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15 best art, design and archaeology discoveries of 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

By Jacqui Palumbo | CNNWhether lost at the bottom of the ocean, tucked away in a library’s archives or hidden behind a kitchen wall, this year’s arts, archaeology and literary discoveries spanned an astonishing range. Some had only been mysteries for a few decades, like the identity of a man whose photo was used on the cover one of rock’s most famous albums, while others dated back a bit longer — say, 6,000 years? And though many of these great finds were excavated through more conventional means, others required ambitious technological feats: an AI algorithm programmed to identify a centuries-old anonymous play, drones sent high into hard-to-reach caves, and groundbreaking scans made of the Titanic wreckage.Below are some of the most significant discoveries of 2023.A still-glimmering swordThis Bavarian sword was found in all its shimmering splendor, despite spending thousands of years in the dirt.(Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege via CNN) It sometimes requires a bit of ...

1,000-plus more homes could sprout in Berkeley with flurry of proposals

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

BERKELEY — A flurry of housing proposals could create — if all are built — well over 1,000 new apartments in Berkeley, a review of several new projects on file with the city Planning Department shows.2660-2680 Bancroft Way in Berkeley, an eight-story development with 115 units, concept. (Studio KDA)2462 Bancroft Way in Berkeley, an eight-story, 66-unit residential and mixed-use project, concept. (Trachtenberg Architects)All told, the projects could produce slightly more than 1,300 residences in Berkeley, with the great majority of them clustered along the busy commercial strip of Shattuck Avenue, according to city planning documents.Perhaps the most dramatic change in the Berkeley skyline would be the potential development of a 28-story housing tower at 1998 Shattuck Avenue.1998 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, a 28-story, 599-unit housing tower, concept. (Trachtenberg Architects)This residential tower would replace a restaurant row along Shattuck Avenue...

Preview: ‘Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’ tries to upend Metroidvania formula

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

Depending on who you talk to “Prince of Persia” can bring up two different images. The first is the original title by Jordan Mechner, a 2D classic that seems primitive now but was groundbreaking at the time. The second is “Sands of Time” series that features more complex and elaborate gameplay in a three-dimensional world.Those phases constitute the two main chapters of the series, and Ubisoft is trying to ignite a third. Created by Ubisoft Montpellier, “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown” aims to bridge the legacy of those two branches into one game. This entry follows the adventures of Sargon, a gifted warrior among the Immortals.The elite force works together to defeat General Uvishka of the Kushan empire, which threatened Persepolis. The opening scene and victory offer a glimpse into the seven other Immortals, who play a bigger role in what’s to come. It also reveals a heavy anime-influence in the game’s creation, according to cinema...

San Jose approves additional protections for mobile home parks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

In a decision that will make it difficult for developers to convert mobile home parks into other uses, the San Jose City Council has unanimously approved additional protections for some of the region’s last bastion of affordable housing.Thirteen of San Jose’s mobile home parks will be placed into a new land-use category, requiring prospective developers to submit a general plan amendment on top of a council vote. The city’s eventual goal is to place nearly all of San Jose’s 60 parks in this category. San Jose is home to the most parks of this kind among all of California’s cities.“I think this is a clear statement of intent from the council that these should remain mobile home parks,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “And should a developer propose redevelopment, the bar would have to be extremely high.”For years, mobile home park residents have worried about their communities being torn down and turned into high-density housing as the cit...

What to watch: Strange, miraculous ‘Monster’ one of year’s best films

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

In the lead-up to awards season, smaller films often get trampled by studio releases backed by huge and well-oiled marketing blitzes.“Monster” is one such film that should get more attention and love. We’ll tell you why, and check in on the “Chicken Hill” gang (23 years later) and spotlight a riveting new Italian mob series.Here’s our roundup.“Monster”: Three unique perspectives guide and dramatically shift the serpentine narrative course of Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda’s exquisite movie — one of 2023’s most amazing tightrope walks. It begins with a striking image of a mother and son observing from their apartment a fire that’s devouring a tall building (an image that could well serve as a mirror to the warring firestorm of emotions roiling inside each of its characters). But what seems to be emerging as a standard family drama soon pivots in Yuji Sakamoto’s award-winning script, which is assembled like a jigsaw puzzle. And Kore-eda, director of...

House preps for vote on Biden impeachment inquiry

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

By Farnoush Amiri | Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — The House is pushing toward a vote Wednesday to formally authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden as Republicans rally behind the charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president.The vote comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team face growing pressure to show progress in what has become a nearly yearlong probe centered around the business dealings of Biden’s family members. While their investigation has raised ethical questions, no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president.Ahead of the vote, Johnson called it “the next necessary step.” He acknowledged there are “a lot of people who are frustrated this hasn’t moved faster.”But Johnson said on Fox News he believes the resolution wil...

Apple unveils new security feature to safeguard against thieves

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

By Jennifer Korn | CNNNew York, NY — Apple is rolling out an iPhone security update to keep thieves out of your device.Serving as an extra layer of protection for the vast amount of personal data kept on iPhones, the new feature intends to keep criminals out by adding additional steps to access information.A screenshot of Apple’s new Stolen Device Protection feature, currently in beta testing.(Apple) IPhone users can currently view highly sensitive information and make major changes to their phone’s settings with just a passcode – the typically four or six digit number string used to perform a wide array of actions from unlocking a device to viewing credit card information to seeing every single stored password.With the Stolen Device Protection feature, users are protected even if a thief manages to obtain their passcode. Instead of relying on the traditional string of numbers, users with the new feature will now be asked to enter biometric data via Face ID (face scan) or...

Condominium in Los Gatos sells for $2.2 million

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

17572 Bruce Avenue – Google Street ViewA condominium located in the 17500 block of Bruce Avenue in Los Gatos has new owners. The 1,898-square-foot property, built in 1978, was sold on Nov. 28, 2023. The $2,200,000 purchase price works out to $1,159 per square foot. This apartment has three bedrooms and three baths. In addition, the condo is equipped with a two-car garage, accommodating vehicles and storage needs efficiently.Additional units have recently changed hands nearby:On Monterey Avenue, Los Gatos, in April 2023, a 2,020-square-foot unit was sold for $2,300,000, a price per square foot of $1,139. The unit has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 2,164-square-foot unit on the 500 block of Hubbell Way in Los Gatos sold in October 2023, for $2,500,000, a price per square foot of $1,155. The unit has 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.In November 2022, a 1,800-square-foot unit on Winchester Boulevard in Los Gatos sold for $1,560,000, a price per square foot of $867. The unit has 3 bedrooms and 3...

Buster Posey suggests SF 'crime' and 'drugs' may have been factors in Ohtani going to LA

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Buster Posey suggested this week that San Francisco's issues with drugs and crime may have been a factor in why the San Francisco Giants' pursuit of Shohei Ohtani failed. In an interview with The Athletic, the former Giants star catcher said he believed the franchise had done everything it could to lure the coveted two-way star to the City by the Bay.Reports even indicate that the Giants offered Ohtani essentially the same $700 million with $680 million deferred deal he accepted from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Giants reportedly sign Korean star Jung Hoo Lee for $113 million But according to Posey, who spent 12 years and won three World Series with the Giants, suggested that the city's current reputation may have been part of the reason Ohtani chose the Dodgers over the Giants."I just wanted him to understand my level of love for the San Francisco Giants and the city of San Francisco and for him to understand how much I've come to appreciate the history here a...

Pedestrian who died in SF crash at Folsom Street parking lot identified

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:48 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A pedestrian was killed in a crash on San Francisco's Folsom Street on Monday, the San Francisco Police Department said.The crash happened in a private parking lot, involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, according to SFPD. Officers responded to the lot on the 1700 block of Folsom Street at about 2:50 p.m. Charges against Khazar Momeni discharged following DUI bust The officers located the victim, who died at the scene. The Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Timothy Water, 74, of San Francisco.The driver remained at the scene as well and is cooperating with police, per SFPD.Several other cars were allegedly struck in the crash. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call SFPD at (415) 575-4444.