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Reports: Militants kill 26 people in Syrian countryside

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Islamic State militants have killed 26 people who were foraging for wild truffles in Syria’s Hama region, opposition and state media reported Sunday.Amid the economic devastation of Syria’s yearslong war, foraging for truffles can help people earn money, as the seasonal delicacy fetches a high price.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition media group based in Britain, said civilians and military personnel were among the victims of the armed attack in the eastern outskirts of the city of Hama, 115 miles (186 kilometers) north of the capital Damascus.State news agency SANA said that the attack was carried out by members of the Islamic State group.Despite their defeat in Syria in March 2019, the militant group’s sleeper cells still carry out deadly attacks both in Syria and Iraq where they once held territories and declared a “caliphate.” Since the truffle hunters work in large groups in remote areas, IS militants have repeatedly preyed on them, emerg...

Europe’s most powerful nuclear reactor kicks off in Finland

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — Finland’s much-delayed and costly new nuclear reactor, Europe’s most powerful by production capacity, has completed a test phase lasting over a year and started regular output, boosting the Nordic country’s electricity self-sufficiency significantly. The Olkiluoto 3 reactor, which has 1,600-megawatt capacity, was connected into the Finnish national power grid in March 2022 and kicked off regular production on Sunday. Operator Teollisuuden Voima, or TVO, tweeted that “Olkiluoto 3 is now ready” after a delay of 14 years from the original plan.It will help Finland to achieve its carbon neutrality targets and increase energy security at a time when European countries have cut oil, gas and other power supplies from Russia, Finland’s neighbor. “The production of Olkiluoto 3 stabilizes the price of electricity and plays an important role in the Finnish green transition,” said TVO President and CEO Jarmo Tanhua in a statement. The company added that “the electricity pr...

New push on US-run free electronic tax-filing system for all

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s that time of year when throngs of taxpayers are buckling down to file their income tax returns before Tuesday’s filing deadline. Many often pay to use software from private companies such as Intuit and H&R Block.Almost one-quarter of Americans wait until the last minute to file their taxes. There could be a new, free option in future years. The IRS has been tasked with looking into how to create a government-operated electronic free-file tax return system for all. But that doesn’t sit well with the big tax-prep companies.The idea has been batted around and hotly debated for a long time. Congress now has directed the IRS to report in on how such a system might work.The order came as part of the $80 billion infusion of money for the tax agency over the next 10 years under the Democrats’ flagship climate and health care measure, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, that President Joe Biden signed last summer. It gave the IRS nine months and $15 million...

More than 20 shot, 4 killed at Alabama birthday party

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

DADEVILLE, Ala. (WRBL) - At least four people were killed Saturday night in a shooting at a celebration in Alabama, according to law enforcement.Witnesses said the gathering where the shooting occurred was a 16th birthday party at Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in downtown Dadeville. Investigators told Nexstar's WRBL a suspected altercation led to a shooting around 10:30 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots and people running and screaming from the building.The total number of people shot was initially reported as more than 20. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigations, which confirmed the deaths Sunday morning, did not give an updated number of people injured. The injured were transported to local hospitals for medical attention Saturday night. Details about the suspect(s) or motives have not yet been released by authorities. Ten hours after the shooting, crime scene tape still surrounded the dance studio. A tarp hung over the glass ...

Texas School for the Deaf announces new superintendent

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas School for the Deaf will have new leadership, following the announcement of its next superintendent.Peter L. Bailey was selected to serve as the 28th superintendent of TSD, according to a Friday news release. Bailey's upcoming tenure comes in the wake of Superintendent Claire Bugen's retirement following 25 years leading TSD and 48 years teaching at the school.Bailey has "served in a number of leadership positions in the field of Deaf Education" for more than 30 years, per the release. Some of his prior experience includes leading as a school administrator at The Learning Center for the Deaf in Massachusetts, the Maryland School for the Deaf, the Delaware School for the Deaf, the Texas School for the Deaf and the American School for the Deaf in Connecticut. TEXAS EDUCATION NEWS: Education Savings Accounts draw support, concern at the Capitol Currently, he works as superintendent at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia.Bailey's education i...

Faye Flam: Don’t blame medical misinformation for shrinking life spans

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

FDA commissioner Robert Califf said in an interview that aired this week that misinformation is killing Americans — contributing to the fact that our life expectancy is three to five years worse than that of people in comparably wealthy countries. He called for better regulation to crack down on misinformation. But would such rules help?I studied medical misinformation as part of a journalism fellowship, and as I’ve written in previous columns, there is a real danger when misinformed people skip lifesaving vaccines or buy into risky, untested treatments. Yet policing misinformation is tricky.The fact-checking industry may even make the problem worse by confusing value judgments with facts, and by portraying science as a set of immutable facts, rather than a system of inquiry that constructs provisional theories based on imperfect data.The advent of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT will only magnify the confusion — the latest version, with GPT-4, is slick,...

How To Find Reliable CBD Products In 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

View the original article about How To Find Reliable CBD Products In 2023 at Real Tested CBD.Finding CBD these days can be easy. But finding high-quality CBD means finding a brand you can trust. Maybe you have seen CBD at the local health foods store or even at a gas station. But how do you know which brands and products you can trust? Read on to learn how to find reliable CBD products with ease.What Is CBD?First, let’s do a little refresher on CBD.CBD, also called cannabidiol, is one of many compounds in hemp and cannabis plants. These naturally occurring compounds are called cannabinoids, and they have the ability to interact with our bodies through the endocannabinoid system. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, unlike commonly known THC. CBD can affect the brain and body, but it should not have mind-altering capabilities.Cannabidiol can be extracted from hemp plants and turned into a variety of different products. Many people seek out CBD products for their potentially therape...

Local musician returns to Rose Garden for another release show

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

Neighborhood NotesROSE GARDEN>>Nearly seven years after selling out her EP release show at Art Boutiki, Sunnyvale musician Martha Groves Perry is returning to the venue at 44 Race St. for the release of her new album, “Call Out.” The April 22 show will feature her new rhythm section, The MGP Band, with Kevin Kriner on bass and Yuri Selukoff on drums.Perry’s producer Kenny Schick, a former South Bay resident who now lives in Nashville, will open for her. The show marks his first in the Bay Area since he performed at Perry’s 2016 release show.Doors are at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance at app.gopassage.com/events/mgp-23-01 and $25 at the door.WILLOW GLEN>> The San Jose Garden Club is holding its annual plant sale April 28-29 at 2470 Richland Ave. Everything for sale is grown or made by club members, including vegetable, herb and flowering plants and lots of succulents. Gift items such as watering cans, garden gloves pottery, garden art and...

Cupertino’s Earth and Arbor Day Festival set for April 22

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

Earth and Arbor Day FestCupertino’s Earth and Arbor Day Festival is set for Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Cupertino Library Park field. The event will go on rain or shine.This festival features more than 75 booths hosted by local nonprofits and businesses, hands-on activities, live entertainment and a family tour through Regnart Creek Trail. Resources and activities are aimed at inspiring residents, businesses and community members to take action to reduce their impact on the planet.For more information, visit cupertino.org/earthday.Older adults surveyCupertino is conducting a Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults to better understand the contributions that adults 50 and older make to their communities, as well as the needs they have and challenges they experience. The city will use community feedback to help ensure that policies and programs align with residents’ values.The survey is open through Tuesday, April 25, at polco.us/opencupertino23. It should take 10-1...

New businesses open, old ones reopen in downtown Saratoga

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:44 GMT

Over 500 friends, family and fans gathered to say one last goodbye to former Saratoga High School football coach Benny Pierce. Hugh Roberts, Dan Wilson, Mike Machado and Ryan Iwanaga were among the many former Saratoga High coaches, teachers and players who paid tribute to the man who served as a role model for many. A flower arrangement from the Class of ’68 included a trophy to Pierce for winning the “Super Bowl of Life.” He was one in a million.The corner of Fifth and Big Basin has been the site of many favorite eateries, including The Basin. Just opened is Darla Cafe, a breakfast, lunch and soon-to-be dinner place. Co-owners Nina Summers and Mookie Varunthorn are gracious longtime friends and culinary school graduates. Rave reviews are already coming in for Darla’s French toast, a custard-soaked croissant pudding with fresh fruit and caramel sauce, as well as a duck confit waffle. They looked far and wide for a location and chose Saratoga Village for the friendly people. Darla C...