US hikes tariffs on imports of Chinese solar wafers, polysilicon and tungsten products

By ELAINE KURTENBACH BANGKOK (AP) — The Biden administration plans to raise tariffs on solar wafers, polysilicon and some tungsten products from China to protect U.S. clean energy businesses. The notice from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said tariffs on Chinese-made solar wafers and polysilicon will rise to 50% from 25% and duties on certain tungsten products will increase from zero to 25%, effective on Jan. 1, following a review of Chinese trade practices under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. The decision followed a public comment period after the USTR said in September that it was considering such actions. “The tariff increases announced today will further blunt the harmful policies and practices by the People’s Republic of China,” USTR Katharine Tai said in a statement. “These actions will complement the domestic investments made under the Biden-Harris Administration to promote a clean energy economy, while increasing the resilience of critical supply chains.” Reports Thursday said U.S. and Chinese officials were meeting this week and next for trade talks ahead of the year’s end. China’s Commerce Ministry took aim Thursday at the approval by the

NBA report admits two missed calls late in Warriors-Rockets, but not one that set Steve Kerr off

Steve Kerr was extremely upset about a foul call late in the Warriors’ NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the Rockets Wednesday night, and the NBA on Thursday confirmed the official’s call. Jonathan Kuminga was called for a foul during a loose ball situation near the free-throw line on the Warriors’ offensive side of the court with 3.5 seconds left and Golden State leading by a point. In a chaotic moment, Steph Curry took and missed a 3-pointer with 9 seconds left on the shot clock and 12 seconds to play, then Gary Payton II and Fred VanVleet went to the ground for the ball before Payton pushed it toward Kuminga near the free-throw line. Jalen Green cut in front of Kuminga to pounce on the ball and Kuminga made what appeared to be common contact with his shoulder as he reached to tie up the ball before the Rockets wing could take a timeout. Referee Bill Kennedy called a foul on Kuminga, Green sunk both free throws and Jabari Smith Jr. blocked Brandin Podziemski’s last-second 3-point attempt to advance the Rockets to the NBA Cup

Willy Adames, Buster Posey outline SF Giants’ lofty World Series aspirations

SAN FRANCISCO — There are plenty of numbers that can encapsulate Willy Adames’ impact as a player. The totality of those numbers — 150 home runs, 472 RBIs, .766 OPS, 15 outs above average, 21.5 WAR — equated to the largest contract in franchise history. There are no numbers, however, that encapsulate Willy Adames’ impact as a person. “To win championships, you have to have personalities like Willy that are able to identify with everybody in the clubhouse,” said president of baseball operations Buster Posey. “That’s not just players. I’ve heard from multiple people that Willy treats everybody with the utmost respect. He plays with energy. He plays with joy. And I know that our fans are going to just be thrilled to watch him compete on a daily basis.” Posey is far from the only person to praise Adames’ personality since the shortstop officially signed his seven-year, $182 million contract with the Giants. At the Winter Meetings in Dallas, Pat Murphy, Adames’ manager last season with the Brewers, said “the human being that he is, that’s what makes him great.” Craig Counsell, who managed

Walk of Fame Star Honoring Jude Law Unveiled

A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled Thursday honoring actor Jude Law for a film career that includes two Oscar nominations. David Lowery, who directed Law in “Peter Pan & Wendy” and two episodes of the Disney+ “Star Wars” series “Skeleton Crew,” and Jurnee Smollett, a castmate of Law in his latest film, “The Order,” were among those joining Law at the ceremony at 6840 Hollywood Blvd., next to the El Capitan Theatre. “Some of you here and many, many others that I’ve collaborated with over 30 years, people who I’ve learned from and been encouraged by, guided by, inspired by — they’re the reason I have this star, and I want to thank them,” Law said during the ceremony. The ceremony came six days after the premiere of “The Order,” based on the true story of the FBI’s investigation of a white supremacist terrorist group in the early 1980s. Law is also among its producers. The star is the 2,798th since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961 with the initial 1,558 stars and the last of 2024. Born

LA County Honors, Buries 1,865 Unclaimed Dead from 2021

Under a gray sky, a crowd of people joined Los Angeles County elected leaders Thursday in an annual non-denominational, interfaith ceremony to lay to rest some 1,865 unclaimed individuals who died in 2021. The Board of Supervisors, along with the Department of Health Services, the Office of Decedent Affairs and Los Angeles General Medical Center Chaplains, ran the service at the L.A. County Cemetery. “This ceremony is one of the more special and important things that we do as a county, upholding our commitment since 1896 that everyone in Los Angeles County, no matter their means, is laid to rest with respect and dignity,” Supervisor Janice Hahn said. Thursday’s Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead marked the first time since the coronavirus pandemic that the county lifted the cap on the number of attendees. It was also live-streamed on online. “It matters that so many of us are here, both physically and virtually, to appreciate the lives and mourn the deaths of these 1,865 individuals,” Hahn said. “They may be complete strangers to us, but we know they are no less worthy of our recognition,” she

McDonald’s tipster in CEO’s shooting could get up to $60,000. But when?

December 12, 2024 / 5:57 PM EST / CBS/AP Person of interest flagged in CEO killing Person in McDonald’s tipped police about person of interest in CEO killing, sources say 15:29 More than 400 tips were called into the New York Police Department’s Crime Stoppers tip line during the five-day search for a masked gunman who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week.  NYPD officials said about 30 of those tips were useful as information about the gunman’s movements before and after the Dec. 4 shooting. But it wasn’t until a 911 call came in from a McDonald’s employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday that police zeroed in on their suspect. The FBI and the Crime Stoppers program have offered up to $60,000 to anyone with a tip leading to a break in the case.  Police and prosecutors moved quickly to  arrest and charge  Luigi Mangione, 26, but it could take time before the McDonald’s tipster gets a financial reward for assisting in the case. Additionally, the employee might not take home the full $60,000, after paying taxes on the reward. And if other tipsters

Trump administration tracker shows his latest top staff picks

  Updated 41m ago Deputy secretary of state for management and resources: Michael J. Rigas Trump on Dec. 11 tapped Michael J. Rigas as deputy secretary of state for management and resources. “Michael will bring accountability to the State Department as he did Government wide, when he served in my First Term as the Deputy and Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and the Acting Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget,” Trump wrote.   Updated 41m ago Ambassador to Colombia: Daniel J. Newlin Trump on Dec. 11 announced he will nominate Daniel Newlin to serve as ambassador to Colombia. “A highly accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and former Sheriff’s Detective, Dan boasts an impressive 28-year career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida,” Trump said. Newlin is also the founder of the Florida-based Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys. “With his Law Enforcement expertise enabling him to navigate complex international issues, and his business insights fostering economic partnerships, Newlin stands as a powerful advocate for U.S. interests, and a Champion for strengthening ties, and making a difference in the

California authorities to begin issuing tickets for this common parking violation

A one-year grace period regarding a common parking violation is coming to an end, and beginning Jan. 1, California authorities will begin issuing tickets for vehicle owners caught “daylighting.” Assembly Bill 413, also known as the “California Daylighting Law,” took effect at the start of 2024 and prohibits parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk or 15 feet of a crosswalk with extended curbs — only on the side where cars approach the intersection. Until now, violators received warnings unless the curb was painted red or a sign explicitly prohibited parking. But in 2025, that warning period is coming to an end. Law enforcement officials hope the new law will protect pedestrians from collisions by making them more visible to drivers. “The concept is simple. Pedestrian safety is vastly improved by removing vehicles that are close to intersections and crosswalks,” said the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, which issued an alert Thursday to remind residents of the daylighting rules. This illustration shows California parking restrictions at intersections before and after the passage of Assembly Bill 413, also known as the California Daylighting Law. Vehicles parked close

What’s the solution to L.A.’s homelessness problem? This USC study may have found one

From election results to the actions by the governor to the feelings of those walking and driving the streets — one thing is clear: The people of Los Angeles want a solution to the county’s homelessness problem. According to United Way Greater Los Angeles, a new study conducted by the University of Southern California’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute may have found a path toward that solution. The study, presented to the new Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA) on Thursday, found a correlation between homeless populations and investment in publicly financed housing in the 150 largest metro areas in the U.S. L.A., the second-largest metro in the country, had a low level of investment and high rate of homelessness, the study found. “During the 2017-2020 period, an average of almost 350 individuals per 100,000 residents were counted as unsheltered homeless in L.A.,” the study reads. “This rate is more than three times higher than New York’s rate of unsheltered homelessness (a100 per 100,000 residents), and the remaining metros exhibit rates that are considerably lower than that, spanning from only ~20 per 100,000 in

REVIEW: Pamela Anderson shines in career defining ‘The Last Showgirl’

(NEXSTAR) — Earlier this fall, director Coralie Fargeat’s horror comedy “The Substance” made waves for its phantasmagoric take on the perennial chew-them-up-spit-them-out tale of actresses in Hollywood — and of women outside of the movies. This Friday, Gia Coppola’s third feature film, “The Last Showgirl” hits theaters and takes another look at the prices women pay for their careers and for beauty. “The Last Showgirl” follows star Pamela Anderson as Shelley, a 57 year-old Las Vegas dancer whose once legendary ensemble act is coming to end. Though once the star of the show, she’s been a supporting player for decades. Shelley’s dedication to the show — which she views as a moving art piece akin to the cabarets of Paris — is at odds with everyone else’s view of the show as a dated dime-a-dozen Vegas act with naked girls. YouTube TV is raising its prices (again) We learn that Shelley’s dedication to her dancing resulted in a chaotic and unstable home life for her now-college aged daughter Hannah (Billie Lourd), who’s been raised by family friends. As Hannah re-enters her life after a year

Cops visit Calabasas home of murdered doctor’s ex-wife

Two days after a pair of arrests were made in the ambush-style murder of a Los Angeles doctor, authorities appear to be raiding the home of his ex-wife. In August, Dr. Hamid Mirshojae, 61, was killed by a gunman at the Warner Plaza Medical Center, located at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Oxnard Street, as he walked to his car. Arrests made in ambush-style murder of beloved Southern California doctor On Tuesday, 41-year-old Tomball, Texas, resident Evan Hardman and 40-year-old Reseda resident Rose Sweeting were arrested in connection with the killing, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Law enforcement officials searched a Calabasas home on Dec. 12, 2024. (KTLA) Law enforcement officials searched a Calabasas home on Dec. 12, 2024. (KTLA) The investigation may be ongoing, however, as on Thursday, law enforcement could be seen raiding a Calabasas home that property records show belongs to Ahang Zarrinkelk, Mirshojae’s ex-wife. Check back for updates to this developing story.

Carson Palmer is the new football coach at Santa Margarita

(Kevin Merida / Los Angeles Times) Dec. 12, 2024 Updated 2:46 PM PT Carson Palmer, a Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback, is the new football coach at his alma mater, Santa Margarita High School. Palmer’s hiring was confirmed by the school Thursday. Palmer was a volunteer coach for the freshman team last season, when his son was playing quarterback. Santa Margarita ended up 5-7 this season after coach Anthony Rouzier was placed on administrative leave in early October following a locker room incident. Defensive coordinator Steve Fifita served as interim coach. Santa Margarita president Andy Sulik released this statement on Rouzier: “Earlier this year, Coach Rouzier reported an incident to the administration that involved allegations of student misconduct in the locker room, and he was then placed on a leave of absence related to the incident. There has been confusion in the community that has led to some unintended misperceptions. His leave had nothing to do with any concerns by us that Coach Rouzier personally posed a threat to any of his players’ safety and well being. “Coach Rouzier worked to create an environment

‘Vanderpump Rules’ alum James Kennedy arrested in Burbank on suspicion of domestic violence

James Kennedy, a DJ and longtime cast member of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules,” was arrested Tuesday in Burbank on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. The 32-year-old reality TV personality (full name James Kennedy Georgiou) was arrested after officers arrived at a residence in the area around 11:30 p.m., responding to a call about an argument between a man and a woman, a Burbank Police Department spokesperson said in a statement to The Times. “The investigation determined it was a domestic incident, leading to Mr. Georgiou’s arrest,” the spokesperson said. Kennedy was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence and released after posting $20,000 in bail, according to TMZ, which first reported the arrest. Charges are pending investigation by the Burbank City Attorney’s Office. A representative for Kennedy did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment. Kennedy joined the cast of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” in 2014, a year after its 2013 debut. He has appeared in more than 190 episodes, according to IMDb, and will be among the original stars bidding farewell to the series as it revamps its cast ahead of Season 12. Amid

California lawmaker questioned in sprawling cannabis corruption investigation

Documents made public by the U.S. attorney’s office last week allege that a public official who fits the profile of state Sen. Susan Rubio was part of sprawling cannabis bribery scheme when she served on the Baldwin Park City Council and campaigned for state office in 2018. Rubio, a Democrat, said through a spokesman that she “has no reason to believe that she would be included in any criminal allegations.” The documents do not name Rubio, but they describe a public official who fits her profile: someone who was in a position to terminate the Baldwin Park city attorney in 2017 and 2018, and was running for state office through November of 2018. Rubio is the only Baldwin Park official whose experience matches those criteria. The information was revealed in a plea agreement in which former Baldwin Park City Atty. Robert Tafoya admitted his role in a cannabis bribery scheme and agreed to cooperate in ongoing public corruption investigations. Edgar Cisneros, the former city manager of Commerce, also pleaded guilty in the plot in which local officials allegedly took bribes to hand out permits for

Morgan Wallen sentenced as part of plea deal in Nashville chair-tossing incident

Morgan Wallen is going to serve time in Tennessee. But not exactly behind bars — and definitely not in a bar. The country singer entered a conditional plea Thursday in Davidson County Circuit Court to two misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment after an April incident where he was arrested on suspicion of throwing a chair from six floors up in downtown Nashville. Judge Cynthia C. Chappell sentenced Wallen to seven days’ incarceration at a DUI Education Center, two years’ probation, a $350 fine and payment of court fees, his lawyer told The Times. The conditional plea means that “upon the successful completion of his probation, the charges will be eligible for dismissal and expungement,” his attorney Worrick Robinson IV said in a statement Thursday. “Mr. Wallen has cooperated fully with authorities throughout these last eight months, directly communicating and apologizing to all involved,” Robinson said. “Mr. Wallen remains committed to making a positive impact through his music and foundation.” The chair that Wallen threw from the sixth floor of Chief’s Bar, which is co-owned by country singer Eric Church, landed within feet of two Metro

Amid intimidation claims, Wells Fargo investigators vote to unionize

Wells Fargo employees who review customer complaints and workplace issues have voted to unionize. The move is the latest in a campaign to organize workers at the San Francisco-based bank, which is notable in an industry that historically has had low rates of unionization. After a legal back-and-forth over the vote, in which the bank contested the validity of ballots cast by former employees, the National Labor Relations Board certified the election results on Tuesday. Members of the conduct management department voted 21-16 in favor of joining the union. “We look forward to creating an open dialogue with Wells Fargo to improve working conditions in our department,” said Roslynn Berkeland, an investigations associate at Wells Fargo, according to a news release by the Communications Workers of America, the parent union affiliated with Wells Fargo Workers United. The lead-up to the vote was contentious. After workers announced in early September their intent to hold a vote, bank officials disparaged the union drive in meetings and in emails to employees, current and former members of the conduct management department told The Times in interviews. On Oct. 1

Pair sentenced in violent two-day crime spree that spanned county

A man and woman who took part in a crime spree that included shootings and carjackings stretching from Imperial Beach to Encinitas were sentenced Thursday to lengthy state prison terms. Calvin Brown, 27, was convicted by a San Diego Superior Court jury and separately pleaded guilty to around two dozen counts related to various crimes on July 3 and July 5, 2023. Brown, who was convicted of crimes that included assault with a firearm, carjacking, hit-and-run, robbery and animal cruelty, was sentenced Thursday to 59 years and eight months in prison. His co-defendant, 20-year-old Rolaena Blunt, pleaded guilty to assault with a firearm, carjacking and robbery for her role in the July 5 crimes and was sentenced Thursday to a stipulated term of 10 years and eight months in prison. Prosecutors say the spree began on July 3, when Brown smashed one person’s car windshield in the East Village, then carjacked a separate East Village resident and led police on a high-speed chase throughout South Bay in the resident’s stolen BMW. Two days later, Brown went to an Imperial Beach home and shot a woman

3 men say in lawsuits that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs drugged and sexually assaulted them

By PHILIP MARCELO NEW YORK (AP) — Three men sued Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York on Thursday, claiming the hip-hop mogul drugged and raped them. Related Articles National News | What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey? National News | McDonald’s employee who called 911 in CEO’s shooting is eligible for a reward, but it will take time National News | ‘Zero progress’: Western states at impasse in talks on Colorado River water shortages National News | Florida lawmakers propose rolling back gun control laws passed after Parkland shooting National News | Ex-FBI informant accused of lying about Bidens agrees to plead guilty to federal charges The lawsuits, which were filed anonymously in a state court, add to a wave of sexual assault litigation against the rapper, producer and record executive as he also faces federal sex trafficking charges in New York. Thomas Giuffra, a New York attorney who filed Thursday’s lawsuits on the men’s behalf, said Combs used his power and wealth to take advantage of the accusers and then ensured their silence through threats and fear.

Perris checks out its library after $1.2M renovation

Perris’ public library opened at the tail end of the grunge era, which might be an appropriate comparison given its recent state. Not grungy, really. But dated. “It was 30 years old and looked it. It was well used,” Malcolm Corona, a councilmember and regular library user, told me wryly. “I recall it as archaic as the one when I was growing up in East L.A.,” said Michael Vargas, the mayor. “The furniture was antique.” These conversations took place last week inside the newly transformed Cesar Chavez Perris Branch Library. In a $1.2 million overhaul, the library got new paint, lighting, ceiling, restrooms, chairs and tables, reception desk, carpet, tile flooring and computers. “It’s not only new furniture, design and paint but new technology, public art and even history, with our recent statue,” said Clara Miramontes, the city manager. The statue of Chavez outside was dedicated last summer for the library’s 30th anniversary. And by public art she was referring to an interior mural, now in progress, by Patrick Barwinski that includes Chavez. As careful readers will recall, I had wandered over to the library

Israeli strike in Gaza kills 25 people as US makes new push for a ceasefire

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike hit the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing at least 25 Palestinians and wounding dozens more, Palestinian medics said, as U.S. President Joe Biden’s two top national security officials were in the region making a renewed push for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The strike on a multistory residential building in the Nuseirat refugee camp was just the latest in a series of Israeli attacks throughout Gaza that killed at least 54 Palestinians since late Wednesday night. Palestinian officials at two of Gaza’s remaining medical centers, Al-Awda Hospital in the north and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the center, reported together receiving 25 bodies from the Nuseirat strike — which also wounded 40 people, most of them children. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the deadly strike. Israel is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza. The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. The U.N. General Assembly’s member nations approved a new resolution this week demanding an immediate

Chance of scattered showers Thursday, ‘king tides’ return this weekend

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Temperatures have cooled down compared to earlier this week as onshore flow returns, meaning there is a chance for a few sprinkles Thursday evening.  A low-pressure trough sliding through Northern California will increase cloud cover further south and lead to scattered showers later this afternoon across San Diego County.  A brief history of high wind events in San Diego County Minimal rain accumulation is expected with totals likely a few hundredths of an inch of rain. The timing of light showers is set between 4 p.m. Thursday into the late evening hours.  A wind advisory is in place the remainder of the day for mountains and deserts as gusty westerly winds set up ahead of this system. Sustained winds could be anywhere from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts pushing higher than 50 in the afternoon.  Power restored to all SDG&E customers after Red Flag Warning Friday is dry with a mix of sunshine and clouds with temperatures in the mid-60s for the coast and inland valleys, upper 50s in the mountains and upper 60s in the deserts.