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(NEXSTAR) – In case you feel like feeling old today, here’s a look back at some of the biggest hits from 2002 that are turning 20 years old this year. Remember these?
“Lose Yourself” – Eminem
Rapper Eminem’s No. 1 hit “Lose Yourself” may be 20 years old this year, but the lead single from the artist’s semi-biographical film “8 Mile” continues to reign among some of popular rap’s most admired tracks.
The Grammy-winning track from 2002 frequently appears on “greatest” lists, including a No. 29 spot on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All-Time. It also became one of few ’00s (pre-streaming) songs to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify just last year.
Despite taking home the 2003 Academy Award for Best Original Song — becoming the first hip-hop song to do so — the rapper didn’t attend or perform the song that year.
Eminem did perform the song for the first time at the Academy Awards just two years ago. In a surprise appearance, “Lose Yourself” was included to highlight the “impact of music” in film, Oscars producer Lynette Howell told USA Today in 2020. The performance, which was 17 years in the making, received a standing ovation. Eminem also performed the song during February’s Super Bowl LVI Half Time Show.
“A Thousand Miles” – Vanessa Carlton
You know those opening piano keys when you hear them. The song’s instantly recognizable music video — featuring Carlton and her piano sailing across city streets and highways — is probably burned in your brain.
Released in February 2002, singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton’s debut single “A Thousand Miles” ended the year at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, and made it to the top 10 in dozens of other countries.
“A Thousand Miles” was also featured in a few of the most memorable scenes from the 2004 comedy hit “White Chicks,” in which the lead characters — two Black men, pretending to be white women — attempt to sing along to the song.
But creators of the film said in a recent interview that the song is far from a punchline — it was chosen for the movie because it’s a song everyone seems to like. As The Guardian‘s Ellen E. Jones wrote in 2019, “Liking what you like is nothing to be ashamed of … We wouldn’t still be humming it 17 years later if it wasn’t actually a pretty decent pop song, would we?”
Meanwhile, in a recent 20-year retrospective, Rolling Stone‘s Amit Vaidya writes of the song: “Arguably the most easily identifiable first three seconds to a song of the last two decades, and quite possibly the most instantaneously recognizable piano riff ever.”
“Family Affair” – Mary J. Blige
The lead single from Blige’s fifth album “No More Drama” gave the world the much-debated lyric, “Don’t need no hateration, holleration in this dancery,” and became one of Blige’s biggest hits.
The song hit No. 1 not only on U.S. Billboard’s Hot 100 chart but several of its other charts. It was also the
No. 12 song on Billboard’s end-of-decade chart. Rolling Stone considered it among the 100 best of the ’00s, ranking it 95th overall.
Blige performed “Family Affair” at 2022’s Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show.
“Hot in Herre” – Nelly
Released just in time for summer 2002, “Hot in Herre” took control of the Billboard charts: five in total, including the top spot on the Hot 100.
The song almost didn’t happen, with the St. Louis rapper telling The Fader he’d already turned in his sophomore album “Nellyville” before realizing “something was missing.” Nelly enlisted mega music-maker Pharrell Williams, then of the production team The Neptunes, and the two worked out the song from a sample of Chuck Brown’s 1979 R&B hit “Bustin Loose.”
With “Hot in Herre,” Nelly became one of only two winners of the Best Male Rap Solo Performance Grammy, as the award was combined into a genderless rap category the next year. The other was Eminem, for “Lose Yourself.”
The song received a new spin this past December, when Chance the Rapper appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s “That’s My Jam” and gave the song an impromptu country remix.
“Complicated” – Avril Lavigne
Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne arrived on radio in March with the bratty “Complicated” from her debut album “Let Go.” If you were in middle school, high school or college, the tune was likely playing somewhere by someone you knew at any hour of the day.
“Complicated” was nominated for Song of Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys. In 2009, Rolling Stone readers ranked the song eighth on its list of Readers’ Top Singles of the Decade.
In a Facebook post last month, Lavigne wrote: “Holy f—! #Complicated was released 20 years ago today. I could have never imagined the places this song would take me. I am so grateful to you guys always and 4-ever for embracing my music and showing me so much love then, and still now, 20 years later.”
The song’s teen-angst legacy continues, as recent Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo covered “Complicated” at the opening night of her “Sour” Tour on Tuesday.
“Hero” – Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott
Sung by Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger — former husband of Avril Lavigne — and Josey Scott, formerly of the rock band Saliva, “Hero” swung onto radio as the lead single from 2002’s massive blockbuster “Spider-Man.”
The song hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on two others, earning two Grammy nominations along the way. “Hero” was also released prior to widespread anti-Nickelback sentiment that almost eclipsed the band in the mid-2000s. But despite becoming an easy punchline for rock critics, the band has continued selling records, and even got in on the joke.
Meanwhile, other “Spider-Man” movie songs have fared less successfully, including Dashboard Confessional’s “Vindicated” for “Spider-Man 2” in 2004, Snow Patrol’s “Signal Fire” for “Spider-Man 3” in 2007, and Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar’s “It’s On Again” for “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” in 2014.
If you enjoyed this trip back into your adolescence, we hope you’ve booked your annual physical check-ups!
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https://fox59.com/news/feel-old-these-hit-songs-turn-20-years-old-in-2022/
| 2022-04-10T18:55:27
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(STACKER) — Since its establishment in 1789 by the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court has seen 17 chief justices, and 116 justices in total. Many landmark cases have passed through the Supreme Court of the U.S., having set precedents and changed the fabric of society.
Stacker compiled an account of the educational and professional history of each current Supreme Court justice, including Ketanji Brown Jackson, the newest member. Each justice’s background is divided into three sections: education, early career life, and professional life in the years leading up to their tenures on the Supreme Court.
The SCOTUS has been predominantly white and male since its founding. In fact, all but eight of the court’s 116 justices have been white men.
Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to be confirmed to the Supreme Court in 1981; Thurgood Marshall was the first person of color to be appointed to the court in 1967; and Jackson became the first Black woman confirmed to the highest court in the nation on April 7, 2022.
The current Supreme Court justices took different paths to achieve their current esteemed positions. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in 2020, was appointed in 1993 and faced many challenges on her path to becoming a SCOTUS justice. She encountered sexism in her attempt to get clerkships as a female law graduate in the 1950s and received lower pay than her male colleagues when she taught at Rutgers Law School in the 1960s.
When Clarence Thomas was applying for jobs as a new law graduate, he found that some law firms did not take his Yale Juris doctorate degree seriously because the university had been trying to fulfill quotas of Black students at the time. Sonia Sotomayor spoke out in support of Hispanic rights as a student and as a judge, and experienced roadblocks when she was nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals due to Republican beliefs that President Bill Clinton was trying to facilitate her nomination as the first Hispanic person in the Supreme Court. She was confirmed to the SCOTUS in 2009.
Clarence Thomas: Education
Clarence Thomas earned a B.A. in English from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, where he helped create the Black Student Union. He obtained a J.D. from Yale in 1974, though law firms did not take his degree seriously when he was applying for jobs. He cited that law firms assumed that he got into the program because of the law school’s increase in its quota of Black students, and thus put less weight on LSAT scores and grades for those students.
Clarence Thomas: Early career life
After his admittance to the Missouri Bar in 1974, Thomas worked as assistant attorney general of Missouri under state Attorney General John Danforth and was the only African American on Danforth’s staff. After changing roles when Danforth was elected to the Senate in 1976, Thomas returned to work for him in the late ‘70s as a legislative assistant focusing on energy issues for the Senate Commerce Committee. Danforth would play an important role in endorsing Thomas as a Supreme Court justice.
In the early 1980s, Thomas took on the role of assistant secretary of education for the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Education, and then as chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 1982 to 1990. In the latter role, Thomas sought cases of individual discrimination rather than adhere to the commission’s habitual method of filing class-action discrimination lawsuits. He opined that Black leaders were all talk and no action in terms of the Reagan administration’s shortcomings and that they should have collaborated with the federal government to improve issues such as illiteracy and teen pregnancy.
Clarence Thomas: Before the Supreme Court
President George H. W. Bush nominated Thomas to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 1989, despite Thomas having said he did not want to be a judge. Nevertheless, other African Americans working in government backed him, including Secretary of Transportation William Coleman. In 1991, shortly after Thurgood Marshall declared that he’d be retiring, President Bush nominated Thomas to replace him on the Supreme Court.
Some civil rights and feminist organizations were against Thomas’ appointment due in part to his condemnation of affirmative action, as well as apprehensions that he might have been against Roe v. Wade. After Thomas’ confirmation hearings ended, but before the Senate officially approved his nomination, Anita Hill accused Thomas of verbal sexual harassment in a leaked FBI interview. In reopened hearings, Thomas denied the allegations and maintained his right to privacy. The Judiciary Committee voted to send Thomas’ nomination to the Senate, and after further investigation with no substantial evidence of sexual harassment, the Senate confirmed Thomas to the Supreme Court in October 1991.
Stephen Breyer: Education
Before Stephen Breyer graduated from Harvard Law School with an LL.B. (a bachelor of laws degree) in 1964, he earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Stanford in ‘59 and studied philosophy, politics, and economics as a Marshall Scholar at Oxford’s Magdalen College. While at Harvard, Breyer worked as an editor for the Harvard Law Review and graduated with honors.
Stephen Breyer: Early career life
In 1964, Breyer clerked for Associate Justice Arthur Goldberg and later worked in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice as a special assistant to the assistant attorney general. In 1967 he began teaching at his alma mater, Harvard Law School, and later worked as an assistant prosecutor on the Watergate Special Prosecution Force in 1973.
He served as special counsel, and later as chief counsel, to the Administrative Practices Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He collaborated with the committee’s chairman Edward M. Kennedy to execute the Airline Deregulation Act.
Stephen Breyer: Before the Supreme Court
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Breyer to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, where he later served as chief judge from 1990 to 1994. As a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission from 1985 to 1989, Breyer played an instrumental part in reshaping criminal sentencing procedures on the federal level, as well as creating the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Following the retirement of Harry Blackmun, President Bill Clinton nominated Breyer to the position of associate justice of the Supreme Court in 1994. He was confirmed the same year. As a Supreme Court judge, Breyer maintains a pragmatic approach to law and looks to “purpose and consequences” in interpreting laws. He has uniformly voted to support abortion rights and has largely deferred to Congress, hardly ever voting to reverse congressional legislation.
John Roberts: Education
Current Chief Justice John Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1976 and stayed on to obtain his J.D. in ‘79. In his undergraduate degree, he wrote a thesis paper on early 20th-century British liberalism. In law school, he worked as managing editor of the Harvard Law Review and as a law clerk.
John Roberts: Early career life
As a new law graduate, Roberts clerked for appellate Judge Henry Friendly and William Rehnquist, whom he succeeded on the Supreme Court. In the 1980s, Roberts served as special assistant to U.S. Attorney General William French Smith, and then as associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan. While working for the law firm Hogan & Hartson in the mid-1980s, Roberts carried out pro bono work for LGBTQ+ rights activists and prepped arguments for the 1996 case Romer v. Evans, which involved sexual orientation as related to state law.
In 1989, Roberts took on the role of principal deputy solicitor general under President George H. W. Bush. After three years as solicitor general, he returned to practicing law privately and taught law at Georgetown University. He was part of the team of lawyers that advised Gov. Jeb Bush during the 2000 presidential election recount in Florida.
John Roberts: Before the Supreme Court
In 2001, Roberts was nominated to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) but was not confirmed until 2003 due to disagreements between the Bush administration and the majority Democratic Senate. As a Supreme Court judge, Roberts ruled over several significant cases, including Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, which was a question of the legal validity of military tribunals.
In 2005, President George W. Bush initially nominated Roberts to the Supreme Court to fill the shoes of Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who had retired. However, upon the death of William Rehnquist later that year, Bush renominated Roberts to the role of chief justice. Regarding his judicial philosophy, Roberts likened judges to baseball umpires, saying “it’s my job to call the balls and strikes and not to pitch or bat.”
Samuel A. Alito Jr.: Education
Samuel Alito graduated from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in 1972. He then received his law degree from Yale in 1975, where he was editor of the Yale Law Journal. While at Princeton, Alito chaired a 1971 student conference called “The Boundaries of Privacy in American Society,” which, among other things, called for a statute and a court to govern national security surveillance, elimination of discrimination against gay people in hiring processes, and the decriminalization of sodomy. The extent to which the conference agenda mirrors Alito’s personal convictions is unknown.
Samuel A. Alito Jr.: Early career life
After graduating from law school, Alito clerked under Judge Leonard Garth in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. From the early to mid-1980s, he worked as Deputy Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General Rex E. Lee, under whom he argued 12 cases for the federal government in the Supreme Court. From 1987 to 1990, Alito served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, appointed by Ronald Reagan. In this role, he successfully prosecuted the 1988 case of an FBI agent who was shot in the field and prosecuted a sympathizer of the Japanese Red Army who was found with homemade bombs in his car at a New Jersey Turnpike service center.
Samuel A. Alito Jr.: Before the Supreme Court
From 1990 until his nomination to the Supreme Court, Alito worked as a judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Although broadly conservative in his judicial approach, he handled rulings on each case differently.
As the son of an Italian immigrant, Alito was understanding of the issues of people he found similar to himself, exemplified in the case of Fatin v. INS, in which an Iranian woman was seeking asylum. In 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Alito to replace Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court, and he was confirmed the following year. Alito still rules based on the case at hand, though he frequently veers on the side of conservatism.
Sonia Sotomayor: Education
The first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton, where she co-chaired the Puerto Rican activist group Acción Puertorriqueña. As part of this group, she accused the Princeton administration of bias against Puerto Ricans in their hiring process. In the same vein of Puerto Rican rights, she also wrote a senior thesis on Puerto Rican journalist Luis Muñoz Marín. In pursuing her J.D. from Yale, she was editor of the Yale Law Review and published a notable article on how statehood would impact Puerto Rico’s mineral rights.
Sonia Sotomayor: Early career life
Freshly out of law school in 1979, Sotomayor landed a position as an assistant district attorney under New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. In the wake of rampant New York crime rates, she dealt with substantial caseloads including shoplifting, police brutality, and murder. In terms of serious felonies, Sotomayor said, “No matter how liberal I am, I am still outraged by crimes of violence,”, especially for violent crime within the Hispanic community.
In her role as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, she took anti-government stances in numerous cases and was known for administering heavy sentences in criminal cases. In the notable case Silverman v. Major League Baseball Player Relations Committee, Inc., Sotomayor’s preliminary injunction against Major League Baseball barred it from executing a new collective bargaining agreement, thus putting a stop to the months-long 1994 baseball strike.
Sonia Sotomayor: Before the Supreme Court
In 1997, President Bill Clinton nominated Sotomayor to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. However, Senate Republicans delayed her confirmation process because they believed that Clinton had an ulterior motive of positioning her for a Supreme Court nomination as the first Hispanic judge. Sotomayor was confirmed to the Court of Appeals in 1998.
As a judge, she was described as a centrist by the ABA Journal. As a member of the Second Circuit Task Force on Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts, Sotomayor presented the annual Judge Mario G. Olmos Memorial Lecture at the University of California, Berkeley in 2001, in which she talked in part about the history of women and minorities who rose to become federal judges.
In the 2002 abortion case Center for Reproductive Law and Policy v. Bush, Sotomayor defended the Bush administration’s enactment of the Mexico City Policy, detailing that the U.S. would refrain from subsidizing nongovernmental organizations that perform or advocate for abortions in other countries. President Barack Obama nominated Sotomayor to the Supreme Court in 2009, and she was confirmed the same year.
Elena Kagan: Education
Elena Kagan graduated from Princeton in 1981, received an M.Phil. from Oxford’s Worcester College as a Daniel M. Sachs Graduating Fellow in ‘83, and earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School in ‘86, graduating with honors. At Princeton, Kagan was the editorial chair of The Daily Princetonian, and in collaboration with several other students, wrote a Declaration of the Campaign for a Democratic University, which detailed a need to retool university governance on a core level.
At Worcester College, Kagan wrote a thesis on “The Development and Erosion of the American Exclusionary Rule: A Study in Judicial Method.” At Harvard, she worked as supervising editor of the Harvard Law Review. She was described as being good with people and gained the respect of everyone despite divisive political views on campus.
Elena Kagan: Early career life
In 1987 Kagan clerked for Judge Abner J. Mikva on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and a year later clerked for Justice Thurgood Marshall on the U.S. Supreme Court. As a lawyer for the D.C. firm Williams & Connolly, Kagan worked on five lawsuits rooted in issues of the First Amendment and media law. In the early 1990s, she took a job as an assistant professor at the University of Chicago Law School, where she published an influential law review article in which she argued that the SCOTUS should investigate governmental motives when dealing with cases concerning the First Amendment. Two years after she got her assistant professorship, Joe Biden appointed her as special counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she played a part in the confirmation hearings of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Elena Kagan: Before the Supreme Court
Prior to her nomination to the Supreme Court, Kagan worked as associate White House Counsel for President Bill Clinton from 1995 to 1996, as deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy, and as deputy director of the Domestic Policy Council. In the latter role, Kagan co-wrote a memo asking that Clinton back a ban on late-term abortions.
After returning to academia for a decade, Kagan was nominated to the position of solicitor general by Barack Obama, and became the first woman in the role. Though considered to be part of the liberal wing of the SCOTUS, Kagan veers on the moderate side. Obama nominated her to the Supreme Court in 2010, and she was confirmed the same year.
Neil Gorsuch: Education
Neil Gorsuch received his B.A. in political science from Columbia in 1988, followed by a J.D. from Harvard in 1991, and finally, a Ph.D. in law from Oxford in 2004. While at Columbia, he wrote for the Columbia Daily Spectator and co-founded an alternative student newspaper called The Fed, as well as the magazine The Morningside Review. At Harvard, Gorsuch worked as an editor for the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy and was described as conservative amidst a student population of “ardent liberals,” according to the Boston Globe’s Michael Levenson.
Neil Gorsuch: Early career life
After completing a judicial clerkship for SCOTUS Justices Byron White and Anthony Kennedy, Gorsuch practiced commercial law at Kellogg Huber, where he worked on securities fraud, antitrust, and contracts cases. In the case of Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v Broudo, Gorsuch communicated that he believed that securities fraud litigation is burdensome to the economy.
He also worked as principal deputy to Associate Attorney General Robert McCallum at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he worked on civil litigation cases, as well as terror litigation related to President Bush’s War on Terror. Generally, Gorsuch is a constitutional originalist, which is to say that he believes that the constitution should be deciphered as it was originally written.
Neil Gorsuch: Before the Supreme Court
Before his confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice, Gorsuch spent 11 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. In this role, in the case of Hobby Lobby Stores v. Sebelius, Gorsuch wrote a concurrence—or an attempt to prove both guilty action and guilty mind—when the en banc circuit determined that the Affordable Care Act law requiring employers to provide their employees with health insurance that partially covers contraception violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Politically, Gorsuch supports a broad interpretation of freedom of religion. David Savage of the Los Angeles Times described him as “a libertarian who is quick to oppose unchecked government power.” President Donald Trump nominated Gorsuch to the Supreme Court in February 2017, and while the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination, Democrats filibustered until Republicans broke it with a simple majority vote and confirmed Gorsuch to the SCOTUS.
Brett Kavanaugh: Education
Brett Kavanaugh received both his B.A. and J.D. from Yale, the latter in 1990. During his time at Yale Law School, Kavanaugh was an editor for the Yale Law Journal. He reportedly said during his law school confirmation hearing testimony, “I got into Yale Law School. That’s the number-one law school in the country. I had no connections there. I got there by busting my tail in college.”
Brett Kavanaugh: Early career life
In his early years in law, Kavanaugh worked as a clerk for judges in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Third and Ninth Circuits. In the early 1990s, he completed a year-long fellowship with U.S. solicitor general at the time, Ken Starr, with whom he returned to work years later as an associate counselor in the Office of the Independent Counsel. In this role, Kavanaugh helmed the writing of the 1998 Starr Report to Congress, which detailed the scandal involving Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.
In late 2000, Kavanaugh became part of George W. Bush’s legal team that strove to stop the recount of Florida ballots in the controversial 2000 presidential election between Bush and Al Gore. From 2003 to 06, he worked as an assistant to President George W. Bush and White House Staff Secretary.
Brett Kavanaugh: Before the Supreme Court
In 2003, President Bush nominated Kavanaugh to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, but his confirmation was delayed for three years because Senatorial Democrats believed him to be too biased. Kavanaugh asserted his conservative views on a host of important issues, including abortion and employment discrimination, throughout his 12 years as a judge on the appeals court.
Following President Trump’s nomination of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in July 2018, Christine Blasey Ford publicly stated that Kavanaugh had sexually molested her when they were in high school. During Senate Judiciary Committee hearings in September 2018, Kavanaugh vehemently denied the allegations. After an FBI investigation yielded no substantial evidence to validate Ford’s claim, the Senate confirmed Kavanaugh in a 50-48 vote on Oct. 6, 2018.
Amy Coney Barrett: Education
Amy Coney Barrett attended Rhodes College, a liberal arts school in Memphis, Tennessee, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. She graduated in 1994 with a bachelor of arts in English; she also won the awards for “Most Outstanding English Major” and “Most Outstanding Senior Thesis.” Barrett went on to attend Notre Dame Law School. During her time there, she served as an executive editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. When she graduated in 1997, she was awarded the Hoynes Prize, which is given to the student with the “best record in scholarship, deportment, and achievement.”
Amy Coney Barrett: Early career life
After graduating from Notre Dame, Barrett clerked for Judge Laurence H. Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 1997 to 1998, and then for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia the following year. When that clerkship ended in 1999, Barrett went into private practice, joining the D.C. law firm Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin. In 2001, she joined George Washington University Law School as an adjunct professor, and then, in 2002, she returned to her alma mater Notre Dame where she was eventually named a Professor of Law in 2010.
Amy Coney Barrett: Before the Supreme Court
In 2017, President Trump nominated Barrett to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. During the hearings on her nomination, Barrett was questioned about a 1998 law review article that she co-wrote arguing that Catholic judges should recuse themselves from death penalty cases in some instances due to their moral opposition to capital punishment. Democratic senators’ skepticism surrounding Barrett’s ability to separate her faith from legal decisions came under fire from religious conservatives, while LGBTQ+ civil rights organization Lambda Legal cosigned a letter opposing Barrett’s nomination, also concerned she wouldn’t be able to separate her religion from rulings on LGBTQ+ issues. Ultimately, Barrett was confirmed by the Senate.
While on the Seventh Circuit, Barrett dissented after the majority upheld the district court’s preliminary injunction against the “public charge” rule, an effort by the Trump administration to raise the standard for obtaining green cards and immigrant visas. She also dissented when the court upheld the federal law preventing felons from owning firearms.
In September 2020, Trump nominated Barrett to the Supreme Court. While largely supported by Republicans, Democrats opposed Barrett’s nomination on the grounds that they’d be filling a seat on the bench while an election was underway in many U.S. states. The nomination was especially contested because, in 2016, the Senate Republican majority refused to consider President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland more than 10 months before the end of Obama’s presidency. By comparison, when Trump nominated Barrett, only four months remained in his term. The confirmation hearings went on, however, and Barrett was confirmed as an associate justice of the SCOTUS on Oct. 27, 2020.
Ketanji Brown Jackson: Education
As a high school senior in Miami, Ketanji Brown Jackson’s guidance counselor reportedly told her to set her sights a bit lower when she expressed interest in applying to Harvard University. She rejected that advice and was accepted into Harvard. There, Jackson studied government and the decorated high-school orator also pursued the arts. She was a member of the student improv group On Thin Ice and took drama classes, once working with fellow student Matt Damon as his scene partner. In 1992, Jackson graduated from Harvard with a bachelor of arts degree.
After a year-long stint as a reporter and researcher at Time, Jackson returned to Cambridge to attend Harvard Law School. She served as a supervising editor of the Harvard Law Review and graduated with her J.D. in 1996.
Ketanji Brown Jackson: Early career life
Fresh out of Harvard Law School, Jackson held three clerkships: one for the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, another for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and then—after a year in private practice (at the same private law firm where Barrett worked)—for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, whose seat she is filling.
Jackson then returned to private practice from 2000 to 2003, working at Goodwin Procter in Boston and at what is now known as Feinberg Rozen in New York. In the two years that followed, she became an assistant special counsel to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, and then, from 2005 to 2007, a federal public defender in Washington D.C., handling cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. From 2007 to 2010, Jackson worked as an appellate specialist at Morrison & Foerster in Washington D.C.
Ketanji Brown Jackson: Before the Supreme Court
Jackson left Morrison & Foerster in 2010 to become vice-chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, nominated by Obama in 2009. During her time in the position, which she held until 2014, she reduced sentences for drug-related offenses. In 2012, Obama nominated Jackson to serve as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; she was confirmed in 2013. In one of her most high-profile cases, Jackson ruled against the Trump administration’s challenge to subpoena former White House counsel Don McGahn to testify in the impeachment inquiry against the president. One portion of Jackson’s opinion made headlines: “Stated simply, the primary takeaway from the past 250 years of recorded American history is that Presidents are not kings,” she wrote. “This means that they do not have subjects, bound by loyalty or blood, whose destiny they are entitled to control.”
Jackson moved one step closer to the SCOTUS in 2021 when President Joe Biden nominated her to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Less than a year later, Biden announced that Jackson was his nominee for associate justice of the Supreme Court. After contentious hearings, Jackson was confirmed by the Senate on April 7, 2022. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court as well as the high court’s first former public defender.
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https://fox59.com/news/former-jobs-of-every-sitting-supreme-court-justice/
| 2022-04-10T18:55:33
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SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) – Though you may not know her by name, Shirley England, a Utah native, is acknowledged nationwide as the girl who had fun, fun fun, ‘til her daddy took her T-Bird away.
When sitting down with Shirley, she chuckled when discussing the worldwide hit, giving a nod to her claim to fame.
“Yeah, that was a few years ago,” she laughed.
So, how did a Salt Lake City girl become the focus of one of America’s most renowned rock bands in music history?
“It was 1964 and my dad owned a radio station here in Salt Lake, KNAK radio. At the time, it was the number one rock station in the Valley. His business manager, Bill Hesterman, was friends with Murry Wilson, the father of Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson – three of the Beach Boys,” she explained.
“Bill would bring The Beach Boys to town five or six times a year to perform at a local amusement park called Lagoon, or the Terrace Ballroom – either one,” Shirley continued.
“They would come down to the radio station and do interviews. This station had a great big window where the public could come and look in and see the interviews as they were going on.”
Shirley, then a twenty-something college student at the University of Utah, went on, saying she would sit in the window and listen to the interviews. That’s how she got to know the Beach Boys a bit.
Little did Shirley know, the boy band noticed her just as much as she noticed them.
When asked how the song came to be, Shirley let Nexstar’s KTVX in on a little family secret.
“So, I was going to school at the University of Utah where my father was also on faculty. He drove a T-bird, and he would get a new one every single year. Because of the fact that he had the T-bird, he had a faculty sticker – it was a driving campus at the time. Basically, I could take his car and park in front of every classroom and every building I wanted to go to. So I would trade him my little Ford Falcon for his T-bird and go to my classes. From there, I’d meet him down at the station after my morning at school for work. I was kind of selfishly using his car all the time,” she admitted.
Though even the sweetest of us were once guilty of some juvenile shenanigans, back in her day, the convertible-cruisin’ college kid had a little rebellious streak.
“One day I went down to the station and I was driving my little Ford Falcon, not the T-bird. Word got around that the night before I had supposedly gone to the library with my friends. Instead of going to the library, we hitched up and went to a local drive-in that had some really great food and kids,” she laughed. “I got in trouble, so I didn’t get the [T-Bird] that day.”
That afternoon, the radio station’s gossip was that daddy’s little girl was grounded. According to Shirley, that’s where the band got their inspiration for “Fun, Fun, Fun.”
“When they were leaving town, Bill, their manager, was taking them to the Salt Lake airport and they were talking about me. I think it was Brian Wilson and Mike Love that made up the song on the drive,” she noted, adding, “it was just kind of a fast quick thing. I didn’t realize they had done that.”
Shirly continued, “A little while later that song came out. I turned to Bill and said ‘Hey, that could be my song,’ and he said, ‘Yeah it sure could be.’
“Fun, Fun, Fun” was released as a single in 1964 and peaked at the number 5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Well she got her daddy’s car
Opening lyrics to ‘Fun, Fun, Fun’ by the Beach Boys, courtesy Lyrics.com
And she cruised through the hamburger stand now
Seems she forgot all about the library
Like she told her old man now
And with the radio blasting
Goes cruising just as fast as she can now
And she’ll have fun fun fun
‘Til her daddy takes the T-bird away
(Fun fun fun ’til her daddy takes the T-bird away)
“And it wasn’t until a few years later when I was attending a concert and the Beach Boys were there at the University of Utah for the 4th of July. I opened up the program and there was the whole story of Bill driving them to the airport and how the song was really written for me,” Shirly recalls. “I looked at that and turned to my daughter, saying, ‘Oh my gosh! Bill said it was for me, but I guess it’s true!’ That’s how I heard about it.”
From there on out, Shirley has been the subject of interviews time and time again for her underground fame.
“The last interview I had I actually mentioned that I had not been told by the band themselves that they had written that song for me,” she shared. “The interviewer actually said ‘Well Shirley, let me tell you, I was with Mike Love yesterday and he said that one of the guys in the band thought they wrote it on a plane. Mike said ‘No, we wrote it about a Salt Lake City girl.’ He confirmed it for me, so now I’m going to take it.” she said, playfully.
Today, Shirley goes about her happy life in Salt Lake working as a physician’s office manager. However, she’s keen on keeping her legacy alive, joking with her husband that she wants her tombstone to read ‘She had fun, fun, fun’.
Looking back on her rise to underground stardom, Shirley notes, “They were a great group of guys. It was just a really fun association, as was working at that station. It was a nice ride.”
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https://fox59.com/news/how-a-utah-woman-inspired-a-famous-beach-boys-song/
| 2022-04-10T18:55:40
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https://fox59.com/news/how-a-utah-woman-inspired-a-famous-beach-boys-song/
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Oregon State's Dashawn Davis plays against Washington during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore.
STARKVILLE – Chris Jans has his first major transfer portal addition.
Former Oregon State guard Dashawn Davis, the Pac-12's leader in assists last season, is coming to Starkville, he announced via Twitter on Sunday. He has one year of eligibility remaining plus a COVID-19 year if he elects to use it.
Join the conversation in our exclusive Facebook group for Bulldog fans
Davis averaged 10.9 points, 5.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game last season. He played at Oregon State for one season after joining out of Trinity Valley Community College.
He is a Bronx, New York, native who was a three-star prospect out of Our Saviour Lutheran School, according to 247Sports. Davis averaged 19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists as a high school senior.
He was the No. 7 junior college prospect after two years at Trinity Valley. He averaged 17.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 2.8 steals as a sophomore and was to the NJCAA All-American first team.
Davis is a welcome addition to MSU — a team in potential need of a point guard after Iverson Molinar declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility.
Davis shot 18.8% from deep last season and 45.7% from the field. His assist rate of 34.8 ranked in the top 25 nationally, according to KenPom.
The wait for another big addition for Jans might not be too long. LSU transfer guard Xavier Pinson has narrowed his options down to Xavier and Mississippi State.
STEFAN KRAJISNIK is the Mississippi State athletics reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at stefan.krajisnik@djournal.com.
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https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/mississippi-state/former-oregon-state-guard-dashawn-davis-transferring-to-mississippi-state/article_5b30e3cb-c8ab-5de0-a584-00d4ec8633bf.html
| 2022-04-10T18:57:20
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https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/mississippi-state/former-oregon-state-guard-dashawn-davis-transferring-to-mississippi-state/article_5b30e3cb-c8ab-5de0-a584-00d4ec8633bf.html
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https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/mississippi-state/live-updates-mississippi-state-looks-to-avoid-series-sweep-against-no-19-lsu/article_f1d367b6-852f-5284-8121-cd503d396364.html
| 2022-04-10T18:57:26
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https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/mississippi-state/live-updates-mississippi-state-looks-to-avoid-series-sweep-against-no-19-lsu/article_f1d367b6-852f-5284-8121-cd503d396364.html
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https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/ole-miss/live-updates-ole-miss-looks-to-avoid-sweep/article_55f30f17-23f8-558e-8879-9ab63ab13536.html
| 2022-04-10T18:57:32
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https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/ole-miss/live-updates-ole-miss-looks-to-avoid-sweep/article_55f30f17-23f8-558e-8879-9ab63ab13536.html
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Shreveport Times Athlete of the Week 31 ballot features 12 area athletes
Voting is now open online for The Times High School Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Raising Cane’s, the Shreveport-Bossier Sports, which includes student-athletes in Louisiana high school sports other than football from 12 northwest Louisiana schools.
Fans of those students, their schools or their particular sport can vote at shreveporttimes.com under “sports” for their favorite. Voting will continue through Thursday night with the winner announced Friday.
Weekly winners will receive a backpack, a boxed lunch combo and some additional swag courtesy of Raising Cane’s, along with a short feature story on their accomplishments, courtesy of The Times. They’ll also receive two tickets to the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Tuesday contest in the Brookshire Grocery Arena featuring the USA volleyball team playing on U.S. soil for the first time since winning the gold medal in Tokyo. The U.S. will play the Dominican Republic on May 31, Canada on June 3, Brazil on June 4 and Japan on June 5.
RUNIATION: Will the LHSAA decision for NIL ruin high school sports?
LEG RECOVERY: Benton's Cale Latimer is back throwing in the 90s
Previous winners include Caddo Magnet's Thuy Chau, Northwood's Tucker McCabe, and Captain Shreve's Mikel-Ann Ricardo.
On the Week 31 ballot for the 2020-21 school year are Jina Baffuto, Airline softball; Brooklyn Bockhaus, Haughton softball; Gabbi Olague, Evangel softball; Laney Johnson, North DeSoto softball; Anna Naff, Ruston track; Jamie Willis, Benton track; Tyler Poland, Byrd track; La’Marion Sharp, Huntington track; Caleb Branch, Loyola baseball; Cade Josting, Parkway baseball; Luke Bloxom, Northwood baseball and Faith Quarles, Captain Shreve tennis.
These athletes were chosen because of their performance last week or because their names were submitted by their coach.
YOU CAN VOTE HERE:
The High School Athlete of the Week includes athletes from all LHSAA-sanctioned sports other than football. In the fall, that includes volleyball, cross country, swimming and cheerleading.
Coaches and school administrators can submit their candidates for the recognition to jwatson@shreveporttimes.com.
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Week 1: Taylor McCabe, Northwood volleyball
Week 2: Daly Nagot, Benton volleyball
Week 3: Mariah Hintze, Ruston volleyball
Week 4: Averi Phillips, Haughton volleyball
Week 5: Hannah Wilson, Northwood volleyball
Week 6: Aiden Heard, Loyola cross country
Week 7: Catherine Jurkovich, Airline volleyball
Week 8: Lorelei Freling, Ruston volleyball
Week 9: Alex Adcock, Captain Shreve XC
Week 10: Abby Schroeder, Benton volleyball
Week 11: Taylor Nash, Loyola volleyball
Week 12: Logan Olsen, Airline wrestling
Week 13: Andrew Stuart, Byrd soccer
Week 14: Mar’Quarius Johnson, Southwood basketball
Week 15: Chloe Phillips, North DeSoto soccer
Week 16: Ernie Perry III, Airline wrestling
Week 17: Dalyn Davis, Nat. Central basketball
Week 18: Nick Bailey, Mansfield basketball
Week 19: Jakyran Pierson, Caddo Magnet soccer
Week 20: Bowman Lovell, Providence Academy basketball
Week 21: Dayne Reed, Benton basketball
Week 22: Mackenzie Soul, Byrd soccer
Week 23: Katie Smith, Byrd soccer
Week 24: Marquis Harris, Bossier basketball
Week 25: Tahj Roots, Bossier basketball
Week 26: KJ Kennon, Calvary basketball
Week 27: Elexa Beaudoin, Captain Shreve softball
Week 28 Tucker McCabe, Northwood baseball
Week 29: Mikel-Ann Ricardo, Captain Shreve softball
Week 30: Thuy Chau, Caddo Magnet tennis
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https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/04/10/shreveport-times-athlete-week-31-ballot-features-12-area-athletes/7243922001/
| 2022-04-10T18:59:05
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(NEXSTAR) – In case you feel like feeling old today, here’s a look back at some of the biggest hits from 2002 that are turning 20 years old this year. Remember these?
“Lose Yourself” – Eminem
Rapper Eminem’s No. 1 hit “Lose Yourself” may be 20 years old this year, but the lead single from the artist’s semi-biographical film “8 Mile” continues to reign among some of popular rap’s most admired tracks.
The Grammy-winning track from 2002 frequently appears on “greatest” lists, including a No. 29 spot on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All-Time. It also became one of few ’00s (pre-streaming) songs to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify just last year.
Despite taking home the 2003 Academy Award for Best Original Song — becoming the first hip-hop song to do so — the rapper didn’t attend or perform the song that year.
Eminem did perform the song for the first time at the Academy Awards just two years ago. In a surprise appearance, “Lose Yourself” was included to highlight the “impact of music” in film, Oscars producer Lynette Howell told USA Today in 2020. The performance, which was 17 years in the making, received a standing ovation. Eminem also performed the song during February’s Super Bowl LVI Half Time Show.
“A Thousand Miles” – Vanessa Carlton
You know those opening piano keys when you hear them. The song’s instantly recognizable music video — featuring Carlton and her piano sailing across city streets and highways — is probably burned in your brain.
Released in February 2002, singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton’s debut single “A Thousand Miles” ended the year at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, and made it to the top 10 in dozens of other countries.
“A Thousand Miles” was also featured in a few of the most memorable scenes from the 2004 comedy hit “White Chicks,” in which the lead characters — two Black men, pretending to be white women — attempt to sing along to the song.
But creators of the film said in a recent interview that the song is far from a punchline — it was chosen for the movie because it’s a song everyone seems to like. As The Guardian‘s Ellen E. Jones wrote in 2019, “Liking what you like is nothing to be ashamed of … We wouldn’t still be humming it 17 years later if it wasn’t actually a pretty decent pop song, would we?”
Meanwhile, in a recent 20-year retrospective, Rolling Stone‘s Amit Vaidya writes of the song: “Arguably the most easily identifiable first three seconds to a song of the last two decades, and quite possibly the most instantaneously recognizable piano riff ever.”
“Family Affair” – Mary J. Blige
The lead single from Blige’s fifth album “No More Drama” gave the world the much-debated lyric, “Don’t need no hateration, holleration in this dancery,” and became one of Blige’s biggest hits.
The song hit No. 1 not only on U.S. Billboard’s Hot 100 chart but several of its other charts. It was also the
No. 12 song on Billboard’s end-of-decade chart. Rolling Stone considered it among the 100 best of the ’00s, ranking it 95th overall.
Blige performed “Family Affair” at 2022’s Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show.
“Hot in Herre” – Nelly
Released just in time for summer 2002, “Hot in Herre” took control of the Billboard charts: five in total, including the top spot on the Hot 100.
The song almost didn’t happen, with the St. Louis rapper telling The Fader he’d already turned in his sophomore album “Nellyville” before realizing “something was missing.” Nelly enlisted mega music-maker Pharrell Williams, then of the production team The Neptunes, and the two worked out the song from a sample of Chuck Brown’s 1979 R&B hit “Bustin Loose.”
With “Hot in Herre,” Nelly became one of only two winners of the Best Male Rap Solo Performance Grammy, as the award was combined into a genderless rap category the next year. The other was Eminem, for “Lose Yourself.”
The song received a new spin this past December, when Chance the Rapper appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s “That’s My Jam” and gave the song an impromptu country remix.
“Complicated” – Avril Lavigne
Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne arrived on radio in March with the bratty “Complicated” from her debut album “Let Go.” If you were in middle school, high school or college, the tune was likely playing somewhere by someone you knew at any hour of the day.
“Complicated” was nominated for Song of Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys. In 2009, Rolling Stone readers ranked the song eighth on its list of Readers’ Top Singles of the Decade.
In a Facebook post last month, Lavigne wrote: “Holy f—! #Complicated was released 20 years ago today. I could have never imagined the places this song would take me. I am so grateful to you guys always and 4-ever for embracing my music and showing me so much love then, and still now, 20 years later.”
The song’s teen-angst legacy continues, as recent Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo covered “Complicated” at the opening night of her “Sour” Tour on Tuesday.
“Hero” – Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott
Sung by Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger — former husband of Avril Lavigne — and Josey Scott, formerly of the rock band Saliva, “Hero” swung onto radio as the lead single from 2002’s massive blockbuster “Spider-Man.”
The song hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on two others, earning two Grammy nominations along the way. “Hero” was also released prior to widespread anti-Nickelback sentiment that almost eclipsed the band in the mid-2000s. But despite becoming an easy punchline for rock critics, the band has continued selling records, and even got in on the joke.
Meanwhile, other “Spider-Man” movie songs have fared less successfully, including Dashboard Confessional’s “Vindicated” for “Spider-Man 2” in 2004, Snow Patrol’s “Signal Fire” for “Spider-Man 3” in 2007, and Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar’s “It’s On Again” for “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” in 2014.
If you enjoyed this trip back into your adolescence, we hope you’ve booked your annual physical check-ups!
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https://www.wane.com/entertainment-news/feel-old-these-hit-songs-turn-20-years-old-in-2022/
| 2022-04-10T19:06:02
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https://www.wane.com/entertainment-news/feel-old-these-hit-songs-turn-20-years-old-in-2022/
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SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) – Though you may not know her by name, Shirley England, a Utah native, is acknowledged nationwide as the girl who had fun, fun fun, ‘til her daddy took her T-Bird away.
When sitting down with Shirley, she chuckled when discussing the worldwide hit, giving a nod to her claim to fame.
“Yeah, that was a few years ago,” she laughed.
So, how did a Salt Lake City girl become the focus of one of America’s most renowned rock bands in music history?
“It was 1964 and my dad owned a radio station here in Salt Lake, KNAK radio. At the time, it was the number one rock station in the Valley. His business manager, Bill Hesterman, was friends with Murry Wilson, the father of Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson – three of the Beach Boys,” she explained.
“Bill would bring The Beach Boys to town five or six times a year to perform at a local amusement park called Lagoon, or the Terrace Ballroom – either one,” Shirley continued.
“They would come down to the radio station and do interviews. This station had a great big window where the public could come and look in and see the interviews as they were going on.”
Shirley, then a twenty-something college student at the University of Utah, went on, saying she would sit in the window and listen to the interviews. That’s how she got to know the Beach Boys a bit.
Little did Shirley know, the boy band noticed her just as much as she noticed them.
When asked how the song came to be, Shirley let Nexstar’s KTVX in on a little family secret.
“So, I was going to school at the University of Utah where my father was also on faculty. He drove a T-bird, and he would get a new one every single year. Because of the fact that he had the T-bird, he had a faculty sticker – it was a driving campus at the time. Basically, I could take his car and park in front of every classroom and every building I wanted to go to. So I would trade him my little Ford Falcon for his T-bird and go to my classes. From there, I’d meet him down at the station after my morning at school for work. I was kind of selfishly using his car all the time,” she admitted.
Though even the sweetest of us were once guilty of some juvenile shenanigans, back in her day, the convertible-cruisin’ college kid had a little rebellious streak.
“One day I went down to the station and I was driving my little Ford Falcon, not the T-bird. Word got around that the night before I had supposedly gone to the library with my friends. Instead of going to the library, we hitched up and went to a local drive-in that had some really great food and kids,” she laughed. “I got in trouble, so I didn’t get the [T-Bird] that day.”
That afternoon, the radio station’s gossip was that daddy’s little girl was grounded. According to Shirley, that’s where the band got their inspiration for “Fun, Fun, Fun.”
“When they were leaving town, Bill, their manager, was taking them to the Salt Lake airport and they were talking about me. I think it was Brian Wilson and Mike Love that made up the song on the drive,” she noted, adding, “it was just kind of a fast quick thing. I didn’t realize they had done that.”
Shirly continued, “A little while later that song came out. I turned to Bill and said ‘Hey, that could be my song,’ and he said, ‘Yeah it sure could be.’
“Fun, Fun, Fun” was released as a single in 1964 and peaked at the number 5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Well she got her daddy’s car
Opening lyrics to ‘Fun, Fun, Fun’ by the Beach Boys, courtesy Lyrics.com
And she cruised through the hamburger stand now
Seems she forgot all about the library
Like she told her old man now
And with the radio blasting
Goes cruising just as fast as she can now
And she’ll have fun fun fun
‘Til her daddy takes the T-bird away
(Fun fun fun ’til her daddy takes the T-bird away)
“And it wasn’t until a few years later when I was attending a concert and the Beach Boys were there at the University of Utah for the 4th of July. I opened up the program and there was the whole story of Bill driving them to the airport and how the song was really written for me,” Shirly recalls. “I looked at that and turned to my daughter, saying, ‘Oh my gosh! Bill said it was for me, but I guess it’s true!’ That’s how I heard about it.”
From there on out, Shirley has been the subject of interviews time and time again for her underground fame.
“The last interview I had I actually mentioned that I had not been told by the band themselves that they had written that song for me,” she shared. “The interviewer actually said ‘Well Shirley, let me tell you, I was with Mike Love yesterday and he said that one of the guys in the band thought they wrote it on a plane. Mike said ‘No, we wrote it about a Salt Lake City girl.’ He confirmed it for me, so now I’m going to take it.” she said, playfully.
Today, Shirley goes about her happy life in Salt Lake working as a physician’s office manager. However, she’s keen on keeping her legacy alive, joking with her husband that she wants her tombstone to read ‘She had fun, fun, fun’.
Looking back on her rise to underground stardom, Shirley notes, “They were a great group of guys. It was just a really fun association, as was working at that station. It was a nice ride.”
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| 2022-04-10T19:06:09
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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Gunfire at a Cedar Rapids nightclub left two people dead and 10 wounded early Sunday, authorities said.
Police said in a news release that the shooting happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. at the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge, and that officers who were patrolling downtown were able to respond quickly.
The police didn’t say whether there was one or more suspected shooters, what might have led to the shooting or whether they had arrested anyone, but they did say there was no lingering threat to the public.
Police also didn’t release the names of the victims or the condition of the wounded.
The club’s owner, Mod Williams, told the Cedar Rapids Gazette that he doesn’t know many details about the shooting.
“It’s an extremely disturbing thing that happened and currently I’m just being as cooperative as I can to help the police,” Williams said.
Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell expressed dismay about the shooting and lauded the police response.
“We as citizens need to do our part, too. We must head off incidents like this before they happen. That means respecting one and other, resolving issues peacefully and holding ourselves accountable,” O’Donnell said in a statement.
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| 2022-04-10T19:06:15
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will come out with its long-awaited ghost gun rule — aimed at reining in privately made firearms without serial numbers that are increasingly cropping up at crime scenes — as soon as Monday, three people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
Completion of the rule comes as the White House and the Justice Department have been under growing pressure to crack down on gun deaths and violent crime in the U.S.
The White House has also been weighing naming Steve Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney from Ohio, to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, the people said. Biden had to withdraw the nomination of his first nominee, gun-control advocate David Chipman, after the nomination stalled for months because of opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in the Senate.
For nearly a year, the rule has been making its way through the federal regulation process. Gun safety groups and Democrats in Congress have been pushing for the Justice Department to finish the rule for months. It will probably be met with heavy resistance from gun groups and draw litigation in the coming weeks.
The exact timing of the announcement hasn’t been set, the people said. They could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. The White House declined to comment.
On Sunday, the Senate’s top Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer, of New York, implored the administration to move faster.
“It’s high time for a ghost gun exorcism before the proliferation peaks, and before more people get hurt — or worse,” Schumer said in a statement. “My message is a simple one: No more waiting on these proposed federal rules.” Ghost guns are “too easy to build, too hard to trace and too dangerous to ignore.”
Justice Department statistics show that nearly 24,000 ghost guns were recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes and reported to the government from 2016 to 2020. It is hard to say how many are circulating on the streets, in part because in many cases police departments don’t contact the government about the guns because they can’t be traced.
The rule is expected to change the current definition of a firearm under federal law to include unfinished parts, like the frame of a handgun or the receiver of a long gun.
In its proposed rule released last May, the ATF said it was also seeking to require manufacturers and dealers who sell ghost gun parts to be licensed by the federal government and require federally licensed firearms dealers to add a serial number to any unserialized guns they plan to sell.
The rule would also require firearms dealers to run background checks before they sell ghost gun kits that contain parts needed to assemble a firearm.
For years, federal officials have been sounding the alarm about an increasing black market for homemade, military-style semi-automatic rifles and handguns. As well as turning up more frequently at crime scenes, ghost guns have been increasingly encountered when federal agents buy guns in undercover operations from gang members and other criminals.
Some states, like California, have enacted laws in recent years to require serial numbers to be stamped on ghost guns.
The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver, a part typically made of metal or polymer. An unfinished receiver — sometimes referred to as an “80-percent receiver” — can be legally bought online with no serial numbers or other markings on it, no license required.
Police across the country have been reporting spikes in ghost guns being recovered by officers. The New York Police Department, for example, said officers found 131 unserialized firearms since January.
A gunman who killed his wife and four others in Northern California in 2017 had been prohibited from owning firearms, but he built his own to skirt the court order before his rampage. And in 2019, a teenager used a homemade handgun to fatally shoot two classmates and wound three others at a school in suburban Los Angeles.
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| 2022-04-10T19:06:22
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(NEXSTAR) – A beloved bull elk well-known among Rocky Mountain National Park visitors and photographers for his distinctly large antlers has died, according to park rangers. While the elk’s death isn’t suspicious, his missing skull and antlers have sparked an investigation.
Park officials say the elk, commonly referred to as Kahuna, Bruno, or Big Thirds, is believed to have died of natural causes earlier this year. There had been reports that Kahuna was injured during the mating season last year, and was very underweight in February.
Now, rangers are trying to determine who illegally removed Kahuna’s skull and antler from his carcass.
Good Bull Outdoors, a husband and wife team that shares photos and videos of wildlife, including Kahuna, claimed to have found the elk dead in mid-March, saying they observed mountain lion and bird tracks around the carcass.
Kahuna’s skull and one antler – the other antler likely shed before his death – are believed to have been removed between March 20 and March 22.
“This elk’s remains should be allowed to return to the earth in Rocky Mountain National Park, where he brought much joy to thousands of park visitors over many years,” the park said in a release last week.
Anyone with information is asked to call Rocky Mountain National Park’s tip line at 970-586-1393 or contact them by e-mail by using this form. While you can remain anonymous through either of these messages, you can also submit information via the National Park Service’s Anonymous Tip Information form.
An elk and a mule deer were illegally killed in the park at Bandelier National Monument in November, Nexstar’s KRQE reports. Officials have not yet said if anyone has been arrested for these two incidents.
Poaching carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and $5,000 in fines.
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| 2022-04-10T19:06:28
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(NEXSTAR) – In case you feel like feeling old today, here’s a look back at some of the biggest hits from 2002 that are turning 20 years old this year. Remember these?
“Lose Yourself” – Eminem
Rapper Eminem’s No. 1 hit “Lose Yourself” may be 20 years old this year, but the lead single from the artist’s semi-biographical film “8 Mile” continues to reign among some of popular rap’s most admired tracks.
The Grammy-winning track from 2002 frequently appears on “greatest” lists, including a No. 29 spot on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All-Time. It also became one of few ’00s (pre-streaming) songs to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify just last year.
Despite taking home the 2003 Academy Award for Best Original Song — becoming the first hip-hop song to do so — the rapper didn’t attend or perform the song that year.
Eminem did perform the song for the first time at the Academy Awards just two years ago. In a surprise appearance, “Lose Yourself” was included to highlight the “impact of music” in film, Oscars producer Lynette Howell told USA Today in 2020. The performance, which was 17 years in the making, received a standing ovation. Eminem also performed the song during February’s Super Bowl LVI Half Time Show.
“A Thousand Miles” – Vanessa Carlton
You know those opening piano keys when you hear them. The song’s instantly recognizable music video — featuring Carlton and her piano sailing across city streets and highways — is probably burned in your brain.
Released in February 2002, singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton’s debut single “A Thousand Miles” ended the year at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, and made it to the top 10 in dozens of other countries.
“A Thousand Miles” was also featured in a few of the most memorable scenes from the 2004 comedy hit “White Chicks,” in which the lead characters — two Black men, pretending to be white women — attempt to sing along to the song.
But creators of the film said in a recent interview that the song is far from a punchline — it was chosen for the movie because it’s a song everyone seems to like. As The Guardian‘s Ellen E. Jones wrote in 2019, “Liking what you like is nothing to be ashamed of … We wouldn’t still be humming it 17 years later if it wasn’t actually a pretty decent pop song, would we?”
Meanwhile, in a recent 20-year retrospective, Rolling Stone‘s Amit Vaidya writes of the song: “Arguably the most easily identifiable first three seconds to a song of the last two decades, and quite possibly the most instantaneously recognizable piano riff ever.”
“Family Affair” – Mary J. Blige
The lead single from Blige’s fifth album “No More Drama” gave the world the much-debated lyric, “Don’t need no hateration, holleration in this dancery,” and became one of Blige’s biggest hits.
The song hit No. 1 not only on U.S. Billboard’s Hot 100 chart but several of its other charts. It was also the
No. 12 song on Billboard’s end-of-decade chart. Rolling Stone considered it among the 100 best of the ’00s, ranking it 95th overall.
Blige performed “Family Affair” at 2022’s Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show.
“Hot in Herre” – Nelly
Released just in time for summer 2002, “Hot in Herre” took control of the Billboard charts: five in total, including the top spot on the Hot 100.
The song almost didn’t happen, with the St. Louis rapper telling The Fader he’d already turned in his sophomore album “Nellyville” before realizing “something was missing.” Nelly enlisted mega music-maker Pharrell Williams, then of the production team The Neptunes, and the two worked out the song from a sample of Chuck Brown’s 1979 R&B hit “Bustin Loose.”
With “Hot in Herre,” Nelly became one of only two winners of the Best Male Rap Solo Performance Grammy, as the award was combined into a genderless rap category the next year. The other was Eminem, for “Lose Yourself.”
The song received a new spin this past December, when Chance the Rapper appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s “That’s My Jam” and gave the song an impromptu country remix.
“Complicated” – Avril Lavigne
Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne arrived on radio in March with the bratty “Complicated” from her debut album “Let Go.” If you were in middle school, high school or college, the tune was likely playing somewhere by someone you knew at any hour of the day.
“Complicated” was nominated for Song of Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys. In 2009, Rolling Stone readers ranked the song eighth on its list of Readers’ Top Singles of the Decade.
In a Facebook post last month, Lavigne wrote: “Holy f—! #Complicated was released 20 years ago today. I could have never imagined the places this song would take me. I am so grateful to you guys always and 4-ever for embracing my music and showing me so much love then, and still now, 20 years later.”
The song’s teen-angst legacy continues, as recent Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo covered “Complicated” at the opening night of her “Sour” Tour on Tuesday.
“Hero” – Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott
Sung by Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger — former husband of Avril Lavigne — and Josey Scott, formerly of the rock band Saliva, “Hero” swung onto radio as the lead single from 2002’s massive blockbuster “Spider-Man.”
The song hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on two others, earning two Grammy nominations along the way. “Hero” was also released prior to widespread anti-Nickelback sentiment that almost eclipsed the band in the mid-2000s. But despite becoming an easy punchline for rock critics, the band has continued selling records, and even got in on the joke.
Meanwhile, other “Spider-Man” movie songs have fared less successfully, including Dashboard Confessional’s “Vindicated” for “Spider-Man 2” in 2004, Snow Patrol’s “Signal Fire” for “Spider-Man 3” in 2007, and Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar’s “It’s On Again” for “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” in 2014.
If you enjoyed this trip back into your adolescence, we hope you’ve booked your annual physical check-ups!
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| 2022-04-10T19:22:55
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(NEXSTAR) – A beloved bull elk well-known among Rocky Mountain National Park visitors and photographers for his distinctly large antlers has died, according to park rangers. While the elk’s death isn’t suspicious, his missing skull and antlers have sparked an investigation.
Park officials say the elk, commonly referred to as Kahuna, Bruno, or Big Thirds, is believed to have died of natural causes earlier this year. There had been reports that Kahuna was injured during the mating season last year, and was very underweight in February.
Now, rangers are trying to determine who illegally removed Kahuna’s skull and antler from his carcass.
Good Bull Outdoors, a husband and wife team that shares photos and videos of wildlife, including Kahuna, claimed to have found the elk dead in mid-March, saying they observed mountain lion and bird tracks around the carcass.
Kahuna’s skull and one antler – the other antler likely shed before his death – are believed to have been removed between March 20 and March 22.
“This elk’s remains should be allowed to return to the earth in Rocky Mountain National Park, where he brought much joy to thousands of park visitors over many years,” the park said in a release last week.
Anyone with information is asked to call Rocky Mountain National Park’s tip line at 970-586-1393 or contact them by e-mail by using this form. While you can remain anonymous through either of these messages, you can also submit information via the National Park Service’s Anonymous Tip Information form.
An elk and a mule deer were illegally killed in the park at Bandelier National Monument in November, Nexstar’s KRQE reports. Officials have not yet said if anyone has been arrested for these two incidents.
Poaching carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and $5,000 in fines.
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| 2022-04-10T19:23:01
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(NEXSTAR) – President Biden has not only delayed student loan payments for another few months, but he’s also given some borrowers a bit of ‘forgiveness.’
The U.S. Department of Education described the additional pause as a good way for borrowers to plan for payments to begin again, which can help reduce “the risk of delinquency and defaults after restart.” For those who have already been impacted by delinquency and default, there’s an added bonus – you’re getting a “fresh start.”
Biden’s pause includes millions of federal loan borrowers having their delinquent or default status erased, allowing them to “reenter repayment in good standing,” the Education Department explained in a Wednesday release.
What does it mean to be delinquent and in default?
If you are just one day late on making a payment on your student loans, your loan becomes past due, otherwise known as delinquent, according to the Federal Student Aid Office. Until you pay that past due amount – or you make an arrangement like entering deferment or forbearance, or change your repayment plan – you remain in delinquency.
Once you’re delinquent for 90 days or more, your status is reported to three major national credit bureaus by your loan servicer. If you remain in delinquency, your loan may go into default (the exact time when your loan moves from delinquency to default depends on the loan you have).
There are many consequences of defaulting on your federal student loans, including the entire balance of your loan and interest that has accrued becoming immediately due; being taken to court; and losing the ability to choose a repayment plan, the Education Department explains. Some borrowers may also be subject to wage garnishment or the seizure of critical benefits like Social Security, according to Business Insider.
How many people are impacted?
More than 7 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans, according to Politico, which first reported the Education Department was considering the “fresh start” plan in October.
Even though borrowers in default will now have that status removed – there’s no clear timeline on when exactly that status will change for individuals – some may still miss payments when the pause lifts in September.
In late March, an analysis found 7.8 million borrowers – nearly one in three – were at high risk of missing loan payments if the pause ended in May. Authors of the analysis assigned borrowers to this group of “possible strugglers” if they were delinquent or in default on any loan during 2019 (the year before the pause); were in default on loans that were ineligible for the pause; if a new collection or bankruptcy appeared on their credit report during the pause; or if their most recent credit score was considered “deep subprime,” meaning it had fallen below 580.
“During the pause, we will continue our preparations to give borrowers a fresh start and to ensure that all borrowers have access to repayment plans that meet their financial situations and needs,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.
What about actual student loan forgiveness?
Before Biden announced the fourth freeze on student loans, 96 lawmakers – 21 Senators and 75 members of the House – called on him to “cancel student debt now,” saying it would “provide long-term benefits to individuals and the economy, helping families buy their first homes, open a small business, or invest in their retirement. More broadly, canceling student debt would add tens of billions of dollars in GDP growth.”
During his campaign, Biden supported forgiving at least $10,000 in federal student loans per person but didn’t mention any cancellation in his statement on the latest pause. But, Education Secretary Cardona recently told NPR that “the conversations around loan forgiveness continue to happen.”
There is, however, confusion regarding Biden’s power to cancel student loans. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said he lacks legal authority, instead commenting “That would be an act of Congress.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, on the other hand, has argued Biden could do it under the same legal provision Trump used to delay payments and interest accrual at the start of the pandemic, The Hill reports.
Earlier this year, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “We’re still looking at administrative options, but Congress can also send the president a bill that would provide $10,000 in debt relief, and he’d be happy to sign that bill.”
According to The Hill, Biden requested a memo from the Department of Education on his authority to forgive student debt through an executive order a year ago, but the administration hasn’t announced whether that memo is complete.
Still, there are thousands of Americans already eligible for some student loan forgiveness through various federal programs. That includes those working in specific industries and nearly 100,000 impacted by changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
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| 2022-04-10T19:23:07
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CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — Clearwater police took a Seminole man into custody Friday after he was caught speeding on US-19, according to an affidavit.
Police said Joey Allen Fox, 30, was going 112 mph while in a 55-mph zone as seen on radar.
The affidavit said a responding officer spotted Fox speeding and cutting off vehicles, nearly hitting several of them.
The officer managed to catch up with Fox and initiated a traffic stop. At the time of the stop, Fox was going 86 mph, police said.
After pulling Fox over, the officer noticed that the driver had bloodshot eyes, slurred speed, and swaying movement. Police said Fox had a scent of marijuana and alcohol on his person.
The affidavit said Fox refused to give a breath sample or take field sobriety tests.
While Fox was taken into custody, police said they found a gun in his right pocket that he did not have a concealed carry permit for.
He was arrested on a racing on highway charge, among other charges.
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https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/seminole-man-went-112-mph-on-us-19-nearly-hit-cars-police-say/
| 2022-04-10T19:23:13
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SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The North Port Police Department is searching for a missing man who was last seen wearing brown shorts, a blue/teal checkered button-down shirt, and a grey zip-up hooded sweatshirt.
Authorities said Anthony J Carlo, 63, was last seen driving a 2015 brown Subaru Legacy, bearing Massachusetts tag 3976YK.
Carlo may be confused and disoriented, according to a release from police..Anyone with information is asked to call 941-429-7300.
This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.
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| 2022-04-10T19:23:19
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WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) — A trove of paintings and other artwork found in an abandoned barn has turned out to be worth millions.
Notified by a contractor, Waterbury auto mechanic Jared Whipple retrieved the dirt-covered pieces in 2017 from a dumpster containing materials from a barn in Watertown. Whipple later found out they were by Francis Hines, an abstract expressionist who died in 2016 at 96 and had kept his work stored in the barn, Hearst Connecticut Media Group reported.
Hines was renowned for his “wrapping” pieces, in which fabric is wrapped around an object. His art has been compared to that of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who became famous for wrapping installations around Europe, including the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Hines wrapped more than 10 buildings in New York including the Washington Square Arch, JFK Airport and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, art curator and historian Peter Hastings Falk told the news outlet.
The hundreds of pieces of art retrieved by Whipple included paintings, sculptures and small drawings. Hastings Falk estimated the “wrapped” paintings can be sold at around $22,000 apiece and his drawings at around $4,500.
Whipple showed some of the pieces at a gallery in Waterbury last year, and recently decided to sell some of the art. He is collaborating with Hollis Taggart, a New York City-based gallery, on exhibits in New York and Connecticut in shows beginning next month.
Since finding the treasure trove, Whipple has researched Hines’ work and contacted the artist’s family, who, he said, have allowed him to keep and sell the art.
“I pulled it out of this dumpster and I fell in love with it,” Whipple told the news outlet. “I made a connection with it. My purpose is to get Hines into the history books.”
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| 2022-04-10T19:32:06
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MADRID (AP) — Spain’s Civil Guard says it is investigating a businessman in the eastern Valencia region who owned a private taxidermy collection with more than 1,000 stuffed animals, including just over 400 from protected species and at least one specimen of a North African oryx, already extinct.
The collection would fetch 29 million euros ($31.5 million) on the black market, the Civil Guard said Sunday in a statement, adding that its owner could be charged with trafficking and other crimes against the environment.
It said the finding was the largest of protected stuffed specimens in Spain.
Investigating agents found the stuffed animals in two warehouses extending over 50,000 square meters on the outskirts of Bétera, a small town north of the eastern coastal city of Valencia.
Of the 1,090 stuffed animals found, 405 belonged to specimens protected by the CITES convention on wildlife protection.
They included the scimitar oryx, also known as the Sahara oryx, which the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, declared extinct in the wild in 2000, and at least two more species nearly extinct: the addax, or white antelope, originally from the Sahara desert and the Bengal tiger.
The agents also recorded stuffed specimens of cheetah, leopard, lion, lynx, polar bear, snow panther and white rhinoceros, among others, as well as 198 large ivory tusks from elephants.
The Civil Guard said it would investigate whether any documents exist justifying the ownership of the collection.
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| 2022-04-10T19:32:13
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“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” sped to the top of the charts in its opening weekend, earning an impressive $71 million according to studio estimates Sunday. Paramount’s PG-rated sequel easily bested the weekend’s other major newcomer, Michael Bay’s “Ambulance,” which faltered in theaters.
“Sonic 2,” which brings back the first film’s director, writers and cast, including James Marsden, Jim Carrey and Ben Schwartz, who voices the blue video game character, opened in 4,234 locations and actually surpassed its predecessor’s opening weekend. The first “Sonic the Hedgehog” opened over the Presidents Day holiday weekend in February 2020, earning $58 million in its first three days.
“The normal pattern domestically is that sequels slide a little bit,” said Chris Aronson, the president of domestic distribution for Paramount. “But we certainly bucked that trend.”
For a sequel to open 22% above the first, Aronson added, is “quite remarkable.”
“Sonic 2” got mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences were even more enthusiastic. They gave the CG/live-action hybrid a strong “A” CinemaScore.
“The filmmakers did a great job of being in service of not only the general audience but Sonic fans themselves,” Aronson said. “Many feel it’s a bigger, better film than the first one.”
It’s an important weekend not just for the “Sonic” franchise, but for PG-rated family films too. Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian said that one of the big questions of the pandemic was whether families would return to movie theaters with seemingly limitless viewing options available at home. According to exit polls, families made up 58% of the “Sonic 2” audience.
“There’s been some indication that they wanted to go back with movies like ‘Sing 2,’ but it’s moved in fits and starts,” said Dergarabedian. “This says once and for all that families want to go back. It’s a really good indicator of things to come for family films in 2022 with ‘Lightyear’ and the next ‘Minions’ movie.”
“Sonic 2” is also the latest in a string of theatrical hits for Paramount in 2022, including “Scream,” “Jackass Forever” and “The Lost City,” which is still in the top five.
“A lot of credit goes to our marketing and distribution teams,” Aronson said. “We’ve been judicious about picking our dates and knowing who our audience was for each.”
And their next release could be their biggest yet. “Top Gun: Maverick” opens on May 27.
Meanwhile, “Ambulance” got off to a bumpy start in its first weekend. With an estimated $8.7 million in grosses, it opened behind Sony’s “Morbius,” down 74% in weekend two, and “The Lost City.” Bay’s nail-biter about a botched bank robbery was released by Universal and stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza González.
Its tepid launch proved a head-scratcher for many. Reviews weren’t terrible (it’s at a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes versus “Sonic 2’s” 67%) and on paper “Ambulance” appears to be the kind of throwback, big screen blockbuster spectacle that would draw significant crowds to the theaters.
“This is a filmmaker who will forever be looked at as a blockbuster director, whether you like his movies or not. The bar is always raised for someone like that,” Dergarabedian said. “But this is a different kind of movie and I think that’s why we’re seeing these numbers. It’s not trying to be ‘Transformers.’ If Bay’s name wasn’t on it, expectations wouldn’t be as high.”
“Sonic 2” wasn’t the only success of the weekend. A24’s critical darling “Everything Everywhere All At Once” expanded nationwide in its third weekend in theaters and earned $6.1 million from only 1,250 screens.
“A24 has done a spectacular job of rolling it out on a platform release and building buzz,” Dergarabedian said.
The film, directed by the Daniels and starring Michelle Yeoh, will expand to more theaters in the coming weeks.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” $71 million.
2. “Morbius,” $10.2 million.
3. “The Lost City,” $9.2 million.
4. “Ambulance,” $8.7 million.
5. “The Batman,” $6.5 million.
6. “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” $6.1 million.
7. “Uncharted,” $2.7 million.
8. “Jujutsu Kaisen 0,” $825,000.
9. “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” $625,000.
10. “RRR,” $570,000.
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Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr
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LONDON (AP) — British author Jack Higgins, who wrote “The Eagle Has Landed” and other bestselling thrillers and espionage novels, has died. He was 92.
Publisher HarperCollins said that Higgins died at his home on the English Channel island of Jersey surrounded by his family.
Born Henry Patterson in in Newcastle, England, in July 1929, Higgins served in the military before studying sociology at the London School of Economics. He became a teacher in the northern city of Leeds and a writer in his spare time, with novels that sold modestly starting in the late 1950s.
That changed with the 1975 publication of “The Eagle Has Landed,” about a fictional World War II plot to kidnap British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In a 2010 interview with The Guardian, Higgins recounted a pivotal call from his accountant.
“He asked me what I wanted to get out of my writing,” Higgins said. “I replied that I wasn’t really sure, before adding as a joke it would be nice to make a million by the time I retired. He then said: ‘Well you’re a bloody fool. Because you’ve just earned that much this week. So what are you going to do about it?’”
He was advised to leave England because of 1970s taxation rates and settled with his family on Jersey.
“The Eagle Has Landed” became more popular after the 1976 film adaptation was released. Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland and Robert Duvall were among the stars of the eponymously named movie that was a box office success.
In a statement, HarperCollins chief executive Charlie Redmayne said Higgins’ death marked “the end of an era.”
“I’ve been a fan of Jack Higgins for longer than I can remember. He was a classic thriller writer: instinctive, tough, relentless,” he said.
“The Eagle Has Landed and his other Liam Devlin books, his later Sean Dillon series, and so many others were and remain absolutely unputdownable.”
Patterson wrote nearly 80 books, most under the pseudonym of Jack Higgins. Other Higgins titles included “The Eagle Has Flown,” “Angel of Death,” ”Day of Reckoning,” and “A Darker Place.”
According to his publisher’s website, the novels have sold more than 250 million copies and been translated into dozens of languages.
His survivors include his wife, Denise, and four children from his previous marriage.
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LONDON (AP) — For many in the U.K., the pandemic may as well be over.
Mask requirements have been dropped. Free mass testing is a thing of the past. And for the first time since spring 2020, people can go abroad for holidays without ordering tests or filling out lengthy forms.
That sense of freedom is widespread even as infections soaredin Britain in March, driven by the milder but more transmissible omicron BA.2 variant that’s rapidly spreading around Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere.
The situation in the U.K. may portend what lies ahead for other countries as they ease coronavirus restrictions.
France and Germany have seen similar spikes in infections in recent weeks, and the number of hospitalizations in the U.K. and France has again climbed — though the number of deaths per day remains well below levels seen earlier in the pandemic.
In the U.S.,more and more Americans are testing at home, so official case numbers are likely a vast undercount. The roster of those newly infected include actors and politicians, who are tested regularly. Cabinet members, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Broadway actors and the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut have all tested positive.
Britain stands out in Europe because it ditched all mitigation policies in February, including mandatory self-isolation for those infected. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s conservative government is determined to stick to its “living with COVID” plan, but experts disagree on whether the country is coping well.
Some scientists argue it’s the right time to accept that “living with COVID” means tolerating a certain level of disruption and deaths, much like we do for seasonal flu. Others believe that Britain’s government lifted restrictions too quickly and too soon. They warned that deaths and hospital admissions could keep rising because more people over 55 — those who are most likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19 — are now getting infected despite high levels of vaccination.
Hospitals are again under strain, both from patients with the virus and huge numbers of staff off sick, said National Health Service medical director Stephen Powis.
“Blinding ourselves to this level of harm does not constitute living with a virus infection — quite the opposite,” said Stephen Griffin, a professor in medicine at the University of Leeds. “Without sufficient vaccination, ventilation, masking, isolation and testing, we will continue to ‘live with’ disruption, disease and sadly, death, as a result.”
Others, like Paul Hunter, a medicine professor at the University of East Anglia, are more supportive of the government’s policies.
“We’re still not at the point where (COVID-19) is going to be least harmful … but we’re over the worst,” he said. Once a high vaccination rate is achieved there is little value in maintaining restrictions such as social distancing because “they never ultimately prevent infections, only delay them,” he argued.
Britain’s official statistics agency estimated that almost 5 million U.K. residents, or 1 in 13, had the virus in late March, the most it had reported. Separately, the REACT study from London’s Imperial College said its data showed that the country’s infection levels in March were 40% higher than the first omicron peak in January.
Infection rates are so high that airlines had to cancel flightsduring the busy two-week Easter break because too many workers were calling in sick.
France and Germany have seen similar surges as restrictions eased in most European countries. More than 100,000 people in France were testing positive every day despite a sharp dropoff in testing, and the number of virus patients in intensive care rose 22% over the past week.
President Emmanuel Macron’s government, keen to encourage voter turnout in April elections, is not talking about any new restrictions.
In Germany, infection levels have drifted down from a recent peak. But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach backed off a decision to end mandatory self-isolation for infected people just two days after it was announced. He said the plan would send a “completely wrong” signal that “either the pandemic is over or the virus has become significantly more harmless than was assumed in the past.”
In the U.S., outbreaks at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University are bringing back mask requirements to those campuses as officials seek out quarantine space.
Across Europe, only Spain and Switzerland have joined the U.K. in lifting self-isolation requirements for at least some infected people.
But many European countries have eased mass testing, which will make it much harder to know how prevalent the virus is. Britain stopped distributing free rapid home tests this month.
Julian Tang, a flu virologist at the University of Leicester, said that while it’s important to have a surveillance program to monitor for new variants and update the vaccine, countries cope with flu without mandatory restrictions or mass testing.
“Eventually, COVID-19 will settle down to become more endemic and seasonal, like flu,” Tang said. “Living with COVID, to me, should mimic living with flu.”
Cambridge University virologist Ravindra Gupta is more cautious. Mortality rates for COVID-19 are still far higher than seasonal flu and the virus causes more severe disease, he warned. He would have preferred “more gentle easing of restrictions.”
“There’s no reason to believe that a new variant would not be more transmissible or severe,” he added.
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Geir Moulson and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Angela Charlton in Paris, Barry Hatton in Lisbon and other AP journalists around Europe contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
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BEIJING (AP) — Shanghai on Sunday discharged over 11,000 recovered COVID-19 patients and health authorities emphasized that they must be allowed to return home despite the lockdown that has severely restricted movement in China’s largest city.
“We hope their family and community will not worry about them or discriminate against them,” said Wu Jinglei, director of the Shanghai Health Commission.
The city of 26 million people reported 1,006 confirmed infections and nearly 24,000 asymptomatic cases in the last 24 hours. Shanghai has been under lockdown since March 28, and authorities said Saturday that the strict measures would be lifted in areas with no new cases in the last 14 days following another round of mass testing.
The United States on Saturday advised its citizens to reconsider traveling to China due to “arbitrary enforcement” of local laws and COVID-19 restrictions, particularly in Hong Kong, Jilin province and Shanghai. U.S. officials cited a risk of “parents and children being separated.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in response that China was “strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to the U.S. side’s groundless accusation against China’s epidemic response.”
“It should be pointed out that China’s anti-epidemic policies are science-based and effective, and we are fully confident that Shanghai and other places in China will prevail over the new wave of the epidemic,” said Zhao.
Meanwhile, Shanghai authorities said that they have secured daily supplies for residents from online platforms, according to state-owned newspaper Global Times, following complaints about deliveries of food and other basic necessities as the lockdown enters its third week.
Residents have resorted to group buying of groceries because they are not allowed to leave their buildings. Posts circulating on social media platforms such as Weibo also show that some residents have not been able to have their food orders delivered, while others posted online that they’re running out of food.
Some people said that as soon as you go to the grocery shopping app, a day’s orders are already filled.
According to the Global Times, platforms such as JD.com as well as Alibaba’s Ele.me delivery apps are working with authorities to ensure that everyone has access to vegetables, fruits and other produce.
Shanghai highlights the soaring human and economic cost of China’s “zero-COVID” strategy that aims to isolate every infected person.
Separately, Erjiefang, an area in capital Beijing, was classified as high-risk on Saturday after eight local COVID-19 infections were reported there over the past two weeks.
And in Guangzhou, primary and middle schools will switch to online learning starting Monday after the metropolis of 18 million northwest of Hong Kong registered 23 local infections since Friday, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. An exhibition center was being converted into a makeshift hospital after authorities said earlier they would begin citywide mass testing.
China is facing one of its worst local outbreaks since the pandemic began. China is still closed to international travel, even as most of the world has sought ways to live with the virus.
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RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (AP) — A Texas district attorney said Sunday that he will ask a judge to dismiss a murder charge against a woman who allegedly gave herself an abortion.
Lizelle Herrera was arrested Thursday in Rio Grande City, a community of about 14,000 people along the Mexico border, after a Starr County grand jury indicted her on March 30 for murder for causing the death of a fetus or embryo through a self-induced abortion.
District Attorney Gocha Allen Ramirez said Sunday that his office would move to dismiss the charge Monday.
“In reviewing this case, it is clear that Ms. Herrera cannot and should not be prosecuted for the allegation against her,” Ramirez said in a statement.
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The son of a single mother who raised him on a pension, Anthony Albanese had a humble start to life for an aspiring Australian prime minister.
But despite his disadvantaged upbringing in public housing in Sydney, the man known since childhood as Albo has risen to the top of the center-left Australian Labor Party and is now only an election away from potentially realizing his ambition to lead the national government.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an election on May 21.
As a young child, to spare Albanese the scandal of being “illegitimate” in a working-class Roman Catholic family in socially conservative 1960s Australia, he was told that his Italian father Carlo Albanese had died in a car accident shortly after marrying his ethnic-Irish Australian mother Maryanne Ellery in Europe.
His mother, who became an invalid pensioner because of chronic rheumatoid arthritis, told him the truth when he was 14 years old: His father was not dead and his parents had never married.
Carlo Albanese had been a steward on a cruise ship when the couple met in 1962 during the only overseas trip of her life. She returned to Sydney from her seven-month journey through Asia to Britain and continental Europe almost four months pregnant, according to Anthony Albanese’s 2016 biography, “Albanese: Telling it Straight.”
She was living with her parents in their local government-owned house in inner-suburban Camperdown when her only child was born on March 2, 1963.
Out of loyalty to his mother and a fear of hurting her feelings, Albanese waited until after her death in 2002 before searching for his father.
Father and son were happily united in 2009 in the father’s hometown of Barletta in southern Italy. The son was in Italy for business meetings as Australia‘s minister for transport and infrastructure.
Anthony Albanese was a minister throughout Labor’s most recent six years in power and reached his highest office — deputy prime minister — in his government’s final three months that ended with the 2013 election.
“It says a great thing about our nation that the son of a (single) parent who grew up in a council house in Sydney could be deputy prime minister of Australia,” Albanese said. He had just defeated the son of a former deputy prime in a ballot of fellow lawmakers for the post.
But Albanese’s critics argue that it’s not his humble background but his left-wing politics that make him unsuitable to be prime minister.
The conservative government argues he would be the most left-wing Australian leader in almost 50 years since the crash-or-crash-through reformer Gough Whitlam, a flawed hero of the Labor Party.
In 1975, Whitlam became the only Australian prime minister to be ousted from office by a British monarch’s representative in what is described as a constitutional crisis.
Whitlam had introduced during his brief but tumultuous three years in power free university education, which enabled Albanese to graduate from Sydney University with an economics degree despite his meager financial resources.
Albanese’s supporters argue that while he was from Labor’s so-called Socialist Left faction, he was a pragmatist with a proven ability to deal with more conservative elements of the party.
Albanese had undergone what has been described as a makeover in the past year, opting for more fashionable suits and glasses. He has also shed 18 kilograms (40 pounds) in what many assume is an effort to make himself more attractive to voters.
Albanese says he believed he was about to die in a two-car collision in Sydney in January last year and that that was the catalyst for his healthier life choices. He had briefly resigned himself to a fate he once believed had been his father’s.
After the accident, Albanese spent a night in a hospital and suffered what he described as external and internal injuries that he has not detailed. The 17-year-old boy behind the wheel of the Range Rover SUV that collided with Albanese’s much smaller Toyota Camry sedan was charged with negligent driving.
Asked at the National Press Club of Australia in January to explain who he was, Albanese replied he was the son of a pensioner mother who had grown up with the security of a local government-provided house.
Albanese said he was 12 years old when he became involved in his first political campaign. His fellow public housing tenants successfully defeated a local council proposal to sell their homes — a move that would have increased their rent — in a campaign that involved refusing to pay the council in a so-called rent strike.
The unpaid rent debt was forgiven, which Albanese described as a “lesson for those people who weren’t part of the rent strike: Solidarity works.”
“As I grew up, I understood the impact that government had, can have, on making a difference to people’s lives,” Albanese said. “And in particular, to opportunity.”
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — In at least one sense, Scott Morrison is the most successful Australian prime minister in years.
He is the first to survive in office from one election to the next since 2007. That year, the government of Australia’s second-longest-serving Prime Minister John Howard was voted out after a reign of almost 12 years.
Between Howard and Morrison, there have been four prime ministers including Kevin Ruddwho served twice during an extraordinary period of political instability in Australia.
Rudd’s second stint ended when voters ousted his center-left Australian Labor Party government in the 2013 election. The other three prime ministers were toppled by their own parties, which panicked amid poor opinion polling. So too was Rudd during his first stint that set the revolving door to the prime minister’s office spinning.
Morrison’s relative longevity can be explained in part by his conservative Liberal Party tightening the rules that enable them to activate their leader’s ejector seat.
But most put his survival for a full three-year term down to the credit Morrison is given for leading his coalition to a narrow victory in the last election in 2019 when Labor was favored to win. Some betting agencies had been so confident of a Labor victory that they had paid out the party’s backers before polling day.
Morrison announced on Sunday that the next election will be held on May 21. It’s the latest date available to him.
Morrison’s coalition is again behind in most opinion polls. But the polls’ credibility has not recovered from the shock of the 2019 result and Morrison is now recognized as a masterful campaigner who does not surrender.
The 53-year-old former tourism marketer was labeled the “accidental prime minister” in 2018 when his government colleagues chose him to replace then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
It was yet another overthrow of a prime minister without involving voters for reasons not fully explained in a process that Australians increasingly loathe. Polls suggested Morrison would have one of the shortest tenures of any Australian prime minister with elections only months away.
His critics argue that his success has been a triumph of style over substance.
The satirical website Betoota Advocate labeled him “Scotty from Marketing” when he first came to power and the description has gained popularity since.
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has been nicknamed Albo since he was a child in keeping with a time-honored Australian tradition of abbreviating names and often adding “o” at the end.
Likewise, Morrison is widely known as ScoMo. But there is conjecture around just how organic that nickname is.
“That’s what I’ve been tagged as, so I may as well embrace it,” Morrison said in 2017 when as treasurer he added “ScoMo” to his Facebook account name.
Morrison sells himself as an ordinary Australian family man who is passionate about his Sydney Pentecostal church and his local National Rugby League football team, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
His persona is described as “Daggy Dad,” an affectionate Australian term for an unfashionable father who can be amusing but can also be a source of embarrassment for teenage children.
During a family profile for Australia’s “60 Minutes” current affairs program broadcast nationally in February, he sang an amateurish rendition of a 1970s rock song “April Sun in Cuba” while strumming a ukulele.
He is the son of police officer and one-term mayor John Morrison and a descendant of British convict William Roberts, who arrived in Australia in 1788 with the first fleet of 11 ships that established the penal colony that became Sydney.
He promoted tourism for the Australian and New Zealand governments before entering politics.
He is seen by some as an incongruous mix of a committed Christian who made his name through ratcheting up a refugee policy that many church groups have condemned as inhumane.
Morrison rose to public prominence when the conservative coalition government was first elected under Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2013 as the minister who stopped asylum-seekers from attempting to reach Australian shores by boat.
Australia used the navy to turn boats back to Indonesia, or it banished refugees to remote immigration camps in the poor Pacific island nations of Papua New Guinea and Nauru.
The policy has been widely condemned as a callous abrogation of Australia’s international obligations to help refugees. Australia’s human rights watchdog found in 2014 that Morrison failed to act in the best interests of asylum-seeker children in detention.
Morrison explained his deep belief in the righteousness of crushing the people-smuggling trade and preserving the safety of people who are tempted to board rickety boats to take the long and treacherous voyage to Australia.
The boats have stopped arriving and the government recently moved to neutralize the plight of refugees still languishing on the islands by accepting a New Zealand offer to resettle 150 a year.
Morrison remains proud of the refugee policy. He has a trophy shaped like a silhouette of a people-smuggler’s boat inscribed with the words: “I Stopped These.”
Sen. Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, an enemy of Morrison within his conservative Liberal Party, said the prime minister’s faith was a marketing ploy.
She described Morrison as the most ruthless person she had met in her public life.
“He is adept at running with the foxes and hunting with the hounds, lacking a moral compass and having no conscience,” Fierravanti-Wells said in her final speech to the Senate in March.
“His actions conflict with his portrayal as a man of faith. He has used his so-called faith as a marketing advantage,” she added.
Morrison referred to his Christian faith’s influence on his politics during his first speech to Parliament in 2008.
“So what values do I derive from my faith?” Morrison asked.
“My answer comes from Jeremiah, Chapter 9:24: I am the Lord who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, declares the Lord,” he said.
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BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Russian ally Serbia took the delivery of a sophisticated Chinese anti-aircraft system in a veiled operation this weekend, amid Western concerns that an arms buildup in the Balkans at the time of the war in Ukraine could threaten the fragile peace in the region.
Media and military experts said Sunday that six Chinese Air Force Y-20 transport planes landed at Belgrade’s civilian airport early Saturday, reportedly carrying HQ-22 surface-to-air missile systems for the Serbian military.
The Chinese cargo planes with military markings were pictured at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport. Serbia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to AP’s request for comment.
The arms delivery over the territory of at least two NATO member states, Turkey and Bulgaria, was seen by experts as a demonstration of China’s growing global reach.
“The Y-20s’ appearance raised eyebrows because they flew en masse as opposed to a series of single-aircraft flights,” wrote The Warzone online magazine. “The Y-20′s presence in Europe in any numbers is also still a fairly new development.”
Serbian military analyst Aleksandar Radic said that “the Chinese carried out their demonstration of force.”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic all but confirmed the delivery of the medium-range system that was agreed in 2019, saying on Saturday that he will present “the newest pride” of the Serbian military on Tuesday or Wednesday.
He had earlier complained that NATO countries, which represent most of Serbia’s neighbors, are refusing to allow the system’s delivery flights over their territories amid tensions over Russia’s aggression on Ukraine.
Although Serbia has voted in favor of U.N. resolutions that condemn the bloody Russian attacks in Ukraine, it has refused to join international sanctions against its allies in Moscow or outright criticize the apparent atrocities committed by the Russian troops there.
Back in 2020, U.S. officials warned Belgrade against the purchase of HQ-22 anti-aircraft systems, whose export version is known as FK-3. They said that if Serbia really wants to join the European Union and other Western alliances, it must align its military equipment with Western standards.
The Chinese missile system has been widely compared to the American Patriot and the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems although it has a shorter range than more advanced S-300s. Serbia will be the first operator of the Chinese missiles in Europe.
Serbia was at war with its neighbors in the 1990s. The country, which is formally seeking EU membership, has already been boosting its armed forces with Russian and Chinese arms, including warplanes, battle tanks and other equipment.
In 2020, it took delivery of Chengdu Pterodactyl-1 drones, known in China as Wing Loong. The combat drones are able to strike targets with bombs and missiles and can be used for reconnaissance tasks.
There are fears in the West that the arming of Serbia by Russia and China could encourage the Balkan country toward another war, especially against its former province of Kosovo that proclaimed independence in 2008. Serbia, Russia and China don’t recognize Kosovo’s statehood, while the United States and most Western countries do.
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PARIS (AP) — France’s presidential race involves one frontrunner, centrist incumbent Emmanuel Macron, and eleven challengers from the far left to the far right. The two top candidates in Sunday’s first round qualify for the April 24 runoff.
Here’s a look at the main contenders’ key proposals.
EMMANUEL MACRON, 44, centrist incumbent, head of the Republic on the Move party
Ukraine: Macron has been at the forefront of international talks on supporting Ukraine amid warand imposing sanctions on Russia. Macron vows to keep investing in the French military and “significantly” reinforce European armed forces’ capacities and cooperation.
Economy: Macron promises “full employment,” after the jobless rate decreased during his 2017-2022 term to its lowest level in a generation. He wants to progressively raise the retirement age from 62 to 65 and boost the minimum monthly pension.
Energy: He pledges to build six new-generation nuclear reactors, develop solar energy and wind farms at sea.
Immigration: Macron pushes for strengthening external borders of the European passport-free area and creating a new force to better control national borders. He vows to speed up processing of asylum and residence permit applications and to deport those who aren’t eligible.
MARINE LE PEN, 53, far-right head of the National Rally party
Ukraine: Marine Le Pen has cultivated ties with Moscow, receiving a loan of 9 million euros from a Russian bank in 2014 and meeting with Putin in 2017. She acknowledged Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “partially” changed her views about Putin, saying he was “wrong.” She says she supports the Ukrainian people and refugees must be welcomed.
Immigration: Le Pen’s plans includeending family reunification policies, restricting social benefits to the French only, and deporting foreigners who stay unemployed for over a year and other migrants who entered illegally.
Economy and energy: She promises to cut taxes on energy and essential goods. She wants to maintain the minimum retirement age at 62 and raise the minimum pension. She vowed to dismantle windfarms and invest in nuclear and hydro energy.
Muslim-related policies: Le Pen promised a law banning Muslim headscarves in all public places, and outlawing events and financing considered to be spreading “Islamism.”
JEAN-LUC MELENCHON, 70, far left
Ukraine: Mélenchon used to call Russia a “partner,” even as European governments were scrambling to find ways to avert a Russian invasion of Ukraine. He now supports the Ukrainian “resistance” and Russians who fight what he calls “dictatorship” in their own country.
Economy: Mélenchon promises toraise France’s minimum wage and minimum pension, and lower the retirement age to 60. He wants to re-establish a wealth tax.
Climate and energy: He vows to inscribe a “green rule” in the Constitution which calls for not using more resources than nature can replenish, and putting an end to intensive farming. He seeks to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 65% in 2030 — instead of the current goal of 40%. He wants the state to lock in energy and food prices, and promises to phase out nuclear energy and aim for 100% renewable energy instead.
ERIC ZEMMOUR, 63, far-right former TV pundit who has been repeatedly convicted of hate speech
Ukraine: Zemmour initially was a supporter of an “alliance” with Russia, and once wished aloud for a “French Putin.” That was before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which he condemned. He initially said he would prefer Ukrainian refugees to stay in Poland, but later supported granting them visas if they have ties with France. Zemmour wants France to pull out of NATO’s military command.
Immigration: He wants asylum status to be restricted to no more than 100 people per year — down from about 54,000 last year. He would end welfare benefits for non-European foreigners, outlaw immigration for family reunification, create a coast guard military force to stop arrivals by sea, and deport any migrants who enter without permission.
Muslim-related policies: Zemmour wants a ban on wearing Muslim headscarves in all public spaces, a ban on building big mosques and on foreign financing of the Muslim faith. He proposes restricting the names that parents can give their newborns, de facto banning many names used by French Muslims.
Economy and energy: He promised to cut taxes on businesses, low-income workers, retired people with small pensions and to give families a bonus for children born in rural areas. He wants to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030. He said he would put an end to all windfarms and vowed to develop nuclear energy.
VALERIE PECRESSE, 54, candidate of conservative The Republicans party
Ukraine: Pécresse denounced Putin’s invasion and pushed for firm sanctions on Russia.
Muslim-related policies: She wants a ban on Muslim headscarves for young girls and in sports clubs. She also wants to ban the burkini, a swimsuit worn by conservative Muslims to cover the entire body, from swimming pools.
Immigration: Pécresse plans to establish immigration quotas. Housing and family benefits would be granted to foreigners only five years after they arrive legally in the country. No residency permit would be provided to those who entered without prior permission.
Economy and energy: She promises to raise low and middle-income workers’ salaries by 10% and to cut taxes on businesses and workers. She wants to raise the retirement age from 62 to 65 by 2030. She vows to develop nuclear energy and renewable energy, but with restrictions on wind farms.
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Follow AP’s France election coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/french-election-2022
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JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on Sunday denied that his administration was attempting to delay the 2024 presidential elections after senior politicians including his close ally supported the idea of extending his stay in office beyond the two-term legal mandate.
His statement came a day before students planned to stage a massive protest in the capital, Jakarta, and several other cities to oppose the alleged plan they say could threaten democracy. Student protests in Indonesia often turn violent.
During a Cabinet meeting to discuss the preparations for the 2024 elections, Widodo ordered his ministers to publicly explain that all stages and schedules for the polls had been determined.
“This needs to be explained so that there are no rumors circulating among people that the government is trying to postpone the election or speculation about the extension of the president’s tenure or a related third term,” Widodo said in comments released by his office on its official YouTube channel. “Because clearly we have agreed that the election will be held on February 14, 2024.”
Powerful figures including Cabinet ministers Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Airlangga Hartarto, who is also the chair of the Golkar party in the ruling coalition, have suggested that the elections should be deferred.
Pandjaitan, who is Widodo’s close ally, recently claimed that data shows 110 million Indonesians support a delay of elections. It wasn’t clear what data he was citing.
Recent reports by Kompas, Indonesia’s reputable pollster, indicate Widodo is hugely popular in the archipelago nation of more than 270 million people with over 70% public trust rating. However, a poll by the Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting showed that more than 70% reject any plan to extend his stay in office.
The two-term presidential limit was a centerpiece of the first amendment to the Indonesian Constitution in 1999, a year after dictator Suharto was toppled by massive pro-democracy protests.
Suharto ruled Indonesia for more than three decades through an authoritarian, often violent regime. Under his rule, corruption and rights abuses became rampant as the elite plundered the economy. His downfall ushered in a democracy in Indonesia and term limits are meant to prevent a repeat of its authoritarian past.
Last Wednesday, Widodo also told his ministers to address the nation’s rising inflation instead of stirring controversy around the 2024 election.
“Nobody bring up a (presidential) term extension or election delay anymore. No more!” Widodo said.
In June last year, he said in a news conference that he plans to adhere to the constitution when his supporters began to roll out the idea suggesting his term could be legally extended through a constitutional amendment or election delay.
Supporters argued it was necessary to give Widodo more time to deal with the recovery of the economy that slumped during the two-year pandemic, and allow him to complete his agenda, including the $35 billion capital relocation project to the island of Borneo.
Despite denials, doubts about his intentions have persisted.
“People are still skeptical about Jokowi’s indecision regarding the third term,” said Ujang Komarudin, a political analyst from Al-Azhar Indonesia University, using Widodo’s popular nickname. “The alleged plans have deviated far from the constitution and would be a major blow for Indonesia’s democratic reform,” he said, adding that it may not stop students from taking to the streets.
Widodo was sworn in for his second and final five-year term in October 2019 with pledges to champion democracy and take bolder action against poverty and entrenched corruption in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
Known for his down-to-earth style, Widodo is also the first president from outside the country’s super rich and often corrupt, political, business and military elite. He grew up in a rented bamboo shack on the banks of a flood-prone river in Solo city on Java island, and often presents himself as a man of the people.
His popular appeal helped him win previous elections for mayor of Solo and governor of Jakarta.
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| 2022-04-10T19:33:22
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It’s almost Easter in Ukraine, where faith, hope and charity are on display at a trio of churches on the far edges of the capital.
Sunday services were held in Bucha even as bodies were being removed from a mass grave in the churchyard. In Makarov, the faithful were moved to tears at the sight of crosses scattered in broken glass. And in Borodyanka, a church was untouched near where Russian attacks ripped open a high-rise. That’s where donations are bringing help to elderly people who stayed while others fled Russian occupation.
Ukrainian authorities said weeks ago that at least 59 spiritual sites were damaged. On the day when Pope Francis called for an Easter truce in Ukraine to make way for a negotiated peace, church visitors invoked God in recalling their survival.
“Each person who was leaving, from any place, Makarov, Bucha, Hostomel or from Andriivka, the neighboring village which was destroyed to the ground; each one, even those who did not know the Lord’s Prayer, he was speaking to God with his own words,” said Alona Parkhomenko in Makarov, where the church exterior was speckled with bullet holes and the priest warned of falling glass.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— US: Russia’s new battlefield commander has history of brutality
— Ukraine digs in to fight Russia’s looming eastern offensive
— Ukraine churches display faith, hope and charityamid wreckage
— Analysis: War, economy could weaken Putin’s place as leader
— Biden, Modi to speak as India avoids hard line on Russia
— Zelenskyy, in AP interview, says he seeks peace despite atrocities
— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
WASHINGTON — Russia’s newly appointed battlefield commander in Ukraine made his reputation crushing resistance to Syrian President Bashar Assad during that country’s devastating civil war.
Russian forces led by Gen. Alexander Dvornikov destroyed whole cities while dropping barrel bombs that targeted civilians. With Moscow supporting Assad, the war in Syria has killed more than 350,000 people.
Lt. Col. Fares al-Bayoush, a Syrian army defector, said Sunday he expects a similar “scorched-earth” strategy under the commander in Ukraine. Speaking by telephone from Turkey, al-Bayoush said he believes the aim of naming Dvornikov as Ukraine war commander is to cause widespread destruction in many places at once.
“He has very good experience in this policy,” al-Bayoush said. “This commander is a war criminal.”
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KYIV, Ukraine — The mayor of Kyiv and his brother said the visit of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to their capital shows who Ukraine’s real friends are at this critical time. But they understand if security concerns keep U.S. President Joe Biden from visiting for now.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir have been professional boxers and now outspoken defenders of Ukraine. Interviewed Sunday on ABC News “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” they said they expect Russia’s military to return and target Kyiv again. And when they do, they said they can’t defend Ukraine with their fists — they need weapons.
Wladimir Klitschko also pleaded for the world to isolate Russia economically, saying “every cent that Russia is getting, they’re using for weapons to kill us.”
Vitali Klitschko said everyone was shocked when the Russians who pushed on Kyiv retreated after killing hundreds of civilians during their occupation. He called it genocide to kill women, children, old people and teenagers for no reason.
To defend Ukraine now, the mayor said, is to defend democracy and peace in Europe.
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WILMINGTON, Del. — The White House said President Joe Biden will press Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a hard line against Russia’s Ukraine invasion. Press Secretary Jen Psaki says the leaders plan a virtual meeting on Monday.
India’s neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in Washington and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India this month for judging “the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.”
India abstained when the U.N. General Assembly voted Thursday to suspend Russia from its seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council over allegations of war crimes. India continues to purchase Russian energy despite Western pressure to avoid buying Russian oil and gas. And the U.S. has considered sanctions on India for its recent purchase of advanced Russian air defense systems.
Psaki’s statement says Biden will discuss how Russia’s war against Ukraine is destabilizing the global food supply and commodity markets, and the need to strengthen the global economy while ”upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity.”
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BERLIN — Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday.
The Austria Press Agency reported that Nehammer told reporters in Vienna on Sunday that he plans to make the journey. It follows a trip on Saturday to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
APA reported that Nehammer aims to encourage dialogue between Ukraine and Russia and also address “war crimes” in his meeting with Putin.
Austria is a member of the European Union and has backed the 27-nation bloc’s sanctions against Russia, though it so far has opposed cutting off deliveries of Russian gas. The country is militarily neutral and is not a member of NATO.
Nehammer said he was taking the trip on his own initiative, and that he had consulted with the European Union’s top officials. He said that he also informed Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
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BERLIN — The U.N. nuclear watchdog said Ukraine said the staff at the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant has been rotated for the first time in three weeks after Russian troops left the area.
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency has expressed concern about the well-being of the workers since the Russian military took control of the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster at the beginning of the war.
The agency said Ukraine informed it on Sunday that it has now rotated the staff, but the situation remains far from normal. They had to be transported to and from the site by water, with the Pripyat River being the only way for people living in the city of Slavutych to currently reach the plant.
The IAEA said Ukraine has informed it that analytical laboratories for radiation monitoring at the site were destroyed, with analytical instruments “stolen, broken or otherwise disabled.” The automated transmission of radiation monitoring data has been disabled.
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KYIV, Ukraine — The governor of the region that includes Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, Dnipro, says the airport was hit twice by missile attacks on Sunday. The Ukrainian military command said Russian forces also keep shelling Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, and have kept up their siege of Mariupol, the key southern port city that has been under attack for nearly six weeks.
The Russian Defense Ministry says it’s air-launched missiles hit Ukraine’s S-300 air defense missile systems in two locations, while sea-launched cruise missiles destroyed a Ukrainian unit’s headquarters in the Dnipro region. Neither side’s military claims could be independently verified.
The Pentagon said Russia has a clear advantage in armored forces for its next phase in its war on Ukraine. Press secretary John Kirby said Friday that the Russians spread themselves too thin to take the capital, but now they’re more focused on a smaller region, and still have the vast majority of their combat power. A major effort by Ukrainian defenses and more Western assistance will be needed to push them back.
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WASHINGTON — A senior U.S. official said Russia has appointed a new commander to oversee its war on Ukraine.
The official speaking on condition of anonymity said Russia has turned to one of its most experienced military officers, Gen. Alexander Dvornikov. U.S. officials say the 60-year-old general has a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and other theaters of war.
The White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told CNN on Sunday that “this general will just be another author of crimes and brutality against Ukrainian civilians.” And he said “no appointment of any general can erase the fact that Russia has already faced a strategic failure in Ukraine.”
The new battlefield leadership comes as Russia gears up for what is expected to be a large and more focused push to expand Russian control in the Donbas after failing to conquer the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Sullivan reiterated support for the Ukrainian government, saying the United States is determined to do all it can to help Ukrainians resist this general and the forces he commands.
— Robert Burns and Hope Yen
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KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s border guard agency says that about 2,200 Ukrainian men of fighting age have been detained so far while trying to leave the country in violation of martial law.
The agency said Sunday that some of them have used forged documents and others tried to bribe border guards to get out of the country.
It said some have been found dead while trying to cross the Carpathian mountains in adverse weather, without specifying the number.
Under martial law, Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 are barred from leaving the country so that they can be called up to fight.
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WARSAW, Poland — Sirens have sounded in some Polish cities to mark the anniversary of a 2010 plane crash that killed the country’s president, despite protests that their sound would be unnecessarily traumatic for refugees from the war in Ukraine.
The sirens early Sunday were intended to add to the significance and the plaintive character of observances honoring the late President Lech Kaczynski, the first lady and 94 other prominent Poles killed 12 years ago in the crash of the presidential plane in Russia. Kaczynski was the twin of Jaroslaw Kaczynski — the leader of the main governing Law and Justice party.
Provincial governors ignored calls not to use the sirens out of concern for refugees from neighboring Ukraine, traumatized by air raid alarms. Authorities sent text messages to refugees’ phones that the sirens would mean no danger.
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KYIV, Ukraine — The Ukrainian military says Russia has been beefing up its forces and trying to probe Ukrainian defenses.
The Ukrainian military command said Sunday that the Russian troops have continued attempts to break Ukrainian defenses near Izyum, southeast of Kharkiv. It reported that Russia was sending reinforcements to Izyum while continuing the shelling of Kharkiv.
The military added that the Russians also continued their attempts to take control of Mariupol, the Sea of Azov port that has been besieged by Russian forces for nearly 1 ½ months.
After Russia’s attempt to capture Kyiv and other big cities in northeastern Ukraine quickly failed, Ukrainian and Western officials expect Moscow to launch a new offensive in eastern Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists have fought Ukrainian forces for eight years.
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KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he focused on the need to track down perpetrators of war crimes in a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Zelenskyy said on Twitter that in Sunday’s call “we emphasized that all perpetrators of war crimes must be identified and punished.”
Ukraine has accused Russia of atrocities against civilians in Bucha and other places near Kyiv, where hundreds of slaughtered civilians, many with their hands bound and signs of torture, were found after Russian troops retreated.
Zelenskyy also said he and Scholz “discussed anti-Russian sanctions, defense and financial support for Ukraine.”
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VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has opened Holy Week with a call for an Easter truce in Ukraine to make room for a negotiated peace, highlighting the need for leaders to “make some sacrifices for the good of the people.”
Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass before crowds in St. Peter’s Square for the first time since the pandemic, Pope Francis called for “weapons to be laid down to begin an Easter truce, not to reload weapons and resume fighting, no! A truce to reach peace through real negotiations.”
Francis did not refer directly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the reference was clear. He has repeatedly denounced the war and the suffering brought to innocent civilians.
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HELSINKI — Finland says that a shipment of art works from Russian museums has been returned to Russia after it was seized under European Union sanctions against Moscow.
Finland’s customs service said late Saturday that the Foreign Ministry granted a special permit to return the consignment with a total insured value of around 42 million euros ($46 million). It said that trucks carrying the art works from the Hermitage Museum and the Pavlovsk State Museum in St. Petersburg, among others, left Finnish territory on Saturday afternoon.
The shipment was seized at the Vaalimaa border crossing at the beginning of April. The works were en route to Russia after loan to museums in Europe and Japan. Experts say that art works loaned from Russia typically travel overland via Finland.
Russia has demanded the return of all works on loan to “unfriendly” nations that imposed sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine.
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MOSCOW — The Russian military says it has struck Ukrainian air defense batteries in the country’s south and east.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Sunday that the military used air-launched missiles to hit Ukraine’s S-300 air defense missile systems in Starobohdanivka in the southern Mykolaiv region and at an air base in Chuhuiv in the eastern Kharkiv region.
Konashenkov also said that sea-launched cruise missiles destroyed the headquarters of a Ukrainian military unit near Zvonetske in the Dnipro region.
The Russian military claims couldn’t be independently verified.
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KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk says more civilians are expected to leave Mariupol Sunday in their personal vehicles.
Evacuations are also planned from Berdyansk, Tokmak and Enerhodar in the south and Sieverierodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna and Rubizhne in the east.
Mariupol, a strategic port city on the Sea of Azov, has been besieged by Russian forces for nearly 1 ½ months, cut from food, water and power supplies and pummeled by relentless bombardment that has killed at least 5,000, according to local officials.
Ukrainian authorities have urged civilians in the east to evacuate in the face of an imminent Russian offensive. They accused Russia of killing 52 people on Friday at the train station in the eastern city of Kramatorsk as they were preparing to evacuate.
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GENEVA — The U.N. refugee agency says the number of people who have left Ukraine since the beginning of the war has reached 4.5 million.
A regular update Sunday of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees’ online portal on numbers of refugees fleeing Ukraine since Feb. 24 brought the total to some 4.504 million.
About 2.6 million of those fled at least initially to Poland and more than 686,000 to Romania. However, UNHCR notes that there are very few border controls within the European Union and it believes “a large number of people” have moved on from the first country they arrived in.
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LONDON — Britain’s Ministry of Defense says that Russia’s armed forces are seeking to respond to mounting losses by boosting troop numbers with personnel who had been discharged from military service since 2012.
In an intelligence update on Twitter, the ministry also said Sunday that the Russian military’s efforts to “generate more fighting power” also include trying to recruit from Trans-Dniester, a breakaway region in Moldova that borders Ukraine.
Russia maintains some 1,500 troops in the region, which is not internationally recognized.
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KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told The Associated Press on Saturday that he is committed to seeking peace despite Russian attacks on civilians that have stunned the world.
He said no one wants to negotiate with people who tortured their nation — “as a man, as a father, I understand this very well.” But he said “we don’t want to lose opportunities, if we have them, for a diplomatic solution.”
Zelenskyy said he’s confident Ukrainians would accept peace despite the horrors they have witnessed in the war. But meanwhile, Russian troops are regrouping for an expected surge in fighting in eastern Ukraine, including the besieged port city of Mariupol that Ukrainian defenders are battling to retain.
So Zelenskyy renewed his plea for countries to send more weapons. He says they have to fight for life — not “for dust when there is nothing and no people. That’s why it is important to stop this war.”
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KYIV, Ukraine — U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, promising so much support that his nation might never be bullied again.
Johnson’s surprise visit included a pledge of 120 armored vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems, part of another 100 million pounds ($130 million) of high-grade military equipment. Johnson also confirmed an additional $500 million in World Bank lending, taking Britain’s total loan guarantee up to $1 billion.
Johnson said Ukraine defied the odds pushing Russian forces “from the gates of Kyiv, achieving the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century.″
The prime minister credits “Zelenskyy’s resolute leadership and the invincible heroism and courage of the Ukrainian people” for thwarting what he calls the “monstrous aims” of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Johnson says Britain and its partners “are going to ratchet up the economic pressure … not just freezing assets in banks and sanctioning oligarchs but moving away from use of Russian hydrocarbons.”
Johnson also described a vision for a future Ukraine so fortified and protected by the equipment, technology and know-how of Britain and its partners that it can never be threatened in the same way again. In the meantime, Johnson said, “there is a huge amount to do to make sure that Ukraine is successful, that Ukraine wins and that Putin must fail.”
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MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexicans voted Sunday on whether their popular president should end his six-year term barely midway through or continue to the end.
Strangely, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was the one who pushed for the first-ever referendum of its kind in Mexico.
It was considered a safe bet. The referendum is only binding if at least 40% of the country’s electorate votes — something experts believe unlikely — and López Obrador has maintained approval ratings around 60%.
With that in mind critics have decried the exercise as a waste of money — almost $80 million — and just a way for López Obrador to rally his base midway through his time in office. For someone known as an eternal campaigner the expected reaffirmation of support makes sense, but for a president outspoken about austerity it raised questions.
López Obrador voted early Sunday in downtown Mexico City, urging others to vote.
“There always has to be democracy in the family, in school, in work, in the unions, of course in public life and you have to participate,” the president said.
Some in the opposition have called for voters to boycott. López Obrador’s Morena party has been active in encouraging the president’s base to vote. The president has faced criticism that government officials and resources have promoted the referendum.
How many voters will turn out has been the overriding question.
Patricio Morales, an analyst at Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, said the lack of awareness about the referendum and potential disinterest among voters could weigh on turnout.
He noted that only 7% of voters participated in another referendum last year asking whether former presidents should be prosecuted.
The referendum fueled a feud between López Obrador and Mexico’s respected elections authority. Lawmakers from his party cut the National Electoral Institute’s budget and the institute said it didn’t have the money to pull off the referendum originally estimated to cost estimate more than $191 million. It refused to move ahead until the Supreme Court ruled that it must. Adjustments lowered expected the cost to $78.2 million.
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| 2022-04-10T19:33:36
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ISLAMABAD (AP) — The ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan in a parliamentary no-confidence vote early Sunday set Pakistan on an uncertain political path, with his supporters taking to the streets in protest and the political opposition preparing to install his replacement.
Tens of thousands of Khan supporters marched in cities across Pakistan, waving large party flags and vowing support. The youth, who make up the backbone of Khan’s supporters, dominated the crowds.
In the southern Arabian Sea port city of Karachi more than 20,000 shouted slogans promising Khan’s return to power. In the capital of Islamabad, the lights from thousands of supporters lit up the night sky as Khan made his way through the crowd atop a brightly colored truck.
Khan was brought down after a day of drama and often vitriolic remarks. His supporters accused Washington of orchestrating his ouster and his party walked out of Parliament shortly before the vote. In the end, 174 lawmakers in the 342-seat Parliament voted to depose him, two more than the required simple majority.
Khan’s successor is to be elected and sworn in by Parliament on Monday. The leading contender is Shahbaz Sharif, a brother of disgraced former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Shahbaz Sharif heads the largest party in a diverse alliance of opposition factions that span the spectrum from the left to radically religious. Khan’s nominee for prime minister will be his foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
In an interview on a local television channel Qureshi said the party was still debating whether its lawmakers will resign from Parliament after the prime minister’s vote is taken.
Khan’s ouster comes amid his cooling relations with the powerful military and an economy struggling with high inflation and a plummeting Pakistani rupee. The opposition has charged Khan’s government with economic mismanagement.
Khan has claimed the U.S. worked behind the scenes to bring him down, purportedly because of Washington’s displeasure over his independent foreign policy choices, which often favor China and Russia. He has occasionally defied America and stridently criticized America’s post 9/11 war on terror. Khan said America was deeply disturbed by his visit to Russia and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, the start of the devastating war in Ukraine.
The U.S. State Department has denied his allegations.
Elizabeth Threlkeld, a Pakistan expert at the U.S.-based The Stimson Center, said that even as prime minister, Khan often played the role of opposition leader.
“His removal would see him to a role he knows well, armed with a narrative of victimhood from unfounded claims of international interference,” she said. “His base will remain loyal, though I expect both his controversial attempt to remain in power and reduced military backing will lose him less committed supporters.”
Khan would seem to have few options going forward.
General elections are not scheduled before August 2023. Even if the new prime minister favors early elections, this would likely not happen before October. The Pakistan Election Commission, which oversees polls, told the Supreme Court last week it had still to finish re-aligning constituencies in line with the results of a 2017 census before polls could be held.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s vote, giant steel containers stacked on top of each other blocked main roads leading to Parliament and to the diplomatic enclave in the capital of Islamabad. Khan has called on his supporters to gather late Sunday, after the end of the daily dawn-to-dusk fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center, predicted a turbulent time ahead for Pakistan.
“Khan’s defeat would also leave Pakistan a bitterly partisan and divided place. He has not only intensified political rivalries, he has also defied and alienated key entities like the Army Chief and Pakistan’s foreign office,” said Kugelman. “It will take time for the country to pick up the pieces, and the coming months will be politically turbulent.”
Sunday’s vote capped a week-long constitutional crisis that had mesmerized the nation. It began last Sunday when Khan sought to sidestep the no confidence vote by dissolving Parliament and calling early elections, It was then left to the Supreme Court to sort, eventually ruling to reinstate Parliament and demand the vote be he.
Khan has won international praise for his handling of the COVID pandemic opting for so called “smart lockdowns” where outbreaks occurred rather than countrywide closures that helped protect some industries like the construction sector. His reputation for fighting corruption has brought a record $21 billion in deposits from overseas Pakistanis.
But he has not been able to overcome an increasingly strained relationship with the army, which has ruled Pakistan directly for more than half its 75-year history and indirectly from the sidelines when civilian governments ruled.
Khan’s opponents say the army helped him win the 2018 elections after it had fallen out with Nawaz Sharif, who was convicted of corruption after being named in the so-called Panama Papers. These papers are a collection of leaked secret financial documents showing how some of the world’s richest hide their money and involving a global law firm based in Panama.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court disqualified Sharif from holding office. He lives in London in self-imposed exile after being convicted in a Pakistani court of corruption. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Fissures in Khan’s relationship with the army began last November after he squabbled with the powerful Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa over the appointment of the new intelligence chief.
Last weekend, Bajwa appeared to distance himself from Khan’s anti-U.S. attacks saying Pakistan wants good relations with Washington, its largest export trading partner and with China. He condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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Follow Kathy Gannon on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Kathygannon
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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli forces shot and killed two Palestinians, including an unarmed woman, in confrontations across Israel and the occupied West Bank on Sunday, Israeli and Palestinian officials said. It was the latest in a growing wave of violence that has broken out during the holy month of Ramadan.
The shootings came as Israeli troops combed the northern West Bank city of Jenin and the surrounding area, home to two of the Palestinians who staged deadly attacks against Israelis in recent weeks. Ramadan this year converges with major Jewish and Christian holidays. Protests during Ramadan last year boiled over into an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza militants.
“We will be at every place at any time as needed to cut off these terror attacks. Israel is going on the offensive,” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told his Cabinet.
Four attacks by Palestinians in recent weeks have killed 14 people in one of the deadliest bursts of violence against Israelis in years. In response, Israel has stepped up its military activity in the West Bank.
At a military checkpoint near the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers opened fire at a woman who the army said failed to heed calls to stop and ignored warning shots fired into the air.
The army said that soldiers aimed at the woman’s lower body. But the Palestinian Health Ministry said the woman later died from her injuries in a hospital. Local news reports said she was a 47-year-old mother of six. The Israeli military confirmed the woman was found to be unarmed and said the incident was under investigation.
Palestinian assailants often carry out attacks at checkpoints in the West Bank. But Palestinians and human rights groups say the military often uses excessive force and in some cases has injured or killed people who were not involved in violence.
In the volatile southern West Bank city of Hebron, Israel’s border police said an officer shot another woman who stabbed and lightly wounded him near the Cave of the Patriarchs, a holy site revered by Jews and Muslims. Palestinian officials said the woman was killed.
More violence broke out later Sunday as Israeli forces patrolled Jenin, considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants, as soldiers investigated the home of an attacker who killed three Israelis in a mass shooting last week. The army said soldiers came under fire from a gunman on a motorcycle and shot him. The man’s condition wasn’t immediately known.
Israel has taken a series of steps to try to calm the situation, including granting thousands of Palestinians from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip permits to work inside Israel. At the same time, it has been stepping up security measures in hopes of preventing further violence.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed orders Sunday placing two Palestinian citizens of Israel in administrative detention, a controversial practice that allows authorities to hold them without charge. One suspect was placed under detention for four months on suspicion that he was planning an attack, while the second suspect was jailed for six months for what it said was past involvement in militant activity, the Defense Ministry said.
Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan to spend just over $110 million to extend some 40 kilometers (25 miles) of the porous West Bank separation barrier. Some of the attackers are believed to have slipped into Israel without permits.
Late Saturday, Israel announced that it was tightening restrictions on movement in and out of Jenin, though it continued to allow laborers to enter Israel for work. A raid on the home of one of the assailants on Saturday sparked a gunbattle that left at least one Palestinian militant dead.
Jenin governor Akram Rajoub denounced the ongoing Israeli activity in the area, called the measures “an expression of collective punishment” meant to disrupt the lives of Palestinians rather than thwart attacks.
In Sunday’s raid, the military said a “violent riot” broke out as forces were operating in the village of Yabad, home to one of the attackers. It said forces opened fire and shot one Palestinian who threw an explosive at them. It was unclear what his condition was.
Forces arrested at least eight suspects and found Israeli military ammunition and uniforms in one of the suspect’s homes as well as illegal arms, the military said.
Earlier, Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav, the chief military spokesman, told Israeli Army Radio that some 100 Palestinians marched toward Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus late Saturday and set it ablaze before they were dispersed by Palestinian security forces. Images on social media showed parts of the tomb inside the shrine smashed and charred.
Joseph’s Tomb is a flashpoint prayer site. Some Jews believe the biblical Joseph is buried in the tomb, while Muslims say a sheikh is buried there. The army escorts Jewish worshippers to the site several times a year, in coordination with Palestinian security forces.
The incident drew condemnation from Israeli leaders. “The vandalism of Joseph’s Tomb is a grave event and a serious violation of freedom of worship in one of the holiest places for every Jew,” Gantz tweeted.
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PARIS (AP) — French polling agencies projected Sunday that incumbent Emmanuel Macron and far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen are heading for another winner-takes-all runoff in the French presidential election, with their fierce political rivalry and sharply opposing visions pulling clear of a crowded field of 12 candidates in the first round of voting.
If confirmed by official vote counts expected later Sunday night, the pollsters’ initial projections mean France is teeing up for a repeat of the 2017 head-to-head contest that put Macron into power — but there is no guarantee that this time the outcome will be the same.
The election’s result will will have wide international influence as Europe tries to contain the havoc wreaked by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Macron has strongly backed European Union sanctions on Russia while Le Pen has worried publicly about their impact on French living standards. Macron also is a firm supporter of NATO.
Macron, a 44-year-old political centrist, won by a landslide five years ago to become France’s youngest president. But he is bracing for a far tougher runoff battle this time on April 24 against his 53-year-old political nemesis. Le Pen is promising seismic shifts for France — both domestically and internationally — if elected as the country’s first woman president, and appears closer than ever to have a chance of reaching the presidential Elysee Palace.
The projections showed both Macron and Le Pen on course to improve on their 2017 first-round showings, highlighting how French politics have increasingly become polarized. The projections showed Macron with a comfortable first-round lead of between 27%-to-29% support, ahead of Le Pen, who is expected to capture 23%-to-24% of the vote.
The projections showed hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon — one of half a dozen candidates on the left — falling short of the runoff, heading for third place.
Le Pen thanked her supporters Sunday night, saying the “French people honored me by qualifying me for the second round” on April 24. She called on those who didn’t vote for Macron in the first round to join her for the second.
Some presidential candidates who were defeated Sunday were so alarmed by the possibility of Le Pen beating Macron in the runoff that they urged their supporters to shift their second-round votes to the incumbent. Melenchon, addressing his supporters, some of them in tears, repeated three times that Le Pen shouldn’t get “one single vote.”
Describing herself as “profoundly worried,” defeated conservative Valerie Pecresse warned of “the chaos that would ensue” if Le Pen is elected and said she has never been so close to power. Pecresse said she’d vote for Macron in the runoff.
Le Pen this time tapped into the foremost issue on many French voters’ minds: living costs that have soared amid the disruptions of war in Ukraine and the economic repercussions of western sanctions on Russia.
Pollsters suggest that just a few percentage points could separate the familiar foes in the second-round vote. That nail-biting scenario sets up a runoff campaign likely to be far more confrontational and volatile than during round one, which was largely overshadowed by the war in Ukraine.
Le Pen gave a little wink Sunday as she dropped the blue envelope containing her choice into a ballot box in the northern town of Henin-Beaumont. Afterward, she said “given the situation in the country and in the world,” Sunday’s election outcome could determine “not only the next five years, but probably the next 50 years” in France.
In the 27-member EU, only France has a nuclear arsenal and a U.N. Security Council veto.
Macron for months looked like a shoo-in to become France’s first president in 20 years to win a second term. But National Rally leader Le Pen ate into his polling lead in the campaign’s closing stages, as the pain of rising gas, food and energy prices became a dominant election theme for many low-income households.
To beat Le Pen in the runoff, Macron must pick apart her years-long rebranding effort to make herself seem less extreme, a makeover that has including showing off her love of cats. Macron has accused Le Pen of pushing an extremist manifesto of racist and ruinous policies. Le Pen wants to ban Muslim headscarves in French streets and halal and kosher butchers, and drastically reduce immigration from outside Europe.
Her softer image won over some voters but made others even more suspicious.
Yves Maillot, a retired engineer, said he voted for Macron only to try to counterbalance Le Pen. He said he fears that her long-standing hostility to the EU could see her try to take France out of the bloc, even though she’s dropped that from her manifesto.
“I don’t think she’s changed at all,” he said. “It’s the same thing, but with cats.”
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Elaine Ganley, Sylvie Corbet and Patrick Hermansen in Paris contributed
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Follow all AP stories on France’s presidential election at https://apnews.com/hub/french-election-2022
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WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Sirens went off in some Polish cities early Sunday to mark the anniversary of the 2010 presidential plane crash, despite widespread protests that their sound would be unnecessary trauma to hundreds of thousands of refugees from the war in Ukraine.
The sirens were intended to add to the significance and the plaintive character of observances honoring late President Lech Kaczynski, the first lady and 94 other prominent Poles killed 12 years ago in a plane accident in Russia.
The sirens were heard at 0641 GMT, the exact time the presidential plane crashed on April 10, 2010, near Smolensk, Russia.
Kaczynski was the twin of Jaroslaw Kaczynski who is the leader of the main ruling Law and Justice party and Poland’s key politician. The brothers founded the party in 2001.
Wreaths and flowers were laid in Warsaw and across the country at the monuments and graves to the victims of the national tragedy. Jaroslaw Kaczynski and party figures were at the monuments to the late president and to all the victims, in downtown Warsaw.
Provincial governors, who represent the central government, ignored widespread calls of concern for refugees from neighboring Ukraine, traumatized by air raid alarms, to not use the sirens. Some 2.6 million refugees — mostly women and children — have crossed into Poland since Feb. 24, when Russia’s troops invaded Ukraine and started bombing it. Many require psychological care to deal with their trauma.
The authorities were sending text messages to refugees’ phones and posting public warnings that the sirens would mean no danger.
The head of a Ukrainian support center in Warsaw, Myroslava Keryk, said that the “Ukrainian mothers had time to explain to their children that the sirens will not sound an air raid and that there was nothing to be afraid of.”
But to many Poles the use of sirens was a bad idea.
“This is a system for warning and alarm, not for celebrations,” said Adam Glogowski, a retired fireman. “We don’t need sirens to remember, to honor the crash victims.”
Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and unfriendly relations with Moscow, Poland’s government is reviving its controversial allegation that the crash was a Kremlin assassination plan. It is fueled by Russia’s refusal to return the plane’s wreckage, obstructing detailed investigation.
“We have no doubts that it was an assassination,” Kaczynski said last week, but offered no proof.
Poland’s state commission for analyzing air travel incidents said the crash in dense fog on approach to the rudimentary Smolensk airport was the result of human errors made in adverse conditions. But a separate team appointed by the government alleges that explosions preceded the crash, which was intentional. It is to present another of its reports on Monday.
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LONDON (AP) — Sultry musical “Cabaret” and fantastical literary adaptation “Life of Pi” were among the winners Sunday at British theater’s Olivier Awards, which returned with a live ceremony and a black-tie crowd after a three-year gap imposed by COVID-19.
The celebration of London theater, opera and dance came back to London’s Royal Albert Hall for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shuttered Britain’s performance venues more than two years ago, weeks before the scheduled 2020 Oliviers show.
Kit Harington, Tom Felton, Emma Corrin and Jonathan Pryce were among the stars who walked the sustainable green carpet, made from reusable grass, before the glitzy, music-filled ceremony.
An intimate production of “Cabaret” that transformed London’s Playhouse Theatre into the Kit Kat Club in 1930s Berlin had 11 nominations for the Oliviers, Britain’s equivalent of Broadway’s Tony Awards. Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley are nominated in musical leading actor categories for their roles as the Emcee and Sally Bowles .
“Cabaret” director Rebecca Frecknall took the directing trophy, and said the war in Ukraine gave John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical about the collapse of democracy and rise of fascism added poignancy.
“In a way it’s quite sad that every time it’s on it feels like it’s been written for today,” she said.
“Life of Pi,” adapted from Yann Martel’s Booker Prize-winning novel about a boy adrift at sea with a tiger, was named best new play. Hiran Abeysekera was named best actor in a play as title character Pi, while — in a first — the supporting actor prize went to seven performers who collectively play the show’s puppet tiger.
Fred Davis, one of the seven, said it was “a landmark moment for puppetry.”
Redmayne is up for best actor in a musical alongside Olly Dobson for “Back to the Future – The Musical;” Arinzé Kene for “Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical;” and Robert Lindsay for “Anything Goes.”
Buckley is competing for best actress in a musical against Sutton Foster for “Anything Goes;” Beverley Knight for “The Drifters Girl;” and Stephanie McKeon for “Frozen.”
Knight said the theater community was ready to celebrate after a difficult couple of years.
“We have been bereft of theater for so long, just had nothing. And people only realize the importance of the place that theater and live entertainment played in any society when it was taken away,” she said.
“We bring in multimillions and that’s week in, week out. So we are part of giving the economy buoyancy, but more than that, we feed the nation’s soul,” she added.
The contenders for best new musical are “Back to the Future – The Musical;” “The Drifters Girl;” “Frozen;” “Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical;” and “Moulin Rouge!”
The show also paid musical tribute to a theater titan — composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who died last year at 91.
The last Oliviers ceremony, held largely remotely in October 2020, awarded work done before the British government ordered U.K. theaters to shut down in March 2020. Venues began reopening in mid-2021, and shows are largely up and running again, though the number of international visitors, vital to sustaining West End shows, remains well below pre-pandemic levels.
The awards were founded in 1976 and named for the late actor-director Laurence Olivier. Winners in most categories are chosen by a panel of stage professionals and theater-goers.
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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Gunfire at a Cedar Rapids nightclub left two people dead and 10 wounded early Sunday, authorities said.
Police said in a news release that the shooting happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. at the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge, and that officers who were patrolling downtown were able to respond quickly.
The police didn’t say whether there was one or more suspected shooters, what might have led to the shooting or whether they had arrested anyone, but they did say there was no lingering threat to the public.
Police also didn’t release the names of the victims or the condition of the wounded.
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PHOENIX (AP) — Karla Finocchio’s slide into homelessness began when she split with her partner of 18 years and temporarily moved in with a cousin.
The 55-year-old planned to use her $800-a-month disability check to get an apartment after back surgery. But she soon was sleeping in her old pickup protected by her German Shepherd mix Scrappy, unable to afford housing in Phoenix, where median monthly rents soared 33% during the coronavirus pandemic to over $1,220 for a one-bedroom, according to ApartmentList.com.
Finocchio is one face of America’s graying homeless population, a rapidly expanding group of destitute and desperate people 50 and older suddenly without a permanent home after a job loss, divorce, family death or health crisis during a pandemic.
“We’re seeing a huge boom in senior homelessness,” said Kendra Hendry, a caseworker at Arizona’s largest shelter, where older people make up about 30% of those staying there. “These are not necessarily people who have mental illness or substance abuse problems. They are people being pushed into the streets by rising rents.”
Academics project their numbers will nearly triple over the next decade, challenging policy makers from Los Angeles to New York to imagine new ideas for sheltering the last of the baby boomers as they get older, sicker and less able to pay spiraling rents. Advocates say much more housing is needed, especially for extremely low-income people.
Navigating sidewalks in wheelchairs and walkers, the aging homeless have medical ages greater than their years, with mobility, cognitive and chronic problems like diabetes. Many contracted COVID-19 or couldn’t work because of pandemic restrictions.
“It’s so scary,” said Finocchio, her green eyes clouding with tears while sitting on the cushioned seat of her rolling walker. “I don’t want to be on the street in a wheelchair and living in a tent.”
It was Finocchio’s first time being homeless. She’s now at Ozanam Manor, a transitional shelter the Society of St. Vincent de Paul runs in Phoenix for people 50 and up seeking permanent housing.
At the 60-bed shelter, Finocchio sleeps in a college-style women’s dorm, with a single bed and small desk where she displays Scrappy’s photo. The dog with perky black ears is staying with Finocchio’s brother.
A stroke started 67-year-old Army veteran Lovia Primous on his downward spiral, costing him his job and forcing him to sleep in his Honda Accord. He was referred to the transitional shelter after recovering from COVID-19.
“Life has been hard,” said Primous, who grew up on in a once- segregated African American neighborhood of south Phoenix. “I’m just trying to stay positive.”
Cardelia Corley ended up on the streets of Los Angeles County after the hours at her telemarketing job were cut.
Now 65, Corley said she was surprised to meet so many others who were also working, including a teacher and a nurse who lost her home following an illness.
“I’d always worked, been successful, put my kid through college,” the single mother said. “And then all of a sudden things went downhill.”
Corley traveled all night aboard buses and rode commuter trains to catch a cat nap.
“And then I would go to Union Station downtown and wash up in the bathroom,” said Corley. She recently moved into a small East Hollywood apartment with help from The People Concern, a Los Angeles nonprofit.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said in its 2017 Annual Homeless Assessment Reportthe share of homeless people 50 and over in emergency shelters or transitional housing jumped from 22.9% in 2007 to 33.8% in 2017. More precise and recent nationwide figures aren’t available because HUD has since changed the methodology in the reports and lumps older people in with all adults over 25..
A 2019 study of aging homelesspeople led by the University of Pennsylvania drew on 30 years of census data to project the U.S. population of people 65 and older experiencing homelessness will nearly triple from 40,000 to 106,000 by 2030, resulting in a public health crisis as their age-related medical problems multiply.
Dr. Margot Kushel, a physician who directs the Center for Vulnerable Populationsat the University of California, San Francisco, said herresearch in Oakland on how homelessness affects health has shown nearly half of the tens of thousands of older homeless people in the U.S. are on the streets for the first time.
“We are seeing that retirement is no longer the golden dream,” said Kushel. “A lot of the working poor are destined to retire onto the streets.”
That’s especially true of younger baby boomers, now in their late 50s to late 60s, who don’t have pensions or 401(k) accounts. About half of both women and men ages 55 to 66 have no retirement savings, according to the census.
Born between 1946 and 1964, baby boomers now number over 70 million, the census shows. With the oldest boomers in their mid 70s, all will hit age 65 by 2030.
The aged homeless also tend to have smaller Social Security checks after years working off the books. A third of some 900 older homeless people in Phoenix said in a recent survey they have no income at all.
Teresa Smith, CEO of the San Diego nonprofit Dreams for Change, said she’s also noticed the homeless population is trending older. The group operates two safe parking lots for people living in cars.
Susan, who stayed at one lot, spoke only if her last name wasn’t used because of the stigma surrounding homelessness.
The 63-year-old had kidney cancer while caring for her mother, then lost their two-bedroom apartment after her mom died. The cancer is now in remission.
Susan slept in her car with her dog at one of the gated parking lots that provide a bathroom, showers and a shared refrigerator and microwave.
She was stunned to see a man in his 80s living in a car there, calling it “just wrong.”
But residents enjoyed the community, grilling meals together and even surprising one in their group with a birthday cake.
Dreams for Change recently helped Susan get a one-bedroom apartment with a housing voucher after months of waiting.
With a washer and dryer, patio, dishwasher and bathtub, “I feel like I’m at the Ritz,” she said.
Donald Whitehead Jr., executive director of the Washington-based advocacy group National Coalition for the Homeless, said that seeing older people sleep in cars and abandoned buildings should worry everyone.
“We now accept these things that we would have been outraged about just 20 years ago,” said Whitehead.
Whitehead said Black, Latino and Indigenous people who came of age in the 1980s amid recession and high unemployment rates are disproportionately represented among the homeless.
Many nearing retirement never got well-paying jobs and didn’t buy homes because of discriminatory real estate practices.
“So many of us didn’t put money into retirement programs, thinking that Social Security was going to take care of us,” said Rudy Soliz, 63, operations director for Justa Center, which offers meals, showers, a mail drop and other services to the aged homeless in Phoenix.
The average monthly Social Security retirement payment as of December was $1,658. Many older homeless people have much smaller checks because they worked fewer years or earned less than others.
People 65 and over with limited resources and who didn’t work enough to earn retirement benefits may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income of $841 a month.
Finocchio said limited contributions were made for her into Social Security and Medicare because most of her jobs were off the books in telephone sales or watering office plants.
“The programs approved by Congress to prevent destitution among the elderly and the disabled are not working,” said Dennis Culhane, a University of Pennsylvania professor who led the 2019 study of the aging homeless in New York, Boston and Los Angeles County. “And the problem is only going to get worse.”
Jennifer Molinsky, project director for the Aging Society Program at Harvard University’sJoint Center for Housing Studies, agreed the federal government must do more to ensure older Americans are better housed.
“The younger boomers were hit especially hard in the Great Recession, many losing their homes close to retirement,” Molinsky said.
Longer term shelters specifically for older people are helping get some off the streets at least temporarily.
The Arizona Department of Housing last year provided a $7.5 million block grant for the state’s largest shelter to buy an old hotel to temporarily house up to 170 older people without a place to stay. The city of Phoenix kicked in $4 million for renovations.
CEO Lisa Glow of Central Arizona Shelter Services, which runs the state’s biggest shelter in downtown Phoenix, said the hotel is expected to open by year’s end. Residents will stay around 90 days while caseworkers help find permanent housing
“We need more dignified, safer and comfortable places for our seniors,” said Glow, noting that physical limitations make it difficult for older people at the 500-bed shelter downtown.
Nestor Castro, 67, was luckier than many who lose permanent homes.
Castro was in his late 50s living in New York when his mother died and he was hospitalized with bleeding ulcers, losing their apartment. He initially stayed with his sister in Boston, then for more than three years at a YMCA in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Just before last Christmas, Castro got a permanent subsidized apartment through Hearth Inc., a Boston nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness among older adults. Residents pay 30% of their income to stay in one if Hearth’s 228 units.
Castro pays with part of his Social Security check and a part-time job. He also volunteers at a food pantry and a nonprofit that assists people with housing.
“Housing is a big problem around here because they are building luxury apartments that no one can afford,” he said. “A place down the street is $3,068 a month for a studio.”
Hearth Inc. CEO Mark Hinderlie said far more housing needs to be built and made affordable for the aged, especially now as the numbers of graying homeless people surge.
“It’s cheaper to house people than leave them homeless,” Hinderlie said. “You have to rethink what housing can be.”
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Janie Har in Marin County, California, and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average U.S. price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline dropped 10 cents over the past two weeks to $4.27 per gallon as oil prices continue to “yo-yo,” industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday.
The price at the pump was $1.32 above what it was one year ago, according to the Lundberg Survey taken Friday.
Nationwide, the highest average price for regular-grade gas was in Los Angeles, at $5.85 per gallon. The lowest average was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at $3.52 per gallon.
According to the survey, the average price of diesel was $5.13 per gallon, down 10 cents over two weeks.
Lundberg said prices dropped dramatically in the past two weeks, in part because higher prices reduced demand during the second half of March.
However, the drop isn’t predictive of further declines because among other things, the global oil supply is tight due to a dip in output last month by OPEC, Lundberg said.
The war in Ukraine also has sparked global uncertainty. The U.S. has banned all Russian energy supplies but Lundberg said sanctioned Russian oil is still finding “big buyers like India and China happy to pay discount prices.”
In a bid to reduce spiking energy prices, President Joe Biden last month ordered the release of 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve for six months.
On Thursday, the International Energy Agency said that its member countries are releasing 60 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves on top of previous United States pledges.
The Paris-based organization says the new commitments made by its 31 member nations, which include the U.S. and much of Europe, amount to a total of 120 million barrels over six months, the largest release in the group’s history.
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CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has announced charges in the cold case murder of a Fort Benning soldier in 1982.
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, GBI officials announced Marcellus McCluster, 64, is being charged in the murder of Rene’ Dawn Blackmore.
McCluster is being indicted with one count of malice murder and four counts of felony murder concerning the death of Blackmore.
Blackmore was stationed at as an Army Private on Fort Benning at the time of her death, she disappeared after leaving the barracks on the night of April 29, 1982.
Her wallet and sweater were found on the side of a road in Cusseta, Georgia nearly a month after her disappearance. It wasn’t until June 28, 1982 when her remains were found off a logging road where authorities say she was killed.
Authorities with the GBI spoke about Blackmore’s death in the news conference, highlighting the upcoming 40th anniversary of her disappearance.
“We know that she would have been 59 years old if she could have been with us today. But we don’t know who she might have loved, what relationships she might have built, what dreams she might have realized. All of those things got extinguished by a blast from a cheap shotgun about two miles from the middle of nowhere down in south Chattahoochee County,” said Assistant District Attorney of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Kim Schwartz.
Blackmore’s mother released the following statement:
“Even after 40 years, I don’t feel emotionally able to answer media questions, but have prepared this statement for them.
I would like to express my appreciation to the G.B.I. Cold Case Unit for their dedication and determination to find, prove, and finally see charged, the man who murdered my daughter.
Rene’ did not live to see her 21st birthday, which would have been May 5th. She was killed on April 29th, and this year marks the 40th anniversary of her death. Rene’ was a focused young woman; not always serious – she loved laughing and having fun with friends. When she was 12, one of her friends was killed by a drunk driver, which prompted her to write her own will. In it, she expressed the desire for her ashes to be scattered in the nearest woods, because she was very much an outdoor girl. She loved hiking and camping and hunting , and just looking at a star filled sky. She felt she had found her niche in her high school ROTC program, and by her senior year, commanded the unit.
I have lived these 40 years always feeling the pain her absence causes, and believing no one outside of her family and friends even cared. It is with a grateful heart that on March 28th, 2022, this belief was shown to be untrue. These detectives of G.B.I. Cold Case unit, had spent the past 18 months working to solve her case, because they, too, cared, and believed Rene’ deserved justice.
Nothing can give Rene’ back to me, but I do find solace in learning these men cared enough to search out that justice.
Thank you.
Donna Reitman”
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BORODYANKA, Ukraine (AP) — It’s almost Easter in Ukraine, where a trio of churches on the far edges of the capital considered faith, hope and charity on Sunday.
In Bucha, shocked into silence by atrocities that left bodies in the streets, about two dozen of the faithful gathered for the service while the exhumation of bodies continued from a mass grave in the churchyard.
In Makarov, a handful of members visited a badly damaged riverside church, at times moved to tears. Small golden crosses for rosaries lay scattered on the floor with the shattered glass.
And in Borodyanka, where Russian attacks ripped a blackened hole in a high-rise apartment building, volunteers and donations filled an almost untouched church a short walk away, while residents lined up at the door for food and other assistance. Many were elderly people who stayed behind while others fled.
On the day when Pope Francis called for an Easter truce in Ukraine to make way for a negotiated peace, church visitors invoked God in recalling their survival.
“Each person who was leaving, from any place, Makarov, Bucha, Hostomel or from Andriivka, the neighboring village which was destroyed to the ground; each one, even those who did not know the Lord’s Prayer, he was speaking to God with his own words,” said Alona Parkhomenko in Makarov, where the church exterior was speckled with bullet holes and the priest warned of falling glass.
The Russian retreat from the region surrounding Kyiv has enabled some of the millions of Ukrainians who fled over the border or to other parts of the country to return home. Some are finding their places of worship damaged or destroyed. Ukrainian authorities in late March said at least 59 spiritual sites including churches, mosques and synagogues had been hit.
In Makarov, the priest, Bogdan Lisechenko, said the church beside the river is in critical condition with spring rains looming. “Now we are taking out the icons, saving them because the water is coming,” he said. “For now, we will close the windows to prevent looting.”
For Easter, which in the Orthodox world is two weeks away, the priest said the blessing will be given in a church in another village that so far has escaped damage in the war.
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Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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PHOENIX (AP) — Karla Finocchio’s slide into homelessness began when she split with her partner of 18 years and temporarily moved in with a cousin.
The 55-year-old planned to use her $800-a-month disability check to get an apartment after back surgery. But she soon was sleeping in her old pickup protected by her German Shepherd mix Scrappy, unable to afford housing in Phoenix, where median monthly rents soared 33% during the coronavirus pandemic to over $1,220 for a one-bedroom, according to ApartmentList.com.
Finocchio is one face of America’s graying homeless population, a rapidly expanding group of destitute and desperate people 50 and older suddenly without a permanent home after a job loss, divorce, family death or health crisis during a pandemic.
“We’re seeing a huge boom in senior homelessness,” said Kendra Hendry, a caseworker at Arizona’s largest shelter, where older people make up about 30% of those staying there. “These are not necessarily people who have mental illness or substance abuse problems. They are people being pushed into the streets by rising rents.”
Academics project their numbers will nearly triple over the next decade, challenging policy makers from Los Angeles to New York to imagine new ideas for sheltering the last of the baby boomers as they get older, sicker and less able to pay spiraling rents. Advocates say much more housing is needed, especially for extremely low-income people.
Navigating sidewalks in wheelchairs and walkers, the aging homeless have medical ages greater than their years, with mobility, cognitive and chronic problems like diabetes. Many contracted COVID-19 or couldn’t work because of pandemic restrictions.
Cardelia Corley, 65, ended up on the streets of Los Angeles County after the hours at her telemarketing job were cut.
“I’d always worked, been successful, put my kid through college,” the single mother said. “And then all of a sudden things went downhill.”
Corley traveled all night aboard buses and rode commuter trains to catch a cat nap.
“And then I would go to Union Station downtown and wash up in the bathroom,” said Corley. She recently moved into a small East Hollywood apartment with help from The People Concern, a Los Angeles nonprofit.
A 2019 study of aging homelesspeople led by the University of Pennsylvania drew on 30 years of census data to project the U.S. population of people 65 and older experiencing homelessness will nearly triple from 40,000 to 106,000 by 2030, resulting in a public health crisis as their age-related medical problems multiply.
Dr. Margot Kushel, a physician who directs the Center for Vulnerable Populationsat the University of California, San Francisco, said herresearch in Oakland on how homelessness affects health has shown nearly half of the tens of thousands of older homeless people in the U.S. are on the streets for the first time.
“We are seeing that retirement is no longer the golden dream,” said Kushel. “A lot of the working poor are destined to retire onto the streets.”
That’s especially true of younger baby boomers, now in their late 50s to late 60s, who don’t have pensions or 401(k) accounts. About half of both women and men ages 55 to 66 have no retirement savings, according to the census.
Born between 1946 and 1964, baby boomers now number over 70 million, the census shows. With the oldest boomers in their mid 70s, all will hit age 65 by 2030.
The aged homeless also tend to have smaller Social Security checks after years working off the books.
Donald Whitehead Jr., executive director of the Washington-based advocacy group National Coalition for the Homeless, said Black, Latino and Indigenous people who came of age in the 1980s amid recession and high unemployment rates are disproportionately represented among the homeless.
Many nearing retirement never got well-paying jobs and didn’t buy homes because of discriminatory real estate practices.
“So many of us didn’t put money into retirement programs, thinking that Social Security was going to take care of us,” said Rudy Soliz, 63, operations director for Justa Center, which offers meals, showers, a mail drop and other services to the aged homeless in Phoenix.
The average monthly Social Security retirement payment as of December was $1,658. Many older homeless people have much smaller checks because they worked fewer years or earned less than others.
People 65 and over with limited resources and who didn’t work enough to earn retirement benefits may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income of $841 a month.
Nestor Castro, 67, was luckier than many who lose permanent homes.
Castro was in his late 50s living in New York when his mother died and he was hospitalized with bleeding ulcers, losing their apartment. He initially stayed with his sister in Boston, then for more than three years at a YMCA in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Just before last Christmas, Castro got a permanent subsidized apartment through Hearth Inc., a Boston nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness among older adults. Residents pay 30% of their income to stay in one if Hearth’s 228 units.
Castro pays with part of his Social Security check and a part-time job. He also volunteers at a food pantry and a nonprofit that assists people with housing.
“Housing is a big problem around here because they are building luxury apartments that no one can afford,” he said. “A place down the street is $3,068 a month for a studio.”
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Janie Har in Marin County, California, and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of Christian pilgrims took part in Palm Sunday celebrations in Jerusalem at the start of the Holy Week.
The holiday this year comes as tourists are returning to the Holy Land following two years of disruption during the pandemic. It also is taking place as tensions between Israelis and Palestinians are rising amid a spate of recent Palestinian attacks in Israel that have prompted military raids in the occupied West Bank in response.
Worshippers carried palm fronds and olive branches and marched from the top of the Mount of Olives to the Old City of Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and is the start of the church’s most solemn week, which includes the Good Friday re-enactment of Jesus’ crucifixion and death and his resurrection on Easter.
The procession made its way from the Mount of Olives past the Garden of Gethsemane where, according to biblical tradition, Jesus was betrayed, then finally into the alleyways of the Old City.
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NEW DELHI (AP) — India began offering booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine to all adults on Sunday but limited free shots at government centers to front-line workers and people over age 60.
The doses, which India is calling a “precautionary” shot instead of a booster, are available to people nine months after they receive their second jab, the Health Ministry said in a statement Friday. Those outside the two priority categories will need to pay for the shots at privately run facilities, the ministry said.
Unlike other countries, where many people receive a different vaccine as a booster, most Indians have received the same type — in most cases the AstraZeneca vaccine produced by India’s Serum Institute, the world’s largest vaccine maker. It accounts for nearly 90% of all doses that have been administered in India, even though emergency approvals have been given for eight vaccines.
On Saturday, the Serum Institute of India said it has cut the price of its AstraZeneca vaccine from $7.90 a dose to $2.96 for private hospitals.
India has so far vaccinated about 96% of those aged 15 years and older with at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, while about 83% have received both shots, according to official data.
India’s booster program started in January when healthcare and front-line workers along with people over age 60 with health problems were allowed to receive shots.
India has recorded a steep decline in coronavirus cases in recent weeks, with the Health Ministry reporting 1,054 cases in the latest 24 hours.
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NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, his 100th day in office, according to a spokesperson.
The first-term Democrat woke up with a raspy voice Sunday and took a PCR test that came back positive, spokesperson Fabien Levy said in a statement. Earlier Sunday, Levy had tweeted that Adams had taken a rapid test that came back negative but took the additional test out of an abundance of caution.
Adams has no other symptoms but has canceled all public events for the week and will be taking antiviral medications and working remotely, Levy said.
New York City has been experiencing a steady resurgence in virus cases over the past month. It’s now averaging around 1,800 new cases per day — not counting the many home tests that go unreported to health officials. That’s triple the number in early March, when the city began relaxing masking and vaccination rules.
Adams’ past week was busy: The mayor attended the annual Gridiron Club dinner in Washington last Saturday, after which dozens of attendees tested positive. He also delivered remarks at the National Action Network convention on Wednesday and attended that night’s gala, appeared in-studio on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Thursday before joining Robert De Niro at the ReelAbilities Film Festival, went to the New York Yankees’ opening day Friday and was in Albany on Saturday.
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A community task force reviewing the death of a Black teenager who was restrained for more than 30 minutes at a Kansas juvenile detention center found that an officer changed his answers on a form that otherwise would have led police to take the teen to a hospital instead of booking him into the detention center.
An official who oversees admissions to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center, Jodi Tronsgard, told the task force last month that the officer initially reported that there were signs that 17-year-old Cedric Lofton needed medical attention before the officer changed his answers, The Wichita Eagle reported.
“What I learned after the intake is that the officer had presented this form and initially said yes, that there were signs of acute illness that appear to need immediate medical care. Yes, there were signs of intoxication with significant impairment in functioning,” Tronsgard told the task force on March 7. “…So, he was informed that if you answer ‘yes’ to these questions, you have to leave and take the youth for a medical or mental health release. And then, hearing that, he goes and then responds ‘no’ to these questions.”
Interim police Chief Lem Moore said he wasn’t aware that the officer had changed his answers on the form until the newspaper asked about it. He said he has ordered a preliminary review of the case to determine if it’s possible the officer falsified information. “If issues are found, a full investigation will be conducted,” he said.
Lofton’s foster father called authorities in September seeking help because the teenager was hallucinating. Police initially tried to persuade him to go to a mental health facility, but body camera video shows him refusing to go and then resisting when officers tried to force him.
Lofton then was taken to the detention center, where he was restrained after a struggle with staff members. He had to be resuscitated after he was held facedown, and he died two days later.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett declined to charge the detention center workers in January, citing the state’s stand-your-ground self-defense law.
He said told the newspaper for Sunday’s story that he also didn’t have enough evidence when he reviewed the case to charge the officer with falsifying information on the form, but that he would be willing to examine any new information.
Emails obtained by the newspaper show that Bennett raised concerns that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent who was investigating Lofton’s death had a pro-police bias, and the agent was later removed from the case. The agent did not ask the police officers who took Lofton to the detention center about the changed answers on the admission form.
Lofton’s family’s lawyer, Steven Hart, said the changed answers on the form raise additional questions about how police handled the case.
“That is the most disgusting display of a lack of professionalism — or care,” Hart said. “Essentially, it was easier for them to drop him off than do what they knew was necessary and right.”
County officials have said the FBI is reviewing Lofton’s death.
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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis opened Holy Week Sunday with a call for an Easter truce in Ukraine to make room for a negotiated peace, highlighting the need for leaders to “make some sacrifices for the good of the people.”
Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass before crowds in St. Peter’s Square for the first time since the pandemic, Pope Francis called for “weapons to be laid down to begin an Easter truce, not to reload weapons and resume fighting, no! A truce to reach peace through real negotiations.”
Francis did not refer directly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the reference was clear, and he has repeatedly denounced the war and the suffering brought to innocent civilians.
During the traditional Sunday blessing following Palm Sunday Mass, the pontiff said leaders should be “willing to make some sacrifices for the good of the people.”
“In fact, what a victory would that be, who plants a flag under a pile of rubble?”
During his Palm Sunday homily, the pontiff denounced “the folly of war” that leads people to commit “senseless acts of cruelty.”
“When we resort to violence … we lose sight of why we are in the world and even end up committing senseless acts of cruelty. We see this in the folly of war, where Christ is crucified yet another time,” he said.
Francis lamented “the unjust death of husbands and sons” … “refugees fleeing bombs” … “young people deprived of a future” … and “soldiers sent to kill their brothers and sisters.”
After two years of celebrating Palm Sunday Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica without a crowd due to pandemic distancing measures, the solemn celebration returned to the square outside. Tens of thousands pilgrims and tourists clutched olive branches and braided palms emblematic of the ceremony that recalls Jesus’ return to Jerusalem.
Traditionally, the pope leads a Palm Sunday procession through St. Peter’s Square before celebrating Mass. Francis has been suffering from a strained ligament in his right knee that has caused him to limp, and he was driven in a black car to the altar, which he then reached with the help of an aide. He left the Mass on the open-top popemobile, waving to the faithful in the piazza and along part of the via della Conciliazione.
Palm Sunday opens Holy Week leading up to Easter, which this year falls on April 17, and features the Good Friday Way of the Cross Procession.
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Motorcyclist dies in crash near Boca Raton
Published: Apr. 10, 2022 at 2:16 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
A motorcyclist died in a crash Saturday afternoon near Boca Raton.
At 2:55 p.m. Dale Patrick Bard of Waterbury, Connecticut, 57, was traveling southbound on Highway 441 in Palm Beach County.
He attempted to turn left into the Sandalfoot Square Plaza and turned into the path of an oncoming van.
Bard was ejected from his 2001 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which struck the raised median.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Scripps Only Content 2022
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will come out with its long-awaited ghost gun rule — aimed at reining in privately made firearms without serial numbers that are increasingly cropping up at crime scenes — as soon as Monday, three people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
Completion of the rule comes as the White House and the Justice Department have been under growing pressure to crack down on gun deaths and violent crime in the U.S.
The White House has also been weighing naming Steve Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney from Ohio, to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, the people said. Biden had to withdraw the nomination of his first nominee, gun-control advocate David Chipman, after the nomination stalled for months because of opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in the Senate.
For nearly a year, the rule has been making its way through the federal regulation process. Gun safety groups and Democrats in Congress have been pushing for the Justice Department to finish the rule for months. It will probably be met with heavy resistance from gun groups and draw litigation in the coming weeks.
The exact timing of the announcement hasn’t been set, the people said. They could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. The White House declined to comment.
On Sunday, the Senate’s top Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer, of New York, implored the administration to move faster.
“It’s high time for a ghost gun exorcism before the proliferation peaks, and before more people get hurt — or worse,” Schumer said in a statement. “My message is a simple one: No more waiting on these proposed federal rules.” Ghost guns are “too easy to build, too hard to trace and too dangerous to ignore.”
Justice Department statistics show that nearly 24,000 ghost guns were recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes and reported to the government from 2016 to 2020. It is hard to say how many are circulating on the streets, in part because in many cases police departments don’t contact the government about the guns because they can’t be traced.
The rule is expected to change the current definition of a firearm under federal law to include unfinished parts, like the frame of a handgun or the receiver of a long gun.
In its proposed rule released last May, the ATF said it was also seeking to require manufacturers and dealers who sell ghost gun parts to be licensed by the federal government and require federally licensed firearms dealers to add a serial number to any unserialized guns they plan to sell.
The rule would also require firearms dealers to run background checks before they sell ghost gun kits that contain parts needed to assemble a firearm.
For years, federal officials have been sounding the alarm about an increasing black market for homemade, military-style semi-automatic rifles and handguns. As well as turning up more frequently at crime scenes, ghost guns have been increasingly encountered when federal agents buy guns in undercover operations from gang members and other criminals.
Some states, like California, have enacted laws in recent years to require serial numbers to be stamped on ghost guns.
The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver, a part typically made of metal or polymer. An unfinished receiver — sometimes referred to as an “80-percent receiver” — can be legally bought online with no serial numbers or other markings on it, no license required.
Police across the country have been reporting spikes in ghost guns being recovered by officers. The New York Police Department, for example, said officers found 131 unserialized firearms since January.
A gunman who killed his wife and four others in Northern California in 2017 had been prohibited from owning firearms, but he built his own to skirt the court order before his rampage. And in 2019, a teenager used a homemade handgun to fatally shoot two classmates and wound three others at a school in suburban Los Angeles.
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Singer Avril Lavigne tweets pic of engagement to Mod Sun
Published: Apr. 10, 2022 at 1:54 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hours ago
(CNN) – Life is suddenly less “complicated” for pop star Avril Lavigne.
The 37-year-old Canadian singer announced on Twitter Thursday that she’s engaged to fellow musician Mod Sun.
Sun, whose real name is Derek Smith, popped the question with a heart-shaped diamond on a boat on the river Seine.
The irony is that the two met collaborating on Lavigne’s latest album titled “Love Sux.”
This would be the third marriage for Lavigne, whose previous husbands were also rock stars: Sum 41′s Deryck Whibley and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger.
Mod Sun previously dated former Disney actor Bella Thorne.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday as he presses world leaders to take a hard line against Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
India’s neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in Washington and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India this month for judging “the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.”
Most recently, India abstained when the U.N. General Assembly voted Thursday to suspend Russia from its seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council over allegations that Russian soldiers in Ukraine engaged in rights violations that the U.S. and Ukraine have called war crimes.
The vote was 93-24 with 58 abstentions.
In the virtual meeting, Biden will talk about the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine “and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Sunday.
They’ll discuss “strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” she said.
India continues to purchase Russian energy supplies, despite pressure from Western countries to avoid buying Russian oil and gas. The U.S. has also considered sanctions on India for its recent purchase of advanced Russian air defense systems.
Last month, the state-run Indian Oil Corp. bought 3 million barrels of crude from Russia to secure its needs, resisting entreaties from the West to avoid such purchases. India isn’t alone in buying Russian energy, however. Several European allies such as Germany have continued to do so, despite public pressure to end these contracts.
Indian media reports said Russia was offering a discount on oil purchases of 20% below global benchmark prices.
Iraq is India’s top supplier, with a 27% share. Saudi Arabia is second at around 17%, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 13% and the U.S. at 9%, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
Biden and Modi last spoke in March.
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Sharma reported from New Delhi.
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican Bill McSwain pledges to be a pro-energy governor by “turning on the spigot of natural gas.” Another hopeful, Dave White, says he wants Pennsylvania “to be the energy capital of the world.” A third candidate, Lou Barletta, says having a glut of natural gas in the ground without a pipeline is “like being in college and having a keg of beer without a tap.”
In Pennsylvania, the No. 2 natural gas producer after Texas, the importance of the industry is emerging as a top issue among Republican contenders for governor before the state’s May 17 primary.
The issue has taken on new urgency in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has revived the debate over how to enhance domestic energy production and spurred a pledge from President Joe Biden to increase liquefied natural gas exports to Europe to undercut Russia’s leverage there.
Despite promises by the Republican candidates, however, there are constraints on what they could do in office. While governors have influence over state agencies and lawmaking, they have limited ability to grant what the industry really wants, like building interstate pipelines and big processing facilities. That’s because other states and federal policy are involved.
“They don’t control those things,” said David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment, a Philadelphia-based environmental group. “Their power, if elected, stops at the border of Pennsylvania. And if other states have aggressive climate-change agendas, clean-energy agendas, the marketplace makes clean energy competitive, if not cheaper, than fossil fuels.”
Industry leaders describe drilling in Pennsylvania as strong and access to gas as plentiful, with established pipeline rights of way and thousands of wells waiting to be drilled into the nation’s most prolific gas reservoir, the Marcellus Shale.
But for examples of Pennsylvania’s limits, look no farther than its borders.
Democratic governors in neighboring New York and New Jersey have effectively blocked the construction of major interstate pipelines — the Constitution and the PennEast pipelines — carrying gas from Pennsylvania to big metropolitan areas and, possibly, yet-to-be-built facilities to liquefy and export liquefied natural gas, or LNG.
The states seem unlikely to change that position anytime soon.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who won reelection last year, “remains committed” to his promise to reach 100% clean energy in the state and an 80% reduction in planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, his office said.
Interstate pipelines and LNG facilities also require federal approval and face opposition from environmental groups, which say natural gas mustn’t be a long-term energy solution because it emits the potent greenhouse gas methane.
The industry and its Republican allies contend that natural gas can make the U.S. more energy independent and counter Russia’s influence, while being planet-friendlier than higher-carbon oil and coal.
Toby Rice, president and CEO of Pittsburgh-based gas exploration firm EQT Corp., projects that it would take 6,500 miles (over 10,400 km) of pipeline and $250 billion in LNG infrastructure in the U.S. to serve the U.S. and Europe and substantially cut coal use worldwide by 2030.
Still, scientists are increasingly alarmed at the growing amount of natural gas infrastructure and say it will threaten efforts to slash carbon emissions to necessary goals.
The presumed Democratic nominee for governor, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, talks of balancing natural gas with expanding renewable energy.
Shapiro ran for attorney general vowing to hold the gas industry accountable. He challenged the move by President Donald Trump’s administration to allow LNG to be shipped by rail, criminally charged several companies and issued a grand jury report on the need to toughen industry regulations.
During his campaign for governor, he has taken a middle-of-the-road stance — partly a nod to influential labor unions whose workers build power plants, pipelines and refineries. He says it’s a “false choice” to have to pick between “environmental justice and the dignity of work and energy opportunity.”
The current governor, Democrat Tom Wolf, has what environmental activists and the industry see as a mixed bag.
Wolf, who is constitutionally term-limited, is aiming to make Pennsylvania the first major fossil-fuel state to impose a carbon pricing plan, although his regulatory effort is currently held up in court.
At the same time, he pursued higher taxes on natural gas production, but missed meaningful opportunities to combat greenhouse gases, environmental advocates say.
He also stepped up for the industry: His administration issued permits for major gas-fired power plants, pipelines and refineries, and Wolf himself signed off on tax breaks to lure natural gas synthesis plants.
Now, interest in building big, natural gas-fueled projects is surging, and a new governor could take office in 2023 with opportunities to land some.
Fulfilling Biden’s promises to surge natural gas exports to Europe could mean expanding existing pipelines across Pennsylvania and building new LNG terminals, possibly along the Delaware River near Philadelphia.
“We think that there is an opportunity for Pennsylvania to become a major LNG exporter,” Rice said.
Beyond LNG, industry boosters are optimistic about landing a gas-fed hydrogen fuel plant — funded by Biden’s infrastructure law — in southwestern Pennsylvania, plus the construction of refineries across Pennsylvania’s rural gas fields to make fertilizer, chemical products and fuels.
Meanwhile, a proposal for an LNG facility in northeastern Pennsylvania that had envisioned transporting its product by rail to a Philadelphia-area export terminal is on hold — and Biden’s administration is moving to suspendthe Trump-era LNG-by-rail rule.
While a governor might not single-handedly give the gas industry what it wants, he or she could be helpful, industry advocates say.
Barletta, White, McSwain and others in the nine-person GOP primary field for governor talk about stripping down unnecessary regulations or speeding up permitting times.
That might help lure a big project, as would slashing Pennsylvania’s corporate tax rate, said Gene Barr, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
Being a vocal advocate could help too, like lobbying a fellow governor in a neighboring state to permit a pipeline, Barr said.
In recent days, Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Legislature took up a pro-industry package of measures, including a resolution urging the governors of New York and New Jersey to allow the construction of gas pipelines from Pennsylvania.
During that debate, Democratic state Rep. Greg Vitali said the idea that a legislative resolution would sway those governors is “fanciful.”
“They’re going to make their own decisions with regard to which pipelines they accept,” Vitali said, “and which pipelines they reject.”
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Associated Press writer Michael Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed to this report.
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Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/timelywriter.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia has tapped a new Ukraine war commander to take centralized control of the next phase of battle after its costly failures in the opening campaign and carnage for Ukrainian civilians. U.S. officials don’t see one man making a difference in Moscow’s prospects.
Russia turned to Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, 60, one of Russia’s most experienced military officers and — according to U.S. officials — a general with a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and other war theaters. Up to now, Russia had no central war commander on the ground.
The general’s appointment was confirmed by a senior U.S. official who not authorized to be identified and spoke on condition of anonymity.
But the White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said, “no appointment of any general can erase the fact that Russia has already faced a strategic failure in Ukraine.”
“This general will just be another author of crimes and brutality against Ukrainian civilians,” Sullivan said. “And the United States, as I said before, is determined to do all that we can to support Ukrainians as they resist him and they resist the forces that he commands.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki echoed that thought. “The reports we’re seeing of a change in military leadership and putting a general in charge who was responsible for the brutality and the atrocities we saw in Syria shows that there’s going to be a continuation of what we’ve already seen on the ground in Ukraine and that’s what we are expecting,” she said.
The decision to establish new battlefield leadership comes as Russia gears up for what is expected to be a large and more focused push to expand Russian control in Ukraine’s east and south, including the Donbas, and follows a failed opening bid in the north to conquer Kyiv, the capital.
Dvornikov gained prominence while leading the Russian group of forces in Syria, where Moscow has waged a military campaign to shore up President Bashar Assad’s regime during a devastating civil war.
Dvornikov is a career military officer and has steadily risen through the ranks after starting as a platoon commander in 1982. He fought during the second war in Chechnya and took several top positions before being placed in charge of the Russian troops in Syria in 2015.
Under Dvornikov’s command, Russian forces in Syria were known for crushing dissent in part by destroying cities, lobbing artillery and dropping what were often crudely made barrel bombs in sustained attacks that have displaced millions of Syrian civilians. The United Nations says the more than decade-long war has killed more than 350,000 people.
In 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Dvornikov the Hero of Russia medal, one of the country’s highest awards. Dvornikov has served as the commander of the Southern Military District since 2016.
Lt. Col. Fares al-Bayoush, a Syrian army defector, said Sunday that while the situation in Syria is different than in Ukraine because the Russian military was fighting insurgent groups and not Ukraine’s professional army, he expects a similar “scorched-earth” strategy.
Al-Bayoush said he believes the aim of naming Dvornikov as Ukraine war commander is to turn the war into “rapid battles” in several places at the same time.
“I expected him to use the scorched earth policy that was used in Syria,” al-Bayoush said, referring to Russian-backed attacks in Syria in which cities and towns were put under long sieges while being subjected to intense bombardment that left many people dead and caused wide destruction to infrastructure and residential areas. “He has very good experience in this policy.”
“This commander is a war criminal,” al-Bayoush said by telephone from Turkey.
Since Russia joined the war in Syria in September 2015, Assad’s forces have taken control of most of the country after being on the verge of collapse. The Russian air force carried out thousands of airstrikes since, helping Russian-backed Syrian troops take areas after fighters were forced to choose between an amnesty in return for dropping their arms or being taken by buses into rebel-held areas.
The last major Russian-backed offensive in Syria lasted several months, until March 2020, when a truce was reached between Russia and Turkey, which supported rival sides.
Sullivan on Sunday said the Russian general has a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and “we can expect more of the same” in Ukraine. But he stressed that the U.S. strategy remains the same in supporting Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Our policy is unequivocal — that we will do whatever we can to help Ukraine succeed,” Sullivan said. “Which means that we need to keep giving them weapons so that they can make progress on the battlefield. And we need to keep giving them military support and strong economic sanctions to improve their position, their posture at the negotiating table.
In an interview Saturday with The Associated Press, Zelenskyy acknowledged that despite his hopes for peace, he must be “realistic” about the prospects for a swift resolution given that negotiations have so far been limited to low-level talks that do not include Putin.
Zelenskyy renewed his plea for more weapons before an expected surge in fighting in the country’s east. He said, with frustration in regards to supplies of weapons from the U.S. and other Western nations, “of course it’s not enough.”
Sullivan spoke on CNN’s “State of the Union” and NBC’s “Meet the Press. Psaki spoke on ”Fox News Sunday.”
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Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.
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Which AKG headphone is best?
Headphones are a hot commodity these days, leading to a wide variety of AKG headphones. With AKG’s trusted brand name in audio and its wide range of excellent-sounding headphone products, most users won’t have trouble finding what they’re looking for in the company’s lineup.
Depending on what you are looking for, the AKG Pro Audio K240 Studio Headphones are a top pick for many users, offering a semi-open back design and crystal clear audio suitable for even the most experienced audiophiles.
What to know before you buy AKG headphones
Over-ear headphones vs. earbuds
One of the first questions many AKG headphone buyers will ask themselves is whether they should get over-ear headphones or earbuds. While most of the best AKG headphones come in the form of over-ear headphones, simply due to the size of the speaker allowed in a larger headphone cup, you can also find a handful of wired and wireless earbuds from AKG that still offer a decent audio quality — ideal for users who plan to work out with headphones in or just prefer the in-ear fit.
Wired vs. Bluetooth headphones
While most AKG’s headphones are wired, using a built-in or plugin ⅛-inch cable like most studio headphones, the company also makes wireless Bluetooth headphones that don’t require an auxiliary input to connect to an audio source.
Open-back vs. closed-back headphones
For studio headphones, buyers will be faced with a decision between open-back and closed-back headphones as well as those that fall into a semi-open back category. While open-back headphones offer an audio experience with less pressure on the ears, they also tend to let more sound from a person’s surroundings into the ear cup — making them most suitable for studios or other quiet, non-public spaces. Alternatively, closed-back headphones offer a better surrounding-muting experience, sometimes at the expense of unwanted echoing sounds, extra discomfort on the wearer, or simply a less-clear audio quality.
What to look for in quality AKG headphones
Strong audio with a wide frequency range
Most of all, we want our headphones to feature a crystal clear audio signal. While this feature can be represented in many ways, AKG’s studio headphones are often advertised with a frequency range, which refers to what frequency bands can be heard effectively within an entire audio signal. Good reference monitors or studio headphones usually offer a fairly flat, wide frequency range, allowing users to hear each frequency individually at roughly the same volume as the next.
Comfortable fit
One factor to consider when buying AKG headphones that isn’t audio-related is the overall fit of the headphones. Headphones with a comfortable ear cup, headband, and general fit are preferable and allow the user to wear the headphones for longer periods of time. While some users prefer open-back headphones for the utmost comfort, others will look for those with a lightweight headband, smaller ear cups or an overall comfortable closed-back fit.
Preferred input type
Another important thing to consider is the type of input you’ll need to use with your headphones. While many top-tier studio headphones include a built-in ⅛-inch cable for plugging into a regular headphone port, others may prefer wireless Bluetooth headphones which can connect to phones and other devices. In addition, many Bluetooth headphones will offer a bypass ⅛-inch cable, so users have the option to either go wired or wireless.
To learn more about some of the best AKG headphones, check out the buying guide at BestReviews.
How much you can expect to spend on AKG headphones
AKG headphones run a wide range of prices, with the cheapest wired earbuds from AKG costing as low as $9, while better-sounding AKG studio headphones can cost as much as $350.
AKG headphones FAQ
Is AKG owned by Samsung?
A. While AKG audio was originally owned by Harman, Samsung purchased Harman and AKG in 2016, though the company still outfits its AKG headphones with the same high-fidelity audio drivers that gave the name brand such widespread approval, to begin with.
Do AKG headphones have a microphone?
A. While many of AKG’s higher-tier studio headphones do not include a microphone and are instead focused on providing super high-quality audio, some of the company’s Bluetooth headphone and earbud models do include a built-in microphone. No matter what, it’s a good idea to check before buying if the headphones you’re looking at have a microphone, especially if not having one is a deal-breaker.
What are the best AKG headphones to buy?
Top AKG headphones
AKG Pro Audio K240 Over-Ear Semi-Open Back Studio Reference Headphones
What you need to know: With a semi-open back design that gets the best of both worlds, these high-quality studio headphones from AKG are a great pick from a sound standpoint at an impressively low price point.
What you’ll love: The semi-open back design on these headphones offers audio with reduced ear cup noises and less pressure on the user’s ears. They also offer a wide frequency range of 15 hertz to 25,000 hertz, and the original AKG monitor audio quality, designed to let the user hear the whole frequency band evenly.
What you should consider: These headphones use a wired connection to connect to the audio source, and they don’t include any kind of built-in microphone.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top AKG headphones for the money
AKG Pro Audio K92 Over-Ear Closed-Back Studio Reference Headphones
What you need to know: At a slightly more affordable price point than AKG’s classic K240s, these closed-back studio headphones still offer a fairly wide frequency response and increased audio isolation due to their closed-back ear cups.
What you’ll love: These AKG headphones offer one of the best audio qualities out there at such a low price, and users can even switch from the K92 model to the simplified K72 if they’re on a tight budget. With a frequency response of 16 hertz to 20,000 hertz, these headphones are great for mixing, mastering, or listening closely.
What you should consider: These headphones must be plugged into a headphone outlet to be used and do not have a mic. Some users also prefer the open-back or semi-open design to this closed-back fit.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
AKG Y45BT Black Mini On-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones With Bypass Cable
What you need to know: For those who prefer Bluetooth or wireless headphones, these headphones from AKG feature smaller ear cups without sacrificing audio quality and with the addition of a built-in microphone for phone calls and voice commands.
What you’ll love: These Bluetooth headphones feature controls mounted on the ear cups and a miniature ear cup design that many users find preferable to full, over-ear-fitting headphones. They also come with a built-in microphone with crystal-clear audio and a convenient swivel design for easy storing and taking. It also has a frequency range of 17 hertz to 20,000 hertz.
What you should consider: These headphones are more expensive than most other Bluetooth headphone models.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Zachary Visconti writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which drones for beginners are best?
Drones are interesting machines that can be used for recreational and commercial purposes alike. Whether flying just for fun or to capture stunning aerial photography, there are several things beginners need to consider when purchasing their first drone.
Along with flight capabilities, several other features should factor into your decision-making process, including camera quality and battery life. You’ll also need to take size and weight into account. Compact, folding models under 250 grams, such as the DJI Mini 2, have fewer regulations and are easier to transport than larger, heavier models.
What to know before you buy a drone for beginners
Registration
If you are buying your first drone, there are some regulations you need to be aware of. In the United States, you need to register any drone that weighs over 250 grams with the Federal Aviation Administration. Not doing so can result in hefty fines. Thankfully, the process is relatively simple on the FAA’s website and takes just a few minutes. It costs $5, and you must be at least 13 years of age to do so. You’ll receive a registration number that is valid for 3 years, which you need to affix to your drone.
Suppose you are flying a larger drone or one for non-recreational purposes, such as taking photos of your home to list it for sale or taking pictures of something for a website. In that case, you’ll need to pass the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft General – Small aeronautical knowledge exam.
Flight conditions
It is vital to understand the flight limitations of any drone you buy. Along with the control range, these include maximum take-off altitude and wind levels. Drones are limited in altitude because above a certain threshold the air is too thin for the propellers to be able to create enough lift. For high-quality drones, this threshold is usually 4,000 meters above sea level or 13,123 feet. Note that this is different from the altitude you can fly it from your position, which is 400 feet above where you are standing.
Putting the above into practice means that if you were standing on a mountain with an altitude of 4,100 meters, your drone wouldn’t be able to fly at all. This also means that if you were standing in a location that was 1,000 feet above sea level, the max altitude you are allowed to fly your drone is 1,400 feet.
Drone speeds
Drone capabilities vary greatly from one model to the next. Some can reach speeds upwards of 50 miles per hour and have a control range of several miles. Others may top out at just 10 or 15 miles per hour and have a relatively short 1,000-foot control range.
Wind speed
You also need to take wind speed into account when flying a drone. Most drone manufacturers list what kind of wind speeds you can safely fly your drone. For high-quality models, this is often between 20 and 24 miles per hour. However, for some hobby drones, this may be as low as 10 miles per hour. For more information on this, check out the buying guide at BestReviews.
What to look for in quality drones for beginners
Range
All drones have a control range that they cannot fly past. On cheap toy models, this may be as short as 150 feet. On mid-level models, it tends to be between 1,000 feet and 1 mile. Premium drones will have a flight range between 2 and 6 miles.
Flight time
Along with the range, the flight time affects how far you can fly your drone. Low-cost drones often have a flight time between 7 and 12 minutes before you run out of battery life. On the other end of the spectrum, you can find models with flight times between 30 and 40 minutes.
Camera quality
If you are buying a drone for aerial photography and videography, the camera quality needs to be a top priority. Some beginner models are capable of 15 MP stills and 4K UHD video. Others may only be capable of 5MP stills and 720p video. The camera specs will be listed in the drone’s product details.
Gimbal
Along with the camera quality, another feature that affects how well your pictures and video turn out is a gimbal. Gimbals are used to stabilize the camera, so your footage comes out clear and crisp rather than shaky and blurry. Depending on the model, a drone may have no gimbals, a single-axis gimbal, a dual-axis gimbal or a three-axis gimbal. Three-axis gimbals are the best and will provide the most stable videos.
Quick shots
Many drones feature quick shot modes to make aerial video easier. Once initiated, the drone will autonomously capture cinematic shots that rival those in Hollywood movies. The most common of these are rocket, dronie, helix, boomerang and circle.
Active tracking
If you are looking for a drone for capturing action shots of yourself, choose a model with active tracking. These are capable of autonomously following and recording a moving subject.
Satellite connectivity
Many drones are capable of autonomously returning to their take-off location. This is important if you ever lose sight of your drone while it is in the sky. In order to do this, they need to be equipped with satellite connectivity to track their positions. This can be GLONASS, GPS or a combination of the two.
Obstacle sensors
Obstacle sensing is a very important feature in beginner drones. Depending on the model, it may only sense obstacles in a single direction, such as in front of it when flying forward or in all directions, including above and below. The more obstacle sensors a drone has, the better it will be at avoiding crashes, even when under the control of an inexperienced pilot.
Pilot-assist features
Drones may be equipped with a number of pilot-assisting features that make flying these easier. Some examples are auto-hover, one-touch return home, automatic take-off and landing.
How much you can expect to spend on drones for beginners
Drones vary greatly in price, with tiny toy models costing as little as $20 and premium options costing several thousand. If looking for a high-quality drone as your entry-level model, expect to spend between $100-$500.
Drones for beginners FAQ
Are drones hard to learn to fly?
A. How hard a drone is to learn to fly depends on its piloting software. More expensive models tend to be easier to learn to fly than cheap toy models because they feature stabilizing software that allows them to retain their altitude and obstacle sensors that help avoid crashes. Most people can learn to fly a drone with this kind of software in just a few minutes and will become comfortable with it after a few hours.
Are drones suitable for kids?
A. The majority of manufacturers recommend pilots be at least 14 years of age. The exception to this are drones specifically designed for children. These are often small and feature fully enclosed rotors and extremely durable builds. If you are unsure whether or not a particular drone is suitable for a child, check the manufacturer’s minimum age recommendation in the product details.
What are the best drones to buy for beginners?
Top drone for beginners
What you need to know: This lightweight, foldable drone features a high-quality camera and is ideal for travelers.
What you’ll love: It offers an impressive 10-kilometer range with a 31-minute battery life. Also, it has a three-axis gimbal and remains stable in high winds, so your videos never come out shaky.
What you should consider: It lacks the popular active tracking feature and only has downward obstacle sensing.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top drone for beginners for the money
What you need to know: Packed with many of the same features as high-end drones but for a fraction of the price, the HS510 offers a lot of value for your money.
What you’ll love: It is capable of shooting in 4K and features both GLONASS and GPS to minimize the chances of losing positioning connectivity. Also, it weighs less than 250 grams, so there is no need to register it with the FAA.
What you should consider: It only has a single-axis gimbal.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: If you’re looking for something affordable to learn to pilot on and having the best quality camera isn’t a top priority, the Tello fits the bill.
What you’ll love: It can be programmed via a mobile app to autonomously perform a variety of movements, and it includes rotor guards to protect the propellers and whatever objects you hit in the event of a crash.
What you should consider: Its flight time is just 13 minutes.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Brett Dvoretz 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.
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Which Baby Einstein jumper is best?
If your baby isn’t sleeping as soundly as you’d like, they might need a little more exercise to tire them. Baby jumpers can drain your little one’s energy, and Baby Einstein jumpers are some of the most stimulating you can find.
A baby jumper allows your baby to safely bounce and often keeps them entertained. Baby Einstein is a brand dedicated to stimulating your child’s curiosity, so the line’s jumpers are outfitted with toys and other accessories that engage your child’s senses. If you’re looking for a top-quality jumper with plenty of activities and features to stimulate your baby, the Baby Einstein Neptune’s Ocean Discovery Jumper is a top choice.
What to know before you buy a Baby Einstein jumper
Jumper type
A simple stationary jumper has a frame, so it’s a freestanding item. It has a seat attached to the frame with an elastic cord that allows your baby to jump. However, it doesn’t have any toys or activity options to engage your child’s senses, so all your baby can do in it is bounce safely. Baby Einstein doesn’t offer any simple stationary jumpers — all of their models are equipped with toys and other accessories to entertain your child in addition to jumping.
An activity center jumper is similar to a simple jumper because it features a frame with a seat attached by an elastic cord to allow for bouncing. However, it also has a tray with toys and other accessories that help stimulate your child’s senses. The activities usually have visual, auditory and tactile components to keep your baby entertained while jumping. Most Baby Einstein jumpers fall into this category.
A doorway jumper doesn’t have a freestanding frame. Instead, it clamps to a door frame and has a seat that hangs from a bungee cord to allow for jumping. Setting up and taking down this type of jumper can be somewhat tedious, but a doorway model usually costs less than other styles. Baby Einstein offers some doorway jumpers, which feature toys to keep your little one entertained.
Size
Compact jumpers are usually small enough to fit against a wall, while large models generally require several inches of clearance on all sides for safe usage. Most Baby Einstein jumpers are relatively large, so check the product descriptions for the dimensions of any jumper you’re considering to ensure you have room for it in your home.
Weight limit
All baby jumpers have a specific weight limit designated by the manufacturer, so you can be certain that it’s safe for your child to use. This weight limit includes both minimum and maximum weights for the jumper.
Most jumpers usually have a maximum weight of 20-30 pounds, but Baby Einstein jumpers typically have a max weight of 25-26 pounds. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding weight limits to avoid injuring your child.
What to look for in a quality Baby Einstein jumper
Height adjustability
Baby jumpers usually allow you to adjust for your baby’s height so they can continue to use it as they grow. Manufacturers typically advertise the maximum number of height adjustments that can be made for the jumper. The more height adjustments a jumper allows, the longer your baby can use it comfortably. Baby Einstein jumpers usually allow for four or five height adjustments.
Seat
Seat design can vary among jumpers. Many seats include padding to ensure your child is comfortable. If you’re shopping for a jumper for an infant, it’s best to look for a high seat with plenty of back support since infants have trouble supporting their heads.
Most Baby Einstein jumpers have removable, machine-washable seat covers, so it’s easy to clean up any messes or accidents that occur. The majority of Baby Einstein jumpers also feature seats that can rotate 360 degrees, which makes it easy for your baby to reach all of the attached toys and activity areas.
Toys
All Baby Einstein jumpers are outfitted with toys and other activities that engage your child’s senses to keep them entertained. The toys differ from model to model, but many jumpers have flashing lights and music. Many activities are also designed to teach your child basic facts like numbers and colors.
Some Baby Einstein jumpers also include additional loops, so you can attach toys your child already has and swap in new ones if your baby gets bored with the current setup.
Battery requirements
Most Baby Einstein jumpers require batteries to power some of the attached toys and accessories. The jumpers don’t come with the necessary batteries, so you’ll need to purchase them to allow your child to use all the features.
How much you can expect to spend on a Baby Einstein jumper
Baby Einstein jumpers range from $30 to $120. Doorway jumpers are the most affordable, usually costing $30-$50. Baby Einstein activity center jumpers vary in price based on the toys and accessories they include, but most cost between $80 and $120.
Baby Einstein jumper FAQ
What age is a Baby Einstein jumper appropriate for?
A. Your baby must be able to hold their head upright and support some of their weight on their legs before they can use a jumper. At the same time, babies who are walking won’t have much use for a jumper. Children who fall between these two milestones will get the most use and enjoyment out of a baby jumper — generally children 4-14 months of age.
How long should your baby spend in a jumper per day?
A. Experts suggest your baby shouldn’t spend more than 20 minutes daily in a jumper or it may affect their motor development. Your baby can use the jumper up to twice a day.
What’s the best Baby Einstein jumper to buy?
Top Baby Einstein jumper
Baby Einstein Neptune’s Ocean Discovery Jumper
What you need to know: This well-designed ocean-themed jumper is sure to entertain and stimulate little ones while teaching them numbers, colors, vocabulary words and more.
What you’ll love: The seat can swivel 360 degrees to provide access to all the toys. It offers four easy-to-adjust height positions to grow with your child. It introduces numbers and colors to your child in English, French and Spanish. It’s easy to wipe clean.
What you should consider: Some of the toys don’t move, which can be frustrating for children.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Top Baby Einstein jumper for the money
Baby Einstein Neighborhood Friends Activity Jumper
What you need to know: One of Baby Einstein’s more affordable jumpers, this activity center is ideal for engaging your baby’s senses and helping boost hand-eye coordination.
What you’ll love: It offers three play stations and more than 12 activities with lights and sounds. The light-up piano helps introduce your baby to music. Its seat swivels 360 degrees and offers five different height positions.
What you should consider: Some of the assembly can be challenging, particularly attaching the seat to the frame.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Worth checking out
Baby Einstein Neighborhood Symphony Activity Jumper
What you need to know: This feature-packed jumper can inspire your baby’s musical creativity with plenty of music-themed activities to entertain and engage.
What you’ll love: The seat rotates 360 degrees, so your child can reach all the toys. It offers four height adjustments to grow with your child. The toy station is removable, so babies can play with it on the floor too. It has loops that allow you to attach more toys.
What you should consider: Some buyers report that the height options make it easy for a child to outgrow the jumper.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
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Jennifer Blair 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:36:14
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Which expensive colognes are best?
You’ve likely heard people say “look good, feel good” or “dress to impress” before, but never anything about the benefits of smelling good. And let’s be honest, reeking of an unpleasant smell probably leaves a stronger negative impression than looking good does a positive one.
Thankfully, a premium scent can keep you smelling fresh throughout the day, while adding a layer of sophistication to your outfit. If you’re just getting your fragrance wardrobe started and are in the market for an excellent cologne for all occasions, we recommend Soleil Brulant from Tom Ford.
What to know before you buy expensive cologne
Personal style
Any good cologne, and especially an expensive one, can add dimension to your visual look. For example, if you often sport pastels and spring colors, you may want to choose something light and citrusy. On the other hand, if you often wear earth tones or darker hues, consider a heavier scent that evokes mystery and intrigue.
Bottle size
The last thing you want is to have your expensive cologne confiscated at an airport because it’s too large. Make sure you choose the right size for your needs. If you’re a frequent traveler and want something you can bring on a plane, opt for bottles below 3.3 fluid ounces. But if you want something to bring with you in case of a smelly emergency, look for an atomizer cylinder that fits into your bag or pants pocket. If it’s going to stay in the bathroom, size shouldn’t matter.
What to look for in quality expensive cologne
Ingredients
Expensive cologne should include premium, natural ingredients. Brands like Chanel continue to grow their own flowers in the valleys of Cannes, France. This ensures they retain the floral quality their scents were originally prized for almost 100 years ago. It’s important to know that many fragrance brands grow the same flowers in India because it’s cheaper. However, the climate in India creates lower-quality, vague -smelling blossoms.
Development process
Superior development and production processes ensure the longevity and quality of expensive colognes. While the House of Creed uses a proprietary process created by founder James Creed in the 1760s, Chanel still maintains and harvests all of its natural ingredients by hand to preserve their blossom integrity. Behind-the-scenes details like this are what separates premium fragrances from their budget counterparts.
Brand pedigree
There are countless expensive colognes on the market, but not all are reputable brands. When looking for a premium cologne, keep an eye out for brands like Chanel, Creed, Tom Ford and Bond No. 9, because they are renowned specifically for their fragrances. If you choose a brand with pedigree, you can purchase with confidence knowing all the ingredients are pure and luxurious.
How much you can expect to spend on expensive cologne
Expensive cologne is just that, expensive. While entry-level designer scents cost $75 for small bottles, expect to spend at least $150 for new collections and classic scents that never go on sale.
Expensive cologne FAQ
Can I make the scent last longer?
A. The ingredients and mixing process determine the duration of any given cologne. However, fragrance intensifies with your body heat, so apply it in the creases of your elbows, knees and neck for a longer-lasting scent. Also, avoid rubbing the scent onto your skin, as this degrades the fragrance.
Does cologne go bad?
A. Unfortunately, yes. Since expensive cologne is composed of natural ingredients, in many cases, it may begin to lose its scent after a year. Unless you know you’re going to wear it all the time, it’s best to stick with smaller bottles to begin with.
What’s the best expensive cologne to buy?
Top expensive cologne
What you need to know: Formulated to evoke the warmth of sunshine on a breezy beach day, Soleil Brulant is a meticulously balanced scent suitable for any occasion in any setting.
What you’ll love: Straight from Tom Ford’s “private collection” scent laboratory, Soleil Brulant features notes of fresh mandarin and bergamot with undertones of spicy peppercorn and seductive black honey. Strong top notes give way to an exquisite combination of burnt amber and summer flowers that leave an inviting scent trail. To top it all off, this cologne comes in Tom Ford’s striking chess piece bottle, reserved only for private collection scents.
What you should consider: Because this fragrance is light and wispy, it doesn’t last a full day.
Where to buy: Sold by Sephora
Top expensive cologne for the money
What you need to know: ALLURE HOMME manages to pack intense, traditionally masculine and often overpowering scents into a refreshingly light fragrance.
What you’ll love: Backed by Chanel’s renowned fragrance laboratory, a few quick sprays in the morning keep you smelling great well into the night. It features a unique blend of spicy coriander and mandarin at the top, robust notes of cedar in the heart and subtle notes of tonka and cistus labdanum at the base. While the profile is heavy and masculine, this cologne is light enough for a beach day.
What you should consider: Some wearers wished the scent was a bit stronger.
Where to buy: Sold by Sephora
Worth checking out
What you need to know: Crafted by Olivier Creed, the sixth-generation master perfumer from Creed family, Aventus was introduced for the company’s 250th anniversary in 2010, and it’s been the brand’s bestselling cologne since.
What you’ll love: As the exclusive provider of custom fragrances and scented gloves to monarchies across Europe for centuries, Creed has an unparalleled perfume pedigree. Inspired by the strength and history of the French monarchy, Aventus features top notes of pineapple and bergamot with heart notes of birch and patchouli and base notes of ambergris, sandalwood and oakmoss. Plus, each batch of Aventus is weighed, mixed, macerated and filtered by hand.
What you should consider: Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise considering the House of Creed made its first fragrance in 1781 for King George III, but the smallest bottle costs a whopping $335.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Will Briskin 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:36:21
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Which Casper mattress is best?
Nothing beats a good night’s sleep, but achieving that ideal state depends on the quality of your mattress. The best mattress provides proper support and a good level of comfort for your body’s specific needs.
Casper has been using state-of-the-art technology and unique design features to produce some of the top mattresses available today. If you’re someone who enjoys a soft feel but also likes plenty of support, the Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress may be the perfect solution.
What to know before you buy a Casper mattress
Size
Casper mattresses are available in all standard sizes, from twin to California king. Decide what size mattress works best in your current space and what size you need for optimal comfort, especially if you’ll be sharing the bed with a partner or pets. Keep in mind that the larger the mattress is, the higher the price.
Type
Currently, Casper produces four mattress styles designed for different types of sleepers. The 10-inch-thick Casper Element Mattress is the least expensive option and is made with double layers of comfortable but not overly soft polyurethane foam. Some users may require slightly more support depending on their preferences, but side sleepers in particular will enjoy this style.
The Casper Original Mattress is an 11-inch-thick, three-layer foam option and is the best-selling Casper model. You can purchase this original model in a hybrid version.
The 12-inch Casper Nova Hybrid and 13-inch Casper Wave Hybrid combine both multilayer foam and traditional springs to add maximum support without sacrificing comfort. Hybrid models are recommended for anyone suffering from chronic back pain.
What to look for in a quality Casper mattress
Sleep trial period
You won’t know how a specific mattress will work with your sleep style until you give it a try. Every Casper mattress purchase allows you to sleep on the mattress of your choosing for up to 100 nights. This extended trial lets your body adjust to the new mattress so you can decide if it is right for you. You can opt to return the mattress at no cost if it doesn’t suit your needs.
Casper Snow technology
Snow technology is an additional feature that can be added to the Nova and the Wave hybrid mattress models. The purpose of Snow technology is to keep you cool while you sleep by utilizing its strategically placed HeatDelete bands and a QuickCool cover to prevent overheating and sweating during the night.
Zoned support
Most Casper mattresses include a built-in feature called “zoned support.” If you’re someone who enjoys firm support, look for a model that utilizes these ergonomic areas that assist with proper spine alignment.
AirScape technology
Another way Casper mattresses help you keep cool all night is with AirScape technology. Casper’s AirScape is a network of small perforations throughout the foam, which ultimately allows the mattress to be more breathable.
Bundle package
You can usually get a great deal on additional Casper accessories such as sheets, pillows, a mattress protector and more if you go with a bundle. Casper-brand accessories are designed to work seamlessly with its mattresses, providing the best overall experience when it comes to comfort and cooling capabilities.
How much you can expect to spend on a Casper mattress
The least-expensive Casper mattress option comes in just under $400 for a twin-size model. Expect to pay $1,000-$1,300 for an Original queen-size mattress and more than $2,000 for larger hybrid options.
Casper mattress FAQ
How long do Casper mattresses last?
A. Expect your Casper mattress to last about eight to 10 years on average. However, the lifespan can vary depending on sleep position along with how well you take care of your mattress, which is why it is important to clean up any spills or liquid damage and invest in a quality mattress cover. Rotating your mattress can help prevent one area from being worn down too quickly.
Do you need a box spring with a Casper mattress?
A. No. It is not recommended to use a standard box spring with a Casper mattress. In fact, the way most box springs are designed could end up damaging the foam. Instead, opt for a bed frame with wooden slats or use a Casper foundation.
What’s the best Casper mattress to buy?
Top Casper mattress
Casper The Wave Hybrid Mattress
What you need to know: This high-quality mattress is designed for those wanting maximum support and comfort every night.
What you’ll love: Utilizing four foam layers and an interior spring layer, this hybrid mattress provides the comfort and support you need to get a solid night’s sleep. The cooling technology and integrated zoned gel pods keep you comfortable throughout the night.
What you should consider: This is the most expensive Casper mattress model.
Where to buy: Sold by Casper and Amazon
Top Casper mattress for the money
What you need to know: A reasonably-priced option, the Element provides lasting comfort and plenty of desirable features.
What you’ll love: With a top layer of foam built to relieve any pressure, this mattress won’t create a sinking or sagging feeling. It utilizes AirScape technology to keep you cool.
What you should consider: At 10-inches thick, it is thinner than other Casper models.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: As the original and most popular option, this mattress provides the ideal balance between support and comfort for a variety of users.
What you’ll love: The four foam layers and Zoned Support add firmness to specific areas, while the cooling aspect will be appreciated on warm nights. You can try the mattress in a hybrid option for 100 nights before making your decision.
What you should consider: Some have noticed slight sagging in the middle of the mattress after some time.
Where to buy: Sold by Casper and Amazon
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Matthew Young 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:36:28
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Which radar gun is best?
There are more uses for a radar gun than to be tagged by a cop for speeding down the highway at 11 p.m. because you just want to get to your destination quickly. The next most common usage is in training for various sports, most commonly used in baseball to measure pitching speeds or in American football to measure running speeds.
The best radar gun for any possible use is the Pocket Radar Smart Coach. While it’s true this radar gun chews straight through batteries, you can alleviate this by securing a power pack, and the rest of the features, especially the accuracy, are impossible to ignore.
What to know before you buy a radar gun
How speed is measured
Radar guns measure the speed of an object using either the Doppler effect or lasers to measure.
- Doppler method: A radar gun that uses the Doppler effect sends radio signals toward the object to be measured. When the radio signals bounce off the target and return to the radar gun, the change in the frequency of the sent wave and the returned wave is measured and then computed into the final given speed. The entire process takes less than a second.
- Laser method: Laser radar guns, most often used by the police, use a light shined onto the object and measure how long it takes for that light to reflect off the object and return to the radar gun.
Typical radar gun uses
There are all kinds of different speeds to measure when it comes to almost every sport.
What to look for in a quality radar gun
Design
The typical design of a radar gun, the shape you most often visualize, is similar to a handheld drill. The front of the radar gun sends and receives the signals with the back housing the display and controls.
More recently designed radar guns look almost like smartphones. You use it as you would taking a picture. Point at your object and press the center button to trigger the measuring mechanism. A benefit of this type of design is the ability to mount it to a tripod far easier than mounting a drill-shaped radar gun.
Controls
All radar guns are activated by a button or trigger to take a reading but some have additional control options for different uses. The most common alternate mode is a continuous reading mode that automatically takes measurements without holding the gun.
Other popular modes include displaying only the fastest speed of the measuring period or storing the range of speeds an object has during its full testing period, both especially useful for measuring baseball pitches.
How much you can expect to spend on a radar gun
Even the most basic radar guns are going to require many pretty pennies from your wallet. The most basic radar guns that simply measure speed within a few miles per hour can cost a few hundred dollars, and once you start looking at quality options, you’ll find prices up to $500. Radar guns used by law enforcement can cost a few thousand dollars.
Radar gun FAQ
Are the radar guns used by police more accurate than commonly available consumer-grade options?
Very much so, yes. At a minimum, they are accurate within a single mile per hour but are frequently even more accurate than that. However, this comes at a cost, as you must test and recalibrate them regularly. Otherwise, their accuracy can begin to deviate. The next time you’re pulled over for speeding though you followed the speed limit, have them check when it was last calibrated as it may affect whether or not you receive a speeding ticket.
Does it matter where I place my radar gun when I’m trying to measure speed?
A. If you’re using a Doppler effect radar gun, then yes, your radar gun must be pointing in the same direction as the object you wish to measure, as it measures the speed at which the object comes toward or moves away from the gun. In other words, place it in front of or behind the object for accurate results.
Will radar guns remain accurate in precipitous weather conditions?
A. Yes, they will. Precipitation does not affect a radar gun unless the radar gun isn’t proofed against the type of weather to which it is being subjected. For example, it would need waterproofing against rain or snow.
What are the best radar guns to buy?
Top radar gun
What you need to know: Don’t let the simplistic design fool you, this radar gun is packed with features.
What you’ll love: Bluetooth connectivity and a companion app assist an already impressive device.
What you should consider: The AAA batteries are drained very quickly, almost necessitating a power pack.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top radar gun for the money
What you need to know: This is an affordable and solid option if you just want to get some quick reads while saving some money.
What you’ll love: This streamlined and straightforward design can still register speeds up to 200mph.
What you should consider: You lose some good features seen in better models by selecting this low-cost option.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Stalker Sport 2 Series Radar Gun
What you need to know: This is the perfect radar gun option for any baseball player in training.
What you’ll love: A recall mode shows the last five readings taken, perfect for averaging speeds.
What you should consider: Rechargeable batteries with AC adapters are available but unfortunately sold separately.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:36:35
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Which camera suction mounts are best?
A good camera suction mount can be leagues better than most other types of camera mounts, simply to the fact that no tools or gunky adhesives are required. You can install most suction mounts anywhere as well, from car dashboards to helmets or perhaps a boat. Not all camera suction mounts work with all cameras, so make sure you’re double-checking for compatibility.
A strong option that works with many different cameras is the Panavise ActionGrip 13130 Double-Knuckle Mount. This is an industrial-quality camera suction mount and, as such, is built to withstand the rigors of the roughest road conditions while staying firmly in place.
What to know before you buy a camera suction mount
Mount material
Camera suction mounts are light enough for maximum versatility but strong enough to hold both the weight of the camera and the weight of the mount itself. Commonly used materials for this purpose are aluminum, anodized zinc, ABS and PC or a composite.
Aluminum: A durable and rust-resistant material, though it is one of the heavier options.
Anodized zinc: Frequently combined with aluminum for extra sturdiness, anodized zinc is incredibly sturdy.
ABS and PC: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate are perfect for high-speed activities like boating and biking thanks to their extreme ruggedness.
Composite: A combination of materials designed to find a balance between weight, durability and price.
Mounting
Not all cameras use the same method of attaching to mounts. Many will use a .25-20-inch mounting screw, but popular cameras like GoPros use their systems for attaching. Some camera suction mounts will include various adapters, while others might include a list of compatible cameras. At the very least, most camera suction mounts will have adapters you can buy separately later on.
What to look for in a quality camera suction mount
Weather resistance
For most camera suction mounts, once a seal has been made, you shouldn’t have to worry about any weather conditions except changing temperatures. Rain and wind, for example, won’t dislodge a good seal, but if the temperature drops, then the material of the seal will be affected, leading to a disconnection. Camera suction cups should include temperature ranges that at which they will remain effective.
Suction cups
The piece of your camera suction mount that does most of the work. Some camera suction mounts use more than one suction cup for greater strength, but that means you’ll need a larger surface area on which to stick them.
Rotation
Different camera suction mounts have different maximum rotation angles, with the very best offering full 360-degree rotating movement. You might not need full 360-degree rotation, but if you can’t point your camera, the direction you want to point it after it has adhered to your chosen surface, then you’ll wish you had gone with a 360-degree option.
How much you can expect to spend on a camera suction mount
Camera suction mounts are fairly affordable compared to the possible prices of the camera they’re mounting. You can find a low-end camera suction mount for as little as $10, but generally, you’ll want to spend $15-$30 for a solid quality option, while high-end camera suction mounts can get up to around $60.
Camera suction mount FAQ
Can I use my camera suction mount with my helmet?
Generally, camera suction mounts adhere to flat surfaces. However, some camera suction mounts with small-diameter suction cups with strong suction quality can and will stick and remain stuck to helmets. If you’re shopping specifically for sticking to a helmet, keep your focus on the smallest possible suction cups.
How heavy of a camera can the average camera suction mount hold?
Most camera suction mounts can hold cameras weighing between 4 and 10 pounds. However, depending on the specific camera suction mount in question, maximum weight bearing can hit maximums of 30 or more pounds with ease.
Will moistening the suction cup with water help to create a tighter seal?
Water will not help create a tighter seal. It can also lead to weakening the seal if the temperature around the seal and water changes. What does help if you want to strengthen the seal is to use a tiny amount of oil, just enough to dampen the surface.
What’s the best camera suction mount to buy?
Top camera suction mount
Panavise ActionGrip 13130 Double-Knuckle Mount
What you need to know: This industrial, double-knuckle suction camera mount works with almost any camera.
What you’ll love: this camera suction mount also includes a GoPro mount and .25-20-inch tripod mount.
What you should consider: This camera suction mount won’t adhere to a car dashboard due to its textured surfaces, but you can purchase a separate adapter to bypass that fact.
Where to buy: Amazon
Top camera suction mount for the money
What you need to know: This camera suction mount is both incredibly versatile and incredibly affordable.
What you’ll love: Includes five different mounting adapters, which nearly ensures your dashboard camera will attach successfully.
What you should consider: This camera suction mount is meant to work with dashboard cameras instead of action cameras.
Where to buy: Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This is a perfect camera suction mount for those who need to adjust the angle and height of their mounted camera quickly.
What you’ll love: A full 360-degree tilt and a rotating arm make angling your up to 4-pound camera an easy task.
What you should consider: You must use this camera suction mount on a perfectly flat surface. Otherwise, it will not stay stuck.
Where to buy: Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:36:42
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Which document camera is best?
If you need to present paper documents during a meeting or presentation, a high-quality document camera is a must. Similar to the overhead projectors once found in many offices and classrooms, document cameras are webcam-like devices that are used to project detailed images in real time.
The Epson DC-21 Document Camera is the top choice because it delivers 1080p resolution and comes with a microscope adapter.
What to know before you buy a document camera
Uses for a document camera
Document cameras aren’t just for paper documents. Many science teachers will use the devices with a microscope attachment to examine samples with their class, while an instructor of American Sign Language may use a document camera to present new signs to their students in real time. A document camera can also capture detailed images of photos, maps and illustrations. This versatility is what makes document cameras so valuable to presenters and sets them apart from overhead projectors.
Components of a document camera
- Arm: The arm is the part that connects the lens of the camera to the base. These components typically feature some degree of adjustability so you can point the camera to a particular area of your documents.
- Image sensor: Similar to the sensor found in a digital camera, the image sensor is the high-tech component that converts the visual signal into an image that you can see.
- Lens: This crucial component typically lets you adjust the focus on the document camera.
- Storage: Many document cameras let you save image and video files so you can view and share them later on. This feature is particularly helpful for presentations, since it allows your audience to revisit images afterward if they missed anything. Some cameras require a connection to a computer to save files, while other devices may include a port for a USB flash drive.
Connection
Document cameras need to be connected to a projector or TV before they can display images. Most cameras connect via USB, HDMI or VGA. When shopping for a document camera, think about how you’re going to display the images, and make sure that the device you choose has all of the necessary ports.
What to look for in a quality document camera
Resolution and zoom
With document cameras, resolution is usually measured in megapixels. A higher megapixel count will produce sharper, clearer images, while a low megapixel count may deliver grainy or blurry image quality. Most document cameras are 2 to 10 megapixels. Depending on the images you intend to display, a powerful zoom is equally important. Look for a camera that provides 3x digital zoom or higher.
Lighting
Many document cameras come with an LED light that’s positioned near the lens. This additional illumination is helpful if you want to display clear, detailed images.
Software
If you want to record your lessons or presentations, look for a document camera that comes with some kind of video-capture software that enables you to edit and share your recordings.
Accessories
There are many common accessories that you can search for when picking out a document camera, including microscope adapters, close-up lens attachments and even built-in microphones for times when your audience is particularly large.
How much you can expect to spend on a document camera
The cost of a document camera can vary widely depending on the features included. Cameras with limited adjustability and low resolution can be purchased for under $100, while high-end units with professional image quality and storage capabilities commonly exceed $200.
Document camera FAQ
Why are the images from my document camera blurry?
A. Try adjusting the focus ring on your camera’s lens. If that doesn’t work, make sure that the lens isn’t smudged or dusty.
Can document cameras be used during Zoom meetings?
A. Most document cameras can be used during virtual meetings as long as they are connected to a computer. Once connected, simply go into the program settings and select the document camera as your video source.
What’s the best document camera to buy?
Top document camera
What you need to know: This high-quality document camera offers stellar image quality and is loaded with helpful features for teachers and business professionals alike.
What you’ll love: Versatile and easy to use, this camera uses 12x optical zoom, 10x digital zoom and 1080p image resolution to produce crystal-clear images. It also comes with a microscope adapter, built-in microphone and a free software download.
What you should consider: This model is expensive.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top document camera for the money
What you need to know: Budget-friendly and reliable, this simple document camera connects via USB and is perfect for smaller classrooms and conference rooms.
What you’ll love: This document camera is lightweight and capable of capturing 30 frames per second. It also comes with built-in macro mode, intelligent autofocus and custom software so you can save and share images.
What you should consider: With its 2-megapixel sensor, this document camera is unsuitable in cases where high resolution is needed.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Document camera worth checking out
Lumens DC120 Ladibug Document Camera
What you need to know: This stylish document camera is extremely adjustable and features wireless connectivity.
What you’ll love: This model stands out because of its wireless capabilities. The camera also comes with a free software download, attached LED light and a 5.5x mechanical zoom feature. The company offers a five-year replacement warranty.
What you should consider: This device is potentially less versatile than similar document cameras.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Patrick Farmer 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:36:49
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Which smartphone microphone is best?
Smartphones seem to advance by leaps and bounds every year while their built-in microphones largely remain the same. Whether you’re interested in capturing live music, podcasts or lectures, a solid microphone is a must if you want professional-sounding recordings.
While there are many types of smartphone microphones to consider, the PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Microphone is an excellent choice because it’s a versatile lapel mic that’s ready to capture high-quality audio straight out of the box.
What to know before you buy a smartphone microphone
Types of smartphone microphones
There are quite a few distinct styles of smartphone microphones from which to choose. Before settling on a microphone type, consider how you plan to use the device and whether the style will be well-suited for your project.
- Lapel/lavalier microphones: These tiny microphones clip onto a shirt or jacket and are ideally suited for interviews and lectures. They capture sounds coming from all directions, and their stationary positioning means you don’t have to worry about maintaining the proper distance from the mic once it’s attached.
- Condenser microphones: Typically positioned on a desktop or mounted on a microphone stand, these smartphone microphones capture crystal clear vocals and are perfect for podcasts and simple music recordings.
- Shotgun microphones: These slender mics capture directional sound, ideal for situations when you need to reduce background noise, such as during an outdoor interview or public speaking engagement.
- Handheld microphones: Another great option for interviews, vlogging and public speaking engagements, handheld dynamic microphones are easy to hold and carry while recording audio.
Connection
Most smartphone microphones connect with a 3.5-millimeter cable, the same audio jack used with traditional headphones and wired earbuds. As modern smartphones move away from the standard headphone jack, you may find microphones that connect wirelessly or via the smartphone’s USB port. Consider your phone’s connectors before settling on a microphone, or plan on purchasing an adaptor.
What to look for in a quality smartphone microphone
Portability
Many smartphone microphones, such as lapel mics, are compact and extremely portable. Others, like certain condenser mics, are meant to be positioned on a desktop and can be relatively bulky. When choosing a microphone, consider where you intend to use it and how frequently you plan to travel with it.
Software/DAWs
Most smartphone microphones are plug-and-play, meaning they require no additional software or audio drivers. That said, you may want to download an app or DAW software, also known as a digital audio workstation, that will let you adjust the audio or add effects like reverb and EQ. Some microphones come with free audio editing software for added convenience.
Accessories
You can purchase some smartphone microphones as part of bundles that include accessories like pop filters, stands and even video lights to make your projects look and sound more professional.
How much you can expect to spend on a smartphone microphone
The cost of a smartphone microphone can vary widely depending on the style of the microphone and any included accessories. Most users can expect to pay $10-$120 for a solid device.
Smartphone microphone FAQ
Why isn’t the smartphone microphone working after being plugged in?
A. Make sure the microphone is specifically designed for smartphones. To do this, look at the tip of the 3.5-millimeter cable attached to the microphone. If it has two black rings, it means the microphone uses a TRS cable, which isn’t suited for smartphones, tablets or computers. Those devices use a TRRS cable, so you’ll need to purchase a TRS-TRRS adaptor.
What kind of smartphone mic is best for recording singing?
A. If you want to capture professional-sounding, crystal-clear vocals, you can’t do much better than a condenser mic. Look for one you can mount on an adjustable stand and consider purchasing a pop filter.
What’s the best smartphone microphone to buy?
Top smartphone microphone
PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Mic
What you need to know: This popular lapel mic is versatile and easy to use.
What you’ll love: This lapel mic is omnidirectional and suited for podcasts, news reports and presentations. It comes with a 6.5-foot mic cord and a bonus extension cord of the same length. The purchase even includes a TRRS-TRS adapter, so it will work with nearly any device with a 3.5-millimeter audio jack.
What you should consider: Some users reported that this mic didn’t work with an Apple lightning connection, while others said it wasn’t well-suited for recording music.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top smartphone microphone for the money
Miracle Sound Ultimate Lavalier Microphone
What you need to know: This clip-on microphone is an excellent value and a solid performer.
What you’ll love: This omnidirectional, 3.5-millimeter microphone works with most Apple, Android and Windows smartphones and comes with a travel case, windscreen pop filter and a 59-inch cable. It also works with an Apple lightning to the 3.5-millimeter adapter.
What you should consider: Reviewers say the recordings made with this smartphone microphone aren’t the greatest quality.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Looyuan Condenser Recording Microphone
What you need to know: This desktop microphone comes with a pop filter and is perfect for recording music and professional-sounding podcasts right out of the box.
What you’ll love: This reliable condenser microphone is easy to set up and use. A vast improvement over built-in smartphone microphones, this compact mic comes with a pop filter, shock mount and adjustable desktop tripod.
What you should consider: The microphone’s cardioid design is very directional, making it less suitable for certain types of audio.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Patrick Farmer writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-10T19:36:55
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Which Razer gaming keyboards are best?
A keyboard is one of the most critical components of your computer, but it is equally one of the most exciting. There is a large variety of styles, models and designs from which to choose. Some have extra keys, while others are brightly lit with millions of colors.
Whatever your preference, if you are a gamer, you need a keyboard that can keep up with your playing style. That is why you should have the best Razer gaming keyboard by looking no further than the Razer Huntsman V2.
What to know before you buy a Razer gaming keyboard
Keyboard layout
A keyboard is the most central point to control all the action on the screen. It needs to have all the keys that your game utilizes and additional keys for more functions. Consider what keyboard layout you prefer and whether you want the ability to create your own macros. A full Razer keyboard will also have a numerical keypad and multimedia buttons.
Response time for faster reactions
Every millisecond in a game can mean the difference between winning and losing, you need to have the fastest keyboard response time. This is often referred to as the polling time, and it is the frequency at which the keyboard will check for new key presses. If you play fast-paced games, consider a keyboard with a high polling rate.
Mechanical vs. membrane keyboard
Gaming keyboards generally come in two different types: mechanical keys or membrane keys. This is the key type that determines the travel time of the key press and how quickly the keyboard registers it. Mechanical keys are the loudest and also come in different variations. Consider whether you want a mechanical keyboard or a keyboard that uses the standard membrane mechanism.
What to look for in a quality Razer gaming keyboard
Full color or RGB lighting
Red, green and blue lighting has been incorporated in almost every computer component available. A standard feature in Razer keyboards, the lighting allows you to change the effects on the keys. Many keyboards also allow you to change the color of the individual keys and the color around the keyboard’s edges.
Resting your wrists
Gaming sessions can last for several hours at a time, and your wrists and hands are bound to become tired. A good Razer gaming keyboard will have a wrist rest where you can take some of the strain off. It typically uses sturdy foam and is just high enough so that you don’t put too much effort into keeping your hands in a comfortable position when playing or typing.
Onboard memory
Depending on the Razer gaming keyboard that you get, you will have the ability to program macros switches, additional functions and save the RGB lighting profile. All of that information needs to be stored somewhere, which is usually on the keyboard itself. For this, the onboard memory of a keyboard will determine how much information can be stored. A good Razer gaming keyboard will allow you to create and store dozens of separate profiles to suit the game you are playing.
How much you can expect to spend on a Razer gaming keyboard
The price of a Razer gaming keyboard will generally depend on the model and the keyboard’s capabilities. An entry-level gaming keyboard can retail for $40-$80, while the top gaming keyboards can retail for as much as $200-$400.
Razer gaming keyboard FAQ
Does a Razer gaming keyboard work with Windows and Mac computers?
A. Generally, Razer keyboards are designed to work with Windows-based computers. However, some keyboards do have partial support for Mac computers. The keys are laid out differently than the Mac keyboard, so that is something that you need to keep in mind.
Can you change the keys on a Razer gaming keyboard?
A. Yes, you can. Whether you have Cherry MX or Razer keycaps, you can change them to a different style or mechanical method. Just keep in mind that you can’t put mechanical keycaps on a membrane keyboard.
What’s the best Razer gaming keyboard to buy?
Top Razer gaming keyboard
Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard
What you need to know: This is a great keyboard to enhance your gaming experience.
What you’ll love: The Huntsman V2 uses optical switches, which means you can set the desired actuation point to suit your playstyle. The keys are Doubleshot PBT keycaps, and the Razer Chroma RGB lighting allows for a combination of up to 18.6 million colors. A multi-function digital dial at the top of the keyboard for multimedia and a USB 3.0 pass-through.
What you should consider: There is no Spanish version of this keyboard available.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Razer gaming keyboard for the money
What you need to know: This is an affordable Razer keyboard that looks good and works hard.
What you’ll love: The BlackWidow TE Chroma v2 comes with Razer Green key switches and is powered by a removable USB cable. The RGB lighting of the keys is fully compatible with popular games and Philips Hue accessories. It comes with a magnetic wrist rest that you can easily remove.
What you should consider: The keyboard doesn’t have a USB pass-through like other models.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Razer Battlefield 4 BlackWidow Ultimate
What you need to know: This is a full keyboard for the die-hard “Battlefield” warrior.
What you’ll love: If you are a big fan of the “Battlefield” franchise, then you have to get your hands on this licensed keyboard. Adorned with “Battlefield” images and the Razer logo, the BlackWidow Ultimate keyboard features mechanical keys, enough onboard memory to store up to 10 profiles, and backlit keys. It also comes with the exclusive Razer Snake Dog Tag from the Razer Battlefield 4 Collector’s Edition.
What you should consider: The keycaps can’t be changed to a different kind and the keyboard glow is only one color.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Charlie F. writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which one-handed gaming keyboard is best?
One-handed gaming keyboards are growing in popularity in the PC community. These compact keyboards provide gamers with access to all of the keys necessary for play but take up very little desk space and are often more ergonomic than traditional keyboards.
The Razer Tartarus Pro Gaming Keypad is the best one-handed gaming keyboard for most users. It includes a wealth of additional input controls, LED lighting, a comfortable design and a padded wrist rest. Razer is a respected manufacturer of PC accessories, known for building reliable devices.
What to know before you buy a one-handed gaming keyboard
Why use a one-handed gaming keyboard?
One-handed gaming keyboards are specifically designed to enhance your speed while playing games that require the use of a keyboard and mouse control scheme. Their small design allows you to rest your hand in one position and still access all required buttons without moving your arm or having to look down at the keys for accuracy. These compact devices are also great for those who game on laptop PCs, as they are more comfortable than the small, cramped keyboards often built into these computers.
Desk space
Typical use of your PC will still require a full-size keyboard, so don’t expect your one-handed gaming model to completely replace it. While one-handed gaming keyboards are compact and take up little space, you will still need enough room on your desk to comfortably use one. If your main keyboard is wired, you may have to consider placement options that will allow proper room to use your gaming device.
Your preferred games
One-handed gaming keyboards are not appropriate for all games or game genres. While they excel at games that require quick resources and use only a few keys to perform actions, games that require typing or make full use of a traditional keyboard cannot be played enjoyably with the limited keys available on a one-handed model.
Photo and video editing
If you edit audio, video or photos professionally, a one-handed gaming keyboard can speed up your workflow in the same way it can enhance someone’s speed while gaming. If you are looking to maximize your efficiency while working, consider trying a one-handed gaming keyboard.
What to look for in a quality one-handed gaming keyboard
Comfort
Your comfort is key when it comes to using a one-handed gaming keyboard. Many models are ergonomically designed for your wrist to rest on a pad while allowing your fingers to reach the keys. The small size of a one-handed gaming keyboard also allows for greater flexibility when it comes to placing the device on your desk or table, as it is less cumbersome than a traditional model.
Aesthetics
Many one-handed gaming keyboards include RGB LED backlighting and other effects. Some feature programmable lighting schemes while others remain static. From edgy designs meant to attract gamers to more understated appearances that work better in a professional setting, these keyboards come in many styles. Select a one-handed gaming keyboard that appeals to your taste.
Key layout
Some one-handed keyboards are basically just a traditional keyboard cut in half. They provide you with keys that retain the familiar letters and layout found on full-size models, making it easy to transition from one device to another. Different models provide keys that are either numbered or custom labeled. These can be challenging to use, but are often preferred once the learning curve is mastered.
Additional controls
Some one-handed gaming keyboards include joysticks, trackballs and other additional input controls. Depending on the kind of gaming or work you do, these extras may prove to be either indispensable or not worth the additional expense. Consider your intended use carefully before investing in a keyboard with too many unneeded extra features.
Switch style
Mechanical keyboards are in high demand among gamers and coders because their keys provide a snappy, satisfying response. Membrane keyboards have a softer, rubbery feel to them but are usually less expensive. If you’re looking for the best gaming experience, most users recommend a one-handed keyboard with mechanical switches.
Keyboard switch types explained
You may be surprised to learn that some users are very passionate about the feel and even the sound of their keyboard switches. There are two common switch types available for most keyboards:
- Mechanical switches are preferred by gamers and professionals alike. Mechanical keyboards are more expensive, but they provide more customization options and tactile feedback for those who prefer a more responsive device. They can also be quite loud to use, which some users actually prefer.
- Membrane switches are more common. They provide a softer, quieter typing experience and are cheaper to produce. They are more familiar to most users but provide less accuracy than mechanical options. Unless specifically labeled otherwise, assume that almost any keyboard you pick up will include membrane switches.
How much you can expect to spend on a one-handed gaming keyboard
A one-handed gaming keyboard will cost $20-$150 depending on features, build quality and included accessories.
One-handed gaming keyboard FAQ
Can you type with a one-handed gaming keyboard?
A. No. These keyboard models are not made for typing, and even those that retain keybed lettering only contain half of a traditional keyboard, at most.
Can you use a one-handed gaming keyboard on your video game console?
A. In some cases, yes. Some game consoles allow you to plug in USB accessories easily, while others require adapters and clever key assignments to be used. Check with the manufacturer of your console for compatibility.
Is it hard to set up a one-handed gaming keyboard?
A. It depends on the model you select. If you choose a keyboard that requires you to determine which keys perform what function, setup can take some time. Models that retain traditional keyboard letters are simpler to set up for most users.
What’s the best one-handed gaming keyboard to buy?
Top one-handed gaming keyboard
Razer Tartarus Pro Gaming Keypad
What you need to know: This one-handed gaming keyboard features additional controls and a fully customizable keybed.
What you’ll love: Razer is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of PC gaming accessories, with a reputation for quality. This keyboard includes a padded, adjustable wrist rest, a scroll wheel, a D-pad and analog keys.
What you should consider: This keyboard is a bit on the large side and may not be comfortable for those with smaller hands.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dell
Top one-handed gaming keyboard for the money
One-Handed RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
What you need to know: This budget-friendly model is a great entry point for gamers and professionals who would like to try out a one-handed keyboard.
What you’ll love: This gaming keyboard retains traditional lettering for easy transition from a traditional device. Its backlit keys are soft, quiet and easy to see in the dark.
What you should consider: Users report the letters on the keys can rub off after minimal use.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: With its simple, understated design, this model appeals to professional users and gamers alike.
What you’ll love: This model includes a removable wrist pad and adjustable analog keys that allow you to make subtle movements while playing. High-quality, tactile switches make this keyboard fun and satisfying to use.
What you should consider: Users report that while they are pleased with this keyboard’s hardware, the included software can be frustrating and confusing.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Derek Walborn 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.
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Which Razer laptops are best?
If you are an avid gamer, you might have considered a gaming laptop in the past. There are plenty of models from different manufacturers to choose from, and it can be rather difficult. Each one has different specifications and designs.
But have you ever considered a Razer laptop? Over the years, the company has made a name for itself as one of the best PC and gaming accessory makers. So if you are looking for a premium gaming laptop that will be perfect for office work as well, then check out the Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop.
What to know before you buy a Razer laptop
Power of the Central Processing Unit
Arguably one of the most critical components in a computer or laptop, the CPU is responsible for how fast it can perform actions. Since you can’t upgrade most CPUs in laptops, you must consider which CPU speed will be right for your purposes. Generally, a CPU speed of 4.2GHz will be sufficient for most things.
Harddrive space is important for gaming
If you are planning on doing some serious gaming on your Razer laptop, you must ensure that you have enough space for the games. Most games today are digital downloads that can reach over 100GB. You can upgrade the M.2 SSD, but look for storage capacity that will store all your games and files.
AMD or NVIDIA graphics card
In an office environment, the graphics card in a laptop won’t make that much of a difference. But when it comes to gaming, most gamers will prefer either AMD cards or NVIDIA graphics cards. There isn’t that much difference between the two brands, and it will mainly come down to personal preference.
What to look for in a quality Razer laptop
RGB lighting and key customizability
When you get a laptop from a company deeply embedded into gaming culture, you can expect it to have a wide variety of customizability options. One of those is the RGB lighting effects that have been incorporated into almost every gaming component. A good Razer laptop will have plenty of lighting options and the ability for you to change it however you want.
Resolution
Specifically for gaming, the resolution of the laptop’s screen will play a huge role in the quality of the graphics. This is important so that you can clearly see what is going on. A good quality Razer laptop will have a 4K resolution with a refresh rate of 120MHz. The fast refresh rate makes sure that fast-paced action doesn’t have a motion blurring effect.
Multi-monitor and accessory support
Having a single screen on the monitor might be perfect for playing games, but if you use the laptop for office work, you might need some extra viewing real estate. That is why a good Razer laptop will have additional HDMI ports for you to connect extra monitors.
How much you can expect to spend on a Razer laptop
The general retail price of a Razer laptop will depend on the model, the capabilities, and the components inside. An entry-level Razer laptop can retail for $1,000-$1,600. A top-tier Razer laptop can retail for $2,500-$3,000.
Razer laptop FAQ
Can you upgrade the components in a Razer laptop?
A. Laptops are notoriously difficult to upgrade. But with that said, some Razer laptops use the M.2 slot to upgrade the solid-state drive easily. Due to the thin design of some laptops, you can’t upgrade the RAM or other components.
Can all Razer laptops be used for gaming?
A. Razer is mainly associated with PC gaming and accessories, so it would be an easy assumption to make. But not all Razer laptops are good for gaming. The company makes a few that are specifically designed for working and office productivity. With those, you might struggle to run even the most basic of video games.
What’s the best Razer laptop to buy?
Top Razer laptop
What you need to know: This option is perfect for any type of gaming, wherever you might be.
What you’ll love: For crisp graphics, this Razer laptop is powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, has an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX 8-Core processor and 16GB of RAM. In terms of storage space, it comes with a 1TB solid-state drive. The display measures 14-inches with a QHD resolution of 2560 by 1440 with a response time of 165Hz.
What you should consider: The RAM can’t be upgraded, as only the SSD uses M.2 technology.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Razer laptop for the money
Razer Blade Stealth 13 Ultrabook
What you need to know: Thin and powerful, it makes gaming a breeze.
What you’ll love: The ultra-thin laptop is powered by a quad-core 11th gen intel core i7-1165g7 processor, has 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD internal storage. The 1080p display has a refresh rate of 120MHz, measures 13.3-inches, and is powered by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q graphics card.
What you should consider: As with many laptops, the fixed 16GB of RAM will be difficult to upgrade.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This is an office workhorse that can handle the pressure.
What you’ll love: While the 13-inch Razer Book might not be suited for gaming, the Intel Core i7-1165G7 4 Core and 16GB of RAM will make small work of any office tasks. The display is full HD and has a touchscreen, with a Vapor Chamber Cooling System to ensure it doesn’t overheat. It comes with Razer Chroma RGB to change the lighting and uses Thunderbolt 4 to charge.
What you should consider: The laptop has somewhat limited storage and the 256GB M.2 SSD might not be enough.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Charlie F. 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.
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Which cartilage earrings are best?
Cartilage is the tough connective tissue that creates the upper portion of your ear and is a common spot for piercings. Cartilage earrings, however, differ from regular earrings. Generally, cartilage earrings are thinner because of the gauge bar. The cartilage earring’s barbell length is also shorter than regular earrings because the area around the upper portion of an ear is smaller.
If you’re looking for a subtle piercing, the best place to get a cartilage piercing is the helix, located on the upper cartilage that curls in. These piercings are higher and closer to the edge of the ear than an outer conch piercing. The rook is the highest ridge of your inner ear. It connects the bottom of your inner ear to the conch. The tragus is typically the most painful to pierce but is a great option if you’re looking for an edgier feel.
Cartilage earrings come in different styles: hoop, labret stud or post, captive bead, shields and dangling are to name a few. Hoop earrings are small in diameter compared to other styles and have a tight fit. They are usually composed of stones, diamonds, patterned or plain. Labret studs or posts typically have a flat back and have short bars, similar to regular earrings. They are extremely versatile and suited for any cartilage piercing.
Additionally, they’re perfect if you’re looking for a casual everyday earring. Dangling cartilage piercings or shields make more of a fashion statement. One of the best features about cartilage earrings overall is that there is a style for any occasion and outfit. Cartilage earrings are also pretty cost-effective, depending on where you purchase them. However, certain features like diamonds can add value.
If you’re looking for a cheap yet high-quality cartilage earring, these Tiny Hoop Mini-Gold Earrings are the top choice.
What to know before you buy a cartilage earring
Before purchasing a cartilage earring, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Ear piercing placement can determine the size of a cartilage earring. Too small of size leads to discomfort, and too big of a size can lead to them falling out. Cartilage earrings are made in a variety of styles as well. Studs and hoops are great for everyday wear, while colored earrings can be the perfect accessory to any outfit. Dangle cartilage earrings are perfect if you’re looking for an edgier look. While you can purchase cartilage earrings at an ideal price, higher-end options will be more durable.
Ear piercing placement
First and foremost, if you’re thinking of getting a cartilage earring, ear-piercing placement is key. Some cartilage earrings are for specific positionings. When getting a cartilage piercing, remember that cartilage is stronger than earlobes, making it more sensitive to pain. Once the earring is in, it should stay in until healed, taking up to three months. Common cartilage areas to get pierced are the anti-tragus, inner and outer conch, auricle, helix and rook.
Style
Cartilage earrings come in various styles. Studs are always an excellent option for a casual everyday look and are versatile to suit any cartilage placement. For a night on the town, try a cartilage earring with diamonds or a pop of color. Hoops are another versatile choice for everyday wear. Whatever style you choose, keeping in mind that certain makes may be more fitted for specific piercings.
Cost
You can purchase cartilage earrings at a rational price. However, quality may not be great. If you’re on a budget but looking to purchase a few cartilage earrings, try looking for a bundle pack. It’s a great way to save money and have a broad selection. Material is a large determinant of the cost of cartilage earrings as well. Gold is typically more expensive than silver, and other qualities, like nickel-free and hypoallergenic materials, may also add to the cost.
What to look for in a quality cartilage earring
There are a few elements to consider when looking for a quality cartilage earring, like material, diamonds, embellishments and earring thickness. Each element nevertheless can determine the cost of a cartilage earring.
Diamonds/embellishments
Diamonds are always a great choice to dress up any outfit. When purchasing a cartilage earring that has diamonds, be sure to check the grade. While this may mean it will come at a higher cost, durability will be long-lasting and the overall look won’t appear tacky. These are also tips to keep in mind when purchasing cartilage earrings that have other embellishments like dangle pieces.
Material
Material is essential when it comes to stuff we wear, especially when it’s on our skin. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to purchase a cartilage earring that is hypoallergenic and nickel-free, like high karat gold, surgical stainless steel or titanium. The material also plays a role in cost. For example, gold and rose gold may be more expensive than silver. However, it can depend on the material’s grade.
Earring thickness
Earrings come in different thicknesses. Because cartilage is sensitive, knowing what size earring is appropriate for each cartilage piercing area is important. Additionally, earring thickness may be different depending on the style. For example, flatback and barbell cartilage earrings for the helix and tragus require an earring diameter of 5/16 inches. Hoop and horseshoe styles for the conch require an earring thickness of 3/18 to ½ inches. If you’re unsure what earring diameter is right for your cartilage piercing, ask a professional.
How much you can expect to spend on a cartilage earring
While the average cost of cartilage earrings is between $35-$85, prices tend to vary depending on the earring location type. For example, tragus, rook, snug and forward helix earrings cost between $30-$60. Industrial and orbital earrings are on the more luxurious side, priced between $45-$85.
Cartilage earring FAQ
How long should you keep a cartilage piercing before changing it?
A. Once pierced, cartilage earrings should not be changed for at least four to six months, giving them enough time to heal. However, they should be cleaned once or twice a day with ear cleaner or saline solution.
Do cartilage piercings get infected easily?
A. Cartilage piercings heal from the outside first and can be prone to infection if not cleaned properly and often. A few days after getting a cartilage piercing, remember that it’s normal to experience mild pain, redness, bruising and swelling.
What metal should cartilage be pierced with?
A. Titanium and gold are hypoallergenic, making them perfect for piercing. Additionally, gold is antibacterial and a good choice for those with sensitive skin.
What’s the best cartilage earring to buy?
Top cartilage earring
LuckyJewUS Tiny Hoop Mini Gold Hoop Earrings
What you need to know: These cartilage earrings are perfect if you’re looking for a variety of simplistic styles.
What you’ll love: Available in yellow gold, sterling silver and 14-karat rose gold, they can be mixed and matched to express your style. Gold-filled and sterling silver options are also hypoallergenic.
What you should consider: Due to their small width, they can be difficult to find if they fall out.
Where to buy: Sold by Etsy
Top cartilage earring for the money
COCHARM Solid Gold Cartilage Earring Hoop
What you need to know: On the higher end, this cartilage hoop earring creates an edgy look.
What you’ll love: Made of 14-karat solid gold, it’s nickel-free, lead-free and cadmium-free. There are no sharp edges, making it comfy to wear for any occasion.
What you should consider: Some reviews state the back won’t stay closed.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
AVORA 14K Yellow Gold 4 stone Simulated Diamond CZ Curved Bar Cartilage Piercing
What you need to know: This cartilage earring is extremely versatile and adds a stylish touch.
What you’ll love: Safe for those with sensitive skin, this glistening cartilage earring adds just the right amount of sparkle to any outfit. Featuring a curved bar design and flat back, it’s lined with pink ombre Simulated Diamond Cubic Zirconia accents.
What you should consider: Price is on the luxurious end.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
AnotherEast Butterfly Hoop Earrings
What you need to know: Available in gold and silver, the material is lightweight and a great option to add some flair to an outfit.
What you’ll love: Materials are nickel-free and hypoallergenic, making them perfect for those with sensitive skin. The lever back closure guarantees it will stay snug on the tragus.
What you should consider: If not taken care of properly, the dangly piece may fall off.
Where to buy: Sold by Etsy
FUNLMO Opal Cartilage Conch Earring Hoop
What you need to know: In over 20 different colors, this cartilage conch hoop earring is the perfect accessory for any outfit.
What you’ll love: At a great price and made of 316L Surgical Steel and Shiny Cube Zircon, the high-polished smooth surface makes it extremely comfortable for everyday wear. Additionally, the hinge makes it easy to open and close, but it will stay snug once closed.
What you should consider: Some reviews state the earring was defective.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Tessa Schaal 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.
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Which anti-fatigue mats are best?
With all the talk these days about how bad sitting is for your health, many people are choosing to opt for standing desks. While this can be a smart idea, it is important to consider leg and foot health.
Standing in place for long periods of time is both tiring and uncomfortable. Anti-fatigue mats help with that. They provide a cushioned, shock-absorbing surface to stand on that can ease the pressure on your legs and spine.
Anti-fatigue mats come in a wide variety of colors and shapes to fit every need. A perfect example of this is the Kangaroo Anti Fatigue Cushioned Floor Mat, which comes in dark and vibrant hues ranging from 17 to 70 inches long.
What to know before you buy an anti-fatigue mat
How anti-fatigue mats work
When standing in a static position on a hard surface for long periods of time, the pressure in the veins in your legs increases. This makes it more difficult for the blood to flow into and out of your lower extremities, resulting in your heart having to work harder to keep the blood circulating properly. Anti-fatigue mats combat this by forcing your muscles to slightly expand and contract in micromovements as your body adjusts to the flexibility of the mat. This improves your circulation to the lower extremities, bringing more oxygen-rich blood to the muscles and reducing fatigue.
Types of anti-fatigue mats
Anti-fatigue mats can be classified into one of three categories: flat mats, non-flat active mats, and fully flat active mats.
Flat anti-fatigue mats are the most common and tend to be the best entry-level option. This is because they don’t take much getting used to and are often the most affordable. Most are rectangular in shape, range from half an inch to 1 inch thick, and provide a moderate level of cushioning.
Non-flat active anti-fatigue mats also provide cushioning but have a textured surface designed to promote greater micromovements of the muscles and better circulation. These are also most often rectangular in shape.
Full active anti-fatigue mats have large balls, ridges, accu-pressure peaks, and other textures or shapes spread across their surface that are designed to massage your feet and stretch your calves. These tend to have squarish shapes that make them ideal for those working at standing desks, but they are often the most expensive options.
Durability
Anti-fatigue mats are exposed to a lot of wear and tear, so they need to be durable if you want them to last for a long time. This is especially true when using them in commercial settings. Most are made from either foam, a rubber-covered foam or hard rubber. There are also some rubber mats with a gel core. Foam is the least durable but most affordable. Rubber-covered foam is slightly tougher because the rubber coating protects the foam from deteriorating. Finally, full rubber and gel-core mats are the most durable and the least likely to compress over time.
For more information on this, check the best anti-fatigue mat buying guide at BestReviews.
What to look for in a quality anti-fatigue mat
Size
Anti-fatigue mats come in a range of sizes, with the shortest being about 1.5 feet and the longest 20 feet or more. It is important to match the mat to your needs and available space. For example, if you use a standing desk and stay in one place all day long, you most likely only need a small, square or rectangular mat. However, if you are looking for something for your kitchen to make cooking all day less tiresome on your feet, you’ll be best served by a long, rectangular mat that allows you to move from one end of your counter to the other.
Thickness
The thickness of the anti-fatigue mats plays a large role in how effective it is. The majority range from half an inch to 1-inch thick in the main standing area. Fully active mats are notably thicker than those on their raised ridges and balls.
Non-slip bottom
For safety purposes, any mat you purchase must have a non-slip bottom to keep it securely in place.
Beveled edge
A beveled edge is helpful for two reasons: It reduces the chances of tripping over the edge when stepping onto the mat, and it ensures the edges sit flush with the floor, so they don’t curl up over time.
Color
For commercial settings, many people opt for a plain black anti-fatigue mat. However, they come in a wide range of solid colors ranging from neutral tones like grey and earth to vibrant options like red and aqua. You can also find them in faux wood and eye-catching patterns.
How much can you expect to spend on an anti-fatigue mat
Depending on the size and materials, anti-fatigue mats can cost as little as $15 or as much as $300. There are even some extra-large options for commercial spaces that can cost more than $1,000.
Anti-fatigue mat FAQ
How do you clean an anti-fatigue mat?
A. To clean an anti-fatigue mat, start by sweeping or vacuuming the debris off it. Then fill a bucket with a bit of warm water and dish soap. Take the mat and bucket outside and lightly scrub the mat with the solution using a soft-bristle brush or a cleaning rag. Finally, rinse the mat off with clean water and hang it to dry before placing it back in your home.
Should I wear shoes on an anti-fatigue mat?
A. The choice of whether or not to wear shoes on your anti-fatigue mat comes down to the situation more so than the mat itself. For example, if it is in a commercial setting, you’ll most likely need to wear shoes, but if using an anti-fatigue mat at home, you may not want to. If you’re wearing shoes, it is important to avoid high heels and other footwear with sharp or pointed bottoms because they can damage the mat.
What are the best anti-fatigue mats to buy?
Top anti-fatigue mat
Kangaroo Anti Fatigue Cushioned Floor Mat
What you need to know: A durable option that comes in a range of sizes and colors, the Kangaroo anti-fatigue is ideal for home and commercial applications alike.
What you’ll love: It has a ¾-inch thick rubber construction that provides a lot of cushioning and won’t compress from constant use.
What you should consider: It has a tendency to slide around and periodically needs to be moved back into place.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top anti-fatigue mat for the money
What you need to know: A top choice for those who work at a standing desk, the Genius Mat has a variety of ridges and acupressure points to help you stretch out your calves.
What you’ll love: There is a rolling massager ball in the center of the mat that can be used to loosen plantar fascia and make standing for long periods of time more comfortable.
What you should consider: Its high sides can be a tripping hazard.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Butterfly Long Kitchen Anti Fatigue Mat
What you need to know: The Butterfly mat is both attractive and comfortable, making it the perfect addition to a home kitchen.
What you’ll love: It comes in four eye-catching patterns, all of which come in dark and warm tones that blend in well with most decor.
What you should consider: The textured surface can make it difficult to clean.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Brett Dvoretz writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money
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| 2022-04-10T19:37:30
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Which physical therapy equipment to use at home is best?
Depending on your physical therapy program, your doctor or physical therapist may encourage at-home exercises. If you’d like to practice similar exercises to the ones you perform in a clinical setting, consider buying physical therapy equipment to use at home.
Physical therapy equipment doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to be effective. There are several affordable options, including yoga mats, weighted exercise balls and resistance bands. Trideer Extra-thick Yoga Exercise Ball is a top choice that’s a versatile device that lends itself to dozens of upper- and lower-body exercises.
What to know before you buy physical therapy equipment to use at home
Why do people buy physical therapy equipment to use at home?
Physical therapy plays a pivotal role in rehabilitation because it may help individuals regain strength, mobility, coordination and balance. According to MedlinePlus, many people begin their physical therapy journeys in clinical settings, such as doctors’ offices or rehabilitation centers, and eventually, they transition to at-home therapy.
At-home therapy is often done on “off” days from in-office sessions or is continued after individuals complete their physical therapy programs in rehabilitation centers. Some individuals may need to perform physical therapy exercises for a few weeks after discharge, whereas others may need to incorporate it into their daily lives long-term so they don’t regress in recovery.
Popular types of physical therapy equipment for home use
Because few people have the room to accommodate large machines or devices, it’s common to invest in smaller, pared-down versions of physical therapy equipment.
- Yoga mats are essential investments because they’re often for basic, floor-based stretching and mobility exercises.
- Free weight sets are ideal for developing upper body strength through repetition exercises, such as bicep curls.
- Resistance bands, often used in rehabilitation centers, are used for strength-building exercises.
- Exercise balls assist in modifications of certain exercises, like planks or lifting.
- Hand grip strengtheners, such as silicone stress eggs or spring-loaded grip trainers, are often used to build dexterity.
Talk to your doctor
Before you begin using physical therapy equipment at home, speak to your doctor or physical therapist to make sure you are approved to perform exercises outside of a clinical setting. Additionally, they may provide you with new exercises that are conducive to home practice with specific equipment.
What to look for in quality physical therapy equipment to use at home
Material
Most physical therapy equipment is made with silicone, rubber, latex, PVC and high-density plastic. These materials are durable and generally have high tensile strength, which means they can withstand a high level of tension without breaking. More complex physical therapy equipment, including spring-operated devices like hand grips strengthened, usually have steel components.
Progressive difficulty
As you progress in your physical therapy journey, your care team may introduce exercises with higher levels of difficulty. When you transition to an at-home program, you may wish to adjust difficulty levels as needed.
With some equipment, individuals can modify exercises to make them more challenging, such as doing more repetitions with free weights. Other equipment have built-in difficulty levels, such as step platforms whose heights can be adjusted by adding or removing risers.
Portability
Portability is an important consideration for many individuals who do physical therapy at home. Many types of equipment are compact and easy to store when it’s not in use, such as yoga mats or foam rollers. Other types of equipment are travel-friendly. Resistance bands, for example, can be rolled up and tucked inside most handbags and carry-ons.
How much you can expect to spend on physical therapy equipment to use at home
Smaller or simpler pieces of at-home physical therapy equipment, like resistance bands and yoga mats, cost $15 and below. More involved equipment, like free weight sets, may run between $20-$50. If you’d like to invest in facility-grade equipment, like pedal machines, be prepared to spend $75-$300.
Physical therapy equipment to use at home FAQ
Will my insurance cover physical therapy equipment to use at home?
A. It depends. You’ll need to contact your insurance plan regarding coverage, benefits and eligibility for a definitive answer. Some insurance plans may consider certain equipment is eligible for coverage under FSA or HSA benefits, whereas others won’t cover it at all.
How do I clean physical therapy equipment?
A. Most types of physical therapy equipment can be wiped down with everyday surface cleaners or disinfectant wipes. Some people prefer using nontoxic cleaners that are non-irritating to skin.
What’s the best physical therapy equipment to use at home?
Top physical therapy equipment to use at home
Trideer Extra-thick Yoga Exercise Ball
What you need to know: An all-around versatile fitness accessory, this ball can be manipulated in countless ways for upper- and lower-body exercises.
What you’ll love: The ball is available in five sizes to accommodate users with different needs. It’s made with durable anti-burst material that withstands pressure to 2,200 pounds. The ball comes with a foot pump for easy inflation out of the box.
What you should consider: A few users felt the foot pump wasn’t easy to use, and it took a while to inflate the ball.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top physical therapy equipment to use at home for the money
THERABAND Latex Beginner Bands
What you need to know: These resistance bands, often used by physical therapists in rehabilitation centers, are ideal for home and travel use.
What you’ll love: The beginner set offers three levels of low resistance between 3-4.6 pounds. They’re made with high-quality latex rubber that can withstand heavy use. At over 5 feet in length, they’re suitable for upper- and lower-body conditioning.
What you should consider: Because the bands are made with latex, they’re not suitable for those with latex allergies.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Logest Hand Grip Strengthener Set
What you need to know: This 14-piece set includes popular devices used in hand therapy, which may help build strength and dexterity.
What you’ll love: The set includes flexible silicone accessories that are soft and easy to manipulate. It includes a couple of intermediate and advanced devices for those further along in their rehabilitation journeys. All pieces can be stored in the drawstring carry case.
What you should consider: Individuals with larger hands may experience difficulty using smaller accessories.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-10T19:37:37
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Which carpet dryer is best?
A carpet dryer is a powerful type of fan that pushes away wet air and pulls in dry air. Dry air sucks up water and accelerates the evaporation process. If you own a business or a home with carpet that requires regular cleaning, you should own a carpet dryer.
The perfect carpet dryer is the appropriate size and has the right features for your space and your needs. Our top pick, the Stanley Air Blower, features three speeds and is easy to move and adjust.
What to know before you buy a carpet dryer
Fan type
Carpet dryers use axial or centrifugal fans. An axial fan looks a lot like a ceiling fan. It resembles a flower with petals spinning around and around. A centrifugal fan looks a lot like a paddlewheel boat. It’s enclosed in a cylinder and turns in a circle.
Centrifugal fans create a higher-pressure airflow that’s perfect for targeting concentrated spills, but they’re slower at drying out an entire room. For larger spaces, an axial fan’s even distribution is your best bet.
Cubic feet per minute
Cubic feet per minute, or CFM, is the amount of air a carpet dryer can move in 60 seconds. The higher the CFM, the quicker your carpet will dry. Remember that this is cubic feet, not square feet. While it’s understandable to think your carpet is the only thing that needs to dry out, that’s not the case. The air around your carpet needs to dry out, too.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification recommends using a 2,800 CFM carpet dryer for every 300 square feet of wet carpet. For a large space, you may need more than one carpet dryer.
Horsepower
Horsepower or HP is the least important of the three major considerations when buying a carpet dryer, but it’s worth talking about to prevent a common point of confusion. More horsepower does not necessarily mean a higher CFM or faster drying. The main reason to pay attention to horsepower is if you’ll be using your carpet dryer in an old building with a temperamental electrical system.
Most carpet dryers come with 1-HP, ½-HP or ¼-HP. The higher the HP, the louder your machine will be.
What to look for in a quality carpet dryer
Adjustable features
Some carpet dryers feature a timer. A timer prevents you from running your unit for too long and wasting energy. It’s also a good way to remind yourself when it’s time to move your machine to another part of the room.
Another important feature is fan speed. Basic carpet dryers only have one speed, but midrange models should at least have options for low, medium and high. Some high-end models have additional speeds beyond that. The more choices you have, the more useful your carpet dryer is.
Ease of use
If you’re planning to use more than one carpet dryer at the same time, look for a model with a built-in outlet on each unit. That way, you can plug them into each other, like multiple sets of Christmas lights. This makes placing them exactly where you need a lot easier since you won’t be dependent on outlet location.
Noise is a major consideration. If you’re buying in-store, see if there are any floor models you can turn on and off. If you’re buying online, see if there are any videos from previous buyers in the customer reviews. Some carpet dryers can be very loud, which might wear on your nerves if you have to share the space for hours at a time.
Ease of storage
If you’re buying more than one carpet dryer, consider a model that’s stackable when storing. Carpet dryers take up a good amount of space and some are awkwardly shaped. You might be able to find room for one unit in a garage or storage shed, but three units that don’t stack could require some major rearranging.
Also look at how much each unit weighs and what the handle is like. Most carpet dryers weigh 8-12 pounds. If the handle is poorly designed, it’ll be annoying at best and a future back problem at worst if you’re using it often.
How much you can expect to spend on a carpet dryer
Small home carpet dryers with basic features can be found for $50-$75. Midrange carpet dryers with more options and higher CFMs range from $100 to $250. High-end commercial models with all the bells and whistles typically run $250-$400.
Carpet dryer FAQ
When should you replace your carpet outright?
A. If your carpet falls victim to a sewage leak or becomes saturated with some other type of contaminated water, replace it. If water of any kind has been allowed to soak your carpet for days on end, perhaps while you were on vacation, it’s best to toss it. The number one telltale sign is a mildew smell. If your carpet smells, a dryer isn’t going to save it.
How long does carpet take to dry?
A. It depends on how it got wet and how big your room is. If you just cleaned your carpet, it should dry in a few hours. For flooding, pipe leaks and other severe events, it may take two or three days. If your carpet is still wet after three days and there hasn’t been any new water damage, you should call a professional.
What’s the best carpet dryer to buy?
Top carpet dryer
What you need to know: This is a compact dryer with impressive power.
What you’ll love:It has a built-in outlet, blower head pivots and three speed settings.
What you should consider: Some users report that the blowing power weakens over time and extended use.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Wayfair
Top carpet dryer for the money
Lasko High Velocity X-Blower Fan
What you need to know: A versatile dryer from a trusted name, it sells at the right price.
What you’ll love: It features two USB charging ports, a built-in outlet and a circuit breaker with a reset button. It is easy to transport.
What you should consider: It is very loud.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This small dryer is perfect for spills and other modest jobs.
What you’ll love: It is compact enough to fit in spaces other dryers can’t, such as closets or under sinks. It blows air in all directions for faster drying.
What you should consider: It is noisy despite its size and not ideal for large spaces.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Frank Paiva 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:37:44
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Which cold brew makers are best?
If you’re a dedicated coffee lover who enjoys sipping on a satisfying cold brew during warmer weather, you’ll definitely want to invest in an at-home cold brew coffee maker. Not only will it save you money, but it will also allow you to cater your coffee to your specific taste and strength preferences.
Before choosing the best cold brew maker for your lifestyle, you’ll first want to look at a few essential features, such as size, design, materials and brewing time. As one of the top choices, the KitchenAid Cold Brew XL Coffee Maker is large enough for multiple servings and has an easy-dispensing spout.
What to know before you buy a cold brew maker
Iced coffee vs. cold brew
Though sometimes used interchangeably, iced coffee and cold brew have significant differences.
In most cases, iced coffee is simply brewed coffee cooled and poured over ice. This style of brewing is best when consumed within a day or two. It can occasionally produce a slightly bitter or acidic tasting drink.
The biggest difference with cold brew is the fact that it is never heated. The cold brewing process soaks coffee grounds in cold water over longer periods to create a smooth flavor and strong taste. You can then drain the resulting to remove any grounds or sediment. While cold brew can be more expensive when purchased at a cafe, it has a longer shelf life.
Size
Cold brew coffee makers come in various sizes, from portable single-serve brewers to larger countertop models. Depending on how often you plan on making cold brews, you’ll want to choose the most practical model.
Brewing time
Compared to hot coffee, which you can brew in minutes, cold brew takes several hours to achieve the best tasting result. The best cold brew takes 12 to 24 hours, depending on desired strength and flavor profile. Since cold brew coffee is stronger than regular coffee, you likely won’t need to use as much as you can be dilute it with water, milk or milk alternative.
What to look for in a quality cold brew maker
Durable material
The two most common materials for cold brew makers include glass and plastic.
Glass may look and feel more elegant, but there is a greater risk of cracking or shattering. Glass cold brew makers are less likely to form stains and discolorations or hold onto any lasting odors.
Plastic cold brew makers are more durable in the long run, as they are resistant to shattering if dropped. BPA-free plastics also ensure that you won’t have to deal with any chemicals seeping into your daily cup of joe.
Design
There isn’t any universal design for cold brew makers, with some resembling a french press, pitcher, carafe or classic coffee maker. No design is necessarily better than the other, so the best cold brew maker is the one that is easy to clean and most convenient for your lifestyle.
Spout
Once you have your cold brew ready to serve, it is essential to have an efficient way to pour it. The spout should not affect the airtight seal needed during the brewing process but should allow for a smooth flow when serving the coffee. Some cold brew makers may even sport a tap dispenser for convenient access throughout the week or serving guests.
Filter
If your coffee maker features a metal filter or steeper, it is best if the holes are fine enough to prevent any coffee grounds from escaping into the final product. Metal filters are reusable and highly durable.
Paper filters make for quick cleanup but can occasionally rip and need replacing before each brew.
How much you can expect to spend on a cold brew maker
The least expensive cold brew makers can be purchased for less than $20, though most are within the $20-$50 price range. Larger and more advanced options can cost over $100.
Cold brew maker FAQ
How long will cold brew last in the fridge?
A. Unlike hot coffee, which is best when served fresh, cold brew coffee can typically last for 7-10 days in the fridge. If your cold brew accumulates a strange scent or loses its flavor, it is best to brew a new batch.
Does cold brew contain more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee?
A. Cold brew contains more caffeine than a comparable cup of standard drip coffee. Because it is highly concentrated, most people choose to dilute their cold brew.
What’s the best cold brew maker to buy?
Top cold brew maker
KitchenAid Cold Brew XL Coffee Maker
What you need to know: This KitchenAid cold brew maker is designed for true coffee connoisseurs and features a convenient tap dispenser.
What you’ll love: The 38-ounce capacity is enough to make up to 19 servings of cold brew when diluted with water, milk or ice. The stainless steel and glass design is easy to clean, and the streamlined appearance will complement any kitchen.
What you should consider: It is significantly more expensive than many other cold brew makers.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon, Home Depot and KitchenAid
Top cold brew maker for the money
BODUM Bean Cold Brew Coffee Maker
What you need to know: This budget-friendly cold brew maker can hold up to 51 ounces of coffee.
What you’ll love: The dishwasher-safe design makes cleanup and maintenance a breeze, while the double-lid feature prevents spills and keeps the coffee fresh for longer. All components of this cold brew maker use BPA-free plastic.
What you should consider: The lid isn’t the easiest to remove for some users.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
What you need to know: As a small option, this model is great for those with limited space.
What you’ll love: The unique design of this cold brew maker produces flavorful and high-quality coffee. When the top brewer is attached to the carafe, it will automatically drain the cold brew for easy serving.
What you should consider: If you’re looking for a large capacity brewer, this may not be the ideal choice.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond
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Matthew Young 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:37:50
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Which OXO can openers are best?
You’ll appreciate a high-quality can opener the next time you want to heat up your favorite soup or open up a can of beans or vegetables. While low-end models can sometimes create sharp edges and uneven cuts, OXO can openers are known for their durability, functionality and ergonomically designed handles.
The best can opener will cut through a can seamlessly, removing the lid without any mess or struggle. When searching for the best OXO model, the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener is a top choice because it can eliminate dangerous and sharp edges.
What to know before you buy an OXO can opener
Manual vs. electric can openers
The two main types of can opener options you’ll encounter are manual and electric.
- Manual can openers are most likely what comes to mind when picturing this common kitchen tool. This style of can opener uses a blade to puncture the lid and a hand-operated crank or knob to cut and remove the top of the can. Manual can openers are small and portable but do require some physical effort to use. All OXO can openers will be manually operated.
- Electric can openers automatically remove the lid of the can so you don’t have to do the work. These are often significantly larger, more expensive and require access to an electrical outlet.
Blade position
When buying an OXO can opener, you can either choose a side- or top-cut model depending on your preference.
- As the name suggests, side-cut can openers will remove the lid by creating a cut around the side of the can, just under the top lip. This can ultimately keep the blades cleaner and reduce food contact, but it doesn’t allow the best drainage.
- The blade on top-cut models removes the very top section of the lid, which allows you to drain any excess liquid easily, but is likely to dirty the can opener blades.
What to look for in a quality OXO can opener
Handle
Having a firm and comfortable handle will allow for a more efficient opening process when compared to flimsy models. OXO can openers often include cushioned or rubberized handles, and some will even feature a locking mechanism to form a sturdy grip.
Easy-to-use
The best OXO can opener should have a blade that easily attaches to the can and only requires a single rotation to remove the lid properly. Those that take multiple turns to create a clean-cut are likely to lead to frustration and accidents.
Cleanup
Cleanup is essential, especially for top-cut models. Though some can openers can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning, you should clean all models regularly to prevent rust and food residue buildup.
Lid catch feature
OXO can openers that feature lid catch designs will make it easy to remove the lid once it has been separated from the can. This also reduces the risk of any accidental cuts or slices when removing the lid with your fingers. The most common lid catch methods consist of built-in magnets or pliers.
Bottle opener
If you want a multi-purpose can opener, look for an OXO model that also sports a convenient bottle opener.
How much you can expect to spend on an OXO can opener
Depending on the size and features, most OXO can openers can be purchased for $10-$25.
OXO can opener FAQ
How long will a can opener last?
A. A quality can opener can last several years, as long as you keep it properly cleaned and free from rust and other damage. Over time, the blade can dull, though you can sharpen some models.
Can I store leftover food directly in the can?
A. While storing and refrigerating leftover canned food in the can likely won’t pose any risk, transferring the contents to a plastic or glass container is preferred as it will better preserve flavor and freshness.
What’s the best OXO can opener to buy?
Top OXO can opener
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener
What you need to know: This smooth edge can opener is designed for those who want precise cuts and easy lid removal without a sharp edge.
What you’ll love: The knob used to operate this OXO can opener is oversized, making it simple to grip and turn. The non-slip handles will help you keep the can steady, while the stainless steel blade cuts without making contact with the interior contents.
What you should consider: The innovative style can take some getting used to compared to standard can openers.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and Home Depot
Top OXO can opener for the money
OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Can Opener
What you need to know: This is a reliable stainless steel can opener with easy-to-grip handles.
What you’ll love: The low price and durable materials make this can opener a true value option. The non-slip handles provide excellent grip even when used with wet hands, and the built-in bottle opener gives this opener added functionality.
What you should consider: This can opener should only be washed by hand.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond
Worth checking out
OXO Good Grips Locking Can Opener with Lid Catch
What you need to know: The locking can opener feature is ideal for those wanting hassle-free lid removal.
What you’ll love: Users will appreciate the unique design and non-slip handle that can lock in place for increased control. Equipped with a magnetic arm, this OXO can opener allows for a convenient lid removal process at a reasonable price.
What you should consider: A few users have reported uneven cuts.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and Home Depot
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Matthew Young writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which portable air compressor is best?
Portable air compressors are versatile tools that can help you take on your project list with power and provide emergency support in a potentially dire situation. Whether you’re framing a client’s house or need to fix your flat tire in a pinch, you can rely on a quality air compressor to get the job done.
Air compressors tend to be optimized for one of two things, inflation or power delivery. However, the best air compressors draw a bridge between these two worlds and can easily blow through both tasks. If you’re interested in a powerful, portable and practical all-in-one solution we recommend considering the DeWALT portable air compressor.
What to know before you buy a portable air compressor
Storage capacity
The most important thing to consider when purchasing a portable air compressor is what you intend to use it for. If you’re looking for something to carry in your car, you don’t need a compressor with storage capacity. If you’re looking to power pneumatic tools in addition to robust inflation capabilities opt for a compressor with at least 1 gallon of storage.
PSI (pound force per square-inch)
Like most power tools, choosing the appropriate amount of power to deliver is key to achieving successful results. Getting a compressor with too much PSI increases the likelihood of blowouts and misfires. Most compressors put out 125 PSI, which is enough to pump a car tire, power a nail gun or even a paint sprayer. If you’re looking to pump commercial tires or run multiple pneumatic tools at once, consider a pump with 150 PSI or more. Check out the full portable air compressor buying guide from BestReviews to learn more about how to choose the right PSI.
Weight and Size
If you want to carry your compressor everywhere you go, pay close attention to the dimensions and weight. The more portable you go, the less versatility you have in terms of using it for projects beyond inflation. However, if you’re looking for consistent power on the job site, overall size and weight may not matter as much.
What to look for in a quality portable air compressor
Digital gauge
Although it’s not absolutely necessary, top quality air compressors will come with easily legible digital gauges. Digital gauges tend to be more accurate than their mechanical counterparts so you dial in the right pressure for performance tires and pneumatic tools.
Portability features
While all of the compressors in this guide are portable, some are easier to transport than others. However heavy-duty your compressor may be, it should come with convenient transport features such a cord storage compartment, ergonomic handles and multiple power-reception options (car battery, standard AC outlet or car outlet).
Accessories
Top quality portable air compressors will come equipped with an extendable hose, cable management cleat and built-in LED light to illuminate your workspace. Many air compressors also come with various nozzles for different types of tires or that attach to pneumatic tools.
How much you can expect to spend on a portable air compressor
Expect to spend around $65 for an entry-level air compressor kit and up to $200 for heavy-duty kits that may even come with a pneumatic tool.
Portable air compressor FAQ
Why does my air compressor start-up on it’s own sometimes?
A. Quality air compressors come with automatic shut-off and turn-on capabilities. These prevent over-pressurization while you’re filling the tank and then keep the pressure level consistent to prevent misfires and jams. In most cases, if you leave the air compressor plugged in and switched on it will run through off and on cycles until it’s powered off.
What tools can I use with an air compressor?
A. Most people think air compressors are only good for powering various nail guns and fastening devices when it comes to tool versatility. In reality, those are only the tip of the iceberg. You can hook up a pneumatic sander, paint sprayer, air drill or even air hammer to your portable air compressor.
What ARE the best portable air compressorS to buy?
Top portable air compressor
DeWALT portable air compressor
What you need to know: Capable of pumping out up to 135 psi, this heavy duty air compressor can handle everything from DIY upgrades and tire inflation to structural framing and construction projects.
What you’ll love: Manufactured in America and backed by DeWALT’s stellar customer service and 1-year warranty you can try to find its limit in the most demanding conditions. Although it’s only 9 inches wide and 24 pounds, this compressor’s low-noise 2.6 amp motor and oil-free pump pack a serious punch.
What you should consider: Hose must be purchased separately.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top portable air compressor for the money
AmazonBasics portable air compressor
What you need to know: Don’t let the brand name fool you, this compressor is loaded with useful features like car battery connectors
What you’ll love: Compact design and portability characterize the AmazonBasics air compressor. Weighing only 7 pounds and capable of pumping out up to 120 PSI it’s performance is hard to beat. It conveniently includes dual alligator clamps to attach to your car battery in case you get a flat tire. This compressor is ideal for those looking to pump things up.
What you should consider: Poor cord storage design makes this compressor a pain to pack-up after use.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
GSPSCN Dual Cylinder portable air compressor
What you need to know: Complete with all the bells and whistles, this portable air compressor is versatile, quiet and efficient.
What you’ll love: Made from lightweight yet durable steel and powered by a 12V motor, the Dual Cylinder air compressor from GSPSCN puts out a whopping 150 PSI. Ideal for heavy duty use, this compressor can pump the tire of a loaded truck or van. It also comes with a convenient carry handle, 11.5 foot air hose, spare fuse, built-in led light and numerous nozzle adapters.
What you should consider: Some users reported that the gauge was inaccurate.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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William Briskin writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-10T19:38:04
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Which Zildjian cymbals are best?
If you’re looking to complete your drum kit, Zildjian cymbals are an obvious choice. With hundreds of years of cymbal-making experience behind them, Zildjian produces cymbals that meet the needs of all styles of drummers.
Still, you may be wondering which Zildjian cymbals are best and how to choose the right ones for you. If you want a full set of basic cymbals, try the Zildjian K Custom Dark Cymbal Pack with its warm, muted tone.
What to know before you buy a Zildjian cymbal
Types of Zildjian cymbals
Your average drum kit uses three types of cymbals: ride, crash and hi-hats. Zildjian makes these three types of cymbals, along with lesser-used offerings, such as splash and China cymbals.
- Ride cymbals are usually the largest cymbals in a beginner kit. They’re positioned above the floor tom and are usually used to play steady patterns, rather than accents. Crash cymbals are the most commonly-used accent cymbals in drum kits. As the name suggests, they make a loud crashing sound that should cut through the mix.
- Hi-hat cymbals sit on a stand with a pedal that you can use to either open or close the hats. Played closed, they’re great for maintaining a steady rhythm, and while played open, they provide a nice accent.
- Splash cymbals are less common accent cymbals that are smaller than a crash and provide a shorter accent with less sustain. China cymbals are thin and have a loud, trashy sound, which has gained them the nickname “trash crash” cymbals.
You can also buy packs containing all the basic cymbals you’ll need, which is ideal for new drummers. For more information, see the guide to drum cymbal sets at BestReviews.
Dark vs. bright
Zildjian cymbals can be divided into two main tonal qualities: bright or dark. Bright cymbals are the most commonly used option. They’re sound, responsive and punchy with a short decay, so they don’t usually ring out for too long after a hit. Dark cymbals have drier, warmer and more mellow tones. They’re popular in jazz and fusion, though they’re versatile and have a place in most types of music, especially when recording in a studio.
What to look for in a quality Zildjian cymbal
Size
Cymbal size depends on the type of cymbal. Ride cymbals usually measure between 20 and 24 inches, for instance, while crash cymbals are generally 14 to 20 inches in diameter. Typically, a larger cymbal is louder with longer sustain and a lower pitch.
Series
Zildjian makes various series or ranges of cymbals. Popular ranges include the A series, which is versatile with a bright, sweet sound and the K series, which is warm, rich and dark.
Hammering
Today, Zildjian cymbals aren’t hand-hammered. Instead, they’re hammered using a high-tech computer-controlled machine that can accurately recreate hand-hammering.
How much you can expect to spend on a Zildjian cymbal
Basic single Zildjian cymbals start at between $50-$100 but can cost as much as $500-$800, while Zildjian cymbal sets can cost as much as $1,000-$1,500.
Zildjian cymbal FAQ
What are the origins of Zildjian?
A. The very first Zildjian cymbals were made all the way back in 1618 by Avedis Zildjian, who worked for the court of the Sultan of the Ottoman empire. He was eventually given permission by the Sultan to leave the employ of the court and start his own company. That company is still run by the same family today, though it now produces cymbals in Norwell, Massachusetts.
Are Zildjian cymbals the best?
A. There’s no single best cymbal company out there, so this is impossible to answer. You can find higher-end cymbals on the market that are arguably better, but Zildjian is one of the most popular and well-respected cymbal manufacturers in the world. It makes quality cymbals that are in a price range within reach of most drummers. A huge number of famous musicians use or have used Zildjian cymbals over the years, from The Beatles’ Ringo Starr to Blink 182’s Travis Barker.
What’s the best Zildjian cymbal to buy?
Top Zildjian cymbal
Zildjian K Custom Dark Cymbal Pack
What you need to know: A great set for new drummers and those wanting to replace their existing cymbals.
What you’ll love: The dark tone is warmer and more muted, while still cutting through the mix. These cymbals are extremely versatile and can be used in a range of musical genres.
What you should consider: Because they come in a set, it isn’t possible to customize your sound in the same way you could if you chose your cymbals separately.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Zildjian cymbal for the money
What you need to know: A great crash for new or casual drummers.
What you’ll love: The thin weight of this cymbal provides a washy sound that some drummers love. It’s extremely bright with moderate sustain. The low price makes it easily accessible to drummers with tighter budgets.
What you should consider: It isn’t the most durable choice and won’t stand long to heavy use.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Zildjian A Zildjian Sweet Ride
What you need to know: A classic bright ride cymbal that’s one of the most popular in the world.
What you’ll love: This cymbal is extremely versatile, as it can be used as a standard ride or with more of a crash to accent the beat. It works well for many musical genres, but especially rock, pop and punk.
What you should consider: Some drummers find this ride a little too bright, but that’s mostly down to personal preference.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Lauren Corona 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:38:11
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Which desk calendar is best?
A desk calendar is a valuable tool for seeing the bigger picture of your schedule. A smartphone calendar app is great when you’re out and about, but it’s not ideal for seeing your entire month at once or for planning a long-term goal. Digital calendars also encourage distraction. You may open your phone to check your calendar but end up getting distracted by your email.
Desk calendars for home offices organize your life in the place where you’re most productive. Our top pick, the Cranbury Large Desk Calendar, includes a set of 234 reminder stickers for important events.
What to know before you buy a desk calendar
Size
The two standard sizes for desk calendars are 22 by 17 inches and 17 by 12 inches. Measure the space on your desk where the calendar will go. You’ll want to give your calendar a little breathing room. If you put a bunch of stuff on top of it, it’s going to be a pain to move everything when you need to tear off the sheet every month.
While most people put their desk calendars on their actual desks, some people prefer to hang them above or next to their desks. Most calendars have holes in the top for easy hanging.
Design
Some desk calendars are black or blue and would look great in any professional setting. Other desk calendars feature colorful designs like flowers along the margins. These designs may stay the same all year or change every month. A desk calendar with a fun border can be an easy way to personalize your desk.
Consider whether you want ruled or unruled squares underneath each day of the month.
Number of months
Some desk calendars are for a single calendar year, but most include an extra four to six months to encourage you to buy early and get started. These extra months typically are in the current year, beginning with either July or September.
Keep in mind that these extra months are often not the same size as regular months. There might be two, four or all six months on a single page. This may not be useful if you have a busy schedule or large handwriting. Every model is different, so be sure to check.
What to look for in a quality desk calendar
Corner protectors
Corner protectors keep your desk calendar flat. Without them, the paper might curl or catch on something.
Corner protectors use clear plastic, leather or faux leather. Leather and faux leather look more sophisticated but they also block the view of the calendar space underneath. Clear plastic is cheaper but it can wear quickly and scratch up your hand if you brush up against it the wrong way. Try running your hand over the corner protectors if you’re buying in-store to test the product.
Paper quality
Paper quality isn’t too important if you only plan to use black or blue ink on your desk calendar. You could probably get away with an inexpensive model and be fine. If you’re someone who likes to color-code their schedule, you’ll want a desk calendar with thick, high-quality paper. Markers or highlighters will bleed through to the following months if the paper isn’t thick enough.
If you want to keep your monthly pages after you tear them off, look for desk calendars with archival-quality paper that tears off easily. Most low-range models start to curl up as soon as you remove them.
Room for notes and starting day
Some desk calendars have an extra section on the left or right of the calendar grid for general notes. This additional space can be a great way to remind yourself of goals, events or important things set on a specific day.
Most desk calendars start the week on Sunday but some models geared toward professional use begin on Monday. If you prefer one over the other, check. Also, keep an eye out for calendars that double up on Saturday and Sunday with a single square.
How much you can expect to spend on a desk calendar
You can find small, no-frills desk calendars for $5-$8. Midrange desk calendars with better paper or nicer designs are available for $10-$16. High-end, top-quality desk calendars are in the $20-$28 range.
Desk calendar FAQ
Do you really need an 18-month calendar?
A. It depends on what your goals are. If you’re saving for that dream vacation and you know it will take focus and determination to get there, an 18-month calendar can be a fantastic tool. Same with keeping to a fitness regimen or launching a small business. The only caveat is that if your calendar ends in the middle of the year, it may be challenging to find a replacement that starts on the correct month.
Can you recycle your desk calendar when you’re done with it?
A. Of course. Most desk calendars use partly or entirely recycled materials. Feel free to recycle each month as you tear it off. When the year is over, keep in mind that the non-paper components of your calendar, like leather corner protectors, likely can’t be recycled. Consult local guidelines for further guidance.
What’s the best desk calendar to buy?
Top desk calendar
What you need to know: This bright and clean desk calendar is available in professional blue or decorative floral designs.
What you’ll love: The ink won’t bleed through this calendar’s high-quality paper, and it includes 234 reminder stickers for appointments, birthdays and travel.
What you should consider: The binding is thick and difficult to hang above your desk if that’s your preference.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top desk calendar for the money
What you need to know: This option gets the job done for less than $10.
What you’ll love: It has leak-resistant paper, is pre-marked with holidays and has a notes section on the side of every month to allow for customization.
What you should consider: Many buyers report their calendars arriving bent or warped.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Indeme 18 Month Desk/Wall Calendar
What you need to know: It comes in two sizes with a floral-inspired design for each month.
What you’ll love: It has extra space on the side for notes, is easy to tear off each month and uses archival-quality paper.
What you should consider: This option is smaller than other models, and some buyers reported difficulty getting the calendar to lie flat due to bending during shipping.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Frank Paiva 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:38:18
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Which Jade yoga mats are best?
Yoga is a wildly popular activity and rightly so. It offers a myriad of physical, mental and spiritual benefits while welcoming participants of all ages, shapes and sizes to practice alone or in a group. Yoga is accessible to those who are just starting off and diverse enough to continually challenge dedicated yogis who engage daily.
All you need is a yoga mat. Jade yoga mat, one of the leaders in yoga accessories, offers a few different options to cater to all your yoga needs. The Harmony Mat is their signature option, a quality all-around product designed for regular use. Finding the right mat for your body and activity level is crucial to success in yoga.
What to know before you buy a Jade yoga mat
Size
The standard yoga mat is 68 inches long and 24 inches wide. This typically suits most users across most poses. Jade also offers a 71-inch mat and a 74-inch mat for taller individuals.
Additionally, Jade boasts extra large mats that are 80 inches long and 28 inches wide. Extra width comes in handy not only for wider poses, but users can also roll the mat onto itself for extra padding. The yoga mat buying guide at Best Reviews includes more information on sizing and how to find the best fit for your needs.
Material
Most Jade yoga mats are made from natural rubber. This is an alternative to the more common variety of synthetic materials used in mats. Rubber is a terrific choice for environmentally-friendly and eco-conscious consumers, as it is a sustainable, long-lasting resource. Rubber mats are durable and easy to clean, although rubber is more expensive than synthetic alternatives. Keep in mind that rubber is not advised for outdoor use.
Jade does offer two options that are not made from rubber. One mat is made from organic cotton, offering a comfortable spot for a variety of practices, while another comprises organic cotton and Dharba grass, a tropical plant native to India. Both options are better suited for those who may want to practice outside. Although these mats lack the thickness and support for intense practices, they can be used on top of another mat.
Color
Jade yoga mats are available in a variety of bright and bold colors, including blue, purple, pink, slate and jade green. Color does not influence the quality of the mat but offers users a chance to find a color that may be a personal favorite or match their home decor. Some users may also want to match the color to a type of practice they prefer or frequent. Darker shades may be more suited to meditative and restorative practices, while those who work up a sweat with physical sessions may opt for something light and eye-catching.
What to look for in a quality Jade yoga mat
Thickness
The thickness of a yoga mat determines both the potential support and convenience offered. Thicker mats are ideal for those who need extra padding and support during more intense, frequent practices. However, thicker mats are harder to travel with since they are heavier and don’t fold as easily. Alternatively, thinner mats are ideal for taking to class and on the go, but they can lack the comfort some may desire.
The most popular Jade mat is 3/16 of an inch thick, which is about the average thickness. They also offer a thinner mat at 1/16 of an inch, as well as a thicker option at 5/16 of an inch.
Color causes
Jade Yoga features three yoga mat colors that are aimed to raise awareness for health issues, with a portion of the purchase donated in support. Teal mats are in support of ovarian cancer research, saffron mats support autism causes and pink mats raise money in support of breast cancer causes. Teal is offered year-round, while saffron and pink run for a limited time.
How much you can expect to spend on Jade yoga mat
Most Jade yoga mats cost between $65-$100, depending on size and thickness.
Jade yoga mat FAQ
How do I clean my Jade yoga mat?
A. Jade yoga mats are fairly easy to clean. For regular usage, your mat can be wiped with a damp towel every week. For more intense practices, users may want to wipe clean after every session. Owners may opt for Jade’s plant-based mat wash to wipe away any dirt or odor. Harsh chemicals and cleaning products should not be used, as it may damage the materials. Essential oils may also damage the rubber.
What accessories do I need to supplement my yoga mat?
A. With a yoga mat, you’re ready to stretch, meditate and work out as you wish. If you plan on taking your mat to a class or on vacation, it may be worth investing in a convenient bag or carrier so that the mat stays protected. Some yoga enthusiasts may want to acquire blocks as well to assist with certain positions. Bolsters are also another useful tool to integrate into practices, as are yoga blankets.
What’s the best Jade yoga mat to buy?
Top Jade yoga mat
What you need to know: Jade’s most popular yoga mat.
What you’ll love: This comfortable and durable mat caters to a wide range of practices and poses. Available in a variety of exciting colors, this mat boasts average length and width to suit most people in most practices. It sticks to the floor and offers stability, as well as comfort. Longer options are also available
What you should consider: This mat is more expensive than competitors and not ideal for outdoor use.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Jade yoga mat for the money
What you need to know: A thin and lightweight mat, this option is ideal for yogis on the move, helping save space, energy and money.
What you’ll love: The thinnest mat available by Jade at 1/16 of an inch, the Travel Mat offers a convenient and intimate yoga session. It’s available in a variety of colors and among the cheaper options available.
What you should consider: It may not be supportive enough for larger individuals or intense practices.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: An extra-thick mat that provides longevity and proper support for intense practices and physical activities.
What you’ll love: At 5/16 of an inch thick, this mat offers both comfort and stability for lunges, squats, planks and other intensive exercises. It’s available in various colors and there are two longer options also available for taller persons.
What you should consider: This mat is quite expensive and not ideal for traveling.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Anthony Marcusa 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.
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| 2022-04-10T19:38:25
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Which VR headset for iPhone is best?
Sifting through the options to find the best VR headset for iPhone can be tricky, especially with so many models available today. Fortunately, it’s hard to go wrong with most of the cheaper VR headset options, so long as they’re compatible with your particular iPhone.
While there are a number of affordable options available, many buyers go with the Pecosso 3D VR Headset for iPhone and Other Smartphones, since it’s fairly lightweight and offers a clear, immersive goggle display – on top of being affordable and super user-friendly.
What to know before you buy a VR headset for iPhone
VR headsets for iPhone vs. full VR systems
VR headsets for iPhone use the phone as a display, often through goggles or a headset of some sort. This is unlike full VR systems, which use a console or PC to run the games or VR experiences while featuring an actual high-resolution display built into the included goggles.
If you elect to go with a VR headset for iPhone, you’ll likely choose from the best VR headsets. It’s important to note that smartphone VR experiences have become commonplace and affordable. They are very easy to gain access to, which makes them a simple entry into the virtual reality world for newcomers and budget-friendly consumers.
Headset compatibility
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a VR headset for iPhone is whether the VR headset is compatible with the size of your phone. Most smartphone VR headsets include a range of sizes of phones that the goggles fit, so be sure to check that the size fits your particular phone before making a purchase.
Preferred media types
The type of media you plan to consume could affect your choice of VR headsets for iPhone. If you want a quick VR experience, you may be able to find something cheaper with goggles that you need to hold. However, if you plan to watch movies, play games or use VR experiences that work with a controller, you’ll want something a little higher end with goggles that you can strap to your face.
What to look for in a quality VR headset for iPhone
Lightweight and adjustable fit
It’s important a VR headset is comfortable to wear for long periods of time – especially if you plan to play longer VR games or experiences or watch movies that require you to wear the headset for a couple of hours. A headset that’s lightweight, adjustable and comfortable is the best choice.
Clear, immersive goggle view
Since your phone screen is your display, there’s only so much your VR headset view can do. However, VR headsets that include goggles or lenses of some sort offer varying levels of view quality. So find one that offers crisp, clear views to your phone screen to make your VR experience as immersive as possible.
Controllers or other remote controls
Another feature many users find fun is getting a VR headset with a controller or other remote control options. This adds a layer of immersion to certain virtual reality games and apps that are compatible with a controller since it often lets the user directly control their environment.
How much you can expect to spend on a VR headset for iPhone
VR headsets for iPhone have a wide range of prices, but you can generally find cheap smartphone VR headsets for around $15, with more expensive models costing as much as $80.
VR headset for iPhone FAQ
Do VR headsets need a PC?
A. While many high-tier VR headsets use a PC to run their VR games and experiences, you can also find VR headsets for PlayStation consoles, or extremely affordable entry-level VR headsets that use iPhones or other smartphones as their display.
Do VR headsets for iPhone work with Android phones or other smartphones?
A. In general, you can make most iPhone VR headsets work with smartphones of a similar size, though you’ll want to double-check on the individual product listing to see what phones they’re compatible with.
What’s the best VR headset for iPhone to buy?
Top VR headset for iPhone
Pecosso 3D Virtual Reality Goggles VR Headset for iPhone
What you need to know: This iPhone VR headset is compatible with iPhone and other smartphones between 4.7 and 6.53 inches, offering a simple and affordable VR solution for those who can’t afford to get an actual virtual reality system.
What you’ll love: With its fairly low price, this smartphone VR headset works particularly well with iPhone, and the goggles give you a clear, immersive VR experience. It’s also lightweight despite being a goggle-style VR headset, making it more comfortable than most.
What you should consider: Some users have trouble getting this model to work with other devices and apps that don’t support VR, like drones that use smartphones as their display and certain media apps.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top VR headset for iPhone for the money
What you need to know: This super-affordable VR headset works with iPhone and offers a good, cheap first step into the world of virtual reality.
What you’ll love: This model is perfect for VR beginners and offers a simple, three-step setup. It includes a phone sucker, head strap, nose pad and forehead pad, giving you all the pieces you need for the full VR experience.
What you should consider: It is made of cardboard, so it may not be a long-lasting option.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Pansonite Virtual Reality Goggles VR Headset for iPhone
What you need to know: If you can afford to spend a few extra bucks, this powerful VR headset for iPhone and other smartphones also comes with a handy controller, which can make compatible VR games and apps even more versatile – at a fraction of the cost of a full-scale VR headset.
What you’ll love: Buyers of this model love using the controller, which is shaped like an old console controller. It has four buttons on the right, two at the top middle and two at the bottom middle and it has an analog stick on the left-hand side. This headset also features a robust and comfortable strap system, plus clear, crisp goggles for viewing the phone screen.
What you should consider: This model is more expensive than most iPhone VR headsets. Users report the controller doesn’t work with every app.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Zachary Visconti writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Which Infinity Gauntlet toys are best?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe comprises over two dozen films with iconic characters and unforgettable moments. Fans young and old can embrace the story through a myriad of toys. While there are action figures and collectibles modeled after all the heroes and villains, one item represents the culmination of years of storytelling: the Infinity Gauntlet.
The powerful weapon is a focal point of two of the most successful movies ever made, making it a terrific toy for interactive play as well as showing off. The top pick, this LEGO Infinity Gauntlet, is a detailed build that produces a stunning creation. There are Infinity gauntlet toys for all ages and interests — but with great power comes great responsibility.
What to know before you buy an Infinity Gauntlet toy
What is the Infinity Gauntlet?
The Infinity gauntlet is a device that can safely hold and wield any or all of the six infinity stones; the story is part of Marvel Comics and was later adapted for the screen. These stones are powerful entities that control an aspect of life and made frequent appearances throughout the films before becoming a focal point in “Avengers: Infinity War.” It is wielded by the Mad Titan Thanos, though a later version is made by Iron Man, known as the Power gauntlet or Nano gauntlet.
Thanos and company are part of Marvel’s series of stories, which comprise the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men and many other superheroes and villains.
Wearables
With a large fan base comprising a wide range of ages, toys inspired by Marvel films are quite varied. For younger fans, there are role-playing toys. Kids can don their own Infinity gauntlet and act out their favorite scenes and moments. These gauntlets are typically one-size-fits-all and made from either plastic or rubber-like synthetics. For kids interested in a Thanos or Iron Man costume, the gauntlet is an important component, but a completed look will require a mask as well.
Action figures
Some fans may be more interested in action figures featuring Thanos wearing his gauntlet. These may be simpler toys appealing to youngsters with various points of articulation or more detailed figurines designed for display. While Thanos is the primary wearer of the gauntlet, both Hulk and Iron Man put on the Nano Gauntlet, so some toys may depict them wielding the Infinity Stones as well.
What to look for in a quality Infinity Gauntlet toy
Interactivity
While some wearable Infinity gauntlets may be just one complete piece, some higher-end options may add an element of interactivity. For example, there are certain products where the stones are affixed using magnets, allowing kids to remove them and put them back in a dramatic fashion, just like Thanos.
Some Infinity gauntlets may be battery-powered, offering stimulating sights and sounds for users. Because the gauntlet is populated with six colorful stones, some options may light each gem individually.
Collectibles
Older fans may be interested in collectible items that are solely intended to be put on display. These will be more detailed and typically made of higher-quality materials. The collectibles may be simply the gauntlet or a character wearing it.
Specifically, Hasbro and Funko make quality collectible action figures. Hasbro’s array will be a detailed, authentic representation standing anywhere from 6 to 12 inches tall. Meanwhile, Funko boasts a line of uniform vinyl figurines with exaggerated heads and stand under 4 inches tall. Their extensive lineup of Marvel figurines includes Thanos, Iron Man and Hulk, all wearing the gauntlet.
Reputable seller
An Infinity gauntlet toy in particular and Marvel toys, in general, are highly popular, which unfortunately invites fabrication. Always buy Marvel toys from trusted, reputable sellers.
How much you can expect to spend on an Infinity Gauntlet toy
Simpler Infinity gauntlet toys for younger kids, as well as some action figures, may cost from $10-$20, but more advanced toys, including LEGO sets and options that light up, may cost from $50-$100.
Infinity Gauntlet toy FAQ
Is an Infinity Gauntlet an appropriate toy for a child?
A. Marvel films and comics appeal to a wide age range, including many adolescents. While the films and stories can sometimes be violent, they’re often bloodless and tempered. The movie in which the gauntlet takes center stage is particularly dark and sad, however, the sequel is more inspiring. Parents are the best judge as to whether their children should watch the movies, all of which are rated PG-13.
What other Marvel toys go with the Infinity gauntlet?
A. The Infinity gauntlet is just one weapon from a specific villain; kids may be eager to collect other role-playing accessories and toys to recreate their favorite moments and use their imagination. Thor’s hammer Mjolnir as well as Captain America’s vibranium shield are among two of the most popular accessories. Giant Hulk gloves are also sought after by kids who want to embrace Bruce Banner’s green alter ego.
What’s the best Infinity Gauntlet toy to buy?
Top Infinity Gauntlet toy
What you need to know: This beautiful LEGO set appeals to both kids and adults alike and culminates in a stunning display piece.
What you’ll love: This cleverly designed LEGO set comprises almost 600 pieces, welcoming youngsters and adult fans to build alone or together. Includes a stable base and a plaque, and the fingers even move. Stands at 12.5 inches tall.
What you should consider: Quite expensive. Build may not be challenging enough for adults.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Infinity Gauntlet toy for the money
What you need to know: A simpler toy, this Nano gauntlet will delight youngsters with its sight and sounds.
What you’ll love: This Iron Man gauntlet appeals to aspiring young heroes; it lights up and makes noise. Infinity stones are bright and eye-catching. Fits most kids’ hands comfortably. Affordably-priced.
What you should consider: Fingers don’t move. Requires batteries.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Marvel Legends Endgame Gauntlet
What you need to know: A high-end Nano gauntlet, this interactive option is fun to play with as well as put on display.
What you’ll love: This gauntlet fits snugly on most hands and moves and flexes in order to recreate popular moments from the film. Stones light up and glow, and the gauntlet plays sounds. It can also lock into a fist to be put on display.
What you should consider: Considerably expensive. Some fans may prefer Thanos’ gauntlet.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Anthony Marcusa writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-10T19:38:39
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Which Baby Shark costumes are best?
If you have a kid or grandkid, chances are pretty good you’ve heard the Baby Shark song more times than you can count. For kids who can’t get enough of the adorable sharks, Baby Shark will make a perfect costume for Halloween or even just to wear around the house.
If you’re looking for a top-notch Baby Shark costume for your kid, you can’t go wrong with the Rubie’s Kid’s Baby Shark Costume with Sound Chip, but there are options for nearly every other age group as well.
What to know before you buy a Baby Shark costume
What is Baby Shark?
“Baby Shark” is an internet video featuring a song and dance about a Baby Shark and its family members. The video went viral in 2017, and by 2020 it was the most viewed video on the entire YouTube platform. Kids can’t get enough of the little shark and its family, and many parents can’t seem to get the song out of their heads, either.
Costume age groups
Because Baby Shark is a video about a family of sharks, Baby Shark Halloween costumes make sense for any age. There are Baby Shark costumes for babies, Baby Shark toddler costumes and adult Baby Shark-themed costumes to fill the role of “Mommy Shark” and “Daddy Shark,” meaning you have the option to do matching family costumes.
Costumes for everyday wear
Baby Shark Halloween costumes are sure to be popular for quite some time. Still, many kids may enjoy pretending to be a character from their favorite YouTube video while singing along with the song. Luckily, there are several Baby Shark costumes that are easy to slip in and out of, making them perfect for throwing on before singing along. Some Baby Shark merchandise is designed as hoodies or footie pajamas.
What to look for in a quality Baby Shark costume
Materials
Kids can be tough on clothes and costumes. If you’re buying a Baby Shark Halloween costume for your child, especially if they’ll likely wear it past Halloween, it goes without saying it needs to be able to withstand rough play. Getting a costume made of thick polyester or another durable fabric ensures your child gets the most out of it. If your kid will play in their costume often, it isn’t a bad idea to get one with a slightly loose fit to help prevent rips and tears as well.
Design
Due to the immense popularity of the Baby Shark video, there are no shortage of knock-off costumes on the market. As you’re shopping for Baby Shark Halloween costumes, you may notice designs with eyes and other features that look nothing like the characters from the popular internet video. To make the most of your costume purchase, it’s a good idea to either buy officially licensed merchandise or compare the costume to the actual character from the video before buying.
Additional features
Some Baby Shark costumes have added features that make the outfit feel more special. One of the most popular additional features for Baby Shark costumes are built-in sound chips that play the song when pressed. Other costumes feature hats or hoodie-like designs that can be worn year-round.
How much you can expect to spend on a Baby Shark costume
Baby Shark costumes for infants tend to range between $10-$35, whereas Baby Shark costumes for toddlers, kids and adults can cost around $20-$55.
Baby Shark costume FAQ
Do they make Baby Shark costumes for pets?
A. Yes, believe it or not, your dog can join in on the Baby Shark fun as well, although the quality may not be as high as the costumes for humans.
Who came up with the Baby Shark song?
A. The Baby Shark song used to be a popular campfire song before becoming an internet sensation. The Baby Shark song as we know it today was popularized by a South Korean animation studio called Pinkfong.
What are the best Baby Shark costumes to buy?
Top Baby Shark costume for toddlers
Rubie’s Kid’s Baby Shark Costume with Sound Chip
What you need to know: This durable Baby Shark costume comes in three different sizes and features a sound chip that plays the Baby Shark song when pressed.
What you’ll love: This costume’s materials are sturdy enough to last. This option features a loose-fitting design that’s comfortable and helps prevent the outfit from ripping. The added sound card makes it easy for kids to sing and dance along in the Baby Shark costume without needing a laptop or tablet.
What you should consider: Although most buyers felt the materials were sturdy, some customers felt the material was cheap.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Baby Shark costume for infants
Rubie’s Baby Shark Costume One-Piece Bodysuit
What you need to know: This officially licensed Baby Shark one-piece is perfect for your littlest shark.
What you’ll love: The included hat is an excellent addition, and many babies will prefer it over a hood or mask. The costume’s vibrant yellow color looks just like the shark from the video.
What you should consider: This option’s sizes tend to run small.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Macy’s
Top Baby Shark costume for adults
Markest Onesie Unisex Adult Shark Pajamas
What you need to know: Although this product isn’t officially licensed, its design is spot-on, and its quality is top-notch.
What you’ll love: These roomy pajamas are incredibly comfortable. The costume’s design looks nearly identical to the sharks in the popular video. This option comes in Baby Shark, Mommy Shark and Daddy Shark designs.
What you should consider: If you’ve never worn this style of pajamas before, you may be disappointed with how droopy some of the features are.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-10T19:38:46
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Which Halloween game is best?
As Halloween approaches, you may be looking for a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. Luckily, there are numerous Halloween-themed games that are great for parties, families or even just hanging out by yourself. For example, the Ravensburger Horrified: Universal Monsters Strategy Board Game is fun for children 10 and up and supports up to five players at a time.
What to consider before you buy a Halloween game
Types of Halloween games
Halloween is a holiday many people look forward to all year. Due to its popularity, there are Halloween-themed games in nearly every format you could think of. Some of the most popular Halloween games come in the form of Halloween board games that allow you to strategize and play with multiple players using spooky pieces and themes. Halloween trivia games are another favorite for those who love to learn about all things Halloween, and console and PC gamers alike will be excited to learn there is no shortage of Halloween video games available as well.
Age range
Halloween is a great time for getting scared, but many kids may not want to be scared in the same way as adults. For this reason, it’s a good idea to look at a game’s recommended age range before purchasing so you don’t accidentally buy something too scary for younger audiences.
Halloween games for teens
Scavenger hunts, mystery boxes and bobbing for apples can all be tons of fun, but many teens may feel like they’re too old for these types of games. Many teenagers prefer playing video games and role-playing games that they can play with their friends. Luckily, spooky games like “Luigi’s Mansion 3” feature fun, two-player co-op modes that teens are sure to enjoy.
What to look for in a quality Halloween game
Replay value
When buying any game, one of the first things you should consider is whether or not it will be a fun, replayable game. Some Halloween-themed games, such as pin the tail on the donkey style games, will likely lose their appeal after only one or two play sessions. On the other hand, fun Halloween video games, board games and trivia games are likely to be enjoyable for quite some time after Halloween is over.
Spooky thematic elements
Thematic elements are essential when it comes to Halloween games. You’ll often get the most bang for your buck if you buy a game that is undoubtedly Halloween-themed without being so on the nose that it isn’t fun outside of Halloween. Some good examples of spooky thematic elements include ghosts, monsters, murder mysteries, fear of the dark and witchcraft.
Interesting design
Because Halloween is a holiday aimed at all ages, there are numerous design styles to represent the various ghouls, ghosts and other creatures commonly associated with Halloween. If you’re buying a Halloween game for teens, they aren’t likely to be impressed by cartoonish takes on ghosts and monsters. On the other hand, some teens and even adults prefer games that don’t take themselves too seriously or try too hard to be scary.
How much you can expect to spend on a Halloween game
Many Halloween board games will run you about $10-$25, whereas Halloween-themed video games tend to cost around $50-$60.
Halloween game FAQ
Are there any Halloween games I can make myself?
A. There are several fun Halloween games you can make yourself, such as bobbing for apples, haunted scavenger hunts and number guessing jars that use candy corn.
How can I incorporate Halloween games into my Halloween party?
A. One of the best ways to incorporate Halloween games into your party is by having a contest where the players with the highest scores receive fun, Halloween-themed prizes or candy for winning.
What’s the best Halloween game to buy?
Top Halloween board game
Ravensburger Horrified: Universal Monsters Strategy Board Game
What you need to know: This Halloween board game has players work together to defend the town against monsters such as Dracula, a mummy and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
What you’ll love: This cooperative board game is a nice break from the usual competitive play that most games are built around. Fans of classic monster movies will get a kick out of the many references to vintage horror films.
What you should consider: Some of the pieces are flimsy and may bend after a few uses.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Halloween video game
What you need to know: This Nintendo Switch title puts players in control of a frightened Luigi as he solves puzzles and catches ghosts to save his friends.
What you’ll love: “Luigi’s Mansion 3” features top-notch graphics, and the puzzles and gameplay are fun for players of all ages. Once players beat the first set of missions, they unlock a Luigi-clone named Gooigi and a 2-player co-op mode that makes the game even more fun.
What you should consider: “Luigi’s Mansion 3” doesn’t feature Y-axis inversion, which is essential for many players.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Kohl’s
Top Halloween trivia game
What you need to know: This in-depth horror trivia game features tons of questions from both mainstream and obscure horror films.
What you’ll love: This trivia game can be played either one-on-one or with teams. The Horror Trivia Card Game has 150 different cards with 300 trivia questions. A wide range of cards are featured and even include questions about lesser-known horror movies.
What you should consider: If you aren’t a horror movie buff, you may find this game to be too challenging.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-10T19:38:53
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Which bounce houses are best?
A bounce house set up at your party will definitely make a statement and amaze both parents and children. Most people rent a bounce house for a special occasion, as they want to save up or avoid cluttering their storage room or garage. While buying a bounce house can be a significant investment, the margin between buying and renting is smaller than you’d think. There are several high-quality models out on the market that can be enjoyed 365 days a year.
The perfect bounce house is fun and engaging for kids and easy to use for adults. Particularly, the Bounceland Royal Palace has a compact footprint but can still accommodate five children. Here’s what to consider when shopping for a bounce house.
What to know before you buy a bounce house
Residential vs. commercial
When most people think of bounce houses, they think of giant unwieldy commercial models. The type that you might find at a county fair or a neighborhood block party. These commercial bounce houses are meant for heavy use by dozens of children over a long period of time.
This guide focuses on residential bounce houses. They’re just as fun, but they’re considerably smaller and intended for private use by a few children at a time. The other big difference is price. Commercial bounce houses cost several thousands of dollars, while residential bounce houses cost several hundreds.
Dimensions
Residential bounce houses can be used both indoors and outdoors. If using outdoors, be sure to secure your bounce house to the ground with stakes to prevent it from blowing away in the wind. In addition, measure the space where your bounce house will go before you buy. Make sure you have a few extra feet beyond that for the air blower.
If buying in-store, note the size of the box as well. This will give you a ballpark idea of how much storage room you’ll need. If buying online, you should be able to find the dimensions of the box somewhere in the item description.
Inflation method
Basic bounce houses use an air pump to inflate just like an air mattress. Like larger commercial models, mid-range and high-end bounce houses use an air blower that constantly runs to ensure proper inflation. While air blowers can be noisy, they’re the better option because they ensure your bounce house won’t deflate during play.
You may notice very small holes around the seams of your bounce house. This is normal and not a sign of a manufacturing defect. These holes let out a tiny amount of air so your bounce house doesn’t explode while attached to the air blower.
What to look for in a quality bounce house
Bounce floor size
Bounce floor size is the amount of space your children will have to play within the bounce house itself. This is different from the overall dimensions of the bounce house. A bigger bounce house does not necessarily mean a bigger bounce floor size.
Most bounce houses are suitable for kids up to 12 years old. If you buy a bounce house when your children are young enough, they can enjoy it for years. However, if you have older children, it may make more sense to rent for a single occasion than to buy if you have older children, knowing they’ll soon grow out of it.
Weight limit and capacity
Bounce houses have an overall weight limit that varies by manufacturer and design. Residential models can generally support 250-500 pounds. Also, keep an eye on overall capacity. Residential bounce houses can be used by anywhere from 2-5 children at one time.
It may be tempting to try out your child’s bounce house for yourself. Yet, don’t. The material used to make residential bounce houses is not as thick as the material used to make commercial bounce houses. They are not meant to support individual jumpers with adult weights.
Design and extras
Bounce houses are colorful and fun, but some models go beyond that with actual designs like a castle, a pirate ship or a tropical jungle. Some may contain one or more slides, and some of these slides can be used with water. Other bounce houses will have games or other interactive features built into the walls.
For adults, some models will come with a carrying or storage case for added convenience. What’s more, keep an eye out for bounce houses that come with their own air pumps.
How much you can expect to spend on a bounce house
Small bounce houses for toddlers that inflate like an air mattress can be found for $50-$150. Most residential models for children up to 12 years old fall between $200-$500. High-end residential bounce houses that approach the size of commercial models can easily fetch $1,000-$2,500.
Bounce house FAQ
How long does it take to inflate and deflate a bounce house?
A. Inflation time will depend on the size of your model. Most take 2-5 minutes to fully inflate. Be sure to tether your bounce house to the ground if using outside. Deflation should take 4-10 minutes. Some models have zipper compartments you can open so the air escapes faster. Make certain there are no children or pets in your bounce house before deflating.
How should I store my bounce house?
A. You should store your bounce house in a cool, dark place after each use. A hard plastic storage box in the garage is perfect. Leaving your bounce house deflated in the backyard leaves it open to sun and water damage that will decrease its service life. It could also become a tripping hazard.
What’s the best bounce house to buy?
Top bounce house
What you need to know: This bounce house includes a slide and can accommodate up to five children.
What you’ll love: Adorable castle design. Features a safety net and removable sunshade. Long slide for the overall size of the unit.
What you should consider: Fabric weakens easily in the sun. Needs to be tied down with stakes so it doesn’t fly away.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top bounce house for the money
ACTION AIR Inflatable Bounce House Jumping Castle with Slide
What you need to know: A basic bounce house at a fair price.
What you’ll love: Wide slide that spans the length of the entire house. Accommodates up to three kids and 250 pounds total.
What you should consider: Fabric feels thin compared to more expensive models. On the smaller side.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Wayfair
Worth checking out
Costway Inflatable Jungle Bounce House Kids Dual Slide Jumping Castle
What you need to know: A unique jungle-themed bounce house with two separate slides.
What you’ll love: Five children up to 300 pounds can play at the same time. Design features palm trees and cute kangaroos.
What you should consider: Doesn’t come with its own air blower, a drawback considering the price.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
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Frank Paiva writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-10T19:39:00
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Which Nintendo Switch fitness game is best?
Nintendo Switch is the system that gets players moving, but did you know it can boost your activity level even more with fitness games? That’s right. These days, you can get a full-body workout from video games.
There is a broad range of Nintendo Switch fitness games, including low-impact dancing games as well as intense, heart-pumping boxing and sports games. If you’re looking for a well-rounded, head-to-toe workout, a top choice for many is Nintendo “Ring Fit Adventure”.
What to know before you buy a Nintendo Switch fitness game
Regular games vs. fitness games?
The Nintendo Switch uses motion-sensitive Joy-Con controllers, which deliver immersive gaming experiences that go beyond button-mashing. In many Nintendo Switch games, players manipulate Joy-Con controllers to go fishing, swing a sword or block hits. Despite hand and arm engagement, most of these games can be played entirely from seated positions.
Fitness games for the Nintendo Switch, however, get players on their feet and keep them moving. In these games, Joy-Con controllers are manipulated to simulate true-to-life exercise moves, like punching, disco dancing or stretching. Some Switch fitness games come with accessories, like gloves or rings, to make gameplay more realistic. All things considered, most players break a sweat with most of these games.
Get in shape with Nintendo Switch fitness games
Nintendo Switch fitness games may help some individuals reach their activity and exercise goals. According to Mayo Clinic, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week. If you play some of these games a few times a week, it’s easy to meet or exceed 150 minutes. Moving around playing Nintendo Switch games also contributes to daily step count goals.
What to look for in a quality Nintendo Switch fitness game
Levels of difficulty
Nintendo Switch fitness games offer several difficulty levels, typically ranging from beginner to expert, to accommodate all players. In most games, the more you progress through the game or win challenges, the sooner you’ll level up and unlock new content or features. Some games allow players to adjust difficulty levels between rounds or challenges.
In-game tutorials
To keep Switch fitness games as user-friendly as possible, many of them feature in-game tutorials. Almost all games have opening tutorials explaining how to use Joy-Con controllers or accessories when you begin the game. Other games have on-screen guidance during every challenge or board, such as dancing figures demonstrating choreography.
Multiplayer modes
Some Nintendo Switch fitness players are single-player-only, like “Ring Fit Adventure,” whereas games like “Just Dance” or “Fitness Boxing” offer multiplayer modes. Certain games let you play with up to six players who can take turns using Joy-Con controllers. Other games also have online multiplayer modes, where players compete with others virtually.
Downloadable content
If you’re playing Switch fitness games online, you may be able to enjoy downloadable content, or DLC. This refers to additional content you can add to existing games, including new characters, skins, extra levels or specialty items. There is free DLC available for certain games, whereas for others, you’ll need to purchase DLC either through game-specific marketplaces or subscriptions.
How much you can expect to spend on Nintendo Switch fitness games
Nintendo Switch fitness games range in price from $19-$70. Older versions of certain games cost $30 and below, whereas new releases run closer to $50. Games that come with additional accessories arrive at the top of the price range.
Nintendo Switch fitness game FAQ
Can I use my smartwatch or fitness tracker while playing Nintendo Switch fitness games?
A. Yes, and some of these devices may have preset programs for certain types of exercise, like dancing or strength training, for more accurate tracking. Playing one of these games also keeps you on your feet and contributes to your step count.
What ESRB ratings do Nintendo Switch fitness games have?
A. ESRB ratings inform adults about the age appropriateness of video game content. The rating is located in the lower left corner of game boxes and features content descriptors, like comic mischief or mild lyrics, that explain why the game has received a particular rating. Most Nintendo Switch fitness games are rated E or E10, both of which are considered kid-friendly.
What’s the best Nintendo Switch fitness game to buy?
Top Nintendo Switch fitness game
What you need to know: This unique game comes with a Pilates-inspired ring and leg strap that holds Joy-Con controllers to offer in-depth full-body workouts.
What you’ll love: The game lets players run through a fantasy world fighting bosses using true-to-life exercises. It offers a diverse variety of workouts to accommodate players of all fitness and skill levels. The challenges include tutorials to guide users through basic movements.
What you should consider: It’s more expensive than most Switch games, and some players feel challenges are repetitive.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Nintendo Switch fitness game for the money
“Just Dance 2021” for Nintendo Switch
What you need to know: Ideal for all-ages fun, this popular dance game invites players to rock, head-to-toe, to popular songs.
What you’ll love: The game offers multiplayer modes for up to six players. The choreography is easy to follow, but it’s still challenging enough to make players sweat. The well-rounded song assortment includes picks across all genres, including some Disney tunes and radio hits.
What you should consider: Several players were disappointed to learn they had to subscribe to unlock the full song library.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Nintendo “Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise”
What you need to know: While this boxing game is often thought to be geared toward upper-body exercises, it actually offers a full-body workout.
What you’ll love: The boxing challenges are suitable for beginners as well as experienced fighters. It incorporates dance moves into boxing for dynamic workouts that involve more footwork and movement. It has a small learning curve and is considered a user-friendly option.
What you should consider: Some players reported the game has occasional glitches that detract from gameplay.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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| 2022-04-10T19:39:07
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MONACO (AP) — Novak Djokovic is ready to move on from the controversy surrounding his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“I miss competition,” the Serbian tennis star said Sunday on the opening day of the clay-court season at the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco. “I still feel motivation to be on the tour and compete… and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles.”
The 20-time Grand Slam champion has played only one tournament so far in 2022, losing to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships.
Djokovic could not defend his Australian Open title in January after he was deported from the country for not being inoculated.
More recently, he had to skip tournaments in Indian Wells, California, and Miami because he couldn’t travel to the United States for the same reason.
He has declared that he would not get the vaccine in order to be able to compete.
It has been a turbulent start to 2022 for Djokovic, who went through detention and a court case during an 11-day saga in Australia before he was sent home and not allowed to defend his title at Melbourne Park.
Rafael Nadal went on to win the Australian Open for his 21st major trophy, breaking a tie with Djokovic and Roger Federer.
At the end of February, Djokovic lost his No. 1 ranking for the first time in two years, sliding to No. 2 behind Daniil Medvedev, before reclaiming top spot.
And on March 1, Djokovic announced that he and coach Marian Vajda were splitting after 15 years together.
“The last four, five months have been really challenging for me mentally and emotionally but here I am and I try to leave all that behind and move on,” Djokovic said on Sunday.
Djokovic said what happened in Australia has not impacted his ability to win.
“I don’t feel like it has left huge scars on me that I’m unable to train or participate in tournaments or live my life,” Djokovic said. “I will try to use that as a fuel for what’s coming up.”
His opening match in Monaco is scheduled for Tuesday.
The authorities in France and Monaco lifted most COVID-19 restrictions last month, allowing people who aren’t vaccinated into the country and back into restaurants, sports arenas and other venues.
With his French Open title in 2021 still fresh in his mind, Djokovic proclaimed that the clay in Monaco is the best surface to stage his comeback even though “historically it has not been my most successful surface.”
“I will try to use (the French Open title) as an inspiration to kick-start the clay court season the best possible way,” Djokovic said. “I understand that I probably won’t be at my best, particularly at the beginning.”
He added that “it will take some time, some matches to really get in the groove.”
The French Open starts on May 22 in Paris.
___
More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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| 2022-04-10T19:39:14
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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Riding high after a decisive victory for Ferrari in the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, Charles Leclerc’s belief in the team’s prospects are growing by the race.
A grand prix billed as a showdown between Leclerc’s Ferrari and the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finished with the Monaco driver as a one-sided winner.
The 24-year-old Leclerc extended his lead in the drivers’ championship to 34 points while claiming his second win of the season after victory in the season-opening race in Bahrain.
A crowd of 128,294 in Melbourne were treated to an emphatic triumph by Leclerc, who was able to hold off Verstappen during the opening laps and defended well mid-race under safety car conditions to pull away for a decisive 20.524-second victory.
Engine failure forced Verstappen from the race on lap 38 at the Albert Park circuit, with Perez overcoming a slow start to take second ahead of the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in third and fourth, respectively.
McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo finished fifth and sixth in an Australian GP that drew a record attendance of 419,114 over three days.
Leclerc became the first Ferrari driver since Fernando Alonso in Singapore in 2010 to complete a racing “grand slam” comprised of winning pole position, leading wire-to-wire and also posting the fastest time.
The drivers’ championship leader, who pitted on Lap 22, posted a fastest lap of 1 minute, 20.260 seconds with a final-lap flourish and was clearly the quickest car all weekend, which he described as a pleasing surprise.
“Honestly, what a car today. Of course, I did a good job all weekend, but it was not possible without the car,” he said.
His teammate, Carlos Sainz, finished on the podium in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia but endured several setbacks in a testing weekend.
After an issue in qualifying resulted in him starting from ninth, he dropped back further in the field with a slow start and then lost control on the second lap, ending his race.
Nevertheless, Leclerc is bullish on Ferrari’s prospects in the manufacturers’ championship this year.
“Obviously, we are only in the third race, so it is difficult to think about the championship,” he said.
“But to be honest, we have a very strong car, a very reliable car too, and for now we have always been there. I hope it continues like this and if it does, we probably have chances for the championship.”
Verstappen, the world champion, never really challenged Leclerc and withdrew with mechanical failure while running second.
Despite winning in Saudi Arabia a fortnight ago, the Dutchman was clearly disappointed by the performance in Melbourne and said the Red Bull was “already miles behind” Ferrari.
“I don’t even want to think about the championship at the moment,” he said. “I think it is more important just to finish races, because today was, in general, just a bad day again. It is pretty frustrating and unacceptable.
“I knew there was a problem and it was always going to be a question mark for finishing the race, but these kind of things, if you want to fight for the title, cannot happen.”
The Mercedes team has also dealt with issues to start the season and is off the pace behind both Ferrari and Red Bull.
Russell was able to claim his first podium finish of the year when Verstappen was forced from the race and can only hope the team is capable of closing the gap later in the year.
“We got a little bit lucky today … but we will take it. To be standing on the podium is special,” Russell said.
“We are never going to give up. We are going to keep on fighting. We have to keep this up while we are on the back foot, I’m sure we will get there after a few more races.”
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon finished seventh, ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly in an AlphaTauri.
Despite disqualification from qualifying for a fuel irregularity, Williams driver Alex Albon finished 10th to secure the team’s first point of the season.
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More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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The show must go on: Eugene arts groups ramp up performances, despite facing job shortages
The coronavirus pandemic disrupted many industries, but few more than the arts.
By their nature, the arts are about congregating, and come spring 2020, 6 feet was too much distance and many venues were forced to shut down, laying off workers, with some going digital.
But now with the mask mandate lifted, many people vaccinated and others growing more confident in crowds, the arts scene is picking itself up off the ground.
Rich Holly, director of marketing for the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, remembered his first elbow bump with author Michael Pollan in March 2020. There would be no meet-and-greet book signing following the event, a sign of things to come.
“From there we followed all directives, canceled events,” he said. “Is it two weeks, two months, six weeks, six months? Everyone had differing opinions (about how long the pandemic would last).”
What he soon learned was the Hult had to get creative and stay relevant to keep the lights on, so to speak. And the Hult, based largely on its partnership with the city, avoided painful layoffs that struck many industries that rely on in-person attendance. Those people whose hours were reduced were reassigned to other gigs around the city, like handing out personal protective equipment.
“One of those good things about being part of the city is being able to share resources,” Holly said.
Anecdotally, Holly heard from a group that had lots of hourly staff who didn’t return from the lockdown. As things began reopening, Holly said all the Hult’s usher positions filled right away with familiar faces. “That commitment reinforces the arts in people’s lives here,” he said.
The impact on the community isn’t merely ornamental. An Arts & Economic Prosperity study from 2017 showed the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $62.2 million industry in Eugene with nearly 2,500 full-time jobs. That said, that was a few years ago. The pandemic changed everything.
Brian Rogers, executive director of the Oregon Arts Commission, noted that the 2018 fiscal year boasted 13,261 paid positions from 180 organizations but 2021 saw just 8,105 paid positions from 161 reporting organizations, a drop of 5,156 jobs.
Total earned revenue for 2018 was nearly $115 million. In 2021, that cratered to $27 million, a loss of $88 million.
"That's all across the board," Rogers said. "From large organizations to small organizations, everyone faced the need to layoff."
The long tail of it is these organizations need to earn that money back as best they can and regain stability. Without the earned revenue streams, they can't hire with confidence.
"That's going to take time, a couple of years to feel comfortable," Rogers said. "You need money to play people and they want to make sure the earned revenue is stable before they hire people. Who wants to lay off people because of a lack of funding?"
As for hiring, Rogers mentioned rural organizations have trouble based solely on the number of people they have to draw from. Larger organizations may be able to cast a wider net by offering remote-work opportunities.
“One thing of note, there’s hiring fatigue with arts employers — nonprofit arts and for-profit businesses” Stacey Ray, Lane Arts Council executive director said. "This is the Great Resignation. Folks are having a harder time hiring. At Lane Arts Council, we’ve seen that in the couple positions we’ve had open. Fewer people are applying. Applicants are being more particular.”
Ray noted how the community, and the arts scene in particular, was “shellshocked” over the past two years. Now, there is a sense the pandemic is slowing, and despite throngs of people flocking to Saturday Market or grocery shopping without face coverings, there’s still a sense of reluctance from many in the area to be in close proximity.
“There’s a hesitancy from audiences and older or immuno-compromised folks,” Ray added. “Not everyone is comfortable being in a crowded theater, sitting next to someone without a mask. Even on the Art Walk, there are folks who don’t want to be on a crowded tour.”
As programming ramps up in the community, the new challenge is how to serve patrons.
"People are not fully staffed yet,” Ray said. “They’re struggling with hiring. That strain is still being felt, much like in the food and beverage industry, restaurants and hotels, in the arts sector as well.”
In the face of that hesitancy from patrons and from people applying for jobs in often crowded venues, the arts scene is rebounding with ambitious programming across the city. People are watching live music, playing music in the streets or attending the theater. For Ray, it’s what people need, now more than ever.
“When times are hard — especially when times are hard — we need joy, connection to our community, passion and enthusiasm and inspiration to stay the course, to be activists," she said. "The arts provide that for us. There will always be a need for arts and culture, especially when there's social unrest, war and many other issues. People are ready for that reconnection through the arts right now and need it.”
As consumer confidence grows, so too will being in groups feel more natural. Holly noted when the magician Justin Willman performed at the Hult in mid-March, Holly saw people laughing as one, not in front of a glowing screen, but laughing in community.
“The joy of people coming out of that hall was infectious,” he said. “It reinforces that feeling that you laugh louder in a group.”
Brendan O'Meara manages the Opinion section and reports for The Register-Guard. He can be reached at bomeara@registerguard.com.
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On the Agenda: Electrifying Eugene, Springfield use-of-force report, county climate action
Here’s a roundup of what local elected leaders will talk about during public meetings this week.
Eugene City Council
To watch: Meetings stream online at bit.ly/Eugene-meetings and broadcast on Comcast channel 21.
To listen: Dial 1-971-247-1195 or 877-853-5257 and use the meeting ID and passcode.
To comment: When there's a public forum or public hearing, there will be an option to join the meeting. People who call in also can comment. There are instructions given for speaking during the meeting.
WORK SESSION
When: 5:30 p.m. Monday
What: Councilors will get an update on efforts to comply with a state law (HB 2001) requiring cities to allow so-called "middle housing" like duplexes and cottage clusters in areas zoned for single-family housing.
Link:eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/83020861077
ID and passcode: 830 2086 1077; council9
REGULAR MEETING
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
What: After reporting on committee actions and other items of interest, the council will vote on a consent calendar.
The council also will hold a public forum.
Link:eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/89622725172
ID and passcode: 896 2272 5172; council9
WORK SESSION
When: Noon Wednesday
What: Councilors will discuss potential code changes that would require all new construction to be electric-only starting Jan. 1, 2023.
They'll also get an update on the parks and recreation bond and levy.
Read more:'We need to be tough': Eugene officials will discuss requiring all-electric in new building projects
Springfield City Council
To watch: The city's system requires registration to watch and to participate in meetings. Use the links for meetings to register and get information to attend.
To listen: Dial 1-971-247-1195 or 877-853-5257 and use the meeting ID.
To comment: There will be instructions during the meeting for speaking during public comment or public hearings.
WORK SESSION
When: 5:30 p.m. Monday
What: Councilors will discuss whether to amend city code to allow overnight parking programs at "religious or social institutions" to provide people with emergency shelter. City code currently allows this at churches and industrial sites.
The council also will get a presentation on the police department's annual use-of-force report.
Register:us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g8BOosrWSIick3KAxXv7ow
ID: 850 3528 0784
SPECIAL SESSION
When: 6:55 p.m. (estimated) Monday
What: Councilors will vote whether to authorize the city manager to spend up to $250,000 to pay the city's insurance deductible as part of a potential settlement of a lawsuit regarding the Thurston protest in July 2020.
They'll discuss this same topic during an executive session before the public meeting.
Related:What's the status of lawsuits related to police actions before and during 2020 protests?
Register:us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bukd_UH0TzuFoYQb-VQYhg
ID: 878 2785 0362
Lane County Board of Commissioners
To watch: County meetings stream at bit.ly/LaneCounty-meetings.
To comment: When there's a chance to comment, people must register for the meeting. After registering, they'll get information for how to attend. There will be instructions during the meeting for speaking during public hearings and making public comment.
People also can email diana.jones@lanecountyor.gov with public comment by noon Monday. The subject line should include "PUBLIC COMMENT FOR MEETING DATE 04/12/2022."
MORNING SESSION
When: 9 a.m. Tuesday
What: Commissioners will listen and respond to public comment then consider a consent calendar that includes meeting minutes and a contract approval.
The board also will get a monthly update on recovery efforts related to the Holiday Farm Fire.
They'll also decide whether to approve a second phase of the county's climate action plan focused on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Commissioners then will convene in a joint meeting as the the Board of Commissioners and Board of Public Health to get an update on vegetation management, including details about herbicide product use, before reconvening as the Board of Commissioners and discussing whether to increase the pay range for the county administrator and give the current administrator a raise.
The board also will vote whether to expand and refine the county's community benefits bidding program, which requires certain things of contractors working on some public projects, such as paying a living wage and providing health insurance.
Register:us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NQTjApamT5O83tXLHT2Ipw
AFTERNOON SESSION
When: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday
What: Commissioners will discuss whether to increase tipping fees by 3.4% to reflect increased costs of providing waste management services.
They also discuss and set a joint public hearing with Springfield city council on development code updates.
Contact city government watchdog Megan Banta at mbanta@registerguard.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.
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Oregon22: Sponsorships key part of funding $1.2 million for Eugene's riverfront festival
Eugene is working with an Oregon events company to make sure the city's riverfront festival lets World Athletics Championships attendees and others "feel like they're included and part of Oregon22," the city's staff lead for the event said.
The free festival will run all 10 days of the international track and field event that starts July 15, said project manager Stephanie Scafa, and it "continues to be the only truly accessible experience that will be provided."
There will be a perimeter around the festival, she said, but it's open to all and doesn't require people to purchase a ticket.
"We just want people to have a place to go," she said.
Though the festival will run for all 10 days of the track and field competition, it won't be an all-day event during the week, Scafa said.
The festival will be from noon to 10 p.m. on weekends, including Friday, and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, she said.
Scafa and other city staffers told officials in January that the event was coming together quickly.
For subscribers:Riverfront festival for World Athletics Championships 'really coming together, and quickly'
City staff and REVERE, an events company with offices in Portland and Eugene that's running the event, are working to get more funding for the festival.
Eugene officials have approved $400,000 in funding for the event, and Travel Oregon gave $100,000, said Renee Grube, the city's director of library, recreation and cultural services. That $500,000 is the equivalent of what the city could pay REVERE for work on the event, according to a contract The Register-Guard obtained through a public records request.
The overall base budget for the event is $1.2 million, Grube said, and organizers are looking to use sponsorships and state funding to help cover the gap. The city wasn't able to get state funding during the short session, she said, but is working with local legislators to try other avenues.
Some businesses have already committed as sponsors, Scafa said, and the sales lead with REVERE is "getting a lot of interest." She and Grube weren't yet able to say which companies have agreed to sponsor the event.
As REVERE gets sponsorships, the company will keep a chunk of the change, according to the terms of the contract, with the commission rate increasing as the amount generated by sponsorships increases:
- 19% commission up to $500,000
- 21% commission up to $1 million
- 23% commission up to $2 million
- 25% commission for revenue beyond $2 million
As the city searches for funding, it's also looking for vendors.
From food and drink to arts and crafts to performers, the festival will serve "as a showcase for artists, outdoor and sport enthusiasts, and vibrant communities" in the Eugene area and Oregon as a whole, the contract reads.
A lot of vendors have applied, Scafa said, and the goal is to include as many as possible.
She added a call for volunteers is yet to come because organizers are still figuring out where they'll need people. For now, she said, the city is driving volunteers to the overall Oregon22 effort, which needs help from more than 1,500 people to support the event.
The city also is still working to increase the accessibility the festival will offer by livestreaming the event, Grube said.
There haven't been any unexpected challenges so far in planning the event, Scafa said.
While it will be "complicated building a festival on a construction site" as a Portland developer works to start building the new downtown riverfront neighborhood, the city has the "good fortune of knowing who’s in charge of all the pieces of what’s happening out there."
That's because the neighborhood is being built on land the city sold to the developer as part of the larger riverfront project.
The site of the festival itself — the new downtown riverfront park — also is still under construction.
Emily Proudfoot, a landscape architect for the city and the lead on the park project, said the city is still waiting on artwork that will fill in a large hole and smaller gaps in the sidewalk.
"We’ve been working hard with our artist and contractor all winter and are looking toward a May installation of the in-ground artwork," she said.
The park will be open to the public in time for the festival, she said.
Having it in that space right on the river will be "amazing," Grube said.
"If you’re here for any of the 10 days, it will be worthwhile to check out," Scafa said.
Contact city government watchdog Megan Banta at mbanta@registerguard.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The Latest on the Masters (all times local):
___
3:35 p.m.
The Masters is back where the day started, with Scottie Scheffler leading Cameron Smith by three shots.
A two-shot swing happened on the par-4 3rd hole. Scheffler chipped in from short of the green for birdie, while Smith — with almost an identical chip — put his well past the hole and missed the par putt coming back.
Through three holes, Scheffler moved to 10 under, Smith dropped to 7 under.
___
3:15 p.m.
Cameron Smith has pulled within one shot of Scottie Scheffler’s lead at the Masters.
Smith made birdie on each of his first two holes on Sunday at Augusta National. Scheffler parred both. And just like that, Scheffler’s three-shot edge entering the final round was down to one.
They are Sunday’s final pairing.
Scheffler remained 9 under going to the third tee. Smith’s second birdie moved him to 8 under. He and Scheffler are the only players to get to 8 under or better so far in this Masters.
___
3 p.m.
Tiger Woods walked up the 18th fairway, removed his cap and acknowledged roars from the patrons at Augusta National.
He wasn’t even close to winning the Masters. And it didn’t matter.
Woods shot a 6-over round of 78 on Sunday in the final round. He finished at 13 over for the week, his total of 301 by far his worst at the Masters and one shot off his worst 72-hole score ever as a professional.
None of the numbers seemed that significant.
This was Woods’ comeback tournament that came just over a year after the car crash that nearly cost him his right leg, or worse. He said coming into the Masters that just getting back was an accomplishment.
Woods was limping throughout his final round, and the limp seemed much worse Sunday than it was earlier in the Masters.
___
2:45 p.m.
Masters rookie Min Woo Lee is off to a hot start in the final round of the tournament.
The 23-year-old Lee shot a 6-under 30 on the front nine to surge into red numbers. Lee eagled the par-5 second hole after an approach shot that landed 4 feet from the cup. He then added a string of birdies at Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9 to get to 2 under overall.
Woo made the cut in his first Masters right on the number at 4-over 148. He put together an even-par 72 on Saturday.
The best round at Augusta National this week is 5-under 67. That is well within reach for Woo, who made the turn to the back nine around the time leader Scottie Scheffler began his final round in a quest for his first major title.
___
1:45 p.m.
Tiger Woods just played a shot left-handed. He didn’t have much of a choice.
Woods’ second shot on the par-5 13th missed the green to the left and the ball came to a stop at the edge of some high grass and pine straw. If that wasn’t bad enough, it also was basically at the edge of a bush. And Woods had no place to stand to play his third shot.
He thought about playing the ball right-handed from very far back in his stance, then went to the other side of the ball, flipped his wedge upside down and hoped for the best. The ball advanced a few feet onto the green, leaving Woods a very long birdie try.
He sent that putt about 6 feet past the hole, then made the comebacker for par. Woods was 3 over for the day at that point, 10 over for the tournament with five holes remaining.
___
12:50 p.m.
Tiger Woods has nine holes left to play at the Masters.
The former world No. 1 and five-time Masters champion is clearly laboring as he walks the course at Augusta National. He’s been using his clubs as makeshift canes on some of his walks, gently leaning on them from time to time.
He played the front nine in 2-over 38 on Sunday. That dropped him to 9 over for the tournament — good at that point for 46th place among the 52 players who made the cut.
Barring a very big rally, Woods will post his highest 72-hole score ever at the Masters. He shot 5-over 293 as an amateur in his Masters debut while finishing tied for 41st in 1995, then shot the same in 2012 when he slogged to a tie for 40th place.
___
10:50 a.m.
Tiger Woods has teed off in his final round of this year’s Masters.
Wearing his traditional Sunday red, Woods started the day 7 over for the tournament and obviously not in contention. The five-time Masters champion began the day 16 shots behind leader Scottie Scheffler.
This was Woods’ first official tournament since the pandemic-delayed Masters in November 2020. He had back surgery not long after that and then in February 2021 nearly lost his right leg when he crashed his car in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
Woods has been walking with a pronounced limp this week, but still defied long odds simply by getting back to Augusta National and able to play again. He’s playing Sunday with reigning U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm.
___
10:25 a.m.
Masters Sunday has arrived, and the first pairings are on the course at Augusta National.
Forecasters expect a warmer day for the final round of the Masters. There was some frost in the Augusta area overnight, but players who were playing Sunday morning at the Masters clearly didn’t have as many layers of attire on as many did on Saturday when temperatures struggled to get out of the 40’s.
Scottie Scheffler takes a three-shot lead into the final round. He’ll tee off at 2:40 p.m. along with Cameron Smith.
Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama starts tied for 14th and begins at 1:10 p.m.
Tiger Woods begins his final round at 10:50 a.m.
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More AP Masters coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/the-masters
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From Point A to Point B, touting transit
A mock debate between two views of any city’s transit system. It’s a mock debate because both sides are correct.
JON: Every transportation system exists for only one purpose: to get someone or something from Point A to Point B. It’s as simple as that.
RON: Yes, it is that simple with some thing, but it’s not always that simple with some one. People are not cargo. They’re curious. They want to know what they don’t know and go where they didn’t go before.
JON: Lane Transit District has great tools for getting almost anywhere in central Lane County. Their trip planner can show you how to get where you want to go.
RON: Their maps and schedules tell you much more than that. They tell you where other people go. If you never heard the names “Gateway” or “PeaceHealth” or “Autzen” before, the system can tell you that something important happens there.
JON: People want efficiency. LTD’s schedules are designed to save people time.
RON: Yes — and if you have spare time, riding the system for an hour or two will show you new places and people.
JON: LTD’s RideSource can literally take you doorstep to doorstep. It’s almost as convenient as driving your own car.
RON: Convenience isn’t all that matters. Driving your own car can be much more expensive, worse for the planet and only a little bit faster.
JON: Americans have a need for speed. We love the open road. The car is king.
RON: Learning what the transit system can do gives us something else we love — options!
JON: Options are great, but people sometimes need simplicity. Google Maps can do most of what LTD’s trip planner does. And everybody has Google on their phone.
RON: That’s great for work or getting to a specific store. I use Google Maps to learn new and faster ways to get somewhere. I like learning new things!
JON: So you agree that getting somewhere efficiently is important?
RON: Not always. Exploring is important to Oregonians. You can see an awful lot along the way when someone else is driving.
JON: LTD doesn’t operate tour busses. Nobody’s looking out the windows. They are looking at their phones.
RON: Try taking LTD’s bus Route 91 up the McKenzie River. Sit on the right side to watch the river. Bring your bike. Get off anytime and ride your bike home, downhill.
JON: Well, I guess you can’t do that with your car.
RON: And it’s cheap. A full-day pass to use the entire system costs $3.50. If you’re a student or a senior, it’s free. You can go anywhere the system can take you.
JON: You make a good point.
RON: I think of the transit map and schedules as the table of contents of a book. It’s not the city itself, but it gives you a lot of clues about what you’ll find inside it.
JON: So we disagree about transit because we’re opening different books. You see a city as a best-seller. I see it as a dictionary or a telephone directory.
RON: Yeah, that’s right. If you just want to reach a destination, to get an answer, your book is the right approach. If the destination matters less than the journey, use mine.
JON: Either way you approach it, the book or the city has no real ending.
RON: My version does. You can read a city’s index by strolling through its cemeteries.
JON: Yes, that makes sense. Everybody who is important to the book or to the city eventually ends up there — in the index or in the cemetery.
Don Kahle (fridays@dksez.com) writes a column each Friday for The Register-Guard and archives past columns at dksez.com.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has never been here before. Never gone to any course with the lead on Sunday in a major championship. Been close a few times, but never in the spotlight as the favorite heading into the final round.
It’s daunting, anywhere.
At Augusta National, even more so.
Luckily for him, someone will be with Scheffler every step of the way, someone who has taken a few rides around the pressure cooker that is a final round with a Masters win at stake. He hired Ted Scott, who caddied in both of Bubba Watson’s Masters wins, on a test basis five months ago. It has paid huge and fast dividends, and they’ll try for their fourth win in the span of six starts together on Sunday.
“Teddy’s been a great addition to the team,” Scheffler said. “I have a lot of faith in him. He works really hard. I respect him as a person. When we’re out there I have a lot of faith in him. It’s really nice just having someone I can trust so much out there with me.”
Watson had to rally to win his first Masters in 2012, after starting the final round in fourth. In 2014, he held the lead coming into the final round and held it together on the way to another green jacket. He and Scott were peanut butter-and-jelly level of inseparable for 15 years, before deciding to part ways last season. Scheffler heard Scott was available and gave him a call. Scheffler was hovering around the mid-20s in the world rankings then. He’s No. 1 in the world now and in position to win the Masters.
“It’s going to give him confidence,” Watson said of Scheffler having Scott with him on Sunday. “Knowing that he’s got a guy on the bag that’s won around here, that has notes … he’s going to have mental notes that he knows (from what) he’s been through with me. So, yeah, it’s going to give him nothing but confidence and joy knowing that he has all the information.”
Cameron Smith is Scheffler’s closest pursuer, starting Sunday three shots back after a 4-under round of 68 in Round 3. At Augusta, three shots is nothing. And Smith has experience in being a chaser, after he and Sungjae Im — who is in third, five shots back — were the ones closest to Dustin Johnson at the end of the pandemic-delayed Masters in November 2020.
Scheffler has won three of his last five starts on the way to the No. 1 ranking. Smith is coming off a win at The Players Championship last month and is No. 6 in the world. It might not have Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson level of pizzazz to it, but a Scheffler-Smith pairing in the final round of a major — given the form both are in right now — is probably pretty close to the best matchup that golf purists could have gotten.
“It just means I can get it done I guess when I’m up against the best guys in the world,” Smith said. “It’s a good feeling to have. It’s earned. It’s not given to you. I’m going to have to go out there (Sunday) and play really good golf again. Hopefully everything just falls into place. I can’t control what anyone else is going to do.”
Most players think that way.
But a good caddie like Scott does have a say in what someone else is going to do — that being the player whose bag he is carrying. He’ll wear the standard-issue Masters white caddie jumpsuit on Sunday while also serving as coach, confidant, psychologist, therapist and whatever else Scheffler needs for those four-plus hours that the final round will take.
“Someone that stays as pretty level-headed as Teddy, he doesn’t really react to much,” Scheffler said. “It’s definitely nice having him out there on the bag.”
Shane Lowry and Charl Schwartzel will start Sunday tied for fourth, seven shots off the pace at 2 under. Justin Thomas and Corey Conners are tied for sixth, both 1 under. Those four players, Scheffler, Smith and Im are the only ones under par going into the final round.
A year ago on Masters Sunday, Hideki Matsuyama’s caddie wound up stealing a bit of the show. Shota Hayafuji was on Matsuyama’s bag for that win, and when he returned the pin to the 18th hole after the final putt of the Masters was made, he removed his cap and bowed to the course. It instantly became a Masters moment.
There’s a caddie who will get to make a Masters moment of his own on Sunday. Scheffler would enjoy nothing more than if Scott is the one on that stage.
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More AP Masters coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/the-masters
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Oregon could use a statewide public defender system
Conrad Wilson's article of March 22 made it clear that Oregon has a shortage of lawyers who can represent indigent defendants, a shortage that might require recruiting as many as 1,300 lawyers. That assertion, while accurate, fails to discuss underlying issues that can’t be addressed under that plan. Addressing the problem adequately requires compliance with the U.S. Constitution and the Oregon Constitution, both of which mandate that criminal defendants receive the effective assistance of counsel. Additionally, the American Bar Association created certain standards on what is required to satisfy those requirements. Even though these standards are not mandatory, they represent guidelines that most states try to follow. Oregon is one of those states. With this in mind, the plan to recruit 1,300 more lawyers is a cosmetic answer to a more serious problem: how to find 1,300 lawyers with the experience and qualifications to handle criminal cases, especially difficult cases. Simply having a law degree does not ensure indigent defendants will receive the effective assistance of counsel guaranteed under the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and its Oregon counterpart. Even though the Legislature has been unwilling to consider a statewide public defender system, it's time to reconsider the issue. A statewide public defender would create one office with enough lawyers and support staff who become state employees. A statewide public defender system can easily recruit competent lawyers who, in turn, mentor less experienced lawyers and create a viable and effective means of providing competent representation. Compensation for experienced counsel, not surprisingly, is greater than those with less experience. Under current compensation standards, hourly rates for less experienced counsel are very low making it difficult to pay one's overhead and thereby encourage younger inexperienced lawyers to take more cases than they should. Anyone charged with a crime deserves a lawyer who can take the time to fully advocate his case. A statewide public defender office would have a tiered salary schedule basing compensation on experience and demonstrated competence and would limit caseloads tied to the lawyer's experience. Support staff is also an issue often overlooked in funding indigent defense. Support staff include investigators and paralegals. In Oregon, their pay rates are abysmally low. A statewide public defender office could easily rectify this issue by creating standards and mandating training. Why is all of this necessary? Criminal litigation, whether from the prosecution's perspective or that of the defense, has become incredibly complex, especially in the forensic arena. Contrary to the view propounded in contemporary television, forensics is very detailed and its development time-consuming.
DNA tests never produce overnight results; they often take weeks if not months to produce any usable evidentiary result. The results often require statistical analysis to determine the likelihood of a defendant having the same DNA profile as that taken from a crime scene or the victim. Statistics are also necessary in metallurgy studies. Other issues, like facial recognition and artificial intelligence, are now tools in criminal investigation. No lawyer has the required training to understand these issues.
A statewide public defender could provide training to some lawyers with the necessary experience who could then mentor less experienced counsel.
Mike Charlton is a retired lawyer having spent most of his career in death penalty defense in several states. He lives in Eugene.
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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Such intensity, such fine margins but nothing decided. The destination of the Premier League title does, though, remain in Manchester City’s hands.
Liverpool has to rely on the champions slipping up to regain the trophy.
A 2-2 draw between England’s preeminent rivals for the second time this season left City still a point ahead at the top of the standings on Sunday.
But Liverpool twice coming from behind — Sadio Mané’s equalizer 47 seconds into the second half sealed the point — does more than keep the title race very much alive. It reassured captain Jordan Henderson that Liverpool has the character and resilience to seize every moment in the remaining seven games.
“You’ve got to be prepared to suffer at times and stay on the front foot,” Henderson said. “It worked at times and we got our goals from that, but at other times we could have defended better.”
The ferocity of the first half showed why City was 14 points ahead in January but also why the 2020 title winners are still in contention.
For all the moments of high quality there were also slip-ups and unfortunate moments that could have been more consequential.
Liverpool conceded the opener in the fifth minute after being caught when a free kick was taken quickly and Bernardo Silva then set up Kevin De Bruyne, with the resulting shot shifting direction via a deflection off Liverpool defender Joel Matip.
“You can describe it a little bit like a boxing fight,” Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said. “Both arms down for a second and you get a massive knock.”
And then get up off the canvas.
In a breathless opening, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cutback was turned in by Diogo Jota to draw Liverpool level. Another goal was nearly gifted. City goalkeeper Ederson slipped as he tried to clear Kyle Walker’s back pass but he recovered just in time to prevent the ball rolling into the net.
“They defend really well but it’s possible to give them some struggles,” Klopp said. “Around our goals we did exactly that. I would have liked they did it more often but obviously the intensity was crazy.”
The surprise sprung in the City lineup was Gabriel Jesus starting in the forward line. But a 15-match league goal drought ended in the 36th minute when he beat the offside trap to get on the end of João Cancelo’s cross and lift the ball over goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Whatever Klopp told his Liverpool players at halftime worked. From the restart, Alexander-Arnold played in Mohamed Salah and the pass was slipped in for Mané to lift a shot over onrushing City goalkeeper Ederson for a goal on his 30th birthday.
Pep Guardiola slumped into his padded seat. When the City manager leapt out of that seat 20 minutes later, the joy proved premature as a VAR offside call denied Raheem Sterling a winner. Riyad Mahrez was onside when he broke free in stoppage time but could not find the target when he scooped the ball over the Liverpool goal.
So no celebrations for Guardiola, just an embrace with Klopp after the final whistle. And mutual admiration.
“Jürgen is the best,” Guardiola said. “We try to do this beautiful show.”
There’s not long to wait for the next instalment. An FA Cup final place will be on the line when they meet at Wembley on Saturday. The Premier League and Champions League remain the bigger targets.
“I had a feeling that we left them alive, but Liverpool is a joy to watch,” Guardiola said.
RELEGATION SCRAP
It’s tight at the bottom, and Norwich is keeping up the fight to avoid the drop after beating relegation-rival Burnley 2-0.
Goals from Pierre Lees-Melou and Teemu Pukki moved the last-place team within seven points of survival, but 17th-place Everton has a far superior goal difference. Burnley is four points behind Everton, while Watford is a further two adrift.
Brentford can be more certain of not being sucked into the relegation fight after beating West Ham 2-0. Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney set each other up for goals for the win that moved Brentford 12 points clear of the relegation zone with six games remaining.
FIRST GOAL
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a 23-year-old Leicester academy graduate, scored his first Premier League goal after assisting Ademola Lookman’s opener to clinch a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. Leicester dislodged Palace from ninth place.
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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Letters to the editor for Sunday, April 10: Homelessness, Eugene's unending problem
Eugene’s unending problem
There are now 241 Safe Sleep sites for the homeless in Eugene at a cost of more than $5 million. According to eugene-or.gov, there are 3,000-plus people experiencing homelessness in Eugene, more than 2,000 who are without shelter every night! The New York Times listed Eugene as the city with the most homeless people in the United States! Why? Are all of these people born, raised, employed and lived in Eugene or do they come from other areas? Why would they want to sleep in the cold and rain? What are they getting here that other cities are not giving them?
While living in Reno, the Greyhound buses arrived from Sacramento with all the homeless people from their city and left them in Reno several years ago. Maybe we should consider sending people back to their hometowns so they can share some of the cost and burden and help their own people?
Are the Safe Sleep sites preparing these homeless people to re-enter the mainstream, find housing and jobs? There are "NOW HIRING" signs all over the city. Perhaps it's time for a new approach to this unending problem!
Marlene Pearson, Eugene
The rare seventh level of stupidity
There are six levels of stupidity. Some degree of them are often found in the opinion pieces of writers employed by The Washington Post. Michael Gerson is no exception (Register-Guard, March 27).
Gerson’s lack of brains requires a seventh level of stupidity: failure to live in the present or a selective vision of the past.
Senatorial judicial hearings are only about scoring points for the home team. The hearings are a sort of warfare. Only a nitwit would criticize the Republicans’ comments as any different than the Democrats' assault on Republican appointees. So why isn’t Gerson embarrassed to appear so simple-minded? Well, he’s not paid to be objective or subtle. He’s paid to spew remarks agreeable to his employer. Ron Breaden, Eugene
Berney puts community first
If you drive east on Highway 126, you might see a giant billboard for a candidate for Springfield county commissioner who claims to be running “for all.” Don’t be fooled. But there is a candidate running to represent everyone in Springfield. His name is Joe Berney.
When the 82 families who live at the Patrician Mobile Home Park were in danger of being evicted and losing their homes, Joe Berney stepped in to help them secure financing to buy the property, which is now self-governed as the Filbert Grove Cooperative.
Joe Berney championed Lane County’s first community benefits agreement, which has put tens of millions of county dollars into the pockets of local businesses and workers — money that used to leave our county. He worked with Sen. James Manning to write a bill to allow community benefits agreements statewide, and Senate Bill 420 was passed by bipartisan majorities in both chambers of the Legislature in 2020.
Joe Berney has earned my vote for re-election. If you live in Springfield, I hope you will consider supporting him for a second term on the Lane County Board of Commissioners.
Chris Wig, Springfield
Insist on a sit-down
Jeffrey Hurwit echoed U.S. propaganda in his response (Letters, March 27) to Jack Dresser. This war was provoked by the relentless expansion of NATO to Russia’s borders and the coup engineered by the U.S. that overthrew Ukraine’s democracy and replaced it with an anti-Russian regime. It is the result of the U.S. policy of global domination.
We only need recall the Cuban Missile Crisis to understand why Russia reacted as it did. But we need to focus now on ending this conflict.
The U.S. government and much of the Western media are doing everything they can to prolong the war. Biden makes no attempt to negotiate. The U.S. and NATO are flooding Ukraine with weapons. The media have whipped people into a frenzy with stories of brave Ukraine resistance and evil Russians. We are told that Putin is evil and crazy, instead of trying to understand the Russian perspective.
Progressives should not be calling for unwavering support for the Ukraine regime or a no-fly zone that could trigger a thermonuclear holocaust. They should be insisting that Western leaders sit down with the leaders of Russia and find a compromise to end this war and work to restore good relations.
Charles Dunaway, Portland
Costly fossil fuels will drive greener technologies
Lowering the prices of fossil fuels is not a good thing. If we want to avoid further erosion of our ecosystems, stopping the combustion of these hydrocarbons should be our aim. Making gasoline, methane (“natural gas”), diesel, kerosene, asphalt and synthetic plastics and materials cheaper can only be achieved by ignoring the externalities involved. These externalities include non-monetary valuables such as drinking water, fertile soil, clean air and the atmosphere in general. The destruction of nature, indispensable for humans to connect with our heritage and environments for wildlife to thrive on are exploited like a no-charge free-for-all.
If we want to create the incentive to perfect the production of greener power sources, the more expensive fossil fuels are priced, the better. At this point, few people understand the solar and wind methodology for the production of electricity and many more have not the slightest clue how to generate power from geothermal and tidal sources.
These have to become household concepts. Knowledge of the theory and practice of the above-mentioned power generators as well as storage devices of long duration and rechargeable capabilities need to be increased as much as possible.
David Ivan Piccioni, Eugene
Power over the sun
A few readers have expressed their concerns that by changing the time to either daylight saving time or standard time, they are losing sunlight. I remember a letter to the editor in the Idaho Statesman that said, “The extra hour of sunlight was killing her tomato plants.”
There is no change in the amount of sunlight, folks. No one has that much power over the sun. The clocks just change. Cindee Robertson, Eugene
Short-term thinking is destroying humanity
I appreciate your recent article on the Elliott State Forest being transferred to Oregon State University school of forestry for “research purposes”; however, that is not a proper use of that remarkable natural forest.
The Elliott should be designated as a native, old-growth recovery forest so the Pacific Northwest can gradually regain the magnificent blanket of old growth that Lewis and Clark observed so long ago. No research by man is required. Mother Nature knows how to do it, even if it requires thousands of years. Short-term thinking is destroying humanity and the Earth itself.
Old-growth forests are self-sustaining, fire- and disease-resistant, create and nourish their own soils, are home to millions of interdependent plant and animal species above and below ground. Their deep turf stores vital water for entire watersheds. I consider it the premier purpose of our public lands in the northwest.
George Hermach, Eugene
'Dawn' of a new day in west Lane!
As a 46-year resident of Lane County, I have seen many different types of folks run for political office. Some are motivated by a quest for power or fame. Others have a political agenda to promote. A few are driven by a desire to make our county prosperous and healthy. West Lane County Commissioner candidate Dawn Lesley is one of these rare candidates.
Her professional career has been marked by world-class achievement in the field of creating sustainable water systems. She has been recognized for technical excellence, both in project development and as a consultant.
Her extensive volunteer experience includes serving as vice chair of Lane County Budget Committee. Dawn is invested in collaborative problem-solving, and ideas that will move the rural and suburban areas of west Lane County into the forefront of 21st-century America.
She'll promote the coast corridor from Veneta to Florence with hiking, waterways, wineries, golf and ocean beaches as a vacation destination. And she'll develop affordable housing, improving educational resources and job training, with accessible health care for all.
Finally, Dawn is an involved, caring parent, dedicated to ensuring a bright future for all of Lane County.
Donald L Nahnsen, Eugene
Lesley a wealth of professional management
Dawn Lesley is running for west Lane County commissioner. Dawn will bring a wealth of professional management experience to her job as county commissioner. She has managed major complex engineering projects designed to ensure available clean water. At the grassroots level, she has been an active neighborhood volunteer for many years. She has long been a passionate advocate for additional affordable housing for our community. Dawn understands public policy and how responsible leadership at the county level benefits Lane County residents. I urge you to vote for Dawn in the May 17 primary.
Pat Reilly, Eugene
Teen suicide nothing short of an emergency
I recently became aware of at least four student suicides in the Eugene 4J School District since Jan. 1. I battled depression and anxiety for most of my teens and 20s before making three serious attempts. Thankfully I’m in a better place, and am comfortable enough talking about my experiences to advocate for others in a similar situation.
I explored the resources available to students and their families and was underwhelmed to the point of anger. There is little to no out-of-school provision. The 4J website outlining the provisions has not been updated since early 2020 and contains broken links. Similarly, teachers have so little time for SEL<<social and emotional learning? and relationship building with students, they cannot be expected to create a space where students feel safe enough to open up on mental health issues.
The district needs to be far more proactive in combating student mental health. However, I hear the same tale of “no budget” from the interim superintendent. (Note almost $120 thousand was spent on a new administration hire with no oversight or interview process.)
To lose one student to suicide is a tragedy; to lose four to suicide in less than 12 weeks is nothing short of an emergency.
Joe Bishop, Eugene
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Alexander Volkanovski mauled Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273 early Sunday, earning a technical knockout seconds into the fourth round to retain the featherweight belt.
The 33-year-old Volkanovski (24-1) extended his professional winning streak to 21, including an 11-0 mark in UFC competition.
Jung, better known as “the Korean Zombie,” was battered, bloodied and struggling to breathe after the first three rounds. He insisted he wanted to keep going, but the referee stopped the bout 45 seconds into the fourth of five championship rounds.
“Too (expletive) good,” Volkanovski shouted inside the octagon after his latest victory.
“Alexander the Great” delivered most of the blows in a fight that looked like it might end much earlier than it actually did. Volkanovski’s last four fights went the distance. But he was considerably quicker than Jung, essentially putting on a clinic in mixed martial arts.
“I’m on another level right now and I can’t be stopped,” Volkanovski said, adding he was hoping the ref would halt the fight sooner and that he felt bad for Jung in the final minutes.
“It felt like I hit a wall that I could not go over,” said Jung, who was making his first title bout since 2013. He went 3,171 days between shots at the featherweight belt.
The 35-year-old Jung dropped to the mat after the fight was called and later indicated through an interpreter that he might consider retirement.
The main event was the most lopsided on UFC 273’s main card.
Aljamain Sterling became the undisputed bantamweight champion by defending his belt against Petr Yan. They were involved in a controversial disqualification a little more than a year ago. Yan was DQ’d for an illegal knee after dominating the fight.
Sterling (21-3) looked like a different fighter in this one, controlling Yan on the mat for nearly eight minutes in the second and third rounds. Yan (16-3) battled back in the final two rounds, doing enough to get a split decision.
“I think I won this fight and I got robbed,” Yan said. “I want a rematch.”
Sterling had no plans for a trilogy fight with Yan, instead calling out former bantamweight champ T.J. Dillashaw for his next bout.
UFC’s third trip to Jacksonville in three years drew a packed house that included Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, Jaguars minority owner Tony Khan and legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross.
They were treated to an epic event.
Not only did they get two title fights to close out the night, but they witnessed arguably the best bout of the year. Sweden’s Khamzat Chimaev took another step toward mixed martial arts stardom with a unanimous decision against 35-year-old Brazilian Gilbert Burns in the welterweight division.
Chimaev and Burns went to toe-to-toe for three rounds, exchanging punches and raising their profiles. It was Chimaev’s most impressive outing to date and proved he’s a potential championship contender.
Chimaev (11-0) remained undefeated and answered any lingering questions about how good he could be by taking down the second-ranked Burns (20-5).
“I didn’t know he was so tough,” Chimaev said.
Chimaev hadn’t gone to a third round in any of his previous professional fights. He was gassed and gashed by the final round in this one, his first against a ranked opponent.
“This is what I was waiting for,” said Chimaev, a sizable cut under his left eye. “I’m in pain, bloody and tired.”
Other fights on the main card:
— Mackenzie Dern (12-2) used a split decision against Tecia Torres to win for the fifth time in her last six fights. With her husband and young daughter sitting cage side, Dern dominated the second round thanks to a variety of Brazilian jiu-jitsu moves. But the 32-year-old Torres (13-6) escaped two submission holds and was impressive over the final five minutes to nearly upset the fifth-ranked woman in the strawweight division.
— Three-time Olympian Mark Madsen (12-0) remained undefeated with a unanimous decision over 39-year-old Vinc Pichel (14-3) in the lightweight division. Madsen won a silver medal for Denmark in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Oregon Ducks defensive line sees life without Thibodeaux as a new opportunity
The Oregon Ducks' defensive line has been a strength of their team the last few seasons.
While that could still be the case, Oregon's unit comes into the spring with a few questions.
The biggest is how will the Ducks replace standout Kayvon Thibodeaux's production? Thibodeaux declared for the 2022 NFL Draft in December after recording 49 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 10 games.
With a new coach and defensive line coach, Oregon players see this as an opportunity to show coaches what they can do on the field.
"Thibodeaux, he's going to be a great player in the NFL, but we are thinking about the guys that are here right now," Jackson Powers-Johnson said. "We are trying to be great with the guys that we have and we are working hard.
"Coach (Tony) Tuioti has been a great coach and has been teaching us new moves and everything. Especially for me, because I played offensive line all year. I need to learn the movement of it.
"We've been progressively getting better and we have a long way to go, but we are just progressing every day."
After finishing 62nd in total defense in 2020, Oregon's defense took even more of a step back last season. The Ducks allowed an average of 384.6 yards per game, which was 71st in the country. Also, the Ducks only averaged 1.64 sacks per game, which was 90th in 2021.
To help improve both the team's run defense and pass rush, Oregon added defensive tackles Jayson Jones and Sam "Taki" Taimani through the transfer portal. The Ducks have also been playing Powers-Johnson mostly on the defensive side of the ball after his Alamo Bowl performance against Oklahoma.
Tuioti says he is looking for one particular attribute when grading defensive lineman.
"I'm looking for guys that play with heart and effort," Tuioti said. "Guys who are relentless, guys that are tough. We are not even close to where we want to be yet and that's what spring ball is all about.
"I want the younger guys to continue to improve because they have to close the gap between the older guys that are not taking reps right now and I think those guys are coming along.
"In terms of what I'm looking for specifically, I'm looking for guys that play hard, play tough, guys that show up time and time again."
Manning exits scrimmage with injury
Oregon defensive back Dontae Manning left Saturday's scrimmage with a significant injury. While Saturday's scrimmage was closed to the media, Manning was seen leaving Autzen Stadium in a wheelchair.
After the scrimmage, Oregon coach Dan Lanning provided little information on Manning's status.
"I have to wait and see what happened," Manning said. "He got dinged up. I really can't speak on it yet because I'm just leaving the practice field."
Last season, Manning played in 10 games and recorded 18 tackles and one tackle for loss. After Mykael Wright declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, Manning was expected to start at cornerback opposite Colorado transfer Christian Gonzalez.
If Manning is out for a significant period of time, that would undoubtedly be a massive loss to an Oregon secondary that has a lot of questions this spring.
Quarterbacks continue to show growth during scrimmage
During Saturday's scrimmage, Oregon players did some individual work along with 7-on-7 and situational drills. Throughout the day, the quarterback rotated throughout each group
But it wasn't just Bo Nix and Ty Thompson receiving work under center. Jay Butterfield also saw some work as Lanning says the redshirt freshman is processing in the Ducks' offense.
"I think Jay would tell you just like Bo and Ty would say there are a lot of things that he can improve on and get better at," Lanning said. "I thought today was a great example of those guys understanding what Coach (Kenny) Dillingham's goal is on offense and where he wanted the ball distributed and how we're going to take care of it.
"But there's something about a scrimmage that creates a little bit of sense of urgency between all three of those guys. And I thought, well, I thought we saw some of that today."
Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at astaley@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.
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BALTIMORE — Four people were shot in Baltimore City Saturday within a two-hour time period.
4/9 – 5:15 p.m.: A 29-year-old man was shot in abdomen in the 300 block of South Monroe Street. The victim was transported to area hospital. His condition is unknown.
4/9 – 4:41 p.m.: Double shooting victims, ages 38 and 34, were shot in the 3500 block of Noble Street. Both were transported to an area hospital with reported non-life-threatening injuries.
4/9 - 3:30 p.m.: A 27-year-old man was shot in the 200 block of North Caroline Street. Medics transported the victim to an area hospital with reported non-life threatening injuries.
Anyone with information about these shootings is asked to call either the Southern District detectives at (410) 396-2499 or the Southeastern District detectives at (410) 366-2422.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line, at 1-866-7LOCK-UP.
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Michigan’s chief justice tests positive for COVID-19
The leader of the Michigan Supreme Court says she tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing cold-like symptoms
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The leader of the Michigan Supreme Court announced Sunday she had tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing cold-like symptoms.
Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack said in a statement that she was tested Saturday and had notified the court’s other justices and other close contacts.
McCormack said she had a negative result on a COVID-19 test on Tuesday ahead the court hearing oral arguments Wednesday.
“As previously noted, I am fully vaccinated, and have had two boosters,” McCormack said.
Court spokesman John Nevin said he knew of no current illnesses among the six other justices and that McCormack planned to follow COVID-19 quarantine guidelines.
McCormack has been a justice on Michigan’s highest court since 2013 and became the chief justice in 2019. She previously was a professor and dean at the University of Michigan Law School.
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BALTIMORE — Baltimore City detectives are investigating a homicide that happened Sunday at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Narcissus Avenue.
Around 1:30 p.m., police responded to the area where they located a 39-year-old man suffering from several gunshot wounds.
The victim was transported to Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel shortly after.
Homicide investigators responded to the scene and assumed control over the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at (410) 396-2100.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tipline at 1-866-7LOCK-UP.
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FORT SMITH, Ark. — Fort Smith, Greenwood, and Van Buren had a combined $32.871 million in building permits in March, up 65.4% from the $19.879 million issued by the cities in March 2021. The value is down 63.8% from $90.808 million in February but above the $30.554 million in January.
At $136.894 million, year-to-date building activity is more than double the first quarter 2021 values of $64.29 million.
Fort Smith issued 195 permits in March with a value of $24.87 million, a drop of 32.6% from the $36.873 million value of 134 permits issued in February but up 45.8% from the $17.06 million on 205 permits issued in March 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, Fort Smith issued $90.252 million in building permits, up 70% from the $53.09 million in building permits issued in the first three months of 2021.
To read more about this story please visit our content partner, Talk Business & Politics.
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/fort-smith-metro-building-permit-values-up-654-in-march-greenwood-van-buren/527-c3b26802-c228-4724-be5e-6cef1deb6f5d
| 2022-04-10T20:19:56
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — According to Fayetteville Police Department, two people were arrested following a shooting at the Walton Arts Center parking lot on West Dickson St. early Sunday (April 10) morning.
Police say the shooting happened around 2:14 a.m. Officers were quick to arrive at the scene and found a male victim inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound to his chest. Witnesses identified Montavius Knighten, 24, and Edwin Swan, 28, as the two males who shot the victim.
Knighten and Swan were later found nearby with firearms on them and were arrested. Due to the time and location of the shooting, there were many witnesses in and around the parking lot, many coming out of the nearby closing bars.
Police say the victim's wound was superficial and was treated at a nearby hospital and then released. The victim told Fayetteville Police he was with some friends at the Z330 bar earlier that night and that there had been a physical fight between his friend and another male. The victim said he and his friends left the bar and went back to the parking lot to his vehicle, and that's when two males approached them as they stood by the victim's vehicle.
The victim describes one of them being black with short dreadlocks, a green jacket, and had a gun in his hand as he approached him. Based on the suspect's demeanor the victim told police he believed the suspect had intentions to shoot him, so the victim pulled out his own gun and pulled the trigger, but the gun malfunctioned and did not fire.
According to the police report, the victim says the males then started shooting at him and his friends and that's when he took cover inside his vehicle. He told police he tried to leave the parking lot and was shot at as he tried to do so. The victim stated that he saw the male his friend had gotten into a fight with earlier at the bar, behind the suspects that allegedly shot at him.
According to the police report, Knighten was interviewed at the police department where he admitted to police to having shot the victim. Knighted told police he was following Swan when they were running towards the victim but was unaware of where they were running. Knighten says he saw the victim pointing a gun at them, so he also pulled out a firearm and shot.
Swan told Fayetteville Police he was running towards the victim with a group but veered away and ran towards his vehicle where he thought his girlfriend would be. He told police he pulled a firearm out of his waistband as he ran, kept in hand for a few steps, and then put it back into his pocket. According to police, Swan says he was not involved in the earlier bar fight. Swan told police when he heard gunshots, he got down on the ground. Police say Swan's description was similar to the victim's description of the male approaching him with a firearm displayed.
Police say the magazine in the gun Knighten was found with was empty. The magazine had a capacity of 17 bullets, which police say would have potentially allowed 18 bullets to be in the firearm if one was loaded in the chamber. Police say the magazine in Swan's gun was full and therefore supported his statement of not having fired his gun.
According to Fayetteville Police, Swan was arrested for aggravated assault for reportedly approaching the victim with a firearm displayed in a manner that caused the victim to believe he was about to be shot. When Swan arrived at the Washington Co. Detention Center, police also found half of an Oxycodone pill on him and was also charged with Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.
Police say Knighten was arrested for Battery in the First Degree and Terroristic Act for allegedly having shot the victim while he was inside a vehicle.
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/one-injured-after-shooting-dickson-st-2-arrested-fayetteville-police-walton-arts-center-parking-lot/527-fdde2bc1-93ce-40fb-8f32-d2d3d97666ac
| 2022-04-10T20:20:02
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/one-injured-after-shooting-dickson-st-2-arrested-fayetteville-police-walton-arts-center-parking-lot/527-fdde2bc1-93ce-40fb-8f32-d2d3d97666ac
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While questions remain surrounding the death of NFL star Dwayne Haskins, who was struck and killed by a dump truck Saturday on I-595 near Fort Lauderdale airport, one thing is clear: a young life cut short is a loss that runs deep.
Haskins, the 24-year-old quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was remembered by teammates and coaches as a “selfless” man who “always had a smile on his face.”
Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool, who was training with Haskins in South Florida, shared an emotional tweet following Haskins’ death.
“I spent your final moments with you and I can’t help but think about how selfless you were in those moments,” Claypool said. “All you cared about was making sure that everyone around you was okay and I can’t thank you enough for that. You are what I strive to be.”
Haskins was walking on the highway “for unknown reasons” and was “attempting to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when there was oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, he collided with an oncoming dump truck,” the Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement Saturday.
Haskins died at the scene.
The agency declined to answer further questions Sunday citing the ongoing investigation.
Claypool, overcome by emotion, later tweeted out a video of himself in tears.
Haskins had been in South Florida working out with with fellow Steelers teammates ahead of the upcoming NFL season.
He spent the past season as a backup for the Steelers and had signed a one-year restricted contract with the team in March.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who retired in January after 18 years with the team, spent his last season sharing a locker room with Haskins and said Haskins made an immediate impact despite their short time together.
“I only had the privilege to know him for a short time, but in that time I got to meet a young man that didn’t seem to ever have a bad day,” Roethlisberger said in a statement. He came to work everyday with a smile on his face and energy and love in his heart.
“I really enjoyed his passion and his love for the game and wanting to learn and be the best. His smile and zeal for life will be missed!”
Prior to the NFL, Haskins starred at Ohio State, highlighted by a stellar season in which he threw 50 touchdowns and led the Buckeyes to a 13-1 season. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said on Twitter he was “heartbroken” to hear of Haskins’ death.
“One of the greatest QB’s in Ohio State history, but an even better son, teammate, and friend. God Bless!!”
The Florida Highway Patrol described the case as an “open traffic homicide investigation” and said no further information would be released until it was completed.
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https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/10/dwayne-haskins-nfl-qb-who-died-in-south-florida-described-as-selfless-by-coaches-teammates/
| 2022-04-10T20:24:37
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