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BANGKOK (AP) — Asia’s stake in Europe’s war was made crystal clear Tuesday when the leaders of the region’s two richest countries sat in the capitals of Russia and Ukraine in strong shows of support for the opposing sides.
With the world’s eyes on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first talks in Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida paid a surprise visit to Kyiv on the other side of the front lines.
The visits came as tension has been growing between the two regional rivals and top economic powers. China is seeking to expand its influence, and Japan has responded by increasing its defense spending and deepening ties with the United States and its allies.
While Xi’s trip is meant to send a message to the West that its efforts to isolate Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine have fallen short, the contemporaneous visit to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by Kishida, whose country holds the Group of Seven presidency of leading industrial nations, strongly underlines the global nature of the opposition to the war.
“It’s a very pointed statement,” said Euan Graham, a Singapore-based expert with the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
“It shows that there is more Asian skin in the game than many people may have thought. … As Xi is holding hands with Putin, Kishida is clutching the hand of the president — it’s a very powerful contrast and one that demonstrates that Ukraine isn’t just a European or Atlantic concern.”
Kishida’s decision to visit Kyiv just as Xi was in Moscow was clearly no coincidence, and likely meant to lessen any impact the Chinese leader had hoped to make, said Heigo Sato, a Takushoku University professor and expert on defense and security issues.
“The most important thing is to continue support for Ukraine, and it was necessary to demonstrate G-7 solidarity, with Europe, Japan and the United States working together to provide support,” he said.
Kishida has been among the most outspoken leaders in Asia against the invasion of Ukraine, and Japan has put in place strict sanctions against Russia and provided Ukraine with non-lethal military aid, humanitarian supplies and financial support.
Because of constitutional constraints proscribing Japan from providing Ukraine lethal weapons, Sato said Kishida’s trip was “a minimum requirement” for the chair of the G-7.
In a speech in January at Johns Hopkins University, Kishida stressed that he saw the conflict as having direct implications on the world order, and pledged to use the G-7 presidency to do what he could to strengthen the response of “like-minded countries.”
“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has marked the complete end of the post-Cold War world,” he said. “It has come to light that globalization and interdependence alone cannot serve as a guarantor for peace and development across the globe.”
Later, in what seemed to be a reference to Beijing’s designs toward Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its territory, Kishida said that “China has some visions and claims on the international order that diverge from ours and that we can never accept.”
Kishida’s visit to Moscow came just hours after he met with Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where he invited the Indian prime minister to attend the G-7 summit in May. Kishida also announced actions for a new Indo-Pacific initiative meant to counter China’s growing influence.
Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, said in a Twitter post that for countries in the region, the visits highlight “two very different European-Pacific partnerships.”
“Prime Minister Kishida stands with freedom and Xi stands with a war criminal,” he wrote. “Which Pacific leader is the right partner for a brighter future?”
China’s Foreign Ministry, meantime, accused Kishida of escalating tensions in Europe.
“The international community should uphold the position of promoting peace talks and creating situations for the political resolution of the Ukraine crisis,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing. “We hope Japan could do more things to de-escalate the situation instead of the opposite.”
Wang stressed that China has been “calling for a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis, opposing the Cold War mentality, and opposing unilateral sanctions.”
China and Russia have described Xi’s three-day trip as an opportunity to deepen their “no-limits friendship,” and in a readout after the first day of talks, China said Xi had “stressed that there is a profound historical logic for China-Russia relationship to reach where it is today.”
China has thus far not provided military supplies to Russia, but has criticized Western sanctions and accused NATO and the United States of provoking the Russian invasion.
The sanctions have had the effect of increasing Russia’s reliance on trade with China and moving the countries closer together.
The Moscow summit has the effect of underscoring and reinforcing the status of “Russia as a junior partner with China — economically, militarily and diplomatically,” said Robert Murrett, a retired U.S. vice admiral and professor at Syracuse University.
“Russia has an increasing dependence on China because of Moscow’s growing domestic and international challenges, and at the same time, China can derive selected advantages from the relationship while continuing to develop a range of other bilateral initiatives on the world stage,” he said in an analyst note.
The symbolism of Xi’s visit to Moscow is enormous, Graham said.
“It’s basically an endorsement of Putin’s invasion and Putin will read it as such,” he said. “And it’s a signal that Russia has China’s support, at least diplomatically, and probably considerably more than that under the table.”
Japan has been historically at odds with both China and Russia, including over Russian-held islands that the former Soviet Union seized from Japan at the end of World War II, which has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their war hostilities.
Because of its sanctions against Russia, Tokyo has faced reprisals from Moscow, which announced the suspension of talks on a peace treaty that included negotiations over the disputed islands.
Japan, noting growing threats from China and North Korea, has been expanding military cooperation beyond its main ally, the United States, and has developed partnerships with Australia, Britain, and other nations in Europe and Southeast Asia.
Kishida’s government last year adopted a new national security strategy under which Japan is deploying long-range cruise missiles to strengthen its strike-back capability, a major break from the country’s postwar self-defense-only principle.
While former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe invested time in pursuing a relationship with Putin that didn’t really lead to any significant gain, Kishida has shown a greater willingness to be critical, Graham said.
But Kishida’s trip to Kyiv will not likely worsen ties between Tokyo and Moscow, he said, adding that it would certainly please Washington.
“Russia doesn’t want to put all its eggs in the China basket either, so the idea that Russia is going to suddenly escalate Japan either economically or militarily, they would be very foolish to do so,” he said.
“I think that’s probably a calculation that the Japanese have run, that they’re willing to bear that risk.”
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Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. | 2023-03-21T18:27:56+00:00 | mytwintiers.com | https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/world-news/ap-international/japan-china-push-opposing-visions-in-top-level-visits/ |
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana’s House speaker canceled a Tuesday floor session a day after seven protesters were arrested for disrupting proceedings with demands that Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a transgender Democrat silenced by lawmakers for comments against a bill to ban gender-affirming medical care, be allowed to speak.
The cancellation is the latest development in a standoff over whether Montana Republicans will let the lawmaker from Missoula speak unless she apologizes for her remarks last week on a gender-affirming care ban proposal.
Speaker Matt Regier did not take questions on Tuesday or explain why lawmakers were not returning to the floor, but in a brief statement called the disruptions a “dark day for Montana.”
“Currently, all representatives are free to participate in House debates while following the House rules,” Regier told reporters. “The choice to not follow the House rules is one that Rep. Zephyr has made. The only person silencing Rep. Zephyr is Rep. Zephyr. The Montana House will not be bullied.”
Under Regier’s leadership, the House has not allowed Zephyr to speak since last week when she said that those who voted to ban gender-affirming care for young people would have “blood on their hands.” He and other Republicans said the remark was far outside the boundaries of appropriate civil discourse and demanded she apologize before being allowed to participate in legislative discussions.
Zephyr’s remarks, and the Republican response, set off a chain of events that culminated in a rally outside the Capitol at noon Monday and seven arrests later that afternoon when protesters interrupted House proceedings after Zephyr was denied the right to speak on a bill. The scene at the Statehouse galvanized both those demanding she be allowed to speak and those saying her actions constitute an unacceptable attack on civil discourse.
Much like developments in the Tennessee Statehouse weeks ago — where two lawmakers were expelled after participating in a post-school shooting gun control protest that interrupted proceedings — Zephyr’s punishment has ignited a firestorm of debate about governance and democracy in politically polarizing times.
It has showcased the growing power of the Montana Freedom Caucus, a group of right-wing lawmakers that has spearheaded the charge to discipline Zephyr. The caucus re-upped its demands and rhetoric Monday. In a statement they said that Zephyr’s decision to hoist a microphone toward the gallery’s protesters amounted to “encouraging an insurrection.”
It’s unclear if Regier and House leaders will follow the Freedom Caucus’s demand. Republican Rep. Casey Knudsen, the chair of the House Rules committee, said Monday’s cancellation gave leadership time to respond to Monday’s events. House Democratic Leader Kim Abbott said she saw leadership’s decision to cancel as giving lawmakers “some time to regroup.”
The House is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday afternoon, the chamber’s Republicans announced Tuesday.
Although several protesters resisted law enforcement officers trying to arrest them on Monday, Abbott pushed back at characterizing the activity as violent. She acknowledged it was disruptive, but called the demonstration peaceful. She said public protests were a predictable response to a lawmaker representing more than 10,000 constituents not being allowed to speak and questioned bringing in officers in riot gear to handle the chanting protesters.
“It was chanting, but it absolutely was not violent,” she said. “Sometimes extreme measures have a response like this.”
There were no reports of damage to the building and lawmakers were not threatened.
On Monday, Zephyr said the seven arrested were “defending democracy” and in an earlier speech said that the sequence of events that followed her remarks illustrated how they had struck a chord with those in power.
“They picked me in this moment because I said a thing that got through their shield for a second,” she told a crowd of supporters gathered on the Capitol steps near a banner that read “Democracy dies here.”
She said she does not intend to apologize and argued that her “blood on your hands” remark accurately reflected the stakes of such bans for transgender kids.
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This story has been corrected to show that Rep. Casey Knudsen is not a member of the Montana Freedom Caucus. | 2023-04-26T03:42:22+00:00 | siouxlandproud.com | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/national/standoff-endures-over-montana-transgender-democrats-remarks/ |
Thursday, October 13th 2022, 10:23 am
It's almost Halloween, and there are some great places for people to get their adrenaline pumping this spooky season.
News 9's Natalie Cruz took a tour of Guthrie Haunts during News 9 at 9 a.m. Thursday.
October 13th, 2022
October 14th, 2022
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October 14th, 2022 | 2022-10-15T04:53:51+00:00 | news9.com | https://www.news9.com/story/634830dc8b8c0b0709a43e01/watch:-news-9s-natalie-cruz-tours-guthrie-haunted-house |
BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHHIP, Ohio --
Assault, Aurora Road:
A bystander called police as she watched a man and woman arguing Dec. 10 outside of a fast food restaurant where the couple was headed into work. The Cleveland woman, 27, reached into her parked vehicle, pulled out an orange baseball bat and hit the Bedford Heights man, 22, on his leg. When the responding officer questioned her she denied striking him, but he confirmed that she did. Surveillance video of the parking lot proved that she did hit his leg with the bat. She confessed that she did in retaliation for him kicking her vehicle fender and creating a dent. Both were arrested for disorderly conduct for fighting in a public place. She was also charged with assault, and he was charged with criminal damaging. Both are headed to Chardon Municipal Court.
Deceased body, Haskins Road:
Police were called to a home 8 p.m. Dec. 5 where a man was believed to be dead. Officers arrived and found the deceased man 500 feet into the woods under a tree that had fallen and killed him. The man, 46, had been alone in the woods cutting firewood, when he didn’t return family members searched and found him.
Weapons violation, Aurora Road:
Police responded to a call from Aurora police 1:40 p.m. Dec. 7 after subjects fled in a vehicle from a theft at a store in that community. Bainbridge police found the get-away car and stopped it. The officer saw the driver jump over from the front to the back seat, and the front-seated passenger slide into the driver’s seat. When asking for their ID’s, it was revealed that one of the two, a Cleveland Heights woman, 31, had a gun, which was not loaded. Six rounds of ammunition was found elsewhere in the car. Both women were turned over to Aurora police. Charges are pending in Bainbridge Township for the Cleveland Heights woman for having a firearm with a disability.
Theft, East Washington Street:
A man reported Dec. 2 that someone stole his snowplow valued at $6,000 while he was gone for the day. | 2022-12-15T03:34:20+00:00 | cleveland.com | https://www.cleveland.com/police-blotter/2022/12/woman-hits-man-with-baseball-bat-police-arrest-them-both-bainbridge-township-police-blotter.html |
A proposed settlement for more than $4 million has been reached in the lawsuit brought by former Iowa football players who alleged racial discrimination in coach Kirk Ferentz’s program.
The office of State Auditor Rob Sand disclosed the proposed settlement on Monday, and he said he would oppose using taxpayer money to pay a portion of the settlement unless university athletic director Gary Barta is fired.
The three-member State Appeal Board will vote Monday afternoon on whether to approve the use of $2 million in state money for the $4.175 million settlement. Sand is a member of the board along with state treasurer Roby Smith and Department of Management director Kraig Paulsen.
A message was left for Tulsa-based attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, who brought the lawsuit on behalf of about a dozen Black former players in 2020.
In a response to a request for comment from Barta, the athletic department put out a statement attributed to him: “The Athletic Department remains committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for every student-athlete and staff member involved in our program. The Hawkeyes over-arching goal to win every time we compete, graduate every student-athlete that comes to Iowa, and to do it right, remains our focus.”
Barta has been Iowa’s athletic director since 2006. In a statement to the appeal board, Sand noted four discrimination cases totaling nearly $7 million in damages under Barta’s watch. The largest of those was $6.5 million to settle a lawsuit in 2017 over the firing of former field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum. The money used to pay that settlement came from the athletic department, which does not rely on taxpayer funding.
“I can’t imagine a private company that would still have someone at the helm after four discrimination lawsuits under that person’s leadership,” Sand said at a news conference. “So to me there has to be additional accountability there. The athletic department, they’ve got the funds for it. The broadcast deal brings tens of millions of dollars every year going forward. I don’t know why they can’t cover their own mistakes and pay for their own mistakes instead of having taxpayer’s do it.”
Barta, Ferentz, his son and offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz and former strength coach Chris Doyle were dismissed from the lawsuit last week, which was considered a sign a proposed settlement was imminent.
According to the proposed settlement, some $2.85 million would be divided among 12 players and $1.9 million would go to Solomon-Simmons Law for fees and expenses.
In addition, the university would direct $90,000 to support graduate or professional school tuition for the plaintiffs, with no individual receiving more than $20,000, and provide mental health counseling for the plaintiffs through March 15, 2024. The athletic department also is required to hire University of Texas Black studies professor Leonard Moore to oversee a five-year diversity, equity and inclusion plan.
The lawsuit filed in November 2020 involved former players including former star running back Akrum Wadley and career receptions leader Kevonte Martin-Manley. They alleged they were demeaned with racial slurs, forced to abandon Black hairstyles, fashion and culture to fit the “Iowa Way” promoted by Kirk Ferentz, and retaliated against for speaking out.
The players initially sought $20 million in damages plus the firings of Barta and the Ferentzes.
Doyle agreed to leave Iowa five months before the lawsuit was filed after widespread accusations that the longtime strength coach used his position to bully and disparage former players, particularly those who are Black. Iowa agreed to pay Doyle $1.1 million in a resignation agreement.
In 2020, before the lawsuit, the university hired the Husch Blackwell law firm to review the program after dozens of former players, most of them Black, spoke out on social media to allege racial disparities and mistreatment. Their activism came as protests against racial injustice swept the nation following the death of George Floyd and after attempts to raise concerns inside the program resulted in only minor changes.
The report said that some of the football program’s rules “perpetuated racial or cultural biases and diminished the value of cultural diversity.”
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25 Sign up for the AP Top 25 newsletter here: https://link.apnews.com/join/6nr/morning-wire-newsletter-footer-internal-ads | 2023-03-06T18:39:36+00:00 | pahomepage.com | https://www.pahomepage.com/sports/ap-sports/auditor-wants-barta-fired-if-tax-dollars-used-for-settlement/ |
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office is seeking more information after two homes in a Lafayette subdivision were hit by gunfire on Friday morning.
Around 7:42 a.m., officers responded to the area of the 2600-block of Priest Drive, located in the Benjamin Crossing subdivision, after receiving 911 calls of shots fired.
Deputies arrived on scene and discovered a residence had been struck by gunfire.
That residence was reportedly occupied at the time of the suspected shooting, but police said no one inside the residence was injured.
A second residence was also struck by a stray bullet, and there were no injuries in that residence.
The detective division responded to the scene to assist the patrol deputies, and the investigation is ongoing according to TCSO.
Police believe the incident was isolated and not a random act.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 765-423-9321 or leave information on the WeTip line at 800-782-7463. | 2023-06-09T16:42:21+00:00 | wthr.com | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/police-seek-more-information-after-benjamin-crossing-home-struck-by-bullet-in-lafayette-guns/531-71466d65-4099-4381-8d0d-a1316d560d94 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Josef Newgarden wasn’t at peak physical condition when he raced last week at Indianapolis, that much he admits.
But sitting out would have crippled his championship chances, so earning the medical clearance to compete following his post-race collapse at Iowa was Newgarden’s only choice. He finished fifth to maintain his hold on third place in the IndyCar standings.
“I wasn’t 100% but I felt good, I felt normal in a lot of respects, but I’m trying to get myself even better,” Newgarden said. “We needed to be in the race, and I was happy to be there.”
Next up is his home race, the second Music City Grand Prix through the downtown streets of Nashville. Newgarden was an ambassador for last year’s inaugural race and the commitments admittedly stretched him thin ahead of his deflating 10th-place finish.
That won’t be good enough Sunday for Newgarden’s quest for a third IndyCar title. So he slimmed down his obligations ahead of this year’s race and used several days this week to reset following his Iowa disruption.
Newgarden won the first race of the Iowa doubleheader last month to take the IndyCar points lead, but crashed hard the next day while leading in pursuit of the weekend sweep. The incident dropped him to third in the standings and then came a medical scare: Newgarden was cleared in the care center but then lost consciousness in the motorhome lot and hit his head.
It’s believed he suffered a concussion when his head hit the pavement. That required deliberate care to ensure Newgarden would be cleared to race the road course at Indianapolis last Saturday. When that race ended, he felt “just tired.”
“I was fatigued from the intense week,” he said. “It wasn’t so much that I was dealing with symptoms, I just wasn’t 100% energy. I feel like this week, I’ve had more time to rest, and I’ll be more myself this weekend.”
Newgarden is in a tight title fight with six drivers separated by 52 points with four races remaining. His Team Penske teammate Will Power cycled into the lead for the third time this season after Indianapolis; Newgarden, with an IndyCar-high four wins this season, is 32 points behind his teammate.
Newgarden is passionate about IndyCar in Nashville and last year packed his schedule with pre-race appearances to promote the event debut. This year he cut back to only his fourth annual ping-pong tournament for charity. About a dozen of his fellow competitors played in the Thursday afternoon tournament. Newgarden’s team advanced to the final but lost.
He said the charity tournament was a priority. Newgarden, via an IndyCar bonus program, already earned a $1 million prize this season and $500,000 was split between two charities of his choice. The tournament also benefitted the two charities, Wags and Walks of Nashville and the SeriousFun Children’s Network.
Newgarden’s support has helped Wags and Walks — where Newgarden and his wife adopted one of their dogs — break ground on its first facility that will double the amount of pets it helps save each year. Both founder Kathryn Dhall and Clea Newman, who runs the SeriousFun Children’s Network that was started by her father, the late actor Paul Newman, attended the tournament.
TRACK CHANGES
The debut Music City Grand Prix was a mess — nine cautions that made for 33 of the 80 laps to be run under yellow — and winner Marcus Ericsson opened the race with an airborne crash he recovered from to pick up his second win of the season.
But the traffic jams, track blockage, water on the racing surface and bumpy Nashville city streets all played a part in one of the sloppiest IndyCar races in years. It’s led to track tweaks ahead of Sunday’s race on Nashville’s 11-turn, 2.1-mile course.
Among them:
—The restart zone is now located along the long straightaway exiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge and into Turn 9. That was the starting spot last year; restarts were at the start-finish line.
Colton Herta dominated last year’s entire weekend until he crashed with five laps remaining chasing Ericsson for the win. He lauded the change.
“I think it is a good decision. It’s going to be tough as the leader, I think, to get a good jump on the field, but it is a really long straight,” Herta said. “It’ll for sure promote some passing, I believe.”
—The entrance into Turn 9 has been narrowed by 25 feet to 60 feet on the driver’s left to make room for suites in front of a gas station. The change is expected to slow the corner and create a passing zone.
—The Turn 11 apex has been widened by 4 feet, which should offer a better sightline for drivers.
—The speed limit for pit lane was reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph, adding approximately three seconds to total pit lane time.
—The transitions on and off the bridge in both directions have been reprofiled and repaved to lessen the impact of the bumps. A year ago, only the asphalt on and off the bridges was repaved 20 feet after the transitions. Now it’s been repaved over 125 feet to create a smoother transition over a longer distance.
—A bump in Turn 5 has been reprofiled to lessen the disturbance coming up the hill into the turnaround section of the course.
NEW TIRE
Firestone will debut its eco-friendly guayule tire this weekend as part of IndyCar’s sustainability efforts. The tire was used during the pit stop challenge at Indianapolis in May but has never been on the racetrack.
The tire is partially composed of a new sustainable natural rubber derived from the guayule shrub, which requires less re-harvesting than traditional sources of rubber. It will be used as the alternate tire this weekend at Nashville.
Guayule is a drought-resistant, heat-tolerant woody desert shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Natural rubber can be extracted from the branches, bark and roots of the shrub, but because guayule is not currently a commercial crop, Bridgestone must produce the seed and grow the crop.
The guayule natural rubber is located within the sidewall. Bridgestone race tire engineers decided to use the guayule rubber in the entire sidewall because that area is made up of the most natural rubber. This allows Firestone to maintain the same quality and performance as the existing race tire.
Bridgestone plans to incorporate guayule natural rubber into more of its race tires starting in 2023.
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More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-08-05T18:44:10+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/ap-sports/rested-newgarden-seeking-indycar-lead-at-home-in-nashville/ |
Which cheap sun shirt is best?
Sunscreen isn’t enough to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. It’s easy to miss spots while applying, and there’s always the hassle of having to reapply every time you take a dip or sweat.
Sun shirts are made from materials that reflect or absorb sun rays. While all clothing does this to some extent, sun shirts are UPF-rated to maximize sun protection. For an affordable UPF 50+ sun shirt, the Baleaf Long Sleeve Shirt is the top choice.
What to know before you buy a cheap sun shirt
UPF rating
UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor and indicates how much UV radiation can penetrate the sun shirt. For your safety, do not buy a shirt for UV protection unless it’s UPF-rated. Sun shirts range from UPF 15 to UPF 50+.
- UPF 15-24 offers good protection against 93.3%-95.9% of harmful UV rays.
- UPF 25-39 offers very good protection against 96%-97.4% of harmful UV rays.
- UPF 40-50+ offers excellent protection against 97.5%-98% or more of harmful UV rays.
The higher the UPF rating, the more protection a sun shirt offers.
Fabric
Sun shirts are made of densely woven fibers that provide more sun protection than loosely woven ones. They can come in a variety of fabrics, including bamboo, cotton, silk, denim, canvas, wool or synthetic blends, such as polyester, nylon or Lycra. Inexpensive sun shirts are typically made of polyester. Many UPF-rated shirts are treated with chemicals or dyes that absorb UV rays and keep them from penetrating the fabric.
Coverage
Adult sun shirts typically cover the entire torso and feature long sleeves. Most have crew necklines for moderate coverage. With its UPF protection, you don’t need to apply sunscreen on the areas a sun shirt covers. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to apply sunscreen to areas that the shirt doesn’t cover, especially your face. Do so 15 minutes before putting on your shirt and going out into the sun to be sure your sunscreen absorbs fully into the skin.
Size and fit
Adult sun shirts come in men’s and women’s sizes. Men’s sizes typically range from small to 4X, and women’s sizes from XS to 3X. You want a sun shirt to fit well but not too tightly. When a fabric stretches, its fibers pull apart and allow UV radiation to pass through. Pay special attention to the shoulder area, where a shirt can pull tight and sunlight hits directly. Some sun shirts may even add an extra layer of protection in the shoulder area.
What to look for in a quality cheap sun shirt
Color
In addition to the special fabric of a sun shirt, bright and dark colors absorb UV rays. They offer better protection than lighter shades. Keep this in mind when choosing a color of sun shirt. Sun shirts come in solid colors and patterns, depending on the brand.
Neckline
Sun shirts come in a variety of styles, mostly determined by the neckline. Fashion sun shirts for women may have a V-neck or plunging neckline. Both men’s and women’s styles come with a classic crew neck, which offers moderate coverage. A high neckline, or mock neck, can be found on rash guard style sun shirts. Zip necks are also available.
Sleeves
Sun shirts come in long sleeves, three-quarter length sleeves and short sleeves. The longer the sleeve, the more sun protection a shirt offers. Some sleeves feature thumb loops, which allow you to extend the sleeve down over the hand. Long-sleeve styles can get hot in warm weather, so you may want to choose a shirt with air vents for airflow.
How much you can expect to spend on a cheap sun shirt
While sun shirts can cost up to $95, you can find affordable styles between $9-$19.
Cheap sun shirt FAQ
What’s the difference between a rash guard and a sun shirt?
A. Rash guards are designed to be worn in the water for water sports, such as surfing, to prevent rashes and abrasions from the elements, including the sun. They are typically UPF-rated. Sun shirts aren’t specifically designed to be worn in the water unless indicated.
How do I care for my sun shirt?
A. Wash your sun shirt in cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle, or hand-wash it following the care instructions. We recommend air-drying your sun shirt out of direct sunlight. Never tumble-dry or iron a sun shirt because it can reduce the UPF rating. Always replace your shirt when it starts to look worn or if you can see through it when you hold it up to the light.
What’s the best cheap sun shirt to buy?
Top cheap sun shirt
Baleaf Men’s Long Sleeve Shirt UPF 50+
What you need to know: This highly rated sun shirt offers excellent protection when playing or working outdoors.
What you’ll love: The lightweight, quick-dry material keeps you dry while you sweat. This long-sleeved shirt will keep you cool on a hot day. It works better than sunscreen to keep easily sunburned skin protected.
What you should consider: The sizing is hit or miss. Some users find the shirt way too big, while it fits true to size for others.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top cheap sun shirt for the money
Baleaf Women’s Long Sleeve Shirt UPF 50+
What you need to know: The perfect cheap sun shirt that’ll keep you cool when it’s hot out.
What you’ll love: It comes in many color options and two necklines: crew or zip. The material is soft, light and comfortable. The style is fitted but not overly so. The polyester material dries quickly when it gets wet.
What you should consider: The flat-stitched seams don’t actually prevent chafing for some users as advertised.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Roadbox UPF 50+ Fishing Shirts Long Sleeve UV Sun Protection
What you need to know: This lightweight sun shirt is ultra-soft and moisture-wicking.
What you’ll love: The quick-dry technology keeps you comfortable and cool while working out or fishing in the sun. The material is lightweight and looks like more expensive name-brand sun shirts. The shirt may be even cooler than a short-sleeve shirt because of its excellent sun protection.
What you should consider: The darker colors can bleed in the wash, and the white can stain easily.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-04-27T02:28:53+00:00 | wate.com | https://www.wate.com/reviews/br/apparel-br/shirts-tops-br/best-cheap-sun-shirt/ |
Financial Consultant Steve Sexton Outlines Best Practices to Adjust Your Budget for Inflation
SAN DIEGO, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From rising gas prices to climbing grocery costs, inflation is hitting everyone's budget. According to CNBC, inflation has jumped over 9 percent in the last year – the largest increase since the 1980s. Steve Sexton, financial consultant and CEO of Sexton Advisory Group, shares some practical budgeting tips to lessen the financial blow of inflation.
- Get creative about reducing your monthly expenses. "Beyond eliminating unnecessary expenses from your budget, look into which bills can be reduced or negotiated for lower rates, like car and home insurance, your phone and internet bill," says Sexton. "When it comes to socializing, look into free activities like going to the park or the community museum, or suggest a potluck-style gathering so the financial burden of hosting doesn't fall to one person."
- Be more efficient when purchasing essentials. While cutting back on bills can help, there's no denying inflation impacts the cost of essentials, like gas, food, and housing, too. "Consider carpool options or trading in your vehicle for a more fuel-efficient car. Many states also offer tax credits or rebates for electric cars, making the switch to clean vehicles a worthwhile investment," adds Sexton. "Meal planning and sticking to a strict grocery list will also help to prevent your expenses from ballooning, as will being mindful of your AC use this summer. Cleaning out your vents regularly can also help with more efficient energy use."
- Lower your debt. "Like everything else, interest rates are also rising," says Sexton. "Whether you have credit card or student debt, it is important to pay the maximum amount that you can afford monthly to avoid having to pay interest. If you're just paying the minimum, you're actually paying more because of the interest you accumulate."
- Continue investing if you can. "A diversified investing strategy will help account for ups and downs in the market in the long term," says Sexton. "If the current market feels too risky for your finances, explore low-risk investment options. By making smart financial decisions now, you'll thank yourself in the future."
For more information on Sexton Advisory Group, visit www.sextonadvisorygroup.com.
Media Contact: jessica@jlieupr.com.
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SOURCE Sexton Advisory Group | 2022-07-25T16:27:50+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/sexton-advisory-groups-top-budgeting-tips-fight-inflation/ |
(Editor’s Note: Shane Battier is a former Miami Heat teammate of LeBron James, who is poised to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Battier played in the NBA for 13 seasons, the last three of them with James in Miami. He shared some memorable moments with The Associated Press of what he witnessed during their time together with the Heat.)
There was a night that I’ll never forget as long as I live, and it made me have just such a deeper appreciation for who LeBron James was as a person, as a man, as a player.
We were in Boston in 2012, during the playoffs, no love lost from Boston fans. We’re walking to dinner and a car slows down next to us. A guy said, “Hey LeBron, I hate you, you suck.” He rolls up the window and proceeds down the street.
As players we’re used to being called names and whatnot. But at that moment I understood all the stuff he had to deal with from Day 1 and being on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16 and being No. 1 in the draft and being the most hyped athlete maybe ever, the most famous athlete maybe ever at every step of the way. There wasn’t a moment where he could hide behind a teammate, hide behind a coach.
He’s always proven he can handle it. He handled it that time, too.
The next night was Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. We all know what Game 6 was for us, right? If we lose Game 6, then we all have new addresses the next year. The Big Three is a Dumpster fire of an experiment that failed at the highest level. And legacies were on the line, from LeBron to Pat Riley to Erik Spoelstra, you name it. We knew what the implications of losing that Game 6 would be. (Editor’s Note: Miami trailed the Celtics, 3-2 and James had 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in Game 6 to save the season, one where the Heat went on to win the NBA title.)
I played baseball growing up. The way he played that night was the closest thing to watching a no-hitter, a perfect game. We sort of nudged, sort of elbowed each other on the bench and said, “Oh my gosh, this guy’s a monster.” We didn’t want to talk about it. We tried to be cool. But, I’m sorry, we’d never seen anything like this. And we’ve all seen everything in the game. You want to look up determination in the dictionary? It’d be LeBron James. It was the greatest display of will that I saw in my entire career because of the circumstances, because of the consequences, because of the team we played. The Celtics had no shot that night. I had never seen anything like it, even to this day.
In my mind, he’s the greatest player of all time. I’m biased, I know that, but I’m allowed to be. And I know we said this with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, we said this with Wilt Chamberlain, we said this with Michael Jordan, but I don’t think we’ll see someone like LeBron James ever again.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-02-07T06:43:31+00:00 | fox44news.com | https://www.fox44news.com/sports/ap-lebrons-miami-era-as-told-by-teammate-shane-battier/ |
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Which Cyber Monday deals at major retailers are best?
It’s finally here. The day you’ve been waiting for has arrived. No, not Christmas. It’s Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year. While it might seem like a relatively new event, the phrase was first coined way back in 2005 by the National Retail Federation’s shop.org. That makes it an entire decade older than Prime Day.
Cyber Monday is known for its deep discounts on an extensive variety of products. We’ve already seen great deals on the Apple Watch, Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave, Ring Video Doorbell and Bowflex Treadmill 10. To help you save, we’ve put together a list of over 100 deals you can find today. To keep things simple, we’ve organized this list by retail stores. You can find sales from Amazon, Target, Home Depot, Best Buy and Kohl’s.
Updated: November 27, 8 p.m. PT
Trending deals from Tempur-Pedic and Whirlpool
Tempur-Pedic Symphony Pillow: 47% off
This comfortable pillow has an arched side that’s ideal for back sleepers and a flat side for side sleepers. The cover is machine-washable. Many said it helped with their neck pain.
Sold by Amazon
SteelSeries Wireless Gaming Headset: 11% off
This headset lets you take calls or listen to music while gaming. It’s comfortable and sounds great. The battery lasts around 20 hours on a single charge.
Sold by Amazon
KitchenAid Mini Stand Mixer: 32% off
The head tilts back, making it easy to add ingredients. It’s lighter and more compact than a traditional KitchenAid mixer and is available in numerous colors.
Sold by Amazon
Tempur-Pedic mattress topper and other Cyber Monday deals on Amazon
Tempur-Pedic Tempur Supreme Mattress Topper: 41% off
This memory foam mattress topper is both extremely popular and highly rated. The 3-inch topper conforms to your body to provide personalized support so you get a better night’s sleep. Its machine-washable cover can be easily cleaned to keep allergens at a minimum.
Sold by Amazon
Amazon Basics Single-Arm Monitor Stand: ADD TO WISHLIST
One of the biggest reasons for discomfort when working is your monitor’s height and angle. This single-arm stand lets you adjust your screen to the position you desire to help make you more comfortable and productive.
Sold by Amazon
Dll Buffalo Check Farmhouse Table Runner: ADD TO WISHLIST
The right table runner can pull together an entire room. This rustic farmhouse design has red-and-black checks, making it suitable for everything from daily use to barbecues. It’s made of durable, wrinkle-resistant cotton.
Sold by Amazon
Go Green Home Computer Desk: 48% off
Stylish and functional, this desk is a great solution for your laptop workspace needs. It has two drawers, two shelves and ample leg room. The compact design lets it fit in tight spaces.
Sold by Amazon
Inse Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: 78% off
Versatility is the key to a great cleaning tool. This cordless vacuum can be used in several configurations, making it a good choice for floors, walls, vehicles and spot cleaning. Its impressive five-stage filtration system can help keep you breathing easy.
Sold by Amazon
Other top Cyber Monday deals on Amazon
- Give the gift of music. These noise-canceling earbuds make a great gift, especially at 33% off.
- Do you know an aspiring podcaster? Get them this quality mic. It’s on sale for 20% off.
- At 36% off, this Fire TV Stick 4K makes a thoughtful gift.
- This LifeStraw not only saves you money at 75% off, but it could save your life.
- The top-selling Echo Dot 4th Gen is 50% off.
- Let the iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum do the work for you while you enjoy the holidays. The price is marked down 25%.
- It’s easy to take music wherever you go with the EarFun UBOOM L Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Buy it today and save 20%.
- Make your place more secure with Google’s Nest Cam and save 33%.
- At 45% off, the Honeywell InSight HEPA Air Purifier is a bargain.
- Does someone on your list love to stream? The Roku Streambar is on sale for 38% off.
- Enjoy impressive sound and save 36% with Sony’s Noice-Canceling Earbuds.
- Bring on the fun with Gabby’s Dollhouse Cakey Kitchen Set. It’s 50% off for a limited time.
- The Acer Aspire 5 is compact and powerful. You can buy it for 26% off.
- The Razer Hunstman Keyboard is an ideal gift for gamers. It’s available at a 42% discount.
- At 31% off, this is an excellent time for iOS users to pick up an Apple Pen.
- The Shark IQ Self-Cleaning Robot Vacuum is compatible with Alexa and available for 30% off.
- This TCL Smart TV features an intuitive menu and voice-command capabilities. It’s on sale for 39% off.
- This Polaroid Camera is a blast from the past. It’s available for 17% off.
- The Google Pixel 7 features various photo-editing features you won’t find on other devices. You can buy it for 17% off.
- This Logitech Gaming Keyboard is available at a 28% discount.
- This OnePlus 10 Smartphone is unlocked, so you can use it with the carrier of your choice. It’s on sale for 31% off.
- The Apple AirTag is a must-have for your next vacation. It’s on sale for 14% off.
Apple Watch, Google Nest and other Cyber Monday Deals at Target
Apple Watch Series 8 41mm: 13% off
This water-resistant smartwatch keeps track of numerous health metrics. It’s comfortable and features an impressive battery life.
Sold by Target
Google Nest Mini (2nd Generation): 59% off
This voice-assistant device features impressive music-playback capabilities. It’s compact and has a sleek design.
Sold by Target
Dyson V8 Stick Vacuum: 35% off
This multisurface vacuum is ideal for compact living spaces. It lasts around 40 minutes on a single charge.
Sold by Target
Jurassic World Giganotosaurus Action Figure: 50% off
This enormous toy is an ideal gift for the dinosaur lover in your life. It comes with 20 small dinosaur figures that it can eat.
Sold by Target
The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild: 25% off
This popular Nintendo Switch game is celebrated as an excellent addition to the Zelda series. You can craft items, fight enemies and solve puzzles.
Sold by Target
Other top Cyber Monday deals on Target
- If you are shopping for someone who needs a new laptop, check out the Lenovo Chromebook. It’s discounted by 45%.
- You’ll save 25% on the Razor A Kick Scooter.
- The Keurig Mini doesn’t take up much space but makes delicious coffee. You’ll save 20% when you buy today.
- Your best Xbox fan probably needs a new controller. The Series SX Wireless Controller is 33% off.
- The PowerXL Vortex Pro Air Fryer has a huge 8-quart capacity. It’s 54% off today.
- Every cook wants a KitchenAid Stand Mixer like the pro model that’s discounted by 44%.
- The Google Nest Hub is available at a 50% discount.
- This Ninja Blender features seven speed settings and is on sale for 41% off.
- The Samsung Galaxy A7 Tab is lightweight and lasts around 13 hours on a single charge. It’s available for 38% off.
- This Vizio Smart TV features Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast capabilities. You can buy it at a 36% discount.
Whirlpool microwave oven and other Cyber Monday deals on Home Depot
Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave: 43% off
This two-speed microwave has nine one-touch presets and a 30-second-add button to make cooking nearly effortless. It also has a charcoal filter that helps remove unpleasant odors and a large 12-inch turntable.
Sold by Home Depot
Windlowe Bath Vanity: 40% off
Windlowe’s bath vanity is 61 inches long. It has an impressive amount of storage space and a laminated Carrara white marble top. This vanity has two sinks with three holes in each to facilitate installation.
Sold by Home Depot
Milwaukee Cordless Ratchet and Impact Wrench: 50% off
This tool kit comes with a Milwaukee M18 half-inch high-torque impact wrench and an M12 three-eighths-inch ratchet. The battery has a fuel gauge so you can monitor its charge and the tools have a variable speed trigger for greater control.
Sold by Home Depot
Werner 8-Foot Fiberglass Step Ladder: 55% off
A ladder is essential for a wide variety of household projects. This one can support 250 pounds and has a 12-foot reach. The holster top securely holds a number of tools, including a paint can, to increase your productivity.
Sold by Home Depot
Husky Mechanics Tool Set: 50% off
If you want a great all-around mechanics tool set, you can’t get much more versatile than this one. It comes with 270 pieces, ensuring you have exactly what you need for nearly any task.
Sold by Home Depot
Other top Cyber Monday deals on Home Depot
- Make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood with this holiday lawn ornament, on sale for 18% off.
- This tool combo kit comes with everything you need to be a weekend repair warrior. It’s on sale for Cyber Monday at 49% off.
- Make your outdoor space even more beautiful with these string lights, available for 20% off.
- If you need a new refrigerator, now is a great time to upgrade because this popular model is on sale for 36% off.
- This storage solution will make you happy. Especially since you can get it today for 42% off.
- The DeWalt 20-Volt Max Cordless Combo Tool Kit is the perfect gift for the DIYer. The price is currently 37% off.
- At discount of 33%, the DeWalt 15-Amp Corded 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw is too good to miss.
- If you own Ryobi tools, it’s a good idea to keep a few spare batteries on hand. This pair is now 50% off.
- Gorilla Ladders Aluminum Multiposition Ladder is a solid deal at a 55% discount.
- This LG Dishwasher is packed with features and is currently 35% off.
- This DeWalt Miter Saw is durable and powerful. It’s available for 33% off.
- At 48% off, this is an excellent time to pick up a new Ryobi Impact Wrench.
Microsoft Surface Pro and other Cyber Monday deals at Best Buy
Microsoft Surface Pro: 33% off
The Surface Pro is a remarkable device that can be anything you desire. It has an HD display, a remarkably fast processor, up to 16 hours of battery life, 8-gigabyte memory, stereo speakers and much more.
Sold by Best Buy
Beats by Dr. Dre: 40% off
These feature top-notch noise-cancellation capabilities that let you enjoy your favorite songs without distraction. They’re available in five colors, including black, white and red.
Sold by Best Buy
Ninja Mega Kitchen System: 50% off
This system features multiple blade attachments and a food processor setting. It comes with two single-serve cups that are great for smoothies.
Sold by Best Buy
Bowflex Treadmill 10: 35% off
This treadmill comes with a 10-inch console that gives you access to workouts that are personalized to your fitness levels with a JRNY Membership (one free year included with purchase). The console also lets you access your favorite streaming accounts so you can enjoy entertainment while working out.
Sold by Best Buy
Bella Electric Citrus Juicer: 46% off
The Bella Electric Juicer is a pressure-activated machine that lets you make up to 32 ounces of juice at a time. It has a pulp control dial and an auto-reverse to ensure you get maximum extraction every time.
Sold by Best Buy
Other top Cyber Monday deals at Best Buy
- This Samsung Gas Range gives you 6 cubic feet of cooking space for 28% off.
- KitchenAid’s Variable Speed Hand Blender gives you an incredible amount of convenience and versatility for 33% off.
- The HyperX Optical Gaming Mouse gives you the speed you need to wind up on top. It is on sale today for 50% off.
- When you pick your next washing machine, consider an LG High-Efficiency model. To sweeten the deal, this one is 26% off.
- These Samsung Galaxy Buds2 are 40% off. They are comfortable and sound great.
- The Razor Blade Gaming Laptop is a wish come true for any gamer. The price is marked down 23%.
- Clear the air with the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ HEPASilent Air Purifier and save 30%.
- The Meta Quest 2 Resident Evil 4 Bundle with Beat Saber is a good deal at 13% off the usual price.
- Grab the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wired Stereo Gaming Headset for a gamer and save 45%.
- The Wyze Bulb Color 2-Pack is 26% off.
- This Asus ROG Gaming Laptop features 512GB of storage and a top-notch graphics card. It’s on sale for 36% off.
- The Dyson V12 Cordless Vacuum is lightweight and easy to use. You can buy it for 23% off.
- The Fitbit Luxe features a stylish, understated design and is on sale for 38% off.
- This Razer Blade Gaming Laptop is available at a 23% discount.
- These Sennheiser Headphones have an excellent noise-cancellation feature. You can buy them for 50% off.
- This Sonos Subwoofer features a sleek design that will blend seamlessly with your home decor. It’s available for 20% off.
- The Waterpik Water Flosser lasts around four weeks on a single charge and is available for 22% off.
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer and other Cyber Monday deals at Kohl’s
Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fryer Oven: 40% off
You can use this versatile appliance to air fry, air roast, air broil and more. For the ultimate convenience, it stores on its side to give you maximum counter space when it is not in use.
Sold by Kohl’s
J.A. Henckels International Knife Block Set: 57% off
This knife block features self-sharpening slots so that your knives are automatically sharpened whenever they inserted or removed. Each blade is a precision-forged item that was manufactured to last.
Sold by Kohl’s
Ring Video Doorbell: SOLD OUT
When there is movement at your door, whether it is day or night, you can instantly see what is going on with this smart doorbell. Using the two-way talk feature, you can communicate with guests, even if you aren’t at home.
Sold by Kohl’s
Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum: SOLD OUT
The lift-away feature in this handy upright vacuum means you can easily clean above-floor areas as well as vehicles. The swivel steering and LED headlights add convenience.
Sold by Kohl’s
Women’s Columbia Benton Springs Zip-Front Fleece Jacket: 55% off
This zippered fleece has long sleeves and two pockets. It has an adjustable drawstring hem, is made out of comfortable polyester, and it is machine washable for convenience.
Sold by Kohl’s
Other top Cyber Monday deals at Kohl’s
- Samsonite’s hardside spinner luggage is the ideal gift for someone who will be traveling. Right now it is on sale for 58% off.
- Being comfortable can also mean being stylish. This men’s long-sleeve crewneck tee can be purchased for 53% off.
- A heated, plush sherpa blanket can keep you warm all winter long. This highly-rated offering is 66% off.
- The Shark ION Robot Vacuum cleans you home for you so you get more free time. Enjoy your me-time by purchasing this model for 54% off.
- This Ninja CREAMi lets you make ice cream, sorbet and gelato. It is 42% off.
- These winter boots are stylish, warm and 75% off.
- A fashionable sweater makes a great gift. This one is marked down 76%.
- The Ninja DualBrew System is a great option for the coffee drinker on your Christmas list. At a savings of 36%, it’s an unbeatable deal.
- The Big One Oversized Throw is 69% off and available in numerous fun colors and patterns.
- Women’s Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Classic Jeans are stylish and comfortable. They are now 68% off.
- At 39% off, the Women’s Columbia Suttle Mountain Insulated Coat is a good deal.
- This soft plush throw is available in numerous colors and designs. You can buy it for 53% off.
- This stylish raglan sweater is available at a 78% discount.
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. | 2022-11-28T13:10:00+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/these-100-cyber-monday-deals-have-something-for-everyone-on-your-shopping-list/ |
‘Succession’ returns to HBO March 26
Posted/updated on: January 26, 2023 at 12:31 pmIn a new teaser, HBO revealed its Emmy-magnet drama Succession is coming back March 26. In the preview for the forthcoming fourth season, the Roy siblings appear to be gunning for their dad, Logan, played by Brian Cox.
"This is not getting about getting back at Dad," Sarah Snook's Shiv Roy says to her brother Roman (Kieran Culkin). "But if it hurts him, it doesn't bother me."
Later, they're warned, "You cannot win. Your dad will wash you away!"
HBO teases, "The sale of media conglomerate Waystar Royco to tech visionary Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård) moves ever closer. The prospect of this seismic sale provokes existential angst and familial division among the Roys as they anticipate what their lives will look like once the deal is complete."
The network continues, "A power struggle ensues as the family weighs up a future where their cultural and political weight is severely curtailed."
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-26T20:54:04+00:00 | ktbb.com | https://ktbb.com/post/?p=1197331 |
The new director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Steven Dettelbach, says the U.S. is “at an inflection point” with a rise in hate-filled violence.
“I’ve seen what seems to be like a more brazen, a more violent, a more outward problem of hate-filled violence and I do think that these are things that we have to confront and acknowledge,” he said at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh Wednesday.
Here & Now‘s Robin Young speaks with Dettelbach.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-09-21T17:53:37+00:00 | wksu.org | https://www.wksu.org/2022-09-21/hate-filled-violence-is-more-brazen-than-before-atf-director-says |
PITTSBURGH, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a device that would enable a person to climb to safety in the event of a fire or other emergency situation," said an inventor, from Henrico, Vir., "so I invented SAFELY ESCAPE. My design would ensure that a contingency plan is in place to enhance safety and reduce panic during a fire."
The patent-pending invention enhances safety and preparedness in the event of fires and other emergencies. In doing so, it offers an alternative to traditional escape ladders. As a result, it could save time and it provides added protection and peace of mind. The invention features a secure design that is easy to use so it is ideal for households, commercial buildings, etc. Additionally, a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Richmond sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-RKH-227, 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.
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SOURCE InventHelp | 2022-05-16T18:18:46+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/inventhelp-inventor-develops-safe-way-escape-fires-amp-other-emergencies-rkh-227/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is nearing deals with two Pacific Island nations to extend ties that are considered critical to maintaining balance in the U.S.-China rivalry for influence in a region where the Chinese are rapidly expanding their economic, diplomatic and military clout.
This week, the U.S. signed memorandums of understanding with the Marshall Islands and Palau that administration officials hope will pave the way for the quick completion of broader agreements that will govern the islands’ relations with Washington for the next two decades. Those ties grant the U.S. unique military and other security rights on the islands in return for substantial aid.
The administration believes that extending those so-called “Compacts of Free Association” agreements will be key to efforts to retain American power and blunt Chinese assertiveness throughout the Indo-Pacific.
The memorandums signed this week lay out the amounts of money that the federal government will provide to the Marshall Islands and Palau if their compacts are successfully renegotiated. Negotiations on a similar memorandum with a third compact country, Micronesia, are ongoing.
The current 20-year compacts with the Marshall Islands and Micronesia expire this year; the current compact with Palau expires in 2024 but administration officials said they believe all three can be renewed and signed by mid- to late-spring.
Officials would not discuss specifics of the amounts of money involved because the deals aren’t yet legally binding and must still be reviewed and approved by Congress as part of the budget process.
A Micronesian news outlet, Marianas Variety, reported Thursday that the Marshall Islands will receive $700 million over four years under the memorandum that it signed. But that amount would cover only one-fifth of a 20-year compact extension and does not include the amount Palau would receive.
Joe Yun, Biden’s special presidential envoy for compact negotiations, said the amounts will be far greater than what the U.S. had provided in the past.
Islanders have long complained that the previous compacts they signed did not adequately address their needs or long-term environmental and health issues caused by U.S. nuclear testing in the 1950s and ’60s. Lawmakers had expressed concern dating back to 2021 that the administration was not giving enough attention to the matter.
Yun, who signed the memorandums with representatives of the Marshalls and Palau on Tuesday and Wednesday in Los Angeles, said the Marshall Islands, in particular, would be compensated for such damage and would be given control over how that money is spent.
Yun said it would pay “nuclear-affected communities’ health, welfare and development” and also noted that the U.S. had committed to building a new hospital as well as a museum in the Marshalls to preserve the memory and legacy of their role, notably in the Pacific theater during WWII.
This week’s signings clear the way for individual federal agencies — including the Postal Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Weather Service — to negotiate their own agreements with the Marshalls and Palau, which will then become part of the broader compacts.
Along with the federal money, those agencies provide their services to the islands. In return, the U.S. is given unique military and national security basing rights and privileges in an area where China is increasingly flexing its muscles.
Yun said China did not come up specifically in the negotiations but it was a major element in all sides’ discussions.
“The threat from China is unstated but there is no question that China is a factor,” Yun said. Not only does China have a large and growing economic presence in the region, but the Marshall Islands and Palau both recognize Taiwan diplomatically. “They are coming under Chinese pressure,” he said.
China has steadily poached allies from Taiwan in the Pacific, including Kiribati and the Solomon Islands in 2019. The U.S. announced plans last year to reopen an embassy in the Solomon Islands, which has signed a security agreement with China.
Since World War II, the U.S. has treated the Marshall Islands, along with Micronesia and Palau, much like territories. On the Marshall Islands, the U.S. has developed military, intelligence and aerospace facilities in a region where China is particularly active.
In turn, U.S. money and jobs have benefited the islands’ economy. And many islanders have taken advantage of their ability to live and work in the U.S., moving in the thousands to Arkansas, Guam, Hawaii, Oregon and Oklahoma.
Many on the Marshall Islands believe a U.S. settlement of $150 million agreed to in the 1980s fell well short of addressing the nuclear legacy. But the U.S. position has remained static for more than 20 years, the last time the compact came up for renegotiation.
Various estimates put the true cost of the damage at about $3 billion, including for repairs to a massive nuclear waste facility known as the Cactus Dome which environmentalists say is leaking toxic waste into the ocean.
The U.S. Department of Energy says the dome contains over 100,000 cubic yards (76,000 cubic meters) of radioactively contaminated soil and debris but the structure isn’t in any immediate danger of failing. | 2023-01-15T03:00:04+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/news/national/ap-us-nears-new-cooperation-deals-with-pacific-island-nations/ |
Highest looping roller coaster in the US to open this weekend
Published: Jul. 6, 2022 at 3:12 PM CDT|Updated: 56 minutes ago
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) – Sitting on Iron Mountain, the highest looping roller coaster in the United States is set to open in Colorado this weekend.
In addition to its record-setting loop, the Defiance roller coaster has the steepest freefall drop in the western U.S. at 110 feet, according to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
It’s more than 7,000 feet above sea level, offering magnificent views while riding.
The ride has three cars that sit eight people each and can go as fast as 56 mph.
The park is planning to unveil the new coaster Saturday.
Copyright 2022 KKTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-07-06T21:09:13+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/2022/07/06/highest-looping-roller-coaster-us-open-this-weekend/ |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The courtroom battle over whether the sound of gunshots during the Parkland school massacre should have directed a Florida sheriff’s deputy to the attacker’s location ramped up Thursday as defense testimony showed others also thought the thunderous blasts were coming from elsewhere.
A sheriff’s deputy, teachers and students, testifying during the trial of former Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson, gave divergent answers when asked where they thought the shots were coming from during Nikolas Cruz’s Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Fourteen students and three staff members died.
Peterson, the school’s assigned deputy, insists that because of echoes he didn’t know that Cruz was firing inside the three-story 1200 building, even though he moved within 10 yards (9 meters) of its door before taking cover next to an adjoining structure. He has said he thought the shots were coming from outside, perhaps from the football field — more than 100 yards (90 meters) from the 1200 building and 200 yards (180 meters) from where he took cover. He is facing felony child neglect and other charges for his alleged failure to confront Cruz.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Goolsby, who arrived during the shooting, said he thought the gunfire was coming from a courtyard next to the 1200 building. He said that even when he arrived outside the building and saw the body of a coach outside a door and its damaged windows, he wasn’t totally convinced the shots had come from inside — perhaps the shots had struck the coach and windows from a nearby balcony or trees.
“I have never experienced anything quite like that day,” Goolsby said.
Student Ruby Harris, who had exited a neighboring building, thought the shots from Cruz’s AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle were coming from straight ahead from a parking lot behind the 1200 building. Her younger sister Peri thought they were coming from the left, from a neighboring middle school. Their friend Dylan Redshaw thought that a building somewhere had exploded.
“It was the loudest sound I have ever heard and hope I ever hear in my life,” she said. “I thought it was coming from everywhere around me. It sounded like it was under me, above me, all around me.”
Under cross-examination, prosecutors pointed out that the students and teachers were not police officers trained to recognize gunfire or pinpoint it and that their training for on-campus shootings was to run back into their classrooms immediately, not to seek out and find the shooter.
Prosecutors pointed out that even though Goolsby didn’t precisely know where the shots were coming from, he kept moving toward the sounds, looking in one building’s windows to see if the shots were coming from there — something they have pointed out Peterson could have done at the 1200 building to find Cruz.
Peterson, 60, could face almost 100 years in prison and lose his $104,000 annual pension if convicted of felony child neglect, the most serious charges he faces. He is the first law enforcement agent in U.S. history ever tried for an alleged failure to act during a school shooting. He retired shortly after the shooting before being retroactively fired.
Peterson is charged in connection with failing to confront Cruz before he reached the third floor, where six of the victims died. He is not charged in connection with the 11 people fatally shot on the first floor before he reached the building.
Prosecutors concluded their two-week presentation Wednesday. They called to the witness stand students, teachers and law enforcement officers who have testified about the horror they experienced and how they knew where Cruz was. Some said they knew for certain that the shots were coming from the 1200 building. Prosecutors also called a training supervisor who testified that Peterson did not follow protocols for confronting an active shooter.
For Peterson to be convicted of child neglect, prosecutors must first show he was legally a caregiver to the juvenile students, defined by Florida law as “a parent, adult household member or other person responsible for a child’s welfare.”
If jurors find Peterson was a caregiver, they must determine whether he made a “reasonable effort” to protect the children or failed to provide necessary care.
Cruz, a 24-year-old former student, pleaded guilty and received a life sentence last year, avoiding a death sentence when his jury could not unanimously agree he deserved execution. | 2023-06-23T13:32:33+00:00 | pix11.com | https://pix11.com/news/national-news/ap-national/witnesses-to-parkland-massacre-describe-their-confusion-in-pinpointing-gunshots-location/ |
Today’s national average of $3.42 for gas is 14 cents more than a month ago. As you know, those numbers are always fluctuating. For that reason, I am always looking for ways to help you save money on gas.
CLICK TO GET KURT’S CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH QUICK TIPS, TECH REVIEWS, SECURITY ALERTS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER
One particular app designed to do this caught the attention of Cecilia who wrote to me asking:
"Someone told me of an app called "upside". If you install it on your phone you get discounts on gas per gallon, at stations of your choice. Sounds too good - any word on it?"
Great question, Cecilia. Will dive into that plus more apps to save you money on gas.
5 best apps to save money on gas
These apps can help you find cheap gas, cash-back deals, and rewards in your area. To start saving money, simply download the app to your iPhone or Android. Once downloaded, it will ask you to access your location to provide personalized offers and show you the best deals closest to you.
1. Upside
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.7 stars (at time of publishing)
Getting cash back on apps sounds too good to be true, yet that is indeed what the Upside app offers. The app is free, simple to use, and can save you money every time you get gas. All you have to do is download the app and find the best offers in your area, then fill up using your credit or debit card at the pump. Then follow the app instructions to either upload a receipt or check in, and you'll earn cash back points directly in the app. You can cash out quickly and easily whenever you want via your bank account, digital gift card, or PayPal. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
**Use promo code VRWNS to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase. **
2. Checkout 51
iPhone: 4.1 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.2 stars (at time of publishing)
The Checkout 51 app is free and allows you to get cash back. This simple, easy-to-use app lets you buy from any store, including over 5,000 gas stations, snap a photo of the receipt and earn cash back. You can easily link your loyalty cards, and it offers sweepstakes offers. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
3. AAA TripTik
iPhone: 4.5 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.4 stars (at time of publishing)
The AAA TripTik app is free and allows you to find gas stations along your route, helping you to choose the station with the lowest prices. It also allows you to plan out an entire road trip, complete with stops at gas stations, hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more. It is compatible with credit card rewards programs and other discounts. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
4. Google Maps
iPhone 4.7 stars (at time of publishing)
Android 4.1 stars (at time of publishing)
Google Maps lets you compare gas station prices and get directions, all in an app that you likely already have installed on your smartphone. The popular navigation app uses your current location to help you find the nearest fuel station and gives you up-to-date gas prices displayed in the station’s business profile. Simply open the app, search for fuel, and tap the station you want to look at. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
5. Waze
iPhone: 4.9 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.4 stars (at time of publishing)
Waze can show you the nearest gas stations along with up-to-date fuel prices. It even boasts a contactless payment feature at participating gas stations, so you can pay for gas via your iPhone or Android. It also tells you about traffic, roadworks, police accidents, and more, so you’ll always know what’s happening on the roads. All for free! This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
5 best gas station loyalty programs
Most major gas stations offer loyalty programs leading to discounted prices, with the apps and membership both being free to use. Our recommended strategy for these programs is to look out for which of your local gas station has the consistently lowest prices and choose that loyalty program. Among the gas stations currently offering loyalty programs are:
1. Exxon mobile rewards+
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.5 stars (at time of publishing)
Exxon Mobil Rewards+ is a loyalty app that allows you to stay in the comfort of your vehicle while you pay for fuel with your phone. Say goodbye to going inside to pay for gas, taking your wallet out, and swiping your credit card at the pump. The app currently offers $5 in points just for signing up. New members only* (at time of publishing) This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
2. Shell fuel rewards
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.3 stars (at time of publishing)
The Shell Fuel Rewards app is a free loyalty program that helps you save money on fuel at over 11,000 shell stations across the country. You can link the app to a credit or debit card to gain rewards. Fuel Rewards members with Gold Status save at least 5¢gal on every fill-up. The app also provides a secure and convenient way for you to pay for fuel inside the safety and comfort of your car, as well as purchase any items inside the store at participating Shell stations. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
3. My 76
iPhone: 4.9 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.2 stars (at time of publishing)
Download the My 76 app to find the nearest 76 gas stations and stay up-to-date on current promotions. It is a safe and secure way to save on gas. For a limited time, you can save 20¢* per gallon on your first fill-up when you download the My 76 App. Then continue saving 5¢* per gallon on every fill-up when you buy fuel with the My 76 App (up to 30 gallons per fill-up). The offer ends 12/31/23, and it's for first-time app users only. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
4. My Phillips 66
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.3 stars (at time of publishing)
Download the My Phillips app to find the nearest Phillips 66 stations in your area, earn Points, and learn about their current promotions. For a limited time, save 5¢ per gallon when you pay for fuel through the My Phillips 66 App. Valid through 12/31/23. Limit 30 gallons per fill-up, and it's for first-time app users only. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
5. My Conoco
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.3 stars (at time of publishing)
Download the My Conoco app to find the closest Conoco gas stations and get directions from your current location. Find nearby stores based on city and state or ZIP code. If you like a station, you can save it to your favorites. The app displays area promotions and station attributes, and services. With Conoco's KickBack Points loyalty program, you can earn points from purchases at participating Conoco stations and then spend those points just like cash. This app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
It's important to note that the terms and conditions of these loyalty promotions can change at any time, so it's always a good idea to check with the company directly for the most up-to-date information.
GOING BACK, NOT GREEN: CURBING US OIL, GAS PRODUCTION WOULD HURT THE ENVIRONMENT, REPORT FIND
Protect your privacy on gas apps
Should you choose to use one of the gas apps, there are ways to further protect your privacy by limiting your location services access.
For iPhone users:
For Android Users:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer and software version.
How do you save money on gas? I'd love to hear from you.
For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the "Free newsletter" link at the top of my website.
Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made. | 2023-02-17T23:23:54+00:00 | foxbangor.com | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/ask-kurt-best-ways-to-save-money-on-gas/article_0e735287-bef3-5a80-ab15-33cd81c047c9.html |
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FISHERS, Ind. — Soon, a 25-acre plot of farmland on Hoosier Road in Fishers will become a $60 million community center.
“The Fishers community and Hamilton County, in general, has been growing at a strong clip for a long time,” said City of Fisher’s director of Recreation and Wellness Jake Reardon McSoley. “A lot of population growth and really not an even distribution as far as location for available amenities.”
The main level of the center will include a 5,300-square-foot indoor playground, an aquatics center and an 18,600-square-foot gymnasium. The second level includes a walking track and fitness studios.
During planning, the city collaborated with Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability. That means the new center will include accessibility features such as a zero-depth entry pool, a water wheelchair and accessible fitness equipment.
The community center will also house Outside the Box’s adult day program to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We hope to officially close on the land next month, break ground in the fall and that has us opening somewhere around June 2025,” said McSoley.
Anyone who wants to enjoy several of the amenities must purchase a membership. Those prices have not been released but Fishers residents will receive a discount.
“The amenities you would not need a membership for and people are welcome to enjoy is the playground, the indoor walking track and then the cafe,” said McSoley.
The center’s large price tag is not expected to increase taxes.
“This project, along with the new City Hall as well as the new event center, are all getting done without taxes being raised at all,” said McSoley.
The Fishers Finance Committee will review the project resolution on Wednesday, June 15. Then, the city council will vote on the project at its next meeting on June 19. | 2023-06-13T22:02:01+00:00 | fox59.com | https://fox59.com/indiana-news/fishers-announces-plan-for-a-new-60-million-community-center/ |
HELSINKI (AP) — A small brewery in Finland has launched a NATO-themed beer to mark the Nordic country’s bid to join the Western military alliance.
Olaf Brewing’s OTAN lager features a blue label with a cartoon version of a beer-drinking medieval knight in metal armor emblazoned with NATO’s compass symbol.
The beer’s name is a play on the Finnish expression “Otan olutta,” which means “I’ll have a beer,” and the French abbreviation for NATO, which is “OTAN.” The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has two official languages, English and French.
CEO Petteri Vanttinen told The Associated Press on Thursday that the craft brewery’s ad hoc decision last weekend to start producing the beer was motivated by “worries over the war in Ukraine” and its consequences for Finland.
He described the new lager as having “a taste of security, with a hint of freedom.”
Finland and Sweden on Wednesday submitted an application to join NATO at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
Olaf Brewing said its new beer also honors the eastern Finnish town of Savonlinna, the brewery’s base located a few dozen kilometers from Finland’s border with Russia.
Savonlinna is known for St. Olaf’s Castle, a medieval structure from 1475 that serves as a venue for an annual international opera festival.
“Our small hometown Savonlinna has always lied in the borderlands between East and West. Many battles have been fought in the town area and at St. Olafs Castle” the brewery said in a Twitter post.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, the longest of any European Union member.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the Ukraine war at: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | 2022-05-20T10:15:30+00:00 | wric.com | https://www.wric.com/news/weird-news/finland-brewery-launches-nato-beer-with-taste-of-security/ |
Blinken says WSJ reporter ‘wrongfully detained’ by Russia
BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he has “no doubt” that Russia has wrongfully detained an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was arrested last week on spying allegations.
However, Blinken said a formal determination of Evan Gershkovich’s wrongful detention has not yet been made, something that would elevate the priority of his case within the U.S. government. Blinken said the legal process for such a determination would be completed soon.
“In Evan’s case, we are working through the determination on wrongful detention and there’s a process to do that and it’s something that we’re working through very deliberately, but expeditiously as well,” he said. “And I’ll let that process play out.”
“In my own mind, there’s no doubt that he’s being wrongfully detained by Russia and that’s exactly what I said to Foreign Minister (Sergey) Lavrov when I spoke to him over the weekend and insisted that Evan be released immediately,” Blinken told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels. “But I want to make sure, as always, because there is a formal process that we go through it and we will and I expect that to be completed soon.”
In what was a rare call with Lavrov since Russia invaded Ukraine early last year, Blinken also urged him to immediately release another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan, who had already been determined to have been wrongfully detained.
When the U.S. government formally designates an American as wrongfully detained, it shifts supervision of the person’s case to a specialized State Department section — the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs — that is focused on negotiating for the release of captives.
The designation empowers the government to use a variety of tools, including diplomacy, to secure the release of a captured American rather than simply waiting for a criminal case to make its way through the system.
“From my perspective, from the department’s perspective there is no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens around the world,” Blinken said Wednesday.
Lawyers for Gershkovich, the son of immigrants from the Soviet Union who grew up speaking Russian at home in Princeton, New Jersey, have appealed his arrest. The Journal has adamantly denied the allegations and demanded his release. U.S. officials have also called on Russia to free him, with President Joe Biden telling reporters on Friday that his message to Russia was: “Let him go.”
The FSB, Russia’s top security agency and a successor to the KGB, said Gershkovich was trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory. He is the first U.S. correspondent to be held on spying accusations since the Cold War.
In its summary of Sunday’s phone call, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Lavrov “drew Blinken’s attention to the need to respect the decisions of the Russian authorities” about Gershkovich, who Moscow claims, without evidence, “was caught red-handed.”
The Kremlin said Lavrov also told Blinken it was unacceptable for U.S. officials and Western news media to continue “whipping up excitement” and politicizing the journalist’s detention. “His further fate will be determined by the court,” Lavrov said.
Emma Tucker, the Journal’s editor-in-chief, said it was “gratifying” and “reassuring” to learn of Blinken’s call with Lavrov because it shows the U.S. government is taking the case “right up to the top.”
U.S. consular officials have requested a visit with Gershkovich and said they were hopeful consular access could be arranged soon. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday the request is being considered and a decision will be made “taking into account existing consular practice and Russian legislation.” She gave no indication of when a decision would be made.
Lawyers for Gershkovich met with him in a Moscow prison on Tuesday for the first time since his detention. They said “his health is good,” according to The Journal.
Rep. Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, noted on Sunday that the government has advised U.S. citizens to leave Russia. “This is not unexpected, in that Russia is acting as an illegal state at this point. There are no laws or rules or no international norms that they are following,” Turner, R-Ohio, told CNN’s “State of the Union.”
In alleging that U.S. officials and news media are hyping Gershkovich’s detention, Russian officials are reprising a theme they used in the apprehensions of basketball star Brittney Griner and other U.S. citizens.
The Kremlin has said it prefers to resolve such cases quietly and has emphasized the need to follow Russia’s judicial process. Often, that means the chance of progress in U.S. efforts to free its detained citizens isn’t likely until formal charges are filed, a trial is held, a conviction is obtained and sentencing and appeals are completed.
Griner, who plays for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, was detained in February 2022 but was not classified as wrongfully held by the State Department until early that May. She was released in December in a prisoner swap.
More than 30 news organizations and press freedom advocates have written the Russian ambassador in the United States to express concern Russia is sending the message that reporting inside the country is criminalized.
Interactions between the top U.S. and Russian diplomats have been rare since Russia began its war in Ukraine in February 2022, though they did have a brief conversation last month on the sidelines of the Group of 20 conference of foreign ministers in India. It was the highest-level in-person talk between the two countries since the war began.
That interaction was their first contact since last summer, when Blinken talked to Lavrov by phone about a U.S. proposal for Russia to release Griner and Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive. Though Whelan was not included in the one-for-one swap that resulted in the release of Griner, U.S. officials said they remained committed to bringing him home.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-05T16:15:50+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/2023/04/05/blinken-says-wsj-reporter-wrongfully-detained-by-russia/ |
ZURICH, Dec. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor (NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC) announced today it completed the sale of its three factories in Russia to HS Investments, a Russian-based investor, after receiving all necessary regulatory approvals and cash proceeds, including receipt of closing cash balances. The cash and debt free consideration value is €370 million.
This follows Amcor's previously announced decision to pursue the orderly sale of its Russian business while continuing to support its people and customers as well as preserving value for shareholders.
The Russian business produces flexible and cartons packaging from one site in St. Petersburg and two sites in Novgorod and employs approximately 900 people. Amcor's three sites in Russia generated approximately 2% of total Amcor sales in fiscal 2022.
Cash proceeds are expected to be used primarily for debt repayment and share repurchases. The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on the outlook for fiscal 2023.
About Amcor
Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect their products and the people who rely on them, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures, and services. The company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly lighter weight, recyclable and reusable, and made using an increasing amount of recycled content. In fiscal year 2022, 44,000 Amcor people generated $15 billion in annual sales from operations that span 220 locations in 43 countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC
www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Facebook I YouTube
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SOURCE Amcor | 2022-12-23T14:25:31+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/12/23/amcor-sells-factories-russia/ |
CARY, N.C., March 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fathom Realty, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fathom Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: FTHM), has continued to climb the RISMedia Power Broker rankings year-over-year. Based on 2022 results, Fathom Realty ranked 12th in sales volume among the nation's top 100 residential brokerage firms, up from 16th in 2021. Additionally, Fathom Realty came in tenth in the total number of transactions in 2022 with 44,707 transactions closed, representing an almost 16% growth in transactions year over year.
RISMedia's 35th Annual Power Broker Report explains the extraordinary dynamics of the 2022 residential real estate market. Healthy sales started the year strong but bottomed out as inflation, and rising interest rates strangled the market. Low housing inventory, high prices, and low-interest rates dominated the industry until skyrocketing mortgage rates brought the market to a screeching halt.
"With declines reported virtually across the board, the 2023 Power Broker Report reflects the rollercoaster ride that was the 2022 residential real estate market. Collectively, the Top 100 firms reported a more than $110B decrease in sales volume in 2022 over 2021. But while many struggled through the market shift, some seized the opportunity to gain ground…" noted the RISMedia editorial staff.
"We are proud of the Fathom family and how they have adjusted and overcome this constantly shifting market," said Fathom CEO Joshua Harley. "Our agents have worked hard to continue to grow and thrive, even with all the market uncertainties."
About Fathom Realty LLC
Fathom Realty, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fathom Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: FTHM), is a national, cloud-based real estate brokerage powered by intelliAgent, a proprietary technology platform that simplifies agent transaction management. The Company currently operates in 38 states and the District of Columbia with nearly 10,000 agents, who earn higher incomes through Fathom's transaction fee compensation model, plus the ability to offer their clients a host of related services, from title insurance to arranging mortgages, and in some states, homeowner's insurance. Fathom Realty is the sixth largest independent firm in the country, as ranked by the 2022 RealTrends 500 Ranking Report. For more information, visit www.fathomcareers.com.
About Fathom Holdings Inc.
Fathom Holdings Inc. is a national, technology-driven, real estate services platform integrating residential brokerage, mortgage, title, insurance, and SaaS offerings to brokerages and agents by leveraging its proprietary cloud-based software, intelliAgent. The Company's brands include Fathom Realty, Dagley Insurance, Encompass Lending, intelliAgent, LiveBy, Real Results, and Verus Title. For more information, visit www.FathomInc.com.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. All statements other than statements of historical or current facts made in this document are forward-looking. We identify forward-looking statements in this document by using words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may be," "continue" "could," "potential," "objective," "plan," "seek," "predict," "project" and "will be" and similar words or phrases or their negatives. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially for a variety of reasons. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including: risks associated with general economic conditions, including rising interest rates; risks associated with the Company's ability to continue achieving significant growth; its ability to continue its growth trajectory while achieving strong profits over time; its ability to generate positive operational cash flow; its ability to demonstrate sustainable profitability; and others set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's most recent Form 10-K as filed with the SEC and supplemented from time to time in other Company filings made with the SEC. Copies of Fathom's Form 10-K and other SEC filings are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Investor Contact:
Alex Kovtun and Matt Glover
Gateway Group, Inc.
949-574-3860
FTHM@gatewayir.com
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SOURCE Fathom Realty | 2023-03-10T13:33:55+00:00 | wcjb.com | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/03/10/top-producing-fathom-realty-climbs-power-broker-rankings/ |
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Patients receiving care at BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan locations will now have a chance to reduce medical costs through additional primary care options.
The change comes as the health system looks to offer more value-based care options rather than a “one-size-fits-all approach,” according to a Wednesday, Sept. 28 news release. Beaumont Health - Spectrum Health (BHSH) merged and launched a new system this year.
“To serve our patients and communities for years to come, we must adapt to the changing health care environment,” said Dr. Rima Shah, department chief of primary care services at Spectrum Health.
“That includes providing equitable and more streamlined care and looking at ways to help patients get financial assistance or even schedule longer appointments because they’re dealing with three or more chronic conditions.”
Shah said that it’s these common scenarios that can cause patients to pay more, adding to longer-term health care costs.
“If a person can’t afford to take their medicine, they won’t manage their health effectively no matter how many appointments they schedule,” she said.
Official say electing a provider often is driven by insurance or convenience. Spectrum Health aims to help patients to consider other options such as choosing a primary care program that supports medication management and transportation to appointments, the release said.
Besides medication management and transportation services, some of the various programs offered by Spectrum Health include:
- In-person and virtual visits based on health issues
- 24/7 nurse support for health concerns and appointments
- Free interpreting services for more than 20 languages
- Expertise in lifestyle guidance and management of chronic health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or depression and immunizations
- Referrals to specialists when needed
Patients who are younger and may not have as many health issues can also select a virtual-only care program.
For more information, visit spectrumhealth.org/options.
Read more:
School leaders strengthening mental health services for Ottawa County students with $5.5M grant
Aviation experience tour, air show coming to Muskegon County Airport in 2023
Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Martini’s Pizza in Kalamazoo keeps family, farmers at heart of business | 2022-09-29T21:44:59+00:00 | mlive.com | https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/09/spectrum-health-offering-more-primary-care-options-to-reduce-patient-costs.html |
U.S. Facebook users have one more month to apply for their share of a $725 million privacy settlement that parent company Meta agreed to pay late last year.
Meta is paying to settle a lawsuit alleging the world’s largest social media platform allowed millions of its users’ personal information to be fed to Cambridge Analytica, a firm that supported Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Anyone in the U.S. who has had a Facebook account at any time between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, is eligible to receive a payment. To apply for the settlement, users can fill out a form and submit it online, or print it out and mail it. The deadline is August 25.
It’s not clear how much money individual users will receive. The larger the number of people submitting valid claims, the smaller each payment will be since the money has to be divided among them.
The case sprang from 2018 revelations that Cambridge Analytica, a firm with ties to Trump political strategist Steve Bannon, had paid a Facebook app developer for access to the personal information of about 87 million users of the platform. That data was then used to target U.S. voters during the 2016 campaign that culminated in Trump’s election as the 45th president.
Uproar over the revelations led to a contrite Zuckerberg being grilled by U.S. lawmakers and spurred calls for people to delete their Facebook accounts.
Facebook’s growth has stalled as more people connect and entertain themselves on rival services such as TikTok, but the social network still boasts more than 2 billion users worldwide, including an estimated 250 million in the U.S.
Beyond the Cambridge Analytica case, Meta has been under fire over data privacy for some time. In May, for example, the EU slapped Meta with a record $1.3 billion fine and ordered it to stop transferring users’ personal information across the Atlantic by October. And the tech giant’s new text-based app, Threads, has not rolled out in the EU due to privacy concerns.
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AP Business Writer Wyatte Grantham-Philips contributed to this report from New York. | 2023-07-27T16:49:27+00:00 | myfox8.com | https://myfox8.com/news/technology/ap-technology/ap-are-you-a-facebook-user-you-have-one-month-left-to-apply-for-a-share-of-this-725m-settlement/ |
Mattamy ranks #3 as award recognizes the company's supportive, welcoming and engaging work environment
RIVERVIEW, Fla., April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Mattamy Homes has been named as one of Tampa Bay's Best Places to Work, for the fourth consecutive year, as part of the Best Places to Work competition managed by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Mattamy was recognized as the #3 place to work in the extra large companies category, beating out significantly larger organizations in the Tampa Bay area. Mattamy was one of the smallest companies in this category to make the top 15 list and one of only two homebuilders named as a Best Place to Work.
Best Places to Work aims to identify the top workplaces in Tampa Bay based on employee feedback. Nominated organizations are evaluated by their employees through an anonymous survey focusing on elements of the work environment including: team effectiveness, retention risk, alignment with goals, trust with co-workers, individual contribution, manager effectiveness, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, work engagement and people practices.
"At Mattamy it is our ongoing goal to provide a work environment that is supportive, welcoming and engaging," says Bob Meyn, President of Mattamy's Tampa and Southwest Florida Division. "During the challenging last two years, our top priority has been maintaining a positive work environment and supporting the wellbeing of our team members. We're pleased to be recognized for the special culture we've created and continue to maintain here at Mattamy."
For more information:
https://mattamyhomes.com/florida/tampa
https://mattamyhomes.com/about/careers
Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with more than 40 years of operations history across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps more than 8,000 families realize their dream of home ownership. In the United States, the company is represented in 11 markets –Charlotte, Raleigh, Dallas, Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando (where its US head office is located), Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida – and in Canada, its communities stretch across the Greater Toronto Area, as well as in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com for more information.
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SOURCE Mattamy Homes Limited | 2022-04-25T16:01:22+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/04/25/mattamy-homes-recognized-best-place-work-tampa-bay-fourth-year-row/ |
“Separation of church and state,” as cited in a recent letter to the editor, is an old canard found nowhere in the Constitution of the United States of America – Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Baptists notwithstanding.
The First Amendment simply states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
That amendment protects the people and their religious beliefs (and religions) from government, and certainly was never intended to protect government from religion.
Multiple states have authorized school vouchers to help concerned parents avoid what has become unpleasantness in the government school system, much of which can be traced directly back to Marxist-Leninist doctrine. John Dewey and Howard Zinn have had an important role in this degradation of education in our republic.
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If your contempt for our Judeo-Christian heritage is so profound, may I suggest that you put your money where your mouth is and donate it directly to your favorite government school(s). The ideologically and morally corrupt NEA/ATF/Democratic Party would be very grateful.
We also could help education by eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, which has no constitutional basis.
Roger W. Smith, Waterloo | 2023-06-18T10:15:40+00:00 | wcfcourier.com | https://wcfcourier.com/opinion/letters/separation-of-church-and-state-is-not-in-the-us-constitution/article_e47b6b48-0c77-11ee-a1bd-db175d84b695.html |
Drive-by shooting at Texas home kills 5-year-old child, teen
Published: Aug. 29, 2022 at 8:51 AM EDT|Updated: 16 minutes ago
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Police in Texas are searching for suspects after two youths were killed and a toddler was injured in a drive-by shooting in a residential area of Fort Worth.
The shooting happened shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday when a vehicle pulled up outside the home where a group was gathered in the front yard and a shooter or shooters opened fire.
Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes says the 17-year-old and 5-year-old males were pronounced dead at a hospital.
An 18-month-old had minor injuries and is expected to survive.
Noakes asked anyone with information or video to contact police and said authorities would use “every resource necessary” to find those responsible.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-29T13:08:13+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/08/29/drive-by-shooting-texas-home-kills-5-year-old-child-teen/ |
New York (AP) — New York City has begun to convert public school gymnasiums into housing for international migrants, its latest effort to accommodate a growing population of asylum-seekers who have overwhelmed the city’s homeless shelter system.
The move to use the gyms as shelters with six weeks still to go in the school year touched off an immediate backlash, with parents organizing protests at several schools and threatening to keep their kids home once migrants arrive.
Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, acknowledged Tuesday that the use of the schools was “drastic” but insisted the city is out of options. Around 4,200 migrants sought space in city shelters last week alone, he said.
Twenty school gyms are currently being considered for temporary housing. At least one of them, in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, was housing migrants on Tuesday. Several others have been supplied in recent days with green cots and emergency rations. The mayor said the school gyms were intended to be used only for short periods, with the goal being to move people out quickly.
“This is one of the last places we want to look at,” Adams said.
Following the expiration of a pandemic-era immigration policy last week, the number of migrants entering the U.S. has slowed significantly. But several cities say they have seen a swell of new arrivals — many of whom crossed the southern border prior to the change in policy.
In Chicago, where officials have reported nearly 9,000 people arriving since August, hundreds of migrants who have come since mid-April have slept on the floors of city police stations. This month the city turned several park fieldhouses into “temporary respite centers,” canceling or relocated summer programs, prompting complaints from some parents.
In Denver, Colorado, new arrivals are being turned away from overcrowded shelters.
In New York City, where a court-ordered mandate guarantees all people a right to shelter, local officials have explored various unconventional ideas for housing its newest residents. Over the weekend, the city announced it had struck a deal to convert a shuttered historic hotel into a shelter with as many as 1,000 rooms.
They have placed migrants in an NYPD academy and petitioned the federal government to reopen a former military airfield.
The city has also placed migrants on buses bound for northern suburbs, prompting anger and lawsuits from upstate officials.
The decision to use school gyms, though, struck a nerve.
Parents protested Tuesday morning outside a public school in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg section, where a squat brick gym was being prepared for the arrival of migrants. In the afternoon, after classes dismissed for the day, the playground was unusually quiet. Parents said their kids were told they couldn’t play outside and that all after school programs were being held indoors.
“There’s usually hundreds of kids running around right now, playing sports, getting their energy out,” said Maureen Steinel, a mother of 8th grade twins, gesturing to an empty stretch of asphalt now lined with orange cones and a stack of police barricades.
A self-identified progressive, Steinel said she wanted to help migrants, but couldn’t understand the decision to take away space from school kids. She ticked off a list of preferable options: city-owned community centers and college campuses, an armory, empty luxury condos.
City officials said there were advantages to school buildings, which are municipally owned, and come with built-in staff and security. Many of the gymnasiums were previously used for vaccine distribution during the pandemic.
Adams also said all the gyms under consideration were stand-alone facilities, not directly connected to school buildings. It wasn’t immediately clear whether they would be used by single men or families, or how long the migrants would be allowed to stay.
Josh Goldfein, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society, which helps monitor the city’s treatment of homeless individuals, said there were problems with the city’s decision to go outside their standard shelter options, such as hotel rooms. He pointed to a lack of shower access and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities at some school gymnasiums.
“If they move people into spaces that have not been typically used before like office buildings, tents, gyms, we have a much greater level of concern,” Goldfein said.
Adams has repeatedly said New York, a city long known for its openness to immigrants, has reached its limit on new arrivals. He has called on the federal government for help, both in providing funding to the city and in slowing entrances at the border. | 2023-05-16T23:23:06+00:00 | pahomepage.com | https://www.pahomepage.com/news/national/new-york-city-turns-to-school-gyms-to-house-new-migrants-prompting-uproar/ |
His name was Joseph Augustus Zarelli.
Nearly 66 years after the battered body of a young boy was found stuffed inside a cardboard box, Philadelphia police say they have finally unlocked a central mystery in the city’s most notorious cold case: The victim’s identity.
Revealing the name to the public Thursday, authorities hope it will bring them a step closer to the boy’s killer and give the victim — known to generations of Philadelphians as the “Boy in the Box” — a measure of dignity.
“When people think about the boy in the box, a profound sadness is felt, not just because a child was murdered, but because his entire identity and his rightful claim to own his existence was taken away,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said at a news conference.
She said the city’s oldest unsolved homicide has “haunted this community, the Philadelphia police department, our nation, and the world” for more than six decades.
The homicide investigation remains open, and authorities said they hoped publicizing Joseph’s name would spur a fresh round of leads. But they cautioned the passage of time complicates the task.
“It’s going to be an uphill battle for us to definitively determine who caused this child’s death,” said Capt. Jason Smith, commanding officer of the homicide unit. “We may not make an arrest. We may never make an identification. But we’re going to do our darndest to try.”
Police said both of Joseph’s parents are dead, but that he has living siblings. They said his family lived in west Philadelphia.
The child’s naked, badly bruised body was found on Feb. 25, 1957, in a wooded area of Philadelphia’s Fox Chase neighborhood. The boy, who was 4 years old, had been wrapped in a blanket and placed inside a large JCPenney bassinet box. Police say he was malnourished. He’d been beaten to death.
The boy’s photo was put on a poster and plastered all over the city as police worked to identify him and catch his killer.
Detectives pursued and discarded hundreds of leads — that he was a Hungarian refugee, a boy who’d been kidnapped outside a Long Island supermarket in 1955, a variety of other missing children. They investigated a pair of traveling carnival workers and a family who operated a nearby foster home, but ruled them out as suspects.
An Ohio woman claimed her mother bought the boy from his birth parents in 1954, kept him in the basement of their suburban Philadelphia home, and killed him in a fit of rage. Authorities found her credible but couldn’t corroborate her story — another dead end.
All the while, the boy’s missing identity gnawed at police officials, generations of whom took up the case.
They got permission to exhume his body for DNA testing in 1998 and again in 2019, and it was that latest round of testing, combined with genetic genealogy, that gave police their big break.
Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, president of Identifinders International, a company that uses forensic genetic genealogy to help law enforcement investigate cold cases, said the victim’s DNA was so degraded that it took 2 1/2 years of work to be able to extract enough data to perform the genealogy.
The test results were uploaded to DNA databases, allowing genealogists to make a match on the child’s maternal side. Authorities obtained a court order for vital records of any children born to the woman they suspected was Joseph’s mother between 1944 and 1956, and found Joseph’s birth certificate, which also listed the name of his father.
William Fleisher, the co-founder of a group of professional sleuths called the Vidocq Society that took up the Boy in the Box case a quarter-century ago, said that hundreds of investigators had poured their “hearts and souls” into learning the boy’s identity and the circumstances of his death since 1957.
“Many of these men and women aren’t with us anymore, but I feel their souls are standing here at this moment with us,” Fleisher said at the news conference.
“Now our lad is no longer that boy in the box. He has a name.”
Originally buried in a pauper’s grave, the boy’s remains now lie just inside the front gate at Ivy Hill Cemetery, under a weeping cherry tree, and a headstone designates him as “America’s Unknown Child.” Services have been held there each year on the anniversary of the boy’s discovery inside the box.
People often leave flowers and, this time of year, Christmas decorations and toys.
“The boy has always been special to all of us, because we don’t know who it is,” Dave Drysdale, the cemetery’s secretary-treasurer, said in a phone interview ahead of the news conference.
Now they do. And now that he has a name — his real name — it will be etched on the stone.
___
Associated Press photographer Matt Rourke in Philadelphia contributed to this story. | 2022-12-08T22:45:45+00:00 | cenlanow.com | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/ap-police-to-reveal-identity-of-phillys-slain-boy-in-the-box/ |
WASHINGTON — The next time you message your doctor to ask about a pesky cough or an itchy rash, you may want to check your bank account first — you could get a bill for the question.
Patient advocates, however, worry these new fees may deter people from reaching out to their doctor and that they add another layer of complexity to the U.S. health care system’s already opaque billing process.
“This is a barrier that denies access and will result in hesitancy or fear to communicate and potentially harm patients with lower quality of care and outcomes at a much higher cost,” said Cynthia Fisher, the founder of Patient Rights Advocate, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that pushes for hospital price transparency.
The explosion of telehealth over the last three years — driven by the COVID-19 outbreak and relaxed federal regulations for online care — prompted many doctors to adopt more robust telecommunication with their patients. Consultations that once happened in an office were converted to computer or smart phone visits. And health care systems invited patients to use new online portals to message their doctors with a question at any time, American Medical Association president Jack Resneck Jr. told The Associated Press.
“When people figured out this is cool and could improve care, you saw hospitals and practice groups saying to patients, welcome to your portal ... you can ping your physician with questions if you want,” Resneck said. “We found ourselves as physicians getting dozens and dozens of these a day and not having time built in to do that work.”
The charges vary for each patient and hospital system, with messages costing as little as $3 for Medicare patients to as much $160 for the uninsured. In some cases, the final bill depends on how much time the doctor spends responding.
Health systems that have introduced these new policies, many in recent months, say they automatically alert patients that they may be charged when they message their doctor through online portals, such as MyChart, an online system that many organizations now use for scheduling appointments or releasing test results to patients.
Under new billing rules devised during the pandemic, doctors are permitted to bill Medicare for as little as 5 minutes of time spent on an online message in a seven-day period, according to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare.
Doctors need to be paid for the time they spend doling out expert medical advice — even over messages, said University of Chicago health economist Katherine Baicker. But it’s also important that hospital systems are transparent about what patients can expect to pay as they roll out these new charges, she added.
“Co-pays do not accomplish anything when they are not clear for patients ahead of time,” Baicker said.
Physicians at University of California San Francisco Health field roughly 900,000 email threads — 3 million total messages — in a year, according to Jess Berthold, a spokesperson for the system.
The hospital announced in November 2021 it would start charging for some of those messages, after noting a spike during the pandemic. During a year’s time, 1.4% of email threads, or about 13,000, have resulted in a bill.
Only certain messages trigger a charge. Patients won’t be charged, for example, for prescription refills, scheduling an appointment, asking a follow-up question about an office visit within the last seven days, or if their doctor advises they should schedule a visit in response.
What types of messages will prompt a bill? Sending your doctor a picture of a new rash, asking for a form to be filled out or requesting a change in medication.
Navigating how much you might end up owing can be trickier.
At UCSF, patients on Medicaid who message their doctor won’t have any out-of-pocket costs, and those on traditional Medicare may have to pay $3 to $6. Patients on private insurance will be billed a co-pay — typically about $20 — as will patients on Medicare Advantage, the private insurance plans for Medicare.
Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, the latest major hospital system to announce charges for online messages, rolled out similar guidelines late last month, with messages costing as much as $50 for those on private insurance. And at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, which charges $35 for some messages, fewer than 1% of those correspondences resulted in a bill, spokesman Christopher King said.
All of those systems use the online portal MyChart. Epic, the privately owned software company that runs MyChart, does not track which health systems charge patients for messages, spokeswoman Barb Herandez said in an email. The company did not answer questions about whether it receives a share of the fees from those charges.
Giving patients advice online can save a patient time or money in the long run, hospital systems argue. If the doctor can answer a patient’s question over email, the patient can cut out wait times for an appointment and avoid taking time off work to go to the doctor’s office.
Plus, some patients simply prefer the convenience of getting a quick answer from the doctor on an app, Berthold of UCSF added.
“If patients can have access to a doctor right when questions or concerns arise, they can seek care more quickly and be treated more quickly,” Berthold said.
But Fisher argues it could have the opposite effect with patients thinking twice before they message a doctor. Instead, some people may turn to free, unreliable advice online.
“It becomes a slippery slope, and that slippery slope is not in favor of the patient,” she said. | 2022-12-16T19:13:02+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/want-to-email-your-doctor-you-may-be-charged-for-that/2022/12/16/348c0f8a-7d70-11ed-bb97-f47d47466b9a_story.html |
BMO Harris Bank will end non-sufficient funds fees, overdraft transfer fees, and cut overdraft fees by more than half
CHICAGO, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Harris Bank today announced reductions to its banking fees by eliminating both non-sufficient funds (NSF) and overdraft transfer fees and by significantly reducing overdraft fees. Customers will no longer see NSF fees on their accounts beginning Aug. 23 or overdraft transfer fees beginning on July 12. This fall, overdraft fees will be reduced to $15 per occurrence. These changes apply to both consumer and small business banking accounts.
"Our latest fee changes mark another significant milestone for BMO in our journey to empower customers to achieve their financial goals and to make real financial progress," said Paul Dilda, head of consumer strategy for BMO Harris Bank. "Given the current economic climate, we know it is more important than ever to help our consumer and small business customers work toward their financial goals."
In November 2021, BMO reduced the number of overdraft or NSF charges a customer may incur to three per day. The bank also eliminated consecutive day overdraft fees for accounts that remain overdrawn for an extended period.
BMO's Real Financial Progress Index, which measures Americans' sentiment around financial confidence, recently found that inflation and rising consumer costs are affecting Americans' behaviors, with 80% of Americans surveyed planning to change their everyday actions to offset the impact and save money. The changes being announced today will help alleviate some of the financial stress currently being felt by consumers and small businesses across the country.
NSF and Overdraft-related Fee Changes Part of BMO's Broader Low and No-Cost Offerings
BMO's suite of products and tools offer a powerful combination of low- and no-cost, convenient offerings and services that help clients budget, save, spend and borrow carefully and confidently. BMO's offerings include:
- Savings Builder Account - BMO chips in a cash reward to customer's savings balance when they meet monthly savings goals.
- BankOn Certified Account – BMO's Smart Money™ Account has been awarded Bank On certification for allowing access to safe, affordable financial products and services. Bank On standards include low costs, no overdraft fees, transaction capabilities such as a debit or prepaid card, and online bill pay.
- BMO Real Financial Progress Checks – Goal-based conversations that track customers' goals and ensures they have the right financial tools to meet them.
- Smart Progress - Online tools and advice available to BMO personal banking customers
- BMO Business Focus - Tips and tools for small businesses looking for more financial education specific to small businesses.
- Cash Back Rewards Cards – Refreshed this year, the cash back card offers increased rewards on everyday spending.
- Total Look - Money management tool in BMO Digital Banking that allows customers to view and manage their whole financial picture, including non-BMO Harris accounts, in one dashboard.
- BMO for Women in Business - Program designed for women entrepreneurs to increase access to capital, educational resources and meaningful networking opportunities.
- BMO for Black and LatinX Businesses - Program designed for Black and LatinX business owners to increase access to capital, educational resources and meaningful networking opportunities.
To learn more about BMO's products and services, visit: www.bmoharris.com/main/personal
About BMO Harris Bank
BMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through more than 500 branches and fee-free access to over 40,000 ATMs across the United States. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the United States. For more information about BMO Harris Bank, visit the company fact sheet. Accounts are subject to approval. BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a highly diversified financial services provider with total assets of CDN$1.04 trillion as of April 30, 2022.
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SOURCE BMO Financial Group | 2022-06-30T17:19:12+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/bmo-harris-bank-reduces-consumer-small-business-banking-fees/ |
CA Sacramento CA Zone Forecast for Tuesday, July 5, 2022
_____
403 FPUS56 KSTO 060844
ZFPSTO
Interior Northern California Zone Forecasts for California
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
Spot temperatures and probabilities of measurable precipitation
are for today, tonight, and Thursday.
CAZ013-062300-
Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County-
Including the city of Shasta Dam
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Partly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs 67 to
82 higher elevations...78 to 86 lower elevations. Prevailing
southwest winds up to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows 46 to 61 higher elevations...55 to
63 lower elevations. Prevailing southwest winds up to 10 mph with
gusts to around 25 mph.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs 70 to 85 higher elevations...81 to
88 lower elevations. Prevailing south winds up to 10 mph. Gusts
up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 48 to 63 higher elevations...57 to
65 lower elevations. Prevailing southwest winds up to 10 mph in
the evening becoming light. Gusts up to 25 mph.
.FRIDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs 73 to 88 higher elevations...84 to
92 lower elevations. Light winds becoming south up to 10 mph in
the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 50 to 65.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs 77 to 92.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 55 to 70. Highs
82 to 97.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
SHASTA DAM 84 62 87 / 10 0 0
$$
=
CAZ014-062300-
Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County-
Including the city of Burney
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 69 to 79. Light winds becoming
southwest 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows 40 to 53. Prevailing west winds 5 to
15 mph in the evening becoming light.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs 71 to 82. Prevailing west winds up to
10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 43 to 54. Prevailing west winds
5 to 15 mph in the evening becoming light.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs 74 to 85. Light winds becoming west up to
10 mph in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 44 to 56.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs 77 to 87.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 46 to 61.
Highs 79 to 94.
.MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Highs 84 to 97. Lows 51 to 62.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
BURNEY 76 46 79 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ015-062300-
Northern Sacramento Valley-
Including the cities of Redding and Red Bluff
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. Highs around 86. South winds up to 15 mph.
Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows around 59. South winds up to 15 mph with
gusts to around 25 mph.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs around 89. Southeast winds up to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows around 62. South winds 10 to 15 mph
in the evening becoming light.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs around 92. Light winds becoming south
around 10 mph with gusts to around 20 mph in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows around 63.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs around 94.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 63 to 72. Highs
94 to 102.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
REDDING 87 58 90 / 0 0 0
RED BLUFF 88 62 90 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ016-062300-
Central Sacramento Valley-
Including the cities of Chico, Oroville, and Marysville/Yuba City
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Sunny. Highs around 86. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows 53 to 59. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs around 88. Southeast winds around 10 mph
with gusts to around 20 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 55 to 63. South winds up to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs around 92. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 58 to 64.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs around 93.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 59 to 69. Highs
93 to 100.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
CHICO 87 59 90 / 0 0 0
OROVILLE 87 58 89 / 0 0 0
MARYSVILLE/YUBA CITY 87 57 89 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ017-062300-
Southern Sacramento Valley-
Including the city of Sacramento
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Sunny. Highs 79 to 86. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows 53 to 59. South winds 10 to 15 mph with
gusts to around 25 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 84 to 90. South winds around
10 mph with gusts to around 20 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 54 to 60. South winds up to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs 88 to 94. South winds up to 10 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 56 to 62.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs 89 to 95.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 57 to 67. Highs
91 to 101.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
SACRAMENTO 84 58 88 / 0 0 0
SAC EXEC AIRPORT 84 58 87 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ018-062300-
Carquinez Strait and Delta-
Including the city of Fairfield/Suisun
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. Near the bay, mostly cloudy in the morning
then clearing. Highs 75 to 81. West winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts
to around 30 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Near the bay, clear in the evening then
becoming mostly cloudy. Lows around 57. West winds 10 to 20 mph
with gusts to around 30 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly sunny. Near the bay, mostly cloudy in the
morning then clearing. Highs 78 to 84. West winds 10 to 15 mph
with gusts to around 25 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows around 57. Southwest winds 10 to
20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs 82 to 88. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows around 58.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs 82 to 88.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows around 58. Highs
85 to 91.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
FAIRFIELD/SUISUN 82 56 85 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ019-062300-
Northern San Joaquin Valley-
Including the cities of Stockton and Modesto
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Sunny. Highs 80 to 88. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows 54 to 60. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph
with gusts to around 25 mph.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs 82 to 90. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 55 to 61. Northwest winds up to
15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs 86 to 94. Northwest winds up to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 55 to 63.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs 87 to 95.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...Clear. Lows 55 to 63. Highs 88 to
98.
.SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 59 to 69. Highs 92 to
102.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
STOCKTON 84 58 86 / 0 0 0
MODESTO 86 59 88 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ063-062300-
Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County-
Including the city of Alder Springs
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 61 to 76 higher elevations...79 to
85 lower elevations. Prevailing east winds up to 10 mph shifting
to the southeast in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...Mostly clear. Lows 47 to 59 higher elevations...57 to
62 lower elevations. Prevailing southwest winds 5 to 15 mph
shifting to the northwest after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs 65 to 80 higher elevations...
82 to 87 lower elevations. Prevailing northeast winds up to
10 mph shifting to the southeast in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 50 to 65. Prevailing west winds up
to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs 67 to 82 higher elevations...85 to
91 lower elevations. Light winds becoming southeast up to 10 mph
in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 51 to 66.
.SATURDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs 74 to 89.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 58 to 73. Highs
78 to 93.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
ALDER SPRINGS 70 52 74 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ066-062300-
Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-
Including the city of Paradise
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 73 to 86. Prevailing south winds up
to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows 54 to 62. Prevailing south winds 5 to
15 mph shifting to the east after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs 76 to 89. Prevailing northwest winds up
to 10 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 56 to 65. Prevailing south winds
5 to 15 mph in the evening becoming light.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs 79 to 92. Light winds becoming southwest
up to 10 mph in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 57 to 67.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs 82 to 94.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 61 to 72. Highs
85 to 100.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
PARADISE 79 60 82 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ067-062300-
Motherlode-
Including the cities of Grass Valley and Jackson
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Sunny. Highs 75 to 85. Prevailing southwest winds up to
10 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows 52 to 60. Prevailing southwest winds up to
10 mph shifting to the east after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Haze in the morning. Sunny. Highs 78 to 88.
Prevailing southwest winds up to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 55 to 63. Prevailing southwest
winds up to 10 mph in the evening becoming light.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs 81 to 91. Light winds becoming southwest
up to 10 mph in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 56 to 64.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs 83 to 93.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...Clear. Lows 58 to 66. Highs 83 to
97.
.SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 63 to 71. Highs 87 to
100.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
GRASS VALLEY 77 55 80 / 0 0 0
JACKSON 81 55 83 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ068-062300-
Western Plumas County/Lassen Park-
Including the cities of Chester and Quincy
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 59 to 74 higher elevations...65 to
80 lower elevations. Prevailing south winds up to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear. Lows 43 to 58. Prevailing southwest winds 5 to
15 mph shifting to the southeast after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs 61 to 76 higher elevations...
67 to 82 lower elevations. Prevailing south winds up to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 44 to 59. Prevailing southwest
winds 5 to 15 mph in the evening becoming light.
.FRIDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs 64 to 79 higher elevations...70 to
85 lower elevations. Light winds becoming southwest up to 10 mph
in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 46 to 61.
.SATURDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs 71 to 86.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 51 to 66. Highs
75 to 90.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
QUINCY 79 41 81 / 0 0 0
CHESTER 77 44 80 / 0 0 0
$$
=
CAZ069-062300-
West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-
Including the city of Blue Canyon
143 AM PDT Wed Jul 6 2022
.TODAY...Sunny. Haze late in the afternoon. Highs 59 to 74 higher
elevations...70 to 80 lower elevations. Prevailing south winds up
to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Clear, haze. Lows 40 to 55 higher elevations...51 to
61 lower elevations. Prevailing southwest winds 5 to 15 mph
shifting to the southeast after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs 62 to 77 higher elevations...73 to
83 lower elevations. Prevailing south winds up to 10 mph shifting
to the southwest in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Haze in the evening. Clear. Lows 41 to
56 higher elevations...53 to 63 lower elevations. Prevailing
southwest winds 5 to 15 mph shifting to the southeast after
midnight.
.FRIDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs 64 to 79 higher elevations...76 to
86 lower elevations. Prevailing southeast winds up to 10 mph
shifting to the southwest in the afternoon. Gusts up to 25 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows 45 to 60.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs 70 to 85.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Clear. Lows 51 to 66. Highs
74 to 89.
TEMPERATURE / PRECIPITATION
BLUE CANYON 68 55 70 / 0 0 0
$$
=
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-07-06T09:13:50+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/CA-Sacramento-CA-Zone-Forecast-17286878.php |
Freezing rain and thunderstorms pummeled parts of Ontario and Quebec on Wednesday, knocking out power for about 800,000 people, officials reported.
Quebec’s power utility said shortly after 5 p.m. that more than 676,000 of its 4.5 million customers had no electricity as much of the province remained under a freezing rain warning.
“What’s causing the outages is the mixture of precipitation and wind,” Hydro-Québec spokeswoman Gabrielle Leblanc said. “It weighs down the vegetation. There can be branches and trees that fall on the lines.”
In Montreal, more than 316,000 customers had lost power, while 171,000 people were hit with outages in the Montérégie region, south of the city.
Leblanc said many of the outages were small in area, each affecting only a few customers, so crews would need to repair numerous breaks to restore power to everyone.
In Montreal, there were numerous reports of downed trees. Transport Quebec said weather conditions forced it to close the Victoria Bridge, which connects Montreal with its southern suburbs.
Public Security Minister François Bonnardel said his department has put a coordination center in place to deal with the storm. | 2023-04-06T03:23:53+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/800000-lose-power-as-freezing-rain-hits-ontario-and-quebec/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
(WXIN) – Taco Bell is giving its Rewards members the power to make the ultimate choice: Bring back either the Double Decker Taco or the Enchirito for a limited time.
The taco chain is pitting the fan-favorite items against each other in a voting contest available only on the Taco Bell app. Rewards members can vote once a day for either the crunchy Double Decker Taco or the saucy Enchirito through Oct. 6.
Here’s a brief history lesson on the dueling dishes.
The Double Decker Taco was originally introduced as a limited-time offer in 1995 before becoming a permanent addition to the menu between 2006 and 2019. Taco Bell describes the hybrid taco as a “soft flour tortilla layered with beans, then wrapped around a traditional crunchy taco shell filled with seasoned beef, crispy lettuce and cheddar cheese.”
The Enchirito dates back to 1970, but got booted from the Taco Bell menu in 2013. It’s made up of a “soft flour tortilla, loaded with seasoned beef, beans and diced onions all rolled up and smothered with its classic red sauce before being topped with melted shredded cheddar cheese,” the fast-food chain says.
The results are scheduled to be announced on Oct. 7. The prevailing item will be added to menus across the country — temporarily — later this year.
Taco Bell said the company embracing its past dishes after seeing the “love and passion” fans expressed upon the return of the Mexican Pizza, according to press release issued Tuesday.
“Nobody gets Taco Bell more than our community so we’re thrilled to empower them with this in-app voting experience that allows them to have a direct impact on our menu,” said Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell’s chief brand officer, in a statement included with Tuesday’s release. | 2022-09-27T17:33:19+00:00 | kdvr.com | https://kdvr.com/news/nationalworld-news/taco-bell-fans-can-now-vote-to-bring-back-discontinued-item/ |
Biden hosts White House event recognizing Greek Independence Day
WASHINGTON (Gray News) – President Joe Biden on Wednesday is set to host a reception at the White House in recognition of Greek Independence Day.
In a proclamation signed Friday, Biden called the day a celebration of democracy for Greece and the United States.
He marked 202 years of friendship between the modern Hellenic Republic and the U.S. and called on a recommitment to standing up for the rights, equality and dignity of all people.
“Today, we honor the heroism of Greek revolutionaries who fought for their independence more than two centuries ago and celebrate the sacred idea that has always bound our great nations together: that ‘we the people’ hold the power to shape our own destinies,” he stated.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-29T20:23:35+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/2023/03/29/biden-hosts-white-house-event-recognizing-greek-independence-day/ |
Two couples who were once in a band together now own a bakery.
“All of us, we’re just ‘people people,” one of the owners of Prairie Sky Breads, Jazmine Schultz, said. “We enjoy our community and the folks who are in it and I also think that’s what motivates us.”
Jazmine and Zach Schultz are both musicians.
Back in February 2020 they and another couple, Travis and Brandy Gerjets (who are also musicians), opened Prairie Sky Breads.
That timing was…interesting.
“We’ve changed business models about three times so it’s just been constant shifting, shuffling and figuring it out,” Zach said.
“This business has been really nimble over the course of the last…really, the whole life of the space. I think it’s been responded to and met people’s needs in unique ways,” added Brandy.
Brandy is a pastor, so she’s not at the bakery for the day-to-day operations, but she’s not missing out.
“We have no shortage of carbs in our house,” she said with a laugh. “We do a lot of bread tasting and you’re never done perfecting formulas and dreaming up new breads to make so we get a wide range of breads at our house.”
Plus, her husband arguably spends enough time there for both of them.
His grandma’s recipe is what makes him the bread part of Prairie Sky Breads.
“I get here between three and four in the morning most days of the week,” Travis said.
His hard work is driven by what Jazmine said — the people.
He said, “I think Prairie Sky Breads really started for me at the second farmer’s market when people that bought some of those first loaves came back to the market and they had all these stories about what they made with the bread and how it reminded them of bread they had maybe made with their mother or grandmother and we started to build some relationships and connections in the community.”
That community aspect is huge.
“It’s a bakery that also facilitates other things. It’s a restaurant, a coffee shop, a pizza place, a music venue, a gathering space,” Zach explained.
They want it to be a place people want to be, for whatever they want it to be, but they also want the rest of downtown Minot to grow and thrive.
“To be a part of the reinvigorating of it sort of that’s happened the last five-ish years,” he said. “It’s really nice to be a part of that.”
“That’s kind of why we built it,” said Travis. “We want it to be a place that people can come and, yes, eat good food and hopefully enjoy some good bread but a place that people can gather and feel loved and feel welcomed.”
If you find yourself at the bakery getting one of the many rotating menu items, bread, coffee or a scone, now you know why the people behind Prairie Sky Breads are People You Should Know. | 2022-04-15T04:18:02+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/good-day-dakota/someone-you-should-know/someone-you-should-know-the-people-behind-prairie-sky-breads/ |
The guitar was played during the music video for "Hot for Teacher." If that seems like a a lot of money to spend on a guitar, included are a pair of white gloves and a strait jacket from the video.
Copyright 2023 NPR
The guitar was played during the music video for "Hot for Teacher." If that seems like a a lot of money to spend on a guitar, included are a pair of white gloves and a strait jacket from the video.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-04-21T11:00:45+00:00 | kcbx.org | https://www.kcbx.org/2023-04-21/an-eddie-van-halen-guitar-sells-at-auction-for-nearly-4-million |
MADISON, Ill. (AP) — Josef Newgarden saw the checkered flag out his windshield as the hard-charging rookie sprinted closer and closer into his rearview mirror.
David Malukas was coming fast for the leaders, seemingly out of nowhere, late Saturday night after a long rain delay and a strung-out race.
The 20-year-old was flying and darted outside and around Scott McLaughlin for second. Then he set his sights over the final lap on Newgarden, the two-time IndyCar champion so far unable to take control of the championship race.
Newgarden thought, “Wow, that kid is hungry.’”
Alas, Malukas ran out of time on the 1.25-mile oval outside St. Louis. He picked off McLaughlin, and if there had been one more lap, Malukas might have won his first IndyCar victory.
He’s still learning oval racing, even though his results show he’s a quick study. His 16th-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 was his lowest of the five ovals on the schedule; his second-place finish Saturday night was the best of his maiden IndyCar season and his first career podium.
And yet he’s left to wonder if a rookie mistake cost him a chance at running down Newgarden for the win at Gateway.
On fresh tires for the final run of the night, Malukas waited until two laps to go to experiment with the upper groove at Gateway. His car like a rocket ship in the top lane, he sailed past McLaughlin on the outside. Although he ran out of time to catch Newgarden, Malukas was closing in quickly when Newgarden took his series-best fifth win of the season.
What took him so long to try the outside lane?
“It was a bit unfortunate I did it so late. But I guess rookie season, rookie stuff,” Malukas said. “I’m going to put it in the back of my brain and remember it for next time.”
It wasn’t his only mistake of the night: Malukas was scolded by McLaughlin for mispronouncing his last name. It’s Muh-GLOCK’-luhn, McLaughlin said, and there’s no soft h.
Either way, second-place was just as good as the win on Saturday night for Malukas. He even got to celebrate with champagne when Newgarden graciously let the underage Malukas spray the real stuff instead of the grape juice he’d been given.
“Why didn’t they give me the real stuff? That’s not fun,” Malukas said. “Maybe I can just tell them I’ll close my mouth, I don’t know.”
Just three months ago he was smarting from losing Indianapolis 500 top rookie honors to Jimmie Johnson, who finished the race below Malukas but was rewarded for both an eye-popping speed show in qualifying and his ambassadorship for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Malukas supporters were outraged and, after posting his own 200-plus mph marks in practice, as well as actually finishing highest among the Indy 500 rookies, Malukas himself wondered how he lost out on top rookie to 46-year-old Johnson.
Once the drama faded from social media, Malukas went back to big runs for tiny Dale Coyne Racing.
He finished eighth in the second race of the Iowa doubleheader last month and is ranked 16th in the standings, ahead of Indianapolis 500 winners Helio Castroneves and Takuma Sato, his teammate, and also the rest of the rookie class.
Newgarden heaped praise on Malukas after the race and said Malukas, a Lithuanian-American from the Chicago area, could probably get a little more aggressive. Newgarden is three points behind Team Penske teammate Will Power with two races remaining, yet he didn’t worry about the potential risks of racing a rookie with Saturday night’s win on the line.
“When you see rookies, I think you definitely are a bit more cautious or reserved, or at least you’re second-guessing what you think you should be doing,” Newgarden said. “I would give Malukas a lot of respect. He’s probably been one of the cleanest rookies I’ve ever seen. He’s been almost too respectful.”
Malukas acknowledged both getting out of the way of Penske cars during practice and also getting a little starry-eyed when he found himself racing Newgarden and McLaughlin.
His engineer radioed that Malukas was about to get sight of the race leaders and then he caught a glimpse of them sailing through Turns 1 and 2. It took a moment for him to realize that “Oh, my God, they’re Penskes. I’m going behind Penskes right now. This is crazy.’”
Malukas rooted for Team Penske as a kid and says he’s stayed out of their way when he made it to IndyCar this season: “Every time through practice, every time they passed me, I always let them by. Man,” he said.
And so he had to collect himself as he chased the duo.
“I was trying so hard to not get nervous. I mean, I was nervous, but I was trying so hard not to get overexcited and do something stupid,” Malukas said. “It’s definitely intimidating when there’s two Penskes in front of you.”
___
More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-08-21T19:45:45+00:00 | wearegreenbay.com | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/sports/ap-sports/malukas-dazzles-racing-through-field-and-against-penskes/ |
Couple sues fertility clinic alleging wrong sperm was used to inseminate wife
Posted/updated on: February 22, 2023 at 6:40 pm(NEW YORK) -- A Texas couple has filed a lawsuit against a fertility clinic and associated laboratories alleging their two kids are not their full biological children because allegedly, the wrong sperm was used during the in-vitro fertilization process.
Camille and Derrick Bryan claim in a lawsuit filed Feb. 8 in a district court in Texas that they learned through DNA tests last August that Derrick Bryan is not the biological father of their young son and daughter, who are both under the age of 7.
The Bryans' attorney, Tommy Hastings, told ABC News the couple decided to test their children's DNA last year after a pediatrician noticed a type of birthmark on their son's back known as a dermal melanocytosis. The birthmarks, formerly known as Mongolian blue spots, are most common "among people of Asian, Native American, Hispanic, East Indian, and African descent," according to the National Institutes of Health.
"The pediatrician made an offhand comment about, 'Oh, which of you have Asian heritage?,' and [Camille] said, 'Neither of us,'" said Hastings, founder of the Hastings Law Firm, adding, "So that's what got the curiosity piqued."
Hastings said Bryans initially sought a DNA test for their son, using both of their DNA.
"It came back 99.99% that [Camille Bryan] is the mom and 0% that [Derrick Bryan] is the dad," said Hastings, adding that Bryans subsequently undertook a DNA test for their daughter, which also returned a 0% paternal result for Derrick Bryan.
The Bryans' lawsuit names a Fort Worth-based fertility clinic and one of its doctors and four IVF-focused laboratories associated with them, alleging the defendants "recklessly, negligently, or intentionally mishandled the sperm and allowed an unknown donor to be used to fertilize Camille's eggs."
The lawsuit was first reported by local ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.
The Bryans, who declined to be interviewed, claim in the lawsuit that in 2015, they visited the doctor named in the suit, Dr. Robert Kaufmann, at his practice, Fort Worth Fertility, where Camille Bryan's eggs were harvested and Derrick Bryan's sperm was collected "in preparation for IVF."
In the IVF process, ovulation is induced and eggs are removed from a patient's ovaries. The eggs are then fertilized with sperm outside of the body, and the resulting embryos are either placed in the patient's uterus or are stored in a laboratory for future use, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
In January 2016, according to the lawsuit, Camille had her "eggs fertilized" at a laboratory "in or near Dr. Kauffman's office."
Shortly thereafter, in March 2016, Camille Bryan underwent an embryo placement. She gave birth nine months later to a boy, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit says Camille Bryan underwent a second embryo transfer in October 2018 and nine months later gave birth to a girl.
The lawsuit states it was "either impossible or exceedingly difficult" for the Bryans to know before the DNA tests they took last year that Derrick Bryan's "sperm was not used in the fertilization process."
The Bryans are requesting a trial by jury and seeking monetary damages of over $1 million, according to the lawsuit.
Fort Worth Fertility told ABC News in a statement issued on behalf of both the clinic and Kaufmann that it is not commenting on the lawsuit.
"Our counsel has recommended against commentary on allegations, but welcomes the opportunity to fully and fairly develop the facts in the appropriate forum," Fort Worth Fertility in a statement. "Fort Worth Fertility, P.A. has provided state of the art clinical services to hundreds of grateful families, and looks forward to continuation of its mission of assistance and support of its patients."
Kaufmann's bio on the clinic's website says he is board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility as well as obstetrics and gynecology and has "over 18 years of experience as an infertility specialist."
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-23T01:00:46+00:00 | ktbb.com | https://ktbb.com/post/?p=1204710 |
Edgard Gouveia Jr., 58, says the key to solving the world's problems is games. "I use games and narrative to mobilize crowds," says the Brazilian game inventor and co-founder of Livelab. He's worked with schools, companies, government offices and slums. And his target audiences keep getting bigger. "For example, games that can make a whole town, a whole city or even a whole country play together," he says.
And now he's developing a global game called "Jornada X" whose goal is to get kids and teenagers to save nothing less than all life on the planet. Gouveia's thinking is that if you can frame a problem as a challenge or epic journey, then kids "can solve a lot of problems that adults can't," he says. "And they're able to mobilize the adults among them."
NPR sat down with Gouveia to discuss his ambitions to crowdsource and gamify the solving of big problems and how games grabbed a hold of him as a boy. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
When was the first time you realized that games could be used to achieve something big?
When I was a kid, we had this game called gincana. In Brazil, it goes back like 100 years. Fewer communities play it today, but you can still find maybe 30 cities in Brazil where it's played.
Here's how it works. Once a year, the whole town or city was invited to play together. We created teams of 500 or 600 people that included kids and adults and grandparents. It was like a big weekend festival.
And we played silly, impossible missions. There was actually a commission that created these missions.
What's an example of one of these missions that community members would compete in?
I remember the first one that I played in my hometown of Santos. There was this stage in front of the church where the whole town of thousands of people gathered to hear what the mission was. And the guy said into the microphone, "You have three hours to bring a real pink elephant."
There are no wild elephants in Brazil. And there's certainly no pink elephant anywhere! But when the guy said we had three hours, the whole town started screaming and running, trying to find a solution. This is an ancestral training system that awakens and strengthens the power of community because you cannot complete the mission by yourself.
After five minutes, someone in the crowd said, "The circus!" Then his team ran and drove to the circus in another city. And the owner loaned them the elephant because everyone knows that the gincana is something sacred. Everyone wants to help you. So he probably said, "OK, take it, but bring it back in three hours! Please! Because I have a show."
This team thought they were going to win since they had the elephant. "Nobody's gonna find a pink elephant. We're the amazing ones!"
But another team brought an elephant from another town and they started painting it pink. The first team said, "No! You can't do that!" But the second team said, "Nobody said you couldn't paint a real elephant pink." [so is this all real or more like his imaginative recounting ...?]
So people created these crazy strategies out of nothing. And we did it together. It's a kind of collective intelligence... a brainstorm the size of a city. And then we all laughed. We all celebrated. Even if you lost, you couldn't believe these groups actually brought real elephants to your town.
As a boy, I witnessed the creative potential we have to solve anything.
What gets in the way of solving big problems today, do you think?
There's a mindset that leads us to create scarcity in our behavior with our neighbors, with our partners, with other countries. It's the idea that there's not enough for everybody. So we feel like we better collect and save for ourselves and for our families.
But this idea of scarcity is crazy. It creates a kind of social sickness. You can be a millionaire but if you have the idea of scarcity in your head, you'll want to collect more and save more.
The people that often share the most are the poorest people. If you give someone who's homeless a sandwich, they will share it. They know that tomorrow, they won't have food. And if they share with someone now, that person may share with them tomorrow. All over the world, the homeless people I've met have a different kind of knowledge.
Most of us in big cities, we see the other as a competitor or a potential enemy.
But for many traditional communities, if they see you coming and they never saw someone that looks like you before, they'll find the difference attractive. "Oh, it's a potential friend," they might think. So they want to feed you, learn from you, bring you to their home.
So how do you shift this mindset of scarcity?
It's not about trying to educate people out of it because for them, it feels true. They've experienced that scarcity. You cannot manipulate people's will. But you can manipulate or design the environment so that scarcity isn't important.
What I do is help build skills in others that I've learned from traditional communities, Indigenous villages or observing kids in nature.
I just tell people, "Let's play." And through games and playful activities, we create a field of trust, of safety, of love and empathy. And people wind up wanting to give more and more.
When you create abundance of connection, abundance of possibility, people sense it right away. It doesn't matter if for 30 or 40 years they were living in scarcity. When our biology finds an abundance of love, connection and an acceptance that we can be ourselves, people flourish within minutes.
How do you create this abundance through your organization Livelab?
Collective intelligence and collective action are way more powerful than a traditional pyramid or hierarchy. We're trying to tune back into a community's power to bring people together.
And we do that through this guiding question: What if building the world of our dreams could be fast, free, fun and fantastic?
If you think about inviting the whole world to take on a big global challenge, the United Nations can't do that. But the Olympic Games can. The World Cup can. We have so much knowledge, especially in Indigenous communities, about how to treat the environment and how to build connections among thousands of people.
If you can create a challenge where you invite all of humanity to join a journey that's fast, free, fun and fantastic, everybody is going to join — kids and elders alike. I've done it locally, regionally and nationally. But to take on climate change, we need to go global.
Describe your vision for the global game you're building.
It's called "Jornada X" in Portuguese, or "X Journey" in English. And the idea is to save the planet — a forest, a piece of a neighborhood — one block at a time.
It starts with young people. They receive a call that's like a Matrix video that says, "Humanity isn't doing well. Society is violent and nature is dying. But you are one of a group of special kids with superpowers — things like love, helping others, strength, and friendship. In this game, in this journey, you have to awaken and release your superpower.
But here's the key — it has to be a collective superpower. They have to call at least three more friends and convince them to form a team. And anyone who joins that league gets the superpower as well. Kids love playing superheroes as a team.
As soon as they sign up, the team starts to receive missions. For instance, we might say, "Look at your neighborhood around you. What pisses you off about your neighborhood? What's wrong?" Kids and teenagers are all about criticizing. So they choose something like not having trees or having a dirty river or kids not being safe.
And the idea is that by the end of seven weeks, they have to find a solution and build it alongside their community. They don't know how to begin, but they try.
We tell them that the whole neighborhood is their game board. We explain that everything that they need to solve the problem is there in their community. So they have to find the local experts, the local materials, the local organizational patterns.
And eventually, they come up with something... like planting trees or cleaning gardens or cleaning the river.
How does the broader community get involved?
The next mission might be to find allies in your neighborhood — people who know about the problem you're trying to tackle. We ask the young people to choose the best three experts, tell them about the problem they're trying to solve and ask them to share the story of their lives. That's a trick to create connection.
These allies have the wisdom but they sometimes feel stuck and that they can't do anything. But when kids go to them, it energizes them.
Soon, we ask the kids to mobilize the support of as many adults as possible to get them involved in the hands-on work of their solution.
And when the community sees kids healing their neighborhood, they come together and say, "There's something meaningful here. We need to be part of it. We've been waiting for the government or companies to support us, but we are the people who can act to restore our neighborhood."
By belonging to a group that we love and that's doing good in the world — these are ways of energizing our collective power, our collective meaning. When you do some good, you feel like you have an identity. Your neighbor says, "Amazing. How can I support you?" You feel appreciated and so you want to do more.
By playing the game, we strengthen our personal and collective portions of confidence, joy, and willingness to do good.
You really think this could work?
Well, kids play war games all the time. They collaborate to kill people. It's not that they like death, but they want to have this kind of adrenaline. What could be more exciting? My answer is saving the planet in a way that adults haven't been able to.
Our global game is a way to get communities to come together and use hands-on actions to restore the environment. By doing that, they reconnect with nature, reconnect with society and they want to do more. They dance together, they celebrate together, they share food, and it's fun. It restores community.
We've been testing it in Brazil and over 15 countries. And the kids are telling us they want to build this huge network across the planet.
So it's coming. It's coming.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-07-09T11:36:34+00:00 | lakeshorepublicmedia.org | https://www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org/npr-news/2023-07-09/why-a-game-in-which-you-look-for-a-real-live-pink-elephant-could-help-save-the-world |
Florida man gets 4 years, 9 months for attacking officer at US Capitol insurrection
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Florida man was sentenced Friday to four years and nine months in federal prison for storming the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and attacking a police officer.
Mason Joel Courson, 27, of Tamarac, Florida, was sentenced in District of Columbia federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in November to assaulting, resisting or impeding a law enforcement officer with a dangerous weapon. The judge also ordered three years of supervised release and restitution of $2,000.
Courson was arrested in South Florida in December 2021.
According to court documents, Courson joined with others objecting to Democratic President Joe Biden’s election victory over former Republican President Donald Trump. A mob attacked the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying election results, authorities said. Five people died in the violence.
According to an indictment, Courson participated in an assault of a Metropolitan Police Department officer who was beaten by a group armed with a baton, flagpole and crutch. Earlier that afternoon, Courson participated in “heave-ho” efforts to advance into the Capitol in the area of the Lower West Terrace tunnel leading into the building, officials said.
More than 1,000 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for alleged crimes related to the Capitol breach, officials said. More than 350 people have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-16T20:25:17+00:00 | wfsb.com | https://www.wfsb.com/2023/06/16/florida-man-gets-4-years-9-months-attacking-officer-us-capitol-insurrection/ |
Jury finds former Butler player Carlos "Scooby" Johnson not guilty of sexual battery
Editor’s note: This article includes descriptions of sexual assault. If you have experienced sexual violence, or know someone who has, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Carlos “Scooby” Johnson, a former Butler basketball player, was found not guilty of sexual battery to conclude a four-day jury trial Thursday.
Two rape charges filed against Johnson were dismissed before the trial began Monday. He was accused of raping a woman in a Butler University dormitory Feb. 4, 2021, according to a probable cause affidavit filed for his arrest.
From Monday:Rape charges dismissed against former Butler player, trial begins on remaining offense
Johnson wiped tears from his eyes and embraced family members after the not-guilty verdict was read in the courtroom. LaVall Jordan, ex-head basketball coach at Butler University, watched from the gallery then embraced his former player.
An investigation began when police responded to an early morning call that a woman had been raped. Officers found the woman naked and bleeding in her bathroom. She told them a man nicknamed "Scooby" raped her after she fell asleep on a bed in his dorm room, the affidavit for Johnson arrest stated.
The woman is not being identified by IndyStar, per reporting guidelines.
Johnson, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, is now 21. He was Michigan’s Mr. Basketball in 2020 but did not play during his freshman season at Butler after knee surgery.
Johnson’s arrest came seven months after the investigation began. Using DNA analysis, blood inside Johnson’s boxers was determined to be blood from the woman who said Johnson had raped her, according to the affidavit.
Johnson’s defense team told jurors the woman’s injuries could have occurred during consensual sex and that testimony from a forensic nurse backed that claim.
Why were the rape charges filed against Carlos “Scooby” Johnson dismissed?
Richie Hailey, one of Johnson’s defense attorneys, spoke briefly about the dismissal of the two rape charges before the trial began.
Previous coverageWhy 7 months passed between Butler basketball Scooby Johnson's alleged rape and his arrest
"When you read that probable cause affidavit..., which is based on unsworn testimony just the police officer interviewing her, and then you look at the sworn testimony it's not even the same case,” Hailey said. “That's why the charges were dismissed."
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed the motion to dismiss the charges on Monday and the motion was approved by the judge in the case on Tuesday.
Johnson faces trial on sexual battery charge
To convict Johnson of the sexual battery charge, jurors had to find that he touched the woman’s genitals or breasts and that she was unaware of the touching, said Zachary Szilagyi of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
"If you believe beyond a reasonable doubt that (the woman) woke up to the defendant touching her breasts, we're there,” Szilagyi said.
Johnson took advantage of the woman while she was under the influence of alcohol and asleep, Szilagyi told jurors.
Johnson's defense team questioned the woman’s credibility throughout the trial and pointed to a deposition from last year where she stated she could not recall most of the details from the night she encountered Johnson.
The woman took the witness stand and testified for close to 5.5 hours. She recalled details of the night outlined in the original probable cause affidavit for Johnson’s arrest, including that she had entered Johnson’s room willingly, fell asleep on his bed then was raped.
During cross-examination of the woman, Hailey questioned why she said she did not recall what happened that night in response to most questions during the deposition last year.
"They’re not new memories,” the woman said. “Because I try every day to forget everything that happened February 3rd and 4th.”
During closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors defended the woman’s credibility and showed jurors photos of her bloody underwear along with photos of blood stains on Johnson’s boxers.
“The defendant knew that she was not in a state to consent,” said Anastasia Huss, of the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. “She could not consent to sexual activity. The defendant knew that. He said so himself... That is criminal.”
Johnson’s attorneys pointed to testimony from the woman’s friends while questioning her credibility during closing arguments.
“Her friend group came in here and told you she lies, and she exaggerates,” Hailey said. “The problem without getting into the details with (the woman's story) is it's not one story... It's multiple stories over time.”
Prosecutors stated the woman had been ostracized and left Butler University since she told police Johnson raped her. The woman had nothing to gain from testifying in court and telling jurors what happened to her, Szilagyi said.
“She's no longer a victim,” Szilagyi said. “She's now a survivor."
Hailey concluded the defense team's closing argument by asking jurors to consider the future.
"Be comfortable that you are willing to make a decision like this that will affect a party for the rest of their life and the rest of your life," Hailey said. "This experience will never leave you. Your decision, you will have to be comfortable and at peace with forever."
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19. | 2023-04-13T19:41:19+00:00 | indystar.com | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2023/04/13/jury-finds-former-butler-player-carlos-scooby-johnson-not-guilty-sexual-battery/70104815007/ |
HONG KONG — In a January 20 story about a boarding kennel for rabbits in Hong Kong, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the rabbits were provided with “lots of carrots.” The rabbits were provided with plenty of hay.
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Share | 2023-01-22T15:13:26+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/correction-hong-kong-pet-rabbits-enjoy-bunny-resort-story/2023/01/22/e7df6a44-9a5f-11ed-93e0-38551e88239c_story.html |
Apple Music to sponsor Super Bowl halftime show replacing Pepsi
This season's Super Bowl halftime show will have a new sponsor.
The National Football League announced on Thursday that Apple Music is the new partner for the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
The multi-year partnership will begin with Super Bowl LVII, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.
"We are proud to welcome Apple Music to the NFL family as our new partner for the iconic Super Bowl Halftime Show," SVP of Partner Strategy for the NFL Nana-Yaw Asamoah said in a statement. "We couldn't think of a more appropriate partner for the world's most-watched musical performance than Apple Music, a service that entertains, inspires, and motivates millions of people around the world through the intersection of music and technology."
SUPER BOWL WAGERS RISE TO RECORDS AS ONLINE SPORTS BETTING SWEEPS US
Exclusive details and sneak peeks leading up to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show will be seen by following @AppleMusic on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.
"Music and sports hold a special place in our hearts, so we're very excited Apple Music will be part of music and football's biggest stage," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and Beats. "We're looking forward to even more epic performances next year and beyond with the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show."
KIA'S CUTE ROBOT DOG WON THE SUPER BOWL OF CAR COMMERCIALS
Over 120 million viewers watched The Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show live earlier this year, which featured a lineup of trailblazing musicians, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar.
Dr. Dre performs in the Pepsi Halftime Show during the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Pepsi had been the halftime show sponsor for the last ten years and announced in May that it would not return as sponsor, according to Variety.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
Past Super Bowl Halftime Show performances include The Weeknd, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Prince, Madonna and more. | 2022-09-23T14:42:21+00:00 | fox10phoenix.com | https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/apple-music-to-sponsor-super-bowl-halftime-show-replacing-pepsi |
JACKSON, MI – Jackson has changed over the years, but one thing that’s remained the same are the Coney dogs at Jackson Coney Island.
According to Jackson history, Jackson Coney Island began in 1914 under the guidance of the city’s legendary Coney godfather George Todoroff at 615 E. Michigan Ave.
Related: Peek Through Time: 100 years of humble hot dogs covered in chili marks Jackson Coney Island history
The restaurant has been under many different owners since then, with current owner Dave Griffus taking over in 2014, Manager Brittany Craig said. Through the years and different owners, though, the atmosphere, style and recipes have stayed the same, she said.
“It makes us feel good that we can keep that same tradition going and people can come in here and still get that,” Craig said. “I had a guy come in about a month and a half ago and he’s like, ‘I haven’t been here in 40 some years, I hope they taste the same.’ And they still taste the same.”
Since its opening, the restaurant has been home to thousands of stories and memories, including birthdays, engagements and family gatherings, she said.
“People came here with their grandparents, so they continue to come here,” Craig said. “It’s just so many memories – and some people have certain booths like they’ll wait to sit in because it’s just always their booth.”
Jackson Coney Island still uses the original recipe for its Coney dog sauce, including using beef heart, because “anything else is just a chili dog,” Craig said.
While the Coney dog steals the show at the restaurant, the rest of the menu should not be overlooked. A variety of hotdogs, sandwiches, soups, wraps, salads and burgers can be found on the menu, along with some breakfast options, like biscuits and gravy and corned beef hash.
The ‘Ridiculously Good Italian’ grinder also lives up to its name, Craig said. It’s stacked with salami, pepperoni, ham, banana peppers, red onion, lettuce, tomato, Italian dressing and provolone cheese.
Jackson Coney Island is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
More information can be found on Jackson Coney Island’s website and Facebook page.
MORE JACKSON-AREA LOCAL EATS:
Michigan’s Best Local Eats: The bourbon caramel latte is a star at Trail Head Coffee Shop
Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Same great crepes can be found at City Crepes new location
Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Ogma’s Polish Fried Rice combines hibachi and Polish cuisine
Michigan’s Best Local Eats: The burgers at Albion Malleable Brewing Co. helped put it on the map
Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Cold beer and a great grinder can be found at Duffy’s in Jackson
Michigan’s Best Local Eats: The chocolates at Yellow Bird Chocolate Shop are ‘Better Than Pie’ | 2023-01-21T15:10:41+00:00 | mlive.com | https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2023/01/michigans-best-local-eats-take-a-bite-of-history-and-tradition-at-jackson-coney-island.html |
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - There is some good news if you are planning to hit the roads this Thanksgiving weekend!
Gas prices are continuing to go down throughout the Wabash Valley.
We are now consistently under the $4.00 mark.
As of Wednesday, the average price for a gallon of gas in Indiana is $3.76. And in Illinois, that price is $3.94.
After a record-breaking summer of prices, experts with GasBuddy say it's relieving to finally see this declining trend leading up to the holidays.
"I think its been a nauseating year and a heck of a rollercoaster ride with all of the ups and downs," Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis with GasBuddy, said. "I think 2022 is going to be one for the books, and I hope next year we will not be setting new records like we did this year."
De Haan says this declining price trend we're seeing now should continue for the next several weeks. | 2022-11-23T22:51:23+00:00 | wthitv.com | https://www.wthitv.com/news/gas-prices-continue-to-decline-going-into-the-holiday-weekend/article_93047d1e-6b7c-11ed-863a-6722529ccac4.html |
A new NPR/Ipsos poll shows that big numbers of Americans believe incorrectly that "most" of the fentanyl entering the U.S. is smuggled by migrants. It's not the only misleading claim getting traction.
Copyright 2022 NPR
A new NPR/Ipsos poll shows that big numbers of Americans believe incorrectly that "most" of the fentanyl entering the U.S. is smuggled by migrants. It's not the only misleading claim getting traction.
Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-08-18T21:41:00+00:00 | upr.org | https://www.upr.org/2022-08-18/many-americans-falsely-think-migrants-are-bringing-most-of-the-fentanyl-entering-u-s |
The Milwaukee Brewers, who have taken a dip downward, aim to start breaking out of their funk when they host the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night in the opener of a two-game series.
The Brewers have dropped six of their past seven games to fall out of first place in the National League Central. They are 1-5 since trading long-time closer Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres.
Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes doesn’t think pinning his club’s troubles on a trade is the right way to go.
“That’s the easy route, to make excuses for the way we played this last weekend and blame it on someone else,” Burnes said of the Brewers dropping two of three to the Cincinnati Reds. “But we’ve got to point the fingers at ourselves here. Get back on track. Play better baseball.”
Milwaukee’s slump occurred while the St. Louis Cardinals were winning seven straight games to take over first place in the division. The Brewers stand fourth in the NL wild-card standings, and only the top three finishers will earn a playoff spot. Milwaukee has reached the postseason in each of the past four seasons.
The Rays currently possess one of the American League’s three wild-card spots and recently broke out of their own slump.
Tampa Bay has won four of its past five games after dropping eight of its previous 10.
The Rays took three of four in Detroit to start a six-game trip. They were blanked for 8 2/3 innings on Sunday before scoring seven runs in the ninth for a 7-0 win over the Tigers. The first two runs of the inning crossed on bases-loaded walks.
“When you go up there in the ninth inning of a scoreless game, your first impulse is to do something big,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said postgame. “It isn’t easy to still have the patience to lay off close pitches, but that’s what we were able to do. That turned into a fun inning.”
Brandon Lowe added a two-run single, Randy Arozarena delivered a two-run double and Roman Quinn had an RBI single to finish off the outburst.
“I think we’re taking better at-bats with guys on base,” Lowe said. “I think we’re really starting to play some really good Rays baseball.”
Tampa Bay was swept in a two-game home series against the Brewers in late June, falling 5-3 in each contest. The since-departed Hader got the save for Milwaukee in both games.
Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who starts Tuesday, returned from a right ankle injury that sidelined him a month to strike out 10 in five innings against Tampa Bay on June 28. He allowed one run, two hits and no walks while improving to 2-0 with an 0.79 ERA in two career starts against the Rays.
Woodruff (9-3, 3.49 ERA) is unbeaten since his return, going 4-0 with a 2.18 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings over seven starts.
In his last outing, the two-time All-Star allowed three runs (two earned) and eight hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
The Rays will go with right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis (1-1, 9.00 ERA) as their opener on Tuesday, with left-hander Ryan Yarbrough expected to work the bulk of the innings, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Yacabonis, claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Thursday, will be making his second appearance for the Rays. He has one career appearance against the Brewers, giving up one run over 3 1/3 innings in 2017 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles.
–Field Level Media | 2022-08-09T23:40:27+00:00 | kdvr.com | https://kdvr.com/sports/baseball-championship/brewers-face-rays-in-midst-of-post-deadline-funk/ |
US Defense Secretary Austin meets with Papua New Guinea leaders about boosting security ties
Jul 26, 2023, 10:47 PM | Updated: 11:22 pm
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Papua New Guinea leaders on Thursday to discuss developing the Pacific Island nation’s military strength and deepening security ties, as the United States competes with China for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Austin is the first U.S. defense secretary to visit the nation of 10 million people that was fiercely fought over during World War II and is gaining strategic importance in the U.S. struggle against Beijing.
The retired four-star general met with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape and discussed implementing the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the capital, Port Moresby, in May.
Blinken had stepped in for Joe Biden, who was to become the first U.S. president to visit Papua New Guinea but canceled to deal with the then-unresolved debt crisis in Washington, D.C.
Austin said the United States was “not seeking permanent basing” on Papua New Guinea but would help the country expand its military capability, modernize its forces and increase their interoperability with the U.S. military.
“The Indo-Pacific is our priority theater and partnerships like ours are critical to keeping this vital region free and open,” Austin told reporters in Port Moresby.
The United States has increased its diplomatic focus on the Pacific since China signed a security pact last year with Papua New Guinea’s neighbor, Solomon Islands.
Marape ruled out forging a bilateral security agreement with Beijing, saying Papua New Guinea’s relationship with China would remain economic.
The Chinese “have not made any request to us for military relationships,” Marape said.
Marape added that the Chinese government through its embassy in Papua New Guinea said it had “no issue whatsoever with us signing the DCA with the U.S.A.”
The signing of that agreement sparked student protests in Papua New Guinea’s second-largest city, Lae. Many in the Pacific are concerned about the increasing militarization of the region.
Marape said that U.S. Defense Department officials would visit Lae in September to plan upgrading infrastructure. Papua New Guinea wants fuel storage facilities and energy security to receive priority in a 15-year infrastructure plan.
Austin said Papua New Guinea would be provided with a U.S. Coast Guard cutter next month to help enforce maritime law.
Marape said his people were “hypersensitive” to the possibility the U.S. could wage war against China from Papua New Guinea. He added that the U.S. does not need Papua New Guinea “to be a launching pad for any offense anywhere else in the world.”
“I want to give assurance to everyone here, including our friends from Asia, that this is not about setting up for war. Rather, it’s about setting up presence for nation-building in Papua New Guinea and this part of Planet Earth and in the Pacific,” he added.
Austin and Blinken traveled to Brisbane, Australia, for annual bilateral talks on Friday and Saturday with their Australian counterparts.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would also meet the two Americans on Friday. | 2023-07-27T10:34:14+00:00 | mynorthwest.com | https://mynorthwest.com/3913829/us-defense-secretary-austin-meets-with-papua-new-guinea-leaders-about-boosting-security-ties/ |
Ukraine to face Wales for World Cup berth, Date with U.S. in November originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Ukraine defeated Scotland, 3-1, to advance to play Wales on Sunday for a berth in the World Cup, where the winning team will eventually face the United States.
In the Ukrainian men's national team's first match since Russia invaded Ukraine more than three months ago, their victory provides a symbolic boost. Ukraine led the match 2-0 before Scotland could even attempt to catch up. Scotland did score one goal in the midst of the second half, but Ukraine came out stronger and finished the match 3-1.
During the 2022 World Cup draw, which took place in April, the United States men’s national team was drawn into Group B, along with England, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the European playoff winner. The U.S. opponent is now narrowed down to Ukraine or Wales.
Who will be playing Wales in the European playoff final?
Scotland and Ukraine put their World Cup potential on the line during the playoff semifinal on Wednesday afternoon, with Ukraine taking home the win.
Considering the recent events taking place in Ukraine, it was inevitable that Ukraine would be rooted as the favorite. Ukrainian players came out draped in their country’s flag:
Andriy Yarmolenko gave Ukraine the lead with a goal in the 33rd minute:
Local
Ukraine’s lead increased to 2-0 at the start of the second half, after Roman Yaremchuk’s goal off of a header:
Scotland’s Callum McGregor scored later in the second half with a long kick that barely crossed the line:
Ukraine's players showed no rust after a six-month hiatus, finishing with one final goal in extra time, upping the score to 3-1, and qualifying them to battle Wales this Sunday.
When was the last time each of these men’s national teams made the World Cup?
The USMNT has never won a FIFA World Cup. Of their 10 appearances, the United States’ best performance was during their first appearance in 1930 when they placed third. The USMNT did not qualify for the 2018 competition, marking the first time they hadn’t qualified since 1986.
The Scotland national football team has participated in eight World Cups, including five consecutive appearances from 1974 to 1990. Their last appearance was in 1998. Scotland has never advanced beyond the group stage.
Ukraine has only appeared in one other FIFA World Cup. At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Ukraine advanced to the quarterfinals and finished eighth overall.
Wales has also only appeared in one World Cup, back in 1958. They lost to Brazil in the quarterfinals, with a then-17-year-old Pelé scoring his first-ever international goal.
Why were the games postponed until after the 2022 World Cup draw?
After Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, the Ukrainian football authorities made a request to FIFA to put off the game originally scheduled for March 24. FIFA conversed with the Scottish Football Association to confirm the request, which actually ended up kickstarting a fundraising game for Ukraine. To support their World Cup playoff opponents, the SFA gave a portion of each ticket sold for that game to UNICEF’s humanitarian response efforts.
On March 8, FIFA rescheduled the Scotland-Ukraine match for June 1.
Why do Scotland and Wales compete as separate countries in the World Cup?
Scotland and Wales – along with England and Northern Ireland – are part of the United Kingdom, yet are able to field their own entries in the World Cup. Those national teams already had a decades-long tradition of facing one another by the time FIFA was formed in 1904. They have continued to count as separate countries in FIFA and UEFA competitions ever since, although the United Kingdom is only allowed one entry in the Olympic Games.
Which game should we be watching next?
The winner of Ukraine and Wales will play at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 5. This game will determine the USMNT’s first World Cup opponent. | 2022-06-01T23:01:27+00:00 | nbcchicago.com | https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/ukraine-to-face-wales-for-world-cup-berth-date-with-u-s-in-november/2847390/ |
In 2022, we traveled all over the country chronicling the transformation of regional theater, we reported a series on Latinos in Hollywood, we celebrated your family recipes, and we brought you hundreds of recommendations for the year's best books and movies. Now, as we head into 2023, we take a look back at our favorite stories of the year:
Bob Woodward recounts the Watergate story in an art museum
"I loved doing every part of this story for the 50th anniversary of the Watergate break-in. National Portrait Gallery exhibited political cartoons of the day. I invited Bob Woodward (he and Carl Bernstein broke the Watergate story in The Washington Post) to see it with me. He told marvelous stories and gossip of the day. When we finished, museum visitors who'd gathered to listen burst into applause." — Susan Stamberg, special correspondent
For this 89-year-old Gullah Geechee chef, cooking is about heart
"I was so excited to travel to South Carolina in May to do a whole suite of stories to share with our audience. The most memorable time I spent there was in the kitchen of the matriarch of Edisto Island, Ms. Emily Meggett, who published her first cookbook at age 89. As a Gullah Geechee woman, Ms. Emily has a remarkable family history and she is a wonderful cook – but more than that, her sweet, wise heart just shines through. I was incredibly moved by the grace and kindness of this lady who keeps her kitchen door open to feed whoever needs a meal. As she told me about her recipes, "A lot of times, we has a treasure in our head. And we will die and go to heaven, and take that treasury with us. And why can't we just share it with somebody else here?" After our story aired, many folks told me how much it meant to them to hear Ms. Emily's voice on our airwaves. I couldn't agree more." — Anastasia Tsioulcas, correspondent
'The Godfather' bridged old and new Hollywood to save American moviegoing
"With all those great lines – "leave the gun take the cannoli," "Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes" – and industry-altering controversies to explain, the story of the birth of the modern gangster epic was always going to be fun to construct. And when I realized that we are finally in an era when there's NPR tape of what happened 50 years ago (the network started broadcasting in 1971), it became an offer I couldn't refuse." — Bob Mondello, film critic
The Latinos in Hollywood series
My passion project, a five-part "Latinos in Hollywood" series, took me to Dolores Del Río's Hollywood mansion, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Warner Bros. lot, Comic-Con in San Diego, the The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and more. I interviewed Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, Rosie Perez, Xochitl Gomez, Xolo Maridueña, Edward James Olmos, Germaine Franco, Camilo Lara and many filmmakers. My stories also included Rita Moreno, John Leguizamo, Lalo Schifrin, Gustavo Santaolalla and Lin-Manuel Miranda. I highlighted Latino film legends, superheroes, composers and movie business powerhouses, and I got to tell the story of the 1932 Spanish language version of Dracula. I had so much fun and got such great responses, that I'm planning on doing a follow-up series soon, "Latinos on TV/streaming"! — Mandalit del Barco, correspondent
Street Symphony plays in harmony with Skid Row's 'sacred spaces'
My favorite kind of arts story is one that's also about politics, science, public health — a story illustrating in a surprising way how the arts truly benefit and grapple with the world. And that's how I ended up at a 12-step recovery center on Skid Row, recording the youngest violinist ever to join the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Now Vijay Gupta runs an organization that brings music to unhoused and formerly incarcerated people in Los Angeles. NPR is one of the only places that still pays meaningful attention to classical music, and its mission is in some ways similar to Street Symphony's: to encourage active constructive participation, to exploit the potential of live interconnection and to advance the enjoyment of sound. Lofty goals aside, I sobbed through much of this story while working on it. Not because it was sad, but because I was so moved by the zeal, strength and generosity of the people in it. — Neda Ulaby, correspondent
Should Will Smith have been allowed to collect an Oscar after he slapped Chris Rock?
"Before Will Smith's slap of Chris Rock at the Oscars launched 10,000 takes, I got a column up hours after the broadcast ended outlining all the anger and disappointment I felt seeing one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars betray himself, his fans and every viewer of the show. I hadn't planned to write anything beforehand; I was just live-tweeting the ceremony and was aghast at how the show's producers rolled over for Smith after he struck Rock. Chief culture editor Nick Charles, who had been watching my Twitter feed, called me after the show ended and just said: "You gotta write something, right?" Of course, he was right. So I used my tweets as a template for a column that combined things I remembered from reviewing Rock's turn hosting the Oscars in 2016 with my own thoughts and feedback from others online." — Eric Deggans, TV critic
Abraham Galloway is the Black figure from the Civil War you should know about
I've wanted to tell the story of Abraham Galloway for almost 10 years, ever since the late Civil War historian Hari Jones told me, "Galloway is like the super-secret agent who travels from North Carolina to the Mississippi River Valley ... gets captured by the Confederates, escapes, takes on two, three men at one time. He's that kind of a guy, but he's almost unbelievable because he's been left out of the narrative for so long." It was thrilling to see our story resonate with the NPR audience, including attorney Ben Crump who Tweeted "POWERFUL! ... This groundbreaking figure has largely been left out of our history books!" — Elizabeth Blair, senior producer/reporter
Kate Beaton's new graphic memoir is about the dark type of job you take for money
"After I finished reading Kate Beaton's book Ducks I knew I had to get Beaton in for an interview. In the book, she expertly weaves through the thorny politics of having to work a crappy job for a company that is causing tangible harm to people, without condescending to the people working those jobs. And in the interview, she was all the more sensitive and thoughtful to the issues. It was just one of those conversations that I'll keep in the special file folder tucked away in my brain that I'll be mulling on for years to come." — Andrew Limbong, reporter
Mystery recordings will now be heard for the first time in about 100 years
"I didn't know what to expect when I went to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts to report this story. The library had speculated – had hoped – that perhaps on one of these unlabeled wax cylinders would be home recordings from the late 1800s. But they didn't know for sure. And what was actually on it was a surprise to everyone. Even more of a surprise was that the story – which I thought of as primarily an audio story – actually wound up being popular online. It was recounted in the Smithsonian magazine, Inside Edition's website and Atlas Obscura, and I heard from long-ago friends who now lived in Singapore, France, and all over the country that it had popped up in their newsfeeds. Most exciting, though, is that the library says it lead to one of their "most important recent acquisitions," after the grandson of Lionel Mapleson heard the story. — Jennifer Vanasco, editor and reporter
Send in the clones: Using artificial intelligence to digitally replicate human voices
"Talking machines like Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa, or a bank's automated customer service line, are now sounding quite human. Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, or AI, we've reached a point where it's sometimes difficult to distinguish synthetic voices from real ones. To report this story about our complex relationship with our ever-more-human-seeming personalities of our digital assistants, I decided to get my own voice cloned. It was an unexpectedly easy process, which both shocked and delighted me. The resulting story weaves this process of creating my digital voice double, "Chloney," in and out of details about the history and development of talking machines and the ethical implications of these advances." — Chloe Veltman, correspondent
Grateful Dead's Bob Weir took the stage with the National Symphony Orchestra
Tío Felix and I share a lot of common interests, but none quite like the Grateful Dead. It's a constant source of conversation and Slack banter between us, so when we heard Bob Weir would be in town to turn the Dead's discography into symphonic arrangements, we knew we had to ask him and composer Giancarlo Aquilanti about the project. Working on this piece transformed my view of music I already loved, and demonstrated that two completely different worlds (of the classical and jam band variety) could come together for something so strangely cohesive — which is why a rock n' roll legend like Weir has chosen the orchestra as the final frontier of his musical career. — Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, Associate Producer
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-12-26T13:48:11+00:00 | nprillinois.org | https://www.nprillinois.org/2022-12-26/the-npr-culture-desk-shares-our-favorite-stories-of-2022 |
Florida vs. Wake Forest Women's Basketball Predictions & Picks - March 20
Published: Mar. 17, 2023 at 3:43 AM EDT|Updated: 3 hours ago
Monday's game between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (17-16) and the Florida Gators (17-14) at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum has a projected final score of 68-61 based on our computer prediction, with a favored Wake Forest squad securing the victory. Game time is at TBA on March 20.
The Gators head into this matchup after a 66-63 win over Wofford on Thursday.
Florida vs. Wake Forest Game Info
- When: Monday, March 20, 2023
- Where: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Use this link to get a free trial of fuboTV, where you can watch college hoops and other live sports without cable!
Florida vs. Wake Forest Score Prediction
- Prediction: Wake Forest 68, Florida 61
Florida Schedule Analysis
- When the Gators defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, the No. 43 team in our computer rankings, by a score of 81-77 on February 23, it was their season's signature victory.
- Against Quadrant 1 teams, the Gators are 2-9 (.182%) -- tied for the 48th-most wins, but also tied for the 36th-most defeats.
- When facing Quadrant 2 teams, Florida is 4-4 (.500%) -- tied for the 43rd-most victories.
Florida 2022-23 Best Wins
- 81-77 at home over Alabama (No. 43) on February 23
- 76-73 on the road over Miami (FL) (No. 52) on December 11
- 61-52 over Green Bay (No. 57) on November 24
- 61-52 on the road over Missouri (No. 70) on February 26
- 77-73 over Houston (No. 73) on November 26
Watch college hoops all season on all your devices without cable with a seven-day free trial on fuboTV!
Florida Performance Insights
- The Gators have a +8 scoring differential, putting up 69.0 points per game (107th in college basketball) and giving up 68.7 (286th in college basketball).
- Florida has averaged 5.1 fewer points in SEC games (63.9) than overall (69.0).
- The Gators score 74.3 points per game at home, and 61.5 on the road.
- Florida gives up 64.4 points per game at home, and 73.5 on the road.
- The Gators are posting 61.4 points per game in their previous 10 games, which is 7.6 fewer points than their average for the season (69.0).
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-17T18:32:01+00:00 | wcjb.com | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/03/20/florida-wake-forest-womens-college-basketball-picks-predictions/ |
During Ramadan, Muslims opt for pre-dawn comfort food Published March 29, 2023 at 3:14 AM MDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 1:37 For some observing Ramadan, 24-hour diners make a good option for a pre-dawn meal. Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-03-29T14:52:27+00:00 | upr.org | https://www.upr.org/2023-03-29/during-ramadan-muslims-opt-for-pre-dawn-comfort-food |
Edward Olivares Player Prop Bets: Royals vs. Twins - April 1
Published: Apr. 1, 2023 at 9:24 AM CDT|Updated: 55 minutes ago
On Saturday, Edward Olivares (on the back of going 0-for-2) and the Kansas City Royals face the Minnesota Twins, whose starting pitcher will be Sonny Gray. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.
In his previous game he had a hitless showing (0-for-2) against the Twins.
Edward Olivares Game Info & Props vs. the Twins
- Game Day: Saturday, April 1, 2023
- Game Time: 4:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Kauffman Stadium
- Live Stream: Watch this game on fuboTV!
- Twins Starter: Sonny Gray
- TV Channel: BSKC
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -149)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +950)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +300)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +200)
Looking to place a prop bet on Edward Olivares? Check out what's available at BetMGM and sign up with this link!
Edward Olivares At The Plate (2022)
- Olivares hit .286 with eight doubles, four home runs and 10 walks.
- Olivares had a hit in 31 of 53 games last season, with multiple hits in 11 of those games.
- In three of 53 games last year, he left the yard (5.7%). He went deep in 2.3% of his trips to the dish in 2022.
- Olivares picked up an RBI in 13 of 53 games last season (24.5%), including two games with multiple RBIs.
- He scored a run in 19 of 53 games last year (35.8%), including four multi-run games (7.5%).
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Edward Olivares Home/Away Batting Splits (2022)
Twins Pitching Rankings (2022)
- The 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Twins pitching staff last season ranked 20th in the big leagues.
- The Twins had a 3.98 team ERA that ranked 19th among all MLB pitching staffs.
- Twins pitchers combined to give up 184 total home runs last year (1.1 per game). That ranked 21st in baseball.
- Gray will take the mound to start for the Twins, his first of the season.
- The 33-year-old right-hander started and threw two innings when he last appeared on Monday, Sept. 19 against the Cleveland Guardians.
- Last season he finished with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.128 WHIP over his 24 games, compiling an 8-5 record.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-01T15:19:33+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/sports/betting/2023/04/01/edward-olivares-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Lance Reddick, a character actor who specialized in intense, icy and possibly sinister authority figures on TV and film, including “The Wire,” @Fringe” and the “John Wick” franchise, has died. He was 60. Reddick was often put in a suit or a crisp uniform during his career, playing tall taciturn and elegant men of distinction. He was best known for his role as straight-laced Lt. Cedric Daniels on the hit HBO series “The Wire,” where his character was agonizingly trapped in the messy politics of the Baltimore police department. He earned a SAG Award nomination in 2021 as part of the ensemble for Regina King’s film “One Night in Miami.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Lance Reddick, a character actor who specialized in intense, icy and possibly sinister authority figures on TV and film, including “The Wire,” “Fringe” and the “John Wick” franchise, has died. He was 60.
Reddick died “suddenly” Friday morning, his publicist Mia Hansen said in a statement, attributing his death to natural causes. His death was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.com.
Reddick was often put in a suit or a crisp uniform during his career, playing tall taciturn and elegant men of distinction. He was best known for his role as straight-laced Lt. Cedric Daniels on the hit HBO series “The Wire,” where his character was agonizingly trapped in the messy politics of the Baltimore police department.
“I’m an artist at heart. I feel that I’m very good at what I do. When I went to drama school, I knew I was at least as talented as other students, but because I was a Black man and I wasn’t pretty, I knew I would have to work my butt off to be the best that I would be, and to be noticed,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 2009.
Reddick also starred on the Fox series “Fringe” as a special agent Phillip Broyles, the smartly dressed Matthew Abaddon on “Lost” and played the multi-skilled Continental Hotel concierge Charon in the “John Wick” movies, including the fourth in the series opening this month
He earned a SAG Award nomination in 2021 as part of the ensemble for Regina King’s film “One Night in Miami.” Reddick played recurring roles on “Intelligence” and “American Horror Story” and was on the show “Bosch” for its seven-year run.
His upcoming projects include 20th Century’s remake of “White Men Can’t Jump” and “Shirley,” Netflix’s biopic of former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. He was also slated to appear in the “John Wick” spinoff “Ballerina,” as well as “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.”
The Baltimore-born-and-raised Reddick was a Yale University drama school graduate who enjoyed some success after school by landing guest or recurring roles “CSI: Miami” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He also appeared in several movies, including “I Dreamed of Africa,” “The Siege” and “Great Expectations.”
It was on season four of “Oz,” playing a doomed undercover officer sent to prison who becomes an addict, that Reddick had a career breakthrough.
“I was never interested in television. I always saw it as a means to an end. Like so many actors, I was only interested in doing theater and film. But ‘Oz’ changed television. It was the beginning of HBO’s reign on quality, edgy, artistic stuff. Stuff that harkens back to great cinema of the ‘60s and ‘70s,” he told The Associated Press in 2011.
“When the opportunity for ‘Oz’ came up, I jumped. And when I read the pilot for ‘The Wire,’ as a guy that never wanted to be on television, I realized I had to be on this show.”
Reddick attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music, where he studied classical composition, and he played piano. His first album, the jazzy “Contemplations and Remembrances,” came out in 2011.
Reddick had a recurring role as Jeffrey Tetazoo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, on CBS’ “Intelligence.” On “American Horror Story: Coven,” Reddick portrayed Papa Legba, the go-between between humanity and the spirit world.
Reddick is survived by his wife, Stephanie Reddick, and children, Yvonne Nicole Reddick and Christopher Reddick. | 2023-03-17T20:38:20+00:00 | pennlive.com | https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2023/03/lance-reddick-the-wire-and-john-wick-star-dies-at-60.html |
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup, Meijer is sponsoring two Adopt-a-Beach cleanup events on Sept. 17 and is encouraging public participation to help clean local beaches and keep plastic out of the Great Lakes.
"We're lucky to live in the beautiful Great Lakes, which is synonymous with summertime visits to the beach," said Erik Petrovskis, Director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability at Meijer. "But with that use comes the responsibility to protect them. We're proud to be hands-on in the cleaning of our beaches and encourage the public to join other volunteers from around the world that day at similar cleanup events."
The events will be conducted by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the region to protect the Great Lakes, at the following beaches:
- 9-11 a.m. at Traverse City State Park beach near downtown Traverse City, Mich.
- 9-11 a.m. at Headland Dunes State Park near Cleveland, Ohio
Those interested in participating in the beach cleanup events are encouraged to register in advance for the Traverse City event here and the Cleveland event here.
For more than 30 years, the Alliance's Adopt-a-Beach program has activated thousands of volunteers in cleanups across all five Great Lakes. They remove tens of thousands of pounds of litter, primarily plastic, from Great Lakes shorelines each year. This September, volunteers will help to surpass the Alliance's goal of collecting 500,000 pounds of litter since 2003, which is when the organization began tracking data.
"Adopt-a-Beach volunteers are on the frontlines of keeping plastic out of the Great Lakes. The data they collect shows that roughly 85 percent of the litter cleaned up are items made partly or entirely of plastic," Alliance for the Great Lakes President & CEO Joel Brammeier said. "September 17 is the single largest day of action for the Great Lakes each year. We're grateful to our volunteers and to Meijer for supporting this event and helping to keep our lakes clean and safe for everyone to enjoy."
Meijer began its partnership with the Alliance in 2019, sponsoring various beach cleanup events across its footprint.
It's the latest in a concerted effort the retailer is making to protect the Great Lakes and rid them of litter, specifically plastics. Earlier this month, Meijer was the first retailer to unveil innovative beach and water cleaning drones in the Great Lakes in partnership with the Council of the Great Lakes Region.
About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 262 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the "one-stop shopping" concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter at twitter.com/Meijer and twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.
About the Alliance for the Great Lakes: The Alliance for the Great Lakes is a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the region to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes. Learn more at www.greatlakes.org.
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SOURCE Meijer | 2022-09-02T14:16:45+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/09/02/meijer-expands-its-beach-cleanup-events-encourage-public-participation/ |
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Elections, coups, disease outbreaks and extreme weather are some of the main events that occurred across Africa in 2022.
Problems brewed thousands of miles away — climate change and the war in Ukraine — have been devastating to the continent, say experts.
The climate crisis is hitting Africa “first and hardest,” said Kevin Mugenya, a senior resilience and food security advisor for Africa at Mercy Corps, an international charity.
The continent of 54 countries and 1.3 billion people is facing “a catastrophic global food crisis” that “will worsen if actors do not act quickly,” Mugenya told The Associated Press.
With less than 1% of arable land equipped for irrigation in a continent that suffers one-third of global droughts, African farmers are exposed to erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and droughts, according to an International Monetary Fund policy paper.
The deadly effects of extreme weather conditions are amplified in the Horn of Africa. The worst drought in decades that has seen a fifth failed rainy season in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia is affecting about 40 million people, according to the United Nations.
In Nigeria, 1 million acres of farmland were submerged following the worst flooding in a decade that displaced more than 1.3 million people and destroyed crops that were already faltering in some areas due to prolonged conflict, said Mercy Corps.
Humanitarian support to Africa has dwindled as the war in Ukraine distracts key donors, according to aid agencies.
Donors reacted in “a timely and generous fashion — to Ukraine especially,” said the U.N refugee agency, in a September report. Half of the agency’s 12 “most important operations” that are struggling to get funding are in Africa, said the report.
Rising food prices due to the Ukraine war harshly affected sub-Saharan Africa, which imported 44% of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine between 2018 and 2020, according to U.N. figures.
On the political front, peaceful elections in Angola, Kenya, Lesotho and Senegal, were bright spots for Africa.
But armed conflict loomed large across the continent. Jihadi insurgencies plagued Somalia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Burkina Faso and Mali. The extremist violence threatened to spread to even more countries, especially in West Africa’s Sahel region.
Eastern Congo suffered violence by several armed militia, especially the M23 group. As insecurity worsened and the M23 rebels advanced to take some territory, including a major town in August, Congo and neighboring Rwanda threatened to go to war as each side accused the other of supporting armed groups in the mineral-rich region.
In Ethiopia, the continued presence in Eritrea of government-allied forces who are accused of some of the worst abuses in the two-year war between Ethiopian and regional Tigray forces, threatens a November peace deal to end a conflict that has been far deadlier than the one in Ukraine.
Burkina Faso’s two coups — the first in January and another in September — brought Russia’s involvement in the West African country under scrutiny. Within hours of the second coup, the head of Russia’s shadowy mercenary outfit, the Wagner Group, was among the first to congratulate the new junta leader.
Protesters waving Russian flags attacked the French Embassy and the French Institute in the capital, Ouagadougou. Many said they believed that Wagner mercenaries are better equipped to stop Burkina Faso’s jihadi violence than Western allies like France.
Wagner Group mercenaries already have established footholds for Russia in at least half a dozen African countries. These include the Central African Republic, Sudan and Mali, which is battling an insurgency similar to the one in Burkina Faso that has killed thousands and displaced some 2 million people. The Wagner Group has been accused of committing human rights abuses in Mali.
The deepening instability caused by Islamic extremist rebels in the Sahel has caused “massive population displacement” across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, according to the U.N.’s World Food Program. The insurgencies and coups have also heightened fears that democracy is backsliding in West Africa, say analysts.
The threat of the COVID-19 pandemic receded across the continent but not before exposing global inequalities in the distribution of vaccines.
After the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Uganda in September, the World Health Organization appealed for about $88 million to fight the re-emerging disease. But by November, the WHO said it had only received 20% of the amount.
An outbreak of mpox — formerly known as monkeypox — spread around the world. Vaccinations were available in rich, Western countries for the first time, but despite recording many deaths, poorer Africa was starved of the vaccines.
Africa’s improved capacity to fight disease outbreaks — largely built on the experience of battling COVID-19 — is providing some optimism ahead of 2023.
Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s Africa regional director, said at an online briefing on Dec. 11 that “the future, however difficult the past couple of years have been, will find us in a much better situation in terms of our strategies, our investments, and our capacities to confront public health threats.”
___
Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal and Cara Anna in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed. | 2022-12-17T07:27:28+00:00 | valleycentral.com | https://www.valleycentral.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-africa-has-peaceful-polls-in-2022-but-hit-by-coups-droughts/ |
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Some 2.5 tons of natural uranium stored in a site in war-torn Libya have gone missing, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Thursday, raising safety and proliferation concerns.
Natural uranium can't immediately be used for energy production or bomb fuel, as the enrichment process typically requires the metal to be converted into a gas, then later spun in centrifuges to reach the levels needed.
However, each ton of natural uranium — if obtained by a group with the technological means and resources — can be refined to 5.6 kilograms (12 pounds) of weapons-grade material over time, experts say. That makes finding the missing metal important for nonproliferation experts.
In a statement, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, informed member states Wednesday about the missing uranium.
The IAEA statement remained tightlipped though on much of the details.
On Tuesday, “agency safeguards inspectors found that 10 drums containing approximately 2.5 tons of natural uranium in the form of uranium ore concentrate were not present as previously declared at a location in the state of Libya,” the IAEA said. “Further activities will be conducted by the agency to clarify the circumstances of the removal of the nuclear material and its current location.”
Reuters first reported on the IAEA warning about the missing Libyan uranium, saying the IAEA told members reaching the site that's not under government control required “complex logistics.”
The IAEA declined to offer more details on the missing uranium. However, its acknowledgment the uranium went missing at a “previously declared site” narrows the possibilities.
One such declared site is Sabha, some 660 kilometers (410 miles) southeast of Libya's capital, Tripoli, in the country's lawless southern reaches of the Sahara Desert. There, Libya under dictator Moammar Qadhafi stored thousands of barrels of so-called yellowcake uranium for a once-planned uranium conversion facility that was never built in his decadeslong secret weapons program.
Estimates put the Libyan stockpile at some 1,000 metric tons of yellowcake uranium under Qadhafi, who declared his nascent nuclear weapons program to the world in 2003 to after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
While inspectors removed the last of the enriched uranium from Libya in 2009, the yellowcake remained behind, with the U.N. in 2013 estimating some 6,400 barrels of it were stored at Sabha. American officials had worried Iran could try to purchase the uranium from Libya, something Qadhafi's top civilian nuclear official tried to reassure the U.S. about, according to a 2009 diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks.
“Stressing that Libya viewed the question as primarily a commercial one, (the official) noted that prices for uranium yellowcake on the world market had been increasing, and that Libya wanted to maximize its profit by properly timing the sale of its stockpile,” then-Ambassador Gene A. Cretz wrote.
But the 2011 Arab Spring saw rebels topple Qadhafi and ultimately kill him. Sabha grew increasingly lawless, with African migrants crossing Libya, saying some had been sold as slaves in the city, the U.N. reported.
In recent years, Sabha largely has been under the control of the self-styled Libyan National Army, headed by Khalifa Hifter. The general, who is widely believed to have worked with the CIA during his time in exile during Qadhafi's era, has been battling for control of Libya against a Tripoli-based government.
A spokesman for Hifter declined to answer questions from The Associated Press. Chadian rebel forces also have had a presence in the southern city over recent years.
___
Associated Press writers Samy Magdy and Jack Jeffrey in Cairo contributed to this report. | 2023-03-16T12:03:51+00:00 | newscentermaine.com | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/nation-world/25-tons-of-uranium-missing-in-libya/507-1ead0531-f622-4501-b11d-13e84adee44a |
Which Captain America toys are best?
Captain America is one of Marvel’s best-known superheroes. Kids love the character from the “Captain America” and “Avengers” movies, while kids at heart have grown up with the character through the comic books.
With decades of history, there are dozens of Captain America toys to choose from. No matter what kind of toy your child enjoys most, there’s a Captain America toy that’ll give them the opportunity to engage with their favorite hero. One of the top Captain America toys to pick among the pack is the Avengers Mech Strike Captain America NERF Shield.
What to know before you buy a Captain America toy
Multiple versions
Captain America has appeared in countless Marvel comics and a majority of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise movies. Because of that popularity, there are several versions of the character on the toy market — more than almost any other Marvel superhero. Each of the “Captain America” films has its own toy series.
There are also Captain America toys from the “Avengers” movies and based on the comics. Many of them look alike, so check product descriptions to confirm which Captain America toy you’re looking at.
Age appropriateness
Captain America is a character appropriate for all ages, but not every Captain America toy is suggested for young children. Some action figures contain small detachable parts like the shield or other accessories that a smaller child can choke on. Role-playing toys may come with smaller parts that are easily lost. If you’re purchasing for a younger fan, be aware of these potential hazards.
Similar listings
Since there are so many Captain America toys available, there are some product listings that are very similar. This could happen because there are duplicate listings for the same toy or because there are two toys that are part of the same brand or product line. Fans should look closely at the product name and description to ensure they don’t purchase the same toy twice.
What to look for in a quality Captain America toy
Durability
Toys are meant to be played with, which means they are very likely to get damaged, whether being dropped, thrown, spilled on or knocked over. Children also want a Captain America toy they can play with for years to come. The way to achieve the latter without the former is to find a durable toy. Most Captain America toys are made of plastic that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Be wary of toys that appear thin or have lots of tiny parts, as they are more likely to break easily.
The shield
Captain America’s signature accessory is the shield. A Captain America toy without the shield is missing the biggest piece of the character’s costume. The most common question asked about Captain America toys is whether the shield is detachable or usable. Captain America throws the shield to stop villains, so the best Captain America toy will have a shield that moves or that’s removable.
Color and design
Captain America’s red, white and blue costume is iconic, so any Captain America toy needs to stay true to this style. Look for a Captain America toy where the colors are correct and bright to catch your child’s eye. Make sure the paint job doesn’t appear sloppy or incomplete. If you’re looking at a figure, pay attention to the face to ensure it looks like the character and isn’t generic.
How much you can expect to spend on a Captain America toy
Fans will spend anywhere from $10-$30 on a Captain America toy.
Captain America toy FAQ
Is there a Captain America toy for girls?
A. Yes. There are Captain America toys that depict female versions of the character, like the Captain Carter version seen in Marvel’s “What If… ?” series and the Sharon Rogers version seen in the Marvel Future Fight mobile game. Girls and boys alike can enjoy any of the regular Captain America toys on the market.
Are there Captain America movie toys?
A. Yes. With the popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, most of the current Captain America toys are based on the movie version of the character. Product descriptions will say if a Captain America toy is based on the movies and if so, they usually mention which film the toy design comes from.
What are the best Captain America toys to buy?
Top Captain America toy
Avengers Hasbro Marvel Mech Strike Captain America NERF Shield
What you need to know: This is a fun role-playing toy that lets kids of all ages become Captain America with excellent replay value.
What you’ll love: The toy set encourages active play by letting children wear Captain America’s shield. The shield expands with an easy pull handle. It also shoots soft foam darts for additional interactivity. The shield is made of durable plastic.
What you should consider: This set only comes with three darts. Since the darts are foam they can be easily damaged or destroyed.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Captain America toy for the money
Hasbro Avengers Titan Hero Series Blast Gear Captain America Figure
What you need to know: The Captain America action figure comes with interactive accessories.
What you’ll love: This Captain America toy is twice the size of a regular action figure. It’s one of the rare Captain America figures that lets fans throw the shield by pushing a button on the included launcher. The launcher and backpack are both detachable.
What you should consider: Some people report losing the shield and it can’t be replaced. The figure’s knees and elbows don’t bend.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Funko POP! Deluxe Avengers Assemble Captain America
What you need to know: This Funko version of Captain America from the first “Avengers” film is a fun addition to any Captain America toy collection.
What you’ll love: Both the figure and the base feature bright colors. The toy is easy to display because the base is large and flat. Neat details include the intricate design of Captain America’s shield and flames on the street behind the character.
What you should consider: This figure is one part of a six-part set that fits together to create a whole scene. The figure doesn’t move.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Brittany Frederick 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. | 2022-06-12T10:41:01+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/theme-toys-br/best-captain-america-toy/ |
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Primary Tuesday is just days away and voters in the City of Buffalo will be casting their ballot for their council members. One race News 4 is watching closely is the democratic primary for the Masten District Common Council seat.
If you are a Masten District resident, you will see two familiar names on the ballot: Zeneta Everhart and India Walton. Both candidates announced they were running after incumbent Ulysses Wingo announced he would not run for another term. The candidates are vying for the democratic line on the November ballot.
“India Walton for Masten is the same India Walton for Mayor, but better,” Walton said.
“I know that I can help this community, I know that I can,” Everhart said.
News 4 sat down with both candidates Sunday afternoon, less than 48 hours before polls open Tuesday morning. Both candidates are no stranger to politics. They are both activists and advocates for the East Side. Walton has been involved in the Fruit Belt Coalition and even ran for mayor in 2021, beating Mayor Byron Brown in the primary election.
“A lot of people just want to see and be heard. They want their concerns addressed. I think this is my opportunity to set an example and to make the standard for how our public servants actually serve our public,” Walton explained.
Everhart has worked for State Senator Tim Kennedy for six years and has spent the last year lobbying for gun reform in Albany and Washington in the wake of the Tops mass shooting. Her son, Zaire, was shot on May 14, but survived the attack.
“The blueprint I am developing for Masten is about helping the entire city. It isn’t just about Masten because Masten is going to win. I’m going to make sure of that. But we have to make sure Buffalo wins,” Everhart added.
Both candidates are focused on improving housing and overall quality of life for people on Buffalo’s East Side. They also hope to bolster new businesses and support growth in the district. This will be the first time in almost a decade that a woman will likely hold a common council seat.
“We have people running our city playing in the sandbox and they aren’t helping and I mean that. It is time for a woman to come in and restore order,” Everhart said.
“I think the council functioned best when there were women. I stand on the shoulders of folks like Cora P. Maloney, like Beverly Gray, like Betty Jean Grant where we saw progress in Masten District and University,” Walton explained.
The primary winner will have their ticket punched to the November election. Neither candidate denied that Tuesday would be the end of the road for them.
“I have decided with a district where 68 percent of the folks are registered democrats, if they want me in there, they’ll vote me in and I’ll serve with fidelity, the pride and with the vigor that I believe people want at this time,” Walton said.
“I’m not going anywhere. Win or lose, you have Zeneta Everhart forever,” Everhart concluded.
Early voting closed Sunday afternoon and the Board of Elections is reporting nearly 4,600 people decided to cast their ballot before primary day across the county. It remains to be seen if voters will turn out to the polls in large numbers on Primary Day.
Polls open at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and close at 9 p.m. To find additional voting information in Erie County, click here.
News 4 will be following several races across Western New York and will provide results as they come in.
Tara Lynch is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team as a reporter in 2022. She previously worked at WETM in Elmira, N.Y., a sister station of News 4. You can follow Tara on Facebook and Twitter and find more of her work here. | 2023-06-26T03:13:07+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/buffalo/ny-primary-day-is-tuesday-meet-the-candidates-in-the-masten-district/ |
Top Michigan State Players to Watch vs. USC - First Round
A.J Hoggard and Drew Peterson are two players to watch on Friday at 12:15 PM ET, when the Michigan State Spartans (19-12) match up with the USC Trojans (22-10) in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Nationwide Arena.
In the article below, we'll give you all the info you need to know about who to look out for in this matchup on CBS.
Use our link to get a free trial of fuboTV, where you can watch college hoops and tons of other live sports without cable!
How to Watch Michigan State vs. USC
- Game Day: Friday, March 17
- Game Time: 12:15 PM ET
- Arena: Nationwide Arena
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- TV: CBS | Watch live on FuboTV
Watch college hoops all season without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to fuboTV!
Michigan State's Last Game
Michigan State dropped its previous game to Ohio State, 68-58, on Friday. Joey Hauser was its top scorer with 15 points.
USC's Last Game
In its previous game, USC fell to Arizona State on Thursday, 77-72. Its high scorer was Reese Waters with 16 points.
Michigan State Players to Watch
Hoggard is tops on his squad in assists per game (6), and also averages 12.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. Defensively, he puts up 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocked shots.
Hauser totals a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game. In addition, he's averaging 14.2 points and 1.9 assists, shooting 48.9% from the floor and 45.6% from downtown with 2.2 made 3-pointers per game.
Tyson Walker averages 14.6 points and 2.8 assists per contest -- both team highs. He is also averaging 2.5 rebounds, shooting 46% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc with 1.8 made 3-pointers per game.
Jaden posts 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest, shooting 41.8% from the floor and 43.6% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per contest.
Mady Sissoko puts up 5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per contest. Defensively, he puts up 0.2 steals and 0.8 blocked shots.
USC Players to Watch
Peterson is No. 1 on the Trojans in rebounding (6.2 per game) and assists (4.4), and posts 14 points. He also averages 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocked shots.
Boogie Ellis paces the Trojans in scoring (18 points per game), and puts up 3.7 rebounds and 3 assists. He also posts 1.4 steals and 0.2 blocked shots.
Kobe Johnson gets the Trojans 9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He also puts up 2.2 steals and 0.4 blocked shots.
Tre White is putting up 9.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest, making 48% of his shots from the field.
Joshua Morgan gets the Trojans 6.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. He also puts up 0.5 steals and 2.3 blocked shots.
Michigan State Top Performers (Last 10 Games)
USC Top Performers (Last 10 Games)
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-17T15:28:31+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/sports/betting/2023/03/17/michigan-state-usc-college-basketball-players-to-watch/first-round/ |
Mississippi governor declares state of emergency amid massive flooding event
By Claire Colbert and Hannah Sarisohn, CNN
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Saturday as weather and emergency management officials now anticipate the Pearl River cresting in Jackson on Monday — about 24 hours earlier than initially projected — after record-setting rainfall this week.
“If predictions prove accurate, the Pearl River is expected to crest on Monday, August 29th, at 36 feet,” Reeves said in the declaration.
A flood stage is considered “major” at 26 feet. The current flood warning says dozens of additional streets in downtown Jackson will flood at 34 feet, with water close to entering homes in Northeast Jackson at 35.8 feet.
“The state of Mississippi is as prepared as possible for this flooding. My administration, including MEMA, is monitoring this situation closely, and actively working to respond as quickly as possible to ongoing developments with flooding,” Reeves said.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has called for voluntary evacuations in areas expected to be affected by the rising waters, while Reeves warned, “If your home flooded in 2020, there is a high (probability) it will happen again.”
State emergency management officials have already begun assessing water levels along the Pearl River and have deployed more than 100,000 sandbags, according to the declaration.
Officials first predicted the Pearl River to reach 36 feet and crest by Tuesday, CNN earlier reported, however the river is now expected to crest sometime Monday into Monday night, emergency management officials said at a news briefing Saturday.
Barnett Reservoir General Manager John Sigmund cautioned about rising waters ahead of the crest as the water is expected to steadily rise, before slowly falling.
“It looks like we’re gonna be in the floodwaters that we’re seeing even today, probably well into the end of the week with then a gradual recession after that,” Sigmund said.
The threat for heavy rainfall will be very localized Saturday, but much of the region has seen excessive rain over the past week, so it will not take much additional rainfall to aggravate any ongoing flooding.
A flood warning remains in effect in parts of Mississippi, including in Jackson around the Pearl River, until further notice, the National Weather Service said. A flood warning was also issued for the Strong River in Simpson County through Monday.
Widespread rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is forecast across much of the region but some locations — including along the immediate Gulf Coast and across Florida — could see as much as 2 to 4 inches of rain through Monday. The Florida peninsula will likely see the heaviest amounts of rainfall through the weekend.
Sigmund said the scattered and isolated rain during the week across the region is not expected to have significant impact on water levels in Mississippi.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-27T23:06:31+00:00 | kyma.com | https://kyma.com/cnn-weather/2022/08/27/mississippi-governor-declares-state-of-emergency-amid-massive-flooding-event/ |
Ohio's top gambling regulator has barred licensed sports books in the state from accepting bets on Alabama baseball games after a report that warned of suspicious gambling activity.
Matthew Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, issued the emergency order on Monday “prohibiting the acceptance of any wagers on University of Alabama Baseball effective immediately.” The order was first reported by ESPN.
The order, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, also said that one of the state's “certified independent integrity monitors” notified the state about the wagers.
Sports betting is legal in 33 states, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether any other states had issued similar orders.
“We are continuing to look into the matter,” Ohio's commission spokesperson Jessica Franks said Tuesday.
ESPN reported that Las-Vegas based U.S. Integrity sent out an alert to sportsbooks warning of “suspicious wagering activity” involving Friday night's Alabama-LSU game.
Alabama scored five runs in the ninth inning of an 8-6 loss on Friday night. LSU was ranked No. 1 in the major college baseball polls while Alabama was unranked.
Officials with U.S. Integrity, LSU and Alabama did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.
U.S. Integrity monitors "data to see if discrepancies coincide with notable player or coaching events, reveal officiating abnormalities, or are indicative of the misuse of insider information,” according to its website.
Flagging wagers like this often occur when there are huge moves in the odds at the last minute, particularly in a game where one team is much more highly ranked than the other, according to California attorney Baird Fogel, who has experience working with the sports betting industry.
“In this instance, the line, I think, moved very dramatically and the game took a very odd turn where the inferior team started to make a huge run,” said Fogel, co-head of the global sports practice for Eversheds Sutherland. “This could all be conjecture, it could all be a coincidence. That’s the wonder of sports betting. Sometimes weird things happen.”
Fanduel Sportsbook did not have upcoming Alabama baseball games listed for wagering on Tuesday.
“U.S. Integrity is one of the best in the game, and so if they flagged an anomaly and detected a discrepancy or some unusual activity, it’s a good idea to listen to them,” Fogel said.
___
More AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 | 2023-05-02T18:37:07+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/ohio-gambling-regulator-halts-betting-on-alabama-18073855.php |
A starry group of celebs from film, TV, sports, music and fashion will be channeling the Lagerfeld Look at this year’s Met Gala on May 1. Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa and Anna Wintour are the evening’s co-chairs.
Also announced Wednesday was the dress code: Perhaps not surprisingly, it is “In honor of Karl” – i.e. Lagerfeld, the German-born couturier who worked at Chanel, Fendi and Chloe and died in 2019 at age 85.
The theme comes from the accompanying exhibit at the Met’s Costume Institute. “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” will gather some 150 of his creations to explore his “stylistic language.” Lagerfeld’s original sketches will also be on display.
The Met Gala, which takes place the first Monday in May, is a huge money-maker for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, providing its main source of funding. It’s also one of the biggest nights in fashion and beyond.
Presented in the museum’s Tisch Gallery, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” will be on view from May 5 through July 16, 2023. | 2023-01-19T02:58:34+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/entertainment-news/ap-coel-cruz-federer-lipa-and-wintour-are-met-gala-chairs/ |
A projected 600% increase in flood insurance may force Johanna Yachna to make some tough decisions about her family’s Duryea homestead where she has lived the past 87 years.
Her $880 bill could skyrocket to $5,137 in the coming years for the Chittenden Street home near the Lackawanna River bank in Luzerne County.
“I have to see if I can pay it this year,” said Yachna, who lives there with her 56-year-old disabled son, James. “If not, I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
She is among millions of homeowners nationwide insured through the National Flood Insurance Program who face dramatic premium spikes under a revised rating system the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the program’s manager, began implementing in 2021. It is the first major update to the pricing system in more than 50 years. Many are unaware of exactly how much their bills will rise, and experts worry the hikes will cause many to drop their insurance and risk costly consequences.
FEMA analyzed flood insurance costs for 2.2 million single family homes nationwide, including 21,928 in Pennsylvania, whose rates were calculated under the revised rating system as of Sept. 30. It does not include commercial properties.
The analysis projects how much average premiums will increase by state, counties and ZIP codes.
In Pennsylvania, projections show a 92% hike, from $1,075 to $2,060; nationwide, it’s a 124% increase from $808 to $1,808. In Northeast Pennsylvania, the average premium more than triples in Lackawanna and Wyoming counties, more than doubles in Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna and Wayne counties and nearly doubles in Schuylkill County.
The Noxen area, ZIP code 18636, in Wyoming County, and the Duryea area, ZIP code 18642, in Luzerne County, face the largest percentage increases statewide. Projections show the average premium in the Noxen area will skyrocket 677%, from $750 to $5,829, and 673% in the Duryea area, from $705 to $5,448.In Lackawanna, average rate projections show:
■ Archbald, ZIP code 18403,up 409%, from $736 to $3,747;■ The Jermyn/Mayfield area, ZIP code 18433, up 376%, from $1,036 to $4,929;■ The North Scranton area, ZIP code 18508, up 335%, from $771 to $3,351.■ The Dunmore/Throop area, ZIP code 18512, up 327%, from $845 to $3,611.In Luzerne:
■ The Pittson/Jenkins Twp. area, ZIP code 18640, up 274%, from $916 to $3,428.■ The Kingston/Forty Fort/Edwardsville area, ZIP code 18704, up 120% from $695 to $1,532.■ Wilkes-Barre, ZIP code 18702, up 115%, from $805 to $1,731.■ The West Pittston/Exeter area, ZIP code 18643, up 114%, from $969 to $2,070.■ Nanticoke, ZIP code 18634, up 93% from $1,396 to $2,701.tncms-asset)f5178cde-12d5-11ee-9a69-00163ec2aa77[2](/tncms-asset)
It is unclear why Yachna’s rate will increase so much. It may be tied to her home being so close to a river and being flooded by tropical storms — Agnes in 1972 and Lee in 2011.
Duryea built a steel wall that elevated the height of the levee behind her home after the 2011 flood. But FEMA no longer offers preferred risk policies — lower-cost flood insurance policies for properties in moderate- to low-risk areas.
Yachna doesn’t want to drop her coverage because her home flooded twice, but may have no choice
“It’s getting tough,” she said. “The gas is going up. The electric is going up. The water is going up.”
Some local officials criticized FEMA’s new rating system as potentially pricing out many homeowners from the market, like Yachna and those with low to moderate incomes.
“These premium increases are outrageous, and it’s the people who can least afford them who are being forced to pay,” U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright said in a statement. “Flood insurance has to be affordable, even to those with low and fixed incomes.”
Wyoming County Commissioner Chairman Richard Wilbur said he suspects FEMA is trying to drive people out of the market “so they don’t have to pay any money out because no one could (afford to) live in a flood zone anymore.”
“A lot of people are going to lose their homes over it,” Wilbur said. “How can you afford $4,000 to $5,000 for flood insurance? That’s going to add $400 a month on top of the other bills.”
A FEMA spokesperson said in a statement the agency realizes the rate hikes are concerning, but it is mandated to charge actuarially sound rates and does not have the authority to consider affordability in setting those rates.
Bob Pitcavage, 67, of Eaton Twp., recently learned the flood insurance premium for his Dymond Terrace home along the Susquehanna River will jump about 52%, from $2,673 to $4,063.Retired, he and his wife Paula, 66, live on a fixed income. Their home flooded in 2011. He now fears they may have to drop the insurance.
“We are keeping it for as long as we can afford it, but as we get older, it’s going to be more difficult every year,” he said. “At some point we may just have to roll the dice because it’s cost-prohibitive.”
He also worries about how the new flood insurance rates will affect their chances of selling their home if they ever decide to put it on the market.
“You are basically trapped here,” he said. “The bank is going to require insurance. People won’t be able to afford the mortgage and flood insurance.”
Here is everything you need to know about the changed rating system:
Why is my rate increasing?
The hikes stem from FEMA’s new rating structure, known as Risk Rating 2.0. Premiums are now based on each property’s individual flood risk, including elevation, distance from a water source, flood history, type of potential flooding and cost to rebuild the home.
Properties now are assigned a “full-risk premium” that FEMA says more accurately reflects costs associated with the risk to insure the properties.
Previously, properties were placed in a general risk category and evaluated by location within a flood zone on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), occupancy type and elevation within a flood zone. That rating system did not take into account the individual flood risk or cost to rebuild, and considered just two sources of flood risk — river flooding and coastal flooding.
How much can my premium increase annually?
By law, increases for most residential properties with existing policies are capped at 18% a year and 25% for commercial properties. Premiums phase in, increasing by 18% each year (25% for commercial properties) until they reach the full-risk rate.
How long will it take to reach the full-risk premium?
On average, FEMA data shows Luzerne County policies will be at full risk in six years; Lackawanna, eight; Schuylkill, five; Wyoming, nine; and Pike, Susquehanna and Wayne counties, seven years. Nationwide, FEMA estimates 50% of properties will be at full risk between fiscal year 2025 and 2026, and 90% by fiscal year 2033. As of May, 34% of residential policy holders were already paying the full risk premiums.
When did the new rate changes take effect?
In October 2021, for new policies and April 2022, for existing policies.
Trending Stories
Why did FEMA change the rating system?
To more accurately reflect the risk, and the agency’s financial liability.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) sustained massive losses from catastrophic weather events, including Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans in 2005. As of last year, the NFIP owed the treasury $20.5 billion.“It was a failing model because they are not charging enough for the risk,” said Mark Friedlander, spokesman for the New York City-based nonprofit Insurance Information Institute. “As a result, they have continually lost money. … It’s not a sustainable model and it is costing taxpayers who will be indebted to bail out the program time and time again.”
The change also makes the system more equitable. If your home’s value is less than your neighbor’s, your replacement cost is less and your premium should be too, Friedlander said.
“In the past, virtually everybody in the same neighborhood paid the same — regardless of what your replacement cost was,” Friedlander said. “That is not a fair system.”
How exactly is my rate calculated?
That largely remains a mystery. FEMA provides general information on factors it uses, but refuses to publicly disclose the algorithm used to calculate premiums. The Louisiana-based Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance has called upon the agency to be more forthcoming.
How many policy holders will see an increase?
FEMA estimates premiums for about 80% policies will rise, while 20% will decrease. The reduction only applies to the first year of the policy compared to the prior year.
What if I’m a first-time policy buyer?
First-time buyers must immediately pay the current full-risk premium rate.
Buyers seeking to purchase a property with an existing policy should consider assuming it so they qualify for the phase-in period, said Betsy Tribendis, a Realtor and president of Walters Associates, Inc., a Forty Fort insurance agency. “I tell agents to make sure you tell your clients that if the sellers have flood insurance that the buyer (needs to) takes over the policy to minimize the impact,” she said.
Can I drop coverage?
It depends. Properties in high-risk flood zones with mortgages from government-backed lenders are required to have flood insurance. Many private lenders also require coverage in high-risk areas, but generally make it optional for homes in other flood zones. Property owners without a mortgage also do not have to carry flood insurance.
Experts urge existing policy holders to carefully consider the consequences of dropping coverage. Besides risking financial ruin should a flood hit, a policy holder who drops coverage and later wants to renew it would no longer qualify for the phase-in period that spreads out the full-risk premium increases annually.
Where do I find my full-risk premium?
Insurance companies that sell NFIP policies include the full-risk premium rate on the policy declaration page a policy holder receives after paying the premium.
However, the declaration page does not necessarily include an explanation of what the term means. Consumer advocates worry many people remain unaware of how much their policy will increase because of that.
“You might not even know what that full-risk rate line means and not recognize that eventually you are expected to pay that,” said Peter Waggonner, a spokesman for the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance.
Will the full-risk premium amount rise again?
The rates could increase further because of climate change causing more frequent and catastrophic weather events, said Carolyn Kousky, Ph.D., associate vice president for economics and policy for Environmental Defense
Fund. Is anything being done to help property owners?
Legislators in several states want the federal government to offer subsidies to help low- to moderate-income property owners pay premiums.
In Pennsylvania, Cartwright introduced legislation in March that would establish a means-tested assistance program for residential and small business policyholders. The bill would ensure premiums do not exceed 1% of the median income of the area in which the property is located. It also would allow policy holders to pay monthly installments instead of the lump sum payment now required.
Louisiana and nine other states also filed a federal lawsuit June 1 that seeks an injunction. The suit, which Pennsylvania has not joined, alleges, in part, that the rating system improperly considers hypothetical future risks.
I’m concerned about the new rating system. What can I do?
The Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance urges policy holders to contact state and federal legislators to express concerns about flood insurance rates. The Louisiana attorney general’s office also developed an online form — at agjefflandry.com/FloodInsurance — that allows policy holders nationwide to share concerns and express interest in joining a potential class-action lawsuit.
What can I do to reduce my rate?
Ensure the information FEMA has about your property is accurate. Much of that data is highly technical, but other information, such as how many floors and the foundation type, is known.
Consider reducing the amount of coverage on the building or contents and/or increasing deductibles. Property owners not mandated by their lenders to carry flood insurance can drop contents coverage for a substantial savings.
Look into purchasing coverage from a private insurance company instead of the NFIP.
“There are more companies writing flood insurance in the market than ever before,” Friedlander said. “Nobody can guarantee you will do better … but a competitive market typically leads to better pricing.”
Encourage your municipality to take steps to be included in the Community Rating System program, which offers premium discounts ranging from 5% to 45% for properties in communities that exceed NFIP flood plain requirements. Properties in Wilkes-Barre, West Pittston, Hanover Twp. and Kingston borough currently qualify for discounts ranging from 10% to 20%.Where can I get more information?
FEMA’s website: fema.gov/flood-insurance.
Tips for paying less for flood insurance: floodsmart.gov/how-can-i-pay-less
. | 2023-06-25T06:54:03+00:00 | thetimes-tribune.com | https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/flood-insurance-premiums-to-soar-in-nepa-because-of-change-in-how-they-are-calculated/article_b9c74566-85e2-54c9-8856-8a5a168fe30c.html |
Albuquerque science teacher awarded grant for research projects
An Albuquerque science teacher is one of just 52 in the country getting a share of $100,000 in grants.
For Sergio Torres, teaching isn’t just about writing a bunch of science terms on a whiteboard. It is getting his juniors and seniors hands-on experience in his lab at Native American Community Academy.
“A lot of our students come from various tribes or pueblos, and they are now being exposed to a high-tech type of analysis,” Torres said.
Torres received a $5,000 grant to purchase much-needed equipment for research.
“So that really put us into a field where we can do research, and continue working for our common goals to increase research across more diverse students,” Torres said.
That is the goal of Society for Science, a nonprofit based out of Washington, D.C. which engages students from diverse and low-income communities through research projects. It’s something Torres wishes he had in his early days as a scientist.
“Most of my career has been actually being a scientist,” he said.” I’m a molecular biologist, biochemist and I started teaching in Australia when I was doing research for Hepatitis C.”
Now, as a teacher, Torres hopes to take his past as a researcher and provide his students with a brighter future.
“So that they can grow and hopefully motivate them to consider, you know, their experience with what career paths they undertake,” Torres said. | 2023-02-22T01:25:49+00:00 | kob.com | https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/albuquerque-science-teacher-awarded-grant-for-research-projects/ |
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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Max Duggan ran 67 yards for one of two touchdowns and threw for three scores, leading TCU to a 55-24 rout of No. 18 Oklahoma on Saturday in a second consecutive loss for new Sooners coach Brent Venables.
OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel was knocked out of the game in the second quarter when he was hit while sliding by TCU linebacker Jamoi Hodge, who was ejected for targeting.
Players had to be separated after Hodge's hit while Gabriel stayed down for several minutes, surrounded by the medical staff, before the UCF transfer walked off the field on his own. Pittsburgh transfer Davis Beville replaced him.
There was an even longer delay in the fourth quarter when Oklahoma defensive back Damond Harmon was carted off after being immobilized on a stretcher when he was injured in the fourth quarter.
Harmon flashed a thumbs-up as he was put on the cart in an emotional scene that included Oklahoma linebacker Kelvin Gilliam, a childhood friend and high school teammate, appearing to fight back tears.
Venables said a surgeon on site believed Harmon's neck was stable, and a precautionary MRI was planned.
When Lincoln Riley shocked the Sooners by leaving for Southern California, they hired their former defensive coordinator after Venables won two national titles in that role at Clemson.
His defense was no match for Duggan and company as Oklahoma lost consecutive regular-season games for just the second time since 1999.
The Sooners (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) opened conference with a home loss to Kansas State. It's the most points Oklahoma has allowed since a 63-28 loss to LSU in the 2019 national semifinals.
“We’re not very good obviously right now,” Venables said. “We’ve got a lot to get better at, a lot to improve. We’ve got to give them answers and we’ve got help get them better quickly.”
The Horned Frogs (4-0, 1-0) had four touchdowns of at least 62 yards, topped by Taye Barber's 73-yard catch during a 27-point first quarter.
TCU led 41-17 at halftime with 479 yards while finishing with 668 yards in coach Sonny Dykes’ Big 12 debut after four seasons at crosstown rival SMU.
Kendre Miller ran 69 yards for a touchdown to put TCU up 48-17 early in the second half and finished with 136 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. The active FBS career leader in yards per carry increased his mark by averaging 10.5 yards.
“Had a bunch of big plays on offense,” Dykes said. “That's the formula for us right now is if we can make big plays and take care of the ball, then good things are going to happen for us.”
Duggan simply outran the OU defense on the long score, then added a 35-yard run on the final TD drive for the Horned Frogs, shortening the run by sliding to keep the clock running with TCU up by 31 points.
A 2-yard scoring run by Duggan soon after made it 55-17, finishing his day in the third quarter.
Both teams had committed just one turnover apiece coming in before Marvin Mims fumbled on the third play of the game after Oklahoma won the toss and decided to take the ball instead of deferring. Duggan's 19-yard scoring pass to Savion Williams finished a 46-yard drive to the first points.
When the Sooners weren't being penalized for defensive pass interference (three times in the first quarter), they were leaving receivers wide open in the secondary. Taye was alone on his long TD, as was Gunnar Henderson on a 62-yard score.
Jovantae Barnes had 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns for the Sooners, while Gabriel and Beville both were 7 of 16 without a touchdown or interception.
THE TAKEAWAY
Oklahoma: This is the second time in three seasons the Sooners have started 0-2 in the Big 12. They rallied to win the conference in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, beating Iowa State in the title game. But Oklahoma was never manhandled like this.
TCU: The Horned Frogs averaged 10.2 yards per play while building their big halftime lead and finished at 8.9 after coming in second nationally at 8.1 yards per play.
UP NEXT
Oklahoma: The Sooners come back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the Red River rivalry against Texas at the Cotton Bowl next Saturday.
TCU: The Horned Frogs will go for their first 2-0 start in the Big 12 since 2017 with a visit to resurgent Kansas next Saturday.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhe6f2 | 2022-10-01T22:08:20+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/Duggan-TCU-rout-No-18-Oklahoma-55-24-as-Gabriel-17480431.php |
MILWAUKEE — P.J. Higgins hit a tiebreaking two-out double off Josh Hader in the ninth inning, and the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.
After Brewers starter Corbin Burnes threw seven shutout innings, the Cubs broke through against Milwaukee's bullpen by scoring in each of the last two frames. The Cubs took two of three at Milwaukee and have followed a 10-game losing streak by winning four straight series.
Patrick Wisdom led off the ninth with a walk for Chicago and stole second one out later. Higgins brought home Wisdom by sending Hader's 1-1 slider just inside the right-field line. The Cubs nearly did more damage against Hader (0-2), who blew his second save of the season, but Christopher Morel hit an inning-ending flyball to the warning track in center.
David Robertson retired the side in order amid chants of "Let's go, Cubbies" from the large contingent of Chicago fans at American Family Field to earn his 12th save in 16 opportunities.
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Keston Hiura homered for the Brewers and made a superb catch in left field, where he made a rare start.
The Cubs' rally began when Morel hit a one-out triple to right-center off Brad Boxberger in the eighth. Morel's drive went just over the glove of center fielder Jonathan Davis, hit the yellow line at the top of the wall and caromed back into play.
After Boxberger walked pinch-hitter Seiya Suzuki, Rafael Ortega lined an RBI single to right.
Trevor Gott came in for Boxberger and retired Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ.
The Brewers wasted an opportunity to regain the lead in the bottom of the inning.
Davis hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on Mychal Givens' wild pickoff attempt and moved to third when Christian Yelich grounded out. After Willy Adames popped out, Givens (5-0) intentionally walked Rowdy Tellez and struck out Luis Urías to end the threat.
Until the Cubs rallied, the story of the game had been two remarkable fifth-inning plays by Hiura.
He crashed into the wall in left-center while making a catch to rob Higgins of an extra-base hit that would have driven in Alfonso Rivas from second. Normally an infielder, Hiura was making just his second career start and fourth appearance in left field.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Hiura connected on a 3-2 sinker from Adrian Sampson and sent it 440 feet, well beyond the wall in left-center field for his eighth homer.
Sampson struck out five, walked none and allowed four hits and one run in 5⅔ innings.
Burnes was even better. He struck out 10 and allowed three hits and one walk in his 100-pitch outing. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner has 18 career games with at least 10 strikeouts, tying Yovani Gallardo for the most in Brewers history.
Trainer's room
Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks went on the injured list Wednesday with a sore throwing shoulder after lasting three innings — his shortest start of the season — in Tuesday's 8-3 win. The Cubs recalled RHP Anderson Espinoza from Double-A Tennessee.
Cubs C Willson Contreras was out of the starting lineup for a second straight day due to hamstring tightness.
Up next
Cubs: Head to Los Angeles to begin a four-game series against the Dodgers on Thursday. Scheduled starters are Mark Leiter Jr. (2-2, 4.85 ERA) for the Cubs and Tony Gonsolin (10-0, 1.54) for LA.
Brewers: Begin a three-game home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday with LHP Aaron Ashby (1-6, 4.60) on the mound. | 2022-07-06T22:48:52+00:00 | kenoshanews.com | https://www.kenoshanews.com/cubs-rally-against-brewers-bullpen-win-2-1-at-milwaukee/article_f37c5450-fd72-11ec-9135-7f124130949d.html |
NPR's Asma Khalid talks to David Wessel of the Brookings Institution about the partial closing of the "carried interest loophole," central to a Senate compromise over climate spending and health care.
Copyright 2022 NPR
NPR's Asma Khalid talks to David Wessel of the Brookings Institution about the partial closing of the "carried interest loophole," central to a Senate compromise over climate spending and health care.
Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-08-01T09:28:12+00:00 | wksu.org | https://www.wksu.org/2022-08-01/democrats-aim-to-tighten-the-carried-interest-loophole |
Hartland-Lakeside residents speak out against the nomination of the school board president's son for the library board
Residents voiced strong opposition to the Hartland-Lakeside School Board president nominating his son for the Hartland Library Board at the Village Board meeting Sept. 26.
About 25 residents packed Village Hall to share their concerns about School Board President Tom Harter nominating his son, Joseph Harter, to a Library Board position that was thought to have been filled by Michele Plank, a Hartland-Lakeside kindergarten teacher who has held the position since 2011.
There are seven seats on the Library Board. Most are picked by the village board and the county, but one is picked by the school board president and must be approved by the village board. Despite Plank serving in the role for more than a decade, her initial three-year term was never reappointed, which appears to have been an oversight.
"I thought that because it said superintendent and superintendent’s designee, the superintendent sends someone to sit on the Library Board, and it’s always worked," said Village President Jeffrey Pfannerstill. "In looking into some of the other things in the library, was when I found out all of a sudden that you need three-year terms, and I realized it’s all under honest mistakes, but we weren’t doing it right and to make it official, it needs to go through the board."
Having learned this, Tom Harter brought his son's name forward at the School Board meeting Sept. 19. Consequently, members of the community began sending emails to their trustees and the village president to ask them to decline the nomination.
After more than an hourlong discussion, the nomination was denied and the issue sent back to the School Board. But residents still have concerns.
Why residents were against the nomination
The main issues brought forward from residents were concerns about nepotism, lack of qualifications and the replacement of Plank on the board after 11 years of service.
The current term for the role Plank might not technically have but has been serving is April 2023. She'd have to be reappointed then.
"This seems to me to be the definition of nepotism," Courtney Marshalek, a Hartland resident, told the board. "Appointing an unqualified son to a position that has dozens of more qualified candidates. Who is best served by this nomination: Hartland, or the Harter family?"
Others questioned Joseph Harter's background and whether he has time for the role.
Tom Harter said his son is a third-year medical student, had previously served on the Arrowhead principal’s cabinet to interview prospective replacements, was on a pre-med honors society executive board at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has visited the contiguous 48 states and has done some international travel.
"I think he is eminently qualified ... and I would appreciate your support very much," Tom Harter said.
However, residents were not totally sold.
"When I had heard Tom had nominated his son, I was upset. I was disgusted," said Pat Nelson, who served on the Hartland-Lakeside School Board for four years. "I thought it was shameful. Unfortunately, I was not surprised. It seemed like the kind of thing Tom would do.
"I think we have a lot of qualified people in the district who would be great in this position ... I think Tom just nominated his son and that is nepotism.”
Board discussion
After Pfannerstill explained the legality questions that illuminated the possible vacancy, the board discussed the topic briefly, stating that they would like to see another candidate put forward and have these discussions at the school board level.
"I’m not real happy with some of this that’s come up," said Trustee Ann Wallschlager. "I was surprised when it all came through. There were no papers on anything, so I’m not comfortable with it. I will say that, and from what I know of the library and the board, they’ve done a great job and it’s fabulous ... I think with all of the resources we have and the whole community that I think there would be someone more qualified and better for this position."
Pfannerstill echoed those comments.
"It sounds like the school needs to figure it out," Pfannerstill said. "I don’t think that this is the battlefield for this fight. I really don’t."
In the end, the board voted, 5-1, to deny the nomination, with Pfannerstill casting the lone no vote, clarifying after that he did so "only because I think it should go back. I think the board should be more informed, and they should be able to know what is going on."
The decision now goes back to the School Board to pick another name to bring to the village board.
Drew Dawson can be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or 262-289-1324. | 2022-10-03T21:18:33+00:00 | jsonline.com | https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/2022/10/03/hartland-lakeside-residents-object-library-board-nomination/10439494002/ |
Expert advice to help you spring clean your finances
You can pull your free credit report each year at www.annualcreditreport.com
InvestigateTV - Spring is the time of year we all like to declutter and organize our homes. But in addition to scrubbing the baseboards, financial experts recommend you also spring clean your finances.
Virginia Credit Union Financial Coach Cherry Dale said there are four main areas to target as you work to streamline your budget:
Tax withholdings
If you get a big tax refund this year, Dale said that means you’re paying too much in taxes to the government each month.
“You could take that money monthly versus getting a big tax refund in the spring, and therefore you could be investing it, paying down debt and doing something with that money on a monthly basis,” Dale said.
Dale recommended you examine what you claim and adjust if needed.
Insurance policies
Dale said to ask yourself, “am I paying too much?” If so, she recommended to shop around. She also said to consider if you have enough coverage for your house.
“Think about long term care insurance, health insurance, all of those different aspects of your overall family’s needs and making sure that you are taking advantage of everything that you need to when it comes to your insurance needs,” Dale said.
Pull your credit report
Dale recommended you make sure everything is accurate and up to date. She said it’s also a good time to check up on your debt and make a plan to pay it off.
Retirement accounts
Dale advised you make sure you are on track to meet your retirement goals, and to seek out a financial advisory if needed.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-20T20:42:23+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/2023/03/20/expert-advice-help-you-spring-clean-your-finances/ |
CHICAGO, June 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of global market infrastructure and tradable products, today reported May monthly trading volume statistics across its global business lines.
The data sheet "Cboe Global Markets Monthly Volume & RPC/Net Revenue Capture Report" contains an overview of certain May trading statistics and market share by business segment, volume in select index products, and RPC/net capture, which is reported on a one-month lag, across business lines.
- S&P 500 Index (SPX) option volume saw a record month with a total 45.5 million contracts traded in May, ahead of the previous record of 43.4 million contracts in March 2020. ADV in May was also a record with 2.2 million contracts.
- ADV in SPX options during global trading hours reached a new high of 34,000 contracts in May, up from 24,000 contracts in April.
- ADV in Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) options was approximately 600,000 contracts in May, an increase of 33 percent from April.
- Nanos options saw some of its busiest trading days in May, setting a new single-day volume record on May 27 with 3,999 contracts traded. Total volume has surpassed 62,000 contracts since Nanos launched on March 14, 2022.
- Over 2 million SPX Weeklys Thursday options traded and nearly 4 million SPX Weeklys Tuesday options traded in May.
- Cboe Europe Equities had an overall market share of 23.2 percent in May, the highest month since August 2018.
- Cboe BIDS Europe, Cboe's European block trading platform, had a 34 percent share of the LIS (large-in-scale) market in May, making it the largest platform of its type in Europe (Source: big xyt).
Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives, FX and digital assets, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.
CBOE-V
Cboe®, Cboe Global Markets®, Cboe Volatility Index®, and VIX® are registered trademarks and Cboe Futures ExchangeSM is a service mark of Cboe Exchange, Inc. or its affiliates. Standard & Poor's®, S&P®, SPX®, and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC, and have been licensed for use by Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.
Any products that have the S&P Index or Indexes as their underlying interest are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's or Cboe and neither Standard & Poor's nor Cboe make any representations or recommendations concerning the advisability of investing in products that have S&P indexes as their underlying interests. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities, futures or investments, or third-party products or services. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. is not affiliated with S&P. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities, futures, and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. disclaims any duty to update the information herein.
Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities or futures in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates make no warranty, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties as of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness or timeliness, the results to be obtained by recipients of the products and services described herein, or as to the ability of the indices referenced in this press release to track the performance of their respective securities, generally, or the performance of the indices referenced in this press release or any subset of their respective securities, and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies, errors. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates have not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the securities that comprise the third-party indices referenced in this press release and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors in any of the indices referenced in this press release.
Options involve risk and are not suitable for all market participants. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person should review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options (ODD), which is required to be provided to all such persons. Copies of the ODD are available from your broker or from The Options Clearing Corporation, 125 S. Franklin Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606.
Futures trading is not suitable for all investors and involves the risk of loss. That risk of loss can be substantial and can exceed the amount of money deposited for a futures position. You should, therefore, carefully consider whether futures trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources. You should put at risk only funds that you can afford to lose without affecting your lifestyle. For additional information regarding futures trading risks, see the Risk Disclosure Statement set forth in Appendix A to CFTC Regulation 1.55(c) and the Risk Disclosure Statement for Security Futures Contracts.
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SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc. | 2022-06-03T22:13:41+00:00 | mysuncoast.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/03/cboe-global-markets-reports-trading-volume-may-2022/ |
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We've placed cookies on your device to improve your browsing experience. They're safe and don't contain sensitive information. | 2022-05-24T16:10:58+00:00 | tj.news | https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/101880075 |
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin is fighting to keep his seat as a New Mexico county commissioner as he faces possible removal and disqualification from public office for his participation in last year’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Griffin was previously convicted of a misdemeanor for entering Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. He was sentenced to 14 days and given credit for time served.
Three residents of Santa Fe and Los Alamos counties filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Griffin from being commissioner of Otero County's 2nd district for the rest of his term.
Griffin, a 47-year-old Republican, is representing himself in the two-day bench trial that began Monday.
“This lawsuit is about removing a duly elected county commissioner from office through the civil court,” Griffin said in court. “By allowing this case to move forward, you’re going to set a very dangerous precedent.”
On the witness stand Monday, Griffin said he went to Washington, D.C. to peacefully protest and pray with other Trump supporters.
“I had no intention of breaking the law on that day,” he said.
The three plaintiffs in the case argued in a 259-page petition that Griffin should be disqualified from holding public office on the basis of a clause in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The amendment holds that anyone who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution be barred from office for engaging in insurrection or rebellion or giving aid or comfort to the nation’s enemies. | 2022-08-16T17:53:51+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Cowboys-For-Trump-leader-fighting-to-keep-job-in-17376930.php |
Stephen Curry is known for hitting deep 3-point shots and buzzer-beaters from half-court — but even the celebrated Warriors guard didn’t sink five consecutive full-court baskets, despite a convincingly edited video that swept social media this week.
The clip of the 34-year-old NBA star racked up more than 28 million views and more than 40,000 shares on Twitter after Sports Illustrated posted it on Sunday.
“Steph Gonna STEPH,” the Warriors tweeted.
“Mark him as a menace to society,” Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant wrote.
However, five full-court shots in a row would have been an otherworldly feat even for Curry, the reigning NBA Finals MVP for the defending champion Warriors and the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader since he passed Ray Allen last December.
Here’s a look at the facts.
CLAIM: A video posted online by Sports Illustrated shows Curry making five consecutive full-court shots.
THE FACTS: “If it’s on the internet, it’s real! Right, Klay? It’s real! It’s REAL!” Curry yelled to an Associated Press reporter on Monday, referring to his teammate Klay Thompson before scurrying away in delight.
But Curry was just having some fun. The clip of him lobbing five one-handed shots across the full length of a practice court, sinking every one, was “not real,” said Raymond Ridder, Warriors senior vice president of communications.
“He could do that, but not five in a row,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I think just the fact that it’s Steph made people pause and wonder if it was real. That’s all you need to know about Steph. Pretty remarkable.”
Sports Illustrated tweeted the clip on Sunday saying, “Just finished a shoot with @stephencurry30, this dude just can’t miss.” Its tweet credited the video to Ari Fararooy, a video creator known for executing similar video tricks with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
The video appeared ahead of Sports Illustrated’s announcement of Curry as a December cover star and 2022 Sportsperson of the Year. The outlet on Tuesday acknowledged that the video “is, in fact, not real.”
“We had some fun with it,” Curry said in a postgame interview Monday. “I did make two of them, though, just in case anybody was wondering.”
___
This is part of AP’s effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP. | 2022-12-07T03:41:41+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/sports/us-world-sports/ap-fact-focus-5-full-court-shots-a-stretch-even-for-curry/ |
TORONTO and GATINEAU, QC, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSX: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF), a services-led, software-enabled, IT & Cloud Solutions provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions, announced today that it will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2023 results on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 8:00 am EST. The call will be hosted by the Converge leadership team, followed by a question-and-answer period. Converge will report its financial results in the morning prior to the call.
Conference Call Details:
Date: Wednesday, Aug 9th, 2023
Time: 8:00 AM Eastern Time
Participant Webcast Link:
Webcast Link – https://app.webinar.net/gkXqYQ1YE8v
Participant Dial-in Details with Operator Assistance:
Conference ID: 70789128
Toronto: 416-764-8609
North American Toll Free: 888-390-0605
International Toll-Free Numbers:
Germany: 08007240293
Ireland: 1800939111
Spain: 900834776
Switzerland: 0800312635
United Kingdom: 08006522435
You may register and enter your phone number to receive an instant automated call back via https://emportal.ink/3OgdiaZ
Recording Playback:
Webcast Link - https://app.webinar.net/gkXqYQ1YE8v
Toronto: 416-764-8677
North American Toll Free: 1-888-390-0541
Replay Code: 789128 #
Expiry Date: August 16th, 2023
Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be required to access the webcast. A live audio webcast accompanied by presentation slides and archive of the conference call and webcast will be available by visiting the Company's website at https://convergetp.com/investor-relations/.
Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is a services-led, software-enabled, IT & Cloud Solutions provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions. Converge's global approach delivers advanced analytics, application modernization, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and digital workplace offerings to clients across various industries. The Company supports these solutions with advisory, implementation, and managed services expertise across all major IT vendors in the marketplace. This multi-faceted approach enables Converge to address the unique business and technology requirements for all clients in the public and private sectors. For more information, visit convergetp.com.
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SOURCE Converge Technology Solutions Corp. | 2023-07-19T21:57:51+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2023/07/19/converge-host-second-quarter-fiscal-2023-conference-call/ |
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — NBC 23’s Adam Cardona attended the Beto O’Rourke watch party where many attendees were looking to have the issue of gun laws addressed in the debate.
Before the debate, some of the families who lost children in the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde made a trip to the Rio Grande Valley in support of O’Rourke.
They attended an event where they spoke about their lost loved ones and demanded change. The families say those changes include raising the age from 18 to 21 to purchase assault rifles, red flag laws, and background checks.
One parent who lost his eleven-year-old daughter in the shooting joined the watch party. He said he voted for Abbott and even spoke with him after the shooting – but says Abbott is not doing enough.
“As far as O’Rourke, praise O’Rourke, you know he’s standing behind these families and not just our families but everybody’s kids, for their future, and O’Rourke’s hitting them key points you know, he hasn’t fumbled,” Donny Ray Valdez.
Valdez said regardless of the outcome of this race – he along with the families involved will not stop fighting for change. And another issue attendees were looking to hear the candidates speak on was women’s rights.
Sylvia Tanguma said Governor Abbott’s response to the overturning of Roe v Wade was unacceptable. She said O’Rourke’s response and commitment to women is a key element in this race.
“He understands and he values us as women, which is something that Governor Abbott is not doing,” Tanguma said. “He values not just us as women, but as human beings.”
Tanguma says she is also standing by O’Rourke on issues with school funding as well as gun laws. | 2022-10-01T20:43:12+00:00 | valleycentral.com | https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/orourke-watch-party-brings-together-uvalde-families/ |
SHANGHAI, May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. China (AMEC), a global micro-fabrication equipment Company serving customers in the semiconductor and adjacent high-tech sectors, is proud to announce that it has won six awards in the 2023 TechInsights Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS). Most notably, AMEC has taken first place in"THE BEST Suppliers of Fab Equipment to Specialty Chip Makers and Deposition Equipment". CSS is conducted annually by TechInsights, the most trusted source of actionable, in-depth intelligence related to semiconductor innovation and surrounding markets.
In addition to achieving the highest rating from customers in the referenced survey categories, AMEC also received the following four honorary awards:
10 BEST Focused Suppliers of Chip Making Equipment: Ranked third.
THE BEST Suppliers of Fab Equipment to Specialty Chip Makers: Ranked first.
THE BEST Suppliers of Fab Equipment: Ranked third.
THE BEST Suppliers of Fab Equipment to Foundation Chip Makers: Ranked fifth.
TechInsights Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey has, since 1988, been the only publicly available opportunity for customers to provide feedback on suppliers of semiconductor equipment and subsystems. The 10 BEST, THE BEST, and RANKED 1st awards provide special recognition to suppliers which are rated highest by their customers. In 2018 and 2019, AMEC was the only China-based company to be recognized in the prestigious list of winners; a list which includes leading companies from North America, Europe, and Asia.
"We are proud to receive this great honor again this year, and we recognize that these awards are a reflection of the trust which leading chipmakers and other technology innovators across the world place in our Company," comments AMEC's CEO, Dr. Gerald Z. Yin. "We continuously advocate and practice the'Four Big Ten' culture; emphasizing the importance of innovation and differentiation, while providing product solutions which meet the stringent needs of our customers through technological innovation. By building strong, collaborative relationships and with collective effort, we will continue to assist our customers in achieving their innovation, production, and profit goals with advanced technologies, high-performing tools, and outstanding service."
About AMEC
AMEC (SSE STAR Market stock code: 688012) is China's leading provider of process technologies, tools and expertise which enable global manufacturers of semiconductors and LEDs achieve their innovation, production, and profit goals. The Company's etch tools assist chipmakers in building devices for diverse applications at nodes as low as 5nm, while its MOCVD systems lead the market for Blue LED mass production. More than 3300 AMEC process stations, comprising both product lines, have been installed at 100+ leading customer fabs across Asia and Europe. AMEC is headquartered in Shanghai with operations in Nanchang and Xiamen, and regional subsidiaries in the Taiwan region, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
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SOURCE AMEC | 2023-05-19T10:10:56+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/prnewswire/2023/05/19/amec-earns-first-position-two-rankings-techinsights-customer-satisfaction-survey-2023/ |
BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. (WTVA) — East Union Attendance Center announced Tuesday the death of baseball coach Chris Lucius.
As we cope with the passing of a beloved coach and member of the Urchin family, the high school building at East Union will be open at 4:30 today with counselors and pastors on hand for any student, staff, or any community member who needs to talk. pic.twitter.com/VmLode1HS5
— East Union Attendance Center (@EastUnionAC) June 20, 2023
During his fight with cancer, he guided the Urchins baseball team to a state championship in early June. | 2023-06-20T23:16:30+00:00 | wtva.com | https://www.wtva.com/sports/high-school/east-union-coach-loses-battle-with-cancer-weeks-after-state-championship/article_9d13990a-0fb1-11ee-96b9-9f34dfdf8b3e.html |
Capitol riot panel blames Trump for 1/6 ‘attempted coup’
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol laid the blame firmly on Donald Trump Thursday night, saying the assault was hardly spontaneous but an “attempted coup” and a direct result of the defeated president’s effort to overturn the 2020 election.
With a never-before-seen 12-minute video of extremist groups leading the deadly siege and startling testimony from Trump’s most inner circle, the 1/6 committee provided gripping detail in contending that Trump’s repeated lies about election fraud and his public effort to stop Joe Biden’s victory led to the attack and imperiled American democracy
“Democracy remains in danger,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the panel, during the hearing, timed for prime time to reach as many Americans as possible.
“Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after Jan. 6, to overthrow the government,” Thompson said. “The violence was no accident.”
The hearings may not change Americans’ views on the Capitol attack, but the panel’s investigation is intended to stand as its public record. Ahead of this fall’s midterm elections, and with Trump considering another White House run, the committee’s final report aims to account for the most violent attack on the Capitol since 1814, and to ensure such an attack never happens again.
Testimony showed Thursday how Trump desperately clung to his own false claims of election fraud, beckoning supporters to the Capitol on Jan. 6 when Congress would certify the results, despite those around him insisting Biden had won the election.
In a previously unseen video clip, the panel played a quip from former Attorney General Bill Barr who testified that he told Trump the claims of a rigged election were “bull——.”
In another, the former president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, testified to the committee that she respected Barr’s view that there was no election fraud. “I accepted what he said.”
Others showed leaders of the extremist Oath Keepers and Proud Boys preparing to storm the Capitol to stand up for Trump. One rioter after another told the committee they came to the Capitol because Trump asked them to.
“President Trump summoned a violent mob,” said Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the panel’s vice chair who took the lead for much of the hearing. “When a president fails to take the steps necessary to preserve our union — or worse, causes a constitutional crisis — we’re in a moment of maximum danger for our republic.”
There was an audible gasp in the hearing room when Cheney read an account that said when Trump was told the Capitol mob was chanting for Vice President Mike Pence to be hanged for refusing to block the election results. Trump responded that maybe they were right, that he “deserves it.”
At another point it was disclosed that Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., a leader of efforts to object to the election results, had sought a pardon from Trump, which would protect him from prosecution.
When asked about the White House lawyers threatening to resign over what was happening in the administration, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner scoffed they were “whining.”
Police officers who had fought off the mob consoled one another as they sat in the committee room reliving the violence they faced on Jan. 6. Officer Harry Dunn teared up as bodycam footage showed rioters bludgeoning his colleagues with flagpoles and baseball bats.
In wrenching testimony U.S. Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards told the panel that she slipped in other people’s blood as rioters pushed past her into the Capitol. She suffered brain injuries in the melee.
“It was carnage. It was chaos,” she said.
The riot left more than 100 police officers injured, many beaten and bloodied, as the crowd of pro-Trump rioters, some armed with pipes, bats and bear spray, charged into the Capitol. At least nine people who were there died during and after the rioting, including a woman who was shot and killed by police.
Biden, in Los Angeles for the Summit of the Americas, said many viewers were “going to be seeing for the first time a lot of the detail that occurred.”
Trump, unapologetic, dismissed the investigation anew — and even declared on social media that Jan. 6 “represented the greatest movement in the history of our country.”
Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee tweeted: “All. Old. News.”
Emotions are still raw at the Capitol, and security was tight. Law enforcement officials are reporting a spike in violent threats against members of Congress.
Against this backdrop, the committee was speaking to a divided America. Most TV networks carried the hearing live, but Fox News Channel did not.
The committee chairman, civil rights leader Thompson, opened the hearing with the sweep of American history. saying he heard in those denying the stark reality of Jan. 6 his own experience growing up in a time and place “where people justified the action of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.”
Republican Rep. Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, outlined what the committee has learned about the events leading up to that brisk January day when Trump sent his supporters to Congress to “fight like hell” for his presidency.
Among those testifying was documentary maker Nick Quested, who filmed the Proud Boys storming the Capitol — along with a pivotal meeting between the group’s then-chairman Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and another extremist group, the Oath Keepers, the night before in nearby parking garage. Quested said the Proud Boys later went to get tacos.
Court documents show that members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were discussing as early as November a need to fight to keep Trump in office. Leaders both groups and some members have since been indicted on rare sedition charges over the military-style attack.
In the weeks ahead, the panel is expected to detail Trump’s public campaign to “Stop the Steal” and the private pressure he put on the Justice Department to reverse his election loss — despite dozens of failed court cases attesting there was no fraud on a scale that could have tipped the results in his favor.
The panel faced obstacles from its start. Republicans blocked the formation of an independent body that could have investigated the Jan. 6 assault the way the 9/11 Commission probed the 2001 terror attack.
Instead, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ushered the creation of the 1/6 panel through Congress and rejected Republican-appointed lawmakers who had voted on Jan. 6 against certifying the election results, eventually naming seven Democrats and two Republicans.
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, who has been caught up in the probe and has defied the committee’s subpoena for an interview, called the panel a “scam.”
In the audience were several lawmakers who were trapped together in the House gallery during the attack.
“We want to remind people, we were there, we saw what happened,” said Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. “We know how close we came to the first non-peaceful transition of power in this country.”
The Justice Department has arrested and charged more than 800 people for the violence that day, the biggest dragnet in its history.
___
Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Michael Balsamo and Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report.
___
For full coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-10T06:00:43+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/2022/06/10/capitol-riot-panel-blames-trump-16-attempted-coup/ |
NEW YORK, March 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) between March 10, 2021 and March 16, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important May 19, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Tupperware securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Tupperware class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12606 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 19, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) Tupperware did not disclose its serious issues with internal controls; (2) Tupperware's financial statements, from its 2020 Annual Report to the present, included misstatements, particularly as it related to the Company's accounting for income taxes; (3) as a result, Tupperware would need to restate its previously filed financial statements for certain periods; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Tupperware class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12606 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | 2023-03-29T05:05:23+00:00 | mysuncoast.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2023/03/29/rosen-global-investor-counsel-encourages-tupperware-brands-corporation-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-first-filed-securities-class-action-commenced-by-firm-tup/ |
A new threat from China faces Taiwan’s military: Trolls with drones
By Andrew Raine and CNN’s Beijing bureau
With the sun shining, drinks on the table and music in the air, it looks like the young men in the video, which has gone viral on Chinese social media, have picked a great day for a picnic.
Dressed casually in jeans and T-shirts, shorts and sandals, and chatting jovially in Mandarin as they hunch over a controller and screen, it’s hard to believe they could be up to anything shady — until one of them shouts excitedly, “I got a tank!”
But these men aren’t playing a computer game. They are flying drones over a military site on a nearby Taiwan-controlled island.
The 15-second video clip is among a number of videos that have popped up recently on the Chinese social media site Weibo and show what appear to be civilian-grade drones trolling Taiwan’s military. The island’s military later confirmed these mysterious menaces are indeed civilian drones from mainland China.
The videos show detailed, drones’-eye footage of military installations and personnel on Taiwan’s outlying Kinmen islands. Accompanied by soundtracks ranging from ballads to dance music and plenty of emojis, the clips seem designed to highlight the unpreparedness of Taiwan’s troops.
One video captures the moment four soldiers from Taiwan realize they are being watched by a drone that’s hovering in the sky above their guard post. Caught off guard, they respond by throwing stones at the intruding drone, which zooms in so close you can make out the faces of individual soldiers.
Video footage of these bizarre encounters has gone viral on Chinese social media and is attracting hundreds of comments mocking Taiwan’s military. The clips seems to expose a stunning vulnerability: the ability of Chinese drones to photograph restricted military sites in Taiwan at any time.
‘Gray zone’ warfare
Analysts say the footage being beamed across the internet — showing military sites and personnel in fine detail for all the world to see — is at best embarrassing for Taiwan and at worst, outright dangerous.
The drone incursions come amid increased tensions following a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, a self-governing democracy of nearly 24 million people, in August.
That trip angered China’s ruling Communist Party — which views Taiwan as part of its territory, despite never having governed it — and it responded by launching unprecedented military drills around the island, sending warplanes across the Taiwan Strait and firing missiles over the main island.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has claimed the drone incursions are the latest ratcheting up of this pressure; a new front in China’s “gray-zone” warfare tactics to intimidate the island. On September 1, after warning it would exercise its rights to self-defense, Taiwan shot down a drone for the first time.
But, provocative though the footage is, it is difficult to be sure exactly who is behind the drone incursions.
Beijing has brushed off the drone incursions as “no big deal.” Questioned about civilian-grade drones flying in the Kinmen area, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently responded: “Chinese drones flying over China’s territory — what’s there to be surprised at?”
Fueling suspicions, China hasn’t removed the videos from its otherwise highly censored internet or prevented the drones from traveling through its own highly controlled airspace.
Beijing also doesn’t appear to be interested in trying to punish those behind the footage; flying drones over domestic military sites is punishable by prison time.
‘Deniable harassment’
Isabel Hilton, an international journalist and longtime China watcher, said it was impossible to know who was piloting the drones — and that was exactly what made them so well-suited to “deniable harassment.”
The machines appear to be civilian models, but could “be operated by anybody, including the military,” said Hilton, the founder of China Dialogue, suggesting that “government agencies in the guise of a popular movement” could be behind the controls.
Hilton drew a parallel to events in the South China Sea, where China has been accused of using a maritime militia to enforce its territorial claims by swarming disputed areas with hundreds of what are ostensibly civilian fishing boats.
Western experts say the militia — sometimes dubbed China’s “Little Blue Men” — is funded and controlled by the People’s Liberation Army. China doesn’t acknowledge their existence and when questioned, refers to them as a “so-called maritime militia.“
In both arenas, the ideal result for China is to gain an advantage “without the military appearing to be involved,” Hilton said.
“Whether you’re using fishing boats or civilian drones, it doesn’t look as though this is official policy. It doesn’t look like direct military harassment in the way that the incursion of a warplane does. And so it’s a deniable provocation.”
Hilton said not only did the drones serve reconnaissance purposes — “they’re flying very low over military installations or taking very clear photographs of individually identifiable soldiers” — they could also have a psychological impact on the soldiers, who “find their faces very clearly put up on Chinese social media, where they are liable to be insulted and where people are liable to call for them to be killed.” Taiwan’s media have reported that such exposure could hurt the morale of the island’s soldiers.
“This is all very demoralizing for Taiwanese, and it’s kept at a level which is designed not to let Taiwan relax, not to let Taiwan forget the threat,” Hilton said.
“(It’s) designed to remind Taiwan that there’s no escape from Chinese pressure, and that in the end, China will take over. That’s the purpose.”
Trolls with drones
But not everybody suspects the invisible hand of China’s military.
Paul Huang, a research fellow at the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental think tank, thinks that the drones are operated by private civilians who “maybe out of curiosity, maybe out of nationalism” want to provoke Taiwan.
“Flying that close to a Taiwanese military guard post and catching their attention …That’s not really the way any military would deploy or utilize their drones. And frankly I don’t see any good reason that the (People’s Liberation Army) would even attempt something like that,” Huang said.
Still, where he and Hilton agree is that Beijing could stop the drone incursions if it wanted to — but it doesn’t, because it sees an advantage in letting them continue.
“Beijing (sees the incursions) as an attempt by their own population to troll Taiwan, to provoke Taiwan, to make fun of Taiwan’s incompetence. They treat it as a propaganda victory,” Huang said.
China Dialogue’s Hilton said Beijing is “definitely playing a double game here.”
“Beijing, as we know, controls its own domestic internet, it controls domestic airspace. If this is happening, it’s because the government wishes it to happen.”
Changing threat
Taiwan has faced the threat of invasion ever since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, when Chiang Kai-shek’s defeated Nationalists fled there to set up a new government, having been chased out of the mainland by Mao Zedong’s Communist Party.
More than 70 years later, the Communist Party continues to view Taiwan as something akin to a breakaway province that must be “reunified” with the mainland at all costs — and it has made clear it is prepared to use force, if necessary, to fulfill that objective.
If China were to invade, the Kinmen islands — most of which have been controlled by Taiwan since the end of the war — would make a tempting first target. Lying just a few miles from the mainland Chinese city of Xiamen — and hundreds of miles from Taiwan’s capital Taipei — they are acutely vulnerable.
It’s for this reason that for the past seven decades beaches in Kinmen have been lined with countless iron spikes designed to make any amphibious assault as costly as possible to an invading force.
For Taiwan, the problem is that the nature of that invading force is changing.
The Kinmen islands’ proximity to the mainland puts them well within the range of commercially available drones, which are cheap and plentiful in China, home to the world’s second largest market for the machines and no shortage of potential operators among its population of 1.4 billion.
And while iron spikes might be useful in a beach invasion, they will not do much against a drone operator trolling Taiwan’s military from the safety of a Xiamen park.
Fighting back
Still, Huang said Beijing may come to regret failing to rein in the trolls, whoever they are.
He said Taiwan could ask DJI, the China-based manufacturer whose logo appeared in a few of the trolling videos, to make the Kinmen islands a restricted area in its database — a move that would prevent operators from being able to fly the drones there.
If DJI refused to comply, Taiwan could exclude it from its market — dealing a further blow to a company that has already been added to a US investment blacklist due to its alleged links to the Chinese state. DJI, the world’s top drone maker, declined to comment to CNN for this article.
And Beijing’s “propaganda victory” may come with other unintended — and unwanted — consequences.
Shortly after the series of drone incursions, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced that the island would deploy a new anti-drone system at military bases beginning next year. It also announced plans to boost its overall defense budget to a record $19.4 billion, a 13.9% increase over 2022.
“(China) doesn’t really see a problem as of yet, which I think they should, because this could lead to escalation that they didn’t want. If they want to be in control, they better control these civilian drone operators first,” Huang said.
Taiwan, meanwhile, appears to have realized that ignoring the drones and their mystery operators is not an option. Within days of shooting down its first drone, it released a series of pictures to the media showcasing its shiny new anti-drone weapons. It appeared to be sending its own propaganda message: next time the drones come calling, it will be ready.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-18T04:46:22+00:00 | keyt.com | https://keyt.com/news/national-world/cnn-asia-pacific/2022/09/17/a-new-threat-from-china-faces-taiwans-military-trolls-with-drones/ |
Arizona has not yet completed its vote counts for the Midterm races KJZZ | By Rachel Martin, Ben Giles Published November 9, 2022 at 9:14 AM EST Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 3:14 The closely contested gubernatorial race and the contest for the U.S. Senate are still undecided. Copyright 2022 KJZZ | 2022-11-09T15:50:29+00:00 | wbfo.org | https://www.wbfo.org/2022-11-09/arizona-has-not-yet-completed-its-vote-counts-for-the-midterm-races |
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The CPSC announces today the following recalls are posted in cooperation with the firms listed below. Recalls can be viewed at www.cpsc.gov.
Vanessa Fire Tables Recalled Due to Fire Hazard; Imported by Ove Decors
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Vanessa%20Fire-Tables-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Imported-by-Ove-Decors
Ross Stores Recalls Taylor and Finch Six-Wick Scented Candles Due to Fire and Injury Hazards
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Ross-Stores-Recalls-Taylor-and-Finch-Six-Wick-Scented-Candles-Due-to-Fire-and-Injury-Hazards
Vaenait Baby Recalls Children's Robes Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Vaenait-Baby-Recalls-Childrens-Robes-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn-Hazard
Lifetime Brands Recalls Hot Chocolate Pots Due to Fire Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Williams-Sonoma
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Lifetime-Brands-Recalls-Hot-Chocolate-Pots-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Sold-Exclusively-at-Williams-Sonoma
Children's Pajama Sets Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard; Manufactured by Selfie Craft Company
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Childrens-Pajama-Sets-Recalled-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn-Hazard-Manufactured-by-Selfie-Craft-Company
Sakar International Recalls Multi-Purpose Helmets Due to Risk of Head Injury
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Sakar-International-Recalls-Multi-Purpose-Helmets-Due-to-Risk-of-Head-Injury
NewCosplay Children's Sleepwear Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard; Imported by Mianzhu Ye Xin Trading; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/NewCosplay-Childrens=Sleepwear-Recalled-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn=Hazard=Imported-by-Mianzhu-Ye-Xin-Trading-Sold-Exclusively-at-Amazon-com
NewCosplay Children's Sleepwear Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard; Imported by Weihai Juanhai Decoration Material; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/NewCosplay-Childrens-Sleepwear-Recalled-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn-Hazard-Imported-by-Weihai-Juanhai-Decoration-Material-Sold-Exclusively-at-Amazon-com
NewCosplay Children's Sleepwear Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard; Imported by Hainan Chong Yu Industrial; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/NewCosplay-Childrens-Sleepwear-Recalled-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn-Hazard-Imported-by-Hainan-Chong-Yu-Industrial-Sold-Exclusively-at-Amazon-com
NewCosplay Children's Sleepwear Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard; Imported by Shanghai Jing Cheng Landscape Engineering Company; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/NewCosplay-Childrens-Sleepwear-Recalled-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn-Hazard-Imported-by-Shanghai-Jing-Cheng-Landscape-Engineering-Company-Sold-Exclusively-at-Amazon-com
NewCosplay Children's Sleepwear Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard; Imported by Shanghai Jinhui Gardening Center; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/NewCosplay-Childrens-Sleepwear-Recalled-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn-Hazard-Imported-by-Shanghai-Jinhui-Gardening-Center-Sold-Exclusively-at-Amazon-com
NewCosplay Children's Sleepwear Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard; Imported by Shanghai Xunao Elevator; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/NewCosplay-Childrens-Sleepwear-Recalled-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn-Hazard-Imported-by-Shanghai-Xunao-Elevator-Sold-Exclusively-at-Amazon-com
Meguiar's Recalls Headlight Sealant Due to Failure to Meet Child Resistant Packaging Requirements; Risk of Poisoning
https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Meguiars-Recalls-Headlight-Sealant-Due-to-Failure-to-Meet-Child-Resistant-Packaging-Requirements-Risk-of-Poisoning
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
- Contact a media specialist.
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SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | 2023-01-19T16:09:59+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2023/01/19/new-product-safety-recalls/ |
The non-profit Animal Rescue's lawsuit was filed following a slew of Big Casino-backed anti-charity Virginia legislation
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Billy the Kidden, a Virginia Beach-based non-profit Animal Rescue, vowed to take its lawsuit (CL22–2587) against the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to the Supreme Court, following yesterday's hearing in which the Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach ruled against Billy the Kidden, despite even the Judge referring to the new laws as "strange and contradictory."
Billy the Kidden, which became the largest rescue of its kind on the East Coast thanks to charitable gaming revenue, filed suit against VDACS following a slew of legislation passed in Virginia in 2022 that targeted charities and charitable gaming organizations. Charities and nonprofits such as Billy the Kidden in Virginia receive substantial and critical support from charitable bingo and charitable poker revenue, which, through this convoluted, often contradictory, and targeted legislation, would be effectively shut down.
As has been widely reported in national news outlets, the legislators behind these bills have all received substantial donations from the for-profit Big Casino & Gaming industries, for whom these regulations do not apply and who stand the most to gain from dismantling the charitable gaming industry.
"I am disappointed with the Court's ruling today, but our fight is not over and we will be taking this to the Supreme Court," Emilie Jackson, President & CFO of Billy the Kidden, said. "Many have been telling me it's a 'David and Goliath' fight, to which I simply say 'let's not forget how that turned out.' It is un-American and unacceptable to punish and target charities simply to increase the bottom line for the Big Casino and Gaming industry."
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SOURCE Billy the Kidden Rescue | 2022-07-01T22:01:13+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/billy-kidden-will-take-lawsuit-against-vdacs-supreme-court/ |
At a downtown office block in Mumbai, India, packing tape peels off a black door whose handle appears to have been ripped out. A pile of post is strewn on the floor outside. A guy from a neighboring office says the staff moved out a few weeks ago, destination unknown.
Almost 1,200 miles away in Dubai, a small office in a run down industrial estate, offers no clues that it, too, is a small cog in Russia’s vast new petroleum supply chain.
The two locations are listed on an international maritime database as belonging to firms running $2 billion in tanker assets between them. They assembled fleets in under a year that are now delivering millions of barrels of Russian oil across the globe.
The first address is for a firm called Gatik Ship Management in Mumbai. The second is for Fractal Shipping. They’re part of a sprawling network of maritime operations that came to prominence soon after the invasion of Ukraine, helping Russia’s oil exports continue substantially unscathed despite sanctions from the West.
“It is this new breed of tanker market players who have helped Russian oil to continue to flow around the world,” said Rebecca Galanopoulos Jones, senior content analyst at VesselsValue, a firm that tracks the prices of thousands of merchant ships. “The sanctions on Russian oil seem to have had very little impact on overall export levels.”
Europe banned almost all seaborne oil imports from Russia from Dec. 5 and simultaneously joined the Group of Seven industrialized nations in imposing a price cap on the country’s crude sales. That extended to refined fuels on Feb. 5.
Anyone wishing to access key western services — especially insurance — had to provide an attestation that the cargoes they were transporting cost $60 per barrel or less. The cap was set high on purpose — the U.S. wanted already discounted Russian crude to keep flowing — and both upstart shippers are using plenty of western insurance.
About three-quarters of Gatik’s fleet is covered by mutuals within the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs in London, data compiled by Bloomberg show. For Fractal, the proportion is higher still.
Both firms have numerous ships in their fleets covered by one of the International Group’s 13 member organizations, the American Club, whose head office is in New York, according to industry data compiled by Bloomberg.
The American Club’s chief operating officer, Daniel Tadros, confirmed his organization covers ships in both firms’ fleets, adding both have provided the so-called attestations — documented statements confirming that oil purchases are in accordance with the G-7 price cap.
The need for firms like Gatik and Fractal grew because many conventional western shipping firms stopped lifting Russian barrels, either to protest at the invasion or because of the threat of falling foul of sanctions.
Even before the measures began, a huge number of tankers started to be sold to a new group of buyers, whose identities and affiliations were often not clear.
Permitted trade
There are no results when searching for the company Gatik Ship Management on India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs website. A Gatik website address shows that it is under construction. The firm declined to answer questions about its activities.
Fractal’s website only has an email address for recruitment. Emails, a WhatsApp message, and a call requesting comment — to addresses and phone numbers provided by people who know Fractal officials — were not returned.
Its Dubai address is listed on Equasis as the location for the commercial manager of most of Fractal’s tankers. The firm also recently moved out of a shared work space in Geneva — the home of its head office, according to a manager there.
Gatik’s fleet can haul about 30 million barrels of oil and fuels, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Fractal’s has a transportation capacity closer to 15 million barrels.
Almost all Fractal’s and Gatik’s tankers made calls to Russian ports this year, or took Russian cargoes by ship-to-ship transfer, according to tanker tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.
India and the United Arab Emirates did not sign up to the price cap, nor do they have other sanctions on Russian oil. They can legally use Western services too, providing they give an attestation the cargoes were bought at or below the cap.
Russia-serving
Gatik’s earliest recorded tanker acquisition was in June 2022, with its most recent in February this year, according to VesselsValue, a firm that monitors sale and purchase of merchant ships. Fractal’s was in the same month, Equasis data show.
One such example is the Gatik tanker Jumbo, which was observed calling at the port of Ust-Luga in Russia’s Baltic Sea on Feb. 11. It is now near Kalamata in Greece, a popular location for ship-to-ship cargo transfers of the nation’s oil, according to ship-tracking by Bloomberg. The ship came under Gatik’s management on Feb. 3, according to Equasis.
Russia exported about 3.2 million barrels a day of crude oil from its ports in the two months after the cap and Europe’s imports ban were imposed on Dec. 5, little changed from the prior two months. The two firms are part of the new supply chain network allowing that to happen.
Neither Gatik nor Fractal is listed as the beneficial owner of the tankers in their fleets, meaning they are probably operating the ships for others, whose identity is often not made public. They are described as the “registered owners” of their vessels on the American Club’s website.
This is a common form of vessel ownership in the shipping industry but does not denote the ship’s true owner.
Beneficial ownership is a more important detail for understanding who really owns the assets and, according to information from IHS, which maintains a shipping database for the International Maritime Organization.
“We’re seeing how easy it is to transfer ownership with these large, new groups,” Steve Cicala, co-director of the Project on the Economic Analysis of Regulation at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
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(With assistance from Rakesh Sharma, Julian Lee, Anthony Di Paola, Bryce Baschuk, Alex Longley and Hemal Savai.) | 2023-03-19T20:12:49+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/tanker-giants-sprout-from-nowhere-to-keep-russian-oil-moving/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
A former member of the Canadian national gymnastics team wrote a public letter accusing the country's 2016 Olympic coach of climbing into bed and pressing his body up against her, reaching his hand underneath her shirt and trying to talk her into exposing her breasts.
The letter by Abby Pearson Spadafora, 38, revealed the latest in a long series of allegations of sexual, emotional and physical abuse by coaches Dave and Elizabeth Brubaker, who have been banned by Gymnastics Canada.
“The abuse never stopped,” Spadafora wrote in her letter released Thursday. “My male coach would regularly snap the back of my sports bras when I started wearing them. I was taught that gaining weight and puberty were a bad thing. Injuries were rarely taken seriously, and I was taught to hide the pain.”
Spadafora said she started training 25-35 hours a week at age 7, and was weighed twice a day.
“This is when the grooming began that led to years of abuse,” she said of her training, which began in around 1991.
A group of 11 gymnasts, including Spadafora, have come forward to detail abuses at the Bluewater Gymnastics Club in Ontario. They took part in an investigation by Gymnastics Canada that led to the Brubakers' bans. Spadafora and another athlete have criticized the investigation. saying it re-traumatized them because they were urged not to say anything publicly for fear it would be used against them in the hearing process.
Some 480 athletes have signed a petition asking the Canadian government to commission an independent third-party investigation into abuses at the club.
Dave Brubaker, who coached the Canadian Olympic team in 2016, was found not guilty of sexual assault and sexual exploitation in 2019 after the judge in the case involving a former gymnast disclosed that the officer investigating Brubaker was related to the alleged victim.
His lifetime ban from Gymnastics Canada, and his wife's ban through Jan. 18, 2024, was handed down earlier this year after a disciplinary panel confirmed 54 counts of misconduct by the Brubakers. The Brubakers initially appealed their bans, but in March withdrew the appeals.
The attorney who represented the Brubakers in the sexual assault trial, Patrick Ducharme, did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press.
In her open letter, Spadafora said the abuse was mostly physical in the early years. She described an episode in which her coach put her in a handstand on a low bar, 5 feet off the ground, then pushed her hands off the bar to force her to crash into the mat headfirst.
“He repeated this several times and not once did he check me for a concussion,” she wrote. “I was eleven! I was petrified and wanted to cry, but I knew I couldn’t for fear of retribution.”
The advocacy group Global Athlete released a statement saying Spadafora should be applauded for the bravery to come forward and tell her story.
“Her brave stance in sharing her lived experience must be shared to stop such normalized behavior," the statement said. | 2022-05-26T14:13:17+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Canadian-gymnast-tells-of-sexual-emotional-abuse-17200370.php |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Doctors in California who mail abortion pills to people in other states would be protected from prosecution under a new bill to be unveiled Friday in the state Legislature.
The bill would not let California extradite doctors who are facing charges in another state for providing abortion medication. It would also shield doctors from having to pay fines. And it would let California doctors sue anyone who tries to stop them from providing abortions.
The bill would only protect doctors who are in California. If a doctor left California to provide an abortion to someone in another state, that doctor would not be protected. It also would not protect patients in other states who receive the medication.
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State Sen. Nancy Skinner, a Democrat from Berkeley and the author of the bill, said her intent is to make sure California residents who are traveling in other states or living there temporarily — like college students — can still have access to medication that's legal in their home state. But she acknowledged the bill would also apply to California doctors who treat patients who live in other states.
“This is essential health care,” Skinner said. “Our health care practitioners should be protected for treating their patients regardless of where their patients are geographically."
Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Maryland and Vermont have proposed or passed similar laws, according to Skinner’s office. Connecticut's law, among other things, blocks criminal summonses from other states related to reproductive health care services that are legal in Connecticut while also blocking extradition — unless the person fled from a state requesting them.
“Obviously, if a provider is engaging in telehealth services with someone, even if they do inquire about where they are, they kind of have to take it on faith,” said Connecticut state Rep. Matt Blumenthal, a Democrat and co-chair of the General Assembly’s Reproductive Rights Caucus. “We don’t want to make providers their police for their patients. And we don’t want to make them have to do an investigation every time they perform telehealth."
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Other states have tried to block the distribution of the abortion pill, known as mifepristone. Attorneys general in 20 states, mostly with Republican governors, have warned some of the nation’s largest pharmacy companies they could face legal consequences if they distribute the pill within their states.
Most abortions are outlawed in Idaho, including medication abortions. Blaine Conzatti, president of the Idaho Family Policy Center — a group that opposes abortion rights — said California has a responsibility to extradite physicians who break Idaho laws.
“The arrogance of such a proposal is astounding,” Conzatti said of Skinner's bill. “It flaunts the traditional relationship between states and would upend our federal system altogether.”
Skinner's bill goes beyond abortions. It would also protect doctors for mailing contraceptives and transgender-related medications.
California already has laws that prevents courts from enforcing out-of-state judgments on abortion providers and volunteers. That law was aimed at protecting doctors who provide abortions to people who travel to California from other states. Abortion opponents say laws like that are illegal because they violate a clause in the U.S. Constitution that says states must give "full faith and credit" to the laws of other states.
Federal courts have recognized an exception to that clause, including laws in one state that violate the “public policy” of another state. Skinner's law declares it is the public policy of California that doctors should not be charged for providing abortion medication.
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“We're very careful," Skinner said.
Abortion pills have been legal in the U.S. for more than two decades and can be used up to the 10th week of pregnancy. It's now the most common abortion method in the U.S. A federal judge in Texas is weighing whether to revoke or suspend the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of the drug, a decision that would apply to all states and not just the ones who have outlawed abortions.
Skinner’s bill is one of 17 pieces of legislation Democrats have introduced in California this year to protect abortion rights, including proposals to improve access to contraceptives and protect patients’ privacy. | 2023-03-17T06:29:47+00:00 | bostonglobe.com | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/17/nation/california-bill-protect-doctors-who-mail-abortion-pills/ |
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s surging tax collections over the past year have pushed state government’s budget surplus up more than 50% to about $6.1 billion.
The jump from last year’s record high of $3.9 billion in cash reserves announced Friday comes as the Republican-dominated Legislature is set to soon consider a proposal from Gov. Eric Holcomb for distributing $225 payments to taxpayers for what he calls “inflationary relief.”
The proposed payments could cost the state about $1 billion, but Holcomb has said they are affordable.
Democrats have questioned the helpfulness of the state payments because of slow distribution and have pushed for suspending Indiana’s 62 cents-per-gallon in gasoline taxes, saying that would provide more immediate relief. | 2022-07-15T16:53:51+00:00 | wishtv.com | https://www.wishtv.com/news/indiana-news/indiana-sees-big-budget-surplus-jump-as-tax-refund-eyed/ |
MILAN (AP) — Italy’s new far-right-led government has blocked humanitarian rescue ships from accessing its ports, resulting in a standoff with charities that patrol the deadly central Mediterranean, rescuing people in trouble at sea.
Nongovernmental organizations, as well as human rights and international law experts, say vessels are legally required to rescue people in distress and coastal nations are required to provide a place of safety for them to disembark. Italy claims the flag countries of the ships are responsible for taking on the migrants and that charity vessels just encourage people-smuggling.
Here are some of the issues behind the standoff:
WHAT IS GOING ON NOW IN THE MEDITERRANEAN?
Two charity rescue boats that entered Italian waters this weekend were directed to the Sicilian port of Catania, where Italian authorities allowed the disembarkation only of migrants it deemed vulnerable — families with children, unaccompanied minors and people needing medical care.
Those boats are now refusing to leave until the rest of the migrants are allowed to get off as well, but Italy is not budging. A third charity ship, carrying 89 people rescued at sea, unloaded all of the people it rescued in Calabria on Tuesday. The reason for the different treatment was not immediately apparent. A fourth boat remains in international waters for the 17th day with 234 people on board, it’s requests for a safe port unanswered.
WHAT IS ITALY’S FAR-RIGHT-LED GOVERNMENT SAYING ABOUT RESCUES?
Italy says it is not responsible for taking on migrants rescued by charity rescue ships. It says that responsibility falls to the countries whose flag the ships fly. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi described the ships as “islands” and anyone on them as falling under the jurisdiction of the flag countries.
Humanitarian groups, maritime legal experts and human rights activists all reject that interpretation of a flag state’s jurisdiction.
Italy’s new far-right-led government paved the way to closing its ports to private rescue ships by telling port authorities that two of the ships — the Ocean Viking and the Humanity 1 — did not follow European norms while carrying out rescues. Piantedosi claimed they did not await instruction by search and rescue authorities.
The groups have denied the claim, saying they followed correct protocols to inform the authorities — in Italy, Malta or Libya, depending on the search-and-rescue area — once a boat in difficulty has been identified. Often, they say, national authorities never answer their calls for help.
HOW HAVE PAST ITALIAN GOVERNMENTS HANDLED RESCUES AT SEA?
The new government’s confrontational posture is reminiscent of the standoffs orchestrated by Matteo Salvini when he was briefly interior minister from 2018-19.
Salvini’s refusal to open ports resulted in ships having to travel to France or Spain to disembark migrants, adding up to three days to the migrants’ journeys. A German captain, Carola Rackete, famously defied Salvini and entered an Italian port despite orders not to, citing an emergency situation on board.
Salvini, who is infrastructure minister in charge of ports in the new government, is facing trial on charges of kidnapping for refusing to let the Spanish migrant rescue ship Open Arms dock in an Italian port in 2019. Another case against him has been dismissed.
Other Italian governments have delayed ships’ arrivals to get agreements with other European Union countries to take migrants before they land, or conducted inspections that the charity groups argue seek to prevent them from conducting rescues.
WHAT DOES INTERNATIONAL LAW SAY?
Article 98 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea requires every shipmaster “to render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost.” Charity ships say rescuing migrants from flimsy, unseaworthy smuggling boats, or in many cases straight from the water, is their legal obligation.
International Maritime Law also requires coastal states to run adequate search and rescue services, including by cooperating with other nations in the same region during rescues.
Rescues are only considered complete after survivors are disembarked to the nearest place of safety, to be assigned by the maritime authority in charge of search-and-rescue coordination. But NGOs say their requests for a place of safety in the Mediterranean Sea are increasingly delayed, ignored or denied by both Italy and Malta.
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH LIBYA?
Libya, with European support, is responsible for a massive search-and-rescue area in the Central Mediterranean since 2018. But human rights activists and maritime law experts say the war-torn country – currently lacking a central government- cannot adequately and safely perform search and rescue missions. People smugglers have also been linked to members of the Libyan coast guard in charge of interceptions at sea.
U.N. agencies say that Libya cannot be considered a “place of safety” for the disembarkation of people rescued at sea, due to the inhumane conditions at the detention centers they are returned to. Many migrants and refugees have spoken of enduring horrific abuses in Libya, including beatings, rape and killings. Despite millions spent by the EU to improve conditions, little has changed.
HOW MANY MIGRANTS HAVE NGO VESSELS RESCUED?
The International Organization for Migration says charity ship rescues accounted for only 15% of the 88,000 migrants who have reached Italy by sea so far this year. Most arrived on their own, or were rescued by the Italian Coast Guard or other national rescue ships.
But many don’t survive the dangerous crossing, with some 1,300 migrants dying or missing in the Central Mediterranean this year, according to the IOM’s missing migrants project.
Although the number of arrivals is far below the peak of 2016 when 180,000 people arrived on Italian shores, the death rate remains high.
Non-governmental groups say they are needed in the Mediterranean, the deadliest known migration route in the world, to fill the rescue gap left by European countries who have increasingly relied on North African nations to stop migrants from crossing.
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Brito contributed from Barcelona, Spain.
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Follow all AP stories about global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration. | 2022-11-08T21:36:29+00:00 | valleycentral.com | https://www.valleycentral.com/green-living/top-story/ap-top-headlines/ap-explainer-whats-behind-italys-migrant-sea-rescue-standoff/ |
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts wrapped up a two-day summit Wednesday with pledges of long-term support for Ukraine but no offer of the country’s protection under the alliance’s security umbrella.
Results from the meeting in Lithuania, a nation on NATO’s eastern flank that borders Russia, were mixed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky was grateful for the pledges of more arms and ammunition but disappointed that his country has no clear time frame for joining the world’s biggest security alliance.
After an evening of pre-summit intrigue, Sweden took a big step toward becoming NATO’s 32nd member country when Turkey signaled it would give its approval but not before October.
The allies also launched sweeping changes to their defense plans in case of an attack from Russia or by terrorists. They agreed to step up defense spending, too, but set out no timetable for meeting the targets.
NATO allies offered more weapons, ammunition and other support to Ukraine but could not agree to allow the country to join their organization while a war with Russia is raging. They removed a major hurdle most countries must clear to join – completing a membership action plan – but its accession is still conditional. “We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met,” the leaders said, without elaborating. Instead of an action plan, Ukraine will get “multiyear programs” for bringing its armed forces and security institutions up to modern standards. A new NATO-Ukraine Council was launched, upgrading political ties and allowing all sides to call crisis talks if needed. Zelenskyy said it was “absurd” that Ukraine received no proposed time for membership.
The best security guarantee for Ukraine would be NATO membership. But the Group of Seven industrialized democracies did offer other assurances to dissuade Russia from attacking again once the war is over. Should it do so, the powers would send “swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea and air domains, and economic assistance.” They also vowed to slap more sanctions on Russia. For now and into the future, they said they will provide weapons and military equipment, including combat airpower, as well as more military training for Ukraine’s beleaguered army. Zelenskky asked that these assurances last at least until Ukraine joins NATO.
The leaders endorsed the biggest shakeup since the Cold War of the way NATO would respond to any attack on its territory by Russia. The revamp of the highly secretive defense plans, inspired by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, lay out which of the 31 member countries would be called on to respond to an attack anywhere in Europe and the North Atlantic area. NATO commanders will know what troops and equipment they can use and how long it would take to get them into action. “Peace in the Euro-Atlantic area has been shattered,” the leaders said, laying out the twin threats posed by Russia and terrorism. One part of the process that wasn’t streamlined is the need for all allies to approve launching the new plans in case of attack. Political decisions at NATO require consensus and can be time-consuming.
Sweden took a big step toward NATO membership. It’s still not in, though. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan relented after Sweden promised to help Turkey join the European Union, but his biggest prize was securing new fighter jets from the United States. Biden said both developments had nothing to do with Sweden’s NATO prospects. The deal was secured at the summit venue the night before the meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, officially started, in a series of talks involving Sweden, Turkey, a top EU official and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Erdogan agreed to submit Sweden’s accession protocol to the Turkish parliament and work to ensure its ratification. “This is not a NATO issue,” Stoltenberg said. “Sweden agreed today as an EU member to support actively the efforts to reinvigorate Turkey’s EU accession process.”
Sending weapons and ammunition to Ukraine and bolstering security on NATO’s eastern flank near Russia means more defense spending. The allies pledged to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on their national military budgets, and least 20% of that amount on new military equipment, research and development. But they set no time frame for reaching the targets. After Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, the organization agreed to halt spending cuts member nations made after the Cold War and move toward spending 2% of GDP within a decade. Now, that percentage will be the floor, rather than a ceiling. Getting there will be a challenge. Only 11 of the 31 member countries are likely to reach the goal this year, according to NATO estimates. It’s unlikely to end U.S. demands that allies do more. Former President Donald Trump threatened to abandon NATO countries that failed to boost their budgets, raising deep concern about the U.S. commitment to the alliance’s collective security umbrella. | 2023-07-13T13:21:40+00:00 | wate.com | https://www.wate.com/news/national/ap-international/ap-nato-summit-results-in-brief-mixed-news-for-ukraine-hope-for-sweden-and-a-response-to-russia/ |
BEIJING (AP) — Naval forces from China, Iran and Russia — countries at odds with the United States — are staging joint drills in the Gulf of Oman this week, China’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
Other countries are also taking part in the “Security Bond-2023” exercises, the ministry said without giving details. Iran, Pakistan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates all have coastline along the waterbody lying at the mouth of the strategic Persian Gulf.
“This exercise will help deepen practical cooperation between the participating countries' navies ... and inject positive energy into regional peace and stability,” the ministry statement said.
U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday that the White House was not concerned by the joint training exercise. Kirby said the U.S. and other nations conduct training exercises all the time and this won’t be the first time that the Russians and Chinese have trained together.
“We’re going to watch it, we’ll monitor it, obviously, to make sure that there’s no threat resulting from this training exercise to our national security interests or those of our allies and partners in the region,” Kirby said on CNN. “But nations train. We do it all the time. We’ll watch it as best we can.”
The exercises scheduled for Wednesday through Sunday come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China over a range of issues, including China's refusal to criticize Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and continuing support for the Russian economy.
The U.S. and its allies have condemned the invasion, imposed punishing economic sanctions on Russia and supplied Ukraine with defensive arms. Iran and the U.S. have been adversaries since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979 and the taking of U.S. diplomats as hostages.
China has dispatched the guided missile destroyer Nanning to take part in the drills centered on search and rescue at sea and other non-combat missions. China maintains its only foreign military base, complete with a navy pier, in the Horn of Africa country of Djibouti, located just across the Gulf of Oman.
The three countries held similar drills last year and in 2019, underscoring China's growing military and political links with nations that have been largely shunned by the U.S. and its partners.
Last week, China hosted talks between Iran and its chief Middle Eastern rival Saudi Arabia that resulted in an agreement between them Friday to restore full diplomatic relations after seven years of tensions.
While the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have long-standing military and political ties, relations have frayed over the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom’s leadership, and cuts in production by the OPEC+ oil cartel that the administration said was helping Russia.
China's hosting of the Iran-Saudi talks placed it in the unusual role of mediator in regional conflicts, one that Beijing appears to be keen to capitalize on under the rubric of President Xi Jinping's “Global Security Initiative.”
The country's Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs Xue Bing on Tuesday “further affirmed China’s readiness to work with countries in the region to contribute to peaceful regional development and build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future by implementing the outlook,” the official Xinhua News Agency quoted him as saying on a visit to Ethiopia.
China opposes "geopolitical competition by external forces (and) has no intention to and will not seek to fill the so-called vacuum or put up exclusive blocs,” Xue was quoted as saying.
___
Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report. | 2023-03-15T14:29:08+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/news/politics/article/china-russia-iran-hold-joint-naval-drills-in-17840304.php |
Charge secondary battery banks faster, even at idle
DAVENPORT, Iowa, April 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- American Power Systems, Inc. (APS) has developed a new series of lower turn-on RPM alternators ideal for those needing to fully charge secondary power banks in less time, even while idling.
The new 130 HPI Series was developed to have a robust lower turn-on RPM, allowing end users to begin charging even at low or idling speeds. Because they turn on faster, secondary power systems can gain a full charge in a shorter period of time than with those alternators that begin output at a higher RPM.
"This new line is a game changer for those needing to rapidly boost their secondary power units," said American Power Systems, Inc. President & CEO Amy Lank. "Being able to re-charge battery banks from anywhere reduces 'range anxiety' drivers feel when their batteries are low, and they aren't near traditional charging infrastructure. It also means that those types of vehicles become more efficient because they are consuming less fuel and requiring less power from the engine to begin charging."
The new alternators are ideal for use as a secondary alternator for vehicles with onboard lithium battery bank systems needed to power onboard equipment, including RVs and other vans, yachts and sailboats, work trucks, emergency vehicles and those performing silent watch or other data collection activities.
While some vehicles will still require a high idle in order to charge, the new alternator style also could reduce how much RPM is needed. The new 130 HPI Series also gives vehicles operating under idling ordinances the ability to re-charge equipment quickly while idling for only a short period of time, allowing them to stay in the field longer and get more work done.
The 130 HPI Series includes 24- and 48-volt options with multiple mount types. For technical specifications, please visit the APS blog.
About American Power Systems, Inc.
Since 2006, APS has been designing and manufacturing advanced mobile power systems, alternators, converters, regulators and power generators for armored, security, commercial, marine and purpose-built specialty vehicles like RVs and luxury motor coaches. The Davenport, Iowa-based company specializes in the innovation and custom crafting of power conversion and distribution systems by staff with nearly 300 combined years of experience in the various fields of expertise it handles. For more information visit www.americanpowerinc.com.
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SOURCE American Power Systems, Inc. | 2023-04-17T15:45:53+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/04/17/american-power-systems-launches-new-line-lower-turn-on-rpm-alternators/ |
SANTA ROSA, Calif., Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blentech launched today their frontline cooking equipment in pre-engineered versions drastically reducing both price and delivery time. Pre-engineered solutions are derived from their most popular engineered parents having decades of proven usage in the food industry. This move directly benefits food processors by making a huge impact to allow for every budget and timeline. Prices are targeted to drop up to 50% while lead times are estimated to be as short as 12-16 weeks for all pre-engineered products!
For over 30 years, Blentech's cooking equipment has been based on a horizontal design that brings several benefits to food producers but used to require a higher capital expenditure in comparison to traditional kettles. Pre-engineered designs have now allowed Blentech to reach the price parity of kettles. As production demands rise, the hemispherical kettles (similar in profile to a vertical pot in your kitchen) can now be economically upgraded to more effective pre-engineered solutions. In today's modern food factories, horizontal cookers have become a necessity to meet the requirements for larger heating area, to develop flavors through complex processes like maillard browning and caramelization. This means a boon for the food processors as they can now readily improve their product quality, develop more flavorful foods as well as shorten their cooking time.
Despite market uncertainty and the high costs of food production, food processors can now rely on quick to market proven equipment to drive their production output, cost effectiveness or to simply maintain business continuity.
Daniel Voit, CEO of Blentech mentioned "Cost effectiveness of pre-engineered solutions does not imply less features but evolution of our manufacturing technique and strategic elimination of engineering overheads. In fact, our pre-engineered models are designed to include features that exceed most equipment currently sold in the market."
In general, the manufacturing Industry suffers with longer lead times, Blentech's pre-engineered solutions are designed to reduce time to get to production quicker which in turns reduces time to get their food to market.
Akhilesh Pandey, International Sales Director, noted that "Not all cost effective solutions are designed to enhance food production. It is possible to create solutions that are both cost effective and targeted to improve quality, safety and throughput of your production!"
Blentech designs, builds and deploys advanced cooking and mixing technologies globally. Their success is deeply rooted in their ability to innovate, offering sharp entrepreneurial business acumen, quality workmanship, and project execution. Whether you're looking for fully engineered system solutions or pre-engineered cookers, know that Blentech is not just a manufacturer of cooking and mixing equipment. It's a technology trailblazer.
For more information, visit Blentech and request an overview of the pre-engineered solutions today.
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SOURCE Blentech Corporation | 2022-08-29T18:39:48+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/blentech-unveils-pre-engineered-cooking-solutions-minimize-time-costs-food-production/ |
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits remained elevated last week, a possible sign that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes over the past year may taking hold in what’s proved to be a resilient job market.
U.S. applications for jobless claims were 262,000 for the week ending June 10, the Labor Department reported Thursday, more than analysts were expecting. This week’s number mirrors last week’s, which was revised up by 1,000. The claims numbers for the past two weeks are the highest since October of 2021.
The four-week moving average of claims, which flattens some of the week-to-week fluctuations, rose by by more than 9,000 to 246,750. That’s the highest level since November of 2021.
U.S. employers have added jobs at a furious rate since more than 20 million jobs disappeared during the pandemic purge in the spring of 2020. Americans have enjoyed unusual job security, despite the Federal Reserve’s aggressive campaign to cool the economy and labor market in its bid to stifle persistently elevated inflation not seen since the early 1980s.
On Wednesday, Fed officials chose not to increase its benchmark borrowing rate for the first time in 15 months, though some said they expect to add another half-point to rates by the end of the year.
The rate hikes have slowly helped to tamp down inflation, though perhaps not as quickly as hoped. The labor market has remained unusually strong throughout the more than year-long rate hike campaign designed to cool it.
U.S. employers added a robust 339,000 jobs last month, well above expectations, painting a mostly encouraging picture of the job market, even as the unemployment rate rose to 3.7%. In April, employers posted 10.1 million job openings, up from 9.7 million in March and the most since January. Economists had expected vacancies to decline.
There are other signs that the Fed’s policies are taking hold. The U.S. economy grew at a lackluster 1.3% annual rate from January through March as businesses wary of an economic slowdown trimmed their inventories. That’s a slight upgrade from its initial growth estimate of 1.1%.
The manufacturing sector has been contracting and three bank failures have been blamed in part on higher interest rates.
Though the labor market remains strong, there have been a number high-profile layoffs recently, mostly in the technology sector, where many companies say they overhired during the pandemic. IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, Twitter, Lyft, LinkedIn, Spotify and DoorDash have all announced layoffs in recent months. Amazon and Facebook parent Meta have each announced two sets of job cuts since November.
Outside the tech sector, McDonald’s, Morgan Stanley and 3M have also recently announced layoffs.
Overall, 1.78 million people were collecting unemployment benefits the week that ended June 3, about 20,000 more/fewer than the previous week. | 2023-06-15T16:18:18+00:00 | wearegreenbay.com | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/business/ap-business/number-of-americans-filing-for-jobless-claims-is-elevated-for-second-straight-week/ |
AKRON, Ohio — A man used a can of Diet Pepsi to attack and injure a Dollar General worker after the employee tried to stop the suspect from stealing a case of the soda, police say.
David Marsh, 64, is being held in the Summit County Jail on charges robbery and felonious assault, police say.
Officers were called to the Dollar General on the 500 block of East Exchange Street in downtown at about 8:40 p.m. The 42-year-old female employee tells police she saw Marsh walk out of the store with a 12-pack of Diet Pepsi without paying.
The worker says she went outside and tried to stop Marsh. She tells police Marsh took a can of the drink and struck her multiple times in the face, then dragged her into the parking lot.
The worker was treated by EMS workers at the scene for cuts to the head and face. She also lost a tooth in the attack, police say. She later went to a hospital for additional treatment, according to police.
Marsh was found by officers in the area and was arrested without incident, police say. | 2023-07-13T04:41:07+00:00 | cleveland.com | https://www.cleveland.com/crime/2023/07/man-uses-can-of-diet-pepsi-to-attack-dollar-general-worker-police-say.html |
Which Planet Dog toy is best?
A Planet Dog toy is one of the best ways to keep your pet mentally stimulated, slow down a fast eater and even help with separation anxiety. The non-toxic, American-made brand offers toys designed to be durable, made with peppermint oil for added flavor and comes with a 100% guarantee. If you are looking for “the world’s best dog ball,” the Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Ball is the top choice.
What to know before you buy a Planet Dog toy
Helps with separation anxiety
If your dog has separation anxiety, you should consider giving them a dog toy that doubles as a treat dispenser. Not only will it satisfy your pet’s need to chew, but it will also keep them busy as they try to dislodge the treats from inside the toy.
Provides mental stimulation
A dog toy is one of the best ways to ensure your four-legged friend gets enough exercise. They provide a fun game of fetch, but they can also provide the mental stimulation needed for a healthy dog. A dog toy is a great way to keep your pet busy for hours as your pet chases a ball, tries to release some treats embedded in the toy or enjoys it as a chew toy.
Slows down a fast eater
If your dog is a fast eater, a dog toy stuffed with their food is a great way to slow them down. Opt for one that has multiple areas on the ball for you to fill with their favorite food or afternoon snack. When your dog has uncovered all of their pet food, you can continue to add more kibble until they meet their daily allowance.
What to look for in a quality Planet Dog toy
Stuffed toy
A Planet Dog toy can double as a treat dispenser. If you want to keep your pet busy when you are not at home or provide some mental stimulation during interactive playtime, a stuffed toy will provide hours of enjoyment.
Chew toy
Dogs have an innate need to chew, so to satisfy their urge, a chew toy will help to keep your pet busy and allow them to chew on something designed specifically for them. It is always best to supervise your dog to ensure small pieces do not break off, posing a potential choking hazard with every chew toy.
Fetch toy
There is nothing quite like a fun game of fetch between you and your pooch. You should find a durable ball that will be soft on their gums and teeth while playing catch and can clean their teeth of food and plaque buildup when they enjoy chewing time on their own.
How much you can expect to spend on a Planet Dog toy
The cost of a Planet Dog toy varies with size and type of toy. You can find one for as cheap as $5 for a chew dog toy to one that is nearly $20 that can double as a treat dispenser.
Planet Dog toy FAQ
Are Planet Dog toys durable?
A. Planet Dog toys are extremely durable even for the most aggressive chewers, but it is always important to supervise playtime with your pet to ensure no pieces break off that they could ingest.
What can I use to stuff my dog toy?
A. You can fill your dog’s toy with everything from kibble and treats to peanut butter and spray cheese. You can give the toy to your dog to enjoy for solo playtime, or you can hide it for interactive play. Whatever you choose to fill your dog toy with, be sure it is stuffed loosely with a treat sticking out to pique their interest.
What’s the best Planet Dog toy to buy?
Top Planet Dog toy
What you need to know: This dog toy is made of durable, recycled material that you can use for a fun game of fetch as well as solo playtime as your dog tries to release their favorite treats that can be stuffed into the hole.
What you’ll love: The natural mint flavor offers an appealing taste for your dog, and the ball is available in three different sizes. Made with food-safe material, Planet Dog’s toys are also BPA-free.
What you should consider: While it is durable, this dog ball comes at a higher price point.
Where to buy: Sold by Chewy
Top Planet Dog toy for the money
Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Diamond Plate Double-Tuff Ball
What you need to know: Whether you want to enjoy a game of toss or tug-of-war with your four-legged friend, this rugged ball will keep your pet busy for hours.
What you’ll love: This durable toy comes in two different sizes and is available in two different colors. Made with non-toxic material, this bouncy toy is designed not only for mental stimulation but the durable material is geared for aggressive chewers.
What you should consider: Some reviewers have said their dog was able to destroy the ball.
Where to buy: Sold by Chewy
Worth checking out
Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Guru Treat Dispensing Dog Chew Toy
What you need to know: Designed for light to medium chewing small breed dogs, this durable chew toy is gentle on your pet’s gums and made to last.
What you’ll love: There are two different colors available for this dog ball that doubles as a treat dispenser. You can stuff treats in the five different openings for fun, interactive play that is mentally stimulating for your pet.
What you should consider: This dog toy is not designed for large dogs or aggressive chewers.
Where to buy: Sold by Chewy
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-07T20:21:18+00:00 | siouxlandproud.com | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/reviews/br/pets-br/toys-br/best-planet-dog-toy/ |
SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PARD (or "the Company"), a night vision and thermal imaging specialist, announced that the Company is bringing two of its most popular digital clip-on night vision systems – NV007V and NV007SP – to the North American market. Built for greater versatility, simplicity, and performance, both systems boast Wi-Fi feature allowing user to connect to a mobile device, state-of-the-art image sensors that produce sharp and high-definition nighttime, and a built-in camera enabling users to record and share videos. The two systems also feature an easy clip-on mechanism that converts users' daytime scopes into high-end night vision devices without the need for re-zeroing in a matter of seconds.
"We are excited to introduce two of our most successful clip-on night vision scopes to US customers. Both models have incredible performance and superior build quality and embody PARD's unremitting pursuit of innovation and excellence as we continue to provide advanced devices for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. We are proud of what we have achieved in NV007V and NV007SP which are crafted with great attention to detail. From their imaging processing capacity, waterproof structure, and UI design, we strive to achieve the best while maintaining their affordability, so whether you are new to the hunting game or a seasoned night-time shooter, we offer you the most ideal option in the market," said Max Wang, CEO of PARD.
Lightweight and equipped with two color modes for day & night vision, the NV007V is a perfect companion for demanding sports shooters and hunters who pursue extra reliability, flexibility, and outstanding image performance. Powered by an upgraded 0.001 lux image sensor that provides higher light sensitivity for night vision, the device generates clear night vision in total darkness, combined with a full HD image sensor and 1024×768 OLED display to deliver exceptional image quality with sharp contrast.
Thanks to the 350m stretchable fill light, NV007V enables users to detect small targets in the low-light environment, with the 850nm wavelength option producing a brighter vision for long-range observation and the 940nm wavelength making it easier to find concealed prays. The color mode allows for daytime shooting and black and white for nighttime use, complete with the upgraded all-glass anti-glare option lens that prevents light reflection while enhancing color reproduction to deliver richer contrast. The large-capacity battery can last for 6 hours, paired with a USB-C power input for fast charging while on the go.
NV007SP, set for early December, is PARD's latest answer to compact nighttime hunting, equipped with sophisticated image processing and an intuitive operating concept to elevate user experience. The rear-mounted scope is quick to clip on and detach, features a 1200yds LRF for fast detection, and an extremely sensitive CMOS sensor with a 2560x1440 resolution that makes it possible for users to see fine details to precisely zero in on hard-to-find targets in the darkness. Other features onboard the device include a 1024x768 OLED display, a full-HD sensor that supports 1080P video recording and 2592x1944 photo capture, a direction-adjustable IR light, and 8 hours of battery life that can be extended via the USB-C port.
About PARD
Founded in 2017, PARD is a night vision and thermal imaging specialist who pioneers microlight night vision and infrared imaging technology to provide long-range, high-definition, and high-precision hunting gears. With a dedicated team of engineers who are experts in PARD's entire line-up, its product categories now cover night vision and thermal scope, monocular, and accessories. PARD is committed to addressing the pain point of hunting by improving the versatility and performance of its products, delivering unmatched user experience to its customer.
For more information, please visit https://pard.com/, or follow PARD on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
CONTACT: ZOE.QIAN@PARD.COM
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SOURCE SHENZHEN PARD TECHNOLOGY CO;LTD | 2022-12-02T02:00:27+00:00 | wcjb.com | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/12/02/pard-launch-into-us-hunting-gear-market-with-digital-night-vision-clip-on-scope/ |
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