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Surgeries hang in the balance as COVID strikes down health staff
By Matt Dennien
Some Queensland hospitals could suspend elective surgeries as rising COVID cases and hospitalisations of health staff and infected patients place pressure on the health system.
Fifty extra pop-up vaccination clinics will be set up for the school holidays to make it easier for families and children to get the jab — with school-aged and booster rates lagging.
A total of 10,722 new infections were reported on Friday, with 403 people in the state’s public and private hospital system with the virus. Fourteen of these are in intensive care units.
The number of Queensland Health and ambulance staff off work because of infections or close contact requirements had also risen again to 3305, more than double the number of a week ago.
“This will put increasing pressures on our health systems,” Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said.
“Each hospital and health service, based on their demand, can be looking at whether they need to suspend planned care - that means elective surgery.
“We are not at this stage looking at having a statewide suspension of elective surgery, and we hope not to need to do that in this current wave.”
Ms D’Ath said 2373 of the new cases were children, and she urged parents and carers to take advantage of the pop-up clinics set to spring up at shopping centres, amusement parks and schools.
More details were expected to be released on the Queensland Health website.
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said the disproportionate number of children being infected was likely due to low vaccination rates among the cohort and less exposure to the previous wave of the virus in January.
He said the state was approaching the peak of the latest wave, meaning case numbers could soon decline, but hospitalisations and health workforce pressures would lag by one or two weeks.
Data suggested the wave would be about one-third the size of January’s peak owing to increased vaccination. But authorities were still unsure whether winter would bring another wave.
“Vaccination has completely transformed this pandemic,” Dr Gerrard said. “So it’s critical, of course, that people continue to get vaccinated.“
Queensland’s booster rate among the eligible population, at 61.4 per cent, is the lowest in the country.
And its vaccination rate among the five- to 11-year-old age group sits at only 43.3 per cent first-dosed.
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https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/surgeries-hang-in-the-balance-as-covid-strikes-down-health-staff-20220401-p5aa0b.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_national
| 2022-04-01T00:40:45Z
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Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has announced the appointment of Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi as its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. Fadeyibi, a turn-around manager with over 20 years executive management experience, succeeds Engr. Akinwumi Bada, who served as the company’s Interim Managing Director since last year and is now leaving to pursue other personal business aspirations. Prior to joining AEDC, Fadeyibi was the Managing Director of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, (EKEDC) a Lagos based electricity utility company and is credited to have turned around the fortune of EKEDC by significantly reducing the company’s Aggregate, Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses, expanding its revenue base and delivering innovation in several aspects of the business.
He was also the pioneer Managing Director at Transcorp Power Ltd, Ughelli, Delta State, where he ramped up the generating company’s performance from 164MW to 634MW in 25 months. He joined Transcorp Power from General Electric where he had held several strategic roles with oversight for Middle East and Africa.
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https://www.newtelegraphng.com/abuja-disco-gets-new-md/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:45Z
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GameStop seeks share split amid renewed meme-stock hype
:Video game retailer GameStop Corp said on Thursday it would seek shareholder approval for a stock split, aiming to become the latest U.S. company to make it easier for retail investors to own its shares.
The move comes after retail investor interest in so-called 'meme stocks' flared up in the last two weeks, leading to a doubling in GameStop's share price to $166.58. A stock split makes shares more affordable for individual investors by lowering the price, without affecting the company's valuation.
Some investors are betting that the stock split will boost the value of GameStop by attracting more meme-stock enthusiasts. The firm's shares jumped 19per cent in after-hours trading on Thursday after the company announced the move.
In the past two years, Apple, Nvidia and Tesla have split their shares, while Amazon and Google-parent Alphabet have recently announced upcoming share splits.
On Monday, Tesla Inc's market capitalisation jumped by more than $80 billion after the electric car maker said it would seek investor approval to once again increase the number of its shares to enable a future stock split, without saying when that split might occur.
This month's stock market recovery, driven by hopes of a resolution in Russia's conflict with Ukraine, has boosted the investors' risk appetite, making conditions for meme-stock rallies more favorable.
Meme stocks are heavily shorted shares that are snapped up by retail investors on social media platforms such as Reddit with the aim of squeezing out hedge funds betting against them. The trend took Wall Street by storm in January 2021 and slowly fizzled over the course of the year.
GameStop plans to increase its number of outstanding Class A common shares to 1 billion from 300 million, it said in a filing. The company will also ask shareholders to vote on a incentive plan "to support future compensatory equity issuances", it added. (https://bit.ly/36Ztlqy)
The date and location of the company's annual shareholders meeting have not yet been announced.
Billionaire Ryan Cohen, who is the chairman of GameStop's board, disclosed earlier this month that his investment company purchased 100,000 shares of the game retailer. The purchase took Cohen's total ownership of GameStop to 11.9per cent.
Cohen's effort to turn GameStop around after he joined the company last year by investing in its stores and e-commerce business and bringing in new talent have yet to produce major results.
The company earlier this month reported a net loss of $147.5 million for the three months ending January, the first holiday-season loss in its history. The retailer has been trying to win back gamers who now turn to online streaming or other outlets.
GameStop's cash balance may erode "relatively quickly" unless the company becomes profitable soon, Wedbush analysts warned earlier this month.
(Reporting by Yuvraj Malik and Shariq Khan in Bengaluru, Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Boston and Noel Randewich in San Francisco; Editing by Greg Roumeliotis and Kenneth Maxwell)
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/gamestop-seeks-share-split-amid-renewed-meme-stock-hype-2600421?cid=cna_flip_070214
| 2022-04-01T00:40:44Z
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(ANSA) – LONDON, MARCH 31 – The number of Covid infections fueled by the Omicron 2 variant in the United Kingdom is back, down for the third day in a row after the rebound of the last few weeks and settled again below 70,000 cases per day on an average of just under 5 million swabs per week. This is indicated by the latest data that also indicate a slowdown in the recent gradual increase in deaths, around an average now of about 150 daily deaths, as well as that of hospital admissions: the national total of which has not re-exceeded 20,000, with a sum of patients forced to assisted breathing in all the intensive care units of the country stops at 365.
The indication was reported as encouraging by Minister Mark Spencer, Leader of the House, during a debate in the House of Commons, during which the exponent of the Tory team of Boris Johnson rejected the criticisms of the Scottish independence opposition of the ‘Snp on the strategy of lifting all restrictions in place for over two months in England. Not without noting how hospitalizations remain proportionally lower in the English territory compared to what is recorded in Scotland, where the local executive led by the SNP, has so far maintained in force the constraint, albeit limited, of the legal obligation to use masks. in shops and public transport.
Meanwhile, from tomorrow, the deadline set for some time by the Johnson government for the end of the free distribution of anti-Covid tests on the island remains confirmed.
(HANDLE).
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https://d1softballnews.com/covid-contagions-in-gb-are-back-stop-to-free-tests-last-hour/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:45Z
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Savings window opens wider: 30-year mortgage refinance rates dip again | March 31, 2022
Our goal here at Credible Operations, Inc., NMLS Number 1681276, referred to as "Credible" below, is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we do promote products from our partner lenders, all opinions are our own.
Check out the mortgage refinancing rates for March 31, 2022, which are down from yesterday. (Credible)
Based on data compiled by Credible, mortgage refinance rates have fallen since yesterday, except for 10-year rates, which held steady.
- 30-year fixed-rate refinance: 4.625%, down from 4.875%, -0.250
- 20-year fixed-rate refinance: 4.500%, down from 4.750%, -0.250
- 15-year fixed-rate refinance: 3.875%, down from 4.000%, -0.125
- 10-year fixed-rate refinance: 3.750%, unchanged
Rates last updated on March 31, 2022. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary.
If you’re thinking of doing a cash-out refinance or refinancing your home mortgage to lower your interest rate, consider using Credible. Credible's free online tool will let you compare rates from multiple mortgage lenders. You can see prequalified rates in as little as three minutes.
What this means: Refinance rates edged down across three key terms today, but due to a rates spike in recent weeks, 30- and 20-year terms are still at or above 4.5%. Homeowners who want to refinance should consider a shorter term. Fifteen-year refinance rates may be especially appealing, as they’ve dropped to a four-day low. Mortgage refinance rates can fluctuate from day to day, so homeowners may want to act today to lock in a lower rate ahead of future increases.
WHAT IS CASH-OUT REFINANCING AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
How mortgage rates have changed over time
Today’s mortgage interest rates are well below the highest annual average rate recorded by Freddie Mac — 16.63% in 1981. A year before the COVID-19 pandemic upended economies across the world, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for 2019 was 3.94%. The average rate for 2021 was 2.96%, the lowest annual average in 30 years.
The historic drop in interest rates means homeowners who have mortgages from 2019 and older could potentially realize significant interest savings by refinancing with one of today’s lower interest rates.
If you’re ready to take advantage of current mortgage refinance rates that are below average historical lows, you can use Credible to check rates from multiple lenders.
How to get your lowest mortgage refinance rate
If you’re interested in refinancing your mortgage, improving your credit score and paying down any other debt could secure you a lower rate. It’s also a good idea to compare rates from different lenders if you're hoping to refinance so you can find the best rate for your situation.
Borrowers can save $1,500 on average over the life of their loan by shopping for just one additional rate quote, and an average of $3,000 by comparing five rate quotes, according to research from Freddie Mac.
Be sure to shop around and compare current mortgage rates from multiple mortgage lenders if you decide to refinance your mortgage. You can do this easily with Credible’s free online tool and see your prequalified rates in only three minutes.
How does Credible calculate refinance rates?
Changing economic conditions, central bank policy decisions, investor sentiment and other factors influence the movement of mortgage refinance rates. Credible average mortgage refinance rates reported in this article are calculated based on information provided by partner lenders who pay compensation to Credible.
The rates assume a borrower has a 740 credit score and is borrowing a conventional loan for a single-family home that will be their primary residence. The rates also assume no (or very low) discount points and a down payment of 20%.
Credible mortgage refinance rates reported here will only give you an idea of current average rates. The rate you receive can vary based on a number of factors.
Think it might be the right time to refinance? Be sure to shop around and compare rates with multiple mortgage lenders. You can do this easily with Credible and see your prequalified rates in only three minutes.
Can you negotiate refinance rates?
Negotiation is often possible in real estate transactions, and you may be able to work with your lender to negotiate a lower refinance rate.
Having a good to excellent credit score, low debt-to-income ratio and good income may help in negotiations. Being open to compromise may also help. For example, your lender may agree to a lower interest rate if you’re willing to pay mortgage discount points upfront.
The best way to ensure you get the lowest possible interest rate is to compare rates and loans from multiple mortgage lenders.
Have a finance-related question, but don't know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at moneyexpert@credible.com and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.
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As a Credible authority on mortgages and personal finance, Chris Jennings has covered topics that include mortgage loans, mortgage refinancing, and more. He’s been an editor and editorial assistant in the online personal finance space for four years. His work has been featured by MSN, AOL, Yahoo Finance, and more.
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https://www.fox9.com/money/todays-mortgage-refinance-rates-march-31-2022
| 2022-04-01T00:40:46Z
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First lawsuit filed over Florida law restricting certain LGBTQ topics in the classroom
Two LGBTQ rights advocacy groups, as well as students, parents and a teacher in Florida, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday, challenging the state's new law banning certain instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.
It's the first legal challenge seeking to block implementation and enforcement of the law, which Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on Monday. The controversial law, dubbed "Don't Say Gay" by its opponents, is set to take effect in July.
DeSantis told reporters Thursday that he will defend the law "vigorously."
The lawsuit calls the Florida law an "unlawful attempt to stigmatize, silence and erase LGBTQ people in Florida's public schools."
"It seeks to do so by imposing a sweeping, vague ban covering any instruction on 'sexual orientation and gender identity,' and by constructing a diffuse enforcement scheme designed to maximize the chilling effect of this prohibition," the complaint reads.
According to the new "Parental Rights in Education" law in Florida, "classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."
Parents would be able to bring civil suits against a school district for any potential rule violation, under the new law.
During the bill signing Monday, DeSantis said that Florida recognizes that "parents have a fundamental role in the education, health care and well-being of their children."
The plaintiffs in Thursday's lawsuit include Equality Florida, an LGBTQ advocacy organization; Family Equality, a New York-based nonprofit; a 17-year-old sophomore in Palmetto, Florida, who identifies as gay; an 18-year-old senior in Osprey, Florida, who identifies as gay; the parent of a transgender fifth-grader in Florida; three same-sex couples living in Florida with young children; and a middle-school public teacher in Grand Ridge, Florida. The complaint was filed by Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
The plaintiffs say the new law violates the First and 14th Amendments, and Title IX protections.
"This effort to control young minds through state censorship -- and to demean LGBTQ lives by denying their reality -- is a grave abuse of power. The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that LGBTQ people and families are at home in our constitutional order. The State of Florida has no right to declare them outcasts, or to treat their allies as outlaws, by punishing schools where someone dares to affirm their identity and dignity," according to the complaint.
Weighing in on the lawsuit Thursday, DeSantis said he doesn't think that "any of the legal claims have merit."
"These are policy decisions. I don't think it's anything that's invoking First Amendment because schools, states and localities have the ability to set curriculum in public schools. We do that all the time. This is not new," he said, also arguing that the law "does not regulate student speech."
DeSantis' communications director Taryn Fenske told CNN in a statement that "this calculated, politically motivated, virtue-signaling lawsuit is meritless, and we will defend the legality of parents to protect their young children from sexual content in Florida public schools."
Proponents of the new law say it gives parents more oversight over what their children learn and discuss at school and argue that LGBTQ-related topics should be left for families to discuss in private. Opponents say the law will negatively affect an already marginalized community and also argue it would open educators up to an endless barrage of litigation.
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https://www.wgal.com/article/first-lawsuit-florida-law-lgbtq-topics-classroom/39600782
| 2022-04-01T00:40:46Z
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https://www.leafly.com/brands/lemonnade/products/lemonnade-blanco-pre-roll-1g-pre-rolls
| 2022-04-01T00:40:46Z
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Fans think Rihanna's new bling hints when her baby is due
Is Rihanna‘s baby due in May? Some fans think so after noticing an interesting birth stone included in the “Umbrella” singer’s new bling.
People reports that A$AP Rocky purchased a sentimental but pricey charm bracelet for his girlfriend ahead of her 34th birthday. The bauble is adorned with 10 special charms that relate directly to their relationship, revealed luxury jewelry designer Annoushka Ducas.
“He was so sweet and he was very specific that the charms had to be in the order that he had arranged them,” said Ducas. “He wanted to know how each one worked, because all my charms move and open and do what you might expect and he was bowled over by that — I just think it’s the most romantic gift.”
The 18-karat gold bracelet is valued at $51,991. Among the 10 diamond-encrusted charms is an evil eye to ward of bad energy, a tulip to symbolize new life, an Alice in Wonderland-inspired mushroom, a love letter, and — what fans found the most telling — a “love locket” with an emerald in the middle.
Emerald is the birth stone for May, leading fans to believe that may be the month Rihanna is due. The Grammy winner previously told ELLE she’s in her third trimester. We’ve got two months to wait to see whether the fan speculation is correct.
Rihanna announced her pregnancy in January.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
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https://www.mix941.com/fans-think-rihannas-new-bling-hints-when-her-baby-is-due/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:46Z
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Bruins honor retired goalie Rask after injury ended career
By TALIA GOODMAN
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins honored Tuukka Rask before their game against the New Jersey Devils. The longtime Bruins goaltender announced his retirement midseason after a setback in his comeback from a hip injury. Rask was accompanied by his wife and three daughters when he dropped the ceremonial first puck before the game. The Boston fans shouted “Tuuuk!” as they did during his 15 year career all in Boston. Rask is the franchise’s all-time leader in wins for goalies. He won the 2014 Vezina Trophy and led the team to the Stanley Cup Final twice. He was also the backup on the team that won it all in 2011.
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https://kion546.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/03/31/bruins-honor-retired-goalie-rask-after-injury-ended-career/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:46Z
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Rick Ross says he is serious about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
The rapper has been open about many goals he has set for himself. From owing dozens of cars and only learning to drive at 45 years old, the Rozay rapper is not one to cop out.
Rick Ross recently disclosed on the Full Send Podcast that he has set some ambitious goals for himself this year, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.
“I really believe when I put my heart to something, I can do anything,” he began. “As a matter of fact, I was smoking, I was on my back patio last night, I’m sitting underneath the trees, I’m listening to the waterfall, I’m looking at the plants, the landscaping, the patio furniture, you know? And I gave myself a challenge and I’m actually issuing you guys a challenge here,” he says.
“This is the first time I’ve said this, but in 2024, I’ma hike to the top of Kilimanjaro. Just making it to the top, and you going with me.”
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania famous for its three volcanic cones, namely Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. The mountain forms the highest peek on the African continent making it no easy fete to climb.
Mount Kilimanjaro is known as one of the most difficult mountains to climb but not because of how steep the trails are but because the hardest part is getting to the summit, which at night is extremely difficult as this is the coldest, windiest section of the adventure with an ascent of 4,084ft with 49% less oxygen and descent of nearly 6,870ft. Still, about 30,000 people attempt to climb the mountain annually, and there are about 10 fatalities per year.
However, Rick Ross isn’t deterred as he says he’s determined to complete the climb.
“I’m the boss, I don’t look into nothing,” he said. “I make my mind up, it’s not really that big. I just gotta get it done. And what you gotta realize, if you notice I said 2024. So for the rest of this year, I’m getting prepared mentally, next year I get prepared physically.”
When asked about the length of days to complete the journey, he says, “Who knows? I’m guessing five/10 days, some shit like that. Give me 12 days, no rush. That’s what we doing. I’m not sure [about the elevation], I would wanna guess maybe 5000 [metres] or some type of shit.”
And he’s already preparing in terms of food and company as he says he’s not going on his own because someone needs to carry his Wingstop fries and chips.
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https://bahamasspectator.com/rick-ross-reveals-his-next-big-project-is-climbing-mount-kilimanjaro/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:46Z
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IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IAC – Get Rating) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,530,000 shares, a decline of 21.9% from the February 28th total of 1,960,000 shares. Approximately 1.9% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 572,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.7 days.
Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Confluence Wealth Services Inc. bought a new stake in IAC/InterActiveCorp in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Concord Wealth Partners lifted its position in IAC/InterActiveCorp by 411.9% in the fourth quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 215 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in IAC/InterActiveCorp in the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in IAC/InterActiveCorp in the third quarter worth $33,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI bought a new stake in IAC/InterActiveCorp in the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.60% of the company’s stock.
IAC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of IAC/InterActiveCorp from $190.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 17th. Cowen lowered their target price on shares of IAC/InterActiveCorp from $190.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 17th. Credit Suisse Group upped their target price on shares of IAC/InterActiveCorp from $161.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 17th. Benchmark lowered their target price on shares of IAC/InterActiveCorp from $218.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 17th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of IAC/InterActiveCorp in a research note on Thursday. They set a “hold” rating on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $170.15.
IAC/InterActiveCorp Company Profile (Get Rating)
IAC is a media and Internet company comprised of some of the world’s most recognized brands and products, such as HomeAdvisor, Vimeo, About.com, Dictionary.com, The Daily Beast, Investopedia, and Match Group’s online dating portfolio, which includes Match, OkCupid and Tinder. Ranked by Fortune magazine’s annual standing of the world’s most admired companies in the Internet Services & Retailing sector for many years, IAC’s family of websites is one of the largest in the world, with over two billion monthly visits reaching users in more than 190 countries.
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https://www.americanbankingnews.com/2022/03/31/iac-interactivecorp-nasdaqiac-short-interest-down-21-9-in-march.html
| 2022-04-01T00:40:47Z
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https://sportspyder.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/articles/39012290
| 2022-04-01T00:40:47Z
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Final Four coaches feel transfer portal is “out of control”
By The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jeff Walz has had a lot of success getting players to transfer to Louisville over the last few years, including three starters on his Final Four team this season. He’s not the only coach in the Final Four who has bolstered the roster by using the transfer portal as both South Carolina and UConn have found supplemental players from it. Still Walz, Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma think the amount of players looking to change schools is getting out of control.
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https://kesq.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/03/31/final-four-coaches-feel-transfer-portal-is-out-of-control-2/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:46Z
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1 in 20 New Jersey heart attacks caused by noise pollution, study says
A recent study presented to the American College of Cardiology concludes that living next to train tracks, airports and noisy highways is more than a mere annoyance: It could also cause a heart attack.
The study, presented at the American College of Cardiology's 71st Annual Scientific Session, looked at heart attack rates among nearly 16,000 New Jersey residents hospitalized for a heart attack in 2018, according to the ACC. Researchers used a database that records all cardiovascular hospitalizations in the state, as well as data from the state's Bureau of Transportation Statistics to calculate noise levels.
Patients were divided into two groups: those who experienced noise levels of 65 decibels or higher (equivalent to a loud conversation or laughter) and those with low noise exposure (less than 50 decibels a day).
Dr. Abel Moreyra, a cardiology professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the study’s lead author, said the heart attack rate was 72% higher in places with high levels of noise pollution. Researchers later concluded that high noise exposure was responsible for about 1 in 20 heart attacks in New Jersey.
RELATED: Study: Wildfires from Washington, other states produced up to half of pollution in western U.S.
"As cardiologists, we are used to thinking about many traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension or diabetes," Moreyra said in a news release. "This study and others suggest maybe we should start thinking about air pollution and noise pollution as additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease."
The study is one of the first to look at the link between noise and heart disease in America, but researchers said it aligns with other studies done in Europe.
Moreyra said other dense urban areas would likely see a similar pattern.
The study didn’t examine the biology behind the link, but noise can cause chronic stress, sleep loss, anxiety and depression, all of which can impact heart health, Moreyra said. Living near transportation infrastructure also brings more exposure to vehicle exhaust and other pollution that increase rates of heart disease.
RELATED: What is net-zero living and why experts say it’s worth it
"Air pollution and noise go hand-in-hand," Moreyra said. "The question is: how much of this effect is due to particle pollution, and how much is noise?"
There is a caveat in the findings: Researchers didn’t account for demographic, socioeconomic or other health risk factors. They also didn’t look for noise exposure at work or other places.
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The next step is for researchers to look at which sources of transportation noise could have the biggest impact on public health.
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https://www.fox9.com/news/1-in-20-new-jersey-heart-attacks-caused-by-noise-pollution-study-says
| 2022-04-01T00:40:47Z
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Grieving family seeking answers in deadly River Falls hit-and-run
(FOX 9) - A Ramsey, Minnesota, family is grieving the loss of a son and brother, hoping authorities can piece together a deadly hit-and-run that claimed the life of a 27-year-old on a Wisconsin highway just outside River Falls, Wisconsin.
Early in the morning of Sunday, March 6, Josh Thesing was struck and killed on State Highway 35 a couple miles north of River Falls. Now investigators are asking for help tracking down two vehicles that were believed to be in the area at the time.
"He's kind of like the ultimate little brother," Mary Thesing, Josh’s mother, told FOX 9. Josh left behind two older brothers and an adoring girlfriend.
Jenelle Schmid told FOX 9’s Paul Blume that she and Josh were longtime friends, and had been dating for the last four years.
"I just always thought he'd be a part of my life moving forward," she said through tears. Jenelle described Josh as goofy, charismatic, and unapologetically himself.
His loved ones report the hardest part of his loss is in the routine, like not having him around to share their Monday morning coffee anymore.
Josh Thesing
"Those are the things that just kind of sneak up on you a little bit because you think Josh should be here," explained his mother.
"He was just like a part of my every day. So no longer having him in my every day has been challenging," said Schmid.
A 2012 Blaine High School graduate and UMD electrical engineer, Thesing was in Wisconsin for a weekend charity rugby tournament when he was killed.
Authorities have reported he and his teammates were in downtown River Falls into the early morning hours, and left the bars on foot for their hotel in a nasty snowstorm.
It’s believed Josh missed the turn-off for the Econolodge where they were staying, and ended up running a good distance up the highway when he was hit by a motorist who left him for dead.
The St. Croix County Sheriff’s office leading the investigation into the deadly hit-and-run has said conditions were really bad at the time with heavy snow and freezing temperatures making driving hazardous.
This week, the agency released surveillance video of a pair of vehicles they are looking for. Both were said to be in the area where Josh’s body was found on the highway at the time.
The first vehicle is a recent model, white GMC pickup truck with illuminated grille and black rims. Video surveillance shows the driver made a couple stops soon after in downtown, dropping people off at a bar and market.
Police are searching for the following vehicles that may have possibly been involved in the hit-and-run of Josh Thesing.
The second vehicle is a white ford transit van with a see-through back window. It’s believed it could be a model year going back to 2015.
The sheriff has said given the conditions at the time it’s possible the driver could have struck Josh and not have known they hit someone. But his loved one’s are skeptical.
"It's really hard to put myself in that person's shoes and I don't have the level of understanding why someone would leave (the scene). And so that's been really difficult," Mary Thesing said, adding if their family has the courage to move on each and every day without Josh, the driver should have the courage to come forward and admit what happened.
In the meantime, Josh’s family is taking some solace and pride knowing as an organ donor, the young man gave his heart, lungs, liver and kidneys to save at least five other lives.
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"Five people have a future because of Josh, and so that was a decision he made all on his own to pursue that to be a donor," Thesing said.
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https://www.fox9.com/news/grieving-family-seeking-answers-in-deadly-river-falls-hit-and-run
| 2022-04-01T00:40:47Z
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New York-listed sports data and technology provider Sportradar Group has reported better-than-expected results for 2021 as revenue rose 39 per cent to €561.2m, driven by strong growth across all business segments.
The company enjoyed a strong finish to the year as Q4 revenue climbed 41 per cent year-on-year to €152.4m, with a continued strong performance in the United States, where revenue rose 92 per cent to €23.2m.
This was driven by increased sales of US Betting services [...]
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https://www.gamingintelligence.com/finance/results/154876-sportradar-shares-soar-as-2021-revenue-grows-to-e561-2m/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:42Z
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By Andrew Dalton | Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Oscars producer Will Packer said Los Angeles police were ready to arrest Will Smith after Smith slapped Chris Rock on the Academy Awards stage.
“They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment,” Packer said in a clip released by ABC News Thursday night of an interview he gave to “Good Morning America.” “They said we will go get him. We are prepared. We’re prepared to get him right now. You can press charges, we can arrest him. They were laying out the options.”
But Packer said Rock was “very dismissive” of the idea.
“He was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m fine,” Packer said. “And even to the point where I said, ‘Rock, let them finish.’ The LAPD officers finished laying out what his options were and they said, ‘Would you like us to take any action?’ And he said no.”
The LAPD said in a statement after Sunday night’s ceremony that they were aware of the incident, and that Rock had declined to file a police report. The department declined comment Thursday on Packer’s interview, a longer version of which will air on Friday morning.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standards of conduct. Smith could be suspended, expelled or otherwise sanctioned.
The academy said in a statement that “Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television.”
Without giving specifics, the academy said Smith was asked to leave the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, but refused to do so.
Smith strode from his front row seat on to the stage and slapped Rock after a joke Rock made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, when he was on stage to present the Oscar for best documentary.
On Monday, Smith issued an apology to Rock, the academy and to viewers, saying “I was out of line and I was wrong.”
The academy said Smith has the opportunity to defend himself in a written response before the board meets again on April 18.
Rock publicly addressed the incident for the first time, but only briefly, at the beginning of a standup show Wednesday night in Boston, where he was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation. He said “I’m still kind of processing what happened.”
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https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/03/31/oscars-police-offered-to-arrest-will-smith-over-attack/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:48Z
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Determined to reach all Akwa Ibom sons and daughters in every part of the globe to join hands with him in ushering a new dawn to the human and infrastructural development of the state, Obong Ide Owodiong Idemeko has launched a new website.
The 2023 IDEA (Inspire. Develop. Empower. Advocacy) Campaign working for the realisation of Obong Idemeko’s governorship dream announced this Thursday in a press release made available to journalists.
The press release endorsed by Dr. John Obisung Secretary, the 2023 IDEA Campaign Organisation explained that Obong Ide Owodiong-Idemeko Campaign launched the new website showcasing and promoting his visionary blueprint for a new dawn for Akwa Ibom State towards the 2023 Gubernatorial election.
According to him: ”The 2023 IDEA Campaign Organisation is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website, www.ide.org.ng which is intended to give the electorate a close-up view of the persona, vision, mission and political philosophy of the aspirant.”
He further highlighted: ”The website will also keep them informed of his activities on and off the campaign trail. Most importantly, visitors to the site will have access to the blueprint for the state which has been researched and put together in line with the vision and mission of Ide Owodiong-Idemeko for a great Akwa Ibom State.”
‘The 2023 IDEA Campaign Organisation in the statement invited visitors from every part of the state, the nation and the world at large to explore the new website.
The 2023 IDEA (Inspire. Develop. Empower. Advocacy) Campaign Organisation, is the official campaign organisation for the actualization of the aspiration of Ide Owodiong-Idemeko, (Obong Unwana, IbesikpoAsutan) to be voted as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in the 2023 general elections.
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https://www.newtelegraphng.com/aibom2023-ide-owodiong-guber-blueprint-goes-global-launches-website/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:47Z
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https://365project.org/jnorthington/365/2022-03-31
| 2022-04-01T00:40:48Z
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The parents of a 3-year-old boy who died last year after a contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba at a splash pad in Arlington, Texas, have reached a $250,000 settlement with the city.
Bakari Williams died last September after spending five days in the hospital with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal infection caused by an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri, according to previous reporting from CNN and affiliate KTVT.
Williams contracted the infection from a splash pad that officials later determined was improperly tested and maintained.
At a news conference, attorneys for Williams' parents said the child's death was preventable.
Family attorney Brian Hargrove said the $250,000 is the maximum economic recovery allowed against a city under the Texas Tort Claims Act, according to KTVT.
Arlington, in a statement, said the settlement will include a "significant investment in the installation of health and safety equipment and other improvements for our public pools and splash pads."
The city will distribute a new policy manual, the Bakari Williams Protocol, that will guide staff on water treatment, according to Hargrove and the city. "We plan to share this information with other agencies in the aquatics industry so they can learn from our hard lessons," the city said.
New technology will automatically shut off any splash pads where water readings are not in the acceptable ranges and the addition of QR codes will allow visitors to see real-time information about water quality, the statement, obtained by KTVT, said.
"We want you to know that Bakari was a sweet, beautiful and innocent child who did not deserve to die in the manner that he did. For us, this case has been about public awareness," Williams' mother, Kayla Mitchell, said at the news conference, according to the affiliate.
"We want to make certain that nothing like this ever happens again. We want to make certain that what happened to our son, what happened to our family, does not happen to anybody else," said Mitchell.
Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in soil and in fresh warm water such as lakes, rivers and hot springs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can also be found in poorly maintained or unchlorinated pools.
The organism infects people when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose, according to the CDC. The Naegleria fowleri amoeba then travels up the nose to the brain, where it destroys the brain tissue, the CDC says.
Investigation into the source of infection
City and Tarrant County officials were notified by the hospital September 5 of the child's condition, according to a joint news release issued that month. The county health department started an investigation and determined two possible sources for the exposure to the amoeba -- the family's home in Tarrant County and the Don Misenhimer Park splash pad in Arlington.
The city immediately closed that splash pad, the news release says, and out of an abundance of caution closed the other three public splash pads for the remainder of the year.
On September 24, the CDC, according to the news release, determined the child was likely exposed to the organism at the splash pad after tests confirmed the presence of active Naegleria fowleri amoeba in water samples from the park.
"It breaks my heart. I'm a father of four, a grandfather of five kids from 2 to 7 years old. I cannot imagine having to bury a child or a grandchild like that," Arlington Mayor Jim Ross told KTVT at the time
Low chlorine levels likely a factor
The city of Arlington conducted an investigation into the splash pad's maintenance, equipment and water testing procedures. Officials determined the water quality testing data needed improvement.
"We have identified gaps in our daily inspection program," Deputy City Manager Lemuel Randolph said in the 2021 news release. "Those gaps resulted in us not meeting our maintenance standards at our splash pads. All of the splash pads will remain closed until we have assurance that our systems are operating as they should, and we have confirmed a maintenance protocol consistent with city, county and state standards."
Records from two of the splash pads, including the one at Don Misenhimer Park, showed employees did not consistently record, or in some cases did not conduct, water quality testing that is required before the facilities open each day, according to the news release. The testing includes checking for chlorine, which is used as a disinfectant.
A review of the logs determined that water chlorination readings were not documented two of the three days that the child visited the park in late August and early September, the news release said.
"Documents show that chlorination levels two days before the child's last visit were within acceptable ranges," reads the release. "However, the next documented reading, which occurred the day after the child visited, shows that the chlorination level had fallen below the minimum requirement and that additional chlorine was added to the water system."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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https://www.henryherald.com/news/parents-reach-250-000-settlement-with-texas-city-after-son-3-dies-after-contracting-brain/article_4fec05e7-93f8-5ba7-b3f6-996aa15f2500.html
| 2022-04-01T00:40:48Z
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DETROIT (AP) — In the long debate over whether Black Americans should be granted reparations for the atrocity and injustices of slavery and racism, California took a big step this week toward becoming the first U.S. state to make some form of restitution a reality.
The state’s reparations task force tackled the divisive issue of which Black residents should be eligible — it narrowly decided in favor of limiting compensation to the descendants of free and enslaved Black people who were in the U.S. in the 19th century.
Whether Tuesday’s vote by the task force spurs other states and cities to advance their own proposals, and whether they adopt California’s still controversial standard for who would benefit, remains to be seen. Some veteran reparations advocates disagree strongly with proposals to limiting eligibility to only Black people who can prove they have enslaved ancestors, while excluding those who cannot and leaving out victims of other historic injustices, such as redlining and mass incarceration.
Still, one advocate noted California’s move is a step that could lend momentum to stalled reparation proposals elsewhere in the U.S.
“It’s precipitated a debate and it will influence communities,” said Ron Daniels, president of The Institute of the Black World 21st Century and administrator of the National African American Reparations Commission, an advocacy group of scholars and activists.
As to whether others will adopt the same approach to eligibility, Daniels said: “That’s to be decided. …We think that ultimately a more expansive definition will prevail.”
The commission headed by Daniels has taken a position that limiting reparations to slave descendants, or to Americans whose ancestors were free Blacks living during the time of slavery, ignores the effects of racism that persisted for more than a century after emancipation.
“There are always going to be criteria” for reparations, Daniels said. “The problem is the harms have been so gross that almost no Black person is not eligible in some form or another.”
Although there is still debate among historians about when exactly the practice began, chattel slavery in what would become the U.S. dates back to 1619 when about 20 enslaved Africans were brought to Jamestown, Virginia — then a British colony. Over the next two centuries, more than 300,000 men, women and children were forcibly taken from Africa to work on plantations in southern colonies and later the Southern states, according to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database, a project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and maintained by Rice University.
Slavery in the U.S. officially ended in 1865 with the ratification of the 13th Amendment. Union Army General William Sherman promised compensation to freed slaves in the form of land and mules to farm it — hence the phrase “40 acres and a mule” — after the North’s victory over the South in the Civil War. But President Andrew Johnson took away the offer.
More than 120 years later, then-Rep. John Conyers, a Detroit Democrat, first introduced H.R. 40, a bill that would create a federal commission to study reparations and make proposals. Conyers reintroduced it in every congressional session until he resigned in 2017. As a candidate, President Joe Biden said he supported creating the commission, but has yet to formally back it as commander-in-chief. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, is currently the lead sponsor of the House bill.
Getting governmental leaders to openly consider slavery reparations has been daunting and taken decades. But progress has been made at both the state and local levels, particularly since the national reckoning on racial injustice that was sparked after the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
In Michigan, legislative proposals submitted earlier this year in the House of Representatives call for $1.5 billion in federal dollars to be placed in a racial equity and reparations fund within the state’s treasury. The funds would be issued to various state departments and agencies to provide grants, loans and other economic assistance for businesses and economic developments that promote the Black community.
The bills have yet to receive a hearing in the House.
Last year, Evanston, Illinois, — the first U.S. city to find a source of funding for reparations — began giving eligible Black residents $25,000 housing grants for down payments, repairs or existing mortgages. The program is meant to atone for the history of racial redlining and housing discrimination. Recipients were selected randomly from among the applicants, Black residents who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969.
And in Providence, Rhode Island, the mayor announced a city commission on reparations in February that will look to atone for the city’s role in slavery and systemic racism, as well as the mistreatment of Native Americans.
For Anita Belle, a grassroots activist in Detroit, where residents in the mostly Black city voted in November to create a city reparations commission, getting to this point in the pursuit of reparations is cause for celebration. But what happens next is worrisome, especially when it comes to who gets what and how much, she said.
“I am happy for all of us who have doing the groundwork for all these years,” said Belle, founder of the Reparations Labor Union. “We are somewhat afraid that these people who have jumped on the bandwagon are actually there to sabotage it and make reparations $12.62, if that. There will be those saboteurs — people who look like us, but have hidden agendas.”
“You have some of that fear in California where the scope for reparations was narrowed to the people who can prove they were enslaved,” she added. “The people of California will be like ’why am I paying reparations for someone who was enslaved in Mississippi?'”
In California, the task force is taking the next step with economists to determine the cost of compensating more than 2 million Black residents, although all of them would not be eligible. Following slavery abolition, Black migration to California happened primarily in the immediate decades after World War II, with newly-arrived African Americans settling in cities like Oakland, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The Black population there rose from just under a half million residents, or 4.4% of the population, in 1950 to 1.4 million residents, or 7% of the population, by 1970. Decades later, the 2020 census recorded 2.1 million Black residents in California, or about 5.3% of the state’s population.
While proposals and who would be eligible appear to vary, they still are types of reparations, according to Rashawn Ray, senior fellow of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution.
“California chose to focus on enslavement of Black people,” Ray said. “In Evanston, it’s red lining and housing segregation. Both are issues that need restitution to them based on what the wrong is.”
But, Ray added, “Federal reparations — without a doubt and hands-down — that’s what we need. What is happening in California should be happening in Congress.”
As a former alderman for the city of Evanston, Illinois, and a longtime reparations advocate, Robin Rue Simmons said reaching consensus on eligibility can be tough because policymakers should be as expansive and inclusive as possible, while also identifying specific harms that they’re seeking to address.
The big step taken by California could help spur action on reparations proposals in other cities and states, Simmons said, and perhaps add pressure for the federal government to act, which she sees as critical.
She doesn’t expect California’s lineage-based eligibility standard to become the norm.
“I don’t think any community should think that another has figured it out for them,” Simmons said, “because every community is going to have their own priorities and their specific history.”
___
Bynum reported from Savannah, Ga. AP writers Janie Har in San Francisco and Michael Schneider in Orlando contributed to this story.
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https://www.mystateline.com/news/national/ca-reparations-plan-advances-broader-movement-advocates-say/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:48Z
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Mar 30, 2022
Nikole Hannah-Jones Calls Wave of Book Bans Inevitable Backlash to 2020 Protests
Bloomberg News
,(Bloomberg) -- “The 1619 Project” creator Nikole Hannah-Jones called the wave of education gag order bills across the U.S. dangerous, adding that the sentiment is a reaction to the racial reckoning of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.“These laws are about a social anxiety and we need to be clear about that,” she said at a Tuesday virtual event hosted by non-profit advocacy group PEN America. “This moment we’re in right now was inevitable. It is a backlash to the protests of 2020, this feeling that these racial justice efforts have gone too far.”
She cited historian Timothy Snyder, who studies the way countries lose democracy — with one of the first steps being, “laws that really try to restrict a national understanding, that try to mold this collective memory of the country in a way that only glorifies power.”
Lawmakers in Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi and Missouri have specifically targeted Hannah-Jones’s work in legislation, proposing cutting funding to schools and colleges that taught “The 1619 Project,” which originally ran in New York Times magazine.
Work created by Hannah-Jones and fellow panelist Ibram X. Kendi was referenced by Senator Ted Cruz during last week’s confirmation hearing of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Cruz questioned Jackson about critical race theory, a framework that is often distorted by conservative lawmakers. Kendi is the author behind “Antiracist Baby” — one of the books Cruz used as a prop in his questioning of Jackson, asking her if she thought babies were racist. Sales of the book spiked shortly after.
Read more: How Critical Race Theory Became a Political Target
“It’s important for us to recognize the ways in which it’s not just critical race theory that’s being distorted and misrepresented, but literally our work itself is being distorted and misrepresented,” Kendi said.
Hannah-Jones, meanwhile, called for naming anti-CRT legislation anti-history laws or memory laws.
“I think we have to stop using the language of the propogandists and call these things what they are,” she said.
This year, more than 100 bills have been introduced this year seeking to hamstring educators from discussing so-called controversial topics, mainly around sexuality, gender identity or race, according to PEN America. Book challenges and bans in school libraries have reached levels not seen in decades.
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.
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https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/nikole-hannah-jones-calls-wave-of-book-bans-inevitable-backlash-to-2020-protests-1.1745297
| 2022-04-01T00:40:47Z
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Quebec urged to expand testing, strengthen messaging as sixth wave begins
Public health experts say Quebec's softer tone about COVID-19 in recent weeks, including the lifting of measures, likely contributed to the new wave taking off.
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With Quebec now in the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts are calling on the province to increase its testing capacity and strengthen its messaging around the virus.
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Saying it had reached capacity in early January, Quebec decided to end PCR testing for the general public and instead limit it to groups considered at high risk. The province has since relied on at-home rapid test kits, asking people to report their results online.
But with a new wave now underway, some believe it’s crucial to reopen PCR testing to everyone. Otherwise, they fear Quebec could be entering the wave blindly, with no way of truly grasping its scale and potential impact.
“It would certainly allow us to have a better understanding of what’s really going on right now in Quebec,” Benoit Barbeau, a virologist at the Université du Québec à Montréal, said on Thursday. “It would give us a more accurate picture.”
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After holding off on doing so, Quebec declared on Wednesday that the sixth wave is underway.
In an interview on CJAD Thursday, interim public health director Dr. Luc Boileau said he estimates the real number of cases in the province is now likely 10 times more than the daily PCR results reported.
That would put Quebec at between 25,000 and 30,000 daily cases, he said.
Meanwhile, during a news conference, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé reiterated the new wave was expected and said the government doesn’t intend to reinstate any public health measures.
For Dr. André Veillette, an immunologist at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, the government’s softer messaging about the virus in recent weeks has likely contributed to the new wave taking off.
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“I think in part because the government removed so many measures, the impression that many people have, even people with good intentions, is that this wave is not serious and we’re at the tail end of the pandemic,” Veillette said.
Veillette urged authorities to re-emphasize COVID-19 is still very much a serious disease and that people need to be prudent. In the last two months alone in Quebec, nearly 1,000 people have died after contracting the virus.
Though he believes it was premature, Veillette said he can understand why the government felt pressured to remove measures. But, he added, officials should still be reminding people there are ways of protecting one another: getting a third vaccine dose, wearing good masks and improving ventilation, among other options.
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“I think that part has been really deficient,” Veillette said. “People have been held by the hands for two years, but they haven’t been educated about how to act once it would be their turn to take care of it themselves.”
Both Veillette and Barbeau said the messaging on immunity and natural protection following the fifth wave has also likely led to confusion.
In recent weeks, the government has often said that given the large number of people infected during the fifth wave , the province should now be well positioned to fend off another resurgence.
Though it’s true there’s a certain level of immunity following infection, Veillette said, it’s important people understand it wanes with time and certainly doesn’t replace the need for a third vaccine dose.
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Further complicating matters is the arrival of the more contagious BA.2 Omicron sub-variant, which now represents more than 65 per cent of all cases in the province. Though still early, cases of reinfection with BA.2 following infection with BA.1, or the Omicron variant, are being documented.
“It is not because you were infected with BA.1 that you will be completely protected from BA.2,” said Barbeau. “And if you were infected during the holidays, your protection has certainly waned by now.”
Barbeau said the need to understand how the sub-variant is spreading is another reason why Quebec should consider expanding PCR testing to more people, since it would allow for more samples to be screened.
In an email response Thursday, Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services said that after initially restricting PCR testing, the province has already made several more groups eligible.
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Those eligible today include health-care workers and the unhoused, as well as school staff, caregivers, and people over 70 if symptomatic.
“Public health continues to monitor the epidemiological situation in Quebec,” a spokesperson wrote, “and is continuously evaluating the need to expand PCR testing.”
All our coronavirus-related news can always be found at montrealgazette.com/tag/coronavirus.
Sign up for our email newsletter dedicated to local COVID-19 coverage at montrealgazette.com/coronavirusnews.
Help support our local journalism by subscribing to the Montreal Gazette here.
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https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/quebec-urged-to-expand-testing-strengthen-messaging-as-sixth-wave-begins
| 2022-04-01T00:40:49Z
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https://www.nbclosangeles.com/local/man-accused-of-using-car-as-deadly-weapon-tackled-after-leading-pursuit/2860365/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:49Z
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Recession Fears: Real And Imagined – Analysis
By Dean Baker
There is a story of a football coach who ran running plays near the end of a game, when he clearly should have been passing. Apparently, he had seen data showing that teams that win, on average, run on a certain number of plays. His team was below this number, so he decided that he had to have more runs if his team was going to win.
This is a classic case of confusing correlation with causation. (For those not familiar with football, when a team is ahead, it generally uses running plays to take lots of time off the clock. They run because they are winning, they don’t win because they run.) This distinction is important when considering various predictions for a recession in the current environment.
There are many features of an economy that we commonly see before a recession. For example, we typically see higher prices for oil, wheat, and other commodities before a recession. We also often see an inverted yield curve, where the interest rate on short-term Treasury debt (e.g., 90-day or 2-year notes) exceed the interest rate on 10-year Treasury bonds.
We are currently seeing a serious run-up in many commodity prices. It’s very plausible that we will see an inverted yield curve in the next year or so. The question is whether this means we should be expecting a recession in the near future?
While I would not rule out a recession beginning this year or next, we have to be careful to ask about the causation and not just look for events that tend to be correlated with recessions. Neither high commodity prices nor an inverted yield curve should be sufficient grounds for believing we will see a recession.
The Problem of High Commodity Prices
Taking these in turn, the impact of high commodity prices on economic growth is ambiguous. Higher prices for gas and food (insofar as commodity prices get passed on in food prices) will take money out of households’ pockets, meaning that they have less money to spend on other things. In this way, they can be thought of as being comparable to tax increases.
However, there is a flip side to these tax increases. Higher commodity prices, especially in the case of oil, provide incentive to invest more money in the search for more oil. With the explosion of fracking in the United States, much of this investment is likely to take place here. This investment will provide a boost to demand that can partially, or even fully, offset the extent to which higher oil and gas prices reduce consumption.
There is a complicating factor in this story. The plunge in oil prices from 2014 to 2015, which took prices from over $100 a barrel to roughly $40 barrel, brought a quick end to the fracking boom. The whole industry was hard hit and many companies went bankrupt.
This history has made many companies reluctant to invest in a big way, even as oil prices again soar to over $100 a barrel. Nonetheless, the number of oil rigs is up by more than 50 percent from its year ago level, even though it is still far below the pre-recession figure. It seems likely that if oil prices stay high that we will see continued rapid growth in drilling, with the investment largely offsetting the drop in consumption due to higher gas prices.
The story with other commodities is similarly ambiguous. Higher grain prices mean higher incomes for farmers. Also, the price of grain is a relatively small factor in our food prices. (They matter much more for people in the developing world.) Most of the increase in food costs since the pandemic reflect higher shipping costs and increased profits, not a rise in grain prices.
It is also important to remember that commodity prices are hugely volatile with both upward and downward swings that are often far larger than is warranted by market fundamentals. This could be the case with sharp rise in many prices since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
For example, much discussion of the oil market has treated as a serious possibility the complete loss to world markets of Russia’s exports of five million barrels a day. As a practical matter, that scenario is almost impossible. While the United States and some other countries are now boycotting Russian oil, most of Europe is still buying it.
However, even if the European Union were to go along with a Russian oil boycott, most of this oil would still not be lost to world markets. In all probability, many other countries, most importantly China and India would still be buying Russian oil. These countries would likely buy most of the oil that the US and EU were boycotting, presumably get a discount off the world price for their willingness to flaunt sanctions.
Since demand for oil in China and India is not going to increase to absorb the Russian oil, the Russian oil will displace oil that they are currently importing from other countries. This means that oil from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries, that used to go to China and India, will instead be going to the EU or the United States. There clearly will be some oil lost in this story (not all oil is perfectly substitutable) but the net effect will be hugely less than the full amount of Russia’s exports.
There is a similar story with grain prices. In many places grains can be easily substituted for each other. This means that if wheat prices rise a great deal, due to the loss of production from Ukraine, people in many areas may switch to corn, rice, or other grains. This will limit the extent of the price increase in areas where people have no choice but to buy wheat.
There are many factors that can affect commodity prices over the next couple of years and it is possible that the price of oil, wheat and other commodities will rise even further. But the claims that have often been made in the media do not justify the price increases that we have seen to date.
The Inverted Yield Curve
The other recession scare story, the inverted real curve, has more foundation in reality. Most recessions in the post-World War II era have been caused by the Federal Reserve Board raising interest rates to slow the economy. A slower economy reduced job growth, which reduces inflationary pressures, by putting downward pressure on wages. The exceptions were the 2001 recession, which was caused by the collapse of the stock bubble, the 2007-09 recession which was caused by the collapse of the housing bubble, and the 2020 recession, which was the result of the pandemic.
Short-term interest rates move much more than longer term rates. If the overnight money rate, that the Fed directly controls, rises by 2.0-2.5 percentage points over the next year and a half, as is now widely expected, it is likely to far exceed the increases in longer term interest rates. This creates the possibility of an inverted yield curve, where shorter term rates exceed longer term rates.
In this situation, we may well expect to see a recession, but the key factor is the Fed’s increase in shorter term rates. The Fed’s goal in raising rates is to slow the economy. If it pushes the economy into a recession, then it will have gone too far.
We may also see an inverted yield curve in this situation, as short-term rates are pushed higher by the Fed. In addition to not rising as much as short-term rates, long-term rates may also be held down by an expectation that a recession will imply lower short-term interest rates in the future. But the inverted yield curve is not the cause of the recession. It is a phenomenon that goes along with a recession.
Will We See a Recession?
There is a real risk that in the effort to slow inflation, the Fed goes too far and pushes the economy into a recession, but this is still very far from a done deal. The economy had been growing very rapidly in the fourth quarter of 2021. It would have to slow sharply from that pace to push the economy into a recession.
That is a possible story. Rapid consumption growth was the biggest factor pushing GDP higher in the recovery. This growth was fueled in part by the pandemic checks sent out to people in the CARES Acts and the Biden recovery package, as well as the unemployment insurance supplements. These payments are now in the past. People still have more money in their bank accounts than before the pandemic, but thus far they have not spent from these savings to any substantial extent.
Higher interest rates will also directly discourage consumption of items typically bought on credit, like cars and major appliances. Higher rates also have already put an end to a refinancing boom, that allowed for interest savings of thousands of dollars a year for tens of millions of homeowners. Also, to some extent the spending we saw over the last year and a half will directly depress future consumption. If someone bought a new car in 2021, they are unlikely to buy another one in 2022.
For these reasons, it is very likely that we will see a sharp slowing of consumption in 2022, which will in turn depress overall growth. But, the flip side of this slowing of consumption growth is that it should alleviate the supply chain problems that have played such a central role in driving up inflation. If the demand falls for cars, refrigerators, and other goods that people bought in large quantities in 2020 and 2021, we may see their prices fall back towards pre-pandemic levels.
We have already seen this story with televisions, where a 6.3 percent drop in prices over the last five months, has largely reversed an 8.7 percent increase between March and August of last year. We also may be seeing this story with used cars. Used car prices soared in 2020 and 2021, with the index rising by more than 50 percent between February 2020 and January 2022. However, prices began falling in February. In one private price index, by the middle of March, used car prices had fallen almost 6.0 percent from their January peak.
If these price reversals continue, and are seen in other items that saw rapid inflation during the pandemic, then we will have much less inflation for the Fed to fight. This presumably means fewer rate hikes and less of a hit to the economy.
It is also worth noting that growth in other sectors is likely to help support the economy, even if consumption growth is weak. We are seeing a boom in housing construction, which is likely to persist, even in the face of rising interest rates. House prices have risen by more than 30 percent over the last two years, which should mean that builders can still make healthy profits even if they have to pay somewhat higher interest on the money they borrow.
Nonresidential investment has also been strong, in spite of weakness in the construction of office buildings and other non-residential structures. And, the government sector should also be boosting growth, as the Biden infrastructure package takes effect and state and local governments spend more of the money they accumulated from the various pandemic rescue packages.
In short, while there are real grounds for being concerned about the risk of a recession, there are also good reasons for believing that the economy can continue to grow at a healthy pace. In any case, we should keep our eyes on the forces that actually drive the economy, and not be distracted by quirky recession signals that don’t tell us anything.
This first appeared on Dean Baker’s Beat the Press blog.
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https://www.eurasiareview.com/01042022-recession-fears-real-and-imagined-analysis/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:49Z
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https://dan.com/buy-domain/kanshuoge.com
| 2022-04-01T00:40:49Z
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Blac Chyna claims she’s in a financial rut now that she doesn’t receive child support from Tyga or Rob Kardashian, who both share children with the Washington D.C. native.
The model took to Twitter, this week to air out her grievances, telling fans in a since-deleted tweet that she had to give up 3 of her cars to make ends meet.
“My reasons… morals, beliefs, being a single mother, no support I’m a MAMA,” Chyna added. “Single no support child support.”
Unfortunately, the socialite and reality TV star didn’t get the support she was hoping for from social media goers. A majority of the internet criticized Chyna, arguing that she was only looking for more money to support her lavish lifestyle.
“She had to give up some of her cars boo hoo hoo!” wrote one naysayer on Twitter. “I think child support should be set up in a way where as long as day is paying for the child’s stuff throughout the year he doesn’t need to be on no papers. #shetriedit!”
While another person commented:
“lol She used them both by having babies to get money.”
On social media, Chyna does appear to be raking in the dough. The star often markets sexy attire that can be purchased from her Blac Chyna Closet clothing brand on Instagram. She’s also the proud owner of a cosmetics company and Influencer Marketing Hub estimated that the former dancer brought in a whopping $16.2 million upon joining the racy social media platform Only Fans in 2021.
After the story went viral on social media, Tyga, who welcomed a son in October 2012 with the 33-year-old, stepped into The Shade Room’s comment section to shut down Chyna’s accusations.
“I pay 40k a year for my son’s school and he lives with me Mon-Sat,” the “Rack City” hitmaker wrote. “Why would I pay child support lol.”
RELATED CONTENT: Blac Chyna Goes On A Questionable Tirade At Miami Airport, Telling Whoever Will Listen To ‘Go Get The Shot!’
Then, Rob Kardashian, who isn’t a fan of the spotlight, popped out of the shadows and defended himself.
“I pay 37K a year for my daughter’s school. I handle every single medical expense,” the reality star, who shares 5-year-old Dream with Chyna, clapped back. “I pay for all her extracurricular activities. I have my daughter from Tuesday-Saturday. Why would I pay child support lol.”
Before signing off, Tyga hopped back into The Shade Room’s comment section one more time and rallied in support of the father of one.
“@robkardashianofficial how u pay 3K less. Let me kno the plug,” the rapper replied.
Of course, the exchange solicited all kinds of commentary from internet users.
“Well damn sounds like he needs child support,” one person wrote in response to Tyga’s comment.
“Monday through Saturday?! Shit, she owes him!” echoed another user regarding Kardashian’s clap back.
Chyna’s claims come one month after Kardashian, 35, decided to dismiss his 2017 assault and battery lawsuit against the model and influencer. According to PEOPLE, Chyna tried to choke The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum with a phone cord during a heated altercation at his sister Kylie Jenner’s home. In court, “Kardashian also claimed that Chyna caused extensive damage to Jenner’s home, which Jenner said was in excess of $100,000,” the publication noted. The TV personality decided to drop the lawsuit for the sake of their daughter.
“My love for Dream far outweighs my desire to proceed with my claims against her mother in a public trial,” Kardashian said in a statement. “Now that the court has ruled that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a jury trial on my claim for assault, for our daughter’s sake, I am dismissing the action and focusing on my co-parenting relationship with Chyna,” he added.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Chyna’s lawyer commented:
“Rob Kardashian should have thought of his daughter Dream before he filed his malicious and baseless assault and battery lawsuit against Dream’s mother, Angela White a.k.a. Blac Chyna, more than four years ago.”
The legal counsil added:
“Although she can never get back the peace of mind she deserved these last four years, Chyna will now seek relief from the court to make sure that Rob cannot refile his lawsuit and to make him pay for her substantial litigation costs.”
RELATED CONTENT: Blac Chyna Accused Of Holding Woman Against Her Will While Allegedly High On Drugs
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https://madamenoire.com/1311468/i-had-to-give-up-3-of-my-cars-blac-chyna-claims-she-doesnt-receive-child-support-from-tyga-or-rob-kardashian/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Wilkes University's campus now flies a transgender flag for everyone in downtown Wilkes-Barre to see.
Thursday's flag-raising ceremony celebrated International Transgender Day of Visibility.
"Having something up there serves as just a reminder to everyone around that trans people are welcome, that trans people of valid, the trans people all hear it's huge," said Claire Wynne, Wilkes University senior.
In addition to the flag-raising, students who are a part of Wilkes' gender sexuality alliance shared their own stories about being members of the transgender community
"It's taken a lot of work for people like me for myself and other Trans individuals to be able to come out with our stories and as Trans especially because of the safety concerns," said Henry Jurgiewicz, Wilkes University senior.
The Gender Sexuality Alliance at Wilkes University works to educate students about the importance of having a safe space to talk about the LGBTQ+ community on campus.
"If you're in the closet, walking around and just seeing that rainbow flag that says on a teacher's door knowing this is a safe space that alone can change things, that alone can change your life," said Cas Schiller, Wilkes University first-year student.
Professor Helen Davis says Wilkes University goes the extra mile to make the campus inclusive for all and the students spearhead most of the initiatives.
"They care that much about trying to make sure that we're inclusive to as many people as possible. They put themselves on the line for people they don't know yet, for students who aren't here yet, for community members if they don't know because they know that this is important," Davis said.
Wilkes University's gender sexuality alliance plans to put on more events like this in the future.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube page.
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https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/international-transgender-day-of-visibility-commemorated-in-luzerne-county-claire-alfree-wnep/523-e68d466a-3d33-4194-9d4f-2b418aa4abe5
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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Saint Jo City Council rethinks investigative action?
The Saint Jo City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on March 30 with the decisions from last week’s debate over investigating the possible misconduct of the mayor being reconsidered, along with a pair of new...
bowienewsonline.com
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556539334919/saint-jo-city-council-rethinks-investigative-action
| 2022-04-01T00:40:49Z
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Raymond Henry Muller sentenced to life for murdering musician
"It is significant... in insuring forever that Mr. Muller will be remembered not only for the murder of Cédric Gagnon but also for his cold and calculated attempt to hide his heinous crime by a further heinous act, one that demonstrates an attitude totally opposite to the sensibilities of civil law."
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Cédric Gagnon, the musician who was murdered by Raymond Henry Muller, was remembered at the Montreal courthouse on Thursday by loved ones as a person who brought joy to the lives of many before he was killed in the most brutal way imaginable.
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Statements were read into the court record before Superior Court Justice Lyne Décarie formally sentenced Muller to the life sentence he automatically received last week when a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder.
Décarie also had to sentence Muller, 54, for having caused an indignity to Gagnon’s body. After he killed the victim, on July 4, 2018, by striking Gagnon on the forehead with a bass guitar a few times, he dragged the body into the bathroom in Muller’s apartment and dismembered it in a bathtub. The body parts were kept in a fridge and freezer before Muller dumped them in trash bins near the apartment in Mile End.
The judge agreed with prosecutor Marie-Claude Bourassa’s recommendation that Muller be sentenced to the maximum, five years, for what he did to Gagnon’s body.
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“The significance of this charge is not the ultimate penalty, which is overshadowed by the sentence of life imprisonment. It is significant however in insuring forever that Mr. Muller will be remembered not only for the murder of Cédric Gagnon but also for his cold and calculated attempt to hide his heinous crime by a further heinous act, one that demonstrates an attitude totally opposite to the sensibilities of civil law.” Décarie said.
Some of the people who delivered victim-impact statements before the court lamented how they have no real way to mourn their loss because Gagnon’s remains have never been recovered. Gagnon was reported as missing weeks after he was killed and the Montreal police only realized he was a homicide victim on Aug. 30, 2018, when Muller tried to kill himself.
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David Gagnon, the victim’s brother, said he cries at least once a week and “can’t work anymore.”
“I lost my best friend, my guitar mentor, my left wing at hockey, but mostly I lost my little brother. When we were young, I would babysit him. I would protect him and we would always be together,” Gagnon said. “Cédric was a loving person. He had many friends that loved him. He would light a light with his joy of life and his rock and roll attitude. He would always be ready to have fun and to bring out his guitar. I miss that very much.”
A friend of Gagnon’s said his favourite song was Psycho Killer, the 1977 hit by the Talking Heads, a song whose lyrics take on the perspective of a deranged murderer. She added that “the irony of this does not escape me.” Muller’s behaviour was described as very strange by witnesses who testified during his two trials. The first one ended in a mistrial last year after a different jury was unable to reach a consensus on a verdict.
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Caroline Garon and Sean Jones, two musicians who played with Pirates!, the band Gagnon was a part of, said the homicide has made their lives difficult ever since. Both testified during the trial and said Thursday that Gagnon’s death and the media attention that followed the gruesome crime altered their lives significantly.
Garon said after Muller’s first trial ended in a mistrial she feared he might be acquitted in his second trial. She said she prepared her will because she feared the worst if Muller were to be released from detention.
“A lot of people avoid me because they are afraid of coming to the Rock Hotel (the name of the apartment where Muller killed Gagnon and where musicians would often practice together) or just hanging out. They make a lot of jokes — a lot of stupid bad jokes about what they think could happen,” Garon said. “They don’t understand that we’re all victims as much as Cédric. We’re all victims too in this and nothing will be the same again.”
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https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/raymond-henry-muller-sentenced-to-life-for-murdering-musician
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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Oscars producer says police offered to arrest Will Smith
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oscars producer Will Packer said Los Angeles police were ready to arrest Will Smith after Smith slapped Chris Rock on the Academy Awards stage.
“They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment,” Packer said in a clip released by ABC News Thursday night of an interview he gave to “Good Morning America.” “They said we will go get him. We are prepared. We’re prepared to get him right now. You can press charges, we can arrest him. They were laying out the options.”
But Packer said Rock was “very dismissive” of the idea.
“He was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m fine,” Packer said. “And even to the point where I said, ‘Rock, let them finish.’ The LAPD officers finished laying out what his options were and they said, ‘Would you like us to take any action?’ And he said no.”
The LAPD said in a statement after Sunday night’s ceremony that they were aware of the incident, and that Rock had declined to file a police report. The department declined comment Thursday on Packer’s interview, a longer version of which will air on Friday morning.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standards of conduct. Smith could be suspended, expelled or otherwise sanctioned.
The academy said in a statement that “Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television.”
Without giving specifics, the academy said Smith was asked to leave the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, but refused to do so.
Smith strode from his front row seat on to the stage and slapped Rock after a joke Rock made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, when he was on stage to present the Oscar for best documentary.
On Monday, Smith issued an apology to Rock, the academy and to viewers, saying “I was out of line and I was wrong.”
The academy said Smith has the opportunity to defend himself in a written response before the board meets again on April 18.
Rock publicly addressed the incident for the first time, but only briefly, at the beginning of a standup show Wednesday night in Boston, where he was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation. He said “I’m still kind of processing what happened.”
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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wrdw.com/2022/04/01/oscars-producer-says-police-offered-arrest-will-smith/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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Three-time Grammy winner Lizzo is expanding her empire with an all-new, size-inclusive shapewear brand called Yitty.
Created in partnership with Fabletics, Lizzo’s new brand will offer stylish and sexy, functional and bold colored shapewear for sizes XS to 6X at an affordable price point, ranging from $14.95-$69.95 for the brand’s VIP members.
Named after a “childhood moniker” of Lizzo’s, a press release on Yitty detailed that the brand’s ethos is “based on the principles of self-love, radical inner confidence, and effortless, everyday wear.”
The brand aims to create clothing women can “celebrate their curves, accentuate their beauty and be unapologetically themselves in — no matter their shape or size.”
Lizzo shared that she was inspired to launch Yitty because she “was tired of seeing this sad, restrictive shapewear that literally no-one wanted to wear.”
“I had an epiphany like, ‘Who can actually do something about this?'” she said, adding. “I decided to take on the challenge of allowing women to feel unapologetically good about themselves again.”
“This is a love letter to my big grrrls, and a welcome letter to Every Body,” the “Good As Hell” singer continued on Instagram. “This is *not* an invitation to change who you are… this is an opportunity to BE who you are on your terms….”
Other specifics on the brand highlight that Yitty is a certified Carbon Neutral Company with over 65% of its styles made with “super-soft recycled fibers” and its packaging made with 100% recycled materials.
Its online debut on April 12, will include three distinct collections:
- NEARLY NAKED is a lightweight seamless collection of everyday styles designed to comfortably shape and hold firm one’s curves.
- MESH ME consists of smoothing mesh styles that “blend fashion with function” that are designed to be worn as underwear or outerwear.
- MAJOR LABEL includes an assortment of everyday lifestyle pieces that are super soft, super bossy and super “YITTY.”
While speaking about the brand’s founder, Yitty’s President Kristen Dykstra described Lizzo as “the quintessential business partner.”
“She is famous for her music, but beloved for her commitment to driving important social change. Creating this brand has been a long-term dream of hers; to revolutionize shapewear and build a brand and community that makes a difference in people’s lives. Lizzo has an incredible vision for this brand, and her commitment and passion for what we are creating together has inspired everyone around us. We are thrilled to partner with her on bringing her vision to life,” said Dykstra.
Lizzo answered questions about Yitty’s launch and what consumers can expect in a lengthy video posted yesterday on her Instagram.
Watch it below.
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https://madamenoire.com/1311477/lizzo-launches-shapewear-brand-yitty/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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Rent relief helped prevent more than 1 million evictions in 2021
The federal government's emergency rental assistance program helped prevent more than one million evictions last year.
An estimated 1.36 million renters avoided an eviction filing in 2021 as a result of the government's unprecedented $46.5 billion rent relief program and other protections, according to a recent analysis by Princeton University's Eviction Lab published earlier this month.
Treasury officials reported Wednesday that $30 billion in emergency rent relief was spent or obligated by the end of February. Despite a slow and confusing initial roll out of the program last spring, more than 4.7 million payments were made to households since January 2021.
Treasury expects the remainder of the funds to be exhausted by the middle of this year.
Impact of the assistance
A national eviction ban was put in place in September 2020. While it did not stop all evictions, it significantly slowed the tide of eviction filings until the emergency aid could reach struggling renters and their landlords, White House and Department of Treasury officials said.
"We knew from the start that we faced a race with time to get the emergency rental assistance flowing to a significant degree by the time the national eviction moratorium was lifted," said Gene Sperling, the White House American Rescue Plan coordinator. "We largely won that race."
In the six states and 31 cities tracked by the Eviction Lab researchers, eviction filings fell sharply at the onset of the pandemic, but then increased in the later months of 2020 even with the ban in place. Given the increased number of renters experiencing economic hardship as the pandemic continued into 2021, experts worried about a "tsunami" of evictions and anticipated the number of filings to skyrocket above levels seen in 2019.
But the opposite happened. In a typical year, roughly 865,000 eviction cases were filed in the areas the Eviction Lab tracks. In 2021, roughly half as many evictions were filed, with 434,304 cases.
Evictions fell in all but one of the 31 cities tracked in 2021. The outlier was Las Vegas, where jobs in tourism evaporated, adversely impacting the large number of renters in the city's service sector, according to the report. New York City had the biggest reduction in eviction filings from typical levels, with the report estimating nearly 184,000 eviction cases were avoided in New York City.
Video below: NY struggles to get rent relief to hurting tenants
The emergency rental assistance was found to have a strong impact on the low-income and majority-Black neighborhoods that see a disproportionate share of eviction cases. Those areas experienced the largest absolute reduction in eviction filings last year, the Eviction Lab report found.
The report found that in 2021 the most disadvantaged neighborhoods experienced the biggest gains in terms of rental housing stability. But it also found that, among the eviction cases filed, women of color were disproportionately affected.
More than 80% of emergency rental assistance reached the lowest income households, according to the Treasury, with about 40% of all applicants who received assistance self-identifying as Black, and about 20% self-identifying as Latino.
Moving remaining money
The federal emergency rent relief was approved in two rounds of funding. The first, which included $25 billion under the Consolidated Appropriations Act at the end of 2020, and $21.55 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021.
Some state and local governments have exhausted allotted funds while others have not distributed everything they have received. As a result, Treasury has been reallocating money to ensure it gets to renters most in need.
Of the $25 billion in the first batch of money, Treasury has already moved $2 billion in underused funds. Beginning in April, funds from the second batch will be reallocated.
This process has "allowed dollars to flow to places with high need," said Noel Poyo, Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Economic Development. "Generally reallocated funds went to higher need areas with more diverse communities."
He said he expects that trend to continue with the available funds from the second batch of money.
But it is a challenging balance to strike, Poyo said, between getting dollars to places where they are running out of funds and making sure that money is still available in places where assistance may have gotten started more slowly and people remain in need.
Treasury is encouraging state and local governments to use the additional funding to assist more renters and make continued investments in housing stability.
"In just one year, the Emergency Rental Assistance program built a national infrastructure for eviction prevention that never existed before and has helped keep eviction rates well below historic averages throughout the pandemic," said Poyo.
He also suggested state and local governments build on the network for support they have established and provide services like housing counselors, "that will help families avoid economic scarring long after COVID-19 is in the rearview mirror," he said.
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https://www.wgal.com/article/rent-relief-prevent-million-evictions/39602016
| 2022-04-01T00:40:49Z
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New York, March 31, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has assigned ratings to four classes of notes issued by Symphony CLO XXXII, Ltd. (the "Issuer" or "Symphony XXXII").
Moody's rating action is as follows:
U.S.$1,000,000 Class X Amortizing Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2035, Assigned Aaa (sf)
U.S.$248,000,000 Class A-1 Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2035, Assigned Aaa (sf)
U.S.$12,000,000 Class A-2 Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2035, Assigned Aaa (sf)
U.S.$12,000,000 Class E Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2035, Assigned Ba3 (sf)
The notes listed above are referred to herein, collectively, as the "Rated Notes."
RATINGS RATIONALE
The rationale for the ratings is based on our methodology and considers all relevant risks, particularly those associated with the CLO's portfolio and structure.
Symphony XXXII is a managed cash flow CLO. The issued notes will be collateralized primarily by broadly syndicated senior secured corporate loans. At least 90% of the portfolio must consist of first lien senior secured loans, cash, and eligible investments, and up to 10% of the portfolio may consist of second lien loans, unsecured loans and other non-loan assets. The portfolio is approximately 95% ramped as of the closing date.
Symphony Alternative Asset Management LLC (the "Manager") will direct the selection, acquisition and disposition of the assets on behalf of the Issuer and may engage in trading activity, including discretionary trading, during the transaction's five year reinvestment period. Thereafter, subject to certain restrictions, the Manager may reinvest unscheduled principal payments and proceeds from sales of credit risk assets.
In addition to the Rated Notes, the Issuer issued five classes of secured notes and one class of subordinated notes.
The transaction incorporates interest and par coverage tests which, if triggered, divert interest and principal proceeds to pay down the notes in order of seniority.
Moody's modeled the transaction using a cash flow model based on the Binomial Expansion Technique, as described in Section 2.3.2.1 of the "Moody's Global Approach to Rating Collateralized Loan Obligations" rating methodology published in December 2021.
For modeling purposes, Moody's used the following base-case assumptions:
Par amount: $400,000,000
Diversity Score: 75
Weighted Average Rating Factor (WARF): 3085
Weighted Average Spread (WAS): 3.6%
Weighted Average Coupon (WAC): 6%
Weighted Average Recovery Rate (WARR): 47%
Weighted Average Life (WAL): 8 years
Methodology Underlying the Rating Action:
The principal methodology used in these ratings was "Moody's Global Approach to Rating Collateralized Loan Obligations" published in December 2021 and available at http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBS_1293730. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
Factors That Would Lead to an Upgrade or Downgrade of the Ratings:
The performance of the Rated Notes is subject to uncertainty. The performance of the Rated Notes is sensitive to the performance of the underlying portfolio, which in turn depends on economic and credit conditions that may change. The Manager's investment decisions and management of the transaction will also affect the performance of the Rated Notes.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.
Further information on the representations and warranties and enforcement mechanisms available to investors are available on http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBS_1323245.
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https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-assigns-ratings-to-four-classes-of-notes-issued-by--PR_464595
| 2022-04-01T00:40:49Z
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WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday passed a bill capping the monthly cost of insulin at $35 for insured patients, part of an election-year push by Democrats for price curbs on prescription drugs at a time of rising inflation.
Experts say the legislation, which passed 232-193, would provide significant relief for privately insured patients with skimpier plans and for Medicare enrollees facing rising out-of-pocket costs for their insulin. Some could save hundreds of dollars annually, and all insured patients would get the benefit of predictable monthly costs for insulin. The bill would not help the uninsured.
But the Affordable Insulin Now Act will serve as a political vehicle to rally Democrats and force Republicans who oppose it into uncomfortable votes ahead of the midterms. For the legislation to pass Congress, 10 Republican senators would have to vote in favor. Democrats acknowledge they don't have an answer for how that's going to happen.
“If 10 Republicans stand between the American people being able to get access to affordable insulin, that's a good question for 10 Republicans to answer,” said Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., a cosponsor of the House bill. “Republicans get diabetes, too. Republicans die from diabetes.”
Public opinion polls have consistently shown support across party lines for congressional action to limit drug costs.
But Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., complained the legislation is only “a small piece of a larger package around government price controls for prescription drugs." Critics say the bill would raise premiums and fails to target pharmaceutical middlemen seen as contributing to high list prices for insulin.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Democrats could have a deal on prescription drugs if they drop their bid to authorize Medicare to negotiate prices. “Do Democrats really want to help seniors, or would they rather have the campaign issue?" Grassley said.
The insulin bill, which would take effect in 2023, represents just one provision of a much broader prescription drug package in President Joe Biden's social and climate legislation.
In addition to a similar $35 cap on insulin, the Biden bill would authorize Medicare to negotiate prices for a range of drugs, including insulin. It would penalize drugmakers who raise prices faster than inflation and overhaul the Medicare prescription drug benefit to limit out-of-pocket costs for enrollees.
Biden's agenda passed the House only to stall in the Senate because Democrats could not reach consensus. Party leaders haven't abandoned hope of getting the legislation moving again, and preserving its drug pricing curbs largely intact.
The idea of a $35 monthly cost cap for insulin actually has a bipartisan pedigree. The Trump administration had created a voluntary option for Medicare enrollees to get insulin for $35, and the Biden administration continued it.
In the Senate, Republican Susan Collins of Maine and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire are working on a bipartisan insulin bill. Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock has introduced legislation similar to the House bill, with the support of Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.
Stung by criticism that Biden's economic policies spur inflation, Democrats are redoubling efforts to show how they'd help people cope with costs. On Thursday, the Commerce Department reported a key inflation gauge jumped 6.4% in February compared with a year ago, the largest year-over-year rise since January 1982.
But experts say the House bill would not help uninsured people, who face the highest out-of-pocket costs for insulin. Also, people with diabetes often take other medications as well as insulin. That's done to treat the diabetes itself, along with other serious health conditions often associated with the disease. The House legislation would not help with those costs, either. Collins says she's looking for a way to help uninsured people through her bill.
About 37 million Americans have diabetes, and an estimated 6 million to 7 million use insulin to keep their blood sugars under control. It’s an old drug, refined and improved over the years, that has seen relentless price increases.
Steep list prices don't reflect the rates insurance plans negotiate with manufacturers. But those list prices are used to calculate cost-sharing amounts that patients owe. Patients who can’t afford their insulin reduce or skip doses, a strategy born of desperation, which can lead to serious complications and even death.
Economist Sherry Glied of New York University said the market for insulin is a “total disaster” for many patients, particularly those with skimpy insurance plans or no insurance.
“This will make private insurance for people with diabetes a much more attractive proposition,” said Glied.
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https://www.wnep.com/article/news/nation-world/insulin-cap-35-dollars-month-bill/507-855508ee-6b9d-4ce8-9937-22fa115af232
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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FDA panel narrowly sides against experimental ALS drug
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health advisers on Wednesday narrowly ruled against an experimental drug for the debilitating illness known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a potential setback for patient groups who have lobbied for the medication’s approval.
Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted 6-4 that a single study from Amylyx Pharmaceuticals failed to establish the drug’s effectiveness in treating the deadly neurodegenerative disease ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
“I think it would be a disservice to the patients and their families to approve a treatment that is of uncertain benefit,” said Dr. Kenneth Fischbeck of the National Institutes of Health. “It gets in the way of developing truly effective treatments if it turns out not to be effective.”
Fischbeck and other panelists said they hoped results of a larger study now underway would provide more evidence.
Their vote is not binding and the FDA will make the final decision on whether to grant approval by July. The vote could be used to bolster FDA’s negative review published earlier in the week that criticized Amylyx’s mid-stage study for its small size, missing data and questionable statistical analysis.
The FDA, however, has also emphasized the need for “regulatory flexibility” when reviewing drugs for fatal diseases like ALS. And the close vote could tip the agency toward an approval, given the lack of options currently available.
Typically, FDA approval requires two large studies or one study with a “very persuasive” effect on survival.
ALS destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord needed to walk, talk, swallow and — eventually — breathe. There is no cure and most people die within three to five years of their first symptoms.
ALS patients and their families have rallied behind Amylyx’s drug since its data was first published in 2020, launching an aggressive lobbying campaign and enlisting members of Congress to push the FDA to grant approval.
More than two dozen people spoke during Wednesday’s public comment session, including ALS patients, their family members and physicians who called on the FDA to make the drug available as a potential option to slow the disease.
“Slowing down the loss of function is significant to me and to my family,” stated Becky Mourey, a former music teacher and ALS patient, in comments read by her daughter. “More time to tell my children I love them with my own voice is everything to me.”
Dr. Teresa Buracchio, an FDA division director, said the agency had “benefitted enormously” from patients’ input. But she added that the problems with Amylyx’s data exist “even with the recognition that ALS is a rare disease, with a relentless course that has an enormous unmet medical need.”
The FDA has approved only two therapies for ALS. The more effective one extends life by several months.
Amylyx’s drug comes as a powder that combines two older drugs: one prescription medication for liver disorders and a dietary supplement long used in traditional Chinese medicine. In a 137-patient study in ALS patients, researchers reported those who took the drug progressed 25% more slowly than those taking a dummy drug after one year.
But FDA scientists said those results were “not persuasive” because of missing patient data, study conduct errors and unrealistic assumptions about how patients would decline over time.
Even the panelists who backed the drug said it was a difficult decision.
“I went back and forth during the day but ultimately I agreed with the (drugmaker’s) primary analysis,” said Dean Follman, a biostatistician with the NIH.
Some ALS patients already take the two older drugs, purchasing the supplement online and getting a prescription for the liver medication.
Even if the FDA rejects the Amylyx combo drug later this year, it may not be the end of the road for the treatment. Amylyx is conducting a late-stage, 600-patient study required to seek European approval. If those results — expected in 2024— show the drug extends life, the company could resubmit to the FDA and potentially win approval.
FDA regulators had initially urged the company to complete that study before submitting the drug.
Wednesday’s meeting marked the first time FDA had convened this advisory panel since disregarding its advice last June and approving Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm. Three panel members resigned over the controversial decision and the FDA has faced a broader backlash for approving an expensive medication with little evidence it works. As in the Amylyx case, the FDA faced intense pressure from patient groups to grant approval.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kswo.com/2022/03/30/fda-panel-narrowly-sides-against-experimental-als-drug/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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Posted: Mar 31, 2022 / 04:27 PM PDT Updated: Mar 31, 2022 / 04:27 PM PDT SHARE Las Vegas(KLAS)- From classic vinyl’s to CD’s the new Zia Records location is having their grand opening this Saturday and they’re hoping to bring an even bigger boom to retro music sales.
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https://www.8newsnow.com/news/las-vegas-now/grand-opening-of-new-zia-records/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:51Z
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By Daile Cross
An enraged father who drove 600 kilometres to confront his daughter’s alleged abuser before trying to cut the man’s penis off and setting a house fire that led to his death has been jailed.
The father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of the man, who died in June 2020 after the home he was renting was set on fire.
The father stormed the house armed with a kitchen knife after learning about the abuse allegation and used his mobile phone to record the confrontation.
“I’m here to tell you that I know, and we’re going to sort it out tonight,” he told the man.
“I hope you have made good with everyone because this next bit and what goes on now depends on you. I drove 600 f***ing kilometres to see you.”
The attacker told the man “you took my daughter’s innocence” before instructing him to pull his pants down. He then inflicted two cuts either side of his groin.
The court was told the injuries were not life-threatening, however the attacker then doused the inside of the home with petrol and set it on fire.
The deceased man, who had heart disease, was found dead outside his back door with a garden hose near his body. A post-mortem found he died from smoke inhalation and possibly a heart attack.
The father pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson and was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Tuesday to nine years in prison, and will be eligible for parole in seven.
Lawyer Simon Watters told the court his client accepted he had overreacted in an illegal way that ultimately led to the man’s death.
Justice Joe McGrath said the act of inflicting the knife injuries and setting fire to the house was premeditated and an act of vigilantism.
“You found out the day before you committed the offences about the allegations concerning the
deceased abusing your daughter,” he said.
“A number of persons told you not to take any action against the deceased.”
The wife and son of the deceased man provided references to the qualities of the offender and Justice McGrath said he accepted that he had taken responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse.
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https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/western-australia/vigilante-wa-father-jailed-for-killing-man-he-believed-molested-daughter-20220331-p5a9va.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_national
| 2022-04-01T00:40:51Z
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Biden’s State of the Union address won’t help Democrats politically
Facing lagging poll numbers and an international crisis in Eastern Europe, President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Biden’s remarks on Ukraine, policing and COVID-19 were clearly the strongest moments of the night, both stylistically and substantively. On the other hand, Biden’s reframing of his economic plan and his monotonous listing of big spending priorities were major flops.
To be sure, this State of the Union address — like many before it, with a few notable exceptions — likely won’t move the political needle in Biden’s favor, especially given the hyper-partisan nature of our politics as well as the enormity of the crises America faces both at home and abroad.
However, the left-wing rebuke of the speech delivered by Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich) essentially handed Republicans a win for the night and underscores one of the many challenges — moving away from embracing the far-left toward a more centrist and inclusive platform — that Democrats face in the run-up to the midterm elections.
That being said, the opening of Biden’s address on the Russia-Ukraine war was both powerful and unifying. The president touted his administration’s impressive efforts to rally Europe around stronger Russian sanctions and more military aid for Ukraine, forcefully condemned Vladimir Putin and hailed the heroism of the Ukrainian people.
The most inspiring moment of the night was when Biden declared that “we the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people,” while introducing the Ukrainian ambassador, who received a thunderous bipartisan applause.
In terms of domestic policy, Biden’s high point was when he spoke about public safety and policing, and insisted that “the answer is not to defund the police,” rather “it’s to fund the police,” which was also met with a round of bipartisan applause.
As crime rates surge in major cities, Biden needed to use the speech to distance himself from the anti-police policies of the far-left in order to inoculate his party against G.O.P. attacks linking Democratic policies to rising crime rates. But though it was clearly important for Biden to vocalize his support for law enforcement, rhetoric is just a first step.
Over the next eight months, Democrats need to pursue a grand bargain with Republicans on criminal justice reform — meaning, on legislation that would fund and strengthen local law enforcement, while also making the policing and criminal justice system fairer for Black Americans, who are disproportionately mistreated.
Absent a concerted Democratic effort to approach criminal justice legislation in a bipartisan manner, Biden’s calls to “fund the police” will ring hollow to voters and the G.O.P. will be able to weaponize the issue against Democrats in the midterms.
In addition to policing, the segment of Biden’s speech about the country “moving forward” back to “normal routines” from the COVID-19 pandemic was also one of the key domestic policy moments, as Biden declared that “COVID-19 need no longer control our lives.” Importantly, Biden said “most Americans in most of the country can now be free” from masks and called to “end the shutdown of schools and businesses.”
Across the country — most notably, in San Francisco, where three school board members were recently recalled in part due to the district’s COVID-19 policies — Democratic politicians have faced scrutiny for continuing to keep schools and businesses closed despite evidence that reopening is largely safe, as well as for imposing mask and vaccine mandates.
Thus, Biden’s acknowledgment on Tuesday night of the ‘return to normal’ was significant, as Democrats’ success in the midterms hinges in large part on Americans feeling like the pandemic is permanently under control by November.
To be sure, the success of this moment in Biden’s speech was made possible by the appearance that the night was like every other State of the Union before the pandemic — most in the crowd were maskless, and Biden shook hands as he walked in.
The weakest point of the speech for Biden — which is more substantive, less rhetorical — was the refashioning of his economic agenda, in light of the Build Back Better plan’s failure. Without using the phrase “Build Back Better,” Biden tried, without success, to sell the big-spending proposals in his Build Back Better agenda as anti-inflation and deficit-reducing measures.
Karl Rove aptly noted the problematic nature of this approach in his critique of Biden’s address: “Voters aren’t likely to believe inflation can actually be reduced by massively expanding government spending through social programs.”
Instead of this misguided effort to repackage a failed progressive spending bill — one that most voters either don’t prioritize or outright oppose — Biden should have used the speech to make a sincere commitment to fiscal discipline and prudence while also ruling out any tax increases or new spending initiatives that lack broad bipartisan support.
The end of Biden’s address also suffered stylistically, specifically, when he read off a list of big spending priorities — including a $15 minimum wage, a child tax credit extension and community college grants — in a rushed and seemingly passionless manner.
For all its high and low points, Biden’s address won’t shift public opinion in any meaningful way.
Ultimately, the only way Biden can truly tip the scales in Democrats’ favor before the midterms is by crafting, promoting and advancing centrist legislation — on key issues like the economy and policing — that improves Americans’ quality of life.
Douglas E. Schoen is a political consultant who served as an adviser to former President Clinton and to the 2020 presidential campaign of Michael Bloomberg. He is the author of “The End of Democracy? Russia and China on the Rise and America in Retreat.”
The Hill has removed its comment section, as there are many other forums for readers to participate in the conversation. We invite you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter.
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https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/596914-bidens-state-of-the-union-address-wont-help-democrats-politically/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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There are 73,195 new infections from Covid in the last 24 hours, according to data from the Ministry of Health. Yesterday there were 77,621. The victims are 159, down from 170 yesterday. A total of 486,813 molecular and antigenic swabs for the coronavirus carried out today. Yesterday there were 524,899. The positivity rate is 15%, stable from 14.8% yesterday. 468 patients are hospitalized in intensive care, 13 fewer than yesterday in the balance between income and expenses. Daily admissions are 46. There are 9,898 people admitted to ordinary wards, or 27 more than yesterday.
Agenas: “Department occupation at 15%, Calabria at 35%”
In the last 24 hours, the occupancy of seats in ‘non-critical area’ hospital wards by Covid patients has stopped at 15% in Italy (one year it was 44%) but is growing in 7 regions, reaching over 20 % in 8 regions: Calabria (35%), Umbria (34%), Basilicata (29%), Sicily (26%), Marche (24%), Puglia (23%), Sardinia and Abruzzo (21%).
The employment of intensive care, on the other hand, is stable at 5% in Italy, while exactly one year it marked 41%, but reaches 12% in Calabria and 11% in Sardinia. These are the data from the National Agency for Regional Health Services (Agenas) of 30 March 2022.
Gimbe stops declining deaths after 6 weeks
After six consecutive weeks the case of deaths stops and there is an increase of 3%. This is what emerges from the monitoring of the Gimbe Foundation for the week from 23 to 29 March. There are 953 deaths in the last 7 days (of which 64 referring to previous periods), with an average of 136 per day compared to 132 in the previous week.
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https://d1softballnews.com/covid-italia-the-bulletin-of-march-31-2022/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:52Z
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From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi and Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Gunmen, at about 12:30am, yesterday, attacked the headquarters of Nnewi South Local Government Area in Ukpor, Anambra State, killing one unarmed security man. They also set the LG Secretariat on fire.
This came more than two weeks after gunmen set the operational vehicle of Utuh community vigilantes and their office in the same LGA ablaze. They also abducted one of their staff members before fleeing from the area.
The latest attack comes about four weeks after gunmen raided some communities in the same Nnewi South LGA, particularly Ezinator town, and disarmed the vigilantes.
Transition Committee Chairman of the LGA, Chieloka Okoye, confirmed the incident, but could not give full details of it as he said that they were still taking inventory of what they lost.
It was not clear what led to the fresh attack, but the police command, in the statement, said that it was a suspected case of arson.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, told Daily Sun that the place had been cordoned off and that the command was investigating the ugly incident.
“It is a suspected case of arson; though the information is still sketchy, the command has since deployed operatives in the area and fire service has been contacted. The area has been cordoned off and further details shall be communicated,” Ikenga said.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered security operatives in the state, particularly the police, to fish out the criminals and ensure they’re brought to book.
Soludo, who was accompanied to the crime scene by the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, said that he was saddened by the ugly incident and condemned it in strong terms.
The governor said that the resources that would be deployed to rebuild the buildings destroyed by the hoodlums would have been used to provide essential needs and infrastructure that would benefit Ndi Anambra.
He, however, appealed to the people to remain calm as he would ensure that the gunmen are apprehended and brought to justice.
Also in Delta State, some security operatives have been attacked by gunmen.
The hoodlums were said to have laid ambush for the security operatives, including police officers and local vigilantes.
One police officer was allegedly killed during the attack and his service rifle snatched by the assailants.
The incident occurred along the Issele-Azagba axis of the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha Highway, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Local sources further claimed that the hoodlums razed a security patrol van at the scene of attack.
The locals said there were heavy gunshots during the attack, adding that the bandits escaped afterwards.
Public Relations Officer of Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the attack, said there were no casualties, adding that suspected armed robbers shot at a vigilance group.
He said the local security operatives took cover during the attack, stressing that no death was recorded.
“They attacked vigilance men, but the vigilantes quickly took cover. Nobody died,” he said.
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https://www.sunnewsonline.com/soludos-heart-bleeds-as-gunmen-kill-security-man-burn-anambra-lg-hqtrs/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:47Z
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Bitball Treasure (BTRS) traded 0% higher against the dollar during the 1-day period ending at 20:00 PM ET on March 31st. In the last seven days, Bitball Treasure has traded 0.2% higher against the dollar. Bitball Treasure has a total market cap of $13.41 million and $26,984.00 worth of Bitball Treasure was traded on exchanges in the last 24 hours. One Bitball Treasure coin can currently be bought for approximately $29.79 or 0.00065275 BTC on popular exchanges.
Here is how related cryptocurrencies have performed in the last 24 hours:
- KnoxFS (KFX) traded flat against the dollar and now trades at $15.07 or 0.00049800 BTC.
- TON Crystal (TON) traded flat against the dollar and now trades at $0.37 or 0.00000551 BTC.
- Sport and Leisure (SNL) traded 2.9% lower against the dollar and now trades at $0.20 or 0.00000432 BTC.
- AXEL (AXEL) traded 8.4% lower against the dollar and now trades at $0.19 or 0.00000415 BTC.
- inSure (SURE) traded flat against the dollar and now trades at $0.0095 or 0.00000028 BTC.
- Neutrino Dollar (USDN) traded flat against the dollar and now trades at $1.01 or 0.00008639 BTC.
- CONTRACOIN (CTCN) traded 13.7% lower against the dollar and now trades at $0.41 or 0.00000896 BTC.
- Ondori (RSTR) traded flat against the dollar and now trades at $0.0004 or 0.00000001 BTC.
- Tachyon Protocol (IPX) traded down 0.6% against the dollar and now trades at $0.0505 or 0.00000111 BTC.
- WebDollar (WEBD) traded 12.8% higher against the dollar and now trades at $0.0002 or 0.00000001 BTC.
About Bitball Treasure
According to CryptoCompare, “BitBall Treasure (BTRS)- A unique Treasure coin, a unique store of value faster than Bitcoin (a fork of Bitball) with more functionality as a Treasure only 1 million Maximum supply. BTRS will be the only unique digital currency that can be used to exchange users' unique treasure items on Bitball merchandise. “
Buying and Selling Bitball Treasure
It is usually not presently possible to buy alternative cryptocurrencies such as Bitball Treasure directly using US dollars. Investors seeking to trade Bitball Treasure should first buy Bitcoin or Ethereum using an exchange that deals in US dollars such as Coinbase, Changelly or Gemini. Investors can then use their newly-acquired Bitcoin or Ethereum to buy Bitball Treasure using one of the exchanges listed above.
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https://www.com-unik.info/2022/03/31/bitball-treasure-market-capitalization-reaches-13-41-million-btrs.html
| 2022-04-01T00:40:53Z
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« The Loss is Particular to this Economic Modeling that is Part…\nAn Interrail ticket, as it were. All your expenses at… »\nHowever You Would Previous Lay Down the Costs Man wanted in Minnesota dies in police chase crash in Colorado
(FOX 9) - A man reportedly wanted in Minnesota for a parole violation died on Thursday after leading police on a chase that started in Wyoming and ended in a crash across the border in Colorado, according to law enforcement officials.
The crash happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. along Highway 85 after Colorado State Patrol was called in to help Wyoming Highway Patrol with a chase that had crossed the state border south into Weld County, Colorado.
Using stop sticks, troopers were able to puncture the tires of the man's vehicle but say the driver continued south, eventually swerving into a Colorado State Patrol squad. The squad rolled over while the man's vehicle went off the road and crashed into a drainage ditch.
Colorado State Patrol says the trooper suffered minor injuries as a result of the rollover. The wanted man, however, died from injuries in the crash.
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The suspect's identity has not been released nor exactly why he was wanted by authorities in Minnesota.
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https://www.fox9.com/news/man-wanted-in-minnesota-dies-in-police-chase-crash-in-colorado
| 2022-04-01T00:40:53Z
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https://www.leafly.com/brands/liquid-gold-cbd/products/liquid-gold-cbd-koolato-cartridge-0-5g-cartridges
| 2022-04-01T00:40:52Z
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English sits out Masters while recovering from hip surgery
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Harris English has decided not to play in the Masters next week. He’s still recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum. English won twice on the PGA Tour last year and finished third in the U.S. Open. He has not played since the Sony Open in Honolulu the second week of the year. English says he is progressing well from his hip surgery. He just wants to be cautious as he returns to competition. There are no alternates at the Masters. That puts the field at 90 players with one spot available for the Texas Open winner.
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https://kion546.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/03/31/english-sits-out-masters-while-recovering-from-hip-surgery/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:53Z
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https://sportspyder.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/articles/39012384
| 2022-04-01T00:40:53Z
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NCAA president decries pace of basketball investigations
By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert says investigations into allegations of major violations against several high-profile men’s college basketball programs have taken “way too long.” The implicated programs include current men’s Final Four participant Kansas. Emmert did not specify what solutions to speed the process are on the table. But there’s increasing acknowledgement that the process is broken. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the Division I Transformation Committee he co-chairs is working to recommend ways to modernize and reform NCAA governance and regulatory policies. Emmert also is urging Congress to draft national name, image and likeness policies governing permissible athlete endorsement deals. He says transfer rules also remain under constant scrutiny.
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https://kesq.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/03/31/ncaa-president-decries-pace-of-basketball-investigations/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:53Z
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London-listed betting technology supplier Sportech has reported a 32 per cent increase in revenue from continuing operations to £22.9m in 2021.
Sportech said that it was another difficult year for the business as Covid-19 restrictions continued to impact its business, resulting in a 28 per cent decline in total retail betting handle versus 2019.
The company saw improved results from Sportech Venues in Connecticut, where revenue rose 35 per cent to £21.9m, with wagering revenue from its [...]
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https://www.gamingintelligence.com/finance/results/154889-sportech-revenue-recovers-in-2021-after-transitional-year/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:50Z
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By NEBI QENA and YURAS KARMANAU
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian troops handed control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant back to the Ukrainians and left the heavily contaminated site early Friday, more than a month after taking it over, Ukrainian authorities said, as fighting raged on the outskirts of Kyiv and other fronts.
Ukraine’s state power company, Energoatom, said the pullout at Chernobyl came after soldiers received “significant doses” of radiation from digging trenches in the forest in the exclusion zone around the closed plant. But there was no independent confirmation of that.
The withdrawal took place amid growing indications the Kremlin is using talk of de-escalation in Ukraine as cover while regrouping, resupplying its forces and redeploying them for a stepped-up offensive in the eastern part of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian withdrawals from the north and center of the country were just a military tactic and that the forces are building up for new powerful attacks in the southeast.
“We know their intentions,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address to the nation. “We know that they are moving away from those areas where we hit them in order to focus on other, very important ones where it may be difficult for us.”
“There will be battles ahead,” he added.
Meanwhile, a convoy of buses headed to Mariupol in another bid to evacuate people from the besieged port city after the Russian military agreed to a limited cease-fire in the area. But Russian forces blocked 45 of the buses, and only 631 people were able to get out of the city in private cars, according to the Ukrainian government.
Twelve Ukrainian trucks were able to deliver humanitarian supplies to Mariupol, but they were all seized by Russian troops, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said late Thursday.
A new round of talks was scheduled for Friday, five weeks into the war that has left thousands dead and driven 4 million Ukrainians from the country.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it had been informed by Ukraine that the Russian forces at the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster had transferred control of it in writing to the Ukrainians.
The last Russian troops left the Chernobyl plant early Friday, the Ukrainian government agency responsible for the exclusion zone said.
Energoatom gave no details on the condition of the soldiers it said were exposed to radiation and did not say how many were affected. There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, and the IAEA said it had not been able to confirm the reports of Russian troops receiving high doses. It said it was seeking more information.
Russian forces seized the Chernobyl site in the opening stages of the Feb. 24 invasion, raising fears that they would cause damage or disruption that could spread radiation. The workforce at the site oversees the safe storage of spent fuel rods and the concrete-entombed ruins of the reactor that exploded in 1986.
Edwin Lyman, a nuclear expert with the U.S.-based Union of Concerned Scientists, said it “seems unlikely” a large number of troops would develop severe radiation illness, but it was impossible to know for sure without more details.
He said contaminated material was probably buried or covered with new topsoil during the cleanup of Chernobyl, and some soldiers may have been exposed to a “hot spot” of radiation while digging. Others may have assumed they were at risk too, he said.
Early this week, the Russians said they would significantly scale back military operations in areas around Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv to increase trust between the two sides and help negotiations along.
But in the Kyiv suburbs, regional governor Oleksandr Palviuk said on social media Thursday that Russian forces shelled Irpin and Makariv and that there were battles around Hostomel. Pavliuk said there were Ukrainian counterattacks and some Russian withdrawals around the suburb of Brovary to the east.
Chernihiv came under attack as well. At least one person was killed and four were wounded in the Russian shelling of a humanitarian convoy of buses sent to Chernihiv to evacuate residents cut off from food, water and other supplies, said Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Lyudmyla Denisova
Ukraine also reported Russian artillery barrages in and around the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said intelligence indicates Russia is not scaling back its military operations in Ukraine but is instead trying to regroup, resupply its forces and reinforce its offensive in the Donbas.
“Russia has repeatedly lied about its intentions,” Stoltenberg said. At the same time, he said, pressure is being kept up on Kyiv and other cities, and “we can expect additional offensive actions bringing even more suffering.”
The Donbas is the predominantly Russian-speaking industrial region where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014. In the past few days, the Kremlin, in a seeming shift in its war aims, said that its “main goal” now is gaining control of the Donbas, which consists of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including Mariupol.
The top rebel leader in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, issued an order to set up a rival city government for Mariupol, according to Russian state news agencies, in a sign of Russian intent to hold and administer the city.
The Red Cross, meanwhile, said its teams were headed for Mariupol with medical supplies and other relief and hoped to take civilians out of the beleaguered city, the site of some of the worst suffering of the war.
Tens of thousands have managed to get out of Mariupol in the past few weeks by way of humanitarian corridors, reducing its population from a prewar 430,000 to an estimated 100,000 as of last week, but other efforts to relieve the city have been thwarted by continued Russian attacks.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said 45 buses would be sent to collect civilians from the encircled and bombarded city, where food, water, medicine and fuel were running low.
“It’s desperately important that this operation takes place,” the Red Cross said in a statement. “The lives of tens of thousands of people in Mariupol depend on it.”
With talks set to resume between Ukraine and Russia via video, there seemed little faith that the two sides would resolve the conflict any time soon.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that conditions weren’t yet “ripe” for a cease-fire and that he wasn’t ready for a meeting with Zelenskyy until negotiators do more work, Italian Premier Mario Draghi said after a telephone conversation with the Russian leader.
In other developments, Ukraine’s emergency services said the death toll had risen to 20 in a Russian missile strike Tuesday on a government administration building in the southern city of Mykolaiv.
As Western officials search for clues about what Russia’s next move might be, a top British intelligence official said demoralized Russian soldiers in Ukraine are refusing to carry out orders and sabotaging their equipment and had accidentally shot down their own aircraft.
In a speech in Australia, Jeremy Fleming, head of the GCHQ electronic spy agency, said Putin had apparently “massively misjudged” the invasion.
The Pentagon reported Thursday that an initial half-dozen shipments of weapons and other security assistance from the U.S. have reached Ukraine as part of an $800 million aid package President Joe Biden approved this month.
The shipments included Javelin anti-tank weapons, Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems, body armor, medical supplies and other materials, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that Putin is being misinformed by his advisers about how badly the war is going because they are afraid to tell him the truth.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the U.S. is wrong and that “neither the State Department nor the Pentagon possesses the real information about what is happening in the Kremlin.”
___
Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/03/31/russians-leave-chernobyl-site-as-fighting-rages-elsewhere/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:54Z
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31st March 2022
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https://365project.org/kittinelson/365/2022-03-31
| 2022-04-01T00:40:54Z
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Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington state signed a bill Thursday that creates the nation's first alert system for missing Indigenous people.
The bill, which was passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, highlights that "indigenous people experience disproportionate rates of violence in Washington state," and calls for the creation of an advisory system, like the AMBER Alert system.
"Compared to the rest of the state's population, indigenous women comprise a disproportionate number of missing people," Inslee said during a signing ceremony. "In cases where an individual has died, this bill will help families recover the remains of their loved ones while also honoring and respecting indigenous cultural practices. For women who are found, this bill will provide treatment so that they can start to recover from the trauma of their experience."
Inslee signed the bill, along with several other tribal-related bills, at the Tulalip Resort Casino.
Democratic Rep. Debra Lekanoff, a sponsor of the bill, spoke during the ceremony and said missing and murdered indigenous women and people "is not just an Indian issue, it's not just an Indian responsibility. Our sisters, our aunties, our grandmothers are going missing every day."
The bill "removes the hand so we can hear the unheard screams, it removes the hand from the Washington State Patrol. It brings together all of our governing bodies to collaborate, to take care (of) those who have been taken, those who've been lost, and those yet to come," Lekanoff said.
For years, families and activists have demanded that authorities direct more attention and resources to cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women, arguing their cases are often overlooked or dismissed.
Federal and state officials have recently publicly acknowledged that there is a crisis of violence against Native Americans, and have launched efforts to address it, but advocates say their response is not enough.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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https://www.henryherald.com/news/washington-state-creates-nations-first-alert-system-for-missing-indigenous-people/article_4a1a57b3-298e-5684-b79e-9b47672ddf13.html
| 2022-04-01T00:40:54Z
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Nigeria may not have qualified for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the top notch preparation that went into the build-up ahead of the Abuja game has been commended. Ex international Waidi Akanni while still writhing in the pains of Nigeria’s exit said the Federal Government deserves a pat on the back for the excellent preparation of the match venue, the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
Akanni who is the CEO of Match International noted that the efforts put into the build-up were unprecedented in the country’s history. In Akanni’s words: ”Truth be told I have never seen a situation in which we prepared for a game the way we did against Ghana. What we had could pass as exceptional preparation- not seen in recent times. The federal government through the sports ministry put everything into our preparation to ensure we had a world class venue. The minister Sunday Dare and the Permanent Secretary Alhaji Ismail Abubakar were on everybody’s neck to see that virtually everything needed was in place.
The SA to the President Daniel Amokachi, Mary Onyali, the stadium manager, all the directors in the ministry worked round the clock. They all deserve a pat on the back. It is only unfortunate that on match day proper, our boys failed to come to the party a situation that saw us failing to pick the World Cup ticket.” Akanni stressed that if the Super Eagles players had fought the way the sports ministry did ahead of the game Nigeria’s flag would have been hoisted in Qatar. “We may not have qualified but those whose efforts deserve commendation must be commended,” Akanni stated.
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https://www.newtelegraphng.com/akanni-hails-fg-over-prep-for-eagles-black-stars-game/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:54Z
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CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a plan Thursday to give away free gas and public transit cards in an effort to combat rising gas prices and inflation.
According to NBC Chicago, the “Chicago Moves” program will give away 50,000 gas cards worth $150 each through a lottery system.
The city will also give away 100,000 cards good for $50 in public transit.
Lightfoot said Chicago was the first city to create a program to offset the high cost of gas.
To be eligible for these cards, applicants must:
Be residents of Chicago
Be at least 18 years old
Have a current and valid City sticker with correct mailing information for their vehicle
Have a household income at or below 140% of the Area Median Income for Chicago
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https://www.mystateline.com/news/national/chicago-to-give-out-free-gas-and-public-transit-cards/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:55Z
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Mar 30, 2022
NYC Covid Cases Are Rising Again, Mostly Among Those 25 to 34
Bloomberg News
,(Bloomberg) -- New York City Covid-19 cases are rising again, particularly among people aged 25 to 34 years, according to city officials. The surge appears to be concentrated in Manhattan, the most vaccinated borough.
In an unusual move, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene posted a warning on Twitter on Wednesday, saying they “strongly recommend” New Yorkers mask-up indoors and get booster shots.
The warning came in contrast to the city’s Covid alert system, which identifies the Covid alert level as ‘low risk.’
The case surge comes as the BA.2 variant becomes more prominent nationwide, and weeks after Mayor Eric Adams lifted vaccine requirements to visit most public indoor locations and mask mandates in schools. Offices across the city have also called for workers to return in-person, alongside a push for normalcy by city officials. Some companies have removed their mask mandates as well.
The city says it will re-consider implementing mask and vaccine requirements if the risk changes from low to medium.
The overall seven-day average positivity rate in New York City was at 2.3%, up from around 1% at the beginning of March, according to city data. Manhattan neighborhoods heavily concentrated with office buildings saw higher rates with Tribeca at 9.6%, the Financial District at 5.9%, Midtown West at 4.6% and Midtown East at 4.5%.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.
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https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/nyc-covid-cases-are-rising-again-mostly-among-those-25-to-34-1.1745287
| 2022-04-01T00:40:55Z
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Japan business mood sours as Ukraine war, rising fuel price take toll
TOKYO : Japanese business confidence soured in the first quarter, a quarterly central bank survey showed on Friday, as companies took a hit from supply disruptions and surging raw material costs caused by the Ukraine crisis.
Big companies expect conditions to worsen further three months ahead, the Bank of Japan's closely-watched "tankan" survey showed, clouding the outlook for the fragile economic recovery.
The outcome will be among factors BOJ policymakers will scrutinise in producing fresh quarterly growth and inflation projections at their next meeting on April 27-28.
The headline index for big manufacturers' sentiment slipped to plus 14 in March from plus 17 in December, the tankan showed, compared with a median market forecast for plus 12.
The big non-manufacturers' sentiment index also worsened to plus 9 from plus 10 three months ago, compared with market forecasts for a reading of plus 5.
The tankan also showed big firms will likely raise their capital spending plans by 2.2per cent for the current fiscal year that began in April, compared with market forecasts for a 4.0per cent gain.
Soaring fuel and food prices blamed on the Ukraine war, coupled with rising import bills from a weak yen, have added to pain for households and Japan's economy still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic's hit.
Analysts expect Japan's core consumer inflation to approach the central bank's 2per cent target as early as in April, though the BOJ has said it will not respond to cost-push inflation with policy tightening.
(Reporting by Leika Kihara and Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Sam Holmes)
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/japan-business-mood-sours-ukraine-war-rising-fuel-price-take-toll-2600551?cid=cna_flip_070214
| 2022-04-01T00:40:55Z
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Russia’s Military Draft: Serious Problems That Go Beyond Ukraine – Analysis
By Paul Goble and The Jamestown Foundation
President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that the Russian Armed Forces will draft 134,500 men over the next three months and release a similar number of soldiers who have completed their service (Pravo.gov.ru, March 31). Russia has always faced problems with its twice-a-year draft: On the one hand, young men and their families do not want to have their lives interrupted; and on the other hand, the loss of such a large share of the shrinking cohort of young people has a serious impact on the national economy. This year, those problems have been compounded for two reasons. First, many Russians fear they or their sons will be sent to fight and possibly die in Ukraine. And second, the pool of potential manpower has shrunk due to the massive flight abroad of many young Russians, especially the most highly educated ones, whom the military would like to have.
As a result, in the words of one Moscow-based commentator, the draft this time around “threatens to become a silent referendum” on public confidence in the military and in the Kremlin as well (Theins.ru, March 23). At a minimum, it will challenge the state’s ability to carry out the spring-time call-up; and quite possibly, it may spark new anger in the population—especially if the authorities try to meet their quotas by typically heavy-handed means.
Obviously, the war in Ukraine looms over this draft. Many Russians of all ages fear that conscripts will be sent to fight and possibly die in Ukraine in order to make up for Russian battlefield losses to date. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu promised two days ago that no draftees will be deployed in combat (TV Zvezda, March 29); but his credibility in this respect is minimal given that, earlier this month, after numerous denials, his ministry was forced to concede that Moscow was using conscripts in Putin’s war in Ukraine (Zona.media, March 9). One step the Kremlin may take to try to minimize such fears, analysts say, is to seek to achieve a major victory or even end the war before the culmination of the current draft period, which extends into June. That would eliminate the concerns of most young Russians and their parents (Theins.ru, March 23), but it would notably not end Ukraine’s impact on the spring draft.
On the one hand, the turbulence accompanying the exodus from service of those drafted a year ago at the same time as a new group is coming on board is liable to trigger more cases of disobedience in the ranks—something already plaguing Russian forces in Ukraine (Graniru.org, March 26). And on the other hand, the return of veterans who may have seen service in Ukraine and can report about what is or was actually occurring there is likely to spark more protests against the war. Those protests, in turn, will certainly impel more young men to rethink their willingness to serve in the ranks of a force that puts their survival at risk (Graniru.org, March 25; Idel.Realii, March 26; Doshdu.com, March 30).
Such demonstrations and street rallies are especially likely to spread in non-Russian parts of the country and in rural areas. In many non-Russian republics, the local police forces are often the best employer available to the young men who live there, but this path requires them to have first served in the Armed Forces; and in the Russian countryside, male youths also see few alternatives other than the military to escape the increasing poverty in their communities. If they change their minds because of what they hear about Ukraine, that could inter alia pose a serious problem for military command given that such people currently form a disproportionate share of the non-commissioned officers (NCO) in the Russian Armed Forces (Idel-ural.org, March 24; Sibir.Realii, March 27, 29; Kavkazr.com, March 29; see EDM, July 26, 2018 and March 1, 2022).
The aforementioned problems are only the tip of a much larger demographic predicament for Russia. Those in the 18–27 draft-age cohort now are a larger pool than was the case in recent years, but taking them out of the workforce to serve in the military appears likely to have more serious consequences because of other factors. First of all, Russian commanders want more educated young men who can more easily handle technologically sophisticated weaponry. But Putin’s war in Ukraine and resultant Western sanctions have caused a massive brain drain from Russia in recent months: many of the best-educated young men—those in the IT sector in particular—have left to live abroad. It is unlikely that many of them will return to serve in the army. Fears that even more will leave have prompted the Kremlin to give special draft deferments to IT specialists, thus reducing the size of the draft pool still further (Russian7.ru, TRT, March 30; Publizist.ru, March 29).
In addition, a massive outflow of immigrant workers from Russia is affecting another part of the country’s current draft-age cohort—the less-well-educated, who are prime candidates to fill the vacated unskilled labor jobs in the economy. Since the start of the pandemic, more than five million foreign guest workers have left; and due to the collapse of the Russian ruble’s exchange rate, combined with other effects of Western sanctions, another five million are projected to return home in the next few months. Thus, the Armed Forces will be competing for young Russians who might assume those lower-skilled civilian jobs. If the military takes these men, the Russian economy will suffer (CABAR.asia, March 22).
Also affecting the availability of conscripts in the prime age group is the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the whole, younger Russians have suffered less from the novel coronavirus than older ones. Yet a portion of them have died and others are suffering either from the lingering effects of that disease or, more often, from the inability to find treatment for other ailments, because Russia has focused its reduced medical resources on fighting the pandemic rather than promoting public health more broadly (Windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com, January 24; Sibir.Realii, November 30, 2021).
To meet their quotas, the Russian military’s draft agencies will likely seek to pass for service young men who should be deferred for medical reasons. But that will mean that the military will face additional problems in the future—yet another reason to conclude that this year’s spring call-up in Russia could be one of the most difficult and fateful in the history of that country.
Source: This article was published by The Jamestown Foundation’s Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 19 Issue: 45
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https://www.eurasiareview.com/01042022-russias-military-draft-serious-problems-that-go-beyond-ukraine-analysis/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:55Z
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https://dan.com/buy-domain/klmyctgs.com
| 2022-04-01T00:40:56Z
|
Actress, author and activist Meagan Good sat down to chat with MADAMENOIRE about a uterine cancer scare she experienced and how that inspired her to recently partner with FORCE, SHARE, Eisai Inc. and Black Health Matters for the Spot Her® campaign in an effort to raise awareness about the disease.
As gynecologic oncologist Dr. Ginger J. Gardner shared with MN, endometrial cancer, the most common type of uterine cancer, is the number one most frequently diagnosed gynecologic cancer in the United States and the fourth most common cancer amongst women in the nation.
Moreover, cases are rising.
Good shared that although her uterine cancer scare happened around a decade ago, the experience made her “immediately think about how we have to be proactive and have these conversations, especially in the Black community.”
“In my experience, I showed up for a regular gynecologist appointment and found out I had abnormal cells in my uterus. And then I found out that it could possibly develop into something cancerous,” the Harlem actress shared. “It was a really, really scary experience but the takeaways for me were thank God I was going to my appointments regularly, thank God they were able to detect it early and thank God they changed the scenario.”
“It was especially scary because both my grandmothers and my grandfather passed away from cancer, and at that time, my Aunt Sandy recently had a mastectomy,” Good explained.
Both the actress and Gardner highlighted that in terms of the statistics on how Black women are affected by endometrial cancer, only 53% of the population receive an early-stage diagnosis.
“While some cancers fortunately are in a downward trend in terms of numbers, year upon year we’re actually seeing an increasing rate of diagnoses of endometrial cancer,” said Gardner. “And that issue is particularly important amongst communities of color — where the diagnoses are frequently associated with a high grade of aggressive cell types.”
Gardner encourages those with uteruses to be mindful of abnormal vaginal bleeding, regarding the disease’s symptoms.
“That could be heavy bleeding every month, bleeding between periods, or any type of bleeding after menopause — even something like light staining or spotting,” the doctor said. “Anything that’s a change for a woman in terms of her bleeding pattern should raise a level of concern and prompt a visit to their healthcare provider.”
While there are many reasons why one may experience unexpected vaginal bleeding, Gardner emphasized that “an office biopsy can find endometrial cancer early, when it’s most treatable, or even the pre-cancer cells.”
She further advised on the importance of seeing a gynecologic oncologist specialist to the best of your ability if you’re diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Due to their training, they’ll be able to evaluate the disease’s status, cell type, and give you information on the most advanced and up-to-date treatment options.
“I want to make sure I’m covering my sisters and encouraging them to take care of themselves,” Good said of her involvement in the Spot Her campaign. “That’s what I look at a lot of acting as. It’s an opportunity to have a platform so I can do things that are bigger than me.”
Good is participating in the Spot Her virtual walk to encourage people to take literal steps towards increasing awareness about endometrial cancer as part of the campaign. For every mile logged (up to 20 miles per participant) or for each use of #SpotHerforEC on social media, Eisai Inc. will donate $1 (up to $20,000) between FORCE and SHARE to support those living with endometrial cancer.
The Spot Her virtual walk will take place from March 30 – June 22, and Charity Footprints is offering free registration to the first 1,000 participants.
“I just want to encourage and help other women have the same outcome I did,” Good said. “It’s important to remind each other that we’re all in this together, and that we be our sister’s keepers.”
To participate in the virtual walk, visit www.CharityFootprints.com/SpotHerForEC to register, and join the conversation online by using #SpotHerforEC on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Read more about the Spot Her campaign here.
RELATED CONTENT: “Famous Women Who Battled Gynecological Cancers”
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https://madamenoire.com/1311493/meagan-good-uterine-cancer-scare/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:56Z
|
Railroad Commissioner Candidate Sarah Stogner talks with San Angelo LIVE!'s Yantis Green about energy production regulation and other duties of the office. The LIVE! Daily is the "newspaper to your email" for San Angelo. Each content-packed edition has weather, the popular Top of the Email opinion and rumor mill column, news around the state of Texas, news around west Texas, the latest news stories from San Angelo LIVE!, events, and the most recent obituaries. The bottom of the email contains the most recent rants and comments. The LIVE! daily is emailed 5 days per week. On Sundays, subscribers receive the West Texas Real Estate LIVE! email.
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556539338429/commissioners-tackle-a-variety-of-topics-in-last-march-meeting
| 2022-04-01T00:40:56Z
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On Monday, President Joe Biden unveiled his proposal for the next federal budget.
Though Congress has the final say in the annual budget, presidents create a proposal highlighting their fiscal priorities. Then, the president typically spends time advocating for their plan to the public, arguing for those priorities.
While promoting his latest proposal, Biden tweeted, “This year, my administration is on track to cut the deficit by more than $1.3 trillion… that would be the largest one-year reduction in the deficit in U.S. history.”
THE QUESTION
Would a $1.3 trillion reduction in the deficit be the largest single-year reduction ever?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
Yes, if the deficit shrinks by $1.3 trillion this year, that will be the largest single-year reduction in history.
WHAT WE FOUND
Both the Federal Reserve and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) track how much money the federal government takes in each year, and how much it spends. The Fed has records dating back to 1901, and the CBO dating to 1962.
If the government makes more than it spends, there’s a budget surplus. Since 1962, there have only been five years with a surplus, and none since 2001.
More commonly, the government spends more than it takes in. That’s a deficit, and it results in the U.S. borrowing money to make up the difference, which in turn adds to the federal debt.
According to the Fed and the CBO, the year in which the deficit shrank the most was 2013. In 2012, the budget was nearly $1.08 trillion in the hole, and in 2013, it was just under $679.8 billion. The deficit decreased by roughly $396.8 billion, more than in any other year in history.
If the deficit drops by $1.3 trillion in 2022 like Biden projected, it would indeed be the largest deficit reduction in American history, by a big margin.
The Fed and CBO track numbers on a fiscal-year basis, with the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30. So we won’t really know if Biden’s projections for 2022 are accurate until at least October.
But budget experts VERIFY spoke with agreed it’s likely the deficit reduction could wind up being more than a trillion dollars. However, they said that drop is mostly due to COVID-related spending programs expiring.
“It's not really due to any particularly aggressive policy action to, say, raise more revenue than we would have otherwise, or spend less. It's mostly just a factor of temporary things,” said Alex Muresianu, a federal policy analyst for the Tax Foundation.
“We had deficits that were over $3 trillion [in 2020], and one that was $2.8 trillion [in 2021]. That was as a result of a huge recession, and trillions of dollars that we were spending to fight COVID. So we will be dropping for sure. The deficit will be closer to a trillion dollars this year,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a non-profit group. “But that doesn't come from policies to reduce the deficit.”
More from VERIFY: No, Congress members did not give themselves a 21% pay raise in 2022
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https://www.wnep.com/article/news/verify/money-verify/biden-projects-trillion-dollar-deficit-reduction-largest-ever/536-82b0158e-0851-49dd-a546-3dbef252c761
| 2022-04-01T00:40:56Z
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Las Vegas(KLAS)- Cosmo and Wanda are back and with a new family. ‘The Fairly Odd Parents: Fairly Odder’ is now streaming on Paramount+ and Jillian Lopez chatted with to the iconic actors behind Cosmo and Wanda’s voice, Susanne Blakeslee and Daran Norris.
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https://www.8newsnow.com/news/las-vegas-now/the-fairly-odd-parents-making-a-return/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:57Z
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USDA forecasting higher food, grocery costs in 2022
(Gray News) - It looks like elevated food prices are going to continue this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The USDA released its Food Price Outlook for 2022 and predicted the cost of groceries would continue to increase to as much as 4%.
According to the Consumer Price Index, grocery and supermarket food prices were already 8.6% higher in February than last year and up nearly 1.5% from January to February in 2022.
As reported by the Associated Press, prices for U.S. consumers have continued to jump recently, leaving families facing the highest inflation rate since 1990.
“We’re getting into this situation where we have spiraling inflation,” said Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors. “Inflation in one area drives inflation in another.”
Currently, the CPI reports all food categories are increasing in price other than fresh vegetables. Last year, the beef and veal categories had the most significant price increase of 9.3%, and the fresh vegetable category had the smallest at 1.1%. However, no food categories decreased in price in 2021.
Poultry prices are also expected to increase up to 7%, with egg prices predicted to increase up to 3.5% in 2022.
Overall, grocery store and supermarket food purchases are expected to increase up to 4%, with restaurant purchases or food away from home forecasted to increase up to 6.5%, according to the USDA.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wrdw.com/2022/04/01/usda-forecasting-higher-food-grocery-costs-2022/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:56Z
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Better Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:BTTX – Get Rating) Director Andrew J. Armanino bought 40,000 shares of Better Therapeutics stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 29th. The stock was bought at an average price of $2.14 per share, with a total value of $85,600.00. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.
BTTX traded down $0.08 during trading on Thursday, hitting $1.98. 138,069 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 97,071. The business’s 50 day moving average is $3.15. Better Therapeutics, Inc. has a twelve month low of $1.95 and a twelve month high of $29.40.
Better Therapeutics (NASDAQ:BTTX – Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Monday, March 28th. The company reported ($0.71) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the Zacks’ consensus estimate of ($0.46) by ($0.25). Equities analysts expect that Better Therapeutics, Inc. will post -1.97 earnings per share for the current year.
BTTX has been the subject of several recent research reports. Chardan Capital increased their price target on shares of Better Therapeutics from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 16th. Lifesci Capital restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Better Therapeutics in a report on Monday, December 27th.
About Better Therapeutics (Get Rating)
Better Therapeutics, Inc develops prescription digital therapeutics. It is developing Nutritional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Nutritional CBT), a behavioral therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases. Its development pipeline products include BTÂ001 for type2 diabetes; BTÂ002 for Type 2 diabetes with hypertension; BTÂ003 for hypertension; and BTÂ004 for hyperlipidemia.
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https://www.americanbankingnews.com/2022/03/31/insider-buying-better-therapeutics-inc-nasdaqbttx-director-purchases-40000-shares-of-stock.html
| 2022-04-01T00:40:57Z
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Parent of transgender child speaks out after Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signs anti-trans bills
PHOENIX - Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has signed bills banning transgender girls from playing on girls' sports teams and prohibiting gender reassignment surgeries for minors.
The governor described Senate bills 1138 and 1165 as legislation to "protect female athletes" and "to ensure that individuals undergoing irreversible gender reassignment surgery are of adult age."
"This legislation is common-sense and narrowly-targeted to address these two specific issues — while ensuring that transgender individuals continue to receive the same dignity, respect and kindness as every individual in our society," Ducey said in a Twitter thread.
Two GOP governors last week bucked conservatives in their party and vetoed bills in Indiana and Utah requiring trans girls to play on boys sports teams.
Republicans have said blocking transgender players from girls sports teams would protect the integrity of women’s sports, fearing that trans athletes would have an advantage.
Many point to the transgender collegiate swimmer Lia Thomas, who won an individual title at the NCAA Women’s Division I Swimming and Diving Championship last week.
But there are few trans athletes in Arizona schools. Since 2017, about 16 trans athletes have received waivers to play on teams that align with their gender identities out of about 170,000 school-based athletes in the state, according to the Arizona Interscholastic Association.
"This bill to me is all about biology," said Republican Rep. Shawnna Bolick, who said she played on a coed team in the 1980s but could not have made the high school boys team. "In my opinion, its unfair to allow biological males to compete with biological girls sports."
RELATED: Arizona lawmakers move forward with bill banning transgender girls on women's sports teams
Critics said the legislation dehumanizes trans youth to address an issue that hasn’t been a problem.
"We’re talking about legislating bullying against children who are already struggling just to get by," said Democratic Rep. Kelli Butler. fighting back tears.
Until two years ago, no state had passed a law regulating gender-designated youth sports. But the issue has become front-and-center in Republican-led statehouses since Idaho lawmakers passed the nation’s first sports participation law in 2020. It’s now blocked in court, along with another in West Virginia.
"This bill is creating a pointless and harmful solution to a non-existent issue," Skyler Morrison, a 13-year-old transgender girl, told lawmakers during a committee hearing earlier this month. "It’s obvious this bill is just an excuse to discriminate against transgender girls."
Republicans around the country have leaned into culture war issues including transgender rights. The debate and vote on the transgender sports legislation came the same morning the House considered and passed a ban on abortions after 15-week gestation. Republicans said little during debates on all three bills.
‘It is irreversible’
Arizona is one of 20 states that have considered legislation to restrict gender-affirming health care. The bill originally would have banned all such care for minors but was scaled back to restrict only irreversible procedures, such as surgeries related to gender reassignment.
Similar legislation passed the Idaho House earlier this month but it died in the Senate amid concerns from some Republicans about restricting parental rights.
Supporters of the Arizona bill said it would prevent children from making permanent decisions that they might later come to regret. Republican Rep. John Kavanagh compared the vote to the Legislature’s unanimous decision in years past to ban genital mutilation.
"We should stand the same way today because this is mutilation of children," Kavanagh said. "It is irreversible. It is horrific."
Critics said the decision should be left to parents, their children and the health care team caring for them. They said surgeries are only performed after extensive care and therapy.
"We’re talking about our kids, who are already going to be taking the proper steps with their parents to be able to be who they are," said Democratic Rep. Andres Cano.
The bill originally would have banned all gender-affirming care, including hormone therapies and puberty blockers but was scaled back in the Senate.
Similar legislation passed the Idaho House earlier this month but died in the Senate, where some Republicans said they were concerned about restricting parental rights.
Parents, advocates speak out
On March 30, a day after the bills were signed into law by Gov. Ducey, parents and advocates expressed their devastation.
"It was a punch," said Ai Binh Ho. "It takes away our rights to make decisions together with our children."
Ho's four-year-old daughter is transgender.
"For me to say ‘you’ll never be part of a team,' I just don’t even know what to say, how to tell her that," said Ho. "It takes away that hope that we have for her."
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, promised his administration will stand up for the transgender community.
"The onslaught of anti-transgender state laws attacking you and your families is simply wrong," said the President.
On March 30, the U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter to states, warning it will go after states that practice unlawful discrimination based on gender identity. In response, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich tweeted ‘See you in court (again).'
In the meantime, some parents are now thinking about leaving Arizona, for the sake of their kids.
"You know when she reaches the age where she wants the surgery, and is ready for the surgery -- we know that the surgery decreases suicide, it is a lifeline for her -- I think we will have to move," said Ho.
More Arizona politics news
- Proposed Arizona law would ban cities from charging home rental taxes
- Arizona election audit: Final report finds no Maricopa County data issues
- Arizona Senate GOP revives controversial election bill
Tune in to FOX 10 Phoenix for the latest news
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https://www.fox9.com/news/parent-of-transgender-child-speaks-out-after-arizona-governor-doug-ducey-signs-anti-trans-bills
| 2022-04-01T00:40:59Z
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https://sportspyder.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/articles/39012387
| 2022-04-01T00:40:59Z
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Falcons sign former Lions safety Marlowe to 1-year contract
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Safety Dean Marlowe, who set a career high with 67 tackles while starting nine games for Detroit in 2021, has signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. The 29-year-old Marlowe began his career by playing three seasons with Carolina before two seasons with Buffalo. Marlowe may compete with second-year player Richie Grant, a second-round draft pick in 2021, for a starting job. Marlowe had two interceptions with Buffalo in 2020. The Falcons have made their secondary a focus in free agency. They also signed former Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward and former Chicago cornerback Teez Tabor.
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https://kion546.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/03/31/falcons-sign-former-lions-safety-marlowe-to-1-year-contract/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:59Z
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David Faitelson of the US network ESPN was at El Grafico’s Güiri Güiri al Aire to talk about the match between Mexico and El Salvador. He also talked about CONCACAF news.
“Mexico does not play soccer well, the CONCACAF tie is not very complicated, if we analyze historically, today the Mexican team is not a big favorite nor is it going to beat El Salvador, it will be a closer game, the teams have come closer,” he said. Faitelson regarding the match against El Salvador and the national team’s discomfort in Mexico.
“It is a generation that does have talent, we must recognize it, there is talent, but we do not have the same number of soccer players in Europe compared to other countries on the continent,” Faitelson summed up about the level of Mexican soccer today.
“Gerardo Martino lost his way, he recognized him and I hope he shows us that he is not a rigid coach, it is time to try, he has players to try, he has been very rigid”, highlighted the charismatic Aztec journalist about what he expects from Mexico against El Salvador.
The panelists asked him about his answers on social networks about what Mexico will do in the World Cup in Qatar.
“Mexico cannot be defined as far as it goes in a World Cup, Mexico will not be world champion, you can measure Mexico in how it competes with a world giant,” he said.
Faitelson recognized that Mexico is no longer the giant of the area and that Canada’s rise to that position is a reality.
“I think it’s not an accident, Canada is a power in other sports, today they have assured that they will go to two World Cups in a row. I think Canada has the structure, it has the soccer players, the coach has done a great job,” he replied. .
OPEN CRITIQUE
The Mexican journalist also stated that “Canada is the great news of CONCACAF and it’s great, it has no lack in its sports system, I trust more, I see Canada better positioned than teams like El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras or Panama in the area,” he stressed.
Faitelson denied that Mexico should celebrate anything if it reaches at least the point it lacks to qualify for Qatar 2022.
“Because of the way Mexico has played, I go back to the same thing, even in the 2013 qualifying round where Mexico did everything not to go to the World Cup, they ended up going. It would be immature to go and celebrate qualifying for the World Cup after the match against El Salvador,” he refuted.
Regarding the future of the Selecta, David showed confidence that he will be able to return to his level.
“I expect El Salvador with quality, with a soccer idea, I think the work of this team is focused on 2026. That’s where I want to see El Salvador return to a World Cup,” he predicted.
There was also a chat with former World Cup player from Costa Rica, Hernán Medford, now in his role as coach, who analyzed the recovery of his country in the octagonal and that it could play at least the Intercontinental Repechage.
“There was awareness, it is in everyone’s interest that Costa Rica go to the World Cup. Players, the press and the fans became aware and they came together,” he assured.
On the status of Costa Rican soccer in CONCACAF, Medford stated that “Costa Rica in history with five World Cups is respectful, Panama fell completely and Costa Rica rose in level at the right time. We see the team as Canada, which is the team with the most growth,” he stressed.
Regarding the work of the Colombian Luis Suárez and his reach with some fortune on the Costa Rican bench, Hernán clarified that “I think there is almost no fortune in football, here in Costa Rica everyone had to change the chip in which they had to improve. ”, he narrowed down.
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https://d1softballnews.com/david-faitelson-mexico-doesnt-play-soccer-well-its-not-going-to-beat-el-salvador/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:59Z
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New York, March 31, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has assigned ratings to two classes of notes issued by Madison Park Funding LIII, Ltd. (the "Issuer" or "Madison Park Funding LIII").
Moody's rating action is as follows:
U.S.$416,000,000 Class A Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2035, Assigned Aaa (sf)
U.S.$26,000,000 Class E Deferrable Floating Rate Mezzanine Notes due 2035, Assigned Ba3 (sf)
The notes listed above are referred to herein, collectively, as the "Rated Notes."
RATINGS RATIONALE
The rationale for the ratings is based on our methodology and considers all relevant risks, particularly those associated with the CLO's portfolio and structure.
Madison Park Funding LIII is a managed cash flow CLO. The issued notes will be collateralized primarily by broadly syndicated senior secured corporate loans. At least 90% of the portfolio must consist of senior secured loans and eligible investments, and up to 10% of the portfolio may consist of assets that are not senior secured loans. The portfolio is approximately 80% ramped as of the closing date.
Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC (the "Manager") will direct the selection, acquisition and disposition of the assets on behalf of the Issuer and may engage in trading activity, including discretionary trading, during the transaction's five year reinvestment period. Thereafter, subject to certain restrictions, the Manager may reinvest unscheduled principal payments and proceeds from sales of credit risk assets.
In addition to the Rated Notes, the Issuer issued three other classes of secured notes and one class of subordinated notes.
The transaction incorporates interest and par coverage tests which, if triggered, divert interest and principal proceeds to pay down the notes in order of seniority.
Moody's modeled the transaction using a cash flow model based on the Binomial Expansion Technique, as described in Section 2.3.2.1 of the "Moody's Global Approach to Rating Collateralized Loan Obligations" rating methodology published in December 2021.
For modeling purposes, Moody's used the following base-case assumptions:
Par amount: $650,000,000
Diversity Score: 65
Weighted Average Rating Factor (WARF): 3186
Weighted Average Spread (WAS): 3mS + 3.50%
Weighted Average Coupon (WAC): 6.00%
Weighted Average Recovery Rate (WARR): 47.0%
Weighted Average Life (WAL): 8 years
Methodology Underlying the Rating Action:
The principal methodology used in these ratings was "Moody's Global Approach to Rating Collateralized Loan Obligations" published in December 2021 and available at http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBS_1293730. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
Factors That Would Lead to an Upgrade or Downgrade of the Ratings:
The performance of the Rated Notes is subject to uncertainty. The performance of the Rated Notes is sensitive to the performance of the underlying portfolio, which in turn depends on economic and credit conditions that may change. The Manager's investment decisions and management of the transaction will also affect the performance of the Rated Notes.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.
Further information on the representations and warranties and enforcement mechanisms available to investors are available on http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBS_1323137.
The analysis relies on an assessment of collateral characteristics to determine the collateral loss distribution, that is, the function that correlates to an assumption about the likelihood of occurrence to each level of possible losses in the collateral. As a second step, Moody's evaluates each possible collateral loss scenario using a model that replicates the relevant structural features to derive payments and therefore the ultimate potential losses for each rated instrument. The loss a rated instrument incurs in each collateral loss scenario, weighted by assumptions about the likelihood of events in that scenario occurring, results in the expected loss of the rated instrument.
Moody's quantitative analysis entails an evaluation of scenarios that stress factors contributing to sensitivity of ratings and take into account the likelihood of severe collateral losses or impaired cash flows. Moody's weights the impact on the rated instruments based on its assumptions of the likelihood of the events in such scenarios occurring.
For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.
For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.
The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.
These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.
Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.
Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1288235.
The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.
The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the UK and is endorsed by Moody's Investors Service Limited, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5FA under the law applicable to credit rating agencies in the UK. Further information on the UK endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.
Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.
Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.
Debjani Dutta Roy
Asst Vice President - Analyst
Structured Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
U.S.A.
JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376
Client Service: 1 212 553 1653
Algis Remeza
Associate Managing Director
Structured Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376
Client Service: 1 212 553 1653
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
U.S.A.
JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376
Client Service: 1 212 553 1653
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https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-assigns-ratings-to-two-classes-of-notes-issued-by--PR_464325
| 2022-04-01T00:40:56Z
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In defense of both Jon Stewart and Tucker Carlson
In 1999, when I was director of communications for former Sen. Bob Dole, Comedy Central was ramping up its “Indecision 2000” show with Jon Stewart. The producers reached out to ask if Dole might consider being a contributing political analyst. As it turned out, the comedy network’s timing proved most opportune.
At that time, Dole’s wife Elizabeth was preparing to run for the Republican nomination for president. Because of that, Dole told me he was wary of going on network political shows — which then were “Meet the Press” with Tim Russert, “This Week” with Cokie Roberts and Sam Donaldson, and “Face the Nation” with Bob Schieffer. He didn’t want to debate the pros and cons of Elizabeth Dole versus his great friend, Sen. John McCain of Arizona. He rightfully saw it as a lose-lose situation for him, at home and in the Senate.
After speaking with the Comedy Central team, I told Dole the network would offer him an “out” card — meaning that, at least for some requests for Dole to be on the D.C. political shows, we could say he was contractually obligated elsewhere. And as it turned out, Dole really liked Jon Stewart; they had great chemistry together, and the segments proved to be successful on a number of levels.
Dole usually taped his segments in person at Comedy Central’s studio in New York. I went with him and, before and after Dole’s appearances on the set, I occasionally talked with Stewart. I suspect he may not remember me now, but I honestly found him to be kind, down-to-earth, and respectful of Dole’s service to the nation and the wounds he suffered in World War II. More than that, I realized that although Stewart is left-leaning, he’s politically astute, generally fair-minded, and enjoys an honest debate.
Over the years since, I have defended Stewart in the face of partisan attacks by conservative or Republican friends or acquaintances. I may not agree with him all the time — and honestly, less so over the past few years — but he is a good, decent human being and we need more voices like his out there.
Now, about that same 1999-2000 timeframe, I also met Tucker Carlson. He and I were guests on a political show and chatted for a few minutes in the TV station’s green room before making our appearances. To be honest, when I met Carlson, I assumed I would dislike him. I say that because, as a once poor and homeless kid who was forced to live in cars from time to time, I knew that Carlson grew up in a life with some privilege and opportunity.
“Surely,” I said to myself when I saw him, “he’s going to come off as some entitled frat boy coasting through life.”
But it was the opposite. As much as liberals may hate to hear this — and won’t believe it — from the moment I first spoke with Carlson, he also came across as kind, down-to-earth, intellectually curious, with a real sense of humor. Though he was young, he struck me as being mature beyond his years.
We stayed in touch from time to time over the years, and I found him to be a serious person who had become, like me, distrustful of the entrenched elites from every political party — those who run the world but rarely seem to have the welfare of the masses at heart.
I offer this brief personal history because Jon Stewart recently unloaded on Tucker Carlson in a mean-spirited, accusatory way. During an interview this week on the podcast of the New York Times’s Kara Swisher, Stewart said of Carlson’s Fox News commentaries on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war on Ukraine: “When you deal with such a dishonest propagandist — and that is what he is — there’s nothing you can take out of context, because none of it is real. He’s admitted when he’s cornered, he lies. It’s all a game and a performance. I mean, honestly, I have no idea what the [expletive] that guy believes, truly.”
Again, I know Stewart has a first-rate mind and he generally has never come across as a partisan operative. He labeled Carlson a “dishonest propagandist” apparently because Carlson has urged caution about the United States getting involved in the Ukraine crisis.
Yet a number of people have expressed the same caution as Carlson. At the very least, it is a subject worthy of debate — but debate without insults or obscenities. With his verbal assault against Carlson, Stewart sounds like one more partisan hack from the left attacking Fox News and its most-watched commentator. He is much better than that. Unfortunately, during the interview, Stewart doubled down by accusing Rupert Murdoch, the media tycoon who founded Fox News, of “trying to destroy the fabric of this country.”
I can guarantee that in response to such a comment, tens of millions of conservative Americans would say to Stewart: “Are you kidding me? Have you ever watched CNN and MSNBC, or read The New York Times or Washington Post?” All of these media outlets, and others, have demonstrated partisanship. Conservatives also have argued that liberals have tried to destroy “the fabric of our country.”
The back and forth arguments, though, help no one. Instead of insulting Carlson, Murdoch and Fox News, how much better would it be if Stewart would agree to go on Carlson’s show — or if Carlson would agree to debate Stewart on a forum of his choosing? Both men could present their thoughts on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the world in general.
The tragedy unfolding in the Ukraine, on top of two years of the pandemic, reinforces the fact that our world is in a dangerous, politically polarized place. Instead of the usual partisan shouting matches and insult slinging, which gets us nowhere, wouldn’t it be nice if two good people who strongly disagree on certain topics could lay out their positions in a civil way before the American people, and then shake hands?
Douglas MacKinnon, a political and communications consultant, was a writer in the White House for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and former special assistant for policy and communications at the Pentagon during the last three years of the Bush administration.
The Hill has removed its comment section, as there are many other forums for readers to participate in the conversation. We invite you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter.
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https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/596971-in-defense-of-both-jon-stewart-and-tucker-carlson/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:58Z
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First Alert Forecast: A Windy Wednesday Ahead | 3/30AM
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Good Wednesday morning Texoma! Winds are beginning to pick up with the arrival of todays cold front! Wind gusts so far have been as high as nearly 60mph out in Childress Texas! The strong northwest winds will be the weather story for today. Sustained winds at 20 to 30mph are expected with gusts into 40s but could be higher in some locations. A Wind Advisory is in place for much of the area today until 6PM. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects and tree limbs could be blown down resulting in isolated power outages. Also take precaution when driving especially on an east to west oriented road. Clouds cover will taper off and we’ll see sunshine by the afternoon. High temperatures will rise into the upper 50s to low 60s for counties north of the Red River. For those south, into north Texas, expect low to mid 60s for highs today. Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon and evening across western Oklahoma and western north Texas!
Tonight will remain clear with temperatures falling into the 30s and 40s by sunrise tomorrow morning. For Thursday we’ll see mostly sunny skies with northwest winds at 10 to 15mph. While the chance for rain remains low, a few light sprinkles can’t be ruled out tomorrow. Highs will warm into the upper 60s to low 70s by the afternoon.
The day on Friday will stay dry with a mix of sun and clouds. With that being said, another weak frontal boundary will move in Friday night creating the chance for showers and perhaps a few isolated thunderstorms late in the night into early Saturday morning. Highs on Friday will rise into the low to mid 70s with southeast winds at 10 to 20mph.
Rain won’t last long because high pressure settles in on Saturday allowing for dry and pleasant conditions. On Saturday, look for mostly sunny skies with high temperatures in the mid 70s! Northeast winds at 10 to 15mph.
A more active weather pattern is looking possible Sunday night into Tuesday. Another chance for thunderstorms and perhaps severe weather looks possible late in the day with another front moving in. Before the front arrives, Sunday will soar into the low 80s with south winds at 10 to 20mph.
Have a good day! -LW
Copyright 2022 KSWO. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kswo.com/2022/03/30/first-alert-forecast-windy-wednesday-ahead-330am/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:57Z
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Parker hopes Title IX documentary serves as inspiration
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
Title IX has been a passionate subject for Candace Parker ever since she learned of its impact while doing a paper on it in the eighth grade. So, it is no surprise her first documentary as an executive producer is about the landmark legislation. Parker considers herself to be a first generation benefactor of Title IX, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The documentary also comes at a time when inequalities between the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are coming under intense scrutiny.
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https://kesq.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/03/31/parker-hopes-title-ix-documentary-serves-as-inspiration/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:00Z
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Tree falls on home in Chambersburg, Franklin County
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Tree falls on home in Chambersburg, Franklin County
A tree fell on a house in Chambersburg, Franklin County.It happened Thursday in the 400 block of Philadelphia Avenue.Firefighters said the structure was deemed unsafe as a result of the damage.The Red Cross was notified to provide assistance to the residents.
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. —
A tree fell on a house in Chambersburg, Franklin County.
It happened Thursday in the 400 block of Philadelphia Avenue.
Advertisement
Firefighters said the structure was deemed unsafe as a result of the damage.
The Red Cross was notified to provide assistance to the residents.
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https://www.wgal.com/article/tree-falls-on-house-in-chambersburg-franklin-county/39603657
| 2022-04-01T00:41:00Z
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Renewed Selling Pressure Anticipated For Malaysia Stock Market
(RTTNews) - The Malaysia stock market on Thursday snapped the three-day slide in which it had slipped almost 20 points or 1.3 percent. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now rests just above the 1,585-point plateau although it figures to head south again on Friday.
The global forecast for the Asian markets is soft, with oil and technology stocks expected to lead the way lower. The European and U.S. markets were down and the Asian bourses are tipped to open in similar fashion.
The KLCI finished slightly higher on Thursday following gains from the financial shares and the telecoms.
For the day, the index rose 4.14 points or 0.26 percent to finish at 1,587.36 after trading between 1,576.09 and 1,589.06. Volume was 2.860 billion shares worth 2.363 billion ringgit. There were 530 gainers and 370 decliners.
Among the actives, Axiata and Digi.com both gained 0.26 percent, while Dialog Group spiked 1.11 percent, Genting rose 0.21 percent, Genting Malaysia and RHB Capital both advanced 0.34 percent, Hartalega Holdings soared 1.25 percent, IHH Healthcare rallied 0.65 percent, INARI tumbled 1.29 percent, Kuala Lumpur Kepong was up 0.08 percent, Maybank and MISC both jumped 0.68 percent, Maxis sank 0.76 percent, MRDIY added 0.29 percent, Petronas Chemicals climbed 0.42 percent, PPB Group perked 0.23 percent, Press Metal dipped 0.32 percent, Public Bank collected 0.43 percent, Sime Darby dropped 0.41 percent, Sime Darby Plantations slumped 0.60 percent, Telekom Malaysia surged 2.95 percent, Tenaga Nasional fell 0.33 percent and Top Glove, CIMB Group and IOI Corporation were unchanged.
The lead from Wall Street is negative as the major averages opened lower on Thursday and the losses accelerated as the session progressed, finishing solidly in the red.
The Dow plummeted 550.46 points or 1.56 percent to finish at 34,678.35, while the NASDAQ plunged 221.76 points or 1.54 percent to close at 14,220.52 and the S&P 500 tumbled 72.04 points or 1.57 percent to end at 4,530.41.
Selling pressure picked up considerably in the final hour of the last trading day of the quarter, which marked the first negative quarter for the major averages since the first quarter of 2020.
For the first three months of 2022, the Nasdaq plummeted by 9.1 percent and the S&P 500 and Dow dove by 4.9 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively, although the major averages regained some ground in March.
Traders may also have been looking to safer havens ahead of the release of the Labor Department's closely watched monthly employment report later today.
Crude oil prices drifted plummeted on Thursday after U.S. President Joe Biden authorized the release of 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve for the next six months. West Texas International Crude oil futures for May ended lower by $7.54 or 7 percent at $100.28 a barrel, the lowest close since March 16.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
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https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/renewed-selling-pressure-anticipated-for-malaysia-stock-market
| 2022-04-01T00:41:00Z
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Just a quick snapshot Axl has discovered cartons - he seems to be the epitome of the Internet cat - assiduously studying gravity - - all my tables and dresser are cleared - he insists on attending bathroom events - - supervising showers and teeth cleaning - he's 10 minutes more punctual than my alarm clock - I could go on but boring....
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https://365project.org/kittinelson/365/2022-04-01
| 2022-04-01T00:41:00Z
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tommy La Stella still says being ready to play on Opening Day is up in the air for him.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a change in that yet,” La Stella said.
But through two games of spring action so far, he’s making quite the case for himself.
As he comes back from Achilles surgery, La Stella had another action-packed outing even though he only played three innings, going 2-for-2 with a homer and playing second base for the first time in the spring.
“He swung the bat really well, obviously — Tommy-style at-bats,” Kapler said.
After going 1-for-2 with a well-hit flyout, a three-run double and a walk on Tuesday, La Stella started off Thursday by pulling a homer to right, just coming a few feet short of hitting the Charro Lodge. He added a single in the first and advanced station-to-station to score a run in the second, the fifth run in the Giants’ 13-2 win over the Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday.
Playing at second base for the first time in a spring game, La Stella got tested in every which way in the third inning alone: running in to track a pop up, going to his left for a ground ball (that just went under his glove) and going to his right to snag a grounder on the run (though his throw back across his body to first was not in time for an out).
“Didn’t get cheated on defensively,” La Stella quipped before adding, “It was good to be out there and go side-to-side. And be able to rebound and come back on the next play. Whenever I am ready, that’s the stuff I’ve got to be able to do.”
Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford added, “I think he’d probably be the first one to say he probably wasn’t at his quickest out there, but just to get him moving around, that’s great.”
But Kapler said he was actually impressed in how La Stella — and other Giants veterans, too — has been able to not push himself and try to do too much, saying La Stella “was measured on both defense and on the bases, by design.”
“One of the things that I find really impressive is when a player is able to put a governor on [themselves],” Kapler said. “It makes us trust that, in that sort of situation in the regular season, we can understand that he’s not going to be beating out a ground ball, he’s not going to make a diving play up the middle or to his right and get up and throw a runner out. But then we’re going to get the high-quality at-bats.
If we need to do something like replace them on the bases or on defense, we’re willing to do that to have his bat around in shorter periods of time. He’s plenty capable of playing good defense, running the bases well, all of those things. But I think it’s worth noting that there are ways that we can protect him and we have protected him in the past.”
Even with those breaks in place, the swings are still looking sharp, which doesn’t come as a surprise to Crawford.
“He’s always had a pretty simple swing, so it’s probably not going to take him a whole lot of time in spring to get going,” Crawford said. “He has great eye-hand coordination and can handle the bat and is a great contact guy. To have him in the lineup is definitely a good thing for us.”
And as for the roster spot on Opening Day? “Nothing’s off the table,” Kapler said. “We keep everything on the table.”
Crawford’s tweaks at plate give instant pay-off
Right after La Stella’s first inning homer, Crawford stepped up next and added one of his own with a shot to right-center — even though he joked he wouldn’t have cared if it went out or not, given the time of year.
“I don’t really want to waste them in spring,” Crawford said.
But this particular one was a welcomed sight for Crawford, who entered Thursday 0-for-the-spring in 10 at-bats with six strikeouts. He finished the day with a .214 batting average after going 3-for-4 with the first inning homer, an RBI single in the second and an RBI double in the seventh.
Crawford said he worked on his swing on Wednesday and started feeling better during a live batting practice session right after. Seeing the tweaks carry over into the game was welcomed.
“Even if I hit a few balls hard and got out, honestly, I would have felt a lot better about where my swing is at, as far as timing and approach and swinging at the right pitches,” Crawford said. “Obviously, anything I’ll take a hit, but I prefer to hit the ball hard and feel good about my swing, confident about my swing.”
Wood welcomes the traffic in third spring outing
It’s only Logan Webb and Alex Wood who have made three starts in games this spring, and Wood’s Thursday outing came with the rapid pace he’s become known for.
But while the Giants offense was working the Rockies for five runs, six hits and four walks in the first two innings, Wood was anxiously waiting to get back out on the mound, reaching the rubber seemingly seconds after the final out of the bottom-half of the innings were recorded.
He finished the day throwing around 65 pitches in 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk and striking out four. He gave up both runs and all but one of his hits in the third, but he actually was just fine with having to deal with the traffic on the bases, a good check on his mechanics — and his rhythm — out of the stretch.
“I’ve made a conscious effort the last two seasons to make sure I’m looking at runners, whether they’re there or not,” Wood said. “I felt pretty comfortable with guys on, but it was definitely nice to have a little traffic out there and have to work a little bit harder than you would in a clean inning.”
But yet Wood was still able to get through the trouble and into the fifth and helped push the spring game’s time to under three hours, something that aligns with the Giants’ pitching philosophy of working fast and throwing strikes.
“Funny how that tends to correlate,” Kapler quipped postgame.
And why is Wood so quick to the plate?
“It’s probably my personality,” Wood said with a smile. “To be honest, I don’t like to wait around. I’m not a very patient person. That’s one of my faults as a human being.”
But what can be considered a fault in some aspects of life is a strength in others, and defenders absolutely love playing behind Wood, with La Stella saying Wood’s quickness is “on another level” compared to any other pitchers he’s played behind.
Wood is set to make one more start in Arizona before the season begins, aiming to get to around 80 pitches. But Wood wasn’t sure if he’d face the A’s on Tuesday, as the schedule currently lines him up to do.
Meanwhile, with Alex Cobb set to start on Friday, the rotation would typically indicate that Logan Webb would start Saturday, when the Giants have their lone spring game against the Dodgers.
But even with the abbreviated spring making the in-game repetitions more valued, there will be no rematch on Saturday. Kervin Castro was officially listed as the starter, with Webb instead pitching a simulated game. It’s a bit of gamesmanship that Kapler hinted was possible.
“I think there’s still time to play around with that a little bit, I just don’t think it can be the number one priority at this point,” Kapler said on Wednesday. “Number one priority is getting our pitchers the innings they need to be ready to go as deep into games as possible and to handle as many pitches as possible.
“Doesn’t mean that the competition element or the gamesmanship element goes out the window, but I think we just stay focused on the other side of that right now.”
The Giants didn’t shy away from starting Wood against the Rockies or Carlós Rodon against the Padres on Tuesday. But after their season-long battle last year, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Giants are treating the Dodgers differently.
Giants keep focus on mental health ahead of season opener
The Giants organization has continued its focus on mental health, designating Thursday as Mental Health Day in camp. It’s something that the manager strongly believes in.
“This is important because we believe that everybody in our player population is suffering with something,” Kapler said. “It could be something that’s going on at home, a family rift, it could be anxiety issues, it could be depressing issues. And those are elevated at different times for different players. And frankly, it’s not just our players – it’s also our staff, it’s also our front office.
“It’s every member of our organization.”
The team wore shirts with “Strength isn’t always mental” on the front and #EndTheStigma as part of their efforts to increase mental health awareness, and Drew Robinson and Dr. Shana Alexander both addressed the team earlier in the morning, reiterating that “everyone is suffering” message.
“It takes the edge off for the people that are listening,” Kapler said. “Because whatever it is that you’re dealing with from a mental health perspective, oftentimes you feel like you’re the only person — and especially in a historically competition-driven environment, showing any sort of weakness has always been seen as a lack of strength. In reality, we believe it is the direct opposite of that. It’s an indication of strength.”
Robinson, the former minor leaguer who lost an eye from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2020, is now in his capacity as a mental health advocate and Alexander — a clinical psychologist — as the Giants’ employee assistance program director. The Giants also have had Kellen Lee on staff since January 2020 as a minor league mental skills coach.
Kapler feels that the focus on mental health gives the Giants a leg up on the competition, but it’s one he’s happy to share with others.
“I think it’s definitely a competitive advantage, but also something we have to share because it’s the right thing to do,” Kapler said. “People are suffering, we can help them suffer less. There are some things that we want to keep quite proprietary. This is not one of them.”
Alexander was the one in charge of the t-shirts, which were initially just made for the team. But Kapler would be happy if the Giants decided to sell them: “No reason we wouldn’t want a lot of people wearing these shirts.”
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https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/03/31/sf-giants-notebook-tommy-la-stellas-bat-is-making-it-hard-to-keep-him-off-opening-day-roster/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:00Z
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Citing increased cost of subsidy payments and high fuel costs, which may likely erode the profits of many companies, thus resulting in lower tax receipts, analysts at CSL Research have predicted that the Federal Government is unlikely to meet its N10.1 trillion revenue projection for this year.
The analysts, who stated this in a report obtained by New Telegraph yesterday, also forecast that the fiscal deficit will widen “considerably” this year, given that, according to them, expenditure is set to exceed the N17.12 trillion projected by the Federal Government. They noted that their forecast is in line with the predic-tion by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) that Nigeria’s fiscal deficit will widen to a 10-year high this year as high global fuel prices push up petrol subsidy bills, while crude oil output remains low despite higher prices. According to the CSL Research analysts, “Brent oil price passed $100/bbl for the first time since 2014 as a worsening of the Russian Ukraine crisis continues to spark fears of a disruption to the region’s energy exports. “Theoretically, the rise in crude oil prices, a major source of foreign exchange to the country, should be positive for revenues. However, the perennial issue of terminal shutdowns, vandalism, thefts and low investments in the sector continues to fuel suboptimal oil output despite the relaxation of OPEC+ production agreements.
“The country’s fiscal deficit has surpassed the target by an average of c.65 per cent over the last five years due to ambitious revenue estimates and volatile crude oil prices. The fiscal deficit has more than doubled from 1.0 per cent of GDP in 2014 to about 5.9 per cent in 2021 based on IMF forecast. This is significantly above three per cent of GDP as recommended by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA). “The low oil revenue mobilization continues to mask the gains from the non-oil segment. The total gross CIT collection in 2021 was N1.69trillion, up by 19.6 per cent y/y compared with N1.41trillion in 2020 and the highest amount of CIT collected since the official publication began in 2015.”
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https://www.newtelegraphng.com/analysts-fg-wont-meet-n10-1trn-revenue-projection-for-2022/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:01Z
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Mar 30, 2022
Tesla dodges nickel crisis with secret deal locking in supplies
Bloomberg News
,Tesla Announces Shanghai Factory Suspension, Stock Split
The invasion of Ukraine has added to agita among electric-vehicle makers over the supply of nickel, a critical ingredient in EV batteries, since Russia is one of the world’s biggest producers.
But Tesla Inc. had already been scouring the globe for the metal, signing pacts with several nickel suppliers since 2021.
That includes a multiyear supply deal with mining giant Vale SA. The agreement, which hasn’t been announced, covers nickel from Canada, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named discussing private details.
Unlike most of its peer automakers, Tesla has spent years focusing on how to secure its own nickel supplies.
The efforts are part of Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s focus on vertical integration to maintain control over Tesla’s supply chain. The company jointly operates a massive battery-cell plant outside Reno, Nevada, with Japan’s Panasonic Corp. Tesla buys cells from other leading suppliers but also makes its own.
And the company is constantly pushing for advances in how raw materials are processed and batteries are made. At a presentation in 2020, executives talked about shortening the processing path from mine to cathode.
“What Tesla has done with nickel is a hidden competitive advantage,” said Gene Munster, managing partner of Loup Ventures. “Tesla continues to be a couple of steps ahead of the rest.”
Musk has repeatedly flagged nickel supply as the company’s biggest concern as it boosts output, and the metal’s availability is a source of anxiety throughout the EV sector. Battery-sector demand for nickel is expected to jump to about 1.5 million tons in 2030 from 400,745 tons this year, according to BloombergNEF.
“Please mine more nickel,” Musk urged producers on an earnings call two years ago. “Tesla will give you a giant contract for a long period of time if you mine nickel efficiently and in an environmentally sensitive way.”
Sanctions against Russia over its invasion have added urgency, since the country holds about 17 per cent of global capacity for refined Class 1 nickel, the type required for EVs. Since the Feb. 24 attack on Ukraine, the price of nickel had climbed 30 per cent though Tuesday on the London Metal Exchange. Prices tripled over two days during that period because of a short squeeze though much of that advance was pared. The market could settle down if there are signs the war will end.
“The nickel price surge and the implications from the Russia-Ukraine invasion are likely to push battery manufacturers, particularly in the U.S., to secure alternate supply chains,” according to a BloombergNEF report.
Tesla’s deal with Vale is one of several that the carmaker has forged over the last year. In January, the Austin, Texas-based EV manufacturer committed to purchase 75,000 metric tons of nickel concentrate from a Talon Metals Corp. project being developed in Minnesota. That followed agreements with BHP Group, the world’s biggest mining company, for material for Australia.Tesla also has a pact with operators of a nickel mine in the South Pacific island of New Caledonia.
“People don’t realize how far ahead Tesla is when it comes to securing the supply chain for raw materials and an integrated approach to battery materials,” said Todd Malan, a spokesman for Talon Metals.
Vale said it has plans to increase its sales to the EV market to between 30 per cent and 40 per cent from 5 per cent. The Brazil-based miner didn’t comment specifically on its Tesla agreement. Tesla didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Vale’s American depositary receipts rose less than 1 per cent at 9:56 a.m. Wednesday in New York after Bloomberg News reported on the nickel deal with Tesla. Shares of the carmaker were little changed.
Nickel is a key component for the cathodes of electric-vehicle batteries, and Tesla is focused on nickel-based chemistries for longer-range vehicles. It uses iron-phosphate for shorter-range vehicles.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s administration is discussing adding battery materials as soon as this week to the list of items covered by the 1950 Defense Production Act, looking to encourage domestic production, people familiar with the matter said. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is scheduled to hold a hearing on the domestic supply of critical minerals on Thursday.
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https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/tesla-dodges-nickel-crisis-with-secret-deal-locking-in-supplies-1.1745168
| 2022-04-01T00:41:01Z
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Astropay CEO Mikael Lijtenstein talks recent success and future plans
31st March 2022 11:14 am GMTHaving recently launched its digital payment offering in the key European markets of Portugal, Spain and the UK, AstroPay’s appetite for global expansion shows no sign of abating. Chief executive Mikael Lijtenstein discusses his company’s success with Gaming Intelligence.
Since its launch in Brazil in 2009, AstroPay has gone on to attract more than five million users to its digital payments solution, which is now integrated with more than 200 banks and payment systems.
The company’s rapid growth to date is attributed to its extensive experience in handling the specificities of emerging markets, and its commitment to delivering a fast and secure solution in every market in which it operates, for both merchants and consumers.
“It is incredibly important to meet customer expectations,” Lijtenstein tells Gaming Intelligence. “We need to understand what they want when they are making a purchase or a deposit. With that in mind, listening to the users is vitally important, bringing them to more sites and adding more features to their payment solution.”
One of those features is AstroPay’s One Touch e-wallet solution, which launched during the pandemic in 2020. It is a digital wallet solution for merchants that allows them to process deposits and withdrawals instantly, easily and securely.
“With a single integration, iGaming operators can easily access the benefits of One Touch, including greater control over transactions, minimise risk of fraud or missed payments, auto enrolment channel with little to no IT intervention required on their side, and automatic approval for payments from recurring users. This alongside Know Your Customer (KYC) verification and identification control, access to analytics and reports, as well as fraud alerts that meet the levels of security and compliance required nowadays,” says Lijtenstein.
“For users, the One Touch digital wallet enables them to withdraw and deposit money easily, making the whole process instant and seamless. What’s unique about One Touch is it has been developed with user experience and journey in mind. We developed it to make sure end users avoid pain points when making transactions, making their payment journey as seamless as possible with only one touch.”
Another huge milestone for AstroPay was their launch in Spain, Portugal and in particular the UK after already debuting in Kenya, Asia and South Africa. “We’re happy to take on this new challenge to service users all over the world,” said Lijtenstein. “Europe is a huge and challenging market, but there is always space for a new payment method to offer to our clients. We’re hoping that the early adopters – the users who will try new payment methods – will start using AstroPay.
“Countries in Africa and Asia are some of the fastest growing consumer markets in the world. They have big populations and mobile gaming, mobile payments and user experience are growing rapidly there so the markets are very conducive to adoption of digital payments. We saw this as an opportunity to expand our user base and market reach as part of our ambition to become a global payment company with our solutions available in more than 150 countries.
“Furthermore, these markets have something in common which is the fact that a great number of their population are still unbanked and many consumers don’t have access to traditional financial services such as credit cards and bank transfers. Therefore, alternative payment options like digital wallets and mobile payments are popular and very well received by this group of consumers, which also helps with the rise of online gaming in these regions.”
Expanding from emerging markets into heavily regulated countries such as the UK is no easy feat. Lijtenstein attributes AstroPay’s success to being able to offer the same solution to all users across multiple markets. “We have learnt from the complex emerging markets that we started in, now launching to Europe we have all that experience to get us going. We have dedicated teams on the ground to listen to users, making the customers the centrepiece of the company,” he says.
The advancement of their dedicated teams has been helped by the rise of remote working, alongside the acceleration of cashless payments, both products of the pandemic. This has allowed AstroPay to attract top talent from all over the world, solidifying their position in regions such as Asia and Europe. “We are constantly watching the trends of the markets which dictates how we communicate with our customers and clients, it is clear that cashless transactions are the future for markets and technology – the pandemic accelerated what we already knew.”
AstroPay will be attending ICE next month at the ExCeL centre in London, alongside a host of other companies where Lijtenstein says they will showcase their improvements of the past couple of years. “We now have over 5 million users as well as our new features and we are excited to welcome everyone attending our role in the iGaming industry.
“iGaming is a huge industry and there is a lot of potential to develop from this sector. We helped igaming operators with prepaid vouchers when we first started AstroPay, but technology has evolved, and we realised we had to develop something new, something that would satisfy the needs of our operators and users. This is why we have been focusing on developing our API and providing simple integration for operators for easy checkout and cash-in in order to help them with their business, by providing the technological solution to payment flows on their websites.”
As well as improving and expanding their product, AstroPay have recently announced high profile sponsorship deals with English Premier League football teams to increase the company's visibility. After having already revealed they would be the shirt sleeve sponsor of Burnley FC for the 2021/22 Premier League season last July, AstroPay announced their sponsorship of Crystal Palace’s official training wear alongside having their branding feature on LED advertising boards at the club's Selhurst Park stadium on match days and on social media channels.
“The Premier League is the most watched league in the world. It is massive for us that we are there involved with such an established team like Crystal Palace,” said Lijtenstein speaking on the deal.
AstroPay have their sights set on launching in new markets during 2022 and beyond as they continue to make the digital payment path easier and faster.
“As a Fintech company we focus on understanding what our users need while remaining compliant with the regulations in every market we operate in. Our goal is to continue to make the payment path easier and faster by being adaptable. We started in Brazil, then expanded into the rest of Latin America, then into India and China. During the pandemic we launched in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Bangladesh. We are watching markets constantly to see how they develop, it’s what we do every day,” concludes a visibly excited Lijtenstein.
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https://www.gamingintelligence.com/insight/astropay-ceo-mikael-lijtenstein-talks-recent-success-and-future-plans/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:00Z
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‘Spying’ Trial Of Australian National, State TV Anchor Cheng Lei Held In Secret
By RFA
By Gao Feng and Fong Tak Ho
Australian national and Chinese state TV anchor Cheng Lei stood trial behind closed doors at a Beijing court on Thursday for alleged breaches of the national security law.
Cheng was detained on suspicion of “spying” in August 2020, and has been held incommunicado for more than 18 months since.
She stood trial at the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court on Thursday, amid tight security, but accompanied by a lawyer, according to an Australian diplomat at the scene.
Australian ambassador to China Graham Fletcher said he was denied permission to sit in the public gallery for the trial, on the grounds that the case “involved state secrets.”
The refusal came despite a public request from Australian foreign minister Marise Payne, who called on Beijing to allow diplomats to observe the trial and observe basic standards of fairness, procedural justice and humane treatment.
Fletcher told reporters he was concerned about the outcome for Cheng.
Beijing-based criminal lawyer Zhang Dongshuo said the harshness of Cheng’s sentence — Chinese courts rarely acquit defendants outright — would likely depend on how sensitive the “secrets” involved were deemed to be.
“If it is a question of more than one instance, for example, sentencing would be very different if there were more than 10 or less than 10 instances,” Zhang said. “Whether it involved the highest-level of classified information, what they call ‘top secret,’ or a lower level [also affects the outcome].”
He said Cheng’s Australian passport is unlikely to help her much.
“Nationality and identity are generally not considered in sentencing, but in some special cases, it could be affected by matters of national defense, foreign affairs and other matters, and special consideration may be given by the court,” Zhang said.
Currently, sentencing for those found guilty of “illegally providing state secrets overseas” ranges between five and 10 years’ imprisonment, but lighter sentences have also been given, he said.
If Cheng was seen as “cooperative,” for example, if she “confessed” to the charges and pleaded guilty, she could be released soon after the trial.
“This possibility certainly exists,” Zhang said. “If the number and level of state secrets in Cheng Lei’s case aren’t high, then she could receive a fairly light sentence with time already served deducted.”
But he said there was no guarantee, in the absence of further information about the charges faced by Cheng.
Feng Chongyi, a professor of political science at the University of Technology Sydney, said the existence of any “confession” was the most important factor, however.
“This is very important,” Feng said. “This is the scary part of the Chinese criminal law. It requires the person to plead guilty, and it depends on your attitude in making a confession.”
“Cheng Lei is a mother of two children. That would make it easier to negotiate with the Chinese authorities and to reach a compromise,” he said.
Bloomberg employee
Meanwhile, little has been heard of Bloomberg News employee Haze Fan, who was taken away by state security police in December 2020 on suspicion of “endangering national security.”
Chinese authorities have only said that investigation into her case is still ongoing.
Both Fan and Cheng had been friends, helping to collect donations of medical supplies to aid front-line medical workers in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, according to information publicly available on Facebook.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for Fan’s immediate and unconditional release, saying the allegations against her have no credibility.
Cheng, 47, was born in Hunan and moved to Australia with her parents as a child. She once worked as an anchor on China Global Television News (CGTN), the international arm of CCTV.
She was detained in August 2020 and formally arrested in February 2021.
Cheng’s detention came amid increasingly strained ties between Beijing and Canberra, which is taking steps to limit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s propaganda outreach in the country, and which has barred Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from bidding for 5G mobile contracts.
Risks of reporting
While foreign journalists have long faced challenging conditions under CCP rule, now they are also dealing with growing hostility and intimidation, including online stalking, smear campaigns, hacking and visa denials, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China (FCCC) said in its annual report in February 2022.
More than 60 percent of respondents had been obstructed by police or officials last year, while almost all journalists who went to Xinjiang were visible followed throughout their trips, while more than a quarter said their sources had been detained, harassed or questioned more than once following interviews.
There is also a growing legal threat for journalists working in China, with the authorities encouraging a spate of lawsuits or the threat of legal action against foreign journalists, typically filed by sources long after they have explicitly agreed to be interviewed, the report said.
It said “state-backed attacks” including online trolling of foreign journalists is also on the increase.
|
https://www.eurasiareview.com/01042022-spying-trial-of-australian-national-state-tv-anchor-cheng-lei-held-in-secret/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:02Z
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PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (AP) — Firefighters from across Tennessee continued working Thursday morning to contain a wildfire near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that spread overnight despite rain from storms that passed through the area, officials said.
The blaze, which began as a brush fire Wednesday morning in the Hatcher Mountain area of Wears Valley, had spread to more than 3,700 acres (1,497 hectares) and had impacted more than 100 structures, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said during a press conference. Around 11,000 homes in the area had been evacuated. Three injuries were reported during the blaze, but Waters said no fatalities or missing people had been reported.
He said a coordinated response from emergency personnel, firefighters, forestry officials and others helped mitigate damage in the area.
“This fire could have been much more devastating had we not had this team in place. They were able to, even with the winds and the low humidity, they were able to stay ahead of it as much as possible,” he said.
Officials had warned early Wednesday that warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds increased the risk of fire danger. Waters said the conditions were similar to those in 2016 when wildfires ravaged the tourism town of Gatlinburg, killing 14 people and damaging or destroying about 2,500 buildings.
Firefighters from more than 70 agencies helped respond to the blaze and many worked through the night in an effort to keep it from spreading. It was only 5% contained, but fire lines drawn overnight helped keep the blaze from spreading into the city of Pigeon Forge, Waters said.
Rain early Thursday from storms passing through did not put the fire out, but officials said it helped the situation and the current weather conditions were more favorable for containing the fire.
Evacuation orders remain in effect until the fire is under control. Schools in the area were closed Thursday as a precaution, officials said.
The fire was in what the state Agriculture Department described as steep and difficult terrain. The cause is still undetermined.
At least three shelters were established for those evacuated, authorities said. More than 100 people stayed overnight at the Pigeon Forge Community Center, Sharon Hudson, executive director of the Eastern Tennessee chapter of the American Red Cross. told the Knoxville News Sentinel.
A line of severe storms packing isolated tornadoes and high winds ripped across the Deep South overnight, killing at least two in the Florida Panhandle, toppling trees and power lines and leaving homes and businesses damaged as the vast weather front raced across several states.
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https://www.mystateline.com/news/national/crews-work-to-contain-wildfire-near-smoky-mountains/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:01Z
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https://dan.com/buy-domain/kn0wledge.com
| 2022-04-01T00:41:02Z
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BORA (BORA) traded down 2.5% against the US dollar during the 24 hour period ending at 20:00 PM Eastern on March 31st. BORA has a market cap of $818.48 million and approximately $107.12 million worth of BORA was traded on exchanges in the last 24 hours. One BORA coin can currently be purchased for about $0.95 or 0.00002086 BTC on exchanges. Over the last seven days, BORA has traded 2.7% higher against the US dollar.
Here’s how related cryptocurrencies have performed over the last 24 hours:
- Binance USD (BUSD) traded down 0% against the dollar and now trades at $1.00 or 0.00002193 BTC.
- Polygon (MATIC) traded down 4% against the dollar and now trades at $1.62 or 0.00003552 BTC.
- Polygon (MATIC) traded up 1% against the dollar and now trades at $1.65 or 0.00004286 BTC.
- Crypto.com Coin (CRO) traded 5% higher against the dollar and now trades at $0.41 or 0.00001075 BTC.
- Dai (DAI) traded down 0% against the dollar and now trades at $1.00 or 0.00002194 BTC.
- Chainlink (LINK) traded down 1.8% against the dollar and now trades at $16.92 or 0.00037138 BTC.
- Parkgene (GENE) traded flat against the dollar and now trades at $25.59 or 0.00045023 BTC.
- DREP (DREP) traded flat against the dollar and now trades at $1.96 or 0.00003398 BTC.
- DREP [old] (DREP) traded flat against the dollar and now trades at $1.96 or 0.00003399 BTC.
- FTX Token (FTT) traded 4.5% lower against the dollar and now trades at $48.91 or 0.00107359 BTC.
BORA Coin Profile
According to CryptoCompare, “BORA ISLAND is a decentralized entertainment platform focused on distributing digital contents and providing incentives to the participants.BORA is an ERC20 token that serves as the ecosystem's currency. “
Buying and Selling BORA
It is usually not possible to purchase alternative cryptocurrencies such as BORA directly using U.S. dollars. Investors seeking to acquire BORA should first purchase Ethereum or Bitcoin using an exchange that deals in U.S. dollars such as Coinbase, GDAX or Gemini. Investors can then use their newly-acquired Ethereum or Bitcoin to purchase BORA using one of the exchanges listed above.
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https://www.com-unik.info/2022/03/31/bora-bora-one-day-volume-hits-107-12-million.html
| 2022-04-01T00:41:03Z
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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A 14-count indictment filed on Wednesday accuses former Democratic Assemblyman Alexander Assefa of lying about where he lived when he won election and taking campaign funds for personal use.
The charges — two gross misdemeanors and 12 felonies — were originally filed against Assefa in March of 2021 by the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. He resigned his Nevada Assembly seat in January of 2021, leading to the appointment of Tracy Brown-May to represent District 42.
Filing a false address on a county declaration to run for office is a gross misdemeanor, but it becomes a felony when it is submitted into state records for candidacy and campaign contributions. An additional felony charge relates to Assefa’s attempt to file a change of address.
Seven felonies are related to reporting and use of campaign funds. Assefa’s indictment states he used more than $3,500 in campaign funds for personal use, and also made false reports in his Contribution and Expenses Reports in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Assefa won the Democratic primary and was unopposed when he won election in 2018, and he easily won re-election in 2020.
The investigation into his campaign finances prompted law enforcement to raid Assefa’s home in May of 2020.
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https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/14-count-indictment-filed-against-former-lawmaker/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:03Z
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Brad Evans named new Saint Jo High principal
Brad Evans has been named the new principal at Saint Jo High School starting in the 2022-23 school year....
bowienewsonline.comBrad Evans has been named the new principal at Saint Jo High School starting in the 2022-23 school year....
bowienewsonline.com
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https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2556539341940/brad-evans-named-new-saint-jo-high-principal
| 2022-04-01T00:41:03Z
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Two Santa Clara County parks in south San Jose may soon just be a hop, skip and jump away from each other.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors is to consider whether to purchase a 47-acre, $8.5 million plot wedged between Santa Teresa and Calero county parks so a trail could be built between the two open spaces, which between them are about four times the size of San Francisco’s Presidio.
The proposed trail would stretch from Santa Teresa’s Stile Ranch trail down through Calero’s Lisa Killough trail, a relatively flat course that crosses over two creeks. It would allow hikers, bikers and horseback riders to link up with a total of 30 miles of footpaths throughout the two county parks.
Tim Heffington, the real estate agent for the county’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the proposed land purchase would be part of a wider effort by the county to interconnect its parks. The county did just that in 2016 with the purchase of Coyote Highlands to the southeast and is currently finalizing a trail that’ll connect Harvey Bear Ranch and Anderson Lake Park.
“This property presents a unique opportunity,” Heffington said, noting there’s no other plots between Santa Teresa and Calero that offer a continuous corridor. He said property was appraised at the same price it is being sold for. Roughly 90% of the land is zoned for agriculture.
Heffington also said the purchase should reduce overcrowding in the parks. According to the county, cars often park illegally on nearby roads, sparking complaints from neighbors. In addition, horseback riders and cyclists often cross McKean Road to the south at Calero County Park without a designated footpath, which the county has deemed as dangerous because vehicles on the road “often” go over the 45 mph speed limit. Heffington said that while there are no concrete plans to build another parking lot within the 47-acre area, the option is on the table.
Both Santa Teresa and Calero were established by the county in 1958 and have since expanded.
Julie Hutchinson, who oversees external affairs and advocacy for Palo Alto-based environmental group Green Foothills, said the proposed purchase would be a good one for preservation purposes.
“It’s a win,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for land to be enhanced for its natural value.”
Hutchinson added that the $8.5 million price tag — though not unusual considering the property’s size and location — reveals how tough it is for farmers who want to buy land but can’t afford to.
“That’s just the unfortunate situation in our valley,” Hutchinson said. “New farmers don’t have that kind of money.”
The owner of the property, Palo Alto developer Charles “Chop” Keenan, has owned the land since 1974. Keenan said he started working six months ago with the county on a deal.
“I’m an older guy,” said Keenan, 77. “It was time for me to exit this property. So the timing was good for this county and for me.”
Keenan, who said he also owns a walnut orchard on a 90-acre plot in nearby Coyote Valley, has been a longtime developer in the region dating back to the 1970s.
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https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/03/31/trail-could-be-built-between-two-county-parks-in-south-san-jose/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:04Z
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| 2022-04-01T00:41:04Z
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The Proposed Hike In German Military Spending – Analysis
By SIPRI
By Alexandra Marksteiner*
A few days after Russia launched its first airstrikes against the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the German Parliament convened for a special Sunday session. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz took the floor and, within half an hour, did away with decades of political restraint and ushered in a new era of German foreign and security policy. He proposed the creation of a special fund of €100 billion (US$112 billion) to be spent on military procurement and pledged to allocate more than 2 per cent of Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) to defence.
For a country that had long been wary of military power and has continuously delayed plans to reach the 2 per cent expenditure goal set by NATO, Scholz’s historic speech represents a watershed moment. Dialogue and trade interdependence—the cornerstones of Germany’s policy towards Russia—had failed to deter President Putin from waging war against Ukraine and uttering threats against other European states. Under this new German thinking, it is military hardware, not gas pipelines or other trade mechanisms, that will deter further aggression and manage relations with Russia.
Interestingly, the German electorate appears to back Scholz’s decision: according to a recent poll, 69 per cent of voters support the government’s proposal to boost military spending, up from 39 per cent in 2018. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has evidently heightened threat perceptions, thereby bringing about a dramatic shift in public opinion. Security now comes at a higher cost.
The procedure
Two and a half weeks after Scholz’s announcement, the German Finance Minister, Christian Lindner, presented a revised draft budget for 2022 along with a draft law creating the special fund to the cabinet. The €100 billion would be appropriated through an extra-budgetary fund, termed a Sondervermögen, to allow legislators to circumvent the constitutional debt brake (Schuldenbremse). This limit has been suspended to finance economic relief measures during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the new ruling coalition is keen to reinstate it from 2023 onwards.
After cabinet approval, the revised draft budget was handed over to the German Parliament to be debated and amended. It is expected to pass by June. The draft law authorizing the Sondervermögen will follow a similar route, but will require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the legislature to be adopted, given that it entails a constitutional amendment. The idea is to anchor the new fund in Germany’s Basic Law (Grundgesetz) to prevent the money from being diverted amid the ebb and flow of German politics.
The maths
Shortly after Scholz’s speech aired, the research community rushed to crunch the numbers and make sense of the proposal. Now that additional information has emerged, some conclusions of those early days have to be revisited. First, the two promises made that day—to allocate at least 2 per cent of Germany’s GDP to defence and to commit €100 billion to military procurement—now appear to be complementary, not supplementary. The funds in the Sondervermögen are not to be spent in addition to the 2 per cent of GDP goal, but instead would go towards reaching it. Second, while the Sondervermögen is to be created and appropriated in 2022, the funds are not intended to be spent in one go but, instead, over several years.
In 2021 the Ministry of Defence (MOD) received €46.9 billion in funding. To reach the 2 per cent target, Germany’s military expenditure would have to rise to €75.5 billion in 2022 and €85.6 billion by 2026. The revised draft budget appropriates €50.3 billion for the MOD in 2022 and then €50.1 billion per year until 2026.
This leaves a funding gap of €25.2 billion in 2022 and €35.5 billion by 2026. All in all, the German government would have to invest an additional €151.5 billion over these five years to fulfil Scholz’s pledge. At that pace, the funds in the Sondervermögen would be depleted by the middle of 2025. Based on this, it seems that the intended timeframe for the implementation of the Sondervermögen is three years.
If Scholz’s proposal is realized, it would represent the largest absolute jump in German military expenditure since at least World War II. Annual spending would increase by 50 per cent in 2022 alone. This would catapult Germany towards the top of the list of the world’s largest military spenders. All else being equal, Germany would rank third—up from seventh in 2020—behind the United States and China and ahead of India and Russia.
The risks of a rushed approach
If the Sondervermögen is indeed to be spent within just three years, it may be of limited help to address persistent capability gaps within the German armed forces (Bundeswehr). Procurement projects are notorious for being overlong and drawn-out; that holds especially true for major equipment such as naval vessels and next-generation combat aircraft. Rushing the process would deprive the Bundeswehr of long-term planning security and may lead to money being hastily spent on inefficient, under-performing and incompatible systems.
Moreover, spending €100 billion requires a large amount of bureaucratic resources. In 2021 the MOD’s procurement apparatus oversaw an annual budget of roughly €9 billion. In order to increase investment to €34 billion in 2022 alone, as Scholz’s plan seems to require, the MOD would have to recruit and train new personnel and reform old processes at lightning speed—a monumental task.
The apparent three-year spending window may be down to political calculus. It is probably no coincidence that the end of the timeframe for the implementation of the Sondervermögen would coincide with the next federal elections in 2025. This would allow the ruling coalition to meet the 2 per cent target, while shelving any politically sensitive discussions on budgetary trade-offs until the next legislative period. If, instead, the coalition were to stretch the Sondervermögen over, say, five or ten years, it would have to raise the regular budget for the Bundeswehr and make cuts elsewhere—a politically risky move—in order to meet the 2 per cent goal while complying with the debt limit.
In this case, however, the German government would be best advised to spend the Sondervermögen over a longer time period, instead of going on a hurried shopping spree. This would provide the Bundeswehr with a long-term planning horizon and help minimize the risks of wasteful spending. The stated need to swiftly bolster the armed forces ought to be balanced with a measured, deliberate and future-oriented procurement policy based on a prioritization scheme and a continuous assessment of ends, ways and means. If the aim is to build and maintain a capable Bundeswehr, slow and steady wins the race.
Some known unknowns
A month after Scholz’s announcement, several questions remain. For instance, on what exactly will the Sondervermögen be spent? In his speech, Scholz called for ‘necessary investments in procurement’. According to media reports, the draft law is far more ambiguous, envisaging the creation of a special fund of €100 billion to ‘strengthen the defence capabilities of the Alliance’. This could refer to the procurement of military equipment, costs related to maintenance, investment into research and development and so on. It could also be interpreted to include operational costs and civil defence.
Perhaps more importantly, will the bill pass in its current form? By itself, the ruling coalition—composed of the Social Democratic, Green and the Liberal Democratic parties—cannot muster the necessary two-thirds majorities in either legislative chamber. Moreover, there are indications that not all members of the coalition will vote in favour of the Sondervermögen.
So, which way does the opposition lean? The Left party is unlikely to support the proposal; it has historically opposed increases in military spending. The far-right populist Alternative for Germany will probably vote against the amendment as well; its leadership blames the West, not Putin, for the war in Ukraine.
That leaves the Christian Democrat Union, the largest opposition party. Despite generally advocating for increased investment in military capabilities, the Christian Democrats have threatened to withdraw support if the phrasing of the draft law is not clarified; the party wants the Sondervermögen to be spent solely on military procurement. Party leader Friedrich Merz has also hinted that he will only allow as many members of his party to vote for the constitutional amendment as are needed to pass the two-thirds mark, meaning that everyone in ruling coalition would have to vote affirmatively to ensure the adoption of the law.
Should the motion fail, Scholz would either have to abandon his plans or draw up a new bill for a stand-alone Sondervermögen that is not protected by a constitutional amendment. Such a precedent exists in the special fund for energy and climate which was approved in 2010.
Lastly, there is the question of what will happen to the government’s original defence spending plans. In the coalition agreement signed in December 2021, the three ruling parties pledged to allocate a total of 3 per cent of GDP to defence, development and diplomacy (3D). This was done to cast military capabilities as part of an integrated, global security strategy and possibly to challenge the rigidity of NATO’s spending target.
Following Scholz’s speech, it is unclear whether his proposal is meant to complement or supersede this approach and how spending on development and diplomacy might be affected. The innovative 3D policy could become yet another casualty of the war in Ukraine.
*About the author: Alexandra Marksteiner is a Researcher in the SIPRI Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme.
Source: This article was published by SIPRI
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https://www.eurasiareview.com/01042022-the-proposed-hike-in-german-military-spending-analysis/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:04Z
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Japan Finance Minister Suzuki says BOJ has target for inflation, not for FX rates
TOKYO : The target of the Bank of Japan's monetary policies is stable price inflation, not foreign exchange rates, Japanese finance minister Shunichi Suzuki told a press conference on Friday.
Suzuki was replying to a question about the relationship between the yen's recent weakening and the central bank's ultra-easing.
The government "will take appropriate steps on currency policies in close communication with currency authorities in the United States and others, as currency stability is important and sharp exchange-rate moves are undesirable," Suzuki added, repeating previous remarks made by top Japanese officials.
(Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/japan-finance-minister-suzuki-says-boj-has-target-inflation-not-fx-rates-2600581?cid=cna_flip_070214
| 2022-04-01T00:41:05Z
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Final Four coaches feel transfer portal is “out of control”
By The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jeff Walz has had a lot of success getting players to transfer to Louisville over the last few years, including three starters on his Final Four team this season. He’s not the only coach in the Final Four who has bolstered the roster by using the transfer portal as both South Carolina and UConn have found supplemental players from it. Still Walz, Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma think the amount of players looking to change schools is getting out of control.
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https://kion546.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/03/31/final-four-coaches-feel-transfer-portal-is-out-of-control-2/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:05Z
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https://www.leafly.com/brands/love-carissa/products/love-carissa-cinnamon-lollipop-40mg-candy
| 2022-04-01T00:41:05Z
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The joy of returning home, after not easy days, for Fedez it’s all in a post published on Instagram, in which he thanks the doctors and nurses who took care of him at San Raffaele in Milan.
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“Thanks to you who literally saved my lifewho have accompanied me and looked after me in these days that have not been simple but that on the other side they gave me a new lease on life», Wrote the singer accompanying a shot together with the medical staff, but without forgetting the followers: And again:« Thanks to Prof. Falconi and all his incredible staff. Thanks to all the nurses and nurses in the ward. And thanks to you for the great humanity and the support you have given me. Love is the most powerful medicine“.
Next to Fedez, Chiara Ferragni, who in the last week has been divided between her two children, Leone and Vittoria, and her husband, spending a lot of time with him in the hospital. The last couple shot had arrived on Wednesday 30 March. Close to each other, inevitably tired, the rapper and the influencer had finally appeared more relaxed for the first time.
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https://d1softballnews.com/fedez-we-go-home-we-go-back-to-life-love-is-the-most-powerful-medicine/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:06Z
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Food and gas prices likely to continue rising this year
(CNN) - If you are wondering when gas and grocery prices will come down, the answer is probably not anytime soon.
In fact, you might have to pay even more for those commodities in the coming months.
New federal forecasts show food prices likely will keep climbing, and the average cost of gas will say high or may even rise.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts grocery prices will increase up to 4% throughout this year, and the average cost of dining out could set a new record.
That is partly because Ukraine and Russia usually export a lot of the world’s wheat and corn.
“It will have global context, impact, beyond anything we’ve seen since World War II,” said David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program.
China’s new COVID-19 lockdowns are also making it hard for supply chains to recover from the pandemic.
Oil prices dipped a bit this week after Russia said it would ease up its assault on parts of Ukraine, but White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said, “No one shoud be fooled by Russia’s announcement.”
“It’s called rockets and feathers, meaning when the price goes up, price per barrel, that means your gas stations prices go up like a rocket. When the price goes down per barrel, the gas station prices come down like a feather,” U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kswo.com/2022/03/30/food-gas-prices-likely-continue-rising-this-year/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:06Z
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New York, March 31, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has assigned ratings to two classes of notes issued by Anchorage Capital CLO 24, Ltd. (the "Issuer" or "Anchorage 24").
Moody's rating action is as follows:
U.S.$270,000,000 Class A-1 Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2034, Assigned Aaa (sf)
U.S.$14,400,000 Class E Junior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2034, Assigned Ba3 (sf)
The notes listed above are referred to herein, collectively, as the "Rated Notes."
RATINGS RATIONALE
The rationale for the ratings is based on our methodology and considers all relevant risks, particularly those associated with the CLO's portfolio and structure.
Anchorage 24 is a managed cash flow CLO. The issued notes will be collateralized primarily by broadly syndicated senior secured corporate loans. At least 92.5% of the portfolio must consist of senior secured loans and eligible investments, and up to 7.5% of the portfolio may consist of second lien loans, unsecured loans and permitted non-loan assets. The portfolio is approximately 90% ramped as of the closing date.
Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C. (the "Manager") will direct the selection, acquisition and disposition of the assets on behalf of the Issuer and may engage in trading activity, including discretionary trading, during the transaction's three-year reinvestment period. Thereafter, subject to certain restrictions, the Manager may reinvest unscheduled principal payments and proceeds from sales of credit risk assets.
In addition to the Rated Notes, the Issuer issued five other classes of secured notes and one class of subordinated notes.
The transaction incorporates interest and par coverage tests which, if triggered, divert interest and principal proceeds to pay down the notes in order of seniority.
Moody's modeled the transaction using a cash flow model based on the Binomial Expansion Technique, as described in Section 2.3.2.1 of the "Moody's Global Approach to Rating Collateralized Loan Obligations" rating methodology published in December 2021.
For modeling purposes, Moody's used the following base-case assumptions:
Par amount: $450,000,000
Diversity Score: 60
Weighted Average Rating Factor (WARF): 3262
Weighted Average Spread (WAS): 3.70%
Weighted Average Coupon (WAC): 5.50%
Weighted Average Recovery Rate (WARR): 47.5%
Weighted Average Life (WAL): 6.54 years
Methodology Underlying the Rating Action:
The principal methodology used in these ratings was "Moody's Global Approach to Rating Collateralized Loan Obligations" published in December 2021 and available at http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBS_1293730. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
Factors That Would Lead to an Upgrade or Downgrade of the Ratings:
The performance of the Rated Notes is subject to uncertainty. The performance of the Rated Notes is sensitive to the performance of the underlying portfolio, which in turn depends on economic and credit conditions that may change. The Manager's investment decisions and management of the transaction will also affect the performance of the Rated Notes.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
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https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-assigns-ratings-to-two-classes-of-notes-issued-by--PR_464601
| 2022-04-01T00:41:05Z
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HOF Village Bringing Athletic Leagues from SportsDome to ‘Center for Performance’
CANTON, Ohio (News Talk 1480 WHBC) – More local athletes will be spending time at the Hall of Fame Village.
That’s now that the village has finalized a partnership with the SportsDome in Jackson Township.
The deal moves all their sports activities to the under-construction Center for Performance in Canton after the Spring sports season.
The 30-year-old SportsDome will then cease operations, according to the village.
The new facility is to open in July.
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https://www.mix941.com/hof-village-bringing-athletic-leagues-from-sportsdome-to-center-for-performance/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:06Z
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U.S. Gold Corp. (NASDAQ:USAU – Get Rating) CEO George M. Bee purchased 1,567 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 29th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $7.15 per share, for a total transaction of $11,204.05. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.
Shares of USAU traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $7.00. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 24,906 shares, compared to its average volume of 71,597. The business has a fifty day moving average of $7.32 and a 200 day moving average of $8.84. The company has a market cap of $52.37 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.01 and a beta of 1.68. U.S. Gold Corp. has a 1 year low of $6.01 and a 1 year high of $13.20.
U.S. Gold (NASDAQ:USAU – Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 17th. The technology company reported ($0.61) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Sell-side analysts predict that U.S. Gold Corp. will post -1.67 EPS for the current year.
Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in USAU. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of U.S. Gold by 2,572.8% during the third quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 7,751 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $79,000 after acquiring an additional 7,461 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in U.S. Gold by 70.6% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 16,664 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $169,000 after buying an additional 6,895 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC increased its position in U.S. Gold by 19.2% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 60,956 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $621,000 after buying an additional 9,799 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC acquired a new position in U.S. Gold during the fourth quarter worth $94,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in U.S. Gold during the fourth quarter worth $325,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 12.77% of the company’s stock.
U.S. Gold Company Profile (Get Rating)
U.S. Gold Corp. is an U.S. focused gold exploration company. The company has a portfolio of exploration properties. Copper King, now the CK Gold Project, is located in Southeast Wyoming and has a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) technical report, which was completed by Mine Development Associates.
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https://www.americanbankingnews.com/2022/03/31/insider-buying-u-s-gold-corp-nasdaqusau-ceo-purchases-1567-shares-of-stock.html
| 2022-04-01T00:41:07Z
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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court has granted a request from a northern Virginia school system to continue using a challenged admissions policy at a highly selective high school while it appeals a ruling that found the policy discriminates against Asian American students.
A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a ruling Thursday that Fairfax County Public Schools can continue to use its new admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton rejected the new policy in a February ruling, saying that impermissible “racial balancing” was at its core. Commonly known as “TJ,” the prestigious school near the nation’s capital is often ranked as one of the best public high schools in the country.
Earlier this month, Hilton also rejected a request from the school system to delay the implementation of his ruling. But the 4th Circuit, in a 3-2 ruling, said the school board had met the legal requirements for a suspension of Hilton’s order while its appeal is pending.
The 4th Circuit panel agreed with school officials who argued that because the selection process for the incoming freshman class is well underway, implementing Hilton’s ruling now would throw the process into chaos.
Judge Toby Heytens wrote that he has “grave doubts” about Hilton’s conclusions “regarding both disparate impact and discriminatory purpose” of the new admissions policy.
“In my view, appellant Fairfax County School Board is likely to succeed in its appeal,” Heytens wrote.
In a dissenting opinion, Judge Allison Jones Rushing said putting Hilton’s ruling on hold while the school board appeals his decision is not in the public interest. Jones said any logistical difficulties or inconvenience associated with changing the admissions policy at this late date “simply do not outweigh the infringement of constitutional rights.”
“And everyone — even temporarily frustrated applicants and their families — ultimately benefits from a public-school admissions process not tainted by unconstitutional discrimination,” Rushing wrote.
The case has been closely watched as courts continue to evaluate the role that racial considerations can play when deciding who should be admitted to a particular school. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a similar case alleging that Harvard University discriminates against Asian Americans in its admissions process.
Fairfield County Public Schools said the order from the 4th Circuit allows the school board to continue with the current application process to select the Class of 2026 this spring.
“For the 2,500+ students in this application pool, this means the race blind process set out by the School Board in October 2020 will remain in place as an appeal challenging the February court decision plays out,” the board said in a news release.
The parents’ group Coalition for TJ, which filed the lawsuit, said the 4th Circuit judges have made a “grave error” in allowing the school system to continue to use its new admissions process.
“If the judges’ decision stands, we would see Fairfax County Public Schools usher in a second class of students to America’s No. 1 public high school through an unconstitutional race-based admissions process,” the coalition said in a statement.
For decades, Black and Hispanic students have been woefully underrepresented in the student body. After criticism over its lack of diversity, the school board scrapped a standardized test that had been at the heart of the admissions process and opted instead for a process that sets aside slots at each of the county’s middle schools. It also includes “experience factors” like socioeconomic background.
The parents’ group argued in its lawsuit that Asian Americans, who constituted more than 70% of the student body, were unfairly targeted in the new policy.
The school’s current freshman class, which was admitted under the new policy, saw a significantly different racial makeup. Black students increased from 1% to 7%; Hispanic representation increased from 3% to 11%. Asian American representation decreased from 73% to 54%.
The school system has insisted that its new policies are race neutral, and the panel evaluating applicants is not even aware of applicants’ race as it conducts its reviews.
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https://www.mystateline.com/news/national/disputed-school-admissions-policy-okd-pending-appeal/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:08Z
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Ford Featured in TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2022
With the tagline “Electrifying Everything,” Ford has been named in the TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2022, the companion list to the world’s most influential people. The annual list tracks the businesses and corporations that are shaping the world based on loose factors like “relevance, impact, innovation, leadership, ambition, and success.”
It’s clear that for the 2022 list, Ford’s nomination was largely driven by the launch of the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck. “Cars, SUVs, pickups, and other light-duty trucks account for over half of all U.S. transportation emissions, making electric key to mitigating climate change,” said Kyla Mandel, TIME senior editor. “But it’s not enough to just offer EVs — people have to actually want them.”
Bestseller: Ford F-Series Dominates for 45 Years Running
Mandel went on to laud Ford CEO Jim Farley’s approach of electrifying some of the company’s most popular models, including the bestselling F-Series pickup. “And it’s working,” she added, pointing to Ford’s market value having risen above $100 billion for the first time thanks to surging demand for the F-150 Lightning.
The new electric truck is one of the most hotly anticipated new vehicles in America. Earlier this year, Ford had to shut down reservations after they climbed to nearly 200,000, leading the automaker to boost its planned production capacity for the truck.
And Ford isn’t just slapping an electric motor inside an F-150 body and calling it a day, either. It developed the F-150 Lightning to be able to charge other EVs as well as reverse the flow of power back toward your home in the event of an outage. And it has been torture-testing the truck in Alaska and Colorado to ensure that you can always count on its ability to reach its 10,000-pound max towing capability, even in extreme weather conditions.
“I am honored,” said Farley in response to the TIME100 recognition. “This is especially gratifying because it is not about any individual, but rather a recognition of our incredible employees who work tirelessly to leave the world a better place for our kids and grandkids. Through their hard work, innovation and creativity, we are fundamentally changing the future of transportation and mobility, and building a cleaner future.”
Kurt Verlin was born in France and lives in the United States. Throughout his life he was always told French was the language of romance, but it was English he fell in love with. He likes cats, music, cars, 30 Rock, Formula 1, and pretending to be a race car driver in simulators; but most of all, he just likes to write about it all. See more articles by Kurt.
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https://thenewswheel.com/ford-time100-most-influential-companies-of-2022/
| 2022-04-01T00:40:53Z
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On key issues, a struggling Biden embraces Trump
Former President Trump’s remarks at a recent rally in Florida weren’t so much ideological as they were simple common sense.
“We need to secure the border and fix the immigration system. It’s not only the right thing to do — it’s the economically smart thing to do. Let’s get it done once and for all!”
“Our schools are open. Let’s keep it that way. Our kids need to be in school.”
“We should all agree the answer is not to defund the police. It’s to fund the police. Fund them! Fund them! Fund them with the resources and training — resources and training they need to protect our communities!”
“There’s something happening in America. Just look around, and you’ll see an amazing story — the rebirth of pride that comes from stamping products ‘Made in America,’ the revitalization of American manufacturing.”
“Companies are choosing to build new factories here when just a few years ago, they would have gone overseas. That’s what is happening.”
It’s hard to see how there can be much partisan division about those remarks. Who isn’t for fixing the border and immigration system? More than two million migrants entered the country illegally in 2021. Border officials are overwhelmed. This cannot continue.
On schooling and educating our children, it’s obvious that kids need to be in class in person. Many teacher unions opposed reopening for the better part of 2021, even after it was scientifically proven that schools harbor some of the lowest rates of COVID-19 transmission and are safe as a whole for students and teachers alike. Remote learning has had devastating effects on kids’ learning, particularly at younger levels. Let’s hope we never have to return to such a scenario again.
Fund the police? Absolutely. That’s simple pragmatism. Murders hit a 25-year high in 2021. Sixteen cities set homicide records. Defunding is not an option, nor is “reallocation.” Just ask New Yorkers, who saw then-Mayor Bill de Blasio reduce funding for their police force by $1 billion. In a related story, major crimes are up 38 percent thus far this year.
And who isn’t for a pro-America manufacturing policy? That’s a staple from Trump’s 2015-2016 campaign. Given China’s increasing influence, building products here at home is as important as ever.
But as much as these statements about fixing the border and opening schools and funding the police and bringing manufacturing jobs back home sound like Trump, they actually belong to President Biden.
Biden 2.0 made his debut at the State of the Union on Tuesday.
It was this Biden, currently stuck in the high 30s and low 40s in recent approval polls while the insidious Russian invasion and the resulting catastrophe in Ukraine dominate the headlines, who finally broached the idea of funding the police after remaining silent on the issue during last year’s address to a joint session of Congress and at his inauguration. But fixing lax bail laws or pressuring district attorneys to enforce the laws on the books don’t appear to be on the docket.
He also went full-Trump about fixing the border, albeit without reinstalling a crucial “remain in Mexico” policy (which requires that asylum seekers be sent back to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in the U.S.).
The 46th president also talks about keeping schools open. This should have happened a year ago. Biden and Democrats are proving beyond a reasonable doubt that they can read polls and election results, especially Glenn Youngkin’s unlikely win in Blue Virginia, when the rookie candidate won in no small part because of his support for parental choice in education.
“Made in America” is also something most Americans support, but Biden’s solution around inflation was really one for the ages.
“We have a choice,” he said during the State of the Union. “One way to fight inflation is to drive down wages and make Americans poorer. I have a better plan to fight inflation. Lower your costs, not your wages.”
Wow. Why didn’t any American companies think of this solution sooner? Of course, Econ 101 teaches that costs and wages go hand in hand. If inflation is high, as it is now, many companies have no choice but to pass the cost back to consumers or to cut wages or employees.
This president has never run a business. It clearly shows. So this appears to be the pivot by the president and by Democrats, at least rhetorically, that this party will attempt to make heading into the midterms. Their plan is to sound like Trump on crime, the border, schools and manufacturing.
But the American people aren’t suckers. They know empty rhetoric when they hear it.
In a related story, Republicans lead Democrats by 7 points on the generic ballot in a new ABC News-Washington Post poll. The last time a Democratic president faced that kind of deficit in his first term was Barack Obama in 2010. He was polling much higher at the time (52 percent) than Biden is now (41.6 percent in the RealClearPolitics average) and still lost 63 seats.
Republicans need to flip just five seats to take back the House and win a net-gain of one in the Senate to regain power in both chambers.
And if you think the Squad wing of the Democratic Party will accept all this fund-the-police talk, think again. Here’s Rep. Cori Bush’s (D-Mo.) logic on the issue. “Defund the police. Invest in our communities,” was her message after the State of the Union.
Biden’s rhetorical move to common sense is a matter of too little, too late. But the decision to echo Trump, the man he defeated in 2020 by claiming to be his opposite, is a plot twist few saw coming.
Joe Concha is a media and politics columnist.
The Hill has removed its comment section, as there are many other forums for readers to participate in the conversation. We invite you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter.
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https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/597010-on-key-issues-a-struggling-biden-embraces-trump/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:06Z
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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Three Las Vegas Metro police officers fired a combined 11 rounds at a man after he pointed a gun at them, officials said Thursday.
Michael Allensworth, 41, was shot and killed in the shooting on Monday at a mobile home park in the 2000 block of Palm Street.
Police had responded to a burglary in progress with Allensworth armed with a pistol, they said. Police worked for nearly a half-hour to deescalate the situation, asking Allensworth to drop his weapon several times.
Body camera video released Thursday showed Allensworth raising his weapon toward officers before they fired at him.
Allensworth was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Police said the burglary had occurred at another mobile home in the park.
“I will tell you what we have learned from speaking with the homeowner of the trailer that was burglarized is that there had been an interaction the day before and it appears that Allensworth came back to the trailer the next day to have a confrontation with the homeowner of the trailer that was being burglarized,” LVMPD Asst. Sheriff Andrew Walsh said.
The shooting marked Metro’s fifth officer-involved shooting for 2022. At this time last year, there had been three such events.
The officers involved were identified as 27-year-old James Villareal, 25-year-old Johnathan Cole and 31-year-old Beau Cooley. They were placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a review of the incident.
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https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-police-fired-11-rounds-at-man-who-pointed-gun-at-officers/
| 2022-04-01T00:41:09Z
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