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HOUSTON, March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday February 27th, 10x-NBA All-Star, basketball legend, entrepreneur, and philanthropist James Harden's Impact13 Foundation just joined forces with the Houston Housing Authority to reinvigorate, recharge, and revive Cuney Home's Basketball Court. As a beloved hub for recreation and community in the Third Ward, the court design not only boasts fresh coats of paint and state-of-the-art equipment, but also vivid artistry. Overlooking the space, a powerful mural by local artist Henry Agim depicts George Floyd in a "54" jersey—his high school number.
The court was initially unveiled to the public on Monday presented by David Northern (President and C.E.O. of Houston Housing Authority), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Pilar Donnelly (Impact13), Sakara Ross (SNR Construction), Shareeduh McGee-Tate (George Floyd family), and Henry Agim.
The event included a thoughtful press conference followed by the unveiling of the revitalized Cuney Home's Basketball Court. Festivities continued into the early evening with basketball games, a sneaker giveaway, sno-cones, and light bites.
Regarding the project, Pilar Donnelly stated, "This is the result of nearly a year of planning and preparation to do the community justice. James spent a large portion of his career in Houston, and it will always be a second home to him. To say this was close to our hearts is an understatement. The court is like the heartbeat of this neighborhood, and we're honored to bring it back to life." NOTE: 6 months of planning
David Northern added, "On behalf of Houston Housing Authority, I want to wholeheartedly thank James Harden, Pilar Donnelly, and Impact13 for giving our community its court back."
The court's revamp stands out as the first project in a series of community initiatives from The Third Ward – Cuney Homes Choice Neighborhood Initiative. They found synergy with Impact13 whose mission is to restore dilapidated basketball courts across the world. Simultaneously, it pays homage to the memory of George Floyd.
Shareeduh McGee-Tate commented, "George loved basketball. He was always out on the court and in the neighborhood. There's no better tribute."
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee added, "It's incredible to see what we can do when we come together. Watching Impact13 and Houston housing Authority unite to better the city of Houston is an inspiration to everyone. This court is a symbol of this power."
Stay tuned for more from Impact13.
Brittany Bell
CEO, The Consulting Queen
britt@theconsultingqueen.com
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SOURCE Impact13 Foundation | 2023-03-02T02:12:07+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/03/02/10x-nba-all-star-james-hardens-impact13-foundation-partners-with-houston-housing-authority-revitalize-amp-reopen-cuney-homes-basketball-court/ |
CHICAGO (WGN) — More migrants are set to arrive in Chicago from Texas on Monday, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot is asking Gov. Greg Abbott to stop.
“We simply have no more shelters, spaces, or resources to accommodate an increase of individuals at this level,” a letter penned by Lightfoot reads, in part.
Chicago has welcomed more than 8,000 asylum seekers since last August, with Lightfoot saying many of those who have been bussed or flown in are in dire need of basic resources.
Her letter states further, “I know by your actions that you either do not see or do not care about the trauma these migrants have already faced and continue to suffer under the humanitarian crisis you have created. But I beseech you anyway: treat these individuals with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”
While Chicago is bracing for another influx of migrants, it is not the only city dealing with the problem.
El Paso, Texas, mayor Oscar Leeser declared a state of emergency for his city, effective starting Tuesday and lasting for the next week.
“We figure there’s anywhere between 10-12,000 people that are ready to come on May 11th, May 12th,” Leeser said. “So effective at 12:01 May 1st, I am declaring a state of emergency in our community.”
The measure will allow for the opening of temporary shelters in El Paso and comes ahead of the expiration of Title 42, which allowed officials the ability to turn away those seeking asylum in the United States based on helping prevent the spread of COVID-19.
It is unclear at this time what measures the City of Chicago will take if migrants continue to arrive from Texas. | 2023-05-01T20:32:46+00:00 | krqe.com | https://www.krqe.com/news/national/we-simply-have-no-more-shelters-lightfoot-implores-abbott-to-stop-sending-migrants/ |
Biden on MSU shooting: 'It's a family's worst nightmare'
Washington ― President Joe Biden said Tuesday he and the first lady are praying for the three killed students and five others "fighting for their lives" after Monday night's mass shooting on the campus of Michigan State University.
"It's a family's worst nightmare. It's happening far too often in this country. Far too often," Biden said Tuesday in remarks before the National Association of Counties. "While we gather more information, there's one thing we do know to be true: We have to do something to stop gun violence ripping apart our communities."
He called on Congress to do more to combat gun violence with legislative reforms, noting that Tuesday was the five-year anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 students and staff.
"I met every one of those families, spent time with them all. And a lot of you here have had to confront violence in your communities every single day," Biden said. "We took a big step toward passing the most significant bipartisan gun legislation in 30 years ..., but there's a lot more work to do, and I'm committing to getting it done with all of you."
The president suggested he wants to ban assault weapons again, adding there's "no rationale" for assault weapons and magazines that hold 50-70 bullets.
Police are still working to identify a motive after a suspected gunman late Monday terrorized the campus in East Lansing. The gunman was later found dead off campus from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and identified as 43-year-old Anthony McRae, who was not affiliated with MSU as a student or employee, police said.
MSU police identified two of the three victims as Brian Fraser, a sophomore from Grosse Pointe, and Alexandria Verner, a junior from Clawson. The five wounded remain in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital.
Earlier Tuesday, Biden issued a written statement in response to the MSU shooting.
"Our hearts are with these young victims and their families, the broader East Lansing and Lansing communities, and all Americans across the country grieving as the result of gun violence," Biden said in a Tuesday statement released by the White House.
Biden said he spoke Monday night to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and instructed the deployment of "all necessary federal law enforcement" to support the response, saying he assured Whitmer "that we would continue to provide the resources and support needed in the weeks ahead." The White House said that includes the FBI.
"Too many American communities have been devastated by gun violence. I have taken action to combat this epidemic in America, including a historic number of executive actions and the first significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years, but we must do more," Biden said.
"The fact that this shooting took place the night before this country marks five years since the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, should cause every American to exclaim 'enough' and demand that Congress take action." Biden spelled out specific reforms he wants enacted including requiring background checks on all gun sales and closing "loopholes" in the backgrounding system; banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; requiring the safe storage of firearms; and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers "who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets."
"Action is what we owe to those grieving today in Michigan and across America," Biden said.
mburke@detroitnews.com | 2023-02-14T19:46:58+00:00 | detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/michigan/2023/02/14/biden-on-shooting-our-hearts-are-with-these-young-victims-and-their-families/69903600007/ |
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the only quarterback in the AFC to throw three touchdown passes in Week 4, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Mahomes completed 62.2% of his passes for 249 yards and one interception in a 41-31 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One of Mahomes’ touchdowns on Sunday night went viral — he evaded two tackles, executed a spin move on LB Devin White, and found running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the end zone.
Mahomes was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after the first game of the season against the Arizona Cardinals.
This week’s award marks the ninth time Mahomes has been named the Offensive Player of the Week in the AFC.
It is also the third time a Chief has been named a player of the week this season. Rookie CB Jaylen Watson won the defensive weekly award in Week 2.
AFC Player of the Week
- Offensive: QB Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
- Defensive: S Jordan Poyer – Buffalo Bills
- Special Teams: K Evan McPherson – Cincinnati Bengals
NFC Player of the Week
- Offensive: QB Geno Smith – Seattle Seahawks
- Defensive: LB Haason Reddick – Philadelphia Eagles
- Special Teams: K Greg Joseph – Minnesota Vikings
Be the first to know with KSN News in the palm of your hand
Stay up-to-date on Wichita news and weather. KSN News is available to you anytime on the KSN News app. For the latest KSN radar in the palm of your hand, download the KSN Weather App. Get breaking news and a daily rundown of the news that’s important to you by signing up for our newsletters. | 2022-10-05T14:05:07+00:00 | ksn.com | https://www.ksn.com/sports/chiefs/patrick-mahomes-3-touchdown-passes-vs-bucs-earn-him-weekly-honors/ |
LAS VEGAS and RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Jan. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A leader in delivering digital healthcare technologies for clinicians and patients, MedWand Solutions, Inc. is pleased to announce the execution of a three-way letter of intent in conjunction with the Acibadem Healthcare Group and MedWand's value-added distributor in Turkey, Ordinatrum.
With this signed letter of intent, MedWand, Acibadem, and Ordinatrum will begin to organize the expansion and completion of an ongoing Proof of Concept (POC) program to have the MedWand experience integrated into Acibadem's many clinical environments, including coordination, implementation, integration, training, and support. Acibadem will provide the environment, patients, and healthcare providers across its many users and departments in parallel.
During this expanded POC phase, a joint task force of each of the three companies' IT teams will develop and integrate the MedWand ecosystem into Acibadem's HIS system: Cerebral Plus. The vital data that MedWand devices capture will be stored and displayed in the Cerebral Plus HIS system in near-real-time. Upon successful completion of the expanded POC phase, Acibadem intends to use large quantities of MedWand systems to support the active use of MedWand products across the scope of Acibadem's clinical operations. Acibadem provides Premium Healthcare services with its 24 hospitals and 14 medical centers in five countries.
"Transforming the current understanding of telemedicine, MedWand combines multiple clinically accurate vitals sensors and an Ultra-HD resolution camera into one, handheld, lightweight device," said Robert Rose, MedWand's President & CEO. "Our solution is perfect for inclusion into Acibadem's system in multiple deployment scenarios with our seamless integration of Cerebral Plus in both remote and bedside applications."
The leader of the Acibadem Technology Company and board member Kemal Kaplan shared, "We are excited to be working with MedWand to bring a greatly enhanced experience to our remote care programs as well as the in-clinic experience for both our patients and providers."
"We are passionate about bringing health care and technology together to serve one purpose, better outcomes. MedWand delivers the best technology for remote examinations and greatly compliments the philosophy of Acibadem "the excellence in patient care"," said Hatem Karapinar, Co-founder & CEO of Ordinatrum.
Data collected via a MedWand device can include core temperature, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, heart, lung, and abdominal auscultations, electrocardiogram, and high-definition otoscopic, oropharynx, and dermatoscopic exam images. The MedWand VirtualCare Clinic can also provide blood pressure, glucometer, spirometry, weight, and body mass data by instantly connecting to FDA or CE-cleared third-party tools.
Transforming the capabilities of telemedicine, MedWand is available in Mobile Clinic, Ruggedized Mobile Clinic, Desktop Clinic, and Cart Clinic configurations to meet a wide range of high mobility or fixed installation requirements. By enabling real-time vitals capture and live monitoring from any location with access to the internet, MedWand provides the missing link in the delivery of high-quality healthcare, irrespective of geographical distance.
When patient care depends on telemedicine, choose MedWand. For information on the MedWand system and MedWand Solutions, Inc., visit www.medwand.com.
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About MedWand Solutions, Inc
MedWand Solutions, Inc. delivers digital healthcare technologies that enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare services for clinicians and patients, regardless of location. MedWand
was created by a team of physicians and engineers to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services regardless of physical location. The company offers its MedWand device and Virtual Care Clinic solutions for a wide range of applications that include hospitals, field clinics, nursing homes, schools, and workplaces, wherever Internet access is available.
About the Acibadem Healthcare Group (Acibadem)
The Acibadem Healthcare Group (Turkish: Acibadem Sağlık Grubu) is a Turkish healthcare institution, offers services in 24 hospitals and 14 medical centers in 5 countries, namely, Turkey, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Netherlands and Serbia with over 23,000 employees under its roof. Acibadem is also a part of IHH Healthcare Berhad, Asia's largest healthcare chain, since 2012. The group consists of a network of general hospitals, medical centers, outpatient clinics, and various laboratories. In addition, Acibadem offers its premium health care services with 50 Representative offices called Health Points, located in 25 countries and 47 cities.
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SOURCE MedWand Solutions, Inc. | 2023-01-02T14:41:32+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/prnewswire/2023/01/02/medwand-solutions-receives-letter-intent-acibadem-healthcare-group/ |
Pigskin Preview: Nazareth Swifts
Published: Jul. 26, 2023 at 8:03 PM CDT|Updated: 8 minutes ago
NAZARETH, Texas (KCBD) - The Nazareth Swifts are coming off a 10-3 State Quarterfinal season.
Despite losing some key seniors, the expectations are high for the Swifts.
Head Coach Tyler Goodwin has a tough non-District schedule to prepare his team to make another run.
Nazareth hopes to go even further in 2023.
Copyright 2023 KCBD. All rights reserved. | 2023-07-27T01:13:02+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/2023/07/27/pigskin-preview-nazareth-swifts/ |
SALISBURY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A man was shot on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in a Rowan County bowling alley parking lot, according to the police department.
The incident happened around 8:00 p.m. at 1811 Jake Alexander Boulevard, the address of Woodleaf Lanes.
Police say they responded to reports of a shooting; upon arrival, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.
First responders began life-saving measures on the scene and rushed the victim to Baptist Hospital after.
Authorities advised the man’s vehicle was taken during the situation, but was found a short period later. No further information was made avalible regarding that incident.
This remains an active investigation and there is ‘no threat to the community.’ | 2023-03-16T21:35:17+00:00 | qcnews.com | https://www.qcnews.com/crime-and-public-safety/man-shot-in-salisbury-bowling-alley-parking-lot-police-say/ |
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A 25-year-old Columbia man, also of Holly Hill, succumbed to injuries he sustained in a single-vehicle crash. | 2023-07-16T01:18:37+00:00 | thetandd.com | https://thetandd.com/3-bedroom-home-in-orangeburg---284-900/article_08f88852-1f45-5a18-8014-96a047e6cf7e.html |
NEW DELHI — The film had already been banned, the social media posts censored. Now, the students huddled without light or electricity around glowing smartphones to watch what their government had deemed to be subversive foreign propaganda.
The Indian government over the past week has embarked on an extraordinary campaign to prevent its citizens from viewing a new documentary by the British broadcaster that explores Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged role in a deadly 2002 riot that saw more than 1,000 people — mostly Muslims — killed.
Indian officials, invoking emergency powers, ordered clips from the documentary to be censored on social media platforms including YouTube and Twitter. The Foreign Ministry spokesman lambasted the BBC production as a “propaganda piece” made with a “colonial mind-set.” One junior minister from Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declared that watching the film amounted to “treason.”
On Tuesday evening, authorities cut electricity to the student union hall at New Delhi’s prestigious Jawarharlal Nehru University in an attempt to prevent the film being screened — a move that only provoked defiant students around the country to try to host more viewings.
When students at another college in the Indian capital — Jamia Millia Islamia University — announced their own plans on Wednesday to view the film, Delhi police swooped in to detain the organizers. Ranks of riot police armed with tear gas were also dispatched to the campus, according to witnesses and smartphone photos they shared.
All told, the remarkable steps taken by the government seemed to reinforce a central point of the BBC series: that the world’s largest democracy was sliding into authoritarianism under Modi, who rose to national power in 2014 and won reelection in 2019 on a Hindu nationalist platform.
Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia Pacific policy director of the digital rights group Access Now, said the episode should “give more attention” to the “dangerous situation” of eroding civil liberties in India. The government has become “far more efficient and aggressive” in blocking content during moments of national political controversy, he said.
“How is it acceptable for India, as a democracy, to be ordering such a large amount of web censorship in the country?” Chima said. “You have to look at this incident as part of a cumulative wave of censorship.”
The controversy kicked off on Jan. 17, when the BBC aired the first part of its two-part documentary, “India: The Modi Question.”
In the hour-long first segment, the BBC focused on the Indian leader’s early career and his rise through the influential Hindu nationalist organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It focused on his tenure as leader of Gujarat, a state that burst into violence in 2002 following the murder of 59 Hindu pilgrims in a train fire. The killings were blamed on Muslim perpetrators, and Hindu mobs retaliated by rampaging through Muslim communities.
In its documentary, the BBC uncovered British diplomatic cables from 2002 that likened the paroxysm of murder, rape and destruction of homes to an “ethnic cleansing” of Gujarat’s Muslims. British officials also concluded that the mob violence was preplanned by Hindu nationalist groups “under the protection of the state government” and further suggested that Modi was “directly responsible” for the “climate of impunity” that led to its outbreak, according to the documentary.
While the film disclosed the existence of the diplomatic cables for the first time, it did not level any groundbreaking allegations against the Indian leader. For two decades, Modi has been trailed by criticism that he allowed the riots to rage on, and it was in 2013 that an Indian Supreme Court panel ruled there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.
In 2005, the State Department denied Modi a U.S. visa due to his alleged role in the riots — although he was later welcomed by successive U.S. administrations who viewed him as a linchpin to American foreign policy in Asia.
Modi has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to his handling of the 2002 events.
The documentary was aired last week only in Britain and not in India, but the Modi government’s response has been swift and vehement.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi lashed out at the BBC for producing “a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative.” He accused the broadcaster of maintaining a political agenda and a “continuing colonial mind-set.”
An adviser to the Indian Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Kanchan Gupta, also announced that that ministry had issued a directive under a 2021 law to censor all social media posts sharing the documentary.
“Videos sharing BBC World hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage, disguised as ‘documentary’ on YouTube, and tweets sharing links to the BBC documentary have been blocked under India’s sovereign laws and rules,” Gupta said in a tweet. He added that both YouTube and Twitter, which was recently acquired by Elon Musk, have complied with the orders.
In a statement, the BBC said its documentary was “rigorously researched” and the Indian government declined to offer comment for the piece.
By the weekend, Indians could only share the film on Telegram, an encrypted messaging app, and watch copies stored on cloud services or on physical thumb drives.
On Tuesday evening, students gathered at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University for a widely advertised 9 p.m. showing, defying warnings by university administrators to cancel the event or face disciplinary action. Hundreds of students flocked to the student union, only to be foiled 30 minutes before the scheduled time when the electricity was cut, plunging the hall into darkness, said Anagha Pradeep, a political science PhD student.
Instead of viewing the documentary on a projector, they shared links to download the film on their phones to watch as a group, she said.
Shortly after that, students were attacked by members of the youth wing of the RSS Hindu nationalist group, Pradeep said. University administrators blamed the power outage on a faulty electrical line, according to local media.
By Wednesday, student groups from Kerala in southern India to West Bengal in the east had announced their plans to host viewings. At Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi, administrators stopped all unauthorized gatherings after police detained several students for planning to screen the documentary, local outlets reported.
Aishe Ghosh, the leader of the JNU student union, said that the pushback from campuses showed India was “still breathing [as] a democracy.”
“What is the problem if a large number of Indians see it?” Ghosh said by telephone on Wednesday from inside a subway stop where she was hiding to avoid arrest.
“They will see through the propaganda if it exists,” she said. “What we get is more and more censorship.” | 2023-01-25T15:10:43+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/25/india-bbc-narendra-modi-documentary/ |
FORT COLLINS — Colorado State sophomore quarterback Clay Millen is a year older and a year wiser after taking his lumps as a freshman starter last season.
The Washington native and Nevada transfer has shown glimpses this spring of how much he has improved, and he put his progression on display Saturday in CSU’s annual Green and Gold Game at Canvas Stadium to conclude spring practices.
The game’s format of “1s vs. The World” started with Millen and the rest of CSU’s starters behind by 21 points. By halftime, the 1s had made up the deficit and led 27-24.
They went on to win, 34-24.
Millen, one of the national leaders in completion percentage last year, completed 11 of 16 passes for more than 180 yards. Among his highlights was a screen pass to Justus Ross-Simmons that the sophomore receiver took more than 65 yards down to the 1-yard line.
That set up the first touchdown by the 1s, a short run by running back Vann Schield.
Millen’s best throw came a few series later when he dropped one over the shoulder of sophomore receiver Louis Brown at the 4. Brown’s momentum carried him into the end zone for a touchdown.
“I think we started out super hot,” Millen said. “We scored really quickly on the first two drives. Kind of in the middle, we had some delay of games, a couple of things we’d like to clean up. Overall, I think it was a good day. Going into today’s scrimmage I wanted to score on every possession. We didn’t do that so that is something that will be a focus. But overall, I think it was a good day.”
It was a good day all-around for the Rams’ offense as they scored four first-half touchdowns and added one late in the fourth quarter.
Most of the focus this spring has been forming a consistent, cohesive offensive line. That line was on full display Saturday, only allowing Millen to be sacked once while giving him protection to complete passes and open holes for Schield.
Schield, a former walk-on, continued to take advantage of his opportunity at running back, scoring three touchdowns in the game. With returning starter Avery Morrow out of spring practice and a highly anticipated group of recruits coming in, Schield could see his role relegated to special teams.
But he proved Saturday he can break long runs and muscle his way through the middle as he finished the game with over 100 yards on the ground.
“I’ve just been real pleased all spring with our offensive line,” CSU head coach Jay Norvell said. “I think we’ve improved there tremendously. I think we’ve got a core of guys that are really accountable, that work every day and try to do the things that we have been able to do. We’ve been able to run the ball consistently all spring, and it starts there.
“I thought Clay has shown a lot of progress this spring. I think Clay has grown up, too. Just his ability to get the ball out and understand pressure. Our young receivers are growing up. Louis Brown and Justus Ross-Simmons, they have had really strong springs. I thought Vann ran really hard today, too.”
Defensively, the Rams’ 1s allowed only a field goal to the backups. That came on their first drive. The defensive 1s, despite having several players held out of the game, shut out the backups for more than three and a half quarters.
For returners like defensive back Jack Howell, that was a good sign.
“We started a little slow, but we started picking it up and got in a little bit of a rhythm,” Howell said. “We went into this focusing on not letting them score any points and we fell short on that today, but we talked good and we are having a big emphasis on tackling with a lower pad level and I think that showed up. I think our corners played really good, took away the fade ball, so I was happy with how everyone played.”
Players on both sides have benefitted from this being the second spring and having a full season under Norvell behind them as they maneuver through the offseason.
But Norvell continues to point out that the team on the field Saturday is only a fraction of what the squad will look like once the end of the summer rolls around. More than 40 players are scheduled to arrive from the Rams’ latest recruiting class and there are a few more the team still plans to sign.
Saturday was about progress and building the foundation for a better season next fall after the Rams went 3-9 last season. And while there are more players coming, most will be backups, with the likely exception of a starting running back.
Norvell is already excited about the next time the team gets together, with the players who have made impacts and taken advantage of their opportunities this spring and the ones who will arrive as reinforcements in the summer.
“I was really just pleased with how we finished today,” Norvell said. “I thought guys were focused and sharp and we put a good day’s work in. We’re going to add a whole bunch of guys in this summer. I think we’ve got 43 scheduled to come in right now and will probably add about a half dozen to that, so I am really excited about where we’re going.”
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams. | 2023-04-23T02:10:01+00:00 | denverpost.com | https://www.denverpost.com/2023/04/22/colorado-states-first-team-offense-defense-sharp-in-spring-game-victory/ |
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)– On March 10, 2020, then Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, giving the state more flexibility to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak.
After three years, President Biden ended the national emergency, with regulations officially ending in May here in Massachusetts.
But COVID-19 is not gone and the impact to peoples’ health and the economy continues.
This week on 22News InFocus we’ll be looking at those impacts here in western Massachusetts and what’s being done to keep the public informed and safe. Our guests will be representatives from the Public Health Institute of Western Mass, and a doctor from Baystate Health who specializes in infectious diseases.
Watch 22News InFocus Sunday at noon. If you miss any of the program, you can watch it on our website at WWLP.com. | 2023-06-19T18:59:08+00:00 | wwlp.com | https://www.wwlp.com/news/infocus/infocus-the-covid-19-pandemic-what-weve-learned/ |
Here's a story you might know — it's a classic fairy tale — "Once upon a time, there was a little old woman and a little old man who lived together in a little old house. They were lonely, so the little old lady decided to make a man out of stinky cheese."
It's Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's take on The Gingerbread Man, with one very important plot twist — the stinky cheese man is so stinky that no one wants to run, run, run after him, much less eat him.
It's the title story of their 1992 children's book, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Some of the other "fairly stupid tales" in the award-winning collection:
"The Really Ugly Duckling," "Little Red Running Shorts," and "Cinderumpelstiltskin."
Scieszka and Smith have worked together for decades and on more than a dozen books. They first met through their wives, who were working together at Sport magazine.
"I was off trying to sell children's books," says Scieszka. "Not having much luck." His wife, Jeri Hansen, said "Oh you should meet this guy who just did some art for the magazine."
The guy was Lane Smith, who'd gotten work at Sport from his then-girlfriend Molly Leach.
It was love at first sight — for Scieszka and Smith.
By that point, Scieszka had earned his master's degree in fiction writing, done some apartment painting ("Because that's about what you can do with an MFA."), gotten a lot of rejections for book manuscripts, and had turned to teaching elementary school, where he was exposed to some truly terrible leveled reading material for children.
"My second graders were going, 'Mr. Scieszka, why are we even reading this?' "
So he started testing out other material.
"Like, 'Hey, have you ever heard this story about a guy who woke up one morning and he was a bug?'"
The second graders were completely taken with Franz Kafka. He read them George and Martha, and Frog and Toad — anything other than the leveled readers.
When Scieszka and Smith met, they connected over a shared love of high culture, art and literature, but also pop culture.
"I was bringing all my favorite literary devices and books that I loved — metafiction — stuff like Tristram Shandy," says Scieszka. "He was bringing this wealth of experience from the art world, just bringing pure art. It seemed like such a good match."
Their first book together was The True Story of the Three Little Pigs — a take on the classic The Three Little Pigs, but narrated by the wolf. It was a hit.
For their second book, Scieszka decided to take a bunch of other fairy tales and completely deconstruct them.
"I thought ... it'll be a great investigation of what a book is," says Scieszka. "We can get rid of the narrator, we can get rid of plot, we can get rid of the action. I just made it my mission to mess with every element of storytelling."
Once they had the idea, they had to make it all make sense. They had a big bulletin board in Smith's studio. Scieszka would come over and they would storyboard together.
"We would just arrange stuff and rearrange stuff and say 'Well, how about if we started with this one.' And then we put this one at the end. And maybe this character could walk out of this story and go into this," says Smith. "It was one of those serendipitous things. One day we looked at the big board and it all worked."
The book's narrator is Jack — of Jack and the Beanstalk fame — but here he writes the introduction ("you should definitely go read the stories now, because the rest of this introduction just kind of goes on and on"). He interrupts Chicken Licken to tell the reader that he forgot to include the Table of Contents, which falls out of the sky.
Instead of an ugly duckling that grows up to be a swan, the ugly duckling in this book grows up to be a really ugly duck. Cinderella doesn't get to go to the ball, because instead of a Fairy Godmother she gets a visit from Rumpelstiltskin. A princess sleeps atop a bowling ball instead of a pea — because Jon Scieszka is a romantic.
Smith's wife, Molly Leach, helped them with a lot of the design elements of the book. The Table of Contents, after it falls out of the sky, is all crunched up on the page. Smith and Scieszka wanted to have all of the words run off one of the pages. Leach suggested instead, what if the words just got smaller, and smaller, and smaller?
"We were like, 'OK, yeah. That's way better,'" says Scieszka.
"It looks like it came out of magazines," says Smith. "It was like stuff I was doing for Rolling Stone." Smith did all the illustrations by hand, using a lot of collage elements.
In the story of the Really Ugly Duckling, for example, the duck is very cartoon-y and stylized, but surrounding him is clip art and old engravings of actual ducks and geese and mallards. It's a nice contrast, Smith says, to have something wacky next to something scholarly.
The constant in all his work, Smith says, is texture.
"I used thin coats of oil paint, and then I would spray them with a water-based varnish," says Smith. "And I would get out a hair dryer and blow it. And it would dry it instantly and the paint would beat up. But I would just build up layer and layer of oil ... move the paint around with my fingers."
"I think the short answer for Lane's technique is it's illegal now," says Scieszka.
"That's probably why I'm seeing a neurologist now," quips Smith.
Scieszka says people jokingly ask him all the time what he and Smith were smoking (paint fumes, it sounds like) when they made this book. Despite all the fun they had — including with the ping pong table in the studio — he says it really was a lot of work. And being in the room together was essential.
"It's the give and take of both arts telling the story," says Scieszka. "It's not just adding pictures on later."
What was really unique at the time the book came out, says Smith, is how sophisticated The Stinky Cheese Man is — and that it was a parody book for kids.
"Up until then, if there was parody, like if Tex Avery did parody in a cartoon, it was almost more aimed at the adults," says Smith. But The Stinky Cheese Man wasn't winking at the adults. "Every kid had read The Gingerbread Man, so when you say the stinky cheese man they get the joke."
And — it's really funny.
"These are stories that have been around for hundreds of years," says Scieszka. "And you just tweak them a little bit for this new audience and they can crack you up."
And Scieszka and Smith say that's the whole point — they never wanted to write a message book, just a funny one.
"Sometimes I'll get an email to my website where people say a book I've done has offended them in some way. And, 'Why did you write this?' " says Smith. "And I'll say, 'Well, I didn't write it for your kid!' You know, I just wrote it for like minded people who will find it funny."
"I think that's always been another common ground of like, we don't want to tell kids what to think," says Scieszka. "You read it. See what you think. See what comes out of it."
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-01-22T22:21:35+00:00 | kunm.org | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-01-22/after-30-years-the-stinky-cheese-man-is-aging-well |
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, June 26, 2022
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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Little River County in southwestern Arkansas...
Southern Hempstead County in southwestern Arkansas...
Northern Miller County in southwestern Arkansas...
North central Lafayette County in southwestern Arkansas...
East central Bowie County in northeastern Texas...
* Until 730 PM CDT.
* At 646 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Hope to near Fulton to near Ogden to near Red
Lick, moving south at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Texarkana, Hope, Wake Village, Nash, Red Lick, Perrytown, Garland,
Fulton, Ogden, Mandeville, Genoa, Leary, Mount Pleasant, McNab,
Patmos, Oakhaven, Pleasant Hill, Hervey, Homan and Piney Grove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-06-27T00:40:56+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-SHREVEPORT-Warnings-Watches-and-17267119.php |
JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of Israelis blocked traffic and snarled movement at the country’s main international airport on Monday, the latest mass demonstration over Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious planned judicial overhaul that has divided the nation.
The Netanyahu government’s push to pass several overlapping reforms to the country’s judiciary has plunged Israel into an unprecedented crisis and divided an already highly polarized country.
Protesters waving Israel’s blue-and-white national flag and blowing horns blocked the main thoroughfare outside Ben Gurion Airport’s main terminal and demonstrated inside the arrivals hall. Several flights had significant delays, according to the airport website.
Protesters periodically scuffled with police, who dispatched mounted officers to the scene. Police said officers arrested at least 37 people for creating a public disturbance.
“We’re against dictatorship,” demonstrator Rami Matan said. “We’re against the rules that the ugly government of Netanyahu” wants to impose, Matan said.
Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox political allies are pressing ahead with plans to pass several contentious changes to Israel’s judicial system after attempts to reach a compromise with opposition lawmakers disintegrated. The planned overhaul has drawn rebuke from the Biden administration and consternation from American Jews.
Netanyahu ally Simcha Rotman, who chairs parliament’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and has spearheaded the overhaul, said Monday that he would bring a bill to strip the Supreme Court of its authority to strike down government decisions it deems “unreasonable” this week.
That “reasonability standard” was used by the Supreme Court earlier this year to upend the appointment of a Netanyahu ally as interior minister because of a conviction for bribery when he served in the role in the 1990s and a 2021 plea deal for tax evasion.
Critics say removing that standard would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions and grant it too much power.
Last week, over 100 Israeli air force reservists signed a letter saying they would refuse to show up for duty if the government moves forward with the plan.
Netanyahu and his allies came to power after November’s election, Israel’s fifth in under four years, all of which were largely referendums on the longtime leader’s fitness to serve while on trial for corruption.
Netanyahu, whose corruption trial has dragged on for nearly three years, and his allies in his nationalist religious government say the overhaul is needed to rein in an overly interventionist judiciary and restore power to elected officials.
Critics say the plan would upend Israel’s delicate system of checks and balances and push the country toward dictatorship. | 2023-07-04T12:27:05+00:00 | wwlp.com | https://www.wwlp.com/news/ap-international-news/ap-israelis-protest-at-international-airport-against-judicial-overhaul-plan/ |
Murder of Vermont woman solved after more than 50 years using DNA found on a cigarette and the victim’s clothing
By Jennifer Henderson and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN
More than 50 years after Rita Curran’s roommate found her strangled to death in her room, police in Vermont say they have identified the killer using DNA found on a cigarette butt and Curran’s clothing.
Investigators identified William DeRoos, a man who lived in Curran’s Burlington apartment building, as the person responsible with the help of advances in DNA technology and genetic genealogy, police in Vermont’s most populous city announced Tuesday.
DeRoos died of a drug overdose in San Francisco in 1986, police said. The case is now closed.
On the night of the July 1971 killing, DeRoos, who lived with his wife two floors above Curran, had a fight with his spouse and left their apartment to “cool down,” according to a Burlington police investigation report.
Curran, 24, was later found dead, severely beaten after apparently having put up a “vicious struggle,” a detective wrote at the time. Investigators are now “unanimously certain” DeRoos was responsible, the report released Tuesday says.
But when investigators questioned DeRoos and his wife the next morning, the couple said they had been together all night and didn’t hear or see anything. After police left, DeRoos told his wife if they were questioned again, she should not admit that he had left the apartment “or they would go after him” because he had a criminal history, police said during a news conference Tuesday.
A break in the case finally came in 2014 when a DNA profile was extracted from a cigarette butt that had been found next to Curran’s body, Detective Lt. James Trieb said at the news conference. Though the profile was submitted to a national criminal database for DNA, he said, no matches were made. That meant the person with that DNA likely never had genetic material entered into the database, possibly because the person didn’t have a felony conviction.
In 2019, Trieb reopened the case and decided to take a new approach.
Instead of having a single detective work the cold case alone — the department’s usual strategy — he treated the crime as if it had just been committed, bringing in a team of detectives and expert technicians to review and discuss it, his investigation report says.
The team began retesting evidence, Trieb said, and decided to analyze the cigarette DNA using genetic genealogy — a process that uses DNA databases for genealogy research to identify possible family members of the person whose DNA is unmatched.
An outside genetic genealogy expert then concluded that the cigarette DNA had strong connections to relatives of DeRoos, both on the paternal and maternal sides.
“She was certain that it was William DeRoos” who put his DNA on the cigarette, the police report says.
Investigators then found a living half-brother of DeRoos who was willing to provide a DNA sample, and that sample bolstered the conclusion that the cigarette DNA belonged to DeRoos, the report says.
Finally, investigators found that DNA left on Curran’s ripped house coat also matched the DNA on the cigarette butt, the report reads. Investigators re-interviewed his then-wife, who admitted that she had lied about DeRoos’ alibi.
At the news conference, acting Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad said the day was “filled with mixed emotions.”
“Ultimately, those emotions are ones of relief, of pride for me (and) for this department, but mostly of gratitude to a family that has been through an incredible ordeal for more than half a century,” he said.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-22T07:16:15+00:00 | localnews8.com | https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2023/02/21/murder-of-vermont-woman-solved-after-more-than-50-years-using-dna-found-on-a-cigarette-and-the-victims-clothing/ |
Pressure to force a wealthy GOP donor to explain his ties to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas escalated on Tuesday, with top Senate Democrats pushing for new disclosures in the face of Senate Republican opposition.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, have demanded new details from Texas billionaire developer Harlan Crow.
In recent reporting, ProPublica detailed undisclosed gifts from Crow to Thomas, which include luxury trips and private school tuition for a Thomas relative. Crow did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NPR.
Wyden, D-Ore., in an April 24 letter requested Crow turn over tax information, and last week asked Crow to detail the Thomas gifts. Crow did not meet a May 8 deadline to turn over information, a committee aide said.
"Late last night, Chairman Wyden received an obstructive letter from an attorney representing Harlan Crow. The letter refused to provide answers to the questions Chairman Wyden put forward on April 24," a committee spokesman said in a statement sent Tuesday. "The Finance Committee will respond shortly."
The panel's top Republican, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, said in response that he would oppose any subpoenas or other tools used by Democrats to "undermine the independence" of the court. A group of 14 Senate Republicans also wrote to Wyden to object to what they called "unprecedented attacks."
"We reject this manufactured 'ethics crisis' at the Supreme Court as a ploy to further Democrats' efforts to undermine public confidence and change the makeup of the Court," said the letter signed by top Judiciary Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C. and other GOP members on the panel.
Also this week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin and Democrats on the panel sent a letter to Crow, issuing a new series of demands to detail the extent of any gifts worth more than $415 that he has given to any Supreme Court justice or their family members. Durbin also demanded information from businesses affiliated with Crow's private jet, private yacht and an expansive property known as Camp Topridge in New York's Adirondack Mountains.
Crow and the related entities were given a May 22nd deadline to respond.
"Recent investigative reporting has identified multiple instances in which you or entities you own or control have made payments, purchased real estate, or provided gifts, travel, or other items of value to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and members of his family," Senate Judiciary Democrats said in their May 8th letter to Crow.
The letter goes onto say that many of the gifts, transactions and items of value had not been previously disclosed by Thomas in an apparent violation of the Supreme Court's "Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices" shared with Durbin by Chief Justice John Roberts on April 25th.
The Judiciary Democrats' letter goes on to say responses to their requests will aid "ongoing efforts to craft legislation strengthening the ethical rules and standards" for Supreme Court justices.
In recent weeks, Chief Justice John Roberts declined an April 20th invitation from Durbin to appear before the panel or send another justice in his place. Last week, the Judiciary panel held a hearing on Supreme Court ethics.
The panel is missing a key Democratic vote with the extended absence of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein. For example, with Republican opposition, the Democratic-led panel cannot issue a related subpoena.
Durbin told NPR last week their hands were tied to issue a subpoena for Crow.
"I don't think he'll do it voluntarily and I would say that issuing a subpoena at this point is not possible," Durbin said.
He added that "part of the reason" was as a result of Feinstein's absence.
Feinstein, who last voted in the Senate on Feb. 16th, recently defended her time away. She and her office have declined to say when she may return, though some Democrats have said they hoped it was "soon."
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-05-09T19:22:21+00:00 | kosu.org | https://www.kosu.org/politics/2023-05-09/senate-democrats-demand-more-details-from-harlan-crow-on-gifts-to-justice-thomas |
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has considerable control over infectious diseases but now struggles against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer as causes of early deaths, according to a new study published Thursday.
The Lancet Global Health, a prestigious British-based medical journal, reported that five non-communicable diseases — ischaemic heart disease, stroke, congenital defects, cirrhosis, and chronic kidney disease — were among the 10 leading causes of early deaths in the impoverished Islamic nation.
However, the journal said some of Pakistan’s work has resulted in an increase in life expectancy from 61.1 years to 65.9 over the past three decades. The change is due, it said, “to the reduction in communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases.” That’s still 7.6 years lower than the global average life expectancy, which increased over 30 years by 8% in women and 7% in men.
The study says “despite periods of political and economic turbulence since 1990, Pakistan has made positive strides in improving overall health outcomes at the population level and continues to seek innovative solutions to challenging health and health policy problems.”
The study, which was based on Pakistan’s health data from 1990 to 2019, has warned that non-communicable diseases will be the leading causes of death in Pakistan by 2040.
It said Pakistan will also continue to face infectious diseases.
“Pakistan urgently needs a single national nutrition policy, especially as climate change and the increased severity of drought, flood, and pestilence threatens food security,” said Dr. Zainab Samad, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University, one of the authors of the report.
“What these findings tell us is that Pakistan’s baseline before being hit by extreme flooding was already at some of the lowest levels around the globe,” said Dr. Ali Mokdad, Professor of Health Metrics Sciences at IHME. “Pakistan is in critical need of a more equitable investment in its health system and policy interventions to save lives and improve people’s health.”
The study said with a population approaching 225 million, “Pakistan is prone to the calamitous effects of climate change and natural disasters, including the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and catastrophic floods in 2010 and 2022, all of which have impacted major health policies and reform.”
It said the country’s major health challenges were compounded by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and last summer’s devastating flooding that killed 1,739 people and affected 33 million.
Researchers ask Pakistan to “address the burden of infectious disease and curb rising rates of non-communicable diseases.” Such priorities, they wrote, will help Pakistan move toward universal health coverage.”
The journal, considered one of the most prestigious scientific publications in the world, reported on Pakistan’s fragile healthcare system with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine. The study was a collaboration with a Karachi-based prestigious Aga Khan University and Pakistan’s health ministry.
The study also mentioned increasing pollution as one of the leading contributors to the overall disease burden in recent years. Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore was in the grip of smog on Thursday, causing respiratory diseases and infection in the eyes. Usually in winter, a thick cloud of smog envelops Lahore, which in 2021 earned it the title of the world’s most polluted city. | 2023-01-19T13:43:39+00:00 | wdtn.com | https://www.wdtn.com/news/u-s-world/ap-international/ap-study-non-infectious-diseases-cause-early-death-in-pakistan/ |
The share of Americans who volunteer their time to help charities build houses, serve food, do environmental cleanup, and much else has been on the decline nationwide but nowhere as sharply as in Florida, where only 16% of residents donate their free hours to local organizations, according to the latest available statistics.
That’s a drop from the nearly 23% of residents who volunteered in 2017.
Florida’s volunteer rate slumped in large part because of the pandemic, which made it especially risky for older Americans — who are among the most loyal and regular part of the volunteer population in Florida and elsewhere — to interact in public settings.
The loss of those volunteers is painful for many nonprofits, which are stretched to provide needed services and programs because they face a tight job market for paid workers and increased demands for help.
“What’s happening now is actually the staff is wearing multiple hats, as many nonprofit staff members do, to make up for the gap of volunteers,” says Sabeen Perwaiz Syed, CEO of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance, which represents charitable organizations across the state.
Meanwhile, Wyoming was the only state in the country to chalk up an increase in volunteering. Nearly 40% of residents volunteer, according to the latest figures available, compared with slightly less than 33% in 2017. The growth is in part because its open spaces made it easier for volunteers to keep working safely during the pandemic, and now nonprofits are seeking to capitalize on people’s growing interest in giving their time.
Those figures are part of an AmeriCorps analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data for 2017, 2019, and 2021, the latest year available.
The challenge of finding ways to attract and keep volunteers is not a new issue facing nonprofits, although it has been worsened by the pandemic.
Nathan Dietz, a researcher at the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute, says charities that didn’t focus on retaining volunteers during the pandemic may find it difficult to get them back.
“There were some organizations who, during the pandemic, they just said, ‘We don’t know how we’re going to do volunteer management or volunteer engagement, and we don’t really have time to figure it out because we have bigger problems,’” Dietz said. “When people disengage from that kind of regular activity, it’s hard to re-engage them even if you’re trying to actively do that.”
Wyoming, known for wide-open spaces, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, had fewer restrictions and closings than many states throughout Covid-19. That kept more volunteer opportunities open and minimized disruptions to volunteers’ routines.
The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, a conservation nonprofit near Grand Teton National Park, relies on volunteers to collect local wildlife data and remove fencing that’s harmful to animals. The organization says more people wanted to volunteer during the pandemic than in past years.
Steve Morriss, a longtime volunteer with the foundation and other local nonprofits, says volunteer work in the outdoors was especially appealing for retirees like him during the pandemic because it allowed them to socially distance but still interact with others and do good.
The Heart of Wyoming Habitat for Humanity chapter, which relies on volunteers to build homes in Natrona County, saw an uptick in volunteering interest after re-opening its construction sites during the pandemic. Companies that previously provided financial support, in particular, began to give their employees time off to volunteer at Habitat.
The Wyoming Community Development Authority, a housing lender, is one financial supporter whose employees spent two days last year working on a Habitat construction site.
“Now it was no longer enough to make a gift, which we very much appreciate,” says Tess Mittelstadt, the nonprofit’s executive director. “But they wanted to see what that gift meant, and they wanted to see what that meant for people in our community.”
Jody Shields of the Wyoming Nonprofit Network says since the pandemic, she’s noticed increased interest from companies looking for volunteer opportunities because they allow employees both to bond with one another and to support local causes.
Mittelstadt says the organization is seeking to keep volunteerism high by providing volunteers with information about the specific families they’re helping by building houses. Habitat also invites volunteers to events celebrating completed homes.
Data suggests all the effort is paying off. Volunteers spent 57% more hours building new homes during the nonprofit’s last fiscal year compared with the previous year, according to Mittelstadt.
“Everybody knows somebody in our community, and everybody’s willing to lend that helping hand,” she says.
Even as the pandemic has receded, volunteerism is not rebounding in Florida, says Perwaiz Syed of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance.
“Nonprofits have had a lot of volunteers stop,” she says. “They have not returned. Many of them are seniors. They’re putting their health first and have not re-engaged in person.”
A study of 2,300 nonprofits by the alliance found that 40% of nonprofits reported they needed more volunteers and 25% of nonprofit employees said they were feeling overworked as they took on tasks previously done by volunteers.
The Manatee Literacy Council, which provides adult literacy tutoring, employs three part-time staff members and has 60 volunteer tutors, mostly retirees, available year-round. It lost 75% of its volunteers during the height of the pandemic. The program was able to move some of its work online, but it still can’t meet demand. The center currently has a waiting list of 100 people in need of tutoring.
To recruit more volunteers, the group sends representatives to community events to talk about its work, says Michelle Deveaux McLean, the council’s CEO.
She also says she is working hard to keep volunteers returning by organizing monthly meet-ups and creating a supportive environment. It continues to be a struggle.
“I’m lucky if I have five volunteers every month. We’re just perpetually upside down,” McLean says.
Other Florida nonprofits are turning more to online volunteering and enlisting companies to urge employees to volunteer.
For instance, Office Depot, based in South Florida, includes volunteerism as part of its professional development for employees. Since 2017, the company has sent workers to help charities do landscaping, paint murals, prepare meals for youths in Florida, and more.
Even as nonprofits work on a variety of ways to try to expand the number of volunteers, doing so may take time.
“I do think that Florida’s numbers will increase over time as we stabilize a bit from the pandemic,” Perwaiz Syed says. “I don’t think you’re going to see us in the top 10 because that’s just not possible to go that far that quickly. But I do think it will increase a little bit.”
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This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Kay Dervishi is a staff writer at the Chronicle. Email: kay.dervishi@philanthropy.com. Yesica Balderrama is a data reporter/producer at the Chronicle. Email: yesica.balderrama@philanthropy.com. The AP and the Chronicle are solely responsible for this content. They receive support from the Lilly Endowment for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. | 2023-04-19T10:25:22+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/ap-us-news/why-are-volunteerism-rates-uneven-florida-wyoming-explain/ |
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Business is bouncing back in Bethlehem after two years in the doldrums during the coronavirus pandemic, lifting spirits in the traditional birthplace of Jesus ahead of the Christmas holiday.
Streets are bustling with tour groups. Hotels are fully booked, and months of deadly Israeli-Palestinian fighting appears to be having little effect on the vital tourism industry.
Elias Arja, head of the Bethlehem hotel association, said that tourists are hungry to visit the Holy Land’s religious sites after suffering through lockdowns and travel restrictions in recent years. He expects the rebound to continue into next year.
“We expect that 2023 will be booming and business will be excellent because the whole world, and Christian religious tourists especially, they all want to return to the Holy Land,” said Arja, who owns the Bethlehem Hotel.
On a recent day, dozens of groups from virtually every continent posed for selfies in front of the Church of the Nativity, built on the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born. A giant Christmas tree sparkled in the adjacent Manger Square, and tourists packed into shops to buy olive wood crosses and other souvenirs.
Christmas is normally peak season for tourism in Bethlehem, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank just a few miles southeast of Jerusalem. In pre-pandemic times, thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world came to celebrate.
But those numbers plummeted during the pandemic. Although tourism hasn’t fully recovered, the hordes of visitors are a welcome improvement and encouraging sign.
“The city became a city of ghosts,” said Saliba Nissan, standing next to a manger scene about 1.3 meters (4 feet) wide inside the Bethlehem New Store, the olive wood factory he co-owns with his brother. The shop was filled with Americans on a bus tour.
Since the Palestinians don’t have their own airport, most international visitors come via Israel. The Israeli Tourism Ministry is expecting some 120,000 Christian tourists during the week of Christmas.
That compares to its all-time high of about 150,000 visitors in 2019, but is far better than last year, when the country's skies were closed to most international visitors. As it has done in the past, the ministry plans to offer special shuttle buses between Jerusalem and Bethlehem on Christmas Eve to help visitors go back and forth.
“God willing, we will go back this year to where things were before the coronavirus, and be even better,” said Bethlehem’s mayor, Hanna Hanania.
He said about 15,000 people attended the recent lighting of Bethlehem’s Christmas tree, and that international delegations, artists and singers are all expected to participate in celebrations this year.
“Recovery has begun significantly,” he said, though he said the recent violence, and Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank, always have some influence on tourism.
Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war. The internationally recognized Palestinian Authority has limited autonomy in parts of the territory, including Bethlehem.
The Christmas season comes at the end of a bloody year in the Holy Land. Some 150 Palestinians and 31 Israelis have been killed in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and east Jerusalem this year, according to official figures, making 2022 the deadliest year since 2006. Israel says most of the Palestinians killed were militants, but stone-throwing youths and some people not involved in the violence have also been killed.
The fighting, largely concentrated in the northern West Bank, reached the Bethlehem area earlier this month, when the Israeli army killed a teenager in the nearby Deheishe refugee camp. Palestinians held a one-day strike across Bethlehem to protest the killing.
Residents, however, seem determined not to allow the fighting to put a damper on the Christmas cheer.
Bassem Giacaman, the third-generation owner of the Blessing Gift Shop, founded in 1925 by his grandfather, said the pandemic was far more devastating to his business than violence and political tensions.
Covered in sawdust from carving olive-wood figurines, jewelry and religious symbols, he said it will take him years to recover. He once had 10 people working for him. Today, he employs half that number, sometimes less, depending on demand.
“The political (situation) does affect, but nothing major,” Giacaman said. “We’ve had it for 60-70 years, and it goes on for a month, then it stops, and tourists come back again.” | 2022-12-15T16:37:39+00:00 | hjnews.com | https://www.hjnews.com/world/bethlehem-welcomes-christmas-tourists-after-pandemic-lull/article_c8d9f289-b4da-5317-a0b4-4a9443e774a0.html |
Gaffney, Paul G., 87. Broken Arrow, US Army Veteran and Medical Underwriter with Met Life. Died Friday, November 4. Memorial service will be 11am, Tuesday, November 8 at St. Anne's Church. Hayhurst, Broken Arrow
Obituaries Newsletter
Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. | 2022-11-06T05:23:02+00:00 | tulsaworld.com | https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/deathnotices/gaffney-paul-g-87-broken-arrow-us/article_4e302e51-bcf8-524c-a5e0-b4f09e922829.html |
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in response to today's stay by Supreme Court halting the end to Title 42.
"The American people and communities all across the country were spared even greater hardship at the hands of the Biden administration by the U.S. Supreme Court's eleventh hour stay that prevents the federal government from cancelling Title 42.
"Because the Biden administration has arbitrarily canceled, or refused to enforce, every policy designed to deter mass illegal immigration, Title 42, a public health provision that was invoked at the onset of the COVID pandemic, remains the only functioning policy preventing unchecked illegal immigration. Already, the Department of Homeland Security was bracing for exponentially larger numbers of migrants pouring across the border illegally. And even with Title 42 remaining in place, the administration decision to exempt large categories from removal under the provision will not be enough to restore order to the border.
"Today's Supreme Court stay is a welcome reprieve, but there is still far more that needs to be done to regain control of our borders and end the humanitarian crisis that the Biden administration has created. Maintaining Title 42 beyond Wednesday's deadline will allow the new Congress, in which Republicans will control of the House of Representatives, to address the dire situation stemming from the Biden administration's refusal to enforce countless immigration laws."
Contact: Ron Kovach, 202-328-7004 or rkovach@fairus.org.
ABOUT FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) | 2022-12-20T02:36:46+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/prnewswire/2022/12/20/fair-supreme-court-offers-last-minute-reprieve-preventing-raging-border-crisis-becoming-even-worse/ |
NEW YORK — For more than a decade, US Bank pressured its employees to open fake accounts in their customers' names in order to meet unrealistic sales goals, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Thursday, in a case that is deeply similar to the sales practices scandal uncovered at Wells Fargo last decade.
The CFPB alleged that US Bank accessed consumers credit reports to open checking and savings accounts, credit cards and lines of credit without their permission. Employees were encouraged to do so, in order to meet the bank's goals of selling multiple products to each customer with the bank.
The scale of US Banks's fake accounts scandal was not disclosed immediately by the CFPB, but the bank was forced to pay $37.5 million in fines and penalties and will have to refund customers any fees they paid for the fake accounts.
“For over a decade, U.S. Bank knew its employees were taking advantage of its customers by misappropriating consumer data to create fictitious accounts,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, in a statement.
A spokesman for US Bank said the bad sales practices were a legacy issue at the bank dating back to 2016, and that the bank has made significant improvements to its sales practices since then. The consent order reached with the CFPB acknowledges that US Bank did make improvements to its sales practices in recent years.
"The action by the CFPB closes out a (more than five year) investigation. We are pleased to put this matter behind us,” said Lee Henderson, a spokesman for the bank.
Wells Fargo's sales practices scandal rocked the financial world half a decade ago, when the bank was found to have encouraged employees to open millions of fake accounts to meet sales goals. The scandal ruined Wells Fargo's reputation as a well-run bank through the Great Recession, led to billions of dollars worth of fines against the bank, and almost immediately led to the resignation of the bank's CEO and eventually its board of directors.
Wells has been under tight supervision by the Federal Reserve since that scandal broke, keeping the bank from growing any bigger until it fixes its workplace culture. There are no signs that the Fed plans to release Wells from its regulatory leash any time soon.
Shares of US Bancorp fell 3% in morning trading. | 2022-07-29T12:30:31+00:00 | ktvb.com | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/nation-world/us-bank-fake-accounts/507-c6c1a218-e736-4219-9ae9-a8c19aee7fd4 |
Finishing what BB King started: Breathitt County goes to the Sweet 16
JACKSON, Ky. (WYMT) - “For me, to go to the state tournament. We got to go and everything short of it, I consider a failure. But that’s me, that’s what I consider every year.”
At the beginning of the season, BB King set the tone. At the end, the Breathitt County Bobcats carried out his final goal, winning the school’s first 14th Region championship since 1996.
“You know it’s the most of a roller coaster I’ve battled in a long time,” said Breathitt County interim head boys basketball coach Kyle Moore. “We’ve battled through some things with the flooding. We’ve got kids on the team who have lost things and losing coach king in the middle of the season. Our kids have been put through a lot. So I’m fortunate to get to coach this group.”
After a flood, the loss of their coach, and a slump in January, these Bobcats look to win the 14th Region’s first game at Rupp since Hazard beat South Laurel in 2008.
“I feel like 14th region, a lot of people look down on it but I think the 14th region’s got a lot of talent in it,” said senior center Bryce Hoskins. “I think one of the keys for us is playing every single game like you’re playing state champions.”
Breathitt County will take on Male on Thursday morning at 11.
Copyright 2023 WYMT. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-16T01:01:24+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/2023/03/16/finishing-what-bb-king-started-breathitt-county-goes-sweet-16/ |
After discovering registered sex offender Jesse McFadden shot and killed his wife, three step children and two neighborhood teenagers, investigators left behind evidence that could be key in the investigation.
Victims’ family members are outraged and demanding answers. The attorney for Ivy Webster’s family, Cameron Spradling, calls it the “house of horrors.” 2News obtained video taken by Webster’s grandmother. It shows a messy home with restraints in the bedroom, drugs and drug paraphernalia, sex toys, multiple computers and cell phones.
2News has chosen not to show the full video out of privacy.
Friday, Lynn Wyatt, Holly Guess’s aunt, and Kathy Rogers, Holly’s godmother, arrived in Henryetta to gather belongings from the house. The property owner told them they had until Sunday before everything was going in a dumpster.
Today, in addition to computers and cell phones still there, Wyatt found medical records and journals.
During a press conference Wednesday, Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said there is no evidence to show a motive.
“Why didn’t you get his (McFadden) technology to make sure he wasn’t sending videos or pictures? You left the evidence here Mister I'm all about the evidence,” said Wyatt, referencing that press conference.
Wyatt and Rogers are worried not seizing this evidence could be devastating in the prosecution of pedophiles all across the dark web.
In a statement, Webster’s attorney wrote:
"No words can express this family’s fear that the sexual assault of their baby girl has been placed on the dark web.
We demand that law enforcement seize all electronic devices within this house of horrors."
The Okmulgee County District Attorney offered condolences to families and said they are investigating.
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- Follow us on Twitter | 2023-05-06T00:32:21+00:00 | kjrh.com | https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/critical-evidence-left-inside-jesse-mcfaddens-house-of-horrors |
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are stepping up efforts to redeem billions in fraudulent small business loans.
The Small Business Administration says tens of thousands of fraudulent loans were taken out over the course of the pandemic. Kansas Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids said there were several victims in her district alone.
“We saw a number of folks who had their identities stolen. We saw fraudulent actors take out loans that were for businesses that didn’t exist,” said Davids.
She says two bills set to pass the house as early as this week would give the Department of Justice more time — up to a decade — to go after fraudsters.
It’s important “so that innocent folks aren’t left holding the bag,” Davids said.
The Small Business Administration says the pandemic brought in unprecedented levels of fraud, including roughly $4.6 billion dollars in potentially fraudulent PPP loans.
Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said he’s eager for the senate to act next but blames democrats for the flimsy rules he says allowed the fraud to run rampant.
“There are very few controls on that money, how it was spent or watchdogs. I think it’s time to get serious about this. I have introduced legislation repeatedly,” Hawley said.
The initial loan rules were approved by congress during the height of the pandemic with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Last year, the Department of Justice launched the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force.
Since then, the group has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. | 2022-06-08T21:53:06+00:00 | pahomepage.com | https://www.pahomepage.com/washington/washington-dc/lawmakers-work-to-recover-billions-in-pandemic-fraud-loans/ |
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Jon Rahm shoots 2-under 69 in round four of the CJ CUP in South Carolina
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October 23, 2022
By PGATOUR.COM
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October 23, 2022
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Highlights
Jon Rahm cards birdie on No. 12 at THE CJ CUP
In the final round of THE CJ CUP in South Carolina 2022, Jon Rahm makes birdie on the par-5 12th hole.
In his final round at the CJ CUP in South Carolina, Jon Rahm hit 12 of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens in regulation, finishing at 14 under for the tournament. Rahm finished his day tied for 4th at 14 under; Rory McIlroy is in 1st at 17 under; Kurt Kitayama is in 2nd at 16 under; and K.H. Lee is in 3rd at 15 under.
On the 595-yard par-5 second, Rahm had a birdie after hitting the green in 2 and two putting. This moved Rahm to 1 under for the round.
After a 346 yard drive on the 645-yard par-5 fourth, Rahm chipped his third shot to 10 feet, which he rolled for one-putt birdie on the hole. This moved Rahm to 2 under for the round.
At the 170-yard par-3 fifth, Rahm hit a tee shot 165 yards at the green, setting himself up for the 9-foot putt for birdie. This moved Rahm to 3 under for the round.
At the 520-yard par-4 sixth, Rahm got on in 2 and missed his par putt from 4 feet, finishing with a 3-putt bogey. This moved Rahm to 2 under for the round.
On the 580-yard par-5 12th, Rahm had a birdie after hitting the green in 2 and two putting. This moved Rahm to 3 under for the round.
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Please enter a valid email address. | 2022-10-24T17:16:51+00:00 | pgatour.com | https://www.pgatour.com/roundrecap/2023/the-cj-cup-in-south-carolina/round-4/jon-rahm.html |
NEW YORK, Dec. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Sonder Holdings Inc. ("Sonder" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SOND). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether Sonder and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
On November 23, 2022, Sonder issued a press release announcing "an information technology security incident resulting in unauthorized access to one of the company's systems that included certain guest records." Sonder stated its belief "that guest records created prior to October 1, 2021 were involved in this incident," which involved access to guest information including Sonder.com usernames and passwords, guest transaction receipts, dates booked for stays at a Sonder property, and guests' full names, birth dates, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses.
On this news, Sonder's stock price fell $0.03 per share, or 1.74%, to close at $1.69 per share on November 23, 2022.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
CONTACT:
Robert S. Willoughby
Pomerantz LLP
rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
888-476-6529 ext. 7980
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Pomerantz LLP | 2022-12-27T03:13:36+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2022/12/27/shareholder-alert-pomerantz-law-firm-investigates-claims-behalf-investors-sonder-holdings-inc-sond/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s third quarter profit fell by 17% from a year earlier, as the bank set aside roughly a billion dollars to cover potential losses in an economic recession that CEO Jamie Dimon has said could come in six to nine months.
The nation’s largest bank by assets posted a profit of $9.74 billion, or $3.12 a share, down from a profit of $11.69 billion, or $3.74 a share, in the same period a year earlier. The results did beat Wall Street’s expectations of $2.90 a share, according to FactSet.
While the bank grew revenue and loans in the quarter, any additional profit it made compared to last quarter were erased by credit losses. The bank added $937 million to its loan-loss reserves, which is money banks set aside to cover potentially bad loans, in what the bank said reflects “updates to the Firm’s macroeconomic scenarios.” The bank also charged off roughly $700 million in loans, up sharply from a year earlier.
“While we are hoping for the best, we always remain vigilant and are prepared for bad outcomes so we can continue to serve customers even in the most challenging of times,” Dimon said in a prepared statement.
The bank’s trading desks had a mostly successful quarter, despite the market’s volatility the past several months. Bond trading revenues rose 22% while equity trading revenues fell 11%.
Firm-wide, JPMorgan had revenues of $32.72 billion, compared to $29.65 billion in the same period a year earlier. | 2022-10-15T11:20:01+00:00 | keloland.com | https://www.keloland.com/business/ap-business/ap-jpmorgan-profits-fall-bank-stores-cash-for-coming-downturn/ |
BMW issued a “Do Not Drive” order to owners of older BMW 3-Series and 5-Series sedans, as well as X5 crossover SUVs, due to the presence of unfixed Takata airbag inflators. The faulty inflators could explode and spew metal shrapnel into the chests and faces of drivers and passengers.
In an announcement on Thursday, BMW estimated that 90,000 vehicles remain unrepaired despite several existing recalls and “intense customer outreach efforts since 2016.”
BMW vehicles covered in the order include:
2000-2006 BMW 3-Series (E46) and M3
2000-2003 BMW 5-Series (E39) and M5
2000-2004 BMW X5 (E53)
BMW joins Honda and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis) in the past six months in issuing such a warning for older cars that haven’t been fixed. The NHTSA says vehicles that fall under such warnings are “at a far higher risk for an airbag explosion that could injure or kill vehicle occupants.”
Last November, the driver of a 2006 Ford Ranger was killed in a minor crash due to the explosion of a faulty airbag inflator in a vehicle under a Do Not Drive warning. In the U.S., there have been 25 reported deaths and more than 400 injuries attributed to the issue.
The largest recall in automotive history has affected roughly 67 million vehicles from nearly two dozen automakers in the U.S. for airbag inflators supplied by Takata, who since went bankrupt. The original problem was limited to inflators that erupted from breaking down over time due to high temperature fluctuations in high humidity regions. Over time, the NHTSA broadened the recall not just to regions with high humidity but to any Takata airbag inflator without a drying agent.
The NHTSA estimates that 12% of recalled vehicles with Takata airbag inflators have not been repaired.
The dire tone of the NHTSA and automakers stresses urgency because the airbags can activate even in minor fender benders, where no one should be injured at all.
“We need everyone to check right now for open Takata recalls – and if you have one, to schedule an appointment at your dealership immediately for a repair,” NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson said in November. “Every day that passes when you don’t get a recalled airbag replaced puts you and your family at greater risk of injury or death. Don’t let an open recall cost you or your passengers your lives.”
Check the status of your older vehicle here, regardless of it’s whether a BMW.
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- Hyundai expands recall of tow hitch to Santa Fe, Santa Cruz | 2023-05-06T15:43:24+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/automotive/internet-brands/do-not-drive-bmw-urges-owners-of-older-3-series-5-series/ |
Are the Rams the worst defending Super Bowl champions in NFL history? originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Los Angeles Rams went all-in to win a Super Bowl at their home stadium during the 2021 season.
Trades for Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey and Von Miller gave the Rams a slim window to win a title at the expense of their long-term flexibility. They pulled it off, though, beating the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in February for the franchise’s second championship.
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Was it worth it? A million times out of a million.
Will they win a third Super Bowl anytime soon? It’s not looking pretty.
The Rams are on the verge of playoff elimination with more than four weeks remaining in the 2022 season. They were shellacked in their season opener against the Buffalo Bills at the site of their Super Bowl triumph, went 3-3 over their next six games going into the bye and have lost six consecutive games since their break. A loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football would officially put an end to their postseason aspirations.
Local
Making matters worse is that they do not own their 2023 first-round draft pick. L.A. shipped that selection, along with another first-rounder, a third-rounder and Jared Goff, to the Detroit Lions as part of the Stafford trade in January 2021. The Lions are currently in line to take the Rams’ pick at No. 4 overall to go along with their own pick at No. 15.
Bring it all together, and the Rams are having the worst season of any defending Super Bowl champion – ever. Here’s a look back at the prior 55 title-winning squads have fared the following season:
How many NFL teams have repeated as Super Bowl champions?
The NFL has awarded back-to-back champions eight times in the Super Bowl era.
The Green Bay Packers were the first team to do so, winning each of the first two Super Bowls. Next were the Miami Dolphins, who completed the NFL’s only perfect season in 1972 before earning a second straight title the following year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only franchise to have won back-to-back Super Bowls on separate occasions. Their first two championships came in the 1974 and 1975 seasons. After a two-year hiatus from the Super Bowl, Pittsburgh once again won consecutive to cap off the 1979 and 1980 campaigns.
The San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots are the other four franchises to pull off the feat.
How many NFL teams missed the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl?
Sixteen of the first 55 Super Bowl champions did not make the playoffs the following year.
Here is a breakdown of end results for reigning champions the season after they won the Super Bowl:
- Missed playoffs: 16
- Lost in wild card round: 5
- Lost in divisional round: 13
- Lost conference championship game: 7
- Lost Super Bowl: 6
- Won Super Bowl: 8
Which reigning Super Bowl champion had the worst record the next season?
While 16 prior Super Bowl winners failed to make the following playoffs, no defending champion has struggled as badly as these Rams. Only seven teams finished with a sub-.500 record the year after winning a Super Bowl, and only one of those teams picked up double-digit wins.
The Broncos went from two straight championships in 1997 and 1998 to a 6-10 record in 1999. The drop was a predictable one considering Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway retired following the Broncos’ Super Bowl XXXIII win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The Rams have been without their Super Bowl quarterback at times in 2022, too. Stafford missed a Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a concussion, returned the following week and has been out since because of a spinal cord contusion. The team has trotted out John Wolford and Bryce Perkins off the bench and picked up Baker Mayfield off waivers ahead of their primetime game against the Raiders.
Still, the Rams went 3-6 in Stafford’s nine starts, a record that still would have put them on pace for more than 11 losses.
How every Super Bowl champion fared the next season
Here is a look at how every prior Super Bowl champion has done after winning their title:
1966 Green Bay Packers: Won Super Bowl I, finished 9-4-1 (won Super Bowl) in following season
1967 Green Bay Packers: Won Super Bowl II, finished 6-7-1 (missed playoffs) in following season
1968 New York Jets: Won Super Bowl III, finished 10-4 (lost divisional round game) in following season
1969 Kansas City Chiefs: Won Super Bowl IV, finished 7-5-2 (missed playoffs) in following season
1970 Baltimore Colts: Won Super Bowl V, finished 10-4 (lost conference championship game) in following season
1971 Dallas Cowboys: Won Super Bowl VI, finished 10-4 (lost conference championship game) in following season
1972 Miami Dolphins: Won Super Bowl VII, finished 12-2 (won Super Bowl) in following season
1973 Miami Dolphins: Won Super Bowl VIII, finished 11-3 (lost divisional round game) in following season
1974 Pittsburgh Steelers: Won Super Bowl IX, finished 12-2 (won Super Bowl) in following season
1975 Pittsburgh Steelers: Won Super Bowl X, finished 10-4 (lost conference championship game) in following season
1976 Oakland Raiders: Won Super Bowl XI, finished 11-3 (lost conference championship game) in following season
1977 Dallas Cowboys: Won Super Bowl XII, finished 12-4 (lost Super Bowl) in following season
1978 Pittsburgh Steelers: Won Super Bowl XIII, finished 12-4 (won Super Bowl) in following season
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers: Won Super Bowl XIV, finished 9-7 (missed playoffs) in following season
1980 Oakland Raiders: Won Super Bowl XV, finished 7-9 (missed playoffs) in following season
1981 San Francisco 49ers: Won Super Bowl XVI, finished 3-6 (missed playoffs) in following season
1982 Washington: Won Super Bowl XVII, finished 14-2 (lost Super Bowl) in following season
1983 Los Angeles Raiders: Won Super Bowl XVIII, finished 11-5 (lost wild card game) in following season
1984 San Francisco 49ers: Won Super Bowl XIX, finished 10-6 (lost wild card game) in following season
1985 Chicago Bears: Won Super Bowl XX, finished 14-2 (lost divisional round game) in following season
1986 New York Giants: Won Super Bowl XXI, finished 6-9 (missed playoffs) in following season
1987 Washington: Won Super Bowl XXII, finished 7-9 (missed playoffs) in following season
1988 San Francisco 49ers: Won Super Bowl XXIII, finished 14-2 (won Super Bowl) in following season
1989 San Francisco 49ers: Won Super Bowl XXIV, finished 14-2 (lost conference championship game) in following season
1990 New York Giants: Won Super Bowl XXV, finished 8-8 (missed playoffs) in following season
1991 Washington: Won Super Bowl XXVI, finished 9-7 (lost divisional round game) in following season
1992 Dallas Cowboys: Won Super Bowl XXVII, finished 12-4 (won Super Bowl) in following season
1993 Dallas Cowboys: Won Super Bowl XXVIII, finished 12-4 (lost conference championship game) in following season
1994 San Francisco 49ers: Won Super Bowl XXIX, finished 11-5 (lost divisional round) in following season
1995 Dallas Cowboys: Won Super Bowl XXX, finished 10-6 (lost divisional round game) in following season
1996 Green Bay Packers: Won Super Bowl XXXI, finished 13-3 (lost Super Bowl) in following season
1997 Denver Broncos: Won Super Bowl XXXII, finished 14-2 (won Super Bowl) in following season
1998 Denver Broncos: Won Super Bowl XXXIII, finished 6-10 (missed playoffs) in following season
1999 St. Louis Rams: Won Super Bowl XXXIV, finished 10-6 (lost wild card game) in following season
2000 Baltimore Ravens: Won Super Bowl XXXV, finished 10-6 (lost divisional round game) in following season
2001 New England Patriots: Won Super Bowl XXXVI, finished 9-7 (missed playoffs) in following season
2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Won Super Bowl XXXVII, finished 7-9 (missed playoffs) in following season
2003 New England Patriots: Won Super Bowl XXXVIII, finished 14-2 (won Super Bowl) in following season
2004 New England Patriots: Won Super Bowl XXXIX, finished 10-6 (lost divisional round game) in following season
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers: Won Super Bowl XL, finished 8-8 (missed playoffs) in following season
2006 Indianapolis Colts: Won Super Bowl XLI, finished 13-3 (lost divisional round game) in following season
2007 New York Giants: Won Super Bowl XLII, finished 12-4 (lost divisional round game) in following season
2008 Pittsburgh Steelers: Won Super Bowl XLIII, finished 9-7 (missed playoffs) in following season
2009 New Orleans Saints: Won Super Bowl XLIV, finished 11-5 (lost wild card game) in following season
2010 Green Bay Packers: Won Super Bowl XLV, finished 15-1 (lost divisional round game) in following season
2011 New York Giants: Won Super Bowl XLVI, finished 9-7 (missed playoffs) in following season
2012 Baltimore Ravens: Won Super Bowl XLVII, finished 8-8 (missed playoffs) in following season
2013 Seattle Seahawks: Won Super Bowl XLVIII, finished 12-4 (lost Super Bowl) in following season
2014 New England Patriots: Won Super Bowl XLIX, finished 12-4 (lost conference championship game) in following season
2015 Denver Broncos: Won Super Bowl 50, finished 9-7 (missed playoffs) in following season
2016 New England Patriots: Won Super Bowl LI, finished 13-3 (lost Super Bowl) in following season
2017 Philadelphia Eagles: Won Super Bowl LII, finished 9-7 (lost divisional round game) in following season
2018 New England Patriots: Won Super Bowl LIII, finished 12-4 (lost wild card game) in following season
2019 Kansas City Chiefs: Won Super Bowl LIV, finished 14-2 (lost Super Bowl) in following season
2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Won Super Bowl LV, finished 13-4 (lost divisional round game) in following season | 2022-12-08T16:34:48+00:00 | nbcchicago.com | https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/how-do-nfl-teams-do-the-year-after-winning-the-super-bowl/3016020/ |
CA Marine Warnings and Forecast for Wednesday, May 4, 2022
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SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area
252 AM PDT Tue May 3 2022
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PDT WEDNESDAY...
...GALE WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 3 AM PDT EARLY THIS MORNING...
* WHAT...Northwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and
seas 10 to 14 feet at 10 seconds expected.
* WHERE...Waters from Point Reyes to Pigeon Point 10-60 NM.
* WHEN...Until 3 PM PDT Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS
EVENING...
* WHAT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and
seas 8 to 10 feet at 10 seconds.
* WHERE...Coastal Waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos
California out to 10 nm.
* WHEN...Until 9 PM PDT this evening.
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM PDT
THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected.
* WHERE...Monterey Bay.
* WHEN...For the Small Craft Advisory, until 3 AM PDT early this
morning. For the Small Craft Advisory, from noon today to 9 PM
PDT this evening.
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PDT WEDNESDAY...
seas 7 to 11 feet at 10 seconds expected.
* WHERE...Coastal Waters from Point Arena to Point Reyes
* WHEN...Until 3 AM PDT Wednesday.
* WHAT...West winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected.
* WHERE...San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge.
* WHEN...From noon today to 9 PM PDT this evening.
* WHAT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and
seas 9 to 13 feet at 10 seconds expected.
* WHERE...Waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos 10-60 NM.
seas 8 to 10 feet at 10 seconds expected.
* WHERE...Coastal Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras
Blancas California out to 10 nm.
* WHERE...Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas 10-
60 NM.
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Northwest winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and
seas 8 to 10 feet at 10 seconds expected, resulting in
hazardous conditions near harbor entrances.
* WHERE...Coastal Waters from Point Reyes to Pigeon Point
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft
especially when navigating in or near harbor entrances.
Small craft should use extreme caution when navigating in or near
harbor entrances.
...GALE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING...
* WHAT...North winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas
12 to 14 feet at 10 seconds.
* WHERE...Waters from Point Arena to Point Reyes 10-60 NM.
* WHEN...Until 9 AM PDT this morning.
* IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could
capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions.
Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the
vessel for severe conditions.
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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-05-03T10:43:49+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/CA-Marine-Warning-and-Forecast-17143701.php |
NEW YORK (AP) — The alligator that was rescued from a chilly lake in New York City over the weekend had swallowed a bathtub stopper, authorities said.
The nearly 5-foot-long (1.5-meter-long) female alligator was lethargic and suffering from exposure to the cold when it was found in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Lake on Sunday, according to a spokesperson for the Bronx Zoo, where the gator is recovering.
After being spotted by a park maintenance worker Sunday morning, the alligator was pulled from the lake and taken to Animal Care Centers of New York City before it was brought to the Bronx Zoo.
Zoo officials said in a news release that the rescued alligator is too weak to eat on its own and is being tube-fed. At 15 pounds (6.8 kilos), the alligator is extremely emaciated, as an alligator of its length should weigh 30 to 35 pounds (13.6 to 15.9 kilos), they said.
X-Rays show that the alligator, estimated to be 5 to 6 years old, had ingested a 4-inch (10-centimeter) bathtub stopper, zoo officials said, noting that the animal is too weak for veterinarians to try to remove it.
It is illegal to have an alligator in New York state, but it is not uncommon for people to buy young alligators and then abandon them. A baby alligator was found in a swimming pool in suburban Bayport in 2019.
Animal Care Centers spokesperson Katy Hansen said the organization has taken in six American alligators since 2018.
Bronx Zoo Director Jim Breheny called the alligator found Sunday a sad example of the exotic pet trade. “People need to think before they acquire exotic animals,” Breheny said. “Everyone needs to know and realize that wild animals don’t make good pets.”
Breheny said leaving the alligator in a lake in Brooklyn in the wintertime “was an irresponsible act and certainly not in the animal’s best interest.” | 2023-02-24T12:05:10+00:00 | siouxlandproud.com | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/ap-strange-news/ap-alligator-pulled-from-nyc-lake-had-swallowed-bathtub-stopper/ |
In the days after a gunman killed five people at a gay nightclub in Colorado last month, much of social media lit up with the now familiar expressions of grief, mourning and disbelief.
But on some online message boards and platforms, the tone was celebratory. “I love waking up to great news,” wrote one user on Gab, a platform popular with far-right groups. Other users on the site called for more violence.
The hate isn’t limited to fringe sites.
On Twitter, YouTube and Facebook, researchers and LGBTQ advocates have tracked an increase in hate speech and threats of violence directed at LGBTQ people, groups and events, with much of it directed at transgender people.
The content comes after conservative lawmakers in several states introduced dozens of anti-LGBTQ measures and amid a wave of threats targeting LGBTQ groups, as well as hospitals, health care workers, libraries and private businesses that support them.
“I don’t think people understand the state of danger that we’re living in right now,” said Jay Brown, senior vice president at the Human Rights Campaign and a transgender man. “A lot of that is happening online, and online threats are turning into threats of real violence offline.”
Hospitals in Boston, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and other cities have received bomb threats and other harassing messages after misleading claims spread online about transgender care programs.
In Tennessee, masked members of a white supremacist group showed up recently at a holiday charity event at a bookstore because the evening’s entertainment included a drag performer. An upcoming holiday party at an adults-only gay nightclub scheduled for Friday was also the subject of threats. The party’s theme? Ugly Christmas sweaters.
“And they’re still coming after us? It’s just straight up bigotry and hatred at this point,” said Jessica Patterson, one of the organizers of the event, who noted that groups calling for violence against LGBTQ groups often espouse other bigotries too. “They just have to hate someone.”
The transphobic content targeting events such as Patterson’s is just a subset of the hateful content about Jews, Muslims, women, Black people, Asians and others that has internet safety advocates and an increasing number of lawmakers in the United States and elsewhere pushing for tougher regulations that would force tech companies to do more.
There’s no simple explanation for the increase in hate speech documented by researchers recent years. Socio-economic stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased political polarization and resurgent far-right movements have all been blamed. So have politicians such as Donald Trump, whose brash use of social media emboldened extremists online.
“I’ve been tracking hate-fueled extremist communities for more than 25 years but I’ve never seen hate speech — let alone the calls for violence that they spark — reach the volume they have now,” extremism researcher Rita Katz wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
Katz is co-founder of SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors far-right internet sites and has identified dozens of threats against LGBTQ groups and events in the U.S. in recent months. SITE released a bulletin Thursday detailing death threats against drag performers after one appeared at the White House bill signing of the Respect for Marriage Act.
Researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom, studied the social media messages that spread immediately after the Colorado Springs shooting in November and found many examples of far-right Trump supporters celebrating the carnage. The users who didn’t praise the shooting often claimed it was faked by authorities and the media as a way to make conservatives look bad.
Online hate speech has been linked to offline violence in the past, and many of the perpetrators of recent mass shootings were later found to be immersed in online worlds of bigotry and conspiracy theories.
Officials in a number of countries have cited social media as a key factor in extremist radicalization, and have warned that COVID restrictions and lockdowns have given extremist groups a powerful recruiting tool.
Despite rules prohibiting hate speech or violent threats, platforms such as Facebook and YouTube have struggled to identify and remove such content. In some cases, it’s because people use coded language designed to evade automated content moderation.
Then there’s Twitter, which saw a surge in racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic content following its purchase by Elon Musk, a self-described free speech absolutist. Musk himself posted a tweet this past week that mocked transgender pronouns, as well as another misleadingly suggesting that Yoel Roth, Twitter’s former head of trust and safety, had supported letting children into gay dating apps.
Roth, who is gay, went into hiding after receiving a deluge of threats following Musk’s tweet.
“He (Musk) didn’t use the word ‘groomer’ but that’s the subtext of his tweet is that Yoel Roth is a groomer,” said Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, who has created a “Musk Monitor” tracking hate speech on the site.
“If the owner of Twitter himself is pushing false and hateful content against his former head of safety, what can we expect from this platform?” Chakravorti said. | 2022-12-17T23:47:30+00:00 | valleycentral.com | https://www.valleycentral.com/news/national-news/ap-us-news/ap-anti-lgbtq-hate-thrives-online-spurs-fears-of-more-violence/ |
ATLANTA, Nov. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
Q2 Fiscal Year 2023 Highlights
- Net income attributable to our common shareholder decreased 23% YoY to $183 million
- Net income from continuing operations of $184 million, down 23% YoY; net income from continuing operations excluding special items was $203 million, down 17% YoY
- Adjusted EBITDA of $506 million, down 8% YoY; Adjusted EBITDA per tonne $514
- Shipments of 984 kilotonnes, up 2% YoY
- Net Leverage ratio of 2.3x and Total Liquidity $2.8 billion both demonstrate balance sheet strength in uncertain macro-economic environment
- Broke ground on new US recycling and rolling plant in Bay Minette, Alabama
Novelis Inc., a leading global provider of sustainable aluminum solutions and the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today reported results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. Net income attributable to its common shareholder decreased 23% versus the prior year to $183 million, while net income from continuing operations decreased 23% to $184 million. Excluding special items in both years, second quarter fiscal year 2023 net income from continuing operations decreased 17% versus the prior year to $203 million due primarily to lower Adjusted EBITDA.
"We delivered a solid second quarter despite challenging headwinds from inflation, the stronger US dollar, and reduced metal benefits, with good operational performance that allowed us to capture robust end market demand in the quarter and increase total shipments," said Steve Fisher, President and CEO, Novelis Inc. "Although the current macro-economic environment is uncertain, we believe long-term demand for sustainable, lightweight, infinitely recyclable aluminum remains intact. We continue to progress our transformational investment strategy to grow with our customers, reaching an exciting milestone in the US with the ground-breaking of our new recycling and rolling plant in Alabama last month."
Net sales increased 17% to $4.8 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to $4.1 billion in the prior year period, primarily driven by a 2% increase in total flat rolled product shipments to 984 kilotonnes, increased product pricing, favorable mix and higher average aluminum prices. Shipment growth is mainly due to higher automotive shipments as semiconductor shortages impacting the automotive industry began to ease, as well as slightly higher beverage can and aerospace shipments, partially offset by lower specialty shipments.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 8% to $506 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to $553 million in the prior year period, primarily due to higher energy and other operating costs driven by geopolitical instability, inflation, and global supply chain disruptions, as well as unfavorable foreign exchange translation. These headwinds were partially offset by higher product pricing, including some higher cost pass-through to customers, higher volume, and favorable product mix.
Adjusted free cash flow from continuing operations was an outflow of $90 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2023, compared to a generation of $158 million in the prior year period. The decrease is due primarily to negative metal price lag in the current year compared to a positive lag in the prior year resulting from volatile aluminum prices, lower Adjusted EBITDA, and higher capital expenditures. The company had a net leverage ratio (Net Debt / TTM Adjusted EBITDA) of 2.3x at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to 2.4x in the prior year period.
"While demand for aluminum rolled products broadly remains solid, we expect high energy costs and inflationary impacts to intensify in the near-term," said Devinder Ahuja, Executive Vice President and CFO, Novelis Inc. "We are actively working with our customers to share these extraordinary inflationary impacts, while also driving operational efficiencies and cost control measures to partially mitigate these macroeconomic headwinds. We also will continue our disciplined approach to maintaining a strong balance sheet, prioritizing and pacing capital spending for our strategic growth initiatives that we believe will allow us to grow over the long term."
The company had a strong Total Liquidity position of $2.8 billion as of September 30, 2022.
Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Earnings Conference Call
Novelis will discuss its second quarter fiscal year 2023 results via a live webcast and conference call for investors at 7:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. To join by telephone, dial toll-free in North America at 800-926-5171, India toll-free at 18002662119 or the international toll line at +1-415-226-5357. The webcast link, presentation materials and access information can also be found at novelis.com/investors.
About Novelis
Novelis Inc. is driven by its purpose of shaping a sustainable world together. We are a critical partner providing innovative aluminum solutions to customers and the world's largest roller and recycler of aluminum. Our ambition is to be the leading provider of low-carbon, sustainable aluminum solutions and to achieve a fully circular economy by partnering with our suppliers, as well as our customers in the aerospace, automotive, beverage can, and specialties industries throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Novelis had net sales of $17.1 billion in fiscal year 2022. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, an industry leader in aluminum and copper, and the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai. For more information, visit novelis.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release and the presentation slides for the earnings call contain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC rules. We believe these measures are helpful to investors in measuring our financial performance and liquidity and comparing our performance to our peers. However, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. To the extent we discuss any non-GAAP financial measures on the earnings call, a reconciliation of each measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure will be available in the presentation slides, which can be found at novelis.com/investors. In addition, the Form 8-K includes a more detailed description of each of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with a discussion of the usefulness and purpose of such measures.
Attached to this news release are tables showing the condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, Total Liquidity, Net Debt, income from continuing operations excluding special items, and segment information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this news release which describe Novelis' intentions, expectations, beliefs or predictions may be forward-looking within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by, or including the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," or similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release are statements about our ability to drive long-term value for our stakeholders or grow alongside our customers. Novelis cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and Novelis' actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among other things: changes in the prices and availability of aluminum (or premiums associated with such prices) or other materials and raw materials we use; inflationary pressures impacting the price of energy, labor, freight, coatings and alloys, such as magnesium; the capacity and effectiveness of our hedging activities; inflationary pressures affecting end market demand for our aluminum products in the building and construction market; relationships with, and financial and operating conditions of, our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders; fluctuations in the supply of, and prices for, energy in the areas in which we maintain production facilities; our ability to access financing including in connection with potential acquisitions and investments; continued risks stemming from the acquisition of Aleris Corporation, including uncertainties inherent in the acquisition method of accounting; disruption to our global aluminum production and supply chain as a result of COVID-19, rising interest rates or geopolitical factors, such as Russia's war in Ukraine; changes in the relative values of various currencies and the effectiveness of our currency hedging activities; decreases in demand for our aluminum products due to macroeconomic headwinds due in part to rising interest rates and geopolitical factors, such as Russia's war in Ukraine; risks related to sanctions, tariffs, a ban or similar actions impacting the supply of Russian aluminum and the global aluminum supply; factors affecting our operations, such as litigation, environmental remediation and clean-up costs, breakdown of equipment and other events; economic, regulatory and political factors within the countries in which we operate or sell our products, including changes in duties or tariffs; risks related to cybersecurity and data breaches; our potential inability to protect our intellectual property and the confidentiality of our know-how, trade secrets, technology, and other proprietary information; competition from other aluminum rolled products producers as well as from substitute materials such as steel, glass, plastic and composite materials; downturns in consumer demand for our products or changes in consumer preferences as it relates to our products; the impact of the global semiconductor shortage on automotive production and demand for automotive aluminum sheet; changes in general economic conditions including deterioration in the global economy; the risks of pandemics or other public health emergencies, including the continued spread and impact of, and the governmental and third party response to, the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of climate change or the legal, regulatory, or market response to climate change; changes in government regulations, particularly those affecting taxes, derivative instruments, and environmental, health or safety compliance; risks that production levels and margins of our recent capital expenditures do not grow in line with our current expectations and that we may not realize returns commensurate with our investments; changes in interest rates that have the effect of increasing the amounts we pay under our credit facilities and other financing agreements; and our ability to generate cash. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. Other important risk factors are included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited) to Net Income Attributable to our Common Shareholder
The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income attributable to our common shareholder.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow (unaudited)
The following table reconciles Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow from Continuing Operations, non-GAAP financial measures, to net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Total Liquidity (unaudited)
The following table reconciles Total Liquidity to the ending balances of cash and cash equivalents.
Net Debt (unaudited)
The following table reconciles long-term debt, net of current portion to Net Debt.
Reconciliation of Net Income from Continuing Operations, Excluding Special Items (unaudited) to Net Income from Continuing Operations
The following table presents net income from continuing operations excluding special items. We adjust for items which may recur in varying magnitude which affect the comparability of the operational results of our underlying business.
Segment Information (unaudited)
The following tables present selected segment financial information (in millions, except shipments which are in kilotonnes).
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SOURCE Novelis Inc. | 2022-11-08T11:23:20+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/prnewswire/2022/11/08/novelis-reports-second-quarter-fiscal-year-2023-results/ |
SAN DIEGO, May 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry Tech Insights, a unique digital platform featuring industry leaders across various areas of expertise, has recognized Goal Solutions as one among the "Top 10 Companies Revolutionizing FinTech in 2023″ for transforming the industry with their unique solutions. Industry Tech Insights has become a pioneering magazine owing to their unique coverage of news, articles and industry leaders concentrating on transforming various arenas.
Matt Myers, President and CEO of Goal Solutions says, "Innovation is a focal point at all levels of Goal Solutions and our portfolio companies Launch Servicing and Turnstile Capital Management. It is great to be recognized for that focus and the results it has generated for our platform and client partners. While the award is being given to the company it really should be given to the 200+ individuals in the Goal Solutions family of companies who make innovation happen day in and day out."
Goal Solutions' innovative approach, leveraging a unique blend of in-house expertise, proprietary applications and cutting-edge third-party technologies enables them to establish and sustain a consistent competitive advantage in the market. This commitment ensures their clients receive unparalleled service while offering an unmatched suite of comprehensive solutions. All these exceptional contributions have earned them a prominent feature in the highly acclaimed "Top 10 Companies Revolutionizing FinTech in 2023" edition. Richman Dale, Managing Editor of Industry Tech Insights, says, "Goal Solution's job is to bring its years of expertise and experience, especially weathering the last credit crisis, to partner with clients and financial stakeholders to design proactive and reactive strategies, and hence is being featured as one of Top 10 Companies Revolutionizing FinTech in 2023."
About Goal Solutions
Since 2008 Goal Solutions has delivered comprehensive and customizable Loan Servicing, Master Servicing, and SPV Administration solutions. Driven by technology, data science, and industry expertise, Goal is a strategic partner for insurance companies, originators, hedge funds, private equity companies, banks, credit unions, and other financial stakeholders across the entire lending lifecycle. Learn more about the Goal family of companies at www.goalsolutions.com.
Contact for Press Inquiries
David K. McMullin | Vice President of Corporate Development
619-405-0886
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SOURCE Goal Solutions | 2023-05-31T11:26:04+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/05/31/goal-solutions-recognized-innovation-fintech/ |
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Biden administration released a long-awaited study Wednesday that recommends allowing a major oil development on Alaska’s North Slope that supporters say could boost U.S. energy security but that climate activists decry as a “carbon bomb.”
The move — while not final — drew immediate anger from environmentalists who saw it as a betrayal of the president’s pledges to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy sources.
ConocoPhillips Alaska had proposed five drilling sites as part of its Willow project, and the approach listed as the preferred alternative by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in the report calls for up to three drill sites initially. Even as the land agency released its report, the U.S. Interior Department said in a separate statement that it has “substantial concerns” about the project and the report’s preferred alternative, “including direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions and impacts to wildlife and Alaska Native subsistence.”
The Bureau of Land Management, which falls under the Interior Department, also said in the report that identifying a preferred alternative “does not constitute a commitment or decision” and notes it could select a different alternative in the final decision.
Opponents have raised concerns about the impacts of oil development on wildlife, such as caribou, and efforts to address climate change.
The project is in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, a vast region roughly the size of Indiana on Alaska’s resource-rich North Slope. ConocoPhillips Alaska says the project, at its peak, could produce an estimated 180,000 barrels of oil a day.
The Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation, and the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope joined the North Slope Borough in praising the proposed alternative and calling on the administration to move ahead on the project. In a joint statement, they said advancing the project “is critical for domestic energy independence, job security for Alaskans and the right of Alaska Natives to choose their own path.”
Other Alaska Native groups have expressed concerns.
Leaders of the Native Village of Nuiqsut and city of Nuiqsut in a recent letter said they do not feel like the Bureau of Land Management is listening. The community is about 36 miles (58 kilometers) from the Willow project, in a remote region of Alaska’s far north.
The Bureau of Land Management’s “engagement with us is consistently focused on how to allow projects to go forward; how to permit the continuous expansion and concentration of oil and gas activity on our traditional lands,” Native Village of Nuiqsut President Eunice Brower and City of Nuiqsut Mayor Rosemary Ahtuangaruak wrote in a letter dated last week.
ConocoPhillips has estimated the project would create as many as 2,000 jobs during construction and 300 permanent jobs and generate between $8 billion and $17 billion in federal, state and local revenue in an area more than 600 miles (965 kilometers) from Anchorage.
Erec Isaacson, the president of ConocoPhillips Alaska, said in a statement the company believes the project will “benefit local communities and enhance American energy security while producing oil in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.” He said the review process “should be concluded without delay.”
The members of Alaska’s congressional delegation — Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat — all said they welcomed Wednesday’s environmental review and urged the administration to allow the project to move forward.
The project would bring miles of roads and hundreds of miles of pipeline to the area, disrupt animal migration patterns and erode habitat if it goes forward, said Earthjustice, an environmental group.
Jeremy Lieb, an attorney with the group, said Willow is currently the largest proposed oil project in the U.S. He said it is “drastically out of step with the Biden administration’s goals to slash climate pollution and transition to clean energy.” President Joe Biden campaigned on pledges to end new drilling on public lands and has set an ambitious goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.
Biden “will be remembered for what he did to tackle the climate crisis, and as things stand today, it’s not too late for him to step up and pull the plug on this carbon bomb,” Lieb said.
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who fought the Willow project as a member of Congress, has the final decision on whether to approve it, although top White House climate officials are likely to be involved. Haaland has multiple options, including outright approval or rejection or a middle ground that allows some drilling but blocks other development. A final decision is expected no sooner than early March.
Federal agencies have within the last week made two major decisions around resources in Alaska. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it was reinstating restrictions on road-building and logging on the country’s largest national forest in southeast Alaska, the Tongass National Forest.
And on Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it was exercising its so-called veto authority under the federal Clean Water Act to block plans for a proposed copper and gold mine in a mineral-rich area of southwest Alaska because of concerns about its environmental impact on a rich Alaska aquatic ecosystem that supports the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery.
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Daly reported from Washington, D.C. | 2023-02-02T19:08:54+00:00 | cenlanow.com | https://www.cenlanow.com/science/ap-science/ap-biden-administration-recommends-oil-drilling-in-alaska/ |
DENVER — Immigration officials are bracing for a surge in migrants entering the United States, and the humanitarian crisis is already overwhelming the City of Denver.
The federal government's COVID-19 public health emergency will end Thursday, and with it Title 42, a policy preventing people who are seeking asylum from coming to the U.S.
Denver
Denver processes hundreds of migrants as federal asylum rule set to expire
On Wednesday, 286 migrants arrived in Denver, according to a 6 p.m. update from the city. Denver saw 378 migrant arrivals the day before.
Four city shelters are at capacity, and others are filling up, the city told Denver7.
“We are at a point where it has become unmanageable for one agency to address and to manage alone,” said Mikayla Ortega with the Denver Officer of Emergency Management. “Our resources are not infinite. We are not able to do this long term.”
In anticipation of even more arrivals, Denver activated its Emergency Operations Center Wednesday.
The city demobilized the center just two months ago. It opened to support migrants as they arrived in an influx starting on Dec. 6.
Local News
Denver to demobilize Emergency Operations Center for migrant influx
Denver says it has spent upward of $50 million on this humanitarian crisis, and the city has only received $2 million from the state. Now, city officials are calling on the federal government to step up.
“It's unclear if we'll be able to obtain reimbursement for all of the money that we've put into this effort,” Ortega said.
In a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Colorado Governor Jared Polis said, “We want to reiterate that non-border jurisdictions are very much impacted by this crisis. Receiving additional funding is essential to caring for the needs of migrants while maintaining solvency of our local finances."
Hancock and Office of Emergency Management Director Matthew Mueller will hold a media briefing Thursday at 11 a.m. to discuss the situation.
Several nonprofits are helping provide food, clothing and shelter to the new arrivals. The city has specifically asked faith-based communities for help in providing shelter.
If you would like to help the migrants arriving in Denver, you can donate to the Newcomers Fund. | 2023-05-11T06:06:00+00:00 | denver7.com | https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/denver/denver-activates-emergency-operations-center-after-hundreds-of-migrants-arrive-in-one-day |
HAMPTON, Ga. – Kevin Harvick's farewell to Atlanta Motor Speedway provided an emotional example of NASCAR losing another of its biggest names.
The exodus of some of the sport's stars is a concern to Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon, who says he is worried about the growth of the sport. But Gordon says there is reason for hope. Sunday night's rain-shortened race won by William Byron served to shine a spotlight on the emerging star who drives for Hendrick.
The 25-year-old Byron leads the NASCAR Cup Series with four wins, and he moved to the top of the points standings by surviving a spin in the second stage that caused him to fall a lap behind.
At the start of the race, Harvick drove his No. 4 beside the 29 he drove to his first NASCAR win in Atlanta in 2001. The 29 was driven by grand marshal Richard Childress, who was the team owner for Harvick in 2001.
The 29 Chevrolet was built for Dale Earnhardt Sr. before Earnhardt died in a crash at the Daytona 500 weeks earlier. Following the 2001 win in Atlanta, Harvick held three fingers out of his window in tribute to Earnhardt's No. 3, providing a lasting memory for Earnhardt fans.
The retirement of Harvick, 47, after the season removes another popular driver from competition. The sport also has seen such other stars as Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards and Gordon retire in recent years, creating a void.
Byron, who drives the 24 that Gordon made famous as a four-time Cup Series champion, appears capable of helping to fill the void. Following Sunday night's race, Gordon spoke of Byron with pride, as a team executive and a NASCAR fan.
“To me right now it’s about building superstars and recognizable faces and names,” Gordon said. "That’s what is going to help grow the sport. We’ve lost a lot of them in a short period of time. It’s about building them back up.
“I think William is on the cusp of doing that by going to victory lane and winning races and leading as many laps as he has. That just opens up more doors and opportunities to get him in front of more kind of mainstream media and get his face and name out there to help grow the sport.”
It's notable that Byron has moved to the top of the points race while competing on a Hendrick roster that also includes Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. Larson and Elliott won Cup Series championships in 2021 and 2020, respectively, and Elliott won last summer's race in Atlanta.
Of the Hendrick drivers, only Byron and Larson are assured of playoff spots this year. Elliott and Bowman are still looking for their first 2023 wins.
Byron, who also won Atlanta's spring race in 2022, already has eight career wins but insists he's still learning.
“I just haven’t raced a lot in my career, so getting a later start I think every race is a learning experience,” Byron said, adding he is “still getting better. I thought tonight there were a lot of things I could have done better, pit road speed, decisions, there are still a lot of things you can improve. But we’re on the right track.”
The lessons learned on the track may come easier to Byron than adhering to Gordon's desire to see his young driver promote his team and sport.
“I’m pretty reserved, introverted,” Byron said. “I'm just trying to become more comfortable.”
Gordon said Byron “does an amazing job representing the 24 and Hendrick and the sport in general as a competitor as well as just as a fine young man.
“I tell him to keep doing what he’s doing. But I’ve told our drivers in the past, I want them to reach just slightly outside their comfort zone when it comes to the media and opportunities just so they can open up more doors for their own brand. It helps us sell sponsors and it helps us grow the sport.”
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-07-10T19:36:44+00:00 | ksat.com | https://www.ksat.com/sports/2023/07/10/byron-emerging-as-nascars-next-star-after-moving-to-points-lead-with-4th-win-of-2023/ |
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Galiano Gold Inc. ("Galiano" or "the Company") (TSX: GAU) (NYSE American: GAU) announces the release of its 2021 Sustainability Report (the "Report"), which marks its continuous progress on environmental, social and governance topics and outlines its vision for sustainability going forward.
In 2021, Galiano further expanded its sustainability efforts to include an assessment of internal governance processes and increased transparency on engagement with stakeholders on material sustainability issues over the medium and long-term.
The Report has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") Core Option. It details our efforts to sustain progress by putting in place the policies, systems, and processes to move towards a more responsible and sustainable business model and highlights the achievements in 2021 in line with our business strategy.
2021 Sustainability Report Highlights:
- Zero significant environmental incidents
- Zero fatalities and no operational downtime during the pandemic
- 0.21 Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate and 0.10 Lost Time Injury Rate
- Completion of the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC) Certification
- Completion of third-party occupational health & safety and security audits and the human rights impact assessment
- Commencement of the implementation of improvement measures following the Climate Change Vulnerability Risk Assessment
- Workforce Development Plan (recruitment & training) nearing completion
- Efficacy of malaria reduction program reviewed to identify the ways program can be further improved
- Risk Management System reviewed and updated
- Completed the construction of the Esaase Community Hospital
- Agreement with the Volta River Authority on the future provision of solar power for up to 20% of our energy needs at the mine site
- US$304.2m in-country procurement spend supporting 337 Ghanaian businesses
Todd Romaine, EVP Sustainability and Investor Relations, commented: "2021 was a transformational year for Galiano as we put in place enhanced strategies and plans that provide the foundation for our long-term success.
I am proud to report that we made significant improvements in health and safety performance and reduced both our LTIFR by 50% and TRIFR by over 20% compared to 2020.
Our climate change adaptation plan is progressing well with the identified improvement actions already under implementation. We are already implementing a number of key projects that will reduce our carbon footprint, including the signing of an agreement with the Volta River Authority on the provision of solar power for up to 20% of our energy needs at the mine site.
Our program efforts on human rights initiatives continue to align with national laws and international norms. An independent third-party audit was conducted in 2021 and subsequent to this, an action log was developed to address areas of improvement that align with evolving best practices.
With a sustainable business model grounded in stewarding the Asanko Gold Mine, we strive for operational excellence while reducing emissions, mitigating risks responsibly, and giving back to the local Ghanaian economy.
To view or download a copy of the Report and the GRI register please see the Sustainability section of the Galiano Gold website at https://www.galianogold.com/sustainability/reports-and-publications/default.aspx.
About Galiano Gold Inc.
Galiano is focused on creating a sustainable business capable of long-term value creation for its stakeholders through organic production growth, exploration, and disciplined deployment of its financial resources. The company currently operates and manages the Asanko Gold Mine, located in Ghana, West Africa which is jointly owned with Gold Fields Ltd. The Company is strongly committed to the highest standards for environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighbouring communities. For more information, please visit www.galianogold.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which we refer to collectively as "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements relating to the Company's sustainability strategy; statements regarding the strategic priorities and goals, targets, commitments and plans and expectations regarding those goals, targets, commitments and plans; and statements regarding the Company's future plans and goals in the areas of sustainable and economic development, governance, people, health, safety, security, internal and external audits, environment and community development, including the Company's future strategic, operational and sustainability objectives, goals and performance targets, as well as the Company's ability to implement such plans and ability to generate the desired results therefrom. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including, but not limited to: the Company and Gold Fields Ltd. will agree on the manner in which the joint venture ("JV") will operate the Asanko Gold Mine (the "AGM"), including agreement on development plans and capital expenditures; the global financial markets and general economic conditions will be stable and prosperous in the future; the ability of the JV and the Company to comply with applicable governmental regulations and standards; the mining laws, tax laws and other laws in Ghana applicable to the AGM and the JV will not change, and there will be no imposition of additional exchange controls in Ghana; the success of the JV and the Company in implementing its development strategies and achieving its business objectives; the JV will have sufficient working capital necessary to sustain its operations on an ongoing basis and the Company will continue to have sufficient working capital to fund its operations and contributions to the JV; and the key personnel of the Company and the JV will continue their employment.
The foregoing list of assumptions cannot be considered exhaustive.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained herein. Some of the risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the Company ceasing its mining operations during 2022; actual production, costs, returns and other economic and financial performance may vary from the Company's estimates in response to a variety of factors, many of which are not within the Company's control; the Company's operations are subject to continuously evolving legislation, compliance with which may be difficult, uneconomic or require significant expenditures; the Company may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining key personnel; labour disruptions could adversely affect the Company's operations; the Company's business is subject to risks associated with operating in a foreign country; the Company's operations are subject to environmental hazards and compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations; the effects of climate change or extreme weather events may cause prolonged disruption to the delivery of essential commodities which could negatively affect production efficiency; the Company's operations and workforce are exposed to health and safety risks; unexpected costs and delays related to, or the failure of the Company to obtain, necessary permits could impede the Company's operations; the Company's properties may be subject to claims by various community stakeholders; risks related to limited access to infrastructure and water; the Company's primary asset is held through a JV, which exposes the Company to risks inherent to joint ventures, including disagreements with its JV partner and similar risks; risks related to information systems security threats; and the risk factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, you are cautioned that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other factors that the Company has not identified. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference in, this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Neither Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE Galiano Gold Inc. | 2022-08-23T23:39:21+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/galiano-gold-releases-annual-2021-sustainability-report/ |
BEIJING (AP) — China’s foreign minister told the U.S. ambassador on Monday that Washington is responsible for the downturn in relations between the two countries and must “reflect deeply” before ties can return to a healthy track, an official said.
Qin Gang’s comments follow a suspension of serious dialogue on a range of issues between the world’s largest economies, increasingly at odds over tariffs, attempts by Washington to deprive China of cutting-edge technology, and China’s claims to self-governing Taiwan and large parts of the South and East China Seas.
China’s Foreign Ministry quoted Qin as telling Ambassador Nicolas Burns that a “series of erroneous words and deeds by the U.S.” since a meeting in November between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping “have undermined the hard-won positive momentum of Sino-U.S. relations.”
“The U.S. side should reflect deeply, meet China halfway, and propel China-U.S. relations out of the difficulties and back on the right track,” Qin was quoted as saying.
The United States should “correct its understanding of China and return to rationality,” Qin said, repeating his earlier accusation that the U.S. is attempting to suppress and contain China. Beijing routinely cites U.S. political and military support of Taiwan as infringing on its sovereignty.
Qin said ties had “grown icy” and the priority was to stabilize them “and avoid a downward spiral and unanticipated events.”
The U.S. should stop “undermining China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests,” particularly through support of Taiwan’s independent identity, Qin said.
China says Taiwan must come under its rule, by force if necessary, while the United States says the relationship between the sides must be resolved peaceably. U.S. law requires it to treat threats to Taiwan, including a military blockade, as a matter of “grave concern,” though it remains ambiguous under what conditions U.S. forces could be dispatched to defend the island.
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, the U.S. is Taiwan’s largest supplier of military hardware and diplomatic support, even while it continues to maintain relations with Beijing. Biden has been seen as going a step further by repeatedly saying that the U.S. would back Taiwan militarily, and America has been upgrading basing arrangements with the Philippines, located just south of Taiwan.
U.S.-China military contacts have been on hold for years, and China’s top staff refused to answer a call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after then-Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last year. China retaliated for the visit by staging a naval and air force blockade of Taiwan and cutting off channels of communication with the U.S. on issues from environmental protection to maritime security.
At a daily briefing Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin described the meeting between Qin and Burns as ”a normal diplomatic arrangement.”
In a tweet, Burns said he met with Qin and “discussed challenges in the U.S.-China relationship and the necessity of stabilizing ties and expanding high-level communication.”
In comments to a U.S. think tank last week, Burns said Washington has been consistent in its approach toward Taiwan and insists that “any resolution of the (cross-Taiwan Strait) differences has to be peaceful.”
“We hope that the government here in China will commit itself to a peaceful resolution of the dispute,” Burns said in an online discussion with the Washington-based Stimson Center.
The U.S. “has the obligation as well as the interest to make sure that we can provide defensive arms to Taiwan so that the Taiwan authorities can have a proper defense and we can help them build up a deterrence,” he said.
“If Taiwan has a sufficient deterrence in place, and if other countries around the world are supporting a peaceful resolution, one would hope that that would lead the Chinese to understand the consequences of the use of force in the Taiwan Strait,” Burns said.
Contacts between Washington and Beijing have been fraught for months since U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly canceled a Beijing trip aimed at easing U.S.-China tensions in February. That came after a large high-altitude Chinese balloon was shot down after it sailed across the U.S., drawing Pentagon accusations of spying on sensitive military sites despite firm Chinese denials.
Qin was due to depart Monday for visits to Germany, France and Norway amid China’s fraying relations with Europe over alleged unfair trade practices, human rights abuses and Beijing’s support for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Chinese President Xi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, declared their governments had a “no limits” friendship before Moscow’s February 2022 attack on Ukraine. Beijing has refused to criticize the Kremlin over the invasion but has tried to appear neutral and has called for a cease-fire and peace talks.
___
This story has been amended to correct the name of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson from Mao Ning to Wang Wenbin. | 2023-05-09T02:23:01+00:00 | krqe.com | https://www.krqe.com/news/world/china-tells-us-to-reflect-deeply-over-downturn-in-ties/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — For a year, U.S. officials have been saying that taking out a terrorist threat in Afghanistan with no American troops on the ground would be difficult but not impossible. Last weekend, the U.S. did just that — killing al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri with a CIA drone strike.
Other high-profile airstrikes in the past had inadvertently killed innocent civilians. In this case, the U.S. carefully chose to use a type of Hellfire missile that greatly minimized the chance of other casualties. Although U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed which variant of the Hellfire was used, experts and others familiar with counterterrorism operations said a likely option was the highly secretive Hellfire R9X — know by various nicknames, including the “knife bomb” or the “flying Ginsu.”
That potential use of the R9X, said Klon Kitchen, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former intelligence analyst, suggests the U.S. wanted to kill al-Zawahri with “limited likelihood of collateral death and destruction and for other relevant political reasons.”
A look at the Hellfire, and how al-Zawahri likely was killed:
WHAT IS A HELLFIRE MISSILE?
Originally designed as an anti-tank missile in the 1980s, the Hellfire has been used by military and intelligence agencies over the last two decades to strike targets in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere.
The precision-guided missiles can be mounted on helicopters and unmanned drones and are used widely in combat around the world. More than 100,000 Hellfire missiles have been sold to the U.S. and other countries, according to Ryan Brobst, an analyst at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank.
“It can do enough damage to destroy most targets such as vehicles and buildings while not doing enough damage to level city blocks and cause significant civilian casualties,” Brobst said.
The U.S. military has routinely used Hellfire missiles to kill high-value targets, including a senior al-Qaida leader in Syria last year, and al-Qaida propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen in 2011.
WHAT KILLED AL-ZAWAHRI?
The U.S. had multiple options for the attack. It could have used a traditional Hellfire, a bomb dropped from an manned aircraft, or a far more risky assault by ground forces. U.S. Navy SEALs, for example, flew into Pakistan on helicopters and took out Osama bin Laden in a raid.
In this case, the CIA opted for a drone strike. And while the CIA generally doesn’t confirm its counterterrorism missions and closely guards information about strikes it conducts, U.S. government officials have said that two Hellfire missiles were fired at the balcony of the building where al-Zawahri was living in Kabul.
Online images of the building show damage to the balcony, where the U.S. says al-Zawahri was, but the rest of the house is standing and not badly damaged.
Unlike other models of the Hellfire, the R9X doesn’t carry an explosive payload. Instead, it has a series of six rotating blades that emerge on its final approach to a target, Kitchen said. “One of their utilities is in opening up vehicles and other obstructions to get to the target without having to use an explosive warhead,” he said.
AVOIDING CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
U.S. officials and experts made clear this week that avoiding civilian casualties was a crucial element in the choice of weapon.
Less than a year ago, a U.S. drone strike — using a more conventional Hellfire missile — struck a white Toyota Corolla sedan in a Kabul neighborhood and killed 10 civilians around and near the car, including seven children. In the midst of the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, American forces believed there were explosives in the car and that it posed an imminent threat to troops on the ground. It was, military leaders said, a “tragic mistake”
One former U.S. official said the likely choice of an R9X is an example of the administration’s effort to find ways to minimize collateral damage and prevent the loss of innocent life. That missile is a very accurate weapon that strikes in a very small area, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss counterterrorism operations.
An administration official said Monday that the U.S. investigated the construction of the house where al-Zawahri was staying in order to ensure that the operation could be done without threatening the structural integrity of the building and also minimizing the risks of killing civilians, including members of his family who were in other parts of the house.
The choice of missile is ultimately one part of reducing the possibility of killing civilians or causing other collateral damage.
“I would say this is by far a lower-risk option,” said Tom Karako, an expert on missile defense at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Using the Hellfire, he said, “reflects a high degree of caution as opposed to a riskiness.”
IS THE US PROVIDING UKRAINE WITH DRONES THAT CAN FIRE HELLFIRE MISSILES?
No. While the U.S. has delivered billions of dollars in military assistance to help Ukraine fight the invading Russian troops, it is wary of providing weapons that could fire deep into Russia, potentially escalating the conflict or drawing the U.S. into the war.
As a result, the U.S. so far has not provided Hellfire missiles or drones that could fire them. Instead, the U.S. has delivered smaller, so-called kamikaze drones, such as the Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost, which instead of firing missiles, explode when they hit a target. | 2022-08-04T05:14:22+00:00 | localsyr.com | https://www.localsyr.com/news/politics/explainer-a-look-at-the-missile-that-killed-al-qaida-leader/ |
The Storm Team 11 Weather Forecast calls for partly cloudy to cloudy skies overnight with a 30% chance of scattered showers and maybe a thunderstorm. The low will be mild at 56 degrees.
Look for a mix of sun and clouds with a 60% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. The high will be 82 degrees.
We keep mostly cloudy skies Friday night with scattered showers and thunderstorms. The low will be mild at 58 degrees.
Look for a mix of sun and clouds on Saturday with a 60% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms through the day. The high will be warm at 83 degrees.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for early Saturday night with a low near 60 degrees.
Sunday will give way to a mix of sun and clouds for Mother’s Day with a 50% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. It will be warm with a high near 84 degrees.
Mostly cloudy skies are forecast for Monday with a 60% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. The high will be 80 degrees.
We will keep scattered showers and possible thunderstorms in the forecast Monday night and Tuesday with scattered showers and thunderstorms. The low Monday night will be 55 with a high on Tuesday near 77 degrees.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies are forecast for Tuesday night into Wednesday with a 50% chance of scattered showers. The low will be 54 degrees with a high on Wednesday near 74 degrees.
Scattered showers will be possible Wednesday night with a low near 52 degrees.
Partly cloudy skies are forecast for Thursday with a 20% chance of rain. The high will be 75 degrees.
Have a great night! | 2023-05-12T00:00:59+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/wjhl-weather/partly-cloudy-with-scattered-showers-tonight-showers-and-storms-friday-afternoon/ |
Industry-Standard REST APIs Will Enable Customers and Partners to Rapidly Develop Robust, Reliable Applications and Extensions, Amplifying the Power of Blackbaud Solutions
CHARLESTON, S.C., March 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world's leading cloud software company powering social good, has announced the general availability of SKY API® endpoints for Blackbaud CRM™ and Blackbaud Altru® that will make it easier for customers to further expand and extend the capabilities of these solutions to meet their fundraising and constituent engagement goals—and to ultimately drive better outcomes and achieve their missions.
"The inclusion of SKY APIs empowers our partners to rapidly create new integrations, benefit from a standard deployment model, and offers customers new alternatives to address their unique needs and transform business processes," said David Marcucci, director, product management, Blackbaud. "One of our goals has been to bring Blackbaud CRM and Blackbaud Altru more closely into the SKY ecosystem to enable customers to more fully leverage the core platform benefits of SKY, and this launch is our first step."
Accelerating Growth of the Blackbaud Marketplace
Blackbaud's growing network of third-party development partners use SKY APIs to quickly build and connect applications for the Blackbaud Marketplace. In turn, Blackbaud CRM and Blackbaud Altru customers will be able to leverage applications in the Marketplace to seamlessly integrate with complementary point solutions that meet their specific use cases and needs.
As part of the rollout, Blackbaud worked closely with partners in a client technical preview to test and optimize endpoints. "The Blackbaud CRM SKY API release has been seamless, and our development team was able to quickly adopt this new framework to drive matching gift software innovation," said Adam Weinger, president of Double the Donation, a Blackbaud Partner. "This integration enhancement will enable our clients to easily activate our solution and begin driving matching gift funding automation from donors without extra operational lift."
Enabling Customers to Take Full Advantage of the Microsoft Power Platform
Blackbaud CRM and Blackbaud Altru customers can use SKY API templates and connectors to harness the low-code automation and application development capabilities of Microsoft Power Automate and Microsoft Power Apps.
Leveraging the Power of the Blackbaud SKY Developer Community
Customers and partners can speed development by deploying updates and enhancements that come with the SKY Developer Portal, accessing a dedicated SKY API support team, and utilizing the help, stories and learning opportunities that come from being part of an 8,000-member-strong SKY API developer community.
Availability
The initial set of SKY APIs are now available for all hosted Blackbaud CRM customers as part of the recent release of Service Pack 33. Blackbaud Altru customers will be able to access SKY APIs later this spring. On-premises Blackbaud CRM customers are expected to have access to SKY APIs later in 2023.
For information on feature availability for additional customer groups, attend the next Blackbaud Product Update Briefings, April 25 - 27. Registration will open in late March.
About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world's leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—nonprofits, higher education institutions, K–12 schools, healthcare organizations, faith communities, arts and cultural organizations, foundations, companies and individual change agents—Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through cloud software, services, expertise and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and CRM, marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG), school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, payment processing and analytics. Serving the industry for more than four decades, Blackbaud is a remote-first company headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, with operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Inquiries
media@blackbaud.com
Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding expected benefits of products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.
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SOURCE Blackbaud, Inc. | 2023-03-06T15:55:53+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/03/06/blackbaud-releases-sky-apis-blackbaud-crm-blackbaud-altru/ |
No jail time for Cuba Gooding Jr. in forcible touching case
NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. resolved his New York City forcible touching case Thursday with a guilty plea to a lesser charge and no jail time after complying with the terms of a conditional plea agreement reached in April.
Prosecutor Coleen Balbert said Gooding has stayed out of trouble and completed six months of alcohol and behavior modification counseling, allowing him to withdraw his misdemeanor plea and plead guilty to a harassment violation.
Balbert said she has received “positive reports for the last six months” from Gooding’s therapist. The actor is continuing with treatment beyond the time required by his plea agreement, Balbert said.
Gooding, 54, faces no additional penalties and, by replacing his misdemeanor plea with a plea to a noncriminal violation, he will not have a criminal record. If Gooding had failed to comply with the terms of the deal, he would have faced up to one year in jail.
Gooding pleaded guilty in April to a misdemeanor charge that he forcibly kissed a worker at a New York nightclub in 2018. That was just one of dozens of allegations of inappropriate behavior by the Oscar winner that came to light in recent years.
Some of Gooding’s accusers criticized what they regarded as light punishment for the “Jerry Maguire” star and some are pressing ahead with civil litigation against him.
Gooding “saw minimal repercussions” while his victims dealt with the aftermath of his actions, the nightclub worker said in a victim impact statement that Balbert read into the court record.
Arrested in 2019, Gooding was among a profusion of Hollywood heavyweights accused of wrongdoing in the #MeToo movement.
As Gooding was in court Thursday wrapping up his case, another Oscar-winning actor, Kevin Spacey, was on trial down the block in a civil lawsuit alleging that he sexually assaulted actor Anthony Rapp.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, former studio boss Harvey Weinstein and “That 70′s Show” star Danny Masterson are in the midst of separate rape trials. Weinstein was convicted of similar charges in New York in 2020 and is serving a 23-year prison sentence.
Gooding’s case has taken more than three years to play out, prolonged by court delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gooding was arrested in June 2019 after a 29-year-old woman told police he fondled her without her consent at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square. That incident wasn’t the one in his guilty plea.
A few months later, prosecutors charged Gooding with pinching a server’s buttocks after making a sexually suggestive remark to her at TAO Downtown and the allegation to which he pleaded guilty — forcibly kissing a waitress at LAVO New York in midtown Manhattan.
Both incidents were alleged to have occurred in 2018.
Gooding admitted at a plea hearing in April that he “kissed the waitress on her lips” without consent and, in explaining his actions during Thursday’s harassment plea, told Judge Curtis Farber: “I kissed a waitress, your honor.”
The waitress, in her victim impact statement, said that Gooding forced his tongue into her mouth unexpectedly while she was serving drinks. She said she was aware of incidents involving Gooding and three other women at the club.
Gooding had previously pleaded not guilty to six misdemeanor counts and denied all allegations of wrongdoing. His lawyers argued that overzealous prosecutors, caught up in the fervor of #MeToo, were trying to turn “commonplace gestures” or misunderstandings into crimes.
Judge Curtis Farber earlier had ruled if the Gooding case went to trial, prosecutors could have called two additional women to testify about their allegations that Gooding also violated them. Prosecutors say the judge later reversed that decision — leading them to seek a plea deal.
Along with the criminal case, Gooding is accused in a lawsuit of raping a woman in New York City in 2013. After a judge issued a default judgment in July because Gooding hadn’t responded to the lawsuit, the actor retained a lawyer and is fighting the allegations.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-13T15:32:03+00:00 | foxcarolina.com | https://www.foxcarolina.com/2022/10/13/no-jail-time-cuba-gooding-jr-forcible-touching-case/ |
WASHINGTON – As the war rages on in Ukraine, the United States is doing more than supporting an ally. It's learning lessons — with an eye toward a possible clash with China.
No one knows what the next U.S. major military conflict will be or whether the U.S. will send troops — as it did in Afghanistan and Iraq — or provide vast amounts of aid and expertise, as it has done with Ukraine.
But China remains America's biggest concern. U.S. military officials say Beijing wants to be ready to invade the self-governing island of Taiwan by 2027, and the U.S. remains the island democracy's chief ally and supplier of defense weapons.
While there are key differences in geography and in U.S. commitment to come to Taiwan’s defense, “there are clear parallels between the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan,” a Center for Strategic and International Studies report found last month.
A look at some of the lessons from the Ukraine war and how they could apply to a Taiwan conflict:
ARM IN ADVANCE
Soon after Russian troops crossed into Ukraine last February, the U.S. and allies began sending massive amounts of weapons across the border from partner nations.
But Taiwan would need to be fully armed in advance, CSIS found in dozens of war scenarios it ran for its report.
"The ‘Ukraine model’ cannot be replicated in Taiwan because China can isolate the island for weeks or even months," CSIS found. "Taiwan must start the war with everything it needs."
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said Ukraine “was more of a cold-start approach than the planned approach we have been working on for Taiwan, and we will apply those lessons.”
Hicks told The Associated Press that an amphibious landing is the hardest military operation to undertake. And re-supply will be difficult, particularly if China chokes off ocean access.
STOCKPILE WOES
But the Pentagon can’t pre-position equipment it doesn’t have. Ukraine is putting intense pressure on the U.S. and European defense stockpiles and exposing that neither was ready for a major conventional conflict.
For some items “we have weaknesses in both our inventory and our production capacity,” said CSIS International Security Program senior adviser Mark Cancian, an author of the Taiwan report. “In a couple of places, particularly artillery ammunition, it could become a crisis,” he said.
Ukraine is shooting as many as 7,000 rounds a day to defend itself and has depended on announcements about every two weeks of new ammunition shipments from the U.S.
Since Russia invaded, the U.S. has sent Ukraine millions of rounds of munitions, including small arms and artillery rounds, 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems, 1,600 Stinger anti-aircraft systems and 100,000 rounds of 125mm tank ammunition.
One of the biggest stockpile pressure points has been 155mm howitzer ammunition. The U.S. has sent Ukraine 160 howitzers and more than 1 million howitzer rounds, which have been put to heavy use with as many as 3,000 rounds fired a day, according to the Pentagon.
Ukraine is waging a different type of war than the U.S. would likely face with China, said Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition. A future U.S. campaign would likely involve much more airpower and seapower, taking some of the pressure off land-based systems and ammunition.
But allies would still need to be supported with land-based systems and ammunition.
REBUILDING TAKES TIME
The Pentagon’s defense strategy says the U.S. must be able to conduct one war while deterring another, but the supply chain has not reflected that.
Hicks said the surge of weapons to Ukraine “has not slowed down U.S. support to Taiwan,” but many of the military sales promised to Taiwan are facing the same pressures the Ukraine munitions face, such as limited parts or workforce issues.
In response, the U.S. has set up a presidential drawdown authority for Taiwan, Hicks said, which will allow the U.S. to send weapons from its own stockpiles instead of arranging new contracts.
The Army is working with Congress to get the authority to do multiyear contracts, so that firms will invest to meet longer-term needs, especially for the systems Bush called “the big four” — Javelin missiles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions and 155mm rounds.
“Without that urgency, we risk being behind at the wrong time later,” Bush said.
The Army is adding production lines for 155mm artillery — including major components such as the outer metal shell, chargers, the fuse and the explosive material — while right now all production is at one facility in Iowa.
All of that will take time. CSIS reported it could take five years or more to replenish 155mm, Javelin and Stinger stockpiles.
“The good news is that I think the Ukraine conflict has alerted people to these weaknesses. The bad news is that they’re going to take a long, long time to solve even if there is a lot of political will,” said Hal Brands, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
For European stockpiles, there's not much excess left to send, and many of the partner nations are rushing to sign new contracts with industry to replenish inventories. However, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned this week in Brussels that particularly for larger caliber munitions, such as for ground artillery, it could be as long as 2 1/2 years before some new orders are delivered.
SPACE AS A FRONT LINE
With its use of tanks and artillery, the Ukraine war often seems like a throwback to 20th century ground wars, but it has provided lessons in how valuable space technology has become for intelligence, communications and propaganda.
Before the war, satellite imagery showed Russian forces massing along the border, countering Russia's claims that it was just staging a military exercise. As troops crossed the border, Ukrainian civilians fed real-time images and video from their smart phones to expose Russian military positions, record confessions from captured Russian forces and publicize Russian troop defeats and deaths.
When Ukraine’s cell towers and power were struck, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk provided a backup by sending hundreds of his Starlink terminals to Kyiv to keep Ukraine connected.
“Russia just got its clock cleaned in the information war from Day One, and they were never able to control the narrative coming out of Ukraine” of democracy under attack, Brands said. “We should assume that China won’t make the same mistake, that it will try very aggressively to control the information space.”
U.S. space experts are also looking at expanding satellite communications, building on Starlink’s successes. While Starlink is now the main orbiting commercial communications ring, others are coming online.
Starlink has thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth at the same low altitude in a ring. In a potential conflict, if one satellite was attacked, it would be quickly backfilled by another orbiting into place behind it.
That type of proliferated satellite communications is “the way of the future,” John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, told the AP. “This is the thing we need to adapt to.”
BE READY FOR CYBERWAR
While the satellites and their transmissions must be protected, the ground stations to process and disseminate information are also vulnerable. As Russia invaded, a software attack against Ukraine's Viasat satellite communications network disabled tens of thousand of modems. While Viasat has not said who was to blame, Ukraine blamed Russian hackers.
China would likely use cyber warfare to prevent Taiwan from sending out similar messages showing that it was effectively resisting any assault, Brands said.
That issue has the attention of the U.S. Space Force.
“If we’re not thinking about cyber protection of our ground networks," the networks will be left vulnerable, and the satellites won’t be able to distribute their information, said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. | 2023-02-16T07:00:53+00:00 | clickorlando.com | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/politics/2023/02/16/how-ukraine-war-has-shaped-us-planning-for-a-china-conflict/ |
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Residents of largely minority areas in New Jersey are fighting three proposed gas-fired power plants as they wait for the state’s environmental justice law — signed with great fanfare nearly three years ago — to take full effect.
And the waiting is not easy in communities like Newark, where pollution can be part of everyday life.
Two new gas-fired backup power plants are proposed for the Newark area. Both aim to provide emergency power in the event of severe storms like Superstorm Sandy, which knocked out electricity in 2012, caused nearly a billion gallons of raw sewage to flow into area waterways, and flooded trains and equipment in a rail yard.
The backup power plants for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission’s treatment plant in Newark, and for NJ Transit, the state transportation agency in nearby Kearny, are particular targets for residents of Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood.
That neighborhood suffers from multiple sources of pollution from nearby power plants, an international airport, numerous highways and heavy truck traffic through residential neighborhoods.
Ironbound “is already one of the worst polluted neighborhoods in the entire country,” said Maria Lopez-Nuñez, a leader of the Ironbound Community Corporation neighborhood group.
“The community of Newark has repeatedly voiced that this plant is not wanted, despite the attempts to threaten us with more flooding,” she said. “We know that this plant won’t stop us from flooding but will guarantee more health issues in our community.”
On Monday, Newark’s mayor and over 20 state lawmakers wrote to Gov. Phil Murphy asking him to reject the proposal in favor of one powered by renewable clean energy.
“This plant does not symbolize progress, nor does it address the need to strengthen the state’s commitment to remediate the disproportionate pollution minority communities find themselves burdened with,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.
Underlying the debate over whether the three projects should be built — and where they should go — is an environmental justice law New Jersey’s Democratic governor signed in 2020. The measure is designed to protect already overburdened communities, many of them inhabited largely by minorities, from having to accept additional sources of pollution.
Murphy called it “the strongest environmental justice law in the nation.”
But the law still has not taken full effect, and won’t do so at least until June, leaving its potential impact on the proposals uncertain.
Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said the state developed regulations informed by 18 months of outreach efforts to affected communities and entities that would be regulated by the law. He said the proposed regulations are in their final stages of review.
“The Murphy administration is committed to furthering the promise of environmental justice for all New Jerseyans, efforts of which include the implementation of the state’s landmark environmental justice law, in addition to other programs that improve conditions and health outcomes for residents in underserved and overburdened communities,” he said.
The gap between the law’s signing and when it may take effect is frustrating to many residents.
“Newark residents need action, not lip service,” said Kim Gaddy, founder of Newark’s South Ward Environmental Alliance. “Whatever the intentions, PVSC’s plan unavoidably poisons our already too-poisoned lungs and adds to the climate emergency.”
Residents in and around Newark and Jersey City also have been fighting a proposed backup power station in nearby Kearny, which also was proposed as a storm resiliency project designed to ensure train service during major storms. During a board meeting earlier this month, the agency put off a decision until April 2024.
Liz Ndoye, a Hoboken activist fighting the plant, said residents are “calling on Gov. Murphy to fulfill his promise to reverse decades of environmental injustice by stopping NJ Transit’s proposal for a new power plant and instead invest in a clean, renewable alternative.”
NJ Transit did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
And in Woodbridge, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) south of Newark, the proposed construction of a new gas-fired power plant by a company that already operates one there is drawing opposition from organizations including the local NAACP chapter. That group accuses the DEP of “cutting corners” in its environmental justice review of the proposal.
“This plant would go against environmental justice,” said Rev. Donna Stewart, the president of the group’s chapter in Perth Amboy, next door to Woodbridge. “The NAACP is a civil rights organization, and environmental justice falls under civil rights of our people.”
Competitive Power Ventures, the Silver Spring, Maryland-based company proposing the plant, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Its website describes the proposal as an upgraded use of an abandoned chemical plant.
___
Follow Wayne Parry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC | 2023-02-15T17:44:32+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/news/ap-us-news/ap-nj-groups-fight-power-plants-and-wait-for-enviro-justice-law/ |
Judge nixes no-prison deal in 2018 limo crash that killed 20
SCHOHARIE, N.Y. (AP) — A judge rejected a plea agreement that would have meant no prison time for the operator of a limousine company involved in a crash that killed 20 people in upstate New York, drawing applause and tears Wednesday from victims’ relatives who packed the court.
Judge Peter Lynch, who was not presiding over the case when the deal was reached a year ago in Nauman Hussain’s case, called the agreement “fundamentally flawed.”
It would have spared Hussain prison time, angering the families of the people killed when brake failure sent a stretch limo full of birthday revelers hurtling down a hill in 2018.
The judge’s rejection appeared to catch lawyers and relatives off-guard.
“I can’t even put into words how I feel. Totally unexpected. Thank God,” said Jill Richardson-Perez, the mother of limo crash victim Matthew Coons. “I’m in a better place now.”
Kevin Cushing, who lost his son Patrick in the crash, said the families “have a hope for a bit of justice to be served in the future, where we didn’t have any justice served in the past.”
Hussain, who operated Prestige Limousine, had been charged with 20 counts each of criminally negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter in what was the deadliest U.S. transportation disaster in a decade.
The agreement had called for Hussain to plead guilty only to the homicide counts, resulting five years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service. Lawyers for both sides said last year the plea agreement assured a resolution in a case that would have faced an uncertain outcome if presented to a jury.
While the National Transportation Safety Board concluded the crash was likely caused by Prestige Limousine’s “egregious disregard for safety” that resulted in brake failure, the board said ineffective state oversight contributed.
Lee Kindlon, an attorney for Hussain, has said his client tried to maintain the limousine and relied on what he was told by state officials and a repair shop that inspected it.
Axel Steenburg rented the 2001 Ford Excursion limousine for wife Amy’s 30th birthday on Oct. 6, 2018. The party group, ranging in age from 24 to 34, included Axel’s brother, Amy’s three sisters and two of their husbands, and close friends.
En route to a brewery, the limo’s brakes failed on a downhill stretch of road in Schoharie, west of Albany. The vehicle blew through a stop sign at over 100 mph (160 kph) and crashed into a small ravine.
The crash killed the limo driver, 17 passengers, and two bystanders outside the store.
Schoharie County District Attorney Susan Mallery’s office has said Hussain allowed passengers to ride in the limo despite having received “multiple notices of violations” from the state and having been told repairs were inadequate. State police said the vehicle should have been taken out of service because of brake problems identified in an inspection a month before the crash.
Lynch noted that a state Department of Transportation out-of-service sticker had been placed on the limousine a month before the crash. State police recovered the sticker from Hussain’s car after his arrest. Prosecutors have argued that Hussain took the sticker off the limo’s windshield so that he could rent it for more jobs.
To the judge, Hussain’s actions showed he knew the risk of putting the limousine on the road the day of the crash, and a guilty plea to only criminally negligent homicide does not reflect that. Lynch called the deal “completely disingenuous and unacceptable to this court.”
Under New York law, second-degree manslaughter entails conduct that “creates or contributes to a substantial and unjustifiable risk that another person’s death will occur” — a risk that the perpetrator consciously disregards. Criminally negligent homicide, on the other hand, involves failing to perceive such a risk, the judge noted.
Lynch gave Hussain’s lawyers the choice of accepting a sentence of 1 1/3 to four years in prison or withdrawing his guilty plea. They chose the latter.
The next court date has been set for Sept. 14. Hussain, who had been on interim probation, will go out on bail and be subject to GPS monitoring.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-31T17:54:35+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/2022/08/31/judge-nixes-no-prison-deal-2018-limo-crash-that-killed-20/ |
NEW YORK, March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Harrow Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: HROW, HROWL, HROWM) resulting from allegations that Harrow may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Harrow securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12375 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 22, 2023, market analyst Bonitas Research published a report on Harrow. The report alleged, among other things, that Harrow had concealed a U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") investigation into its sales practices, that it had engaged in suspect transactions with former subsidiaries in order to enrich Company insiders at the expense of shareholders, and that it engaged in a pattern of sub-par business practices, resulting in a slew of warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA").
On this news, Harrow's stock price fell 10% from the prior closing price during intraday trading.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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New York, NY 10016
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | 2023-03-02T23:54:07+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/prnewswire/2023/03/02/rosen-leading-investor-counsel-encourages-harrow-health-inc-investors-with-losses-inquire-about-securities-class-action-investigation-hrow-hrowl-hrowm/ |
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Sunday deported a Palestinian lawyer and activist to France after claiming he has ties to a banned militant group, drawing a rare condemnation from the French government.
The expulsion of Salah Hammouri underscored the fragile status of Palestinians in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, where most hold revocable residency rights but are not Israeli citizens. It also worsened a brewing diplomatic spat with France, which had repeatedly appealed to Israel not to carry out the expulsion.
“I’m happy to announce that justice was served today and the terrorist Salah Hammouri was deported from Israel,” Israel’s interior minister, Ayelet Shaked, announced in a videotaped statement early Sunday. The expulsion capped months of legal wrangling.
Hammouri, who was born in Jerusalem but holds French citizenship, landed in Paris just before 10 a.m. local time. Wearing a black track suit and black and white keffiyeh, or Palestinian headscarf, around his neck, he was greeted by his wife and a group of supporters.
Some hugged him, and others clapped in support.
Speaking to reporters, Hammouri accused Israel of “ethnic cleansing” and said his deportation was meant “to show the generations that nobody can resist Israel.” He vowed to fight the order.
“I will continue my right to resist against this occupation until I have the right to go back to my country,” he said.
Israel says Hammouri is an activist in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group that it has labeled a terrorist organization. He has worked as a lawyer for Adameer, a rights group that assists Palestinian prisoners that Israel has banned for alleged ties to the PFLP.
He spent seven years in prison after being convicted in an alleged plot to kill a prominent rabbi but was released in a 2011 prisoner swap with the Hamas militant group. He was not charged or convicted in the latest proceedings against him.
Israel, however, claimed he continued his activities with the banned group, stripped him of residency, and placed him last March in administrative detention — a status that allows Israel to hold suspected militants for months at a time without charging them or putting them on trial.
Shaked ordered the deportation when his detention order expired. Israel’s Supreme Court had rejected an appeal against the decision to revoke Hammouri’s residency status. His lawyers have complained that the decision was based on secret evidence they were not allowed to see.
France’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s deportation of Hammouri after he landed in Paris, saying it has “taken full action, including at the highest level of the state, to ensure that Mr. Salah Hamouri’s rights are respected, that he benefits from all legal remedies and that he can lead a normal life in Jerusalem, where he was born, resides and wishes to live.”
It was not clear what, if any, steps the French government might take.
The Israeli human rights group HaMoked, which had defended Hammouri, condemned Sunday’s expulsion. A Jan. 1 hearing on the matter had been scheduled, and it was not immediately clear how Israel was able to push ahead with the deportation.
“Deporting a Palestinian from their homeland for breach of allegiance to the state of Israel is a dangerous precedent and a gross violation of basic rights,” said the group’s director, Jessica Montell. “HaMoked will continue to fight against this unconstitutional law.”
Last year, Hammouri was among six human rights activists whose mobile phones were found by independent security researchers to have been infected with spyware made by the Israeli company NSO Group.
It was not known who placed the spyware on the phones. Israel said there’s no connection between the terror designation of Adameer and five other Palestinian rights groups and any alleged use of NSO spyware. Israel has provided little evidence publicly to support the terrorism designation, which Palestinian groups say is meant to muzzle them and dry up their sources of funding.
Shaked, a member of a small nationalist party, failed to win re-election to parliament in elections last month.
Aryeh Deri, who is expected to to assume the post in the new government, said Hammouri’s deportation was “the end of a long but just legal process” and congratulated Shaked for carrying it out.
The new government is still being formed by designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It will have to pass special legislation to allow Deri to serve as a minister because of his recent conviction on tax offenses.
Israel captured east Jerusalem, home to the city’s most important religious sites, in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed the area in a move that is not internationally recognized. It considers the entire city to be its capital, while the Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
While Jews in the city are entitled to automatic citizenship, Palestinians are granted residency status. This allows them freedom of movement, the ability to work and access to Israeli social services, but they are not allowed to vote in national elections. Residency rights can be stripped if a Palestinian is found to live outside the city for an extended period or in certain security cases.
Palestinians can apply for citizenship. But few do, not wanting to be seen as accepting what they see as an occupation. Those who do apply, however, face a lengthy and bureaucratic process.
The Haaretz daily reported this year that fewer than 20,000 Palestinians in Jerusalem, some 5% of the population, hold Israeli citizenship, and that just 34% of applications are approved. It cited information from the Interior Ministry delivered by Shaked to a parliamentary inquiry. | 2022-12-18T19:01:17+00:00 | wearegreenbay.com | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/international/ap-international/ap-israel-deports-palestinian-activist-to-france/ |
Canceled flights mar first weekend of summer for travelers
The unofficial start of summer over the Memorial Day weekend offers a troubling glimpse of what lies ahead for travelers during the peak vacation season.
U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,800 flights from Thursday through Monday, or about 2% of their schedules, according to tracking service FlightAware.
Delta Air Lines, usually among the top performers, had the worst record among major carriers with more than 800 canceled flights over the five-day span.
“This was a chance for airlines to show that last summer’s delays would not be repeated this summer, and yet, it was not to be,” said Helane Becker, an analyst for banking firm Cowen. She blamed the disruptions on bad weather, air traffic control delays, airline crew members calling in sick, and long security lines at some airports.
“We expect a busy summer, and are concerned about the industry’s ability to handle the demand,” Becker said.
When asked to comment Tuesday about its weekend troubles, Delta pointed to a statement it issued last week, when it said it faced challenges including rising COVID-19 cases among workers.
Delta ran 13% more flights in May than it did a year ago, but it announced last week that it would trim its schedules for July and August by up to 3% to make the remaining flights more reliable. The pilots’ union said it has warned the airline for months about crew shortages.
“We understand our customers' frustration, especially over the weekend,” said Evan Baach, a Boeing 767 captain at Delta and an official with the Air Line Pilots Association. “Delta has just not properly staffed the airline with pilots for the number of flights they want to fly.”
The good news was that flight cancellations were down sharply on Tuesday. FlightAware reported only about 80 by late afternoon on the East Coast.
Various forecasts of high numbers of travelers over the weekend proved to be accurate. The Transportation Security Administration reported screening more than 11 million people at airport checkpoints from Thursday through Monday.
That was down 9% from the same days in 2019, but an increase of almost 25% over last year. Crowds of just under 2.4 million on both Thursday and Friday nearly matched the pandemic high set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.
That meant many flights were packed, too, because airline schedules still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to figures from travel-research firm Cirium.
The U.S. airline industry hopes to push passenger numbers higher, in part by removing one of the last U.S. pandemic-related travel restrictions. Industry representatives said they met Tuesday with White House officials to repeat their request to end the requirement that travelers test negative for COVID-19 within a day of flying into the United States.
Trade group Airlines for America said its member airlines estimate that lifting the requirement would lead to 4.3 million more international passengers over one year. Airlines believe many Americans are unwilling to travel overseas because they could be stranded if they contract the virus on their trip. | 2022-06-01T00:32:28+00:00 | wyff4.com | https://www.wyff4.com/article/canceled-flights-mar-first-weekend-of-summer-for-travelers/40153572 |
Top Player Prop Bets for Mariners vs. Angels on June 11, 2023
Published: Jun. 11, 2023 at 6:51 AM MDT|Updated: 31 minutes ago
The Los Angeles Angels host the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Sunday at 4:07 PM ET. Those looking to place a player prop bet can find odds on Shohei Ohtani, Julio Rodriguez and others in this contest.
Bet on this matchup or its props with BetMGM!
Mariners vs. Angels Game Info
- When: Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 4:07 PM ET
- Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California
- How to Watch on TV: MLB Network
- Live Stream: Watch the MLB on Fubo!
Discover More About This Game
MLB Props Today: Seattle Mariners
Julio Rodríguez Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -263)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +115)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +475)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +195)
Rodríguez Stats
- Rodriguez has 63 hits with 12 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, 18 walks and 36 RBI. He's also stolen 12 bases.
- He's slashing .250/.310/.448 so far this year.
Rodríguez Recent Games
Ty France Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -250)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +145)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +600)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +165)
France Stats
- Ty France has 20 doubles, five home runs, 16 walks and 28 RBI (67 total hits). He has stolen one base.
- He's slashed .275/.343/.418 so far this year.
- France takes a six-game streak with at least one hit into this one. During his last 10 games he is hitting .341 with five doubles and four RBI.
France Recent Games
Bet on player props for Julio Rodríguez, Ty France or other Mariners players with BetMGM.
Buy officially licensed gear for your favorite teams and players at Fanatics!
MLB Props Today: Los Angeles Angels
Shohei Ohtani Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -256)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -110)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +330)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +165)
Ohtani Stats
- Ohtani has 70 hits with 12 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs, 28 walks and 46 RBI. He's also stolen nine bases.
- He has a .281/.355/.570 slash line so far this year.
- Ohtani hopes to build on a seven-game hitting streak in this matchup. During his last 10 games he is hitting .375 with four doubles, a triple, five home runs, five walks and 12 RBI.
Ohtani Recent Games
Mike Trout Props
- Hits Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: -204)
- Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +100)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +285)
- RBI Prop: Over/Under 0.5 (Over Odds: +150)
Trout Stats
- Mike Trout has 11 doubles, 14 home runs, 30 walks and 35 RBI (60 total hits).
- He has a .253/.350/.477 slash line so far this year.
Trout Recent Games
Bet on player props for Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout or other Angels players with BetMGM.
Not all offers available in all states. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has developed a gambling problem or addiction, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-11T13:24:49+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/sports/betting/2023/06/11/mariners-vs-angels-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Customer Engagement Platform with Dynamic Messaging Workflow Builder Reaches Users
Across Devices and at Scale
SAN MATEO, Calif., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OneSignal, Inc., the world's most widely-used omnichannel customer messaging platform, announced the launch of Journeys, an easy-to-use visual workflow builder to provide customized user experiences. Designed to orchestrate a brand's messaging and activate user data, the launch of Journeys expands OneSignal's messaging solution into a complete customer engagement platform.
"Customers have come to expect a personal and consistent user experience from brands across multiple channels," said George Deglin, CEO of OneSignal. "With Journeys, brands can connect their messaging across channels to map personalized user journeys that reflect and adapt to the specific ways their customers engage with their messaging. As one of our top product requests, we've worked with our customers to build a complete product suite that solves their needs to engage and retain users."
What makes OneSignal's product unique is the usability for marketers and developers alike. Today's marketers are looking for easier, more automated ways to customize their customer communications across devices and at scale - and developers are increasingly looking for low-code or no-code ways to enable their marketing teams. OneSignal's easy-to-use visual workflow builder simplifies the process of creating customer messaging journeys across channels. For critical customer touchpoints like onboarding, abandoned cart reminders, or trials and upgrades, companies can craft contextual message sequences to deliver the right message at the right time, with no engineering resources required.
Benefits of Journeys include:
- Deliver relevant content at the right time - Create personalized messages and workflows that are directly relevant to users based on how they've interacted with your product
- Grow engagement - Guide users across every touchpoint to create a cohesive Journey that makes customers more likely to interact when they receive timely, personalized, and relevant messaging.
- No-code, user-friendly builder - Anyone can create Journeys directly in the dashboard, without needing to wait on engineering resources to set up complex logic and infrastructure.
- Seamless cross-channel orchestration - Engage with audiences and deliver automated, personalized and relevant experiences across messaging channels.
"It can be tough figuring out how to send engaging content to users at scale but with OneSignal Journeys, we are able to do that quickly and effectively," said OneSignal customer Phillip Glapa, Digital Marketing Manager at EatStreet, an online food ordering service. "We've been able to create more personalized and relevant journeys with an omnichannel approach that guides users at every stage in their customer lifecycle and we are starting to see the benefits with higher engagement and conversions across the board — It's a powerful asset that we will continue to use heavily. "
There are hundreds of brands actively using the OneSignal Journeys product. This encompasses a wide range of industries and use cases, such as:
- EatStreet, an online food ordering service, uses Journeys to drive first and repeat orders as well as reduce abandoned carts.
- Amon, a crypto app, leverages Journeys to automate re-engaging inactive users who haven't accessed the app in a while via push notifications.
- Bingo Bling, a gaming app, employs Journeys combining push and email to re-engage users who have been inactive.
- Upside Health, a pain management healthcare app, harnesses Journeys to launch a multi-week engagement sequence around their wellness events using tags and customer segments created in Mixpanel.
- FishVerify, a sport fishing app, uses Journeys to power automated, customized onboarding sequences based on a customer's engagement, as well as to trigger new offers following the onboarding journey.
- CeleBreak, an app for finding and joining local soccer games, utilizes Journeys to automate sending notifications to encourage users to join upcoming games they have viewed.
For more information on how to leverage Journeys, please visit onesignal.com.
About OneSignal
OneSignal is democratizing customer engagement by enabling more than 1.7 million users from over a million companies with a market-leading customer messaging platform to help grow and retain their audiences. Founded in 2014 as a mobile app development company, OneSignal helps great ideas scale by providing businesses of all sizes with enterprise-grade tools via Push Notifications, Email, SMS & In-App Omni-Channel messaging. OneSignal is founded by Y Combinator alums George Deglin and Long Vo, and is venture-backed by SignalFire, Rakuten Ventures, and Y Combinator. The company is based in San Mateo, California.
Media Contact
Lisa Cravens
Lumina Communications for OneSignal
onesignal@luminapr.com
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SOURCE OneSignal | 2022-06-02T12:40:49+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/onesignal-launches-journeys-deliver-personalized-cross-channel-customer-experiences/ |
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An Indian climber who was rescued after spending three days in a 300-meter (980-foot) -deep crevasse is recovering in a Kathmandu hospital but his condition is still critical, his family said Sunday.
Anurag Maloo had fallen into the crevasse while descending Mount Annapurna, the world’s 10th highest, on April 17. After several attempts, he was rescued on Thursday.
“He is under medical supervision, but doctors are saying he is slowing improving,” his younger brother, Ashish Maloo, told reporters, adding that he remains critical.
He called the rescue and recovery “a miracle.”
After he was plucked out of the crevasse, Maloo was flown to a hospital in the resort town of Pokhara.
“The doctor gave him CPR, he tried his best for next to three hours, which made his revival and that was a sign of relief for us,” Ashish Maloo said. “There were so much emotions at that moment I can’t really express.”
Rescuers had struggled with bad weather, avalanches and the high altitude, and used thermal drones borrowed from the Nepal police and carbon dioxide detectors from the local Tribhuvan University to locate him.
Chhepal Sherpa, an experienced climber, was near Maloo when he slipped and fell into the crevasse at an altitude of 5,700 meters (18,700 feet).
He said that and other guides tried to find him but did not have enough ropes and other equipment. Bad weather and avalanche prevented them from looking for him the next day. Helicopters were unable to fly.
Finally on Thursday, weather improved and they were able to climb down the crevasse through a narrow opening into a larger cave-like area. Sherpa said the rescuers spent hours inside the crevasse risking their own lives.
The spring mountaineering season has just begun in Nepal and hundreds of foreigners and local guides have begun climbing the highest peaks. | 2023-04-23T15:13:49+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/indian-climber-pulled-from-crevasse-in-nepal-improving/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, September 2, 2022
_____
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Pecos County in southwestern Texas...
* Until 800 PM CDT.
* At 450 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 3 inches in 1
hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Sierra Madera.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Nineteen Draw, Comanche Creek, Big Canyon and Sixshooter Draw.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.
Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National
Weather Service when you can do so safely.
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL CLAY COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, therefore the warning has been cancelled. However gusty
winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-09-02T22:17:49+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-MIDLAND-ODESSA-Warnings-Watches-and-17416349.php |
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are drifting lower on Wall Street Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve’s latest decision on interest rates.
The S&P 500 was 0.3% lower in midday trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 244 points, or 0.7%, at 33,841, as of 11:30 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.2% lower.
The market is coming off a strong January, where stocks rose on hopes that cooling inflation could get the Federal Reserve to ease up on its barrage of hikes to interest rates that have rattled Wall Street.
Later Wednesday afternoon, the Fed is expected to announce its latest increase, one that would be the smallest since March at 0.25 percentage points. Perhaps more important than that will be what the Fed says about where rates are heading next.
Much of Wall Street is hoping the Fed may raise rates just one more time after Wednesday afternoon, before taking a pause and then possibly cutting rates toward the end of the year. Rate cuts can ease pressure on the economy and juice investment prices.
So far, though, the Fed has been adamant that it plans no rate cuts until 2024 at the earliest and wants to hold rates higher for longer to ensure it doesn’t allow inflation to fester and reignite.
Higher interest rates try to snuff out inflation by slowing the economy and dragging on prices for stocks and other investments. The Fed has already pulled its key overnight rate to its highest level since 2007, at a range of 4.25% to 4.50%, up from virtually zero early last year.
One area influencing expectations for the Fed is the job market, which has remained resilient despite all of last year’s rate hikes. While strength there helps workers, a worry is that it could lead to too-high gains in wages that give inflation more fuel.
Reports on Wednesday gave a mixed picture on hiring. Private payrolls rose by 106,000 in January, according to ADP. That’s a slowdown from growth of 253,000 a month earlier, and it was well below the 170,000 that economists expected.
But a separate report from the U.S. government indicated more strength. It said the number of job openings increased to 11 million in December, better than the slowdown to 10.3 million that economists expected. The more comprehensive report on the U.S. job market will arrive on Friday.
Adding to the mixed picture on the economy was a report from the Institute for Supply Management, which said U.S. manufacturing weakened by more than expected last month. It was the third straight month of contraction.
Treasury yields fell after the release of the ADP report, which may have raised expectations for an easier Fed, and then pared their losses following the other reports.
The two-year yield, which tends to track expectations for the Fed, was holding steady at 4.21%. The 10-year yield, which helps set rates for mortgages and other important loans, fell to 3.49% from 3.51% late Tuesday.
A lackluster earnings reporting season also continues on Wall Street, with more mixed profit reports arriving from big U.S. companies.
Electronic Arts tumbled 11.6% after it gave forecasts for upcoming results that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations. Analysts said some gamers may be getting more selective given the softening economy.
WestRock, a paper and packaging company, dropped 13.2% after it reported weaker earnings and revenue for the latest quarter than expected. It also axed its forecasts for this fiscal year, citing uncertainty about the economy.
On the winning side was Advanced Micro Devices, which rose 7.7% even though its profit tumbled 98% in the fourth quarter from a year earlier. Its results were better than analysts expected.
Facebook parent Meta reports after the bell Wednesday, followed by Alphabet, Amazon and Apple on Thursday, as well as Ford and Starbucks.
In overseas markets, European stocks were mixed.
Data on Wednesday showed that Europe’s inflation rate dipped at the start of the year, giving some relief to consumers. But prices remain elevated, prompting a number of protests, and will likely press the European Central Bank into another interest rate hike Thursday.
In Asia, stocks in Shanghai gained 0.9% after surveys showed Chinese factory activity increased in January but still is subdued amid weak global demand and COVID-19 outbreaks that disrupted business.
___
AP Business Writers Joe McDonald and Matt Ott contributed. | 2023-02-01T18:09:27+00:00 | siouxlandproud.com | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/business/ap-asian-stocks-higher-ahead-of-fed-rate-decision/ |
One Application Can Now Unlock a Full Spectrum of Insurance Options
CHICAGO, April 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Guaranteed Rate Insurance LLC, one of the fastest growing national insurance brokers, backed by the nation's second-largest retail mortgage lender, Guaranteed Rate, now offers customers a convenient way to compare and purchase home, auto, life and other insurance policies from more than 50 top-rated carriers, all at once, with a single online application.
The new digital insurance marketplace is embedded into Guaranteed Rate's home financing application process, offering an additional way to get to the closing table faster. The insurance marketplace has been designed to integrate with other business partnerships outside of mortgage to make purchasing insurance that much easier for customers.
"This platform is another example of how Guaranteed Rate Insurance is driving fintech innovation," Guaranteed Rate Head of Insurance and Executive Vice President, Jeff Wingate, said. "Our goal is to create a seamless and easy-to-use digital experience to meet our customers' fast-paced lifestyles."
The application process is simple: Customers can enter basic demographic information to receive a variety of quotes for home and auto insurance coverage. Anyone facing sticker shock with their latest insurance bill can quickly check to see if better and more affordable coverage options are available.
To create this new insurance marketplace, Guaranteed Rate's Insurance Product and Technology team leveraged their nearly 30 years of insurance technology expertise to build an innovative, proprietary, secure and intuitive end-user digital experience.
"As we continue to rapidly innovate, our goal is to continue to provide customers with best-in-class online tools that simplify the process of shopping for, comparing and purchasing insurance. That's our commitment," said Ryan Haggard, Guaranteed Rate Insurance's Vice President and Head of Insurance Product and Technology.
Guaranteed Rate Insurance will continue to expand its digital insurance marketplace throughout 2023 and beyond, offering additional carriers and integrated products to the platform providing customers with more options and even faster results.
"Our parent company has long been a technology pioneer and leader in home mortgages," Wingate added. "We are now perfectly positioned to offer a digital insurance marketplace to ensure that our customers are properly covered and confident in their insurance options."
The Guaranteed Rate Insurance marketplace is available online at rate.com/insurance with agents readily available to help guide and advise coverage to customers throughout the process.
About Guaranteed Rate Insurance
Guaranteed Rate Insurance is a national insurance brokerage, licensed in all 50 states, that offers comprehensive personal, commercial, specialty, and life insurance products. Founded in 2008, Guaranteed Rate Insurance is owned by Guaranteed Rate, the second largest retail mortgage lender in the country. Guaranteed Rate Insurance has built a reputation on providing customers with impeccable service as demonstrated by its 98% customer satisfaction rate*. Combining a growing team of insurance agents and a robust digital platform, Guaranteed Rate Insurance searches for great rates from more than 50 top-rated insurance carriers, while providing a "personal shopping" experience. Visit rate.com/insurance for more information.
*98% Customer Satisfaction: Data Source is Guaranteed Rate's Client Satisfaction Surveys (Averaged 2020-2021)
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SOURCE Guaranteed Rate Insurance | 2023-04-12T16:28:22+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/04/12/guaranteed-rate-creates-digital-insurance-marketplace-make-life-easier-customers/ |
NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
If you own shares in any of the companies listed above and
would like to discuss our investigations or have any questions concerning
this notice or your rights or interests, please contact:
Joshua Rubin, Esq.
Weiss Law
305 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(212) 682-3025
(888) 593-4771
stockinfo@weisslawllp.com
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Zendesk, Inc. (NYSE: ZEN), in connection with the proposed acquisition of ZEN by investment firms Permira and Hellman & Friedman LLC. Under the terms of the merger agreement, ZEN shareholders will receive $77.50 in cash for each share of ZEN common stock owned. If you own ZEN shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/zen
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of EVO Payments, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVOP), in connection with the proposed acquisition of EVOP by Global Payments Inc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, EVOP shareholders will receive $34.00 in cash for each share of EVOP common stock owned. If you own EVOP shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/evop
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Romeo Power, Inc. (NYSE: RMO), in connection with the proposed acquisition of RMO by Nikola Corporation ("Nikola") via tender offer. Under the terms of the merger agreement, RMO shareholders will receive 0.1186 shares of Nikola common stock for each RMO share owned, representing implied per-share merger consideration of approximately $0.83 based upon Nikola's August 10, 2022 closing price of $6.99. If you own RMO shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/rmo
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) in connection with the proposed acquisition of RFP by The Paper Excellence Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Domtar Corporation ("Domtar"). The transaction will be carried out by way of a merger of RFP with a newly created subsidiary of Domtar, providing for conversion of each share of RFP common stock into the right to receive $20.50 per share, together with a Contingent Value Right ("CVR") entitling the holder to a share of future softwood lumber duty deposit refunds. If you own RFP shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/rfp
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SOURCE Weiss Law | 2022-08-11T22:01:33+00:00 | mysuncoast.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/shareholder-alert-weiss-law-reminds-zen-evop-rmo-rfp-shareholders-about-its-ongoing-investigations/ |
SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) – A Utah man was federally indicted Tuesday on nearly two dozen felony counts for allegedly distributing videos of him harming guinea pigs online.
Samuel Webster, 18, was charged by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City with 23 felony counts related to the alleged torture of four guinea pigs that he bought from pet stores, a press release states.
Webster was charged with 18 felony counts of distributing “animal crush videos” on YouTube, one felony count of creating an animal crush video, and four felony counts of animal crushing.
Webster allegedly bought four guinea pigs from pet supply stores in Farmington, Salt Lake City and West Jordan in October 2021.
Shortly after making the purchase, he allegedly posted 23 videos of himself torturing the guinea pigs and posted the videos to multiple YouTube accounts.
Webster allegedly used graphic titles including “Guinea Pig Torture” and “Torture is Fun.”
After posting the videos, the indictment alleged that Webster posted comments on his own videos “reinforcing his desires about killing and torturing guinea pigs,” a press release states.
An “animal crush video” defined under federal law, makes it illegal to depict via photograph, motion-picture film, video, digital recording, or electronic image, actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammal, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled or subjected to serious bodily injury, and is obscene.
Webster is currently facing charges in state court for the same offenses. | 2022-06-08T18:49:17+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/news/national/utah-man-indicted-for-allegedly-torturing-guinea-pigs-online/ |
Father arrested after daughter, 1, found dead in California river
LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after his 1-year-old daughter was found dead in the Los Angeles River, authorities said.
The girl’s grandmother called police Sunday evening when her son who lives with her returned home with only one of his two children after picking them up from their mother in Long Beach, the Inglewood Police Department said.
Police began a search for the missing girl, Leilani Burley. The other child, a 3-year-old boy, was unharmed, KTLA-TV reported.
“During the course of the investigation, with the assistance of Long Beach Police Department, Leilani’s remains were recovered in the Los Angeles River below the Ocean Boulevard Bridge,” at the river’s southern end in Long Beach, Inglewood police said in a statement.
Jayveon Burley was arrested Monday and could face charges including murder and child endangerment, police said. It wasn’t known Wednesday if he has an attorney.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-12-07T15:30:10+00:00 | wfsb.com | https://www.wfsb.com/2022/12/07/father-arrested-after-daughter-1-found-dead-california-river/ |
BOGOTA – It’s one of the United States’ few enduring alliances in an often-turbulent Latin America, one built around a decades-long partnership combating the nation’s drug cartels.
But Gustavo Petro’s election as Colombia’s first leftist president is likely to test the U.S.’ special relationship with a major non-NATO ally like never before.
During the hard fought contest, Petro, a former guerrilla, took aim at forced coca eradication and extradition — centerpieces of the U.S.-backed drug war — as well as a free trade agreement with the U.S. he blames for impoverishing Colombian farmers
It remains to be seen whether he can implement his progressive agenda amid a fractured congress and opposition from powerful elites.
But just his promise of sweeping change in a country that has long been a bulwark of regional stability has many in Washington on edge — even if tracks the left’s resurgence throughout Latin America and was embraced by millions of Colombians fed up with enormous inequality and social injustice.
“Our combined efforts to combat transnational crime are over,” said Kevin Whitaker, a retired U.S. diplomat who served as ambassador in Bogota from 2014 to 2019. “There’s no doubt that he’s going about this in a very different manner.”
But while Whitaker is skeptical of Petro’s motives and effectiveness as a leader, he said he couldn’t be in more agreement with his campaign’s overarching focus: boosting the presence of the state, not just security forces, in the long-neglected countryside.
“If he is able to explain his plan to the U.S., and bridge the deep urban-rural divide that has long been Colombia’s biggest challenge, then it doesn’t have to be a conflictive relationship,” said Whitaker.
The U.S. helped Colombia pull back from the brink in 1999 with the launch of Plan Colombia to counter drug trafficking and the guerrillas who funded their insurgency through the transport of cocaine. Since then, successive Republican and Democratic administrations have provided more than $13 billion in military and economic assistance to Colombia — vastly more than any other country in Latin America.
Petro, 62, during the campaign criticized the linchpins of that bipartisan strategy.
On extradition, he said his government would prioritize truth-telling and compensation for the victims of powerful criminal groups rather than sending capos to the U.S. to face justice. Every year, under special presidential order, Colombia extradites dozens of drug traffickers charged in the U.S.
He also attacked the forced eradication of coca — the base ingredient of cocaine — for criminalizing otherwise law-abiding peasants and proving ineffective in reining in a record harvest. Instead, he would favor expanding crop substitution programs that provide credit, training and land rights to rural farmers.
All of Petro’s goals, however admirable, face huge obstacles.
In the U.S., a large bureaucracy consisting of hundreds of federal law enforcement agents has built up around close cooperation that will be difficult to unwind, says Whitaker.
Petro is also likely to face stiff resistance from inside the Colombian armed forces, whose influence has expanded greatly on the back of U.S. assistance and training.
Then there are the criminals themselves, who are unlikely to stand by idly if their profits are threatened. Despite being enshrined in a 2016 peace accord with the country’s largest rebel groups, voluntary crop substitution accounted for less than 1% of the 130,147 hectares of coca fields eradicated in 2020 — a sign of just how tenuous the state’s presence remains outside urban centers.
“A significant dialing back of the security component would strengthen the hands of the criminal actors and would be a point of friction with the U.S.,” said Cynthia Arnson, a fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington and a longtime observer of Colombia.
In other areas, such as trade and Venezuela, Petro could also clash with the U.S. His campaign platform calls for the creation of “smart tariffs” to protect Colombia’s countryside from agricultural imports allowed under a decade old free trade agreement with the U.S.
On Venezuela, he would re-establish relations with Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government — a move likely to anger many Republicans in Congress and unsettle the nearly 2 million Venezuelan migrants who have sought refuge in Colombia.
So far, Petro has avoided fueling any discord. In a 40-minute victory speech, he didn’t mention the drug war once and his only reference to the U.S. was a call for dialogue to jointly address climate change — a priority for the Biden administration.
“It’s time to sit down with the United States and talk about what it means the fact that they, like no other country in the Americas, are the source of greenhouse gases that we absorb in our Amazonian jungle,” he said.
The U.S. has been similarly restrained, touting the fact that Petro’s victory came on the 200th anniversary of the day Colombia became the first former Spanish colony to be recognized as an independent state by the U.S.
“We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with President-Elect (Petro) and building a more democratic and equitable hemisphere,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a message posted on social media on election night. The next day, he called Petro the next day to offer his congratulations.
But while Petro, a former senator and mayor of the capital, Bogota, has been a fixture of politics for decades, the U.S. has had only limited contact with him over the years.
That in part reflects what, until recently, had been the limited prospects for the left in the socially conservative country. But the 2016 peace deal lifted many activists’ fears and breathed life into new demands by younger Colombians less burdened by the bloody conflict. Petro, after losing the 2018 presidential contest, then skillfully rode the wave of discontent, benefiting from protests during the pandemic that paralyzed the outgoing conservative government of Iván Duque and laid bare the consequences of inequality worse than any other country in Latin America except Brazil.
During Petro’s slow rise, U.S. officials described him alternately as a radical “populist” in the mold of the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, according to a 2006 secret U.S. Embassy cable published by pro-transparency group Wikileaks, or “pragmatic,” according to another report sent two years later.
Whichever leadership style he embraces as president remains to be seen. But Petro has already made clear that in contrast with his predecessors, he’s likely to look less to Washington and seek closer ties with fellow leftists in places such as Mexico, Chile and Argentina.
The opportunity for the U.S. to influence the direction of his government has also been limited by the departure earlier this month of Ambassador Philip Goldberg to take up his new assignment in South Korea. The Biden administration has yet to nominate a replacement.
“It’s beyond disappointing that the Biden team has not nominated an ambassador to shepherd U.S. policy through this critical transition period,” said John Feeley, a former U.S. ambassador to Panama who also served as a diplomat in Colombia during the hunt for Medellin cartel boss Pablo Escobar in the 1990s. “They can’t blame Republican obstructionism in the Senate for this one and they would do well to announce a nominee ASAP.”
—
Goodman reported from Cleveland, Ohio | 2022-06-21T20:35:12+00:00 | ksat.com | https://www.ksat.com/news/world/2022/06/21/leftists-election-to-test-colombias-alliance-with-us/ |
Morning news brief By Asma Khalid , A Martínez Published February 13, 2023 02:03 AM Facebook Twitter Listen • 11:09 U.S. fighter jets have shot down three mystery objects in as many days. Rescuers search for survivors a week after a massive quake hit Turkey and Syria. Kansas City beat Philadelphia in the Super Bowl Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-02-13T11:04:16+00:00 | kpcc.org | https://www.kpcc.org/2023-02-13/morning-news-brief |
Is It Illegal to Burn Leaves in Maine?
It's getting to be that time of year when the trees start shedding and litter our lawns with leaves of all sizes and colors, leaving us to slave in the front and back yard every damn weekend trying to keep it somewhat manageable. And every year (just like the fall weather filling the air), it feels like it happens out of nowhere.
Imagine my surprise when I got home from vacation and looked out my window where my patio used to be to see nothing but a blanket of leaves (mainly due to the massive oak I have in the backyard.)
Burning Leaves
My first thought, honestly, was just to sweep up all the leaves and toss them in my empty fire pit, light them up, and BOOM -- problem solved. Seemed like the easiest (and cheapest) route to take, right? Sweep them into a pile, toss them all in, no need to spend money on leaf bags, buy a permit to drop said bags off (depending on where you live). Plus, maybe you can even snag an afternoon or evening of s'mores-making out of it.
But is leaf burning legal in Maine?
Your first thought may be "probably not," and you'd only be partially right. Because according to Maine.gov, open burning of leaves is actually illegal -- unless you've secured a permit. As mentioned in Title 12, Section 9325, subsection 1-F,
"A permit is required for open burning of leaves, brush, deadwood and tree cuttings accrued from normal property maintenance by the individual landowner or lessee of the land unless expressly prohibited by municipal ordinance."
Basically, get a permit, and you're free to load that fire pit up as much as you want and let that sucker burn (preferably safely, obviously. No need to be careless and set the whole neighborhood on fire.)
You can apply for your Maine open burn permit on Maine.gov, but keep in mind with or without a permit, you'll only be allowed to burn on days when the fire danger rating is either low or moderate. | 2022-09-25T21:37:40+00:00 | 1019therock.com | https://1019therock.com/is-it-illegal-to-burn-leaves-in-maine/ |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Arkansas had just returned to its locker room after knocking out defending national champion and West Region No. 1 seed Kansas 72-71 on Saturday when Nick Smith Jr. could no longer control his emotions.
He sat at his locker as the tears flowed and teammates consoled him, the video taking off on social media.
Smith said he was overjoyed by the victory and the chance to play in the Sweet 16, but losing so much time this season to knee injuries and what he missed out on with his teammates hit him hard.
“Once I got (the crying) out of the way, I celebrated with my guys at the crib,” Smith said Wednesday, a day ahead of No. 8 seed Arkansas’ game against fourth-seeded UConn in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region semifinals. “I moved on to the next. At the end of the day, people in my circle know who I am. People that I talk to every day know who I am.”
Smith, a potential NBA lottery pick, has faced high expectations since signing with the Razorbacks. The 6-foot-5 freshman guard was the USA Today Boys Basketball Player of the Year and 247Sports’ top prospect.
But he missed the first six games this season to injury, averaged 12.8 points in five games and then sat out from mid-December until nearly mid-February.
Smith returned to score more than 20 points three times over a four-game span and entered the NCAA Tournament averaging 14 points.
Then came March Madness, and Arkansas’ most notable recruit in 30 years didn’t meet the moment.
Smith made just 2 of 10 shots and scored six points in the first round against Illinois, and then against Kansas, he took four shots and did not score. Coach Eric Musselman, understanding the urgency and decreased margin for error in the single-elimination tournament, reduced Smith’s playing time from 28 minutes in the opener to 17 in the second round.
“Nick’s one of the most talented players in the country, and he’s had some big games for us,” Musselman said. “He’s been in a tough situation, in and out of the lineup with injuries. It’s not easy for any player to do, let alone when a team’s on a tournament run.”
Musselman said he was hopeful Smith would turn it around, but it’s clear any playing time will be earned.
“We know how he feels to be in a position he’s in and have all the pressure that everybody’s putting on him,” said Arkansas guard Davonte Davis, a childhood friend of Smith’s. “For him to come back, that’s amazing. He’s a young man that a lot of people can’t faze, and it’s tough to be in his world today to be able to take on the things he’s taking on.”
Smith downplayed the notion that he got emotional after the win over Kansas because he wasn’t as big a part of that victory as he’d hoped.
As the video showed, Smith didn’t lose the locker room. His teammates were there quickly to make sure he knew he wasn’t alone.
“We know who he is as a player,” forward Kamani Johnson said. “He knows who he is as a player. We don’t have to give him too much encouragement. He’s a dog, we know he’s a dog, and we know what he can do.”
Smith said he hasn’t spoken with his coach about possibly getting more minutes against UConn and, should the Razorbacks advance, against UCLA or Gonzaga on Saturday for the right to go to the Final Four.
“My story’s not over,” Smith said. “I’ve got to keep going and keep pushing through, hoping we can get a win.”
Winning in an Arkansas uniform is especially meaningful for Smith, who is from the Little Rock area. He is considered the program’s best recruit since Corliss Williamson, another Arkansas native who led the Razorbacks to the 1994 national championship before going on to a 12-year NBA career.
“This experience of the Sweet 16 — and I haven’t played the game yet — has been amazing,” Smith said. “When we landed in Vegas, it really doesn’t get much better than this. We’ve got another opportunity to play, and that’s why I came here to play basketball.”
___
AP March Madness coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 | 2023-03-23T20:48:27+00:00 | localsyr.com | https://www.localsyr.com/sports-news/after-tears-arkansas-nick-smith-jr-hopes-for-joy-vegas/ |
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 4 Midday" game were:
0-3-3-8
(zero, three, three, eight)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 4 Midday" game were:
0-3-3-8
(zero, three, three, eight) | 2022-12-16T19:55:56+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-4-Midday-game-17659341.php |
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri ACLU on Thursday sued statewide officials for stonewalling a constitutional amendment to restore abortion rights as the attorney general pushes for a price tag on the proposal that is 1 million times higher than what the state auditor has estimated.
At issue is a power struggle between two Republican statewide officials — Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick — that has delayed supporters from collecting required voter signatures on the ballot measure.
The proposed constitutional amendment would protect abortion rights and pregnant women, as well as access to birth control. Currently, most abortions are outlawed in the state. There are exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for cases of rape or incest.
Because Bailey, a gubernatorial appointee who took office in January, disagrees with Fitzpatrick’s cost estimate and won’t give what has traditionally been considered perfunctory approval, Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said he also can’t give petitioners the administrative approval to begin gathering signatures, according to the lawsuit.
Supporters need signatures from 8% of voters in six of the state’s eight congressional districts in order to get the abortion-rights measure on the 2024 ballot.
The ACLU in response sued all three Republican officials on behalf of petitioners, asking a Cole County judge to rule Bailey’s actions unconstitutional.
“The unilateral actions of the unelected Attorney General to hold hostage the people’s constitutional right to the initiative process is an attempt to subvert direct democracy to prevent Missourians from voting on the fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” said Tony Rothert, director of Integrated Advocacy at the ACLU of Missouri, in a statement.
Fitzpatrick’s office in March found the proposal would have no known impact on state funds and an estimated cost of at least $51,000 annually in reduced local tax revenues, although “opponents estimate a potentially significant loss to state revenue.”
Bailey in an April 11 letter to the auditor estimated the price tag could be at least $51 billion. He cited a local estimate that southwestern Missouri’s Greene County could see a $51,000 annual loss in tax revenue because of allowing abortions could mean fewer residents, and Bailey’s office roughly multiplied that across Missouri’s 114 counties.
“Aborting unborn Missourians will have a deleterious impact on the future tax base,” Bailey wrote.
He also claimed the state could lose all federal Medicaid health care funding, roughly $12.5 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, by allowing abortions.
Fitzpatrick wrote in an April 21 response to Bailey that while he personally finds the petition “extremely morally objectionable, that is not a sufficient reason for me to claim the state could lose $12.5 billion of federal funds annually.”
He wrote to Bailey that there is no evidence Missouri is at risk of losing all Medicaid funding if the amendment passes, and “no legal opinion presented to me, including yours, provides analysis supporting the claim that Missouri’s Medicaid funding could be lost.”
“As much as I would prefer to be able to say this IP would result in a loss to the state of Missouri of $12.5 billion in federal funds, it wouldn’t,” Fitzpatrick wrote. “To submit a fiscal note summary that I know contains inaccurate information would violate my duty as State Auditor to produce an accurate fiscal note summary.”
A spokeswoman for Bailey did not respond to an Associated Press question about the allegations that the attorney general overstepped his authority but said the office will “continue to use every tool at our disposal to defend the sanctity of life.” | 2023-05-05T21:18:44+00:00 | kdvr.com | https://kdvr.com/news/politics/ap-politics/aclu-sues-amid-missouri-gop-spat-over-abortion-measure-cost/ |
Dear Amy: I was married in 1990. My wife and I had a daughter together.
In 1999 I found out my wife was cheating, and so I ended the marriage. We had been together for 10 years. Our daughter was 5 years old when we split.
Now — all these years later, my daughter called and said that she wants to “meet her brother.”
I was shocked and said, “What?!”
“Yeah,” she said, “Mom told me that you have a son with a woman.”
Um, 100 percent not true.
I started to think about it and I’m pretty sure that my ex told our daughter this so that I would look like the bad person that caused our divorce.
I want to ask my ex why she did this, and tell her that she needs to talk to our daughter and tell her the truth, or I will.
My relationship with my daughter was great, and then it started to change.
It occurs to me that this is probably the reason why.
What should I do? Should I try to fix this, or should I try to forget about it?
— Wondering Dad
Dear Dad: Your former wife’s infidelity led to the ending of your marriage.
You quite obviously shielded your young daughter from the truth during her childhood, perhaps to protect and preserve your privacy, as well as her relationship with her mother.
She is an adult now. At this point the truth behind your breakup has taken on some bizarre characteristics.
Do NOT say to your ex: “Either you tell the truth, or I will.”
You should not trust your ex with any version of this story. Her lie is profound and hurtful; don’t tempt her to embellish further or to put her own spin on these long-ago events.
You should tell your daughter the truth. Don’t re-litigate decades-old hurts. Just tell her the truth and answer any questions she might have.
Dear Amy: A few years ago, I was abruptly ghosted by a friend.
I asked what was wrong, but received no reply.
I have a suspicion as to the reason, which is based upon a slanderous falsehood that she was told about me.
This still bothers me, both because of the lie and the way that I was so abruptly dropped.
Should I just accept it and move on, or should I try to find out for sure why I was ghosted by contacting my now ex-friend?
— Ghosted and Confused
Dear Ghosted: You’ve already asked your ex-friend why she abruptly pulled away. Don’t ask again.
You have also tried to accept this and have not been able to.
I vote for the truth.
This person is already ghosting you. Bottom line, she will probably continue, no matter what.
You have one shot at this, so make it good.
Write exactly what your suspicions are. You have the right and the duty to correct the record regarding this “slanderous falsehood.”
You could also state that the way she chose to handle this hurt you then, and continues to bother you.
Doing this will help you to move on. And you should move on.
Dear Amy: A reader questioned why people investigate their DNA and then contact biological family members — implying that people who do this don’t know that the family they were raised in is their “real family.”
I am adopted and in my eyes my parents are the ones who raised me. Their family is my family.
I did DNA testing to find out more about myself.
I did contact people on both biological sides and was met with open arms.
This is not the case for many.
What this contact has given me is the ability to fill out medical forms correctly. I no longer need to write “adopted” in my family medical history.
Not all adopted children are looking for relationships with our biological family, but we are looking to fill in the blanks and understand ourselves better.
— Adopted in Louisiana
Dear Adopted: In terms of filling in these blanks, DNA testing has been a gift. It is every person’s right to know their biological history. | 2022-08-18T20:31:04+00:00 | cadillacnews.com | https://www.cadillacnews.com/ask-amy-long-ago-infidelity-leads-to-bizarre-twist/article_3ffdc26e-1e8e-11ed-b852-7bb78b41d2dc.html |
Last year in Week 3, Michigan State headed south for a non-conference matchup. It came back with a win over Miami that set the tone for a breakout 11-win season.
· Watch Michigan State on DirecTV Stream
Now, it’s Week 3 again, and Michigan State will again be taking a long trip for a non-conference game. The Spartans travel West to take on Washington in a battle of unbeaten teams that could again help shape a Spartans season.
GAME INFORMATION
- Who: No. 11 Michigan State (2-0) vs. Washington (2-0)
- When: 7:44 p.m. ET
- Where: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Wash.
- Twitter: Follow Matt Wenzel
- Live updates: Join the MLive conversation at 6 p.m.
- Latest line: Washington -3
HOW TO WATCH
TV Network: ABC (Mark Jones, Robert Griffin III, Quint Kessenich)
Streaming options
- Watch & DVR College Football Live | fuboTV: Stream live TV with ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN & top channels without cable. DVR included. Start watching free. No contract, cancel anytime.
- WatchESPN | Hulu + Live TV | Sling | YouTube TV
Major Cable Providers
Comcast: Channel 3/231(HD) | Streaming
Spectrum: Channel 7/782(HD) | Streaming
Dish: Channel 53 | Streaming
DIRECTV: Channel 53 | Streaming
* Channel numbers listed are for Michigan subscribers and may change by geographic area. Check local listings.
HOW TO LISTEN
Radio Network: Spartan Media Network
- Affiliates: WJR-AM 760 Detroit; WJIM-AM 1240/WMMQ-FM 94.9 Lansing; 22 other Michigan-based affiliates listed on MSUSpartans.com
- Live streaming: MSUSpartans.com | iPhone app | Android app
- Satellite: Sirius Ch. 84; XM Ch. 84; SiriusXM.com Ch. 84
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Five must-reads before kickoff:
* It’s a long flight through three time zones to get from East Lansing to Seattle. Michigan State has taken a deep look into the science – from sleep banking to loading up on carbs and salt – to make sure that they’re at their best when they kick off in Seattle.
* Through two games, it’s clear Michigan State has two primary running backs: Jalen Berger and Jarek Broussard. Which role each of them will play this season, though, is still up for debate.
* In January, Germie Bernard moved in at Washington and enrolled as a freshman wide receiver. On Saturday, he’ll play against the Huskies as one of Michigan State’s top first-year players after an unexpected late switch between schools.
* If Washington’s quarterback on Saturday looks familiar, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Michael Penix spent four years at Indiana, with two starts against Michigan State. Now, he’s at Washington, where he’s completed nearly 80 percent of his passes through two games.
* Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed left the Spartans’ game against Akron late in the first half due to injury. As expected, Mel Tucker isn’t saying whether or not he’ll play this week.
STAT LEADERS
Michigan State
* Passing: Payton Thorne 30-52, 445 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT
* Rushing: Jalen Berger 33 carries, 227 yards, 4 TD
* Receiving: Jayden Reed 8 catches, 107 yards, 0 TD
* Tackles: Angelo Grose 18
* Sacks: Jacoby Windmon 5.5
* Interceptions: None
Washington
* Passing: Michael Penix Jr. 46-66, 682 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT
* Rushing: Wayne Taulapapa 23 carries, 151 yards, 2 TD
* Receiving: Jalen McMillan 9 catches, 214 yards, 3 TD
* Tackles: Alphonzo Tuputala 12
* Sacks: Bralen Trice 2.5
* Interceptions: Asa Turner 2
BIG TEN SCHEDULE (with predictions)
Saturday, Sept. 17
Oklahoma at Nebraska, noon ET (FOX)
Southern Illinois at Northwestern, noon ET (BTN)
Purdue at Syracuse, noon (ESPN2)
Western Kentucky at Indiana, noon (BTN)
UConn at Michigan, noon (ABC)
Rutgers at Temple, 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
Colorado at Minnesota, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
New Mexico State at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
Penn State at Auburn, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Toledo at Ohio State, 7 p.m. (FOX)
Michigan State at Washington, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Nevada at Iowa, 7:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
SMU at Maryland, 7:30 p.m. (FS1)
Buy Spartans gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, Lids
Buy Spartans tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster
Stream Spartans games live: fuboTV, ESPN+ and Hulu + Live | 2022-09-17T11:15:59+00:00 | mlive.com | https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2022/09/how-to-watch-michigan-state-vs-washington-live-stream-tv-channel-kickoff-time.html |
BEIJING — China's economy contracted in the three months ending in June compared with the previous quarter after Shanghai and other cities shut down to fight coronavirus outbreaks, but the government said a "stable recovery" is under way after businesses reopened.
The world's second-largest economy shrank by 2.6%, down from the January-March period's already weak 1.4%, official data showed Friday. Compared with a year earlier, a measures that can hide recent fluctuations, growth slid to 0.4% from the earlier quarter's 4.8%.
Activity was "much weaker than expected," Rajiv Biswas of S&P Global Market Intelligence said in a report.
Asian stock markets were mixed following the news. The Hong Kong was down 0.8% at mid-morning while Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul gained.
Anti-virus controls shut down Shanghai, site of the world's busiest port, and other industrial centers starting in late March, fueling concerns global trade and manufacturing might be disrupted. Millions of families were confined to their homes, depressing consumer spending.
Factories and offices were allowed to start reopening in May, but economists say it will be weeks or months before activity is back to normal. Economists and business groups say China's trading partners will feel the impact of shipping disruptions over the next few months.
"The resurgence of the pandemic was effectively contained," the statistics bureau said in a statement. "The national economy registered a stable recovery."
Data on factory output, consumer spending and other activity suggest overall growth was even weaker than the headline figure, Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a report.
"Even accounting for June's strength, the data are consistent with negative y/y (year-on-year) growth last quarter," Evans-Pritchard wrote. "This isn't the first time that the official GDP figures have seemingly understated the extent of an economic downturn."
The slump hurts China's trading partners by depressing demand for imported oil, food and consumer goods.
China's infection numbers are relatively low, but Beijing responded to its biggest outbreak since the 2020 start of the pandemic with a "zero-COVID" policy that aims to isolate every person who tests positive. The ruling party has switched to quarantining individual buildings or neighborhoods with infections but those restrictions covered areas with millions of people.
The ruling Communist Party is promising tax refunds, free rent and other aid to get companies back on their feet, but most forecasters expect China to fail to hit the ruling party's 5.5% growth target this year.
Other major economies report growth compared with the previous quarter, which makes their levels look lower than China. Beijing for decades reported only growth compared with the previous year, which hit short-term fluctuations, but has started to release quarter-on-quarter figures.
Forecasters say Beijing is using cautious, targeted stimulus instead of across-the-board spending, a strategy that will take longer to show results. Chinese leaders worry too much spending might push up politically sensitive housing costs or corporate debt they worry is dangerously high.
Growth for the first half of the year was 2.5% over a year earlier, one of the weakest levels in the past three decades.
Retails sales were off 0.7% from a year earlier in the first half after plunging 11% in April.
Investment in factories, real estate and other fixed assets climbed 6.1%, reflecting the ruling party's effort to stimulate growth by boosting spending on public works construction and ordering state-owned companies to spend more.
China also faces headwinds from weak global demand. Exports jumped 17.9% in June over a year earlier, but forecasters say that reflected ports clearing out cargo after anti-virus curbs lifted. They say growth is likely to fall back.
Slowing growth in the United States and Europe "could weaken demand for China's manufacturing exports," said Biswas.
China rebounded quickly from the pandemic in 2020, but activity weakened as the government tightened controls on use of debt by its vast real estate industry, which supports millions of jobs. Economic growth slid due to a slump in construction and housing sales.
Investors are waiting to see what happens to one of China's biggest developers, Evergrande Group. It has struggled since last year to avoid defaulting on $310 billion owed to banks and bondholders.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-07-15T05:51:08+00:00 | wksu.org | https://www.wksu.org/npr-news/2022-07-15/chinas-economic-growth-slows-following-covid-lockdowns |
By BETHANY BLANKLEY
THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR
(The Center Square) – Texas leaders are pushing back against claims made by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser after she blamed Texas for her city’s struggles to deal with illegal immigrants.
Mayor Bowser said that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and others are “tricking” illegal immigrants by transporting them to Washington, D.C. Gov. Abbott says the only “lie” being told is by the Biden administration about a border crisis the administration created.
Mayor Bowser told CBS News’ Face the Nation that she’d called on the federal government “to work across state lines to prevent people from really being tricked into getting on buses” who’s final destination isn’t Washington, D.C. Roughly 100 people a day are arriving and the city’s homeless shelters are full, she said.
The City Council also sent Mayor Bowser a letter requesting that she provide additional resources and ask the federal government for help.
“We condemn these actions by Governors Abbott and [Arizona Gov. Doug] Ducey, who have demonstrated no regard for people who are exercising their human right to seek asylum. The District, on the other hand, has a history of serving all residents who settle here, regardless of immigration status,” the city council members wrote.
The “sanctuary city” of Washington, D.C., is a welcoming place, Mayor Bowser said, “because we know that our neighborhoods are safer and stronger when no one is afraid to call on our government for help.”
Because many illegal immigrants being released into the U.S. have shown they have no way to support themselves, once they arrive in the U.S. capital, they are finding limited assistance.
One humanitarian aid worker told CNBC News: “We do not have the ability to sustain this. If they’re coming in from Texas but need to get to New York, that is an expensive endeavor.” Because those arriving appear to have no money and their connections in the U.S. appear to not be helping them, some arriving are sleeping in the city’s homeless shelters, parks and on the street.
One Venezuelan man told CNBC News that he was “in a good place” living in Venezuela but he wouldn’t have “gone through that journey” to enter the U.S. illegally if he knew he would have ended up on the streets in Washington, D.C.
Gov. Abbott directed the state’s emergency management division to transport foreign nationals to Washington, D.C. after the Biden administration began releasing them into the U.S. instead of deporting them or requiring them to remain in Mexico while their claims are adjudicated. Texas also has sued over a range of policy changes the administration has implemented that it argues violate immigration and other federal laws.
On April 6, Gov. Abbott began the busing scheme as another measure to thwart illegal immigration impacting the state.
“We are sending them to the U.S. Capitol where the Biden administration will more immediately be able to address the needs of the people that they are allowing to cross our border,” he said.
In two months’ time, Texas had spent $2.9 million to bus 1,778 people to Washington D.C. at Texas taxpayers’ expense, The Center Square previously reported.
As to the mayor’s claims, Renae Eze, Gov. Abbott’s press secretary, told The Center Square, “The only lie is the Biden Administration telling the American people that our border is closed. President Biden’s open border policies have created an ongoing humanitarian crisis, with record-high illegal crossings and deadly drugs like fentanyl flooding into our state.
“Border communities are overrun and overwhelmed,” she added, and the governor launched the border bus mission … to help provide support to these communities pleading for help where the Biden Administration is dumping migrants. With our nation’s capital now experiencing a fraction of the disaster created by President Biden’s reckless open border policies that our state faces every single day, maybe he’ll finally do his job and secure the border.”
John Hostettler, a vice president with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said, “Texas hasn’t ‘tricked’ the migrants heading north. It is the Biden administration who has fooled potential asylum seekers into believing that making the dangerous journey will result in them receiving special status to stay in America. In truth, the vast majority of asylum claims are ultimately denied.
“If Mayor Bowser would like to stop the influx of migrants into her city, she should instead join the calls to fix the root cause of illegal migration: an administration that encourages illegal crossings and refuses to secure the border,” he added.
The Texas legislature has so far allocated more than $4 billion to border security efforts through Operation Lone Star and Texas is the first state in U.S. history to build its own border wall. | 2022-07-25T16:21:45+00:00 | newspress.com | https://newspress.com/abbott-texans-push-back-against-washington-d-c-mayors-claims-over-illegal-immigration/ |
In the latest Gulfshore Business report, foodies are in for a treat because new restaurants are opening in Southwest Florida.
Gulfshore Business colleague Tim Aten recently reported restaurants in SWFL to keep opening, even after peak tourist season ended. And this trend is not slowing down, especially in Naples and Bonita Springs.
Click here to read the full article on Malinche Mexican Cuisine, coming soon to Bonita Springs.
Click here to read the full article on Food & Thought 2 that just opened on Airport-Pulling Rd. in North Naples.
Click here to read the full article on La Bella Apulia Gourmet Market & Apericena an Italian wine bar in historic Naples.
Click here to read the full article on the Mediterranean and Greek restaurant Estia in North Naples.
You can also watch the full report above. | 2022-06-18T01:06:07+00:00 | winknews.com | https://www.winknews.com/2022/06/17/restaurants-opening-across-swfl/ |
BEIJING, Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quhuo Limited (NASDAQ: QH) ("Quhuo" or the "Company"), a leading tech-enabled workforce operational solution platform in China today announced that it has received a notification letter (the "Compliance Notice") from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. ("Nasdaq") dated August 29, 2022, informing the Company that it has regained compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the "Minimum Bid Price Requirement").
As previously announced, Quhuo received a notification letter (the "Deficiency Notice") from the Nasdaq dated March 1, 2022 indicating that the closing bid price for the Company's American depositary shares (the "ADSs") was below the minimum bid price of $1.00 required for continued listing under the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) for 30 consecutive business days. According to the Deficiency Notice, if at any time during the 180-day compliance period, the closing bid price of the Company's ADSs is at least $1.00 for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, the Nasdaq will provide the Company written confirmation of compliance and the matter will be closed. According to the Compliance Notice, the closing bid price of the Company's ADSs has been at $1.00 per ADS or greater for 10 consecutive business days from August 12 through August 26, 2022. Accordingly, the Company has regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and the matter is closed.
About Quhuo
Quhuo Limited (NASDAQ: QH) ("Quhuo" or the "Company") is a leading workforce operational solutions platform in China. Quhuo provides tech-enabled, end-to-end operational solutions to blue-chip on-demand consumer service businesses in industries with significant e-commerce exposure, primarily including on-demand food delivery, mobility services, housekeeping and accommodation. Quhuo's platform helps its industry customers mobilize a large team of workers and utilizes a combination of training, performance monitoring and refinement, and incentives to transform them into skilled workers who can follow industry-specific, standardized and highly efficient service procedures. Within the on-demand consumer service ecosystem, the Company plays a unique and indispensable role as the link between consumer service businesses and end consumers to enable the delivery of goods, services and experiences to consumers.
Safe Harbor Statements
This press release contains ''forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding Quhuo's business development, financial outlook, beliefs and expectations. Forward-looking statements include statements containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "project," "will" and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Quhuo's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Quhuo's actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to Quhuo's abilities to (1) manage its growth and expand its operations, (2) address any or all of the risks and challenges in the future in light of its limited operating history and evolving business portfolios, (3) remain in its competitive position in the on-demand food delivery market or further diversify its solution offerings and customer portfolio, (4) maintain relationships with major customers and to find replacement customers on commercially desirable terms or in a timely manner or at all, (5) maintain relationships with existing industry customers or attract new customers, (6) attract, retain and manage workers on its platform, and (7) maintain its market shares in relation to competitors in existing markets and its success in expansion into new markets, as well as the length and severity of the recent COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on Quhuo's business and industry. Other risks and uncertainties are included under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the final prospectus related to the IPO filed with the SEC on July 10, 2020 and the Company's latest annual report on Form 20-F. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Quhuo undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
View original content:
SOURCE Quhuo | 2022-08-31T10:40:05+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/quhuo-has-regained-compliance-with-nasdaqs-minimum-bid-price-requirement/ |
GENEVA, Switzerland (AP) — A senior Russian diplomat warned Thursday that increasing Western support for Ukraine could trigger an open conflict between nuclear powers.
Speaking at the U.N. conference on disarmament, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov denounced the U.S. and its allies for openly declaring the goal of defeating Russia in a “hybrid” war, arguing that it violates their obligations under international agreements and is fraught with the war in Ukraine spilling out of control.
Ryabkov warned that “the U.S. and NATO policy of fueling the conflict in Ukraine” and their ”increasing involvement in the military confrontation is fraught with a direct military clash of nuclear powers with catastrophic consequences.”
He emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s move to suspend the 2010 New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms pact with the U.S. came in response to the U.S. and NATO action on Ukraine.
Putin announced the halt in Moscow’s participation in New START in his state-of-the-nation address last week. He argued that Moscow can’t accept U.S. inspections of Russian nuclear sites envisaged by the pact when Washington and its NATO allies have openly declared Russia’s defeat in Ukraine as their goal.
The Russian president noted that Moscow wasn’t withdrawing from the pact altogether, and Ryabkov reaffirmed Thursday that Russia would respect the caps on nuclear weapons set under the treaty.
Ryabkov also blamed the U.S. for the failure to ratify the global ban on nuclear weapons and reaffirmed Putin’s warning that Moscow would resume nuclear tests if the U.S. does so.
“The U.S. effectively bears responsibility for the fact that the treaty still hasn’t come into force more than a quarter century after it was signed,” he said, adding that “the U.S. openly demonstrates an intention to resume the tests.”
“We can’t stand idle,” Ryabkov said, noting that if the U.S. conducts a nuclear test, “we will be forced to respond.”
“No one should have dangerous illusions that the global strategic parity could be destroyed,” Ryabkov added.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | 2023-03-03T00:11:15+00:00 | wboy.com | https://www.wboy.com/news/world/ap-russian-envoy-says-nuclear-powers-may-clash-over-ukraine/ |
A mass shooting over the weekend at a dance studio in Monterey Park, a city east of Los Angeles, killed 10 people and left 10 others injured.
After an hours-long manhunt, the suspect was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Torrance, about 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park, officials said. The suspect has been identified as Huu Can Tran, a 72-year-old man.
The late Saturday evening attack took place in a predominantly Asian American community on Lunar New Year's eve, after a popular festival in the area. Officials have not yet identified the victims.
A motive for the shooting is not known. The FBI and state authorities are also involved in the investigation.
The suspect targeted two separate dance studios
At around 10:22 p.m. local time on Saturday, a gunman opened fire inside of Star Dance Studio, Chinese-owned ballroom dance studio on West Garvey Avenue, less than a block from where a Lunar New Year festival was held. The first day of the two-day festival had just ended. The event, which officials said drew more than 100,000 attendees, was canceled after the shooting.
About a half hour after the attack, the same armed man went into another ballroom studio, Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio, in nearby Alhambra, a few miles away.
The suspect went to the second location with the "intent to kill more people," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said, but two people successfully disarmed the suspect by wresting the weapon out of his hands.
The suspect was using what local authorities said was a magazine-fed assault-style pistol, of which Luna said he was unsure of its legal status in the state.
On Sunday at about 10:20 a.m., police saw a white cargo van in Torrance, Calif. The driver of the van pulled over and police surrounded it, then heard a single gunshot. Authorities retreated and returned at about 12:52 p.m. with backup, to find Tran inside, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Of the 10 people pronounced dead at the scene, five were women and five were men, officials said. The wounded victims were rushed to local hospitals, in conditions ranging from stable to critical. The victims are in their 50s and above.
Asian-American community reactions
Monterey Park's population is more than 65% Asian, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city of nearly 60,000 residents had just wrapped up the first day of its Lunar New Year Festival when the shooting occurred.
Lunar New Year, which began Sunday, is one of the most important festivals across Asian societies, including in Vietnam, China, Korea and Mongolia. The holiday historically starts on the first full moon of the lunar year, but its start date and origins may vary across cultures.
Monterey Park council member Thomas Wong, who represents the district where the shooting took place, said his community was shocked, saddened and "on edge."
"Instead of celebrating and bringing family together to look forward to a hopeful and prosperous new year, we're starting it off with a senseless tragedy," Wong told NPR.
Leaders respond
Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo expressed his condolences for the shooting victims and their families at a press conference, and said, "Moving forward, it is important that we be there for them, to provide services and support they need, in what will be a time of healing in the next weeks, months, if not years."
Monterey Park has established a memorial at city hall and a survivor's center at a local senior center.
President Biden has been briefed on the shooting.
"Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in last night's deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park. I'm monitoring this situation closely as it develops, and urge the community to follow guidance from local officials and law enforcement in the hours ahead," Biden said in a statement on Sunday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was in Monterey Park following the shooting.
"The strength of this community is incredible," he said. "No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence. We need real gun reform at a national level.
Police departments in San Francisco, New York City, Philadelphia and Houston said they would be increasing the presence of officers at Lunar New Year events following the mass shooting.
The shooting in Monterey Park comes amid an already violent year for the U.S.
The country has seen at least 33 mass shootings in 2023 alone, according to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive.
The archive defines a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are injured or killed, other than the shooter.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-01-23T11:42:50+00:00 | kanw.com | https://www.kanw.com/npr-news/2023-01-23/what-we-know-about-the-mass-shooting-in-monterey-park-california |
84-year-old behind the wheel in fatal wrong-way crash was mugged before collision, police say
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) – Police in Mississippi said an 84-year-old woman was mugged before causing a wrong-way fatal crash on the interstate Friday.
According to Jackson police, Mable Vince had a violent encounter at grocery store Vowell’s Cash Saver hours before she drove the wrong way on I-55, causing a crash that killed her and one other woman.
The other crash victim was identified as 43-year-old Cyntra Wilbert.
Police said Vince was at the grocery store earlier in the day when she was approached by a robber.
Jackson Police Chief James Davis said the armed robber pushed Vince to the ground and stole her purse.
“We did get a report the Jackson Police Department responded to the Cash Saver in which an elderly lady was pushed to the ground, and her purse was taken,” Davis said. “The ambulance was called. She did not receive any treatment. So she left.”
Around 2 p.m. that same day, Vince caused the multi-vehicle accident on I-55, police said.
Police are investigating to find out if Vince may have been injured during the purse snatching and if it could have caused her to drive the wrong way on the interstate.
“We’re still investigating the robbery. So we’re still trying to gather information,” Davis said. “We’re still trying to pull surveillance and talk to witnesses. Hopefully, we can bring that individual to justice.”
If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers or Jackson police at 601-960-1234.
Copyright 2022 WLBT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-07-27T16:41:10+00:00 | wnem.com | https://www.wnem.com/2022/07/27/84-year-old-behind-wheel-fatal-wrong-way-crash-was-mugged-before-collision-police-say/ |
LAKE FOREST, Calif., Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ATIF Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: ATIF, hereafter referred to as "ATIF") is pleased to announce that its client Massimo Motor. ("Massimo"), a manufacturer of recreational vehicles and power sports equipment based in Garland, Texas, recently participated in the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. As a premier and highly influential consumer electronics event in the world, CES has resumed its in-person format with the easing of the global pandemic. In keeping with tradition, Massimo participated as scheduled and showcased a selection of its top products at the event, highlighting its product lineup for the new year on the show floor.
At the event, Massimo, a leading manufacturer of electric and hybrid recreational vehicles, unveiled its latest line of offerings to attendees. On display were a variety of vehicles, including the company's utility UTVs (Utility Terrain Vehicles), that have been rigorously tested on farms and ranches for durability and reliability. These UTVs are specifically designed for tasks such as hauling cargo and equipment and for use in rugged terrain. Additionally, Massimo showcased its recreational ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles), which are geared toward off-road use and are popular among enthusiasts for activities such as hunting, fishing, and trail riding. Lastly, Massimo also showcased its American-style mini-bikes, smaller and more compact versions of traditional motorcycles that are often used for leisure and recreation and are known for their sporty look and feel.
Jun Liu, President, Chairman of the Board, and CEO of ATIF commented, "Technology Innovation has always been a driving force in industry development, and as a leading company, Massimo Motor is committed to pushing the boundaries. Our mission is to assist our clients in reaching their business objectives and staying ahead of the game regarding product innovation and technology. We take pride in being a part of our clients' team, providing them with valuable consulting services."
About ATIF
ATIF Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: ATIF) is a Lake Forest-based business consulting company that specializes in providing professional IPO, M&A advisory and post-IPO compliance services to small and medium-sized companies seeking to go public on a stock exchange in the United States. The company has a proven track record in successfully delivering comprehensive U.S. IPO consulting services to clients primarily in the United States but also internationally. The mission of ATIF is to provide one-stop, comprehensive consulting services that guide clients through the complex and often challenging process of going public. ATIF recognizes the complexity and challenges associated with the process of going public, and endeavors to simplify it while ensuring optimal outcomes for its clients through its comprehensive consulting services. ATIF has been awarded the "Golden Bauhinia Award", the highest award in the financial and securities industry in Hong Kong, for "Top 10 Best Listed Companies".
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe Harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, "estimated," "projected," Words such as "expect", "anticipate", "predict", "plan", "intend", "believe", "seek", "may", "will", "should", "future", "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the opposite of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance, conditions or results and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's control and may cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors include future financial and operating results, including revenues, income, expenses, cash balances and other financial items; Ability to manage growth and expansion; Current and future economic and political conditions; The ability to compete in industries with low barriers to entry; The ability to obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditure in the future. Ability to attract new customers and further enhance brand awareness; Ability to hire and retain qualified management and key staff; Trends and competition in the financial advisory services industry; Pandemic or epidemic disease; Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions you that actual results may differ materially from the expected results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements we make. You should not interpret forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements represent only the beliefs and assumptions of our management as of the date such statements are made. The above forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release.
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SOURCE ATIF Holdings Limited | 2023-01-31T15:21:16+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/01/31/atifs-ipo-consulting-client-massimo-motor-attends-ces-2023/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — For millions of Americans, President Joe Biden’s student loan cancellation offers a life-changing chance to escape the burden of debt. But for future generations of students, it doesn’t fix the underlying reason for the crisis: the rising cost of college.
The specter of heavy debt will still loom over current high school seniors — and everyone after them — since the debt cancellation only applies to those who took out federal student loans before July 1.
Among the main causes is rising college tuition: Today’s four-year universities charge an average of nearly $17,000 a year in tuition and mandatory fees, more than double the inflation-adjusted average from 30 years ago, according to federal data.
Biden’s failure to tackle the broader problem drew reproach from Republicans along with some of his fellow Democrats.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said the loan cancellation “doesn’t address the root problems that make college unaffordable.” Instead she called for expanded Pell Grants reserved for low-income students, and targeted forgiveness for borrowers in need. Other critics included Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., who said the forgiveness should have been joined by action to address the “absurd” cost of college.
“We cannot continue to trap another generation of Americans in this cruel cycle,” Bennet said.
The issue is top of mind for 17-year-old Ariel Wolfe. The high-school senior in Borden, Indiana, has older siblings who qualify for forgiveness, but she won’t. Wolfe has saved about $2,000 for college and hopes to avoid loans, but she doesn’t know if she can. She wishes Biden’s debt plan, or something like it, would be available to her and her peers, saying it would be “an incentive to have more people go to college.”
In Olathe, Kansas, high-school senior Natalie Ren said it’s frustrating that today’s college students will get relief but her class, less than a year away from college, won’t.
“So to me, it’s just like, Well, why are they getting the $10,000 taken off of their student loan debt?” said Ren, 17. “Meanwhile, we’re still going to have to take on that full responsibility.”
There’s no doubt that Biden’s debt forgiveness plan has a big upside for many Americans, if it survives the court challenges that are likely coming. More than 20 million will be eligible to get their federal student debt erased entirely, and 23 million more could get it reduced, the administration said. The plan cancels $10,000 per borrower and another $10,000 for Pell Grant recipients, for those who earn less than $125,000 a year or $250,000 per household.
Biden also extended a pandemic-era pause on federal student loan payments for what he called the “final time.” Payments are now expected to restart in January.
But without broader action, the nation’s federal student loan debt will return to today’s levels — $1.6 trillion — within five years of the cancellation, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonprofit that advocates for lower deficits.
“This doesn’t fundamentally solve the student debt problem,” said Marc Goldwein, the budget group’s senior policy director. “It will be a one-time clean slate that wipes a bunch of people off the rolls. But they’re just going to be replaced by new borrowers.”
It also creates an expectation that future presidents may forgive some share of student debt, which could make borrowers feel safer taking on debt and in turn encourage colleges to raise prices further, Goldwein said.
“This has the potential to worsen college affordability,” he said.
Even higher-education leaders said Biden’s plan should be seen only as a first step toward college affordability. The American Council on Education, a group that represents college and university leaders, called on Congress to simplify repayment options and limit student loan interest, among other changes.
“To avoid forcing current and future students into the same debt morass, we must act in a comprehensive manner to modernize the federal student loan program,” said Ted Mitchell, the group’s president.
Mitchell pointed to state cuts in higher education as a “big reason” for tuition increases at public universities and more student debt.
Anticipating criticism, Biden’s plan came with a separate proposal that aims to lower federal student debt payments in the future. The proposed regulation would create a new repayment plan with monthly payments capped at no more than 5% of a borrower’s discretionary income, down from 10% in similar existing plans.
It would also forgive any remaining balance after 10 years — down from 20 years in existing options — and it would raise the floor for repayments, meaning no one earning less than 225% of the federal poverty level would need to make monthly payments.
The idea was well received even by some critics, but taken as a whole, many saw the moment as a missed chance to pursue broader changes.
Major updates to the federal student debt system would require approval from Congress, but there has been bipartisan support for an overhaul. There are disagreements about the details, but lawmakers from both parties have shown support for expanded Pell Grants, simplified loan repayment options and a system to hold colleges accountable when their students get stuck with debt they can’t afford.
Instead of canceling debt, critics say the Biden administration should have brokered a deal to overhaul the federal loan system through legislation.
“It’s a real disappointment that we didn’t see that happen, and that instead we had this effort which to me is much more of a political solution than a policy one,” said Beth Akers, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.
Others question whether a sharply divided Congress would be able to reach an accord even on student debt. Biden previously pushed hard for free community college, which many Democrats see as an answer to rising debt, but he was ultimately unable to get unified support even from his own party.
After Biden’s free community college proposal was cut from a spending bill last year, he vowed to make it happen “in the next several years,” but the effort has yet to be revived.
Even without a federal program, a growing number of cities and states have experimented with free college programs of their own in recent years.
Still the momentum around student debt has sparked hope that broader change is possible. Responding to Biden’s plan, Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, chair of the House education and labor committee, called on Congress to take the next step. He said it will take “bold action” to make sure every student gets an education that leads to a good career.
Without bigger investments in education and improvements to the federal loan system, he said, “students will continue to take on more debt and borrowers will continue to face rising debt levels.”
___
Associated Press writers Heather Hollingsworth and Arleigh Rodgers contributed to this report. Rodgers is a corps member of the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
___
The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Find more on student loan coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans | 2022-08-26T15:27:14+00:00 | wdtn.com | https://www.wdtn.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-student-loan-crisis-awaits-new-generation-despite-biden-plan/ |
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
The writer and scholar Keyu Jin has a foot in each of two worlds. One is China, and the other is the West.
KEYU JIN: I grew up in Beijing, but I chose to go to the U.S. for high school as a Chinese exchange student when I was 14. And I lived with an American family.
INSKEEP: And you ended up going to college in the United States, as well, right?
JIN: Yes, yes. That was my dream.
INSKEEP: She teaches now at the London School of Economics, and she has written a book about the economic development of her native country. "The New China Playbook" offers a different perspective than many Western policymakers do about China. In fact, she argues that Americans get a lot of things subtly wrong. Americans think about the overpowering bureaucracy of the Communist state, which is true. But she maintains the state apparatus has often been very smart economically. And when it's not, entrepreneurs often push it to change. American business leaders complain of unfair competition in China. Jin sees that differently, too.
JIN: There are lots of Western firms that have succeeded in all sectors, with the exception of the sensitive ones or the strategically important ones of the government, where there's restrictions on foreign investment. And there are losers, as well. If we take the automotive industry or the mobile phone industry, I'd say that in many of these at least consumer-oriented sectors, it's just about competition. Amazon didn't do so well, not because of discrimination but because Alibaba is very powerful, and it caters to the Chinese tastes. Same thing with eBay, which it drove out. Apple did super well, and it continues to thrive. Of course, there are information-related companies like Google and Facebook that has met with challenges, restrictions, outright bans, etc. And I'm not saying that there are no discriminations against foreign companies. But if we actually look at the data in China, the foreign companies actually get more subsidies than domestic companies.
INSKEEP: You write that Google chose not to comply with regulatory restrictions, and so their business has been severely restricted in China. Isn't it really, though, a clash of values? They weren't willing to accept Chinese censorship.
JIN: Absolutely. And the clash of values will continue. The thing that we have to accept is that even if there is economic convergence with globalization, there has not been so much convergence of values or systems, political systems, as we've seen. The Chinese are still Chinese after they joined the WTO. The Chinese foreign students who have traveled abroad - ultimately, most of them decide to come back and return home and bring their knowledge or carry out their innovation to create the relevant lifestyles in China. It's still local. The culture is local. And hence, this is where our clashes come from.
INSKEEP: Do you think China is certain to become the world's largest economy in the next decade or so?
JIN: I don't know if this is a very meaningful concept because it could well be the largest economy simply because of its size, because of 1.3 billion people, not because it's rich. There's a fundamental difference between the two. I think if China rose 1.5% faster than the U.S., then almost certainly, in 10, 15 years, the Chinese economy will be the largest in the world. But is it going to be rich as the U.S.? Absolutely not. Is it going to have the most cutting-edge technologies, the greatest military power? None of this is measured by the size of the Chinese economy.
INSKEEP: You write something else that I hadn't thought about in quite this way before. One reason you say that China's economy has grown so much over the past few decades is that the individual worker is way more productive. Somebody who was working in a farm years ago is now working in a factory and is just producing more wealth. Can China keep increasing people's productivity in the future?
JIN: This kind of growth is over. That defined the previous three decades of growth of moving people from rural areas to urban areas, equipping them with good tools and machines and capital. And they have become very productive. And because of that, they have been able to produce cheap goods for the whole world and become the factory of the world. But that kind of growth has come to an end. So I think China has entered a much more difficult economic growth phase.
But that doesn't mean that there will be an economic collapse. It doesn't mean that China will be the Japan of the 1990s, doesn't mean that China will have a lost decade. It's about coming to terms with slower but hopefully higher-quality growth that's driven by sustainably high productivity and innovation. And that, of course, is a big if. But I'm not as pessimistic as many other observers are - that China's economy is doomed, that it won't be able to realize that potential, maybe not even become the biggest economy in the world.
INSKEEP: What, if anything, is the United States getting wrong in its policy approach to China in the last few years?
JIN: I think that it's important to separate what are really national security concerns from what could be a great, competitive collaboration model. You know, companies like Apple have really thrived thanks to the Chinese market. And China have thrived thanks to having Apple kind of products. If the world is talking about really embarking on a green transition, I just cannot imagine the lack of collaboration between these two largest economies, especially as China has become the leader of renewable technologies. The policies, the restrictions on technology make sure that it's very narrowly focused, that it won't affect a huge swath of the economy. It would be very sad to decouple, technologically speaking, because it would hurt both countries and the world. And we're really talking about trillions of dollars at stake, which can do so much.
INSKEEP: The Biden administration at least talks the way that you do. They will say, we want to block off national security dangers but still compete in other areas and have a relationship. Are they getting the balance right or wrong?
JIN: Well, is TikTok really a national security concern? Is reducing the number of visas granted to Chinese students wanting to study STEM in the U.S. really about national security concerns? Is watching Chinese professors contribute to the U.S. science and technology a national security concern, including reduced effort to collaborate between universities? I think now the danger is that this is so widespread, and the sentiment is that, you know, China is an adversary. It's something that's instilled in the younger generation - is also very dangerous. I think if they can be politically opposite, economically competitive and global public goods collaborative, this would be already a big step forward. And we want to think about small victories, not big wins but small victories, when we think about the two nations.
INSKEEP: Keyu Jin is the author of "The New China Playbook: Beyond Socialism And Capitalism." Thanks so much.
JIN: Thank you so much, Steve.
(SOUNDBITE OF BLUE SKY BLACK DEATH'S "GOLD IN GOLD OUT") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | 2023-06-07T06:02:40+00:00 | kclu.org | https://www.kclu.org/arts-culture/arts-culture/2023-05-15/new-china-playbook-has-a-different-view-than-many-western-policymakers-do-on-china |
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is studying the history books and considering the appointment of a mix of lawmakers and business leaders as he lays the groundwork for a new commission to tackle the nation’s growing debt.
McCarthy is fresh off his biggest political victory since becoming speaker in January. He got the White House to negotiate on a bill that suspends the debt ceiling into January 2025 while also producing a projected $1.5 trillion in deficit savings over the coming decade. But the legislation only focused on a sliver of the federal spending that occurs each year and excluded programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid that account for the majority of government spending and are the biggest drivers of the debt.
McCarthy has embraced the idea of establishing a new fiscal commission to find additional deficit reduction. While similar commissions have notched success in the past, the most recent ones failed to muster enough support for Congress to take up their recommendations. The speaker has asked Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., to work with him on the issue, which follows Graves’ work as one of the lead debt ceiling negotiators in talks with the White House.
“I’m studying different angles to see what would best work, some with members. And should I bring in some people from the outside so you have some modern people in the business world that have taken companies and looked at them in a way to streamline and modernize for efficiencies?” McCarthy said. “I think that combination would work well, but right now I’m spending a lot of time on how to put that together.”
Many analysts say it will take a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes to meaningfully change the country’s financial trajectory. But therein lies the problem: Many Republicans won’t entertain tax increases of any kind, and many Democrats won’t consider benefit cuts.
McCarthy refused to accept any tax increases as part of the debt ceiling talks. And when asked if he had any such red lines for the debt commission, McCarthy said he currently is focused on getting the structure of the commission right, but added that the revenue coming into government coffers, about 19.2% of gross domestic product last year, is at the high end of the 50-year average.
Democrats are treading warily. “I’m not sure what he envisions, but I look forward to having that discussion,” said Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “I have no idea what the contours of the commission would even look like, so it’s hard for me to comment up or down at this point.”
The landmines confronting the commission are legion. Even if McCarthy can get something through the House, the commission’s clout would be diminished without Senate participation and White House buy-in. And any findings from the effort could come during a presidential election year — an unfavorable political climate for a proposal that is likely to ask for some sacrifice from the voting public.
McCarthy said one thing he could do as speaker would be to bring up recommendations from the debt commission one at a time rather than in one fell swoop.
“I could do it kind of like in a BRAC,” McCarthy said, referring to the various Base Realignment and Closure rounds initiated by the Defense Department to reduce excess infrastructure. “I could bring it directly to the floor, no amendments, you vote it up or vote it down and see what passed, see what doesn’t.”
“You can do section by section so people don’t get hung up on everything,” he said.
Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., said he likes the idea of a commission.
“We need to get as much of the politics out of it as we can and just give us the facts,” Womack said. “… And the facts are that 70% of this whole federal budget is on autopilot right now.”
Womack said he isn’t calling for Congress to “cut a lot of these programs, but we do have to make these programs sustainable in the future.”
On the Senate side, Sen. John Thune, the No. 2-ranking Republican, gave the commission concept his endorsement, saying “we got to start taking this stuff on.”
“I think that makes all the sense in the world. Let’s get the best experts in the room and figure out what’s the best way to fix these issues, make these programs sustainable and see if we can’t do something to address deficits and debt in a meaningful way,” Thune said.
But Sen. Ron Wyden, the Democratic chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said he sees it as a way for Republicans to pursue “ideological trophies.”
“Everything I’ve heard about it, it’s a prescription for trouble,” Wyden said, adding, “They’re looking at a glide path to reduce benefits.”
The most recent efforts to reduce deficits through the recommendations of a commission ended in failure.
In 2010, there was the Simpson-Bowles commission, led by co-chairs Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles. They drafted a plan that mixed painful cuts to safety-net programs with big tax increases even while cutting top rates on individuals and corporations to 28% from 35%. It also would have hiked Social Security’s retirement age and scaled back popular tax deductions for health insurance and mortgage interest.
The committee’s recommendations gained the support of most of its members, but fell three votes short of the 14-vote threshold required to send the package to Congress for an up-or-down vote.
Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, a member of the Simpson-Bowles panel, said the commission failed because a better mechanism was needed to ensure the recommendations were voted on by Congress. He said he continues to believe a commission is the best way to tee up for Congress the “tough political decisions” on the $31 trillion-plus debt.
Following Simpson-Bowles, Congress approved legislation the next year that established a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. But the so-called “supercommittee” failed after two months of work to produce a deficit-cutting plan of at least $1.2 trillion.
Part of the legislation establishing the supercommittee also put into place a backup plan — the enactment of across-the-board cuts to both defense and non-defense programs should it fail. Those cuts eventually began in March 2013. But subsequent Congresses routinely blunted the impact of the automatic cuts by upping the limits on discretionary spending. | 2023-06-09T06:04:59+00:00 | cbs42.com | https://www.cbs42.com/news/politics/ap-politics/speaker-mccarthy-eyes-new-commission-to-tackle-nations-debt-but-many-democrats-are-wary/ |
Death row inmate who acted as own attorney seeks new trial
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man on death row who was forced to act as his own lawyer is seeking a new trial, claiming multiple violations of his constitutional rights.
Howard Willis was sentenced to death in 2010 for the murders of teenage newlyweds, 17-year-old Adam Chrismer and 16-year-old Samantha Leming Chrismer, both of Chickamauga, Georgia. The boy’s head and hands were found by fishermen in Boone Lake in northeastern Tennessee in October 2002. The bodies of both teens were found a few days later in a storage unit rented by Willis’ mother in Johnson City.
Willis burned through nine lawyers before the judge ruled that he would have to represent himself, accusing him of sowing conflict with his attorneys in an effort to avoid a trial. Willis’ current attorneys say that characterization is unfair.
Representing himself at trial, Willis claimed that he was set up and that there was no evidence tying him to the murder weapon. The jury found otherwise and sentenced him to death.
In his bid for a new trial, Willis claims the original was unfair because he was forced to act as his own attorney and because he wasn’t afforded sufficient resources to defend himself, among other claims.
Many of the attorneys left the case for reasons that had nothing to do with Willis, such a conflicts of interest or the need to care for a seriously ill relative.
As for the other attorneys, Willis had legitimate complaints about their work, his new petition argues. One attorney spent only nine hours reading the discovery material in the case between his appointment at the end of May 2005 and his withdrawal three months later.
“Although it is inconvenient to have to replace a lawyer, if there are legitimate complaints about the performance of that lawyer, a citizen should be entitled to raise those issues and have the right to counsel protected, especially when they are facing the death penalty,” the petition reads.
In its response, attorneys for the state said many of Willis’ complaints have already been considered by other courts and found to be without merit.
“The record clearly indicates that petitioner abused the dignity of the court by attempting to manipulate the court in order to delay or disrupt a trial,” the state’s response said. “If the petitioner was prejudiced ... the State would contend it was the direct result of his own calculated behavior.”
When the Chrismers were murdered in 2002, Willis was a Georgia trucker who was out on bond after an arrest in New York, where he was accused of smuggling cocaine from Texas to Brooklyn.
Willis was already a suspect in the teens’ deaths when he was arrested in Tennessee on a bond violation. His New York attorney called the jail to invoke his right to representation and right to silence — meaning he should not be questioned about the Chrismers without his lawyer present. Law enforcement sought to circumvent that by working with Wills’ ex-wife to solicit a confession in a taped jailhouse conversation.
Willis’ belief that the confession was obtained illegally — and should have been thrown out — was a major point of conflict with his attorneys. He felt they were not doing enough to get the confession tossed. For instance, they never called his New York attorney to testify.
Willis’ conflicts with his attorneys led to several withdrawing from the case. In 2008, the trial court judge ruled Willis had forfeited his right to an attorney. Willis appealed but lost. With the appeal over, he had only a few months to prepare his defense, according to the petition. That preparation was also seriously hindered by the fact that he was incarcerated. When he wanted to review previous court cases, he would have to leave a list on a Thursday for an investigator or public defender to bring the following Monday.
Willis asked the court to fund three expert witnesses he hoped to have testify at his trial. He wanted to raise doubts about the prosecution’s theory that the Chrismers were killed at Willis’ mother’s house, and rebut testimony from the state’s entomologist that blow flies found in the storage unit with the bodies matched blow flies found at the home. He asked for money for an expert on false confessions, a crime scene expert and an entomologist.
In the end, the judge only approved funding for an entomologist, and that person wasn’t provided with the same raw data used by the state’s expert — a fact that was used to make him look untrustworthy at trial, according to the petition. Meanwhile, witnesses for the state included a forensic anthropologist, crime scene analysts from both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a medical examiner.
The multiday hearing on Willis’ petition for post-conviction relief is scheduled to begin Monday in Washington County Criminal Court in Jonesborough.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-05T17:02:17+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/2023/03/05/death-row-inmate-who-acted-own-attorney-seeks-new-trial/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Just 40% of U.S. adults approve of how President Joe Biden is handling relations with China, a new poll shows, with a majority anxious about Beijing’s influence as the White House finds its agenda increasingly shaped by global rivalries.
About 6 in 10 say they are gravely concerned about China, the world’s second-largest economy after the United States, according to the survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Biden has portrayed his domestic agenda on infrastructure and computer chip development as part of a broader competition with China, arguing that the future is at stake.
Tensions with China are crackling after government officials discovered and shot down a Chinese spy balloon two weeks ago. The Biden administration has preserved tariffs on imports from China and restricted the sale of advanced computer chips to the country, angering Chinese officials who want to fuel faster economic growth.
There are additional concerns over whether China will provide some form of military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. As the war nears its one-year mark, the poll shows that serious concern about the threat Russia poses to the U.S. has fallen. Concern about China now outpaces that about Russia; last year, about even percentages had named the two countries as a threat.
Biden has tried to frame relations with China as a competition with boundaries, rather than as a larger geopolitical clash.
“We seek competition, not conflict, with China,” Biden said last week. “ We’re not looking for a new Cold War. … We’ll responsibly manage that competition so that it doesn’t veer into conflict.”
Approval of Biden’s foreign policy is roughly in line with views of his presidency more broadly, a possible sign that his agenda is not viewed through its individual components but larger perceptions of the president himself.
The poll found that 45% of U.S. adults say they approve of Biden’s overall performance, while 54% disapprove. That’s similar to views of Biden in recent months. Forty-one percent praised the president in late January and 43% did in December.
Concern about China’s global influence as a threat to the U.S. is similar to last year but has grown steadily in recent years from 54% just after Biden took office and 48% in January 2020.
Melvin Dunlap, 68, said Biden needed to be careful with China, given the U.S. reliance on Chinese manufacturing. The Peyton, Colorado, resident said he believes Biden “has a good heart” and “means well,” generally approving of Biden’s approach.
“You tread cautiously,” said Dunlap, who retired from law enforcement. “You show strength, not weakness.”
Fewer adults feel as wary about Russia as they did just after its military invaded Ukraine last year. Now, 53% say they’re seriously concerned about Russia, down from 64% in March 2022.
Michael Marchek, 33, an engineer in the Atlanta area, said Russia’s military has struggled in Ukraine, failing to achieve its goal of taking the capital of Kyiv and sustaining steep casualties that showed a sense of disarray.
“I was more concerned about Russia before they proved they were less effective than they appeared to be on the surface,” Marchek said. “They played their hand and they did not play their hand effectively. They have nuclear capabilities and other things, but I don’t think they’re interested in using them.”
Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday, declaring to that country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “You remind us that freedom is priceless; it’s worth fighting for for as long as it takes. And that’s how long we’re going to be with you, Mr. President, for as long as it takes.”
To Ukraine’s defense, the U.S. has committed tanks, armored vehicles, a thousand artillery systems, more than 2 million rounds of artillery ammunition and more than 50 advanced launch rocket systems, and anti-ship and air defense systems.
While Biden views the preservation of NATO and countering Russian aggression as necessary, most U.S. adults say it should not come at the expense of their economy. Oil, natural gas and food prices initially worsened after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine last February, causing U.S. inflation to hit a 40-year high in June. Inflation has since eased, and the U.S. and much of Europe have so far evaded recessions despite the expected damage. Russia has adapted to financial sanctions and export controls designed to erode its ability to fund the war.
Yet in a late January AP-NORC poll, a majority of U.S. adults – 59% — said limiting damage to the American economy is more important than penalizing Russia, even if that means sanctions are less effective. The balance of opinion had been the reverse in the early months after the invasion.
The U.S. economy remains a sensitive subject for Biden. People are generally unimpressed by the 3.4% unemployment rate. Nor has a seven-month decline in inflation — which is still running high — done much to assuage fears.
While economists have yet to declare a recession, respondents to the survey feel as though the economy is mired in a downturn.
Overall, the new poll shows 32% say the economy is in good shape. That’s a slight improvement from 24% in January, which was consistent with views late last year. Still, 68% say the economy is in bad shape, and approval of Biden’s job handling the economy has remained negative. Only 36% say they approve of the president on the economy, similar to last month and late last year.
“It’s basically the inflation that we’re all worried about,” said Adriana Stan, 36, a teacher in Columbia, South Carolina.
Stan bought a house in December at a 5.5% mortgage rate, more than double the rate during the coronavirus pandemic. The Federal Reserve has increased its own benchmark interest rates in order to push down inflation, a move that has also driven up borrowing costs for homebuyers. Stan said her grocery bills are also much higher.
“We buy the same stuff,” Stan said. “But at the end of the month I feel like I’m paying so much more.”
___
The poll of 1,247 adults was conducted Feb. 16-20 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. | 2023-02-23T19:21:35+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/chinas-global-influence-worries-u-s-majority-ap-norc-poll/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF (NYSE Arca: PFFR) (the "Fund") has declared a monthly distribution of $0.12 per share ($1.44 per share on an annualized basis). The distribution will be paid November 30, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business November 22, 2022.
PFFR Cash Distribution:
- Ex-Date: Monday, November 21, 2022
- Record Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2022
- Payable Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Infrastructure Capital Advisors expects to declare future dividends on a monthly basis. Distributions are planned, but not guaranteed, for every month. The next distribution is scheduled to occur in December 2022.
For more information about PFFR's distribution policy, its 2022 distribution calendar, or tax information, please visit the Fund's website at www.virtusetfs.com.
About Virtus ETF Advisers
Virtus ETF Advisers is a New York-based, multi-manager ETF sponsor and affiliate of Virtus Investment Partners. With actively managed and index-based investment capabilities across multiple asset classes, Virtus offers a range of complementary exchange-traded-funds subadvised by select investment managers.
About Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC (ICA) is an SEC-registered investment advisor that manages exchange traded funds and a series of hedge funds. The firm was formed in 2012 and is based in New York City. Jay Hatfield is portfolio manager at ICA. Mr. Hatfield has extensive knowledge from his over 30 years of experience on Wall Street and frequently appears in the media to share his market commentary and outlook. For more about Jay Hatfield, visit https://www.infracapfunds.com/leadership.
ICA seeks total-return opportunities in key infrastructure sectors, including energy, real estate, transportation, industrials and utilities. It often identifies opportunities in entities that are not taxed at the entity level, such as master limited partnerships ("MLPs") and real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). It also looks for opportunities in credit and related securities, such as preferred stocks. Current income is a primary objective in most, but not all, of the company's investing activities. The focus is generally on asset-intensive companies that generate and distribute substantial streams of free cash flow. For more information, please visit www.infracapfunds.com.
DISCLOSURE
Fund Risks
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF): The value of an ETF may be more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities it is designed to track. The costs of owning the ETF may exceed the cost of investing directly in the underlying securities. Preferred Stocks: Preferred stocks may decline in price, fail to pay dividends, or be illiquid. Real Estate Investments: The Fund may be negatively affected by factors specific to the real estate market, including interest rates, leverage, property, and management. Industry/Sector Concentration: A Fund that focuses its investments in a particular industry or sector will be more sensitive to conditions that affect that industry or sector than a non-concentrated Fund. Passive Strategy/Index Risk: A passive investment strategy seeking to track the performance of the underlying index may result in the Fund holding securities regardless of market conditions or their current or projected performance. This could cause the Fund's returns to be lower than if the Fund employed an active strategy. Correlation to Index: The performance of the Fund and its index may vary somewhat due to factors such as Fund flows, transaction costs, and timing differences associated with additions to and deletions from its index. Market Volatility: Securities in the Fund may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies and general economic conditions. Price changes may be short or long term. Prospectus: For additional information on risks, please see the Fund's prospectus.
You should consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact VP Distributors LLC at 1-888-383-4184 or visit www.virtusetfs.com to obtain a prospectus which contains this and other information about the Fund. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
Virtus ETF Advisers, LLC serves as the investment advisor and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC serves as the subadviser to the Fund.
The Fund is distributed by VP Distributors, LLC, member FINRA and subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
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SOURCE InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF | 2022-11-21T19:41:14+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/prnewswire/2022/11/21/infracap-reit-preferred-etf-nyse-arca-pffr-declares-monthly-dividend/ |
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MOSCOW (AP) — The Kremlin on Tuesday held the door open for contacts with the U.S. regarding a possible prisoner exchange that could potentially involve jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, but reaffirmed that such talks must be held out of the public eye.
Asked whether Monday’s consular visits to Gershkovich, who has been held behind bars in Moscow since March on charges of espionage, and Vladimir Dunaev, a Russian citizen in U.S. custody on cybercrime charges, could potentially herald a prisoner swap, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Washington have touched on the issue.
“We have said that there have been certain contacts on the subject, but we don’t want them to be discussed in public,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. “They must be carried out and continue in complete silence.”
He didn’t offer any further details, but added that “the lawful right to consular contacts must be ensured on both sides.”
The U.S. Ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, on Monday was allowed to visit Gershkovich for the first time since April. The U.S. Embassy did not immediately provide more information.
The 31-year-old Gershkovich was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip to Russia. He is being held at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court last week upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until Aug. 30.
Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations, and the U.S. government declared him to be wrongfully detained. His arrest rattled journalists in Russia where authorities have not provided any evidence to support the espionage charges.
Gershkovich is the first American reporter to face espionage charges in Russia since September 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. Daniloff was released 20 days later in a swap for an employee of the Soviet Union’s U.N. mission who was arrested by the FBI, also on spying charges.
Dunaev was extradited from South Korea on the U.S. cybercrime charges and is in detention in Ohio. Russian diplomats were granted consular access to him on Monday for the first time since his arrest in 2021, Nadezhda Shumova, the head of the Russian Embassy’s consular section, said in remarks carried by the Tass news agency. | 2023-07-05T01:46:39+00:00 | localsyr.com | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-kremlin-open-to-talks-over-potential-prisoner-swap-involving-detained-us-reporter-evan-gershkovich/ |
First Period_None. Penalties_None.
Second Period_1, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 8 (Sergachev, Palat), 10:43. Penalties_Sergachev, TB (Roughing), 3:29; Rooney, NYR (Roughing), 3:29; Panarin, NYR (High Sticking), 12:59.
Third Period_2, N.Y. Rangers, Vatrano 5 (Copp), 13:07 (pp). 3, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 9 (Kucherov, Palat), 13:28. Penalties_Perry, TB (High Sticking), 2:26; Stamkos, TB (Holding), 11:45.
Shots on Goal_N.Y. Rangers 7-6-8_21. Tampa Bay 11-12-8_31.
Power-play opportunities_N.Y. Rangers 1 of 2; Tampa Bay 0 of 1.
Goalies_N.Y. Rangers, Shesterkin 10-9-0 (31 shots-29 saves). Tampa Bay, Vasilevskiy 12-5-0 (21-20).
A_19,092 (19,092). T_2:31.
Referees_Jean Hebert, Chris Rooney. Linesmen_Ryan Gibbons, Jonny Murray. | 2022-06-12T04:08:18+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Tampa-Bay-2-N-Y-Rangers-1-17235934.php |
ATLANTA (AP) _ SecureWorks Corp. (SCWX) on Thursday reported a loss of $28.1 million in its fiscal third quarter.
The Atlanta-based company said it had a loss of 33 cents per share. Losses, adjusted for stock option expense and amortization costs, came to 16 cents per share.
The information security services provider posted revenue of $110.9 million in the period.
For the current quarter ending in January, SecureWorks expects its results to range from a loss of 28 cents per share to a loss of 24 cents per share.
The company said it expects revenue in the range of $108 million to $112 million for the fiscal fourth quarter.
SecureWorks expects full-year results to range from a loss of 69 cents per share to a loss of 63 cents per share, with revenue ranging from $456 million to $460 million.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on SCWX at https://www.zacks.com/ap/SCWX | 2022-12-01T13:31:19+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/business/article/SecureWorks-Fiscal-Q3-Earnings-Snapshot-17623406.php |
Watch: Meteor burns bright as it streaks, explodes over Europe
A 1-meter meteor called Sar2667 lit up the skies over Europe as it burst through the atmosphere. It was only the 7th meteoroid to be detected before colliding with Earth.
Europeans were treated to a light show as a meteor burned its way through the Earth’s atmosphere.
The meteoroid was detected hours before entering the Earth’s atmosphere. It was only the 7th time that astronomers spotted a meteoroid before it struck Earth, a trend that the European Space Agency credits to "rapid advancements in global detection capabilities."
HOW ASTRONOMERS KNEW EXACTLY WHERE A SMALL ASTEROID WOULD IMPACT EARTH
The meteorite was named Sar2667 and was roughly 1 meter in length.
The advanced notice allowed people to capture the meteor in photographs and on video as it plummeted to the surface.
According to the ESA, there are over 30,000 asteroids that qualify as "near-Earth asteroids." Small meteoroids like Sar2667 are quite common and strike the Earth every couple of weeks without posing much of a threat to the planet.
NASA considers asteroids in space larger than 140 meters "Potentially Harmful Asteroids." About one-third of the roughly 30,000 "near-Earth asteroids" discovered are considered potentially harmful.
In 2022, NASA’s DART spacecraft destroyed the asteroid Dimorphos in a test of the agency’s kinetic impact technique for protecting Earth from a catastrophic impact.
SMASHING SUCCESS: NASA'S FIRST PLANETARY DEFENSE TEST CHANGES ASTEROID'S ORBIT BY 32 MINUTES | 2023-02-13T21:30:42+00:00 | foxweather.com | https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/meteor-burns-bright-over-europe-as-it-plummets-to-earth |
Porsche plans to launch a redesigned Macan featuring electric power early next year but also may keep the current gas-powered model on sale for a while.
The transition period in which the two versions are sold simultaneously may stretch longer than previously planned due to the uncertainty of the market’s switch to EVs.
Citing dealer sources, Automotive News (subscription required) reported on Thursday that Porsche held a dealer meeting in the Canary Islands this week where the automaker said it may delay plans to phase out the gas-powered Macan from the current target of 2025 or 2026. One of the main causes of concern, according to the report, is the lack of charging infrastructure.
Porsche will reportedly make the decision based on sales performance over the next two years.
The Macan was Porsche’s second most popular model last year, managing 86,724 deliveries. The Cayenne was the most popular with 95,604 deliveries over the same period.
Albrecht Reimold, Porsche’s production chief, a year ago said the electric Macan should in the long term match the volumes of the gas-powered model. Porsche has also stated that it is aiming to have every vehicle in its lineup apart from the 911 powered by batteries by the end of the decade, creating an EV sales mix of 80%.
Porsche has been spotted testing prototypes of the electric Macan. The vehicle will look similar to the gas-powered model but sport the more square-shaped headlights that debuted on the Taycan and have since transitioned to the Cayenne with the SUV’s 2024 update.
Underpinning the electric Macan will be Volkswagen Group’s new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) modular platform developed by Audi and Porsche. Audi is out testing a Q6 E-Tron, which will be the first recipient of the platform and a close relative of the electric Macan.
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- Review: 2024 Jeep Wrangler tows more, recovers better | 2023-07-01T03:54:27+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/automotive/internet-brands/porsche-waffling-on-killing-gas-powered-macan/ |
Full Sail University and renowned sportscaster Dan Patrick celebrate degree program anniversary, and continue to educate the next generation of sportscasting talent
WINTER PARK, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Full Sail University alongside the Emmy Award-winning sportscaster and radio personality, Dan Patrick, are honored to celebrate the five year announcement anniversary of Full Sail University's Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting Bachelor of Science degree program. The collaboration has since seen graduates go on to garner employment with notable industry leaders including CBS Sports, ESPN, and FOX Sports to name a few.
Originally announced in October of 2017, the collaboration has achieved many significant milestones, from its first class start in January of 2018, to its first graduating class in October of 2019, all the way to its first graduate hires, educator award wins, and additional educational opportunities.
The curricula, developed by Patrick in collaboration with Full Sail University, aims to provide students with real-world experience both on camera and behind the scenes. Through the degree program, students learn the foundations of sportscasting including, interviewing, voice work, writing, storytelling, newsgathering, reporting, multimedia communication, and more.
Thanks to guest lecturers including industry leading experts like Kevin Neghandi, Mike Tirico, Bill Simmons, and Nicole Briscoe, students have the unique opportunity to learn directly from these, and other notable professionals currently in the field today. Students also gain valuable insight from Patrick himself who regularly participates in guest lectures, portfolio reviews, and curriculum review both online and on campus.
"From day one, we set out to create a degree program that would not only give our students the skills to build a strong foundation, but that would serve as a launch pad into their careers," stated Dan Patrick. "In looking back over the last five years, I'm humbled by the dedication of our faculty, the determination of our students, and the continued collaboration with Full Sail University. Our grads are already doing big things in this industry, and I'm thrilled to continue on this journey as we look forward to what is possible for our students today and into the future."
The program is led by Gus Ramsey, a former ESPN veteran producer with over 25 years of experience, who serves as Program Director of the degree. The Full Sail University's Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting undergraduate degree program has proven beneficial to the knowledge base and industry networking opportunities for students and graduates alike. The degree program gives students the tools and resources to take their dreams seriously through access to in-class foundational knowledge, in-the-field experience, and access to industry professionals through networking, guest speakers, internships, and more.
According to Ramsey, the sportscasting program's faculty and staff have a combined total of 300 years of relevant industry experience in the field. This paired with Patrick's expertise and Full Sail University's award-winning educational model, gives students the resources to stand out in a hiring pool – a feat Patrick and Ramsey sought to accomplish.
"Working alongside Dan and being part of the growth journey of our students and alumni has been an extremely fulfilling opportunity. Through the out-of-the-box thinking and connections of our leadership team, educators, and graduates, the students within the program have been able to get a sneak peek into the industry before ever entering it. We at Full Sail are looking forward to what the future holds.," stated Ramsey.
Additionally, Full Sail University's Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting has equipped students with project-based hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom. These efforts to bring this form of education to students have been in conjunction with Rollins College Athletics, The NFL Pro Bowl, Fox Sports, Daytona 500, Boombah Sports Complex, and more.
Students and graduates of the degree program can also collaborate closely with other degree programs and initiatives at Full Sail. For example, sportscasting students work alongside Full Sail Armada – the university's collegiate esports team and community – to create opportunities for students and graduates to serve as shoutcasters for the many esports events held at Full Sail. Most recently, the first-ever Special Olympics 2022 USA Games Unified Esports Invitational saw a Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting graduate and current student within the program serve as co-shoutcasters for the event that aired on ESPN3.
To learn more about Full Sail University's Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting, click here.
Developed in collaboration with sportscasting veteran Dan Patrick, the goal of the Sportscasting bachelor's degree is to provide students with constant real-world experience both on camera and behind the scenes. Students will build a foundation in interviewing, voice work, writing, and storytelling, and then move on to advanced concepts in newsgathering, reporting, and multimedia communication. Students also develop presenting skills for current and emerging technologies – from broadcast, to gaming, to virtual and augmented reality - as students learn from faculty members who are active in the world of sportscasting, with more than 60 EMMY-winning credits in their careers.
Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in entertainment media and emerging technologies. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has received accolades throughout its over 40-year history, including most recently being featured on the 2021 "Top 50 Film Schools and Instructors from Around the World" list by Variety Magazine, named a 2022 "Top Undergraduate Schools to Study Game Design" by The Princeton Review, and previously recognized as the "School/College of the Year" by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges. Full Sail University is a graduate and undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Technology. With over 84,982+ graduates worldwide, Full Sail alumni have worked on countless award-winning projects with individual recognition including OSCAR®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, ADDY®, MTV Video Music Award, and Video Game Award honors.
https://www.fullsail.edu/
https://twitter.com/danpatrickedu
https://www.facebook.com/DanPatrickEDU/
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SOURCE Full Sail University | 2022-10-05T14:37:26+00:00 | live5news.com | https://www.live5news.com/prnewswire/2022/10/05/full-sail-universitys-dan-patrick-school-sportscasting-celebrates-5-year-anniversary/ |
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 55 points in a return from a one-game absence and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Washington 123-113 on Tuesday night, snapping the Wizards’ five-game winning streak.
Antetokounmpo has scored at least 40 points in three straight games for the first time in his career. The two-time MVP sat out a 118-95 loss to the Wizards on Sunday because of a sore left knee.
The only other Bucks to score at least 40 points in three straight appearances are Flynn Robinson in February 1969 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in February 1972.
Antetokounmpo also had 10 rebounds and seven assists, giving him at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in his last three games. The only other players in NBA history to have three straight performances of 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists are Elgin Baylor in 1961 and 1963, Wilt Chamberlain in 1963 and Russell Westbrook in 2016.
Antetokounmpo's previous career high was a 52-point effort against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 17, 2019.
This was Antetokounmpo's second performance with at least 50 points since Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals, when his 50-point effort gave the Bucks their first title in half a century. Antetokounmpo also scored 50 in a 128-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 15, 2022.
Washington’s Bradley Beal returned after missing three games with a sore left hamstring, but he played just 13 minutes. Beal scored eight points before the hamstring issue prevented him from playing at all in the second half.
Kristaps Porzingis scored 22 points for the Wizards, and Kyle Kuzma added 20,
Brook Lopez added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, and Bobby Portis had 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Antetokounmpo had nine points during a 17-0 run that began late in the second quarter as the Bucks won for just the second time in their last seven games. They got blown out by the Wizards on Sunday while playing without Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton.
Holiday played Tuesday after sitting out three games with a non-COVID illness and scored six points in 19 minutes. Middleton missed an eighth straight game with a sore right knee and also won’t play Wednesday at Toronto.
Milwaukee’s 17-0 spurt turned a 49-46 deficit into a 63-49 lead. Washington clawed back and Milwaukee’s advantage to 95-93 on a pair of Daniel Gafford free throws with 10:04 left, but the Wizards never could tie or go back ahead.
TIP-INS
Wizards: Taj Gibson missed a third consecutive game with a sore left groin. ... Gaford had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. ... Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija and Kispert had 12 points each.
Bucks: George Hill missed a third straight game due to a non-COVID illness. ... Portis has four consecutive double-doubles. ... Grayson Allen shot 1 of 9 overall and 1 of 7 from 3-point range to continue his slump. Allen is 9 of 37 on 3-point attempts over his last four games. ... Antetokounmpo was 15 of 16 on free throws.
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Oklahoma City on Friday night.
Bucks: At Toronto on Wednesday night. | 2023-01-04T04:50:54+00:00 | tmj4.com | https://www.tmj4.com/sports/basketball/milwaukee-bucks/antetokounmpo-has-career-high-55-points-bucks-beat-wizards |
FIFA announces shared flights for Israeli and Palestinian football fans for 2022 World Cup in Qatar
By Mostafa Salem and Matt Foster, CNN
FIFA announced on Thursday that shared flights have been organized to permit Israeli and Palestinian fans into Qatar to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The temporary direct charter flights between Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, represent the only official direct flights between the two nations.
The meetings which organized the flights were attended by representatives from FIFA, the operational arm of the 2022 World Cup’s tournament delivery team and Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture and Sport. The FIFA press release noted that “the meeting was conducted in accordance with Qatar’s commitment to FIFA’s hosting requirements.”
In FIFA’s press release, the organization’s president Gianni Infantino said: “We are delighted that an agreement has been reached for Israeli and Palestinian fans to visit Qatar and attend matches during the FIFA World Cup. With this deal, Israelis and Palestinians will be able to fly together and enjoy football together.”
A spokesperson for the Qatar 2022 organizing committee said in the statement: “Since winning the rights to host the FIFA World Cup 2022, we have always said that all ticket holders will be able to attend matches in Qatar. The announcement today illustrates our commitment to respecting FIFA’s policies and hosting requirements including the right of everyone to attend matches.
“This also includes the requirement that Palestinian ticket holders and media are able to travel on these chartered flights with no restrictions as they have an equal right to enjoy the tournament, which is made extra special by it being the first World Cup to be hosted in the Arab and Muslim world.”
Qatar does not share diplomatic relations with Israel, but a temporary consular services office will be set up during the tournament to handle Israeli visitors.
READ: Qatar World Cup ‘is a mistake,’ says former FIFA President Sepp Blatter
The Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alon Ushpiz, said: “Today’s announcement will allow Israeli citizens to freely travel to Qatar and attend matches at the World Cup. We have successfully secured all guarantees, including access to consular services for Israelis during their stay in Qatar.”
Two Gulf Arab states neighboring Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain, signed historic normalization agreements with Israel in 2020, but despite direct flights for the World Cup, a Qatari official told CNN that the country’s stance on normalization “has not changed.”
“Qatar’s position remains firmly linked to resolving the Palestinian issue, including a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. As of late we have not seen any positive developments in the peace process that would merit a change in our policy,” the official said.
The Qataris had allegedly insisted that Palestinians would be allowed to fly from Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv and conveyed to Israel that any escalation that leads to violence in Jerusalem, Gaza, or the West Bank during the World Cup will “risk the cancellation of the agreement including the direct flights,” a source briefed on the matter, but not authorized to speak publicly, told CNN.
The source added that Qatar’s insistence on allowing Palestinians to fly out of Ben Gurion caused talks to stall “for a while.”
READ: Qatar FIFA World Cup ambassador says homosexuality is ‘damage in the mind’
More than the 8,000 Palestinians and 3,800 Israelis have bought tickets for the tournament, the source said.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid welcomed the news and said that after “hard work over the course of many months, we have arranged for Israeli citizens to be able to fly to the World Cup in Qatar on direct flights, and the opening of an Israeli office in Qatar to provide services to fans coming for the World Cup.”
The Qatari official said: “This is part of Qatar’s commitment to FIFA’s hosting requirements, and it should not be politicized. We have always said that anyone with a World Cup match ticket will be allowed to enter Qatar. Because of this agreement, Palestinians will now be able to enjoy the first World Cup in the Arab and Muslim world.”
The 2022 FIFA World Cup runs from November 20 through December 18.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2022-11-10T20:43:33+00:00 | localnews8.com | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/11/10/fifa-announces-shared-flights-for-israeli-and-palestinian-football-fans-for-2022-world-cup-in-qatar/ |
NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention TG Therapeutics, Inc. ("TG Therapeutics") (NASDAQ: TGTX) shareholders:
The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that a class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of investors who purchased between January 15, 2020 and May 31, 2022.
If you suffered a loss on your investment in TG Therapeutics, contact us about potential recovery by using the link below. There is no cost or obligation to you.
https://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/tgtx-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?prid=31011&wire=4
ABOUT THE ACTION: The class action against TG Therapeutics includes allegations that the Company made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) clinical trials revealed significant concerns related to the benefit-risk ratio and overall survival data of the Company's therapeutic product candidates, Ublituximab and Umbralisib; (ii) accordingly, it was unlikely that the Company would be able to obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the Umbralisib marginal zone lymphoma and follicular lymphoma New Drug Application, the Biologics License Application for Ublituximab in combination with Umbralisib, the supplemental New Drug Application for Ublituximab in combination with Umbralisib, or the Ublituximab relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis Biologics License Application in their current forms; (iii) as a result, the Company had significantly overstated Ublituximab and Umbralisib's clinical and/or commercial prospects; and (iv) therefore, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: September 16, 2022
Aggrieved TG Therapeutics investors only have until September 16, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. You are not required to act as a lead plaintiff in order to share in any recovery.
Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
Vincent Wong, Esq.
39 East Broadway
Suite 304
New York, NY 10002
Tel. 212.425.1140
E-Mail: vw@wongesq.com
View original content:
SOURCE The Law Offices of Vincent Wong | 2022-08-22T10:17:04+00:00 | wcjb.com | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/22/class-action-alert-law-offices-vincent-wong-remind-tg-therapeutics-investors-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-16-2022/ |
NASSAU, Bahamas, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Summertime festivities are in full swing in The Bahamas, where a variety of all-new experiences, celebrity performances and lively events across the islands await. Travelers should make sure to check out the many fun summer happenings and hot deals before planning their next trip to The Bahamas.
NEWS
Lynden Pindling International Airport Reports Strong Tourism Numbers This Summer — With preliminary passenger numbers for summer stronger than what they were pre-pandemic in 2019, and in anticipation of busier months ahead, Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport encourages travellers to arrive 3 to 3.5 hours ahead of their international flight's scheduled departure time.
Celebrate Bahamian Culture During the Goombay Summer Festivals —The Bahamas' annual Goombay Summer Festivals will take place across 12 islands—including Andros, Long Island and Eleuthera—in August.
Go Glamping under the Stars at Atlantis Paradise Island — Atlantis Paradise Island's new Marine Life Camping Adventure allows guests to sleep in luxury tents at the beach while connecting with marine life on exclusive adventures like kayaking with dolphins and snorkelling at twilight.
Celebrate Baha Mar's New Partnership with Bruno Mars' SelvaRey Rum — Baha Mar will celebrate its new partnership with SelvaRey Rum, a new liquor brand owned by Bruno Mars, with a Labour Day weekend party at SLS Baha Mar from 1 – 4 September 2022. Tickets to see performances by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are open for booking.
The Bahamas Is Listed In Travel + Leisure's 2022 "World's Best Awards" —The Bahamas were well represented in Travel + Leisure's 2022 "World's Best Awards" with The Exumas, Harbour Island, and Eleuthera all making it onto the list of "25 Best Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas."
The Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina Reopens — After a complete reconstruction, Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina on Paradise Island has officially reopened, featuring over 6,000 feet of slips, concrete floating docks and a 240-foot turning basin able to accommodate the most luxurious superyachts.
PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS
For a complete list of deals and discounted packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages.
Stay More and Save More at Peace & Plenty Resort — Peace & Plenty Resort in The Exumas is offering guests 15% off their stay for bookings of five nights or more. The offer is valid for travel through 30 September 2022.
Explore Eleuthera with The Cove Eleuthera — Newly renovated resort The Cove Eleuthera is offering guests who book a three-night minimum stay a unique package that allows them to immerse themselves into the beauty of the island. The package includes a guided half-day tour of the island, a $200 resort credit and a chef-packed picnic lunch for two. Room rates apply.
ABOUT THE BAHAMAS
Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It's Better in The Bahamas.
PRESS INQUIRIES
Anita Johnson-Patty
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
ajohnson@bahamas.com
Weber Shandwick
Public Relations
Bahamas@webershandwick.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation | 2022-08-02T19:44:19+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/whats-new-bahamas-august/ |
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Jeff Rathke of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies about the issues the U.S. and Germany agree on, and where they differ.
Copyright 2023 NPR
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Jeff Rathke of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies about the issues the U.S. and Germany agree on, and where they differ.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-03-03T13:36:40+00:00 | kcbx.org | https://www.kcbx.org/2023-03-03/u-s-germany-aim-to-deter-china-from-supplying-russia-with-weapons-against-ukraine |
White noise streams are a kind of sonic wallpaper. For many, they help keep some parts of the brain distracted so that other parts may better focus on things, like writing, studying or sleeping.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air
White noise streams are a kind of sonic wallpaper. For many, they help keep some parts of the brain distracted so that other parts may better focus on things, like writing, studying or sleeping.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air | 2022-11-15T20:32:39+00:00 | nepm.org | https://www.nepm.org/2022-11-15/life-is-chaotic-white-noise-streams-can-help-you-tune-out-and-fall-asleep |
Minutes after passing his summer conditioning test, one last dead sprint away from the rubble of last season, Patriots captain Matthew Slater stood behind a podium Tuesday and looked forward.
He smiled.
Soon, though, the line of questioning dragged Slater’s grin sideways and his focus to the past. Last year, his special teams allowed half of the kick return touchdowns in the NFL. Oh, and the punters shanked everything in sight. And the kickoff team couldn’t produce enough oft-taken-for-granted touchbacks, which were partially responsible for those return touchdowns.
How did Slater plan to fix all this? He answered the question, but more to the point, offered an inadvertent state of the franchise address.
“I think the time for excuses is up,” Slater said. “We’ve had enough excuses the last couple of seasons. It’s time for us to put up or shut up.”
Amen.
After a three-season slog, and four years without a playoff win, this is where the Patriots are. It’s time to prove themselves again.
Blind faith should not be expected. The benefit of the doubt is a luxury they no longer deserve. And that goes for everyone.
Bill Belichick? He is both the greatest coach of all time and a coach who’s 25-26 the past three seasons, one responsible for nuking his team’s 2022 campaign and vulnerable to criticism for running off the greatest player ever in 2020.
Mac Jones? He was both one of the most successful rookie quarterbacks in NFL history and a whiny, second-year disappointment who wilted under pressure while running an Offense For Dummies playbook.
Bill O’Brien? He will be hailed as the summer hero in New England, and perhaps into the regular season. But before he sits down for another head-coaching interview — and that is the goal — O’Brien must prove he’s a better coach than the fiery headman fired in Houston and the Alabama play-caller whose final days fans counted down like a New Year’s Eve ball drop.
There is, of course, one way for all parties to earn back that trust.
Win.
That’s it.
If the Patriots are who they believe themselves to be — the hardest-working franchise in football, as they’ve bragged to college prospects — prove it.
Bill Belichick provides update on Patriots key starters head of training camp
Exceed expectations. Win on the margins, where great coaching reveals itself. Play smarter, more disciplined football. Supposed Patriot football.
On Tuesday, Slater and fellow captain David Andrews largely spared reporters from the firehose of cliches players are instructed to spray in Foxboro. Their honesty about the pain of falling short of expectations, about what the rest of the football-watching world has plainly seen the last three years, was refreshing.
"It's not good enough," Andrews said of the past three seasons. "And we know that."
"The expectation here is for us to be winners and to be competitive every year. And for those of us who have been here for any (amount) of time," Slater added. "We have not enjoyed this past couple of seasons."
And the pain couldn't possibly have been limited to losing. The broken trust that undid their 2022 campaign surfaced well before the season officially ended in Buffalo. Worst of all, the pillars of Belichick's program all toppled, one by one.
The Patriots don't beat themselves? They finished as the ninth-most penalized team in football.
Belichick's defense neutralizes an opponent's No. 1 option? Sorry, Stefon Diggs just casually smoked his secondary yet again, as the Bills beat the Pats for the sixth time in seven tries.
The Pats play their best football after Thanksgiving? Check the record. They haven't finished strong since 2017, when the last installments of "The Avengers" had yet to hit theaters.
No surprise, motivation waned in the locker room. Players questioned their coaching and defied Belichick. Change swept through the facility this offseason, replacing coaches, carrying out the discontented and inspiring outside hope.
Patriots training camp 2023 preview: Bold predictions, breakout players and cut candidates
Now, the stakes have been raised.
Start with the long list of players in contract years: Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Brown, Kyle Dugger and Josh Uche, to name a few. A contract year is nothing if not a prove-it season. These players' next paydays will be directly tied to their performance this year.
Then, consider the quarterback. If Jones wants to follow in Dak Prescott's footsteps, as the rare quarterback to suffer from Year 2 regression after an impressive rookie showing and rebound the rest of his career, he must stare down pressure. He must elevate his teammates.
If Jones fails, the Pats will decline his fifth-year option next season and likely move on. His future will resemble the realities Baker Mayfield and Marcus Mariota are living now, as former first-round picks and NFL nomads.
And Belichick? His seat is warm, no doubt, for all the reasons mentioned above. Kraft is on the record saying he believes in Jones, this team and its playoff chances. Another 8-9 finish, or worse, could imperil Belichick's chances of breaking the NFL's career coaching wins mark in New England.
If Belichick wants to break Don Shula's record, he ought to trust and empower his best assistants, not those whose loyalty to him is undying. He should manage games with more calculated aggression to maximize his offense's chances instead of playing to protect his defense in the name of field position. And he must re-establish the pillars of his program, starting with the most obvious and fundamental ideals.
One of his captains put it succinctly Tuesday while quoting one of Belichick's longtime idols, Paul Brown.
"Football is a game of errors," Andrews said. "The team that makes the least amount of errors wins. ... And we have to figure out ways to win. And it's not just one side of the ball - it's the New England Patriots."
In football, the truth of a team often lives in the space between how it sees itself and the scouting reports written by opponents. For two decades, the Patriots operated inside a carefully constructed narrative, insulated by winning, Belichick's genius and Brady's heroics. Like all other victors, they won not just the battle, but the right to write the story of how it happened.
Even the narratives that wriggled out of their grasp -- Spygate and Deflategate -- became footnotes in the greater history of the franchise; public relations scars on the bottom of their feet, as they marched to championship after championship. But the last three years of on-field failures and self-inflicted wounds, which cannot be spun, have hurt more.
"It hasn't been fun for us," Slater admitted Tuesday.
The ink is dry on those stories. Their only option is to keep writing.
Pick up the pen. Prove it again. Win. | 2023-07-26T11:30:12+00:00 | bostonherald.com | https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/07/26/callahan-its-a-prove-it-season-for-the-patriots-and-they-know-it/ |
Former candidate for Florida governor facing federal charges
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Andrew Gillum, the 2018 Democratic nominee for Florida governor, is facing 21 federal charges related to a scheme to seek donations and funnel a portion of them back to him through third parties, the U.S. attorney’s office announced Wednesday.
Gillum, 42, and co-defendant Janet Lettman-Hicks, 53, face 19 counts of wire fraud. Gillum is also charged with making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The U.S. attorney’s office said the pair “conspired to commit wire fraud, by unlawfully soliciting and obtaining funds from various entities and individuals through false and fraudulent promises and representations that the funds would be used for a legitimate purpose.”
Lettman-Hicks then used her company to fraudulently give money to Gillum disguised as payroll payments, the office said in a press release.
“Make no mistake that this case is not legal, it is political. Throughout my career I have always stood up for the people of Florida and have spoken truth to power. There’s been a target on my back ever since I was the mayor of Tallahassee. They found nothing then, and I have full confidence that my legal team will prove my innocence now,” Gillum said in a statement released by his lawyers.
Gillum met with undercover FBI agents posing as developers while he was mayor and during his campaign for governor. His associates sought donations from the agents, and suggested ways to provide money without listing them as political contributions, including paying for a fundraising dinner, according to the indictment.
The agents were asked to contribute $100,000 to Gillum’s campaign and said the money could be given to a private company in order to keep the agents’ names out of campaign finance documents. The agents said they would want favorable consideration on development projects and were told that wouldn’t be a problem, according to the indictment.
The agents also met with Gillum in New York City and paid for his hotel, food and drink, a boat ride and a ticket to see “Hamilton,” according to the indictment.
Later, other FBI agents interviewed Gillum and asked if he had contact with the undercover agents. Gillum told them that he never asked for or received anything from the “developers,” and stopped communicating with them after they tried to link contributions to support for their projects, the indictment said.
It’s the latest trouble for Gillum, who lost to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in a race that required a recount. Gillum fell 32,464 votes short of being elected out of more than 8.2 million ballots cast.
Gillum served as mayor of Tallahassee before running for governor. He won a crowded Democratic primary against better funded candidates with 34.4% of the vote, stunning political observers. The charismatic politician won over the hearts of hardcore Democratic activists and ran a strong grassroots campaign.
After losing, Gillum was still seen as a rising star in Democratic politics and was hired as a CNN analyst.
Then, in March 2020, Gillum was found intoxicated and unconscious in a hotel room with two men, including one who works as a male escort. Two days later he entered a rehabilitation center, and later did a television interview in which he said he’s bisexual.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-22T20:01:01+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/2022/06/22/former-candidate-florida-governor-facing-federal-charges/ |
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Ice 9, Pats 5
First Period
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1. Regina, Bedard 19 (unassisted) 0:10.
2. Winnipeg, McClennon 15 (Savoie, Pederson) 5:29 (pp).
3. Regina, Howe 10 (Bedard, Suzdalev) 16:39.
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Penalties — Armstrong Reg (cross checking) 5:18; Shilo Wpg (tripping) 7:39; Suzdalev Reg (tripping) 11:04; Spencer Reg (tripping) 19:16.
Second Period
4. Winnipeg, Pederson 11 (McClennon, Savoie) 0:53 (pp).
5. Winnipeg, Savoie 7 (McClennon, Lambos) 4:05.
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6. Regina, Whitehead 2 (Rowan, Brook) 13:30.
7. Winnipeg, Pederson 12 (Zloty, Savoie) 14:13.
8. Regina, Svozil 3 (Suzdalev, Bedard) 16:05 (pp).
Penalties — Shilo Wpg (tripping) 15:50; Rowan Reg (tripping) 18:14; McClennon Wpg (tripping) 19:13; Brown Reg (slashing) 19:27.
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Third Period
9. Winnipeg, Savoie 8 (Benson) 2:58.
10. Winnipeg, Savoie 9 (Pederson, McClennon) 7:40 (pp).
11. Winnipeg, Benson 11 (Sward, Harmacy) 7:59.
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12. Winnipeg, Dale 3 (Oiring) 9:08.
13. Regina, Feist 3 (Whitehead, Armstrong) 15:43 (pp).
14. Winnipeg, Nash 7 (Benson, Geekie) 17:58.
Penalties — Benson Wpg (slashing) 0:44; Brook Reg (tripping) 6:28; Geekie Wpg (interference) 14:44.
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Shots on goal by
Goal — Regina: Kieper (L, ). Winnipeg: Beaupit (W, ).
Power plays (goals-chances) — Regina: 2-5; Winnipeg: 3-6.
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Referees — Ben Croker, . Linesmen — Nick Grenier, Layne Richardson.
Attendance — 1,621 at Winnipeg. | 2022-11-18T04:32:57+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/HKO-WHL-Sums-Regina-Winnipeg-17593905.php |
SAN DIEGO – Major League Baseball history will happen in April as the San Diego Padres embark on a two-game series against the San Francisco Giants in Mexico City — the MLB’s first regular season series ever played there.
“To be able to bring the sport down there and play a major league game in that city, it’s a tremendous opportunity and we’re honored to be a part of it,” said Padres CEO Erik Greupner.
The Padres are familiar with games across the border. The team will embark on their fourth series in Mexico with the previous three in Monterey, most recently happening in 2018.
“It’s critical for Major League Baseball to continue to hold games in Mexico,” continued Greupner. “It’s such a passionate and loyal fanbase, really a great country for baseball and the sport of baseball.”
The NL West rivals will face off at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, a ballpark built by and named after a Padres’ minority owner.
According to an article published by Newsweek at the beginning of this season, Hispanic and Latino players make up nearly 30% of Major League Baseball.
“It’s always fun to play internationally,” said Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar. “Since I was young, I played a lot of baseball internationally and it’s going to be great for MLB. I think we should do it a lot more.”
“It’s been awesome, the way they’ve been doing it in London and Mexico. I hope someday in the future they will do it in Columbia,” added Padres right-handed pitcher Nabil Crismatt, a native of Barranquilla, Colombia.
The Padres had originally scheduled to make MLB’s Mexico City debut in 2020, with a series scheduled against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be the Giants’ first series ever across the Mexican border. | 2022-09-16T01:44:33+00:00 | mytwintiers.com | https://www.mytwintiers.com/hispanic-heritage-month/mlb-taking-regular-season-games-to-mexico-city/ |
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