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The Wagner Mutiny and What It Means for China

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

The recent mutiny of the mercenary Wagner Group in Russia concluded abruptly in less than two days. Through the intervention of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, the military personnel of the Wagner Group ceased their advance towards Moscow and retreated to their bases. Media reported that Lukashenko successfully obtained assurances from the Russian government regarding the safety of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and that Prigozhin and his private armed forces will be deployed to Belarus and stationed there - writes Mr. Kung Chan, founder of ANBOUND.Although the immediate crisis has been resolved, the repercussions of this event will have long-lasting consequences.First of all, the prospect of reconciliation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prigozhin is highly improbable. During a crucial phase of the war in Ukraine, Prigozhin's rebellion not only posed a threat to Russia but also caused humiliation to Putin. Such incidents are utterly unacceptable to t...

Is the rain over? Here's the Monday forecast on Hilary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

Bands of moderate to heavy rain will continue to move through Southern California Monday morning with isolated thunderstorms possible. The threat of significant flooding also continues but the area will start to clear up as well, according to the National Weather Service. The remnants of Tropical Storm Hilary are seen on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (NOAA)As the day progresses we will see rain decrease across the Southland, KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said. “Overall, the morning hours will be the pretty much last hurrah of the chance of some heavy rain,” he said. By the evening hours, we should only see some scattered activity, Henry said. Thunderstorm activity, especially in the deserts and mountains, is expected to be a threat throughout the day. Live updates: Tropical Storm Hilary lashes Southern California The core of Hilary has already exited the region, "so now we're talking remnants ... I think you'll be surprised how things clear out this afternoon," Henry said. But Hilary ...

Microdosing vs. “Megadosing” — What’s The Best Way To Dose CBD Oil?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

Microdosing began with magic mushrooms in Silicon Valley, but the concept has penetrated into the legal hemp market. There are now many people who rave about using small doses of CBD oil for exceptional results. However, some people say “megadosing” CBD helps them combat various symptoms.New customers who read these anecdotal testimonies are understandably confused about dosing their CBD oil. Is it better to take tiny amounts of CBD, or should people take more CBD for better effects?A Few General Guidelines On Dosing CBD OilBefore getting into the specifics of microdosing and megadosing CBD, we should review the basics of dosing any new substance. When introducing a cannabinoid like CBD to your body, it’s always best to start with the lowest recommended dose. Please never exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations when first testing a CBD product.If you notice you aren’t experiencing side effects from your CBD oil, you can increase the dose by a smidge each day. Most CBD fans recomme...

Everyone Asked About Tears for Fears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

Tears for FearsThe Hurting (Mercury/Phonogram)Everyone Asked About Tears for Fears: Collins Kilgore of Little Rock emo-pop band Everyone Asked About You told us about his love for a Tears for Fears gem.(Mercury/Phonogram)Collins Kilgore: My favorite record? Lately it’s been The Hurting, the debut album of Tears For Fears.It’s a weird record. A commercial success despite its dark themes and, in the singles, lacking what I think of as real pop choruses. The eighties were a strange and rapidly evolving time musically, but at the same time also in the pop psychology movements that had been gaining in appeal since the sixties.You can hear that strangeness and searching throughout The Hurting. Roland Orzabal decided to make Tears For Fears’ debut pop album aboutprimal scream and repressed memory therapy. Very intense and controversial stuff.  It’s a record about trying and failing to deal with deep psychological trauma, all wrapped up into this edgy but polished pop facade.Several of the ...

San Francisco homicide: Shooting in Mission district

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

A person was fatally shot Friday, Aug. 18, in the Mission district, San Francisco police said.The shooting was reported at 3:03 p.m. on the 2400 block of Harrison Street, near O’Connell High School. Emergency responders took the victim to a hospital, where the person was pronounced dead, the police report said.No arrests had been made as of Sunday.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Probation Department ignored red flags about gang member who killed 2 California police officers, OIG says Crime and Public Safety | California business owner killed after argument over a Pride flag hanging outside her clothing store, deputies say Crime and Public Safety | One killed, two wounded in Oakland shootings Crime and Public Safety | Details emerge around alleged auto murder in Vallejo Crime and Public Safety | Man accused in deadly Southern California 7-Eleven robbery rampage to face trial, judge rules

Wish You Were Here: Travel tips for Cappadocia, Turkey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

It’s been a summer of air travel delays and heat waves, but our intrepid readers have been traveling the world despite all that, exploring cities from Tokyo to Montreal, discovering spectacular ruins in Guatemala and sightseeing on the islands of the Azores. And they’ve been sharing their adventures with us along the way.Wish You Were HereTURKEY: Mountain View residents Bill and Marsha Adler visited Cappadocia at the outset of their Overseas Adventure Travel tour of Turkey, Greece and the Aegean Sea. “Here we are in Cappadocia in front of the unique and awe-inspiring rock formations that have been — and still are — homes for centuries,” Bill says. “Turkey is a fascinating and surprising country, well worth at least a week. Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus are not to be missed.”Related ArticlesTravel | Wish You Were Here: Adventures on the Aran Islands of Ireland Travel | Wish You Were Here: Tokyo adventures ...

TasteFood: An end-of-summer paella recipe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

Summer is winding down, which is a great excuse to have a paella party. Vibrant and flavorful, studded with smoky sausage, chicken and fresh shellfish, a paella shouts “fiesta.” It’s a fun dish to enjoy outdoors, family-style, while the weather is still warm and the days are long.A paella might sound intimidating, but it’s easy to make with the right ingredients and by following a few important steps. While a grill is desirable, it’s not necessary. A grill can accommodate the size of a large paella pan, unlike many stovetops, and the fire will add a smoky backdrop to the dish. If you don’t have a grill, you can also make a paella on the stovetop.Use a large paella pan or cast-iron pan (at least 12 inches in diameter). Note that the wider the pan, the more surface area you have to spread the rice, which allows as many grains as possible to brown and crisp on the bottom of the pan while cooking. This coveted crispy bottom is called the socarrat, whi...

Why were so many snails clustered together on a Sunnyvale park fence post?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

DEAR JOAN: While hiking in Sunnyvale’s Baylands Park, I ran across something I’d never seen before – a virtual snail convention with dozens of snails clustered together on a fence post. Have you seen or heard of anything like this? If so, what causes this phenomenon?— Doug Sheaffer, SunnyvaleDEAR DOUG: You stumbled across a meeting of the GOMP (the Grand Old Mollusk Party). The snails are gathering in small enclaves around the world to choose candidates for the upcoming mollusk emperor election. It’s an exciting time.OK, back to reality. The snails were trying to stay alive during a heatwave, and they did it in a very interesting fashion. Snails depend on moisture to stay alive, so when it’s hot and dry, they can literally wither away.To preserve the moisture in their shells, they climb to higher perches and seal their shells with a thick mucus called an epiphragm. The goo not only keeps the snail moist in its shell, but also adheres the shell to whatever object it...

Can AI help prevent wildfires from spreading across the Bay Area?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

Artificial Intelligence can do everything from writing your grocery lists to creating websites, but can it prevent catastrophic wildfires?Over the past three years, California has seen more than 7 million acres burned from wildfires, and officials across the state are deploying cutting-edge, innovative ways to prevent further devastation by getting to fires before they spread.In Santa Clara County, officials are installing AI-enabled sensors that measure air particles and temperatures to detect where a small wildfire may be burning out of sight before it grows into an out-of-control blaze.Ten of these iPad-sized sensors already sit in the hills east of Oakland and are part of a 24-month pilot program out of the Oakland Fire Department. Cal Fire is piloting 400 “ultra-early” sensors from German startup Dryad Networks in Fort Bragg as well.These sensors “cover more ground broadly, and can spot fires sooner and earlier, particularly in the smoldering phases of fire right when the...

Travel Troubleshooter: I might be on Alamo’s Do Not Rent list. Can you find out?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I recently rented a car from Alamo. I made a reservation online, but when I tried to pick up the car at the airport, a representative informed me that I could not rent from Alamo because I was on the Do Not Rent list.Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter Alamo said I had to resolve this through the corporate office of Enterprise, which owns Alamo. Unfortunately, I have had no success in resolving this issue there either.Alamo says I owe $204 from a rental in 2018. I rented the vehicle while my car was being repaired, and there could have been a mix-up involving the insurance company’s payment. I called Enterprise and offered to pay the debt, but Enterprise could not locate the amount of the debt or the reason for it. In fact, the agent with whom I spoke could not determine if I was on the Do Not Rent list.I’m happy to pay whatever I owe. At this point, I’m willing to pay even if this was a mistake. The brands Enterprise owns all...