text stringlengths 80 124k | date_download stringdate 2022-04-02 20:48:07 2023-07-31 23:59:06 | source_domain stringclasses 387 values | url stringlengths 21 528 |
|---|---|---|---|
Gov. DeSantis’ conservative takeover of a liberal arts college is silencing diversity, critics say
By Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN
Sam Sharf enrolled at New College of Florida two years ago because as a trans woman, she wanted to be at a school where she felt safe and accepted.
The small public liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida, offers an environment where LGBTQ students can freely express themselves, she said.
But Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to give this “community of free thinkers” a more conservative direction, saying the college’s mission “has been, I think, more into the DEI, CRT, the gender ideology rather than what a liberal arts education should be,” according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
In January, DeSantis replaced six of the college’s 13-member board of trustees with conservative allies, including Christopher Rufo, who has fueled the fight against critical race theory.
The new board forced out the college’s president and appointed DeSantis’ ally Richard Corcoran as interim president. Corcoran will serve on the job from February 27 to September 1, 2024, and will earn a base salary of $699,000.
The overhaul of the college’s leadership has Sharf and other students questioning their future at the school, prompting student protests accusing the governor, who is expected to run for president in 2024, of impeding their educational freedom for political gain.
“People are very scared for what’s to come, especially kids who aren’t graduating any time soon,” Sharf told CNN. “This is an obvious hostile political act.”
The controversy also comes as DeSantis proposes plans to defund all diversity, equity and inclusion programs at state colleges and universities in Florida and as Florida’s Department of Education rejects an Advanced Placement African American studies course for high school students.
With mounting attacks on diversity and inclusion, students and activists fear that marginalized people will not have a safe place to get a college education in Florida.
Some critics also worry the state might influence other Republican-led states to adopt similar measures, dwindling their options even further. Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott demanded that state agencies stop using diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in hiring with his office calling the practice “illegal.”
DEI policies and programs are created to promote representation for people who have historically faced discrimination because of their race, ethnicity, disability, gender, religion or sexual orientation.
‘The real tragedy’
Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors, said she believes DeSantis is targeting diversity programs for political advantage, which she called “extremely dangerous.”
This could result in Florida colleges struggling to retain students and recruit faculty, Mulvey said. People pursuing graduate degrees might opt for schools in other states that support academic freedom, she said.
“The consequences for students are enormous,” Mulvey said. “They are denied the opportunity to learn and grow, students are denied the opportunity to hear important perspectives. That’s the real tragedy.”
DeSantis’ decision to overhaul New College of Florida has particularly drawn ire from LGBTQ activists.
David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, said policies that reject diversity and inclusion will only push people away from higher education in Florida.
“So much of what the policies are designed to do and the language more specifically … is to tell people that they don’t matter,” he said. “That their contributions, their history, their ways of attempting to strengthen democracy do not matter and should not have a place in the version of America that they are now naming as classical.”
Johns likened the risks of anti-DEI measures to anti-abortion legislation adopted by several other states after Georgia passed the “heartbeat bill” in 2018. He fears New College of Florida is a test case for pushing conservatism at schools across the nation.
“If he (DeSantis) is allowed to continue to operate in this way, there might not be a place for anyone to go,” Johns said.
‘Hillsdale of the South’
Some students at New College of Florida are already considering other options for their education. The school has nearly 700 students and 100 full-time faculty members, according to its website.
Sharf said she worries that the new board will erase the inclusive queer culture on campus to make the college more attractive for traditional affluent White students.
Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz said in a statement that officials wanted New College of Florida to “become Florida’s classical college, more along the lines of a Hillsdale of the South.” Hillsdale College is a private conservative Christian college in southern Michigan.
Sharf said she and her peers plan to keep protesting the leadership changes but many are looking at backup schools.
“I would not want to attend a school that is ‘Hillsdale of the South,'” Sharf said. “It would be too hostile to trans students and I would probably have to leave.”
Alex Obraud, a third-year anthropology student, said DeSantis’ overhaul feels like backlash against the nation’s progress on LGBTQ rights and racial justice.
Obraud also views it as an attack on educational freedom and on the safe space that New College and other universities across the country offer for students.
“That’s part of making education accessible to everyone and making sure that people feel safe is a huge part of making sure they are in a good position to learn,” Obraud said.
Faculty members also worry that the new leadership could change the inclusive culture at the school.
Chris Kottke, a math professor at the New College of Florida, rejected Republican lawmakers’ claims that the school was a bastion of liberal indoctrination.
Kottke said instructors have always taught students how to think not what to think. Kottke said while most of the diverse clubs on campus don’t rely on state funding, he worries about whether they will be able to continue to safely operate.
“The incoming atmosphere is obviously quite hostile to those groups of students,” he said. “So I think there is understandably some fear.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
CNN’s Jalen Brown contributed to this story. | 2023-02-15T20:52:25+00:00 | keyt.com | https://keyt.com/news/2023/02/15/gov-desantis-conservative-takeover-of-a-liberal-arts-college-is-silencing-diversity-critics-say/ |
INDIANAPOLIS – The decision came Friday afternoon. Maybe it was earlier.
Regardless the timeline, one of Jeff Saturday’s most impactful decisions as interim coach involved shuffling the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback room.
Sam Ehlinger was out after two starts.
Matt Ryan was back in control.
Saturday initially announced Ehlinger would start Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but that was Monday night as he was being introduced as Frank Reich’s replacement.
The first time he actually saw Ryan throw was Thursday. The 15-year veteran suffered a Grade 2 separation in his last start, the 19-10 loss at Tennessee.
“I told him ‘Go back-to-back,’’’ Saturday said following the Colts’ 25-20 win over the Raiders. “And again, now this is my first experience really ever seeing him throw and he looked really good.’’
He talked things over with the offensive staff on Friday.
“But I knew what I was going to do,’’ Saturday said, “and I knew everybody was with it.
“I felt like Matt gave us the best chance to win. I wanted to make sure he was in the right space to do it. He wanted all of it. Let’s go, let it rip.’’
Ryan had appeared in 239 games in his decorated career, all as a starter. He believed if he could put together a solid week of practice – “And that week only being two days,’’ he said – there was a chance he could be involved in the Raiders game.
But as a starter? Ehlinger’s backup?
“I didn’t know. I didn’t know,’’ Ryan said. “And so, really Friday afternoon I started to get a feel for how it might go and then (Saturday) kind of talked to everybody and let us know where we were at.
“When he asked me about it earlier in the week, I really just said, ‘I only know one way to do it. And so if I do it, this is how I do it and this is who I am and this is how it’s worked for me.’
“I didn’t get any commitments or anything like that, just the opportunity to work. I’m proud of what we did today.’’
With Parks Frazier calling plays for the first time, the Ryan-led offense generated 415 total yards and found a rare balance: 222 yards on 28 Ryan pass attempts and 207 yards on 30 rushes.
Saturday’s reaction to Ryan?
“Stud, man,’’ he said.
Ryan completed 21-of-28 passes for the 222 yards, including what proved to be the game-winning 35-yard TD to Parris Campbell with 5:07 remaining. He set up the TD to Campbell with a 39-yard scramble, the longest run of his career.
“I’m not used to being in the open field for that long,’’ he said. “A really good play call by Parks. We kind of went with some tempo there, trying to see if we couldn’t just pick something up, get a guy in space.
“It opened up kind of a running lane to the right. It was man-to-man coverage, so everybody was kind of flowing to the left and I got out.’’
Wideout Ashton Dulin provided an escort down the right sideline.
“Maybe if I was a little faster, I could have scored,’’ Ryan said with a smile. “But I (did) the best I could.’’
Ryan finished with 38 rushing yards, another career best. His 1-yard sneak – with Michael Pittman Jr. pushing from behind – in the first quarter gave the Colts a 7-0 lead.
Ryan delivered the 46th game-winning drive of his career. That’s tied for sixth all-time. Four have come this season.
Ryan back? No problem with the boss
Owner Jim Irsay was the driving force behind the Colts turning to Ehlinger. But he insisted the move wasn’t made with the intention of never going back to Ryan.
“When we made the change . . . I said, ‘Look, we have three guys that can all help us win. It’s a long season. Matt’s hurt. Sam has a chance to come in with his feet and make some plays for us. But it doesn’t mean we’re not going back to Matt,’’’ Irsay told reporters outside the Colts’ locker room.
“Everything that’s been done has been done to win. It’s very simple. Nothing’s been done for any reason except ‘What’s the best for the franchise.’ Same thing with Matt starting today. He felt really healthy. We’re on the road in a tough place and he’s still got plenty when you protect him and run the ball like we did. We saw what we’re capable of doing.’’
Big game for Taylor
Jonathan Taylor was the catalyst of the Colts’ revived run game. After missing the New England loss with an ankle injury, he rushed 22 times for 147 yards. His season-long 66-yard touchdown in the third quarter gave the Colts a 19-14 lead.
It was Taylor’s second 100-yard game of the season, but first since the season opener at Houston (161 yards on 31 attempts).
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Taylor’s fourth career rushing TD of at least 60 yards tied Lenny Moore’s franchise record.
This and that
Campbell finished with seven receptions for a career-best 76 yards, highlighted by the 35-yard TD. Pittman added seven catches for 53 yards and tight end Kylen Granson four catches for 57 yards.
Linebacker Zaire Franklin led the defense with 10 tackles, including seven solos. Linebacker Bobby Okereke had nine.
The defense got to Derek Carr for two sacks: one by tackle Grover Stewart and a shared sack by DeForest Buckner and Yannick Ngakoue.
Placekicker Chase McLaughlin converted a pair of 48-yard field goals, but had a third 48-yard attempt ricochet off the right upright.
The Colts failed to score a point on their opening drive for an 11th straight game, but posted a lead at halftime (13-10) for the first time. They also entered the fourth quarter with the lead for the first time this season (19-14).
Injury update
Defensive end Kwity Paye was forced from the game after aggravating an ankle injury. He practiced Wednesday and Thursday but missed Friday’s work with the injury. He was questionable for the game.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51. | 2022-11-14T07:19:18+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/sports/colts/jeff-saturday-felt-like-matt-ryan-gave-us-the-best-chance-to-win/ |
NEW YORK, July 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Golub Capital announced several promotions within its Direct Lending team, positioning the Firm for continued growth of its market-leading sponsor finance platform.
Spyro Alexopoulos has been promoted to Co-Head of Direct Lending, a role he will share with the team's current leader, Gregory Cashman. Spyro joined Golub Capital in 2007 and was previously Head of Originations. He is a member of the Firm's Investment Committee.
Matthew Fulk has been promoted to Senior Managing Director, Head of Originations, overseeing the Firm's team of originators and managing overall sponsor coverage. Matt joined Golub Capital in 2004.
Jason Van Dussen, Marc Robinson, Robert Tuchscherer, Joseph Capasso and Gail Carmody will also be taking on additional responsibilities as part of the Firm's Direct Lending leadership expansion.
"Our mission is to be best in sponsor finance, and we see significant opportunity ahead to further build our Direct Lending business," said David Golub, President of Golub Capital. "These expanded leadership roles in Direct Lending will enhance our ability to deliver for all our stakeholders as the business continues to grow."
"Each of these individuals has been an outstanding contributor to the success of our Direct Lending business for many years," said Gregory Cashman, Co-Head of Direct Lending. "Together, we look forward to providing the reliable, compelling and creative financing solutions that make Golub Capital a preferred financing partner for sponsors."
About Golub Capital
Golub Capital is a market-leading, award-winning direct lender and experienced credit asset manager. We specialize in delivering reliable, creative and compelling financing solutions to companies backed by private equity sponsors. Our sponsor finance expertise also forms the foundation of our Broadly Syndicated Loan and Credit Opportunities investment programs. We nurture long-term, win-win partnerships that inspire repeat business from private equity sponsors and investors.
As of April 1, 2023, Golub Capital had over 800 employees and over $60 billion of capital under management, a gross measure of invested capital including leverage. The firm has lending offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and London. For more information, please visit golubcapital.com.
Media Contact
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Golub Capital | 2023-07-10T13:32:35+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/07/10/golub-capital-expands-direct-lending-leadership/ |
CANNES, France (AP) — The 75th Cannes Film Festival kicked off Tuesday with an eye turned to Russia’s war in Ukraine and a live satellite video address from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called on a new generation of filmmakers to confront dictators as Charlie Chaplin satirized Adolf Hitler.
After tributes and musical numbers, Zelenskyy was streamed live for the formally attired audience who had gathered for the premiere of Michel Hazanavicius’ zombie comedy “Final Cut.”
Zelenskyy, dressed in his signature olive green shirt, drew a thunderous standing ovation and and spoke at length about the connection between cinema and reality. He referenced films like Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” and Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” as not unlike Ukraine’s present circumstances.
Zelenskyy quoted Chaplin’s final speech in “The Great Dictator,” which was released in 1940, in the early days of World War II: “The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people.”
“We need a new Chaplin who will demonstrate that the cinema of our time is not silent,” implored Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian president pushed filmmakers not to “stay silent” while hundreds continue to die in Ukraine, the largest war in Europe since WWII, and show that cinema “is always on the side of freedom.”
The war is to be a regular presence in Cannes, where the festival has barred Russians with ties to the government from attending this year. Set to screen are several films from prominent Ukrainian filmmakers, including Sergei Loznitsa’s documentary “The Natural History of Destruction.” Footage shot by Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravičius before he was killed in Mariupol in April will also be shown by his fiancée, Hanna Bilobrova.
Even “Final Cut,” the latest film from “The Artist” filmmaker Hazanavicius, was renamed from its original title, “Z,” after Ukrainian protesters noted that the letter Z to some symbolizes support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Formally attired stars including Eva Longoria, Julianne Moore, Bérénice Bejo and “No Time to Die” star Lashana Lynchwere among those who streamed down Cannes’ famous red carpet Tuesday. More star-studded premieres — “Top Gun: Maverick!” “Elvis!” — await over the next 12 days, during which 21 films will vie for the festival’s prestigious top award, the Palme d’Or.
But Tuesday’s opening and the carefully choreographed red-carpet parade leading up the steps to the Grand Théâtre Lumiére again restored one of the movies’ grandest pageants after two years of pandemic that have challenged the exalted stature Cannes annually showers on cinema.
“Dear friends, let’s come out of this dark together,” said opening ceremony host Virginie Efira.
After last year requiring regular COVID-19 testing and masks in theaters — and no kisses on the red carpet — Cannes has largely done away with pandemic protocols. Masks are recommended inside but are rarely worn.
Cannes presented an honorary Palme d’Or to Forest Whitaker, who received a standing ovation. Whitaker, who won best actor at Cannes 34 years ago for his performance as Charlie Parker in Clint Eastwood’s “Bird,” said that while ascending the steps to the Palais des Festivals on Tuesday, he could still hear chants of “Clint! Clint!” ringing in his ears. Eastwood is one of few others who have been awarded an honorary Palme.
On Tuesday, Cannes also unveiled the jury that will award the Palme d’Or. French actor Vincent Lindon is leading a jury that includes Deepika Padukone, Rebecca Hall, Asghar Farhadi, Trinca, Ladj Ly, Noomi Rapace, Jeff Nichols and Joachim Trier.
Questions of gender equality have long surrounded the Cannes Film Festival, where no more than five female filmmakers have ever been a part of the Palme competition lineup and only two women directors have won it. On Monday, Fremaux defended the festival, arguing that it selects films purely on the basis of quality. Hall, who last year made her directorial debut with the film “Passing,” was asked about her opinion on Cannes’ record.
“I believe that it is a work in progress. I mean for the whole film industry, not just the Cannes Film Festival,” replied Hall. “The way of dealing with these things needs to be addressed on a grassroots level as well. It’s not just the festivals or public-facing situations. It’s about all the minutiae of what goes into the industry at large.”
Farhadi, the Oscar-winning Iranian director, also spoke for the first time about an ongoing plagiarism suit regarding his previous film, “A Hero,” which won the Grand Prix in Cannes last year. A former film student of Farhadi’s, Azadeh Masihzadeh, has accused him of stealing the idea of the film from a 2018 documentary she made in a workshop taught by Farhadi.
Speaking at length, Farhadi said “A Hero” was not based on the documentary.
“It was based on a current event so this documentary and this film are based on an event that happened two years prior to the workshop,” said Farhadi. “When an event takes place and is covered by the press, then it becomes public knowledge and you can do what you like about the event. You can write a story or make a film about the event. You can look up the information on this event. ‘A Hero’ is just one interpretation of this event.”
At the tradition-upholding Cannes, the world’s largest and most glitzy temple to film, cinema, controversy and glamour swirl together in a 12-day spectacle of red carpet premieres and rampant movie deal-making up and down the Croisette. Theatrical release is a requirement of any film vying for the Palme, which has prevented streaming services from playing a big role at Cannes.
But this year, one new festival partner — TikTok — has raised some eyebrows. The festival is hosting TikTok creators from around the world and holding a separate contest for best (very short) videos created during the festival. Thierry Fremaux, artistic director of Cannes, granted TikTok wasn’t the future of cinema.
“The cinema remains the final art,” said Fremaux.
___
Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
___
For more Cannes Film Festival coverage, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/cannes-film-festival | 2022-05-17T21:43:10+00:00 | wnct.com | https://www.wnct.com/entertainment-news/cannes-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-75th-film-festival/ |
Which sauna suit is best?
Putting on a sauna suit is an excellent way to promote perspiration and shed extra water weight. They are typically insulated and feature elastic at the waist, wrists and ankles.
The best sauna suit is flexible enough to move with you, durable enough to handle your most challenging workouts and stylish enough to blend in with your existing gym wardrobe. A top pick is the versatile and lightweight 365 Days Weight-Loss Sauna Suit.
What to know before you buy a sauna suit
How a sauna suit works
High-quality sauna suits are full-length on your limbs and land at the base of your neck, with elastic cinching the waist, wrists and ankles. Those features trap your body heat with the help of a thick inner layer of polyvinyl chloride, nylon or silver polyurethane for added insulation. The added layers make you sweat more during your workout, and the cinched pants, waist and shirt trap your sweat.
Note: It is essential to stay hydrated throughout your workout, especially when wearing a sauna suit that increases sweating.
Sizing
Many manufacturers make their suits unisex, so pay careful attention to each company’s fit chart. Even if a company does make men’s and women’s sizes, international sizes vary significantly. Have your up-to-date measurements ready as you shop.
Washing instructions
Read your suit’s washing instructions thoroughly. Many require you to wash the suit by hand or in a washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water. Avoid placing your suit in a dryer unless your instructions specifically allow it.
What to look for in a quality sauna suit
Material
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC; neoprene; and polyurethane-coated nylon or polyester are common materials used for sauna suits.
- PVC is not very durable, but it is widely available and inexpensive.
- Neoprene is more durable than PVC, but is less affordable and harder to find in a full-length suit.
- Polyurethane-coated nylon or polyester is cost-effective, more durable than PVC and widely available in a full-length sauna suit.
Flexibility
Since the materials used to make a sauna suit tend to limit the wearer’s flexibility, look for one that boasts added stretch. Manufacturers often highlight their suits’ elasticity by claiming the design includes a four-way stretch or by explicitly stating that it is ideal for yoga, boxing and similar activities.
Style
Traditional sauna suits are made from shiny black PVC and resemble a trash bag: billowy with elastic at the wrists, ankles and waist.
Contemporary manufacturers have designed modern looks to help you blend in with other fashionable gymgoers. Polyurethane-lined polyester suits resemble traditional tracksuits, yoga pants and zip-up jackets. Sleek cuffing masks the unappealing elastic at the wrists and ankles. Other new features include pockets with zippers, headphone holes in jackets and hoodies.
How much you can expect to spend on a sauna suit
A high-quality polyurethane-coated nylon or polyester sauna suit ranges from $45-$60. For a full neoprene hoodie and pants, expect to pay around $100.
Sauna suit FAQ
How often should you wash your sauna suit?
A. Wash it thoroughly after each use.
How should you wash your sauna suit?
A. Read and adhere to the care label. To make it last, after each use, rinse it off in cool water, apply a gentle detergent, wash it by hand and lay it flat to dry.
Is a sauna suit safe to use?
A. It is always best to check with your doctor before changing your health and fitness routine, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. Since a sauna suit causes fluid loss and elevates your temperature, stay hydrated and use it with caution to avoid overheating.
What’s the best sauna suit to buy?
Top sauna suit
365 Days Weight Loss Sauna Suit
What you need to know: This four-piece suit blends right in at the gym, and it’s even flexible enough for your yoga or boxing routine.
What you’ll love: This is the best suit for those looking for a lightweight, flexible and versatile set. It includes a zip-up jacket, pants, long-sleeve shirt and leggings. Sizes range from small to 4XL. Hand-wash only, hang to dry.
What you should consider: The manufacturer suggests that you wear it indoors only.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top sauna suits for the money
What you need to know: This stylish suit is available in three colors, and it features a sweatshirt and pant set.
What you’ll love: It’s a high-quality suit that boasts a four-way stretch, rounded neckline and cuffs at the limbs. You can use it indoors or outdoors and get it in sizes small to 5XL.
What you should consider: It runs small; pay close attention to the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This is a more traditional suit made with elastic at the neck, waist, wrists and ankles.
What you’ll love: It includes a long-sleeved top with matching pants made from polyurethane-coated polyester. It has four zippered pockets, and the top boasts headphone holes. It comes in five colors, and sizes small to 3XL.
What you should consider: Reviews suggest you wash it by hand to ensure longevity.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Ella Scott writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-04-30T09:52:38+00:00 | krqe.com | https://www.krqe.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/fitness-gear-br/best-sauna-suit/ |
GENEVA (AP) — The Premier League was urged Thursday to review a legally binding promise made by the owners of English soccer club Newcastle in 2021 that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund was separate from the country's government.
An American court document filed by lawyers for Saudi-backed LIV Golf in a case against the PGA Tour revealed this week claimed the Public Investment Fund should be regarded as “a foreign state.”
The document appeared to contradict a legal assurance accepted by the Premier League when a protracted takeover of Newcastle was completed in October 2021 with PIF having an 80% ownership stake.
At that time, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters told the BBC in an interview the Saudi state would not control Newcastle and, if this was proved untrue, "we can remove the consortium as owners."
Human rights group Amnesty International, which campaigned against the takeover deal, said Thursday it should be looked at again.
“The Premier League will surely need to re-examine the assurances made about the non-involvement of the Saudi authorities in the Newcastle deal,” Amnesty economic affairs director Peter Frankental said in a statement.
“It was always stretching credulity to breaking point to imagine that the Saudi state wasn’t directing the buyout,” Frankental said, adding the deal had “the ultimate aim of using the club as a component in its wider sportswashing efforts.”
The Premier League on Thursday declined to comment on the issue.
The 300 million pound ($358 million) takeover was popular with most Newcastle fans. The club has moved from the Premier League's relegation zone 17 months ago to contending for a place in the Champions League this season. In some games, the team has worn a white and green jersey like the Saudi national team.
In the United States court case, lawyers for LIV Golf argued that PIF and its governor, Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, were “not ordinary third parties” and should be exempted from some standards in the discovery phase of the case.
"They are a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the filing said, adding the discovery order was “an extraordinary infringement on the sovereignty of a foreign state.”
PIF is chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and six of the other eight board members listed on its website are government ministers. It says it has assets under its management valued last year at $620 billion.
At a soccer industry conference in London on Thursday, Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley described PIF as “effectively a pension fund.”
“They are managing money for future generations,” Staveley said at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit during a panel discussion.
The panel did not address the American court document.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Credit: AP
Credit: AP | 2023-03-02T16:51:10+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/nation-world/premier-league-urged-to-review-saudi-newcastle-deal/VMZHBVFVDNHLFIP5QXVKM772AM/ |
“Fifty percent of the Malawian population is already living in poverty, … Phiri said WFP was partnering the Malawi Government to address the …
Archives
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- October 2014 | 2022-06-02T18:14:51+00:00 | mw | https://www.mw/world-food-programme-fears-for-malawi/ |
RAPID CITY - Dean B. Ellis, 87, passed away Saturday, September 24, 2022 in Rapid City.
Black Hills Funeral Home
Tags
Obituaries Newsletter
Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox.
RAPID CITY - Dean B. Ellis, 87, passed away Saturday, September 24, 2022 in Rapid City.
Black Hills Funeral Home
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. | 2022-09-27T07:21:01+00:00 | rapidcityjournal.com | https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/obituaries/dean-b-ellis/article_de94fe3e-bd5f-50b9-a199-f3aaeb9df338.html |
WFO SPOKANE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, December 7, 2022
_____
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Spokane WA
609 AM PST Wed Dec 7 2022
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY...
* WHAT...Patchy light freezing drizzle and flurries. Localized glaze
of ice.
* WHERE...Deer Park, Mullan, Airway Heights, Davenport, Flowery
Trail Road, Orin-Rice Road, Newport, Priest River, Kellogg,
Chewelah, Colville, Sandpoint, Athol, Fernwood, Dobson Pass,
Fourth Of July Pass, Worley, Northport, Pinehurst, Fairfield,
Kettle Falls, Schweitzer Mountain Road, Wallace, Downtown Spokane,
Cheney, Spokane Valley, Post Falls, St. Maries, Eastport, Hayden,
Coeur d'Alene, Springdale-Hunters Road, Rockford, Bonners Ferry,
Lookout Pass, and Osburn.
* WHEN...Until Noon PST today.
* IMPACTS...Untreated or unsanded roads will likely become slick.
Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could
impact the Wednesday morning commute. Windshields will quickly
accumulate ice. Sidewalks and decks could be icy.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while
driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken
on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and
slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-12-07T14:31:40+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/weather/article/WA-WFO-SPOKANE-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17637137.php |
MEXICO CITY — A boat carrying Haitian migrants apparently capsized off the Bahamas early Sunday, and Bahamian security forces recovered the bodies of 17 people and rescued 25 others, authorities said.
It wasn't clear if there were any people missing after the boat sank about seven miles from New Providence.
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said in a statement that the dead included 15 women, one man and an infant. He said the people rescued were taken for observation by health workers.
Davis said investigators had determined that a twin-engine speed boat left the Bahamas about 1 a.m. carrying as many as 60 people, apparently bound for Miami.
Davis said a criminal investigation had begun into the suspected human smuggling operation.
“I would like to convey the condolences of my government and the people of the Bahamas to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy,” Davis said. “My government, from the time it came to office, has warned against these treacherous voyages.”
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he sympathized with the parents of the victims.
“This new drama saddens the whole nation,” he said. “I launch, once again, an appeal for national reconciliation in order to solve the problems that are driving away, far from our soil, our brothers, our sisters, our children.”
A year after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse last July, gang violence has grown worse and Haiti has gone into a freefall that has seen the economy tumble. Attempts to form a coalition government have faltered, and efforts to hold general elections have stalled. The turmoil has led a growing number of people to flee the country of more than 11 million in search of a better and safer life.
Several sinkings involving migrants have occurred in the Caribbean this year, including one in May in which 11 people were confirmed dead and 38 were saved off Puerto Rico. Another incident in January saw one man rescued and another confirmed dead after a boat carrying 40 migrants went down off Florida, with the missing never found.
Governments in the region, including the United States, have reported a surge in the number of Haitians detained trying to enter other countries. | 2022-07-25T15:39:43+00:00 | sun-sentinel.com | https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-ap-bahamas-migrant-sinking-20220725-b6pqpx7whffdxfl6bojbshg4fy-story.html |
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says he would ‘love to think’ that US could host Champions League and Premier League games
By Thomas Schlachter, CNN
(CNN) — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has said he would “love to think” that English Premier League and Champions League matches could be staged in the US – mirroring what the NFL has done with its International Series games.
English soccer giants Arsenal and Manchester United recently played a friendly against each other in New Jersey. This coincided with the Premier League Summer Series in the US, featuring six teams from the Premier League, including Chelsea, Fulham and Newcastle.
The idea of an international “39th game” in the Premier League season was met with extreme resistance when the organization’s former Chief Executive Officer Richard Scudamore tried to push forward with the proposal in 2008, but Murphy believes that, if a top-flight English game came stateside, it would prove popular.
“I would assume that Man United and Arsenal view this as a good brand, putting your best players out there, 82,000 fans in New York, New Jersey. I’d love to think that it would happen,” said Murphy during a media briefing.
New York/New Jersey has been selected as one of the host venues for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, with matches played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, which hosts two million guests annually.
“Future generations of New Jerseyans will remember fondly that, on the heels of a global pandemic, the biggest sporting event in the world was hosted by the greatest region in the world,” said Murphy last year. “In addition to building upon our lasting global legacy, as a host region, we will also benefit from significant economic activity and impact, as well as opportunities to showcase the rich cultural diversity of our state.”
On European soccer potentially coming to the US, Murphy also cited the success of the NFL International Series. This initiative has seen games held in the United Kingdom, Germany and Mexico, all with huge crowds and an even bigger demand for tickets.
“I tell you what’s a good model: the NFL. As you all know, they play real games in Europe with great success,” Murphy explained.
“I’m a New England Patriots fan and they are playing the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt in November. The stadium is not that big, only 55,000 seats, and they had demand for 700,000 tickets.”
Murphy believes that if a competitive European soccer game were to go stateside it could have the same impact as the NFL International Series.
“I would just appeal either to the Champions League, if that’s UEFA, and play a game here. I can say unequivocally, we would die to have a real competitive game anywhere in America. If it was in New York-New Jersey, you wouldn’t get near that game. It would be overwhelming. To have a Champions League game, you wouldn’t be able to get near it.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has previously hinted that a Champions League Final could be hosted in the US.
“It is possible. We started to discuss about that, but then one year, it is the World Cup, 2024 is Euro, this year is Istanbul, ’24 in London, ‘25 in Munich,” Čeferin said on the Men in Blazers podcast.
“And after that, let’s see. It’s possible, it’s possible. Football is extremely popular in United States these days.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2023-07-26T15:20:51+00:00 | localnews8.com | https://localnews8.com/news/2023/07/26/new-jersey-governor-phil-murphy-says-he-would-love-to-think-that-us-could-host-champions-league-and-premier-league-games/ |
Ice 6, Pats 1
First Period
1. Winnipeg, Oiring 5 (Zloty, Dale) 1:58.
2. Winnipeg, Friesen 4 (Benson, Prosofsky) 14:43 (pp).
3. Winnipeg, Pederson 15 (unassisted) 17:29.
Penalties — Dale Wpg (high sticking) 10:56; Berge Reg (hooking) 14:17.
Second Period
4. Winnipeg, Shilo 6 (Prosofsky, Zloty) 8:28.
5. Regina, Howe 20 (Suzdalev, Armstrong) 11:18.
6. Winnipeg, Bruce 7 (Shilo) 15:57.
7. Winnipeg, Sward 2 (unassisted) 19:57.
Penalties — None.
Third Period
No Scoring.
Penalties — Vaughan Reg (boarding) 3:29; Vaughan Reg (major-fighting) 3:29; Pederson Wpg (unsportsmanlike cnd.) 3:29; Pederson Wpg (major-fighting) 3:29; Armstrong Reg (roughing) 3:52; Sward Wpg (roughing) 3:52; Vaughan Reg (checking to the head) 6:22; Vaughan Reg (game misconduct) 6:22; Nash Wpg (slashing) 7:26.
Shots on goal by
Goal — Regina: Pyne (L, ). Winnipeg: Hauser (W, ).
Power plays (goals-chances) — Regina: 0-1; Winnipeg: 1-3.
Referees — Karlin Krieger, Bryan Bourdon. Linesmen — Kelsey Mahoney, Lane Gramiak.
Attendance — 1,662 at Winnipeg. | 2022-12-12T04:14:35+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/HKO-WHL-Sums-Regina-Winnipeg-17647253.php |
BEIRUT (AP) — The value of the Lebanese pound hit an all-time low Thursday, trading at 50,000 to the U.S. dollar, as the country’s deeply-divided parliament failed to elect a president for an 11th time.
The cash-strapped country’s national currency, once valued at 1,500 to the dollar, has been tanking since late 2019 and has since lost over 90% of its value. The financial crisis has plunged three-quarters of the population into poverty, with millions struggling to cope with some of the world’s sharpest inflation. Experts blame the country’s entrenched ruling elites for decades of corruption and financial mismanagement.
The Lebanese pound’s plunge comes days after a European judicial delegation from France, Germany, and Luxembourg landed in Beirut to interrogate embattled Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and a dozen affiliates in a European money laundering investigation of some $330 million. They so far have questioned banking officials and former central bank officials. Switzerland and Liechtenstein have also opened probes against Salameh for money laundering allegations.
Lebanon’s deeply-divided parliament is meanwhile in flux. It has continuously failed to agree on a new head of state since President Michel Aoun’s six-year term ended on Oct. 30. All but 18 of the Parliament’s 128 legislators showed up Thursday, with most — 71 lawmakers — voting either for parliamentarian Michel Moawad, an outspoken critic of Iran-backed Hezbollah, or casting blank ballots.
The worsening political paralysis has left the country without a president and only a caretaker government, stalling a host of economic reforms aimed at stopping wasteful spending and combatting rampant corruption.
Lebanese authorities in April 2022 reached a tentative agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a recovery plan conditional on a host of economic reforms and anti-corruption measures. However, the international organization has been vocally critical of Lebanon’s sluggish efforts to meet these demands.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s cash-strapped banks continue to impose strict limits on withdrawals of foreign currency since October 2019, tying up the savings of millions of people. As the economy continues to tank without any reforms, some depositors have resorted to storming bank branches and take their trapped savings by force. | 2023-01-19T13:42:43+00:00 | wdtn.com | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/ap-international/ap-lebanese-pound-hits-all-time-low-as-deadlock-persists/ |
Which vintage Care Bear gifts are best?
Originally appearing on illustrated American Greetings cards, the Care Bears have become ubiquitous in ‘80s pop culture, thanks to the beloved characters being featured in movies, television series, video games and retail ads. Even now, the iconic brand has a whole new generation of kids and adults enthralled with the introduction of new character styles, colors and features.
With the Care Bear family always expanding, it can be hard to choose exactly which one to bring home, be it a collectible or newer item. Whether you’ve been a fan since childhood or would like to gift one to someone else, you can now take the magic of Care-a-Lot home with you and learn more about the best online vintage Care Bear gifts available.
Things to consider before buying a Care Bear gift
Characters
Since their first appearance, Care Bears have had unique personalities, symbols, colors and abilities that set them apart from each other. Originally, there were nine members named Love-a-lot Bear, Wish Bear, Bedtime Bear, Birthday Bear, Cheer Bear, Good Luck Bear, Friend Bear, Funshine Bear and Tenderheart Bear, until Grumpy Bear was added. In subsequent years, the Care Bear Cousins were introduced and consisted of 11 different animals rather than bears.
Stuffed animals
Care Bear plushies are the most common item available on the internet. Each one is soft, fluffy and pretty lightweight, which makes them the perfect addition to playtime or bedtime. Designed with comfort in mind, kids can cuddle with each Care Bear or preserve their favorite one as a collector’s item. Plush designs either feature the new stylized look from the reboot or the vintage character designs from the greeting cards.
Puzzles
Themed puzzle sets are the ultimate gift, since they’re great for piecing together with the family during game night or giving away as a present at birthdays, holiday parties and other special occasions. Many of the sets available feature the original Care Bear lineup riding rainbows or playing among the clouds in Care-a-Lot, while others feature a unique character with their signature Care Bear Stare or Care Bear Cousin Call.
Puzzle designs commonly range from 60-1,000 jigsaw pieces in total and measure around 8 by 10 inches once you complete them. Generally, they’re made of glare-free paper and using precision cutting techniques to ensure each piece fits together perfectly. Several vintage sets are considered collector’s items and can be added to your Care Bear memorabilia collection.
Activity books
Different activity and coloring books showcase the Care Bears in scenes from the movies and television series that you can color on bleed-proof paper. However, the most popular type of activity book you can find nowadays includes stickers that you can place on each page when you participate in the different games and activities within the book.
Reading books
Several reading books star fan favorites such as Good Luck Bear, Funshine Bear, Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear and Share Bear saving the day or helping children learn important life lessons about friendship, love and sharing. Older vintage editions feature signature characters in lullabies and bedtime stories which also include cassette tapes you can play when you read along, although a complete set is hard to come by.
Play sets
Unfortunately, modern day versions of Care-a-Lot play sets aren’t available to purchase since their popularity has waned over the years. However, a vintage play set is a great gift to give to a Care Bear collector of any age and makes a fantastic collector’s item due to their rarity. Some include different dials, knobs and mini figurines you can play with, while others function in a similar capacity to electronic learning kits like Leapfrog.
Board games
Many themed board games follow the titular characters on a simple task or adventure you have to complete by participating with other players in a similar fashion to Candy Land or Monopoly. Although less competitive than other board games, players still use play pieces, stands and dice to reach the end of the board while learning different values and lessons along the way.
Top vintage Care Bear gifts
Best blanket gift
Piper and Abbey Poppin Vintage Care Bears Quilt
This vintage handmade blanket has stood the test of time and showcases Bedtime Bear, Share Bear, Tenderheart Bear, Wish Bear and Love-a-lot Bear all playing with each other in Care-a-Lot. Featuring a scene near Rainbow Trail, fans are bound to find several little Easter eggs from the series hidden throughout the quilt, which is approximately 40 by 33 inches in size. Items are delivered from a clean and smoke-free home.
Sold by Etsy
Best card game gift
Kaleidoscope Kid Co Rainbow Rummy & Cloud Catcher Games
Each game pack comes in its own sealed, unopened carrying case. In the Cloud Catcher game with Funshine Bear on the front, players use a spinner in an attempt to collect all five Care Bear character tiles before placing them on their own “Cloud Card.” The first player to collect all five Care Bears wins. In Rainbow Rummy, players play a card game similar to Go Fish that involves taking cards from other players and drawing from a card deck.
Sold by Etsy
Best spinner board game gift
Vntg By Monica On the Path to Care-a-Lot Board Game
Each player starts with their own unique combination of star chips that feature different pictures of each bear’s belly symbol. During each turn, players spin the spinner to determine which chip and symbol they should move to on their row of stars. When you complete each row, you then move up the star path toward Care-a-Lot, but only one space at a time during each person’s spin. The first player to reach Tender Heart Bear in Care-a-Lot wins.
Sold by Etsy
Best beginner level puzzle gift
Kaleidoscope Kid Co Vintage 60-Piece Care Bears Puzzle
Let the fun shine when you piece together this beginner-friendly 60-piece jigsaw puzzle featuring fan favorites from the series spreading love throughout colorful Care-a-Lot. Once completed, this puzzle is definitely the perfect addition to your Care Bear memorabilia collection.
Sold by Etsy
Best expert level puzzle gift
Care Bears Care-a-Lot 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
This puzzle showcases the original Care Bear lineup from the classic ‘80s franchise, including Tenderheart Bear, Funshine Bear, Love-A-Lot Bear, Bedtime Bear and many more. Each bear’s symbol and personality are shown in their own unique ways in this 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, with watercolor rainbows and clouds around the Care-a-Lot Castle. The puzzle measures 10 by 8 by 2 inches once completed.
Sold by Amazon
Best reading gift
Baby Boom Vintage Shop Care Bears Hardcover Parker Brothers Book
Explore the land of Care-a-Lot and follow the Care Bears on different adventures as they help children deal with everyday life lessons such as learning how to treat others with kindness, how to deal with bullies and welcoming a new addition to the family. Some stories also show the Care Bears battling witches, children’s bad dreams and the Freeze Machine.
Sold by Etsy
Best sticker play set gift
Smile From The Past Shop Care Bears Presto Magix Stick ‘N Lift Magic Stickers Play Set
This set contains colorful plastic stickers that can be placed on different pages to create different scenes that include various Care Bears as well as birds, flowers, a heart and a moon. The sticker book also contains a Care-a-Lot background and the original black sheet that came with the set. There’s some minor wear on the box and stickers.
Sold by Etsy
Best coloring book gift
The Charm Room The Care Bears and the Big Sneeze Coloring Book
Illustrated by Barb Henry and written by Peggy Kahn, this vintage coloring book features scenes of the Care Bears enjoying the snowy weather after coming down from Care-a-Lot. Along the way, they teach the reader some tips on how to stay warm in cold weather and how to prevent colds.
Sold by Etsy
Best collector item gift
From Charlotte’s Attic Care Bear Vintage Rainbow Red Case
This retro Care Bears suitcase is in pretty good condition and has a functioning zipper, though there may be a few minor signs of wear and tear inside, and it has a few marks on the exterior. The entire bag measures 17 by 11 by 4 inches. The seller also offers a free bonus gift with your purchase.
Sold by Etsy
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Ashton Hughes writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-07-17T14:33:21+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/theme-toys-br/9-vintage-care-bear-gifts-you-can-buy-online/ |
WFO MEDFORD Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, February 3, 2023
_____
WIND ADVISORY
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
231 PM PST Thu Feb 2 2023
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph
expected.
* WHERE...The Shasta Valley, this includes Weed, Yreka, Grenada
and Montague.
* WHEN...Until 10 AM PST Friday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
result. Driving a high profile vehicle on east to west roads
may be difficult.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is potential for gusts up to 65 mph
Thursday night into Friday morning around Weed. The chance of
wind gusts reaching 65 mph is about 60 percent.
* View the hazard area in detail at
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
* WHERE...In California, Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc
Counties including Macdoel and Dorris. In Oregon, the higher
terrain of the Klamath Basin and Eastern Klamath County and
Western Lake County.
* WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Friday.
result.
_____
Copyright 2023 AccuWeather | 2023-02-02T23:59:37+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/weather/article/ca-wfo-medford-warnings-watches-and-advisories-17760492.php |
Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles is a true crime podcast that pairs dramatic readings of articles with interviews conducted with journalists who covered the stories.
For this set of episodes we're looking at a multi-part series from the Buffalo News Watchdog Team of Lou Michel, Dan Herbeck, and Mike McAndrew that launches Friday, Jan. 20, about a decades old murder of a Catholic Priest. The homicide went unsolved amid vague rumors of a cover-up.
People are also reading…
Before that series kicks off, though, we want to set the stage with Dan Herbeck's article from 2018 which acts as something of a primer for the series:
We certainly encourage you to subscribe to Late Edition Crime Beat Chronicles wherever you get your podcasts to catch all our upcoming coverage of the series as well as keep an eye on Buffalo News for the articles as they publish starting this weekend.
"Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles" is a product of Lee Enterprises. It is produced and edited by Chris Lay, with interviews produced and recorded by Nat Cardona.
Previous episodes in this series
Get caught up on this series through the story links below. (Note: Tap here if the links are not loading on your device.) | 2023-01-18T21:16:25+00:00 | wcfcourier.com | https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/who-killed-the-monsignor-listen-to-the-new-season-of-the-late-edition-crime-beat/article_ff3f7d6a-9713-5ba4-89f4-7d97fe2df042.html |
ATLANTA, Feb. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Veritiv Corporation (NYSE:VRTV) will host a live conference call and webcast to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results on Tuesday, February 28, at 9 a.m. EST. To participate, callers within the U.S. and Canada can dial (888) 330-2469 using conference ID number 3047006.
International callers can use the following link for international access numbers.
https://events.evolveirportal.com/custom/access/2324
Interested parties can also listen online at ir.veritivcorp.com.
A replay of the call and webcast will be available online for a limited period at ir.veritivcorp.com shortly after the live webcast is completed.
Prior to the February 28 financial results conference call and webcast, the Company will issue a news release and post a slide presentation online at ir.veritivcorp.com.
About Veritiv
Veritiv Corporation (NYSE: VRTV), headquartered in Atlanta and a Fortune 500® company, is a full-service provider of packaging, JanSan and hygiene products, services and solutions. Additionally, Veritiv provides print and publishing products. Serving customers in a wide range of industries both in North America and globally, Veritiv has distribution centers throughout the U.S. and Mexico, and team members around the world helping shape the success of its customers. For more information about Veritiv and its business segments visit www.veritivcorp.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Veritiv Corporation | 2023-02-07T14:11:14+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/prnewswire/2023/02/07/veritiv-release-fourth-quarter-full-year-2022-financial-results-february-28/ |
SEATTLE, Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z and ZG), which is transforming the way people buy, sell, rent and finance homes, today announced its consolidated financial results for the three months ended and year ended Dec. 31, 2022.
Complete financial results and outlook for the first quarter of 2023 can be found in the shareholder letter on the Investor Relations section of Zillow Group's website at https://investors.zillowgroup.com/investors/financials/quarterly-results/default.aspx.
"While navigating a slow and difficult housing market in 2022, we kept our eyes on the future — our vision of building the housing super app," said Zillow co-founder and CEO Rich Barton. "Our consolidated Q4 financial results outperformed our expectations, and we've been rapidly shipping products aligned with our five growth pillars. We're building momentum that will help us scale as we serve customers and the industry with an easier, more seamless way to transact in real estate."
Recent highlights include:
- Zillow Group's fourth-quarter results exceeded the company's outlook at a consolidated level for both revenue and Adjusted EBITDA.
- Consolidated Q4 revenue was $435 million, and full-year 2022 revenue from continuing operations was $2.0 billion.
- Driven by the relative strength at the top of the company's funnel, Premier Agent revenue outperformed the company's expectations and the industry total transaction dollar decline of 31%, decreasing 20% year over year to $283 million for Q4.
- Rentals revenue increased 13% year over year to $68 million as the company continued to see strong traffic and growth in multifamily properties.
- Driven by the relative strength at the top of the company's funnel, Premier Agent revenue outperformed the company's expectations and the industry total transaction dollar decline of 31%, decreasing 20% year over year to $283 million for Q4.
- On a GAAP basis, consolidated net loss was $72 million for Q4 and $101 million for 2022. Consolidated net loss from continuing operations was $72 million for Q4 and $88 million for 2022. Segment income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes for the IMT, Homes and Mortgages segments was $(22) million, $(13) million and $(51) million in Q4, and $160 million, $(93) million and $(167) million for full-year 2022, respectively. IMT segment income from continuing operations before income taxes margin contracted to 9% from 29% in 2021.
- Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $73 million for Q4 and $514 million for full-year 2022. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations by segment was $113 million, $(8) million and $(32) million for the IMT, Homes and Mortgages segments, respectively, in Q4, and $672 million, $(66) million and $(92) million for full-year 2022, respectively. The Q4 consolidated results were primarily driven by higher-than-anticipated margins in the company's IMT segment as revenue outperformed the company's expectations. The 2022 results were driven primarily by IMT segment Adjusted EBITDA margin contracting to 37% from 45% in 2021 as the company continued to invest during a weaker macroeconomic environment.
- During Q4, the company acquired VRX Media, a national photographer network, which helped accelerate the launch of Listing Media Services through the ShowingTime+ brand in early Q1 2023. The company also just launched a new selling solution with Opendoor that enables homeowners to explore multiple selling options on Zillow.
- Cash and investments at the end of Q4 were $3.4 billion, compared to $3.5 billion at the end of Q3 2022, after $174 million in share repurchases during the quarter. As of the end of Q4, $500 million remained under the company's total repurchase authorizations of $1.8 billion. Convertible debt outstanding was $1.7 billion at the end of Q4.
- Traffic to Zillow Group's mobile apps and websites in Q4 was 198 million average monthly unique users, flat year over year. Visits during Q4 were 2.2 billion, down 5% year over year. Average monthly unique users for 2022 were 220 million, up 1% year over year. Visits during 2022 were 10.5 billion, up 3% from the previous year.
Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2022 Financial Highlights
The following table sets forth Zillow Group's financial highlights for the periods presented (in millions, except percentages, unaudited):
Conference Call and Webcast Information
The company will host a live conference call to discuss the results today at 2 p.m. Pacific Time (5 p.m. Eastern Time). A shareholder letter and link to both the live webcast and recorded replay of the call may be accessed in the Quarterly Results section of Zillow Group's investor relations website. Participants must register for the live call in advance at: https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=b351961a&confId=45366 to receive emailed instructions. This pre-registration process is designed to reduce delays due to operator congestion when accessing the live call.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future performance and operation of our business, the current and future health and stability of the residential housing market and economy, volatility of mortgage interest rates, and our expectations regarding future shifts in behavior by consumers and employees. Statements containing words such as "may," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "predict," "will," "projections," "continue," "estimate," "outlook," "guidance," "would," "could," or similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based on assumptions as of Feb. 15, 2023, and although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee these results. Differences in Zillow Group's actual results from those described in these forward-looking statements may result from actions taken by Zillow Group as well as from risks and uncertainties beyond Zillow Group's control.
Factors that may contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the current and future health and stability of the economy, financial conditions and residential housing market, including any extended downturn or slowdown; changes in general economic and financial conditions (including federal monetary policy, interest rates, inflation, home price fluctuations, housing inventory, labor shortages and supply chain issues) that may reduce demand for our products and services, lower our profitability or reduce our access to financing; investment of resources to pursue strategies and develop new products and services that may not prove effective or that are not attractive to customers and real estate partners or that do not allow us to compete successfully; ability to comply with multiple listing service rules and requirements to access and use listing data, and to maintain or establish relationships with listings and data providers; ability to obtain or maintain licenses and permits to support our current and future businesses; ability to operate and grow our mortgage origination business, including the ability to obtain sufficient financing and resell originated mortgages on the secondary market; the duration and impact of natural disasters and other catastrophic events (including public health crises) on our ability to operate, on demand for our products or services, or on general economic conditions; acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, capital-raising activities or other corporate transactions or commitments by us or our competitors; ability to manage advertising inventory and pricing; effectivity of our technology and information security systems, or those of third parties on which we rely; actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations; changes in projected operational and financial results; ability to protect the information and privacy of our customers and other third parties; ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; ability to protect our brand and intellectual property; changes in laws or government regulation affecting our business; and the impact of pending or future litigation or regulatory actions.
The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is illustrative but not exhaustive. For more information about potential factors that could affect Zillow Group's business and financial results, please review the "Risk Factors" described in Zillow Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2022, filed with the SEC, and in Zillow Group's other filings with the SEC. Except as may be required by law, Zillow Group does not intend and undertakes no duty to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.
About Zillow Group, Inc.
Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make it easier to unlock life's next chapter. As the most visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow® and its affiliates offer customers an on-demand experience for selling, buying, renting or financing with transparency and ease.
Zillow Group's affiliates and subsidiaries include Zillow®; Zillow Premier Agent®; Zillow Home Loans™; Zillow Closing Services™; Trulia®; Out East®; StreetEasy®; HotPads®; and ShowingTime+SM, which houses ShowingTime®, Bridge Interactive®, dotloop®, and interactive floor plans. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
Please visit https://investors.zillowgroup.com, www.zillowgroup.com/news, and www.twitter.com/zillowgroup, where Zillow Group discloses information about the company, its financial information and its business that may be deemed material.
The Zillow Group logo is available at https://zillowgroup.mediaroom.com/logos-photos.
(ZFIN)
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, this press release includes references to Adjusted EBITDA in total and for each segment, each a non-GAAP financial measure. We have provided a reconciliation below of Adjusted EBITDA in total to net loss and Adjusted EBITDA by segment to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes for each segment, the most directly comparable U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") financial measures.
Adjusted EBITDA is a key metric used by our management and board of directors to measure operating performance and trends and to prepare and approve our annual budget. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparisons on a period-to-period basis.
Our use of Adjusted EBITDA in total and for each segment has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
- Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
- Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the results of discontinued operations;
- Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the potentially dilutive impact of share-based compensation;
- Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
- Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect restructuring costs;
- Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect acquisition-related costs;
- Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect loss on extinguishment of debt;
- Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect interest expense or other income (expense), net;
- Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect income taxes; and
- Other companies, including companies in our own industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently from the way we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA in total and for each segment alongside other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net loss, income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes for each segment, and our other GAAP results.
Adjusted EBITDA
The following tables present a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, which is net loss on a consolidated basis and income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes for each segment, for each of the periods presented (in millions, unaudited):
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Zillow Group, Inc. | 2023-02-15T23:47:38+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2023/02/15/zillow-group-reports-fourth-quarter-full-year-2022-financial-results/ |
FLUSHING, MICH. (WJRT) - Frankenmuth defeats Flushing, 41-32, to win their fourth game in a row.
HS Girls Hoops - Frankenmuth at Flushing
Brandon Green
Sports Reporter
Brandon Green is a sports reporter for ABC12 News.
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don't have an account? Sign Up Today | 2023-02-16T04:34:22+00:00 | abc12.com | https://www.abc12.com/sports/hs-girls-hoops---frankenmuth-at-flushing/article_93fef254-adac-11ed-a0e7-4ba951e2ff3b.html |
DUBAI – Iran's supreme leader said Monday that if a series of suspected poisonings at girls' schools are proven to be deliberate the culprits should be sentenced to death for committing an “unforgivable crime.”
It was the first time Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, has spoken publicly about the suspected poisonings, which began late last year and have sickened hundreds of children.
Iranian officials only acknowledged them in recent weeks and have provided no details on who may be behind the attacks or what chemicals — if any — have been used. Unlike neighboring Afghanistan, Iran has no history of religious extremists targeting women's education.
“If the poisoning of students is proven, those behind this crime should be sentenced to capital punishment and there will be no amnesty for them," Khamenei said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
Authorities have acknowledged suspected attacks at more than 50 schools across 21 of Iran's 30 provinces since November.
Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said over the weekend that “suspicious samples” had been gathered by investigators, without elaborating. He called on the public to remain calm and accused unnamed enemies of inciting fear to undermine the Islamic Republic.
Vahidi said at least 52 schools had been affected by suspected poisonings, while Iranian media reports have put the number of schools at over 60. At least one boy’s school reportedly has been affected.
Videos of upset parents and schoolgirls in emergency rooms with IVs in their arms have flooded social media.
Iran has imposed stringent restrictions on independent media since the outbreak of nationwide protests in September, making it difficult to determine the nature and scope of the suspected poisonings.
On Monday, Iranian media reported that authorities arrested a Qom-based journalist, Ali Pourtabatabaei, who had been regularly reporting on the suspected poisonings. The hard-line Kayhan newspaper in an editorial had called for the arrests of newspaper publishers who printed articles on the crisis critical of Iran's theocracy.
The protests were sparked by the death of a young woman who had been detained by morality police for allegedly violating the country's strict dress code. Religious hard-liners in Iran have been known to attack women they perceive as dressing immodestly in public. But even at the height of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, women and girls continued attending schools and universities.
The children affected in the poisonings have reportedly complained of headaches, heart palpitations, feeling lethargic or otherwise unable to move. Some described smelling tangerines, chlorine or cleaning agents.
Reports suggest at least 400 schoolchildren have fallen ill since November. Vahidi, the interior minister, said in his statement that two girls remain in hospital because of underlying chronic conditions. There have been no reported fatalities.
As more attacks were reported Sunday, videos were posted on social media showing children complaining about pain in the legs, abdomen and dizziness. State media have mainly referred to these as “hysteric reactions.”
The World Health Organization documented a similar phenomenon in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012, when hundreds of girls across the country complained of strange smells and poisoning. No evidence was found to support the suspicions, and the WHO said it appeared to be “mass psychogenic illnesses.” | 2023-03-06T10:21:23+00:00 | wsls.com | https://www.wsls.com/news/world/2023/03/06/irans-top-leader-says-suspected-poisonings-unforgivable/ |
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — The white woman who accused Black teenager Emmett Till of making improper advances before he was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 says she neither identified him to the killers nor wanted him murdered.
In an unpublished memoir obtained by The Associated Press, Carolyn Bryant Donham says she was unaware of what would happen to the 14-year-old Till, who lived in Chicago and was visiting relatives in Mississippi when he was abducted, killed and tossed in a river. Now 87, Donham was only 21 at the time. Her then-husband Roy Bryant and his half-brother J.W. Milam were acquitted of murder charges but later confessed in a magazine interview.
The contents of the 99-page manuscript, titled “I am More Than A Wolf Whistle,” were first reported by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting. Historian and author Timothy Tyson of Durham, who said he obtained a copy from Donham while interviewing her in 2008, provided a copy to the AP on Thursday.
Tyson had placed the manuscript in an archive at the University of North Carolina with the agreement that it not be made public for decades, though he said he gave it to the FBI during an investigation the agency concluded last year. He said he decided to make it public now following the recent discovery of an arrest warrant on kidnapping charges that was issued for Donham in 1955 but never served.
“The potential for an investigation was more important than the archival agreements, though those are important things,” Tyson said. “But this is probably the last chance for an indictment in this case.”
A cousin of Till who leads the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, Deborah Watts, said the memoir is new evidence that shows Donham’s involvement in the case and is particularly important when combined with the arrest warrant.
“I truly believe these developments cannot be ignored by the authorities in Mississippi,” she said.
In the memoir, Donham says she attempted to help Till once he’d been located by her husband and brother-in-law and brought to her in the middle of the night for identification.
“I did not wish Emmett any harm and could not stop harm from coming to him, since I didn’t know what was planned for him,” Donham says in the manuscript compiled by her daughter-in-law. “I tried to protect him by telling Roy that ‘He’s not the one. That’s not him. Please take him home.’” She claims in the manuscript that Till, who had been dragged from a family home at gunpoint in the middle of the night, spoke up and identified himself.
Donham adds that she “always felt like a victim as well as Emmett” and “paid dearly with an altered life” for what happened to him.
“I have always prayed that God would bless Emmett’s family. I am truly sorry for the pain his family was caused,” she says at the end of the manuscript, which is signed “Carolyn” but indicates that it was written by her daughter-in-law Marsha Bryant.
The memoir is remarkable not only because it’s the most extensive account of the sensational episode ever recorded by Donham, but also because it contains contradictions that raise questions about her truthfulness through the years, said Dale Killinger, a retired FBI agent who investigated the case more than 15 years ago.
For instance, Donham claims in the memoir to have yelled for help after being confronted by Till inside the family grocery store in Money, Mississippi, yet no one ever reported hearing her screams, Killinger said. Also, Donham never previously mentioned that she and Roy Bryant chatted about the abduction. In the manuscript, she says they did.
“That seems ludicrous,” Killinger said. “How would you have a major event in your life and not talk about it?”
The Justice Department closed its most recent investigation into the case in December and Mississippi authorities haven’t given any indication they plan to pursue the kidnapping warrant or other charges against Donham. But the Till family is pushing authorities to act.
Keith Beauchamp, a filmmaker whose documentary preceded the Justice Department probe in which Killinger was involved and that ended without charges in 2007, said the memoir shows that Donham “is culpable in the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Louis Till and to not hold her accountable for her actions, is an injustice to us all.”
“Our fight will continue until justice is finally served,” Beauchamp said.
It was Beauchamp, along with two of Till’s relatives, who discovered the arrest warrant with Donham’s name on it earlier this month in the basement of a Mississippi courthouse.
Tyson, the historian who provided the roughly 35,000-word manuscript to the AP, helped spur the government’s most recent investigation into the killing by publishing a book in 2017 in which he quoted Donham as saying she lied when she claimed Till grabbed her, whistled and made sexual advances. In the memoir, however, she claims Till did do those things. During the most recent investigation, Donham told the FBI she had never recanted, the Justice Department said.
Tyson said Donham’s statements in the memoir exonerating herself of wrongdoing need to be taken with “a good-sized shovel full of salt,” particularly her claim that Till identified himself to the men who took him from the family home and later admitted killing him.
“Two big white men with guns came and dragged him out of his aunt and great-uncle’s house at 2 o’clock in the morning in the Mississippi Delta in 1955. I do not believe for one minute that he identified himself,” Tyson said.
Neither Donham nor any of her relatives have responded to messages and phone calls from the AP seeking comment. It is unclear where Donham currently lives or if she has an attorney. Her last known address was in Raleigh, North Carolina.
___
This story has been edited to clarify that Tyson provided a copy of the manuscript to the FBI for an investigation that ended last year, not in 2007.
___
Reeves reported from Birmingham, Alabama. He is a member of AP’s Race and Ethnicity Team. | 2022-07-15T02:50:36+00:00 | wric.com | https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/emmett-till-accuser-in-memoir-denies-wanting-teen-killed/ |
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Etsy, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETSY), which operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world, today announced virtual participation including a webcasted fireside chat at the Oppenheimer 25th Annual Technology, Internet & Communications Conference on August 9, 2022 at 1:15pm ET. The live webcast and replay of this session will be featured on our IR website at investors.etsy.com.
Etsy, Inc. operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world. These marketplaces share a mission to "Keep Commerce Human," and we're committed to using the power of business and technology to strengthen communities and empower people. Our primary marketplace, Etsy.com, is the global destination for unique and creative goods. Buyers come to Etsy to be inspired and delighted by items that are crafted and curated by creative entrepreneurs. For sellers, we offer a range of tools and services that address key business needs.
Etsy, Inc.'s "House of Brands" portfolio also includes fashion resale marketplace Depop, musical instrument marketplace Reverb, and Brazil based handmade goods marketplace Elo7. Each Etsy, Inc. marketplace operates independently, while benefiting from shared expertise in product, marketing, technology, and customer support.
Etsy was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.
Etsy has used, and intends to continue using, its Investor Relations website and the Etsy News Blog (etsy.com/news) to disclose material nonpublic information and to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, you should monitor our investor relations website and the Etsy News Blog in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.
Investor Relations Contact:
Deb Wasser, Vice President, Investor Relations & ESG Engagement
Jessica Schmidt, Sr. Director, Investor Relations
ir@etsy.com
Media Relations Contact:
Sarah Marx, Director, Corporate Communications
press@etsy.com
View original content:
SOURCE Etsy | 2022-08-02T21:58:17+00:00 | mysuncoast.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/etsy-participate-upcoming-investor-conference/ |
For six months, young Baton Rouge actress Amelie Dallimore put herself in the shoes of Jenny Montgomery, her first television series role.
Jenny, a supporting character in HBO Max's new limited crime-drama series, "Love & Death," is the daughter of series lead Candy Montgomery, played by Elizabeth Olsen.
"Two churchgoing couples enjoy small-town family life in Texas — until somebody picks up an axe," states the show's synopsis.
"Love & Death" is based on the real story of Montgomery, who was accused of murdering Betty, the wife of her lover Allan Gore, in Wylie, Texas, in 1980. Gore died after she was struck 41 times with a wood-splitting axe.
In those aforementioned shoes, the soon-to-be 11-year-old Amelie walked the thin line between studying for the role and over-studying.
"I did have to memorize all of my lines, of course, but they film in such small segments that it isn’t too hard to do," Amelie said. "I do my best when I don’t prepare too much and can just 'be' the character and be natural. It is important to work on character development. … That way you won’t seem like you are 'acting.' "
Spoken like a pro, though she's only been in the biz for three years — that's in addition to being a fifth grader at St. Aloysius Catholic School, along with pursuing art, gymnastics, basketball and volleyball.
Here, Amelie discusses her time as Jenny, being a triplet and the "Love & Death" experience.
Note: The show's first three episodes are available for viewing now. A new episode releases each Thursday until May 25.
I see you’re one of a set of triplets. How has it been growing up with two siblings the same age plus a younger brother?
I have a sister and two brothers (Ellie, Jake and Wes). We have a lot of fun, but also sometimes it's really annoying. I have to go to a lot of baseball games. Wes is a year-and-a-half younger than us.
When did you first get into acting, and how did things progress from there?
When I was 7, I went with my sister to an acting class with Debby Gaudet’s Young Screen Actors (when she still had a Baton Rouge studio). A year later, Cindy Hill (now of Gravity Hill) reached out to Mrs. Debby looking for new young talent and Mrs. Cindy thought I would be a good fit.
I began the process of auditioning and auditioned fairly consistently for a year not booking anything, but learning a lot in the process. Then in August 2021, I booked this huge role that I will be forever grateful for.
What is it you love about acting?
I love being able to tell someone else’s story and become that character. It is fun to pretend and my mom says I have a really good imagination. It was really cool because on set I would ask them how they wanted me to deliver my lines and they would tell me however I want to!
Tell us about your character in "Love & Death."
The importance of the role was to really help develop the character of Jenny's mom to highlight all aspects of her life. Jenny was a normal girl living a normal life, growing up in the late ’70s, early ’80s with her mom, dad, and little brother, Ian. They spent a lot of time with family and friends and at church and church activities. She also spent a lot of time with her best friend Alissa Gore, who is the daughter of the other leads.
Were you familiar with Elizabeth Olson’s work ("WandaVision," the "Avengers" franchise)? How was the experience acting alongside her?
My family had just watched "WandaVision," so I was familiar with her role as The Scarlet Witch. I could never have imagined how nice she would be! She was so kind and patient and she taught me so much. There was even a time when I messed up a line and she told me it was her fault. It totally wasn’t, but that is just how amazing she is!
The filming took place in Texas. How long were you there?
We spent around six months back and forth between Austin and home (Baton Rouge). We started filming at the end of September (2021) and I wrapped at the end of March (2022), so I had to film during the school year, most of it actually. When kids are on set for a certain amount of time, the production provides a set teacher to instruct us but also to accompany us on set at all times. My teacher, Heather, was the best! We got all of my work from school and she and my mom (and my set brother’s mom) all helped teach me.
Describe a typical day on the set.
Since we had to do school, we had to report to set or the stages every day that we were in town. If we were not filming, the school trailer would usually be located at the stages in Kyle, Texas. We would have to check in, get COVID tested and start school work. We had to go to school for a certain amount of time (I think it was four hours).
On a filming day, things were a lot busier. We would report to wherever the shooting location was that day, get COVID tested, then head to our personal trailers to get dressed, then head to hair and makeup. After that, we would either head to school and get as much done as we could or straight to set. We would break for them to flip the camera angles and usually go back to school (or lunch) during that time. Those were crazy days, but also really fun. They were very strict about us getting our school time done and my mom appreciated that.
The series is rated "for mature audiences." How did they work around that with you and will you be able to actually watch it?
My parents (Ian and Katie Dallimore) told me from the beginning I would only be able to watch my scenes, but that's OK. It’s kind of crazy because if you just watched the scenes I am in, you would never know it is rated that, as all of my scenes are very family oriented. All of the production crew was extra careful and protective over the kids.
Did you familiarize yourself beforehand with the true story behind the series?
So, I do know what the story is about. My mom gave me a summary of what happened, but not all of the details. I guess I will have to wait until I am older to watch the whole thing.
Tell us about your hobbies.
I am a gymnast and I just made it to optional (level 6), which I am really excited about! That means now I get to help make my own routines and I have been waiting for a long time to get to do that. Most of my time is spent in the gym, but when I do have free time I love to draw and create and play school sports, including basketball and volleyball.
Anything to add?
Yes, we didn’t talk about the food on set. It was amazing! Every day there was something new and there were so many options. When it wasn't a meal time there was this thing called Crafty and it had all the snacks you could imagine. Almost anything I wanted, they had, including candy! They even made my mom her favorite coffee drink. I definitely miss having Crafty around! | 2023-05-01T21:45:26+00:00 | theadvocate.com | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/hbo-maxs-love--death-is-a-first-for-baton-rouge-actress/article_18487f38-e5ea-11ed-94ce-9b55a91c8f38.html |
- ZTE will unveil an extensive lineup of more efficient, eco-friendly and cutting-edge products and solutions at MWC 2023
- ZTE will showcase the recent advances it has achieved in the areas of Ultra-Efficient Network, Digital Expansion, Boundless Future and Smart Life
SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions will be participating at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona from February 27 to March 2, 2023. At MWC 2023, the company, with the theme of "Shaping Digital Innovation", will unveil an extensive lineup of more efficient, eco-friendly and cutting-edge products and solutions.
Most notably, ZTE will display information and communications technologies (ICTs), showcasing the recent advances it has achieved in the areas of Ultra-Efficient Network, Digital Expansion, Boundless Future and Smart Life at 3F30, Hall 3, Fira Gran Via.
In terms of the infrastructure network construction, ZTE will launch an end-to-end efficient network deployment solution for ultra-efficient networks, helping operators achieve ultra-efficient green connectivity in all scenarios. The latest full-scenario UniSite solution for wireless access will help operators efficiently deploy full-band and multi-RAT networks with optimal TCO and ready for 5G-advanced evolution; Turbo Core solution to integrate software flexibility and hardware efficiency with professional function acceleration cards to maximize the value of each bit; the high-performance 400G transport solutions for all scenarios with doubled capacity and the longest backbone transmission distance in the industry; the industry's highest integrated 16-port 10G PON as well as the the industry's first 50G PON Combo card that supports the coexistence and smooth evolution of three technology generations.
In terms of assisting operators digital business expansion, ZTE will display one-stop digital services through cloud-network-service integration, helping operators explore new blue ocean markets. In the ToB sector, ZTE will showcase the industry's smallest Mini5GC, the industry's unique wireless base station with built-in computing power NodeEngine solution, industrial gateways with various forms such as video gateway & Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) gateway, and optical access product for campuses; ZTE will present a "private network as a service" solution with on-demand deployment, cloud-network-service integration, precise performance, and easy O&M. ZTE will widely use cloud-based PLCs, digital twin, machine vision, robots, and AGVs to realize 5G full-connection factories, which is the best practice in intelligent manufacturing. In the ToH sector, the company will also deliver the ultimate whole-home gigabit-plus experiences based on the Wi-Fi 7 and the fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) home networking solution, supporting operators in delivering innovative and value-added services by expanding their digital ecosystem.
In terms of the energy saving, ZTE will showcase PowerPilot Pro Solution that intelligently reduces the power consumption of networks by up to 35% and conserves energy throughout the process by including solutions for full-scenario solar on site, a next-generation data center and new intelligent energy storage, creating the ultimate green and energy-efficient telecommunication network.
Facing the boundless future, ZTE plans to focus on innovative practices in 5G-Advanced evolution, and the future optical networks by displaying a number of cutting-edge innovations at MWC 2023. ZTE will showcase dynamic RIS, the industry's first sub-band full-duplex prototype, a solution that integrates communication, sensing and computing. Meanwhile, ZTE will present the future optical network, and the company will adopt technologies such as hollow-core fiber and 32-dimensional OXC optical backplane to achieve lower latency, higher transmission performance and lower energy consumption.
Facing the digital and intelligent life, ZTE will exhibit a lineup of products that can be applied across multiple scenarios including sports & health, audio & video entertainment, business & travel and home & education. They include ZTE Axon, ZTE Blade, the full Nubia series of consumer electronics products as well as a complete set of mobile broadband (MBB), fixed wireless access (FWA), and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Also on display will be several new impressive innovations, among them the world's first AI-powered eyewear-free 3D tablet, and AR glasses providing super audio-visual experiences. As one of the world's leading suppliers of 5G mobile broadband terminals, ZTE will also release the 5th Generation of 5G FWA and GIS version products at MWC 2023.
As the MWC partner program, a global industry innovation forum themed "Shaping Digital Innovation" will be held by ZTE at MWC 2023. Leaders from the global ICT industry, pioneers from related vertical sectors, experts from consulting and advisory firms and other eco-partners will be invited to discuss several hot topics at the forum, including development trends of future networks and how to further increase the productivity of digital intelligence. MWC 2023 will also include events organized by ZTE Mobile Devices to showcase 5G FWA products and a new lineup of innovative terminals.
During MWC 2023, ZTE will also host a series of launch events alongside China Telecom, China Unicom and a number of global telecoms operators. ZTE will also participate in five theme forums organized by GSMA at which ZTE will share insights and practical cases with global operators, industry partners and opinion leaders around several topics of importance to the industry, including intelligent manufacturing, sustainability and the metaverse, with the goal of helping customers create new values for the industry.
At the same time, ZTE will stream the goings on at MWC 2023 live on a featured website set up for that purpose to provide customers worldwide a glimpse into highlights of the exhibition without leaving home. The website will also be where ZTE CEO Xu Ziyang and various members of the executive team will share the latest insights into the digital intelligence era, including the company's plan to jointly deliver new values and drive new growth in digital intelligence amid accelerated digital transformation by deepening its partnerships with global customers and partners as well as by advancing digital intelligence and low-carbonization.
For more information, please visit ZTE booth (3F30, Hall 3, Fira Gran Via) at Mobile World Congress 2023, or explore:https://www.zte.com.cn/global/about/exhibition/mwc23.html
ABOUT ZTE:
ZTE helps to connect the world with continuous innovation for a better future. The company provides innovative technologies and integrated solutions, its portfolio spans all series of wireless, wireline, devices and professional telecommunications services. Serving over a quarter of the global population, ZTE is dedicated to creating a digital and intelligent ecosystem, and enabling connectivity and trust everywhere. ZTE is listed on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. www.zte.com.cn/global
FOLLOW US:
Facebook www.facebook.com/ZTECorp
Twitter www.twitter.com/ZTEPress
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/zte
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
ZTE Corporation
Communications
Email: ZTE.press.release@zte.com.cn
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE ZTE Corporation | 2023-02-26T13:28:56+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/02/26/zte-unveil-more-efficient-eco-friendly-cutting-edge-products-solutions-mwc-2023-shaping-digital-innovation/ |
LAS VEGAS, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today reported preliminary passenger traffic results for May 2022.
"We grew capacity by nearly 16 percent during May, as compared with 2019, and completed the month with a load factor of 87 percent, the highest month since the onset of the pandemic," stated Drew Wells, senior vice president, revenue. "Demand strength continues to persist with forward bookings outpacing future capacity growth and continuing to trend higher than levels observed during 2019. Although early, bookings into the off-peak season are also trending higher than 2019. We continue to expect June loads to surpass May levels, with loads expected to be roughly 90 percent. As COVID cases began rising mid-May, we saw an increase in flight cancelations stemming from crew availability. Due to heightened cancelations, we expect total revenue for the quarter to come in on the low end of our previous guide, at up roughly 28 percent compared with 2019. In addition, we now expect total system capacity to be up roughly 11.5 percent for the quarter, year over three-year."
"The average cost per fuel gallon in May was $4.41 and we now expect to finish the quarter at an average cost per gallon of $4.30," stated Gregory Anderson, executive vice president, chief financial officer. "This increased fuel cost over our previous guide of $4.00 per gallon will result in roughly $18 million in excess expense throughout the quarter. We expect our CASM, excluding fuel and profit sharing, to fall within our previous guide, at up roughly 15 percent when compared with 2019. Updated guidance for the second quarter is included in the table below."
*Total system includes scheduled service and fixed fee contract. System revenue passenger miles and system load factor are not useful statistics as system available seat miles include both ASMs flown by fixed fee flying as well as non-revenue producing repositioning flights used for operational needs. Fixed fee flying is better measured through dollar contribution versus operational statistics.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with the people, places and experiences that matter most. Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant's fleet serves communities across the nation, with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. For more information, visit us at Allegiant.com. Media information, including photos, is available at http://gofly.us/iiFa303wrtF
ALGT/G
Note: This news release was accurate at the date of issuance. However, information contained in the release November have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.
For further information please visit the company's investor website: http://ir.allegiantair.com
Reference to the Company's website above does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon into this news release.
1 Year over three-year percentage changes compare 2022 to 2019
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Allegiant Travel Company | 2022-06-17T13:39:38+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/allegiant-reports-may-2022-traffic/ |
(KTLA) – Temperatures are cooling across the country, but our chocolate is only getting hotter.
Inspired by the wintry weather, the analysts at Yelp have compiled a list of the “top” 20 places to order a mug of hot chocolate in the United States, based largely on ratings and reviews from its community of online users.
In determining the ranking, Yelp identified the businesses with the largest volume of reviews mentioning “hot chocolate” since Jan. 1, 2022, then compared those mentions against ratings and the volume of each business’s reviews, among other factors. It’s worth noting, however, that Yelp allowed only three businesses from any single state in the top 20 for purposes of “geographic diversity.”
The complete ranking, which includes cafes, coffee shops and restaurants across 16 states, is listed below:
- Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates – Sacramento, California
- Kakawa Chocolate House – Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Chocolate Museum & Cafe – Orlando, Florida
- Rey Amargo Chocolate Shop – Seattle, Washington
- 1927 S’mores Company – Portland, Oregon
- La Panadería – San Antonio, Texas
- The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe & Bakery – Oakland, California
- Amara Chocolate & Coffee – Pasadena, California
- Coffee Call – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Café y Chocolate – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Roste Chocolate House – Portland, Oregon
- Rev Coffee – Smyrna, Georgia
- The Bent Spoon – Princeton, New Jersey
- Newyorktitlan – Brooklyn, New York
- Katherine Anne Confections – Chicago, Illinois
- The Frosty Barrel – Newcastle, Washington
- Hatch Family Chocolates – Salt Lake City, Utah
- French Broad Chocolate Lounge – Asheville, North Carolina
- The Hot Chocolatier – Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Hot Chocolate Sparrow – Orleans, Massachusetts
Ginger Hahn, the CEO of top-ranked Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, told Nexstar’s KTLA it was “wonderful to be recognized” for their specialty beverages, which include traditional, almond and Oaxacan-style hot chocolates.
“We use Valrhona Chocolate and give people the choice of house-made vanilla bean marshmallows or freshly whipped clover cream,” Hahn said. “Our Rose Petal hot chocolate is topped with candied rose petals from my backyard.”
Additional information, including a list of Yelp’s top five places for hot chocolate in Canada, can be found at Yelp.com. | 2022-12-17T17:24:06+00:00 | krqe.com | https://www.krqe.com/news/national/the-top-places-for-hot-chocolate-in-the-us-according-to-yelp/ |
The full line of Santo Blanco, Reposado, and Mezquila created by spirits pioneer Sammy Hagar and iconic chef Guy Fieri, will be available in stores, bars and restaurants across the Caribbean Island
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Santo Spirits, the brainchild of spirits pioneer and Grammy-award winning musician Sammy Hagar, and iconic chef and Emmy Award-winning television personality Guy Fieri is reaching new consumers by launching their portfolio of premium agave spirits in Puerto Rico. Produced with time-honored, artisanal practices in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, Santo Spirits only utilizes 100% blue Weber agave of the highest quality. Santo's expressions are gluten free, unbelievably smooth and made the traditional way, honoring the culture and practices of authentic tequila. Unlike most tequilas on the market in the U.S., Santo tequilas are certified additive free by Tequila Matchmaker meaning there is no coloring or flavoring added to the finished product. The premium portfolio currently consists of the world's first Mezquila, an old-world style tequila Blanco and an ultra-smooth Reposado, all of which will be officially available for purchase in Puerto Rico in October 2022.
"I have been in this business for over 30 years, and I am really proud and impressed by what we have been able to accomplish with the Santo Spirits brand. I'm dedicated to producing the best tequila in the world and I can't wait for fans in Puerto Rico to get a taste of such an authentic product," said Sammy Hagar. "We are using premium ingredients and traditional processes that have given us a liquid that is going to shake up the tequila market."
Santo will be launching all three of their award-winning agave expressions in Puerto Rico in October, with future variants to also be made available upon release. Santo Blanco is smooth, with balanced and notable agave flavor which is complimented by earthy, white pepper and citrus aromas. Delicate spice and floral flavors add to the intensity of the liquid. Santo Reposado begins as Santo Tequila Blanco, resting in lightly charred and used American oak bourbon barrels for four to five months, imparting a smooth, easy-drinking tequila. Santo Mezquila, the world's first ever blend of tequila and mezcal, is made from 100% Blue Weber Agave and 100% Espadin Agave (Angustifolia variety).
"Sammy and I are longtime buddies who share a love for creating and curating memorable experiences, whether it's through food, music or now, tequila. We are stoked to bring the Santo Spirits experience to more folks around the country so that they can share in our passion and join in on the Santo lifestyle," said Guy Fieri.
The Santo portfolio should be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a premium cocktail. For more information and recipes please visit www.santospirits.com.
The Santo Spirits brand was conceived out of longtime friendship, exceptional food, great tequila, and the search for a taste revelation. Santo Spirits is the brainchild of rocker Sammy Hagar, and chef Guy Fieri. Together, the duo created Santo Spirits and found their virtuoso with Juan Eduardo Nuñez, a third-generation master distiller from the famed distillery El Viejito, founded in 1937, in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Sammy's history of making world-renowned tequila, Guy's world-famous taste buds, and Juan Eduardo's award-winning craftsmanship, bring to life the portfolio of Santo Spirits: The world's first Mezquila, an old-world style tequila Blanco, and the sinfully smooth reposado. For more information about Santo Spirits, please visit SantoSpirit.com
Media Contacts:
Santo Spirits
Jessica Meisels/Fingerprint Communications
jessica@fingerprintcom.net
Office: 310-276-7500
View original content:
SOURCE Santo Spirits | 2022-09-13T18:47:15+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/santo-spirits-premium-portfolio-agave-expressions-expands-distribution-into-puerto-rico-market/ |
New farm will add 140,000 square feet of state-of-the-art growing and processing operations to supply affordable organic herbs and leafy greens throughout the region
ROCKINGHAM, Va., Nov. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Soli Organic Inc. ("the Company"), the nation's only soil-based, indoor farming company delivering 100% USDA certified organic produce, today announced plans to build a high-tech, automated indoor farm and co-located packing facility in the Brooks community in San Antonio, Texas.
The Brooks farm will add 100,000 square feet of growing, including six vertical layers of production capacity and an additional 40,000 square feet of processing to Soli Organic's nationwide footprint, further enhancing the Company's ability to meet the needs of retailers and end consumers through high-tech farms in strategic locations around the country. Unlike the single-layer greenhouse technology used by some controlled environment agriculture (CEA) companies, Soli Organic grows in a denser and deeper six-level tray structure, that more efficiently uses horizontal and vertical space to drive significantly higher yields.
Soli Organic selected San Antonio and the Brooks community as the site of its next farm for its strategic location; the farm will further the Company's ability to serve 3,000 retailers and millions of customers across the fast-growing Texas Triangle and across the Southwest region with more regionally-grown products. The new facility will also provide opportunities for both management and grower talent coming out of a robust university and community college system throughout this vibrant and developing area.
The natural benefits of its soil-based growing system – combined with maximal space efficiency and the highly targeted use of technology – enable the Company to offer fresh, 100% USDA certified organic herbs and leafy greens with all the sustainability benefits of indoor-grown produce, and at a much lower price point. The Company recently unveiled 'Indolce' basil priced at nearly a dollar less per ounce on average than field-grown organic produce, one of many new, affordable and fresh products the Company will roll out in the near future.
"As Soli Organic continues to grow and scale operations around the country, we couldn't be more excited to be expanding in Texas," said Matt Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Soli Organic. "We began our transition to indoor farming because we recognized early on some of the coming challenges of traditional outdoor farming, along with its adverse environmental impacts. As record-breaking heat, drought, wildfires and other extreme weather events take a mounting toll across the Southwest and other parts of the country, we aim to ensure consumers throughout the region have year-round access to the best-tasting, freshest and most affordable organic produce on the market."
"We are thrilled to continue the momentum at Brooks as we welcome Soli Organic to the thriving 1,308-acre campus. The Company exemplifies innovation, environmental care, and job creation, all of which furthers Brooks' Mission to promote and develop a dynamic, sustainable, and inclusive community by serving as a catalyst for transformative economic development and regional prosperity," said Leo Gomez, Brooks President & CEO.
Today's announcement follows Soli Organic's recent close of a nearly $125 million Series D funding round, led by global investment group CDPQ with leading European investment firm Movendo Capital, B.V. also joining the round, along with follow-on investment from existing investors. The Company will use the funding to further expand its national footprint and scale its technology and operations.
The Company previously announced new organic indoor farms in the Seattle area and in Anderson County, South Carolina and is actively seeking sites for its next farms in the Midwest and Northeast to expand its category leadership with products in more than 20,000 stores nationwide, including most top 20 retailers.
Founded in 1989 as Shenandoah Growers, Inc., Soli Organic Inc. is the leading grower and marketer of fresh organic culinary herbs in the United States, providing sustainable, USDA-certified organic, regionally grown produce to retailers coast-to-coast. The Rockingham, Virginia-based company has developed the nation's largest commercial indoor organic, soil-based growing system and continues to redefine how to bring fresh, organic, and sustainably farmed produce to market – operating across a nationally integrated platform of farms, production, and logistics facilities. For more information, please visit www.soliorganic.com.
Brooks is a growing mixed-use community of more than 1,300 acres where people can live, work, learn, play, and stay. Since its inception, the community has attracted nearly 50 businesses, to include five international companies, employing more than 3,200 people including Mission Solar, OKIN Process, Nissei America, Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, DPT Laboratories, The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine, Cuisine Solutions, Bridge PTS, the City/County Emergency Operations Center, Brooks Academy of Science and Engineering Charter School, Compass Rose Academy, several market-rate apartment communities, and a variety of restaurants and retail stores. For more information, visit LiveBrooks.com.
Media Contact:
Jackie Attwood-Dupont, Soli Organic Inc.
JAttwood-Dupont@SoliOrganic.com
View original content:
SOURCE Soli Organic Inc. | 2022-11-15T10:44:00+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/prnewswire/2022/11/15/soli-organic-construct-first-soil-based-organic-indoor-farm-san-antonio/ |
DENVER, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global messaging provider MessageMedia (https://messagemedia.com/au/)has acquired Melbourne-based Smooth Messenger (https://smooth.tel/), a text messaging application that integrates with Zoho, a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform.
A Smooth Messenger is one of the most feature-rich SMS integrations within the Zoho CRM platform that allows businesses to seamlessly send two-way messages to their contacts via SMS and MMS. It is currently the second most installed SMS extension application on the Zoho platform, with an average rating of 4.8 stars.
With Smooth Messenger, businesses can easily send and respond to messages in real-time with all interactions recorded on their Zoho CRM account. It's popular among industries including construction, financial services and professional services that want to acquire new leads, set up appointments and provide timely updates to customers. Through highly-customizable automation settings, users can build tailored workflows to deliver timely and relevant communications to customers and prospects following specific actions such as visiting a web page or opening an email.
As part of the integration, Smooth Messenger will be rebranded to SMS for Zoho CRM by MessageMedia. The Smooth Messenger team will join MessageMedia, providing even greater expertise to its in-house research and development capabilities.
MessageMedia CEO, Paul Perrett, said, "With more than 20 years' experience in serving small and medium businesses as one of the world's largest message in providers, we have always been focused on expanding our customer messaging solutions. We seek to do this across a broad range of business platforms and technologies, so the acquisition of Smooth Messenger presented a natural fit for our business. With Smooth Messenger being amongst the best solutions on the Zoho CRM platform, and having grown its user base considerably since inception in 2018, we have no doubt the acquisition will extend our commitment in delivering exceptional customer engagement and strengthen our ecosystem integration."
Founder of Smooth Messenger, Jeremy Nagel, said, "I am excited about the additional value that we can bring to customers on Zoho CRM through leveraging MessageMedia's technology and global expertise. Apart from offering enhanced product features, we are also able to tap into the MessageMedia's 24/7 support resources, which will allow us to serve our customers' needs anytime, anywhere in the world."
Learn more about MessageMedia SMS for Zoho CRM at www.messagemedia.com/zoho
About MessageMedia
MessageMedia (www.messagemedia.com) is a global messaging provider that helps businesses of all sizes — from SMBs to enterprise-level — better connect with customers. With 90 per cent of messages read within 90 seconds and more than 65,000 customers worldwide, MessageMedia drives business success by creating engaging mobile experiences that customers love. Messaging solutions such as alerts and notifications, billing and payments, appointment reminders, marketing, and staff scheduling are used by leading brands in healthcare, education, retail, utilities, and dozens of industries. With offices across the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand, MessageMedia is the number one choice for easy and engaging global business messaging.
About Smooth Messenger
Founded in 2018, Smooth Messenger is one of the easiest to use and most highly rated messaging platforms for Zoho CRM. With Smooth Messenger, users you can send automated and templated SMS/MMS to thousands of contacts for drip marketing campaigns, appointment reminders, or one-off messages. Replies instantly appear against Zoho CRM accounts for seamless communication with customers.
View original content:
SOURCE MessageMedia | 2022-07-15T01:11:00+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/messagemedia-extends-customer-reach-with-acquisition-smooth-messenger/ |
A federal judge Monday denied the Biden Justice Department’s request for a stay of a ruling that puts extraordinary limits on government communications with social media companies, rejecting the administration’s argument that the sweeping order could chill law enforcement activity to protect national security interests.
“Although this Preliminary Injunction involves numerous agencies, it is not as broad as it appears,” Doughty, a Trump-appointed judge, wrote in his denial of the stay. “It only prohibits something the Defendants have no legal right to do — contacting social media companies for the purpose of urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner, the removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech posted on social-media platforms.”
Civil rights groups, academics and tech industry officials say the order — which places restrictions on more than a dozen health and law enforcement agencies and officials across the federal government — could undermine efforts to address disinformation on social media. They warn that the judge’s injunction could unravel efforts to protect U.S. elections, which were developed after revelations of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Doughty also said the Republican state attorneys general who brought the lawsuit are likely to prove that a variety of government agencies and government officials “coerced, significantly encouraged, and/or jointly participated” in suppressing social media posts that included anti-vaccination views and questioned the results of the 2020 elections. | 2023-07-10T17:55:36+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/10/social-media-injunction-doughty-stay-biden/ |
Strong Performance in Fourth Fiscal Quarter and Full Year
BOSTON, Nov. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PTC (NASDAQ: PTC) today reported financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter and full year ended September 30, 2022.
"In our fourth fiscal quarter, we again delivered strong results. We reported ARR growth of 7%, organic ARR growth of 6%, and organic constant currency growth of 15%. The Codebeamer business, which we acquired in the third quarter, continued to perform well and added an additional point of ARR growth, taking constant currency ARR growth to 16% for the 4th quarter and full year. In fiscal 2022, our cash from operations was $435 million, up 18% year over year, and our free cash flow was $416 million, up 21% year over year. While currency headwinds have impacted our ARR, our solid execution, the timing of our collections, and prudent cost controls have mitigated the impact on cash flow," said James Heppelmann, President and CEO, PTC.
"Our differentiated product portfolio and industry-leading SaaS capabilities align well to the manufacturing industry's push for digital transformation. Despite challenging economic conditions, the strong resiliency of our business due to our subscription model and our strong market position, coupled with strong execution, has allowed PTC to surpass all of our key guidance measures throughout fiscal 2022. We are positioned for continued solid performance in fiscal 2023," concluded Heppelmann.
Fourth Quarter 2022 and Full Year Highlights[1]
Key operating and financial highlights are set forth below. For additional details, please refer to the Q4'22 earnings presentation and financial data tables that have been posted to the Investor Relations section of our website at investor.ptc.com. Revenue and, as a result, operating margin, operating profit, and earnings per share are impacted by revenue recognition under ASC 606.
- ARR as reported was $1,572 million at the end of Q4'22, up 7% compared to $1,468 million in Q4'21. On a constant currency basis, Q4'22 ARR was $1,706 million, up 16%, compared to $1,468 million in Q4'21, and exceeded guidance. On an organic basis (excluding Codebeamer, which was acquired in Q3'22), Q4'22 ARR was $1,556 million, up 6% compared to $1,468 million in Q4'21. On an organic constant currency basis, Q4'22 ARR was $1,688 million, up 15% compared to $1,468 million in Q4'21. Foreign exchange rate fluctuations had a $134 million negative impact on our Q4'22 reported ARR, compared to our Q4'22 constant currency ARR. ARR at the end of Q4'22 includes a $4 million reduction associated with discontinuing our business operations in Russia in Q2'22.
- Cash flow from operations was $38 million, free cash flow was $29 million, and adjusted free cash flow was $33 million in Q4'22, compared to cash flow from operations of $45 million, free cash flow of $32 million, and adjusted free cash flow of $33 million in Q4'21. For FY'22, cash flow from operations was $435 million, free cash flow was $416 million, and adjusted free cash flow was $468 million, up compared to FY'21 by 18%, 21%, and 20%, respectively. Cash flow results for Q4'22 and FY'22 exceeded guidance. Foreign exchange rate fluctuations had an approximately $30 million negative impact to our FY'22 free cash flow.
- Revenue was $508 million in Q4'22, up 6% compared to $481 million in Q4'21. On a constant currency basis, revenue was up 12% compared to Q4'21. For FY'22, revenue was $1,933 million, up 7% compared to $1,807 million in FY'21, and in-line with guidance. On a constant currency basis, FY'22 revenue was up 11% compared to FY'21. We do not provide constant currency revenue guidance.
- Operating margin was 29% in Q4'22, compared to 24% in Q4'21. Non-GAAP operating margin in Q4'22 was 40%, compared to 37% in Q4'21. For FY'22, operating margin was 23%, compared to 21% in FY'21. Non-GAAP operating margin was 38% in FY'22, compared to 35% in FY'21.
- Earnings per share was $0.90 in Q4'22, compared to $2.46 in Q4'21. Non-GAAP earnings per share in Q4'22 was $1.27, compared to $1.10 in Q4'21. For FY'22, earnings per share was $2.65, compared to $4.03 in FY'21. Non-GAAP earnings per share was $4.58 in FY'22, compared to $3.97 in FY'21. Our Q4'21 and FY'21 GAAP earnings per share benefitted from a $69 million gain on our investment in Matterport, Inc. and a $137 million release of our U.S. valuation allowance.
- Total cash and cash equivalents as of the end of Q4'22 was $272 million. Gross debt was $1.36 billion as of the end of Q4'22. We repaid $75 million on our revolving credit facility in Q4'22. At the end of Q4'21, total cash and equivalents was $327 million and gross debt was $1.45 billion.
- Stock repurchases were $125 million in FY'22.
[1] The definitions of our operating and non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP measures are included below and in the reconciliation tables at the end of this press release.
Fiscal 2023 and Q1'23 Guidance
"PTC delivered solid fourth quarter results. With strong bookings performance and significantly improved churn, we beat our ARR and free cash flow guidance for the quarter and the year. Balancing our momentum and forecast with potential macro uncertainties, we are establishing ARR guidance for fiscal 2023 that represents 10% to 14% constant currency growth over fiscal 2022. We expect revenue, which is significantly impacted by both ASC606 revenue recognition and currency fluctuations, to be approximately flat on a year over year basis. Given the resilience of the business model, our consistent execution, operational discipline and the actions we have taken to align our investments with growth expectations, we expect free cash flow of approximately $560M in fiscal 2023," said Kristian Talvitie, EVP and CFO, PTC.
"For Q1'23, we are establishing ARR guidance of 14% to 15% constant currency growth compared to Q1'22, and free cash flow guidance of approximately $165 million," concluded Talvitie.
Our FY'23 and Q1'23 financial guidance includes the assumptions below:
- We provide ARR guidance on a constant currency basis, using our FY'23 Plan foreign exchange rates (rates as of September 30, 2022) for all periods.
- We expect FY'23 organic churn to be ~5.5%.
- For cash flow, due to invoicing seasonality, and consistent with the past 2 years, we expect the majority of our collections to occur in the first half of our fiscal year and for Q4'23 to be our lowest cash flow generation quarter.
- At the mid-point of ARR guidance, we expect FY'23 GAAP operating expenses to decrease approximately 4% to 5% and non-GAAP operating expenses to increase approximately 0% to 1% compared to FY'22.
- FY'23 GAAP P&L results are expected to include the items outlined below, totaling $216 million to $231 million, as well as their related tax effects:
- Our FY'23 GAAP and non-GAAP tax rate is expected to be approximately 22%.
- FY'23 capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $20 million.
- Our long-term goal, assuming our Debt/EBITDA ratio is below 3x, is to return approximately 50% of our free cash flow to shareholders via share repurchases, while also taking into consideration the interest rate environment and strategic opportunities.
PTC's Fiscal Fourth Quarter Results Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss results at 5:00 pm ET on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. To participate in the live conference call, dial (888) 330-2508 or (240) 789-2735 and provide the passcode 7328695, or log in to the webcast, available on PTC's Investor Relations website. A replay will also be available.
Important Disclosures
Important Information About Our Non-GAAP Financial Measures
PTC provides supplemental non-GAAP financial measures to its financial results. We use these non-GAAP financial measures, and we believe that they assist our investors, to make period-to-period comparisons of our operating performance because they provide a view of our operating results without items that are not, in our view, indicative of our operating results. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an alternative to GAAP results as the items excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures often have a material impact on our operating results, certain of those items are recurring, and others often recur. Management uses, and investors should consider, our non-GAAP financial measures only in conjunction with our GAAP results.
Non-GAAP operating expense, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS exclude the effect of the following items: stock-based compensation; amortization of acquired intangible assets; acquisition and transaction-related charges included in general and administrative expenses; restructuring and other charges, net; certain non-operating charges and credits; and income tax adjustments. Additional information about the items we exclude from our non-GAAP financial measures and the reasons we exclude them can be found in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" on page 24 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow: PTC provides information on free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow to enable investors to assess our ability to generate cash without incurring additional external financings and to evaluate our performance against our announced long-term goals and intent to return approximately 50% of our free cash flow to shareholders via stock repurchases. Free cash flow is cash provided by (used in) operations net of capital expenditures. Adjusted free cash flow is free cash flow net of restructuring payments, acquisition and transaction-related payments, and non-ordinary course tax-related payments or receipts. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are not measures of cash available for discretionary expenditures.
Constant Currency (CC): We present CC information to provide a framework for assessing how our underlying business performed excluding the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. To present CC information, FY'22 and comparative prior period results for entities reporting in currencies other than United States dollars are converted into United States dollars using the foreign exchange rate as of September 30, 2021, rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during that period. All discussion of FY'23 and comparative prior period ARR results (including FY'22 baseline amounts) are reflected using the foreign exchange rates as of September 30, 2022.
Operating Measures
ARR: We provide an ARR (Annual Run Rate) operating measure to help investors understand and assess the performance of our business as a SaaS and on-premises subscription company. ARR represents the annualized value of our portfolio of active subscription software, cloud, SaaS, and support contracts as of the end of the reporting period.
We believe ARR is a valuable operating metric to measure the health of a subscription business because it captures expected subscription and support cash generation from customers.
Organic Constant Currency ARR: We provide an organic constant currency ARR measure to help investors understand and assess the performance of our business without the effect of ARR (other than insignificant amounts) from acquisitions in the comparative period and foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
Because our ARR measures represent the annualized value of customer contracts as of a point in time, they do not represent revenue for any particular period or remaining revenue that will be recognized in future periods.
Churn: We provide churn measures to enable investors to understand and assess our customer contract retention. Churn represents the difference between the ARR amount for all subscription software, cloud, SaaS, and support contracts ended within a reporting period and the annualized renewal transactions started within a reporting period, as of the end of the reporting period.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not historic facts, including statements about our future financial and growth expectations and targets, and potential stock repurchases, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include: the macroeconomic and/or global manufacturing climates may not improve when or as we expect, or may deteriorate, due to, among other factors, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including supply chain disruptions, increasing interest rates and inflation, volatile foreign exchange rates and the current strength of the U.S. dollar, and the effects of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, including the effect on energy supplies to Europe, which could cause customers to delay or reduce purchases of new software, reduce the number of subscriptions they carry, or delay payments to us, all of which would adversely affect ARR and our financial results, including cash flow; our businesses, including our SaaS businesses, may not expand and/or generate the revenue or ARR we expect if customers are slower to adopt our technologies than we expect or if they adopt competing technologies; our strategic initiatives and investments, including our accelerated investments in our transition to SaaS, may not deliver the results when or as we expect; we may be unable to generate sufficient operating cash flow to return 50% of free cash flow to shareholders, and other uses of cash or our credit facility limits or other matters could preclude such repurchases; and foreign exchange rates may differ materially from those we expect. In addition, our assumptions concerning our future GAAP and non-GAAP effective income tax rates are based on estimates and other factors that could change, including the geographic mix of our revenue, expenses, and profits. Other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are detailed from time to time in reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
About PTC (NASDAQ: PTC)
PTC enables global manufacturers to realize double-digit impact with software solutions that enable them to accelerate product and service innovation, improve operational efficiency, and increase workforce productivity. In combination with an extensive partner network, PTC provides customers flexibility in how its technology can be deployed to drive digital transformation – on premises, in the cloud, or via its pure SaaS platform. At PTC, we don't just imagine a better world, we enable it.
PTC Investor Relations Contact
Matt Shimao
SVP, Investor Relations
mshimao@ptc.com
investor@ptc.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE PTC Inc. | 2022-11-02T20:17:09+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/11/02/ptc-announces-fourth-fiscal-quarter-full-year-2022-results/ |
How to Watch the Wings vs. Mercury Game: Streaming & TV Channel Info for June 27
Published: Jun. 27, 2023 at 3:39 PM CDT|Updated: 52 minutes ago
The Phoenix Mercury (2-10) will look to Brittney Griner (eighth in WNBA, 19.1 points per game) to help beat Arike Ogunbowale (third in league, 22.4) and the Dallas Wings (6-8) on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at Footprint Center, at 10:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network, AZFamily, and BSSWX.
Watch live WNBA games without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to Fubo!
Check out the latest odds and place your bets on the Wings or Mercury with BetMGM Sportsbook. Use our link for the best new user offer, no promo code required!
Wings vs. Mercury Game Info
- Game Day: Tuesday, June 27, 2023
- Game Time: 10:00 PM ET
- TV: CBS Sports Network
- Arena: Footprint Center
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Rep your team with officially licensed Wings gear! Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, and much more.
Key Stats for Wings vs. Mercury
- Dallas puts up just 3.9 fewer points per game (84.5) than Phoenix allows (88.4).
- This season, Dallas has a 40.7% shooting percentage from the field, which is 3.8% lower than the 44.5% of shots Phoenix's opponents have made.
- The Wings are 1-1 when they shoot higher than 44.5% from the field.
- Dallas is hitting 29.1% of its three-point shots this season, 4.9% lower than the 34.0% Phoenix allows opponents to shoot from deep.
- The Wings have a 3-2 record when the team connects on more than 34.0% of their three-point attempts.
- Dallas averages 38.8 rebounds per game, outrebounding Phoenix by 9.5 boards per contest.
Wings Injuries
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-27T21:32:08+00:00 | kwtx.com | https://www.kwtx.com/sports/betting/2023/06/27/wings-vs-mercury-wnba-live-stream-tv/ |
General Electric has picked a site near Kendall Square in Cambridge to be the new headquarters of its energy businesses after the group is spun off from the parent company in early 2024.
The spinoff, to be called GE Vernova, plans to lease nearly 50,000 square feet at 58 Charles St., in a renovated brick building owned by BioMed Realty. Up to 200 employees will be based there, a figure that surpasses the number of people working out of GE’s corporate headquarters today in Fort Point.
The move is a big coup for Greater Boston’s burgeoning cleantech scene, which is already considered among the most prominent in the country. Overnight, GE Vernova would become the largest energy company headquartered in Massachusetts as measured by revenue or workforce. Employees were told about the plans on Thursday.
Advertisement
“We are thrilled to call Cambridge home as we build plans for the future of GE Vernova,” Scott Strazik, the leader of the energy businesses, said in a statement. “Cambridge offers a dynamic environment, steeped in the education, talent, and innovation that will be the core components of our work alongside customers to decarbonize power generation and lead the energy transition [to greener sources of electricity].”
GE’s decision is also a welcome win for the region amid the company’s gradually shrinking corporate profile — a downsizing that began not long after it relocated to Boston from Connecticut amid much fanfare in 2016. GE eventually abandoned plans for a new 12-story tower overlooking Fort Point Channel, and opted instead for a more modest corporate office in two renovated brick buildings next door. Now, GE plans to exit that space entirely early next year, saying it’s too large for its current needs as CEO Larry Culp oversees a three-way split of the company. GE has not said much about this move, other than its new corporate office will be smaller than the roughly 100,000 square feet it now occupies, and that it will remain in Boston during the management of the spinoffs.
Advertisement
Culp’s plan involves spinning off the Chicago-based healthcare division first, starting as its own separate publicly traded company called GE HealthCare in early January. Culp and his leadership will then combine GE”s Power, Renewables, and Digital businesses under the GE Vernova name, to be spun out in early 2024 — also as a standalone public company. At that point, GE’s operating businesses will essentially be down to its aviation group, to be called GE Aerospace.
It’s not yet clear how many people will work for GE Vernova. But GE’s annual report for 2021 gives some indication of the future company’s size. The Power business, which primarily involves natural gas-fired turbines, employed 32,000 people last year, while its Renewables business — which focuses on wind turbines, grid upgrades, and hydroelectric power — employed 38,000. The two divisions’ revenue for last year clocked in at $17 billion and $16 billion, respectively. (GE did not report separate numbers for its Digital business, a much smaller group that will be part of GE Vernova.)
GE Vernova leadership opted for Cambridge for its future headquarters instead of one of the company’s existing management hubs for the energy businesses, which include campuses in Schenectady, N.Y., Atlanta, and Greenville, S.C. Strazik plans to relocate to Greater Boston by the time of the spinoff. The company cited Cambridge’s proximity to scientific research, thought leaders, and investment capital.
Advertisement
“We are excited to be continuing GE’s presence in the Greater Boston area,” Strazik added, “and we look forward to being an active and involved member of the community.”
Jon Chesto can be reached at jon.chesto@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonchesto. | 2022-12-15T15:10:22+00:00 | bostonglobe.com | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/15/business/general-electrics-new-energy-business-will-move-its-hq-kendall-square/ |
(KTLA) – The rise in catalytic converter thefts in America has been a nuisance for law enforcement agencies and car owners for the past several years. Now new data from Carfax shows just how bad the problem has gotten.
The vehicle data company, known for tracking repairs and accidents on vehicles across the country, looked at catalytic converter replacements from millions of service records to come up with an estimated number of thefts in 2022: 153,000 — a 2% increase from the year prior.
The number is pretty alarming, and Carfax suggests the problem has been underreported in the past.
Whereas most reports regarding the total number of catalytic converters look at only insurance claims, Carfax says its data scientists looked at all replacements, taking into account ones that were replaced due to deterioration, defectivity or recalls, and came up with the 153,000 figure.
Carfax said it believes theft numbers reported to media outlets are vastly underestimating the full scope of the problem, because many car owners don’t file insurance claims. The possible explanation for that is because some drivers don’t have full coverage on older vehicles or some don’t have insurance at all.
For those that don’t have the full coverage to get their catalytic converters replaced, they could be looking at a repair cost of around $2,000 or $3,000 — possibly even more.
The critical piece of automobile tech is used to filter out harmful byproducts from your car’s exhaust. They use precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium to accomplish this. Those metals can sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars per ounce.
A catalytic converter can be sold for anywhere from $25 to $300 for an average vehicle, Carfax says, and up to $1,400 for hybrid vehicles.
Catalytic converters in hybrids tend to have more precious metals than the standard vehicle, which is why hybrids are some of the most-targeted vehicles for catalytic converter thefts. The most targeted vehicle for these thefts in California is the most popular hybrid on the road: the Toyota Prius.
Law enforcement officials say you can greatly reduce your chances of having your catalytic converter stolen by following some simple tips, including parking in well-lit areas or inside covered garages, keeping tabs on where your vehicle is parked, installing an aftermarket security device or have a local dealer etch your VIN number on the vehicle part.
If your converter is stolen, you’ll notice right away. Your vehicle will be loud, sluggish and smelly and the check engine light will likely come on. If that happens, call local authorities and check with your insurance provider to see if replacement is covered.
Some vehicles are more likely to fall victim to thieves and Carfax has compiled a list of which vehicles are targeted most frequently.
Ford F-Series pickups were the most targeted vehicles in the nation, as well as in the Midwest and across the South. The Prius was the big victim in the west, and the Honda CRV was the No. 1 target in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states.
For a complete list of targeted cars, click here. | 2023-03-17T12:00:50+00:00 | ksn.com | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/more-than-150000-catalytic-converters-were-stolen-in-2022-and-the-problem-may-be-underreported-data-suggests/ |
[title]
In a Facebook post announcement on Thursday, Ocean Park shared the heart-breaking news that the park's giant panda An An has passed away at the age of 35, which in human age is equivalent to 105 years old. As the world’s longest-living male giant panda under human care, An An's health slowly deteriorated over the past few weeks "with a severe decrease in physical activities and food intake."
After consulting with the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, veterinarians from Ocean Park and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department had come to the difficult decision to perform the procedure of humane euthanasia on An An. The centenarian panda passed away at around 8.40am inside his home in The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures at Ocean Park.
A condolence book will be available outside An An's residence for guests to leave messages in loving memory of An An. Those unable to visit the park may do so by leaving a comment on the park's official Facebook announcement.
Recommended stories:
Hong Kong Airport transforms its terminal into 'gram-worthy multimedia zones
The Daily Tot celebrates their second anniversary with ‘The Love Letter to Rum’
The Chairman drops to 24th place in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants
Follow us on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news and updates on what’s going on in the city. | 2022-07-22T03:53:45+00:00 | timeout.com | https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/news/ocean-parks-beloved-panda-an-an-passes-away-at-age-35-072122 |
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PCRX) on Thursday reported a loss of $693,000 in its third quarter.
On a per-share basis, the Tampa, Florida-based company said it had a loss of 2 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs and stock option expense, came to 64 cents per share.
The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 73 cents per share.
The specialty drugmaker posted revenue of $167.5 million in the period, exceeding Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $167.3 million.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PCRX at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PCRX | 2022-11-03T13:23:37+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Pacira-Q3-Earnings-Snapshot-17554993.php |
- Alliance will provide opportunity for AbbVie to further expand its diverse eye care portfolio and provide additional treatment options for glaucoma patients
- Collaboration further supports the role of MINIject® in the treatment of glaucoma and accelerates goal to bring MINIject to more patients globally
- Deal terms include a $60M upfront payment to iSTAR Medical
- iSTAR Medical to continue development and commercialization of the MINIject device up to completion of the U.S. PMA study
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. and WAVRE, Belgium, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and iSTAR Medical SA, today announced a strategic transaction to further develop and commercialize iSTAR Medical's MINIject® device, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) device for patients with glaucoma. This complementary alliance will support iSTAR Medical's development and commercial efforts for MINIject®, as well as provide an opportunity to expand AbbVie's eye care business, building on its glaucoma portfolio which includes drops, sustained release implants, and stent offerings.
MINIject® received Conformité Européenne (CE) marking approval to commercialize in European countries in the last quarter of 2021 and launched commercially in select European countries in early 2022. iSTAR Medical is currently enrolling a U.S. Premarket Approval study (STAR-V) to enable commercialization in the U.S.
"As a leading company in eye care with a commitment to a broad and diverse portfolio from the front to the back of the eye, along with our global footprint and infrastructure in glaucoma, we are well-positioned to support bringing this MIGS offering to patients and glaucoma specialists through this strategic alliance," said Michael Robinson, M.D, Vice President, Global Therapeutic Area Head of Eye Care, AbbVie. "This alliance with iSTAR Medical is an important step as we continue to be an innovator in glaucoma by maximizing the value of interventional approaches throughout the treatment paradigm."
"Today's announcement is validation of the transformational role of MINIject in the treatment of glaucoma," said Michel Vanbrabant, Chief Executive Officer, iSTAR Medical. "Our commitment has always been to enable more glaucoma patients globally to be treated effectively in a minimally-invasive manner with our MINIject® MIGS device, and this alliance accelerates that goal, especially in the United States. We will benefit from AbbVie's strong global experience and knowledge base already established in glaucoma, and we are excited to be working with such a world class team."
Under the terms of the agreement, iSTAR Medical will receive a $60M non-dilutive upfront payment and will continue to develop and commercialize MINIject® until completion of the STAR-V clinical study. AbbVie will hold the exclusive right to acquire iSTAR Medical and lead subsequent global development and commercialization of the MINIject device. If AbbVie exercises the right to acquire iSTAR, the stockholders of iSTAR Medical would also be eligible to receive additional contingent payments of up to $475M in a closing payment and upon achievement of certain predetermined milestones.
iSTAR Medical will remain an independent company through the completion of the STAR-V study. This financing will support the continued development and commercialization of MINIject®, including ongoing clinical studies and further enhancements to the technology. SVB Securities LLC acted as financial advisor to iSTAR Medical.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn
About iSTAR Medical
iSTAR Medical is committed to delivering breakthrough eye care solutions. Our most advanced product, MINIject®, is approved in Europe for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma – the leading cause of irreversible blindness – and we are aiming to seek market approval in the US. We believe MINIject®'s distinctive tissue-integrating capabilities unlock a safer, and more effective option for patients. We are building an exceptional team and pipeline of innovative products such as MINIject® to establish new treatment paradigms in eye care conditions with the highest patient needs. For more information, please visit: www.istar-medical.com
About MINIject®
MINIject® is iSTAR Medical's innovative MIGS device for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. MINIject® combines the distinctive porous structure of its proprietary STAR® material with the power offered by the supraciliary space. As a result, it is designed to enhance natural fluid outflow, reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and the need for medication, while bio-integrating with surrounding tissue, limiting inflammation, fibrosis and subsequent complications.
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a progressive disease affecting over 100 million people globally, of which primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form.1,2 IOP reduction, through medication or surgery, helps delay disease progression.3 Medication is generally the first line treatment, but the progressive addition of multiple drops can burden patients with side effects, compliance challenges and costs.1,3 More invasive surgical options can present risks with irreversible complications and often requires long-term patient management.1,3 MIGS is one of the most promising and fastest-growing glaucoma therapies due to the potential for an enhanced safety profile.1
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.
View original content:
SOURCE AbbVie | 2022-07-20T12:16:48+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/abbvie-istar-medical-announce-strategic-alliance-treatment-glaucoma/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — There’s one way to force President Joe Biden and Congress to solve the looming crisis over the debt limit: a financial market crash.
That’s a view held by several economists and a former White House official, mindful that Congress rarely acts unless an emergency forces lawmakers to.
“For that drama not ending in tragedy, key actors have to play their roles,” said Daleep Singh, who was Biden’s national security adviser for international economics and deputy director of the National Economic Council. “Market participants have a lead role of playing the victim. They have to produce pain. They have to produce a sea of red on their Bloomberg screens because politicians need to look at those screens.”
Republicans and Democrats have been dancing around each other about the need to raise the government’s legal borrowing authority. Biden tried to edge closer on Thursday by releasing his budget plan that cuts deficits by $2.9 trillion over 10 years, an offer that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif, quickly dismissed as woefully insufficient. Republicans in the House Freedom Caucus on Friday proposed their own demands, which the White House quickly rejected.
This fandango could persist for several more months until the last possible moment, when the federal government would hit a currently unknown “X-date” — possibly as early as June — and be unable to pay its bills, possibly setting off a default that would suddenly wash away millions of jobs.
It is a familiar ritual. But every other time before, Congress has found agreement on the debt limit. The question now, in a period of ever-increasing political polarization, is whether today is different.
“Every single major economic institution, conservative, liberal, says that will cause a massive recession, a massive recession, and put us in the hole for a long, long time,” Biden said of the possible default as he rolled out his budget in Philadelphia.
McCarthy has promised to put together his own budget plan, but he has little urgency for striking any kind of deal so long as the stock market stays relatively calm. He has said he wants an agreement to put the government on a path toward a balanced budget. But he has also ruled out tax increases or cuts to Social Security and Medicare, which would force deep and controversial reductions in federal spending that could divide House Republicans.
Biden, who would reduce deficits largely through higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, has said he is ready to go through budget agreements “line by line” once McCarthy has his numbers.
But McCarthy’s leverage is greatest as the “X-date” approaches at some point this summer and markets are biding their time. So far this year, the S&P 500 stock index has been positive. It has largely swung based on moves by the Federal Reserve to lower inflation or with the collapse Friday of the Silicon Valley Bank, events that are separate from the debt ceiling.
There is a widening recognition that a massive sell-off tied to debt limit tensions would provide instant clarity and snap everyone out of their ideological stagnancy. No one is rooting for the markets to sink, but as Republican lawmakers weigh the possibility of prioritizing repayments to debt holders — a risky short-term fix — there is a sense that markets need to jolt Congress into action.
“Unfortunately, it will likely take a significant financial market event for Biden and the GOP to arrive at a compromise on the debt ceiling,” said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at the consultancy RSM US who said the standoff is already increasing the cost of borrowing for small and medium-sized companies.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley a few weeks ago concluded that the most likely “catalyst” to an agreement would be the markets expressing their “fear” of the political and economic “repercussions of default.”
When lawmakers realize they can step in with a deal and play the hero to salvage everyone’s retirement savings, they will have an incentive to come together, said Singh, who spoke at a New York City conference two weeks ago.
“They have to be able to say, ‘Look, I am reluctantly agreeing to pay for spending we’ve already authorized because I’m saving the 401(k)’s of hardworking families all across the country,’” Singh said. “I think that complacency is itself a big problem.”
There is precedent for market crashes forcing Congress’ hand.
During the 2008 financial crisis, the House rejected a $700 billion bailout package on Sept. 29, leading the Dow Jones industrial average to plunge almost 7% in a single day. That dramatic selloff ultimately laid out the stakes for Congress, and the rescue package passed the House within days and became law.
And there are those who think that Congress might not take the path that would trigger a market revolt.
Rohit Kumar, a former aide to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said a market drop would “move the needle” on a debt limit deal, but it’s not a “prerequisite” for getting an agreement.
“The vast majority of lawmakers understand this has to be done,” said Kumar, now an executive at the tax consultancy PwC. “Defaulting on our debt is an entirely different animal, a bell that cannot be unrung. And I think most members appreciate that.”
The Senate Budget Committee chairman, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., has said Republicans will only seek a deal when their richest donors “start to sense the reverberations of a potential default and start making phone calls, saying, ‘OK, you guys, enough of this clowning around.'”
Given that forecasts already exist about millions of jobs potentially lost, Whitehouse acknowledged that he didn’t know why the phone calls from Republican donors are not already starting.
“Maybe they’re not feeling the tremors yet,” he said. | 2023-03-11T18:49:13+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/news/business/will-it-take-market-crash-for-congress-to-raise-debt-limit/ |
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Video released Friday revealed shocking moments on a Charlotte Area Transit System bus as a driver and passenger get into a shootout.
The new video shows an argument escalated quickly into a hail of gunfire.
Queen City News spoke exclusively with another passenger on that bus who came inches from being shot himself.
“I was right there, like you have no idea,” Joshua Davis recalls the moment gunfire erupted on a CATS bus he was riding on May 18.
He was just trying to get to work at the Charlotte Premium Outlets.
Davis hasn’t seen the video released by CATS Friday; he doesn’t have to. He was there and knows how close he came to potentially losing his life.
“My instincts when I saw guns and heard gun shots was to hit the floor,” he said.
We now know the passenger, 22-year-old Omarri Tobias wanted to get off the bus before the next stop. The bus driver, David Fullard declined that request.
“I had a bad feeling from the time that the young man got on the bus,” Davis told Queen City News. “It’s an eerie feeling. I can’t really explain it.”
Tobias got agitated and told the bus driver to touch him so he could claim self-defense. In the video, he’s seen pulling out a gun. That’s when the driver and passenger started shooting at each other. Davis, who was sitting closest to the confrontation hit the deck.
“There was a young lady on the bus, and she was saying, ‘open the door,’” Davis recalled. “So, I was trying to pry the door open, but of course you can’t do that. A button has to be pushed.”
The driver continued shooting at the suspect with two other passengers ducking for cover.
“It bothers me more and more every day because I thank God that I’m here, you know what I’m saying?” he said. “That I didn’t get shot.”
Tobias, who was shot, is in jail. The driver, who was also shot, was fired from his job for bringing a gun to work.
“Bus drivers are not supposed to carry firearms,” Davis said, “but I’m like, so what are we doing to protect them? Because bus drivers have already been harmed in the past.”
Davis says every day is different as he processes what happened.
“Because I’m not the type of person who displays a lot of emotion, I don’t really know how to deal with what I’m feeling,” he said.
Riding a bus has been out of the question. Even going to work has been triggering for him, but at home, he reflects on how lucky he is to be alive.
“I could have been hurt; you know what I’m saying?” Davis said with a sigh, “but I thank God that I wasn’t.”
Davis says he hasn’t told his 11- and 14-year-old kids about what happened, and he doesn’t think he will. He’s tried reaching out to the bus driver to check on him and thank him, but he hasn’t been able to contact Fullard.
Something that’s not in the video is that Davis says the suspect reportedly came back on the bus to retrieve something. Davis says he looked him in the eye and pleaded for him to leave without any more violence. | 2023-05-28T17:22:19+00:00 | myfox8.com | https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/video-north-carolina-bus-shootout-bystander-is-lucky-to-be-alive/ |
Pogačar wins 6th stage of Tour and takes yellow jersey
LONGWY, France (AP) — Tadej Pogačar has won the sixth and longest stage of the Tour de France on Thursday to take the yellow jersey. The Slovenian pulled away in the sprint finish to take his first stage win this year after victory in the 2020 and 2021 Tours. He leads the Tour by four seconds from American rider Neilson Powless. Wout Van Aert was the leader heading into the imposing stage of nearly 220 kilometers through Belgium and northern France and was the focus of attention with a breakaway. He was caught with 11 kilometers remaining. Van Aert dropped off the peloton. | 2022-07-07T21:03:09+00:00 | keyt.com | https://keyt.com/news/2022/07/07/pogacar-wins-6th-stage-of-tour-and-takes-yellow-jersey/ |
With children back in school and new iPhones coming out, many parents this fall are thinking of buying a phone -- even a basic phone -- as a good way to reach their children.
But when is the right time?
And how do you know the device you're giving them is safe and won't connect them with inappropriate websites and dangerous people?
Leslie Umbarger was upgrading her iPhone at the AT&T store recently and said her little boy wouldn't be ready for one for a few more years.
"About age 12," she said.
Any younger, she said, and "at that age, they are not really thinking about taking care of it."
Average age for first phone younger than ever
But according to AT&T, the average age for a first phone is getting lower every year.
Austin Godsey of AT&T said, "the trend we've seen the past couple of years is between the age of 9 and 10." ''
That's 5th grade for most children.
Godsey also says most parents today skip the starter flip phone because it doesn't offer enough parental controls.
Smartphones, he says, come with a slew of controls for parents to limit screen time and keep tabs on who their child is texting or talking with.
Each major carrier offers apps for parents to supervise phone use:
- AT&T offers its Secure Family app.
- Verizon has Smart Family.
- T-Mobile offers Family Mode.
With AT&T's parental controls, Godsey demonstrated, "you can see all the caller logs and details."
More importantly, you can locate your child at all times.
"It's really great for a parent to be able to locate their son or daughters' phone," he said, "so they can see where they are and make sure they are safe."
Things to do before giving them a phone
Most parents realize that buying a cell phone for a child is less of a want and more of a need these days.
But tech experts say there are some steps you need to take before giving a child their first device.
Marvin Maldonado of the extended protection company Asurion says age is just a number and that there is no set age to give a child their first phone.
"It's always going to depend on the level of maturity that your child shows for you to be able to sort of unlocking all of that technology for them," he said.
Maldonado suggests easing a child in by starting with just calls and texts.
If they handle that well, he lays, let your child download a favorite app, like YouTube (with parental controls, you control which apps they can have).
Maldonado says:
- Set up the device with your child.
- Always know their password.
- Know which apps are downloaded.
Most importantly, though, is to have a conversation about responsible phone use and social media use.
"Make sure that they know that sharing personal information, phone numbers, addresses is not a practice that they should be doing," he said.
Also, remember, kids will be kids.
That means you should buy a good screen protector and case (don't go cheap) and consider a warranty or protection plan, so you don't waste your money.
__________________________
Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").
Like" John Matarese Money on Facebook
Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney
Follow John on Twitter (@JohnMatarese)
For more consumer news and money-saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. | 2022-09-14T11:02:04+00:00 | wrtv.com | https://www.wrtv.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/when-to-buy-a-child-their-first-phone-you-may-be-surprised |
CHAMPAIGN — It was late in a blowout win, but that didn’t matter to Matthew Mayer. A loose ball was on the floor and he was going after it.
He dove between a couple Syracuse bodies and knocked a loose ball out and eventually into the hands of Skyy Clark, who found RJ Melendez for a layup that was nearly an and-one that would have set off the State Farm Center crowd.
"Winner," coach Brad Underwood said. "He is a winner. He knows all about winning, it doesn't matter the score; it doesn't matter."
It was the latest example of the fact that Mayer is still making an impact even though his shot isn’t falling. He’ll look to take that floor game on the road when the team opens Big Ten play at Maryland (8 p.m. Friday on Big Ten Network).
He’s moving the ball and getting on the glass well. He had nine rebounds against Lindenwood on Friday and eight against Syracuse on Tuesday. Before that stretch he only had three games with eight rebounds or more in his career. He also has two steals in each of the past two contests despite playing a combined 38 minutes in them.
That’s made him a fixture in the starting lineup and given him over 20 minutes in four of the past five games despite a shot that hasn’t quite come yet.
He’s shooting 32.6% from the field and 25% from the 3-point range, but thinks that’ll improve in time. There's still a small sample size — he was a 39.5% shooter at Baylor two seasons ago.
“I know I’m a good 3-point shooter,” Mayer said. "I know at some point they’re going to fall in droves and I’ll be back to hopefully around 40 percent. I’m going to keep shooting and I still personally think I make a big impact on defense and rebounding so that’s all that really matters to me.”
It was a little bit of a slow start for Mayer this season. He didn’t play in the final stretches of the team’s first two games, but after continuing his progression of getting into game shape from a lingering back injury in the offseason and learning the Illini’s system, he’s shown high activity on defense and the glass.
Underwood’s sold on the fact that the shooting will come around with the rest of his game soon.
"Good things are coming," Underwood said. "I told him he may have to get his mullet back to get that jump shot to fall because he's getting great looks. He's making them in practice and he's working at it. But you know that's what we brought Matt in here for. I mean, Matt knows how to win. He knows what it takes and he's done that since high school."
Mayer said he won’t revert to the mullet — he likes his clean cut look now. He's also not too focused on a slow start shooting the ball.
“We’ve been winning most of our games so it doesn’t really matter to me,” Mayer said. “Of course, I’m trying to go to the NBA so shooting bad weighs a little bit on me sometimes, but at the same time, I know what I can bring. You can’t control whether you make it or miss it. You’ve just got to go try to make an impact somehow.”
Because of the accompanying floor game, he’s settled into what is a nine-man rotation so far for the Illini, and has impressed Underwood with his energy and work.
As one of only three players in that rotation with significant starting experience, he’ll also be looked at for guidance when the team gets into Big Ten play.
"We're gonna lean on him," Underwood said. "He makes winning plays all the time. He knows what it takes to win, but now his conditioning is getting out there. He's a guy we're going to have to lean on here as we get into league play."
Harris OK
Sencire Harris has also got praise for high energy this season. He went out in the first half against Syracuse and didn’t return, but Underwood said after the game and on Thursday that the injury isn't’ serious. Harris was fully dressed and has practiced with the team this week.
"He was good in practice," Underwood said.
PHOTOS: Illinois beats Syracuse in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Syracuse Illinois Basketball
Follow Anderson Kimball on Twitter at: byAndy Kimball
Illinois vs. Maryland
When: 8 p.m., Friday
Where: Excel Energy Center, College Park, Maryland
Records: Illinois 6-1, Maryland 7-0
Series; Last meeting: Maryland leads 13-7; Maryland won 81-65 on Jan. 21, 2022.
TV, radio: Big Ten Network, WSOY 1340 AM (Decatur), KFNS 590 AM (St. Louis), WJBC 93.7 FM (Bloomington-Normal), WCRC 95.7 FM (Effingham)
About Illinois: Beat Syracuse 73-44 on Tuesday. ... Terrence Shannon Jr. leads the team in scoring with 19.9 points per game. ... Coleman Hawkins had a triple-double in the team's game against Syracuse with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
About Maryland: Terrapins beat Louisville 79-54 on Tuesday. ... First-year coach Kevin Willard has Maryland off to an undefeated start in the non conference behind Donta Scott (15.9 points per game). Scott had 42 points in two games against Illinois last season.
Coleman Hawkins watches the Golden State Warriors until 3 a.m. some nights. He wants to be a facilitator for the Illini, and was one with his triple-double Tuesday.
Syracuse's Benny Williams (13) and Illinois' Matthew Mayer wait for a rebound during a Tuesday game in Champaign, Ill. Mayer had nine rebounds and six points against the Orange and played 22 minutes.
Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) celebrates with forward Matthew Mayer (24) during the second half of the team's game against UCLA on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas. Mayer has impressed the Illinois coaching staff with his energy and will be leaned on during the conference season.
Illinois' Matthew Mayer (24) and Ty Rodgers (20) box out Monmouth's Tahron Allen during a Nov. 14 game in Champaign, Ill. Mayer has 17 rebounds in his past two games. | 2022-12-01T22:15:45+00:00 | pantagraph.com | https://pantagraph.com/sports/college/illini/matthew-mayer-giving-illinois-impact-despite-early-shooting-slump/article_7473449c-71b3-11ed-b2bc-bb9d2ea8d077.html |
CADILLAC — Human trafficking has been an issue that the Michigan State Police has been concentrating on for years and during the next week it will once again be a focus.
MSP motor carrier officers are teaming up with their colleagues from across the country and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance to raise awareness about the topic of human trafficking.
Beginning on Monday and continuing through Friday, MSP motor carrier officers will join other law enforcement, the vehicle safety alliance and Truckers Against Trafficking to educate motorists about the signs of Human trafficking and to crack down on traffickers.
This week of focus is part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which occurs every January.
Every year since 2010, the sitting President has dedicated the month of January to raise awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. Recently, President Joe Biden has proclaimed January 2023 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which reaffirms the Biden Administration’s commitment to protect and empower survivors of all forms of human trafficking, to prosecute traffickers, and to bring an end to human trafficking in the United States and around the world.
When it comes to the week-long event the motor carrier officers are embarking on, the goal is to raise awareness and educate those in positions to observe human trafficking taking place. This includes commercial vehicle drivers, public transportation companies, rest area attendants and truck stop employees.
Michigan State Police Seventh District Public Information Officer Lt. Derrick Carroll said this week-long event has been ongoing for several years and that partnership continues. It includes working with those aforementioned groups but also with utility workers and those who make deliveries such as UPS and FedEx.
“We put together training videos that teach them what to look for,” Carroll said. “You have to know what the signs are.”
Carroll said these utility workers and delivery drivers might see things around the home that seem innocuous but are tall tale signs of human trafficking. This includes a lot of people living in a single dwelling, an individual with signs of physical injury or abuse or avoidance of eye contact or interaction. These victims of human trafficking also may appear destitute or lacking physical possessions. They also may work long hours or live at their place of employment.
Carroll said while many will associate human trafficking with the sex trade, it more likely involves people who are brought into the country as indentured servants and have to pay off debt through work.
“We work with customs and border patrol to help these victims who are brought here,” he said. “They are victims of a crime.”
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud or coercion for commercial sex or forced labor. They are young children, teenagers, men and women. Trafficking in persons occurs throughout the world, including in the United States and Michigan.
The risk factors that are associated with human trafficking include abuse, neglect, drug use, poverty and, probably most importantly, demand. Without that final ingredient, there wouldn’t be a need for it, but people are seeking it out. | 2023-01-12T09:10:04+00:00 | cadillacnews.com | https://www.cadillacnews.com/news/human-trafficking-focus-of-week-long-event-for-msp-motor-carrier-officers/article_a97c4da2-9065-11ed-877e-8f3c840093b7.html |
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — Earth’s warming weather and rising seas are getting worse and doing so faster than before, the World Meteorological Organization warned Sunday in a somber note as world leaders started gathering for international climate negotiations.
“The latest State of the Global Climate report is a chronicle of climate chaos,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. “We must answer the planet’s distress signal with action — ambitious, credible climate action.”
In its annual state of the climate report, the United Nations’ weather agency said that sea level rise in the past decade was double what it was in the 1990s and since January 2020 has jumped at a higher rate than that. Since the decade began, seas are rising at 5 millimeters a year (.2 inches) compared to 2.1 millimeters (.08 inches) in the 1990s.
The last eight years have been the warmest on record, the WMO said in a report that didn’t break new ground but was a collection of recent weather trends, data and impacts in one central place.
“The melting (of ice) game we have lost and also the sea level rate,” WMO chief Petteri Taalas told The Associated Press. “There are no positive indicators so far.”
The only reason that the globe hasn’t broken annual temperature records in the past few years is a rare three-year La Niña weather phenomenon, he said.
The data on sea level and average temperatures are nothing compared to how climate change has hit people in extreme weather. The report highlights the summer’s incredible flood in Pakistan that killed more than 1,700 people and displaced 7.9 million, a crippling four-year drought in East Africa that has more than 18 million hungry, the Yangtze River drying to its lowest level in August, and record heat-waves broiling people in Europe and China.
“This latest report from the World Meteorological Organization reads like a lab report for a critically ill patient, but in this case the patient is Earth,” said climate scientist Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod, who wasn’t part of the report.
Levels of heat-trapping carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide all reached record high levels, with potent methane increasing at a record pace, the report said.
That means more than just warming temperatures on land. Ice, both Greenland’s ice sheet and the world’s glaciers, are shrinking precipitously, the report said. For the 26th year in a row, Greenland lost ice when all types of ice are factored in. The volume of glacier snow in Switzerland dropped by more than one-third from 2001 to 2022, the report said.
But 90% of the heat trapped on Earth goes into the ocean and the upper 2000 meters (6561 feet) of the ocean is getting warmer faster. The rate of warming the last 15 years is 67% faster than since 1971, the report said.
That ocean heat “will continue to warm in the future – a change which is irreversible on centennial to millennial time scales,” the report said.
Outside experts weren’t surprised by the report and said no one should be.
“What climate scientists have warned about for decades is upon us. And will continue to worsen without action,’’ said University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd. “Two things must go away: Climate delayism and speaking about climate change impacts in the future tense. It’s here.”
___
Follow AP’s climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
___
Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | 2022-11-06T20:59:14+00:00 | fox44news.com | https://www.fox44news.com/news/ap-un-weather-report-climate-woes-bad-and-getting-worse-faster/ |
Manchester United have agreed to a deal to sign Rasmus Höjlund from Atalanta, sources have told ESPN.
The Old Trafford club is set to pay £64 million ($82 million) plus another £8m ($10m) in add-ons for the 20-year-old Denmark striker. He will become Erik ten Hag's third summer signing following the arrivals for Mason Mount and Andre Onana.
Höjlund emerged as the top centre-forward target after the decision to back away from moves for Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen. Ten Hag was initially keen to add an experienced No.9 to his squad, but sources have told ESPN that the Dutchman has come round to the idea of working with youngster Höjlund because of his potential.
Atalanta had demanded £77m for Höjlund while United, at one point, were firm in their stance that they would not pay more than £60m. United weakened their position and agreed to pay more than first expected because of an acceptance that a striker had to arrive before the deadline.
Ten Hag's team was the lowest scoring side in the Premier League's top six last season with 58 goals and Höjlund is one of Europe's best young players albeit he is so far unproven.
Höjlund is yet to play 100 senior games in his career and last season scored nine times in 32 appearances in Serie A. He's scored 27 goals in his senior career during spells at Copenhagen, Sturm Graz and Atalanta and has six in six appearances at international level for Denmark.
His arrival will take United's summer spend close to £180m and the club will now have to work on departures to balance the books. Anthony Elanga has joined Nottingham Forest in a deal which could rise to £20m and Alex Telles has joined Al Nassr for £4m.
Dean Henderson is close to moving to Forest on loan with an obligation to make the move permanent next summer, while United are also open to offers for Fred, Eric Bailly and Donny van de Beek.
United will also listen to bids for Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire, who was recently the subject of a rejected bid from West Ham United, but it will take a large offer before they are allowed to leave Old Trafford. | 2023-07-29T19:51:59+00:00 | espn.com | https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38095482/manchester-united-finalize-92m-rasmus-hojlund-deal-sources |
A boat ramp locked up with a chain is frustrating for people who want to get out on the water. Cape Coral neighbors near NW 25th Ave said they have no place to get their boats in or out of the water.
The city said usage of the ramp is for the city and government. The ramp was never meant to be used by the public. This means anyone using it did so without permission.
This was not the answer neighbors wanted to hear when WINK News investigated. Now, they’ve got to find a new place to launch their boats.
Mark Harper loves to be out on his boat floating down the Atkinson Canal in Cape Coral. Being on the water is one reason why his family moved here from upstate New York.
Harper said, “we have over 400,000 miles of canals in Cape Coral. The reason people move here is to use the waterfront.”
Harper’s not alone in that sentiment nor is he alone in frustration. Seeing the boat ramp off NW 25th Ave chained and locked.
Cape Coral resident, Michael Stinson said, “I was looking at buying a pontoon boat last week and I went and looked at it and I can’t buy it because there’s no way to get in and out.”
Harper has a friend that lives nearby with a leak in their boat. Talking about this friend, Harper said, “he’s out there every day with a pump to try and keep it from sinking.”
Their main concern is hurricane season.
Nancy DeVille, also living in Cape Coral, has similar concerns. She said, “we’re all worried about the impending storm system if a hurricane comes most of us like to take it out of the water for safety purposes.”
The city said people who live on freshwater canals can put in a private boat ramp at their homes. | 2022-06-07T21:20:48+00:00 | winknews.com | https://www.winknews.com/2022/06/07/locked-up-boat-ramp-frustrating-cape-coral-residents/ |
LONDON (AP) — British prosecutors said Wednesday they have authorized police to charge former film mogul Harvey Weinstein with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London in 1996.
The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement that “charges have been authorized” against Weinstein, 70, following a review of evidence gathered by London’s Metropolitan Police.
Police said the alleged offenses against the woman, now in her 50s, took place in during July and August 1996.
After revelations about Weinstein emerged in 2017, British police said they were investigating multiple allegations of sexual assault that reportedly took place between the 1980s and 2015.
Unlike many other countries, Britain does not have a statute of limitations for rape or sexual assault.
Weinstein, the co-founder of the Miramax entertainment company and The Weinstein Company film studio, was once one of the most powerful people in Hollywood, having produced films such as “Pulp Fiction” and “The Crying Game.”
He became the most prominent villain of the #MeToo movement after women began to go public in 2017 with accounts of his behavior.
Weinstein is serving a 23-year sentence after his 2020 conviction in New York for raping an aspiring actress in a New York City hotel room in 2013 and sexually assaulting production assistant Mimi Haleyi at his apartment in 2006.
He is jailed in California, where he was extradited last year, and is awaiting trial on charges he assaulted five women in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2004 to 2013.
It’s not clear if the U.K. plans to seek Weinstein’s extradition so he could stand trial in Britain.
The announcement in England on Wednesday came two weeks after U.K. prosecutors authorized police to charge actor Kevin Spacey with four counts of sexual assault against three men. The alleged incidents took place in London between March 2005 and August 2008, and one in western England in April 2013. | 2022-06-09T03:25:28+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/international/harvey-weinstein-to-be-charged-in-uk-over-assault-claims/ |
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
If you’re looking to add some fun to your basement, garage, or outdoor living space, Amazon is offering a great deal on a portable and easy-to-assemble ping pong table.
This Pro-Spin ping pong table is regularly $300, but currently marked down nearly 25% to $230. The midsize aluminum ping pong table is regulation height (2 1/2 feet) but weighs just 35 pounds. The tabletop 71 inches long, 41 inches wide and 15 millimeters thick. It also has adjustable leg levelers to ensure a balanced game, even on the most uneven floors.
The table comes 100% pre-assembled, with setup taking just a few minutes and involving unfolding it, opening the legs, attaching the net and leveling it. When it’s time to put the table away, you can fold it in half and slide it under a bed or into a closet as it measures 35 1/2-by-41 inches when folded. It includes a handle and also comes with a bag for transporting if you want to take it along to a gathering.
Our Test of This Midsize Ping Pong Table
Pro-Spin sent me the ping pong table to test out. It took less than 3 minutes to set up, including about 30 seconds to put the net on. I set it up in my basement, but it can also easily be used outside because it’s weatherproof and rustproof. However, it would probably be a good idea to bring the table inside during heavy rain or snow.
Full disclosure: I had never played ping pong before testing this table, so I can’t really compare its performance to any others, but I can say that it was incredibly easy to set up, take down and the game was much more fun than I expected. My husband I ended up playing for around an hour and when it was time to put it away, tear-down took about as little time as setup.
If you already like ping pong, just want to pick up a new hobby or have a game room in your house that needs some more fun, I’d say this table is well worth the $300 price tag, especially when you consider full-size tables can be three times as much.
If you have the space, it would be easiest to keep it set up all the time, but we will be taking it down and setting it up each time we need to use it because we simply don’t have space to leave it up. I actually see setting it up each time as a positive, as it means we can have it for game nights and parties, but can also keep our usual space without the table always being there, making it more convenient than most game-room centerpieces.
The lightweight build and easy setup, plus the ability to put it away when not in use, are, in my opinion, the best parts of this Pro-Spin table. I can easily say the biggest drawback is that you can’t just pop one side up to play solo or practice, like you can
If forced to nitpick, the thing that would make the table even better would be the ability to put up one side and play a solo game, which I have seen as a feature on other tables.
While 70% of the Amazon reviews for this Pro-Spin midsize ping pong table are flawless, a few negative reviews have said they feel the table is too small or that it arrived broken or missing some needed parts. In my experience, the table arrived in great condition and with all parts, and I found the table to be plenty big for my husband and I — both of above-average height — to play competitive games on.
The measurements are listed on the Amazon page, so you should consider measuring the space you’d like to put it to not only make sure it fits, but also to make sure it’s big enough for you to enjoy. If you find that it is too small for you or have another issue after you order it, it is eligible for returns through Jan. 31, 2023 if purchased before Dec. 25, 2022.
If purchasing the table, you’ll want to make sure you also have a paddle set. You can get Pro-Spin’s own set of two paddles and three balls for free with the purchase of the table by simply adding both to your cart (it’s normally $25 on Amazon), or can purchase a four-person set for $50, which comes with four paddles and eight balls in two different colors.
Other Ping Pong Tables on Amazon
If you’d rather have an entirely different table, there are a handful of others on Amazon, like this Joola MDF Indoor Table that’s priced at $420. This table is competition grade, full regulation size and has lockable wheels for mobility. It can also be used for solo play by locking one end of the table vertically. Another option is this Stiga Advantage Table that’s priced at $365. This one is also full sized and has the option to play by yourself.
But if you want a table that’s easily stored and perfect for casual games of ping pong between two players, the Pro-Spin model shouldn’t disappoint you, especially at its current sale price.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories. | 2022-11-04T22:13:42+00:00 | wkbw.com | https://www.wkbw.com/ping-pong-table-can-fold-go |
PHOENIX -- Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was not in the starting lineup against the Miami Marlins on Monday night because he was late arriving to the ballpark.
The 29-year-old had a good excuse, though. He was becoming a U.S. citizen.
"It's a pretty amazing accomplishment for him," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "Certainly proud of him. We excused him from all the pregame activity to take care of that today."
Lovullo said Gurriel would be available off the bench against the Marlins.
Gurriel was born in Cuba and defected to the U.S. with his older brother Yuli in 2016. Both players have had successful MLB careers since their arrival in the states.
Yuli Gurriel happens to be in town for his brother's special occasion because he plays for the Marlins. He had several successful seasons with the Houston Astros before going to Miami in the offseason. He was batting third for the Marlins in Monday night's game.
Lourdes Gurriel played his first five seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays before moving to the D-backs in an offseason trade. He has fit in well with his new team, batting .310 with five homers and 19 RBIs in 30 games. | 2023-05-09T02:05:06+00:00 | espn.com | https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37574216/diamondbacks-cuban-born-lourdes-gurriel-jr-now-us-citizen |
While rumors abound that the next generation of Nissan’s GT-R sports car, the R36, will feature some form of electrification, the automaker on Tuesday came out with the announcement it is developing an electric GT-R, albeit a prototype based on the R32 Skyline GT-R of the early 1990s.
Nissan said the project was born out of the desire of an engineer who originally joined the automaker because of a longing for the GT-R, to add electrification technology to the car.
“I want to build a more exciting car by adding the latest electrification technology that I am involved with to my favorite car,” the engineer said in a statement.
The project currently goes under the title of R32 EV, and Nissan is yet to provide any details on how it will go about converting the R32 GT-R to electric power.
The R32 was the first GT-R to feature the legendary 2.6-liter turbo-6 known as the RB26DETT. Thanks to twin turbochargers and a sturdy iron block, the engine could be tuned to reliably deliver much bigger numbers than its 276-hp rating. Even that official rating is widely accepted as an understated figure, with Nissan only quoting it due to a gentleman’s agreement between Japanese automakers at the time to limit power to the 276-hp figure. While the engine is a huge part of the GT-R mythos, electric motors are more than capable of delivering the type of excitement GT-R fans seek.
It’s possible Nissan could eventually offer an EV conversion for the R32 GT-R and the car’s successors. Nissan’s Nismo division in recent years has been offering replacement parts for classic GT-Rs to help keep the cars on the road. The company even offers a full restoration service that involves stripping the car down to its bare body shell. An EV conversion kit could be something else Nismo offers in the future. Other automakers have already explored this path, including Ford, Mini, and Volkswagen.
Related Articles
- 2024 Kia EV9 debuts with 300-mile range, app store performance upgrade
- BMW trademarks new electric lineup
- Bricklin SV-1 “safety vehicle” visits Jay Leno’s Garage
- Subaru trademarks STe name for electrified future
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class EV spy shots and video | 2023-03-29T20:32:33+00:00 | localsyr.com | https://www.localsyr.com/automotive/internet-brands/nissan-to-build-electric-r32-skyline-gt-r/ |
There have been a few cracks in the predictable pattern of Republican-controlled states loosening gun laws while Democratic states tighten them. But it’s far too soon to say the GOP is changing direction even amid a record-setting pace for mass killings in the United States.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, is sticking by his plan to call a special legislative session on gun control. Lee had asked lawmakers to pass a bill allowing judges to take away guns from people who the judge thinks pose an imminent threat to themselves or others. Lee shies away from calling his plan a red flag law, which he calls a “toxic political label.”
And two Republicans in a Texas legislative committee broke ranks to advance a bill that would raise the purchase age for semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21.
“We cannot assume that gun safety is not possible in states led by Republicans,” said Allison Anderman, who tracks state legislation for the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which favors more restrictions.
Still, a quick Republican turnaround is unlikely after decades of making gun rights a party cornerstone. Top GOP lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott oppose the Texas bill, while Lee has faced resistance from Tennessee Republicans. Nearly half the states have passed legislation this year related to gun policies or school safety, an Associated Press survey found. The bills are split roughly equally between Democratic-led states tightening gun restrictions and Republican-led states expanding gun rights.
Here’s what’s happening:
A FLURRY IN MICHIGAN
A Democratic takeover of both houses of the Michigan Legislature, combined with Gretchen Whitmer winning a second term as governor, has led to seven gun-related laws getting passed. Those include expanding background checks to all sales and requiring secure storage of guns. Whitmer is expected to sign legislation later this month so that people who are an imminent danger to themselves or others could have their guns confiscated, based on a judge’s decision.
She told supporters last month when signing some bills to “buckle up, we’re going to continue this work.”
Democrats in Minnesota are also trying to push through a red flag law and expanded background checks, attaching them to a budget bill on Wednesday.
GUN CONTROL FRUSTRATION
Unlike in Michigan and Minnesota, supporters of stricter gun laws in many Republican-controlled states are voicing frustration. Georgia Democrats, for example, filed 16 bills to tighten gun laws this year. The only bill that got a committee hearing was received with hostility by Republicans and gun-rights supporters.
Democrats renewed their push following a shooting this month at an Atlanta doctor’s office that killed one and wounded four others, with 71 Democratic House members signing a letter asking Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special session. But Kemp and other Republicans are laying low. If anything, gun rights supporters expect a further loosening of laws in Georgia.
PERMITLESS CARRY
Among the states staying pro-gun are Florida and Nebraska, which have become the latest Republican-controlled states to let people carry a concealed handgun without a permit. Permits and usually a background had once been required to carry a concealed handgun in public in every state but Vermont. With the votes in Nebraska and Florida, 26 states have now repealed such requirements since 2011. Florida’s law takes effect July 1. Nebraska’s law takes effect Sept. 10.
Of the remaining 23 states without broad permitless carry laws, only Louisiana, South Carolina and North Carolina seem ripe for expansion. While Republican lawmakers in North Carolina earlier overrode a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to allow people to but a handgun without getting a permit from a local sheriff, a top Republican has effectively quashed legislative efforts to let people carry a concealed handgun without another type of permit.
The permitless carry effort also appears stalled in South Carolina, while outgoing Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, has opposed a broad expansion in his state.
REACTING TO THE SUPREME COURT
Some states have passed new limits on where residents can carry guns, reacting to last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision saying Americans have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense and that officials can’t broadly deny gun permits. In Hawaii, where it had been virtually impossible for a civilian to legally carry a loaded gun in public, lawmakers are seeking to prohibit people from carrying guns in places including hospitals, stadiums, movie theaters, bars or restaurants serving alcohol, public libraries, schools and beaches.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLES
Demands to ban semi-automatic rifles have been bubbling up among gun control advocates. Washington became the 10th state to ban sales of semi-automatic rifles including AR-15s and AK-47s. The measure, sought by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, passed after multiple failed attempts. Anyone who already has such a rifle can keep it. Opponents have already sued to strike it down. A similar proposal failed in Colorado after lawmakers passed a series of narrower gun control measures, showing that the measure doesn’t have universal support among Democrats.
BLOCKING ENFORCEMENT
Kentucky in April became the latest state to declare itself a “Second Amendment Sanctuary.” The bill, which became law without Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature, seeks to ban state and local law enforcement from helping enforce any federal laws or regulations enacted on guns, ammunition and accessories since Democratic President Joe Biden took office. Any officer who did so would be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to being fired.
A federal judge in March struck down a similar law in Missouri as unconstitutional, ruling state and local police can help investigate federal firearms crimes and enforce such laws.
SUING GUN MAKERS
Colorado, Washington and Hawaii have passed laws making it easier to sue gun manufacturers and sellers. The Washington law, for example, requires reasonable controls in making, selling and marketing weapons. That includes not selling guns to people known to be dangerous or to straw buyers who might buy weapons on someone else’s behalf. It allows the state or private parties, such as relatives of victims, to sue over violations and win damages.
___
Associated Press reporters David Lieb in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed to this report. | 2023-05-12T11:57:53+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/national/despite-cracks-in-republican-gun-rights-wall-differences-between-states-widen/ |
Columbus Crew (1-1-1) vs. New York Red Bulls (0-1-2)
Harrison, New Jersey; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLS LINE: New York -126, Columbus +352, Draw +248; over/under is 2.5 goals
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Red Bulls host the Columbus Crew in Eastern Conference play.
The Red Bulls put together a 15-11-8 record overall during the 2022 season while finishing 6-7-5 in home matches. The Red Bulls scored 50 goals and recorded a goal differential of +9 last season.
The Crew finished 10-8-16 overall and 3-4-10 on the road in the 2022 season. The Crew scored 46 goals last season, averaging 1.4 per game.
NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY: Red Bulls: Serge Ngoma (injured), Dru Yearwood (injured).
Crew: Christian Ramirez (injured), Will Sands (injured).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. | 2023-04-08T09:47:55+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio/new-york-red-bulls-take-on-the-columbus-crew-in-eastern-conference-action/KC7GFX4OOVERDFZOQAMRC6UIYU/ |
(The Hill) – Federal officials say climate change is intensifying droughts, leading to wildfires far worse than experts or models have predicted.
That is adding to the danger that accompanies one of the U.S. Forest Service’s primary methods of mitigation: the prescribed burn.
“Fires are outpacing our models,” Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said in a statement this week.
Moore pointed to escalating climate conditions as the reason why an otherwise routine prescribed burn in New Mexico earlier this year escaped to ignite the largest wildfire in state history.
“Climate change is leading to conditions on the ground we have never encountered,” he said.
The Forest Service and most of the scientific community views prescribed burns as a key element in protecting the wildfire-dependent landscapes of the West from the most destructive conflagrations.
The agency said in a report that its personnel followed a prescribed burn plan in New Mexico and the burn conditions appeared to be within approved limits to keep it from escaping.
But persistent drought — which a study in Nature in February called the worst in 1,200 years — has complicated that picture.
“The first year of the drought isn’t that bad, the forests still have some humidity and energy left,” said Marc Castellnou, a fire scientist in Spain’s Catalonia region who consults frequently on fires in the U.S. West.
But Castellnou said after two consecutive years of drought, forests are more vulnerable.
“They’re just weak and stressed and available to burn. They can’t respond,” he said.
In a wetter ecosystem, water evaporating from the landscapes cools it. “But hot weather in a really dry country — there is nothing to do evaporation from,” Castellnou said. “It just keeps getting hotter and hotter, drier and drier. It’s a feedback loop.”
That has been a global problem. In Castellnou’s native Catalonia — a landscape similar in many ways to the American West — it has led to unusually large, fast and aggressive fires.
“It’s May and fires are already behaving like it’s August or September,” he said. “The models can’t explain what’s happening. We knew climate change would have feedback, faster than expected — but even we didn’t expect this.”
Everything Spain faces, he added, is worse for the U.S. “We’re all having big fires too early,” he said.
In addition to weakening forest ecosystems, the drought also has made forests themselves more likely to burn, fire ecologist Matthew Hurteau of the University of New Mexico told The Hill.
The water in a living tree trunk — or even a dead one — generally keeps it from catching fire, even during a large blaze, he said. “I’m talking like, lying on the ground, kick it and you break a toe,” he said.
Fire ecologists and forecasters rarely paid attention to such material as dead trees and logs, he said, “because it just wasn’t available to burn.”
Instead, they focused on the smaller fuels found in branches, shrubs, smaller trees and canopies — trusting that big trees might char on the outside, but their large size and plentiful water content meant they wouldn’t combust.
That view has since changed.
“A lot more energy stored in large logs and dead trees is available to burn now because of sustained drought,” Hurteau said.
In the aftermath of California’s enormous Creek Fire, “I went up and saw ash lines where big logs had been laying — just completely combusted. Remarkable. I’d seen that before, but never along whole hillsides.”
That fire began on the site of a 2011 to 2017 drought that killed and dried out millions of trees — and when it erupted in wildfire in 2020, stores of energy housed in those trees were able to be released.
That allowed the formation of a colossal pyrocumulonimbus cloud, NASA reported — a fire-created storm system that pulls in air, causing it to grow ever larger in a destructive feedback loop.
The dry conditions mean that fires are behaving in perplexing ways, according to the Forest Service chief.
“This spring in New Mexico, a pile burn of hazardous logs that started in January, smoldered underground for months, persisting through multiple snowstorms and freezing temperatures, before resurfacing as a wildfire,” Moore said in his statement. “That type of event was nearly unheard of until recently.”
In this environment, burn crews are going to have have to be a lot more cautious, Todd Gartner of the World Resources Institute told The Hill.
“We’re going to have to be increasingly conservative in when we use fire, how we use fire, and hew to the less risky side of the paradigm,” he said. “It’s gonna get a bit more spicy in the years ahead, for sure.”
Others emphasized that prescribed burns remain an important tool for forest management and can be key in preventing major fires since they help thin out forests.
John Bailey, a professor at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry, said that when land isn’t actively managed, plants that fuel wildfires can build up.
“Particularly out West, fire has been an important part of keeping those fuel levels low,” he told The Hill earlier this month.
“There are a lot of things we can do just generally across our forestlands…to keep those fuel levels down, and part of it is machine work and hand work and part of it is prescribed burning,” he added.
— Rachel Frazin contributed. | 2022-06-24T23:38:34+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/news/national/how-climate-change-is-making-fires-worse/ |
Mom's Choice Award Reflects Evivo's Commitment to Infant Health
DAVIS, Calif., May 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinant Health, Inc, a company focused on improving infant health through the gut microbiome, announced its flagship product, Evivo, is a recipient of this year's Mom's Choice Award. This designation reflects Evivo's place as a best-in-class product widely used by parents and highly recommended by pediatricians, lactation consultants and other medical professionals. Evivo is also used in hospitals and NICUs throughout the U.S.
"We're so pleased that Evivo is a Mom's Choice Award recipient, which reflects what we at Infinant Health as well as parents and healthcare professionals across the country already know to be true – that Evivo can really make a difference in the health of babies," said Anthony Franco, Chief Operating Officer for Infinant Health.
The Mom's Choice Awards evaluates products and services created for children, families and educators. The program is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. MCA evaluators include parents, children, librarians, medical, and education professionals, and are bound by a strict code of ethics which ensures expert and objective analysis. Items are scored on elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost.
"We are happy to award deserving products like Evivo," said Dawn Matheson, CEO, Mom's Choice Awards. "Our panel of judges really felt this product merited a place on our list of the best in family-friendly products that parents and educators can feel confident in using."
Evivo is an infant probiotic containing B. infantis EVC001, a proprietary strain that helps infants develop a healthy microbiome. B. infantis EVC001 has unique features that work with breast milk to reduce potential harmful bacteria and support healthy immune system function.
Potentially harmful bacteria are linked to inflammation and this inflammation may be associated with prevalent childhood issues such as allergies and type 1 diabetes. Evivo is a food for special dietary use, meeting all FDA regulations for food products, and has been used by parents, hospitals and providers for five years with over 4.7 million feedings to date in over 60,000 babies.
Infinant Health's mission is to change the trajectory of human health, one baby at a time, through a deep understanding of infant nutrition and the gut microbiome.
ABOUT INFINANT HEALTH, INC
Infinant Health, Inc ("Infinant Health"), previously known as Evolve Biosystems, is a privately held company committed to changing the trajectory of human health by supporting the development of healthy immune systems via the infant gut microbiome. Infinant Health is building a product pipeline to optimize infant health. Investors in the company include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, Cargill, and other leading institutions. Learn more at www.Evivo.com.
Media Contact: media@infinanthealth.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Infinant Health | 2023-05-16T15:21:30+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/05/16/infinant-health-inc-announces-evivo-is-moms-choice-award-recipient/ |
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jeremy Peña drove in the tiebreaking run in the 10th inning of the Houston Astros' 13th victory in 16 games, 3-2 over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.
Automatic runner Korey Lee advanced on Mauricio Dubon's flyout and scored on Peña's single to right off Aaron Loup (0-3) for the Astros, who hadn't scored since the first inning.
Ryan Pressley (3-2) then struck out Brandon Marsh to end it with the potential tying run on third. The Houston closer pitched two scoreless innings for the AL West leaders, who took two of three from their struggling division rivals at the Big A.
The Astros played the final 8 1/2 innings without José Altuve after the eight-time All-Star selection got hit in the left knee with Reid Detmers’ first pitch of the game. Altuve took his base and eventually scored Houston’s first run, but didn’t come out to play second base in the bottom half of the first.
Altuve has a bruised left leg, the Astros said.
Mike Trout missed his second straight game with upper back spasms for the Angels, who stranded 14 runners and went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position during their 10th loss in 12 games. Los Angeles hasn't won back-to-back games since June 27.
Shohei Ohtani went 1 for 3 with two walks one night after throwing six strong innings and hitting a two-run triple to beat the Astros. Los Angeles is 6-0 since June 9 when Ohtani pitches, and 6-20 when anybody else takes the mound.
Framber Valdez pitched six innings of six-hit ball with six strikeouts for the Astros. The All-Star lefty walked three Halos, who lost to Valdez on Opening Day in Anaheim and then struck out 13 times against Valdez 11 days ago in Houston.
Detmers recovered from a rough first inning to throw six frames of five-hit ball for the Angels, striking out six in the rookie’s second strong start since a brief demotion to the minors.
The Astros went up 2-0 after their first four batters reached base against Detmers. Kyle Tucker delivered a bases-loaded single in the rally.
Los Angeles scored on Jonathan Villar's bases-loaded walk when Valdez lost his control in the third. The Angels tied it in the fourth when Max Stassi scored from third on a passed ball by Martin Maldonado.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: Dubon took over for Altuve at second base. He made a throwing error during a tough play on Stassi's grounder in the fourth, and Stassi eventually scored the tying run. ... LF Michael Brantley flew home after taking swings and still feeling discomfort in his shoulder. The veteran has been on the injured list since late June.
Angels: Trout got another rest day after leaving Tuesday's game with back stiffness. The team still claims it isn't a significant injury, but Trout was not used as a pinch-hitter with the game on the line.
UP NEXT
Astros: Jake Odorizzi (4-2, 3.38 ERA) is expected to start Friday when Houston opens a home series against Oakland before the All-Star break.
Angels: Patrick Sandoval (3-4, 2.95 ERA) takes the mound in Anaheim against Clayton Kershaw to open the two-game Freeway Series before the Dodgers host the All-Star Game.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-07-15T04:15:27+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/Pe-a-delivers-in-10th-Astros-hold-off-slumping-17306607.php |
VANCOUVER, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- City Office REIT, Inc. (NYSE: CIO) ("City Office" or the "Company") announced today that it has completed the previously announced sale of its Lake Vista Pointe property in Dallas, Texas for a gross sale price of $43.8 million inclusive of certain transaction costs that the buyer is responsible for paying.
The disposition represents a gain on sale of $22 million and translates to a 6.1% cash capitalization rate, including an adjustment for an unfunded tenant improvement allowance. Including this sale, the Company's ten dispositions to date have generated over $570 million of gains.
Net proceeds from the sale will be used to repay $16.8 million of mortgage debt and the balance will be held for general corporate purposes, which may include reinvestment in a tax-efficient exchange, a special dividend distribution, further debt reduction or a share repurchase.
About City Office REIT, Inc.
City Office REIT is an internally-managed real estate company focused on acquiring, owning and operating high-quality office properties located in leading 18-hour cities in the Southern and Western United States. City Office currently owns or has a controlling interest in 6.0 million square feet of office properties. The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management's current expectations, assumptions and beliefs. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect," "intend," "may" and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. They are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among other things, the timing and amount of repurchases of CIO's common stock, if any, changes to CIO's expected liquidity position and the risk factors set forth in CIO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, CIO does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Contact
City Office REIT, Inc.
Anthony Maretic, CFO
+1-604-806-3366
investorrelations@cityofficereit.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE City Office REIT, Inc. | 2022-06-15T22:49:58+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/city-office-reit-announces-sale-lake-vista-pointe-property-438-million/ |
Walmart is expanding health care coverage for employees who want to enlist the services of a doula, a person trained to assist women during pregnancies, to address racial inequities in maternal care.
After first offering doulas to employees in Georgia last year, the nation’s largest retailer said Wednesday that it will expand the same benefit to its employees in Louisiana, Indiana and Illinois.
Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, largely due to differences in the quality of health care, underlying chronic conditions and structural racism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Employing a doula as a part of a birthing team decreases C-sections by 50%, shortens the time of labor by 25% and decreases the need for other medical interventions by more than 50%, according to the National Black Doulas Association.
Walmart said it chose to extend coverage to Louisiana, Indiana and Illinois because of the potential for instant impact for employees who live in those three states. The company said that in Louisiana, the mortality rate is five times higher for Black mothers than it is for white mothers. Walmart said that in Indiana, 33 counties don’t have OB-GYN services.
“Our goal in expanding this doula benefit, a service that is not normally covered under traditional medical plans, is not only to make pregnancy easier for mothers in these states, but to help keep them safe,” wrote Lisa Woods, Walmart’s vice president, physical and emotional well-being, and Warren Moore, Walmart’s vice president of social determinants of health in a company blog.
Employees on the company’s medical plan can receive assistance from a doula with coverage of up to $1,000 per pregnancy, Walmart said Wednesday. The company already has in place a “Life with Baby” program, which offers no-cost resources like one-on-one coaching from a nurse, tools to track daily progress and gifts for new babies.
Other major U.S. companies are also offering doula services for employees, including CVS Health and Microsoft. | 2022-06-22T15:56:20+00:00 | sun-sentinel.com | https://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/ct-biz-walmart-doulas-ap-20220622-m342a7o675fnji6a5ep57jqou4-story.html |
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Lewis homered for the second straight game, Julio Rodríguez got three more hits and the Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 6-0 on Saturday night.
Logan Gilbert tossed seven impressive innings of four-hit ball as the Mariners won consecutive games for the first time since a four-game winning streak from April 22-26.
Two relievers finished a five-hitter, the first shutout this season for Seattle. Houston was held to three runs or less for the eighth time in 12 games.
Gilbert (5-2) went seven innings for the third successive start, but picked up his first win since May 1 against Miami. In his past three outings, the second-year righty has allowed a total of six earned runs over 21 innings with 18 strikeouts.
“His continued growth, the confidence he has when he takes the mound, it’s as high as anybody’s in the league right now, and it should be,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “He’s got great stuff, he’s got a great idea of what he’s doing out there, and he is super aggressive and on the attack. I love watching him pitch.”
Gilbert retired his final 11 batters.
“Just trying to get ahead,” he said. “That’s the main thing we preach here. I did a pretty good job of it. Just get in good counts and mix it up, give them different looks. That was the main thing.”
Gilbert’s performance was the first time all season a Seattle pitcher has thrown seven shutout innings.
“You get that guy a lead like that, he has a lot of weapons he can throw against you,” Houston manager Dusty Baker said. “We hit some balls on the nose and we didn’t find any holes. And they found every hole.”
After taking a 1-0 lead in the first on J.P. Crawford’s RBI single, Seattle added two more runs in the second thanks to a long homer from Lewis that clanked off the front of the left-field bleachers and was projected at 420 feet.
The home run was Lewis’ second of the season. His first came on Friday against Justin Verlander, one of four given up by the Astros ace.
“He brings more fear to our lineup,” France said. “We’ve got a good 1 through 9 and having him back, it just helps all of us. We know we’ve got another guy that can go out at any moment and do damage.”
Eugenio Suarez had a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and the Mariners added two more in the fifth on Ty France’s two-run single. France had two hits and extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
“We’ve been capable of this all year, and it’s finally coming together,” France said. “I told you guys before we were close, and I think these last few days have showed what kind of team we really are.”
Houston starter José Urquidy failed to make it through the fifth after allowing a single to Rodríguez, and was pulled after 4 2/3 innings. The hit was Rodríguez’s third of the night and fourth time on base.
Urquidy (4-2) allowed 12 hits and five earned runs with two walks and four strikeouts. It was the second time this season he’s given up 12 hits in a game — the other was May 17 against Boston.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: RHP Ken Giles (finger), whose scheduled rehab outing for Triple-A Tacoma was rained out Saturday, will most likely have four to five outings between Tacoma and Class A Everett before making his season debut. ... RHP Erik Swanson (elbow) threw a bullpen as he works his way back from right elbow inflammation. ... INF Abraham Toro (shoulder) is scheduled to be sent out on a rehab assignment early next week if he continues to progress well from a sprained left shoulder.
Astros: OF Kyle Tucker was removed in the sixth due to discomfort in his foot. Baker said Tucker will have more tests Sunday, but the move was precautionary.
UP NEXT
Astros: RHP Luis Garcia (3-3, 3.38 ERA) will try to snap a two-start losing streak. In his last start, Garcia allowed four runs — two earned — and five hits in a 6-1 loss to Cleveland.
Mariners: LHP Marco Gonzales (3-4, 3.74) looks to win his third consecutive start. Gonzales allowed five runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings last time out, a 7-6 win against Oakland.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-05-29T07:08:10+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Lewis-homers-Gilbert-dominant-as-Mariners-blank-17206202.php |
NEW YORK, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Teladoc Health, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of TDOC during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
CLASS PERIOD: October 28, 2021 to April 27, 2022
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) increased competition, among other factors, was negatively impacting Teladoc's BetterHelp and chronic care businesses; (ii) accordingly, the growth of those businesses was less sustainable than Defendants had led investors to believe; (iii) as a result, Teladoc's revenue and adjusted EBITDA projections for FY 2022 were unrealistic; (iv) as a result of all the foregoing, Teladoc would be forced to recognize a significant non-cash goodwill impairment charge; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: August 5, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/teladoc-health-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=29738&from=4
Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of TDOC during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is August 5, 2022. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
The Gross Law Firm is nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
View original content:
SOURCE The Gross Law Firm | 2022-07-13T11:08:51+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-teladoc-health-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-5-2022-nyse-tdoc/ |
(NewsNation) — Grocery shoppers have become resourceful amid America’s ongoing record inflation, which has spiked grocery prices by 13% over the last year.
According to a September Food Dive study, six out of 10 of the 2,000 surveyed consumers reported buying foods close to the expiration date due to affordability, with 46% saying they disregard the printed expiration date altogether.
While discount grocery shopping isn’t new, the report did find this eye-opening stat: 16.6% of those shopping for bargains started doing so this year.
Just ask Ron Rojas — the owner of Chicago, Illinois, discount grocery store Continental Sales Lots 4 Less.
While he has been selling food up to the expiration date or past the expiration date for 40 years, it wasn’t until recently that Rojas had to make renovations for growth.
“In the last six to eight weeks, we just had to add two more shopping lanes to accommodate all the increased traffic. Sometimes you see a line that goes back as far as 200 feet,” Rojas said. “I would say, starting in September, it really started picking up more.”
It’s a trend others should consider jumping on, being that 68% of Americans say they have felt the biggest impact of inflation in their monthly grocery expenses, according to a recent online WalletHub survey
At Rojas’ store, you can catch savings of up to 90%. He even has the mega savings broken down into tiers.
“When it’s approaching expiration dates, I call it phenomenal pricing — like half off or more of the normal retail. When it goes to the thrift section — past our expiration date — it can be anywhere from 75%, 80%, 90% off. We call them stupid prices when they get to that point,” Rojas said.
But buying close-to-expiring discounted food may be the best alternative to combat prices for another reason: expirations labels do not determine food quality.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “if the date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident.” The site goes on to say that, “to reduce food waste, it is important that consumers understand that the dates applied to food are for quality and not for safety.”
“It’s not something that we outwardly market because of product sensitivity, but it’s definitely legal and safe to eat and we guarantee everything that we sale here and it’s rare that we have anything returned,” Rojas said.
Rojas does say there are limits to what his store will not sell when it comes to expiration dates.
“Generally speaking, we try to keep it at three to six months past expatriations dates,” Rojas said, admitting that his store definitely does not sell “anything like baby formula or baby food out of date. That’s definitely illegal.”
Pinched for money or not, rethinking the approach to food labels is a practice the majority of individuals should adopt, as more than 80% of Americans discard perfectly good food because they misunderstand expiration labels, according to a survey from Recycle Track Systems. | 2022-12-13T20:14:31+00:00 | wate.com | https://www.wate.com/news/grocery-shoppers-look-to-expired-food-to-save-money-report/ |
Two men who were active-duty members of the Marines Corps when they stormed the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty on Monday to riot-related criminal charges.
Joshua Abate and Dodge Dale Hellonen are scheduled to be sentenced in September by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes. Both pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia.
Many Capitol rioters are military veterans, but only a few were actively serving in the armed forces when they joined a mob’s attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
A third active-duty Marine, Micah Coomer, also was charged with Abate and Hellonen. Coomer pleaded guilty to the same misdemeanor charge in May and is scheduled to be sentenced by Reyes on Aug. 30.
All three men face a maximum sentence of six months of imprisonment.
As of May 19, the Marines were still in the service. No additional information was available Monday.
David Dischley, an attorney for Abate, declined to comment on his client’s guilty plea. An assistant public defender who represents Hellonen didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Authorities arrested the three men in January: Abate at Fort Meade, Maryland; Coomer in Oceanside, California; and Hellonen in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Witnesses stationed with Coomer at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia and with Hellonen at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina identified them in videos of the Jan. 6 riot, according to the FBI. A third witness — also a Marine — identified Abate from footage captured inside the Capitol, the FBI said.
During a June 2022 for his security clearance, Abate said he and two “buddies” had walked through the Capitol on Jan. 6 “and tried not to get hit with tear gas,” according to an FBI special agent.
“Abate also admitted he heard how the event was being portrayed negatively and decided that he should not tell anybody about going into the U.S. Capitol Building,” the agent wrote in an affidavit.
After the riot, Coomer posted photos on Instagram with the caption “Glad to be (a part) of history.” The angles of the photos and the caption indicated he had been inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, the FBI said. The phone number listed for Coomer in his military personal file matched the Instagram account.
Coomer drove to Washington on the morning of Jan. 6 from his military post in Virginia. He attended then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally with Abate and Hellonen before they entered the Capitol. Inside the Rotunda, they placed a red “Make America Great Again” hat on a statute before taking photos of it, prosecutors said. The three men spent nearly an hour inside the Capitol before leaving.
Less than a month after the riot, Coomer told another Instagram user that he believed “everything in this country is corrupt.”
“We honestly need a fresh restart. I’m waiting for the boogaloo,” he wrote, according to the FBI.
When the other user asked what that term meant, Coomer wrote, “Civil war 2.”
“Boogaloo” movement supporters use the term as slang for a second civil war or collapse of civilization. They frequently show up at protests armed with rifles and wearing Hawaiian shirts under body armor.
Over 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes for their conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Approximately 600 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors punishable by maximum terms of imprisonment of six months or one year.
___ Associated Press writer Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. | 2023-06-13T12:18:29+00:00 | cenlanow.com | https://www.cenlanow.com/news/ap-top-headlines/2-active-duty-marines-plead-guilty-to-capitol-riot-charges/ |
DENVER — Xcel customers who have seen their bills double or even triple are speaking out in a Public Utilities Commission public comment hearing on affordability Tuesday.
Denver7 has been covering the dramatic increase in utility bills, with gas bills going up 80% this winter season compared to last year's.
"I'm very concerned about families and people and children being able to stay warm in this record-breaking cold weather," said Flor Alvidrez, a Denver Resident, who spoke at Tuesday's hearing.
Consumer advocates said record numbers of people are reaching out to the PUC, and it's not about complaining — it's about reaching critical mass.
"There's a critical mass of consumers who are concerned about this," said Cindy Schonhaut, the director of the Colorado Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate. "It has to do with stories like Denver7 is doing, and social media and other more widespread ways of getting information out."
It's one thing to see charts showing gas prices increasing, and it's another thing entirely to hear from someone choosing between paying his gas bill and feeding his family.
Gary Martinez choked up when describing his attempts to get assistance paying his bill.
"I tried applying for LEAP, and I was on the phone for 30 minutes. They said they could call me back and they never did. I'm still waiting for a call," said Martinez.
Others complained in the hearing about a long backlog for Xcel's solar hookups.
Details like that, show what is supposed to be helping people save may not be working.
"There's a lot of little pieces of this policy, like our low-income assistance programs, are they working? Do customers know how to access them?" said Erin O'Neill, the PUC's chief economist, explaining why public hearings are important in understanding what people are dealing with.
Again and again, consumers pointed out that Xcel is a monopoly, making record profits and requesting more rate hikes in 2023. They asked the PUC not to allow it.
"My bill went from $150 to a shocking $365 in one month," said Dawn Fetzko. "I'm a small business owner and my profits have to go back into my business, I don't get to ask everyone for more money."
If you were not able to attend the meetings, there are many ways to make your voice heard.
- Via the Commission’s online form [docs.google.com]
- By email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us
- By mail to the Commission’s offices at Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202
- By phone at any time by calling (303) 869-3490 and leaving a voicemail. Verbal comments can be provided in English and Spanish.
- Verbal comments can also be provided at public comment hearings. Public comment hearings are not scheduled for all proceedings. You can provide comments for a proceeding using all of the other methods above regardless of whether there is a public comment hearing.
The Commission can accept written or verbal comments in any language. Comments will be translated and included in the appropriate proceedings. To make a request for an interpreter at a public comment hearing, or to ask for a document to be translated, please use the Language Access Form [docs.google.com].
If you would like to share public comments in American Sign Language by video, please contact Holly Bise (holly.bise@state.co.us).
Editor's note: Contact7 seeks out audience tips and feedback to help people in need, resolve problems and hold the powerful accountable. If you know of a community need our call center could address, or have a story idea for our investigative team to pursue, please email us at contact7@thedenverchannel.com or call (303) 832-7777. Find more Contact7 stories here. | 2023-02-01T01:55:15+00:00 | denver7.com | https://www.denver7.com/news/contact-denver7/xcel-customers-blast-utility-in-puc-affordability-hearing |
Through Nov. 14
- New Indian restaurant, Veedu, opening the first week of December in Midland
- Lee's Corner Store, one of Midland County's oldest businesses, set to...
- Black ice causes several crashes on M-20 in Midland
- U.S. Coney & Cone to return to Midland
- Haynes resigns as NU football coach after seven seasons
- Valley Plaza hotels owner faces several charges, owes delinquent...
- Crime log: Employee reports being inappropriately touched
- How to reverse Diabetes Belly fat: The removal of Diabetes...
Most Popular
- The city began the five-year project Monday, starting with its sewer lining and cleaning phase...
- For the 26th year, people came together in Midland to raise money for the National Multiple...
- What's Happening in the Great Lakes Bay Region?
- The Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting... | 2022-11-15T20:42:47+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/NASCAR-Xfinity-Laps-in-Top-15-17586765.php |
Timoteo Circus conductor and administrative manager Stéfano Rubio takes the stage on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timoteo Circus is a show that has fought prejudice and discrimination against Chile’s LGBTQ community for more than a half century. Esteban Felix/AP
The silhouette of an artist is seen through a stage curtain during a Timoteo Circus show, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Although it is called a circus, it is more of a sexual diversity show with humor, song and dance under a big top. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Yendely Anahis exits the stage, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Since 1968, the Timoteo Circus has broken barriers faced by the Chilean LGBTQ community with a show aimed at an adult audience. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Arturo Peña, 66, acknowledges the audience’s applause on closing night, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Peña, whose transformations includes “La loca de la cartera" or “The Crazy Purse Lady,” is one of the most popular acts of the show aimed at an adult audience. Esteban Felix/AP
Audience members bust out laughing as Arturo Peña in his role as "La loca de la cartera", or “The Crazy Purse Lady,” engages with the public during a Timoteo Circus show, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Peña said that during the Augusto Pinochet military dictatorship the male artists who dressed as women used to receive kicks and blows during performances, and the idea of carrying a purse in the act was to use in self-defense. Esteban Felix/AP
Founder of the Timoteo Circus René Valdés and his cast, take a bow at the end of their show, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. The show began in 1968 when one of the circus’ female dancers was absent for a performance. Valdés had one of the male performers dress as a woman and replace her on stage. The performance was so popular the dancer did five curtain calls to receive applause. The transformation circus was born and has been committed to sexual diversity ever since. Esteban Felix/AP
Founder of the Timoteo Circus René Valdés poses for a photo under a red canopy on the show’s current lot, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Valdés, 86, who remembers the letters received over the years, some with praise and others full of insults, retains his sense of humor and believes his show has built spaces of tolerance and helped combat the rigidity of the once conservative Chilean society. Esteban Felix/AP
Kathy Fontey, a veteran cast member of the Timoteo Circus, poses for a photo holding her 3-year-old godchild, Florin, under a red canopy on the show’s current circus lot, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Florin is the daughter of announcer Stéfano Rubio, who recently replaced his father Nano Rubio, the longtime announcer and artistic designer of Timoteo. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Adolfo Salas dressed in character as Prince Angel poses for a photo in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. The Timoteo Circus is a show that has fought prejudice and discrimination against Chile’s LGBTQ community for more than a half century. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Ricardo Maltina dressed in character as Yessenia Duval poses for a photo on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. The Timoteo Circus is a show that has fought prejudice and discrimination against Chile’s LGBTQ community for more than a half century. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer René Sáez, dressed in his role as “Verónica Power,” poses for a photo on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. “The idea of the transformer is that one walks in like a man during the day and transforms at night. That is what it is all about. During the day I am a man and one feels like a man and at night I play a woman’s role. On stage, I think I’m a woman but inside one has the mentality of a man,” said Sáez. Esteban Felix/AP
Framed by a ring light, Timoteo Circus performer Alejandro Pavés who plays the role of Alexandra Jean-Marie, records a social media video, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Pavés recalled life for the Timoteo performers under the regime of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, which governed the South American country from 1973 to 1990. “It was terrible to work under the dictatorship … there was a lot of hatred for gays in Chile at that time,” Pavés told The Associated Press, recalling the number of times he had been arrested, insulted and mistreated. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Arturo Peña, poses for a photo on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Peña, 66, whose transformations includes “La loca de la cartera" or “The Crazy Purse Lady,” is one of the most popular acts of the show that is aimed at an adult audience. Esteban Felix/AP
Mathilda Sanhueza, 6, stands inside a Timoteo Circus tent wearing a scary clown mask, ion the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. The Timoteo Circus is a show that has fought prejudice and discrimination against Chile’s LGBTQ community for more than a half century. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer René Sáez, 51, begins his transformation to his stage presence “Verónica Power,” in preparation for the evening show on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. “The idea of the transformer is that one walks in like a man during the day and transforms at night. That is what it is all about. During the day I am a man and one feels like a man and at night I play a woman’s role. On stage, I think I’m a woman but inside one has the mentality of a man,” said Sáez. Esteban Felix/AP
Lights illuminate the Circus Timoteo’s big top, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. The Timoteo Circus is a show that has fought prejudice and discrimination against Chile’s LGBTQ community for more than a half century. Esteban Felix/AP
Bastian Rubio, second left, and workers wash a portion of the Timoteo Circus tent, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. An adopted grandson of founder René Valdés, Rubio is in charge of washing the circus tent, as well as setting it up and taking it down and performs as a musician, juggler, tightrope walker and clown. Esteban Felix/AP
Bastian Rubio slides down a portion of the Timoteo Circus tent, during the dismantling of the tent for a move to another city, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. An adopted grandson of founder René Valdés, Rubio is in charge of washing the circus tent, as well as setting it up and taking it down and performs as a musician, juggler, tightrope walker and clown. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus founder René Valdés helps with the dismantling of his circus tent for a move to another city, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. The show began in 1968 when one of the circus’ female dancers was absent for a performance. Valdés had one of the male performers dress as a woman and replace her on stage. The performance was so popular the dancer did five curtain calls to receive applause. The transformation circus was born and has been committed to sexual diversity ever since. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Alejandro Pavés who plays the role of Alexandra Jean-Marie, takes a bucket shower, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Pavés, who comes from a family with a strong military and religious tradition, hid his sexual identity from his family until a television program revealed what he did. His family eventually accepted him but he says there always was the “shame of having a gay son, uncle or cousin.” Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Arturo Peña, 66, hangs his wash on a makeshift clothesline, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Peña, whose transformations includes “La loca de la cartera" or “The Crazy Purse Lady,” a role that has allowed him to escape life in the countryside and give life to his artistic side, which he combines with an administrative weekday job. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Adolfo Salas looks out from his trailer as he begins his transformation to Prince Angel for the evening show, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. The Timoteo Circus is a show that has fought prejudice and discrimination against Chile’s LGBTQ community for more than a half century Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer Alejandro Pavés who plays the role of Alexandra Jean-Marie, prepares a cup of instant coffee before taking the stage, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Pavés, who comes from a family with a strong military and religious tradition, hid his sexual identity from his family until a television program revealed what he did. His family eventually accepted him but he says there always was the “shame of having a gay son, uncle or cousin.” Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performers, Adolfo Salas, from left, Arturo Peña and René Sáez, begin their transformations to Prince Angel, “La loca de la cartera" or “The Crazy Purse Lady,” and “Verónica Power,” respectively, inside their trailer in the backyard of the Timoteo Circus lot, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timoteo Circus is a show that has fought prejudice and discrimination against Chile’s LGBTQ community for more than a half century. Esteban Felix/AP
Timoteo Circus performer René Sáez, dressed in his role as “Verónica Power,” waits in the wings for his cue, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. “The idea of the transformer is that one walks in like a man during the day and transforms at night. That is what it is all about. During the day I am a man and one feels like a man and at night I play a woman’s role. On stage, I think I’m a woman but inside one has the mentality of a man,” said Sáez. Esteban Felix/AP
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — The transformation begins as night falls on this semi-desert esplanade on the outskirts of Chile’s capital, with Arturo, Alejandro and René applying makeup and donning wigs, feathers and sequins to become “Verónica Power,” "Alexandra” and “The Crazy Purse Woman.”
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The characters are classics of the Timoteo Circus, a show that has fought prejudice and discrimination against Chile’s LGBTQ community for more than a half century, even through a military dictatorship, in a country known for its devout Catholicism.
“Alexandra” – played by 65-year-old Alejandro Pavés – recalled life for the performers under the regime of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, which governed the South American country from 1973 to 1990.
“It was terrible to work under the dictatorship … there was a lot of hatred for gays in Chile at that time,” Pavés told The Associated Press, recalling the number of times he had been arrested, insulted and mistreated.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“The police would arrive and take us prisoner and if they found you dressed as a woman they would give you a sodomy” charge, which would mark you for the rest of your life, Pavés said. “The owners had to hide us.”
Although it is called a circus, it is more of a sexual diversity show with humor, song and dance under a big top, and has 30 employees. At its peaks it had up to 70. The Timoteo Circus is one of the best known of Chile’s 120 circuses.
“All Chileans know Circo Timoteo, it’s like an institution,” said Stéfano Rubio, a conductor and administrative manager of the circus.
The show began in 1968 when one of the circus’ female dancers was absent for a performance. Its founder, René Valdés, had one of the male performers dress as a woman and replace her on stage. The performance was so popular the dancer did five curtain calls to receive applause. The transformation circus was born and has been committed to sexual diversity ever since.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Arturo Peña, who plays “The Crazy Purse Lady,” said that during the dictatorship the performers used to receive kicks and blows for their appearance, and the idea of carrying a purse in her act was to use in self-defense.
Pavés, who comes from a family with a strong military and religious tradition, hid his sexual identity from his family until a television program revealed what he did.
His family eventually accepted him but he says there always was the “shame of having a gay son, uncle or cousin.”
Now, he cannot see himself having any other job than the Timoteo Circus, and that when he dies he wants his funeral to be held under the circus’ big top.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“Today I work with more security, they accept me more” and the public understands the message better, he said. | 2023-03-01T06:03:31+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/chilean-circus-has-fought-lgbtq-discrimination-17812332.php |
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia swatted away the field goal attempt, the ball spinning to a stop at its 4-yard line. The LSU players trudged off the field, thinking the play was over.
Christopher Smith knew better. He suddenly scooped it up and took off the other way, sprinting 96 yards for a touchdown that epitomized the Bulldogs program.
They were a step ahead of LSU on Saturday.
They’ve been a step ahead of everyone for two years now.
With all sorts of turmoil behind them in the rankings, Georgia headed to the College Football Playoff as the clear No. 1, dismantling the No. 11 Tigers 50-30 in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday.
Stetson Bennett’s threw a season-high four touchdown passes in another stellar postseason performance, while Smith’s heads-up play gave the Bulldogs an early spark.
“I’ve got good players around me. I’m not that bad at football, either,” Bennett said with a smile. “We’ve got a good team.”
Georgia (13-0, No. 1 CFP) also caught a big break when Smith deflected a pass that bounced off an LSU receiver’s helmet and wound up being picked off by the Bulldogs, setting up a score that contributed to a 35-10 lead by halftime.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels re-injured a sore right ankle late in the second quarter, giving way to Garrett Nussmeier in the second half.
The backup guiding the Tigers (9-4, No. 14 CFP) to three touchdowns, but it wasn’t nearly enough.
Georgia accomplished something that not even last season’s national championship squad could could do — win its first SEC title since 2017. The Bulldogs were denied in this game a year ago by Alabama, before bouncing back to beat the Crimson Tide in the title game.
“I don’t want one kid to walk out of our program without an SEC championship ring in their careers,” coach Kirby Smart said. “That could’ve happened. They said enough is enough and got ’em one tonight.”
Georgia heads into the playoff assured of a return trip to Atlanta for a de facto semifinal home game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, just 75 miles from its Athens campus.
LSU’s outside hopes of crashing the four-team playoff field were wiped out a week ago by a stunning loss at Texas A&M, one of several upsets that will give the selection committee plenty to think about before its announcement Sunday.
Tennessee and Clemson also ruined their playoff hopes with losses late in the regular season, while No. 4 Southern California is presumably out after getting blown out by Utah in the Pac-12 title game Friday night.
Just as the SEC game was kicking off, No. 3 TCU lost to Kansas State in overtime for the Big 12 championship, further clouding a playoff picture that suddenly looks much more favorable for No. 5 Ohio State and No. 6 Alabama.
No matter who makes the elite field, Georgia is firmly focused on becoming the first repeat national champion since Alabama in 2011-12, having won all but one game this season by double-digit margins.
“I’ve tried not to play attention to any of it,” Smart said of all the chaos. “It didn’t matter to me. That’s so far away.”
The Bulldogs showed they are more than just a bunch of talented athletes — this is a smart, well-coached group.
When Nazir Stackhouse burst through the middle of the line to block LSU’s 32-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter, Smith knew what to do.
“That’s a scenario we go over a lot in practice,” he said.
He looked toward the sideline to see if it was OK to grab it.
“You’re not allowed to pick it up unless you can score with it,” Smart said.
Smith took care of the rest, dashing to the end zone without a Tigers player in sight.
LSU coach Brian Kelly blamed himself and his staff for allowing the play to happen.
“Obviously, we did a poor job if coaching,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to have our guys alert in that situation. They were not alert.”
LSU quickly tied it up on Daniels’ 53-yard touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte, only to have Bennett take control from there.
The sixth-year senior, a former walk-on who was offensive MVP of both Georgia playoff wins a year ago, struck for four TD passes in a less than 15-minute span: 3 yards to Brock Bowers, 22 yards to Ladd McConkey, 14 yards to Darnell Washington and 3 yards to Dillon Bell.
Just like that, Georgia led 35-7.
“I was in a zone,” Bennett said.
It’s been that way for two years now.
THE TAKEAWAY
LSU: Kelly’s debut season turned a bit ugly the last two weeks, but the Tigers are on the right track. “We want to get back here next year,” Kelly said. “Get back here and win it.”
Georgia: Win or lose in the SEC title game, the Bulldogs were assured of a spot in the playoff. But Smart continues to impress with his ability to keep the team motivated. While there were some huge defensive lapses in the second half, this game was never in doubt.
GOING FOR 2
When Georgia scored its final touchdown early in the fourth quarter for a 48-23 lead, Smart surprisingly called for a 2-point conversion.
The Bulldogs converted it with a trick play, but Smart insisted that he wasn’t trying to run up the score.
“The books says you go for 2 there,” he said.
When asked about the play, Kelly stumbled over his words a bit before finally saying, “I don’t get too caught up in what other teams are doing.”
INJURY REPORT
While Daniels went down for LSU, Georgia also lost a couple of players to injuries in the first half.
McConkey landed awkwardly making a catch along the sideline, inflaming a knee issue that’s been bothering him all year. Tight offensive tackle Warren McClendon sustained what appears to be a mild MCL sprain.
Neither returned after halftime.
UP NEXT
LSU: The Tigers get their postseason assignment Sunday, with the Citrus Bowl among the possibilities.
Georgia: The only question is who the Bulldogs will meet in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve, with TCU, Ohio State and SEC rival Alabama all in the mix.
___
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhe6f2 | 2022-12-04T18:37:44+00:00 | wearegreenbay.com | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-no-1-georgia-romps-into-playoff-with-50-30-sec-win-vs-lsu/ |
Nemesis; hubris; redemption; headgear. Those are pretty much the main themes of Jon Klassen’s wonderous trilogy of picture books that kicked off in 2011 with the seminal ‘I Want My Hat Back’, in which a dopey bear wanders the forest looking for his missing red party hat, eventually clocking that it has been nicked by a rabbit, which it’s then very strongly implied that the bear goes on to kill and eat. Followed by ‘This Is Not My Hat’ – in which a small fish soliloquises to the reader about how he’s definitely going to get away with stealing a big fish’s bowler hat – and ‘We Found a Hat’ – in which two tortoise pals must decide what to do with a sombrero – the three books contain no shared characters or plot, but are linked by Klassen’s gloriously deadpan, almost woodcut-like drawings, sparse dialogue and bracingly morally ambiguous humour.
The same qualities have also made the books tricky to adapt: the National did a sort of maximalist fantasia on ‘I Want My Hat Back’ a few years ago that was a lot of fun but didn’t especially resemble the source material beyond the key plot beats. The basic problem is that a literal stage adaptation of ‘I Want My Hat Back’ would only be about ten minutes long, and it’s difficult to see how you can convey Klassen’s distinctive visual style with human actors.
But that was before there was a trilogy, and – crucially – before the pandemic. This stage version of the three books started life as a lockdown project for designer Sam Wilde and director Ian Nicholson, who adapted ‘I Want My Hat Back’ into a short digital film using cardboard puppets made from recycled materials that exactly copied the look of Klassen’s book. ‘This Is Not My Hat’ and ‘We Found a Hat’ followed and now here’s a live version of all three.
The trilogy immediately solves the runtime issue: the revamped show – performed with a perfect mischievous glint by puppeteers Imogen Khan and Simon Lyshon – now stretches to a walloping 35 minutes. I sincerely doubt a cardboard version would be commissioned if starting from scratch, but it looks great: pure Klassen, with the puppets’ extremely limited mobility perfectly replicating the static nature of his drawings. Instead of being individually expressive, the puppets are continually swapped for new ones at different sizes or in different poses – eg the bear sitting down is switched for the bear lying down is switched for the bear running. It’s an amusingly laborious touch that also feels in keeping with the source material.
Moreover, for a show aimed at ages three to six, there’s something startlingly profound about seeing the three stories together. Each has a surprisingly sharp twist. For ‘I Want My Hat Back’, it’s the extreme, shocking nature of the bear’s vengeance. In ‘This Is Not My Hat’, it’s the sense that the fish’s unwise grandstanding has cost it dear. And in ‘We Found a Hat’ it’s the reversal of the earlier darkness and ultimate triumph of friendship, as one tortoise decides not to steal the hat after its friend shares a dream in which they both had hats.
It would maaaaybe be a stretch to compare it to Greek tragedy, but there’s something of the devastating emotional clarity of the ‘Oresteia’ trilogy here: after two stories with shocking denouements, there’s a definite catharsis to the end of ‘We Found a Hat’, beautifully manifested as the flat cardboard tortoises are swapped for three-dimensional ones with mirrorred shells that hover over us dreamily, like a pair of disco balls reflecting the light.
Yes, they’re funny stories about animals fighting over hats, nominally aimed at young kids. But the reason the books have enjoyed such cult success is that they go to places that other stories for preschoolers won’t. Wilde and Nicholson’s adaptation is in many ways good because it’s so literal. But staged as a single piece of theatre, the stories take on a surprising profundity that transcends the books. All life is under these hats. | 2022-06-07T13:38:00+00:00 | timeout.com | https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/i-want-my-hat-back-trilogy-review |
TALLAHASSEE — In what could be a first-of-its-kind case in Florida, a former state correctional officer is asking an appeals court to overturn his dismissal for using medical marijuana.
Samuel Velez Ortiz, who was a sergeant for the Florida Department of Corrections, was approved by a doctor to use medical marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder related to previous military service, according to documents filed in the case. He tested positive for marijuana last year during a random test, ultimately leading to his firing under a Department of Corrections “zero tolerance” policy.
Velez Ortiz took the dispute to the 1st District Court of Appeal after the state Public Employees Relations Commission upheld the dismissal in January. His attorneys point, in part, to a 2016 state constitutional amendment that broadly authorized the use of medical marijuana in Florida and say Velez Ortiz did not use the substance while on duty.
“The department attempts to cloud the main issue of this case by ignoring the fact that appellant (Velez Ortiz) was terminated for being a legal medical marijuana user,” the attorneys wrote in a July brief. “The department implies that appellant was seeking to use medical marijuana ‘on site.’ Nothing could be further from the truth. The case before this court is not about having accommodations for on-site use of medical marijuana; rather, it revolves around the discrimination against appellant for being a medical marijuana user. More importantly, not once did appellant possess or use medical marijuana while on the department’s premises, during work hours or attended work under the influence of medical marijuana.”
[ RELATED: Black farmer’s death leads to dispute over Florida medical marijuana license ]
But lawyers in Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office in a brief this month wrote that the Department of Corrections’ drug-free workplace policy and “procedures implementing that policy reveal zero tolerance for employee use of medical marijuana.”
“Velez Ortiz does not dispute that the department may validly prohibit correctional officers from being under the influence of marijuana, including medical marijuana, while on the job, no matter whether the officer ingested that substance on or off site,” the Nov. 16 brief said. “Yet the department has no way to distinguish between an officer who is high on the job because he ingested medical marijuana from a person who ingested the same drug off-site. The result would be untenable risks to public safety. A correctional officer who shows up to work high or experiencing the lingering effects of marijuana — including lack of focus and delayed reaction times — may not trigger alarm bells until the worst-case scenario has already come to pass.”
The Florida Sheriffs Association filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday backing the department, saying employers have the authority to enforce drug-free workplace policies.
“Put bluntly, sheriffs and other employers have the clear authority to terminate an employee who violates their policies by testing positive for any marijuana — recreational or medicinal,” the association’s brief said.
The briefs filed by Velez Ortiz and the sheriffs association describe the dispute as being a case of “first impression” in Florida — a legal expression indicating the issues have not been considered previously by courts.
[ RELATED: Lawsuit on gun licenses for medical marijuana patients in Florida going to US appeals court ]
Velez Ortiz began working for the Department of Corrections in 2013 and had been diagnosed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Jan. 11 decision by the Public Employees Relations Commission. He tried prescription drugs to treat the PTSD, but they had undesired side effects.
Breaking News Alerts
A doctor approved what is known as a “registration card” that allowed Velez Ortiz to buy medical marijuana under the 2016 constitutional amendment and a related 2017 state law. Velez Ortiz and two other Department of Corrections employees tested positive for marijuana during random testing in May 2021, according to the commission decision.
The two other employees later provided notes from physicians confirming that they were no longer using medical marijuana and remained employed with the department. But Velez Ortiz provided a note from his doctor to “support his continued use of medicinal marijuana,” leading to his dismissal, the commission decision said.
While the briefs do not indicate where Velez Ortiz worked, a July 2021 dismissal letter filed in the case was signed by Joseph Edwards, warden of the department’s Reception and Medical Center in Lake Butler.
A hearing officer in November 2021 recommended upholding Velez Ortiz’s dismissal — a recommendation that was approved in the decision by the Public Employees Relations Commission.
“This case turns on the fact that even though medical marijuana is legal under Florida law, the department has adopted a blanket policy prohibiting any use of marijuana,” the commission decision said. “It is not our prerogative to rewrite the department’s drug-free workplace policy or question its wisdom.”
But in their brief, attorneys for Velez Ortiz wrote that medical marijuana “should be treated just as any other medical drug that requires a qualified physician to prescribe the use of it, and a ‘qualified patient’ should not be discriminated against like any other medical patient.”
“This court should find the department’s policies provide for an employee to present proof of his legal use of the substance that resulted in a positive test and that the definition of prescription and non-prescription drug includes medical marijuana pursuant to Florida statutes,” the brief said. “This court should reverse the department’s order and require the department to reinstate the petitioner to his prior position with back pay and all accrued seniority.” | 2022-11-29T22:53:41+00:00 | sun-sentinel.com | https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-nsf-cop-dismissed-medical-marijuana-20221129-s2ml4tjdubc5plfu5mwqqu2yky-story.html |
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A fire in a passenger van in eastern Pakistan Saturday killed seven people, including two children, a government official said.
The dead included four members of the same family — a woman, her daughter and her two granddaughters. Eight passengers received burn injuries of various degrees.
Official Nabeel Bhatti said the incident occurred in the Sargodha district of Punjab province after a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder fitted in the vehicle leaked and exploded.
The van was immediately engulfed in flames. Five passengers died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Three of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.
Punjab Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered an investigation into the incident. | 2023-07-08T14:34:37+00:00 | cenlanow.com | https://www.cenlanow.com/international/ap-international/ap-seven-people-including-two-children-are-killed-by-a-gas-explosion-in-a-van-in-eastern-pakistan/ |
WFO PHOENIX Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, February 14, 2023
_____
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
HIGH WIND WATCH
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
543 AM MST Mon Feb 13 2023
...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
TUESDAY EVENING...
* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
possible.
* WHERE...Southwest corner of Imperial County.
* WHEN...From late tonight through Tuesday evening.
* IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions including I-8 near the
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
San Diego County border. Winds could be strong enough to blow
down power lines causing power outages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe
location prior to the onset of winds.
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 10 PM PST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
expected.
* WHERE...Western portion of Joshua Tree National Park.
* WHEN...From 3 AM to 10 PM PST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Difficult driving conditions, especially for larger
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
vehicles traveling along roads with crosswinds. Light,
unsecured objects may become airborne.
A Wind Advisory means that sustained wind speeds of between
30 and 40 mph are expected, or wind gusts of between 40 and
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
58 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially
for high profile vehicles. In addition, strong winds over desert
areas could result in briefly lowered visibilities to well under
a mile at times in blowing dust or blowing sand. Use extra
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
caution.
_____
Copyright 2023 AccuWeather | 2023-02-13T13:30:32+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/ca-wfo-phoenix-warnings-watches-and-advisories-17780886.php |
Unsolved Murders: Expert says national clearance rates are ‘alarming,’ lower than average
(WFSB) - The I-Team is digging deeper into unsolved homicides.
First, we focused on New Haven, then looked at the picture in Hartford.
Now we’re examining nationwide numbers, and experts say they’re alarming.
A national non profit says any murder in the United States has a 50-50 chance of being solved, based on the most recent complete FBI data.
We wanted to learn why, especially during a time when that same data showed homicides are increasing nationwide.
Thomas Hargrove is the founder and chairman of the Murder Accountability Project, a non-profit which tracks unsolved murders nationwide.
He says murder clearance rates are at an all time low across the country.
“There are a growing number of places in America where most murders go unsolved,” says Hargrove.
A case is considered to be cleared when at least one person has been arrested, formerly charged with a crime and handed over to a court of law for a trial.
The national clearance rate is 54%, meaning little more than half of the country’s homicides get solved.
According to FBI data, it’s the lowest national clearance rate on record.
“It’s essentially a coin flip whether any individual murder will get solved,” says Hargrove. “Back in the 1960s we were clearing about 90% of our homicides.”
Over the last three years (between January 1, 2020, and today):
Hartford has cleared 57% of their 98 homicides.
Waterbury has cleared 87% of their 40 homicides.
New Haven has cleared 20% of their 65 homicides.
Hargrove says it comes down to resources.
“Although detectives are at the heart of an investigation, it’s also necessary forensic experts to go to the crime scene, necessary boots on the ground to do a neighborhood sweep, looking for witnesses and laboratory support,” says Hargrove.
The US Department of Justice recommends no more than 4 or 5 cases be assigned to a detective in any one year.
“When you see a city with a low clearance rate, the first thing you should ask is how many detectives do you have and are they following the no more than 4 or 5 case rule? A growing number of cities come nowhere close to that. They’re assigning double digit cases to a detective every year and that’s a recipe for disaster,” says Hargrove.
Hargrove says the Murder Accountability Project doesn’t take a position on anti-crime programs but thinks prevention can only help.
“I think it is important to try both approaches, to give adequate resources so that major crimes are cleared but also to try and change the environment in which crime occurred,” says Hargrove.
Copyright 2023 WFSB. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-04T02:55:14+00:00 | wfsb.com | https://www.wfsb.com/2023/02/04/unsolved-murders-expert-says-national-clearance-rates-are-alarming-lower-than-average/ |
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Firefighters in Alaska got an unusual request for assistance last weekend from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, but it wasn’t your mundane cat-stuck-in-a-tree situation.
“They were looking for some help getting a moose out of a basement,” said Capt. Josh Thompson with Central Emergency Services on the Kenai Peninsula.
The moose, estimated to be a 1-year-old bull, had a misstep while eating breakfast Sunday morning by a home in Soldotna, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage.
“It looks like the moose had been trying to eat some vegetation by the window well of a basement window and fell into it, and then fell into the basement through the glass,” Thompson said.
That’s where it was stuck, one floor below ground.
A biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game was able to tranquilize the moose, but the animal wasn’t completely unconscious.
“He was still looking around and sitting there, he just wasn’t running around,” Thompson said.
Once sedated, the next problem was getting the moose — which weighed at least 500 pounds (225 kilograms) — out of the house.
Improvising a bit, responders grabbed a big transport tarp that’s typically used as a stretcher for larger human patients. Once the moose was in position, it took six men to carry him through the house and back outside.
Photos of the morning rescue show the moose unfazed, simply looking ahead between the two men maneuvering the front of the tarp down a hallway, watching where they are going.
Thompson said the moose just hung out for a while after they got outside until a reversal agent for the tranquilizer kicked in. The biologist also treated minor lacerations on the back of the moose’s legs from falling through the window, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Once the sedative wore off, the moose apparently had his fill of human companionship and wanted to get back to the wild.
“He got up and took off,” Thompson said. | 2022-11-23T12:44:19+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/news/national/photos-alaska-firefighters-rescue-moose-trapped-in-homes-basement/ |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Arike Ogunbowale scored 35 points, Satou Sabally added a double-double and Dallas pulled away in the second half to beat Phoenix 90-77 on Friday night.
Ogunbowale sank 12 of 21 shots with five 3-pointers and five assists for the Wings (5-3), who improved to 4-0 at home this season. Sabally, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds for her fourth straight double-double and fifth of the season. Natasha Howard pitched in with 22 points and seven boards.
Brittney Griner had 18 points to pace the Mercury (1-5), who fell to 0-3 on the road. Sug Sutton scored 16 with nine assists. Diana Taurasi added 12 points and five assists.
Michaela Onyenwere and Griner combined to score 13 points and the Mercury led 21-17 after the first quarter. Ogunbowale scored seven in the opening period to keep Dallas close.
Dallas grabbed its first lead, 40-38, since early in the first quarter on a basket by Howard with 1:39 remaining before halftime. Griner had a layup that tied the game at 42, but she was whistled for a technical foul. Sabally hit the free throw and Kalani Brown followed with a jumper to put the Wings up 45-42 at intermission.
Sabally scored eight straight on a three-point play, a basket and a 3-pointer to push the Dallas lead to nine early in the third quarter. Howard followed with back-to-back buckets, capping a 14-0 run that gave the Wings a 66-53 lead with 1:38 left in the third. Phoenix trailed by at least eight points the rest of the way.
Dallas also beat the visiting Mercury 84-79 on Wednesday.
___
AP Sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-06-10T16:39:40+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/sports/ap-sports/arike-ogunbowale-scores-35-points-lead-wings-to-90-77-victory-over-mercury-griner/ |
Buying an electric vehicle this year could come with a discount – of sorts.
A new law that offers car buyers a tax credit up to $7,500 went into effect Jan. 1. It’s designed to lower the cost of buying a new electric vehicle. (Another program offers credits up to $4,000 to people buying used battery-powered cars.)
But a complicated list of requirements could make the program tricky to navigate.
“The credits, I would like to say, are straightforward. But in reality, they’re not,” said Jamie Lopiccolo, manager member of Capocore Professional Advisors, an Oakland County accounting firm.
Here are three steps to make it a bit easier:
1. Does the vehicle qualify for the program?
Only certain vehicles qualify for the tax credit.
Last year the Inflation Reduction Act revised the clean vehicle tax credit to spur American manufacturing. This limited eligible vehicles to those made by a “qualified manufacturer” with final assembly in North America.
This is where the VIN becomes important.
Car buyers should check with both the Department of Energy and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to ensure the vehicle qualifies.
“Does the model itself qualify and then does that particular vehicle qualify because it was finished within the United States,” Lopiccolo said. “It’s a two-step verification process the taxpayer is going to need to go through.”
Related: What does the Inflation Reduction Act do for Michigan?
Additionally, a new vehicle can’t cost more (according to the manufacturer suggested retail price) than $80,000 for vans, SUVs and pickup trucks and $55,000 for others. Electric vehicles cost an average of $66,000 last year, according to Kelley Blue Book, but manufacturers are starting to roll out more affordable options.
It is complicated. But the U.S. Department of Treasury is expected to release even more guidance in March.
A bonus: here’s a newly released list from the IRS of eligible vehicles.
2. Do I qualify for the tax credit?
Unfortunately, not everyone can get the credit.
Income requirements limit the credit to married couples earning under $300,000, heads of households earning under $225,000 and all other filers earning under $150,000.
Plus, vehicles need be bought for personal use in the United States and not for resale.
3. Claim the credit.
After going through all those hoops, don’t forget to claim the credit on your tax return.
But you won’t need to file it until April 2024.
Lopiccolo advises car buyers to keep detailed records of their purchases as the program rolls out.
“If they go to the website, it says the vehicle qualifies, print that out. If they go to the highway transportation and it says it qualifies, print that out,” he said.
This year the credit only applied after the vehicle is purchased. But Lopiccolo says starting in 2024 the credit can be transferred to the dealership to be put toward the down payment.
It’s also important to note the maximum credit is $7,500. For the nitty gritty details, this equals $2,917 for a vehicle with a battery capacity of at least 5 kilowatt hours and $417 for each additional kilowatt hour.
One more bonus: there’s different guidance for people buying used electric vehicles. You can see those separate rules here.
The clean vehicle tax credit lasts until 2032.
Want to read more about the economy? See all our inflation coverage here.
This story is part of MLive’s Wallet Watch series focused on today’s economic issues. Have a Wallet Watch suggestion? Email us at askaquestion@mlive.com.
More on MLive:
Michigan won 5 big electric vehicle projects this year – at a $2B taxpayer cost
More than 70 EV jobs expected in Traverse City’s Lear expansion
Ann Arbor inventor says he can make an electric car out of sewage | 2023-01-09T13:36:54+00:00 | mlive.com | https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2023/01/buying-new-electric-vehicle-heres-how-to-get-up-to-7500-tax-credit.html |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will host the 2021 World Series champion Atlanta Braves at the White House.
Biden is getting in the Sept. 26 visit with just about a week before the 2022 regular season wraps up and playoffs begin. The Braves beat the Houston Astros in six games last year. The Braves are in second place in the National League East standings with 91 wins. Post-season begins Oct. 7.
The president, regardless of party, often honors major league and some college sports champions with a White House ceremony, typically nonpartisan affairs in which the commander in chief pays tribute to the champs’ prowess, poses for photos and comes away with a team jersey.
Those visits were highly charged in the previous administration. Many athletes took issue with President Donald Trump’s policies and rhetoric on policing, immigration and more. Trump, for his part, didn’t take kindly to the criticism from athletes or their on-field expressions of political opinion.
Under Biden, the tradition appears to be back. He’s hosted the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks and Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the White House. | 2022-09-19T19:16:54+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/politics/ap-biden-to-host-2021-world-series-champion-atlanta-braves/ |
Cloudflare says White House asked tech firm to bypass Iran censorship, but US sanctions got in the way
By Sean Lyngaas, CNN
A senior White House official asked US tech company Cloudflare to help circumvent internet censorship in Iran after protests erupted in that country last September but US sanctions prevented the firm from doing so, Cloudflare CEO Mathew Prince said Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“I got a call from a senior official in the White House who said, ‘Can you do in Iran what you’re doing in Russia?'” said Prince, whose company makes software that protects users from cyberattacks and allows activists in authoritarian regimes to bypass censorship, during a panel discussion on security and technology. “And I said, ‘No.’ And [they] said, ‘Why not?’ And I said, ‘Because sanctions prevented us from ever putting our equipment in Iran.'”
The Iranian government moved to block internet access as hundreds of protesters were killed in clashes with Iran’s security forces last fall, according to human rights activists.
The anecdote underscores the prominent role that large tech firms can play in US foreign policy.
US officials have, for example, tried to broker a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide crucial satellite communications for Ukrainian troops during the war while also encouraging SpaceX to provide satellite service to Iran.
In the case of San Francisco-based Cloudflare, Prince said the White House official suggested the company could be given a “license” to operate in Iran, but Prince replied that it was “too late” for that.
Prince did not name the White House official.
CNN has requested comment from the White House National Security Council.
The Biden administration in September granted certain exceptions to US sanctions on Iran for tech firms that provide tools for everyday Iranians to communicate, such as cloud computing or social media services.
But that move was long overdue, digital rights activists previously told CNN, and US sanctions unwittingly accelerated Iran’s development of an internal communications network.
Despite heavy US sanctions imposed on Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, Prince said Cloudflare’s prior presence on the ground in Russia means people there can use Cloudflare technology to circumvent Moscow’s censors to read credible news about the war. About 10% of Russian households use that anti-censorship Cloudflare technology, Prince claimed.
The phone call from the White House, Prince said, illustrated a difficult “tradeoff” between sanctions meant to punish human rights-flouting regimes and the need to get technology into the hands of dissidents.
Asked to respond to Prince’s comments during the panel discussion, FBI Director Christopher Wray said, “We engage in those tradeoffs every day.”
Many technologies present “great opportunity, but great dangers in the wrong hands,” Wray said.
While Cloudflare touts its record protecting dissidents abroad, it has also drawn heavy criticism from human rights activists for the firm’s willingness to provide services to controversial platforms such as messaging board 8chan (Cloudflare pulled its support for 8chan in 2019).
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-19T23:19:30+00:00 | localnews8.com | https://localnews8.com/money/cnn-social-media-technology/2023/01/19/cloudflare-says-white-house-asked-tech-firm-to-bypass-iran-censorship-but-us-sanctions-got-in-the-way-2/ |
TRAVERSE CITY — Winter has arrived in northern Michigan, which only means one thing — hockey season is here.
Teams throughout the area have already gotten ready for their upcoming seasons. Some teams have switched divisions or coaches, while others are in the early stages of developing players. Others have already started their season.
The Bay Reps (1-0-1) have played two games, both against Griffins United. In the first game, the Reps tied 1-1. In the second game, the Reps won 6-0.
Not much has changed for the Bay Reps — aside from switching from Division 1 to Division 3 this season and losing some key players. Bay Reps head coach Mike Matteucci is excited to get things going.
“Last year, we had a lot of new players, but this year not as many. We lost in the (Division 1) state quarterfinals last year, and it was a game I think we did let slip away,” Matteucci said. “I think the kids all learned from that, and we’ve talked about it.”
The Bay Reps finished the 2021-22 season going 14-10-1, but lost to Grandville 4-3 in the Division 1 state quarterfinals. The team has turned a page and is focused on the 2022-23 season.
The Reps now play in Division 3 for the first time this season, but Matteucci doesn’t see any differences — except when playoffs roll around.
‘You will see different teams, but honestly, Division 1 or Division 3, there are good teams in Division 1 and good teams in Division 3” Matteucci said. “So I don’t see much of a difference. I’m just excited to have the opportunity to play.”
Heading into a new season also means new senior captains. Riley Pierce (Kingsley), Jason Kihn (Mancelona), Garrett Hathaway (Traverse City St. Francis) and Drew Hardy (TCSF) were voted by their teammates to lead the team this year.
For the early part of the season, the Reps have been without Hathaway and Hardy because they’ve been playing football and are attempting to bring home a state title to St. Francis on Saturday.
“I’m so happy for those two kids,” he said “They got a great opportunity to play in the state final game. From day one, they’re all in football and that’s where I want their minds to be. We’ll hold down the fort until they get here, but we’re watching them closely.”
While Pierce and Kihn have been leaders on the ice, they’re appreciative of being leaders on the team.
“I learned that good work ethic could change around the season and doing the little things right and becoming more of a team takes you places that you wouldn’t have if you didn’t have that same team atmosphere,” Pierce said.
“It’s the little things, talking when working in the corners, not wanting to lose,” Kihn said. “It’s all about team effort.”
Pierce finished last season with six goals and 12 assists. Kihn finished with one goal and 11 assists, but their ability to get the team’s attention is what has helped the Reps, especially after losing some key players.
“I look at Jason Kihn and his confidence that he has now on the ice,” Matteucci said. “Riley Pierce, too. He’s developed as an amazing leader, really vocal with the kids in the locker room.”
Matteucci is excited to see the development of his players over the next few months.
“The young guys last year were good skilled players,” he said. “And they came on toward the end of the year. I expect them to be leaders on our team and some of them are 10th graders and 11th graders, guys that are first-year players. They are going to lead our team this year.”
The Bay Reps’ next game is on Nov. 25 at Big Rapids.
Changes at the top
Traverse City West will have Zach Bargy leading the charge as head coach after longtime Titans’ HC Jeremy Rintala stepped down. Bargy has been a part of the Titans’ staff for four years as an assistant. Before that, he played four years for the Bay Reps.
The first-year coach said he’s excited to start the season while having some slight first-year coaching jitters.
“I’m pumped. We have an inexperienced group, but we’ve been at it for three weeks at practice,” Bargy said. “They show up to work and want to learn. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”
TC West finished the 2021-22 season 11-13 overall and was eliminated in Division 1 regional semifinals by Bay Reps 4-0.
The Big North Conference has gotten stronger and tougher over the past few seasons, according to Bargy and Traverse City Central head coach Chris Givens.
“You can’t take nights off. You only get so many Big North games, and everybody in the conference is good enough to beat anyone else,” Bargy said. “You got to win every game you can.”
The Titans lost five seniors from last year’s squad but will have eight this season. West will be without one of their top scorers and Division 2 Second-Team forward Michael Schermerhorn, but the Titans have players willing to step up.
Bargy said senior goalkeeper Mason West and junior forward Brandon Meyers are two guys that will be asked to lead the team. Both have been nothing but wonderful to coach, Bargy said.
“First guys in and last guys out, that is what both of them are,” Bargy said. “I swear, they beat me to the rink every day, and I got to push them out the door to leave.”
West earned Division 3 Second Team last season for goaltender while finishing the season with 432 saves. Meyers had 10 goals and 16 assists.
The Titans kick off their first game Friday at Center Ice Arena against Northville.
Traverse City Central won’t have much of a change, besides losing some quality players who helped them have a 17-7-1 overall record and a 7-2-1 conference record. The Trojans finished second in the BNC behind Petoskey.
The Trojans made it to the Division 2 state quarterfinals but lost to Marquette 7-1.
“It was a good group of kids and it was a good achievement for that group,” Givens said.
The Trojans had a big group of first-year players — most of them freshmen. They will have 15 players back who were on the team last season and will have four senior captains this season — defender Owen Dawson, forward Cam Peters, defender Tyler Cooper and forward Hunter Folgmann.
“They’ve done a good job with the leadership portion,” Givens said.
The Trojans kick off their season Wednesday at Howe Ice Arena against Gaylord. The Trojans won’t get their first BNC opponent until Nov. 30 against Petoskey.
The Northmen took the BNC title last season with a 9-1 record, finishing 21-3 overall. Despite Petoskey finishing first, TC Central got the better end of the stick by beating the Northmen 2-1 in Division 2 regional semifinals.
Petoskey will be losing seven seniors but will have a team that has playoff experience after getting a crack at regionals. The Northmen’s first game is against the Trojans.
Like TC West, the Lakeshore Badgers have a new coach at the helm. Parker Rey spent last season as an assistant under Bill Shriver — who retired after his son, goalkeeper Alex Shriver, graduated.
“The parents have been fantastic this summer in terms of welcoming me into the community and the program as well,” Rey said.
The Badgers have a lot of underclassmen this season, along with a few seniors and juniors. Goalkeeper Ansel Carroll will be asked to fill in the role of Alex this upcoming season. Carroll already has experience because he had to take over for a few games last season.
The Badgers will start their season on the road against Cadillac.
The Vikings have started their season already with two wins under their belts. Cadillac beat Tawas 4-0 and Southgate Anderson 7-2.
Over the past few seasons, the Vikings have been developing their young talent to where they are now. Coach Scott Graham noted that with that development, it’ll take the juniors and seniors to provide that leadership for the young guys.
Forward Henry Schmittdiel has already got his senior season started with a team-high three goals and two assists.
The Vikings travel to Big Rapids (1-1) on Wednesday to take on the Cardinals.
Gaylord (0-1) already started the season with a loss to St. Clair Shores Unified, 1-0. Last season the Blue Devils went 8-15 and 2-8 in the Big North, losing in the Division 3 regional finals 9-6 against Alpena.
The Blue Devils lost seven seniors last year who helped make their playoff run happen. This season they’ll have a fairly young team, but four seniors will be looked at to help lead the team.
Senior Issac Hopp finished his junior year campaign with a team-high 14 goals while collecting 18 assists. The Blue Devils look to get back on track on the road against TC Central on Wednesday. | 2022-11-23T16:39:28+00:00 | record-eagle.com | https://www.record-eagle.com/sports/2022-hockey-season-preview-bay-reps-look-onward-to-new-season-new-coaches-at-tc/article_03f40422-6add-11ed-aeef-bf116f6c4783.html |
JSU’s defensive coordinator follows Coach Prime to Colorado
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The current Jackson State defensive coordinator is set to join Deion Sanders’ impressive staff at the University of Colorado.
According to Thee Pregame Show, Coach Dennis Thurman will take a new position, being hired as a director of quality control and defensive analyst for the Buffs.
Thurman follows former JSU staff members, tight ends coach Tim Brewster and linebackers coach Andre Hart, to Boulder. Former NFL head coach and currently employed in an advisory role at Jackson State, Mike Zimmer, is expected to go to Colorado as well.
Thurman has led the season-long No. 1 FCS defense in a historic year for the Tigers, allowing just over 11 points per game and leading the SWAC in defensive 3rd down conversion rate, allowing just 22% in 3rd down conversions.
Thurman has been the defensive coordinator at JSU since 2020 and was formerly a defensive coordinator in the NFL for the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills.
Thee Pregame Show says he will coach alongside Coach Prime in the Celebration Bowl in their final game for the Tigers.
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2022 WLBT. All rights reserved. | 2022-12-10T22:42:15+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/2022/12/10/jsus-defensive-coordinator-follows-coach-prime-colorado/ |
(NEXSTAR) – Now that dozens of teams have punched their ticket to the Big Dance – the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament – you may be putting together your March Madness bracket. Whether to claim an office pool or to score bragging rights for the next year, building a perfect bracket can be tough.
Is there any way to sway your odds of winning the bracket challenge?
First, let’s explain the bracket. March Madness begins with 64 teams in the first round across four regions: South, East, West, and Midwest. Over the next few weeks, the NCAA Tournament will be narrowed down through elimination games until two teams remain for the championship round.
That means, for your bracket, you need to make 63 decisions. Not bad, right? Think again.
Your odds of getting every selection correct is 1 in 120.2 billion, according to NCAA. You have a better chance of winning the Powerball jackpot or catching two foul balls in a row at an MLB game. If you rely on a coin flip to make your selections, the odds worsen to 1 in 9.2 quintillions.
Though alarming, near-perfect brackets have been verified before.
Gregg Nigl of Columbus, Ohio, currently holds the record for the longest verifiable streak of correct picks. In 2019, the neuropsychologist selected the first 49 match-ups correctly before 2-seed Tennessee lost to 3-seed Purdue in overtime during the second game in the Sweet 16, the NCAA reports. Speaking with the Today Show before his bracket busted, Nigl said his secret was “watching a lot of Big 10 basketball” and ESPN’s “Bracketology,” as well as “a lot of luck.”
Last year, all verifiable NCAA brackets were busted during the first Friday of the tournament when Iowa State, the 11 seed, beat 6-seed LSU.
So how can you improve your chances of nailing the perfect bracket? Knowledge and a whole lot of luck, experts say. Instead, you may want to look for ways to score points on the bracket (many online options will award points based on correct selections per round, or by the percentage at which you’re right) if you’re hoping to win big.
This typically means that making the correct picks in the Elite Eight, Final Four, and NCAA Championship rounds is crucial. Wrongly predicting a few games in the first few rounds doesn’t mean you’re done, unless a team you picked for the final rounds mentioned above loses out.
When you select teams, pay attention to the seeding, too. According to 247 Sports, when it comes to upsets, a 16-seed team has beaten a 1-seed team just once since 1985 while a 9-seed team has upset an 8-seed team in 51.4% of first-round games.
If you really want to take the bracket seriously, other experts recommend reading up on teams and considering the chance for upsets. If you’re just filling out a bracket for fun, take a guess or flip a coin.
Either way, remember, you likely won’t have a perfect bracket. Even the NCAA acknowledges the chance of a perfect bracket is very, very low – you have better odds of guessing which of the Earth’s grains of sand someone has picked up than perfectly predicting the results of all 63 games in the NCAA Tournament. | 2023-03-14T18:16:37+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/can-you-increase-your-odds-of-picking-the-perfect-ncaa-march-madness-bracket/ |
Did you lose money on investments in CareDx? If so, please visit CareDx, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com to discuss your rights.
NEW YORK, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the common stock of CareDx, Inc. ("CareDx" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CDNA) between February 24, 2021, and May 5, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
CareDx is a diagnostics company that offers diagnostic testing services, products, and digital healthcare software for organ transplant patients and care providers. Testing services for kidney and heart transplant recipients represented at least 85% of CareDx's total revenues, and the Company's AlloSure blood test for transplant recipients was the Company's primary source of revenue. Additionally, the higher reimbursement payment rates for its Medicare-approved tests drove growth of the Company's average sale price ("ASP"), an important metric for investors. Throughout the Class Period, CareDx reported growing revenue and strong demand in the Company's testing services segment. Defendants also emphasized to investors the success of the Company's RemoTraC service – a remote, home-based, blood-drawing service that the Company launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plaintiff alleges that during the Class Period Defendants misled investors and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Defendants had engaged in a variety of improper and illegal schemes to inflate testing services revenue and demand, including pushing a surveillance protocol through inaccurate marketing materials, offering extravagant inducements or kickbacks to physicians and other providers, and improperly bundling expensive testing services with other blood tests as part of the RemoTraC service; (2) these practices, and others, subjected CareDx to an undisclosed risk of regulatory scrutiny; and (3) these practices rendered the Company's testing services revenue reported throughout the Class Period artificially inflated.
The truth began to emerge on October 28, 2021, when CareDx revealed for the first time that it was the subject of at least three government investigations related to its "accounting and public reporting practices." In response to this news, CareDx's stock price fell 27%, from a closing price of $70.34 per share on October 28, 2021, to a closing price of $51 per share on October 29, 2021.
On April 15, 2022, CareDx's former Head of Community Nephrology, Dr. Michael Olymbios, filed a complaint in California Superior Court that provided extensive detail about: (1) Defendants' misconduct, including the use of RemoTraC to improperly bundle the Company's most expensive testing services, including AlloSure, with other blood tests, that led to the government investigations; (2) Defendants' knowledge of the misconduct throughout the Class Period; and (3) their attempts to conceal the misconduct. In response to this filing, CareDx's stock price fell an additional 8% the next trading day.
Finally, after the markets closed on May 5, 2022, CareDx issued a press release announcing financial results for the first quarter of 2022, reporting a near 5% decline in the ASP of the Company's testing services. In response to this news, CareDx's stock price fell 18.5%, from a closing price of $31.66 per share on May 5, 2022, to a closing price of $25.87 per share on May 6, 2022.
If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 22, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery does not require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.
If you purchased CareDx common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit CareDx, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com.
Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2022 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
Contact Information:
Peter Allocco
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
https://www.bernlieb.com
(212) 951-2030
pallocco@bernlieb.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP | 2022-06-01T20:49:41+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/caredx-inc-nasdaq-cdna-shareholder-class-action-alert-bernstein-liebhard-llp-reminds-investors-deadline-file-lead-plaintiff-motion-securities-class-action-lawsuit-against-caredx-inc-nasdaq-cdna/ |
- Upcycled couture collection by Jeremy Scott made with discarded materials from Hyundai Motor's electric vehicles
- 'Hyundai Re:Style Exhibition' to be held for the first time in Korea starting March 23, in line with the global launch of the all-new KONA Electric
- 'Re:Style Archive Exhibition' also showcased in collaboration with model Lauren Wasser
SEOUL, South Korea, March 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company has announced 'Re:Style 2023' with renowned designer Jeremy Scott.
'Re:Style,' now in its fourth year, is an eco-friendly upcycled fashion platform with internationally acclaimed designers to transform automotive waste into fashion items. This year's collection breaks stereotypes of sustainable design with an haute couture collection by Jeremy Scott made with discarded materials from Hyundai Motor's electric vehicles, together with the deadstock fabrics. New materials derived from parts such as wheels, seat belts, tail lights and wipers highlight the uniqueness of Re:Style with the innovation and wit that only Jeremy Scott can deliver.
'Hyundai Re:Style Exhibition' will be presented at AP Again in Seongsu-dong for three weeks starting from March 23, following a private gala preview event later tonight. As the first 'Re:Style' exhibition to be held in Korea, the opening is also in line with the global launch of the all-new KONA Electric.
Also on display will be the 'Re:Style Archive Exhibition,' which is being showcased in collaboration with Re:Style ambassador and model Lauren Wasser, who overcame her physical limitations after double leg amputation caused by toxic shock syndrome. With her own story, Wasser will represent the past three years of Re:Style archival collection and show the journey of Re:Style under the theme of diversity and innovation.
The exhibition space is designed with a parametric pixel motif, a representative element of Hyundai Motor's electric vehicle lineup. In addition to the collection and archive exhibitions, the archive book and brand film will also be showcased for a more sensory experience.
"In line with the global launch of KONA Electric, Hyundai Motor Company is making various efforts to combine the vision of electrification with cultural content," said Sungwon Jee, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company. "We hope Hyundai Re:Style Exhibition's very first opening in Korea will provide an opportunity to communicate and share the brand's vision of sustainability and innovation with our customers."
More information about Hyundai Motor can be found at: http://worldwide.hyundai.com or http://globalpr.hyundai.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company | 2023-03-22T03:08:07+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/03/21/hyundai-motor-presents-restyle-2023-with-global-designer-jeremy-scott/ |
There's a sweet twist to this year's awards. A new category has been added: Outstanding Bakery. Nominees in the new category include bakeries, pastry shops and even an ice cream store.
Copyright 2023 NPR
There's a sweet twist to this year's awards. A new category has been added: Outstanding Bakery. Nominees in the new category include bakeries, pastry shops and even an ice cream store.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-01-26T10:52:43+00:00 | mainepublic.org | https://www.mainepublic.org/2023-01-26/james-beard-foundation-has-added-a-new-category-to-its-annual-awards |
Retired Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) announced on Friday that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has closed a two-and-a-half year investigation of his stock trading activities without taking action against him.
“This week, the SEC informed me that they have concluded their investigation with no action. I am glad to have this matter in the rearview mirror as I begin my retirement from the Senate following nearly three decades of public service,” said Burr, who retired earlier this week after serving three terms in the Senate.
The SEC had been investigating Burr’s sale of $1.65 million worth of stock at the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in February of 2020. The sale included a large share of hospitality industry stocks, which took a hit when worldwide travel and tourism ground to a halt a few weeks later.
The agency had scrutinized communications between Burr and his sister and brother-in-law, Gerald Fauth, before they sold stocks before many retail investors fully realized the extent of the pandemic’s impact on the economy.
Burr’s trades were also reviewed by the Justice Department, which closed its investigation in early 2021.
“Sen. Burr is pleased that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as did the U.S. Department of Justice, conducted a thorough review and closed their investigation with no action,” said Burr’s lawyer, Alice Fisher of Latham & Watkins.
“We have believed all along that this is the right result. He is glad to put this matter behind him as he embarks on his retirement from his dedicated service in the Senate,” Fisher said.
Burr stepped down as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee in May of 2020 because of the investigation, giving the gavel to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), with whom Burr is closely allied, praised the retiring North Carolina senator last month.
“For five years, Richard’s colleagues tasked him with helming the Intelligence Committee. Some of this institution’s most sensitive and critical responsibilities wound up in his lap. But Senators on both sides knew that Richard’s thoughtfulness, fairmindedness, and discretion tailor-made him for that role,” McConnell said.
Burr most recently served as the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. | 2023-01-06T16:48:15+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/hill-politics/sec-closes-probe-into-burr-stock-trading-without-taking-action/ |
ZUG, Switzerland, Oct. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The VQF-regulated global settlement banking platform using Web3 technologies has raised $13m in a seed round with the participation of industry leaders including Circle Ventures, Hard Yaka, United Overseas Bank Venture Management, Signum Capital, and Stellar Development Foundation.
Arf has raised $13 million in equity and debt financing in a seed round from notable investors across Web3 and institutional finance space, including the investors of Coinbase, Solana, FTX, and Kabbage.
Circle Ventures joined the round alongside the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), United Overseas Bank (UOB) Venture Management, Signum Capital, Hard Yaka, NGC Ventures, Blockchain Founders Fund, and 500 Emerging Europe.
The firm intends to use the cash injection to further develop its blockchain-based technology to provide global treasury management and working capital credit lines for financial institutions and licensed money service businesses alike operating in the cross-border payments industry.
"We are delighted to see prominent Web3 and institutional finance investors validate our vision and join forces with us," said CEO Ali Erhat Nalbant.
"Arf's technology sits right at the center of cross-border payments evolution. This funding round will help us scale Arf to free up trillion dollars worth of locked working capital in the industry," he added. "We'll keep leveraging digital assets and Web3 technologies to fuel the transformation in global finance in a fully compliant way."
With the seed funding, the firm will develop and foster new paradigm-shifting technologies in cross-border payments by combining the best of what Web3 and traditional finance has to offer.
Arf recently received the approval of the Financial Services Standard Association (VQF). The firm opened a new office in Zug and started scaling its team.
Arf also announced the launch of Arf Credit Line in April, which provides money service businesses instant access to transactional working capital credit lines, and allows any corridor to be post-funded in real-time.
About Arf
Arf is a global settlement banking platform, eliminating the capital-intensive business model of the cross-border payments industry by offering digital asset-based working capital and settlement services with native on-ramp and off-ramp capabilities to licensed money service businesses and financial institutions.
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1929188/Arf_Co_founders.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1915574/Arf_Logo.jpg
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Arf | 2022-10-26T13:52:33+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/prnewswire/2022/10/26/arf-raises-13m-investors-including-circle-ventures-hard-yaka-sdf/ |
MARIN CITY, Calif. (KRON) — A brush fire on Monday afternoon limited northbound Highway 101 to one lane between Rodeo and Marin City. The fire has been dubbed the Lincoln Fire.
In addition, residents of the Anchorage Apartments in Sausalito were advised to shelter in place due to the fire. The shelter-in-place has since been lifted. People are still being asked to avoid the area.
There was another brush fire burning in the East Bay Monday, called the Deer Fire. The Deer Fire is 30 acres in size and threatened structures on both sides of Deer Valley Road. | 2022-07-19T00:06:03+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/north-bay-fire-closes-section-of-highway-101/ |
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
© 2022 Good Karma Brands Milwaukee, LLC. | 2022-09-19T18:58:15+00:00 | wtmj.com | https://wtmj.com/entertainment/2022/09/19/ap-top-entertainment-news-at-106-p-m-edt-2/ |
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) testified Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, according to CNN.
The former House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 riot alleged last September that Gingrich had provided feedback to the Trump campaign about advertisements promoting the former president’s unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud and discussed “coordinating” state electors.
In a letter to the former Speaker requesting a voluntary interview, the committee said that Gingrich communicated with former Trump senior advisers Jared Kushner and Jason Miller on campaign ads about the election, after it had been declared for Joe Biden.
The ads Gingrich advised on had “encouraged members of the public to contact their state officials and pressure them to challenge and overturn the result of the election” in the days before state electors would cast their votes, the letter said.
The committee also suggested Gingrich was “involved in the fake elector scheme,” pointing to a November 2020 message to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former White House counsel Pat Cipollone.
“Is someone in charge of coordinating all the electors?” the message read. “Evans makes the point that all the contested electors must meet on [D]ecember 14 and send in ballots to force contests which the house would have to settle.”
Gingrich had previously been ordered to testify before a special grand jury investigating election interference in Georgia. However, the former Speaker’s case to block the testimony was ultimately dismissed in February after the Fulton County grand jury concluded its work. | 2023-06-09T18:04:31+00:00 | ktalnews.com | https://www.ktalnews.com/hill-politics/gingrich-testifies-before-grand-jury-investigating-jan-6/ |
ROME (AP) — Police in Germany arrested a truck driver accused in the crash in Italy last year that killed professional cyclist Davide Rebellin and were holding him pending extradition proceedings, prosecutors in both countries said Saturday.
Wolfgang Rieke is accused of road homicide and leaving the scene of a crash. Vicenza prosecutor Lino Giorgio Bruno said he was arrested Thursday in Muenster on a European arrest warrant. German authorities said he had surrendered.
Rebellin, one of cycling’s longest-serving professionals, was killed Nov. 30 during a training run near the northern Italian town of Montebello Vicentino. At the time, Italian media reported the truck that struck him hadn’t stopped. But prosecutors, citing roadside video and witness photos, said the driver stopped, got out of the cab and approached Rebellin, and then got back in the truck and left the scene.
The investigation identified the truck as belonging to a shipping firm based in Recke, Germany, and Rieke as the driver, Bruno said in a statement. After the crash, the truck continued on to its destination in Verona and returned to Germany on Dec. 3. After that, the red trailer allegedly involved in the crash was detached from the tractor and replaced with a white one with different identification plates, prosecutors said.
After authorities seized the truck, experts identified damage consistent with the collision and determined the vehicle had been cleaned with a concentrated, highly acidic detergent, prosecutors said. Inside the cab were functioning video cameras and mirrors that would have given the driver the necessary direct and indirect view of the cyclist, the statement said.
While Rebellin was found to have violated road rules requiring him to give precedence to the truck, “such a violation had no causal effect” on the crash given the amount of time between Rebellin’s violations and the crash, the statement said, citing the judge’s arrest warrant.
The suspect surrendered to authorities in Steinfurt, near Muenster, on Thursday, accompanied by his defense attorney, senior public prosecutor Elmar Pleus of the Hamm prosecutor general’s office told the German news agency dpa in an email.
He is currently being held in extradition custody based on a detention order issued by the local court in Rheine, Pleus told The Associated Press in an email. Pleus added that a decision by Hamm prosecutors on Italy’s extradition request was being prepared, but there was no word on how long it might take.
Emails and calls to Meunster police seeking the name and contact information for Rieke’s lawyer were not immediately returned.
Rebellin had only retired from professional cycling a month before the crash, ending a 30-year career with his final team Work Service-Vitalcare-Dynatek. Rebellin’s successes included victories at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico as well as winning a stage in the 1996 edition of the Giro d’Italia, which he also led for six stages.
Rebellin won silver in the road race at the 2008 Olympic Games, but he was later stripped of his medal and banned for two years after a positive doping test. He had denied wrongdoing.
___
Kirsten Grieshaber contributed from Berlin. | 2023-06-17T17:16:57+00:00 | cbs42.com | https://www.cbs42.com/news/international/german-police-arrest-truck-driver-accused-in-crash-that-killed-italian-cyclist-rebellin/ |
WASHINGTON — The Mega Millions jackpot is up for grabs once again, with $494 million on the line for Friday's drawing.
The numbers are in for Friday's Mega Millions jackpot, after several months without a grand prize winner. The lottery game says this is its second-largest jackpot this year.
The winning numbers for Friday's $494 million prize were 9-22-26-41-44, Mega Ball 19 and Megaplier 2.
With no big winner from Tuesday night's drawing, the jackpot rose to $494 million — $247.9 million if the winner takes the more popular cash payout.
Mega Millions hasn't seen a winner since July 29, when a single ticket sold in a Chicago suburb won a $1.337 billion prize.
In order to win the Mega Millions grand prize, a player needs to match all five numbers and the gold Mega Ball number. Players face astronomical odds for a jackpot win: 1 in 302.5 million.
If there are no winners on Friday's drawing, players will have another chance to go for the enlarged jackpot on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Meanwhile, Powerball has an estimated $454 million jackpot up for grabs on Saturday as its own winless streak continues, inching the jackpot closer to the top 10 largest Powerball jackpots ever won. The cash value on the prize is $232.6 million.
Nobody won the Powerball jackpot Wednesday, but three tickets from Wednesday night's drawing won $250,000 after matching four numbers and the Powerball, along with having the "Power Play" feature that multiplied the prize by five times. Those tickets were bought in Colorado, Idaho and Texas.
While Mega Millions and Powerball both hit jackpots over $400 million this week, neither come close to last summer's near-record $1.377 billion Mega Millions jackpot that had Americans in a lottery frenzy in July. A winner in Illinois took home the grand prize. Two people came forward last month to claim it but chose to stay anonymous.
Megan Divers contributed to this report. | 2022-10-15T04:13:25+00:00 | kagstv.com | https://www.kagstv.com/article/news/lottery/mega-millions-jackpot-494-million-dollars-oct-14/507-bc091673-14b4-4d75-9af7-d3917b73ab91 |
President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness program is at the mercy of the Supreme Court, and student loan borrowers could be waiting weeks, if not months, to hear whether the program is allowed to go into effect.
About 16 million people have already been approved for up to $20,000 in federal student loan forgiveness -- and some have been notified by email -- but no debt is currently allowed to be canceled as litigation plays out.
But there are several other ways many of the 43 million federal student loan borrowers may qualify for student debt relief.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program allows certain government and nonprofit employees to seek federal student loan forgiveness after making 10 years of qualifying payments.
A qualifying borrower's full remaining balance is canceled, regardless of the amount.
Teachers, social workers, some nurses and doctors as well as government lawyers are some of the types of borrowers who may be eligible.
There are several qualifying restrictions. First, a borrower must be working full time for an eligible government or nonprofit for at least 10 years. Second, a borrower must have federal Direct Loans and have made 120 monthly loan payments under an income-driven repayment plan, which sets payments based on income and family size.
If all of those requirements are met and a borrower has submitted the PSLF form to the Department of Education, the government will cancel his or her remaining federal student loan debt.
A yearlong waiver that expanded eligibility for the PSLF program expired on October 31, but some of those temporary changes will be made permanent starting in July 2023.
Under the new rules, borrowers will be able to receive credit toward PSLF on payments that are made late, in installments or in a lump sum. Prior rules only counted a payment as eligible if it was made in full within 15 days of its due date.
Also, time spent in certain periods of deferment or forbearance will count toward PSLF. These periods include deferments for cancer treatment, military service, economic hardship and time served in AmeriCorps and the National Guard.
Starting in July, borrowers will receive some credit for past payments when they consolidate older loans into federal Direct Loans in order to qualify for the program. Borrowers previously lost all progress toward forgiveness when they consolidated. After July, they will receive a weighted average of existing qualifying payments toward PSLF.
The new rules will also simplify the criteria to meet the requirement that a borrower be a full-time employee in a public sector job. The new standard will consider full-time employment at 30 hours a week. In particular, the change will help adjunct faculty at public colleges qualify for the program.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program cancels up to $17,500 in federal student loan debt for certain full-time teachers who have worked in a qualifying low-income elementary or secondary school for at least five consecutive years.
Math and science teachers who are considered to be highly qualified at the secondary school level, as well as special education teachers at both the elementary and secondary levels, are eligible for the full $17,500 of federal student loan forgiveness. Those who are considered highly qualified and teach other subject areas may receive up to $5,000 in loan forgiveness.
Both federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans qualify for this forgiveness program.
Borrower defense to repayment
The borrower defense to repayment program delivers student debt relief to people who were defrauded by their college.
Generally, students who attended big, for-profit colleges like Corinthian Colleges and ITT Tech that have been found to have misled students with inflated job-placement numbers will qualify for forgiveness under the federal program.
There are some groups of students that the Department of Education has already determined are automatically eligible for borrower defense to repayment, like those who attended Corinthian Colleges from its founding in 1995 to its closure in April 2015.
But other students may have to apply for the debt relief, demonstrating how the schools misled them or engaged in other misconduct.
Income-driven repayment program
Borrowers enrolled in one of the four types of income-driven repayment plans, known as IDR, are eligible for loan forgiveness after either 20 or 25 years of payments are made, depending on the specific plan.
These repayment plans can allow struggling borrowers to avoid loan default by lowering their monthly payments based on their income and family size.
Generally, borrowers are eligible for an income-driven plan as long as their federal student loan debt is higher than their annual discretionary income and, as a result, will be paying less each month than they would under a standard 10-year payment plan.
But the Department of Education and its student loan servicers have had trouble tracking borrowers' payments. To address those problems, the Biden administration is conducting a recount, expecting to bring many borrowers closer to forgiveness. The recount started last November.
The Biden administration has also proposed a new income-driven payment plan that is intended to make repayment more manageable for borrowers. The administration said it expects some of the provisions of the new plan to take effect later this year.
The new rule is expected to cap payments at 5% of a borrower's discretionary income, down from 10% that is offered in most current plans, as well as reduce the amount of income that is considered discretionary. It would also forgive remaining balances after 10 years of repayment, instead of 20 or 25 years, as well as cover the borrower's unpaid monthly interest.
Total and permanent disability discharge
The federal government cancels federal student loan debt -- including Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans and Perkins Loans -- for borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled. Borrowers must provide documentation from a physician, the Social Security Administration or the US Department of Veterans Affairs to show that they qualify.
In 2021, the Biden administration changed the rule so that the Department of Education can provide automatic discharges for disabled borrowers who are identified through administrative data matching with the Social Security Administration -- without the borrowers submitting paperwork.
Filing for bankruptcy
It has historically been very difficult to have student loan debt discharged in bankruptcy. But the Biden administration released new guidance last year that aims to make it easier for financially distressed borrowers to be granted debt relief.
Unlike credit card, medical and other consumer debts, student loan borrowers must show that paying off the debt would cause them "undue hardship."
But the new guidelines are meant to simplify the burdensome process of showing undue hardship and make it easier for government lawyers to recommend to a bankruptcy court that the debt be discharged.
This story has been updated with additional information.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-26T19:25:55+00:00 | wqow.com | https://www.wqow.com/news/national/bidens-student-loan-forgiveness-program-remains-blocked-here-are-other-ways-to-get-debt-relief/article_89a0e4af-4db9-5b44-9360-ce29bcb6c36f.html |
WFO EUREKA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, January 10, 2023
_____
AREAL FLOOD WATCH
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Eureka CA
355 AM PST Tue Jan 10 2023
...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.
* WHERE...A portion of northwest California, including the following
areas... Mendocino and Lake counties.
* WHEN...Through this afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water
crossings may be flooded.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings.
Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take
action should flooding develop.
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN SAN JOAQUIN...NORTHERN
STANISLAUS...WEST CENTRAL CALAVERAS AND SOUTHWESTERN AMADOR COUNTIES
WILL EXPIRE AT 400 AM PST...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened, and no longer
appears capable of producing a tornado. herefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire. However small hail, gusty winds and heavy rain
are still possible with this thunderstorm.
_____
Copyright 2023 AccuWeather | 2023-01-10T12:37:59+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/CA-WFO-EUREKA-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17707066.php |
Winona mansion with tunnel and hidden library is on the market for $750K
WINONA, Minn. (FOX 9) - A mansion in Winona — with a tunnel connecting the two buildings and Minnesota's first in-ground swimming pool — is on the market and has recently gone viral after being featured on social media via Zillow Gone Wild.
The eight-bedroom, six-bathroom, 8,053-square-foot home, located at 22571 Briarcombe Lane, is on the market for $750,000. Listing agent Jenny Cisewski told FOX 9 her favorite features of the 1912-built home are the craftsmanship and details, including the thick molding, built-ins, rounded doorways, ceilings, and the stately brick exterior.
"This is an amazing property, the sprawling acreage is beautiful," Cisewski said.
The property features two separate but similar mansions connected by a tunnel (the prior owner did renovate the second mansion into mostly garage space). In addition to the numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, the home has a hidden library and a billiard room, among other spaces. The homes are situated on 15 acres adjacent to Signatures Golf Course, with Minnesota's first in-ground swimming pool, a gazebo and spacious greens.
The home does need some work, though, with the listing stating the home has been deteriorating throughout the years and needs someone to bring it back to its "once gracious original character and charm." And Cisewski admits it's not for the light-hearted or do-it-your-selfer. The listing says the seller is seeking cash buyers only, as the home won't pass any financing.
"I think it’s great that Briarcombe is featured on Zillow Gone Wild. I’ve read many of the comments, they are interesting and entertaining (with a few misconceptions). There definitely has been a peek in interest in the last day," Cisewski said.
The home has had multiple offers, Cisewski said.
History of Briarcombe Farm in Winona
Briarcombe Farm has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s, according to Taff Roberts's blog on the home. In 1911, Rockwell Kent was hired to design and build two Georgian Revival homes for sisters Maude and Francis Laird and their husbands Samuel Prentiss and Fredrick Bell, on a 350-acre farm near Winona, Minnesota. The homes, which were named Briarcombe, were completed in 1913.
The Laird sisters lived in Briarcombe until the 1940s, when the property was sold to a new owner, Charles A. Choate, who renamed the property Old Elm Farm and made some changes, including to the Bell mansion. The name was changed again in the 1960s to Lyngholm, when it was purchased for William Christensen and his family. What was left of the Bell mansion was renamed the Silver Dollar, and it's where the Christensens entertained their friends and business associates, Roberts says.
The property was sold again in October 1971 to Wally and Donna Friend, who renamed the property Walden. Then it was sold again in 1986 to Edwin Meyerson and his sister Mildred Sorato of California.
Read more about the home's history here. | 2023-06-02T21:09:36+00:00 | fox29.com | https://www.fox29.com/news/winona-mansion-zillow-gone-wild |
Willie Ray getting ready to head to Florida, but says this trip comes with some challenges
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Willie Ray Fairley, the owner of Willie Ray’s Q Shack, is headed to Fort Myers, Florida, Friday to cook meals for the millions of people impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Fairley is no stranger to helping others in need. He set up his smokers and grills during the 2020 derecho to feed those in the community who didn’t have power for days. He also took his equipment to Texas when a historic winter storm knocked out power to much of the state, he drove down to Louisiana after Hurricane Ida, and twice to Kentucky for natural disasters.
“It looks pretty crazy down there; it looks like Kentucky after the tornado,” he said.
Fairley said this trip was going to have its own challenges. The drive is nearly 1,300 miles, and the number of people that usually help him was nearly halved.
“As long as my nephew comes with to help behind the grill and someone can take orders, we’ll get it done,” he said. “There’s always people around asking if they can help, and you can bet if they ask this time, we’re going to put them to work.”
Those looking to help Willie Ray with his travel can follow this link.
Copyright 2022 KCRG. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-02T17:44:31+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/2022/10/02/willie-ray-getting-ready-head-florida-says-this-trip-comes-with-some-challenges/ |
Last weekend my childhood best friend died at 62. Partly due to poor health, he became financially challenged later in life.
Thank God, he had a stash of cash. His Orange County home was free and clear, completely paid for.
His home equity could have been put to good use. Basic living expenses, badly needed home repairs, and occasionally, a nice dinner out.
READ MORE: Fannie Mae halts financing for 6,102 condos in Laguna Woods
My best friend was of his own mind. Somehow, some way, he had a mental block about tapping into his home equity. Or, maybe he was fine as he was.
U.S. life expectancy is 76.1 years, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Are you on the financial edge? Are you going to outlive your money? Then what?
Over the years, I’ve received countless calls from struggling seniors. But never-the-less, they are the fortunate ones having that motherlode of assets — a home. Many contemplate downsizing. That tends to be distasteful, most say.
So, what are their options to extract equity?
Every senior’s situation is unique. There are three important points you must consider before thinking about the possibility of extracting home equity.
First, lenders cannot deny you a mortgage or discriminate against you because of your age. It doesn’t matter if you are 90 years old and you are taking out, say, a new 30-year mortgage. If you die before the mortgage is paid off (because you didn’t quite live until age 120), your heirs can assume the existing mortgage.
Secondly, before going to a financial counselor, mortgage person or even a real estate agent, get the person you trust the most in life to offer you nonjudgmental emotional support. You should not feel embarrassed or ashamed. The older you get, the easier it is to be tricked, pressured and swayed by a salesperson. You need someone in your own corner who doesn’t have a dog in the fight.
RELATED: Why no Costco-like discounts for real estate services? It’s illegal
Also, do you have other assets you can tap in addition to home equity? Do you have parents, siblings, children or someone else who can financially assist you? If so, ask them to consider helping you.
There also are loan programs to consider.
Perhaps the most contemplated mortgage program for seniors (age 62 and over) is the HECM or home equity conversion mortgage, and the so-called reverse mortgage.
The big idea is to be able to tap into your home equity without having to ever make another house payment. You can stay in the house until you die.
“You, nor your heirs, will never owe more than your home is worth, no matter how long you live,” says Joey Sather, a mortgage loan originator at Mutual of Omaha Reverse Mortgage.
Note: Your heirs have up to one year after your death to pay off the reverse mortgage (usually by selling the property). If the negatively amortizing mortgage built up to say $800,000 (because you long outlived the actuary table prediction) but the home sold for $700,000, your estate would owe the mortgage lender 95% of the $700,000 property value or $665,000.
READ MORE: Home equity lines, second mortgage lending spikes as consumer debt soars
HUD allows a 5% haircut to cover sales transaction costs (real estate agent commissions, escrow, title, etc.). HUD makes up the $135,000 difference ($800,000 minus $665,000) to the reverse mortgage lender, according to Sather.
The downside of a reverse mortgage is this current rising interest rate environment works against you as HUD uses predictive modeling to estimate your life expectancy and maximum loan amount.
Reverse mortgages are negatively amortized based on the funded loan amount. The higher the note rate, the faster the loan balance builds up, and fewer funds are available.
Here are two examples, according to a loan-to-value chart provided to me by reverse mortgage lender Longbridge Financial LLC.
A 75-year-old could extract as much as 56.8% of their home’s value based on an expected 6.245% interest rate (as of Oct. 28, 2022). Compare that with 50.1% of potential equity pullout on a 4.875% rate (as of Aug. 9, 2022). Assuming a property value of $700,000, you’d be looking at a maximum loan amount of $350,700 compared with a max of $397,600 when the expected rate was much lower at 4.875%.
You can also get an equity line-of-credit component as part of an adjustable-rate reverse mortgage whereas the remaining unused line of credit grows larger — for your benefit — as time goes on.
Fog-the-mirror may be a good alternative, or a better choice compared to a reverse mortgage. So long as you have good credit there are no other qualifying terms. The job and income sections of the loan application are left blank. You can cash out up to 70%, recognizing property values up to $5 million. We’re talking loan amounts up to $3.5 million.
The FHA reverse mortgage recognizes property values up to $1,089,300 and not a penny more, no matter what the true home value is.
The downsides are you have a monthly payment and the cash-out rate is 9% to 9.25% on a 30-year fixed. You could take the cash-out and put it into a high payment CD, say at 4% to 5% to offset some of the foggier interest expenses.
The most affordable amortizing mortgage would likely be a conventional Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac 30-year fixed rate, cash-out mortgage. Today, you’ll be looking at a rate of around 6.5% for cash-out. You are allowed up to 80% (of the property value) to cash out. You do have to qualify.
The most interesting, least-known mortgage is a relative of the Fannie mortgage, and it’s called a parent loan. It’s for children wanting to provide housing for their parents. If the parent or parents are unable to work or do not have sufficient income to qualify for a mortgage on their own, the child is considered the owner/occupant. The same rules apply. Cash-out to 80% loan-to-value.
Other notable mentions are interest-only mortgages, mainly home equity lines of credit. You can usually get them without any costs associated. You’ll pay interest-only, but buyer beware, the rates suck.
The prime rate is currently 7.75%, and it’s likely to go to 8.25% next week after the Federal Reserve raises rates. Just about every HELOC is pegged to the prime rate. That is a good tool if you have a low first mortgage you don’t want to touch.
If you are elderly, in need and have home equity, there are plenty of ways you may be able to get there. You worked your whole life to accumulate financial assets. Tap your home equity if need be. You can’t take it with you.
Freddie Mac rate news
The 30-year fixed rate averaged 6.73%, 8 basis points higher than last week. The 15-year fixed rate averaged 5.95%, 6 basis points higher than last week.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 7.4% mortgage application increase from last week.
Bottom line: Assuming a borrower gets the average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $726,200 loan, last year’s payment was $1,295 less than this week’s payment of $4,700.
What I see: Locally, well-qualified borrowers can get the following fixed-rate mortgages with one point: A 30-year FHA at 6%, a 15-year conventional at 5.875%, a 30-year conventional at 6.375%, a 15-year conventional high balance at 6.375% ($726,201 to $1,089,300), a 30-year high balance conventional at 6.99% and a jumbo 30-year fixed at 6.625%.
Note: The 30-year FHA conforming loan is limited to loans of $644,000 in the Inland Empire and $726,200 in LA and Orange counties.
Eye catcher loan program of the week: A 30-year VA fixed rate at 5.5% with 2 points cost.
Jeff Lazerson is a mortgage broker. He can be reached at 949-334-2424 or jlazerson@mortgagegrader.com | 2023-03-11T01:50:16+00:00 | denverpost.com | https://www.denverpost.com/2023/03/09/how-seniors-can-tap-their-homes-equity-in-tough-times/ |
I was five years old, and my dad had just been stationed in Germany. That meant my first airplane ride was going to be around 13 hours long. Because I had only seen an airplane from the ground, I was obviously terrified to be gliding through the clouds. The day eventually came, and my family of five, and our beagle with the obnoxious bark. packed up our gold Mazda minivan and drove to the airport. Once on the airplane, it was a long ride, and I intensely chewed bubblegum while watching The Little Mermaid. Two years later, I experienced the same plane ride, but as a family of four. My dad kept the dog. Unfortunately, this time around, I traded the beautiful green mountains of Ramstein for cornfields. I don't remember much from that plane ride but I do know that was the day I found a new definition for home.
When asked where their home is, most people will respond with a physical address. My answer is a little different. By age 17, I’ve had addresses in three different countries, and I've never had a place to refer to as my childhood home. Since that first flight, I've spent countless hours in an airport or on an airplane. I've come to know that I love the 6 a.m. bite from the wind while unloading the heavy luggage; suitcases whose wheels barely roll because of the number of shirts I stuffed in them. I love the long walk down the memorial hallway in Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and my mom’s “I missed you” hugs. I love the Dunkin Donuts coffee that is too sweet and the anticipation of my next adventure.
On the other hand, I hate the tears that roll down my cheeks and the guilt that's piled up from leaving one parent to see the other. I know I hate the security guards who can’t ever agree on the precautions they are supposed to take. I hate the smell of bleach in the bathrooms and my mom’s goodbye hugs because leaving her is so difficult. While I have so much love for my dad, the only things that have ever been consistent in my life are airports and my mom. Throughout my parents’ divorce, the one thing that never changed was my mom. She's never left my side and will always be where I feel the safest. I'll forever have a love-hate relationship with airports but when I'm waiting to board that plane, there's one thing I know: if this big metal bird is taking me back to the corn, no matter what beautiful scenery I'm leaving, I'll be home. So yes, to answer your question, my home is 1234 Main Street, but my home is also wherever you find Amy because my heart's home isn't a place. It's my mom. Home to me is not a specific place but more of a feeling I get when with the one I love.
This I Believe Illinois is NPR Illinois' annual essay program for Illinois high school seniors. An expression of where their minds are as they prepare to enter the adult world. This I Believe was started by radio journalist Edward R. Murrow in 1951 to allow anyone able to distil the guiding principles by which they lived. Special thank you to our sponsors: The Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise, State Journal-Register, BLH Computers, KEB, and Marine Bank. | 2022-11-20T05:47:28+00:00 | nprillinois.org | https://www.nprillinois.org/community-voices/2022-11-18/this-i-believe-home-is-not-a-place |
Biden off to Japan for Group of Seven summit, says there’s ‘work to do’ on global stage
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said there’s “work to do” on the global stage as he headed to Japan on Wednesday to consult with allies on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s assertiveness in the Pacific at the same time that a debt limit standoff looms at home.
With high-stakes talks to head off a federal default are underway in Washington, Biden pledged to remain in “constant contact” with negotiators in the Capitol while he conducts international diplomacy.
The president departed Washington aboard Air Force One a day after scrapping plans for a historic stop in Papua New Guinea and a key visit to Australia amid the showdown with House Republicans over raising the federal debt limit. The three-nation trip had been meant as a triumphant global leadership showcase, and instead threatened to become a truncated reminder of how partisan disagreements have undercut U.S. standing on the global stage.
“I’ve cut my trip short in order to be here for the final negotiations and sign the deal with the majority leader,” Biden said in remarks before departing the White House. “I’ve made clear America is not a deadbeat nation, we pay our bills.”
For Biden, the intertwined dynamics of the debt standoff and his foray abroad put a spotlight on two key aspects of his presidency — his efforts to assert U.S. prowess on the international stage and to address economic concerns at home. They also are playing out as Biden is in the early weeks of his candidacy for reelection, adding political overtones to the situation.
The president was still set to attend the annual Group of Seven summit of advanced democracies in Hiroshima, where sustaining support for Ukraine’s expected counteroffensive against Russia is set to take center stage, alongside economic, climate and global development issues. More than a year after Moscow’s invasion, Biden and allies have armed Kyiv with ever-more-advanced weaponry and maintained deep sanctions on Russia’s economy, though maintaining resolve has grown more challenging in Washington and other global capitals.
While in Hiroshima, Biden also plans to sit down with the so-called Quad leaders of Japan, Australia and India, a partnership meant to serve as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific, a region that he bills as a top priority in U.S. national security strategy. That meeting had originally been scheduled to occur next week on what would have been his inaugural visit to Canberra and Sydney as president.
Off the agenda entirely is a stop in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, where Pacific Island leaders were to gather for a first-of-its-kind meeting with a U.S. president. It was meant to be a rejoinder to China’s increasing military and economic pressures in the region. The U.S. has recently opened embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga and has expressed a desire to reverse a decades-long pullback in the region.
No U.S. president has ever visited the island nation, and high hopes for the visit were dashed by Biden’s announcement that he wouldn’t make the stop.
When asked whether he thought his shortened trip was a win for China, he said: “No.”
“Because we still work with allies,” he said.
During a roughly hour-long meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy designated chief negotiators to try to draft an agreement to allow more government borrowing in conjunction with GOP-demanded spending cuts. The Treasury Department has warned that action is likely needed by June 1 to assure the U.S. can continue to meet its financial obligations.
U.S. officials have warned in increasingly urgent tones that a default would not only spark a deep recession, but also weaken its standing on the world stage.
“Countries like Russia and China that would love nothing more than for us to default so they could point the finger and say, ‘You see, the United States is not a stable, reliable partner,’” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday. “So, that is a high priority, as it should be, for the president.”
For weeks, White House officials have said Biden could manage both the Capitol Hill negotiations and foreign commitments while on the trip. But in recent days aides have fretted as McCarthy has repeatedly called for Biden to scrap his trip, worried that while abroad, the president would appear to the public as disengaged from the swelling crisis.
The instability of the cancellation could have the opposite effect of the initial purpose of Biden’s trip — reinforcing American commitments to the region, warned Charles Edel, a senior adviser and the Australia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“It would underscore for partners that despite welcome U.S. focus on the region and the focus on allies and partners at the heart of U.S. foreign policy, domestic politics is still a constraint on U.S. engagement and perhaps on budgetary commitments as well,” he said last week. “And I think that’s something that will be talked about widely.”
___
Boak reported from Hiroshima, Japan.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2023-05-17T17:58:54+00:00 | kob.com | https://www.kob.com/politics-news/biden-off-to-japan-for-group-of-seven-summit-says-theres-work-to-do-on-global-stage/ |
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Sirianni and his kids made snow angels in the confetti on the Linc turf. Jalen Hurts puffed on a cigar alone at his locker and scrolled through the congratulatory texts on his phone.
Out in the Philly streets, delirious fans refused to let grease slow them down as they slithered toward the top of street poles.
Everyone celebrates a Super Bowl trip in their own way.
Historically, those don’t come around very often in Philly. This makes two Super Bowls in six years for the franchise, which represents half of its career total. Owner Jeffrey Lurie has hired three straight coaches who’ve made it to the championship — Andy Reid, Doug Pederson and now Sirianni.
Even better for the Eagles, they drafted the right quarterback.
Hurts seemingly has it all. He tied a team record for total touchdowns. Was named an MVP finalist. Went 16-1 as a starter, including the playoffs. Has been heavily touted as the type of quarterback that can carry a franchise for a decade.
Yet it’s not enough.
Hurts made sure to call out his perceived haters in the moments after he scored a rushing touchdown and led the Eagles to a 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s NFC title game.
Who knew? Hurts was a 2023 version of Ben Simmons that no one in Philly wanted.
“My first year here (people) probably didn’t even want to draft me here,” Hurts said. “It was probably one of those things. But it always handles itself.”
Let’s look at the facts: Hurts was drafted in 2020 in the second round — after a stellar collegiate career in which he was a Heisman Trophy runner-up — in large part to challenge incumbent Carson Wentz. Hurts was named the starter under former coach Pederson in Week 14 of his rookie year and has never really looked back. He rebounded from a 2-5 start and led the Eagles to the playoffs in Sirianni’s first season. In his second season as a starter, the Eagles have gone wire-to-wire as the best team in the NFC.
So who didn’t want Hurts here? He wouldn’t elaborate.
“It was a big surprise to many,” Hurts said cryptically. “My favorite (Bible) verse, I went through a lot of stuff in college and it kind of stuck with me, John 13:7: ‘You may not know now but later you’ll understand.’ Hopefully people understand.”
There are clues in Hurts’ biography that might explain what he meant. At Alabama, he was benched in the national title game for Tua Tagovailoa and ultimately transferred to Oklahoma for his senior season. He wasn’t considered a can’t-miss NFL prospect and heading into this season, there were questions about whether he could thrive as a pocket passer.
Hurts appeared to answer those questions. But he likely hasn’t forgotten them.
Eagles fans are sure to excuse whatever Hurts is working through as long as he leads them to their second Super Bowl championship in six years.
The Eagles have made three of their four Super Bowl appearances since 2000 and there’s a familiar mustache on the opposing sideline in Reid. Reid is on the short list — if not No. 1 — of the greatest coaches in Eagles history. He turned the Eagles into winners in his second season and won more games than any coach in franchise history, but was 1-4 in NFC championship games. He was fired after 14 seasons and immediately landed in Kansas City, where he has won a Super Bowl and lost another.
Hurts vs. Patrick Mahomes is a QB matchup for the ages. And the first between two Black quarterbacks in Super Bowl history.
Should Hurts win this one, maybe people will understand.
WHAT’S WORKING
Hurts had a modest game by his standards. He was 15-of-25 passing for 121 yards and ran for 39. That opened the door for the running game to take control. Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell didn’t put up monster numbers, but they chewed up pivotal yards on scoring drives and helped the Eagles find the end zone. Sanders scored two touchdowns. Boston Scott scored one.
The Eagles love to use their backs at the goal line and the trio’s propensity to find the end zone could derail the Chiefs.
WHAT’S NOT
The Eagles did their job battering San Francisco QBs Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson, but it’s not like the offense dazzled outside of the running backs inside the 20. Gainwell led the team with 48 yards rushing and DeVonta Smith led with 36 yards receiving. Those players have put up similar numbers in a quarter this season. Without more explosive plays, the Eagles could be doomed in Glendale, Arizona.
STOCK UP
The hometown(-ish) kid makes good. Haason Reddick forced a fumble and injured Purdy on San Francisco’s first drive of the game. He also recovered a fumble and had two sacks. Reddick now has 3 1/2 sacks this postseason, which are the most by an Eagle during a single playoff run. Reddick has 19 1/2 sacks in 19 games this season (including playoffs). Who wants to wager that the New Jersey native and former Temple standout can get a few more against the gimpy Mahomes?
STOCK DOWN
The Eagles might want to punt on using Brett Kern in the Super Bowl. Kern was a disaster again against the 49ers, with a shanked punt and a line drive into the end zone. He tried to argue the shank hit a TV camera wire but that argument went nowhere. Punter Arryn Siposs has been sidelined since mid-December with an ankle injury and remains hopeful he could return for the Super Bowl.
KEY NUMBER
4 — The Eagles are the fourth team to reach three Super Bowls since 2004, joining New England (seven), Pittsburgh (three) and Seattle (three). The Eagles are also the fourth franchise to appear in multiple Super Bowls since 2017, joining Kansas City (three), the Los Angeles Rams (two) and New England (two) in that span. The Eagles are also in their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history.
NEXT STEPS
Prepare to face the Chiefs. | 2023-02-01T17:19:54+00:00 | krqe.com | https://www.krqe.com/sports/the-big-game/jalen-hurts-still-trying-to-quiet-haters/ |
MONTREAL (AP) — Rafael Nadal withdrew from the upcoming hard-court tournament in Montreal on Friday because of the abdominal injury that caused him to pull out of Wimbledon ahead of the semifinals.
The Spaniard had been 19-0 in Grand Slam matches this year when he decided the injury was too much at Wimbledon. He won the Australian Open and the French Open to increase his major total to a men's record 22 — one more than Novak Djokovic and two more than Roger Federer.
Nadal is a five-time champion in Montreal.
“I have been practicing for a while now without serving and started with serves four days ago. Everything has been going well. However, yesterday, after my normal practice, I felt a slight bother on my abdominal and today it was still there,” Nadal said in a statement. “After speaking with my doctor, we prefer to take things in a conservative way and give a few more days before starting to compete.”
American player Mackenzie McDonald will replace Nadal in the draw.
Djokovic withdrew from the Montreal tournament on Thursday because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and is therefore not allowed to enter Canada.
___
More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-08-05T13:18:52+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/nation-world/nadal-withdraws-from-montreal-because-of-abdominal-injury/2NQNRYY4JRANZNHHY3JS6T4MGM/ |
CHENGDU, China, Sept. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2022 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Chengdu (hereinafter referred to as "World Team Table Tennis Championships") will be held in the western Chinese city of Chengdu on September 30, 2022.
According to the Organising Committee of 2022 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Chengdu, the slogan of this tournament "Celebrate Table Tennis With Chengdu" not only highlights the passion for table tennis in Chengdu, but also expresses the aspirations of the International Table Tennis Federation to enhance in-depth exchanges with the city.
Chengdu has forged strong ties with world table tennis competitions. In step with the positioning of Chengdu into a world-famous city for sport competition, important events such as China Open and ITTF Women's World Cup have already been hosted successively by the city. This upcoming World Team Table Tennis Championships will unequivocally be remembered as another milestone event in Chengdu.
The tournament will be held from September 30 to October 9 at the Chengdu High-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, and this multi-functional gymnasium completed just last year will usher in its first international sports event. ITTF President Petra Sorling said, "The most distinguished players in the world will converge in Chengdu, which is both exhilarating and hard-earned."
To Liu Guoliang, Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Director and Chairman of World Table Tennis (WTT) Council and President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), Chengdu is not only an acclaimed sports city, it is also a metropolis that merits appreciation and exploration. He said, "Chengdu is a charming, vogue city that is full of vibrancy, and one that has garnered the endearments of the Chinese people. With the presence of the world's top athletes here, table tennis will no doubt become a new calling card of this time-honored city. Friends from all over the world who descend on Chengdu can experience the delicious cuisine, enchanting scenery and warm hospitality that the city offers."
China has previously hosted five World Table Tennis Championships, and this upcoming tournament marks the first time that the event has come to a city in West China. Thus, it is with utmost enthusiasm that the exuberant and hospitable Chengdu welcomes the world's most esteemed table tennis athletes. Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng, Wang Manyu, Wang Yidi and Chen Xingtong will comprise the Chinese women's table tennis team, while the star-studded lineup of the Chinese men's table tennis team will consist of Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, Liang Jingkun, Wang Chuqin and Lin Gaoyuan. Members of both teams are eager to win the Swaythling Cup and the Corbillon Cup for the 22nd time.
As a world-renowned city of gastronomy, Chengdu is particularly appealing to Fan Zhendong, the celebrated table tennis athlete who is also described as a foodie. He laughed and said, "After the tournament, I really hope I get the chance to enjoy the wide range of delicious foods that Chengdu is so well-known for."
But flavorful and delightful food is by no means the only thing worth savoring in Chengdu. Accompanying the hosting of major international sports events such as the World Table Tennis Championships and World University Games, the city's environment for fitness and exercise has been endowed with a strengthened foundation conducive to further growth. The city of Chengdu is vigorously radiating the vitality of sports with a multitude of new sports arenas and spaces including all kinds of gymnasiums, greenways, parks and community sport corners. In 2021, the total number of citizens regularly participating in physical exercises in Chengdu reached nine million. Large sports venues such as Dong'an Lake Sports Park and Fenghuangshan Sports Park constitute the "landmarks" shared among citizens.
At present, Chengdu is home to over 59,000 sports venues of various sorts, and citizens can get into the full swing of health and fitness with just a few steps. The fervent rise in popularity of a variety of sports including table tennis, basketball, tennis, ice hockey, three-on-three football, skateboarding, frisbee have enhanced Chengdu's urban sport atmosphere, consequently enabling the city to rank first in the evaluation of public sports service quality in China.
The fact that the design of the medals of this tournament have been inspired by the giant panda, a unique feature of Chengdu, has further raised the expectation of participating athletes. The medals will incorporate the cute giant panda with the traditional jade pendant design and the silhouette of the table tennis paddle, conveying to the world the cultural characteristics of Chengdu and the charms and essences of Chinese heritage.
View original content:
SOURCE The Organising Committee of 2022 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Chengdu | 2022-09-28T01:43:26+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/prnewswire/2022/09/28/september-30-celebrate-table-tennis-with-chengdu/ |
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
STOCKHOLM (AP) — A senior Swedish police officer has been found dead in his home, hours after the release of an internal report that found a conflict of interest regarding decisions he had made about a former employee with whom he had a relationship, police said.
Mats Löfving, the chief of police in the Stockholm region, was found dead in his home in the city of Norrkoping, police said. He was 61.
The cause of death was not immediately clear and police opened an investigation as a matter of standard procedure.
Löfving’s conduct was under review both by an internal audit and a criminal investigation, in a case that shook Sweden’s police leadership and made headlines across the Scandinavian nation.
The probes focused on his relationship with a female employee while he was the head of the police National Operations Department.
The internal investigation on Wednesday found there was a conflict of interest when Löfving made decisions regarding the employee's salary and position. The investigator said those decisions raised questions about Löfving's judgement as a manager and suggested that the police leadership consider terminating his employment.
Later Wednesday, police responding to a report of an injured person at Löfving's home found him dead inside.
“It is incredibly tragic," Sweden's chief of police Anders Thornberg said late Wednesday. “My thoughts go to Mats Löfving, his next of kin and work colleagues.”
Prosecutors later said they would drop the investigation into gross misconduct. | 2023-02-23T14:35:51+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/world/article/stockholm-police-head-found-dead-after-report-17801041.php |
U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier sentenced a Pine Ridge man on July 8 to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for methamphetamine trafficking. Lew Bettelyoun, 46, sold the drug for more than a five-year period.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense on June 3 as part of a plea deal. He will serve 10 years for the drug charge and five years for the firearm charge.
In a signed factual basis statement, Bettelyoun admitted to obtaining methamphetamine and distributing it to others, who he knew would distribute it further. At least 500 grams of meth were distributed during the course of the conspiracy, which lasted from January 2013 until October 2018. Law enforcement arrested Bettelyoun on Oct. 3, 2018 at Pine Ridge.
A federal grand jury originally charged Bettelyoun on Sept. 18, 2018 with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, but later expanded the charges to include carrying a firearm during a trafficking offense and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
People are also reading…
U.S. Magistrate Judge Denata Wollmann allowed Bettelyoun out on pretrial release on Oct. 5, 2018 on the conditions he not commit any additional offenses, use or possess any illegal substances or have contact with witnesses.
In January 2022, the prosecution submitted a motion to revoke bond and arrest Bettelyoun on the grounds he continued to deal meth during his pretrial release. The prosecution pointed to information from seven different people attesting to Bettelyoun both buying and selling the drug. Law enforcement arrested him a second time on Feb. 14 in Pine Ridge.
The judge also ordered that Bettelyoun pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Multiple local and federal agencies investigated the case. U.S. Assistant Attorney Kathryn Rich prosecuted. Katie Thompson represented Bettelyoun. | 2022-07-15T00:01:03+00:00 | rapidcityjournal.com | https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/pine-ridge-man-gets-15-years-for-meth-trafficking/article_0e1c07ef-4c6c-543b-9124-a54fbd1ed8a3.html |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.