Airstrip being build on Yemeni island next to ‘I LOVE UAE’ sign

By Jon Gambrell | Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea — As Yemen’s Houthi rebels continue to target ships in a Mideast waterway, satellite pictures analyzed by The Associated Press show what appears to be a new airstrip being built at an entrance to that crucial maritime route. No country has publicly claimed the construction taking place on Abd al-Kuri Island, a stretch of land rising out of the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. However, satellite images shot for the AP appear to show workers have spelled out “I LOVE UAE” with piles of dirt next to the runway, using an abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates. Both the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to which it leads have become a battleground between the Houthis and U.S.-led forces in the region as Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages — potentially allowing a nation to project its power into the area. The construction comes as the presence of troops from the Emirates in the Socotra island chain to which Abd al-Kuri belongs — and that of the

Best home deals in Fremont: In the week of March 18 top 10 list

A condo in Fremont that sold for $455,000 tops the list of the most affordable real estate sales in Fremont in the past week. For comparison, the overall average price of real estate in the area during that time was $1.5 million. The average price per square foot ended up at $971. A total of 35 home sales were recorded for the period with an average square footage of 1,519 square feet, 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms. The top 10 list below includes the best deals on real estate priced between $10-$10,000,000. Please note that the prices in the list below are for real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of March 18, even if the property may have been sold earlier. 10. $1.2 million, townhouse in the 41000 block of Cornac Terrace The sale of the townhouse in the 41000 block of Cornac Terrace in Fremont has been finalized. The price was $1,236,000, and the new owners took over the house in February. The house was built in 1972 and has a living area of 1,328 square feet. The price

Needle pain is a big problem for kids. One California doctor has a plan

April Dembosky, KQED | KFF Health News (TNS) Almost all new parents go through it: the distress of hearing their child scream at the doctor’s office. They endure the emotional torture of having to hold their child down as the clinician sticks them with one vaccine after another. “The first shots he got, I probably cried more than he did,” said Remy Anthes, who was pushing her 6-month-old son, Dorian, back and forth in his stroller in Oakland, California. “The look in her eyes, it’s hard to take,” said Jill Lovitt, recalling how her infant daughter Jenna reacted to some recent vaccines. “Like, ‘What are you letting them do to me? Why?’” Some children remember the needle pain and quickly start to internalize the fear. That’s the fear Julia Cramer witnessed when her 3-year-old daughter, Maya, had to get blood drawn for an allergy test at age 2. “After that, she had a fear of blue gloves,” Cramer said. “I went to the grocery store and she saw someone wearing blue gloves, stocking the vegetables, and she started freaking out and crying.” Pain management research

San Jose: Wrongful conviction lawsuit for exonerated man heads toward trial

SAN JOSE — A wrongful conviction lawsuit from a man incarcerated 17 years for a San Jose drive-by shooting — based on flimsy witness identifications that were later recanted — has been allowed to proceed toward trial by a federal judge. SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 15: Lionel Rubalcava, a free man for the first time in 17 years, looks up at the sky while embraced by his brother Rolando Rubalcava, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, outside the Main Jail in San Jose, Calif. His attempted murder conviction was dismissed after the Northern California Innocence Project disproved key eyewitness testimony that implicated him in a drive-by shooting in San Jose. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)  Lionel Rubalcava, 45, was exonerated with a finding of factual innocence in 2019 after the Northern California Innocence Project — run out of Santa Clara University — took on his case. Attorneys and students with the project convinced the Santa Clara County district attorney and public defender offices to revisit the conviction, which led to Rubalcava gaining his freedom. A year later, he filed a federal civil lawsuit against the city

For the first time in 60 years, Black Angus restaurants will serve brunch

For its one-month brunch celebration, Black Angus is offering not just French toast but its Signature Molasses Bread French Toast. (Photo courtesy of Black Angus)  Never has Black Angus served its steaks with eggs. Or turned its signature molasses bread into French toast. But starting Easter Sunday, the steakhouses will do just that, introducing brunch for the first time since the chain’s founding 60 years ago. All 32 U.S. locations — three in the Bay Area — will take part in this one-month celebration of the chain’s diamond anniversary. On weekends from March 31 to April 28, the brunch menu will offer Steak & Eggs (plus a Tomahawk & Eggs for two), Steak Breakfast Burrito, Steak Chilaquiles, a Classic American Breakfast with applewood-smoked bacon, plus a certified Angus beef Breakfast Burger topped with a cage-free, sunny-side-up egg. The warm molasses bread that customers fight over when it lands on the dinner table will be featured in both sweet and savory dishes: Avocado Toast with eggs and guacamole, and French Toast with maple syrup and strawberries. The bar will make classic brunch drinks, including Mimosas (orange

Michael Conforto extends SF Giants’ streak of Opening Day left fielders to 18

SAN DIEGO — The San Francisco Giants’ streak of different Opening Day left fielders lived to see another year. Receiving the honor this season was Michael Conforto, who got the nod in left field Thursday against the Padres, becoming the 18th different player to start at the position since Barry Bonds last did so in 2007. It was all but guaranteed once Blake Sabol, last year’s starter, was optioned to Triple-A. With Conforto a free agent after this season, the streak could easily reach 19 next year, which would match a 70-year-old MLB record for the most consecutive Opening Day starts by a different player at one position. That ignominious milestone is held by the St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles from 1937-1955. Reaching 18 years, the Giants took sole possession of second place on the list, passing the Padres, who also cycled through 17 different left fielders from 2005-2021. That streak was finally snapped by Juan Soto, who so happens to be a free agent this winter. The remainder of the Giants’ Opening Day lineup in San Diego was littered with their additions from this offseason.

SF Giants’ Opening Day roster include Joey Bart, but not Marco Luciano

SAN DIEGO — Joey Bart’s last day in the Giants’ organization hasn’t arrived yet. Finalizing their Opening Day roster Thursday morning, the Giants opted to carry three catchers, including the former second overall pick. While the team won’t carry three catchers all season, Bart cannot be sent to the minors without passing through waivers and the move potentially increases the chances he goes unclaimed. By using one of the 26 roster spots on Bart, the Giants will open the season with only 12 pitchers. The group includes Blake Snell, though the recently signed reigning Cy Young winner isn’t expected to pitch until at least the second turn through the rotation. Also among the pitchers to break camp with the big club was Landen Roupp, who started spring by not even throwing off a mound because of a back injury last year but pitched his way onto the big-league roster, likely as a swingman who can help lighten the load on the rotation that has at least two members — Snell and Keaton Winn — not at full strength to begin the season. Roupp, 25, and

Larry Magid: New Tesla offers lower price, upgraded tech

I have a confession to make. I sold my 2018 mid-range Model 3 and bought a 2024 Tesla Model 3, formerly code-named “Highland,” which offers greater range, a much quieter and more comfortable ride and other refinements. The reason I bought it this month was to take advantage of a temporary offer to transfer my so-called Full Self Driving (FSD) software from my old Tesla to the new one without having to pay $12,000 or $200 a month for the software. I’ll save the reason for my confession till I’m done reviewing the new car and the latest version of Tesla’s FSD software. More luxurious and less expensive Despite some minor outside cosmetic changes, the new 2024 Model 3 looks similar to the previous model, which has been mostly unchanged since it was introduced in 2017. The headlights are a bit slimmer, the fog lights have been removed and the car is more aerodynamic, which makes it more efficient. The car just seems better built. You can even hear and feel a difference when you close the door. It’s a lot more luxurious than it

How to motivate your lazy dog to get more exercise

By Leah Ingram | Associated Press Fat dog memes may be all the rage on TikTok, but there is nothing funny about an overweight dog. Like humans, dogs become susceptible to a whole host of health issues if they weigh too much. And too many pups do weigh too much. Around six in 10 dogs are overweight, so says the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Many dogs aren’t getting enough exercise on a regular basis. In time for April’s Canine Fitness Month, here are easy ways to motivate your lazy dog to move more. Reasons to exercise your dog on a regular basis You probably know that dogs need walks on a daily basis. However, do you know how long or frequent those walks should be? Well, it all depends on the size, breed and health of your dog. “A 15-minute walk once or twice a day with a two-year-old border collie probably isn’t going to be enough,” said Deborah Aronson, VMD, at the Main Line Veterinary Integrative Practice in Wynnewood, PA. She explained that border collies are high-energy dogs who need lots of exercise.

Pac-12 WBB: Previewing the Sweet 16 matchups as UCLA, Colorado stand in the way of Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese collision

The broader women’s basketball world, including network partners ABC and ESPN, is breathlessly waiting on an NCAA Tournament rematch between LSU and Iowa, the 2023 finalists. Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese with a Kim Mulkey sideshow would almost certainly generate an audience that blasts past  the 4.9-million viewers who tuned in ESPN for Iowa’s second-round game against West Virginia. Two teams stand in the way of that Elite Eight showdown: UCLA and Colorado, two of the Pac-12’s record-tying five teams in the Sweet 16. Both Pac-12 teams are underdogs, although No. 2 UCLA is higher seeded than No. 3 LSU. Colorado, which beat LSU to start this season, has a Sweet 16 rematch with Iowa, which eliminated the Buffaloes 87-77 last year. No. 1 seed USC and No. 2 Stanford are favored over No. 5 Baylor and No. 3 North Carolina State, respectively, while No. 3 Oregon State is an underdog against No. 2 Notre Dame. The Pac-12 also had five teams in the Sweet 16 in 2019, when Oregon advanced to the Final Four and Stanford to the Elite Eight, and in 2017. Three

7 amazing Bay Area things to do this weekend, March 29-31

Whether you’re celebrating Easter, the arrival of spring or just another great Bay Area weekend, we’ve got a lot of cool things for you to do and delicious things to eat and drink. So let’s get to it, shall we? As always, be sure to double check event and venue 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: SEE & HEAR: Sleater-Kinney roars back The great rock duo has a new album and two Bay Area shows this weekend. Here’s what guitarist/singer Carrie Brownstein has to say about the new music and tour. 2: COOK & DEVOUR: Chocolate heaven Easter, which arrives on Sunday, is always better with chocolate. And these wonderfully decadent desserts will make a lasting impression. Eat Bay icon Betty Reid Soskin is the subject of a new musical opening this weekend. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group archives)  3: SEE & HEAR: Icon inspires a musical Betty Reid Soskin, the revered Bay Area park ranger and civil rights

Former state Controller Betty Yee announces campaign for California governor

SACRAMENTO — California’s former Controller Betty Yee announced Wednesday she will run for governor in 2026, vying to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom against other major Democratic contenders in what will be the first open race for the state’s top office since 2018. If elected, Yee would be the first woman to become California’s governor. She is a San Francisco native born to Chinese immigrant parents. Yee, who currently serves as vice chair of the California Democratic Party, says she wants to tackle affordability, bring transparency to Sacramento and address the climate crisis. “Things in California just don’t add up anymore. Families are working harder than ever, but the cost of housing, food, college, childcare, elder care, and more is moving out of our reach,” Yee said in a statement. “Together we have the grit and the power to make California add up for all of us again.” The race to replace Newsom, who terms out in 2027, will be a Democratic free-for-all sure to attract the party’s top talent for the chance to lead the nation’s most populous state and the world’s fifth largest

4 people killed and 7 wounded in stabbings in Illinois, with a suspect in custody

ROCKFORD, Ill.  — Four people were killed and seven were hurt when a man went on a stabbing rampage Wednesday across multiple locations in a northern Illinois community, authorities said. A 22-year-old man is in police custody and was being questioned, according to Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd. She said one of the people who was wounded remained in critical condition. “My heart goes out to the families right now that are suffering a loss,” Redd told reporters. She said the Rockford Police received a medical call at 1:14 p.m. followed by additional calls for police and paramedics. “We don’t believe there’s any other suspects that are on the run or at large at this particular time,” Redd said. “Right now, we don’t have a clear motive as to what caused this individual to commit such a heinous crime.” Not all of the victims found at multiple addresses in the city had stab wounds and none were shot, according to Redd. Rockford Police initially said five people had been injured. Cori Hilliard, a public information officer with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, told The Associated

Los Gatos athletic director Ken Perrotti recognized by his peers

LOS GATOS — In 1999, Ken Perrotti graduated from Los Gatos High School. Seven years after that, he started teaching special education at the school and served as the wrestling coach. In 2007, he also became the co-athletic director with Jim Marino. After a stint away from Los Gatos starting in 2010, Perrotti was hired in 2017 to be the school’s athletic director. The athletic program has thrived under his direction. Recently, Perrotti was named by the Central Coast Section Athletic Directors Association as the 2024 Athletic Director of the Year. Perrotti will be recognized at the California State Athletic Directors Association conference on April 10-14 in San Diego. “It’s a big honor to be recognized by my peers for what I do,” the 43-year-old said. “The biggest thing that allows me to do this job … is that last year, this school site made my position full-time.” Mark Krail, the Wildcats’ longtime head football coach, wrote in a text to the Los Gatos Weekly Times, “I’ve been in high school athletics for over 35 years, and I have never seen a better Athletic Director

Word Game: March 28, 2024

TODAY’S WORD — VULTURES (VULTURES: VUL-chers: Large birds that subsist chiefly on carrion.) Average mark 19 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 27 or more words in VULTURES? The list will be published tomorrow. YESTERDAY’S WORD — ROULETTE reel role rote roue rout route rule otter outer outlet utter leer letter lore lout lure lute elute euro tole tore tort torte tote toter tour tout tree trot trout true turtle tutee tutor To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last! RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.

Bridge: March 28, 2024

In the Senior Mixed Pairs at the Fall NABC, South was Mark Itabashi, one of the ACBL’s most successful players. North-South slightly misjudged the auction. When North doubled, Itabashi thought his six-card spade suit made his hand worth a try for game. North thought she had enough to accept. The result was a spade game off two diamonds and the A-K of trumps. (Poor contracts can result when both players bid reasonably but boldly.) There would have been no story if West had led a diamond, but the actual lead was a heart. Itabashi won with the queen, took the A-K of clubs and continued with dummy’s queen. East ruffed low, and declarer overruffed and led a heart. CRASH West could and should have ruffed, but he was reluctant to spend his ace. So Itabashi won in dummy and led the jack of clubs, East ruffed with the ten, and Itabashi overruffed again and led a trump, crashing the defenders’ A-K. Making four! I can imagine the ensuing East-West conversation, but the lesson is to never give up. Hopeless contracts sometime succeed. DAILY QUESTION You

Ask Amy: I’ve been told my 11-year-old granddaughter was traumatized by our talk

Dear Amy: My two sons are not speaking to one another, after a fight that occurred during Christmas two years ago. The result is that my granddaughters don’t like their uncle and aunt. The girls are 11, 9 and 6. While they were staying overnight at my house last weekend, I told my granddaughters that I love both of my sons equally. They started to cry. The next day I apologized to their parents. I explained that I didn’t mean to offend anyone and asked for forgiveness. I thought that they had forgiven me until recently when my son said that the oldest daughter is scarred. He claims that I screamed at her and that she now needs therapy. He asked me to go to therapy, as well. I asked my sons to forgive one another and to move forward so that our family can be back to normal. They declined. Is there anything we can do to solve this? – Unforgiven Grandmother Dear Unforgiven: The old phrase “This will end in tears” perfectly describes the lasting impact of this long-ago fight. I’m going to

The 10 most expensive reported home sales in Palo Alto the week of March 18

A house that sold for $5.3 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Palo Alto in the past week. In total, 15 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $3.2 million. The average price per square foot ended up at $1,863. The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of March 18 even if the property may have been sold earlier. 10. $2.9 million, single-family home in the 900 block of Loma Verde Ave. The 1,816 square-foot detached house in the 900 block of Loma Verde Ave., Palo Alto, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in March and the total purchase price was $2,850,000, $1,569 per square foot. The house was built in 1958. The house features three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 9. $3 million, single-family house in the 2700 block of Cowper Street A sale has been finalized for the single-family house in the 2700 block of Cowper Street in Palo Alto. The price

Three-bedroom home sells for $1.6 million in Fremont

44363 Pomace Street – Google Street View The property located in the 44300 block of Pomace Street in Fremont was sold on Feb. 15, 2024. The $1,601,000 purchase price works out to $1,326 per square foot. The house, built in 1969, has an interior space of 1,207 square feet. The layout of this single-story home includes three bedrooms and two baths. In addition, the home features a garage. The lot size of the property measures an impressive 7,440 square feet. Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include: In June 2023, a 2,252-square-foot home on Night Shade Lane in Fremont sold for $1,810,000, a price per square foot of $804. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A 1,350-square-foot home on the 44400 block of Camellia Drive in Fremont sold in June 2022, for $1,660,000, a price per square foot of $1,230. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. On Lupine Place, Fremont, in February 2023, a 1,960-square-foot home was sold for $1,700,000, a price per square foot of $867. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Prep roundup: Dougherty Valley walks it off in historic win over De La Salle, SRV throws no-hitter 

Baseball Dougherty Valley 6 No. 5 De La Salle 5 Adam DeCampo ended 11 years of futility for Dougherty Valley with one swing.  His single into right field gave the Wildcats the 6-5 victory against East Bay Athletic League opponent De La Salle, giving the San Ramon public school its first win against the Concord powerhouse in 15 meetings since 2013.  “Everyone is on cloud nine, and I told everyone that this is the start of a new program … this is the expectation,” first-year coach Kyle Stewart told the Bay Area News Group on Wednesday night. “I’m trying to build what Mike Hansen has done with basketball.” Dougherty Valley, which had lost its last three league games by a combined score of 41-4, got off to a dream start after scoring twice in the first inning on singles by Luke Duncan and DeCampo.  The Wildcats then tallied three more runs in the second when Ethan Kim singled, Duncan walked with the bases loaded, and then Jayden Rouse drove a ground ball into left field.  Meanwhile, Ahdil Khan kept the potent DLS offense at bay

Stanley cup caper cracked by South Bay authorities

CUPERTINO – A couple suspected of trying to take a coveted cup from a South Bay store by force earlier this year has been arrested following an extensive investigation, according to authorities. The incident happened on Jan. 3 at the Target located at 20745 Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino, Santa Clara County sheriff’s Deputy Felicia Segura said in a news release. Customers were gathered at the store for the release of the winter pink Starbucks x Stanley tumbler, according to Segura. Segura said the store declined to sell the limited-edition 40-ounce cup to the couple – a man and a woman in their 20s – after other customers said they had cut the line. In response, the man jumped over the counter of the Starbucks inside the Target, knocking a barista out of the way, and grabbed a box containing one of the cups, according to Segura. The man tried to run past a customer who was blocking the exit and was tackled to the ground, Segura said. The woman punched the customer, which gave the man time to stand up, and tried to snatch