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Rep. Jodeh: If “cease-fire” becomes taboo, what’s next, “peace”?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

The images of mass graves, dead babies, grieving families, and absolute destruction have left me numb, enraged, depressed, and in shock.I am Palestinian. They are Palestinian. I feel helpless.Even as an elected official, I feel helpless. And my Jewish colleagues have expressed the same feeling of helplessness.And like many, I have cried for peace — cried out for an end to the violence, an end to the carnage, an end to this cycle of killing. I know I am not alone. And yet – there has been incredible pushback over the calls for cessation of violence, and specifically around one word, “ceasefire.”And though I have spoken to many, I am left wondering, “Is asking for a ceasefire unreasonable? Is even using the word “ceasefire” unreasonable? Why is wanting an end to the violence so inflammatory?”This past week, I penned an open letter addressed to the Colorado congressional delegation to urge the administration to push for an immediate, bilateral cease-fire.The letter, says th...

LAX passenger arrives on international flight without passport, visa, ticket: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

A Russian man flew from Europe to LAX without a passport, visa or plane ticket last month, and officials have no idea how he did it. Neither, it seems, does the man himself.Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava faces a charge of being a stowaway on an aircraft related to a Nov. 4 flight, but according to a report by Jason Koebler published jointly by 404 Media and Court Watch, he "was not a stowaway in the traditional sense.""[Ochigava] seemingly interacted with flight crew, ate two meals on the plane, spoke to other passengers on the flight, and, at one point 'attempted to eat the chocolate that belonged to members of the cabin crew,' Koebler wrote. "The affidavit states that 'most' of the crew noticed him on the plane, and said he was sitting in a few different seats, but that nothing else seemed amiss."Despite being very visible to many on the plane, Ochigava, an economist, had apparently evaded security in Copenhagen, Denmark, from which his flight departed.Ochigava was not on the fligh...

Smögen Appetizers At Vintage Wine + Eats Is Blowing The Lid Off The Traditional Bagel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

It’s only been six weekends as a pop-up at Vintage Wine + Eats in Studio City and the locals already are lining up on Ventura Boulevard for the fresh and colorful Swedish-style open-faced sandwiches from Smögen Appetizers that are a fish lover’s dream. These San Fernando halves rival any of the hipster bagel joints on the West Side.Zach Werner’s unique concept offers an upscale spin on the traditional bagel and smoked fish offering in a cozy wine bar packed with families on the weekend that also features an internationally diverse champagne and wine list.The Joint Venture (Courtesy Smögen Appetizers)Made in the Tex Mex kitchen of El Tejano, the foundation of Werner’s naturally leavened sourdough is a bagel that undergoes a 25-hour process to create an airy and crispy anchor for the colorful toppings that reflect Werner’s Miami background and wife Monica Glass’ Colombian roots. Vintage Wine + Eats owner Joe Barker opens his wine bar to the Werners on weekends and provides them with ...

An Inside Look into Actress Erica Papasergi’s Incredible Journey From Small Island to L.A. 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

Films have come a long way since the days of Louis Le Prince’s Roundhay Garden Scene, but the primary motivation behind its purpose has never wavered — to bring stories to life. Storytelling is nearly as old as human civilization, so it warrants little wonder why people are innately drawn to the movies where we can openly fawn over our favorite characters in action. And like some of the greatest actors in history, actress Erica Papasergi finds her adoration for film in the chance to embody darling personalities for the world to embrace.From her earliest memories, Papasergi recalls interests in numerous professions, ultimately assuming acting as an avenue to be anything she wanted. Acting feels like the career that lets you be a lawyer one week and a guitar player the next, learning invaluable skills with each role. Ultimately, the uncanny ability that movies have to teach, inspire, and heal formed Papasergi’s desire to enter the industry. However, breaking into the film ...

How Jen Alsehali’s Amé Living Redefines the Aesthetics of Skincare

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

In an industry where revolutionary ideas are as rare as they are impactful, Jen Alsehali, founder of Amé Living, has emerged as a new torchbearer, melding holistic wellness with skincare in a way that transforms industry norms.A Visionary’s Rise in the Wellness and Beauty SphereAlsehali’s journey is not just about creating another skincare line; it represents a comprehensive approach to beauty that intertwines skin health with overall well-being. By launching Amé Living, Alsehali merged her expertise as a licensed physical therapist with an innate understanding of beauty and wellness. The company’s mission resonates in a market that, as of 2023, is shifting towards personal care products that emphasize aesthetics, wellness, and sustainability.“Beauty is more than skin deep. It’s about the entire aura of a person – their health, their spirit, their approach to life,”says Alsehali. From an early age, Alsehali set out to link physical health and inner well...

Shaping Narratives From Doha to International Screens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

Amid the daily spectacle of tradition and commerce in Doha, filmmaker Noor Al-Nasr remains focused, using her camera to capture the spirit of Qatar. “Our stories,” she said, “are the essence of our past and the blueprint for our future.”Behind the scenes, Noor meticulously crafts her films, ensuring every frame tells a story that echoes Qatar’s soul and reaches out to the world. (Photos from Noor Al-Nasr)From Design to FilmNoor’s artistic journey began at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCUQ) with a focus on graphic design. It evolved through her Master’s studies at the Savannah College of Arts and Design University in Atlanta, Georgia. This educational path sharpened her visual communication skills and set the stage for her transition into the film industry. “Design was my first language. But now, cinema is my voice,” she reflects. Her acclaimed short film, “Dana’s Kite,” is a vibrant portrayal of Qatar’s gen...

Bay Area Travel: A holiday weekend getaway to Sausalito

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

Craving an escape from the holiday hoopla — the hustle, the bustle, the endless to-do lists? Just over the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito may just be the most charming village on San Francisco Bay, and the perfect destination for a holiday day trip, winter weekend jaunt or destination for out-of-town guests.With its distinctive Mediterranean flair and famous panoramic views of the Bay and San Francisco’s city skyline, Sausalito is also known for its elegant, Victorian-era homes, rising up woodsy, steep-sided hills, and historic storefronts, many dating to a more rough-and-tumble era in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Massive marinas crowded with sailboats, yachts and colorful houseboats line the town’s waterfront, and a grand promenade with renowned seafood restaurants perched on piers beckon day-trippers with fancy food and sublime views.It’s this charming storybook setting that has made Sausalito world famous over the years, drawing throngs of weekend tourists, who cr...

Travel Troubleshooter: I’m still waiting on a refund from a canceled pandemic flight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I booked two tickets to Paris on British Airways through Flight Network in 2020. British Airways canceled the flight because of the pandemic.I have tried for years to get a refund from Flight Network, but after numerous calls and emails, I have not received the money. Can you help me?— Erika Eng, Arlington Heights, IllinoisChristopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter ANSWER: You’re kidding! It’s been almost four years since the start of the pandemic, and you’re still waiting for your money back? That’s got to be a new record.So, what went wrong? You booked your tickets through Flight Network, a Canadian online travel agency. (I publish the names, numbers and email addresses of Flight Network’s executives on my consumer advocacy site.) Flight Network has some of the worst online reviews I’ve ever seen, but that’s not the reason for your delay.The pandemic was a disaster for airlines. They canceled flig...

Crash or climb? Jobs may decide fate of California home prices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

Will California housing’s future be a crash, correction, cooling – or a climb?Some folks are antsy about potential price tumbles. One poll found nearly half of Americans fear a housing crash in 2024. So my trusty spreadsheet looked at California home price history back to 1975 to see what might power the next move.The analysis eyeballed gyrations in a California price index from the Federal Housing Finance Agency against the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage from Freddie Mac and inflation as tallied by the Consumer Price Index. Plus, we gauged home-price changes vs. statewide unemployment rate and the total income of Californians, minus inflation, as a benchmark for the broad economy.This history lesson reminds us to keep our eyes on the job market. Paychecks are housing’s secret sauce.Winners and losersTo make this math relatively simple, the spreadsheet compared one-year periods when the California price index fell vs. when it was rising.In the 187 quarters studied, 47 had price...

Minnesota judge sets aside murder conviction of Marvin Haynes, man imprisoned as teen for 2004 flower shop killing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:51 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota judge sets aside murder conviction of Marvin Haynes, man imprisoned as teen for 2004 flower shop killing.Source