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17 alleged MS-13 members arrested, charged as part of large-scale drug trafficking probe

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

Members of the international street gang MS-13 were arrested and charged as part of a sweeping investigation into the trafficking of large quantities of methamphetamine into Los Angeles.On Tuesday, the United States Department of Justice announced the unsealing of a federal grand jury indictment that charges 23 members and associates of the notorious and violent gang with illegal drug and gun crimes.Alleged members of the criminal street gang MS-13 were processed by law enforcement officials in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 14, 2023. Seventeen suspected members of the gang were arrested during an early morning operation in undisclosed locations across the Los Angeles area. Four of the defendants are already in state custody and authorities are searching for the remaining two.During the operation, law enforcement officers seized several pounds of suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine, nine firearms and about $94,000 in cash. As much as $50,000 was taken from one specific res...

It's a good time to be a pet psychic

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

For centuries there have been people who claimed they could communicate with the dead, and a subset of such folk who insisted they could tell you what your dog or cat is thinking.I suspect many if not most pet owners dismiss such claims as hokum.But the Wall Street Journal says a degree of newfound respectability has come to the cottage industry of pet psychics."Pet psychics are making their way from the fringe to socially acceptable," the paper reports. "Those who tell others about their experiences with animal communicators say they are more likely to be asked for referrals than be mocked."Maybe this is a reflection of the less-than-serious times we seem to inhabit. Or maybe it just speaks to the close ties between people and their critters, especially after the pandemic.Whatever the case, when the Wall Street Journal is treating pet psychics seriously, it's fair to say it's a thing."People book sessions with animal communicators to unravel behavioral issues, to learn about prefer...

The Key to Perfect Pigmentation: Brows by Shelly’s Plastic Tattoo Wrap

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

As permanent makeup (PMU) is becoming more popular, many women are facing the reality of getting tattoos on their faces. But the idea of needles and related issues scares off some who would love to give up the daily grind of applying makeup in the morning and removing it at night. Brows by Shelly can help alleviate those fears.“Brows are very, very low maintenance when it comes to the healing afterwards,” founder Shelly Nguyen says. “Depending on whether the client’s brows are super sensitive. Then they might have a little bit of redness afterward, which goes away within 24 hours.”Shelly says that it’s not a stressful procedure at all, and most of her clients are very relaxed. Some even more than others.“I think it’s more of a trust thing as well,” Nguyen says. “After we start the tattooing process, we sit there and we talk. The whole time is just talking and then it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m done already,’ or with some clients, they’ll come in tired from a hard day. And they’ll just go to s...

Spanish Fly Pro – YES or BIG NO?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

Spanish Fly products have long been covered in an aura of mystery and question. Historically, they were known as aphrodisiacs, substances that could ignite passion and enhance sexual experiences. But with the countless of products available in the market, how does one discern the real from the fake ones? Enter Spanish Fly Pro, a product that has been making waves in the industry. But is it a resounding YES or a BIG NO? Let’s delve deeper.A Brief Overview of Spanish Fly ProductsSpanish Fly, traditionally, was a substance derived from the blister beetle and was believed to have potent aphrodisiac properties. However, its use was fraught with dangers, including potential toxicity. Over the years, the term “Spanish Fly” has evolved to include a range of products designed to enhance sexual pleasure and performance. These products, often made from a blend of herbs and natural ingredients, promise to reignite passion and improve intimacy.Zooming in on Spanish Fly ProSpani...

San Carlos beheading defendant skips court Tuesday; DA says he won’t seek mistrial

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

REDWOOD CITY — After a courtroom scene Monday that prompted prosecutors and a judge to question a “marked change” in the defendant’s behavior, a man accused of beheading his child’s mother with a sword last year skipped out on his own trial Tuesday, prompting the defense to rest its case.Jose Rafael Solano Landaeta’s absence came just one day after a bizarre courtroom episode that unfolded when the 34-year-old defendant was cross-examined by prosecutors: He denied committing the killing and even denied recognizing a photo of the victim — 27-year-old Karina Castro — while testifying under oath. Solano then became nonresponsive for the rest of his cross-examination, prompting Judge Lisa Novak to recess court for the day.Solano is accused of the daytime killing of Castro, allegedly using a sword that he pulled from his car as the two were arguing. Authorities say Solano used the sword to hack Castro to death, cutting off one of her arms and striking her at least seven...

Photos: Fire-resistant Oakland hills mansion with a pool made from a container listed for $5M

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

A newly renovated mansion in the Oakland hills complete with an eco-conscious pool and a restored Airstream is for sale for $4.995 million.Fire-resistant Oakland hills mansion listed for $5 million (CircleVisions/Aerial Canvas). Fire-resistant Oakland hills mansion listed for $5 million (CircleVisions/Aerial Canvas). The rustic-style house has four bedrooms and six bathrooms in 4,318 square feet. It blends in natural elements of wood beams and stones, as well as fire-resistant materials.Fire-resistant Oakland hills mansion listed for $5 million (CircleVisions/Aerial Canvas). Fire-resistant Oakland hills mansion listed for $5 million (CircleVisions/Aerial Canvas). The property boasts generous amenities and sustainability. Features include a dual-person home office, a bocce ball court, an outdoor kitchen and a spa. A  20,000 Kwh solar system, Tesla Powerwalls and a pool made from a reusable shipping container are among the environmentally conscious elements. A refu...

Obama Alumni Call on Former President to “Leverage” Influence for Gaza Ceasefire

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

More than 130 former Barack Obama campaign staffers and political appointees — including Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., — are urging the ex-president to push for a ceasefire.In a letter sent on Friday, the 133 alumni asked Obama to “leverage” his influence to push his former vice president and other elected officials toward supporting a ceasefire, brokering the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians, and setting a path for collective peace.The House ceasefire resolution — led by Reps. Tlaib; Cori Bush, D-Mo.; André Carson, D-Ind.; Summer Lee, D-Pa.; and Delia Ramirez, D-Ill. — has 18 members supporting it. At least 24 members of Congress, including Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have come out in favor of a ceasefire.The list of signatories on the Obama letter is not public, with some of the signers fearing professional retaliation for their stance. But they are hopeful Obama will be receptive; despite his checkered history in the Middle East, he has historically been more op...

New Zealand held a Bird of the Century competition. John Oliver got this puking bird to win

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Comedian John Oliver has succeeded in his campaign to have what he describes as a weird, puking bird with a colorful mullet win New Zealand’s Bird of the Century contest.He managed to elbow out the iconic national bird, the kiwi. Conservation group Forest and Bird on Wednesday announced that Oliver’s favored water bird, the pūteketeke, had won after Oliver went all-out in a humorous campaign for the bird on his HBO show “Last Week Tonight.” The North Island brown kiwi came in second. Vote checkers in New Zealand were so overwhelmed by Oliver’s foreign interference they had to postpone naming the winning bird for two days.Usually billed Bird of the Year, the annual event is held to raise awareness about the plight of the nation’s native birds, some of which have been driven to extinction. This year, the contest was named Bird of the Century to mark the group’s centennial.Oliver discovered a loophole in the rules, which allowed anybody ...

PGA Tour Champions Qualifying First Stage Scores

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

TuesdayAt Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country ClubValrico, Fla.Yardage: 7,004; Par: 72Purse: $2.2 millionFirst RoundAlan McLean31-36—67Tim Weinhart34-34—67Jeff LeMaster34-34—68Andrew Johnson34-35—69Craig Bowden34-35—69Donald Carpenter III36-33—69Frank Esposito34-35—70David Morland IV34-36—70Simon Griffiths37-33—70Ryan Jansa32-38—70Andrew Marshall36-34—71Hank Kim34-37—71Dick Mast35-36—71Todd Demsey34-37—71Brett Waldman34-37—71Jesús Amaya31-40—71John Smoltz33-38—71Vance Welch33-38—71Jesús Rivas37-35—72Robert Sullivan36-36—72Billy Walsh35-37—72David Mathis36-37—73Kris Blanks34-39—73Mark Walker35-38—73Guy Boros36-37—73Sam Arnold38-35—73Ronald Totton34-39—73Dennis Hendershott37-37—74Neal Lancaster38-36—74Chad Proehl37-37—74Christian Cévaër36-38—74Phillip Walters37-37—74Nico Els39-35—74Daniel Stone38-37—75Harold Wallace35-40—75John Smith35-40—75David Wettlaufer38-37—75Jeff Mills36-39—75Greg Owen38-38—76John Balmer35-41—76Mikkel Reese39-37—76Randy Jewell37-39—76Dusti Watson38-38—76Robert A...

PGA Tour Champions Qualifying First Stage Par Scores

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:39 GMT

TuesdayAt Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country ClubValrico, Fla.Yardage: 7,004; Par: 72Purse: $2.2 millionFirst RoundAlan McLean31-36—67-5Tim Weinhart34-34—67-4Jeff LeMaster34-34—68-4Andrew Johnson34-35—69-4Craig Bowden34-35—69-4Donald Carpenter III36-33—69-3Frank Esposito34-35—70-3David Morland IV34-36—70-3Simon Griffiths37-33—70-3Ryan Jansa32-38—70-3Andrew Marshall36-34—71-3Hank Kim34-37—71-2Dick Mast35-36—71-2Todd Demsey34-37—71-2Brett Waldman34-37—71-2Jesús Amaya31-40—71-2John Smoltz33-38—71-2Vance Welch33-38—71-2Jesús Rivas37-35—72ERobert Sullivan36-36—72EBilly Walsh35-37—72EDavid Mathis36-37—73+1Kris Blanks34-39—73+1Mark Walker35-38—73+1Guy Boros36-37—73+1Sam Arnold38-35—73+1Ronald Totton34-39—73+1Dennis Hendershott37-37—74+2Neal Lancaster38-36—74+2Chad Proehl37-37—74+2Christian Cévaër36-38—74+2Phillip Walters37-37—74+2Nico Els39-35—74+2Daniel Stone38-37—75+3Harold Wallace35-40—75+3John Smith35-40—75+3David Wettlaufer38-37—75+3Jeff Mills36-39—75+3Greg Owen38-38—76+4John Balmer3...