text stringlengths 46 525k | url stringlengths 24 420 | crawl_date timestamp[us, tz=UTC]date 2022-04-01 00:01:42 2022-09-25 07:27:13 | id stringlengths 24 420 | label bool 2
classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(The Hill) — When California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a bold, in-your-face ad in Florida this week, Democrats thirsty for an aggressive voice in their party began to take notice.
“Democrats have been wanting someone who is willing to proactively throw a punch or two at Republicans and we haven’t seen much of that from the White House or other Democratic leaders lately,” said one top donor in the party. “It was somewhat refreshing.”
The spot, which aired on Fox News programming across Florida on Monday, went after former President Donald Trump and Fla. Gov. Ron Desantis and the conservative culture of the Sunshine State.
The ad was aimed at hitting Republicans, but it got the attention of Democrats who are worried about who could take on Trump or DeSantis — two likely prospects for the Republican nomination — in 2024 if President Biden chooses not to seek a second term.
It was particularly resonant in taking on DeSantis in his home state of Florida, which has been tilting toward the GOP but was won twice by former President Barack Obama.
“It’s Independence Day, so let’s talk about what’s going on it America,” Newsom says in the ad. “Freedom, it’s under attack in your state. Republican leaders, they’re banning books, making it harder to vote, restricting speech in classrooms, even criminalizing women and doctors.
“I urge all of you living in Florida to join the fight, or join us in California, where we still believe in freedom — freedom of speech, freedom to choose, freedom from hate and the freedom to love,” he concludes.
Newsom’s punch might have been particularly welcome to Democrats given the rough year they are having.
Just last month, a conservative-majority Supreme Court with three justices nominated by Trump overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, effectively outlawing abortion in a number of states.
That thunderbolt happened amid a stretch of other decisions touching on gun rights, religious freedom and climate change that were all bad from the point of view of the left.
Democrats have also been incensed by the lack of a message or strategy coming from the White House, particularly on the abortion issue.
Newsom hasn’t been at the top of 2024 lists should Biden not run for a second term, but that started to shift with the ad.
Nathan Click, Newsom’s political spokesman, said in an email that the governor “believes now is not the time for Democrats to roll over and accept defeat.
“Now is the time for Democrats to fight,” Click said. “It’s about taking the fight to the GOP and calling them out for taking away Americans’ freedoms.”
Newsom, who is up for reelection in California this year, started fundraising off the ad earlier this week.
He also got Democrats talking about how to be effective in their messaging when targeting Republicans.
“I like it,” Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey said when asked by CNN’s Brianna Keilar what he thought of Newsom’s ad.
“I think we need to stand up and be counted and make sure we remind folks around the country, if you value values come to states like New Jersey and I suspect that’s exactly what Gov. Newsom has in mind in terms of California’s values,” Murphy said.
Political observers point out that Newsom and DeSantis have been targeting one another since the start of the pandemic when the Florida governor criticized California’s policies. But Newsom cranked it up several notches with the ad.
Chris Lehane, a longtime Democratic strategist who is based in California and has known Newsom for years, credited the governor for the move.
“It’s an opening for the California brand and his own brand too,” Lehane said. “It’s just smart politics.”
“Obviously he’s a really smart guy,” he added. “It’s not lost on him that people on the Democratic side are looking for leaders and it’s something Democrats will take note of.”
There are certainly doubts about Newsom, who was the subject of a recall effort in the state less than a year ago.
The Los Angeles Times ran a column Thursday with the headline, “Ignore the Noise. Here’s why Gavin Newsom is not running for president in 2024.”
In the piece, veteran political journalist Mark Z. Barabak noted that Newsom is simply “getting people to notice him” maybe not for 2024 but further down the road.
Barabak said he wouldn’t run against Biden if he chose to run and has “indicated to those around him he has no intention of challenging [Vice President] Harris if she were to run in 2024, which is probably wise.”
“Taking the nomination away from a sitting vice president would also pose a steep challenge.”
Cooper Teboe, a Democratic strategist based in California, said that Newsom’s move does tap into a party that is craving a certain brashness and leaders in the party who aren’t afraid to get in the faces of Republicans.
“Democrats are looking for a fighter whose anger matches the injustices that we’re currently seeing out of Washington,” Teboe said.
But more importantly, he said voters are also looking for someone to take on more than just the culture wars in the country, especially at a time when many Americans are feeling an economic strain.
“Voters are struggling. They’re hearing about layoffs, and they don’t know how they’re going to put food on the table or buy shoes for back to school,” he said. “They need an economic message.”
Other Democrats say Newsom’s ad shoed that the party should enlist a variety of people in their party — and not just Biden— to highlight their messaging across various platforms.
Democratic strategist Rodell Mollineau said Newsom, “can do and say things that quite frankly Biden can’t.”
“We should embrace that we have multiple talented spokespeople in the party who I would hope could work together to craft a narrative that is going to take hold in this country and not only bring Democrats together but show the delineation between Democrats and Republicans,” Mollineau said. “This does not need to come from the White House or one man. That’s why I think what Gov. Newsom is doing should be welcomed. It shouldn’t be seen as an either-or proposition.”
Mollineau said he wouldn’t speculate on what it meant for Newsom’s political prospects.
“As far as I know, President Biden will be running for reelection, and I would expect Gov. Newsom to be one of his big supporters,” he said. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/gavin-newsom-punches-gop-to-democratic-applause/ | 2022-07-08T16:36:30Z | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/gavin-newsom-punches-gop-to-democratic-applause/ | true |
PHOENIX (AP) — A massive expansion of Arizona’s private school voucher system awaits Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s expected signatures as he faces a Thursday deadline and a promised effort by public school advocates to block the bill he backs and ask voters to erase it during November’s election.
The expansion Ducey is certain to sign will allow every parent in Arizona take public money now sent to the K-12 public school system and use it to pay for their children’s private school tuition or other education costs.
An estimated 60,000 current private students and about 38,000 being homeschooled would immediately be eligible to take up to $7,000 per year, although a small number currently get vouchers. All 1.1 million students who attend traditional district and charter schools would also qualify to leave their public schools and get money to go to private schools. About a third already qualify, but only about 12,000 students statewide now use the system.
Arizona has the most expansive education options in the nation, and Ducey has championed “school choice” during his eight years in office. He signed a universal voucher expansion in 2017 with enrollment caps that was referred to the ballot by a grassroots group called Save Our Schools Arizona.
Voters soundly rejected the expansion by a 2-to-1 vote in the 2018 election, but advocates of what are formally called “Empowerment Scholarship Accounts” pushed ahead with new expansions anyway. The universal voucher bill passed with only support from majority Republican lawmakers in the legislative session that ended early on June 25.
Save Our Schools Arizona Executive Director Beth Lewis said her group will immediately file to refer the law to the ballot under a provision of the Arizona Constitution that allows for opponents of new laws to collect signatures of 5% of eligible voters and block it until the next general election.
In this case, they will need to collect nearly 119,000 valid signatures, and proponents usually add a 25% cushion. They need to have those collected and turned in to the Secretary of State by late September to prevent the law from taking effect and put it on the November ballot.
“I have every confidence that we’re going to be able to refer HB2853,” Lewis said in an interview. “Our network of volunteers across the state are pumped and ready.”
Lewis and other public school advocates say vouchers take money from an already underfunded public school system, while proponents herald the program as letting parents choose the best education for their children.
Lewis said the price tag of the new voucher law could take away more than the new school funding lawmakers added this year, which neared $1 billion in ongoing and one-time cash.
“In a nutshell, this bill will siphon upwards of $1 billion from public schools every single year to unaccountable private academies, micro schools and homeschools,” Lewis said. “And we simply can’t let that happen.”
Many of the students in the voucher program are disabled. By adding current private and home-schooled students, she said anywhere from $400 million to $600 million would be “going out the window like overnight, with automatic eligibility on September 26.”
The Legislature’s budget analysts put the expansion costs much lower, at $125 million in two years, but acknowledge the figures are highly speculative and based on new costs, not the losses from public schools. Many private school students get money from a tax credit program, but those payments average much less than vouchers, so many are likely to switch.
Ducey has been touting the expansion on social media in the past two weeks. He said in an interview Wednesday on KTAR radio that the measure will put parents in charge of their children’s education.
“Now parents will have availability (of) up to $7,000 to educate their child whether that’s a tutor, textbook, tuition, whatever’s in the interest of the child,” he told KTAR’s Mike Broomhead. ‘We’re the No. 1 state in the nation for this educational freedom, other states are going to be following us.
“And this is a way to truly reform K-12 education to focus on math, reading, science. American civics, character formation,” Ducey said. “It’s all there and Arizona’s going to lead the nation.”
The voucher law contains no accountability provisions like testing that a few Republicans had sought. There’s also limited oversight of the funds distributed.
The program only applied to students with disabilities when it began in 2011 but has been greatly expanded over the years to cover many others, including students living on American Indian reservations, attending low-performing public schools and other groups.
Parents get 90% of the state funds that normally go to their local public school to use for private school tuition and other education costs. Disabled students can receive up to $40,000 for specialized therapy. | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/arizona-governor-faces-universal-school-vouchers-challenge/ | 2022-07-08T16:37:14Z | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/arizona-governor-faces-universal-school-vouchers-challenge/ | true |
NEW YORK (AP) — Hours after a gunman killed seven people at a July 4th parade in suburban Chicago, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker tapped into the frustration of many fellow Democrats at the seeming inability of the U.S. to curb gun violence.
“If you’re angry today, I’m here to tell you: Be angry. I’m furious,” Pritzker said.
But at the White House, President Joe Biden was more focused on reassurance than anger.
“I know it can be exhausting and unsettling,” he said, adding that “we’re going to get through all of this.”
In a summer marked by anger among Democrats over a string of mass shootings and the Supreme Court’s decision to strip women of the constitutional right to an abortion, several governors, including Pritzker, are emerging as the party’s leading voices of outrage. Their willingness to speak — and act — in aggressive terms stands in contrast to Biden, who is coming under growing criticism from some Democrats for lacking a sufficiently robust response to what some in his party see as existential threats.
Some Democrats warn that the lack of a strong response will be a problem if the party hopes to turn out enough voters to maintain their narrow grip on Congress in the fall midterm elections.
“The people that you’re telling to vote aren’t going to listen until we prove that we are handling this moment with urgency,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said in an interview, referring to the party generally. “We have a lot of tools at our disposal, I think we have a lot of assets at our disposal, and we have to use them.”
Facing pressure to be more forceful, Biden will take executive action on Friday to protect access to abortion, the White House said.
But in this moment, governors may have unique tools that are more conducive to swift action than the president. Well positioned heading into the fall campaign and presiding over statehouses where Democrats are in control, Pritzker and Govs. Kathy Hochul of New York and Gavin Newsom of California have wide latitude.
In New York, for instance, Hochul was undeterred by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a state law and allowed most people to carry a handgun for personal protection. She called a special session last week in which lawmakers passed new measures limiting where those licensed to have guns can carry them and toughening rules for obtaining the permits. The regulations include a novel requirement to screen applicants’ social media accounts for threats.
“They may think they can change our lives with the stroke of a pen, but we have pens too,” Hochul said defiantly of the Supreme Court’s gun ruling.
In Illinois, Pritzker has said he would convene a special legislative session in coming weeks, with support of Democratic legislative leaders, to “more firmly protect” abortion rights and address some of the challenges the state faces as one of the few places in the Midwest where abortion remains legal.
Abortion rights will be on the California ballot in November, after legislators with Newsom’s blessing agreed last month to place a proposal before voters that would guarantee a right to an abortion in the state constitution. The constitutional amendment is certain to drive turnout on both sides of the debate.
Newsom has been especially vocal in rallying against the repeal of abortion rights even before the Supreme Court ruled. When a draft Supreme Court opinion surfaced in May suggesting the conservative majority was poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, he delivered a withering critique of the national party, suggesting it was suffering from collective lethargy.
“Where is the Democratic Party?” he asked at the time, without naming anyone specifically but appearing to exclude Biden from criticism. “Why aren’t we standing up more firmly? More resolutely? Why aren’t we calling this out?”
With just a tenuous grip on Congress, however, Biden can’t move legislation quickly. And even criticizing Republicans could be politically dangerous if he needs their support on key votes.
“Forcefully calling out the other side isn’t a luxury he has if he wants to get anything done the rest of the year on anything,” said Democratic strategist Joe Trippi. “If you’re Gavin Newsom, whose votes are you going to lose in the state senate or California assembly?”
The White House insists Biden isn’t backing away from a fight. In a passionate prime-time speech last month, he lamented that gun violence had turned schools, supermarkets and other everyday places into “killing fields” and asked, “How much more carnage are we willing to accept?”
Shortly after the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling, Biden called the decision the “realization of an extreme ideology and a tragic error.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that “you will hear more from him” on issues including abortion as she underscored the administration’s central message that winning the midterms is the best path forward.
“The president has been very clear that he’s going to do everything he can, that he has the legal authority to do, from here in the executive side,” she said. “But we believe and he believes that the way that Roe goes into law or gets codified is if Congress acts. … And so we have to continue to use our political capital, if you will, to fight as hard as we can. And to make sure we do the work that we need to have pro-choice congressional members.”
Still, Biden is turning to governors. He convened a virtual roundtable last Friday with Pritzker, Hochul and seven other Democratic governors to discuss what steps were being taken in their states to protect abortion rights.
Biden reiterated that his administration will protect the rights of women to travel to other states for abortion services and ensure that abortion medication is available as widely as possible. But he acknowledged he didn’t have votes in the U.S. Senate for more sweeping actions and laid out the stakes for November’s elections and the need to increase Democrats’ majorities.
“In the meantime, I want to hear what the governors are doing,” he said.
With their reelections essentially secure, the aggressive action from some of the governors is sparking speculation about potential future presidential campaigns.
Pritzker, a billionaire businessman seeking his second term, raised chatter about a possible presidential bid when he spoke last month at the state Democratic party convention in New Hampshire, one of the early presidential nominating states. He has said he is focused on his job as governor and his reelection bid.
Newsom drew even more attention by running a television ad on Independence Day in Florida that was critical of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate. In the ad, which features images of DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, Newsom warns viewers that “freedom is under attack in your state.”
“I urge all of you living in Florida to join the fight. Or join us in California, where we still believe in freedom — freedom of speech, freedom to choose, freedom from hate and the freedom to love,” Newsom said.
___
Associated Press writers Sara Burnett in Chicago and Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles contributed to this report. | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/governors-offer-democrats-aggressive-reply-on-guns-abortion/ | 2022-07-08T16:37:41Z | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/governors-offer-democrats-aggressive-reply-on-guns-abortion/ | true |
Govee Features Cool Smart Lights with its RGBIC, Envisual, and DreamView Technologies
HONG KONG, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With an influx of summer movies and TV shows coming out, it is time to take the home entertainment system to the next level and enjoy an immersive viewing experience. During Prime Day 2022 on July 12 and July 13, Govee, with its leading RGBIC technology, is featuring some cool entertainment lights.
Govee TV Backlights supercharge any home entertainment system with its Envisual technology if users are tired of common TV backlights. The intelligent camera captures the color onscreen and automatically applies it to the backlights, making the colors pop out of the screen. The TV backlight has been upgraded with the white balance function to deliver more accurate colors. Instead of purchasing the sync box and backlights separately, users can grab this all-in-one solution to explore beyond the universe and discover vibrant fantasy worlds through VOD and every streaming platform.
To further extend the visuals a little way from the back of the TV, Govee Glide Hexa Light Panels are recommended for more inspiration. While some lights can only display one color on a panel at a time, Govee Glide Hexa brings the vision to life by selecting multiple colors on every panel simultaneously. Dance to the beat and deliver a more ultra-smooth flowing or gradient lighting experience.
Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light is flexible in creating masterful lighting effects for vibrant walls that complement home decor. Whether placed above, around or on the wall away from the TV, it unveils a unique visual masterpiece with unlimited DIY options. With 16 million color options, users can turn up the color in the TV room and enjoy the nostalgic neon glow of the rope light.
All these products support Govee's DreamView technology. Users can set up the lights above with DreamView to transport the entire room to a galaxy of lighting, get the home theater ready for fully immersive entertainment.
Govee's Best Prime Day deals will start on July 12th with up to 40% off. For users, this is once-a-year opportunity to upgrade their home entertainment. Now, users can add them to their carts on Govee's Amazon Store.
About Govee
Since November 2017, Govee has created cutting-edge lighting and home products for consumers from around the world. We are committed to upholding the highest standards in quality for our smart home technology. Our products are consistently rated as Amazon's Choice with highly-rated reviews from our consumers. The Govee Home App, our corresponding app for all of our products, has a growing community of over 10 million registered users. We have also received rave reviews from trusted publications such as Make Use Of and Android Authority. For more information, please visit our website at govee.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE GOVEE MOMENTS LIMITED | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/upgrade-home-entertainment-system-with-govee-immersive-summer-premieres/ | 2022-07-08T16:37:57Z | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/upgrade-home-entertainment-system-with-govee-immersive-summer-premieres/ | false |
A look at what’s happening around the majors Friday:
___
CONNECT FOUR
The last time Philadelphia right-hander Kyle Gibson faced the St. Louis Cardinals, they hit four consecutive home runs off him in the first inning.
Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez and Dylan Carson went deep in succession Saturday, the first time in major league history a team homered four straight times in the first inning.
The Cardinals tied the MLB record for any inning with those four in a row. It was the first time they had done it, and the 11th time overall in big league history.
Arenado also hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth inning of that game to power the Cardinals to a 7-6 win — one day after he hit for the cycle in a loss at Philadelphia.
Gibson (4-3, 4.91 ERA) will try to turn the tables in St. Louis when he faces Adam Wainwright (6-6, 3.26). The Phillies have a slugger of their own who has been on a home run tear lately in Kyle Schwarber. He leads the NL with 27 longballs.
YOUTH NOT WASTED
Two of baseball’s most talented young hitters are on display in Seattle when rookie phenom Julio Rodríguez and the Mariners host Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 21-year-old Rodríguez was the AL rookie of the month for May and June, and the AL player of the week last week. He’s the first player in major league history to have 15 homers, 15 doubles and 20 stolen bases in the first 81 games of his career.
The 23-year-old Guerrero is enjoying another outstanding season at the plate after finishing runner-up for AL MVP last year when he led the league in homers, runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.
TESTS QUESTIONED
New York Mets right-hander Chris Bassitt felt sluggish for one day and ended up on the COVID-19 list for a week — and now he has regrets about how he handled the situation.
Bassitt said Thursday he “probably won’t” inform team and Major League Baseball officials if he feels COVID-19 symptoms in the future and that MLB should “just stop testing.”
He said he was fine the day after he informed the team about feeling a little run down but still had to miss a start.
“I guess the answer is I never should have said anything,” he said.
FIFTY SHADES
It’s a same-name matchup in Texas, where the pitcher’s mound will be a Gray area, so to speak. Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.47 ERA) starts for the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins against Jon Gray (4-4, 3.96) and the Rangers, who have lost four straight.
Both teams were off Thursday. Texas, which is 4-17 in one-run games, just got swept in Baltimore — the first three-game sweep this season for the last-place Orioles.
NEXT STEP
Mets ace Jacob deGrom is scheduled to make his second minor league rehab start after an encouraging performance in the first one.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner struck out five of his six batters and threw 18 of 24 pitches for strikes Sunday night with Class A St. Lucie against the Jupiter Hammerheads. He hit 100 mph on the radar gun several times.
The right-hander hasn’t pitched in the majors since July 7 last year and isn’t expected back in the Mets’ rotation until after the All-Star break. He missed the second half of 2021 with right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow, then has been sidelined this season by a stress reaction in his right scapula that caused inflammation.
RAY MATTER
Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (9-3, 1.74 ERA) looks to build on his excellent first half when he faces the last-place Reds in Cincinnati. Tampa Bay was off Thursday after winning two of three against AL East rival Boston at Fenway Park. Luis Castillo (3-4, 3.09), a prime trade candidate ahead of the Aug. 2 deadline, starts for Cincinnati.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/leading-off-gibson-dealt-cards-again-gray-area-in-texas/ | 2022-07-08T16:40:38Z | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/leading-off-gibson-dealt-cards-again-gray-area-in-texas/ | true |
What's happening in Parliament next week?
Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary correspondent
- Published
Even before the fall of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, this looked like a pretty bumpy week in the House of Commons with some difficult legislation due for detailed scrutiny.
Now there's a new set of ministers dealing with much of it and a leadership contest under way, with intense scrutiny on candidates declared and undeclared.
There will also be a new vibe at Prime Minister's Questions as the newly cleared Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer squares up to continuity PM Boris Johnson, perhaps with some putative successors to the Tory crown trying to muscle in on the action.
Labour are planning to put down a motion of no confidence in the government to try to push Mr Johnson out immediately.
They argue he should not be performing the normal transition role until a new PM is chosen - a process expected to take several weeks, even if the timings are telescoped a bit. But the motion won't pass unless a fair number of Conservatives support it, which looks unlikely.
Windfall tax
Monday's main action is the rushing through of all stages of the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill - also known as the windfall tax. There are already some clues about the kind of amendments opposition MPs might attempt to pass.
The Liberal Democrats want the levy backdated to October 24 2021, the Green MP Caroline Lucas wants the rate set at 30%, and Labour's Dan Carden wants a rate of 55% on above-average profits.
And watch out too for a spat around the snappily titled: "Debate on motions relating to the liability of trade unions in proceedings in Tort (Increase of limits on damages) Order, and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations".
This may sound very technical, but it's about allowing agency staff to take the place of striking rail workers.
Online safety
Tuesday's main event will be the first of two days of report stage consideration of the Online Safety Bill (the second day is July 20). The former digital minister Chris Philp, who resigned in the recent convulsions, will not now be batting for the government, after months honing the bill into its current form.
His replacement is Matt Warman, a former Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport minister who was in charge of earlier incarnations of the bill, which is just as well because its proposals are so complex and ground-breaking that ministers can't just read themselves into it over a weekend.
And when you add in the point that many of the issues and proposed amendments cut across party lines, at a time when Conservative party discipline is weak, there's a very real prospect of amendments being passed in the teeth of government opposition.
And there are plenty of them - watch out for Margaret Hodge on making directors of online platforms personally liable for harmful content; she argues that is the most effective way to push them into action.
Veteran Tory David Davis is pushing an amendment on "legal but harmful" content, and Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Chair Julian Knight wants to reduce ministers' power over the codes of conduct, which will designate what is and is not harmful content.
That is followed by a debate on the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster, the multi-billion pound revamp of Parliament's Victorian home.
Commons Leader Mark Spencer wants to scrap the "sponsor body" which was set up to oversee the project on behalf of Parliament. But opponents warn this will further delay already overdue works, and increase the risk of a catastrophic fire or other disaster.
It's not a done deal that the plans will go through on the nod (as House business, they're not supposed to be whipped) and I'm told interest in the issue is rising - as demonstrated by an uptick in MPs asking for a tour of Parliament's basement, which is a pipe-choked, wiring-strewn danger zone.
In other times,this might be a more fraught debate, but at the moment I doubt most MPs have the headspace, especially at the fag-end of a torpid Commons Tuesday.
NI Protocol
On Wednesday, the main Commons debate will be on committee consideration of the NI Protocol Bill (this is the first of three days of detailed debate, which continue on July 18 and 19).
Justice Select Committee Chair Sir Bob Neill is proposing a classic Brexit-era amendment to require parliamentary approval for bringing the legislation into force, on the basis that it grants ministers extraordinary powers.
The SDLP's Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna want those powers exercised "only after good faith negotiations with the EU have been exhausted and only with the approval of both Houses of Parliament". And there's a further amendment on the role of the Northern Ireland Assembly backed by the SDLP, the Lib Dems and the Alliance Party.
Educational poverty
Thursday sees Education Select Committee Chair Robert Halfon deliver a short statement on his committee's latest report - Educational poverty: how children in residential care have been let down and what to do about it. He will have a few minutes to take questions from MPs.
Then the main debates are on two subjects chosen by the Backbench Business Committee - the Srebrenica genocide, and protecting and restoring nature at the UN Biodiversity conference, COP15, which opens in China in October.
Commons private members bills are back (from 09:30) on Friday, starting with the second reading of SNP's Stuart C McDonald's Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill, followed by the Conservative Dean Russell's Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill.
Committees
The week's committee action includes Transport calling in RMT leader Mick Lynch to talk about rail strikes and the prospects for negotiations with the train operating companies and Network Rail. He'll be followed by rail company negotiators (Wednesday 09:30).
Home Secretary Priti Patel will be before Home Affairs to talk about public confidence in policing, violence against women and girls, drugs policy, Windrush and Home Office culture, asylum and immigration, and problems at the Passport Office (Wednesday 10:00).
Treasury will question Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey on the UK's economic outlook (Monday 15:15).
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major is before Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs to talk about standards in public life (Tuesday 11:00).
Health and Social Care quizzes Patient Safety and Primary Care Minister Maria Caulfield in the final session of its inquiry into the future of general practice (Tuesday 11:05).
Lords
Lords action looks pretty humdrum, but keep an eye on the first report stage debate on the Schools Bill (Tuesday).
Education Minister Baroness Barran was forced to promise extensive changes after a cross-party alliance of peers made it clear they were very unhappy about proposed new powers over the running of academies, among other issues.
On Friday, there's another set of private members bills - laws proposed by individual peers.
The list includes the second readings of the Domestic Premises (Electrical Safety Certificate) Bill from the Lib Dem Lord Foster of Bath, the Healthy Homes Bill from the crossbencher or independent peer Lord Crisp, and the Lib Dem Lord Redesdale's Climate and Ecology Bill. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62098261 | 2022-07-08T16:42:10Z | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62098261 | true |
Item A on next British PM's agenda: inflation crisis
Issued on:
London (AFP) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is in suspended animation, including on economic policy, just as a cost-of-living crisis worsens for millions of Britons.
But tax cuts are inevitable under a new leader, to confront the financial pain that is rapidly spreading in the world's fifth-largest economy, analysts say.
Low taxes are an article of faith for the Conservative rank and file who will elect Johnson's successor in the coming months, after he announced his resignation as party leader on Thursday.
"The cost-of-living crisis is forefront of voters' minds," Hargreaves Lansdown economist Sarah Coles told AFP.
"A new leader will have to provide effective support for those who are facing the toughest challenges, or they risk being punished at the ballot box," she said.
Johnson was expressing defiance as late as Wednesday night, when aides said that he was planning a tax-cutting statement next week with his new finance minister, Nadhim Zahawi.
The resignation statement put paid to that plan.
Johnson's new-look cabinet appointed Thursday agreed that "major fiscal decisions should be left for the next prime minister", Downing Street said.
Zahawi's predecessor Rishi Sunak quit on Tuesday along with Johnson's health minister, sparking an exodus of other ministers fed up with his premiership's many scandals.
Sunak had sought to prioritise balancing the books after spending billions on Britain's costly Covid support measures.
He had ramped up taxation on corporate profits, and on paid employment, in order to help pay the pandemic bill and fund elderly social care.
But Britons, like others in many countries, are also grappling with soaring consumer prices fuelled partly by fallout from Russia's war on Ukraine, which has destabilised energy markets.
UK inflation sits at a 40-year peak, driven also by elevated food prices, and is tipped to hit double figures soon with the average domestic energy bill set to top £3,000 ($3,600) a year.
Heat or eat
Many Britons say that this winter, they will have to choose between heating or eating.
The nation also faces nationwide strikes -- particularly in the transport sector -- as the purchasing power of wages is rapidly eroded.
The next Conservative premier will therefore face a challenge to survive beyond the next general election, when this parliament's term ends in late 2024.
But first they must win over the Tory grassroots.
"Johnson's replacement will probably have to show some intention of cutting taxes in order to be voted in by Conservative party members," agreed Capital Economics analyst Kieran Tompkins.
Added to the gloom, the Bank of England warns that the economic outlook at home and abroad has deteriorated due to the high inflation.
The BoE has ramped up interest rates five times since December to tackle inflation -- but this also lifts loan repayments such as mortgages, and has further stretched household budgets.
Some economists warn that tax cuts, while stimulating consumer demand and economic growth, could fuel the inflationary price pressures.
"Tax cuts are a staple Conservative policy and can be a vote-winner, although on this occasion care may be needed," cautioned AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
UK businesses also face fallout from Britain's departure from the European Union, as well as a global supply-chain crunch and staff shortages as demand picks up after the pandemic.
"Tax cuts won't help those and could make them worse, fuelling inflation and forcing the Bank of England to increase interest rates faster and further," said Mould.
The government's fiscal spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, this week added to doubts about the wisdom of any sharp reduction in taxes.
The OBR warned that Britain's public finances were "on an unsustainable path in the long term".
© 2022 AFP | https://www.rfi.fr/en/business-and-tech/20220708-item-a-on-next-british-pm-s-agenda-inflation-crisis | 2022-07-08T16:42:39Z | https://www.rfi.fr/en/business-and-tech/20220708-item-a-on-next-british-pm-s-agenda-inflation-crisis | false |
MONTGOMERY, W.Va., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the 13th Circuit Court of West Virginia ruling against HOPE Scholarship on June 6th, Montgomery Preparatory Academy (MPA) has picked up the torch to support the future of education for West Virginia's youth. MPA's President, Daniel Puder, a longtime youth advocate and Undefeated Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter, has committed to fully sponsor students who have already enrolled as well as other students and families who want a chance to take back control of their education. Therefore, MPA will be offering 25 FULL SCHOLARSHIPS for families for students grades 6-12 who would like an alternative to public schooling. MPA is determined to set a new standard in education for our state by offering a unique private school option that is Global Cognia/SACS/CASI Accredited.
Although this injunction is an obstacle, this is also an opportunity for families throughout West Virginia to stand united for school choice and remove the stigma that private schools are only for the wealthy. The past two years, today's youth are emerging from the largest worldwide pandemic which has been extremely detrimental to their learning progress and has created mental health issues. MPA wants to provide an educational option to the youth of West Virginia despite the egregious injunction imposed by the Judge on the HOPE scholarship. This injunction will negatively affect the education of thousands of West Virginia youths if it is carried out. Daniel Puder is determined to change the system and create an option that best serves students and families. His personal experience in school of being labeled as learning disabled and bullied is what drives him. This HOPE scholarship is providing great hope for families, and we are committed to the future of education in the great state of West Virginia. We will be opening the doors of Montgomery Prep Academy with or without the HOPE scholarship funding August 22, 2022.
We encourage families to contact us for more information to get their student(s) enrolled for this coming school year!
"This injunction saddens me, and our team is committed to supporting the families of West Virginia." ~Daniel Puder
View original content:
SOURCE My Life My Power World Inc. | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/montgomery-preparatory-academy-steps-up-school-choice-by-offering-25-full-scholarships/ | 2022-07-08T16:42:43Z | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/montgomery-preparatory-academy-steps-up-school-choice-by-offering-25-full-scholarships/ | true |
PHILADELPHIA, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "In 2008, I brought the "Power of Red" from the highly successful Commerce Bank to Republic Bank. At the time CEO of Republic Harry Madonna heralded my arrival at Republic First Bancorp, saying my record of innovation, customer service brand building and shareholder value creation would result in Republic becoming a major regional commercial and retail bank with a unique brand.
I'm proud to say that the "Power of Red" delivered.
During the next 14 years, the Republic team forged a path of sustained success – growing assets sevenfold, attracting a highly talented leadership team and relieving it of the regulatory challenges. We truly served the people of our region and Forbes rated Republic Bank the #1 bank for customer service in America. And, when small businesses needed us here at home, we stepped up and became one of the largest providers of PPP loans in the country. Importantly, we also served the interests of shareholders by delivering consistently strong results.
Unfortunately, the recent passing of long-serving and dedicated Republic Director Ted Flocco and the decision Wednesday by the U.S Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit have allowed four members of the board of directors to seize unfettered control of Republic First Bancorp and has given me no choice but to resign as chief executive officer. I made this decision reluctantly, as the actions of this faction of the board show they are serving their own narrow interests instead of those of the shareholders.
When I leave Republic First Bancorp as CEO, I will be proud of all that was accomplished during my tenure. I am especially grateful to the talented team that we were able to attract to the bank. I'm also secure in the knowledge that I always acted in the best interests of shareholders, customers and employees, and I would like to personally thank all those who made this success happen."
View original content:
SOURCE Vernon Hill | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/statement-vernon-hill/ | 2022-07-08T16:43:15Z | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/statement-vernon-hill/ | false |
GAGETOWN, Mich. (AP) — A man helping with a church food drive in Michigan's Thumb region struck and killed his 80-year-old wife outside the church with an SUV as the couple was preparing to leave, police said.
Michigan State Police said the 82-year-old Cass City man fatally injured his wife Tuesday night outside Our Lady Consolata Parish Church in the Tuscola County village of Gagetown as he was pulling his sport-utility vehicle out of a church parking space.
The woman, whose name has not been released, died from her injuries, The Saginaw New s reported.
Police said the woman and her husband had been volunteering at a food drive at the church. Witnesses told troopers the 80-year-old wife was carrying a bag of trash to a receptacle in the church parking lot when the SUV struck her.
State police are investigating the woman’s death. Once investigators finish their probe they will forward their findings to the Tuscola County Prosecutor’s Office for review. | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Man-strikes-kills-wife-80-with-SUV-near-17292546.php | 2022-07-08T16:43:38Z | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Man-strikes-kills-wife-80-with-SUV-near-17292546.php | false |
INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED "love." AVAILABLE ON ALL DSPS FOR THE FIRST TIME
LOS ANGELES, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum sonic visionary, artist, producer, and director Kid Cudi reveals his first-ever career-spanning greatest hits project, The Boy Who Flew To The Moon…Vol. 1 out today via Universal Music Enterprises.
Listen to The Boy Who Flew To The Moon…Vol. 1—HERE.
The 18-track collection boasts the previously unreleased "love." Only available on Soundcloud up until now, this will be the first time the track lands on all DSPs. Cudi notably co-produced "love." alongside longtime collaborator Dot Da Genius. Over a sample of Ratatat's "Sunblocks," his instantly recognizable woozy melodies float above airy guitars towards a chantable affirmation as he assures, "You'll be okay, you'll find real love."
The Boy Who Flew To The Moon serves as a comprehensive overview of the 21st century legend's career thus far. Tracing his journey, it boasts the quintessential quintuple-platinum "Day 'N' Nite (Nightmare)," quintuple-platinum "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)" [feat. MGMT & Ratatat], and platinum "Just What I Am" [feat. King Chip] in addition to highlights such as "By Design" [feat. André 3000], "Surfin'" [feat. Pharrell Williams], and newly minted platinum "Tequila Shots."
Check out the full tracklisting below.
Recently, Cudi dropped a new single entitled "Do What I Want." It heralds the arrival of his anxiously awaited eighth full-length offering and one of the most anticipated projects of 2022, Entergalactic. The NETFLIX project and accompanying album are coming this Fall. The project reunites Cudi with co-creator Ian Edelman who worked together on HBO's "How To Make It In America." Cudi also serves as an executive producer alongside Kenya Barris, through their respective production companies Mad Solar and Khalabo Ink Society.
This Summer, Kid Cudi launches his To the Moon – 2022 World Tour in 27 cities across North America, Asia, and Europe. The tour kicks off with 20 North American shows starting in Vancouver on August 16, and will include stops at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, American Airlines Center in Dallas, and the United Center in Chicago. Then in the Fall, "To The Moon" travels to the Toyosu PIT in Japan and all over Europe, including The O2 in London, Verti Music Hall in Berlin, AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Palais 12 in Brussels, and the Zenith in Paris, with Milan closing out the tour at Fabrique on November 22. The full confirmed itinerary below.
Cudi stands on the precipice of a major moment once again. 2020's Man On The Moon III: The Chosen crash landed at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 as his fifth Top 10 debut on the respective chart, while the single "Tequila Shots" is now platinum. However, he initially blasted off into history with Man on the Moon: The End of Day in 2009. It has since gone double-platinum, garnered three GRAMMY® Award nominations, and seized a spot on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." A year later, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager claimed #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and went platinum.
TRACKLISTING
- Day 'N' Nite (Nightmare)
- Pursuit Of Happiness (Nightmare) [feat. MGMT, Ratatat]
- GHOST!
- Mr. Rager
- The Dream Time Machine (with WZRD)
- Upper Room (with WZRD)
- Just What I Am (feat. King Chip)
- Unfuckwittable
- Balmain Jeans (feat. Raphael Saadiq)
- Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now
- CONFUSED!
- Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven
- By Design (feat. André 3000)
- Surfin' (feat. Pharrell Williams)
- Tequila Shots
- Sad People
- Sept. 16
- love.
"To The Moon" Tour 2022
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE UMe | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/kid-cudi-releases-career-spanning-boy-who-flew-moonvol-1-out-now/ | 2022-07-08T16:46:16Z | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/kid-cudi-releases-career-spanning-boy-who-flew-moonvol-1-out-now/ | false |
BURLINGAME, Calif., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Color Health, a health technology company committed to advancing public health, is providing free COVID-19 testing through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program, to help millions of Americans in underserved communities access no-cost COVID-19 testing.
Through the partnership, Color will improve testing access across the country and provide a sustainable strategy for COVID-19 testing in communities that are suffering from dwindling public funding, with an emphasis on individuals who are under- and uninsured and at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
"When there are COVID-19 surges, underserved populations continue to have trouble accessing testing quickly and efficiently to prevent the spread in their communities — despite the fact that we are years into the pandemic," said Othman Laraki, CEO of Color. "Through the ICATT program, we're bringing Color's proven testing capabilities — and our commitment to improving public health — to locations where they are urgently needed. We're proud to support the CDC to help these communities become more resilient, both today and in advance of future surges of the virus."
As a part of this program, Color will stand up nearly 1,000 new testing sites across the country in the coming weeks, the majority of which are expected to be in public libraries and pharmacies in rural areas that lack sufficient access to testing. Testing site locations will be determined using the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index, which is a measure of a community's vulnerability in the face of a public health emergency. Community members in locations that score high on this index are more likely to be low income, non-native English speakers, disabled, or have low digital literacy.
Most sites will use unmonitored onsite testing so that community members can pick up a free testing kit, conduct a nasal swab, and drop off the kit, all with minimal overhead required from sites. Any individual who is symptomatic, has been exposed to COVID-19, is pregnant, or is at higher risk for severe COVID-19 may utilize the sites.
Testing at these sites will be:
- No cost — Regardless of insurance status, individuals will not be charged for testing at a Color site.
- Safe — Testing does not require an indoor setting so as to reduce any potential exposure to symptomatic individuals.
- Low-tech friendly — Color test results are sent via email and text, so visitors don't need a smartphone or high level of connectivity to get test results.
- Accessible — Testing will be offered directly in these communities, including on weekends, removing the need to travel far to access a test.
Since the pandemic began, Color has been building public health infrastructure for governments, employers, and other institutions that serve large populations. Through partnerships with public and private institutions such as the City of San Francisco, the National Institutes of Health, Salesforce, the State of California, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Color's infrastructure and software make it possible for large populations to receive essential healthcare services directly where they live or work, including testing and telehealth services for preventive health and infectious disease management. Color's delivery model uses a highly automated process that reduces the cost to operate a site while still providing highly convenient and accessible healthcare services to those who need it most.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Color has partnered with more than 100 major employers and universities to provide critical testing programs. Color's partnership with the City of San Francisco has helped the city maintain one of the nation's highest per-capita COVID-19 testing rates. Most recently, the company has been working with the State of California to develop a network-approach to healthcare infrastructure that prioritizes getting the right type of COVID-19 tests to where they are needed most, in order to more flexibly respond to the demands for testing. To date, Color has supported more than 10,000 testing and 1,800 vaccination sites across the country.
For those interested in becoming an approved testing site to support the CDC's Increasing Community Access to Testing Program (ICATT) alongside Color, you can enter your information here.
About Color Health
Color, a health technology company, makes population-scale healthcare programs accessible, convenient, and cost-effective for everyone. Color works with governments, public health institutions, employers, and national health initiatives around the world, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Salesforce, the Teamsters Union, the National Institutes of Health, the State of California, the City of San Francisco, the Broad Institute and more than 100 major employers and universities. Color provides the tools for preventive health and infectious disease management, including testing, vaccinations, and other services, and is responsible for the largest school testing program in the country. For more information about Color, visit www.color.com.
About CDC
CDC works 24/7 protecting America's health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America's most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.
SOURCE Color Health | https://www.prnewswire.com:443/news-releases/color-health-partners-with-cdc-to-increase-equitable-access-to-covid-19-testing-301583049.html | 2022-07-08T16:47:24Z | https://www.prnewswire.com:443/news-releases/color-health-partners-with-cdc-to-increase-equitable-access-to-covid-19-testing-301583049.html | true |
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will begin producing insulin to make it more affordable for people in the state.
"Nothing epitomized market failures more than the price of insulin," Newsom said. "Many Americans spend $300 to $500 per month for this life-saving drug. California is now taking matters into our own hands."
The state's budget allocates $100 million for the initiative.
Newsom said $50 million will go toward developing low-cost insulin products and the other $50 million will go toward a California-based manufacturing facility.
Newsom added that the facility will create high-paying jobs and strengthen the supply chain for the drug.
"In California, we know people should not go into debt to receive life-saving medication," Newsom said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes. | https://www.wptv.com/news/national/california-plans-to-produce-its-own-insulin | 2022-07-08T16:47:32Z | https://www.wptv.com/news/national/california-plans-to-produce-its-own-insulin | false |
Kali Malone wrings every beautifully forlorn texture from just a few notes. She's known for pipe organ pieces that undertake a spectral physicality, engaging with the very breath of the instrument. But on Living Torch, commissioned by the electro-acoustic music studio GRM, the American-born, Stockholm-based composer trades pipes for synths, sine waves and the boîte à bourdon, which literally translates as "drone box."
The whole album deserves a single sitting on a nice pair of headphones, but it is in the second act where Malone gives Living Torch's slow-moving theme a pulse. Over a shifting bed of trombone and bass clarinet, played by Mats Äleklint and Isak Hedtjärn respectively, bass notes played via Karplus-Strong string synthesis "pluck" the melody — in its stuttered phrasing, you can almost hear the ghost of Jason Molina. But as the drone builds, so does the doom: Distortion and feedback not only overcome, but reshape mourning into triumph.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.nepm.org/classical/2022-07-08/kali-malone-living-torch-ii | 2022-07-08T16:51:26Z | https://www.nepm.org/classical/2022-07-08/kali-malone-living-torch-ii | false |
At least 13 dead after flash floods hit Amarnath base camp in Baltal
One estimate says around 40 people are missing at the site
At least 13 people, mainly Amarnath pilgrims, have died and dozens went missing after flash floods caused landslips near the Baltal base camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal area on Friday.
An official said the flash floods occurred around 5.30 p.m. and washed away scores of tents. “At least 13 people are feared dead. The bodies are being retrieved and the missing being located,” a senior official said.
One estimate suggested that around 40 people are missing at the site of flash floods. Scores of injured were shifted to temporary medical camps set up in Baltal. “We are planning to shift the seriously injured to hospitals in Srinagar,” another official said.
The yatra has been stopped for the time being.
A top meteorologist told The Hindu that there is yet no confirmation that a ‘cloudburst’ was responsible for the flooding.
A cloudburst, said M. Mohapatra, Director General, India Meteorological Department, would mean rainfall in excess of 10 cm an hour whereas data from instruments at the Amarnath cave suggest that it was no more than 2.5 cm. “I can’t confirm that it was a cloudburst. However, it is possible that there was more rain in the northern stretches. But we have no measurements and so that cannot be confirmed.”
Cloudbursts are short-duration, intense rainfall events over a small area. The IMD defines it as a weather phenomenon with “unexpected precipitation” exceeding 100mm/h over a geographical region of approximately 20-30 square km.
Meanwhile, several teams of the police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have launched multiple rescue operations.
Briefs Modi
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Our priority is to save the lives of people. Instructions have been issued to provide all necessary assistance to pilgrims. I am closely monitoring the situation,” Mr. Sinha said.
The Amarnath yatra resumed after three years this year. The annual yatra has twin routes of Pahalgam in south and Sonamarg in central Kashmir to reach the cave shrine. The shrine is located at an altitude of 3,657 metres to perform ‘darshan’.
- Comments will be moderated by The Hindu editorial team.
- Comments that are abusive, personal, incendiary or irrelevant cannot be published.
- Please write complete sentences. Do not type comments in all capital letters, or in all lower case letters, or using abbreviated text. (example: u cannot substitute for you, d is not 'the', n is not 'and').
- We may remove hyperlinks within comments.
- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/flash-floods-hit-amarnath-base-camp-in-baltal/article65617642.ece | 2022-07-08T16:52:00Z | https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/flash-floods-hit-amarnath-base-camp-in-baltal/article65617642.ece | false |
Goldstone completes WowTruck acquisition, to offer EV fleet
Goldstone Technologies Ltd. (GTL) said it has completed the acquisition Equitas Technologies Private Ltd. (ETPL), popularly known as WowTruck, by acquiring 100% of the existing equity capital of ETPL.
This consists of 2.5 crore shares at a valuation of approximately ₹8 crore and now ETPL has now become a wholly owned subsidiary of GTL.
GTL recently ventured into the electric vehicle (EV) business and is now building platforms for EV fleet operators, distributors and OEM manufacturers.
Pavan Chavali, Managing Director, Goldstone Technologies said, “With this acquisition we will find further synergies in the fast-growing EV industry.”
“The government’s focus towards the adoption of EVs’ for a cleaner and greener environment will help us scale up faster in this sector,” he said. The company plans to introduce an EV fleet and related platform solutions into the WowTruck platform for the electric three-wheelers, four-wheelers and truck segments, both on the goods and logistics transportation. It also plans to provide finance solutions for the fleet owners through tie-ups with NBFCs and financing firms.
- Comments will be moderated by The Hindu editorial team.
- Comments that are abusive, personal, incendiary or irrelevant cannot be published.
- Please write complete sentences. Do not type comments in all capital letters, or in all lower case letters, or using abbreviated text. (example: u cannot substitute for you, d is not 'the', n is not 'and').
- We may remove hyperlinks within comments.
- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | https://www.thehindu.com/business/goldstone-completes-wowtruck-acquisition-to-offer-ev-fleet/article65611425.ece | 2022-07-08T16:52:12Z | https://www.thehindu.com/business/goldstone-completes-wowtruck-acquisition-to-offer-ev-fleet/article65611425.ece | true |
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
© 2022 Good Karma Brands Milwaukee, LLC. | https://wtmj.com/entertainment/2022/07/08/ap-top-entertainment-news-at-931-a-m-edt-7/ | 2022-07-08T16:53:20Z | https://wtmj.com/entertainment/2022/07/08/ap-top-entertainment-news-at-931-a-m-edt-7/ | true |
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
JERUSALEM (AP) — The family of a Palestinian-American reporter killed while covering an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank lashed out at President Joe Biden in a letter released Friday over his administration's response to her death.
Relatives of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh expressed “grief, outrage and (a) sense of betrayal,” accusing the U.S. of trying to erase Israel's responsibility for her death. A U.S. statement earlier this week that said Israeli fire likely killed her but that the May 11 shooting in the West Bank town of Jenin was not intentional.
Fallout from the killing is likely to cast a shadow over Biden's trip to Israel and the occupied West Bank next week. There was no immediate response from U.S. officials.
A reconstruction by The Associated Press lent support to Palestinian eyewitnesses who said she was shot by Israeli forces without making a final determination. Investigations by CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post, as well as monitoring by the U.N. human rights office, reached similar conclusions.
Israel denies she was deliberately targeted, and says she could have been shot by an Israeli soldier or a Palestinian militant during an exchange of fire. The State Department said in a July 4 statement that the bullet that killed her was too badly damaged to determine who fired it.
The statement said the U.S. had summarized separate investigations by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, concluding that she was likely struck by Israeli fire. But it found “no reason to believe that this was intentional,” saying it was the result of “tragic circumstances.”
The U.S. did not explain how it reached those conclusions or cite evidence to support them.
The Abu Akleh family said “all available evidence” suggests she was deliberately killed by an Israeli soldier and that the administration had “thoroughly failed to meet the bare minimum expectation” of a credible, independent investigation.
“Instead, the United States has been skulking toward the erasure of any wrongdoing by Israeli forces,” they said. “It is as if you expect the world and us to now just move on. Silence would have been better.”
The family also asked Biden to meet with them when he visits the region.
U.S. lawmakers have pressed the administration for an independent investigation into the killing of Abu Akleh, a veteran on-air correspondent for Al Jazeera's Arabic language service who was widely known and respected across the Arab world.
Abu Akleh, who was 51, had spent a quarter-century reporting on the harsh realities of life under Israeli military rule. Palestinians view her as a martyr to journalism as well as their national cause.
Israeli police drew widespread criticism when they beat mourners and pallbearers at her funeral in Jerusalem on May 14. An Israeli newspaper last month reported that a police investigation found wrongdoing by some of its officers, but said those who supervised the event will not be seriously punished. | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Family-of-journalist-killed-in-West-Bank-lashes-17292655.php | 2022-07-08T16:54:46Z | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Family-of-journalist-killed-in-West-Bank-lashes-17292655.php | false |
By MARK SCOLFORO
Associated Press
A Pennsylvania 911 operator faces a rare charge of involuntary manslaughter for failing to send an ambulance to the rural home of a woman who died of internal bleeding a day later, despite a plea from the woman’s daughter that without medical help “she’s going to die.”
A Greene County detective last week filed charges against Leon “Lee” Price, 50, of Waynesburg, in the July 2020 death of Diania Kronk, 54, based on Price’s reluctance to dispatch help without getting more assurance that Kronk would actually go to the hospital.
“I believe she would be alive today if they would have sent an ambulance,” said Kronk’s daughter Kelly Titchenell, 38.
Price, who also was charged with reckless endangerment, official oppression and obstruction, questioned Titchenell repeatedly during the four-minute call about whether Kronk would agree to be taken for treatment.
Price was arraigned June 29 and released on bail. He did not reply to messages left at a home number listed in his name, and officials said a defense lawyer has not contacted district court.
“It has to be very clear throughout the entire state, that when you call it’s not going to be conditioned on somebody on the other end of the phone saying there’s going to be a service provided or not,” said Lawrence E. Bolind Jr., who represents Titchenell in a federal lawsuit filed last month. “What we’re trying to do here is make this never happen to somebody else.”
In the 911 recording, an operator identified by police as Price replied to Titchenell’s description of her mother as needing hospital treatment by asking if she was “willing to go” to the hospital about a half-hour away from where she was living in Sycamore.
“She will be, ’cause I’m on my way there, so she’s going, or she’s going to die,” Titchenell told Price as she drove from her home in Mather.
Price said he would send an ambulance but then added that “we really need to make sure she’s willing to go.”
“She’s going to go, she’s going to go,” Titchenell said. “Cause if not, she’s going to die, there’s nothing else.” She said that Kronk was not thinking clearly and that she was her mother’s closest relation. When Price again asked if Kronk would in fact go, Titchenell replied: “OK, well, can we just try?”
After Titchenell told Price she was about 10 minutes from her mother’s home, Price asked if Titchenell would call 911 back once she made sure Kronk was willing to go in an ambulance.
“I’m sorry,” Titchenell said, and Price replied: “No, don’t be sorry, ma’am. Just call me when you get out there, OK?”
When Titchenell and her three children arrived at the house, she said, Kronk was nude on the front porch and talking incoherently. She got her mother to put on a robe.
“She just kept saying she was OK, she’s fine,” Titchenell said. “She’s the mom, you know — she doesn’t listen to her children.”
Titchenell said she could not call from the home because her mother’s landline could not be located and there was not cell service. She also did not call on her way home, believing that her uncle would soon check on her and that another contact with 911 would be pointless.
“This is unheard of, to me. I mean, they’ll send an ambulance for anything,” Titchenell said. “And here I am telling this guy that my mom’s going to die. It’s, like, her death, and she doesn’t get an ambulance.”
Her brother found the next day that their mother had died.
The prosecutor, Greene County District Attorney Dave Russo, said he is also investigating whether there was any policy or training under which the county’s 911 dispatchers were allowed to refuse services to callers.
“We all deserve equal protections, and we all deserve access to medical services,” Russo said in an interview. “I have a major concern as to the safety of the community in regards to this.”
John Kelly, a Naperville, Illinois, lawyer who is general counsel to the National Emergency Number Association, said criminal charges against dispatchers for failing to send help are very rare but have happened.
In a case Kelly teaches in dispatcher training, a 911 operator in Detroit received a year of probation in 2008 and lost her job after, authorities said, she did not take seriously a boy’s calls to report his mother had collapsed. The 5-year-old boy testified that the dispatcher accused him of playing games and hung up on him, while the dispatcher testified that she could not hear the child.
Titchenell, on behalf of her mother’s estate, sued Price and Greene County in Pittsburgh federal court last month, along with two 911 supervisors. The lawsuit accuses Price of “callous refusal of public emergency medical services.”
Marie Milie Jones, a lawyer for the county and 911 supervisors in the federal case, said her clients plan to vigorously defend the lawsuit and do not believe they are liable for Kronk’s death. She said there are “personnel matters that are ongoing” regarding Price but declined to elaborate.
“It’s unfortunate that this woman had died. Certainly, from a personal standpoint, that’s very difficult,” Jones said. “I’m not going to comment on the details of her circumstances.”
Titchenell told Price that her mother had been drinking heavily for some weeks before she died, and that Titchenell had noticed she was losing weight and was “turning yellow.” She said the autopsy concluded Kronk, who worked in home health care, died of internal bleeding.
She said she thinks about her late mother every day — how the former longtime sub shop manager loved to cook, to help people and to spoil her five grandchildren, how she would pile a mountain of presents under the tree every Christmas.
“She had the biggest heart,” Titchenell said. “If someone didn’t have a place to live, she was going to take them in, give them a bed. That was Mom.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/07/08/dispatcher-who-didnt-send-ambulance-charged-in-2020-death-2/ | 2022-07-08T16:54:58Z | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/07/08/dispatcher-who-didnt-send-ambulance-charged-in-2020-death-2/ | true |
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Every day billions of people depend on wild flora and fauna to obtain food, medicine and energy. But a new United Nations-backed report says that overexploitation, climate change, pollution and deforestation are pushing one million species towards extinction.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – or IPBES – report said Friday that unless humankind improves the sustainable use of nature, the Earth is on its way to losing 12% of its wild tree species, over a thousand wild mammal species and almost 450 species of sharks and rays, among other irreparable harm.
Humans use about 50,000 wild species routinely and 1 out of 5 people of the world’s 7.9 billion population depend on those species for food and income, the report said. 1 in 3 people rely on fuel wood for cooking, the number even higher in Africa.
“It’s essential that those uses be sustainable because you need them to be there for your children and grandchildren. So when uses of wild species become unsustainable, it’s bad for the species, it’s bad for the ecosystem and it’s bad for the people,” report co-chair Marla R. Emery of the United States told The Associated Press.
Beyond the gloomy picture, the report also provides recommendations for policymakers and examples for the sustainable use of wild fauna and flora. A central point should be to secure tenure rights for Indigenous and local peoples, who have historically made sustainable use of wild species, the report said.
According to the study, Indigenous peoples occupy around 38,000,000 square kilometers (14,600,000 square miles) of land in 87 countries, equivalent to about 40% of terrestrial conserved areas.
“Their lands tend to be doing better in sustainability than other lands. And the common thread is the ability to continue to engage in customary practices,” said Emery, who is also a researcher with the U.S. Forest Service.
Emery argued it is essential to secure national and international systems, such as education, that promote the preservation of Indigenous languages, as it maintains the ability for older members to transfer traditional knowledge about sustainable practices to new generations.
An example of good practice is fishing arapaima, one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, in Brazil’s Amazon, co-chair of the report Jean-Marc Fromentin of France told the AP.
“It was a move from an unsustainable to a sustainable situation,” Fromentin said. “Some communities in Brazil created community-based management and then called some scientists to learn more about the fish’s biology and to put in place an efficient monitoring system. It worked so well that the model went to other communities and countries like Peru.”
Gregorio Mirabal, the head of Coordinator of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin, who did not take part in the report, told the AP there had been already several U.N. studies stressing the importance of biodiversity and the threats posed by climate change, but they don’t bring about solutions.
The Indigenous leader mentioned growing problems in the region such as water contamination from mercury used in illegal mining and oil spillages. Moreover, those who oppose these practices face violence, such as the recent murder of an Indigenous warrior in a mining area, in Venezuela.
“There is irrational exploitation of natural resources in the Amazon, but there is no social investment to improve the health, educational, cultural and food situation of the Indigenous peoples,” Mirabal said.
The report was approved by representatives of the 139 member countries gathered this week in Bonn, Germany. It involved dozens of experts, from scientists to holders of Indigenous knowledge. IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body and is not part of the U.N. system, but it has the support of the United Nations Environment Programme and other bodies.
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://cbs4indy.com/news/ap-top-headlines/wild-species-relied-on-by-billions-at-risk-report-warns/ | 2022-07-08T16:58:37Z | https://cbs4indy.com/news/ap-top-headlines/wild-species-relied-on-by-billions-at-risk-report-warns/ | false |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Don’t worry Boris, there’s one country where your popularity remains undimmed.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson may have been shown the door in Britain, but he remains a political juggernaut in Ukraine — widely admired for his uncompromising support for the country’s effort to defeat the Russian invasion.
“We all heard this news with sadness,’’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said shortly after Johnson announced his resignation Thursday. “Not only me, but also the entire Ukrainian society, which is very sympathetic to you.’’
There’s good reason for Johnson’s popularity.
As he struggled to fight off police investigations, scandals and political attacks, Johnson deflected criticism at home by positioning himself as the leader of the international effort to help Ukraine combat Russian aggression.
Since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, Johnson has pledged 2.3 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) of military aid to Ukraine, including armored vehicles and anti-tank missiles. He’s also dispatched economic support, guaranteeing millions in World Bank loans for the country.
Ukrainians have also seen the disheveled U.K. leader in person twice in the last few months.
At a time when Ukraine was still reeling from the initial Russian assault, Johnson showed grit by visiting in early April, walking beside Zelenskyy on the still-empty streets of the capital, Kyiv, which had only recently been under attack.
During a second trip to the capital in June, Johnson stopped to speak with soldiers and served up the “aw shucks” brand of affability that had until recently cemented his popularity in Britain.
“Dobryy den everybody,” he said, awkwardly mixing his “good day” greeting in Ukrainian with English. “I’m Boris Johnson from London. I just want you to know that we support you. Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)!’’
His stance was popular at home, too, where even those who despised Johnson embraced his support for Ukraine.
Johnson and his Cabinet ministers wore crossed Ukrainian and British flags on their lapels, and U.K. government social media accounts feature a banner proclaiming “The U.K. stands with Ukraine” as a symbol of solidarity.
None of that was lost on the people of Ukraine, where reports of Johnson’s political demise were met with concern.
Sure, other world leaders have visited — Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU’s executive arm, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron, to name a few. But they came after Johnson.
“The man is cool,’’ said Kyiv resident Dmytro Dimitryi. “He is a slightly unconventional man who does not fit into the generally accepted norms.”
Indeed, Johnson’s legacy in Ukraine will live on in simple ways.
At Kyiv’s Zavertailo’s Café, the outgoing British leader has been honored with his very own confection, the “Boris Johnsonyuk.”
The cake, inspired by English apple pie and Johnson’s mop of blond hair, consists of baked apple, vanilla custard, meringue and vanilla ice cream.
It almost always sells out.
___
Kirka reported from London.
___
Follow all AP stories on British politics at https://apnews.com/hub/boris-johnson | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/ap-international/dont-worry-boris-they-still-love-you-in-ukraine/ | 2022-07-08T16:59:19Z | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/ap-international/dont-worry-boris-they-still-love-you-in-ukraine/ | false |
Monica Gilliam's daughter Kimber flew on board an American Airlines flight from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Miami, Florida, last Saturday to visit her father. She said the airline allowed Kimber to walk off the plane alone.
"The manager from American Airlines called and said, 'Your child is missing,'" Gilliam said. "I was like, 'How did you lose my child? How do you lose an unaccompanied minor?'"
Gilliam said her daughter "felt like she was supposed to get up" once passengers began to deplane, telling her mom that a flight attendant even waved goodbye.
The U.S. does not have federal regulations involving the supervision of unaccompanied minors, but according to AA policy, "employees will board the child early" and "escort them off the plane to meet their guardian at the gate."
SEE ALSO: What airlines owe customers if flights get canceled or delayed
Kimber's father used FaceTime to help the 12-year-old navigate her way through the airport to meet him at baggage claim, Gilliam said.
"She was nervous, and she was scared," Gilliam said. "But she did exactly what her dad told her to do to get her to safety."
In a statement to ABC News, American Airlines said it "cares deeply" about its young passengers and "is committed to providing a safe and pleasant travel experience for them." The airline added that it is taking the incident "very seriously" and is "looking into what occurred."
Parents should make sure kids are prepared before traveling alone, said Emily Kaufman, travel expert and founder of The Travel Mom.
"Inform them about the plan on the plane, getting off the plane and, when they're in need of something, that they can ask the flight attendants," Kaufman said.
She also advised parents to give their children lists of important contacts to keep in their pockets and carry-ons. They can also consider using trackers, like Apple's Find My, and should monitor their children's flights in case of early or late arrivals. | https://abc11.com/12-year-old-missing-after-flight-american-airlines-unaccompanied-minor-fights/12031939/ | 2022-07-08T17:00:56Z | https://abc11.com/12-year-old-missing-after-flight-american-airlines-unaccompanied-minor-fights/12031939/ | false |
Notices:
Senile walkback number 5 and counting Last year, Biden or his aides needed to clarify his remarks on Taiwan on at least four separate occasions. Don't hype over fantasy, China's been waiting almost 10 years for US to follow through on rhetoric over SCS construction.
the world is ignoring the western boy who cried wolf for 5 years and counting. Nobody who matters believes any of this. Last time a fake push unfortunately coincided with discovering mass graves at "schools" for Native Americans. Latest push has the sad timing with a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school. Ironic how the West's own atrocious human rights record, especially with children, keeps stealing the spotlight from their own disinformation.
Message the Moderators of r/Sino (bottom of sidebar) for info on discords and telegram. The spaces cater to any regular participant on the subreddit (post history required) and/or any ethnic Chinese (verification required).
Taiwan Losing Faith in U.S. Rescue After watching Ukraine, only 35% believe US would give military support, down from 65% just 6 months ago. Perhaps show them more armchair analysis spam? 🤡
Imagine watching de facto lopsided changes for China in Tibet, SCS, Xinjiang and HK, and still thinking a hot take using the same failed reused reasoning for Taiwan is a good idea. One can't even begin to entertain any of these imagined "reactions" for Taiwan unless you admit backing down on every issue prior despite the very same rhetoric. Imagine watching millions of refugees try to escape, be on an island and think "When's our turn!". 🤡
If a movie about China beating back US forces in North Korea bothers you, do NOT search "longest retreat in US history" and find out it's a movie based on real fact. https://streamable.com/s/nfdt5r. Definitely don't search - why didn't America invade North Vietnam in the Vietnam War. No connection at all.
Groups that bought into "U.S. values" rhetoric, worked for U.S. then got betrayed and left to rot: Hmong (Vietnam), Syrian rebels, Kurds (ISIS), HK rioters, Guaido (Venezuela), Afghan servicemen/translators (Taliban, who are now mocking Iwo Jima photo while wearing US military gear 😂), Ukraine (Budapest Memorandum, NATO membership)
If you are new, you'll need to build up your karma on Sino in this fashion: comments first -> then link submissions -> then text submissions. Just because a submission is removed by the automod does not mean it won't be approved. Only thing that guarantees it won't be is if you delete it.
The r/sino Network:
Xinjiang & Tibet
Hong Kong & Taiwan
Border Disputes with India
Chinese Civics & Socialism
Internet Governance
Environment & Ecology
FAQ:
Religious Persecution
Uyghur-Xinjiang
Social Credit
Tiananmen Square Riots: Fact vs Fiction
Debt-trap Diplomacy
Dog Eating
Falun Gong
Multimedia:
Youtubers & Content Creators, Podcasts, Books, English News Outlets
Rules & Guidelines:
- Follow Reddit's general guidelines.
- Don't troll (in any form including concern trolling and tone policing), flame bait, engage in subreddit/meta drama
- Limit use of unnecessary offensive language. Excessively vulgar, violent, sexist or crude language. If you use a Chinese surname as an insult or any Chinese term in a similar disrespectful fashion, you'll be permanently banned.
- Don't submit reddit related content. Best case scenario is a 3 day warning ban with a permanent ban for repeat offenses. Nobody told us to do this, we just don't care about the topic. Crosslinks to other subs are fine if the submitter posts regularly in the sub they are linking.
- Stay true to the topic of discussion. Don't use tangents to divert into vaguely connected agendas. Make your own thread instead of hijacking others. Don't editorialize titles to get attention.
- If relevance to the sub is not explicit in link submissions, explain why it's relevant in a comment.
- Don't spam submissions. Limit submissions to 2 at a time. Wait a few hours before submitting again. We don't accept text submissions for links that can be its own link submission.
Emergency notices will be pinned on https://twitter.com/SinoReddit
If you are being harassed by pms, change your pm setting to only trusted users. In your preferences.
Disable Promoted Ads on Mobile
- get Firefox browser
- use adblock addons (ublock origin was reported to work along with adblock plus)
Flair Search:
If you have a idea for r/sino or it's network, make a text submission and get some interested people, when you have something msg the mods (pm or mod message). | https://www.reddit.com/r/Sino/comments/vuavy6/how_china_built_world_second_largest_hydropower/ | 2022-07-08T17:01:37Z | https://www.reddit.com/r/Sino/comments/vuavy6/how_china_built_world_second_largest_hydropower/ | true |
By FOSTER KLUG and MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) — Shinzo Abe, a divisive archconservative who was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and remained a powerful and influential politician after leaving office, has died after being shot during a campaign speech Friday. He was 67.
Abe was shot just minutes after he started speaking at the political rally in Nara and was pronounced dead hours later at a hospital, medical officials said.
Police arrested the suspected gunman at the scene of the attack, which shocked many in Japan, one of the world’s safest nations with some of the strictest gun control laws. Near the suspect was a double-barreled device that appeared to be a handmade gun.
Abe, a political blueblood who was groomed to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, was perhaps the most polarizing, complex politician in recent Japanese history, angering both liberals at home and World War II victims in Asia with his hawkish push to revamp the military and his revisionist view that Japan was given an unfair verdict by history for its brutal past.
At the same time, he revitalized Japan’s economy, led efforts for the nation to take a stronger role in Asia and served as a rare beacon of political stability before stepping down two years ago for health reasons.
“He’s the most towering political figure in Japan over the past couple of decades,” said Dave Leheny, a political scientist at Waseda University. “He wanted Japan to be respected on the global stage in the way that he felt was deserved. … He also wanted Japan to not have to keep apologizing for World War II.”
Japan had “a postwar track record of economic success, peace and global cooperation that he felt other countries should pay more attention to, and that Japanese should be proud of,” Leheny said.
Public broadcaster NHK aired a dramatic video of Abe as he gave a speech outside a train station in the western city of Nara. He was standing, dressed in a navy blue suit, raising his fist, when two gun shots rang out.
Security guards were shown tackling a man in a gray shirt who lay face down on the pavement. After Abe collapsed, he held his chest, his shirt smeared with blood.
Nara prefectural police confirmed the arrest of a suspect and identified him as Tetsuya Yamagami, 41. NHK reported that he served in Japan’s navy for three years in the 2000s.
Abe was a darling of conservatives but reviled by many liberals in Japan. And no policy was more divisive than his cherished, ultimately unsuccessful dream to revise Japan’s war-renouncing constitution. His ultra-nationalism also angered the Koreas and China, both wartime victims of Japan.
That push for constitutional revision stemmed from his personal history. Abe’s grandfather, former leader Kishi, despised the U.S.-drafted constitution, adopted during the American postwar occupation. For Abe, too, the 1947 charter was symbolic of what he saw as the unfair legacy of Japan’s war defeat and an imposition of the victors’ world order and Western values.
That constitution renounces the use of force in international conflicts, and limits Japan’s military to self defense, although the country has a well-equipped modern army, navy and air force that work closely with the United States, Japan’s top ally.
Poor public support for the changes doomed Abe’s push, but the goal still enjoys backing from his ultra-conservative supporters.
Abe bristled against postwar treaties and the tribunal that judged Japanese war criminals. His political rhetoric often focused on making Japan a “normal” and “beautiful” nation with a stronger military and bigger role in international affairs.
He also was a driving force for Japanese conservatives’ efforts to whitewash wartime atrocities and push for an end of apologies over atrocities.
Supporters point to his efforts to raise Japan’s profile on the international stage, and his proposal for a new order of like-minded democracies as a counter to China’s rise, something Washington and others soon endorsed.
Abe was also a big influence on current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s policies, pushing for the bolstering of military capability, including a preemptive-strike capability.
Abe stepped down as prime minister in 2020 because he said the ulcerative colitis he’d had since he was a teenager resurfaced.
He told reporters at the time that it was “gut wrenching” to leave many of his goals unachieved. In addition to the failure on constitutional revision, he was also unable to settle several other unfinished legacies of the war, including normalizing ties with North Korea, settling island disputes with neighbors and signing a peace treaty with Russia formally ending their hostilities in World War II.
Abe was praised in Washington for his push for a stronger U.S.-Japan relationship, which he saw as a means of bolstering Japan’s defense capability. Japan hosts 50,000 U.S. troops as a bulwark in the region amid tensions with China and North Korea.
Abe charmed conservatives with his security policies because of fears of terrorism, North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons ambitions and China’s military assertiveness.
But there has always been general public support for the pacifist constitution and divided views on amendments within Abe’s governing party. Many lawmakers preferred to focus on economic growth.
Abe said he was proud of working for a stronger Japan-U.S. security alliance and shepherding the first visit by a serving U.S. president to the atom-bombed city of Hiroshima. He also helped Tokyo gain the right to host the 2020 Olympics by pledging that a disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant was “under control” when it was not.
Abe became Japan’s youngest prime minister in 2006, at age 52, but his overly nationalistic first stint abruptly ended a year later, also because of his health.
The end of that scandal-laden term was the beginning of six years of annual Japanese leadership change, remembered as an era of “revolving door” politics that lacked stability and long-term policies.
When he returned to office in 2012, Abe vowed to revitalize the nation and get its economy out of its deflationary doldrums with his “Abenomics” formula, which combined fiscal stimulus, monetary easing and structural reforms.
He won six national elections and built a rock-solid grip on power, bolstering Japan’s defense role and its security alliance with the U.S. He also stepped up patriotic education at schools and raised Japan’s international profile.
Abe left office as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister by consecutive days in office, eclipsing the record of Eisaku Sato, his great-uncle, who served 2,798 days from 1964 to 1972.
___
Associated Press writer Stephen Wade contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/07/08/shinzo-abe-divisive-powerful-former-japan-pm-assassinated/ | 2022-07-08T17:02:55Z | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/07/08/shinzo-abe-divisive-powerful-former-japan-pm-assassinated/ | false |
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Unseasonal rains and flooding have killed at least 10 people — including two children — in Afghanistan’s northern and eastern provinces, the United Nations said Friday.
The deluge also wounded 11 people, with the most casualties and damage reported in eastern Nangarhar, Nuristan and Ghani provinces and Parwan in north of the country, the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.
Heavy rainfall on July 5 and July 6 caused severe damage to over 280 homes, as well as other critical infrastructure across nine provinces, including four bridges and eight kilometers (about five miles) of a road.
It’s the second time that the eastern region has experienced flash floods in less than a month, with 19 people killed and 131 people injured in heavy rains that occurred over two days in June, the statement said.
As a result of heavy rains, floods and landslides, in Nuristan province, the road from Kunar to the center of Nuristan has been blocked for traffic, the country’s public works ministry said.
The ministry is using heavy machinery to reopen the road. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/u-s-world/heavy-rains-unseasonal-flood-kills-10-in-afghanistan/ | 2022-07-08T17:03:33Z | https://www.wowktv.com/news/u-s-world/heavy-rains-unseasonal-flood-kills-10-in-afghanistan/ | true |
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are slipping at the opening of trading on Wall Street Friday following a surprisingly strong report on the U.S. jobs market. The S&P 500 is 0.3% lower and on pace for its first drop in a week. The better-than-expected hiring helps calm some of the worries about a possible recession. However, the threat of an overheated economy likely keeps the Federal Reserve on track to continue raising interest rates sharply. Higher rates pressure all kinds of investments. The stocks that have been most vulnerable to rising interest rates had bigger drops. The Nasdaq fell 0.6%. Treasury yields jumped immediately following the job report’s release.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is wavering ahead of the opening bell Friday before new hiring data is released for June, which is expected to show a pullback by employers compared with the post-virus outbreak boom of the past two years.
Futures for the Dow Jones industrials wavered between gains and losses of less than 0.1%, while the S&P 500 declined 0.2%.
The Labor Department is expected to report that the nation gained 275,000 jobs last month, according to economists surveyed by the data provider FactSet. That would be the lowest monthly gain of the past year, during which the job market has sustained a vigorous recovery from the pandemic recession. Before the pandemic struck in early 2020, monthly hiring that large would have been seen as a robust gain.
On Thursday, Labor data showed the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits topped the 230,000 mark for the fifth consecutive week. It was the highest level in almost six months.
Tokyo’s main stock market index ebbed following the assassination of former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, but stayed in positive territory for the day. Abe, 67, died after being shot during a campaign speech Friday in western Japan.
The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo was up 0.6% at 26,654.15 at midday after a gunman shot Abe during a campaign event in the western Japanese city of Nara. The index was up 1.4% before the attack.
Abe, who oversaw an economic stimulus effort dubbed Abenomics, stepped down as prime minister in 2020.
The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.2% to 3,370.28 after Bloomberg News reported China might add 1.5 trillion yuan ($220 billion) to spending on public works construction this year to stimulate economic growth. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 0.2% to 21,694.17.
The Kospi in Seoul rose 0.9% to 2,346.14 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 was 0.6% higher at 6,689.30.
India’s Sensex opened up 0.5% at 54,462.63. New Zealand and Southeast Asian markets advanced.
In Europe at midday, London’s FTSE was down 0.5% one day after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation following a series of departures from his Cabinet by members of his Conservative Party.
Germany’s DAX climbed 0.8% and France’s CAC rose 0.1%.
On Wall Street Thursday, the S&P 500 rose to 3,902.62 for its fourth daily increase. Roughly three-fourths of the stocks in the index gained.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.1% to 31,384 and the Nasdaq composite advanced 2.3% to 11,621.35.
There is unease over aggressive U.S. and European interest rate hikes that being deployed to cool inflation because it runs the risk of derailing global economic growth.
Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index rose 1.5% on Thursday after a member of the Fed panel that sets interest rates, James Bullard, said a “soft landing” for the economy was the most likely scenario. Another panel member, Christopher Waller, said “fears of a recession are overblown.”
“Investor recession fears ebbed,” said Robert Carnell and Iris Pang of ING in a report.
Bullard, who is president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, said “it would make a lot of sense” to raise the U.S. central bank’s key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point, or triple the usual margin, at its meeting this month. That would repeat the dramatic mid-June rate hike, the Fed’s biggest in 28 years.
Waller, speaking at a separate event, said he also supported a 0.75-percentage-point hike. He said the Fed might risk “causing some economic damage,” but with a strong labor market, that shouldn’t be too big.
Bloomberg News reported China’s Ministry of Finance was considering a plan to allow local governments to raise money from bond sales to spend on building roads and other public works.
It wasn’t clear whether that represented additional spending or was future bond sales brought forward to help shore up economic growth some forecasters say fell close to zero in the quarter ending in June after anti-virus controls shut down Shanghai and other industrial centers.
Markets also have been on edge about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent oil and other commodity prices soaring in recent months.
In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude reversed course, losing 22 cents to $102.51 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract jumped $4.20 to $102.73 on Thursday. Brent crude, the price basis for international trading, was essentially unchanged at $104.97 per barrel in London. It advanced $3.96 the previous session to $104.65.
The dollar declined to 135.91 yen from Thursday’s 136.11 yen. The euro edged down to $1.0145 from $1.0156.
Shares of GameStop, which jumped 15% on Thursday after it announced a 4-for-1 stock split, slid more than 5% in premarket trading after Michael Recupero, the chief financial officer at the video game retailer, was ousted abruptly.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/07/08/wall-street-dips-on-strong-jobs-and-potential-for-rate-hikes/ | 2022-07-08T17:04:40Z | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/07/08/wall-street-dips-on-strong-jobs-and-potential-for-rate-hikes/ | true |
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, July 8, 2022
_____
HEAT ADVISORY
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
1054 AM CDT Fri Jul 8 2022
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 109 and high temperatures up to
105 expected.
* WHERE...Portions of south central Texas.
* WHEN...From noon to 8 PM CDT Friday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 110 expected and high
temperatures up to 106 expected.
* WHERE...Maverick, Zavala and Dimmit Counties.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.greenwichtime.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-AUSTIN-SAN-ANTONIO-Warnings-Watches-and-17292574.php | 2022-07-08T17:04:42Z | https://www.greenwichtime.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-AUSTIN-SAN-ANTONIO-Warnings-Watches-and-17292574.php | false |
EXCLUSIVE: All-American family! Harry and Meghan are seen with son Archie, 3, waving mini stars and stripes and enjoying sweet treats during their surprise visit to traditional 4th of July parade in trendy Jackson Hole
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance at the Jackson Hole 4th of July parade Monday
- Photos exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com show the couple and their three-year-old son Archie watching the procession from the sidewalk among a large crowd of onlookers
- Little Archie can be seen sucking on a red lollipop and holding a mini American flag as doting parents Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, sit nearby
- Harry passed for a typical American dad, wearing a tan baseball cap, grey polo shirt, shorts and sneakers, as Meghan wore a tank, jeans, huaraches sandals and topped off her look with a brown wide-brim hat
- It's unclear whether one-year-old daughter Lilibet traveled with the trio to Wyoming, where they were joined by Meghan's pilates instructor pal Heather Dorak and her children
- Sisters Susan Mills Echols and Deborah Mills Walls, who spotted the couple, told DailyMail.com the Sussexes chose to sit on the sidewalk so they could play with Archie at his eye-level and make sure he didn't wander off
- 'Harry and Meghan were just sitting down like everyone else, enjoying the show. They were very down to earth and very normal,' said Debbie. 'You could tell it was all about Archie for them. They were doting on him'
Their detractors like to paint them as woke and out of touch - but Harry and Meghan could pass for a typical American family in these delightful photos taken at a traditional 4th of July parade.
The notoriously-private Duke and Duchess of Sussex stunned onlookers by turning up at Monday's patriotic bash in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with their three-year-old son Archie.
Images obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com reveal the young family sitting down on a dusty sidewalk as they watch a procession of floats, tractors and cowboys and rodeo girls on horseback.
Thrilled Archie can be seen sucking on a red lollipop and clutching a miniature US flag as doting parents Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, chat to friends with a bodyguard standing nearby.
The California-based Prince and his Suits actress wife are known to fiercely guard their privacy and are rarely spotted in public - even less so with their red-headed little boy and daughter Lilibet, one.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance at the Jackson Hole Fourth of July parade on Monday, photos obtained by DailyMail.com show
The former royals could have passed for a typical American family as they watched the procession with little son Archie, 3, among the large crowd of onlookers
The parents were seen doting on their son, who can be seen sucking on a red lollipop and holding a mini American flag on the dusty sidewalk of the town's thoroughfare
The youngster wore a collarless striped shirt, pale blue pants and a red, black and white baseball cap emblazoned with California's Bear Flag – a nod to the family's home in the upscale celeb enclave of Montecito
Meghan looked relaxed and casual in a white tank top, jeans, huarache sandals. She topped off her look with a brown wide-brim hat
But onlookers say the cagey couple appeared to let their guard down in picturesque Jackson Hole, a trendy ski resort town where Kanye West, Sandra Bullock and Harrison Ford own pricey property.
In fact the Sussexes made such a favorable impression that one parade-goer – a fellow Brit - was overheard urging them to swap their ritzy Californian life for the Cowboy State, telling Harry: 'You'd fit right in here.'
Lilibet was not spotted at the July 4th celebration and it's not known whether she traveled with the trio to Wyoming, where they were joined by Meghan's pilates instructor pal Heather Dorak and her children.
The group went completely unnoticed until 15 minutes into the two-hour parade billed locally as a 'patriotic celebration of culture and community', according to eagle-eyed sisters Susan Mills Echols and Deborah Mills Walls.
The siblings from Charlotte, North Carolina were in Jackson Hole as part of a road trip and had arrived at the 10am procession to find a 'well-built' man guarding four fold-up camping chairs.
'We were standing nearby and this big guy told us he was saving the seats for a family. I said, Ok, that's fine. And a little bit later he said it again. I asked him if he wanted us to move but he said no, no. It was all a bit strange,' said fourth grade teacher Susan, 58.
'In my mind I was thinking, what is this, is he expecting the Royal family or something? I turned around a minute later and I saw Meghan Markle and little Archie. And then behind her came Harry.
Harry blended in with the rest of the American families, wearing a tan baseball cap, grey polo shirt, shorts and sneakers
Witnesses told DailyMail.com Harry and Meghan ignored the chairs and chose instead to sit on the sidewalk so they could play with Archie at his eye-level and make sure he didn't wander off
Archie'syounger sister Lilibet was not spotted and it is unknown whether she traveled with the family to Wyoming
The usually cagey couple appeared to let their guard down in picturesque Jackson Hole, a trendy ski resort town where Kanye West, Sandra Bullock and Harrison Ford own pricey property, witnesses said
'I'm not a huge Royal follower so I Googled them really quickly just to make sure that I was right. I sent a text to my daughter and she wouldn't believe me.
'She wanted a picture to prove it was them. It was completely out of the blue and really neat.'
Susan said Harry and Meghan ignored the chairs and chose instead to sit on the sidewalk so they could play with Archie at his eye-level and make sure he didn't wander off.
She also saw Meghan scoop up a handful of candy treats that had been tossed into the crowd, unwrapping a lollipop for Archie then slipping an ice cream sandwich into her bag for later.
The youngster wore a collarless striped shirt, pale blue pants and a red, black and white baseball cap emblazoned with California's Bear Flag – a nod to the family's home in the upscale celeb enclave of Montecito where the Sussexes typically travel around in blacked-out SUVS surrounded by security.
Megan paired skinny jeans and a white tank top with a brown fedora hat while Harry wore a blue-grey polo shirt, shorts and an olive baseball cap.
Dorak, who spoke out in the Duchess's defense in the wake of her tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview, wore a camel jumpsuit.
The Sussexes traveled from their California home to the trendy mountain resort town, where they were joined by Meghan's Pilates instructor pal Heather Dorak and her children
According to onlookers, the group went completely unnoticed until 15 minutes into the two-hour parade billed locally as a 'patriotic celebration of culture and community'
Jackson Hole situated in liberal-leaning Teton County, where 67 percent of voters opted for the Democrats in the 2020 election
The resort town is close to both the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and is famed for its skiing, fishing and rafting
'Jackson hole is not a large place and so it was just a very small parade. They were throwing out ice cream sandwiches and ice pops and candy. It was pretty funny to watch,' added Debbie, 52, a professor of art education at UNC Charlotte.
'Harry and Meghan were just sitting down like everyone else, enjoying the show. They were very down to earth and very normal.
'You could tell it was all about Archie for them. They were doting on him, playing with him. He was so cute and well mannered. And he looked thrilled with his lollipop.'
Sisters Susan Mills Echols (left) and Deborah Mills Walls (right) from Charlotte, North Carolina were in Jackson Hole as part of a road trip when they spotted the ex-royals in the crowd
A two-and-a-half hour flight from California, Jackson Hole is close to both the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and is famed for its skiing, fishing and rafting.
It's situated in liberal-leaning Teton County, where 67 percent of voters opted for the Democrats in the 2020 election.
The state of Wyoming also has no income tax so residents don't have to forfeit some of their earnings as they would in California or New York.
Famous Jackson Hole residents include Kanye West, who bought a sprawling ranch with his then wife Kim Kardashian.
Harrison Ford and drag queen turned media mogul RuPaul Charles also own property there, alongside tech tycoons and business CEOs.
It is not known who Harry and Meghan were visiting but it is possible any number of their high net-worth connections have a pad in Jackson Hole.
Or they could have rented one of the ultra-luxury holiday properties there that fetch up to $40,000 a week.
'They didn't stay too long as I think Meghan wanted to get Archie out of the sun,' Deborah added. 'It was an opportune exit as just after they left people started spraying the crowd with water jets.
It is unclear if Harry and Meghan were visiting someone in town or if they rented one of the ultra-luxury holiday properties there that fetch up to $40,000 a week. Pictured: The family in their 2021 Christmas card
'An older lady had asked Harry if she could sit in one of their chairs and he said yes, of course, being a perfect gentleman.
'Funnily enough, the lady happened to be British and she explained to Harry that she and her husband had moved to Jackson Hole two years earlier and loved it. They told Harry he should think about moving there.'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have kept a relatively low profile since returning to the US following the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last month.
They were spotted making a trip to see neighbor and showbiz pal Winfrey last week and made an appearance at a California polo tournament.
Harry also made a virtual appearance at the Diana Awards on what would have been his mother's 61st birthday.z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10995241/Harry-Meghan-seen-attending-4th-July-parade-little-Archie.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-07-08T17:05:08Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10995241/Harry-Meghan-seen-attending-4th-July-parade-little-Archie.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | false |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida schools exceeded expectations in recently released school grades for the 2021-22 academic year, the Department of Education announced.
The department published grades for the 2021-22 academic year on Thursday, marking the first full school grade data release since 2019, according to an FDOE press release. This is due to a lack of assessments in the 2019-20 school year and the opt-in nature of that year's school grades.
"It’s clear that our teachers and school leaders used every resource at their disposal to lift Florida’s students well beyond expectations," Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said in a statement. "We know that these results are thanks to policies that kept schools open and kept kids in the classroom, which has been widely recognized as critical to student achievement.
"Today we can celebrate these incredible results, while continuing to support the schools that are struggling."
The school grades report showed that 53 schools exited the School Improvement Support list in 2022 and that 100% of the schools that received an F grade in 2019 improved their grades in 2022.
Elementary schools showed the most growth with 20% of them improving one or more letter grades, according to the FDOE press release.
So, how can you view your district's and school's grade for the year?
To view the accountability report for Florida schools follow this link: https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades/
Here you can access school grades, district grades, improvement ratings and more. Follow this link to view school grades. It will take you to an Excel File.
Citrus County
School Grades
Citrus County schools are in rows 517-537.
District Grades
Citrus County received a C grade in 2022, compared to a B grade in 2019.
Hardee County
School Grades
Hardee County schools are in rows 1,392-1,398.
District Grades
Hardee County received a C grade in 2022, compared to a B grade in 2019.
Hernando County
School Grades
Hernando County schools are in rows 1,410-1,435
District Grades
Hernando County received a B grade in 2022, compared to a B grade in 2019.
Highlands County
School Grades
Highlands County schools are in rows 1,436-1,452.
District Grades
Highlands County received a C grade in 2022, compared to a C grade in 2019.
Hillsborough County
School Grades
Hillsborough County schools are in rows 1,453-1,717.
District Grades
Hillsborough County received a B grade in 2022, compared to a B grade in 2019.
Manatee County
School Grades
Manatee County schools are in rows 1,975-2,037
District Grades
Manatee County received a B grade in 2022, compared to a B grade in 2019.
Pasco County
School Grades
Pasco County schools are in rows 2,681-2,773
District Grades
Pasco County received a B grade in 2022, compared to a B grade in 2019.
Pinellas County
School Grades
Pinellas County schools are in rows 2,774-2,903
District Grades
Pinellas County received a B grade in 2022, compared to a B grade in 2019.
“Despite the great results, we have much work to be done, especially in our middle schools," Superintendent Kevin Hendrick wrote in a news release. "I am excited by the progress we have made and know that we will continue to enhance the strategies to make Pinellas County Schools the premier institution for PreK-12 education.”
Polk County
School Grades
Polk County schools are in rows 2,904-3,036
District Grades
Polk County received a C grade in 2022, compared to a B grade in 2019.
“We’re encouraged by the latest school grades for PCPS, as they reflect the hard work and progress being made by our students and educators," Superintendent Frederick Heid wrote in a press release. “Our students and schools have faced tremendous hardships in recent years, but we are clearly moving in the right direction again.”
Sarasota County
School Grades
Sarasota County schools are in rows 3,166-3,216.
District Grades
Polk County received an A grade in 2022, compared to an A grade in both 2020 and 2019. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/education/florida-school-grades-2022/67-4a3c9822-f82b-44f3-a613-e5f83aefa8cc | 2022-07-08T17:05:27Z | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/education/florida-school-grades-2022/67-4a3c9822-f82b-44f3-a613-e5f83aefa8cc | false |
DALLAS, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) released updated conference call information for its second quarter 2022 financial results on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Interested parties may access the call and supplemental materials through the following details:
In addition, the financial results and earnings presentation will be furnished on a Form 8-K filing that will be available on the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Comerica Incorporated | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/comerica-announces-updated-conference-call-information-second-quarter-2022-earnings/ | 2022-07-08T17:06:31Z | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/comerica-announces-updated-conference-call-information-second-quarter-2022-earnings/ | true |
Promoting Keelung's Features of Mountain and Sea by Recording the Beauty of the Port City
KEELUNG CITY, TAIWAN, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In September last year, the Tourism Bureau, MOTC started a new trend of tourism that is different from brick-and-mortar exhibitions by establishing an online tourism platform — "Time for Taiwan - Virtual Exhibition" which allows people to know better about beautiful landscapes without any restriction, tourism attractions and accommodation in Taiwan within a short time. The latest Keelung tourism information is provided on the platform. In addition, to promote the city internationally, videos based on the features of different countries are presented, so that domestic and international tourists can visit Keelung at home without constraints.
Tseng Tzu-Wen, Director-General of Taiwan's Keelung Department of Tourism and City Marketing, said that Keelung is famous for its delicious local dishes. At the Keelung Miaokou Night Market, delicacies such as grilled sandwiches, shaved ice dessert, One Bite Sausage, oyster omelet, and tempura are just satisfying to people with different flavor preferences; At the Kanziding Fish Market in the morning, the freshest seafood just unloaded from the boat is available. You can feel the city's vitality. Keelung City has a high density of cafés, with coffee culture closely related to history, which is an important attribute of this prosperous port city. Different from Café chains can be found everywhere, all of which are run by people with different personalities, features, and their distinctive formulas. Come and find a café during the journey to have a relaxing afternoon with a cup of coffee and beautiful views.
The video "Themed Attractions - Different Keelung" that introduces this charming city is now available. The next video "Northern America - Secret Attractions," which introduces secret attractions in Keelung to audiences in North America, is expected to broadcast in late July. We welcome you to explore Keelung through Time for Taiwan - Virtual Exhibition in the post-pandemic era. Apart from the platform, please also visit "Keelung Travel" for more tourism information.
For more information, please visit
Time for Taiwan - Virtual Exhibition www.timefortaiwan.com.tw
Keelung Amore Official YouTube channel https://www.facebook.com/klcgamore/
Keelung Travel Official Facebook fan page https://zh-tw.facebook.com/klcgfans
Media Contact:
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Department of Tourism and City Marketing, Keelung City Government | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/continuous-updates-time-taiwan-virtual-exhibition/ | 2022-07-08T17:06:37Z | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/continuous-updates-time-taiwan-virtual-exhibition/ | true |
Which rangefinder binoculars are best?
If you’re into hunting or an avid golfer, rangefinder binoculars are a good tool to have in your arsenal. It helps you determine the distance between yourself and any target, improving your accuracy.
There are many rangefinder binoculars, but the right one depends on what you’ll be using it for and which features appeal to you. A good pair of rangefinder binoculars should provide accurate readings and help elevate your performance on the course or finetune your shooting precision in the field.
What you should know about rangefinder binoculars
Hunting vs. golfing vs. marine
Although there are some versatile hybrid binoculars, golf rangefinders are different from hunting rangefinders. The main difference is that golf rangefinders focus on the nearest target and ignore background surroundings. In contrast, hunting and marine rangefinders look for the furthest target and focus beyond other objects, such as bushes and trees.
Hybrid rangefinder binoculars have a distant and close target mode that can be switched at will, making them suitable for hunting and golfing.
GPS rangefinder vs. laser rangefinder
GPS and laser rangefinder are the most popular, and while each has its advantages, it’s a matter of preference. GPS rangefinders are great for providing golfers with the distance to the green’s front, center and back, but they can’t accurately measure the distance between a ball and the flag.
Laser rangefinders can lock onto anything as long as it’s in your field of vision, and they don’t need to be pre-programmed with GPS courses as GPS rangefinders do. They’re also more accurate and often have interchangeable batteries, which means you don’t have to worry about charging them between rounds.
Ultrasonic vs. optical rangefinder
Many hunting rangefinders use laser or GPS technology, but some use traditional optical or ultrasonic technology to measure distances. Optical binoculars use surrounding objects and the depth of the target. Ultrasonic rangefinders deploy a signal to a target and calculate the time it takes to return to itself to determine distance.
Top features to look for in rangefinder binoculars
Durable build and IP rating
Most rangefinder binoculars have a robust build and offer at least minimal protection against dust and moisture. However, the best ones have an ingress protection, or IP, rating indicating how deep and for how long they can be submerged in water before damaging.
Distance
It depends on what you plan on doing with your rangefinder, but typically they should be able to deliver an accurate reading of a target anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 yards away. For hunting rangefinders, the further you are from a moving target, the more difficult it is to track it. However, the high-end binoculars use surroundings and other metrics to provide accurate readings that refresh several times per second.
Zoom
Binoculars offering significant magnifying power are essential for hunters to check out the environment hundreds of yards away. It’s usually specified in the binoculars’ product description as a range. For example, a 10-30x range means that 10 times the magnification is the lowest setting, and it can be adjusted to zoom in up to 30 times.
Incline and decline detectors
Incline and decline technology isn’t crucial for golf because you only require a horizontal distance measurement to the hole, but for hunting, the landscape isn’t always as flat as one would like. Many rangefinders have the technology to measure vertical distances to give hunters a precise reading when working with elevations.
Light transmission
Light passing through binocular lenses can significantly affect your image perception. Because of this, many high-end rangefinders are designed to enhance light transmission to reduce this from happening too much. The light transmission rate depends on glass quality, coating, number of lenses and other manufacturing factors.
Best rangefinder binoculars
Top rangefinder binoculars under $1,000
Bushnell Fusion X Rangefinder Binoculars
These binoculars feature ActivSync display technology for morphing out black readings to red tones to provide precise readings no matter the time of day or lighting. They have dual archery and rifle modes, an IPX7 protection rating and exterior lens protection that lets you see targets clearly even in rainy weather.
Sold by Amazon
Astra Optix HBX1600B Laser Rangefinder
These binoculars deliver readings at a fast speed of 0.15 seconds and offer accurate measurements up to 1,760 yards. The high-transmission LCD has three reticle options, and the premium all-glass optical lens provides better light transmission than plastic-lens systems.
Sold by Amazon
Barska 7×50 WP Floating Battalion Binoculars
These high-performance binoculars are versatile enough for golf, hunting and marine-based activities. They have fully coated optics that deliver a clear image, and a sizable ocular lens provides a comfortable viewing experience. They are waterproof and have rugged armor, making them ideal for various environments.
Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Top rangefinder binoculars $1,000-$2,000
Nikon Laserforce Rangefinder Binocular
These binoculars have an outstanding range of up to 1,900 yards and a crisp OLED display with a four-step intensity adjustment feature. They continuously update measurements every eight seconds and have incline and decline technology for providing horizontal distance readings. Also, they have a rugged build, and the multilayer colored lenses adjust chromatic colors.
Sold by Amazon
Sig Sauer KILO3000 BDX Binocular Rangefinder
This highly advanced rangefinder updates metrics four times per second and sends ballistic drop data through Bluetooth to the reticle for a precise lock-on. It has an advanced, high-definition optical system and delivers impeccable light transmission. Also, it comes with a lens cleaning pen and cloth.
Sold by Amazon
Other binoculars to consider
These binoculars offer 10x magnification and have high-performance Schott glasses for 95% light transmission. They have a durable build, but the optimized lens diameter makes them lightweight. Also, the long translation and the large focus wheel let you zone in on targets with superb precision.
Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Kevin Luna writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wowktv.com/reviews/the-6-best-rangefinder-binoculars/ | 2022-07-08T17:07:38Z | https://www.wowktv.com/reviews/the-6-best-rangefinder-binoculars/ | true |
ALBANY, N.Y. — As missed warning signs pile up in investigations of mass killings, New York state is rolling out a novel strategy to screen applicants for gun permits. People seeking to carry concealed handguns will be required to hand over lists of their social media accounts for a review of their “character and conduct.”
It’s an approach applauded by many Democrats and national gun control advocacy groups, but some experts have raised questions about how the law will be enforced and address free speech concerns.
Some of the local officials who will be tasked with reviewing the social media content also are asking whether they’ll have the resources and, in some cases, whether the law is even constitutional.
Sheriffs haven’t received additional money or staffing to handle a new application process, said Peter Kehoe, the executive director of the New York Sheriffs’ Association. The law, he asserted, infringes on Second Amendment rights, and while applicants must list their social media accounts, he doesn’t think local officials will necessarily look at them.
“I don’t think we would do that,” Kehoe said. “I think it would be a constitutional invasion of privacy.”
The new requirement, which takes effect in September, was included in a law passed last week that sought to preserve some limits on firearms after the Supreme Court ruled that most people have a right to carry a handgun for personal protection. It was signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, who noted shooters sometimes telegraph their intent to hurt others.
Increasingly, young men have gone online to drop hints of what’s to come before executing a mass killing, including the gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at an Uvalde, Texas, elementary school.
Under the law, applicants have to provide local officials with a list of current and former social media accounts from the previous three years. It doesn’t specify whether applicants will be required to provide access to private accounts not visible to the general public.
It will be up to local sheriff’s staff, judges or county clerks to scroll through those profiles as they check whether applicants have made statements suggesting dangerous behavior.
The law also will require applicants to undergo hours of safety training, prove they’re proficient at shooting, provide four character references and sit for in-person interviews.
The law reflects how the Supreme Court ruling has shifted responsibility to states for vetting those who carry firearms in public, said Tanya Schardt, senior counsel and director of state and federal policy for gun control advocacy organization Brady.
Her group said it was not aware of any other states requiring gun permit applicants to submit social media profiles.
The new approach, however, comes amid growing debate over the policing of social media posts and a legacy of unwarranted surveillance of Black and brown communities.
“The question should be: Can we do this in an anti-racist way that does not create another set of violence, which is the state violence that happens through surveillance?” said University of Pennsylvania social policy, communications and medicine professor Desmond Upton Patton, who also founded SAFElab, a research initiative studying violence involving youths of color.
Meanwhile, gun rights advocates are blasting the law.
“You’re also going to have to tell them your social media accounts because New York wants to thoroughly investigate you to figure out if you’re some of those dangerous law-abiding citizens who are taking the country by storm and causing crime to skyrocket,” Jared Yanis, host of the YouTube channel Guns & Gadgets, says in a widely viewed video on the new law. “What have we come to?”
Hochul, who also has tasked state police with routing out extremism online, didn’t immediately respond to a list of questions about the social media requirement, including how the state will address free speech and privacy concerns.
“Often the sticking point is: How do we go about enforcing this?” Metro State University criminal justice professor James Densley, cofounder of research initiative The Violence Project, said. “I think it starts to open up a bit of a can of worms, because no one quite knows the best way to go about doing it.”
It can be tricky, he said, to decode social media posts by younger people, who could simply be expressing themselves by posting a music video.
Daily Top Stories
“Where this will get tricky is to what extent this is expression and to what extent is this evidence of wrongdoing?” Densley said.
Spokespeople for the social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, 4Chan and Parler didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
New York should instead consider giving the job to a trained group tasked with figuring out how to best reach out to people online who are showing signs of radicalization or trauma and may need help, Patton said.
“There’s a lot of nuance and contextual issues. We speak differently; how we communicate, that could be misunderstood,” Patton said. “I’m concerned we don’t have the right people or the right tools in place to do this in a way that’s useful in actually preventing violence.”
Adam Scott Wandt, a public policy professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said that he supports gun control, but that he worries the New York law could set a precedent for mandatory disclosure of social media activity for people seeking other types of licenses from the state.
New York’s law is rushed and vague, said Wandt, who teaches law enforcement personnel how to conduct searches on people through social media.
“I think that what we might have done as a state here in New York is, we may have confirmed their worst fears — that a slippery slope will be created that will slowly reduce their rights to carry guns and allow a bureaucracy to decide, based on unclear criteria, who can have a gun and who cannot,” Wandt said. “Which is exactly what the Supreme Court was trying to avoid.” | https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-new-york-gun-laws-social-media-20220708-innklzvah5bmpg4yqqefuqykqu-story.html | 2022-07-08T17:08:18Z | https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-new-york-gun-laws-social-media-20220708-innklzvah5bmpg4yqqefuqykqu-story.html | true |
INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED "love." AVAILABLE ON ALL DSPS FOR THE FIRST TIME
LOS ANGELES, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum sonic visionary, artist, producer, and director Kid Cudi reveals his first-ever career-spanning greatest hits project, The Boy Who Flew To The Moon…Vol. 1 out today via Universal Music Enterprises.
Listen to The Boy Who Flew To The Moon…Vol. 1—HERE.
The 18-track collection boasts the previously unreleased "love." Only available on Soundcloud up until now, this will be the first time the track lands on all DSPs. Cudi notably co-produced "love." alongside longtime collaborator Dot Da Genius. Over a sample of Ratatat's "Sunblocks," his instantly recognizable woozy melodies float above airy guitars towards a chantable affirmation as he assures, "You'll be okay, you'll find real love."
The Boy Who Flew To The Moon serves as a comprehensive overview of the 21st century legend's career thus far. Tracing his journey, it boasts the quintessential quintuple-platinum "Day 'N' Nite (Nightmare)," quintuple-platinum "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)" [feat. MGMT & Ratatat], and platinum "Just What I Am" [feat. King Chip] in addition to highlights such as "By Design" [feat. André 3000], "Surfin'" [feat. Pharrell Williams], and newly minted platinum "Tequila Shots."
Check out the full tracklisting below.
Recently, Cudi dropped a new single entitled "Do What I Want." It heralds the arrival of his anxiously awaited eighth full-length offering and one of the most anticipated projects of 2022, Entergalactic. The NETFLIX project and accompanying album are coming this Fall. The project reunites Cudi with co-creator Ian Edelman who worked together on HBO's "How To Make It In America." Cudi also serves as an executive producer alongside Kenya Barris, through their respective production companies Mad Solar and Khalabo Ink Society.
This Summer, Kid Cudi launches his To the Moon – 2022 World Tour in 27 cities across North America, Asia, and Europe. The tour kicks off with 20 North American shows starting in Vancouver on August 16, and will include stops at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, American Airlines Center in Dallas, and the United Center in Chicago. Then in the Fall, "To The Moon" travels to the Toyosu PIT in Japan and all over Europe, including The O2 in London, Verti Music Hall in Berlin, AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Palais 12 in Brussels, and the Zenith in Paris, with Milan closing out the tour at Fabrique on November 22. The full confirmed itinerary below.
Cudi stands on the precipice of a major moment once again. 2020's Man On The Moon III: The Chosen crash landed at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 as his fifth Top 10 debut on the respective chart, while the single "Tequila Shots" is now platinum. However, he initially blasted off into history with Man on the Moon: The End of Day in 2009. It has since gone double-platinum, garnered three GRAMMY® Award nominations, and seized a spot on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." A year later, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager claimed #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and went platinum.
TRACKLISTING
- Day 'N' Nite (Nightmare)
- Pursuit Of Happiness (Nightmare) [feat. MGMT, Ratatat]
- GHOST!
- Mr. Rager
- The Dream Time Machine (with WZRD)
- Upper Room (with WZRD)
- Just What I Am (feat. King Chip)
- Unfuckwittable
- Balmain Jeans (feat. Raphael Saadiq)
- Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now
- CONFUSED!
- Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven
- By Design (feat. André 3000)
- Surfin' (feat. Pharrell Williams)
- Tequila Shots
- Sad People
- Sept. 16
- love.
"To The Moon" Tour 2022
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE UMe | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/kid-cudi-releases-career-spanning-boy-who-flew-moonvol-1-out-now/ | 2022-07-08T17:11:18Z | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/kid-cudi-releases-career-spanning-boy-who-flew-moonvol-1-out-now/ | true |
BURLINGAME, Calif., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Color Health, a health technology company committed to advancing public health, is providing free COVID-19 testing through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program, to help millions of Americans in underserved communities access no-cost COVID-19 testing.
Through the partnership, Color will improve testing access across the country and provide a sustainable strategy for COVID-19 testing in communities that are suffering from dwindling public funding, with an emphasis on individuals who are under- and uninsured and at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
"When there are COVID-19 surges, underserved populations continue to have trouble accessing testing quickly and efficiently to prevent the spread in their communities — despite the fact that we are years into the pandemic," said Othman Laraki, CEO of Color. "Through the ICATT program, we're bringing Color's proven testing capabilities — and our commitment to improving public health — to locations where they are urgently needed. We're proud to support the CDC to help these communities become more resilient, both today and in advance of future surges of the virus."
As a part of this program, Color will stand up nearly 1,000 new testing sites across the country in the coming weeks, the majority of which are expected to be in public libraries and pharmacies in rural areas that lack sufficient access to testing. Testing site locations will be determined using the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index, which is a measure of a community's vulnerability in the face of a public health emergency. Community members in locations that score high on this index are more likely to be low income, non-native English speakers, disabled, or have low digital literacy.
Most sites will use unmonitored onsite testing so that community members can pick up a free testing kit, conduct a nasal swab, and drop off the kit, all with minimal overhead required from sites. Any individual who is symptomatic, has been exposed to COVID-19, is pregnant, or is at higher risk for severe COVID-19 may utilize the sites.
Testing at these sites will be:
- No cost — Regardless of insurance status, individuals will not be charged for testing at a Color site.
- Safe — Testing does not require an indoor setting so as to reduce any potential exposure to symptomatic individuals.
- Low-tech friendly — Color test results are sent via email and text, so visitors don't need a smartphone or high level of connectivity to get test results.
- Accessible — Testing will be offered directly in these communities, including on weekends, removing the need to travel far to access a test.
Since the pandemic began, Color has been building public health infrastructure for governments, employers, and other institutions that serve large populations. Through partnerships with public and private institutions such as the City of San Francisco, the National Institutes of Health, Salesforce, the State of California, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Color's infrastructure and software make it possible for large populations to receive essential healthcare services directly where they live or work, including testing and telehealth services for preventive health and infectious disease management. Color's delivery model uses a highly automated process that reduces the cost to operate a site while still providing highly convenient and accessible healthcare services to those who need it most.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Color has partnered with more than 100 major employers and universities to provide critical testing programs. Color's partnership with the City of San Francisco has helped the city maintain one of the nation's highest per-capita COVID-19 testing rates. Most recently, the company has been working with the State of California to develop a network-approach to healthcare infrastructure that prioritizes getting the right type of COVID-19 tests to where they are needed most, in order to more flexibly respond to the demands for testing. To date, Color has supported more than 10,000 testing and 1,800 vaccination sites across the country.
For those interested in becoming an approved testing site to support the CDC's Increasing Community Access to Testing Program (ICATT) alongside Color, you can enter your information here.
About Color Health
Color, a health technology company, makes population-scale healthcare programs accessible, convenient, and cost-effective for everyone. Color works with governments, public health institutions, employers, and national health initiatives around the world, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Salesforce, the Teamsters Union, the National Institutes of Health, the State of California, the City of San Francisco, the Broad Institute and more than 100 major employers and universities. Color provides the tools for preventive health and infectious disease management, including testing, vaccinations, and other services, and is responsible for the largest school testing program in the country. For more information about Color, visit www.color.com.
About CDC
CDC works 24/7 protecting America's health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America's most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Color Health | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/color-health-partners-with-cdc-increase-equitable-access-covid-19-testing/ | 2022-07-08T17:13:17Z | https://www.ktre.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/color-health-partners-with-cdc-increase-equitable-access-covid-19-testing/ | false |
Queen says she is ‘deeply saddened’ by 'sudden and tragic' death of Shinzo Abe as world leaders including Joe Biden express shock over former Japanese PM's assassination
- World leaders mourn killing of 'unifier like no other' and 'leader in the Indo-Pacific' who died after 'heinous act of violence' in usually peaceful country
- The Queen said she is 'deeply saddened' by the death of former prime minister
- Japan's best-known politician bled to death after being shot in the neck and heart by navy veteran using homemade gun
- Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, was arrested at the scene and police say he has since confessed to the shooting
- Shinzo Abe was well-known amongst world leaders whom he met throughout his nine years in power leaving legacy 'like no other'
The Queen has said she is 'deeply saddened' by the death of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in a public message sent to the Emperor of Japan.
'My family and I were deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden and tragic death of former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe,' the message read.
'I have fond memories of meeting Mr Abe and his wife during their visit to the United Kingdom in 2016.
'His love for Japan, and his desire to forge ever-closer bonds with the United Kingdom, were clear,' she said, with The Royal Family Twitter account posting the message.
'I wish to convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time.'
Condolences from world leaders have begun to pour in praising Abe who was declared dead on Friday after being shot in the neck and heart by a navy veteran using a homemade gun.
US President Joe Biden said he was 'stunned, outraged and deeply saddened' by the assassination of his 'friend' Abe, adding that it is a 'tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him'.
Biden recalled having the 'privilege' or working closely with Abe when he was Vice President and visiting him in Tokyo.
The Queen said she is 'deeply saddened' by the death of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in a public message sent to the Emperor of Japan
Condolences from world leaders have begun to pour in praising Abe who was declared dead on Friday
Biden added: 'He was a champion of the Alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people. The longest serving Japanese Prime Minister, his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure.
'Above all, he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service. Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy.'
Biden also condemned gun violence in his statement.
He said: 'While there are many details that we do not yet know, we know that violent attacks are never acceptable and that gun violence always leaves a deep scar on the communities that are affected by it.
'The United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief. I send my deepest condolences to his family.'
US President Joe Biden said he was 'stunned, outraged and deeply saddened' by the assassination of his 'friend' Abe (pictured together in New York City in September 2014
Shinzo Abe shakes hands with the former US President Donald Trump during talks at trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida back in 2018. The former American President said Abe was a 'unifier like no other' who 'loved and cherished his magnificent country'
Donald Trump reacts to the shocking assassination of Shinzo Abe in online statement which laments the death of a 'truly great man and leader'. Abe was shot on Friday by a crowd member while delivering a campaign speech in the city of Nara
Donald Trump (left) and Shinzo Abe (right) wave while playing golf at Mobara Country Club in Mobara, Japan in 2019. Trump says Abe will be 'greatly missed' following his sudden death
Kapanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, takes a putt during a friendly round of golf with U.S. President Donald Trump, right, at Mobara Country Club in Japan in May 2019
Donald Trump has declared that Shinzo Abe's killer must be dealt with 'swiftly and harshly' as world figures voiced their shock over the former Japanese PM's death today.
Trump said his assassination is 'Really BAD NEWS FOR THE WORLD!' after Japan's longest serving PM was shot to death while delivering a campaign speech in the city of Nara in western Japan.
Trump crowned Abe a 'unifier like no other... who loved and cherished his magnificent country'.
The former US President added: 'Shinzo Abe will be greatly missed. There will never be another like him.'
Trump added: 'He was a true friend of mine and, much more importantly, America. This is a tremendous blow to the wonderful people of Japan, who loved and admired him so much.'
Trump has played golf with the former Japanese leader and hosted him in his Florida resort, Mar-a-lago. Trump says he is praying for Shinzo and his 'beautiful family'.
Tributes from current and former world leaders have poured in following the tragic announcement after doctors spent hours desperately trying to save Abe who was shot in the neck and heart.
Abe with the then Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner as he gets a standing ovation while speaking to a joint session of the United State Congress on April 29, 2015 in Washington, DC
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson expressed his dismay on Twitter and praised Abe's 'global leadership through unchartered times'.
'Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe,' Johnson said on Twitter.
'His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.'
'The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time.'
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, shared his 'deepest condolences' after the 'heinous act of violence'.
'Horrible news of a brutal assassination of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. I am extending my deepest condolences to his family and the people of Japan at this difficult time. This heinous act of violence has no excuse.'
Boris Johnson (left) and Shinzo Abe (right) conversing at bilateral talks at the G7 Summit back in 2019 held in Biarritz, France. Johnson says his thoughts are with [Abe's] family, friends and the Japanese people during this 'dark and sad time'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before their meeting in Tokyo in 2019. Zelensky said this 'heinous act of violence has no excuse'
Trump's daughter Ivanka, who served as an advisor to her father, said she was 'saddened' by Abe's death.
She described the former Japanese Prime Minister as a 'truly historic figure and leader of lasting consequence'.
Ivanka, who met with Abe at a series of events including the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, added: 'Abe's advice, wisdom & warmth had a profound impact on me during my government service. My heart is with his family & the Japanese people as the world mourns his passing.'
Former US President Barak Obama paid tribute to his 'friend and longtime partner' who was 'devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the US and Japan'.
Obama added: 'I will always remember the work we did to strengthen the alliance, the moving experience of travelling to Hiroshoma and Pearl Harbor together, and the grace he and his wife Akie Abie shared to me and Michelle.
'Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan who are very much in our thoughts at this painful moment.'
Ivanka Trump described the former Japanese Prime Minister (pictured together at the 2019 G20 Summit) as a 'truly historic figure and leader of lasting consequence'
Ivanka Trump, advisor to US President Donald Trump, and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attend a meeting of the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo on November 3, 2017
Ivanka, who met with Abe at a series of events including the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan (pictured), added: 'Abe's advice, wisdom & warmth had a profound impact on me during my government service. My heart is with his family & the Japanese people as the world mourns his passing'
US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in the Oval Office following a bilateral meeting between the two leaders on February 22, 2013 in Washington, DC
Abe said little about what he thinks his legacy would be, but a key moment of pride for the former Prime Minister was when Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima in 2016.
Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the site, where he paid tribute to victims of the world's first atomic attack, though stopping short of offering an apology for the bombing.
Later that year, the two leaders made a poignant joint pilgrimage to Pearl Harbor, the first visit by a sitting Japanese leader to the memorial there, issuing symbolic declarations about the power of reconciliation and warning against the drumbeat of conflict.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with U.S. President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 27, 2016
Former US President Barak Obama paid tribute to his 'friend and longtime partner' who was 'devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the US and Japan'
French president, Emmanuel Macron, also joined tributes.
'On behalf of the French people, I send my condolences to the Japanese authorities and people after the assassination of Shinzo Abe.'
'Japan is losing a great Prime Minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to bring balance to the world.'
France's President Emmanuel Macron stands shoulder to shoulder with Shinzo Abe during an official ceremony at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo in 2019
German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, says he is shocked and deeply saddened as a result of Abe's killing and that Germany stands closely by Japan's side in these difficult hours.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, shared a full statement to Twitter following the announcement, citing Abe as 'one of Australia's closest friends'.
'The tragic death of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is devastating news...Mr Abe was one of Australia's closest friends on the world stage... Under his leadership Japan emerged as one of Australia's most like-minded partners in Asia - a legacy that endures today.
'Mr Abe was a leader in the Indo-Pacific, championing a vision of a free and open region. The Quad and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership are in many ways the results of his diplomatic leadership.
'Mr Abe was also a giant on the world stage' a leader in the G7, the G20 and the United Nations. His legacy was one of global impact, and a profound and positive one for Australia.'
The Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, shared this reaction on Twitter.
'I am deeply shocked by the news of the assassination of @AbeShinzo,'
'My thoughts are with the family of our Japanese friend who was always very kind to Poland. May he Rest In Peace.
Germany is at Japan's side, a German government spokesperson said in response to news that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died on Friday hours after he was shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election.
Abe was shot by Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, a navy veteran, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. Police say he has since confessed, telling them he wanted to kill Abe because he was 'frustrated' with him. Yamagami allegedly used a homemade shotgun
A person prays next to flowers laid at the site where late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election, near Yamato-Saidaiji station in Nara, western Japan
The current Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, called the shooting an attack on 'the foundation of democracy', describing it as 'heinous', 'barbaric and malicious', and 'absolutely unforgivable'.
'I would like to use the most extreme words available to condemn this act,' he added.
The shooting is a deeply shocking end to the life of Japan's best-known politician.
The country prides itself on its low levels of violent crime and has extremely tough gun laws making this incident even more shocking and unexpected.
'A giant of the world stage' Shinzo Abe met a host of current and former global leader during his nine years in power
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called the shooting 'an intolerable criminal act,' his office said.
Iran, meanwhile, decried the shooting as 'an act of terrorism.'
'As a country that has been a victim of terrorism and has lost great leaders to terrorists, we are following the news closely and with concern,' Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
Jordan's King Abdullah II said he was profoundly shocked and saddened by the attack. 'The world lost a great leader, and Jordan and I lost a true friend,' the monarch tweeted.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed her shock about the shooting. She said Abe was one of the first leaders she met after taking office and described him as deeply committed to his role, generous and kind.
'I recall him asking after the recent loss of our pet when I met him, a small gesture but one that speaks to the kind of person he is,' Ardern said. 'Events like this shake us all to the core.'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a day of national mourning on Saturday as a mark of deepest respect for Abe.
'Mr. Abe made an immense contribution to elevating India-Japan relations to the level of a special strategic and global partnership. Today, whole India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters in this difficult moment,' Modi said.
Modi added: 'During my recent visit to Japan, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Abe again and discuss many issues. He was witty and insightful as always. Little did I know that this would be our last meeting. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the Japanese people.'
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) laughs with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) before the signing of agreements at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 12, 2015
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed her shock about the shooting. She said Abe was one of the first leaders she met after taking office and described him as deeply committed to his role, generous and kind. Abe and Ardern are pictured together at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on November 18, 2018
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose time in office from 2005-2021 largely overlapped Abe's, said she was 'deeply shocked and devastated' by the 'cowardly and vile assassination.'
'My first thoughts are with his wife and family,' she said in a statement. 'I grieve with them. I wish them comfort and support.'
Taiwan's government said 'Abe spared no effort to push for the progress of Taiwan-Japan relations for many years,' noting his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic for the Japanese government to donate vaccines to Taiwan.
Italian Premier Mario Draghi offered profound condolences and said Italy was embracing Abe's family, the government and the Japanese people.
'Italy is distraught over the terrible attack against Japan and its free, democratic debate. Abe was a great protagonist of Japanese and international political life in recent decades, thanks to his innovative spirit and reformist vision,' Draghi said in a statement.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt noted that Abe was killed 'while campaigning for his fellow party members. All politicians should be safe while executing their work for democracy.'
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who is president of the Group of 20 nations' foreign ministers meeting in Bali, Indonesia, lamented Abe's 'untimely demise' and said he 'will always be remembered as a prime example for all.'
'It is with great dismay that all of us as participants have just learned that the former prime minister of Japan has passed away after the assassination,' German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said after the summit. 'My thoughts, our thoughts here at the G-20 meeting are with his family, with his friends, and it is with great sadness that we also send our greetings to all the citizens of Japan.'
The International Olympic Committee praised Abe for his 'vision, determination and dependability' that allowed it to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for one year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It said the Olympic flag will be flown at half staff at Olympic House in Lausanne for three days. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10995643/Queen-says-deeply-saddened-sudden-tragic-death-Shinzo-Abe.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-07-08T17:14:15Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10995643/Queen-says-deeply-saddened-sudden-tragic-death-Shinzo-Abe.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | false |
'Be the effing President': Democrat anger at Biden reaches boiling point as strategists say the White House is 'one step behind', being hurt by 'fiery' speeches from MAGA Republicans and the President needs to step up
- Democratic frustration with Joe Biden is reaching boiling point
- Party worried about upcoming midterm election
- Want a more aggressive, fighting president
- 'Be the effing president,' one Democratic strategist told DailyMail.com
- White House says Biden is out there fighting for his party
- Democratic strategists also concede Biden in tough spot and dealt bad hand
Democratic frustration with Joe Biden is boiling over as the midterms approach with many wanting to see a more aggressive, fighter of a president as the clock ticks down to November's election.
A litany of complaints has surfaced in the past few weeks about Biden's administration, mainly that it has been too slow to react to major events like the Supreme Court ruling on abortion or hasn't been passionate enough in its response to mass shootings.
One Democratic strategist bemoaned to DailyMail.com that 'this White House is just always like a half step behind.'
'Be the effing president,' the strategist said of Biden.
The White House has countered that the president has moved quickly, pointing to the gun legislation that he recently signed into law. But Biden - despite begging from activists - didn't announce plans for executive action on reproductive rights until Friday, two weeks after a Supreme Court ruling that everyone knew was coming.
As election worries consume the party, Democrats are showing they want a change from the steady hand the country elected in the wake of Donald Trump's turbulent presidency and the covid pandemic.
But, now, with inflation at a 40-year-high, abortion rights endangered in many states, and Trump's actions as president in the spotlight of the January 6th committee, Democrats want to see their president pumped up.
Jesse Ferguson, a longtime Democratic campaign strategist, acknowledges the frustration among the party faithful even as he argues actions mean more than his words.
'Everyone has a right to be frustrated right now but the people hurting us are the Republicans in this MAGA faction who have taken over. Giving more fiery speeches will make us all feel better, but getting more Democrats elected is the solution to the problem,' he told DailyMail.com.
Democratic frustration with Joe Biden is boiling over as the midterms approach with many wanting to see a more aggressive, fighter of a president
Another longtime Democratic strategist told DailyMail.com that 'everyone has their reason for being exhausted' with the president.
'Progressives want all the change, the vast majority of the country just wants to get to some semblance of normal again, moderates are tired of the progressives being detached from independent voters, and everyone wants [Attorney General] Merrick Garland to empanel grand juries yesterday,' the strategist said.
'With inflation, January 6th, Russia invading Ukraine, the Supreme Court imposing cultural shocks, and the new Omicron variants all dominating the first half of this term, it makes it really hard to make anybody happy,' the strategist said.
Biden has issued a few zingers - slamming the 'ultra MAGA' Trump supporters - but he's focused on playing the blame game.
He's blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the high gas prices - calling it 'Putin's price hike' - and blamed Congress for not codifying Roe vs. Wade into law or passing his Build Back Better bill filled with funding for social programs.
But some Democrats worry pointing the finger isn't enough and that Biden needs to show he has a plan.
'Voters want you to show your work,' said Democratic stragetist Joel Payne.
He advised the White House to 'simplify' its message and 'stop trying to like do everything and try to do like a couple things really well,' like focusing on gas prices and inflation.
Voters say inflation is their top concern headed into the election. Gas prices have started to fall but still remain over a $1.50 higher per gallon than where they were a year ago.
In an alarming number, a majority of Americans- 85 per cent - said the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction, including nearly 8 in 10 Democrats, according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research last week.
The wrong track number can be a strong indication that the country wants a change - which usually results in the party in power losing seats in Congress. Republicans are heavily favored to take control of the House in November's election.
Michael Stratton, a Democratic strategist who has worked on campaigns, said Biden has been dealt the 'worst hand' in terms of the post-pandemic world, its economic fallout, and the Supreme Court ruling.
'Are there people out there, saying 'Woe is me?'Of course there are, but I still believe that Biden is the right guy at the right time,' he said.
But, he conceded, a more vocal Biden couldn't hurt.
'I think to some extent, the administration could blow their horn more or they could rally up supporters and get the the message out,' he said. 'The message that has gotten forgotten because of world events.'
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said just having the president out on the trail, where voters can hear his message, makes a different.
'For him to deal with everyday Americans whenever he travels, and he connects and and I think it makes a difference for them, to hear from from their president directly,' she said on Wednesday when the president was traveling to Ohio.
New data show that annual inflation in the US rose to 8.6% last month, the biggest increase since December 1981
Abortion rights protests sprung up around country after the Supreme Court ruling
The grumblings among Democrats have been growing louder in the past few weeks as party faithful have expressed disappointment with Biden's response to recent events - including the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe vs. Wade, the landmark case that made abortion legal in the country, and the recent spat of gun violence.
On the Fourth of July, in response to a mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, Biden said: 'We've got a lot more work to do. We've got to get this under control.'
In response to the Supreme Court ruling, Biden called for more Democrats to be elected to Congress in November.
'This fall, we must elect more senators and representatives who will codify a woman's right to choose into federal law once again,' Biden said.
He and the White House were unprepared for the Supreme Court ruling, CNN reported, despite the fact a draft of the ruling had been published by Politico and that the decision was expected to be announced by the end of the court's term.
'There is a leadership vacuum right now, and he's not filling it,' Adam Jentleson, a Democratic consultant and former top adviser to then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, told the Washington Post. 'I sympathize with the argument that there's very little they can do legislatively. But in moments of crisis, the president is called upon to be a leader. And when people are feeling scared and angry and outraged, they look to him for that, and they're not getting much.' | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10992193/Be-effing-President-Democrat-anger-Biden-reaches-boiling-point.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | 2022-07-08T17:15:09Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10992193/Be-effing-President-Democrat-anger-Biden-reaches-boiling-point.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 | false |
Bias in your inbox? Republicans accuse Google of sending their campaign emails to spam
A North Carolina State University study found that Google has been sending 68 percent of Republican campaign emails to spam - while just 8 percent of Democratic ones met the same fate.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - It’s not every day that people check their spam folders - but it could be the destination for dozens of campaign emails intended for your inbox.
A North Carolina State University study found that Google has been sending 68 percent of Republican campaign emails to spam - while just 8 percent of Democratic ones met the same fate.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) is introducing a bill called the “Political BIAS Email Act” that would ban big tech from filtering campaign emails
“Google should not be using a filtering algorithm to send a spam communications that are sent by political candidates,” said Thune, “Be they Republican or Democrat.”
Cyber security expert Matthew Curtin explains that algorithms take data and sort it in a way that might be useful to the user. It sifts through emails, eliminating things users might not want, and prioritizes things that might be of interest based off users habits. He believes Google’s sorting might not be malicious in nature - it might come down to the wording in those emails.
“It’s possible that the people who are writing the content are using words that are more readily associated with things that actually are spam,” said Curtin.
As an example, he explains that emails that ask for money are usually flagged as suspicious - and that many campaign emails do just that. The algorithm picks up on it.
“And as a consequence, it starts to train the filters to start looking for those messages,” said Curtin, “And then automatically send them to the spam folders of people who might want to have them.”
Republicans aren’t the only victims - the study (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2203.16743.pdf) found that Microsoft Outlook and Yahoo servers sent more Democratic emails to spam than Republican. While there are currently only Republicans co-signing the bill - Thune hopes Democrats will be convinced as well.
“I’m hoping they’ll be some Democrat support,” said Thune, “If you’re someone who is trying to reign in the influence of social media platforms and other tech platforms, then you ought to be for this because it does create transparency - and puts the power back in the hands of the consumer instead of the tech company”
Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai met with lawmakers on June 22nd. Following that meeting, he vowed that Google would be more transparent with their data on spam filtering, and their interactions with political campaigns.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/08/bias-your-inbox-republicans-accuse-google-sending-their-campaign-emails-spam/ | 2022-07-08T17:15:58Z | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/08/bias-your-inbox-republicans-accuse-google-sending-their-campaign-emails-spam/ | true |
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, July 8, 2022
_____
HEAT ADVISORY
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
1054 AM CDT Fri Jul 8 2022
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 109 and high temperatures up to
105 expected.
* WHERE...Portions of south central Texas.
* WHEN...From noon to 8 PM CDT Friday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 110 expected and high
temperatures up to 106 expected.
* WHERE...Maverick, Zavala and Dimmit Counties.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.darientimes.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-AUSTIN-SAN-ANTONIO-Warnings-Watches-and-17292574.php | 2022-07-08T17:18:50Z | https://www.darientimes.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-AUSTIN-SAN-ANTONIO-Warnings-Watches-and-17292574.php | false |
- The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index is down 1.3% month over month in June. Cox Automotive now anticipates a year-over-year decline of 6% in December rather than 3%, reflecting more normal market patterns through the remainder of the year.
- Used-vehicle inventory has returned to normal, demand remains strong, and values are declining in a way that indicates normal depreciation has returned and allows for the possibility of more buyers entering the market.
- New-vehicle sales remain muted – with no clear solution in sight – as tight supply continues to hold back the market.
ATLANTA, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a mix-, mileage-, and seasonally adjusted basis) decreased 1.3% in June from May. This brought the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index to 219.9, up 9.7% from a year ago. The non-adjusted price change in June decreased 1.8% compared to May. The drop in June left the unadjusted average price up 10.7% year over year, significantly below the increase recorded in March when year-over-year growth stood at 23.3%.
"It's refreshing to report we are seeing some trends returning more toward normalcy in the used market," said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. "Much of the focus year to date has been on how much sales are down compared to last year, but that was an impossible comp. The used retail market has been gaining momentum as the year progressed. The opposite occurred last year. We could see more used vehicles sold in July this year than last. Contrary to some opinions, there is little evidence of consumers pulling back, either when it comes to the retail vehicle market or more broadly reducing spending in total. If the consumer pulls back, we will see a recession, as the U.S. economy is consumer driven. But I'm not seeing evidence of us going into or already being in a broad market recession. The jobs market is solid, and consumer demand is there as a result."
Manheim Market Report (MMR) values saw larger declines over the last two weeks than in the prior two weeks. MMR is a valuation tool that tens of thousands of consignors and dealers use to assess millions of trade-ins each month. It is designed to be highly stable and avoid overreacting to short-term market ups and downs to provide an accurate measure of vehicle valuations regardless of market conditions.
Over the last four weeks, the Three-Year-Old Index decreased a net 2.5%. Over the month of June, daily MMR Retention, which is the average difference in price relative to current MMR, averaged 98.4%, meaning market prices were slightly behind MMR values. The average daily sales conversion rate declined to 51.7%, which was a typical seasonal pattern but was at a level below normal for the time of year. For example, the sales conversion rate averaged 57% in June 2019. The lower conversion rate indicates that the month saw buyers with more bargaining power for this time of year.
All major market segments again saw seasonally adjusted prices that were higher year over year in June, except for pickups showing a 2.5% decline. Vans had the largest increase at 23.1%, with compact and sports cars maintaining seasonally adjusted year-over-year gains ahead of the overall industry. Compared to May, all major segments' performance was down. Pickups and midsize cars lost more than 2%, followed by luxury cars and vans at 1.8% and 1.6%, respectively.
"The market for used isn't getting worse; we're just in a slightly lower gear right now," said Chris Frey, senior manager of economic and industry insights, Cox Automotive. "And with used-vehicle values moderating and following a more normal pattern, that may even become a tailwind. New-vehicle inventory remains challenged, and that will help support demand for used vehicles."
Leveraging a same-store set of dealerships selected to represent the country from Dealertrack, we estimate that used retail sales increased 5% in June from May. However, the Dealertrack estimates indicate that used retail sales were down 13% year over year. Compared to 2019, sales were down 11%, which was the best comp against 2019 so far this year.
Used-vehicle supply started the year in a much better place. Dealers built inventory in January and February that then peaked and has been coming down since. But with improving sales, retail days' supply quickly normalized, leaving used-vehicle supply stable in June and off the lows seen last year but still very close to the supply level in 2019.
Using estimates of used retail days' supply based on vAuto data, June ended at 48 days of supply, which was unchanged from 48 days at the end of May but higher than how June ended in 2021 at 39 days. Leveraging Manheim sales and inventory data, wholesale supply is estimated to have ended June at 25 days, slightly higher than how May ended at 24 days and higher than how June 2021 ended at 20 days.
June's total new-light-vehicle sales were down 13.5% year over year, with one less selling day than June 2021. By volume, June new-vehicle sales were up 1.7% from May. The June SAAR came in at 13.0 million, a 16% decline from last year's 15.5 million but up 2.3% from May's 12.7 million pace.
Combined sales into large rental, commercial, and government fleets were up over 8% year over year in June. Sales into rental were down 10% year over year, while sales into commercial fleets were up 23% and sales into government fleets were up 24%. Including an estimate for fleet deliveries into dealer and manufacturer channels, the remaining retail sales were estimated to be down 15.3%, leading to an estimated retail seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 11.1 million, up 0.2 million from last month, or 1.6%, and down 8.5% from last June's 12.1 million pace. Due to weakness in retail, fleet share rose in June to 14.5%, up from last June's 12.7% and last month's 13.9%.
The average price for rental risk units sold at auction in June was up 30% year over year. Rental risk prices were up 0.9% compared to May. Average mileage for rental risk units in June (at 58,700 miles) was down 32% compared to a year ago and down 7.6% from May.
The full-year Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index forecast is being lowered to finish the year at 221.4, a 6% year-over-year decline. This change from the previous forecast of a 3% decline is being made in recognition of the current Index level — slightly lower than anticipated at the halfway point, after a muted spring selling season — as opposed to a major change in expectations for the back half of the year.
To download additional commentary and data on the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index from Cox Automotive, visit the Cox Automotive Newsroom.
Manheim® is the nation's leading provider of end-to-end wholesale vehicle solutions that help dealer and commercial clients increase profits and efficiencies in their used vehicle operations. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for decisioning, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. Operating the largest vehicle wholesale marketplace, Manheim provides clients with choices to connect and transact business how and when they want. With nearly 8 million used vehicles offered annually, Manheim team members help the company facilitate transactions representing nearly $80 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning, and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto®, and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents, and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Cox Automotive | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/latest-manheim-used-vehicle-data-shows-signs-market-normalcy-after-unprecedented-run-2020-2021/ | 2022-07-08T17:21:27Z | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/latest-manheim-used-vehicle-data-shows-signs-market-normalcy-after-unprecedented-run-2020-2021/ | true |
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Adam Svensson had two eagles in a 10-under 62 to take a two-stroke lead Thursday in the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship.
Playing through temperatures in the 90s at Keene Trace, the Canadian eagled the par-5 15th and eighth holes. The first eagle came after his lone bogey on No. 14, and the second — on a 31-foot putt — gave him the lead.
“I had a couple of top 25s the last few events and I’ve always had, not issues, but just kind of struggled a little with the putter,” said Svennson, whose best finish this season was a tie for seventh at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
“I’ve been working more on putting than I have ball-striking, usually it’s the other way around for me. The extra work and extra time spending with putting has helped my game even more than just hitting balls.”
Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal and Robin Roussel of France each shot 64.
The Barbasol Championship is the European tour’s first co-sanctioned event in the U.S. and features 50 players from the European tour among 156 competitors. The winner will get the final spot next week in the British Open at St. Andrews.
Gouveia is making his second PGA Tour start.
“It was a great round, really solid off the tee, hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, holed some good putts,” said Gouveia, who overcame a back issue that forced him to withdraw from the pro-am Wednesday. “Just a very solid round.
Roussel eagled the par-5 11th in a bogey-free round that included six birdies.
Trey Mullinax was at 65 with Matti Schmid, Camilo Villegas, Max McGreevy, Michael Kim, David Skinns, Mark Hubbard and Bo Van Pelt.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.koin.com/sports/ap-sports/svensson-holds-first-round-lead-at-barbasol-championship/ | 2022-07-08T17:24:07Z | https://www.koin.com/sports/ap-sports/svensson-holds-first-round-lead-at-barbasol-championship/ | false |
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Adam Svensson had two eagles in a 10-under 62 to take a two-stroke lead Thursday in the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship.
Playing through temperatures in the 90s at Keene Trace, the Canadian eagled the par-5 15th and eighth holes. The first eagle came after his lone bogey on No. 14, and the second — on a 31-foot putt — gave him the lead.
“I had a couple of top 25s the last few events and I’ve always had, not issues, but just kind of struggled a little with the putter,” said Svennson, whose best finish this season was a tie for seventh at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
“I’ve been working more on putting than I have ball-striking, usually it’s the other way around for me. The extra work and extra time spending with putting has helped my game even more than just hitting balls.”
Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal and Robin Roussel of France each shot 64.
The Barbasol Championship is the European tour’s first co-sanctioned event in the U.S. and features 50 players from the European tour among 156 competitors. The winner will get the final spot next week in the British Open at St. Andrews.
Gouveia is making his second PGA Tour start.
“It was a great round, really solid off the tee, hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, holed some good putts,” said Gouveia, who overcame a back issue that forced him to withdraw from the pro-am Wednesday. “Just a very solid round.
Roussel eagled the par-5 11th in a bogey-free round that included six birdies.
Trey Mullinax was at 65 with Matti Schmid, Camilo Villegas, Max McGreevy, Michael Kim, David Skinns, Mark Hubbard and Bo Van Pelt.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/svensson-holds-first-round-lead-at-barbasol-championship/ | 2022-07-08T17:24:42Z | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/svensson-holds-first-round-lead-at-barbasol-championship/ | true |
WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading contender for the Republican nomination for governor in Michigan was sued in the 1990s, accused of using racial slurs about Black people in the workplace and sexually harassing his employees.
One of his rivals pleaded not guilty in federal court on Thursday to misdemeanor charges after authorities said he rallied Donald Trump’s supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Another candidate is a chiropractor and self-help guru who hawked supplements he falsely claimed treated COVID-19.
And even the contender who has garnered mainstream support had an “admittedly lame” hobby acting in low-budget horror pictures, one of which included a zombie biting off a man’s genitals.
In one of the most politically consequential states in the U.S., the Republican primary for governor is shaping up as a battle of whose personal baggage is the least disqualifying. In an otherwise favorable election year for Republicans, the spectacle surrounding the Aug. 2 contest could hobble the party’s effort to defeat Democratic incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the fall.
“Whitmer can attack every one of them,” said Bernie Porn, a Lansing-based pollster with more than three decades experience surveying the state. “There are skeletons in the closet of most of the Republican candidates.”
The GOP campaign has been fraught from the start. Two top candidates were kicked off the ballot for submitting false petition signatures, narrowing the field to five contenders.
There’s little polling to suggest there’s a clear front-runner among the remaining candidates. But Republicans insist Whitmer is still vulnerable this fall given rising prices for gas and food and her close ties to President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings remain low.
The allegations against businessman Kevin Rinke, who ran his family’s suburban Detroit auto-dealership empire in the 1990s, are particularly graphic.
Four employees sued in 1992 alleging that Rinke repeatedly made vulgar and belittling sexual remarks to both men and women, creating a hostile work environment that was intended to make them quit.
In an interview with The Associated Press this week, Rinke called the allegations from two separate lawsuits “blatantly false.” He acknowledged making payouts to former employees, but said it was less expensive than going to trial on the accusations. Court records indicate Rinke as well as the employees agreed to have the cases dismissed.
On one occasion Rinke is alleged to have said that women “should not be allowed to work in public” because “they are ignorant and stupid” while referring to a female employee with a vulgar term, a lawsuit states.
Court documents state that Rinke also referred to his own genitals as “golden” while threatening to sexually assault a used car manager if he didn’t “do a good job.” If the manager did a “great job,” the court documents state, Rinke would have allowed the man to pleasure him sexually.
Much of Rinke’s conduct was reported by his personal secretary, who alleged that he would inquire about her underwear, call her at home if she failed to say goodnight and would also phone to ask “which young stud” she was with while speculating about her sex life. Once, when employees were looking at pictures of newborn babies, Rinke commented on how well-endowed one of the baby boys was, the lawsuit states.
Another lawsuit filed in the same year by a Black employee alleged Rinke repeatedly made derogatory racist remarks directed at him during a holiday party in December 1991.
At the party, the lawsuit says, Rinke allegedly asked the employee where the car he drove was stolen from. When the employee responded that he did not steal, Rinke is alleged to have said, “You mean you aren’t like the rest?” while using a racial slur. Rinke is accused of using the same racial slur several other times, including one instance in which he repeated a sexual stereotype about Black men’s anatomies while encouraging the employee to expose himself to others at the party, according to court documents and the lawyer who represented the employees.
Rinke told the AP that the experience prepared him to run for public office “because in America, you can accuse anybody of anything.”
“It wasn’t true then. It wasn’t true now,” he added.
His rivals, however, say the allegations make him unelectable.
“He’ll never be governor because Gretchen Whitmer will just beat his brains out,” said Fred Wszolek, a longtime adviser to the family of former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who is running a super PAC backing Tudor Dixon, another GOP contender.
As an electoral battleground, Michigan has helped determine the winner of the past two presidential races. Trump and his allies sought to overturn the outcome of his 2020 loss in the state but were blocked by courts, and a GOP-led state Senate investigation concluded there was no widespread or systemic fraud.
But Ryan Kelley, a Grand Rapids-area real estate broker, has made election fraud and the lie that Trump won in 2020 a focus of his campaign. He was also recorded on video in Washington during the Jan. 6 insurrection directing a mob of Trump supporters toward a set of stairs leading to the U.S. Capitol. He used his phone to “film the crowd assaulting and pushing past U.S. Capitol police officers” and was part of a group that forced police to retreat, the FBI said. He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance Thursday.
Kelley, who organized armed protests inside the Michigan statehouse in the early days of the pandemic, did not respond to a request for comment made through his campaign. But he and his supporters have questioned the timing of his June arrest, arguing it was politically motivated.
The arrest, however, helped Kelley raise his profile, leading to an appearance on conservative pundit Tucker Carlson’s widely watched Fox News program.
“I’ve seen the support grow tremendously,” Kelley said.
Garrett Soldano, meanwhile, used his activism during the pandemic to launch a campaign. Soldano, a Kalamazoo chiropractor, created the Facebook group Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine which gained roughly 380,000 members before the social media company shut it down amid a crackdown on the spread of misinformation and threats.
As a candidate, he’s sought to appeal to social conservatives with an ad denigrating transgender rights and declaring that his preferred pronouns are “conservative, patriot.”
Before his rise to prominence, the former Western Michigan University football player was a fire walking instructor and a self-help author of the book “God’s True Law: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Successful Children.” He also hawked the supplement Juice Plus, which he falsely claimed could “dominate” any virus, including COVID-19, and had the added benefit of giving him “great bowel movements.”
The Federal Trade Commission issued a letter to the multi-level marketing company that produces the supplement in 2020, warning bout the false claims made by those selling Juice Plus, among them Soldano. The company has disavowed any claims that Juice Plus was an effective COVID-19 treatment.
In a statement that did not address his biography, Soldano’s campaign said he looks forward to challenging “Queen Gretchen Whitmer.”
Tudor Dixon, the the co-host of a conservative online news show, is the only woman running for the Republican nomination. She has garnered considerable Republican establishment support, including the endorsement of the wealthy DeVos family, as well as the anti-abortion group Michigan Right to Life.
Like Soldano, Dixon has also focused on the role she says parents should play in deciding educational curriculum, suggesting schools have become a hotbed of government-sponsored perversion. In social media posts, Dixon has called for school administrators to be prosecuted if it is found that children were provided with “access to sexually explicit” and “pornographic books in our schools.”
But just over a decade ago, Dixon moonlighted as an actor in low-budget horror productions that have been criticized as being at odds with her current emphasis on family values.
She had a small role in the 2011 zombie movie Buddy BeBop Vs. the Living Dead in which she is eaten alive by zombies. The film, which was filmed in the Kalamazoo area and is still available on Amazon Prime, features one scene in which a zombie consumes the midsection of a pregnant woman. In another, a zombie bites off a man’s genitals as he screams.
She also had a starring role in an online TV show called Transitions, which is about vampires and was made by the same director. The show has been scrubbed from public view online. But one clip shared with the AP shows a woman starting to undress for a male vampire before Dixon’s character, a British vampire named Claire, emerges from a bathroom with a sword and slashes the woman’s throat.
James Blair, a strategist for Dixon, downplayed her acting, explaining that the “not-so-entertaining entertainment” was made for adults— not children.
“Tudor’s admittedly lame hobby acting from over a decade ago is in no way out of step with her mission to forge a family friendly Michigan,” said Blair.
___
Report for America/Associated Press reporter Joey Cappelletti contributed from Grand Rapids. | https://who13.com/news/politics/ap-politics/gop-push-to-defeat-whitmer-threatened-by-candidates-baggage/ | 2022-07-08T17:24:50Z | https://who13.com/news/politics/ap-politics/gop-push-to-defeat-whitmer-threatened-by-candidates-baggage/ | false |
Social media sites and video platforms are grappling with whether or not to pull videos depicting the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Facebook and Twitter both stepped in Friday hours after Abe’s death and announced they would remove videos showing the assassination, which they claim violate the company’s rules. The takedowns highlight an inherent content moderation tension at social media companies: While assassination videos are graphic by nature, some internet platforms have still traditionally opted to allow videos depicting assassinations and other acts of political violence involving well-known figures due in part to their newsworthiness.
In a statement sent to Gizmodo, a Twitter spokesperson on Friday said the company was “proactively removing,” the assassination videos, which depict a man firing what appears to be a homemade double-barreled shotgun twice into Abe’s chest. Twitter says it officially removed the offending videos because they violate the company’s restrictions on graphic violence. The Twitter spokesperson told Gizmodo it was curating useful tweets about the attack by relevant authorities and media organizations and said it encouraged people to report media in tweets they think should be treated as “sensitive.”
Meta, on the other hand, in a statement sent to ABC News, cited its policy on dangerous individuals, as the reason for its video removals. Meta also said it had disabled an account allegedly tied to the suspected shooter.
“We do not and will not tolerate any violent behavior on our platform,” Meta told ABC News. “To keep our platform a safe place to connect, we are working to remove any violating content related to the incident.”
Meta did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
As of writing, Gizmodo was still able to find videos of the event on YouTube, however selecting several of the videos triggered a warning saying, “the following content has been identified by the Youtube community as inappropriate or offensive to some audiences.” At least as of now, YouTube appears to be taking a slightly different approach to Facebook and Twitter. Gizmodo reached out to both YouTube and video streaming platform Twitch for clarity on its strategy around the videos but we haven’t heard back.
Abe, who served as Japan’s Prime minister from 2006-2007 and again between 2012-2020, was shot in the back Friday while giving a speech in the city of Nara. The gunman reportedly fired off two shots with the DIY firearm from a distance of around 10 feet. In the video, the supposed shotgun more closely resembles a bundle of pipes held together by tape. The suspect, a 41-year former member of Japan’s navy, reportedly told police he wanted to kill Abe because he believed Abe held ties to a “certain group,” according to Bloomberg.
Firearms are extremely rare in Japan, making the method of the attack all the more surprising. To put that into perspective, Japan has only experienced 14 gun-related deaths since 2017, and just one for all of 2021, according to The New York Times.
While videos depicting Abe’s death do violate the written rules for most major internet platforms, those same sites have tended to allow more leeway for historical political assassinations. For instance, Gizmodo was able to find videos depicting John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on both Facebook Watch and YouTube. The leeway isn’t limited to decades of footage either. Gizmodo was able to view footage depicting the comparatively more graphic 2016 assassination of Andrei Karlov, the former Russian ambassador to Turkey, on both platforms as well. | https://gizmodo.com/shinzo-abe-facebook-twitter-youtube-assassination-1849157560 | 2022-07-08T17:27:09Z | https://gizmodo.com/shinzo-abe-facebook-twitter-youtube-assassination-1849157560 | false |
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, July 8, 2022
_____
HEAT ADVISORY
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
1054 AM CDT Fri Jul 8 2022
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 109 and high temperatures up to
105 expected.
* WHERE...Portions of south central Texas.
* WHEN...From noon to 8 PM CDT Friday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 110 expected and high
temperatures up to 106 expected.
* WHERE...Maverick, Zavala and Dimmit Counties.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.lmtonline.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-AUSTIN-SAN-ANTONIO-Warnings-Watches-and-17292574.php | 2022-07-08T17:27:34Z | https://www.lmtonline.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-AUSTIN-SAN-ANTONIO-Warnings-Watches-and-17292574.php | false |
(NewsNation) — Some consumers are still feeling pain at the pump, but drivers are starting to see some relief. After hitting never-before-seen levels last month, gas prices are now trending downward.
The average price of gasoline is $4.72 a gallon nationwide Friday, down from $4.84 a week ago, according to AAA. It’s also down from the record $5.01 hit on June 14. Yet prices are still $1.58 higher than this time last year.
Experts say this is because the gasoline supply has improved — refineries are producing more gas, diesel and jet fuel.
While drivers can expect to see this trend continue for another two or three weeks, it will likely slow down soon.
The recent interest rate hike and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine will limit how much the gas price dips.
“We probably won’t go back to normal prices until there is a long-term resolution with Russia and Ukraine. Until there is a new power installed in Russia or a regime change in Russia,” said Patrick de Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
Experts continue to advise consumers to use apps like Waze, Google or GasBuddy to find the most competitive gas prices in their neighborhood.
As the price continues to drop, experts say drivers will likely see more competition among gas stations to attract customers. | https://www.pahomepage.com/news/gas-prices-dropping-after-hitting-record-highs/ | 2022-07-08T17:30:10Z | https://www.pahomepage.com/news/gas-prices-dropping-after-hitting-record-highs/ | false |
New flower species blooms at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky
Advertisement
New flower species blooms at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky
There's something new popping up around a cave that's millions of years old.Mammoth Cave, a national park in Kentucky, has a new flower.According to the park's Facebook page, a Mosaics in Science Intern named Anjali Velamala recently photographed a bright pink flower called naturalized gladiolus.Park officials believed it was the first time they've ever been recorded at the park.That makes it one of nearly 1,300 documented plant species at the park.Want to learn more about Mammoth Cave and its many plants? Click here.
MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky. —
There's something new popping up around a cave that's millions of years old.
Mammoth Cave, a national park in Kentucky, has a new flower.
Advertisement
According to the park's Facebook page, a Mosaics in Science Intern named Anjali Velamala recently photographed a bright pink flower called naturalized gladiolus.
Park officials believed it was the first time they've ever been recorded at the park.
That makes it one of nearly 1,300 documented plant species at the park.
Want to learn more about Mammoth Cave and its many plants? Click here. | https://www.wlky.com/article/new-flower-species-blooms-at-mammoth-cave-in-kentucky/40557550 | 2022-07-08T17:30:25Z | https://www.wlky.com/article/new-flower-species-blooms-at-mammoth-cave-in-kentucky/40557550 | false |
'I'm having the best time!! Stacey Solomon wows in a plunging gold satin dress as she enjoys a sunset by the sea on her 'magical' hen party in Mykonos
She kicked off her hen do ahead of her wedding to fiancé Joe Swash.
And Stacey Solomon wowed in a plunging gold satin midi dress as she stepped out to enjoy the sunset by the sea in Mykonos on Thursday.
The TV personality, 32, took to Instagram to give her fans a glimpse of her 'magic' time so far on the picturesque Greek island.
Radiant: Stacey Solomon, 32, wowed in a plunging gold satin midi dress as she stepped out to enjoy the sunset by the sea in Mykonos on Thursday
Looking simply sensational, Stacey swanned through the streets against a backdrop of white buildings and pink flowers before stopping for a photo.
The flowing number featured a frilled neckline and wrap around design that nipped in at her waist.
She wore her red locks in a chic plait with face framing curls and slipped into a pair of matching gold sandals to complete her look.
Dreamy! The TV personality took to Instagram to give her fans a glimpse of her 'magic' time so far on the picturesque Greek island
Glowing: She wore her red locks in a chic plait with face framing curls and slipped into a pair of matching gold sandals to complete her look
In a video shared to her Story, Stacey slipped into a pink floral bikini as she took a plunge into the sea with her friends.
It comes as Stacey appeared to be having the time of her life as she got the 'best surprise ever' by travelling on horseback through a ranch.
However, the TV personality - who was dressed in a bride slogan swimsuit and a tiny pair of white shorts - admitted she regretted her outfit choice on the day.
Relaxing: She socked up the deco as she posed for a photo next to a Dior cushion
Fun-filled: In a video shared to her Story, Stacey slipped into a pink floral bikini as she took a plunge into the sea with her friends
Capturing the memorable moment on her Instagram account, Stacey was beaming as she trotted in the sun on a stunning white horse.
Sharing her delight with her 5.3 million followers Stacey captioned one of her Insta Stories: 'Loved this surprise so much. Wish I'd have dressed more appropriately.
'But I love animals so much and horses are so special so I was just so happy to spend the afternoon with them. Love you @label.lady.1.'
Pals: stacey was joined by a large group of friends for the celebrations
The animal lover also included an image of herself in the montage cooling the horse down with a hose as she stroked his forelock.
Stacey's surprise comes after she wowed in a bridal white bikini on Wednesday as she got her hen do off to a raucous start.
Stacey was beaming as she added a sheer sarong which read 'bride' across the satin waistband and a sequinned veil clipped in her hair.
Dreamy: Stacey appeared to be having the time of her life as she got the 'best surprise ever' and travelled on horseback through a ranch earlier in the week
Caring: The animal lover also included an image of herself in the montage cooling the horse down with a hose as she stroked his forelock
Alongside the photos she penned: 'It’s my hen do. Honestly I’ve never felt so special. I love you girls. Even if you did make me travel across the Mediterranean Sea dressed as a giant green pickle.
'Thank you all for your beautiful messages today. I bloody love you lot. Happyyy Heeennnnn to me. Pickle on tour.'
The outfit change comes after the TV personality was forced to dress as a pickle by her pals due to the fact she is always talking about her kids, who she affectionately refers to as her pickles.
Hilarious: It comes after the TV personality was forced to dress as a pickle by her pals due to the fact she is always talking about her kids, who she affectionately refers to as her pickles | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10995843/Stacey-Solomon-wows-plunging-gold-satin-midi-dress-Mykonos-hen-do.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-07-08T17:30:38Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10995843/Stacey-Solomon-wows-plunging-gold-satin-midi-dress-Mykonos-hen-do.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | false |
Amazfit provides its latest outdoor GPS smartwatch, the Amazfit T-Rex 2, for the 2022 season of the Spartan Race US.
CUPERTINO, Calif., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amazfit, a leading global smart wearables brand of Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), has announced that its partnership with Spartan Race US will continue for a second year. This time, Amazfit aims to help athletes succeed in the ultimate test of endurance with the latest super-tough and rugged outdoor GPS smartwatch, the Amazfit T-Rex 2.
Amazfit is known for designing high-tech smart wearables that inspire wellness and productivity through the power of science and technology. As one of the brand's toughest outdoor smartwatches, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 is the go-to smartwatch for challengers to take on the impossible:
- Designed with comprehensive outdoor exploration features, the smartwatch has passed 15 military-grade certifications to withstand extreme conditions from intense heat to cold that's below freezing.
- With powerful battery life of up to 24 days, 10 ATM water-resistance, and an ultra-low temperature operation mode, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 can be used underwater and in extreme environments as cold as -30℃.
- This smartwatch is also equipped with strong and precise dual-band positioning and supports five satellite systems for accurate position identification. With its advanced route import and real-time navigation features that allow users to track their movement directly on the watch, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 is ready to endure this outdoor contest with the athletes.[1]
Sharing the same vision of achieving toughness inside and out, the Spartan Race has been bringing together a motivated group of athletes with a desire to push beyond their limits. The partnership includes Amazfit's role as the official partner of Spartan Race US and Spartan Awards Ceremony Presenting Partner, and providing the super-tough and rugged Amazfit T-Rex 2 to those who earn a spot on the podium at participating races. Meanwhile, Amazfit will also host interactive product giveaways on Spartan's digital platforms and social media streams to inspire more people to live a healthy and adventurous lifestyle.
Speaking on this partnership, Ian Lawson, Vice President of Global Partnerships, Spartan Race, said: "We are very excited to renew our partnership with Amazfit. Our community is made up of dedicated and strong-willed individuals who work and train hard. This partnership allows us to provide a versatile product that will assist our Spartans in their training and on race day, while also empowering them to monitor and analyze important health data that facilitates a healthier, happier and stronger way of life."
The official partnership kicks off on July 8th, 2022. For more information, visit the official websites of Amazfit and Spartan.
About Amazfit
Amazfit, a leading global smart wearables brand focused on health and fitness, is part of Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), a health technology company. Offering a wide selection of smartwatches and bands, Amazfit's brand essence is "Up Your Game", encouraging users to live their passions and express their active spirits freely. Amazfit is powered by Zepp Health's proprietary health management platform that delivers cloud-based 24/7 actionable insights and guidance to help users attain their wellness goals.
Launched in 2015, Amazfit is today embraced by millions of users. Its products are available in more than 90 countries across the Americas, and EMEA and APAC regions. For more information about Amazfit, visit www.amazfit.com/us
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Amazfit | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/amazfit-returns-second-year-official-partner-spartan-race-with-rugged-outdoor-gps-smartwatch/ | 2022-07-08T17:30:45Z | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/amazfit-returns-second-year-official-partner-spartan-race-with-rugged-outdoor-gps-smartwatch/ | true |
INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED "love." AVAILABLE ON ALL DSPS FOR THE FIRST TIME
LOS ANGELES, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum sonic visionary, artist, producer, and director Kid Cudi reveals his first-ever career-spanning greatest hits project, The Boy Who Flew To The Moon…Vol. 1 out today via Universal Music Enterprises.
Listen to The Boy Who Flew To The Moon…Vol. 1—HERE.
The 18-track collection boasts the previously unreleased "love." Only available on Soundcloud up until now, this will be the first time the track lands on all DSPs. Cudi notably co-produced "love." alongside longtime collaborator Dot Da Genius. Over a sample of Ratatat's "Sunblocks," his instantly recognizable woozy melodies float above airy guitars towards a chantable affirmation as he assures, "You'll be okay, you'll find real love."
The Boy Who Flew To The Moon serves as a comprehensive overview of the 21st century legend's career thus far. Tracing his journey, it boasts the quintessential quintuple-platinum "Day 'N' Nite (Nightmare)," quintuple-platinum "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)" [feat. MGMT & Ratatat], and platinum "Just What I Am" [feat. King Chip] in addition to highlights such as "By Design" [feat. André 3000], "Surfin'" [feat. Pharrell Williams], and newly minted platinum "Tequila Shots."
Check out the full tracklisting below.
Recently, Cudi dropped a new single entitled "Do What I Want." It heralds the arrival of his anxiously awaited eighth full-length offering and one of the most anticipated projects of 2022, Entergalactic. The NETFLIX project and accompanying album are coming this Fall. The project reunites Cudi with co-creator Ian Edelman who worked together on HBO's "How To Make It In America." Cudi also serves as an executive producer alongside Kenya Barris, through their respective production companies Mad Solar and Khalabo Ink Society.
This Summer, Kid Cudi launches his To the Moon – 2022 World Tour in 27 cities across North America, Asia, and Europe. The tour kicks off with 20 North American shows starting in Vancouver on August 16, and will include stops at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, American Airlines Center in Dallas, and the United Center in Chicago. Then in the Fall, "To The Moon" travels to the Toyosu PIT in Japan and all over Europe, including The O2 in London, Verti Music Hall in Berlin, AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Palais 12 in Brussels, and the Zenith in Paris, with Milan closing out the tour at Fabrique on November 22. The full confirmed itinerary below.
Cudi stands on the precipice of a major moment once again. 2020's Man On The Moon III: The Chosen crash landed at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 as his fifth Top 10 debut on the respective chart, while the single "Tequila Shots" is now platinum. However, he initially blasted off into history with Man on the Moon: The End of Day in 2009. It has since gone double-platinum, garnered three GRAMMY® Award nominations, and seized a spot on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." A year later, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager claimed #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and went platinum.
TRACKLISTING
- Day 'N' Nite (Nightmare)
- Pursuit Of Happiness (Nightmare) [feat. MGMT, Ratatat]
- GHOST!
- Mr. Rager
- The Dream Time Machine (with WZRD)
- Upper Room (with WZRD)
- Just What I Am (feat. King Chip)
- Unfuckwittable
- Balmain Jeans (feat. Raphael Saadiq)
- Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now
- CONFUSED!
- Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven
- By Design (feat. André 3000)
- Surfin' (feat. Pharrell Williams)
- Tequila Shots
- Sad People
- Sept. 16
- love.
"To The Moon" Tour 2022
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE UMe | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/kid-cudi-releases-career-spanning-boy-who-flew-moonvol-1-out-now/ | 2022-07-08T17:33:44Z | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/kid-cudi-releases-career-spanning-boy-who-flew-moonvol-1-out-now/ | true |
CLAYTON, N.Y. (WWTI) — The Bassmaster Elite Series will return to the St. Lawrence River next week.
This season’s final three-event phase, known as the “Northern Swing” will challenge 90 pro anglers to fish Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, including areas in Cape Vincent, Chaumont Bay and offshore islands.
According to Bassmasters, Anglers in the lake typically follow a more target-oriented strategy and use their electronics to target specific structures. River anglers are forced to fish on shoals, rocks and ledges with long drifts.
Lake Ontario often produces the greatest number of quality fish, including the majority of big smallmouth bass. The St. Lawrence River has more constricted water, which creates a stronger current. Fish are said to expend more in the River, which allows for more weight retention.
Veteran Elite Series pro Clark Wendlandt, who fished his first professional tournament on the St. Lawrence, said in a press release that anglers have a tremendous amount of diversity.
“When we went out of Clayton in 2020, the Canadian side was closed,” Wendlandt said. “This year, the Canadian side is open, and with Lake Ontario, it’s massive. I think the sky’s the limit.”
Wendlant said that he believes it will take a little under 20 pounds a day to reach Championship Sunday’s Top 10 field. An Elite angler has yet to enter the Century Club, which recognizes a four-day total of 100 pounds or more with all smallmouth.
Ahead of the tournament, Idaho Angler Brandon Palaniuk is leading the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year and Florida Angler John Cox is in second place. In the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race, Joseph Webster of Alabama holds the top spot.
The first casts of the competition will begin on Thursday, July 14 with takeoffs from the Antique Boat Museum at 7 a.m. and weigh-ins back at the museum at 3 p.m. The competition will close on Sunday, July 17.
Full coverage from all four days of the Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will be available on the Bassmaster’s website and the FOX Sports digital platforms. | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/destination-ny/bassmasters-elite-series-returning-to-st-lawrence-river/ | 2022-07-08T17:34:46Z | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/destination-ny/bassmasters-elite-series-returning-to-st-lawrence-river/ | false |
`An inquest date would give us hope´ - brother of girl shot dead in 1972
The brother of a 13-year-old girl shot dead 50 years ago has said a date for an inquest would give his family hope.
Margaret Gargan was one of five civilians killed in a shooting incident involving the Army on July 9 1972.
The other four were Catholic priest Father Noel Fitzpatrick, 40, John Dougal, 16, Patrick Butler, 39 and David McCafferty, 15.
The families and their supporters are set to gather on Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of their deaths.
Speaking to the PA news agency ahead of the event, Margaret’s brother Harry said after 50 years they want answers.
He was 12 when his sister, then aged 13, died. She was then labelled as a gunman.
“I remember my father and I having to crawl on our hands and knees to get to where Margaret was, she was lying there on a corrugated sheet. That sight will never leave me,” he said.
“My mother never recovered from Margaret, she died at 57 of a heart attack.
“She got a letter from a soldier’s mother, apologising that the British Army killed Margaret.”
A fresh inquest into the five deaths is in its preliminary stages.
Mr Gargan said he hopes a date for the full inquest to be heard will be given at the next preliminary hearing in September.
The UK Government’s legacy Bill proposes to end all legal proceedings pertaining to the Troubles and has made the Springhill families anxious their inquest may not go ahead.
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill also proposes an effective amnesty for Troubles crimes for those who co-operate with a new information body.
“It has been such a long time. All we really wanted was an inquest, we don’t want prosecutions,” Mr Gargan said.
“We want to hear what happened. If we get a date for the full inquest at the next hearing, that would give us hope.
“We have only one parent left in all the families, that’s David McCafferty’s father, he’s 92, you would like to see him get an inquest.”
Anyone who can assist the inquests is asked to contact the Legacy Inquest Unit.
Sinn Fein MP John Finucane has backed the Springhill families, saying they should not have to wait any longer for truth and justice.
“It is disgraceful that five decades later the families of those killed still do not have answers about what happened to their loved ones,” he said.
“Their courage outshines the shameful actions of the Tory Government that seeks to provide amnesty to the British soldiers that carried out the atrocities in Springhill and all state forces who killed Irish citizens.
“The British Government should listen to the voices of victims, families, political parties and the Irish government who are all opposed to these plans and want them scrapped.
“An agreement which included mechanisms to give victims and families access to truth and justice was reached in 2014 by the political parties and both governments at Stormont House, it should be implemented in full, in a human rights compliant manner.” | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-10995915/An-inquest-date-hope--brother-girl-shot-dead-1972.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-07-08T17:37:40Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-10995915/An-inquest-date-hope--brother-girl-shot-dead-1972.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | true |
Workers are about to open a radically redesigned intersection along the regularly dysfunctional Interstate 4 west of Orlando to ease some of the traffic troubles there and to provide a preview of similar conversions coming to many other Orlando area crossroads.
An increasingly popular but peculiar intersection design called a diverging diamond has been constructed at the junction of I-4 and County Road 532 in Osceola County just east of the golfing and vacation community of ChampionsGate.
The traffic volume at the intersection is “incredible,” said project spokesperson David Parks. It’s nearly 64,000 vehicles daily, or more than on Colonial Drive east of downtown Orlando and more than on State Road 436 toward the city’s international airport.
To better handle that crushing volume, the diverging diamond will get rid of signals for left turns to and from the interstate. To do that, the design will route the two directions of traffic on C.R. 532 to temporarily cross each other and to travel along at opposite the usual direction through the entire intersection.
The intended result is less waiting at fewer traffic lights and fewer chances of cars hitting each other.
“We are excited to have it,” said Marc Reicher, a ChampionsGate senior vice president. He said the interchange has been problematic for years, posing hazards on the interstate when traffic backs up to standstills on exit ramps and raising tensions when motorist try to merge onto I-4.
Reicher said a key improvement along with the interchange’s redesign is the addition of I-4 lanes between C.R. 532 and the big expressway to the east, State Road 429. Another major upgrade is a significant expansion of ramps to and from C.R. 532 that should combine to reduce accident dangers and driver frustrations, he said.
As for the diverging diamond intersection, “we are about to find out how well it works,” Reicher said. The intersection, he said, mixes high volumes of experienced commuters and first-time vacationers.
Driving on what feels like the wrong side of the road to improve safety may sound like a white-knuckle moment, like a first taste of driving in England, but the diverging diamond intersection’s design and markings are intended to leave little doubt about what to do.
The interchange’s “how to” brochure says simply that “the lane will guide the driver to the opposite of the road.”
An alternative name for the interchange design is more explanatory: a double crossover diamond. Drivers will cross over when entering the intersection and cross back over when leaving the intersection.
It’s not the first go at the design for the Florida Department of Transportation.
The sprawling interchange at Sarasota’s Interstate 75 and University Parkway was retrofitted as a diverging diamond five years ago. From there, FDOT grew a lot of enthusiasm for how well the design handles traffic flow.
Kevin Thibault, the state transportation secretary for three years until becoming chief executive officer at Orlando’s airport early this year, said many major intersections have performed well until taxed by population growth and burgeoning traffic.
That forced, for example, a complete overhaul of the huge intersection at state roads 436 and 528 just north of the airport and the monster interchange at I-4 and State Road 408.
A similar reconstruction of the crossroads at I-4 and C.R. 532 was overdue. The junction was designed in a conventional diamond configuration, where, when seen from above, the interstate, its ramps and the road it crosses create diamond patterns.
“A diamond interchange when it was constructed back in the day for a small, little county road was fine,” Thibault said.
“As it grew with Reunion and ChampionsGate and other developments, it made DOT think about a different design and the diverging diamond was one of those concepts that have been deployed very successfully,” Thibault said.
Up next in Central Florida is the installation of a diverging diamond at I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway, with construction to start there this year, and at Sand Lake Road and I-4, with that job to start next year.
Further along the timeline are diverging diamonds for: I-4 at Lake Mary Boulevard, at State Road 46A and at State Road 472; Florida’s Turnpike at Avalon Road, Consulate Drive and New Nolte Road; and Interstate 95 at LPGA Boulevard and at State Road 524.
Breaking News
Already open for traffic are diverging diamonds at I-95 and Viera Boulevard and St. Johns Heritage Parkway in south Brevard County.
Remaking the intersection at I-4 and C.R. 532 near ChampionsGate cost $13.2 million.
The intersection will be closed for striping and other touch-ups from Saturday morning through Sunday morning, when it will open to traffic in a mostly complete condition. The cycling lanes and crosswalks are to be finished later this year.
While the intersection is handling about 64,000 vehicles daily, the state department of transportation was unable to readily provide the number of vehicles the redesigned intersection will be able to handle efficiently.
Notably, the intersection is an interim project. It’s meant to be ripped out and rebuilt yet again some years or perhaps decades from now, as the state takes on the gargantuan and undetermined task of rebuilding I-4 through the theme-park and vacation district and beyond.
That task will be all the trickier because Brightline Trains plans to build a high-speed rail corridor within I-4′s footprint.
kspear@orlandosentinel.com | https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/transportation/os-ne-interstate-4-double-diamond-intersection-20220708-bx6m4g3235bydob4mu2tfcvtry-story.html | 2022-07-08T17:37:50Z | https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/transportation/os-ne-interstate-4-double-diamond-intersection-20220708-bx6m4g3235bydob4mu2tfcvtry-story.html | false |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/articles/40017750 | 2022-07-08T17:42:00Z | https://sportspyder.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/articles/40017750 | true |
U.S. job growth strong in June despite darkening economic outlook
Unemployment rate holds steady at 3.6%; private employment back above pre-pandemic level
U.S. employers hired far more workers than expected in June and continued to raise wages at a steady clip, signs of persistent labor market strength that give the Federal Reserve ammunition to deliver another 75-basis-point interest rate hike this month.
The Labor Department's closely watched employment report on Friday also showed no indication that companies were reducing hours for workers. Also, the number of people working part time for economic reasons fell sharply, dropping below its pre-pandemic level. This should allay fears of an imminent recession that had mounted in recent days following a raft of tepid economic data, ranging from consumer spending to manufacturing.
"Today's job number should soothe fears of an imminent recession, but it does nothing to relieve fears of considerable further Fed tightening," said Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Global Investors. "The job market remains severely tight."
Nonfarm payrolls increased by 372,000 jobs last month. Data for May was revised slightly down to show payrolls rising by 384,000 jobs instead of the previously reported 390,000. Employment is now 524,000 jobs below its level in February 2020.
The private sector has recouped all the jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and is 140,000 higher than in February 2020, while government employment is still in the hole by 664,000.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 268,000 jobs added last month, with estimates ranging from as low as 90,000 to as high 400,000.
Last month's broad increase was led by the professional and business services industry, which added 74,000 jobs. Leisure and hospitality payrolls increased by 67,000 jobs. But employment in the industry remains down by 1.3 million since February 2020.
There were also strong payrolls gains in the healthcare, information as well as transportation and warehousing industries. Manufacturing added 29,000 jobs and has recouped all the jobs lost during the pandemic.
The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6% for a fourth straight month, in part as people left the labor force.
U.S. stocks opened lower. The dollar rose against a basket of currencies. U.s. Treasury prices fell.
Tight Labor Market
The Fed wants to cool demand for labor to help bring inflation down to its 2% target. The U.S. central bank's aggressive monetary policy posture has heightened recession worries, which were amplified by modest growth in consumer spending in May as well as soft housing starts, building permits and manufacturing production.
In June, it raised its benchmark overnight interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point, its biggest hike since 1994. Markets overwhelmingly expect the Fed, which has increased its policy rate by 150 basis points since March, to unveil another 75-basis-point hike at its meeting later this month.
The release next Wednesday of inflation data for June, which is expected to show consumer prices accelerating, is also seen giving policymakers another reason to raise borrowing costs further.
Inflation could remain elevated, with employers continuing to raise wages to retain and attract workers. There were 11.3 million job openings at the end of May, with 1.9 jobs for every unemployed person.
Average hourly earnings increased 0.3% in June after gaining 0.4% in May. That lowered the year-on-year increase to 5.1% from 5.3% in May. Despite the deceleration, wage pressures remain robust. Labor costs surged in the first quarter and the Atlanta Fed's wage growth tracker continues to run strong.
With workers still in short supply, the average workweek held steady at 34.5 hours. The number of people working part time for economic reasons fell by 707,000 to 3.6 million and was below its February 2020 level of 4.4 million.
- Comments will be moderated by The Hindu editorial team.
- Comments that are abusive, personal, incendiary or irrelevant cannot be published.
- Please write complete sentences. Do not type comments in all capital letters, or in all lower case letters, or using abbreviated text. (example: u cannot substitute for you, d is not 'the', n is not 'and').
- We may remove hyperlinks within comments.
- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | https://www.thehindu.com/business/us-job-growth-strong-in-june-despite-darkening-economic-outlook/article65617202.ece | 2022-07-08T17:42:46Z | https://www.thehindu.com/business/us-job-growth-strong-in-june-despite-darkening-economic-outlook/article65617202.ece | true |
SITKA, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska family had given up hope of finding their blind, elderly golden retriever who wandered away from their home three weeks ago, but a construction crew found Lulu in salmonberry bushes after initially confusing her for a bear.
Lulu was barely alive after being found Tuesday, but she is being nursed back to health and is back home with her family, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported.
“She means everything,” owner Ted Kubacki said. “I have five daughters and they’re 4 to 13 years old, so they’ve spent every day of their life with that dog.”
The Kubacki family searched for weeks after Lulu wandered off June 18.
“She’s just so helpless, and you kind of imagined that she can’t get real far because she can’t see,” he said.
It didn’t help when the family was the subject of a terrible joke when someone claimed they found Lulu a few days into the search.
“We put the kids to bed and got a text saying, ‘We found your dog,’ or ‘I have your dog,’ and we’re like, ‘Oh my god, this is incredible,’” he said. “Then the person texted me, ‘Just kidding.’ This happened, yeah, that was all part of this terrible story.”
After searching weeks, the family had given up hope.
But then a construction crew this week spotted Lulu lying in the brush alongside a road not far from the Kubacki’s home. She was about 15 feet (4.57 meters) down an embankment, and at first the crew thought it was a bear.
“They got a closer look and they realized that it was a dog, and they got her out of there,” Kubacki said.
All the sadness melted away when he got the call that Lulu had been found.
“I called my wife from work and it was just screaming... She just starts yelling, then she yells to the kids. And I just hear them screaming like crazy,” Kubacki said.
Although alive, Lulu was in bad shape. The 80-pound (36.29-kilogram) dog had dropped 23 pounds (10.43 kilograms) since she was lost; she was dehydrated, dirty and her fur was matted.
“I just expected to come back and be like ‘Hey, here’s my dog.’ She’s going to jump up and wag her tail and kiss my face, and she couldn’t even pick up her head,” he said. “She’d been through the wringer."
Lulu’s condition has markedly improved with medical care, food and rest.
“Slowly but surely she started eating and she was kind of able to pick her head up,” Kubacki said. “But then yesterday, she propped herself up on her front paws by herself, like nestled into me and gave me a kiss and wagged her tail and it was just so great.”
A day later, she was able to stand on her own.
Kubacki, a grocery store employee and the sole provider for his family of seven, then worried about the veterinarian’s bill.
Those fears were unfounded as Sitka residents donated hundreds of dollars to cover Lulu’s recuperation bills.
“We have our family member home,” Kubacki said. | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Blind-older-dog-found-in-Alaska-3-weeks-after-17292825.php | 2022-07-08T17:43:42Z | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Blind-older-dog-found-in-Alaska-3-weeks-after-17292825.php | true |
WIMBLEDON, England — Novak Djokovic fashioned a second consecutive comeback victory at Wimbledon on Friday, this one with a deficit far less daunting, the drama far less palpable.
On the steamiest afternoon of the fortnight so far, with the temperature reaching 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius) and the air still, Djokovic got off to a slow start and often looked displeased, shaking his head or gesticulating toward his guest box. But unlike in the quarterfinals, when he dropped the opening two sets against No. 10 seed Jannik Sinner before winning in five, it took little time for Djokovic to assert his dominance.
When it ended, Djokovic curled his lips as if sending a kiss to someone in the stands who had been backing Norrie during the match.
“The job,” Djokovic said, “is not finished.”
He will face first-time major finalist Nick Kyrgios for the trophy on Sunday. The unseeded Kyrgios, a combustible 27-year-old from Australia who drew jeers for the mere mention of his name during Djokovic’s on-court interview, did not need to play on Friday because 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal withdrew from their semifinal with a torn abdominal muscle.
“Well, one thing is for sure,” said Djokovic, who has lost both past matches against Kyrgios. “There’s going to be a lot of fireworks, emotionally, from both.”
It will be the 32nd Grand Slam title match for Djokovic, breaking a tie for the men’s record he shared with Roger Federer, and gives the 35-year-old from Serbia a shot at a 21st major title and seventh at Wimbledon. Only Federer, with eight, owns more at the grass-court tournament among men.
The women's final is Saturday, with No. 3 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia facing No. 17 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. That will be the first Wimbledon final since 1962 between two women both making their debuts in a major final.
Djokovic vs. Norrie began auspiciously enough for locals hoping to see one of their own get to a men’s final, something only two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has accomplished for Britain since the professional era began in 1968.
Roars came when the left-handed Norrie arose first from his seat — Djokovic was pouring some water on his hand and rubbing it in his hair to cool off — and headed to the baseline to receive serve in the first game.
More arrived when Djokovic missed a backhand to cede the opening point, when he pushed a forehand long on the second and when Norrie’s volley winner completed the break to grab that game. Norrie hopped and skipped and threw an uppercut. Some Union Jack flags waved in the stands.
Was the championship won? No, of course not. A berth in the final earned? Not that, either. All in all, it was quite a celebration after merely one of what would become 35 games, after five of 202 points, four of 154 minutes.
When Djokovic broke right back a few minutes later, he swiftly turned to walk to the courtside stand holding his white towel and dabbed at his perspiration. To him, this was not a monumental achievement.
The contrasting reactions underscored the differences in their careers to date.
For Norrie, this was his first Grand Slam semifinal, 42 fewer than his opponent. Indeed, until this fortnight, Norrie never had been past the third round at a major, going 0-5 at that stage previously.
By the conclusion, the disparity in skills was obvious, too. Just one tiny example of how versatile and superb Djokovic is came on one particularly marvelous point. He hit a spinning half-volley on the move, but Norrie replied with a lob. So Djokovic ran back toward the baseline, the net behind him, and conjured up a between-the-legs, facing-the-wrong-way, high-arching lob of his own that somehow landed in. Norrie ran to that, twisted his body to reply with a forehand and Djokovic ended the 14-stroke exchange with a drop volley winner.
Even the partisans on hand cheered with approval. Djokovic raised his right index finger to the sky.
Still, it took him a full set to get going. Only two of Norrie’s first 20 points in the match came via winners he produced. Djokovic was off enough to commit 12 unforced errors by set’s end, and there were plenty of other strokes mediocre enough to let Norrie take the early lead.
“A bit tighter at the beginning of the match,” said Djokovic, who took a bathroom break and put on a white hat before the second set. “You’re not swinging through the ball so smoothly as you would like to.”
But here is one measure of how he restored order: Djokovic made 16 unforced errors over the last three sets combined.
Norrie, meanwhile, grew less sharp as Djokovic increased the pressure — within points and on the scoreboard. A particularly sloppy service game by Norrie, with a trio of unforced errors, helped Djokovic break to lead 5-3 in the second set.
“He kind of gifted me that game,” Djokovic said. “I feel like momentum ... shifted a little bit.”
Perhaps sensing their guy could use a boost, some fans offered chants of “Let’s go, Norrie, let’s go!” early in the third set. Didn’t change a thing.
Djokovic broke to open the third and again to open the fourth.
Only one of Norrie’s previous five foes this fortnight was even seeded, No. 30 Tommy Paul. Needless to say, Djokovic represented quite a considerable step up in quality.
He is not one to ignore chances presented to him, not one to casually allow gifts to go unopened, and so it was on this day.
___
More AP Wimbledon coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/wimbledon and https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/djokovics-27th-wimbledon-win-in-row-puts-him-in-8th-final/2022/07/08/d0fa8960-fedf-11ec-b39d-71309168014b_story.html | 2022-07-08T17:48:51Z | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/djokovics-27th-wimbledon-win-in-row-puts-him-in-8th-final/2022/07/08/d0fa8960-fedf-11ec-b39d-71309168014b_story.html | false |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The average gas price in Arkansas has dropped once again.
AAA officials reported Friday that Arkansans are paying a state average of $4.30 per gallon. This price is down nine cents from a week ago and 17 cents from a month ago. Diesel fuel also dropped to $5.29 per gallon,
Throughout the state, drivers in Greene County are paying the least at the pumps with an average of $3.96 per gallon. On the other hand, drivers in Montgomery County are paying $4.62 per gallon.
In central Arkansas, Pine Bluff’s gas average is $4.37 per gallon. Gas in Hot Springs is averaging around $4.27 per gallon. Drivers in the Little Rock-North Little Rock area are paying an average of $4.23 per gallon.
Nationally, the gas average dropped to $4.72 per gallon. According to AAA, at least 10 states saw the largest weekly decrease since last Thursday. Illinois and Texas saw a drop of 16 and 15 cents, respectively.
To see the latest fuel prices near you, head to our Gas Tracker page. | https://www.kark.com/news/state-news/arkansas-average-gas-price-drops-to-4-30-per-gallon/ | 2022-07-08T17:50:21Z | https://www.kark.com/news/state-news/arkansas-average-gas-price-drops-to-4-30-per-gallon/ | false |
Country
United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary
People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/police-arrest-teen-suspected-in-fatal-shooting/article_9544564e-fed5-11ec-b4f6-f75db547ffc8.html | 2022-07-08T17:50:33Z | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/police-arrest-teen-suspected-in-fatal-shooting/article_9544564e-fed5-11ec-b4f6-f75db547ffc8.html | false |
The online platform that provides accessible, comprehensive resources for treatment and recovery teams with Rock to Recovery to end the stigma of addiction and inspire people to celebrate a sober life
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- All Sober, the game-changing platform to support the millions of Americans impacted by drug and alcohol addiction, announced today that it will be the title sponsor of the sobriety benefit concert Rock to Recovery. The fifth annual concert will take place on July 9 at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles; it is 100% alcohol-free and will raise money to support recovery and sobriety initiatives.
This year's concert honors three-time Emmy-winning actor Keith David, recipient of the Rock to Recovery ICON Award, along with Emmy-nominated comedian Jay Mohr, recipient of the Rock to Recovery Service Award, for their contributions to the recovery community. The lineup features the night's headline band, Sacred Sons, plus musicians from Train, Korn, Madonna's band, Ministry, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Misfits and other special guests. Willie Nelson protege and Heidi Klum's favorite, Lily Meola, will also perform, coming straight off her America's Got Talent golden Buzzer victory.
"We are very excited to have the support of All Sober as the title sponsor for this year's event," said Wes Geer, founder of Rock to Recovery. "We have a shared vision of music as an outlet for healing, hope and expression, and working together, we can raise funds to support recovery and end the stigma of addiction." Rory Pullens, chief education and inspiration officer at All Sober, will kick off the evening's activities with Geer.
All Sober provides support through the entire recovery journey and consists of seven pillars: Help & Information, Group Support, Treatment/Recovery, Community, Relaunch, Sober Lifestyle and Inspiration. The platform showcases inspirational music, videos and blogs from celebrity partners, including Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Ralph Johnson of Earth Wind & Fire, and Ricky Byrd, formerly of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. All Sober emphasizes that sobriety is not only possible, but sustainable and fun as well.
"We are honored to be the title sponsor of Rock to Recovery. This group of performers brings inspiration to those in recovery or battling addiction, and the mission aligns with All Sober's main pillars that make up our platform," said Pullens. "All Sober understands the importance of influencers and celebrities to lead discussions surrounding sober living and recovery. Our platform shares their stories to provide support for our members."
To follow along on social media, the event's hashtags are #rocktorecovery5 and #R2R5.
To learn more about All Sober and to download the app, please visit www.allsober.com.
About All Sober:
For the 192 million Americans who are impacted by drug and alcohol addiction, All Sober provides all the vital resources needed for treatment, recovery and sober life, all in one place. All Sober represents the journey from addiction to a sober lifestyle with seven key pillars: Help & Information, Group Support, Treatment/Recovery, Community, Relaunch, Sober Lifestyle and Inspiration. To demonstrate that sobriety is possible, sustainable and fun, the platform also includes inspiration from celebrities, music, videos, blogs and articles.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE All Sober | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/all-sober-announces-title-sponsor-rock-recovery-annual-benefit-concert/ | 2022-07-08T17:50:45Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/all-sober-announces-title-sponsor-rock-recovery-annual-benefit-concert/ | true |
RADFORD, Va. (WFXR) — Some of the biggest animal mysteries in the wilds of Virginia are being solved in a lab in Radford.
Dr. Tara Pelletier is an assistant professor of biology at Radford University. One of her areas of research is identifying previously undiscovered animal species.
“I study biodiversity,” said Pelletier as she gestured around her lab at Radford. “Our big picture questions are understanding what species are found where, and what are the evolutionary processes that shape those biodiversity patterns.”
In this day and age, science is still discovering new species of animals. It is going on right here in Virginia, and even includes mammals.
“Mammals are a really well-studied group, so the fact that we’re seeing a lot of biodiversity in mammals means that there’s way more hidden diversity out there,” Pelletier said.
So, where is that hidden biodiversity in the Commonwealth?
Two important factors come into play: Geography and size.
Geography is key because Virginia still has a lot of remote locations, like mountainous regions, where humans rarely go. That means isolated populations of animals can live there without any humans ever knowing it.
Size matters, too. In this case, smaller is better because small animals living in remote places can be difficult to find.
So, what mammals fit that description?
“This one represents the rodents,” Pelletier said as she pulled up a computer screen showing various recognized and predicted species. “Voles, shrews, small mammals; these are the opossums here, so mostly the small things.”
The work Pelletier does is conducted in the field and in the laboratory. When in the field, observations are made and DNA is collected through various means. That DNA is brought back to the lab for analysis. The job is nowhere close to being finished.
“Just the fact that we’ve seen this much hidden diversity in mammals means that we reallystill have a lot of work left to do to document all of the biodiversity that exists on our planet,” Pelletier said.
Each discovery she makes in her research adds to our understanding of our world, and gives us a better idea of how to protect it.
As Pelletier added, “Biodiversity has both innate and monetary value, but we can’t protect it if we don’t know what’s there.” | https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/mystery-species-in-virginia-radford-researcher-is-on-the-case/ | 2022-07-08T17:53:40Z | https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/mystery-species-in-virginia-radford-researcher-is-on-the-case/ | true |
Actor Larry Storch, known for his role as Corporal Randolph Agarn on “F Troop,” has died. He was 99.
His family confirmed the news on his Facebook page.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share with you the news our beloved Larry passed away in his sleep overnight. We are shocked and at a loss for words at the moment. Please remember he loved each and every one of you and wouldn’t want you to cry over his passing. He is reunited with his wife Norma and his beloved F Troop cast and so many friends and family.”
Storch had stints on “The Love Boat” and “Car 54, Where Are You?” On “Married… With Children,” he played Al Bundy’s childhood hero who owned an acting school.
Other stints included “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Fantasy Island,” “Columbo,” and “Gilligan’s Island” among others. | https://www.al.com/life/2022/07/larry-storch-f-troop-actor-dead-at-99.html | 2022-07-08T17:56:12Z | https://www.al.com/life/2022/07/larry-storch-f-troop-actor-dead-at-99.html | false |
SITKA, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska family had given up hope of finding their blind, elderly golden retriever who wandered away from their home three weeks ago, but a construction crew found Lulu in salmonberry bushes after initially confusing her for a bear.
Lulu was barely alive after being found Tuesday, but she is being nursed back to health and is back home with her family, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported.
“She means everything,” owner Ted Kubacki said. “I have five daughters and they’re 4 to 13 years old, so they’ve spent every day of their life with that dog.”
The Kubacki family searched for weeks after Lulu wandered off June 18.
“She’s just so helpless, and you kind of imagined that she can’t get real far because she can’t see,” he said.
It didn’t help when the family was the subject of a terrible joke when someone claimed they found Lulu a few days into the search.
“We put the kids to bed and got a text saying, ‘We found your dog,’ or ‘I have your dog,’ and we’re like, ‘Oh my god, this is incredible,’” he said. “Then the person texted me, ‘Just kidding.’ This happened, yeah, that was all part of this terrible story.”
After searching weeks, the family had given up hope.
But then a construction crew this week spotted Lulu lying in the brush alongside a road not far from the Kubacki’s home. She was about 15 feet (4.57 meters) down an embankment, and at first the crew thought it was a bear.
“They got a closer look and they realized that it was a dog, and they got her out of there,” Kubacki said.
All the sadness melted away when he got the call that Lulu had been found.
“I called my wife from work and it was just screaming… She just starts yelling, then she yells to the kids. And I just hear them screaming like crazy,” Kubacki said.
Although alive, Lulu was in bad shape. The 80-pound (36.29-kilogram) dog had dropped 23 pounds (10.43 kilograms) since she was lost; she was dehydrated, dirty and her fur was matted.
“I just expected to come back and be like ‘Hey, here’s my dog.’ She’s going to jump up and wag her tail and kiss my face, and she couldn’t even pick up her head,” he said. “She’d been through the wringer.”
Lulu’s condition has markedly improved with medical care, food and rest.
“Slowly but surely she started eating and she was kind of able to pick her head up,” Kubacki said. “But then yesterday, she propped herself up on her front paws by herself, like nestled into me and gave me a kiss and wagged her tail and it was just so great.”
A day later, she was able to stand on her own.
Kubacki, a grocery store employee and the sole provider for his family of seven, then worried about the veterinarian’s bill.
Those fears were unfounded as Sitka residents donated hundreds of dollars to cover Lulu’s recuperation bills.
“We have our family member home,” Kubacki said. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/blind-older-dog-found-in-alaska-3-weeks-after-wandering-off/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2022-07-08T17:56:20Z | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/blind-older-dog-found-in-alaska-3-weeks-after-wandering-off/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | true |
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Police imposed a curfew in Sri Lanka’s capital and surrounding areas on Friday, a day before a planned protest demanding the country’s president and prime minister resign over an economic crisis that has caused severe shortages of essential supplies and disrupted people’s livelihoods.
Critics say President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is responsible for the economic crisis, the worst since the country’s independence in 1948, and that Ranil Wickremesinghe, who became prime minister two months ago promising to end the shortages, has not delivered on his pledge.
Civic and opposition activists have announced that thousands of people will gather in Colombo on Saturday for a mass protest. Police said the curfew, beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, will continue until further notice in Colombo and its suburbs.
Thousands of students wearing black clothes and holding black flags also marched in Colombo on Friday demanding that Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe step down. They shouted anti-government slogans and carried banners reading “Enough — now go.”
Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt and has suspended repayments of $7 billion in foreign debt due this year. It must pay back more than $5 billion every year until 2026. Its foreign reserves are nearly gone and it is unable to import food, fuel, cooking gas and medicines.
A lack of fuel to run power stations has resulted in long daily power cuts. People must stand in lines for hours to buy fuel and gas, and the country has survived mostly on credit lines extended by neighboring India to buy fuel and other essentials.
With the economic crisis, inflation has spiked and prices of essentials have soared, dealing a severe blow to poor and vulnerable groups.
Due to the fuel and power shortages, schools have been shut for weeks and the government has asked state employees other than those in essential services to work from home.
The country is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund on a bailout package, but Wickremesinghe said this week that the negotiations are difficult because Sri Lanka is effectively bankrupt. He earlier said the country’s economy had “collapsed.”
The economic crisis has triggered a political upheaval, with widespread anti-government protests. Protesters have blocked main roads to demand fuel, and people in some areas have fought over limited stocks.
In Colombo, protesters have been occupying the entrance to the president’s office for nearly three months to demand his resignation. They accuse him and his powerful family, which includes several siblings who until recently held Cabinet positions, of precipitating the crisis through corruption and misrule.
Months of protests have nearly dismantled the Rajapaksa political dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for most of the past two decades.
One of Rajapaksa’s brothers resigned as prime minister last month, and two other brothers and a nephew quit their Cabinet posts earlier.
President Rajapaksa has admitted he did not take steps to forestall the economic collapse early enough, but has refused to leave office. It is nearly impossible to oust presidents under the constitution unless they resign on their own accord. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/sri-lankan-police-impose-curfew-ahead-of-planned-protest/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2022-07-08T17:56:26Z | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/sri-lankan-police-impose-curfew-ahead-of-planned-protest/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | true |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/cf/michigan-wolverines-football/articles/40018180 | 2022-07-08T17:56:47Z | https://sportspyder.com/cf/michigan-wolverines-football/articles/40018180 | false |
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) finds that calls to increase already record levels of immigration would only add to existing economic woes like decreased labor force participation and growing income disparities, while doing nothing to curb soaring inflation.
Proposals currently being pushed by business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and far-left mass immigration advocates would further harm American workers struggling to cope with 40-year high inflation. The study reveals that an even greater influx of new immigrants would drive down their wages even as prices continue to rise across the board.
"The so-called labor shortage is largely the product of poor policymaking by the White House – from massive economic shut-downs triggered by COVID to reckless spending," said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "The same folks who created these ruinous policies and made poor decisions now propose to solve non-existent or unrelated problems with even more ruinous immigration policies."
With a focus on the period between the height of COVID and March 2022, Mass Immigration Won't Stimulate Post-COVID Recovery: Debunking America-Last Economic Myths finds that:
- Labor force participation rates have been steadily increasing since bottoming out in April 2020, and are likely to continue rising. The U-6 unemployment rate (workers who are unemployed, underemployed, or discouraged from even seeking jobs) stood at 6.9 percent at the end of the examined period and remains stagnant, dropping slightly to 6.7 percent last month. When combined with those who left the labor force due to COVID but haven't yet rejoined it, there are around 14 million available American workers to fill some 11 million job vacancies.
- An end to massive government stimulus programs (a key cause of inflation) means that more sidelined American workers are seeking to return to the labor market.
- An even greater infusion of immigrant workers would not lower inflation. It would merely inflict more economic pain on middle- and lower-income Americans as the law of supply and demand drives down wages that are already inadequate to keep up with rising costs.
"If mass immigration were a panacea for inflation and spot shortages in the labor market, these problems would have already solved themselves. Between September 2020 and March 2022, the foreign-born population of the U.S. has grown by 2.5 million and now totals some 49 million, largely due to disastrous open borders policies of the Biden administration," noted Stein.
"There is more than an ample supply of labor in this country. What is lacking? Sound policymaking to properly tame inflation while encouraging idled American workers to fill available jobs. As is typical of the Biden administration and a cheap labor lobby with access to lawmakers in both parties, their proposal is to compound these problems by putting already failed immigration policies on steroids," concluded Stein.
The full report, Mass Immigration Won't Stimulate Post-COVID Recovery: Debunking America-Last Economic Myths, can be found here.
Contact: Ron Kovach, 202-328-7004 or rkovach@fairus.org
ABOUT FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/new-fair-report-mass-immigration-wont-stimulate-post-covid-economic-recovery/ | 2022-07-08T17:57:24Z | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/new-fair-report-mass-immigration-wont-stimulate-post-covid-economic-recovery/ | false |
First Step in Previously Announced Sale of the Company's Assets and Subsequent Merger
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cedar Realty Trust (NYSE: CDR) (the "Company") today announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of a portfolio of 33 grocery-anchored shopping centers and a redevelopment property to a joint venture between a fund managed by DRA Advisors LLC and KPR Centers for total gross proceeds of approximately $879 million, including assumed debt. The Company previously sold its Riverview Plaza redevelopment property for gross proceeds of approximately $34 million.
The completed transactions are the first step in the Company's previously announced sale of the Company's assets and subsequent merger in a series of related all-cash transactions. The final step of the process, expected to be completed within 4-6 weeks, is the merger of the Company with a subsidiary of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ: WHLR) in an all-cash transaction that values the Company's remaining assets at $291.3 million.
Total net proceeds from the transactions, after all expenses, will be distributed to common shareholders upon the completion of the Wheeler merger.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information included herein, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by Cedar, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Company") intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions.
Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "estimates", "projects", "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "intends", "future", and words of similar import, or the negative thereof. Factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the merger may not be satisfied or waived; (ii) the ability of the merger parties to obtain required financing in connection with the proposed merger; (iii) the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals for the Company and/or its assets will be made; (iv) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, including in circumstances which would require the Company to pay a termination fee or other expenses; (v) the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the transactions may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (vi) the ability and willingness of the Company's tenants and other third parties to satisfy their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with the Company; (vii) the loss or bankruptcy of the Company's tenants, particularly in light of the adverse impact to the financial health of many retailers that has occurred and continues to occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; (viii) the ability and willingness of the Company's tenants to renew their leases with the Company upon expiration, the Company's ability to re-lease its properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event the Company exercises its right to replace an existing tenant, and obligations the Company may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant; (ix) risks related to the market for retail space generally, including reductions in consumer spending, variability in retailer demand for leased space, adverse impact of e-commerce, ongoing consolidation in the retail sector and changes in economic conditions and consumer confidence; (x) risks endemic to real estate and the real estate industry generally; (xi) damage to the Company's properties from catastrophic weather and other natural events, and the physical effects of climate change; (xii) uninsured losses; (xiii) the Company's ability and willingness to maintain its qualification as a REIT in light of economic, market, legal, tax and other considerations; and (xiv) information technology security breaches. For further discussion of factors that could materially affect the outcome of forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A, of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. All of the above factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect the Company's actual results and may be beyond the Company's control. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company's management to predict all such factors or to assess the effects of each factor on the Company's business. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company's current expectations will be realized.
View original content:
SOURCE Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/cedar-realty-trust-announces-completion-sale-grocery-anchored-portfolio-redevelopment-property-dra-advisors-kpr-centers/ | 2022-07-08T18:00:41Z | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/cedar-realty-trust-announces-completion-sale-grocery-anchored-portfolio-redevelopment-property-dra-advisors-kpr-centers/ | true |
GRAPEVINE, Texas — If you were hoping to see a chupacabra, don't hold your breath.
The animal in these viral photos is a coyote with mange, according to Grapevine Animal Services.
Steve Cooley first spotted the lean, hairless animal wandering in his backyard weeks ago.
"I was mowing the lawn on the 15th, and he kept hanging around the next-door neighbor's yard while I mowed," Cooley said.
So, Cooley picked up his camera, snapped some photos and shared them with his Facebook friends. Then they shared his post and their theories on what the creature could be.
"My neighbor says chupacabra," Cooley wrote on his post.
If mythical creatures aren't you're thing, a "chupacabra" is a folklore creature believed to attack livestock and drink its blood.
But this story is non-fiction.
A Grapevine Animal Services supervisor squashed the chupacabra theory quickly.
"The animal in the photo is a coyote with mange," Supervisor Kristina Valentine wrote in an email to WFAA.
Mange is a skin condition that occurs when parasitic mites embed themselves in a mammal's skin or hair follicles and causes hair loss.
It's also contagious.
If you see the coyote and have other pets, Valentine said to keep them inside until the coyote's been safely removed and call animal services at 817-410-3370.
Putting the Chupacabra jokes aside, Cooley said he hopes the coyote will be found safely and nursed back to good health.
"He was favoring a hind leg and once again was hanging out in the back yard. He's not been seen since and I fear the worst for him," said Cooley. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/weird/whats-the-creature-wandering-around-grapevine/287-fab45bfb-c511-4b7a-8a0d-2e1512892203 | 2022-07-08T18:01:11Z | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/weird/whats-the-creature-wandering-around-grapevine/287-fab45bfb-c511-4b7a-8a0d-2e1512892203 | true |
DALLAS, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Central Partners, LLC, and its subsidiaries, Texas Central Railroad and Infrastructure, Inc., and Integrated Texas Logistics, Inc., today issued the following statement regarding certain recent matters relating to the development of its innovative high-speed passenger train line that will connect Dallas and Houston, including a comment on a recent ruling by the Texas Supreme Court and an update on the project's path forward:
"We thank the Court for its recent thoughtful and considered review of this matter and appreciate the continued support of our investors, lenders, and other key stakeholders, as we continue to advance this important project. Texas Central has made significant strides in the project over the last several years and we are moving forward on a path that we believe will ensure the project's successful development. We look forward to being able to say more about this at an appropriate time in the near future."
About Texas Central
Texas Central, which includes its operating subsidiaries Texas Central Railroad & Infrastructure, Inc., and Integrated Texas Logistics, Inc., is the company undertaking the development, design, construction, finance, and operation of the innovative new high-speed passenger train line that will connect the fourth and fifth largest economies in the country, North Texas and Greater Houston, in less than 90 minutes, with one stop in the Brazos Valley.
Media Contact
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Texas Central High Speed Rail | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/texas-central-partners-comments-recent-developments/ | 2022-07-08T18:03:08Z | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/texas-central-partners-comments-recent-developments/ | true |
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Iowa Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
3-0-4
(three, zero, four)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Iowa Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
3-0-4
(three, zero, four) | https://www.middletownpress.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17292891.php | 2022-07-08T18:04:33Z | https://www.middletownpress.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17292891.php | true |
COLUMBUS, Ga., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "We are incredibly shocked and saddened to learn of the senseless loss of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest serving prime minister in Japan. Prime Minister Abe will be long remembered for his dedication to improving Japan's economy and his steadfast commitment to providing a woman-friendly work environment through his 'womenomics' policy, which sparked a national call to action to promote more women into leadership positions throughout Japan, a policy that was warmly embraced by Aflac Incorporated.
"Mr. Abe was a well-respected leader across the world. Our most sincere condolences go out to his family, his global circle of friends, and to all of the people of Japan."
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) is a Fortune 500 company helping provide protection to more than 50 million people through its subsidiaries in Japan and the U.S., paying cash fast when policyholders get sick or injured. For more than six decades, insurance policies of Aflac Incorporated's subsidiaries have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the U.S., Aflac is the number one provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance in Japan, where it insures 1 in 4 households. In 2021, Aflac Incorporated was proud to be included as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 16th consecutive year. Also in 2021, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index and became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). In 2022, Aflac Incorporated was included on Fortune's list of World's Most Admired Companies for the 21st time and Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index for the third consecutive year. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/español. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to ESG and social responsibility at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability."
Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com
1 LIMRA 2021 US Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Aflac | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/statement-aflac-incorporated-chairman-ceo-dan-amos-passing-former-japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe/ | 2022-07-08T18:08:33Z | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/statement-aflac-incorporated-chairman-ceo-dan-amos-passing-former-japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe/ | false |
Medium
Rarely used
This asset has some traction but few have discovered it yet.
Stock Photo ID: 30169810
Photo Formats
5616 × 3744 pixels • 18.7 × 12.5 in • DPI 300 • JPG
1000 × 667 pixels • 3.3 × 2.2 in • DPI 300 • JPG
500 × 334 pixels • 1.7 × 1.1 in • DPI 300 • JPG
Photo Contributor | https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/historic-reichstag-building-berlin-germany-30169810 | 2022-07-08T18:09:55Z | https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/historic-reichstag-building-berlin-germany-30169810 | true |
Largest parrot colony in the world lives in Patagonia’s crumbling cliffs
By Ashley Strickland, CNN
At the northern tip of Patagonia’s desert coast in Argentina, the skies above El Cóndor are filled with shifting clouds of chatty, colorful parrots.
The mountain’s crumbling sandstone cliffs are home to the largest parrot colony in the world, containing 37,000 nests.
The burrowing parrots are so named because they tunnel into the sandy cliffsides to build their nests. These tunnels can be up to 9.8 feet (about 3 meters) deep.
With green feathers and white rings around their eyes, burrowing parrots stand out in this barren landscape overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. When the birds fly, bright blue and red feathers flash in the sky.
El Cóndor’s cliffs serve as a nesting ground for a species that once appeared all over South America, but the burrowing parrot population is now declining.
The parrots’ food source in the Argentine Monte is disappearing more quickly than the Amazon rainforest. This vulnerable region of desert grasslands and shrubs, which the parrots prefer, has suffered from deforestation.
The burrowing parrots have to fly three hours away from their nests just to find seeds and berries to bring back to their chicks within the cliff nests. Each year, the birds must travel farther to find something to eat, and it’s estimated the adults fly up to 164 miles (264 kilometers) per day, according to scientists at Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany.
Moreover, threats from humans and growing tourism in the area are making life harder for the parrots.
A sky full of birds
Argentine director Kevin Zaouali, who made the first episode of the “Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World” series that premieres Sunday on CNN, first saw the birds 10 years ago when he visited El Cóndor, entranced by “an entire sky covered by parrots.” Returning to the beach, he and his team had to remain patient, “waiting to see what the animals wanted to offer us.”
The film crew spent 20 days with the parrots, wanting to find special moments, Zaouali said. The team listened to the constant chatter of the highly social birds and observed other nuances of their behavior as well. Burrowing parrots are monogamous and mate for life — and they do everything together.
Zaouali said he was struck by “the way they look at each other and the way they touch each other. They’re always giving kisses to each other.”
Amid these glimpses of affection were moments fraught with tension.
Burrowing parrots are the prey of the peregrine falcon, the fastest bird on the planet. It can reach speeds of 240 miles per hour (386 kilometers per hour) when diving at its prey. At the site, the falcons moved so quickly that it was nearly impossible to capture their dives on camera.
Some fledgling chicks inside the nest grow curious as they wait for their parents to return from the feeding ground and fall to the bottom of the mountain if they lean out too far. Zaouali and his crew spent a day watching a chick painstakingly climb centimeter by centimeter back up to the nest after it fell out.
The sandstone cliffs pose other risks for the colony. The structures occasionally collapse, with massive blocks falling from the cliff face and killing the parrots dwelling inside. But the parrots return each year after spending winters in the north because they prefer the arid openness of the cliffs along the Atlantic coast.
Protecting parrots
The burrowing parrot is currently considered to be of “least concern,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, but the species has been recognized as one that’s declining in population.
Due to their charm and color, burrowing parrots are exploited by the wildlife trade. They have also been hunted as pests who feed on crops. And because burrowing parrots are so picky about where they nest, they are easily disturbed if humans encroach on their space.
Zaouali began filming and photographing animals 16 years ago, and he has already seen changes in the places he once visited as a child. He said he worries that “the land of adventure” could lose the largest parrot colony on Earth and other animals if protective measures aren’t taken for the vulnerable species that call Patagonia home.
“Patagonia is a very special place but also very, very fragile,” Zaouali said. “It’s unique and very wild, and while it seems very distant and pristine, if we don’t try to protect it, it will be like any other place full of pollution.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://kion546.com/news/2022/07/08/largest-parrot-colony-in-the-world-lives-in-patagonias-crumbling-cliffs-2/ | 2022-07-08T18:13:07Z | https://kion546.com/news/2022/07/08/largest-parrot-colony-in-the-world-lives-in-patagonias-crumbling-cliffs-2/ | false |
TORONTO (AP) — A widespread network outage from Rogers Communications Inc. left many Canadian customers without mobile and internet service Friday and caused problems for police, courthouses, passport offices and other facilities.
A notice on the Toronto-based telecommunications company’s website said the outage is impacting both its wireless and home service customers and is also affecting phone and chat support.
``Our technical teams are working hard to restore services as quickly as possible,″ Rogers spokesperson Zac Carreiro said in an email.
The outage disrupted services across retailers, courthouses, airlines, train networks, credit card processors and police forces, pushing many to delay business transactions, serve customers through analog means or even flock to coffee shops where they could find Wi-Fi.
Toronto’s Go Transit said in a tweet that some parts of its system were affected by the outage and fares cannot be purchased using debit or credit cards. E-tickets may also be unavailable, it warned.
Among the most serious impacts were warnings from police in Toronto and Ottawa, who reported connection problems when Canadians called 911.
``If your call fails, please try again, or call from a landline or cellphone with another provider,″ Ottawa Police said on Twitter.
Scarborough Health Network, which operates three hospitals and eight satellite sites in Toronto, requested physicians and staff to head to their workplaces for any shifts that they are scheduled to be on-call for until the disruption is resolved.
In Quebec, some court matters were hampered. Peter Nygard’s Montreal court appearance on sex-related charges was put off because the fashion mogul, who is detained in a Toronto jail, couldn’t connect by video conference. His bail hearing will now take place next week.
Service Canada tweeted it too was impacted by outage with call centers and offices, including ones that issue passports, affected.
The outage stands to exacerbate passport delays that have left Canadians lined up outside Service Canada offices for lengthy periods of time as the government works through a backlog.
Many retailers and businesses were also facing trouble when trying to accept payments because Interac, which processes electronic financial transactions, said its online and checkout debit offerings and e-transfer services were impacted.
As a result, the Confederation Bridge, which links the provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, was unable to accept debit Friday morning. Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ont. said amusement park goers could only pay with credit card. They were told on Facebook they must be able to access e-tickets on their phone or bring printed tickets to the park, if visiting Friday.
Downdetector, a website that tracks outages, showed people started reporting problems with Rogers’ service around 4:30 a.m. EDT and by 7 a.m. 20,000 reports had been logged.
The country’s telecom sector is dominated by three large carriers — Rogers, BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. — and their hold on the industry has long been a concern of academics, who have called for regulators to increase competition for mobile and internet services in Canada.
``The outage is illuminating the general lack of competition in telecommunications in Canada,″ said Vass Bednar, executive director of McMaster University’s master of public policy program. | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Canada-Outage-leaves-many-without-mobile-17292836.php | 2022-07-08T18:13:27Z | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Canada-Outage-leaves-many-without-mobile-17292836.php | false |
Updated July 8, 2022 at 12:39 PM ET
President Biden signed an executive order Friday that takes incremental steps to preserve abortion access — but he underscored that it would take political change to restore the rights removed when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
At least nine states have banned abortion so far — including Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. A dozen more states are expected to prohibit or restrict the procedure in the coming weeks.
"I'm asking the Justice Department that, much like they did in the Civil Rights era, to do everything in their power to protect these women seeking to invoke their rights," Biden said at the White House on Friday.
The executive order makes a limited effort
The executive order pledges to ensure the safety of abortion patients and providers, including setting up mobile clinics near the borders of states restricting abortion access. It also seeks to convene private, pro bono lawyers to offer support to people crossing state lines to get an abortion.
Another part of the order directs the secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a report in the next 30 days outlining additional actions to protect medication abortion, expand access on emergency contraception and IUDs, and increase public education around reproductive rights.
The Biden administration is also calling on the Federal Trade Commission — an independent body — to consider taking steps to protect the privacy of people who are looking for information about abortion services.
To help coordinate the administration's policies, the order will create a new task force on reproductive health care.
Additional actions will depend on Congress
The White House says the executive order builds off the administration's previous steps to protect abortion access. That included providing nearly $3 million in new funding to bolster training and technical assistance for family planning providers as well as offering paid leave for federal workers who need to travel to obtain reproductive health care.
Still, none of the measures have yet addressed demand from some Democratic governors to supply additional abortion care resources in their states, nor have they considered travel assistance for pregnant people who are seeking abortions but live in states that restrict the procedure.
The limited measures come as Biden is under increasing pressure from Democrats to take further steps and consider more ideas on abortion access. In response, Biden has emphasized that Congress needs to codify abortion rights, but that there are not currently enough votes in the Senate to do so.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kbia.org/2022-07-08/a-new-executive-order-aims-to-preserve-abortion-access-but-its-reach-is-limited | 2022-07-08T18:16:03Z | https://www.kbia.org/2022-07-08/a-new-executive-order-aims-to-preserve-abortion-access-but-its-reach-is-limited | true |
MIDDLEBURG, Pa., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Practice Center ("FPC") announced that it suffered an attempt to shut down its computer operations on October 11, 2021. That attempt failed and FPC was still able to treat patients and provide service to the community. FPC immediately launched an investigation to determine what happened and what information may have been accessed by an unauthorized person during the incident. On May 21, 2022 the investigation revealed that some of the files accessed contained personal information of patients and who those patients may be.
Although FPC has no evidence that any information has been misused, out of an abundance of caution FPC is providing notification to patients whose information may have been involved in the incident. The potentially affected information included names, addresses, medical insurance information, and health and treatment information. Patient medical records were not involved in the incident. For a small group of patients, Social Security numbers were involved. On June 30, 2022, FPC determined current address information for the potentially involved individuals in order to effectuate written notification of the incident.
FPC immediately contacted independent cybersecurity professionals to assist in protecting patients and advise on preventing unauthorized disclosures in the future.
FPC will be notifying potentially impacted individuals of this incident by letter. The letters include information about this incident and what steps those individuals who had their information exposed can take to monitor and protect their information.
FPC has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and related concerns. The call center is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time and can be reached at 1-833-909-4308.
FPC are not aware of the misuse of any patient information resulting from this incident.
Family Practice Center operates full service medical facilities headquartered at 7 Dock Hill Road, Middleburg, PA 17842.
View original content:
SOURCE Family Practice Center | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/family-practice-reports-data-security-incident/ | 2022-07-08T18:17:17Z | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/family-practice-reports-data-security-incident/ | true |
New facility will serve as an engineering and staffing center of excellence for the Duravent Group as the company continues its growth trajectory with revenue exceeding $500 million annually.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duravent Group, a global leader in HVAC technology systems and solutions, launched its 22,000 sq-ft Grand Rapids Innovation Center today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event featured a tour of the center's design and prototype labs, airflow testing suites, its state-of-the-art office layout and robust printing capabilities. U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-MI, spoke at the event, which was attended by community, state leaders and excited company employees.
"Duravent is committed to a strong presence in Michigan as demonstrated by our new innovation center in Grand Rapids, and an expanding headquarters in downtown Detroit," said Simon A. Davis, president and CEO of the Duravent Group. "Our ability to innovate, lead and grow in the HVAC and emerging climate technology categories is largely the result of leveraging the deep engineering talent Michigan has to offer."
Since 2017, the leadership team has led the organization through several strategic activities, including the acquisition of 100-year-old Hart & Cooley in 2021, which tripled the size of the company. Today, Duravent has 2,400 employees and $500 million+ in annual revenue.
As part of the Grand Rapids Innovation Center launch, Davis and his team unveiled a new company identity – the Duravent Group – with the goal of unifying the company's culture and its family of established and respected brands, which include the following industry leading nameplates:
- Duravent™
- Hart & Cooley®
- Selkirk®
- AirMate®
- Amerivent®
- Ampco®
- Heatfab®
- Lima®
- Milcor®
- PortalsPlus™
- RPS™
- Security Chimneys®
- Ward®
"The Duravent Group is one team and one company focused on flexibility in manufacturing and distribution while responding quickly and efficiently to customers' needs. I'm proud of our team culture that embraces innovation and change while always putting our customers first," Simon said.
The Duravent Group is a recognized global technology leader in the HVAC industry, and first-to-market with innovations in venting systems. Founded in 1956, this $500 million-plus company is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, and has 15 locations across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Duravent leads with best-in-class design and manufacturing capabilities, world-class distribution networks, and customer-first service and support. The company ensures quality and drives safety through scientifically proven materials and unequaled engineering.
Duravent acquired Grand Rapids-based Hart & Cooley in 2021. A leader in the HVAC industry since 1901, the Hart & Cooley acquisition brings a legacy of quality and service, robust manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a suite of trusted brands into the Duravent family. As a combined company, Duravent is uniquely positioned as the next-generation leader in the interior climate technology industry. Learn more at duraventgroup.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Shaun Wilson, 313-530-7860
swilson@cadencellcus.com
View original content:
SOURCE Duravent Group | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/duravent-becomes-duravent-group-invests-1-million-newly-launched-grand-rapids-innovation-center-it-aims-leadership-hvac-climate-technology-sectors/ | 2022-07-08T18:17:40Z | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/duravent-becomes-duravent-group-invests-1-million-newly-launched-grand-rapids-innovation-center-it-aims-leadership-hvac-climate-technology-sectors/ | false |
It’s almost time to bust out your glow sticks and sickest neon outfits.
That’s because the EDM-centric Elements Music and Arts Festival is headed to Long Pond, Pennsylvania from Aug. 19-22.
Featuring major headliners like Zeds Dead, Sofi Tukker, Tycho, Duke Dumont and Kaskade, the three-day weekend will surely be a party that festival-goers won’t forget anytime soon.
Other big acts on the bill are headliners in their own right like Rezz, Big Gigantic, The Knocks, Claptone and Troyboi to name just a few.
Over the course of the four-day weekend, more than 80 acts are set to appear.
Best of all, tickets are still available on most major verified sites.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on four-day general admission passes was on Vivid Seats for $275 before fees.
Similarly priced passes can be found on StubHub and TicketCity.
Plus, it should be noted that Vivid Seats offers first-time users $20 off tickets orders over $200. All you have to do is enter promo code NJ20 at checkout.
All prices are subject to fluctuation.
Other huge EDM festivals in 2022
If you’re hoping to get in more than one mega electronic fest this year, look no further.
We’ve got five of the biggest and best that may be coming to a city near you soon listed below.
Float Festival
July 23-24; Gonzales, Texas
Headliners include Deadmau5, Marshmello and Vampire Weekend. Buy tickets here
Moonrise Festival
Aug. 6-7; Baltimore, Maryland
Headliners include Tiesto, Zedd and Don Diablo. Buy tickets here
This Ain’t No Picnic
Aug. 27-28; Pasadena, California
Headliners include LCD Soundsystem, The Strokes and Phoebe Bridgers. Buy tickets here
Electric Zoo
Sept. 2-4; New York, New York
Headliners include Diplo, Carl Cox and Martin Garrix. Buy tickets here
Electric Daisy Carnival Orlando
Nov. 11-13; Orlando, Florida
Headliners are yet to be announced. Buy tickets here
RELATED STORIES ABOUT LIVE EVENTS:
Music festivals 2022: The 52 biggest fests of the summer
Is StubHub legit? Do they have fees? Here’s everything to know
The 24 biggest hip hop tours and festivals in 2022: Concerts, dates, ticket info
Ticketmaster sold out: Where to buy tickets on the resale market
Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.
Matt Levy covers the live entertainment industry, writing about upcoming concerts, festivals, shows and events. He can be reached at mlevy@njadvancemedia.com. | https://www.nj.com/live-entertainment/2022/07/elements-music-festival-how-to-buy-tickets-to-see-zeds-dead-and-sofi-tukker.html | 2022-07-08T18:21:44Z | https://www.nj.com/live-entertainment/2022/07/elements-music-festival-how-to-buy-tickets-to-see-zeds-dead-and-sofi-tukker.html | true |
YUMA, Ariz. (AP) — Prosecutors are seeking a one-year prison sentence for a school board member in southern Arizona for illegally collecting four early ballots during the 2020 primary election.
But if probation is imposed instead, prosecutors said the judge should then enforce a provision of Guillermina Fuentes’ plea deal that bars her from holding public office while on probation. Fuentes and another woman, Alma Juarez, were scheduled to be sentenced Thursday afternoon on a ballot abuse conviction in Yuma, but the hearing has been postponed until Sept. 1.
Authorities say Fuentes and Juarez participated in “ballot harvesting.” That’s a practice once used by both political parties to boost turnout but was made illegal by a 2016 state law that barred anyone but a family member or caregiver from returning early ballots for another person. It’s the only case filed so far by the state attorney general under the law, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld last year.
Authorities say Fuentes, a former San Luis mayor, ran a sophisticated operation using her status in Democratic politics in the Arizona border city to persuade voters to let her gather and, in some cases, fill out their ballots. But the crime she admitted in court last month does not involve filling out ballots or any broader efforts.
Fuentes and Juarez each pleaded guilty to a charge of ballot abuse, acknowledging they collected early ballots for people who weren’t family members, didn’t live with them or weren’t receiving care from them.
Fuentes’ conviction is a felony punishable by as little as probation or as much as two years in prison. Juarez’s conviction is a misdemeanor, and under her plea agreement, if she has cooperated as promised she will be sentenced to probation and prosecutors will not seek jail time.
Three other felony charges, accusing Fuentes of filling out one voter’s ballot and forging signatures on some of the four ballots she illegally returned, were dismissed.
Republicans repeating unsupported claims that President Donald Trump would have been reelected if not for widespread voting fraud have cited this case as part of a broader pattern in battleground states, but the evidence suggests it didn’t extend beyond small-town politics.
Attorney General’s Office investigation records obtained by the Associated Press through a public records request show that fewer than a dozen ballots could be linked to Fuentes, not enough to make a difference in all but the tightest local races.
The office of Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican seeking his party’s U.S. Senate nomination, provided the records after delays of more than 15 months.
Fuentes and Juarez were seen with several mail-in envelopes outside a cultural center in San Luis on the day of the 2020 primary election, according to reports from investigators. The ballots were taken inside and dropped in a ballot box.
Fuentes was recorded on video by a write-in candidate who called the Yuma County sheriff.
An investigation was launched that day, and about 50 ballots checked for fingerprints, which were inconclusive. The investigation was taken over by the attorney general’s office within days, with investigators collaborating with sheriff’s deputies to interview voters, Fuentes and others. | https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/politics/prison-sought-for-arizona-official-in-ballot-harvesting-case/ | 2022-07-08T18:24:36Z | https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/politics/prison-sought-for-arizona-official-in-ballot-harvesting-case/ | false |
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Daily 4 Day" game were:
8-2-4-4, FIREBALL: 6
(eight, two, four, four; FIREBALL: six)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Daily 4 Day" game were:
8-2-4-4, FIREBALL: 6
(eight, two, four, four; FIREBALL: six) | https://www.ourmidland.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-4-Day-game-17292845.php | 2022-07-08T18:25:22Z | https://www.ourmidland.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-4-Day-game-17292845.php | false |
LOS ANGELES, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles-based law boutique Sklar Kirsh LLP announced that Partners Robbin Itkin and Serineh Baghdasarian and Director of Finance & IT Emily Lichtman have been selected as nominees for the Los Angeles Business Journal's "Women's Leadership Awards." The 2022 Women's Leadership Awards honor the impacts and accomplishments of women business leaders in the Los Angeles community.
"Robbin, Serineh, and Emily are some of our most dedicated professionals, consistently proving their ability to provide the firm's clients with the highest degree of strategy and service," says firm Co-Chairman Jeffrey Sklar. "We are proud to see them recognized for their hard work."
Itkin and Lichtman have been selected as nominees for the "Executive of the Year" category, which recognizes professionals who are key members of their organization's executive team.
Itkin is a partner in Sklar Kirsh's Bankruptcy practice group. Her experience restructuring billions of dollars of debt includes insolvency resolutions in chapter 11 cases and numerous restructurings outside the courtroom. As a mediator, Itkin uses her problem-solving strength to advise both healthy companies and those in distress, leading them to negotiate effectively with their own creditors and counterparties who are in fragile economic straits. In the community, Itkin serves on various boards including the Women's Leadership Council of Los Angeles and Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE) where young adults are taught about financial responsibility. Throughout Itkin's career, she has mentored and empowered emerging women professionals with support and career development.
Lichtman has been with Sklar Kirsh since 2015 and has served as an integral part of the firm's growth and management since its infancy. As the firm's Director of Finance & IT, Lichtman runs the day-to-day operations of the firm to ensure the attorneys' energy and focus can be client-facing. Lichtman also mentors a number of female professionals at the firm, providing them with guidance and support in their careers.
Baghdasarian has been selected in the "Women to Watch" category, recognizing emerging leaders who have already demonstrated meaningful impact on their organizations and the local business community. She is a Partner in the firm's Real Estate Department. Her experience includes representation of real estate private equity funds, developers, and institutional and non-institutional investors in all areas of transactional real estate and real estate finance.
Sklar Kirsh LLP is a boutique law firm that provides sophisticated and expert advice in the areas of corporate, real estate, bankruptcy, and entertainment law as well as commercial, real estate and entertainment litigation. For more information, visit www.SklarKirsh.com.
View original content:
SOURCE Sklar Kirsh LLP | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/three-sklar-kirsh-professionals-recognized-top-business-leaders-los-angeles/ | 2022-07-08T18:25:36Z | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/three-sklar-kirsh-professionals-recognized-top-business-leaders-los-angeles/ | true |
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana can now enforce its ban on almost all abortions under a judge’s order issued Friday amid a flurry of court challenges to state “trigger” laws crafted to take effect when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
The decision came the same day President Joe Biden issued an executive order to protect access to abortion in states where it is still legal and mitigate the potential penalties women seeking the procedure may face after the high court’s ruling on June 24.
Days after the Supreme Court decision, Louisiana District Judge Robin Giarrusso issued a temporary restraining order banning enforcement of the state legislation in response to a lawsuit filed by a north Louisiana abortion clinic and others.
State District Judge Ethel Julien said Friday that she had no authority to extend the restraining order after concluding that the suit should not have been filed in her court, but in state court in the capital, Baton Rouge. She said the suit belongs there because its claims that provisions in the law are unconstitutionally vague and inconsistent are matters involving legislation.
The ruling was a victory for Attorney General Jeff Landry and lawyers for the state, who argued that the lawsuit had been improperly filed in New Orleans.
It was not immediately clear what effect the ruling would have on three clinics operating in the state. An attorney for the opponents of the law declined to comment.
"If they continue to operate, they do so under their own risk,” Landry said after the hearing.
About 60 protesters gathered outside the courthouse Friday waving signs that read, “Abortion is healthcare” and “Do you want women to die?” The demonstrators, who want to keep the state’s three abortion clinics open, criticized Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has been a staunch defender of efforts to outlaw abortion across the state.
Abortion advocates in numerous states file court challenges to individual state laws restricting the procedure. In Mississippi, home of the case that led to the Supreme Court decision, attorneys for the state’s sole abortion clinic filed a petition on Thursday asking the state’s highest court to temporarily block a new state law that bans most abortions. The attorneys made the request on the day the law took effect and two days after a Mississippi judge rejected the same request.
___
The story has been edited to clarify that Julien did not lift the order, per se, but said she had no authority to extend it after determining the case didn’t belong in her court.
___
Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana contributed to this report. | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Louisiana-abortion-ban-allowed-to-proceed-judge-17292866.php | 2022-07-08T18:27:20Z | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Louisiana-abortion-ban-allowed-to-proceed-judge-17292866.php | true |
A Co Down mum has welcomed plans by Ards and North Down Borough Council to introduce reduced burial costs for grieving families whose loved ones die overseas.
Maxine Parker from Donaghadee now hopes 'Daniel's Law' will be rolled out across every council area in Northern Ireland as a fitting tribute to her beloved son, who passed away suddenly last year just days before he was due to return home from Australia.
Daniel Ferguson, 33, was set to arrive back in his native Donaghadee from Sydney on December 15 2021.
Read more: Grieving Co Down mum campaigns for 'Daniel's Law' in bid to overturn burial rules
However, his family received a devastating phone call four days earlier informing them that he had died suddenly following a heart attack.
Daniel, affectionately known by the nickname Fergie, was a much-loved and well-known character in Donaghadee, with a close knit group of friends, both in Northern Ireland and Australia.
His visit home would have been his first time back in Northern Ireland in four years, after moving to Australia roughly six years earlier.
He had given up his flat in Australia, had a job lined up and to mark his first trip back in four years, family and friends had an exciting schedule of plans lined up to celebrate.
But as his heartbroken family prepared to bring him home for the last time, they had no idea of the difficulties they would face.
Daniel's remains were returned to his family with help from The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and it was planned that he would be laid to rest at Ballyvester Cemetery on Christmas Eve, where some of his grandparents and great-grandparents are also buried.
But his family were left stunned when informed that Daniel was classed as a "non-resident" by Ards and North Down Council as he was living outside the borough, which meant that they were faced with 50% higher burial costs.
His mum Maxine Porter, 62, described the news as "a slap in the face" at the time. She vowed to campaign for a change to council burial charging policy as a lasting memorial for her son and also to ensure that no other family faces similar "bureaucracy".
Maxine said the council's decision not to bury her son as a resident was "every parent's worst nightmare" and "really gobsmacking".
Following months of lobbying, the council has now agreed to reduce burial rates for people who die overseas, provided they meet a number of criteria.
Firstly families must provide evidence of Northern Ireland identification, such as a driving licence issued to them within the last three months and bearing an address within Ards and North Down.
They must also prove that their loved one's return to the borough was imminent, with flight tickets or other evidence of travel arrangements, and show that this return was intended to be permanent, such as a mortgage or tenancy arrangement.
Maxine is now campaigning for Daniel's Law to be rolled out province wide.
She told Belfast Live : "I was really heartened that Ards and North Down councillors did lend a compassionate ear and I'm sure many of them are parents themselves.
"They really did get behind the whole idea of bringing about change in the borough so this is an excellent outcome.
"While this move by the local council is welcome, it's just the first hurdle and needs to be rolled out across Northern Ireland's other boroughs.
"I'm definitely not finished with this campaign to ensure that no other family faces such an ordeal again.
"I am quite willing to meet with the other councils and draw on my own personal experience of how difficult a situation it can be when you're in the midst of grief."
Maxine added: "At the time all this happened, Daniel was very much a Donaghadee lad but he was being denied the basic right to be buried as a resident in his hometown.
"He was such a compassionate human being with lots of friends so he wouldn't have wanted any parent to go through this either. I think he would be very proud."
Maxine's campaign has been backed by UUP Councillor Mark Brooks, who also hopes that since the policy is now being amended in Ards and North Down, the same will happen in other ten councils across Northern Ireland.
He said: "I'm very happy that the council were so accommodating and the chief executive, Stephen Reid and director of community and wellbeing, Graham Bannister met with Maxine earlier this year.
"They have now agreed to amend the regulations so if there is another case of a similar nature to Daniel then there wouldn't be the cost or protocol that his family had to go through.
"What we would like to do now is write to all the councils in Northern Ireland to bring in a 'Daniel's Law' too."
READ NEXT:
-
Progress of new Belfast crematorium and cemetery described as "pitiful" by alderman
-
Woman has three funerals for mother after council stops her burial
-
Lisburn and Castlereagh Council cemetery digitalisation plans slowed by ageing documents
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here. | https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/co-down-mum-wants-daniels-24437390 | 2022-07-08T18:35:04Z | https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/co-down-mum-wants-daniels-24437390 | false |
Police Chief William McManus took to Twitter this week to criticize the “low bail” set by magistrate judge in the case of a San Antonio man accused of threatening to shoot up a local Amazon delivery station.
Rodolfo Aceves, 19, was arrested last week and charged with making a terroristic threat. Authorities say he threatened to attack an Amazon location on the South Side and a school.
Aceves, an Amazon subcontractor, also said he considered Salvador Ramos, the 18-year-old who shot and killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, an idol.
“Officers wasted no time arresting a man who not only planned to carry out a mass shooting at an Amazon warehouse, but also openly sung the praises of the Uvalde gunman,” McManus said on Twitter. “He was given a low bail and was released right after he was arrested.”
“All the mass shootings that have happened recently, and we’ve got a guy who’s threatening to do the same and he’s back out on the street?” he said.
After Aceves was arrested on June 27, Magistrate Judge Marilisa Janssen set bail at $50,000. That means Aceves likely only had to pay about 10 percent — or $5,000 — through an agreement with a bail bondsman to be released from jail. Some bail bondsmen require even less.
Alternatively, he could have paid the bail amount in full.
As a condition of Aceves’ bond, Janssen required him to be placed on house arrest, wear a GPS monitor, and submit to regular drug and alcohol testing, according to court records. She also prohibited him from possessing any firearms or weapons.
While he was in jail, Janssen required that Aceves be placed in the “Special Needs Unit” because his father told police that he had a history of mental illness.
Magistrates take a variety of factors into consideration when setting a person’s bail, including recommendations from prosecutors, the circumstances of the case, the suspect’s criminal history, the suspect’s ability to pay and the risk the suspect poses to the community. Aceves did not have a criminal history in Bexar County, court records show.
McManus did not single out Janssen in his comments — instead focusing on how many magistrate judges, he believes, set bail too low.
Janssen did not respond to a request for comment.
Christian Henricksen, chief of litigation for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, said prosecutors originally recommended setting Aceves’ bail at $65,000. They also recommended the slew of bond conditions, such as house arrest and GPS tracking, that the judge ended up requiring.
However, Henricksen said magistrate judges are limited in how high they can set a suspect’s bail. Under state law, a judge can’t set bond so high that the defendant can’t get out.
The purpose of bail is to ensure a person facing charges will return for their trial or hearing.
“The gut reaction when someone commits a violent offense in particular is that they shouldn’t get out in general,” Henricksen said. “The law doesn’t allow for that. Unless there’s a change in the law, people will bond out pretrial, as long as people are willing to pay.”
‘Disturbing’ remarks
According to an affidavit for his arrest, police were dispatched to the Amazon delivery station on the South Side on June 27 after another employee reported that Aceves had made “disturbing” remarks about committing a mass shooting.
During a fire drill three days earlier, Aceves told an employee it would “be a good idea to pull the fire alarm and have all the employees exit the building and to commit a mass shooting,” the affidavit said. Aceves allegedly followed the statement by saying he would commit such an atrocity.
When the employee told Aceves that she had to pick up her children from school, he allegedly said he would follow her so that he would know which school to shoot up, the affidavit said.
The employee didn’t immediately report Aceves because he had recently purchased a handgun and a rifle, and she feared retaliation, according to the affidavit.
Police interviewed Aceves’ father, who said that his son suffered from mental illness. He also said he was worried that Aceves had purchased weapons, the affidavit said.
While Aceves did not have a criminal history, McManus said his bail should have been higher. He said there are other cases where suspects do have criminal histories and yet their bail is low.
“People often ask what’s causing an increase in violent crime,” McManus said on social media. “We’ve got people that we’re arresting, and re-arresting, and re-arresting again. To say that SAPD is not doing their job — that’s simply not true.”
Cash vs risk-based bail
In Bexar County, judges have not relied on a bond schedule, or a set guidelines to determine a suspect’s bond, for several years — due in part to a federal ruling in 2018 regarding similar practices in Harris County.
As a result of that case, misdemeanor defendants awaiting trial in Harris County are no longer jailed simply because they can’t afford bail. A similar case regarding felony suspects is currently pending.
Henricksen said the federal ruling shows that you can’t have a “one-size fits-all approach for bail.”
“If you have two people charged with the same crime, if one guy’s poor and another guy is rich, the bond shouldn’t be the same,” Henricksen said. “If they have money, they are probably going to post bond. If they don’t, they probably are going to sit in jail. It doesn’t help public safety. It doesn’t create an equitable justice system.”
He said an indigent defendant could be held in jail on a misdemeanor criminal trespassing charge for many months — simply because he doesn’t have the $20 or $30 to post bail through a bail bondsman. But a capital murder defendant, held on a $1 million bail, might have the resources to pay.
Any reforms of the bail system would be up to the Texas Legislature because state law dictates many bond practices.
Under one potential reform, judges could hold a suspect before their trial if that person posed a significant risk to the community.
If judges had had that option in Aceves’ case, would prosecutors have sought to keep Aceves behind bars ahead of his trial?
“I don’t want to comment specifically on this case,” Henricksen said. “But if we have a good reason to believe that a person is going to shoot up a school or any sort of public place, then that person is dangerous. If the law was risked-base, instead of money-based, then the judge would have the ability to make that determination.”
He also balked at the idea — that McManus articulated — that suspects in Bexar County don’t fear consequences. He said the Bexar County jail’s population is the highest it’s been in five years.
“Our prosecutors are in court, all day every day, trying to make sure, particularly on violent crimes, that suspects are being held accountable,” he said. “They are burning the midnight oil.”
Staff Writer Taylor Pettaway contributed to this report.
eeaton@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/McManus-amazon-worker-bail-low-17292888.php | 2022-07-08T18:35:14Z | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/McManus-amazon-worker-bail-low-17292888.php | true |
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Indiana Lottery's "Daily Four-Midday" game were:
3-8-8-5, SB: 3
(three, eight, eight, five; SB: three)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Indiana Lottery's "Daily Four-Midday" game were:
3-8-8-5, SB: 3
(three, eight, eight, five; SB: three) | https://www.mrt.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-Four-Midday-game-17292831.php | 2022-07-08T18:37:15Z | https://www.mrt.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-Four-Midday-game-17292831.php | false |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday condemned the “extreme” Supreme Court majority that ended a constitutional right to abortion and delivered an impassioned plea for Americans upset by the decision to “vote, vote, vote vote” in November. Under mounting pressure from fellow Democrats to be more forceful in response to the ruling, he signed an executive order to try to protect access to the procedure.
The actions Biden outlined are intended to head off some potential penalties that women seeking abortion may face after the ruling, but his order cannot restore access to abortion in the more than a dozen states where strict limits or total bans have gone into effect. About a dozen more states are set to impose additional restrictions.
Biden acknowledged the limitations facing his office, saying it would require an act of Congress to restore nationwide access to the way it was before the June 24 decision.
“The fastest way to restore Roe is to pass a national law,” Biden said. “The challenge is go out and vote. For God’s sake there is an election in November!"
Biden's action formalized instructions to the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to push back on efforts to limit the ability of women to access federally approved abortion medication or to travel across state lines to access clinical abortion services. He was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, HHS secretary Xavier Becerra and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in the Roosevelt Room as he signed the order.
His executive order also directs agencies to work to educate medical providers and insurers about how and when they are required to share privileged patient information with authorities — an effort to protect women who seek or obtain abortion services. He is also asking the Federal Trade Commission to take steps to protect the privacy of those seeking information about reproductive care online and establish a task force to coordinate federal efforts to safeguard access to abortion.
Biden is also directing his staff to line up volunteer lawyers to provide women and providers with pro bono legal assistance to help them navigate new state restrictions.
The order comes as Biden has faced criticism from some in his own party for not acting with more urgency to protect women's access to abortion. The court's decision in the case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.
Since the decision, Biden has stressed that his ability to protect abortion rights by executive action is limited without congressional action, and stressed that Democrats do not have the votes in the current Congress to do so.
“We need two additional pro-choice senators and a pro-choice house to codify Roe," he said. "Your vote can make that a reality.”
Biden for the first time last week announced his support for changing Senate rules to allow a measure to restore nationwide access to abortion to pass by simple majority, rather than the usual 60-vote threshold required to end a filibuster. However, at least two Democratic lawmakers have made clear they won’t support changing Senate rules.
He predicted that women would turn out in “record numbers” in frustration over the court's decision, and said he expected "millions and millions of men will be taking up the fight beside them.”
On Friday, he repeated his sharp criticism of the Supreme Court's reasoning in striking down what had been a half-century constitutional right to abortion.
“Let’s be clear about something from the very start, this was not a decision driven by the Constitution," Biden said. He accused the court's majority of “playing fast and loose with the facts."
He spoke emotionally of a 10-year-old Ohio girl reported to have been forced to travel out of state to terminate a pregnancy after being raped, noting that some states have instituted abortion bans that don't have exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
“A 10-year- old should be forced to give birth to a rapist’s child?” an incredulous Biden nearly shouted. “I can’t think of anything more extreme.”
Biden added that in the November congressional lections, “The choice we face as a nation is between the mainstream or the extreme.”
His directions to the Justice Department and HHS push the agencies to fight in court to protect women, but the order conveys no guarantees that the judicial system will take their side against potential prosecution by states that have moved to outlaw abortion.
NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju called Biden's order "an important first step in restoring the rights taken from millions of Americans by the Supreme Court.”
But Lawrence Gostin, who runs the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health at Georgetown Law, described Biden’s plans as “underwhelming.”
“There’s nothing that I saw that would affect the lives of ordinary poor women living in red states," he said.
Gostin encouraged Biden to take a more forceful approach toward ensuring access to medication abortion across the country and said Medicaid should consider covering transportation to other states for the purposes of getting abortions.
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, told the AP that the agency was looking at how Medicaid could cover travel for abortions, along with a range of other proposals, but acknowledged that “Medicaid’s coverage of abortion is extremely limited.”
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser condemned Biden's order, saying, "President Biden has once again caved to the extreme abortion lobby, determined to put the full weight of the federal government behind promoting abortion."
Biden’s move was the latest scramble to protect the data privacy of those contemplating or seeking abortion, as regulators and lawmakers reckon with the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling.
Privacy experts say women could be vulnerable if their personal data is used to surveil pregnancies and shared with police or sold to vigilantes. Online searches, location data, text messages and emails, and even apps that track periods could be used to prosecute people who seek an abortion — or medical care for a miscarriage — as well as those who assist them, experts say.
Privacy advocates are watching for possible new moves by law enforcement agencies in affected states — serving subpoenas, for example, on tech companies such as Google, Apple, Bing, Facebook’s Messenger and WhatsApp, services like Uber and Lyft, and internet service providers including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Comcast. Local prosecutors may go before sympathetic judges to obtain search warrants for users’ data.
Last month four Democratic lawmakers asked the FTC to investigate Apple and Google for allegedly deceiving millions of mobile phone users by enabling the collection and sale of their personal data to third parties.
___
AP writers Aamer Madhani, Marcy Gordon and Hillary Powell contributed to this report.
___
For AP’s full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion.
Credit: Evan Vucci
Credit: Evan Vucci
Credit: Andrew Harnik
Credit: Andrew Harnik
Credit: Evan Vucci
Credit: Evan Vucci
Credit: Evan Vucci
Credit: Evan Vucci | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/impassioned-biden-signs-order-on-abortion-access/INJZ6BCYAFACXJ3N6B7OM67VAY/ | 2022-07-08T18:38:06Z | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/impassioned-biden-signs-order-on-abortion-access/INJZ6BCYAFACXJ3N6B7OM67VAY/ | true |
Rogers, one of Canada's largest telecommunications companies, is experiencing major outages to its cellular, internet and cable services across the country — leaving some customers unable to use ATMs or reach 911 emergency services.
"We know how important it is for our customers to stay connected. We are aware of issues currently affecting our networks and our teams are fully engaged to resolve the issue as soon as possible," the company tweeted Friday.
We know how important it is for our customers to stay connected. We are aware of issues currently affecting our networks and our teams are fully engaged to resolve the issue as soon as possible. We will continue to keep you updated as we have more information to share.
— RogersHelps (@RogersHelps) July 8, 2022
"We will continue to keep you updated as we have more information to share," Rogers added.
Millions rely on Rogers for its services throughout Canada, with a total of 11.3 million wireless subscribers in 2021, according to Statista.
A quarter of Canada's internet traffic went down Friday, according to data from NetBlocks, an internet watchdog group.
Some Rogers cellular customers in Toronto were having trouble connecting to 911, Toronto Police Operations tweeted.
ADVISORY:
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 8, 2022
City of Toronto
- The Rogers Network is experiencing some technical difficulties
- Some people will have trouble connecting
- There are some connection problems calling 9-1-1
- We are working to resolve these issues
^dh
Toronto Police said that although some Rogers cellular customers might have trouble connecting, 911 is still "fully operational."
The outage is also affecting ATMs and other financial services, according to the CBC.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.nprillinois.org/2022-07-08/a-major-internet-outage-in-canada-disrupts-atms-and-911-services | 2022-07-08T18:39:01Z | https://www.nprillinois.org/2022-07-08/a-major-internet-outage-in-canada-disrupts-atms-and-911-services | true |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will send another $400 million in military equipment to Ukraine, including four more advanced rocket systems, a senior defense official said Friday, in an effort to bolster Ukrainian efforts to strike deeper behind Russian frontlines in the eastern Donbas region.
The aid comes as Moscow this week claimed full control of Ukraine's Luhansk province in the Donbas, but Ukrainian officials say their troops still control a small part of the province and fierce fighting continues in several villages.
The defense official said that the eight High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, that were previously sent are still being used by Ukraine forces in the fight. And this will give them four more to help hit Russian command and control nodes, logistics capabilities and other systems that are further back behind the battlefront. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.
Russia in recent days has launched dozens of missiles across Ukraine and pinned down Ukrainian forces with continuous long-range fire for sometimes hours at a time. Ukraine’s leaders have publicly called on Western allies to quickly send more ammunition and advanced systems that will help them narrow the gap in equipment and manpower. The precision weapons can help Ukraine hit Russian weapons that are farther away and are being used to bombard Ukrainian locations.
The latest aid is the 15th package of military weapons and equipment transferred to Ukraine from Defense Department stocks since last August. In addition to the HIMARS, the U.S. will also send 1,000 rounds of 155 millimeter artillery which has an increased precision capability that also will help Ukraine hit specific targets. The package also will include three tactical vehicles, counter battery radar systems, spare parts and other equipment.
Looking ahead to the coming months, the official said that a key goal is to build up Ukraine's logistics and repair capabilities so troops can maintain its weapons systems and continue the fight into the future.
Overall, the U.S. has sent about $7.3 billion in aid to Ukraine since the war began in late February.
Luhansk is one of two provinces that make up the Donbas, a region of mines and factories where pro-Moscow separatists have fought Ukraine’s army for eight years and declared independent republics that Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized before he sent troops into Ukraine.
Putin on Thursday warned that Kyiv should accept Moscow’s terms or brace for the worst, saying that Russia hasn't yet “started anything in earnest.”
U.S. and other western officials have said that Russia has been making slow, incremental progress in the Donbas but has not made gains as rapidly as Moscow initially intended. President Joe Biden has said that the U.S. is giving Ukrainians the aid needed to continue to resist Russian aggression.
"I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it will not end with a Russian defeat of Ukraine in Ukraine,” Biden said last week.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/US-sending-400-million-in-military-aid-to-Ukraine-17292814.php | 2022-07-08T18:40:52Z | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/US-sending-400-million-in-military-aid-to-Ukraine-17292814.php | true |
Criminal complaint filed against UBS over DRC-linked funds
Adds FINMA comment
ZURICH, July 8 (Reuters) - Three organisations have filed a criminal complaint to federal prosecutors in Switzerland, alleging a failure to exercise due diligence at UBS UBSG.S in relation to funds they say were received by an alleged associate of former Congolese president Joseph Kabila.
The complaint, filed by Swiss campaign group Public Eye, alongside two other groups, relates to a possible failure to exercise due diligence regarding financial transactions within the largest Swiss bank.
UBS declined to comment.
The criminal complaint, filed to Switzerland's Office of the Attorney General, centres on transactions totalling $19 million they say were sent to the alleged associate's UBS accounts in Zurich and Geneva in 2012 and 2013.
An attorney for Kabila did not immediately respond to requests for comment by telephone and text message.
The individual named by Public Eye also did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via LinkedIn.
The Office of the Attorney General confirmed it had received the criminal complaint.
"The criminal complaint will now be examined in accordance with the usual procedure," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Based on the filing, the attorney general's office may decide to open criminal proceedings, assign such proceedings to regional prosecutors or determine that no proceedings are necessary.
Swiss financial market supervisor FINMA said it was aware of the case and was in contact with UBS regarding it. It declined to comment on further details.
(Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi in Zurich; additional reporting by Fiston Mahamba in Goma; editing by David Evans and Louise Heavens)
((brenna.neghaiwi@thomsonreuters.com; +41 58 306 77 35;))
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
Latest World Markets Videos
Explore World Markets
ExploreMost Popular
- Uganda says exploration results show it has 31 mln tonnes of gold ore
- Soccer-Kessie says playing for Xavi was key factor in decision to join Barcelona
- War looms large over G20 event as some countries snub dinner over Ukraine
- ANALYSIS-Putin draws Erdogan a red line on Russia's southern flank with Karabakh deal | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/criminal-complaint-filed-against-ubs-over-drc-linked-funds-0 | 2022-07-08T18:41:14Z | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/criminal-complaint-filed-against-ubs-over-drc-linked-funds-0 | true |
Louisiana abortion ban allowed to proceed; judge lifts stay
New Orleans – Louisiana can now enforce its ban on almost all abortions under a judge’s order issued Friday amid a flurry of court challenges to state “trigger” laws crafted to take effect when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
The decision came the same day President Joe Biden issued an executive order to protect access to abortion in states where it is still legal and mitigate the potential penalties women seeking the procedure may face after the high court’s ruling on June 24.
More: Biden signs order on abortion access
Days after the Supreme Court decision, Louisiana state District Judge Robin Giarrusso issued a temporary restraining order banning enforcement of the state legislation in response to a lawsuit filed by a north Louisiana abortion clinic and others.
State District Judge Ethel Julien lifted that order following a hearing on the lawsuit Friday during which she said the lawsuit should have been filed in the capital, Baton Rouge.
About 60 protesters gathered outside the courthouse Friday waving signs that read, “Abortion is healthcare” and “Do you want women to die?” The demonstrators, who want to keep the state’s three abortion clinics open, criticized Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has been a staunch defender of efforts to outlaw abortion across the state.
Abortion advocates in numerous states file court challenges to individual state laws restricting the procedure. In Mississippi, home of the case that led to the Supreme Court decision, attorneys for the state’s sole abortion clinic filed a petition on Thursday asking the state’s highest court to temporarily block a new state law that bans most abortions. The attorneys made the request on the day the law took effect and two days after a Mississippi judge rejected the same request. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2022/07/08/louisiana-abortion-ban-allowed-proceed-judge-lifts-stay/10015680002/ | 2022-07-08T18:43:10Z | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2022/07/08/louisiana-abortion-ban-allowed-proceed-judge-lifts-stay/10015680002/ | false |
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rally House has been aiming to expand its presence in Indiana over the past several months, hoping to give more fans access to all this prestigious family-owned sports and merchandise retailer offers. Now, the state is welcoming its sixth store to Bloomington, IN - Rally House College Mall. At this new store inside College Mall, fans will enjoy an ever-growing selection of local apparel and team gear for favorites like the Hoosiers, Colts, and more.
Rally House is thrilled to take the company just south of the Indianapolis area. "Bloomington is home to many loyal Hoosiers fans, and they're going to love the Indiana University gear we have to offer at Rally House College Mall," describes District Manager Ashley Beard. "Our team can't wait to help all these fans gear up and pair their Hoosiers merch with even more sports apparel and Indiana-inspired products!"
An immense selection of trusted brands is available at Rally House College Mall, ensuring quality and longevity with each purchase. Patrons will find an array of options from New Era, '47, Mitchell & Ness, and many more prominent brands. Many collegiate and professional teams are also in stock, like the Indiana University Hoosiers, Purdue Boilermakers, Indianapolis Colts, and Indiana Pacers.
While this area has numerous popular sports teams, there are also various beloved businesses and themes that residents and visitors enjoy supporting. Thankfully, Rally House College Mall also keeps an extensive selection of local apparel, accessories, and gifts in stock, including outstanding options from RALLY Brand™.
When stopping into Rally House College Mall, visitors can expect nothing but the best customer service and a fun shopping environment. Plus, a broad assortment of merchandise is available online at www.rallyhouse.com, with shipping options for every state.
For the most current store news and updates, visit www.rallyhouse.com/rally-house-college-mall or follow Rally House College Mall on Facebook (@RallyCollegeMall) and Rally House Indiana on Instagram (@rallyhouseindy).
About Rally House
Rally House and Sampler Stores Inc. is a family-owned specialty boutique that offers a large selection of apparel, hats, gifts and home décor representing local NCAA, NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS teams in addition to locally inspired apparel, gifts and food. Proudly based in Lenexa, Kansas, Rally House operates 100+ locations across 13 states.
CONTACT:
Ashley Beard, District Manager
abeard@rallyhouse.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Rally House | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/new-rally-house-store-unveiled-bloomington/ | 2022-07-08T18:45:54Z | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/new-rally-house-store-unveiled-bloomington/ | false |
Numerous reports have emerged of multiple robotaxis from GM’s Cruise unit stalling on San Francisco streets, sometimes blocking intersections and on a few occasions boxing cars in. A report from an alleged anonymous Cruise employee and other reports suggest the problem involves Cruise cloud servers failing or not communicating with the vehicles making them stop in a “safe state.” Obviously this should not happen and Cruise should do better, on the other hand, hiccups are to be expected in any prototype project and must be tolerated to some degree. On the other hand, Cruise recently tried to move to graduating from prototype status by charging customers for rides and expanding operations.
Why is it happening?
Cruise has made few public statements on these events, other than indicating that in the event of problems, their vehicles are programmed to go to a safe state, turning on flashers if needed. While this is safe, it’s bad road citizenship to do it a lot, or to have multiple cars do it at the same location.
The alleged cause is failure in cloud servers. While all robocars need to talk to the cloud to some small degree for updates on maps and traffic, and to be given orders like new destinations, Cruise may have avoided a design principle that other teams have followed to minimize communications and to also make the cars highly function in the event communications are out. Central failures will happen but should not be allowed to cause a problem like this, something Cruise will need to fix in their design. While a long outage of the central servers may cause cars to go out of service, they should do so gracefully, finding a parking spot to wait. Cruise vehicles today are in prototype stage and don’t really support functions like pulling over or parking well, for which they are have been criticized.
While there are those who tout the idea of the “connected car” as the future, the reality is a car should be able to complete almost any short to medium mission without ever talking to anybody, and be able to give itself a default mission (head to storage) in a longer outage. Normally, parking will involve talking to the cloud, to pick a parking destination, and to negotiate with the parking location and pay for the parking, but a fallback plan should also exist to get cars off the road.
Reports suggest Cruise has actually had to dispatch humans to recover the cars, possibly by driving them away. This suggests a poor failure response, in that even if some central server can’t be reached, cars should have alternate channels by which to receive remote commands from HQ to stop them from blocking traffic. This should include alternate communications channels (such as multiple cellular radios and cellular company accounts.)
Is it a big deal?
While Cruise has done some things wrong here — bad design that’s not sufficiently robust, not being open with the public, and of course making the failing servers, the truth is with something as complex and revolutionary as robotaxis, nobody is going to do it perfectly, and only the super competent and super-funded will do it very well. If we’re talking about people getting hurt, that’s a different story, but it hiccups cause a little bit of traffic disruption, that’s hardly something to get more than modestly frustrated at. The huge future benefits of robotaxis are among the greatest that technology has to offer, and that’s quite a dramatic statement, but not an overstatement.
Perhaps a bigger deal is the recent injury accident involving a Cruise car. Like almost all accident reports we see on self-driving cars, the driver of another car was entirely or mostly at fault, and in this case, certainly for the injuries. In fact, based on the description, the Cruise vehicle acted correctly and with caution. The only thing it could have done better would to to proactively avoid the Prius that hit it, rather than passively stop and be hit. Earlier, Waymo published a study where they examined every fatal accident in their service territory, and simulated it to see how it would have gone if they had been the at-fault car but also the car that was hit. They found they prevented all the accidents if they were driving in the at-fault car, but also a large number of the ones where they weren’t. The “extra credit” bar is to prevent accidents even when you do nothing wrong.
Even so, Cruise does seem to have had its share of problems. Some stem from their deliberate decision to try a harder environment like San Francisco first. Others, like this fleet shutdown problem, could happen anywhere but cause more trouble in a city.
Cruise needs to put even more focus on designing “fail operational” systems which still do something reasonable even when their components fail. At the same time, we should not demand they be perfect at that on day one, but rather that they work towards it when they go into full production. Cruise has the natural fear most companies have of being open about what is going on because they know the public won’t understand, and won’t want to give them the slack they should. It’s not clear how to change that. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradtempleton/2022/07/08/cruise-robotaxis-keep-stalling-on-sf-streets-how-upset-should-we-be/ | 2022-07-08T18:46:28Z | https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradtempleton/2022/07/08/cruise-robotaxis-keep-stalling-on-sf-streets-how-upset-should-we-be/ | true |
The online platform that provides accessible, comprehensive resources for treatment and recovery teams with Rock to Recovery to end the stigma of addiction and inspire people to celebrate a sober life
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- All Sober, the game-changing platform to support the millions of Americans impacted by drug and alcohol addiction, announced today that it will be the title sponsor of the sobriety benefit concert Rock to Recovery. The fifth annual concert will take place on July 9 at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles; it is 100% alcohol-free and will raise money to support recovery and sobriety initiatives.
This year's concert honors three-time Emmy-winning actor Keith David, recipient of the Rock to Recovery ICON Award, along with Emmy-nominated comedian Jay Mohr, recipient of the Rock to Recovery Service Award, for their contributions to the recovery community. The lineup features the night's headline band, Sacred Sons, plus musicians from Train, Korn, Madonna's band, Ministry, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Misfits and other special guests. Willie Nelson protege and Heidi Klum's favorite, Lily Meola, will also perform, coming straight off her America's Got Talent golden Buzzer victory.
"We are very excited to have the support of All Sober as the title sponsor for this year's event," said Wes Geer, founder of Rock to Recovery. "We have a shared vision of music as an outlet for healing, hope and expression, and working together, we can raise funds to support recovery and end the stigma of addiction." Rory Pullens, chief education and inspiration officer at All Sober, will kick off the evening's activities with Geer.
All Sober provides support through the entire recovery journey and consists of seven pillars: Help & Information, Group Support, Treatment/Recovery, Community, Relaunch, Sober Lifestyle and Inspiration. The platform showcases inspirational music, videos and blogs from celebrity partners, including Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Ralph Johnson of Earth Wind & Fire, and Ricky Byrd, formerly of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. All Sober emphasizes that sobriety is not only possible, but sustainable and fun as well.
"We are honored to be the title sponsor of Rock to Recovery. This group of performers brings inspiration to those in recovery or battling addiction, and the mission aligns with All Sober's main pillars that make up our platform," said Pullens. "All Sober understands the importance of influencers and celebrities to lead discussions surrounding sober living and recovery. Our platform shares their stories to provide support for our members."
To follow along on social media, the event's hashtags are #rocktorecovery5 and #R2R5.
To learn more about All Sober and to download the app, please visit www.allsober.com.
About All Sober:
For the 192 million Americans who are impacted by drug and alcohol addiction, All Sober provides all the vital resources needed for treatment, recovery and sober life, all in one place. All Sober represents the journey from addiction to a sober lifestyle with seven key pillars: Help & Information, Group Support, Treatment/Recovery, Community, Relaunch, Sober Lifestyle and Inspiration. To demonstrate that sobriety is possible, sustainable and fun, the platform also includes inspiration from celebrities, music, videos, blogs and articles.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE All Sober | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/all-sober-announces-title-sponsor-rock-recovery-annual-benefit-concert/ | 2022-07-08T18:46:56Z | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/all-sober-announces-title-sponsor-rock-recovery-annual-benefit-concert/ | false |
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The Chinese capital Beijing appears to have backed off a plan to launch a vaccine mandate for entry into certain public spaces after pushback from residents.
While not explicitly saying it had dropped the plan, a city official was quoted in state media late Thursday saying that people could enter venues with a negative virus test result and a temperature check, as has been the norm. They also said vaccinations would continue on the principle of “informed, voluntary consent.”
An unidentified official in the pandemic control office said residents of the city could enter any sort of public venue with a negative PCR test done in the last 72 hours and a temperature check, according to a short question and answer post from the official Beijing Daily, the main paper of the city government, published late Thursday night.
The city announced Wednesday that starting next week, people had to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before they can enter some public spaces including gyms, museums and libraries. It drew intense discussion as city residents worried how the sudden policy announcement would disrupt their lives.
A phone call to the Beijing government’s press office to confirm the policy change did not go through. The phone had been set to “do not disturb” mode according to a recorded message.
Online and offline, some criticized the policy, worrying that it would force those who weren’t vaccinated to get the shots, or lose out on access to many public spaces. The announcement was trending Thursday on the Chinese social networking service Weibo.
The government is concerned about the remaining numbers of unvaccinated people, especially those over age 60 who are vulnerable. In April, the Beijing government announced that over 80% of people over 60 had gotten a vaccine, some 3.4 million people.
___
Associated Press researcher Yu Bing contributed to this report from Beijing. | https://www.kron4.com/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/beijing-appears-to-retract-vaccine-mandate-after-pushback/ | 2022-07-08T18:47:14Z | https://www.kron4.com/top-stories/ap-top-headlines/beijing-appears-to-retract-vaccine-mandate-after-pushback/ | true |
First Step in Previously Announced Sale of the Company's Assets and Subsequent Merger
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cedar Realty Trust (NYSE: CDR) (the "Company") today announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of a portfolio of 33 grocery-anchored shopping centers and a redevelopment property to a joint venture between a fund managed by DRA Advisors LLC and KPR Centers for total gross proceeds of approximately $879 million, including assumed debt. The Company previously sold its Riverview Plaza redevelopment property for gross proceeds of approximately $34 million.
The completed transactions are the first step in the Company's previously announced sale of the Company's assets and subsequent merger in a series of related all-cash transactions. The final step of the process, expected to be completed within 4-6 weeks, is the merger of the Company with a subsidiary of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ: WHLR) in an all-cash transaction that values the Company's remaining assets at $291.3 million.
Total net proceeds from the transactions, after all expenses, will be distributed to common shareholders upon the completion of the Wheeler merger.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information included herein, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by Cedar, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Company") intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions.
Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "estimates", "projects", "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "intends", "future", and words of similar import, or the negative thereof. Factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the merger may not be satisfied or waived; (ii) the ability of the merger parties to obtain required financing in connection with the proposed merger; (iii) the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals for the Company and/or its assets will be made; (iv) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, including in circumstances which would require the Company to pay a termination fee or other expenses; (v) the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the transactions may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (vi) the ability and willingness of the Company's tenants and other third parties to satisfy their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with the Company; (vii) the loss or bankruptcy of the Company's tenants, particularly in light of the adverse impact to the financial health of many retailers that has occurred and continues to occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; (viii) the ability and willingness of the Company's tenants to renew their leases with the Company upon expiration, the Company's ability to re-lease its properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event the Company exercises its right to replace an existing tenant, and obligations the Company may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant; (ix) risks related to the market for retail space generally, including reductions in consumer spending, variability in retailer demand for leased space, adverse impact of e-commerce, ongoing consolidation in the retail sector and changes in economic conditions and consumer confidence; (x) risks endemic to real estate and the real estate industry generally; (xi) damage to the Company's properties from catastrophic weather and other natural events, and the physical effects of climate change; (xii) uninsured losses; (xiii) the Company's ability and willingness to maintain its qualification as a REIT in light of economic, market, legal, tax and other considerations; and (xiv) information technology security breaches. For further discussion of factors that could materially affect the outcome of forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A, of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. All of the above factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect the Company's actual results and may be beyond the Company's control. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company's management to predict all such factors or to assess the effects of each factor on the Company's business. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company's current expectations will be realized.
View original content:
SOURCE Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/cedar-realty-trust-announces-completion-sale-grocery-anchored-portfolio-redevelopment-property-dra-advisors-kpr-centers/ | 2022-07-08T18:47:17Z | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/cedar-realty-trust-announces-completion-sale-grocery-anchored-portfolio-redevelopment-property-dra-advisors-kpr-centers/ | true |
The week of the Fourth of July holiday is one of those moments in the year when the rhythm of nature, our lives, and our businesses slows and briefly pauses, giving us a chance to catch our breath and reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going.
In the retail industry, where we’ve been is through a gauntlet of what are referred to on Wall Street as black swan events.
These are developments of enormous consequence, positive or negative, that can't be predicted or calculated for, such as pandemics and wars. (The term refers to the discovery in Australia in 1697 of swans that were black, upending the scientific dogma of the time — that swans could only be white.)
Near the end of last year, about four months before companies like Target and Walmart revealed staggering inventory gluts, those of us with long memories in the retail industry could sense that air was leaking from the bubble of hype and hope that had sent the Dow Jones US Retail Index soaring last year to an all-time record. Target was having a pretty good year, all things considered. Margins were widening and its expanding click-and-collect operations were paying off.
But it was clear by the middle of last December that inflation was kicking up and consumers were starting to get wary. It was equally clear that the supply chain problem was about to get worse as containers loaded with seasonal goods began arriving after the holiday season was over.
It was an easy prediction that warehouses would soon be stuffed with excess merchandise that retailers were going to have to get rid of and take painful losses, which is what’s happening now.
If it was so clear to us in December, why was the news in April of Target’s and Walmart’s inventory fumbles such a shock that the Dow Jones US Retail Index has since lost about a third of its value?
Similarly, the Dow Jones Apparel Retailers Index recently hit a low on par with where it traded more than seven years ago.
One of the reasons, black swan events aside, is that retailers weren’t paying close enough attention to what consumers were thinking and feeling about the future. They weren’t paying attention to the slow but steady rise (up nearly 50% in 2021) in the price of gasoline, an obvious and pervasive factor in consumer sentiment and consumer expectations about the future, both of which indicators were crumbling through most of last year.
Now the economy appears to be slipping into (or is already in) a recession and the retail industry faces yet another year of scrambling to readjust to rapidly changing conditions. In fact, this may be a year of widespread consolidations, restructurings, and bankruptcies.
The dominos have already started to fall. Revlon, the cosmetics giant, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month. According to a recent CNBC report, Fitch Ratings, a credit rating agency, lists these players as being in danger of default: mattress maker Serta Simmons, Men’s Wearhouse, and sportswear manufacturer Outerstuff, among others.
Bed Bath & Beyond, which just fired its CEO with its stock down roughly 80 percent in the past three months, looks like a prime candidate for the restructuring wolves of Wall Street.
Forecasting in the retail industry is a challenge during the best of times, but especially during the worst of times, executives should be paying more attention to customers. It’s one way to find the black swans before they become events. Listen to your customer. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2022/07/08/battered-by-black-swans-retail-industry-hunkers-down/ | 2022-07-08T18:47:28Z | https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2022/07/08/battered-by-black-swans-retail-industry-hunkers-down/ | true |
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) finds that calls to increase already record levels of immigration would only add to existing economic woes like decreased labor force participation and growing income disparities, while doing nothing to curb soaring inflation.
Proposals currently being pushed by business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and far-left mass immigration advocates would further harm American workers struggling to cope with 40-year high inflation. The study reveals that an even greater influx of new immigrants would drive down their wages even as prices continue to rise across the board.
"The so-called labor shortage is largely the product of poor policymaking by the White House – from massive economic shut-downs triggered by COVID to reckless spending," said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "The same folks who created these ruinous policies and made poor decisions now propose to solve non-existent or unrelated problems with even more ruinous immigration policies."
With a focus on the period between the height of COVID and March 2022, Mass Immigration Won't Stimulate Post-COVID Recovery: Debunking America-Last Economic Myths finds that:
- Labor force participation rates have been steadily increasing since bottoming out in April 2020, and are likely to continue rising. The U-6 unemployment rate (workers who are unemployed, underemployed, or discouraged from even seeking jobs) stood at 6.9 percent at the end of the examined period and remains stagnant, dropping slightly to 6.7 percent last month. When combined with those who left the labor force due to COVID but haven't yet rejoined it, there are around 14 million available American workers to fill some 11 million job vacancies.
- An end to massive government stimulus programs (a key cause of inflation) means that more sidelined American workers are seeking to return to the labor market.
- An even greater infusion of immigrant workers would not lower inflation. It would merely inflict more economic pain on middle- and lower-income Americans as the law of supply and demand drives down wages that are already inadequate to keep up with rising costs.
"If mass immigration were a panacea for inflation and spot shortages in the labor market, these problems would have already solved themselves. Between September 2020 and March 2022, the foreign-born population of the U.S. has grown by 2.5 million and now totals some 49 million, largely due to disastrous open borders policies of the Biden administration," noted Stein.
"There is more than an ample supply of labor in this country. What is lacking? Sound policymaking to properly tame inflation while encouraging idled American workers to fill available jobs. As is typical of the Biden administration and a cheap labor lobby with access to lawmakers in both parties, their proposal is to compound these problems by putting already failed immigration policies on steroids," concluded Stein.
The full report, Mass Immigration Won't Stimulate Post-COVID Recovery: Debunking America-Last Economic Myths, can be found here.
Contact: Ron Kovach, 202-328-7004 or rkovach@fairus.org
ABOUT FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/new-fair-report-mass-immigration-wont-stimulate-post-covid-economic-recovery/ | 2022-07-08T18:48:34Z | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/new-fair-report-mass-immigration-wont-stimulate-post-covid-economic-recovery/ | false |
DALLAS, July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertical Capital Income Fund (NYSE: VCIF) today announced a distribution of $0.0714 per share pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"), payable as follows:
Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund pays a minimum monthly distribution to shareholders at a stated annual rate as a percentage of the 3-month average net asset value ("NAV") of the Fund's shares prior to the month of distribution. The distribution is calculated as 8% of the previous three-month average NAV, divided by 12. The primary purpose of the Plan is to provide investors with consistent, but not guaranteed, periodic distributions from the Fund, regardless of when or whether income is earned or capital gains are realized. Distributions under the Plan may consist of (i) net investment income, (ii) net realized short-term capital gains, (iii) net realized long-term capital gains and, to the extent necessary, (iv) return of capital (or other capital sources). With each distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income, the Fund will issue a notice to shareholders and an accompanying press release that will provide detailed information regarding the amount and composition of the distribution, as well as certain other related information. The Fund expects to issue any such notice and press release on or about the distribution payment date.
The Fund had approximately $1.5 million in cash as of June 30, 2022. A new monthly net asset value per share of $10.65 was produced on June 30, 2022. For information on the Fund's current net asset value per share, please visit the Fund's website at vcif.us.
The Plan will be subject to periodic review by the Board, and the Board may amend the terms of the Plan including amending the annual rate of payment or may terminate the Plan at any time without prior notice to the Fund's shareholders. The Fund's distribution rate may be affected by numerous factors, including changes in realized and projected market returns, Fund performance, and other factors. There can be no assurance that an unanticipated change in market conditions or other unforeseen factors will not result in a change in the Fund's distribution rate at a future time. The amendment or termination of the Plan could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares. The public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks to which the Fund is exposed. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty. In order to comply with the requirements of Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and an exemptive order received by the Fund from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the 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 distribution payment when a distribution includes anything other than net investment income. This information will be forthcoming later this month.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in 19(a) Notices are only estimates and are not provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during its full fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The 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 Fund's 19(a) Notices, if any, can be found at www.vcif.us. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions in 2022 will be made after the end of the year.
Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from their net asset value. The market price of Fund shares may vary from net asset value based on factors affecting the supply and demand for shares, such as Fund distribution rates relative to similar investments, investors' expectations for future distribution changes, the clarity of the Fund's investment strategy and future return expectations, and investors' confidence in the underlying markets in which the Fund invests. Fund shares are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal invested. No Fund is a complete investment program and you may lose money investing in a Fund. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. Before investing, prospective investors should consider carefully the Fund's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. For further details, please visit Vertical Capital Income Fund's website at vcif.us.
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the business and financial outlook of Vertical Capital Income Fund that are based on the Fund's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on any such statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release.
Vertical Capital Income Fund (VCIF) is an NYSE-listed closed-end fund that seeks monthly income by investing primarily in performing non-agency residential whole loans secured by real estate. As a secondary strategy the Fund aims to provide total return by acquiring performing residential loans at a discount to the unpaid principal balance (UPB). VCIF realizes capital gains as loans are paid off before maturity. For more information visit VCIF.us and connect with the Fund on Twitter.
Oakline Advisors, LLC is the adviser to Vertical Capital Income Fund. Founded in 2013, Oakline Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser that specializes in the residential whole loan market. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dallas, TX-based Behringer. Since its inception in 1989, Behringer, together with its affiliates, has raised equity of more than $6 billion in assets through public and private fund structures. For more information about Oakline and Behringer please visit their respective websites at oaklineadvisors.com and behringerinvestments.com.
Fund shares are identified by CUSIP 92535C104
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Vertical Capital Income Fund | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/vertical-capital-income-fund-vcif-declares-july-2022-distribution/ | 2022-07-08T18:51:00Z | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/vertical-capital-income-fund-vcif-declares-july-2022-distribution/ | true |
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is rolling out a novel strategy to screen applicants for gun permits.
The state will require people seeking to carry concealed handguns to hand over lists of their social media accounts for a review of their “character and conduct.”
It’s an approach applauded by many Democrats and national gun control advocacy groups as missed warning signs pile up in investigations of mass killings. But some experts have raised questions about how the law will be enforced and how it will address free speech concerns.
Some of the local officials who will be tasked with reviewing the social media content also are asking whether they’ll have the resources. No new funding was allocated to help manage the new requirement.
The new law also bans guns in public spaces including bars theaters and stadiums unless there is a sign posted that says firearms are allowed inside.
It also requires applicants to take hours of safety training courses and provide references before getting a license to carry a concealed handgun. | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/gun-applicants-in-ny-will-have-to-list-social-media-accounts | 2022-07-08T18:52:19Z | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/gun-applicants-in-ny-will-have-to-list-social-media-accounts | false |
BURLEY — The Cassia County Historical Museum, 1142 Hiland Ave., will host its 4th Annual Bicycle, Fire & Water Safety Festival on Saturday, July 16.
The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Children will receive a free helmet when they bring their bikes.
There will be free hot dogs and pop along with a popcorn bar with lots of goodies.
There will be boat and dive equipment on display , face painting for the children and a photo booth.
There will be a drawing for a girl's and boy's bicycle, donated by Walmart. | https://magicvalley.com/cassia-museum-hosts-safety-festival/article_f1f00122-fedf-11ec-9cd7-471ed581c6fc.html | 2022-07-08T18:52:27Z | https://magicvalley.com/cassia-museum-hosts-safety-festival/article_f1f00122-fedf-11ec-9cd7-471ed581c6fc.html | true |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.