Latest news with #Menjivar
News18
03-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
CONCACAF Gold Cup: Raul Jimenez Strike Helps Mexico Down Honduras And Reach Final
Last Updated: Jimenez netted for El Tri in the 50th minute of the game to secure the win and move into the summit clash, where they are set to take on the USA. Defending champions Mexico claimed a 1-0 win over Honduras in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 on Thursday at the Levi's Stadium in California, USA. Raul Jimenez netted for El Tri in the 50th minute of the game to secure the win and move into the summit clash, where they are set to take on the USA. 'We had a deserved victory," Mexican head coach Javier Aguirre said following the triumph. El Tri advanced to face the United States in the final on Sunday night in Houston, marking the eighth time the two countries will meet in the title game, with Mexico holding a 5-2 head-to-head advantage. Mexico broke through early in the second half with a play initiated by Alexis Vega, who passed to Mora near the top of the box. Mora then slid a pass to Jiménez, who scored his 42nd career international goal with a right-footed shot past Edrick Menjivar. Ranked No. 17, Mexico appeared to extend their lead a few minutes later when Edson Alvarez tapped in a goal from a set piece. However, it was disallowed after a video review determined he was offside. Honduras reached this stage for the first time since 2013 despite a 6-0 loss to Canada in their tournament opener. The Hondurans haven't reached the final since the inaugural tournament in 1991 when they lost to the U.S. in a penalty shootout. El Tri had two good opportunities late in the first half. Johan Vasquez's shot in the box deflected off Honduran defender Denil Maldonado and went straight into the hands of goalkeeper Menjivar. Menjivar then made a sharp save against Marcel Ruiz in the 42nd minute, and Julián Martínez cleared the rebound out of danger. A tense moment occurred in the 11th minute when a ball was played into the Mexico bench area. Romell Quioto aggressively tried to retrieve the ball for Honduras, which led to an altercation with Mexican reserve Guillermo Ochoa, resulting in a heated exchange among players from both teams and a yellow card for Ochoa. First Published:
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Health care Coverage Expanding in California: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California is set to expand access to infertility care and in vitro fertilization (IVF) through a new health coverage law that will be implemented on July 1. The law, Senate Bill 729, requires employers with 100 or more employees and state insurance plans to cover infertility and IVF treatment for all Californians—regardless of their gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or marriage status. Newsweek has contacted Senator Caroline Menjivar, the author of the bill, outside of regular working hours via email for comment. Why It Matters As the bill explicitly includes coverage for all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, it takes a clear stand on inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in fertility care, meaning that for the first time in the state, these groups are given equal access to the services. According to Senator Menjivar, the bill will "ensure that queer couples no longer have to pay more out of pocket to start families than non-queer families." In the bills comments section, she also wrote the bill is "critical to achieving full-lived equality for LGBTQ+ people, as well as advancing well-rounded and comprehensive health care for all Californians." Other states have also brought similar fertility legislation into effect, but fewer have explicitly sought to include LGBTQ+ groups in the legislation. File photo: gynecologist showing a UV image of baby on a computer screen to a pregnant woman. File photo: gynecologist showing a UV image of baby on a computer screen to a pregnant woman. DragonImages/Getty Images What To Know Previous law had offered some coverage for infertility treatment but had excluded IVF treatment. The new bill will require large and small group health care service plan contracts and disability insurance policies to provide cover for diagnosis and treatment of infertility and fertility services. This includes a maximum of 3 oocyte retrievals—the process where eggs are removed from the ovaries as part of IVF treatment. It also mandates coverage for unlimited embryo transfers in accordance with the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). SB 729 is also changing the definition of infertility, so testing and diagnosis of infertility can still be covered for those who have not met the criteria of: not conceiving a child after 12 months for those under 35 and not conceiving a child after six months for those over 35—where miscarriage does not restart the time period to qualify as having infertility. This would mean that earlier intervention can take place for treating and diagnosing infertility. While the law does not however explicitly mention coverage for egg freezing as part of fertility preservation, it is not clear whether some parts of egg freezing may be covered given that oocyte retrievals are covered. Violation of any these provisions by a health care service plan would also be determined a crime in the law, something which the previous law had also stated. What People Are Saying Michele Goodwin, a professor of constitutional law and global health policy at Georgetown Law, Washington D.C, told Newsweek: "SB 729 is important for reproductive health care and family planning for all Californians. Many families experience some form of infertility or other reproductive health challenges." She added: "Assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF have become an important part of family building for gay couples. This law would cushion the economic burden felt by LGBT Californians as they seek health services to grow their families." California Senator Caroline Menjivar, said when Governor Gavin Newsom approved the bill: "Today is a personal and emotional victory. And, it is a triumph for the many Californians who have been denied a path toward family-building because of the financial barriers that come with fertility treatment, their relationship status, or are blatantly discriminated against as a member of the LGBTQ+ community." She added: "When attacks on reproductive rights are occurring across the nation, Governor Newsom stood on the right side of history by expanding coverage for approximately 9 million Californians, including LGBTQ+ folks who were previously withheld equal opportunity to become parents under an archaic law that erased their rights." What Happens Next While fertility coverage will start on July 1 for state-run health insurance plans and large employers, many other plans will adopt the new ruling upon renewal, meaning for some employees, coverage may not be available until later this year and into 2026.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Man detained by ICE was already scheduled to leave, advocates say
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids immigration advocates are seeking the release of a man who they say was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement only days before he was scheduled to leave the country. Movimiento Cosecha GR and GR Rapid Response to ICE say Carlos Menjivar is at the Calhoun County Correctional Facility, which is an ICE holding facility. ICE did not immediately confirm that to News 8 Wednesday. The advocacy groups say Menjivar was detained June 4 when he went for what they called a 'routine check-in' at the office for the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program on Michigan Street NE near College Avenue in Grand Rapids. ISAP is an ICE program in which people are under supervision while their immigration cases make their way through the system, which can take years. Through it, contracted case managers can keep ICE agents up to date on cases and whether people are abiding by the conditions of their release, explains. '(Menjivar) was asked to come to this ISAP office with his paperwork, so his passport, and approve of them leaving (the United States). They had agreed, actually verbally agreed, with the ISAP office to departure this Saturday,' Movimiento Cosecha organizer Gema Lowe said at a Wednesday news conference. She said ISAP workers were supposed to check the paperwork and plane tickets for their return to Menjivar's native El Salvador. Instead, she said, he was 'arbitrarily' detained and ICE now has his and his family's passports. 'This family, they have been compliant to everything Immigration has asked them since they came to this country as refugees in 2017,' Lowe said. She argued that asking Menjivar to report to the ISAP office was a 'trap.' At the news conference, one of Menjivar's children held a sign that read, 'Te amamos, Papa,' or 'We love you, Dad,' in Spanish. ICE did not immediately provide answers after Target 8 sought information about Menjivar's status and details about how frequently people are detained at ISAP check-ins. GR Rapid Response to ICE organizer Jeff Smith suggested between eight and 10 people were detained at the ISAP office June 4. It was unclear how he reached that count. ICE has not provided any information. Immigration advocates went to the ISAP office that day and Grand Rapids police were called to ask them to leave. Smith said everyone who went to an ISAP appointment after the advocates arrived was allowed to leave as expected. Smith said the group is now offering to send advocates with people when they have appointments. Smith said advocates are calling for Menjivar to be released in time for the family's scheduled departure Saturday, that the passports be returned to the family for that travel and that ICE documentation note he left voluntarily. They have also asked U.S. senators and representatives to intervene. In the meantime, Menjivar's wife and three children are seeking sanctuary at Fountain Street Church, a nondenominational Christian church in downtown Grand Rapids, the advocates say. 'When the residents of our community are under attack or under threat, our doors are open to provide shelter and sanctuary,' Rev. Nathan Dannison, the pastor at Fountain Street Church, said. 'Our beliefs here at Fountain Street compel us to act.' Smith called on other Grand Rapids faith organizations to offer themselves up as sanctuaries. 'We're asking the public to see what's happening. This is the faces that they are brave enough to show and say, 'We're here,'' Lowe said. 'Even though they did they did everything they were asked to, they've still been separated. It's structural violence.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Epoch Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Bill to Tax Vacant Storefronts Rewritten Following Pushback, Passes Committee
A bill that originally sought to tax landlords for vacant storefronts in California passed its first hearing within the state's Senate Committee on Revenue and Tax on April 23, following a complete rewrite of the proposal earlier in the week. People who fail or refuse to file the paperwork would face a civil penalty of a currently unspecified dollar amount. 'This was an ambitious bill,' Menjivar said at the April 23 SB 789 previously sought to implement a tax of $5 per square foot on vacant buildings in commercial properties. The tax collected would have been deposited into the state's California Dream for All Fund, a program that offers loans to first-time, first-generation homebuyers. This earlier version of the bill faced heavy criticism from commercial property owner associations, building owners, taxpayer advocates, mortgage bankers, housing associations, chambers of commerce throughout the state, and many others. Related Stories 4/22/2025 11/15/2024 On April 21, Menjivar revised SB 789 following the opposition by completely rewriting the bill to instead focus on collecting information on vacant properties. The San Fernando Valley senator said multiple business corridors in her district have sat empty for decades without new shops investing and opening new storefronts. Many of these buildings are now used by squatters, burned, vandalized, or falling apart as a result of being vacant. 'I want investment in my communities,' she said. 'I'm looking to find out—why are they empty?' Menjivar said she just wants to 'collect the data' and understand the underlying causes leading to prolonged vacant commercial buildings so the state can seek solutions to incentivize businesses to open in California. 'Is it a problem with us? Our regulations? Is it a permitting issue? Is it because they are just holding onto that building for the best offer possible?' she asked. A better understanding would allow the state to streamline permit approvals or develop new 'carrot-and-stick' approaches to encourage commercial property owners to rent out their buildings, according to Menjivar. At the committee hearing, union organization SEIU California expressed its support for the recent revisions to SB 789. However, the bill continued to receive opposition from various property owners' associations and retailers. 'It's just repackaged in a bureaucratic, burdensome form, and now poses a sweeping statewide reporting mandate on every commercial property owner in California,' Skyler Wonnacott, a legislative strategist for the California Business Properties Association, said during the April 23 hearing. 'While the $5 square foot vacancy tax has been removed, the bill remains equally harmful.' He raised concerns about the possibility of SB 789 becoming a 'Trojan horse' for future vacancy taxes, which he said would impact small business owners and mom-and-pop shopping centers the most. Cities He said reforms to the state's current permit process and new tenant incentives would benefit property owners and encourage new businesses to rent the currently vacant commercial buildings. 'We should be trying to remove barriers to encourage investment in this state,' said Oracio Gonzalez, a representative for the California Business Roundtable. He said that potential financial costs to meet the administrative requirements of SB 789 and cover compliance advisers would likely be passed on to tenants looking to rent. Following the April 23 vote, the Senate Committee on Revenue and Tax asked Menjivar to revise SB 789 again before sending it to the Appropriations Committee for a review of its fiscal impact.
Epoch Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
California Lawmakers to Consider Vacancy Tax on Commercial Property
A California state senator is proposing a tax on vacant commercial properties, saying empty buildings and storefronts reduce business vitality, lower tax revenue, and create public nuisances. Democratic state Sen. Caroline Menjivar of San Fernando Valley authored Menjivar sees the measure as a way to spur economic activity. 'Vacant commercial property represents a missed opportunity for community enrichment,' Menjivar said, according to a legislative analysis of the bill. 'Other times they contribute to the neighborhood's blight and can be areas of nuisance and public safety concerns. These underutilized spaces hold potential as storefronts for local entrepreneurs, innovative workspaces for growing businesses, or mixed-use projects combining housing with commercial amenities.' The measure requires all owners of commercial property in the state to register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) each year, providing detailed information about their properties, including giving a reason why if a property is vacant. Anyone who doesn't file would be required to pay a penalty, according to the bill. Related Stories 4/22/2025 3/20/2025 Menjivar claims that without state oversight, the empty parcels can stay vacant for years and sometimes decades. 'In order to encourage development or penalize blighted vacant buildings, we need data to systematically track commercial vacancies, including their underlying causes like renovation delays, regulatory hurdles, or speculative holding patterns,' she said. The senator says the state would be able to streamline permit approvals if clusters of vacancies were caused by slow permitting, or consider a vacancy tax to incentivize productive use. The bill would also require that the state post on its public website detailed information about each commercial property, including the percentage of commercial properties that were vacant in a calendar year and the reason for the vacancy if the property was vacant for more than 182 days in a year. The state would have to post what percentage of commercial properties are located in a blighted area, among other information. The city and county of San Francisco approved a similar tax with Measure M in November 2022, but the ordinance was ruled unconstitutional. The measure imposed an annual tax of $2,500 to $5,000 per vacant unit, depending on the unit's size. The tax was allowed to increase annually to a maximum of $20,000 if the same owner keeps the unit vacant for multiple consecutive years. However, the San Francisco County Superior Court issued an order Nov. 26, 2024, in favor of taxpayers, finding that the tax violated the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The court also found the tax violated property-owners' constitutional right to privacy under the California Constitution by compelling owners to share their property via application of the tax. The court also held that Measure M violated the California Ellis Act, which prohibits public entities from compelling residential property owners to rent or lease. Other cities have instituted similar vacancy taxes in recent years. Berkeley, east of San Francisco, imposes an empty homes tax on residential units that are vacant for more than 182 days per year. Empty residential units in duplexes, condos, single-family homes, and townhouses are charged $3,000 the first year and $6,000 for each subsequent year. All other empty residential properties pay $6,000 in the first year and $12,000 each year after that. Stacked shipping containers begin to surround People's Park in Berkeley, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Brontë Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via AP Oakland also charges an annual tax of $6,000 for residential, nonresidential, and undeveloped properties, and $3,000 a year for condos, duplexes, and townhomes. The tax applies to privately owned properties not occupied more than 50 days per year and has several exemptions. Menjivar's legislation faces tremendous opposition from commercial property owner associations, building owners and managers groups, taxpayer advocates, hotel and lodging associations, mortgage bankers and housing associations, retailers, and multiple chambers of commerce throughout the state. The California Business Properties Association 'Vacancy is largely driven by market forces—not neglect—especially as sectors like retail, office, and industrial continue to recover from the pandemic,' the association wrote in an opposition statement. 'This tax would penalize property owners during economic uncertainty and risk further destabilizing struggling markets. SB 789 would also undermine local property tax revenues, reducing property values and triggering reassessments under Prop. 8—resulting in permanent funding losses for schools, cities, and essential services.' The bill also imposes costly administrative burdens, the association says.
