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Remember when the metaverse was a thing?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

Seems like just yesterday that the tech world was buzzing about the metaverse, that supercharged revamping of the internet that was supposed to bring virtual reality into all our lives.Nowadays, it's more meh-taverse.Big Tech has pivoted to AI, and venture-capital investment cash is tumbling down that rabbit hole instead of staying in the metaverse hunt.That's bad news for Meta, which was once so gobsmacked by the potential of everyone wearing uncomfortable headsets and interacting in the form of cartoon avatars that it changed its name from Facebook.The company reported its latest quarterly results Wednesday, and overall the news was good.Revenue up by 11%. Profit up by 16%. Prospects strong for the current quarter."We had a good quarter," Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. "We continue to see strong engagement across our apps and we have the most exciting roadmap I’ve seen in a while."But does that road still go to the metaverse? While Meta remains committed to manufact...

Design for Las Vegas mass shooting memorial approved

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

Fifty-eight towering, candlelike beams will cast a blanket of warm light on visitors in the design concept chosen Wednesday at an emotional meeting of a committee tasked with creating a permanent memorial at the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The number 58 represents the toll of people who were killed in the Las Vegas Strip massacre in October 2017, when a gunman opened fire from a high-rise suite at the Mandalay Bay hotel, targeting people at a country music festival below. Two people who initially survived died in subsequent years from causes that were attributed to the gunshot wounds they suffered. The announcement marks a major step forward for the 1 October Memorial Committee, which began the planning process more than three years ago. The panel is expected to submit a full recommendation including an alternate design to the Clark County Commission in September. “I will not lie that this has been a simple process, because it hasn’t," committee membe...

Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell freezes up during news conference (video)

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell briefly left his own press conference Wednesday after stopping his remarks mid-sentence and staring off into space for several seconds. McConnell approached the podium for his weekly press conference and began speaking about the annual defense bill on the floor, which he said was proceeding with “good bipartisan cooperation.” But he then appeared to lose his train of thought, trailing off with a drawn-out “uh.” The Kentucky senator then appeared to freeze up and stared vacantly for around 20 seconds before his colleagues in Republican leadership, who were standing behind him and could not see his face, grabbed his elbows and asked if he wanted to go back to his office. He did not answer, but slowly walked back to his office with an aide and Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a former orthopedic surgeon who is the No. 3 Republican in the Senate. After sitting down in his office for several minutes, McConnell later returned to the press conference and...

Woman Killed in Pedestrian Crash on Beach Boulevard [Huntington Beach, CA]

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

Pedestrian-Auto Collision Near Williams Drive Kills 34-Year-Old Florida WomanHUNTINGTON BEACH, CA (July 26, 2023) – Late Sunday night, a woman sustained fatal injuries in a pedestrian crash on Beach Boulevard.Officers responded to the incident just before 11:00 p.m. just north of Williams Drive in Huntington Beach.Upon arrival, authorities learned that a 2019 Hyundai Kona hit the pedestrian while traveling north in the far left lane of Beach Boulevard. Investigators also determined that the victim was walking outside the marked crosswalk at the time of the collision.Tragically, the 34-year-old female pedestrian from Florida succumbed to her injuries at the scene.Meanwhile, the 18-year-old female driver from Upland stayed at the site of the incident and cooperated with the police. Officials ruled out intoxication as a factor in the collision.Those who witnessed the fatal Beach Boulevard pedestrian crash are asked to contact the Huntington Beach Police Department at 714-536-5666...

Four-bedroom home sells in Alameda for $2.9 million

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

1380 Eastshore Drive – Google Street ViewA 3,485-square-foot house built in 1955 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 1300 block of Eastshore Drive in Alameda was sold on June 20, 2023, for $2,860,000, or $821 per square foot. This single-story house presents a roomy floor plan, featuring four bedrooms and four bathrooms. In addition, the house includes a two-car garage, ensuring ample room for parking and storage. The property occupies a sizable 7,975-square-foot lot.Additional houses have recently changed hands nearby:On Hansen Avenue, Alameda, in February 2023, a 1,748-square-foot home was sold for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $915. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In June 2023, a 1,973-square-foot home on Eastshore Drive in Alameda sold for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $811. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,124-square-foot home on the 1200 block of Peach Street in Alameda sold in January 2023, for $1,200,000, a price per s...

Dietary supplement company Balance of Nature to pay $1.1 million over misleading advertising

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

A dietary supplement company agreed to pay a $1.1 million settlement after a group of California district attorneys — including several in the Bay Area — challenged the company’s claims that its freeze-dried capsules could cure diabetes, lupus and numerous other ailments.Evig LLC — which does business as Balance of Nature — agreed to the settlement after the California Food, Drug and Medical Device Task Force filed a civil lawsuit against the company, claiming that its advertising campaigns across California “were not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence,” according to a news release by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.About $250,000 of the settlement has been set aside for customer restitution, meaning that any California resident who bought a Balance of Nature product in the last six years may be able to claim a refund. The other $850,000 portion of the settlement will go toward civil penalties and investigative costs, th...

Man beaten, robbed and carjacked after using Oakland ATM

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

OAKLAND — A 62-year-old man who had just used an ATM at a downtown bank Tuesday night was beaten with a rifle, robbed and carjacked, authorities said.Even though the man suffered lacerations to his head, he did not require hospitalization, authorities said.The violent robbery and carjacking happened about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 300 block of 20th Street at Webster Street outside the Chase Bank branch, authorities said.Initial reports were that the man had just gotten some cash from the ATM and was walking to his parked 2015 BMW 435 when a vehicle stopped and three males got out, at least one holding a rifle, police said.They confronted the man, who was hit with the rifle, knocked to the pavement and robbed of his wallet and watch before the suspects fled in the man’s car, police said.The vehicle the suspects were initially in, which contained a fourth man, also drove away.Detailed descriptions of the suspects were not available. The BMW had not been recovered as of earl...

Sinead O’Connor described living in anguish since son’s 2022 suicide

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

Before her death was announced Wednesday Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor opened up on social media about living as “an undead night creature” since her 17-year-old son’s suicide last year.In what appears to be among her last Twitter posts, the phenomenally gifted but troubled musician hailed her son, Shane, as “the love of (my) life” and “the only person who ever loved me unconditionally,” the Daily Mail reported, citing posts that appear to have since been deleted. In this post, which was a reply to a fan, O’Connor also said she felt “lost” without him and emphasized her pain with a series of crying emojis.O’Connor also shared four posts that linked to songs that she said she had been listening to, the Daily Mail said. They included “Chenrezi,” a Tibetan compassion mantra by Ani Choying Drolma and Steve Tibbetts, which the singer dedicated to other grieving mothers who had lost children to s...

Disneyland to serve alcohol at 3 more restaurants

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

(KRON) -- Disneyland will begin serving alcohol at three more restaurants this fall, according to Nexstar Media's Scott Gustin. The Orange County theme park will begin serving wine, beer, specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages at the Carnation Cafe, River Bell Terrace and Cafe Orleans.NEW: Beginning Sept. 12 at Disneyland Resort, Carnation Café, River Belle Terrace, and Café Orleans will be introducing new food options along with wine, beer, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. pic.twitter.com/0xDG5OL7Fg— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 26, 2023The new alcoholic offerings well be available starting Sept. 12. Bay Area tech layoffs: LinkedIn cuts nearly 200 jobs River Belle TerraceRiver Belle Terrace, located in the park's Frontierland area, is planning to launch a brunch offering with six new food items for lunch and dinner. Those include roasted summer squash and BBQ burnt ends pasta and a Wildberry Mule that will be alcoholic. A non-alcoholic Mississ...

Shots fired at bicyclist in Old Oakland

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:15:05 GMT

(KRON) -- A person riding a bike in Old Oakland was shot at by a person in a passing vehicle Wednesday afternoon, according to the Oakland Police Department. Family raises funds after fatal Santa Rosa Jack in the Box shooting The shooting happened just after 1 p.m. near 8th and Clay streets. An occupant of the vehicle shot at a victim who was riding a bike nearby. The victim was not hit by the gunfire. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KRON4 Breaking News SIGN UP NOW Police are still investigating this shooting. Anyone with more information is asked to contact OPD's Felony Assault Unit at 510-238-3426.