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Kazakhstan is at the beginning of a long journey of political reform, President tells newly elected parliament

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

“This is just the beginning of a long journey. Reforms aimed at improving the political system will continue. This is a very important task”, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has told the members of newly elected Kazakh parliament. He pointed out that Kazakhstan is the only country in a comparable geopolitical situation carrying out such profound reforms, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.After a year of political liberalisation and constitutional reform, any thought that the pace of change in Kazakhstan was about to slow down was firmly rejected by President Tokayev in his speech opening its newly elected parliament. “Our movement towards democratisation of political processes, further increasing the participation of citizens in public administration will continue”, he said.The President stated that there were individuals, including politicians, who saw such reforms as a threat to Kazakhstan. “But I am convinced that transformations are extremely important for the future of our na...

What States Banned Delta-8 THC?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

View the original article about What States Banned Delta-8 THC at Real Tested CBD.There is a new cannabinoid gaining rapid popularity, but it’s accompanied by lots of questions regarding legality.Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant family. It is a less potent form of delta-9 THC, the primary psychoactive component found in cannabis plants, but it still produces some psychoactive effects. Several states in the US have already banned delta-8 THC, while others are considering banning or regulating it. So, which states have banned delta-8 THC and what could future regulations look like? Let’s take a closer look.What Is Delta-8 THC?Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid found in both hemp and marijuana plants. It is reportedly a less powerful form of delta-9 THC, which is why it is thought to produce a less intense psychoactive effect.Delta-8 THC is converted from delta-9 THC naturally in cannabis plants, but it can also be synthesized in a laboratory setting from...

Dapper Rapper — Jidenna is Back with a Bang and a Blush

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

Dapper Rapper: Jidenna is a name that was on the tip of everyone’s tongue at the end of the last decade. Prior to the pandemic, momentum was building for the besuited Wisconsin-born rapper; his song “Long Live the Chief” raised eyebrows when it showed up on the Marvel/Netflix show Luke Cage, and he also appeared on The Daily Show. A Coachella appearance in 2018 further cemented his standing as he toured the previous year’s The Chief album, and his reputation further soared in 2019 with the release of the 85 to Africa album. He was on his way. Then COVID happened and stunted his growth for a while.“I think for me and some artists who had already been establishing a rhythm, it felt like that,” Jidenna says. “I think for new artists, COVID was the opposite. That was a moment for new artists to really emerge, and some of my close artist friends were able to do that. It’s been dope to watch. I think for me it was more like, ‘let me take this time and actually forget about the industry fo...

5 great places to see California’s wildflower season, possibly the best in 20 years

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

Love wildflowers? Boy, you’re in for a treat this year.“I think this is going to be the best spring in terms of diversity and flowers in Northern California – and probably the entire state – in 20 years,” says Seth Adams, land conservation director for the nonprofit Save Mount Diablo.Back up for a second. What is this “spring”? All we’ve seen so far is rain, more rain, snow, a lot more snow, rain, flooding, hail, snow and some rain. Well, it turns out wildflowers love that stuff – they thrive on the ecological adversity California’s recently encountered.“Three years ago, we had giant fires on four sides of the Bay Area and almost no rain. The next year, we had really heavy, early rains that then stopped, and now we have so much rain it’s record-breaking and flooding,” says Adams. “Now, a lot of the areas that have the best wildflower blooms are places that’ve burned or have disturbed ground from erosion. So the state’s taken a big drink of water, ...

Tech layoffs widen: Semiconductor maker trims scores of Bay Area jobs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

SANTA CLARA — A big Silicon Valley chipmaker intends to slash scores of jobs in the Bay Area, layoffs that are poised to deal a fresh blow to the region’s wobbly tech industry.Marvell Technology, a Bay Area semiconductor company, has decided to cut nearly 100 jobs in Santa Clara, the company reported in an official filing with the state Employment Development Department.The chipmaker has cut 96 jobs at one of its principal office sites in Santa Clara, a review of the details of a company WARN notice filed with the EDD shows.Marvell is laying off 133 workers throughout California, the company stated in three WARN notices it sent to the state EDD.Besides the Bay Area cutbacks, Marvell also aims to eliminate 33 positions in Southern California. The tech company has decided to chop 29 jobs in Irvine and four in Westlake Village, according to state WARN notices.The company said the layoffs affect employees who work at or are affiliated with the three offices.Marvell didn̵...

Quick Cook: Snap Pea Hummus with Warm Pea Shoot and Mint Salad

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

When you want to celebrate spring with something other than strawberries and rhubarb, turn to this recipe that showcases the season’s other celebrity couple, peas and mint. Sugar snap peas add some verdant sweetness to a creamy hummus that is mounded with a warm salad of sliced snap peas and pea shoot tendrils, all with a fresh burst of mint leaves. Spoon it onto blistered pita bread wedges as part of a memorable brunch spread or Mediterranean mezze.The hummus can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until use — just be sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving. The pea shoot and mint salad must be made just before serving or it will over-wilt. Thankfully, that takes just 90 seconds, which is more than manageable, even with hungry diners standing by.Snap Pea Hummus with Warm Pea Shoot and Mint SaladMakes 2 cups hummus, serves 6-10 as an appetizerSNAP PEA HUMMUS:15-ounce can chickpeas, drained6 ounces sugar snap peas, sliced (about 1½ cups)½ cup tahini1...

Pedestrian dead following collision on Highway 4 in Brentwood

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

BRENTWOOD — A pedestrian on a highway died Thursday morning after apparently being hit by a vehicle, the California Highway Patrol said.The incident involved a red Toyota Camry and happened about 3:50 a.m., according to the CHP. The pedestrian was down on the Lone Tree Way on-ramp to eastbound state Highway 4, the agency said.The CHP said it shut down the on-ramp to investigate.No other information was available immediately.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | ‘Stuck foot’ crash into Apple store now called murder; driver’s lawyer ‘astounded’ by indictment Crashes and Disasters | Contra Costa DA charges suspect in fatal East Bay chase, collision that killed a mother and her 6-year-old son Crashes and Disasters | Woman, 27, arrested in San Jose hit-and-run crash that killed mother, dog Crashes and Disasters | 11-year-old dies after...

Man sentenced to 96 years in prison for 2018 road rage shooting

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

A 34-year-old defendant has been sentenced to 96 years in prison for a 2018 road rage shooting in Parker.Abraham Paquet, a repeat felon, was convicted in February by a Douglas County jury of attempted first-degree murder and assault seriously bodily injury with a deadly weapon, both felonies, among other charges, according to a Douglas County District Attorney’s Office news release.During the evening commute of May 22, 2018, Paquet shot another driver near Parker Road and E-470, according to the release. The injured driver was able to get to Parker Adventist Hospital for treatment and had surgery on his hand. Multiple bullets that hit the victim’s vehicle, a witness account and video surveillance footage led investigators to Paquet.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | CHP sergeant, 6 officers and a nurse charged in 2020 death of man Crime and Public Safety | California woman hospitalized after being target of apparent TikTok ‘bucket challenge’ Cr...

Injured woman sues Colorado ski resort after the rescue toboggan she was riding in crashed

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

A Connecticut woman is suing Vail Resorts because of injuries she allegedly suffered in the crash of a rescue toboggan as ski patrollers evacuated her after she was hurt in a fall while skiing.Kathryn Stoupas fell at the bottom of the Geronimo trail at Keystone Resort, which is owned by Vail, in February 2021, injuring her left shoulder, and called for ski patrol assistance.But the two patrollers who were navigating the toboggan in which she was riding were traveling at a “high rate of speed” and lost control, according to a lawsuit filed in Broomfield County Court last week. As a result, the Stoupas claims that the toboggan overturned, “dragging (her) on her left side and face along the snow until it came to rest.”The lawsuit claims she suffered further damage to her already injured left shoulder, along with a fractured humerus bone in her upper arm, nerve damage, abrasions and contusions to her face.“What we’re alleging is that this was certainly negligence on their part because t...

7 amazing Bay Area things to do this weekend, March 31-April 2

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:20:20 GMT

From awesome dance recitals to mouthwatering cookies to a homecoming bluegrass champ, we have got a lot of fun stuff on tap for this weekend, so let’s get to it, shall we?As with everything these days, be sure to double check websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.1 SEE & HEAR: Molly Tuttle returnsThe Grammy-winning bluegrass star, a native of Palo Alto, is back in the Bay Area for two shows at The Guild this week, and she told us how tickled she is to be playing for hometown fans. The shows are sold out, but go here to get on a waiting list for tickets or sign up to live-stream the show.2 EAT: Pizza from a championWorld champion pizza-maker Laura Meyer has opened her hotly anticipated new restaurant, Pizzeria da Laura, in Berkeley’s Shattuck Square...