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Building collapse: NITP flays FG over lack of funding, implementation of town planning policies
President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Olutoyin Ayinde, has berated the Federal Government over its lack of funding for the implementation of town planning policies.
He said the country lacks adequate town planning and its proper understanding, adding that these contribute to the increasing spate of building collapses across the country.
Ayinde stated this during the inauguration ceremony of the Ogun State branch of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), in Abeokuta on Thursday.
He added that reasonable physical development in Nigeria can only be gotten if there is proper funding and implementation.
“Nigerian governments do not even understand what planning is and until they do that they cannot commit resources. The truth is that there’s nothing we can really achieve without planning. So, we must be joking as a nation if we are not funding planning because the alternative to planning is chaos which is what we live in.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
“We might be seeing a few Government Reserved Areas (GRAs) and you think you are seeing the real thing. Go to the real city and see how we are experiencing congestion and flooding. It is a sign that we are not doing anything about planning.
“Nigerian government must wake up. Those who want to become president must plan. Until we plan, we are heading nowhere,” the town planner said.
Also speaking at the inauguration ceremony, ATOPCON President, Muyiwa Adelu, said the association was inaugurated to train members who would assist the government in achieving its developmental goals in the environment.
“Our idea is to train members to be able to liaise with government and private people to help them achieve their developmental goals in the environment. So as town planners, our duty is to ensure that our members are engaged and make sure that the environment that we live in is beautiful enough to better the lives of Nigerians,” he added. | https://tribuneonlineng.com/building-collapse-nitp-flays-fg-over-lack-of-funding-implementation-of-town-planning-policies/ | 2022-09-01T17:22:03Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/building-collapse-nitp-flays-fg-over-lack-of-funding-implementation-of-town-planning-policies/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Insurgency: NHRC partners NAOWA in protecting rights of soldiers’ families killed in war front
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu (SAN), on Thursday, said the Commission will work with Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) to ensure that families of soldiers who lost their lives in the course of fighting insurgency do not suffer as a result of the violation of their rights.
The NHRC boss, who disclosed this in Abuja when a delegation of NAOWA members, led by its President and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Hajia Salamattu Faruk Yahaya, paid her a courtesy visit also said, empowering women will go a long way in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the country.
According to Ojukwu, “If soldiers lost their lives at the battlefield, the rights of their families need to be protected and the commission will stand with NAOWA to see that the rights of Nigerian soldiers are protected and to make sure that no family of the military suffers as a result of the violation of their rights.”
He said the commission has been able to pay compensation to victims of human rights violations and that, the coming together of NAOWA and the commission will make Nigeria a place where there will be no more violations of human rights.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
“We want to see a Nigeria where the rights of people will be protected, where people will be empowered,” he said and added, “NAOWA is an NGO formed for humanitarian services for Nigerians and their members and the NHRC is working with them in this direction to ensure that the rights, including the rights of their husbands, who are on the frontline are protected.
“Soldiers have blood in them, they are human beings, they have families. Some military Officers, whose rights are violated come to the Commission and through collaboration with NAOWA, we addressed the issues.”
The NHRC boss said the commission holds annual training for the Army, the Police and other parlia-military on mainstreaming human rights in their operations.
Earlier in her speech, the NAOWA President said the association is collaborating with the NHRC in the area of capacity building and in the support of the vulnerable groups in the country.
Hajia Salamatu, who is the wife of the 22nd Chief of Army Staff said NAOWA, under her leadership, seeks the support of the NHRC in carrying out the association’s humanitarian services better and commended the NHRC for its role in the protection of human rights in the country.
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Insurgency: NHRC partners NAOWA in protecting rights of soldiers’ families killed in war front
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Insurgency: NHRC partners NAOWA in protecting rights of soldiers’ families killed in war front | https://tribuneonlineng.com/insurgency-nhrc-partners-naowa-in-protecting-rights-of-soldiers-families-killed-in-war-front/ | 2022-09-01T17:22:22Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/insurgency-nhrc-partners-naowa-in-protecting-rights-of-soldiers-families-killed-in-war-front/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Seven travellers burnt to death in Ekiti road accident
•As police threaten to clampdown on reckless drivers
No fewer than seven travellers on Wednesday evening lost their lives in a ghastly auto crash involving two vehicles in Ekiti State.
Tribune Online gathered that the accident, which claimed seven lives, involved an 18-passenger bus and a Toyota car, which had a head-on collision along the Iluomoba-Aisegba highway in the Gbonyin local government area leading to the death of the casualties.
An eyewitness revealed on Thursday, that one of the vehicles was about to dodge a pothole and was said to have lost control, and collided with the oncoming vehicle travelling to Ado-Ekiti.
Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander, FRSC in Ekiti State, Olusola Joseph, who refuted the claim that 19 persons had died, revealed that the number of passengers that occupied the two vehicles was 17.
The Sector Commander clarified that seven passengers lost their lives and the victims had been deposited in the morgue.
Joseph warned motorists against overspeeding, which he described as the reason for unwarranted carnages on Nigerian roads, by strictly observing traffic safety rules and regulations.
In a related development, the state police command has threatened to arrest and prosecute drivers flouting traffic rules across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Abutu Sunday in a statement on Thursday expressed regret over the rising occurrences of road accidents in the state, noting these accidents had been traced to disobedience to traffic rules.
The PPRO said, “An analysis of this data shows that the main causes of these road accidents are speed violation, wrongful overtaking, light/sign violation, dangerous driving, tyres bursting, bad vehicle/motor maintenance culture, lack of proper driving education, driving under the influence, overloading and fatigue.
” In view of this, the Command shall emplace tougher control measures to check improper and reckless driving. Members of the public, especially motorists/motorcycle riders are, therefore, enjoined to avoid reckless driving, overspeeding, driving against traffic lights/signs, one-way driving, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs and other traffic offences to avoid arrest and prosecution.
“While the Command command will continue to prioritize the safety of lives and properties of the good people of Ekiti State state, citizens are kindly advised to be acquainted with the traffic rules and strictly abide by them to avoid any untoward incident.”
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE | https://tribuneonlineng.com/seven-travellers-burnt-to-death-in-ekiti-road-accident/ | 2022-09-01T17:22:42Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/seven-travellers-burnt-to-death-in-ekiti-road-accident/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Second Annual 'Mission for the Future' Search Invites Startups with Diverse Perspectives and Impact-Driven Solutions to Join Forces
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The LG Electronics North American Innovation Center (LG NOVA) has launched its second annual Mission for the Future global search.
Following last year's successful program introduction, LG NOVA invites companies of all sizes and stages to propose their business ideas for the opportunity to grow and work with LG. Qualifying companies will have access to resources and potential investments from LG and the Capital Alliance to support the joint business model, as well as resources and funding for concept development and support from LG's global infrastructure and supply chain. The call for submissions opens today.
The 2022 call for submissions focuses on the next generation of business ideas in emerging industries that will not only improve quality of life, but change it for the better—for the good of people, communities and the planet. The program is looking for joint business ideas that the companies can develop and build together with LG NOVA and participating LG business units.
This year's focus tracks broaden the field of business ideas to include Digital Health, Metaverse & Gaming, Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) & Electric Mobility, Display Solutions, Smart Lifestyle and Open Innovation. Within the Smart Lifestyle track, LG is looking for breakthrough solutions across the home, work and play. The Open Innovation track is an open category for any emerging fields, including personal 5G, the next personal device, and digital media.
The 2022 Mission for the Future search brings in new opportunities to work with LG Home Appliances & Air Solutions, Home Entertainment and Business Solutions, a part of LG Electronics. In addition, LG Display has signed on to Mission for the Future 2022 to create new opportunities to innovate with startups in its business. Both LG Display and LG Electronics are subsidiaries of LG Corporation in Korea.
"We're seeking companies, entrepreneurs and innovators with bold ideas that challenge the status quo to submit their concepts to us," said Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, LG Electronics Senior Vice President of Innovation and head of LG NOVA. "As a technology company with a global footprint, we see the potential for a positive, vibrant society built around communities that enable people to prosper – all through the power of technology and innovation."
Submission forms open today, Sept. 1, 2022, and the final deadline is Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. This initial application is the starting point for the LG NOVA team's internal evaluation process, which will kick off the three- to six-month joint business collaboration and growth program.
LG NOVA and the selection team will choose up to 40 companies to join the LG NOVA program across the seven focus tracks, initially. Throughout the three- to six-months co-collaboration process, the team will continue to work with these companies, providing resources and support, and developing new areas for business collaboration and growth. Final selected businesses will have the opportunity to build their business in collaboration with LG. Throughout the process, qualifying companies may receive:
- Up to $100,000 USD for a joint product or concept development,
- Resources and potential investments from LG Electronics, LG Display, and other LG NOVA affiliates that could total in the millions of dollars; and
- Co-collaborate with LG for potential opportunities to develop multi-million-dollar engagements as new businesses within LG's global innovation portfolio.
All who qualify will be joining the LG NOVA Universe, where the NOVA program is actively growing a community of entrepreneurs and startups working to create a better future for all.
For more information, including full terms and conditions, on the upcoming second annual Mission for the Future challenge and overall LG NOVA program, please visit www.lgnova.com.
About LG NOVA
LG NOVA, the North American Innovation Center for global innovation leader LG Electronics, is a team focused on bringing innovation from the outside to LG. LG NOVA is based in Santa Clara, Calif. The center's mission is to build, nurture and grow innovations that impact the future. Learn more about LG NOVA at www.lgnova.com.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $63 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, energy solutions and vehicle components. LG is 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. The company's commitment to environmental sustainability and its "Life's Good" marketing theme encompass how LG is dedicated to people's happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. www.LG.com.
Media Contacts:
LG Electronics
Linda Quach
+1 408 903 3045
linda.quach@lge.com
Madison Miranda
+1 714 609 0828
madison.miranda@ogilvy.com
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SOURCE LG Electronics USA | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/calling-all-innovators-lg-seeks-new-collaborators-change-world-one-idea-time/ | 2022-09-01T17:24:39Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/calling-all-innovators-lg-seeks-new-collaborators-change-world-one-idea-time/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
After the sad news that former BBC Breakfast host Bill Turnbull has passed away, the BBC have confirmed that Friday's Breakfast show will pay tribute to the former host. The 66 year-old passed away on Wednesday after a battle with prostate cancer, his family confirmed today (September 1).
Before leaving the show in 2016, Bill was the face of BBC Breakfast for 15 years and now the show will pay tribute to the man who was adored by the viewers. The special show will look back on Bill's time on the show and how he went about raising awareness for prostate cancer.
In what is set to be an emotional tribute Bill's former co-presenters Sian Williams, Susanna Reid and Louise Minchin will all pay tribute. Sports presenter Mike Bushell will also be part of the one-off special.
READ MORE: Emotional Susanna Reid pays tribute to Bill Turnbull after former colleague's death
The show will not just focus on Bill's successful career it will also show off his passions. They will look at his love of beekeeping and his beloved Wycombe Wanderers where Mike will be live from for the show.
Throughout the heart-warming episode many former colleagues will reminisce about their time with the former Classic FM host. One of the most iconic parts of the show is set to be looking back on his memorable chats with weather presenter Carol Kirkwood.
During the show the team will look back on Bill's time on Strictly Come Dancing where he was paired with Karen Hardy. Bill was on the show way back in series three and he managed to finish sixth in the series as ex-England cricketer Darren Gough walked away with the glitterball trophy.
BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani said: "Bill Turnbull loved our viewers and our viewers loved him. Friday's BBC Breakfast will be a celebration of Bill's life on and off screen which he shared with millions of viewers each week."
BBC Breakfast will air on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer at 6am.
READ NEXT: | https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/bbc-breakfast-honour-bill-turnbull-7536116 | 2022-09-01T17:25:05Z | kentlive.news | control | https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/bbc-breakfast-honour-bill-turnbull-7536116 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
ATLANTA, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Trustees (the "Board") of each of Invesco High Income Trust II and Invesco Senior Income Trust (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") today declared the following dividends:
The Board of Trustees (the "Board") of Invesco Senior Income Trust (NYSE: VVR) (the "Fund") approved an increase in the monthly distribution amount payable to common shareholders pursuant to the Fund's Managed Distribution Plan (the "Plan"). Effective April 1, 2022, the Fund will pay its monthly dividend to common shareholders at a stated fixed monthly distribution amount of $0.026 per share, an increase from a stated fixed monthly distribution amount of $0.021 per share.
Effective August 1, 2018, the Board of Invesco High Income Trust II (NYSE: VLT) approved a Managed Distribution Plan (the "VLT Plan") for the Fund, whereby the Fund increased its monthly dividend to common shareholders to a stated fixed monthly distribution amount based on a distribution rate of 8.5 percent of the closing market price per share as of August 1, 2018, the date the VLT Plan became effective. The VVR Plan and the VLT Plan are collectively referred to herein as the "Plans."
The Plans are intended to provide shareholders with a consistent, but not guaranteed, periodic cash payment from each Fund, regardless of when or whether income is earned, or capital gains are realized. The Plans may have the effect of narrowing the discount between each Fund's market price and the net asset value ("NAV") of each Fund's common shares, but there is no assurance that the Plans will be effective in this regard.
1 A portion of this distribution is estimated to be from a return of principal rather than net income. The 19(a) Notice referenced below provides more information and can be found on the Invesco website at www.invesco.com
If a Fund's investment income is not sufficient to cover the Fund's intended monthly distribution, the Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return of capital in order to maintain its managed distribution level under its Plan. A Fund may at times distribute more than its income and net realized gains; therefore, a portion of the
distribution may result in a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example,
when some or all of the money that shareholders invested in a Fund is paid back to them. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect a Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." No conclusions should be drawn about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's distributions or from the terms of its Plan.
In order to comply with the requirements of Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and an exemptive order granted to the Funds by the Securities and Exchange Commission, each Fund will provide its shareholders of record on each distribution date with a 19(a) Notice and issue an accompanying press release disclosing the sources of its dividend payment when a distribution includes anything other than net investment income.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in 19(a) Notices are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its full fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Each Fund will send shareholders a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Information on the Funds' 19(a) Notices can be found at www.invesco.com.
The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions in 2022 will be made after the end of the year.
The Plans will be subject to periodic review by each Fund's Board, and a Fund's Board may terminate or amend the terms of its Plan at any time without prior notice to the Fund's shareholders. The amendment or termination of a Fund's Plan could have an adverse effect on the market price of such Fund's common shares.
The amount of dividends paid by the Funds may vary from time to time. Past amounts of dividends are no guarantee of future dividend payment amounts.
Investing involves risk and it is possible to lose money on any investment in the Trust.
For additional information, shareholders of the closed end fund may call Invesco at 800-983-0903.
About Invesco Ltd.
Invesco Ltd. is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. Our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive, and alternative investment capabilities. With offices in more than 20 countries, Invesco managed $1.4 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide as of June 30, 2022. For more information, visit www.invesco.com.
Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco Ltd. It is an indirect, wholly owned, subsidiary of Invesco Ltd.
Note: There is no assurance that a closed-end fund will achieve its investment objective. Shares are bought on the secondary market and may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. Regular brokerage commissions apply.
NOT A DEPOSIT l NOT FDIC INSURED l NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK l MAY LOSE VALUE l NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
—Invesco—
CONTACT: Jeaneen Terrio 212-278-9205 Jeaneen.Terrio@invesco.com
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SOURCE Invesco Ltd. | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/invesco-high-income-trust-ii-invesco-senior-income-trust-declare-dividends/ | 2022-09-01T17:26:43Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/invesco-high-income-trust-ii-invesco-senior-income-trust-declare-dividends/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
LANSING, Mich. — A total of $3.6 million in grants are now available to projects tackling invasive species in the state of Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says applications to Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program are open to projects that seek to inhibit the spread of invasive species through active prevention and public communication.
The DNR says projects may be awarded anywhere between $25,000 and $400,000.
View the program handbook for more information.
Applications must be submitted to the DNR online before the deadline on Nov. 1. Awards are expected to be announced in March.
Visit Michigan’s website to view the state’s current watch list of invasive species.
RELATED: Spotted lanternfly found in Michigan | https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/michigan/3-6m-in-grants-open-to-projects-addressing-invasive-species-in-michigan | 2022-09-01T17:26:45Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/michigan/3-6m-in-grants-open-to-projects-addressing-invasive-species-in-michigan | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Department of Transportation said a new dashboard launching in time for the Labor Day travel weekend will help passengers understand their rights when flights are delayed.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the airline industry has had an “unacceptable” number of flight disruptions this summer. The Department of Transportation said when it shared plans about the dashboard with airlines, nine of the nation’s 10 leading airlines made improvements to their customer service.
For instance, United Airlines now offers meal vouchers when flights are delayed at least three hours. American Airlines now offers a hotel room for interruptions that grounds a passenger overnight if the airline is at fault for the cancellation.
According to the DOT, nine of the 10 listed airlines guarantee meals and eight of the 10 guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes the delay or cancelation.
The dashboard includes information from Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United airlines. The dashboard shows what airlines will provide passengers in the event of delayed or canceled flights.
“Passengers deserve transparency and clarity on what to expect from an airline when there is a cancelation or disruption,” said Buttigieg. “This dashboard collects that information in one place so travelers can easily understand their rights, compare airline practices, and make informed decisions. The Department will continue to support passengers and to hold airlines responsible for adhering to their customer obligations.”
According to Cirium data, 66.8% of the flights it tracked in North America had on-time arrivals. That’s down from 72.25 percent in March 2022 and 75.3% in January.
Amid rising delays, the DOT has proposed rules for the airline industry that would make it easier for customers to garner refunds for flights delayed or significantly changed.
Although airlines have said air traffic control staffing has contributed to higher levels of cancellations, Buttigieg said staffing has not contributed to most delays. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/flight-delayed-or-canceled-new-dashboard-outlines-what-airlines-offer | 2022-09-01T17:27:03Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/flight-delayed-or-canceled-new-dashboard-outlines-what-airlines-offer | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
DENVER, Colo. — Millions of Americans struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. Now, for the first time in American history, the federal government will have the power to negotiate prescription drug prices.
This change is because of the recent passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. It's something Kim Bimestefer, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing, says is long overdue.
"Up until just the last few weeks, this country has not negotiated the price of drugs with manufacturers, so the rest of the world has some form of national healthcare and we are the outlier," Bimestefer said. "A third of Americans don't take their drugs the way they are supposed to because they can't afford to."
The Inflation Reduction Act will allow the government to negotiate the prices of 10 drugs.
"Those drugs that they are going to negotiate, they'll probably be those really high-cost drugs about less than 2% are so expensive they are consuming about 50% of the prescription drug spend," Bimestefer said.
However, as Adam Fox, the deputy director of the Colorado consumer health initiative, explains, it's going to be a while.
"It is a bit of a long runway and realistically consumers aren't going to see some of those benefits probably until 2026," Fox said.
Colorado is one state that just recently made strides in its drug importation program by signing contracts on both sides of the US/Canada border. Other states are watching what's happening. If approved by the FDA, Coloradans will be able to purchase an imported drug for around 60% less than the US cost.
"And this solution is very complimentary to that. Many of those drugs were not permitted to be imported through the federal government's guidelines, so it's a nice compliment to have what has just recently been passed and this importation program operating side by side," Bimestefer said.
"That just raises the importance of some of the state-level work and our drug importation program because that can potentially provide more impact faster and sooner," Fox said.
Lauren Reveley is the Drug Importation Program Manager.
"This is kind of the first step in a continued process of implementation, so these contracts are to set up the new marketplace and the supply chain to bring imported products to Colorado," Reveley said.
Reveley says the state plans to submit its application to the FDA this fall. Florida was the first state to file an application. Vermont, Maine, New Mexico and New Hampshire are others that have importation programs. Yet so far no state programs have been approved by the feds.
"That needs federal approval and that takes unfortunately a lot of time," Fox said.
"I think what we've built is repeatable by other states, and we don't want to be the lone state that is successful we want to help bring others along," Bimestefer said.
"And what we often see is if enough states pass similar policies, that usually moves to the federal level," Fox said.
The work to lower prescription drug prices stems from a long history.
"Sometimes we've got to disrupt the status quo and this process that we're going through is going to do that," Bimestefer said.
"The unfortunate reality is there is a lot of profit and money to be made in health care in general and prescription drugs in particular and that has created a really prominent incentive to keep the costs high," Fox said.
So, they say the Inflation Reduction Act, in combination with federal approval of drug importation programs from states, will create a massive change for Americans. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/reducing-the-cost-of-prescription-drugs-beyond-the-inflation-reduction-act | 2022-09-01T17:27:33Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/reducing-the-cost-of-prescription-drugs-beyond-the-inflation-reduction-act | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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Readers' Choice Awards | https://www.parrysound.com/news-story/10703306-552-incidents-per-school-year-data-released-on-drivers-in-nipissing-parry-sound-illegally-passing/ | 2022-09-01T17:30:47Z | parrysound.com | control | https://www.parrysound.com/news-story/10703306-552-incidents-per-school-year-data-released-on-drivers-in-nipissing-parry-sound-illegally-passing/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Our national psyche has taken a dive in recent years, polls are consistently showing that most of us believe that our country is heading in the wrong direction. The once historically optimistic, everyday American appears to have a dark cloud floating over our daily lives.
Inflation, political polarization, cultural rot, badly finished wars, crime, random violence, the ongoing impact of a pandemic we cannot seem to kick, national debt, threats from China, distrust in government and even more sad, each other. As Shakespeare wrote in Sonnet 29, “Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising” rings true. Just watch a 24-hour cycle of news if you are feeling overly happy or optimistic. Sometimes it takes an Englishman to make us appreciate our own country.
A few days prior to the 4th of July, a great family friend, “our brother from across the ocean” as we like to label him, arrived in the United States for a well-earned, meticulously planned 7-week retirement vacation from his home in England.
Our friend Dave Brown is a newly retired harbor master from Plymouth, a veteran of the Royal Navy and a fellow Nottingham Forest supporter. We met Mr. Brown several years back when DC United hosted Nottingham for a summer friendly. He enjoyed a couple trips to the United States and my brother enjoyed a vacation hosted by Dave in England. We were instant friends.
On this trip, Dave was serious about really seeing the east coast and spending time with us all. He wanted to see local baseball games, road trip to DC, Alexandria (Walking Dead fan), Fredericksburg, Wilmington NC, Outer Banks, Charleston, St. Augustine, and Key West. He wanted to drive our roadways, meet lots of people, drink lots of American IPAs, climb lighthouses, catch fish, eat at cookouts, and spend time with good friends. The only thing he wanted to avoid was snakes.
“During my epic journey, I clocked up 7,330 air miles and over 4,000+ miles mainly by car but also by train (VRE) and the occasional UBER,” said Brown. “On numerous occasions, I got asked what your most memorable memory is/was when I returned home. It’s a question which is/was extremely hard to answer because they ALL were memorable in different ways. I found America to be a country full of wonderful people, amazing cities, beautiful natural areas and so much more. Don’t get too down on yourselves America there is much to be proud of.”
Seeing Dave experience many of the people and places I love gave this sometimes jaded American a real boost. The little moments all added up—seeing him catching feisty bluefish, enjoying meals, and watching him stress about the mess of munching peanuts at a baseball game all brought a smile.
We even watched Nottingham Forest’s first win in the Premier League at (9am here) after many seasons in the Champions League—it was all magical.
A few of Dave’s most humorous insights included, “food is expensive here, random characters will buy you a pint of beer and tell you their stories, Americans have a hard time speaking English, beer is expensive, the 4th of July is a great holiday” and apparently, we don’t walk enough.
All political sides provided their cases—Dave took it all in and still liked everyone. He saw our crazy sides, funny names, roadside dining, fist bumping, and insane traffic jams—and he still liked us.
One of my favorite memories was a visit to the British Cemetery in Ocracoke Island—a cemetery with ties to my family’s history. My grandfather earned the Order of the British Empire in World War II, he was a Naval intelligence officer. He helped establish a small graveyard to bury British casualties from the HMS Bedfordshire. Under a Royal Navy flag is the final resting place of Royal Navy sailors.
Standing there with our friend was a powerful reminder of our nation’s shared sacrifice.
On the day before Dave’s plane departed for England, we shared a great cookout, told epic stories, sang songs, and reflected on the good times we shared. His positive experiences here made me realize we have so many blessings as a country. I was proud of America.
Where else could you combine history, natural wonders, a spaceship in Frisco, NC, minor league baseball and South of the Border? Flipper’s Arcade in Grandy, NC? Pirates? Smallmouth bass?
Cheers brother! | https://www.insidenova.com/culpeper/a-fresh-perspective-on-our-nation/article_207b304c-2a0b-11ed-92c7-ab103e43a16e.html | 2022-09-01T17:30:54Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/culpeper/a-fresh-perspective-on-our-nation/article_207b304c-2a0b-11ed-92c7-ab103e43a16e.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
With plans for a data center and solar projects imminent, nine local groups will host a discussion about how they'll affect Culpeper County.
“There are other issues surrounding these projects that both our elected officials and the citizens of Culpeper need to fully discuss, especially as we’re updating the Comprehensive Plan,” said Andrew Gutowski, the spokesperson for the Culpeper Alliance for Balanced Growth. “This upcoming town hall will give us a chance to discuss the future of Culpeper.”
Resident are invited to town hall to learn more about these projects and the impact they will have on Culpeper's landscape and economy. It will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Kildee Farms, 19295 Batna Rd, Culpeper. It is a free event. Food and beverages will be provided. Those interested in attending should RSVP by Sept. 2 to Katie Smolar at katie@itha.org.
"Power shortages in Data Center Alley and the need for more land are driving development to Culpeper,” Gutowski said. “There are proposals for two utility-scale solar projects covering almost 3,000 acres of farmland, and over 3 million square of data center projects proposed.”
“The land use issues extend beyond the actual footprint of these projects. Power and the required transmission lines that will need to be built will have a huge impact on the landscape of the county.”
The event will hosted by The America Battlefield Trust, Brandy Station Foundation, Citizens for Responsible Solar, The Culpeper Alliance for Balanced Growth, Culpeper Battlefield Tours, LLC, Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield, Friends of Culpeper Battlefields, Journey Through Hallowed Ground and The Piedmont Environmental Council. | https://www.insidenova.com/culpeper/groups-to-hold-meeting-on-county-future/article_c2c2c9e6-2a0b-11ed-8955-b3128e533917.html | 2022-09-01T17:31:00Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/culpeper/groups-to-hold-meeting-on-county-future/article_c2c2c9e6-2a0b-11ed-8955-b3128e533917.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Multiple factors are at play in another record breaking quarter for the Culpeper Town Police Department’s estimated monetary value of stolen property figures.
According to police department reports submitted to Culpeper Town Council, this year’s second quarter - from April through June - sum for estimated monetary value of stolen property totals $758,105.42, pushing this year’s total to over $1.59 million.
According to Town Police, there are a few factors contributing to the increase. The first, they said, is a small number of extremely high value embezzlement and fraud cases. Those handful of cases are six figure values.
In the first quarter of this year, two high-dollar embezzlement cases initiated the highest estimated monetary value of stolen property figures in the town in recent years.
The embezzlement investigations involve two different local businesses, of which Town Police did not identify. The cases are not related, but one business had $600,000 stolen and the other had around $110,000 stolen. Each was stolen by their respective employees.
The second contributing factor, police said, is that they’re seeing an increase in what is being stolen from everyday citizens. Previous larcenies, frauds and embezzlements used to be predominantly in the misdemeanor range, which come in under $1,000, but now the department has seen a growing number of felony cases.
Third, more victims are coming forward to report these crimes than in years past. And lastly, due to their growing success in shoplifting investigations, businesses have increased their reporting of larcenies.
According to police department reports, this year’s first quarter - from January through March - sum for estimated monetary value of stolen property totals $839,240.10, superseding total year estimations of stolen property for 2019 ($439,008.80), 2020 ($296,224.36) and 2021 ($380,522.63).
In the first quarter of 2021, police estimated $81,493.65 as the value of stolen property. In 2020, they reported $55,566.29 and in 2019, they reported $165,004.
So far this year, an estimated $9,938.10 of property has been recovered.
Despite the dramatic uptick in monetary value, the frequency of stealing-related crime has remained relatively the same.
In the first quarter of 2022, three burglaries, 55 larcenies and three motor vehicle thefts were reported.
In the first quarter of 2021, one burglary, 88 larcenies and zero motor vehicle thefts were reported.
In the first quarter of 2020, one burglary, 74 larcenies and two motor vehicle thefts were reported.
In the first quarter of 2019, one burglary, 53 larcenies and four motor vehicle thefts were reported. | https://www.insidenova.com/culpeper/pd-stolen-property-monetary-sum-surpasses-1-5-million/article_34eb0f50-2a12-11ed-a173-1b63ec7a7872.html | 2022-09-01T17:31:07Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/culpeper/pd-stolen-property-monetary-sum-surpasses-1-5-million/article_34eb0f50-2a12-11ed-a173-1b63ec7a7872.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A Northern Virginia nurse practitioner sued CVS Health Wednesday, claiming her employer fired her for declining to provide abortion-inducing medication citing religious beliefs.
The lawsuit, filed in Prince William County Circuit Court, states that for the first three years of Paige Casey’s employment, she was given a religious accommodation allowing her to refuse to prescribe or administer abortion-causing drugs.
Casey, who worked at the MinuteClinic in Alexandria since 2018, submitted a CVS Health’s Request for Religious Belief or Practice Accommodation form in 2019, according to the suit.
The form stated that “as a practicing Roman Catholic, she is prohibited from prescribing or facilitating the use of a drug or device that prevents or can prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.”
The company granted her the accommodation and did not require Casey to prescribe or administer hormonal contraception or any other abortion-causing drug or device.
However, in August 2021, the company announced it “would no longer accommodate employees with religious convictions against prescribing abortifacients, hormonal contraceptives, and other forms of birth control that can cause abortions.”
In January 2022, the company sent a letter to Casey explicitly informing her that it would no longer accommodate her religious beliefs.
According to the suit, company officials notified Casey of her termination on March 29– the same day she emailed company officials to reassert her religious convictions against prescribing the drugs.
Conservative nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom is representing Casey. In a news release, the organization said CVS violated Virginia’s Conscience Clause, which “prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who refuse to participate in providing abortifacients because of their religious or ethical beliefs.”
Michael DeAngelis, a spokesperson with CVS Health, told InsideNoVa that it has a well-defined process for employees to request and be granted reasonable accommodations for their religious beliefs, but it’s impossible to give accommodations that exempt employees from performing the essential functions of their job.
“As we continue to enhance our MinuteClinic services, educating and treating patients regarding sexual health matters – including pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infection prevention, screening and treatment, and safer sex practices – have become essential job functions of our providers and nurses,” DeAngelis said.
Casey is seeking $100,000 in compensatory damages (including lost wages, front pay and back pay), punitive damages and nominal damages.
The case was filed in Prince William County because the defendant "regularly conduct[s] substantial business activity" there, according to the lawsuit. | https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/lawsuit-filed-in-prince-william-county-alleges-cvs-fired-employee-over-abortion-stance/article_9002f6d2-2a12-11ed-aa8c-c3c879e67dbb.html | 2022-09-01T17:31:13Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/lawsuit-filed-in-prince-william-county-alleges-cvs-fired-employee-over-abortion-stance/article_9002f6d2-2a12-11ed-aa8c-c3c879e67dbb.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Virginia High School League’s Alignment Committee approved by votes of 5-0 Potomac and Gainesville high schools’ request to move from Class 5 to Class 6 for the next four-year cycle.
The two Prince William County high schools were originally placed in Class 5 in the initial realignment proposal for the 2023-24 to 2026-27 school years.
Both schools, which are currently in Class 6, Region B, appealed that placement.
The alignment committee met Aug. 23 and 26 to address all appeals.
With 19 schools, the Class 6 Region B would be the largest of the classification’s four regions starting with the 2023-24 school year. Region A has 12, Region C 16 and Region D 13.
Region B is a mix of Stafford, Prince William County, city of Manassas and Loudoun County high schools. Prince William has the most with 12. Four of the five Stafford schools (Brooke Point, Stafford, North Stafford and Mountain View) are moving up from Class 5.
Freedom-South Riding is the lone Loudoun school. The alignment committee denied Freedom-South Riding’s request to move down to Class 5 Region D by a vote of 5-0, stating it did not meet “criteria to move to a lower classification.”
The alignment committee approved North Stafford and Colonial Forge's request to move up to Class 6 Region B from Class 5 Region D. Colonial Forge is in Class 6 Region B right now.
The VHSL’s Executive Committee meets Sept. 21 to determine the final alignment plan.
The realignment changes were determined by the March 31, 2022 enrollment figures. Without a senior class, Gainesville was listed with 1,377 students for 2021-22. But the addition of a senior class this school year will push Gainesville up to 2,000 students with more coming in for the future.
Potomac's enrollment for grades 9-11 was listed at 1,503, a figure that was used as the dividing line between Class 5 and Class 6 for the next cycle. The first school above Potomac is Glen Allen and they are listed as Class 6 with an enrollment of 1,505. | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/prince_william/vhsl-approves-potomac-gainesvilles-request-to-stay-at-class-6/article_8ba7525e-2242-11ed-bae9-93fca0f9e817.html | 2022-09-01T17:31:19Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/prince_william/vhsl-approves-potomac-gainesvilles-request-to-stay-at-class-6/article_8ba7525e-2242-11ed-bae9-93fca0f9e817.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Cynthia Frelund is standing her ground.
After Baker Mayfield denied having said that he would ‘f–k up’ his former team when the Panthers play the Browns in Week 1, Frelund is defending the accuracy of the remark she attributed to the quarterback that she made on a recent episode of the “Around the NFL” podcast.
Frelund told ESPN that Mayfield reiterated her own words of encouragement — to ‘f–k them up’ — back to her.
“He echoed it back,” Frelund told the reporter David Newton. “It was very innocuous on his part. The tone was gracious and happy and excited.”
A maybe-relevant distinction here is that this is not exactly what Frelund said on the podcast. There, she said that she told Mayfield to “kick their [ass],” and he responded that he was going to “f–k them up.”
In her initial telling of the story, he was saying something slightly different back to her, albeit something that was effectively the same in spirit.
Before Mayfield’s denial, his former teammate, Myles Garrett, reacted to the story, effectively writing it off as saying that this is who Mayfield is — but it will also be some extra juice to motivate the Browns.
With Deshaun Watson suspended for the first 11 games of the season, the Browns are starting Jacoby Brissett against the Panthers on Sept. 11. The Panthers are favored by 2.5 points in the matchup. | https://nypost.com/2022/09/01/cynthia-frelund-defends-baker-mayfield-f-k-up-the-browns-reporting/ | 2022-09-01T17:35:26Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/09/01/cynthia-frelund-defends-baker-mayfield-f-k-up-the-browns-reporting/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
There was some prenatal panic at the disco.
Vivian Wise Ruizvelasco said she had no idea she was pregnant until she went into labor — while busting some moves at a club. A video describing the baby’s booty-shaking coming out party currently boasts 17.2 million views on TikTok.
“I found out I was pregnant when I was already in labor,” Ruizvelasco told of the dance dance revelation, which occurred while she was out celebrating a friend’s birthday. She had reportedly felt a bit under the weather that week but wasn’t going to let it stop her participating in the festivities.
“Since [two days prior] I had felt a little bad, but it wasn’t that bad and on the Saturday, I didn’t feel bad at all,” the Mexico-based sales assistant told NeedToKnow.Online. “At night, I went to dinner and celebrated a friend’s birthday, but I decided to leave because I felt quite ill.”
She added “I had pain in my hip and stomach, which I obviously didn’t know what it was and I got home around midnight.”
Little did she know, a baby was having a little dance party of its own in utero.
Things only got worse the next day while Ruizvelasco went to work after not getting to bed until 9 a.m.
Despite “taking a thousand pills and drinking tea,” the unexpectedly expectant mother’s pain only intensified until, around 3 p.m., Tonatiuh González decided to take her out of work and transport his other half to the hospital.
That’s when she learned of her stealth bun in the oven: “They told me that the pain was because I was in labor and that I had to give birth,” she said. “Immediately, I went into shock for many reasons — such as if the baby was OK and what I was going to do with him, as I’ve never carried a baby [before] in my life.”
She fretted “about everything I needed to buy and in that moment, my world fell apart.”
However, Ruizvelasco didn’t have time to worry about the future as she was “dying of pain” due to her baby’s imminent arrival. In fact, the birth was reportedly approaching so fast that doctors had to perform a C-section.
Minutes later, the mother was sedated, whereupon she gave birth to a little boy she named Matías.
The aforementioned video clip, shared to the woman’s nearly 30,000 TikTok followers, shows a compilation of the party girl drinking at the club and relaxing at the pool with her friends and boyfriend. All the while, the captions count down the days until the birth, until at the very end, she can be seen in a photo cradling her newborn baby.
Needless to say, the couple had mixed emotions about the development with Ruizvelasco describing: “I stayed awake until he was born and I don’t know what I felt [upon seeing him].”
And while she didn’t “feel hurt” or anything, her boyfriend was “in shock,” which she presumed had to do with all the responsibilities of being a parent.
“He clearly had to get moving as there were things we needed, as well as how we were going to pay for the hospital,” she said. “He had to get all of that from almost one day to the next and he was so scared, but I understood.”
Fortunately, while life was initially hard as she had no experience with babies, Ruizvelasco said that over time she began to “adapt” to motherhood.
“The fact I have to teach him how to be in life is very nice and he’s already going to day care, as well as being happy,” she gushed. “He’s my son, my partner and the love of my life — it’s honestly the best and most sudden thing that could have happened to me.”
Ruizvelasco said her atypical pregnancy saga split TikTok with some critics claiming her story “was impossible” and “a lie.”
“I’m sorry but how do you not feel the baby move or find it strange you missed your period?” wondered one skeptic.
Another wrote, “nvmd the period but how do you not feel the baby move inside?”
On the other side of the spectrum, “many women commented that the same thing happened to them,” Ruizvelasco said.
“This happened to mom, she went for a check up and the doctor told her: Miss you are 8 months pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!” insisted one commenter.
“This is actually common, some women don’t grow a stomach and because of fetal placement don’t feel the baby kick and are lucky to be asymptomatic,” claimed one internet OBGYN.
In a similar case July, a UK woman didn’t realize she’d been pregnant until gave birth to her daughter while on the toilet. | https://nypost.com/2022/09/01/i-had-no-idea-i-was-pregnant-until-i-went-into-labor-at-club/ | 2022-09-01T17:35:45Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/09/01/i-had-no-idea-i-was-pregnant-until-i-went-into-labor-at-club/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Lafayette Police are investigating a Wednesday night shooting that left a 15-year-old dead.
Officers were called to the 100 block of Toulouse Drive just before 10 p.m. Wednesday night. They found the teen there, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to police, the investigation determined that the victim and two other people were involved in an altercation with the suspect over drugs. The altercation lead to a firearm being discharged and the victim was struck. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown vehicle prior to officer’s arrival. Detectives with the criminal investigation division are actively working the case.
If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Lafayette Police Department or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 232-TIPS. | https://www.katc.com/news/lafayette-parish/shooting-leaves-15-year-old-boy-dead-police-asking-for-tips | 2022-09-01T17:45:39Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/lafayette-parish/shooting-leaves-15-year-old-boy-dead-police-asking-for-tips | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NEW YORK CITY — Four goats were busy this summer in New York City.
The Riverside Park Conservancy said for the past three summers, Cheech, Eleanor, Big G, and Skittles have been coming to Manhattan's Riverside Park, a sprawling 400-acre park that sits along the Hudson River.
According to its website, the goats are brought in to help curb invasive plants and help in hard-to-reach areas.
CNN reported that the goats are from Green Goats Farm in Rhinebeck, New York, and they arrived in NYC in June.
CNN reported that in just two months, they chomped down on thousands of pounds of weeds.
According to the news outlet, not only do goats help with the ecosystem, but they also have other benefits.
"They provide such a mental health service for people who want to just come and enjoy the park and then just having the time to spend, you know, share a heart-to-heart moment with the goat," Marcus Caceres, the park's conservancy field supervisor told CNN. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/goats-brought-to-new-york-city-to-help-curb-invasive-plants-at-park | 2022-09-01T17:46:03Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/goats-brought-to-new-york-city-to-help-curb-invasive-plants-at-park | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
California is home to over 30 military installations represented by every branch, so it goes to show the role the state plays in America’s defense. The 5th California Defense Leadership Summit, hosted in the state’s capitol of Sacramento by the Governor's Military Council, became a hub for installation support organizations, installation and operational commanders, and decision and policy makers throughout the golden state to share challenges and solutions faced head-on.
U.S. Space Force Col. Robert Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, spoke on a panel regarding California’s newest asset in the Space Force, and how the branch continues to innovate and build the range of the future.
“There are a lot of tools at our disposal”, said Long. “We work with our industry partners and utilize these tools to launch at a rate that matches our threat, because as we know, the threat is real, and the threat is here.”
Long spoke alongside Michael Corriea, Vice President of Lockheed Martin Space, and Kaina Pereira, Senior Advisor, Business Development at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
A series of panels were presented throughout the summit, allowing for attendees and subject matter experts to have conversations regarding subjects within the California defense community. Topics discussed involved strategic plans for conserving energy and water in the state, as
California sets the standard as one of the nation’s forefront leaders in sustainable water usage and its beneficial environmental impact. The summit also focused on defense innovation, including ways to develop strong relationships at the federal level that impact California in a positive way.
Space Launch Delta 30, Vandenberg's host unit, supports West Coast launch activities for the Air Force, Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, national programs, and various private industry contractors. SLD 30 supports the processing and launch of a variety of expendable vehicles including Atlas V, Delta IV, Pegasus, Minotaur, and Falcon 9. The Delta also supports Force Development and Evaluation of all intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as Missile Defense Agency (MDA) test and operations.
This work, A look into California’s Future: SLD 30 Command Staff Attends the California Defense Leadership Summit, by A1C Ryan Quijas, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright. | https://www.dvidshub.net/news/428509/look-into-californias-future-sld-30-command-staff-attends-california-defense-leadership-summit | 2022-09-01T17:46:24Z | dvidshub.net | control | https://www.dvidshub.net/news/428509/look-into-californias-future-sld-30-command-staff-attends-california-defense-leadership-summit | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
DENVER — During the dog days of summer, it's important to keep your home cool. But when thousands of Xcel customers in Colorado tried adjusting their thermostats Tuesday, they learned they had no control over their homes' temperatures.
Temperatures climbed into the 90s Tuesday, which is why Tony Talarico tried to crank up the air conditioning in his partner's Arvada home.
"I mean, it was 90 out, and it was right during the peak period," Talarico said. "It was hot."
That's when he saw a message on the thermostat stating the temperature was locked due to an "energy emergency."
"Normally, when we see a message like that, we're able to override it," Talarico said. "In this case, we weren't. So, our thermostat was locked in at 78 or 79."
On social media, dozens of Xcel customers complained of similar experiences — some reporting home temperatures as high as 88 degrees.
Xcel confirmed to Contact Denver7 that 22,000 customers who had signed up for the Colorado AC Rewards program were locked out of their smart thermostats for hours on Tuesday.
"It's a voluntary program. Let's remember that this is something that customers choose to be a part of based on the incentives," said Emmett Romine, vice president of customer solutions and innovation at Xcel.
Customers receive a $100 credit for enrolling in the program and $25 annually. Still, Romine said customers also agree to give up some control to save energy and money and make the system more reliable.
"So, it helps everybody for people to participate in these programs. It is a bit uncomfortable for a short period, but it's very helpful," said Romine.
Romine said this is the first time in the program's six-year span that customers could not override their smart thermostats. He said the "energy emergency" was due to an unexpected outage in Pueblo, hot weather, and heavy air conditioner usage.
But Talarico said he had no idea that he could be locked out of the thermostat. While he has solar panels and a smart thermostat to save energy, he says he did not sign up to take this much control away.
"To me, an emergency means there is, you know, life, limb, or, you know, some other danger out there — some, you know, massive wildfires," Talarico said. "Even if it's a once-in-a-blue-moon situation, it just doesn't sit right with us to not be able to control our own thermostat in our house."
Editor's note: Denver7 seeks out audience tips and feedback to help people in need, resolve problems and hold the powerful accountable. If you know of a community, needs our call center could address, or have a story idea for our investigative team to pursue, please email us at contact7@thedenverchannel.com or call (720) 462-7777. Find more Contact Denver7 stories here. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/thousands-of-xcel-customers-locked-out-of-thermostats-during-energy-emergency | 2022-09-01T17:46:34Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/thousands-of-xcel-customers-locked-out-of-thermostats-during-energy-emergency | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MINNEAPOLIS — The Transportation Security Administration's top K9 is getting a new leash on life.
After 10 years of service, the agency's cutest dog, Eebbers, is retiring.
The bomb-sniffing visla-lab mix was the oldest working dog in the TSA. He was also recently crowned the winner of the agency's cutest K9 contest.
Put your paws together for @mspairport's Eebbers - winner of the @TSA's 2022 Cutest K9 Contest!
Eebbers was born into TSA’s Puppy Program and is the last remaining canine from the Puppy Program still working daily for TSA.
Congratulations on your win, Eebers! #NationalDogDay pic.twitter.com/9iwwKG4MAD
— MSP Airport (@mspairport) August 26, 2022
Eebbers’ handler Jean Carney also is retiring, the Star Tribune reported.
"He was born to do this. His ability to search out his trained odors amazes me every day," Carney told CBS affiliate WCCO.
Eebbers and Carney were showered with gifts and cake on their last day at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
Happy retirement day, Eebbers & Jeannie! TSA’s 2022 Cutest Canine & his handler had a great sendoff at @mspairport today. 🐶🦴 pic.twitter.com/nZMAoNmzVu
— TSA_GreatLakes (@TSA_GreatLakes) August 31, 2022
According to the newspaper, the pair also received commemorative plaques.
Carney told the news outlet that their first retirement plan is to go swimming in Iowa's Lake Okoboji
"I was just ready for him to be a dog. I just wanted him to enjoy the last few years just being a dog," Carney told the news outlet. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/transportation-security-administrations-oldest-and-cutest-dog-eebbers-retires | 2022-09-01T17:46:40Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/transportation-security-administrations-oldest-and-cutest-dog-eebbers-retires | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
No matter where one lives, the roads are likely getting more dangerous. Pedestrian deaths due to car crashes have increased nationwide in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A decade ago, more than 30,000 Americans were dying in car crashes every year. Last year, that number cleared 40,000.
It’s especially stark in cities where the population keeps growing.
Greg Francese, a transportation planner in Hoboken, New Jersey, said their numbers were rising too. However, they appear to have figured out the problem and addressed it.
No pedestrians have died in a car crash in over five years in Hoboken.
“We looked at the crash data for the past five years, and we know that 88% of crashes involving people that are walking or people that are biking were happening at our intersections,” Francese said.
Hoboken’s intersections now show the solutions: bike racks and plots of plants. They both consume physical space close to street corners and prevent cars from parking there. When people need to cross, they don’t need to peer around cars to see if others are coming.
On the 10th and Washington, when the "DON’T WALK" sign changes to "WALK," all stop lights stay red for seven seconds to give pedestrians the first right of way.
Pam Shadle Fischer, who works for the Governors Highway Safety Association, knows most cities aren’t like Hoboken and that cities are only half of the issue.
“Rural fatalities account for almost half of roadway deaths in our country,” Fischer said. “But 19% of the population is living in rural areas. So, what does that tell you?”
In rural areas, traffic fatalities are more likely to happen during the day.
“The post-crash care piece is so critical in rural areas where the distances are so great. You know, you may be involved in a crash, and the closest trauma center where you need treatment is three hours away,” Fischer said.
But no matter the type of town, there are proven solutions for what works. All Hoboken did was follow them.
“I’m proud of how we’ve been doing a lot of small things that collectively have had a big impact,” Francese said. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/two-americas/how-a-city-eliminated-pedestrian-deaths | 2022-09-01T17:46:46Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/two-americas/how-a-city-eliminated-pedestrian-deaths | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said that 66 pounds of dried albumin egg products were recalled for being improperly shipped from Italy to the U.S.
According to the USDA, egg products from Italy are banned in the U.S. The USDA said that recalled products should be thrown away or returned for a refund.
The item has the following label:
1.1-lb. plastic canister containing “Sosa ALBUWHIP” with lot code LALB22033, LALB22077, LALB22168 or LALB22200.
The product has not caused any adverse health effects, officials said. Recalled items were shipped to California, Florida, Nevada and New York. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/usda-recalls-powdered-egg-products-improperly-sent-to-the-us | 2022-09-01T17:46:52Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/usda-recalls-powdered-egg-products-improperly-sent-to-the-us | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A boil advisory is being issued for residents on St. Landry Parish Waterworks District No. 2 (Rural) water system due to a broken line on Chretien Point Road.
Contractors are on the way to repair the line break.
Water samples will be collected on Friday and dropped off at the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals.
All residents are asked to Boil Water until samples have been cleared by the Department of Health. | https://www.katc.com/news/st-landry-parish/boil-order-issued-for-st-landry-parish-waterworks-district-no-2 | 2022-09-01T17:46:58Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/st-landry-parish/boil-order-issued-for-st-landry-parish-waterworks-district-no-2 | 0 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A boil advisory is being issued for residents on St. Landry Parish Waterworks District No. 2 (Rural) water system due to a broken line on Chretien Point Road.
Contractors are on the way to repair the line break.
Water samples will be collected on Friday and dropped off at the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals.
All residents are asked to Boil Water until samples have been cleared by the Department of Health. | https://www.katc.com/news/st-landry-parish/boil-order-issued-for-st-landry-parish-waterworks-district-no-2 | 2022-09-01T17:46:58Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/st-landry-parish/boil-order-issued-for-st-landry-parish-waterworks-district-no-2 | 1 | 0 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A school with no textbooks or homework! The students, upon returning home, get to play and not stress about their studies. They find the time to engage in their favourite hobbies. Most people would be concerned about such an education system, which is entirely different from those followed by all other schools. Questions like would the children score good marks are natural. However, when the results come out, all these students who were thought “not serious in studies” pass with flying colours.
This concept caught the fascination of a woman. ‘Pallikoodam,' which literally means school in Malayalam, was set up by taking a leaf out of the model followed by an Ooty-based British school. Thus formed the famous educational institution in Kottayam - a magnificent example of the globally well-known Malayali success story.
The credit for successfully implementing this model that cannot be easily copied or executed goes to a single name: Mary Roy, founder of Pallikoodam, principal of the institution for four decades and its guiding force till her end.
Even in the future, the ideas left behind by this extraordinary educationalist will keep inspiring generations.
In the beginning, the school was christened Corpus Christi. Later, it was renamed ‘Pallikoodam', which was suggested by Mary's daughter and writer Arundhati Roy, winner of the Booker Prize for 'The God of Small Things.' With Mary at the institution's helm for 42 years, it was recognised as the best school several times. The school stood out not for its unconventional education system, but also for its appearance.
An expert in alternative architecture, Kerala’s own Laurie Baker, designed the school. A beautiful institution that stands amid dense trees on a hillock. Students of the school never felt like leaving the institution. Those who catch a glimpse of it yearn to be a part of the campus.
The specialities of the method of instruction are unique. Its excellence in arts and sports is unending. A real educational institution, in every sense of the word, as it not only imparts knowledge but also teaches the first lessons on comprehensive personality development.
Mocked a nursery teacher for her unconventional method
Nobody rolled out a golden carpet for Mary Roy, who came to Kottayam to live, work and flourish after being disillusioned with her life in Ooty. She made a name for herself fighting several circumstances.
Today’s Pallikoodam had its humble beginning in a rented hall of the Rotary Club. Started in 1969 with students in Classes 1 to 5, Mary Roy revealed a new educational system by flocking the children together. Her wealthy relatives scoffed at the idea. They teased her and called her a nursery teacher. But Mary didn’t back off. She found nothing inferior about being a nursery teacher.
She was determined to convince society of this system. That resolve gave her the strength required to take each step. Once parents saw their kids comprehending things better than before, they took a liking to Mary's way of doing things.
Gradually the world witnessed the rise of a new teacher who led generations to a promising future through an unconventional education system. Many, later, followed the light of the alternative education that Mary Roy introduced, though in varied measures. But ‘Pallikoodam’ continued to hold its head high with Mary Roy as its architect.
More children began to join the school. The building became insufficient to house them all. She bought five acres on a hillock at Kalathippadi in Kottayam. A beautiful campus came up there (later, the campus was extended to 10 acres).
The USP of Pallikoodam
Mary's Pallikoodam has several specialities. Primary education is only imparted in the mother tongue. Mary went down the road less taken at a time when parents increasingly desired for their wards to learn English the moment they start to speak. However, she had in mind the brilliant lessons imparted by educationists from across the globe. The students who didn’t learn English till Class IV became fluent in the language as they moved up the ladder.
Till Class VIII, there are no exams. Mary's stand was that a student's calibre should not be weighed just by holding exams at the end of the year. “Teachers who see and interact with the students on a daily basis are well aware of their standards…Can’t they evaluate how much a child has learned without conducting an exam?” That was both her question and vision.
Subject experts used to teach lessons even in primary classes. She dispensed off the idea of employing 'average' teachers in lower classes. As the saying goes, if the foundation is strong, the building will last longer; she was sure the students, on getting a sound basic education, would be able to step into an excellent future.
Several alumni of Pallikoodam have reached great heights in their careers and lives. Most of them have enrolled their children in Pallikoodam now.
Besides leading financially rewarding lives, students passing out of Pallikoodam often choose the path their heart has always desired. There are some who left high-paying jobs to lead a peaceful life. They attribute the mental maturity to make such a bold decision to Pallikoodam. And that was all that Mary Roy truly wished for her students.
Arundhati too did her schooling till Class 6 at Pallikoodam. Those days, elementary education was only up to 6th grade.
Mary Roy has bid adieu from this world after making Pallikoodam self-reliant on all accounts. There is a society, a team of companionship, to run the school. The future of the institution is in safe hands. Besides, Mary Roy's eternal ideas will continue to lead the institution on the path of glory. It's impossible for anyone to "chain" knowledge, nor Mary Roy, who led a life following the light of excellence.
As Pallikoodam turns a guiding force for many educational institutions today, it speaks volumes of the success of Mary Roy, the educationalist who dared to dream. | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/01/how-mary-roy-cut-own-path-in-education.html | 2022-09-01T17:49:55Z | onmanorama.com | control | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/01/how-mary-roy-cut-own-path-in-education.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Brad Keselowski, the No. 6 team and RFK Racing will be featured in the upcoming series ‘Race for the Championship,’ which premieres tonight, Thursday, Sept. 1, at 10 p.m. ET on USA Network.
The network’s new unscripted series will give a behind-the-scenes look at the elite drivers and team competing in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS). Documenting the lives of the sport’s best on and off the track, viewers will get a rare glimpse of what it takes to balance personal relationships with the pressure to perform.
Packed with action, heart and drama, this exhilarating series will offer up a taste of what it’s really like to partake in the world’s top level of stock car racing. Watch as the drivers are pushed mentally and physically to their limits, navigating a NASCAR season unlike any other – with a new car, new tracks and new challenges – for their chance to make history.
Spanning 10 episodes, ‘Race for the Championship’ will tell the story of the 2022 season and playoffs. The series will feature past champions and upcoming drivers, including RFK Racing Co-Owner and driver of the No. 6 Ford Mustang, Keselowski.
Keselowski and RFK will be featured in two separate episodes with the first slated for Thursday, Sept. 22 (Episode 4). It will focus on both the Bristol Dirt and Talladega races, while the second feature will come in Episode 7, slated to air Thursday, Oct. 13.
Keselowski returns to action this weekend at Darlington Raceway, which begins the 2022 NASCAR Playoffs and final 10-race run.
RFK Racing PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72517-keselowski-rfk-featured-in-race-for-the-championship-on-usa-network | 2022-09-01T17:51:44Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72517-keselowski-rfk-featured-in-race-for-the-championship-on-usa-network | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
One of the deepest and most talented fields in USAC Silver Crown Series history is poised for the first mile track run of the year Saturday night at the Du Quoin State Fair. In fact, the overall talent in the series may be at an all-time high. In fact, the Springfield entry list featured three past Silver Crown champions, twelve different Silver Crown race winners, three past USAC Sprint Car champions, three past USAC Midget champions and a wealth of young and veteran talent. The current state of the series presents some of the stiffest competition anywhere in the United States. A similar entry list is expected for Du Quoin.
While the youth of the series, such as Logan Seavey (2018 Midget champ), Jake Swanson, C.J. Leary (2019 Sprint champ) and Michael “Buddy” Kofoid (2021 Midget champ) have nearly turned the 100-mile dirt track events into multi groove sprints veterans like Brian Tyler (2 time Sprint champ, 18 Silver Crown wins) have been able to return to the series and show the younger crowd how to be fast at the end of 100 miles, as Tyler did last year at Du Quoin. Justin Grant (2019 Silver Crown champ) has joined the list of series “veterans” with a 100-mile race win in his pocket, and fellow veteran Jerry Coons Jr. (2008 USAC Triple Crown champ) is always in contention at Du Quoin. Lurking as always is six-time Silver Crown champ Kody Swanson, a two-time Du Quoin winner and the leader in Silver Crown series wins.
If those aren’t enough examples of the current talent level in the big cars, how about those drivers with accomplishments in other avenues. Chase Stockon is a terror in sprint cars, with wins in USAC and the Indiana sprint car scene. Rookie Brian Ruhlman is well known for his exploits in late models and modifieds on the Eldora half mile. Eric Gordon is a veteran returning to the big cars with wins in USAC sprints and Silver Crown, not to mention runner-up finishes in series points. Rookie Wayne Johnson is a multi-time winner and champion of winged sprint cars. Veteran Shane Cottle won at Du Quoin in 2007 and has multiple sprint car victories. Young Jason McDougal wowed the 2019 Hoosier Hundred crown with an impressive cushion run from the back to the top ten. Matt Westfall is a USAC veteran who has been very strong since returning to the big cars.
And then there are some “local” hotshoes who are right there with the front runners. A.J. Fike won twice at Springfield in the big cars and once in stock cars. He’s been on the pole more than once in a stock car at Du Quoin. Missouri’s Kyle Steffens won at age 16 in the Oldani modified race at Du Quoin and is capable of running at the front in the big car. When he isn’t helping Illinois farmers Chris Urish runs a winged sprint car and a Silver Crown car, winning at Du Quoin in 2013. And let's not forget Shane Cockrum, who lives 20 minutes from the fairgrounds. Cockrum won twice at Du Quoin, and has multiple sprint car wins at Lincoln Park Speedway in Indiana.
Even casual race fans can’t afford to miss the action Saturday night just to see who can come out on top of this championship talent level field. MiteXstream comes on board as a new presenting sponsor of the championship event. It’s all part of a Labor Day weekend full of racing which also includes the ARCA Menards Series on Sunday night and DIRTcar Modifieds both nights.
Practice for the USAC Silver Crown championship cars begins Saturday, September 3 at 5 p.m. with qualifying slated at 6:30 and the Ted Horn 100 presented by MiteXstream at 8:15 p.m. Sunday, September 4 event schedule will begin with practice at 4:15, qualifying at 6:00, and feature racing at 6:30.
Tickets will be available on raceday or by calling the Du Quoin Fair office at 618-542-1535. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.
For more info, visit www.trackenterprises.com.
Track Enterprises PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72513-deep-silver-crown-talent-heads-for-du-quoin-mile-and-68th-ted-horn-100-40-cars-expected-for-saturday-night-s-event | 2022-09-01T17:52:03Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72513-deep-silver-crown-talent-heads-for-du-quoin-mile-and-68th-ted-horn-100-40-cars-expected-for-saturday-night-s-event | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kevin Lacroix has no choice but to win the last two events of the season to ensure he has a chance at winning the NASCAR Pinty's Championship.
This weekend the Canadian NASCAR Series heads to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the final road course event of the season. The driver of the #74 Lacroix Tuning | NAPA Auto Parts | Valvoline car currently sits in 4th place in the driver's championship, 28 points off the first position. This is one of the most intense championship finishes that has been seen in years.
"I have no choice but to go for the win at Mosport," said Kevin Lacroix. "It's a good thing that this is a track that I know by heart and that I always do well on," said Kevin Lacroix. Indeed, Lacroix Motorsport claimed the win during the first event of the season, in a fiery finish back in May.
Since his first event in 2016, Lacroix has picked up 6 wins at the Bowmanville track, so he will be looking to add one more to his tally. "It always plays rough at Mosport because most of the drivers in the field know the track as well as I do and could all win the race."
"Some drivers have nothing left to lose and are aiming for the win at all costs; others have to be more careful and strategic about the championship. I'm between those two; I think I'll only be able to decide during the race if I take risks to go for the win or if I should be conservative."
The green flag for the WeatherTech 200 will drop at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday, September 4. Fans will be invited to meet the NASCAR Pinty's drivers in the paddock at the series truck at 11 a.m.
Kevin Lecroix PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72514-kevin-lacroix-must-win-at-canadian-tire-motorsport-park-this-sunday | 2022-09-01T17:52:09Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72514-kevin-lacroix-must-win-at-canadian-tire-motorsport-park-this-sunday | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
JR Motorsports today named longtime crew chief Mike Bumgarner to its director of competition role. Bumgarner, currently the crew chief for Josh Berry and JRM’s No. 8 team, will assume the position at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
A 27-year veteran of the sport, it’s a new but familiar spot for the 47-year-old Bumgarner, who served as race operations director for JRM from 2014-20 and oversaw the production and maintenance of the team’s race car inventory.
“Mike knows JR Motorsports inside and out,” said L.W. Miller, JRM’s director of motorsports. “He’s very well respected in the building and within the garage and has an innate leadership quality that our group can rally around. With his level of experience, competitive focus and communication skills, it’s a natural transition for him.”
“We’ve got such a talented core of people here at JRM, and I’m just really thankful for this opportunity,” said Bumgarner. “I certainly don’t have all the answers, but my goal is to communicate well and give our teams all the support they need so we can keep hanging win banners in the shop.
“I’m looking forward to next year but my first priority is going after the championship and finishing the season out strong with Josh and our No. 8 team.”
This season, Bumgarner has led Berry to two wins (Dover Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway), nine top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. Berry is currently fifth in the championship point standings as the series heads to Darlington Raceway this weekend. | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/xfinity-series-news/72516-mike-bumgarner-promoted-to-jr-motorsports-director-of-competition | 2022-09-01T17:52:21Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/xfinity-series-news/72516-mike-bumgarner-promoted-to-jr-motorsports-director-of-competition | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Sunny, hot and hazy for the first day of September. Morning temperatures in the 60s-70s, near 90 by noon and afternoon highs in the mid-upper 90s.
High pressure will hold strong sending highs into the triple digits Friday afternoon. An offshore low with its attending cool front will begin to move onshore tomorrow afternoon. This will increase our winds after 4 PM with gusts of 20-30 mph through early Saturday morning. So once again, we will need to watch the fire danger across the region.
Fire Weather Watch - Friday Afternoon-Evening
- Gusts 20-40 MPH
- Low Humidity
- Rapid Fire Spread
- Be Firewise
There is a very slight chance (10%) for a stray shower overnight Friday as the weather system tracks east of the Cascades. Heat relief for your Labor Day weekend with highs falling into the upper 80s-low 90s. The quiet weather will continue early next week with sunshine and highs in the 80s-low 90s. Fall is only 21 days away! | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/increase-fire-danger/article_acdc998e-2a08-11ed-9fe2-1b7dfdedf494.html | 2022-09-01T17:52:38Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/increase-fire-danger/article_acdc998e-2a08-11ed-9fe2-1b7dfdedf494.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BOSTON, Mass.-
According to GasBuddy, a fuel savings platform that finds the cheapest gas through its app and gas card, gas prices have declined every week this summer and are now at the lowest levels since March.
Today the national average for a gallon of gas, according to AAA, is $3.82.
This is good news for those hitting the road this Labor Day weekend. GasBuddy still recommends looking around for the lowest prices, if possible, as prices can vary from station to station. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/gas-prices-drop-ahead-of-labor-day/article_b22c6730-2a16-11ed-b27e-e3ec5ea551e5.html | 2022-09-01T17:52:42Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/gas-prices-drop-ahead-of-labor-day/article_b22c6730-2a16-11ed-b27e-e3ec5ea551e5.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
PORTLAND, Ore.-
Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer and will be a busy time in the National Forests of the Pacific Northwest. The United States Forest Service encourages everyone to get outdoors, but wants visitors to the National Forests of Oregon and Washington to "know before they go."
According to a Forest Service news release visitors to National forests this weekend should take responsible precautions in the following areas:
FIRE: Recently the weather across the Pacific Northwest has been hot and dry. Fire danger remains extremely high. Fire use restrictions are in place on many public lands and should be followed.
NAVIGATION: Many rely on cell phones, but in public lands cell service is not always reliable, GPS and paper maps should also be packed before heading out this weekend.
OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS: Make sure you have plenty of water, food, shelter, and first aid supplies before camping.
BE BEAR AWARE: Bears live in the woods so be aware of your surroundings at all times and secure your food.
Learn more about the National forests of Oregon and Washington here. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/know-before-you-go-this-labor-day/article_ce0319e2-2a00-11ed-b37e-4fb6e5699435.html | 2022-09-01T17:52:43Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/know-before-you-go-this-labor-day/article_ce0319e2-2a00-11ed-b37e-4fb6e5699435.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
KENNEWICK, Wash.-
The Second Harvest Mobile Market is travelling around Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho this week and will make stops in Kennewick and Pasco over the next two days.
On Thursday, September, 1st, the Mobile Market will be at Eastgate Elementary in kennewick from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Second Harvest operates the Mobile Market as a free service to help families. No appointment or documentation is needed to receive food. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/mobile-market-offering-free-food-in-kennewick-and-pasco/article_f628d9ec-2a10-11ed-a09d-ffab89877d50.html | 2022-09-01T17:52:43Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/mobile-market-offering-free-food-in-kennewick-and-pasco/article_f628d9ec-2a10-11ed-a09d-ffab89877d50.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON, D.C.-
September is National Preparedness Month and The Benton Franklin Health District is joining communities across the country in raising awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and disasters.
This year's theme is "Make a Plan. Build a Kit. Stay Informed."
The goal of the campaign is to encourage everyone to have a plan in place and the necessary resources on hand to deal with any potential emergency or natural disaster. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/september-is-national-preparedness-month/article_9dfd2c5e-2a07-11ed-9049-831d325db87d.html | 2022-09-01T17:52:49Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/september-is-national-preparedness-month/article_9dfd2c5e-2a07-11ed-9049-831d325db87d.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CHARLEMONT, Mass (WWLP) – A raccoon that was reportedly acting unnatural in the area of Hicks Road and Maxwell Road in Charlemont has tested positive for rabies.
According to a news release sent to 22News from Franklin County Animal Control Officer Kyle Dragon, a resident reported that a raccoon was acting unnaturally towards his dog and himself on Wednesday, August 24th. Animal Control collected the raccoon and tested positive for rabies.
Pet owners are urged to make sure their pets are up to date with their rabies vaccines by checking with their veterinarian. Residents are also being warned to not approach any wildlife, especially if it’s acting in a sickly or aggressive fashion.
If you or your pet come in contact with sick or aggressive wildlife, you’re asked to call Shelburne Regional Communications Center at 413-625-8200
What is rabies?
Rabies is a very serious disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of mammals (if an animal has hair or fur, it is a mammal). Cats, dogs, raccoons, coyotes and foxes are mammals, as are people. Rabies is caused by a virus and almost always causes death. Rabies is usually a disease of animals, but it can spread from an infected animal to a person.
How is rabies spread?
Rabies spreads when an animal with rabies bites another animal or person. The rabies virus is in the saliva (spit) of infected animals. Infected animals can also spread rabies if their saliva gets into a scratch or other wound, or the eyes, nose or mouth of another person or animal.
Does rabies cause death in people in the U.S.?
Yes, but it is very rare for people to get rabies in the United States. Of the 55,000 people who die of rabies every year around the world, only one or two of those deaths occur in the United States.
How common is rabies in animals in Massachusetts?
Fairly common. Since 1992, more than 5,000 animals have tested positive for rabies in Massachusetts. Most of these cases occurred in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, woodchucks and foxes, but every year some pets (especially cats) and farm animals also get rabies. Fortunately, there is a vaccine to protect dogs and cats from rabies.
Can you tell if an animal is rabid?
You cannot tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it. Rabid animals may act strangely after the virus affects their brains, or they may seem just fine. Sometimes, rabid animals may aggressively attack people or other animals. Sometimes, a test is done on an animal’s brain to find out if it had rabies.
How is rabies prevented in people?
After a person is exposed to rabies, they can be given shots (called “immune globulin”) around the bite or scratch to help fight the virus where it entered the body. They will also get 4 or 5 vaccinations (shots) in their arm over several weeks. These shots will also help the person fight the virus. As long as the shots are given before the person starts to get sick, this will prevent them from getting rabies. If a person does not get the shots and then gets sick with rabies, there is no effective treatment. Rabies is almost always fatal.
What should you do if you think you’ve been exposed to rabies?
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal:
- Wash the wound with soap and water right away for ten minutes
- Call your health care provider or local board of health. They can help you determine if you need to be treated for a rabies exposure
- Your local animal control officer may be able to catch the animal that scratched or bit you. Wild animals should be tested immediately for rabies. Cats, dogs, ferrets and cows can be watched for 10 days. If they stay healthy, they did not expose you to rabies
What should you do if you think your pet has been exposed to rabies?
If your pet is bitten or scratched by another animal:
- Call your veterinarian to help you determine if the animal needs medical attention.
- Your local animal control officer may be able to catch the animal that scratched or bit your pet. Wild animals should be tested immediately for rabies.
- In some cases, it may be necessary to confine your animal and watch it to see if it develops signs of rabies. Your local animal inspector can help you determine if this is necessary.
How can you help prevent rabies in Massachusetts?
- Teach children to never approach animals they don’t know – even if they appear friendly.
- Report any animal that behaves oddly to your local animal control official.
- Enjoy wild animals from a distance. Do not keep wild animals as pets. This is against the law in Massachusetts.
- Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. By law, all dogs, cats and ferrets must be regularly vaccinated against rabies.
- Don’t feed or water your pets outside. Even empty bowls will attract wild and stray animals.
- Keep your pets in a fenced yard or on a leash and do not let them roam freely.
- Keep your garbage securely covered. Open garbage will attract wild or stray animals.
- Keep your chimney capped and repair holes in attics, cellars, and porches to help keep wild animals like bats and raccoons out of your home. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/raccoon-in-charlemont-tested-positive-for-rabies/ | 2022-09-01T17:54:09Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/raccoon-in-charlemont-tested-positive-for-rabies/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
(Mass Appeal) – Honey, honey if you’re a dancing queen then dance your way to the Majestic Theater. They are celebrating its 25th season and kicking it off with a performance of Mamma Mia! Here to Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! the details is Sue Dziura, associate producing director, along with Cate Damon, who is playing Donna Sheridan. | https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/calling-all-dancing-queens-majestic-theater-to-kick-off-25th-season-with-mamma-mia/ | 2022-09-01T17:54:11Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/calling-all-dancing-queens-majestic-theater-to-kick-off-25th-season-with-mamma-mia/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling nearly 200,000 large SUVs in the U.S. because the heating and cooling fan motors can fail and catch fire.
The recall covers Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators from the 2015 through 2017 model years.
The Dearborn, Michigan, company says in government documents that it has reports of 25 fires caused by the motors, which are behind the glove box. Thirteen fires were limited to the blower motor area, while 12 involved extensive damage to the SUVs. Three fires damaged structures and one damaged another vehicle.
One person reported injuries to their hand and fingers, and all fire reports indicated that the vehicles were running at the time of the incident, Ford said in documents posted Thursday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The company says it’s not telling people to park the SUVs outdoors. It says some customers have reported inoperative fans, burning smells or smoke coming from the vents while the vehicle is on.
Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly at no cost to owners, who will be notified starting Sept. 12.
It’s the second recent recall for the Expedition and Navigator due to problems that can cause fires.
In July, Ford expanded a May recall to 66,000 of the SUVs from the 2021 model year. The company told owners to park them outdoors due to a series of engine fires that could happen while the ignitions are off. Ford traced the cause to printed circuit boards that are susceptible to an electrical short. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/national/ford-recalls-nearly-200000-suvs-over-fire-hazard/ | 2022-09-01T17:54:35Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/national/ford-recalls-nearly-200000-suvs-over-fire-hazard/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) is offering three sessions of “Ready, Set, Read!”, its family literacy program, in Lockport this month.
All parents and caregivers of children up to 8 years old are invited to enroll. Ready, Set, Read! is a “whole-brain, whole-family approach to literacy” offered in five workshops for adults and the children in their care, EPIC spokesman Laurie Ferris said. Adults — parents, grandparents, caregivers, educators, college students and childcare providers — receive practical guidance on creating positive learning experiences for their children; and parents who want to improve their own literacy are connected to skills through the program.
During the workshops, adults learn how to help their children develop phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency and reading comprehension. They identify and explore individual learning styles for themselves and their children, learn how a child’s brain develops, find out why reading is a critical event from birth, and learn how to select age-appropriate books and activities. As the adults learn about literacy, their children get hands-on experiences that help develop their literacy skills.
The program is free and and adults who complete the full series will receive incentives such as a tablet or a $50 gift card.
Ready, Set, Read! will be offered at: Lockport Public Library, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Sept. 6, and beginning again Sept. 27; and the Kenan Center, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 5, Oct. 11 and Oct. 13.
For more information, go to https://www.epicforchildren.org/ready-set-read or contact Jacob Emmanuele at 716-332-4133 or EmmanueleJ@epicforchildren.org. | https://www.lockportjournal.com/community/ready-set-read-sessions-begin-next-week-in-lockport/article_8dbb226e-294f-11ed-9eb5-4be45fd34faa.html | 2022-09-01T17:54:55Z | lockportjournal.com | control | https://www.lockportjournal.com/community/ready-set-read-sessions-begin-next-week-in-lockport/article_8dbb226e-294f-11ed-9eb5-4be45fd34faa.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Students do not have free access to the New York Times this academic year because of a decision made by the Student Senate during the budget review process.
“This difficult decision was made after examining closely the utilization of the service and weighing it against the cost,” said Sadie Williams, the Student Body President, in an email.
In previous years, the subscription has been funded by a portion of the student senate fee, which is included in every students' required campus fees. Williams said the Senate’s ability to pay for the subscription is dependent on this fee.
“The priority of last years fee review was to keep the student fee as close to flat as possible based upon a campus-wide survey. With that context, the NYT subscription was not included in the breakdown of fees for the Student Senate, so there were not funds to pay for it,” Williams said.
For students that are interested in advocating for the restoration of the subscription, Williams recommends becoming involved in the fee review subcommittee.
“The student voice is powerful and if this is something students feel passionately about, then I feel confident in their ability to bring the subscription back to our campus."
KU Libraries offers students free printed versions of the New York Times on their website daily.
According to the Lawrence Public Library website, the library offers free limited access to the New York Times. This access is available on-site while using the library’s computers or connecting to their Wi-Fi. A 72-hour unlimited subscription is also available by following the off-site access link on the public library website. | https://www.kansan.com/news/don-t-have-access-to-the-new-york-times-through-ku-anymore-you-re-not/article_1ba303e0-294a-11ed-bd06-67a572bcb7c3.html | 2022-09-01T17:55:00Z | kansan.com | control | https://www.kansan.com/news/don-t-have-access-to-the-new-york-times-through-ku-anymore-you-re-not/article_1ba303e0-294a-11ed-bd06-67a572bcb7c3.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
After two summers in a row dealing with pandemic-related concert cancellations, the summer 2022 concert season felt like things have returned to normal. Tours that had been stalled the previous two years went out on the road, and most of the major Western New York outdoor venues had full schedules.
The major highlights include three stadium shows at Highmark Stadium: Garth Brooks, Metallica, and a classic rock mega-tour that included Def Leppard and Motley Crue. Artpark presented its most diverse, and possibly the busiest, summer schedule ever, and even Seneca Niagara Casino presented a rare concert appearance from Lionel Richie.
The return of the fans is good news for the music industry, but it remains to be seen what the long-term impact will be on major tours.
According to Live Nation, the average ticket price for the top 100 tours increased from $91.86 in the first six months of 2019, to $108.30 for the first half of this year. Those are only the regular prices; resellers continue to muddy the marketplace for concert tickets, both driving up prices and, in some cases, rewarding fans with the patience to wait until the last minute to scoop up the cheap seats.
Now that a $100 plus concert ticket has become the norm, another trend is emerging, that is fans being penalized for trying to buy tickets early, when demand is usually at its highest. Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model is largely responsible for that, but another Ticketmaster program, the verified resale, is also making it harder to determine what is a fair priced ticket.
A Ticketmaster verified ticket is one that has already been purchased and listed back on the same platform. It would be the equivalent of buying a gallon of milk, leaving it at the store where you purchased it and marking up the price.
There is negligible risk to the fan that may want to attend the show, because if they do not sell the tickets at the marked-up price, they can simply attend the event.
This is another effort by Ticketmaster to capture revenue made by third party resellers. The advantage of buying a verified resale ticket is that there is no questioning the authenticity of the ticket, and the buying process is the same as if you purchase the ticket at face value.
In addition, Ticketmaster can capture additional fees on the second ticket sale after they have already collected them for the first sale. The second buyer could relist the tickets again on Ticketmaster.
That makes it trickier for consumers to get the best price, and for ultra-high demand tickets for Bruce Springsteen, you would have to have been incredibly lucky to score tickets at face value.
The model seems to be functioning as intended, but there have been occasions where fans and brokers have been stuck trying to unload tickets at deeply discounted prices. For example, tickets for the Def Leppard, Motley Crue show at the stadium were selling for under $20 the week of the show, and there were a sizable number of tickets purchased for that event that went unused.
It is impossible to predict the future of ticket prices, but they should stabilize at some point, especially as the larger drawing heritage acts discontinue touring.
What is certain is that the days of camping out at the venue the night before a major show goes on sale are gone forever. | https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/jennings-gone-are-the-days-of-camping-out-for-concert-tickets/article_59909478-28a1-11ed-b559-eb934e0b48bb.html | 2022-09-01T17:55:01Z | lockportjournal.com | control | https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/jennings-gone-are-the-days-of-camping-out-for-concert-tickets/article_59909478-28a1-11ed-b559-eb934e0b48bb.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A Lawrence Police Department task force resumes their fight to combat underage drinking after a two-year hiatus.
Lawrence residents and KU students may have noticed an increase in law enforcement at local bars. This is due to the partnership between Lawrence Police Department (LPAID), KU Public Safety Office (PSO) and Alcohol Beverage Control, a task force created to educate and enforce the public on statutes and ordinances involving alcohol.
The task force, created in 2010, is fully grant-funded and is made-up of a handful of law enforcement officers from LPD, KU PSO and Alcoholic Beverage Control. The task force had a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lt. Ryan Halsted, patrol officer for LPD and LPD’s lead officer in the task force, understands that alcohol plays a large role in criminal activity around Lawrence.
“Alcohol has long been a proven driver that leads to criminal behavior. More importantly, however, is the fact that criminal activity clearly leads to victims of crimes involving alcohol,” Halsted said.
Lt. Myrone Grady, executive office of diversity and community engagement at LPD, agrees.
“This is a college town and there are bound to be issues directly related to the consuming too much alcohol but, as a law enforcement professional of almost 20 years, it is not solely about the drinking,” Grady said. “It’s the fights, domestic assaults, property damage, impaired driving, and traffic accidents and subsequent happenings that produce problems.”
The task force wants to help KU students understand the laws involving alcohol to keep them safe and secure throughout their college experience.
“Our goal is to educate first, then enforce, to provide learning opportunities which will hopefully stop illegal behaviors before long term consequences happen. We want young people to enjoy the nightlife here in Lawrence, but we also want them to be safe,” Grady said.
Since 2019, 90 citations have been issued for possession of a fake ID and minor in possession.
However, James Druen, deputy chief of KU PSO, says the number of citations has dropped significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels.
With the start of the new school year, the task force is serious about providing a public service for the Lawrence community and each agency is confident that drawing attention to the dangers of alcohol can make a difference.
The task force resumed in late August and plans to run throughout the school year. | https://www.kansan.com/news/lawrence-police-department-and-ku-pso-resume-underage-drinking-taskforce/article_94e2c59a-2974-11ed-9fd0-334b8835673d.html | 2022-09-01T17:55:06Z | kansan.com | control | https://www.kansan.com/news/lawrence-police-department-and-ku-pso-resume-underage-drinking-taskforce/article_94e2c59a-2974-11ed-9fd0-334b8835673d.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON — Math and reading scores for America’s 9-year-olds fell dramatically during the first two years of the pandemic, according to a new federal study — offering an early glimpse of the sheer magnitude of the learning setbacks dealt to the nation's children.
Reading scores saw their largest decrease in 30 years, while math scores had their first decrease in the history of the testing regimen behind the study, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, a branch of the U.S. Education Department.
The declines hit all regions of the country and affected students of most races. But students of color saw some of the steepest decreases, widening the racial achievement gap.
Much of the nation's standardized testing didn't happen during the early days of the pandemic, so the findings released Thursday gave an early look at the impact of pandemic learning disruptions. Broader data is expected to be released later this year as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card.
“These are some of the largest declines we have observed in a single assessment cycle in 50 years of the NAEP program,” said Daniel McGrath, the acting associate commissioner of NCES. “Students in 2022 are performing at a level last seen two decades ago.”
The study reflects two years of upheaval in American education as schools shut down for months at a time amid COVID-19 outbreaks. Many students spent a year or more learning from home, and virus outbreaks among staff and students continued the disruption even after kids returned to the classroom.
In math, the average score for 9-year-old students fell 7 percentage points between 2020 and 2022, according to the study. The average reading score fell 5 points.
The pandemic's upheaval especially hurt students of color. Math scores dropped by 5 percentage points for white students, compared with 13 points for Black students and 8 points for Hispanic students. The divide between Black and white students widened by 8 percentage points during the pandemic.
Decreases were more uniform in reading: Scores dropped 6 points for white, Black and Hispanic students.
For Asian American students, Native American students and students of two or more races, there was little change in reading or math between 2020 and 2022, the study found.
Geographically, all regions saw decreases in math, but declines were slightly worse in the Northeast and Midwest compared with the West and South. Outcomes were similar for reading, except that the West had no measurable difference compared with 2020.
Although it marks a sharp drop since 2020, the average reading score was 7 points higher than it was in 1971, and the average math score was 15 points higher than in 1978, the study found.
Overall, the results paint a “sobering picture” of schooling during the pandemic, said Peggy Carr, commissioner of the NCES.
Federal officials say this is the first nationally representative study to compare student achievement before the pandemic and in 2022, when most students had returned to in-person learning. Testing was completed in early 2020, soon before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and in early 2022. | https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/reading-math-scores-fell-sharply-during-pandemic-data-show/article_5fa0620e-2a1c-11ed-a806-93814b730b88.html | 2022-09-01T17:55:07Z | lockportjournal.com | control | https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/reading-math-scores-fell-sharply-during-pandemic-data-show/article_5fa0620e-2a1c-11ed-a806-93814b730b88.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
False widow spiders: How to identify them and what you need to know about these vilified critters
Are these household spiders as dangerous as national press stories would lead us to believe? In this essential guide we separate the facts from the fiction.
If you believe the national tabloids, every autumn our UK homes are invaded by these highly venomous arachnids. But are these spiders really as menacing as their infamous, black widow cousins?
How do I identify a false widow spider?
In the UK, false widow spiders form a group of six species known as Steatoda spp. The three most common types are the noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis), the rabbit hutch spider (Steatoda bipunctata) and the cupboard spider (Steatoda grossa). The headline-grabbing noble false widow, however, isn’t native to this country, reputedly having arrived by banana boxes from the Canary Islands in the 19th Century.
As the largest of the three, the noble false widow has a body length of between 10mm and 14mm, and it has a distinctive set of markings on its abdomen, which can resemble a skull. These marks can completely vary, or can even be non-existent, especially in adult females.
False widows will usually have a narrow white or slightly lighter band towards their head. While females have a globular shiny abdomen, the male abdomens are smaller and less rounded. The native rabbit hutch spider and cupboard spider are smaller than the noble false widow, around 5-7mm and 10mm respectively.
Are false widows dangerous in the UK?
The British Arachnological Society points out that "bites by false widows are difficult to substantiate and often highly exaggerated by the media".
There have been some headline-grabbing stories in the UK press ‘warning’ of noble false widow bites, but these need to be kept in perspective, given that the symptoms of a bite - including the level of pain - are comparable to a nasty wasp sting.
Just one spider bite, however, can attract tabloid headlines, like the recent example of a 15-week baby being bitten in Ireland, who needed to be taken to A&E. With paracetamol the symptoms eased after 12 hours.
In the UK, according to the Natural History Museum, out of 650 species of spiders, there are 12 that can bite humans. Noble false widows get the most attention.
They have fangs that are capable of penetrating human skin, but these bites are rare. If someone is bitten, there can be complications in a small number of cases, if there is an allergic reaction or an infection.
How venomous are false widows?
The tabloids often circulate the findings from a recent study in Ireland that discovered that noble false widow spiders are 230 times more venomous than the average spider in an Irish home. And Dr John Dunbar, from NUI Galway and co-senior author of the study, has said: “The tiniest amounts of venom – about 1,000th of a raindrop – can cause medically significant symptoms in humans that are about 250,000 times larger than them.”
Despite these impressive and attention-grabbing stats, the net effect of the venom of a false widow is still not particularly potent. Usually, the only symptom in humans is pain or swelling around the bite, which may radiate outwards, and it usually lasts from between one and 12 hours, but rarely for more than 24 hours.
Where do false widows live?
You can recognise the webs of false widow spiders as a tangle of criss-cross scaffold threads, which may become dense in the centre. Noble false widows are found in houses and their numbers have been reported as increasing across the country in recent decades.
Having originated in the Canary Islands, they are probably enjoying Britain’s recent spells of warmer weather! In contrast, as their names suggests, the native rabbit hutch spider is found mostly in outdoor animal enclosures or sheds, while the cupboard spider favours storage areas and spots under furniture.
How do I know if I’ve been bitten by a false widow?
This is a good question, as the symptoms are very similar to those of a wasp sting, so it helps if you have actually seen that the culprit is definitely a spider. Also, remember the NHS advice that spider bites in the UK are uncommon. While most false widow bites resemble a nasty wasp sting, a minority of those who have been bitten have described the symptoms as a throbbing pain, with swelling in the affected area and a tingling in the fingers. Dizziness, sickness and sweating can also occur.
Begin by looking for evidence of puncture marks in the skin, which could be painful to touch. If you are bitten by a spider and the symptoms cause concern, medical advice should be sought.
How likely am I to be bitten?
False widows are mainly sedentary and, according to the British Arachnological Society, "being bitten by a spider is very unlikely in this country in normal circumstances". False widow bites, when they happen, generally occur when someone has accidentally come into close contact by sitting or lying on one of these spiders.
Male false widows are more prone to biting, but this is only because they leave the nest in search of a mate. As mentioned, they are only known to bite when provoked or trapped against skin.
Are false widows related to black widows?
Because of the name and the fact they look similar, false widow spiders (Steatoda spp.) are sometimes confused with black widows (Latrodectus spp.) and are even mistakenly thought to be as dangerous. But while both have a similar dark-coloured, globular body, the similarities stop there.
A comparative study carried out by toxin scientists in Ireland, which looked at the venom of false widows compared to true black widows, discovered that out of a total of 140 toxins found in the false widow, 111 were also found in the black widow. This may sound scary, but the reality is that our UK false widows are nothing like as harmful as their infamous cousins. For example, when it comes to venom a true black widow is in a different league, particularly a large female, as its venom is 15 times more powerful than that of a rattlesnake.
If, in the extremely unlikely case that you do find a widow spider with a distinctive red hourglass colour-marking on its abdomen and black legs, it should ring alarm bells. Any sightings of accidentally imported black widows are extremely rare. In 2012 a mechanic found a pair living in a vintage Ford Falcon car imported from the US, and the spiders in question were rehomed in a zoo.
What is the expert opinion on the media scare stories?
“False widows can bite, and their bite can be painful, but the press coverage makes it seem like bites are very common,” says entomologist and BBC broadcaster Prof Adam Hart.
“The reality is they aren’t. Spiders may not be everyone’s favourite, but they are incredibly important creatures, and we should cherish rather than persecute them.”
About our expert, Adam Hart
Adam is an entonologist and BBC broadcaster. He has presented a number of BBC documenteraries on insects, and written for over 120 scientific papers.Read more:
Authors
Neil is a freelance journalist and he has worked across a variety of BBC magazine titles, including BBC Sky at Night Magazine and BBC Music Magazine. He enjoys sky-gazing while camping in Cornwall.
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- Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery. | https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/false-widow/ | 2022-09-01T18:01:00Z | sciencefocus.com | control | https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/false-widow/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
FEMA officials setting up at EKY hardware stores to give people rebuilding tips
BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Flooding cleanup continues in Eastern Kentucky.
It could take years for many families to rebuild their lives.
FEMA is on the ground helping people in need and Thursday they’re giving tips on how to rebuild a stronger foundation.
As the long road to recovery continues in Eastern Kentucky, FEMA has set up stations at local hardware stores in the area to help give tips on rebuilding stronger and safer.
The ACE Hardware in Jackson is stocked with shelves upon shelves of supplies and FEMA officials say they want people to use these tools efficiently in their recovery process.
So, they’re assisting people with information on how to get rid of mold, how to rebuild with more water-resistant material and how to possibly elevate homes and appliances.
FEMA Community Education Outreach Specialist Carolyn Hodges says it’s about rebuilding in a way that makes eastern Kentuckians more ready should another disaster come to the region.
“What we really try to do is get people prepared for the future,” said Hodges. “We start with the present if they have mold or mildew we teach them out to be safe, how to take care of themselves and then we go to rebuilding.”
In addition to offering recovery tips, there is also a disaster survivor assistance specialist on hand to help anyone who may not have registered yet for federal aid.
Hodges acknowledged many homes were in low-lying areas, where elevation and other tips could not salvage their situation. For those people, she says there is a program available where people can buy out and be relocated.
Copyright 2022 WKYT. All rights reserved. | https://www.wave3.com/2022/09/01/fema-officials-setting-up-eky-hardware-stores-give-people-rebuilding-tips/ | 2022-09-01T18:01:22Z | wave3.com | control | https://www.wave3.com/2022/09/01/fema-officials-setting-up-eky-hardware-stores-give-people-rebuilding-tips/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Five of the world's Top 10 hit the courts for the second round of the US Open on Thursday.
World No.1 Iga Swiatek cruised past 2017 champion Sloane Stephens on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Track how the rest of the Top 10 did throughout the day here!
US Open: Scores | Order of play | Draw
[8] Jessica Pegula def. Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4, 6-4
Sasnovich came into the year's last major in good form, having reached the Cleveland final last week. She moved up to World No.32 in Monday's rankings, slightly too late to claim a seeding spot in New York. She is only two spots behind her career-high ranking of No.30.
However, American No.1 Pegula, a quarterfinalist at this year's Australian Open and Roland Garros, was able to bring Sasnovich back down to earth in 1 hour and 19 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Thursday.
World No.8 Pegula had six aces and converted five of her 10 break points to reach the US Open third round for the third straight year.
Jessica Pegula takes care of business in Armstrong 💪 pic.twitter.com/QIhZ4BiIum
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022
Sasnovich had 18 winners to Pegula's 15, but Pegula had only 12 unforced errors while Sasnovich had exactly double that amount with 24. A love break for 5-4 in the second set proved decisive for the American, and Pegula finished the match by sweeping 12 of the last 13 points.
Pegula, who is seeking her first trip to the US Open Round of 16, will next face either Irina-Camelia Begu or Yuan Yue. If it is Begu, Pegula notched her first win over the Romanian in their three meetings with a comeback win in the Round of 16 at Roland Garros this year.
More to come... | https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2774207/pegula-first-of-top-10-to-win-on-us-open-day-4 | 2022-09-01T18:04:14Z | wtatennis.com | control | https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2774207/pegula-first-of-top-10-to-win-on-us-open-day-4 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
First son Hunter Biden helped to arrange a dinner at the Chinese Embassy in Washington for a client of his now-defunct investment company — by working with a top Beijing diplomatic official he met at a January 2011 luncheon hosted by his father, then-Vice President Joe Biden, according to correspondence obtained by The Post and Fox News Digital.
Hunter and Eric Schwerin, his former business associate at Rosemont Seneca Partners, assisted Marvin Lang — the managing director of Guardian Realty in Maryland — in setting up the dinner with Deng Hongbo, the embassy’s deputy chief of mission, on April 28, 2011.
The dinner was later publicized on China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Schwerin also helped to arrange for Ted Kaufman, a longtime adviser to Joe Biden who was appointed to fill his Senate seat after he was sworn in as vice president in 2009, to deliver the keynote address at the event and paid him $10,000 for the privilege.
The idea for the dinner arose in emails exchanged by Schwerin, Lang and Hunter Biden in December 2010.
Lang, a major Democratic donor, contacted the then-vice president’s son to thank him for a lunch meeting and to say he was “excited” to establish a “long relationship” with Rosemont.
On Jan. 12, 2011, following an exchange of messages among the three, Hunter Biden emailed Schwerin to say: “Marvin wants to know where we are in on finding space for the dinner — Chinese embassy is his #1 choice.”
Seven days later, Schwerin contacted Lang and cc’d Hunter Biden in an email to notify him that Hunter Biden had had a lunch with the “number three official” at the Chinese Embassy and the contact would be “helpful” in setting up the dinner for Guardian Realty, which describes itself as a “fully integrated real estate investment company” on its website.
“[I] just talked to Hunter and he said he sat with the number three official at the Embassy today at lunch and has contact information to follow up after the [Chinese] President has left the US,” Schwerin wrote in the message.
“Hunter’s said his contact will be helpful, but the Minister won’t be able to focus on this until after the delegation has left at the end of the week. Sounds like this is the right contact though,” he added.
On Jan. 19, 2011, the same day as Schwerin’s email, Joe Biden and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted a luncheon at the State Department for then-Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Hunter Biden became the subject of a series of blockbuster reports by The Post in October 2020 about his suspicious business dealings in Ukraine and China while his father was vice president.
The basis of the reporting came from documents and emails found on a laptop Hunter Biden abandoned at a computer repair shop in Delaware.
Schwerin noted in an email to Hunter Biden the night before the lunch at the State Department that he would be sitting at the same table as Ron Klain, who was then Vice President Biden’s chief of staff and serves in the same role at the White House.
A little more than a week later, on Jan. 28, 2011, Zhou Jingxing, the deputy director at the Chinese Embassy, responded to an email from Hunter Biden about his contacts with “Minister Yang.”
The reference, Fox News reported, is to Yang Jiechi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party since 1971 who served as foreign minister from 2007 to 2013.
“Minister Yang asked me to follow up with you directly. You will be receiving a formal request from Guardian’s Chairman, Marvin Lang, shortly but I wanted to put forward some dates that work on their end: May 5, 12, or 19,” Hunter Biden wrote to Zhou. “We look forward to working with you and thank you for your help and consideration.”
Zhou said he would “check with the Embassy logistics to see if the dining room is available on your proposed dates.”
A month later, emails showed Lang becoming nervous because the embassy hadn’t yet set a date.
“We really need the approval for dinner in writing,” he wrote to Schwerin on Feb. 28.
Schwerin then reached out to Hunter Biden to see if he could secure a confirmation letter from the Chinese and suggested contacting the Turkish Embassy about hosting the dinner instead.
Hunter Biden responded to Schwerin to say that asking for a confirmation letter ran “the risk of seriously offending the Chinese.”
Then in early March, Schwerin assured Lang that Hunter Biden had worked out the details with the Chinese Embassy.
“After our call yesterday, Hunter reached out to Minister Yang and Counselor Zhou and thanked them both for arranging the dinner, said he was looking forward to seeing them both at the dinner and reiterating our interest in having the Ambassador there,” Schwerin wrote to Lang. “It should have been clear how important this was to Hunter and Guardian, so we should be good going forward.”
He also wrote that the dinner would be banquet style, and the cost would be $80 for food — which included nine courses and Chinese dessert and fruit — and $10 per person for wine.
A flurry of emails followed that involved arranging Kaufman to deliver the keynote address at the dinner.
On April 29, a day after the Guardian dinner, Schwerin forwarded an email from Lang to Hunter Biden calling Kaufman’s appearance “terrific and very interesting.”
“As you could tell, there were a lot of questions from our investors. Last night was very exciting and we appreciated Hunter’s involvement. He is very talented and approachable, which is a nice quality. Plus, he is very smart,” Lang wrote to Schwerin. “I would appreciate a formal invoice for our files and will have the check sent out Monday, in any event. We also appreciated your involvement and help with the protocol, speech, etc.”
Lang thanked Hunter Biden personally in a May 1 email for setting up the dinner.
“We appreciated the help that we received from Eric and Rosemont Seneca in drafting a ‘thank-you’ speech to the Minister and the help that we received on the appropriate gift for the Embassy,” Lang wrote.
“We also felt that you added intrinsic value in ‘closing out’ the successful evening with your follow-on explanation to Minister Deng’s answer to a question that was raised. It was a terrific evening,” he continued.
Lang also expressed his gratitude to Hunter Biden for suggesting Kaufman as a “guest speaker.”
The White House, Schwerin, Hunter Biden’s attorney Kevin Morris and Lang did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Post. | https://nypost.com/2022/09/01/hunter-biden-set-up-dinner-for-client-at-chinese-embassy-in-dc-after-joes-luncheon-emails/ | 2022-09-01T18:05:21Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/09/01/hunter-biden-set-up-dinner-for-client-at-chinese-embassy-in-dc-after-joes-luncheon-emails/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
When Sir Sean Connery died, he reportedly asked his wife, Micheline Roquebrune, to scatter his ashes in both his adopted home, the Bahamas, and his native Scotland. Now, almost two years after his death at the age of 90, the family has done just that, undertaking a trip north of the border to celebrate his life.
Planned to coincide with what would have been the actor's 92nd birthday on 25 August, the family travelled en masse on the luxury train, the Royal Scotsman, which they had hired out especially for the occasion.
Sir Sean's granddaughter, Saskia, shared glamorous images from the trip, posing with her sister Natasha's boyfriend Harper Peck, himself the grandson of legendary Breakfast at Tiffany's actor Gregory Peck. Wearing an upturned champagne bucket on her head, she jokingly quipped: ‘Forecasting the champagne bucket hat as a big fall trend.’
Saskia is the daughter of Connery's step-son, Stephane, himself the son of Connery's second wife, Moroccan-French beauty Micheline. She grew up in the Bahamas with her two sisters Natasha and Samara.
The 26-year-old, who is a swimwear designer, recently broke off her engagement to her 35-year-old banker beau, Phillip Thomas Muhr. The pair became engaged in the spring of 2021, six months after the death of her grandfather, who died in October 2020. Speaking to People magazine at the time, they said: 'We are so happy to have found each other and can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together.'
Sir Sean was best-known for playing James Bond in the 1960s, famously portraying 007 in Goldfinger, From Russia with Love, Dr No, You Only Live Twice and Thunderball. | https://www.tatler.com/article/connery-clan-travel-on-the-royal-scotsman-to-scatter-legendary-actors-ashes | 2022-09-01T18:06:55Z | tatler.com | control | https://www.tatler.com/article/connery-clan-travel-on-the-royal-scotsman-to-scatter-legendary-actors-ashes | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Is Moor Hall the best restaurant in the UK? Besides recognition such as two Michelin stars and five AA Rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide, it was voted exactly that at The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards for two years running, in 2020 and 2021, and won second place this year (and the best in England).
Fay Maschler puts a two-Michelin-starred Lancashire jewel to the gastronomic test
Anticipating a lunch involving a long, complex fixed tasting menu, I visit for my first time with a group of chums. We take a train from London Euston to Wigan North Western in Lancashire. There is an aspect of socialism involved – not the kind George Orwell was espousing in The Road to Wigan Pier – but more akin to socialising. Nevertheless, I think of Orwell’s first full-length work, Down and Out in Paris and London, when considering the positive impact that gastronomy can have on a community. And lengthy, carefully orchestrated meals are best enjoyed with a merry table of pals; I have seen couples fade into silence as they lope into the home straight.
Moor Hall, which opened in 2017 describing itself as a ‘restaurant with rooms’, is a Grade II*-listed building overlooking a lake, with seven guest bedrooms and origins tracing back to the 13th century. On arrival, I notice beehives beneath the trees, symbolic of the self-sufficiency that underpins the culinary approach of chef Mark Birchall, who was born in the nearby town of Chorley.
Birchall previously worked at Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume, famous – maybe notorious – in part for the restaurant’s appearance in Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s 2010 television series The Trip. Birchall helped move the style on from Nordic molecular to something prettier, wittier and more beguiling.
There is a path and a pace to our lunch. Resistance is futile and in any case would be foolish. Installed in the laid-back sitting room, we order aperitifs, some of which adhere to the ‘garden to glass’ philosophy, in particular the champagne cocktails served with a ferment and due ceremony. Neither the words ‘snacks’ nor ‘canapés’ do justice to the dishes offered alongside. House-cured charcuterie is notable, but so are assemblies that are as fetching in appearance as they are in juxtapositions of flavour, texture and imagination.
Next comes a tour of the kitchen garden, where evidence of the policy of self-sufficiency and locavorism is budding and blooming. We are then ushered into the kitchen, open to the simply designed, gracefully glazed conservatory-style restaurant. We watch chefs compose little masterpieces in front of our eyes and eat them standing up. Next to me is a bank of mushrooms sprouting from compost. Petals are involved in one of the bonnes bouches, as are smoked eel and fermented garlic held in a crisp potato basket.
The menu is by no means static – that would contravene the animating spirit – so I will just recall some jumping-off points that convey the range and acrobatic fluency: Paris market carrots; turnip and crab; Tilly Park Angus beef; Isle of Mull scallops; turbot cooked on the bone; Sladesdown guinea fowl. My friend Oisin Rogers later writes to say: ‘One feels like a cameo actor in a big-budget dreamscape. The sounds, colours, textures, ingredients and sights seem to have the hand of a great artist behind each new sensation.’ Wine pairing is equally agile and original.
The Barn, which sits within the grounds of Moor Hall, offers a simpler, less expensive menu, dedicated to the same principles. It has been awarded its own Michelin star. Is Moor Hall the best restaurant in the UK? That is for you to decide.
Inspired by the artist and dandy Aubrey Beardsley, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s newest dining concept is a lavish ode to Japonisme, discovers Tatler’s resident restaurant critic
This article was originally published in the August issue. Subscribe now to get 3 issues for just £1, plus free home delivery and free instant access to the digital editions. | https://www.tatler.com/article/moor-hall-lancashire-best-uk-restaurant-fay-maschler-review | 2022-09-01T18:07:01Z | tatler.com | control | https://www.tatler.com/article/moor-hall-lancashire-best-uk-restaurant-fay-maschler-review | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Owning some of the most extravagant and fabulous pieces of jewellery in the world just comes with the territory when you are married to the Aga Khan. Such was the case for Princess Andrée, the Parisian shop owner turned royal, who became the third wife of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III, in 1929.
Amongst her trousseau was an Egyptian style diamond and platinum tiara from Cartier, bought by her new husband in 1934. It features stylised lotus flowers set onto a diamond band, and is intended to be worn high on the head.
The daughter of the desk manager at the Grand Palace Hotel of Aix-les-Bains in France, Andrée Carron became one of the world’s richest and most glamorous women upon her marriage to the Aga Khan. The ceremony, which lasted for seven days, took place in Bombay on 18 December 1929, with the great and the good of high society in attendance.
The couple had one son, Prince Sadruddin. Yet the princess never grew accustomed to the life of luxury she was now entitled to, and the couple divorced after 14 years of marriage. She returned to France, where she died in Cannes, aged 70.
Following her death, her son inherited the tiara, but after he died heirless in 2003, it was lost for several years. Thankfully, it resurfaced a decade later, being showcased by Cartier at Haute Joaillerie exhibition from 2013-2014. It is currently held in the Alexandria Royal Jewellery Museum Collection. | https://www.tatler.com/article/tiara-of-the-month-the-diadem-of-princess-andree-wife-of-aga-khan-iii | 2022-09-01T18:07:07Z | tatler.com | control | https://www.tatler.com/article/tiara-of-the-month-the-diadem-of-princess-andree-wife-of-aga-khan-iii | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
It’s all va-va-voom on the Venice Film Festival red carpet
The annual Venice Film Festival has returned, and with its promise to debut next year’s biggest releases, stars of the silver screen have upped their fashion game for the ten-day spectacle. Since its inception back in 1932, the event has attracted the most elegant of the A-list, and this year shows no exception.
Fresh from her role as former Queen of England, Anne Boleyn, Jodie Turner-Smith tapped into regal ostentation with an array of eye-catching ensembles paired with opera gloves and decadent jewellery. Julianne Moore, this year’s Jury President, opted for her quintessential movie star glamour with a caped gown from Valentino while up-and-coming English actress Raffey Cassidy - also in Valentino - donned a crystal and feather-bedecked mini dress, with gem-encrusted fish nets. Most surprising, though, was a shock arrival from former US presidential candidate Hilary Clinton, wrapped in a powder blue caftan, serving pure Jackie Kennedy in Morocco.
See below the greatest style hits from this year’s festival, and stay tuned for more red carpet resplendence. | https://www.tatler.com/gallery/venice-film-festival-best-dressed-2022 | 2022-09-01T18:07:13Z | tatler.com | control | https://www.tatler.com/gallery/venice-film-festival-best-dressed-2022 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Recruitment video for the 181st Multifunctional Training Brigade, First Army Division West, First Army. All b-roll video of Wisconsin is provided by Travel Wisconsin, the official Department of Tourism for Wisconsin. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Ryan Rayno) | https://www.dvidshub.net/video/856085/181st-mftb-recruitment-video | 2022-09-01T18:08:25Z | dvidshub.net | control | https://www.dvidshub.net/video/856085/181st-mftb-recruitment-video | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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IMSC Mission Monday - Ms. Teresa Warman
Ms. Teresa Warman, Air Force Services Center Strategy and Innovation Team, talks Air Force Innovation and what she loves about working for the Air Force.
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Disneyland has rolled out the green carpet with more artificial turf over the past few weeks and months as part of a drought-fighting water conservation effort that has largely gone unnoticed — and that’s the goal.
But sharp-eyed Disneyland fans may start noticing the change from natural to synthetic grass throughout the park starting this week.
New artificial turf around the Mickey floral planter at the Disneyland entrance and the Haunted Mansion front lawn will be unveiled on Friday, Sept. 2 when Halloween Time kicks off at the Anaheim theme park.
Disneyland’s phased approach of adding artificial turf in select locations every few weeks is about to pick up speed as a drought-tolerant approach to saving water.
The Mickey floral planter with Halloween colors and the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride overlay will be unveiled on Friday when the spooky season kicks off — and with it large swaths of new artificial turf in high-profile locations.
Disneyland has been reducing the amount of real grass that needs to be mowed with artificial turf that needs regular brushing over the past decade. The first major installation was in 2012 when Cars Land opened at Disney California Adventure with artificial turf in front of Sarge’s Surplus Hut and Flo’s V8 Cafe and in the queue line at Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters.
The high-end artificial turf used at Disneyland is harder to spot than the low-cost versions found in residential neighborhoods that look like synthetic green carpeting with visible seams. Disneyland uses eight different types of artificial turf with gray, brown and off-white blades intermittently woven in to look more natural.
SEE ALSO: 6 ghost pepper treats turn Disneyland into the Hottest Place on Earth this Halloween
Disneyland fans may be surprised to realize they’ve been staring at artificial turf with their own two eyes and never noticed.
Grounds crews converted the natural grass to artificial turf around the “Storybook” letters floral display on the hillside of the Storybook Land Canal Boats over a three-day period in July. Swapping out the grass for turf on the Storybook hill saves 81,000 gallons of water a year, according to Disneyland officials.
Grass bands around the perimeter of Disneyland Town Square floral beds designed to protect the flowers from curious visitors along with smaller grass planters near Disneyland City Hall were converted to turf in early August.
Disneyland’s garden team worked closely with event planners and Walt Disney Imagineering on the turf projects. Hardscape artificial turf is harder to tear up or trench – which becomes a major issue when seasonal events like the Candlelight Processional are held in Disneyland Town Square.
Artificial turf has also been added to the Adventure Tower lawn at the Disneyland Hotel and to service dog relief areas throughout the theme parks.
SEE ALSO: Disneyland’s Silhouette Studio returns for first time since pandemic
Not all former grass areas at Disneyland have been converted to artificial turf. Sometimes bushes, plants and flowers that use less water than grass are planted instead.
When the Disneyland horticulture crew does plant grass, it tries to use warm climate grass rather than cool climate grass — which uses 50% less water.
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Taking a look at Friday’s featured high school football games in the San Gabriel Valley area.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Glendora (0-2) at Charter Oak (1-0), 7 p.m.: There was so much buzz about the Chargers’ football team entering the season that last week’s 38-24 victory over Northview left more questions for the Chargers than Vikings. Quarterback Richie Munoz bailed out Charter Oak by throwing for 355 yards and five touchdowns on a night when its defense allowed nearly 500 yards rushing to the Vikings. That will need to be addressed and quickly, because despite losing their first two games to Chino Hills and Pasadena, the Tartans are better than average up front, and have the ability to run the ball as well.
Who wins Friday's Mayor's Trophy between Charter Oak and Glendora?
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) August 30, 2022
Two minute drills for Week 2 are up and running.https://t.co/tTA66pM6ay
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) August 29, 2022
Tartans QB Jake Denerson is better than what he’s shown over the first two weeks too, and the Tartans are looking for a win in the worst way, especially in this annual rivalry for the Mayor’s Trophy. Offensively, though, the Chargers are electric and will continue to get better. Even if their run-stop problems continue, Munoz and his cast of receivers are good enough to carry the load until they figure it out.
The pick: Charter Oak
Servite (0-2) vs. La Mirada (1-1) at Excelsior, 7 p.m.: The Matadores outplayed Yorba Linda in stretches and only trailed by a touchdown entering the fourth quarter before losing 28-13 last week. After beating El Toro 27-24 to open the season, you can call it a positive first two games for the Mats, who have another tough one against the Friars.
Who you got in Friday's big game, Servite or La Mirada?
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) August 30, 2022
Mats QB Neuhel Garcia has been steady, averarging 210 yards and completing 75 percent of his passes and CJ Zackery has carried the ball 25 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Mats coach Mike Moschetti has been impressed how it has moved the ball up and down the field, but says it needs to be better scoring in the red zone and finishing drives. The Friars lost a lot of talent from last years’ team that advanced to the Division 1 finals, and it showed with season opeing losses to Rancho Cucamonga and Mission Viejo. But still, the Friars are the Friars.
The pick: Mission Viejo
St. Francis (1-1) at Long Beach Millikan (1-1), 7 p.m.: Don’t expect a lot of defense in this one. After the Golden Knights opened the season with a 61-41 loss to West Ranch, they outlasted Mira Costa 52-48 in a thriller last week. Millikan is a point-scoring machine too, having beat Santa Ana 62-13 before losing 39-38 last week to Cathedral. So, first team to 40 points wins? Probably, and you can bet the Golden Knights will continue to score behind QB Jack Jacobs, averaging 366 yards a game with nine touchdowns. The Golden Knights weren’t supposed to be this limited defensively, so expect them to improve and do enough to get by.
The pick: St. Francis
Northview (1-1) vs. South Hills (2-0) at Covina District, 7 p.m.: The surprise of the season has been the Huskies opening with victories over Diamond Ranch and Covina under new coach Jacob Calderon. This was a team that was 0-10 last year and brought and 13-game losing streak into the season. The Huskies’ 16-14 victory over the Colts last week was particularly impressive, and they’re doing it on the ground with junior Gary San Angelo averaging just over 100 yards and the Huskies’ team averaging more than 200 yards per game. But look, the Vikings are a monster up front, rushed for over 400 yards in a loss last week to Charter Oak and are coming off a Division 10 championship. It would be a surprise if the Huskies kept it close because the Vikings are just bigger and better.
The pick: Northview
Alhambra (1-1) at Temple City (1-0), 7 p.m.: The Rams ended a 16-game losing streak that dates back to the 2019 season by opening with a 54-0 victory over Keppel. Look, the Aztecs are down so it wasn’t a surprise, but it was still a win for the Rams and a much better test will come this week against the Moors, who advanced to the CIF-SS Division 14 semifinals last year. The Moors split their first two games, losing 13-12 to South El Monte, then rebounding with a 35-8 win over Glendale. The Moors defeated the Rams, 48-8, a year ago, but expect it to be much close this time around.
The pick: Alhambra
Sierra Vista (1-1) at Nogales (2-0), 7 p.m.: The Dons are much improved under first year coach Jesse Ceniceros and their double wing offense, and they boast the area’s rushing leader in Eric Terrazes, who is averaging 205 yards with six touchdowns on an offense that averages over 400 yards on the ground. The Dons lost last week, 42-32 to Ontario, so there are issues on defense to solve.
Who wins Friday's showdown between Nogales and Sierra Vista?
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) August 30, 2022
And they better figure it out quick because the Nobles whiped La Puente (35-7) and Bassett (41-6) and are out to show how much better they’re after gong 3-7 last year. Still, the Dons have played a tougher two games and should be able to run with authority most of the night.
The pick: Sierra Vista
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We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/09/01/football-previews-and-predictions-charter-oak-and-glendora-meet-for-the-mayors-trophy/ | 2022-09-01T18:12:24Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/09/01/football-previews-and-predictions-charter-oak-and-glendora-meet-for-the-mayors-trophy/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The 2023 Nissan Kicks small crossover carries over unchanged into the new year except for a $300 price increase, Nissan announced Wednesday.
More mainstream than the Nissan Juke and more practical and better equipped than the Nissan Versa, the Kicks is Nissan’s second most popular crossover SUV. It’s also the second most affordable Nissan behind the Versa, which sells at about one-fifth of the volume of the Kicks.
For 2023, the well-equipped Kicks S costs $21,585, including a $1,295 destination fee. It comes with 16-inch wheels, keyless start, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and three USB ports.
Standard across the Kicks lineup are driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and automatic high beams. In addition to those standard safety features, each Kicks is powered by a 122-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. It’s meant for efficiency more than power, and earns an EPA-rated 33 mpg combined.
For $23,445, the 2023 Nissan Kicks SV adds 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and adaptive cruise control.
The top SR grade paints the roof rails black and adds other dark trim elements, as well as LED headlights and fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a surround-view camera system. It costs $24,145, which is about half of the record new car prices shoppers are paying today.
A premium package adds Bose sound, heated front seats and steering wheel, synthetic leather upholstery, and a wi-fi hotspot.
Nissan’s smallest crossover SUV launched in 2018 and might see more interest now that the Nissan Rogue Sport has been discontinued.
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- Genesis prices 2023 G80 electric car at $81,000, expands EVs to more states | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/automotive/internet-brands/2023-nissan-kicks-increases-300-to-start-at-21585/ | 2022-09-01T18:12:24Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/automotive/internet-brands/2023-nissan-kicks-increases-300-to-start-at-21585/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Volkswagen on Thursday announced a special edition Golf R commemorating 20 years of the all-wheel-drive hot hatchback. The aptly named 2023 VW Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition goes on sale in the U.S. this fall, with a planned production run of about 1,800 units.
Marking the anniversary of the 2002 European launch of the Golf R’s predecessor, the R32, the 20th Anniversary Edition deletes the sunroof that’s standard on other Golf R models. This removes some weight from the car’s highest point, to lower the center of gravity.
Other exterior changes include a gloss black finish for the 19-inch wheels, which are wrapped in the same 235/35 summer tires as the standard Golf R, “20 R” puddle lights, and a smattering of blue-finished “R” logos.
The 20th Anniversary Edition is available in Lapiz Blue Metallic, Deep Black Pearl, and Pure White. For a bit of contrast, the mirror caps are finished in Lapiz Blue on Deep Black Pearl and Pure White cars, and gloss black on Lapiz Blue cars.
The interior adds carbon-fiber trim pieces for the dashboard and front door panels—the first time this has been done in a production VW. The steering wheel and key fob get “R” logos as well.
The special edition is mechanically unchanged, keeping the EA888 2.0-liter turbo-4 from the standard Mk8 Golf R, with output unchanged at 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Europe is getting a special Golf R with slightly more power, but only the U.S.-market 20th Anniversary Edition will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission (a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is also available).
Prices start at $46,035 with the manual gearbox and $46,835 with the dual-clutch transmission (all prices include destination), an increase of $650 over the standard Golf R with either transmission.
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- Gunther Werks Project Tornado turns the 993 Porsche 911 into a 700-hp RWD monster | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/automotive/internet-brands/2023-volkswagen-golf-r-20th-anniversary-edition-revealed-with-sunroof-delete/ | 2022-09-01T18:12:31Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/automotive/internet-brands/2023-volkswagen-golf-r-20th-anniversary-edition-revealed-with-sunroof-delete/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BMW on Wednesday started production of hydrogen fuel cells that will eventually be used in the powertrains of a limited run of hydrogen-electric BMW X5 SUVs. The SUVs will be used for test and demonstration purposes, and won’t be for sale.
A hydrogen-electric vehicle is essentially an EV that uses a hydrogen fuel cell to power the electric motor instead of a battery. The fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen from the air in a nearly emission-free process that creates the electricity, either directly or via an intermediate battery.
In the case of BMW’s hydrogen-electric X5, which will go into production later this year as the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, the fuel cell sits up front and draws hydrogen from two tanks, one in the transmission tunnel and the other under the rear seat. The generated electricity is used to power an electric motor at the rear axle.
Electricity from the fuel cell also charges a small battery that helps power the motor during high-load situations. Total system output in this case is 368 hp. The fuel cell on its own generates a continuous output of 167 hp.
BMW doesn’t plan to sell the iX5 Hydrogen to private customers. The automaker doesn’t expect to have any hydrogen-electric vehicles at its dealerships until 2025, at the earliest. The date could be even later depending on the direction the market takes, BMW said.
Despite the start of production of hydrogen fuel cells, BMW remains committed to battery-electric vehicles as its main avenue for achieving carbon-neutral operations. BMW is developing the iX5 Hydrogen so it can be ready to supply customers with their powertrain of choice in the future, whether it be gasoline, diesel, battery electric, or hydrogen electric. In the case of hydrogen, BMW sees it as an opportunity for customers who favor long-distance driving.
“We think hydrogen-powered vehicles are ideally placed technologically to fit alongside battery-electric vehicles and complete the electric mobility picture,” Oliver Zipse, BMW Group’s CEO, said in a statement. “By commencing small-scale production of fuel cells today, we are demonstrating the technical maturity of this type of drive system and underscoring its potential for the future.”
BMW isn’t the only established automaker looking seriously at hydrogen as a future fuel source. Toyota already offers a second-generation Mirai hydrogen-electric vehicle in parts of the country where hydrogen is actually available, while the likes of Hyundai Motor Group, Daimler Trucks, and Volvo Trucks are looking at the fuel for zero-emission long-haul trucking.
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Two biopharmaceutical companies will give $5 million and $500,000, respectively, to nonprofit organizations in the United States and abroad that are responding to the growing monkeypox outbreak. The pledges come as the early philanthropic response to the disease, which disproportionately affects LGBTQ people, has been fairly muted compared with the early days of COVID-19.
Gilead Sciences, which produces HIV medicines, is providing up to $5 million to nonprofits in the United States and abroad that are working to prevent and treat monkeypox. It will give $350,000 each to GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Black Justice Coalition, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Those nonprofits will collaborate on a public education campaign and create materials about vaccination, treatment, and prevention that can be shared with organizations across the country.
Gilead will also give another $500,000 to NMAC, a nonprofit working to end the HIV epidemic, which will use the money to lead an advocacy campaign focused on ensuring monkeypox vaccines are distributed equitably and to fight vaccine hesitancy. The remaining $3 million will be distributed in grants of up to $50,000 to Gilead’s grantees outside the U.S. that are also seeing a rise in monkeypox cases.
ViiV Healthcare, another pharmaceutical company focused on HIV treatments, will make $500,000 in grants to nonprofits in the United States helping with outreach, education, and testing related to monkeypox.
Both companies have a history of helping LGBTQ people deal with health issues and supporting people who have HIV/AIDS or are at risk of getting it.
Tanya Gulliver-Garcia, director of learning and partnerships at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, said she is not aware of any other major grants for the disease.
“It’s possible, and this has been my prediction from the beginning, that a lot of the funding for monkeypox is going to be very local,” she said. “It will be community foundations and small corporations giving to organizations in their own city or town.”
That smaller scale of giving is in stark contrast to the billions of dollars in funding that foundations and corporations gave in the early days of COVID-19. By May 2020, U.S. grantmakers had given $6 billion in response to the coronavirus spread, according to Candid.
The differences in giving for COVID-19 compared with monkeypox in part stems from differences between the diseases. COVID-19 was a new, not fully understood virus that spread aggressively and could be fatal. Monkeypox is a disease that has been around for decades, spreads through close physical contact, and is very rarely fatal, according to the CDC. Gulliver-Garcia said that the difference also can be attributed to the fact that the current monkeypox outbreak so far has largely affected men who have sex with men.
“This, for me, is very reminiscent of the late ’80s, early ’90s, when HIV and AIDS were considered to be a queer disease,” she said. “Mainstream media didn’t pay a lot of attention.”
Government and mainstream philanthropy only began to take more action, she said, after HIV and AIDS began to spread more broadly.
Because the philanthropic response has been limited, LGBTQ nonprofits and health centers on the front lines responding to monkeypox have struggled to finance their work. Leaders said they had to find money in their budgets to pay for the monkeypox response since few grants are available. Their efforts also have been hampered by a limited supply of vaccines and the spread of misinformation, several nonprofits told the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Gilead’s decision to donate to nonprofits was prompted by concerns its officials were hearing from grantees starting in May, said Jane Stafford, executive director of corporate giving at Gilead.
Stafford said grantees told her and colleagues, “We need dedicated funding that we can use to put out education, to have vaccine clinics, to make sure that we have enough (personal protective equipment) for staff that are currently working, and then, in some cases, to provide funding for temporary staff to come in and help these organizations.”
With more than 14,000 cases of monkeypox reported across the country, California, Illinois, and New York have joined the federal government in declaring states of emergency.
The outbreak has largely affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, although the virus can be spread to anyone through close, skin-to-skin contact. About 94% of people who have tested positive had sexual or intimate contact with men within the three weeks before their symptoms began, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As a result, LGBTQ organizations with experience serving gay and bisexual men and health providers that treat patients with HIV/AIDS are helping. According to federal government estimates, 41% of people who have gotten monkeypox so far have also been HIV positive.
One of the biggest obstacles health providers have faced is the sparse supply of vaccines. The United States had only 2,400 doses of the vaccine on hand when the outbreak began, which would have been enough to vaccinate just 1,200 people. The Biden administration ramped up supply, recently announcing an additional 1.8 million doses will be available. The demand still has outmatched the number of available vaccines, according to federal health officials.
As of August 16, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation had distributed about 1,300 vaccines. And about 11,780 people are on the nonprofit’s waitlist of eligible recipients. TPAN, a health provider in Chicago that serves people with HIV and those at risk of getting it, has distributed 400 doses. But the demand has been triple that amount, according to Kara Eastman, the organization’s CEO.
Racial disparities in the vaccine rollout also remain a persistent challenge. In New York City, where monkeypox cases have been particularly high, Black people received just 12% of the doses despite making up 31% of those at risk of contracting the disease, the city’s Health Department reported.
Daniel Driffin, a consultant with NMAC working on an equitable monkeypox response, said he worries that people will get frustrated and stop seeking chances to get vaccinated.
Nonprofits and health providers responding to monkeypox have also seen a strain on their resources after dealing with COVID-19.
“It has been both a time-intensive and a resource-heavy response that has not seen a financial support behind it in the same ways that we saw happening early on (with COVID-19),” said Tyler TerMeer, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. The organization has tapped into its budget to create a hotline to field questions about monkeypox and pay more staff to host vaccine clinics during the evenings and weekends.
TPAN in Chicago held an online appeal to raise funds that attracted $3,000 in donations to deal with monkeypox.
“This is a time for philanthropy to step up and identify groups that they are already supporting and offer up resources to help us,” Eastman of TPAN said. “Because while this is being inaccurately categorized as something that’s impacting only one group in the country right now, it’s a public-health issue.”
____
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Kay Dervishi is a staff writer at the Chronicle. Email: kay.dervishi@philanthropy.com The AP and the Chronicle receive support from the Lilly Endowment Inc. for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits. The AP and the Chronicle are solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/business/ap-limited-funding-hampers-charities-early-monkeypox-response/ | 2022-09-01T18:15:18Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/business/ap-limited-funding-hampers-charities-early-monkeypox-response/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Building on recent national security initiatives to shore up the protection of U.S. critical assets from strategic adversaries (notably including China and Russia), Congress is considering new government powers to review outbound U.S. investments in certain high-technology sectors.
Inbound foreign investments in key sectors are reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). However, screening of outbound investments – a so-called “reverse CFIUS” – would be new, and could significantly impact industries ranging from aerospace and defense to fintech to pharmaceuticals.
How did we get here?
The last several years have witnessed an accelerated national security pivot from the twenty-year global war on terror to strategic competition with major state adversaries. Unclassified assessments of the U.S. national security posture reveal significant threats in domains ranging from artificial intelligence to hypersonic weapons to energy, many of which have been exacerbated by the theft of U.S. technology. The legislation proposing a “reverse CFIUS” review would seek to counter these threats by adding new controls to the flow of U.S. capital and intellectual property abroad.
The contemplated regime formally originated with the proposed National Critical Capabilities Defense Act (NCCDA), which passed the House of Representatives in February 2022 as part of the America COMPETES Act of 2022, H.R. 4521, a larger package focused on U.S. domestic semiconductor production and other aspects of U.S. competitiveness (certain elements of which, not including the NCCDA, eventually were signed into law as part of the CHIPS and Science Act in August 2022). Most notably, the NCCDA would create a Committee on National Critical Capabilities (the “Committee”), with authority to review – and block – covered outbound foreign investments.
What are the prospects for passage?
While it is not clear if the version of the NCCDA that passed the House will reach the president’s desk, there now appears to be significant momentum in support of a NCCDA-type regime. In June 2022, a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers released a discussion draft revising the House’s version of the NCCDA, and there remains the possibility of executive action if Congress cannot agree on a final form of the bill. This bipartisan support remains despite strong opposition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other industry associations representing potentially impacted sectors.
What can U.S. investors expect from the anticipated new regime?
Outside of investments in a handful of sanctioned countries, U.S. investments abroad heretofore have largely been free of formal national security scrutiny. If passed, the NCCDA raises the prospect of more administrative complexity and uncertainty around business planning and investments. Bottom line, an outbound screening regime would mark a new, significant national security-related check on the cross-border flow of capital and know-how.
What are “National Critical Capabilities?”
As set out in the discussion draft, the NCCDA would be limited to investments in items and technologies of strategic significance to the United States – so-called “national critical capabilities.” These include:
· Semiconductor manufacturing
· Large-capacity batteries
· Critical minerals
· Pharmaceuticals
· Artificial intelligence
· Bioeconomy
· Quantum technology
Covered sectors would also include those listed in the Critical and Emerging Technologies List Update of the National Science and Technology Council, which include advanced computing, advanced manufacturing, advanced sensing and signature management, autonomous systems, communication technologies, financial technologies, and renewable energy generation.
Who would serve on the committee?
Like CFIUS, the committee would be an interagency body comprised of several members including the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and others.
What would the committee review?
Pursuant to the discussion draft under consideration, specified outbound investment in and outsourcing to specified “countries of concern” involving critical capabilities would trigger Committee review. A broader review would be authorized with respect to companies receiving certain federal funding or government contracts. The six current “countries of concern” are China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela.
The following activities involving critical capabilities would trigger review by the Committee:
· Developing, manufacturing, or shifting production of a critical capability to a country of concern
· Sharing IP or know-how that enables development of a critical capability in a country of concern
· Making investments or providing guidance related to enhancing the capabilities of a country of concern with respect to a critical capability
Also, the draft legislation broadly provides for Committee review of any activity involving countries of concern by parties receiving certain federal funding or government contracts. Here, the Committee would be empowered to carry out such broad review with respect to entities:
· Receiving financial assistance under the broader legislative package regarding domestic semiconductor production; or
· Benefitting from procurement above a certain dollar threshold (yet to be determined by congressional negotiators) from U.S. national security agencies.
What would the committee be empowered to do?
The Committee will review a covered transaction on national security grounds. Where it determines that a transaction poses an “unacceptable risk,” is empowered to:
· make recommendations to the President for appropriate action under the NCCDA, the Export Control Reform Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or the Defense Production Act
· make recommendations to Congress regarding domestic production of critical capabilities
· prior to action by the President, negotiate or order measures to mitigate the risk
What’s next?
While CFIUS review is well-known in the cross-border investment context, the NCCDA’s “reverse CFIUS” process would be a new, and far-ranging element of national security review that could impact a swath of investments and business decisions. Investors and companies active in “critical capability” sectors stand to be particularly impacted by the proposed legislation, along with recipients of funding under the domestic semiconductor funding package and contractors supplying goods and services to U.S. national security agencies.
More broadly, the NCCDA can be considered to be of a piece with other recent U.S. measures intended to restrict the supply of technology to bad actors and adversaries (i.e., export controls and sanctions), secure the supply chain against threats from adversaries (i.e., the Information and Communications Technology and Services regulations), and promote resilient supply chains (Executive Order 14017, On America’s Supply Chains).
Justin A. Chiarodo is a partner at Blank Rome LLP who focuses on federal, state and local procurement law. Anthony Rapa leads the firm’s National Security team. | https://www.federaltimes.com/opinion/2022/09/01/congress-may-tighten-scrutiny-of-us-investment-in-defense-technologies/ | 2022-09-01T18:15:46Z | federaltimes.com | control | https://www.federaltimes.com/opinion/2022/09/01/congress-may-tighten-scrutiny-of-us-investment-in-defense-technologies/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now confirmed 53 cases of monkeypox in the state of Alabama. More cases are expected as testing increases.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the agency continues to respond to additional cases of monkeypox in the state and follow guidance from the CDC.
The ADPH investigates each case to provide education regarding isolation and potential treatment, as well as identify contacts who might benefit from the vaccine. Not all cases of monkeypox require treatment, but cases do need to isolate and follow infection control to reduce transmission of the virus to other people. Direct contacts of cases may benefit from vaccines given within four to 14 days of contact.
Alabama has received 1,271 doses of Jynneos vaccine and expects to receive about 4,600 additional doses. More vaccine doses will be made available, but the ADPH does not have allocation numbers, at this time.
Due to limited vaccine doses, the CDC has provided information for those persons at greatest risk to contract monkeypox virus. The public does not need to take Jynneos vaccine unless they are contacted about cases or have other risk factors. Postexposure vaccine will be made available to those who have been exposed to a person with monkeypox within the previous 14 days or to those who are at higher risk of being exposed.
County health departments in Alabama will have vaccines for those determined to need vaccines. ADPH is identifying additional healthcare providers to administer vaccines to persons at highest risk.
Anyone can be infected with monkeypox. In this outbreak, male-to-male sexual contact has been a risk factor. Monkeypox is usually transmitted through close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact or through broken skin, respiratory droplets or mucous membranes. The CDC lists the following ways monkeypox is spread:
● Direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs or body fluids
● Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex
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● Touching objects, fabrics (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the rash or body fluids of someone with monkeypox
● Being scratched or bitten by an infected animal
Monkeypox causes a rash that starts as flat spots, which then becomes raised, develop into vesicles, and finally appear pustular. In this outbreak, some people have only had a rash, but other symptoms, such as fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle aches and headaches can occur with the rash. Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take two to four weeks. Individuals with any symptoms of monkeypox should discuss them with their healthcare provider.
Persons being tested for monkeypox should follow isolation guidelines until diagnosed. Individuals who are identified as contacts to monkeypox cases should monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of disease.
As of August 29, case counts nationwide have now reached 17,432, with the highest number of cases being reported in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and New York. The highest case count has been reported by California at 3,291 cases. The lowest reported case count is from Wyoming, which was reporting a total of zero cases last week and is now reporting one case.
Neighboring states are varied in their case counts. Mississippi has 29 cases confirmed, while Georgia has 1,299. Tennessee has reached 156 cases and Florida is now at 1,739.
The global case count is now at 47,652. Case trends show that predominantly white men between the ages of 21 and 55 are impacted by this outbreak, but according to the CDC anyone in contact with an infected individual is at risk.
“At this time, data suggest that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of cases in the current monkeypox outbreak,” said the CDC in a warning on their website. “However, anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. Take steps to prevent getting monkeypox. If you have any symptoms of monkeypox, talk to a healthcare provider.” | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/alabama-now-up-to-53-cases-of-monkeypox/article_499537b2-2956-11ed-aeb0-93c0c9943083.html | 2022-09-01T18:15:53Z | alexcityoutlook.com | control | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/alabama-now-up-to-53-cases-of-monkeypox/article_499537b2-2956-11ed-aeb0-93c0c9943083.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON ― Defense industry associations are laying the groundwork for a lobbying blitz next week when Congress returns from its summer recess to seek relief for contractors from inflation.
The push will be focused on shaping the stopgap funding bill known as a continuing resolution that lawmakers are expected to use to keep the government functioning past September. A continuing resolution maintains government funding at current levels ― often straining budgets even without record inflation ― so trade groups hope to modify it.
A legislative proposal from the trade groups would allow the Pentagon and the rest of government expend funds at a faster rate and adjust otherwise firm-fixed price contracts to account for inflation. It would also include exceptions, called anomalies, for any new program starts agreed to by both the House- and Senate-passed defense policy bills for next year and let the military buy replacements for any weapons it supplied to Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
Leaders from the National Defense Industrial Association, the Aerospace Industries Association and the Professional Services Council have been strategizing behind the scenes in recent weeks, and on Aug. 26, they met with Pentagon Comptroller Mike McCord and Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Bill LaPlante at the Pentagon to preview the proposal.
After Labor Day, trade group leaders and members hope to make their case to lawmakers and particularly to congressional leaders, who typically craft year-end budget deals. The groups are readying a white paper for Congress, drafted by NDIA president and chief executive David Norquist, who served as deputy defense secretary and DoD comptroller in the Trump administration, and John Whitley, the former director of DoD’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office, who is now a senior fellow and consultant for NDIA.
The flurry of political activity likely faces headwinds both from Democrats, whose leaders often seek parity between defense and non-defense accounts in budgetary matters, and Republican fiscal hawks. With midterm elections looming in November, lawmakers from both parties may want to pass a “clean CR,” unencumbered by political dealmaking, that avoids a government shutdown and no more.
But industry representatives see recent widespread bipartisan action to increase defense spending as a tailwind. They argue that without congressional action, the Pentagon faces a steep drop in buying power just as it seeks to replenish weapons sent to Ukraine and as China is saber rattling over Taiwan.
Though Congress has advanced defense bills for 2023 with multibillion-dollar increases, for as long as they’re not passed, the Pentagon would lose ― by NDIA’s reckoning ― $6 billion of its buying power per month.
“Deterrence doesn’t work when we handcuff the Department of Defense’s hands and we handcuff the budget,” said retired Maj. Gen. Arnold Punaro, the chairman of the National Defense Industrial Association.
Contract adjustments
Industry hopes to revisit Pentagon guidance issued to contracting officers in late May that was intended to limit inflationary increases to contracts. In that memo, John Tenaglia, the principal director for defense pricing and contracting, said “economic price adjustment” clauses can be used in contracts to share the risk of inflation, but urged limited use. If a vendor has a firm-fixed price contracts without such clauses, the contracting officer should not grant an adjustment, the memo said.
Calling the memo “out of sync with reality,” Punaro argued the Pentagon should be allowing adjustments along a broader range of defense contracts, akin to the budgetary tweaks it’s making to address rising fuel costs and cost of living increases for troops. He stressed that industry wants to work with the Pentagon and White House budget office on a fix.
“It’s not DoD’s fault, it’s not industry’s fault we’re dealing with these issues, but you have suppliers telling their primes, ‘We’re not able to meet our obligations because of the inflationary rates and unfortunately when we signed this contract four years ago, no one anticipated this,’” Punaro said. “My hope is we’re able to educate and inform people in Congress working with the Department of Defense. There’s no finger pointing going on here.”
Likewise, the Aerospace Industries Association’s vice president for national security policy, John Luddy, said suppliers are struggling with ballooning costs.
“We’re hearing more and more about situations ― particularly down the supply chain, where the cost variability hits first and is the most volatile ― where companies are saying, ‘I have a fixed price contract, but I cannot deliver at that price because my suppliers are charging me 8 or 10% more,” Luddy said.
For its part, the Office of the Secretary of Defense says it’s working on the problem, sharing information internally, striving for a uniform approach and collaborating with industry on solutions.
“The Department is actively engaged with industry leaders through multiple outlets including industry association meetings and working groups to understand the impacts of inflation on existing programs and to-be-negotiated contracts, and to implement strategies to mitigate these effects,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell.
Meanwhile, defense firms and officials have cited economic forces as a cause of delays for new Air Force One airplanes, as well as other Air Force programs. Defense firms have been public about how the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic ― inflation, supply chain snags and labor shortages ― are hurting their ability to finish crucial projects and driving lowered earnings projections.
“They’re talking about revenue, but in reality it’s eating into performance, it’s eating into delivery on contract, because if you don’t have the workers, you can’t do the work,” said David Berteau, the president and chief executive of the Professional Services Council, which represents services contractors.
Without greater latitude in defense contracting, “elements of the industry are at risk of going under,” Berteau said, adding that the Pentagon could take a page from the Government Services Administration, which has been more open to inflation adjustments. “You have governing bodies saying do what you can and others saying don’t do much at all. We need a consistent government approach.”
The Pentagon is still assessing how widely defense firms are seeking economic adjustments for existing contracts, but officials from several of the armed services said it’s been a trickle at best. Gen. Duke Richardson, the chief of Air Force Materiel Command, said officials are “worried about inflation” and bracing for those requests.
“To date, we haven’t had that happen. We’ve been talking about it, but none of them have come forward and asked for relief,” Richardson said an Aug. 11 briefing at the Air Force’s Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio.
“We do see it in program schedules,” he added. “Most often, it manifests within the supply base. I think that the defense industry is kind of struggling just like the rest of the economy to really find the workers that they need. We see that come across in multiple programs.”
However, defense officials said vendors appear to be raising prices on future contracts.
“Where it shows up is people get a contract proposal that maybe has been developing over six months that is significantly higher than what they expected to see from industry,” the Air Force’s acquisition chief, Andrew Hunter, told reporters separately at the Dayton event.
“And then as a government, we have to go back and say, ‘Well, what’s driving this highest price?’ Oh, it’s ‘inflation.’ OK, well, we need to be more specific than that, right?” Hunter said, adding that contractors should be using economic price adjustment clauses and granting requests for equitable adjustment to cope with unexpected inflation.
Inflation, supply chain snags and labor shortages are spurring companies to submit “almost unaffordable” proposals for weapons contracts, Maj. Gen. Robert Rasch, the Army’s program executive officer for missiles and space, told the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Ala., on Aug. 9.
Rasch said the government is willing to pay higher costs for new weapon systems, if they’re justified and reasonable.
“We’re absolutely going to ensure that that we look at it from a reasonableness perspective ... but you just can’t wrap it up in a big bundle and throw it over the fence. Proposals are coming in almost unaffordable,” he said.
Courtney Albon, Jen Judson, Stephen Losey and Megan Eckstein contributed to this report.
Joe Gould is the senior Pentagon reporter for Defense News, covering the intersection of national security policy, politics and the defense industry. He served previously as Congress reporter. | https://www.federaltimes.com/pentagon/2022/09/01/defense-industry-to-launch-inflation-relief-push-in-congress/ | 2022-09-01T18:15:53Z | federaltimes.com | control | https://www.federaltimes.com/pentagon/2022/09/01/defense-industry-to-launch-inflation-relief-push-in-congress/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
ROME (AP) — Advocates for abortion rights in San Marino expressed satisfaction Thursday that lawmakers voted to legalize abortion in the tiny republic, one of the last European states to have had the procedure outlawed under all circumstances.
Wednesday’s parliamentary vote was the culmination of a referendum last year in which citizens overwhelmingly voted to overturn a 150-year-old law that criminalized the procedure.
The legislature of the predominantly Catholic nation voted 32 in favor, seven against and 10 abstaining to make abortion legal in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The September 2021 referendum found that 77% of voters wanted the new law, which would also allow abortion beyond the first trimester of pregnancy if the grave fetal anomalies put a woman’s life or health – both physically or psychologically – at risk.
“We are satisfied,” said Elena D’Amelio, one of the advocates who had collected signatures as part of a petition drive to hold the referendum.
The cost of the procedure will be covered by San Marino’s public health system.
San Marino is surrounded by central Italy, and many women traveled to have an abortion an a hospital in Italy, where the procedure was made legal — over fierce objections from the Vatican — in 1978. Under the old law, women risked criminal prosecution if their abortion abroad became known, although D’Amelio said, no one was actually prosecuted.
“Before the new law legalizing it, women not only had to pay for it, you had to do it in secret,” D’Amelio said.
Passage of the new law gave women “the right that was asked for resoundingly through the referendum,” lawmaker Giacomo Simoncini told San Marino RTV.
Turnout in the referendum was 41% in the republic of 33,300 inhabitants.
In 2018, voters in Ireland overwhelmingly called for abortion’s legalization. Abortion is still illegal in Malta and Andorra. Poland introduced a near-total ban on the procedure in 2021.
One of the provisions of San Marino’s law provides for sex education in the republic’s schools, a measure aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies, D’Amelio said.
It is too soon to know what percentage of health care workers in San Marino’s only public hospital might declare themselves conscientious objectors, meaning they could opt out of providing an abortion. But the law calls for San Marino’s citizens to be reimbursed by the government for any abortion they might have in Italy as a result of a lack of health care workers refusing to perform one in their own country.
Women in San Marino must have a consultation with medical personnel before having an abortion, but that can be done online. No one can be denied the procedure in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/health/ap-san-marino-legalizes-abortion-year-after-voters-gave-ok/ | 2022-09-01T18:15:59Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/health/ap-san-marino-legalizes-abortion-year-after-voters-gave-ok/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Yakima police say a 25-year-old man’s shooting Wednesday morning on North First Street does not appear gang related.
Police were called to the 300 block of North First Street around 7:30 a.m. for a shooting victim and found the man with a gunshot to his abdomen, according to a police news release.
The man was taken to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital where he was listed in critical condition Wednesday. He was expected to survive, the release said.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Yakima police Detective Cali Saldana at 509-576-6562. Tips may also be left with Yakima County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at https://bit.ly/yccrimestoppers. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/yakima-police-investigating-shooting-on-north-first-street/article_3ab76f4c-2a16-11ed-b6a0-5f9ff2b82758.html | 2022-09-01T18:17:21Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/yakima-police-investigating-shooting-on-north-first-street/article_3ab76f4c-2a16-11ed-b6a0-5f9ff2b82758.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MYKHAILO-KOTSYUBYNSKE, Ukraine (AP) — It was the first day of school in Ukraine on Thursday but children weren’t sharing memories of fun vacations with their families. Their stories were of surviving war. For many, their last day of school was the day before the Feb. 24 Russian invasion of their country.
At least 379 children have been killed since the war began, while the whereabouts of 223 others are unknown, according to Ukraine’s General Prosecutors office. Another 7,013 children were among Ukrainians forcibly transferred to Russia from Russian-occupied areas.
Six months of war damaged 2,400 schools across the country, including 269 that were completely destroyed, officials said.
Civilian areas and schools continue to be hit, and children keep being killed. But after the first months of shock, 51% of schools in Ukraine, despite the risk, are reopening to in-person education, with an option to study online if the parents prefer.
But safety remains the priority. At schools that don’t have quick access to shelters or are located close to the borders with Belarus and Russia, or near active military zones, children will only study online.
That’s the case for the seventh graders in Mykhailo-Kotsyubynske, just 20 miles (35 kilometers) from the Belarus border, who gathered at their badly damaged school this week to pick up textbooks for studying online.
“We haven’t seen each other for such a long time. You all have grown so much,” said their teacher, Olena Serdiuk, standing in a corner of the classroom, where windows were covered with thick black polythene instead of glass.
Oleksii Lytvyn, 13, remembers very well the day Russian missiles hit the school twice. It was March 4, and he was in the school’s bomb shelter with his family and dozens of other people.
Just minutes before the blast, he had been playing with a friend. After the loud explosion, the walls began shaking and he couldn’t see anything but a huge cloud of debris. One person was killed, a woman who worked at the school.
“We were sleeping in the corridor, and there was a corpse of a dead person behind the wall,” Oleksii recalled. His family stayed one more night before fleeing town, though they have since returned for the start of the school year.
Oleksii’s classmates shared similar stories about that day and the monthlong Russian occupation that followed.
“When I’m at school, I think about the person who died in the debris. I feel deeply sorry for her,” 12-year-old Mykola Kravchenko said.
Their school is still badly damaged. Debris fills the second floor, and the roof and heating system need to be repaired — money the school doesn’t have.
Even though they will be studying online, the students had to undergo security training. Serdiuk told the class to follow her to the same bomb shelter where many survived the blast in March.
In the dimly lit shelter were water supplies and long benches with labeled seats for each classroom. When the children took the seats assigned to their class, Serdiuk told them they had to go there whenever they heard a siren.
She said many parents tell her their children are begging to return to school, but for now that isn’t allowed because of the danger of being so close to the Belarus border.
“It does become kind of the new normal for children,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell, told The Associated Press. “That’s not the way children should go through life, thinking that they are going to get attacked at any moment.”
Schools in the Kyiv and Lviv regions were among those welcoming students back to classrooms Thursday, including more than 7,300 displaced students forced to flee their hometowns.
In a neighborhood of Irpin, north of Kyiv, still bearing the scars of war, with destroyed homes and shrapnel-marked fences and walls, first-grade children lined up excitedly for their first day of classes in their newly renovated school.
Hit by a missile during the early days of the war, Irpin School Number 17 was rebuilt with the help of UNICEF, the faint smell of fresh paint still lingering as the students walked into their classrooms hand-in-hand.
“This year is different to the others. We are in a war situation,” said first grade teacher Olga Malyovana. “We were really worried about the children and their safety, but we fixed all the facilities, we have a shelter.”
First order of the day was an evacuation drill, with a fire alarm going off and all the children lining up to head to the basement bomb shelter or designated safe — and windowless — areas in the corridors.
Oleksandra Urban came to drop off her 6-year-old daughter, Veronika, the normal trepidation of the first day of school mingling with worry about classes during wartime, even though strikes on Kyiv and nearby areas are now rare.
She’s explained to Veronica how to evacuate to a bomb shelter, she said. “She is worried only when I am worried. That’s why I am trying to be calm.”
Urban and her husband discussed distance learning for Veronika, but decided physical presence in school was essential, both for contact with other children and with the teacher.
“I believe that school will save the life of my kid,” Urban said.
Murat Sahin, UNICEF representative in Ukraine, agreed.
“Two years of Covid and … six months of war, it is having disastrous impact on children’s growth and learning and mental health,” Sahin said. “So we need to bring that normalcy.”
In Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, there’s no hope for schools to open their doors — the city has been under constant shelling since the beginning of the war.
In one school, the first-grade classroom was all ready: tables, chairs, a clean blackboard, the alphabet and numbers hanging on the wall. The only thing missing was the students.
Seated in the empty room was Oleksandr Novikov, the school’s director for 12 years and a teacher for more than 20.
“It is very depressing, it is very unpleasant to feel that you come to an empty school,” he said. “There will be no children laughing at school.”
While Ukraine tries to defend itself from the Russian invasion, Novikov dreams of better times.
“I would like a real first bell, a real meeting with children and teachers, a real lesson, when eyes look at you with inspiration, trust and a desire to hear something new, to learn something new.”
“This is what I would like to see,” he said.
___
Fisch reported from Kramatorsk, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Elena Becatoros contributed from Irpin.
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Follow Arhirova at https://twitter.com/h_arhirova
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Follow AP coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/international/ap-its-back-to-school-in-ukraine-but-far-from-normal/ | 2022-09-01T18:17:42Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/international/ap-its-back-to-school-in-ukraine-but-far-from-normal/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia on Thursday launched weeklong war games involving forces from China and other nations in a show of growing defense cooperation between Moscow and Beijing, as they both face tensions with the United States.
The maneuvers are also intended to demonstrate that Moscow has sufficient military might for massive drills even as its troops are engaged in military action in Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that the Vostok 2022 (East 2022) exercise will be held until Sept. 7 at seven firing ranges in Russia’s Far East and the Sea of Japan and involve more than 50,000 troops and over 5,000 weapons units, including 140 aircraft and 60 warships.
Russian General Staff chief, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, will personally oversee the drills involving troops from several ex-Soviet nations, China, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua and Syria.
The Defense Ministry noted that as part of the maneuvers, the Russian and Chinese navies in the Sea of Japan will “practice joint action to protect sea communications, areas of marine economic activity and support for ground troops in littoral areas.”
Beijing sent more than 2,000 troops along with more than 300 military vehicles, 21 combat aircraft and three warships to take part in the drills, Chinese news reports said.
China’s Global Times newspaper noted that the maneuvers marked the first time that China has sent forces from three branches of its military to take part in a single Russian drill, in what it described as a show of the breadth and depth of China-Russia military cooperation and mutual trust.
The drills showcase increasing defense ties between Moscow and Beijing, which have grown stronger since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24. China has pointedly refused to criticize Russia’s actions, blaming the U.S. and NATO for provoking Moscow, and has blasted the punishing sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Russia, in turn, has strongly backed China amid the tensions with the U.S. that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Putin has drawn parallels between U.S. support for Ukraine and Pelosi’s trip, describing them both as part of alleged efforts by Washington to foment global instability.
Alexander Gabuyev, a political analyst who closely follows Russia-China ties, noted that “it’s very important for Beijing to show to the U.S. that it has levers to pressure America and its global interests.”
“The joint maneuvers with Moscow, including the naval drills, are intended to signal that if the pressure on Beijing continues it will have no other choice but to strengthen the military partnership with Russia,” Gabuyev said. “It will have a direct impact on the interests of the U.S. and its allies, including Japan.”
He noted that the Kremlin, for its part, wants to show that the country’s military is powerful enough to flex its muscle elsewhere despite the campaign in Ukraine.
“The Russian leadership demonstrates that everything goes according to plan and the country and its military have resources to conduct the maneuvers along with the special military operation,” Gabuyev said.
The exercise continues a series of joint war games by Russia and China in recent years, including naval drills and patrols by long-range bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Last year, Russian troops for the first time deployed to Chinese territory for joint maneuvers.
China’s participation in the drills “aims to deepen pragmatic and friendly cooperation between the militaries of the participating countries, enhance the level of strategic cooperation among all participating parties, and enhance the ability to jointly respond to various security threats,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Tan Kefei said last week.
Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have developed strong personal ties to bolster a “strategic partnership” between the former Communist rivals as they both are locked in rivalry with the U.S.
Even though Moscow and Beijing in the past rejected the possibility of forging a military alliance, Putin has said that such a prospect can’t be ruled out. He also has noted that Russia has been sharing highly sensitive military technologies with China that helped significantly bolster its defense capability. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/international/ap-russia-launches-war-games-with-china-others/ | 2022-09-01T18:18:39Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/international/ap-russia-launches-war-games-with-china-others/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — A U.N. inspection team arrived at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant Thursday on a mission to safeguard it against catastrophe, reaching the site amid fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces that prompted the shutdown of one reactor and underscored the urgency of the task.
The visit from the 14-member expert delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency came after months of negotiations to pass through the front lines and get inside Europe’s biggest nuclear plant. Arriving in a convoy of SUVs and vans, the inspectors were led by IAEA director Rafael Grossi.
Later in the day, Grossi reported that the group had collected important information on its first tour at the plant and would continue its assessment.
“My team is staying on, and more importantly … we are establishing a continued presence by the IAEA here,” he said in a video on Twitter, the plant visible behind him.
As the experts made their way through the war zone toward the complex, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of shelling the area and trying to derail the visit. The heavy shelling delayed the team’s progress toward the plant.
Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear power company, said Russian mortar shelling had led to the shutdown of one of its reactors by its emergency protection system and had damaged a backup power supply line used for in-house needs. One of the plant’s reactors that wasn’t operating was switched to diesel generators, Energoatom said.
“There has been increased military activity, including this morning until very recently,” Grossi said during the journey, adding that after being briefed by the Ukrainian military he decided to keep moving despite the risks. “Weighing the pros and cons and having come so far, we are not stopping.”
The Zaporizhzhia plant has been occupied by Russian forces but run by Ukrainian engineers since the early days of the 6-month-old war. Ukraine alleges Russia is using it as a shield to launch attacks, while Moscow accuses Ukraine of recklessly firing on the area.
Fighting in early March caused a brief fire at its training complex, and in recent days, the plant was briefly knocked offline because of damage, heightening fears of a radiation leak or a reactor meltdown. Officials have begun distributing anti-radiation iodine tablets to nearby residents.
IAEA spokesperson Michael Amdi Madsen said earlier in the week that the team would assess damage to the plant, determine the state of its main and backup safety systems and evaluate the control room staff’s working conditions. Experts have expressed concern that the staff is overworked and stressed out from the occupation of the plant by Russian forces, raising the risk of a dangerous error.
Grossi said ahead of his arrival that establishing a continued IAEA presence at the plant would be “indispensable to stabilize the situation and to get regular, reliable, impartial, neutral updates of what the situation is there.”
On Thursday, after his initial tour, Grossi said: “The key things that I wanted to see, I saw.” As for the staff at Zaporizhzhia, he said, “Despite a difficult situation and circumstances, they are very professional in their work.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow expects “impartiality” from the team.
“We are taking all the necessary measures to ensure that the plant is secure, that it functions safely and that the mission accomplishes all of its plans there,” he said.
Ahead of the visit, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces unleashed an artillery barrage on the area and sent a group of up to 60 scouts to try to seize the plant on the Dnieper River. It said that the Ukrainian troops arrived in seven speedboats but that Russian forces “took steps to destroy the enemy,” using warplanes.
Some of the Ukrainian shells landed 400 meters (yards) from the plant’s No. 1 reactor, Russian authorities said.
The Russian-installed administration in the city where the plant is situated, Enerhodar, reported that at least three residents were killed early Thursday by Ukrainian shelling.
Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, accused Russian forces of shelling Enerhodar and a corridor that the IAEA team was set to go through.
Neither side’s version of events could immediately be independently verified.
The fighting came as Ukraine endeavored to start the new school year in the middle of a war. Just over half of the country’s schools are reopening to in-person classes despite the risks.
In other developments, authorities with the Russian-backed separatist government in the eastern region of Donetsk said 13 emergency responders were killed by Ukrainian shelling in Rubtsi, a village in neighboring Kharkiv province. Much of the fighting in recent weeks and months has centered on the area.
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Gatopoulos reported from Kyiv, Ukaine.
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Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/international/ap-un-inspectors-head-to-ukraine-nuclear-plant-despite-fighting/ | 2022-09-01T18:19:00Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/international/ap-un-inspectors-head-to-ukraine-nuclear-plant-despite-fighting/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CASTAIC, Calif. (AP) — California wildfires chewed through rural areas north of Los Angeles and east of San Diego on Thursday, racing through bone-dry brush and prompting evacuations as the state sweltered under a heat wave that could last through Labor Day.
The Route Fire near Castaic in northwestern Los Angeles County raged through more than 8 square miles of hills containing scattered houses. Traffic was snarled on Interstate 5, a major north-south route running through fire area. Containment was estimated at 12%.
Media reports showed a wall of flames advancing uphill and smoke billowing thousands of feet into the air while aircraft dumped water from nearby Castaic Lake. There were no immediate reports of damage to buildings but a mobile home park with 94 residences was evacuated.
An elementary school also was evacuated. Temperatures in the area on Wednesday hit 107 degrees (42 Celsius) and winds gusted to 17 mph (27 kph), forecasters said.
Temperatures in much of California were so high that Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and the state power grid operator asked residents to voluntarily reduce use of electricity.
Eight firefighters were treated for heat-related problems, including six who were sent to hospitals, but all were in good condition, Los Angeles County Fire Department Deputy Chief Thomas Ewald said.
More injuries were expected as crews cope with extreme heat that was expected to stretch into next week, Ewald said during a news conference Wednesday night.
“Wearing heavy firefighting gear, carrying packs, dragging hose, swinging tools, the folks out there are just taking a beating,” he said.
Another fire burned at least four buildings, including a home, and prompted evacuations in the Dulzura area in eastern San Diego County near the U.S.-Mexico border. It swiftly grew to more than 6 square miles and prompted evacuation orders for at least 400 homes, authorities said. The fire was 5% contained.
State Route 94 was closed. The Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed Thursday, officials said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that the Tecate port of entry with Mexico closed three hours early on Wednesday night because of the fire and wouldn’t reopen until conditions improved to ensure “the safety of the traveling public.” Travelers could continue to use the 24-hour Otay Mesa crossing.
No injuries were immediately reported, but there were “multiple close calls” as residents rushed to flee, said Capt. Thomas Shoots with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“We had multiple 911 calls from folks unable to evacuate” because their homes were surrounded by the fire, Shoots told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Wildfires have sprung up this summer throughout the Western states. The largest and deadliest blaze in California so far this year erupted in July in Siskyou County. It killed four people and destroyed much of the small community of Klamath River.
Scientists have said climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/national/ap-california-wildfires-prompt-evacuations-amid-heat-wave-2/ | 2022-09-01T18:20:26Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/national/ap-california-wildfires-prompt-evacuations-amid-heat-wave-2/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s capital city was restoring running water to some homes and businesses Thursday, but many faucets remained dry or had only a trickle of water as crews worked to repair a flood-impaired water treatment plant.
Jackson leaders reported some overnight progress in refilling tanks at the O.B. Curtis Water Plant, the facility at the root of the latest water woes in Jackson.
Those among Jackson’s 150,000 residents who had running water again remained under a boil order that pre-dates the problems caused by flooding.
“Many areas throughout Jackson now have some pressure. Areas closer to the plant are experiencing almost normal pressure,” the city said in a news release. “Areas further from the plant and at higher elevations are still experiencing low to no pressure.”
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said the National Guard was opening water distribution sites, adding to sites already run by the city and by volunteer groups.
“To everyone in the city: I know that you’re dealing with a profoundly unfair situation,” Reeves said at a news conference Thursday. “It’s frustrating, it’s wrong and it needs to be fixed.”
Low water pressure left some people unable to take showers or flush toilets.
Jackson schools held classes online Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and some restaurants closed. Portable toilets are parked outside the Capitol. Jackson State University brought in temporary restrooms for students.
Lisa Jones filled empty paint buckets with water at a distribution site in south Jackson on Wednesday. She said her family would use the water for bathing. She said she’s frustrated by paying for water service she’s not receiving.
“Every week you have to beg somebody to go to their house and ask if you and your children can take a bath. And then you’re running their bills up,” Jones said. “If we can’t fix it, we need to get someone who can. … Fix what’s broke. Enough is enough.”
Reeves declared a state of emergency Monday night after excessive rainfall and flooding from the Pearl River exacerbated problems at the treatment plant. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state. Biden called Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba on Wednesday to discuss response efforts, including support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Thursday morning, the city reported “significant progress” in restoration efforts at the treatment plant, with output measuring 78 pounds per square inch, approaching a goal of 87 PSI.
“There are still challenges to navigate as the intake water source changes chemistry again. Operator schedules have been adjusted to increase coordination between shifts,” the city statement said.
In addition to on-site repairs, the city is working to obtain more chemicals needed for treatment.
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Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mikergoldberg.
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Associated Press writer Kevin McGill in New Orleans contributed to this report. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/national/ap-jackson-sees-some-improvement-in-its-damaged-water-system/ | 2022-09-01T18:20:40Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/national/ap-jackson-sees-some-improvement-in-its-damaged-water-system/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BMW on Wednesday started production of hydrogen fuel cells that will eventually be used in the powertrains of a limited run of hydrogen-electric BMW X5 SUVs. The SUVs will be used for test and demonstration purposes, and won’t be for sale.
A hydrogen-electric vehicle is essentially an EV that uses a hydrogen fuel cell to power the electric motor instead of a battery. The fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen from the air in a nearly emission-free process that creates the electricity, either directly or via an intermediate battery.
In the case of BMW’s hydrogen-electric X5, which will go into production later this year as the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, the fuel cell sits up front and draws hydrogen from two tanks, one in the transmission tunnel and the other under the rear seat. The generated electricity is used to power an electric motor at the rear axle.
Electricity from the fuel cell also charges a small battery that helps power the motor during high-load situations. Total system output in this case is 368 hp. The fuel cell on its own generates a continuous output of 167 hp.
BMW doesn’t plan to sell the iX5 Hydrogen to private customers. The automaker doesn’t expect to have any hydrogen-electric vehicles at its dealerships until 2025, at the earliest. The date could be even later depending on the direction the market takes, BMW said.
Despite the start of production of hydrogen fuel cells, BMW remains committed to battery-electric vehicles as its main avenue for achieving carbon-neutral operations. BMW is developing the iX5 Hydrogen so it can be ready to supply customers with their powertrain of choice in the future, whether it be gasoline, diesel, battery electric, or hydrogen electric. In the case of hydrogen, BMW sees it as an opportunity for customers who favor long-distance driving.
“We think hydrogen-powered vehicles are ideally placed technologically to fit alongside battery-electric vehicles and complete the electric mobility picture,” Oliver Zipse, BMW Group’s CEO, said in a statement. “By commencing small-scale production of fuel cells today, we are demonstrating the technical maturity of this type of drive system and underscoring its potential for the future.”
BMW isn’t the only established automaker looking seriously at hydrogen as a future fuel source. Toyota already offers a second-generation Mirai hydrogen-electric vehicle in parts of the country where hydrogen is actually available, while the likes of Hyundai Motor Group, Daimler Trucks, and Volvo Trucks are looking at the fuel for zero-emission long-haul trucking.
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- Rivian CEO previews new Camp Mode designed to automatically level vehicle at campsite | https://www.wspa.com/automotive/internet-brands/bmw-starts-production-of-fuel-cells-for-hydrogen-electric-x5/ | 2022-09-01T18:20:54Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/automotive/internet-brands/bmw-starts-production-of-fuel-cells-for-hydrogen-electric-x5/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Danielle formed Thursday in the Atlantic and is expected to become the first hurricane of an unusually quiet storm season.
But the storm is not currently a threat to any land.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph (65 kph). Additional strengthening is forecast and the storm is expected to become a hurricane in two days or so, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
The storm is centered about 960 miles (1,545 kilometers) west of the Azores and is moving east near 2 mph (4 kph). The hurricane center said the storm is expected to meander in the Atlantic over the next few days.
The tropical storm comes amid what had been a calm hurricane season. It is the first time since 1941 that the Atlantic has gone from July 3 to the end of August with no named storm, Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach had told The Associated Press earlier. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/national/ap-tropical-storm-danielle-forms-in-the-atlantic/ | 2022-09-01T18:21:02Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/national/ap-tropical-storm-danielle-forms-in-the-atlantic/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Three people were found dead Wednesday evening inside a west Omaha home, and police are investigating whether carbon monoxide was to blame for their deaths.
Officers were called to a home and found three people dead, said Lt. Candace Phillips. A fourth person was taken to a hospital. A dog also was found dead in the home.
Phillips said the deaths did not appear to be suspicious and that police were investigating whether carbon monoxide had caused the deaths and injury.
An Omaha fire investigator said there were high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/nebraska-news/carbon-monoxide-suspected-in-deaths-of-3-in-omaha-home/ | 2022-09-01T18:21:09Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/nebraska-news/carbon-monoxide-suspected-in-deaths-of-3-in-omaha-home/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday hailed economic and educational cooperation with Taiwan, marked by a $12 billion investment in his state by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp.
Ducey spoke during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, in the latest of a series of visits by U.S. political leaders that have stirred the ire of China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and condemns all official contacts between Taipei and foreign governments that recognize Beijing.
Taiwan is a leader in the production of semiconductors, the critical chips that are used in everyday electronics and have become a battleground in the technology competition between the U.S. and China.
Arizona is also home to a base that trains Taiwan’s F-16 fighter pilots who are a major part in the island’s defenses against a threatened Chinese blockade or invasion. Arizona also plans to open a state representative office in Taipei and the sides have inked an agreement on cooperation in higher education. The TSMC investment is expected to create 2,000 jobs in Arizona, with the company taking numerous future workers for training in Taiwan.
“Arizona and Taiwan have many shared economic strengths specifically in technology and advanced manufacturing industries,” Ducey said.
“Both Arizona and Taiwan are global semiconductor leaders and it is in this industry where our partnership is the greatest. (The investment) has elevated the potential of what’s possible between Arizona and Taiwan,” the governor said.
Neither Tsai or Ducey directly mentioned China, although in her remarks, the president indicated current events were driving expanded economic links between the sides.
“In the face of authoritarian expansionism and the economic challenges of the post-pandemic era, Taiwan seeks to bolster cooperation with the United States in the semiconductor and other high-tech industries,” Tsai said.
“This would help build more secure and more resilient supply chains. We look forward to jointly producing democracy chips to safeguard the interests of our democratic partners and create greater prosperity,” she said.
Close links between Taiwan and Arizona date back to the state’s former senators Barry Goldwater and John McCain, conservatives who were strongly critical of Beijing.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan early last month made her the highest-ranking American official to visit in 25 years, prompting China to launch missiles over the island and send ships and planes across the midline of the Taiwan Strait.
The U.S. recently sent a pair of missile cruisers through the 180 kilometer (110 mile)-wide strait in a rejection of Chinese protests. Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, the U.S. remains Taiwan’s main source of political and military support and federal law requires it to ensure the island has the ability to defend itself against Chinese threats. | https://www.wspa.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-arizona-gov-ducey-hails-taiwan-semiconductor-investment/ | 2022-09-01T18:21:24Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-arizona-gov-ducey-hails-taiwan-semiconductor-investment/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government on Thursday called on Washington to repeal its technology export curbs after California-based chip designer Nvidia said a new product might be delayed and some work might be moved out of China.
The latest controls add to mounting U.S.-Chinese tension over technology and security. American officials say they need to limit the spread of technology that can be used to make weapons.
Nvidia said it was told last week it needs a U.S. government license to export any product with performance equal to its A100 graphics processing chips or better to China, Hong Kong or Russia. It said buyers of the A100, and development of the newer H100, might be affected.
But in an amended disclosure Thursday to U.S. securities regulators, the company said the U.S. government was offering some reprieve by authorizing certain chip exports that will enable Nvidia to keep supplying them to American customers through March.
The high-end chips are designed to help power data centers and run artificial intelligence applications. The restrictions don’t affect Nvidia’s better-known products used in video games and automotive technology.
Another U.S. chipmaker affected by the rules, Advanced Micro Devices, didn’t immediately return requests for comment Thursday.
China’s Commerce Ministry accused Washington of abusing export controls to limit semiconductor sales to China. It said trade curbs would disrupt supply chains and global economic recovery.
“China firmly opposes this,” said a ministry spokesperson, Shu Jueting. “The U.S. side should immediately stop its erroneous practices, treat companies from all countries equally, including from China, and do more to contribute to world economic stability.”
U.S. officials increasingly worry about Chinese technology development as both a strategic threat and a potential challenge to American industrial leadership.
Washington has tightened controls and lobbied allies to limit Chinese access to the most advanced chips and tools to develop its own. China is spending heavily to develop its fledgling producers but cannot make high-end chips used in the most advanced smartphones and other devices.
In a earlier disclosure Wednesday, Nvidia said it may be required to “transition certain operations out of China.” The company said it was asking the U.S. government for exemptions for its development and support activities.
It said it would try to meet Chinese customer needs with products that aren’t subject to license requirements. It said the company may seek a license for customers that need them but “has no assurance” the U.S. government will agree.
Shares in Nvidia Corp., which is based in Santa Clara, California, were down 11% on Thursday. | https://www.wspa.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-china-demands-us-drop-tech-export-curbs-after-nvidia-warning/ | 2022-09-01T18:21:39Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-china-demands-us-drop-tech-export-curbs-after-nvidia-warning/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Brendan Gleeson Joins the Cast of Joker: Folie à Deux
Todd Phillips is adding more star power to his highly-anticipated Joker sequel. According to Deadline, Brendan Gleeson has joined the cast of Joker: Folie à Deux in a supporting role. Unfortunately, the identity of his character is still a mystery for now.
Rumor has it that Folie à Deux is being developed as a musical, much of which will take place in Arkham Asylum. Earlier this week, Variety reported that it remains the only upcoming DC movie with an official greenlight to move forward. But this is bound to change in the near future, especially with the recent news that The Batman 2 just gained another screenwriter in Mattson Tomlin. Dan Lin is also in talks to take over for Walter Hamada as DC’s new film & TV chief. However, it’s unclear if Folie à Deux is one of the projects he’d be overseeing if his deal goes through.
Gleeson is currently gearing up for the release of his next movie, The Banshees of Inisherin, which premieres at the Venice Film Festival next week and, incidentally, finds him starring alongside two other big-screen Batman villains—Colin Farrell (Penguin) and Barry Keoghan (Joker). He also appeared in The Tragedy of Macbeth last year and is still widely remembered for playing Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter franchise. On the small screen, Gleeson previously headlined Mr. Mercedes and also starred in Showtime’s The Comey Rule in 2020.
RELATED: Zazie Beetz in Talks To Return For Joker: Folie à Deux
Joaquin Phoenix is reprising his role as Arthur Fleck in the film, sharing top billing with Lady Gaga, who is also joining the cast as Harley Quinn. Additionally, Zazie Beetz is coming back as Sophie Dumond, Arthur’s love interest from the first movie. Phillips is returning to direct the sequel from a screenplay he co-wrote with Joker collaborator Scott Silver.
Production on Joker: Folie à Deux will begin this December. Warner Bros. will release the film in theaters on October 4, 2024.
Who do you think Gleeson is playing in the sequel? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Joker (DC Black Label Edition)
We are also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. | https://www.superherohype.com/movies/518624-brendan-gleeson-joins-the-cast-of-joker-folie-a-deux | 2022-09-01T18:21:41Z | superherohype.com | control | https://www.superherohype.com/movies/518624-brendan-gleeson-joins-the-cast-of-joker-folie-a-deux | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge awaited arguments Thursday on whether to appoint an outside legal expert to review government records seized by the FBI last month in a search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida home.
Lawyers for Trump say the appointment of a special master is necessary to ensure an independent inspection of the documents. This kind of review, they say, would allow for “highly personal information” such as diaries or journals to be separated from the investigation and returned to Trump, along with any other documents that may be protected by claims of attorney-client privilege or executive privilege.
The Justice Department says an appointment is unwarranted because investigators have completed their review of potentially privileged records and identified “a limited set of materials that potentially contain attorney-client privileged information.”
The government says Trump lacks legal grounds to demand the return of presidential documents because they do not belong to him. The department has also expressed concerns that the appointment could delay the investigation, in part because a special master probably would need to obtain a security clearance to review the records and special authorization from intelligence agencies.
The hearing before U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon was scheduled for 1 p.m.
Cannon had said on Saturday, before the latest arguments in the matter, that her “preliminary intent” was to appoint a special master. It was not clear whether she might make a final determination Thursday or how her view might be affected by the fact that the Justice Department says it has already reviewed potentially privileged documents.
It was also not clear who might be serve as that outside expert. In some past high-profile cases, the role has been filled by a former federal judge.
Cannon was nominated by Trump in 2020 and confirmed by the Senate 56-21 later that year. She is a former assistant U.S. attorney in Florida, handling mainly criminal appeals.
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Tucker reported from Washington.
___
More on Donald Trump at https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/politics/ap-trump-documents-judge-to-hear-arguments-on-outside-expert/ | 2022-09-01T18:21:47Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/politics/ap-trump-documents-judge-to-hear-arguments-on-outside-expert/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BERLIN (AP) — German carrier Lufthansa says it is canceling almost all passenger and cargo flights Friday from its two biggest hubs, Frankfurt and Munich, due to planned strike action by pilots.
A union representing Lufthansa pilots said early Thursday that they will stage a walk-out after demands for a pay increase were rejected by management.
Lufthansa said some 800 flights would be canceled, affecting many travelers returning at the end of the summer vacation. The airline’s budget carrier Eurowings would not be affected, it said.
The union Vereinigung Cockpit accused Lufthansa on Thursday of failing to improve on their previous offer, leaving pilots no choice but to go on strike to press their demands.
According to Lufthansa, the company had offered a one-off increase of 900 euros ($900), amounting to a 5% increase for senior pilots and an 18% increase for those starting the profession.
The union had called for a 5.5% raise this year and an automatic above-inflation increase in 2023. In addition, pilots are seeking a new pay and holiday structure that the airline said would increase its staffing costs by about 40%, or some 900 million euros over two years. | https://www.wspa.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-german-carrier-lufthansas-pilots-to-strike-friday-over-pay/ | 2022-09-01T18:21:53Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-german-carrier-lufthansas-pilots-to-strike-friday-over-pay/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Microsoft’s plan to buy video game giant Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion could have major effects on the gaming industry, transforming the Xbox maker into something like a Netflix for video games by giving it control of many more popular titles.
But to get to the next level, Microsoft must first survive a barrage of government inquiries from New Zealand to Brazil, and from U.S. regulators emboldened by President Joe Biden to strengthen their enforcement of antitrust laws.
In the United Kingdom, regulators on Thursday threatened to escalate their investigation unless both companies come up with proposals within five days to ease competition concerns. More than seven months after Microsoft announced the deal, only Saudi Arabia has approved it.
“A growing number of countries are subjecting major global transactions to deeper scrutiny,” said William Kovacic, a former chairman of the five-member U.S. Federal Trade Commission. “Many of the jurisdictions that are exercising that scrutiny are significant economies and can’t be brushed off.”
Microsoft has faced antitrust scrutiny before, mostly notably more than two decades ago when a federal judge ordered its breakup following the company’s anticompetitive actions related to its dominant Windows software. That verdict was overturned on appeal, although the court imposed other, less drastic, penalties on the company.
In recent years, however, Microsoft has largely escaped the more intense regulatory backlash its Big Tech rivals such as Amazon, Google and Facebook’s parent company Meta have endured. But the sheer size of the Activision Blizzard merger has drawn global attention.
The all-cash deal is set to be the largest in the history of the tech industry. It would give Microsoft, maker of the Xbox console and gaming system, control of popular game franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. There’s also a growing sense that past review of Big Tech mergers was too lax — such as when Facebook bought Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014.
“Collectively, that means that the kinds of concessions you’re going to have to make become more difficult,” Kovacic said.
The possibility of Microsoft gaining control of Call of Duty has been particularly worrisome to Sony, maker of the PlayStation console that competes with Microsoft’s Xbox. In a letter to Brazilian regulators, Sony emphasized Call of Duty as an “essential” game — a blockbuster so popular and ingrained that it would be impossible for a competitor to develop a rival product even if they had the budget to do so.
The U.K. watchdog’s preliminary inquiry raised similar worries. It said Microsoft’s control of popular Activision Blizzard games raised concerns that the deal would hurt rivals in multi-game subscription services and the cloud gaming market.
One solution could be a settlement in which Microsoft agrees to ensure that console-making rivals such as Sony or Nintendo won’t be cut off from popular Activision Blizzard games. Microsoft has already publicly signaled its openness to that concept.
Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, has said the company committed to Sony to make Activision games like Call of Duty “available on PlayStation beyond the existing agreement and into the future” — although many are skeptical about how long those promises would last if not set into regulatory consent decrees.
On the other hand, Microsoft also has a much better reputation in Washington than it did in 2000. It is “seen as more reasonable and sensible” on issues such as data privacy, Kovacic said.
Microsoft has also been working to win over skeptics in the U.S., starting with a labor union that’s been trying to organize Activision Blizzard employees. Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concern about allegations of Activision’s toxic workplace culture for women, which led to employee walkouts last year as well as discrimination lawsuits brought by California and federal civil rights enforcers.
In March, the Communications Workers of America had issued a call seeking tougher oversight of the deal from the U.S. Department of Justice, the FTC and state attorneys general. But a June 30 letter from the union to the FTC said it had switched to supporting the deal after Microsoft agreed “to ensure the workers of Activision Blizzard have a clear path to collective bargaining.”
Gaming represents a growing portion of Microsoft’s business, despite the company’s efforts to portray itself and Activision Blizzard as “small players in a highly fragmented publishing space,” per a document filed with New Zealand’s Commerce Commission.
In 2021, Microsoft spent $7.5 billion to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of video game publisher Bethesda Softworks, which is behind popular video games The Elder Scrolls, Doom and Fallout. Microsoft’s properties also include the hit game Minecraft after it bought Swedish game studio Mojang for $2.5 billion in 2014.
The Redmond, Washington, tech giant has said the gaming acquisitions will help beef up its Xbox Game Pass game subscription service and its mobile offerings, particularly from Activision Blizzard’s King division, which makes Candy Crush.
Dutch game developer Rami Ismail said Microsoft’s subscription-based service has thus far been a positive for smaller game studios trying to get their content to users. But he’s unsure about the long-term impact of the merger.
“Xbox Game Pass as a product has been really good in getting interesting, creative games funded that might not have the normal market reach to be successful,” Ismail said. “On the flip side, as power consolidates, there is less of an incentive to do anything like that.”
Microsoft rivals are also consolidating. Sony in July closed on a $3.6 billion deal to buy Bungie Inc., maker of the popular game franchise Destiny and the original developer of Xbox-owned Halo. Take-Two Interactive, maker of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, in May completed a $12.7 billion deal to acquire mobile gaming company Zynga, maker of FarmVille and Words With Friends. | https://www.wspa.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-microsofts-activision-blizzard-deal-gets-global-scrutiny/ | 2022-09-01T18:22:07Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-microsofts-activision-blizzard-deal-gets-global-scrutiny/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
What’s the best selfie tripod?
There are many ways to take a photo, but there is no better method than capturing your surroundings with you in the frame. The most common method is to hold a camera at arm’s length and snap away, whether with a cellphone or DSLR camera. But a selfie stick is a great choice for those who want the perfect composition and framing.
However, you still need to hold the selfie stick, creating the “disappearing arm” problem. A selfie tripod such as the Texlar 48-Inch Selfie Stick Tripod with Remote is an excellent alternative to prevent that.
What to know before you buy a selfie tripod
The tripod’s height
Consider where and how you’ll take most of your selfies and determine the best height for the tripod. Small tripods easily stand firmly on a desk or table, but there are also tripods with a bit more height to them. This comes in handy if you want to capture a photo while standing and there isn’t a lower surface available. Most selfie tripod makers combine a selfie stick and tripod into one gadget, with the tripod feet folding in to create the stick’s handle.
Device attachment
A three-legged metal stand is only one part of taking the perfect selfie. On top of the tripod is the component that keeps the camera or phone in place. The right attachment depends on your camera. You’ll need a sturdy grip or holder for a phone, but two plastic clasps won’t secure a digital camera or larger device. So you must ensure that the tripod attachment has the correct diameter screw on the top.
Most digital cameras have a tripod attachment hole on the bottom for this purpose.
Be aware of the dangers
Using a selfie stick isn’t dangerous, but it can be deadly if you aren’t aware of your surroundings. Several deaths have been linked to people going to extreme lengths to get the “perfect” selfie. Before buying a selfie stick or tripod, read up on the risks and when you shouldn’t use a selfie tripod.
What to look for in a quality selfie tripod
Sturdy construction
Taking photos is exciting, but it will end in heartache if your phone or camera detaches and crash to the ground. The tripod must be made from sturdy materials such as metal and hardened plastic. When fully extended, it must carry the full weight of the camera and not topple over in the slightest breeze. Its top clips and grabbers must be strong enough to prevent the camera from slipping out, while the nuts and bolts shouldn’t untie themselves if you can angle portions of the tripod.
Remote control
Since your arms can’t reach the camera on a tripod, you’ll need a secondary way to take the photo. Some cameras let you set up a timer, but you can never be sure when the photo is taken. The best solution for this is to get a good-quality tripod that comes with a Bluetooth remote control. Through the push of a button, you can compose the photos as you want them and snap away.
Large base and stable legs
A good-quality selfie tripod has a large base and stable legs to provide as much stability as possible. Look for a tripod that has non-slip rubber feet or some endcap to prevent sliding without scratching the surface you place it on.
How much you can expect to spend on a selfie tripod
The price depends on the maker, the length and if it comes with a small remote controller. A basic tripod that extends into a selfie stick costs $5-$10, while a sturdy gadget with a Bluetooth controller runs $20-$40.
Selfie tripod FAQ
Does a selfie tripod work with tablets?
A. For the most part, but you must ensure that the attachment to hold the tablet is large and strong enough to support it.
Do they require a battery?
A. The tripod doesn’t need a battery to operate, but an included Bluetooth remote control does. These are usually flat, round batteries, commonly found in wristwatches and very affordable.
What’s the best selfie tripod to buy?
Top selfie tripod
Texlar 48-Inch Selfie Stick Tripod with Remote
What you need to know: Compact and lightweight, this selfie tripod doubles up as a selfie stick.
What you’ll love: It has three sturdy legs attached to a metal pole with an adjustable holder for your phone. It is large enough to accommodate most Android phones, and from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 13. The tripod is 8 inches at its shortest, but can extend to 48 inches. It comes with a rechargeable wireless remote, and there is a quarter-inch thread at the top for digital cameras.
What you should consider: Some users said that the legs keep opening when stored in a bag.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top selfie tripod for the money
SelfieShow Portable Selfie Stick Tripod with Wireless Remote
What you need to know: This affordable selfie tripod can securely grip phones in landscape and portrait orientation.
What you’ll love: At its shortest, this tripod is 7.6 inches, but it extends to 27 inches. The clamp head at the top can rotate 225 degrees, and it comes with a Bluetooth remote.
What you should consider: Some reviewers said the plastic bolt isn’t as tight as they had hoped.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Atumtek 51-Inch Selfie Stick Tripod
What you need to know: This selfie tripod stands 51 inches tall and has a detachable Bluetooth remote.
What you’ll love: Made from hardened plastic and metal, it’s strong enough to support most Android and iPhones. The legs stand 10.6 inches apart and have three non-slip pads on the bottom. The clamp head can rotate 180 degrees in either direction.
What you should consider: Some customers said the remote pops out of the holder.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/camera-photo-br/best-selfie-tripod/ | 2022-09-01T18:22:23Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/camera-photo-br/best-selfie-tripod/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
DETROIT (AP) — About 2 in 10 U.S. adults say they or someone close to them has had a personal experience with gun violence, according to a recent poll that shows Black and Hispanic adults are especially likely to have had their lives touched by it.
The poll by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 54% of Black Americans and 27% of Hispanic Americans reported that they or a close friend or family member experienced gun violence in the last five years, compared with of 13% of white Americans. Overall, 21% of U.S. adults reported a personal tie to gun violence, such as being threatened by a gun or being a victim of a shooting.
Ebony Brown, a 39-year-old accountant in Atlanta, is among those who has seen gun violence touch those close to her. Her brother was shot to death in 2002 in Jacksonville, Florida, while visiting from college.
“He was at the right place at the wrong time,” said Brown, who is Black.
An acquaintance of a friend pulled a gun during an attempted robbery at a home and shot several people, including Brown’s brother, who she said died instantly. Another person also was slain.
Brown said she doesn’t consider herself a gun lover, but she’s worried enough about becoming a victim of gun violence herself that she’s considering getting a handgun.
“I’m really getting ready to get one. I’ve been to the range,” Brown said. “My dad is a police officer and he wants me to have it.”
The survey was conducted after a stretch of mass shootings across the U.S., from a grocery store in New York, an elementary school in Texas and a Fourth of July parade in Illinois — along with a smattering of incidents of gun violence in cities across the U.S. that don’t always make national news but leave local communities on edge.
Professor Jens Ludwig, who is director of the University of Chicago’s Crime Lab, said the 1 in 5 people with a friend or family member who was a victim of violence was a “strikingly high number.”
It shows that those who experience gun violence “aren’t the only victims,” he said.
Ludwig compared the way gun violence affects entire communities to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the people who died or became very ill from COVID-19 weren’t the only ones affected; kids were kept home from school, businesses closed, and people couldn’t see loved ones.
The same is true with gun violence, Ludwig said. “People are changing the way they live,” he said.
For example, he said, when people who can afford to leave cities where gun violence is a big problem move out in droves, it hurts everyone still there.
He cited Detroit as one example. Gun-related homicides increased from 2016 to 2020, from a rate of 37.6 per 100,000 people to 45.4 per 100,000 people, according to FBI data collected by the pro-gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. Black people were 2.1 times more likely to die by gun homicides than white people, according to the data.
Following a particularly violent summer weekend in Detroit that saw two dozen nonfatal shootings and seven homicides, Police Chief James White denounced the rising gun violence in the city and across the nation.
“We understand these numbers make media headlines, but to us they represent people,” White told reporters. “These represent families. This represents children. This represents husbands, wives, brothers and sisters. Our Detroit families are in pain. Neighbors near the gunfire are shaken and lives have been forever changed.”
While most Americans say they feel gun violence has increased nationwide and in their states, 59% of Black Americans and 45% of Hispanics said that gun violence is on the rise in their communities, compared with 34% of white Americans. Similarly, people living in urban areas are more likely to say gun violence is rising in their communities than those in suburban or rural areas, 51% to 39% to 27%.
That is in line with recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data has shown a spike in gun violence since the pandemic, with gun-related homicides increasing across the country in large and small metro areas and in rural areas. The data found Black people are disproportionately impacted by gun violence and are more likely to be the victims of gun crimes or homicides.
Brittany Samuels, a 31-year-old in Detroit, says she still carries physical scars from being shot at age 14 by her uncle, who she said was bipolar and schizophrenic, and fatally shot her grandmother, one of his coworkers and himself.
She said it has also shaped the way she thinks about gun violence and gun ownership, and she feels it is too easy for guns to get into the wrong hands.
Samuels, who is Black, said gun violence in her community has made her rethink where and when to go places, like skipping Detroit’s downtown entertainment district or certain gas stations as certain times.
“You don’t know if someone is going to rob you at gunpoint or if they are going to have a shootout in the middle of the gas station,” she said. “I don’t go when it’s dark — even if it’s in the morning. And you really won’t catch me at a gas station that’s not lit up.”
Diego Saldana, 30, of Baldwin Park, California, in the Los Angeles metro area, said he found himself facing a 9mm handgun during an attempted robbery six months ago. He feels gun violence is on the rise and believes it’s likely he will be a victim of gun violence again in the next five years.
“I think it’s due to the (poor) economy — people are desperate for easy money,” said Saldana, who is Mexican. “People … are stressing about stuff and expressing it with violence. Everybody is on edge.”
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Price reported from New York. AP Polling Reporter Hannah Fingerhut in Washington and AP writer Sara Burnett in Chicago contributed to this report.
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The poll of 1,373 adults was conducted July 28-Aug. 1 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
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Follow AP’s coverage of gun violence at https://apnews.com/hub/gun-violence. | https://www.wspa.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-ap-norc-poll-2-in-10-report-experience-with-gun-violence/ | 2022-09-01T18:22:29Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-ap-norc-poll-2-in-10-report-experience-with-gun-violence/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — As Braylon Price remembers it, he struggled with pretty much everything the first full school year of the pandemic. With minimal guidance and frequent disruptions, he had trouble staying on top of assignments and finishing homework on time.
It was so rocky his parents asked for him to repeat sixth grade — a decision they credit with getting him on a better track.
“At first I didn’t really want to do it,” said Braylon, now 13. “But then later in the year I thought it would probably be better for me if I did.”
The number of students held back for a year of school has surged around the country. Traditionally, experts have said repeating a grade can hurt kids social lives and academic futures. But many parents, empowered by new pandemic-era laws, have asked for do-overs to help their children recover from the tumult of remote learning, quarantines and school staff shortages.
Twenty-two of the 26 states that provided data for the recent academic year, as well as Washington, D.C., saw an increase in the number of students who were held back, according to an Associated Press analysis. Three states — South Carolina, West Virginia and Delaware — saw retention more than double.
Pennsylvania, where the Price family lives, passed a pandemic-era law allowing parents to elect to have a redo for their kids. The following year, the number of retained students in the state jumped by about 20,000, to over 45,000 students.
Braylon’s mother has no regrets about taking advantage of the new law.
“Best decision we could have made for him,” said Kristi Price, who lives in Bellefonte, in central Pennsylvania.
While the family’s two daughters managed to keep up with school despite limited supervision, Braylon struggled. He went back to in-person school for the first full academic year of the pandemic but it was “wishy-washy,” his mother said. Students were quarantined on and off, and teachers tried to keep up with students learning at home, online and in hybrid models. That winter, Braylon suffered a spinal cord injury from wrestling that forced him to go back to remote learning.
On his repeat of sixth grade, Braylon had an individualized education program that helped him build more focus. Having more one-on-one attention from teachers helped too. Socially, he said the transition was easy, since most of his friends had been in lower grades or attended different schools already.
Research in the education world has been critical of making students repeat grades.
The risk is students who’ve been retained have a two-fold increased risk of dropping out, said Arthur Reynolds, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s Human Capital Research Collaborative, citing studies of students in Chicago and Baltimore.
“Kids see it as punishment,” Reynolds said. “It reduces their academic motivation, and it doesn’t increase their instructional advancement.”
But backers of retention say none of the research was conducted in a pandemic, when many children wrestled with Zoom lessons and some stopped logging in entirely.
“So many children have struggled and have had a lot of problems,” said Florida state Sen. Lori Berman, a Delray Beach Democrat. Berman authored a law aimed at making it easier for parents to ask for kindergarten to fifth graders to repeat a grade in the 2021-22 school year. “I don’t think there is any stigma to holding your child back at this point.”
Generally, parents can ask for children to be held back, but the final decision is up to principals, who make decisions based on factors including academic progress. California and New Jersey also passed laws that made it easier for parents to demand their children repeat a grade, although the option was only available last year.
In suburban Kansas City, Celeste Roberts decided last year for another round of second grade for her son, who she said was struggling even before the pandemic. When virtual learning was a bust, he spent the year learning at a slower pace with his grandmother, a retired teacher who bought goats to keep things fun.
Roberts said repeating the year helped her son academically and his friends hardly noticed.
“Even with peers, some of them were like, ‘Wait, shouldn’t you be in third grade?’ And he’s just like, ‘Well, I didn’t go to school because of COVID,’” she said. “And they’re kind of like, ‘OK, cool.’ You know, they move on. It’s not a thing. So it’s been really great socially. Even with the parent circles. Everybody’s just like, ‘Great. Do what your kid needs to do.’”
Ultimately, there shouldn’t be just two options of repeating a grade or going on to the next, said Alex Lamb, who has been looking at research on grade retention as part of her work with the Center for Education, Policy Analysis, Research and Evaluation at the University of Connecticut to help advise school districts.
“Neither of those options are good,” she said. “A great option is letting students move on, and then introducing some of these supports that are research-backed, that are effective and that allow for academic and social-emotional growth of students and then communities.”
In Pennsylvania’s Fox Chapel Area School District, two students were retained at the behest of educators, while eight families decided their students would repeat a grade. Another six discussed the new legislation with the school and ultimately decided against holding their students back.
“As a school district, we take retention very seriously,” Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac said. She said the district involves parents, a team of educators, school counselors and principals to help decide what is best for each child.
Price says Braylon’s retention helped him obtain an individualized education program, or IEP. The special ed plan gave him more support as he navigated sixth grade again. When he thinks about the difference between rounds one and two of sixth grade, Braylon said he felt like the extra support was instrumental, noting he likes having one-on-one aid from teachers sometimes.
“In online school, you didn’t really do that,” he said. “You did the work and then you just turned it in.”
He doesn’t want to be given the answer, he said, but guided enough that he can figure it out on his own.
“I think because of the pandemic, we, as parents, were able to see how much he was struggling and we were able to recognize that he was barely keeping his head above water, and that he needed more help in order to be successful on his own,” Price said.
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This story has been corrected to reflect that a total of 26 states and Washington, D.C., provided data on grade retention for the recent academic year.
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Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas. Schultz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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For more back-to-school coverage, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/back-to-school
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The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://www.wspa.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-more-kids-are-repeating-a-grade-is-it-good-for-them/ | 2022-09-01T18:22:44Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-more-kids-are-repeating-a-grade-is-it-good-for-them/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Linlithgow Rose hotshot winger Mark Stowe explains blistering start to season with two goals per game
Mark Stowe says he owes it to his Linlithgow Rose team-mates for his blistering start to the season.
Stowe was the standout performer in the East of Scotland League last season, bagging 43 goals in his first season with the Prestonfield club. He’s carried his form into the new campaign with 14 goals already from their first seven games.
It’s easy to see why prying eyes were cast on Stowe during the summer, with Rose accepting a six-figure bid for their hot-shot winger, but the 23-year-old opted to stay.
“I really enjoy it at Linlithgow, I have loved every minute. The group of boys, it’s probably the best changing room I have ever been in,” said Stowe who struck a double hat-trick in their 9-0 rout of StCuthbert Wanderers in the Scottish Cup last weekend.
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“Even going to training in times past, I would have dreaded going to training, it sounds bad, but I just didn’t really enjoy it. Going to training I know I am going to have a good laugh; the group of boys is unreal. A lot to do with how I am doing is because I am enjoying my football so much, I just love playing just now.
“There was a bit of interest in me to be fair, but I am enjoying it so much I didn’t want to leave. If I don’t do it with Linlithgow, I do want to move up the levels if possible. I have always wanted to play in the leagues just to test myself more than anything and see where it takes me.”
Given his young age, it would be easy for Stowe to get carried away but he remains grounded – thanks in part to his team-mates comments.
“They have a dig at me now and then again,” continued Stowe, ahead of Rose hosting Jeanfield Swifts in Premier Division action tomorrow.
“One of the times when I scored on Saturday, when the other team was going to take kick-off, the boys were winding me up saying I wasn’t doing well enough as they had heard about a boy scoring nine with Dunipace [David Grant hit nine goals against Wigtwon & Bladnoch last week]. There is the odd comment like that but it’s all good hearted.” | https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/linlithgow-rose-hotshot-winger-mark-stowe-explains-blistering-start-to-season-with-two-goals-per-game-3828161 | 2022-09-01T18:23:41Z | scotsman.com | control | https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/linlithgow-rose-hotshot-winger-mark-stowe-explains-blistering-start-to-season-with-two-goals-per-game-3828161 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s coalition government on Thursday faced a parliamentary no-confidence vote over its handling of the energy crisis and a scandal involving the head of one of the country’s spy agencies.
The opposition accused the coalition of not doing enough to help people and businesses cope with the high prices for electricity and natural gas.
The government argues it has introduced a plan to support the households by some 15,000 Czech crowns ($611) on average in the coming winter and was working on further steps to ease the financial pressure.
The government was also planning to call an emergency meeting of other European Union countries next week to seek a united approach to the issue. The Czech Republic currently holds the bloc’s rotating presidency.
In a separate issue, the opposition has demanded the resignation of Petr Mlejnek, the head of the Office for Foreign Relations and Information, due to his contacts with a businessman who has been facing corruption charges.
Mlejnek has denied wrongdoing but resigned from his post on Wednesday. Opposition lawmakers are demanding the replacement of Interior Minister Vit Rakusan, who appointed Mlejnek and has backed him.
The opposition parties, including the centrist ANO movement led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis and the anti-migrant Freedom and Direct Democracy party, are unlikely to oust the five-party coalition government which has a comfortable majority in the lower house of Parliament. | https://www.wspa.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-czech-government-faces-no-confidence-vote-over-energy-prices/ | 2022-09-01T18:23:42Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-czech-government-faces-no-confidence-vote-over-energy-prices/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MYKHAILO-KOTSYUBYNSKE, Ukraine (AP) — It was the first day of school in Ukraine on Thursday but children weren’t sharing memories of fun vacations with their families. Their stories were of surviving war. For many, their last day of school was the day before the Feb. 24 Russian invasion of their country.
At least 379 children have been killed since the war began, while the whereabouts of 223 others are unknown, according to Ukraine’s General Prosecutors office. Another 7,013 children were among Ukrainians forcibly transferred to Russia from Russian-occupied areas.
Six months of war damaged 2,400 schools across the country, including 269 that were completely destroyed, officials said.
Civilian areas and schools continue to be hit, and children keep being killed. But after the first months of shock, 51% of schools in Ukraine, despite the risk, are reopening to in-person education, with an option to study online if the parents prefer.
But safety remains the priority. At schools that don’t have quick access to shelters or are located close to the borders with Belarus and Russia, or near active military zones, children will only study online.
That’s the case for the seventh graders in Mykhailo-Kotsyubynske, just 20 miles (35 kilometers) from the Belarus border, who gathered at their badly damaged school this week to pick up textbooks for studying online.
“We haven’t seen each other for such a long time. You all have grown so much,” said their teacher, Olena Serdiuk, standing in a corner of the classroom, where windows were covered with thick black polythene instead of glass.
Oleksii Lytvyn, 13, remembers very well the day Russian missiles hit the school twice. It was March 4, and he was in the school’s bomb shelter with his family and dozens of other people.
Just minutes before the blast, he had been playing with a friend. After the loud explosion, the walls began shaking and he couldn’t see anything but a huge cloud of debris. One person was killed, a woman who worked at the school.
“We were sleeping in the corridor, and there was a corpse of a dead person behind the wall,” Oleksii recalled. His family stayed one more night before fleeing town, though they have since returned for the start of the school year.
Oleksii’s classmates shared similar stories about that day and the monthlong Russian occupation that followed.
“When I’m at school, I think about the person who died in the debris. I feel deeply sorry for her,” 12-year-old Mykola Kravchenko said.
Their school is still badly damaged. Debris fills the second floor, and the roof and heating system need to be repaired — money the school doesn’t have.
Even though they will be studying online, the students had to undergo security training. Serdiuk told the class to follow her to the same bomb shelter where many survived the blast in March.
In the dimly lit shelter were water supplies and long benches with labeled seats for each classroom. When the children took the seats assigned to their class, Serdiuk told them they had to go there whenever they heard a siren.
She said many parents tell her their children are begging to return to school, but for now that isn’t allowed because of the danger of being so close to the Belarus border.
“It does become kind of the new normal for children,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell, told The Associated Press. “That’s not the way children should go through life, thinking that they are going to get attacked at any moment.”
Schools in the Kyiv and Lviv regions were among those welcoming students back to classrooms Thursday, including more than 7,300 displaced students forced to flee their hometowns.
In a neighborhood of Irpin, north of Kyiv, still bearing the scars of war, with destroyed homes and shrapnel-marked fences and walls, first-grade children lined up excitedly for their first day of classes in their newly renovated school.
Hit by a missile during the early days of the war, Irpin School Number 17 was rebuilt with the help of UNICEF, the faint smell of fresh paint still lingering as the students walked into their classrooms hand-in-hand.
“This year is different to the others. We are in a war situation,” said first grade teacher Olga Malyovana. “We were really worried about the children and their safety, but we fixed all the facilities, we have a shelter.”
First order of the day was an evacuation drill, with a fire alarm going off and all the children lining up to head to the basement bomb shelter or designated safe — and windowless — areas in the corridors.
Oleksandra Urban came to drop off her 6-year-old daughter, Veronika, the normal trepidation of the first day of school mingling with worry about classes during wartime, even though strikes on Kyiv and nearby areas are now rare.
She’s explained to Veronica how to evacuate to a bomb shelter, she said. “She is worried only when I am worried. That’s why I am trying to be calm.”
Urban and her husband discussed distance learning for Veronika, but decided physical presence in school was essential, both for contact with other children and with the teacher.
“I believe that school will save the life of my kid,” Urban said.
Murat Sahin, UNICEF representative in Ukraine, agreed.
“Two years of Covid and … six months of war, it is having disastrous impact on children’s growth and learning and mental health,” Sahin said. “So we need to bring that normalcy.”
In Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, there’s no hope for schools to open their doors — the city has been under constant shelling since the beginning of the war.
In one school, the first-grade classroom was all ready: tables, chairs, a clean blackboard, the alphabet and numbers hanging on the wall. The only thing missing was the students.
Seated in the empty room was Oleksandr Novikov, the school’s director for 12 years and a teacher for more than 20.
“It is very depressing, it is very unpleasant to feel that you come to an empty school,” he said. “There will be no children laughing at school.”
While Ukraine tries to defend itself from the Russian invasion, Novikov dreams of better times.
“I would like a real first bell, a real meeting with children and teachers, a real lesson, when eyes look at you with inspiration, trust and a desire to hear something new, to learn something new.”
“This is what I would like to see,” he said.
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Fisch reported from Kramatorsk, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Elena Becatoros contributed from Irpin.
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Follow Arhirova at https://twitter.com/h_arhirova
___
Follow AP coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.wspa.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-its-back-to-school-in-ukraine-but-far-from-normal/ | 2022-09-01T18:24:33Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-its-back-to-school-in-ukraine-but-far-from-normal/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday pledged to keep up France’s humanitarian, economic and military support to Ukraine and to bolster European unity as a way to pile pressure on Russia and prevent it from winning it war in that country.
“We cannot let Russia militarily win the war,” Macron said in a speech to French ambassadors at the Elysee presidential palace.
He set the goal of enabling Ukraine to either win militarily or be put in a strong position to achieve “a negotiated peace.”
“We must get prepared for a long war,” Macron said, adding that this would involve tensions escalating over Ukraine’s nuclear plants.
Macron said France strongly supported the mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency that arrived Thursday to the Zaporizhzhia plant to assess its safety. The French president suggested he would call his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after the IAEA mission concludes.
Macron vowed to “keep talking” to Russia despite criticism from some countries, especially in eastern Europe, which defend a hardline stance against Moscow. “We must do everything to make a negotiated peace possible” when Russia and Ukraine will be ready to sit for talks, he said.
“We must not let Europe get divided” over the war in Ukraine and its consequences, Macron said, adding that the EU mustn’t align itself with “warmongers” or allow countries from eastern Europe to act alone in support of Kyiv.
In a nearly two-hour speech meant to outline the goals of the French diplomacy in the upcoming year, Macron praised the views expressed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier this week in Prague as “fully in line” with his own plea for a stronger, more independent and sovereign Europe.
Macron called on Europe to “defend” its freedoms and values and to “fight” for them.
He also urged French diplomats to push back more aggressively against misinformation, fake news and propaganda spread on social media.
Paris needs to use some communication tools to “break the Russian, Chinese or Turkish storytelling” and be able to “say when France is wrongly attacked, to say what France really did,” he said. | https://www.wspa.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-macron-vows-to-prevent-russia-from-winning-war-in-ukraine/ | 2022-09-01T18:25:02Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-macron-vows-to-prevent-russia-from-winning-war-in-ukraine/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s top politician said Thursday that the government will seek equivalent of some $1.3 trillion in reparations from Germany for the Nazis’ World War II invasion and occupation of his country.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the Law and Justice party, announced the huge claim at the release of a long-awaited report on the cost to the country of years of Nazi German occupation as it marks 83 years since the start of World War II.
“We not only prepared the report but we have also taken the decision as to the further steps,” Kaczynski said during the report’s presentation.
“We will turn to Germany to open negotiations on the reparations,” Kaczynski said, adding it will be a “long and not an easy path” but “one day will bring success.”
He insisted the move would serve “true Polish-German reconciliation” that would be based on “truth.”
He claimed the German economy is capable of paying the bill.
Germany argues compensation was paid to East Bloc nations in the years after the war while territories that Poland lost in the East as borders were redrawn were compensated with some of Germany’s pre-war lands. Berlin calls the matter closed.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday the government’s position remains “unchanged” in that “the question of reparations is concluded.”
“Poland long ago, in 1953, waived further reparations and has repeatedly confirmed this waiver,” the ministry said in an emailed response to a Associated Press query about the new Polish report.
“This is a significant basis for today’s European order. Germany stands by its responsibility for World War II politically and morally.”
Poland’s right-wing government argues that the country which was the war’s first victim has not been fully compensated by neighboring Germany, which is now one of its major partners within the European Union.
“Germany has never really accounted for its crimes against Poland,“ Kaczynski said, claiming that many Germans who committed war crimes lived in impunity in Germany after the war.
Top leaders including Kaczynski, who is Poland’s chief policy maker, and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki attended the ceremonial release of the report at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, rebuilt from wartime ruins.
The release of the three-volume report was the focus of national observances of the anniversary of the war that began Sep. 1, 1939, with Nazi Germany’s bombing and invasion of Poland that was followed by more than five years of brutal occupation.
The head of the report team, lawmaker Arkadiusz Mularczyk, said it was impossible to place a financial value on the loss of some 5.2 million lives he blamed on the German occupation.
He listed losses to the infrastructure, industry, farming, culture, deportations to Germany for forced labor and efforts to turn Polish children into Germans.
A team of more than 30 economists, historians and other experts worked on the report since 2017. The issue has created bilateral tensions.
The war was “one of the most terrible tragedies in our history,” President Andrzej Duda said during early morning observances at the Westerplatte peninsula near Gdansk, one of the first places to be attacked in the Nazi invasion.
“Not only because it took our freedom, not only because it took our state from us, but also because this war meant millions of victims among Poland’s citizens and irreparable losses to our homeland and our nation,” Duda said.
In Germany, the government’s official for German-Polish cooperation, Dietmar Nietan, said in a statement that Sept. 1 “remains a day of guilt and shame for Germany that reminds us time and again not to forget the crimes carried out by Germany” that are the “darkest chapter in our history” and still affect bilateral relations.
Reconciliation offered by people in Poland is “the basis on which we can look toward the future together in a united Europe,” Nietan said.
Poland’s government rejects a 1953 declaration by the country’s then-communist leaders, under pressure from the Soviet Union, agreeing not to make any further claims on Germany.
An opposition lawmaker, Grzegorz Schetyna, says the report is just a “game in the internal politics” and insists Poland needs to build good relations with Berlin.
In a country where bullet holes from the war could still be seen on houses not so long ago, recent surveys have shown that Polish public opinion is roughly equally divided on the issue of reparations. Many families still keep alive memories of family members lost in the war.
Some 6 million of Poland’s citizens, including 3 million Jews, were killed in the war. Some of them were victims of the Soviet Red Army that invaded from the east.
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AP writers Frank Jordans and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed. | https://www.wspa.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-poland-marks-wwii-anniversary-with-report-on-damage-by-nazis/ | 2022-09-01T18:25:17Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-poland-marks-wwii-anniversary-with-report-on-damage-by-nazis/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
GELSDORF, Germany (AP) — It’s picking season at Christian Nachtwey’s organic orchard in western Germany and laborers are loading their carts with ripe red Elstar apples, ready to be shipped to European supermarkets.
But Nachtwey’s farm is also reaping a second harvest: Many of the apple trees grow beneath solar panels that have been producing bountiful electricity during this year’s unusually sun-rich summer, while providing the fruit below with much-needed shade.
“The idea is simple,” said Nachtwey, whose farm lies in Gelsdorf, an hour’s drive south of Cologne. “To protect the orchard, without reducing the available growing surface and in particular maintaining production. On top of that there’s the solar electricity being generated on the same land.”
Large-scale solar installations on arable land are becoming increasingly popular in Europe and North America, as farmers seek to make the most of their land and establish a second source of revenue.
Getting the right mix of crop and solar is hard though, because modern fruit varieties are finely tuned to particular growing conditions. Any change can tip the balance, costing farmers revenue if their fruit is damaged, the wrong color or not as sweet as consumers like.
That’s why Nachtwey is collaborating with researchers to test which apple varieties thrive under the solar canopy, and which types of photovoltaic roofs are best suited for the orchard. To compare the results, some trees are covered with a conventional netting normally used to protect sensitive crops from hail.
Juergen Zimmer, an expert with the agricultural services department of Rhineland-Palatinate state, said the apples grown under the solar roofs were slightly less sweet this year than those under the hail nets. But hardly any of the solar-shaded apples got damaged in the intense sunlight that hit the region on July 24 this year, whereas up to 18% of the uncovered fruit suffered sunburn that day, he said.
“We need at least two to three full years to record all the weather conditions that might occur, and look at the yield and color that the different varieties of tree produce,” said Zimmer.
Researchers hope the tests will show that tree fruit crops thrive under solar panels. This could help prevent renewable energy production from competing for precious land with agriculture — a growing concern for those seeking to tackle climate change and rising food prices.
Nachtwey said he could use the solar electricity generated on the farm to power his own facilities and machines. But to start with, he plans to provide the electricity to dozens of nearby homes instead.
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Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
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Follow all AP stories about climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment. | https://www.wspa.com/science/ap-science/ap-sweet-or-not-german-farmer-trials-solar-roofs-for-orchard/ | 2022-09-01T18:26:01Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/science/ap-science/ap-sweet-or-not-german-farmer-trials-solar-roofs-for-orchard/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
LONDON (AP) — Microsoft’s plan to buy video game company Activision Blizzard faced a potential setback Thursday after British antitrust regulators demanded concessions from both companies to ease competition concerns about the blockbuster deal.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it was worried the $69 billion deal would hurt rivals by restricting their access to Activision Blizzard games. It also worried that the combined company would stifle competition in the emerging cloud gaming market.
The authority gave both companies five days to come up with proposals to address its concerns, otherwise it would escalate its investigation with more scrutiny.
The all-cash deal is set to be the largest in the history of the tech industry. It would give Microsoft, maker of the Xbox console and gaming system, control of popular game franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush.
The watchdog had opened an initial inquiry in July to assess whether the deal would result in a “substantial lessening of competition” in the United Kingdom.
“Following our Phase 1 investigation, we are concerned that Microsoft could use its control over popular games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft post-merger to harm rivals, including recent and future rivals in multi-game subscription services and cloud gaming,” the watchdog’s senior director of mergers, Sorcha O’Carroll, said in press statement.
Microsoft President Brad Smith said the company is “ready to work with the CMA on next steps and address any of its concerns.”
Competition regulators around the world are subjecting the transaction, which was announced in January, to a barrage of scrutiny. So far only Saudi Arabia has given approval for the deal.
Watchdogs from New Zealand to Brazil are still examining the purchase, as are U.S. regulators emboldened by President Joe Biden to strengthen their enforcement of antitrust laws.
The stepped-up scrutiny comes amid a growing sense that past reviews of Big Tech mergers were too lax — such as when Facebook bought Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. | https://www.wspa.com/technology/ap-technology/ap-microsofts-activision-blizzard-deal-faces-more-uk-scrutiny/ | 2022-09-01T18:26:37Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/technology/ap-technology/ap-microsofts-activision-blizzard-deal-faces-more-uk-scrutiny/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Chengdu has become the latest Chinese city to be locked down as Beijing continues to pursue its controversial “zero-Covid” policy. (BBC)
Around 21 million people have been ordered to stay indoors, with just one person per household allowed out for essential shopping.
On Thursday, the city recorded 157 new infections, including 51 asymptomatic.
China’s Covid policies require cities to enter strict lockdowns – even if just a handful of cases are reported.
However, Beijing’s drive to ensure “zero Covid” has been accused of stifling economic growth, and has prompted rare public dissent from citizens.
Chengdu’s residents, asked to stay at home from 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Thursday, will all be tested over the coming days, but it was not clear when restrictions would be lifted.
In the meantime, people have been banned from entering or leaving Chengdu, the capital of the south-west Sichuan province, with only residents able to show evidence of a negative Covid test allowed out to buy necessities.
State media also reports that the start of schools’ autumn term has been postponed and flights have been grounded.
Health authorities labelled the situation “extremely complex and severe” and blamed the outbreak on mass gatherings during warm weather at a pair of swimming and entertainment venues.
Other restrictions are currently in force elsewhere in China, including in Shenzhen in the south and Dalian in the north-east.
The country has deployed a range of city-specific Covid prevention measures after the initial wave of the virus hit Wuhan in 2019.
China is the world’s last major economy attempting to entirely stamp out Covid outbreaks, claiming this is necessary to prevent wider surges of the virus which could overwhelm hospitals.
The country has officially recorded fewer than 15,000 deaths since the pandemic began, according to Johns Hopkins University.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE | https://tribuneonlineng.com/covid-in-china-chengdu-lockdown-after-outbreak/ | 2022-09-01T18:27:50Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/covid-in-china-chengdu-lockdown-after-outbreak/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The executive secretary of Jigawa State Emergency relief Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Yusif Sani Babura confirmed the death of 60 people as a result of the flood that ravaged the state.
The executive secretary disclose this to Tribune Online in Dutse the capital city of the state, said: “as of last week 50 died, so six also lost their life this week making 56 people.”
Alhaji Yusif Sani Babura added that “I also heard that a local canoe capsized and four people died, though this is yet to receive the report officially.”
According to him, the agency had so far opened 16 Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in the state with thousands of people, “I can give the specific number of the displaced person as every day they are increasing. As you can see every heavy rain is falling and the disaster is increasing.”
He explained that the agency has 11 Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Jigawa northeast (Hadejia arae) two in Miga, two in Dutse and one in Birninkudu local government areas (Jigawa Southwest).
The executive secretary disclosed that the agency is running all its operations on credit, said “this is an emergency we can not wait for long processes before we reach victims of disaster”.
Alhaji Babura maintained that “all this that we are doing is on credit, the state government is yet to release any Kobo. But we have no doubts the government will settle it when we made the submission.”
He added that the agency has made a proposal to assist the families if the deceased people died as a result of floods the canoe capsized and collapsed buildings, but the governor is yet to approve it.
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- EDITORIAL: N136bn For Workers Of Moribund Refineries
- Flood: 60 dies in Jigawa as state’s Relief Agency runs on credit ― ES SEMA, Yusif Sani | https://tribuneonlineng.com/flood-60-die-in-jigawa-as-states-relief-agency-runs-on-credit-%E2%80%95-es-sema-yusif-sani/ | 2022-09-01T18:27:57Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/flood-60-die-in-jigawa-as-states-relief-agency-runs-on-credit-%E2%80%95-es-sema-yusif-sani/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Thursday, cleared the air on the raging controversies and misconception of its judgment on the leadership crisis of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) delivered on October 14, 2021.
The Apex Court said on Thursday, in a statement, made available to newsmen by the Director, Press and Information of the court, Dr Festus Akande, that the judgment delivered was between one Chief Jude Okeke and APGA with three other respondents while one Chief Edozie Njoku was never made a party in the proceedings and judgment.
The statement said that one Chief Edozie Njoku who sought to be joined in the appeal was not joined and therefore not a party to the final judgment that resolved the APGA leadership crisis.
Akande warned that any judgment order containing parties different from the parties on record did not emanate from the Supreme Court and should therefore be disregarded.
The statement read in part “Our attention has been drawn to the misconception being peddled by some members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) regarding the judgment of the Supreme Court in Appeal Number: SC/CV/687/2021: Chief Jude Okeke Versus ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE (APGA) & 3 ORS, delivered on October 14, 2021, which is causing confusion within the party fold; and by extension, the public space.
“To keep the record straight, we wish to state that the appeal in respect of party leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which was filed in the Supreme Court against the judgment of Court of Appeal, Kano Division by Chief Jude Okeke, as SC/CV/686/2021 and SC/CV/687/2021, contained the following parties: Chief Jude Okeke (Appellant) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Ike Oye; Alhaji Rabiu Garba Aliu; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 4th respondents respectfully.
“It is worthy of note that the appeal arose from a Primary Election conducted by the party on the day of May 31, 2019, at Owerri, Imo State, in which the 3rd Respondent (Rabiu Garba Aliu) was elected Deputy National Chairman (North).
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“The said 3rd respondent (Alhaji Rabiu Garba Aliyu), by Originating Summons, commenced an action claiming among other reliefs, to be automatically recognised as the Chairman of the Party on the ground that the Chairman who was then suspended had been replaced by someone other than him.
“The trial Court dismissed the suit and confirmed Chief Jude Okeke as the Party’s Chairman. However, the 3rd respondent, unsatisfied with the judgment, appealed to the Court of Appeal, Kano Judicial Division.
“At that point, the 1st and 2nd respondents (APGA and Victor Ike Oye) sought for and were granted leave to be joined as interested parties at the Court of Appeal.
“However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction as all the issues in contention took place in Imo State and not Jigawa State.
“Being unsatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Chief Jude Okeke appealed to the Supreme Court against the aforementioned parties.
“It was at this stage that Chief Edozie Njoku brought an application to be joined as an interested party in the matter.
“However, on the date of the hearing, the whole appeal was dismissed and all the motions for joinder were struck out, having been overtaken by events.
“That decision was based on the premise that such action had been severally adjudged to be unjustifiable by virtue of the varied subsisting Supreme Court judgments in respect of intra-party disputes.
“In view of the foregoing, we wish to make it abundantly clear that the Judgment of this Honourable Court contained only the Parties listed above; and that Chief Edozie Njoku was not added as a party at any point.
“Thus, any judgment order containing parties different from the aforementioned did not emanate from the Supreme Court and should therefore be disregarded,” the statement said. | https://tribuneonlineng.com/supreme-court-clears-air-on-judgment-in-apga-leadership-crisis/ | 2022-09-01T18:28:17Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/supreme-court-clears-air-on-judgment-in-apga-leadership-crisis/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in the forthcoming general election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said that he is only a few months older than the respected Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Wednesday.
Tinubu stated this at the birthday celebration of Bishop Kukah on Wednesday.
Happy new month Progressives & Asiwaju Mandates♾️❤️
May this month bring us enormous joy & blessings.Watch and Listen to what Asiwaju said at Bishop Kukah’s Birthday yesterday.#BAT2023 #KENNY4BAT #BATSHET2023 pic.twitter.com/cDBL3hQjVl
— BAT 2023 (@Omo_Oye2) September 1, 2022
The age of the presidential hopeful has always been a subject of controversy, with a lot of speculation surrounding his real age. However, the former governor of Lagos State has reiterated that he is 70 years old.
At the celebration which had in attendance top politicians and dignitaries, Tinubu said he is just a few months older than the celebrant and believes he has what it takes to contribute to nation building.
“You are building an institution in honour of your 70, I am 70 too. I could still contribute. I am just months older than you are.”
He continued that the responsibility of building not just an institution but the nation is on the shoulders of Bishop Kukah and he is willing to contribute his quota to building it together with him.
“Bishop, you will help build Nigeria. The greatness of the nation is on your shoulder. It’s on my shoulder too, and we must build it together.”
Tinubu also charged Nigerians on the need to be united regardless of the differences in their language, ethnicity, tribe, and religion.
Citing Nigeria’s former national anthem ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, he said “Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE | https://tribuneonlineng.com/tinubu-tells-kukah-at-70-im-just-a-few-months-older-than-you/ | 2022-09-01T18:28:30Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/tinubu-tells-kukah-at-70-im-just-a-few-months-older-than-you/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Zaura approaches Supreme Court to challenge retrial order in $1.32m fraud case
THE candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano Central Senatorial district, Alhaji Abdussalam Abdulkarim, popularly known as AA Zaura has approached the Supreme Court seeking to upturn the judgement of the Court of Appeal that ordered a fresh trial in a case involving him.
It will be recalled that a Court of Appeal, Kano Division had on April 13, 2022, in its lead judgement delivered by Justice Abdullahi Mahmoud Bayero set aside the judgement of Federal High Court delivered on June 9, 2020, by Justice Lewis Allagoa that discharged and acquitted the Kano politician.
The Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) sometime last year took Zaura to a Federal High Court in Kano and accused him of defrauding à Kuwaiti $1,320,000 which he obtained through false pretence, claiming he was a developer who specialised in buildings in Dubai, Kuwait and some Arabs countries.
Justice Bayero also in the lead judgement ordered that the defendant be tried afresh by a different judge other than Justice Allagoa.
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“Having determined the issue in favour of the appellant, the appeal naturally succeeds. The judgment of the lower court in suit number FHCK/CR2018/ FRN against Abdulsalam Sale Abdulkarim delivered on June 9th, 2020 is hereby set aside,” the judge had ruled.
Disturbed by the landmark verdict Abdussalam Zaura had on April 14, 2022, through his counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Waru filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court containing 6 grounds, challenging the order for his retrial.
The information gathered from the Court of Appeal, Kano Division had it that records of Appeal was subsequently transmitted to the Supreme Court on April 25, 2022.
It was also gathered that the appellant brief has already been filed on July 20, 2022, and that EFCC has been served.
Barring any last minute change, the Supreme Court is billed to fix a date for hearing as the case under purview falls under “fastrack proceeding of the Apex Court.”
However, a reliable lawyer who spoke on condition of anonymity said “the matter involving huge sum of money or Foreign National/Expatriate qualified under fastrack proceeding at the Apex court.” | https://tribuneonlineng.com/zaura-approaches-supreme-court-to-challenge-retrial-order-in-1-32m-fraud-case/ | 2022-09-01T18:28:43Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/zaura-approaches-supreme-court-to-challenge-retrial-order-in-1-32m-fraud-case/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Land bank opens bids to demolish 2 Zanesville properties
Eight companies bid on the Mosaic and Munson projects
ZANESVILLE − The Muskingum County Land Bank is a step closer to cleaning up two blighted properties in Zanesville.
The former Mosaic Tile factory on Pershing Road and the former Munson Elementary School on Brighton Boulevard will be demolished.
The organization opened bids on Thursday from a total of eight companies, with six bids on the Mosaic property and seven on the Munson property. Five bid on both projects. Two of the bids came in under the land bank's budget, with bids for both projects from Raze International of Shadyside, and SafeCo Environmental Inc, of Dilliner, Pennsylvania.
SafeCo offered a 12% discount if awarded both projects, for a total bid of $2.16 million.
Because of its quasi governmental status, the land bank does not have to award the lowest bid. The land bank board voted to take the bids under advisement and will award a contract during a special meeting, which has not yet been scheduled. Once the contracts are signed, contractors will have nine months to complete the Mosaic project, and six months to complete the Munson project.
SafeCo was responsible for the former Lear property cleanup earlier this year.
The land bank's total budget for the two projects is $2.47 million. The funds come from the state's Brownfield Remediation Program, which is distributing $192 million across 41 counties to clean up former industrial sites during its latest funding cycle.
The Mosaic site consists of a little more than 15 acres, much of which is occupied by a sprawling factory complex that was partially demolished in 2016. The factory itself is made up of several structures built as the tile company expanded over the years. Demolition would flatten the complex, and clean up all subsurface area.
The former Munson Elementary School has been vacant for more than a decade. It was last operated as a school in 2005, and sold by Zanesville City Schools in 2007. The land bank's initial plans called for the building to be repurposed into affordable housing, but early estimates of close to $3 million to refurbish the building quickly climbed to more than $5 million. That put the project out of reach, and the land bank turned toward demolition and redeveloping the land without the former school. They signed a deal with Woda Cooper of Columbus to build a variety of affordable housing on the 1.27 acre property in June. That project is contingent on funding, which is expected to be announced in the coming months.
In other business, the land bank voted to accept a number of properties from the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office. Two, 1437 Ridge Ave and 317-319 Brighton Blvd will be demolished. The rest will be offered for sale for rehabilitation or placed in the land bank's holdings. They include 129 Corwin Ave, minimum bid $14,000; 763 Moxahala Ave, minimum bid $14,000; 1438 Crown St, to land bank; 122 Mead, to land bank; 161 Summit St, Roseville, minimum bid $14,000; 430 Schaum Ave, minimum bid $10,000; and 224 Columbia St, minimum bid $15,750.
The land bank also awarded the bank's executive director Andrew Roberts a $2,400 bonus for what board member Jody Spencer described as "an outstanding job" guiding the land bank through several large projects this year. | https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2022/09/01/land-bank-opens-bids-to-demolish-two-zanesville-properties/65465797007/ | 2022-09-01T18:28:55Z | zanesvilletimesrecorder.com | control | https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2022/09/01/land-bank-opens-bids-to-demolish-two-zanesville-properties/65465797007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Local News Briefs
Leonard L. Hayhurst
Zanesville Times Recorder
West M BOE to meet
ZANESVILLE − The West Muskingum Local Schools Board of Education will meet in regular session at 5 p.m. Sept. 8 in the library of West Muskingum Middle School, 100 Kimes Road.
Zanesville student makes OSU-N dean's list
NEWARK − Aubrey Ferrando-Snode of Zanesville was named to the summer semester dean's list at Ohio State University of Newark.
Mid-East offering free meals
ZANESVILLE − The Mid-East Career and Technology Centers is participating in the USDA funded child and adult care food program for fiscal year 2023 for its early childhood education program and preschool. Participants must meet federal eligibility requirements for free or reduced breakfast and lunches. | https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2022/09/01/local-news-briefs/65466737007/ | 2022-09-01T18:29:01Z | zanesvilletimesrecorder.com | control | https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2022/09/01/local-news-briefs/65466737007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Coloring STL, a 6,000-square-foot interactive and educational exhibit, is on display at the Missouri History Museum.
Guests can color and doodle on more than 50 past and present architectural structures on gallery walls.
The opening reception weekend was hosted on Aug. 20, 2022, and it left quite the impression amongst community members, according to Andrew Wanko, public historian and content lead on the Coloring STL.
“We had a great turnout for opening weekend and erased the wall once because it filled up pretty quickly,” Andrew Wanko, Coloring STL historian and content lead, said.
Landmarks and neighborhood gems including Homer G. Phillips Hospital, the late Annie Malone’s Poro College, Union Station, City Museum are reimagined through visitors’ animation. There is no limit on creative self-expression.
“The idea behind Coloring STL is to celebrate and explore St. Louis architecture in all its shapes, styles, and sizes,” Wanko said.
“We knew architecture would be a huge hit, but we didn’t want to just put a bunch of photos of the buildings on the wall. It wouldn’t have captured the curiosity and fascinations many people have about St. Louis’ environment.”
Coloring STL also features artifacts and information from institutions that no longer stand including the Northland Shopping Center, River Roads Mall, and St. Louis Arena.
“St. Louis malls, including River Roads, became architectural treasures due to the terracotta tiles outside Stix, Baer, and Fuller,” Wanko said.
“There were more than 14,000 mid-century modern geometric tiles outside the mall until it tore down in 2006.”
St. Louis housing developments are another explorable component of Coloring STL.
Wanko said the origins of the city’s common two-family flat households and “gingerbread homes” [houses with swoopy roofs, stone surface, and limestone stain glass windows and arch doorway exteriors] are unique and hold significance.
“St. Louis once had a massive streetcar system, making two-family flats the best of both worlds for people,” he said.
“It was a place where renters could afford their yard, which wasn’t accessible in areas closer to downtown. We have to look at the deeper meaning behind why some of these homes look the way they look, they’re a product of The Great Depression, and that period was the first time architecture was more fantastical with all that was happening in our world.”
The late acclaimed civil rights attorney Frankie Muse Freeman’s daughter, Shelbe Patricia Bullock, told Wanko her mother once lived in a building across the street from Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. It is featured in Coloring STL.
“She said her mom looked out at the cathedral’s dome every time she came to visit her,” Wanko said. “In honor of her mom, she went to the wall and colored the entire dome.”
Lashonda Lockhart and her five children each grabbed a dry erase marker to participate during a recent visit.
Lockhart, who hails from Miami, Florida and moved to St. Louis with her native husband 11 years ago, said she relates most with Union Station and Homer G. Phillips.
“I resonate with Union Station because my sister-in-law works at another hotel and whenever she comes into town, we always stay there to have a ‘staycation,’” Lockhart said.
“I saw a documentary about Homer G. Phillips Hospital and I can only imagine what it must have been like to give birth at that hospital.”
Wanko said he hopes Coloring STL evokes nostalgic memories and teachable history.
“I want this to be a place where memories are made with family and friends,” Wanko said.
“I hope what comes out of the exhibit is people start conversations about why the buildings matter to them and parents can chat with their children about the type of house they were raised in.” | https://www.stlamerican.com/arts_and_entertainment/living_it/paint-the-town/article_920f0af4-266d-11ed-9d90-e74c6a017674.html | 2022-09-01T18:29:06Z | stlamerican.com | control | https://www.stlamerican.com/arts_and_entertainment/living_it/paint-the-town/article_920f0af4-266d-11ed-9d90-e74c6a017674.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
We all have heard the popular expression, “give credit where credit is due.” After hearing numerous critics over the past 18 months, it is refreshing to see President Joe Biden finally getting the credit he deserves for what is one of the most productive starts to a presidential term in recent history.
The Financial Times Associate Editor Ed Luce recently wrote an opinion piece entitled, “The unexpected triumph of Joe Biden: Recent legislative successes suggest a good political system in good working order, but complacency is misplaced.”
Mr. Luce made the case for why President Biden’s star is rising, but warned that despite his impressive legislative record, voters may not give him the credit he deserves because too many people respond more to style than substance. I agree with Mr. Luce’s assessment. Our media-driven culture rates words and deeds that generate headlines over those that make headway. Joe Biden, and those of us who support him, prefer putting people over politics.
When President Biden took office, the country was in the grip of a global pandemic. Businesses were shuttering, schools were closing, and people were dying. The country needed leadership. Unfortunately, we had a show man at the helm when a statesman was needed. Forty-five was pre-occupied with scoring political points and securing media hits. And when voters were given a chance to express themselves, by a margin of nearly seven million votes, they chose statesmanship over showmanship.
Joe Biden was sworn in on January 20, 2021. On that day, the country’s unemployment rate was 6.4 percent. COVID-19 was infecting 193,030 Americans a day and people were dying at a rate of 3,167 a day. From day one, Biden focused on shoring up the shaky foundation left by the previous Administration.
On March 11, 2021, less than two months after he took office, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law. It accelerated the American economic recovery by putting money in people’s pockets, getting children back in school and lifting nearly half of them out of poverty.
The ARP also prevented evictions and foreclosures for millions of America’s families, kept hundreds of large businesses open and reopened thousands of small businesses. It helped stem the deadly rampage of COVID-19 by expanding testing and access to vaccines. Republicans put their politics over people’s needs and voted unanimously against this legislation. Democrats put people over politics and started building a foundation for the country’s recovery.
The second corner of Biden’s foundation came on November 15, 2021, when he signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This legislation made historic investments in our crumbling and outdated infrastructure. It invested in high-speed internet, clean drinking water, a resilient electric grid, replacing lead pipes, making a down payment on clean energy transmission, and charging stations for electric vehicles. These infrastructure investments are creating jobs and strengthening critical links in our supply chain.
During all of this, President Biden nominated the first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court, a Black woman to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, and 26 other Black women to various federal courts, more than the combined total of all previous Presidents.
President Biden continued working, away from public view, to help get the final two corners of his foundation solidified, and on August 9, he signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law. This third corner of his platform restores America’s standing as a global science and technology leader by providing the resources and tools needed to make more products like semiconductor chips here at home. It will create good-paying jobs, invest in building a more diverse workforce, and bolster our supply chains.
The fourth and final corner of the Biden platform, the Inflation Reduction Act, passed the Congress with every Democrat voting for it, and every Republican voting against it. Under this new law, signed by President Biden on August 16, Medicare recipients will see their out-of-pocket prescription drugs capped at $2,000 annually and their cost of insulin capped at $35 monthly. It reduces the cost of health care for 13 million Americans by extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies for more than three years with an average savings of $800 per year. The new law includes provisions to increase taxes on corporations, address climate change, and decrease the prices of prescription drugs.
The IRA will help cut climate pollution by 40 percent by 2030, while building a new, clean energy economy and creating nine million new jobs. It invests in environmental justice by cleaning up legacy pollution most often found in communities of color and provides tax credits to ensure nuclear energy producers can continue to provide clean energy for consumers. The IRA will require corporations to pay a minimum tax of 15 percent and reduce the deficit by $300 billion over the next decade.
As Mr. Luce warns us, “complacency is misplaced.” Voters should see this “good political system in good working order” as motivation to go to the polls to support more positive progress. President Biden is finally getting some of the credit he is due. And he and my fellow Democrats will continue putting the American people over partisan politics.
Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC), is House Majority Whip | https://www.stlamerican.com/news/editorials/president-biden-deserves-credit-not-complacency/article_6d5b0e6a-29ec-11ed-a4d4-57c5133b18bb.html | 2022-09-01T18:29:12Z | stlamerican.com | control | https://www.stlamerican.com/news/editorials/president-biden-deserves-credit-not-complacency/article_6d5b0e6a-29ec-11ed-a4d4-57c5133b18bb.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
featured
National Sports
Serena Williams advances to U.S. Open third round
- Earl Austin Jr. | The St. Louis American
- Updated
- 0
The biggest going away party in sports today is going on this week at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, N.Y. and Serena Williams is not in a hurry to see it end any time soon.
The iconic tennis star recently announced that the U.S. Open will be her final competition of her storied career that has spanned four decades. Williams finds herself in the third round after winning her first two matches of the tournament. On Monday night, she defeated Danka Kovinic' in the first round in straight sets.
On Wednesday night, Williams came back to upset No. 2 seed Anett Kontaviet in a thrilling three-set match, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. Williams will play Ajla Tomlmanovic in her third-round match on Friday night. She is also competing in the doubles tournament one final time with her sister Venus. The Williams sisters will take the court on Thursday in doubles play.
In addition to Williams' stellar play in the early rounds, the event has turned into one big celebration to honor one of the biggest stars in the history of sports. The crowds have been loud and electric while A-List celebrities from entertainment, sports and politics have come out in droves to support Serena. The roll call of celebrities include Spike Lee, Tiger Woods, Queen Latifah, Bill Clinton, Dionne Warwick, Mike Tyson, Anthony Anderson, Gladys Knight along with fellow tennis icons Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova.
After her first-round match, there was a special ceremony held on the court that featured a highlight film that was narrated by Oprah Winfrey. The post-match interview was conducted by Gayle King of CBS News.
Williams, 40, won the first of her 23 Grand Slam tournament championships at the U.S. Open in 1999.
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Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. | https://www.stlamerican.com/sports/national_sports/serena-williams-advances-to-u-s-open-third-round/article_0595403e-2a05-11ed-b2a8-1b8c659bd3e1.html | 2022-09-01T18:29:19Z | stlamerican.com | control | https://www.stlamerican.com/sports/national_sports/serena-williams-advances-to-u-s-open-third-round/article_0595403e-2a05-11ed-b2a8-1b8c659bd3e1.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House counsel under former President Donald Trump and his top deputy are set to appear Friday before a federal grand jury investigating efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.
Pat Cipollone was the top White House lawyer at the end of the Trump administration as Trump and outside allies pressed for ways to overturn the results of the election, culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Cipollone vigorously resisted efforts to undo the election and has said he did not believe there was sufficient fraud to have affected the outcome of the race won by Democrat Joe Biden.
He and Patrick Philbin, a deputy White House counsel also set to appear before the grand jury, have already cooperated with a separate House committee probe investigating the Jan. 6 attack and attempts to subvert the election.
The person who confirmed their appearance before the grand jury was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. ABC News was first to report the appearance. Spokespeople for the Justice Department declined to comment.
The scheduled grand jury appearances underscore how Justice Department officials examining schemes to overturn the presidential contest have been seeking the cooperation of senior White House officials and advisers who opposed those efforts.
Federal prosecutors have been especially focused on a scheme by Trump allies to elevate fake electors in key battleground states won by Biden as a way to subvert the vote. They have issued subpoenas in recent weeks to multiple state Republican Party chairmen.
Portions of Cipollone’s private interview to the House Jan. 6 committee were featured prominently in hearings over the summer. Lawmakers aired video clips of him discussing a heated December 2020 meeting at the White House during which outside aides and advisers to Trump discussed a proposed executive order calling for the seizure of voting machines.
“To have the federal government seize voting machines? That’s a terrible idea for the country. That’s not how we do things in the United States,” Cipollone testified, adding, “I don’t understand why we even have to tell you why that’s a bad idea for the country.”
____
Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP | https://www.wspa.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-lawyers-in-trump-white-house-to-appear-before-1-6-grand-jury/ | 2022-09-01T18:30:19Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-lawyers-in-trump-white-house-to-appear-before-1-6-grand-jury/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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