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The NBA season starts Tuesday night following a busier off-season than usual. Coach and owner suspensions, fights between teammates and the return from injury of key players have made the break between seasons a memorable one. But now the players can step onto the court and let their game do the talking.
Michael Pina, senior staff writer for The Ringer, joins Here & Now‘s Anthony Brooks to bring down all the storylines swirling around the upcoming NBA season.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-10-18T19:51:53+00:00 | nprillinois.org | https://www.nprillinois.org/2022-10-18/nba-season-starts-amidst-competing-controversies |
Christian Rodriguez is currently the fastest man to have done a 100-meter sprint backwards — in a sack and blindfolded. His latest record is for running in 2.76 inch stilettos.
Copyright 2023 NPR
Christian Rodriguez is currently the fastest man to have done a 100-meter sprint backwards — in a sack and blindfolded. His latest record is for running in 2.76 inch stilettos.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-06-26T10:17:18+00:00 | kgou.org | https://www.kgou.org/2023-06-26/a-man-in-spain-secured-his-57th-guinness-world-record-over-the-weekend |
Psychologist: School shooter suffered fetal alcohol damage
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Attorneys for Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz began building their argument Monday that his birth mother’s alcohol abuse left him with severe behavioral problems that eventually led to his 2018 murder of 17 people at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Paul Connor, a Seattle-area neuropsychologist, said medical records and testimony by prior witnesses show that Brenda Woodard drank and used cocaine throughout much of her pregnancy before Cruz’s birth in 1998. Woodard, a Fort Lauderdale prostitute, gave up the baby immediately after to his adoptive parents, Lynda and Roger Cruz. Woodard died last year.
Connor, testifying by Zoom, told jurors that people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder show at a young age problems with motor skills, impulse control, socializing and paying attention — problems previous defense testimony showed Cruz had.
Cruz’s preschool teachers testified he couldn’t run without falling or use utensils. He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a young child and teachers testified that he was extremely anxious and had trouble making friends.
At 5, tests showed Cruz had impairments in 10 intellectual categories including memory, reasoning, language and impulsivity, Connor said. Court records and earlier testimony showed he would have frequent outbursts in class and at home. By middle school, he was making threats.
Connor said he measured Cruz’s IQ at 83, which he said matches the slightly below average intelligence many people with fetal alcohol issues often score. He said IQ tests conducted throughout Cruz’s life found similar results, including one done recently by a prosecution expert.
Under cross-examination by lead prosecutor Mike Satz, Connor conceded he is not board certified in his field but said such certification is voluntary and only a state license is required to practice. He also conceded that he almost always testifies on behalf of the defense in fetal alcohol cases, not prosecutors. He will continue testifying Tuesday.
Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty in October to murdering 14 students and three staff members and wounding 17 others as he stalked a three-story classroom building with an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle on Valentine’s Day 2018. His trial is only to decide whether the former Stoneman Douglas student is sentenced to death or life without parole. For the seven-man, five-woman jury to impose a death sentence, the vote must be unanimous.
Satz finished his primary case last month. He played security videos of the shooting and showed the rifle Cruz used. Teachers and students testified about watching others die. He showed graphic autopsy and crime scene photos and took jurors to the fenced-off building, which remains blood-stained and bullet-pocked. Parents and spouses gave tearful and angry statements about their loss.
In an attempt to counter that, assistant public defender Melisa McNeill and her team have made Cruz’s history their case’s centerpiece, hoping at least one juror will vote for life.
After the defense concludes its case in the coming weeks, the prosecution will present a rebuttal case before the jury’s deliberations begin.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-13T04:01:07+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/2022/09/13/psychologist-school-shooter-suffered-fetal-alcohol-damage/ |
TAIPEI, Oct. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) once again warned that global emissions are on track to surpass the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit and reach 3.2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. The UN secretary general Antonio Guterres sent a strong and clear message to the world about this, stating: "Lower the temperature—now. Don't flood the world today; don't drown it tomorrow."
Cathay Financial Holdings (Cathay FHC), one of the leading financial institutions in Asia, has continued taking even more aggressive actions to ensure that its net-zero commitment carries on, even during the past two and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemic. At Climate Week NYC this September, Cathay FHC was pleased to announce that its sustainable targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a coalition comprised of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature.
Today, more and more top global companies have committed to setting emissions-reduction targets through the SBTi. The SBTi is leading the business-based effort for the 1.5 degree Celsius campaign, which calls for companies to set net zero science-based targets in line with a 1.5 degree Celsius future. The goal is to reduce global-greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050. Businesses that commit to this effort have two years to develop science-based targets, which are then closely reviewed by the initiative's team of experts. Only targets that meet its strict criteria are approved.
For years, Cathay FHC has been encouraging climate-change awareness throughout its entire operation. In addition to Cathay FHC's headquarters and various flagship office complexes, major subsidiaries are using and/or gradually transitioning towards renewable energy sources in their buildings. As the first Taiwanese financial institution to establish the Responsible Investment Working Group, Cathay FHC has also been investing in renewable energy, developing green insurance, and issuing green bonds since 2014.
Cathay United Bank, one of Cathay FHC's subsidiaries, for example, has set targets for renewable-energy loans and coal-fired electricity-generation financing, including a target for renewable-energy loans: namely, to increase the proportion of the credit business associated with loans for renewable energy in the power-generation industry to 85 percent by 2025; and a target for loans to high carbon-emission industries: specifically, to cease coal financing by the first quarter of 2027.
Cathay FHC, globally committed to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, is also the first Taiwanese financial institution to join the RE100 initiative.
In addition to utilizing science in setting long-term absolute GHG targets to cover its entire value chain, Cathay FHC is also looking forward to others joining this effort. In recent years, through the aggressive engagement of stakeholders, major carbon emitters in Taiwan, including Formosa Plastics, China Steel, Foxconn, and Taiwan Cement, have all committed to net zero and/or carbon neutral goals.
Cathay FHC has also been analyzing the opportunities and challenges facing natural capital investments and how mobilizing finance for nature can help achieve the goals of both the Paris Agreement and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Chief Investment Officer Sophia Cheng was recently invited to speak at the World Biodiversity Summit and Third AOS Climate and ESG Asset Owner Summit during UNGA 77 and Climate Week NYC. She shared Cathay FHC's net-zero roadmap, including real-world examples, and urged financial institutions to influence their stakeholders in halting and even reversing this loss of biodiversity. Cheng also called for a realignment to a pro-nature economy that can drive new business opportunities.
Cathay FHC understands that "speed and scope" are important in a unified effort to fight climate change. Through youth forums, workshops, roundtables, and more, Cathay FHC continues to work with and encourage young people in caring about, taking the initiative in, and becoming valuable contributors to the climate-action movement.
Clearly, solving climate change requires a global effort. The annual Cathay Sustainable Finance and Climate Change Summit aims to guide Taiwanese companies in identifying paths to corporate sustainability, enabling them to take a clear and aggressive path of action on climate change. This year during the upcoming COP27 in November, Cathay FHC has taken the initiative by working with the World Climate Foundation to feature live-streaming of the World Climate Summit at the event.
About Cathay FHC
Cathay FHC is the largest financial group in Taiwan, with total assets of over US$400 billion. The group includes leading players in life insurance, banking, property and casualty insurance, asset management, securities, and venture capital. With a presence in 12 markets in Asia, Cathay FHC is dedicated to becoming a leading financial institution in the region.
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SOURCE Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd. | 2022-10-05T08:11:13+00:00 | wcjb.com | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/10/05/leading-by-example-cathay-fhc-sustainable-targets-line-with-un-goals-approved-by-sbti/ |
Registered Nurse Mariam Salaam administers the Pfizer booster shot at a Covid vaccination and testing site decorated for Cinco de Mayo at Ted Watkins Park in Los Angeles on May 5. The CDC's independent vaccine advisers voted 13-1 September 1 to recommend updated Covid-19 vaccine boosters from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.
A group of independent experts that advises the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its vaccine recommendations voted 13 to 1 Thursday to recommend updated mRNA boosters for Americans this fall.
The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, must decide whether to sign off. If she approves the recommendation as expected, shots could be available by Friday, according to pharmaceutical manufacturers, who began shipping the new shots after the US Food and Drug Administration authorized them Wednesday.
The new boosters have instructions that tell our cells to make antibodies against two strains of the virus that causes Covid-19: the original strain and the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants, which share the same spike.
Pfizer/BioNTech's updated vaccine is a 30-microgram dose authorized for people 12 and older. Moderna's updated vaccine is a 50-microgram dose authorized for 18 and older.
People are eligible for the updated boosters as long as they have completed all primary doses in their vaccine series. The committee recommended that the new boosters be given at least two months after the last dose of any Covid-19 vaccine and up to three months after an infection.
The new formulations do not replace shots for the primary series.
The boosters were approved based on studies in mice bred to have human ACE-2 receptors -- the doors the coronavirus uses to get into our cells -- but clinical trial data showing how well they may work in humans won't be available for another month or two.
This is similar to the way annual flu shots are studied and approved, but it's the first time for Covid-19 vaccines.
In approving the vaccines, regulators also reviewed data behind different two-strain boosters. Those carry instructions to fight the original strain of the Omicron variant, BA.1, along with the original virus. Those boosters have been studied in about 1,400 people. They have been authorized for use in the UK and Canada but will not be available in the US.
Several of the committee members said Thursday that they were uncomfortable recommending a vaccine with no human data to back it.
"We're been extrapolating the data that has been seen with the bivalent BA.1, and hopefully, we'll have similar data for BA.4 and BA.5," said Dr. Pablo Sanchez, a pediatrician at Ohio State University and a member of the committee.
"So I'm just concerned about that extrapolation. And because and ultimately, I really don't want to establish a precedent of recommending a vaccine that we don't have clinical data," said Sanchez, who voted against the recommendation.
That prompted a quick rebuttal from government experts who work with the committee.
"I just would like to remind the committee that every year, we use influenza vaccines that are based on new strains without clinical studies being done," said Dr. Melinda Wharton, associate director for vaccine policy at the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Dr. Doran Fink, deputy director of the FDA's Division of Vaccines and Related Products Applications, said, "I do appreciate the amount of discomfort that I'm hearing from committee members who are being asked to take this leap with the Covid vaccines that they haven't been asked to make previously with the Covid vaccines.
"FDA felt very comfortable with the approach of extrapolating the safety and effectiveness or rather the known and potential benefits," Fink said. "We recognize that we've taken a different path than the regulatory authorities have in Europe and Canada."
Fink said the US chose to go this route based on feedback from its independent advisory group and projections for the viruses that may be circulating in this country over the fall and winter.
On Thursday, the committee saw new modeling data that suggested there were substantial risks to waiting to roll out new boosters.
According to the CDC's forecasts, boosters given to US adults in September could prevent 137,000 more hospitalizations and 9,700 deaths than if the boosters were held until November.
New analyses on the cost-effectiveness of the boosters suggest that the US could save at least $63 billion in medical costs between August and March 31 if as many people get these boosters as got flu shots during the 2021-22 season.
In the studies that looked at the shot targeting BA.1 along with the original, the boosters broadened immunity against many variants, and they were proven to be better than the older single-strain boosters because they made higher levels of antibodies.
Moderna presented tantalizing data suggesting that the two-strain shots it developed against the Beta variant might extend the length of protection people get from their vaccines, which currently drops off significantly after about four months. It said a study on these results was being prepared for publication
In mice bred to have human ACE-2 receptors, the two-strain vaccines against BA.4 and BA.5 protected better against infections in their lungs, compared with the original vaccine.
About two-thirds of the total US population is vaccinated against Covid-19 with an initial series, according to data from the CDC. But less than half of those with their initial series -- and less than a third of the total population -- has also gotten a booster.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | 2022-09-01T23:54:50+00:00 | albanyherald.com | https://www.albanyherald.com/features/health/cdc-vaccine-advisers-vote-to-recommend-updated-covid-19-boosters/article_d297b72a-7ada-5b8b-a9e8-1a3a83212aaf.html |
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — A Sandusky, Ohio-based fish company illegally took more than 100 walleyes and several other fish intended for donation to a Sandusky charity in 2021, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The fish, including 112 walleye, one steelhead trout, one yellow perch and three whitefish, were harvested during Lake Erie walleye fishing tournaments, which regularly donate caught fish to charity “to support those in need,” reads the release. Commercial fish processors like Lake Fish Company are paid to clean the donated fish and return ready-to-cook filets to the receiving charities.
Lake Fish Company Inc. and four of its employees, Craig Carr, 55, of Oak Harbor; Dale Trent, 50, of Port Clinton; Thelma Towner, 69, of Sandusky; and Stanley Swain, 55, of Milan; have since pleaded guilty to one felony and several other misdemeanor counts of theft and other commercial fish violations, the DNR says.
The state’s wildlife division launched an investigation in 2021, after receiving a tip that the company and its employees had stolen the donated fish, according to the release. State agents seized video surveillance footage, fish processing records and fish packages and carcasses during a warranted search of the business in November of that year.
Prosecutors dismissed other charges against Carr and Trent, including first-degree felony counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and third-degree felony counts of tampering with records, court records show.
The offenders have also been ordered to pay a combined $24,120 in restitution to the Sandusky-based soup kitchen that was set to receive the stolen fish and another $13,000 to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, according to a news release. The company’s wholesale fish license was also suspended for 30 days, according to the release.
A sentencing hearing is set for November. Carr and Trent could face up to 18 months in jail, court records show.
Anyone who witnesses a wildlife violation in Ohio can report it to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources by calling its Turn in a Poacher hotline at 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437) or by submitting a tip on the department’s website. | 2023-07-07T18:06:45+00:00 | nwahomepage.com | https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/ohio-fish-company-stole-100-walleyes-from-charity/ |
Anna Shay, fan favorite on ‘Bling Empire,’ dead at 62
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anna Shay, an heiress, philanthropist and breakout star of the Netflix reality series “Bling Empire,” has died at 62.
Shay died from a stroke, according to a family statement provided to The Associated Press on Monday. It was not immediately clear when she died.
“It saddens our hearts to announce that Anna Shay, a loving mother, grandmother, charismatic star, and our own brightest ray of sunshine, has passed away,” the family said. “Anna taught us many life lessons on how not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the finer things. Her impact on our lives will be forever missed but never forgotten.”
Shay, a Los Angeles socialite, amassed a fortune after she and her brother sold their father’s company, Pacific Architects and Engineers, after his death.
She told OprahMag.com in a 2021 interview she had no idea what she was getting into when she joined the cast of “Bling Empire,” which chronicled the lives of ultra wealthy Angelenos of Asian descent.
Originally, Shay thought her friend and executive producer on the series, Jeff Jenkins, wanted her to work behind the scenes.
“The next thing I knew, I was sitting in front of the camera. I’m really quite shy, so it was hard. I never thought about doing this, especially at my age,” she said.
The series drew comparisons to the blockbuster film “Crazy Rich Asians.” The series premiered in 2021 and was recently canceled after three seasons.
Shay, a fan favorite on the show, was a fixture in Los Angeles high society. She was the only daughter of Edward Shay, the American billionaire founder of the defense and government services contractor, and Ai-San, his half-Japanese, half-Russian wife.
Shay said in the Oprah interview that her mother once told her, “You were born in a crystal ball with a silver spoon.’”
The reality star was born and raised in Japan. Her only son, Kenny Kemp, earned himself a bit of the spotlight as well, briefly appearing on the series and amassing a huge collection of pricy bongs, according to BuzzFeed News.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-05T22:46:38+00:00 | fox5vegas.com | https://www.fox5vegas.com/2023/06/05/anna-shay-fan-favorite-bling-empire-dead-62/ |
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled a new proposal Wednesday aimed at creating a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence that he says will protect U.S. consumers and U.S. national security from competitors like China.
It comes as President Biden and lawmakers in both parties are putting new focus on creating regulations around the emerging technology amidst concerns that A.I.'s rate of innovation is outpacing Washington.
"Some experts predict that in just a few years the world could be wholly unrecognizable from the one we live in today. That is what A.I. is: World-altering," Schumer said in a keynote address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a bipartisan nonprofit focused on foreign policy and national security.
"We have no choice but to acknowledge that A.I.'s changes are coming, and in many cases are already here," Schumer said. "We ignore them at our own peril. Many want to ignore A.I. because it's so complex. But when it comes to A.I., we cannot be ostriches sticking our heads in the sand."
Schumer's "SAFE Innovation for A.I." framework would give the A.I. community and the government five central pillars to safeguard critical attributes such as security and accountability, while still promoting innovation, according to NBC news.
Earlier this week, President Biden met with top A.I. officials in San Francisco where he discussed the future of A.I. as it relates to national security.
"We will see more technological change in the next ten years than we have seen in the last 50 years, and maybe even beyond that," Biden said before the meeting at a press conference in San Francisco. "In seizing this moment, we need to manage the risk to our society, to our economy, and our national security."
Bipartisan efforts
Last year, Biden unveiled a framework for regulating this new technology with guarantees that A.I. systems will be safe and effective. And next month Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with civil rights leaders and leaders of consumer protection groups to continue talks on A.I.
The importance of regulating A.I. has become a bipartisan issue. Already this month lawmakers in both parties have crafted two proposals to address artificial intelligence, with Schumer signaling that more is coming.
The first proposal backed by Sens. Michael Bennett (D-CO), Todd Young (R-IN) and Mark Warner (D-VA) would create an office of global competition analysis to better understand how the U.S. competes against other countries like China.
The other legislation backed by Homeland Security Chairman Democrat Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, Republican Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana, and Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, requires government agencies to be transparent with Americans when deploying artificial intelligence — meaning the government must disclose when you're talking to a human or a robot.
Washington's bipartisan approach to artificial intelligence is much needed, said Orit Frenkel, an expert in geopolitics and artificial intelligence and the leader of the Washington-based American Leadership Initiative.
"This is too important an issue to be caught up in partisan politics," Frenkel said. "A.I. is going to affect every citizen in really every aspect of their lives, from health care to education and jobs. It is really critical that we move in like step to codify regulations that the whole country can get behind."
SEE MORE: Purely AI-generated songs will not be eligible for a Grammy
Business apprehension
From American business leaders there seems to be some apprehensions about A.I. Forty-two percent of CEOs fear that A.I. could destroy humanity within five to ten years, according to a Yale CEO Summit survey released last week.
Still, it's not all doom and gloom. Frenkel noted that U.S. innovation in technology and science has always been both an economic and national security asset.
A new McKinsey report found that generative A.I. could spur significant global economic growth. The estimated numbers are large, with sums of $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion possibly added annually to global GDP – more than the entirety of the United Kingdom’s GDP.
"There are incredible benefits, some of which are happening now, and some that have yet to be realized," Frenkel said.
SEE MORE: Experts: US needs to take steps to regulate rapidly-evolving AI
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | 2023-06-23T02:31:38+00:00 | news5cleveland.com | https://www.news5cleveland.com/schumer-unveils-new-artificial-intelligence-regulatory-framework |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A coalition of environmental groups sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday over its refusal to regulate some older coal ash dumps, claiming they are polluting air and groundwater.
A lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington D.C. seeks to compel the agency to review and revise regulations it says are “inadequate to protect human health and the environment” from the solid waste produced by coal-burning power plants.
The EPA first began regulating coal ash disposal in 2015, prompted by the 2008 collapse of a six-story earthen dam outside a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant in Kingston, Tennessee. The disaster released more than a billion gallons of coal ash sludge onto 300 surrounding acres (about 121 hectares), knocking homes off their foundations and fouling the Emory River.
When EPA was crafting its coal ash regulations, many of those concerned about the possible health effects of the ash hoped the agency would declare it to be hazardous waste. That didn’t happen, but EPA did create special rules for its disposal. They included location restrictions, liner requirements to prevent groundwater contamination and groundwater monitoring to detect leaks.
Not all coal ash disposal sites were included in the new regulations, however. EPA specifically exempted landfills that stopped receiving new waste before the rule went into effect. Since then, many of the regulated landfills that require groundwater monitoring have subsequently reported unsafe levels of arsenic and other chemicals in nearby groundwater. The lawsuit posits that older, unregulated landfills must also be polluting and should be regulated.
In addition, the contamination from the older landfills could be masking problems at newer landfills that are often on the same property, the lawsuit states. That’s because the operators of the regulated landfills don’t have to address groundwater contamination if they can show that it is coming from another source.
Neither the TVA nor the EPA responded to a request for comment on Thursday morning.
The lawsuit spotlights Bull Run power plant in Clinton, Tennessee, which is also run by TVA, the nation’s largest public utility.
The site contains three separate but adjacent coal ash landfills. One closed in 1992. The second closed in 2015 — just before the EPA regulations took effect. The third opened in 2015 and is an active landfill. Even though the groundwater at the new landfill shows significantly high levels of boron, sulfate and other chemicals, TVA does not have to take action because an engineering report attributes the contamination to “pre-existing groundwater conditions.”
One of the plaintiff groups is Tennessee-based Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment. Member Todd Waterman said in a telephone interview that he has seen friends who helped clean up the Kingston coal ash spill sicken and die. Now he is worried about what the ash at the Bull Run plant could be doing to his drinking water.
“I’m deeply concerned for my community,” he said in a phone interview about the plant scheduled to shut down next year. “I don’t want TVA to just walk away from that plant and leave all that contamination in place.”
Other plaintiffs include the Hoosier Environmental Council in Indiana, the Indiana State Conference and the LaPorte County Branch of the NAACP, Clean Power Lake County in Illinois, and several national groups including the Sierra Club and Earthjustice, which filed the suit.
The EPA is required to review and, if necessary revise, regulations like those for coal ash disposal every three years, something it has failed to do, according to the lawsuit. Plaintiffs are asking the judge to order a review of the regulations, especially the exemption for older coal ash landfills. They estimate there are close to 300 landfills exempt from regulation in 38 states.
“Regulations addressing these landfills would prevent exposure to deadly coal ash constituents, protect drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems, and lead to much needed cleanups nationwide,” the lawsuit states. | 2022-08-26T07:11:33+00:00 | myfox8.com | https://myfox8.com/business/ap-business/ap-groups-sue-environmental-protection-agency-over-coal-ash/ |
KOKOMO, Ind. — Tammy Cunningham doesn’t remember the birth of her son. She was not quite seven months pregnant when she became acutely ill with COVID-19 in May 2021. By the time she was taken by helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital, she was coughing and gasping for breath.
The baby was not due for 11 more weeks, but Cunningham’s lungs were failing. The medical team, worried that neither she nor the fetus would survive so long as she was pregnant, asked her fiancé to authorize an emergency cesarean section.
“I asked, ‘Are they both going to make it?’” Matt Cunningham recalled. “And they said they couldn’t answer that.”
New government data suggests that scenes like this played out with shocking frequency in 2021, the second year of the pandemic.
The National Center for Health Statistics reported Thursday that 1,205 pregnant women died in 2021, representing a 40% increase in maternal deaths compared with 2020, when there were 861 deaths, and a 60% increase compared with 2019, when there were 754.
The count includes deaths of women who were pregnant or had been pregnant within the last 42 days, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy. A separate report by the Government Accountability Office has cited COVID as a contributing factor in at least 400 maternal deaths in 2021, accounting for much of the increase.
Even before the pandemic, the United States had the highest maternal mortality rate of any industrialized nation. The coronavirus worsened an already dire situation, pushing the rate to 32.9 per 100,000 births in 2021 from 20.1 per 100,000 live births in 2019.
The racial disparities have been particularly acute. The maternal mortality rate among Black women rose to 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, 2.6 times the rate among white women. From 2020 to 2021, mortality rates doubled among Native American and Alaska Native women who were pregnant or had given birth within the previous year, according to a study published Thursday in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
The deaths tell only part of the story. For each woman who died of a pregnancy-related complication, there were many others, like Tammy Cunningham, who experienced the kind of severe illness that leads to premature birth and can compromise the long-term health of both mother and child. Lost wages, medical bills and psychological trauma add to the strain.
Pregnancy leaves women uniquely vulnerable to infectious diseases like COVID. The heart, lungs and kidneys are all working harder during pregnancy. The immune system, while not exactly depressed, is retuned to accommodate the fetus.
Abdominal pressure reduces excess lung capacity. Blood clots more easily, a tendency amplified by COVID, raising the risk of dangerous blockages. The infection also appears to damage the placenta, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, and may increase the risk of a dangerous complication of pregnancy called preeclampsia.
Pregnant women with COVID face a sevenfold risk of dying compared with uninfected pregnant women, according to one large meta-analysis tracking unvaccinated people. The infection also makes it more likely that a woman will give birth prematurely and that the baby will require neonatal intensive care.
Fortunately, the current omicron variant appears to be less virulent than the delta variant, which surfaced in the summer of 2021, and more people have acquired immunity to the coronavirus by now. Preliminary figures suggest maternal deaths dropped to roughly pre-pandemic levels in 2022.
But pregnancy continues to be a factor that makes even young women uniquely vulnerable to severe illness. Cunningham, now 39, who was slightly overweight when she became pregnant, had just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes when she got sick.
“It’s something I talk to all my patients about,” said Dr. Torri Metz, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at the University of Utah. “If they have some of these underlying medical conditions and they’re pregnant, both of which are high-risk categories, they have to be especially careful about putting themselves at risk of exposure to any kind of respiratory virus, because we know that pregnant people get sicker from those viruses.”
Lagging vaccinations
In the summer of 2021, scientists were somewhat unsure of the safety of mRNA vaccines during pregnancy; pregnant women had been excluded from the clinical trials, as they often are. It was not until August 2021 that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came out with unambiguous guidance supporting vaccination for pregnant women.
Most of the pregnant women who died of COVID had not been vaccinated. These days, more than 70% of pregnant women have gotten COVID vaccines, but only about 20% have received the bivalent boosters.
“We know definitively that vaccination prevents severe disease and hospitalization and prevents poor maternal and infant outcomes,” said Dr. Dana Meaney-Delman, chief of the CDC’s infant outcomes monitoring, research and prevention branch. “We have to keep emphasizing that point.”
Cunningham’s obstetrician had encouraged her to get the shots, but she vacillated. She was “almost there” when she suddenly started having unusually heavy nosebleeds that produced blood clots “the size of golf balls,” she said.
Cunningham was also feeling short of breath, but she ascribed that to the advancing pregnancy. (Many COVID symptoms can be missed because they resemble those normally occurring in pregnancy.)
A COVID test came back negative, and Cunningham was happy to return to her job. She had already lost wages after earlier pandemic furloughs at the auto parts plant where she worked. On May 3, 2021, shortly after clocking in, she turned to a friend at the plant and said, “I can’t breathe.”
By the time she arrived at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, she was in acute respiratory distress. Doctors diagnosed pneumonia and found patchy shadows in her lungs.
Her oxygen levels continued falling even after she was put on undiluted oxygen, and even after the baby was delivered.
“It was clear her lungs were extremely damaged and unable to work on their own,” said Dr. Omar Rahman, a critical care physician who treated Cunningham. Already on a ventilator, Cunningham was connected to a specialized heart-lung bypass machine.
Jennifer McGregor, a friend who visited Cunningham in the hospital, was shocked at how quickly her condition had deteriorated. “I can’t tell you how many bags were hanging there, and how many tubes were going into her body,” she said.
But over the next 10 days, Cunningham started to recover. Once she was weaned off the heart-lung machine, she discovered she had missed a major life event while under sedation: She had a son.
He was born 29 weeks and two days into the pregnancy, weighing 3 pounds.
Premature births declined slightly during the first year of the pandemic. But they rose sharply in 2021, the year of the delta surge, reaching the highest rate since 2007.
Some 10.5% of all births were preterm that year, up from 10.1% in 2020, and from 10.2% in 2019, the year before the pandemic.
Although the Cunninghams’ baby, Calum, never tested positive for COVID, he was hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. He was on a breathing tube, and occasionally stopped breathing for seconds at a time.
Doctors worried that he was not gaining weight quickly enough — “failure to thrive,” they wrote in his chart. They worried about possible vision and hearing loss.
But after 66 days in the NICU, the Cunninghams were able to take Calum home. They learned how to use his feeding tube by practicing on a mannequin, and they prepared for the worst.
“From everything they told us, he was going to have developmental delays and be really behind,” Matt Cunningham said.
After her discharge from the hospital, Tammy Cunningham was under strict orders to have a caretaker with her at all times and to rest. She didn’t return to work for seven months, after she finally secured her doctors’ approval.
Cunningham has three teenage daughters, and Matt Cunningham has another daughter from a previous relationship. Money was tight. Friends dropped off groceries, and the landlord accepted late payments. But the Cunninghams received no government aid: They were even turned down for food stamps.
“We had never asked for assistance in our lives,” Tammy Cunningham said. “We were workers. We used to work seven days a week, eight-hour days, sometimes 12. But when the whole world shut down in 2020, we used up a lot of our savings, and then I got sick. We never got caught up.”
Although she is back to work at the plant, Cunningham has lingering symptoms, including migraines and short-term memory problems. She forgets doctor’s appointments and what she went to the store for. Recently she left her card in an ATM.
Many patients are so traumatized by their stays in intensive care units that they develop so-called post-intensive care syndrome. Cunningham has flashbacks and nightmares about being back in the hospital.
“I wake up feeling like I’m being smothered at the hospital, or that they’re killing my whole family,” she said. Recently she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Calum, however, has surprised everyone. Within months of coming home from the hospital, he was reaching developmental milestones on time. He started walking soon after his first birthday, and likes to chime in with “What’s up?” and “Uh-oh!”
He has been back to the hospital for viral infections, but his vocabulary and comprehension are superb, his father said. “If you ask if he wants a bath, he’ll take off all his clothes and meet you at the bath,” he said.
Louann Gross, who owns the day care that Calum attends, said he has a hearty appetite — often asking for “thirds” — and more than keeps up with his peers. She added, “I nicknamed him our ‘Superbaby.’” | 2023-03-16T22:56:03+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/covid-worsened-a-health-crisis-among-pregnant-women/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
Which echinacea supplements are best?
Herbs have been used as medicine for thousands of years, and even today, they can still play a part alongside conventional medicine. Echinacea is said to be beneficial for immune function and is often taken for colds and other similar winter viruses.
It can be tough to decide which echinacea supplement to buy, especially when it’s your first time buying. If you’re looking for a quality echinacea supplement, Gaia Herbs Echinacea Goldenseal is the top choice.
What to know before you buy an echinacea supplement
Supplement type
Echinacea supplements can come in a range of types of formulations. Capsules are by far the most common type, followed by tablets, liquids and gummies.
- Capsules: Since the herb is contained inside a capsule, there’s no taste, though people who don’t like to swallow medication can struggle.
- Tablets: Echinacea tablets are affordable but not always as easily absorbed into the bloodstream as liquid or capsules.
- Liquids: Echinacea supplements in liquid form are often called tinctures or liquid extracts. They’re great for people who don’t like swallowing capsules and may be absorbed into the bloodstream quicker and more effectively. Although they often contain sweeteners and flavorings, some people can’t abide the taste.
- Gummies: Although uncommon, you can find gummy echinacea supplements. These usually have lower concentrations of echinacea in them, but they’re aimed at kids who may need a lower dose anyway.
Concentration
The concentration of echinacea is given in milligrams or mg. According to the National Library of Medicine, the recommended daily dosage for adults is 900-1,500 milligrams per day, but this may be taken in up to three doses throughout the day — especially when you’re fighting a cold. Tinctures don’t always have a listed concentration in milligrams, but you should take roughly 2.5 mg three times a day. Check the concentration of any echinacea supplement you’re buying to see how much you’ll need to take.
Doses per pack
When buying echinacea capsules, you can quickly see how many capsules you get in a pack, but this isn’t necessarily the number of doses in a pack. Sometimes, you’ll need to take more than one capsule per dose. For instance, if a pack contains 180 capsules, but each dose is three capsules, then you only get 60 doses in a package, when you might assume it has 180 doses at first glance. Once you get your head around this, it’s easy to find supplements that offer good value for the money.
What to look for in a quality echinacea supplement
Non-GMO and organic
If you like to avoid genetically modified organisms in your diet, look for a non-GMO echinacea supplement. Organic echinacea supplements are less common, but you can find some certified organic options.
Allergen-friendly
Most echinacea supplements are free from common allergens, such as gluten and dairy, but it’s always worth checking before you commit to buying.
Gelatin-free
Echinacea capsules and echinacea gummies can contain animal-derived gelatin, but you can find gelatin-free options. Not only are gelatin-free supplements suitable for vegans and vegetarians, but they can also be taken by people who avoid certain animal products for religious reasons, such as people who follow kosher or halal dietary standards.
How much you can expect to spend on echinacea supplements
You can spend anywhere between $5-$25 on echinacea supplements, depending on factors such as quality, concentration and formulation.
Echinacea supplement FAQ
Does echinacea really work?
A. Echinacea is commonly taken to prevent or reduce the symptoms of colds and other cold-like viruses and infections. Many studies have been done on echinacea over time, and the results are varied.
It seems as if echinacea might reduce the chances of catching colds, but it’s unlikely to reduce the duration of a cold. Still, echinacea is a natural herbal medicine and generally well-tolerated (though it’s possible to be allergic to it), so taking it when you have a cold or to prevent colds in the winter months is unlikely to have any detrimental effects.
Can you take echinacea and vitamin C together?
A. Yes, it’s safe to take echinacea supplements and vitamin C supplements at the same time, so if you’re hoping to fight off colds and other winter viruses, don’t worry about loading up on both. However, there are some drug interactions with echinacea. For instance, it could decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant medications. If you’re on any long-term medication, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before you start taking echinacea supplements.
What are the best echinacea supplements to buy?
Top echinacea supplement
Gaia Herbs Echinacea Goldenseal
What you need to know: Containing liquid inside a vegan capsule, this supplement is easily absorbed.
What you’ll love: It contains a blend of echinacea and goldenseal that’s great for supporting the immune system. You get a 10-day supply, which is perfect for fighting off an average cold.
What you should consider: They’re on the pricey side.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top echinacea supplement for the money
Nutricost Echinacea and Goldenseal Root Capsules
What you need to know: The combination of echinacea and goldenseal root provides a hefty immune boost.
What you’ll love: These capsules are non-GMO, gluten-free and gelatin-free. You get 240 capsules in a pack, and one capsule equals one serving, so they go a long way.
What you should consider: They’re not of the highest dosage, but you can safely take more that the recommended dose.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Herb Pharm Certified Organic Echinacea Root Liquid Extract
What you need to know: A liquid echinacea supplement for anyone who’d prefer to avoid capsules.
What you’ll love: It’s certified organic, vegan and free from all common allergens. You can choose between options containing alcohol or are alcohol-free and are made using echinacea grown in Oregon.
What you should consider: The daily value hasn’t been established, so you can’t tell what dosage you’re receiving.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-27T20:35:01+00:00 | mytwintiers.com | https://www.mytwintiers.com/reviews/br/health-wellness-br/supplements-br/best-echinacea-supplement/ |
Former police officer accused of raping woman while on duty, investigators say
TULSA, Okla. (Gray News) - A former police officer in Oklahoma has been arrested and charged with first-degree rape.
The Tulsa Police Department reports officer Deangelo Reyes has resigned from his position and was taken into custody after admitting to having sexual contact with a woman while he was on duty.
Detectives in the department’s Special Victims Unit said the incident occurred on April 17 when Reyes made inappropriate contact with a woman he met on duty at her hotel.
According to police, the woman gave Reyes her phone number, and a few hours he called her. She told investigators that she later spotted his patrol car at her hotel, and they ended up in her room.
Reyes reportedly asked the woman if she was a prostitute, and she said no. Police said Reyes ran the woman’s criminal record, against their policy, and told her, “It wouldn’t take much to put a person with her record back in prison.”
The woman told police Reyes initiated physical contact with her in the hotel room, and the two had intercourse before he left, saying he was late for his end-of-shift meeting.
Investigators said they checked Reyes’ body camera, and the footage showed him calling the woman while saying he was “Eric” before turning off his camera.
The department said Reyes did not respond to any calls during his shift’s last two hours and told dispatch that he was unavailable because he was working on reports.
However, detectives determined that he did not complete any reports that evening.
Tulsa police said Reyes first told investigators that he met up with the woman as a follow-up contact in a homicide case but denied any sexual contact.
Before a second interview, police said he then admitted that he had lied during his first interview.
Reyes admitted he did tell the woman his name was “Eric” and met her at a hotel to initiate a no-strings-attached encounter while still on duty.
Police said he also admitted that he dishonestly checked out with dispatch and told them that the woman had initiated the sexual contact, and he perceived the encounter as consensual.
On June 10, a warrant was issued for Reyes’ arrest, and he was booked into Tulsa County on a first-degree rape charge.
Tulsa authorities urged anyone who may have been a victim of Reyes to contact the Special Victims Unit at 918-596-9168.
Reyes resigned from the Tulsa Police Department on June 9.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-17T03:14:46+00:00 | newschannel6now.com | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2022/06/17/former-police-officer-accused-raping-woman-while-duty-investigators-say/ |
With his eyes pointed low and sweat dripping from his forehead, Joe Flacco addressed reporters and tried to justify what had just happened.
“It wasn’t a good showing for us on offense,” Flacco said. “Just never really got in a rhythm and kind of got any energy going behind us.”
This was an understatement. The Jets had just lost 24-9 to the Ravens, who pounced on every opportunity the sloppy injury-ridden offense gave them Sunday afternoon. Both teams started cold –– punting in their first two possessions –– but the Jets would never gain momentum.
BUY JETS TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETSMARTER, TICKETMASTER
Flacco threw an early interception to safety Marcus Williams, which gave Lamar Jackson excellent field position. The defense eventually forced a field goal, but the mistake still gave the strong Ravens offense an easy scoring chance.
The Jets owned time of possession, edging Baltimore by five total minutes, but it still wasn’t enough to build a lead. Flacco –– who finished with 307 yards, one touchdown and one interception –– isn’t the sole reason for the loss. Robert Saleh was dealing with injuries –– mainly to Mekhi Becton, Zach Wilson and Duane Brown –– and had to rely on young players like fourth round pick Max Mitchell to step in. Mitchell’s unit looked depleted, allowing three sacks, three tackles for loss and 11 QB hits on 59 passing attempts.
Wilson is down with a knee injury until at least Week 4, so Saleh will roll with a similar offense in the next three weeks. Is Flacco confident things will turn around?
“I think when I go back and watch this game, early on, I’m going to just wish that I took some of the five-yard checkdowns earlier in the game,” Flacco said. “I don’t know if I wouldn’t throw that again. But I think that is going to be the main thing we look at early on, especially myself. ‘Well, yeah, did that kind of look like it was there? With the underneath coverage and the hole opening up?’ Yes. But the safety was driving and you have a little miscue on running the route and now you’re in a bad position. So I think there was a couple plays like that.”
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Saleh said his team needs to get Flacco “more momentum” going forward –– and emphasized that there were no “moral victories” following the ugly loss.
“There’s no moral victory,” Saleh said. “But if we do play with that type of mentality, that type of effort that we played today with, we’re going to be fine. We’ve just got to clean it up.
“We’ve got to get it fixed. We’re young at the skill spots, we’re young at critical positions and we’ve got to grow up quick.”
The weak debut comes after an atypical Jets offseason –– in which media and fans actually praised their transactions, rather than belittling them. According to some pundits, the Jets “won the draft,” and set a solid foundation for Wilson by adding more weapons at a neglected tight end group. GM Joe Douglas signed Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah and converted Lawrence Cager to TE, which caused many to believe that it would be a heavy emphasis on offense. Once game time came, however, the position group was hardly used –– totaling for 14 total yards.
“I definitely think just the kind of way that some of our game-plan stuff we just never got rolling with early on, and then what it kind of turned into in the second half there, once they scored a couple touchdowns and we didn’t, it probably had a lot to do with that,” Flacco said about not .
In the next three weeks, New York will play the Cleveland Browns, led by Myles Garrett and a tough defensive front, the Cincinnati Bengals, defending AFC Champions, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who picked off quarterback Joe Burrow four times on Sunday. These are crucial matchups –– especially if the Jets want to squash their 11-year postseason drought anytime soon –– and despite their daunting nature, Saleh believes his team will “be fine”
“It comes down to execution,” Saleh said. “Just being disciplined, do your job, master the obvious. We’ll be fine.”
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust.
Ryan Novozinsky may be reached at rnovozinsky@njadvancemedia.com | 2022-09-11T23:55:20+00:00 | nj.com | https://www.nj.com/jets/2022/09/robert-saleh-on-jets-offensive-woes-weve-got-to-grow-up-quick.html |
KELOWNA, British Columbia (AP) — Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter scored in a shootout, leading the United States to a 4-3 win over Canada on Tuesday night in the first game of a seven-game Rivalry Series.
Canada’s Loren Gabel was stopped by goaltender Nicole Hensley to end the game as all four Canadian shooters came up empty.
Hensley also stopped Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin on a penalty shot with 39.2 seconds left in overtime.
Emily Clark put Canada ahead at 6:25 of the third period when she tipped in a point shot by Renata Fast. But Carpenter countered, shoveling in a loose puck on a power play and tying the game with 89 seconds left in regulation.
Knight and Hannah Brandt beat Canadian goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer to stake the Americans to a 2-0 lead. Canada’s Claire Thompson and Poulin countered with goals 62 seconds apart midway through the second period.
Canada’s roster for the first three games of the series features 16 players who won both Olympic and world hockey championship gold medals this year.
Canada edged the U.S. 2-1 for the world title in September in Denmark. Canada also beat the Americans 3-2 in the Olympic final in February in Beijing.
Canada went 3-1-1 against the U.S. in last season’s Rivalry Series, which was cut short by the pandemic.
UP NEXT
The Rivalry Series resumes Thursday night at Kamloops, British Columbia. The United States will host Sunday in Seattle. The U.S. will host the fourth game of the series Dec. 15 in Henderson, Nevada.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2022-11-16T07:41:06+00:00 | wtmj.com | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/11/16/us-tops-canada-in-shootout-in-opener-of-rivalry-series/ |
Melissa Joan Hart helped children escape from Nashville school shooting
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Melissa Joan Hart acted as a hero to survivors escaping The Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday.
Hart, who lives in Nashville with husband Mark Wilkerson and their three children, explained her experience in an emotional video that she posted on Instagram Tuesday.
"Hey guys," she began the video. "For those of you that know, I live in Nashville, and what's been going on here today, um … my kids go to school right next to a school where there was a shooting today."
She said, "We moved here from Connecticut where we were in a school a little ways down from Sandy Hook, so this is our second experience with a school shooting with our kids being in close proximity."
Hart assured her followers that she and her family were all fine, but said she and her husband did come into contact with some survivors as they fled the school.
"My husband and I were on our way to school for conferences," she explained, "and luckily our kids weren't in today, and we helped a class of kindergartners across a busy highway."
Beginning to tear up, she continued, "They were climbing out of the woods, trying to escape the shooter situation at their school. So we helped all these tiny little kids cross the road and get their teachers over there, we helped a mom reunite with her children…."
She appeared flustered for a moment before holding a hand up to her head and saying, "I just don't know what to say anymore. It's just, enough is enough."
In the caption of her video, Hart explained why she made her post yesterday but kept referring to the shooting as happening "today."
RELATED: Nashville Covenant shooting highlights security at private schools
"Prayers today, Action tomorrow," she wrote. "This was too raw to post yesterday but wanted you to hear this story."
On Monday, 28-year-old Audrey Hale brought three guns to The Covenant School, a private grade school in Nashville, and opened fire.
Hale killed six people – three students, each 9 years old, a substitute teacher, a custodian and the head of the school.
RELATED: Nashville school shooting: Officers who took out suspected Covenant shooter identified
Police responded within minutes of the first 911 call alerting them to an active shooter on the Christian school campus, and officers killed Hale soon after arriving.
As of now, there is no known motive for the shooting, although it is known that Hale was a former student at The Covenant school. Her parents also told investigators that she'd been receiving treatment for an emotional disorder. | 2023-03-29T20:59:31+00:00 | fox9.com | https://www.fox9.com/news/melissa-joan-hart-actress-helped-children-escape-nashville-school-shooting |
NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of The Gap, Inc. (NYSE: GPS) between November 24, 2021 and July 11, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 3, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Gap securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Gap class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6662 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. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
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 handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. 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.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) there were execution missteps in size and assortment at Old Navy related to BODEQUALITY which were adversely impacting Old Navy's margins and financial results; (2) contrary to the Company's statements, there were inventory risks relating to BODEQUALITY that were actually existing that were adversely affecting the Company's operations; and as a result (3) the Company's statements during the Class Period about the historical financial and operational metrics and purported market opportunities did not accurately reflect the actual business, operations, and financial results and trajectory of the Company, and were materially false and misleading, and lacked a factual basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Gap class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6662 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.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
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Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | 2022-12-22T02:02:04+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/12/22/rosen-ranked-leading-firm-encourages-gap-inc-investors-with-losses-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-first-filed-securities-class-action-initiated-by-firm-gps/ |
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a fire early Wednesday that police believe was deliberately set — possibly by someone seen running away from the building carrying what appeared to be a gas can and a bag.
The blaze damaged the inside of the building under renovation to house the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest city in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.
The clinic, which also planned to provide other health care services for women, had been set to open in June as only the second place in the state to offer abortions. Wyoming’s current lone location for women to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.
A person who called authorities before dawn saw someone running from the building with what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag, police said in a Facebook post. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. No injuries were reported.
Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, said clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and telephone messages. The building had video cameras that were functioning, and police were given access to them, she said.
“Whether you’re against abortion or support abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said Burkhart, a former associate of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider who was shot and killed in a Wichita, Kansas, church in 2009.
Protests have been held this spring by abortion opponents at the future clinic site, and signs opposing abortion were visible Wednesday in a window of an apartment next door to the building.
Wyoming is one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger law that would immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will happen soon.
Police temporarily closed off the street where the small building is located as officers investigated. Several of the building’s windows were broken, and smoke damage was visible around one shattered window. | 2022-05-26T04:24:03+00:00 | wearegreenbay.com | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/national/fire-damages-wyoming-abortion-clinic-ahead-of-june-opening/ |
Tonight, mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Patchy fog is possible. Low temperatures will be in the 30s to around 40. Winds becoming north to northwest 5 to 15 MPH.
Tuesday, a slight chance of rain in the morning. Otherwise, becoming partly cloudy to mostly sunny. Some gusty winds. High temperatures will be in the 40s and 50s, locally colder near Lake Superior. North to northwest wind 10 to 20 MPH with some higher gusts.
Tuesday night, mostly clear. Low temperatures will be in the 20s and 30s. North to northwest wind 5 to 10 MPH.
Wednesday, mostly sunny. High temperatures will be in the 50s to around 60, locally colder near some shorelines of the Great Lakes. Variable wind 5 to 15 MPH.
Wednesday night, partly cloudy to mostly clear. Low temperatures will be around 30 or the 30s. Light and variable wind.
Thursday, partly cloudy to mostly sunny. High temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s, locally colder near some shorelines of the Great Lakes. Variable wind 5 to 15 MPH.
Thursday night, partly cloudy to mostly clear. Low temperatures will be in the 30s to around 40. East to northeast wind 5 to 15 MPH.
Friday, mostly sunny. High temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s, locally colder near some shorelines of the Great Lakes. East to northeast wind 5 to 15 MPH.
Friday night, mostly clear. Low temperatures will be in the 30s to around 40. Variable wind 5 to 15 MPH.
Saturday, mostly sunny. High temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s, locally colder near some shorelines of the Great Lakes. Variable wind 5 to 15 MPH.
Saturday night, mostly clear. Low temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s. East to southeast wind 5 to 15 MPH with a few higher gusts.
Sunday, partly cloudy to mostly sunny. Some gusty winds. High temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s, locally colder near some shorelines of the Great Lakes. East to southeast wind 10 to 20 MPH with some higher gusts.
Sunday night, partly cloudy. Some gusty winds. Low temperatures will be around 40 or the 40s. South to southeast wind 10 to 20 MPH with some higher gusts.
Monday, partly cloudy. Some gusty winds. High temperatures will be around 60 or the 60s, locally colder near some shorelines of the Great Lakes. South to southeast wind 10 to 20 MPH with some higher gusts. | 2022-05-03T01:43:44+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/weather/local-3-monday-night-weather-forecast-5-2-2022/ |
Ukraine’s commander in chief hints counteroffensive could be imminent in slick video
By Olga Voitovych, Andrew Carey and Nick Paton Walsh, CNN
Kyiv, Ukraine (CNN) — With just a few words and a slickly produced piece of military propaganda, the commander in chief of Ukraine’s armed forces ratcheted up speculation that a long-awaited counteroffensive by Kyiv against Russia’s occupying forces could be imminent.
“The time has come to take back what is ours,” said the official, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhyni.
The minute-long video features Ukrainian troops marching, training and apparently preparing for battle.
Some are seen using German tanks and American artillery and rocket launchers – the type of armaments Kyiv would use in a potential operation to push Russian forces out of Ukrainian territory.
The clip ends with soldiers and their commander chanting a defiant message: “Ukraine, my native motherland, Lord, our heavenly father, bless our decisive offensive, our sacred revenge, our holy victory.”
The video came online following weeks of speculation regarding when Ukraine would start its counteroffensive – or whether it might even be said to have already begun.
Despite its language, Zaluzhyni’s post made no explicit mention of an impending military operation, and there have been few details reported on the ground of specific build-ups of troops and weapons – though it should be noted that any such reporting would likely fall foul of Ukraine’s martial law restrictions.
Both Russia and Ukraine have been known to engage in disinformation campaigns to confuse enemy forces.
The counteroffensive itself has seemed imminent a handful of times over the past month.
The Ukrainian military has been spotted moving military hardware toward the front lines and carrying out attacks against Russian targets that could facilitate an offensive, including strikes on Thursday and Saturday in the Russian-occupied city of southern port city of Berdiansk.
The Kremlin said Saturday that, in the past 24 hours, its forces had shot down 12 Ukrainian drones flying over Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, a trio of Ukrainian territories that are all part-occupied by Russian forces.
Russian says its air defenses also intercepted several rockets and long-range cruise missiles. Also on Saturday, explosions hit the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol.
A senior US official confirmed to CNN earlier in May that Ukrainian has begun conducting “shaping” operations, striking targets such as weapons depots, command centers and armor and artillery systems to shape the battlefield in favor of Kyiv’s advancing forces. Shaping is a standard tactic used prior to major combined operations, but it can be used simply to confuse the enemy.
Ukrainian official are keeping details of the operation under wraps, including whether or not it has already begun. That is likely an attempt to confuse the Russian military.
The incursion into Russia earlier this week by pro-Ukrainian Russian units, a bold move causing much embarrassment for Moscow, was also likely aimed at forcing the Kremlin to reposition its forces outside Ukraine to better defend Russia’s relatively exposed borders.
There are also public relations factors at play. Declare the counteroffensive underway, and the clock ticks immediately for the first results. Avoid doing so, and any mounting losses Russia sustains are just considered part of normal frontline attrition.
Ukraine’s deputy defense minister said in April that Kyiv would not announce the start of the counteroffensive, and Ukrainian officials have remained tight-lipped since.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has dropped few hints surrounding the potential operation and has repeatedly declined to give specific details on timing.
Earlier this month Zelensky said that his country still needs “a bit more time” to allow for the delivery of more Western military aid.
And on Thursday this week, just two days before General Zaluzhnyi’s arresting Telegram post, one of Zelensky’s senior aides had been adamant that the world should not be waiting for one particular moment.
The counteroffensive, tweeted Mykhailo Podolyak, “is not a ‘single event’ that will begin at a specific hour of a specific day with a solemn cutting of the red ribbon.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
CNN’s Joshua Berlinger, Vasco Cotovio and Fred Pleitgen contributed to this report | 2023-05-27T20:49:23+00:00 | krdo.com | https://krdo.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2023/05/27/ukraines-commander-in-chief-hints-counteroffensive-could-be-imminent-in-slick-video/ |
A 29-year-old soccer player died after getting into an on-field fight, authorities in California said.
According to the Oxnard Police Department, the man was involved in a large fight on July 10. Police said players from both teams and spectators were part of the melee.
The man was taken to a hospital but died 15 days later, according to police.
An autopsy is being performed to determine exactly what caused the man's death.
According to CBS News, a person was arrested but the investigation is ongoing.
"Investigators are still searching for witnesses or anyone who might have video recorded all or part of the fight," the police department said. | 2022-07-26T20:34:02+00:00 | ktvh.com | https://www.ktvh.com/news/national/man-dies-15-days-after-fight-during-soccer-game |
Amazing K9 Duos: Waterbury Officer Slater and K9 Nico
WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) - This week on Amazing K9 Duos we met up with Officer Slater and K9 Nico of the Waterbury Police Department.
Renee DiNino: Nice to see you!
Officer Slater: Nice to see you too!
R: Tell us a little bit about K9 Nico. How long have you been working together?
S: Nico is a 4-year-old German Shepherd. Nico is from the Czech Republic, and we go him when he was about 1 year old. I’ve been working with him for about three years now.
R: I like his vest, I bet there is a story behind that!
S: So, his vest was donated by a wonderful company from Oakville Connecticut called German Auto Repair. Mark and Dawn donated to Brandy’s canine fund, a non-profit out of Ohio. They supplement the vests for the canines. Because it’s important to keep your K9′s well protected as well of course.
R: Tell me about a typical day in your job.
S: I work third shift, so he sleeps just as little as I do sadly. Normally during the day he’s a normal dog when he’s at home, he hangs out, he loves playing with sticks, and playing with his ball. I have another dog and he loves playing with her. We also rest up as much as we can, and then we’re off to work! Patrol duty and everything. So he’s a dual purpose dog, he’s patrol which is tracking and trailing human odor, and he’s a narcotics detection dog.
R: Is he your first K9 partner?
S: He is, he is my first and hopefully he will not be my last!
R: Do you think you’d ever go back to a two-legged partner?
S: It’s very hard to say. Any handler knows once you go with a dog, it’s hard to go back. They become your best friend! They become a part of your family.
R: How has it changed you as a police officer?
S: Training dogs is a humbling experience. You’re training an animal that doesn’t know what you’re saying, so when you get something to work out that you’ve been trying to work on for awhile it’s just very rewarding.
Copyright 2022 WFSB. All rights reserved. | 2022-07-19T02:58:47+00:00 | wfsb.com | https://www.wfsb.com/2022/07/19/amazing-k9-duos-waterbury-officer-slater-k9-nico/ |
Unison Marketplace partnered with its customers to understand the challenges 1102s experience throughout the acquisition lifecycle and developed new easy-to-use features to save buyers hours on market research and documentation.
DULLES, Va., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unison, a leading provider of software solutions and insights in government acquisitions, has released new features for its Marketplace suite. Unison Marketplace is an all-encompassing online acquisition platform that assists Buyers in purchasing the goods and services needed to fulfill their procurement strategies. These new features' purpose is to make buying easier for federal professionals—saving hours of work with an improved request for information (RFI) and Sources Sought workflows for faster, more comprehensive market research, a new contract line item number (CLIN) price comparison tool, and automation of the DoD Abstract of Quotes document.
Marketplace has made conducting RFIs and Source Sought Notices easier with the ability for buyers to identify non-priced CLINs, establish clear RFI labels for vendors searching Marketplace opportunities, and the Unison Sourcing Team alerting vendors to the opportunities. The system will post the RFI/Sources Sought to the government point of entry, the System for Award Management (SAM) Contract Opportunities. The new workflow makes it easy to transition the RFI into an RFQ or RFP, saving buyers the hassle of reentering information while maintaining the chronology, Q&A, and vendor interest list.
The CLIN Price Comparison Tool has made it simple and fast to compare vendor pricing and capabilities when reviewing quotes on the Marketplace. Users can now effortlessly compare seller bids side-by-side or customize to select specific information for comparison in an Excel document.
The ability to quickly download this document is critical for DoD organizations entering the government's busy buying season and is a fresh complement to the Marketplace PDF Buy Package—which documents all actions within the competition process, including vendor offers (now with all attachments embedded), vendor SAM information, pricing competition graphic and more.
June 5th marked the new features' production release, and users have already expressed the ease of use and time-saving capabilities.
About Unison
Unison is committed to transforming the way governments work. As the leading provider of software and insights to government agencies, program offices, and contractors worldwide, Unison provides government professionals with the tools they need to make informed decisions, generating greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability. To learn more about Unison, please visit https://www.unisonglobal.com/
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SOURCE Unison | 2023-07-13T12:36:54+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/13/unison-marketplace-launches-new-automation-capabilities-user-friendly-features-save-contracting-officers-hours-work/ |
- Total revenues of $844.1 million ($850.7 million on an adjusted basis) compared to $818.8 million ($807.2 million on an adjusted basis) in the prior year quarter
- Net income of $61.7 million ($70.4 million on an adjusted basis) compared to $94.8 million ($86.0 million on an adjusted basis) in the prior year quarter
- Diluted EPS of $2.26 ($2.58 on an adjusted basis) compared to prior year quarter diluted EPS of $3.50 ($3.17 on an adjusted basis)
HOUSTON, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE: STC) today reported net income attributable to Stewart for the second quarter 2022 of $61.7 million ($2.26 per diluted share), compared to net income attributable to Stewart of $94.8 million ($3.50 per diluted share) for the second quarter 2021. On an adjusted basis, Stewart's second quarter 2022 net income was $70.4 million ($2.58 per diluted share) compared to $86.0 million ($3.17 per diluted share) in the second quarter 2021. Second quarter 2022 pretax income before noncontrolling interests was $86.8 million ($98.2 million on adjusted basis) compared to pretax income before noncontrolling interests of $129.5 million ($117.8 million on adjusted basis) for the second quarter 2021.
Second quarter 2022 results included $11.9 million of pretax net realized and unrealized losses, primarily related to net unrealized losses on fair value changes of equity securities investments. Second quarter 2021 results included $11.7 million of pretax net realized and unrealized gains, primarily related to realized gains from sales of buildings and net unrealized gains on fair value changes of equity securities investments.
"Our second quarter results reflect the continuation of a transitioning market which began in the first quarter," commented Fred Eppinger, chief executive officer. "Notwithstanding these market conditions, our results reflect the fundamental changes we have made to our operating approach and competitive position as we maintained strong operating margins. We believe Stewart is positioned to perform throughout this changing market and the entire real estate cycle, and we continue to invest in our business to improve our operating performance and take advantage of any market opportunities."
Selected Financial Information
Summary results of operations are as follows (dollars in millions, except per share amounts, and amounts may not foot as presented due to rounding):
Title Segment
Summary results of the title segment are as follows (dollars in millions, except pretax margin):
The title segment's operating revenues in the second quarter 2022 increased by $17.2 million, or 2 percent, compared to the second quarter 2021, primarily due to increased agency operations revenues of $19.6 million, or 5 percent, partially offset by $2.4 million, or 1 percent, lower revenues from direct title operations. Overall segment operating expenses in the second quarter 2022 increased $38.0 million, or 6 percent, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by 6 percent higher agency retention expenses on higher agency revenues, and 9 percent higher combined title employee costs and other operating expenses, primarily due to recent acquisitions. Average independent agency remittance rate in the second quarter 2022 was 17.1 percent, compared to 17.5 percent in the second quarter 2021. As a percentage of operating revenues, combined title employee costs and other operating expenses was 38.3 percent in the second quarter 2022 compared to 35.9 percent in the second quarter 2021.
Title loss expense in the second quarter 2022 decreased 21 percent to $26.4 million from $33.6 million in the second quarter 2021, primarily due to favorable claims experience. As a percentage of title revenues, title loss expense in the second quarter 2022 was 3.5 percent compared to 4.5 percent in the prior year quarter. For the full year 2022, we anticipate our title losses will be approximately 4 percent of title revenues.
The segment's net realized and unrealized gains in the second quarter 2022 primarily included $9.9 million of net unrealized losses on fair value changes of equity securities investments, partially offset by a $1.0 million gain related to an acquisition contingent liability adjustment, while net realized and unrealized gains in the second quarter 2021 were primarily related to net unrealized gains on fair value changes of equity securities investments. Investment income in the second quarter 2022 increased compared to the second quarter 2021, primarily as a result of increased dividend income from investments in the second quarter 2022.
Direct title revenues information is presented below (dollars in millions):
Total non-commercial revenues declined $16.0 million, or 5 percent, as a result of lower residential purchase and refinancing transactions during the second quarter 2022 compared to the prior year quarter. Domestic commercial revenues increased $13.3 million, or 25 percent, in the second quarter 2022, primarily due to increased commercial transaction size and volume compared to the prior year quarter. Domestic commercial and residential fees per file in the second quarter 2022 were approximately $13,100 and $2,900, respectively, compared to $11,200 and $2,200, respectively, in the second quarter 2021. Total international revenues in the second quarter 2022 decreased by $4.4 million, or 8 percent, primarily as a result of lower transaction volumes in our Canadian operations and weaker foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar compared to the prior year quarter.
Real Estate Solutions Segment
Summary results of the real estate solutions segment are as follows (dollars in millions):
Pretax income for the segment improved in the second quarter 2022, compared to the prior year quarter, as a result of $24.7 million, or 42 percent, higher operating revenues resulting from acquisitions. Total operating expenses increased $20.8 million, or 37 percent, consistent with increased revenues and higher purchased intangible asset amortization expenses in the second quarter 2022 compared to the prior year quarter. Total intangible asset amortization expenses in the second quarters 2022 and 2021 were $6.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Excluding these amortization expenses, pretax margin for the segment was 14.7 percent in the second quarter 2022, compared to 6.6 percent in the prior year quarter.
Corporate and Other Segment
Summary results of the corporate and other segment are as follows (dollars in millions):
Net expenses attributable to corporate operations in the second quarter 2022 were $10.2 million, compared to $5.9 million in the second quarter 2021, with the increase primarily driven by higher interest expense resulting from debt issued in the fourth quarter 2021. Realized gains and losses for the second quarters 2022 and 2021 were primarily related to disposition of assets.
Expenses
Consolidated employee costs in the second quarter 2022 increased $21.8 million, or 12 percent, compared to the second quarter 2021, primarily due to increased salaries and employee benefits on 17 percent higher average employee count resulting from acquisitions, partially offset by lower incentive compensation. As a percentage of total operating revenues, consolidated employee costs for the second quarter 2022 were 24.8 percent compared to 23.5 percent in the second quarter 2021.
Total other operating expenses in the second quarter 2022 increased $24.2 million, or 18 percent, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by increased service expenses related to higher real estate solutions revenues and higher technology costs. As a percentage of total operating revenues, consolidated other operating expenses for the second quarter 2022 were 19.1 percent compared to 17.2 percent in the second quarter 2021, primarily influenced by the increased size of our real estate solutions operations which typically have higher other operating expenses.
Other
Net cash provided by operations in the second quarter 2022 decreased to $83.3 million, compared to net cash provided by operations of $103.0 million in the second quarter 2021, primarily due to lower net income in the second quarter 2022.
Second Quarter Earnings Call
Stewart will hold a conference call to discuss the second quarter 2022 earnings at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 28, 2022. To participate, dial (800) 343-4136 (USA) or (203) 518-9848 (International) - access code STCQ222. Additionally, participants can listen to the conference call through Stewart's Investor Relations website at http://investors.stewart.com/news-and-events/events/default.aspx. The conference call replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on July 28, 2022 until midnight on August 4, 2022, by dialing (800) 925-9941 or (402) 220-5395 (International) - the access code is also STCQ222.
About Stewart
Stewart (NYSE:STC) is a global real estate services company, offering products and services through our direct operations, network of Stewart Trusted Providers™ and family of companies. From residential and commercial title insurance and closing and settlement services to specialized offerings for the mortgage industry, we offer the comprehensive service, deep expertise and solutions our customers need for any real estate transaction. More information can be found at http://www.stewart.com, subscribe to the Stewart blog at http://blog.stewart.com or follow Stewart on Twitter® @stewarttitleco.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements. Certain statements in this earnings release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements relate to future, not past, events and often address our expected future business and financial performance. These statements often contain words such as "may," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "will," "foresee" or other similar words. Forward-looking statements by their nature are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the volatility of economic conditions, including the duration and ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; adverse changes in the level of real estate activity; changes in mortgage interest rates, existing and new home sales, and availability of mortgage financing; our ability to respond to and implement technology changes, including the completion of the implementation of our enterprise systems; the impact of unanticipated title losses or the need to strengthen our policy loss reserves; any effect of title losses on our cash flows and financial condition; the ability to attract and retain highly productive sales associates; the impact of vetting our agency operations for quality and profitability; independent agency remittance rates; changes to the participants in the secondary mortgage market and the rate of refinancing that affects the demand for title insurance products; regulatory non-compliance, fraud or defalcations by our title insurance agencies or employees; our ability to timely and cost-effectively respond to significant industry changes and introduce new products and services; the outcome of pending litigation; the impact of changes in governmental and insurance regulations, including any future reductions in the pricing of title insurance products and services; our dependence on our operating subsidiaries as a source of cash flow; our ability to access the equity and debt financing markets when and if needed; our ability to grow our international operations; seasonality and weather; and our ability to respond to the actions of our competitors. These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in more detail in our documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and if applicable, as supplemented by any risk factors contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed subsequently. All forward-looking statements included in this earnings release are expressly qualified in their entirety by such cautionary statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by applicable law.
ST-IR
Appendix A
Non-GAAP Adjustments
Management uses a variety of financial and operational measurements other than its financial statements prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to analyze its performance. These include: (1) adjusted revenues, which are reported revenues adjusted for net realized and unrealized gains and losses, and other adjustments (sold real estate brokerage company), and (2) adjusted pretax income and adjusted net income, which are reported pretax income and reported net income after earnings from noncontrolling interests, respectively, adjusted for net realized and unrealized gains and losses, and other adjustments. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (adjusted diluted EPS) is calculated using adjusted net income divided by the diluted average weighted outstanding shares. Management views these measures as important performance measures of core profitability for its operations and as key components of its internal financial reporting. Management believes investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that management uses.
Below is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measurements used by management to the most directly comparable GAAP measures for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts, and amounts may not foot as presented due to rounding).
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SOURCE Stewart Information Services Corporation | 2022-07-27T22:02:26+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/stewart-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ |
NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Loro Piana presented the new Cocooning Collection and celebrated the launch with Mytheresa as the exclusive e-commerce partner. The event was hosted by Kirsty Hume with a special ceramics workshop by Jane Yang-D'Haene at The Greenwich Hotel's Tribeca Penthouse.
Now available to shop at LoroPiana.com and Mytheresa.com.
Guests included:
Kirsty Hume
Tara Thomas
Hannah Bronfman
Marie Von Behrens
Charlotte Groeneveld
Vanessa Fuchs
Michelle Li
Olivia Ponton
Leandra Medine Cohen
Jacquelyn Jablonski
Coco Bassey
Sai De Silva
Charly Sturm
Marina Ingvarsson
Anaa Saber
Beverly Nguyen
Abi Hoffman
Julie Ragolia
Violette Serrat
Kate Lanphear
Becky Malinsky
MaryKate Boylan
Sarah Zendejas
Kia Goosby
Dale Chong
Tilly Macalister-Smith
Loro Piana operates in the high-end luxury goods sector and has made uncompromising quality its mission. Offering the most discerning clients Italian-made clothing and accessories fashioned from the finest raw materials in the world, through an international network of directly operated stores, exclusive multi-brand retailers and the loropiana.com e-shop. Six generations of experience in the textile industry have converted Loro Piana into masters in the creation of high-end fabrics and fibres, placing them in the position of market leaders. Their vertical integration is the best guarantee of access to research, the most select raw materials and control over processes that combine the most modern technology with Italian craft and sartorial tradition.
Mytheresa is one of the leading global luxury fashion e-commerce platforms shipping to over 130 countries. Founded as a boutique in 1987, Mytheresa launched online in 2006 and offers ready-to-wear, shoes, bags and accessories for womenswear, menswear and kidswear. The highly curated edit of over 200 brands focuses on true luxury brands such as Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, Loewe, Loro Piana, Moncler, Prada, Saint Laurent, Valentino, and many more. Mytheresa's unique digital experience is based on a sharp focus on high-end luxury shoppers, exclusive product and content offerings, leading technology and analytical platforms as well as high quality service operations. The NYSE listed company reported €612.1 million net sales (+36.2% vs. FY20) in its first fiscal year as a public company (https://investors.mytheresa.com).
Contact: Aaron Alexander, aaron.alexander@mytheresa.com
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SOURCE Mytheresa | 2022-10-14T20:20:35+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/10/14/loro-piana-amp-mytheresa-celebrate-launch-cocooning-collection-new-york/ |
Thanksgiving travel trouble could be ahead with intensifying storm headed toward the South and East
Thanksgiving is only two days away — and if you are one of the more than 50 million people packing bags now to get ready to hit the roads or skies — there may be a few weather issues that could snarl your travel plans.
While much of the country will experience a tranquil Thanksgiving week, large portions of the South could be impacted on Thanksgiving Day and the entire East Coast could be in for some rough weather as travelers return after Thanksgiving.
Where the rain and snow will be Tuesday and Wednesday
Getting to your Thanksgiving destination will likely be easier than coming home — at least as far as the weather goes.
The only real trouble spot to start the holiday travel will be across the Pacific Northwest.
A cold front is making its way across the region on Tuesday, bringing showers, mountain snow and gusty winds. The rain will persist through much of the day and into Wednesday before the weather starts to dry out.
Torrential rain isn't expected with this system, and airlines shouldn't have a problem, but drivers should use caution.
The biggest issue for road travelers will be mountain passes.
"Winter weather advisories for the Central and North Cascades have been issued with 6 to 12 inches of snow expected" above 3,000 feet, the National Weather Service in Seattle said.
Stevens Pass is expected to get the most snow and driving could be treacherous.
The snow will also be pushing into Idaho where they could get up to 2 inches, with 5 inches at higher elevations.
The snow and rain should be out of the region before Thanksgiving Day. That's when a much bigger storm will start to take shape in the South.
Thanksgiving storm in the South
A storm system will begin to develop on Thanksgiving Day over the Southern Plains and pull in moisture along the Gulf Coast.
While most of Thanksgiving Day will stay dry, rain will begin to fall and intensify through the afternoon for much of Central and East Texas as well as Louisiana, Arkansas and the Lower Mississippi River Valley.
Cities including Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Tennessee, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Little Rock, Arkansas, could start to see rain as the day progresses.
"Are you thankful for rain?" Asked weather service forecasters in Houston. "Because how willing you are to answer yes to that question will probably play a pretty big role in how much you enjoy the holiday on Thursday."
They are right. The forecast looks wet for much of the South on Thanksgiving Day, with some areas across eastern Texas and central Louisiana getting more than 2 inches. Areas along the Texas coast could also see a few thunderstorms.
"Unfortunately, this could put a damper on some of your Thanksgiving cookout/cooking plans, as a lot of this rain looks to be heavy at times," the weather service in Shreveport said.
Not only could it be a wet afternoon for football across many backyards throughout the South, but rain and even a rumble of thunder could impact the annual Dallas Cowboys game on Thanksgiving Day.
While the timing of the rain might be a bummer, nearly 70% of the South is in drought conditions, so the rain is something to be thankful for.
On the western side of this system, snow could fall across portions of the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles.
"A dynamic upper-level system is forecast to potentially bring impactful winter weather to the Plains region beginning Thanksgiving and may continue into Saturday morning," the weather service in Amarillo said. "Snow, mixed precipitation, and rain are all possible during this timeframe which could greatly impact any holiday related travel."
Some models are suggesting as much as a foot of snow could fall in this region between Thursday and Saturday.
Post-Thanksgiving storm could create travel woes
The area of low pressure bringing Thanksgiving rain to the South will make its way to the East for post-Thanksgiving travelers. The rainfall will expand on Friday, stretching from the Canadian border to the Gulf Coast.
Anywhere from New Orleans to Cleveland, Atlanta to Boston and even areas around Buffalo that are digging out of 80 inches of snow will have the chance of rain on Friday.
This quick shot of rain will make its way off the East Coast by late Friday night, ahead of the main event.
Another area of low pressure will march up the Eastern Seaboard later in the weekend and it could bring some major travel concerns.
This storm "will bring potential for a quick hitting moderate to heavy rainfall Saturday night/Sunday (heavy rain axis dependent on low track and rate of intensification) in addition to gusty winds in its wake late Sunday into Monday," the weather service office in New York City said.
Details are still being fine-tuned with this one, with uncertainty still looming, but we could see very heavy rains spread across the entire Northeast and New England for the second half of the weekend.
Some good news: There's no snow forecast except for a possibility at some of the highest elevations across New England. But the cold rain could definitely be enough to slow your return travel home.
Thanksgiving Day temperatures and Macy's Parade forecast
Much of the East will stay pretty mild for Thanksgiving Day with temperatures in the 50s and 60s for most of the South, the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic.
The Northeast will stay in the 40s and 50s for the most part.
New York City should see lows in the mid-30s on Thanksgiving, with highs around 50. Sunny skies and light winds should prevail allowing for the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons to fly high.
Most of the Plains and Midwest will see temperatures in the 40s and 50s with the exception of the northernmost areas where temperatures will be in the 30s.
The Rockies will stay in the 30s and 40s while much of the West will be in the 50s and 60s — with even some 70s mixed in. | 2022-11-22T23:46:02+00:00 | wyff4.com | https://www.wyff4.com/article/thanksgiving-travel-trouble-could-be-ahead-with-intensifying-storm-headed-toward-the-south-and-east/42040729 |
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NuVasive, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUVA), the leader in spine technology innovation, focused on transforming spine surgery with minimally disruptive, procedurally integrated solutions, announced today that Chief Executive Officer Chris Barry will participate in the 41st Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 7:30 a.m. PT.
A live webcast of the presentation will be available online from the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at www.nuvasive.com. After the live webcast, a replay of the presentation will remain available on the website for 30 days.
NuVasive, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUVA) is the leader in spine technology innovation, with a mission to transform surgery, advance care, and change lives. The Company's less-invasive, procedurally integrated surgical solutions are designed to deliver reproducible and clinically proven outcomes. The Company's comprehensive procedural portfolio includes surgical access instruments, spinal implants, fixation systems, biologics, software for surgical planning, navigation and imaging solutions, magnetically adjustable implant systems for spine and orthopedics, and intraoperative neuromonitoring technology and service offerings. With more than $1 billion in net sales, NuVasive operates in more than 50 countries serving surgeons, hospitals, and patients. For more information, please visit www.nuvasive.com.
NuVasive cautions you that statements included in this news release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause NuVasive's results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties which contribute to the uncertain nature of these statements include, among others, risks associated with acceptance of the Company's surgical products and procedures by spine surgeons and hospitals, development and acceptance of new products or product enhancements, clinical and statistical verification of the benefits achieved via the use of NuVasive's products, the Company's ability to adequately manage inventory as it continues to release new products, its ability to recruit and retain management and key personnel, and the other risks and uncertainties described in NuVasive's news releases and periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NuVasive's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at www.sec.gov. NuVasive assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made.
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SOURCE NuVasive, Inc. | 2022-12-12T13:00:04+00:00 | live5news.com | https://www.live5news.com/prnewswire/2022/12/12/nuvasive-participate-41st-annual-jp-morgan-healthcare-conference/ |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The words “impressive” and “awesome” were common refrains from a group of entertainment reporters who were among the first to see the upcoming DC superhero movie “The Flash.”
Warner Bros. screened the film for the first time at CinemaCon Tuesday for theater owners, exhibitors and reporters attending the annual trade show and industry conference.
Reviews are embargoed until a later date – the film, the studio said, is not completely finished – but viewers were able to post reactions on social media as soon as the credits rolled.
Brian Welk of Indiewire wrote that “it played very well,” pointing out that there were more than a few screams and gasps in the packed theater.
Film critic Jordan Hoffman tweeted that it was, “far more madcap than I expected. Really nailed what reading a 5-issue crossover comic book is like. Tons of Ezra Miller being zany and time paradox stuff. Nerds will lose their minds at the ending.”
“The Playlist’s” Greg Ellwood wrote that it was “very good” and that Miller was “great,” while Scott Mantz went a step further declaring that it’s “one of the very best DC movies, a perfect blend of action, heart & humor.”
Erik Davis, of Fandango, wrote on Twitter that it is “tremendous” and that it is “without a doubt among the best superhero films ever made. An all-timer. Inventive storytelling, FANTASTIC action sequences, great cast. SO MANY nerdy details.”
Jason Guerrasio, of Business Insider, had a more tempered reaction, writing that it is “def not the best superhero movie ever made … but it’s an impressive DC movie with lots of emotion and loads of surprises.”
“The Flash,” directed by Andy Muschietti, is one of the studio’s biggest films of the year. In the film, Barry Allen uses his superpowers to go back in time in an attempt to change the past and save his parents. But things go awry and he finds himself stuck in a very different reality where Michael Shannon’s General Zod is back and Batman is not the Batman he knows (Ben Affleck’s version). Widely available trailers have already revealed that the new Batman he encounters is Michael Keaton’s version.
After the box office disappointment of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” earlier this year, the hope is that “The Flash,” which reportedly carries a $200 million budget, will reach blockbuster heights when it opens in theaters on June 16.
The long-planned standalone about The Flash/Barry Allen has also been the subject of much discussion because of its star Ezra Miller, who made headlines last year for a string of arrests and erratic behavior.
Miller was arrested twice last year in Hawaii, for disorderly conduct and harassment at a karaoke bar and then for second-degree assault. The parents of 18-year-old Tokata Iron Eyes, a Native American activist, last year filed a protection order against Miller, accusing the actor of grooming their child and other inappropriate behavior with her as a minor from the age of 12. Tokata Iron Eyes has disputed that.
Miller, who identifies as non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns, said last year that they were seeking mental health treatment.
The development of a standalone Flash movie has been in the works for almost 10 years. In one plan, announced at Comic Con in 2014, an Ezra Miller Flash movie would have hit theaters in 2018. Muschietti wouldn’t even be attached to direct until 2019.
Warner Bros. has, throughout Miller’s personal troubles and the shelving of “Batgirl,” remained steadfast in its plans to release the “The Flash.”
And though plans are already underway for a new future for DC Studios, “The Flash” has been one that the new regime of James Gunn and Peter Safran have seemed particularly excited about. Gunn said it was, “One of the best superhero films I’ve ever seen.” And Warner Bros. Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav even boasted that Tom Cruise saw and loved the film so much that he called Muschietti himself to congratulate him. | 2023-04-26T10:39:40+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/entertainment-news/first-reactions-to-the-flash-starring-ezra-miller/ |
(NEXSTAR) — From the slew of emotional faces to the countless country flags, there are more than 3,600 emojis on your smartphone. That doesn’t include the roughly two dozen that are expected to become available in the coming months.
Though it likely takes you mere moments to find the perfect emoji to express how you’re feeling, the process of becoming an approved emoji isn’t so easy.
To understand the process, we’ve got to go back over 30 years to the early 1990s. That’s when the Unicode Consortium, now known as Unicode, was started in Silicon Valley. The organization was intended to create a universal character set to be used by our developing technology, with early founders working for Xerox and Apple.
“Unicode decided to create a standard that, thankfully, the majority of the global community adheres to to ensure that the letter A will always be the letter A, across all of our digital devices, all of our Arabic numbers – 1, 2, 3, 4, those symbols – are represented correctly across these devices,” Keith Broni, the editor-in-chief of Emojipedia.org tells Nexstar. Emojipedia serves as both a dictionary and an encyclopedia to research and monitor emojis.
Vendors such as Apple, Google, and Facebook are now members of Unicode and send staff to help run the organization. Apple and Google, according to Broni, were key drivers in Unicode encoding characters that have become well-used in our digital communication: emojis.
In 2010, Unicode encoded its first-ever set of emojis. This included many faces, animals, hand signals, and other more basic characters. These were largely inspired by the sets that already existed in Japanese mobile phones, which were initially created in Japan in the late 1990s (hence why you can find a map of Japan — 🗾 — in your emoji library).
Apple users were among the first to experience the initial round of emojis, according to Broni. Then Google began to support emoji use within Android devices and Samsung began creating its own style of emojis, as did Microsoft.
Technically speaking, an emoji is comprised of a sequence of one or more Unicode characters. But even the most innocent of them — take the otter (🦦) or the VHS tape (📼) — has to go through an intense process before it becomes an emoji on your digital device.
First, Unicode invites the public — meaning you — to propose a new emoji. The proposal process is explained in detail by Unicode here, but selection is basically dependent on whether the image will work at the small size emojis appear as, adds to what can we can communicate, and would likely be used by a large number of people.
A draft list of emojis is expected to be approved by Unicode on September 13, meaning we’ll have new emojis within a few months, if not sooner. One of those is expected to be a plain pink heart emoji.
‘Pink Heart’ has been one of the most requested emojis, Broni says. It should look like the other heart emojis already available, such as the blue (💙) or orange (🧡) hearts.
It’s also important to note that once an emoji has been created and added to our libraries, it will, likely, never be removed. According to Broni, the basis of Unicode is to make our digital text readable by devices around the globe forever, and removing an emoji from our library would make such text unreadable. Emojis can, though, be updated, like the pistol or certain faces.
Regardless of how often they’re updated or how realistic they are, there are some emojis you may never use. Even Unicode Emoji subcommittee chair Jennifer Daniel has said the emoji keyboard can sometimes feel “like a junk drawer.”
“There are certain objects in there that maybe shouldn’t be an emoji, certain symbols, etcetera,” Broni says. This may include the aforementioned VHS tape, a trackball mouse (🖲), or maybe even the DVD (📀). In hindsight, they may be a bit of clutter in our phones, but these have helped Unicode better determine what sort of emojis will be useful further down the road, and whether certain proposed eemojis are worth adding.
If, despite the more than 3,600 emojis already available at your fingertips, there’s one you wish existed — like a desk or peanut butter or a bowl of mashed potatoes — you can make it happen. You may want to check Unicode’s list of emojis that have already been submitted.
Some of the recently proposed and declined ideas include an almond, a marijuana leaf, a solar panel, a wine bottle, and a 3D printer.
Unicode accepts emoji proposals between early April and late July each year. | 2022-09-10T15:06:48+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/from-the-smiling-face-to-the-vhs-tape-how-an-emoji-becomes-an-emoji/ |
Florida education leaders focusing on helping low-performing schools
The State Board of Education on Thursday heard from school districts with low-performing schools on how they plan to turn those schools around.
Among the districts that presented turnaround plans was Orange County, which had three schools rated F last year.
They include Catalina Elementary, Pineloch Elementary and Washington Shores Elementary.
Orange County school officials say one of the main reasons that these three schools slipped from a C to an F grade was the pandemic.
Superintendent Maria Vazquez says the pandemic not only interrupted learning, but all three F schools are Title 1, meaning many of the students already face some social and economic disadvantages.
There were also more teacher shortages at those schools than others in the district.
"The number of vacancies that we had at the school and the number of staff that was brand new or new to teaching coupled with the fragileness of our children in that area was something that impacted them with the grade of an F,” Vazquez said.
The schools have since been placed under the leadership of the county's school transformation office, which says it has filled all teacher vacancies, hired two new principals, and is providing lots of extra structure and support.
"There are content coaches available to help with professional development, on the job coaching. We also have added interventionists so that they have additional certified teachers that are able to assist not only the classroom teachers but help kids where we are bridging the learning loss,” Vazquez said.
Vazquez says she's confident the changes will turn the schools around.
The state board signed off on Orange County's plan. | 2022-10-21T00:08:02+00:00 | wesh.com | https://www.wesh.com/article/florida-school-improvement-plans/41726445 |
WASHINGTON — Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow was sitting in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s conference room at the Pentagon, listening to him make the case that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
“There was not enough information to persuade me that they in fact had any connection with what happened on Sept. 11, or that there was justification to attack,” Stabenow said in a recent interview, referring to the 2001 attacks that were one part of the Bush administration’s underlying argument for the Iraq invasion.
“I really thought about the young men and women that we would be sending into battle,” she said. “I have a son and a daughter — would I vote to send them to war based on this evidence? In the end the answer for me was no.”
As with many of her colleagues, Stabenow’s “nay” vote in the early morning hours of Oct. 11, 2002, didn’t come without political risk. The Bush administration and many of the Democrat’s swing-state constituents strongly believed that the United States should go to war in Iraq, and lawmakers knew that the House and Senate votes on whether to authorize force would be hugely consequential.
Indeed, the bipartisan votes in the House and Senate that month were a grave moment in American history that would reverberate for decades — the Bush administration’s central allegations of weapons programs eventually proved baseless, the Middle East was permanently altered and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war. Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
Only now, 20 years after the Iraq invasion in March 2003, is Congress seriously considering walking it back, with a Senate vote expected this week to repeal the 2002 and 1991 authorizations of force against Iraq. Bipartisan supporters say the repeal is years overdue, with Saddam’s regime long gone and Iraq now a strategic partner of the United States.
For senators who cast votes two decades ago, it is a full-circle moment that prompts a mixture of sadness, regret and reflection. Many consider it the hardest vote they ever took.
The vote was “premised on the biggest lie ever told in American history,” said Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, then a House member who voted in favor of the war authorization. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said that “all of us that voted for it probably are slow to admit” that the weapons of mass destruction did not exist. But he defends the vote based on what they knew then. “There was reason to be fearful” of Saddam and what he could have done if he did have the weapons, Grassley said.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, then a House member who was running for the Senate, says the war will have been worth it if Iraq succeeds in becoming a democracy.
“What can you say 20 years later?” Graham said this past week, reflecting on his own vote in favor. “Intelligence was faulty.”
Another “yes” vote on the Senate floor that night was New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, now Senate majority leader. With the vote coming a year after Sept. 11 devastated his hometown, he says he believed then that the president deserved the benefit of the doubt when a nation is under attack.
“Of course, with the luxury of hindsight, it’s clear that the president bungled the war from start to finish and should not have ever been given that benefit,” Schumer said in a statement. “Now, with the war firmly behind us, we’re one step closer to putting the war powers back where they belong — in the hands of Congress.”
Twenty years later, support has flipped. Then, only 28 senators voted against the authorization. All but one were Democrats. Today, roughly the same number of senators are voting against nullifying the 2002 and 1991 measures, arguing that repeal could project weakness to U.S. enemies and hamper future operations. But all of the opponents are Republicans.
Among those Republicans voting in favor of repeal is Grassley. He said withdrawing the war authorization would prevent those powers from being misinterpreted and abused in the future.
In 2002, the Bush administration worked aggressively to drum up support for invading Iraq by promoting what turned out to be false intelligence claims about Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction. Lawmakers attended briefing after briefing with military leaders and White House officials, in groups and in one-on-one conversations, as the administration applied political pressure on Democrats, in particular.
In the end, the vote was strongly bipartisan, with Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., and others backing Bush’s request.
Joe Biden also voted in favor as a senator from Delaware, and now supports repealing it as president.
Other senior Democrats urged opposition. In one of many speeches on the Senate floor that invoked the country’s history, the late Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.V., urged his colleagues to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall, where “nearly every day you will find someone at that wall weeping for a loved one, a father, a son, a brother, a friend, whose name is on that wall.”
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., issued a similar warning during the floor debate, saying he believed that anxiety and fear may be driving sentiment for an Iraq invasion. “I caution and beg my colleagues to think twice about that,” Durbin said, adding that “America has faced periods of fear in its past.”
Now the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, Durbin recalled on the Senate floor earlier this month his vote against the resolution amid a “fearsome national debate” over whether the U.S. should invade Iraq. The threat of weapons of mass destruction “was beaten into our heads day after day,” Durbin said. “But many of us were skeptical.”
“I look back on it, as I am sure others do, as one of the most important votes that I ever cast,” Durbin said.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., agrees that at the time, “I remember thinking this is the most serious thing I can ever do.”
She says the environment was charged with an “emotional pressure” in the public and in the media that the U.S. needed to show Iraq and the world that it was tough. She voted against the resolution after deciding there was not enough evidence to support the Bush administration’s argument, and after talking to many of her constituents at home who opposed the idea of an Iraq invasion.
For many lawmakers, the political pressure was intense. Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, then a House member and now the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says he was “excoriated” at home for his “no” vote, after the Sept. 11 attacks had killed so many from his state. He made the right decision, he says, but “it was fraught with political challenges.”
Similarly, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., recalls that the idea of invading Iraq was popular at home, and the state’s other senator, Republican Gordon Smith, was supporting it, as were Daschle and other influential Democrats. But he was a new member of the intelligence committee, with regular access to closed-door briefings by administration officials. He wasn’t convinced by their arguments, and voted no.
“It was really a dramatic moment in American history,” Wyden says. “You wish you could just unravel it and have another chance.”
Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., then a freshman senator who also voted against the resolution, says the war “made no sense strategically” and took the country’s focus off the troops waging war in Afghanistan. “Just absolutely bad strategy,” he says, that also contributed to the buildup of other powerful countries like China and Russia.
For those who voted for the invasion, the reflection can be more difficult.
Hillary Clinton, a Democratic senator from New York at the time, was forced to defend her vote as she ran for president twice, and eventually called it a mistake and her “greatest regret.” Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin solemnly told an Iowa PBS station several years ago that his vote in the Senate to authorize force in Iraq was “the worst vote I ever cast in my life.”
Markey says “I regret relying upon” Bush and his vice president, Dick Cheney, along with other administration officials. “It was a mistake to rely upon the Bush administration for telling the truth,” Markey said in a brief interview last week.
Graham says he spoke to Bush last week on an unrelated matter, but that they also discussed the war’s anniversary.
“I told him, ‘Mr. President, Iraq has not retreated from democracy,’” Graham said. “’It has been imperfect. But if at the end of the day, Saddam Hussein is eliminated and a democracy takes his place that can work with the United States, that is worth it. It turned out to be in America’s interest.’”
Bush’s reply was uncertain.
“He said he believes that history will judge whether or not Iraq can maintain its path to democracy,” Graham said. | 2023-03-27T05:39:24+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/03/27/2002-iraq-war-vote-senate-authorization-reflection/dbf7b934-cc55-11ed-8907-156f0390d081_story.html |
Veteran emissary Richardson hopeful for Griner, Whelan swap
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, said Tuesday he was hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in Russia’s release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.
In cases like this, Richardson said in an interview with The Associated Press, “it’s proportional — two-for two.”
Richardson, who traveled to Russia in advance of the release by Moscow of Marine veteran Trevor Reed in an April prisoner swap, declined to discuss the current status of negotiations with Russia over Griner or Whelan or to explain what role he may be playing in the talks.
But he said he felt “relatively positive” for several reasons. For one, the conclusion of the criminal case against Griner last week — she was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges — provides an opening for diplomatic negotiations to begin in earnest. Plus, he said, the U.S. and Russia have already shown a willingness to carry out prisoner swaps, as evidenced by the Reed exchange. And Griner’s strategy of expressing contrition before a Russian court was important.
“And that is why I think a two-for-two deal is hopefully a likely outcome,” Richardson said.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken took the unusual step of revealing publicly last month that the U.S. in June made a “substantial proposal” to get Griner and Whelan home. He did not elaborate, but the AP and other news organizations have reported that the U.S. has offered to free Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. and once earned the nickname the “Merchant of Death.”
Russia made a counteroffer that the U.S. did not regard as serious, the White House has said.
It is not clear which other Russian could be included in a two-for-two deal, assuming it happens.
Griner, the most prominent American jailed by a foreign government, has acknowledged there were vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage when she was arrested at a Moscow airport in February. But she insisted that she had no criminal intent and that the canisters ended up in her luggage because she was packing hastily. Griner played for a Russian women’s basketball team in the WNBA off-season.
Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison on espionage-related charges he and his family say are manufactured. The U.S. government regards both him and Griner as wrongful detainees.
Though Richardson said he was cautiously optimistic, and even though there is recent precedent for prisoner swaps, such deals aren’t easy.
“The relationship between the United States and Russia is quite toxic,” he said. “The geopolitical differences many times override the humanitarian issues that we need to deal with.”
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Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-09T18:30:58+00:00 | foxcarolina.com | https://www.foxcarolina.com/2022/08/09/veteran-emissary-richardson-hopeful-griner-whelan-swap/ |
By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ and LISA MASCARO
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in her first public appearance since the brutal attack on her husband, rallied grassroots activists Friday, saying the midterm elections for control of Congress are a fight for democracy and “very winnable.”
“People say to me, ‘What can I do to make you feel better?’ I say: ‘Vote!’” Pelosi told those on the call.
“I believe that this race is very winnable,” Pelosi said.
Her voice cracked at times as she said of her husband’s recovery, “It’s going to be a long haul.”
Pelosi thanked those on a video call for the outpouring of support for Paul Pelosi, 82, who suffered a fractured skull and other injuries after an intruder broke into their San Francisco home late last week and bludgeoned him with a hammer in what authorities say was an intentional and political attack.
The Democratic leader spoke in the early morning from California, where her husband was released from the hospital late Thursday, her voice breaking throughout the lengthy but upbeat address.
“What we are doing is not only to win an election, but this is to strengthen our democracy,” Pelosi said. “There is no question that our democracy is on the ballot.”
The speaker’s comments come as Democrats are facing a stiff fight for control of Congress in the midterm elections Tuesday, as energized Republicans are working to flip the House and Senate and end Democratic hold on Washington.
David DePape, 42, is being held without bail on state charges of attempted murder, burglary and elder abuse. DePape’s public defender, Adam Lipson, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf earlier this week and has pledged to vigorously defend him. Lipson declined to comment Friday.
At a hearing Friday, a San Francisco judge disclosed that she had worked with Speaker Pelosi’s daughter in the 1990s, giving prosecutors and the public defender’s office the opportunity to object to her role in the case.
Judge Loretta “Lori” Giorgi said she and Christine Pelosi had worked together in the San Francisco city attorney’s office in the 1990s but had not interacted in years. Christine is one of the Pelosis’ five adult children and while she has never held elected office, she’s considered to be a potential successor when Pelosi retires from her House seat.
In court filings released earlier this week, officials said DePape broke into the home, carrying zip ties, tape and a rope in a backpack. He woke up Paul Pelosi and demanded to talk to “Nancy,” who was out of town. Two officers who raced to the home after Paul Pelosi’s 911 call witnessed DePape hit him in the head with the hammer.
No one objected during Friday’s hearing to Giorgi’s ties to the Pelosi family but either side could in the future and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the case might be heard by another judge regardless. The public defender’s office did not immediately have a comment.
“I do want to make a disclosure on the record that the daughter of Mr. Pelosi, Christine Pelosi, and I were in the city attorney’s office together in the 90s,” Giorgi told the court. “And I have disclosed to counsel the interactions that I had when she and I were together. I haven’t seen or heard or talked to Ms. Pelosi after she left the office. I do see her here today.”
Giorgi worked in the city attorney’s office from 1985 to 2006, when she was appointed to the bench. She rose to the rank of deputy city attorney and was the office’s public integrity chief.
Christine Pelosi attended Friday’s hearing but seemed to leave through a back door in order to avoid media waiting in the hallway. She entered the courtroom right before the proceeding started and sat in the front row away from reporters.
Christine Pelosi is active in California and national Democratic politics. In 2019, she released a book about her mother titled “The Nancy Pelosi Way.” In 2017, as chair of the California Democratic Party’s women’s caucus, she was actively involved in the #MeToo movement as it took shape in the state capital.
The city attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for details of Giorgi and Christine Pelosi’s employment.
DePape, who is Canadian, overstayed his authorized entry to the U.S. more than two decades ago. He should have been blocked from getting back into the country when he returned a few times over the years, according to a U.S. official who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.
___
Mascaro reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles, Elliot Spagat in San Diego and Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento, California, contributed to this story.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2022-11-05T02:49:56+00:00 | wtmj.com | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/11/04/pelosi-makes-first-public-remarks-since-husbands-assault-2/ |
PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – For Jackie Manley, the Greenville Pickens Speedway is home. Literally. After being born at a nearby hospital in Greenville, before heading home his parents took a pit stop at the speedway for some racing.
“He [my dad] picked me and my mom up and then came straight here so we could be at the race track,” said Manley.
Manley’s story is one of many that have personal ties to the track.
“It would literally be like losing a member of my family to lose the race track,” said Mark Blackwell, who’s father used to own the speedway.
Mark Blackwell’s family owned the speedway for years and said his dad ran the track until the day he died. But now the speedway’s future is in jeopardy. Blackwell and Manley have rallied race fans across the Upstate to raise money and revive the speedway.
“So many people don’t even know about the race track, now it could be a fixture in the new Greenville,” said Blackwell.
They said this kind of attraction could bring in money for the city, and a fun thing to do for residents. But what they want people to realize is the kind of history that’s behind the race track.
“You’d hear drivers, you know, say ‘we’re going to NASCAR, we’re going to Daytona, Talladega, but we gotta get to Greenville to get there,’” said Manley. “This is where they went to get to Daytona so this is a huge thing for the NASCAR community and Greenville community.”
Now they’re hoping to raise $100,000 by May to bring the Greenville Pickens Speedway back to life.
“Everybody says we hope you can save the track, we hope you can save the track…but people need to get involved,” said Blackwell.
If the goal amount of money is not raised by next month, the money that has been donated will be given to the Shriners Hospital.
The Shriners Hospital will benefit either way in this case, because if the speedway does get revived, a ‘Shriner night’ will be hosted just like years ago and all money will be given to the hospital.
If you would like to help and learn more information, click here. | 2023-04-11T14:17:09+00:00 | myfox8.com | https://myfox8.com/news/south-carolina/longtime-race-fans-pushing-to-save-greenville-pickens-speedway/ |
In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Mike Singer and deputy sports editor Matt Schubert are joined by NBA insider Burton Chawla to talk about Aaron Gordon’s terrific start to the season. Among the topics discussed:
-
- Aaron Gordon is playing some of the best basketball of his career, with near career highs across the board. What’s changed for Gordon this season? What’s he done to make him a more productive player? And what’s his ceiling?
- Jamal Murray went for 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting in Monday night’s win over the Houston Rockets, playing perhaps his best offensive game since returning from ACL surgery. What was the most impressive thing about the performance? How soon will this become a regular thing again?
- With injuries and illnesses piling up, Vlatko Cancar has suddenly cracked the rotation for the Nuggets and is thriving. Could this be a regular thing for the Nuggets and Cancar?
- We also dig into a number of other rotation developments: Davon Reed taking Christian Braun’s minutes, Zeke Nnaji seeing the floor with regularity and DeAndre Jordan popping in and out of the lineup.
Subscribe to the podcast
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Producer: AAron Ontiveroz
Music: “Follow the Leader” The Trujillo Company
Join the Conversation
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BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s top judicial body said Sunday it doesn't have the authority to dissolve the country’s parliament, days after an influential Shiite cleric gave it one week to dismiss the legislature so that new elections can be held.
The decision by the Supreme Judicial Council is likely to increase tensions between followers of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and members of Iran-backed groups as Iraq sinks deeper into its political impasse, now in its 10th month. The impasse is the longest in the country since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion reset the political order.
The Supreme Judicial Council said in a statement after a meeting Sunday that political groups in the country should not get the judiciary involved in their “rivalries and political competition.”
Al-Sadr, whose supporters earlier this month stormed the parliament in Baghdad and have since held a sit-in outside the building, tweeted on Wednesday that the judiciary has one week to dissolve the legislature. Al-Sadr has previously demanded that the parliament be dissolved and that early elections be held but this time he set a deadline.
Al-Sadr's political bloc won the largest number of seats in parliament but failed to form a majority government that excluded his Iran-aligned rivals. He called on his followers Saturday night to be ready to hold massive protests all over Iraq raising concerns of tensions. He did not set a date for the planned protests.
“The Supreme Judicial Council does not have the authority to dissolve parliament,” the statement said, adding that its main job is to deal with legal matters and it cannot “interfere in the work of the legislative or executive authorities.”
Even before Sunday’s meeting of the judiciary, it had stated it does not have the constitutional right to dissolve parliament and that only lawmakers can vote to dissolve the legislature. Because the parliament has exceeded the constitutional timeline for forming a new government following the October elections, what happens next is not clear.
Al-Sadr’s political rivals in the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Iran-backed parties, said earlier that the parliament would have to convene to dissolve itself. On Friday, supporters of the group demonstrated in Baghdad to protest the occupation of the legislature by al-Sadr’s supporters.
Earlier this month, thousands of al-Sadr’s followers stormed the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses Iraq’s parliament, government buildings and foreign embassies. They overran and occupied the parliament, after which all sessions of the assembly were canceled until further notice. The takeover also effectively halted efforts by the Coordination Framework to try and form the next government after al-Sadr failed to do so.
In their takeover of parliament, al-Sadr’s followers stopped short of overrunning the Supreme Judicial Council building next door — an act that many would consider a coup as the judiciary is the highest legal authority in the country. | 2022-08-14T10:37:10+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Iraqi-judiciary-says-it-has-no-powers-to-dissolve-17372460.php |
DANA POINT, Calif. (AP) — Ronna McDaniel has become the longest serving leader of the Republican National Committee since the Civil War. But now, she must confront a modern-day civil war within the GOP.
Frustrated Republicans from state capitals to Capitol Hill to the luxury Southern California hotel where RNC members gathered this week are at odds over how to reverse six years of election disappointments. And while there are many strong feelings, there is no consensus even among the fighting factions about the people, policies or political tactics they should embrace.
On one side: a growing number of elected officials eager to move beyond the divisive politics and personality of former President Donald Trump despite having no clear alternative. And on the other: the GOP’s vocal “Make America Great Again” wing, which has no cohesive agenda yet is quick to attack the status quo in both parties.
“It will be extraordinarily difficult, if not near impossible, for Ronna McDaniel to put the pieces back together,” said Republican fundraiser Caroline Wren, a leading voice in the coalition of far-right activists, conservative media leaders and local elected officials across the country who fought and failed to defeat McDaniel. “These people are not just going to forget.”
Indeed, as RNC members packed up from the Waldorf Astoria ballroom Friday, there was broad agreement that McDaniel’s reelection alone would do little to heal the gaping divide that plagues their party, even as she celebrated a notably decisive reelection victory.
Trump quickly congratulated McDaniel on his social media platform after privately helping her campaign. But conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a Trump loyalist, likened McDaniel’s successful reelection to a “middle finger” for the GOP’s grassroots who demanded change at the institution that leads the party’s political activities.
“The country club won today,” Kirk said from the back of the Waldorf Astoria ballroom where RNC members from across the country voted to give McDaniel another two-year term. “So, the grassroots of people that can’t afford to buy a steak and are struggling to make ends meet, they just got told by their representatives at an opulent $900-a-night hotel that, ‘We hate you.’”
A similar sentiment roiled the Republican Party earlier in the month on Capitol Hill as Kevin McCarthy struggled through days of embarrassing defeats in his quest to become House speaker before acquiescing to the demands of the anti-establishment MAGA fringe.
McCarthy’s inability to control the hardline Trump loyalists in his conference now threatens to undermine a high-stakes vote on the nation’s debt limit that could send shockwaves through the U.S. economy if not resolved soon. So far, House Republicans haven’t articulated a specific set of demands.
Some see the Republican divide as a byproduct of the GOP’s years-long embrace of Trumpism, a political ideology defined by its relentless focus on a common enemy and a willingness to fight that perceived foe no matter the cost.
McDaniel has repeatedly highlighted the perils of GOP infighting as she campaigned for an unprecedented fourth term as RNC chair. On Friday, she pleaded for Republican unity while citing a Bible verse once used by former President Abraham Lincoln before the Civil War.
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand,’” McDaniel said from the ballroom podium. “Nothing we do is more important than making sure that Joe Biden is a one-term president. But in order to do that, we have to be unified.”
It may get worse before it gets better.
The conclusion of the RNC’s winter meeting marks the unofficial beginning of the 2024 presidential primary season. Trump has already launched his candidacy and promises to wage a fierce campaign against any would-be Republican competitors.
The RNC is in the process of scheduling the first Republican presidential primary debates, which will likely take place in Milwaukee, the site of the party’s next national convention, in late July or early August.
While he has been slow to hit the campaign trail since announcing a 2024 bid last November, Trump has events in New Hampshire and South Carolina this weekend. Sensing political weakness in the former president, as many as a dozen high-profile Republicans are expected to line up against him in the coming months.
Should he fail to clinch the GOP’s next presidential nomination, Trump has already dangled the possibility of a third-party presidential bid, which would all but ensure Democrats win the White House again in 2024.
New Hampshire-based RNC member Juliana Bergeron reflected upon the state of her party as she prepared to take a red-eye flight back home to attend Trump’s Saturday appearance. The New Hampshire GOP is working through its own bitter leadership feud.
“The party in New Hampshire is divided. The party nationally is divided. I just think there’s a lot of space between the far right and some of the rest of us,” Bergeron said.
“I think it’s over,” she said when asked about Trump. “I want to see a new generation out there.”
And there are some signs that Trump’s MAGA movement may be ready to move on as well. Some privately acknowledged that Trump had lost control of his own movement, which worked to defeat McDaniel even as the former president and his lieutenants tried to help her.
While Trump declined to publicly endorse McDaniel, Wren said it wouldn’t have changed the grassroots’ demand for new GOP leadership even if he had.
“We’re not just sheep that follow a single endorsement anywhere,” Wren said. “We want to win elections and we’re not winning elections.”
Indeed, Republicans may need a successful national election to come together again. The next national election? Nov. 5, 2024.
“The hard work now begins for bringing our party together,” said former Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus, a former RNC chair who backed McDaniel’s reelection. “This isn’t going to be easy.” | 2023-01-28T10:59:54+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-republicans-confront-bitter-divide-no-clear-path-forward/ |
- OKX to apply for Hong Kong VASP license under new regulatory regime as well as Type 1 and 7 licenses under Securities and Futures Ordinance
- Announcement follows more than a year of preparation and organizational design by OKX
VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OKX, the world's second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume and a leading Web3 technology company, today announced it has set up a Hong Kong entity for launching virtual asset services in Hong Kong, and intends to apply for the virtual asset service provider (VASP) licence under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 which is scheduled to take effect on 1 June 2023, and the Type 1 & 7 licences under the Securities and Futures Ordinance.
The announcement comes after more than a year of preparation by OKX to fulfill anticipated regulatory requirements from organizational, product, security and compliance standpoints.
OKX Managing Director of Global Institutional Lennix Lai said: "Regulation and licensing are key to the future success of the crypto and Web3 sectors. At OKX, we see immense potential in Hong Kong, and are committed to investing in talents and working with regulators over the next five years to continue building the local ecosystem. Through the new VASP regime, the Hong Kong government has created a robust regulatory framework and the right conditions for Hong Kong to become a world-leading virtual asset hub. We're looking forward to applying for the relevant licences via our Hong Kong entity."
OKX General Counsel Bing Zhao, said: "OKX has an ambitious vision when it comes to pursuing licenses in relevant and appropriate jurisdictions, and we are committed to working with the SFC throughout the application process. We take security, custody, AML and compliance very seriously and are keen to demonstrate how we can meet and exceed the robust standards expected of virtual asset service providers under this regulatory regime."
Over the past several years, Hong Kong has become a destination for the crypto industry, and will be increasingly important for OKX and many other innovative firms, entrepreneurs and top talents as regulation develops.
OKX is sponsoring two industry conferences in Hong Kong in the coming weeks, the WOW Summit and the Hong Kong Web3 Festival and taking part in keynote and panel discussions to outline the company's growth plans.
About OKX
OKX is the second largest crypto exchange by trading volume and a leading Web3 ecosystem. It is known for being the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app for investors and professional traders everywhere.
As a top partner of English Premier League champions Manchester City F.C., McLaren Formula 1, golfer Ian Poulter, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, OKX aims to supercharge the fan experience with new engagement opportunities. OKX is also the top partner of the Tribeca Festival as part of an initiative to bring more creators into web3.
Beyond OKX's exchange, the OKX Wallet is the platform's latest offering for people looking to explore the world of NFTs and the metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens.
To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com
Disclaimer
This announcement is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide any investment, tax, or legal advice, nor should it be considered an offer to purchase, sell, hold or offer any services relating to digital assets. Digital assets, including stablecoins, involve a high degree of risk, can fluctuate greatly, and can even become worthless. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. Please consult your legal/tax/investment professional for questions about your specific circumstances.
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SOURCE OKX | 2023-03-28T08:00:49+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2023/03/28/okx-launch-hong-kong-entity-apply-virtual-asset-licenses/ |
NABLUS, West Bank (AP) — Several Israelis were wounded overnight after they entered the Palestinian West Bank city of Nablus and came under fire, the Israeli military said Tuesday.
The Israelis appeared to have headed on their own to a flashpoint shrine in the city, where visits are usually coordinated with the military under tight security precautions.
After they came under fire, troops entered the city, which is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority and its security forces, to evacuate the Israelis, the military said. Israelis are prohibited from entering the Palestinian-controlled areas, although some still do.
The military later said forces were exchanging fire with armed Palestinians in the city. It was not immediately clear if the events were connected.
Israel has been conducting near-daily raids in the occupied West Bank since March, driving up tensions in the area.
The army said that it arrested 12 Palestinians during West Bank raids on Tuesday, including two men suspected of carrying out a shooting last week. They were apprehended after a shootout with Israeli troops in the northern West Bank village of Rujib, near Nablus.
Video footage showed an explosion rocking a building in Rujib, followed by intense gunfire, and the two wanted men later exiting the house and surrendering.
The raids were launched after a spate of deadly attacks against Israelis that killed 19 people. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed since the start of the year, many of them militants or people involved in clashes with Israeli forces, the military says. But civilians have also been killed.
Some Jews believe the biblical Joseph is buried in the Nablus tomb, while Muslims say a sheikh is buried there. The army escorts Jewish worshippers to the site, known to Jews as Joseph’s Tomb, several times a year, in coordination with Palestinian security forces.
As Israeli-Palestinian violence has flared this year, the site has again become a flashpoint. In April, some 100 Palestinians marched toward Joseph’s Tomb and set it ablaze before they were dispersed by Palestinian security forces. Images on social media showed parts of the tomb inside the shrine smashed and charred.
Earlier this month, the Israeli military said forces escorting Jewish worshippers to the shrine came under fire and then shot back. An 18-year-old Palestinian man was killed in the violence. | 2022-08-30T12:13:44+00:00 | cbs42.com | https://www.cbs42.com/news/international/ap-israelis-shot-and-wounded-after-entering-west-bank-city/ |
How to Watch the Villanova vs. Miami (FL) Game: Women's Basketball Streaming & TV Channel Info for the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Published: Mar. 24, 2023 at 8:14 AM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
This Sweet 16 battle features the No. 4 seed Villanova Wildcats (30-6) playing against the No. 9 seed Miami Hurricanes (21-12) on Friday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. It tips off at 2:30 PM, with the winner advancing to the N/A Region bracket final.
Hoping to catch this game live? Below, we lay out all the details you need to watch this contest on fuboTV.
Use our link to get a free trial of fuboTV, where you can watch women's and men's college hoops and tons of other live sports without cable!
Villanova Women's Basketball Game Live Stream & TV Channel Info
- When: Friday, March 24, 2023 at 2:30 PM ET
- Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina
- TV: ESPN
- Live Stream on fuboTV: Start your free trial today!
Watch women's college hoops all season without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to fuboTV!
Villanova vs. Miami (FL) Scoring Comparison
- The Hurricanes score 12.1 more points per game (70.5) than the Wildcats allow (58.4).
- When it scores more than 58.4 points, Miami (FL) is 17-8.
- Villanova's record is 24-3 when it gives up fewer than 70.5 points.
- The Wildcats record 71.0 points per game, 7.1 more points than the 63.9 the Hurricanes allow.
- When Villanova scores more than 63.9 points, it is 24-1.
- Miami (FL) is 16-3 when allowing fewer than 71.0 points.
- The Wildcats shoot 44.2% from the field, only 0.8% higher than the Hurricanes concede defensively.
- The Hurricanes shoot 41.2% from the field, 3.3% higher than the Wildcats concede.
Villanova Schedule
Miami (FL) Schedule
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-24T15:06:14+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/sports/betting/2023/03/24/villanova-miami-fl/womens-college-basketball-live-stream-tv-ncaa-tournament-sweet-16/ |
Alpine has unveiled a special version of its A110 sports car to mark this year’s 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The new A110 R Le Mans edition was revealed on Wednesday at Le Mans’ Circuit de la Sarthe and taken out onto the racetrack by racing driver Sophia Flörsch. Just 100 will be built, and order books open on Thursday, Alpine has confirmed. The price is set at 140,000 euros (approximately $150,000).
The A110 R Le Mans is based on Alpine’s hardcore A110 R that debuted last fall. The car is powered by the same mid-mounted 1.8-liter turbo-4 found in other A110 variants, and delivers a peak output of 296 hp. Like all A110 variants, The A110 R Le Mans sends its drive to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Unique to it is the combination of white for the main body and blue for the accents. The blue color extends to the A110 R’s standard carbon-fiber wheels, as well as the brake calipers, rear wing end plates, and various Le Mans logos that litter the car. A small fin is also attached to the rear carbon-fiber cover as a nod to the central fin commonly found on Le Mans-style sports prototypes.
For the interior, the headrests of the standard Sabelt bucket seats features a Le Mans logo, and the layout of the Circuit de la Sarthe is laser-engraved on the sun visor.
Performance numbers include a 0-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph.
This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans runs this weekend. Alpine will also present on the sidelines of the event its LMDh race car that will compete from 2024 in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the series whose highlight is the Le Mans race.
While Alpine doesn’t currently operate in the U.S., there is mounting evidence the brand is looking to launch here eventually. Its CEO in January said U.S. sales is a key goal for the brand. Reports then followed in February that Alpine may partner with dealership group AutoNation to sell cars in the U.S., and later this month a specially prepared A110 will tackle the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
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- US-legal R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R in Midnight Purple up for sale | 2023-06-08T21:15:22+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/automotive/internet-brands/alpine-a110-r-le-mans-celebrates-french-races-centennial/ |
BANGKOK — Myanmar’s military government, which has cracked down on independent media since seizing power last year, has arrested two journalists working for outlets sympathetic to it, a reporter familiar with their situation and a news report said Wednesday.
Win Oo, editor of New History for People, which primarily posts videos on YouTube, and Zaw Min Oo, editor of Dae Pyaw, or “Tell Forthrightly,” a small online news service, are believed to be the first journalists from media sympathetic to the ruling military to be arrested. There has been no official report about their arrests, which appear to be related to questions they asked at the news conference that may have annoyed the authorities.
Since ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi last year, the military government has shut down virtually all critical outlets and arrested nearly 150 journalists, publishers and media executives. More than 50 remain detained, most of them on the charge of incitement for allegedly causing fear, spreading false news, or agitating against a government employee.
The military-run Information Ministry usually holds a news conference at least once a month and journalists from about 20 news outlets are regular attendees. Very few pose difficult questions, and very few journalists from the small number of independent outlets that are still legally operating attend the news conferences.
Win Oo was arrested for referring to Aung San Suu Kyi four times as “Amay Suu,” or “Mother Suu,” an affectionate term of respect used by her supporters, and for calling for to be released along with journalists before asking a question about the increase in prices of commodities.
Suu Kyi was arrested the day of the army takeover and has been tried on a variety of charges and sentenced to 26 years in prison. Her supporters and right groups describe the cases against her as fabricated and intended to prevent her future participation in politics.
Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the military’s spokesperson, did not respond to the comments about Suu Kyi, though he answered Win Oo’s other questions.
The reporter who spoke on condition of anonymity said it was unclear why Zaw Min Oo, who was at the news conference, was arrested on the same day. The Democratic Voice of Burma, an online and radio news agency that is critical of the military, reported that according to another journalist at the news conference, he was arrested for questioning whether cease-fire talks between the army and the Karen National Union, a major ethnic rebel group in eastern Myanmar, had broken down because there was no parliament in place. The cease-fire talks are often cited by the military as one of its accomplishments.
The two arrested journalists are being held in the main prison in Naypyitaw, it reported.
Zaw Min Oo has been arrested at least once before, when Suu Kyi was still in power. In May 2020 he was sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly reporting false information about the coronavirus pandemic. Press freedom groups decried his arrest, one of several showing that freedom of speech was also impaired under Suu Kyi’s government.
The crisis caused by last year’s army takeover has also resulted in large-scale violence. The seizure of power was met with widespread peaceful protests that were quashed with lethal force, triggering armed resistance that some U.N. experts have characterized as civil war. | 2022-11-23T17:08:18+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/myanmar-military-arrests-2-journalists-from-friendly-media/2022/11/23/1bff1910-6b48-11ed-8619-0b92f0565592_story.html |
Former President Trump is fighting a request from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to allow its review of classified materials taken from Mar-a-Lago to continue, with Trump’s legal team arguing the investigation “at its core is a document storage dispute that has spiraled out of control.”
The filing continues to assert the former president has broad power to control his records even after he leaves office, even the classified records that the Justice Department argued Trump can have no possible claim to, and thus do not require review by a third-party special master.
In the filing, Trump’s legal team pushed back against the idea that there was any possible damage from the mishandling of records.
“There is no indication any purported ‘classified records’ were disclosed to anyone. Indeed, it appears such ‘classified records,’ along with the other seized materials, were principally located in storage boxes in a locked room at Mar-a-Lago, a secure, controlled access compound utilized regularly to conduct the official business of the United States during the Trump Presidency, which to this day is monitored by the United States Secret Service,” they wrote.
The response from Trump’s team came after the Justice Department last Thursday indicated it planned to appeal a federal district court judge’s ruling green-lighting a special master, also asking her to approve a partial stay that would exclude some 300 classified records from their review.
“The classification markings establish on the face of the documents that they are government records, not Plaintiff’s personal records,” the DOJ wrote.
“And for several reasons, no potential assertion of executive privilege could justify restricting the executive branch’s review and use of the classified records at issue here.”
But Trump’s team claimed Monday that classification status matters little within the Presidential Records Act (PRA) and that Trump’s document issues should be sorted with the National Archives, or NARA.
“Of course, classified or declassified, the documents remain either presidential records or personal records under the PRA,” they wrote.
“At best, the government might ultimately be able to establish certain presidential records should be returned to NARA. What is clear regarding all of the seized materials is that they belong with either President Trump … or with NARA, but not with the Department of Justice.”
The brief also seeks to undercut the heart of the Justice Department’s argument that its criminal investigation is “inextricably intertwined” with a separate intelligence community review of the documents led by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) that the judge allowed to continue.
The FBI is part of the intelligence community and would be the agency responsible for investigating any mishandling of intelligence that the review uncovers, DOJ said.
Though in a Friday night filing the Trump legal team said a special master should be afforded three months to complete a review of the documents, in its latest brief to the court it said the investigation could withstand a “brief pause.”
It also alleges the ODNI damage assessment into potential fallout from the mishandling of the records is a way to further DOJ’s criminal investigation.
“The government contends that the FBI and ODNI, and their personnel, are so inseparable they are incapable of having agents outside the criminal case participate in the ODNI-led investigation. This convenient, and belated, claim by the Government relative to enjoining the criminal team’s access to these documents only arises because the FBI concedes the intelligence community review is actually just another facet of its criminal investigation,” Trump’s legal team wrote.
The filing is the closest Trump’s legal team has gotten to repeating claims by the former president that he declassified the information found in his home – but they stop short of actually doing so.
The brief spends a few pages noting that presidents have the power to declassify documents but never say that Trump actually did so.
“The government’s stance assumes that if a document has a classification marking, it remains classified irrespective of any actions taken during President Trump’s term in office,” Trump’s legal team wrote.
“There is no legitimate contention that the chief executive’s declassification of documents requires approval of bureaucratic components of the executive branch. Yet, the government apparently contends that President Trump, who had full authority to declassify documents, ‘willfully’ retained classified information in violation of the law,” they added.
In an earlier round of filings, the DOJ noted that in the months of discussions Trump’s legal team never raised the prospect that the former president had declassified the intelligence material at his home, nor had they offered any explanation for why he had roughly 10,000 government records stored there.
A response brief from Trump’s team the next day was silent on those matters.
— Updated at 11:18 a.m. | 2022-09-14T13:14:01+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/hill-politics/trump-presses-court-to-keep-blocking-doj-access-to-records/ |
Members of participating health plans will have access to the world class, inclusive Apple Fitness+ fitness subscription service at no additional cost
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SilverSneakers® by Tivity Health®, the nation's leading fitness program for older adults, will continue to anticipate and meet members' needs in 2023 by providing access to world class fitness programs and services. For 30 years, SilverSneakers has strived to stay one step ahead of the physical activity, social and mental enrichment needs of older adults by providing innovative fitness and well-being. In 2023, SilverSneakers will be the only senior fitness program to offer Apple Fitness+, the award-winning fitness subscription service designed to be welcoming to all and help users live a healthier day, to members in participating health plans.
As the leader in fitness programming, SilverSneakers will expand in-person and virtual health and well-being options in 2023. SilverSneakers offers a network of up to 22,000 fitness locations, and exclusive holistic mental enrichment, physical fitness and healthy living programming to support overall health and provide members with opportunities for vital social connection.
"For 30 years SilverSneakers has been ahead of the curve in supporting older adult health and well-being with innovative programs and a welcoming community of members," said Richard Ashworth, president and CEO, Tivity Health. "The needs and preferences of our diverse population of members are always changing. It is our passion and commitment to encourage and support them on their path to better health. In 2023, this means access to physical fitness, social connection and mental enrichment opportunities that fit their lifestyle – from the gym to virtual classes, we make healthy aging easy, accessible and impactful on total health."
SilverSneakers will offer members and health plan partners a broad range of physical activity, mental enrichment and social engagement opportunities in 2023:
- Apple Fitness+ -- With an Apple Fitness+ subscription, SilverSneakers members in participating health plans will have access to over 3,000 workouts and meditations including programs to get started or go after a goal, and engaging audio experiences like Time to Walk and Time to Run to motivate users to get moving outside. SilverSneakers is the only senior fitness program that will offer Apple Fitness+ in January through select Medicare Advantage plans.
- In-Person and Virtual Fitness – SilverSneakers offers health plans a network of up to 22,000 fitness locations, along with community-based options such as community centers and parks. In addition, members can participate in live, instructor-led and on-demand virtual classes in a variety of lengths and formats, and use the SilverSneakers® GO mobile app, to enable them to be active wherever and whenever they choose to work out. 2023 offerings will also include programming to support older adults with common chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes and adaptive programming for those with disabilities.
- Mental Enrichment– SilverSneakers will continue to offer members in participating health plans virtual learning opportunities on a wide range of topics. Members will also have access to exclusive healthy lifestyle content on topics such as nutrition, sleep, meditation and falls prevention.
- Social Connection – In addition to the relationships fostered through in-person participation in SilverSneakers classes, members in participating health plans will have access to Stitch, an in-person and online companionship community. Stitch offers opportunities for older adults to connect with peers who have similar interests, with activities in their communities and online.
SilverSneakers is the nation's leading fitness program for older adults available in all 50 states to more than 18 million eligible members. It is offered through approximately 70 Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and group retiree plans at no additional cost to members. To learn more or check eligibility, visit www.silversneakers.com.
SilverSneakers®, by Tivity Health®, is the nation's leading community fitness program for Medicare eligible Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 18 million Americans through many Medicare Advantage plans, select Medicare Supplement carriers, and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or to enroll in the program or sign up for a SilverSneakers newsletter, go to silversneakers.com.
Tivity Health® Inc., is a leading provider of healthy life-changing solutions, including SilverSneakers® and Prime® Fitness. We help adults improve their health and support them on life's journey by providing access to in-person and virtual physical activity, social, and mental enrichment programs. We continue to enhance the way we direct members along their journey to better health by delivering an insights-driven, personalized, interactive experience. Our suite of services supports health plans nationwide as they seek to reduce costs and improve health outcomes. At Tivity Health, we deliver the resources members need to live healthier, happier, more connected lives. Learn more at www.tivityhealth.com.
Apple Fitness+ is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Contact: Jill Meyer, Jill.Meyer@TivityHealth.com
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SOURCE Tivity Health, Inc. | 2022-10-27T14:22:06+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/prnewswire/2022/10/27/silversneakers-continues-pave-way-fitness-accessibility-positive-health-outcomes-older-adults/ |
Kamilah Smith posted a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double to go along with five blocks and four steals to lead East Brunswick Magnet past Piscataway Magnet with a score of 34-33 in the consolation game of the MCMS Holiday Tournament at East Brunswick Magnet School.
East Brunswick Magnet (4-2) held a narrow 15-14 lead at the half, and the third quarter ended with it trailing 26-22 after a 12-7 run from Piscataway Magnet. However, it would outscore Piscataway Magnet 12-7 in the fourth to get the win.
Camila Garcia also tallied 14 points to go along with six rebounds, three blocks and seven steals. E’Myah Bartee snagged down 11 rebounds and had three steals with Ashley Tlatenchi tallying eight rebounds, four blocks and six steals. Makayla Caban posted six steals as well.
Matti Miller led Piscataway Magnet (2-4) with 13 points.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, click here. | 2022-12-30T02:53:43+00:00 | nj.com | https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2022/12/girls-basketball-east-brunswick-magnet-edges-out-piscataway-magnet-mcms-tournament.html |
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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea is apparently moving to sell millions of rockets and artillery shells — many of them likely from its old stock — to its Cold War ally Russia.
U.S. officials say it shows Russia's desperation with the war in Ukraine and that Moscow could buy additional military hardware from North Korea. Russia has called a U.S. intelligence report on the purchasing plan “fake.”
The ammunitions North Korea reportedly intends to sell Moscow are likely copies of Soviet-era weapons that can fit Russian launchers. But there are still questions over the quality of the supplies and how much they could actually help the Russian military.
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WHAT EXACTLY WILL NORTH KOREA SUPPLY TO RUSSIA?
Slapped by international sanctions and export controls, Russia in August bought Iranian-made drones that U.S. officials said had technical problems. For Russia, North Korea is likely another good option for its ammunitions supply, because the North keeps a significant stockpile of shells, many of them copies of Soviet-era ones.
North Korea “may represent the single biggest source of compatible legacy artillery ammunition outside of Russia, including domestic production facilities to further supplies,” said Joseph Dempsey, research associate for Defense and Military Analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defense Network in South Korea, said both North and South Korea -- split along the world’s most heavily fortified border for more than 70 years -- keep tens of millions of artillery shells each. North Korea will likely sell older shells that it wants to replace with newer ones for multiple rocket launch systems or sophisticated missiles in its front-line army bases, he said.
But Bruce Bennett, a senior security expert at the California-based Rand Corporation, said most of the artillery rounds to be sent to Russia are likely to be ammunition for small arms, such as AK-47 rifles or machine guns.
“It’s not millions of artillery shells and rockets – that’s more than the likely consumption. It could be millions of small arms rounds,” Bennett said.
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HOW GOOD ARE NORTH KOREAN WEAPONS?
According to an IISS assessment, North Korea has an estimated 20,000 artillery pieces including multiple rocket launchers in service, a number that Dempsey described as “significantly more than any other country in the world.”
North Korea’s state media have called its artillery guns “the first arm of the People’s Army and the most powerful arm in the world” that can reduce enemy position into “a sea of flames.”
But its old artillery systems, whose ammunitions will likely be supplied to Russia, have a reputation for poor accuracy.
During North Korea’s artillery bombardment of South Korea’s front-line Yeonpyeong Island in 2010 that killed four people, Bennett said that only 80 of the 300-400 weapons North Korea should have fired likely hit their target. In his assessment, Lee said about half of the North Korean shells launched ended up falling into waters before reaching the island.
“That is miserable artillery performance. The Russians may experience the same thing, which will not make them very happy,” Bennett said.
Observers doubt the usefulness of North Korean ammunition for the Russian campaign in Ukraine, which they say has depleted the military. There have been photos of barrel-busted Russian guns on social media.
It's unclear how serious Russian shortage of ammunitions is. In July, a senior U.S. defense official told reporters that Russia was launching tens of thousands artillery rounds each day and couldn’t keep it up forever.
“While substantial stockpiles likely still exist, they may be increasingly infringing on those reserved for the contingency of a wider future conflict,” Dempsey said.
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NO NORTH KOREAN MISSILES EXPECTED
It’s unlikely for North Korea to provide Russia with ballistic missiles that it views as crucial in its military strategies toward Washington and Seoul, said Yang Uk, an analyst at Seoul’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies.
And if North Korea decides to supply missiles to Russia, it would needs to send their launch platforms as well because Russia doesn’t have launchers for the North’s Scuds and other missiles. North Korea has developed a highly maneuverable, nuclear-cable ballistic missile that was likely modeled on Russia’s Iskander. But the two missiles are of different sizes, according to Shin Jongwoo, a military expert at the Seoul-based Korea Defense and Security Forum,
There would be a number of items that North Korea could provide to Russia, given that the two countries share weapons systems going back to Soviet times. But the type of ammunitions North Korea would provide to Russia “are likely to be old and somewhere close to expiring,” said Moon Seong Mook, an analyst at South Korea’s Korea Research Institute for National Strategy.
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WHAT COULD NORTH KOREA GET IN RETURN?
In return for weapons, North Korea will likely want food, fuel, warplane components and other materials from Russia. The North finds it difficult to buy such goods from abroad under U.N. sanctions imposed over its nuclear program.
Yang said it’s possible that North Korea is seeking advanced Russian weapons technologies that would boost its efforts to build more powerful, high-tech missiles targeting the United States and its allies.
“That would certainly be the worst scenario,” Yang said.
According to Bennett, North Korea would be willing to be compensated with fuel. For its more advanced arms, it could seek advanced weapons technologies from Russia, possibly including those it needs for its expected nuclear test, the first of its kind in five years, he said.
He said it would be difficult for Russia and North Korea to move the ammunitions over their narrow 15-kilometer (9-mile) long border, where there’s only one, single-track rail bridge across a river. Bennett said China may help by allowing the use of its railways. Other experts say North Korea could also use a sea route. | 2022-09-07T08:13:06+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/EXPLAINER-What-help-are-North-Korean-weapons-to-17423906.php |
(NEXSTAR) – Some people consider Ebony and Jet magazines the social media for Black people in the 20th century. The magazines kept communities of color informed, and much it was done through pictures.
Now those photographs are getting a second life thanks to a multi-million-dollar purchase that will let the Images live on forever.
Through a camera lens, 85-year-old Roy Lewis produces images, telling a story with a moment captured in time.
“An artist has time to create a sculpture, a painting. But a photographer, we only have seconds. It’s a second,” Lewis said. “I tell people I write with pictures.”
In 1956, Lewis began working at Johnson Publishing Company, JPC, in Chicago. The publisher produced Negro Digest, Jet and Ebony magazines in the mid-1940s, the pioneers in storytelling for black households around the country.
“It represented the mountain, the top of the mountain for black journalists,” Lewis explained.
Within the pages of those magazines, photographers like Lewis made history. Now their camera film rolls live on after the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Getty Research Institute acquired the historic JPC archive.
The collection includes photos, negatives and contact sheets spanning more than seven decades.
“Perhaps my favorite image is this image of Marvin Gaye,” curator Eric Williams said. “Many know his father was a minister.”
Part of the $30 million collection can be seen there in the museum’s Spirit in the Dark exhibition. Black life is seen through historical figures in entertainment, religion and politics. Each camera flash reveals music, activism and pop culture, all connected by common themes.
“They were wrestling with the issues of their own times, and the role of religion was prominent in their stories,” Williams said.
Also in the exhibit are treasures like the typewriter used to transcribe notes for Malcolm X and Little Richard’s coveted bible.
“We see in his highlighting the struggle he had with the religious community around his sexuality,” Williams noted of the piece.
The images shared in the exhibit are only a glimpse of rolls of film containing more than 4 million visuals soon to be made available to the public.
Smithsonian curator Aaron Bryant said that while the collection features a number of photos of famous and widely known individuals in Black history many of the images will really focus on just regular people.
“That’s true across the board,” Bryant explained. “I think it’s really important for people, particularly young people to be able to see themselves somehow. Not just reflected in the photographs but see themselves reflected in the history that the photographs documents.”
The magazines also hold a special place in the hearts of many, providing a generational connection within families.
“I can remember going to the beauty salon with my mother, and the first thing I wanted to get were the Ebony and Jet magazines because they portrayed the black community in very wonderful ways,” Williams recalled.
That passion is now able to be relived thanks to what was captured in the lens.
“You hold these images in your hand, and it’s like a found jewel,” Bryant said.
The bulk of the archives is currently in the process of being digitized in Chicago. The museum hasn’t released specific plans on how they will be presented to the public.
For Lewis, the exhibit is a reminder of his part in sharing history. It was a very big deal to have several pages of photos in Ebony magazine, “It is a real big deal,” he stressed, and as the millions of photos come back into frame, Lewis’ work will likely be among them.
Though he stopped working for JPC in 1968, Lewis continued his work in photography and film. His heart never left the magazine company that captivated millions of people, though, and now possibly millions more through the power of an image. | 2023-01-30T18:25:24+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/hidden-history/black-history-month/jpc-archives-sharing-millions-of-images-of-black-culture-with-new-smithsonian-exhibit/ |
Earth's average temperature set a new unofficial record high on Thursday, the third such milestone in a week that already rated as the hottest on record.
The planetary average hit 63 degrees Fahrenheit, 17.23 degrees Celsius, surpassing the 62.9 and 17.18-degree marks set Tuesday and equaled Wednesday, according to data from the University of Maine's Climate Reanalyzer, a tool that uses satellite data and computer simulations to measure the world's condition.
That average includes places that are sweltering under dangerous heat — like Jingxing, China, which checked in almost 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) — and the merely unusually warm, like Antarctica, where temperatures across much of the continent were as much as 8 degrees Fahrenheit (4.5 degrees Celsius) above normal this week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday issued a note of caution about the Maine tool's findings, saying it could not confirm data that results in part from computer modeling.
“Although NOAA cannot validate the methodology or conclusion of the University of Maine analysis, we recognize that we are in a warm period due to climate change,” NOAA said.
Still, the Maine data has been widely regarded as another troubling sign of climate change around the globe. Some climate scientists said this week they weren't surprised to see the unofficial records.
Robert Watson, a scientist and former chairman of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said governments and the private sector “are not truly committed to address climate change." Nor are citizens, he said.
“They demand cheap energy, cheap food and do not want to pay the true cost of food and energy,” Watson said.
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Borenstein reported from Washington, and O'Malley from Philadelphia.
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Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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Credit: AP | 2023-07-07T05:09:58+00:00 | springfieldnewssun.com | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/for-the-third-time-this-week-earth-sets-a-heat-record/4NNBD5SIGFDKVP4DYZL2SPFDKA/ |
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The NOAA is forecasting an above-average hurricane season for 2022.
“Which would make this year the seventh consecutive above-normal season,” NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad said.
Both the NOAA and FEMA are telling Americans to know their zone and be prepared for whatever happens. Spinrad warns it only takes one storm to damage a home, a neighborhood or a community.
“It’s never too early to prepare for the devastating impacts of hurricanes,” Spinrad said.
The agency predicts 10 of the season’s expected storms could become hurricanes, with at least three reaching category 3.
“With top winds of at least 111 mph,” Spinrad said.
There are still some uncertainties, but FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell assures Americans that it doesn’t matter how many storms happen.
“So, whether we face three storms or thirty storms, I’d like you to know that FEMA, we are ready for this hurricane season,” Criswell said.
Criswell says looking back at Hurricane Ida last year, and Hurricane Sandy 10 years ago, it’s important for individual Americans to know their risk.
“Across the U.S., know what your risk is. Once you know what your risk is, then you can make a plan to protect your family,” Criswell said.
Hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through the end of November. | 2022-05-24T22:20:14+00:00 | keloland.com | https://www.keloland.com/washington/noaa-predicts-above-average-hurricane-season-for-2022/ |
2 teens arrested for fatal shooting of Tennessee high school student
HAYWOOD, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - Two teenagers have been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a high school student in Tennessee on Feb. 10, according to the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.
The student was in a car with three friends traveling from a Haywood High School basketball game in Ripley, Tennessee, at around 10 p.m. when someone from another vehicle started shooting at them, investigators said.
The vehicle was struck multiple times by gunfire.
The victim of the fatal shooting, identified as 17-year-old Christine Michael, was in the backseat when she was struck by one bullet in her lower back.
According to the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, a 13-year-old passenger in the same car had a minor shrapnel injury.
On Feb. 11 at approximately 5 p.m., investigators and deputies from the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office arrested 18-year-old Kevion Davis in Brownsville in connection to Michael’s shooting.
Davis was booked at the Haywood County jail without bond on first-degree murder charges.
On the same day at 6:30 p.m., a 16-year-old was arrested in connection to the fatal shooting. Officials said he will also be held in detention without bond by juvenile court officials for first-degree murder.
Additional charges of three counts of attempted first-degree murder will be sought on each suspect, according to the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.
Copyright 2023 WMC via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-15T00:28:35+00:00 | atlantanewsfirst.com | https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/02/14/2-teens-arrested-fatal-shooting-tennessee-high-school-student/ |
TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) – A spectacularly spooky Halloween came early for kids at the McLane Children’s Hospital!
Spirit Halloween threw a Spirit of Children Halloween party for patients earlier this week. This was the first event that took place inside the hospital since December 2019 – due to COVID-19 precautions.
Children were able to pick out costumes, play games, make spooky crafts and spend a bit of time outside of their hospital rooms for some Halloween fun!
Baylor Scott & White Health says the annual party isn’t the only donation made by Spirit of Children. The organization has raised approximately half a million dollars since 2009 to support McLane Children’s Child Life Department. With these donated funds, the Child Life team is able to buy age-appropriate toys and activities, sensory equipment, distraction equipment, playroom maintenance and updates and more to make the hospital a less scary place for children and their siblings.
Spirit Halloween customers can make Spirit of Children donations at any Spirit Halloween location, and all funds are directly donated to the nearest children’s hospital. | 2022-10-13T15:16:05+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/latest/halloween-arrives-early-at-mclane-childrens-hospital/ |
Safety tips for if your vehicle breaks down on the highway
MILFORD, CT (WFSB) - After two recent accidents in which people changing a tire alongside a Connecticut highway were hit, police and tow truck drivers are reminding people to stay safe.
Get your car as far off to the side of the road as you can. Then turn your flashers on, and stay in your car until help arrives, because with cars flying by you on the highway at high speeds, it can just take seconds for it to turn not only dangerous, but potentially deadly.
“You think you’re going to get it done quickly, you’re on the ground trying to get your jack under it, meanwhile you have a distracted driver, didn’t move over and the next thing you know, you’re in serious trouble,” said Robert Bruneau.
In the tow truck business for 37 years, Robert has pretty much seen it all.
Up on an interstate, it can get sideways in just seconds, so if you find yourself with a flat tire or a broken-down car, he said it’s important you follow a few simple steps.
“If there is any possibility, getting it off the of the highway, we encourage you to do so. If you’re close to an off ramp, try to get it off of the highway, if not move over as far as you possibly can into the grassy area. As far to the right shoulder as you possibly can for your safety,” said Robert.
On Wednesday, a 26-year-old woman was killed on Route 8 near Exit 39 in Thomaston.
State police said she was trying to fix a flat tire after her car became disabled in the left lane, when she was hit by another driver.
Last month, state police said a drunk driver hit a car off to the side of Route 8 in Watertown, pushing it into another car and two people who were trying to fix a flat.
Its why state police are warning people.
“It is unsafe to get out of a vehicle and walk around on the side of a highway. Though it can be tempting to get out to check on a flat tire or look for damage resulting from a motor vehicle accident, we ask that everyone remain inside of the vehicle for their own safety,” state police said.
While it’s important for you to try and get your car off to the side of the road, the same goes for drivers. You need to move over if you see an emergency vehicle responding.
“My husband up there, my two sons up there, and it’s a big deal the way people drive nowadays, they don’t move over, they don’t yield, they don’t even slow down whether it’s a tow truck, fire truck or police car,” said Maureen Bruneau, with Robert’s Service Center and Bruneau’s Garage.
For them it’s a family business, and they add by following those tips, you have a better chance of getting back home to yours.
“We can replace a tire, we can replace a wheel, we can replace what’s broken, but we can’t save your life if you’re injured up there,” Robert said.
Robert said when their tow trucks show up, if there isn’t enough space to safely be off on the side of the road in a grassy area, they tow the car just to get it off the highway, to a safer area before fixing the flat.
These are guys that do this type of work every day, so you see they’re not taking any chances either.
Copyright 2022 WFSB. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-21T02:32:45+00:00 | wfsb.com | https://www.wfsb.com/2022/10/21/safety-tips-if-your-vehicle-breaks-down-highway/ |
Bannon expected to surrender in NY court in wall donor case
NEW YORK (AP) - Former President Donald Trump’s longtime ally Steve Bannon is expected to turn himself in to authorities Thursday to face fresh charges that he duped donors who gave money to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Bannon’s state-level charges in New York closely resemble an attempted federal prosecution that ended abruptly, before trial, when Trump pardoned Bannon on his last day in office. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, not state offenses. In Bannon’s case, any double jeopardy argument would likely fall flat because his federal case didn’t involve an acquittal or conviction.
Bannon, 68, acknowledged in a statement Tuesday that he would be charged soon.
Bannon said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg “has now decided to pursue phony charges against me 60 days before the midterm election,” accusing the Democratic prosecutor of targeting him because Bannon and his radio show are popular among Trump’s Republican supporters.
Bannon said federal prosecutors “did the exact same thing in August 2020 to try to take me out of the election,” referring to his arrest months before Trump’s reelection loss. “This is nothing more than a partisan political weaponization of the criminal justice system.”
The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment.
Federal agents pulled Bannon from a luxury yacht off the Connecticut coast and arrested him on charges he pocketed more than $1 million in wall donations. Prosecutors alleged thousands of investors were tricked into thinking all of their donations would go toward the border wall project, although Bannon instead paid a salary to one campaign official and personal expenses for himself.
While the wall Bannon’s group proposed was to be built on the U.S. southern border, more than 1,000 miles from the Big Apple, Manhattan prosecutors have jurisdiction to pursue charges against Bannon because some donors to the effort lived in New York.
Federal prosecutors, in the trial of a former Bannon co-defendant, noted that some residents of the New York City area had donated to the wall-building project. One witness that testified was an official with the charities bureau of the New York attorney general’s office who said that a charity backing the wall project had filed paperwork to accept donations in the state. The attorney general’s office is also involved in Bannon’s state criminal case.
Bannon, who had pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, was dropped from the federal case when Trump pardoned him.
Two other men involved in the “We Build the Wall” project pleaded guilty in April. They had been scheduled to be sentenced this week, but that was recently postponed to December.
A third defendant’s trial ended in a mistrial in June after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
In another case not covered by Trump’s pardon, Bannon was convicted in July on contempt charges for defying a congressional subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He is scheduled to be sentenced in October and faces up to two years in federal prison.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-08T10:33:51+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/2022/09/08/bannon-expected-surrender-ny-court-wall-donor-case/ |
NEW YORK, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Along with high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, environmental factors such as air pollution are highly predictive of people's chances of dying, especially from heart attack and stroke, a new study shows.
Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the study showed that exposure to above average levels of outdoor air pollution increased risk of death by 20%, and risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 17%.
Using wood- or kerosene-burning stoves, not properly ventilated through a chimney, to cook food or heat the home also increasd overall risk of death (by 23% and 9%) and cardiovascular death risk (by 36% and 19%). Living far from specialty medical clinics and near busy roads also increased risk of death.
Publishing in the journal PLOS ONE online June 24, the findings come from personal and environmental health data collected from 50,045 mostly poor, rural villagers living in the northeast Golestan region of Iran. All study participants were over age 40 and agreed to have their health monitored during annual visits with researchers dating as far back as 2004.
Researchers say their latest investigation not only identifies environmental factors that pose the greatest risk to heart and overall health, but also adds much-needed scientific evidence from people in low- and middle-income countries. Traditional research on environmental risk factors, the researchers note, has favored urban populations in high-income countries with much greater access to modern health care services.
Compared with those who have easier access to specialized medical services, those living farther away from clinics with catheterization labs able to unblock clogged arteries, for example, were at increased risk of death by 1% for every 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of distance. In Golestan, most people live more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) away from such modern facilities.
Study results also showed that the one-third of study participants who lived within 500 meters (1,640 feet) of a major roadway had a 13% increased risk of death.
"Our study highlights the role that key environmental factors of indoor/outdoor air pollution, access to modern health services, and proximity to noisy, polluted roadways play in all causes of death and deaths from cardiovascular disease in particular," says study senior author and cardiologist Rajesh Vedanthan, MD, MPH.
"Our findings help broaden the disease-risk profile beyond age and traditional personal risk factors," says Vedanthan, an associate professor in the Department of Population Health and the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health.
"These results illustrate a new opportunity for health policymakers to reduce the burden of disease in their communities by mitigating the impact of environmental risk factors like air pollution on cardiovascular health," says study lead author Michael Hadley, MD, a fellow in cardiology and incoming assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai.
By contrast, the study showed that other environmental factors included in the analysis — low neighborhood income levels, increased population density, and too much nighttime light exposure — were not independent predictors of risk of death, despite previous research in mostly urban settings suggesting otherwise.
For the investigation, researchers analyzed data gathered through December 2018. They then created a predictive model on overall death risk and death risk from cardiovascular disease.
The research team plans to continue its analysis and hopes to apply the predictive model to other countries with the aim of fine-tuning its predictive capacity. They say their new tool could serve as a guide for evaluating the effectiveness of environmental, lifestyle, and personal health changes in reducing mortality rates worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, one-quarter of all deaths worldwide are now attributable to environmental factors, including poor air and water quality, lack of sanitation, and exposure to toxic chemicals.
Funding for the study was provided by U.S. National Institutes of Health grant R21HL140474.
Besides Vedanthan, other NYU Langone researchers involved in this study are Samrachana Adhikari, PhD; and Jackie Szymonifka, MA. Other study co-investigators are Mahdi Nalini, PhD; Akram Pourshams, MD; Hossein Poustchi, PhD; Sadaf Sepanlou, MD; and Reza Malekzadeh, MD, at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran; Arash Etemadi, PhD; Christian Abnet, PhD; and Neal Freedman, PhD, at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md.; Farin Kamangar, PhD, at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md.; Masoud Khoshnia, MD, at Golestan University; Tyler McChane, MD, at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Paolo Boffetta, PhD, at Stony Brook University in New York and the University of Bologna in Italy.
Media Inquiries
David March
212-404-3528
david.march@nyulangone.org
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SOURCE NYU Langone Health | 2022-06-24T18:23:24+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/06/24/environmental-factors-predict-risk-death/ |
BRUSSELS – Russia’s armed forces are bruised but by no means beaten in the war in Ukraine, a top NATO military officer said Monday, as he laid out the biggest revamp to the organization’s military plans since the Cold War should Moscow dare to widen the conflict.
“They might not be 11 feet tall, but they are certainly not 2 feet tall,” the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, told reporters. “So, we should never underestimate the Russians and their ability to bounce back.”
U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts are set to endorse a major shakeup of the alliance’s planning system at a summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius next week.
NATO, as an organization, does not provide weapons or ammunition to Ukraine. It’s sought to avoid being dragged into a wider war with nuclear-armed Russia. At the same time, it is massively reinforcing the security of member countries near Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Around 40,000 troops are on standby from Estonia in the north down to Romania on the Black Sea. About 100 aircraft take to the skies in that territory each day, and a total of 27 warships are operating in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. Those numbers are set to rise.
Under its new plans, NATO aims to have up to 300,000 troops ready to move to its eastern flank within 30 days. The plans divide its territory into three zones – the high north and Atlantic area, a zone north of the Alps, and another in southern Europe.
Bauer said that NATO’s new planning is based on the strength of the Russian army before President Vladimir Putin launched the war on Ukraine almost 17 months ago. He said the war has depleted Russia’s army, but not its navy or air force.
Of Russia’s ground forces, around “94% is now engaged in the war in Ukraine,” Bauer said.
“What we see in general is that the Russians are careful around NATO. They are not for seeking a conflict with NATO. I think that is a sign that they are very, very busy,” he said. “In the land domain, I don’t think they have a lot of forces available to do anything to anyone else.”
“But we are convinced that the Russians are going to reconstitute,” he said. “We will continue to look at them as a serious threat, in the maritime, and in the air especially, and in space, they are still very, very, capable, let alone of course in nuclear.”
A revolt by Wagner mercenaries in Russia late last month raised deep security concerns in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland after a deal was reached for their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to be allowed to take refuge in Belarus.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that neighboring countries would face a heightened danger if the Wagner Group deploys its “serial killers” just over their border.
Vilnius lies around 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the Belarus border.
Lithuania wants to have a permanent NATO presence on its territory. Germany signaled last week that it would be prepared to base soldiers there if requested. For the moment, though, NATO sees no imminent threat coming from Belarus.
“We’re confident we know what’s going on, and right now we see no changes. But that doesn’t take our eye off what we need to do every day,” Major General Matthew Van Wagenen told reporters. “If we needed to change posture, we could do it rapidly.”
NATO’s 31 member countries took part in a “force generation conference” last week in an effort to understand how many troops and how much equipment the alliance might have at its disposal to respond to any Russian attack, both in the short and longer term.
Both officers were upbeat about the results, although they declined to provide details for security reasons. Experts and some NATO diplomats, however, have expressed doubt about the willingness of member countries to put a total of 300,000 troops on standby.
“I would classify it as highly successful,” Van Wagenen said. “I can assure you, we are in a position right now that we know what’s missing and how we need to grow this in the future.”
In terms of NATO’s ability to execute the plans, should they be needed in the future, Bauer welcomed the expected commitment in Vilnius by Biden and his counterparts to boost defense spending, which should help provide commanders with the equipment they need.
In 2014, NATO committed to move toward spending 2% of GDP on their military budgets by 2024. At their July 11-12 summit, the leaders will set the 2% figure as a spending floor, rather than a ceiling to aim for.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | 2023-07-03T12:33:12+00:00 | clickorlando.com | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2023/07/03/nato-readies-military-plans-to-defend-against-bruised-but-unbowed-russia/ |
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea launched multiple cruise missiles toward the sea on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, three days after the North carried out what it called a simulated nuclear attack on South Korea.
The launches are the North’s fourth round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries last week began large-scale military drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.
The 11-day U.S.-South Korean military drills are to end on Thursday. But North Korea is expected to continue its testing activities as the United States reportedly plans to send an aircraft carrier in coming days for another round of joint drills with South Korea.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected “several” cruise missile launches made from the North’s northeastern coastal town of Hamhung. It said the missiles flew into the North’s eastern waters and that South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities were analyzing further details.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the South Korean military will maintain a firm readiness and successfully complete the rest of the drills with the United States.
U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from launching ballistic missiles but don’t prohibit its cruise missile tests. But experts say cruise missiles developed by North Korea also pose a serious threat to its neighbors, as they are designed to fly at a lower altitude to avoid radar detection. The North has described the cruise missiles it recently tested as “strategic,” communicating an intent to arm them with nuclear weapons.
Coming off a record year in testing activity, the North has extended its provocative run in weapons demonstrations in 2023, launching around 20 missiles in 10 separate events. The weapons that were tested included short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missiles capable of striking South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to attack the mainland U.S.
Wednesday’s launches were the North’s first tests of cruise missiles since March 21, when it said it fired two cruise missiles from a submarine. Last month, North Korea launched what it called four long-range cruise missiles that demonstrated potential ranges to strike targets 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) away.
On Sunday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test-firing of a short-range ballistic missile that was launched from what was possibly a silo dug into the ground. North Korea’s state media called the launch a simulated nuclear attack on unspecified South Korean targets. | 2023-03-22T10:05:25+00:00 | fox59.com | https://fox59.com/news/national-world/ap-international/south-korea-says-north-korea-test-fires-cruise-missiles/ |
LETTER: Spending and tax cuts begin in the House
January 29, 2023 - 9:01 pm
I would remind Ron Mitchell (Jan. 25 letter) that no president can raise or lower taxes. The president can choose to sign or veto tax legislation, but spending begins on the House Ways and Means Committee. Some say that person may be the most powerful person in the country. | 2023-01-30T06:42:33+00:00 | reviewjournal.com | https://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/letters/letter-spending-and-tax-cuts-begin-in-the-house-2720562/ |
Which guinea pig cage is best?
It might seem like guinea pigs are fairly low-maintenance pets, but they must have a proper habitat to live in. You should spend some time finding the perfect guinea pig cage and making sure it’s appropriate for your pets.
Guinea pigs require more space than you may think, and they aren’t climbers, so it should be predominantly on one level. If you’re looking for a spacious home for a pair of piggies, the MidWest Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Home is ideal.
What to know before you buy a guinea pig cage
Cages vs. hutches
Guinea pig cages are the best homes for guinea pigs. However, you may have also heard of guinea pig hutches and want to know more about them.
- Cages: Cages are made from wire with hard or soft plastic bases. They’re meant for indoor use, which is ideal for guinea pigs.
- Hutches: Hutches are usually made from wood and wire. They’re designed for outdoor use, but it isn’t ideal to keep guinea pigs outside due to temperature fluctuations and danger from predators.
Size
Guinea pigs need plenty of space to move around, play and exercise themselves. They’re commonly kept in too-small cages and even many commercially available cages aren’t large enough. It’s important to know what size cage you need for the number of guinea pigs you want to keep. Because guinea pigs are social animals, you should keep them in pairs or larger groups, never alone.
- Two guinea pigs: If you want to house two guinea pigs, they’ll need at least 7.5 square feet of floor space. You can find quite a lot of 24-inch-by-48-inch cages, which equal 8 square feet.
- Three guinea pigs: A group of three guinea pigs needs at least 10.5 square feet, which is equal to 30 by 50 inches.
- Four guinea pigs: You need a cage of at least 13 square feet to keep four guinea pigs. This is the same as 30 by 62 inches. Few commercial cages are this large but some are designed so you can link two together.
Layout
While many cages for small animals, such as hamsters and rats, have multiple levels, guinea pigs aren’t climbers so their cages should have single-level layouts. While it’s fine to have a small second level with a shallow ramp, you should look for cages mostly arranged in one layer. This means they have large footprints and take up a significant amount of floor space, but it’s just something you have to live with if you want to keep guinea pigs.
What to look for in a quality guinea pig cage
Leakproof base
The base of your cage should be leakproof. Even though you’ll line it with bedding, it’s still vital that moisture can’t seep through.
Ventilation
Cages should be well-ventilated to provide healthy air quality for your piggies. Wire bars are ideal since air flows through freely.
Bar spacing
Safe bar spacing for adult guinea pigs is up to 1 1/2 inches, while cages for baby guineas should have bars no more than 3/4 of an inch apart.
How much you can expect to spend on a guinea pig cage
You can find some basic cages for around $50, while the largest and most elaborate cost $100-$250.
Guinea pig cage FAQ
How often should I clean my guinea pig’s cage?
A. You should do a quick spot clean to remove visible waste daily and a more thorough clean once a week. One of the benefits of choosing a large habitat for your guinea pigs is that they’ll usually use just one area as a bathroom, making spot cleaning significantly easier.
Do guinea pigs need hay in their beds?
A. Guinea pigs should always have access to an unlimited supply of hay. While they’re likely to use some of it to nest in, it shouldn’t be the only bedding in their cages because it isn’t absorbent. Wood chippings and sawdust can be harmful to guinea pigs’ respiratory systems, so it’s best to use paper-based bedding.
How much time do guinea pigs need out of their cages?
A. Ideally, they should have at least an hour outside of their cages twice a day, but anywhere up to 4 hours in total. During some of this time, you should play and interact with them. However, it’s also nice for them to have some time to roam freely in a large pen or a guinea pig-proofed room.
What’s the best guinea pig cage to buy?
Top guinea pig cage
MidWest Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Home
What you need to know: With 8 square feet of floor space, this is a perfect cage for two guinea pigs.
What you’ll love: The floor is leakproof and chew-resistant. You can divide it into two spaces if you like: one sleeping area and one living area. It’s easy to assemble, taking just minutes with no tools required.
What you should consider: The soft bottom makes it difficult to move around without emptying it.
Where to buy: Sold by Chewy
Top guinea pig cage for the money
Amazon Basics Indoor-Outdoor Small Pet Habitat Cage
What you need to know: Offering roughly 8 square feet of floor space, it’s great for a couple of piggies.
What you’ll love: It comes with an optional divider with a door in it. It comes with a lofted corner area that you can use as a hide, a spot for a bed or a food and water area. The waterproof canvas base is gentle on the feet.
What you should consider: The sides of the base could be higher as they let bedding out.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Kaytee Open Living Small Pet Habitat
What you need to know: This comes in a 24-by-48-inch version for two guinea pigs or a 30-by-60-inch version for three.
What you’ll love: You can connect both sizes of this cage to house four or more guinea pigs or to give them a separate run area. It’s quick and easy to assemble with a durable waterproof liner.
What you should consider: It can feel somewhat flimsy, so you need to make sure you position it on a stable surface.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-22T16:31:38+00:00 | krqe.com | https://www.krqe.com/reviews/br/pets-br/crates-carriers-containers-br/best-guinea-pig-cage/ |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Sean Clifford threw a 10-yard TD pass to Keyvone Lee with 57 seconds left Thursday night rallying Penn State to a 35-31 victory over Purdue.
Penn State has won 10 straight in the series and six of its last seven season openers. Purdue hasn’t beaten the Nittany Lions since 2004.
Purdue was on the verge, though, after Clifford’s errant throw midway through the fourth quarter resulted in a 72-yard interception return for a score by Chris Jefferson. That gave Purdue a 31-28 lead.
But Penn State’s sixth-year quarterback avenged that mistake with a masterful eight-play, 80-yard drive with less than three minutes to go. Clifford finished 20 of 37 with 282 yards and four scores despite leaving briefly in the third quarter with cramps.
“It was very impressive,” coach James Franklin said, referring to Penn State’s final drive. “We do the 2-minute drill all the time and it worked out for us right there. You can learn a lot of things in a game like this and I’d rather learn from a win.”
And it sure wasn’t easy in front of a near-capacity crowd on the road in a game that featured seven lead changes.
King Doerue scored twice for Purdue, Aidan O’Connell threw for 356 yards and another score and he celebrated his 24th birthday by hooking up with childhood friend Charlie Jones 12 times for 153 yards and a 17-yard TD pass.
Penn State looked like it might run away after forcing a turnover with 30 seconds left in the first half. Two plays later, Clifford found Brenton Strange, who broke two tackles on his way to a 67-yard TD with 2 seconds left to give Penn State a 21-10 lead.
But Doerue opened the second half with a score, O’Connell hooked up with Jones and Clifford threw a 29-yard scoring pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith to make it 28-24 before the finishing flurry.
“This one hurts because it’s a good football team that we haven’t beaten in a long time and we weren’t able to get it done,” Purdue coach Jeff Brohm said.
THE TAKEAWAY
Penn State: The Nittany Lions needed this win to stay in contention in the Big Ten East Division and they got it — barely. Clifford may have averted a quarterback controversy with his late heroics. But the ground game averaged 3.2 yards per carry last season generated just 3.1 on Thursday.
Purdue: An opening-night win certainly would have made a big statement in the wide open West. Instead, the Boilermakers lost a little momentum after winning nine games last season.
EARLY EXIT
Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter’s college debut was cut short by a targeting penalty early in the second quarter.
A replay review showed Carter making helmet-to-helmet contact with Boilermakers receiver Tyrone Tracy after Tracy dropped a pass near the line of scrimmage. Carter did not record a tackle.
UP NEXT
Penn State: Hosts Ohio on Sept. 10.
Purdue: Stays at home Sept. 10 against Indiana State.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://bit.ly/3pqZVaF. | 2022-09-02T07:00:02+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/cliffords-masterful-final-drive-sends-penn-st-past-purdue/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights were flying high after Game 1 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, having just beaten Washington and believing they were en route to a miracle championship for the first-year franchise.
Then reality hit in a big way, the Capitals winning the next four games and celebrating on the Knights’ home ice and later on Las Vegas’ famed Strip after Game 5.
It’s a memory that has stuck with seven current Vegas players — the six original Knights and Chandler Stephenson, who was on the Capitals at the time. That experience could be vital after the Knights opened this year’s Stanley Cup Final with a 5-2 Game 1 victory on Saturday over the Florida Panthers.
“I think we’re a little bit more humble to the situation now,” said Jonathan Marchessault, who also played for Vegas in its first Cup Final. “We know that it doesn’t mean anything winning one game in one series. For us, the focus is on next game, and that’s how we’re going to approach every game.”
The Knights have the chance Monday to send a strong message by taking a 2-0 series lead, or the Panthers could show they’re not going anywhere by pulling even to make it a best-of-five.
Florida also has folks who have been in this spot before, and players can look back to losing the first game of the first round against Boston for recent experience. Coach Paul Maurice has stayed even-keeled throughout, and that didn’t change Sunday.
“Why do I got to be in a bad mood today just because we lost the game?” Maurice said. “That also doesn’t do my team any bit of good, to be growling up here or sending messages. That’s not what that group needs from me.”
Perhaps what the Panthers need is a few more bounces and a little less truculence. They took four penalties in the first 50-plus minutes of the game and then many more, including three misconducts, in a late scuffle.
“Staying out of the box is another thing of emphasis for us,” said forward Sam Reinhart, who was held off the scoresheet in the series opener. “We got to play that line where we’re trying to play an aggressive game, an in-your-face game. And we’re trying to play on that line, for sure.”
Other teams have tested the Knights during the playoffs, and sometimes Vegas has responded in ways that has hurt its team. Other times, the Knights have chosen not to retaliate, an approach they mostly took in Game 1.
‘I think it’s more about us just keeping our discipline and playing between the whistles,” Cassidy said. “I don’t think we get rattled by certain things. Obviously, our team has emotion and they will play with it. I think we’ve done a good job across the line for the most part in taking it out of our game when the other teams get to use that as an advantage.”
Cassidy knows what it’s like as a coach to win Game 1, overseeing the Boston Bruins team that took the initial lead in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final over St. Louis. The Blues, who had current Knights Alex Pietrangelo and Ivan Barbashev on that team, came back to win in seven games.
So Vegas’ locker room is filled with those who understand the importance of maintaining urgency in what could potentially be a long series.
Shea Theodore talked before facing the Panthers about how that 2018 team thought it was headed for the championship after that first victory over the Capitals. Perhaps with the disappointment of that outcome still on his mind, when asked Sunday what the experience showed him, Theodore said his only focus was on Game 2.
“Every year, when you lose that last game, you take a lesson out of it,” said William Carrier, another holdover Knights player from that first year. “So all the boys who were here the first year, the first game you’re not winning it right off the bat. You’ve got to keep pushing.”
___
AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
___
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-06-05T03:20:02+00:00 | pix11.com | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/golden-knights-know-from-experience-game-1-victory-doesnt-ensure-win-over-panthers/ |
WASHINGTON — The FBI’s unprecedented search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida residence ricocheted around government, politics and a polarized country Tuesday along with questions as to why the Justice Department — notably cautious under Attorney General Merrick Garland — decided to take such a drastic step.
Answers weren't quickly forthcoming.
Agents on Monday searched Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, which is also a private club, as part of a federal investigation into whether the former president took classified records from the White House to his Florida residence, people familiar with the matter said. It marked a a dramatic escalation of law enforcement scrutiny of Trump, who faces an array of inquiries tied to his conduct in the waning days of his administration.
From echoes of Watergate to the more immediate House probe of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, Washington, a city used to sleepy Augusts, reeled from one speculative or accusatory headline to the next. Was the Justice Department politicized? What prompted it to seek authorization to search the estate for classified documents now, months after it was revealed that Trump had taken boxes of materials with him when he left the White House after losing the 2020 election?
Garland has not tipped his hand despite an outcry from some Democrats impatient over whether the department was even pursuing evidence that has surfaced in the Jan. 6 probe and other investigations— and from Republicans who were swift to echo Trump's claims that he was the victim of political prosecution.
All Garland has said publicly is that “no one is above the law.”
FBI agents descended on Trump’s shuttered-for-the-season home — he was in New York, a thousand or so miles away — with search warrants.
Monday’s search intensified the months-long probe into how classified documents ended up in boxes of White House records located at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year. A separate grand jury is investigating efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and it all adds to potential legal peril for Trump as he lays the groundwork for a potential repeat run for the White House.
Familiar battle lines, forged during a a four-year presidency shadowed by investigations, quickly took shape again. Trump and his allies sought to cast the search as a weaponization of the criminal justice system and a Democratic-driven effort to keep him from winning another term in 2024 — though the Biden White House said it had no prior knowledge and current FBI Director Christopher Wray was appointed by Trump five years ago.
Trump, disclosing the search in a lengthy statement late Monday, asserted that agents had opened a safe at his home, and he described their work as an “unannounced raid” that he likened to “prosecutorial misconduct.”
Justice Department spokesperson Dena Iverson declined to comment on the search, including whether Garland had personally authorized it.
About two dozen Trump supporters stood in protest at midmorning Tuesday in the Florida summer heat and sporadic light rain on a bridge near the former president’s residence. One held a sign reading “Democrats are Fascists” while others carried flags saying “2020 Was Rigged,” “Trump 2024″ and Biden’s name with an obscenity. Some cars honked in support as they passed.
Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence, a potential 2024 rival, tweeted on Tuesday: “Yesterday’s action undermines public confidence in our system of justice and Attorney General Garland must give a full accounting to the American people as to why this action was taken and he must do so immediately”
Trump was planning to meet Tuesday at his Bedminster, New Jersey, club with members of the Republican Study Committee, a group headed by Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana that says it is committed to putting forth his priorities in Congress.
The FBI reached out to the Secret Service shortly before serving a warrant, a third person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Secret Service agents contacted the Justice Department and were able to validate the warrant before facilitating access to the estate, the person said.
The Justice Department has been investigating the potential mishandling of classified information since the National Archives and Records Administration said it had received from Mar-a-Lago 15 boxes of White House records, including documents containing classified information, earlier this year. The National Archives said Trump should have turned over that material upon leaving office, and it asked the Justice Department to investigate.
There are multiple federal laws governing the handling of classified records and sensitive government documents, including statutes that make it a crime to remove such material and retain it at an unauthorized location. Though a search warrant does not necessarily mean criminal charges are near or even expected, federal officials looking to obtain one must first demonstrate to a judge that they have probable cause that a crime occurred.
Two people familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the search on Monday was related to the records probe. Agents were also looking to see if Trump had additional presidential records or any classified documents at the estate.
Trump has previously maintained that presidential records were turned over “in an ordinary and routine process.” His son Eric said on Fox News on Monday night that he had spent the day with his father and that the search happened because “the National Archives wanted to corroborate whether or not Donald Trump had any documents in his possession.”
Asked how the documents ended up at Mar-a-Lago, Eric Trump said the boxes were among items that got moved out of the White House during “six hours” on Inauguration Day, as the Bidens prepared to move into the building.
“My father always kept press clippings,” Eric Trump said. “He had boxes, when he moved out of the White House.”
Trump himself, in a social media post Monday night, called the search a “weaponization of the Justice System, and an attack by Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for President in 2024.”
Trump took a different stance during the 2016 presidential campaign, frequently pointing to an FBI investigation into his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, over whether she mishandled classified information via a private email server she used as secretary of state. Then-FBI Director James Comey concluded that Clinton had sent and received classified information, but the FBI did not recommend criminal charges.
Trump lambasted that decision and then stepped up his criticism of the FBI as agents began investigating whether his campaign had colluded with Russia to tip the 2016 election. He fired Comey during that probe, and though he appointed Wray months later, he repeatedly criticized him, too, as president.
Thomas Schwartz, a Vanderbilt University history professor who studies and writes about the presidency, said there is no precedent for a former president facing an FBI raid -- even going back to Watergate. President Richard Nixon wasn’t allowed to take tapes or other materials from the White House when he resigned in 1974, Schwartz noted, and many of his papers remained in Washington for years before being transferred to his presidential library in California.
The probe is hardly the only legal headache confronting Trump. A separate investigation related to efforts by him and his allies to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election — which led to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol — has also been intensifying in Washington. Several former White House officials have received grand jury subpoenas.
And a district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, is investigating whether Trump and his close associates sought to interfere in that state's election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden.
___
Associated Press writers Terry Spencer, Meg Kinnard, Michelle L. Price and Will Weissert contributed to this report. | 2022-08-09T22:10:55+00:00 | newscentermaine.com | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/nation-world/fbi-search-of-trump-florida-estate-why-now/507-19817ef2-e9d3-4594-aef9-b8decb416d1f |
(Motor Authority) — Nissan in 2021 rolled out a handful of concepts previewing potential designs for the brand’s upcoming EV portfolio. One of them was a pickup truck called the Surf-Out, which could prove popular as both a lifestyle truck and light-duty workhorse in the U.S.
Nissan design chief Alfonso Albaisa told Motor Authority in a 2022 interview that his design team was investigating an electric pickup truck, and now an executive representing Nissan dealerships has revealed that Nissan is studying one for the U.S.
The information was revealed by Nissan Dealer Advisory Board Chairman Tyler Slade in an interview with Automotive News (subscription required) published on Sunday.
Slade also said in the interview that dealers are asking for a mid-size electric truck, and that commercial buyers could benefit as running costs could potentially be lower compared to a traditional gas-powered truck.
While Ford already offers an electric truck in the form of the full-size F-150 Lightning, and General Motors and Ram are readying full-size electric trucks of their own for 2024, any Nissan electric truck is likely to be in the mid-size category or smaller. There is already a mid-size electric pickup on the market in the form of the R1T, though it comes at a hefty price starting at $73,000.
According to Automotive News’ sources, Nissan plans to exit the full-size pickup truck segment, potentially as soon as this year. Nissan’s current option in the segment, the Titan, managed just 27,406 sales in 2021 and only 15,063 sales in 2022.
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Nissan plans 23 electrified models across the Nissan and Infiniti brands by 2030, of which 15 will be EVs. The first of the new EVs is expected in 2025. | 2023-01-29T02:55:02+00:00 | siouxlandproud.com | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/automotive/nissan-reportedly-investigates-electric-pickup-for-us/ |
DALLAS, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Kyle A. Owens has joined the Dallas office as a member of the firm's Banking & Financial Services Practice Group.
"Kyle is well-regarded for consistently providing his clients with skilled legal counsel focused on practical solutions to real-world problems," said Bradley Dallas Office Managing Partner Richard A. Sayles. "We are pleased to welcome Kyle to the firm as we continue to grow the level of service and depth of capabilities that we offer out of our Dallas office."
Mr. Owens dedicates his practice to supporting financial services firms, as well as providers of goods and services that offer financing to their customers. He helps clients navigate risk, solve problems, and develop new lending products. He has deep experience providing guidance regarding the laws and regulations affecting the financial services industry, including the Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, CFPB regulations, and various state-law requirements. Mr. Owens distills these complex regulatory requirements into practical advice to meet his clients' goals.
Mr. Owens is a graduate of Harvard Law School and earned his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. He is a member of the Southwest Association of Bank Counsel and the Mortgage Bankers Association, and is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He has been named by D Magazine to its list of "Best Lawyers in Dallas" for Banking and Finance multiple times.
With the addition of Mr. Owens, Bradley's Dallas office has more than tripled in size over the last three years, growing into a full-service office with particular strength in its litigation, finance, corporate, government enforcement, fintech and emerging business practice areas. The firm now has more than 50 lawyers located across its offices in Dallas and Houston and has more than 70 lawyers licensed in the state, which is part of Bradley's strategic plan to prioritize high-quality, high-value legal services for its clients in Texas and beyond.
About Bradley
Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm's almost 600 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.
Social Media: @bradleylegal, #legalnews, #lawyers
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SOURCE Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP | 2022-07-07T21:19:59+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/bradley-welcomes-kyle-owens-partner-dallas-office/ |
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch Amenities Group, a full-service global provider of wellness, amenity and meeting services for commercial and residential properties, hotels and private clubs, today announced the acquisition of Innovative Spa Management, Privai and Spa Space, the latter of which it gained a majority stake.
Barry Goldstein, Arch Amenities Group chief executive officer, said the acquisition "immediately expands Arch's network of spa clients to over 70 while providing a dynamic technology platform to manage and further enhance those facilities as well as Arch's 260 other wellness, recreation and amenities spaces."
Innovative Spa Management provides spa consulting and management for the hospitality industry, including concept design, strategic planning, feasibility assessments, brand development and spa operations designed to support its clients' branded facilities while increasing their value and profitability.
Privai manufactures "spa in a bottle" botanical skin-care products and is opening spas and salons offering customized services and treatments, including massages, facials, skin care, waxing, hair care, nail manicures, pedicures and makeup services. Privai operates five salons in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Spa Space is a SaaS platform – software as a service – designed to improve spa utilization and drive revenue through a proprietary algorithm that evaluates customer preferences and connects them with a network of therapists and spas. The software provides real-time reservations and contactless check-in and check-out while automating payments, scheduling and staffing.
"Bringing these businesses into Arch Amenities Group complements our expanding set of services," said Goldstein. "As the demand for wellness services increases, we are creating a more connected way to deliver the very best spa services while driving spa utilization for their owners. At the same time, we are giving more control and flexibility to the professionals who work in those spas."
In conjunction with the acquisition, llana Alberico and Christina Stratton, who co-founded Innovative Spa Management in 2006, joined the Arch Amenities Group executive team: Alberico as president of Spa Space and Stratton as chief product & creative officer in charge of Privai. Alberico also will provide spa and wellness thought leadership for Arch's original spa management portfolio and oversee the day-to-day operations of Innovative Spa Management's hotel spa clients.
"Our focus has always been about innovation, solutions and fostering wellness," said Alberico. "Moving forward with Arch Amenities Group allows us to further sharpen that focus and integrate our services with Arch's wellness, spa, amenity and meeting portfolio."
Innovative Spa Management's hotel spa clients include the Grand Hyatt Nashville, Tennessee; Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, Florida; The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina; Willard InterContinental Washington D.C.; InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf; Orlando World Center Marriott; Marriott's Cypress Harbour Villas, Orlando; Caribe Royale Orlando; and Marriott's Autograph collection properties with select Kessler Collection Poseidon Spas.
Arch Amenities Group, based in Rockville, Maryland, is a leading provider of hospitality management and consulting services for commercial and residential properties, hotels, spas, private clubs and recreation spaces worldwide. Arch provides daily management services as well as feasibility studies, planning and design consultancy and pre-opening and sustaining strategy and support. Arch is a portfolio company of private equity firm CI Capital Partners.
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SOURCE Arch Amenities Group | 2022-09-12T13:09:50+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/arch-amenities-group-acquires-innovative-spa-management-privai-spa-space/ |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — In the aftermath of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, governors around the country vowed to take steps to ensure their students would be kept safe.
Months later, as students return to classrooms, money has begun to flow for school security upgrades, training and other new efforts to make classrooms safer.
But the responses have often reflected political divisions: Many Republicans have emphasized school security spending, while Democrats have called for tighter gun control.
At every step, the actions have stirred debate over whether states are doing the right things to address the scourge of school shootings.
In a special legislative session in Arkansas last month, lawmakers set aside $50 million for a school safety fund proposed by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The rules for distributing the money haven’t been finalized, but Hutchinson has said he wants it to help implement recommendations from a school safety commission he reinstated following the May shooting in Texas, where 19 students and two teachers were killed.
The shooting “served as a reminder that the threat of violence in our schools has not abated,” Hutchinson said. “It continues to be real, and we have to act with a renewed sense of urgency to protect our children.”
Texas was among several other states that set aside money for school security. Gov. Greg Abbott and other top Republican leaders announced $105.5 million for school safety initiatives. Nearly half of that was slated for bullet-resistant shields for school police and $17.1 million was for districts to purchase panic-alert technology.
Other Republican governors who made money available for security upgrades include Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who announced $100 million for school security three days after the Uvalde shooting, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, whose state is giving $2.6 million to increase training capacity and classes for school resource officers.
“While these are the latest measures we’re taking to ensure our children’s safety, I can assure you they will not be the last. I will work with anyone, even in the midst of a heated election cycle, to protect our students,” Kemp, who is running for reelection, said in June.
Some of the Republican governors who have moved aggressively to bolster school security have ruled out any kind of gun control measures.
Hutchinson had said there should be a conversation about raising the age to purchase an AR-15-style rifle — the type of weapon used in Uvalde — but didn’t pursue such a measure during the session. Abbott also has pushed back on calls for more gun control by families of the Uvalde shooting victims. Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt vowed to fight any firearms restrictions when he signed an executive order on training for law enforcement and risk assessment at schools.
In California, which already had some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a dozen more this legislative session and even took out ads in Texas newspapers criticizing the state’s stances on guns.
“We’re sick and tired of being on the defense in this movement,” Newsom said in July.
In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation last month requiring the state’s nearly 600 school districts to set up assessment teams aimed at stemming violence in schools. One of the bill’s sponsors recounted hearing of an Uvalde victim who pretended to have been killed in the attack to escape the shooter.
“Does anybody want to teach this — how to play dead?” Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, a Democrat, said during a hearing in June.
Despite the partisan divisions on gun violence, a group of governors says it will attempt to find common ground. A task force created by the National Governor Association following the Uvalde shooting will develop recommendations to stop mass shootings, with an emphasis on school safety. Hutchinson, a former chairman of the association, has said the task force will focus in part on how states might use money coming to them through the bipartisan gun control bill President Joe Biden signed in June.
Teachers, political opponents and others have raised questions about the scope and effectiveness of state leaders’ plans.
In Arkansas, Democratic lawmakers questioned whether districts taking the new grant program’s money would be required to have an armed presence on campus, one of the initial recommendations from the state’s school safety commission.
“It’s one thing to say ‘school safety,’ but that runs the gamut of so much,” said Democratic Sen. Linda Chesterfield, a retired educator and the only legislator to vote against the grant program. “What specifically do you have in mind, and what price is it going to cost? I guess I’m just tired of having to fly by the seat of my pants and not know a thing about what’s going to go into that (commission’s) report.”
In Ohio, teachers unions say one-time funding that’s for equipment like door locks and radio systems — but not ongoing needs like personnel — is helpful but not enough.
Schools need money for staffing, too, including for safety and mental health personnel, said Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Education Association.
“Ideally, you’re gonna use funding to ensure that every school that wants to hire well-trained school resource officers, as part of their school safety plan, can do that,” DiMauro said. “And from that perspective, you know, the $100 million isn’t going to solve the problem in the long run.”
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Associated Press writers Samantha Hendrickson in Columbus, Ohio; Jeff Amy in Atlanta; Paul Weber in Austin, Texas; Don Thompson in Sacramento, California; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City; and Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed to this report.
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For more back-to-school coverage, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/back-to-school | 2022-09-06T13:48:40+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/news/national/ap-states-plans-to-make-school-safer-reflect-political-divides/ |
Nonprofit pays off home mortgage for family of fallen Iowa State Trooper
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The home of a fallen Iowa State Trooper has been paid in full, thanks to a nonprofit organization.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced on Thursday it has fully paid off the family’s mortgage.
The Iowa State Patrol said Trooper Ted Benda was responding to a call for service when he swerved to avoid hitting a deer while driving at high speed. He later died from his injuries. Trooper Benda had served in state law enforcement for more than 16 years.
He is survived by his wife, Holly, and their four daughters. His youngest daughter was born in September 2021.
In a press release, the nonprofit said its Fallen First Responder Home Program pays off mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killedi n the line of duty, leaving behind young children.
“Our mortgage was our largest monthly expense,” Ted Benda’s wife Hollly Benda said in the release. “Eliminating that expense has given me the opportunity to focus solely on my children and their needs without the worry of paying a mortgage. I am not only trying to raise my children with my values and interests in mind, but I am now trying to also fulfill my husband’s role and instill his values in them so that they always feel his love.”
Tunnel to Towers said it has paid off the mortgages on 22 homes belonging to fallen first responders in 16 states ahead of Independence Day.
“As we celebrate America’s freedom this Fourth of July, I am honored to give these fallen first responder families the financial freedom of owning their home, mortgage-free,” said Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller. “While you are celebrating with flags and fireworks this weekend, please take a moment to think of these heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe and those who will continue to put their lives at risk every day.”
A funeral was held for Trooper Benda in October 2021 at Waukon High School.
Copyright 2022 KCRG. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-30T15:32:56+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/2022/06/30/nonprofit-pays-off-home-mortgage-fallen-iowa-state-trooper/ |
- Top-line data expected in the first quarter of 2023
- Data to be part of new drug application submission expected in third quarter of 2023
SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MAPS Public Benefit Corporation ("MAPS PBC"), a private company dedicated to the development and commercialization of psychedelic medicines, announced the final participant visit has been completed in MAPP2, a multi-site Phase 3 study of MDMA-assisted therapy ("MDMA-AT") for post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD").
The top-line results are expected in the first quarter of 2023. This is the second of two Phase 3 pivotal trials and will be the basis for the New Drug Application ("NDA") expected to be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") in the third quarter of 2023. The FDA granted MDMA-AT Breakthrough Therapy Designation, a process designed to expedite development and review of drugs intended to treat serious conditions and that demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies.
"The completion of our confirmatory Phase 3 study brings us closer to potentially achieving our goal of delivering MDMA-assisted therapy to the millions of Americans with PTSD who are grossly underserved by existing treatment options," said Amy Emerson, chief executive officer, MAPS PBC. "This has been a decades-long journey born out of a desire to explore the potential of MDMA-assisted therapy to treat various mental health conditions. Our progress to date would not be possible without the tireless commitment of the investigators, therapists, clinical trial participants and of course MAPS and the thousands of donors who have funded our research to date."
The first Phase 3 study, MAPP1, examined the safety and efficacy of MDMA-AT versus therapy with placebo control in treating individuals with severe PTSD. MAPP1 demonstrated that 88 percent of the participants treated with MDMA-AT had a clinically significant improvement in their PTSD symptoms and 67 percent no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis. The most common adverse events in the MDMA group were muscle tightness, decreased appetite, nausea, sweating, pupil dilation, and feeling cold; no serious adverse events were reported.
The MAPP2 study protocol was essentially the same as the first Phase 3 study with two primary differences. MAPP2 enrolled participants with moderate and severe PTSD, while participants in MAPP1 had severe PTSD. In addition, enrollment of people of color doubled with the total participants of color representing more than 50 percent of the total in the study.
MDMA-AT has not been approved by any regulatory agency. The safety and efficacy of MDMA-AT have not been established for the treatment of PTSD.
MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) is focused on developing and commercializing prescription psychedelics while prioritizing public benefit above profit. Founded in 2014, MAPS PBC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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SOURCE MAPS Public Benefit Corporation | 2022-11-17T12:22:45+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/11/17/maps-pbc-completes-second-phase-3-mapp2-trial-mdma-assisted-therapy-treatment-ptsd/ |
‘My immediate thought was to protect my family’: Man fatally shoots bear inside home
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (KUSA) – A man in Colorado shot and killed a bear that entered his home over the weekend.
Fortunately, no one at the home was injured.
If a bear is willing to cross your driveway, hang on your front porch or crash a fundraiser, a home visit should come as no surprise, like one occurred at Ken Mauldin’s Steamboat Springs home on Saturday.
Mauldin said he was in bed at 2 a.m. when he said he was awakened by his wife screaming and his dogs “going crazy.”
“When I got out of bed, Kelly started screaming, ‘There’s a bear in the house,’” he said. “So, I grabbed a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.”
Mauldin said he recognized the shape of a bear and fired nine times.
“I shot it as soon as I could shoot it,” he said. “I shot it and then it charged me, and I kept shooting at it. It backed up and changed directions, busting through our banister railing and landing on the stairs, and then it slid down and wound up in a pile at the bottom of the stairs.”
Mauldin said someone had left a door unlocked, which may have led to the bear getting inside.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said most bear encounters don’t end like this. The department said it rely on people to report problems with bears so wildlife officers can tailor advice to individual homes and neighborhoods.
“We do see bears getting into homes a lot,” an official with the department said. “It seems in the Steamboat area we have seen an increase in that this year with bears getting in through unlocked doors and windows.”
If a bear does happen to break into your home, the department said the best thing to do is to give them a call and report it.
Regardless of how it ends up, no one wants to face an unexpected visitor like a bear in their home.
“I just recognized that it was a bear, and my immediate thought was to protect my family and to shoot it,” Mauldin said.
Copyright 2022 KUSA via CNN. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-18T18:30:41+00:00 | wfsb.com | https://www.wfsb.com/2022/08/18/my-immediate-thought-was-protect-my-family-man-fatally-shoots-bear-inside-home/ |
Man who killed 6 in Christmas parade to pay more restitution
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin judge ordered a man convicted of killing six people when he drove his SUV through a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee to pay tens of thousands of dollars more in restitution Thursday, saying she wants to make sure he doesn’t profit from any potential movie or book deal.
Darrell Brooks Jr. was convicted in October of 76 charges, including six homicide counts and 61 counts of reckless endangerment, for driving through the parade in downtown Waukesha in 2021. Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow sentenced him to six consecutive life sentences without parole and ordered him to pay about $171,400 in restitution in November.
Brooks drove his red Ford Escape through the parade after getting into a fight with his ex-girlfriend. Six people were killed, including 8-year-old Jackson Sparks, who was marching with his baseball team, and three members of a group known as the Dancing Grannies. Scores of others were injured.
Brooks told the court that he suffered from mental illness and didn’t plan to drive into the parade route.
Dorow increased that restitution amount to $476,200 on Thursday at the request of District Attorney Susan Opper, who said she wanted to replenish taxpayer dollars that went to support Brooks’ victims. She also voiced concern that Brooks could profit by selling his story to movie makers, publishing companies or media outlets.
Brooks’ attorney, Michael Covey, argued that Opper was simply piling on Brooks. He told the judge that Brooks is extremely poor, he’ll never be able to pay anybody anything with the minuscule wages he’ll make working menial jobs in prison, and the odds that anyone would pay him for his story are “miniscule.”
“(Increasing Brooks’ restitution) is just more additional punishment, adding extra zeroes to the judgment of conviction,” Covey said.
But Dorow said Brooks would owe even more restitution than Opper was seeking if the victims hadn’t been able to draw from well-wishers’ donations.
The judge said that garnishing Brooks’ prison wages would serve as a constant reminder of the pain he caused — and that there’s a real possibility someone could pay him for his story. She ordered that any money from such deals be placed in escrow as per state law.
“You need only to look at Netflix to know crime stories are ... things people want to watch,” she said.
Under Wisconsin law, anyone who agrees to pay someone convicted of a serious crime in the state for their story must deposit the money into an escrow account. The money must go first to pay any outstanding legal fees, then any court judgements, and then to cover victim claims.
Roughly $134,000 of the increased restitution amount would go to the state’s crime victim fund, a taxpayer-funded account that reimburses crime victims for losses. The rest will be divvied up among various victims’ insurance companies.
Dorow in November ordered that about $47,000 of the original restitution be used to reimburse the Waukesha school district’s insurance company because a number of of Waukesha South High School band members who were marching in the parade were hurt. The remainder was directed to the state’s crime victim compensation fund.
Brooks drove his red Ford Escape through the parade after getting into a fight with his ex-girlfriend. Six people were killed and scores of others were injured. Brooks told the court that he suffered from mental illness and didn’t plan to drive into the parade route.
Brooks represented himself at trial and created a spectacle, engaging in shouting matches with Dorow, ripping off his shirt, building a fort in the courtroom out of his boxes of files and refusing to answer to his own name. The case drew so much attention Dorow tried to parlay her new-found name recognition into a failed bid for the state Supreme Court.
Brooks appeared at Thursday’s hearing via a video feed from prison. He said nothing during the proceeding. He did give a thumbs-up when asked if he could hear and shook his head in disagreement when arguments turned to creating reminders of his crimes.
The convictions came following a trial in which Brooks represented himself. He was combative throughout the proceedings, engaging in shouting matches with Dorow, arguing he isn’t subject to government restrictions and refusing to answer to his own name. He was so disruptive that Dorow often had bailiffs move him to another courtroom where she could mute his microphone.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-13T22:58:18+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/2023/04/13/man-who-killed-6-christmas-parade-pay-more-restitution/ |
Jurors to begin hearing Jan. 6 Oath Keepers sedition case
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors will lay out their case against the founder of the Oath Keepers extremist group and four associates charged in the most serious case to reach trial yet in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack.
Opening statements are expected Monday in Washington’s federal court in the trial of Stewart Rhodes and others charged with seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors say was a weekslong plot to stop the transfer of power from Republican Donald Trump to Democrat Joe Biden.
Defense attorneys will also get their first chance to address jurors, who were chosen last week after days of questioning over their feelings about the insurrection, Trump supporters and other matters.
The stakes are high for the Justice Department, which last secured a seditious conspiracy conviction at trial nearly 30 years ago.
About 900 people have been charged and hundreds convicted in the Capitol attack. Rioters stormed past police barriers, engaged in hand-to-hand combat with officers, smashed windows and halted the certification of Biden’s electoral victory.
But the Oath Keepers are the first to stand trial on seditious conspiracy, a rare Civil War-era charge that carries up to 20 years behind bars. The trial is expected to last several weeks.
Prosecutors will tell jurors that the insurrection for the antigovernment group was not a spontaneous outpouring of election-fueled rage but part of a drawn-out plot to stop Biden from entering the White House.
On trial with Rhodes, of Granbury, Texas, are Kelly Meggs, leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers; Kenneth Harrelson, another Florida Oath Keeper; Thomas Caldwell, a retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer from Virginia; and Jessica Watkins, who led an Ohio militia group. They face several other charges as well.
Authorities say Rhodes began plotting to overturn Biden’s victory just days after the election. Court records show the Oath Keepers repeatedly warning of the prospect of violence — or “a bloody, bloody civil war,” as Rhodes said in one call — if Biden were to become president.
By December, authorities say, Rhodes and the Oath Keepers had set their sights on Congress’ certification of the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6.
The Oath Keepers organized trainings — including one in “unconventional warfare” — and stashed weapons at a Virginia hotel so they could get them into the capital quickly if necessary, prosecutors say. Over several days in early January, Rhodes spent an $15,500 on guns, including an AR-platform rifle, magazines, mounts, sights and other equipment, according to court documents.
On Jan. 6, Oath Keepers equipped with communication devices, helmets, vests and other battle gear were seen on camera storming the Capitol. Rhodes is not accused of going inside, but telephone records show he was communicating with Oath Keepers who did enter around the time of the riot and he was seen with members outside afterward.
And prosecutors say the plot didn’t end on Jan. 6. In the days between the riot and Biden’s inauguration, Rhodes spent more than $17,000 on firearm parts, magazines, ammunition and other items, prosecutors say. Around the time of the inauguration, Rhodes told others to organize local militias to oppose the Democratic administration, authorities say.
“Patriots entering their own Capitol to send a message to the traitors is NOTHING compared to what’s coming,” Rhodes wrote in a message the evening of Jan. 6.
Defense attorneys have said the Oath Keepers came to Washington only to provide security at events for figures such as Trump ally Roger Stone before the president’s big outdoor rally behind the White House. Rhodes has said there was no plan to attack the Capitol and that the members who did acted on their own.
Rhodes’ lawyers are poised to argue that jurors cannot find him guilty of seditious conspiracy because all the actions he took before Jan. 6 were in preparation for orders he anticipated from Trump — orders that never came.
Rhodes’ attorney has said that his client will eventually take the stand to argue that he believed Trump was going to invoke the Insurrection Act and call up a militia, which Rhodes had been calling on him to do to stop Biden from becoming president. Rhodes’ attorneys will argue that what prosecutors have alleged was an illegal conspiracy was merely lobbying the president to use a U.S. law.
Prosecutors say Rhodes’ own words show he was going to act regardless of what Trump did. In one message from December 2020, Rhodes wrote that Trump “needs to know that if he fails to act, then we will.”
The last successful seditious conspiracy case was against an Egyptian cleric, Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, and nine followers convicted in a plot to blow up the United Nations, the FBI’s building, and two tunnels and a bridge linking New York and New Jersey.
___
For full coverage of the Capitol riot, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-03T06:31:38+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/2022/10/03/jurors-begin-hearing-jan-6-oath-keepers-sedition-case/ |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The final phase in the selection of 12 jurors who will decide whether Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz should receive the death sentence got underway Tuesday, the conclusion of a nearly three-month effort that began with 1,800 candidates.
The dozen jurors and eight alternates will be winnowed down from 53 candidates by prosecutors and defense attorneys. Each side can try to persuade Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer that a particular candidate is biased. If she disagrees, each side also will have at least 10 peremptory challenges where they can eliminate candidates for any reason except race or gender.
The jury will decide whether Cruz, 23, receives the death sentence or life in prison without parole for the murders of 14 students and three staff members at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. Cruz pleaded guilty in October to those murders and 17 counts of attempted murder, so the jurors will only decide his punishment. They must be unanimous for Cruz to get the death penalty — if at least one votes for life, that will be Cruz’s sentence.
The final pool survived three rounds of questioning that began April 4. Jury selection had been expected to take about a month, but was beset by numerous delays because of sickness and other factors.
The panel will have a task never faced by a U.S. jury — no American mass shooter who killed at least 17 people has ever made it to trial. Nine others died during or immediately after their shooting attacks, killed either by police or themselves. The suspect in the 2019 slaying of 23 at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, is awaiting trial.
In the first phase of jury selection, the prospective panelists were simply asked if their employment and life circumstances would allow them to serve the four months the trial is expected to last. About 80% were eliminated because their employers wouldn’t pay them, they are self-employed, or they had school obligations or vacations planned.
In the second phase, the 300 remaining panelists were asked their opinions on the death penalty and whether they could be fair to Cruz. Finally, about 85 were asked about their lives and work histories, whether they could stomach seeing gruesome crime scene and autopsy photos and even if they play violent video games and believe white people have advantages in society not available to racial minorities.
The selection process was upended several times. One day, the sheriff’s deputies who guard the courtroom thought some potential jurors were about to attack Cruz and pulled him to safety as they quickly removed the threatening panelists. On another day, Scherer had to dismiss a group of potential jurors because one wore a T-shirt referencing the shooting that supported the victims and survivors. Selection also was delayed for two weeks when lead defense attorney Melisa McNeill contracted COVID-19.
The jurors will be exposed to graphic evidence, including crime scene and autopsy photos and tour the three-story classroom building where Cruz methodically stalked the halls, shooting at anyone in front of him and into classrooms. It has not been cleaned since the shooting and remains bloodstained and bullet-pocked, with Valentine’s Day gifts strewn about. | 2022-06-28T19:38:57+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/final-jury-selection-begins-in-florida-school-massacre-trial/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
Studies show a generational gap in electric vehicles: younger people tend to be more approving of them, but less able to afford them. But carmakers are betting that they are the cars of the future.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Studies show a generational gap in electric vehicles: younger people tend to be more approving of them, but less able to afford them. But carmakers are betting that they are the cars of the future.
Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-11-08T22:32:53+00:00 | kgou.org | https://www.kgou.org/science-technology-and-environment/science-technology-and-environment/2022-11-08/younger-people-are-most-interested-in-electric-vehicles-but-cant-afford-to-buy-them |
The new cycling program takes advantage of Virginia's Blue Ridge's booming cycling culture.
SALEM, Va., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Roanoke College announced today that it will launch a competitive cycling program for women and men. The announcement was made by Tom Rambo, dean of students, at the announcement of the courses for the 2022 USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships, which will be held in Virginia's Blue Ridge from June 29 to July 2.
Although cycling as a sport is new to Roanoke College, there is a strong connection between Roanoke College and cycling. Roanoke College soccer captain Shelley Olds '03 became a world class cyclist after graduating from the College in 2003. She was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team and competed in the 2012 London Olympics.
"I am ecstatic about the news that Roanoke College will have a collegiate cycling team," Olds said. "There couldn't be a more perfect location for competitive cycling. The terrain and beauty of the Roanoke area is an easy draw for both recreational and amateur cyclists of all ages. I think many student-athletes, current and prospective, will see this as an incredible opportunity to enhance their collegiate experience as well as their athletic growth and development."
"I will be rooting for the team, and I know that anything that Roanoke College commits to, they end up doing very well," Olds said. "I have no doubt that the collegiate cycling team will be well-run and extremely successful."
Roanoke College has registered both men's and women's teams with USA Cycling, competing this fall as a club sport. The teams, for men and women, will elevate to varsity status within a few years and at that time will compete as part of the Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference (ACCC.)
"USA Cycling is excited to have Roanoke College back on board after more than a 10-year hiatus," said Justin Evans, USA Cycling's Collegiate and Interscholastic Programs Manager. "The new leadership is pushing the program in the direction of success, so we are excited to see how this program grows from their restart as a club and the transition to varsity in the coming semesters."
The College will begin the search for a cycling coach this summer. There is already interest in the program and the College is recruiting students to take part in the booming cycling culture in Virginia's Blue Ridge. One recent addition to that culture is Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24, a national cycling team that aims to prepare female cyclists for the Olympics. The team is based in the Roanoke Valley.
"The Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24 team is recognized as a valued recruitment platform for young athletes heading to college, with eight professional athletes and 27 junior athletes currently in the program," said Nicola Cranmer, founder and general manager of Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24 cycling team. "I'm thrilled that Roanoke College will be an additional pathway to education for cycling students. The timing is perfect with USA Cycling Amateur National Championships coming to Virginia's Blue Ridge in the coming weeks, and this is a super opportunity for students to experience first-hand what the area has to offer."
Virginia's Blue Ridge is home to excellent cycling assets as America's East Coast Mountain Biking Capital including a Silver-level Ride Center designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Region-wide the area has excellent road cycling on the Blue Ridge Parkway and greenways as well as emerging gravel trails.
Roanoke College, located in Salem, Virginia, offers an innovative core curriculum and majors that allow for depth of study and research. Roanoke College encourages students to believe in themselves and their potential. Students participate in internships, creative projects, community service, and study away — endeavors that help them find their purpose in life. The Roanoke College experience is a full one, only enhanced by its setting — minutes away from a vibrant city and the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.
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SOURCE Roanoke College | 2022-06-02T18:48:32+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/roanoke-college-launching-competitive-cycling-program-men-women/ |
It's a good time to be an oil company – and an even better time to be an oil investor.
Over the past couple of weeks, Big Oil companies have reported a surge in profits for the first three months of the year. In fact, earnings would have been even bigger had they not booked charges from exiting Russia.
But that boom is bound to raise scrutiny from Democrats who believe Big Oil's profits are coming at the expense of American consumers saddled with high prices at the gas pump.
Here are three things to know about the earnings in the oil sector.
Big Oil is riding the wave of higher energy prices
Unsurprisingly, it all comes down to surging crude oil prices.
Brent crude futures, the benchmark globally, have surged more than 40% this year, going above $130 a barrel following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
And while prices have come down since, Brent is still trading above $100 a barrel.
That's bolstering the bottom lines for oil companies.
ExxonMobil, the country's largest oil company, reported its net profit more than doubled to $5.5 billion from a year earlier. That was even after booking a $3.4 billion charge from exiting its operations in Russia.
Meanwhile, Chevron reported its highest quarterly profit in nearly a decade, while Shell posted its highest earnings ever.
The surge in profits comes despite the writedowns tied to Russia, and they speak to how good the quarter was for Big Oil, according to analysts.
"The bottom line is that the industry is generating the highest free cash flow certainly in the 25 years that I've looked at this business," says Doug Leggate, who runs the oil and gas equity research team for Bank of America, referring to a key metric for companies.
It wasn't always this good, however.
Oil companies suffered earlier in the pandemic, when crude even turned negative (meaning traders were actually paying buyers to get the oil off their hands).
Exxon, for example, suffered a historic net loss in 2020, its worst performance in decades.
What's good for Big Oil is good for their investors
The record earnings in the first months of this year are leading to big dividends and share buybacks for investors.
Exxon plans to buy back up to $30 billion in shares by the end of next year, triple what it had initially projected.
Other companies, including BP and Chevron, are also returning money to shareholders.
The increased dividends and buybacks reflect the pressure that Big Oil is under from their own investors, who wants these companies to be disciplined in how much they invest in new oil production and instead return money to their shareholders.
After all, the oil sector has often been hit by boom-and-bust cycles.
Oil companies would respond to higher crude prices by sharply increasing production. So much in fact, that companies would end up flooding the market with oil, often leading to a crash in prices – and hefty losses for companies and their investors.
But pressure is bound to increase from Washington
None of this is likely to please many Democrats.
Big Oil CEOs were hauled into a Congressional hearing last month, where House Democrats accused them of gouging consumers by sharply raising gasoline prices, which the executives firmly denied.
Gasoline prices have surged to above $4 a gallon, hitting a record of $4.331 not adjusted for inflation in March, according to price records kept by AAA.
Of course, gas prices are primarily determined by global crude prices, and analysts have long dismissed accusations of price gouging as too simplistic.
At the same time, Big Oil is also under pressure to increase production by the Biden administration, which is looking for a solution to high gasoline prices.
Oil companies are increasing production, but they are doing so measuredly, given the pressure they are under from investors and given that they are constrained by supply chain and staffing challenges.
Chevron said it increased oil and gas production by 10% during the first quarter from a year earlier, and is on pace to boost output for the year.
Leggate, at Bank of America, thinks the criticism being leveled at oil companies is ultimately unfair.
Although oil companies are enjoying bumper profits, he points out that hasn't always been the case.
"Obviously we hear a lot about the level of profitability for the industry," he said. "But remember this industry lost a lot of money over the last 5, 6, 7, 10 years. And so if you look at it on a ten-year basis, the industry is still just moving its head above break even."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-05-07T10:06:34+00:00 | iowapublicradio.org | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2022-05-07/the-good-times-are-rolling-for-big-oil-3-things-to-know-about-their-surging-profits |
BAGHDAD (AP) — Singers, actors, sports stars — the list goes on. Iranian celebrities have been startlingly public in their support for the massive anti-government protests shaking their country. And the ruling establishment is lashing back.
Celebrities have found themselves targeted for arrest, have had passports confiscated and faced other harassment.
Among the most notable cases is that of singer Shervin Hajipour, whose song “For …” has become an anthem for the protest movement, which erupted Sept. 17 over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was arrested for not abiding by the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code.
The song begins with a soft melody, then Hajipour’s resonant voice starts, “For dancing in the streets,” “for the fear we feel when we kiss …” — listing reasons young Iranians have posted on Twitter for why they are taking to the streets against the ruling theocracy.
It ends with the widely chanted slogan that has become synonymous with the protests: “For women, life, freedom.”
Released on his Instagram page, the song quickly went viral. Hajipour paid the price: The 25-year-old was arrested and held for several days before being released on bail on Oct. 4.
Since the protests took off — and expanded from anger at Amini’s death to a complete challenge to the 43-year-old rule by conservative Islamic clerics — a string of celebrities have faced reprisals, from singers and soccer players to news anchors.
At least seven public figures have been detained inside the country, most of whom were released on bail and could face charges, according to Iranian news outlets. Others were questioned and released.
But their popularity has also made it difficult to crack down too hard on them — in contrast to protest activists whom security forces have arrested in large numbers. Iran has a vibrant scene of singers and actors, as well as sports stars, who are closely followed by the public.
Holly Dagres, an Iranian-American non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, said the attempts to intimidate public figures were no surprise.
“Celebrities — be it athletes, actors, singers or artists — have a large following inside Iran, particularly on social media, and their support gives life to these protests,” she said.
Their support has helped invigorate protesters struggling with widespread internet outages that limit their ability to have their voices heard and facing a brutal government crackdown. There have been widespread arrests, dozens have died and many more wounded. Still, protests have spread to dozens of cities, drawing broad segments of Iranian society, from schoolgirls to oil workers.
One of Iran’s most beloved singers of classical Persian music, Homayoun Shajarian, projected a large photo of Amini behind him on stage as he sang a traditional song, “Dawn Bird,” during a tour in Australia in September.
The audience joined him in singing one of the song’s most iconic lines: “The tyrant’s oppression like a hunter has blown away my nest. God, Sky, Nature, bring dawn to our dark night.”
When Shajarian returned to Iran, his passport and that of actress Sahar Dolatshahi, who was traveling with him, were seized at the airport. He later said on his Instagram account that they had been barred from travel.
Similarly, a soccer legend in Iran, Ali Daei, had his passport confiscated at the airport when he returned from abroad. He had urged the government on social media to “solve the problems of the Iranian people rather than using repression, violence and arrests.”
A few days later, the passport was returned to him, he told the press.
Two well known former soccer players, Hossein Mahini and Hamidreza Aliasgari, were arrested and released on bail. Mona Borzoui, a female songwriter and Mahmoud Shahriari, a former state TV showman, have also been arrested and face charges.
Iranian leaders blame foreign governments for fanning the protests. Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Majid Mirahmadi said celebrities in particular have had a “steering role” in the unrest.
Mirahmadi said celebrities who have backed the protests will be allowed to atone for their “mistaken actions.”
He denied any athletes had been arrested but said some had received “guidance.” He said Mahini, for example, had been released and given “the chance to make good on his mistakes,” according to the Mehr News Agency.
Public figures have not been deterred.
Amirhossein Esfandiar, a national volleyball player, reposted a video of violent confrontations between security forces and protesters, writing, “You have no sense of humanity, why do you beat and kill innocent people?”
Qasim Haddadifar, a veteran sportsman and former soccer captain, published photos of girls protesting and wrote he was proud of them in an Instagram story.
Some players on the soccer team Persepolis F.C. reportedly wore black armbands during a Wednesday match in solidarity with the protest movement and were later summoned by security, reported British-based Iran International.
Actress Hediye Tehrani said Iranian security had warned her about her posts to her nearly 1 million Instagram followers. Still, she continues to share images in support of the protests. “Millions of girls are now Mahsa Amini,” she wrote in a recent post.
Celebrities outside of Iran have also raised their voices, from Dua Lipa and Shakira to the fashion house Balenciaga. On Instagram, Angelina Jolie posted a photo of a protester holding up an image of Amini and wrote, “To the women of Iran, we see you.”
The ruling establishment clearly sees danger in celebrities’ wide reach. Ali Saaedi Shahroudi, a former representative of the Supreme Leader of Revolutionary Guards, called for an organization to oversee the behavior of musicians, actors and sports stars, similar to institutions regulating professional groups.
But the damage may have already been done.
Although Hajipour was forced to remove his song from Instagram, it continues to reverberate, sung by everyone from Iranian school girls to protesters in European capitals.
A campaign is under way to nominate the song for a Grammy, in the best song for social change category.
“While using #MahsaAmini might seem like keyboard activism, Iranians see the world’s attention is on them and they appreciate it,” said Dagres. “The solidarity invigorates protesters to keep braving batons and bullets to make a change in their country. It gives them hope.” | 2022-10-16T07:45:48+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/irans-celebrities-face-reprisals-for-supporting-protests/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
A raging wildfire in Yosemite National Park is burning in an iconic grove that contains some of the biggest and oldest trees on Earth. It’s the latest bout of extreme summer weather exacerbated by climate change.
“There’s been a lot of activity and a lot of work by firefighters to protect the trees,” said Nancy Phillipe, a Yosemite park ranger and fire information officer.
Firefighters working both from aircraft and on the ground in tough terrain are racing to hem in the fire before it destroys the gigantic trees that have inspired generations of trekkers and have attracted tourists from around the world.
Workers have even gone as far as to place orange sprinklers around the base of the Grizzly Giant, one of the Mariposa Grove’s most iconic sequoias. The humidity from the mist provides a measure of “preventive first aid” if the fire gets too close, according to ecologist Garrett Dickman.
“We really don’t want to leave this one to chance,” Dickman said while standing at the foot of the tree in a recent video on Facebook.
So far, none of the grove’s named trees — including the 209-foot Grizzly Giant as well as the Bachelor and Three Graces — are damaged, according to Phillipe.
The fire is 25 percent contained as of Monday evening. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Phillipe said.
The gargantuans, which can live for thousands of years, grow only in about six dozen groves along a narrow band on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
Normally, the giant sequoia not only can thrive amid low- to medium-intensity forest fires — it needs them to survive. Its fibrous, bronze-colored bark resists burns and insulates the interior against the heat of periodic fires. Its tiny, oatmeal-sized seeds can only successfully take root in soil left bare by a blaze.
But recent fires, fueled with vegetation killed by blistering drought and built up over years of fire suppression, are testing the mettle of nature’s most massive trees.
“We’re getting catastrophic fires at a magnitude that we haven’t seen before,” said Joanna Nelson, director of science and conservation planning for the Save the Redwoods League. “We’ve seen a really big uptick in fire extents and intensity and damage in the giant sequoia in particular since 2015.”
A wildfire sparked by lightning came dangerously close last year to General Sherman — a tree that is the world’s largest by volume and older than the Colosseum in Rome — before firefighters wrapped fireproof blankets around it and other giants in California’s Sequoia National Park, to the southeast of Yosemite.
Other giant sequoias have not been as fortunate. In total, three fires over the past three years have killed up to 19 percent of the entire population. An early melting of the Sierra Nevada’s snowpack in May is only turbocharging dry conditions this year.
The current Washburn Fire in Yosemite is also at the doorstep of Wawona, a community of about 160 within the park that is home to campgrounds as well as the historic Wawona Hotel. Normally swollen with tourists in the summer, the area cleared out after a mandatory evacuation order Friday.
The fire is casting a smoky pall over much of California. The haze blotted out the vistas of popular destinations in Yosemite such as Half Dome and El Capitan. It has grown so big that the Bay Area, some 150 miles away, was choking under an air quality advisory Monday due to the smoke.
Past blazes may help halt the current one. Officials said the fire’s march will be slowed as it approaches the footprint of a 2017 conflagration.
“That’s okay with us because what we have seen in the past is, when unwanted fire gets into a footprint area, then it tends to slow,” said Phillipe, the Yosemite park ranger.
For now, she urged visitors still streaming into other parts of the park to be patient as the southern gate remains shut: “There’s a higher impact on those other entrance stations since this one is closed.” | 2022-07-11T23:27:31+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/07/11/yosemite-wildfire-sequoias-maripolsa-grove/ |
Monday, February 13th 2023, 5:12 pm
Two people died in two separate fires over the weekend in Tulsa.
The fire department says one was caused by cigarettes and one started in the kitchen. The Oklahoma Safety Council says the best thing to do to protect yourself is to be prepared before a fire.
"When you have a fire in the house, panic is the number one thing that will step in, it will kick in and you just go over and over with them about what to do in a fire," Stewart said.
Martin Stewart is the operations manager for the Oklahoma Safety Council. He says making sure your family has a good escape plan can help save lives.
One important step is to make sure doors and windows don't have anything blocking them.
“If you have to go out of a window, don't jump. You want to hang out of the window, decrease the distance to the ground before you let go," Stewart said.
He encourages families to prepare a meeting destination outside of the house don't go back inside for any personal items. Stewart says one of the common mistakes people make is smoking in bed. Another danger is putting water on a grease fire. Instead, cover the fire with a lid or use baking soda, and not be cautious with cords and outlets.
"You want to keep a fire extinguisher maybe near the garage or maybe near the sink," Stewart said.
Lastly, always make sure you replace batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
The Oklahoma Safety Council provides fire prevention classes for anyone who wants to be prepared.
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February 14th, 2023 | 2023-02-14T19:00:30+00:00 | newson6.com | https://www.newson6.com/story/63eac69a3ed9c202f66be8d4/experts-provide-fire-safety-tips-after-2-fatal-fires-in-tulsa |
NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Max Homa knew he had no choice but to go for it on the par-5 18th hole if he wanted to defend his title at the Fortinet Championship. Trailing Danny Willett by a shot, he went for the green in two but ended up in a tough spot in a bunker short of the green. He blasted out but still wasn’t on the putting surface.
Homa stayed aggressive, and this time it paid off, ramming his chip from 33 feet into the hole for a closing birdie. Still, all Willett needed to do was convert his own birdie from short range — and he didn’t deliver.
Willett hit his 3-foot, 7-inch putt too hard. It grazed the lip and ran 4 feet, 8 inches by. Then his comebacker broke left, hit the lip and stayed out, too, completing a shocking collapse that made Homa the winner again in Napa.
“That was crazy. I still don’t really know what happened,” said Homa, a college star at California who now has three victories in the Golden State. “Just kind of one of those weekends you just had to hang around.”
Homa high-fived his caddie when his chip shot hit the flagstick and dropped. Moments later, he was a five-time winner on the PGA Tour.
“Them things happen. Luckily we’ve been in a good position all week and then unfortunate things happen when you feel like you need them most,” said Willett, who is winless in the United States since he took advantage of Jordan Spieth’s collapse to win the 2016 Masters.
Willett laid up 65 yards short of the 18th green green, then stuffed his approach close enough that closing out the tournament should have been routine.
“It’s a shame with how it finished but I’m pretty sure those are the only short putts we’ve missed all week. Just a shame to do it when I did. One of them things. At times you wish you could rewind time. We learn from it and move on,” he said.
Homa had struggled with his putter over the weekend but didn’t need it at the end.
“Today I hit it well, kept it around the hole where it needed to be, I just couldn’t get the ball to go to its home,” he said. “On 18 it decided to go home quickly, so that was quite a nice bonus.”
Homa closed with a 4-under 66 for a total of 16-under 272 and now heads to Charlotte, North Carolina, as a captain’s pick for the Presidents Cup with three wins in the past 12 months. Willett shot 69. Taylor Montgomery was alone in third at 13 under after a closing 64.
Homa’s wife, Lacey, had no idea what he’d just done but hurried out to hug her husband. She is pregnant with their first child, a boy, due Nov. 2.
“I’m shocked right now,” she said. “I didn’t see what was happening.”
The leaders had their tee times pushed up by nearly four hours in an effort to get the round in before the North course at Silverado Resort & Spa became completely unplayable. Greens that had been hard and fast earlier in the week from the sun and wind were suddenly quite the opposite, slow and soft from all the water.
Justin Lower held a one-stroke lead going into the final day while chasing his first title after years of struggles just to secure his tour card. The 33-year-old American wound up tied for fourth with Byeong Hun An at 12 under after shooting a 1-over 73.
Willett birdied three holes on the front nine to take a three-stroke lead, only to miss a short par putt on the par-5 ninth as Lower birdied to pull back within a stroke.
Homa and Willett began the day one shot back of Lower. All three players birdied the par-4 10th.
On the par-4 14th, Willett made a miraculous birdie. His tee shot landed behind a tree, and then he whipped the ball around it to the back side of the fringe before sinking a 5-foot putt.
On the front nine, Willett birdied Nos. 1, 4 and 8 — making a 7-footer for birdie on the par-4 eighth while Lower made bogey.
The 34-year-old Willett, from Sheffield, England, stayed loose, laughed with his caddie and smiled between holes in far from ideal conditions in California’s famous wine country: wind and heavy rain the first three holes, a brief respite, then more rain. He regularly toweled off his clubs, wiped down his shoes before putting and took on and off his black sleeveless vest.
The weather made for an intimate gallery of umbrella-holding diehards willing to brave the elements.
“It’s what I came to California for,” Willett cracked with a grin in the early going of his final round.
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More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-09-19T11:06:30+00:00 | localsyr.com | https://www.localsyr.com/sports/sports-news/ap-homa-chips-in-wins-in-napa-after-willetts-shocking-3-putt/ |
(CNN) — A woman pushing a baby in a stroller was shot in the head at close-range and killed in Manhattan Wednesday night, police said.
The three-month-old baby was unharmed, and the relationship between the 20-year-old woman and the baby was unclear Wednesday, police told CNN.
The shooting happened just after 8:20 p.m. in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, police noted. Authorities are searching for a suspect.
“A woman is pushing a baby carriage down the block and is shot in point blank range. It shows just how this national problem is impacting families,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during a news conference. “It doesn’t matter if you are on the Upper East Side or East New York, Brooklyn.”
The shooting came hours after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a legislation package aimed at tightening gun laws in the state.
The Democratic governor’s move is in response to the US Supreme Court’s ruling last week that struck down a century-old New York state gun law that placed restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun outside the home.
On Wednesday, Hochul said a conceptual agreement has been reached that includes a series of protections expanding open carry gun restrictions in sensitive locations, including in federal, state and local government buildings, health and medical facilities as well as at daycares, parks, zoos, playgrounds and on public transportation. Educational institutions and places of worship would also be protected under the measure, Hochul said.
“The Supreme Court decision was a setback for us, but I would call it a temporary setback,” Hochul said during a Wednesday afternoon news conference.
Hochul said she hopes to sign the legislation Thursday after a special legislative session convenes.
Other gun control efforts are underway in the state, including lawsuits filed by New York City and the New York Attorney General’s Office against 10 companies selling parts for so-called ghost guns, officials said. The legal action aims to hold distributors accountable for the proliferation of mail-order components used to make untraceable guns that lead to shootings.
The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-30T13:04:53+00:00 | wsvn.com | https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/woman-pushing-a-baby-stroller-shot-dead-in-manhattans-upper-east-side-police-say/ |
SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar collapsed as he was trying to walk off the field after a scary collision with rookie shortstop C.J. Abrams and was then placed on a stretcher and driven away on a cart on Thursday night.
Profar and Abrams both went after a flyball hit by Tommy La Stella of the San Francisco Giants into shallow left field in the fifth inning. Abrams made the catch with his back to the infield and his left knee hit Profar in the left jaw as the left fielder appeared to be positioning himself for a diving catch.
Profar rolled onto his back and was writhing in pain. He was tended to for several minutes and at one point sat up. He attempted to walk off the field, accompanied by trainers, but collapsed just as he got to the infield dirt.
He was on the ground for several more minutes, surrounded by the training staff, before a medical cart arrived. Profar was placed on a stretcher before being driven off on the cart. His teammates watched from a few feet away.
Abrams remained in the game.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-07-08T18:49:58+00:00 | ourquadcities.com | https://www.ourquadcities.com/sports/padres-profar-collapses-after-collision-taken-off-on-cart/ |
There’s a longstanding debate between the northern and southern U.S. that features legumes: specifically, lima beans vs. butter beans.
Available in dried, frozen or canned variations at grocery stores nationwide, lima beans are known for having a mild flavor and creamy texture. Although their specific shapes and sizes do vary, the pale-green or cream-colored beans are popular; they’re an important part of regional Southern dishes like succotash and skillet beans with salt pork.
As for butter beans? We’re here to set the record straight: butter beans and lima beans are the same. They’re seeds from the Phaseolus lunatus plant. Southerners like to call them butter beans, especially when they’re fresh. You might even hear some people call the smaller varieties baby limas. Sometimes, they are also referred to as double beans or wax beans — and they have other names as well.
In other words, this battle between lima beans vs. butter beans really just comes down to semantics. Lima beans appear to get their name from the capital of Peru in Central America, where people have apparently been cooking them since 800 B.C. The term “butter bean”‘s origins are less clear; they probably refer to the bean’s texture. The term is used in the U.K. as well as the southern U.S.
No matter what you call them, limas belong to the legume family, which includes lentils, peanuts, chickpeas, beans and peas. Thanks to high amounts of nutrients like protein, fiber, copper, magnesium and potassium, lima beans are considered to be a superfood. Just one cup of lima beans contains roughly one-quarter of your recommended dietary allowance of iron and a whopping 92% of the daily RDA of manganese.
Improving digestive and heart health top the chart for benefits of eating these beans. Other advantages include possible protection against anemia and better control of diabetes.
As with many other types of beans, you don’t want to eat these raw, as they contain cyanide. However, they are perfectly safe boiled, braised or otherwise cooked. You can even serve them on their own with a simple dressing of butter, salt and lemon.
They work well in slow cooker recipes. One popular dish is Southern-style butter beans with ham or bacon. Add them to soups for a fiber and protein boost, toss them on salads and pasta dishes or casseroles, or use your blender to create a delicious, creamy hummus-style bean dip.
So, now you know the real answer to the age-old debate of lima beans vs. butter beans! Some people might argue that a butter bean might sound more appealing to eat than a lima bean. What do you think?
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | 2023-01-01T19:45:29+00:00 | news5cleveland.com | https://www.news5cleveland.com/butter-beans-vs-lima-beans-what-you-should-know |
Super Bowl draws epic air show of private planes to Phoenix
By TERRY TANG
Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) — Former NFL player Jim Bob Morris is heading to the Super Bowl in Phoenix from Bloomington, Illinois, in a newly refurbished set of wheels. His ride has new paint, new seating and even a new bathroom.
Morris, who played for the Green Bay Packers, Houston Oilers and was even with the Kansas City Chiefs briefly, is CEO of several companies including Morris Packaging and El Bandido Yankee tequila. He and seven other executives will arrive at Scottsdale Airport on Tuesday on the company’s Cessna Citation Excel. The midsize jet has chairs that recline far enough for comfortable sleep. There are tables and internet so that everyone can pull out laptops and cellphones to work. Morris plans to fill in as the flight attendant and serve everyone.
“I know where everything’s at,” Morris said, chuckling. “I know where the vodka is at. I know where the El Bandido is at. We actually do serve other spirits other than just El Bandido — if anybody has the courage to order it.”
Private jet-setters are the reason every Super Bowl comes with super-size air traffic. Officials expect over 1,000 additional planes to descend on metropolitan Phoenix’s eight airports and beyond this week for the matchup between the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles as well as the Phoenix Open, which wraps up on the same day. Many of them will be carrying entertainers, sports figures and corporate VIPs who don’t have to deal with long security lines or cramped coach seats. Instead they’ll be sitting back eating filet mignon and imbibing. Even with the expected long line of airplane departures after the game and high airport fees, some say nothing beats the convenience.
More than 4,000 additional takeoffs and landings and nearly 1,100 additional aircraft parked at Phoenix-area airports are expected during Super Bowl week, according to the FAA. Over 1,000 additional takeoffs and landings are anticipated at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport during the weekend, said Heather Shelbrack, an airport spokeswoman. Compare that to February 2022 when there were nearly 2,000 aviation operations total for the month.
Scottsdale Airport, which is closest to the course where the Phoenix Open is played, is expecting a huge turnout, airport spokeswoman Sarah Ferrara said. She had no estimate on how many more planes would be present this week. But in 2015 — when Phoenix last hosted the Super Bowl — there were 1,189 operations during the weekend.
All reservations for arrival and departure times are handled through fixed-base operators at the airports. It’s imperative travelers don’t miss reserved time slot since so many flights are scheduled out. And on a high-traffic periods like right after the game, the takeoff fees for private planes can be sky-high. That’s why Morris plans to leave early next week rather than be caught in the “air show” of nonstop departures Sunday and Monday.
Morris played in the NFL in the ’80s and actually started out as a free agent with the Chiefs but was released due to injury. But he’s not coming just to cheer them on. He also is attending two dozen events for El Bandido for Super Bowl and the Phoenix Open. The company’s ambassadors include former Chiefs players Bill Maas and Dino Hackett. Nick Lowery, former Chiefs placekicker. is a minority owner.
Flying privately is the way Morris typically does business. In the past year alone, he has logged over 400 hours of travel on one of his company’s three planes.
“People think it’s sexy and there’s certain elements of it that can be,” Morris said. “So, my deal is about compressing time.”
For some travelers, the luxury and perks are the appeal. Ion Jets, a brokerage firm that acts as an agent for members looking for private flights, has received over 175 inquiries for Super Bowl weekend. They don’t stop at just booking the flight, said CEO Todd Spitzer.
For example, a longtime client and current NFL player will be flying on a Gulfstream Jet with seven family members. Since his birthday is around that time, his favorite foods — filet mignon and lobster tails — will be served. They’ve even booked the family a house in the posh Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley with a private chef.
Ion does not own or operate any aircraft. They work with a network of 5,000 aircraft globally, Spitzer said.
“If somebody owns an aircraft and its ability to be chartered, we keep it busy and we help people who own aircraft offset the cost of their ownership,” Spitzer said. “It’s not just the flight. From ground transportation, hotels, catering, we’re setting up people right now for Shaq’s Fun House … it’s ground-to-air concierge.”
Since the pandemic, Spitzer has noticed more interest in private aviation. It might have been out of fear of COVID-19 in the beginning. But now, they are driven by other issues like the wave of cancellations that hit Southwest Airlines in December.
“We’ve seen just a huge change in the reason why people are flying privately. It used to be mostly for ease and convenience,” Spitzer said. “And it still is, but it’s actually turned into more of a necessity now.”
Private jets have come under more scrutiny in recent months by climate change advocates after a highly publicized unofficial study of celebrity travel. One reason it’s so concerning is that an airplane can produce higher amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, which linger in the air for literally hundreds of years, according to Sonja Klinsky, an associate professor at Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability. On a private aircraft where there are fewer people, the emissions per person will be higher.
So, a rising demand for private aviation is “exactly the wrong trend if we’re worried about climate change.”
“If we have limited atmospheric space, what kinds of activities are we as a society willing to use our limited emissions for? That is a complicated and very important question,” Klinsky said. | 2023-02-06T18:15:18+00:00 | keyt.com | https://keyt.com/news/2023/02/06/super-bowl-draws-epic-air-show-of-private-planes-to-phoenix/ |
An orangutan on the Critically Endangered Species List has given birth to an adorable new addition at the Sacramento Zoo. A 19-year-old Sumatran orangutan named Indah gave birth to a male infant on May 1.
Sharing photos of the infant, the zoo writes on Facebook that both mother and son are doing well, but that Indah was having some issues with nursing the baby, so they are currently separated.
“After the birth of the infant, care staff began around the clock observations to be certain everything was going smoothly with the pair,” they wrote. “While Indah’s behavior was appropriate, the first-time mother was having difficulty nursing, and the team made the decision to intervene in order to provide the infant with supplemental care. The baby is currently receiving around the clock care by animal care and veterinary staff while the team is continuously reevaluating plans to reunite the infant with Indah. The timeframe for reintroduction is unknown at this time, but that remains the ultimate goal.”
The mother and infant are being cared for behind the scenes at the zoo and are not currently on view for the public, but the zoo says they will continue to keep the community informed on their well-being. In the meantime, though, the zoo is sharing photos of the adorable baby on social media:
The first orangutan birth at the Sacramento Zoo since 1981, this is also big news for the Sumatran species, as the zoo says there are currently only 79 Sumatran orangutans in human care in the United States.
According to the World Wildlife Foundation, there are currently 14,613 Sumatran orangutans in the world, making them critically endangered.
Sumatran orangutans live in the trees of tropical rainforests. There are currently nine populations of Sumatran orangutans, but the WWF says only seven have “prospects of long-term viability, each with an estimated 250 or more individuals.”
This is the second critically endangered orangutan born at a U.S. zoo in the past year, with the Oregon Zoo welcoming a Bornean orangutan in April 2022.
The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia also recently welcomed an infant orangutan and went viral on social media when a zookeeper taught the little one’s mother how to breastfeed.
Congratulations to the Sacramento Zoo and new mom, Indah!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | 2023-05-11T15:45:28+00:00 | news5cleveland.com | https://www.news5cleveland.com/endangered-sumatran-orangutan-welcomes-baby-at-sacramento-zoo |
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___ | 2022-12-28T16:28:19+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/College-Basketball-Schedule-17681032.php |
The new campaign showcases how bestselling, Bb.Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer instantly cuts frizz by 50% compared to untreated hair.
NEW YORK, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bumble and bumble announced today that it is partnering with actress Brittany O'Grady, for their new campaign celebrating the brand's #1 best seller Bb.Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer. The multitasking Primer was shown to instantly cut frizz by 50% compared to untreated hair, and stay that way all day, even in extreme humidity.
Both at home and on set, Brittany is known for loving a range of looks – from smooth and sleek to natural, voluminous curls. Consumers and fans can follow Brittany through a day in her life with a new campaign video, where Brittany relies on her co-star, Bb.Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer, to support her style all day long with humidity-tested, frizz reduction support.
"I'm so excited to be a part of this campaign for Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer," Brittany shared. "I'm thrilled to talk about a product that I truly love and that helps me so much on a daily basis. I don't have to worry about my style changing throughout the day because of frizz."
Corey Reese, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Bumble and bumble said, "At Bumble and bumble, we believe in really great hair on your own terms and Brittany embodies that mindset. She embraces a fearless approach to hair styling and self-expression, making her a perfect partner for this campaign."
Bumble and bumble #1 bestseller, Bb.Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer, is a multitasking leave in treatment for all hair types powered by a signature 6-oil blend. In addition to featherlight moisture, it provides heat protection up to 450°F/232°C, has UV filters to help protect hair against the drying effects of the sun, helps protect color from fading for up to 16 washes, detangles to help protect against breakage, smoothes, softens, and adds shine. One Bb.Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer is sold every minute*.
The collection is available now at Ulta and Ulta.com, Sephora and Sephora.com, Bumbleandbumble.com, Bumble and bumble Flagship NYC Salons and Bb.Local Salons.
@Bumbleandbumble
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*Based on internal sales data, 12 months ending January 31, 2022.
Bumble and bumble began as a New York City salon in 1977, where Bumble and bumble hairdressers clipped, colored and styled their way into prominence in magazines, on runways, and backstage around the world.
The brand is inspired by masters of the craft – hair stylists and colorists who are obsessed with technical and artistic excellence through bold self-expression. Bumble and bumble invents products to meet these professionals' exacting standards that are also easy enough for anyone to use. From the iconic, wave-enhancing Surf Spray to the bestselling, mega moisturizing Hairdresser's Invisible Oil range, these well-loved products are used by the pros in Bumble and bumble salons and by millions of people around the world at home every day.
At Bumble and bumble, we believe in really great hair on your own terms.
Our mission – to provide a range of high-performing products and techniques inclusive of every hair type, texture, and styling preference so that you can create the hair you want every day, every night, every time.
Pro-curated, backstage-vetted, and life-tested for real, powerful results.
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SOURCE Bumble and bumble | 2022-07-27T18:25:04+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/bumble-bumble-partners-with-actress-brittany-ogrady-its-latest-bbhairdressers-invisible-oil-primer-campaign/ |
Sail in Hubei, See the Open Sky at the End of Canyon
BEIJING, Sept. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online:
Hubei is the "province of thousands of lakes", with the Yangtze River, Han River and Qing River all flowing through it. Mountains and rivers, haze shadow and wave light, constitute a natural charming landscape picture. Take a boat trip, be in harmony with rivers. When you are watching the scenery on the boat, the people on the shore are also watching you. This is the charm of taking a boat tour in Hubei!
"The Three Gorges is magnificent, please take a boat tour when you travel at three gorges". The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River is consists of Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, of which Xiling Gorge is located in Yichang, Hubei, and Wu Gorge is located at the junction of Hubei and Chongqing. The section of the Yangtze River in Hubei is the most magnificent section of the Yangtze River. Nature has endowed this and canyon with thousands of beauty. Poets also sang this landscape corridor with the most magnificent poems.
Boarding the Yangtze River Cruise and boat on the Yangtze River, you can watch the endless green hills by Xiling Gorge, watch the rising tide in Gezhou Dam, visit the century project --- the Three Gorges Dam, and feel the spirit of great power from zero distance.
Xiling Gorge, which is located between the Three Gorges Dam and Gezhouba Dam, is the most magical and spectacular section in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. Xiling Gorge enjoys a superior geographical position, and is known as "one shoulder carries two gorges, one river carries two streams". People scenic Three Gorges is here, across the beautiful Dengying Gorge, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with picturesque scenery.
Swaying in a boat between the Three Gorges, it is like a dreamland where time has stood still. Ancient sailboats and awning boats are quietly moored in front of the People scenic Three Gorges. Various customs handed down for thousands of years shows the optimistic and simple life attitude of Xiajiang people.
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SOURCE CRIOnline | 2022-09-27T06:53:23+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/09/27/traveling-along-yangtze-river-hubei/ |
Some states passed laws protecting abortion rights before Roe was overturned. A few are going further. Vermont will vote on an amendment to fully protect abortion access in the state's constitution.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Some states passed laws protecting abortion rights before Roe was overturned. A few are going further. Vermont will vote on an amendment to fully protect abortion access in the state's constitution.
Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-06-29T22:06:31+00:00 | mainepublic.org | https://www.mainepublic.org/2022-06-29/vermont-to-vote-on-whether-to-amend-the-states-constitution-to-protect-abortion |
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hundreds of fans gathered at a sports hall in Gaza City on Sunday, which Qatar prepared for the Palestinian residents of the impoverished territory to watch the World Cup matches for free.
The fans looked attentively at the large screen as the opener game between Qatar and Ecuador kicked off.
The event was a gesture by the Qatar Committee for Reconstruction of Gaza, an arm of the wealthy Arabian Peninsula state’s foreign affairs ministry. Through the committee, Qatar has funneled over $1 billion since 2013 for major rehabilitation projects, including residential complexes, hospitals, and roads, as well as for post-war reconstruction.
“Like other countries, one had an ambition to go to Qatar, see the stadiums and players on the ground, but the conditions in Gaza doesn’t permit,” said Emran al-Shawa, a Gaza resident.
Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza when the militant Hamas group seized the territory in 2007. The blockade and wars with Israel have worsened living conditions in Gaza. Travel outside the densely populated territory is severely restricted.
“We could not go to Qatar and watch the World Cup because of the siege first, the economic condition second. Many things prevent us from going there to attend the matches, but the main factor that blocked us from going there is the (Israeli) occupation and its siege,” said another fan, Anas Snounou. | 2022-11-20T20:18:23+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/In-blockaded-Gaza-World-Cup-fans-watch-from-the-17599398.php |
(WXIN) – Peacock subscribers are set for a price increase.
Effective Aug. 17, the streaming service will go up by $1 for Premium subscribers (from $4.99 to $5.99) and $2 for Premium Plus subscribers (from $9.99 to $11.99). The Premium subscription includes advertisements, while the Premium Plus subscription gets rid of most ads and allows viewers to download content for offline viewing. Premium Plus also grants access to livestreaming of local NBC affiliates.
This marks the first price increase for Peacock, which dropped its free plan for new subscribers earlier this year. The service from NBCUniversal launched in July 2020.
The annual Premium plan will increase from $49.99 to $59.99, while a Premium Plus annual subscription will go from $99.99 to $119.99.
Current customers will see the new rates during the next billing cycle starting “on or after” Aug. 17, while new customers will pay the new rates when they sign up. The revised pricing structure already appears on Peacock’s website.
Peacock isn’t alone in charging more for its streaming service. Last year, Disney+ and Hulu increased their subscription prices. Paramount+ and Max announced price increases earlier this year. | 2023-07-18T14:32:18+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/national/peacock-to-raise-prices-starting-in-august/ |
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Elections can have plenty of suspense, but some of that suspense for the upcoming August 2 primary is related to whether or not Pima County’s new election system will be ready to count in-person votes.
There’s no change to procedures for voters who choose to use a mail-in ballot.
But for those who prefer in-person voting: You will no longer be heading to a precinct near your home. You’ll go to any of 129 Vote Centers where workers will use a computer database to find your voter registration, then print a ballot with the right list of candidates based on your address.
District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy questioned Constance Hargrove, the County’s new Elections Director, about whether the new equipment and her staff will be ready for a primary less than a month away.
“And I think speaking for everybody, all we want to do is to make sure that we have a fair and accurate and safe election all the way around," Christy asked during a recent Board of Supervisors public meeting.
Hargrove told Christy the last of the equipment she needs is arriving soon. She and her staff will be working plenty of overtime, she said, but her department will be ready to run the Primary Election come Tuesday, August 2.
Find Pima County Vote Centers near you:
——-
Craig Smith is a reporter for KGUN 9. With more than 30 years of reporting in cities like Tampa, Houston and Austin, Craig has covered more than 40 Space Shuttle launches and covered historic hurricanes like Katrina, Ivan, Andrew and Hugo. Share your story ideas and important issues with Craig by emailing craig.smith@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook and Twitter. | 2022-07-06T01:45:14+00:00 | kgun9.com | https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/pima-county-prepares-for-new-in-person-vote-centers |
Awards support new community-focused arts projects by artists of color
CHICAGO, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2022 recipients of the annual Joyce Awards were announced today. Awards support the creation of innovative new work by pioneering artists of color working in collaboration with communities in the Great Lakes.
This year's awards fund projects that empower communities through artistic collaboration by exploring the myriad ways that the visual and performing arts can uplift local histories, deepen understanding of immigrant experiences, and encourage greater community cohesion. This year's grants mark the largest total Joyce Awards offered to date, awarding five grants of $75,000 each.
The 2022 Joyce Award winners
- Nancy García Loza with the National Museum of Mexican Art (Chicago, IL)
- Nabil Ince with the Harrison Center (Indianapolis, IN)
- Michael Manson with Living Arts (Detroit, MI)
- Aram Han Sifuentes with the HANA Center (Chicago, IL)
- Pramila Vasudevan with Public Art Saint Paul (Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN)
Visit joycefdn.org for more information about the projects, artists, and organizations.
The only program of its kind in the Great Lakes, the Joyce Foundation has awarded more than $4 million to the development of new works of visual, performing, and multidisciplinary art presented in collaboration with organizations in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St Paul. While the foundation's grantmaking has a regional focus, its work has national impact, demonstrating the capacity of the arts to inspire and mobilize social change. In addition to boosting the careers of artists, the awards are dedicated to fostering culturally vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities.
"Since 2004, the Joyce Awards have supported more than 77 extraordinary artists of color and their community-driven projects in the Great Lakes region," said Joyce Foundation President and CEO Ellen Alberding. "This year's winners follow that same fine tradition. Their work will reach new audiences to amplify diverse cultural traditions and practices that make our Great Lakes region so vibrant."
Past Joyce Award recipients include
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Applications open on July 5, 2022, with letters of inquiry due September 12 and online registration for new applicants due September 7, 2022. Learn more by visiting www.joycefdn.org/apply or by contacting joyceawards@joycefdn.org.
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SOURCE The Joyce Foundation | 2022-06-08T16:46:07+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/joyce-foundation-announces-recipients-2022-joyce-awards/ |
Capital One Business Cardholders Will Be Able to Pay Vendors From Their Capital One Business Account – Even Where Credit Cards Are Not Accepted
NEW YORK, July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Melio, a leading B2B payments platform for small businesses, today announced the launch of a fully integrated accounts payable solution with Capital One Business. This strategic partnership will enable Capital One small business cardholders to pay their vendors and suppliers with a card – even if they do not accept credit cards – directly from their Capital One Business account.
Small businesses across the country continue to use time-consuming and costly methods to pay their vendors, with many still manually writing and mailing checks. Melio's payments technology for small businesses enables credit cards to be accepted everywhere, saving businesses valuable time and money that would otherwise be spent mailing checks or managing wire transfers.
Through this multi-year strategic partnership, Capital One Business cardholders will have access to more flexible payment options and streamlined workflows from their Capital One Business account, enabling them to better manage their cash flow while also earning unlimited rewards and cash-back on purchases.
"At Capital One, we recognize the power that adoption of payments technology can generate for businesses. In fact, a recent Capital One survey found that more than a third of small and mid-sized business leaders cite investing in automated, real-time, or fully integrated payables as a top priority over the next year," said Rebecca Silver, vice president, small business card at Capital One. "Through our partnership with the innovative team at Melio, we are proud to deliver this capability to our customers and continue to help transform how they do business."
"We are delighted to expand on our strategic partnership with Capital One to increase access to cash management tools for small businesses, especially at a time when cash flow is so critical," said Matan Bar, Melio's co-founder and CEO. "Melio and Capital One share a common passion for helping small businesses succeed, and we are excited to have been selected as the default embedded accounts payable solution for Capital One Business cardholders."
Last June, the two companies announced the creation of a strategic partnership to equip a segment of Capital One Business customers with increased access to accounts payable cash flow management tools for small businesses. Capital One Ventures – the financial institution's corporate venture capital arm – also joined Melio's Series C funding round last year with a strategic investment.
Melio's mission is to keep small business in business, helping them improve their cash flow and workflow, gain more control over their finances, and optimize their business's financial health. Melio was founded by CEO Matan Bar, CTO Ilan Atias, and Ziv Paz in 2018, with headquarters in New York, an R&D center in Tel Aviv, and western U.S. headquarters in Colorado. The company has raised $506 million to date. Melio's smart B2B online payment solution is tailor-made for small businesses' needs. It is a free, simple, and secure solution that allows small businesses and their suppliers to transfer and receive payments quickly and easily.
Capital One® offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, and commercial clients. Capital One Business offers a diverse suite of financial products, tools, and services designed specifically for small businesses, including credit cards with unlimited rewards and banking products and services. Capital One Business is committed to fueling the courageous entrepreneurial spirit that's at the heart of American small businesses. We are focused on listening to and learning from the millions of businesses we serve every day to make sure our products, services, and experiences work as hard as they do.
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SOURCE Melio | 2022-07-12T12:44:38+00:00 | kwtx.com | https://www.kwtx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/capital-one-business-melio-launch-fully-integrated-accounts-payable-solution-small-businesses/ |
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Three teenagers have now been charged in connection to a murder that happened in north Charlotte last November, according to CMPD.
On Wednesday, May 31, Charlotte’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team arrested two 16-year-olds for their involvement in the murder of 21-year-old Quantarrius Sturdivant.
Police said one teen has been charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery and murder. The second teen has been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and murder.
The two teens being charged are in addition to a 14-year-old who was arrested on May 26 in connection to this case. The 14-year-old has been charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.
All three teenagers have been transported to a juvenile detention facility.
CMPD said the murder occurred on November 29, 2022, in the 2300 block of Rachel Street. As officers arrived at the crime scene, they located Sturdivant with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Medic.
The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. | 2023-06-06T21:59:27+00:00 | qcnews.com | https://www.qcnews.com/crime-and-public-safety/14-year-old-two-16-year-olds-now-charged-in-november-2022-n-charlotte-murder/ |
Lemonade Day is Saturday in Lubbock, here's what you need to know
Lemonade Day is Saturday, with numerous youth-operated lemonade stands registered around the city and thousands of kids expected to participate.
Lemonade Day is part of an annual program organized by The Lubbock YWCA, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and the Lubbock Lemonade Day Board aimed at teaching young people skills in entrepreneurship.
Thousands of the Lubbock youth have registered for Lemonade Day, attended workshops and school assemblies, participated in the online training, and more this spring to ensure they are prepared for a successful venture in owning and operating their own business, according to a news release from the organization.
Along the way, participants learn valuable life lessons such as creating and executing a business plan, providing excellent customer service, and ultimately earning their very own money. Local business sponsors, schools, non-profit organizations, and government leaders come together to impact the lives of area youth
All Lubbock residents and Texas Tech students are asked to go out Saturday and support area youth by buying at least one glass of lemonade Saturday to make sure these young entrepreneurs are successful.
Those interested can find stands who have placed themselves on the Lemonade Day Map through the organization's website at https://lemonadeday.org/lubbock/stands-map. | 2023-05-05T23:59:19+00:00 | lubbockonline.com | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/business/2023/05/05/lemonade-day-is-saturday-in-lubbock-heres-what-you-need-to-know/70188955007/ |
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea’s attempt to put its first spy satellite into space failed Wednesday in a setback to leader Kim Jong Un’s push to boost his military capabilities as tensions with the United States and South Korea rise.
After an unusually quick admission of failure, North Korea vowed to conduct a second launch after it learns what went wrong. It suggests Kim remains determined to expand his weapons arsenal and apply more pressure on Washington and Seoul while diplomacy is stalled.
South Korea and Japan briefly urged residents in some areas to take shelter after the launch.
The South Korean military said it was salvaging an object presumed to be part of the crashed North Korean rocket in waters 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of the southwestern island of Eocheongdo. Later, the Defense Ministry released photos of a white, metal cylinder it described as a suspected rocket part.
A satellite launch by North Korea is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the country from conducting any launch based on ballistic technology. Observers say North Korea’s previous satellite launches helped improve its long-range missile technology. North Korean long-range missile tests in recent years demonstrated a potential to reach all of the continental U.S., but outside experts say the North still has some work to do to develop functioning nuclear missiles.
The newly developed Chollima-1 rocket was launched at 6:37 a.m. at the North’s Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in the northwest, carrying the Malligyong-1 satellite. The rocket crashed off the Korean Peninsula’s western coast after it lost thrust following the separation of its first and second stages, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency said.
South Korea’s military said the rocket had “an abnormal flight” before it fell in the water. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that no object was believed to have reached space.
North Korean media said the country’s space agency will investigate what it calls “the serious defects revealed” by the launch and conduct a second launch as soon as possible.
“It is impressive when the North Korean regime actually admits failure, but it would be difficult to hide the fact of a satellite launch failure internationally, and the regime will likely offer a different narrative domestically,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. “This outcome also suggests that Pyongyang may stage another provocation soon, in part to make up for today’s setback.”
Adam Hodge, a spokesperson at the U.S. National Security Council, said in a statement that Washington strongly condemns the North Korean launch because it used banned ballistic missile technology, raised tensions and risked destabilizing security in the region and beyond.
The U.N. imposed economic sanctions on North Korea over its previous satellite and ballistic missile launches but has not responded to recent tests because China and Russia, permanent Security Council members now locked in confrontations with the U.S., have blocked attempts to toughen the sanctions.
Seoul’s military said it boosted military readiness in coordination with the United States, and Japan said it was prepared to respond to any emergency. The U.S. said it will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and the defense of South Korea and Japan.
After the launch was detected, the South Korean government sent cellphone text messages urging residents of a front-line island off the west coast to move to safer places. Officials in Seoul, the capital, issued similar phone messages to city residents, but the country’s Interior and Safety Ministry later said the Seoul alerts were sent in error. Seoul’s mayor apologized for causing public confusion.
Japan activated a missile warning system for Okinawa prefecture in southwestern Japan, in the rocket’s suspected path. “Please evacuate into buildings or underground,” the Japanese alert said.
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Japan plans to keep missile defense systems deployed in its southern islands and in southwestern waters until June 11, the end of North Korea’s announced launch window.
KCNA didn’t provide details of the rocket or the satellite beyond their names. Experts earlier said North Korea would likely use a liquid-fueled rocket as most of its previously tested long-range rockets and missiles have done.
Though it plans a fuller investigation, the North’s National Aerospace Development Administration attributed the failure to “the low reliability and stability of the new-type engine system applied to (the) carrier rocket” and “the unstable character of the fuel,” according to KCNA.
On Tuesday, Ri Pyong Chol, a top North Korean official, said the North needs a space-based reconnaissance system to counter escalating security threats from South Korea and the United States.
However, the spy satellite shown earlier in the country’s state-run media didn’t appear to be sophisticated enough to produce high-resolution imagery. Some outside experts said it may be able to detect troop movements and large targets such as warships and warplanes.
Recent commercial satellite imagery of the North’s Sohae launch center showed active construction indicating North Korea plans to launch more than one satellite. In his Tuesday statement, Ri also said North Korea would test “various reconnaissance means” to monitor moves by the United States and its allies in real time.
With three to five spy satellites, North Korea could build a space-based surveillance system that allows it to monitor the Korean Peninsula in near real-time, according to Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute.
The satellite is one of several high-tech weapons systems that Kim has publicly vowed to introduce. Other weapons on his wish list include a multi-warhead missile, a nuclear submarine, a solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile and a hypersonic missile. In his visit to the space agency in mid-May, Kim emphasized the strategic significance of a spy satellite in North Korea’s standoff with the United States and South Korea.
Easley, the professor, said Kim likely increased pressure on his scientists and engineers to launch the spy satellite after rival South Korea successfully launched its first commercial-grade satellite aboard its domestically built Nuri rocket earlier this month.
South Korea is expected to launch its first spy satellite later this year, and analysts say Kim likely wants his country to launch its spy satellite before the South to reinforce his military credentials at home.
After repeated failures, North Korea successfully put its first satellite into orbit in 2012 and a second one in 2016. The government said both are Earth observation satellites launched under its peaceful space development program, but many foreign experts believe both were developed to spy on rivals.
Observers say there has been no evidence that the satellites have ever transmitted imagery back to North Korea.
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Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. | 2023-05-31T20:17:21+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/ap-north-korea-spy-satellite-launch-fails-as-rocket-falls-into-the-sea/ |
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People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe | 2022-10-04T18:52:41+00:00 | hometownstations.com | https://www.hometownstations.com/townnews/medicine/doctor-offers-advice-on-preventing-respiratory-illnesses/article_92052498-440a-11ed-8156-2350dff61fee.html |
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, August 20, 2022
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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Lewis County in central New York...
* Until 645 PM EDT.
* At 556 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southwest
of Boonville, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.
* Locations impacted include...
Highmarket, Lyonsdale, Port Leyden, Lyons Falls, Constableville,
Turin, Mohawk Hill, Swancott Mill, West Leyden and Talcottville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
* WHERE...A portion of east central New York, including the
following county, Greene.
* WHEN...Until 900 PM EDT.
* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 557 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
have fallen.
- Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are expected over
the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Preston-Potter Hollow, Durham, Cornwallville, Oak Hill, West
Durham and Medusa.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
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.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-08-20T22:11:28+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/weather/article/NY-WFO-BUFFALO-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17387123.php |
McDonald’s franchise in Louisiana and Texas hired minors to work illegally, Labor Department finds
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A McDonald’s franchise that controls 12 restaurants in metro New Orleans violated child labor laws and has hired more than 80 minors in two states, the U.S. Department of Labor said Tuesday.
CLB Investments LLC in Metairie employed 72 workers who are 14 and 15 years old — allowing them to work longer and later than federal law permits at 12 restaurants in New Orleans, Kenner, Jefferson and Metairie, the department said.
Investigators with the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division also determined the employer allowed three children to operate manual deep fryers, which is prohibited for employees under age 16.
The franchise received a $56,106 civil penalty for the violations, according to the news release.
The division also found similar violations at four McDonald’s locations operated in Texas by Marwen & Son LLC in Cedar Park, Georgetown and Leander.
Investigators found that in Texas, the company employed 10 minors, 14- to 15-years-old, to work hours longer shifts than is permitted by law. They also learned the employer allowed seven children to operate a manual fryer and oven, and two of the seven to also operate a trash compactor. Marwen & Son was assessed $21,466 in civil penalties for its violations.
“Employers must never jeopardize the safety and well-being of young workers or interfere with their education,” explained Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Betty Campbell in Dallas. “While learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up, an employer’s first obligation is to make sure minor-aged children are protected from potential workplace hazards.”
These findings follow a May announcement of federal investigations that found three McDonald’s franchise operators violating child labor laws, involving more than 300 children, some as young as 10, at 62 locations in four states.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-07-26T01:55:54+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/2023/07/26/mcdonalds-franchise-louisiana-texas-hired-minors-work-illegally-labor-department-finds/ |
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors raided the country’s main spy agency Wednesday as part of investigations into two past North Korea-related incidents that drew criticism that the previous liberal government ignored basic principles of human rights to improve ties with Pyongyang.
New conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who took office in May, has accused his liberal predecessor Moon Jae-in of being “submissive” to North Korea and has moved to resolve persistent suspicions about the handling of the two cases. His push has triggered a backlash from the liberals who accuse him of political revenge against his rivals.
Wednesday’s raid came days after the National Intelligence Service, now part of Yoon’s government, filed charges against two of its former directors who had served under Moon. It accused them of abusing power, damaging public records and falsifying documents.
Prosecutors and other investigators searched the NIS main headquarters near Seoul, including documents, computer files and other materials related to the two cases, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said without elaborating.
The cases include North Korea’s fatal shooting of a South Korean fisheries official near the Koreas' western sea boundary in 2020, and South Korea’s deportation of two North Korean fishermen despite their wishes to resettle in South Korea in 2019.
The Moon's government had said the slain official was saddled with gambling debts and had family troubles when he swam to North Korea. But others disputed such claims.
Conservative critics say the official version was meant to lessen possible public sympathy toward him and prevent anti-North Korea sentiments in South Korea. Last month, Yoon’s government said there was no evidence that the official attempted to flee to North Korea, overturning the Moon government's assessment.
The other case was the Moon government’s expelling of two North Korean fishermen only days after they were captured on their ship off South Korea’s east coast.
Citing classified intelligence, the Moon administration called them “heinous criminals” who killed 16 fellow crew members and didn’t deserve to be recognized as refugees. But conservatives and human rights advocates suspected the Moon government had likely hurriedly expelled the fishermen after learning North Korean authorities were chasing them. They said the former government should have sent the fishermen through the South Korean judicial system, rather than repatriating them to a country where they would face torture or execution.
By law, South Korea views North Korea as part of its territory and has a policy of accepting North Koreans wishing to resettle in the South. The 2019 deportation was the first of its kind since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
Earlier this week, Yoon’s government released photos of the repatriation that showed the fishermen, both blindfolded, apparently resisting being dragged and handed over to North Korea at the land border crossing. Presidential spokesperson Kang In-sun said Wednesday that the Yoon government would get to the bottom of the repatriation. She said a forced deportation would be a “crime against humanity” that violates both international and domestic laws.
Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, also criticized the previous government.
“What’s clear is the Moon Jae-in government was so desperate to please North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un that they shamefully disregarded basic principles of human rights and humanity,” Robertson said. “The two men’s desperate resistance to being forced back that is so apparent in those photos show that they understood they were fighting for their lives.”
During his five-year rule, Moon's appeasement policy invited both praises and criticism. His supporters credited him with achieving the now-stalled cooperation with North Korea and avoiding major armed clashes, but opponents say he was a naive North Korea sympathizer who ended up helping the North buy time to boost its nuclear program in the face of international sanctions and pressure.
His main opposition liberal Democratic Party slammed the Yoon government for allegedly using the two cases as a tool to launch political offensive against Moon and his allies at a time when Yoon should focus on the economy.
“The president is leading the political warfare though public livelihoods are bad,” Democratic Party lawmaker Yun Kun-young wrote on Facebook Thursday. “I’d like to ask President Yoon Suk Yeol about this. Do you only see the human rights of the deported men? Can’t you see the human rights of the 16 others killed by them?”
Underscoring the political divide in South Korea, recent surveys showed about 48% of respondents viewed the Yoon government’s investigations of former administration officials as political retaliation while about 44%-45% called them fair and legitimate. | 2022-07-13T12:52:47+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/SKorea-spy-agency-searched-amid-squabbling-over-17301821.php |
More than $3 million donated to Damar Hamlin’s toy charity
CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) – Fans are showing support for injured Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin by flooding his toy charity with so many donations the fundraiser skyrocketed Monday night, surpassing $3 million.
Hamlin was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in an ambulance after he collapsed on the field at Paycor Stadium during the nationally televised Monday Night Football game.
The 24-year-old went into cardiac arrest following a tackle early in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bills say Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored before he was taken to the hospital.
Hamlin started the Chasing M Foundation Community Toy Drive after the Bills drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
“As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me. I created The Chasing M’s Foundation as a vehicle that will allow me to deliver that impact, and the first program is the 2020 Community Toy Drive,” the online fundraiser read.
The initial goal was $2,500, and entering Monday, the fundraiser had less than $100,000.
Since Hamlin was hospitalized, more than 120,000 donations poured in and now the fundraiser stands at more than $3.4 million.
Both Bengals and Bills fans also flocked to the hospital Monday night minutes after Hamlin arrived. They held a vigil through the night into early Tuesday.
Hamlin remains in critical condition.
Copyright 2023 WXIX via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-03T14:56:11+00:00 | kttc.com | https://www.kttc.com/2023/01/03/more-than-3-million-donated-damar-hamlins-toy-charity/ |
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