giraffe”, a subdued girl perturbed by an inexplicable pregnancy she...

Poker in L.A.―the source of getting something from nothing

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

Poker is one of the oldest games in the world. Although it all started as a simple game of cards, it has now reached remarkable popularity. Poker can be played offline, in casinos, and the frequency is pretty impressive. According to statistics, global casinos and online gambling businesses reached 4,305 in 2023. At the same time, compared to last year’s dynamic, in 2023, the number of these businesses has increased by 5.1%, a considerable number of companies that provide gambling services.Poker is played all over the world, but there are no other experiences like the one in Los Angeles. The large poker rooms, the multitude of games and the variety of players will amaze you and make you feel like you are playing in Casino Royale next to James Bond.Origins of L.A. PokerPoker started being a thing around the 19th century. Shortly after, Californians were the most devoted players, but that had to stop after a while when poker was prohibited by law by the new legislature. Although in ma...

Five Helpful Tips To Know Before Buying An Electric Vehicle

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

Electric vehicles are all the rage, with sales going up despite a market downturn. However, there are a few things you should know before switching from a fuel car to an electric vehicle. We spoke with Dwi Sutandar, an expert in this field, to gain a better understanding of EVs. Electric vehicles (EVs) are an environmentally friendly alternative to fuel cars and offer a great way for us to do our individual part in combating climate change. However, buying an electric vehicle is buying into a whole new lifestyle, one that may require you to make some adjustments.Before jumping headfirst into buying an EV, there are some things you should know to help you make a more informed purchase. Expert and entrepreneur in this field, Dwi Sutandar shares five tips here:1. Choose The Right EV For YouElectric vehicles is a broad term used to describe three different types of cars. There are Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), which are powered solely by an electric battery. Then there are Plug-in H...

Jeff Cefalia: A Master Builder Blending Passion and Precision in Real Estate Development

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

Jeff Cefalia, a native of Newport Beach, California, is a living testament to the power of determination, grit, and passion. From his early years as a national rowing champion to his current success as the founder and leader of Cefalia Development, Jeff has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence. In this article, we will explore the remarkable journey of Jeff Cefalia, a man who has not only achieved extraordinary success in the world of real estate development but has also redefined the standards of quality and design in the industry.The Foundation of a Master BuilderJeff’s journey began in Newport Beach, where he was born and raised. As a young man, he discovered the importance of mental toughness and grit when he won a rowing national championship. These invaluable life lessons would later serve as the bedrock for his future endeavors.Jeff attended the University of San Diego, where he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering. During this time, he...

The Wrinkle Room Celebrates the Life of L.A. Scene Queen Sean DeLear

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:57 GMT

As we wrote in our obit back in 2017, local punk singer/party queen Sean DeLear was a bright light in local music, art and nightlife circles, and a “ubiquitous L.A. scene-stealer.” Frequently covered in LA Weekly‘s notorious LA Dee Da column, SeanD, as we noted, did drag on his own terms, and he dazzled us all with his performance talents (in the band Glue) and just by existing, with a vivacious zest for life, in and out of dresses and heels.The Wrinkle Room, the new salon and performance lounge for L.A.’s creative elders (over 50) and their friends, presents its first live event, which should serve as a celebration of DeLear and a reunion for old school Silver Lake/Echo Park scenesters (this writer proudly identifies as part of the tribe) and those who revere them. All are welcome.Festivities include: a panel discussion about the just-released collection of stories I Could Not Believe It: The 1979 Diaries of SeanDeLear, published by Semiotext(e)/Native Agents featuring ...