text stringlengths 80 124k | date_download stringdate 2022-04-02 20:48:07 2023-07-31 23:59:06 | source_domain stringclasses 387 values | url stringlengths 21 528 |
|---|---|---|---|
CHICAGO, April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Security Equipment Corporation (SEC) has announced the release of a new SABRE 0.68 Caliber Irritant Projectile Carbine Launcher designed specifically for law enforcement, corrections, and military personnel. The launcher is a semi-automatic fully pneumatic solution that helps maintain order and control in chaotic situations from a safe distance.
High-performance features of the SABRE 0.68 Caliber Irritant Projectile launcher include:
- Protection at a Distance - Direct impact up to 60Feet (18.3 m) with area saturation up to 175 Feet (53 m)
- Continuous Fire - the 30 cubic inch /3000psi High Pressure Air (HPA) tank provides up to 300 shots per fill
- Form Familiarity - Easy to Handle and Deploy
- Projectile Feed Source: Fully Mechanical Spring-Loaded Feed System Hopper (No batteries)
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Safety: Selector Lever Type – Ambidextrous
- Ergonomic Offset Collapsible Stock
- Front Forward Mounted Grip
- Integrated Sling Mount
The launcher is available in yellow (SL-R11) or orange (SL-R12) and comes with SABRE's line of 0.68 Caliber Projectiles available separately.
With the release of the SABRE 0.68 Caliber Irritant Projectile Launcher, SEC continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions that enable law enforcement personnel to carry out their duties effectively and safely.
Mike Patterson, Head of SABRE Law Enforcement Sales, said, "Dedicated to serving the needs of the law enforcement and corrections community, we are proud and excited to introduce this tool, which helps give officers increased safety when in need."
In 2022, SEC earned the E3187-19 certification, the highest quality standard globally for duty belt law enforcement aerosol irritant projectors.
SABRE Security Equipment Corporation is a global leader in personal safety and security. For over four decades, SABRE has provided law enforcement, military, and civilian customers with reliable and effective products, including pepper spray, stun guns, and personal alarms. SABRE is committed to developing innovative solutions that empower individuals and organizations to protect themselves and their communities. The company's products are backed by extensive research and development, testing, and quality control processes. SABRE is headquartered in Missouri and operates globally through a network of distributors and retailers. For more information, visit www.sabrered.com/le-launcher.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE SABRE- Security Equipment Corporation | 2023-04-26T15:22:51+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/04/26/sabre-releases-new-law-enforcement-068-caliber-irritant-projectile-launcher/ |
Milwaukee 35th and Wright shooting: 9-year-old boy hurt
MILWAUKEE - A nine-year-old boy was shot and wounded in Milwaukee Monday night, June 26. It happened around 9:20 p.m. near 35th and Wright.
The boy was taken to the hospital for treatment of a non-fatal injury. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation.
No arrests have been made.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips. | 2023-06-27T11:22:43+00:00 | fox6now.com | https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-35th-wright-shooting-9-year-old-boy-hurt |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I'm a contractor and I needed a better way to enhance traction and disperse my weight when working on moss-covered cement tile roofs," said an inventor, from Aloha, Ore., "so I invented the GECCO SHOES. My design could help to reduce the incidence of slipping and falling and it could prevent damage to fragile roofing materials."
The patent-pending invention increases foot traction while working on steep roofs. It also helps to disperse the wearer's weight load on fragile roofing materials. As a result, it enhances safety and it provides added peace of mind. The invention features a practical design that is easy to position and use so it is ideal for roofers and roofing contractors. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Portland sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 21-PTA-123, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE InventHelp | 2022-09-30T16:58:23+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/09/30/inventhelp-inventor-develops-footwear-accessory-roofers-pta-123/ |
Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints surprised many Tuesday when they announced their support for the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill enshrining protections for marriage equality that cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Wednesday. This bill, the church stated, “includes appropriate religious freedom protections while respecting the law and preserving the rights of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters,” and it is therefore “the way forward” for the nation to address the topic.
Observers correctly noted the seismic departure from the Mormon Church’s traditional staunch opposition to same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights. From the 1990s through the Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell decision legalizing LGBTQ marriage across America, Latter-day Saints were at the forefront of the fight to maintain the “traditional” definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.
But this new statement is less surprising when viewed in the context of changing LDS thinking over the past decade. Even as it has tried to acknowledge the changing broader cultural circumstances, the church has also battled to protect the right to vigorously police boundaries around gender and sexuality for its members.
The Mormon Church’s organized opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage originated in the wake of its successful contribution to the campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s. This activism earned Mormons a place in the ascendant religious right. It also proved the church’s ability to mobilize over “moral” issues in a way that flexed its cultural influence without explicitly aligning with a political party. The campaign laid the groundwork for future incursions into legal battles over what the LDS Church deemed “traditional” gender roles, which had become increasingly central to the faith’s identity since World War II. Latter-day Saints leaders had bought into the conservative myth — cultivated in the culture wars — that defending these principles was crucial to society’s future, and they were also interested in entrenching patriarchal power.
With these lessons freshly enshrined, the church appointed Dallin H. Oaks, a conservative Utah Supreme Court justice who many expected would be Ronald Reagan’s next pick for the U.S. high court, as a new apostle in 1984. Oaks almost immediately drafted a memo arguing that “the interests at stake in the proposed legalization of so-called homosexual marriages” were “sufficient to justify a formal Church position and significant efforts in opposition.” Forfeiting heterosexual unions as the heart of their culture would result in societal decay and rampant impropriety, while destroying the foundation of conservative values, he argued.
Over the next three decades, the Mormon Church dedicated substantial resources, time and words to opposing same-sex marriage throughout the United States. For example, in 1995, the church was engaged in the legal fight in Hawaii over the issue when its leaders released “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” a quasi-canonical manifesto clarifying their belief that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.”
The apex of this battle came in 2008 when the church invested heavily in supporting California’s Proposition 8, a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban LGBTQ unions. Though the church had already been involved in over a dozen state initiatives by then, the California episode was a dramatic escalation: Observers estimated that while Latter-day Saints accounted for only 2 percent of the state’s population, they contributed around half of the $40 million spent on the campaign and 80 to 90 percent of the volunteer work. The faith’s organizational skills helped secure the amendment’s passage.
But Proposition 8 proved to be the church’s final victory against LGBTQ marriage. The political winds shifted quickly, and by 2015, Obergefell legalized LGBTQ unions everywhere.
By that point, Latter-day Saints leaders recognized the changing landscape and stopped supporting the legislative measures they had pushed for decades. The church’s hierarchy recognized that changing public opinion extended to their own members: One recent study found that 58 percent of active Saints now believe same-sex unions should be legal and accepted.
But that didn’t mean the church began supporting LGBTQ marriage. Instead, it decided to cede the broader legal terrain to cement its control over those within its fold. It began pursuing two distinct, yet closely related, initiatives: first, a push to carve out legal exemptions to equality laws under the umbrella of “religious liberty” and second, to reaffirm internal boundaries regarding their members’ sexuality. In 2015, the Church supported a bill heralded as the “Utah compromise” that LDS leaders claimed protected LGBTQ individuals while safeguarding the rights of religious institutions. These rights included exempting institutions like Brigham Young University from implementing policies enforcing LGBTQ equality, as well as assuring the church’s tax-exempt status. In the following years, the church also supported an LGBTQ -nclusive hate crimes law as well as a ban on conversion therapy.
Leading this new emphasis was Oaks, who was elevated to the First Presidency in 2018. He adopted the language of “religious liberty,” which conservative religious leaders had begun using to reaffirm the privileges of traditional, and often powerful, institutions.
In this context, support for the Respect for Marriage Act, is less surprising. The bill contains plenty of exemptions for religious groups, making it the type of moderate compromise that Oaks has prioritized. And the church’s support has been a PR boon. Equality Utah, which has worked tirelessly for LGBTQ rights in the state, called the church’s decision an attempt to “discover common ground on laws that support the strengthening of all families.”
But the church’s newfound willingness to accept political compromise over the last half decade has remained conjoined with a desire to reaffirm the faith’s cultural boundaries on sexuality. If the “world” was going to embrace the queer community, it was even more important for the church to draw a clear contrast. Only months after Obergefell, the church introduced an extreme policy that categorized “same-gender marriage” as an act of “apostasy” that necessitated disciplinary council, as well as a prohibition on children of LGBTQ parents from receiving salvific ordinances like baptism. These policies were widely panned and resulted in a flood of resignations from the church. One study found that as many as 60 percent of Mormon millennials opposed the new rules. Church leaders eventually rescinded the policies in 2019. In a rare admission of cultural influences, Oaks confessed that the retraction was in part “to reduce the hate and contention so common today.”
Even so, the church has remained committed to halting its members from embracing non-heterosexuality. Its anxiety has only heightened as support for LGBTQ rights has grown among the faith’s younger generation. In 2021, after several high-profile incidents at BYU — including a valedictorian using his graduation speech to pronounce that he was “proud to be a gay son of God” and dozens of students lighting the school’s famous mountainside Y with rainbow colors — popular apostle Jeffrey Holland chastised BYU faculty members for “supporting ideas that many of us feel are contradictory to gospel principles.” He hoped to hear “a little more musket fire” from professors in defending “the doctrine of the family and defending marriage as the union of a man and a woman.” Although Holland used the phrase metaphorically, it was a dangerous charge in an era of rising right-wing violence.
While this demand might seem to contradict support for the Respect for Marriage Act, the two initiatives are actually interdependent: The faith is willing to make legal concessions only insofar as it is granted religious exemptions that enable cultural retrenchment. Agreeing not to oppose LGBTQ civil rights secures the space required for policing internal boundaries. Even the church’s statement supporting the new bill reaffirms that its doctrine “related to marriage between a man and a woman … will remain unchanged”; what has changed is that church leaders are no longer dedicated to imposing those same priorities on non-Mormons.
The question remains whether the church’s calculated compromise will be enough to maintain the loyalty and dedication of its members. Younger believers have proved to be more flexible in institutional allegiances, more liberal on social issues and more pliable on key doctrines. This indicates that LGBTQ rights may yet become a driving wedge for the church’s future long after the legality of same-sex marriage has been decided. | 2022-11-17T11:37:31+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2022/11/17/lds-church-lgbtq-marriage/ |
BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese man on Friday was sentenced to nine years in prison for abusing and unlawfully detaining a woman who was shown chained in a viral video that sparked an outcry in China last year.
The abuse of the woman, “Xiaohuamei,” or Little Plum Blossom, raised widespread concerns in China in February last year and at times overshadowed Beijing's Winter Olympics online. Her story appeared in Chinese social media despite digital and human censors and prompted commentators to exhort national media to highlight the scandal.
After the announcement of the sentencing on Friday, the case became one of the most searched topics on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, with many people complaining that nine years imprisonment for the man was too lenient of a punishment for what he did to her.
The court in Xuzhou city that handed down the sentence said in a statement that Dong Zhimin and his late father bought Little Plum Blossom in the late 1990s for 5,000 yuan ($727) and that he had abused her in recent years by chaining her around the neck and tying her body with pieces of cloth and ropes. She suffered from hunger and lived in a place without water or electricity, it said. That was despite him fathering eight children with her.
“Dong Zhimin's abuse has caused serious harm to Little Plum Blossom's health. After examination, Little Plum Blossom was diagnosed with schizophrenia,” the statement said.
The court also sentenced five others to prison for between eight and 13 years and fined them for trafficking her decades ago.
According to an investigation, Little Plum Blossom was first brought to Jiangsu province on China's eastern coast from southwestern Yunnan province after she was abducted by two of the five people in early 1998. They sold her to a farmer for 5,000 yuan ($727).
After living with the farmer for a while, the woman went missing and was found by a couple in Henan province in central China in June 1998. The couple then sold her to two others for 3,000 yuan ($436) and that pair subsequently sold her for 5,000 yuan ($727) to the Dongs in Feng county in Jiangsu.
The wife of the couple was not charged because the impact of her role was considered relatively minor, the court said, but her husband and the pair who sold Little Plum Blossom to Dong were among the five who were charged and sentenced for trafficking her.
The official Xinhua news agency quoted Little Plum Blossom's doctor in a report saying she was still being treated in a hospital. But her eldest son told the agency that his mother, who once could not identify him at times, can now recognize him and call him by his name.
On Weibo, many people expressed their anger over the case. “Only nine years? Nine years for ruining her life? Go to hell really,” one user wrote.
_____
Associated Press writer Kanis Leung in Hong Kong and researcher Chen Wanqing in Beijing contributed to this report. | 2023-04-07T10:24:01+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/world/article/chinese-man-who-chained-abused-woman-sentenced-17883996.php |
FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtech Software ("Amtech" or the "Company"), a leading provider of manufacturing ERP software and technology services for the packaging and other manufacturing industries, announced today that Chuck Schneider has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Schneider succeeds founder Cosmo DeNicola, who will remain a member of the Company's board of directors.
Mr. Schneider brings substantial professional experience in the technology industry, most recently serving as Chief Customer Officer of Navis, a leading operations and supply chain software platform. There he focused on expanding Navis' service portfolio, integrating new product offerings and cultivating relationships with the company's network of customers.
"I am honored to lead Amtech through its next phase of growth. I look forward to building on the company's winning culture and reputation as a leading provider of software solutions to the packaging and other manufacturing industries," remarked Mr. Schneider. "Further, I am eager to increase our investment in product development and customer support in order to continue delivering an exceptional customer experience. I look forward to collaborating with our customers, the Board, and our dedicated employees, to continue Amtech's legacy of innovation and growth."
Peter Leibman, board member of Amtech, said, "We are thrilled to have Chuck join Amtech as CEO. Chuck's significant technology industry experience, in addition to his track record of substantial business and recurring revenue growth, make him the ideal leader for Amtech's world class software platform. We would also like to thank Cosmo for all that he has done to advance Amtech's growth trajectory and deliver excellence for its clients."
Mr. DeNicola commented, "This is an exciting time for Amtech, I also look forward to supporting Chuck's strategic and transformational growth initiatives that will continue to serve Amtech's customers."
ABOUT AMTECH SOFTWARE
Amtech Software is a leading provider of manufacturing ERP software and technology solutions to the packaging and other manufacturing industries. Amtech's fully integrated product suite of modules, multilingual and enterprise solutions provides a compelling value proposition to the full spectrum of manufacturers. Its software solutions serve over 250 customers at over 750 manufacturing plants in North America, Europe and Latin America. The company is headquartered in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.
Media Contact: Daniel Yunger
Kekst CNC
212–521–4800
View original content:
SOURCE Amtech Software | 2022-06-16T13:09:48+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/amtech-software-appoints-chuck-schneider-chief-executive-officer/ |
Vernon Parish deputy, agent injured in vehicle pursuit
VERNON PARISH, La. (KALB) - According to the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO), an unnamed suspect led authorities on a dangerous chase, injuring a deputy and an agent and damaging patrol units.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, VPSO was made aware that the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office (SPSO) was involved in a traffic pursuit and had attempted to stop a vehicle in Many, but the driver refused to stop and fled from deputies. The pursuit went south through Florien and into Vernon Parish.
Officers from the Anacoco Police Department, Louisiana State Police, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force were working together to stop the vehicle.
VPSO said the driver aggressively tried to ram police units and drove southbound in the northbound lanes of Hwy 171 through Hornbeck and Anacoco towards Leesville.
The driver avoided spike strips at least twice before entering Vernon Parish. SPSO used pursuit intervention techniques but they were unsuccessful. They said the driver would laugh and waive when officers tried to stop him.
After crossing the Vernon Lake bridge a Sabine patrol deputy, who was attempting to get civilian drivers out of the travel lane, was rammed twice by the suspect, which caused the unit to leave the roadway and become disabled on its side in a ditch.
The driver was also aggressively ramming VPSO patrol units. In an effort to prevent the vehicle from entering the City Limits of Leesville, a Vernon Parish Narcotics Agent struck the vehicle head-on in her patrol unit.
Once the vehicle stopped, officers from multiple agencies surrounded the vehicle and broke the window to remove the driver.
The vehicle was reported as stolen in an armed carjacking in Shreveport. The Sabine Parish Deputy and the VPNTF Agent suffered minor injuries. Two VPSO patrol units suffered significant damage.
The suspect is refusing to identify himself to authorities. Numerous charges are expected in multiple jurisdictions. Following this incident, he was transported to the Vernon Parish Jail.
Click here to report a typo. Please provide the title of the article in your email.
Copyright 2022 KALB. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-03T18:22:01+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/2022/08/03/vernon-parish-deputy-agent-injured-vehicle-pursuit/ |
- Net income of $410.7 million ($2.04 per diluted common share) for the third quarter of 2022; after-tax adjusted operating income was $303.7 million ($1.51 per diluted common share).
- Results reflect continued strong operating performance, the shift towards endemic COVID impacts, and core business premium trends nearing our long-term growth expectations; core operations sales and premium growth on a constant currency basis of 14.1 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively.
- Strong balance sheet with holding company liquidity of $1.1 billion and weighted average risk-based capital ratio of approximately 415 percent, providing significant financial flexibility.
- Expanded hedging program to help mitigate interest rate risk in the long-term care block; notional amount entered into increased to $679.0 million through September 30, 2022.
- Completed our annual GAAP reserve adequacy study; sustained group long-term disability and group life wavier claim recovery trends drive GAAP reserve releases.
- Book value per common share of $43.49 declined 20.0 percent over the year-ago quarter; book value per common share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) grew 10.0 percent over the year-ago quarter to $59.23.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Nov. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) today reported net income of $410.7 million ($2.04 per diluted common share) for the third quarter of 2022, compared to net income of $328.6 million ($1.60 per diluted common share) for the third quarter of 2021.
Included in net income for the third quarter of 2022 are the after-tax reserve decreases related to reserve assumption updates of $122.5 million ($0.61 per diluted common share), the after-tax amortization of the cost of reinsurance of $12.1 million ($0.06 per diluted common share), and a net after-tax investment loss on the Company's investment portfolio of $3.4 million ($0.02 per diluted common share). Included in net income for the third quarter of 2021 are a net after-tax reserve decrease related to reserve assumption updates of $143.3 million ($0.70 per diluted common share), an after-tax impairment loss on internal-use software of $9.6 million ($0.05 per diluted common share), the after-tax amortization of the cost of reinsurance of $15.5 million ($0.08 per diluted common share), as well as a net after-tax investment loss on the Company's investment portfolio of $0.1 million ($— per diluted common share). Excluding the items above, after-tax adjusted operating income was $303.7 million ($1.51 per diluted common share) in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $210.5 million ($1.03 per diluted common share) in the third quarter of 2021.
"Our business is performing well as we look toward the last quarter of the year. The current environment remains advantageous for us and is supported by strong capital and an engaged team who continues to deliver on our purpose," said Richard P. McKenney, president and chief executive officer. "Our excellent third quarter results reflect the earnings power of our business lines and our continued favorable benefits experience, positioning us well for growth heading into next year."
RESULTS BY SEGMENT
We measure and analyze our segment performance on the basis of "adjusted operating income" or "adjusted operating loss", which differ from income before income tax as presented in our consolidated statements of income due to the exclusion of investment gains and losses, amortization of cost of reinsurance, and certain other items. Investment gains or losses primarily include realized investment gains or losses, expected investment credit losses, and gains or losses on derivatives. These performance measures are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) guidance for segment reporting, but they should not be viewed as a substitute for income before income tax or net income.
Unum US Segment
Unum US reported adjusted operating income of $275.0 million in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 210.7 percent from $88.5 million in the third quarter of 2021, which exclude the reserve decreases related to reserve assumption updates during each period. Premium income increased 3.9 percent to $1,559.6 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $1,500.8 million in the third quarter of 2021. Net investment income decreased 3.2 percent to $170.6 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $176.2 million in the third quarter of 2021.
Within the Unum US operating segment, the group disability line of business reported a 228.6 percent increase in adjusted operating income to $129.8 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $39.5 million in the third quarter of 2021, which exclude the reserve decreases related to the reserve assumption updates of $121.0 million and $215.0 million during the third quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively. Premium income for the group disability line of business increased 7.4 percent to $713.1 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $663.8 million in the third quarter of 2021 due primarily to in-force block growth and favorable persistency. Net investment income decreased 9.1 percent to $84.8 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $93.3 million in the third quarter of 2021, driven by lower miscellaneous investment income and a decrease in the yield on invested assets. Excluding the previously discussed reserve assumption updates, the benefit ratio for the third quarter of 2022 was 62.7 percent, compared to 78.9 percent in the third quarter of 2021, due primarily to lower claims incidence in both the group short-term and long-term disability product lines as well as favorable claim recoveries in the group long-term disability product line. Group long-term disability sales were $35.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 35.1 percent from $26.2 million in the third quarter of 2021. Group short-term disability sales were $18.3 million in the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of 15.3 percent from $21.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. Persistency in the group long-term disability product line was 90.7 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 89.8 percent for the first nine months of 2021. Persistency in the group short-term disability product line was 89.2 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 87.1 percent for the first nine months of 2021.
The group life and accidental death and dismemberment line of business reported adjusted operating income of $30.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, which excludes the reserve decrease related to the reserve assumption update of $34.0 million, compared to an adjusted operating loss of $67.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. Premium income for this line of business increased 4.0 percent to $461.5 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $443.8 million in the third quarter of 2021 driven by in-force block growth, partially offset by lower persistency. Net investment income increased 4.1 percent to $25.3 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $24.3 million in the third quarter of 2021, due primarily to an increase in the yield on invested assets and an increase in the level of invested assets, partially offset by lower miscellaneous investment income. The benefit ratio in the third quarter of 2022 was 78.0 percent, which excludes the previously discussed reserve assumption update, compared to 100.6 percent in the third quarter of 2021, largely due to lower mortality in the group life product line, resulting primarily from lessening impacts of COVID-19 on our insured population. Sales of group life and accidental death and dismemberment products increased 1.1 percent in the third quarter of 2022 to $26.9 million, compared to $26.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. Persistency in the group life product line was 89.2 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 89.9 percent for the first nine months of 2021. Persistency in the accidental death and dismemberment product line was 88.1 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 89.3 percent for the first nine months of 2021.
The supplemental and voluntary line of business reported a decrease of 1.6 percent in adjusted operating income to $114.3 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $116.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. Premium income for the supplemental and voluntary line of business decreased 2.1 percent to $385.0 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $393.2 million in the third quarter of 2021, due primarily to lower persistency in both the voluntary benefits and dental and vision product lines, partially offset by higher sales in both the individual disability and voluntary benefits product lines. Net investment income increased 3.2 percent to $60.5 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $58.6 million in the third quarter of 2021, due to an increase in the yield on invested assets. The benefit ratio for the voluntary benefits product line was 42.6 percent in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 46.6 percent for the third quarter of 2021, due to favorable claims experience in all products. Favorability for our voluntary benefits life products is primarily due to lessening impacts of COVID-19 on our insured population. The benefit ratio for the individual disability product line was 40.0 percent for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 40.1 percent for the third quarter of 2021, due primarily to lower claims activity. The benefit ratio for the dental and vision product line was 74.5 percent for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 75.0 percent for the third quarter of 2021, due primarily to lower claims incidence. Relative to the third quarter of 2021, sales in the voluntary benefits product line increased 19.1 percent in the third quarter of 2022 to $40.5 million. Sales in the individual disability product line increased 23.9 percent in the third quarter of 2022 to $25.9 million. Sales in the dental and vision product line totaled $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of 16.7 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021. Persistency in the voluntary benefits product line was 75.1 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 75.4 percent for the first nine months of 2021. Persistency in the individual disability product line was 89.2 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 88.4 percent for the first nine months of 2021. Persistency in the dental and vision product line was 81.4 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 86.3 percent for the first nine months of 2021.
Unum International
The Unum International segment reported adjusted operating income of $29.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 9.1 percent from $27.4 million in the third quarter of 2021. Premium income decreased 4.6 percent to $173.3 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $181.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. Net investment income increased 11.8 percent to $37.0 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $33.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. Sales increased 66.4 percent to $40.1 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $24.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. For the third quarter of 2022, Unum International results were unfavorably impacted by fluctuations in the British pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rate relative to the third quarter of 2021.
The Unum UK line of business reported adjusted operating income, in local currency, of £23.6 million in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 28.3 percent from £18.4 million in the third quarter of 2021. Premium income was £129.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 12.1 percent from £115.4 million in the third quarter of 2021, due to in-force block growth and sales in the group life product line. Net investment income was £29.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 32.9 percent from £22.5 million in the third quarter of 2021, due primarily to higher investment income from inflation index-linked bonds. The benefit ratio in the third quarter of 2022 was 78.6 percent, compared to 79.2 percent in the third quarter of 2021, due primarily to inflation-linked experience for our group life and group long-term disability products, partially offset by higher claim incidence in our supplemental product line. Due to rising inflation, many of our claims reached the maximum annual inflation index-linked adjustment in the first half of 2022, resulting in a decrease in inflation-related benefit adjustments in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period of 2021. Sales increased 106.0 percent to £30.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to £15.0 million in the third quarter of 2021. Persistency in the group long-term disability product line was 84.9 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 88.9 percent for the first nine months of 2021. Persistency in the group life product line was 88.2 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 86.0 percent for the first nine months of 2021. Persistency in the supplemental product line was 92.3 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 89.9 percent for the first nine months of 2021.
Colonial Life Segment
Colonial Life reported a 12.9 percent increase in adjusted operating income to $90.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $80.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. Premium income increased 0.6 percent to $423.3 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $420.8 million in the third quarter of 2021, due to higher sales in prior periods, partially offset by lower overall persistency. Net investment income decreased 25.5 percent to $38.6 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to the $51.8 million in the third quarter of 2021, due to lower miscellaneous investment income and a decline in the yield on invested assets, partially offset by an increase in the level of invested assets. The benefit ratio was 46.8 percent in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 55.9 percent in the third quarter of 2021 driven by favorable experience across all products lines.
Sales increased 3.2 percent to $115.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $112.3 million in the third quarter of 2021. Persistency in Colonial Life was 78.3 percent for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 78.9 percent for the first nine months of 2021.
Closed Block Segment
The Closed Block segment reported adjusted operating income of $34.1 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $109.8 million in the third quarter of 2021. Excluded from adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2022 and 2021 is the amortization of the cost of reinsurance related to the Closed Block individual disability reinsurance transaction of $15.2 million and $19.7 million, respectively. Also excluded from adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2021 are the reserve increases related to reserve assumption updates of $33.6 million, primarily related to the closed group pension block. Premium income for this segment decreased 6.0 percent to $235.5 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $250.5 million in the third quarter of 2021, due to policy terminations and maturities, partially offset by rate increases. Net investment income decreased 11.7 percent to $251.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $284.6 million in the third quarter of 2021, due to lower miscellaneous investment income, partially related to smaller increases in net asset values on our private equity partnerships, and a decline in the yield on invested assets, partially offset by an increase in the level of invested assets.
The interest adjusted loss ratio for the long-term care line of business was 85.7 percent in the third quarter of 2022, compared to an interest adjusted loss ratio of 74.8 percent in the third quarter of 2021, excluding the reserve increase related to the assumption update in the third quarter of 2021, driven by higher submitted claims. The interest adjusted loss ratio for long-term care for the rolling twelve months ended September 30, 2022 was 81.0 percent which is below our long-term expected range. The interest adjusted loss ratio for the individual disability line of business was 77.5 percent in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 58.2 percent in the third quarter of 2021, excluding the reserve increase related to the assumption update in third quarter of 2021, due primarily to volatility as a result of the relatively small amount of business retained.
Corporate Segment
The Corporate segment reported an adjusted operating loss of $49.5 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to an adjusted operating loss of $45.4 million in the third quarter of 2021, which excludes the before-tax impairment loss on internal-use software of $12.1 million.
OTHER INFORMATION
Shares Outstanding
The Company's weighted average number of shares outstanding, assuming dilution, was 201.7 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 205.1 million for the third quarter of 2021. Shares outstanding totaled 199.1 million at September 30, 2022.
During the third quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares in open market transactions at a cost of approximately $42.6 million. For the first nine months of 2022, the Company has repurchased approximately 4.2 million shares at a cost of $137.5 million.
Capital Management
At September 30, 2022, the weighted average risk-based capital ratio for the Company's traditional U.S. insurance companies was approximately 415 percent, and the holding companies had available holding company liquidity of $1,079.0 million.
Book Value
Book value per common share as of September 30, 2022 was $43.49, compared to $54.39 at September 30, 2021. Book value per common share excluding AOCI as of September 30, 2022 was $59.23, compared to $53.84 at September 30, 2021.
Outlook
The Company expects positive operating trends in our core business during 2022, with solid premium growth and improving claim experience as impacts from COVID-19 lessen. The Company continues to anticipate an increase in after-tax adjusted operating income per share of 40 percent to 45 percent relative to full-year 2021.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We analyze our performance using non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measure of "after-tax adjusted operating income" differs from net income as presented in our consolidated operating results and income statements prepared in accordance with GAAP due to the exclusion of investment gains or losses and the amortization of the cost of reinsurance as well as certain other items as specified in the reconciliations in the Financial Highlights section below. Investment gains or losses primarily include realized investment gains or losses, expected investment credit losses, and gains or losses on derivatives. We believe after-tax adjusted operating income is a better performance measure and better indicator of the profitability and underlying trends in our business.
Investment gains or losses depend on market conditions and do not necessarily relate to decisions regarding the underlying business of our segments. Our investment focus is on investment income to support our insurance liabilities as opposed to the generation of investment gains or losses. Although we may experience investment gains or losses which will affect future earnings levels, a long-term focus is necessary to maintain profitability over the life of the business since our underlying business is long-term in nature, and we need to earn the interest rates assumed in calculating our liabilities.
We have exited a substantial portion of our Closed Block individual disability product line through the two phases of the reinsurance transaction that were executed in December 2020 and March 2021. As a result, we exclude the amortization of the cost of reinsurance that was recognized upon the exit of the business related to the ceded reserves for the cohort of policies on claim status. We believe that the exclusion of the amortization of the cost of reinsurance provides a better view of our results from our ongoing businesses.
We may at other times exclude certain other items from our discussion of financial ratios and metrics in order to enhance the understanding and comparability of our operational performance and the underlying fundamentals, but this exclusion is not an indication that similar items may not recur and does not replace net income or net loss as a measure of our overall profitability.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Members of Unum Group senior management will host a conference call on Wednesday, November 2, at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the results of operations for the third quarter. Topics may include forward-looking information, such as the Company's outlook on future results, trends in operations, and other material information.
The dial-in number for the conference call is 1-833-927-1758 for callers in the U.S. (access code 420516). For callers in Canada the dial-in is 1-833-950-0062 (access code 420516). For all other callers, the dial-in number is 1-929-526-1599 (access code 420516). A live webcast of the call will also be available at www.investors.unum.com in a listen-only mode. It is recommended that webcast viewers access the Investors section of the Company's website and opt-in to the webcast approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website, and will be available through Wednesday, November 9 by dialing 1-866-813-9403 (U.S.), 1-226-828-7578 (Canada), 0204-525-0658 (U.K. local), or +44-204-525-0658 (All Other Locations) - access code 966452.
In conjunction with today's earnings announcement, the Company's Statistical Supplement for the third quarter of 2022 is available on the Investors section of the Company's website.
ABOUT UNUM GROUP
Unum Group (www.unum.com) an international provider of workplace benefits and services, has been helping workers and their families for more than 170 years. Through its Unum and Colonial Life brands, the company offers disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, vision and stop-loss insurance; leave and absence management support and behavioral health services. In 2021, Unum reported revenues of $12.0 billion and paid $8.2 billion in benefits. The Fortune 250 company is one of the 2022 World's Most Ethical Companies, recognized by Ethisphere®.
For more information, connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/unumbenefits), Twitter (www.twitter.com/unumnews) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/unum).
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Certain information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those not based on historical information, but rather relate to our outlook, future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments and speak only as of the date made. These forward-looking statements, including statements about anticipated growth in after-tax adjusted operating income per share, are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. The following factors, in addition to other factors mentioned from time to time, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: (1) the impact of COVID-19 on our business, financial position, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources, and overall business operations; (2) sustained periods of low interest rates; (3) fluctuation in insurance reserve liabilities and claim payments due to changes in claim incidence, recovery rates, mortality and morbidity rates, and policy benefit offsets due to, among other factors, the rate of unemployment and consumer confidence, the emergence of new diseases, epidemics, or pandemics, new trends and developments in medical treatments, the effectiveness of our claims operational processes, and changes in governmental programs; (4) unfavorable economic or business conditions, both domestic and foreign, that may result in decreases in sales, premiums, or persistency, as well as unfavorable claims activity; (5) changes in, or interpretations or enforcement of laws and regulations; (6) our ability to hire and retain qualified employees; (7) a cyber attack or other security breach could result in the unauthorized acquisition of confidential data; (8) the failure of our business recovery and incident management processes to resume our business operations in the event of a natural catastrophe, cyber attack, or other event; (9) investment results, including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, defaults, changes in credit spreads, impairments, and the lack of appropriate investments in the market which can be acquired to match our liabilities; (10) increased competition from other insurers and financial services companies due to industry consolidation, new entrants to our markets, or other factors; (11) changes in our financial strength and credit ratings; (12) our ability to develop digital capabilities or execute on our technology systems upgrades or replacements; (13) actual experience in the broad array of our products that deviates from our assumptions used in pricing, underwriting, and reserving; (14) availability of reinsurance in the market and the ability of our reinsurers to meet their obligations to us; (15) ability to generate sufficient internal liquidity and/or obtain external financing; (16) damage to our reputation due to, among other factors, regulatory investigations, legal proceedings, external events, and/or inadequate or failed internal controls and procedures; (17) recoverability and/or realization of the carrying value of our intangible assets, long-lived assets, and deferred tax assets; (18) effectiveness of our risk management program; (19) contingencies and the level and results of litigation; (20) ineffectiveness of our derivatives hedging programs due to changes in the economic environment, counterparty risk, ratings downgrades, capital market volatility, changes in interest rates, and/or regulation; (21) fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates; and (22) our ability to meet environment, social, and governance standards and expectations of investors, regulators, customers, and other stakeholders.
For further discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Part 1, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. The forward-looking statements in this news release are being made as of the date of this news release, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein, even if made available on our website or otherwise.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Unum Group | 2022-11-01T21:50:19+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/11/01/unum-group-reports-third-quarter-2022-results/ |
WFO BOSTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, July 21, 2022
_____
HEAT ADVISORY
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
309 AM EDT Wed Jul 20 2022
...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM
EDT THURSDAY...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 100 expected.
* WHERE...Northern Connecticut, much of Rhode Island and portions
of western, central and eastern Massachusetts.
* WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-07-20T08:20:33+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/CT-WFO-BOSTON-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17316436.php |
American Aquarium reflects on loss in new album Published August 28, 2022 at 3:13 PM MDT Facebook Twitter Email Listen • 8:26 The band American Aquarium's new album delves into the personal grief and loss of its lead singer. NPR's Don Gonyea speaks with BJ Barham about his band's latest album, Chicamacomico. Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-08-28T22:46:04+00:00 | kunm.org | https://www.kunm.org/2022-08-28/american-aquarium-reflects-on-loss-in-new-album |
Revenue up 75% Year-Over-Year to $216 million
Raises 2022 Non-GAAP Operating Profit Outlook
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alteryx, Inc. (NYSE: AYX), the Analytics Automation company, today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2022.
"Alteryx continues to execute at a high level and gain traction with large enterprises. We delivered a strong third quarter with annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth of 33% year-over-year, adjusted for the effect of foreign currency, improved operating profitability, and an increased net expansion rate of 121%," said Mark Anderson, CEO of Alteryx, Inc. "Our strong results continue to validate the strategic initiatives we have put into place over the past couple of years. With a meaningfully scaled go-to-market motion, a growing partner ecosystem, and an expanded portfolio of incremental cloud offerings, we are well-positioned to meet the growing global demand for democratization of data analytics."
Third Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights
- Revenue: Revenue for the third quarter of 2022 was $215.7 million, an increase of 75%, compared to revenue of $123.5 million in the third quarter of 2021.
- Gross Profit: GAAP gross profit for the third quarter of 2022 was $183.7 million, or a GAAP gross margin of 85%, compared to GAAP gross profit of $108.0 million, or a GAAP gross margin of 87%, in the third quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP gross profit for the third quarter of 2022 was $191.9 million, or a non-GAAP gross margin of 89%, compared to non-GAAP gross profit of $111.0 million, or a non-GAAP gross margin of 90%, in the third quarter of 2021.
- Income (Loss) from Operations: GAAP loss from operations for the third quarter of 2022 was $(63.9) million, compared to GAAP loss from operations of $(45.6) million for the third quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP income from operations for the third quarter of 2022 was $5.0 million, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of $(9.8) million for the third quarter of 2021.
- Net Loss: GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2022 was $(74.5) million, compared to GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(58.0) million for the third quarter of 2021. GAAP net loss per diluted share for the third quarter of 2022 was $(1.09), based on 68.7 million GAAP weighted-average diluted shares outstanding, compared to GAAP net loss per diluted share of $(0.86), based on 67.3 million GAAP weighted-average diluted shares outstanding for the third quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per diluted share for the third quarter of 2022 were $(3.5) million and $(0.05), respectively, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $(11.7) million and non-GAAP net loss per diluted share of $(0.17) for the third quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP net loss per diluted share for the third quarter of 2022 was based on 68.7 million non-GAAP weighted-average diluted shares outstanding, compared to 67.3 million non-GAAP weighted-average diluted shares outstanding for the third quarter of 2021. - Balance Sheet and Cash Flow: As of September 30, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments of $441.6 million, compared to $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2021. This reflects a $387.0 million cash outflow, net of cash acquired, primarily related to the acquisition of Trifacta Inc. in February 2022. Cash used in operating activities for the first nine months of 2022 was $(112.7) million, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $24.3 million for the first nine months of 2021.
A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures has been provided in the tables included in this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operating Measures."
Third Quarter 2022 and Recent Business Highlights
- Ended the third quarter of 2022 with $757.7 million in ARR, an increase of 31% year-over-year. Excluding an approximately $12 million foreign currency impact due to exchange rates on September 30, 2022 versus exchange rates incorporated in our third quarter of 2022 guidance, ARR increased 33% year-over-year.
- Achieved a dollar-based net expansion rate (annual contract value based) of 121% for the third quarter of 2022.
- Ended the third quarter of 2022 with 8,340 customers, an 8% increase from the third quarter of 2021.
- Appointed Doniel Sutton as Chief People Officer, leading all human resource-related functions, including talent strategy, total rewards, talent acquisition and development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Announced Alteryx Server-FIPS, a version of Alteryx Server that is aligned with data security and computer system standards outlined in the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS).
- Announced new analytics cloud capabilities and enterprise readiness enhancements. Updates include an Alteryx Machine Learning integration with the Alteryx Analytics Cloud platform, improved performance of Designer Cloud powered by Trifacta with Snowflake, and Alteryx Data Connection Manager expanded support and integrations for Azure Active Directory.
Financial Outlook
We provide the financial guidance below based on current market conditions and expectations. Our guidance is subject to various important cautionary factors described below. Based on information available as of November 1, 2022, guidance for the fourth quarter of 2022 and full year 2022 is as follows:
- Fourth Quarter 2022 Guidance:
- Full Year 2022 Guidance:
The financial outlook above for non-GAAP income (loss) from operations and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share excludes estimates for stock-based compensation and related payroll tax expense and acquisition-related adjustments. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial guidance measures to corresponding GAAP measures is not available on a forward-looking basis primarily because of the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, stock-based compensation and related payroll tax expense and acquisition-related adjustments. In particular, stock-based compensation and related payroll tax expense is impacted by our future hiring and retention needs, as well as the future fair market value of our Class A common stock, all of which is not within our control, is difficult to predict, and is subject to constant change. The actual amount of these expenses during 2022 will have a significant impact on our future GAAP financial results. Accordingly, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial guidance measures to the corresponding GAAP measures is not available without unreasonable effort.
Quarterly Conference Call
Alteryx will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company's financial results and financial guidance. To access this call, dial 877-407-9716 (domestic) or 201-493-6779 (international). A live webcast of this conference call will be available on the "Investors" page of the company's website at https://investor.alteryx.com.
Following the conference call, a telephone replay will be available through November 8, 2022, at 844-512-2921 (domestic) or 412-317-6671 (international). The replay passcode is 13732597. An archived webcast of this conference call will also be available on the "Investors" page of the company's website at https://investor.alteryx.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operating Measures
Non-GAAP Financial Measures. To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP income (loss) from operations, non-GAAP net income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss) per diluted share, and non-GAAP weighted-average diluted shares outstanding. The presentation of these financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.
We use non-GAAP measures to internally evaluate and analyze financial results. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful supplemental information about the financial performance of our business, enable comparison of financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and enable comparison of our financial results with other public companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures. We exclude the following items from one or more of our non-GAAP financial measures:
Stock-based compensation expense. We exclude stock-based compensation expense, which is a non-cash expense, from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures because we believe that excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. In particular, companies calculate stock-based compensation expense using a variety of valuation methodologies and subjective assumptions.
Payroll tax expense related to stock-based compensation. We exclude employer payroll tax expense related to stock-based compensation to present the full effect that excluding stock-based compensation expense has on operating results. These expenses are tied to the exercise or vesting of underlying equity awards and the price of our common stock at the time of vesting or exercise, which may vary from period to period independent of the operating performance of the business.
Acquisition-related adjustments. We exclude amortization of intangible assets, which is non-cash and related to business combinations, from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, we exclude acquisition and integration expenses, such as transaction costs and costs associated with the applicable retention, restructuring and successful integration of operational activities of the acquired company, as they are related to a business combination and have no direct correlation to the operation of our business.
Convertible senior notes adjustments. Prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity, or ASU 2020-06, effective as of January 1, 2022, we excluded the portion of amortization of debt discount and issuance costs that relate to the equity component of our convertible notes, which are non-cash, from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures. We excluded such expenses as they are non-cash and have no direct correlation to the operation of our business. Upon adoption of ASU 2020-06, we removed the equity component of our convertible notes and the associated amortization and therefore, this adjustment is no longer applicable.
Impairment of long-lived assets. We exclude non-cash charges for impairment of long-lived assets from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures. Impairment charges can vary significantly in terms of amount and timing and we do not consider these charges indicative of our current or past operating performance.
Income tax adjustments. We utilize a fixed annual projected long-term non-GAAP tax rate in order to provide better consistency across reporting periods by eliminating the effects of items such as changes in the tax valuation allowance, excess tax benefits associated with stock options, and tax effects of acquisition-related costs, since each of these can vary in size and frequency. When projecting this rate, we exclude the direct impact of the following non-cash items: stock-based compensation expenses, amortization and impairment of purchased intangibles, and the amortization of debt discount and issuance costs. The projected rate also assumes no new acquisitions, and considers other factors including our expected tax structure, our tax positions in various jurisdictions and key legislation in major jurisdictions where we operate. We used a projected non-GAAP tax rate of 20% for both 2022 and 2021. The non-GAAP tax rate could be subject to change for a variety of reasons, including the rapidly evolving global tax environment, significant changes in our geographic earnings mix including due to acquisition activity, or other changes to our strategy or business operations. We will re-evaluate our long-term rate as appropriate.
Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. In particular, we exclude stock-based compensation and related payroll tax expense and amortization of intangible assets which are recurring and will be reflected in our financial results for the foreseeable future. The non-GAAP measures we use may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP items excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures.
Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Annual recurring revenue, or ARR, represents the total annual contract value for active customer subscription contracts as of the measurement date. We also use ARR as one of our operating measures to assess the health and trajectory of our business. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue as ARR is a performance metric and is not intended to be a substitute for, or combined with, any of these items.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding our guidance for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 and assumptions related thereto; our ability to execute our long-term growth strategy; our mission regarding the democratization of data, including the related market opportunity and customer prioritization; our position relative to our competitors; the anticipated value and customer acceptance of our products and services, including with respect to customer retention and expansion; the success of our sales motions; our non-GAAP tax rate for 2022; the potential benefits of and our ability to retain and expand our strategic technology partnerships and strategic alliances; our employee hiring expectations; the opportunity in our international markets; and other future events. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to: our ability to manage our growth and the investments made to grow our business effectively; our ability to expand and retain our talent base, particularly our sales force and software engineers, and increase their productivity; our ability to develop, release, and gain market acceptance of product and service enhancements and new products and services to respond to rapid technological change in a timely and cost-effective manner; our ability to develop a successful business model to sell products and services acquired or to integrate such products or services into our existing products and services; our history of losses; our dependence on our software platform for substantially all of our revenue; risks and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to attract new customers and retain and expand sales to existing customers; our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with our channel partners; intense and increasing competition in our market; the rate of growth in the market for analytics products and services; our dependence on technology and data licensed to us by third parties; risks associated with our international operations; our ability to develop, maintain, and enhance our brand and reputation cost-effectively; security breaches; litigation and related costs; and other general market, political, economic, and business conditions, including, but not limited to, impacts related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, inflationary pressures, and rising interest rates. Additionally, these forward-looking statements, particularly our guidance, involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many of these assumptions relate to matters that are beyond our control and changing rapidly, including, but not limited to, global macroeconomic conditions.
Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect our financial results are included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are available on the "Investors" page of our website at https://investor.alteryx.com and on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. Additional information will also be set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. All forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.
About Alteryx, Inc.
Alteryx (NYSE: AYX) powers analytics for all by providing our leading Analytics Automation Platform. Alteryx delivers easy end-to-end automation of data engineering, analytics, reporting, machine learning, and data science processes, enabling enterprises everywhere to democratize data analytics across their organizations for a broad range of use cases. More than 8,000 customers globally rely on Alteryx to deliver high-impact business outcomes. To learn more, visit http://www.alteryx.com.
Alteryx is a registered trademark of Alteryx, Inc. All other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Alteryx, Inc.
Other Business Metrics
(unaudited)
Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). ARR represents the annualized recurring value of all active subscription contracts at the end of a reporting period and excludes the value of non-recurring revenue streams, such as certain professional services. Both multi-year contracts and contracts with terms less than one year are annualized by dividing the total committed contract value by the number of months in the subscription term and then multiplying by twelve (in millions).
Dollar-Based Net Expansion Rate. Our dollar-based net expansion rate is a trailing four-quarter average of the annual contract value, or ACV, which is defined as the subscription revenue that we would contractually expect to recognize over the term of the contract divided by the term of the contract, in years, from a cohort of customers in a quarter as compared to the same quarter in the prior year. To calculate our dollar-based net expansion rate, we first identify a cohort of customers, or the Base Customers, in a particular quarter, or the Base Quarter. A customer will not be considered a Base Customer unless such customer has an active subscription on the last day of the Base Quarter. We then divide the ACV in the same quarter of the subsequent year attributable to the Base Customers, or the Comparison Quarter, including Base Customers from which we no longer derive ACV in the Comparison Quarter, by the ACV attributable to those Base Customers in the Base Quarter. Our dollar-based net expansion rate in a particular quarter is then obtained by averaging the result from that particular quarter with the corresponding result from each of the prior three quarters. The dollar-based net expansion rate excludes contract value relating to professional services from that cohort.
Number of Customers. We define a customer at the end of any particular period as an entity with a subscription agreement that runs through the current or future period as of the measurement date. Organizations with free trials have not entered into a subscription agreement and are not considered customers. A single organization with separate subsidiaries, segments, or divisions that use our platform may represent multiple customers, as we treat each entity that is invoiced separately as a single customer. In cases where customers subscribe to our platform through our channel partners, each end customer is counted separately.
Remaining Performance Obligations. Remaining performance obligations represent amounts from contracts with customers allocated to unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations that are not yet recorded in revenue in our condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions).
Contract Assets. Contract assets primarily relate to unbilled amounts for contracts with customers for which the amount of revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer. Contract assets are transferred to accounts receivable when the right to invoice becomes unconditional in our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions).
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Alteryx, Inc. | 2022-11-01T21:28:34+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/11/01/alteryx-announces-third-quarter-2022-financial-results/ |
STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry veteran John Finn today announced the formation and launch of Boldwater Partners LLC ("Boldwater" or "Boldwater Partners"). Boldwater is distinguished as an independent alternative asset placement agent and advisory firm specializing in providing capital formation, strategic development, and liquidity solutions to premiere asset managers across all alternative asset classes.
With deep expertise that spans private equity, hedge funds, private credit, real assets, and commodities, Boldwater Partners will seek to identify and source exceptional investment opportunities and simultaneously provide partner clients with guidance and execution in all aspects of capital formation and strategic direction. Specific expertise includes primary capital placement, sponsor-led direct transactions, general partner solutions, secondaries, and coinvestments. Client alignment will be paramount for Boldwater Partners, with intentions to invest alongside its clients, both directly and as a significant portion of the firm's fees.
Mr. Finn brings decades of substantial industry experience as Boldwater begins its operations.
Prior to launching Boldwater, he was Global Head of Hedge Fund & Alternative Credit Distribution at Eaton Partners ("Eaton"), a wholly owned subsidiary and affiliate of Stifel Financial Corp. In that role he guided Eaton's industry-leading hedge fund practice as trusted advisor to both fund sponsors and institutional investors. During his tenure, Eaton's hedge fund business represented more than 25 different fund managers, raising over $5 billion in assets.
Serving in roles of increasing seniority over the course of nearly a decade, he was tasked with leading a global team responsible for originating funds, managing sponsor relationships, and distributing funds across North America, Europe, and Asia. As part of his brief, he was a member of the firm's Liquid Funds Investment Committee and was most recently also responsible for private equity fund distribution in the Mid-Atlantic US.
Said John Finn, Boldwater Partners LLC CEO: "Truly differentiated and exceptional investment opportunities are most often the direct result of a disciplined investment philosophy or process combined with very specific and incredible areas of expertise. Boldwater will provide counsel and execution not solely in seeking these opportunities, but in strategy - with the goal of uniting those opportunities with sophisticated and aligned long-term capital partners."
Boldwater Partners is an independent placement agent and alternative asset advisory firm specializing in capital formation, strategic development, and liquidity solutions for premiere asset managers across all alternative asset classes. With deep expertise that spans private equity, hedge funds, private credit, real assets, and commodities, Boldwater Partners strives to identify and source exceptional investment opportunities and simultaneously provide partner clients with guidance and execution across primary capital placement, sponsor-led direct transactions, general partner solutions, secondaries, and co-investments. Client alignment is paramount for Boldwater Partners, with a significant portion of the firm's fees invested with, and alongside, our clients.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Boldwater Partners LLC | 2022-09-28T12:35:36+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/28/john-finn-launches-boldwater-partners-llc/ |
Dad turns 19-year-old son in to authorities after killing mom, sheriff says
Published: Apr. 17, 2023 at 12:01 PM CDT|Updated: 28 minutes ago
YAZOO CITY, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) – A 19-year-old has been arrested for murder after allegedly shooting and killing his mother Saturday night.
According to the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Tracey Wardley allegedly shot and killed his mother at her residence in Yazoo City.
Officials said that after the shooting, the suspect fled about 55 miles southwest to Vicksburg to visit his father.
Officials said the father then turned his son in to authorities.
Wardley was arrested Sunday and charged with murder, jail records show.
Further information was not yet available.
Copyright 2023 WLBT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-17T17:30:51+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/2023/04/17/dad-turns-19-year-old-son-into-authorities-after-killing-mom-sheriff-says/ |
The United States Coast Guard is searching for the owner of an unmanned kayak that was found drifting off of Martha’s Vineyard Wednesday morning, according to a message from the department.
At 11:31 a.m., the Coast Guard tweeted that an “unmanned adrift” kayak was found near Gay Head Lighthouse, off of Martha’s Vineyard.
The kayak had been found at 6 a.m., the Chief Petty Officer Robert Simpson stated, and the call to the Coast Guard had come in from a personal vessel on the water.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Station Menemsha, the Martha’s Vineyard station, along with the Menemsha harbormaster were responding to locate the owner of the kayak, the Coast Guard said.
Cuttyhunk Fire and Rescue, a team from the nearby Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts island, and Dukes County were responding to the scene, the Guard said. The searches were being conducted by vessel, Simpson said.
An image of a green kayak that appears to have a trolling motor, an oar and a fishing rod inside was shared with the Coast Guard’s tweet, and Simpson confirmed this was a picture of the kayak found.
Simpson stated it was unclear at this time whether or not the owner of the kayak is believed to be in danger, but the officials were treating the incident as a missing person situation. | 2023-07-05T16:34:15+00:00 | masslive.com | https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/07/coast-guard-searching-near-marthas-vineyard-for-owner-of-abandoned-drifting-kayak.html |
(NewsNation) — The White House is defending a Homeland Security decision to close four gaps in the border wall in an open area of southern Arizona near Yuma, one of the busiest sectors for illegal crossings. The Biden administration authorized the completion of the Trump-funded U.S.-Mexico border wall on Thursday.
“There will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration. Not another foot,” President Joe Biden said back in August 2020.
The president had pledged during his campaign to cease all future wall construction, but the administration later agreed to some barriers, citing safety. The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday the work to close four wide gaps in the wall near Yuma will better protect migrants who can slip down a slope or drown walking through a low section of the Colorado River.
When asked by a reporter why the Biden administration was building the border wall in Arizona, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claimed the administration was “cleaning up the mess the prior administration left behind.”
Immigration attorney Saman Nasseri joined Nexstar’s NewsNation to analyze the Biden administration’s decision to defend the wall’s construction.
“If you’re asking me point blank, I mean, he’s filling in an area of the wall that is known for people to be crossing through and coming through the border … regularly to get to that part of the Colorado River and they cross the river. And this is kind of like a landing ground for people from all over the world. They know this,” Nasseri said.
Even though the White House said the construction is an effort to clean up after the Trump administration, Nasseri said that the previous administration wanted those gaps and the wall filled as well. Now, Biden’s team is following up on that goal, getting the construction done.
“They’re taking that budget that was allocated for this,” Nasseri said.
Homeland Security said that the area presents safety and life hazard risks for both immigrants and agents, particularly around a section of the Colorado River.
A 5-year-old girl recently drowned while crossing the Colorado River in Yuma near this section, where the wall is scheduled to be reinforced. And authorities have reported 235,230 migrant encounters in the Yuma sector since October of 2021.
But Nasseri said he believes immigrants will find a way to get to the U.S. whether the wall is built or not.
“But you also have to think that a large percentage of those numbers are people that have come from other countries, not just Mexico. And if you think that people are going to get back on flights and go back to Africa, or Russia, or, you know, parts of Central America … I don’t think that little section of construction is going to deter them,” Nasseri said.
With the new construction to close off the gaps, Nasseri said new hotspots will occur in places such as Arizona, Texas and San Diego.
“They’re going to make their way through that wall because they’re determined. They came here with a purpose, they’re not just going to turn around and go because this, you know, this gap is gonna get filled in,” Nasseri said.
Nasseri thinks the White House is looking at this construction as a safety concern, especially since there have been numerous deaths in the area.
“I think the White House is trying to view it as a safety issue and maybe trying to get a better grasp and concentrate things more … We don’t have enough officers, there are not enough Border Protection Officers to be at every single section of the wall and every part of the border to see who’s coming in. So by doing this, you may be able to concentrate it a little bit more and put officers where they need to be so they can get a better idea of who’s coming in,” Nasseri said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | 2022-08-02T00:52:36+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/news/national/white-house-defends-construction-on-border-wall/ |
The K-12 future readiness program earns top honor in Primary Education Category
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Xello, the award-winning K-12 college and career readiness program, was recognized as recipient of the 2022 Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence in the Primary (tools for K-6 grade education) category. This award represents the highest approval rating based on evaluation by teachers using education technology every day.
"It's an honor to be a recipient of the Award of Excellence," said Matt McQuillen, CEO and co-founder, Xello. "We strive to create an exceptional student experience with turnkey educator tools and easy-to-use software. Our Xello for Elementary platform helps young learners develop the building blocks for meaningful life and career development, setting them up for smoother transitions in school and life."
Through the Xello platform, students in grades K-12 can build self-knowledge, explore options, learn and reassess, and create plans beyond high school. Using interest-based assessments, they are matched with careers that best reflect their interests, while educators have visibility into monitoring student progress and college application workflows.
Xello for Elementary is used in thousands of schools across North America to help students spark career curiosity and develop the early connection between academic success and future aspirations. Through story driven lessons and activities, Xello for Elementary enhances critical thinking, problem solving, cooperation, and communication skills. With age-appropriate content and information, students develop greater self-awareness, the ability to self-reflect, and a better understanding of pathways associated with each career. Students are encouraged to produce, upload, and store work that can further enrich their experience and that showcases who they are, their future goals, and their career ambitions.
Tech & Learning's Awards of Excellence program, "The Best Tools for Back to School" is designed to help educators find the most impressive products and solutions that will support their work in any learning environment. Eligible products included: Hardware, software, curriculum, and more.
"As we head into another uncertain year in education, technology will continue to be one of the key drivers for innovation," says Tech & Learning Group Publisher Christine Weiser. "Our judges chose the winning products recognized here for their versatility, compatibility, value, and ability to help schools solve challenges and support continuous instruction. Congratulations to all of our winners."
A complete list of award recipients is listed here.
About Xello
Xello's mission is to help anyone, anywhere in the world create a successful future through self-knowledge, exploration and planning. With more than 20 years in the education software industry, the team at Xello has helped millions of educators and millions of students become future ready with its suite of online platforms. Based in Toronto, Canada, Xello's award-winning future readiness programs are used globally by nearly eight million students and educators. Learn more about Xello at: www.xello.world.
About Tech & Learning
Tech & Learning's award-winning publications, websites, newsletters, and virtual and in-person events provide factual and evaluative information on trends, products, and strategies to education leaders who purchase technology products in their districts and schools.
About the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence
The Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence recognize products that offer schools versatility, value, and solutions to specific problems to support innovative, effective teaching and learning. These awards celebrate exceptional technology that supports educators by furthering effective teaching and learning practices.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Xello Inc. | 2022-09-20T16:57:42+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/09/20/xello-honored-with-2022-tech-amp-learning-award-excellence/ |
Shares of Biogen and other drugmakers researching Alzheimer's disease soared early Wednesday after Japan's Eisai Co. said its potential treatment appeared to slow the fatal disease in a late-stage study.
The drugmaker said early results showed that its treatment, lecanemab, reduced patient clinical decline by 27% when compared to a placebo or fake drug after 18 months of the infused treatment.
Eisai announced results late Tuesday from a global study of nearly 1,800 people with early-stage Alzheimer's.
Patients were monitored using a scale that measures mental decline and their ability to do daily activities like getting dressed or feeding themselves.
Eisai Co. Ltd. said it would discuss the full results of the research at a conference in late November. It also plans to publish findings in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
The company is already seeking accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the agency is expected to decide by early next year. Eisai and Biogen will co-promote the drug.
Researchers typically urge caution in evaluating a study until the full results are released. But the initial findings appear to be "quite robust" and will likely support regulatory approval, Mizuho Securities analyst Graig Suvannavejh said in a research note.
A statement from the Alzheimer's Association called the findings the most encouraging to date for potential treatments of the underlying disease causes.
Some 6 million people in the U.S. and many more worldwide have Alzheimer's, which gradually attacks areas of the brain needed for memory, reasoning, communication and basic daily tasks.
Alzheimer's has no known cure. Long-standing treatments on the market just manage symptoms, and researchers don't fully understand what causes the disease.
Last year, Biogen's Aduhelm became the first new Alzheimer's drug introduced in nearly two decades. But it has largely flopped after debuting with a price tag of $56,000 annually, which Biogen later slashed.
Doctors have been hesitant to prescribe it, given weak evidence that the drug slows the progression of Alzheimer's. Insurers have blocked or restricted coverage due to concerns over the drug's high price tag and uncertain benefit.
Earlier this year, the federal Medicare program imposed strict limits on who can get the drug, wiping out most of its potential U.S. market. Biogen announced afterward that it would stop most of its spending on the treatment.
Like Aduhelm, lecanemab, which Eisai developed, aims to clear a protein called beta-amyloid from the brain.
The protein forms a plaque that researchers believe is a contributor to Alzheimer's. They also point to other potential factors like family history and chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Eisai executives say lecanemab focuses more on floating clumps of the protein before it forms the plaque, which is what Aduhelm targets.
Eli Lilly and Co. also is developing a potential treatment, donanemab, that targets the protein.
Shares of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Biogen Inc. jumped 35% to $267.29 in Wednesday morning trading as the broader indexes edged higher. The stock had largely tumbled since Aduhelm's debut last year.
Shares of Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. were up more than 8%. | 2022-09-28T17:04:59+00:00 | wsfltv.com | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national/alzheimers-drug-shows-promise-in-early-results-of-study |
BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian police conducted more raids at European Parliament offices Monday as the legislature’s president pledged to launch an internal investigation into corruption allegations and the bloc’s top official called for the creation of an EU-wide independent ethics body.
Prosecutors investigating alleged influence peddling by a Gulf country at the European Parliament charged four people over the weekend with corruption, participation in a criminal group and money laundering. Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili of Greece was relieved of her duties.
The prosecutors declined to identify the country suspected of offering cash or gifts to parliament officials in exchange for political favors. Several members of the assembly and some Belgian media linked the investigation to Qatar, which is currently hosting soccer’s gala event, the World Cup.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied any wrongdoing.
Police conducted Monday’s raids at European Parliament offices in Brussels to seize computer data belonging to 10 parliamentary assistants, prosecutors said. Officers have conducted 20 raids in total as part of an investigation launched four months ago.
“Several hundred thousand euros have been seized in three different places: 600,000 euros at the home of one of the suspects, several hundred thousand euros in a suitcase seized in a room of a Brussels hotel, and about 150,000 euros in an apartment belonging to an MEP,” prosecutors said.
Kaili, who was relieved of her duties over the weekend, was expelled Monday from the legislature’s Socialists and Democrats group with immediate effect.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU’s executive arm, said the accusations against Kaili threatened the confidence EU citizens have put in the 27-nation bloc’s institutions.
She said the independent ethics body she proposed establishing would cover lobbying activities at the European Commission, the European Council and European Parliament, as well as at the European Central Bank, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Auditors.
The EU does not already have comprehensive lobbying regulations.
“The principles of having such an ethics body where there are very clear rules on what has to be checked, how and when and what has to be published, how and when would be a big step forward,” she said.
As the European Parliament began its last plenary session of the year in Strasbourg, France, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola promised “there will be no sweeping under the carpet.”
She said the Parliament and European democracies were “under attack” by “malign actors, linked to autocratic third countries.”
“We will launch a reform process to see who has access to our premises, how these organizations, NGOs and people are funded, what links with third countries they have,” Metsola added. “We will ask for more transparency on meetings with foreign actors and those linked to them. We will shake up this Parliament and this town, and I need your help to do it.”
On Friday, police in Belgium’s capital carried out multiple raids as part of the investigation and reported seizing cash, computer equipment and mobile telephones.
The federal prosecutor’s office, without identifying any individual, said four of six people detained that day were subsequently charged, and two were released.
Raids also took place in Italy on Sunday.
Prosecutors have confirmed that a parliament member was arrested but declined to confirm it was Kaili, 44, a former TV news anchor. They said they suspect “the payment of large sums of money, or the offer of significant gifts” to people holding with influential positions at the European Parliament.
Metsola relieved Kaili of her duties over the weekend. Kaili’s party in Greece also suspended her and publicly distanced itself from remarks she made in the EU parliament last month praising Qatar,
Qatar came under heavy international pressure to introduce labor reforms in recent years as it sought to build new World Cup stadiums in record time, often using migrant workers who toiled for long hours under harsh conditions.
The EU and Qatar have strengthened their economic relationships since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Moscow slashed supplies of natural gas used to heat homes, generate electricity and power industry in Europe in response to EU sanctions, worsening an energy crisis that is fueling inflation.
The EU has looked for alternatives to buy liquefied natural gas on a long-term basis, notably in Qatar.
In April, the European Commission proposed lifting visa requirements for short EU stays by Qatari nationals. Metsola said negotiations with the Parliament on the proposal would be postponed.
“I was scheduled today to announce the opening of the negotiating mandate for the visa waiver report with Qatar and Kuwait,” she said. “In light of the investigations, this report must be sent back to committee.”
Asked whether Belgian authorities were in touch with the European Commission as part of their investigation, von der Leyen said she had no clue. She added that rhe commission was reviewing its own political transparency register.
“If any kind of new information occurs, we will have to act and react to that,” she said.
Several Socialists and Democrats lawmakers fell on their swords after the group said that any member being investigated should be suspended, or should give up certain of their duties if any of their staff members were under investigation.
Belgian EU lawmaker Marc Tarabella suspended himself outright. His compatriot, Maria Arena, stepped down as chair of the assembly’s Human Rights Committee
“Following the revelations of suspicion of corruption linked to Qatar and the European Parliament, and the search of one of my assistants in the framework of this affair, I have decided that temporarily I will no longer preside over meetings of the Human Rights Committee,” Arena tweeted.
Italian S&D lawmaker Pietro Bartolo also temporarily stepped down as shadow rapporteur for the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee. Another Italian member of the European Parliament, Andrea Cozzolino, stopped performing certain tasks temporarily.
Ghent University Professor Hendrik Vos, an EU expert, told The Associated Press the case could have lingering repercussions on the generally positive image of the European Parliament.
“There has never been such a massive corruption scandal hitting the Parliament,” he said. “It is so profound because it jars so fundamentally with what Parliament pretends to stand for. The Parliament pretends to stand for transparency, unable to be bribed, to defend fundamental values. And then, you get something like this.”
___
Lorne Cook and Raf Casert in Brussels; Elena Becatoros in Athens contributed to this story. | 2022-12-13T15:00:50+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/news/world/ap-international/ap-eu-chief-calls-for-stricter-ethics-rules-amid-scandal/ |
Hair care products and styling tools by top brands are discounted for a limited time
Did you know that the Summer of Hair Love sale event at Ulta has been going on since June 26? If you weren’t aware of this awesome sale, there are no worries if you shop now. That’s because you still have until July 16 to take advantage of savings on products by top brands that promote gorgeous hair.
Select shampoos, conditioners, styling products, styling tools and more are available at savings that are too good to miss. So whether you want to stock up on your favorite products or try something new, you only have a few days left to shop Ulta’s hair sale and save.
How to shop the Ulta Summer of Hair Love sale
Navigating the website
To find the best hair deals during the Ulta Summer of Hair Love sale, it’s important to know where to look once you visit the Ulta website. While special sales are usually trending on the homepage, you can also find them by clicking on the menu at the top of the left side of the page. Once on the sale page, you’ll find categories and brands of products that are discounted during the sale. After selecting a particular product or brand, you’ll be able to see all of the items within that category that are on sale.
Another way to find sale-priced items is to search your favorite category. Discounted items will be marked “sale” along with the new price.
Types of discounts
Whether you are shopping for hair care products or hair styling tools, chances are you’ll find one or more items you’ll love during Ulta’s current sale. The discounts are typically noted in percentages off the discounted amount. They usually range from 15 to 50 percent off retail prices.
Ulta also offers buy one, get one deals during special sales. These items fall within a particular brand. When you take advantage of these sales, you’ll need to purchase one item at the regular price to get the second one on sale. Although the discounted rate may vary for the second sale-priced item, it is often 50 percent off the regular price.
Best deals of the Ulta Summer of Hair Love Sale
Bed Head Recovery Moisture Rich Shampoo
Formulated for dry hair, this shampoo restores moisture and makes hair more manageable. It also produces a healthy-looking shine and helps prevent hair from becoming dry and brittle from the use of styling products and tools. The large 32.8-ounce bottles are 40% off.
Sold by Ulta
Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher
Dry hair isn’t a match for this deeply-moisturizing conditioning cream that’s made of clean ingredients. It’s formulated for all types of curls and hair textures. Buy it now and save 50% of a second Curlsmith product.
Sold by Ulta
If you love Biolage products, stock up now and you’ll pay about the same price for 33.8-ounce bottles as you would those that are less than half that size. This conditioner is gentle on color-treated hair while enhancing the staying power of your favorite color.
Sold by Ulta
American Crew 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash
Not only does this product work as a shampoo, but it also conditions hair and can be used as a body wash. If you buy the 33.8-ounce bottle you’ll get a discount of 15% off the regular price.
Sold by Ulta
Caviar Professional Styling Working Hair Spray
Not only does this hair spray lock in just about any style, but it also makes hair manageable without feeling sticky. The formula contains nutrients such as antioxidants and omega-3s to protect and strengthen hair. It’s on sale for 15% off.
Sold by Ulta
Joico Defy Damage Protective Masque
Joico products like this replenishing hair masque are 30% off during the last days of Ulta’s sale. With clean ingredients that protect hair and help restore damage, this product will keep your hair looking its best even when exposed to heated styling tools.
Sold by Ulta
Hot Tools Professional One-Step Detachable Blowout
Beautiful blowouts are easy to achieve with this powerful tool that has a detachable bristle brush that’s designed to create impressive volume. At a current discount of $34, it’s an unbeatable deal.
Sold by Ulta
Toning down the brassiness of blond hair can be difficult, but this shampoo will help. It’s made with the brand’s brightening technology that improves the appearance of blond and gray hair prone to a brassy hue. The large 33.8-ounce bottles are only $26.99.
Sold by Ulta
DevaCurl CurlBond Re-coiling Mild Lather Cleanser
More than a shampoo, this gentle cleanser is all about protecting, moisturizing and strengthening beautiful curls. Made of clean ingredients, it leaves curls defined and shiny. Buy one and get one 50% off.
Sold by Ulta
Conair InfinitiPRO SmoothWrap Hair Dryer
It’s the combination of ceramic and ionic technology that makes it possible for this hair dryer to ease frizz and damage while it does its job. Although lightweight, it delivers 1,875 watts of power for fast and effective drying. Grab one now and save $20.
Sold by Ulta
It’s A 10 Miracle Daily Conditioner
From promoting strength to providing UV protection, this conditioner does it all. The nourishing ingredients and deep conditioning formula make it suitable for any hair type. During the big sale, the price reflects a 15% discount.
Sold by Ulta
Pureology Nanoworks Gold Shampoo
Whether your hair is dry, dull or damaged, this luxury shampoo has you covered. Its quality ingredients include golden marula oil and keravis. These work together to promote a healthy scalp and soft, strong hair. It’s currently 15% off the standard price.
Sold by Ulta
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.
Jennifer Manfrin writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-07-15T21:37:21+00:00 | kfor.com | https://kfor.com/reviews/br/beauty-personal-care-br/hair-products-br/ultas-summer-of-hair-love-sale-is-wrapping-up-soon-here-are-the-deals-worth-considering/ |
NEEDHAM, Mass., Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Needham Bank announced that Eric Berg joined the Information Technology department as Vice President System Engineering Manager. Reporting to James Gordon, Senior Vice President—Information Technology, Mr. Berg is responsible for overseeing all aspects of technology engineering within the data center.
With 20 years of progressive experience in IT operations, Mr. Berg most recently served as the Associate Manager, Cloud Engineering at UKG, Inc. While he was there, he managed a group of senior cloud engineers in deploying, maintaining and optimizing UKG's identity management solutions. Prior to that, he was a Cloud Infrastructure Engineer at UKG, where he played an integral role in the implementation and management of their cloud initiative.
"I am excited to be joining Needham Bank's robust IT team where I can use my IT operations and project management experience to implement and support the technologies deployed at the Bank," said Mr. Berg.
"Needham Bank truly understands the importance of a strong Information Technology department," explained Mr. Gordon. "I am pleased to welcome Eric to the team. He is an experienced professional with an extensive understanding of IT infrastructure technologies, which will make him an incredibly valuable asset."
Mr. Berg received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Salem State University.
Needham Bank offers an array of tech-forward products and services that businesses and consumers use to manage their financial needs. We have the financial expertise typically found at much larger institutions and the local knowledge and commitment you can only find at a community bank. Known as the "Builder's Bank," Needham Bank has been helping individuals, businesses and non-profits build for their futures since 1892. For more information, please visit https://NeedhamBank.com. Needham Bank is a member of FDIC and DIF.
View original content:
SOURCE Needham Bank | 2022-09-06T16:04:09+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/eric-berg-joins-needham-bank-vice-president-system-engineering-manager/ |
Lubbock family asking for help after house fire
“Were just at step one and we dont even know where to start”
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Police were called to 5026 E FM 40 on Sunday evening around 5 p.m. to help someone reporting heart attack symptoms, the start of a family tragedy that no one could have imagined.
Now that family is asking for your help.
“I got a call from my cousin who lives here with my grandparents and said that my grandpa’s having a heart attack or what they thought was a heart attack, so the ambulance came and they took him to UMC so I went to meet them up there,” Ashley Terrell said.
Ashley Terrell waited in the UMC waiting room for two hours while her grandfather was being treated. When there was nothing more she could do, she eventually went home to make dinner for her kids.
“While I was there somebody came knocking on my door saying ‘Hey there’s a lot of cops at your grandparents’ house’” Terrell said.
Terrell lives directly behind her grandparents and when she realized their home had caught fire she ran out the back door.
“By the time I got here, I guess it was a random citizen just running through the back trying to see if anyone was in the house, and as I stood in the front yard, they brought my aunt out and she was unresponsive,” Terrell said.
Terrell’s aunt, Rhonda, was in the hospital on life support until Thursday morning, but even in death she was able to give to others.
“They took her off life support and she was able to give two kidneys and a heart to somebody else,” Terrell said.
With Terrell’s grandfather still in recovery at UMC, they told him what had happened.
“At the same time that she passed, he’s now up to ICU level, probably because of his heartbreak,” she said.
Now the family is trying to cope and deal with the aftermath. The family is asking for help cleaning up, reaching out to construction workers, trying to collect extra supplies from job sites, or anything people can spare.
Terrell is asking for a few more hands to help get the house back in order, so her grandparents can return home.
If you are interested in helping, the family will begin clean up Sunday, Jul. 8, and anyone is welcome to come by. If you want to donate to the family’s GoFundMe you can find that link here.
Copyright 2023 KCBD. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-30T23:16:54+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/2023/06/30/lubbock-family-is-asking-assistance-after-house-fire/ |
House passes $1.7 trillion spending bill with Ukraine aid
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-led House has passed a $1.7 trillion government spending bill. The bill will finance federal agencies through September and provide more aid to a devastated Ukraine. It passed by a vote of 225-201. The bill represents the closing act for Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s second stint as House speaker. The person hoping to replace her, Republican Kevin McCarthy, led opposition to the bill. That’s a sharp contrast to the Senate, where the leaders from both parties supported the measure. The House chamber was half-empty for the vote with many lawmakers casting proxy votes, having left Washington early to ensure they made it home for Christmas.
FULL STORY
WASHINGTON (AP) — A $1.7 trillion spending bill financing federal agencies through September and providing more aid to a devastated Ukraine cleared the House on Friday as lawmakers race to finish their work for the year and avoid a partial government shutdown.
The bill passed mostly along party lines, 225-201. It now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.
Passage of the bill represented a closing act for Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s second stint as House speaker, and for the Democratic majority she led back to power in the 2018 election. Republicans will take control of the House next year and Rep. Kevin McCarthy is campaigning to replace her.
He is appealing for support from staunch conservatives in his caucus who have largely trashed the size of the bill and many of the priorities it contains. He spoke with a raised voice for about 25 minutes, assailing the bill for spending too much and doing too little to curb illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border.
“This is a monstrosity that is one of the most shameful acts I’ve ever seen in this body,” McCarthy said of the legislation.
The speech prompted a quick quip from Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., who said “after listening to that, it’s clear he doesn’t have the votes yet,” a reference to McCarthy’s campaign to become speaker.
Pelosi said “we have a big bill here because we had big needs for the country,” then turned her focus to McCarthy:
“It was sad to hear the minority leader say that this legislation is the most shameful thing to be seen on the House floor in this Congress,” Pelosi said. “I can’t help but wonder, had he forgotten January 6th?”
The Senate passed the defense-heavy measure with significant bipartisan support on Thursday, but the vote was much more split in the House. Some 30 GOP lawmakers promised to block any legislative priority that comes from those Republican senators who voted for the bill and leadership urged a no vote.
The bill runs for 4,155 pages, not including amendments the Senate added. It contains about a 6% percent increase in spending for domestic initiatives, to $772.5 billion. Spending on defense programs will increase by about 10% to $858 billion.
The bill’s passage came only hours before financing for federal agencies expires. Lawmakers have passed two stopgap spending measures to keep the government operating so far for this budget year and a third was set to pass Friday as well to ensure services continue until Biden could sign the full-year measure, called an omnibus, into law.
The massive bill wraps together 12 appropriations bills, aid to Ukraine and disaster relief for communities recovering from hurricanes, flooding and wildfires. It also contains scores of policy changes that lawmakers worked to include in the final major bill being considered by the current Congress.
Lawmakers provided roughly $45 billion for Ukraine and NATO allies, more than even Biden requested, an acknowledgment that future rounds of funding are not guaranteed with a new GOP-led House.
In a dramatic address to a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told lawmakers that the aid was not charity, but an investment in global security and democracy.
Though Ukraine aid has largely had bipartisan support, some House Republicans have been critical of the effort, arguing the money is better spent on priorities in the U.S.
“How can we send an additional $47 BILLION to Ukraine for security while terrorists, drugs, and criminals flood our southern border?” tweeted Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont.
“$100 billion to Ukraine. Let’s put that in perspective,” tweeted Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who included past rounds of aid in his count. “That’s more than $200 million this year from each Congressional district. What could your congressman have done for your district with $200 million?”
McCarthy has warned that Republicans would not write a “blank check” for Ukraine in the next Congress. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after Thursday’s vote he’s having trouble understanding the concerns.
“I’m just befuddled by some of these right-wing Republicans who don’t want to help Ukraine,” Schumer said. “It’s always been, the more hard right you were, the more anti-Soviet you were, but all of a sudden, they’re pro. I hope it’s not a residue of Trump.”
The Senate passed the funding package Thursday by a vote of 68-29 but it takes time for the Senate clerk’s office to review the bill and include amendments that were added that day. As a result, the bill ended up passing with a half-empty House chamber. More than 220 lawmakers sought the option to vote by proxy, and many raced to get out of town before risking canceled flights and spending Christmas in Washington.
Republicans have vowed that abolishing the practice of remote voting will be among their first acts in the majority next year.
The funding bill also contains roughly $40 billion in emergency spending in the U.S., mostly to assist communities across the country recovering from drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
And it has scores of policy changes largely unrelated to spending that lawmakers worked furiously behind the scenes to include, else they start from scratch next year in a divided Congress where Republicans will be returning to the majority in the House.
One of the most notable examples was a historic revision to federal election law that aims to prevent any future presidents or presidential candidates from trying to overturn an election.
The bipartisan overhaul of the Electoral Count Act is in direct response to former President Donald Trump’s efforts to persuade Republican lawmakers and then-Vice President Mike Pence to object to the certification of Biden’s victory on Jan. 6, 2021.
Among the spending increases Democrats emphasized: a $500 increase in the maximum size of Pell grants for low-income college students, a $100 million increase in block grants to states for substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, a 22% increase in spending on VA medical care and $3.7 billion to provide emergency relief to farmers and ranchers hit by natural disasters, just to name a few.
The bill also provides roughly $15.3 billion for more than 7,200 projects that lawmakers sought for their home states and districts. Under revamped rules for community project funding, also referred to as earmarks, lawmakers must post their requests online and attest they have no financial interest in the projects. Still, many fiscal conservatives criticize the earmarking as leading to unnecessary spending.
For more stories across the U.S., click here. | 2022-12-23T20:46:41+00:00 | wbbjtv.com | https://www.wbbjtv.com/2022/12/23/house-passes-1-7-trillion-spending-bill-with-ukraine-aid/ |
Which Tarte eyeshadow palette is best?
Tarte Cosmetics offers a variety of eyeshadow palette options, and there are a lot of factors to consider in choosing the right one for you. These factors include ingredients, form, color and whether you prefer a matte, shimmer or metallic finish. If you’re looking for a high-quality Tarte eyeshadow palette with a wide selection of colors, Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette is a top choice. The clay form is easy to blend, and the shades are arranged in three rows to suggest which colors to use together.
What to know before you buy a Tarte eyeshadow palette
Like all Tarte palettes, eyeshadows come in a range of different forms with a lot of factors to consider. There are a few things to take into account before making your choice.
Ingredients
The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate and can be very sensitive to chemicals. If you have particularly sensitive eyes or skin, you should avoid eyeshadows that include mineral oils, parabens or fragrances. All Tarte cosmetics, including their eyeshadow palettes, are cruelty-free and free of mineral oil, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, gluten, parabens and phthalates. Although Tarte does offer a range of vegan makeup options, not all of the eyeshadow palettes are vegan.
Form
While pressed powder eyeshadows are the most common, eyeshadows are also available in cream, baked cream and loose powder. All of Tarte’s eyeshadow palettes are pressed powder form, which users generally find to be the easiest to apply and blend. They are also best to avoid mess when applying so less product is wasted.
Eye color
If you are looking to use your eyeshadow to bring out the color in your eyes, you should look at a standard color wheel. Using the wheel, look for the color to the left of your eye color for a soft everyday look. Select a color on the opposite side to your eye color for a dramatic or bold eye look. For example, if you have blue eyes, purple eyeshadow will compliment them for a soft everyday look, and rust-brown will create a bolder smokey eye. You should choose deep purples and greens for a dramatic look on brown eyes.
What to look for in a quality Tarte eyeshadow palette
Color
The most fun part of eyeshadow palettes is that you get a range of different shades to play with. If you are looking to create an everyday, neutral eyeshadow look, choosing a palette with a lot of cool-toned matte colors will be best. If you want to create a dramatic look for a night out, you should select a palette with a lot of highly pigmented colors and shimmers. Tarte’s range of eyeshadow palettes is extensive and the selection of which colors are right for you is a personal preference.
Finish
Tarte eyeshadows are available with matte, shimmer, metallic or frosted finish. If you are looking for a highly pigmented color with no shimmer or shine, a matte palette is a great choice. If you prefer your eyeshadow to be shiny like metal, you should select a palette with a lot of metallic colors. If you are looking for sheer colors to layer or add some sparkle, a palette with shimmer colors will be the right choice. If you want your eyeshadow to have a lot of shine and iridescence, you should choose one of Tarte’s frosted finish palettes.
How much you can expect to spend on a Tarte eyeshadow palette
The price of Tarte eyeshadow palettes varies based on size, finish, and whether the item is a limited edition. You can expect to pay $19-$60 per palette.
Tarte eyeshadow palette FAQ
Should you apply dark or light eyeshadow colors first?
A. While this is a matter of personal preference, you will get the most versatility out of your colors by applying the lightest shade first over your eyelid, all the way up to your brow bone. You can then apply a medium shade over your eyelid and the darkest shade in your crease.
Do you need to use eyeshadow primer?
A. If you want your eyeshadow to go on evenly and smoothly, an eyeshadow primer is a great choice. Primer will also make your eyeshadow last longer, especially powder eyeshadows.
What’s the best Tarte eyeshadow palette to buy?
Top Tarte eyeshadow palette
Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette
What you need to know: This palette includes 12 cool-toned neutral shades in pressed powder form. The eyeshadows have a matte finish.
What you’ll love: The colors are highly pigmented and easy to blend. The shades are arranged in three rows to suggest which colors to use together.
What you should consider: It has a slightly sweet smell that some users disliked. The formula is not vegan.
Where to buy: Sold by Sephora and Amazon
Top Tarte eyeshadow palette for the money
What you need to know: This palette includes four neutral matte shades and two shimmery shades in pressed powder form. It is a smaller palette that is great for traveling or carrying in your purse for touch-ups.
What you’ll love: The shades flatter a wide variety of eye colors and skin tones. The colors are easy to blend on your eyelid and are ideal for all skin types.
What you should consider: The colors were not as pigmented as other Tarte palettes. The formula is not vegan.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Tarteist PRO Amazonian Clay Palette
What you need to know: This palette includes 16 matte and four microshimmer shades in pressed powder form. The shades are flattering on a range of skin tones.
What you’ll love: The colors are highly blendable on your eyelid and are long-lasting.
What you should consider: More expensive than other options, even though it is a larger size. The formula is not vegan.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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.
Rachael Millanta writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-16T17:56:43+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/reviews/br/beauty-personal-care-br/eye-makeup-br/best-tarte-eyeshadow-palette/ |
Coroner identifies man found dead after North Las Vegas house fire
The Clark County coroner’s office Thursday identified a North Las Vegas man found dead after a house fire.
Deshante Andre Sherman, 48, was found Monday inside a two-story home in the 2200 block of Keller Court.
North Las Vegas police responded to the home around 10 a.m. for a domestic disturbance. A woman called police saying her husband had a firearm and had lit the house on fire, according to the department.
Police used a loud speaker in an attempt to get the man to come outside.
Sherman died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the coroner. His death was ruled a suicide.
If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org.
Contact David Wilson at dwilson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @davidwilson_RJ on Twitter. | 2022-12-02T04:33:42+00:00 | reviewjournal.com | https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/coroner-identifies-man-found-dead-after-north-las-vegas-house-fire-2686430/ |
Patio umbrellas recalled after reports of catching fire
(Gray News) – A nationwide recall has been issued for SunVilla patio umbrellas after reports of them catching fire.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall includes all 10-foot Solar LED Market Umbrellas sold from Costco from December 2020 through May 2022.
The umbrellas have LED lights on the arms of the umbrella and a black solar panel battery puck at the top.
SunVilla has received several reports of the battery overheating, including three instances of solar panels catching fire while charging the AC adapter indoors.
There have been two reports of the umbrellas catching fire when the puck overheated while attached to the umbrella.
Anyone with the umbrella should remove the solar panel puck from the top of the umbrella and store it out of the sun. Do not charge the puck with the AC adapter.
The umbrellas and solar pucks can be returned to any Costco Warehouse for a full refund. Consumers can also contact SunVilla for instructions on how to receive a refund.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-24T17:15:06+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/2022/06/24/patio-umbrellas-recalled-after-reports-catching-fire/ |
Statistics after 10 games
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Statistics after 10 games
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad | 2022-11-24T16:02:05+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Philadelphia-Eagles-17608721.php |
Nia Long is opening up about the scandal that surrounded her longtime partner, Ime Udoka, and his suspension from the NBA.
The Boston Celtics coach has apologized after allegations surfaced in which he was accused of engaging in an intimate relationship with a female member of the team's staff. A relationship with the unnamed staff member is reportedly against the franchise's code of conduct, and the 45-year-old coach was suspended for the entire 2022-2023 season.
Long began dating Udoka in 2009 and the couple got engaged in 2015. They share a 10-year-old son, Kez, as well as Long's son, Massai, 21, from a previous relationship.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Long reveals that -- for the first time in her 36-year career -- she recently walked off a set in the middle of production. She explains that the project "didn’t feel good in my belly," and "there was also this sense that the business I have to deal with at home is more important to me than teaching a white director-producer how to tell a Black story."
"I went home to be with my son, and that was what was most important to me, because he was not having an easy time," Long tells the outlet.
"I think the most heartbreaking thing about all of this was seeing my son's face when the Boston Celtics organization decided to make a very private situation public," she says of the organization's decision to call a press conference to address Udoka's suspension. Long shares that she took her son out of school when the news broke, saying that it was "devastating, and it still is."
"He still has moments where it's not easy for him," the Friday actress adds. "If you're in the business of protecting women -- I'm sorry, no one from the Celtics organization has even called to see if I'm OK, to see if my children are OK. It's very disappointing."
After Udoka broke his own silence on the situation in a statement shared by ESPN's NBA Today host Malika Andrews, Long publicly addressed the wave of support she'd received in wake of the news.
"The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means so much to me," Long said in a statement issued to ET. "I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children."
Long hasn't discussed the status of her relationship with Udoka, nor commented on the conduct that prompted his disciplining. Instead, the actress has focused on her children and her upcoming projects, including the release of Peacock's The Best Man: Final Chapters.
The final installment of the Best Man franchise features the original stars from the film, including Long, Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan and Harold Perrineau.
Based on the Universal movies by writer-director Malcolm D. Lee, Final Chapters will catch up with Harper (Diggs), Robyn (Lathan), Jordan (Long), Lance (Chestnut), Quentin (Howard), Shelby (De Sousa), Candace (Hall) and Murch (Perrineau) as relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance.
The limited series brings several recurring guest stars together with our favorite dysfunctional friend group as Harper is given the opportunity to turn his debut novel that kicked off the wild ride over 20 years ago, Unfinished Business, into a movie. Unsurprisingly, it stirs up a lot of feelings.
The Best Man: Final Chapters premieres Dec. 22 on Peacock.
RELATED CONTENT: | 2022-12-01T22:48:15+00:00 | wgrz.com | https://www.wgrz.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/nia-long-speaks-out-about-ime-udokas-scandal-calls-out-disappointing-boston-celtics-organization/603-9f00e80f-7cf3-4fcb-bcfb-647a0791aac8 |
Weather Authority: Sunny, low humidity recipe for picture-perfect weekend
PHILADELPHIA - The end of the week in the Delaware Valley has seen so much weather relief and an end to the 10-day heatwave.
The weekend looks just about picture-perfect with highs both Saturday and Sunday in the mid-80s, under sunny skies.
Sunday afternoon will see clouds thickening up, in advance of showers set to move in the beginning of next week.
After so much brutal heat, Saturday is perfect day to get out and have fun.
For the latest forecasts, download the FOX 29 Weather Authority app.
___
SEVEN-DAY FORECAST
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear. Low: 63
SATURDAY: Sunny skies. High: 84, Low: 64
SUNDAY: Still nice. High: 84, Low: 68
MONDAY: Some showers. High: 78, Low: 68
TUESDAY: More showers. High: 76, Low: 66
WEDNESDAY: A leftover shower. High: 78, Low: 64
THURSDAY: Sunnier skies. High: 82, Low: 64 | 2022-08-12T22:40:53+00:00 | fox29.com | https://www.fox29.com/news/weather-authority-sunny-low-humidity-recipe-for-picture-perfect-weekend |
Here’s when to wash sheets
Most people don’t feel comfortable wearing the same outfit two days in a row, yet those same individuals may use the same bed sheet or pillowcase for weeks at a time. On average, Americans change bedding sheets once every 25 days. If that’s the average, it means there are people who sleep on the same sheets for over a month at a time.
When we sleep, we shed dead skin cells, we sweat, and we drool. This combines to create the perfect environment for a number of undesirable elements. Dust mites thrive in bedding, as do bacteria and fungi — including mold. If you wake up itchy, have problems with acne or asthma, contract ringworm or MRSA, or find yourself constantly getting colds, any or all of these could be the result of sleeping on dirty bedding.
But don’t stress. It’s easy to eliminate sick bed syndrome from your life. All you need to do is learn how and how often to wash your bedding.
Shop this article: Laura Ashley Home – King Sheets, Alaska Bear Silk Pillowcase and Egyptian Bedding 600-Thread-Count Goose Down Comforter
How to wash sheets
Laura Ashley Home – King Sheets
The first step when cleaning anything is to carefully read the manufacturer’s recommendations to be certain that you fully understand and comply with any item-specific cleaning requirements. Since hot water kills most germs and dust mites, it is best to wash your sheets using the hottest water temperature setting that is listed on the product’s care label. For instance, it might be fine to wash cotton sheets on the hottest setting, but polyester blends may only tolerate warm water.
Just like clothing, sheets need to be separated by color so reds and darker colors do not bleed and mar lighter colored items. Sheets require a great deal of room to get fully clean, so wash them separately and do not overload the washer. Also, be careful not to wrap the bedsheets around the agitator during loading as this may cause wrinkling (at best) and may actually cause tearing (at worst).
If you have an outdoor clothesline and the weather is suitable, sunlight can help to disinfect while brightening whites. Otherwise, tumble dry with a dryer sheet. Ironing your bed sheets is an added safeguard that can help kill off any germs or dust mites that survived washing and drying.
How often to wash your sheets
To keep your sheets as clean as possible, it is recommended that you wash them once each week. If that doesn’t quite fit into your schedule, you may push it to twice a month. The exception to this rule of thumb is to wash sheets immediately after someone has been sick.
How to wash pillowcases
Like bedsheets, the manufacturer’s care tag overrides all general cleaning recommendations, so that should always be consulted first for specific instructions.
Since you place your face directly on a pillow, it is subject to sweat, saliva, facial creams, makeup, and hair care products. In some instances, it may be a good idea to give pillowcases a pre-wash treatment. To start, place the pillowcase on a protected area and add some liquid laundry detergent directly to any noticeable stains — stubborn stains may require a degreaser. Rub the detergent in and let it sit for five minutes. Alternatively, you can create a natural, gentler cleaning solution in a bucket and let your pillowcases soak for several hours before washing.
It is important to wash pillowcases separately, as tossing them in with towels can create unwanted lint issues. Use the hottest setting recommended by the manufacturer and run the pillowcases through a cleaning cycle, perhaps using an additional rinse. You can hang the pillowcases on an outdoor line, if able, or tumble dry. If you plan on ironing, remove the pillowcases from the line or the dryer before they are completely dry — ironing while slightly damp can make the task easier.
How often to wash your pillowcases
Since pillowcases come in direct contact with your face and they are smaller and easier to wash than bedsheets, it is recommended that you wash these items as often as every other day. If you are experiencing no issues, such as rashes, acne, itching, or other discomforts, you may consider washing twice each week. Even if you experience none of the aforementioned health issues, the longest you should go without washing pillowcases is a week.
How to wash a duvet
Hotel Sheets Direct Duvet Cover Bed Linen Set
Before washing your duvet, check to make sure it doesn’t need to be dry cleaned. Also, read the manufacturer’s recommendations carefully as some duvets can be damaged by bleach, brightener, or fabric softener.
If you find a dirty spot on your duvet, it’s usually best to take care of that by hand, immediately. Pull the cover away from the filling, mix a few drops of mild detergent in a cup, and use it to scrub away the stain. Keeping the cover away from the filling, rinse it, then dry using a hair dryer.
When you need to put the duvet in the washing machine, fold it in half and place it in the machine so its weight is evenly distributed. Use a mild liquid detergent and set the machine to a gentle cycle using warm water. You may need to put the duvet through two to three additional rinse cycles for proper cleaning. When drying, use low heat and dryer balls to keep the filling from clumping up. While the duvet cover may be ironed, it is typically not recommended for the duvet itself.
How often to wash your duvet
If you take proper care of your duvet, using a cover and spot cleaning as you go along, you only need to clean it once every four to five years. The duvet cover, on the other hand, should be cleaned once every month or two in a similar manner to how you clean your sheets.
How to wash a comforter
Egyptian Bedding 600-Thread-Count Goose Down Comforter
A comforter is similar to a duvet, but it is one quilted piece. When cleaning, some feel it is best to have it professionally laundered in a commercial-sized washing machine that won’t damage the bedding. If, however, you have a full-size washing machine or you don’t mind making a trip to the laundromat, clean your comforter using cold water (to reduce shrinkage) and mild detergent without additives. Alternatively, some individuals prefer to wash their comforter by hand in a bathtub using cold water and mild laundry detergent. While this method is time-intensive, it might be the best option for some households. Of course, always default to the manufacturer’s suggested care if it differs.
When drying, be patient because it may take several cycles. Dryer balls are recommended to reduce clumping and dryer sheets are safe (unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer). It is generally not recommended that you employ line drying or ironing when caring for comforters.
How often to wash your comforter
Because a comforter doesn’t come in direct contact with your skin, it doesn’t need to be washed as often as some other bedding. Unless you have pets, you eat in bed, or you have a spill, a comforter only needs to be washed twice each year.
How to wash a weighted blanket
Weighted blankets can be particularly tricky to wash. This is not because they are harder to clean than other bedding; rather, it’s due to there being so many different types with so many different restrictions for care. More than any other item in this list, you will want to check the label on weighted blankets for the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The rule of thumb is to wash on a gentle cycle with no additives and tumble dry on low. However, it is important to remember that besides their size, weighted blankets are heavy, so they can be tough on the average washer. This is another instance where it might be a smarter option to take a trip to the local laundromat or use your bathtub as a cleaning option. A top load washer should never be more than two-thirds full and items should never be packed tight. If both of these conditions cannot be met, the load is too big for your machine.
How often to wash your weighted blanket
It is important to take care of your weighted blanket — no pets, no food or drinks — because the more frequently it is washed, the quicker it will deteriorate. The same component that makes your blanket so supremely comforting — that additional weight — places increased stress on the seams every time you wash. To get the longest life out of your weighted blanket, it is best to wash it only two or three times each year.
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.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2023-07-14T18:17:28+00:00 | wnct.com | https://www.wnct.com/reviews/br/bed-bath-br/bedding-br/how-and-how-often-to-wash-your-bedding/ |
NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. ("Flagstar" or the "Company") (NYSE: FBC). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether Flagstar and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
On or around October 6, 2022, media outlets reported that the Department of Justice may be considering a lawsuit against Flagstar over allegations of racial discrimination.
On this news, Flagstar's stock price fell $1.78 per share, or 5.02%, to close at $33.70 per share on October 6, 2022.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com
CONTACT:
Robert S. Willoughby
Pomerantz LLP
rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
888-476-6529 ext. 7980
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Pomerantz LLP | 2022-10-19T04:28:03+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/10/19/shareholder-alert-pomerantz-law-firm-investigates-claims-behalf-investors-flagstar-bancorp-inc-fbc/ |
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The San Antonio Zoo is hoping bad breakups will lead to a winning fundraiser.
The zoo’s message to the heartbroken is simply: Name a cockroach, rodent or veggie after an ex and watch it be fed to a zoo animal.
The zoo will do just that for anyone willing to make a donation during the return of the zoo’s Cry Me a Cockroach fundraiser.
In 2022, the effort raked in more than 7,000 donations from across the United States–and 30 different countries, the zoo stated.
This year, the zoo is further offering with a custom voiceover for 20 of the most dissatisfied donors.
“The season of love and loath is back,” said Tim Morrow, President and CEO of San Antonio Zoo. “Whether it was a sour romance, a breakup with your work, or a collective dislike for a 2022 trend, the Cry Me a Cockroach Fundraiser is here to help you leave that negativity behind! The cockroaches, rodents and veggies are already part of the animals typical diets, and although small, they really are the unsung heroes of the food chain this Valentine’s season.”
As a part of the donation, the donor will receive a digital Valentine’s Day card showing their support for the fundraiser and a short video of an animal eating a cockroach, rodent, or veggie to share on social media.
The fundraiser ends on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Proceeds will help the non-profit San Antonio Zoo. | 2023-01-10T18:21:12+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/latest/name-a-roach-after-an-ex-this-zoo-hopes-you-will-donate-to-do-so/ |
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Saturday evening's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 3 Evening" game were:
0-4-2
(zero, four, two)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Saturday evening's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 3 Evening" game were:
0-4-2
(zero, four, two) | 2022-09-25T03:24:08+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Evening-game-17464902.php |
SMU vs. Temple Women's Basketball Predictions & Picks - March 1
Published: Feb. 26, 2023 at 11:44 PM CST|Updated: 1 hour ago
Wednesday's contest between the SMU Mustangs (16-10) and the Temple Owls (10-17) at Liacouras Center has a projected final score of 64-60 based on our computer prediction, with SMU coming out on top. Game time is at 7:00 PM on March 1.
The Mustangs' most recent outing on Sunday ended in a 69-68 loss to Memphis.
SMU vs. Temple Game Info
- When: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET
- Where: Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Use this link to get a free trial of fuboTV, where you can watch college hoops and other live sports without cable!
SMU vs. Temple Score Prediction
- Prediction: SMU 64, Temple 60
SMU Schedule Analysis
- The Mustangs' best victory of the season came against the Houston Cougars, a top 100 team (No. 75), according to our computer rankings. The Mustangs captured the 53-50 home win on January 21.
SMU 2022-23 Best Wins
- 70-56 on the road over Cal (No. 91) on December 4
- 68-66 at home over East Carolina (No. 92) on January 14
- 84-71 over Gardner-Webb (No. 117) on December 3
- 63-59 at home over Louisiana Tech (No. 127) on November 22
- 69-51 at home over Wichita State (No. 134) on February 22
Watch college hoops all season on all your devices without cable with a seven-day free trial on fuboTV!
SMU Performance Insights
- The Mustangs have a +148 scoring differential, topping opponents by 5.7 points per game. They're putting up 64.4 points per game, 198th in college basketball, and are giving up 58.7 per outing to rank 49th in college basketball.
- In AAC games, SMU has averaged 3.6 fewer points (60.8) than overall (64.4) in 2022-23.
- In 2022-23 the Mustangs are averaging 7.6 more points per game at home (67.0) than away (59.4).
- At home, SMU allows 53.1 points per game. Away, it concedes 64.7.
- Over their last 10 games, the Mustangs are scoring 64.0 points per contest, compared to their season average of 64.4.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-27T06:49:36+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/sports/betting/2023/03/01/smu-temple-womens-college-basketball-picks-predictions/ |
FLINT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - A lot of people spent Memorial Day weekend exploring the start of summer deals.
But humans weren't the only ones trying to find the best deals.
An officer from the Flint Township Police Department ran through the Walmart store on Corunna Road trying wrangle a doe that snuck into the sporting goods department.
Police say they received a call just before 11 a.m. on Memorial Day from the Walmart, where they found a deer that was playing hide-and-seek in the sporting goods section. The doe made a quick getaway through a shelf wall.
The officer was able to corner the deer, wrangle it to the ground and direct it back outside. Police believe the doe was looking to just spend a few "bucks." | 2023-06-01T13:36:57+00:00 | abc12.com | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/flint-township-police-catch-deer-checking-out-deals-in-walmart/article_21918856-006f-11ee-94bd-7357ae0742fb.html |
Judge delays Gov. Kemp’s testimony in Georgia election probe
ATLANTA (AP) — A judge ruled Monday that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp must testify before a special grand jury that’s investigating possible illegal attempts by then-President Donald Trump and others to influence the 2020 election in the state — but not until after the November midterm election.
Lawyers for Kemp had argued that immunities related to his position as governor protect him from having to testify. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who’s overseeing the special grand jury, disagreed and said the governor must testify. But he did agree to a request from Kemp’s lawyers to delay that testimony until after the Nov. 8 election, in which the Republican governor faces a rematch with Democrat Stacey Abrams.
“The Governor is in the midst of a re-election campaign and this criminal grand jury investigation should not be used by the District Attorney, the Governor’s opponent, or the Governor himself to influence the outcome of that election,” McBurney wrote. “The sound and prudent course is to let the election proceed without further litigation or other activity concerning the Governor’s involvement in the special grand jury’s work.”
But once the election is over, McBurney wrote that he expects Kemp’s lawyers to “promptly make arrangements for his appearance.”
A spokesperson for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and a lawyer for Kemp did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling or whether they would appeal.
A delay could increase the likelihood that Trump will be a declared presidential candidate by the time the investigation moves toward its conclusion, further raising the political stakes.
Prosecutors have said they want to ask Kemp about contacts with Trump and others in the wake of the 2020 general election.
Kemp’s lawyers had also raised concerns about attorney-client privilege, and McBurney wrote that neither prosecutors nor grand jurors will be able to ask the governor about the contents of communications covered by that privilege. He said he’s aware of several conversations of interest to the investigation to which that privilege applies.
If there are disputes over what questions can be asked that cannot be resolved by the lawyers involved, they can be brought to McBurney “for resolution (or at least helpful direction),” the judge wrote.
Willis opened the investigation early last year, prompted by a January 2021 phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger during which the then-president suggested the state’s top election official could “find” the votes needed to overturn his loss. But the investigation’s scope has widened considerably since then.
Raffensperger and some other state officials have already appeared before the special grand jury.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-29T15:32:50+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/2022/08/29/judge-delays-gov-kemps-testimony-georgia-election-probe/ |
ZURICH, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of the life and non-life insurance companies that house the personal accident, supplemental health and life insurance business of Cigna (NYSE: CI) in six Asia-Pacific markets. Chubb paid $5.36 billion for the operations, which include Cigna's accident and health (A&H) and life business in Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia. The reduction in the final purchase price from the original announcement reflects the impacts of rising interest rates and foreign exchange rates on acquired book value and other minor adjustments.
This complementary strategic acquisition advances Chubb by expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, a long-term growth area for the company. With the addition of Cigna's business, Asia-Pacific's share of Chubb's global portfolio will grow to approximately $7 billion in premium from $4 billion, representing about 18% of the total company premiums, with approximately 95% of the acquired business contributing to Chubb's Life Insurance segment and the remainder to its Overseas General Insurance segment. The company's global A&H writings will increase in size to approximately $6 billion in premium, up from $3.7 billion, while the company's life insurance segment becomes a $5.4 billion business.
"Cigna's business, which is approximately 80% A&H, adds significantly to our business in Asia," said Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of Chubb. "The Asia-Pacific region offers great potential for long-term growth and wealth creation. The Cigna businesses have favorable underwriting margins, produce high-quality earnings, and are not exposed to the P&C cycle. Chubb is so well positioned to capitalize on market and product opportunities, including the cross-selling of Chubb's non-life products to life customers, with a strong brand, technology, and complementary direct marketing skills and partnerships.
"At the same time, I am also pleased to welcome nearly 3,000 new colleagues to Chubb. Together, the leadership and talented professionals of Chubb and Cigna will enable us to provide greater value to our customers, distribution partners, and shareholders."
Key financial aspects of the transaction are positive: earnings and earnings per share accretion, return on equity accretion and other deal returns are all expected to be consistent with or better than what was originally announced. The underlying business remains strong, with premiums on a constant-dollar basis ahead of plan and continued positive outlook for premium growth. The efficiencies created by the transaction are expected to provide greater flexibility for the company to invest in people, technology, products and distribution in the region. Expense synergies are now projected to be at a run-rate of $100 million pre-tax, or 28% higher than previously estimated, resulting in one-time net integration costs of $140 million pre-tax, which are higher than originally estimated, reflecting the higher expected ongoing expense synergies.
Integration planning has been actively underway since the transaction was announced last October. In Korea, the business will continue to operate under the LINA name, but with a fresh look that aligns with the Chubb brand. In other markets, the businesses will be rebranded as Chubb as the integration progresses and operating entities are combined.
About Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 34,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as those related to the acquisition of the businesses noted above, potential post-acquisition performance, growth opportunities, integration, and our expectations and intentions that are not historical facts, reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, including without limitation, statements about the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including future financial results; the receipt of any required regulatory approvals and completion of other closing conditions; our ability to integrate the acquired businesses, operations and employees; general competitive, economic, political, insurance and reinsurance business market conditions; and judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments, as well as management's responses to these factors, and other factors identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Chubb Limited IR | 2022-07-01T07:51:15+00:00 | kwtx.com | https://www.kwtx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/chubb-completes-acquisition-cignas-personal-accident-supplemental-health-life-insurance-business-asia-pacific/ |
BEAL AND WANTS TO PRESS CHARGES. SUMMER: DRY CONDITIONS ACROSS CENTRAL FLORIDA HAVE SEVERAL COUNTIES PUTTING BURN BANS IN PLACE. WESH TWOS MEGAN SPOKE WITH FIRE OFFICIALS WHO SAY THEY DO NOT SEE THE BANDS GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON. MEGAN: PLANS FOR BONFIRES OR BURNING DEBRIS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT. OF DRY CONDITIONS ACROSS CENTRAL FLORIDA HAVE BURN BANS IN PLACE. >> WITH THE VEGETATION BEING DRIED, IT CREATES A VEGETATION THAT IS VERY FLAMMABLE. MEGAN: ALL SEALER COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE DIVISION CHIEF KEVIN SAYS WHEN CONDITIONS ARE DRY EMBERS FROM RECREATIONAL FIRES CAN IGNITE MUCH LARGER, UNWANTED FLAMES. HE SAYS THAT INCLUDES THE USE OF FIREWORKS. >> ANYTHING THAT CAN HAVE AN IGNITION SOURCE FOR THE FUEL CONSENT OFF A BRUSH FIRE. NO OPEN FLAME, NOTHING OUTSIDE. MEGAN: BURN BANS ARE ACTIVATED WHEN THE DROUGHT INDEX REACHES OR GOES ABOVE 500. THE COUNTIES ON YOUR SCREEN HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW HAVE AN INDEX OF AT LEAST 500. THAT INCLUDES OSCEOLA, ORANGE, SEMINOLE AND BREVARD. IN DAYTONA BEACH, THE TIGER BAY STATE FOREST CAUGHT FIRE OVER THE WEEKEND. CREWS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CONTAINING IT. BUT THEY SAY WITH NO RAIN IN SIGHT CONDITIONS WILL GET DRIER BEFORE THEY GET BETTER. >> ARE COMMANDERS AND OTHER DIVISION CHIEFS LOOK AT IT ON A DAILY BASIS TO SEE IF OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS IT’S GONE UP ABOUT SIX POINT TODAY.
Burn bans in effect across Central Florida amid dry conditions
Updated: 6:51 PM EDT Mar 28, 2023
Plans for bonfires or burning debris are going to have to wait. Dry conditions across Central Florida have burn bans in place. Osceola County Fire and Rescue Division Chief Kevin Kennett says when conditions are dry, embers from recreational fires can ignite much larger, unwanted flames. He says that includes the use of fireworks.“Anything that can have an ignition source for the fuel could essentially set off a brush fire, so we would prefer no open flame, anything outside,” he said.Burn bans are activated when the Florida Department of Agriculture’s drought index reaches or goes above 500.On Tuesday, that included Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Brevard Counties. In Daytona Beach, the Tiger Bay State Forest caught fire over the weekend. Crews have been working on containing it.Related: Crews working to contain wildfire in Volusia CountyKennett says with no rain in sight, conditions will likely get drier before they get better.“Our shift commanders and other some other division chiefs, they look at it on a daily basis and over the last couple days, it has gone up about six points a day... just a matter of pray for rain,” he said. Disregarding the burn ban may come with dangerous risks and also consequences. You could face a fine or even jail time.Top headlines:Sheriff: Report of naked woman climbing tree leads to discovery of body in FloridaFamily of Embry-Riddle student claims wrongful death, says he was murderedDeSantis signs bill to expand Florida school voucher program
, Fla. — Plans for bonfires or burning debris are going to have to wait. Dry conditions across Central Florida have burn bans in place.
Osceola County Fire and Rescue Division Chief Kevin Kennett says when conditions are dry, embers from recreational fires can ignite much larger, unwanted flames. He says that includes the use of fireworks.
“Anything that can have an ignition source for the fuel could essentially set off a brush fire, so we would prefer no open flame, anything outside,” he said.
Burn bans are activated when the Florida Department of Agriculture’s drought index reaches or goes above 500.
On Tuesday, that included Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Brevard Counties. In Daytona Beach, the Tiger Bay State Forest caught fire over the weekend. Crews have been working on containing it.
Related: Crews working to contain wildfire in Volusia County
Kennett says with no rain in sight, conditions will likely get drier before they get better.
“Our shift commanders and other some other division chiefs, they look at it on a daily basis and over the last couple days, it has gone up about six points a day... just a matter of pray for rain,” he said.
Disregarding the burn ban may come with dangerous risks and also consequences. You could face a fine or even jail time.
Top headlines: | 2023-03-28T23:36:01+00:00 | wesh.com | https://www.wesh.com/article/burn-bans-florida/43444381 |
Wednesday, July 26th 2023, 10:36 pm
Artificial intelligence is past the point of being science fiction.
A.I. is being used now and has been for years in everything from facial recognition and self-driving cars, to language translation and games.
More recent examples of the power of A.I. are chatbots and ChatGPT. GPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer.
"When you type in a question to A.I., it comes up with the most probable word to finish the answer,” Dr. Brett McKinney explained. “Language emerges, so it looks like it’s talking and thinking."
McKinney is a professor of Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Tulsa.
The rise of Artificial Intelligence led to the founding of Center for Open AI, or CAIS.
The organization published a 22-word open letter in late May, signed by dozens of academics and experts.
It reads, "Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.”
"It’s a bit alarmist, but we need to discuss implications so it’s not happening to us," said McKinney.
McKinney believes the ultimate purpose of A.I. should be to benefit humans.
Cheryl Lawson uses A.I. every day. She founded Social Media Tulsa and is an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University in Tulsa.
Lawson understands the fear surrounding artificial intelligence, but wants people to know it can help in everyday life.
"I get a little bit of the apprehension,” Lawson said. “But for the most part, people are in awe of the day-to-day things; that it can save them time and sometimes money."
While the technology helps Lawson with her job, many are concerned it could take jobs from people.
One study estimates A.I. caused 4,000 job losses in May of 2023.
The University of Oklahoma is set to host two A.I.-related boot camps with Fullstack Academy by the end of August. The classes will offer participants a certificates in A.I. Machine Learning and Cloud Computing.
O.U. Professor Dr. Belinda Biscoe sees the potential for A.I. to create jobs.
"As A.I. begins to unfortunately take over jobs and other kinds of skills, there are things that at this point A.I. is not capable of doing. And these are what we call in continuing education ‘soft skills,’" Dr. Biscoe said.
Biscoe points to statistics from several agencies, including the Labor Bureau, that demand for A.I. professionals is expected to jump 36 percent over the next ten years. The average for other jobs is about six percent.
Zip Recruiter shows about 2,300 A.I. positions open in Oklahoma, with the starting salaries above $80,000.
"We just think that some of these jobs that are emerging with A.I. will help to boost our workforce and our economy here in Oklahoma," Biscoe said.
Each of these experts agree that this emerging technology should be regulated, and that Americans’ right to privacy should be considered.
"How can we make sure we’re benefitting?” McKinney wondered. “And avoiding a situation where we don’t know what’s real or what’s false."
Biscoe believes the conversation should focus on balancing individual rights with the rights of the collective.
“I don’t know that we’ve solved that yet,” Biscoe said. "We’re probably going to need regulatory bodies to establish standards and codes of conduct that help to guide our reasonable ethical fair and responsible use of A.I."
“You have people who say, ‘I will never own a smartphone,’” Lawson said. "I think you will have those same people say, ‘I don't want to participate in A.I.’ And there will be ways to opt out. Right now, the way is: don’t use it."
July 12th, 2023
March 15th, 2023
July 28th, 2023 | 2023-07-28T18:29:45+00:00 | newson6.com | https://www.newson6.com/story/64c1e64b37971d071321cd81/ai-among-us:-assessing-the-benefits-and-risks-of-artificial-intelligence |
The Amethyst, Pearl and Ammolite open for tours this weekend at Seasons at Montelena
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Richmond American Homes of California, Inc., a subsidiary of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC), is excited to announce that three brand-new, fully furnished model homes will open for tours this weekend at Seasons at Montelena (RichmondAmerican.com/SeasonsAtMontelena). This vibrant new Rancho Cordova neighborhood offers five thoughtfully designed ranch and two-story floor plans from the builder's popular Seasons™ Collection (RichmondAmerican.com/SeasonsSAC), designed to put homeownership within reach for a variety of buyers.
Model tours
Prospective homebuyers and local agents are encouraged to schedule a tour of the new Amethyst, Pearl and Ammolite model homes at Seasons at Montelena for Saturday, June 18, or Sunday, June 19. Visits can be booked by calling 916.472.7384 and making an appointment with a New Home Specialist.
More about Seasons at Montelena:
- New Seasons™ Collection homes from the $500s
- Five ranch and two-story plans with open layouts and designer details
- 2 to 6 bedrooms, approx. 1,400 to 3,040 sq. ft.
- Prime location near American River, Lake Natoma and Sacramento State Aquatic Center
- Close proximity to paved bike trails, historic sites, shopping, dining, wine tasting, entertainment and notable schools
- Amethyst, Pearl and Ammolite models opening this weekend!
Those who choose to build a new home from the ground up at Seasons at Montelena will have the opportunity to work with professional design consultants at the builder's Home Gallery™ to select colors, textures, finishes and fixtures for their new living spaces—a complimentary service!
Seasons at Montelena is located at 3908 Valance Way in Rancho Cordova. Call 916.472.7384 or visit RichmondAmerican.com for more information. View health and safety updates at RichmondAmerican.com/COVID-19.
About M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
Operating under the name Richmond American Homes, MDC's homebuilding subsidiaries have built more than 220,000 homes since 1977. Among the nation's largest homebuilders, MDC's subsidiary companies have operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, plus insurance and title services are offered by the following MDC subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDC." For more information, visit MDCHoldings.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. | 2022-06-13T21:32:27+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/richmond-american-debuts-new-model-homes-rancho-cordova/ |
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Saturday evening's drawing of the Connecticut Lottery's "Cash 5" game were:
05-08-12-26-33
(five, eight, twelve, twenty-six, thirty-three)
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Saturday evening's drawing of the Connecticut Lottery's "Cash 5" game were:
05-08-12-26-33
(five, eight, twelve, twenty-six, thirty-three) | 2022-06-12T03:30:25+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Cash-5-game-17235957.php |
Huskers’ Myles Farmer cited on suspicion of DUI, suspended
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska starting safety Myles Farmer has been suspended for Saturday’s game at No. 3 Michigan after being ticketed on suspicion of drunken driving last weekend. Police say the 21-year-old Farmer was stopped in downtown Lincoln at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday for a traffic violation. The officer observed signs of impairment and additional tests were conducted. Farmer’s blood alcohol content was measured at 0.123. The legal limit in Nebraska is 0.08. He was cited for driving under the influence and failure to use a turn signal. Interim coach Mickey Joseph said Farmer’s status for the Nov. 19 game against Wisconsin will be evaluated next week. | 2022-11-08T23:26:05+00:00 | kyma.com | https://kyma.com/news/ap-business/2022/11/08/huskers-myles-farmer-cited-on-suspicion-of-dui-suspended-2/ |
Nigeria, Africa's largest democracy, has a new president — but he faces huge challenges, including reconciliation with the opposition after a bitter election.
Copyright 2023 NPR
Nigeria, Africa's largest democracy, has a new president — but he faces huge challenges, including reconciliation with the opposition after a bitter election.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-03-01T22:02:48+00:00 | upr.org | https://www.upr.org/2023-03-01/nigeria-has-a-new-president-elect-but-his-opponents-reject-the-results |
Eat your fruits and vegetables is good advice. They're naturally low in fat and calories and provide nutrients vital for your health, like vitamin A, which helps keep your skin clear and vitamin C, which can aid in the healing of cuts and wounds. The potassium found in things like sweet potatoes and spinach help maintain blood pressure. But getting nutrients the natural way is getting more expensive.
The latest government inflation numbers showed year over year, costs for fruits and vegetables was up 7.8% in April.
Many Americans are turning to their backyards for relief. The National Gardening Association said almost 17 million people started growing their own food last year.
"We saw traffic to our website double from 2019 to 2020 and we were already having like 7 million visitors a year to the sites. And it raised up again in 2021 and again in 2022," said National Gardening Association Executive Director Dave Whitinger.
About a third of new gardeners say they saved money.
Kenisha Richardson in south Florida is one of the new backyard farmers. She's looking to cut her grocery bills.
"We have some watermelons. This is the watermelons growing in here. We have some broccoli, we have kale, we have celery," she said. "I'm tired of spending money at the store. So, I would like to save money by growing my own vegetables."
Richardson also sells her own seasoning blend on social media.
"Grow your own food," she said. "If you have just a little space — whether it's a patio, whether it's a big backyard — grow your own food."
In Milwaukee, Crystal Ayad is part of the Victory Gardens initiative that helps families grow their own vegetables, fruit and herbs.
"We wanted an opportunity to have food right at our fingertips," she said. "A lot of the foods that we are getting out of the store may not be as nutritious as it would be if you grow it right here."
In West Palm Beach, Florida, the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church distributes food grown in its garden to people looking to eat healthy and make ends meet.
Church member Dr. Florenzia Davis has a PHD in nutritional science. Eating well is at the top of her list.
"With the increase in the cost of foods and you know, their incomes have not increased. So they sometimes have to make a choice of paying their rent or buying food or paying for their medicine," she said. "We harvest the vegetables on Saturdays and then on Sunday mornings, they are packaged and they are laid out on a table and whoever needs them are able to take what they need."
Inflation has hit the gardening world, too. The cost of fertilizer is up, the cost of shipping increased the price of some seeds and plants and tools made overseas are more pricey.
"It's hit every single segment of gardening," Whitinger said.
He says a basic garden — around 20 feet by 30 feet — pre-pandemic cost you about $88, depending on where you live. He says that cost has likely increased to about $100.
If successful, Whitinger says the return in savings will be about $700 or more worth of food, roughly 350 pounds.
"A lot of the greens are popular because greens are crazy expensive, as you probably know," he continued. "So in the summertime, we can grow things like swiss chard and kale — our two super popular ones. As the temperatures get a little bit cooler, you can grow things like lettuce and spinach."
You can even grow fruit in abundance.
"Blackberries are super easy to grow," Whitinger said. "You can grow them almost anywhere, but especially in the south, in the north."
But Whitinger warns that it's vital to do your homework before starting your garden. For some vegetables, it may be too hot and too late in the season now. And potted vegetables, like tomatoes, will be more expensive than buying seeds early in the season.
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | 2022-05-24T02:34:51+00:00 | kivitv.com | https://www.kivitv.com/news/national/some-turn-to-home-gardens-as-grocery-prices-rise |
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Russia's Putin over Ukraine war crimes
The International Criminal Court said Friday it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes because of his alleged involvement in the abductions of children from Ukraine.
The court said in a statement that Putin "is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation."
It also issued a warrant Friday for the arrest of Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, the Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, on similar allegations.
A possible trial of any Russians at the ICC remains a long way off, as Moscow does recognize the court's jurisdiction and does not extradite its nationals.
Ukraine also is not a member of the court, but it has granted the ICC jurisdiction over its territory and ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has visited four times since opening an investigation a year ago.
The ICC said that its pre-trial chamber found there were "reasonable grounds to believe that each suspect bears responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population and that of unlawful transfer of population from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, in prejudice of Ukrainian children."
The court statement said that "there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Putin bears individual criminal responsibility" for the child abductions "for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others (and) for his failure to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts."
On Thursday, a U.N.-backed inquiry cited Russian attacks against civilians in Ukraine, including systematic torture and killing in occupied regions, among potential issues that amount to war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity.
The sweeping investigation also found crimes committed against Ukrainians on Russian territory, including deported Ukrainian children who were prevented from reuniting with their families, a "filtration" system aimed at singling out Ukrainians for detention, and torture and inhumane detention conditions.
But on Friday, the ICC put the face of Putin on the child abduction allegations. | 2023-03-17T16:27:28+00:00 | wyff4.com | https://www.wyff4.com/article/russia-putin-arrest-warrant-ukraine-war-crimes/43349377 |
Thursday, June 8th 2023, 5:29 pm
News 9 has received a lot of viewer questions about a structure that’s being built on South Harvey Avenue and Southwest 2nd Street.
News 9’s Colby Thelen set out to try and find the answers.
June 14th, 2023
June 28th, 2023 | 2023-06-29T04:02:45+00:00 | news9.com | https://www.news9.com/story/64825766f62596072b590a87/whats-being-filmed-in-oklahoma-city:-movie-set-built-in-downtown |
New details released about the arrest of a Simmesport alderman, three others
SIMMESPORT, La. (KALB) - The Simmesport Police Department has released new details about the arrest of the town’s alderman at-large, Romaro Turner, and three others.
The Simmesport Police Department said that on Dec. 8, officers responded to reports of a man being severely beaten and sexually assaulted by multiple people. Investigators said the victim suffered injuries, including a broken nose and multiple cuts and bruises. SPD said the incident was a form of “mislead vigilante justice.”
Simmesport Alderman At-Large Romaro Turner, Trinitra Turner, Bryant Washington and Lance Williams were arrested on Dec. 13 and face multiple charges, including first-degree rape, aggravated second-degree battery and criminal conspiracy.
A fifth suspect, 35-year-old Kendrick Washington, is still at large and is wanted for his connection to the incident:
Romaro Turner currently still holds his position as alderman at-large but did not show up at a special town hall meeting on Dec. 21. At that meeting, the council did not get to any of the agenda items because it did not reach quorum, as Turner, District 1 Alderman Glenn Gautreaux and District 2 Alderwoman Tiesha Kennedy were absent.
The Mayor of Simmesport, Dr. Leslie Draper III, told KALB that the town has received emails and phone calls demanding Turner be removed from his seat as an Alderman.
“As it related to the quarrel or altercation on the date in question, the Town of Simmesport is obviously quite disturbed,” said Mayor Draper. “We have received more than our share of threats to the degree that last Wednesday we had to actually close the Town Hall.”
Mayor Draper, as well as the town’s attorney, Kirk Lacour, said the town cannot remove Turner from his seat, as he is a publicly-elected official. As it stands, to remove Turner from office, he must resign or be recalled by a public petition.
“We are not in the position to fire him, he is not in the same division as regular employees, he’s an elected official by the people of Simmesport and therefore there is a protocol we must follow,” said Mayor Draper. “We have every intention to do what is right and appropriate.”
The mayor said he hopes the threats to the town’s employees will stop and asked the public to allow the investigators and justice system to do their jobs.
“We are asking the general public to refrain from the threats to the employees,” said Mayor Draper. “The councilman at-large, we are praying for him, and all who were involved, the victim obviously we are praying for them and praying for our town to start a healing process. Let the system work and let each party have their due process.”
SPD said the investigation remains ongoing. For a full list of charges each suspect faces, CLICK HERE.
Click here to report a typo. Please provide the title of the article in your email.
Copyright 2022 KALB. All rights reserved. | 2022-12-22T00:31:44+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/2022/12/22/new-details-released-about-arrest-simmesport-alderman-three-others/ |
Planes in Florida close call were cleared to use same runway
By The Associated Press
Federal investigators say an air traffic controller cleared one plane to land and another to take off from the same runway in Florida last month. The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that the American Airlines and Air Canada Rouge planes were separated by six-tenths of a mile at their closest point. That’s much farther apart than planes were in several recent close calls. The NTSB says it’s forming a group to investigate air traffic controller actions during the Feb. 16 incident in Sarasota, Florida. The early findings come a day after officials from government, airlines and unions met outside Washington, D.C., for a “safety summit.” | 2023-03-16T22:30:23+00:00 | localnews8.com | https://localnews8.com/news/2023/03/16/planes-in-florida-close-call-were-cleared-to-use-same-runway-2/ |
MISSISSIPPI, USA — A Mississippi man said his pet cat helped prevent a robbery at his home, and he credits the calico with possibly saving his life.
Bandit, a 20-pound cat, lives with her retired owner Fred Everitt in the Tupelo suburb of Belden. When at least two people tried to break into their shared home last week, the cat did everything she could to alert Everitt of the danger, he told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
“You hear of guard dogs,” said Everitt, 68. “This is a guard cat.”
The attempted robbery occurred sometime between 2:30 and 3 a.m. on July 25, Everitt said. He was first awoken by Bandit's meows in the kitchen. Then, she raced into the bedroom, jumped onto the bed and began pulling the comforter off of him and clawing at his arms. Everitt knew something was wrong.
“She had never done that before,” Everitt said. “I went, ‘What in the world is wrong with you?’”
Everitt got up to investigate and saw two young men outside his back door. One had a handgun, and the other was using a crowbar to try and pry the door open, he said.
Everitt said by the time he retrieved a handgun and returned to the kitchen, the would-be intruders had already fled. Everitt told the newspaper that he did not call the police.
He said the situation could have been different without Bandit.
“It did not turn into a confrontational situation, thank goodness,” Everitt said. “But I think it’s only because of the cat.”
Everitt adopted Bandit from the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society four years ago.
OTHER STORIES: As species recover, some threaten others in more dire shape | 2022-08-03T02:55:04+00:00 | wgrz.com | https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/nation-world/mississippi-man-says-pet-cat-prevented-robbery/507-dcce63a1-34c1-45da-bba8-dd048d015d33 |
FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) — The American swim team has had a so-so meet at the world championships in Japan. Meanwhile, Australia and China have been pouring it on.
The American gold-medal count at the worlds is the lowest in at least two decades, although the overall medal count of gold, silver and bronze, is similar to most years.
After winning only four gold medals during the first seven days, they picked up three on Sunday — the eighth and final day — for a total of seven golds and 38 overall. The gold total is still their lowest in a worlds going back as least 20 years. They won only eight in the 2015 worlds.
Australia finished with 13 gold and 20 overall, and China had five gold and 16 overall.
“Obviously, we’d like to win more gold medals and I think we will,” American coach Bob Bowman said going into Sunday’s final day.
The slight predicament for Bowman is that two of the swimmers he coaches at Arizona State University, Leon Marchand of France and Hungary’s Hubert Kos, have won four gold medals. Marchand has three, and he’s sure to be a star at next year’s Paris Olympics, and Kos has one.
That’s the same gold-medal total for the entire American team through seven of eight days — four gold. The average for the Americans over the last nine championships has been about 15 golds.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, two of the first three questions Bowman fielded were about Marchand and Kos, from French and Hungarian news outlets.
“If you look at swimming, every coach on the U.S. team is coaching a foreign swimmer, an international swimmer. There’s always that dynamic,” said Bowman, who has legendary status for helping Michael Phelps win 23 Olympic gold medals.”
Bowman was cautious about taking credit for Kos, who came to Arizona State late last year. He went from being a good individual medley swimmer to a world champion a few days ago in the 200-meter backstroke.
“I think it’s just the Bob Bowman effect,” said Kos, son of an American father and Hungarian mother. ”That’s as simple as it is.”
He said Bowman had a “magic” touch.
Bowman played down his role.
“He (Kos) had an excellent coach at home for 10 years before me,” Bowman said. “He deserved the credit for this. I just helped a little bit at the end.”
Bowman compared Marchand to Phelps. But can he produce and endure the pressure, particularly with the Olympics in his home country?
“It remains to be seen what he can do next year. It’s going to be a lot of expectations,” Bowman said. “But I feel like he’s done a very good rehearsal this year and last year. They’ve been good preparations for what will happen next year and we’ll try to carry that over to Paris.”
Swimming is an individual sport, separate from team sports like soccer. It would be unthinkable for the coach of Real Madrid to be also coaching Barcelona players on the side. But it’s normal in swimming, and Bowman said he was “ethically” comfortable with it.
“I mean, the bottom line is I get paid to coach these guys at ASU,” he said. “I’m representing my country for the love of my country and happy to do that. I don’t think there’s an ethical question. It’s not a zero-sum. I’m not taking away from the U.S. guys.”
He said he was interested in coaching the Americans at next year’s Olympics, but suggested any decision was still pending.
“I don’t think we know yet,” he said. “I have to go through this week, get home, think about what the scenarios look (like) and then we’ll decide. I always want to do. But we’ll see how it goes.”
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-07-30T16:23:28+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-legendary-coach-bob-bowman-keeps-turning-out-winning-swimmers-and-not-just-americans/ |
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — What’s an ocean without a beach?
One Atlantic City casino that takes its name from the sea doesn’t want to find out, and so it’s spending up to $700,000 of its own money to rebuild a badly eroded beach in front of it.
The Ocean Casino Resort began the work Wednesday, and plans to have a new 110-foot-wide beach open for Memorial Day weekend. Chronic erosion near the casino has reduced the beach to just 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.4 meters) wide in places.
Bill Callahan, the casino’s general manager, said Ocean can’t wait for the next government-funded beach replenishment project, which could take another year or two.
Callahan and several casino officials were on their daily coffee walk one day last fall when they looked out the window — and saw very little sand between the Boardwalk and the ocean.
Callahan feared there soon would be no beach.
“That would be a horrible guest experience. It’s like, ‘Come to an unbelievable $2.5 billion resort and not have a beach.’ We just couldn’t have that,” he said.
So the casino set about securing the many state and federal permits necessary to do the work on its own.
Stephen Rochette, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said it is unusual but not unheard-of for private parties to carry out their own beach replenishment projects. But most are content to wait for the next round of government-paid projects, in which the cost is shared by the federal, state and local governments.
Veteran Atlantic City casino executives said they can not recall a casino paying to widen its own beach using its own money.
Ryan Burch, the casino’s vice president of hotel operations, said the project will dump 12,810 tons of sand on the beach. About half of that had been placed as of Friday.
The work should be completed by next May 19. Crews will then smooth the sand, which was matched for color and grain size to the existing beach sand.
The sand is trucked in from a private company in Eagleswood Township, about a half-hour north of Atlantic City, said project manager Ian Jerome.
He said the particular spot in front of the Ocean casino has historically been the most eroded spot on all of Absecon Island, on which Atlantic City sits. Past beach widening projects have often not lasted for the full three-year period before they qualify for renourishment by the government, and some wash away in as little as a year.
Callahan said if the beach needs to be rebuilt again with private money, it will be.
“This is part of the experience,” he said. “You can’t have a resort without a beach.”
___
Follow Wayne Parry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC | 2023-05-13T10:48:04+00:00 | fox59.com | https://fox59.com/news/ap-top-headlines/named-after-the-ocean-atlantic-city-casino-cant-live-without-a-beach-so-its-rebuilding-one/ |
Domestic dispute leads to stabbing at Midtown MARTA station
Published: Feb. 9, 2023 at 4:56 AM EST|Updated: moments ago
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - One person is in the hospital after being stabbed at an Atlanta MARTA station.
It happened overnight at the Midtown station off 10th Street. Officials say it was a domestic dispute that led to the stabbing.
Atlanta News First is still working to find out if the person injured is a male or a female, but we know that person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover.
Copyright 2023 WANF. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-09T10:03:14+00:00 | atlantanewsfirst.com | https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/02/09/domestic-dispute-leads-stabbing-midtown-marta-station/ |
A brush fire is prompting evacuations south of the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport.
The fire was first reported at about 5 p.m. Tuesday in the 5200 block of Davenport Creek Road.
CAL FIRE SLO reports the fire is burning at a moderate rate of spread. So far, it has burned about one acre but has the potential to grow to five acres and structures in the area are threatened.
This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available. | 2022-06-15T00:25:36+00:00 | ksby.com | https://www.ksby.com/weather/fire-watch/evacuations-underway-after-brush-fire-sparks-south-of-san-luis-obispo |
TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SoftwareReviews, a leading source for insights on the software provider landscape, has published its 2022 Professional Services Automation Data Quadrant, naming five providers as Gold Medalists in the category.
Professional services automation tools (PSAs) are full-suite software applications designed to assist professionals such as lawyers, accountants, engineers, and IT consultants. PSA software empowers professionals to automate processes and business applications such as project management, resource management, task management, and invoicing with just a few clicks. Switching to effective PSA software can increase work efficiency, and it saves administrative costs for busy professional services groups.
To support organizations considering which PSA software to invest in this year, SoftwareReviews has identified the top five providers. These insights are based on verified survey data collected from 421 end-user reviews. The leading providers have received high scores on SoftwareReviews' Data Quadrant.
Providers are ranked by a composite satisfaction score, called a Composite Score (CS), that averages four different areas of evaluation: Net Emotional Footprint, Vendor Capabilities, Product Features, and Likeliness to Recommend.
The 2022 Professional Services Automation Software Gold Medalists are as follows:
- Avaza, 9.0 CS, ranked high for reporting.
- Wrike, 8.8 CS, ranked high for ease of data integration.
- Scoro, 8.8 CS, ranked high for business value creation.
- Accelo, 8.7 CS, ranked high for time management.
- Kantata, 8.6 CS, ranked high for customer surveys.
SoftwareReviews' comprehensive software reviews provide an accurate and detailed view of a complicated and ever-changing market. The data comes from users who use the software day in and day out and IT professionals who have worked with it intimately through procurement, implementation, and maintenance.
For more information about SoftwareReviews, the Data Quadrant, or the Emotional Footprint, or to access resources to support the software selection process, visit softwarereviews.com.
About SoftwareReviews
SoftwareReviews is the most in-depth source of buyer data and insights for the enterprise software market. By collecting customer experience data from business and IT professionals, the SoftwareReviews methodology produces detailed and authentic insights into the experience of evaluating and purchasing enterprise software.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE SoftwareReviews | 2022-10-26T21:46:51+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/10/26/years-top-professional-services-automation-tools-better-optimize-business-tasks-according-end-users/ |
Is tonight the night you win the $830 million Mega Millions prize? Here are the winning numbers
The chances are steadily rising that someone will win the massive $830 million Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday night, but will it be you?
Almost certainly not.
That's because while the nation's fourth-largest lottery prize has sparked a surge in sales that will mean more possible number combinations are covered, your odds of winning remain the same. At 1 in 302.5 million, they're pretty miserable.
The numbers from Tuesday night's drawing were 7, 29, 60, 63, 66, plus the Mega Ball 15, according to the lottery's website.
The cash prize is estimated to be $487.9 million, which is the third largest prize in Mega Millions history.
As the jackpot grows, so has the number of players.
National Mega Millions sales rose from $116 million for the July 19 drawing to $172.1 million for the July 22 drawing, according to Marie Kilbane, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Lottery Commission. And with all the attention on Tuesday's giant prize, lottery officials expected sales to climb to $262.1 million.
The additional ticket purchases mean that while 23% of all number combinations were covered for the July 22 drawing, about 33% will be covered for Tuesday’s.
Sales likely will grow even larger if there again isn’t a winner. Kilbane says the jackpot likely would top $1 billion for Friday's drawing.
The last time someone beat the staggering odds and won the Mega Millions jackpot was April 15, when a Tennessee player matched all six numbers and snagged a $20 million prize.
Since then there have been 28 consecutive draws without a jackpot winner, allowing the prize to grow week after week.
Although someone theoretically could buy all the 302.5 million possible number combinations, in practice it would be nearly impossible and would likely be a financial flop.
That's because even after coming up with more than $600 million to buy all those $2 tickets, a team of people would need to somehow coordinate their request of each number combination and payment. Considering the hundreds of millions of options, it would be a staggering chore.
Even if someone accomplished that task, keep in mind that the advertised $830 million prize is for the annuity option, paid annually over 30 years. Nearly everyone opts for cash, of which about one-third would go toward federal taxes with possibly more for state taxes, depending on where the buyer lived.
After all that, there is a chance that some of the countless people who also plunk down a few bucks for a ticket could hit the winning numbers, meaning the potential jackpot would be divided in half or in thirds.
Winless streaks have gone longer in the past, with the record being a 36-roll run that ended Jan. 22, 2021, with a $1.05 billion Mega Millions payout in Michigan. That was the third-largest prize ever won.
The biggest was a gargantuan $1.586 Powerball jackpot won in 2016 by three players in California, Florida and Tennessee.
Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game is overseen by state lottery officials. | 2022-07-27T03:27:34+00:00 | kcci.com | https://www.kcci.com/article/mega-millions-830-million-drawing-july-26-2022/40724691 |
Funeral services held for Magee firefighter killed while responding to accident
MAGEE, Miss. (WDAM) - Funeral services were held Saturday for Philip Allan, the Magee volunteer firefighter who was hit and killed by a car while responding to a traffic accident on U.S. 49 in Covington County Wednesday afternoon.
First responders from across the Pine Belt were part of a funeral procession (Saturday) morning, that made its way from Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Magee to the service, which was held at noon at Magee’s Corinth Baptist Church.
Along the way, the procession passed in front of the Magee Fire Department, where Allan had been a volunteer for nearly 25 years.
He also volunteered for fire departments in Mount Olive and Seminary.
Burial took place at the Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery.
Allan was 49 years old.
Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2023 WDAM. All rights reserved. | 2023-05-21T12:05:06+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/05/21/funeral-services-held-magee-firefighter-killed-while-responding-accident/ |
(NEXSTAR) – You may not know of Drew Cerza, but he’s quite possibly the country’s foremost expert on Buffalo wings.
Back in 2002, Cerza — also known as the “Wing King” — founded the annual Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York, after growing tired of the lack of ceremonies and fanfare surrounding the city’s beloved dish.
“They call them Buffalo wings all over the country, and we didn’t even celebrate it, so I decided to go ahead and do it,” said Cerza, who is currently preparing for the 20th Buffalo Wing Festival in early September.
The idea, Cerza said, came from the 2001 live-action/animated film “Osmosis Jones,” which featured a character (played by Bill Murray) who dreams of attending a chicken wing festival in Buffalo. But at the time of the movie’s release, there was no such festival in Buffalo, a reporter for the Buffalo News lamented.
Cerza read the Buffalo News article and took it upon himself to right that wrong, renting out a local field and ordering up a hundred turkey fryers for 2002’s inaugural event.
Over 40,000 people ended up attending.
Today, the annual Buffalo Wing Festival is hosted at Highmark Stadium — home to the Buffalo Bills — and attracts dozens of vendors from across the country. Attendees are treated to performances, contests, and some of the best wings in the country. But the one thing they may have trouble finding, according to Cerza, is ranch dressing.
“If you’re in Buffalo, don’t insult us,” Cerza told Nexstar. “Get bleu cheese dressing.”
Cerza himself said he prefers to eat his Buffalo wings as-is, with neither bleu cheese nor ranch, but he acknowledges that much of the country prefers ranch — just as GrubHub determined in a 2018 survey. To that end, the festival’s organizers tried to be “good hosts” and offer ranch at the event a few years back, but it didn’t go so well.
“We brought it in because a lot of people come in from out of town, so we tried to be good citizens and take care of our customers,” Cerza remembered. “But a radio station … they spearheaded a local uprising. We were gonna call in the national guard, at one point,” he joked.
Buffalo wing “purists” like Cerza may want to try them without bleu cheese anyway, as this is the best way to judge the chef’s intended flavors, according to the Wing King himself.
“I’m a non-dipper. I don’t believe in dipping your wings in bleu cheese,” Cerza said. “That’s like going into a high-end steakhouse and putting A1 on your steak. I wanna taste the sauce. The sauce is the boss.”
The takeaway? If you’re attending the annual Buffalo Wing Festival in early September, do as the Buffalonians do and at least try to go without gobs of ranch dressing.
“We do believe it’s a misdemeanor at times,” Cerza joked. | 2022-07-29T13:34:34+00:00 | kdvr.com | https://kdvr.com/news/nationalworld-news/you-might-be-eating-buffalo-wings-wrong-according-to-an-expert/ |
Airlines aim to shift blame for flight problems to FAA
DALLAS (AP) — Airlines under scrutiny for widespread flight disruptions are renewing their criticism of the government agency that manages the nation’s airspace, saying that understaffing at the Federal Aviation Administration is “crippling” traffic along the East Coast.
Airlines for America, which represents the largest U.S. carriers, said Friday it wants to know FAA’s staffing plans for the July Fourth holiday weekend, “so we can plan accordingly.”
The comments from the industry group could serve as a pre-emptive defense in case airlines again suffer thousands of canceled and delayed flights over the holiday weekend, when travel is expected to set new pandemic-era highs.
“The industry is actively and nimbly doing everything possible to create a positive customer experience since it is in an airline’s inherent interest to keep customers happy, so they return for future business,” Nicholas Calio, president of the trade group, said in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Calio said airlines have dropped 15% of the flights they originally planned for June through August to make the remaining flights more reliable, they are hiring and training more pilots and customer-service agents, and giving passengers more flexibility to change travel plans.
Calio said air traffic is often disrupted “for many hours” because bad weather causes the FAA to issue delays.
“However, we have also observed that FAA (air traffic control) staffing challenges have led to traffic restrictions under blue sky conditions,” he added.
The FAA shot back, with a reference to taxpayer money that airlines received after the pandemic devastated air travel.
“People expect when they buy an airline ticket that they’ll get where they need to go safely, efficiently, reliably and affordably,” the FAA said in a statement. “After receiving $54 billion in pandemic relief to help save the airlines from mass layoffs and bankruptcy, the American people deserve to have their expectations met.”
The FAA said it has added controllers in high-traffic areas and added alternate routes to keep planes moving.
The airline trade group chief’s comments came a week after Buttigieg called airline leaders to a virtual meeting and threatened to punish carriers that fail to meet consumer-protection standards set by his department, which includes the FAA.
Buttigieg said he called the meeting after being alarmed by the high number of canceled flights around Memorial Day — more than 2,700 in a five-day stretch, according to tracking service FlightAware.
Thunderstorms can quickly snarl air traffic during the summer, but airlines have also acknowledged staffing shortages — they are hiring at a rapid pace to replace tens of thousands of workers whom the airlines paid to quit when travel collapsed in 2020. Pilot union leaders say their groups are being stretched to the limit, and more pilots report being fatigued.
The FAA has admitted that it too is understaffed, particularly at a key air traffic control center in Florida.
Calio said that facility, near Jacksonville, Florida, has been understaffed for 27 of the last 30 days, “which is crippling to the entire East Coast traffic flows.”
More than 500 U.S. flights had been canceled and more than 2,300 delayed by early afternoon Friday, according to FlightAware. That was better than Thursday, however, when thunderstorms on the East Coast contributed to more than 800 cancellations and 6,600 delays.
___
David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-24T20:46:35+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/2022/06/24/airlines-aim-shift-blame-flight-problems-faa/ |
SYDNEY (AP) — Seven Manly Sea Eagles players have withdrawn from a National Rugby League match because they’re unwilling to wear their club's inclusion jersey.
The jersey has rainbow stripes and a rainbow collar, to support LGBTQ inclusion in sports, and the club plans to use it for an important game against Sydney Roosters.
Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler on Tuesday said seven players advised club officials that wearing the pride jersey conflicts with their cultural and religious beliefs.
“The players will not play on Thursday and we accept their decision,” Hasler said. "These young men are strong in their beliefs and convictions and we will give them the space and support they require.
“The playing group are solid and understanding of each other’s views. As a club we will wear the jersey on Thursday night.”
Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley are not available for selection on Thursday. NRL squads contain 13 starting players and four on the interchange bench.
Hasler apologized for the fallout from the club’s lack of advance consultation with the players.
“In this specific instance, I feel from these players. Not included in any of the discussions, and at a minimum, they should have been consulted,” Hasler told a news conference. “The jersey intent was to support the advocacy and human rights pertaining to gender, race, culture, ability and LGBTQ movements.”
Hasler said “poor” execution had overshadowed what was intended to be an important initiative.
“We wish to apologize to the LGBTQ community who embrace the rainbow colors, who use these colors for pride and advocacy and human rights issues,” he said.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said he understood the players’ choices, based on religious and cultural differences, but pushed for inclusion and acceptance in the sport.
“One thing I take pride in with rugby league is we treat everyone the same," V’landys said. "It doesn’t matter your color, sexual orientation or race. We’re all equal.
“We’ll never take a backward step in having our sport inclusive. But at the same time we will not disrespect our players’ freedoms.”
The NRL does not have a designated Pride round, but V’landys said it could be a consideration for future seasons.
The Eagles are in ninth place in the NRL, one spot the Roosters. The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs.
Manly was the only club planning to wear a pride jersey in this round.
Former Manly forward Ian Roberts, who in the 1990s was the first high-profile rugby league player to come out as gay, said he was not surprised by the players’ decision.
“It hasn’t totally shocked me like it’s shocking everyone else,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. “As an older gay man I’m used to this. I expected there would be some sort of religious pushback.”
The jersey boycott dominated coverage of the NRL after it was reported late Monday by Sydney's Daily Telegraph.
The newspaper said players were not aware they would be expected to wear the jersey until after it was shown to the media.
NRL rules would not allow the players to wear an alternate jersey without the rainbow messaging because match regulations require all players in a team to wear an identical strip.
Players in other sports previously have refused to wear jerseys with advertising or messages which conflict with their beliefs. In 2016, cricketer Fawad Ahmed was allowed to play in a jersey which did not carry the logo of the Australian team’s beer sponsor because of his objection to alcohol for religious reasons.
___
More AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-07-26T05:37:16+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/article/Rugby-league-players-refuse-to-play-NRL-game-in-17328728.php |
- Global research looks at the human side of the metaverse -
NEW YORK, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Metaverse discussions about creating virtual worlds consume the plans of many fashion, automotive and retail brands. However, the human side of consumer activities in the metaverse have not been a significant part of the dialogue. A global study by Momentum Worldwide, metaverse partners to the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As), found that 80% of people feel more included in the metaverse than in real life. Consumers are now looking to the metaverse to fill three core aspects of life—inspiration, individuality and inclusion.
More than $120 billion* has been invested in building out metaverse technology and infrastructure in 2022 to take advantage of the nearly three-quarters of consumers worldwide (71%) who promise to focus more on their mental wellbeing and are flocking to the metaverse to seek inspiration, be themselves, and connect with others more positively and inclusively. Exponential growth and adoption of marketing technologies led to the metaverse, but the impact these technologies have on people must be a key consideration for a brand's metaverse strategy.
Consumers have joined virtual platforms to have fun, be challenged, find inspiration and connect with others. Global research has shown that:
· 80% of consumers find the metaverse to be a much more inclusive place
· 63% had no idea they had been in the metaverse all this time
· 85% like that they can change their appearance as they desire
· 79% say their friends within the space accept them for who they are rather than what they look like
Jason Alan Snyder, global chief technology officer, Momentum Worldwide, comments, "The metaverse is a combinatorial innovation of complex technologies. Until recently, the combined technologies that form metaverse experiences were costly to deploy and consume and, therefore, not practical. The practice of combining these technologies has matured, deployment costs are reduced and metaverse experiences are broadly available, so consumer adoption is saturating. Brands are adopting the metaverse at scale too. Now we are learning how people behave and feel in the metaverse as we remove the barriers to entry. One particularly interesting area is the relationship between identity and personality."
"Metaverse identity is an extension of our many identities in the real world. We are accustomed to constructing pseudo-identities for ourselves at work, in our personal lives with friends and family, and on social media. Brands are learning that identity and personality are two different things and not always interlinked. Understanding what consumers want from the metaverse, their behaviours and motivations to fulfil happiness, find escapism and seek inclusion are vital for guiding how brands and businesses should behave. It's imperative that brands understand when they can or should violate expectations about identity and personality. The new opportunity is to help brands navigate the friction between identity and personality in the metaverse."
Helen Mumford Sole, well-known happiness coach and thought leader in digital transformation, says, "Whilst we are not even close to fully understanding the impact of the metaverse, this research is important because it shows the positive potential of the technology. When many people are struggling with their happiness, it seems that they are finding new ways of experiencing belonging and community in the metaverse. In the analogue world, these are significant contributors to happiness."
Chick Foxgrover, 4A's, EVP, creative technology & innovation, says, "At the 4A's, we've been following the industry's interest and excitement in the metaverse—this dramatic extension of human experience and interaction. We're thrilled to support Momentum's ground-breaking research into people's attitudes and expectations of the metaverse. Now we have a deeper sense of how and when people will embrace these rapidly changing new worlds. This work will become essential data for every brand and creative business hoping to design, build and participate meaningfully in the metaverse."
Elena Klau, global chief strategy & analytics officer at Momentum Worldwide, adds, "The metaverse has been a word that has been catapulted into focus, but it means different things to different people. Only by understanding what people want from the space and how they are using it can we really know how best to create meaningful, long-term experiences that meet people's desires for inspiration, individuality and inclusion. The potential is vast."
The global research was conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods of 4,500 participants from seven countries: Canada, Japan, MENA, Mexico, Spain, the UK and the US.
Momentum Worldwide is the world's first global experiential advertising agency. Built on the simple truth that it's not what brands say; it's what they do that matters. Momentum delivers total brand experiences by blending creativity, technology, strategy, insights and flawless execution. The agency has concurrently been named Best Sports Marketing Agency, Best Experiential Agency, Best Place to Work, Agency of the Year and Most Honored Marketing Agency by multiple outlets and award shows around the world, including the Industry Craft Grand Prix at Cannes and Best Approach to D&I at The Drum Agency Business Awards. Momentum Worldwide has been awarded two of the world's leading certifications for sustainability, ISO 14001 and ISO 20121, and are the first global agency to use TRACE, a real-time carbon impact tool for physical and virtual experiences.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Momentum Worldwide | 2022-07-08T15:26:09+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/80-people-feel-more-included-metaverse-than-real-life/ |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authorities have yet to release the names of a man and woman who were fatally shot in a central Las Vegas apartment complex.
Metro Police said the shooting late Friday stemmed from an apparent confrontation at the complex.
Officers arrived at the scene around 10:15 p.m. and found the two victims dead from gunshot wounds.
Homicide detectives believe the victims were inside the apartment when two unidentified men knocked on the door.
Police said it is believed the woman answered the door and an argument ensued between her and the suspects before shots were fired.
The victims will be identified by the Clark County Coroner’s Office. | 2022-07-31T21:53:09+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Man-woman-fatally-shot-in-Vegas-apartment-17341645.php |
ASKA A5 4-seater drive & fly eVTOL takes the lead as the world's first flying car to advance with Type Certification, flight and driving testing in-progress
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ASKA™ A5 is the world's first flying car to start the type certification process with the FAA. The Silicon Valley air mobility company's prototype was awarded Certificate of Authorization (COA) and Special Airworthiness Certification by the FAA and has started flight testing. Since 2022 ASKA has performed successful ground testing and in Q1/2023 began conducting on-street driving tests. This Special Airworthiness Certificate signals that ASKA™ A5 has successfully met all FAA safety requirements.
ASKA is working closely with the FAA on type certification. Type certification signifies the design is in compliance with applicable airworthiness, noise, fuel venting, and exhaust emissions standards.
"We have achieved a series of technological milestones in the first quarter of 2023; debuting the first full-scale working prototype of the ASKA™ A5 in January at CES, successfully performing field and driving tests, and obtaining the COA and Special Airworthiness Certification for our pre-production prototype," says Guy Kaplinsky, CEO/Cofounder. "The data we are harvesting from flight testing is enabling us to make progress towards our type certification. We already completed the initial phase and are progressing towards our next milestone, G1 status."
G-1 basis is a critical milestone in the FAA cross-validation process, establishing airworthiness and environmental requirements necessary to achieve FAA Type Certification Validation.
The size of an SUV, the four-seater ASKA™ A5 is a drive & fly eVTOL that can travel by road and air. The vehicle is designed for the highest level of safety, a key factor that has enabled the company to make positive progress with the FAA toward type certification.
- Dual hybrid energy supply: ASKA is hybrid with batteries and a range extender engine that charges the batteries
in-flight. Uses premium gasoline available from today's gas stations
- Large Aerodynamic wings, optimized for safe landing with ability to glide
- Six independent motor systems for flight
- Sufficient reserve flight time to meet FAA safety requirement
- Ballistic parachute
- 4 seater (1 pilot and 3 passengers)
- Capable of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) from helipads and Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) from runways
- Max flight range 250 miles
- Airspeed up to 150mph
"The airworthiness certification validates our efforts to develop a drive & fly eVTOL with an emphasis on safety," explains Maki Kaplinsky, CoFounder/Chair & COO. "One of the significant advantages of a roadworthy eVTOL, like the ASKA™ A5, is that it does not require the modification or electrification of existing airports since it can maximize the use of today's infrastructure, such as the many charging stations located around us. We are working with local airports in the Bay Area to test and confirm our concept of operations - they open the gate, ASKA™ A5 drives in as a car, drives/taxis to the helipad or runway, transforms into the flight mode and can take off."
ASKA™ A5 is not only capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) from a helipad or vertiport, it can enter an airfield by driving through the airport gate, open the wings, taxi towards a helipad or runway, then take off. The vehicle can also perform an energy-efficient short takeoff from the runway using the in-wheel motors and thrust from the props.
ASKA™ A5 makes the maximum use of existing infrastructure, such as parking, charging stations, airfields, helipads and runways, for a seamless integration into city and suburban landscapes. The vehicle fits in standard parking spaces, it can be charged at home and EV charging stations, and the range extender engine runs on premium gasoline purchased at existing automotive gas stations.
Pre-order reservations launched in 2021 and the company has already secured $50M in pre-orders.
Click Here for the Media kit.
About ASKA
ASKA is an air mobility company headquartered in Mountain View, California that is developing the ASKA™️ A5 drive & fly eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing), a real flying car.
ASKA™️ A5, the world's first drive & fly eVTOL, enables people to move faster and greener with the comfort of door to door travel, making the maximum use of the existing infrastructure. The four-seater ASKA™️ A5 drives on the road like a car, is capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), as well as short takeoff and landing (STOL), and flies as an aircraft.
The company signed a five-year Space Act Agreement with NASA in 2020 to advance their participation in NASA's Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign (AAM), jointly organized with the FAA.
The company was founded in 2018 by Maki and Guy Kaplinsky, experienced technology entrepreneurs. Their previous startup, IQP Corporation, was an early innovator in the Internet of Things and acquired by GE in 2017.
Resource: FAA certifications https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/certification
Media Contact:
Michael Farino
Michael@lightspeedpr.com
949-346-1984
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE ASKA | 2023-06-29T21:11:05+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/06/29/aska-a5-drive-fly-evtol-progresses-with-faa-type-certification-process-prototype-earns-special-airworthiness-certification/ |
AP source: Meadows complies with Justice Dept. subpoena
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff under former President Donald Trump, has complied with a Justice Department subpoena and turned over records as part of a federal investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, a person familiar the matter said Thursday.
The records produced by Meadows are the same ones he earlier provided to a House committee conducting a similar investigation, according to the person, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing Justice Department probe.
The subpoena to Meadows, first reported by CNN, makes clear that Justice Department officials are seeking information from the most senior of Trump’s White House advisers as they examine wide-ranging efforts to overturn the results of the election won by Democrat Joe Biden.
The department, whose work at times has mirrored or overlapped with that of the committee, this month served a broad wave of grand jury subpoenas and search warrants to Trump allies.
Meadows has been a pivotal figure in the House investigation, his name invoked repeatedly in testimony by other Trump advisers, including by his own top aide. He had provided the committee with thousands of text messages, including communications with outside Trump allies and advisers.
In a filing in April in a federal lawsuit over his House subpoena, a lawyer for Meadows accused the committee of trying to vilify him publicly, noting that all of the texts it had been provided had been disclosed to the news media. The committee declined at the time to respond to the accusation.
Meadows did not provide to the committee records he believed were subject to claims of executive privilege, and those documents were also not produced to the Justice Department.
___
Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of Jan. 6 at https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-15T15:01:47+00:00 | ktiv.com | https://www.ktiv.com/2022/09/15/ap-source-meadows-complies-with-justice-dept-subpoena/ |
New law aims at teen tobacco use
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - It is one of the most troubling public health challenges. In spite of laws prohibiting the sales of tobacco products to minors, underage use of these products continues to rise.
A new state law was written to address that problem.
The public health impacts have long been clear. Most adult smokers began before the age of 18, a sobering amount even younger. Sales of tobacco products to minors is illegal. Yet, more than 17 percent of Nevada high school students admit to being smokers.
“And we’re also seeing kids that are starting before the age of 13,” adds the state Division of Public and Behavioral Health’s Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, Sarah Motts.
In fact, more than 38 percent say it would be fairly to very easy to get cigarettes if they wanted some. That number gets even worse when it comes to electronic vaping products. Almost half of Nevada high school students are confident they could get them.
Clearly, current laws, compliance checks and educational efforts aren’t enough. So, the last legislature made it a little tougher for youthful buyers and negligent retailers.
The law now requires stores to use electronic scanners and software to verify the age and ID of buyers appearing to be younger than 40.
“So, this is just an extra measure to ensure that we are reducing that access for youth and young adults,” says Motts.
Most stores that sell cigarettes already have the scanning gear and the current law prohibits underage sales. So, if you’re a minor or young adult purchasing, you’ll be asked for ID, and it will be scanned.
The new law adds an extra $100 fine for the first-time offense of failing to use electronic verification of age and ID. And the compliance checks, essentially sting operations, will continue.
There is, we should note, incentive for making all this work.
Federal grants for drug rehab and education are tied to compliance goals, and the state is in danger of falling short of those goals.
Copyright 2023 KOLO. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-10T18:54:00+00:00 | fox5vegas.com | https://www.fox5vegas.com/2023/01/10/new-law-aims-teen-tobacco-use/ |
BERLIN (AP) — Hertha Berlin investor Lars Windhorst wants his 374 million euros back.
The relationship between the Bundesliga club and its financial backer has ruptured to the point where Windhorst no longer wants anything to do with Hertha. It comes after the publication last week of a report alleging he hired an Israeli detective agency to try and force the former club president out.
Hertha reacted to the Financial Times report by calling on Windhorst to respond with a written explanation, and it asked lawyers to investigate the newspaper’s story.
Windhorst responded with a statement on Wednesday, though not quite how the club demanded.
“After careful consideration and evaluation of the last three months, we unfortunately find that there is no basis and no perspective for a successful economic cooperation between the Tennor Group and Hertha BSC,” Windhorst wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.
“All the talks with the new president, Kay Bernstein, have shown us, that there is a huge difference between the words and subsequent actions of the president.”
Windhorst went on to blast Bernstein — a former club ultra who has been in charge for just over three months — for a failure to cooperate with his holding company, which owns 64.7% of Hertha’s company shares.
Though Windhorst owns a majority share, his voting rights are restricted to 49% under the Bundesliga’s strict 50+1 rule to limit the influence of outside investors. The rule means club members must retain a majority of voting rights.
Windhorst’s investments have totaled 374 million euros (now $367 million due to the drop in euro’s value vs. the dollar since then), having first invested 125 million euros in the club in June 2019.
“Our willingness to provide further financial support for Hertha BSC’s development was rejected,” Windhorst said in his Facebook statement. “President Kay Bernstein is clearly not interested in a trustworthy and serious cooperation. This is also shown by the current debate about the supposed commissioning of the Israeli agency by Tennor. Instead of working with us on the investigation, President Bernstein decided to join the convictions without examining the evidence.”
Windhorst said Bernstein had suggested a “break” with Windhorst and his Tennor company,
“Under these conditions, further cooperation for Hertha BSC’s benefit is ruled out. Our economic goals, also our sporting goals, cannot be achieved in this way, and this destroys the essential basis of our commitment to Hertha BSC. That’s why we’re ending our commitment to Hertha BSC and officially offering the club the purchase back of our majority stake of 64.7% at the price it was at the time,” Windhorst wrote.
Hertha’s response was prompt, even though it said the previous Friday it would not make any public statements until its lawyers had investigated the allegations that Windhorst had used agents to force its president out. Werner Gegenbauer, who had been Hertha president for 14 years and was due to remain in the position till 2024, resigned on May 24.
The club said Windhorst on Monday asked for a personal meeting with the club’s leadership and that they met on Wednesday, when they agreed to meet again.
“Lars Windhorst’s Facebook post from this afternoon does not correspond to what was discussed and agreed. The other allegations made therein are incorrect,” Hertha said in a statement.
The club said neither it, nor Bernstein or any other representative of the club had ever made any statements against Lars Windhorst or Tennor “in a prejudiced manner” and it concluded by saying that “Hertha BSC is offering to assist Tennor in finding a buyer in an orderly investor process in the best interests of Hertha BSC and Tennor’s investors and creditors.”
Windhorst will likely find it difficult to find a buyer to reimburse him for the shares. Hertha has been battling relegation in each of the three seasons since the investor became involved and the club has lurched from one crisis, scandal or low point to another in that time.
Hertha general manager Fredi Bobic, appointed last year, said earlier this year that Windhorst’s money is “gone.” Bobic struggled to find reinforcements in the offseason, with Hertha seeing more departures than arrivals as the squad was trimmed.
Meanwhile, local Berlin newspaper Tagesspiegel reported Thursday that Windhorst had been offering his shares in the club on international markets for the previous six months.
“Apparently he hasn’t found anyone yet,” the newspaper noted.
Hertha is under no obligation to find a buyer for Windhorst’s shares. The club would also have to give the go-ahead to any sale were the investor to find a third party willing to buy his share. The 50+1 rule means he can’t force a sale against the club’s will.
Hertha is unbeaten in four Bundesliga games and next hosts Freiburg on Sunday.
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup | 2022-10-06T20:57:33+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/Hertha-Berlin-investor-Lars-Windhorst-wants-his-17491938.php |
Somerset church holds Easter service after large fire
“That is just a building, we’re what makes up the church.”
SOMERSET, Ky. (WKYT) - Cornerstone Baptist Church in Somerset was heavily damaged by a fire last month. Pastor James Taylor says they will rebuild.
“By the time I got there, it was flames coming through the roof. Your heart kinda just sunk when you first saw it, but we were just very thankful we didn’t have a school group in there that usually meets on Thursdays,” said Taylor.
Taylor says the fire destroyed about 90 percent of the building. The sanctuary was saved thanks to a firewall but it will still be at least a year until services can resume at the church.
“We talk and talk and talk about how that is just a building, we’re what makes up the church so we’re thankful that we’re able to be together this morning,” said Taylor during Cornerstone’s Easter service.
For now services are being held at the Freedom Worship Center in Somerset and traditions, such as the Easter egg hunt, continue on.
“It’s a blessing. I love kids and getting to see a smile on their face so just to see them enjoying the Easter egg hunt. We know that it’s not about the Easter bunny, it’s about Jesus but the kids, we don’t want to spoil anything for them they love the egg hunt and we wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Taylor.
Copyright 2023 WKYT. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-09T23:38:05+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/2023/04/09/somerset-church-holds-easter-service-after-large-fire/ |
WASHINGTON , July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GoodFirms, the universally renowned research, ratings, and reviews platform, recently announced the latest list of Best Accounts Payable Software for larger businesses. Using Accounts Payable software to handle vendor or supplier payments can significantly reduce costs by automating the entire process.
Best Accounts Payable Software listed by GoodFirms:
Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, Xero, Bill.com, SAP Concur, Tipalti, Zoho Books, AvidXchange, Stampli, PurchaseControl.
Accounts payable software is an intuitive, versatile tool designed for businesses to handle, track, and record every payment management by leveraging a set of customized instructions to run the AP system securely. The AP tools help complete computations automatically with no mistakes compared to manual accounting, and it certainly improves the efficiency of business bank accounts.
Today, it's challenging for businesses to choose the best AP software as there are numerous providers. Here, GoodFirms has assessed and curated the list of most excellent accounts payable software to transform their account operations digitally by reducing accounts' expected workload, human error, and fraud.
"Accounts Payable Software is the best choice for having complete control over the financial data and operations thereby enabling businesses to obtain optimum productivity, flexibility and scalability," says GoodFirms.
Key features of accounts payable software include Approval Management, Automation, Data Extraction, Expense Management, Invoicing, PO Reconciliation, Payment Management, Reporting & Analysis, Vendor Management, and Tax Calculation. The service seekers can choose those AP software that covers all the features precisely meeting their organization's needs to ensure a smooth transition from this system.
With this listing, GoodFirms aims to assist the service seekers in choosing the proper accounts payable software that helps organizations manage their debts and other financial liabilities. Organizations can also take advantage of the advanced filter options for features, pricing models, devices supported, deployment, business size, etc. Furthermore, they can also verify the most reviewed, top-rated tools and select the suitable system.
GoodFirms follows a strict methodology to conduct thorough research based on quality, reliability, and ability to cater to the needs of service seekers. The AP automation software list was created based on several parameters such as the background of each product, the company, years of experience in the domain areas, online market penetration, client feedback, and much more. Only those companies that attained the maximum score made it to the list.
If you are a software service provider and wish to get listed, you can partake in the GoodFirms research processes. Interestingly, gaining the top position among the best service providers will attract the attention of potential prospects, increase productivity, help generate more sales, and earn more profit.
GoodFirms is a Washington, D.C.-based research firm specializing in identifying the most prominent and efficient IT companies and software providers that can automate the tasks of various industries. GoodFirms' industry-wide research, review & rankings help service seekers leap further and multiply their industry-wide value and credibility.
Contact: Sophia Jayden (sophia@goodfirms.co)
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE GoodFirms | 2022-07-15T14:32:22+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/goodfirms-publishes-new-list-best-accounts-payable-software-large-businesses/ |
How we work, when we work, how much we work – it's all shifting on a scale not seen in decades.
The pandemic left workplaces reimagined and workers changed. The number of job openings right now outnumbers people looking for work by almost two-to-one.
Last year saw a record exodus of workers, and companies say they are still struggling to hire. Millions have re-evaluated what type of work they were willing to do for what type of pay or benefits and in what type of environment.
On Labor Day, here's a snapshot of what's happening with American workers.
Jobs are growing, and workers are still quitting
Despite inflation and economic slowdown, the labor market remains tight. Employers kept adding jobs all summer, particularly in food and retail. Layoffs have been confined to pockets of the economy – the tech sector, cryptocurrency, home buying – and to select companies, like the beleaguered Bed Bath & Beyond.
Most employers would rather hold on to workers. Too many have grappled with short staffing: More than 4 million people quit their jobs each month for the past year, the highest in decades.
It's not just about the money, it's about worker well-being
While millions quit, others have felt emboldened to fight for change.
From baristas to warehouse staff to frontline nurses, more workers are filing charges of unfair labor practices against their employers or staging walkouts and strikes. They're demanding not just higher wages, but improvements to safety and wellbeing: longer breaks, more paid leave, more control over their schedules.
Office culture, too, has changed. Just over a third of workers were going to offices in person at the end of August in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, according to Kastle Systems, which tracks office card swipes. At Apple, J.P. Morgan, the Washington Post and other companies, workers have pushed back on the notion that they have to return to offices to be productive.
And the TikTok-fueled concept of "quiet quitting" has stormed into summertime work conversations: the idea of doing the bare minimum at work, skipping the hustle and those above-and-beyond tasks. Some, like Arianna Huffington, are dismayed at the idea, calling it a step toward quitting on life; while many experts and workers see the term as a misnomer, better described as boundary-setting for personal time.
Biggest American brands are getting their first unions
Labor organizers declared mid-2022 the #hotlaborsummer. Petitions to form a union are up almost 60% compared to last year, continuing to reverse a long-running decline in union interest. Many of these workers are in food and retail, coffee shops and non-profits, media and tech. Labor experts say more women and particularly women of color are leading the charge.
Unions have won first-time victories at big-name companies: Amazon and REI in New York, an Apple store in Maryland, Trader Joe's in Massachusetts and Minnesota, Chipotle in Michigan and of course Starbucks, where more than 200 stores nationwide have unionized in less than a year.
A union is about collective bargaining, but getting there is arduous
Companies have many paths to try to slow down or even undo labor organizing. A key goal for new unions is a collective-bargaining contract to seal their wage, benefit and other demands. But research finds that when an employer resists, only a small fraction of workers who unionize successfully reach a contract.
Legal delays are abundant. Amazon, for example, launched a monthslong appeal to overturn the historic union win at its Staten Island warehouse. Starbucks has so far begun negotiations with only three of more than 200 stores. Both companies have taken the remarkable step of challenging the fairness of the union election process itself.
Union membership remains low, though support is at a 57-year high
Only about 10% of U.S. workers belonged to a union as of early 2022. At the same time, the level of public support for unions has been growing for over a decade.
This summer, 71% of Americans told Gallup they approve of unions, a level not seen since 1965. Labor experts say support is even higher with younger people, potentially growing a new generation of organizers.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-09-04T12:25:16+00:00 | kpcc.org | https://www.kpcc.org/npr-news/2022-09-04/quiet-quitting-real-quitting-unionizing-what-else-are-american-workers-up-to |
Inception Fertility™ Celebrates LGBTQ+ families, aspiring parents and encourages everyone to know, understand their fertility options
HOUSTON, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- An organization committed to helping everyone understand their fertility options, Inception Fertility™ – the largest comprehensive fertility care and services provider in North America – celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month (June 2022) through its A Lifetime of Pride and Joy campaign.
A Lifetime of Pride and Joy celebrates and encourages family equality by raising awareness around the accessibility of fertility care among the LGBTQ+ population. The campaign includes the opportunity for members of the queer community, single or partnered, to share their own experiences of family building and help promote the message of inclusivity by sharing their own stories of pride and joy on their social media pages with the hashtag #prideandjoy.
A Lifetime of Pride and Joy is also an educational platform, highlighting the different assisted reproductive medicine options available to the LGBTQ+ community to build their own families. Aspiring parents can use the site to request more information and be connected with a leading fertility specialist.
"Inception Fertility is dedicated to helping every individual and couple, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, understand their reproductive healthcare choices and experience the lifetime of pride and joy that comes with having a baby," says TJ Farnsworth, Founder and CEO of Inception Fertility. Nicole Braley, Chief Marketing Officer of Inception Fertility, continued, "We are honored to support the LGBTQ+ community and guide them through their options, explain the advances in fertility science and connect them with compassionate reproductive experts to make their dreams of parenthood a reality."
According to FamilyEquality.org, the gap between non-LGBTQ millennials and LGBTQ millennials who are actively planning to grow their families is closing (55% vs 48%). More interestingly, 63% of LGBTQ people who are planning families expect to use assisted reproductive technology, including surrogacy, foster care or adoption to become parents. Thanks to advances in infertility science, access to innovative technologies and the availability of compassionate reproductive experts, this dream is becoming more of a reality for many aspiring parents in the LGBTQ+ community.
To learn more about A Lifetime of Pride and Joy, please visit pridejoybaby.com.
Inception Fertility™ (Inception) is a family of fertility brands committed to helping patients build their own families. Built by patients for patients, Inception's purpose is to achieve the highest bar in experience, science and medicine in an effort to enhance each patient's experience and achieve better outcomes.
Inception's medical experts are leading pioneers in fertility care. Our doctors are some of the first to use breakthrough assisted reproductive technologies (ART) – including in vitro fertilization (IVF), pregenetic implantation testing (PGT) and fertility preservation services – and they continue to lead the industry by building on these technologies by through development, research and thought leadership.
Its growing family of national organizations is an ecosystem of care, which touches every part of the fertility journey, including diagnostics and treatment to financial accessibility. Through this unique ecosystem, Inception is working to deliver on its promise to push the envelope of what is possible to exceed patient expectations.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mia Humphreys
Krupp
239-297-6592
MHumphreys@kruppagency.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Inception Fertility | 2022-06-02T00:18:59+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/north-americas-largest-fertility-provider-celebrates-lgbtq-pride-month/ |
Related to this story
Most Popular
Given the week the Bills and the NFL have had in the wake of Damar Hamlin's scary injury, a CPR sack celebration didn't seem like the classiest move. Especially by the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Hamlin's hometown, and in the stadium where Hamlin played his college football for Pitt.
Hamlin was released Monday morning from intensive care at University of Cincinnati Medical Center and was flown back to Buffalo, where he was transferred to Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute to continue his treatment.
An Ohio man visiting Niagara Falls as part of a cross-country escapade to celebrate his 40th birthday left a gift in front of the Buffalo Bills store early Thursday: a brand-new folding table scrawled with a message to Bills Mafia.
To be enacted, the changes required 24 of the 32 teams to vote in favor (three-quarters majority), and 25 did.
SUNY Buffalo State College will officially become SUNY Buffalo State University on Sunday – a designation the school hopes will elevate its status and increase enrollment.
I couldn’t help the tears that came to my eyes, and from what I could tell by the atmosphere, many people were thinking the same things, feeling the same emotions.
The bodies of Stephen D. Guard and Kristi Johnson were found in a tent in the backyard of a West Side house.
A Canadian restaurant franchisee is planning to open a Moe's Southwest Grill inside the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel and the region's first A&W Restaurant in Niagara Falls.
Shoplifting suspects who drove away from a traffic stop Saturday afternoon were arrested after their vehicle crashed on the Route 219 expressway, Orchard Park police reported.
Winning tickets worth $1 million and $50,000 in Saturday's Powerball drawing were sold at stores in Erie County, New York Lottery officials reported. | 2023-01-14T09:03:41+00:00 | buffalonews.com | https://buffalonews.com/article_0f0759c2-9630-56e6-9675-8c3a3da9be05.html |
A tall, slim man walks down the long hallway in the Isaac Greggs Band Hall at Southern University. He seems shy and quiet.
He enters from a single set of doors that separate the music monstrosity known as the Human Jukebox from the outside world as band members prepare for their upcoming football halftime show for the first-ever matchup between the Southern Jaguars and the LSU Tigers.
He is NaToj Johnson, the Human Jukebox's drum major for the 2022-2023 season. Johnson is a junior psychology major and has dreamed of being drum major for the Human Jukebox since he was 10 years old.
“When I saw the Southern band for the first time, it blew my mind,” Johnson said. “Once I saw that… I wanted to be like them.”
Music was a part of Johnson's life from the beginning in his childhood in New Iberia. He remembers his grandmother playing Louis Armstrong and listening to other music legends like Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley, which all connected his love for the subject.
Though, it wasn’t until middle school that he was able to experience being in the band. In elementary school, he turned in his permission slip too late, so his goal for playing the snare drums didn’t follow through. He was determined to play in middle school. When the time came, he played the tenor drums for two years in middle school and into high school. On a whim, he switched to playing the cymbals.
“I still believe to this day that if I wouldn’t have switched to cymbals, I probably wouldn’t be in this position because that opened my mind,” Johnson said. “Playing cymbals is a work of art by itself, too. People don’t understand the different twirls and the counts, making it look good.”
For three years, Johnson was the drum major at Westgate High School in New Iberia, starting out his sophomore year. He says this position as a sophomore was unusual, as it’s usually given to a senior.
Continuing his stint as a drum major, Johnson feels the weight of decades of legacy on his shoulders as the drum major of Southern University's legendary Human Jukebox.
“I’m not just carrying myself. I’m carrying the entire franchise, the lineage, everything that came before me," Johnson said. "But I don’t feel any pressure, though, it’s natural to me."
What helps, you ask? An alter ego.
Johnson explained that he separates his regular self from his “show self,” saying that his show self loves to perform. When he’s dressed in the blue and gold uniform, adorned with a tall, golden hat and long baton in hand, he comes alive. But he’s also aware of the people who helped him along the way.
“When I perform, I feel like I’m giving love back to all the people who helped me get to where I am. To be able to do that in front of everybody, it’s like I’m giving y’all my creativity, my love, everything, back into the culture,” he said.
Though the position comes with recognition and honor, just like anything worth having, it takes hard work. It also requires the perfect blend of confidence and humility.
Kedric Taylor, the director of bands at Southern, says the main requirement is simple: a backbend.
The backbend is a staple for the Southern University drum major, and that skill typically requires the person to be tall. Besides having to have marched in the band for at least a year, Taylor says they teach the drum major everything else.
However, some things can’t be taught.
“Most of our drum majors have stood out from the rest of the students,” Taylor said. “Sometimes you can just tell they have it, and some you have to find out that they have it.”
Taylor relies on a feeling to pick the right person for the position, but he does evaluate the band members from the moment they step foot on campus – analyzing their interactions with other students, their leadership on campus and discipline in the classroom.
He also explained that they don’t have a formal audition process for drum major because he does rely on that feeling of greatness. Taylor said that Johnson was a stand out, in part due to his dedication.
When Johnson found out that he was picked for the legendary position, he said it was a genuine surprise, explaining that it was something he always wanted, but didn’t really worry about.
“The fact that I’m in Southern band by itself is a blessing,” Johnson said. “When I found out…the thoughts that were going through my mind were just, ‘I did it. I made it to the point where I’ve been wanting to get to. It felt unreal. It still feels unreal to this day.’”
The preparation after the announcement has been rigorous. During the summer, Johnson was training, creating routines, watching film, working with past Southern drum majors, exercising, building his stamina and figuring out his leadership style. He said the band practices for perfection, and sometimes that takes 7-hour practices to do. To juggle it all, Johnson relies on his mother and grandmother for wisdom and guidance.
The Human Jukebox separates itself from other bands through its discipline and cohesion, not to mention the close-knit family that forms within the group, but also with the alumni and the community.
With a track record of performances at Super Bowls, Presidential inauguration parades, Lakers games and major stars playing with them, including Madonna and Lizzo, the legacy of the program is strong, and the weight is heavy. Johnson takes it all in stride with great appreciation, humility and faith.
“When I wear this,” as he points to the intricate uniform, “I always check myself and make sure I’m humble,” Johnson said. “As drum major, it’s an honor to lead the best band in the nation.” | 2022-09-07T18:36:56+00:00 | theadvocate.com | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/article_b358dea4-2ecb-11ed-9588-cbfa8b407046.html |
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain’s government presented Tuesday a new bill to fight human trafficking in the southern European country that seeks to offer better protection for economically vulnerable migrants in the clutches of international criminal rings.
The new regulation is designed to help the victims of different types of human trafficking, from sexual exploitation and forced laborers to those suffering from the sale of illegal human organs, forced weddings and other criminal activities, Spain’s Justice Minister Pilar Llop said.
Once a court accredits a person’s status as potential victim, that person will receive personalized and free legal assistance, Llop said, along with the ability to seek economic aid and help with housing. The National Police will have a new surveillance office devoted to trafficking victims.
Spain’s interior ministry says that in 2021 Spanish police freed more than 1,000 victims from human exploitation rings. The large majority of the victims of sexual exploitation were women from Colombia, Paraguay, Romania and Venezuela. Two underage girls from Romania were also rescued by police from forced marriages.
One highlight of the bill is that a potential victim can seek assistance without having to accuse those behind the racket. That is intended to reduce fear of reprisal by criminals as well as assuage concerns that illegal migrants could fall foul of immigration authorities.
“There is nothing more important than the protection of the most vulnerable persons,” Llop said at a news conference in Madrid. “This is an ethical and democratic commitment of the first order.”
The bill, however, has been criticized as not going far enough by the junior member of Spain’s left-wing coalition government, which wants all potential victims to also be granted to permits to legally reside and work in Spain.
Llop acknowledged that the bill will likely undergo modifications before it finally is voted on by Spain’s Parliament.
The differences in points of view between members of the coalition comes amid a drawn-out debate in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez about a delayed transgender rights bill. | 2022-11-29T16:43:42+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/spanish-government-presents-bill-to-fight-human-trafficking/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Brooks Koepka held steady in the cold air and was potentially spared a big number by the rain-softened grass at Augusta National, finishing the third round at the Masters on Sunday morning with a 1-over 73 to keep a two-shot lead over Jon Rahm.
But it’s no longer a two-man race. The final round will not have Tiger Woods in his Sunday red shirt, either.
Woods never made it back to the course after enduring a miserable mix of cold and rain on Saturday. He withdrew with what he said was a recurrence of plantar fasciitis, the second time in his last three majors that he made the cut without making it to the finishing line.
Koepka has been atop the leaderboard after all three rounds, yet his work is far from over. Rahm had his chances to catch him until three-putt bogeys on both par 5s on the back nine, settling for a 73 that puts him in the final group.
Viktor Hovland was only three shots behind after a wild 70 that illustrated how quickly it can change at Augusta National, even in conditions that can make birdies difficult to find.
Hovland found them. He was 10 shots behind Koepka when he walked off the 10th green with a bogey, and then ran off five in a row starting on No. 11 and featuring a chip-in from behind the green on the par-3 12th.
When he was finished, that 10-shot deficit was very manageable.
Patrick Cantlay, who had three straight birdies in the rain early in the round on Saturday, had three birdies in a four-hole stretch late and wound up with a 68. He was five shots behind.
His hopes depended so much on Koepka and Rahm not creating more separation, and they obliged, each with a 38 on the back nine without making a birdie.
Rahm wasted two chances for birdie on the par 5s. Koepka missed par putts of 8 feet on the 12th and a little over 3 feet on the 17th.
Koepka’s big break came on the par-5 15th. He laid up after a tee shot to the left, and his pitching wedge spun back down the slope and was headed off the green. Such shots typically gain speed going down the hill toward the pond. The grass was soft and sticky enough that it allowed the ball to stop. Koepka putted from there to tap-in range for par.
Koepka was at 11-under 205 and had just under three hours before he went off for the final round in this weather-disjointed tournament.
The sky was beginning to clear, the temperatures not so frigid and the course still soft from rain that caused play to be stopped on Saturday in the middle of the afternoon. Sunday afternoon had all the trappings of a typical final round at Augusta, filled with big opportunities and loud roars.
Koepka is going after his fifth major championship, and his first since his wire-to-wire win at Bethpage Black four years ago in the PGA Championship. The last three times he had at least a share of a lead in a major, he wound up winning.
It also would be boost for his new league, the Saudi-funded LIV Golf, where Koepka won just a week ago in Orlando against a 48-man field in a 54-hole tournament in Florida.
Rahm, the U.S. Open champion at Torrey Pines in 2021, has never played in the final pairing of a major championship. He was trying to become the fourth Spaniard in a green jacket. This is the 40-year anniversary of Seve Ballesteros — his idol — winning his second Masters.
Still in the mix but needing help were former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, who along with Cantlay is the only player to have broken par all three rounds. He had a 70 and was six shots behind, along with Russell Henley (71).
U.S. Amateur champion Sam Bennett, playing in the final threesome of the third round with Rahm and Koepka, fell back with a 76.
Woods tied the Masters record by making his 23rd consecutive cut. This was the first time as a pro he didn’t finish all four rounds at Augusta National. He also withdrew after Saturday last year in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills when the cold and wind of Oklahoma made it difficult on him. Woods had been limping all week even in good weather.
The plantar fasciitis first surfaced late last year when he was trying to get ready to play his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. He played twice in December — a made-for-TV match over 12 holes and the PNC Championship over 36 holes — both times in a cart.
Woods played only once this year at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, then took off six weeks to prepare for the Masters. The next major is five weeks away at Oak Hill outside Rochester, New York, in the middle of May.
By Doug Ferguson | 2023-04-09T17:33:34+00:00 | pennlive.com | https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2023/04/masters-2023-tiger-woods-withdraws-during-round-3-as-brooks-koepka-maintains-a-two-stroke-lead.html |
82% of SMB leaders expect disruption as a result of generative AI but remain excited for AI efficiency gains
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clutch, the leading global marketplace of B2B service providers, today released findings from its survey of more than 500 US small business leaders to understand the sentiment around artificial intelligence and how it will impact small businesses in the coming years.
The survey results highlight the way small businesses feel about AI, how they are currently using it in their business practices and how they can expect to further integrate AI in the future. Some key findings from the survey include:
- 82% of small business leaders believe their business will be disrupted by generative AI over the next 5 years.
- 84% of small businesses that currently use AI tools plan to continue using them in the future.
- Business leaders shared their top 3 feelings about the rise of generative AI are excited, optimistic, and motivated.
- By contrast, less than 10% of small business leaders said they felt overwhelmed, frightened, or worried about generative AI technology.
- Small businesses expect AI to increase their need for outsourced services, most immediately in these business functions: Engineering (83%), Sales and Customer Experience (78%), Marketing (77%), as they look to external experts on how to incorporate these technologies in their ongoing business operations.
"Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way businesses operate across many industries, and it is motivating to see that the majority of small businesses are excited about the future of AI," said Sonny Ganguly, CEO of Clutch. "Small businesses are already turning to service providers to help them keep pace with these new technologies, as evidenced by surging 514% YoY growth for AI services on Clutch in Q1."
The survey also revealed the largest benefit small business leaders expect from AI is increased efficiency, and that small business leaders believe that AI is best suited for chatbot development, creating business presentations, and writing marketing materials.
"AI is going to be infused into practically every business process. It will assist in the generation of content (text, images, video, audio), intelligently automate repetitive tasks, make predictions about outcomes, personalize consumer experiences, and inform decisions, " said Paul Roetzer, Founder & CEO of Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institute. "Every business, in every industry, will be powered by AI, or they will be obsolete. But it won't take a decade. More like 3 - 5 years in most industries."
The full survey results can be viewed in today's newly published report, "Small Business Leaders Embrace AI: 82% Expect Disruption in the Next 5 Years."
Clutch surveyed 502 small business leaders in the US with experience using AI tools in April 2023. Thirty-three percent (33%) of respondents' businesses have 2 to 10 employees; 14% have 11 to 50 employees; 19% have 51 to 250 employees; 17% have 251 to 500 employees; 17% have more than 500 employees.
About Clutch
Clutch empowers better business decisions as the leading global marketplace of B2B service providers. More than 1 million business leaders start at Clutch each month to read in-depth client interviews and discover trusted agency partners to meet their business needs. Clutch has been honored for the past 5 consecutive years as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company and by the Washington Business Journal as one of the 50 fastest growing private companies in the DC metro area for 2022.
Media Contact:
Deesha Laxsav
703-944-4279
press@clutch.co
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Clutch | 2023-04-27T18:02:23+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2023/04/27/clutch-report-reveals-small-business-optimism-future-ai/ |
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — South Korea joined the stampede to the moon Thursday with the launch of a lunar orbiter that will scout out future landing spots.
The satellite launched by SpaceX is taking a long, roundabout path to conserve fuel and will arrive in December.
If successful, it will join spacecraft from the U.S. and India already operating around the moon, and a Chinese rover exploring the moon’s far side.
India, Russia and Japan have new moon missions launching later this year or next, as do a slew of private companies in the U.S. and elsewhere. And NASA is next up with the debut of its mega moon rocket in late August.
South Korea’s $180 million mission — the country’s first step in lunar exploration — features a boxy, solar-powered satellite designed to skim just 62 miles (100 kilometers) above the lunar surface. Scientists expect to collect geologic and other data for at least a year from this low polar orbit.
It is South Korea’s second shot at space in six weeks.
In June, South Korea successfully launched a package of satellites into orbit around Earth for the first time using its own rocket. The first try last fall fizzled, with the test satellite failing to reach orbit.
And in May, South Korea joined a NASA-led coalition to explore the moon with astronauts in the coming years and decades. NASA is targeting the end of this month for the first launch in its Artemis program. The goal is to send an empty crew capsule around the moon and back to test the systems before a crew climbs aboard in two years.
Danuri — Korean for “enjoy the moon” — is carrying six science instruments, including a camera for NASA. It’s designed to peer into the permanently shadowed, ice-filled craters at the lunar poles. NASA favors the lunar south pole for future astronaut outposts because of evidence of frozen water.
South Korea plans to land its own spacecraft on the moon — a robotic probe — by 2030 or so.
“Danuri is just the beginning,” Sang-Ryool Lee, president of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, said in the SpaceX launch webcast.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying Danuri took off from Cape Canaveral close to sunset. The first-stage booster — making its sixth flight — landed on an ocean platform several minutes later for further recycling.
It was the third spaceshot of the day from the U.S.
United Launch Alliance kicked things off at sunrise in Florida, launching an Atlas V rocket with an infrared missile-detection satellite for the U.S. Space Force. Then Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket company sent six passengers on a quick ride to space from West Texas.
Across the world, the company Rocket Lab launched a small classified satellite from New Zealand for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | 2022-08-05T17:46:26+00:00 | fox59.com | https://fox59.com/science/ap-science/south-korean-spacecraft-launched-to-the-moon-countrys-1st/ |
The messaging platform WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook's parent company Meta Platforms Inc, announced on Thursday that its users will be able to use a new proxy server feature.
The feature will allow WhatsApp users to use its proxy servers in order to access the service in countries where the app has been blocked.
The messaging service has already been used for its ease of access and security. WhatsApp says the app offers end-to-end encryption which allows conversations to stay private between users, the company says.
WhatsApp claims in its privacy policy that no one else outside of the conversation can read messages on its app, even the company itself.
Users could take advantage of VPN technology to bypass internet bans on apps and websites around the world.
In recent years there have been somewhere around 10 countries that banned or blocked use of WhatsApp, or some of its features including China, Qatar, North Korea, Syria, Iran, Cuba and the United Arab Emirates. | 2023-01-05T22:41:25+00:00 | wkbw.com | https://www.wkbw.com/news/national/whatsapp-offers-proxy-support-to-help-bypass-app-shutdowns-around-the-world |
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Taylor Thierry scored a career-high 21 points and Taylor Mikesell added 16 as No. 3 Ohio State won its 10th game in a row Sunday defeating Michigan State 74-68.
The Buckeyes (10-0) led by as many as 18 points in the first half before the Spartans cut it down to one with 1:44 left in the fourth quarter.
Taylor Mikesell made four free throws in the final minute and Madison Greene added another as Michigan State missed four of its last six shot attempts.
Greene tallied 15 points and Cotie McMahon had eight points alongside 10 rebounds.
The Spartans’ press defense troubled the Buckeyes early as Michigan State (6-5) led 13-11 midway through the opening quarter. Greene sank four free throws as Ohio State closed the first quarter on a 10-0 run.
Thierry tied her previous career best in the first half behind 15 points in that span. She helped Ohio State command a 42-32 lead at halftime.
Ohio State shot 35.7% in the second half and 41.7% overall.
Moira Joiner led the Spartans with 16 points and Gabby Elliott had 11.
STATUS REPORT
Guard Jacy Sheldon missed her third-consecutive game with a right ankle injury. Ohio State’s steals leader has now been held out of five games this season due to the ailment.
BIG PICTURE
Michigan State: The Spartans losing streak extends to five games as they were turned over 22 times, their second-most giveaways in a game this season.
Ohio State: Greene scored eight of her points in the second half and combined with Mikesell to go 17 of 19 at the free throw line. The Buckeyes' team 72% at the line kept them ahead in the second half.
UP NEXT
Michigan State: Hosts Detroit Mercy Dec. 18.
Ohio State: Hosts Albany Friday.
___
AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete
Credit: Jay LaPrete | 2022-12-11T23:32:48+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio/thierry-no-3-ohio-state-hold-off-michigan-state-74-68/HISL4LSKVBE2LIU75O66KBRYSM/ |
State Department plans to admit 125,000 refugees into U.S.
(CNN) - The United States Department of State wants to allow up to 125,000 refugees into the U.S. during the next fiscal year.
That’s the same goal as the last fiscal year, which wraps up at the end of this month.
The Biden administration has fallen short of that goal.
Fewer than 20,000 refugees have been admitted into the U.S. so far.
That’s largely blamed on limits placed on the program under the Trump administration.
The State Department says it has prioritized rebuilding the refugee admissions program.
Its recommendation for refugee numbers was sent to congressional committees for review.
The Biden administration also admitted thousands of Afghans and Ukrainians this year that are not counted as refugees.
That’s because other legal avenues were used to admit them into the U.S.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-10T07:48:29+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/2022/09/10/state-department-plans-admit-125000-refugees-into-us/ |
Ga. teen missing for 5 months reunited with family, deputies say
ATLANTA (WANF) - A Georgia teen missing since June has been found safe and reunited with her family, according to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said 16-year-old Kaylee Grace Jones was last seen June 14 at her residence on the 700 block of Whooping Creek Church Road in Carrollton, WANF reports. Deputies announced Monday she had been located by law enforcement.
“Jones’ disappearance continues to be a very active and fluid investigation and no further details will be released at this time due to the sensitive nature of the case,” a news release stated.
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the search for Jones, including the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, the U.S. Marshal’s Office and local law enforcement.
A reward was being offered for Jones’ safe return, but authorities have not said if that reward will be claimed by anyone.
Copyright 2022 WANF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-11-08T11:26:10+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/2022/11/08/ga-teen-missing-5-months-reunited-with-family-deputies-say/ |
BERLIN (AP) — German officials launched what they say is the world’s first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains Wednesday, replacing 15 diesel trains that previously operated on nonelectrified tracks in the state of Lower Saxony.
The 14 trains use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity that powers the engines. The German government has backed expanding the use of hydrogen as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
State governor Stephan Weil said the 93-million-euro ($92 million) project was an “excellent example” for Lower Saxony’s efforts to make its economy greener.
The trains manufactured by French company Alstom are operated by regional rail company LNVG on routes between the northern towns of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude.
Alstom says the Coradia iLint trains have a range of up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and a maximum speed of 140 kph (87 mph). By using hydrogen produced with renewable energy the trains will save 1.6 million liters (more than 422,000 gallons) of diesel fuel a year.
The hydrogen is currently produced as a byproduct in chemical processes, but German specialty gas company Linde plans to manufacture it locally using only renewable energy within three years. | 2022-08-25T02:24:40+00:00 | ourquadcities.com | https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/business/ap-business/fleet-of-hydrogen-passenger-trains-begins-service-in-germany/ |
ASHEBORO, N.C. — An Asheboro pharmacy is no longer allowed to dispense controlled substances, including opioids, without making sure the drugs are not being abused, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
A federal court ruling resolves a complaint filed in July. It alleges that the Asheboro Drug Company and its two pharmacists filled prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
The release states that the pharmacists disregarded numerous "red flags" or signs of drug abuse and filled prescriptions for patients who appeared to have "shopped" for doctors willing to prescribe controlled substances.
The complaint also alleges that the pharmacists would fill prescriptions for multiple members of the same family, refilled prescriptions early without justification, and turned a blind eye to prescriptions from doctors who repeatedly wrote suspect prescriptions.
Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy of the DEA Atlanta Field Division said following the ruling, “Pharmacists are not simply pill-counters. The penalty and injunction in this case serves notice that DEA will not turn a blind eye when pharmacists shirk their duty by ignoring red flags of abuse and diversion.”
The pharmacy must pay $300,000 in civil fines. | 2022-07-14T17:48:44+00:00 | wfmynews2.com | https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/asheboro-drug-company-no-longer-allowed-to-fill-opioid-prescriptions-federal-court-rules/83-1af37def-705d-463e-81ea-85b800dba78d |
DAMASCUS, Oregon (AP) — At a woodsy retreat center in Oregon, some 30 men and women are seated or lying down, masks covering their eyes and listening to serene music.
They are among the first crop of students being trained how to accompany patients tripping on psilocybin, as Oregon prepares to become the first U.S. state to offer controlled use of the psychedelic mushroom to the public.
Expected to be available to the public in mid- or late-2023, the program is charting a potential course for other states. Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 109 on psilocybin by an 11% margin in 2020.
In November, Colorado voters also passed a ballot measure allowing regulated use of “magic mushrooms” starting in 2024. On Dec. 16, California state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco introduced a bill to legalize psilocybin and other psychedelic substances.
“Psychedelics help people heal from trauma, depression & addiction,” Wiener tweeted. “Why are they still illegal in California?”
InnerTrek, a Portland company, is now training around 100 students, in three groups, to be licensed “facilitators” who will create a safe space for dosing sessions and be a reassuring, but nonintrusive, presence. Some classes in the six-month, $7,900 course are online but others are in-person, held near Portland in a building resembling a mountain lodge with Tibetan prayer flags flapping in the breeze nearby.
Because psilocybin use is still illegal, the only mushrooms at the training center were the shitake ones served in the miso soup at lunch.
Trainer Gina Gratza told the students that the space, or “container,” for a dosing session at a licensed center should include a couch or mats for clients to sit or lie on, an eye mask, comfort items like a blanket and stuffed animals, a sketch pad, pencils and a bucket for vomiting. A session typically lasts at least six hours.
Music is an important part of the experience and should be available, from speakers or on headphones. (Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research in Baltimore have developed a playlist that “ seeks to express the sweeping arc of the typical medium- or high-dose psilocybin session.”)
“You are here to support safe passage and hold the container that powers a release and an unfolding,” Gratza told the students. “Be mindful of how you’re speaking and what the energy of what you’re putting out may be conveying.”
Trainers emphasized that those taking psilocybin should be given the freedom to explore whatever emotions emerge during their inner journeys. They shouldn’t be consoled if they’re crying, for example. Expressing anger is fine but there should be agreement beforehand that there will be no throwing of objects or hitting.
“We’re not guiding,” Gratza said. “Let your participants’ experiences unfold. Use words sparingly. Let participants come to their own insights and conclusions.”
Tom Eckert, the architect of Ballot Measure 109, is now moving it along as InnerTrek’s program director. He said it’s not about people getting “high” for the sake of it, but to use psilocybin to improve lives.
Researchers believe psilocybin changes the way the brain organizes itself, permitting a user to adopt new attitudes more easily and help overcome depression, PTSD and other issues.
“What we’re bringing forward here in Oregon is a platform for psilocybin services,” Eckert said in an interview. “And service means a sequence of sessions in which a psilocybin experience is contextualized. So, there’s preparation beforehand and integration afterwards. It’s a therapeutic sequence.”
Oregon is pioneering the regulated use of psychedelic mushrooms in the U.S., but psilocybin, peyote and other hallucinogenic substances have been used by the native peoples of Mexico and Central America to induce altered states of consciousness in healing rituals and religious ceremonies since pre-Columbian times.
Its cultivation and use is legal in a handful of other countries, including Jamaica, where some high-end mushroom resorts have sprung up. A program run by the Heroic Hearts Project, a veteran service organization, brings military vets with PTSD and athletes who have experienced trauma to the jungles of Peru for restorative sessions with ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic.
In October, the Canadian province of Alberta announced the first provincial regulations for psychedelic-assisted therapy. The new regulations, which take effect in January, require a psychiatrist to oversee any treatment, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Psilocybin remains illegal in the rest of Canada, but that hasn’t stopped shops in Vancouver, British Columbia, from openly selling magic mushrooms. The police aren’t getting involved and are instead targeting violent criminal organizations that produce and traffic harmful opioids, the CBC reported.
A shop in Portland called the Shroom House was also allegedly selling psilocybin openly until police busted the operation on Dec. 8 and arrested the store owner and manager.
In the last election, several rural counties in Oregon opted out of allowing psilocybin services in unincorporated areas within their borders, although several towns in those counties stayed in. Heavily populated counties with the state’s biggest cities — Portland, Eugene and Bend — also did not opt out, although the county containing the capital Salem did.
The Oregon Psychiatric Physicians Association and the American Psychiatric Association opposed Measure 109, saying it “is unsafe and makes misleading promises to those Oregonians who are struggling with mental illness.” You don’t need to be a medical professional to get a facilitator license, they pointed out.
Eckert, though, said the status quo isn’t working.
“We need a revolution in mental health care,” Eckert said. “The current way we are working with mental health simply isn’t cutting it, and we see that in the outcomes. We have something of a mental health crisis here in Oregon and beyond.
“I’m not trying to throw away the existing structure,” he added. “There’s definitely value there, but there’s something missing, clearly.” ___
This story has been updated to correct that the county containing Salem voted to ban psilocybin services. | 2022-12-23T02:21:37+00:00 | wearegreenbay.com | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/health-2/ap-health/ap-have-a-safe-trip-oregon-trains-magic-mushroom-facilitators/ |
NPR News Morning news brief Published November 4, 2022 at 3:06 AM MDT Facebook Twitter Email Listen • 11:05 G7 diplomats meet to help Ukraine through the winter. Two omicron variants could cause a new COVID surge. Borrowing on credit cards and for car loans is getting a lot more expensive. Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-11-04T09:44:10+00:00 | kunm.org | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2022-11-04/morning-news-brief |
BOSTON (AP) — A voting rights bill designed to ensure that mail-in ballots and early voting become permanent fixtures in future Massachusetts elections was signed into law Wednesday by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
The new law, which had passed the Democrat-controlled Massachusetts House and Senate by wide margins, would also increase ballot access for voters with disabilities and service members overseas. It would make sure eligible voters who are incarcerated can request a mail-in ballot and take steps to modernize the state’s election administration process.
The law does not include provisions that would let individuals both register and vote on Election Day — a change sought by some activists.
Many of the voting options included in the new law proved popular in Massachusetts during the 2020 election at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, when some voters were leery of heading to crowded polling locations.
Preparations are underway to ensure that the changes will be in effect for the Sept. 6 state primary elections, according to Democratic Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, whose office oversees elections.
“Every voter in Massachusetts can expect to receive a pre-addressed, postage pre-paid Vote by Mail application in just a few weeks. Voters who prefer to vote in person will be able to take advantage of expanded in-person early voting or vote at their polling place on Election Day,” Galvin said in a written statement.
Voting rights advocates welcomed the new law.
“We are thrilled that Governor Baker signed the VOTES Act into law today,” Geoff Foster, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts, said in a written statement. “At a time when many states are making it harder to vote, this new law will modernize our elections and make our democracy more accessible and equitable.”
The law will let registered voters vote by mail for any presidential, state or municipal primary or election; set aside two weeks — including two weekends — of early voting in-person for biennial state elections and one week — including one weekend — for presidential or state primaries; and move the voter registration deadline from 20 to 10 days before a preliminary, primary or general election.
The secretary of state is required under the new law to send out mail-in ballot applications, with return postage guaranteed, to registered voters 45 days before any state election while hosting an online portal where voters can request ballots in multiple languages.
The law also provides for electronic voting options for overseas voters including military personnel.
Critics have questioned whether some of the changes are constitutional, but voting rights advocates said the bill is key to ensuring access to the ballot.
More than 3.6 million residents cast ballots in the state’s 2020 general election, totaling 76% of all registered voters. Of those, 42% voted by mail in the general election. Another 23% voted during early voting windows. | 2022-06-22T22:45:34+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Gov-Baker-signs-bill-ensuring-mail-in-ballots-17259072.php |
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
MOVIES
— Shaunak Sen’s “All That Breathes,” one of the more transfixing and beautiful documentaries of the past year, is about a pair of brothers in New Dehli who make a makeshift clinic to mend and heal the birds of prey who are increasingly falling to Earth in the pollution-choked Indian capital. The film, nominated for best documentary at the Academy Awards, is a stirring and poetic portrait of ecological urban rescue that begins streaming on HBO Max on Tuesday. (It also premieres on HBO on Tuesday.) Nadeem Shehzad and Mohammad Saud may be amateurs, but they've saved some 20,000 birds.
— With Valentine's Day fast approaching, the rom-coms cometh. Two notable ones are on tap this week: “Your Place or Mine” on Netflix and “Somebody I Used to Know” on Prime Video. Aline Brosh McKenna's “Your Place or Mine,” debuting Friday, Feb. 10, stars Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher as longtime friends who swap houses for a week. Dave Franco's “Somebody I Used to Know” is his second film as director and fourth collaboration with his wife, Alison Brie. Brie stars as a young woman who while visiting her hometown reunites with an old flame (Jay Ellis).
— Just half a year after the death of NBA great Bill Russell, a new Netflix documentary reflects on the life and legacy of one of the best basketball players of all time. Sam Pollard, the veteran documentarian of “MLK/FBI," directs “Bill Russell: Legend” (streaming Wednesday), a two-part film featuring interviews with Russell taped before his death, as well as Steph Curry, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Chris Paul. The film illuminates both Russell's on-court accomplishments, including 11 championship titles with the Boston Celtics, and his off-the-court activism.
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle
MUSIC
— Paramore‘s “This Is Why” will arrive on Friday, Feb. 10, and marks the first album from Hayley Williams, Taylor York and Zac Farro since 2017’s “After Laughter.” The trio says the album summarizes “the rollercoaster of being alive in 2022” and the singles seem to hint at a funkier, indie rock approach, including the terrific, jangly title cut. The band’s third single, “C’est Comme Ça,” (which translates roughly into the expression “That’s just how it is”) contains the spicy lyrics: “I hate to admit getting better is boring/But the high cost of chaos/Who can afford it?”
— Kelela’s second full-length album, “Raven,” arrives Friday, Feb. 10, with the new seductive single, “Contact.” A mix of ’90s house, electronic and R&B, “Contact” is a super sexy chill way to get ready for a right out and later the feel of sweaty, super cool bodies swaying. One music writer calls her music “the soundtrack to a night drive home as you watch the rain patter on your window, reflecting on how it could have all been different.” The songwriter describes her new album as a “15 track deep-dive into facets of dance music that have always excited me.”
— Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy
TELEVISION
— A new Lifetime movie called “Black Girl Missing” is inspired by true instances of missing women of color who don’t get the same attention or spotlight from the authorities and media that a missing white woman does. Garcelle Beauvais executive produces and stars as a woman whose missing daughter is dismissed as a runaway, as news of a missing white girl stirs up a media frenzy. “Black Girl Missing” debuts Saturday, Feb. 4.
— MGM+ (formerly known as EPIX) is out with a new documentary premiering Monday about Jack Roland Murphy — also known as “Murf the Surf.” Murf was an infamous thief, who was also known for his elaborate, tall tales, stole the Star of India sapphire — plus other jewels — from New York’s Museum of Natural History in 1964. To date, it’s the largest jewel thief in the city’s history. Murf went on to be convicted of murder and then sentenced to life in prison, plus additional time added later for other crimes but was paroled in 1986. The four-part series looks at Murphy’s life, crimes and how a criminal was able to captivate both the media and public.
— Alicia Rancilio
VIDEO GAMES
— The Harry Potter universe is going through rough times, with a series of poorly received “Fantastic Beasts” films and an ongoing controversy over creator J.K. Rowling’s comments against transgender people. Warner Bros. Games is hoping to turn around its fortunes with Hogwarts Legacy, an ambitious open-world adventure set at the school of magic in the 1800s. Players can create their own protagonist, a witch or wizard who “holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart” — as if the Potterverse doesn’t have enough agita already. You can pick up your wand Friday, Feb. 10, on the PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.
— Lou Kesten
___
Catch up on AP’s entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/apf-entertainment. | 2023-02-03T18:09:31+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/new-this-week-your-place-or-mine-and-all-that-17762157.php |
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Playing on more familiar ground this time, Arab nations will get another chance to shine at this year's World Cup after a disappointing showing in Russia.
None of the four Arab teams at the 2018 tournament made it out of the first round, with only a consolation victory each for Saudi Arabia and Tunisia in their final group games.
That record-high number of four teams has been matched this time with Morocco in the tournament, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia back again, plus host nation Qatar.
Qatar lobbied to move its opener against Ecuador to Nov. 20 so it gets the worldwide spotlight in its first-ever World Cup game. Saudi Arabia takes on an Argentina team led by Lionel Messi two days later.
No pressure.
“Everyone on the team is dreaming to get to the second round and, of course, some of them are dreaming of winning the World Cup but, for us, we just need to focus on our first game against Argentina," Saudi Arabia coach Hervé Renard said. "It will be a fantastic challenge for us, but we must be ready.”
Arab teams have reached the round of 16 only three times in tournament history. Morocco did it in 1986 — in a first for Africa, as well — followed by Saudi Arabia in 1994 and Algeria eight years ago.
Eight Arab teams have played in the World Cup, beginning with Egypt at the second tournament in 1934.
ASPIRATIONAL
It's the first time the World Cup will be held in the Middle East and in an Arab country.
There hasn't been an Arab nation making its debut since Saudi Arabia in 1994. Resource-rich Qatar qualified automatically as host but they've spent years — and lots of money — developing a competitive national team.
They have done it through the Aspire Academy, which hired foreign directors and coaches to scout and develop young Qataris. At one point the academy recruited young Africans, though FIFA later tightened eligibility rules.
The work is paying off. Qatar won the Asian Cup in 2019, beating favored Japan 3-1 in the final to claim its first major soccer title.
Aspire said 70% of that Qatar team was developed at its academy, including the tournament's top scorer, Almoez Ali.
INFLUENCE
Whether or not Arab teams excel in Qatar, it's clear wealthy Persian Gulf states are wielding influence.
“We’re finally beginning to recognize the truly global appeal of the game, the fact that it no longer belongs to one region, one country or one set of football associations, but in fact it’s something that’s become much more invested in by people from all over the world,” said Abdullah Al-Arian, an associate professor of history at Georgetown University in Qatar.
Some of Europe's best-known clubs have Gulf ownership: Manchester City (Abu Dhabi), Paris Saint-Germain (Qatar) and Newcastle (Saudi Arabia).
Qatar spent billions building stadiums to host soccer's marquee tournament amid complaints about its treatment of migrant workers.
The Saudis use the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund to invest in a variety of sports — which critics say is an effort to mask the country’s poor human rights record.
“The fear becomes that the fans, who are the heartbeat of the entire game, get left behind as all of these other actors are jockeying for their own influence,” said Al-Arian, who edited a book called “Football in the Middle East.”
ON THE FIELD
Algeria's debut at the World Cup was a shocker — a 2-1 win over West Germany in 1982. But the North Africans didn't advance after the German team eased to a 1-0 win over Austria four days later in a controversial game known as the “ Disgrace of Gijon."
The Saudis still talk about Said Al Owairan's Diego Maradona-like individual effort in a 1-0 victory over Belgium in 1994 at RFK Stadium in Washington.
Today, coaches even at domestic levels try to emulate the successful tactics of top European clubs.
Andy Roxburgh, the technical director of the Asian Football Confederation, said trends like high pressing are becoming popular in Asia.
“The kind of high pressing game that Al Hilal have been showcasing lately has been extremely rare in West Asia and Asian football at large,” Roxburgh said at an AFC forum, citing the powerhouse Saudi club. "We can now see a gradual increase in the number of teams who are beginning to practice this.”
The Saudi and Qatari coaches say one of their advantages is all of their players come from their domestic leagues, so they are tight-knit groups.
Most of Qatar's players have been in training camps since June.
“We have the luxury to be five, six months preparing for the World Cup,” Alberto Mendez-Villanueva, head of fitness at the Qatari soccer association, told the Aspire Academy Global Summit this month. “But other federations have the luxury to have players in Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester, Chelsea. So, I'm not sure which way will be the best one.”
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-11-10T12:26:39+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/Arab-nations-eye-breakthrough-at-World-Cup-in-17573738.php |
‘Walking miracle’: Former Ole Miss football player seen walking after career-ending crash
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A former Ole Miss Rebel was seen walking after he was involved in a career-ending car accident this past weekend.
KD Hill, a fan-favorite, suffered major injuries after a wreck on Interstate 65 near Cullman, Alabama on Saturday. His brother was also involved in the crash.
The former Rebel was drafted by the Orlando Guardians of the XFL just over a month before the accident.
Eufaula Football, the team the 23-year-old played high school football for in Alabama, posted a video on Twitter of Hill using a walker.
It appears that the crash resulted in the lower part of his right leg being amputated.
It’s a little blurry, but look at this WALKING miracle named Ka’Darian Hill! His faith has not wavered through any of this. God certainly has a plan for KD! @Grindkd_55 #OneTeamOneTownOneTradition#TigerNation pic.twitter.com/xQ7Hlnnufm
— Eufaula Football (@EufaulaFootball) July 26, 2023
The former Rebel wore the historic No. 38 jersey of the late, great Rebel Chucky Mullins last season.
In his five-year Ole Miss career, the defensive tackle was a key member of the “Landshark” defense, recording 58 tackles, four tackles four losses, and a sack.
A GoFundMe account has been set up in support of Hill. Click here for more information.
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.
Copyright 2023 WLBT. All rights reserved. | 2023-07-29T00:15:55+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/2023/07/27/walking-miracle-former-ole-miss-football-player-seen-walking-after-career-ending-crash/ |
The impact of social media on kids is again under sharp scrutiny.
State and federal officials are investigating whether children and teens are more vulnerable to social media addiction and messaging that promotes dangerous habits such as self harm and disordered eating.
Now, schools are ringing alarm bells.
Seattle Public Schools on Friday filed a 91-page lawsuit against the companies behind TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube in a federal district court.
The public school district alleges that students are being recommended harmful content online, exacerbating a mental health crisis, and social media companies are allowing it to happen.
Here's what you need to know about the lawsuit.
The school system accuses social media platforms of increasing students' anxiety and depression
Seattle Public Schools alleges that the very design of these platforms, which seek to maximize the amount of time users spend on them, is flawed and dangerous–particularly to kids.
They argue that the longer people stay on social media, the more ads those companies sell and thus the more money they stand to make. And some features, such as push notifications, are designed to draw users in, making it hard to ignore, especially for kids, the school district alleges.
It also references studies that suggest teens who spend a lot of time using screens are more likely to receive diagnoses of depression or anxiety, encounter cyber bullying and not get enough sleep.
According to the lawsuit, social media companies have "exploited the vulnerable brains of youth, hooking tens of millions of students across the country into positive feedback loops of excessive use and abuse."
The lawsuit cites a 2021 investigation by the Wall Street Journal, in which several teenage girls reported developing eating disorders or relapsing after TikTok promoted extreme diet videos to them.
The issue of potentially dangerous content on social media is not a new one.
As NPR reported in 2021, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former product manager, testified before Congress, saying that executives hid research about the risks the company's products posed to kids.
Since then, Meta, Facebook and Instagram's parent company, has ramped up safety features for teens, including efforts to prevent unwanted contact from adults, tools that let parents limit the amount of time their children spend on Instagram and age-verification technology.
"We want teens to be safe online," Meta Global Head of Safety Antigone Davis told NPR in an email. "We don't allow content that promotes suicide, self-harm or eating disorders, and of the content we remove or take action on, we identify over 99% of it before it's reported to us."
She did not comment directly on the Seattle public schools' lawsuit.
Jose Castenada, a Google spokesperson, said that the company, which owns YouTube, has "introduced strong protections and dedicated features to prioritize their well being." He also did not comment directly on the lawsuit.
A spokesperson for Snap and a spokesperson for TikTok said they could not comment on litigation but that users' wellbeing is a priority.
The school system says it doesn't have the resources to manage a crisis made worse by social media
In the lawsuit, Seattle Public Schools says the number of students who report feeling "so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that [they] stopped doing some usual activities" increased by 30% from 2009, when smartphones gained steam, to 2019, by which time they'd become ubiquitous.
"Our students - and young people everywhere - face unprecedented learning and life struggles that are amplified by the negative impacts of increased screen time, unfiltered content, and potentially addictive properties of social media," said Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones in a statement.
But the school system says it doesn't have enough staff to treat the growing number of students seeking mental-health counseling.
"Our obligation is to create the conditions for students to thrive and have high quality learning experiences," said Jones. "The harm caused by these companies runs counter to that."
Nationwide, just over half of all public school systems say they can effectively provide mental health services to students in need according to the National Center of Education.
The Seattle-based law firm Keller Rohrback is representing the school district in the lawsuit on a contingency basis, which means attorneys will not get paid unless they win and companies are required to pay a fine, according to Tim Robinson, the head of media relations for Seattle Public Schools.
Tech companies have a powerful legal shield, but it's about to be challenged
It's nearly impossible to sue social media companies over the content on their platforms because of a law known as Section 230. Part of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, it says tech companies can't be held liable for what others share on their sites.
But that could soon change.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments next month in a case that aims to limit Section 230 and puts social media companies' recommendation algorithms front and center. Those recommendation formulas are at the heart of the Seattle Public Schools' lawsuit too.
Right now, the public school system has a very steep legal road to climb, according to Ryan Calo, a professor at University of Washington's School of Law. But if the plaintiffs in the case before the Supreme Court are successful, it could open the door to this kind of argument, he said.
Calo is not involved in either lawsuit, but he does have two children in Seattle Public Schools, one in 7th grade and the other in 3rd. He said isn't surprised that this is happening in Seattle, the home of tech giants including Amazon and Microsoft, which has always been at the forefront of the internet and the digital world.
Even if the case never gets its day in court, its filing allows the school district to draw attention to the issue, Calo said.
"They can do so as a pretty compelling and sympathetic plaintiff in the form of a school district that cares about its kids."
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (en español: 888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: 800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-01-11T00:51:21+00:00 | iowapublicradio.org | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2023-01-10/3-key-takeaways-on-the-seattle-schools-lawsuit-against-big-tech |
New Report from AI for the Planet Alliance, BCG, and BCG GAMMA Reveals a Strong Appetite for Using AI to Tackle Climate Change, but Organizations Face Obstacles to Achieving Impact at Scale
BOSTON, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Climate change will have significant impacts on environmental, social, political, and economic systems around the world. Climate change mitigation, along with adaptation and resilience, is therefore crucial. Efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 will be essential, as will efforts to prepare for the consequences of climate change and to minimize the resulting harm. Applying advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to climate challenges provides a vital way to make meaningful change at this critical moment.
According to a new report from the AI for the Planet Alliance, produced in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and BCG GAMMA, 87% of public- and private-sector leaders who oversee climate and AI topics believe that AI is a valuable asset in the fight against climate change. The report, titled How AI Can Be a Powerful Tool in the Fight Against Climate Change, is being released today.
Based on survey results from over 1,000 executives with decision-making authority on AI or climate-change initiatives, the report finds that roughly 40% of organizations can envision using AI for their own climate efforts (see the exhibit). However, even among these experts, there is widespread agreement that significant barriers to broad adoption remain in place: 78% of respondents cite insufficient AI expertise as an obstacle to using AI in their climate change efforts, 77% cite limited availability of AI solutions as a roadblock, and 67% point to a lack of confidence in AI-related data and analysis.
"AI's unique capacity to gather, complete, and interpret large, complex data sets means it can help stakeholders take a more informed and data-driven approach to combating carbon emissions and addressing climate risks," said Hamid Maher, managing director and partner at BCG and BCG GAMMA, and a coauthor of the report. "However, most existing AI-related climate solutions are scattered, tend to be difficult to access, and lack the resources to scale. These shortcomings need to change."
Uses of AI in Combating Climate Change
Global leaders can use AI to achieve their goals in multiple ways:
- Mitigation. One of the most critical uses of AI is in the measurement, reduction, and removal of emissions and greenhouse gas (GHG) effects. More than 60% of public- and private-sector leaders see the greatest business value for their organizations in the reduction and measurement of emissions. According to BCG, use of AI can drive reductions of 5% to 10% GHG emissions, or 2.6 to 5.3 gigatons of CO2e if applied globally.
- Adaptation and Resilience. Adapting to climate change is a critical undertaking for policy makers and the public, as it boosts resilience to the effects of both long-term climate trends and extreme weather events. AI is well suited to help project climate-related hazards, whether by improving long-term projections of localized events such as sea-level rise or by upgrading early warning systems for extreme phenomena such as hurricanes or droughts.
- Fundamentals. AI can be used to support research and education efforts about climate change, helping stakeholders understand the risks and implications involved and encouraging them to share what they learn. These efforts support and magnify ongoing work toward mitigation and adaptation and resilience.
Need for Meaningful Support
A multitude of critical uses for AI exist in the climate change arena, but any successful AI solution must be user-friendly and readily accessible. It must offer tangible benefits to the user and provide clear recommendations that are easy to act on. AI solutions therefore need much more meaningful support, including access to capital investment, decision makers, and trained practitioners.
"AI has strong promise to help solve the climate crisis, but AI alone is not enough. It depends on the will of decision makers to act and make necessary changes—supported in part by AI and other emerging technologies," said Damien Gromier, founder of AI for the Planet and a coauthor of the report.
AI for the Planet has invited all interested parties to participate in its call for solutions, with proposals in any stage of maturity (if ready for a first pilot, at a minimum) and from any sector, whether private, public, academic, or nonprofit. Support for each solution chosen will be tailored to its needs and may range from customized commercial or technical support to investor relationships and network development.
To learn more about the call for solutions or to apply, please see here.
See detailed survey findings and information about the report here:
https://www.bcg.com/publications/2022/how-ai-can-help-climate-change
Media contact:
BCG: Eric Gregoire, gregoire.eric@bcg.com
AI for the Planet Alliance: Damien Gromier, damien.gromier@startupinside.com
About the AI for the Planet Alliance
AI for the Planet is an alliance created by Startup Inside, with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and BCG GAMMA as knowledge partners, and in collaboration with the AI for Good Foundation; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and the UN Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT).
It is a unique, multidisciplinary, and diverse coalition intended to: 1. Promote innovation in applying advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to climate challenges, supported by global experts from academia, startups, and the public and private sectors; 2. Act as a global platform for identifying and prioritizing the leading tools and use cases for AI in addressing the climate crisis; 3. Identify and champion the most promising solutions for addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation and resilience, especially in the Global South, offering the solutions visibility and recognition; 4. Ensure impact at scale through concrete and measurable actions, such as building access to funding and to practitioners on the ground; and 5. Facilitate the development of networks between project teams, investors, and experts in the field—including startups, corporations, and the public sector.
About Boston Consulting Group
Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholders—empowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.
Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.
About BCG GAMMA
BCG GAMMA is BCG's global team dedicated to applying artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to critical business problems at leading companies and organizations. The team includes more than 1,500 data scientists and engineers who utilize AI and advanced analytics (including machine learning, deep learning, optimization, simulation, natural language, and image analytics) to build solutions that transform business performance. BCG GAMMA's approach builds value and competitive advantage at the intersection of data science, technology, people, business processes, and ways of working.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG) | 2022-07-07T14:10:17+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/87-climate-ai-leaders-believe-that-ai-is-critical-fight-against-climate-change/ |
LONDON (AP) — A 31-year-old man appeared in a court Saturday accused of murdering two college students and a school caretaker in a knife and van attack earlier this week in the English city of Nottingham.
Valdo Calocane was flanked by three security officers as he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.
He is charged with the murder of Nottingham University students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, who were stabbed to death in a street near student housing as they were walking home before dawn on Tuesday.
He is also accused of killing school caretaker Ian Coats, 65, stealing his van and running down a group of pedestrians. Calocane is also charged with attempting to murder the three pedestrians in a hit-and-run that left one of the victims critically injured.
Advertisement
The suspect spoke only to confirm his details. He gave a different name, Adam Mendes, and said he was of no fixed abode.
Tuesday's rampage in Nottingham, a university city of about 350,000 in central England, shook the country. Thousands of people, many of them university students, attended vigils at the college and in the city center to remember those killed.
Police said they believed the suspect acted alone, and were working with counterterrorism officers to try to establish a motive.
The attack has not been labeled terrorism by the authorities, and police are investigating issues including the suspect’s mental health.
The BBC and other U.K. media reported that the suspect was originally from West Africa and has lived legally in Britain for many years.
Police said earlier that Calocane is a former Nottingham University student, but said this was not believed to be connected with the attack.
Calocane was remanded into custody and is expected to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday. | 2023-06-17T11:47:31+00:00 | bostonglobe.com | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/06/17/world/suspect-nottingham-knife-van-attack-appears-court/ |
SAN ANTONIO – After a celebration marking its 90th anniversary on Saturday, nearly all the tables at the Golden Star Café were filled on Monday with the kind of lunch crowd it hadn’t seen in a long while.
Arnold Ortiz, who came by to pick up a to-go order, sounded like the generations of customers at the event over the weekend.
“When I was a little boy, my dad used to bring me here. I’m 63 now,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz said they went to the Golden Star’s original locations further up West Commerce, known for its trifecta menu of American, Chinese and Mexican food.
“They’ve been here forever,” Ortiz said. “I hope they never go away.”
Yet the restaurant’s 90-year legacy on the West Side is now in jeopardy, said Bo Jean Lim, its owner.
“On a day-to-day basis, we are contemplating if we can still hang on,” Lim said. “It’s that serious.”
She said the pandemic was bad enough, yet even then, “We were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
And then Lim said, “Here comes the construction.”
Golden Star’s main entrance off West Commerce was cut off by major street construction as part of the 2017 bond. To enter its parking lot, customers have to come in through South Frio or West Houston.
Almost a year into the construction,” Lim said, “They’re still calling here, asking us if we’re still open.”
Paul Berry, San Antonio Public Works spokesman, said the project, which began last January, is on schedule but won’t be completed until November 2024.
The project located in the Zona Cultural District includes street reconstruction, sidewalks, landscaping and street amenities.
However, Berry said underground utility work is currently underway, which takes the longest.
Berry said Commerce between Pecos and Frio will be open to traffic in March next year.
However, he said, “We are working hard to try to get one of the traffic lanes open by December.”
Teri Castillo, District 5 city council member, said restaurants like Golden Star Café are “part of the city’s cultural fabric and economy.”
She said ever since the pandemic, the city continues to offer programs to help support small businesses that continue to struggle, including $31 million in American Rescue Plan funds.
In response to the issues raised by infrastructure improvements, the city has a construction mitigation pilot program for small businesses impacted by city-initiated construction projects.
Castillo said the economic development department would begin issuing $17 million in COVID-19 impact grants to businesses. | 2022-11-01T13:54:37+00:00 | ksat.com | https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/11/01/golden-star-cafes-90-year-legacy-on-the-west-side-in-jeopardy/ |
Note: The tournament is running behind some. The stream is now slated to start at 1:45 p.m.
Susquehanna Township hosts one of the area’s biggest 7-on-7 tournaments on Saturday, with the 7-on-7 Anti-Bullying Red Zone Scramble kicks off.
Note: The tournament is running behind some. The stream is now slated to start at 1:45 p.m.
Susquehanna Township hosts one of the area’s biggest 7-on-7 tournaments on Saturday, with the 7-on-7 Anti-Bullying Red Zone Scramble kicks off. | 2023-06-10T17:40:45+00:00 | pennlive.com | https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2023/06/susquehanna-township-red-zone-scramble-7-on-7-tournament-live-stream-watch-here.html |
BOULDER — Robin Harper Cowie, Biodesix Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSX) chief financial officer, has been appointed to the Colorado BioScience Association board of directors.
Her “expertise will play a crucial role in driving the growth and development of Colorado’s thriving life sciences community,” the company said in a news release. “In joining the CBSA board, Harper Cowie will collaborate with fellow industry leaders to bolster the supportive ecosystem for life sciences companies throughout the state.”
Biodesix is a life-sciences company that specializes in developing tools to detect lung disease.
“Biodesix has established a culture of innovation and collaboration, and my appointment to the board presents an opportunity to work alongside other industry leaders in shaping the future of bioscience in our state,” Harper Cowie said in a prepared statement. “I am committed to helping ensure that Colorado remains a vibrant and innovative hub for life sciences companies to thrive and create meaningful impact in people’s lives.”
This article was first published by BizWest, an independent news organization, and is published under a license agreement. © 2023 BizWest Media LLC. You can view the original here: Biodesix exec tapped for Colorado BioScience Association board | 2023-06-01T03:17:32+00:00 | dailycamera.com | https://www.dailycamera.com/2023/05/31/biodesix-exec-tapped-for-colorado-bioscience-association-board-2/ |
Dubai-based partner Anne-Laure Malauzat was selected as a part of this year's Young Global Leaders class for her unique societal and professional contributions
DUBAI, UAE, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bain & Company has announced that Anne-Laure Malauzat, a Dubai-based partner and an expert in the firm's Public Sector and Government, Social Impact, and Retail practices, has been named a Young Global Leader (YGL) by the World Economic Forum. Anne-Laure has been recognized for her professional business contributions and her commitment to social impact, focusing on education, economic development, public health, and women's empowerment within Bain and beyond.
Anne-Laure is one of 108 of the most promising leaders under the age of 40 named to this year's YGL class. These individuals are involved in activities ranging from advocating for public healthcare to campaigning for diversity, equity and inclusion. This year, the YGL class is gender equal and has representatives from more than 120 countries.
Nominated from around the world, the young leaders are assessed according to rigorous selection criteria and have demonstrated their commitment to serving society. The Forum of YGLs works closely with the World Economic Forum to integrate young leaders into deep interaction with other stakeholders of global society.
"Anne-Laure is a driving force for positive change around the world, consistently finding new ways to push our clients and our firm to create a more equitable future for all," said Kara Gruver, Bain & Company's Chief Talent Officer. "On behalf of our Bain Middle East offices, and the leadership of the firm, we congratulate Anne-Laure on this well-deserved distinction."
Anne-Laure has more than a decade of consulting experience, leading multiple projects for public sector clients around national socioeconomic development, government transformation, education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and public health. She has also worked with a range of private sector clients across industries to address issues, such as turnaround and growth strategy, customer experience transformations, digitalization efforts, and commercial due diligence."
"It is an honor to receive this recognition by the World Economic Forum for combining my passions in both social impact work and management consulting," said Anne-Laure Malauzat, Bain & Company partner. "I am excited to join this esteemed class of YGLs, where we will work together to create transformative impact in every corner of the globe."
Anne-Laure holds a master's degree from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and is on the Georgetown University MENA Board of. Additionally, she holds a dual bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College and is an inducted member of the Phi Beta Kappa society.
She will be the most recent addition to the group of nine fellow Bain partners serving as active, or alumni Young Global Leaders.
About Bain & Company
Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future.
Across 63 offices in 38 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a gold rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 2% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.
Contact: Katie Ware, Katie.Ware@bain.com, 646-562-8107
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bain & Company | 2022-04-25T18:39:21+00:00 | live5news.com | https://www.live5news.com/prnewswire/2022/04/25/bain-amp-company-partner-anne-laure-malauzat-named-young-global-leader-by-world-economic-forum/ |
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Nov. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a unanimous verdict, a Nueces County jury ruled in favor of plaintiff Chris Garza, awarding him $18 million in actual and exemplary damages. Mr. Garza was injured while working on a job site for the defendants, Mostaghasi Enterprises, Inc. (MEI) and Raul Salas d/b/a R & T Framing.
At the time of his catastrophic injury, Mr. Garza was acting as an employee of R & T Framing, who was acting as an agent of Mostaghasi Enterprise, Inc. MEI has been building and constructing homes for over three decades in Corpus Christi.
While installing a 200-pound structural beam, at the direction of R & T Framing, the beam became loose, causing Mr. Garza to fall from his ladder. The beam ultimately broke free because the nails used in the project, which were provided by MEI and put in the nail gun by R & T, were too short. As a result of the fall, Mr. Garza sustained serious injuries, including a compound fracture of his forearm, requiring 5 surgeries, as well as a skin graft.
The jury found that both parties were grossly and equally negligent in causing Mr. Garza's injuries by failing to exercise ordinary care to protect Mr. Garza from danger. As a result, the jury awarded over $15 million in actual damages.
The court also found that both Mostaghasi Enterprises, Inc. and R & T Framing were grossly negligent, by clear and convincing evidence. The jury awarded an additional $2,000,000 against MEI and an additional $300,000 against R & T Framing.
Attorneys John C. Duff and Matthew S. Hull of Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP, along with Jared Perkins of Perkins & Perkins, represented Chris Garza.
"Mr. Garza's injuries could have been prevented," stated Mr. Duff, "had MEI and R & T Framing properly trained, supervised, and managed the job site and materials. Their failure to show ordinary care for their employee(s), puts all job sites in danger. For a homebuilder to have been in business, as long as MEI, there is no justification for their failure to supervise and provide a safe working environment with the appropriate materials to do the job."
The court agreed, finding MEI and R & T Framing 90% responsible for this harm.
The case is Chris Garza vs. Mostaghasi Enterprises, Inc. and Raul Salas d/b/a R & T Framing;
Case Number 2014CCV-61767-3; in the County Court at Law Number 3, Nueces County, Texas.
Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP (HMG) has been successfully representing clients in the United States and Mexico since 1986. The firm specializes in mass torts, personal injury, product liability, commercial and business litigation, and wrongful death. Founding partner Robert C.Hilliard was named 2016 Elite Trial Attorney of the Year (Motor Vehicles) and 2015 Elite Trial Attorney of the Year (Product Liability) by the National Law Journal. HMG also obtained the largest verdict in the country in 2012 and the #1 verdict in Texas in 2013.
More about the firm can be found at www.hmglawfirm.com.
Contact: Jennifer Dolan
Phone: 321-519-0568
Email: jdolan@hmglawfirm.com
View original content:
SOURCE Hilliard Martinez Gonzales, LLP | 2022-11-04T19:28:14+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/11/04/nueces-county-jury-finds-homebuilder-mostaghasi-enterprises-inc-r-amp-t-framing-liable-gross-negligence-jury-awards-18m/ |
LANSING, Minn.-Outside of Austin's city limits in Lansing is Steve Patterson's Lansing Corners Bar and Grill.
Patterson's business is painted cardinal red and was originally built in the late 1930s, originally operating as a supper club.
Lansing Corners epitomizes the American dream of small business ownership, bringing a small community together for some laughs, drinks and food.
It's here, Patterson said, where the soul of his campaign resides.
However, Patterson had other business plans prior to Lansing Corners.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Patterson said he intended to open a brewery in Rochester but had plans fall through when Minnesota imposed stringent pandemic policies.
Patterson said it was then when he decided to throw his hat in the ring for the gubernatorial race.
"I felt like we needed to have a representation of small businesses to stand up to Gov. Tim Walz and stand up to the decisions that he made that closed several hundred businesses across the state," Patterson said.
One of two candidates for the Grassroots Legalize Cannabis Party, the other being Darrel Paulsen, Patterson said he wants to bring compromise back to state politics, as well as pass overdue legislation.
"I feel like there has to be some kind of middle ground and I feel like that is where I step in. I am running on the weed ticket but I am not a weed smoker. I just feel like people should be able to smoke weed if they want to or if there is a medical benefit for them," Patterson said.
On issues like the right to an abortion and gun legislation, Patterson said with the former he would keep Minnesota's laws in place, while with the latter he would adhere strictly to the text of the 2nd Amendment.
"There is always going to be that extreme example where, you know, it could potentially hurt the mother if she goes through with the pregnancy for example and I could go into several examples but the reality is I always think there should just be that kind of back up plan where it should not be illegal for someone to do it," Patterson said.
Patterson said he did receive contact from his fellow candidate Paulsen, who he said asked him to withdraw from the ticket because "it wasn't his party."
Politely declining Paulsen's offer, Patterson said there are no rules to which party he can represent on the ticket and said he just wants Minnesotans to have the chance to vote for who they believe should represent them as governor.
"The message is that we are not going to put up with it anymore and people that are looking for a truly genuine campaign. I just urge people to do their research on it. Give me a chance and definitely vote in the primary," Patterson said.
The 2022 Midterm Primary is on Aug. 9. | 2022-07-05T05:32:06+00:00 | kimt.com | https://www.kimt.com/news/lansing-business-owner-running-for-governor-wants-to-be-the-voice-for-small-businesses/article_aa315556-fc15-11ec-93a5-2fe79ea04f3f.html |
TIRANA, Albania — The Albanian soccer federation hired Sylvinho on Monday as coach of the national team with the goal of qualifying for the 2024 European Championship.
Sylvinho replaces Italian Edoardo Reja, who led Albanians for three and a half years and 30 matches, winning half of them.
A former left back, Sylvinho played for Barcelona and Arsenal as well as briefly for Brazil’s national team. He ended his playing career with Manchester City in 2010.
Sylvinho has coached French club Lyon and Corinthians in Brazil. He was an assistant coach to Tite in Brazil and to Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan.
In Euro 2024 qualifying, Albania plays in Group E with Poland, the Czech Republic, Moldova and the Faroe Islands.
“We know it is a very balanced and complicated group and we shall aim at qualifying for the Euro finals,” Sylvinho said.
Albania faces Poland on March 27 but Sylvinho likely will set a friendly beforehand to get to know the Albanian players.
Sylvinho brought Brazilian Doriva and Argentinian Pablo Zabaleta with him as assistant coaches.
“The players with the Albanian national team have to believe in themselves,” Zabaleta said. “The reason we are here is that we see their potential, that we can bring success, that we can do something big.”
Albania played at its first major tournament at the European Championship in 2016 under Italian coach Gianni de Biasi. It did not qualify for Euro 2020.
___
Follow Llazar Semini at https://twitter.com/lsemini
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-01-09T16:28:15+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/albania-hires-brazilian-sylvinho-to-coach-its-national-team/2023/01/09/cab0fad8-9036-11ed-90f8-53661ac5d9b9_story.html |
WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The Biden administration announced on Tuesday it would immediately begin turning away Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, a major expansion of an existing effort to stop Venezuelans attempting to enter the U.S.
Instead, the administration will accept a total of 30,000 people per month from the four nations for two years and offer the ability to legally work, as long as they come legally, have eligible sponsors and pass vetting and background checks. These four affected nations are among those for whom migrant border crossings have risen most sharply, with no easy way to quickly return migrants to their home countries.
“Do not, do not just show up at the border,” Biden said Thursday. “Stay where you are and apply legally from there.”
This comes as Border Patrol agents continue to see a surge in people arriving at the border. It’s a major change to immigration rules that will stand even if the U.S. Supreme Court ends the Trump-era public health rule, designed to limit the spread of disease to expel asylum-seekers on the southern border, known as Title 42.
The president has seen the numbers of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border rise dramatically during his two years in office; there were more than 2.38 million stops during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the first time the number cracked 2 million. The administration has struggled to clamp down on crossings, reluctant to take hard-line measures that would resemble those of the Trump administration.
That’s resulted in relentless criticism from Republicans who say the Democratic president is ineffective on border security, and the newly minted Republican House majority has promised congressional investigations.
The new policy could result in 360,000 people from these four nations lawfully entering the U.S. in a year, a huge number. But currently, far more people from those countries are attempting to cross into the U.S. on foot, by boat or swimming. Migrants from those four countries were stopped 82,286 times in November alone.
“This new process is orderly,” Biden said. “It’s safe and humane, and it works.”
Biden planned a trip to El Paso, Texas, this weekend, his first trip to the southern border as president, before a planned trip to Mexico City to meet with North American leaders on Monday.
Mexico has agreed to accept each month from the four countries up to 30,000 migrants who attempt to walk or swim across the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the White House.
Anyone coming to the U.S. is allowed to claim asylum, regardless of how they crossed the border, and migrants seeking a better life in the U.S. often pay smugglers the equivalent of thousands of dollars to deliver them across the dangerous Darien Gap. But the requirements for granting asylum are narrow, and only about 30% of applications are granted. That has created a system in which migrants come between ports of entry and are allowed into the U.S. to wait out their cases. But there is a 2 million-case immigration court backlog, so cases often are not heard for years.
The move, while not unexpected, drew swift criticism from asylum and immigration advocates, who have had a rocky relationship with the president.
Biden, who took office in January 2021, has struggled with record numbers of migrants caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, and migration is expected to be on the agenda at the meeting in Mexico.
The increased focus from Biden on the border also comes as the president prepares for a 2024 reelection bid. His sole declared potential rival, former President Donald Trump, rose to the top of the GOP ranks by animating the party’s base voters with his hardline stances on immigration.
Under then-President Donald Trump, the U.S. required asylum seekers to wait across the border in Mexico. But massive delays in the immigration system created long delays, leading to fetid, dangerous camps over the border where migrants were forced to wait. That system was ended under the Biden era, and the migrants who are returned now to Mexico under the new rules will not be eligible for asylum.
Biden has agreed to triple the number of refugees accepted to the U.S. from the Western Hemisphere, to 20,000 from Latin America and Caribbean, over the next two years. Both refugees and asylum seekers have to meet the same criteria to be allowed into the country, but they arrive through different means.
At the U.S.-Mexico border, migrants have been denied a chance to seek asylum under U.S. and international law 2.5 million times since March 2020 under the Title 42 restrictions, introduced as an emergency health measure by Trump to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but there always has been criticism that the restrictions were used as a pretext by the Republican to seal off the border.
Even with the restrictions, there are still large increases in the number of migrants arriving. Homeland Security officials stopped migrants 2.38 million times during fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the first time the number exceeded 2 million.
Biden moved to end the Title 42 restrictions, and Republicans sued to keep them. The U.S. Supreme Court has kept the rules in place for now. White House officials say they still believe the restrictions should end, but they believe they can continue to turn away migrants under immigration law.
Cubans, who are leaving the island nation in their largest numbers in six decades, were stopped 34,675 times at the U.S. border with Mexico in November, up 21% from 28,848 times in October. Nicaraguans, a large reason why El Paso has become the busiest corridor for illegal crossings, were stopped 34,209 times, up 65% from 20,920 in October.
But Venezuelans were seen far less after Mexico agreed on Oct. 12 to begin accepting those expelled from the United States. They were stopped 7,931 times, down 64% from 22,045 in October.
Meanwhile, border officials are also creating an online appointment portal to help reduce wait times at U.S. ports of entry for those coming legally. It will allow people to set up an appointment to come and ask to be allowed into the country.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this story. | 2023-01-05T21:56:12+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/biden-announces-new-migration-programs-ahead-of-border-visit/ |
Shopper Michelle Williams stood in line with her 28-year-old daughter at 4:30 a.m. today, waiting to enter the Manaola store at Pearlridge Center in Aiea this morning.
“I came for one thing which was the backpack, the only backpack,” said Williams, who purchased a teal-colored backpack on display.
About 100 people waited for doors to open at Pearlridge Center at 6 a.m. for Black Friday, as Hawaii shoppers seek bargains to counter the sky-high inflation of the last few months.
General Manager David Cianelli said, “This is really the first normal shopping season that we’ve had in three years.”
”Everyone is smiling. Retailers are in a really good mood,” Cianelli said. “Everybody was just really happy to kick off the holiday season with the Black Friday event.”
In addition to Manaola, long lines also formed at Bath & Body Works, Sweet Okole Jewelry and other Pearlridge retailers.
“It was just a real high energy, great start to the holiday season this morning,” Cianelli added.
At Ala Moana Center, throngs of shoppers filled the walkways at the open air shopping mall looking for deals.
Laurie Yoshinaga of Aina Haina purchased seven backpacks for friends from Local Motion after arriving at the store at 6 a.m.
In Aiea, friends Christian Rojas and Micah Dupio of Ewa Beach said they were the first in line at Best Buy after arriving after midnight today.
The line stretched out to the sidewalk along Kamehameha Highway before the doors opened at 5 a.m.
“We were ready for everything,” said Rojas, 19, a gamer who bought a new AOC monitor, Astro Gaming A10 headset and other items. | 2022-11-25T23:50:39+00:00 | staradvertiser.com | https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/11/25/breaking-news/hawaii-shoppers-line-up-for-black-friday-deals/ |
More than $25 Million Pledged by Company Since 2021 for After School Access Project
CHICAGO, Feb. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After donating more than $12 million in wireless hotspots and connectivity to nonprofit organizations in 2022, UScellular is extending its commitment to help connect youth in 2023 with up to $13 million in new funding to address the homework gap in the United States. The company's initiative, After School Access Project, provides mobile hotspots and two years of service to nonprofits that support youth after the school day has ended and offers safe internet access for homework and education.
The donations of hotspots and service through After School Access Project will help up to 50,000 youth get the connectivity they need to continue learning outside of the school day.
"For the second year running, we are thrilled to continue our commitment to help bridge the digital divide – connecting more youth in our local communities to what matters most," said Laurent Therivel, president and CEO of UScellular. "The nonprofits who support unserved youth are the real heroes in the fight to end the digital divide. We encourage more organizations to apply for this program and help us bring reliable wireless internet access to youth across America."
After School Access Project was started in 2021 in response to the "homework gap" among youth who lack access to reliable internet outside the classroom. To date, the company has donated more than 10,500 hotspots and service, a value of $12.8 million, through this initiative.
The initiative has supported more than 100 organizations, including YWCA USA, which received nearly 4,000 hotspots to help connect more than 15,000 youth to ensure they have internet access at their local YWCA and at home. "The access to internet through these hotspots has been a valuable resource for our students, families and communities," said Margaret Mitchell, chief executive officer of YWCA USA. "The possibilities to discover, grow and pursue more educational opportunities seem endless with access to this technology."
Nonprofit organizations who meet the following criteria are welcomed to apply at afterschoolaccessproject.com:
- Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
- Operate within UScellular's service area
- Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
- Not a school or government entity
UScellular is focused on addressing gaps in STEM education and is committed to connecting more than 200,000 of tomorrow's innovators each year with the resources they need today to help shape future opportunities. Since 2009, UScellular has invested more than $35 million in monetary donations, technology resources and countless experiences to nonprofit organizations across the country.
For more information about UScellular's corporate social responsibility initiatives, visit https://newsroom.uscellular.com/community/
About UScellular
UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers' lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE UScellular | 2023-02-02T20:22:01+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/02/02/uscellular-extends-commitment-help-youth-stay-connected/ |
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- "We feel cheated, we feel disrespected, we feel stomped on."
Richie Hernandez and his family from Lindsay are suffering heartbreak once again, nearly three decades after a devastating loss.
In 1994, two cousins and best friends were lured to a Fresno County field and executed.
It happened after 19-year-old AJ Hernandez and 18-year-old Danny Hernandez paid a Visalia tire shop owner, Jerry Rodriguez, $2,000 for custom rims for this red truck.
Investigators discovered Rodriguez kept the money and hired a hitman, who shot them to death near Kingsburg.
"It's something that we live with every day. Every Christmas, every birthday, every Mother's Day, every Father's Day, it lives with us every day," describes Richie.
Rodriguez is now on death row.
The shooter, Stanley Michael Skala, pleaded guilty to multiple charges - including first-degree murder.
Prosecutors say he was sentenced to two 25 years to life terms - plus 26 years determinate for the remaining counts.
That was in addition to a previous sentence of more than 23 years for a 1995 robbery case in Tulare County.
"This is a man who deserves to spend every day of his life until he dies in the California Department of Corrections," says District Attorney, Lisa Smittcamp, " This was not a drug deal gone bad, these were not people dealing in criminal activity, these were innocent victims and he robbed those families."
But Skala is up for parole on Wednesday.
California's Youth Offender Parole Hearings allow a person who was under the age of 26 when they committed the offense to receive a hearing for possible parole.
According to CDCR, the legislation behind those hearings is based on scientific evidence that shows parts of the brain don't fully mature until one's mid-to-late 20s.
At the time of the murders, Skala was 24.
He had this to say during his sentencing in 2002, "I can't change what I did. I can't do that, it's just not possible. And I can't even begin to imagine the suffering that I've caused you. but I am admitting my guilt. I did do it and I'm sorry."
Richie Hernandez says there is no apology or remorse that can put the pieces of his family back together.
"We don't have freedom from the pain that we have had throughout these years. But Skala gets to ask for his freedom back, it's just not fair," expresses Richie.
AJ's baseball jersey and the red pickup that Richie keeps are reminders of who his brother and cousin were... Teens with a passion for trucks.
Richie says his brother wanted to be a teacher and give back to the community.. and he still mourns both lives that were taken too soon.
Skala is serving his time at Centinela State Prison in Imperial County.
We reached out to his defense attorney who says they have no comment at this time.
If the board recommends parole on Wednesday morning, Governor Newsom will have 30 days to review the decision and could potentially reverse it. | 2023-04-12T02:27:51+00:00 | abc30.com | https://abc30.com/south-valley-double-murder-parole-hearing-family-speaking-out/13115310/ |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.