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Moderna, Pfizer sued over technology developed by Scripps researchers that made COVID-19 vaccine possible

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

Natallie Rocha | (TNS) The San Diego Union-TribuneSAN DIEGO — Moderna, Pfizer and BioNTech were named in lawsuits Tuesday that accuse them of stealing a patented method developed by researchers from The Scripps Research Institute that made the COVID-19 vaccine possible.The two separate patent infringement lawsuits — one against Moderna for its Spikevax vaccine and one against Pfizer and its partner BioNTech for its Comirnaty vaccine — were filed in federal court in San Diego by Promosome. The firm, which has offices in San Diego and New York City, develops and commercializes discoveries from the late Nobel Prize laureate Gerald Edelman and Vincent Mauro both of whom conducted research at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla.As of late Tuesday, Moderna, Pfizer and BioNTech could not be reached for comment on the lawsuit.The patent at the center of the complaints is a novel method for modifying messenger RNA, or mRNA — which delivers instructions to a cell for protein production...

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas gets extension to disclose GOP megadonor’s gifts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

By Ariane de Vogue and Devan Cole | CNNJustice Clarence Thomas didn’t release his financial disclosure forms Wednesday when the majority of his Supreme Court colleagues did so, further blocking transparency amid a torrent of criticism over his failure to disclose years of lavish trips and a private real estate transaction with a GOP megadonor.The paperwork – mandated by federal law – requires members of the judiciary to publicly disclose their personal financial interest over the past year and detail income, investments, gifts and spousal salaries.The deadline to release the reports was Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET, but justices are allowed to ask for an extension, and Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito did so, according to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.The move means that any official information about Thomas’ relationship with the donor, Texas real estate magnate Harlan Crow, may not be released until after the end of the current Supreme Court term, and major ruling...

Jasper Wu killing: Alameda County DA withdraws special-circumstances allegations against defendants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

OAKLAND — In a major shift on an already-contentious case, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price decided this week to withdraw special-circumstances allegations against the men accused of killing a 23-month-old toddler during a freeway shooting nearly two years ago on Interstate 880.The decision to no longer pursue those sentencing enhancements means the two remaining defendants in the case, Ivory Bivins and Trevor Green, would no longer be eligible for life in prison without the possibility of parole, if convicted of murder in the November 2021 killing.The move marks a distinct reversal from Price’s predecessor, former District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, who filed the special circumstances allegations while decrying the fatal shooting of 23-month-old Jasper Wu as a “horrible tragedy” that was “unthinkable” for the Bay Area. Along with removing the chance for parole, special circumstances allegations also make defendants eligible for the dea...

Police: Richmond, Virginia, gunman targeted graduating teen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

By Sarah Rankin and Denise Lavoie | Associated PressRICHMOND, Va. — A gunman who opened fire minutes after a high school graduation in Richmond, Virginia, targeted an 18-year-old graduate he had a long-running dispute with, police said Wednesday.Shawn Jackson, 18, and his father, Lorenzo Smith, 36, were both killed Tuesday in the shooting, which sent hundreds fleeing in panic outside the state capital’s city-owned Altria Theater after the graduation ceremony for Huguenot High School. Five other people were wounded in the shooting.Richmond Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards said the shooting suspect, Amari Pollard, 19, knew Jackson and the two had been embroiled in a dispute for more than a year. Edwards said the nature of the dispute is still being investigated.“This was targeted at one individual … that’s what we know at this time,” Edwards said during a news conference Wednesday.Pollard was arraigned Wednesday morning on two counts of second-degree mur...

President Biden coming to Bay Area this month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- President Joe Biden will be visiting the San Francisco Bay Area this month, according to an official release from the White House. The president will travel to the Bay Area on Monday, June 19 and remain in the area until Wednesday, June 21. SF leaders consider pause on cannabis shop applications The White House declined to release any additional details about the president's visit. President Biden was last in the region earlier this year, when he traveled to parts of California's Central Coast to visit areas devastated by severe storms this winter.First lady Dr. Jill Biden will be in the Bay Area a week ahead of the president when she will host a reception for the Biden Victory Fund in San Francisco.

Two charged with murder after Napa girl overdoses on fentanyl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

(KRON) -- The Napa County District Attorney filed murder charges against two Santa Rosa men who allegedly sold fentanyl to a Napa teenager. Monica Flores, 17, was found dead in the bedroom of her Napa home by her family on May 25, 2022.Charges filed against Alan Jazeel Martinez, 22, and Luis Fajardo Melgoza, 20, mark the first time in Napa County law enforcement's history that suspected fentanyl dealers were charged with murder for an overdose death, according to prosecutors. Martinez and Melgoza were also charged with selling a controlled substance to a minor; transportation for sale a controlled substance; possession for sale of a controlled substance; conspiracy to commit a crime; and child abuse likely to cause great bodily injury or death.Further, the District Attorney opted to charge the defendants with the following aggravatingfactors: violence, cruelty, viciousness, or callousness; vulnerable victim; inducing others to participate in a crime; inducing a minor to participate ...

Semi-truck full of garbage overturns on I-680 in Sunol, delays expected 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

(KRON) -- A semi-truck that appears to have been full of garbage has overturned on northbound I-680 in Sunol, according to the California Highway Patrol. The truck overturned near Andrade Road, causing delays.The CHP is recommending using I-880 northbound to 238 or 580 as an alternate route. The estimated time of reopening for 680 is unknown. A photo from the CHP shows the truck on its side with garbage spilling out onto the roadway, blocking several lanes."Thank you for your patience and please drive safely," the CHP tweeted.

The Feds Have Thousands of Stadium Lights on the Border. Switching Them On Would Devastate Desert Ecosystems.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

The tallest panels of border wall between the U.S. and Mexico stand about three stories high. On the ground, the partitions have a long and troubled record of blocking natural waterways and severing wildlife migration corridors, but the environmental impacts don’t stop there.When the sun goes down, the wall’s ecological footprint expands up and out, with lights reaching into the sky and illuminating cross-border habitats. Most of that illumination is concentrated near population centers and ports of entry, but with the flip of a switch, that could easily change.According to a new survey, federal contractors have placed nearly 2,000 stadium-style lights in southern Arizona alone in recent years, imperiling some of the most ecologically complex and celebrated public lands in the United States. Join Our Newsletter Original reporting. Fearless journalism. Delivered to you. I'm in ...

With Saudi-PGA deal, once-shunned crown prince makes dramatic move to extend kingdom’s influence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After years of isolation over his human rights abuses, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is elevating his standing in the United States in part by diving into American sports, business and culture. And no example has been as striking as his bold entry into professional golf — the favorite sport of presidents and millions of other Americans.Tuesday’s surprise announcement of a commercial merger between Saudi Arabia’s $650 billion sovereign wealth fund, the PGA Tour and the European tour in the short run looks to end a messy legal battle between Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf and the PGA.But for the Saudis, it’s much more than a major business deal. It’s the latest and perhaps most dramatic move by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to wield his kingdom’s oil wealth in reshaping his country’s economy and advancing Saudi influence regionally and around the world, while muting critics. Prince Mohammed has assumed much of the duties and leadership of his aged father,...

Colts keep Rodgers out of practice as NFL investigates gambling allegations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:57 GMT

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. did not practice with his teammates Wednesday, two days after the team said it was aware of an NFL investigation into gambling allegations about one of its players.Neither the Colts nor the league have publicly identified Rodgers as the target of the investigation.On Monday, Rodgers issued a statement on Twitter saying he made an “error in judgment.” The post came hours after media reports linked him to the investigation.Coach Shane Steichen would not say whether Rodgers will remain out until the matter is resolved. “It’s an ongoing investigation with the NFL right now,” Steichen said. “Beyond that I won’t have much to say.”He repeated the same comment to most of the questions that were asked about Rodgers and the gambling issue.Linebacker E.J. Speed told reporters league officials spoke to Colts players about gambling a few days ago. Steichen said the meeting was part of the league’s annual presentation to all...