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CrowdStrike's industry-leading incident response and professional services teams to leverage Corelight's Open NDR solutions to disrupt advanced attacks
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Corelight, the leader in open network detection and response (NDR), today announced it has expanded its partnership with CrowdStrike, a leader in cloud-delivered protection of endpoints, cloud workloads, identity and data. Under the agreement, CrowdStrike will have the ability to deploy Corelight NDR technology in customer engagements when delivering Incident Response, Compromise Assessment, and Network Security Monitoring services.
"We are honored to enter into this expanded partnership with CrowdStrike, a brand that's trusted and respected throughout the security space," said Brian Dye, CEO of Corelight. "We share a passion for using evidence to help customers find and disrupt advanced attacks, and we are excited about delivering this benefit to customers."
CrowdStrike Services will have the ability to leverage Corelight's NDR solution to enhance visibility, accelerate investigations, expand threat hunting, and understand the mechanism of advanced attacks across the full spectrum of endpoints, cloud platforms and the network – including unmanaged devices.
CrowdStrike Services delivers industry-leading incident response, technical assessments, training, and advisory services that help organizations prepare to defend against advanced threats, respond to widespread attacks, and enhance cybersecurity practices and controls. Harnessing the power of the CrowdStrike Security Cloud and the CrowdStrike Falcon platform, Services help protect critical areas of enterprise risk and hunt for threats using adversary-focused cyber threat intelligence to identify, track and prevent attacks from impacting our customer's business and brand.
"Corelight is a natural and highly complementary technology partner," said Thomas Etheridge, chief global professional services officer at CrowdStrike. "Better security outcomes require world-class and timely data. Because Corelight also seamlessly integrates with a range of CrowdStrike products, including CrowdStrike Falcon XDR and CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale, our mutual customers can hunt for unknown attacks, close visibility gaps, and even disrupt future threats faster by seeing everything that matters on the network – including unmanaged endpoints and IoT devices."
The agreement is the latest evidence of ongoing collaboration between the two companies: CrowdStrike's Falcon Fund is an investor in Corelight, and CrowdStrike was recently named Corelight's Apex Awards Alliance Partner of the Year for Innovation.
Corelight transforms network and cloud activity into evidence that security teams use to proactively hunt for threats, accelerate response to incidents, gain complete network visibility and create powerful analytics. Corelight's global customers include Fortune 500 companies, major government agencies, and large universities. Based in San Francisco, Corelight is an open-core security company founded by the creators of Zeek®, the widely-used network security technology. For more information, visit https://corelight.com or follow @corelight_inc.
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SOURCE Corelight, Inc. | 2023-02-08T15:17:00+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2023/02/08/corelight-expands-partnership-with-crowdstrike-provide-network-detection-response-technology-crowdstrike-services/ |
DETROIT (AP) — Shares of upstart used-vehicle chain Carvana tumbled another 16% Monday, undercut by the company's struggles with falling prices and waning demand for its products.
The latest downturn comes after the shares fell almost 40% on Friday following Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas's move to suspend his rating and price target for the company's stock.
Carvana had been growing quickly as used car prices soared after the pandemic. But it has been caught in an environment where rising interest rates and high prices have sent many potential used car buyers to the sidelines. It reported a $283 million third-quarter net loss Thursday,
Jonas wrote in a note to investors Friday that Carvana's earnings revealed falling sales, higher expenses per vehicle sold, and a “material exhaustion" of cash.
“While the company is continuing to pursue cost cutting actions, we believe a deterioration in the used car market combined with a volatile interest rate/funding environment add material risk to the outlook,” he wrote.
Trading of the Phoenix-based company’s stock was briefly halted twice Monday morning as the price fell too quickly. Carvana stock is down almost 97% since the end of last year, closing Monday at $7.39.
Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights for Edmunds.com, said the used-vehicle market is generally hit harder by rising interest rates and inflation. New-vehicle sales are usually more resilient because automakers subsidize lower-interest loans, she said.
“The slowing of the market is kind of the core issue,” Caldwell said. Some used-car dealers paid top dollar for late-model used vehicles, only to find that prices fell during the past few months, she said.
Plus, new-vehicle supplies, long crimped by a shortage of computer chips that cut production, are improving, drawing buyers away from higher-end used vehicles, she said.
U.S. used vehicle prices are about 30% higher than they were before the coronavirus pandemic began, and were around $31,000 on average in September. But the average price is down was down 1% from its May peak, according to Edmunds.
Carvana's third-quarter sales fell 8% and revenue was down 4%, the company said.
“Cars are an expensive, discretionary, often-financed purchase that inflated much more than other goods in the economy over the last couple years, and it is clearly having an impact on people’s purchasing decisions," CEO Ernie Garcia said last week.
The company, he told analysts after the earnings release, is on track with expense and operational efficiency goals, "but industry demand, interest rate and depreciation headwinds are slowing our progress and overall profitability.”
The used-car market is in transition, Edmunds' Caldwell said. Supplies, she said, will be limited in the future due to fewer cars coming off leases and fewer sales by rental car companies. She predicted that prices will start to level off but remain fairly high.
“They're going to get softer. They have to. But they're not necessarily going back to 2019 pricing,” she said. | 2022-11-08T00:02:42+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/business/article/Carvana-falls-as-rising-rates-inflation-cut-used-17565651.php |
MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — A 28-year-old man was arrested today in the Pocono Mountains in connection with the murders of four students at the University of Idaho. According to Monroe County officials, the suspect is Bryan Kohberger, of Albrightsville.
ABC News reports officials in Idaho knew who they were looking for and tracked the man to Pennsylvania. Local police and the FBI made the arrest Friday morning, and Kohberger appeared before a judge at 8:30 a.m.
Arrest paperwork filed in Monroe County Court says Kohberger was being held for extradition to Idaho on a warrant for first degree murder. Moscow Police say a press conference will be held with more details on the case at 4 p.m. EST.
A Ph.D. student by Kohberger's same name is listed in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University, which is a short drive across the state line from the University of Idaho. The Associated Press left messages seeking more information for officials at WSU.
The Idaho students — Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin — were stabbed to death at a rental home near campus sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 13. The slayings initially mystified law enforcement, with investigators unable to name a suspect or locate a murder weapon for weeks.
But the case broke open after law enforcement asked the public for help finding a white sedan seen near the home around the time of the killings. The Moscow Police Department made the request Dec. 7, and by the next day had to direct tips to a special FBI call center because so many were coming in.
Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho; Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls, Idaho; and Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington, were members of the university's Greek system and close friends. Mogen, Goncalves and Kernodle lived in the three-story rental home with two other roommates. Kernodle and Chapin were dating and he was visiting the house that night.
Autopsies showed all four were likely asleep when they were attacked. Some had defensive wounds and each was stabbed multiple times. There was no sign of sexual assault, police said.
Police said Thursday the rental home would be cleared of “potential biohazards and other harmful substances” to collect evidence starting Friday morning. It was unclear how long the work would take, but a news release said the house would be returned to the property manager upon completion.
The stabbing deaths shook the small town of Moscow, Idaho, a farming community of about 25,000 people — including roughly 11,000 students — tucked in the rolling hills of the northern Idaho’s Palouse region.
The case also enticed online sleuths who speculated about potential suspects and motives. In the early days of the investigation, police released relatively few details publicly.
Fears of a repeat attack prompted nearly half of the University of Idaho students to switch to online classes for the remainder of the semester, abandoning dorms and apartments in the normally bucolic town for the perceived safety of their hometowns. Safety concerns also had the university hiring an additional security firm to escort students across campus and the Idaho State Police sending troopers to help patrol the city’s streets.
This is a developing story, please check back for details. | 2022-12-30T18:30:12+00:00 | 11alive.com | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/state/pennsylvania-man-arrested-in-connection-with-university-of-idaho-murders-pocono-mountains/523-abc4b113-441c-41e5-87b0-b263cccc405d |
Tuesday wasn’t supposed to come to fruition for Lane Miller.
Indiana State (12-11, 3-0 Missouri Valley Conference) secured its second win in six games against Big Ten foes this year, 8-2 against Purdue, as the former Indiana University signee showed how far he’s come.
Leading into this baseball season, coach Mitch Hannahs let Miller know that he wasn’t in his pitching rotation as a starter or reliever.
Then Miller forced his manager’s hand by biding time and sticking around.
On a chilly Tuesday afternoon at Bob Warn Field, Miller showcased his slider and logged eight innings, conceded one earned run and seven hits, fanned five batters and didn’t walk anyone.
“Basically, staying the course every day, throwing every day, staying active, healthy, lifting, all that kind of stuff every single day,” Miller said.
“I just accepted the role of helping the hitters in any way I possibly could. That kind of just translated into let’s see if we can take that and go onto a mound and then work in a bullpen. I’m [an] emergency [pitcher] and then it came about and happened.”
This materialized because the redshirt senior said he simply “wanted to be here,” despite not being in Hannahs’ plans. He didn’t quit and kept laboring even with a lowered expectation of seeing the diamond.
“He is a great story for all young players out there,” Hannahs said. “At the start of the season, we told him we didn’t have a role for him. We wanted him to throw [batting practice] to our hitters, just get a lot of throws in, a lot of practice, give us some work.”
Miller turned heads against the Boilermakers in his first action of the campaign after logging 18 innings combined the previous three years.
On the hill, his slider was moving all over the zone, a craft he’s honed since autumn.
“He’s done that for a few months now,” Hannahs added. “And as he’s done it, his stuff just keeps getting better and better so we thought, ‘You know what, we’re just going to put him out there today.’ He does what he does to our hitters inside. He flipped up sliders all day, changed speeds, used the fastball in and out. It’s a really good story.”
Miller, listed at 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, wasn’t gassed after tossing the near-complete game of 98 pitches.
The previous summer, he said, he logged nine innings in summer ball with ISU. And this year in batting practice, he’ll sling 300 baseballs a week.
Tuesday was light work, he labeled it as “easier” than batting practice.
The Sycamores went up 6-0 after the first three innings to make it easier for Miller out of the gate.
The win against the Boilermakers was a fourth straight victory.
Sophomore Luis Hernandez was 2 for 3 with two driven in, sophomore Randal Diaz was 2 for 3 with two runs and senior Keegan Watson hit 2 for 3 and two driven in and one run.
Miller made sure he pulled his weight. The Boonville native’s execution boiled down to the classic, simple old ballgame adage — toss strikes.
“Just throw it, just trust it and the rest will take care of itself,” he said. | 2023-03-29T03:46:57+00:00 | tribstar.com | https://www.tribstar.com/sports/staying-the-course-culminates-in-near-complete-game-win-for-miller/article_2e9cb1f6-cdbb-11ed-bd01-e70e15d66719.html |
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Prohibitions against nonunanimous jury convictions — outlawed by Louisiana voters in 2018 and, later, by the U.S. Supreme Court — do not have to apply retroactively to earlier convictions, Louisiana's highest court ruled Friday.
The ruling came in the case of Reginald Reddick, convicted of murder by a 10-2 jury vote in 1997.
In 2018, Louisiana voters approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting nonunanimous verdicts in trials for crimes committed after Jan. 1, 2019. At the time, Louisiana was one of only two states allowing such verdicts.
In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that nonunanimous verdicts were unconstitutional, broadening the effect of the state constitutional amendment.
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But in 2021, the Supreme Court made clear in a case known as Ramos v. Louisiana that its decision against nonunanimous verdicts applied only to future cases and cases in which the defendants’ appeals had not been exhausted.
Friday's state high court majority ruling by Justice Scott Crichton cited the Ramos case and other jurisprudence in determining that neither federal nor state law required a retroactive application of the prohibition.
Crichton's opinion acknowledged that provisions for nonunanimous verdicts date back to the late 19th century and are believed to have been a way to undermine Black participation on juries. But he said a provision allowing 10-2 verdicts was included a new state constitution adopted in 1974 and “there are racially neutral, legitimate, and rational arguments justifying a non-unanimous jury rule.”
Four other justices — John Weimer, William Crain, Jay McCallum and Jefferson Hughes — were in the majority.
Justice Piper Griffin dissented. “That the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 somehow cleansed the non-unanimous jury system of its racial animus and impact is an untenable position,” she wrote.
Justice James Genovese wrote a partial dissent, saying new trials are warranted in some nonunanimous cases.
“I find that a new trial should be ordered in cases wherein an African American defendant can prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that an African American juror dissented from the majority voting to convict defendant of the charged crime,” Genovese wrote.
In arguments before the state Supreme Court in May, Jamila Johnson, arguing for Reddick, cited the Jim Crow-era history of nonunanimous juries. She argued that unfairness in the Reddick case made the problems with the law “structural in nature,” so it did not matter if the defendant in a particular case was white or that the appellate record is now unclear on the race of the jury members who voted to acquit her client in 1997.
State attorneys had argued against retroactivity, saying judicial efficiency had been the aim of keeping nonunanimous verdicts in the 1974 constitution.
Friday's ruling was criticized by an organization that had pursued a new trial for Reddick.
“This is a loss for every Louisianian. Our courts must protect our fundamental rights and freedoms,” said a statement from the Promise of Justice Initiative. “Our clients never had a fair shake, and now the Louisiana Supreme Court has declared they never will.” | 2022-10-21T19:41:58+00:00 | wcfcourier.com | https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/court-louisiana-unanimous-jury-requirement-not-retroactive/article_de11c52c-68a1-5513-bd52-dc7023f6ac43.html |
A new study indicates that hearing aids may help delay or reduce dementia and cognitive decline.
The findings were published Monday in the medical journal JAMA Neurology.
Research has shown that hearing loss is an important risk factor for dementia.
What hasn't been clear is whether treating hearing loss would help prevent the progression of cognitive decline.
The new study suggests that may be the case.
The researchers analyzed more than 3,000 studies to reach their conclusion.
The review found that people who wore devices to help with hearing loss performed 3% better on cognitive scores in the short term.
The use of hearing aids was also associated with a 19% reduction in long-term cognitive decline.
Researchers recommend that clinicians, who are treating patients with hearing, persuade them to use hearing aids. They believe it will mitigate the risk of cognitive decline such as dementia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 26.8% of those aged 65 and over have some difficulty hearing. More than 4% have a lot of difficulties or cannot hear at all, the CDC states. | 2022-12-06T16:37:29+00:00 | denver7.com | https://www.denver7.com/news/national/study-hearing-aids-may-help-slow-cognitive-decline |
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Peter Serruto drilled a three-run home run in the seventh inning to bring Indiana back from a two-run deficit en route to a 5-3 win Saturday over top-seeded Kentucky at the Lexington Regional.
Phillip Glasser hit a first-inning home run to give Indiana a 1-0 lead, but Kentucky answered with a run in the second and took a 3-1 lead in the seventh after Patrick Herrera scored on a fielder’s choice and Grant Smith scored on Devin Burkes sacrifice fly.
Josh Pyne opened the seventh inning with a double and Hunter Jessee was hit by a pitch to set the stage for Serruto’s home run to right field to take a 4-3 lead. Devin Taylor scored on a wild pitch in the eighth to add an insurance run. Connor Foley hit two batters in the top of the ninth to bring the winning run to the plate, but got a fly out and a pop up to end the game.
Foley worked the final 2 ⅔ innings to earn his first win.
Zack Lee (5-3) allowed four runs on five hits over his seven-inning start for Iowa, recording nine strikeouts.
___
AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 | 2023-06-04T04:24:30+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/2023/06/03/indiana-kentucky-lexington-regional-ncaa-baseball/bffe65c6-0282-11ee-9eb0-6c94dcb16fcf_story.html |
OCALA, Fla., June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HiBid.com facilitated the sale of more than $51.4 million (gross auction proceeds) in last week's auctions. From June 20th through the 26th, HiBid.com averaged 1.48 million bids on the site per day, with 648,253 lots sold. Currently, thousands of gold and silver coins, jewelry, watches, and diamonds are up for bidding in this week's featured auctions.
HiBid.com brings buyers and sellers together every day with a wide-ranging selection of items across hundreds of categories that appeal to bidders worldwide. HiBid is fully integrated with Auction Flex 360, providing auctioneers with a comprehensive auction management solution that supports internet-only auctions, webcast auctions, and absentee bidding.
GAP: $51,442,456
Lots Sold: 648,253
Online-Only Auctions: 1,539
Webcast Auctions: 120
Average Bidders Per Day: 902,000
Average Bids Per Day: 1.48 Million
The following list comprises the featured HiBid.com auctions for this week. Site visitors can click the Find Auctions menu at the top of the homepage for links to Featured and Hot auctions, or use the search box to find auctions nearby.
Auction Type: Live Webcast
Dates: May 26th-July 3rd
Seller: Gold Standard Auctions
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Auction Type: Online-Only
Dates: June 23rd-28th
Seller: Assured Asset Exchange
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Auction Type: Online-Only
Dates: May 26th-July 3rd
Seller: Affordable Creations
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If you're looking to sell through HiBid.com, click here to describe what you wish to sell, and a local HiBid auctioneer will help you get started.
Interested in receiving updates from HiBid? Sign up to receive newsletter emails, and follow HiBid Auctions on Facebook and LinkedIn.
HiBid is an online auction platform supporting webcast auctions, internet-only auctions, and internet absentee bidding. It is also available as a private-label solution. HiBid is integrated with Auction Flex 360, the market leader in auction software for live and online auctions, with capabilities that include cataloging, clerking, cashiering, accounting, mailing list management, inventory management, and multi-parcel. HiBid and Auction Flex 360 were built from the ground up to function together seamlessly.
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SOURCE Hibid-AuctionFlex | 2022-06-28T21:05:22+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/514-million-sold-via-hibidcom-last-week-jewelry-coin-auctions-featured-this-week/ |
(Our Auto Expert) – Pickup trucks are one of the hottest items for electric vehicles. The biggest problem is that they are in short supply. The Rivian RT1 is at the top of that list. Unfortunately, the fastest you can get an RT1 is 40 Days after ordering. Buyers should expect a wait of 6 months if they still need to be added to the reservations list.
The second recommended Pick-Up Truck is the Ford F150 Lightning. It’s a hot item, so you could wait for years if you are not on the reservation list already.
There are at least five other Pick-Up trucks scheduled for release in the next 12 to 24 months, so get on the waiting list now if you want one.
Small family cars are more readily available than any other electric vehicle on the market.
The Chevy Bolt EV and EUV are on dealer lots. Starting under $26,000, it is an excellent buy. The car that started the modern era of electric vehicles was the Nissan Leaf. It starts at around $29,000 and is a solid choice. Finally, a huge fan favorite is the Mini SE. These begin under $30,000 and are the most exciting to drive.
Unfortunately, this Mini is hard to come by, but if you widen your search area, you can find them.
The recommended list of Luxury electric sedans has the BMW i4 at the top, Followed by the limo-style BMW i7 and the Mercedes EQS sedan. All three are great drivers and have varying ranges, prices, and technology. Since this is the luxury category, you will have a price range from $85,000 to $130,000, depending on the model you want. The waiting time is around three months. Modifying your car to your taste is also recommended as many options are available.
Family SUVs are the hottest category of new electric vehicles this year; most are available on dealer lots. The Kia EV6 was the 2023 North American Utility car of the year; it is a thrill from hood to trunk. The Hyundai Ioniq five and the Ford Mach-E also make the list of recommended family SUVs. In addition, the Ford Mach-E’s performance and infotainment are class leaders compared to the competition, making it far above other vehicles in the class. All three electric SUVs are on dealer lots now and will not disappoint future owners.
The electric luxury SUV category is one of the most contended. Recommended is the Mercedes EQB, an entry-level offering starting at $53,000. The Volvo XC40 and C40 are both great offerings in electric cars. Expect them to be available in states that are electric-positive. Finally, the BMW iX is fantastic, well-balanced, well-equipped, and has outstanding usable tech. The design needs some work, but no doubt this would be a great daily driver. | 2023-01-30T20:50:31+00:00 | wboy.com | https://www.wboy.com/automotive/the-best-electric-vehicles-you-can-buy-without-waiting/ |
MercyOne announces new Chief Operations Officer at North Iowa
(ABC 6 News) – MercyOne announced its new Chief Operations Officer for its MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.
Chad Boore, will take on the role. Boore will be responsible for leading and achieving operating goals and performance plans and ensuring strategic implementation. He will work in a dyad leadership model with Paul Manternach, MD, Chief Medical Officer for MercyOne North Iowa.
Boore has more than 20 years of experience in health care and comes to MercyOne from OSF Healthcare in Peoria, Illinois.
Boore holds a bachelor’s degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and an MBA from the University of New Orleans. | 2023-07-13T12:41:37+00:00 | kaaltv.com | https://www.kaaltv.com/news/mercyone-announces-new-chief-operations-officer-at-north-iowa/ |
Application deadline is Nov. 18
HARRISBURG, Penn., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is issuing a Request for Proposals soliciting applications from organizations for projects to improve the availability and affordability of housing across the commonwealth. Funding for this RFP is being provided through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. The total PHARE funding available this year exceeds $45 million.
PHARE receives its funding from the impact fee levied on natural gas drilling companies and a portion of the Realty Transfer Tax. Funding is available for housing initiatives in all of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. PHFA is charged with administering the allocation of PHARE dollars.
"This year we mark a full decade of the PHARE program, and its impact on housing across Pennsylvania has been tremendous," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. "New affordable housing has been created, existing affordable housing has been preserved, and families that could have become homeless have places to live. We're proud of the many ongoing successes of the program."
PHARE applications are completed and submitted entirely online, eliminating the need for paper submissions and simplifying the process for applicants. The RFP is located on PHFA's website at https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx, and the application is accessible on the PHARE webpage at https://phare.phfa.org/. Applications are due to PHFA no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.
PHFA is planning two, 90-minute informational webinars for organizations interested in applying for PHARE funds. Both webinars will cover the same information. Webinar dates and times are:
- Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.
- Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.
A link has been posted at https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx for webinar registration. Questions may be directed to Clay Lambert at PHFA via email at clambert@phfa.org.
The PHARE fund has been allocating money for local housing initiatives since 2012. These funds are producing significant housing benefits that include:
- More than 7,200 individuals and families have received rental or utility assistance
- More than 2,000 homes have been rehabilitated and preserved for continued use
- More than 2,600 new rental units have been created
- 180 new single-family homes have been constructed
- 420 future home sites have been prepared through site acquisition and demolition
- More than 250 new residents have received assistance to purchase their first home
- PHARE funds have been used to leverage an additional $800 million of investments in housing across Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $16.5 billion of funding for more than 189,374 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 139,974 rental units, distributed approximately $239 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 50,660 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.
Media contact:
Scott Elliott
selliott@phfa.org
717-649-6522 (cell)
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SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency | 2022-09-12T19:28:55+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/phfa-issues-rfp-phare-funding-support-local-housing-initiatives/ |
The winning Mega Millions ticket for the $1.34 billion jackpot was sold in Illinois, but closer to home, a Massachusetts State Lottery player claimed $1 million on Friday.
The winning ticket was part of the game $10,000,000 Mega Money and was sold at New St. Charles Hotel in Millbury.
The biggest lottery prize won on Saturday was a $100,000 winning Mass Cash ticket purchased at North Woburn Package Store.
Overall, there were 836 prizes over $600 won between Friday and Saturday in Massachusetts, including 11 in Springfield and 19 in Worcester.
The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of all the winning tickets each day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600.
The largest lottery prizes won in Massachusetts this year were two $15 million prizes. Both lottery prizes were claimed by trusts.
Related content:
- Mega Millions jackpot won in Illinois; $1.34 billion prize marks 2nd-biggest win in lottery game’s history
- Mega Millions: What are the luckiest numbers? These ones show up more than others
- Massachusetts State Lottery win: Montague man doubles back for 2nd lottery win, taking home $390,000 six years after claiming $1 million | 2022-07-31T18:14:19+00:00 | masslive.com | https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2022/07/massachusetts-state-lottery-winner-1-million-lottery-ticket-won-in-millbury-friday.html |
SAN ANTONIO — A drug lab and explosive devices have been ruled out as the possible causes of a deadly explosion that killed four people in San Antonio last week, authorities said Tuesday. They said they are still investigating other possible causes, including potential problems with a propane tank.
Wet weather, muddy conditions, structural issues and a large radius of evidence produced by the magnitude of the blast have slowed the investigation, they said.
“It was absolutely unsettling as far as the devastation that we witnessed,” said San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood. “As far as first responders, we don’t see things like this type of explosion inside of a building like this.”
Witnesses who said they had been on the property prior to the explosion told officials that they could smell gas, and a propane tank on the property had been worked on recently, the fire officials said. They added that foul play has not been ruled out and the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities found one body at the site immediately after the explosion and later discovered three more: two on Saturday and another on Monday. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office identified two of the victims as Ashley Autobee, 28, and Roger Huron, 36. Officials said the other two victims were white men, ages 57 and 61, but did not identify them. | 2022-12-13T22:30:36+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/texas-explosion-not-caused-by-drug-lab-investigation-active/2022/12/13/20b426ce-7b30-11ed-bb97-f47d47466b9a_story.html |
SAVANNAH, Ga., Sept. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawkeye Systems, Inc. (OTC-QB: HWKE)
Hawkeye has terminated the LOI with Blue Gold International Limited due to the inability to get to agreement on closing conditions. Corby Marshall, CEO of Hawkeye Systems Inc., stated "We like the underlying value of the gold asset Blue Gold represents, unfortunately we could not reach terms that would be acceptable to our existing shareholders. While we are disappointed in this outcome, we are very actively pursuing other strategic alternatives."
About Hawkeye Systems, Inc.
Hawkeye Systems, Inc. is a technology holding company which has focused on cutting edge technology, pandemic management products and services. The Company has made the decision in the current environment to seek out alternative opportunities while we continue to wind up our existing PPE business.
For more information, please contact:
Corby Marshall, CEO
Number: +1 (800) 531-8799
Email: info@hawkeyesystemsinc.com Website: hawkeyesystemsinc.com
Investor relations: ir@hawkeyesystemsinc.com
About Blue Gold International Limited
Blue Gold International Limited is an owner and operator of long-life gold mines which it is developing into high quality and sustainable producers of gold. Growth, sustainable development, and transparency are at the heart of the company's established business practices for growth and consolidation within Africa.
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Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated are: risks related to our growth strategy; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; our dependence on third-party suppliers and partners; our ability to attract, integrate, and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. Important factors that may cause the actual results to differ from those expressed within may include but are not limited to the success or failure of Hawkeye's efforts to successfully market its products and services; Hawkeye's ability to attract and retain quality employees; the effect of changing economic conditions; increased competition; the ability of Hawkeye to obtain adequate debt or equity financing. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.
This press release contains valuation information based upon or derived from information generally believed to be reliable based on comparable companies. The information represents our view as of the date hereof and is subject to change and/or withdrawal at any time without notice. The information may be based on (a) data that may no longer be current, (b) estimates that may involve highly subjective assessments and (c) models that may change from time to time and may be different from assumptions and models used by other persons. No representation is made that it is accurate or complete and Hawkeye and Blue Gold accept no liability with regard to the reader's reliance on it.
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SOURCE Hawkeye Systems, Inc. | 2022-09-09T19:33:37+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2022/09/09/hawkeye-systems-terminates-letter-intent-acquire-blue-gold-international-limited/ |
China should be a reporter's dream: more than one billion people, a rich history, and extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity. And yet China-reporting these days resists the profile. Rarely do journalists based there get enough material to write up convincingly full-bodied portraits.
There are obvious obstacles to reporting that humanizes, such as the constant surveillance and the threat of state retaliation taken against foreign and Chinese reporters. The state often intimidates sources for speaking to journalists as well, and a nervous interviewee will not divulge enough detail to create an intimate rendering of a person's life.
But I found people with weighty stories were still willing to talk in China. The problem was they themselves had yet to sort through and make sense of China's turbulent past, and they struggled to articulate it in full to an outsider.
These conundrums — the slipperiness of memory and the intractability of talking about trauma — are at the heart of what makes Tania Branigan's book Red Memory: Living, Remembering, and Forgetting China's Cultural Revolution so compelling.
"I wanted to understand not only what the Cultural Revolution had done to China but how it was still shaping it," Branigan writes, about a decade beginning in 1966 of extreme political violence and, frequently, physical violence against anyone deemed bourgeois and counterrevolutionary. Chairman Mao Zedong instigated the movement to distract from his massive political blunders earlier (including a famine that killed tens of millions) and to depose his political rivals.
The state turned a blind eye as personal grudges were amplified by political campaigns. During its worst, most fevered years, students beat teachers to death, marauding gangs of student Red Guards fought bloody battles against one another, and family members turned each other in for execution. Schools and universities shut down entirely as students were drafted as full-time activists. Later. He banished about 17 million students (including future Chinese leader Xi Jinping) to remote rural outposts to do hard labor.
Branigan, a former China correspondent and now London-based reporter for the Guardian, found those painful memories lingering just beneath the surface of everyday conversations among a generation of Chinese, yet when she probed deeper, people clammed up. Counterintuitively, the past is too close to talk about.
"This wasn't history. It was life," she realizes, after a simple café chat with a friend who reveals his father-in-law had been murdered during the Cultural Revolution. "This was prosaic in its horror, and only an arm's-length away — so immediate it came up over coffee, so commonplace that people wondered why you'd bother searching for a body."
The Cultural Revolution is a subject that is doubly hard to humanize: Branigan attempts to profile people shaped by a still-sensitive political disaster, and one that occurred four decades ago, with memories that have inevitably warped with time and self-censorship. The people she decides to profile are now well into their 60s and 70s — and some are recalcitrant subjects, preferring to forget the past rather than recount it. (I once asked a newspaper editor about how he had escaped being deported to a village, then entered a prestigious Beijing university as soon as the Cultural Revolution ended. "What does that have to do with anything?" he scoffed at me. "Well, everything," I said. The interview ended shortly after.)
"The Chinese called it eating bitterness — suffering and enduring," Branigan writes of this self-imposed silence. "Yet it embodied powerlessness, a tragic fatalism. It was all that was left when everything had been stripped from you — the choice of those who had no choice."
Some of the profiles in the book thus feel a little thin, the key players in certain events either unwilling to share more and admit their culpability or suspiciously made unavailable at the last moment, almost certainly under state coercion. One gets the sense reading Red Memory that Branigan is racing against time as much of the public record is erased or roped off. When she tries to visit a museum for victims of the Cultural Revolution, she finds it bolted shut for "maintenance" just seconds before she reaches the entrance.
Where Branigan does her most profound writing is when she digs deep into the politics of the apology and the purpose of reconciliation, deliberately pushing on the points that hurt.
In one of Red Memory's most disturbing chapters, she follows Zhang Hongbing — a man who, in his childhood, turned his own mother in to authorities for denouncing Mao Zedong. His mother was eventually shot in the head on the side of the road, a spot Zhang later fought to have commemorated with a tombstone.
Branigan accompanies him, with reservations, to pay his respects to his mother, Fang Zhoumou. "He began his prostrations as the video camera rolled. 'Mother! I am an unfilial son!' And then: 'Mother! I have brought the Guardian to see you!'" Here, then, is a double betrayal: turned in by her own family, and in death, Fang's memory invoked for someone's ends.
Then there are the former students who stood by as they witnessed the fatal beating and humiliation of their former teacher, Bian Zhongyun. Decades later, Song Binbin, one of the students, decides to publicly apologize for her complicity in her teacher's death. She bows in front of a memorial statue for her teacher, tears glistening in her eyes. The reader feels a moment of hope; perhaps this is a turning point in the bleak, multigenerational suffering Branigan has eloquently narrated so far.
Instead, critics pile on, pointing out that by acknowledging that the cruelty of that decade was systemic, former Red Guards also escape any individual culpability. The teacher's husband rejects Song's apology; her former students are seeking forgiveness for themselves and not truly trying to atone.
"Justice is a sharp instrument; it must draw fine distinctions. Conciliation depends on finding commonalities. It might require a little blurriness," Branigan observes.
In the end, some things can never be forgiven. No apology can bring back the dead or right a wrong. Song Binbin must have known that was impossible, but she tried to apologize anyway. The act itself was meaningful.
Red Memory is also an exercise in attempting the impossible, of trying to reconstruct what it was like to live through and then live with one of the most brutal periods of modern Chinese history. Branigan comes closer to doing so than anyone else has in the English language.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-05-08T14:44:11+00:00 | kosu.org | https://www.kosu.org/arts-culture/arts-culture/2023-05-08/red-memory-aims-to-profile-people-shaped-by-chinas-cultural-revolution |
Cheez-It® offers the cheeziest NIL contract in history with accommodations in the exclusive Cheez-It "Feelin' the Cheeziest" Hotel Rooms
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Dec. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- College football season just got a lot cheezier as Cheez-It® has officially inked its first-ever name, image and likeness (NIL) deals with college football athletes from four storied programs, giving them the opportunity to wake up "Feelin' the Cheeziest" in the exclusive Cheez-It "Feelin' the Cheeziest" Hotel Rooms.
The line-up of athletes enjoying the cheezy hotel room amenities includes:
- Mycah Pittman, Wide Receiver, Florida State University, @mycahpittman
- Michael Turk, Punter, University of Oklahoma, @hangtime
- Garrett Nussmeier, Quarterback, Louisiana State University, @garrettnussmeier
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., Wide Receiver, Purdue University, @iam_ttjxi
Each player scored some competitive contract perks, with their hotel rooms decked out in floor-to-ceiling Cheez-It-inspired items, like absurdly plush Cheez-It rugs, an "I woke up 'Feelin' the Cheeziest, Coach!" alarm clock, inspirational Cheez-It-inspired artwork and luxurious red and yellow bedding. It's like waking up inside of a Cheez-It box, but better.
"As a brand who has continuously offered fans show-stopping experiences, we're excited to bring the action directly to four extremely talented college football athletes," said Erin Storm, brand senior director for Cheez-It. "We can't wait for Pittman, Turk, Nussmeier and Tracy Jr. to experience the magic of our 'Feelin' the Cheeziest' Hotel Rooms."
Last month, the brand announced fans will also have the chance to wake up in Cheez-It paradise – just like their favorite bowl game athletes – with the Cheez-It "Feelin' the Cheeziest" On-Field Suites. Fans who attend the official Cheez-It Bowl pep rallies on Dec. 28 at Pointe Orlando will have the chance to spend the night before the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium, and then watch the game from the on-field suites. For official rules, click here (no purchase necessary).
The 2022 Cheez-It Bowl kicks off on Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and the newly named 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl kicks off on Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. Fans who are attending each game are encouraged to stop by the official Cheez-It Bowl and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Fan Fests at Camping World Stadium hours before kick-off to experience even more cheezy fun.
Whether it be the Cheez-It Bowl, Cheez-It Citrus Bowl or any bowl game, Cheez-It offers a cheezy, crunchy satisfaction that is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser and an essential part of any game day celebration. Don't forget to follow @CheezIt on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, as well as @CheezItBowl, @CitrusBowl and each selected player on your favorite social media platform to catch all the absurdly satisfying antics and get ready to feel the cheeziest!
About Kellogg Company
At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), our vision is a good and just world where people are not just fed but fulfilled. We are creating better days and a place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands. Our beloved brands include Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Special K®, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Eggo®, Mini-Wheats®, Kashi®, RXBAR®, MorningStar Farms® and more. Net sales in 2021 were nearly $14.2 billion, comprised principally of snacks as well as convenience foods like cereal, frozen foods, and noodles. As part of our Kellogg's® Better Days ESG strategy, we're addressing the interconnected issues of wellbeing, climate and food security, creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030. Visit www.KelloggCompany.com.
ABBREVIATED RULES: No Purchase Necessary. Promotion is on-site event entry that will be held on 12/28/22 from approx. 4:00 PM (ET) to approx. 5:30 PM (ET) ("Promotion Period") at Pointe Orlando in Orlando, FL for two (2) separate 2022 Cheez-It Bowl Pep Rally events. The first pep rally event for the Atlantic Coast Conference team will start at approx. 4:00 PM (ET) and end at approx. 4:45 PM (ET); the second pep rally event for the Big 12 team will start at approx. 4:45 PM (ET) and end at approx. 5:30 PM (ET). Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry; and are physically in attendance at one of the events during the Promotion Period. Attendance at an event and entry into the Promotion are free. Subject to complete Official Rules found at the event or cheezit.com/FeelinTheCheeziestFan. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Kellogg Company, One Kellogg Square, Battle Creek, MI 49016.
®, ™, © 2022 Kellogg NA Co.
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SOURCE Kellogg Company | 2022-12-27T14:10:55+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/prnewswire/2022/12/27/cheez-it-signs-four-most-absurdly-cheezy-college-football-athletes-wake-up-feelin-cheeziest-via-brands-first-ever-nil-deals/ |
DALLAS, Dec. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: BHR) ("Braemar" or the "Company") reported today preliminary portfolio occupancy of approximately 64% for the month of November 2022 with an average daily rate ("ADR") of approximately $394 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $253. This RevPAR reflects an approximate increase of 5% versus November 2021 and an approximate increase of 15% compared to November 2019.
Additionally, for the month of October 2022, preliminary portfolio occupancy was approximately 73% with an ADR of approximately $382 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $280. This RevPAR reflects an approximate increase of 25% versus October 2021 and an approximate increase of 14% compared to October 2019. The preliminary operating information discussed above assumes the 15 hotel properties owned and included in the Company's operations at November 30, 2022, were owned as of the beginning of 2019.
"We are extremely pleased with Braemar's preliminary October and November results, despite the fourth quarter typically being our weakest quarter from a seasonality perspective," noted Richard J. Stockton, Braemar's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Importantly, RevPAR significantly exceeded its previous peak in 2019 for both months, solidifying a strong trend in consistently high ADRs and continuing occupancy growth. Looking forward, we expect occupancies to continue to rise towards pre-pandemic levels as the next leg of growth for our portfolio."
Braemar Hotels & Resorts is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in luxury hotels and resorts.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and assumptions in this press release contain or are based upon "forward-looking" information and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements about the Company's strategy and future plans. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. When we use the words "will likely result," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "expect," "believe," "intend," or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside Braemar's control.
These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation: the impact of COVID-19, and the rate of adoption and efficacy of vaccines to prevent COVID-19, on our business and investment strategy; our ability to repay, refinance or restructure our debt and the debt of certain of our subsidiaries; anticipated or expected purchases or sales of assets; our projected operating results; completion of any pending transactions; risks associated with our ability to effectuate our dividend policy, including factors such as operating results and the economic outlook influencing our board's decision whether to pay further dividends at levels previously disclosed or to use available cash to pay dividends; our understanding of our competition; market trends; projected capital expenditures; the impact of technology on our operations and business; general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock and preferred stock; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel; changes in our industry and the markets in which we operate, interest rates or the general economy; and the degree and nature of our competition. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in Braemar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently known to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations can change as a result of many potential events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and other objectives may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider this risk when you make an investment decision concerning our securities. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will be attained or that any deviation will not occur. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, changes in expectations, or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
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SOURCE Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. | 2022-12-05T21:32:04+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/12/05/braemar-hotels-amp-resorts-provides-update-recent-operating-performance/ |
Suicide ruled in death of man who shot 3 LAPD officers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A wanted parolee who shot and wounded three Los Angeles police officers last week killed himself during a standoff, authorities said Tuesday.
Jonathan Magana, 32, died from suicide by a gunshot wound to the head, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said.
Magana also had several gunshot wounds from police who returned fire after he shot the officers last Wednesday in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood, LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday.
Magana, a convicted robber who was released from prison last April, was being sought on suspicion of violating his parole and for extortion, police have said.
He was tracked to what appeared to be a unit converted into a basement living space in an apartment building that was under construction, authorities said.
After a two-hour confrontation, police fired tear gas in an effort to force Magana’s surrender but he opened fire, wounding three K-9 unit officers, who were pulled to safety as other officers returned fire, police have said.
The wounded officers have been released from the hospital and are expected to recover. Authorities said one was shot in an arm, another in a leg and a third in the body although body armor probably deflected the round, KTTV-TV reported, citing authorities.
A SWAT team was called in and after several more hours a camera-equipped robot spotted an unmoving Magana inside the building, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two semiautomatic handguns, including an unregistered ghost gun, were found next to Magana, Moore told the Police Commission.
He said the shooting remained under investigation.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-15T01:22:30+00:00 | foxcarolina.com | https://www.foxcarolina.com/2023/03/14/suicide-ruled-death-man-who-shot-3-lapd-officers/ |
By ZEKE MILLER, LISA MASCARO and E. EDUARDO CASTILLO
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a defiant wartime visit to Washington on Wednesday to thank U.S. leaders and “ordinary Americans” for their support in fighting off Russia’s invasion and pledged there would be “no compromises” in trying to bring an end to the war. President Joe Biden and Congress responded with billions in new assistance and a pledge to help Ukraine pursue a “just peace.”
Biden welcomed Zelenskyy to the Oval Office, saying the U.S. and Ukraine would continue to project a “united defense” as Russia wages a “brutal assault on Ukraine’s right to exist as a nation.” Zelenskyy, on his first known trip outside his country since Russia invaded in February, said he wanted to visit earlier and his visit now showed the “situation is under control, because of your support.”
Pressed on how Ukraine would try to bring an end to the conflict, Zelenskyy rejected Biden’s framing of a “just peace,” saying, “For me as a president, ‘just peace’ is no compromises.” He said the war would end once Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity were restored, as well as the “payback for all the damages inflicted by Russian aggression.”
“There can’t be any ‘just peace’ in the war that was imposed on us,” he added.
The highly sensitive trip was taking place after 10 months of a brutal war that has seen tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and devastation for Ukrainian civilians. Zelenskyy’s visit was meant to reinvigorate support for his country in the U.S. and around the world, amid concerns that allies are growing weary of the costly war and its disruption to global food and energy supplies.
Just before his arrival, the U.S. announced a $1.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine, including for the first time Patriot surface-to-air missiles, and Congress planned to vote on a spending package that includes about $45 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine.
Russia, Biden said, is “trying to use winter as a weapon, but Ukrainian people continue to inspire the world.” Later, in a joint news conference, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin has “no intention of stopping this cruel war.”
The two leaders appeared to share a warm rapport, laughing at each others’ comments and patting each other on the back throughout the visit, though Zelenskyy made clear he will continue to press Biden and other Western leaders for ever more support.
He said that after the Patriot system was up and running, “we will send another signal to President Biden that we would like to get more Patriots.”
“We are in the war,” Zelenskyy added with a smile, as Biden chuckled at the direct request. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
Biden said it is “important for the American people, and for the world, to hear directly from you, Mr. President, about Ukraine’s fight, and the need to continue to stand together through 2023.”
After the White House meeting, the Ukrainian president traveled to Capitol Hill, where he was scheduled to give an address to Congress that he billed as a “speech to Americans.” Vice President Kamala Harris was planning to attend.
Zelenskyy headed abroad after making a daring and dangerous trip Tuesday to what he called the hottest spot on the 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) front line of the war, the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s contested Donetsk province. He praised Ukrainian troops for their “courage, resilience and strength” as artillery boomed in the background.
Poland’s private broadcaster, TVN24, said Zelenskyy crossed into Poland early Wednesday on his way to Washington. The station showed footage of what appeared to be Zelenskyy arriving at a train station and being escorted to a motorcade of American SUVs. TVN24 said the video, partially blurred for security reasons, was shot in Przemysl, a Polish border town that has been the arrival point for many refugees fleeing the war.
Officials, citing security concerns, were cagey about Zelenskyy’s travel plans, but a U.S. official confirmed that Zelenskyy arrived on a U.S. Air Force jet that landed at Joint Base Andrews, just outside the capital, from the Polish city of Rzeszow.
Biden told Zelenskyy, who wore a combat-green sweatshirt and boots during their Oval Office meeting, that ”it’s an honor to be by your side.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in her invitation to Zelenskyy to speak to lawmakers, said “the fight for Ukraine is the fight for democracy itself” and that they were looking forward to “hearing your inspiring message of unity, resilience and determination.”
U.S. and Ukrainian officials have made clear they do not envision an imminent resolution to the war and are preparing for fighting to continue for some time. The latest infusion of U.S. money would be the biggest yet — and exceed Biden’s $37 billion request.
Biden has repeated that while the U.S. will arm and train Ukraine, American forces will not be directly engaged in the war.
Biden and Zelenskyy first discussed the idea of a visit during a telephone call on Dec. 11, with a formal invitation following three days later, according to a senior U.S. administration official. Zelenskyy accepted the invitation on Friday and it was confirmed on Sunday, when the White House began coordinating with Pelosi to arrange the congressional address.
The White House consulted with Zelenskyy on security, including the risk of Russian action while he was briefly out of the country, said the official, who declined to detail the measures taken to safeguard the Ukrainian leader. The official briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the visit.
The latest U.S. military aid package will include not only a Patriot missile battery but precision guided bombs for fighter jets, U.S. officials said. It represents an expansion in the kinds of advanced weaponry intended to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses against what has been an increasing barrage of Russian missiles.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has said the delivery of the advanced surface-to-air missile system would be considered a provocative step and that the system and any crews accompanying it would be a legitimate target for Moscow’s military.
“It’s a defensive system,” Biden said of sending the missile system. “It’s not escalatory — it’s defensive.”
It was unclear when the Patriot battery would arrive on the front lines in Ukraine, given that U.S. troops will have to train Ukrainian forces. The training, expected to be done in Germany, could take several months, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
The visit comes at an important moment, with the White House bracing for greater resistance when Republicans take control of the House in January and give more scrutiny to aid for Ukraine. GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of California has said his party will not write a “blank check” for Ukraine.
Biden and Zelenskyy frequently have talked by phone, with Biden praising Ukraine for remaining steadfast against the Russians and Zelenskyy thanking the U.S. president for support.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer opened the chamber’s session by saying that passage of the aid package and confirmation of the new U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynne M. Tracy, would send a strong signal that Americans stand “unequivocally” with Ukraine. Tracy was confirmed later on a 93-2 vote.
Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Zelenskyy arrives not only as a president but an “ambassador to freedom itself.”
The Senate’s top Republican, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, said “the most basic reasons for continuing to help Ukraine degrade and defeat the Russian invaders are cold, hard, practical American interests.” He said “defeating Russia’s aggression will help prevent further security crises in Europe.”
Russia’s invasion, which began Feb. 24, has lost momentum. The illegally annexed provinces of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia remain fiercely contested.
With the fighting in the east at a stalemate, Moscow has used missiles and drones to attack Ukraine’s power equipment, hoping to leave people without electricity as freezing weather sets in.
In a video released by his office from the Bakhmut visit, Zelenskyy was handed a signed Ukrainian flag and alluded to delivering it to U.S. leaders. “We are grateful for their support, but it is not enough,” he said. “It is a hint — it is not enough.”
Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Kyiv-based Penta Center think tank, said Zelenskyy’s visit to the U.S. “should determine the course of the war — Zelenskyy for the first time dared to leave Ukraine and is counting on being able to maintain, and possibly even strengthen, U.S. military and economic assistance.”
Hanna Danylovych, 43, who lives in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, and works as a scientist, welcomed the prospect of additional military supplies, saying “there is a great desire and dream to speed up the removal of Russian evil from our land.”
Putin on Wednesday told his country’s military leaders that Russia will achieve its stated goals in Ukraine and use the combat experience to strengthen its military. His defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, said Russia’s military must be expanded from the current 1 million to 1.5 million during the fighting in Ukraine.
___
Castillo reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor, Tara Copp, Aamer Madhani, Chris Megerian and Seung Min Kim in Washington, Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, and Andrew Katell in New York contributed to this report.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Centuries-old cultural artifacts that had been illegally smuggled out from Cambodia were welcomed home Friday at a celebration led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who offered thanks for their return and appealed for further efforts to retrieve such stolen treasures.
Many, if not all, of the items displayed at the government’s offices Friday had been looted from Cambodia during periods of war and instability, including in the 1970s when the country was under the brutal rule of the communist Khmer Rouge. Through unscrupulous art dealers, they made their way into the hands of private collectors and museums around the world.
A statement from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts described the returned artifacts as embodying the “priceless cultural heritage and the souls of generations of Khmer ancestors.”
The statement credited the items’ return to “tremendous cooperation and support” from public and private institutions, national and international experts, and close relations with other countries through bilateral, multi-lateral and international institutions, including UNESCO, the U.N. Cultural Agency.
It also singled out cooperation between the Cambodian and U.S. governments. Many of the items returned so far have come from the United States.
The returned items included important Hindu and Buddhist statues, as well as ancient jewelry from the once-mighty empire of Angkor.
In February, a spectacular collection of jewelry was returned to Cambodia from the estate of antiquities collector and dealer Douglas Latchford, who was accused of buying and selling looted artifacts. The 77 pieces of jewelry included crowns, necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings and amulets. U.S prosecutors in 2019 indicted him on charges related to alleged trafficking in stolen and looted Cambodian antiquities. Latchford, who died in 2020, had denied any involvement in smuggling.
In remarks to an invited audience that included U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy, Hun Sen said that some Cambodian sculptures are still missing and held in foreign countries, and he appealed for their return in the spirit of goodwill. He said his government is determined to use all means at its disposal to secure those stolen artifacts, including negotiations and legal action.
“The United States joins Cambodians in celebrating the return of looted artifacts back to their rightful home in the Kingdom,” said a statement from the U.S. Embassy.
”*For 20 years the United States has worked to protect, preserve, and honor Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage with local partners, American academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations," it said. “Through a long-standing U.S.-Cambodia cultural property agreement, the United States has facilitated the return of over 100 priceless antiquities." | 2023-03-17T12:43:02+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/world/article/cambodia-celebrates-return-of-priceless-stolen-17844946.php |
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Heavy rains have triggered flash floods and wreaked havoc across much of Pakistan since mid-June, leaving 903 dead and about 50,000 people homeless, the country’s disaster agency said Wednesday.
Thousands whose homes were swept away now live in tents, miles away from their inundated villages and towns, after being rescued by soldiers, local disaster workers and volunteers.
The National Disaster Management Authority said Wednesday that 126 people were killed in flood-related incidents in the past 48 hours, with most of the victims being women and children.
The flooding has further exacerbated Pakistan’s economic crisis. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif issued an appeal Wednesday from abroad, urging philanthropists to help flood-affected areas in Pakistan.
Sharif is currently in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, where he arrived on Tuesday, seeking financial assistance, loans and foreign investment for his cash-strapped Islamic nation. His government has promised to compensate those who lost homes in the floods.
After talks on Wednesday with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Sharif announced that the Qatari Investment Authority is prepared to invest $3 billion in Pakistan. The trip is Sharif’s first official visit to Qatar as prime minister since he replaced Imran Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence in Parliament in April.
After inundating much of southwestern Baluchistan and eastern Punjab province, flash floods have now started to affect also the southern Sindh province. Authorities this week closed schools in Sindh and Baluchistan.
Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s minister of climate change, tweeted on Tuesday that local authorities are unable to cope on their own and appealed on the world community to help.
Pakistani Television footage on Wednesday showed people wading through waist-high water, holding their children and carrying essential items on their heads. Rescuers used trucks and boats to evacuate people to safer places and food, tents and other basic supplies were being dispatched to flood-affected areas.
In some places, the popular Geo TV reported, families struggled to bury their loved ones as local graveyards were also inundated by floodwaters. The TV broadcast footage showing mourners carrying coffins through flooded areas to bury the dead away from submerged homes.
Monsoon rains, which started in mid-June, were expected to continue this week, mainly in the south.
Murad Ali Shah, the top elected official in Sindh province, said the situation was worse than in 2010, when floods killed at least 1,700 people in Pakistan, mostly in Sindh. “We are doing our best to evacuate people from flood-hit areas,” he said Tuesday.
Floods have damaged as many as 129 bridges across Pakistan, disrupting the supply of fruit and vegetables to markets and causing a hike in prices.
Experts say climate change has caused erratic weather conditions in Pakistan, resulting in cloudbursts, and melting of glaciers that has swelled rivers. They say that limiting planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions will help limit more drastic weather events around the world, including in this South Asian country.
“In recent decades, we never witnessed such an unusual heavier downpour in Pakistan,” said scientist Shahla Gondal, adding that authorities are ill-equipped and “do not know how to tackle” flooding disasters. | 2022-08-24T20:01:26+00:00 | krqe.com | https://www.krqe.com/news/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/floods-wreak-havoc-across-pakistan-903-dead-since-mid-june/ |
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) – Mike Fraley, a long-time employee of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, will start his term as sheriff at midnight Thursday.
Fraley was formally sworn in at noon Wednesday. He spoke with News Channel 11 about some lofty goals he has for his tenure.
Employed with the sheriff’s office since 1989, Fraley said he’s ready to get started.
“I never dreamed that I would become sheriff of Carter County, and today here we are,” Fraley said.
Fraley takes over from Sheriff Dexter Lunceford, who he defeated in the Republican Primary.
Before he left, however, Lunceford went public with concerns about severe understaffing in the department in a July statement. That has left the department with just four school resource officers (SRO) serving only the county’s four high schools.
Lunceford also presented issues with critically low staffing at the jail, which meant it could face decertification from an upcoming Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) inspection.
Fraley said he’s up to the task of addressing those issues and spoke about his plans to address several key deficiencies in the department.
Increasing SRO staffing
In Lunceford’s previous statement, he said short-staffing at the jail had forced him to pull SROs from schools to fill needs there.
Fraley said that has left just four SROs to cover the four high schools in the county.
The new sheriff is well-experienced with running a healthy SRO program. He ran the department’s SRO program for 10 years, growing it from five officers to having an officer in every school.
In the short-term, he plans to immediately fill some of those open positions.
“I plan on doubling the amount of SROs within the next couple of days,” Fraley said.
Fraley said Carter County schools are receiving some help from constables and the Tennessee Highway Patrol to secure outside perimeters at schools.
In a statement, Carter County Schools Superintendent Brandon Carpenter said the district’s safety plan “will remain multi-faceted.”
“We will use every available resource to ensure that our students and staff are provided with a safe and secure learning environment, as this is and will always be our top priority. Sheriff Fraley has assured our district that school safety is one of his department’s top concerns. Carter County Schools and the Carter County Sheriffs Department have a strong working relationship. We greatly appreciate the cooperation Carter County Schools has with our community and all of our local agencies.”
-Dr. Brandon Carpenter, Carter County Schools Superintendent
Getting an SRO in every school is a top priority long-term, Fraley said.
“I’ve got two grandkids that mean the world to me,” Fraley said. “I know parents are concerned. But I’m going to do my absolute best to make sure we have those schools protected.”
But Fraley said that’s a process that will take some time.
“Whoever said that this could be fixed overnight, that is not true,” Fraley said.
Jail inspection looming
Sheriff Lunceford outlined critical staffing shortages in the jail. As a result, the jail could lose its certification in an upcoming TCI inspection.
In that July statement, Lunceford said he was 51 full-time employees short. To fill that gap, Lunceford said he assigned P.O.S.T.-certified patrol officers to work the jail, but those individuals were not certified corrections officers.
Fraley has just over a week until the TCI inspection on Sept. 9.
He said he has read the previous report, which found nine deficiencies in the jail.
“Some of those are maintenance and some of them are staffing issues,” Fraley said. “I have been assured by the maintenance staff that they can have those problems fixed, but the other problems are going to be more long-term, and I’ve got to submit a plan of action how we’re going to correct those, but I feel confident we’re going to move forward in the right direction.”
Fraley said he is in the process of writing the plan of action, and it will be ready by the Sept. 9 inspection.
He said he is taking steps to help the jail get back on good terms with TCI by making a hire new to the sheriff’s office.
“I have actually hired a TCI compliance officer, who does nothing but that,” Fraley said. “Make sure the jail is in compliance, so hopefully we won’t run into this problem again.”
Recruitment and retention
Getting back to having SROs in every school and a certified jail means filling all those open positions. Fraley said he has plans to bring several deputies back on the force that had left under previous leadership.
“A few had reached out and said they would be willing to help starting as early as next week,” Fraley said. “You can’t just raise your right hand. There’s a process, but will start the process and streamline things and get some deputies back rather quickly.”
Fraley said that will provide a boost, but it will come nowhere close to fixing the staffing shortage. That will require doubling down on recruitment efforts. Fraley is bringing on Matt Patterson as the new jail administrator with a specific focus on recruitment.
“The new jail administrator brings a lot of fresh ideas to the table, and I have made that a priority of his is to work on recruiting and retaining good correctional officers,” Fraley said.
Fraley said recruitment can also start at a young age.
He said there are discussions about programs at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology that could have officers ready as young as 18.
“A lot of the seniors that are 18 years old and have the credits. Starting in January, they could potentially come to work at the sheriff’s department in the jail,” Fraley said.
Fraley said those young officers would be properly vetted.
“The law states that you can hire 18-year-olds, but they’re going to have to have complete background checks and psychologicals and things like that,” Fraley said. “But that may be a very good way to bring some entry-level future corrections officers in.”
In terms of retention, Fraley said pay is not the biggest motivator – good leadership is.
But Fraley said getting a competitive wage for his officers is a high priority.
“I would really like to get the pay up to where it is a livable wage,” Fraley said. “We’re dealing with a lot of surrounding agencies that have upped their game as far as pay.”
Pay raises are the responsibility of the Carter County Commission. The earliest a pay raise could be granted is in next year’s budget.
Fraley said he’s been attending commission meetings for the last six months to prepare for a discussion with commissioners on pay raises.
“I look forward to working with them,” Fraley said. “I know that we can’t fix it overnight, but it’s a solution. Starting in the next budget process, we will have to sit down and make some hard decisions.”
Changing department culture
Fraley will bring new leadership – a new chief deputy and the previously mentioned new jail administrator.
Jeff Gazzo, a Greeneville native and former law enforcement training director in Charlotte, North Carolina, will join Fraley as chief deputy. Fraley said his leadership team will work on improving deputy morale and their duty to the citizens of Carter County.
His primary concern is that deputies have become complacent, unwilling to handle a variety of tasks.
“My number one priority when I started this campaign was changing the mindset of, ‘that’s not my job,'” Fraley said. “Officers have got so compartmentalized that they feel that they have one job and one job only. A deputy sheriff has to wear a broad hat.
“We need to start becoming public servants again, and instead of ‘that’s not my job,’ the motto needs to be ‘how can we help?'”
Fraley said that’s a culture change that starts with him and trickles down the ranks.
He would also like to have deputies be more involved in the areas they serve.
“I want to have an extra zone right off the bat, to split one of the larger zones in two to have officers more community-oriented and talking to the citizens,” Fraley said.
Fraley said he’s noticed a fear in some deputies to talk to members of the public.
“They need to get over that fear. The public is who we work for,” Fraley said. “I want to pair up some older officers with some newer officers to go out and make that initial approach with the people. Stop and ask them how things are going. I think in the long-term that’s going to reap big rewards for us.”
Fraley starts at midnight Thursday and said one of his first tasks will be going over a department-wide equipment audit.
He said he made promises to voters that put their faith in him, and he intends to keep those promises.
“I’ve promised the people that I was going to hit the ground running, and I’m going to,” Fraley said. “I’ve rolled up my sleeves. I know it’s going to be long days, and I’m going to deliver on every promise that I made.” | 2022-09-01T01:22:27+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/new-carter-county-sheriff-fraley-lays-out-goals-as-term-starts/ |
Player of the Game: Northwestern's Chase Audige
No one player was especially dominant in this game, on either side. But the Wildcats' redshirt senior guard tallied a game-high 21 points, drilling four three-point baskets and finishing 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. He also snagged a team-best four steals and tacked on a blocked shot defensively.
Backcourt | Illinois D-, Northwestern C
The only thing preventing the Illini from reaching F territory is Jayden Epps coming off the bench to score 11 points. Sencire Harris picked up two fouls in the game's first minute, Coleman Hawkins had a rough decision-making night and Terrence Shannon Jr. was just OK. The Wildcats' Boo Buie overcame a brutal shooting line to finish with 15 points, largely on free throws.
Frontcourt | Illinois D+, Northwestern D+
Dain Dainja served as a solid rim protector most of the night and should've taken more than six shots (of which he hit four). Dainja and Matthew Mayer were fine rebounding the ball, and Mayer paced the Illini in scoring. Northwestern's bigs didn't do too much on the scoring front, but they rebounded well when they needed to.
Coaching | Illinois D-, Northwestern C+
Brad Underwood seemed like he was searching for answers to Illinois' struggles along with his players in real time, flying through second-half timeouts. But the Illini's lack of a clear offensive game plan along with their poor discipline falls back at least partially on their coach. Chris Collins' roster displayed some suspect shot selection but otherwise played clean.
Overall | Illinois D, Northwestern C-
Not exactly a highlight-reel game on either side, though the Wildcats at least can go to bed knowing their won while (presumably) not playing their best. The Illini head back to Champaign with more questions than answers about why they've been unable to pick up a Big Ten victory yet this season, and this league doesn't afford much leniency in that situation. | 2023-01-05T05:57:35+00:00 | news-gazette.com | https://www.news-gazette.com/sports/grades-are-in-illini-leave-much-to-be-desired-in-loss-to-wildcats/article_9da49aff-471f-5116-aac0-e617065b4832.html |
Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Monday after a report Friday showed resilience in the U.S. jobs market.
Benchmarks rose in Tokyo and Seoul but fell in Shanghai. Markets were closed in Hong Kong and Sydney after last week ended with Good Friday holidays in many countries. U.S. futures were mixed and oil prices declined.
The highly anticipated report on U.S. employment showed hiring slowed more than expected but remained steady last month.
Friday’s jobs report showed that American employers added 236,000 jobs last month, a slowdown from February’s 326,000 and slightly below economists’ expectations. Wages, meanwhile, grew 0.3% from February to match expectations. But year-over-year wage gains slowed to 4.2% from 4.6%.
Asian central banks are also struggling to steer the delicate course of curbing inflation while avoiding putting economies into recession.
In Asian trading Monday, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index added 0.4% to 27,629.25. In Seoul, the Kospi surged 0.9% to 2,512.28
The Shanghai Composite index gave up early gains, losing 0.2% to 3,322.58. Shares rose in Taiwan but fell in Southeast Asia.
The Federal Reserve faces a tough decision over whether to raise interest rates to drive down inflation that’s still high or hold off given signs of a slowing economy.
"I suspect we are entering the peak uncertainty phase around the Fed’s next move as investors debate if credit tightening from financial stress will be enough to warrant cuts or if we are heading for more hikes," Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.
The U.S. stock market was closed in observance of Good Friday, as were many markets across Europe. That left the U.S. bond market as one of the few open to react to the latest jobs update.
The immediate reaction from the bond market seemed to lean toward another hike. Not only did yields rise for Treasurys, so did bets for the Fed to raise rates by another quarter of a percentage point in May at its next meeting.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 3.40% from 3.30% late Thursday. It was at 3.37% early Monday.
A cooler job market is exactly what the Fed is trying to achieve. Raising rates is one of the Fed’s most effective ways to undercut inflation, but it’s a notoriously blunt tool that works only by slowing the entire economy. That raises the risk of a recession and hurts prices for stocks, bonds and other investments.
More data are coming this week, with the latest monthly update on prices consumers are paying on Wednesday. Economists expect it to show inflation slowing but well above the Fed's target.
Many economists see a recession later this year as likely. But some say a narrow possibility still exists where the Fed could raise rates just enough to get inflation fully under control without causing a severe recession.
In other trading, U.S. benchmark crude shed 3 cents to $80.67 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international standard, lost 9 cents to $85.03 per barrel.
The dollar rose to 132.69 Japanese yen from 132.16 yen. The euro slipped to $1.0892 from $1.0902.
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After the initial selected subscription period your subscription rate will auto renew at $12.00 per month. | 2023-04-10T09:23:23+00:00 | timesdaily.com | https://www.timesdaily.com/news/nation/asian-shares-higher-after-report-shows-resilience-in-us-jobs/article_8207707b-1017-5927-927f-4307bf319772.html |
Source: Janet Jackson: Together Again
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Nickelodeon star Drake Bell reported missing by police
Five Things You Should Know About Mary Mary
Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who We’ve Lost In 2023
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Governor Eric Holcomb signs 79 bills into law Thursday | 2023-04-25T05:37:50+00:00 | wtlcfm.com | https://wtlcfm.com/events/janet-jackson-together-again/ |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ubicquia, Inc., a company dedicated to making intelligent infrastructure solutions that are easy to deploy and monitor, today announced the addition of Marwan Fawaz to its board of directors. Fawaz brings decades of experience in communications technology, Internet of Things and 5G along with experience in technology strategy.
Fawaz's experience includes serving as an executive advisor to Google and its parent company, Alphabet. He held CEO roles at Nest and Motorola Home and CTO roles at Charter Communications and Adelphia Communications.
"I have known Marwan for more than 25 years and consider him one of the most strategic and accomplished cable and technology executives in the industry," said Ian Aaron, Chief Executive Officer of Ubicquia. "Marwan's operational experience in the Service Provider, Broadband and Utility sectors will be a tremendous asset to our board and company as we scale our business globally."
"Ubicquia has a huge opportunity to accelerate 5G deployment, broadband connectivity globally, smart grid visibility, and public safety projects. Its use of existing infrastructure is a game changer that will have lasting impact," said Marwan Fawaz. "I am honored to join its board of directors and be a part of a company that is using technology to better the world."
Over the course of his career, Fawaz advised Google on M&A strategy in the areas of telecom, broadband, home automation, media and 5G. Under his leadership, Motorola Home was repositioned and acquired for $2.35 billion by Arris and Nest expanded its product portfolio three fold, and grew international presence exponentially.
Fawaz currently serves on the boards of CSG International and NACD Colorado. He is also a board observer at Neural Propulsion Systems and an advisor to Yohana, a well-being services company and Sway Ventures, a CA based VC.
Fawaz holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and master's degree in telecommunications, with a specialization in satellite communications.
About Ubicquia
Ubicquia offers municipalities, utilities, and communication service providers cost-effective and scalable platforms for deploying smart city, connectivity, and smart grid solutions. The Ubicquia® suite of streetlight-mounted smart city and connectivity platforms include UbiCell®, which enables smart streetlight control; UbiMetro™, a streetlight small cell that accelerates 4G and 5G network deployments; UbiHub®, which delivers high speed wireless internet access and street level video and audio intelligence; and UbiSmart™ AQM+, a sensor that monitors a city's air quality index, noise levels and environmental data. Ubicquia's smart grid platform includes UbiGrid™DTM+, a platform to monitor a utility's distribution transformers and network in real-time. Ubicquia's solutions install in minutes and cost effectively help communities of all sizes become smarter, safer, and more connected. To learn more visit www.ubicquia.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Ubicquia, Inc. | 2023-02-21T14:41:16+00:00 | live5news.com | https://www.live5news.com/prnewswire/2023/02/21/marwan-fawaz-joins-ubicquias-board-directors/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) —
Federal accident investigators say the government should issue regulations to improve the safety of air tours in part of Alaska where seven sightseeing planes have crashed since 2007, killing 31 people.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that the Federal Aviation Administration should tighten rules about minimum visibility during flights and require more weather training for pilots who fly around Ketchikan. The coastal area near the southern tip of Alaska is known for mountainous terrain and quickly changing weather.
“There have been too many air tour tragedies in Ketchikan, a place with unique — but well understood — safety hazards that endanger the lives of pilots and passengers alike,” board Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a statement. “Unless the FAA acts swiftly, experience tells us to expect even more heartbreak and preventable loss of life.”
In a report dated Nov. 16 but released Tuesday by the NTSB, the board said it had issued 13 safety recommendations to the FAA in recent years, but the FAA has instead relied on operators following voluntary terms of a 2009 agreement. The NTSB said that has proved ineffective.
The board wants the FAA to adopt “special federal aviation regulations” for Ketchikan similar to requirements in Hawaii and the Grand Canyon.
The FAA did not immediately comment.
In the most recent crash, in August 2021, photos taken by passengers showed that the pilot — flying by visual cues instead of instrument readings used in poor visibility — flew below clouds until crashing into a forested mountain. The pilot and all five passengers died.
The NTSB investigates accidents including airplane crashes but has no authority to issue regulations. The FAA regulates aviation safety. The two have often clashed in recent years, with the safety board believing that the FAA doesn't pay enough attention to its recommendations. | 2022-11-29T23:39:44+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/business/article/Safety-board-recommends-new-measures-for-Alaska-17619423.php |
NFL suspends 5 players from Lions, Commanders for violating gambling policy
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL suspended five players for violating the league’s gambling policy on Friday.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were suspended indefinitely, while Lions wide receivers Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams were suspended six games.
Cephus, Moore and Toney are suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season, and may petition for reinstatement at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Berryhill and Williams were suspended for betting from an NFL facility on non-NFL games. They are eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason activities, including preseason games., and their suspensions will take effect at the final roster cutdown.
In a release, the NFL said that a “league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.”
The Lions released Cephus and Moore on Friday.
Detroit Lions executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes said in a statement that the players “exhibited decision making that is not consistent with our organizational values and violates league rules.”
Holmes also said that the team will work with Stanley and Jameson “to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward.”
The Commanders said in a statement that the team has “cooperated fully with the NFL’s investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions.”
___
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Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-21T16:15:22+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/04/21/nfl-suspends-5-players-lions-commanders-violating-gambling-policy/ |
CDC: Florida infant contracts monkeypox, youngest patient infected in state to date
An infant less than two months old in Florida contracted monkeypox likely from a household exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a news release Monday.
Health officials said the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) was notified of a suspected case of monkeypox after the child was admitted to a Florida hospital in August with a rash and cellulitis.
The CDC believes the baby likely was exposed to the virus at home, being that the child did not attend a daycare, had no travel history or acute infections three weeks prior to when the rash appeared and had no known immunocompromising conditions.
The baby was taken care of by four people within a home – one of which (caregiver B) reported activities that placed him at high risk for monkeypox exposure during the two months prior to the infant’s illness. An investigation identified three other household family members with household exposures to both the infant and caregiver B.
"One day before the infant became symptomatic, caregiver B moved to another state and sought medical care for his symptoms," the CDC stated. He received a positive monkeypox test result two days after the baby tested positive. "The infant had daily close contact with caregiver B in the home for 6 weeks before rash onset."
Likely transmission included shared bed linens and skin-to-skin contact through holding and daily care activities.
Health officials said the baby is the youngest patient with confirmed monkeypox infection in Florida as of Monday. A total of 27 confirmed cases of monkeypox in children between the ages of 0 and 15 years old have been reported in the United States during the 2022 outbreak to date.
WHAT IS MONKEYPOX?
Officials said it's a viral infection transmitted during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing cuddling or sex. The illness typically lasts for two to four weeks.
WHAT ARE MONKEYPOX SYMPTOMS?
If a person begins to have the following symptoms, they are asked to call their healthcare provider and ask about testing:
- High fever
- Intense headache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Rash
Those with symptoms should avoid contact with others, stay at home, wear a mask and cover sores to protect others.
WHO CAN GET MONKEYPOX?
Anyone can get the infection, but the health department said men who have sex with men remain at the highest risk. | 2022-09-21T05:32:17+00:00 | wogx.com | https://www.wogx.com/news/florida-infant-contracts-monkeypox-youngest-patient-infected-in-state-to-date |
Chris Rock jokes he was 'smacked by Suge Smith' after Will Smith apology video
Chris Rock is still not saying how he feels about getting slapped by Will Smith, but he is still making passing jokes about the incident.
The comedian was on stage in Atlanta on Friday night as part of his "Chris Rock Ego Death World Tour," hours after Smith posted a nearly six-minute video saying he's "deeply remorseful" for slapping Rock during the Academy Awards in March.
Rock has made subtle nods to the slap in comedy shows in the months since, but he has not publicly addressed it at length. He took the same approach during his performance on Friday.
"Everybody is trying to be a (expletive) victim. If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims," Rock said. "Even me getting smacked by Suge Smith ... I went to work the next day, I got kids."
He later quipped, "Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face."
Smith charged the stage and hit Rock after he made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith's hairstyle, who suffers from alopecia.
In the video posted on his social media accounts, a solemn Smith starts with a message on screen: "Over the last few months, I've been doing a lot of thinking and personal work. ... You asked a lot of fair questions that I wanted to take some time to answer," it reads.
Smith sighs then offers his thoughts about an altercation that made headlines worldwide and tarnished his image.
He explains why he didn't apologize to Rock during his Oscar win acceptance speech for best actor in "King Richard."
"I was fogged out by that point," he says. "It's all fuzzy."
Smith says he's tried to contact Rock, but he indicated he's not ready to talk and will reach out when he is.
"So I will say to you Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I'm here whenever you are ready to talk."
Smith also apologized to Rock's family, including his mother, family and his brother, Tony Rock, who starred in the 2007 sitcom "All of Us" created by the Smiths.
"We had a great relationship," Smith says. "Tony Rock was my man and this is probably irreparable.".
Smith also apologizes to his wife, their children, and his fellow Academy Award nominees.
"Disappointing people is my central trauma," he says." I hate when I let people down so it hurts."
Smith directs a message to his supporters, saying he's committed "to putting light and love and joy into the world."
"If you hang on I promise we'll be able to be friends again," he concludes.
The Academy has sanctioned Smith by banning him from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years. Smith also issued an apology on Instagram in March, calling his behavior "unacceptable and inexcusable." | 2022-07-30T23:42:24+00:00 | wisn.com | https://www.wisn.com/article/chris-rock-jokes-smacked-after-will-smith-apology-video/40759314 |
Tonight, clear skies. Areas of fog possible. Low temperatures will be around 50 or the 50s, some inland areas will fall into the 40s. North to northwest wind 5 to 15 MPH with a few higher gusts becoming light and variable.
Tuesday, mostly sunny. High temperatures will be in the 70s and 80s. Winds becoming south to southwest 5 to 15 MPH with a few higher gusts.
Tuesday night, clear skies. Low temperatures will be around 60 or the 60s, some inland areas could fall into the 50s. South to southwest to west to southwest 5 to 15 MPH with a few higher gusts.
Wednesday, a slight chance of rain (mainly closer to Lake Michigan). Otherwise, expect partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies. Temperatures in the afternoon will range from the 60s right along Lake Superior to around 80 or the 80s in the South-Central U.P. Winds becoming west to northwest 5 to 15 MPH with a few higher gusts.
Wednesday night, mostly clear. Low temperatures will be around 50 or the 50s. North to northwest wind 5 to 15 MPH with a few higher gusts.
Thursday, mostly sunny. High temperatures will be in the 60s and 70s. North to northwest wind 5 to 15 MPH with a few higher gusts.
Thursday night, clear skies. Low temperatures will be in the 40s away from the shorelines of the Great Lakes. Winds becoming light and variable.
Friday, mostly sunny. High temperatures will be in the 70s to around 80. Variable wind 5 to 10 MPH.
Friday night, mostly clear. Low temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s. South to southwest wind 5 to 15 MPH with a few higher gusts.
Saturday, a slight chance of rain. Otherwise, partly cloudy. High temperatures will be in the 70s and 80s. South to southwest wind 5 to 15 MPH.
Saturday night, a slight chance of rain. Otherwise, partly cloudy. Low temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s. South to southwest wind 5 to 15 MPH.
Sunday, a slight chance of rain. Otherwise, partly cloudy. High temperatures will be in the 70s to around 80. Variable wind 5 to 10 MPH.
Sunday night and Monday, a slight chance of rain. Otherwise, partly cloudy. High temperatures will be in the 70s to around 80. Low temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s. | 2022-08-09T01:04:00+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/weather/local-3-monday-night-weather-forecast-8-8-2022/ |
Wounded suspect in killing of California deputy identified
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (AP) — A man suspected of killing a Southern California sheriff’s deputy remained hospitalized in critical condition after a gunbattle, authorities said Saturday.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department identified Jesse Navarro, 42, of Lake Elsinore as the suspect in the killing of Deputy Darnell Calhoun.
Calhoun, 30, was the second Riverside deputy to be slain in the line of duty in two weeks.
Calhoun responded to a report of unknown trouble Friday afternoon in the unincorporated Lakeland Village area near Lake Elsinore, the department said in a statement.
“As Deputy Calhoun approached the residence, the suspect began shooting at him, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred,” it said. “As an additional deputy arrived, the suspect engaged him with gunfire as well. The suspect was ultimately wounded and taken into custody.”
Deputies rushed Calhoun to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Riverside County Deputy Isaiah Cordero, 32, was slain on Dec. 29 when he pulled over a pickup truck in the city of Jurupa Valley. The driver shot Cordero as he approached. The driver was later killed in a shootout at the end of a pursuit.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-14T23:49:29+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/2023/01/14/wounded-suspect-killing-california-deputy-identified/ |
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina in Australian Open women's final for 1st Grand Slam title.
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Man shot, killed neighbor over car blocking driveway, police say
LAS VEGAS (KVVU/Gray News) – A man shot and killed his neighbor over a parking dispute, according to an arrest report.
Christopher Allen, 33, was shot in his home Oct. 18. His neighbor, Robert Salone, 40, was arrested Nov. 22 in connection with the killing.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Allen called 911 around 12:30 p.m. that day to report that someone was shooting at him. A dispatcher heard another male in the background say “f--- enjoy it” before an apparent gunshot, the report said.
Allen was reportedly heard crying in pain saying, “He shot me! He shot me! I can’t feel my legs,” before the line went dead. Allen called back and provided his address before saying “he was dying” and the line went quiet again, the arrest report said.
Officers responded to the home and found Allen unresponsive on the floor. He was pronounced dead on scene, the report said.
Upon investigation, police found that Allen and Salone were involved in an argument over Allen’s vehicle blocking Salone’s driveway just before the shooting.
“During the argument, (Salone) went inside his residence, retrieved two handguns, exited the house, and shot and killed Allen,” the arrest report said.
Salone is facing a murder charge and was denied bail, according to court records. His next hearing was set for Tuesday.
Copyright 2022 KVVU via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-11-28T21:30:46+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/2022/11/28/man-shot-killed-neighbor-over-car-blocking-driveway-police-say/ |
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BJ Energy Solutions announced today that the Company has closed on a new fully committed credit facility with Eclipse Business Capital, providing for a $100 million ABL revolver.
The facility will be used to refinance existing indebtedness, fund the construction of the Company's next generation TITAN™ fleets, and other corporate purposes, including working capital.
"This debt placement helps us secure financing to continue to organically pursue our business plan, meet our contracted customer needs and sustain our continued rollout of the TITAN Next Generation fracturing platform, demonstrating our commitment to providing lower carbon technologies to the Oil & Gas Industry," said Warren Zemlak, President & CEO of BJ Energy. "We are excited to be partnering with Eclipse Business Capital on this new credit facility and appreciate their support in executing our strategic plans."
Piper Sandler & Co served as the exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent on the transaction.
About BJ Energy Solutions
With a rich legacy beginning in 1872, BJ has 150 years of technology innovation. Today, BJ Energy's strategy is to champion sustainable products and emissions reduction through the investment, development, and commercialization of technologies that reduce our carbon footprint. BJ's latest introduction of the TITAN technology platform supports the industry's endeavor to continually improve its environmental impact and social responsibilities. For more information, please visit our website at www.bjenergy.com.
About Eclipse Business Capital
Originally founded in 2016, Eclipse Business Capital ("EBC") is one of the country's leading independent asset-based lending platforms targeting both privately owned and publicly traded companies across a wide range of industries. The firm provides revolving lines of credit and term loans ranging in size from $10 – 200 million that are secured by collateral such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment or real estate.
Since it was established, EBC has underwritten more than 84 transactions totaling over $3.25 billion in aggregate credit facilities. EBC has an experienced team of 45 professionals, located in Chicago, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Charlotte, Dallas, and Fort Lauderdale and provides financing to middle-market borrowers in the U.S. and Canada.
BJ Energy Solutions Company Contact:
Ernesto Bautista III
Chief Financial Officer
ebautista@bjenergy.com
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SOURCE BJ Energy Solutions | 2022-12-13T18:12:10+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2022/12/13/bj-energy-solutions-raises-100-million-credit-facility-support-ongoing-deployment-companys-contracted-next-generation-titan-fleets/ |
Project to expand and restore Bahia Grande Lagoon in Cameron County nearly complete
The plan to build a wider and deeper channel underneath Highway 48 in Cameron County to feed a long-lost lagoon is nearly complete.
Finishing touches being put now on the Bahia Grande pilot channel to expand it, and expand tidal flow into that area.
The project would make fishing better along the coast.
RELATED: Project underway to restore Bahia Grande lagoon in Cameron County
The project is being made with $5 million from the Texas General Land Office.
The channel runs from the Brownsville Ship Channel to supply water to the Bahia Grande, a natural lagoon the size of Weslaco.
The lagoon became a virtual desert once it was choked off from tidal flow. Now, more water is flowing back in.
Watch the video above for the full story. | 2022-07-09T05:02:39+00:00 | krgv.com | https://www.krgv.com/news/project-to-expand-and-restore-bahia-grande-lagoon-in-cameron-county-nearly-complete |
A fishing community in southern Brazil has an unusual ally: wild dolphins.
Accounts of people and dolphins working together to hunt fish go back millennia, from the time of the Roman Empire near what is now southern France to 19th century Queensland, Australia. But while historians and storytellers have recounted the human point of view, it’s been impossible to confirm how the dolphins have benefited — or if they’ve been taken advantage of — before sonar and underwater microphones could track them underwater.
In the seaside city of Laguna, scientists have, for the first time, used drones, underwater sound recordings and other tools to document how local people and dolphins coordinate actions and benefit from each other’s labor. The most successful humans and dolphins are skilled at reading each other’s body language. The research was published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The Laguna residents work with wild bottlenose dolphins to catch schools of migratory silver fish called mullet. It’s a locally famous alliance that has been recorded in newspaper records going back 150 years.
“This study clearly shows that both dolphins and humans are paying attention to each other’s behavior, and that dolphins provide a cue to when the nets should be cast,” said Stephanie King, a biologist who studies dolphin communication at the University of Bristol and was not involved in the research.
“This is really incredible cooperative behavior,” she added. “By working with the dolphins,” the people catch more fish, “and the dolphins are more successful in foraging, too.”
Dolphins and humans are both highly intelligent and long-lived social animals. But when it comes to fishing, they have different abilities.
“The water is really murky here, so the people can’t see the schools of fish. But the dolphins use sounds to find them, by emitting small clicks,” much as bats use echolocation, said Mauricio Cantor, an Oregon State University marine biologist and study co-author.
As the dolphins herd the fish toward the coast, the people run into the water holding hand nets.
“They wait for dolphins to signal exactly where fish are – the most common signal is what locals call ‘a jump,’ or a sudden deep dive,” said Cantor, who is also affiliated with the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Florianópolis, Brazil.
The researchers used sonar and underwater microphones to track the positions of the dolphins and fish, while drones recorded the interactions from above, and GPS devices attached to residents’ wrists recorded when they cast their nets.
The more closely the people synchronized their net-casting to the dolphins’ signals, the more likely they were to trap a large catch.
So what’s in it for the dolphins?
The descending nets startle the fish, which break into smaller schools that are easier for dolphins to hunt. “The dolphins may also take one or two fish from the net – sometimes fishers can feel dolphin tugging a little on the net,” said Cantor.
The Laguna residents categorize the individual dolphins as “good,” “bad,” or “lazy” — based on their skill in hunting and affinity for cooperating with humans, said Cantor. The people get most excited when they see a “good” dolphin approaching shore.
“These dolphins and humans have developed a joint foraging culture that allows them both to do better,” said Boris Worm, a marine ecologist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, who was not involved in the research.
It’s not clear how the Laguna cooperation first emerged, but it’s survived multiple human and dolphin generations – with knowledge passed down by experienced fishers and dolphins to the next generation of each species.
Still, the researchers in Brazil worry that the Laguna alliance, perhaps one of the last of its kind, may be in danger as well, as pollution threatens the dolphins and artisanal fishing gives way to industrial methods.
“Human-wildlife cooperation is disappearing because we’re decimating the wildlife populations,” said Janet Mann, a dolphin researcher at Georgetown University, who was not involved in the study.
Scientists hope that greater awareness of the unusual interspecies cooperation can help drive support to protect it. “It’s amazing that it’s lasted for over a century – can we keep this cultural tradition alive amid many changes?” said Damien Farine, a University of Zurich biologist and study co-author.
—
Follow Christina Larson on Twitter at @larsonchristina.
—-
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | 2023-01-30T23:57:04+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/hooked-on-science/ap-science/ap-dolphins-humans-both-benefit-from-fishing-collaboration/ |
Burger King has $400M plan to make you fall in love with the Whopper again
(CNN) - Burger King is getting a $400 million upgrade following a rough few years that have seen the fast food giant lag behind its competitors.
Executives are hoping a major investment in restaurants and advertising will strengthen the brand and spark new growth.
Over the next two years, they plan to pump $150 million into advertising and digital products and $250 million into updating restaurant technology, kitchens and remodeling.
A key part of the plan is to make diners fall in love with the Whopper again.
That includes ensuring consistency and beefing up training on making the best possible Whopper.
The branding push will remind customers the burger chain is the “home of the Whopper.”
Burger King will remodel and modernize roughly 800 restaurants and has already changed its logo, packaging, signage and uniforms.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-13T13:06:42+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/09/13/burger-king-has-400m-plan-make-you-fall-love-with-whopper-again/ |
Shortstop Elly De La Cruz has only played in 37 big league games so far, but he has already produced several exciting moments in a Cincinnati Reds uniform.
In less than a week, the rookie phenom managed to set and break his own record for throwing velocity on an infield assist. During Thursday's game against the San Francisco Giants, De Le Cruz launched a 99.8 mph throw to home plate to put an end to any hope Giants infielder Wilmer Flores had of scoring a run.
"I knew on that throw I was going to be able to throw it as quickly as possible," De La Cruz said via a translator after the game. "I’m just ready every time to throw whatever is needed."
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The 21-year-old De La Cruz has already thrown four 95-plus mph infield assists over the course of his young MLB career.
De La Cruz expressed confidence about his ability to throw even faster if he needed to. "We had to get that guy out at home. But you know what? I can definitely throw harder than that," he said.
REDS GROUNDS CREW MEMBER GETS GOBBLED UP BY 'TARP MONSTER' DURING WEATHER DELAY
Nevertheless, De La Cruz's impressive throw clocked in faster than any pitch the Giants starting pitcher or relief pitchers threw during the game. One of relief pitcher Mauricio Llovera's pitches came in at 97.4 mph — slightly under De La Cruz's impressive throw.
On July 16, during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, De La Cruz moved to third base where he fielded a ground ball. Moments later he fired a then-record 97.9 mph throw to record an infield assist.
At the time, the throw was the fastest-tracked infield assist that Statcast had on record.
De La Cruz's record-breaking throw on Thursday ended the fourth inning. Flores was on first base when Giants outfielder Luis Matos hit the baseball over the glove of a Reds outfielder for a double.
Instead of stopping at third-bases, Flores was waived to home plate after the outfielder temporarily bobbled the baseball.
De La Cruz was in the cutoff man position and received the throw from his teammate on the shallow part of the outfield grass. He then fired the lightning fast throw to the plate.
Reds catcher Luke Maile then successfully applied the tag.
"The thing about Elly too is he’s just helping us win in so many ways," Reds manager David Bell said after the game. "A lot of it goes maybe unnoticed, even though we’re all recognizing what a special player he is. Taking a run off the board is huge in any game. That was a big play today."
Cincinnati defeated San Francisco 5-1 to remain 2.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central division. | 2023-07-21T05:39:59+00:00 | foxbangor.com | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/reds-rookie-elly-de-la-cruz-makes-record-breaking-throw-during-win-over-giants/article_6486b003-4f4c-5a84-a7d3-12ae8835da4e.html |
New Mexico's top election official met with federal prosecutors for 2020 special counsel probe
By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has spoken with federal prosecutors as part of the special counsel's probe into the 2020 election. That's according to her spokesman Alex Curtas who said the meeting occurred sometime in the past few months, declining further comment. The Justice Department has spent months examining pressure campaigns by Trump associates that were aimed at getting battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to undo the results of their elections. Special counsel Jack Smith and his team have issued subpoenas to election officials in states that Trump disputed, seeking correspondence from Trump associates and campaign aides, and have also lined up interviews in recent months with state officials.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top state election official in New Mexico has spoken with federal prosecutors as part of the special counsel's probe into the 2020 election, the official's spokesman said Friday.
The meeting with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver occurred sometime in the past few months, according to spokesman Alex Curtas, who declined further comment.
The Justice Department has spent months examining pressure campaigns by Trump associates aimed at getting battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to undo the results of their elections. Special counsel Jack Smith and his team have issued subpoenas to election officials in states that Trump disputed, seeking correspondence from Trump associates and campaign aides, and have also lined up interviews in recent months with state officials.
The communications with state officials are one prong of a much bigger probe by Smith and his team into efforts to block the transfer of power from Trump to Biden. It is not clear when Smith's investigation into the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot might end or whether anyone might be charged.
A spokesman for Smith declined to comment on Friday.
It's unknown what questions were asked of Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat in her second term, about the 2020 election in New Mexico.
After Biden won the state by nearly 11 percentage points, Trump's campaign briefly challenged the results in court before dropping the lawsuit. Republicans in the state submitted false Electoral College certificates declaring Trump the winner – though the fake electors added a caveat saying the certificates were submitted in case they were later recognized as duly elected, qualified electors.
Although Democrats control every statewide elected office in New Mexico, with majorities in the Statehouse, false claims of fraud and manipulation of voting machines in 2020 have resonated in some politically conservative communities, including Otero County, where commissioners in June 2022 initially refused to certify election results.
Former Otero County commissioner and Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was barred last year from holding public office for engaging in insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have also spoken with officials from Smith's office in recent months, according to their staffs.
Kathy Boockvar, the chief state election official in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election, said Friday she has not been asked for an interview.
It was not currently clear whether state officials overseeing elections in 2020 in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin – other states disputed by Trump -- have been interviewed. Claire Woodall-Vogg, the head of Milwaukee's election commission, said in an email that she met virtually with investigators a month or two ago.
"I'm not sure what if any details I can divulge, so not much more to say," she said.
Efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn his loss in Georgia are also the subject of a separate investigation in Atlanta's Fulton County with local prosecutors saying they expect a decision later this summer on next steps. It was in a Jan. 2, 2021, phone call that Trump suggested Raffensperger could help "find" the votes necessary to reverse Biden's win.
___
Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, contributed to this report. | 2023-07-14T22:24:06+00:00 | kanw.com | https://www.kanw.com/new-mexico-news/2023-07-14/new-mexicos-top-election-official-met-with-federal-prosecutors-for-2020-special-counsel-probe |
'It just rang': In crises, US-China hotline goes unanswered
Within hours of an Air Force F-22 downing a giant Chinese balloon that had crossed the United States, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reached out to his Chinese counterpart via a special crisis line, aiming for a quick general-to-general talk that could explain things and ease tensions.
But Austin's effort Saturday fell flat, when Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe declined to get on the line, the Pentagon says.
China’s Defense Ministry says it refused the call from Austin after the balloon was shot down because the U.S. had “not created the proper atmosphere” for dialogue and exchange. The U.S. action had “seriously violated international norms and set a pernicious precedent,” a ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement issued late Thursday.
It's been an experience that's frustrated U.S. commanders for decades, when it comes to getting their Chinese counterparts on a phone or video line as some flaring crisis is sending tensions between the two nations climbing.
From Americans' perspective, the lack of the kind of reliable crisis communications that helped get the U.S. and Soviet Union through the Cold War without an armed nuclear exchange is raising the dangers of the U.S.-China relationship now, at a time when China's military strength is growing and tensions with the U.S. are on the rise.
Without that ability for generals in opposing capitals to clear things up in a hurry, Americans worry that misunderstandings, false reports or accidental collisions could cause a minor confrontation to spiral into greater hostilities.
And it's not about any technical shortfall with the communication equipment, said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of Indo-Pacific studies at the German Marshall Fund think tank. The issue is a fundamental difference in the way China and the U.S. view the value and purpose of military-to-military hotlines.
U.S. military leaders’ faith in Washington-to-Beijing hotlines as a way to defuse flare-ups with China’s military has been butting up against a sharply different take — a Chinese political system that runs on slow deliberative consultation by political leaders and makes no room for individually directed, real-time talk between rival generals.
And Chinese leaders are suspicious of the whole U.S. notion of a hotline — seeing it as an American channel for trying to talk their way out of repercussions for a U.S. provocation.
“That's really dangerous,” Assistant Secretary for Defense Ely Ratner said Thursday of the difficulty of military-to-military crisis communications with China, when Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley pressed him about China's latest rebuff on Beijing's and Washington's hotline setup.
U.S. generals are persisting in their efforts to open more lines of communication with Chinese counterparts, the defense official said, testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “And unfortunately, to date, the PLA is not answering that call,” Ratner said, referring to China's People's Liberation Army.
Ratner accused China of using vital channels of communication simply as a blunter messaging tool, shutting them down or opening them up again to underscore China's displeasure or pleasure with the U.S.
China's resistance to military hotlines as tensions increase puts more urgency on efforts by President Joe Biden and his top civilian diplomats and security aides to build up their own communication channels with President Xi Jinping and other top Chinese political officials, for situations where military hotlines may go unanswered, U.S. officials and China experts say.
Both U.S. and Chinese militaries are building up for a possible confrontation over U.S.-backed self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. The next flare-up seems only a matter of time. It could happen with an expected event, such as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's promised visit to Taiwan, or something unexpected, like the 2001 collision between a Chinese fighter and a U.S. Navy EP-3 reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea. Without commanders talking in real-time, Americans and Chinese would have one less way of averting greater conflict.
“My worry is that the EP-3 type incident will happen again,” said Lyle Morris, a country director for China for the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2019 to 2021, now a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “And we will be in much different political environments of hostility and mistrust, where that could go wrong in a hurry."
Biden has emphasized building lines of communications with China to “responsibly manage” their differences. A November meeting between Xi and Biden yielded an announcement the two governments would resume a range of dialogues that China had shut down after an August Taiwan visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Last weekend, the U.S. canceled what would have been a relationship-building visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken after the transit of the Chinese balloon, which the U.S. says was for espionage. China claims it was a civilian balloon used for meteorological research.
The same week that China's balloon flew over the U.S., Austin was in the Philippines to announce an expanded U.S. military footprint there, neighboring China, noted Tiehlin Yen, director of the Taiwan Center for Security Studies, a think tank. “America is also very nationalistic these days,” Yen said.
“From a regional security perspective, this dialogue is necessary,” Yen said.
What passes for military and civilian hotlines between China and the U.S. aren't the classic red phones on a desk.
Under a 2008 agreement, the China-U.S. military hotline amounts to a multistep process by which one capital relays a request to the other for a joint call or videoconference between top officials on encrypted lines. The pact gives the other side 48 hours and up to respond, although nothing in the pact stops top officials from talking immediately.
Sometimes when the U.S. calls, current and former U.S. officials say, Chinese officials don’t even pick up.
“No one answered. It just rang,” recounted Kristen Gunness, a senior policy analyst at the Rand Corporation. Gunness was speaking about a March 2009 incident when she was working as an adviser to the Pentagon’s chief of naval operations. Chinese navy vessels at the time surrounded a U.S. surveillance ship in the South China Sea and demanded the American leave. U.S. and Chinese military officials eventually talked - but some 24 hours later.
It took decades of Washington pushing to get Beijing to agree to the current system of military crisis communications, said David Sedney, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense who negotiated it.
“And then once we had it in place, it was clear that they were very reluctant to use it in any substantive purpose,” Sedney said.
Americans' test calls on the hotline would get picked up, he said. And when Americans called to give congratulations on some Chinese holiday, Chinese officials would pick up and say thanks, he said.
Anything more sensitive, Sedney said, the staffers answering the phone “would say, ‘We’ll check. As soon as our leadership is ready to talk, we’ll get back to you.' Nothing would happen."
___
Lolita C. Baldor in Washington and Huizhong Wu in Taipei contributed. | 2023-02-10T18:07:55+00:00 | 4029tv.com | https://www.4029tv.com/article/us-china-hotline-unanswered-balloon/42821476 |
CINCINNATI, June 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kolar Design is pleased to announce that it was selected as a finalist in the Cincinnati Business Courier 2023 Fast 55 Awards.
In its 19th annual program, the Fast 55 Awards honor companies in the fastest growing companies in the Greater Cincinnati region. The program analyzes and chooses companies based on the highest percentage of revenue growth. This year, the 55 finalists include companies from all backgrounds and industries, including engineering, healthcare, and hospitality.
"We're incredibly honored to be recognized alongside some of the most impressive and talented companies in the Cincinnati area. Cincinnati is a community full of innovation, collaboration, and growth and Kolar is proud to contribute to helping the Queen City thrive," said Kelly Kolar, President and Founder of Kolar Design.
The honorees will be celebrated on May 31, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Cincinnati.
To learn more about the Fast 55 finalists, visit here (subscription required).
About Kolar Design
Kolar is an award-winning design strategy firm that specializes in insights, interiors, and experiential graphic design. Kolar excels in building brand experiences derived from data that delivers measurable business results using purposeful, creative, and deeply collaborative design. Kolar's best-in-class team works closely with organizations using unique design thinking methodologies to build a strategy and vision that align with business goals and desired brand experiences. Learn more about Kolar today.
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SOURCE Kolar Design | 2023-06-02T15:40:03+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/06/02/kolar-design-finalist-cincinnati-business-courier-fast-55-awards/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Mitch McConnell was reelected as Republican leader Wednesday, quashing a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, the Senate GOP campaign chief criticized over his party’s midterm election failures.
Retreating to the Capitol’s Old Senate Chamber for the private vote, Republicans had faced public infighting following a disappointing performance in last week’s elections that kept Senate control with Democrats.
McConnell, of Kentucky, easily swatted back the challenge from Scott in the first-ever attempt to oust him after many years as GOP leader. The vote was 37-10, senators said, with one other senator voting present. Senators first rejected an attempt by McConnell’s detractors to delay the leadership choice until after the Senate runoff election in Georgia next month.
The unrest is similar to the uproar among House Republicans in the aftermath of the midterm elections that left the party split over former President Donald Trump’s hold on the party. House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy won the nomination from colleagues to run for House speaker, with Republicans on the cusp of seizing the House majority, but he faces stiff opposition from a core group of right-flank Republicans unconvinced of his leadership.
On Wednesday, the senators first considered a motion by a Scott ally, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, to delay the leadership votes until after the Dec. 6 runoff election in Georgia between Republican Herschel Walker and incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock that will determine the final makeup of the Senate. Walker was eligible to vote in the leadership election but wasn’t expected to be present.
Cruz said it was a “cordial discussion, but a serious discussion” about how Republicans in the minority can work effectively.
In all, 48 GOP senators voted. Retiring Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska missed the vote to be home after his office said his wife was recovering from a nonthreatening seizure.
The 10 Republican senators joining in the revolt against McConnell and voting for Scott included some of the most conservative figures and those aligned with Trump.
“Why do I think he won?” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., among McConnell’s detractors. “Because the conference didn’t want to change course.”
Senators were also electing others in the Republican leadership. Democrats have postponed their internal elections until after Thanksgiving.
McConnell’s top leadership ranks are expected to remain stable, with Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., as GOP whip, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., in the No. 3 spot as chairman of the GOP conference. Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines was expected take over the campaign operation from Scott.
The challenge by Scott, who was urged by Trump to confront McConnell, escalated a long-simmering feud between Scott, who led the Senate Republican’s campaign arm this year, and McConnell over the party’s approach to try to reclaim the Senate majority.
“If you simply want to stick with the status quo, don’t vote for me,” Scott said in a letter to Senate Republicans offering himself as a protest vote against McConnell.
Restive conservatives in the chamber have lashed out at McConnell’s handling of the election, as well as his iron grip over the Senate Republican caucus.
Trump has been pushing for the party to dump McConnell ever since the Senate leader gave a scathing speech blaming then-President Trump for the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Still, it represented an unusual direct challenge to McConnell’s authority. He would become the longest-serving Senate leader in history when the new Congress convenes next year.
Scott and McConnell traded what colleagues said were “candid” and “lively” barbs during a lengthy private GOP senators lunch Tuesday that dragged for several hours. They sparred over the midterms, the quality of the GOP candidates who ran and their differences over fundraising.
During the luncheon, some 20 senators made their individual cases for the two men. Some members directly challenged Scott in McConnell’s defense, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who questioned the Florida senator’s management of the campaign arm, according to a person familiar with the meeting and granted anonymity to discuss it.
Among the many reasons Scott listed for mounting a challenge is that Republicans had compromised too much with Democrats in the last Congress — producing bills that President Joe Biden has counted as successes and that Democrats ran on in the 2022 election.
The feud between Scott and McConnell has been percolating for months and reached a boil as election results trickled in showing there would be no Republican Senate wave, as Scott predicted, according to senior Republican strategists who were not authorized to discuss internal issues by name and insisted on anonymity.
The feuding started not long after Scott took over the party committee after the 2020 election. Many in the party viewed his ascension as an effort to build his national political profile and donor network ahead of a potential presidential bid in 2024. Some were irked by promotional materials from the committee that were heavy on Scott’s own biography, while focusing less on the candidates who are up for election.
Then came Scott’s release of an 11-point plan early this year, which called for a modest tax increase for many of the lowest-paid Americans, while opening the door for cutting Social Security and Medicare, which McConnell swiftly repudiated even as he declined to offer an agenda of his own.
The feud was driven in part by the fraying trust in Scott’s leadership, as well as poor finances of the committee, which was $20 million in debt, according to a senior Republican consultant.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2022 midterm elections at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections. And check out https://apnews.com/hub/explaining-the-elections to learn more about the issues and factors at play in the midterms. | 2022-11-16T19:17:27+00:00 | kfor.com | https://kfor.com/news/oklahoma-legislature/ap-politics/ap-mcconnell-faces-challenge-from-scott-as-gop-senators-regroup/ |
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — It is a feat to compete in an Ironman 70.3, which includes swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles and running 13.1 miles. Now, imagine attempting to accomplish that while battling stage 4 prostate cancer.
Sam Maccherola, who was given five years to live in 2019, is preparing to compete in the Ironman 70.3 in Boulder, Colorado on Saturday.
While he runs, bikes and swims with his wife Tracy, he wants to raise money for both research and awareness.
"You do want to make sure that you maximize every day because we all take life for granted," Maccherola told Denver7. "We all take the ability to get up and run and bike and swim for granted."
In the above video, you can hear more about Maccherola's journey, and how he hopes to inspire people.
To donate to the cause, you can head here.
This story was originally published by KMGH in Denver, Colorado. | 2022-08-06T02:49:46+00:00 | fox17online.com | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/man-with-stage-4-prostate-cancer-to-compete-in-ironman-competition |
It’s all about the bats as Five Rivers MetroParks hosts a bat blitz next weekend.
The intensive ecological survey of bat species will be held overnight on August 19 and 20 at Germantown and Twin Creek MetroParks as well as the Upper Twin Conservation Area. The bat blitz is the first of its kind in Ohio.
“The goal of this bat blitz is to collectively gather professionals to accomplish what could otherwise take a single biologist an entire year to do in terms of research,” said Grace Dietsch, MetroParks regional manager of conservation. “Bats are a good indicator of the ecological health of our natural spaces and the data collected during the bat blitz will give us some insight on what is happening in our parks and across the Miami Valley.”
Surveys like this give a snapshot of an area’s biodiversity.
“Bats have several threats to their survival, so we have to get a temperature on the population status,” said Joshua York, MetroParks education coordinator.
Bat populations have been dwindling in recent years due to climate change, habitat loss, disease and pesticide use. Bats are important to natural ecosystems and helpful for insect control.
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
According to York, bats have long been creatures of mystery and misconceptions.
“Some people think bats are aggressive and that’s not the case, or that they are flying rodents which also isn’t true,” York said. “This is an opportunity to inform the public about these important creatures and get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a biologist collecting research.”
Using mist nets strategically erected in corridors that bats are likely to travel, researchers will be able to view specimens and collect data including species, size, age, weight, health, and reproductive status. Species that are listed as endangered, such as the Indiana bat, may be banded, and oral swabs or fur clips may be taken for special projects. The surveying process – led by biologists with the Ohio Bat Working Group – is harmless to the bats and they will be released in the same area in which they are collected.
“Surveys of this kind really involve a substantial commitment of time, expertise and materials that are volunteered by researchers, and we couldn’t conduct this bat blitz without these partners,” Dietsch said.
While the bat blitz won’t be open to the public, a virtual program will be available through the Five Rivers MetroParks social media accounts on August 20 at 9 p.m.
“I’m hoping folks tune in to learn about bats and become more aware of the many threats to their survival,” York added.
For more information, visit https://www.metroparks.org/
About the Author | 2022-08-10T15:39:19+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/bat-blitz-will-help-researchers-gather-valuable-data-this-weekend/EPE2GXGRJNHVLBSHM6ZDZIAMQA/ |
Belmont Bruins (9-6, 2-2 MVC) at UIC Flames (9-6, 1-3 MVC)
The Bruins are 2-2 against MVC opponents. Belmont is ninth in the MVC scoring 28.9 points per game in the paint led by Sheppard averaging 6.2.
The Flames and Bruins face off Wednesday for the first time in MVC play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Toby Okani is averaging 12.6 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Flames. Carter is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for UIC.
Keishawn Davidson is averaging 8.7 points and 4.2 assists for the Bruins. Sheppard is averaging 18.1 points, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals over the last 10 games for Belmont.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flames: 6-4, averaging 64.9 points, 27.9 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 40.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.5 points per game.
Bruins: 7-3, averaging 74.5 points, 28.6 rebounds, 15.9 assists, 7.5 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. | 2023-01-03T09:12:10+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/sheppard-and-the-belmont-bruins-visit-conference-foe-uic/2023/01/03/001d6630-8b3b-11ed-b86a-2e3a77336b8e_story.html |
HOUSTON, Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Luke's Health and its academic affiliate Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) are back in-network with Cigna, adding the insurer to a large group of in-network carriers. The agreements pave the way for more than 66,000 Cigna patients to receive their healthcare at hospitals in the St. Luke's Health network or with a Baylor doctor. The effective date for St. Luke's Health is March 1, 2023, and BCM's date was January 9, 2023. Patients can begin making appointments for in-network services now; please ensure the appointment happens on/ after March 1, 2023.
St. Luke's Health continues to work to quickly reach an agreement with Cigna LifeSOURCE, the transplant network, to ensure coverage for transplant-related care.
"The new contract is good news for thousands of families across Southeast Texas who are Cigna-insured and rely on St. Luke's Health for their care," said St. Luke's Health CEO T. Douglas Lawson. "It allows us to continue to provide the essential high-value, high-quality care that our patients and their families expect from us."
The newly signed contracts bring to an end a long period during which St. Luke's Health hospitals and BCM physicians were out of network with Cigna. "Termination of our previous contract was a difficult decision," said Lawson, "but it was necessary to address the financial sustainability of St. Luke's Health. These are challenging economic times for everyone, and our new agreement ensures that our patients again have the option of choosing great healthcare at great value without significantly affecting their insurance rates."
"We appreciate our patients, providers, employers and others who have supported our efforts during this period of termination," said Lawson.
Cigna-insured patients who have questions about their healthcare options at St. Luke's Health should contact a Cigna representative at the number on the back of their insurance card.
St. Luke's Health is a trusted and highly regarded resource in the greater Houston and Southeast Texas medical communities. With an integrated health network dedicated to delivering advanced, compassionate medical care, St. Luke's Health physicians perform cutting-edge research while adhering to a Christian ministry of healing. In addition to its unique academic and community partnerships with Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, and the Texas Heart Institute, St. Luke's Health is nationally recognized as having some of the best physicians and hospitals in the country.
St. Luke's Health's clinically integrated network of care includes sixteen high-quality short-term acute care hospitals, five free-standing emergency departments, and two express care/urgent care centers across greater Houston, Bryan/College Station, and Lufkin and East Texas. With more than 362 employed and 1,585 aligned providers delivering exceptional care, St. Luke's Health employs more than 21,000 employees, providers, and volunteers who deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care through a comprehensive network of academic and community partners.
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SOURCE St. Luke’s Health | 2023-02-02T00:33:20+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/02/01/st-lukes-health-baylor-college-medicine-reach-equitable-agreement-with-cigna/ |
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until February 28, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Gaotu Techedu Inc. f/k/a GSX Techedu Inc. (NYSE: GOTU, GSX), if they purchased the Company's American depository shares ("ADSs") between March 5, 2021 and July 23, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Get Help
Gaotu Techedu investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-gotu/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.
About the Lawsuit
Gaotu and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.
On July 23, 2021, Media sources reported that China was prohibiting tutoring for profit in core school subjects in order to ease the financial burden on families, which would be likely to have a negative effect on China's substantial private tutoring industry.
On this news, ADSs of Gaotu fell 63.3% to close at $3.52 per ADS on July 23, 2021.
The case is Zhang v. Gaotu Techedu Inc. f/k/a GSX Techedu Inc., et al., No. 22-cv-07966.
ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.
To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
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SOURCE ClaimsFiler | 2023-01-14T09:08:05+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/prnewswire/2023/01/14/gaotu-techedu-shareholder-alert-claimsfiler-reminds-investors-with-losses-excess-100000-lead-plaintiff-deadline-class-action-lawsuit-against-gaotu-techedu-inc-fka-gsx-techedu-inc-gotu-gsx/ |
SALEM, Ind. (WXIN) — Forensic investigators said an Indiana man who died of natural causes on May 24, 2012, went to great lengths to hide his gun-toting past, even going as far as removing his fingerprints.
But the man who died in Salem under the assumed name “Bill Lee Hull” had been living a lie, investigators revealed.
Moxxy Forensic Investigations uncovered that “Bill Lee Hull” was in fact an outlaw named Albert Edwin “Pinky” Roadhs, who once ran with the “Shotgun Bandits,” a Colorado gang that terrorized the citizens of Denver in 1955 through a series of armed stick-ups.
According to Moxxy Forensic’s discoveries, Roadhs met Bessie Fields and her family in Tucson, Arizona, and lived with the family until his death in Salem, Indiana, in 2012.
At the time of his death, an investigation into “Bill Lee Hull” uncovered that the deceased man was actually a John Doe who had been using an alias and someone else’s Social Security number. He was estimated to be 75 to 85 years old, and the only clue was a tattoo on his left forearm in blue ink that read “PINKY.”
“Bill Lee Hull” had no fingerprints — removed by unknown means, but likely done by himself, Moxxy Forensic speculated — and his reported March 15, 1932, birth to “Robert and Edna Hull” in Fort Collins, Colorado, couldn’t be corroborated by authorities.
Investigators couldn’t question Bessie Fields about “Hull” either, on account of her having died in 2009.
In March 2023, Moxxy Forensic exhumed the man’s body in hopes that DNA testing could uncover his past.
Using DNA extracted from a femur bone, they uncovered a match after uploading the DNA to GEDMatch. It then took only 30 minutes to unravel an 11-year mystery.
Moxxy Forensic found that “Bill Lee Hull” was really Albert Edwin Roadhs, who went by the nickname “Pinky.”
Roadhs was born on March 15, 1932, in Fort Collins, Colorado, and historic records show that he had a history of crime that began in his childhood with petty crimes and felonies.
Roadhs ended up running with the “Shotgun Bandits” and taking part in stick-ups in Denver that occurred from October to November 1955 before he was caught.
During a trial, court investigators reportedly said that Roadhs “will never adjust into a normal individual” and he was sentenced to 10 to 15 years.
Not long after being released, Roadhs was caught breaking into a warehouse in Washington state and sentenced to another 10- to 15-year stint behind bars in September 1967.
Roadhs’ whereabouts between 1967 and 1987 before he met Bettie Fields in Tucson, Arizona, and eventually moved with her to Indiana remain unknown.
Moxxy Forensic said the Washington County Coroner, Lakehead University, Saber Investigations, Genologue and the Roadhs’ family all assisted in the investigation.
Anyone with information about Albert Edwin “Pinky” Roadhs or “Bill Lee Hull” is asked to contact Kaycee Connelly at kaycee@moxxyforensics.com. | 2023-06-21T16:13:42+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/national/dead-indiana-man-lied-about-identity-was-secretly-member-of-shotgun-bandits-investigators-say/ |
BEIJING (AP) — President Xi JInping warned against meddling in China’s dealings with Taiwan during a phone call with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, that gave no indication of progress on trade, technology or other irritants, including Beijing’s opposition to a top American lawmaker’s possible visit to the island democracy, which the mainland claims as its own territory.
Xi also warned against splitting the world’s two biggest economies, according to a Chinese government summary of Thursday’s unusually lengthy, three-hour call. Businesspeople and economists warn such a change, brought on by Chinese industrial policy and U.S. curbs on technology exports, might hurt the global economy by slowing innovation and increasing costs.
Meanwhile, Xi and Biden are looking at the possibility of meeting in person, according to a U.S. official who declined to be identified further. Xi has been invited to Indonesia in November for a meeting of the Group of 20 major economies, making it a potential location for a face-to-face meeting.
The Chinese government gave no indication Xi and Biden discussed possible plans by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to visit Taiwan, which the ruling Communist Party says has no right to conduct foreign relations. But Xi rejected “interference by external forces” that might encourage Taiwan to try to make its decades-old de facto independence permanent.
“Resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people,” said the statement. “Those who play with fire will perish by it.”
The tough language from Xi, who usually tries to appear to be above political disputes and makes blandly positive public comments, suggested Chinese leaders might believe Washington didn’t understand the seriousness of previous warnings about Taiwan.
Taiwan and China split in 1949 following a civil war that ended with a Communist victory on the mainland. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership.
A Ministry of Defense spokesman said ahead of Thursday’s call that Washington “must not arrange for Pelosi to visit Taiwan.” He said the ruling party’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army, would take “strong measures to thwart any external interference.”
Xi called on the United States to “honor the one-China principle,” the statement said, referring to Beijing’s position that the mainland and Taiwan are one country. The United States, by contrast, has a “one-China policy” that says Washington takes no position on the question but wants to see it resolved peacefully.
“Both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China,” the statement said.
The statement cited Biden as saying the United States doesn’t support independence for Taiwan.
Coverage of the conversation in China’s entirely state-controlled media on Friday was limited to repeating government statements.
Pelosi has yet to confirm whether she will go to Taiwan, but if she does, the Democrat from California would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.
Beijing criticized Gingrich for saying the United States would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack but did little else in response to his three-hour visit to the island.
Since then, China’s position on Taiwan has hardened as the mainland economy grew to become second-largest after the United States. The ruling party poured hundreds of billions of dollars into developing fighter jets and other high-tech weapons including “carrier killer” missiles that are thought to be intended to block the U.S. Navy from helping to defend the island.
The conflict over a possible Pelosi visit is more sensitive to Beijing in a year when Xi, who took power in 2012, is expected to try to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as party leader.
Xi, who wants to be seen as restoring China’s rightful historic role as a global leader, has promoted a more assertive policy abroad. The PLA has sent growing numbers of fighter planes and bombers to fly near Taiwan in an attempt to intimidate its democratically elected government.
The United States has no official relations with Taiwan but has extensive commercial ties and informal political connections. Washington is obliged by federal law to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.
Xi called for cooperation on reducing the risk of economic recession, coordinating macroeconomic policies, fighting COVID-19 and “de-escalation of regional hot spots,” according to the government statement.
He also warned against decoupling, or separating, the U.S. and Chinese economies for strategic reasons.
Businesspeople and industry analysts have warned global industries might be split into separate markets with incompatible products due to China’s pressure on its own companies to develop their own technology standards and U.S. restrictions on Chinese access to technology that Washington see as a security risk. That might slow innovation and increase costs.
“Attempts at decoupling or severing supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the U.S. economy,” the statement said. “They would only make the world economy more vulnerable.” | 2022-07-29T08:08:28+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/news/politics/ap-politics/chinas-xi-warns-biden-over-taiwan-calls-for-cooperation/ |
LONDON (AP) — Climate protesters threw soup over Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” in London’s National Gallery on Friday to protest fossil fuel extraction, but caused no damage to the glass-covered painting.
The group Just Stop Oil, which wants the British government to halt new oil and gas projects, said activists dumped two cans of tomato soup over the oil painting, one of the Dutch artist’s most iconic works. The two protesters also glued themselves to the gallery wall.
The soup splashed across the glass covering the painting and its gilded frame. The gallery said “there is some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed.” It was cleaned and returned to its place in the gallery on Friday afternoon.
The work is one of several versions of “Sunflowers” that Van Gogh painted in the late 1880s.
London’s Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
“Specialist officers have now un-glued them and they have been taken into custody to a central London police station,” the force said in a statement.
A group of protesters from the same group later gathered at police headquarters and sprayed yellow paint over the rotating “New Scotland Yard” sign in front of it. Several also glued themselves to the road, blocking traffic. Police said 24 people were arrested.
Just Stop Oil has drawn attention, and criticism, for targeting artworks in museums. In July, Just Stop Oil activists glued themselves to the frame of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, and to John Constable’s “The Hay Wain” in the National Gallery.
Activists have also blocked bridges and intersections across London during two weeks of protests.
University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann said he worries that the vandalism “alienates many people we need to bring into the fold. People who are natural allies in the climate battle but will draw negative associations with climate advocacy and activism from such acts.”
The wave of demonstrations comes as the British government opens a new licensing round for North Sea oil and gas exploration, despite criticism from environmentalists and scientists who say the move undermines the country’s commitment to fighting climate change.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2022-10-14T21:23:53+00:00 | wtmj.com | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/10/14/uk-climate-protesters-throw-soup-on-van-goghs-sunflowers/ |
BROOKLYN, N.Y, June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beat The Bomb, the world's first immersive social video game company, announced it has raised $7M from New York-based Conversion Venture Capital (CVC2) and Paris-based Otium Capital, along with several angel investors. The Brooklyn-based company will use the funds this year to bring its top-rated entertainment concept to Atlanta, in partnership with Jamestown, and to Washington D.C., with Douglas Development Corp.
"Beat The Bomb is real-world immersive video gaming," said CEO & Founder Alex Patterson. "Since 2017, we have used technology to build human connection via hi-tech game rooms, proprietary multiplayer games, and special effects. In 2022 we will begin our U.S. expansion, with a goal to bring Beat The Bomb to 50 cities globally in the next 5 years."
Described as "Mission Impossible meets Double Dare," during a 1-hour Beat The Bomb experience, teams of 4-6 players undertake a series of 10-minute games deployed through the company's patented room-based gaming system of touch screens, motion sensors, RFID readers, projection-walls, and laser maze hardware. In the final room, the players – wearing hazmat suits and helmets – must work together to disarm a Paint Bomb before their time runs out, or else #GetBlasted! 90% of teams lose on their first try, but players can come back to try again or play different game sets (Missions) with new endings like a Foam Bomb. Competitive players can opt to go head-to-head in Battle Mode and qualify for Pro League tournaments with cash prizes. Upon the launch of Atlanta, the company's game system will be programmed to facilitate digital gameplay between locations.
As inspiration for Beat The Bomb, Patterson looked to game shows, escape rooms, arcade games, action movies, and more recently, esports. "Most video games isolate a person with their gaming device," said Patterson, a graduate of Harvard College and UVA Law School and an early executive at Tough Mudder. "At Beat The Bomb, we set out to build an immersive real world video game platform and multiplayer games that would drive shared memories and stronger relationships among the players." The company's customers include corporate groups, family outings, school class trips, and friends celebrating occasions. After the experience, the Bomb Room becomes a photobooth, and players are sent photos and videos of their experience.
Beat The Bomb Atlanta will open this Fall at 1483 Chattahoochee Avenue NW, in the up-and-coming Upper Westside of Atlanta. The property, owned by Jamestown, is known for its dynamic mixed-use properties, including nearby Westside Provisions District and Ponce City Market. Beat The Bomb D.C. will then open this Winter in Washington D.C., at Hecht Warehouse/Ivy City in partnership with Douglas Development Corp. Working with renowned design-build firm ARCO/Murray, Beat The Bomb's Atlanta and D.C. locations will feature glass-walled Bomb Rooms, a beer garden, and The Bomb Bar, a full service bar with signature cocktails and slushies, paired with a light food offering. The locations will also each have multiple Game Bays, which are 150-square-foot, 3-walled game areas with dedicated seating allowing players to choose from 20 hyper-social 2-5 minute games developed by Beat The Bomb's in-house gaming studio.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the company also launched Beat The Bomb Virtual, a 45-minute experience where players log into Beat The Bomb's website from anywhere in the world to play the company's growing library of virtual multiplayer games. Designed for team building, the platform is perfect for firms with remote and hybrid work environments. Clients include Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Citi, NYU, Etsy, PwC, OpenDoor, and the United Nations.
For additional information on Beat The Bomb, visit www.BeatTheBomb.com
About BEAT THE BOMB
BEAT THE BOMB is the world's first immersive social video game company. The company's first location of the multi-player live gaming challenge is located in Dumbo, Brooklyn and uses an innovative digital, interactive game system to reimagine the intersection of technology and human social connection for entertainment. Since opening in 2017, Beat The Bomb has hosted over 175,000 players from all over New York, the U.S. and the world, including hundreds of corporate team outings, school groups, and non-profit organizations. It is among the highest ranking activities in all of New York City based on its 7,000 Google Reviews at a 4.9-out-of-5-star ranking and TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award. Beat The Bomb offers a full range of special event services including STEM Camps, Kid and Adult Birthday parties, Corporate Tournaments, and Bachelorette parties. Beat The Bomb is expanding across the country in 2022. Visit www.BeatTheBomb.com and follow the company on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @beatthebomb.
About ALEX PATTERSON
Alex Patterson is the Founder and CEO of Beat The Bomb, based in Brooklyn, New York. Earlier in his career, Alex was a tax attorney at the law firm Davis Polk in New York City, and an early executive at events company Tough Mudder. In 2016, he undertook a 12-month research project to create a multiplayer digital game room experience that became Beat The Bomb. A native of Brooklyn and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Virginia School of Law, he has been a guest on the Today Show and Good Morning America, and has been quoted in USA Today, TimeOut New York, and the NY Post. He holds a U.S. Patent for a 'Multi-Game Challenge with Accrued Time.'
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SOURCE Beat The Bomb | 2022-06-28T13:50:41+00:00 | wcjb.com | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/nycs-beat-bomb-expands-nationally-raising-7m-bring-immersive-digital-gaming-atlanta-washington-dc-beyond/ |
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates debate as voting begins
Wisconsin voters have a chance to cast ballots in person starting Tuesday in the state’s high stakes Supreme Court race, the same day the two candidates were meeting for their first and only debate two weeks before election day
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voters had a chance to cast ballots in person starting Tuesday in the state’s high-stakes Supreme Court race, the same day the two candidates were meeting for their first and only debate two weeks before election day.
Both candidates were urging their supporters to vote early during the period that runs through April 2. Midday on Tuesday, Republican-backed Dan Kelly and Democratic-supported Janet Protasiewicz were debating in a race to decide majority control of the court with abortion access, legislative redistricting, voting rights and other issues at stake.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court came within one vote of overturning Donald Trump’s defeat in 2020. Whoever wins the April 4 election for a seat vacated by the retirement of a conservative justice will determine majority control of the court for at least the next two years, including leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
Protasiewicz, a Milwaukee County judge, is running as a staunch supporter of abortion rights. Wisconsin's ban on nearly all abortions, which was enacted in 1849 — a year after statehood, is being challenged in court. The case is likely to be decided by the state Supreme Court later this year or next.
Kelly, a former state Supreme Court justice, has long ties to the Republican Party, having previously worked for Republicans, including advising fake electors who met in 2020 to try and cast the state's electoral votes for Donald Trump even though he lost.
Kelly was endorsed by Trump in 2020. This year, Kelly has the backing of Scott Presler, a Virginia native who planned several “stop the steal” rallies and was on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He was in Wisconsin in March helping to raise money and support for Kelly through personal appearances on on conservative talk radio.
Protasiewicz's endorsements include Hillary Clinton and EMILY’s List, which works nationwide to elect Democratic abortion rights supporters.
Protasiewicz and her allies have largely attacked Kelly over abortion, noting his support by the state's three largest anti-abortion groups and his past work for Wisconsin Right to Life. Kelly has not said how he would rule on the abortion law should it reach the court, but he did write in a previous blog post that everyone knows the procedure "takes the life of an unborn child."
Kelly has accused Protasiewicz of going too far and essentially of committing to voting to overturn the state’s 1849 abortion ban, should the lawsuit seeking to overturn the law come before the court as expected. Protasiewicz has not said how she would rule on that or any other specific case.
Kelly and his allies have largely focused on Protasiewicz's record as a judge, arguing that she's handed down light sentences to violent offenders.
The contest has already broken national spending records for a Supreme Court race, with at least $20 million spent by both sides to date. WisPolitics.com has been the total spent on the race at north of $30 million as of last week. That beats $15.2 million spent on an Illinois Supreme Court race in 2004. | 2023-03-21T13:42:48+00:00 | kttc.com | https://www.kttc.com/2023/03/21/wisconsin-supreme-court-candidates-debate-voting-begins/ |
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – The Nathan Goff Armory at the West Virginia National Guard building in Clarksburg was packed to the brim for a karate tournament.
Over 230 participants from 11 states, as well as local competitors, were watched by over 500 spectators as they attended the second Suibukan Tsunami Open Martial Arts Tournament. Competitors were split into divisions depending on age, skill level and style of fighting. The event included three-point and one-point sparring, traditional forms, synchronized forms and weapon style of martial arts. A spectator fee of $5 was charged at the door.
“I think martial arts is a great opportunity for kids to learn how to do things that are very scary, to get in a ring and present a kata in front of a group of individuals and be scored and judged on that is very difficult, and then to get a ring and fight somebody in combat is another scary thing,” said Jenica Greynolds, Senpai of Suibukan of West Virginia.
Instructors said that they are instilling in their students that it’s okay to fail but get back up and try again. Greynolds said that a lot of times, competitors travel all over the country to compete.
“So, to have one in their own backyard is great, and all of their family, grandparents, cousins, and siblings are able to be here today. So, they are cheering them on and they are able to show off all the work they have put in from the entire year,” Greynolds said. “So, it is a great opportunity to showcase what these kids have learned and put it on display.”
Suibukan Tsunami Open Martial Arts Tournament was an AKA-sanctioned event, and it was the first AKA event in the Mountain State which officials added puts them in a national light allowing competitors to compete for national points and rankings. | 2022-11-13T01:09:28+00:00 | wboy.com | https://www.wboy.com/news/harrison/suibukan-of-west-virginia-hosts-karate-tournament/ |
NY Marine Warnings and Forecast for Tuesday, August 2, 2022
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MARINE WEATHER STATEMENT
Marine Weather Statement
National Weather Service New York NY
743 PM EDT Tue Aug 2 2022
A Marine Weather Statement has been issued for the following areas...
Central Long Island Sound...
At 742 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms, capable
of producing winds to around 30 knots. These thunderstorms were
located along a line extending from 8 nm northwest of The Thimbles to
near New Haven Harbor to Mouth of the Housatonic River, moving east
at 20 knots.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Mariners can expect gusty winds to around 30 knots, locally higher
waves, and lightning strikes. Boaters should seek safe harbor
immediately until these storms pass.
waves, lightning strikes, and heavy downpours. Boaters should seek
safe harbor immediately until these storms pass.
LAT...LON 4130 7254 4131 7244 4129 7243 4131 7238
4127 7236 4128 7232 4124 7231 4112 7242
4102 7258 4110 7311 4122 7292 4127 7288
4131 7279 4128 7278 4126 7271 4129 7267
4133 7268 4128 7259 4133 7259
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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-08-03T01:00:31+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/weather/article/NY-Marine-Warning-and-Forecast-17346858.php |
NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart is expanding health care coverage for employees who want to enlist the services of a doula, a person trained to assist women during pregnancies, to address racial inequities in maternal care.
After first offering doulas to employees in Georgia last year, the nation’s largest retailer said Wednesday that it will expand the same benefit to its employees in Louisiana, Indiana and Illinois.
Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, largely due to differences in the quality of health care, underlying chronic conditions and structural racism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Employing a doula as a part of a birthing team decreases C-sections by 50%, shortens the time of labor by 25% and decreases the need for other medical interventions by more than 50%, according to the National Black Doulas Association.
Walmart said it chose to extend coverage to Louisiana, Indiana and Illinois because of the potential for instant impact for employees who live in those three states. The company said that in Louisiana, the mortality rate is five times higher for Black mothers than it is for white mothers. Walmart said that in Indiana, 33 counties don’t have OB-GYN services.
“Our goal in expanding this doula benefit, a service that is not normally covered under traditional medical plans, is not only to make pregnancy easier for mothers in these states, but to help keep them safe,” wrote Lisa Woods, Walmart’s vice president, physical and emotional well-being, and Warren Moore, Walmart’s vice president of social determinants of health in a company blog.
Employees on the company’s medical plan in can receive assistance from a doula with coverage of up to $1,000 per pregnancy, Walmart said Wednesday. The company already has in place a “Life with Baby” program, which offers no-cost resources like one-on-one coaching from a nurse, tools to track daily progress and gifts for new babies.
Other major U.S. companies are also offering doula services for employees, including CVS Health and Microsoft.
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Follow Anne D’Innocenzio on Twitter. | 2022-06-22T15:22:57+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/walmart-expands-health-services-to-address-racial-inequality/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Moussa Tolofidie didn’t think twice when nearly 100 jihadis on motorbikes gathered in his village in central Mali last week.
A peace agreement signed last year between some armed groups and the community in the Bankass area had largely held, even if the gunmen would sometimes enter the town to preach Shariah to the villagers. But on this Sunday in June, everything changed — the jihadis began killing people.
“They started with an old man about 100 years old … then the sounds of the weapons began to intensify around me and then at one moment I heard a bullet whistling behind my ear. I felt the earth spinning, I lost consciousness and fell to the ground,” Tolofidie, a 28-year-old farmer told The Associated Press by phone Friday in Mopti town, where he was receiving medical care.
“When I woke up it was dark, around midnight. There were bodies of other people on top of me. I smelled blood and smelled burnt things and heard the sounds of some people still moaning,” he said.
At least 132 people were killed in several villages in the Bankass area of central Mali during two days of attacks last weekend, according to the government, which blames the Group to Support Islam and Muslims jihadi rebels linked to al-Qaida.
The attack — the deadliest since mutinous soldiers toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita nearly two years ago — shows that Islamic extremist violence is spreading from Mali’s north to more central areas, analysts have said.
The conflict-riddled country has been battling extremist violence for a decade since jihadis seized control of key northern cities in 2012 and tried to take over the capital. They were pushed back by a French-led military operation the following year but have since regained ground.
The Associated Press spoke to several survivors on Friday who had sought treatment at a hospital in Mopti and were from the villages of Diallassagou, Dianweli and Dessagou. People described hearing gunfire and jihadis shouting, “Allahu akbar”, Arabic for “God is great,” as they ran into the forest to save their lives.
Mali’s government blamed the attacks on the Group to Support Islam and Muslims, or JNIM, which is backed by al-Qaida, although the group denied responsibility in a statement on Friday.
The United States and France condemned the attacks and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) issued a statement on Twitter saying the violence has caused casualties and displaced the population.
Conflict analysts say the fact that the attacks happened in an area where local peace agreements were signed could signify the end of the fragile accords.
“The resurgence of tension is perhaps linked to the expiration of these local agreements but also can be linked to the intensification of military operations by the defense forces,” said Baba Dakono, director of the Citizen Observatory on Governance and Security, a local civil society group.
Ene Damango, a mechanic from Dialassagou, fled his village when the shooting started, but he said his uncle was shot in the leg and severely wounded.
“When I returned to the village. I discovered the carnage.” | 2022-06-26T18:28:01+00:00 | wnct.com | https://www.wnct.com/news/international/survivors-recount-malis-deadliest-attack-since-coup/ |
Election 2022: Trump endorsement flip scrambles Alabama race
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Standing in the sweltering summer heat on the steps of the Alabama Capitol earlier this month, Republican Senate candidate Mo Brooks was hailed by organizers of the Jan. 6, 2021, rally in Washington for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and keep former President Donald Trump in power.
“I was proud to stand with Mo Brooks on that stage that day,” said Amy Kremer, chair of Women for America First. “Mo has the truth on his side.”
Less than 10 hours later, Trump returned the favor by snubbing the congressman — for a second time — and instead endorsing rival Katie Britt in Tuesday’s Republican runoff election for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Britt’s former boss, retiring GOP Sen. Richard Shelby.
Alabama is one of a handful of states holding contests Tuesday at the midpoint of a primary season that has been shaped by Trump’s effort to influence the GOP. In Virginia, Republicans are choosing between Trump-aligned congressional candidates to take on some of the most vulnerable Democrats in the fall. And in Georgia, Democrats will settle several close races, including deciding which Democrat will challenge Brad Raffensperger, the Republican secretary of state who overcame a Trump-backed challenge last month.
In Washington, D.C., meanwhile, Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser is seeking reelection amid concerns over homelessness and rising crime.
But the Alabama Senate runoff has drawn particular attention both because of the drama surrounding Trump’s endorsement and the fact that the winner will likely prevail in November in a state Trump won twice by more than 25 percentage points.
Trump initially endorsed Brooks in the spring of 2021, rewarding an ardent champion of his baseless claims of a stolen election. Brooks had voted against certifying President Joe Biden’s victory and delivered a fiery speech at the rally that proceeded the U.S. Capitol insurrection, telling the crowd, “Today is the day that American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.”
But nearly a year later, Trump rescinded his support after the pair’s relationship soured and as the conservative firebrand languished in the polls. Trump blamed his decision on comments Brooks had made months earlier, at an August rally, when he said it was time for the party to move on from the 2020 presidential race — comments Trump claimed showed Brooks, one of the most conservative members of Congress, had gone “woke.”
But the move was widely seen as an effort by Trump to save face amid other losses, and Brooks alleged that it came after he informed Trump that there was no way to “rescind” the 2020 election, remove Biden from power, or hold a new special election for the presidency.
Trump’s un-endorsement was widely expected to end Brooks’ campaign. Instead, Brooks managed to finish second in the state’s May 24 primary, earning 29% of the vote to Britt’s 45% and forcing a runoff.
Brooks tried once again to get Trump to endorse him, but Trump, who has had a mixed record in backing winning candidates, instead chose Britt, Shelby’s former chief of staff, calling her a “fearless America First Warrior.”
While Brooks and Britt have similar views, their race represents a clash between two wings of the party and different generations. Shelby for decades epitomized the old-guard political style, using his clout and relationships to quietly steer federal projects and funding to his home state.
Britt, 40, has the endorsement of Shelby and other establishment Republicans, as well as deep ties to the state’s business community, reflected in her 2-1 fundraising advantage over Brooks.
Brooks, 68, is known for his bombastic oratory style. The six-term congressman was a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and has made his opposition to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell a pillar of his campaign, embarking on a “Fire McConnell Tour” of town halls. A super PAC affiliated with McConnell contributed $2 million to a PAC opposing Brooks.
He also has the backing of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who say he would be a needed hard-line addition to the Senate.
“This is a race about conservatives versus the establishment,” Paul said Friday in north Alabama. “We need a fighter. We’re not going to get it if you send us any old Republican. We need a fighter like Mo Brooks.”
Britt, meanwhile, stresses her own social conservative beliefs and has tried to paint Brooks as a career politician, saying Alabamians want “new blood.”
“President Trump knows that Alabamians are sick and tired of failed, do-nothing career politicians. It’s time for the next generation of conservatives to step up and shake things up in Washington,” she said after Trump’s endorsement.
Brooks has disparaged Britt as a RINO — the GOP pejorative meaning “Republican in name only” — and maintained he is the only one with a proven conservative record.
Turnout in the race is expected to be low, with fewer than 15% of registered voters likely to cast ballots, according to Secretary of State John Merrill.
Elsewhere, in the nation’s capital, where Democratic primaries effectively decide winners, Bowser is trying to fend off challenges from a pair of City Council members as the city contends with a rash of crime, including a shooting Sunday in one of the city’s busiest nightlife destinations that left a 15-year-old dead and a police officer and at least two others wounded.
In Virginia, voters are set to pick Republican nominees for what is expected to be a pair of the year’s most competitive U.S. House races.
In the coastal 2nd District, state Sen. Jen Kiggans is widely seen as the GOP front-runner in the Republican race to take on Democrat Elaine Luria, a retired Naval commander and member of the House Jan. 6 committee, in the general election. In central Virginia’s 7th District, six candidates are in a competitive race to face Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer.
And in Georgia, Democratic state Rep. Bee Nguyen is trying to defeat former state Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler in the secretary of state’s race. The winner will face Republican Raffensperger, who rebuffed Trump’s efforts to “find” enough votes to overturn Biden’s win in the state’s 2020 presidential election and beat back a Trump-endorsed challenger in his May 24 primary.
In congressional runoffs, Republican Vernon Jones, a Trump-backed candidate and former Democrat, is competing against trucking company owner Mike Collins for the Republican nomination for the 10th Congressional District seat east of Atlanta.
Republicans also have high hopes of knocking off 30-year Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop in southwest Georgia’s 2nd District. The GOP is choosing between former Army officer Jeremy Hunt and real estate developer Chris West.
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Colvin reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Va., contributed to this report.
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Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-21T06:28:20+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/2022/06/21/election-2022-trump-endorsement-flip-scrambles-alabama-race/ |
The Past, Present and Future of the Leader in lash and brow beautification
MASHPEE, Mass., Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RapidLash®, the pioneer in lash and brow enhancement innovations, is proud to celebrate their 15th anniversary. This is a major milestone for RapidLash® and its North American Distribution company, ROCASUBA, Inc. , whose mission is to bring consumers heroic solutions for life's inconveniences. Their award-winning product offerings are lauded for their efficacious formulas, including their best-selling product, RapidLash® Eyelash Enhancing Serum.
Founded in 2008, RapidLash® was created by International Research Laboratories in sunny California by a team of chemists who set about the work of developing safe, effective products with science-backed formulas designed to enhance the beauty of your natural features. ROCASUBA, Inc launched RapidLash® in the US and became the first company to bring an eyelash enhancement serum to the mass market. With its approachable price point and wide scale drugstore availability, RapidLash®'s popularity soared as consumers experienced the benefits of its easy-to-use application and consumer tested and proven formula. Just two years after launch, RapidLash® quickly expanded its retail reach with 24,000 stores and the brand experienced significant business growth as consumers nationwide tested the unparalleled product formulations.
"We are thrilled to celebrate 15 years in business. We continue to be driven by our commitment to distribute revolutionary, accessible products that work and make people feel confident. We look forward to a strong 2023 and continued growth for many years to come," said Robert Trow, CEO of ROCASUBA, Inc.
To commemorate the anniversary, the company is launching the Paint It Purple campaign. Fueled by their California heritage and dedication to delivering smiles via their serums, the vibrant campaign celebrates RapidLash®'s commitment and care for their community. To further align with the brand ethos, RapidLash® is teaming up with Project Purple®, an impact-driven organization dedicated to creating a world without pancreatic cancer and will be donating a portion of every RapidLash® purchase to fund early detection and treatment research as well as patient financial aid through 2023. In addition, the brand will be rolling out new marketing videos, a special logo, and product testimonials from real consumers throughout the year, showcasing how to Paint It Purple in 2023.
Today, RapidLash® remains a leader in lash and brow enhancement for celebrities, consumers, influential beauty experts and professionals alike. The efficacy of the products continues to generate brand loyalists, which set a foundation for prosperous product line extensions that include RapidBrow®, RapidShield®, RapidHair®, RapidRenew®, RapidEye® and RapidGlam™. These brand extensions continue to revolutionize the category while remaining steadfast in their mission to deliver safe, affordable, and effective cosmetic solution-oriented products.
RapidLash® has experienced immense retail growth since brand inception with availability at ULTA, Target, Dermstore, CVS, and Amazon. This retail expansion is expected to continue in the coming years, as the brand remains propelled by the same passion for lash and brow beautification while committed to excellence. RapidLash® is excited to commemorate this milestone and looks forward to innovating in the next 15 years and beyond.
About RapidLash®
RapidLash® is a global leader in developing advanced, science-based serum solutions that deliver results in as little as 4-8 weeks. Established in 2008, by International Research Laboratories in California, the brand looked to the natural environment for inspiration when creating the formulas that have solidified their reputation for providing quality results with minimal effort. The collection includes award-winning RapidBrow®, RapidShield®, RapidHair®, RapidRenew®, RapidEye®, RapidGlam™ and are available in mass market retailers nationwide.
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SOURCE RapidLash | 2023-02-22T15:05:30+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/prnewswire/2023/02/22/rapidlash-pioneer-eyelash-enhancing-serum-celebrates-15-years-business/ |
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, February 2, 2023
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WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
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116 PM CST Tue Jan 31 2023
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM WEDNESDAY TO 9 AM CST
THURSDAY...
* WHAT...Freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations around one
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tenth of an inch.
* WHERE...Armstrong, Collingsworth, Donley, and Wheeler Counties.
* WHEN...From 3 PM Wednesday to 9 AM CST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Slippery sidewalks, roads and bridges are possible. The
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hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and
Thursday morning commutes.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow and sleet may also mix in with light
accumulations possible.
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PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible
power outages. Call 800-452-9292 for road information.
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Copyright 2023 AccuWeather | 2023-01-31T20:43:08+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/tx-wfo-amarillo-warnings-watches-and-advisories-17754469.php |
HARTFORD, Conn., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTS), which operates a multi-manager asset management business, has expanded its investment capabilities to include systematic quantitative investing and multi-asset allocation with the addition of two experienced portfolio management teams within Virtus Investment Advisers.
Virtus Systematic uses a state-of-the-art technology platform that is powered by artificial intelligence and natural language processing. The team's process incorporates a proprietary investment-return forecasting model that combines behavioral factors with intrinsic and valuation factors. Kunal Ghosh, chief investment officer and senior managing director, leads the team, working with three other experienced investment professionals, Lu Yu, managing director and lead portfolio manager, Jie Wei, director and senior portfolio manager, and Yang Zhang, assistant director and data scientist.
Virtus Multi-Asset assesses changing market, macroeconomic, and other factors to dynamically allocate across asset classes while incorporating environmental, social and governance factors into their investment process. The team consists of three experienced investment professionals, Paul Pietranico, CFA, chief investment officer and senior managing director, Heather Bergman, Ph.D., managing director and senior portfolio manager, and Michael Rothstein, director and portfolio manager.
"The Systematic and Multi-Asset teams further expand our investment capabilities, allowing us to continue to deliver individual and comprehensive investment solutions for our clients," said George R. Aylward, president and chief executive officer of Virtus. "The Systematic team's use of a quantitative, AI-based process to generate alpha, and the Multi-Asset team's specialization in asset allocation strategies that provide differentiated investment solutions, have proven to be distinguishing factors for their clients. We look forward to making these investment strategies available for institutional and individual investors and broadening their strategies into other asset classes and investment vehicles."
Virtus Systematic manages U.S. and non-US investment strategies across the market cap spectrum for institutional and retail clients. These strategies are available to clients in multiple investment vehicles including individually managed accounts as well as the Virtus Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (I: AOTIX), Virtus Small-Cap Fund (I: AZBIX), and Virtus International Small-Cap Fund (I: ALOIX).
Pietranico and Bergman of Virtus Multi-Asset are portfolio managers of Virtus Global Allocation Fund (I: PALLX), which they have managed since 2009 and 2017, respectively, with a previous subadviser, and the team provides asset allocation recommendations for the CollegeAccess 529 Plan. Ghosh is also a portfolio manager of the equity sleeve of the Global Allocation Fund.
About Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. We provide investment management products and services from our affiliated managers, each with a distinct investment style and autonomous investment process, as well as select subadvisers. Investment solutions are available across multiple disciplines and product types to meet a wide array of investor needs. Additional information about our firm, investment partners, and strategies is available at virtus.com.
Important Risk Considerations
Allocation: The risk that the portfolio's exposure to equities and fixed income securities, or to different asset classes, may vary from the intended allocation or may not be optimal for market conditions at a given time. Issuer Risk: The portfolio will be affected by factors specific to the issuers of securities and other instruments in which the portfolio invests, including actual or perceived changes in the financial condition or business prospects of such issuers. Underlying Fund Risk: The portfolio will be indirectly affected by factors, risks and performance specific to any other portfolio in which it invests. Debt Instruments: Debt instruments are subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk, may be speculative and may decline in value due to changes in interest rates or an issuer's or counterparty's deterioration or default. Interest Rate: The values of debt instruments may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, and this risk may be enhanced for securities with longer maturities. Derivatives: Derivatives may include, among other things, futures, options, forwards and swap agreements and may be used in order to hedge portfolio risks, create leverage, or attempt to increase returns. Investments in derivatives may result in increased volatility and the portfolio may incur a loss greater than its principal investment. Market Volatility: Local, regional, or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the portfolio and its investments, including hampering the ability of the portfolio manager(s) to invest the portfolio's assets as intended. Sustainable Investing: Because the portfolio focuses on investments in companies that the Manager believes exhibit strong environmental, social, and corporate governance records, the portfolio's universe of investments may be smaller than that of other portfolios and broad equity benchmark indices. Equity Securities: The market price of equity securities may be adversely affected by financial market, industry, or issuer-specific events. Focus on a particular style or on small or medium-sized companies may enhance that risk. Foreign & Emerging Markets: Investing in foreign securities, especially in emerging markets, subjects the portfolio to additional risks such as increased volatility, currency fluctuations, less liquidity, and political, regulatory, economic, and market risk.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so your shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The Program Manager and Underwriter for the CollegeAccess 529 Plan is VP Distributors LLC, One Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103, 1-800-243-4361. The Plan is issued by the South Dakota Higher Education Savings Trust.
Please consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For this and other information about any Virtus Fund, contact your financial representative, call 800-243-4361, or visit virtus.com for a prospectus or summary prospectus. Read it carefully before investing.
Virtus Mutual Funds are distributed by VP Distributors, LLC, member FINRA and subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
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SOURCE Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. | 2022-07-27T13:57:16+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/virtus-investment-partners-adds-systematic-multi-asset-portfolio-management-capabilities/ |
NEW YORK (WPIX) – A man was fatally shot in the face near the set of “Law & Order” in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning, according to New York City law enforcement sources.
Authorities found the 31-year-old man with two gunshot wounds to the face inside a red car parked in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood around 5:15 a.m., according to police. Three shell casings were found inside the vehicle, sources said.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The man had worked for Broadway Stage Company and was reserving parking spots near the film set location of a new episode of a “Law & Order” series, an NYPD spokesperson told Nexstar’s WPIX.
A witness who was sleeping in his car across the street said he heard the gunshots on Tuesday morning, and awoke to see an unidentified man leaving the scene of the shooting.
Police said no arrests had been made as of Tuesday afternoon. The investigation is ongoing.
“The name of the deceased is being withheld pending family notification,” a representative for the NYPD said. | 2022-07-19T18:47:56+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/news/national/crew-member-for-law-order-fatally-shot-while-reserving-parking-spots-near-set-in-nyc/ |
Digital policy expert and former Internet Society VP Constance Bommelaer de Leusse joins McCourt Institute as executive director, will speak on behalf of Institute at UNESCO's Earth University and Parliament of the Future event on November 26th in Paris
PARIS, Nov. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Frank McCourt, founder of international nonprofit Project Liberty and its McCourt Institute, welcomed Constance Bommelaer de Leusse as the Institute's new executive director. With more than 20 years of experience in digital policy and coalition building, de Leusse succeeds inaugural executive director Sheherazade Semsar-de Boisséson. She is based in Paris at the McCourt Institute's European headquarters on Science Po's campus.
"We are thrilled to welcome Constance to the Project Liberty team and grateful for the leadership skills and digital policy expertise she brings to the McCourt Institute," said McCourt. "I am confident that she will build on the momentum Shéhérazade has created by expanding our support for actionable research and strengthening the institute's role as a meeting ground for technologists, social scientists and policy experts to work together."
"Constance is absolutely the right person for this role," said Semsar-de Boisséson, who led the McCourt Institute's launch and executive director search and will continue to support Project Liberty and the McCourt Institute through the end of 2022 as a consultant. "With Constance's leadership and vision, the McCourt Institute is poised to make a positive and lasting impact by ensuring that digital governance is prioritized in the development of tomorrow's web."
This leadership addition marks an important milestone for Project Liberty, which aims to construct a more equitable internet architecture, enable individuals to own and control their personal data and repair social media in ways that strengthen democracy, restore trust and empower people over platforms.
"I am delighted to lead the McCourt Institute and excited to support Project Liberty's critical mission," said de Leusse. "We have a finite window of opportunity to positively shape the next generation of the internet, and the McCourt Institute's vital role is clear. The Institute, and the entire Project Liberty team, is committed to harnessing the power of breakthrough technology and research, effective governance principles and engaged citizens to put us on a better path."
On November 26, in Paris, de Leusse will discuss her plans for the McCourt Institute at UNESCO's Earth University and the Parliament of the Future event. Participating in a panel entitled, "Life at a Time of Great Transitions," de Leusse will highlight the importance of digital governance in strengthening democracy, restoring trust and enabling problem-solving around our most pressing societal issues, including climate change.
Before joining Project Liberty's McCourt Institute, de Leusse served in the French prime minister's services and then as vice president of institutional relations and empowerment at The Internet Society, which she helped to grow significantly during her 16-year tenure with the organization. Throughout her career, de Leusse has made major contributions to numerous international organizations. She played key roles in founding the Internet Technical Advisory Committee to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and in developing UNESCO's internet governance strategy. She has also served on the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Internet for All Steering Committee and the UN Secretary-General's Multistakeholder Advisory Group of the Internet Governance Forum.
Under de Leusse's leadership, the McCourt Institute will support Project Liberty's mission to advance a more equitable digital architecture that strengthens democracy and empowers internet users. Last fall, Project Liberty released the groundbreaking decentralized DSNP protocol to serve as a foundation for the next generation of the web. Open-source and accessible to anyone, DSNP enables users to own, control, and financially benefit from their personal data. Since then, Project Liberty launched the McCourt Institute and distributed its first round of research grants to identify and advance effective digital governance solutions; announced a partnership with Polkadot showing the first implementation of DSNP, as well as collaborations with MeWe and Frances Haugen; and helped to convene more than 3,000 experts and engaged citizens at Unfinished Live 2022 to focus on creating a more equitable web and inclusive digital economy.
About Project Liberty
Project Liberty is an international nonprofit organization working to create a new civic architecture for the digital world that returns the ownership and control of personal data to individuals, embeds ethical values into technology, and expands economic opportunities for web users and developers alike. The initiative seeks to accelerate the world's transition to an open, inclusive data economy that puts citizens in control—a future in which all people can benefit from their participation and contributions. Because the success of this effort depends on many people and organizations working together to shape a better future, Project Liberty is actively engaging diverse voices and equipping them to catalyze change. Project Liberty supports a groundbreaking open-source internet protocol called the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP) to serve as a new infrastructure for the next generation of the web. Project Liberty is also bringing together networks of organizations that seek change, including through the formation of McCourt Institute, to ensure that digital governance is embedded and prioritized in the development of new technology.
About The McCourt Institute
The McCourt Institute, established in 2021 with founding partners Sciences Po in Paris and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., aims to ensure that digital governance is prioritized in the development of new technology and embedded in the next generation of the web. The Institute works to enhance digital governance by supporting timely, actionable research on ethical technology and serving as a meeting ground for technologists, social scientists, policymakers and governance experts, and leaders from the public and private sector. The Institute is part of Project Liberty, an international nonprofit initiative that seeks to transform how the internet works, create a more equitable digital economy, and develop a new civic architecture for the digital world.
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SOURCE Project Liberty | 2022-11-21T06:33:28+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2022/11/21/project-libertys-mccourt-institute-welcomes-constance-bommelaer-de-leusse-executive-director/ |
The word Prohibition often conjures up the images of gangsters in three-piece suits, Ford Model T cars, jazz music blaring in glamorous speakeasies, and Al Capone. It's a fascinating time in American history and lovers of stories about the exchange of sex, money, and power between the haves and the have-nots, find the time period insatiable.
That's why Boardwalk Empire claimed 64 awards during its HBO run.
A movement originally driven by religious groups, Prohibition banned the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of liquor, which was seen as immoral and ungodly and therefore needed to be eradicated. The enforcement of Prohibition was difficult for both federal and local governments. With the closing of factories and other businesses that made or sold liquor, people were out of jobs and the quality of life further decreased for many middle- and lower-class people. Rural communities were hit hardest by these laws, even though a few supported Prohibition.
This is where Jeannette Walls' brilliant and effervescent new novel Hang the Moon transports us. Claiborne County, rural Virginia. 1920s. This car-chasing, shootout-filled story follows the rise of Sallie Kincaid, a fiery protagonist who has enough heart and grit to single-handedly carry her family business and her county on her back when given the chance. Walls' drama-filled page-turner barrels through a few storylines, touching on a fraught battle over family business succession, racial tension in a poor rural county, family secrets, and land conflict, all with the prohibition war looming as its backdrop.
The novel begins nine years after Sallie was cast out of the family home by her father Duke Kincaid, at the behest of his wife Jane, for accidentally injuring her younger brother Eddie — Jane's only son. At Jane's death, the Duke brings Sallie back to Claiborne County to take care of timid, oversensitive Eddie. Independent and sharp with strong ambitions like her father, 17-year-old Sallie is determined to carve a space for herself in her family's business, Kincaid Holdings — real estate, lumber mills, hauling company, the Emporium store, and bootlegging. She yearns for her father's blessing and trust; she wants to be seen as capable to handle the rigors of leadership even though she's a woman.
Sallie's as good as the Duke at spinning words and she convinces him to hire her as his wheelman, a tempestuous task where she collects rent and runs errands for him. A man's job, according to the Duke. It's one small step for Sallie but the line of succession, the Kincaid way, is for men to rule.
During the prohibition era, the temperance movement — run by religious women — played a substantial role in attempting to uphold the laws. They strongly supported Prohibition because they saw alcohol as destructive to families and marriages. As Wal's story progresses, there is much tension between the success of the business and those in power who support the temperance movement.
Sallie's defining moment in the story, comes as she decides what morality means for her instead of standing by as outsiders determined what is moral for her county.
The most satisfying thing about this novel is Walls' excellent construction of the main female characters. Each of them represents women from varying walks of life, each fighting for their own place in a male-dominated world. Mattie's intelligent and business-savvy and is unhappy being just a sheriff's wife, but understands her role and remains steadfast — even though she's constantly vocal about being overlooked. Duke's sister Mary could be ripped right out of the Tudor history books. Mary is pious, fiercely loyal to her husband, religious, and misguidingly ruthless just like Mary Tudor, better known as Bloody Mary. Sallie herself bares a resemblance to a few female bootleggers in history, not letting her womanhood limit her aspirations. Unlike her aunt and her sister, Sallie refuses to have a man by her side and rewrites the rules as she goes along.
Walls has written a stunning and compelling tale — not surprising considering the acclaim she received for her memoir The Glass Castle. The novel Hang the Moon gives us a chance to think about something that hasn't gotten much attention — the lives of women bootleggers in America.
Keishel Williams is a Trinidadian American book reviewer, arts & culture writer, and editor.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-03-30T12:53:20+00:00 | kunm.org | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-03-29/jeannette-walls-hang-the-moon-transports-readers-to-prohibition |
Residents allowed to return to Florida island slammed by Ian
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Residents were allowed to return to a coastal island that was decimated by Hurricane Ian on Saturday with a warning from the governor that the disaster isn’t over.
Many of the homes still standing on Estero Island lack basic services, so portable restrooms, hand-washing stations, shower trailers and other essentials were trucked in for residents who want to stay, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference. Debris still has to be removed before rebuilding can begin.
“There’s a lot more to do, and really some of the hardest stuff is still ahead of us,” DeSantis said.
While residents were initially allowed back on the island after the storm, officials shut down access to allow teams to finish searching the wreckage building by building for possible victims. Once the work was done, residents lined up and were allowed to return on buses.
Shana Dam went to see what was left of her parents’ house.
“It’s gone,” she told the Fort Myers News-Press. “It’s just gone.”
Just getting around the island, home to most of Fort Myers Beach, is difficult because of storm debris, but heavy equipment was used to clear roads.
With handmade signs all over the area warning that looters will be shot by homeowners, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said only nine such theft cases had been reported.
Ian, a high-end Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (249 kph) at landfall, was the third-deadliest storm to hit the mainland United States this century behind Hurricane Katrina, which left about 1,400 people dead, and Hurricane Sandy, which had a total death count of 233 despite weakening to a tropical storm just before it made U.S. landfall.
State officials have reported 94 storm-related deaths in Florida so far and most were in Lee County, which includes the Fort Myers area and nearby Gulf Coast islands including Estero.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-08T21:55:29+00:00 | foxcarolina.com | https://www.foxcarolina.com/2022/10/08/residents-allowed-return-florida-island-slammed-by-ian/ |
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)
Simon Chadwick, SKEMA Business School
(THE CONVERSATION) Pelé, soccer’s first global superstar, has died at the age of 82. To many fans, the Brazilian will be remembered as the best to have ever played the game.
For others it goes further: He was the symbol of soccer played with passion, gusto and a smile. Indeed, he helped to forge an image of the game, which even today lots of people continue to crave.
Pelé wasn’t just a great player and a wonderful ambassador for the world’s favorite game; he was a cultural icon. Indeed, he remains the face of a purity in soccer that existed long before big money and global geopolitics infiltrated the game.
It is testament to his legend that everyone from English 1966 World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton and current French superstar Kylian Mbappé to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil, and former U.S. president Barack Obama have led tributes to him.
Early days at Santos
Pelé was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Sao Paolo state, in 1940. His early years were the same as many soccer players who preceded him and countless who then followed and were inspired by him: born into poverty, introduced to the game by a family member, later becoming obsessed by a sport that taught him about life and gave him opportunities.
Youth team football came first, in 1953, when he signed for his local club, Bauru. But it was his first professional club – Santos – that propelled Pelé towards stardom. Having moved there in 1956, he played 636 matches and scored 618 goals before leaving in 1974. Not just the beating heart of the team, Pelé was also an immense, one club loyalist.
Long before the feats of modern-day stars Cristiano Ronaldo or Erling Haaland, Pelé blazed a goal-scoring trail that marked him out as being significantly different to other players around him. Similarly, he displayed levels of skill which even today mean that some observers of the game place the Brazilian ahead of the likes of other contenders for the title of Greatest of All Time Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
Within a year of signing for Santos, Pelé made his debut for Brazil, three months short of his 17th birthday. He scored in that game against Argentina, and 65 years later he remains the Brazilian national team’s youngest ever scorer.
A year later, in 1958, this young player helped his national team win the World Cup in Sweden. Then again in 1962, at the World Cup in Chile and once more at the 1970 tournament in Mexico.
Ultimately, Pelé played 92 times for Brazil, scoring 77 goals. By comparison, England’s Harry Kane has scored 53 times in 80 matches. In addition to his national team achievements, for his club side Pelé won six Brazilian league titles and two South American Championships.
The American years
Later, in 1975, he came out of semi-retirement to play for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League. By then, Pelé was in his mid-thirties but still managed to score 37 goals in 64 matches. Some believe that it was his brief stint playing in the United States that kick-started the country’s interest in football.
After his retirement, Pelé was venerated, adored and remained influential. He became FIFA’s Player of the 20th century, an award he shared with Maradona. In 2014, he was given FIFA’s first ever Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur, and even Nelson Mandela spoke of his regard for the Brazilian when presenting him with a Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2000.
Pelé’s talent has never been in doubt. Yet he was fortuitous to have played at a time when soccer was emerging from the shadows cast by global conflict, when the world needed symbols of hope and sporting heroes.
The Brazilian was able to serve this purpose, though he did so during a period when television – first black-and-white, then color – brought soccer directly into people’s living rooms. At the time, Pelé was Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappé rolled into one – made globally consumable by this new technology.
Inevitably during his life, Pelé encountered problems: his commercial activities were sometimes mired in controversy; at one stage he was labeled a left-wing antagonist of the Brazilian government, then was later described as being too conservative in his views of the Brazillian dictatorship. He had numerous children – some the result of affairs – and one of whom, a son, Edson, was sent to prison for laundering money made from drug deals.
However, the abiding memory is of a man who played soccer in a way that many of us – both amateurs and professionals – have all aspired to. Pelé was not only skillful, he also brought great joy to innumerable people across the world, over a period of decades. For all of us, even those with just the slightest interest in football, we will never forget him.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/pele-a-global-superstar-and-cultural-icon-who-put-passion-at-the-heart-of-soccer-197097. | 2022-12-30T01:26:17+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Pele-a-global-superstar-and-cultural-icon-who-17684276.php |
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The first of two Iowa teenagers who pleaded guilty to beating their high school Spanish teacher to death with a baseball bat was sentenced Thursday to life with a possibility of parole after 35 years in prison.
A judge sentenced Willard Miller after a sentencing hearing that lasted more than seven hours.
Miller and another teen, Jeremy Goodale, had pleaded guilty in April to the 2021 attack on Nohema Graber. The 66-year-old teacher was fatally beaten while taking her regular afternoon walk in a park in Fairfield.
In sentencing Miller, District Court Judge Shawn Showers acknowledged Miller’s young age but also noted he had “cut Nohema Graber’s precious life short,” devastating her family and the community.
“I find that your intent and actions were sinister and evil. Those acts resulted in the intentional loss of human life in a brutal fashion,” Showers said. “There is no excuse.”
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors had recommended Miller receive a term of between 30 years and life in prison, with the possibility of parole. Goodale is to be sentenced later.
Before being sentenced, Miller said in court Thursday that he accepted responsibility for the killing and apologized to the Graber family.
“I would like to apologize for my actions, first and foremost to the family,” he said. “I am sincerely sorry for the distress I have caused you and the devastation I have caused your family.”
Miller also apologized to the Fairfield community, his own family, Goodale’s family and the police.
“I’m realizing just the magnitude of my actions, and I know it’s wrong and I knew it was wrong and yet I still carried through,” he said. “I still did what I did, and I accept responsibility for that.”
Ten of Graber’s relatives either read or submitted victim impact statements that described the woman as kind, caring and devoted to her family, students and church. Several also blamed Miller and Goodale for the recent death of Graber’s husband, who suffered from cancer but delayed treatment amid his depression over the murder.
“I hope you open your soul to the lord and maybe ask for forgiveness there first because you’re on a spiral straight to hell,” Graber’s brother-in-law, Jim Graber said while staring at Miller.
Miller and Goodale killed Graber on Nov. 2, 2021, in a park where the teacher routinely walked after school. Prosecutors said the teens, who were 16 at the time, were angry at Graber because of a bad grade she had given Miller.
Under Goodale’s agreement to plead guilty, prosecutors had recommended a sentence of between 25 years and life with the possibility of parole. Goodale’s sentencing is scheduled for August, but his lawyers have sought a delay in the hearing.
Thursday’s sentencing hearing at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Fairfield initially focused on investigators who described how officers found Graber’s body. They also talked about social media postings that led them to question and then arrest Miller and Goodale. Prosecutors also played recordings of police interviews with both teens and displayed photographs of the crime scene, including graphic images of Graber’s body.
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent Trent Vileta recalled police finding Graber’s body under a tarp in Chautauqua Park. A wheelbarrow and railroad tie had been placed over the tarp, making it hard to see the body, with only a shoe and a hand visible.
After pulling back part of the tarp, Vileta said the only significant injury to Graber appeared to be a severe head wound.
In the interview, Miller initially said he knew nothing about Graber’s disappearance but later said he saw other people carrying her body in the park.
Goodale testified earlier that he and Miller had planned the killing for about two weeks and that both of them struck the victim and then hid her body. Goodale said Miller had initiated the plan. Miller admitted helping but denied hitting Graber.
The two were charged as adults, but because of their age they were not subject to a mandatory sentence of life without parole for first-degree murder. Miller is now 17 and Goodale is 18.
Fairfield, a city of 9,400 people, is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Des Moines. | 2023-07-07T06:38:22+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/national/ap-hearing-underway-for-first-of-2-iowa-teens-who-pleaded-guilty-in-2021-beating-death-of-teacher/ |
The evidence from studies is undeniable: Exercise is good for you. Not only does it help you live a better, happier life, it can help you live longer. In short, the human body functions best when movement and muscle engagement are part of your daily routine.
Judd NeSmith, founder of Serious Fitness and BestReviews fitness expert, said the heart is the body’s most important muscle, which is why it is essential to have regular cardio workouts.
In this article: NordicTrack T Series Treadmill, Schwinn Fitness Airdyne Bike Series and Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine.
Why it’s important to keep your heart healthy
“Heart health means improved blood flow, which will help you lower your blood pressure,” NeSmith said. “It will also help you increase blood flow from your heart, which can help you improve your cognitive functioning as you get older. A healthy heart can help decrease the risk of stroke and lower cholesterol.”
And, NeSmith said, “If you become consistent with a weekly cardiovascular routine — doing it for at least three or four days a week — you are going to have a lower resting heart rate. This means you’re probably going to increase your longevity. Also, the less your heart has to be working while you are resting, the healthier you are going to be.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees: “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.”
Risks of a sedentary lifestyle
“Sedentary behaviors have wide-ranging adverse impacts on the human body,” the Korean Journal of Family Medicine reports. In short, a sedentary lifestyle not only means decreased physical activity, but your body’s chemical reactions follow suit. You get more fatty tissue and chronic inflammation, and your risk factors for numerous diseases increase.
So even if you have no interest in becoming athletic, you owe it to yourself to engage in cardiovascular exercise to have the best life possible.
Best cardio equipment
NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
“I love treadmills,” NeSmith said. “Especially during the colder months, or even in the warmer months when it’s raining outside.” They’re “ideal for walkers, joggers and runners,” he said, and good from beginners to experienced athletes. BestReviews found this NordicTrack treadmill the top product in the category, saying it’s “a feature-packed, high-end treadmill with a reasonable price tag.”
Sold by Amazon
NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle
NeSmith is also a fan of exercise bikes. This one from NordicTrack is the knd most people are familiar with because you see them in spin classes. Designed for longer bouts of cardio, anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, it includes several options, such as a rotating touchscreen and an automatic trainer, that make it a luxury workout.
Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Fan bikes are immediately identifiable because instead of a front wheel, they have a huge fan that produces resistance — the faster you pedal, the greater the resistance. NeSmith said these types of bikes are all the rage in gyms and excellent for cardio. This model from Schwinn is optimized for high resistance and low noise.
Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine
“I am a big fan of rowing machines,” NeSmith said. “My favorite brand is the Concept2 rower. This machine is another great piece of cardiovascular equipment that can be used for longer bouts of cardiovascular exercise. However, if you prefer, you can use it for shorter, high-intensity blasts for interval training.”
Sold by Amazon
NeSmith said not to forget ellipticals. These low-impact machines are suitable for beginners, but you can up the intensity as you develop more strength and stamina. This one from Bowflex has a compact design to fit more easily in homes. It offers 16 levels of resistance and delivers a full-body workout.
Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Stamina X Adjustable Height Plyo Box
“A lot of us sit for a living,” NeSmith said. “Then we go to work out, and we sit down on a piece of equipment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of exercise bikes. However, I’m also a fan of people exercising while they are upright.” A stair climber or stepping platform, he said, gives you cardiovascular exercise while developing better balance and a stronger core. The Stamina X is an excellent option because it can be set to 12-, 16-, 20- and 24-inch heights.
Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
“Jumping rope is one of the more efficient ways to burn a lot of calories,” NeSmith said. “A lot of my clients will jump rope for 30 seconds to a minute and then rest for that same amount of time, and repeat that sequence for five or 10 sets, and they get a phenomenal caloric burn. It also improves their heart health.” This one, lightweight and with ergonomic handles, is BestReviews pick as “Best of the Best” jump rope.
Sold by Amazon
Other exercise gear worth checking out
Cardio gear picked by the BestReviews staff include these:
- The Step Original Aerobic Platform is an adjustable step that can be set to 4-, 6- or 8-inch heights.
- If you already own a bike, the Kinetic by Kurt is a trainer that adapts to almost all bikes for indoor riding.
- Stamina makes a quality rower that has built-in wheels for easy storage.
- If you want to combine a little resistance training with cardio, the Cap Barbell enamel-coated cast iron kettlebell is a solid option.
- The Schwinn 290 is best for people who prefer to ride a recumbent exercise bike.
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-03T19:03:58+00:00 | valleycentral.com | https://www.valleycentral.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/fitness-equipment-br/cardio-and-more-for-a-healthy-heart-according-to-bestreviews-fitness-expert/ |
The All-Star break came at a good time for the Las Vegas Aces and since play resumed they’ve been on a roll.
Las Vegas has won three straight — all on the road — averaging 102 points a game in those victories.
“We have so many weapons on offense,” said Aces guard Kelsey Plum, who is having the best season of her career, averaging 20.3 points. That’s second best in the league.
The Aces (18-7) have five starters scoring in double figures and are averaging a league-high 91.3 points a game. Chelsea Gray credits coach Becky Hammon for simplifying their offensive and defensive systems on both ends of the court as one reason for the team’s success.
Las Vegas won 13 of its first 15 games before stumbling prior to the All-Star break with five losses in seven games.
Now the Aces are winning again.
“No one said it was going to be easy. If being great was easy, everyone would be doing it,” Hammon said. “You have to hit some adversity. There should be some hiccups. We came out like a rocket and then hit some rough patches.
“The adversity will be beneficial to us more than the win-loss record down the road.”
They have three games at home before embarking on a six-game road trip that includes the Commissioner’s Cup title game in Chicago next Tuesday.
This week’s WNBA poll:
1. Chicago (19-6): The Sky keep winning, with four straight victories and nine of 10. Chicago was missing guard Courtney Vandersloot for concussion protocol in the last game, but hope to have her back soon.
2. Las Vegas (18-7): Riquna Williams has lately been providing solid minutes off the bench, averaging 7.2 points this season to give the Aces a spark.
3. Seattle (17-8): The Storm have won four straight and will be tested this week at Chicago and Phoenix.
4. Connecticut (16-9): The Sun were playing well following the All-Star break, then Jonquel Jones had to miss games because of COVID protocols. They hope to have the reigning MVP back soon.
5. Washington (16-11): Elena Delle Donne has been the pivotal to the Mystics’ run lately. The 6-foot-5 former league MVP has been able to play more and rest her back less. Washington has just one game this week before playing four games in six days.
6. Atlanta (11-14): A big road win at Phoenix without All-Star rookie Rhyne Howard has the Dream feeling good. Howard has been bothered by a shoulder injury and they hope to have her back soon. Atlanta already has its most wins since 2018.
7. Dallas (11-14): The Wings are looking to rebound after losing two of their last three. Center Teaira McCowan has provided a huge lift for the Wings in limited minutes.
8. Minnesota (10-17): The Lynx have consecutive home games against the Sun that will be critical to their chances of keeping their 11-year run of making the postseason alive.
9 (tie). Los Angeles (10-14): After a challenging road stretch to start the season, Los Angeles has been playing in the comforts of home for most of July. The Sparks haven’t been able to take advantage of it so far, going 2-3 during their seven-game homestand. Getting center Liz Cambage back from COVID protocols will help.
9 (tie). New York (9-15): The Liberty gave up 215 points in two games to Las Vegas and if they want to have any chance of making the postseason New York will need to clean up its defense — which sits near the bottom of the league. The Liberty are giving up 84.7 a game on average.
11. Phoenix (11-16): The Mercury haven’t been able to establish any consistency on either end of the floor this season. Skylar Diggins-Smith is having another great year satistically and Diana Taurasi lately has been playing well. The Mercury haven’t had much other production on the offensive end.
12. Indiana (5-22): Nine straight losses have the Fever looking towards the draft lottery and hopefully getting the No. 1 pick for the first time in franchise history.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Elena Delle Donne of Washington was voted the AP Player of the Week. She averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and 3.3 assists to help the Mystics win two of their three games. Kahleah Copper of Chicago, Breanna Stewart of Seattle, Kelsey Plum of Las Vegas and Jonquel Jones of Connecticut also received votes.
MEANINGFUL GESTURE
The WNBA All-Stars all switched to uniforms with Brittney Griner’s name and number on them for the second half of the game. Griner held up a photo showing the players honoring her when she was in court last week during her trial for drug possession.
GAME OF THE WEEK:
Seattle at Phoenix, Friday. Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will meet for the final time in the regular season after spending the last two decades linked together from their time at UConn and on the U.S. national team. The game will also serve as a return to Phoenix for Tina Charles, who left the Mercury last month..
___
More AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-07-19T18:21:16+00:00 | ourquadcities.com | https://www.ourquadcities.com/sports/las-vegas-aces-have-found-winning-ways-again-under-hammon/ |
ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (KLFY) – An arrest was made in connection to the case of Albert Willis Jr., a St. Martinville man missing since July 2021.
According to St. Martinville Police Chief Ricky Martin, Porsche Calais, 33 was arrested and booked on obstruction of justice charges and failure to cooperate in the ongoing investigation.
Albert Willis Jr., 71 of St. Martinville was last seen the morning of June 18, 2021. A silver alert was issued on June 24, 2021. Willis is a black male with short gray hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5’7” tall and weighs about 140 pounds. He was last seen by family members wearing a red shirt, blue jeans and tan loafers.
More information is expected to be released as Chief Martin says there is another warrant coming for a second person. If anyone has any information regarding this case, please call St. Martinville Police investigators at 337-394-3001. | 2022-05-17T05:11:33+00:00 | cenlanow.com | https://www.cenlanow.com/crime/arrest-made-in-the-case-of-albert-willis-the-man-who-went-missing-back-in-june-of-2021/ |
The First World War, which lasted from 1914 until 1918, ushered in a new kind of mechanized warfare. Bodies were maimed, burned and gassed, and as many as 280,000 combatants were left with ghastly facial injuries. Medical historian Lindsey Fitzharris says soldiers who suffered facial injuries were often shunned in civilian life.
"The reactions could be very extreme," she says. "This was a time when losing a limb made you a hero, but losing a face made you a monster."
In Britain, soldiers with facial injuries were called the "loneliest Tommies." When they left the hospital grounds, they were forced to sit on brightly painted blue benches so that the public knew not to look at them. The field of plastic surgery was still in its infancy, but one surgeon in England — Dr. Harold Gillies — endeavored to treat the wounded. Fitzharris tells Gillies' story in the new book, The Facemaker: A Visionary Surgeon's Battle to Mend the Disfigured Soldiers of World War I.
It was pioneering work. Any surgeon willing to rebuild a soldier's face had to consider the loss of function — such as the soldier's inability to eat or to speak — as well the aesthetics of what would make the face socially acceptable by the standards of the day. And there were no textbooks to guide the way, nor were antibiotics available.
"Gillies is really operating without a net. ... He doesn't have anybody teaching him how to do this. He's really got to make this up," Fitzharris says. "You really do have to come up with creative solutions, which he absolutely does."
Gillies lobbied the British War office to establish a hospital to treat facial injuries, and he banned mirrors in some wards so the newly injured wouldn't be traumatized by their own unrecognizable faces. He spent the war replacing lost skin and restoring jaws, noses and teeth to give thousands of veterans a chance to return to civilian life.
"What Harold Gillies is able to do for these men is not just mend their broken faces, but also mend their broken spirits," Fitzharris says. "That's what's at the core of The Facemaker: It's about identity and what happens to you when you lose that and how do you regain that back? And that's ultimately what Gillies was able to do for these men to help them restore their identities."
Interview highlights
On her use of the word "disfigured" in the book
I actually worked with a disability activist named Ariel Henley, who is the author of a book called A Face for Picasso, and we discussed the language and how I would end up describing some of these injuries in these men's experiences, and I do use the word "disfigured" in this book, which we might not use today. We might use a word like "facial difference." But I felt it was important that I didn't lessen that experience for the reader, because these men really were disfigured to the society they lived in.
On the challenge of getting injured soldiers off the battlefield
A face wound is very bloody. It's very ghastly. Anybody who's even had a minor cut on their face will know it bleeds and it bleeds and it bleeds. And so a lot of times these stretcher bearers just didn't think that these wounds were survivable. They had never seen anything like this before. And of course, they're in the midst of the terror of the battle as well, which doesn't help. So they would leave these men behind.
There are stories, for instance, of Private Walter Ashworth who lays on the battlefield after the first day of the Somme for three days without a jaw, unable to scream for help. And it's mind-boggling to us that somebody could just be left there for so long. But again, these stretcher-bearers, they just didn't think that these were survivable wounds. The other challenge was that often when they did remove these men, they would, with good intentions, place these men on their backs, on the stretchers, and inadvertently they would kill [them] because they would end up drowning in their own blood, or they would choke on their tongues because they didn't have the anatomy to hold their tongues [in] a normal position. So the medical challenges were immense. Just getting off the battlefield was a real challenge for these men.
On Gillies having to repair the work done by trauma surgeons in field hospitals
A lot of times these men were pulled off the battlefield. They were pulled from the trenches. They fell into the hands of trauma surgeons. Now, you could imagine close to the front in these hospitals, there was a lot of chaos around these surgeons. And really their focus is to save people's lives. So a lot of times they were just stitching these wounds very quickly, trying to stop the hemorrhaging, trying to save lives. And in doing so, often they were sealing these men's fate because they were suturing the bacteria from the battlefield into the face and into the wound. So when these men would get to Gillies, Gillies would often have to unpick a lot of what had been done near the front and start over. The process of rebuilding a soldier's face at this time could take many months, sometimes years, and even over a decade in some instances.
On why Gillies banned mirrors in the hospital ward
Gillies banned the mirrors because he was really trying in his mind to protect them so that they wouldn't be shocked by their faces for the first time. Also, as you're going through facial reconstruction, your face could look worse before it looks better. And he didn't want them to become depressed or frustrated with that process. So we can understand that. But also, he inadvertently instilled in these men a belief that they had faces that weren't worth looking at.
On the state of plastic surgery history at the time of the war
Plastic surgery predated the First World War. In fact, the term "plastic surgery" was coined in 1798. At the time, "plastic" meant something that you could shape or you could mold — so in this case, a patient's skin or soft tissue. But attempts at rebuilding or altering a person's face tended to focus on very small areas, such as the ears or the nose. You don't really get attempts at the wholesale restructuring of face until the mid-19th century during the American Civil War. And even then, there are a lot of differences between what's going on in the Civil War and what ultimately is happening in the First World War. And one of those is the fact that Civil War surgeons are just not interested in the aesthetics because the infection rates could be quite high at the time. That's before the wholesale adoption of germ theory. So they really only just go as far as restoring function, making sure the patient can eat and can speak.
On Gillies' collaborative methodology
[Gillies] was working in a very collaborative manner. He brought in X-ray technicians, mask makers, artists, dental surgeons as well, which was really important ... They are the ones who kind of build that scaffolding for Gillies. ... But the challenges were immense and ... an important principle of Gillies was that you replace like with like so you replace bone with bone, skin with skin. So there [were] no artificial implants that were going into the face at this time.
On where Gillies would get bone from to reconstruct a jaw
A lot of times they were grafting the bone from the patient himself. They would take cartilage from the ribs. They would take bone from the thigh. Anywhere really they could get it and they would be placing it into the face to rebuild that hard structure. It's absolutely mind-boggling when you consider this was before antibiotics. What Gillies and his team [were] able to accomplish was really miraculous on so many levels.
On the masks that some patients wore
A lot of people will be familiar with masks from World War I through the fictional character Richard Harrow and Boardwalk Empire. There were these wonderful artists who offered these nonsurgical solutions to disfigured soldiers at this time. People like Anna Coleman Ladd, who had a studio in Paris. And whenever I put up these still images of these masks online on Twitter, on Instagram, they tend to go semi-viral because they are startlingly realistic. But you have to remember that when you are looking at a still photo, it's very different than sitting in front of someone who might be wearing this mask, because the mask doesn't operate like a face. It doesn't age, it's fragile. It's difficult to wear over a wound. It's uncomfortable to wear. And for all those reasons, the mask didn't really offer that long-term solution that many of these men sought.
On Gillies' career after WWI
I think that Gillies is crucial to what plastic surgery ultimately becomes. After the war, he continues to work on the disfigured soldiers, of course, because the war isn't over for them. But he knows that if he is going to establish plastic surgery as a subspecialty in its own right, he's going to have to expand the practice. So he does move into the realm of cosmetic surgery as well. If people think of plastic surgery as a heading and underneath you have cosmetic and reconstructive — they're both important parts of plastic surgery and they both continue even to today. And so Gillies did both.
Lauren Krenzel and Thea Chaloner produced and edited the audio of this interview. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Laurel Dalrymple adapted it for the Web.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air. | 2022-07-20T18:39:10+00:00 | kcbx.org | https://www.kcbx.org/2022-07-20/with-no-textbooks-or-antibiotics-this-wwi-surgeon-pioneered-facial-reconstruction |
The seasoned executive, advisor, and behavioral epidemiology expert will work towards optimizing user outcomes by increasing platform engagement and adherence.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- InsideTracker, the leading personal health analysis and data-driven wellness guide that helps people increase their healthspan and live healthier longer, announced today that Dr. Kate Wolin has joined the company as a member of its Scientific Advisory Board.
A leader in the field of behavioral epidemiology with a successful executive track record, Dr. Wolin brings an acclaimed expertise in the integration of evidence-based behavior change and personalization strategies into digital health products and platforms. At InsideTracker, she will work across InsideTracker's science, product, innovation, marketing, and customer support teams, with a focus on optimizing user experience, adherence, and outcomes.
"Behavior change can be complex and incredibly hard. By providing data-driven insights, in the right context and at the right time, InsideTracker can support the intrinsic motivation driving millions of Americans to make changes to their lifestyle to live longer and live better," said Dr. Wolin.
Recognized by Forbes as a "Healthcare Innovator That You Should Know," Dr. Wolin possesses a dual fluency in the development and marketing of successful consumer-facing healthcare services. She received her doctorate in epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. After leaving academic medicine, she co-founded and served as CEO of ScaleDown, a digital health company that was acquired by Anthem. She was also previously head of product for Optum's direct-to-consumer business.
"Dr. Wolin has spent her career exploring the science of behavioral epidemiology. With a focus on integrating evidence-based behavior change into digital health products and platforms, she is the perfect addition to InsideTracker's Scientific Advisory Board," said InsideTracker founder and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Gil Blander. "Her presence, perspective, and expertise will elevate the science that drives InsideTracker and significantly improve adherence and results for those in search of living better longer."
Dr. Wolin is currently a partner at PACE Healthcare Capital, and an advisor to several digital health companies. She is also on the faculty at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and a fellow in the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Founded in 2009 and created by experts in the fields of aging, genetics, and biometric data, InsideTracker provides a personal health analysis and data-driven wellness guide, designed to help you live healthier longer.
By analyzing your body's biomarkers, InsideTracker provides an objective assessment of the current state of your well-being. Then, our A.I.-powered platform uses findings from thousands of scientific peer-reviewed publications and over ten billion biomarker data points to generate a custom set of actionable recommendations and insights.
Integrated within an intuitive mobile app, InsideTracker reveals your personalized path to improving your health and longevity from the inside out. Read InsideTracker's peer-reviewed papers in Scientific Reports and Current Developments in Nutrition.
Follow InsideTracker on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Media Contact:
Dean Stattmann
STAT Media PR
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SOURCE InsideTracker | 2023-01-26T16:34:59+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/01/26/insidetracker-adds-renowned-behavioral-epidemiologist-dr-kate-wolin-scientific-advisory-board/ |
Wind Advisory issued April 23 at 9:22PM PDT until April 24 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
* WHAT…North winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, except
25 to 40 mph with local gusts to 60 mph near Montecito Hills.
* WHERE…Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast.
* WHEN…Until 5 AM PDT Sunday.
* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and
make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Roadways may be affected by gusty cross winds. This includes
Highway 192. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power
outages may result.
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. | 2022-04-24T05:04:16+00:00 | keyt.com | https://keyt.com/alerts/2022/04/23/wind-advisory-issued-april-23-at-922pm-pdt-until-april-24-at-500am-pdt-by-nws-los-angeles-oxnard-ca-3/ |
After having one of the worst offensive showings of the season in Thursday’s loss to the Connecticut Sun, the Seattle Storm kept pace with the one of the top teams in the WNBA in the New York Liberty in an 80-76 loss Saturday.
But the WNBA’s leading scorer, Jewell Loyd, walked gingerly off the court with a left ankle sprain in the third quarter and did not return. She scored 14 points on 3 of 17 shooting.
Jumping out to a fast start offensively is an area where the Storm have struggled throughout the course of the season, but in Saturday’s game, the offense was a strong suit.
An 8-0 run saw the Storm take the lead after a high arcing shot off the top of the backboard by Loyd tied the game at 22-22. They took the lead on the next possession after she sank a pair of free throws.
Converting on second-chance points and keeping turnovers to a minimum, the Storm held a 36-35 lead going into halftime.
Rookie forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu made her first start for the Storm and she delivered with a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
The Liberty took the lead back in the third quarter with a 10-4 run. They stretched it to their first double-digit lead of the game late in the fourth as the Liberty scored on five consecutive possessions to lead 78-68.
The Storm stayed close as Sami Whitcomb scored 12 of her team-high 19 in the final quarter.
Former Storm star Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 25 points, and Kent product Courtney Vandersloot had nine points and seven assists. | 2023-07-08T21:13:55+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/storm-keep-things-close-against-liberty-but-lose-jewell-loyd-to-injury/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
AP PHOTOS: Snow is a no-show as Europe feels the winter heat
RAMSAU, Austria (AP) — Mild weather has left many regions of Europe that would normally be blanketed in snow at this time of year bare, and winter sports resorts are fearing for the future.
Many are using snow machines to make artificial pistes, leaving thin white lines snaking through otherwise green and brown landscapes.
In the Swiss village of Adelboden, organizers of Saturday’s ski World Cup race grappled with above-freezing temperatures to ensure athletes could compete in the popular event while spectators basked in the blazing sunshine.
Experts say this season’s lack of snow offers a glimpse of winters to come, as global temperatures keep rising due to human-caused climate change.
The impact is likely to be felt far beyond the regional tourist industry. Winter snow in European mountains such as the Alps is an important natural water store for parts of a continent that’s already suffering regular droughts the rest of the year.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2023-01-07T10:16:59+00:00 | kob.com | https://www.kob.com/news/us-and-world-news/ap-photos-snow-is-a-no-show-as-europe-feels-the-winter-heat/ |
BOSTON, May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Noted architect, educator, and practitioner, Billie Tsien, architect of the Barack Obama Presidential Library, and a founding partner of New York City based studio Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners to receive an Honorary Doctorate and deliver The Boston Architectural College's commencement speech at its graduation ceremony on Friday, May 27.
"It is an immense privilege to have Billie Tsien deliver the BAC's commencement address to our graduating class in-person this year," said President Mahesh Daas. "Her commitment to designing deeper and slower existential experiences grounded in an unmistakable sense of service, materiality and profound optimism complements the BAC's own commitment to furthering social justice, inclusion, and diversifying design education."
She has been recognized and celebrated with accolades including the National Medal of the Arts from President Obama, Thomas Jefferson Medal Award in Architecture, the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize, the 2013 Firm of the Year Award from the American Institute of Architects, and the 2019 Praemium Imperiale presented by the Japan Art Association, among many others.
Billie's commitment and contributions to enacting a more resilient, beautiful, and diverse world is evidenced in many high-profile projects including the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, Chicago; TATA Consultancy Services - Banyan Park, Mumbai, India; The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia; The Lefrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park, Brooklyn; The Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Admiralty, Hong Kong; and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
The award citation at the 2013 National Medal of Arts presented by President Obama noted: "Whether public or private, their deliberate and inspired designs have a profound effect on the lives of those who interact with them, and their teaching and spirit of service have inspired young people to pursue their passions."
Her practice is committed to reflecting the values of non-profit, cultural and academic institutions toward an architecture of enduring vision. In anticipation of her commencement speech, Billie Tsien reflected, "I have long admired the process of teaching at the BAC, which pairs practical experience with studio experience. Students learn both to solve problems and to imagine new ways of solving those problems. It is an education of roots and wings."
In parallel to her practice, Billie teaches at Yale University as the Charles Gwathmey Professor in Practice, and is a devoted participant in the broader cultural community. She currently serves as a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, and has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, National Academy of Design, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. In 2021 Billie was appointed by President Biden to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, serving as the first Asian-American and woman to be Chair. She is steadfast in her mission to create a better world through architecture and support a broader and more diverse cultural landscape. Previous BAC honorees include Balkrishna Doshi, William J. Bates, Martha Schwartz, Robert J. Vila, and Moshe Safdie.
Founded in 1889, The Boston Architectural College (BAC) is an internationally recognized institution with a diverse student and alumni population representing more than 54 countries. Providing excellence in practice-integrated design education, the BAC was Ranked #1 for Best Graduate School in Architecture for Earning Potential and #4 for Best Architecture School Offering Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S. in 2020 by GradReports. The BAC offers bachelor and graduate degrees in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, design studies as well as offering continuing education certificates and courses. The BAC upholds the importance of inclusive admission, diversity, innovation, dedicated faculty, and the intrinsic value of both academic and experiential education.
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SOURCE Boston Architectural College | 2022-05-12T20:10:23+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/12/architect-billie-tsien-receive-honorary-doctorate-boston-architectural-colleges-2022-commencement/ |
A couple of days before Serena Williams claimed the 22nd of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles at Wimbledon in 2016, she was asked what she makes of it when people refer to her as one of history’s greatest female athletes.
Her reply: She prefers being characterized as “one of the greatest athletes of all time.”
That one, brief response from Williams said quite a lot — about her one-of-a-kind talent with a racket in hand, about her status as an icon, about her willingness to stand up for herself, about why women’s sports should not be thought of any differently than men’s sports.
That all came to mind again Tuesday, when Williams indicated she is preparing to walk away from her professional tennis career as the start of the U.S. Open approaches on Aug. 29 and her 41st birthday next month nears.
Yes, with shouts of “Come on!” marking the journey, she’s won the most major singles championships in the professional era of tennis, which began in 1968; more than the 22 for Steffi Graf or Rafael Nadal, more than the 21 for Novak Djokovic, more than the 20 for Roger Federer, more than the 18 for Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova, more than anyone else. And, yes, Williams won a total of 73 tour-level singles titles and spent more than six years’ worth of weeks ranked No. 1. And she combined with older sister Venus to claim 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles. And then there are the four Olympic gold medals. And so on. And so on.
Still, mere numbers can’t capture everything Williams has represented during a distinguished career that began when she was a teenager in the 1990s and is remarkable for not just the successes but also the longevity, including a record 10 major championships after turning 30.
“She’s lasted longer than most, if not all, female tennis pros. She’s transcended tennis and become a leader on many important cultural, social and gender issues. She has lived an extraordinary life,” Evert wrote in a text message to The Associated Press, “and will undoubtedly continue to crash the glass ceiling in the future.”
Indeed, what Williams did without a racket in her hand is rather noteworthy, and extends past the millions in endorsement deals; the flirtations with acting; the interest in fashion design and penchant for bringing the catwalk to the court with body suits and knee-high boots and whatever else she decided to try; the celebrity and place in pop culture; and, most recently, the work as a venture capitalist (“Seventy-eight% of our portfolio happens to be companies started by women and people of color, because that’s who we are,” Williams said).
“It is important to take a step back and think about everything that Serena has brought to our sport and what she has accomplished both on and off the court,” said Steve Simon, the head of the WTA women’s tennis tour. “She is one of the greatest champions, an entrepreneur, a mother, an investor in women’s business ventures and an inspiration to women and girls across the world.”
Williams spoke out about being Black in her sport — she was the first to win a Grand Slam tournament since Althea Gibson in the 1950s — and in her country. She stayed away from a tournament in California for years after she and her father heard racist taunts there. She talked about being a woman in tennis, about being a woman who dealt with complications in childbirth, about being a mother (her daughter, Olympia, turns 5 on Sept. 1, and Williams wants to have another baby).
She and Venus helped their sport reach a broader audience and helped bring a broader slice of society into their sport (Coco Gauff, the 18-year-old African-American who was the runner-up at the French Open in May, said Tuesday she plays what she called “a predominantly white sport” because she “saw somebody who looked like me dominating the game”).
“I don’t particularly like to think about my legacy. I get asked about it a lot, and I never know exactly what to say,” Williams wrote in an essay released by Vogue magazine. “But I’d like to think that thanks to opportunities afforded to me, women athletes feel that they can be themselves on the court. They can play with aggression and pump their fists. They can be strong yet beautiful. They can wear what they want and say what they want and kick butt and be proud of it all.”
There were, to be sure, moments that she perhaps was not as proud of, confrontations with match officials that led to getting docked a point or a game in U.S. Open losses to Naomi Osaka and Kim Clijsters — maybe the sorts of episodes she was referring to in her essay when she said: “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career. Mistakes are learning experiences, and I embrace those moments. I’m far from perfect, but I’ve also taken a lot of criticism, and I’d like to think that I went through some hard times as a professional tennis player so that the next generation could have it easier.”
Her serve was a gift, as were the powerful groundstrokes that she and Venus — her opponent in nine all-in-the-family Grand Slam finals — made a permanent part of the game. So, too, was an unbending will and desire to always come out on top, whether the person across the net was Big Sis or anyone else, whether she was trying to win a point during a match or make a point in an interview.
“I want to be great. I want to be perfect,” Williams said. “I know perfect doesn’t exist, but whatever my perfect was, I never wanted to stop until I got it right.”
In tennis, of course, and beyond.
___
Howard Fendrich has been the AP’s tennis writer since 2002. Write to him at hfendrich@ap.org or follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HowardFendrich
___
More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-08-11T06:24:25+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/sports/serena-williams-legacy-involves-plenty-of-wins-plenty-else/ |
By AL LESAR
Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — After 15 years of being a rival to Alabama in name only, Tennessee snapped a humbling losing streak, stamped itself a championship contender and celebrated in spectacular fashion.
Chase McGrath made a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 6 Tennessee a 52-49 victory over No. 3 Alabama on Saturday.
As soon as the kick knuckle-balled through the uprights, some of the more than 100,000 fans stormed the field to join the party as the Volunteers (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) ended a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1).
Fireworks went off over Neyland Stadium and it glowed orange as the song “Dixieland Delight” by the band Alabama — a Crimson Tide favorite — blared over the stadium speakers.
And it didn’t take long for the goal posts to go down.
“This is college football at its absolute best,” Vols coach Josh Heupel said.
Hendon Hooker drove the Vols 45 yards in 18 seconds to set up the winner. Jalin Hyatt caught six passes for 207 yards and a Tennessee-record five touchdowns.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, a game-time decision because of a sprained right shoulder two weeks ago, completed 35 passes for 455 yards and two TDs.
Hyatt’s fifth TD catch tied it at 49 with 3:26 left in the fourth.
Young drove the Tide into the Tennessee territory in the final minute, but Alabama stalled at the 33 with three straight incomplete passes. Will Reichard’s 50-yard field goal attempt for the lead was wide way right.
With only 21 seconds left, overtime seemed likely, but Hooker wasn’t done and did the Heisman Trophy winner one better.
Hooker completed two passes for 45 yards, the second a 27-yard strike to Bru McCoy that gave Tennessee a chance for a makeable field goal — and McGrath came through to give the Volunteers its biggest victory in years.
Tennessee had not beaten a top-10 teams since 2006 against Georgia. That was also the last time the Vols beat Alabama.
A season later Nick Saban became Alabama’s coach. As the Tide has become college football’s greatest dynasty with six national titles, Tennessee has burned through coaches and been mired mediocrity.
Now, in his second season in Knoxville, Heupel has Tennessee looking like a legitimate national title contender behind a transfer quarterback from Virginia Tech.
A week after Alabama held Texas A&M out of the end zone on the last play of the game to dodge an upset, the Tide went down. The Vols scored the most points against an Alabama team since Sewanee put 54 on the Tide in 2007.
The Tide also had 17 penalties for 130 yards, the most during the Saban era, according to ESPN.
Tennessee’s up-tempo offense jumped out to a 21-7 first-quarter lead and led 28-20 at halftime. All four touchdown drives took over two minutes.
Young threw for 205 yards and a touchdown in the first half, while Hooker had 166 yards and two scores. Young wasn’t sacked, but was knocked down five times in the half.
Alabama fumbled Tennessee’s only punt. The Vols recovered and scored four plays later.
THE TAKEAWAY
Alabama: Alabama didn’t have an answer for a Tennessee team that just wouldn’t give up. A late 49-42 lead slipped away.
Tennessee: This was a big jump forward for the program that Josh Heupel is building. Playing in a midseason game that has playoff implications is the first step toward getting a taste of the ultimate success.
NOT AVAILABLE
Two key Tennessee players weren’t available. WR Cedric Tillman, who sustained a high ankle sprain against Akron, didn’t play despite having surgery to speed up the recovery process three weeks ago. This was his third missed game … S Jaylen McCollough, a four-year starter, was arrested for aggravated assault last weekend. He had played in all 41 games since his freshman year with 32 starts.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker has thrown a touchdown pass in 18 consecutive games, tying Heath Shuler’s school record (1992-94), … In one possession in its own territory, Alabama had holding, motion and delay penalties and a fumbled snap that Bryce Young recovered. The Vols got the ball on the Tide 35 and scored four plays later. … Hooker’s third-quarter interception was his first in 260 passes.
OLD SCHOOL
Tennessee had the ball on the Alabama 2. Breaking from the norm, Hooker went under center rather than the shotgun as the Vols were lined up in the I-formation. Fullback Princeton Fant, a tight end who was recruited as a running back, had his first carry since 2018 and scored.
UP NEXT
Alabama: Hosts Mississippi State next Saturday.
Tennessee: Hosts Tennessee-Martin next Saturday.
___
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://apnews.com/cfbtop25
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2022-10-16T04:28:49+00:00 | wtmj.com | https://wtmj.com/sports/2022/10/15/no-6-tennessee-beats-no-3-alabama-52-49-on-late-fg-7/ |
Iran briefly seizes 2 US sea drones in Red Sea amid tensions
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s navy seized two American sea drones in the Red Sea before letting them go Friday as U.S. warships neared, officials said, in the latest maritime incident involving the Navy’s new drone fleet in the Mideast.
Iranian state television aired footage it said came from the deck of the Iranian navy’s Jamaran destroyer, where lifejacket-wearing sailors examined two Saildrone Explorers. They tossed one overboard as another warship could be seen in the distance.
Iran has no coastline along the Red Sea, a crucial international waterway lying between the Arabian Peninsula and northeastern Africa.
State TV said the Iranian navy found “several unmanned spying vessels abandoned in the international maritime routes” on Thursday.
“After two warnings to an American destroyer to prevent possible incidents, Jamaran seized the two vessels,” state TV said. “After securing the international shipping waterway, the Naval Squadron No. 84 released the vessels in a safe area.”
It added: “The U.S Navy was warned to avoid repeating similar incidents in future.”
The U.S. Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet identified the seized drones as Saildrone Explorers. Those drones are commercially available and used by a variety of clients, including scientists, to monitor open waters.
“The unmanned surface vessels were unarmed and taking unclassified photos of the surrounding environment while loitering in an assigned patrol area at least 4 nautical miles from the nearest maritime traffic lane,” the 5th Fleet said.
“The vessels posed no risk to naval traffic and had been operating in the general vicinity of the Southern Red Sea for more than 200 consecutive days without incident.”
The Navy’s guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze and USS Delbert D. Black responded to the seizure at 2 p.m. Thursday and each deployed MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters, the 5th Fleet said. Iran ultimately released the drones at 8 a.m. Friday.
Initially, the Iranian sailors tried to cover the drones with tarps and deny they had them, a U.S. official said. Cameras on the drones also went missing during the incident, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss unpublicized details about the seizure.
This marks the second such incident in recent days as negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers hang in the balance.
The earlier incident that began Monday night involved Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, not its regular navy, and occurred in the Persian Gulf. The Guard towed a Saildrone Explorer before releasing it as an American warship trailed it. Iran had criticized the U.S. Navy for releasing a “Hollywood” video of the incident, only to do the same Friday in the Red Sea incident.
The 5th Fleet launched its unmanned Task Force 59 last year. Drones used by the Navy include ultra-endurance aerial surveillance drones, surface ships like the Sea Hawk and the Sea Hunter and smaller underwater drones that resemble torpedoes.
The 5th Fleet’s area of responsibility includes the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil passes. It also stretches as far as the Red Sea reaches near the Suez Canal, the waterway in Egypt leading to the Mediterranean, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen.
The region has seen a series of maritime attacks in recent years.
Off Yemen in the Red Sea, bomb-laden drone boats and mines set adrift by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have damaged vessels amid that country’s yearslong war. Near the United Arab Emirates and the Strait of Hormuz, oil tankers have been seized by Iranian forces. Others have been attacked in incidents the Navy blames on Iran.
Those attacks came about a year after then-President Donald Trump’s 2018 decision to unilaterally withdraw from Iran’s nuclear deal, in which sanctions on Tehran were lifted in exchange for it drastically limiting its enrichment of uranium.
Negotiations to revive the accord now hang in the balance. The U.S. cast doubt Friday on Iran’s latest written response over the talks.
Iran now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels as officials openly suggest Tehran could build a nuclear bomb if it wishes to. Iran has maintained its program is peaceful, though Western nations and international inspectors say Tehran had a military nuclear program up until 2003.
___
Associated Press journalist Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-03T06:06:13+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/2022/09/03/iran-briefly-seizes-2-us-sea-drones-red-sea-amid-tensions/ |
It's been six months since Russia launched its full scale invasion on Ukraine. Now it's a war of attrition that has led to a global food crisis, inflation across the world and devastation in Ukraine.
Copyright 2022 NPR
It's been six months since Russia launched its full scale invasion on Ukraine. Now it's a war of attrition that has led to a global food crisis, inflation across the world and devastation in Ukraine.
Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-08-24T12:27:38+00:00 | upr.org | https://www.upr.org/2022-08-24/31-years-ago-ukraine-broke-away-from-the-ussr-now-the-battle-is-against-russia |
San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer won't take part in pregame warmups Saturday night, saying the team's decision to wear Pride-themed jerseys in support of the LGBTQ community runs counter to his religious beliefs.
Reimer said in a statement Saturday that he made the decision based on his Christian beliefs, adding that he “always strived to treat everyone with respect” and that members of the LGBTQ community should be welcome in hockey.
“In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions, which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in life,” Reimer said.
Reimer is the second NHL player this season to refuse to take part in warmups with Pride-themed jerseys, with Philadelphia's Ivan Provorov declining to in January. Reimer was not slated to start in Saturday night’s home game against the New York Islanders, which is Pride night.
Additionally, the New York Rangers opted not to wear Pride jerseys or use Pride stick tape as part of their night in January despite previously advertising that plan.
The Sharks said in a statement that they are proud to host Pride Night, saying the event reinforces the team's commitment to inclusiveness.
“As we promote these standards, we also acknowledge and accept the rights of individuals to express themselves, including how or whether they choose to express their beliefs, regardless of the cause or topic," the team said in a statement. “As an organization, we will not waver in our support of the LGBTQIA+ community and continue to encourage others to engage in active allyship.”
The You Can Play Project, which works to promote inclusiveness in sports, said the organization was disappointed in Reimer's actions.
“Religion and respect are not in conflict with each other, and we are certainly disappointed when religion is used as a reason to not support our community,” the organization said. “Wearing pride jerseys, like any celebration jersey worn, is not about the personal feelings of an athlete; rather the communication from the team that a community is welcome in the arena and the sport.”
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-03-18T22:21:47+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/sharks-goalie-james-reimer-declines-to-wear-pride-17847347.php |
MEUSE Gallery’s Carmel location at Ocean Avenue and Monte Verde Street will host its first annual winter wonderland event, with Christmas carolers performing live in the gallery. The event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 2-4pm. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and listen to your favorite Christmas carols performed by the Peninsula Harmony Company singers. Browse the curated collection of beautiful originals by artist Simon Bull. All ages are welcome, and no tickets or reservations are needed. | 2022-12-15T02:14:27+00:00 | montereycountyweekly.com | https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/entertainment/local_inspiration/meuse-gallery-carolers/article_77fe1b0e-7c0e-11ed-a691-fb2c66efa035.html |
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Another one of the 12 railroad unions narrowly approved its deal with the major freight railroads Saturday, offering some hope that the contract dispute might be resolved without a strike even though two other unions rejected their agreements last month.
Now that 52% of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers members who voted approved their deal, seven railroad unions have ratified contracts that include 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses, but all 12 have to approve contracts to prevent a strike.
Concerns remain about the possibility of an economically devastating strike because the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division and Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen unions voted down their contracts, and many workers say these deals just don't address their quality-of life concerns. No strike is imminent because those unions agreed to return to the bargaining table to try to work out a new deal, but those talks have been deadlocked over the unions' demands for paid sick time and there is a Nov. 19 deadline.
The railroads have rejected union demands for paid sick time because they say the deals they've been offering include higher wages that are intended to compensate workers for the lack of sick time and their other quality of life concerns. The railroads want any deal to closely follow the recommendations made this summer by a special panel of arbitrators that President Joe Biden appointed.
The railroads have also maintained that the unions have agreed over the years to forego paid sick leave in favor of better wages and strong short-term disability benefits.
The group that negotiates on behalf of Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, CSX and other railroads said the deal the Machinists approved includes “the largest wage package in nearly five decades” and implements the recommendations the Presidential Emergency Board made.
The deal the Machinists approved this weekend was the second one they voted on after rejecting their first agreement. This one includes all the raises and an additional paid leave day that was in the original deal, but it also included several additional benefits including a cap on health insurance expenses, an agreement that the railroads will study how much overtime employees are being forced to work and a promise that each railroad will negotiate individually over expense reimbursement.
The railroads also promised the Machinists that they won’t force workers to share hotel rooms when they’re on the road for work.
“Our union recognizes that the agreement wasn’t accepted overwhelmingly, so our team will continue conversing with our members at our rail yards across the nation,” the Machinists union's District 19 unit said in a statement. “This agreement is the first step in addressing some of the issues in our industry. Our fight was able to shine a light on the work-life balance issues as well as the lack of proper paid sick leave.”
Three other unions are scheduled to vote later this month, including the largest ones that represent engineers and conductors.
The workers represented by the Machinists union generally have more regular schedules than the engineers and conductors who say the railroads' strict attendance policies keep them on call 24/7. And the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers unions won't even release the results of their votes until after the current Nov. 19 deadline in the BMWED talks.
Because of the fears about a possible strike, business groups have urged Biden and Congress to be ready to intervene if both sides can't reach an agreement. Biden played an active role in securing these original deals back in September, and Congress has the power to block a strike and impose terms on the workers if there is a walkout. | 2022-11-05T20:11:12+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Rail-union-approves-deal-offering-hope-of-17561164.php |
CAIRO — Tribal clashes that erupted this month in Sudan’s southeastern Blue Nile province have displaced thousands so far, the state-run news agency reported on Thursday.
The fighting broke out first in the town of Roseires on Sept. 1. It has killed at least 23 people, including two children, Save the Children said last Sunday. More than 40 people, including 10 children, have been wounded, the London-based charity also said.
In July, the same province saw heavy fighting between the Hausa and Birta ethnic groups that left 105 people dead, hundreds wounded and thousands displaced.
Sudan, home to several long-running ethnic conflicts, has been plunged into chaos since a military coup last year. The takeover upended the country’s short-lived transition to democracy after a popular uprising forced the removal of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.
On Tuesday, the United Nations voiced concern over the renewal of violence in the Blue Nile, urging Sudanese authorities to ensure accountability and the protection of civilians and to create “a conducive environment for the safe voluntary return” of the displaced. | 2022-09-08T15:38:48+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/sudan-says-tribal-clashes-in-southeast-displace-thousands/2022/09/08/a67328ac-2f89-11ed-bcc6-0874b26ae296_story.html |
Tom Segura is an edgelord. He is constantly on the verge of going too far, straddling the line for the lulz. It’s effective, but it keeps the casual fan of his comedy at arm’s length.
That is, until he wrote a series of autobiographical essays titled “I’d Like to Play Alone, Please” and gave the bookish world a window into his heart.
An absolute troll from the start, Segura directly addresses readers and engages with his audience as if he’s up on stage performing a set. Open, funny and insightful like a Marc Maron interview if it was just one comedian talking to himself.
Insights like “use what you have” and “don’t try to prank armed bodyguards” are just a sampling of the life lessons Segura has taken the opportunity to bestow upon the written world.
“I’d Like to Play Alone, Please” is a stereotypically masculine tour de force with farts, football and a third thing starting with “f” that’s not fit to print, occasionally interrupted by completely disarming, heartfelt sentiments. Then followed by more poop jokes.
Amid reflections on his life and self-aware toxic masculinity is a spattering of famous people Segura has met, each one including a selfie before you can finish thinking, “Pics or it didn’t happen.”
Some chapters won’t be new for fans of Segura’s standup – he writes the tale of his accidental overdose nearly exactly the same way he tells it on stage. And if you’re looking to relive Segura highlights like his infamous dunking injury or that time he met Mike Tyson, they’re there, too.
But Segura also offers a peek into his life, revealing how a kid spending wild summers in Peru and making award-winningly bad science projects becomes a podcaster and touring comedian with four Netflix specials. His essays explore his childhood, times that he’s bombed and which of his sons is his favorite and why in well thought-out prose that tells each story in a quirky, inherently Segura manner.
The book is funny, surprising and even sweet at times. Some of the most offensive sections result in the best punchlines, though it’s up to the reader to determine if it’s worth it. Hardcore Segura fans will be right at home, while others caught unaware will be demanding refunds. Segura is polarizing that way. Don’t worry, though – mostly it’s just digs at his friend and fellow comedian Bert Kreischer.
‘I’d Like to Play Alone, Please’ | 2022-06-19T00:35:22+00:00 | abqjournal.com | https://www.abqjournal.com/2509568/whips-quips-in-tom-seguras-newest-book.html |
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Hospitals in Bolivia’s eastern Santa Cruz region struggled Wednesday to keep up with an outbreak of dengue that has killed at least 26 people.
It marks the largest outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the almost 7,000 cases detected since January have been in Santa Cruz, the country’s most populous region, where two of the most lethal variants of the illness have been detected.
“The hospital is full, there’s no more space, patients sleep in the hall in order to be admitted,” Fredy Rojas, a pediatrician at the Santa Cruz Children’s Hospital, told a local radio station. “Many children get here in serious condition and there isn’t enough time to reverse the situation.”
At least 26 people have died, Bolivia’s health ministry said.
Dengue causes flu-like symptoms that most people recover from, but also can rapidly lead to internal bleeding, organ failure and even death. There generally is no specific treatment for the disease, but vaccines are available.
Dengue is endemic in Bolivia and proliferates in the country’s east during its December-to-March rainy season. It is a leading cause of serious illness and death in roughly 120 Latin American and Asian countries. | 2023-02-16T02:03:07+00:00 | kfor.com | https://kfor.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-bolivian-hospitals-under-strain-as-dengue-kills-dozens/ |
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Georgia deputy police chief landed behind bars after authorities said he was busted in a prostitution sting in Polk County, Florida, last Thursday.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said 49-year-old Jason DiPrima of Kingston, Georgia, was arrested Thursday for soliciting a prostitute, a first-degree misdemeanor, and booked into the Polk County Jail, where he was released after paying a $500 bond.
Deputies said DiPrima was in Orlando attending a polygraph training workshop when he answered an online advertisement from an undercover detective who he believed was a prostitute.
“Are you available tonight?” he asked the detective in a text message, according to deputies. “I’d like to come see you — what is your rate?”
Authorities said DiPrima agreed to meet and have sex with the undercover detective, but told her he “got spooked” and asked to meet her the next evening.
The next day, he agreed to meet the detective and pay her $120 for a half-hour of sexual activity, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies said DiPrima showed up at their meeting spot in an undercover police cruiser normally assigned to agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Deputies said DiPrima gave the undercover detective $180 and a multi-pack of White Claw Hard Seltzer. He was promptly arrested.
“What are you thinking?” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. “You just want to go, ‘C’mon man, have you lost the last three brain cells, or do you just have cabbage for brains?’”
The sheriff’s office said DiPrima is employed as the Deputy Chief of Police Administration for Cartersville Police Department where he has served for nearly 30 years He was also a graduate of the FBI academy. The department was notified of the matter. It’s unclear if he was disciplined.
“If all else fails, he can write a book: How to ruin your career in three easy steps,” Judd added.
The arrest was part of a week-long investigation focusing on human trafficking in the Polk County area. Sheriff Grady Judd is expected to share more details about it at a 3 p.m. press conference Tuesday. | 2022-09-08T00:29:16+00:00 | wnct.com | https://www.wnct.com/news/southeast-region/deputy-police-chief-showed-up-at-florida-prostitution-sting-with-180-pack-of-white-claw-sheriff-says/ |
Ryan Gosling playing 'Ken' in new Barbie movie
Gino Salomone joins Real Milwaukee with the details.
Why did one A-list actor say "no thanks" to bacon with his breakfast while filming one movie scene in particular? Plus, playing "Ken" in the new Barbie movie is a whole vide. Gino Salomone joins Real Milwaukee with the details. | 2022-07-14T17:15:49+00:00 | fox6now.com | https://www.fox6now.com/news/ryan-gosling-playing-ken-in-new-barbie-movie |
Expert advice for couples on how to talk about finances
Acorns.com: 68% would rather discuss weight than money
InvestigateTV - The second leading cause of arguments between couples is disagreements about money, according to a 2022 YouGov.com survey.
Virginia Credit Union financial coach Cherry Dale said the best way to avoid these arguments is open conversations with your partner about money and finances.
Dale explained money is a tool to achieve your dreams and goals, but you need to be on the same page as your partner or at least understand their monetary mission.
“So, if money means a sense of security for you, you need to express that if your partner’s spending and then they’re taking away your security,” Dale explained. “Now, if money means freedom and the allowance to do what you want when you want it, then you need to discuss that.”
Broaching the subject could prove difficult for some couples. According to Acorns.com, 68% of people would rather discuss their weight than their finances.
Dale said the best time to talk finances is early in the relationship. She suggested couples talk about their credit and your debt history and discuss how they would handle finances together, whether they merge accounts, keep them separate, or some combination of the two.
Finally, Dale added that a certified financial planner (CFP)could be a big help. A CFP can see the total picture and help you both get started on a plan to reach your goals.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-13T22:59:40+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/2023/02/13/expert-advice-couples-how-talk-about-finances/ |
Big 12 preseason favorite TCU had the best opening weekend in college baseball, knocking off two top-10 opponents in a multi-team event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
There's no relief in sight for a Horned Frogs team playing one of the most ambitious nonconference schedules in the country.
Florida State, among the game's biggest brands and coming off a three-game sweep of James Madison under first-year coach Link Jarrett, visits Fort Worth this weekend. Next it's Dallas Baptist, Michigan and nationally ranked Louisville in a multi-team event in Houston. Then 2022 NCAA Tournament qualifier San Diego visits for three games.
“Every once in a while you kind of look back and go, ‘OK, where is the little take-a-breath weekend?” TCU coach Kirk Saarloos said Monday. “It’s good. You'll find out a lot about yourself... Sometimes you can play a lot of quote-unquote cupcakes and feel great about yourself and then get punched in the face when you play your conference.”
TCU opened with wins of 11-4 over Vanderbilt and 18-6 over Arkansas, and the Horned Frogs start this week ranked as high as No. 8 in the polls. All but one run against Vandy were scored with two outs, and the Horned Frogs collected 19 hits against Arkansas.
Another promising sign was the work of freshman relievers Kole Klecker, Ben Abeldt and Justin Hackett against Arkansas. They combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed four hits and two runs in 7 1/3 innings.
The down side of the weekend was a 9-8, 10-inning loss to Missouri. The Horned Frogs committed five errors, their most in 142 games.
“We kind of gave one away yesterday,” Saarloos said, “but overall it was a solid weekend. We learned a lot, especially in the loss. The margin for error in college baseball is super thin, and now they understand why we run practice the way we do. Those little things are important to win a game.”
IN THE POLLS
LSU (3-0) took care of business in a sweep of Western Michigan and remains the consensus No. 1 team.
D1Baseball.com ranks Stanford (2-1) second and Tennessee (1-2) third. Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball newspaper have Florida (3-0) at No. 2 and Stanford (2-1) at No. 3.
REBELS ROLL
Defending national champion Mississippi outscored Delaware 35-6 in a three-game sweep, with the last two games ending on the 10-run mercy rule.
Jacob Gonzalez hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high seven runs in Sunday's 14-4 win. Peyton Chatagnier was 5 for 8 with two homers in the series, and Ole Miss pitchers struck out 41.
CARDINAL COMEBACK
Stanford pulled off one of the best comebacks of the weekend Sunday. The Cardinal went into the ninth inning down five runs at Cal State Fullerton and outscored the Titans 15-2 the rest of the way for a 21-13 win in 10 innings.
Braden Montgomery hit a three-run double in the ninth to tie it and he pitched the last two innings for the win.
CAL BAPTIST MILESTONE
Cal Baptist opened its fifth season in Division I with the program's first series win over a Power Five opponent. Josiah Chavez's three-run, tie-breaking homer in the eighth inning Sunday lifted the Lancers to a 6-3 win over 2022 national runner-up Oklahoma.
EASY AS 1-2-3
UCLA outscored Omaha 47-2 over three games, finishing the sweep in impressive fashion. Cody Delvecchio struck out the side in the seventh inning, Charles Harrison did the same in the eighth and Luke Jewett ended the game with a nine-pitch ninth.
___
AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 | 2023-02-20T20:05:51+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/college-baseball-notebook-no-break-in-sight-for-17795234.php |
RALEIGH, N.C. — In front of an exuberant crowd, North Carolina's Democratic governor vetoed legislation Saturday that would have banned nearly all abortions in his state after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Abortion-rights activists and voters watched on a plaza in the capital of Raleigh as Gov. Roy Cooper affixed his veto stamp to the bill in an unconventionally public display. The veto launches a major test for leaders of the GOP-controlled General Assembly to attempt an override vote after they recently gained veto-proof majorities in both chambers. The bill was the Republican response to last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
"We're going to have to kick it into an even higher gear when that veto stamp comes down," Cooper told the crowd. "If just one Republican in either the House or the Senate keeps a campaign promise to protect women's reproductive health, we can stop this ban."
Andrea Long, a 42-year-old mother of three from Cary, said she was honored be part of the "electric" crowd on what she called a "historic day for freedom" in North Carolina.
"I couldn't stop crying tears of joy seeing the governor hold up the veto stamp, but I know it's an uphill battle to keep this momentum going," Long said. In a statement provided late Saturday through Cooper's office, State Capitol Police Deputy Chief Terry Green said the crowd estimate was over 2,000 people.
Cooper, a strong abortion-rights supporter, had until Sunday night to act on the measure that tightens current state law, which bans most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The legislation passed along party lines last week in the House and Senate. Override voting could begin next week.
Cooper spent this week on the road talking about the bill's lesser-known details and urging residents to apply pressure upon key Republican lawmakers who were hesitant about further restrictions during their campaigns for office last year.
Republicans have pitched the measure as a middle-ground change to state abortion laws developed after months of private negotiations between House and Senate GOP members. It adds exceptions to the 12-week ban, extending the limit through 20 weeks for rape and incest and through 24 weeks for "life-limiting" fetal anomalies.
Senate leader Phil Berger accused Cooper on Saturday of "feeding the public lies" and "bullying" members of his party to block the legislation. "I look forward to promptly overriding his veto," he said in a statement.
Cooper has said repeatedly the details contained in the 47-page bill show that the measure isn't a reasonable compromise and would instead greatly erode reproductive rights. He cites new obstacles for women to obtain abortions — such as requiring multiple in-person visits, additional paperwork to prove a patient has given their informed consent to an abortion and increased regulation of clinics providing the procedure.
Cooper and allies have said those changes in practice will shut down clinics that cannot afford major upgrades mandated by new licensing standards and make it nearly impossible for women who live in rural areas or work long hours to access abortion services.
Compared to recent actions by Republican-controlled legislatures elsewhere, the broad prohibition after 12 weeks can be viewed as less onerous to those in other states where the procedure has been banned almost completely. But abortion-rights activists have argued that it's more restrictive than meets the eye and will have far-reaching consequences. Since Roe was overturned, many patients traveling from more restrictive states have become dependent on North Carolina as a locale for abortions later in pregnancy.
Republicans call the legislation pro-family and pro-child, pointing to at least $160 million in spending contained within for maternal health services, foster and adoption care, contraceptive access and paid leave for teachers and state employees after the birth of a child.
Cooper has called out four GOP legislators — three House members and one senator — whom he said told voters last year that they would protect abortion access. Abortion-rights activists passed out fliers in the crowd Saturday with their names and office phone numbers. Anti-abortion groups criticized Cooper's cross-state campaign to sway one or more Republicans.
"The way he's been showing up in their districts and harassing their constituents, it's disgusting," said Wes Bryant, one of about 60 anti-abortion protesters gathered across the street from Cooper's rally for a prayer event.
One of the House members Cooper singled out is Rep. Tricia Cotham, of Mecklenburg County, who voted for the bill mere weeks after she switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP. The move gave Republicans a veto-proof supermajority if all of their legislators are present and voting.
Cotham has spoken out for abortion rights in the past and even earlier this year co-sponsored a bill to codify abortion protections into state law. Rep. Ted Davis of Wilmington — another targeted legislator — was the only Republican absent from last week's initial House vote. The Senate margin already became veto-proof after GOP gains last November.
Davis said last fall that he supported "what the law is in North Carolina right now," which was a 20-week limit. Davis has declined to comment on the bill, but House Speaker Tim Moore said recently that Davis is a "yes" vote for an override.
Like Berger, Moore accused Cooper of spreading misinformation about the bill "to frighten voters" and predicted a swift override in his chamber.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-05-14T13:48:17+00:00 | kpcc.org | https://www.kpcc.org/npr-news/2023-05-14/north-carolinas-governor-vetoed-a-12-week-abortion-ban-setting-up-an-override-fight |
In this week's StoryCorps, the daughter of a Cambodian family in the Bronx and a Puerto Rican from Manhattan talk about their meeting, their marriage and life together.
Copyright 2023 NPR
In this week's StoryCorps, the daughter of a Cambodian family in the Bronx and a Puerto Rican from Manhattan talk about their meeting, their marriage and life together.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-03-03T11:25:44+00:00 | mainepublic.org | https://www.mainepublic.org/2023-03-03/the-unexpected-ways-cultural-differences-shaped-a-couples-relationship |
The state-by-state winning lottery numbers through Wednesday:
7-8-9
(seven, eight, nine)
14-15-24-30-34
(fourteen, fifteen, twenty-four, thirty, thirty-four)
07-12-23-28-30-41
(seven, twelve, twenty-three, twenty-eight, thirty, forty-one)
09-18-23-31-38-42
(nine, eighteen, twenty-three, thirty-one, thirty-eight, forty-two)
Estimated jackpot: $453,000
3-2-5
(three, two, five)
9-2-5
(nine, two, five)
0-1-6-6
(zero, one, six, six)
1-9-6-7
(one, nine, six, seven)
04-06-11-29-32-36, Bonus: 40
(four, six, eleven, twenty-nine, thirty-two, thirty-six; Bonus: forty)
11-12-35-36-37
(eleven, twelve, thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven)
Estimated jackpot: $90,000
7-8-7
(seven, eight, seven)
1-3-4
(one, three, four)
7-7-2-1
(seven, seven, two, one)
1st:2 Lucky Star-2nd:3 Hot Shot-3rd:4 Big Ben, Race Time: 1:41.70
(1st: 2 Lucky Star, 2nd: 3 Hot Shot, 3rd: 4 Big Ben; Race Time: one: 41.70)
01-12-18-25-35
(one, twelve, eighteen, twenty-five, thirty-five)
05-20-25-26-28
(five, twenty, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-eight)
20-21-25-26-33-39
(twenty, twenty-one, twenty-five, twenty-six, thirty-three, thirty-nine)
09-11-13-16-33-38
(nine, eleven, thirteen, sixteen, thirty-three, thirty-eight)
7-7-0
(seven, seven, zero)
6-0-1, WB: 7
(six, zero, one; WB: seven)
2-6-2-0, WB: 1
(two, six, two, zero; WB: one)
09-13-16-23-27-32
(nine, thirteen, sixteen, twenty-three, twenty-seven, thirty-two)
Estimated jackpot: $80,000
2-3-4
(two, three, four)
4-8-8
(four, eight, eight)
1-0-3-7
(one, zero, three, seven)
7-6-6-2
(seven, six, six, two)
9-4
(nine, four)
4-0
(four, zero)
8-6-3
(eight, six, three)
8-3-5
(eight, three, five)
8-7-9-4
(eight, seven, nine, four)
0-8-6-9
(zero, eight, six, nine)
0-8-1-0-8
(zero, eight, one, zero, eight)
1-2-4-9-6
(one, two, four, nine, six)
14
(fourteen)
08
(eight)
14
(fourteen)
2-6, FB: 3
(two, six; FB: three)
7-3, FB:
(seven, three; FB: zero)
5-5-6, FB: 3
(five, five, six; FB: three)
1-3-5, FB:
(one, three, five; FB: zero)
7-0-5-9, FB: 3
(seven, zero, five, nine; FB: three)
8-7-7-4, FB:
(eight, seven, seven, four; FB: zero)
6-9-6-9-8, FB: 3
(six, nine, six, nine, eight; FB: three)
3-1-9-3-5, FB:
(three, one, nine, three, five; FB: zero)
2-9-5
(two, nine, five)
8-4-0
(eight, four, zero)
8-4-8-0
(eight, four, eight, zero)
6-4-6-9
(six, four, six, nine)
7-3-3-9-6
(seven, three, three, nine, six)
6-3-0-4-9
(six, three, zero, four, nine)
9-1-5
(nine, one, five)
3-9-9
(three, nine, nine)
9-3-0-8
(nine, three, zero, eight)
9-4-3-9
(nine, four, three, nine)
04-11-18-19-28
(four, eleven, eighteen, nineteen, twenty-eight)
01-18-22-37-42
(one, eighteen, twenty-two, thirty-seven, forty-two)
Estimated jackpot: $300,000
03-05-08-09-14-19-20-22-23-25-47-48-53-54-60-62-65-71-76-79, BE: 5
(three, five, eight, nine, fourteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-five, forty-seven, forty-eight, fifty-three, fifty-four, sixty, sixty-two, sixty-five, seventy-one, seventy-six, seventy-nine; BE: five)
1-8-6, SB: 2
(one, eight, six; SB: two)
8-5-9-0, SB: 2
(eight, five, nine, zero; SB: two)
5-6-2
(five, six, two)
6-9-5-4
(six, nine, five, four)
1-3-3
(one, three, three)
2-6-4
(two, six, four)
09-12-17-25-28, Cash Ball: 20
(nine, twelve, seventeen, twenty-five, twenty-eight; Cash Ball: twenty)
3-6-7
(three, six, seven)
3-3-6-1
(three, three, six, one)
JD-5C-6C-8C-6S
(JD, 5C, 6C, 8C, 6S)
07-08-22-25-38, Bonus: 21
(seven, eight, twenty-two, twenty-five, thirty-eight; Bonus: twenty-one)
4-0-6
(four, zero, six)
0-4-7
(zero, four, seven)
5-4-8-7
(five, four, eight, seven)
4-9-7-4
(four, nine, seven, four)
6-8-0-2-0
(six, eight, zero, two, zero)
1-7-0-5-4
(one, seven, zero, five, four)
03-10-15-22-24
(three, ten, fifteen, twenty-two, twenty-four)
04-09-19-28-33-44, ST: 8
(four, nine, nineteen, twenty-eight, thirty-three, forty-four; ST: eight)
Estimated jackpot: $2,900,000
1-4-2-2
(one, four, two, two)
6-4-6-3
(six, four, six, three)
06-18-26-28-45-47
(six, eighteen, twenty-six, twenty-eight, forty-five, forty-seven)
Estimated jackpot: $1,150,000
05-20-22-33-37
(five, twenty, twenty-two, thirty-three, thirty-seven)
01-07-11-25-36-38
(one, seven, eleven, twenty-five, thirty-six, thirty-eight)
KS-5C-9H-10H-10S
(KS, 5C, 9H, 10H, 10S)
6-5-3
(six, five, three)
2-9-3-8
(two, nine, three, eight)
7-0-2
(seven, zero, two)
0-7-8-5
(zero, seven, eight, five)
08-09-17-23-29
(eight, nine, seventeen, twenty-three, twenty-nine)
Estimated jackpot: $105,000
02-05-09-10-11-15-21-30-31-34-39-41-42-48-53-55-57-58-59-63-65-74
(two, five, nine, ten, eleven, fifteen, twenty-one, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-four, thirty-nine, forty-one, forty-two, forty-eight, fifty-three, fifty-five, fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty-three, sixty-five, seventy-four)
14-31-34-39-46
(fourteen, thirty-one, thirty-four, thirty-nine, forty-six)
Estimated jackpot: $400,000
07-18-22-24-29
(seven, eighteen, twenty-two, twenty-four, twenty-nine)
Estimated jackpot: $80,000
4-8-0
(four, eight, zero)
01-17-25-30-42-43
(one, seventeen, twenty-five, thirty, forty-two, forty-three)
4-9-8
(four, nine, eight)
3-7-0
(three, seven, zero)
5-6-0-0
(five, six, zero, zero)
2-4-2-8
(two, four, two, eight)
02-14-20-27-29
(two, fourteen, twenty, twenty-seven, twenty-nine)
03-13-22-26, Bonus: 9
(three, thirteen, twenty-two, twenty-six; Bonus: nine)
Month: 7, Day: 29, Year: 53
(Month: seven; Day: twenty-nine; Year: fifty-three)
3-3-7, Fireball: 3
(three, three, seven; Fireball: three)
2-5-2-6, Fireball: 3
(two, five, two, six; Fireball: three)
1-2-0
(one, two, zero)
5-0-2-5
(five, zero, two, five)
15-21-24-30-32
(fifteen, twenty-one, twenty-four, thirty, thirty-two)
4-4-9
(four, four, nine)
8-7-1-4
(eight, seven, one, four)
01-02-08-14-15-21-22-25-27-41-45-57-63-64-65-68-69-71-72-78
(one, two, eight, fourteen, fifteen, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-five, twenty-seven, forty-one, forty-five, fifty-seven, sixty-three, sixty-four, sixty-five, sixty-eight, sixty-nine, seventy-one, seventy-two, seventy-eight)
05-09-21-25-35-42, Bonus: 45
(five, nine, twenty-one, twenty-five, thirty-five, forty-two; Bonus: forty-five)
Estimated jackpot: $17,400,000
0-9-6, Fireball: 8
(zero, nine, six; Fireball: eight)
4-6-2-1, Fireball: 3
(four, six, two, one; Fireball: three)
02-12-17-20-23-31, Kicker: 1-6-6-3-6-7
(two, twelve, seventeen, twenty, twenty-three, thirty-one; Kicker: one, six, six, three, six, seven)
Estimated jackpot: $4,200,000
5-0-4
(five, zero, four)
3-1-0
(three, one, zero)
5-7-6-4
(five, seven, six, four)
4-5-0-7
(four, five, zero, seven)
9-9-4-4-5
(nine, nine, four, four, five)
2-9-9-6-7
(two, nine, nine, six, seven)
01-04-18-19-28
(one, four, eighteen, nineteen, twenty-eight)
Estimated jackpot: $140,000
10-12-17-22-33
(ten, twelve, seventeen, twenty-two, thirty-three)
2-1-7
(two, one, seven)
02-06-09-16-17-23-25-30
(two, six, nine, sixteen, seventeen, twenty-three, twenty-five, thirty)
Estimated jackpot: $17,000
3-0-7-1
(three, zero, seven, one)
6-7-8-1
(six, seven, eight, one)
8-3-0-8
(eight, three, zero, eight)
02-09-16-28-38
(two, nine, sixteen, twenty-eight, thirty-eight)
Estimated jackpot: $300,000
20-22-23-25-33-36
(twenty, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-five, thirty-three, thirty-six)
Estimated jackpot: $680,000
0-6, Wild: 7
(zero, six; Wild: seven)
9-0, Wild: 4
(nine, zero; Wild: four)
3-5-7, Wild: 7
(three, five, seven; Wild: seven)
9-8-9, Wild: 4
(nine, eight, nine; Wild: four)
7-0-2-7, Wild: 7
(seven, zero, two, seven; Wild: seven)
2-6-4-8, Wild: 4
(two, six, four, eight; Wild: four)
7-8-2-8-4, Wild: 7
(seven, eight, two, eight, four; Wild: seven)
0-1-9-0-1, Wild: 4
(zero, one, nine, zero, one; Wild: four)
08-12-17-20-24
(eight, twelve, seventeen, twenty, twenty-four)
Estimated jackpot: $12,000
0-4-6-0
(zero, four, six, zero)
6-9-7-9
(six, nine, seven, nine)
06-21-26-28-35, Extra: 16
(six, twenty-one, twenty-six, twenty-eight, thirty-five; Extra: sixteen)
Estimated jackpot: $30,000
03-10-17-19-26, Power-Up: 2
(three, ten, seventeen, nineteen, twenty-six; Power, Up: two)
2-4-4, FB: 6
(two, four, four; FB: six)
2-0-6, FB: 7
(two, zero, six; FB: seven)
4-2-9-5, FB: 6
(four, two, nine, five; FB: six)
3-1-3-3, FB: 7
(three, one, three, three; FB: seven)
7-5-0, Wild: 5
(seven, five, zero; Wild: five)
0-0-6, Wild: 9
(zero, zero, six; Wild: nine)
4-0-9, Wild: 1
(four, zero, nine; Wild: one)
9-0-8-0, Wild: 2
(nine, zero, eight, zero; Wild: two)
6-6-3-0, Wild: 4
(six, six, three, zero; Wild: four)
8-6-6-0, Wild: 5
(eight, six, six, zero; Wild: five)
09-10-17-26-32
(nine, ten, seventeen, twenty-six, thirty-two)
Estimated jackpot: $80,000
01-03-05-06-07-10-15-16-18-20-21-24
(one, three, five, six, seven, ten, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-four)
01-06-07-11-14-16-17-18-19-20-23-24
(one, six, seven, eleven, fourteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-three, twenty-four)
05-06-07-08-10-11-12-15-16-18-20-21
(five, six, seven, eight, ten, eleven, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty, twenty-one)
7-2-8-5, FIREBALL: 9
(seven, two, eight, five; FIREBALL: nine)
9-1-3-6, FIREBALL: 4
(nine, one, three, six; FIREBALL: four)
1-1-8-2, FIREBALL: 6
(one, one, eight, two; FIREBALL: six)
2-6-2, FIREBALL: 7
(two, six, two; FIREBALL: seven)
2-5-7, FIREBALL: 6
(two, five, seven; FIREBALL: six)
7-1-3, FIREBALL: 6
(seven, one, three; FIREBALL: six)
11
(eleven)
08
(eight)
04
(four)
5-2-5, FB: 2
(five, two, five; FB: two)
6-9-7-4, FB: 9
(six, nine, seven, four; FB: nine)
9-1-6
(nine, one, six)
2-2-7-8
(two, two, seven, eight)
01-03-05-07-08-10-11-12-13-17-19
(one, three, five, seven, eight, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, seventeen, nineteen)
6-4-2
(six, four, two)
4-8-2-0
(four, eight, two, zero) | 2023-01-19T05:09:20+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/lottery/article/Lottery-State-by-State-All-17727026.php |
Lottery winner plans to use money to make canes for Purple Heart veterans
Published: Jan. 25, 2023 at 1:51 PM CST|Updated: 44 minutes ago
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Gray News) – A man in Virginia who won $1 million playing Mega Millions plans to use part of the earnings to give back to veterans.
According to the Virginia Lottery, when Bill Pickens collected his prize earlier this month, he said he wanted to use part of his winnings to help make canes for Purple Heart recipients who need them.
Pickens bought his ticket online from the Virginia Lottery on his phone and matched the first five numbers in the July 22, 2022 drawing to win $1 million. The only number he didn’t match was the Mega Ball number.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-25T20:36:24+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/2023/01/25/lottery-winner-plans-use-money-make-canes-purple-heart-veterans/ |
North American Banking Company's ExcheQ App Will Enable Customers to Send and Receive Instant Payments Between Any Financial Institution on the TCH-RTP Network
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Open Payment Network (OPN) and North American Banking Company (NABC) today announced the capability to deliver instant payments to and from any financial institution on The Clearing House's Real Time Payment (TCH-RTP) network through NABC's ExcheQ application. By leveraging OPN's certified interoperability with TCH-RTP, NABC can offer customers more payment options along with the payment speed for which ExcheQ is known.
"We've been working closely with OPN to develop this instant payment solution for our customers," said North American Banking Company CEO Michael Bilski. "Now that OPN is officially certified on the TCH-RTP network, we can dramatically expand the number of financial institutions that our customers can interact with via ExcheQ."
Leveraging OPN's interoperability with the TCH-RTP network, financial institutions can gain access to all of the other financial institutions on the RTP Network. Using OPN's open API, financial institutions can easily create custom instant payment applications for their customers and rely on OPN to power those solutions across the RTP network.
"The Clearing House recently certified our platform to interoperate with the RTP network," said Open Payment Network CEO Bradley Wilkes. "With our ability to connect to this expansive real-time payment network, we can now deliver the benefits of instant payments to more financial institutions, like North American Banking Company."
Real-time payments are facilitated by The Clearing House RTP network and soon by the FedNow service. OPN is interoperable with RTP and is part of the FedNow pilot program.
North American Banking Company (nabankco.com) is a locally owned and operated community bank with over $1 billion in assets with locations throughout the Twin Cities. North American Banking Company was the 23rd largest ACH ODFI in the US by transaction volume in 2021 but remains true to its community bank roots by providing customized solutions and personalized service to Third Party Senders and Independent Sales Organizations for both ACH and Card processing and Money Services Businesses throughout the US. It is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
Open Payment Network (OPN) helps financial institutions attract and retain more customers and stay ahead of the competition by enabling them to deliver instant payments anytime, anywhere. By connecting to OPN's secure technology platform, financial institutions become the gateway for instant payments via Internet and mobile device. The OPN platform integrates with existing core systems and moves payment value and associated data in real time for immediate settlement. Financial institutions can provide access to the OPN API so business customers, fintech developers and internal teams can create applications such as instant mortgage payments, payroll processing, and peer-to-peer payments. Visit openpaymentnetwork.us.
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SOURCE Open Payment Network | 2022-08-02T15:56:02+00:00 | mysuncoast.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/open-payment-network-power-north-american-banking-company-instant-payment-solution/ |
- Ten consecutive months of yearly month-over-month growth
CAMDEN, N.J., June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today reported sales of 54,531 vehicles for May 2023, a 28.2 percent increase compared with May 2022 (42,526). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 248,924, a 12.8 percent increase compared with the same period in 2022.
"We'd like to thank our retailers for going above and beyond in this tenth consecutive month of sales growth, with a 28% increase compared with May 2022," said Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "Subaru and our retailers are committed to building lifelong relationships with our customers and we're thrilled to see this reflected not only in sales figures, but also in acknowledgements such as earning the number one ranking for customer satisfaction with dealership service among Mass Market Car Owners in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study."
In May, Outback was the top performer by volume with 17,146 vehicle sales. BRZ sales for May 2023 increased 217.4 percent over the same month in 2022, while Impreza posted a 126 percent increase in May. Forester sales for May 2023 increased 92.5 percent, and Ascent sales increased 20.4 percent compared to May 2022.
"Heading into summer, our sales momentum continues, and we significantly exceeded our May 2022 results," said Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales. "As road-trip season gets underway, our adventure-ready vehicles and Subaru Wilderness lineup continue to capture the imagination of consumers looking to explore the open road."
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Dominick Infante
Director, Corporate Communications
(856) 488-8615
dinfante@subaru.com
Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com
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SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc. | 2023-06-01T18:23:01+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/06/01/subaru-america-inc-may-sales-surge-28-percent/ |
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) —
The Tampa Bay Rays extended Major League Baseball's best start in 20 years behind Jeffrey Springs' seven innings of three-hit ball and Randy Arozarena's four RBIs, routing the Oakland Athletics 11-0 Saturday for an 8-0 record.
Tampa Bay is the first big league team to open 8-0 since the 2003 Kansas City Royals won their first nine games. The Rays have outscored opponents 64-18 and are the first team to win its first eight games by four or more runs since the 1884 St. Louis Maroons of the Union Association did it in their first 13.
No team had won eight straight games by that margin at any point in a season since the 1939 Yankees did it 10 times in a row.
Isaac Paredes and Brandon Lowe had three RBIs each for the Rays.
Springs (2-0), coming off six, no-hit innings in his season debut against Detroit, gave up a leadoff single in the first to Esteury Ruiz. He struck out seven, raising his total to 19 in 13 innings.
Shintaro Fujinami (0-2) allowed five runs, three hits, four walks and hit a batter over 4 1/3 innings in his second major league start. The right-hander didn't allow a hit until Wander Franco's infield single with one out in the fourth.
Fujinami, who signed as free agent in January after pitching 10 years for Hanshin of Japan's Central League, allowed eight runs over 2 1/3 innings in a 13-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in his big league debut on April 1. His next start could be at home against the Mets' Kodai Senga.
Oakland, which had just three hits, has lost six of eight and is batting .209.
Tampa Bay scored three times in the fifth to go up 5-0 on three hit batters, two walks and a single. Arozarena ended Fujinami's day on a two-run single, and Paredes picked up an RBI when hit by a pitch from Sam Noll.
Arozarena had a two-run homer in the ninth off Carlos Pérez, usually a catcher.
Manuel Margot had a solo homer and Lowe added a three-run drive in the sixth off Domingo Acevedo.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: RHP Paul Blackburn (right middle finger avulsion) started a rehab assignment Friday night with Class A Stockton and now will join Triple-A Las Vegas.
Rays: CF Jose Siri was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained right hamstring.
UP NEXT
Tampa Bay RHP Drew Rasmussen (1-0) and Oakland RHP James Kaprielian (0-0) are Sunday’s starters,
___
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-04-08T23:23:40+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/rays-season-opening-winning-streak-at-8-beat-a-s-17886526.php |
In the days since Tennessee officials released video footage of Memphis police officers brutally beating Tyre Nichols, law enforcement has faced a new wave of criticism.
Some of it has focused on how authorities initially described the incident – and what the videos actually show.
According to a statement from the Memphis Police Department the day after Nichols was beaten, officers pulled over a suspect on suspicion of reckless driving and "a confrontation occurred." The suspect fled, police followed and "another confrontation occurred."
(The statement notes that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was looking into the stop "due to the suspect's condition.")
Video footage released Friday, taken from officers' body cameras and a street surveillance camera, shows a different story. In the videos, police quickly yank Nichols from his car, shout obscenities and threats, and then pepper spray him. Nichols flees, and when police finally catch him a second time, officers kick him, hit him with a baton and repeatedly punch him in the head while he's being restrained.
For some, the discrepancy between the initial police statement and what was captured on video brought to mind previous instances in which law enforcement's initial statement about a violent encounter was vague, misleading or false.
Critics say the unclear and obfuscatory language police sometimes use to describe violent incidents to the public can further damage trust with communities that may already be skeptical of law enforcement.
"To the extent that you're putting out statements that are indicating one thing and then the video footage released later on shows completely the opposite, that definitely is problematic for trying to build police-community relations," Andrea Headley, a professor at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, told NPR.
Footage of high-profile incidents has bred skepticism of police accounts
On May 25, 2020, the Minneapolis Police Department said officers responded to a forgery in progress and arrested a suspect. "Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress," a press release read. "Officers called for an ambulance."
The man was George Floyd, and video footage of the incident captured by a bystander showed former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes while Floyd repeatedly pleaded, "I can't breathe!" Floyd died that day.
When the New York Police Department disclosed Eric Garner's death in 2014, a police spokesperson said a man was "being placed in custody, went into cardiac arrest and died," according to a New York Daily News article at the time.
But video shot by a bystander showed former NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo putting Garner in a chokehold until he went unconscious. New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled Garner's death a homicide.
In 2018, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office first said that 23-year-old Dujuan Armstrong died of a drug overdose inside the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, Calif. But as the Guardian reported, body-camera footage released later showed that officers put Armstrong in a restraining jacket and a spit mask before he became unresponsive. An autopsy found that Armstrong died of asphyxiation due to the restraints.
Headley, the Georgetown professor, said police have a number of reasons for issuing vague statements early on in use-of-force investigations, including the possibility that the authors of the statements may not have all the facts.
For example, John Elder was the Minneapolis Police Department's public information director in 2020 and wrote the initial statement about Floyd's death. He told the Los Angeles Times that he got his information from sergeants and computer-aided dispatch, and that he hadn't seen any video footage of the encounter before writing the press release.
"This had literally zero intent to deceive or be dishonest or disingenuous. Had we known that this [situation] was what we saw on the video, that statement would have been completely different," Elder told the newspaper.
Headley also said statements could be vague because investigators are still gathering evidence, or police leadership may not want to admit to a mistake or damage morale by condemning an officer's actions too quickly.
"But I think really where the conflict comes in is when there are discrepancies in the report or in the statements that are put out that don't match the evidence when it comes out. And when the language that is used is particularly one that tries to abdicate responsibility," she said.
Even after violent incidents, there are ways police departments can try to build trust, Headley suggested.
She said she worked with one agency that would bring in community leaders for an explanation of an incident before discussing it with the media. Departments can also acknowledge if they are still looking into what happened, she said, including if they haven't reviewed any video evidence yet.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-01-31T11:00:08+00:00 | knkx.org | https://www.knkx.org/2023-01-31/police-statements-tell-the-first-version-of-an-incident-then-video-footage-comes-out |
Tuesday, October 4th 2022, 2:06 pm
Delegates of Colombia’s government and the nation’s largest remaining guerrilla group met on Tuesday and announced that they will restart peace talks that were suspended in 2018.
After meeting in Venezuela’s capital city, representatives of the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army issued a statement saying a start date for the peace talks would be announced after the first week of November. The statement also added that Norway, Venezuela and Cuba would be “guarantor states” in the talks, and that the participation of civil society groups would be “essential” for the peace talks to succeed.
A place for the talks has not yet been announced, though ELN commander Antonio Garcia suggested that different stages of the negotiations could be held in Cuba, Norway and Venezuela.
The ELN was founded in the 1960s by students, union leaders and priests that drew inspiration from Cuba’s revolution. The group is believed to have around 4,000 fighters in Colombia and is also present in Venezuela where it runs illegal gold mines and drug trafficking routes.
Following a 2016 peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the ELN became the nation’s largest remaining guerrilla group. Since then it has increased its activities in territories that were formerly under FARC control. The group is known for staging kidnappings for ransom and attacks on oil infrastructure and has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
Colombia’s recently elected President Gustavo Petro is the nation’s first leftist leader and has promised to make peace deals with the ELN and several other armed groups in Colombia. He has shifted away from the strategy of the previous government, which suspended talks with the ELN after the rebels refused to stop attacking military targets.
In a press conference that followed the meeting between both sides, Colombia’s Peace Comissioner Danilo Rueda said that the ELN had shown changes in its behavior which had enabled it to gain the goverment’s trust. Rueda said that the rebel group had recently released hostages and scaled back attacks against the Colombian military.
The ELN did not disclose any details on what it would seek in exchange for laying down its weapons. But the commander, Garcia, hinted that the group was looking for political and economic changes.
“The way to look for peace is not just by thinking about weapons but by attacking the root causes of this conflict which are inequality and the lack of democracy,” Garcia said.
In the 2016 peace deal with the FARC, Colombia gave the rebel group 10 seats in the nation’s congress as well as the possibility of forming its own political party, while rebel leaders who collaborated with a transitional justice system were able to evade prison sentences. Colombia’s government also agreed to financing land titling schemes and rural development projects as part of the peace deal.
October 4th, 2022
October 2nd, 2022
September 8th, 2022
July 26th, 2022
October 5th, 2022
October 5th, 2022
October 5th, 2022 | 2022-10-05T15:06:47+00:00 | news9.com | https://www.news9.com/story/633c85c58a6c760e79668579/colombia-and-eln-rebels-to-restart-peace-talks |
(KRON) — An overturned big rig on westbound Highway 24 east of Highway 13 in Oakland is blocking the two right lanes of traffic. The truck overturned as a result of a traffic collision with injuries, according to an alert from 511SFBay.
The accident backed up traffic all the way through the Caldecott Tunnel into Orinda.
The traffic disruption has come at a time when many fans are heading to Chase Center to watch Game 6 of the Golden State Warriors NBA Playoffs matchup with the Sacramento Kings. The game has an early start time of 5 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | 2023-04-29T01:45:12+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/overturned-big-rig-on-highway-24-snarls-friday-commute/ |
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