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Biden Creates 'Disinformation Governance Board,' and Conservatives Should Be Terrified at Who's Leading It
It’s concerning enough when President Joe Biden’s Department of Homeland Security sets up an ominous-sounding agency called the “Disinformation Governance Board.”
However, it’s difficult to know whether to laugh or cry when you realize the person being picked to lead it called Hunter Biden’s laptop “disinformation.”
Meet Nina Jankowicz. You may have already been acquainted with her; any time the media needs an expert talking head to say something about Russian disinformation, she’s ready and willing to do a segment or provide a handy quote.
Now, according to Politico, she’ll be heading up the “Disinformation Governance Board” at the Department of Homeland Security.
(At The Western Journal, we’ve noted how loosely the Biden White House seems to treat the term “disinformation,” which should worry all of us. We’ll keep bringing America the truth about the administration’s attempt to label real news as fake; you can help us by subscribing.)
The board, according to Politico, will “coordinate countering misinformation related to homeland security, focused specifically on irregular migration and Russia.”
Here’s my official portrait to grab your attention. Now that I’ve got it: a HUGE focus of our work, and indeed, one of the key reasons the Board was established, is to maintain the Dept’s committment to protecting free speech, privacy, civil rights, & civil liberties. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/C4xiEGfhDt
— Nina Jankowicz 🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@wiczipedia) April 27, 2022
Using the Disinformation Governance Board to counter disinformation from Russia is little surprise, although you would have thought we had an alphabet soup of intelligence agencies already doing that. It’s also worth noting, too, that Jankowicz whiffed on the biggest “Russian disinformation” story in recent years, although more on that later.
“Irregular migration,” though?
This might be a new one on you. According to the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration, irregular migration is: “Movement of persons that takes place outside the laws, regulations, or international agreements governing the entry into or exit from the State of origin, transit or destination.”
Now, there are a goodly number of circumstances under which one might be classified as an “irregular migrant.” The most prominent one in the United States, however, involves illegal immigration at our southern border, where over 211,000 individuals were apprehended in March alone.
In May, when Biden is set to end the invocation of Title 42 protections and illegal immigrants can’t be summarily deported without a potential asylum hearing, that number is set to skyrocket.
While Politico’s report didn’t specifically say whether this would be the “irregular migration” the Disinformation Governance Board would be handling, the U.K. Daily Mail reported Wednesday that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters that the board would be countering disinformation in Hispanic communities ahead of this November’s midterms, so you be the judge.
As for Russia, Jankowicz tweeted in March of 2021 about an Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s report about foreign threats to the 2020 election.
The Intelligence Community, she tweeted, “has a high degree of confidence that the Kremlin used proxies to push influence narratives, including misleading or unsubstantiated claims about President Biden, to US media, officials, and influencers, some close to President Trump.
“A clear nod to the alleged Hunter laptop,” she added.
IC has a high degree of confidence that the Kremlin used proxies to push influence narratives, including misleading or unsubstantiated claims about President Biden, to US media, officials, and influencers, some close to President Trump.
A clear nod to the alleged Hunter laptop.
— Nina Jankowicz 🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@wiczipedia) March 16, 2021
If there’s substantive proof that Hunter Biden’s laptop was a “misleading or unsubstantiated” claim about Biden pushed by the Kremlin, that evidence has yet to surface or be made public. No evidence has emerged to counter the official story that Hunter Biden dropped the laptop off at a repair shop and forgot to pick it up; that the contents of the laptop were sent to various U.S. officials and intelligence organizations by the repair shop owner; and that Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani was the only one to act on it.
However, in the interim, almost every news organization that has covered the story has verified the contents of the laptop are genuine. This includes holdouts like The New York Times and Washington Post — which, 18 months after the New York Post was locked out of its Twitter account for reporting on the contents of the computer, have finally acknowledged the Post’s reports were accurate.
One bad call doth not invalidate an entire career’s worth of work. That said, it’s curious that someone who said the ODNI report made a “clear nod to the alleged Hunter laptop” (gotta love that “alleged”) as being disinformation is now tasked by the federal government with combatting disinformation ahead of the 2022 midterms.
For what it’s worth, the Disinformation Governance Board won’t have any official powers to limit speech. According to the Daily Mail, “Mayorkas did say that the new board would come under the Biden-era Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), meaning it would have no powers to crack down on disinformation and will instead try to combat it by throwing money at what it sees as problems.”
But just because it’s not outright Orwellian doesn’t mean it’s not highly problematic. First, the board will be potentially “throwing money” at two issues that are going to hurt the Democrats hard at the ballot box this November: illegal immigration and the Hunter Biden laptop.
While it’s unclear what it will do about the latter, if anything (circumstances have changed considerably since Jankowicz’s tweet about the “alleged Hunter laptop,” after all), the former is set to be a cataclysm for the left. While the particulars aren’t exactly in the public domain at the moment, this sounds like it has the potential to turn into a federally funded ad campaign for the Democrats under the guise of fighting “disinformation.”
Second, the chances this agency doesn’t experience mission creep feel like a solid zero. It’ll never solve disinformation from Russia or about “irregular migration,” but it’ll certainly find new sources of “disinformation” — and will ask for new sources of funding to fight them, natch. Also, at least for the time being, what do you think those sources of disinformation will be?
Will Jankowicz and Co. be getting to the bottom of the Steele dossier and the Russiagate hoax? Or will they be looking at some specious connection between Joe Rogan’s podcast and ivermectin overdoses? You make the call. It’s not a difficult one.
However toothless the Disinformation Governance Board may end up being, it’s yet another sign the Biden administration wants to cast a pall over free speech.
We already have adequate resources to counter Russian disinformation within the intelligence community — and any anti-disinformation campaign aimed at those within the United States is a de facto war on dissidence.
The Disinformation Governance Board may be a form of soft dystopia, but it’s still dystopia.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards. | https://www.westernjournal.com/biden-creates-disinformation-governance-board-conservatives-terrified-leading/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=patriottimesusa&utm_campaign=lminetwork&utm_content=2022-04-28 | 2022-04-28T20:18:30Z | https://www.westernjournal.com/biden-creates-disinformation-governance-board-conservatives-terrified-leading/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=patriottimesusa&utm_campaign=lminetwork&utm_content=2022-04-28 | false | 12 |
PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegrin lawmakers on Thursday approved a new, pro-Western government that promised to speed up European Union integration and make an effort to bridge a deep political divide in the small Balkan nation.
The government of Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic won support from 45 lawmakers in the 81-member parliament while three votes were against. Pro-Serbian groups did not attend the session.
The vote came weeks after the previous, pro-Serbian government was ousted in a no-confidence motion in February.
The election of the pro-Western government in Montenegro is seen as a boost to U.S. and EU efforts at maintaining stability in the volatile Balkans amid the war in Ukraine. The Balkan region is a traditional Russian area of interest and Moscow has sought to maintain a strong influence there.
“I am a great optimist and I believe in the bright future of our Montenegro,” Abazovic told parliament. “We all must make an effort so that Montenegro becomes the next member of the European Union. And we should not wait long.”
Montenegro defied Moscow in 2017 to join NATO. But the country of 620,000 still remains split between groups favoring pro-Western policies and those seeking closer ties with fellow-Slavic countries Serbia and Russia.
Abazovic served as a deputy prime minister in the previous, pro-Serbian administration formed after a 2020 election that removed the long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists from power.
Abazovic, however, later cited stalled EU integration to initiate the government's ouster through the no-confidence motion. His new government is a minority Cabinet supported in parliament by the opposition DPS party of President Milo Djukanovic.
That party ruled Montenegro for 30 years until the 2020 vote. A Western ally, Djukanovic led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006 and into NATO. But his party's popularity plunged over the years, mainly over allegations of corruption.
Djukanovic has alleged that pro-Serbian parties in Montenegro want to restore the influence of Serbia and Russia. Pro-Serbian parties also have enjoyed support from the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro.
Abazovic said in his speech Thursday that he wants to unite Montenegro's opposing factions under a vision of a democratic, corruption-free and economically prosperous nation that is part of the 27-member EU.
“We have an opportunity ahead of us that we must not miss,” said Abazovic. “Our future is a European one.” | https://www.lakecountystar.com/news/article/Montenegro-lawmakers-elect-pro-EU-government-17134225.php | 2022-04-28T20:20:07Z | https://www.lakecountystar.com/news/article/Montenegro-lawmakers-elect-pro-EU-government-17134225.php | false | 30 |
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s one of the most recognizable outfits in American movie history, the blue-and-white checked gingham dress a young Judy Garland wore as Dorothy in the classic 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz.”
For decades, one of the versions of the dress Garland wore in the movie was assumed lost at Catholic University of America, where it had been given to someone in the drama department in the early 1970s. But the clearing out of some office clutter last year led to the finding of the dress in an old shoebox, and now it’s headed for the auction block.
When she first saw it, “all I could think about was watching the movie when I was a child and growing up with” it, said Jacqueline Leary-Warsaw, dean of the school of music, drama and art at Catholic University, in Washington, D.C. “In a way it was like I was looking at my past childhood.”
She and others are hopeful that nostalgia factor will come into play when the costume goes up for sale at Bonhams “Classic Hollywood: Film and Television” auction on May 24 in Los Angeles, where it has a presale estimate of $800,000 to $1.2 million. Bonhams has the dress on display this week at the auction house’s New York location before it is sent to California for public view and then auction.
Helen Hall, director of popular culture for Bonhams, said that the market for memorabilia, and film costumes in particular, is strong, and that “The Wizard of Oz” is a cultural touchstone.
People “very much remember the first time they saw the film, the effect it had on their lives,” she said. The film is renowned for its music, its dialogue and its visuals, particularly when Dorothy goes from drab, sepia-colored Kansas to gloriously multicolored Oz.
There was more than one of the costume made for Garland while filming. Hall said that four are known to exist and that only two, including the one found at Catholic University, are with the blouse she wore underneath. Bonhams sold the other one with a blouse at an auction in 2015 for more than $1.5 million.
(There are also some surviving pairs of the ruby slippers Garland wore, with one pair in the collection at the Smithsonian.)
The rediscovered dress had initially been given to Father Gilbert Hartke, who was then head of the university’s drama department, in 1973 by actress Mercedes McCambridge, Leary-Warsaw said, although it’s not clear how McCambridge came to have it.
Somehow, in the years that followed, the department lost track of the costume until it became “something that people had thought was just a myth,” she said. Last year, during preparations for a renovation, a bag containing the shoebox was opened, and there it was — though how it got to where it ended up remains a mystery, Leary-Warsaw said.
The dress was in good condition, aside from a piece that had been cut away, while the blouse was more fragile.
In researching the dress, it was determined that Garland wore it in the movie in the scene where she is confronted in a castle by a threatening Wicked Witch of the West.
The school decided to auction it off instead of keeping it, and plans to use the proceeds from the auction sale to create a full-fledged film program in the drama department. | https://www.yourerie.com/entertainment-news/lost-for-decades-dorothys-dress-from-oz-up-for-sale/ | 2022-04-28T20:20:34Z | https://www.yourerie.com/entertainment-news/lost-for-decades-dorothys-dress-from-oz-up-for-sale/ | false | 89 |
KENTWOOD, MI -- A Kentwood man has been sentenced to more than 33 years in prison for killing his pregnant wife in a crime a judge said was “beyond comprehension, quite frankly.”
Richard Guichelaar, 36, was sentenced Thursday, April 28 in Kent County Circuit Court to a minimum 33 years, four months in prison.
Judge Mark Trusock set a maximum release date of 100 years.
Guichelaar earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Nov. 16, 2020 death of 32-year-old Amber Guichelaar at their Kentwood home.
Amber Guichelaar was the mother of two young children and taught for Kentwood Public Schools.
During Thursday’s sentencing, Trusock described the circumstances of her death.
“This was an absolutely atrocious and terrible situation. You strangled your wife,” he said.
Trusock called it a brutal and senseless murder. The couple’s children were ages 2 and 3.
“What you did to your wife, your children, to the family of Amber and her friends, is beyond comprehension, quite frankly,” he said.
Trusock added that he though Guichelaar was a danger to society and that he didn’t think he should ever be set free.
The victim’s mother, Amy DeGraaf, spoke at the sentencing and asked the judge to consider the two young children.
She said Amber Guichelaar’s sister, who has no children of her own yet, has stepped in to the role of mother for the young girls.
Guichelaar spoke briefly.
Related: Man charged in pregnant wife’s slaying held on $2 million bond
“My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter, granddaughter. I’m ready to accept responsibility for what I did,” he said.
He was credited with serving 475 days in jail.
More from MLive | https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/04/beyond-comprehension-judge-says-in-sentencing-kentwood-man-who-killed-pregnant-wife.html | 2022-04-28T20:22:54Z | https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/04/beyond-comprehension-judge-says-in-sentencing-kentwood-man-who-killed-pregnant-wife.html | false | 1 |
Chris Rock couldn’t help but heap praise on Kim Kardashian as he made a surprise cameo at her Saturday Night Live after-party.
The Kardashians star, 41, made her hosting debut on SNL in October, with the scenes currently playing out on new episodes of her new reality series, on Hulu.
In the latest instalment, she was joined by a star-studded crowd after fronting the acclaimed show – including comedian Colin Jost, Amy Schumer, Gayle King and Lorne Michaels.
At one point, the mom-of-four bumped into Chris at the bash, who took the opportunity to rave about her performance.
‘You were great,’ he insisted. ‘From the opening monologue, it was like “I am in control”. It was like, comedy funny. It was like an actress or a comedian.’
Clearly delighted with the compliment, Kim broke the fourth wall and told the camera: ‘Did you hear that? I want to make sure you got what he said. I was funny.’
‘She was very funny,’ Chris emphasized.
Kim confessed that the Everybody Hates Chris actor ‘made her life’ with his reaction.
‘I’m not funny,’ she added in a VT. ‘So the fact that he gave me this crazy compliment?
‘I think he’s one of the all-time funniest people on the planet so I am just dying inside.’
The episode was filmed at the end of last year, months before his Oscars slap ordeal made headlines around the world.
Chris was on stage presenting an award at the ceremony last month when he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair – something Will Smith confronted him about.
In shocking scenes, the King Richard actor stormed on stage at the bash and slapped the comedian, before warning him to ‘keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth’ while in the audience.
Chris has continued his comedy tour with a joke about what happened but has yet to address the incident any further.
However, his mom, Rose Rock, blasted Will for hitting her son, and said that it felt as though he ‘slapped the whole family’ at the same time.
Appearing on South Carolina station WIS-TV, she explained that she initially believed that the incident was ‘staged’ – but realized it was real when Will yelled obscenities.
‘When he slapped Chris, he slapped all of us. He really slapped me,’ she said. ‘Because when you hurt my child, you hurt me.’
The Kardashians is available to stream on Hulu and Disney + now.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you. | https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/28/chris-rock-heaps-praise-on-kim-kardashian-in-surprise-appearance-at-snl-party-16555458/ | 2022-04-28T20:25:41Z | https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/28/chris-rock-heaps-praise-on-kim-kardashian-in-surprise-appearance-at-snl-party-16555458/ | true | 1 |
KENTWOOD, Mich. (AP) — A man who strangled his pregnant wife, a well-liked teacher in the Grand Rapids area, was sentenced Thursday to at least 33 years in prison.
"You killed her intentionally,” Kent County Judge Mark Trusock said. “There’s just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. There’s none whatsoever.”
Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her Kentwood home in November 2020. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children.
Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder.
He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his “sorrow, remorse and regret” for what happened.
“My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things,” Guichelaar said.
He will be eligible for parole consideration after 33 years in custody. | https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Man-sentenced-to-33-years-in-prison-for-killing-17134486.php | 2022-04-28T20:29:18Z | https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Man-sentenced-to-33-years-in-prison-for-killing-17134486.php | true | null |
Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The first special train carrying 400 senior citizens for pilgrimage to Kashi and Ayodhya left the Indore railway station on Thursday.
Tourism and culture minister Usha Thakur, MLAs Ramesh Mendola and Akash Vijayvargiya flagged off the train. On this occasion, nodal officer of Yatra, Vijay Sharma, tehsildar HS Vishwakarma and other officials were present.
The minister and the two MLAs greeted the pilgrims who were very excited and were shouting slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram' and singing bhajans as the train started moving. The passengers expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. They said that the scheme is very important for us old people.
Govardhan Panwar, Shyamlal, residents of Badi Bhamauri, Ashok, resident of Anjani Nagar, Saheb Rao, resident of Ramnagar and Ashu Gaikwad said that for us this plan is no less than a boon. We had never imagined that we would be able to visit these pilgrimages, and today our dreams have come true. They added that they would have the fortune of seeing the newly constructed Kashi and Ayodhya.
About 2200 applications were received in the district for this scheme, out of which 400 elderly people were selected for this journey through lottery.
This special train will bring back the pilgrims on May 3 after visiting Ayodhya and Kashi. The entire cost of the pilgrimage is being borne by the state government.
Eight government servants have been sent to look after the passengers. Doctors and paramedical staff will also be on the train to look after the health of the elderly. Along with this, arrangements for lodging, food, tea-snacks and drinking water will also be made avaialble for the passengers.
(To receive our E-paper on whatsapp daily, please click here. We permit sharing of the paper's PDF on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.) | https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-400-senior-citizens-set-off-for-pilgrimage-to-kashi-ayodhya | 2022-04-28T20:30:33Z | https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-400-senior-citizens-set-off-for-pilgrimage-to-kashi-ayodhya | false | 1 |
WTO chief, U.S. trade representative discuss pandemic response
WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) - United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai met World Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Thursday and discussed about the ongoing talks among WTO Members to reach an outcome on a pandemic response, Tai's office said.
"Ambassador Tai stressed her commitment to continued engagement with members of Congress and stakeholders as the WTO works to break the deadlock on this issue and get as many safe and effective vaccines to as many people as fast as possible," the USTR office said in a statement. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington)
Advertisement | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10764705/WTO-chief-U-S-trade-representative-discuss-pandemic-response.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-04-28T20:30:54Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10764705/WTO-chief-U-S-trade-representative-discuss-pandemic-response.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | false | null |
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Lions delivered a game ball to Oxford High School on Thursday, fulfilling a promise made by head coach Dan Campbell after the team's first win of the 2021 season.
"This game ball goes to the whole Oxford community, and all those who were affected," Campbell said following Detroit's 29-27 win over the Minnesota Vikings in December.
Both teams wore Oxford logo decals during the game at Ford Field, which took place less than a week after the shooting that killed four students.
"Great show of support," Oxford athletic director Tony DeMare told ESPN during Thursday's presentation. "The Lions have been fantastic to us. This is awesome." | https://www.wxyz.com/sports/lions-deliver-game-ball-to-oxford-high-school-in-tribute-to-shooting-victims | 2022-04-28T20:31:07Z | https://www.wxyz.com/sports/lions-deliver-game-ball-to-oxford-high-school-in-tribute-to-shooting-victims | false | null |
Steve Harvey has nothing but (tough) love for Michael B. Jordan.
The Family Feud host was asked what advice he would give to the Black Panther star about dating his youngest daughter, Lori, on the latest episode of E! News' digital video series Down in the DMs.
"I'm not gonna help him," Harvey said. "He's gonna have to earn it." Ouch!
Despite his protective stance, Harvey had kind words to share about Jordan, saying that he's "a nice guy" and "very respectful."
"Relationships are hard, especially, they're young," he said. "They're in a Hollywood-type relationship, and I'm cheering for them."
The actor isn't the only MJ who looks up to Harvey, as the host revealed that NBA legend Michael Jordan used to turn to him for fashion inspiration years ago.
"I was talking to Magic [Johnson] and Michael Jordan one time, they said, ‘Man, we should watch you at night on Showtime at the Apollo to see what you was gonna wear, and we go out and get it made,'" Harvey shared. And while fancy suits may be his signature look, he has quickly become a style icon thanks to his stylist, Elly Karamoh.
"My wife [Marjorie Harvey] tells me all the time, ‘Don't let this new little modeling career go to your head. Everybody calling you ‘Zaddy' and all that. Don't let that go to your head,'" he said about his model-like pics on Karamoh's Instagram. "She'd say, ‘I'm still the cutie in this house.'"
Having hosted Family Feud for more than a dozen seasons, Harvey has heard many memorable answers from contestants over the years. But he shared that the most shocking one came from NFL player Bruce Smith on an episode of Celebrity Family Feud.
"The question was, ‘‘If Captain Hook was moonlighting as a handyman, he might replace his hook with what tool?'" Smith's answer: "A penis."
As for which famous family he would like to see play the new Family Feud Gamestar+ game? None other than the Kardashians.
"I love the buzz when they come on the show. There's 60 people with them," he said about the famous family's past appearance on the game show. "They brought a whole new energy to the show. Each one of them got their own makeup artist, their own hair person. Each one of the kids got a nanny. Each one of the kids got a security guard. They got a security guard."
He even joked that "Kanye had a nanny," before stating, "[I] wasn't supposed to say that."
Find out Harvey's favorite Family Feud blooper and more in the full episode above.
Gamestar+—the world's first interactive streaming social gaming platform—has announced the launch of Family Feud, featuring host and Gamestar+ cofounder Steve Harvey, available exclusively at Target stores nationwide. | https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1328916/what-relationship-advice-would-steve-harvey-give-michael-b-jordan-he-says | 2022-04-28T20:31:22Z | https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1328916/what-relationship-advice-would-steve-harvey-give-michael-b-jordan-he-says | true | 4 |
The Detroit Tigers will try to salvage the finale of a three-game series and halt the Minnesota Twins’ six-game winning streak on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Cooling down Max Kepler would make that task easier. Kepler has blasted three home runs during the first two games of the series, including a pair of solo shots in Minnesota’s 5-0 triumph on Wednesday.
Ryan Jeffers also homered while the Tigers were limited to two hits.
“They hit the ball out of the ballpark on a cold night,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “They put some good swings together, they didn’t miss a couple of pitches in the strike zone. Kepler, we have not done a good job sequencing against him, and he gave them a nice lead.”
The Tigers scored 13 runs on Saturday afternoon during the game in which Miguel Cabrera reached 3,000 hits in his career. The euphoria has worn off quickly. They have lost four straight, scoring eight runs total during that stretch.
Detroit third baseman Jeimer Candelario (.143), second baseman Jonathan Schoop (.154) and center fielder Akil Baddoo (.111) are among the players who have gotten off to very slow starts.
“It’s all individual,” Hinch said. “Collectively, when you don’t hit, you’re always looking for a theme, but each guy is battling something a little bit different. We’ve got to get our guys jump-started to have a better offense.”
Tarik Skubal (1-1, 2.30 ERA) will start the series finale for Detroit. The 25-year-old left-hander has shown excellent control in three starts, striking out 16 and walking just one in 15 2/3 innings. In his latest outing, Skubal tossed six scoreless innings and struck out six against Colorado on Saturday while collecting his first victory this season.
Skubal’s outing was overshadowed by Cabrera’s milestone.
“We joked with him that no one even remembers that he pitched and he was phenomenal,” Hinch said. “The difficulty pitching in a game like (Saturday), and the emotions that came with it, Tarik was in complete control of the game.”
Skubal has made six career starts against Minnesota, going 1-2 with a 4.66 ERA.
He will be opposed by Bailey Ober (1-1, 2.83 ERA). The second-year right-hander has also made three starts this season.
In his most recent appearance, he gave up one run and struck out six in five innings while getting a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
Ober started twice against the Tigers last season, posting a 1-0 record and a 5.79 ERA.
Minnesota won a pair of low-scoring games to begin its streak but has scored five or more runs during the past four victories. Kepler has strung together three consecutive two-hit games, raising his average from .191 to .263.
The Twins’ defense has made just one error during the six-game run. It backed a strong outing from starter Joe Ryan with a flawless effort on Wednesday.
“When they put the ball in play, we made all the plays,” Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli said. “Some of them were routine or fairly routine. Some of them weren’t and we finished the plays off.
“When you do make them … it allows your pitchers to stay out there and keep throwing. It all works together and complements itself. It was a good day all around for us.”
–Field Level Media | https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/sports/mlb/streaking-twins-seek-sweep-of-stumbling-tigers/ | 2022-04-28T20:32:33Z | https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/sports/mlb/streaking-twins-seek-sweep-of-stumbling-tigers/ | false | 13 |
Woman student among three held with 6 kg heroin in Amritsar
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Punjab Police on Thursday arrested three persons, including a woman student, allegedly with a consignment of heroin weighing 6 kg from the outskirts of the city.
In an operation led by inspector Inderdeep Singh, a team of the wing caught the trio from an SUV near the Vallah bypass and recovered 6 kg of heroin from them, officials said.
The woman accused was identified as Lovepreet Kaur who belongs to Kotkapura of Faridkot district, while her two companions were identified as Deepak and Mehak. Both the male accused are cousins and residents of Muhawa village which is only 1 km away from the Indo-Pako international border in Amritsar district.
As per sources, both persons were in contact with the girl who is pursuing MSc from a prominent college here for a long time. The male students also reportedly studied in the same college earlier and since then they were in contact with each other.
The CI personnel presented them in the local court and got their three-day remand for further questioning. Sources said the consignment was smuggled from the Pakistan side and was to be sent to Delhi. | https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/woman-student-among-three-held-with-6-kg-heroin-in-amritsar-101651175606525-amp.html | 2022-04-28T20:33:47Z | https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/woman-student-among-three-held-with-6-kg-heroin-in-amritsar-101651175606525-amp.html | false | 1 |
Lethbridge man charged in connection to downtown sexual assaults
Lethbridge police say a man accused of sexually assaulting two women in the downtown core has turned himself in.
Police were called to the 600 block of Eighth Street S. at around 9 p.m. on Monday by a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by a stranger while outside smoking.
Officers say nearby security camerasrecorded the incident.
While investigating, police discovered a second woman who had allegedly been assaulted by the same man while in the 700 block of Fifth Avenue S. earlier in the evening.
The second incident was also recorded on video surveillance.
"Police are asking the woman who was sexually assaulted along the 700 block of Fifth Avenue S. and any other victims who may have been assaulted by this subject to come forward," said a news release.
Amber Bahadur Khadka, 44, of Lethbridge, is charged with two counts of sexual assault.
Police said though Khadka has turned himself in, they are still hoping to speak with the second assault victim, and are asking them to come forward.
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ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB) CEO Frank Sorrentino on Q1 2022 Results - Earnings Call Transcript
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNOB) Q1 2022 Earnings Conference Call April 28, 2022 10:00 AM ET
Company Participants
Frank Sorrentino - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Bill Burns - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Siya Vansia - Vice President of Marketing
Conference Call Participants
Matthew Breese - Stephens Inc.
Michael Perito - KBW
Operator
Greetings, and welcome to ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. First Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.
I would now like to turn the conference over to your host, Ms. Siya Vansia, Vice President of Marketing. Thank you, and over to you.
Siya Vansia
Good morning, and welcome to today's conference call to review ConnectOne's results for the first quarter of 2022 and to update you on recent developments. On today's conference call will be Frank Sorrentino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and Bill Burns, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. These results as well as notice of this conference call on a listen-only basis over the Internet were distributed this morning in a press release that has been covered by the financial media.
At this time, let me remind you that certain statements and assumptions in this conference call contain or based upon forward-looking information that are being made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, uncertainties and known or unknown risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risk factors are more fully discussed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this conference call are only made as of the date of this call, and the company is not obligated to publicly update or revise them.
In addition, certain terms used in this call are non-GAAP financial measures, reconciliations of which are provided in the company's earnings release and accompanying tables or schedules, which have been filed today on Form 8-K with the SEC and may also be accessed through the company's website at ir.connectonebank.com. Each listener is encouraged to review those reconciliations provided in the earnings release together with all other information.
I will now turn the call over to Frank Sorrentino. Frank, please go ahead.
Frank Sorrentino
Thank you, Siya, and good morning, everyone. We appreciate you joining us today. We are very pleased to report another strong quarter, delivering solid financial performance, significant organic balance sheet growth and strong performance metrics here at ConnectOne. While Bill will discuss our financial highlights in some more detail, I would like to highlight that our PPNR as a percentage of assets, again, exceeded 2% for the seventh consecutive quarter. Return on assets was again above 1.5%, and our return on tangible equity was greater than 15%, all while our efficiency ratio remained below 40%.
Our tangible book value per share was up again this quarter, increasing by 2% since the beginning of the year, and that's in an interest rate environment where others have experienced significant dilution from reduction in fair value of the securities portfolios. However, these once again, impressive financial results really don't tell the whole story of what we are building here at ConnectOne.
So first, we continue to invest in and strengthen our organic -- our origination franchise, sorry. By leveraging our strong franchise and client-centric culture, we are gaining new clients as well as hiring experienced bankers from revenue generators to tech talent. We are a destination of choice for some of the best business generating talent in the industry, and a lot of that is stemming from the marketplace disruption created by M&A. We’ve also taken proactive measures to retain our top talent with attractive compensation packages.
So as we sit here today, we clearly see those efforts have enhanced an already solid team and are paying dividends with yet another quarter of annualized sequential growth in loans, exceeding 10% and nearly 15% growth in deposits. Secondly, our pipeline remains near historic levels with strong demand and favorable pricing characteristics across all business lines in our markets.
An important part of this success is attributable to expanding our presence and proactively following our clients into new and growing markets. As you know, we recently hired a great team to lead our Florida office. And already at this early stage, we are seeing very promising results. Traction is exceeding our initial expectations. And the factors that made it successful in the New York metropolitan area translate very well to the growing Florida market, and our culture with a client-based focus is a clear differentiator.
We’ve already originated approximately $150 million in new commercial loans, some from our existing ConnectOne clients with business opportunities in Florida and some from new clients based in Florida. Deal structures and opportunities are both favorable and in line with the lending to which we have extensive experience and expertise.
So, with that, let's move on to some other initiatives ConnectOne has been focused on. We are continuing to successfully adopt and expand our utilization of technology to remain competitive to create efficiencies and to provide real-time solutions. This includes improvements to internal workflows to support our hybrid work environment and support scale, along with our investments to enhance our data infrastructure, including digital initiatives that also enhance risk management tools and processes.
Look over at BoeFly, even as the number of our franchisor brands on that platform increased, we are turning our efforts towards automated underwriting to improve functionality for the franchisor and franchisee and ultimately increase the profitability of the core business line. These continued investments ultimately allow BoeFly to build for scale. We are continuing to -- we are continuously improving the client experience, while also achieving greater efficiency and revenue generation to that platform. We are also creating additional opportunities beyond the SBA vertical with loyal client -- with the loyal client base that BoeFly has built.
Shifting gears, as you may have seen, ConnectOne became an early member bank in the USDF Consortium, which is an association of U.S. banks with a mission to build the network to further the adoption of the USDF which is a tokenized deposit. This is an early step in employing blockchain within the regulatory perimeter in order to offer enhanced solutions for our commercial banking clients.
We are also happy to announce that we recently signed an agreement with Nymbus [ph], a leading fintech company to provide cloud-based banking and core services. Working in partnership with Nymbus, we will be building a niche-focused offering, providing us a new avenue to collect deposits. We are set to kick this project off in the near future, and we will share more details as we progress.
Supporting our industry-leading efficiency ratio is our ability to leverage technology and streamline internal processes. A great example of this, you've heard me discuss before, is our partnership with nCino, which has been instrumental in this regard. We partnered with nCino in 2017 when our total asset size was just $4 billion to help deploy a single cloud-based platform throughout the organization and business lines. And today, we've more than doubled in size and yet we've been able to create efficiencies as we continue to build scale. So we look forward to sharing our progress in the quarters ahead.
In summary, this has been an exciting time at ConnectOne. We are well-positioned. Our capital position remains strong, and we continue to internally generate capital to support growth. As you saw in our press release this morning, the Board of Directors today announced another increase to our common dividend, an increase of nearly 20%. Also, we continue to be opportunistic with share repurchases, having about $2 million in authorized capacity at the present time.
So, with that, I will turn it over to Bill to give us a little more depth and some color on our results.
Bill Burns
Okay. Thank you, Frank. Good morning, everyone. So there continues to be a tremendous amount of excitement and optimism here at ConnectOne. Frank just mentioned, we've been focusing our resources on accelerating organic growth. At the same time, we are bracing technology and making investments in progress on several fronts. But even with that increased investment and the associated additional expense, we continue to produce superior financial metrics with stability across the board.
The PPNR as a percent of average assets actually exceeded 2.15 for the fourth consecutive quarter. Our return on tangible common equity again exceeded 15% and that was without the benefit of any reserve releases. Our efficiency ratio for the quarter was 38.7%, and that's improved from just slightly above 40% in the prior year first quarter.
Our net interest income contracted by just 4 basis points, but remained above 3.70, near historic highs for ConnectOne. And tangible book value per share increased by 2%. The fact that our tangible book value increased while most of the industry saw decreases was due to a disciplined approach to securities investments during the low-rate environment of the pandemic.
We chose to stay out of the market and let securities run down. Combined it with that, we were effective at hedging most of the existing portfolio. And really behind all of this is the strong organic loan growth we maintained at good spreads, which enabled the investment discipline and hedging strategies I just mentioned.
I just want to -- one more point here. All of our securities are in the available-for-sale category. So complete transparency there. There's no hiding in the fair value adjustment. So, all in all, ConnectOne is faring quite well in a rising rate environment. The NIM remains high, and we continue to grow per share book value.
Now let me turn to the income statement and give you guys some color. Net interest income was flat sequentially. That's -- that I expected, but was up a significant 15% from the first quarter of last year. Average loans for the quarter grew by 10% from the year ago quarter. And combined with that, the margin expanded by 15 basis points over the past year.
In terms of the net interest margin, just to repeat, our margin has been expanding throughout the pandemic and today remains at or near historic highs, and we continue to originate loans at favorable rates and spreads on the asset side are improving in my view. Loan origination for the quarter was an average weighted rate of about 3.8%. But based on our pipeline indications, our origination yields to be above 4% for the second quarter, could be as high as 4.5%.
Our dynamic modeling continues to show asset sensitivity. And although I expect the margin to remain relatively flat for the remaining 9 months of the year, I just want to remain cautious with respect to any guidance as we are seeing competition for deposits heating up.
Now let me turn to our noninterest income. This line item came in lighter than I expected and the Street expected. But most of that was due to a valuation charge against the CRA fund that we hold. So, excluding that valuation charge because of the rise in interest rates, we were about $300,000 to $400,000 below expectations.
BoeFly had a good quarter. They recorded fees in excess of $400,000. The franchisers utilizing this platform have increased significantly over the past few quarters. So, I can't promise exactly what that will translate into, but the trend is clearly positive. Gains on sales loans were down. Some of that was residential and some of the decline was commercial.
And I've mentioned this before that there will be some volatility in gains on sale numbers. But my expectation with the rest of '22 is for that number to increase from the first quarter levels. And just one last item, and there's going to be some additional BOLI in this quarter. So we're going to probably add about $200,000 per quarter going forward.
Turning to expenses, we grew 4% sequentially. As I did indicate in the last call, most of that increase is on the comp line, that reflects new hires, salary increases, wage inflation, and the assertive stance we've been taking to both add to and retain our team. A couple of other items I want to mention. These two things, special items essentially offset one another. There was an additional earn-out charge for the BoeFly acquisition. And that was offset by a favorable lease termination. That was something we had written off at a higher level as a merger charge in the Bank of New Jersey deal.
In terms of any additional future BoeFly charges, we've still got a little to go later this year, but it's under $1 million, and that would be the last of any expense associated with both BoeFly earnout. Also wanted to make you aware that we reorganized the OpEx section of the financials. So, we have now one line item that now essentially is technology expense. I think that will be helpful and add some transparency going forward.
I want to add our operations and tech teams have done a great job of strategic spending on technology, but they’ve also reduced the cost of core and legacy systems. Going forward, I think some of the same trends will continue, quarterly sequential growth in expenses probably in the 2% range. I will give you guys an update on that after the second quarter.
I just want to talk a little bit about CECL provisioning. Many banks released reserves in the quarter, while others added modest amounts. We were in that latter category, adding a small amount of reserves, $1.5 million. The reserving first reflected loan growth, but it also reflected that we made some minor qualitative adjustments to our CECL model, and that reflects an expectation that economic forecast could trend in a negative direction.
Keep in mind, these are macro forecasts. It is not an indication at all of credit quality here at ConnectOne. Our nonaccrual assets have declined for the second straight quarter, while delinquencies and charge-offs remain very, very low.
Before turning back to Frank, I want to add a couple of things. Look, we are very optimistic about performance in 2022. Strong loan growth is anticipated and marginal pressure is likely to be moderate. We are building noninterest income at both lien through SBA and CRE loan sales. Expenses do continue to grow to support our growing businesses and the investments that Frank's been highlighting. But as always, we aim to grow revenues faster and then expenses.
And just wrap up with final [indiscernible] comments. Given the strength of our earnings and capital position, we have a great deal of financial flexibility. First, we have the capital to support double-digit organic growth. Along with that, there's still room for continued dividend increases and share repurchases. And as always, although our strength is organic growth, we continue to opportunistically explore growth through M&A. As you know, deals are hard to come by, but we have a track record of being financially disciplined, and we are going to stick to that.
And with that, I will turn it back to Frank.
Frank Sorrentino
Thank you, Bill. In closing, ConnectOne delivered strong performance for this first quarter. And more importantly, we expanded our market presence and we continue to invest in top talent to support our clients as they expand in capability and in reach. We also launched several initiatives to extend the technological foundation we've built while also exploring new opportunities as we participate in shaping the future of Commercial Banking.
As we move through the rest of 2022, I'd like to reiterate that we are projecting strong organically driven growth, which will be supported by the investments we’ve made in our talent and our technology infrastructure, and we expect our financial performance to remain among the best in the industry. We are excited about our future, and we look forward to updating you in the quarters ahead.
And with that, I'd be happy to take your questions.
Question-and-Answer Session
Operator
[Operator Instructions] Thank you. The first question comes from the line of Matt Breese with Stephens. Please go ahead.
Matthew Breese
Hey, Bill, I want to go back to your comments on new loan yields being at 4%, 4.5% range. Are we essentially nearing the point of it being positive to the core portfolio? And then maybe along the same lines, could you just give us some color on commercial real estate, multifamily spreads. I've been hearing that there have been some spread compression through March, but it sounds like it's starting to reverse.
Bill Burns
Yes. True to all of that. We are seeing the point where the loan yields are adding to our portfolio. So that obviously helps us as rates are rising. And then yes, spreads were very tight on multifamily. We are seeing some relief there. And so even on that and the expectation is for higher yields. As you know, multifamily is typically lower spreads for the rest of the business. And depending on the mix of originations and what specs in terms of loan growth that can affect the total yield on our portfolio.
Matthew Breese
Okay. And the other thing is, one thing that stands out is despite on paper, the balance sheet being relatively interest rate neutral, the loan-to-deposit ratio is on the fuller side. So, could you talk to me about the incremental funding sources and the ability to protect and maintain just an overall lower cost of funds? And maybe along those lines were expectations for betas through the first 100 or 200 hikes?
Bill Burns
Yes. No, good question, a lot to the question there. It's a little bit of a moving target. Right now deposit rates are we are starting to feel pressure. However, even though higher deposit rates are lower right now than our wholesale cost of funds. So, I typically use a very conservative approach when I look and analyze spreads using our highest wholesale cost of funds to calculate spreads. That’s usually [indiscernible] home loan bank. But we're picking up spread in that we can use deposits to fund more of the growth right now. I think that will work itself out and we will get back to a normal place. But I hope I answered your question, but it's like kind of a mix right now. Deposit rates are going up, but they're actually helping to add to the spreads.
Matthew Breese
Got it. I mean maybe going down a different path, but getting to the same outcome. If we do get a plus 200 basis point of Fed hikes by the end of the year, could you provide some longer-term core net interest income guidance by the end of this year? I’m assuming the outlook is NIM flat, but what is NII going to actually do?
Bill Burns
Yes. Our models are showing like a 2% to 3% increase with a 200 basis point rate shock.
Matthew Breese
Got it. Okay. And then, Frank you mentioned …
Bill Burns
There's different ways people look. I think we've had this discussion before offline. Banks look at it differently, some do static, some do dynamic. It's hard to compare apples-to-apples. But I just feel comfortable that we are going to be able to maintain our margins one way or the other through this. And that -- and since we never -- our margin never got compressed to widen over the last year. So, I just feel comfortable that we are going to have stable margins and stable returns in the coming year.
Matthew Breese
Understood. Frank, you had mentioned Nymbus as a third-party that you were using. Their suite of products and services is pretty robust and includes core systems. Have you taken it that far and considered using them as a core system provider? And what do they offer versus the traditional big three on that regard?
Frank Sorrentino
So -- how are you doing, Matt? I think that Nymbus offers us an opportunity to custom design a vertical for a new line of business potentially where we will use their core, and we will use their ability to really with laser focus identify what a particular client niche needs and how to attack that particular vertical. And the purpose here is certainly for deposit gathering but there will be some lending opportunities there, too. And I don’t think that any of existing capabilities can do what we anticipate doing together with Nymbus. So, I’m pretty confident that it's going to allow us to be very, very hyper focused in a particular client vertical.
Matthew Breese
Over time, I mean, I forget who you use right now as a core provider. But over time, do you anticipate fully moving to Nymbus in that regard?
Frank Sorrentino
It's hard to say, Matt. I think you realized the entire world of the core is moving around pretty dramatically. It used to be pretty easy to take the top three and use them as punching bags. I don’t think you can do that today. I think even companies like FIS and Fiserv and others, Jack Henry are being pretty progressive about how they're thinking about the future. What I do think I see is, in the past, it was -- you had to identify a core and you ran everything on your bank in concert with 1 basic operating system. Today, it's just not that way. And it started when once APIs came out, you could now start with actual [ph] different products and services to whatever core you have. But now it's not uncommon for banks to run multiple cores. And so, I think that's what we are going to see going forward.
Matthew Breese
Interesting. Okay. Excited to see where you go with this. That's all I had. Thanks for taking my questions.
Frank Sorrentino
Right, Matt.
Bill Burns
Thanks, Matt.
Operator
Thank you. [Operator Instructions] Next question comes from the line of Michael Perito with KBW. Please go ahead.
Michael Perito
Hey, everyone. Good morning.
Bill Burns
Hi.
Michael Perito
I wanted to start on BoeFly. Bill, you mentioned that it had a nice quarter. I was wondering if you guys could maybe just give us an update on kind of the product road map there on that platform. I think when we had had some conversations in the past, there was discussions about adding some new layers to that and maybe even some fee -- other fee income opportunities like interchange or cards or deposits or things of that nature. Just curious where you guys are in that thought process? And maybe just a broader comment overall about how we think the fee income growth could trend in that -- for that business specifically over the balance of this year.
Frank Sorrentino
I would start and maybe Bill can add some color. But I would say that what we are doing with BoeFly today is thinking about the entire client journey that enters through the BoeFly platform and where they ultimately want to go and how we can support the needs that they have and do it in either frictionless or a lot less friction than exists today on the platform. So the first thing we are looking at is what does the core platform to do, which is to supply an opportunity for a franchisee applicant to obtain financing. And how do we do that in the most cost-efficient and highest revenue producing way for us. And I think we are doing that today. We are actually building out the entire loan pipeline from beginning to end for anyone that enters the BoeFly platform. But that's the core business.
I think as you mentioned before, there are lots of other things we can do there. There are a number of opportunities that don't necessarily need to go through the SBA program, which is where BoeFly really cut its teeth [ph]. There are repeat clients who come back to BoeFly for additional funding opportunities where they didn't have product before. And now we are building that capability to be able to fund that second, third, fourth request, which would definitely not go through the SBA.
There's opportunities on the franchisor side. And then when you think about BoeFly having a loyal client, of course, we can start to think about all the other products and services that a financial company would want to provide the first -- or the next most logical being all the payments capabilities. So that’s what's on our sort of near or long-term radar. But the first part is really getting this whole loan product set really done in a automated way, in a way that the client really feels almost no friction where we pretty much eliminate most of the competition that’s out there for that type of business.
Michael Perito
And do you have any sense of the timing of all that being rolled out and launched? And I mean, obviously, you don’t have to be too specific, but just can you give us some general indication of where you guys feel like those things are in the varying stages of rollout or exploration?
Frank Sorrentino
Well, all the lending product discussion that I just had is all being done this year, and we're actually piloting right now some of the complete loan product. We are working with technology vendors to complete that whole process. So, within this year, we are going to see -- or we will be able to discuss exactly how that entire loan pipeline works for all the products that we supply at BoeFly. Simultaneous to that, we are working on some of the other products. I would say by year-end, we will have better discovery around what those things will be, what they'll look like and what we will be working on next. But we really want to get this entire loan pipeline under wraps and working well and be able to demonstrate to the marketplace what's coming through there, what the pull-through rate is, what the profitability of that line of business is and what it looks like. And I fully expect before year-end, we will have those discussions.
Bill Burns
But Mike, this is Bill. I just wanted to add that behind it all, the volumes through BoeFly are increasing. And I think when we bought them, they were -- they had 30 franchisors in the market. I think last time we spoke with you a few months ago, it was 80 or 90. We are well over 100 now. So that’s the key towards the traditional income at BoeFly, which is getting a referral fee for another bank to place the loan. The other things we are talking about are just going to be additive to that, which includes franchisees that are a little bit bigger, some business with franchisors and potentially doing the entire underwriting process at ConnectOne, which right now we -- for the most part, we don’t do that. I hope that's helpful.
Michael Perito
It is. And we often you guys often talk about your profitability. And obviously, it's top quartile, very strong, and I think investors sometimes wonder like what could make it improve. Is it fair to say that BoeFly could be an area of possible improvement? I mean it sounds like you guys are investing pretty heavily today. I don’t know if you guys break out or willing to break out kind of what the return metrics of that platform looks like. But is it fair to say that it's probably from a net bottom line standpoint, not contributing as much as it could in future periods as some of these initiatives take hold that you're investing in to that?
Bill Burns
I think it will be significant in the future. Right now, there's a lot of revenues, but we are also building platform. So, we are probably at a breakeven, even though that's $400,000 this quarter of revenue.
Michael Perito
Great. And then just one last one for me. Just on the loan growth side, the pipeline commentary is strong. I imagine you guys feel pretty confident on the line of sight for the next quarter or two. As we move beyond that, obviously, the economic outlook becomes a little bit more subject to opinion and challenging to pin down. I'm just curious how you guys are feeling overall about loan growth opportunities in your markets longer term? And any maybe kind of qualitative feedback you're getting from commercial customers that might be helpful around their -- whether it's their outlook or their positive outlook or their concerns or just anything of that nature would be great. Thanks.
Frank Sorrentino
I think it's a tale of two stories. We are certainly seeing things, I don’t want to say slow down, but people are being a little bit more thoughtful about whether they're entertaining a construction project or buying commercial property or starting a business or buying a business. [Indiscernible] in the news about a possible recession and so people certainly are being more thoughtful. But that we also have to -- and look, my own personal belief is with the amount of money that’s in the economy today, the health of the consumer today, how much liquidity is still exists both on business balance sheets and personal balance sheets.
I think the risk of an outright recession is low. I think we are going to have a reset. I think we are going to slow down the inflation rate. I think we are going to see a higher interest rate environment, which is going to force people to make different financial decisions. But the backdrop to that is that the markets in which we are in, all of them are seeing tremendous M&A going on. And so there's an enormous amount of disruption. And so, we are picking up some great talent today which is going to offset any bit of that slowdown because we're going to organically grow new business from new sources.
And to me, it feels like could be one of the best times you've ever been in relative to our ability to grow. I think we are in some of the best markets in the country. We are in New York, New Jersey, the entire New York metropolitan area and Florida. So, I think there's -- and every one of those markets is being affected by what I said before about the M&A. So, I feel pretty good about overcoming the slowdown that’s just naturally happening in the economy and taking a bigger piece of the pie.
Michael Perito
That’s really helpful color, Frank. Thank you both for taking my questions.
Frank Sorrentino
Thanks, Michael.
Bill Burns
Thanks, Michael.
Operator
Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the end of question-and-answer session. And I would like to turn the call back to the management for closing remarks.
Frank Sorrentino
Well, thank you, everyone for joining us today for our first quarter report. We certainly look forward to coming back to you in future quarters and speaking about our results as we move through 2022. So again, thank you.
Operator
Thank you. This concludes today's conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4504741-connectone-bancorp-inc-cnob-ceo-frank-sorrentino-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript | 2022-04-28T20:38:19Z | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4504741-connectone-bancorp-inc-cnob-ceo-frank-sorrentino-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript | true | 1 |
STUTTGART, Germany — The French Ministry of Defense has chosen Thales and CS Group to build deployable anti-drone systems and have them in place by 2023, ahead of the nation’s hosting of two major international sports events.
The €350 million ($377 million) deal includes an initial six copies, with the option to acquire several dozen more at a later date. The ministry issued the procurement notification on April 26, spokesman Herve Grandjean told reporters during a Thursday press conference.
The program, dubbed PARADE for the French “protection déployable modulaire anti-drone,” was initiated in May 2021. Thales partnered with CS Group, a command-and-control (C2) information systems builder, to produce technology capable of detecting and neutralizing microdrones and small UAS platforms, Grandjean said. Microdrones are typically classified as having the dimensions of a large insect, while small UAS tend to measure between 50 centimeters and 2 meters long.
Each system will include a goniometer capable of detecting the drone’s angle of approach, a radar, an optronic system, and a jamming system, Grandjean told reporters. The deployable counter-UAS systems will be capable of detecting and neutralizing drones, whether or not they emit electromagnetic waves, he added.
While the systems will be used for overall national security purposes, the intent is to have them in place ahead of “major international events on national territory,” Grandjean noted. France is scheduled to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup as well as the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The six initial systems are scheduled to be delivered in early 2023, while the contract will allow the ministry to procure additional systems at a later date. The program was designed to be “agile and evolving,” allowing the ministry to adapt to future threats, Grandjean said.
“If there is a need for new solutions because there are new drone technologies, then we will be capable … of contracting services to integrate these new solutions on the systems.” He added that such new technologies could be a laser weapon. “We can perfectly imagine … integrating this type of service.”
French media reports state that European consortium MBDA also competed for the PARADE program.
Vivienne Machi is a reporter based in Stuttgart, Germany, contributing to Defense News' European coverage. She previously reported for National Defense Magazine, Defense Daily, Via Satellite, Foreign Policy and the Dayton Daily News. She was named the Defence Media Awards' best young defense journalist in 2020. | https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/04/28/thales-cs-group-team-to-build-new-counter-drone-systems-for-french-military/ | 2022-04-28T20:38:39Z | https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/04/28/thales-cs-group-team-to-build-new-counter-drone-systems-for-french-military/ | true | 1 |
Airport operator Aena plans to renew the management of duty-free shops throughout its network of airports.
This renewal will come into force in November 2023 and is intended to attract a large number of international operators. Consultancy firm Alvarez & Marsal will design the contract for potential duty-free shop operators. The consultancy contract was awarded for €3.6m (US$3.8m) and it includes the preparation, drafting and monitoring of the tender documents and the bidding process for 36 months.
Aena currently has four contracts for the provision of commercial services for the duty-free shops at 26 network airports with 88 points of sale that occupy more than 43,000m2 . These contracts are in force until October 31, 2023. Therefore, the tender is planned for the last quarter of 2022.
The consultancy process comprises three stages: the first is an initial in-depth, multidisciplinary analysis of the business of duty-free shops to establish the future bidding and contractual relationship strategies that will serve as a framework and starting point; the second is the drafting of the tender documents; and this is followed by consulting services during the bidding process. | https://www.passengerterminaltoday.com/news/retail/aena-to-renew-duty-free-shop-management.html | 2022-04-28T20:38:55Z | https://www.passengerterminaltoday.com/news/retail/aena-to-renew-duty-free-shop-management.html | false | 1 |
Archbishop hits out at edu min, says all religions have moral values
A day after Karnataka primary and secondary education minister B C Nagesh sparked a controversy saying religious texts such as the Bible, Quran are not allowed in schools and that the Bhagavad Gita is more than a religious text, Bengaluru archbishop Peter Machado on Thursday hit out strongly at Nagesh’s comments.
Machado said that the government should include all religious textbooks in the moral sciences syllabus and not just Bhagavad Gita. He said that every religion has moral values to offer and the government of India also has recognised this by naming a policy “Good Samaritan” which finds its origins in the Bible.
On Wednesday, the Karnataka education minister had said that religious texts cannot be a part of the curriculum, and Bhagavad Gita was more than just a religious book, unlike the Bible or the Quran. Responding to this statement, the archbishop said: “An education minister is a learned man, but he should stick to his area of expertise which is the education and leave matters of religion and their interpretation to religious leaders… There are no books written only for morality or some books written only for religion. Religion is the basis of morality,” he said.
Earlier this month, Nagesh had announced that the Bhagavad Gita would be introduced in school curriculum.
When asked what the church’s stance will be on the government’s plans to only introduce Bhagavad Gita in the school’s syllabus, Machado said that the Christian schools will abide by the law and accept any decision taken by the government. However, he said that the government should incorporate moral lessons from all religions and does not limit the syllabus to Bhagavat Gita.
Talking about the “Good Samaritan” policy, Machado said that the central government has taken inspiration from the Bible for the same. The Good Samaritan law protects people, who help accident victims, from harassment. “This name good Samaritan comes from a parable in the Bible. The government of India has recognised how the Bible gives lessons on moral values, such as helping someone in need, and named a policy after it,” said the archbishop.
“The committee deciding the syllabus should consider all religions. They all have something to offer. Hinduism talks about “Vasudeva Kudumbam” (universal family), Christianity talks about the virtue of forgiveness, Quran talks about peace and Buddhism talks about how desire is root of all problems. The government should incorporate all of this into a beautiful textbook and students should get a universal understanding of religion,” he added.
When asked if the mobs and fringe organisations are acting with deterrence in their campaigns against minorities, he said that if the government wants it can take certain steps to control them.
“I think he (Basavaraj Bommai) is a gentleman. Unfortunately, people surrounding him are forcing his hands. The government should control these (fringe) organisations. It is they who are raking up these issues and the government doesn’t seem to have control over them. The government should address these issues because it is making a sensible government look weak and bad,” said Machado.
Meanwhile, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, a right-wing organisation has given a call for people to report any instances of the students being taught the Bible in schools. “Many Christian convents have indulged in illegal activities like making Bible mandatory for Hindu students, banning bangles and tilak, insulting Hindu deities, imposing fine for celebrating Hindu rituals etc. In case any such incidents come to the notice of parents, they are is requested to share such details with Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. We would be starting a campaign against this and making government authorities stop such injustice with tough action,” read the statement from the organisation.
The archbishop, however, denied the allegations and said that only Christian students and those who voluntarily sign up for these classes are given Bible lessons in Christian institutes. | https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/archbishop-hits-out-at-edu-min-says-all-religions-have-moral-values-101651175302015-amp.html | 2022-04-28T20:39:52Z | https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/archbishop-hits-out-at-edu-min-says-all-religions-have-moral-values-101651175302015-amp.html | false | 2 |
As the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays complete their three-game series Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla., the traditional “getaway day” phrase doesn’t quite fit.
These two teams will face each other again in exactly one week. The only thing that will change is the venue. From May 5-8, the Mariners will host the Rays in Seattle.
That’s good news for Seattle, despite its 3-2 loss on Wednesday. The Mariners have won 24 of their past 34 games against the Rays, and Seattle owns a 7-2 mark in the past nine meetings.
Don’t expect a pitcher’s duel in this one. The Mariners will start righty Chris Flexen (1-2, 3.63 ERA) and the Rays will counter with left-hander Jeffrey Springs (1-0, 0.00), whose only two career starts came as a rookie with the Texas Rangers back in 2018.
Even though Springs is fresh off the COVID-related injury list, the Rays will hand him the ball. They don’t have much choice because they don’t have a lot of healthy arms with injuries taking a toll on the pitching staff.
The Rays will turn to the opener concept manager Kevin Cash unveiled in 2018 and hope they can get a couple innings out of Springs, who has pitched seven innings, all in relief, this year, before tapping into the rest of their staff.
Springs has limited experience against the Mariners. He has faced them eight times, going 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA. It’s also a concern that he will have to face Seattle’s J.P. Crawford, who has three homers vs. lefties this season.
Crawford extended his hitting streak to six games with a home run on Wednesday, but he had his streak of multi-hit games end at four. Crawford has been on a roll since April 20, amassing eight of his nine RBIs in that span while belting three home runs.
The Rays have recently found a power surge of their own — in a most unlikely place. Kevin Kiermaier, who usually bats in the lower third of the order, hit a two-run home run Wednesday. That followed his walk-off home run in a Saturday win over the Boston Red Sox.
“I’m starting to feel more athletic up there and swinging with a little bit more authority,” Kiermaier said. “I’d still like to make a couple more adjustments, but we’re heading in the right direction and that’s all you can ask for.”
Although Flexen has more experience as a starter than Springs, he doesn’t have a strong track record against the Rays. He is 1-1 with a 6.52 in two career starts vs. Tampa Bay.
Seattle also has had injuries to its pitching staff, but the Mariners might have dodged a bullet Wednesday night.
Starter Marco Gonzales threw only 11 pitches before exiting the game after he was struck by a line drive off the bat of Harold Ramirez. X-rays were negative, but Seattle manager Scott Servais wasn’t ready to declare Gonzales healthy for his next scheduled start on Monday in Houston.
“It’s probably not the best,” Servais said. “We have a lot of baseball ahead of us and he’s such a big part of what we do and a stabilizer within our rotation. But we’re in April.”
–Field Level Media | https://www.fox16.com/mlb/pitching-a-concern-as-rays-mariners-finish-series/ | 2022-04-28T20:41:07Z | https://www.fox16.com/mlb/pitching-a-concern-as-rays-mariners-finish-series/ | true | 12 |
Amber Alert canceled, 4-year-old in Georgia found safe
Published: Apr. 28, 2022 at 3:06 PM CDT|Updated: 5 minutes ago
SNELLVILLE, Ga. (Gray News) - A missing 4-year-old girl in Georgia has been found safe and a suspect is in custody, police said Thursday.
The Levi’s Call, Georgia’s Amber Alert, has been canceled for Valery Molina.
Police said she was abducted by Alfred Molina. Snellville police posted to Facebook that she was safe soon after the alert went out.
Anyone with additional information can contact Snellville police at 404-731-2713 or call 911.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wsfa.com/2022/04/28/amber-alert-4-year-old-abducted-georgia/ | 2022-04-28T20:45:13Z | https://www.wsfa.com/2022/04/28/amber-alert-4-year-old-abducted-georgia/ | true | null |
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BRISTOL — Elcona Country Club has retained its designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.
Golf Course Superintendent Ryan Cummings leads the effort to maintain sanctuary status on the course. Elcona Country Club was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2011 and is one of six golf courses in Indiana, and of over 900 in the world, to hold certification from Audubon International.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
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each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.elkharttruth.com/features/elcona-country-club-recognized-for-environmental-excellence/article_00f620d7-e314-579a-a7cc-7891a6d74a45.html | 2022-04-28T20:48:54Z | https://www.elkharttruth.com/features/elcona-country-club-recognized-for-environmental-excellence/article_00f620d7-e314-579a-a7cc-7891a6d74a45.html | true | 1119 |
Canada removes ban on blood donations from gay men
- Published
Canadian health officials have removed a ban on blood donations from gay men, one that has long been condemned as homophobic.
The old rule prevented donations from men who have had sex with other men within three months of giving blood.
Health Canada called the move "a significant milestone toward a more inclusive blood donation system".
Countries around the world have been lifting similar bans in recent years.
As of 30 September, prospective donors will not be asked about their sexual orientation during the screening process but instead about whether they engage in any higher-risk sexual behaviours.
The policy change comes after Canadian Blood Services, which collects blood and blood product donations across most of the country, submitted a request last year to scrap the rule to Health Canada, which announced it had approved it on Thursday.
Canada's ban was first put in place in 1992 as a measure to prevent HIV from entering the blood supply. It came the wake of a 1980s public health scandal where some 2,000 people were infected with HIV and up to 60,000 with Hepatitis C from tainted blood donations amid testing failures.
The donation ban was initially for life, but that policy was first eased in 2013, when men who had sex with men were allowed to donate after being abstinent for five years. That was later eased to the current three month period.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal party first made the promise to end the donation ban during the 2015 federal election campaign and has faced growing criticism for its failure to do so.
At a news conference on Thursday, Mr Trudeau said the change that was long overdue, calling the current approach "discriminatory and wrong".
Many countries instituted similar donation bans during the Aids epidemic of the 1980s. Experts have found that the bans had little effect, since blood is now systematically screened in advance for viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C.
The UK lifted its own three month ban on blood donations from gay men last year. France, Greece, Israel, Hungary, Denmark and Brazil have also recently lifted restrictions.
Facing a blood shortage due to the coronavirus pandemic, the US reduced its celibacy requirement for gay men from one year to three months in October 2020. | https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61265645 | 2022-04-28T20:49:25Z | https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61265645 | true | 3 |
6ix9ine gets punched in the head as he made his way out of a Miami nightclub last night a day after his running with Lil Durk look-a-like.
A video has been shared online with the controversial rapper seen leaving a Miami club when a man comes out of nowhere and punches him in the back of his head. 6ix9ine confirmed the punch but seems he shrugged it off to take pics with fans.
According to TMZ, the video is from inside the Pilos Tacos Tequilla Garden in Miami as the rapper was leaving around 2 AM. The video shows Tekashi being escorted by security and other members of his team when a man comes in between him and the security and sucker punch him from behind.
The grainy video does not clearly show where the punch landed, but it seemed to connect somewhere between his head and shoulders.
The guy who threw the punch immediately runs away and has not been arrested.
In the meantime, TMZ shared a quote from 6ix9ine, who confirmed that he was hit. “He scuffed my shoulder by my neck. He also connected with the shoulder of my security guard,” the Brooklyn rapper says.
He added, “I didn’t know this guy. There was no prior dispute.”
The rapper also confirmed that he was at the venue for an appearance and performed one song. It’s unclear what that song was, but the rapper has been taking shots at various people in the past few days with his new song “GINE”.
Even though he was hit, it seems that fans were happy to see the rapper, who did not appear jolted by the attack and instead was seen signing autographs outside the club.
6ix9ine has been making a lot of people angry as he instigates beef among rappers and has even taken jabs at Lil Durk and the late King Von.
He has also challenged 42 Dugg to a boxing match after Dugg called him out for setting up Lil Durk lookalike Perkio days before.
The rapper has been called a “rat” and a “snitch” by many rappers and industry people for his role in a 2019 Racketeering trial that sent Nine Trey Gangsters to jail in 2020.
He also copped a short prison sentence that was partially a home confinement sentence due to a plea deal for cooperating with authorities.
He’s now returning to the social media scene and promoting new music as well as instigating new beef with other rappers in the process. | https://dutchcaribbeannews.com/6ix9ine-punched-in-the-head-at-miami-nightclub-after-running-with-lil-durk-look-a-like/ | 2022-04-28T20:51:02Z | https://dutchcaribbeannews.com/6ix9ine-punched-in-the-head-at-miami-nightclub-after-running-with-lil-durk-look-a-like/ | true | 10 |
Patrick Lawrence
What shall we think and believe today? Mariupol, 15 March. (Ukrainian government, cc by 4.0/ Wikimedia Commons.)
This is the first of an occasional series, to appear in four parts, considering various aspects of our “bubble of pretend,” that protective membrane within which most Americans prefer to reside, safely removed from the realities of our circumstances, the disorders of our time, and, of course, the responsibilities we share for these circumstances and disorders. My concern as I began these pieces, sometimes tipping into morbid fascination, was that our collective psychology, as I understand the term, has deteriorated these past few years to such an extent it calls into question the survival of our polity, if not our republic.
—P.L.
25 APRIL—It is perfectly obvious by now, to anyone who cares to look, that mainstream media in America and the other Western powers are not reporting the Ukraine crisis accurately.
Let me try that another way: The government-supervised New York Times and the rest of the corporate-owned media on both sides of the Atlantic lie routinely to their readers and viewers as to why Russia intervened in Ukraine, the progress of its military operation, the conduct of Ukrainian forces, and America’s role in purposely provoking and prolonging this crisis.
So far as I know, this is the first war in modern history with no objective, principled coverage in mainstream media of day-to-day events and their context. None. It is morn-to-night propaganda, disinformation and lies of omission—most of it fashioned by the Nazi-infested Zelensky regime in Kiev and repeated uncritically as fact.
There is one thing worse than this degenerate state of affairs. It is the extent to which the media’s malpractice is perfectly fine to most Americans. Tell us what to think and believe no matter if it is true, they say, and we will think and believe it. Show us some pictures, for images are all.
There are larger implications to consider here. Critical as it is that we understand this conflict, Ukraine is a mirror in which we see ourselves as we have become. For more Americans than I wish were so, reality forms only in images. These Americans are no longer occupants of their own lives. Risking a paradox, what they take to be reality is detached from reality.
This majority — and it is almost certainly a majority — has no thoughts or views except those first verified through the machinery of manufactured images and “facts.” Television screens, the pages of purportedly authoritative newspapers, the air waves of government-funded radio stations—NPR, the BBC—serve to certify realities that do not have to be real, truths that do not have to be true.
This leaves us in a sad and very parlous place.
Sad: Is there some state more pitiful than having no genuine connection to one’s own thoughts, perceptions, experience—altogether to one’s life? If Americans are not a profoundly sad people behind all the smiles we see in advertising, idiotic comedy shows, and on Facebook, then I must be missing something.
Parlous: Over the course of some decades—from the mid–Cold War years, I would say—Americans have been rendered highly vulnerable to the manipulations of those who control the images through which most people have come to live. Anyone who has read a history of the 20th century knows where this can lead.
The two months that have passed since the Russian intervention on 24 February have been shocking on both these counts. The derelictions of the press and broadcasters are without precedent in my lifetime, and with Vietnam, the Iraq War, and the covert operation in Syria among the wreckage in the rearview mirror, this is saying something.
I will let the American public’s enthusiasm for the sinkhole that is Ukraine, the Azov Battalion, and the ridiculous posturing of President Volodymyr Zelensky, the comedian who is no longer funny, speak for itself.
Ten days into the Russian intervention, the propaganda coming out of Kiev was already so preposterous The New York Times felt compelled to publish a piece headlined, “In Ukraine’s Information War, a Blend of Fact and Fiction.” This was a baldly rendered apologia for the many “stories of questionable veracity,” as The Times put it, then in circulation. I do love The Times for its delicate phrasing when describing indelicate matters.
There was the “Ghost of Kiev” story, featuring an heroic fighter pilot who turned out to derive from a video game. There were the Snake Island heroes, 13 Ukrainian soldiers who held out to the death on some small speck in the Black Sea, except that it turned out they surrendered, though not before Zelensky awarded them posthumous medals of honor that were not posthumous.
After railing against disinformation for years, The Times wants us to know, disinformation is O.K. in Ukraine because the Ukrainians are our side and they are simply “boosting morale.”
We cannot say we weren’t warned. The Ghost of Kiev and Snake Island turn out now to be mere prelude, opening acts in the most extensive propaganda operation of the many I can recall.
There was the maternity ward the Russians supposedly bombed in Mariupol. And then the theater, and then the art school. All filled with huddling citizens the Russian air force cynically targeted because “this is genocide,” as the ever-intemperate Zelensky does not hesitate to assert.
All of this has been reported as fact in the Times and other major dailies and, of course, by the major broadcasters. There have been pictures. There have been videos, all very persuasive to the eye.
And then, as evidence mounts that these incidents were staged as propaganda to frame the Russians and draw NATO forces directly into the war, a silence worthy of a Catholic chapel descends. We read no more of the maternity ward that turned out to be an improvised Azov base, or the theater, where citizens were herded, photographed in raggedy blankets, and sent away. Ditto the art school: Nothing more on this since the initial reports began to collapse. No body counts, no mention of the fact that Russian jets did not fly over Mariupol on the days in question.
Before proceeding to Bucha, the greatest of the outrages to date, I must reproduce a quotation from that propaganda-is-O.K. piece The Times published in its 3 March editions. It is from a Twitter user who was distressed that it became public that the Ghost of Kiev turned out to be a ghost and the Snake Island heroes didn’t do much by way of holding the fort.
“Why can’t we just let people believe some things?” this thoughtful man or woman wanted to know. What is wrong, in other words, if thinking and believing nice things that aren’t true makes people feel better?
America the beautiful, or something like that.
Bucha is a suburb of 35,000 souls a few miles north of Kiev and one of the cities Russian forces began to evacuate on 29 March as peace talks in Istanbul progressed. Two days later the mayor, Anatoly Fedoruk, celebrated the city’s liberation in a selfie-speech to his citizenry. He made no mention of anything untoward in Bucha’s streets, backyards, or public spaces.
Four days later, 2 April, a special unit of the Ukrainian national police deployed to Bucha. And suddenly the place turns out to be a hellhole: bodies in the streets — 410, according to the Prosecutor General’s office in Kiev — evidence of atrocities galore, people bound and shot point blank. The whole nine, in short.
The outrage from Washington, London and Paris—“worldwide outrage,” this would be — was instant. No demand for an impartial inquiry, forensic inspections, or any such thing. No one asked why corpses left in the street for five days appeared to be fresh, or why the relatives of the dead left them there until Kiev’s commando unit arrived.
António Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, was level-headed enough to state, “It is essential that an independent investigation leads to effective accountability.” This is the only sound position at this point. But we know from a long history how far SGs at the U.N. get with this sort of talk.
In my read this is yet another of the false flags the Kiev regime flies almost by the day now. Paying-attention people will not miss the striking similarity between these incidents and the numerous put-up jobs that featured in Washington’s covert operation in Syria and the campaign of those famous “moderate rebels” who desperately wanted to draw the U.S. into the conflict.
As a matter of principle we must await evidence of what happened in Bucha, even as we know we are likely to see as much about events there as we have in Mariupol. We also know that to most people neither evidence nor its absence matters.
We have been told once again what to think and believe, and most of us will think and believe it.
We are to add this to various other “truths” now almost universally accepted: The Russian intervention had nothing to do with NATO expansion and was “unprovoked”—that favored term in the Biden regime. Ukrainian forces have pushed the Russians into retreat: not that the pressure on Kiev was a Russian diversionary tactic to keep Ukrainian forces away from Donbass where the fighting is.
After the Pentagon Papers came out in 1971, Hannah Arendt published an essay in The New York Review of Books called “Lying in Politics.” In it she wrote of America’s slide into a sort of collective psychosis she termed “defactualization.” Facts are fragile, Arendt wrote, in that they tell no story in themselves. They can be assembled to mean whatever one wants them to mean. This leaves them vulnerable to the manipulations of storytellers.
“The deliberate falsehood deals with contingent facts,” Arendt explained in this remarkable piece of work, “that is, with matters which carry no inherent truth within themselves, no necessity to be as they are; factual truths are never compellingly true.”
A dead body in a Ukrainian street, in other words, can be assigned a meaning that, once it is established, evidence to the contrary cannot be used to erase.
It is a half-century since Arendt published “Lying in Politics.” And it is to that time, the 1960s and 1970s, that we must trace the formation of what now amounts to America’s great bubble of pretend. The world as it is has mattered less and less since Arendt’s time, the world as we have wished it to be has mattered more and more.
Nine years before Arendt published her NYRB piece, Daniel Boorstin brought out The Image: Or, What happened to the American Dream, an unjustly neglected work. “I describe the world of our making,” he wrote, “how we have used our wealth, our literacy, our technology, and our progress to create the thicket of unreality which stands between us and the facts of life.”
The press, as you can imagine, did not escape Boorstin’s scrutiny. “The reporter’s task,” he wrote memorably, “is to find a way to weave these threads of unreality into a fabric the reader will not recognize as entirely unreal.”
This is our condition. The Ukraine crisis is the mirror that reflects us as we are.
Now I will relate a peculiar coincidence, pertinent to our case.
A few weeks ago I took it upon myself to watch Marcel Ophuls’ The Sorrow and the Pity, all four hours of it. This is the famously explosive documentary that forced the French to come to terms with the extent to which they had collaborated with the Nazis during the three years and some they occupied France.
This film has a special meaning for me. It came out in 1969, just as I arrived in Paris for university studies. France was in an uproar over Ophuls’ film. It was banned from broadcast on French television until 1981. I did not understand much of this at the time.
The Sorrow and the Pity shredded to pieces, relentlessly, unblinkingly, the national myth that the French had all been heroes of the resistance, or had aided it, or had in some way stood against the collaborationist Vichy regime of Marshal Pétain, hero of Verdun in World War I, capitulationist in World War II. This was nothing like the case.
Now I understand what the young student long ago could not quite grasp. The French simply could not face Ophuls’ unyielding exposure of who they had been. Ophuls had punctured the enduring bubble of pretend within which they had lived for 25 years after the 1945 victory in Europe.
People can live in these bubbles a very long time. The unreality within them can be very persuasive. The French finally emerged from their bubble. It was painful, a passage full of angst, but they were fortunate to have escaped.
Will we have our interim of sorrow, of pity, and emerge from our bubble the better for it? May we someday be so blest. | https://libya360.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/the-defactualization-of-america-ukraine-as-mirror/ | 2022-04-28T20:53:21Z | https://libya360.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/the-defactualization-of-america-ukraine-as-mirror/ | true | 1 |
Raises 2022 guidance
Leased over 1 million square feet at 16.1% comparable blended cash leasing spreads
Acquired $66 million of high-quality Sun Belt assets
Share repurchase program upsized to $300 million from $150 million
INDIANAPOLIS, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG), a premier owner and operator of high-quality, open-air grocery-anchored neighborhood and community centers, along with vibrant mixed-use assets, reported today its operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.
“KRG had an exceptional first quarter of 2022 and our team is executing on all fronts,” said John A. Kite, Chairman and CEO. “KRG continues to capitalize on robust demand for open-air retail shopping destinations, as evidenced by our sustained leasing volume and over 16% cash leasing spreads. Based on the first quarter’s outperformance and our improved outlook for the balance of 2022, we are increasing our FFO, as adjusted guidance by $0.05 per share at the midpoint and increasing same-property NOI growth by 75 basis points at the midpoint. KRG’s results continue to validate our ability to scale KRG’s operating platform across our high-quality portfolio of open-air shopping destinations to drive long-term value creation.”
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
- Net loss attributable to common shareholders of $16.8 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $24.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
- Generated NAREIT Funds From Operations of the Operating Partnership (FFO) of $101.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted share.
- Generated FFO, as adjusted, of the Operating Partnership of $101.5 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, which is a 35% per share increase over the comparable period in 2021.
- Excludes a positive impact of $1.1 million of prior period collection impact related to the recovery of cash and non-cash bad debt and accounts receivable in 2022.
- Excludes the impact of $0.9 million of merger and acquisition costs.
- Same Property Net Operating Income (NOI) increased by 5.9% (including legacy RPAI properties).
First Quarter 2022 Portfolio Operations
- Executed 182 new and renewal leases representing approximately 1.1 million square feet.
- Cash leasing spreads of 58.7% on 26 comparable new leases, 8.9% on 79 comparable renewals, and 16.1% on a blended basis.
- Operating retail portfolio annualized base rent (ABR) per square foot of $19.57 at March 31, 2022, a 5.6% increase year-over-year.
- Retail portfolio percent leased of 93.6% at March 31, 2022, a sequential increase of 20 basis points.
- Portfolio leased-to-occupied spread of 320 basis points, which equates to $37.0 million of signed-not-open NOI.
First Quarter 2022 Capital Allocation Activity
- As previously disclosed, sold a portion of Hamilton Crossing Centre (Carmel, IN) and entered into a fee development agreement to build an approximately $200 million mixed-use corporate campus for Republic Airways. In addition to the $6.9 million KRG received for the land, KRG will earn significant development fees and development profits, while contributing no incremental capital.
- Acquired Pebble Marketplace (Las Vegas, NV), an 85,800 square foot grocery-anchored center, for a purchase price of $44.1 million.
Subsequent Capital Allocation Activity
- Acquired the Sprouts and Total Wine building at KRG-owned MacArthur Crossing (Dallas / Fort Worth, TX) for a purchase price of $21.9 million.
- Used the $125.0 million short-term deposit that matured on April 7, 2022 to repay borrowings on the Company’s revolving line of credit.
- The Company’s Board of Trustees authorized a $150.0 million increase to the size of its existing share repurchase program, authorizing share repurchases up to an aggregate $300.0 million.
Balance Sheet Overview
- As of March 31, 2022, KRG’s net debt to Adjusted EBITDA was 5.7x.
- Pro forma for $37.0 million of signed-not-open NOI (represents expected revenue associated with leases that have been executed as of March 31, 2022, but have yet to commence rent payments), net debt to adjusted EBITDA would be 5.4x.
2022 Earnings Guidance
KRG is updating its 2022 guidance for FFO, as adjusted, to $1.74 to $1.80 per diluted share from $1.69 to $1.75 per diluted share, based, in part, on the following key assumptions:
- Increased same property NOI range to 2.25% to 3.25%, which represents a 75-basis point increase at the midpoint.
- Decreased bad debt by 25 basis points to 1.25% of total revenues at the midpoint.
- Any transaction activity is expected to be earnings neutral.
The following table reconciles the Company’s 2022 net income guidance range to the Company’s updated 2022 FFO, as adjusted, guidance range:
Earnings Conference Call
Kite Realty Group Trust will conduct a conference call to discuss its financial results on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on KRG’s website at www.kiterealty.com. The dial-in numbers are (844) 309-0605 for domestic callers and (574) 990-9933 for international callers (Conference ID: 9268086). In addition, a webcast replay link will be available on KRG’s website.
About Kite Realty Group Trust
Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Indianapolis, IN that is one of the largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets. The company’s primarily grocery-anchored portfolio is located in high-growth Sun Belt and select strategic gateway markets. The combination of necessity-based grocery-anchored neighborhood and community centers, along with vibrant mixed-use assets makes the KRG portfolio an ideal mix for both retailers and consumers. Publicly listed since 2004, KRG has nearly 60 years of experience in developing, constructing and operating real estate. Using operational, investment, development, and redevelopment expertise, KRG continuously optimizes its portfolio to maximize value and return to shareholders. As of March 31, 2022, the Company owned interests in 181 U.S. open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets, comprising approximately 28.8 million square feet of gross leasable space. For more information, please visit kiterealty.com.
Connect with KRG: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Safe Harbor
This release, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by us, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be realized and are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual results, performance, transactions or achievements, financial or otherwise, may differ materially from the results, performance, transactions or achievements, financial or otherwise, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Currently, one of the most significant factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ significantly from our forward-looking statements is the adverse effect of the current pandemic of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, including possible resurgences, variants and mutations, on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance of the Company and its tenants, the real estate market and the global economy and financial markets. Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause such differences, some of which could be material, include but are not limited to: the risks associated with the merger with RPAI, including the integration of the businesses of the combined company, the ability to achieve expected synergies or costs savings and potential disruptions to the Company’s plans and operations; national and local economic, business, real estate and other market conditions, particularly in connection with low or negative growth in the U.S. economy as well as economic uncertainty (including the potential effects of inflation); the risk that our actual NOI for leases that have signed but not yet opened will not be consistent with expected NOI for leases that have signed but not yet opened; financing risks, including the availability of, and costs associated with, sources of liquidity; the Company’s ability to refinance, or extend the maturity dates of, the Company’s indebtedness; the level and volatility of interest rates; the financial stability of tenants; the competitive environment in which the Company operates, including potential oversupplies of and reduction in demand for rental space; acquisition, disposition, development and joint venture risks; property ownership and management risks, including the relative illiquidity of real estate investments, and expenses, vacancies or the inability to rent space on favorable terms or at all; the Company’s ability to maintain the Company’s status as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; potential environmental and other liabilities; impairment in the value of real estate property the Company owns; the attractiveness of our properties to tenants, the actual and perceived impact of e-commerce on the value of shopping center assets and changing demographics and customer traffic patterns; business continuity disruptions and a deterioration in our tenant’s ability to operate in affected areas or delays in the supply of products or services to us or our tenants from vendors that are needed to operate efficiently, causing costs to rise sharply and inventory to fall; risks related to our current geographical concentration of the Company’s properties in Texas, Florida, New York, Maryland, and North Carolina; civil unrest, acts of terrorism or war, acts of God, climate change, epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19), natural disasters and severe weather conditions, including such events that may result in underinsured or uninsured losses or other increased costs and expenses; changes in laws and government regulations including governmental orders affecting the use of the Company’s properties or the ability of its tenants to operate, and the costs of complying with such changed laws and government regulations; possible short-term or long-term changes in consumer behavior due to COVID-19 and the fear of future pandemics; our ability to satisfy environmental, social or governance standards set by various constituencies; insurance costs and coverage; risks associated with cybersecurity attacks and the loss of confidential information and other business disruptions; other factors affecting the real estate industry generally; and other risks identified in reports the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”) or in other documents that it publicly disseminates, including, in particular, the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This Earnings Release also includes certain forward-looking non-GAAP information. Due to high variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections of some of the information excluded from these estimates, together with some of the excluded information not being ascertainable or accessible, the Company is unable to quantify certain amounts that would be required to be included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures without unreasonable efforts.
(1) “FFO of the Operating Partnership” measures 100% of the operating performance of the Operating Partnership’s real estate properties. “FFO attributable to common shareholders” reflects a reduction for the redeemable noncontrolling weighted average diluted interest in the Operating Partnership.
(2) Per share/unit amounts of components will not necessarily sum to the total due to rounding to the nearest cent.
Funds from Operations (“FFO”) is a widely used performance measure for real estate companies and is provided here as a supplemental measure of operating performance. The Company calculates FFO, a non-GAAP financial measure, in accordance with the best practices described in the April 2002 National Policy Bulletin of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), as restated in 2018. The NAREIT white paper defines FFO as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP), excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from change in control, and impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity.
Considering the nature of our business as a real estate owner and operator, the Company believes that FFO is helpful to investors in measuring our operational performance because it excludes various items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of our operating performance, such as gains or losses from sales of depreciated property and depreciation and amortization, which can make periodic and peer analyses of operating performance more difficult. FFO excludes the 2021 gain on sale of the ground lease portfolios as these sales were part of our capital strategy distinct from our ongoing operating strategy of selling individual land parcels from time to time. FFO (a) should not be considered as an alternative to net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) for the purpose of measuring our financial performance, (b) is not an alternative to cash flow from operating activities (calculated in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of our liquidity, and (c) is not indicative of funds available to satisfy our cash needs, including our ability to make distributions. The Company’s computation of FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do.
From time to time, the Company may report or provide guidance with respect to “FFO as adjusted” which starts with FFO, as defined by NAREIT, and then removes the impact of certain non-recurring and non-operating transactions or other items the Company does not consider to be representative of its core operating results including, without limitation, gains or losses associated with the early extinguishment of debt, gains or losses associated with litigation involving the Company that is not in the normal course of business, merger and acquisition costs, the impact on earnings from employee severance, the excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redemption, and the impact of prior period bad debt or the collection of accounts receivable previously written off (“prior period collection impact”), which are not otherwise adjusted in the Company’s calculation of FFO.
(1) Same Property NOI excludes properties that have not been owned for the full periods presented. However, due to the size of the RPAI portfolio acquired in the merger, the legacy RPAI properties have been deemed to qualify for the same property pool beginning in 2022 if they had a full first quarter of operations in 2021 within the legacy RPAI portfolio prior to the merger.
(2) Same Property NOI excludes (i) Glendale Town Center, which was reclassified from active redevelopment into our operating portfolio in December 2021, (ii) seven active development and redevelopment projects, (iii) Arcadia Village and Pebble Marketplace, which were acquired subsequent to January 1, 2021, and (iv) office properties and includes the legacy RPAI same property pool.
(3) Excludes leases that are signed but for which tenants have not yet commenced the payment of cash rent. Calculated as a weighted average based on the timing of cash rent commencement and expiration during the period.
(4) Includes non-cash activity across the portfolio as well as NOI from properties not included in the same property pool, including properties sold during both periods.
The Company uses same property NOI (“Same Property NOI”), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate the performance of our properties. Same Property NOI is net income excluding properties that have not been owned for the full periods presented. However, due to the size of the Retail Properties of America, Inc. (“RPAI”) portfolio acquired in the merger with RPAI, which closed in October 2021, (the “Merger”), the legacy RPAI properties have been deemed to qualify for the same property pool beginning in 2022 if they had a full quarter of operations in 2021 within the legacy RPAI portfolio prior to the Merger. Same Property NOI also excludes (i) net gains from outlot sales, (ii) straight-line rent revenue, (iii) lease termination income in excess of lost rent, (iv) amortization of lease intangibles, and (v) significant prior period expense recoveries and adjustments, if any. When the Company receives payments in excess of any accounts receivable for terminating a lease, Same Property NOI will include such excess payments as monthly rent until the earlier of the expiration of 12 months or the start date of a replacement tenant. The Company believes that Same Property NOI is helpful to investors as a measure of our operating performance because it includes only the NOI of properties that have been owned for the full periods presented. The Company believes such presentation eliminates disparities in net income due to the acquisition or disposition of properties during the particular periods presented and thus provides a more consistent metric for the comparison of our properties. Same Property NOI includes the results of properties that have been owned for the entire current and prior year reporting periods.
In order to provide meaningful comparative information across periods that, in some cases, predate the Merger, all information regarding the performance of the same property pool is presented as though the Merger was consummated on January 1, 2021 (i.e., as though the properties owned by RPAI prior to the Merger that are included in our same property pool had been owned by the Company for the entirety of all comparison periods for which same property pool information is presented). NOI and Same Property NOI should not, however, be considered as alternatives to net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) as indicators of our financial performance. The Company’s computation of NOI and Same Property NOI may differ from the methodology used by other REITs and, therefore, may not be comparable to such other REITs.
When evaluating the properties that are included in the same property pool, we have established specific criteria for determining the inclusion of properties acquired or those recently under development. An acquired property is included in the same property pool when there is a full quarter of operations in both years subsequent to the acquisition date. The properties acquired in the Merger with RPAI qualify for the same property pool beginning in 2022 if they had a full first quarter of operations in 2021 within the legacy RPAI portfolio prior to the Merger. Development and redevelopment properties are included in the same property pool four full quarters after the properties have been transferred to the operating portfolio. A redevelopment property is first excluded from the same property pool when the execution of a redevelopment plan is likely and we (a) begin recapturing space from tenants or (b) the contemplated plan significantly impacts the operations of the property. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the same property pool excludes (i) Glendale Town Center, which was reclassified from active redevelopment into our operating portfolio in December 2021, (ii) seven active development and redevelopment projects, (iii) Arcadia Village and Pebble Marketplace, which were acquired subsequent to January 1, 2021, and (iv) office properties.
(1) Represents Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (as shown in the table above) multiplied by four.
(2) Partner share of consolidated joint venture debt is calculated based upon the partner’s pro-rata ownership of the joint venture, multiplied by the related secured debt balance.
The Company defines EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income before interest expense, income tax expense of the taxable REIT subsidiary, and depreciation and amortization. For informational purposes, the Company also provides Adjusted EBITDA, which it defines as EBITDA less (i) EBITDA from unconsolidated entities, (ii) gains on sales of operating properties or impairment charges, (iii) merger and acquisition costs, (iv) other income and expense, (v) noncontrolling interest EBITDA, and (vi) other non-recurring activity or items impacting comparability from period to period. Annualized Adjusted EBITDA is Adjusted EBITDA for the most recent quarter multiplied by four. Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA is the Company’s share of net debt divided by Annualized Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Annualized Adjusted EBITDA and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA, as calculated by the Company, are not comparable to EBITDA and EBITDA-related measures reported by other REITs that do not define EBITDA and EBITDA-related measures exactly as we do. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Annualized Adjusted EBITDA do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered alternatives to net income as an indicator of performance or as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities as an indicator of liquidity.
Considering the nature of our business as a real estate owner and operator, the Company believes that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA are helpful to investors in measuring our operational performance because they exclude various items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of the Company’s operating performance, such as gains or losses from sales of depreciated property and depreciation and amortization, which can make periodic and peer analyses of operating performance more difficult. For informational purposes, the Company also provides Annualized Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted as described above. The Company believes this supplemental information provides a meaningful measure of its operating performance. The Company believes presenting EBITDA and the related measures in this manner allows investors and other interested parties to form a more meaningful assessment of the Company’s operating results.
Contact Information: Kite Realty Group Trust
Jason Colton
SVP, Capital Markets & Investor Relations
317.713.2762
jcolton@kiterealty.com | https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/04/28/2431996/0/en/Kite-Realty-Group-Trust-Reports-First-Quarter-2022-Operating-Results.html | 2022-04-28T20:55:06Z | https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/04/28/2431996/0/en/Kite-Realty-Group-Trust-Reports-First-Quarter-2022-Operating-Results.html | true | 1 |
Saskatoon runner saves man struggling in river
A Saskatoon man is being hailed a hero following a daring rescue on the South Saskatchewan River.
Brian Gibson was taking a break between running up and down sets of stairs at the Ravine Drive and Spadina Crescent intersection when he noticed a man in the river.
After seeing the man struggle for a few minutes, Gibson's instincts took over, he told CTV News.
He jumped in, swam to the man and dragged him back to shore.
Gibson says once he realized the man was in trouble he didn't even think about what to do next.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Significant milestone': Canada's blood ban will soon be eradicated
A policy change years in the making, on Thursday Health Canada approved Canadian Blood Services' submission to eliminate the three-month donor deferral period for gay and bisexual men as well as some other folks in the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Canada plans to reopen embassy in Ukraine in coming days or weeks: Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says the Canadian government intends to reopen its embassy doors in Ukraine shortly, following in the footsteps of its allies.
Mounting evidence Canada trained Ukrainian extremists, gov't needs to be held to account: experts
Continued evidence that the Canadian Armed Forces have trained extremists in Ukrainian military should raise tough questions for government, experts say.
'More questions than answers': COVID vaccines for kids under 5 still not authorized in Canada
There are no vaccines currently approved for use in children under the age of five in Canada. While this may leave some parents concerned about their child's exposure to COVID-19, experts insist there's no reason to rush the process.
Moderna seeks COVID vaccine approval for kids under 6 in Canada
Moderna says it's working on a submission to Health Canada for the approval a COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of six.
BREAKING | Ontario 2022 budget includes new measures for seniors, low-income workers
Ontario’s deficit will rise this year to $19.9 billion, with the Ford government enacting new measures for seniors, low-income workers and auto commuters in his pre-election budget.
Will Ottawa police be prepared for the 'Rolling Thunder' convoy? Experts weigh in
As the 'Rolling Thunder' convoy heads to the nation's capital this weekend, all eyes are on the Ottawa Police Service as it works to avoid a repeat of the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation that paralyzed downtown streets for weeks earlier this year.
Sunwing party flight passengers fined total of $59K: Transport Canada
After a nearly four-month investigation, heavy fines are being slapped on some of the infamous Sunwing 'party flight' passengers in late December, including for not being vaccinated. Transport Canada announced Thursday that out of 154 passengers on the Montreal to Cancun flight, 37 are facing a total of $59,500 in fines.
Explosions rock Kyiv again as Russians rain fire on Ukraine
Russia pounded a wide area of Ukraine on Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city during a visit by the head of the United Nations in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow's forces retreated weeks ago. | https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon-runner-saves-man-struggling-in-river-1.5880471 | 2022-04-28T20:55:09Z | https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon-runner-saves-man-struggling-in-river-1.5880471 | true | 2 |
RED BANK, N.J. (AP) _ OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC) on Thursday reported first-quarter net income of $25.8 million.
On a per-share basis, the Red Bank, New Jersey-based company said it had net income of 42 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs and costs related to mergers and acquisitions, were 49 cents per share.
The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 46 cents per share.
The holding company for OceanFirst Bank posted revenue of $99.8 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $93.1 million, which met Street forecasts.
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This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on OCFC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/OCFC | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/business/article/OceanFirst-Q1-Earnings-Snapshot-17134611.php | 2022-04-28T20:55:23Z | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/business/article/OceanFirst-Q1-Earnings-Snapshot-17134611.php | false | null |
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A 6-year-old Connecticut boy suffered serious burns to his face and legs after being hit with a burning ball thrown by another young child, according to his family.
The boy, Dominick Krankall, was being treated for second- and third-degree burns at Bridgeport Hospital and is recovering, relatives said.
Bridgeport officials did not immediately confirm the family's account.
Bridgeport’s director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Scott Appleby, said in a statement that the incident Sunday was under investigation. Preliminary reports indicated four unattended children were seen playing with gasoline and lighting objects on fire, he said.
No criminal charges were announced.
The Krankall's sister, Kayla Deegan, said an 8-year-old boy who lives in the same multifamily home in Bridgeport poured gasoline on a tennis ball, lit it and threw it at her brother in the building's backyard.
“In a matter of seconds he came back around the corner screaming, saying ‘Mommy, they lit me on fire,’” Kayla told WNBC-TV.
The older boy's family declined to comment when reached at their home, the station reported.
Maria Rua, the burned child's mother, said her son is expected to be in the hospital for a few more days. She said his face is swollen with blisters. | https://www.wtol.com/article/news/nation-world/family-injured-boy-screamed-mommy-they-lit-me-fire/530-51ecc906-7f8d-41b0-b860-695fa2baab14 | 2022-04-28T20:57:48Z | https://www.wtol.com/article/news/nation-world/family-injured-boy-screamed-mommy-they-lit-me-fire/530-51ecc906-7f8d-41b0-b860-695fa2baab14 | true | 12 |
Every time a child takes antibiotics, their protection from vaccines can diminish, according to a study conducted in Rochester.
“Antibiotics are miracle medicines, for sure. They kill bacteria, and they save lives,” said lead researcher Dr. Peter Pichichero, who is the director of Rochester General Hospital Research Institute. “What we're saying here is, yes, you need to vaccinate, but be aware that as children get exposed to antibiotics, there is a potential that the immunity response to those vaccines might go down.”
The study was published Wednesday in the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The study recruited 560 children, 218 of whom were given antibiotics. Pichichero said the results showed that vaccine protectiveness waned by 6% to 20% each time antibiotics were prescribed, resulting in vulnerability to diseases like whooping cough, meningitis and pneumonia.
He and his team also discovered that stronger antibiotics resulted in an even greater reduction in immunity. Also, the longer that children were on antibiotics, the greater the negative effect.
The study also revealed that children who were Black or mixed race were less likely than white children to have lower antibody responses because they were less likely to be given antibiotics.
Overall, Pichichero said these findings offer another cautionary tale for antibiotic prescribing in children.
“Don’t ask for an antibiotic if you don't need one, and doctors, don't prescribe an antibiotic unless one is needed,” Pichichero said. | https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2022-04-28/study-babies-who-get-antibiotics-get-less-protection-from-routine-vaccine-shot | 2022-04-28T20:58:18Z | https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2022-04-28/study-babies-who-get-antibiotics-get-less-protection-from-routine-vaccine-shot | false | 1 |
CHRIS WHEELER: Ralf Rangnick combining jobs as Manchester United consultant with Austria boss is a cack-handed plan but it's not a mess of his making - you couldn't blame him for getting a one-way ticket to Vienna
- Making Ralf Rangnick interim boss was meant to buy Manchester United time
- But it's consigned the season to the rubbish bin and they have gone backwards
- How is he meant to influence a club like United if he becomes Austria boss too?
- This mess isn't of Rangnick's making, though - he is the victim of a flawed plan
- You couldn't blame him for going to Vienna one-way and never coming back
When Chelsea appointed Thomas Tuchel last year, he had been out of work for just a month following his sacking at Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea knew what they wanted and Tuchel's availability no doubt hastened Frank Lampard's departure from Stamford Bridge.
The German coach lifted the Champions League only four months later in what was one of his six finals in little over a year at Chelsea. Compare their strategy to that of Manchester United.
Appointing Ralf Rangnick (pictured) as interim manager was meant to buy Manchester United time but instead, the season has been consigned to the dustbin and they have gone backwards
Having decided to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November, United actively sought to install a caretaker manager in Michael Carrick and then an interim in Ralf Rangnick before deciding to bring in Erik ten Hag at the end of the season.
The plan was meant to buy United time but all it has done is to consign the remainder of the season to the rubbish bin. Instead of moving forwards, they have gone backwards.
Rangnick faced his former protégé Tuchel at Old Trafford on Thursday night amid the very real prospect of bequeathing Europa Conference football to ten Hag next season.
He has not worked out as an interim manager and that curious, vague consultancy role that is due to follow for the next two years now looks equally shaky.
Rangnick is set to be announced as Austria boss and will reportedly combine the role with his position as consultant at Old Trafford - how can he influence United in those circumstances?
This mess is not of his making - he is the victim of a flawed plan and years of mismanagement
Rangnick is so focussed on that crucial, six-days-a-month job that he has decided to become manager of Austria in his spare time.
Assuming he tries to combine both roles, it’s a plan as cack-handed as the decision to appoint him in the first place. How is he meant to influence a club of United’s stature in those circumstances?
Former United captain Roy Keane isn’t the only one who must be thinking that a clean break would be better for both parties. ‘It’s been a difficult few months for him so I think a clean break might not be a bad thing,’ Keane told Sky Sports.
Rangnick came in as a potential kingmaker; someone who could have a major say in identifying his successor and maybe even land the full-time job himself.
After seeing United largely dominated in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Thursday evening, you could not blame the German for getting a one-way ticket to Vienna and never coming back
Six months later, he will step upstairs as a lame duck manager who was so irrelevant to the process of ten Hag's appointment that he hasn't even spoken to the Dutchman.
This mess isn't of Rangnick's making, though. He is the victim of a flawed plan and a club creaking under the weight of years of mismanagement.
He isn't the first coach to try to get a tune out of this under-achieving, dysfunctional United squad and fail. At least we got to appreciate his honesty and candour.
But you couldn't blame him for getting a one-way ticket to Vienna and never coming back. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10764351/CHRIS-WHEELER-Ralf-Rangnick-Man-United-consultant-Austria-boss-cack-handed-plan.html | 2022-04-28T21:01:13Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10764351/CHRIS-WHEELER-Ralf-Rangnick-Man-United-consultant-Austria-boss-cack-handed-plan.html | false | 2 |
FBI warns teen boys increasingly targeted in online 'sextortion' schemes
The FBI is warning parents that teen boys are increasingly being targeted in online "sextortion" schemes.
FBI Boston Division’s Child Exploitation-Human Trafficking Task Force warned parents and caregivers on Wednesday about an increasing number of reports of adults posing as young girls who coerce young boys through social media to produce sexual images and videos and then extort them for money.
In the so-called "sextortion" schemes that have recently become more prevalent, adult predators pretending to be young girls contact young males usually between the ages of 14 and 17 online over any platform used to meet and communicate, such as a game, app or social media accounts. They then use "deception and manipulation" to convince the young males to engage in explicit activity over video, which is then secretly recorded by the predator, the FBI says. The predator then reveals they have made the recording and threatens that those videos will be posted online if the victim doesn’t pay up.
In 2021, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 18,000 sextortion-related complaints, with losses over $13.6 million. That figure reflects all types of sextortion reported, not just the scheme targeting teenage boys.
FILE - Undercover officer chats with people on instant messenger. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The FBI notes that the embarrassment children feel from falling victim to these schemes often prevents them from coming forward to a parent, teacher, caregiver or law enforcement, so sextortion offenders could have hundreds of undiscovered victims around the world. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to have conversations with their children early on regarding their online activity.
"Predators who ask for sexually explicit photos, videos and then money to terrorize young victims with threats of posting their images online are incredibly disturbing, and on our radar," Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in a statement.
"In order to spare children of the shame, fear and confusion they feel when this happens, we’re asking parents and caregivers to talk to their children now about their online safety, and the importance of speaking up to prevent further victimization," he continued. "Meanwhile, the special agents and officers assigned to FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation-Human Trafficking Task Force will do everything they can to unmask these criminals and ensure they face justice for the mental anguish and pain they have imposed on their victims and their families."
The FBI listed tips for parents and caregivers, including to be selective about what you share online, especially your personal information and passwords. Social media accounts left open to the public can allow predators to figure out a lot of information about parents of their children. The FBI warns to be suspicious of anyone met online through a game or app, especially if they ask to move conversations to the different platform. Investigators say to be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online and videos and photos are not proof that a person is who they claim to be.
"Sextortion is a crime," the FBI said. "The coercion of a child by an adult to produce what is considered Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) carries heavy penalties, which can include up to life sentences for the offender."
Advertisement | https://www.foxla.com/news/fbi-warns-teen-boys-increasingly-targeted-in-online-sextortion-schemes | 2022-04-28T21:01:15Z | https://www.foxla.com/news/fbi-warns-teen-boys-increasingly-targeted-in-online-sextortion-schemes | false | 12 |
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Republican state lawmakers on Thursday pushed to restrict transgender children's participation in sports, with the House passing a ban and the Senate debating a bill to strip funding from schools that allow transgender girls to play with other girls.
House members voted 95-46 on mostly partisan lines to require transgender public school students to play on teams that match the “biological sex” listed on their birth certificates.
No lawmakers spoke in favor of the bill during debate Thursday. Republican proponents have pitched the ban on transgender girls in girls' sports as a matter of fairness, arguing that boys have a physical advantage over girls.
The House also on Thursday voted 96-47 to pass legislation that would allow local school districts to call local elections on whether to ban transgender girls from girls' sports teams.
A handful of Republicans voted against the two House bills, which now head to the GOP-led Senate for debate. Lawmakers face a May 13 deadline to pass legislation.
Meanwhile, senators debated a proposal that would pull funding from public schools that allow transgender girls to compete on sports teams with other girls starting in middle school.
The role of transgender athletes in sports is gaining traction as a GOP talking point this election year. Political observers say it’s a classic strategy of finding a “wedge issue” that motivates a political base.
Democratic Rep. Ian Mackey, who is gay, on Thursday said it “hurts like nothing else I’ve ever experienced in this job” to see some of his friends in the Legislature vote in favor of the proposals, which he called personally offensive.
“There is gray area on how to treat human beings,” Mackey said. “There is no gray area when it comes to equality."
Missouri’s current public high school sports rules already prohibit transgender girls from competing on girls teams unless they’re undergoing hormone therapy. Transgender boys can play on boys' teams without undergoing treatment.
In the past decade, the Missouri State High School Activities Association has allowed three transgender male students to play on boys' teams and two transgender girls to play on girls' teams.
“It’s time for politicians to quit bullying children based on who they are, and start to focus on solving real issues that impact families,” said Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director of the Missouri LGBTQ advocacy group PROMO, in an email. “These bills are a solution in search of a problem.” | https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Missouri-House-Senate-GOP-push-to-ban-17134370.php | 2022-04-28T21:01:49Z | https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Missouri-House-Senate-GOP-push-to-ban-17134370.php | false | 12 |
The closing stretch on the back nine holes of Pinehurst’s No. 8 course played a make-or-break role at the Pinecrest Invitational boys golf tournament Wednesday afternoon.
Host Pinecrest saw the back nine allow the lead to slip out of their grasp late in the round, and Charlotte Catholic was able to make the most of their break to claim a five-stroke win over the Patriots.
The Cougars posted a team score of 8 over, and Pinecrest finished at 13 over.
Pinecrest was led by junior Isar Joshi with a round of 1-over-par, using a back-nine 35 that had three birdies in a five-hole stretch. His score was good enough for a tie for fifth place.
A rough back nine from junior Holland Giles led him to finish in a tie for ninth with his 3-over-par 75. Giles shot a 35 on the front nine and followed it up with a back-nine 40.
Senior Jackson Bode finished in a tie for 12th with his round of 76. After four straight bogeys to start, the Davidson signee played the final 14 holes at even par.
Freshman Hudson Griffin carded a round of 77 to finish in a tie for 17th.
Charlie Price from Broughton won medalist honors with a 3-under-par 69.
Pinecrest plays in the 4A Mideast regional at Pinehurst No. 6 Monday.
Pinecrest, North Moore Tennis Survive First Round
Two of the three Moore County boys tennis teams advanced to the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association dual team tournament after convincing wins Wednesday at home, and the third team hosting a first-round matchup was defeated.
Pinecrest made quick work of Overhills with a 9-0 win, and North Moore claimed an 8-1 win. Terry Sanford claimed a 6-3 win.
The Patriots’ win featured singles wins in straight sets from Marshall Landry, Kenan Van Scoyoc, Ryan Grafenberg, Ethan Spain, Garrett Kane and Joe Ledford.
Van Scoyoc and Kane teamed up for an 8-0 win in No. 1 doubles, Ethan McClymont and James Ellman won 8-0 in No. 2 doubles and Leford won 8-1 in No. 3 doubles with Ravi Patel.
North Moore won all three doubles matches to advance to the second round over Chatham Charter.
The doubles teams of Owen Williams and Caleb Cockman, Alex Garcia and Jamorion Horne, and Alberto Barcenas and Colton Freeman won their matches.
Williams, Garcia, Cockman, Horne and Josue Villaverde won in singles.
Winners for the Vikings in the loss to the Bulldogs included Jackson Carmichael and Joey Tortora in singles and the team of Philip Johnson and Aaron Scodius in No. 2 doubles.
North Moore hosts conference foe Chatham Central in the second round of the 1A state playoffs. Pinecrest hosts D.H. Conley in the 4A playoffs.
Union Pines Girls Lacrosse Wins for Lone Senior
The Union Pines girls lacrosse team earned a 23-10 win over Corinth Holders Wednesday at home on senior night where lone senior Nicole Volk.
Leading the Vikings’ scoring attack were Janie Spicer with nine goals, Arianna Cline with four goals and three goals each from Madison Aldridge, Madelyn Telemeco and Addison Volitis.
Spicer assisted on four goals and also had nine groundballs.
UP Soccer Shuts Out Raiders
Using a pair of goals from senior Gianna Silvestri, the Union Pines girls soccer team defeated Richmond 5-0 on the road Tuesday.
Following up the scoring from Silvestri was fellow senior Lexi Robbins with a goal and an assist, and one goal each from Taylor Leach and Brooke Going.
Union Pines travels to Cleveland Thursday.
Late Push Lifts Vikings Over Jets
The Union Pines softball team used four combined runs in the fifth and sixth innings to claim a 5-3 win over Jordan-Matthews Monday on the road.
Sophomore Nicole Norman went 3-for-4 at the plate with a triple and an RBI. Junior Megan Needham drove in a run, and allowed one earned run and had six strikeouts in the circle.
Madison Wagner also had an RBI.
Union Pines travels to Pinecrest Thursday.
Contact Jonathan Bym at (910) 693-2476 or jonathan@thepilot.com. | https://www.thepilot.com/sports/roundup-pinecrest-golf-takes-second-in-own-tournament-on-course-no-8/article_219937fa-c712-11ec-9c33-d3bba01bbf41.html | 2022-04-28T21:01:50Z | https://www.thepilot.com/sports/roundup-pinecrest-golf-takes-second-in-own-tournament-on-course-no-8/article_219937fa-c712-11ec-9c33-d3bba01bbf41.html | true | 1 |
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) _ Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc. (FBHS) on Thursday reported first-quarter earnings of $180.9 million.
On a per-share basis, the Deerfield, Illinois-based company said it had profit of $1.34. Earnings, adjusted for restructuring gains, came to $1.31 per share.
The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.24 per share.
The maker of products for the home, like faucets, cabinets, windows and doors posted revenue of $1.92 billion in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.87 billion.
Fortune Brands Home & Security expects full-year earnings in the range of $6.40 to $6.60 per share.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on FBHS at https://www.zacks.com/ap/FBHS | https://www.sheltonherald.com/business/article/Fortune-Brands-Home-Security-Q1-Earnings-17134489.php | 2022-04-28T21:03:30Z | https://www.sheltonherald.com/business/article/Fortune-Brands-Home-Security-Q1-Earnings-17134489.php | false | null |
Acting on specific information generated by Pulwama Police regarding the presence of terrorists in the Mitrigam area, the Army and CRPF jointly launched a search operation on Thursday.
During the search operation, as the joint search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
In the initial exchange of fire, one security force personnel received gunshot injuries. He was immediately evacuated to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. However, the operation was halted to ensure the safe evacuation of all the civilians trapped around the encounter site. Moreover, all due precautions were also taken to avoid any collateral damage, stated the police release.
After the evacuation of civilians was done, the operation was resumed. In the ensuing operation, two local terrorists identified as Aijaz Hafiz of Dalipora and Shahid Ayub of Dheeri Murran linked with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of the encounter.
As per police records both the killed terrorists were categorised terrorists and part of groups involved in a series of terror crimes including attacks on Police and Security Forces and civilian atrocities. Both the killed terrorists were involved in a series of recent terror attacks on outside labourers in Pulwama, said the police.
Terrorist Aijaz Ahmad Hafiz was involved in firing upon outside labourers namely Sonu Sharma son of Banarasi Dass resident of Pathankote at Yadder Pulwama, Mohammad Akram son of Ab Salam resident of Bijnor UP at Arihal Pulwama and Wishwajeet Kumar son of Parwas Mandal resident of Banka Bihar at Circular Road Gangoo, Pulwama.
He was also involved in firing upon bank guard namely Ab Hamid Wani resident of Tahab Pulwama and Sarpanch Gh Nabi Kumar of Panchayat Halqa Arihal B at Arihal Pulwama. Besides these terror crimes, terrorist Aijaz Hafiz was instrumental in recruiting Shahid Ayoub Sheikh into terrorist ranks, who too was neutralized in the said encounter.
Terrorist Shahid Ayoub was involved in firing upon two outside labourers namely Patlashwar Kumar son of Jako Choudary and Joko Choudary son of Thaugh Choudary, both residents of Bihar at Lajoora Pulwama. Before joining terrorist ranks, he was working as a terrorist associate & was involved in several other terror crimes.
Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.
IGP Kashmir termed this operation as a big success and congratulated the joint forces for neutralizing the terrorists involved in the recent terror attacks on outside labourers.
Pertinent to mention here that during the current year so far 62 terrorists linked with different proscribed terror outfits were neutralized in various encounters across the valley.
IGP Kashmir while sharing with media said that due to enhanced Humint, Techint and focused operations the surviving rate of terrorists is drastically decreasing. During the current year, 62 terrorists linked with different terror outfits have been neutralized in different encounters so far.
Out of these 62 killed terrorists, 32 terrorists got neutralised within just three months of their joining terror rank. Among the 62 killed terrorists, 39 were linked with terror outfit LeT, 15 with JeM, 06 with HM & 02 with Al-Badr. The killed terrorists include 47 local terrorists and 15 foreign terrorists.
IGP Kashmir once again reiterates his appeal to all misguided youth who have joined terror folds to shun the path of terrorism and return to the mainstream. He also appealed to the parents & elders of these terrorists to plead their wards to shun this reckless path of violence.
In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and an investigation has been initiated.
People have been requested to cooperate with Police till the area at encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/terrorists-responsible-for-recent-attacks-in-j-ks-pulwama-killed-igp-kashmir-2930447 | 2022-04-28T21:03:44Z | https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/terrorists-responsible-for-recent-attacks-in-j-ks-pulwama-killed-igp-kashmir-2930447 | true | 4 |
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen hit a go-ahead two-run single in the top of the ninth inning to rally the Milwaukee Brewers past the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.
McCutchen, a five-time All-Star in Pittsburgh, began the game with a leadoff home run — his first at PNC Park as a visitor — before delivering a single to right field off closer Chris Stratton (0-1) in the final frame. McCutchen, now primarily a designated hitter for the Brewers, finished with three hits to boost his batting average to .250.
Hoby Milner (2-0) worked a perfect eighth to pick up the win. Devin Williams retired the Pirates in order in the ninth for his first save. The Brewers have won eight straight over Pittsburgh dating to last season.
Christian Yelich started the Brewers' rally with a one-out, pinch-hit bunt single against Stratton. Kolten Wong and Omar Narvaez followed with singles to load the bases for McCutchen. The 35-year-old's liner smacked off the outstretched glove of second baseman Josh VanMeter and into right field, allowing Yelich and Wong to score.
Pittsburgh rookie right fielder Jack Suwinski collected the first RBI of his career with an infield single in the seventh and Ben Gamel followed with a sacrifice fly off reliever Brad Boxberger as the Pirates turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.
David Bednar worked a scoreless eighth for the Pirates to set the stage for Stratton, in his first full season at the back end of Pittsburgh's bullpen. He quickly put away Lorenzo Cain before Yelich's bunt started Milwaukee's surge.
Pirates starter Jose Quintana surrendered a home run to McCutchen on the game's first pitch but quickly settled down. Quintana, hoping to revive his career in Pittsburgh, allowed just four hits and struck out nine without issuing a walk.
The Pirates have yet to have a starting pitcher record a victory through 19 games, the second-longest streak to start a season in major league history, trailing only the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, who started the season 0-21. Quintana remains winless since Sept. 5, 2019, while pitching for the Chicago Cubs.
McCutchen turned on a 90 mph fastball up in the zone from Quintana for his 93rd career home run at PNC Park.
Milwaukee starter Freddy Peralta tossed six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and striking out seven without issuing a walk. Peralta's only trouble spot came in his last inning when consecutive singles by Daniel Vogelbach and Bryan Reynolds put two on with two outs. A nine-pitch battle with Pittsburgh's Ke'Bryan Hayes followed, with Peralta ultimately getting Hayes to fly out to right field to end the threat.
Boxberger, one of five Brewers pitchers who combined for a one-hitter in a victory on Wednesday night, wasn't quite as sharp less than 24 hours later but was bailed out by McCutchen.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: C Andrew Knapp was scratched from the lineup about an hour before the first pitch due to an illness, forcing Roberto Perez to make the start after expecting to have the day off.
UP NEXT
Brewers: Head home for a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs. Adrian Houser (1-2, 3.52 ERA) starts on Friday against Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 3.98).
Pirates: Welcome San Diego to PNC Park for a three-game set starting Friday. Yu Darvish (1-1, 4.43) gets the nod for the Padres against Pittsburgh's Zach Thompson (0-2, 10.80).
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/McCutchen-rallies-Brewers-past-Pirates-3-2-to-17134615.php | 2022-04-28T21:04:18Z | https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/McCutchen-rallies-Brewers-past-Pirates-3-2-to-17134615.php | true | 11 |
One of the best things about exploring in Elden Ring is that you never know what you are about to stumble upon. You might wander across a hidden dungeon, get ambushed by a boss, or find a hidden NPC. There are so many things to discover that make exploration feel rewarding at every turn, but there’s one discovery you might find that will leave you completely stumped. At various locations in the Lands Between, you have probably found at least one Artist’s Shack, or perhaps one of the paintings in other obscure locations. At these specific locations are paintings of landscapes that you can collect, but you are not given any more information about why or what they’re for aside from the vague directions of trying to locate those spots.
These paintings are some of the most obscure puzzles in Elden Ring. Each of the seven paintings you can find depict a very specific spot somewhere out in the open world. If you manage to figure out where that place is and go there, you will get some very valuable rewards. By now, though, we all know just how incredibly vast the world of Elden Ring really is which can make pinpointing a single location feel impossible. If you’re feeling stumped by any or all of these painting puzzles, here’s where you need to go to solve them all in Elden Ring.
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Homing Instinct painting location and solution
We’ll go in order of the paintings you should naturally come across as you progress through Elden Ring based on zone progression since, odds are, you missed most of them. The first one is located not too far off the main path in Limgrave in the first Artist’s Shack. To find it, go along the east side of the canyon north of Agheel lake. You’ll need to go a bit off the road to find the lonely shack with the painting inside. Interact with it to start the puzzle.
The location Homing Instinct is pointing to is way down to the southwest. Start by traveling to the Seaside Ruins Site of Grace and go a bit north towards the Cave of Knowledge. On the way, you will pass a graveyard you need to stop at. Find the big arch the painting showed and you’ll see the ghostly artist standing by the graves. Interact with it and you will get the Incantation Scarab Headpiece.
Prophecy painting location and solution
Your next painting is inside of Stormveil Castle, but only reachable after you beat the boss Margit, the Fell Omen. Before you get to Godrick the Grafted, you will hit the Lifteside Chamber Site of Grace. Go south into the big open courtyard with tons of enemies. On the right-hand side is a doorway leading into a chapel or library area with the painting standing out among the other furnishings. Collect it to begin the Prophecy puzzle.
The location you need to find is quite far off from here, all the way down south on the Weeping Peninsula. Fast travel over to the Church of Pilgrimage and go straight north to the cliffside. Near the very tip, you will spot the apparition chilling out in a chair overlooking the view. Interact with them and pick up your reward, which this time is the Warhawk Ashes.
Resurrection painting location and solution
Once you’ve gotten through, or around, Stormveil Castle and into Liurnia of the Lakes, we need to find the next Artist’s Shack. This one is along the eastern landmass, which you can travel to via the Liurnia Highway North Site of Grace. Ride along, going just a bit past the Carian Study Hall, and you will find the shack not too far from a Leyndell Knight. Head inside to get the Resurrection painting.
The spot you need to track down is also in Liurnia, specifically in Caria Manor. This location is way up on the northeast side of the zone in the Three Sisters area. The closest Site of Grace is the Behind Caria Manor location and also requires you to have gone through the manor and beaten the boss, Royal Knight Loretta, so make sure you have done or are prepared to do that. After the battle, go through the path to the east into a graveyard and find the ghost facing the direction of the Academy or Raya Lucaria. This one will give you the Juvenile Scholar Attire and a Larval Tear.
Redmane painting location and solution
Not only is this painting one of the hardest to find, but the solution is also likely to stump even the most observant explorers in Elden Ring, and even get you killed a couple of times if you’re not careful. The painting is in Caelid at the Sellia, Town of Sorcery. Go to the Sellia Under-Stair Site of Grace and go up the stairs, hang a right, and examine the rubble to the left, or east. This painting is tucked, somehow unharmed, under a still-standing stone archway. Sneak over to it and begin the Redmane puzzle.
To reach the ghost of this painter, you will need to get your platforming shoes on. First off, go to the Dragonbarrow Fork Site of Grace, — a dangerous area to reach thanks to all the, you know, dragons. From this checkpoint, go east to the Minor Erdree to the north of Fort Faroth. Along the cliff near the tree are a bunch of giant broken pots. Follow along the cliff until you spot a root jutting out from the cliff. There’s a series of these you need to very carefully fall down, which is best done on foot for precision rather than on Torrent. If that isn’t bad enough, once you make it down to solid ground, there will be a giant waiting for you. Either take it out very carefully or sneak past it to the ghost of the painter hanging out at the edge of the cliff looking towards Redmane Castle in the distance. It will give you the Rain of Arrows Ash of War.
Flightless Bird painting location and solution
A much easier one after last time, the Flightless Bird painting is inside Leyndell, Royal Capital. Teleport over to the Fortified Manor First Floor Site of Grace and the painting is in the same room. This is an easily overlooked Site of Grace, so if you didn’t catch it the first time, you can find it by starting at the West Capital Rampart Site of Grace and taking the alley to the north. Once through, take a doorway on your left and down. Simply follow the path through and you will hit this Site of Grace and painting all at once.
This painting will take you out of the capital and to the Windmill Heights Site of Grace, which is at the far north end of Windmill Village, itself north of Leyndell, Royal Capital. If this is your first time visiting this somewhat off-the-beaten-path area, a Godskin Apostle will spawn right where the Site of Grace is, so you will have that to contend with. Once defeated, walk through the oddly peaceful, though quite unsettling, town to the south cliffside behind the houses. The ghost will have set up his chair here, and interacting with it will give you the Fire’s Deadly Sin Incantation.
Champion’s Song painting location and solution
After rising up to the Altus Plateau, you will need to reach the tricky optional mini-dungeon called The Shaded Castle. You will need to take the long way to reach this area, down through the valley and under the bridge since there’s no way down if you stick to the higher routes of the area. Once you make it, hit The Shaded Castle Ramparts Site of Grace on the southeast side of the castle first, and then begin going northeast. You will find a collapsing wall and a path downward along a fallen pillar to the poisoned courtyard, but don’t go down. Instead, to the east, you will see a wooden walkway leading to some stairs. Take them up and they will guide you right to this magnificent Champion’s Song painting.
This spectral painter is still in the Altus Plateau. Travel to the Rampartside Path Site of Grace and begin traveling east until you hit a lightning storm striking the ground. From this point, climb up the cliff to where you either fought or will soon fight Ancient Dragon Lansseax just beside the Sainted Hero’s Grave location. On the northwest point of the cliff, you can finally find the late painter and receive the Harp Bow from it.
Sorcerer painting location and solution
The final painting puzzle in Elden Ring is locked off until you can enter the Mountaintops of the Giants. Once you’ve entered this snowy zone, explore forwards until you get to the Castle Sol Main Gate Site of Grace. From here, enter the castle and take the first left between the defenses, either fighting the two giant lions or running past them for dear life, and take the next right up some stairs. Look for the room a little further on to the left that’s full of slug enemies. Head inside and climb the ladder up and onto the roof, follow the path around. Move fast here to avoid the teleporting enemies and massive ballista taking shots at you with exploding bolts. You will eventually hit another ladder after crossing a bridge that will take you back down and into a safe room with the Sorcerer painting inside.
This painter is out on a bridge south of Castle Sol. Head to the Freezing Lake Site of Grace and go north, up the cliff to the upper level, and ride west until you see the massive stone bridge crossing the gorge over the frozen river near the Shack of the Lofty location on the map. Ride past the first bridge you hit, though, and take the second one right at the edge of the cliff. Ride about halfway across and take a break with the painter enjoying the chilly view of the winter wonderland. Interact with your final ghost and obtain the Greathood helmet.
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- Everything we know about Lord of the Rings: Gollum | https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/elden-ring-all-painting-puzzle-solutions-rewards/ | 2022-04-28T21:05:13Z | https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/elden-ring-all-painting-puzzle-solutions-rewards/ | false | 1 |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/mlb/washington-nationals/articles/39316124 | 2022-04-28T21:05:52Z | https://sportspyder.com/mlb/washington-nationals/articles/39316124 | true | null |
Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner took his nickname to the next level for the 2022 NFL draft, rocking a chain with a small sauce bottle on it. In simple terms, he’s bringing the sauce. Take a look.
Sauce Gardner really arrived at the draft with iced-out sauce bottle chain @iamSauceGardner
— NFL (@NFL) April 28, 2022
(via @GoBEARCATS) pic.twitter.com/8ljFTwKHyU
Gardner has been highly confident in his ability, even going as far as calling himself the best player in the draft. The cornerback is expected to be one of the early selections in the first round, but likely won’t be the No. 1 overall pick. He’s listed at +10000 on DraftKings Sportsbook to go No. 1. Those odds go down to +2500 for the No. 2 overall selection. Per NFL.com, Gardner is expected to go No. 4 overall to the New York Jets.
At Cincinnati, Gardner finished his three seasons with 99 tackles and nine interceptions. He also had 16 passes defended and is considered the top cornerback in the draft. If he plays as well as he dresses, whichever team takes him will be extremely happy. | https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/4/28/23047224/nfl-draft-2022-ahmad-gardner-sauce-bottle-chain-picture-cincinnati-bearcats-prospect | 2022-04-28T21:07:03Z | https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/4/28/23047224/nfl-draft-2022-ahmad-gardner-sauce-bottle-chain-picture-cincinnati-bearcats-prospect | false | 1 |
Stocks rally on Wall Street as technology giants rebound
By Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga
Stocks rallied on Wall Street overnight as technology companies clawed back some of the ground they had lost recently.
The S&P 500 surged 2.5 per cent to 4287.91. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.8 per cent and the Nasdaq jumped 3.1 per cent.
The gains erased weekly losses for most of the major indexes, but they are all still headed for a dismal monthly finish after sliding for much of April. This week has been especially turbulent as investors review a heavy batch of corporate earnings from major tech companies, industrial firms and retailers.
Big Tech and communications companies have been behind much of the oscillations in the broader market as their pricey stock values have more force in pushing the major indexes up or down. Tech investors got some relief on Thursday as Facebook’s parent company soared after posting strong subscriber numbers.
Apple rose 4.5 per cent ahead of the reporting of its latest financial results. Chipmaker Qualcomm jumped 9.7 per cent after easily beating Wall Street’s profit estimates. Facebook’s parent company Meta surged 17.6 per cent after it beat Wall Street’s first-quarter profit forecasts and reported an increase in daily users.
In extended trade, Amazon tumbled about 10 per cent after the company forecast current-quarter sales below Wall Street estimates.
Encouraging financial reports helped support gains for several other major companies. McDonald’s rose 2.8 per cent following a strong earnings update. Southwest Airlines rose 2.1 per cent after reporting solid revenue and telling investors it expects a profitable year as travel demand returns with the pandemic fading.
Bond yields gained ground. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.86 per cent from 2.81 per cent.
The latest round of corporate report cards are hitting the market as Wall Street tries to figure out how rising inflation is impacting businesses and consumer spending. Earnings have been mostly positive, but investors are also focusing on forecasts, which have become more difficult for many companies to provide because of all the uncertainties swirling around inflation and economic growth.
“Companies just don’t have enough transparency into the future to give any numbers on that,” said Jason Draho, head of asset allocation for the Americas at UBS Global Wealth Management.
Supply chain issues have been crimping business operations in many industries throughout the recovery from the pandemic and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine has worsened increases for energy and key food commodity prices. Strict COVID-19 lockdown measures in China have added to concerns about slowing growth.
“It all just fuels investor anxiety, which is high,” Draho said. “Investors are just trying to make sense of all that is happening.”
The US Federal Reserve is set to aggressively hike rates as it steps up its fight against inflation. The chair of the Fed has indicated the central bank may hike short-term interest rates by double the usual amount at upcoming meetings, starting next week. It has already raised its key overnight rate once, the first such increase since 2018.
The Commerce Department on Thursday reported that the US economy shrank last quarter for the first time since the pandemic recession struck two years ago. But the report showed that consumers and businesses kept spending, despite rising inflation, in a sign of underlying resilience.
Consumer spending is being closely watched as a gauge for the broader economy, as everything from food to clothing and gas becomes more expensive. Investors will also get another update on spending Friday when the Commerce Department releases its personal income and spending report for March.
AP
The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. | https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/stocks-rally-on-wall-street-as-technology-giants-rebound-20220429-p5ah28.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed | 2022-04-28T21:09:12Z | https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/stocks-rally-on-wall-street-as-technology-giants-rebound-20220429-p5ah28.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed | false | 9 |
Seats available in trapper education course May 7 in Salmon
Idaho Fish and Game will host a trapper education course in Salmon on May 7. The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fish and Game Regional Office, 99 Highway 93 North.
Advanced registration is required, and class size will be limited. To register, go online to Fish and Game’s website or visit the Fish and Game office in Salmon. Participants must be at least 9 years of age.
The interactive course provides students with hands-on training from experienced trapping instructors. Basic trapping techniques with safety, ethical trapper behavior, and avoiding non-target catches are emphasized throughout. Other topics covered include trapping regulations, equipment selection and maintenance.
Idaho trappers who purchased their first trapping license after June 30, 2011 are required to attend a mandatory trapper education course before they can purchase a trapping license. Anyone intending to trap wolves must attend wolf trapper education course prior to purchasing wolf trapping tags. Those who intend to trap wolves that did not possess an Idaho trapping license prior to 2011 are required to take both trapper and wolf-trapper education courses.
For more information, contact the Fish and Game office in Salmon at 208-756-2271. | https://www.einpresswire.com/article/570362310/seats-available-in-trapper-education-course-may-7-in-salmon | 2022-04-28T21:09:22Z | https://www.einpresswire.com/article/570362310/seats-available-in-trapper-education-course-may-7-in-salmon | false | 5 |
This evening in Marion: Partly cloudy skies. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Temperatures will be warm Friday in Marion. It should reach a moderate 71 degrees. We'll see a low temperature of 52 degrees tomorrow. We will see a mix of sun and clouds. Winds should be calm tomorrow, with winds reaching 4 miles per hour, coming from southeast. This report is created automatically with weather data provided by TownNews.com. For more daily forecast information, visit mcdowellnews.com.
Apr. 28, 2022 evening weather update for Marion
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Man posing as 'bad guy' for training exercise accidentally shot by auxiliary police officer
TAYLOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — Ben Shotts has volunteered to play the role of a bad guy for Taylor Auxiliary Police Civil Defense before. But Sunday afternoon, the training exercise at Heritage Park went horribly wrong when one of the volunteer auxiliary officers accidentally shot Shotts in the abdomen....
www.tv20detroit.com | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2583343031894/man-posing-as-bad-guy-for-training-exercise-accidentally-shot-by-auxiliary-police-officer | 2022-04-28T21:18:31Z | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2583343031894/man-posing-as-bad-guy-for-training-exercise-accidentally-shot-by-auxiliary-police-officer | false | null |
Lily Peters strangled, suffered blunt force trauma, autopsy shows
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU/Gray News) - Preliminary autopsy results showed the death of a 10-year-old Wisconsin girl was a homicide, WEAU reported.
WARNING: Details in the story may be disturbing.
Chippewa County Coroner Ron Patten said, according to the preliminary results of the autopsy conducted by the Ramsey County (Minn.) Medical Examiner’s Office, Iliana “Lily” Peters suffered strangulation and blunt force trauma.
A 14-year-old boy is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault resulting in great bodily harm and first-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 resulting in great bodily harm. He is being held on $1 million cash bond at the Eau Claire Juvenile Detention Center ahead of his next court appearance May 5.
Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell said in court Wednesday that the 14-year-old told investigators he intended to rape and kill Peters when they left a house in Chippewa Falls together. Newell said the suspect told investigators he hit Peters in the stomach and with a stick before strangling her to death and then sexually assaulting her.
Two of the three charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. The 14-year-old is being tried in adult court.
Lily’s body was found near the Duncan Creek Trail in Chippewa Falls on Monday morning after being reported missing Sunday evening.
Her body is being kept in Minnesota for an undetermined amount of time. The final autopsy results could take four to six weeks as medical examiners wait for toxicology reports.
Copyright 2022 WEAU via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.nbc29.com/2022/04/28/lily-peters-strangled-suffered-blunt-force-trauma-autopsy-shows/ | 2022-04-28T21:19:39Z | https://www.nbc29.com/2022/04/28/lily-peters-strangled-suffered-blunt-force-trauma-autopsy-shows/ | true | 30 |
COVID has imposed pain on everyone and all demographics, as you’d expect from something known in the past as the Plague. It touches all and “passes over” none, except by dint of chance, privilege or divine dispensation.
Pain is pain, but there’s special tragedy for the young since they’ll miss moments in the life cycle that can’t be revisited. That varies too, but I’m thinking now of undergraduates. For older students, they likely missed graduation: parties, farewells to friends and the ritualized ceremony — which is one of few things, I’d say, that universities still do very well. That’s hard to understand until you’re actually within it, in cap and gown, or watching.
For first- and second-year students, they missed the moment of leaving home, living on their own for the first time and making friends who’ll last a lifetime. Instead they got virtual, online classes, which shrank the undergrad experience to covering curriculum and getting course credits.
Since the rise of COVID that’s how I’ve taught, if you can call it that, the half-course I’ve long done at the University of Toronto each winter on “Media and culture in Canada.” I was in fact pleasantly surprised by some components: how close-ups on Zoom let you into student reactions when they spoke, or being able to call them by name in a large class —though the numbers who never went on visual were a frustration, along with the dispiriting technological penumbra.
That broke, like a summer storm, in the exact middle of this last term; we did six classes on ZOOM, then the final six in person. I’d say with fair confidence that the transition was stunning for all or most of us. We’d looked forward to it but hadn’t anticipated the real, living impact.
Students looked around, spaced as they were, and almost immediately started making friends — some of whom, based on past experience, will be permanent. They glanced to each other for verification of things said by others, including me, that were insightful or irritating. There were intense collective reactions, as you feel in theatre audiences, even when they’re silent.
At the end there was even a ripple of applause, which only ever happens (sometimes) in final classes. I don’t think it was for me; it was for us being there together. As they filed out and I focused on packing up, they said Thanks or See you next week — like a scene in “To Sir, with Love,” or “Mister Roberts” when the crew bid him goodnight after realizing he’s been on their side after all. It was my most memorable class ever, which I never dreamed I’d be able to say.
For the final exam, which was, alas, virtual, I put in a question about online versus in-person teaching. It fit since the course is largely built around former U of T prof Harold Innis’s writings about the Oral and Written Traditions. Innis admitted his own “bias” was for the Oral, especially its unfortunately diminishing role in university teaching, even in his days, the 1920s to early ’50s.
The student answers were intensely personal, with many full of pain and sadness. They talked about the isolation and distraction of trying to “attend” class in your family home, often still in bed, somewhere in the world, with the temptation of watching YouTube videos simultaneously, though that can happen in-person too. Or the isolation of “asynchronous” classes, where profs tape lectures that students watch at their “leisure.” Versus, in actual class, picking up “subtle” body language and facial cues when a discussion isn’t entirely clear, making a “connection” that can’t be created online. It lets them feel less alone and more likely to speak up, since they aren’t the only ones “struggling.”
I’m hoping Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce, so keen on imposing online courses in high school, and educational publishers, eager to cash in on those courses, pay some attention. | https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/04/28/casualties-of-covid-the-pain-of-the-undergrads.html | 2022-04-28T21:22:26Z | https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/04/28/casualties-of-covid-the-pain-of-the-undergrads.html | true | 2 |
Blue Lord (2/1 favourite) beat Coeur Sublime and Gabynako to win Grade One Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at Punchestown Festival; Willie Mullins has won seven of the eight Grade One contests so far this week
Thursday 28 April 2022 19:55, UK
Blue Lord narrowly got the better of Coeur Sublime in a thrilling battle for the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Having disappointed slightly in the Arkle at Cheltenham when only third behind Edwardstone, he gained compensation in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
The race said plenty for Willie Mullins' strength in the division when, despite the short-priced morning favourite Gentleman De Mee being a non-runner, he was still able to field Saint Sam, Haut En Couleurs and the eventual winner.
It was Saint Sam who took them along with Rachael Blackmore keeping tabs on him on Coeur Sublime while Arkle runner-up Gabynako and Blue Lord watched on.
Saint Sam blew his chance with a mistake at the second-last and by then Gabynako was outpaced and although Paul Townend looked confident on Blue Lord, Blackmore kept her mount going and only went down by a head to the 2/1 favourite. Mullins has now won seven of the eight Grade Ones at the meeting so far.
"I was concentrating more on the horse in front, Saint Sam, and how he was jumping. He was fiddling a few of the fences and I was wondering if there was enough pace in front for this horse and Haut En Couleurs as well," said Mullins.
"They quickened a bit about the fourth-last and I thought Saint Sam was running a cracker until he genuflected at the second-last. I couldn't believe how much Paul pulled out of our fellow, I thought Coeur Sublime had stolen the race between the last two.
"Paul said to me he didn't want to appear in front too soon because at Leopardstown when he appeared in front the horse looked all over the place and indeed he did that again today. Once he gets to the front he just thinks the race is over and he loses concentration. Paul timed it perfectly."
Elsewhere, the 15-year-old Ballybroker Bridge won the Mongey Communications La Touch Cup for the second time - and was immediately retired by trainer Peter Maher.
The 14/1 chance had matters in hand from some way out under young jockey Tiernan Roche.
"We're going to retire him now, that's the end for him anyway," said Maher. "Hopefully I get another one that's as good as him. He's not the best horse but he wears his heart on his sleeve. He's not a Big Shu but he's been a horse of a lifetime for me, he's a great horse."
The father and son team of Philip and Luke Dempsey teamed up to win the Specialist Joinery Group Handicap Hurdle with Broomfield Hall (10/1), holding off Harry Fry's Gin Coco.
"I thought she'd run well. It was her first handicap, but she had a good bit of experience over hurdles. We were hopeful rather than confident," said Dempsey senior. "She won well in Naas and she's been consistent. Luke gave her a great ride and it's great to get it at a local track.
"It looked like she was beaten over the last, and she had to fight a bit turning in, but thankfully she came out the better side of it."
A Great View (10/1) had not won since the corresponding race four years ago but took the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle in fine style.
Mark Walsh kept Denis Cullen's 11-year-old out of trouble and went wide the whole way but he still came home two and three-quarter lengths clear from Bugs Moran.
"Mark gave him a great ride today and things worked out so I'm delighted," said Cullen. "He won this race here before for me and when you come here and have one bullet to fire you try and put it where you can do the most damage.
"We always had faith in him. He likes it here and he likes that nice ground, it gives him a chance to travel and jump well." | https://www.skysports.com/racing/news/12426/12601074/punchestown-festival-blue-lord-continues-willie-mullins-domination-with-victory-in-barberstown-castle-novice-chase | 2022-04-28T21:23:09Z | https://www.skysports.com/racing/news/12426/12601074/punchestown-festival-blue-lord-continues-willie-mullins-domination-with-victory-in-barberstown-castle-novice-chase | false | 3 |
Early morning bakery workers thwarted ram-raiders after they struck at a nearby Christchurch liquor store.
Una Bakery owner Murray Eden was working a morning shift with his apprentice when they heard a loud crash at about 2.15am on Wednesday morning in Centaurus Rd, Huntsbury.
Initially, Eden thought there might have been a car crash but when he ran outside to investigate, he saw a car reversing out of Thirsty Liquor.
"I think they got a fright that someone was actually here," Eden said.
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Advertise with NZME."They saw us and they obviously panicked and high-tailed it off.
"Certainly we stopped them from doing anything more than what it was," he said.
Thirsty Liquor owner Gagan Deep was shocked to wake up to a call from police saying his store had been the target of a ram raid.
He was at the scene within 20 minutes to see glass everywhere and he estimated the total cost just from the liquor lost was around $20,000.
"I was shocked and kind of pissed off because that's not what you want first thing in the morning," Deep said.
CCTV footage shows the car with two occupants hitting the store before reversing and ramming into it a second time, fully crashing through the store.
They were unable to take anything as the bakery workers had run out soon after, just giving them enough time to reverse and drive away. Deep said he suspects the occupants of the car were copying the ram raids in Auckland.
Two days ago ram-raiders broke their way into an Auckland shopping centre, before driving through the mall and smashing into Postie and Noel Leeming stores, stealing clothing and electrical goods.
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Advertise with NZME.CCTV footage from a store inside the centre shows about 12 people running through the mall and three cars speeding past shops.
Deep said it seemed as though they were "playing GTA" [Grand Theft Auto] and suspects that they were doing it more to show off rather than steal as the CCTV footage shows the passenger filming the crash from their seat.
He said while the ram raid was disheartening especially after Covid, the locals have been very supportive, stopping by to offer food or coffee.
- Star News | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-ram-raiders-chased-off-by-nearby-bakery-workers/E5RJA5UMDNIUYD22J56BNLZJHI/?c_id=1&objectid=12520821&ref=rss | 2022-04-28T21:23:34Z | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-ram-raiders-chased-off-by-nearby-bakery-workers/E5RJA5UMDNIUYD22J56BNLZJHI/?c_id=1&objectid=12520821&ref=rss | false | 3 |
Is polio making a comeback?
The world has spent billions of dollars over the last 15 years in an effort to wipe out the virus through vaccination efforts – with encouraging results.
Rates plunged from an estimated 350,000 cases in 1988 to just several dozen by 2016.
But in recent years, polio incidence has started to inch back up. The reason has to do with the type of vaccine used in many parts of the world, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. While the United States and other Western countries inject an inactivated virus that poses no risk of spread and are now polio-free, other countries rely on an oral vaccine. It's cheap, it's easy to administer and two or more doses confer lifelong immunity. But it's made with living, weakened virus. And that poses a problem.
Those who've been immunized with live virus can shed it in their stool, which can then spread through sewage in places with poor sanitation. If the virus stays weak, it can expose the unvaccinated to polio and give them immunity. But if it mutates and regains virulence, someone who isn't vaccinated can become sick with vaccine-derived polio after contact with the contaminated wastewater.
And now countries that had previously eradicated polio in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia are seeing new outbreaks of vaccine-derived polio.
The pandemic is just part of the problem
One reason for this rise in cases, say polio experts, is that gaps in immunization in recent years have created more opportunities for the unvaccinated to become infected. "Vaccination campaigns have been certainly affected by the pandemic," says Raul Andino, a virologist at University of California, San Francisco.
In early 2020, for example, there was a 4-month pause in polio vaccination efforts in more than 30 countries, according to Ananda Bandyopadhyay, deputy director for polio at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (Editor's note: The Gates Foundation is a funder of NPR and this blog).
"The result of this pause and disruption can be seen in the close to tripling of [vaccine-derived polio] cases from 2019 to 2020," he says, "and an increase in the number of outbreaks."
The composition of the oral vaccine has also been a factor. In 2016, eyeing an uptick in vaccine-derived polio, global health officials altered the composition of the oral vaccine. Previously, the vaccine protected against all three types of wild polio — the virus that circulates naturally in the environment. Then they withdrew one of those types — the one that was leading to most of the vaccine-derived cases but whose wild form had been successfully eradicated.
Only there was a development that hadn't been anticipated. Vaccine-derived poliovirus of that type was still in circulation from earlier iterations of the oral vaccine — and now with the reformulated vaccine, increasing numbers of people who were no longer vaccinated against it. So there was further spread.
With 25 countries reporting cases last year, public health officials have sounded the alarm. They say that even a single case in a country is worrisome since the virus can spread — and may already be circulating there undetected. So scientists are once again trying to outmaneuver polio by rolling out a new kind of vaccine in these places. And so far, it's showing promise.
Coming up with a new oral vaccine recipe
Over the past few years, Andino and his collaborators have been developing a new oral vaccine due to the recent outbreaks of vaccine-derived polio and an influx of funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The novel vaccine still contains a weakened version of the virus, but it's been hobbled even further.
"What we did is three independent modifications" to make reactivation less likely, says Andino. The researchers tweaked the virus so that it has to accumulate more mutations to become virulent and has a harder time amassing those mutations. For example, they've altered the polymerase, one of the key enzymes responsible for introducing mutations, reducing its ability to mix and match genes from different viruses.
After performing well in clinical trials, the vaccine was approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization last year. Since March 2021, 265 million doses have been administered to children across 14 countries, primarily in Africa, which have either seen documented cases of vaccine-derived polio or are neighbors to locations where this type of polio has been recorded.
Dr. Modjirom Ndoutabe, the polio coordinator in WHO's Regional Office for Africa, hopes this new vaccine will help turn a corner when it comes to eradication. "I am confident we can very quickly [stop] this outbreak," he says.
In fact, following an assessment by a team from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, an official declaration was made that Tajikistan's polio outbreak was the first to be stopped following supplemental use of the new vaccine.
But some polio researchers are skeptical — like Svea Closser, a medical anthropologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who studies vaccination programs with a focus on polio. She says public health officials have made similar declarations that polio was on the cusp of eradication before — only to be stymied by viral mutation and logistical complications with distributing vaccines.
"On the other hand," she adds, "if you have an oral polio vaccine that truly doesn't cause vaccine-derived polio, it's something that we'll probably need in order to secure eradication eventually."
Rolling it out
Uganda is one of the countries that's been administering the new vaccine.
Over just two weeks this January, Uganda vaccinated more than 8 million children with no side effects reported, says Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, an infectious disease pediatrician at Makerere University in Kampala.
Kitaka says there haven't been any vaccine-derived polio cases reported in Uganda. But the virus was detected in wastewater last year. And officials worry about refugees from conflict zones in neighboring countries where vaccination programs have lapsed.
She says the potential benefits of the new vaccine can't be understated. "For us, as pediatricians, as researchers, we think that this is going to be part of the end game to end polio in the whole world," she says. "I am optimistic. But I'm not yet comfortable that we are out of the woods."
It helps that, for the most part, parents and their kids have been open to getting the new vaccine, says Muhammad Camara, a health worker in the West African country of Gambia. In March, his team and others went door to door in remote communities across the country to administer it. They vaccinated 400,000 kids over just four intensive days.
For kids, there's no difference. The vaccine is a sip of liquid that they call "juice," says Camara, and they get a purple mark on their left pinky fingernail after their dose that they think looks like cool nail polish.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kmuw.org/2022-04-26/vaccine-derived-polio-is-on-the-rise-a-new-vaccine-aims-to-stop-the-spread | 2022-04-28T21:24:47Z | https://www.kmuw.org/2022-04-26/vaccine-derived-polio-is-on-the-rise-a-new-vaccine-aims-to-stop-the-spread | false | 33 |
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When I first heard the term "coastal grandmother," I had no idea what it was — but I immediately knew that it sounded like a trend that I could get behind.
The phrase brings to mind images of relaxing days spent lounging on a chaise, crisp linen outfits and houses with expansive farmhouse-style kitchens. And, essentially, that's what it is. TikTok user @lexnicoleta, who has been credited with coining the term, said in a video that those who love coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, cozy interiors and more might fit the "coastal grandmother" aesthetic. And no, you don't have to be an actual grandmother to be a coastal one, "it's for anyone and everyone," she said.
For those not lucky enough to live in a beach house with a big garden, you can still capture the spirit of the aesthetic by simply dressing for the role. "I would describe it as very neutral, classic staples in light shades ... it's very crisp, very clean," said New York City-based personal stylist Samantha Brown. "It's sort of like a nod to this timeless, moneyed — but not flashy — coastal grandma."
Brown said that while the "coastal grandmother" aesthetic may appeal to a slightly older generation, it's also great for those who have become accustomed to the cozy and fuss-free outfits that made up the majority of our wardrobes over the last couple of years, but still want to look put-together. "It's a step above wearing leggings and a sweater, but it's still very, very easy," Brown said. "It almost comes back to that capsule wardrobe feeling, like really nice basics in neutral colors that can be easily interchanged with each other."
According to personal stylist Christina Stein, to nail the trend, you want to stick to earthy tones, like blues, greens, creams, white, beige and light pinks. Essential pieces include cotton long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, cargo pants and hats. Brown added that things like white button-downs, jeans (but not the skinny versions), casual trousers and high-quality tees are other staples.
Here, the stylists shared some of the ways to wear the trend, and we added a couple of our favorite options as well.
Coastal grandmother fashion staples
Amazon Essentials Long-Sleeve Button-Down Poplin Shirt
Button-downs are a staple of the trend, and this popular option from Amazon comes in a few colors that fit the aesthetic, but you can't go wrong with the white shade. According to the brand, it's made from a soft, durable material that provides a lived-in feel right away.
LNX High-Waisted Linen Pants
Easy, breezy basics make up the majority of a coastal grandmother's wardrobe, so these linen pants seem like a great option. "These are perfect for lounging or can be dressed up and worn shopping or to brunch," one reviewer said.
J.Crew Classic-Fit Gauze Shirtdress
Whether you're heading to a garden party or hosting a backyard wine night, this dress is the perfect pick. According to the brand, it hits right at the knee and is not too loose or too tight, making it a great "everyday" dress. As an added bonus, it's heavily marked down right now — just don't forget to use the code SHOPSPRING at checkout to save!
Old Navy High-Waisted Light-Wash Straight-Leg Jeans for Women
These Old Navy jeans have more than 600 five-star reviews from shoppers who say they are soft and comfortable. "Perfect fit, perfect length, perfect weight, perfect shade, perfect stretch!" one reviewer wrote.
Furtalk Wide Brim Sun Hat
If you're spending a lot of time on the coast (or at least want to look like you are), you're going to need a hat. Perfect for gardening or lounging by the pool, this hat is designed to provide UPF 50+ protection and is foldable to fit easily in your bag.
The Hat Depot Bucket Hat
Stein recommended this bucket hat from Amazon. Since the style is having a moment, you'll be checking off multiple trends at once!
Everlane The Organic Cotton Box-Cut Tee
Stein likes this cotton tee, and we love how it feels like a classic and easy-to-style piece that anyone could benefit from having in their closet. The white shade is a must-have, but the Clay and Iced Coffee options also seem to fit the vibe.
Naadam The Essential Cashmere Sweater
Picture this: You're cuddled up with a book in your beach house, sipping tea and wearing an ultra-cozy cashmere sweater. Sounds picturesque, right? While most of us don't have access to a beach house, you'll be halfway to fulfilling that fantasy with Naadam's Cashmere Sweater, which Stein recommends for the trend. At $75, the bestseller is more affordable than other options on the market, but it doesn't sacrifice on quality — according to the brand, it's "heavenly soft."
Eileen Fisher Fine Jersey Mock Neck Tank
Brown said that Eileen Fisher is one place where you can find "coastal grandmother"-esque luxurious basics. And we love how chic and simple this mock-neck sleevless shirt is.
Theory Leenda Scoop Neck Sweater in Regal Wool
Brown said Theory is another brand that creates staples that fit the trend. This scoop-neck sweater from the company instantly caught our eye. The wool material is designed to be moisture-wicking and temperature regulating, plus the short sleeves make it perfect for the season.
Oliver Logan Aberdeen Wide Leg Crop
Stein also recommended these pants from Oliver Logan. Made from sustainable materials, the brand says that they have a comfortable amount of stretch and a high-waisted fit that hugs your backside and thighs before flaring at the knee.
For more stories like this, check out:
- TikTok loves these $27 Walmart mom jeans – here’s what our moms thought
- From sleeveless blouses to linen pants, 11 office-friendly summer wardrobe essentials
- 30 chic swimsuit cover-ups to wear on your next getaway — starting at $14
Subscribe to our Stuff We Love and One Great Find newsletters, and download our TODAY app to discover deals, shopping tips, budget-friendly product recommendations and more! | https://www.today.com/shop/coastal-grandmother-style-t253673 | 2022-04-28T21:25:08Z | https://www.today.com/shop/coastal-grandmother-style-t253673 | false | 1 |
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas National Guard member who drowned on the U.S.-Mexico border while on duty was not equipped with a flotation device when he jumped in the Rio Grande to help a migrant who was struggling to swim across, state officials said Wednesday.
Spc. Bishop Evans, who was missing three days before search crews found his body Monday, was among the more than 6,100 guard members stationed on the border as part of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s massive border security mission known as Operation Lone Star. The mission has 43 flotation devices for guard members who are assigned to boat missions, Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer said. Evans was not a boat crew member.
Requests for more flotation devices were first made in February but have been delayed by supply chain issues, Suelzer told lawmakers in the Texas Capitol while facing questions about Evans’ death, low morale and equipment shortages that have rattled the yearlong mission. Guard leaders defended not issuing all soldiers flotation devices because, they said, many are stationed on land.
Suelzer said that since Evans’ death, guard members have been instructed not to go in the water unless they have special training.
“(He) was a human being,” Suelzer said. “He saw a human being drowning and he jumped in the water to save them.”
Migrant rescues by Border Patrol are common along Texas’ 1,200-mile (1,930-kilometer) border with Mexico. Attempted crossings are sometimes deadly.
Brig. Gen. Monie Ulis said that guard members mostly stay on the banks to help migrants, and that he could recall only four or five instances where a guard member went into the water.
Evans is at least the fifth guard member who has died during the mission, a number that included suicides, said state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat has called for an inquest into the deaths. The mission includes thousands of state troopers, patrol boats on the Rio Grande and surveillance aircraft, and costs the state more than $2 million a day, said Steve McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Abbott gave guard members unusual authority last year to detain and arrest migrants, but most on the mission are assigned to observation posts. Guard leaders acknowledged morale problems, including equipment shortages and sparse living conditions, but said improvements have been made in recent months.
“Average morale would be about a seven,” Ulis said. “Far above when we first started.” | https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/international-headlines/guardsmen-who-drowned-on-texas-border-had-no-float-device/ | 2022-04-28T21:27:05Z | https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/international-headlines/guardsmen-who-drowned-on-texas-border-had-no-float-device/ | false | 43 |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kyle Tucker hit a tiebreaking pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 in a series finale that began as an impressive duel between starting pitchers.
Tucker's two-run blast came off Matt Bush (0-1), the first reliever for Texas after left-hander Martin Perez took a perfect game into the seventh inning before giving up his only run.
Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander (2-0) struck out eight and allowed one run over seven innings in only his fourth start since Tommy John surgery. The right-hander threw 64 of 91 pitches for strikes and didn't have a walk while lowering his season ERA to 1.73.
Blake Taylor pitched a perfect eighth for the Astros. Rafael Montero then worked the ninth with usual closer Ryan Pressly still on the injured list and got his first save despite Corey Seager's one-out homer to straightaway center.
Perez retired the first 18 batters he faced before Chas McCormick lined a double into the right-center gap on a full-count pitch leading off the seventh. The lefty got out two more batters out before Yordan Alvarez lined an opposite-field single to left to drive in McCormick.
Before McCormick's double, the closest the Astros had gotten to a hit was when Jose Siri had a one-out comebacker in the sixth that ricocheted off the pitcher. Perez scrambled off the mound and made a strong throw to first for a bang-bang play that was ruled out — and stood after a replay challenge by Houston.
Texas got even at 1 in the bottom of the seventh, when Adolis Garcia had a sacrifice fly to center after the Rangers loaded the bases with three consecutive one-out singles off Verlander. That included a checked swing from Mitch Garver that turned into a groundball hit against a shifted infield.
The only Rangers hit, and only baserunner, before then was No. 9 hitter Andy Ibanez with a sharp single up the middle in the third.
PERFECT THROUGH SIX
Perez was the first Rangers pitcher to retire the first 18 batters in a game since Mike Minor against San Diego on June 27, 2018. He was the second MLB pitcher to do that this season. Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw retired all 21 batters he faced at Minnesota on April 13 before being pulled from his first start of the season after 13 strikeouts and 80 pitches.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve (strained hamstring) is scheduled to play rehab games for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday and Saturday and could be activated from the injured list when Houston returns home Monday to start a series against Seattle. Altuve has been on the IL since April 19 and could have been activated as early as Friday. General manager James Click says Altuve wanted to play a couple of games to get his timing back before rejoining the Astros lineup.
Rangers: Catcher Jonah Heim was put on the paternity list after the birth Thursday morning of his second child, a daughter born just before 8 a.m.
UP NEXT
Astros: Jose Urquidy (1-1, 3.15 ERA) is the the scheduled starter when Houston opens a three-game series Friday night in Toronto.
Rangers: After dropping three of four to the defending American League champions, the Rangers open a three-game weekend series Friday against the reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/sports/article/Tucker-s-pinch-HR-lifts-Astros-over-Texas-in-17134677.php | 2022-04-28T21:31:28Z | https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/sports/article/Tucker-s-pinch-HR-lifts-Astros-over-Texas-in-17134677.php | false | 24 |
Actress Pooja Hegde and Vicky Kaushal are likely to appear in a new project. A picture of the two actors along with filmmaker Abhaya Raha is posted on social media.
They are likely to work for an ad film and the shoot has taken place last week.
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Earlier Pooja has appeared in multiple ad films, and the most recent was, with the Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan. She also has ‘Acharya’ with Ram Charan, Salman Khan’s ‘Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali’, ‘Cirkus’ opposite Ranveer Singh, and ‘SSMB28’ opposite Mahesh Babu in the pipeline.
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Vicky on the other hand has multiple projects in his pipeline including ‘Govinda Naam Mera’, ‘The Great Indian Family’ and Laxman Utekar’s untitled next opposite Sara Ali Khan.
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Advertisement | https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/vicky-kaushal-pooja-hegde-come-together-for-project-share-happy-photo-with-director-abhaya-raha/ | 2022-04-28T21:32:08Z | https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/vicky-kaushal-pooja-hegde-come-together-for-project-share-happy-photo-with-director-abhaya-raha/ | false | null |
Three years after the release of Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Chiranjeevi is back with a bang with Acharya which has hit the screens on Friday, April 29. He has teamed up with Koratala Siva, who has movies like Mirchi with Prabhas, Srimanthudu and Bharat Ane Nenu with Mahesh Babu and Janatha Garage with Junior NTR to his credit.
Acharya is being funded by Chiranjeevi's son and actor Ram Charan on their home banner of Konidela Production. The movie has Pooja Hegde doing the female lead with Charan himself enacting an important character.
Sonu Sood, Vennela Kishore, Posani Krishna Murali, Nassar, Ajay, Tanikella Bharani and others are in the supporting roles. Mahesh Babu is the narrator for the film in which Regina Cassandra has done a special number. The movie has Mani Sharma's music, Tirru's cinematography and Naveen Nooli's editing.
Story:
A naxal comrade steps into a corrupt temple town and restores the town's true identity of being a serene town under the guidance of an able ancient clan.
Hype:
The movie has piqued a lot of interest with its impressive trailer and promos. With the Mega Star playing the lead role and acting alongside his son Ram Charan, who is basking in the success of SS Rajamouli's RRR, the audience is eagerly looking forward to the film.
Acharya will have its premieres at foreign countries on Thursday evening (Friday in India).Will it live up to the expectations? Check out from the viewers' response:
Shiva Reddy: #Acharya Aa BGM endira Mani
35 minutes into the movie and it feels like a outdated 90s movie so far. Doesn't even feel like a kortala movie #Acharya
Neeraj Kumar On Duty : #Acharya 1st half as of now
Lahe Lahe Boss grace
Vishnu Vardhan: #Acharya #Avatar2 Sorry Guys Acharya 1st Half Chala bagundi Anta , I'm sorry no fake reviews please , just got reviewed 1st half Super and Duper, Megastar Rocks_ Mi Generations lo ninu Kote vadu ledu Chiru Anna❤️❤️ Review 1st half (4.5/5)
Showtime #Acharya pic.twitter.com/RX2Q4jr8Hu
— Chiru Bossu (@Neninthe___) April 28, 2022
#Acharya Showtime pic.twitter.com/9ZnK2B0NEl
— Akki (@MGeekz) April 28, 2022
Showtime: #Acharya
— Shiva Reddy (@NTR_Cultt) April 28, 2022
Jai Chiranjeeva slogans all over madness!!! pic.twitter.com/z8Q2Op0Md3
#Acharya Showtime pic.twitter.com/9ZnK2B0NEl
— Akki (@MGeekz) April 28, 2022
The new euphoria
— Bhanu Kanna (@Bhanuprasadh) April 28, 2022
Strom of mega #MegaPowerStar #Megastar #AcharyaOnApr29 #Acharaya pic.twitter.com/ZvOnuww7nK | https://www.ibtimes.co.in/acharya-movie-review-whats-good-whats-bad-find-out-here-847931 | 2022-04-28T21:33:40Z | https://www.ibtimes.co.in/acharya-movie-review-whats-good-whats-bad-find-out-here-847931 | true | 1 |
Over 100 people gathered for AVENS – A Community for Seniors’ public engagement session on Tuesday, April 26, where the organization shared details of its plan to add 102 new housing units to the existing senior’s complex.
1
The addition will host 92 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units, which works out to 112 new beds.
The gross floor area of a one-bedroom unit comes out to 46.3 square meters, while a two bedroom is 70 square meters.
2
The pavilion will also include separate wings and various activity rooms.
AVENS expects to charge $1,213 (80 per cent of market rate) for a one-bedroom suite in the pavilion, while the price range for two-bedroom suites has yet to be shared.
AVENS has yet to decide eligibility criteria for seniors, the organization does have criteria in place with the NWT Housing Corporation in determining eligibility by age, though it remained unspecified.
“There is no official age category defining a senior. How a senior is defined depends on the data source,” reads a NWT Bureau of Statistics senior summary. “The sections related to population, health (and) wellness, and language (and) traditional activities use age categories of 60 years and older, while data related to employment, income and housing consider those 55 years and over seniors.”
The new units aren’t on sale yet, though AVENS is collecting expressions of interest from those who want to be kept in the know throughout the project.
There are currently 30 names on the waitlist for AVENS’ existing facility.
The new project has received at least two funding injections on its road to completion, one for $33.7 million in October 2021 and one for $5 million in January 2022.
The residence is set to open Fall 2023. | https://www.nnsl.com/news/avens-offers-more-details-for-upcoming-pavilion/ | 2022-04-28T21:34:40Z | https://www.nnsl.com/news/avens-offers-more-details-for-upcoming-pavilion/ | false | 1 |
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — More of the dry, windy weather that helped fan rare spring wildfires from New Mexico to Nebraska is expected to threaten the progress that firefighters have made, officials said Thursday.
A swath of the country stretching from Arizona to the Texas panhandle is expected to be hit the hardest by the return of the bad firefighting weather that has generated unusually hot and fast-moving fires for this time of year, forecasters warned.
Red flag warnings of extreme wildfire danger have been issued for some of the same states that experienced blazes that raced across the landscape last week. The warnings were in place for all of New Mexico and parts of Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
In drought-stricken New Mexico, flames jumped a line built to corral the northwestern perimeter of a blaze that already destroyed an undetermined number of homes in several villages while marching across 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) of meadows and mountainsides.
Some of the nearly 1,000 firefighters in New Mexico battling what has become that largest wildfire burning in the U.S. worked Thursday to prevent it from moving into the rural community of Ledoux. That meant bolstering fire lines and sending in crews tasked with protecting structures, said Jayson Coil, a firefighting operations section chief.
“We recognize that over the next two days we’re going to have very unfavorable conditions with red flag warnings and then high winds — not as high as the big blow-up day last week but maybe 45 to 50 mph — and they’re going to want to push that fire up to the northeast,” he said.
That leads toward Ledoux, where many residents have already fled. Evacuations were kept in place for numerous other nearby communities.
Some light rain added moisture to bone dry vegetation in the Southwest early this week, but higher winds Wednesday likely dried out grass and other brush that can help fuel fires.
Authorities in northwestern New Mexico were refining the evacuation strategies that they were forced to quickly put in place last week, said San Miguel County Sheriff Chris Lopez.
“It doesn’t mean it will happen but it could happen, just like we saw when this fire blew up,” he said. “The danger is present and it’s very real.”
Authorities were still tallying how many homes had burned in the New Mexico fire. Some areas were still smoldering and officials reiterated that it was not yet safe enough to allow the return of some people who fled.
The Southwest has born the brunt of large fires. Five wildfire incident management teams have been mobilized to oversee the firefighting efforts, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
One team was overseeing a large prairie fire in Nebraska, where more than 200 firefighters were battling a blaze that has been burning since last week.
About 68 square miles (176 square kilometers) of mostly grasses and farmland have been blackened near Nebraska’s state line with Kansas, several homes were destroyed and at least one person was killed. That fire was 88% contained Thursday.
In Arizona, crews were trying to control two major wildfires, with strong winds on Wednesday pushing flames across more of the Prescott National Forest. Near Flagstaff, crews patrolled burned areas of another large fire amid milder weather that helps firefighting efforts.
___
Beck reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writer Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report. | https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/national-news/big-progress-on-wildfires-but-dangerous-winds-on-the-way-2/ | 2022-04-28T21:35:30Z | https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/national-news/big-progress-on-wildfires-but-dangerous-winds-on-the-way-2/ | false | 11 |
Macron ‘did not expect’ election win honeymoon, now Edouard Philippe ‘could topple him’
EMMANUEL MACRON may be quietly enjoying the glory of being the first French President to win a second successive term in office in 20 years, but one man could still topple him, according to one French political commentator.
Emmanuel Macron vows to represent all French people
The Republic en Marche leader won a second round of voting at the weekend, seeing off right-wing rival Marine Le Pen with 58.5 percent of the vote to her 41.5 percent. However, Mr Macron’s celebrations were conspicuously muted, suggesting he knew he had not won through popularity alone.
Edouard Philippe, Mr Macron’s former Prime Minister, may now pose a threat to the French premier’s leadership, as the loose coalition of allies that first got him elected begins to fray.
Mr Macron’s win in the second round of voting may have been well over the 50 percent threshold, but was a drop in the vote he received against Ms Le Pen by more than 7 percent when compared with 2017 results.
During the first round, the incumbent President received nearly 28 percent of the vote, out of a field of 12 candidates.
According to Anne-Elisabeth Moutet, a Paris-based journalist and political commentator, Mr Macron’s appearance at his victory party on Sunday night lasted 15 minutes, with everyone being sent home by 10.30pm.
READ MORE: 'Resist!' Emmanuel Macron faces backlash as he launches digital ID
One pundit joked to her of Mr Macron’s victory lap: “This is positively geriatric”.
There were, she said, “no honking cars draped in tricolours, driving up and down the Champs-Elysées all night”, as had been the case when Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy had won.
Neither was there a rock concert until dawn on the Place de la Bastille, as had been the case with François Mitterrand and François Hollande.
Ms Moutet described the party on the Champ de Mars – the large central Parisian park that houses the Eiffel Tower – was “low-key”, Mr Macron’s speech “conciliatory”.
The relatively young politician has earned a reputation in France for supposedly gloating on his successes when given the opportunity.
Writing for UnHerd on Tuesday, Ms Moutet said that instead the winning candidate was “uncharacteristically humble”.
She added: “In any other situation, Macron would have demanded a Roman triumph and ridden back to the Élysée behind four immaculate horses, his face painted with minium and his wife Brigitte in Dior whispering in his ear dire warnings about the Tarpeian Rock.
“Instead, he showed up an hour and a half after his victory had been announced to address a crowd of the party faithful, oscillating on the lawn to Daft Punk in front of empty bleachers.”
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Remarking on the French election earlier this week, Douglas Murray, a British political commentator and author of The Strange Death of Europe, said that Mr Macron should not feel smug about the victory as there was “little love for him in France”.
He added that there was “even less enthusiasm about how he has governed the country”, claiming that the main reason the French President won a second term was because “his surname is not Le Pen”.
Mr Murray’s appraisal of the win seems to be an opinion shared across the English Channel.
Ms Moutet said: “Macron knew most of his votes came from those who saw him as the least-worst alternative in a miserable choice, and cast their ballots with clenched teeth.
“He wanted to erase the merest suspicion that he expected to enjoy a honeymoon.”
Meanwhile, Mr Macron faces a threat from his first Prime Minister, who he fired during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Philippe’s popularity has since reportedly skyrocketed.
In October 2021, Mr Philippe created “Horizons” – a new centre-right political party comprising mostly of old Les Republicains friends.
Ms Moutet added: “The word is that he is negotiating with [Le Republic en Marche] for 120 MP seats, i.e. the promise that his candidates will run unopposed in winnable constituencies.
“In 2017, the Centrist François Bayrou tried this with a newly elected Emmanuel Macron: he got frozen in outer darkness for five years. Macron cannot afford this today.” | https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1602826/Emmanuel-macron-French-presidential-election-honeymoon-ally-Edouard-philippe-topple | 2022-04-28T21:37:27Z | https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1602826/Emmanuel-macron-French-presidential-election-honeymoon-ally-Edouard-philippe-topple | true | 1 |
Amber Alert canceled, 4-year-old in Georgia found safe
Published: Apr. 28, 2022 at 3:06 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
SNELLVILLE, Ga. (Gray News) - A missing 4-year-old girl in Georgia has been found safe and a suspect is in custody, police said Thursday.
The Levi’s Call, Georgia’s Amber Alert, has been canceled for Valery Molina.
Police said she was abducted by Alfred Molina. Snellville police posted to Facebook that she was safe soon after the alert went out.
Anyone with additional information can contact Snellville police at 404-731-2713 or call 911.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwqc.com/2022/04/28/amber-alert-4-year-old-abducted-georgia/ | 2022-04-28T21:39:38Z | https://www.kwqc.com/2022/04/28/amber-alert-4-year-old-abducted-georgia/ | false | null |
RICHMOND, Va. -- Since his son’s overdose death, Dr. Abu Abubaker has vowed to change the stigma of addiction. He also hopes to educate future generations in an effort to eradicate the opioid crisis that claimed more than 100,000 lives last year.
Abubaker helped launch the Adam Abubaker Lectureship Series at VCU Medical Center on Monday.
“I promised for the rest of my life, I would change the killer of addiction, everywhere I can and anyway I can,” the professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery said before a large crowd of faculty and students.
Adam Abubaker was 21 years old when he died of a heroin overdose in September 2014. His father believes minor surgery to repair a football injury just one year earlier, led to his son’s struggle with prescription opioids and eventually heroin.
Despite spending 10 months in recovery, the illicit drug’s hold on Adam was too strong.
Adam’s death prompted his father to pursue graduate studies in addiction and to become an advocate and educator for future medical providers.
“It became my therapy to speak about it because everywhere, every single lecture I gave, I talked about him, and to that extent, I kept his memory alive," Abubaker said.
Aside from establishing the Adam Abubaker Lectureship Series, the professor began teaching safe prescribing practices to students and created a scholarship in Adam's name for students who want to pursue additional studies in the field of addiction.
Monday’s inaugural lecture was extended to the entire medical community, and to others hoping to learn more about the science of addiction.
“Dental students, medical students, physicians, nurses, it’s open to the entire campus,” Abubaker said.
Abubaker hopes working with medical providers will not only dispel misinformation regarding addiction, but will help spread awareness, find treatments, and seek prevention for substance abuse disorders impacting millions of people around the world.
“It kind of comes down to I want to change the world, one student at a time,” Abubaker said. “The same time they teach them about diabetes and hypertension, they should teach them about addiction.”
If you would like to support Dr. Abubaker’s work to honor his son’s memory, you may send donations to the MCV Foundation, MCV Foundation, Box 980234, Richmond, VA 23298 or make a gift online to support.vcu.edu
This segment is sponsored by WHOA Behavioral Health. | https://www.wtkr.com/news/his-son-battled-drug-addiction-and-lost-now-this-dad-is-fighting-back | 2022-04-28T21:39:39Z | https://www.wtkr.com/news/his-son-battled-drug-addiction-and-lost-now-this-dad-is-fighting-back | false | 2 |
When you buy a domain name at Dan.com, you’re automatically covered by our unique Buyer Protection Program. Read more about how we keep you safe on our Trust and Security page.
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EU News
Statement by Commission President von der Leyen following the announcement by Gazprom on the disruption of gas deliveries to certain EU Member States
Statement given yesterday by Commission President von der Leyen following the announcement by Gazprom on the disruption of gas deliveries to certain EU Member States.
The announcement by Gazprom that it is unilaterally stopping delivery of gas to customers in Europe is yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail.
This is unjustified and unacceptable.
And it shows once again the unreliability of Russia as a gas supplier.
We are prepared for this scenario. We are in close contact with all Member States.
We have been working to ensure alternative deliveries and the best possible storage levels across the EU.
Member States have put in place contingency plans for just such a scenario and we worked with them in coordination and solidarity.
A meeting of the gas coordination group is taking place right now.
We are mapping out our coordinated EU response.
We will also continue working with international partners to secure alternative flows.
And I will continue working with European and world leaders to ensure the security of energy supply in Europe.
Europeans can trust that we stand united and in full solidarity with the Member States impacted in the face of this new challenge. Europeans can count on our full support. | https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/statement+by+commission+president+von+der+leyen+following+the+announcement+by+gazprom+on+the+disruption+of+gas+deliveries+to+certain+eu+member+states+28042022152500?open | 2022-04-28T21:49:07Z | https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/statement+by+commission+president+von+der+leyen+following+the+announcement+by+gazprom+on+the+disruption+of+gas+deliveries+to+certain+eu+member+states+28042022152500?open | false | 1 |
The Jan. 6 select committee that is conducting the official investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump has announced plans to hold eight public hearings in June.
The committee said that some of the hearings will be held during "prime time" television hours in the evening, Reuters reported.
As CNN reported on Wednesday, former New York mayor and personal attorney to former President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, is expected to appear next month before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol.
Giuliani's planned appearance comes after months of negotiations with lawmakers. It was unclear if the May date would be the only time Giuliani appeared before the select committee.
The public meetings set to be held on June 9 will feature key witnesses, along with evidence, in order to present to the public a more in-depth perspective on the deadly day, according to chairman Bennie G. Thompson, the Washington Post reported. | https://www.10news.com/news/national/jan-6-select-committee-plans-at-least-eight-public-hearings-beginning-in-june | 2022-04-28T21:52:10Z | https://www.10news.com/news/national/jan-6-select-committee-plans-at-least-eight-public-hearings-beginning-in-june | false | 11 |
The Food and Drug Administration is proposing a ban on menthol cigarettes and all types of flavors in cigars. The agency says the ban would significantly reduce disease and death from tobacco.
Copyright 2022 NPR
The Food and Drug Administration is proposing a ban on menthol cigarettes and all types of flavors in cigars. The agency says the ban would significantly reduce disease and death from tobacco.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.upr.org/2022-04-28/fda-proposes-menthol-cigarette-ban | 2022-04-28T21:52:45Z | https://www.upr.org/2022-04-28/fda-proposes-menthol-cigarette-ban | false | null |
BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland lawmakers who represent Baltimore announced $166 million in state funding on Thursday for the city's downtown and Inner Harbor.
The funding was secured over the last two legislative sessions and will continue through fiscal year 2025.
“There is no city in America that has a thriving uptown without a thriving downtown,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat. “To truly build a better Baltimore, we must transform our Downtown and Inner Harbor into a space built for and with our City’s residents in mind.”
The funding includes $50 million for the relocation of state employees from State Center to the Central Business District. It also includes $11.5 million for the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.
Another $7.5 million is allocated for the Inner Harbor Promenade, with another $60 million pre-authorized in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
Other amounts include $7.4 million for the Baltimore City Community College Bard Building; $5.5 million for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum; $5 million for the National Aquarium; and $5 million for streetscaping the new Warner Street Entertainment District. | https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/166M-announced-for-Baltimore-s-downtown-Inner-17134599.php | 2022-04-28T21:55:28Z | https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/166M-announced-for-Baltimore-s-downtown-Inner-17134599.php | false | 12 |
When you buy a domain name at Dan.com, you’re automatically covered by our unique Buyer Protection Program. Read more about how we keep you safe on our Trust and Security page.
Next to our secure domain ownership transfer process, we strictly monitor all transactions. If anything looks weird, we take immediate action. And if the seller doesn't deliver on their part of the deal, we refund you within 24 hours.
98% of all domain ownership transfers are completed within 24 hours. The seller first delivers the domain to us, then we send you your tailored transfer instructions. Need help? Our domain ownership transfer specialists will assist you at no additional cost.
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- First quarter 2022 net income of $50.1 million decreased 19% compared to the first quarter of 2021 and decreased 9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021
- First quarter 2022 diluted earnings per common share of $1.02 decreased 24% compared to the first quarter of 2021 and decreased 11% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021
- Total assets of $9.7 billion decreased 1%, compared to March 31, 2021, and decreased 14% compared to December 31, 2021
- Return on average assets was 1.92% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to $2.49% in the first quarter of 2021 and 2.02% in the fourth quarter of 2021
- Tangible book value per common share of $18.70 increased 27% compared to $14.72 in the first quarter of 2021 and increased 4% compared to $17.96 in the fourth quarter of 2021
- Credit quality remained strong, as nonperforming loans represented 0.08% of loans receivable compared to 0.08% at March 31, 2021 and 0.01% at December 31, 2021
- Quarterly dividends were increased by 17%, to $.07 per common share
- The Company was recognized as the 2021 best-performing bank in the U.S. among public U.S. banks with more than $10 billion in assets, according to the 2021 S&P Global Market Intelligence Ranking
CARMEL, Ind., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Merchants Bancorp (the "Company" or "Merchants") (Nasdaq: MBIN), parent company of Merchants Bank of Indiana, today reported first quarter 2022 net income of $50.1 million, or diluted earnings per common share of $1.02. This compared to $62.0 million, or diluted earnings per common share of $1.35 in the first quarter of 2021, and compared to $55.2 million, or diluted earnings per common share of $1.14 in the fourth quarter of 2021.
"We were honored in March to be named as the 2021 best-performing large public bank in the country by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Our focus on profitability and safety and soundness has continued into 2022 despite the headwinds of industry volume declines in single-family loans as market interest rates have increased. With a tangible book value of $18.70 per share, an industry-leading return on average assets of 1.92% and an efficiency ratio of just 30.9% in the quarter, we are off to a great start this year," said Michael F. Petrie, Chairman and CEO of Merchants.
Michael J. Dunlap, President and Chief Operating Officer of Merchants, added, "Our strong results will continue to be driven by the exceptional team we have assembled across the country as we expand our relationship-based product offerings to a larger geographic footprint, while maintaining our hallmarks of efficiency and credit quality. Our diverse business model positions us to enhance revenue streams well into the future."
Net income for the first quarter 2022 decreased by $11.9 million, or 19%, compared to the first quarter of 2021, primarily driven by a $9.4 million, or 21%, decrease in noninterest income that reflected a 37% decrease in gain on sale of loans. Also contributing to the lower net income was a $6.2 million, or 9%, decrease in net interest income that reflected a 4% decrease in interest income that reflected lower loan balances.
Net income for the first quarter 2022 decreased by $5.1 million, or 9%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily driven by a $5.7 million, or 14%, decrease in noninterest income that reflected a 37% decrease in gain on sale of loans. Also contributing to the lower net income was a $7.0 million, or 10%, decrease in net interest income that reflected a 8% decrease in interest income. Partially offsetting these items was a $6.6 million, or 18%, decrease in noninterest expenses from a 16% decrease in salaries and employee benefits, including commissions.
Total Assets
Total assets of $9.7 billion at March 31, 2022 decreased 1%, compared to March 31, 2021, and decreased $1.6 billion, or 14%, compared to December 31, 2021. The decrease compared to December 31, 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in cash and loans held for sale.
Return on average assets was 1.92% for the first quarter of 2022 compared to 2.49% for the first quarter of 2021 and 2.02% for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Asset Quality
The allowance for credit losses on loans of $32.1 million at March 31, 2022 increased $3.0 million compared to March 31, 2021 and increased $0.8 million compared to December 31, 2021. The increases compared to December 31, 2021 were primarily in the multi-family and healthcare loan portfolios. The Company implemented its current expected credit losses ("CECL") model during the quarter, in accordance with the new accounting standard. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had only one loan remaining in a COVID-19 payment deferral arrangement, with an unpaid balance of $36.8 million.
Non-performing loans were $4.7 million, or 0.08%, of loans receivable at March 31, 2022, compared to $4.7 million, or 0.08% of loans receivable at March 31, 2021, and compared to $0.8 million, or 0.01%, of loans receivable at December 31, 2021.
Total Deposits
Total deposits of $7.5 billion at March 31, 2022 decreased $587.4 million, or 7%, compared to March 31, 2021, and decreased $1.5 billion, or 17%, compared to December 31, 2021. The decrease compared to December 31, 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in brokered demand and certificates of deposits.
Total brokered deposits of $379.9 million at March 31, 2022 decreased $478.2 million, or 56%, from March 31, 2021 and decreased $1.8 billion, or 82%, from December 31, 2021. Brokered deposits represented 5% of total deposits at March 31, 2022 compared to 11% of total deposits at March 31, 2021 and 24% of total deposits at December 31, 2021.
Liquidity
Cash balances of $411.5 million at March 31, 2022 increased by $142.1 million compared to March 31, 2021 and decreased by $621.1 million compared to December 31, 2021. The Company also continues to have significant borrowing capacity, with unused lines of credit totaling $2.2 billion at March 31, 2022 compared to $3.7 billion at March 31, 2021 and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2021. This liquidity enhances the ability to effectively manage interest expense and asset levels in the future.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income of $65.7 million in the first quarter of 2022 decreased $6.2 million, or 9%, compared to the first quarter of 2021 and decreased $7.0 million, or 10%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
The 9% decrease in net interest income compared to the first quarter of 2021 reflected a 4% decrease in interest income from lower average loan balances. The interest rate spread of 2.55% for the first quarter of 2022 decreased 38 basis points compared to 2.93% in the first quarter of 2021. The net interest margin of 2.62% for the first quarter of 2022 decreased 37 basis points compared to 2.99% for the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in net interest margin compared to the first quarter of 2021 reflected lower average loan balances at lower average yields, higher average cash balances, and higher average deposit balances at higher yields.
The 10% decrease in net interest income compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflected lower average loan balances that offset higher loan yields. The interest rate spread of 2.55% for the first quarter of 2022 decreased 7 basis points compared to 2.62% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The net interest margin of 2.62% for the first quarter of 2022 decreased 8 basis points compared to 2.70% for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Interest Income
Interest income of $76.0 million in the first quarter of 2022 decreased $3.5 million, or 4%, compared to the first quarter of 2021 and decreased $6.6 million, or 8%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
The 4% decrease in interest income compared to the first quarter of 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in average loan balances and slightly lower average yields. The lower interest income reflected a $329.4 million, or 4%, decrease in the average balance of loans, including loans held for sale, as warehouse volumes declined. Average loans were $8.0 billion for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $8.4 billion for the first quarter of 2021. The average yield on loans and loans held for sale of 3.64% for the first quarter of 2022 decreased 2 basis points compared to 3.66% for the first quarter of 2021.
The 8% decrease in interest income compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 reflected a $1.0 billion, or 11%, decrease in the average balance of loans, including loans held for sale, as warehouse volumes declined. Average loans were $8.0 billion for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $9.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021. The average yield on loans and loans held for sale of 3.64% for the first quarter of 2022 increased 27 basis points compared to 3.37% for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Interest Expense
Total interest expense increased $2.7 million, or 36%, to $10.3 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021 and increased $0.4 million, or 5%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Interest expense on deposits of $8.8 million for the first quarter of 2022 increased $2.7 million, or 44%, compared to the first quarter of 2021 and increased $0.3 million, or 4%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
The 36% increase in interest expense on deposits compared to the first quarter of 2021 was primarily due to increases in average balances of money market accounts and certificates of deposits, which was partially offset by lower average rates for certificates of deposit. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits of $8.0 billion for the first quarter of 2022 increased $557.3 million, or 7%, compared to the first quarter of 2021. The average yield of interest-bearing deposits was 0.44% for the first quarter of 2022, which was a 11 basis point increase compared to 0.33% in the first quarter of 2021.
The 5% increase in interest expense on deposits compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily due to higher average balances of money market accounts. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits of $8.0 billion for the first quarter of 2022 decreased $260.9 million, or 3%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. The average yield of interest-bearing deposits was 0.44% for the first quarter of 2022, which was a 3 basis point increase compared to 0.41% in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income of $34.6 million for the first quarter of 2022 decreased $9.3 million, or 21%, compared to the first quarter of 2021 and decreased $5.7 million, or 14%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
The 21% decrease in noninterest income compared to the first quarter of 2021 was primarily due to a $10.7 million decrease in gain on sale of loans, partially offset by an increase in loan servicing fees of $1.8 million. Included in loan servicing fees for the first quarter of 2022 was a $7.6 million positive fair market value adjustment to servicing rights, which compared to a $6.9 million positive fair market value adjustment for the first quarter of 2021.
The 14% decrease in noninterest income compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily due to a $10.5 million decrease in gain on sale of loans, as well as a $4.7 million decrease in low-income housing tax credit syndication fees, partially offset by an increase in loan servicing fees of $8.3 million. Included in loan servicing fees for the first quarter of 2022 was a $7.6 million positive fair market value adjustment to servicing rights, which compared to a $1.9 million positive fair market value adjustment for the fourth quarter of 2021.
At March 31, 2022, servicing rights were valued at $121.0 million, an increase of 10% compared to December 31, 2021 and an increase of 26% compared to March 31, 2021. These increases were driven by higher loan balances of serviced assets and higher interest rates that impacted fair market value adjustments in the first quarter of 2022. The value of servicing rights generally increases in rising interest rate environments and declines in falling interest rate environments due to expected prepayments.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense of $31.0 million for the first quarter of 2022 increased $0.9 million, or 3%, compared to the first quarter of 2021 and decreased $6.6 million, or 18%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
The 3% increase in noninterest expense compared to the first quarter of 2021 was due primarily to increases in professional fees, technology expenses and other expenses, offset by a decrease in loan expenses. The efficiency ratio of 30.9% for the first quarter of 2022 compared to 26.0% for the first quarter of 2021.
The 18% decrease in noninterest expense compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily due to a $4.1 million, or 16%, decrease in salaries and employee benefits, including commissions. The efficiency ratio of 30.9% for the first quarter of 2022 compared to 33.3% for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Segments
Banking
For the first quarter of 2022, net income of $28.8 million for Banking increased 25% from the first quarter of 2021, reflecting higher net interest income that was partially offset by lower noninterest income from gains on sale of loans. Included in noninterest income for the first quarter of 2022 was a $4.3 million positive fair market value adjustment to servicing rights, which compared to a $4.7 million positive fair market value adjustment for the first quarter of 2021.
Net income for this segment increased 27% from the fourth quarter of 2021 primarily due to higher net interest income and loan servicing fees, partially offset by higher noninterest expenses from higher salaries and employee benefits. Included in loan servicing fees for the first quarter of 2022 was a $4.3 million positive fair market value adjustment to servicing rights, which compared to a $0.9 million positive fair market value adjustment for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Multi-family Mortgage Banking
For the first quarter of 2022, net income of $11.5 million for Multi-family Mortgage Banking decreased 4% compared with the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to lower noninterest income from gain on sale of loans that was partially offset by higher loan servicing fees and other income. The increase in loan servicing fees reflected a positive fair market value adjustment of $3.3 million on servicing rights in the first quarter of 2022 compared to a positive fair market value adjustment of $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, net income for this segment decreased 19%, reflecting lower noninterest income from gain on sale of loans that was partially offset by higher loan servicing fees. The increase in loan servicing fees reflected a positive fair market value adjustment of $3.3 million on servicing rights in the first quarter of 2022 compared to a positive fair market value adjustment of $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Mortgage Warehousing
For the first quarter of 2022, net income of $13.2 million for Mortgage Warehousing decreased 55% compared to the first quarter of 2021 and decreased 38% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. The decreases compared to the prior periods reflected lower net interest income and mortgage warehouse fees as industry volumes declined.
About Merchants Bancorp
Ranked as a top performing U.S. public bank by S&P Global Market Intelligence, Merchants Bancorp is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in Carmel, Indiana operating multiple lines of business, including Federal Housing Administration ("FHA") multi-family housing and healthcare facility financing and servicing; mortgage warehouse financing; retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking; agricultural lending; and traditional community banking. Merchants Bancorp, with $9.7 billion in assets and $7.5 billion in deposits as of March 31, 2022, conducts its business primarily through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, Merchants Bank of Indiana, Merchants Capital Corp., Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois, Merchants Capital Servicing, LLC, and Merchants Mortgage, a division of Merchants Bank of Indiana. For more information and financial data, please visit Merchants' Investor Relations page at investors.merchantsbancorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management's current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "may," "might," "should," "could," "predict," "potential," "believe," "expect," "continue," "will," "anticipate," "seek," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "projection," "goal," "target," "outlook," "aim," "would," "annualized" and "outlook," or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control, such as the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, management cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the severity, magnitude, duration and businesses' and governments' responses thereto, on the Company's operations and personnel, and on activity and demand across its businesses, and other factors identified in "Risk Factors" or "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.
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SOURCE Merchants Bancorp | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/04/28/merchants-bancorp-reports-first-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-04-28T22:04:43Z | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/04/28/merchants-bancorp-reports-first-quarter-2022-results/ | true | 11 |
Deputies arrest mom for repeatedly calling 911 after son brought home girlfriend
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - Deputies said a mother in South Carolina was arrested after repeatedly calling 911 on her son early Wednesday morning.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to a home in Inman just before midnight on Tuesday, WHNS reports.
Upon arrival, deputies found the mother, who seemed to be heavily intoxicated, arguing with her son. The mother told deputies her son brought his girlfriend home after she told him not to.
The son said he and his girlfriend only needed to stay there for the night before returning to New York in the morning, according to deputies. Deputies explained to the mother that due to her son living at the home, he had the right to have guests over.
Deputies said they left the scene but were called back to the same house at 12:20 a.m. and 4:12 a.m. in reference to the mother calling 911 on her son. She left the home before deputies arrived the third time.
The mother was placed into custody after returning home a little more than one hour after the final 911 call, the sheriff’s office said.
She was charged with the misuse of 911 and was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kalb.com/2022/04/27/deputies-arrest-mom-repeatedly-calling-911-after-son-brought-home-girlfriend/ | 2022-04-28T22:06:59Z | https://www.kalb.com/2022/04/27/deputies-arrest-mom-repeatedly-calling-911-after-son-brought-home-girlfriend/ | true | 37 |
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Judges denied the innocence claims Thursday of four men who were convicted of killing the grandfather of NBA star Chris Paul when they were teens, even though a key witness has recanted her testimony.
In 2020, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission found sufficient evidence of factual innocence to send their cases to a panel of three Superior Court judges.
But on Thursday, after an eight-day-long hearing in a Forsyth County courtroom, a three-judge panel rejected the claims of defendants Rayshawn Banner, Christopher Bryant, Nathaniel Cauthen and Jermal Tolliver, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.
Nathaniel Jones, 61, died from a heart attack outside his Winston-Salem home after being tied up, beaten and robbed in November 2002. Paul, his grandson, was a standout high school basketball player at the time and now plays for the Phoenix Suns.
Cauthen and his brother, Banner, who were 15 and 14 years old at the time of Jones’ death, were convicted of first-degree murder and are serving life sentences. Bryant, Tolliver and Dorrell Brayboy — all 15 at the time — were convicted of second-degree murder and were released after serving prison time. Brayboy was fatally stabbed outside a Winston-Salem supermarket in 2019.
The men were charged after hours of interrogation by Winston-Salem police detectives, the Winston-Salem Journal reported. They told commission staff, commission members and the judges that they were innocent and that every time they told detectives they didn’t have anything to do with Jones’ death, they were accused of lying, according to the newspaper.
In some instances, they said police detectives threatened them with the death penalty. Bryant said a detective pointed to a place on his arm and said that would be where a needle for lethal injection would go. Bryant said that minutes later, he started implicating himself.
No definitive physical evidence ever tied the men to the crime scene, including fingerprints lifted from Jones’ vehicle. The commission also performed post-conviction DNA testing on items from the crime scene, but there was no match to the men.
Chris Paul has made no public statement about the hearing. Robin Paul, his mother, and his aunt, Rhonda Hairston, both took the stand Wednesday and said they believe the men convicted of Jones’ murder are guilty.
Jessicah Black, who was a teenager when she met the boys two months before Jones’ death, testified that she hung out with them and drove them around, often smoking marijuana. Black told police and testified in two trials that she heard some of the boys talk about robbing Jones and that she was sitting at a picnic table in Belview Park about 100 yards (91 meters) from Jones’ house and could hear Jones scream during the attack.
Black, now 36, has since recanted all of her previous testimony and said in court last week that it was all a lie. She said police detectives coerced her into making a false statement and told her that if she didn’t say what they wanted to hear, she would go to prison for life for murder. She was never criminally charged. | https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Innocence-claims-denied-in-death-of-Chris-Paul-s-17134882.php | 2022-04-28T22:13:04Z | https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Innocence-claims-denied-in-death-of-Chris-Paul-s-17134882.php | false | 16 |
HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) _ Macatawa Bank Corp. (MCBC) on Thursday reported first-quarter earnings of $6 million.
The bank, based in Holland, Michigan, said it had earnings of 18 cents per share.
The holding company for Macatawa Bank posted revenue of $18.1 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $17.6 million, which beat Street forecasts.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on MCBC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/MCBC | https://www.registercitizen.com/business/article/Macatawa-Q1-Earnings-Snapshot-17134688.php | 2022-04-28T22:13:34Z | https://www.registercitizen.com/business/article/Macatawa-Q1-Earnings-Snapshot-17134688.php | false | null |
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PRINCIPAL VARIABLE CONTRACTS FUNDS INC (Form497K) (0001683863-22-003747)
Accepted:
Form Type:
497K
Accession Number:
0001683863-22-003747 | https://www.benzinga.com/secfilings/22/04/26855983/principal-variable-contracts-funds-inc-form497k-0001683863-22-003747 | 2022-04-28T22:14:52Z | https://www.benzinga.com/secfilings/22/04/26855983/principal-variable-contracts-funds-inc-form497k-0001683863-22-003747 | true | 254241 |
A Tanzanian man has taken to Facebook to share a purported revelation he received from God about late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu.
The clergyman identified as Allen Mziray, claimed that Lord told him that Osinachi who died on April 8, 2022, after she was allegedly beaten by her husband, failed to make heaven because of her worldly adornments.
According to Allen, he got the revelation while in the bathroom and he was instructed to share it publicly so people can reflect and abandon worldly adornments.
Read his full post below,
“OSINACHI NWACHUKWU AND HOW SHE FAILED TO ENTER THE GATES OF HEAVEN.
Let me give a warning first, ever since I shared a revelation about victoria orenze people have been attacking negatively and claim that I’m sharing false revelations that misleads people.
I wanna say this, no one is forced to believe what i write here so if you feel like I’m sharing lies don’t waste your time to write me an essay trying to prove me wrong. Comments will be deleted and accounts blocked. I don’t waste time in arguments.
I wasn’t thinking about this topic at all, I didn’t even imagine the Lord will tell me to talk about it but I have to obey him. I’m sorry for the heading if it’s hurtful but it’s the truth, I’m not the heaven gate keeper but what I hear from the Lord I’m told to say.
I was in the bathroom when i heard the voice of the Lord speaking to me. He said ” Go and talk about osinachi nwachuchukwu and how she failed to enter the gates of heaven because of worldly adornment”. He spoke few words and he went quiet. I was wondering why the Lord told me to talk about osinachi after so many days that have passed. But let me say what the lord desires so that his people can reflect from this and abandon worldly adornment.
I don’t have to talk about her background because she’s even more famous in Africa and possibly in the world now. her news of domestic violence has been on the headline even here in my country, it’s so tragic how she died in the hands of her cruel and heartless husband. It was after her death that all the stories about domestic violence she has been experiencing from her husband broke out. I was so sad to hear all that but i because even sadder to hear from the Lord that she failed to enter the gates of heaven.
The Lord told me” it is true that i anointed her and i gave her the gift of worship, she was my servant but she failed to separate from worldly adornment, as a result she was not allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven because of wordly adornment”. This is a very sad thing saints, the Lord is very serious when it comes to his word, he does not change nor will he change. If he says that no jewellery for his children then we must obey his word regardless of where you congregate.
Let us review the scriptures first;
Genesis 35:1-4 “And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments.
And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem”
This is the first book in the bible, the Lord was very clear with Jacob that he should tell his household they must remove all the strange Gods that they have in their midst. But we see them removing earrings and strange Gods in their hands ( Bangles and rings). This is the first book and it openly reveals that jewellery are strange gods.
Let’s see the next scripture;
Exodus 33:4-5 “And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.
For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.
Do you ask yourself why the Lord told them to put off their ornaments?, well the answer is in the first scripture I just shared. The Lord already called these ornaments strange gods in the first book of the bible, how are you expecting him to change his decision!?.
Go and read Isaiah 3:16-24, the Lord spoke through his prophet Isaiah that these ornaments that the dauthers of Zion wear are displeasing to him and they make women look like seductresses and temptresses. Only women who want to seduce men wear these wordly ornaments not God’s children.
You may say ” but Esther wore jewellery as a queen” and so many scriptures in the old testament that don’t speak negative about earrings, necklace and all jewels but see these scriptures that finalize God’s decision about worldly adornments.
1 Peter 3:3 “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;”
1 Timothy 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
These scriptures are from the new testament so this is not about being under the Law but it’s a commandment the Lord gave through his apostle paul, no compromise!!
It is so sad how many churches today talk about repentance and hell but they do not preach about things that will cause many to miss heaven, especially outward adornment like fake hair, wig,make up, jewellery and pants for women. No matter how much the church overlooks these things but to God they are important to talk about because they take women to hell. You may ask me “where is osinachi then”, well I don’t know, what i know is that she failed to enter the gate of heaven because of worldly ornaments.
No matter how anointed or used by the Lord someone is, if he is attached to worldly things he will not make it to heaven no matter what. The gifts of God are irrevocable, that means you can still be used by God to heal, prophesy and you can even raise the dead but that is not a guarantee that you will enter heaven.
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” | https://www.informationng.com/2022/04/singer-osinachi-failed-to-enter-the-gates-of-heaven-because-of-worldly-adornment-tanzanian-pastor-shares-alleged-revelation-from-god.html | 2022-04-28T22:16:04Z | https://www.informationng.com/2022/04/singer-osinachi-failed-to-enter-the-gates-of-heaven-because-of-worldly-adornment-tanzanian-pastor-shares-alleged-revelation-from-god.html | false | 3 |
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers voted Thursday to officially set a target of 2040 for having a carbon-free electricity supply, despite skepticism about whether the state can meet that goal and whether ratepayers can afford the cost.
The legislation, which codifies an executive order issued in 2019 by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, would make Connecticut the 11th state to set the ambitious objective.
“By codifying our zero-carbon electric grid target into state law, we are providing a critical direction for state and local agencies, utility companies, and other partners as we collectively plan and implement Connecticut’s energy policies over the coming years,” Lamont said in a written statement. ”This is an important action we are taking to help mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis that we are already starting to experience."
The governor said he plans to sign the bill into law in the coming days.
But state Rep. Cindy Harrison, R-Southbury, said she worries the legislation, which does not include any mandates or penalties for failing to reach the goal, could ultimately lead to higher electric rates for consumers.
“While these goals may be admirable, I again have my concerns when we do this and we put it (onto) the ratepayers,” she said.
The bill cleared the House of Representatives by a vote of 113-35 on Thursday, days after the Senate unanimously passed the legislation.
Some House members questioned whether the goal of a carbon-free electric supply can be met, considering the state is not on track to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets previously set by the General Assembly.
But Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes said in recent written testimony that the state has “already made substantial progress" toward reaching Lamont's target of a 100% carbon-free electric grid.
Dykes noted that the state has zero-emissions renewable energy sources and electricity generated from nuclear energy under contract which are the equivalent to 74% of the power used by customers of the state's two largest utilities.
That percentage, she said, is expected to climb to 95% by 2025 when contracted off-shore wind and solar projects are expected to begin commercial operation. | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Connecticut-lawmakers-set-2024-goal-for-17134838.php | 2022-04-28T22:18:55Z | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Connecticut-lawmakers-set-2024-goal-for-17134838.php | false | 14 |
On-air challenge: Every answer today is the name of a well-known U.S. city in 7 letters. I'm going to give you a word or phrase that contains those letters in left-to-right order, but not consecutively. You name the city.
Ex. INTERVENTION (New Jersey) --> Trenton
1. LANDSCAPING (Michigan)
2. METAMORPHOSIS (Tennessee)
3. CHEMICAL GROUP (Illinois)
4. GROUNDSWELL (New Mexico)
5. AMBIVALENCE (Texas)
6. LIEUTENANT COLONEL (Nebraska)
7. MALDISTRIBUTION (Wisconsin)
8. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT (North Carolina)
9. WHITE CHRISTMAS (Kansas)
10. RHETORICAL QUESTION (Texas)
11. BODYBUILDER (Colorado)
Last week's challenge: Last week's challenge came from listener Steve Baggish of Arlington, Mass. Take the brand name of a product that's usually consumed in the morning. Drop the first two letters and read the remaining letters backward. You'll get a word associated with the evening. What is the brand, and what's the word?
Puzzle answer: SOIREE
Puzzle winner: Jospeh Young of St. Cloud, Minn.
Next week's challenge: A spin-off of the on-air puzzle. Name a creature in 9 letters. It has two words in its name. Drop the consecutive letters -UR, and the result will name a major U.S. city in 7 letters. What is it?
If you know the answer to next week's challenge, submit it here. Listeners who submit correct answers win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: Include a phone number where we can reach you. The deadline is Thursday, May 25 at 3 p.m. ET.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.nprillinois.org/2017-05-21/sunday-puzzle-from-canton-to-scranton-you-need-to-know-your-u-s-cities | 2022-04-28T22:19:27Z | https://www.nprillinois.org/2017-05-21/sunday-puzzle-from-canton-to-scranton-you-need-to-know-your-u-s-cities | true | 5 |
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — An investigation of conditions at a West Virginia jail has found no evidence of inhumane treatment of inmates, Gov. Jim Justice said Thursday.
The Republican governor ordered the investigation last month after a TV station reported allegations of water deprivation, failure to provide toilet paper, and inmates having to sleep on hard floors without a mattress at the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver.
“Our investigators talked with a bunch of people and pulled a bunch of records and, at the end of the day, they determined that the allegations were simply not true,” Justice said in a statement.
The investigation by the state Department of Homeland Security determined inmates have continuous access to water at sinks in their cells and an industrial water fountain in each section of the jail. Every inmate is provided tumblers for water consumption and the jail maintains a minimum three-day supply of bottled water for emergencies.
In addition, inmates receive three drinks each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including those in segregation and quarantine units.
There was no history of medical cases of dehydration and no inmates filing grievances for being deprived of water, according to jail records.
In addition, ample toilet paper is provided to inmates, while the jail buys new mattresses for inmates regularly, according to the investigation. Also, corrections officers talk to each inmate to assess their mental state and to ensure their personal needs are being met.
The statement said more than 50 people were interviewed during the investigation, including former jail employees cited by the TV station. Telephone calls from inmates were reviewed along with the jail’s financial records.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeff Sandy said one former employee admitted they never witnessed inmates being denied adequate access to water and the other left the jail bitter and under “well-documented employment issues."
“The sad part of this investigation is that family members are repeatedly lied to by inmates about their access to clothing, food, water, mattresses, medical attention, living conditions, even shoes,” Sandy said in the statement. “One mother that we interviewed was told by her own child, an inmate, that their shoes were stolen and weren’t given replacement shoes to wear, so she deposited money into their account for shoes that were never purchased.” | https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/WVa-gov-Jail-probe-finds-no-evidence-of-inhumane-17134634.php | 2022-04-28T22:19:50Z | https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/WVa-gov-Jail-probe-finds-no-evidence-of-inhumane-17134634.php | true | 12 |
Wondering when Toronto’s Sakura (cherry blossom) trees will bloom is an annual event for many people in Toronto that wish to get outside and take in their beauty, and High Park is perhaps the best known place to go. Its fame only grew over the last two years — with a lockdown in place and fencing erected, much like many workplaces, a webcam was the only view.
Thankfully, a recent city announcement said that they are “readying to welcome people back to viewing cherry blossoms up close and in person at High Park for the first time since 2019.” Also, although not announced, the city confirmed that there are no plans to erect fencing at Trinity Bellwoods Park during the cherry blossom tree bloom this year.
So, with the cherry bloom happening across the city in the coming weeks, you have something to look forward to, and can plan your adventures now.
And, cherry trees — although spectacular — are not the only trees to provide beautiful flowers in spring. To help you go hunting for a flowering tree near you, the Star has mapped a selection of them, thanks to Toronto’s Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division, which maintains detailed data on street trees in the city.
You can keep an eye on cherry blossom development in High Park, thanks to the High Park Nature Centre’s photo updates and tips for predicting “peak bloom”
The City of Toronto’s Festivals & Events Cherry Blossoms page maps out 15 locations around the city for Sakura viewing.
Source: City of Toronto, Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Note: Urban Forestry does state that they currently updating and improving street tree location information and that it is an ongoing process. Furthermore, the database is large, covering over 530,000 records and annually Urban Forestry can only update the volume that is worked on. Some data may be several years old and may have not been updated recently, so there may be inaccuracies with the data as a result. | https://www.thestar.com/life/2022/04/28/on-the-hunt-for-torontos-cherry-blossoms-and-other-floral-trees-use-our-interactive-map.html | 2022-04-28T22:22:18Z | https://www.thestar.com/life/2022/04/28/on-the-hunt-for-torontos-cherry-blossoms-and-other-floral-trees-use-our-interactive-map.html | false | 1 |
Amber Heard’s lawyers revised article Johnny Depp sued over
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Amber Heard pushed to have details of her marriage with fellow actor Johnny Depp included in an op-ed piece that she wrote about domestic violence, even though her lawyers wanted those passages removed from the article, which is now the subject of a libel lawsuit, according to evidence introduced Thursday at the trial.
Jurors in the libel lawsuit Depp filed against Heard heard testimony Thursday from Terence Dougherty, general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. It was the ACLU that drafted the article under Heard’s name, reflecting her role as an ACLU ambassador on gender violence issues.
Dougherty testified about the push-and-pull that occurred between first draft and publication of the op-ed piece in The Washington Post in December 2018 — strategically timed by both the ACLU and Heard to coincide with the release of “Aquaman,” a movie in which she played a prominent role.
Depp sued in Fairfax County Circuit Court after the article was published, in which Heard says that “two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out.” Depp’s lawyers say that’s a clear reference to abuse allegations she levied against Depp in 2016 that Depp says are untrue.
Dougherty testified that numerous ACLU lawyers reviewed the article at various stages, and asked Heard’s lawyers to review the piece as well to ensure it did not run afoul of a non-disclosure agreement she had with Depp in connection with the couple’s 2016 divorce.
During those discussions, Heard sent back an edited version approved by her lawyers that “specifically neutered much of the copy regarding her marriage,” according to an email from Jessica Weitz, an ACLU employee who coordinated with Heard.
According to the email, though, Heard was looking for a way to have a deleted passage restored to the article.
The various drafts of the articles were not shown to the jury so it’s not clear how many personal details were in the first draft and how much Heard’s lawyers had excised.
But the final version contains very little about Heard’s personal experiences. It doesn’t mention Depp at all. In addition to the passage about “a public figure representing domestic abuse,” in another passage she writes, “I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse.”
Much of the article talks about legislative priorities for advocates of domestic abuse prevention. Other passages refer to parts of her personal life unrelated to Depp.
Dougherty testified that “the language that wound up in the final op-ed piece was very different from the original language” in the draft, Dougherty said. “It did not refer directly to Ms. Heard’s relationship with Johnny Depp.”
While the trial is supposed to be over whether Depp was defamed in the article, very little testimony in the first three weeks, leading up to Thursday, has related to the article itself or its contents. Heard’s lawyers predicted at the outset of the trial that it would become a mudslinging soap opera that would delve into messy details of Depp and Heard’s personal lives.
Heard’s lawyers, though, have said that even if the jury were to believe that she was never abused by Depp, Heard should still prevail in the lawsuit because the article is not about Depp, does not defame him, and Heard’s free-speech rights allow her to weigh in on matters of public importance like domestic violence.
Much of Dougherty’s testimony also centered on whether Heard has fulfilled a promise to donate $3.5 million — half of her $7 million divorce settlement with Depp — to the ACLU. Dougherty testified that the ACLU credits her with contributing $1.3 million so far and expected the money to come in over a 10-year period, but that she has made no contributions since 2018.
Jurors also heard briefly from Depp’s business manager, Ed White. White said he intervened in 2016 to resolve financial difficulties for Depp, including unpaid taxes and a cash crunch. When he blamed Heard for an excessive wine bill that featured multiple $500 bottles of Spanish Vega Sicilia wine, Heard’s lawyers responded with a barrage of questions over Depp’s spending excesses, including spending millions of dollars to shoot journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s ashes out of a cannon.
Depp and Heard met during filming of “The Rum Diary,” an adaptation of a Thompson novel. Depp testified earlier that he and Thompson were friends, and that Depp actually found the lost “Rum Diary” manuscript when he was going through Thompson’s papers.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wmbfnews.com/2022/04/28/amber-heards-lawyers-revised-article-johnny-depp-sued-over/ | 2022-04-28T22:24:04Z | https://www.wmbfnews.com/2022/04/28/amber-heards-lawyers-revised-article-johnny-depp-sued-over/ | true | 70 |
TORONTO (AP) _ Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (FRFHF) on Thursday reported first-quarter earnings of $125.5 million.
The Toronto-based company said it had profit of $4.49 per share.
The financial services holding company posted revenue of $5.98 billion in the period.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on FRFHF at https://www.zacks.com/ap/FRFHF | https://www.myplainview.com/business/article/Fairfax-Financial-Holdings-Q1-Earnings-Snapshot-17134869.php | 2022-04-28T22:24:31Z | https://www.myplainview.com/business/article/Fairfax-Financial-Holdings-Q1-Earnings-Snapshot-17134869.php | false | null |
Valley arrest report for April 28
Published 4:12 pm Thursday, April 28, 2022
Jeresha Lashun Walton, 21 of Valley, charged with Failure to Appear-Speeding
Published 4:12 pm Thursday, April 28, 2022
Jeresha Lashun Walton, 21 of Valley, charged with Failure to Appear-Speeding | https://www.valleytimes-news.com/2022/04/valley-arrest-reports-for-april-28/ | 2022-04-28T22:27:05Z | https://www.valleytimes-news.com/2022/04/valley-arrest-reports-for-april-28/ | true | null |
Elon Musk jokes about buying Coca-Cola to bring back cocaine in it. It seems like the richest man in the world ( yes, he was on top of Forbes’ 2022 list, with a net worth of a whopping $240 billion!!!) is going on a shopping spree. However, unlike what others would spend on, like clothes, gadgets, and more, Musk has bought Twitter.
The man spent $44 billion, which might seem a chump change, for him to acquire the social media platform. While he advocates “free speech,” several people think otherwise and have criticised him over this action. But, that doesn’t mean he has no support.
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Now, Elon Musk, owner of Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, and more, jokes about buying Coca-Cola to put back cocaine in it. For those who don’t know, the soft drink history documented that the early versions of the beverage contained cocaine in the form of an extract of the coca leaf. That is where the first half of the name is inspired from.
Trending
Next I’m buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 28, 2022
“Next I’m buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in,” the tweet by Elon Musk read. It has garnered over 1.8 million likes, almost 400 thousand retweets, and some 90 thousand comments in less than five hours. So obviously, there are reactions from netizens over this. Let’s check some of those here:
From memes to concerns to more, people on the internet sometimes don’t disappoint.
Elon Musk wanted to buy #CocaCola
Coca cola CEO : pic.twitter.com/BjTgjqYQUf— Gautam (@Gautam06290535) April 28, 2022
Elon at the next Coca-Cola board meeting pic.twitter.com/iYHP08Afyf
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) April 28, 2022
Once Elon musk buys Coca-Cola and adds cocaine,we're all switching from liquor to Coca-Cola asap 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LomNW3xi1i
— Black Man✊🏿📸 (@Only1sanu) April 28, 2022
There are also a few suggestions on what Elon should buy next and it has us laughing out loud:
Please buy Pakistan and fix it 🙏
— Amana Begam Ansari (@Amana_Ansari) April 28, 2022
Buy McDonalds to fix those damn ice cream machines. Please.
— CryptoWhale → (@CryptoWhale) April 28, 2022
Can you buy GoT and remake the last season?
— Damián Catanzaro ⚡️☕️ (@DamianCatanzaro) April 28, 2022
Buy Tiktok and delete it.
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) April 28, 2022
While most of them created memes, some people didn’t take this well:
Elon Musk u making a joke about "buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine" is extremely d!sgusting; U are only promot!ng the use of illic!t drugs by doin this. The world has a lot of pressing issues, with ur wealth & influence u can help tackle a few. Start from Africa (ur continent). pic.twitter.com/Pvq6rUuCFm
— LADOSKI🤍 (@lad0ski) April 28, 2022
Really? Folks were alredy questioning how your using your money but this just proofs you have evil ideas. Drugs may be legal in your home country Australia but we banned them here. Learn
— Ned (@Nedsfeed) April 28, 2022
Hey! cocaine is actually really bad for you and can cause bad affects… my kids will see this and have a bad influence which I will not want as I do not promote this drug!
— Mighty (@Mightyau_) April 28, 2022
While it may be a joke, who knows, Elon Musk might as well buy Coca-Cola, just like he joked about buying Twitter some time ago. But it can’t be a 100% share as the beverage company is reportedly said to be worth $265 Billion, which is more than his complete net worth.
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NEW YORK (AP) — Holocaust survivors across the world have united to deliver a message on the dangers of unchecked hate and the importance of remembrance at a time of rising global antisemitism.
In a video released Thursday to mark Yom HaShoah — Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day — 100 Holocaust survivors asked people to stand with them and remember the Nazi genocide to avoid repeating the horrors of the past.
The 100 Words project video was released by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. The group represents the world’s Jews in negotiating for compensation and restitution for victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs, and provides welfare for Holocaust survivors around the globe.
“The world is full of strife – from the pandemic to the crisis happening in Ukraine – on remembrance days like Yom HaShoah, it is so important to stop and reflect,” Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Conference, said in a statement.
“The call to action these survivors put forth today is not only one of remembrance, but one of action, a reminder that we do not have to be bystanders. We can all stand up in our own way and we can choose to not let our collective history repeat itself.”
The project is being released as Russia faces widespread revulsion and accusations of war crimes over attacks on civilians in its invasion of Ukraine. It also comes at a time when Holocaust survivors — now in their 80s and 90s — are dying, while studies show that younger generations lack even basic knowledge of the Nazi genocide, in which a third of the world’s Jews were annihilated.
“If we do not remember them, we are murdering them twice because we have forgotten them. And we have forgotten the tragic travesty that was visited upon millions of people,” said Ginger Lane, a Holocaust survivor who along with her siblings was hidden in a fruit orchard near Berlin by non-Jews.
“It is important to remember because it is a part of our heritage and our legacy that we pass on to the younger generation,” said Lane, whose mother was killed at the Auschwitz death camp, and who has made it her lifelong mission to educate others.
“Holocaust denial, we know it has always existed, but it seems to be on the upswing and … a huge number of young people don’t even know what the word Holocaust means … These young people are eager to move forward with their lives. But their lives today are shaped by the past. And they need to know what happened in the past.”
In a 50-state study of Millennials and Generation Z-age people in the U.S. in 2020, researchers found that 63% of respondents did not know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust and 48% could not name a single death camp or concentration camp.
The 100 Word Project statement by Holocaust survivors says:
“Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day
We all survived the Holocaust
We are here to give voice to the six million Jews who were murdered
We are a reminder unchecked hatred can lead to actions, actions to genocide
Just over 75 years ago, one-third of the world’s Jews were systematically murdered
Among them, over 1.5 million children were killed
in the name of indifference, intolerance, hate
Hatred for what was feared
Hatred for what was different
We must remember the past or it will become our future
On Holocaust Remembrance Day we ask the world to stand with us and remember.”
The annual remembrance known as Yom HaShoah is one of the most solemn on Israel’s calendar, with the nation coming to a standstill during a two-minute siren on Thursday morning. According to the Hebrew calendar, Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising — the most significant act of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Although the uprising ultimately failed, it is remembered in Israel as a symbol of strength and the struggle for freedom in the face of annihilation.
It means “resilience, tenacity, strength. It’s the hallmark of being a Holocaust survivor, the very concept of surviving, of everyday problems, of fighting until the end,” said Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference.
“And for some people, unfortunately, the end was the gas chamber. For other people the end was the Warsaw ghetto, where a very small group of people who weren’t well-equipped held out for nearly a month,” Schneider said.
“And that’s why it’s such an important day in Israel, and around the world for the Jewish community because it symbolizes the fight of certainly the Jewish people, but of any people facing this type of incredible adversity.”
The Claims Conference is working with its partners, among them the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC, to get as many Holocaust survivors out of Ukraine as possible. Thousands of people have been killed andmore than five million have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24.
Holocaust survivors from Canada, England, France, Germany, Israel, the United States and Ukraine were part of the video statement.
“Survivors from many different countries and languages who have vastly different persecution experiences — some were in concentration camps, some were in ghettos, some fled, some were in hiding,” Schneider said.
“And yet they come together to speak in one voice of the hope for the future.”
__
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. | https://www.localdvm.com/local-news/survivors-unite-to-deliver-message-on-holocaust-remembrance/ | 2022-04-28T22:31:32Z | https://www.localdvm.com/local-news/survivors-unite-to-deliver-message-on-holocaust-remembrance/ | true | 55 |
By Simon Evans
Manchester: Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo showed his continued class in front of goal by cancelling out Marcos Alonso’s opener for Chelsea in a 1-1 Premier League draw on Thursday (Friday AEST).
While there was only one match played there was plenty of movement in England’s top flight. Title contenders Liverpool announced that manager Juergen Klopp has signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at the Premier League club until 2026, while West Ham, United’s rivals in the race for Europe next season, lost the first leg of their Europa League final 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt at home.
At Old Trafford, it was another night of mediocrity from Ralf Rangnick’s United side as their troubled season, which began with such high expectations, peters out.
The result leaves Chelsea in third place on 66 points while United are in sixth spot with 55, five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played two games more.
The only moment of class to bring some cheer to supporters who had again vented their frustrations against the club’s American owners, the Glazer family, came from Ronaldo with a superb piece of control and finishing.
Little has worked for United this season, either under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or German Rangnick, who took over from the Norwegian in November, but Portugal’s five-times Ballon d’Or winner has certainly delivered in front of goal.
Ronaldo’s 62nd minute strike was his 17th goal in the league this season with only Mohamed Salah of Liverpool having found the target more often and the former Real Madrid man has claimed eight of his team’s last nine goals.
After Chelsea had failed to make the most of a series of chances in the first half, with United goalkeeper David De Gea three times denying Kai Havertz, they finally got ahead on the hour.
Reece James’ cross was flicked on by Havertz and Alonso powered a left-foot volley into the corner of the net.
Within two minutes, though, United were back on level terms when Nemanja Matic scooped the ball over the top and Ronaldo took one touch before slotting past keeper Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea went close to a winner in the 79th when Mason Mount set up James with a clever, heeled lay-off but the full-back’s left foot curler struck the post.
Klopp stays at Anfield until 2026
If the German sees out the deal announced on Thursday, Klopp will have been at Liverpool for more than a decade after joining in October 2015.
“Like any healthy relationship, it always has to be a two-way street; you have to be right for each other,” Klopp said in a statement. “The feeling we were absolutely right for each other is what brought me here in the first place and it’s why I’ve extended previously.
“This one is different because of the length of time we have been together. I had to ask myself the question: Is it right for Liverpool that I stay longer? Along with my two assistant managers, Pep Lijnders and Pete Krawietz, we came to the conclusion it was a ‘Yes!’”
Klopp’s previous deal was set to expire in 2024.
The 54-year-old Klopp has won the Champions League (2019) and Premier League (2020) in his time at Anfield, as well as the League Cup this year.
This season could be his best yet at Liverpool, who are also into the final of the FA Cup, on course to reach the Champions League final and tussling with Manchester City for the Premier League title with five games left.
“There is a freshness about us as a club still and this energises me,” the German manager said. “For as long as I have been here, our owners have been unbelievably committed and energetic about this club and it is clear that right now this applies to our future as much as I’ve ever known.”
All-German final looms for Europa League
Eintracht Frankfurt winger Ansgar Knauff opened the scoring in the first minute as they beat West Ham United 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final with both teams seeking their first European final in more than 40 years.
The visitors stunned David Moyes’ men 49 seconds into the first half when Rafael Borre set up Knauff with a cross from the corner of the box and the 20-year-old headed home, silencing the sold-out 60,000 crowd at the London Stadium.
The Premier League side equalised 20 minutes later, after Kurt Zouma connected with the free kick and nodded on to forward Michail Antonio who made it 1-1 from close range.
But Eintracht regained the lead in the 54th, as West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola stopped a shot by midfielder Djibril Sow but did not manage to save the follow-up strike by Daichi Kamada, who scored his fifth Europa League goal this season.
In Thursday’s other semi-final RB Leipzig’s Angelino volleyed in an 85th minute winner to hand his team a 1-0 victory over visiting Rangers.
Leipzig had missed a string of chances in a strong second half but struggled to score, with Rangers keeper Allan McGregor coming to the rescue on several occasions.
The keeper was beaten, however, in the 85th when the Spanish midfielder thundered in a volley from 18 metres after Rangers had cleared a corner.
Reuters
Watch football’s biggest superstars in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. Coverage returns for the Semi-Finals next week with Villarreal v Liverpool (Wednesday 4:35am AEST) and Real Madrid v Manchester City (Thursday 4:35am AEST). All matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand only on Stan Sport. | https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/soccer/ronaldo-on-target-as-united-draw-with-chelsea-klopp-extends-west-ham-lose-20220429-p5ah2q.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed | 2022-04-28T22:32:42Z | https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/soccer/ronaldo-on-target-as-united-draw-with-chelsea-klopp-extends-west-ham-lose-20220429-p5ah2q.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed | true | 8 |
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Loren Wayne Gentry passed away Friday, April 22, 2022, at his home in Sulphur, La. He was 69 years old. He was born June 4, 1952, to Bill and Annie Gentry in Corpus Christi, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, before moving to Lake...
Richard Lanier Pickett, 73, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2022 in a local hospital. He was born on Aug. 16, 1948, in Jennings, La., to Lanier and Dorothy Pickett. He enjoyed watching football, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also enjoyed woodworking and attending services at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. He will be missed by a lot of friends. He grew up in Jennings and remembered and loved all his old friends.
Morris Francis Ward, 95, of Lake Charles, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2022, in his residence. Mr. Ward was born to John Baylor and Frances Morris Ward in Haines, Ark., on April 15, 1927. The Morris and Ward families were pioneers in the Chilkat Valley of Alaska. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II, Guam, Okinawa, and Japan just two weeks after the second bomb was dropped. Being in the Naval Reserve, he expected to be called back during the Koran Conflict, but during Korea and Vietnam he was in the Merchant Marines bringing ammo and supplies to our military. He made five trips to Vietnam. He sailed around the world and visited over thirty-eight countries on five continents. His last trip with the Merchant Marines was as a chief pumpman on the SS Observer, which was blockaded in the Suez Canal in 1967 during the Six Day War. While there, he visited Cairo and was at Nile Hilton when the King of Saudi Arabia and his entourage visited. He was able to observe how the super rich lived, rose petals on the table and actual food tasters! He stayed with the ship for four months, then returned to the U.S. and his “at sea” adventures were over. Morris was a member of the VFW for over fifty years. He retired from both Bridgestone/Firestone and Himont/Montell.
The honey bee may be Louisiana’s state insect, but still—some people don’t like seeing a swarm near their home. Daniel Day is one of 19 sources listed on the LSU AgCenter website as a contact for bee/wasp removals and swarm captures in Southwest Louisiana. From now until the end of May is his busy season, he said Monday. Day is currently averaging about three phone calls a day from people wanting him to remove bee swarms from their property.
Three men were arrested around Wednesday morning, accused in an armed robbery of a Vinton convenience store. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent said a worker at the Toomey Road business said she was robbed at gunpoint just after midnight by three men who stole an undisclosed amount of cash, items from inside the store and her personal belongings.
The sound of cannon fire in Lake Charles — set to be fired Friday in defense of the city at the Civic Center Seawall — will signal the start of the 2022 Louisiana Pirate Festival. Legend has it that nearly three centuries ago, pirate Jean Lafitte and his... | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2584252666037/loren-wayne-gentry | 2022-04-28T22:36:46Z | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2584252666037/loren-wayne-gentry | false | 1 |
Should you go with Charizard X or Charizard Y in Pokémon Go?
Which should you pick?
It can be a tough decision when it comes down to picking between Charizard X or Charizard Y in Pokémon Go. These Pokémon are unique, and you want to make sure you use the correct decision to use your Mega Evolution of Charizard properly. There are a few factors you want to consider before making your decision. Should you go with Charizard X or Charizard Y in Pokémon Go?
All Charizard X and Charizard Y differences
Charizard X is the Fire and Dragon-type version. It has a maximum CP of 4,353, an attack of 273, a defense of 213, and a stamina of 186. Charizard Y is the Fire and Flying-type version, the same as a standard Charizard. It has a maximum CP of 5,037, an attack of 319, a defense of 212, and a stamina of 186.
Both of these Pokémon have the same stamina, but Charizard has a single point of defense and far less attack power. Both Pokémon have the same moveset as those transition from the standard Charizard. Outside of the stats, Charizard X and Charizard Y are not so different. Because you cannot use them in PvP, you only need to consider using them in raid battles. If it’s better to use a Dragon-type Pokémon, having Charizard X would better boost other Dragon-type Pokémon your teammates would be using. In contrast, Charizard Y boosts Fire and Flying-type Pokémon.
Should you choose Charizard X or Charizard Y?
While Charizard X does have the Dragon-type associated with it, Charizard Y is much stronger. We highly recommend using this Pokémon over the other one and believe you’ll receive much more personal benefit from making this choice. | https://doublexp.com/guides/should-you-go-with-charizard-x-or-charizard-y-in-pokemon-go | 2022-04-28T22:36:54Z | https://doublexp.com/guides/should-you-go-with-charizard-x-or-charizard-y-in-pokemon-go | false | 1 |
The South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force obtained grand jury indictments placing charges against six people following an investigation of fentanyl being brought into Simpson County. Authorities said enough fentanyl to kill 8,000 people was seized during the investigation.
Drug task force agents saw an increase in overdoses related to fentanyl in the past year and identified a purple substance that was found to be fentanyl was the cause.
Task force agents contacted other agencies in reference to the purple fentanyl and found the source was most likely coming out of Tennessee and began investigating people who were allegedly bringing the fentanyl into Simpson County.
“The South Central Kentucky drug task force uncovered a fentanyl trafficking organization that was importing fentanyl from Nashville, Tennessee, and surrounding counties into the Franklin area. The fentanyl mixed with methamphetamine for sale, however they were also selling just fentanyl,” South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force Director Jacky Hunt said. “Overdose deaths in Kentucky were at an all-time high last year and are on par this year to be the same. With the support of community leaders and local law enforcement, the task force is rising up to the challenge to combat this problem”
Agents identified one of the alleged dealers of fentanyl as Shelby Simmons, 37, of Franklin. The task force says Simmons was allegedly selling the purple fentanyl as well as methamphetamine.
Agents identified five other people who were allegedly involved in trafficking and importing fentanyl into Simpson County. The individuals were Jonathan Vaughn, 32, Halbert Warden, 51, and Gary Denning, 67, all of Franklin, Pamela Sanabria, 63, of Westmoreland, Tenn., and Lloyd Fields, 36, of Russellville.
The task force says these people were allegedly in contact with one another and were allegedly responsible for bringing the fentanyl into Kentucky.
Agents were able to identify the subjects were traveling to different parts of Tennessee and allegedly buying different amounts of fentanyl and then bringing it back to Kentucky to sell.
Agents identified who was allegedly bringing the fentanyl into Kentucky, how they were bringing it and the main suppliers in Tennessee.
The task force says its agents conducted this investigation over several months and seized enough fentanyl to kill an estimated 8,000 people.
Simmons was charged with engaging in organized crime, persistent felony offender, trafficking in a controlled substance, 1st offense (fentanyl) (three counts), trafficking a controlled substance within a 1,000 feet of a school (three counts), trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense (less than two grams of methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense (equal to or greater than two grams of methamphetamine) (two counts), wanton endangerment 1st degree, importing fentanyl, trafficking in a controlled substance, 3rd degree, 1st offense, possession of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Warden was charged with engaging in organized crime, persistent felony offender, trafficking in a controlled substance, 1st offense (fentanyl), trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense (equal to or greater than two grams of methamphetamine), wanton endangerment 1st degree, trafficking a controlled substance within a 1,000 feet of a school, improper turning, disregard traffic control device, careless driving, wanton endangerment 1st degree (police officer), and fleeing or evading police, 1st degree (motor vehicle).
Denning was charged with engaging in organized crime, possession of a controlled substance, 1st degree, 1st offense (fentanyl) (two counts), drug paraphernalia, trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense (equal to or greater than two grams of methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance, 1st offense (fentanyl), and importing fentanyl.
Vaughn was charged with engaging in organized crime, persistent felony offender, trafficking in a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense (equal to or greater than two grams of methamphetamine), no insurance on vehicle, disregard stop sign, reckless driving, trafficking in marijuana, less than 8 ounces, possession of a controlled substance 1st offense (fentanyl), drug paraphernalia, fleeing or evading police, 1st degree (motor vehicle), fleeing or evading police, 1st degree (on foot), driving on a DUI suspended license, wanton endangerment, and no registration plates.
Sanabria was charged with engaging in organized crime, failure to wear seat belts, possession of a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense (fentanyl), and drug paraphernalia.
Fields was charged with engaging in organized crime.
Hunt said other charges or other indictments could be pending.
Agencies assisting the drug task force included Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, Franklin Police, Simpson County Sheriff’s Office and DEA Nashville.
Information for this story was contained in a news release issued by the South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force.
An indictment is a formal charge by a grand jury and is not proof of guilt. | https://www.franklinfavorite.com/news/article_b3adad9a-e3f9-581b-9d11-2cd2c4c537ff.html | 2022-04-28T22:38:20Z | https://www.franklinfavorite.com/news/article_b3adad9a-e3f9-581b-9d11-2cd2c4c537ff.html | false | 1 |
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying it's not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older.
Comment: This might reveal how the current generation of youth are even less capable of critical thinking, less aware of events more generally, and are more likely to believe their government than ever before; so much for a rebellious youth. It's likely that indoctrination schooling plays is partly to blame.
Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russia's assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked.
Comment: The West has been shown to be guilty of staging false flags, meanwhile Russia has not. In addition, Russia has proof of some of these events and even tried to present evidence regarding the Bucha false flag to the UN but, fearing exposure, the West blocked them from doing so.
In addition, how exactly can Russia mislead the public when the West has gone to unprecedented measures to censor any information that runs counter to their narrative?
Even well-meaning, everyday social media users have fallen victim to the falsehoods, accidentally sharing or liking posts and images that turned out to be inaccurate.
Comment: Inaccurate according to whom?
About three-quarters of the American public fault the Russian government for advancing misinformation around the war, while many also blame social media users, tech companies and the news media. Far fewer place a great deal of blame on the Ukrainian or U.S. governments.
Comment: As we saw with the contrived coronavirus crisis, the programming is complete. And it seems that it will take a lot more suffering before many in the West are able to give up their delusions, and it might just be that they do so because their lives depend on it, sadly, however, some may never be capable of doing so.
Russia's falsehoods about the war are finding millions of eyeballs across social media and in state-media reports. Earlier this month, for example, a chorus of Kremlin media reports, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and Telegram channels tried to refute photographs and satellite images of bodies left by Russian soldiers in the streets of Bucha, Ukraine, by calling the images a "hoax."
"Russia's reach is broad," said Darren Linvill, a Clemson University professor who studies disinformation. "They have a lot of different outlets that they use — everything from state media, in Russian, English and especially Spanish."
Comment: Russia's reach is broadening because a growing number of people in the West know that they can't trust the media at home. That said, the BBC and other Western outlets have world news services, and subsidiaries, and in various languages, by which they propagate their lies.
The poll shows a majority of U.S. residents, about 57%, say they think Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed Russian troops to commit war crimes, while 6% say they think he has not done so. An additional 36% say they don't know enough to say.
Comment: That's something, at least 40% of people are questioning the establishment narrative.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the AP and the PBS series "Frontline" have verified evidence of 178 potential war crimes.
Comment: That claim makes a mockery out of the idea of justice: news corporations are not a criminal court.
The poll shows about 6 in 10 Americans say social media users have significant responsibility for the spread of misinformation about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Roughly half also fault social media companies and the news media.
Retiree Kellie Carroll, 58, who lives outside Fresno, California, said she is sometimes frustrated by social media users who share posts about the Russia-Ukraine war but don't cite the source of their information.
"You'll see things that people are stating as fact, like they are there," Carroll said of posts she's seen on social media around the war.
Carroll, who watches local news and listens to conservative talk radio, added that she, too, finds fault with news reporting on the war. She described it as difficult to find news reports around the war that are not injected with opinion.
"I don't want the opinions, I just want the facts," she said.
Half of Americans also blame the Chinese government, which has refused to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine, for spreading misinformation around the war.
Comment: The Chinese government haven't condemned Russia because they have the facts.
Indeed, China's state-run media outlets have made at least 74 English-language Facebook posts referencing a conspiracy theory that the U.S. is running secret biological warfare labs in Ukraine that have intentionally released deadly viruses, according to a new report from NewsGuard, a technology firm that monitors misinformation. (The U.S. runs biolabs in Ukraine. It's not a secret, and they're not crafting bioweapons there.)
Comment: The writer of this article has clearly fallen afoul of the misinformation that Americans are apparently so concerned about: The US denied the bio-labs existence, claiming they were 'conspiracy theory, days later Victoria Nuland admitted that they were there.
Moreover, there's sufficient evidence showing that not only has the US been experimenting with deadly viruses, but that there have been suspicious deaths in the areas surrounding these laboratories; and not just in Ukraine: Documents expose US biological experiments on allied soldiers in Ukraine and Georgia
"A lot of this is definitely geared toward the United States," said Jack Brewster, an analyst for the firm. "They're echoing the same talking points that Russia is."
Somewhat fewer blame the spread of war misinformation on U.S. politicians, with 44% saying they bear significant responsibility and 32% saying the same about the U.S. government.
Roger Beaulieu, a 66-year-old New Yorker, said the Russian government is responsible for much of the misinformation around the war. But he's been surprised when he reads The New York Times or watches MSNBC or CNN to see what he describes as misinformation coming from some Republican lawmakers about the war. Beaulieu specifically mentioned Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who last month said that Ukraine invited Russia's invasion by "poking the bear."
Comment: The US has been 'poking the bear' for at least the last 2 decades, because it was widely known that NATO expansion on to Russia's borders would force Russia to respond.
"It just seems that there's more support for Russia than I can possibly understand," Beaulieu said.
Large majorities of Democrats and Republicans say Russia has a large share of responsibility for spreading misinformation, and 70% of Democrats along with 55% of Republicans say Putin has directed Russian troops to commit war crimes. About a quarter of Democrats and roughly a third of Republicans say they don't know.
But Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say social media companies (63% vs. 50%), the news media (61% vs. 38%) and politicians in the U.S. (52% vs. 38%) also bear a significant amount of blame for misinformation about the war.
About a quarter of Americans overall said the Ukrainian government is significantly responsible for the spread of misinformation. Republicans were more likely to say the Ukrainian government had significant blame for spreading misinformation than Democrats, 32% to 15%. About 4 in 10 Americans say the Ukrainian government has little responsibility for the spread of misinformation.
___
The AP-NORC poll of 1,085 adults was conducted April 14-18 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. | https://www.sott.net/article/467252-Most-in-US-fear-Ukraine-war-misinformation-mistakenly-believe-Russian-govt-is-to-blame-poll | 2022-04-28T22:45:34Z | https://www.sott.net/article/467252-Most-in-US-fear-Ukraine-war-misinformation-mistakenly-believe-Russian-govt-is-to-blame-poll | false | 12 |
(NEXSTAR) – Erasing $50,000 in federal student loan debt by executive order appears to be off the table as President Joe Biden continues to evaluate some sort of debt relief amid mounting pressure from fellow Democrats.
While speaking with reporters Thursday, President Biden was asked about using executive authority to cancel student loan debt. He responded, saying he “is not considering $50,000 debt reduction.”
Forgiving $50,000 in student loan debt is one of the larger student loan forgiveness proposals that has been suggested by lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
It’s not necessarily a surprise that Biden isn’t considering $50,000 per borrower — while on the campaign trail, Biden supported a much smaller plan of up to $10,000 in forgiveness per borrower.
Under the Biden administration, roughly $17 billion in federal student loan debt has been canceled for some 725,000 borrowers. On Thursday, the Department of Education announced another $238 million in student loan relief for roughly 28,000 borrowers defrauded by Marinello Schools of Beauty.
While that may seem like a lot, that $17 billion in total relief actually equates to about 1% of the $1.6 trillion in federal student debt Americans have. Pressure continues to grow for more debt forgiveness as the end of the payment moratorium — set to expire on August 31 — and midterm elections near.
In a private meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus earlier this week, Biden reportedly “gave strong indications” that his administration is preparing to take executive action on forgiving student loans in the coming months. He backed up that statement Thursday, saying he is “considering dealing with some debt reduction.”
“There will be additional debt forgiveness, and I’ll have an answer on that in the next couple of weeks,” Biden told reporters.
There has been confusion regarding Biden’s power to cancel student loans. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said he lacks legal authority, instead remarking that it “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.
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.
Republicans have introduced legislation to not only limit Biden’s authority to extend a payment moratorium but “prohibit the president from canceling outstanding federal student loan obligations due to a national emergency.”
“The majority of Americans do not have college degrees,” Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) said in a press release regarding the legislation, called the Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act. “Why should they be forced to pick up the tab for college degrees in the name of pandemic relief? This transfer of wealth is not a move to ‘advance equity,’ but rather a taxpayer handout to appease far-left activists.” | https://www.wkrn.com/news/national/student-loan-forgiveness-dont-expect-50k-in-relief-says-biden/ | 2022-04-28T22:46:04Z | https://www.wkrn.com/news/national/student-loan-forgiveness-dont-expect-50k-in-relief-says-biden/ | true | 22 |
Mel Greig shows off her impressive weight loss in tight activewear as she goes for a walk with her pet pooch after revealing her health goals
She appears to have followed in the footsteps of Rebel Wilson and embarked on a 'year of health'.
And former radio host Mel Greig showed off her impressive weight loss in a lift selfie on Thursday.
The 40-year-old flaunted her slimmed-down figure in a pair of black bike shorts teamed with a sleeveless Victoria's Secret T-shirt.
Impressive: Mel Greig showed off her impressive weight loss in tight activewear on Thursday, right, when she went for a walk with her pet pooch. She is pictured left back in January
Mel appeared to be heading out for a walk and carried her pet pooch under the crook of her arm.
She wore a full face of makeup and had her blonde locks out and coiffed in soft waves.
Last year, Mel shared a photo of herself post-workout to Instagram and revealed that she's trying to achieve some health goals before her 40th birthday.
'When you realise it’s nearly November and March is just around the corner. I turn 40 in 5 months and I still have health goals I want to reach before then,' she captioned it.
Glam: Mel shared this glamorous picture of herself on her 40th birthday
Fitness! Last year, Mel shared a photo of herself post-workout to Instagram and revealed that she's trying to achieve some health goals before her 40th birthday
She then added the hashtags '#timetosweatmore' and '#sexygymselfie'.
Mel made headlines and faced plenty of scrutiny for her part in the tragic 2012 royal prank scandal.
In the years since, she has rebuilt her life and moved forward after resigning from 2DayFM in 2013.
Mel now works for PR agency BrandiT, based on Queensland's Gold Coast, as a PR and Media manager and shared news of career change back in July.
Scandal: Mel made headlines and faced plenty of scrutiny for her part in the tragic 2012 royal prank scandal
On Instagram, she posted a photo of herself with exciting job title and wrote in the caption that she was 'pumped' for the 'three-day a week' gig.
She told followers her areas of expertise included digital marketing, branding, business strategy as well as Public Relations and Media.
While Mel she is still working on 'other side projects' and 'media appearances coming up', her new role with the company would be her 'big focus'.
'I couldn't be happier and luckier with the team I get to work with,' she added.
Fresh start: Mel now works for PR agency BrandiT, based on Queensland's Gold Coast, as a PR and Media manager and shared news of career change back in July
More recently, the former radio star smiled for a selfie along with her boss, Michelle Fragar, each posing with a bottle of G. H. Mumm champagne.
Mel showed her followers that she was very happy with the role and wrote in the caption: 'Find a job where they appreciate you.
'I've never been more grateful and happy to be working with such an incredible agency,' she said before going on to praise her boss and clients.
'It's on ice ready for the weekend,' she graciously added of the champagne.
Bottoms up! More recently, the former radio star smiled for a selfie along with her boss, Michelle Fragar, each posing with a bottle of G. H. Mumm champagne | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10765185/Mel-Greig-shows-impressive-weight-loss-tight-activewear.html | 2022-04-28T22:48:29Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10765185/Mel-Greig-shows-impressive-weight-loss-tight-activewear.html | true | 2 |
Mayor Lori Lightfoot today edged a little closer to formally declaring her candidacy for a new term, telling the Sun-Times that she intends to run, but isn’t actually announcing that yet.
"I’m giving you every indication of what the future is going to hold," she said. "The question is just formally announcing it. And we will do that soon.” | https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/chicago-lori-lightfoot-mayoral-race | 2022-04-28T22:52:19Z | https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/chicago-lori-lightfoot-mayoral-race | true | null |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/articles/39316454 | 2022-04-28T22:55:07Z | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/articles/39316454 | true | null |
GILBERT, Ariz. (AP) — As Forrest Gump in the Oscar-winning 1994 film of the same name, lead actor Tom Hanks abruptly trots to a halt after more than three years of nonstop running and tells his followers: “I’m pretty tired — I think I’ll go home now.”
Jacky Hunt-Broersma can relate. On Thursday, the amputee athlete achieved her goal of running 102 marathons in as many days, setting an unofficial women’s world record.
And she can’t stop/won’t stop, saying she’ll run two more for good measure and wrap up her challenge on Saturday with 104. “I might as well end April with a marathon,” she told The Associated Press.
Britain-based Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment. It can take up to a year for the organization to ratify a world record.
Guinness lists the men’s record for consecutive daily marathons as 59, set in 2019 by Enzo Caporaso of Italy.
“I’m just happy that I made it — I can’t believe it,” she said. “The best thing was the incredible support I’ve received from people around the world who’ve reached out, telling me how this has inspired them to push themselves.”
Hunt-Broersma, 46, began her quest on Jan. 17, covering the classic 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) marathon distance on a loop course laid out near her home in Gilbert, Arizona, or on a treadmill indoors. Since then, it’s been “rinse and repeat” every day for the South Africa native, who lost her left leg below the knee to a rare cancer and runs on a carbon-fiber prosthesis.
Her original goal was to run 100 marathons in 100 days so she’d beat the record of 95 set in 2020 by Alyssa Amos Clark, a nondisabled runner from Bennington, Vermont, who took it on as a pandemic coping strategy. But earlier this month, after nondisabled British runner Kate Jayden unofficially broke Clark’s record with 101 marathons in 101 days, Hunt-Broersma realized she’d need to run at least 102.
On foot, day in and day out, she’s covered 2,672 miles (4,300 kilometers) — the equivalent of running from her Phoenix suburb to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, or from New York City to Mexico City.
Along the way, Hunt-Broersma gained a huge social media following and raised nearly $27,000 to help fellow amputee blade runners get the expensive prostheses they need. Health insurance typically doesn’t cover the cost, which can exceed $10,000.
Hunt-Broersma, who ran her 92nd at this month’s Boston Marathon, hopes her quest will inspire people everywhere to push themselves to do hard things.
What’s next for the endurance athlete? A 240-mile (386-kilometer) ultra race to be staged over mountainous terrain in October in Moab, Utah.
___
Kole reported from Boston.
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© 2022 . All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. | https://federalnewsnetwork.com/sports-news/2022/04/102-marathons-in-102-days-amputees-unofficial-world-record/ | 2022-04-28T22:56:13Z | https://federalnewsnetwork.com/sports-news/2022/04/102-marathons-in-102-days-amputees-unofficial-world-record/ | false | 60 |
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MODIV INC.: Ishaq Asma (Director) Buys 4 @ Avg Price: $18.14 (Form4)
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GROUNDFLOOR REAL ESTATE 1, LLC (FormUPLOAD)
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What happened
This week Boeing (NYSE: BA) delivered another quarter of losses and one-time charges, and investors responded by heading for the exits. Shares of the aerospace giant were down more than 12% for the week as of Thursday afternoon, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, as investors recalculate how long this turnaround is going to take.
So what
Wall Street came into Boeing's earnings report with low expectations, and still managed to be disappointed. The company lost $2.75 per share on revenue of $14 billion, falling short of the consensus estimate for a $0.12-per-share loss on revenue of $15.83 billion.
Boeing has been struggling for years, first due to issues with its 737 MAX, which led to an 18-month grounding, and then due to a pandemic-induced airline industry slowdown. The 737 MAX is flying again, and the airlines appear to be on the mend, but Boeing remains sluggish. The latest quarter was impacted by about $1 billion in charges related to two military programs, the new Air Force One and the T-7A trainer.
The company is making slow but steady progress in ramping up 737 MAX production, but continues to have issues with its 787 Dreamliner and the new version of its 777, which had originally been scheduled to be flying now, was delayed until at least 2025.
The results led at least a half dozen Wall Street analysts to lower their price targets on the stock, which in turn helped fuel a new round of selling the day after earnings. Given Boeing's issues, it is hard to see a quick turnaround.
Now what
J.P. Morgan analyst Seth Seifman, in lowering the bank's price target to $190 from $235, said the path for Boeing from here is "simple in theory but more challenging in practice." Boeing needs to deliver more airplanes if it is to achieve its goal of recording positive free cash flow in 2022, but that means working out its engineering difficulties and regaining the confidence of regulators.
If you have a long enough time horizon, there is still a lot to like about Boeing shares. Over the next two decades global travel demand is expected to grow at an annualized rate of more than 3%, creating significant demand for new airframes. Boeing, as half of a duopoly with Airbus, should capture a lot of that demand.
Alas, that bull case was just as credible a year ago, and Boeing shares are down 36% in the last 365 days. The first-quarter results were a reminder that the company, though well off its lows, is still a complex mess that has a lot of work ahead to get operations running smoothly. Until Boeing can deliver a quarter that shows its house is in order and it is returning to business as usual, it could be difficult for this stock to get airborne.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc. | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/why-boeing-shares-lost-altitude-this-week | 2022-04-28T23:02:59Z | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/why-boeing-shares-lost-altitude-this-week | true | 1 |
Who Does Bebe Neuwirth Play in 'The Flight Attendant'?
By Katherine StinsonApr. 28 2022, Published 4:34 p.m. ET
Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers for Season 1 of The Flight Attendant on HBO Max.
What happens when your best friend causes a major conflict of interest with your career? That's the dilemma that lawyer Annie Mouradian (Zosia Mamet) finds herself in when Cassie Bowden (Kaley Cuoco) tells her about a hookup gone terribly wrong.
Annie agrees to represent Cassie as her lawyer. She doesn't want to believe her best friend murdered her one night stand, Alex Sokolov (Michiel Huisman).
After Annie finds out that Cassie's dead hookup was connected to a dangerously powerful family, she calls in a client for a favor. This backfires when her boss, played by award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth, finds out.
Who does Bebe Neuwirth play in 'The Flight Attendant'?
Bebe plays Annie's boss at her law firm Davis & Carlisle, Diana Carlisle. Diana doesn't fire Annie when she finds out Annie called in a favor to a client; instead, she brings up a saying: "The law is a shield." Annie assumes the saying refers to the law firm protecting their clients. Diana believes it also refers to the law shielding the firm itself from their own clients.
Diana refers to her own personal experience when it comes to owing a client. She warns Annie it won't be easy paying her debt.
Diana says she doesn't want to hear a single word about it, and gets angry when Annie proceeds to call her about the situation. If you're wondering why Diana looks so familiar in The Flight Attendant, it might be because you watched Cheers or Frasier.
Bebe played Dr. Lilith Sternin, Frasier's wife, on both shows. In addition to winning two Emmy awards for her portrayal of Lilith on Cheers, Bebe is also a two-time Tony award winner.
Does Diana return in 'The Flight Attendant' Season 2? What is her role in the story?
In Season 1, Episode 7 of The Flight Attendant, Annie reveals to Cassie that she actually quit working on Davis & Carlisle. Annie's story picks up in Season 2 with a hilarious job interview at a law firm in Los Angeles.
The interviewer notes that they do things differently at their firm, and Annie replies with, "We did things unconventionally at Davis & Carlisle too, we just paid people a lot of money to look the other way while we were doing it."
Annie then tries to reassure her interviewers that she wasn't referring to bribery so to speak. The interview continues to spiral downward in a hilarious way. Clearly Diana's influence didn't extend well to other firms!
So far, Bebe hasn't returned in the first four episodes of The Flight Attendant Season 2. Her IMDb page only shows the two episodes she appeared in during Season 1, so there's no official confirmation that Diana will appear in the last 4 episodes of Season 2. Perhaps she could return in more of a mentor-like capacity for Annie?
We'll just have to wait and see. New episodes of The Flight Attendant drop every Thursday on HBO Max. | https://www.distractify.com/p/bebe-neuwirth-the-flight-attendant | 2022-04-28T23:03:38Z | https://www.distractify.com/p/bebe-neuwirth-the-flight-attendant | true | 1 |
With a round of “Happy Birthday” in Italian and English, the U.S. Army toasted an Italian woman with a birthday cake Thursday to replace the one that U.S. soldiers ate as they entered her hometown during one of the final battles of World War II.
Meri Mion, who turns 90 on Friday, wiped away tears as she was presented with the cake during a ceremony in Vicenza, northwest of Venice. The event marked the anniversary of the day the 88th Infantry Division fought its way into the city on April 28, 1945.
According to the U.S. Army, Mion spent that night with her mother hiding in the attic of their farm in the nearby village of San Pietro in Gù. Retreating German soldiers had fired on the house, but when Mion awoke on the morning of her 13th birthday, American soldiers were nearby.
In a statement, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy said Mion’s mother baked her a birthday cake and left it on the windowsill to cool. But it disappeared — apparently nicked by hungry American soldiers who had already been feted by grateful Italians with wine and bread as they entered Vicenza along its main thoroughfare.
Mion seemed genuinely surprised that U.S. soldiers had returned the cake 77 years later. She marveled “Mama mia” and “Grazie” as a small crowd featuring U.S. commanders and Italian officials sang “Happy Birthday.”
“Tomorrow, we will eat that dessert, with all my family remembering this wonderful day that I will never forget,” Mion said, according to the U.S. Army.
—The Associated Press
RELATED: B.C. woman forced to celebrate 104th birthday in emergency room | https://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/trending-now/us-army-returns-cake-to-italian-woman-for-90th-birthday/ | 2022-04-28T23:04:03Z | https://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/trending-now/us-army-returns-cake-to-italian-woman-for-90th-birthday/ | true | 81 |
No injuries were reported following a fire in Vaughan, Ont.
In a statement emailed to Global News, Andrew Zvanitajs, fire chief with Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service, said firefighters were called to 101 Feshway Drive Thursday afternoon.
He said firefighters encountered a “wind driven fire” that had consumed a small metal container, a motorcycle and a car.
“A large visual distraction was also present on Highway 407 between Keele and Jane streets,” Zvanitajs said.
According to Zvanitajs, the wind drove the fire up the southern embankment of Highway 407, causing a grass fire spanning approximately one acre.
“Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and have since mopped up hot spots and clear the scene,” the statement reads.
Zvanitajs said 24 firefighters and 2 chief officers attended the scene.
He said no injuries were reported.
According to Zvanitajs, the damage is estimated to be under $25,000. | https://globalnews.ca/news/8795319/fire-vaughan-feshway-drive-highway-407/ | 2022-04-28T23:07:00Z | https://globalnews.ca/news/8795319/fire-vaughan-feshway-drive-highway-407/ | true | null |
By Yemi Itodo
Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has denied borrowing money from his former Chief of Staff, Hon. Terwase Orbunde to prosecute his 2015 governorship elections.
Orbunde had in a letter dated 16th April, 2022, requested that the Governor reimbursed him to the tune of N160m, which he claimed he “invested” in Ortom’s governorship campaign in All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014.
According to him, the amount was a proceed of his property in Wuye, Abuja which he allegedly sold at that time; adding that, he would be needing the money to move his family out of the official apartments given to him in Commissioner’s Quarters, Makurdi.
But Ortom, via his reply dated 23rd April, 2022, denied knowledge of any “investment” in his 2015 campaigns to the tune of N160m from his erstwhile Chief of Staff, even though he obliged to offer any kind of help to Orbunde, just as he has always been doing.
“The fact that we worked together in 2014 to realize my Governorship ambition cannot be over-emphasised. However, as the Chief visioner, I was always aware and in control of all the interventions from friends and associates aimed at prosecuting my elections and such were always acknowledged. I really cannot recall when we discussed and you made available or invested the sum of One Hundred and Sixty Million Naira (N160,000,000.00) in my campaign or election in 2015 or at any other time at all.
“As my political ally, if this request is coming from you for assistance, it would be understood and I can always assist as usual to the best of my ability. I am rather surprised that this appeal for reimbursement is coming after seven (7) years of my becoming Governor of Benue State and therefore, I consider same as made in bad faith, to say the least”, Ortom said in his reply.
It would be recalled that, Orbunde, a native of Kwande Local Government Area, after resigning his appointment as Ortom’s Chief of Staff late last year, went into the contest for Benue State Governorship in the 2023 elections.
He was, however, not favoured in the just concluded consensus arrangements by the Tiv stakeholders, as the position was rather zoned to the neighbouring Vandeikya Local Government Area, with the Speaker of Benue House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Titus Uba emerging from the area. | https://newsdiaryonline.com/ortom-denies-borrowing-money-from-ex-chief-of-staff-for-2015-guber-elections-2/ | 2022-04-28T23:12:21Z | https://newsdiaryonline.com/ortom-denies-borrowing-money-from-ex-chief-of-staff-for-2015-guber-elections-2/ | false | 3 |
Biden honors Ohio teacher of the year
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Kurt Russell’s audience is usually a classroom of high school students - but Wednesday he was greeted by the cheers of the President.
Russell rose to the top of his class of ‘teacher of the year nominees,’ honored for his work of racial and gender inclusion in his lessons.
“What I try to do in my classroom is to make sure that the lessons that I teach the students see themselves in it,” said Russell. “Rather, if I’m studying the Revolutionary War, I need to include women in that study. I need to include African-Americans in that study.”
An educator herself, Jill Biden praised the nominees for their willingness to adapt and connect during these difficult past two years.
“It’s the way that you know that sometimes “I’m fine” means everything is wrong,” said Biden, “Its how they know you’re telling the truth when you say, “its ok, we’re going to figure this out together.”
Russell had several mentors that helped him figure it out. He realized that teaching was an attainable career goal after having a black 8th grade teacher. He wants to be that inspiration for the next generation.
“I think when you see someone that looks like you and have that relationship with you, you feel empowered, you feel valued, you feel important,” said Russell.
Above all, he wants to his students to take the lessons of compassion and empathy when they leave his classroom.
“I see them as future citizens, police officer, firefighters, teachers, engineers, construction workers. And when I have that perspective, then I make sure that my students feel important and value with it.”
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlox.com/2022/04/28/biden-honors-ohio-teacher-year/ | 2022-04-28T23:13:10Z | https://www.wlox.com/2022/04/28/biden-honors-ohio-teacher-year/ | true | 33 |
USDA video showcases key partnerships driving conservation in Lake Erie
A new USDA video provides a closer look at the collaborative partnerships driving innovative water quality assessment and conservation in the Western Lake Erie Basin. The video, Science-Based Solutions: Leveraging Partnerships to Protect the Western Lake Erie Basin, shows how USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) watershed studies in the Western Lake Erie Basin bring researchers, farmers, government agencies and nonprofit organizations together to develop science-based solutions and strategically place them where they can deliver the greatest conservation benefits.
“This video demonstrates the importance of regional partnerships, both in developing and encouraging the adoption of conservation practices that have been scientifically proven to be effective.” said John Wilson, NRCS State Conservationist in Ohio, “This collaborative approach is informing our conservation strategies and making tangible improvements in the Western Lake Erie Basin watershed.”
Under CEAP, a network of researchers, from government agencies to universities, work together to monitor the impact of conservation practices on the landscape.… Continue reading | https://wfin.com/agnet/usda-video-showcases-key-partnerships-driving-conservation-in-lake-erie-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=usda-video-showcases-key-partnerships-driving-conservation-in-lake-erie-2&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=usda-video-showcases-key-partnerships-driving-conservation-in-lake-erie-2 | 2022-04-28T23:13:23Z | https://wfin.com/agnet/usda-video-showcases-key-partnerships-driving-conservation-in-lake-erie-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=usda-video-showcases-key-partnerships-driving-conservation-in-lake-erie-2&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=usda-video-showcases-key-partnerships-driving-conservation-in-lake-erie-2 | true | 2 |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow's forces retreated weeks ago.
Several people were wounded in the attack on Kyiv, including one who lost a leg and others who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said.
The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who said Ukraine has become "an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain." A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe.
Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses.
Ukrainian authorities also reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas — the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin says is its main objective — and near Kharkiv, a northeastern city outside the Donbas that is seen as key to the offensive.
In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing overnight killed and wounded more people. And authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
In Zaporizhzhia, a crucial way station for tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol, an 11-year-old boy was among at least three people wounded in a rocket attack that authorities said was the first to hit a residential area in the southern city since the war began. Shards of glass cut the boy's leg to the bone.
Vadym Vodostoyev, the boy's father, said: "It just takes one second and you're left with nothing."
The fresh attacks came as Guterres surveyed the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. He condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia withdrew in early April in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance.
"Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians," the U.N. chief lamented.
Separately, Ukraine's prosecutor accused 10 Russian soldiers of being "involved in the torture of peaceful people" in Bucha. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova did not say her office had filed criminal charges, and she appealed to the public for help in gathering evidence. Russia denies it targets civilians.
During his nightly video address, Zelenskyy renewed his pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes they commit and said about the 10 identified earlier Thursday: "Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There they'll receive retribution from our military."
In the attack on Kyiv, explosions shook the city and flames poured out of windows in at least two buildings — including one residential one — in the capital, which has been relatively unscathed in recent weeks. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least three people were hospitalized after the strike, and plumes of smoke could be seen over the city.
The explosions in northwestern Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing numbers of people have been out and about, enjoying the spring weather.
It was not immediately clear how far away the attack was from Guterres.
Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in the east has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Several journalists have been killed in the war, now in its third month.
Also, both Ukraine and the Moscow-backed rebels fighting in the east have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.
Western officials say the Kremlin's apparent goal is to take the Donbas by encircling and crushing Ukrainian forces from the north, south and east.
But so far, Russia's troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains, taking several small towns as they try to advance in relatively small groups against staunch Ukrainian resistance.
Russian military units were mauled in the abortive bid to storm Kyiv and had to regroup and refit. Some analysts say the delay in launching a full-fledged offensive may reflect a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to wait until his forces are ready for a decisive battle, instead of rushing in and risking another failure that could shake his rule amid worsening economic conditions at home because of Western sanctions.
Many observers suspect Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II.
As Russia presses its offensive, civilians again bear the brunt.
"It's not just scary. It's when your stomach contracts from pain," said Kharkiv resident Tatiana Pirogova. "When they shoot during the day, it's still OK, but when the evening comes, I can't describe how scary it is."
Ukraine's military said that Russian troops were subjecting several places in the Donbas to "intense fire" and that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had repelled six attacks in the region.
Four civilians were killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in the Luhansk region of the Donbas, according to the regional governor.
Columns of smoke could be seen rising at different points across the Donetsk region of the Donbas, and artillery and sirens were heard on and off.
Many of the Russian troops who were in Mariupol have been leaving and moving to the northwest, a senior U.S. defense official said Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military assessment, didn't have exact numbers but said a "significant number" of the roughly one dozen battalion tactical groups that were in the city were moving out.
Russian forces are making slow, incremental progress in the Donbas — gaining only several kilometers on any given day, the official said. As of Thursday, Russia had launched about 1,900 missiles into Ukraine – the vast majority fired from outside Ukraine's borders. Most are strikes on Mariupol and the Donbas.
In Mariupol, video posted online by Ukraine's Azov Regiment inside the steel plant showed people combing through the rubble to remove the dead and help the wounded. The regiment said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people. The video couldn't be independently verified.
An estimated 100,000 people remained trapped in Mariupol.
"Deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewers," the city council said on the messaging app Telegram. It reported bodies decaying under the rubble and a "catastrophic" shortage of drinking water and food.
Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment to fend off the Russians. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine.
___
This story was corrected to remove a reference to a man being killed in the attack on Kyiv. He lost a leg in the attack.
___
Associated Press journalists Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://tylerpaper.com/explosions-rock-kyiv-again-as-russians-rain-fire-on-ukraine/article_3ca23594-c747-11ec-ad96-0fe963b91e3e.html | 2022-04-28T23:14:28Z | https://tylerpaper.com/explosions-rock-kyiv-again-as-russians-rain-fire-on-ukraine/article_3ca23594-c747-11ec-ad96-0fe963b91e3e.html | true | 79 |
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