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Congress passes Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill to tackle abuse of an animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

A bill spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo to combat the rising drug scourge of xylazine, a powerful animal tranquilizer that users mix with fentanyl and other substances, passed the House Monday and now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.Xylazine, also known by its street names “tranq” and “zombie drug” — for the severe, rotting wounds it can cause in humans — spurred a warning from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration last spring about its potential lethality, especially when mixed with opioids such as fentanyl. The drug is not approved for human use.The bipartisan bill, dubbed the Testing, Rapid Analysis and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act, directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to focus its research on existing and emerging illicit drugs containing xylazine and other emerging substances. NIST researchers have been helping to improve and develop technologies to get ahead of synthetic dr...

Driving on PCH in Malibu is about to change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

An ambitious multi-million-dollar project begins Monday to improve safety and traffic flow along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, including the area where four Pepperdine University students were killed in a crash in October.As part of the “Traffic Signal Synchronization Project,” crews will install communication lines between existing traffic signals on PCH between John Tyler Drive and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Officials said this will allow signals to be controlled remotely by Caltrans to lower speeds and reduce congestion.Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. (Getty Images)“The new equipment will capture real-time traffic data and send it to the traffic signal controllers, which will use state-of-the art software to adjust the traffic signal timing to actual traffic volume,” the city of Malibu said on its website. “Vehicles going the speed over the speed limit will encounter red lights, while those going the speed limit will encounter green lights.”The project also include...

American woman killed by shark at popular tourist destination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

A female tourist from Boston was killed Monday by a shark while paddleboarding in the Bahamas, police told reporters.The victim, who was not identified, was attacked less than a mile off the western end of New Providence island, where the capital, Nassau, is located. She was paddleboarding with a man who was not injured, according to Police Sgt. Desiree Ferguson.“We extend our heartfelt condolences…for this most unfortunate situation,” she said.Police said a lifeguard rescued both people with a boat upon seeing what was happening, but the woman suffered serious injuries to the right side of her body and was declared dead at the scene despite CPR efforts. Study: Sharks nearby more than we think, are not ‘bothering’ us It was not immediately clear what type of shark attacked the woman. A police superintendent did not immediately respond to a message requesting comment.Gavin Naylor, program director of the International Shark Attack File in Florida, said in an interview that there ha...

Thomas O’Connell Dead, Damian Lopez-Avelino Arrested after Hit-and-Run on Oak Grove Road [Concord, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

86-Year-Old Man Killed in DUI Accident near Treat Boulevard, Suspect ArrestedCONCORD, CA (December 4, 2023) – Thomas O’Connell lost his life in a fatal hit-and-run incident on Oak Grove Boulevard on Thursday evening.At approximately 6:49 p.m., authorities arrived at the intersection of Oak Grove and Treat Boulevard in response to the crash.Upon reaching the scene, officers discovered a second crash had occurred at the nearby intersection of Oak Grove and Ryan Road.Shortly after, a passenger involved in the second crash succumbed to his injuries at John Muir Hospital. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office later identified the victim as 86-year-old Thomas O’Connell from Concord.In connection with the incident, law enforcement arrested the suspect, 19-year-old Lopez-Avelino of Concord, on multiple charges, including DUI and felony hit-and-run.For anyone with additional information related to this fatal hit-and-run, the Concord Police Department can be reached at (9...

Morgan Christie’s Boolean Logic Offers a Personal Perspective on Race, Gender, and Injustice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

In the literary world, authors often draw upon their own personal experiences to craft narratives that resonate with readers. These narratives, rooted in real-life trials and triumphs, carry an authenticity that is hard to replicate. Author, Morgan Christie, draws from her personal experiences to convey compelling messages about race, gender, and injustice in her recently released collection of autobiographical essays, titled Boolean Logic.For some people, personal trials can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for their creative pursuits. Christie exemplifies this inspiration through the channeling of her life experiences into essays, poetry chapbooks, and short story manuscripts that challenge societal norms and provoke meaningful conversations.Christie’s debut chapbook, Variations on a Lobster’s Tale, received significant recognition when it earned the 2017 Alexander Posey Chapbook Prize. This early success set the stage for her continued growth within the industry. ...

Markato’s Leap into Asia’s B2B Landscape: A Game-Changer for Retailers and Brands

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

In the evolving landscape of Asia’s business-to-business (B2B) market, a new player has emerged with a revolutionary approach. Markato, an online wholesale marketplace, has set its sights on transforming how independent retailers and buyers in Asia interact with global brands. Founded by entrepreneurs Brian Lo and Martin Li, Markato is not just a platform; it’s a bridge connecting the East with the best of the West.Revolutionizing Retail in AsiaFor years, the Asian B2B wholesale industry has grappled with inefficiencies. Retailers faced hurdles in accessing global brands, with high costs, logistical complexities, and a need for more streamlined sourcing methods. Markato, launching initially in Hong Kong and rapidly expanding to other Asian markets, aims to solve these issues. Its mission is clear: to connect Asian retailers with unique and premium independent brands from the US, Europe, and Australia.A Platform Built on Innovation and AccessibilityMarkato offers a curate...

Luciano Sanchez Killed, Cyclist Hurt in Fiery Collision on Highway 1 [San Mateo County, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

52-Year-Old Man Fatally Injured in Fiery Accident near San Gregorio State BeachSAN MATEO COUNTY, CA (December 4, 2023) – Luciano Sanchez died Friday afternoon in a fiery crash on northbound Highway 1.Dispatchers arrived to the scene shortly before 2:00 p.m., near the San Gregorio State Beach after receiving multiple calls in the area.Following the initial investigation, a bicyclist was struck by a GMC Yukon on the right shoulder. Subsequently, the SUV veered into the southbound lanes, colliding with both a Chevrolet Silverado and a tree. Upon collision, the GMC overturned and eventually came to a halt in an embankment, where it ignited in flames.Emergency responders on the scene pronounced the GMC driver, identified as 52-year-old Luciano Lopez Sanchez of Richmond, deceased. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the identity of the deceased driver.Sanchez’s passenger suffered minor injuries, while the 30-year-old male bicyclist from Woodside was air...

Correction: Affordable homes could sprout in San Jose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

A story that ran Monday in the B section about an affordable housing development included an incorrect address for the project. The correct address is 2165 The Alameda in San Jose.

Almost $1M raised for Palestinian student paralyzed in shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

By Lisa Rathke | Associated PressMore than $950,000 has been raised for the recovery of one of the three college students of Palestinian descent who was shot in Vermont and is currently paralyzed from the chest down, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his family.One of the bullets that hit Hisham Awartani on Nov. 25 is lodged in his spine, his family said.“Hisham’s first thoughts were for his friends, then for his parents who were thousands of miles away. He has demonstrated remarkable courage, resilience and fortitude – even a sense of humor – even as the reality of his paralysis sets in,” the fundraising page, which was set up on Saturday, states.Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ali Ahmad are childhood friends who graduated from a private Quaker school in the West Bank and now attend colleges in the eastern U.S. The 20-year-olds were visiting Awartani’s relatives in Burlington for the Thanksgiving break. They were walking to the house...

49ers’ Shanahan: No hard feelings against Eagles’ security director; NFL investigating Greenlaw incident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:17 GMT

The NFL is investigating Philadelphia head of security Dom DiSandro for a sideline incident with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw that led to the ejection of both men Sunday.While a league source said Monday the league is gathering information on the scuffle that broke out in the third quarter of the 49ers’ 42-19 road win over the Eagles, it sounds as if coach Kyle Shanahan would be fine if the whole thing just went away.“It was hard to accept Dre getting kicked out of the game for something that involved someone that didn’t have anything to do with the game,” Shanahan told Bay Area media by conference call. “But I definitely don’t have any hard feelings toward Dom or anything like that. I don’t want to go too hard on him.“I think he got caught up in a weird situation, an emotional situation. I know a lot of people that speak very highly of him. I just couldn’t believe we lost our player because of it.”Philadelphia coach Nick ...