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CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Residents in Stanislaus County's Diablo Grande shoulder massive debt amid water crisis
Residents in the Stanislaus County community of Diablo Grande said they're on the hook for a $13 million water debt, and they're not getting any help. Homeowners there are now paying a base rate of nearly $600 a month just to keep their water on until December 31. Community members met with Congressman Adam Gray's office Friday morning to discuss their ongoing water crisis. Residents said that they're hearing the same thing they've heard from other government officials. Diablo Grande resident Debra Antigua said it's a finger-pointing game when it comes to who will step in to protect the community's water supply. Congressman Gray's office told CBS13 in a statement that he "is committed to exploring relief options at the federal level through legislative efforts and federal funding requests." But Antigua says even that comes with conditions. "I asked, 'What do we need to do to get federal water?' " she said. "And I was told that Western Hills Water District would have to reach out to them first." The meeting comes after residents agreed to a major water rate increase at the end of June to keep water service going through the end of the year. Diablo Grande resident Kevin Halverson says he's paying even more. "A base rate of $568 plus usage, and everybody's forgetting that. Plus usage," he said. "I have a pool, so I'm top tier in the amount of water we use, so my bill is about $700." Before the increase, Halverson said that he paid just over $300 per month. "Whether it be the state, the federal government — somebody needs to come in and help," he said. The community's water comes from Western Hills Water District, but the district is over $13 million in debt to Kern County Water Agency. That's because the Diablo Grande community was originally planned for thousands of homes, but only around 600 were built, meaning much of the water they contracted for was never used. Western Hills recently sent a letter to Kern County Water Agency, demanding to know what happened to the water originally allocated to Diablo Grande. They also asked for permission to sell that unused water to pay off their debt. "Everything is landing on the residents to pay forward," Halverson said. Kern County Water Agency has not yet responded to Western Hills' letter.
New York Post
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
More than half of Americans admire the French way of life and how they approach work
More than half of Americans admire the French way of life, with their love of fresh ingredients, arts and culture – and a good work/life balance at the top of the list. A poll of 2,000 adults found 29 percent of France-admirers love their preference for fresh food over processed items, while the same percentage appreciates their love of arts and culture. Advertisement French work practices are also admired by many – with 60 percent believing the French have a better work life balance, compared to just 10 percent for Americans. 5 A poll of 2,000 adults found 29 percent of France-admirers love fresh food over processed items and appreciate their love of arts and culture. Artem – More than one in five (22 percent) respect their commitment to clocking off work at their contracted time, and 22 percent like how they protect lunch breaks as a 'sacred time.' Enjoying fine cuisine and their sense of style are also among the areas Americans admire about the French lifestyle. Advertisement It also emerged 22 percent of those who know of the French way of life would love to adopt certain aspects into their own lives – with the most envied areas being food, time for hobbies and interests, and taking longer lunch breaks. 5 The most envied areas of French life are food, time for hobbies and interests and longer lunch breaks. Adam Gray / 72Point / PinPep While 21 percent have taken onboard their attitudes to romance, with the same number trying to be more humble. A spokesperson for bakery brand St Pierre, which commissioned the study and surprised Americans during their lunch break with a French dining experience to encourage them to 'Eat Avec Respect' said: 'The French lifestyle is often admired and romanticized worldwide and for good reason. Advertisement 'There's something timeless and deeply alluring about the French way of life that continues to captivate Americans. 5 'There's something timeless and deeply alluring about the French way of life that continues to captivate Americans,' a spokesperson for bakery brand St Pierre, who commissioned the study, said. Adam Gray / 72Point / PinPep 'Whether it's the art of slowing down, prioritizing quality over quantity, or the effortless sense of style, France offers a rhythm of life that feels both sophisticated and grounded. 'It's a culture that places value on experiences – a morning coffee at a sidewalk café, a leisurely stroll through a local market, or an afternoon spent with family around the table.' Advertisement The research also found 29 percent of Americans consider it 'unlikely' that French people admire any parts of the American lifestyle. 5 29 percent of Americans consider it 'unlikely' that French people admire any parts of the American lifestyle. Ekaterina Pokrovsky – And 42 percent would even like to hop across the Atlantic permanently and live in France someday. But if US citizens were to present American food to other countries, they'd be most proud to offer a meaty cheeseburger (27 percent) or some fried chicken (27 percent). With nearly as many (26 percent) as proud of barbecue ribs, and 22 percent opting to show off a classic US apple pie. But one in four of those polled, via OnePoll, admit they get most of their information about the French lifestyle from social media like Instagram or TikTok, while 19 percent pick it up from YouTube. 5 42 percent of Americans would like to live in France someday. zigres – The spokesperson for St Pierre, which has also created a hilarious video teaching American workers to be more 'French' in their lunch-taking, said: 'Many Americans admire how the French approach balance – not just in food and fashion, but in work and rest. Advertisement 'There's a deep respect for boundaries when it comes to time off, and a national understanding that taking proper breaks isn't laziness – it's essential to wellbeing and productivity. 'Good food is good for the soul, which is why we believe that lunchbreaks – and any other meal time – is a time to 'eat avec respect'.' TOP 20 THINGS AMERICANS ADMIRE ABOUT THE FRENCH LIFESTYLE: 1. Eating fresh ingredients 2. Love of arts and culture Advertisement 3. The ideal work/life balance 4. Making time to enjoy meals 5. Enjoying the best moments in life 6. Being romantics Advertisement 7. Appreciating fine cuisine 8. Overall better diet than the Americans 9. Better food and drink standards than America 10. Sense of style Advertisement 11. Ditching processed foods 12. Living humbly 13. Taking in their surroundings rather than rushing through the city 14. Making time for hobbies and interests 15. Making time for cooking 16. Better food and drink options than America 17. Being authentic 18. Passionate about interests 19. Good etiquette skills 20. Making every mealtime an occasion
Toronto Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Amazon lost right to sell Nintendo Switch 2 amid sales dispute
Published Jun 30, 2025 • 3 minute read Nintendo Switch 2 consoles at a Nintendo store in New York on June 4. Photo by Adam Gray / Bloomberg (Bloomberg) — Nintendo Co. pulled its products from Inc.'s U.S. site after a disagreement over unauthorized sales, meaning the e-commerce company missed out on the recent debut of Nintendo's Switch 2 — the biggest game console launch of all time. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Japanese company stopped selling on Amazon after noticing that third-party merchants were offering games for sale in the U.S. at prices that undercut Nintendo's advertised rates, according to a person familiar with the situation. Enterprising sellers were buying Nintendo products in bulk in Southeast Asia and exporting them to the US, said the person, who requested anonymity to discuss confidential information. Nintendo product listings started disappearing from Amazon's U.S. site last year, gaming news outlets reported at the time. The listings had previously appeared as 'Sold by Amazon,' which typically denotes merchandise the online retailer buys directly from brands. Some Nintendo products remained on the site, but they were listed by independent merchants who sell their goods on Amazon's sprawling online marketplace. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Amazon tried to assuage Nintendo by offering to attach labels to products that guarantee they're authentic. Amazon uses the technique to assure shoppers products aren't counterfeits and to help it track merchandise. But the offer wasn't sufficient, the person said, and Nintendo ultimately opted to pull its products from Amazon in the US. 'There is no such fact. We do not disclose details of negotiations or contracts with retailers,' a Nintendo spokesperson said in an e-mailed response, declining to elaborate further. An Amazon spokesperson said 'the claims made by Bloomberg regarding our relationship with Nintendo are inaccurate' but declined to specify how. 'Amazon is pleased to offer Nintendo products directly to our customers as part of our commitment to providing an exceptional shopping experience with the widest selection possible,' the spokesperson said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. When Nintendo released the hotly anticipated Switch 2 this month, Walmart Inc., Target Corp., Best Buy Co. and GameStop Corp. all stocked the console in their US stores. Amazon is selling the Switch 2 in foreign markets, including Canada, Japan and the UK, but the company's US customers have been out of luck, with some taking to social media to wonder when the world's largest online retailer might have it in stock. The US accounts for about two-thirds of Amazon's sales. Nintendo is hardly the first brand to clash with Amazon over how third-party merchants conduct themselves on the company's marketplace. Big brands have long said Amazon needs to do more to police independent sellers and tamp down counterfeits. Over the years, brands also have pulled their products from the site because they say Amazon doesn't give them enough control over how their goods are displayed and sold. Amazon has worked to court high-profile holdouts, including by filing lawsuits against suspected counterfeiters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In 2018, Amazon and Apple Inc. struck a deal that permitted Amazon to sell the latest iPhones and other products. Amazon subsequently banned unauthorized third-party merchants from selling refurbished products built by Apple. Another one-time holdout – Nike Inc. – recently signaled it would resume selling products through Amazon. In recent weeks, Nintendo appears to have reestablished a direct relationship with Amazon in the US, with preorders for the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza appearing on the site as sold by Amazon. But, as of Friday, there was no Switch 2 listing, and Amazon didn't appear on Nintendo's list of retailers in the US that carry the console. Nintendo sold 3.5 million-plus units of the Switch 2 in just four days, a record-breaking start for the company's first new console in eight years. The company hopes to sell 15 million units by next March. Gamers from Tokyo to San Francisco lined up for hours earlier this month to get their hands on one of gadgets. The long-awaited Switch 2 succeeds the hot-selling original, which pioneered a hybrid design that lets gamers play at home on a TV and on the move. —With assistance from Cecilia D'Anastasio and Yuki Furukawa. Canada Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs Sunshine Girls Relationships
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle host pride parades today: Route, time and more
Several American cities are set to end Pride Month with a bang. New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle are hosting Pride Parades on Sunday, June 29. The event will be both a celebration and a protest. According to Associated Press, Pride events in major US cities are being held against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's attempts to roll back LGBTQ+ friendly policies. Here's everything you need to know about Pride celebrations in major US cities. Major American cities, including New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle, are concluding Pride Month with parades on June 29. (Photo by Adam Gray / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) Also read: Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' passes key Senate hurdle amid criticism: Key details to know The event kicks off at 11 am ET, according to USA Today. Attendees will cross over 6th Avenue before venturing on Christopher Street. They will walk past the Stonewall National Monument as well. The NYC Pride Parade commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. The parade will end in Chelsea at 16th Street and 7th Avenue. The theme of the event is 'Rise Up: Pride in Protest.' San Francisco Pride Parade: All you need to know Another major Pride event will be held in San Francisco. The theme is 'Queer Joy is Resistance.' The march starts at 10:30 am local time at the Embarcadero Plaza and ends at the Civic Center. Seattle Pride Parade: Route, timing, theme About 300,000 attendees are expected to be present at Washington's largest and free parade, USA Today reported. The theme is 'Louder.' The march will start at Union Street and 4th Ave at 11 am PDT. The parade will end at 2nd Ave and Denny Way. Minneapolis Twin Cities Pride Festival The two-day festival will conclude on Sunday. The venue is Minneapolis' Loring Park, located at 1382 Willow Street. The Twin Cities Pride Festival will last from 10 am to 6 pm local time. A parade, starting at Third Street and Hennepin Avenue, will be held from 11 am to 2 pm. Chicago Pride Parade The 54th edition of the parade will start at 11 am local time. A total of 150 floats will be used at the event, which follows the theme 'United in Pride.' The march will make its way from Sheridan and Broadway to Diversey and Cannon Drive. FAQs What day is the Pride Parade 2025 in NYC? The parade will be held on Sunday, June 29. Will there still be Pride Parades in 2025? Yes, the London Pride Parade is expected to take place on July 5. Was Pride originally a protest? The first Pride marches were held to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising of 1969.
New York Post
14-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Anti-Israel Protesters Sue NYPD, Leave Out Bomb Scare
Two women busted during a chaotic anti-Israel protest in Times Square — where cops were infamously blocked from reaching a grenade left in an Uber — are suing the NYPD, whining they were injured during their arrests. Jasmeen Nijjar and Anees Hasnain filed separate lawsuits last week in Manhattan Supreme Court, accusing officers of assault, unlawful search and seizure, false arrest and denial of medical care during the raucous March 2, 2024 'Millions March for Palestine' rally. Hasnain, 33, a program director at a non-profit, claims she was punched in the face by an NYPD detective and cuffed while still wearing a backpack — which she says caused 'heavy pressure' on her wrists. 5 The March 2024 protest in Times Square led to dozens of arrests — including Anees Hasnain and Jasmeen Nijjar, who now allege NYPD officers used excessive force and denied them medical care during and after they were taken into custody. Adam Gray for New York Post An officer placed her phone in a plastic bag with 'pooled water,' destroying it, she claimed in court papers Nijjar, 31, a course associate at Columbia University and a NYC-based social worker, was dragged by her scarf and jacket, punched in the back of the head and zip-tied so tightly that her left hand was injured, the filing states. Her LinkedIn profile now lists 'Free Palestine' in her title. The filings make no mention of the explosive drama that drew a heavy police presence to the scene. 5 The lawsuits don't mention the grenade discovered in an Uber nearby — or that the NYPD said their response to the explosive device was obstructed by protesters. Adam Gray for New York Post An Uber driver had discovered a grenade in the back seat of his Nissan Altima and flagged down officers near 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. Police later determined the device was inert — but said protesters delayed the bomb squad's response by blocking the roadway and surrounding emergency vehicles. 'Happy Saturday to all! Except the people who thought it was a good idea to block an NYPD ESU vehicle on the way to a bomb threat call,' then-NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry posted after the incident. 'They will be spending their Saturday where they belong – in jail!' Video released by the NYPD shows dozens of demonstrators swarming a police vehicle before officers pushed them back. 5 The 'Millions March for Palestine' protest brought thousands to Times Square and shut down blocks of Midtown as tensions between demonstrators and police escalated. Adam Gray for New York Post The suit claims officers used 'discourteous and racist language' and refused to get her medical help despite repeated requests. Both women allege they were denied phone calls, unlawfully searched at NYPD headquarters and held for hours before being released with desk appearance tickets, according to the lawsuit. Both women were issued desk appearance tickets but never formally charged. Prosecutors later declined to pursue the cases. 5 Police shut down 42nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues as emergency units tried to reach the car with the grenade, while protesters continued to pack the surrounding blocks. Adam Gray for New York Post The lawsuits name multiple officers — including Capt. Gzim Palaj, Officer Vito Scalici and Detective Craig A. Jacob — and seek unspecified damages. The lawsuits make no mention of the grenade incident — or any alleged interference with police response. The NYPD declined to comment on ongoing litigation. Attorneys for the women also did not return messages. 5 Hasnain and Nijjar say they were issued desk appearance tickets and released the night of the protest. They claimed officers assaulted them and that their detention was unlawful, according to the legal papers. Adam Gray for New York Post
