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Private equity firm KKR buys Simon & Schuster for $1.6B

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

By Ramishah Maruf | CNNParamount has agreed to sell Simon & Schuster to private equity firm KKR for $1.6 billion in cash, after more than three years of trying to offload the book publishing powerhouse.Bob Bakish, president and CEO of Paramount Global, said Simon & Schuster is a “fantastic asset” in the company’s earnings call Monday, after the market’s close, but that it didn’t fit with its core mission of video entertainment.“Importantly, this transaction checks all the boxes from a financial perspective,” Bakish said, adding the proceeds will go toward paying down Paramount’s debt.The book publisher will go private once the deal closes and will be led by Jonathan Karp, its current CEO and president, and Dennis Eulau, COO and CFO.Paramount posted Simon & Schuster for sale in 2020.In November 2022, Paramount ended its agreement to sell Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House in what would have been a $2.2 billion deal.Both are among the “Big Five” of major US book ...

Redwood City Hazmat incident exposes 21 people

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

(KRON) -- Twenty-one people have been exposed in a hazardous materials incident on the 1100 block of Island Drive in Redwood Shores, according to the Redwood City Fire Department. The incident involved an accidental chemical release in a clean room, Redwood City FD said.The leaked gas was later identified by Redwood City FD as Freon. Crews at the scene determined that a faulty AC unit was the source of the leak.The materials are not related to biohazard materials. No evacuations or shelter-in-place orders have been given for the broader community. Of the 21 people exposed, 16 have shown no symptoms. The remaining five are receiving treatment. Woman in critical condition, man in jail after Antioch weekend sideshow Emergency services are on-site and the building has been evacuated, according to firefighters. Fire authorities are inspecting the building methodically, Redwood City FD said. Due to the nature of the incident, it will take time for firefighters to finish the inspection.T...

Another Bay Area postal carrier targeted in armed robbery

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

(KRON) -- A United States Postal Service carrier was robbed of their postal keys in Oakland over the weekend, the U.S Postal Service confirmed to KRON4. The mail carrier was in the 3000 block of Linden Street in Oakland at around 6:50 p.m. when the robbery occurred on Saturday, Aug. 5.The robber brandished a weapon and demanded the postal keys, Postal Inspector Matthew Norfleet said. The carrier surrendered the keys and was not injured. 21 people exposed in Redwood Shores HazMat incident There is a $50,000 standing reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the robber, or anyone else who robbed or threatened a postal carrier.No other information has been released at this time.The incident is the latest in a series of Bay Area robberies targeting postal workers. In most of the incidents, thieves targeted postal keys, which open up mailboxes."The postal keys have one legitimate purpose, which is to deliver the mail," said Norfleet. "The only other thing you can d...

Dungeon suspect targeted teen girls in Alameda County, appeared on 'Judge Judy'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

(KRON) -- A man who allegedly held a woman captive inside a homemade cinder block dungeon has a sexually violent criminal history in Alameda County, court documents show.Negasi Zuberi, 29, targeted women who he believed wouldn't be missed, according to the FBI. The FBI said its investigators believe Zuberi used several different methods to gain control of his victims, including by drugging their drinks, impersonating a police officer, and making threats. Zuberi went by many aliases, including "Justin," "Justin Hyche," "Justin Kouassi," and "Sakima," FBI investigators said.According to Alameda County court documents, Zuberi allegedly targeted and raped underage teen girls in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2016 and 2020. At the time, he went by the name "Justin Hyche."Negasi Zuberi's mugshot was released by the Washoe County Detention Facility in Reno, Nev., on July 16, 2023. (Washoe County Detention Facility via AP)Underage girls victimized in OaklandOn May 26, 2020, Zuberi beat, stra...

Man convicted of making criminal threats after threatening to blow up SF synagogue

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A jury has convicted a man of making criminal threats after he threatened to blow up a San Francisco synagogue in April 2022, the San Francisco District Attorney's office announced. Anatoly Smolkin, 39, walked into Temple Emanu-El, located at 2 Lake St. in the Inner Richmond, and threatened to kill everyone inside and blow the place up, according to the DA's office. The incident happened just after noon on April 7, 2022. 21 people exposed in Redwood Shores HazMat incident Security notified SFPD, and Smolkin was arrested shortly after the incident. “Mr. Smolkin’s conduct directly endangered not just the victim, but also, the congregants of Temple Emanu-El at large, said Assistant District Attorney Samantha Adhikari. “I am grateful to the jury for their swift, yet thoughtful deliberation despite challenging legal issues, and returning a verdict that contributes to ensuring public safety.”Smolkin has been in custody since the day of the incident. He faces up ...

Yankees put LHP Carlos Rodón on the 15-day injured list and activate reliever Jonathan Loáisiga

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Rodón was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday by the New York Yankees, who activated reliever Jonathan Loáisiga before their series opener against the Chicago White Sox.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Rodón has a “minor, low-grade” left hamstring strain. The left-hander exited his start against the Houston Astros in the third inning Sunday with tightness in the hamstring.Rodón’s injury is the latest blow to a shaky Yankees rotation as New York tries to stay close in the American League playoff chase. Boone said the two-time All-Star should be able to maintain a throwing program while he recovers, beginning by tossing on flat ground. He hopes Rodón can return when eligible after 15 days.“Carlos wants to pitch through it and it doesn’t sound like he’s going to have to be shut down at all,” Boone said.Boone wasn’t certain who would take Rodón’s rotation spot, but mentioned right-hander Randy Vásquez, currently with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Rodón ...

U.S. Women’s World Cup loss to Sweden draws combined audience of 2.79 million on Fox, Telemundo

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The United States’ early Sunday morning loss to Sweden in the Round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup averaged a combined English- and Spanish-language audience of 2.79 million viewers.The game, which kicked off Sunday night in Melbourne, Australia, began at 5 a.m. ET/2 a.m. PT in the U.S.Fox averaged 2,515,000 viewers according to Nielsen. The audience peaked at 4,072,000 during penalty kicks, when Sweden won 5-4 after a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time. The Americans four matches averaged 3,795,000 on Fox, an 2% increase over four years ago, when the tournament took place in France.The first two matches took place in prime time. The July 26 1-1 draw against the Netherlands was the most-watched U.S. group stage match in Women’s World Cup history, averaging 6,429,000.The Spanish-language audience of 274,000 across Telemundo, Peacock, Universo and Telemundo streaming platforms was the largest for a nonprime-time match.___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnew...

Investigan como feminicidio la muerte de Luz Mery Tristán, excampeona mundial de patinaje

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

(CNN Español) –– La expatinadora colombiana Luz Mery Tristán fue asesinada el sábado en su vivienda del oeste de Cali, informó la Secretaría de Seguridad de la ciudad en su cuenta de Twitter.De acuerdo con las primeras investigaciones, a las 11 de la noche de ese día la Policía Nacional de Cali y la Fiscalía recibieron reportes de discusiones y disparos en la vivienda de la exdeportista.Al llegar al lugar, las autoridades encontraron el cuerpo sin vida de Tristán, varias armas de fuego y detuvieron a una persona como sospechosa de cometer el crimen, dijo Jimmy Dranguet, secretario de Seguridad y Justicia de Cali en declaraciones a la prensa local.Dranguet no identificó al sospechoso, pero dijo que se trata de la pareja de la excampeona mundial de patinaje. “Se sospecha que es un feminicidio, pero será la Fiscalía quien lo confirme”, agregó.El funcionario dijo que no tenía reportes previos violencia familiar o de agresión a la mujer.Este lunes, la Fiscalía de Colombia confirmó que se...

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone passes on defending world title in the 400 hurdles to focus on 400

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will pass on defending her title in the 400-meter hurdles at the world championships later this month to concentrate on her newest event, the 400.McLaughlin-Levrone’s name wasn’t listed as an entrant in the 400 hurdles when USA Track and Field announced the team Monday for the world championships in Budapest, Hungary. The championships will be held Aug. 19-27. Despite being new to the 400, McLaughlin-Levrone has the top time in the world this season at 48.74 seconds. She’s the world-record holder in the 400 hurdles. The U.S. squad is coming off a 33-medal performance — including 13 gold — at the world championships last summer in Eugene, Oregon. Among the winners was Noah Lyles in the 200. He will also compete in the 100 in Budapest, along with defending champion Fred Kerley and 2019 winner Christian Coleman. Sha’Carri Richardson is slated to race in both the 100 and 200 at worlds. The colorful sprinter won the 100-mete...

ACC considering westward expansion, with eye on Stanford and Cal, AP source says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

The four remaining Pac-12 schools still aboard for next season — California, Stanford, Oregon State and Washington State — have options if they are looking for another conference.The Atlantic Coast Conference is exploring the possibility of adding the West Coast schools, with an emphasis on California and Stanford in the San Francisco Bay Area, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the ACC was not making its internal discussion public and the conversations were still in early stages.The American Athletic Conference also has interest in expanding West and adding all four Pac-12 teams, a person with direct knowledge of that league’s internal discussion told AP on condition of anonymity. The AAC has schools as far West as the Dallas area.The UC Board of Regents scheduled a special closed-session meeting for Tuesday morning to discuss Cal’s conference affiliation.The Pac-12 lost five...