Monday, May 19, 2025
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Berlanga Accuses Sheeraz of Avoiding Fight: “We Had to Pressure Him”

Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz.

by Tim Compton |

May 16, 2025 – Edgar Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) claims Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0-1, 18 KOs) was reluctant to accept their July 12th bout at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens. Berlanga told reporters, “I heard he was backing out… We had to pressure him to take the fight.”

The New York native is aiming for a first-round knockout and sees this fight as a step toward bigger names like Jaime Munguia and a Canelo Álvarez rematch. However, to earn that opportunity, Berlanga likely needs to beat top contenders like Caleb Plant, Christian Mbilli, and Osleys Iglesias—no easy task. Unless promoter Turki Alalshikh fast-tracks the Canelo fight, Berlanga may have to take on those risks.

Addressing criticism from his previous bout with Canelo, Berlanga defended his performance: “They want to say I ran. Are you crazy?” While he didn’t exactly run, many fans felt he played it safe—backpedaling and jabbing while letting Canelo control most of the action. He only pressed forward in the final round, which wasn’t enough to sway the judges or the crowd.

Looking ahead to the Sheeraz fight, Berlanga emphasized the pressure of performing in front of a star-studded audience. “There will be celebs there in the front row,” he said. “I don’t want to get embarrassed in front of 14,000 people.”

Berlanga criticized Sheeraz’s resume, saying he lacked the right step-up fights to prepare for this level. He also questioned Sheeraz’s performance in a February bout against Carlos Adames: “If Adames was in shape, he would’ve stopped him.”

Despite doubts from fans, Berlanga insists he’s evolved. “I’m a vet… I’m ready for all the smoke,” he told Ring Magazine. His lone fight since losing to Canelo was against a rusty, 35-year-old Jonathan González Ortiz. Whether he’s truly improved will be tested when he faces Sheeraz in July.

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Invitation to Bid for the Treasure Island Ferry Terminal Enhancements Project

The Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency (TIMMA) will receive sealed construction bids for the TREASURE ISLAND FERRY TERMINAL ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT. The Bid Submission Deadline is Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. (PDT). An electronic bidding process has been adopted for this solicitation. Paper bids will not be accepted. Electronic bids shall be submitted through https://www.bidexpress.com. All bidders must register on https://www.bidexpress.com and create Digital ID through Bid Express to submit a bid. It can take up to five (5) business days to process your Digital ID and it is highly recommended that a Digital ID be active 48 hours in advance of submitting an electronic bid. Costs associated with obtaining said Digital ID and submitting a bid using Bid Express shall be the sole responsibility of the bidder. Contract Documents, any addenda, and bid forms will be available from https://www.bidexpress.com/solicitations/41020.

Bids will be opened electronically and read aloud on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. (PDT) at the virtual meeting platform Zoom. Attendees can register by visiting www.sfcta.org/ferry-terminal-opening.

The project consists of construction of transit shelters, located near the main ferry terminal shelter structure; men’s, women’s, and family/all gender restrooms; and associated exterior work on Treasure Island, in the City and County of San Francisco.

The Engineer’s cost estimate is approximately $2,950,000. A Class B General Building Contractor’s license is required and the successful bidder must pay prevailing wages.

The project includes a tage Business Enterprise contract Disadvan goal of 22%.

El Reportero

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Family Festival in East Richmond

by Magdy Zara

SKYJAM is hosting its regular Family Festival fundraiser to support its early childhood education program for children ages 18 months to 5 years.

Skytown Preschool is a nonprofit preschool and parent cooperative based in Richmond.

SkyJam is a free, family-friendly event where you can meet the Bay Area’s top children’s entertainer, “Buki the Clown,” enjoy live music, and local artists such as the Hawaiian music ensemble, ‘AHMele, from the Oakland Academy of Hawaiian Arts (AHA). You’ll also enjoy the fire truck, bounce houses, and face painting.

This family-friendly festival will take place next Saturday, May 17, starting at 10 a.m., at 5714 Solano Ave, Richmond. For more information, visit: https://www.skytown.org/skyjam

San Francisco Youth Symphony Orchestra in Concert

A masterful concert featuring both classic and new works is planned under the direction of Conductor Wattis Radu Paponiu, director of the San Francisco Youth Symphony Orchestra.

The concert will feature more than 100 talented young artists, the next generation of this renowned musical institution.

The concert will be this Sunday, May 18, in Davies Symphony Hall, located at 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, at 2 p.m.

Walk with a Naturalist

Along with Patty Chang, David Kelley, and Shelby Hendricks, you can conduct a scientific investigation based on the observation of Beta Space, which is nothing more than exploring the works of art from the perspective of a naturalist.

The San José Museum of Art invites you to become a marine biologist by immersing yourself in the depths of the sea, learning about the life of the creatures that inhabit this unique ecosystem with this visual and tactile experience designed to connect with what lies beyond the human realm.

By learning more about the natural history of organisms that inhabit the deep sea, visitors will discover ways to connect with and care for these creatures. In this way, the interdisciplinary tour will offer an opportunity to humanize science and reinforce the emotional impact of caring for endangered species.

The event will take place next Sunday, May 18, at 1 p.m., at the San José Museum of Art, located at 110 South Market Street, San José. Tickets to the walk are free with museum admission.

Yoshi’s Dresses Up to Welcome Northgate School

The Northgate High School Jazz Band Competition winners (1st and 2nd place) return to the stage at Yoshi’s Oakland with a dynamic and energetic performance featuring some of the Bay Area’s finest young jazz musicians.

Both ensembles have earned top honors at some of California’s most prestigious jazz festivals, including the Folsom Jazz Festival, the Campana Jazz Festival, the CMEA Festival, the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, and the CMEA 2025 Jazz Festival.

Northgate High School has been performing at Yoshi’s for over 15 years and now returns

this Tuesday, May 20th at 7:30 p.m., to offer an exceptional evening where the Northgate High School Jazz Bands continue their legacy of excellence on the iconic Yoshi’s stage.

Ticket price is $30, Yoshi’s is located at 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland.

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San Francisco Carnival 2025: 47 years of culture, tourism, and local vitality

by Marvin Ramírez

San Francisco Carnival celebrates its 47th edition this year on May 24 and 25, establishing itself as the largest and longest-running multicultural celebration in California. With an annual attendance exceeding 400,000, the event transforms the Mission District into an epicenter of music, dance, and art.

This year, the theme “AfroMundo: African Diaspora in the Americas” pays tribute to African heritage in the Americas, highlighting its influence on cultural expressions such as samba, bomba, jazz, and hip-hop.

A Boost for Tourism and the Local Economy

Carnival is not only a cultural celebration but also a significant economic driver for San Francisco. During the event weekend, hotels, restaurants, and local businesses experience a significant increase in revenue. The Mission Merchants Association has noted that Carnival represents a “boost of energy and profits” for area businesses.

In addition, the event attracts visitors from across the country and abroad, resulting in increased tourism and greater visibility for the city. Carnival’s diverse activities and cultural richness offer tourists a unique experience that celebrates San Francisco’s multicultural identity.

Support for Private Enterprise and Local Businesses

Carnival also benefits private enterprise and local entrepreneurs. More than 400 vendors participate in the festival, offering a variety of products ranging from handicrafts to international cuisine. This space provides a platform for small businesses and local artists to showcase and sell their products to a broad and diverse audience.

The recent opening of the Carnival House on Florida Street reinforces this commitment, serving as a cultural center offering events and activities throughout the year.

An inclusive and vibrant celebration

The festival spans 17 blocks of the Mission District, primarily on Harrison Street between 16th and 24th Streets, and features five main stages featuring more than 50 local and international artists. Sunday’s Grand Parade, which begins at 9:30 a.m. at 24th and Bryant Streets, features more than 70 groups representing the cultural heritage of countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Peru, and many more.

Admission to the festival is free, and public transportation is recommended due to street closures. For those seeking a more comfortable experience, grandstand seating is available for the parade for $40.

For more information and updates, visit the official website: carnavalsanfrancisco.org.

With reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, Telemundo Área de la Bahía, and Funcheap SF (San Francisco Recreation and Parks).

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Study: Preventable Hospitalization Rates Higher for Medi-Cal Patients

primary care physician educating a patient about the importance of regular screenings and preventive care measures

by Suzanne Potter

A new study found that in 2022, more than 240,000 hospitalizations in California could have been avoided with proper outpatient care. Most cases involved poorly managed chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or COPD. These preventable hospitalizations strain an already overburdened health system.
Rhonda Smith, executive director of the California Black Health Network, which co-sponsored the report, said patients often aren’t listened to. “We hear countless stories about patients who end up hospitalized or misdiagnosed simply because no one paid attention,” Smith noted. Her organization helps patients learn to advocate for themselves and navigate a complex system.
The report showed higher rates of preventable hospitalizations among Medi-Cal recipients, Black and Native American residents, and English-language learners. Aligning Medi-Cal rates with those of privately insured patients could save the state $400 million annually in unnecessary care.
Kiran Savage-Sangwan, director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, emphasized the broader impact. “Each preventable hospitalization costs the system—and all of us—because those expenses raise our premiums,” she said.
The authors urged state and federal policymakers not to cut Medicaid or eliminate coverage for undocumented Californians. They also recommended hiring more culturally and linguistically responsive primary care providers, who can better understand and meet patients’ needs. Expanding access to regular check-ups and community clinics was also listed as a solution.

Monthly utility bills. Cost of Utilities. Planning for utility costs in the monthly budget. Electricity bills by state monthly report. Budget for highly-variable utility bills

Consumer groups push to curb electricity costs

The Campaign for Affordable Power is urging California lawmakers to pass reforms targeting investor-owned utilities such as Edison, PG&E, and SDG&E. Edison alone earned $1.6 billion last year and raised rates 85 percent over the past decade—far outpacing inflation and wage growth for most Californians.
Despite this, the company is seeking another hike from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), citing costs from recent wildfires and infrastructure upgrades.
Lee Trotman of the Utility Reform Network in Oakland opposes further increases. “The way to stop these utilities is through public participation—by speaking up during CPUC meetings,” he said. “People don’t realize they have a voice in this.”
The California Senate Appropriations Committee is reviewing a bill today that promotes public financing for electrical infrastructure. Advocates argue it’s a more affordable option than bond-based funding, which carries high interest costs and long repayment periods.
Another bill headed to the Assembly Appropriations Committee would limit how utilities can use ratepayer money, banning spending on lobbying and non-energy-related advertising.
Other proposals would require utilities to pass cost savings on to consumers and prohibit power shutoffs during wildfire smoke days and industrial accidents—protections advocates say are long overdue.

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Pope Leo XIV: Catholics need to rediscover ‘sense of mystery’ in the liturgy

Pope Leo XIV: Catholics need to rediscover ‘sense of mystery’ in the liturgy -- Papa León XIV: Los católicos necesitan redescubrir el sentido del misterio en la liturgia

Pope Leo XIV’s praise for the beauty and ‘mystery’ of the Eastern liturgy has given hope to Catholics that he might be more favorable to the traditional Mass than his predecessor

by Michael Haynes,

Snr. Vatican Correspondent

VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — Praise from the pope for the beauty and “mystery” of the Eastern liturgy has given hope to Catholics that Leo XIV might be more favorable to the traditional Mass than his predecessor.

In recent years, the long-standing so-called “liturgy wars” have become even more painful due to the sweeping and punitive restrictions placed on the traditional Mass by Pope Francis in July 2021.

“The liturgical books promulgated by Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II, in conformity with the decrees of Vatican Council II, are the unique expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite,” wrote Francis.

But in his audience with pilgrims for the Jubilee of Oriental Churches Wednesday morning, Leo XIV has expressed much more of an appreciation for the richness of the Catholic Church’s liturgical tradition. Such was the tone and content of his words that many devotees of the traditional Mass have anticipated Leo would be of a mind to rescind his predecessor’s restrictions on the ancient liturgy.

“The Church needs you,” Leo declared. “The contribution that the Christian East can offer us today is immense. We have great need to recover the sense of mystery that remains alive in your liturgies, liturgies that engage the human person in his or her entirety, that sing of the beauty of salvation and evoke a sense of wonder at how God’s majesty embraces our human frailty.”

“It is significant that several of your liturgies – which you are now solemnly celebrating in Rome in accordance with your various traditions – continue to use the language of the Lord Jesus,” added the new pope.

Leo has already noted that the reason for his name choice comes with a link to Pope Leo XIII, and he drew upon this connection once again in his praise for the Eastern liturgy’s traditions. Quoting from Leo XIII’s Apostolic Letter Orientalium Dignitas, Leo XIV made his predecessor’s words his own:

Pope Leo XIII made a heartfelt appeal that the ‘legitimate variety of Eastern liturgy and discipline … may redound to the great honor and benefit of the Church.’ His desire remains ever timely. In our own day too, many of our Eastern brothers and sisters, including some of you, have been forced to flee their homelands because of war and persecution, instability and poverty, and risk losing not only their native lands, but also, when they reach the West, their religious identity. As a result, with the passing of generations, the priceless heritage of the Eastern Churches is being lost.

The pope cited Leo XIII’s importance that “preserving the Eastern rites is more important than is generally realized,” adding:

We willingly reiterate this appeal to preserve and promote the Christian East, especially in the diaspora. In addition to establishing Eastern circumscriptions wherever possible and opportune, there is a need to promote greater awareness among Latin Christians.

In this regard, I ask the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches – which I thank for its work – to help me to define principles, norms, and guidelines whereby Latin Bishops can concretely support Eastern Catholics in the diaspora in their efforts to preserve their living traditions and thus, by their distinctive witness, to enrich the communities in which they live.

Leo XIV’s text has been swiftly highlighted by many commentators for the warm language he employs with reference to the Eastern liturgy, but also due to the manner in which it evidences his understanding of the liturgy as a whole.

Praising the East for the “immense” contribution it can offer, he commented that “we have great need to recover the sense of mystery that remains alive in your liturgies, liturgies that engage the human person in his or her entirety, that sing of the beauty of salvation and evoke a sense of wonder at how God’s majesty embraces our human frailty!”

The Church in the West, added newly-elected Leo, needed to “rediscover … a sense of the primacy of God, the importance of mystagogy and the values so typical of Eastern spirituality: constant intercession, penance, fasting, and weeping for one’s own sins and for those of all humanity.”

In order for both East and West to do so, Leo encouraged the Eastern rite faithful to “preserve your traditions without attenuating them, for the sake perhaps of practicality or convenience, lest they be corrupted by the mentality of consumerism and utilitarianism.”

“Your traditions of spirituality, ancient yet ever new, are medicinal,” he added. “In them, the drama of human misery is combined with wonder at God’s mercy, so that our sinfulness does not lead to despair, but opens us to accepting the gracious gift of becoming creatures who are healed, divinized and raised to the heights of heaven. For this, we ought to give endless praise and thanks to the Lord.”

The pope’s address conveys a markedly different tone to that often given by Pope Francis in his own addresses to clergy. While famous for promulgating the restrictions on the traditional Mass, Francis also regularly critiqued clergy across the world for the undefined issue of “clericalism,” often taking aim at young, fervent priests drawn to traditional practices.

Condemnations of “rigidity” were similarly regular from Francis.

Praising Leo’s liturgical commentary, theologian and liturgist Dr. Peter Kwasniewski told this correspondent that Leo “shows that he is sensitive to the language of symbolism and beauty, and especially to the normative value of tradition.”

“Any logical person,” said Kwasniewski, “would instantly apply the same standard to the Western tradition by seeking to recover its greatest work of art and theology, the classical Roman Rite.”

A prolific author on ecclesial tradition and liturgy, Kwasniewski warned that Leo would have to deal with the “great challenge” common to many clergy, namely “the force of bad custom to which they are habituated, a false tradition of scarcely more than 50 years’ duration that some have even convinced themselves is the Roman tradition, when it is something like a poor sketch of it.”

Rumors have circulated in recent days suggesting that Cardinal Prevost offered the traditional Mass while working in the Roman Curia in recent years. While this has not been formally confirmed, Kwasniewski expressed the hope that such a report was true:

I very much hope the rumors are true that Leo, earlier in his career, learned how to celebrate the TLM and did in fact offer it, because a man of his prayerfulness and discernment would surely grasp the reasons why so many Catholics love and admire it.

Still in the early stages of his pontificate, Leo has presented somewhat more of a traditional appearance of the papacy than that which has been seen under the previous pontificate. Raised to the cardinalate in 2023, the Augustinian was seen as a left-of-center but moderate papal candidate.

He will take possession of the four papal basilicas around Rome starting this Sunday.

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José ‘Pepe’ Mujica, symbol of humility and social justice in Latin America, dies

by the El Reportero staff

José “Pepe” Mujica, former president of Uruguay and a global symbol of humility and political consistency, died on May 13, 2025, at the age of 89, after a prolonged battle with esophageal cancer that had spread to his liver. He died at his farm in Rincón del Cerro, on the outskirts of Montevideo, accompanied by his wife and life partner, Lucía Topolansky. (ElHuffPost)

Born on May 20, 1935, in Montevideo, Mujica grew up in a family of Basque and Italian origins linked to rural work. In the 1960s, he joined the Tupamaros National Liberation Movement, a Marxist-inspired urban guerrilla group. During the Uruguayan military dictatorship, he was captured and spent nearly 15 years in prison, many of them in extreme conditions and solitary confinement. (Montevideo Government, The Times, Reuters)

After the restoration of democracy in 1985, Mujica was pardoned and joined the Broad Front, founding the Popular Participation Movement. He held positions as a deputy, senator, and minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries before being elected president in 2009. His term (2010-2015) was characterized by pioneering social reforms in Latin America, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage, the decriminalization of abortion, and state regulation of the marijuana market. (Diario AS, ElHuffPost)

Mujica was known worldwide as “the poorest president in the world” for his austere lifestyle: he lived on a modest farm, drove an old Volkswagen Beetle, and donated much of his presidential salary. His 2013 UN speech, in which he stated that “wealth is time, not money,” became a manifesto against global consumerism. (AP News, The Times)

In April 2024, Mujica publicly announced his diagnosis of esophageal cancer. In January 2025, he announced that the disease had spread and that he would not undergo further treatment, opting for palliative care. (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)

His death generated a wave of tributes in Latin America and around the world. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said: “You left us with the unquenchable hope that it is possible to do things better.” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum described him as “an example for Latin America and the entire world for the wisdom, foresight, and simplicity that characterized him.” (BBC)

The Uruguayan government declared three days of national mourning. His legacy endures as a beacon of integrity, simplicity, and commitment to social justice. (Wikipedia)

 

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Magnesium: A potential breakthrough in managing fibromyalgia and migraines – new studies offer hope

by Willow Tohi

  • A 2022 clinical trial found magnesium supplementation reduced pain and stress in fibromyalgia patients, particularly those with moderate stress levels. Magnesium regulates nerve function, muscle relaxation and ATP production, addressing key symptoms.
  • While overall stress reduction was modest, a subgroup saw pain scores drop from 5.7 to 5.1 (on a 10-point scale). However, magnesium did not improve sleep or fatigue, highlighting its role as a complementary—not standalone—therapy.
  • Magnesium blocks overactive NMDA receptors (reducing pain signals), relaxes muscles by balancing calcium and supports ATP production for energy. It also stabilizes neuron activity and neurotransmitter release.
  • Bioavailability varies by form—magnesium glycinate (calming), L-threonate (neuroinflammation) and citrate (constipation relief) are preferred. Avoid poorly absorbed forms like magnesium oxide. Dietary sources (leafy greens, nuts, seeds) and Epsom salt baths enhance absorption.
  • Magnesium deficiency is often underdiagnosed due to unreliable blood tests. It may interact with medications (e.g., blood pressure drugs). While not a cure, its safety and affordability make it a key tool in chronic pain management, warranting further research on dosing and delivery.

Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition marked by widespread pain and fatigue, has long defied simple solutions. However, a 2022 clinical trial and mounting evidence suggest magnesium — a mineral critical for nerve function and energy production — may offer relief for millions. The study, which tested magnesium supplementation on fibromyalgia patients, revealed a nuanced yet promising effect: participants with moderate stress levels experienced significant reductions in stress and pain scores. These findings, coupled with historical trends of widespread magnesium deficiency, position the mineral as a cornerstone of future treatment strategies.

Magnesium’s subtle but substantial impact

The 2022 trial, though small, marked a milestone in understanding magnesium’s role in fibromyalgia. Researchers administered a slow-release magnesium supplement or a placebo to participants over a month. While overall stress reduction trends were weak, a subset of patients with mild to moderate stress saw a substantial drop in stress scores. Pain severity also eased: in this subgroup, scores declined from 5.7 to 5.1 on a 10-point scale—a modest but meaningful improvement.

Dr. Jodi Duval, a naturopathic physician, emphasizes that magnesium deficiencies are often the first clue in persistent pain cases: “Lower magnesium levels may disrupt cellular processes critical for pain modulation, making supplementation a foundational step,” she explains.

However, results aren’t universal. Sleep quality and fatigue remained unchanged across groups, underscoring that magnesium is a complementary tool, not a cure-all. A 2008 migraine study, however, demonstrated stronger effects: 80percent of patients administered 1g of intravenous (IV) magnesium reported pain relief within 15 minutes — a stark contrast to placebo groups.

The science behind magnesium’s pain-relieving effects

Magnesium’s analgesic properties stem from its role in cellular processes:

  1. NMDA receptor blockade: Magnesium curbs overactivity of NMDA receptors, which can amplify pain signals by allowing excessive calcium into neurons. This mechanism is pivotal in conditions like fibromyalgia, where heightened pain sensitivity is common.
  2. Muscle relaxation: By regulating calcium balance, magnesium prevents muscle spasms and tics, common in fibromyalgia.
  3. ATP support: Magnesium aids ATP production, addressing energy deficits linked to chronic pain and fatigue.

Emma Laing, a registered dietitian, highlights magnesium’s dual role in nerve health: “It stabilizes electrical potentials in neurons and supports neurotransmitter release, modulating pain pathways at multiple levels.”

For migraines, low magnesium levels disrupt brain excitability and blood vessel constriction. Studies show oral or IV magnesium can reduce both attack frequency and severity by stabilizing these processes.

Choosing the right form of magnesium matters

Not all magnesium supplements are created equal. Forms differ in absorption rates, tolerability and targeted effects. Here are some of the most common:

  • Magnesium glycinate: Well-absorbed and calming, ideal for muscle tension and stress.
  • Magnesium L-threonate: Crosses the blood-brain barrier effectively, addressing neuroinflammation in migraines.
  • Magnesium citrate: Cost-effective and proven for constipation, but may cause diarrhea.
  • Avoid magnesium oxide: Poorly absorbed and prone to laxative effects.

There are several others, including chloride, aspartate and malate, so be sure to do your own research to find which is best for you.

Dr. Duval notes that “bioavailability drives outcomes — slow-release formulations like glycinate or Epsom salt baths may be more effective for sustained tissue absorption.”

Beyond pills: Dietary and lifestyle strategies

Dietary magnesium is abundant in pumpkin seeds, leafy greens and dark chocolate — foods that should be staples for chronic pain management. Slow magnesium absorption and potential deficiencies in bioavailable forms mean supplementation often complements dietary intake.

Epsom salt baths (magnesium sulfate) offer an alternative route for skin absorption, easing muscle soreness without the digestive side effects of oral supplements. However, blood tests for deficiency can be misleading, as only 1percent of total magnesium circulates in blood. Tissue levels often remain low even with normal serum results, necessitating symptom-driven trial-and-error.

Cautionary notes

While magnesium’s benefits are clear, its effectiveness has been underappreciated due to measurement challenges and low public awareness. A 2007 paper highlighted its role in sleep disturbances — common in fibromyalgia — and insulin resistance, showing how deficiencies exacerbate metabolic issues.

Caution is advised in those on blood pressure medications or diuretics, as magnesium can alter drug efficacy. Collaborating with a healthcare provider to balance risks is critical.

Magnesium as a pillar in chronic pain management

Magnesium’s multifaceted role in pain relief—blocking receptors, balancing minerals and supporting energy—is now backed by rigorous studies. While not a singular solution, its safety, affordability and widespread availability make it an attractive option for those struggling with fibromyalgia, migraines, or musculoskeletal pain. It is a critical cofactor for more than 600 enzymatic reactions in the body including everything from nerve and muscle function to breaking down food into essential nutrients to helping build hormones, neurotransmitters, bone health and DNA.

Future research must clarify optimal dosages and delivery methods, but for now, the evidence suggests: “Even small, consistent steps toward higher magnesium intake can make a difference,” says Duval. As patients and providers navigate chronic pain’s complexities, magnesium’s time has come.

For those balancing hope and skepticism, the journey starts with a seed—and perhaps, a handful of pumpkin seeds.

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Judge restricts Border Patrol in California: ‘You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin’

A large group of migrants line up in front of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at Jacumba Hot Spring, June 6, 2024. Photo by Frederic J. Brown, AFP. Photo via Getty Images. -- Juez restringe la Patrulla Fronteriza en California: “No se puede simplemente acercarse a las personas de piel morena”

by Sergio Olmos and Wendy Fry

‘You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin and say give me your papers,’ a federal judge told Border Patrol attorneys at a hearing challenging recent immigration sweeps

A federal court on Tuesday issued a preliminary injunction forbidding the Border Patrol from conducting warrantless immigration stops throughout a wide swath of California.

The ruling came in response to an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit filed after the El Centro Border Patrol traveled to Kern County to conduct a three-day sweep in January, detaining day laborers, farm workers and others in a Home Depot parking lot, outside a convenience store and along a highway between orchards.

The ruling prohibits Border Patrol agents from taking similar actions, restricting them from stopping people unless they have a reasonable suspicion that the person is in violation of U.S. immigration law. It also bars agents from carrying out warrantless arrests unless they have probable cause that the person is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained.

“You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin and say, ‘Give me your papers,’” U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer L. Thurston said during a Monday hearing in Fresno that featured moments of heated exchange between government attorneys and the judge.

The ACLU filed suit on behalf of United Farm Workers, arguing that the stops violated the Fourth Amendment. The judge has not decided on the totality of the case, but on Tuesday granted the ACLU’s motion to stop the Border Patrol from conducting similar operations while the case moved through the courts.

“I think that it’s pretty clear that half of a century of really established law is being upheld. It’s unfortunate that this is a cause for celebration. It’s not legal to snatch people off the street for looking like farm workers or day laborers,” said Elizabeth Strater, vice president of United Farm Workers.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta agreed. “That’s existing law, and the judge’s order reflects existing law.”

“You can’t just indiscriminately stop people and search them without any appropriate reasonable suspicion or probable cause or without a warrant,” Bonta said at a news conference in San Diego on Monday about conditions in ICE detention. “So, it sounds like the judge had seen enough and wanted to issue an order. “

The injunction is in effect in the jurisdiction of California’s Eastern District, which spans the Central Valley from Redding to Bakersfield.

After the January sweep, the man who led it, Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino, said his agents specifically targeted people with criminal and immigration histories. However, a CalMatters investigation revealed that the Border Patrol had no criminal or immigration history on 77 of the 78 people it arrested.

The court also ordered the Border Patrol to document every stop and provide reports within 60 days. During oral arguments on Monday, the government attorney said doing so would be burdensome to Border Patrol agents. Judge Thurston rebuked the government, saying: “They have to make a report for every arrest, not sure what the burden is.”

According to sworn declarations filed in court by those detained, Border Patrol agents slashed tires, yanked people out of trucks, threw people to the ground, and called farmworkers “Mexican bitches.”

Border Patrol attorneys characterized those examples as actions of individual agents, and not reflective of a policy from the agency.

Thurston disagreed. “The evidence is that this was wide scale” and not limited to individual agents, she said.

Border Patrol agents receive new training

Border Patrol attorneys didn’t offer evidence of their own to dispute the evidence presented by the ACLU, including stopping people based on their race and warrantless arrests. They tried to persuade Thurston that the order would not be necessary because the agency is already taking steps to retrain its officers. In a previous court filing, government attorneys said Border Patrol had issued guidance to retrain the El Center sector’s 900 agents on the Fourth Amendment in order to prevent warrantless arrests.

At Monday’s hearing, Thurston questioned why guidance would even be necessary since agents are trained on the Fourth Amendment in the academy.

Government attorneys told the judge 270 agents have received the training. Thurston asked for details on how the training was being carried out. “Shift by shift?” she said. But government attorneys said they did not know.

The packed courtroom was contentious at times. U.S. Department of Justice attorney Olga Y. Kuchins argued that the Border Patrol’s sweep in Kern County, known as “Operation Return to Sender” wasn’t standard policy. “This two-day operation does not a policy make,” she said.

Thurston asked how many days were needed for an operation to be taken as policy, and on what authority the government was relying on to establish this operation could not be interpreted as part of Border Patrol policy.

“Do you know of that authority?” Thurston said.

“I don’t know of that authority,” Kuchins said.

The injunction also compels the El Centro Sector to provide proof within 90 days, and every 30 days thereafter, that agents involved in these operations have been trained on these rules.

“This ruling is a powerful recognition that what happened in Kern County and surrounding area in January was illegal,” said Bree Bernwanger, ACLU senior staff attorney.

She called it a “powerful reminder that law enforcement agents – including immigration – cannot stop you, detain you because of the color of your skin.”

Another immigration sweep

Even after government attorneys pledged to retrain agents on the Constitution, El Centro sector traveled more than 200 miles north to Pomona last week and rounded up day laborers outside a Home Depot, an action reminiscent of the Kern County raid.

Witnesses say federal agents arrived in unmarked vehicles around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, and quickly surrounded the Home Depot parking lot on South Towne Avenue.

“When they saw that a critical mass was gathered, they executed the raid,” said Alexis Teodoro, a Worker Rights Director with the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, agents arrested 10 and placed them into removal proceedings. No other agencies were involved, said Michael Scappechio, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Advocates are adamant that more than 20 people were initially taken into custody, based on piecing together the accounts of different witnesses about what happened.

Federal officials defended their actions, saying agents were initially targeting a single individual with an active arrest warrant. During the operation, nine other people were also taken into custody. Some of those detained had prior charges, including child abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, immigration violations, and DUI, said Hilton Beckham, the assistant commissioner for CBP’s office of public affairs.

Jesus Domingo Ross, 38, was standing on a street corner looking for work near the Home Depot in Pomona last week when, he said, agents appeared from all sides, grabbed him and threw him to the ground.

“I panicked,” he said, describing the moment he realized he was in custody of U.S. immigration authorities. “Just with everything you’re seeing on the news right now, I really panicked because we didn’t know what was going to happen.”

He spoke to CalMatters on Saturday night during visiting hours at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, where he is now being held.

“I’m trying to keep my confidence in God to carry me through this,” he said quietly.

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Ex-wife and 16 family members of drug lord ‘El Chapo’ surrender to FBI

by Mexico News Daily 

Seventeen members of the family of convicted drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera crossed the Mexico-U.S. border and turned themselves into Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials last Friday, according to journalist Luis Chaparro.

During his online program Pie de Nota, Chaparro said on Monday that Guzmán Loera’s ex-wife Griselda López Pérez and a daughter of the imprisoned former Sinaloa Cartel leader were among those who turned themselves in to the FBI at the border between Tijuana and San Diego.

He presented photographs and video footage that purported to show the family members of Guzmán Loera at the border with their suitcases.

The journalist, whose reporting has been disseminated by many Mexican news outlets, asserted that the family members’ decision to surrender to the FBI was likely linked to the plea agreement Ovidio Guzmán López, one of the sons of El Chapo, is negotiating with U.S. authorities.

“According to the reports from our sources, the family turned themselves in to the FBI at midday last Friday at the San Ysidro port of entry in Tijuana. According to the information from the same sources, among these people are Griselda López, mother of Ovidio, several nephews and nieces, a grandson by the name of Archivaldo and a daughter of Chapo together with a son-in-law,” Chaparro said.

He said it was not known why the family members of the imprisoned former drug capo turned themselves in to the FBI.

“But the fact that they turned themselves in to people who were waiting for them [means that] it’s probably linked to the deal that Ovidio Guzmán made with the United States government last week,” Chaparro added.

He also said that the 17 family members were carrying more than US $70,000 in cash between them.

Chaparro said that the family flew to Tijuana from Culiacán, Sinaloa, before crossing the border. He said that “at least one sniper” was positioned at the San Ysidro port of entry due to the risk of one (or more) of the family members being targeted in an attack.

“This act of getting his family to safety could be a sign that Los Chapitos might be losing the war in Sinaloa or that the war is going to get a lot worse,” Chaparro said, referring to the bloody battle between the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Los Mayos faction of the same criminal organization.

He said that his sources revealed that Ovidio Guzmán asked U.S. authorities for a “guarantee” that his mother and other family members would be given permanent residency in the United States.

“In exchange for what? We’re going to find this out on June 6 when Ovidio Guzmán changes his declaration of guilt,” Chaparro said.

Guzmán López — one of “Los Chapitos,” as four of El Chapo’s sons are known — was extradited to the United States in September 2023, eight months after he was captured in Culiacán, Sinaloa. He faces drug trafficking, money laundering and other charges in the U.S.

According to a document of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois that was filed last Tuesday, the 35-year-old defendant is scheduled to attend a plea hearing on July 9. His lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, said last week that his client and the U.S. government had not yet reached a final plea deal, but hoped to reach one “in the future.”

El Chapo Guzmán, who, together with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and others, founded the Sinaloa Cartel, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States in July 2019 after he was found guilty of drug trafficking in February of that year.

Griselda López, mother of four children with El Chapo, is on the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list” of the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control.

She is also the mother of Joaquín Guzmán López, who is currently in U.S. custody. He was arrested last July after flying into a New Mexico airport on a private plane with Zambada, who claims that Joaquín Guzmán López kidnapped him and forced him onto the plane. The alleged kidnapping and arrest of El Mayo triggered an intensification of the long-running conflict between Los Chapitos and Los Mayos.

Both Joaquín Guzmán and Zambada pleaded not guilty to the drug trafficking charges they face in the U.S., as did Ovidio Guzmán in September 2023.

Sheinbaum: US hasn’t provided any information about entry of Chapo’s family

Asked about Luis Chaparro’s reporting at her Monday morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum said there was “no more information” than that which had come out in the media.

She noted that Ovidio Guzmán was extradited to the United States during the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and declared that the U.S. government should be “sending information” to Mexico about his case on a “permanent” basis.

Expressly asked whether the U.S. government had provided the information it “should” provide, Sheinbaum said it had not.

“It should deliver it to the Federal Attorney General’s Office, because [it’s a matter of] the United States Justice Department and it has to have coordinated information with the Federal Attorney General’s Office,” she said.

Sheinbaum told reporters that the Attorney General’s Office has its own “investigation files” on Ovidio Guzmán “in Mexico.”

On Tuesday, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch confirmed that 17 members of the extended Guzmán family had handed themselves into the FBI. None of those that crossed into the U.S. were wanted in Mexico, he said in a radio interview.

Guzmán López shot to international infamy in October 2019 when his arrest in Culiacán triggered a wave of cartel attacks that terrorized residents of the northern city.

Not long after his arrest, federal security force released him “to try to avoid more violence … and preserve the lives of our personnel and recover calm in the city,” then security minister Alfonso Durazo said at the time.

Violent chaos also followed Guzmán López’s second and final capture in January 2023, with both soldiers and alleged criminals losing their lives in armed combat in the Sinaloa state capital.

There was speculation last year that Ovidio, also known as “El Ratón” (The Mouse), had entered the United States Federal Witness Protection Program, but that was not confirmed.

Citing his sources, Luis Chaparro predicted on Monday that Ovidio and Joaquín will both enter the U.S. witness protection program at some time in the future.

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