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TheatreWorks commissions ‘Revolution,’ ‘Sex Scandal’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

Using two new funds designed to aid in the creation of new theater, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has commissioned two musicals and is supporting one of its staff members in the development of a new play.The musicals, one by a Grammy winner and another by a Bay Area playwright who previously had success with TheatreWorks’ New Works Festival, are supported by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Commissioning Fund.Launched in 2020 as part of the company’s 50th anniversary campaign, this fund was kicked off by a gift from Phil Kurjan and Noel Butler and is part of the company’s New Works Initiative.“How to Build a Revolution” features music and lyrics by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Paula Cole and a book by Lynn Rosen and Pia Wilson. The rock musical follows the lives of second-wave feminists Betty Friedan, Helen Gurley Brown and Flo Kennedy.“Revolution” had a developmental workshop in February as part of the TheatreWorks Writers Retreat, where it was directed by Giovanna Sardelli, the compa...

Crews continue storm cleanup on Highway 17

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

Nonprofit fundraiserA local nonprofit that provides resources to sexual violence victims of all ages and genders is hosting a fundraising event at the end of this month. San Jose-based Grateful Garment Project will host a “Spring DigniTea” event and silent auction on April 30 at 1 p.m. at Nordahl Hall, 580 Parr Ave. Tickets are $45 per person, with proceeds going to fund the nonprofit’s programs. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/SpringDigniTea.Creek trail connectorThe Town of Los Gatos has officially opened bidding for construction plans for the trail connector from Highway 9 to Los Gatos Creek Trail. Town officials plan to present the lowest bid to the Town Council at the regular May 16 council meeting. Construction is slated to begin in June.Storm debris cleanupCaltrans crews have been working for weeks to clear storm debris from Highway 17 after the South Bay was pummeled by heavy rains and high winds. Crews were working to complete work on the northbound stretch be...

Saudis to cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia says it will cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day from May until the end of 2023.The move would likely raise oil prices, further straining relations between Riyadh and Washington as the world copes with inflation fueled in part by the war in Ukraine.The Energy Ministry said Sunday that the cuts would be made in coordination with some OPEC and non-OPEC members, without naming them, and were in addition to a reduction announced last October.It described the move as a “precautionary measure” aimed at stabilizing the oil market.Saudi Arabia angered the Biden administration last year when it and other OPEC members agreed to cut production on the eve of U.S. midterm elections in which inflation was a major issue. Both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia denied any political motives, saying they were focused on maintaining a healthy market price.Source

Gymnastics leader visits Ukraine as Olympic standoff deepens

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The president of the International Gymnastics Federation has visited Ukraine for talks with senior political figures amid a standoff over Russian athletes’ eligibility for Olympic qualifying events.FIG president Morinari Watanabe met with the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Andriy Yermak, and sports minister Vadym Guttsait, according to an account of the meeting published on the presidential website late Saturday. The statement said Watanabe was urged not to support Russian participation at the Paris Olympics next year.The visit came four days after the International Olympic Committee recommended that international sports governing bodies like the FIG readmit athletes from Russia and Belarus as neutrals without national symbols as qualifying for the Paris Olympics ramps up. They would remain excluded from team sports and athletes who are members of the Russian military would be barred, under IOC recommendations. The IOC says it hasn’t ma...

Blinken urges Russia to release two detained Americans

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged his Russian counterpart, in a rare phone since the Ukraine war, to immediately release a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained last week as well as another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan, the State Department said Sunday.In the call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Blinken conveyed “grave concern” over the Kremlin’s detention of journalist Evan Gershkovich on espionage allegations, according to a State Department summary of the call. Blinken called for his immediate release.Blinken also sought the immediate release of Whelan, whom the statement said was wrongfully detained.Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive, has been imprisoned in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges that his family and the U.S. government have said are baseless. He is serving a 16-year sentence.Blinken and Lavrov also discussed “the importance of creating an environment that permits diplomatic missions to c...

Saudi Arabia says it will cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day from May until end of 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia says it will cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day from May until end of 2023.Source

UK seeks to contact 3 British men detained in Afghanistan

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. government is seeking to make contact with three British nationals detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan, authorities said Sunday.The three men include a charity worker, a thrill-seeking tourist and a third person whose family has asked that he not be identified, according to the Presidium Network, a British charity that works in conflict zones and is representing the families of two of the detainees. The Mail on Sunday newspaper first reported the story.“We are working hard to secure consular contact with British nationals detained in Afghanistan, and we are supporting families,” Britain’s Foreign Office said in a statement.The British government warns against all travel to Afghanistan, saying that there is a heightened risk of terrorism, kidnapping and detention by government authorities. Britain’s ability to provide consular support for detainees is “extremely limited” as the country has no consular officials in the country, according to travel advice upda...

American University picks George Mason asst. basketball coach to lead Eagles

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

American University has hired D.C. native Duane Simpkins as its head basketball coach after eight seasons spent on George Mason’s staff, the university confirmed Saturday.Simpkins comes to the university after several seasons at D.C. area basketball programs at the collegiate and K-12 levels. Before this new position, he was the assistant basketball coach at George Mason University.More Local NewsMore College Basketball NewsHe’ll replace recently-fired coach Mike Brennan at American University, who was let go after 10 seasons spent leading the team.In a news release, American University Director of Athletics and Recreation Billy Walker praised the decision to bring Simpkins on as the new head coach.“His close ties to the area as a coach and player, along with a tremendous recruiting acumen and unbending character, make him an ideal choice to lead our program,” Walker said. “Duane is truly a changemaker.”9 Dec 1995: Guard Duane Simpkins #10 of the ...

Rajasthan thumps Hyderabad by 72 runs in IPL

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

HYDERABAD, India (AP) — Rajasthan Royals showed plenty of batting muscle at the top of the order while Yuzvendra Chahal grabbed 4-17 in a resounding 72-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening Indian Premier game on Sunday.Jos Buttler plundered 54 off 22 balls inside the batting powerplay while his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (54) and captain Sanju Samson (55) also scored heavily to contribute to Rajasthan’s strong total of 203-5.Hyderabad finished on a disappointing 131-8 after Trent Boult (2-21) dismantled the home team’s batting by claiming two wickets in his first over before conceding a run and Chahal later ran through the middle-order, claiming the key wickets of Harry Brook (13) and Mayank Agarwal (27).Chahal raised his wicket tally in the IPL to 170 – joint second most with Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga – when he had Adil Rashid stumped and then clean bowled Bhuvneshwar Kumar with a perfect googly.“We knew 200 was a good score on this wicket,” Chahal said. “My ...

Leicester fires Rodgers with team battling relegation in EPL

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:52 GMT

Relegation-threatened Leicester fired manager Brendan Rodgers on Sunday in a late-season bid to preserve its Premier League status after the team’s sharp decline.Leicester’s leadership took the decision with a heavy heart, hailing Rodgers as “one of the most successful managers in the club’s history” while — in the same statement announcing his departure — saying it was a necessary move if the team was to stay in England’s lucrative top division.Rodgers has been in charge for four years and led Leicester to its first FA Cup title in 2021 as well as back-to-back Europa League qualifications.Such has been the drop-off this season that Rodgers leaves with Leicester having plunged to third-to-last place with 10 matches remaining after losing five of its last six league games.“It had been our belief that continuity and stability would be key to correcting our course, particularly given our previous achievements under Brendan’s management,” Leicester chairman Aiyaw...