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Ex-Angels employee gets 22 years in Skaggs overdose death
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A former Los Angeles Angels employee was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison Tuesday for providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs the drugs that led to his overdose death in Texas.
Eric Kay, dressed in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs and leg shackles, didn’t react when U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means read his sentence. Kay faced at least 20 years in prison on one of the two counts.
There was no reaction from Skaggs’ widow and mother or members of Kay’s family, including one of his sons who testified on his behalf before sentencing.
Prosecutors presented evidence of Kay, 48, making derogatory comments about Skaggs, his family, prosecutors and jurors in phone calls and emails after he was convicted in February.
There was emotional testimony from both sides in federal court in Fort Worth, about 15 miles from where the Angels were supposed to open a four-game series against the Texas Rangers on July 1, 2019, the day Skaggs was found dead in a suburban Dallas hotel room.
Kay was convicted on one count each of drug distribution resulting in death and drug conspiracy.
A coroner’s report said Skaggs, 27, had choked to death on his vomit and that a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone was in his system.
The trial included testimony from five major league players who said they received oxycodone pills from Kay at various times from 2017-19, the years Kay was accused of obtaining pills and giving them to players at Angel Stadium. Kay also used drugs himself, according to testimony and court documents.
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Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbay.com/2022/10/11/ex-angels-employee-gets-22-years-skaggs-overdose-death/ | 2022-10-11 22:04:06 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/2022/10/11/ex-angels-employee-gets-22-years-skaggs-overdose-death/ |
BOSTON, July 27 2022
- Appointment aligns with recognized high growth potential for INNOVO® in the US.
- A strong endorsement for the scientific and clinical credibility of INNOVO® as an accessible treatment for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).
- Endorses FemTech as a high potential investment category.
/PRNewswire/ -- Today Atlantic Therapeutics, a Galway, Ireland and Boston, USA-based MedTech innovator, announces the appointment of Russell Medford MD, PhD as Chairman. The addition of Dr Medford to the Board is a significant step to fulfill the potential of the INNOVO® brand in the large and under-served US stress urinary incontinence (SUI) market.
Dr Medford is a senior healthcare and life sciences executive with extensive private and public company experience. Currently he serves as Chairman and CEO of Covanos, Inc, a medical technology company focused on advanced cardiovascular diagnostics.
He has also led companies and organizations engaged in comprehensive therapeutic drug research and development and has executed multiple strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies.
He has extensive experience in both the private and public financial markets, including initial public offerings raising over $500 million for corporate, clinical development and research programs and returning over $2.5 billion in shareholder value. He currently serves as a Board member of ThermoGenesis Holdings (Nasdaq:THMO), engaged in development and commercialization of automated cell processing technologies for cell and gene therapy. He has served on multiple public and private company Boards.
Dr Medford is a board-certified physician, an inaugural Fellow of the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences of the American Heart Association and has held faculty positions at Harvard Medical School and the Emory University School of Medicine.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Center for Global Health Innovation, past Chairman and current member of the External Advisory Board for the Petit Institute of Bioscience and Bioengineering of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Global Center for Medical Innovation.
On joining the Board of Atlantic Therapeutics, Dr Medford commented: "From the first conversations with CEO, Susan Trent and other Board members, I could clearly see the huge potential of INNOVO® to positively change the outcome for women living with SUI. This very prevalent, yet under-served condition impacts the lives of many millions of women. It requires a treatment that is safe, clinically proven and easily accessible.
Since its FDA approval and launch onto the US market in 2020, INNOVO® has demonstrated that it can fulfil that requirement and has already transformed the lives of tens of thousands of women. I am delighted to apply my experience to help this innovative company realize its full potential"
Susan Trent, CEO commented: "I am delighted to welcome Dr Medford to the Atlantic Therapeutics Board. His experience in both clinical and commercial environments, as well as his obvious passion for delivering effective and innovative healthcare solutions in areas of unmet need, will be a major catalyst to maximize the potential for INNOVO®"
INNOVO® is an FDA-Approved, CE-marked treatment for women suffering from Stress Urinary Incontinence. It works by delivering clinically proven, safe, non-invasive pelvic- floor stimulation via unique wearable technology. In the privacy of their own home, women can simply wear the INNOVO® shorts technology for a 30-minute pelvic floor workout. Innovative NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) technology embedded in the INNOVO® shorts does the work to strengthen and re-educate their pelvic floor muscles, giving women the opportunity to live life free from bladder leaks in as little as three months. Extensive clinical trial outcomes conducted on over 600 subjects consistently confirm improvements in key outcomes, symptoms and acceptability. Underpinned by this compelling peer-reviewed science, INNOVO® has received numerous prestigious awards for innovation and technology and is revenue generating in both the USA and Europe.
Based in Galway, Ireland and Boston, MA, Atlantic Therapeutics develops consumer medical devices, related software, apps and connected health technologies to treat all types of incontinence. The company's mission is to improve the quality of life of millions of people each year, by enabling them to restore and strengthen their pelvic health, thus regaining the confidence and control to lead active lives. Atlantic Therapeutics has attracted both international VC investment and enterprise grant funding and is experiencing high growth, establishing INNOVO® as the leading Femtech solution to treat SUI. For more information, please visit www.myinnovo.com.
Contacts: Daniel Forde, 00353 852823340, dforde@myinnovo.com
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SOURCE Atlantic Therapeutics | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/atlantic-therapeutics-announces-appointment-russell-medford-md-phd-new-us-based-chairman/ | 2022-07-27 12:40:14 | 0 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/atlantic-therapeutics-announces-appointment-russell-medford-md-phd-new-us-based-chairman/ |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I'm a structural engineer and noticed several issues with rebar connectors on construction sites, such as the need for special tools or training, long lead times for special equipment, and difficulty installing bulky connectors in congested spaces. Engineers have been adhering rebar to concrete for years, but we haven't been taking advantage of the ability to adhere rebar to steel. My invention, the BAR COUPLING SLEEVE, uses adhesive in a slim, easy-to-install steel sleeve to resolve these problems," said the inventor, from Arvada, Colo.
The invention uses adhesive in a two-chambered steel sleeve to connect the ends of concrete reinforcing bars. In doing so, no special tools or training is required for installation. It also eliminates the need to fit wrenches or impact drivers in congested cages to affix mechanical connectors. There is no need for rotation of threaded rebar or threaded couplers. Variations of sleeve sizing and adhesives can be produced to address any size rebar. With a smaller diameter than most bar couplers, this coupler can relieve congestion in concrete members. It is also simple to use and simple to inspect. A prototype model is available upon request.
The original design was submitted to the Denver sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-DNV-404, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/inventhelp-inventor-develops-improved-connector-concrete-reinforcing-bars-dnv-404/ | 2022-09-12 16:59:21 | 1 | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/inventhelp-inventor-develops-improved-connector-concrete-reinforcing-bars-dnv-404/ |
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday evening's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Pick 3 Evening" game were:
9-1-6, FIREBALL: 8
(nine, one, six; FIREBALL: eight)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday evening's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Pick 3 Evening" game were:
9-1-6, FIREBALL: 8
(nine, one, six; FIREBALL: eight) | https://www.ourmidland.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Evening-game-17259322.php | 2022-06-23 00:35:26 | 1 | https://www.ourmidland.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Evening-game-17259322.php |
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention TuSimple Holdings Inc. ("TuSimple") (NASDAQ: TSP) shareholders:
The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that a class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of investors. This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons who: (a) purchased or otherwise acquired TuSimple common stock pursuant and/or traceable to documents issued in connection with TuSimple's April 15, 2021 initial public offering; and/or (b) that purchased or otherwise acquired TuSimple securities between April 15, 2021 and August 1, 2022, both dates inclusive.
If you suffered a loss on your investment in TuSimple, contact us about potential recovery by using the link below. There is no cost or obligation to you.
ABOUT THE ACTION: The class action against TuSimple includes allegations that the Company made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) TuSimple's commitment to safety was significantly overstated and defendants concealed fundamental problems with the Company's technology; (ii) TuSimple was rushing the testing of its autonomous driving technology in order to deliver driverless trucks to the market ahead of its more safety-conscious competitors; (iii) there was a corporate culture within TuSimple that suppressed or ignored safety concerns in favor of unrealistically ambitious testing and delivery schedules; (iv) the aforementioned conduct made accidents involving the Company's autonomous driving technology more likely; (v) the aforementioned conduct invited enhanced regulatory scrutiny and investigatory action toward the Company; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: October 31, 2022
Aggrieved TuSimple investors only have until October 31, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. You are not required to act as a lead plaintiff in order to share in any recovery.
Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
Vincent Wong, Esq.
39 East Broadway
Suite 304
New York, NY 10002
Tel. 212.425.1140
E-Mail: vw@wongesq.com
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SOURCE The Law Offices of Vincent Wong | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/class-action-alert-law-offices-vincent-wong-remind-tusimple-investors-lead-plaintiff-deadline-october-31-2022/ | 2022-09-12 11:04:01 | 1 | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/class-action-alert-law-offices-vincent-wong-remind-tusimple-investors-lead-plaintiff-deadline-october-31-2022/ |
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces 14 inductees for 2022: Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar, Eminem, Duran Duran make the list
The 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 5.
AP
Introducing the new class of rock ‘n’ roll royalty.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland announced its list of 14 new inductees for 2022 on Wednesday morning.
So who’s in? Meet your new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees who will be honored in this year's induction ceremony...
PERFORMER CATEGORY
- Pat Benatar
- Duran Duran (first-time nominee)
- Eminem (first-time nominee, first year eligible)
- Eurythmics
- Dolly Parton (first-time nominee)
- Lionel Richie (first-time nominee)
- Carly Simon (first-time nominee)
*This category honors bands and solo artists who have created music in their careers with originality, impact and influence that has changed the course of rock 'n' roll.
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
- Judas Priest
- Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
*This category honors non-performing industry officials who have made a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock 'n' roll and music that has impacted youth culture.
EARLY INFLUENCE AWARD
- Harry Belafonte
- Elizabeth Cotten
*This category honors artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have made a dramatic impact on the industry.
AHMET ERTEGUN AWARD
- Allen Grubman
- Jimmy Iovine
- Sylvia Robinson
*This category represents “artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.”
You can explore the chapters below for in-depth bios on each of the 14 inductees.
“This diverse group of inductees each had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture and helped change the course of rock and roll,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Their music moved generations and influenced so many artists that followed.”
FAN VOTE IMPACT
It’s worth noting that all five of the performers who topped the 2022 fan vote made this year’s induction – Duran Duran, Eminem, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics and Dolly Parton.
HOW IS DOLLY PARTON INCLUDED? DIDN'T SHE BOW OUT?
Although she expressed her desire to drop out of the induction process back in March, Parton said in an interview last week that she would accept the award if selected.
“Well, I'll accept gracefully,” Parton said in an interview with NPR’s Rachel Martin. “I would just say thanks and I'll accept it because the fans vote. But when I said that, it was always my belief that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was for the people in rock music, and I have found out lately that it's not necessarily that. But if they can't go there to be recognized, where do they go? So I just felt like I would be taking away from someone that maybe deserved it, certainly more than me, because I never considered myself a rock artist. But obviously, there's more to it than that.”
PREVIOUS DOLLY COVERAGE:
- 'I'll accept gracefully': Dolly Parton addresses potential Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction after wanting to bow out
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Dolly Parton will remain potential 2022 inductee after announcing she decided to 'bow out'
- ‘I never thought of myself as being in rock and roll’: Dolly Parton on Rock Hall nomination days before bowing out
- ‘I must respectfully bow out’: Dolly Parton says she wants out of 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction consideration
WHICH 2022 NOMINEES WEREN’T PICKED FOR INDUCTION?
The contenders who didn’t make the cut this year include:
- Kate Bush
- Rage Against The Machine
- DEVO
- Dionne Warwick
- A Tribe Called Quest
- New York Dolls
- Beck
- MC5
- Fela Kuti
WHEN IS THE 2022 INDUCTION CEREMONY AND HOW CAN I WATCH?
Rock ‘n’ roll’s biggest night moves back to Los Angeles with the 2022 induction ceremony happening at the Microsoft Theater on Saturday, Nov. 5.
The ceremony will air at a later date on HBO and HBO Max. There will also be a radio simulcast on Sirius XM’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Radio channel 310 and SiriusXM’s Volume channel 106.
Tickets will be up for sale at a later date, but select Rock Hall donors and members get exclusive induction ticket opportunities. You can donate or join by June 30 to be eligible.
INDUCTION PROCESS: HOW INDUCTEES ARE SELECTED
A committee of more than 1,000 people, including former inductees, historians and members of the music industry voted to select the class of 2021. The annual Rock Hall fan vote also carries some weight in making the final decision.
To be eligible for induction, an individual artist or band must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. Factors in determining the inductees are:
- The artist's musical influence on other artists.
- Length / depth of career and body of work.
- Innovation and superiority in style / technique.
2022 marks the 37th annual Rock Hall induction.
Now that we have all that covered, crank up the music and explore the chapters below to learn more about each of this year's Rock Hall inductees!
Rock on!
NOTE: All bios were provided by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Harry Belafonte Early Influence Award
Drawing from several musical traditions, Harry Belafonte’s lyrical baritone and emotive singing connected Americans to Black world culture. Singer, actor, producer, activist, and ally, Belafonte used the arts as a mechanism to effect social change on a global scale.
Belafonte was born in Harlem in 1927 to multiethnic parents from the Caribbean. As a child, he moved to his mother’s native Kingston, Jamaica – “an environment that sang” – where he was exposed to the captivating music of calypso as well as prejudice based on his skin tone. Back in New York, Belafonte began acting classes at the New School’s Dramatic Workshop in 1945, where he befriended actor-singer-activist Paul Robeson, the inspiration for Belafonte’s social activism. Swept up in the New York folk scene in 1950, Belafonte created a new repertoire of folk songs, work songs, and calypsos, providing an authentic and dignified look at Black life and earning him a contract with RCA Victor in 1953.
In 1955, Belafonte met Irving Burgie (aka Lord Burgess), whose songwriting on Belafonte's debut album would forever change Belafonte's career. The first album to sell over a million copies in a year, Calypso (1956) introduced Caribbean folk music to American audiences, who dubbed Belafonte the King of Calypso. This early sound made a lasting impact on American music – Gotye, Lil' Wayne, and Jason Derulo have all sampled “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" in recent years, while "Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)" was featured in the 1988 film Beetlejuice and its 2019 Broadway musical production.
In the 1960s, Belafonte returned to his musical roots in American folk, jazz, and standards, while also emerging as a strong voice for the civil rights movement. Belafonte was a close confidante, friend, and supporter of Martin Luther King, Jr. He helped organize “We Are the World” and has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 1987. He was a Grand Marshal for the 2013 New York City Pride Parade and advised on the 2017 Women’s March on Washington.
At the age of 95, Belafonte has epitomized the life of a world citizen, living by a single truth: “Get them to sing your song, and they will want to know who you are, and if they’ve made that first step, we can find a solution to hate.”
Why: Drawing from several musical traditions, Harry Belafonte’s lyrical baritone and emotive singing connected Americans to Black world culture.
Singer, actor, producer, activist, and ally, Belafonte used the arts as a mechanism to effect social change on a global scale.
Influences: Paul Robeson, Irving Burgie (aka Lord Burgess), Pete Seeger
Legacies: Miriam Makeba, Bob Dylan, Lil Wayne, Public Enemy
Pat Benatar Performer category
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are among the most formidable power couples in rock history. Together, they created a sound that deeply impacted the sonic landscape of the 1980s.
Benatar, a classically-trained mezzo-soprano, quit her job in 1971 to pursue a singing career. She started out performing in lounges and nightclubs, using open mic and amateur nights to develop her persona and style. In 1979, she was introduced to Neil Giraldo, whose distinctive, distorted guitar playing complemented the clarity and strength of Benatar’s voice; the duo’s fire-power packed a punch that energized tracks like “Heartbreaker” and “Treat Me Right.” This hard-driving signature sound drove them to the top of the charts with hits like “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “We Belong,” and “Invincible.” Their achievements include two certified multi-platinum studio albums and ten gold and platinum releases. Benatar also dominated the Grammys in the 1980s, winning four consecutive awards beginning in 1980 and garnering a total of nine nominations.
When “You Better Run” aired as the second-ever video on MTV, Benatar became the first woman (and Giraldo the first guitarist) to appear on the channel. The band remained in heavy rotation on MTV, and cinematic videos like “Love Is a Battlefield” shaped how audiences envisioned rock music and bands led by women. “I was a serious, dedicated, formidably rockin’ lead singer who happened to be a girl. And that’s exactly how [Neil] saw it, too,” writes Benatar. “I wanted to make music, but I wanted to do it on my own terms.” Making music on their own terms meant that they wrote most of their own songs, insisting on imagery that felt authentic to them, with Giraldo frequently contributing his talents as a producer.
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story in May of 2016.
Benatar and Giraldo’s partnership is one of rock’s most long-lasting. They founded their own entertainment company, Bel Chiasso, and are still performing and creating to this day, highlighting that they truly are unstoppable.
Inductees include: Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo
Elizabeth Cotten Early Influence Award
Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten’s warm and intimate recordings and live performances inspired generations of artists, and her guitar prowess and musical inventiveness influenced countless other musicians. Cotten's compositions have been performed by Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal, and Peter, Paul and Mary, among many others.
Cotten began composing music as a child, bringing together strains of oral traditions, church singing, ragtime, popular songs, and music played by traveling and local musicians. She quickly mastered the guitar and banjo, developing a distinctive fingerpicking guitar technique that later became widely known as "Cotten style" or "Cotten picking." Being left-handed, she taught herself to play the instrument upside-down, picking the bass strings with her fingers and treble strings with her thumb. Consequently, while Cotten's guitar style has been widely imitated, her sound is nearly impossible to replicate.
Cotten did not begin recording or performing outside family circles until she was in her sixties. After being hired as nanny and maid for the illustrious Seeger family (musicologist Charles Seeger, composer Ruth Crawford Seeger, and their children Pete, Mike, and Peggy), Cotten surprised the family one day by playing some songs from her youth on their guitar, and they immediately recognized her musical genius and virtuosity. Mike Seeger later produced Cotten’s first LP, a highly influential album of the folk revival.
Cotten recorded and performed at festivals, concerts, and coffeehouses until her death at 92. During her final years, she was declared a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts and recognized as a “living treasure” by the Smithsonian Institution. She received a Grammy Award at the age of 90. Her best-known composition, “Freight Train” – written when she was only 12 – still stands as an immortal American folk classic, and many of her songs have become staples in the repertoires of thousands of artists who have kept her unique musical legacy alive.
Why: Elizabeth Cotten’s intimate recordings and performances inspired generations of artists, and her technical prowess and musical inventiveness influenced countless guitar players.
Legacies: The Grateful Dead, James Taylor, Rhiannon Giddens
Duran Duran Performer category
Duran Duran are a band of delicious dichotomies: infectious pop melodies concealing complicated musical arrangements; pioneering synthesizers combined with distorted glam rock guitars. They were new wave outsiders who became music video stars – Tiger Beat fashion pinups who rocked arenas.
Formed in 1978 by John Taylor (bass) and Nick Rhodes (keyboards) in Birmingham, England, they were named after the villain of the 1968 cult sci-fi film Barbarella. Inspired by the sonic and visual vibrancy of David Bowie, Roxy Music, and Japan, they mixed the dance rhythms of Chic with a dash of the Sex Pistols’ danger and attitude. With the addition of drummer Roger Taylor, guitarist Andy Taylor, and vocalist Simon Le Bon, the group was complete, forming what the British press called the “Fab Five.” Their first album, Duran Duran, knocked open the doors to the 1980s with two hit singles and a sexually explicit music video for “Girls on Film” that was banned in the UK and edited for the newly launched MTV. Throughout the decade, Duran Duran produced a stream of smash albums including Rio, Seven and the Ragged Tiger, and Notorious, and their cinematic music videos made them superstars around the world. They filled arenas with their dynamic live performances and became darlings of dance clubs – one of the first bands to create their own 12” mixes (dubbed “Night Versions”).
By the early 1990s, the world of rock was shifting from synthesized sounds to the distorted guitars of grunge, and many artists were left behind, but not Duran Duran. In 1993, with guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, the band created a successful new album, reinventing themselves and charting two Billboard Top Ten singles. With over 100 million records sold and 18 hit singles in the U.S., they continue to innovate their sound, collaborating with new artists including Justin Timberlake, Tove Lo, Ana Matronic, and Janelle Monáe, and working with producers such as Timbaland and Mark Ronson.
Inductees include: Warren Cuccurullo, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, John Taylor, Roger Taylor
Eminem Performer category
Eminem: Unbridled controversy. Unparalleled talent. Unmatched superstardom. As the single best-selling artist of the 2000s, a 15-time Grammy winner, and the first artist to have ten consecutive Number One debut albums on the Billboard 200, Eminem’s accolades speak for themselves. His world-renowned status solidified hip-hop as the most commercially successful music on the planet.
A rags-to-riches story, Eminem (b. Marshall Mathers) rapped his way out of a childhood marked by abuse and instability via MC battles in Detroit’s Hip-Hop Shop, to Los Angeles’ 1997 Rap Olympics, and straight onto Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment label. There, Eminem’s major label debut, The Slim Shady LP, catapulted him into the mainstream. On that record and his follow-up magnum opus, The Marshall Mathers LP, he crafted an inimitable rap technique ripe with inventive wordplay and infectious hooks. His nasal-yet-guttural tone spits out rhyme-saturated lyrics at blistering speeds. Eminem’s alter egos enable his provocative storytelling to alternate between the often-comedic depravity of Slim Shady (“My Name Is,” “Kim”) and the introspective vulnerability of Marshall Mathers (“Marshall Mathers”). In 2002, Eminem’s success continued with the release of The Eminem Show and the quasi-autobiographical film 8 Mile, which spawned his acting career and the hype anthem, “Lose Yourself.”
Editor's note: Video in the player below contains explicit language.
Eminem has become more explicitly political as his career has progressed, delving deeper into his personal struggles and pushing his rap style toward “Rap God” virtuosic perfection. With one hand, he holds up a mirror to American society to expose its darkest corners: domestic violence (“Stan,” “Love the Way You Lie”), white privilege (“White America”), anxieties about homosexuality (Ken Kaniff skits), failed parenthood (“My Mom”), and corrupt politicians (“Mosh”) – no one is left unscathed. With his other hand, he throws up a middle finger. Art that stands the test of time often makes people uncomfortable and questions the status quo, and no one shakes people to their core quite like Eminem.
Eurythmics Performer category
Much like the moment in The Wizard of Oz when the film turns from black-and-white to Technicolor, the opening strains of Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” irrevocably changed perceptions of 1980s pop-rock. Employing the mechanistic funk of Krautrock, the grit of gospel, and the strangeness of psychedelia, Eurythmics’ genre- and gender-fluid pop vision was both futuristic and beholden to past eras, while remaining eminently accessible. Eurythmics’ lyrics and imagery presaged the third wave of feminism and a more mainstream deconstruction of sexuality and gender, with their videos and live performances featuring androgynous frontwoman Annie Lennox, at once formidable and alluring. The stories the band told, through song and theatrics, spoke to what it meant to live and love in the late 20th century.
In 1983, the operatically powerful Lennox and experimental producer/multi-instrumentalist Dave Stewart mostly eschewed guitar riffs in favor of analog synthesizer lines, sequenced to produce bedrock bass lines of melodic depth, resulting in their cynical breakout hit “Sweet Dreams.” Follow-up album Touch included three major hit singles and is ranked among Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Strikingly, when Eurythmics expanded their sound to include big-band strings and horns, they found continued acclaim. Stewart turned up his rock guitar on “Would I Lie to You?” and added lush orchestral arrangements to “Here Comes the Rain Again,” but no song better illustrates the duo’s ability to effortlessly pivot between rock and R&B than the iconic feminist anthem “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves,” which combined Lennox’s commanding vocal with Aretha Franklin and members of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
In 1990, Eurythmics went on hiatus to pursue expansive and award-winning solo careers, reforming in 1999 for the politically charged album Peace. Their 2005 empowering single “I’ve Got a Life” hit Number One on Billboard’s dance chart. After four decades, Eurythmics’ longevity and influence continue through performances in support of their charitable works and political activism.
Inductees include: Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart
Allen Grubman Ahmet Ertegun Award
Allen Grubman, a founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, changed the music business. He has represented rock & roll’s biggest stars, including Bruce Springsteen, U2, Sting, John Mellencamp, Madonna, Lionel Richie, Elton John, Lady Gaga, and many more. Grubman is recognized for negotiating ground-breaking long-term agreements for his clients that allow them to maintain creative control of their work. “What challenges me is being able to do something unique,” Grubman has said. “I love structuring deals that are innovative, that are truly different from anything that has been done before.”
Grubman entered the business in the messenger room at the William Morris Agency and worked as a page for The Ed Sullivan Show before earning his first job as an entertainment lawyer in 1969, working alongside Walter Hofer, the man who helped break the Beatles in America several years earlier. By the mid-1970s, Grubman opened his own firm, and soon had three big breaks representing disco artists the Village People, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Kool & the Gang. In the early 1980s, he began representing Bruce Springsteen, just as “the Boss” was becoming one of the biggest stars in the history of popular music. Since then, Grubman's law firm and client roster have grown exponentially, becoming a veritable who’s-who of rock’s finest.
Grubman’s direct, candid approach has cemented his reputation as one of the industry’s most trusted and hard-working executives. Beyond his work with individual artists, Grubman also has represented major record companies and music publishing companies, as well as iHeartMedia, MTV, and Live Nation. With his endeavors expanding into all aspects of the entertainment industry, today his firm is one of the largest entertainment law practices in the country. Over the last 40 years, Allen Grubman has played a pivotal role in structuring and negotiating the most profitable business arrangements in the history of entertainment. He is rock & roll’s master dealmaker.
Jimmy Iovine Ahmet Ertegun Award
Jimmy Iovine has donned many hats as he’s crafted one of the more unique success stories in the business of rock & roll. He has marched to his own beat and found success as engineer, producer, label founder, entrepreneur, and digital music innovator. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Iovine was barely out of his teens when he joined the staff at legendary New York City studio the Record Plant. As an engineer, he had a front-row seat and hands-on experience with rock & roll luminaries, such as Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon, experiences that helped him develop a “magic ear” for production. By the end of the 1970s, Iovine began to flex his producer muscles, serving up breakout albums for Patti Smith (Easter), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Damn the Torpedoes), Stevie Nicks (Bella Donna), and U2 (Rattle and Hum). In 1985, he produced the acclaimed holiday compilation A Very Special Christmas, a series that has since raised millions of dollars to benefit the Special Olympics.
In 1990, Iovine moved away from production and founded Interscope Records, home to rock & roll’s most provocative, groundbreaking artists, including Nine Inch Nails, Tupac Shakur, 50 Cent, and Lady Gaga, and introduced fans to buzzworthy artists like No Doubt and the Black Eyed Peas. In 2004, Iovine co-produced the Academy Award-winning 8 Mile, a semi-autobiographical account of Eminem’s rise to stardom. Iovine expanded his empire further in 2006 when he co-founded Beats with longtime friend and hip-hop legend Dr. Dre. Beats headphones quickly became the premier audio brand around the world – turning their high-performance headphones into a must-have, trendsetting fashion accessory. In 2014, Beats Electronics expanded into the subscription-based music streaming service Beats Music and, shortly thereafter, sold the business to Apple. With a portion of the proceeds, Iovine and Dr. Dre established a $70 million endowment and graduate program in technology, arts, and entrepreneurship for the University of Southern California, ensuring the cultivation of music innovators for generations to come.
Inductee: Jimmy Iovine
Why: Jimmy Iovine has donned many hats as he’s crafted one of the more unique success stories in the business of rock & roll.
He’s been an engineer, a producer, a label founder, an entrepreneur, and a digital music innovator – all while defiantly marching to his own beat.
Influences: Ellie Greenwich, Todd Rundgren, John Lennon
Legacies: Dr. Dre, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Trent Reznor
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Musical Excellence Award
James “Jimmy Jam” Harris III and Terry Lewis are known for their studio magic, creating smooth, funky synth-laden grooves, as well as their signature style – dark sunglasses, black suits, and black fedora hats. Minneapolis natives, they joined forces while still in high school and soon found themselves rocketed into the orbit of rising superstar Prince as members of the band the Time. That period exposed them to the music business and touring, and how to perfect the sound of a band on the road and in the studio. Jam & Lewis became innovators of the Minneapolis sound, an exciting blend of jazz, soul, R&B, funk, disco, early punk, new wave, and dance. After Prince fired them for missing a gig (because they were busy producing other bands), they decided to take their production and songwriting skills and form Flyte Tyme Productions in 1982. What followed was a string of smash R&B dance floor hits for artists, including Klymaxx, Cheryl Lynn, Gladys Knight, Force M.D.’s, Cherrelle, and the S.O.S. Band. Their musical toolkit included the boom and pop of the 808 drum machine, scorching lead synthesizer lines, deep melodic basslines, and a total commitment to the groove of a song – a sound they referred to as the “funky bottom and the pretty top.”
When Jam & Lewis next sought an artist to work with, they agreed on one name: Janet Jackson. The album Control (1986) gave them the chance to refine their songwriting and production into a killer counterpart to Janet’s lyrical and melodic mastery – and in the process they created the New Jack Swing style. What followed were over three decades of chart-topping Billboard singles and albums.
Jam & Lewis created a production company, recording studio, and signature sound responsible for “making” an artist’s career – the songs and sounds that stick with fans forever. Their work in the studio has incorporated the newest available technologies and defined how entire generations of musicians created music. They pushed artists to new levels (Mary J. Blige’s No More Drama) and gave musicians a spark that revolutionized sonic explorations (the Human League’s Crash). They took the sound of “Minneapolis!” and made it a worldwide universal groove deeply rooted in the soul of Black music.
Inductees include: James “Jimmy Jam” Harris III and Terry Lewis
Why: Jam & Lewis created a production company, recording studio, and signature sound responsible for “making” an artist’s career – the songs and sounds that stick with fans forever.
They redefined bands, pushed artists to new levels, and gave musicians a spark that revolutionized sonic explorations.
Influences: Prince, Parliament-Funkadelic, Chicago
Legacies: Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Teddy Riley
Judas Priest Musical Excellence
Judas Priest took the molten steel forged by Black Sabbath and Deep Purple and used it to become metal gods, creating the mold for the future of all heavy metal. If you’ve seen Judas Priest live, you know the powerful force of their dual guitar attack, driving riffs, soaring operatic vocals – the unapologetic sound of heavy metal played at its absolute best. The roots of the band go back as far as 1969, but it was when vocalist Rob Halford and second lead guitarist Glenn Tipton joined guitarist K. K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill in the 1970s that their unique sound began to take real shape. In 1980, they released the classic British Steel, the album that would propel the band beyond the world of metal and hard rock – starting a run of platinum selling albums – and onto mainstream radio with “Living After Midnight” and “Breaking the Law.”
Judas Priest are a band whose message of being yourself and loving the music you love – regardless of trends – resonates all over the world. Rob Halford is a pure singer with incredible range who is considered the best of the best by all fans of metal. His studded leather, biker-inspired visual look was adopted by many metal bands who followed. Openly and proudly gay, Halford has led an entire genre of bands and fans toward a more enlightened understanding and inclusiveness. Having gone through a number of lineup changes over the years, the band is still performing today with plans for a new album to follow 2018’s Firepower. The list of bands who have taken inspiration from Judas Priest is long and wide, including everyone from Metallica and Slipknot to Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine. After 50 years, Judas Priest are still at the top of their game with intense live performances and a firm commitment to a genre they helped define.
Inductees include: Les Binks, K. K. Downing, Rob Halford, Ian Hill, Dave Holland, Glenn Tipton, Scott Travis
Dolly Parton Performer category
With her prodigious songwriting talent, vocal and instrumental prowess, charisma, and trademark style, Dolly Parton has achieved immense global success as a musician and blazed a trail for generations of artists to come. In a career spanning six decades, she has recorded more than 50 studio albums and, by her own estimation, written nearly 3,000 songs.
Parton’s life started in a one-room cabin in Tennessee – humble beginnings that would inspire songs like “Coat of Many Colors.” Music provided an escape and filled Parton’s cup of ambition. At age 11, she co-wrote and released her first single, “Puppy Love” (1959). After high school, Parton moved to Nashville, where her compositions were recorded by artists including Hank Williams Jr. and Kitty Wells. Showcasing her songwriting acumen and her airy, yet gritty voice, Parton’s 1967 debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, was a hit, and as a regular on The Porter Wagoner Show, she won over the audience with her talent and charm. After a string of successful duets with Wagoner and solo Number One hits like the rollicking “Joshua” and the haunting “Jolene,” Parton parted ways with Wagoner to take control of her career. Their split inspired Parton’s chart-topping “I Will Always Love You”: In addition to Whitney Houston’s smash cover of that song, Parton’s “Jolene” has been recorded by such diverse artists as the White Stripes.
Parton’s unapologetic femininity belied her shrewd business acumen, an asset in the male-dominated music industry. Refusing to be underestimated, she set her sights on the pop charts, and the strategy paid off. Her pop hits include “Here You Come Again,” “9 to 5” – the title track for the film in which she co-starred – and her Number One duet with Kenny Rogers, “Islands in the Stream” (1983). Other collaborations include a series of recordings with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, under the name Trio.
A living legend and a paragon of female empowerment, Parton is beloved not only for her prolific body of work, quintessential style, and philanthropic efforts, but for the humor, wit, and self-deprecating grace that shine through everything she does. Her crossover success broadened the audience for country music and expanded the horizons for countless artists who followed.
Lionel Richie Performer category
Lionel Richie spent a decade as rock & roll’s King Midas – everything he touched turned to gold. With his finger firmly on the pulse of popular music, he crafted enduring love songs and joyous anthems that resonated deeply with listeners. Richie’s effortlessly smooth voice dominated the late 1970s and 1980s, his popularity rivaled only by Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. His record six Grammy nominations for Song of the Year is an achievement only matched by Paul McCartney.
Richie’s path to solo superstardom was built on a string of massive hits, including his group the Commodores’ “Easy,” Kenny Rogers’ “Lady,” and Richie’s duet with Diana Ross, “Endless Love.” His solo debut earned his first Grammy, but his follow-up, Can’t Slow Down, rocketed him into the stratosphere, selling over 20 million copies and winning Album of the Year. The album’s two signature hits – the tug-at-your-heartstrings “Hello” and the Caribbean-influenced “All Night Long” – showcased Richie’s ability to write both the songs you fall in love to and the songs you close the party with. In 1985, Richie and Michael Jackson channeled their songwriting toward humanitarian efforts with “We Are the World,” raising millions for African hunger relief. A year later, “Say You, Say Me” earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Richie demonstrated his longevity and flexibility with the 2012 chart-topper Tuskegee, reimagining his hits as duets with country music’s biggest stars and introducing his music to a new generation. That same year, U.S. troops in Iraq used “All Night Long” as their unofficial anthem – the song’s jubilance bringing levity in the face of hardships.
The influence of Richie’s emotive storytelling can be heard in the music of Babyface, Mariah Carey, Tim McGraw, and the contemporary R&B of Ne-Yo. Recent recognition includes the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Richie writes about love the way we want to feel about love, his feel-good music providing a colorful landscape for life’s most significant memories and a soundtrack for celebrations all over the globe.
Sylvia Robinson Ahmet Ertegun Award
Artist, songwriter, producer, record label owner, and CEO: the original hip-hop mogul. Sylvia Robinson laid the foundation for rap to flourish into the most lucrative music genre today.
Sylvia Robinson’s motto was to always be original. Few Black women broke into the music industry in non-singing roles at rock’s beginning, but Robinson sang, produced, wrote, and wielded a guitar throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In 1964, she introduced husband Joe Robinson to the record business. In 1979, they created Sugar Hill Records in Englewood, New Jersey. Sylvia – the label’s CEO and main creative force – decided to focus their latest venture on an underground musical style she first heard at the Harlem World Club. She assembled a new group, the Sugarhill Gang, and produced their song “Rapper’s Delight,” combining rhymes from Grandmaster Caz with a re-recording of the breakbeat from Chic’s “Good Times.” “Rapper’s Delight” became the first hip-hop gold record and enabled artists in the Bronx hip-hop subculture to enter the mainstream. It did for hip-hop what the Beatles playing Ed Sullivan did for rock in the 1960s – inspiring countless future MCs to pick up a mic and speak their truth.
Robinson was just getting started. She signed the Sequence—the first all-woman and first Southern hip-hop group to record commercially—setting the stage for groups like Salt-N-Pepa and the genre’s eventual geographic expansion beyond the East and West Coasts. She coproduced the first hip-hop track featuring turntable techniques (“The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel”), which paved the way for production techniques like sampling. She convinced a hesitant Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to record “The Message,” a song that became the blueprint for both socially conscious hip-hop and gangsta rap. In other words, Robinson spearheaded nearly every significant innovation in the first wave of recorded hip-hop. Most impressively, she did so in a male-dominated world. The entire hip-hop industry began with the perseverance, creativity, and business savvy of Sylvia Robinson.
Inductee: Sylvia Robinson
Why: Label executive, producer, songwriter, rapper: the original hip-hop mogul. Sylvia Robinson reigned supreme at the birth of hip-hop’s commercial success.
She co-founded Sugar Hill Records and propelled an unknown subculture into the mainstream, setting the stage for rap to grow into the most lucrative music business of today.
Influences: Berry Gordy, Estelle Axton, Bo Diddley
Legacies: Sylvia Rhone, Missy Elliott, Beyoncé
Carly Simon Performer category
In the early 1970s, singer-songwriter Carly Simon emerged as a gifted storyteller and lyricist who broke established narratives, writing exquisite songs about modern women’s lives. Her confessional balladry, gorgeous melodies, and catchy choruses made her a captivating voice among a new generation of singer-songwriters.
Born into an affluent New York City family, Simon had met such icons as Albert Einstein and Eleanor Roosevelt by the time she attended college. Inspired by Odetta, she first began performing folk music with her sister, Lucy, as the Simon Sisters. Her unique viewpoint as a songwriter became evident in Simon’s 1971 self-titled solo debut. It yielded the Top Ten single “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be,” and she won the Best New Artist Grammy. Her sophomore album, Anticipation, garnered even more success and attention. With nuanced and sophisticated songcraft like “Anticipation,” Simon explored love, breakups, and family relationships; her alto vocals and crystal-clear enunciation gave her songs a buoyancy, even when their subject matter was heartbreak.
Her third album, the masterful No Secrets, included the Number One smash “You’re So Vain,” a pop juggernaut that connected with audiences worldwide and became her signature song. Following Simon’s 1972 marriage to James Taylor, the couple recorded the playful duet “Mockingbird,” a Number Five hit in 1974. Three years later, Simon sang “Nobody Does It Better” for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. As one of the franchise’s most enduring theme songs, it sparked the admiration of Radiohead, who later covered it in live performances. Simon’s “Let the River Run,” written for the film Working Girl, resulted in Simon becoming the first performer to win an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy for a song composed and performed entirely by a single artist.
Simon’s influence on fellow artists is incalculable – among them, Taylor Swift, who invited her onstage in 2013 to perform a duet of “You’re So Vain” and considers Simon one of her “absolute heroes.” | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/entertainment/music/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2022-inductees-induction-class-dolly-parton-pat-benatar-eminem-duran-duran-eurythmics-judas-priest-carly-simon/95-780d297f-76c2-4105-a73d-58bedbe693b4 | 2022-05-04 17:40:18 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/entertainment/music/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2022-inductees-induction-class-dolly-parton-pat-benatar-eminem-duran-duran-eurythmics-judas-priest-carly-simon/95-780d297f-76c2-4105-a73d-58bedbe693b4 |
Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.
The effects of hundreds of wildfires burning across the western provinces to Quebec could be felt as far away as New York City and New England, blotting out skylines and irritating throats.
U.S. authorities issued air quality alerts. Hazy conditions and smoke from the wildfires were reported across the Great Lakes region from Cleveland to Buffalo.
A smoky haze that hung over New York City much of the day Tuesday thickened in the late afternoon, obscuring views of New Jersey across the Hudson River and making the setting sun look like a reddish orb. In the Philadelphia area, dusk brought more of a lavender haze.
Sal and Lilly Murphy, of Brooklyn, likened the burning scent to a campfire. They said they could even smell the smoke indoors, in a Manhattan restaurant, then walked outside and saw a sky that looked like it was about to storm — but was rainless. Lilly wore a mask for protection.
“It’s a little scary,” Sal Murphy said.
Smoke from the fires has wafted through northeast U.S. states for weeks now, but it’s only recently been noticeable in most places.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday’s hazy skies “were hard to miss,” and New York City Mayor Eric Adams encouraged residents to limit outdoor activities ”to the absolute necessities.”
Here’s a closer look at what’s happening and some suggested precautions for dealing with the haze:
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Smoke from Canada’s wildfires has been moving into the United States since last month. The most recent fires near Quebec have been burning for at least several days.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said hazy skies, reduced visibility and the odor of burning wood are likely, and that the smoke will linger for a few days in northern states.
“It’s not unusual for us to get fire smoke in our area. It’s very typical in terms of northwest Canada,” said Darren Austin, a meteorologist and senior air quality specialist with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. But, usually, the smoke has been aloft and hasn’t affected people’s health, he said.
The Quebec-area fires are big and relatively close, about 500 to 600 miles (roughly 800 to 970 kilometers) away from Rhode Island. And they followed wildfires in Nova Scotia, which resulted in a short-lived air quality alert on May 30, Austin said.
Jay Engle, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Upton, Long Island, said the wind trajectory that allowed smoke and hazy conditions to be seen in the New York City area could continue for the next few days. Of course, he said, the main driver of conditions is the fires themselves. If they diminish, the haze would too.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CONCERN?
Air quality alerts are triggered by a number of factors, including the detection of fine-particle pollution — known as “PM 2.5” — which can irritate the lungs.
“We have defenses in our upper airway to trap larger particles and prevent them from getting down into the lungs. These are sort of the right size to get past those defenses,” said Dr. David Hill, a pulmonologist in Waterbury, Connecticut, and a member of the American Lung Association’s National Board of Directors. “When those particles get down into the respiratory space, they cause the body to have an inflammatory reaction to them.”
Trent Ford, the state climatologist in Illinois, said the atmospheric conditions in the upper Midwest creating dry, warm weather made it possible for small particulates to travel hundreds of miles from the Canadian wildfires and linger for days.
“It’s a good example of how complex the climate system is but also how connected it is,” Ford said.
WHO SHOULD BE CAREFUL?
Exposure to elevated fine particle pollution levels can affect the lungs and heart.
The air quality alerts caution “sensitive groups,” a big category that includes children, older adults, and people with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Kids, who often are encouraged to go out and play, “are more susceptible to smoke for a number of reasons,” said Laura Kate Bender, the lung association’s National Assistant Vice President, healthy air. “Their lungs are still developing, they breathe in more air per unit of body weight.”
WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR NOW?
It’s a good time to put off that yard work and outdoor exercise. If you go out, consider wearing an N95 mask to reduce your exposure to pollutants.
Stay inside, keeping your doors, windows and fireplaces shut. It’s recommended that you run the air conditioning on a recirculation setting.
“If you have filters on your home HVAC system, you should make sure they’re up to date and high quality,” Hill said. “Some people, particularly those with underlying lung disease, or heart disease, should consider investing in in air purifiers for their homes.” | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/canada-fires-bring-dystopian-haze-air-quality-alerts-in-us-is-it-safe-to-go-outside/ | 2023-06-07 16:48:00 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/canada-fires-bring-dystopian-haze-air-quality-alerts-in-us-is-it-safe-to-go-outside/ |
FDA panel narrowly backs Pfizer RSV vaccine for older adults
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health advisers on Tuesday narrowly backed an experimental vaccine from Pfizer that could soon become the first shot to protect older adults against the respiratory illness known as RSV.
The Food and Drug Administration panel voted 7-4 on two separate questions of whether Pfizer’s data showed the vaccine was safe and effective against the respiratory virus for people 60 and older. One panelist abstained from voting. The recommendation is non-binding and the FDA will make its own decision on the vaccine in the coming months.
The positive vote came despite concerns about rare potential reactions and questions about how the vaccine fared in people who face the greatest risks from RSV. Pfizer’s shot was more than 85% effective at preventing severe disease in a company study, but panelists noted there were few people with underlying health problems.
“I think the primary endpoint was clearly met here,” said Dr. Daniel Feikin, a respiratory disease consultant who voted in favor of the vaccine. “It’s disappointing we don’t have more data on the high-risk groups and severe outcomes.”
Feikin and other panelists said the FDA should require more data on safety and effectiveness in Pfizer’s planned follow-up study.
The FDA panel is also reviewing another proposed RSV vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline. The FDA panel is scheduled to review and vote on GSK’s shot, which is also designed to prevent respiratory disease in older adults, on Wednesday.
For most healthy people, RSV is a cold-like nuisance. But for the very young, the elderly and people with certain health problems, it can be serious and even life-threatening. The virus can cause infections deep in the lungs, triggering pneumonia.
Efforts to develop RSV vaccines suffered a major setback in the 1960s when one experimental shot was shown to worsen infections in children.
Public interest in a potential vaccine peaked last fall during a surge of cases affecting babies and older Americans. Pfizer and GSK are currently only applying for approval among those who are 60 years old and up.
Much of Tuesday’s meeting centered on two cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological reaction, diagnosed in two people out of about 20,000 who received Pfizer’s shot. Pfizer said the cases could have been due to other medical factors.
But the FDA said the reaction is “an important potential risk” and would need to be closely tracked and studied, if the vaccine is approved. Guillain-Barre syndrome occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks some of its nerve cells, sometimes causing paralysis that typically is temporary.
Panelists who voted against the vaccine’s safety profile cited the two cases.
“I think we need to do everything we can to make sure that vaccines are safe before we send them out to the public,” said Dr. James Hildreth of Meharry Medical College.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/02/28/fda-panel-narrowly-backs-pfizer-rsv-vaccine-older-adults/ | 2023-02-28 23:31:29 | 1 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/02/28/fda-panel-narrowly-backs-pfizer-rsv-vaccine-older-adults/ |
Princeton University student death: Classmates, Ohio community remember Misrach Ewunetie as questions swirl
Princeton University student Misrach Ewunetie discovered dead near campus tennis courts
The Princeton University student whose body was discovered on the New Jersey campus after a multi-day search was remembered by classmates as "a friend to many," as officials said Friday they expect the death investigation to take "weeks."
Just one day after a facilities worker discovered Misrach Ewunetie’s body in an outdoor area behind the tennis courts on campus – and one week after she had last been seen – classmates and fellow club members are mourning the 20-year-old undergrad.
MISSING PRINCETON STUDENT MISRACH EWUNETIE FOUND DEAD, PROSECUTOR SAYS
Ewunetiie, a Euclid, Ohio, native who was born in Ethiopia, was a "beloved member" of the university’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association, the group said in a statement on its Instagram page.
POLICE SEEN LEAVING SCENE NEAR WHERE MISRACH EWUNETIE'S REMAINS WERE DISCOVERED:
The Ewunetie family immigrated to the U.S. from Ethiopia in 2008, the association's statement reads.
"She was a sweet, loving individual that shared love back with her community," the post went on. "She was not only a member of PEESA but a colleague and a friend to many of us."
It adds: "[K]nowing that Misrach was a loved member of our PEESA community makes it all the more challenging to process her passing. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and the PEESA community."
Alexander Moravcsik, president of the university’s Terrace Club, called Ewunetie "a cherished member of the Terrace community and a kind, loving soul."
"The club is grieving in the wake of this awful tragedy, and our hearts are with her family, who must be going through the unimaginable," he wrote in a statement on Friday.
University Vice President W. Rochelle Calhoun called Ewunetie’s death "an unthinkable tragedy" and said school officials were arranging an event to honor the student.
Euclid Police Capt. Mitch Houser wrote in an email to Fox News Digital that the department was "deeply saddened" to learn of Ewunetie’s death. He said his agency has offered to help "in any way necessary."
Ewunetie’s parents notified Princeton University’s Department of Public Safety on Sunday that "they had not heard from her in several days," campus officials previously said. Investigators performed a wellness check and determined that Ewunetie had not been seen since around 3 a.m. Friday, near her dormitory.
Moravcsik previously told Fox News Digital that Ewunetie had spent much of the Thursday night before she disappeared at the group’s building on Washington Road.
The eating and social events club is known to host live music performances. A post on the club’s Facebook account indicates that there was a show scheduled for 11 p.m. Thursday.
Moravcsik said that Ewunitie was volunteering Thursday night as "a member on ‘duty’" who was tasked with housekeeping assignments.
POLICE SEARCHING FOR MISSING PRINCETON UNIVERSITY STUDENT LAST SEEN EARLY FRIDAY
"On Thursday night, one of our members who was initially signed up for duty was unable to attend our event, and Misrach volunteered to cover their shift," Terrace Club student officers said in a statement released before Thursday’s news. "After the club had closed and all of the duty responsibilities had been fulfilled, Misrach—as well as the other members on duty—left for the night."
A spokesperson for the FBI's Newark Field Office told Fox News Digital that agents had been in touch with state and local partners and were "standing by, ready to assist."
On Thursday, the prosecutor’s office said that Ewunetie’s body showed "no signs of injury and her death does not appear suspicious or criminal in nature." A spokesperson added that there were no apparent signs that her body had been placed where it was found, and said her belongings – including her cell phone – were recovered with or near her remains.
The spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding when investigators believe Ewunetie ended up in the area of the tennis courts.
The Middlesex County Medical Examiner's Office was expected to perform an autopsy on Friday but would also conduct further tests, including a toxicology examination, Mercer County Prosecutor spokesperson Casey DeBlasio told Fox News Digital on Friday. The toxicology results will likely take weeks, DeBlasio added.
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The office serves multiple counties in the region, including Mercer County, which encompasses Princeton.
Fox News' Michael Ruiz contributed to this report. | https://www.foxnews.com/us/princeton-university-student-death-classmates-ohio-community-remember-misrach-ewunetie-questions-swirl | 2022-10-21 19:59:12 | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/princeton-university-student-death-classmates-ohio-community-remember-misrach-ewunetie-questions-swirl |
Take-Two Interactive Software, known for the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, last week exceeded quarterly sales estimates and hinted of a release date for a new version of its wildly popular action-adventure title.
The company is forecasting a tough current year — its fiscal 2024. But CEO Strauss Zelnick projects a big rebound after that, with $8 billion in revenue and cash flow exceeding $1 billion in fiscal 2025, the year starting next April. That fueled speculation Grand Theft Auto VI would be out in that window.
The forecast reflects “our confidence in the pipeline,” Zelnick said in an interview, without commenting on the next version of Grand Theft Auto. “We also expect sequential growth from there.”
The New York-based game developer posted fourth-quarter adjusted revenue of $1.39 billion, according to a statement Wednesday. That beat analysts’ forecasts of $1.34 billion. Profit came to 59 cents a share, excluding some items, in the quarter that ended March 31, missing the 68-cent average of estimates. Take-Two cited costs related to canceled or unreleased titles.
Sales for fiscal year just getting underway will be about $5.5 billion on an adjusted basis, Take-Two said. That’s below the $5.89 billion average of analysts’ estimates. Projections for adjusted profit, forecast at about $3.15 a share, also fell short.
“Our forecast reflects the challenging consumer backdrop, as well as an extension of the development timelines for several high-profile, long-awaited titles in our pipeline,” Zelnick said in the statement. “We believe that we will enter our next phase of growth in fiscal 2025.”
The leap in Take-Two shares could be a result of speculation about Grand Theft Auto VI’s release date, according to Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities.
Take-Two’s release calendar has been thin, aside from annual entries to its 2K sports games, including the successful NBA 2K franchise.
Mobile-game publisher Zynga, which Take-Two purchased for about $12 billion in 2022, has slowed its release schedule. The company is working on Star Wars: Hunters and several other unannounced projects, Zelnick said. Headwinds in the economy impacted mobile-game revenue, he said, adding that advertising will continue to grow.
Grand Theft Auto 5, released in 2013, is the latest in one of the highest-grossing entertainment franchises of all time, selling nearly 200 million units. The next version, Grand Theft Auto VI, is highly anticipated. Aspects of the game leaked in late 2022, Bloomberg reported.
The company plans to deliver its annual entries in the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series this year, as well as 14 other releases. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/video-game-developer-behind-grand-theft-auto-predicts-strong-rebound/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_world | 2023-05-18 19:01:29 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/video-game-developer-behind-grand-theft-auto-predicts-strong-rebound/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_world |
CHICAGO, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Cloud announced today they have been recognized as the top Microsoft Azure partner credentialed by winning four worldwide and two United States Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards across multiple categories:
- Worldwide Winner Migration to Azure
- Worldwide Winner Solution Assessments
- US Winner Solution Assessments
- US Winner Modernizing Applications
- Worldwide Finalist Analytics
- Worldwide Finalist Healthcare & Life Sciences
3Cloud was selected from over 3,900 worldwide and 1,800 national partner nominations, for demonstrating excellence in digital innovation and modernizing clients' data estates and applications on the Microsoft Azure platform.
Backed by Gryphon Investors since 2020, 3Cloud is the largest Microsoft partner who is focused exclusively on Microsoft Azure. With a dedicated team of over 600 full-time Azure experts, 3Cloud accelerates digital transformation across data and analytics, application innovation and cloud platform. 3Cloud has experienced unprecedented growth organically and through acquisitions and continues to outpace the Azure market growth of 46% year-over-year.
"We are truly honored to be recognized by Microsoft as the top Azure partner," declared Mike Rocco, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of 3Cloud. "We owe our success to our team, a group of top Azure engineers and consultants who have come to 3Cloud to work on innovative Azure projects. Today, we have been acknowledged as the Azure leader and we are positioned in the market for continued accelerated growth."
"Each year, 3Cloud delivers leading edge cloud technology and innovative Azure solutions to the marketplace," said Jim Dietrich, Co-Founder & President of 3Cloud. "With our depth of Azure expertise, we believe this is the principal reason our clients choose to work with 3Cloud and why we have been awarded these 2022 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards."
3Cloud services enterprise organizations, including many Fortune 500 companies, across a variety of industries, including: healthcare, financial services, retail, manufacturing, oil and gas, and higher education. Most notably, 3Cloud excels in the migration and modernization of customer's data estates and applications on the Azure platform.
"3Cloud has distinguished themselves as a top Azure partner, completely dedicated to Microsoft Azure," said David Totten, Microsoft CTO. "We value the significant impact 3Cloud has on driving Azure-based solutions and what that brings to our joint clients. 3Cloud stood out among an exceptional pool of nominees, and I'm continuously impressed by their innovative use of Microsoft Azure technologies and the impact their expertise has on our clients."
Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the company's global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 19-20 this year. Additional details on the 2022 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner Network blog: https://blogs.partner.microsoft.com/mpn/congratulations-to-the-2022-microsoft-partner-of-the-year-awards-winners-and-finalists/. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/inspire/awards.
As a top Microsoft services partner focused 100% on the Azure platform, 3Cloud helps clients build, migrate, modernize and manage their applications, infrastructure, data and analytics in the cloud. Founded by Mike Rocco and Jim Dietrich who served over 15 years together at Microsoft, 3Cloud combines a team of highly experienced cloud architects and technologists with a strong network of Microsoft sales and engineering relationships to deliver the ultimate Azure experience for clients. 3Cloud is headquartered in Chicago and serves clients throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit www.3cloudsolutions.com.
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SOURCE 3Cloud | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/microsoft-recognizes-3cloud-top-azure-partner-worldwide-with-multiple-partner-year-awards/ | 2022-06-29 20:10:43 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/microsoft-recognizes-3cloud-top-azure-partner-worldwide-with-multiple-partner-year-awards/ |
The midterm elections will decide which political party controls Congress.
Photographers at NPR member stations captured voting across the country. And they documented Election Day in their areas.
Here's what they saw.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.nprillinois.org/2022-11-09/see-what-election-day-looked-like-around-the-country | 2022-11-09 06:31:01 | 0 | https://www.nprillinois.org/2022-11-09/see-what-election-day-looked-like-around-the-country |
Watch Now
2020 BHDS: Dachshund (Wirehaired)
See the Dachshund (Wirehaired) compete in the Hound Group at the 2020 Beverly Hills Dog Show. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/2020-bhds-dachshund-wirehaired | 2023-06-27 05:22:51 | 1 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/2020-bhds-dachshund-wirehaired |
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Teachers in the Oakland Unified School District planned to go on strike Thursday after saying the district failed to bargain in good faith on a new contract.
Schools would remain open for the roughly 34,000 students enrolled in the San Francisco Bay Area district, administrators said.
The teachers union, the Oakland Education Association, called a strike late Wednesday.
“The district failed to come to the table in good faith, so Oakland educators will be on the picket line tomorrow,” the union said in a social media post. “We will continue to negotiate in good faith, and hope the district does the same.”
Earlier, the district had expressed optimism in a Facebook post.
“After six full days and nights of contract negotiations with the Oakland Education Association (OEA), we believe that a deal with our Teachers’ Union is within reach,” it said.
The district announced in a press release that all schools will remain open and school-provided meals will be served, the East Bay Times reported.
Teachers previously held a one-day strike against the Oakland district on April 29, 2022.
A district advisory to news media said there would be no one available to comment ahead of a 10:30 a.m. news conference. | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/oakland-teachers-union-on-strike-district-says-18078719.php | 2023-05-04 16:19:39 | 0 | https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/oakland-teachers-union-on-strike-district-says-18078719.php |
NEW YORK (AP) — Humanitarian groups working in southern Turkey and northwest Syria warn that Monday’s earthquake will have a “long tail” — a wide range of needs that will require donations for months, or even years, after the rescue and recovery missions end.
Among the worst in recent history, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake has killed at least 23,200 in the region and left tens of thousands more homeless, with thousands taking refuge in shopping malls, stadiums, mosques and community centers. Humanitarian access to northern Syria is complicated by the civil war, while sending funds can be blocked or slowed by U.S. sanctions, despite an exemption for relief efforts. The political environment in Turkey also poses challenges.
The first shipment of earthquake-related aid crossed from Turkey into Syria’s rebel-held enclave on Friday, a painful delay caused by damage and debris but also a U.N. policy that allows only for the use of a single crossing.
However, some aid groups were already in place because of the country’s 12-year civil war. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) had 500 staff, two of whom were among those killed, stationed in northern Syria, where they’ve helped meet medical needs amid the conflict.
“We were able to do a massive distribution of food and blankets to more than 500 families,” from one of their warehouses in the immediate aftermath of the quake, said Avril Benoît, executive director for MSF USA. Her organization keeps emergency supplies on hand in the case of major disasters.
“There’s a long tail to an emergency like this, both for the injured from the earthquake, but also for chronic disease management, making sure they have access to their medications,” Benoît said.
People will die without access to medications to control chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, she said, adding that the earthquake will also take a mental toll.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said they had 5,200 volunteers mobilized on both sides of the border, with the Turkish operation being more robust and better-equipped because of its longstanding program to support Syrian refugees.
The IFRC’s Syrian chapter works in areas controlled by the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which has been sanctioned by the U.S. and European countries. In the past year, little humanitarian aid has arrived from Damascus to the opposition-held north, which has suffered an outbreak of cholera and COVID-19 amid desperate living conditions for many.
The Syrian government said Friday that it would allow aid to reach all parts of the country, including the northern enclave, portions of which are controlled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an insurgent group with ties to al-Qaida, as well as groups backed by Turkey and U.S.-backed Kurdish groups.
The Syrian American Medical Society, which also provides significant medical services in northern Syria, has called for the opening of additional border crossings and has commissioned a legal analysis that argues the United Nations has the authority to use other crossings.
“We think that the U.N. does not really need a Security Council resolution to proceed with this lifesaving medical relief,” said Dr. Basel Termanini, the medical society’s board chair.
Both MSF and SAMS said their supplies in the region are much depleted and need new shipments to continue to help.
However, delivering supplies is difficult. There are major obstacles to moving machinery to places in Syria where it’s needed to remove rubble. Fuel shortages also constrain the supply of electricity, said Xavier Castellanos, undersecretary general for operations coordination of the IFRC.
He called the situation in the region “the great storm,” with all the conditions reducing the amount of support to below the level that it should be.
Castellanos, speaking from Geneva on Thursday, said the IFRC has received “soft” pledges from governments and a very small number of pledges from companies so far. The group will look to individual giving to make up for the shortfall because those funds can be used wherever they are needed most.
The group has launched an appeal of 200 million Swiss Francs ($217 million) for responses in both countries and the national chapters of the IFRC are also collecting donations. He estimated the IFRC has received 7 million Swiss Francs ($7.6 million) so far in the early response to their appeals.
As of Thursday, MSF had $5.1 million come in from online donations along with a 10 million euros ($10.7 million) donation from the IKEA Foundation. SAMS had raised almost $2 million between a Facebook fundraiser and another on GiveSmart as of Friday.
The humanitarian organization Direct Relief immediately granted $100,000 to both SAMS and AKUT, a Turkish search and rescue team, and announced Friday that it was increasing its commitment to $3 million because of the strong support coming from donors from more than 70 countries. The Santa Barbara, California-based organization has shipped 42 pallets of supplies that it says will arrive by Sunday.
Thomas Tighe, who leads Direct Relief, said his team has opened discussions with health care companies to source the medications and supplies that are mostly likely to be needed based on the limited information available and in coordination with other groups.
“If you rush in too fast with the wrong quantities or the wrong material, you clog up the already compromised distribution channels, which then compounds the problem,” Tighe said.
Amazon has pledged $600,000 to humanitarian organizations, including AKUT and Red Crescent of Türkiye, in addition to supplying emergency supplies for cold weather, the company said in an online post. The founder of yogurt giant Chobani, Hamdi Ulukaya, a native of Turkey, pledged $1 million to the Turkish Philanthropy Funds and promised to match another $1 million in donations.
The IFRC already is planning its recovery efforts over 12 months, with reoccurring assessments to define the scope. Trauma response and sanitation issues are among the top priorities.
Some Syrians in the affected area have already been displaced many times by the war as well as separated from their families with little support. Many now have lost whatever shelter they had acquired.
“Over 12 years, you can imagine the loss of hope that one would have,” said Benoît, of MSF, which also provides psychological first aid and will train people to provide it if there are not enough counselors.
“It’s essentially to help the person in a culturally appropriate way, whatever is resonant for them,” she said. “To get through the day. To to be able to function, to be able to feed their children.”
___
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/business-beat/ap-business/ap-fundraisers-for-syria-turkey-earthquake-try-to-deliver-aid/ | 2023-02-11 17:42:03 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/business-beat/ap-business/ap-fundraisers-for-syria-turkey-earthquake-try-to-deliver-aid/ |
Iraq summons Iranian ambassador after drone bombing campaign
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq has summoned the Iranian ambassador to deliver a diplomatic complaint over a series of deadly drone strikes. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the country condemns Iran’s attacks on Iranian-Kurdish bases that killed at least nine people and wounded 32 others. The strikes targeted a banned Iranian leftist armed opposition group called the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan in the town of Koya the previous day. They took place as demonstrations continued in the Islamic Republic of Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who died while in custody of the Iranian morality police. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national/2022/09/29/iraq-summons-iranian-ambassador-after-drone-bombing-campaign/ | 2022-09-29 20:41:24 | 0 | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national/2022/09/29/iraq-summons-iranian-ambassador-after-drone-bombing-campaign/ |
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Thea Riofrancos, professor at Providence College, about her new research into the environmental costs of the transition to electric vehicles in the United States.
Copyright 2023 NPR
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Thea Riofrancos, professor at Providence College, about her new research into the environmental costs of the transition to electric vehicles in the United States.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-01-29/the-hidden-environmental-costs-of-the-transitioning-to-electric-vehicles | 2023-01-29 13:53:10 | 1 | https://www.kvpr.org/2023-01-29/the-hidden-environmental-costs-of-the-transitioning-to-electric-vehicles |
Chicago woman arrested for Oxford burglary in June
OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A months-long theft investigation ends with a Chicago woman in the Lafayette County Jail.
The case began in June when Oxford Police were called to a report of stolen property in Woodglenn Cove.
A woman who had been at the home at the time the items were stolen was gone by the time the owner returned home.
Investigators identified Tammy Lynn Davis of Chicago as a suspect.
She has been arrested and is charged with Grand Larceny.
Davis’s bond is set at $10,000.
For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter | https://www.wcbi.com/chicago-woman-arrested-for-oxford-burglary-in-june/ | 2022-10-04 21:21:39 | 1 | https://www.wcbi.com/chicago-woman-arrested-for-oxford-burglary-in-june/ |
The Los Angeles Lakers square off against the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas day. The game will be live streamed on fuboTV (free trial).
LeBron James seemingly appears on Christmas as often as Santa Claus does. If James plays, it’ll be his 17th Christmas appearance, which will break a tie with Kobe Bryant for the most in NBA history. If he plays and the Lakers win, it’ll be James’ 11th time walking off as a Christmas winner — another record for NBA players.
And the Lakers are appearing on Christmas for the 24th consecutive year. They enter with an all-time Dec. 25 record of 24-24, the most wins on the holiday in NBA history, one ahead of the Knicks.
It’ll be Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s second Christmas game, after he and Dallas lost a road game to the Lakers in 2020. Mavs coach Jason Kidd played on the holiday four times, including a loss to James and the Miami Heat in an NBA Finals rematch to open the 2011-12 season.
When is Lakers-Mavericks?
The Lakers and Mavericks play Sunday, Dec. 25, at 1:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m.).
Live stream
FuboTV
The game will be live streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic of plans is the “fubo standard” package, which comprises 121-plus channels for $69.99 per month. Like all cord-cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.
Will it be televised?
The Lakers and Mavericks will be televised on ABC and ESPN.
Extra Point
The Mavericks will unveil Basketball Hall of Fame nominee Dirk Nowitzki’s statue at their arena a couple hours before the game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.al.com/sports/2022/12/lakers-mavericks-live-stream-1225-how-to-watch-nba-on-christmas-day-online-tv-time.html | 2022-12-25 17:00:45 | 1 | https://www.al.com/sports/2022/12/lakers-mavericks-live-stream-1225-how-to-watch-nba-on-christmas-day-online-tv-time.html |
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Michael Forrest scored 17 points as Florida Atlantic beat South Alabama 84-59 on Wednesday night.
Forrest shot 7 for 12, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc for the Owls (6-1). Brandon Weatherspoon was 6 of 8 shooting (4 for 5 from distance) to add 16 points. Vladislav Goldin shot 5 of 8 from the field and 2 for 4 from the line to finish with 12 points.
Isaiah Moore led the Jaguars (3-5) in scoring, finishing with 17 points and five assists. Jamar Franklin added eight points and Owen White had six points, two steals and two blocks.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/florida-atlantic-wins-84-59-over-south-alabama/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2022-12-01 03:45:11 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/florida-atlantic-wins-84-59-over-south-alabama/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in response to today's stay by Supreme Court halting the end to Title 42.
"The American people and communities all across the country were spared even greater hardship at the hands of the Biden administration by the U.S. Supreme Court's eleventh hour stay that prevents the federal government from cancelling Title 42.
"Because the Biden administration has arbitrarily canceled, or refused to enforce, every policy designed to deter mass illegal immigration, Title 42, a public health provision that was invoked at the onset of the COVID pandemic, remains the only functioning policy preventing unchecked illegal immigration. Already, the Department of Homeland Security was bracing for exponentially larger numbers of migrants pouring across the border illegally. And even with Title 42 remaining in place, the administration decision to exempt large categories from removal under the provision will not be enough to restore order to the border.
"Today's Supreme Court stay is a welcome reprieve, but there is still far more that needs to be done to regain control of our borders and end the humanitarian crisis that the Biden administration has created. Maintaining Title 42 beyond Wednesday's deadline will allow the new Congress, in which Republicans will control of the House of Representatives, to address the dire situation stemming from the Biden administration's refusal to enforce countless immigration laws."
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.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/12/20/fair-supreme-court-offers-last-minute-reprieve-preventing-raging-border-crisis-becoming-even-worse/ | 2022-12-20 06:58:20 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/12/20/fair-supreme-court-offers-last-minute-reprieve-preventing-raging-border-crisis-becoming-even-worse/ |
- Diverse safety initiatives toward "Zero Traffic Collision Fatalities"
- Electrification solutions toward Carbon Neutrality
TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will showcase its latest initiatives to realize carbon neutrality, as well as developments in next-generation driver assist technology, information-communication and control technologies, at the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) World Congress 2022 in Los Angeles, California, September 18-22.
The ITS World Congress is an international conference where participants present and discuss achievements made in the research, development and practical application of ITS technologies for resolving various traffic / transport-related challenges.
- Honda SENSING 360
Featuring omnidirectional sensing which removes blind spots around the vehicle, Honda SENSING 360 contributes to the avoidance of collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians as well as a reduction of the driving burden. The knowledge and know-how amassed through the research and development of Level 3 automated driving technologies have been utilized in the development of Honda SENSING 360. - Honda Drive Data Service
Utilizing driving / vehicle behavior data and location information, the system analyzes and evaluates the traffic environment including locations where brakes are used frequently. Honda Drive Data Service is designed to reduce the risk of traffic collisions by identifying potentially dangerous spots on the road which may cause traffic collisions and enabling the user to improve the traffic infrastructure. - Road Hazard Condition Monitoring System
Honda is piloting a prototype, in-vehicle system that uses ADAS (advanced driver-assistance system) cameras to detect hazardous road conditions such as potholes and construction zones, and provides relevant alerts to drivers and motorcyclists in the vicinity. The system is designed to enhance the safety of everyone sharing the road by calling attention to potential road hazards before vehicles pass through the area. Watch a demonstration of Honda's prototype road hazard condition monitoring system at https://youtu.be/d17_rVID1fE.
- Technology to Understand People
Honda aims to reduce human error that causes traffic collisions to zero by revealing the true factors behind human error through causal analysis of brain activities and risk-taking behavior while driving. - Driver Augmentation HMI (human-machine interface)
This technology helps give peace of mind suited to the driving behavior and respective traffic situation of each individual by providing driver-assistive support. Honda's goal is to reduce the occurrence of human error while driving. - Pedestrian Dart-out Prevention System (Warning System for Pedestrian Terminals)
This system enables cooperation between cars and pedestrians by sending alerts to pedestrians in a potentially dangerous position and enabling them to refrain from darting out in traffic. Moreover, the system notifies vehicles in the vicinity of pedestrians who cannot be seen from the moving vehicle due to obstacles such as parked cars along the roadside. - Safe and Sound Network Technology
Honda will strive for the realization of a "collision-free" mobility society by connecting everyone sharing the road through telecommunications, making it possible to predict potential risks and help people avoid such risks before collisions occur.
- Honda Mobile Power Pack e: (MPP e:)
As part of Honda's pursuit of carbon neutrality, Honda will expand the use of renewable energy through further utilization of Honda's portable and swappable batteries. These batteries can be shared among various products and other electrified products, which take advantage of unique characteristics of MPP e:. - Honda Fuel Cell Systems
A new fuel cell system jointly developed with GM achieves lower cost and long lasting durability. Having the capability to connect multiple units to increase output, the system can expand the application from mobility to power generation for various industries. With this fuel cell system, Honda is striving to popularize the use of hydrogen.
ITS 2022 Honda booth website
Release date and time: Monday, September 19, 2022 at 11:00AM (GMT-7)
URL: https://global.honda/innovation/ITS2022.html
About the 28th ITS World Congress 2022 in Los Angeles, California
- Theme: "Transformation by Transportation"
- Host Organizations: The Intelligent Transportation Society of America - ITS America
- Dates: Sunday, September 18 – Thursday, September 22, 2022
- Host Country: Los Angeles, USA
- Venue: LA Convention Center
- ITS World Congress 2022 official website:
https://www.itsamericaevents.com/world-congress/en-us.html
About Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) is responsible for the development, production and sales of automobiles, motorcycles, power products and aviation products worldwide. Honda now delivers over 30 million products annually through its three product lines. Honda and its partners build products in more than 60 manufacturing plants in 27 countries, employing about 220,000 associates globally. On a global basis by 2050, Honda is striving to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities, as well as zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda automobiles and motorcycles.
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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc. | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/overview-honda-exhibits-28th-its-world-congress-2022/ | 2022-09-12 22:58:50 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/overview-honda-exhibits-28th-its-world-congress-2022/ |
‘Multiple fatalities’ on Illinois highway following crashes in dust storm
DIVERNON, Ill. (AP) — A windstorm in south-central Illinois led to numerous crashes and “multiple fatalities” Monday on Interstate 55, police said.
The crashes occurred late Monday morning amid windblown dust and involved 40 to 60 passenger cars and multiple tractor-trailers, Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick said. The highway was shut down in both directions in Montgomery County, 75 miles (120.7 kilometers) north of St. Louis.
More than 30 people were transported to hospitals with injuries, Starrick said. The crashes occurred in both the southbound and the northbound lanes.
Starrick said there were “multiple fatalities” but did give an exact number, saying that would be released later in the day.
He said that said I-55 would be closed until late morning or early afternoon Tuesday.
“Visibility in the area is reported to be low due to blowing dust,” Illinois State Police said earlier in a statement. “Traffic is urged to seek alternate routes. This investigation is in its infancy and there is no further information at this time.”
The Auburn Travel Center in Divernon was established as a reunification spot for travelers.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/2023/05/01/multiple-fatalities-illinois-highway-following-crashes-dust-storm/ | 2023-05-01 20:36:19 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/2023/05/01/multiple-fatalities-illinois-highway-following-crashes-dust-storm/ |
How to Watch College Softball Streaming Live - Saturday, May 6
For big NCAA softball fans who want to watch every game, check out the article below to find out how to watch or live stream the 16 games that are airing on Fubo on May 6.
Watch even more NCAA Softball action with ESPN+!
College Softball Games Streaming Live Today
Watch Michigan at Minnesota Softball
- Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Big Ten Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch South Carolina at Tennessee Softball
- Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: SECN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Alabama at Ole Miss Softball
- Game Time: 2:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: SECN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Boise State vs Fresno State Softball
- Game Time: 2:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Stadium
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Louisville at Florida State Softball
- Game Time: 2:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ACCN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Florida at Kentucky Softball
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch New Mexico at UNLV Softball
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Stadium
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Georgia at LSU Softball
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: SECN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NC State at Pittsburgh Softball
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ACCN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch New Mexico vs UNLV Softball
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Stadium
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Arizona State at Oregon State Softball
- Game Time: 5:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Pac-12 Networks
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Oklahoma at Oklahoma State Softball
- Game Time: 5:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Utah at Oregon Softball
- Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Pac-12 Networks
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch California at Arizona Softball
- Game Time: 9:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Pac-12 Networks
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Washington at Stanford Softball
- Game Time: 10:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Washington vs Stanford Softball
- Game Time: 10:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Make sure you're following along with all the NCAA Softball action all season long on Fubo and ESPN+!
Every team's journey toward the Women's College World Series starts with the NCAA Tournament selection show on Sunday, May 14 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2. Tournament play kicks off the next weekend with Regionals action from May 18-21, followed by Super Regionals from May 25-28, and concludes with the Women's College World Series from June 1-9, taking place at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/05/06/college-softball-live-stream/ | 2023-05-06 09:37:19 | 1 | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/05/06/college-softball-live-stream/ |
Ice cream maker Klondike is discontinuing production of the Choco Taco ice cream sandwich, a fan favorite for nearly 40 years.
The company said the reason for discontinuing the product was due to a spike in demand for different products, leading the company to make some tough choices.
“Over the past 2 years, we have experienced an unprecedented spike in demand across our portfolio and have had to make very tough decisions to ensure availability of our full portfolio nationwide,” a Klondike Brand representative told CNN Business in an email. “We know this may be very disappointing.”
The representative added that you could still possibly find Choco Tacos being sold as sellers go through their inventory.
The Choco Taco was first introduced in the 1980s. It was mostly sold in ice cream trucks until Unilever, which owns Klondike, distributed the product on a more massive scale, according to CBS News.
But some VIPs are already trying to save the Choco Taco and preserve it for future generations.
“I’d like to buy the rights to your Choco Taco and keep it from melting away from future generations’ childhoods,” Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian tweeted at Unilever, Klondike’s parent company.
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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. | https://www.nj.com/food/2022/07/choco-taco-discontinued-klondike-axes-beloved-ice-cream-after-nearly-40-years.html | 2022-07-26 16:00:00 | 1 | https://www.nj.com/food/2022/07/choco-taco-discontinued-klondike-axes-beloved-ice-cream-after-nearly-40-years.html |
SEOUL, South Korea, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Known globally as skincare's true hydration expert, LANEIGE has recently been experiencing fast growth in the US thanks to its effective, innovative, and delightfully imaginative products with smart formulas in satisfying textures, and iconic bestsellers like the Lip Sleeping Mask and Water Sleeping Mask.
LANEIGE reached a new milestone during Amazon Prime Day this year, topping the Beauty & Personal care category and ranking as one of the bestselling brands of the global shopping event. The brand's star product, Lip Sleeping Mask (Berry), was the #1 sold product in the Beauty & Personal care category with the Lip Glowy Balm (Berry) coming in at #3. Water Sleeping Mask was also one of the top 100 products sold in this category.
"The impressive performance we made during this year's Amazon Prime Day is the direct result of our efforts in expanding our interactions with customers through a 360° omnichannel strategy and marketing communications, combined with the superior quality and innovation of our best-selling products in the North American market. We will continue to provide local customers with the brands and products they need as we make an active push into various sales channels," says Robin Na, President & General Manager of Amorepacific North America RHQ (Regional Headquarter).
With a wide range of lip and skincare products including Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream, Water Sleeping Mask, and their bestselling Lip Sleeping Mask, LANEIGE has strengthened its presence in the North American market through an expanded investment to raise brand awareness resulting in a 100% YoY sales growth in the first half of the year.
In addition to LANEIGE's explosive success, Sulwhasoo and innisfree of Amorepacific US have also shown incredible performance during Amazon Prime Day this year. Sulwhasoo's most recognized First Care Activating Serum sold out enitrely, and innisfree's beloved Daily UV Defense Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum 36, ranked 34th in the Beauty & Personal Care category.
Global beauty company Amorepacific has strengthened its presence as a K-beauty leader with its skincare brands including AMOREPACIFIC, Sulwhasoo, LANEIGE and innisfree since its official entry into the American market in 2002. Recently,the company has expanded into e-commerce and multi-brand store channels, in response to changes in the market during the pandemic. As a result, the North American division saw a staggering 60% increase in sales during the first quarter in 2022.
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SOURCE LANEIGE | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/laneige-ranks-1-beauty-amp-personal-care-amazon-prime-day-2022/ | 2022-07-21 13:32:57 | 1 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/laneige-ranks-1-beauty-amp-personal-care-amazon-prime-day-2022/ |
SHENZHEN, China, July 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BOTINKIT, a kitchen robot brand in Shenzhen, recently announced that Chris Bangle, the former Chief of Design at BMW Group and now Managing Director at Chris Bangle Associates in Italy, will work as a design consultant to support the brand's efforts in design innovation and development.
Chris Bangle graduated from the Art Center College of Design, a global leader in design and art education. He worked at German automobile manufacturer Opel and Italian carmaker Fiat. Since 1992 he led BMW in creating new design styles and concepts. In his nearly 30 year automotive design career, he has had a great and far-reaching impact on automotive design worldwide.
Founded in 2021, BOTINKIT is committed to creating digital cooking experiences through innovative product offerings and algorithms. In line with its mission of transforming traditional cooking methods through advanced technologies, BOTINKIT makes it possible for food lovers and chefs around the world to share their creativity in cooking anytime and anywhere, bringing about a simpler, smarter and healthier cooking experience. It was the several weeks of consultations between the design team and Chris during which the team described in precise detail the processes and the thinking behind the processes that led to the collaboration.
BOTINKIT believes that a good product relies on a good design, and expects to leverage Chris Bangle's deep experience and expertise to jointly create more high-quality products, while encouraging everyone, everywhere to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle.
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SOURCE BOTINKIT | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/07/22/former-bmw-group-chief-design-chris-bangle-starts-collaboration-with-botinkit/ | 2022-07-22 14:35:57 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/07/22/former-bmw-group-chief-design-chris-bangle-starts-collaboration-with-botinkit/ |
PHOENIX — (AP) — Stephanie Pullman died on a sweltering Arizona day after her electricity was cut off because of a $51 debt.
Five years later, the 72-year-old's story remains at the heart of efforts to prevent others in Arizona from having their power cut off, leaving them without life-saving air conditioning in temperatures that have topped 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) on every day this month.
“Stephanie Pullman was the face of the fight that helped put the disconnect rules in place for the big, regulated utilities in Arizona,” said Stacey Champion, an advocate who pushed for new regulations. “But we need more.”
Arizona Public Service, known as APS, disconnected Pullman's power in September 2018 at a time when outside temperatures in her retirement community west of Phoenix reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41.6 Celsius). Just days before, a $125 payment was made toward Pullman's past-due bill of $176.
Her body was found inside her home during a subsequent wellness check.
The medical examiner's office said Pullman died from " environmental heat exposure " combined with cardiovascular disease after the shutoff.
Like many older residents of Phoenix-area retirement communities, Pullman was a native Midwesterner, living alone after moving from Ohio, where her family remains.
Details about Pullman's life are sketchy because her family cannot discuss the case under a private legal settlement with APS.
“I can't talk,” Pullman's son, Tim Pullman, said when reached by telephone in Ohio.
Champion said the family also suddenly stopped talking to her after the 2019 settlement.
APS didn't address the settlement when contacted last week, but said in a statement it “is here to help customers and we are making sure they stay connected during the summer months.”
Pullman's death prompted Champion and others to demand new rules to prevent shutoffs. The case raised awareness about extreme heat dangers, and it did spark change.
“People are now more cognizant that low-income people can lose the power in their home at any time,” said Phoenix attorney Tom Ryan, a consumer advocate familiar with the Pullman case. "Couldn't someone have spared her the $51?"
In 2019, the Arizona Corporation Commission, which regulates most of the state's utilities, issued a moratorium on summertime shutoffs by APS and other power companies it oversees.
Last year, the commission permanently banned electricity cutoffs during the hottest months.
Electric utilities can choose to pause disconnections from June 1 through October 15, or pause them on days forecasted to be above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 Celsius) or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius). APS; Tucson Electric Power, which serves Arizona’s second largest city; and UniSource, which provides power in Mohave and Santa Cruz counties, chose the date-based option.
“There will be no disconnections for past due residential accounts through mid-October,” with late fees waived during that period, APS confirmed. “We urge customers who are struggling with overdue bills to contact us so we can work with them to get their account in good standing and try to keep balances from continuing to build.”
APS is the principal subsidiary of publicly traded Pinnacle West Capital Corp., and has about 1.2 million customers. It gives a discount of up to 25% on energy bills for people who qualify, like a family of three with a gross monthly income under $4,143, or a single person in a home with a gross monthly income of up to $2,430.
Arizona's second largest provider of electricity, Salt River Project, or SRP, is known as a power and irrigation district rather than a utility and has around 1.1 million customers. It additionally supplies water in parts of metro Phoenix. As a community based, not-for-profit district, SRP is not overseen by the state commission but is governed by a publicly elected Board and Council.
SRP says it halts shutoffs during excessive heat warnings issued by the National Weather Service. But Champion noted that people have died on hot days without such warnings.
Amid the current heat wave, SRP announced Friday it was halting all cutoffs for nonpayment for residential and commercial customers through July, and would not disconnect for failure to pay anyone on its economy price plan for customers with limited income through August.
“SRP’s priority is to maintain reliable and affordable power for our customers, and we understand the significance of keeping customers in service during Arizona’s hot summer days,” the utility said in a response to a query. “We value our customers’ safety and have programs in place to assist those in need.”
“We urge customers who are having difficulty paying their bill for any reason to contact us as quickly as possible so we can offer solutions to help them avoid a worsening financial situation,” the company said in a separate statement.
Gov. Katie Hobbs sent a letter to Arizona's power companies on Friday, demanding that they spell out in writing their plans during the current hot spell for disconnections of service, how they will handle possible grid outages, and how they will react in the event of an emergency outage.
Champion said she thinks state legislation would help ensure stricter rules against power company shutoffs, but nothing is before the state Legislature.
Within Phoenix city limits, an ordinance requires landlords to ensure that their air conditioning units will cool to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) or below and that evaporative coolers bring the temperature down to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). Both types of cooling units must be kept in good working order.
Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, reported Wednesday that as of July 15, there were 18 heat-associated deaths confirmed this year going back to April 11. Another 69 deaths remain under investigation.
Just four of the heat-associated deaths confirmed in 2023 occurred inside. Three involved non-functioning air conditioners and one that had access to electricity but wasn't turned on.
Maricopa County confirmed 425 heat-associated deaths for 2022 during the region's hottest summer on record, more than half of them occurring in July. Eighty percent of the deaths occurred outside.
Like Pullman, most of the 30 people who died indoors in the county last year were isolated and had mobility issues or medical problems. One was an 83-year-old woman with dementia who died in a home with an air conditioner that had not been switched on. She was living alone after her husband entered hospice care.
There have long been utility assistance programs for homeowners and renters across the state, but advocates say efforts to protect people from shutoffs in America's hottest big metro increased after Pullman died.
Local governments and nonprofit agencies often pay utility bills without a requirement for repayment and the Arizona Department of Economic Security also helps with bills.
Efforts to help repair and replace faulty cooling systems were also ramped up.
Maricopa County in April used federal funds to allocate another $10 million to its air conditioner replacement and repair program for people who qualify, bringing total funding to $13.7 million.
In greater Phoenix and several rural Arizona counties, older low-income people can get free repair or replacement of air conditioners through the Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program, run by the nonprofit Foundation for Senior Living. Last summer, it helped about 30 people get new air conditioners or repairs.
Demonstrating the dangers for older people, two sisters were rescued from their home in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise earlier this month after police found them sweltering in 114 degrees Fahrenheit (45.5 Celsius) with a faulty cooling system.
"I don't like the heat over here," Paula Martinez, 93, told Fox 10 news. The officers took her and her sister Linda, 87, to a senior center to cool off and bought a new air conditioner with the department's community grant funds.
Surprise Police Sgt. Richard Hernandez said he and fellow officers still remember Pullman's death in a community just 5 miles (8 kilometers) away.
“There certainly is more awareness now then there used to be,” said Hernandez. “We kept saying, ‘If we had only known, maybe we could have helped.'"
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/arizona-womans-heat/7Y62DNMLVBUYQJY6ZSE73K33DI/ | 2023-07-24 11:14:58 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/arizona-womans-heat/7Y62DNMLVBUYQJY6ZSE73K33DI/ |
Schools work to better learning experience for students through B.E.S.T. program
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) - At Southview Elementary School in Chippewa Falls Principal Sara Denure says a screening process is helping students not fall behind on their studies.
“Some of those internalized behaviors with the way those questions are worded are able to rise to the top. And then we’re able to works as a team within the school to make some plans and help those students,” said Denure.
The questionnaire taken twice a year takes two to four minutes to fill out.
Denure said in that time a teach can learn a lot about what’s bothering a student, if anything.
It is all made possible through the B.E.S.T. program. That stands for Behavioral, Emotional, Social and Traits.
Darcy Vaden Elzen with Marshfield Clinic Health System said grant money is provided to train educators to assess what a students needs, if it appears they are at risk.
“We had over 53 districts participating and training thousands of teachers on how to use this tool. It’s not a diagnostic test, it’s intended to help teachers identify behavioral risk factors in students,” said Vaden Elzen. “To make sure teachers have the tools that they need to address classroom behaviors at the time within the classroom.”
In addition to the approach, Denure said the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District offers Cardinal Care. It’s a program that provides students free mental health resources, and it is available for students who need it.
“The B.E.S.T leads us to having conversations with families about those types of opportunities that are available through the school,” said Denure.
When it comes to kids, she said just investing a little bit of time on them can go a long way.
“It’s not necessarily difficult challenging things we need to do at school to help our students, it’s just taking time to pause and reflect on each individual student,” said Denure.
Parents are made aware of the B.E.S.T. program approach at the beginning of the school year.
Copyright 2023 WEAU. All rights reserved. | https://www.weau.com/2023/04/19/schools-work-better-learning-experience-students-through-best-program/ | 2023-04-19 22:00:32 | 0 | https://www.weau.com/2023/04/19/schools-work-better-learning-experience-students-through-best-program/ |
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It was the eyes that did it. Filmmaker Jerzy Skolimowski had decided some years ago that his next film was going to be about an animal. He and his wife and co-writer, Ewa Piaskowska, had been getting bored of traditional movie structure and dialogue and wanted to do something different.
They didn’t know which animal to choose, though. Cats and dogs were out. That’s been overdone, they thought. Then they came upon the donkey, an intelligent, stoic creature with historic significance in not only religion but cinema as well, most famously in Robert Bresson’s 1966 masterpiece “Au Hasard Balthazar.” But it was those massive, expressive eyes that convinced them they’d found a star who could hold the frame.
The resulting film, “ EO,” is the story of a circus donkey who is taken from his owner and begins a long, spiritual journey through the modern Polish and Italian countrysides, encountering humans both kind and cruel. Eo doesn’t talk, but he does dream and you can't help but feel his burdens, his loneliness and his hope. It is, they said, a love letter to animals and it’s currently playing in theaters nationwide.
“We wanted this film to be more of an experience than a traditional feature film,” Piaskowska said in a recent interview with Skolimowski by her side. “We were very conscious of the fact that we wanted to speak to the viewer through emotions mostly because our hero is devoid of any words. The idea was from the very beginning that we don’t want to tell the story about the donkey, but that we want the audience to feel like it is a donkey.”
Skolimowski, who is 84 and has been making films since 1960, has received wide praise for the film in what has been a whirlwind year. After a very long production that began in 2020 and was delayed several times because of the pandemic, they finally wrapped in March and two months later were at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the jury prize. Since then “EO” has been selected to represent Poland at the Oscars, picked up several prestigious critics' group awards and was named the best film of the year by Manohla Dargis of The New York Times.
Though there were headaches because of the pandemic, the production was actually quite a serene undertaking. They employed six donkeys to play Eo, named Marietta, Tako, Hola, Ettore, Rocco and Mela, and everyone took care to create a relaxing and supportive environment to get the donkeys to do what they needed them to do.
“Everything was very quiet, very smooth,” Skolimowski said. “There was no rushing and people were really keeping down their nerves.”
If they needed the donkey to cross a bridge and the donkey didn’t want to cross the bridge, all they could do was wait.
“Time ceased to exist,” said Piaskowska, who also produced the film. “You give him some carrots and then you wait some more. Then you try the other donkey. I can’t tell you how much nicer sets were. Everybody uses a very gentle voice. Everyone’s smiling. We were like kids in kindergarten devising ways to convince the donkey to do this or that.”
Both give special credit to cinematographer Michal Dymek, who would sometimes shoot from the donkey’s point of view, and editor Agnieszka Glińska for canny cuts and juxtapositions that help make the performance and get the audience invested in the emotional life of the animal without the use of dialogue. Composer Pawel Mykietyn was even asked to think of the score as Eo’s inner monologue.
”Instead of having dialogue, he would produce the sound which would express the emotion, the mood of the animal,” Skolimowski said. “He did it in a perfect, perfect way. I think the film owes him a lot.”
Giving credit and praise is somewhat new for Skolimowski, he said. But perhaps part of the success of the film because of the cross-generational (and species) crew.
“I think the biggest difference between ‘EO’ and my other films is that for the first time, I was able to fully use the talents and enthusiasm and the goodwill of my collaborators,” Skolimowski said. “Before that, I was a little bit too selfish, putting myself in front of the film.”
He attributes the evolution to a 17-year hiatus from filmmaking in which he recommitted himself to painting, a passion he always had but never had enough time to practice. In that time, he said, he became, “a young, hungry artist, but not as selfish as I was as a young, hungry filmmaker.”
“Now I can be much more generous and generous towards my collaborators, who had enormous input in the film,” Skolimowski said.
—-
Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr. | https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/An-84-year-old-filmmaker-looks-into-a-donkey-s-17654471.php | 2022-12-14 21:14:35 | 1 | https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/An-84-year-old-filmmaker-looks-into-a-donkey-s-17654471.php |
Deep partisanship will be on display as Congress releases competing voting bills
ATLANTA (AP) — Congress in the coming weeks will consider shoring up voting and election laws — efforts that will reflect the vast gulf between Democrats and Republicans on protecting a foundation of American democracy.
The parties will unveil separate and competing proposals that will have little chance of success in a divided government, but are likely to be used to rally supporters ahead of the 2024 elections.
House Republicans on Monday are scheduled to release a proposal that would tighten voting laws and take a defiant stand against concerns that laws passed in recent years by GOP-controlled state legislatures disadvantage some voters. Democrats, meanwhile, are preparing to reintroduce their own proposals to set federal voting standards and restore protections under the Voting Rights Act.
Even as the country prepares for the next presidential election, the separate measures will underscore how the two major parties have acted with little cohesion and often are completely at odds over voting procedures.
House Republicans are trying to send a message with both the date and location for releasing their plan, which will come Monday ahead of a field hearing in Atlanta on the eve of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. MLB withdrew its midsummer game from the city’s suburbs in 2021 over objections to the state enacting restrictive voting laws.
The event also will kickstart a push in the House to pass the GOP’s “American Confidence in Elections Act.”
Republican Rep. Bryan Steil, chair of the House Administration Committee, which oversees election law, has billed the plan as “the most conservative election bill to be considered in the House in over 20 years.”
“It works to boost voters’ confidence and uphold the Constitution by ensuring states maintain primary control over elections, not the federal government,” he said at a hearing last month. “This is in stark contrast to House Democrats’ efforts in the last two congresses, which would have nationalized our election system and centralized it in Washington, D.C.”
Since the 2020 presidential election, many Republican-led state legislatures have added ID requirements to mail voting, curtailed or banned the use of ballot drop boxes and limited the ability of someone to return a ballot on behalf of someone else.
Republicans in Georgia have touted the state’s sweeping 2021 voting law as a model for national reform, arguing the 2022 midterms and solid voter turnout were a rebuke to concerns the measure would result in voter suppression.
“The Georgia General Assembly has worked to create a system that makes it easier to vote, have results that can be audited and verified, give voters options for their preferred method of voting and build confidence using voter ID,” former Georgia state Rep. Scot Turner, a Republican, told the House Administration Committee during a May hearing.
Critics say voter assistance groups had to increase efforts to counter the effects of the law, spending more money to educate voters and help ensure they could successfully cast a ballot despite facing new hurdles.
The House GOP legislation would encourage states to examine voter lists, conduct post-election audits and enact other checks on voter eligibility. It also aims to make an example of Washington, D.C. voter laws by ending the district’s policy of allowing non-citizens to vote for local offices and prohibiting election officials from sending unrequested absentee ballots.
The Republican legislation also includes provisions to loosen finance reporting requirements and other restrictions on political parties, as well as protect nonprofit organizations that engage in political advocacy from disclosing their donors.
It’s all done in the name of “election integrity” and restoring voters’ confidence in the results. But what often goes unsaid by Republicans is that former president Donald Trump inflamed many of those doubts with his baseless insistence that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Democrats say the sustained attacks on the voting process by Trump and his allies show that measures are needed to ensure free and fair elections. Their long-running efforts to enact federal voting protections failed last year after Democrats were unable to secure enough votes in the Senate to overcome procedural rules used by Republicans to block them.
While little has changed since then, Democrats argue it’s important to keep pressing the issue.
“America is under threat from election deniers and extremist anti-voting forces who undermine our democracy,” said Rep. Joe Morelle, the ranking Democrat on the House Administration Committee. “In contrast, our agenda offers national standards that ensure every eligible American can participate in accessible, secure and transparent elections.”
Democrats expect the proposals to closely mirror an updated bill that came together last year with the involvement of Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat. He had sought a compromise that could draw some Republican support, dropping some of the more controversial provisions and pushing to keep state-approved voter ID requirements under certain circumstances.
In the end, Republicans remained united in their opposition, arguing the bill was a Democratic power grab aimed at taking over federal elections. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named in honor of the former civil rights leader and congressman from Georgia who died in 2020, would allow for federal review of voting law changes in certain jurisdictions to resume.
A 2013 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court halted the process known as preclearance, after deciding the formula was outdated for identifying which jurisdictions should be subject to the review.
Meanwhile, states are not waiting for federal action – leading to a wave of election-related bills that sharply diverge based on the state and which party is in control. Where Democrats hold the majority, lawmakers have been focused on expanding access to voting, overhauling the redistricting process and restoring the right to vote for those with past felony convictions.
California, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington are among the states that have passed comprehensive voting rights laws in recent years.
In Michigan, lawmakers have been busy passing legislation to implement a 2022 voter-approved initiative that established nine days of early voting, the use of a photo ID or signed affidavit to verify a voter’s identity and the use of a permanent absentee voter list, among other actions. Lawmakers also are weighing a proposal to create a state-level Voting Rights Act that would create a preclearance process for state-level review of local voting changes under certain circumstances.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat in her second term, said Republicans in the U.S. House have so far been unwilling to confront false claims about elections and to embrace voter-friendly policies.
“What we’ve seen from this Congress really over the last six months is -- instead of standing up to the lies around democracy -- digging into them,” Benson said. “Any legislation that amplifies misinformation or codifies it, instead of debunking it, is going to be contrary to what we really need in Michigan and elsewhere to restore and ensure our voters have confidence in our elections.”
She also called on Congress to provide a sustained level of funding for elections, rather than the scattershot approach that has resulted in a varying amount each year. A recent GOP budget proposal eliminated federal grants for state and local election offices to enhance election technology and security.
___
Groves reported from Washington.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/07/10/deep-partisanship-will-be-display-congress-releases-competing-voting-bills/ | 2023-07-10 12:04:48 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/07/10/deep-partisanship-will-be-display-congress-releases-competing-voting-bills/ |
Large asteroid coming close, but zero chance of hitting us
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An asteroid big enough to wipe out a city will zip harmlessly between Earth and the moon’s orbit this weekend, missing both celestial bodies.
Saturday’s close encounter will offer astronomers the chance to study a space rock from just over 100,000 miles away. That’s less than half the distance from here to the moon, making it visible through binoculars and small telescopes.
While asteroid flybys are common, NASA said it’s rare for one so big to come so close — about once a decade. Scientists estimate its size somewhere between 130 feet and 300 feet.
Discovered a month ago, the asteroid known as 2023 DZ2 will pass within 320,000 miles of the moon on Saturday and, several hours later, buzz the Indian Ocean at about 17,500 mph.
“There is no chance of this ‘city killer’ striking Earth, but its close approach offers a great opportunity for observations,” the European Space Agency’s planetary defense chief Richard Moissl said in a statement.
Astronomers with the International Asteroid Warning Network see it as good practice for planetary defense if and when a dangerous asteroid heads our way, according to NASA.
The Virtual Telescope Project will provide a live webcast of the close approach.
The asteroid won’t be back our way again until 2026. Although there initially seemed to be a slight chance it might strike Earth then, scientists have since ruled that out.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2023/03/23/large-asteroid-coming-close-zero-chance-hitting-us/ | 2023-03-23 21:46:56 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2023/03/23/large-asteroid-coming-close-zero-chance-hitting-us/ |
NEW YORK, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Newmark Group, Inc. ("Newmark") is ranked #1 on LinkedIn's 2022 'Top Companies in Real Estate' list. The list is part of LinkedIn's 'Top Companies: Industry Edition', ranking the 25 top companies at which to grow a career in nine major U.S. industries.
"Investing in opportunities for the long-term success of our talented, industry-leading professionals is, and always will be, a top priority for Newmark," said Newmark Chief Executive Officer Barry Gosin. "As Newmark continues its growth trajectory—both nationally and internationally—the leadership and support of our people is truly a driver of opportunity in all markets."
Other honorees—all Fortune 500 companies—that took the number one spot in LinkedIn's 'Top Companies: Industry Edition' lists include Amazon (Retail), Blackstone (Financial Services), Expedia Group (Travel & Hospitality), Google (Technology and Information), PepsiCo (Consumer Goods) and The Walt Disney Company (Media and Entertainment).
Rankings are based on LinkedIn's seven data-backed career-progression pillars—ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity and educational background.
Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries ("Newmark"), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark's comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform's global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. Newmark generated revenues of nearly $3.1 billion for the twelve months ending March 31, 2022. Newmark's company-owned offices, together with its business partners, operate from approximately 170 offices with 6,300 professionals around the world. To learn more, visit nmrk.com or follow @newmark.
Statements in this document regarding Newmark that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, results, financial position, liquidity and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, Newmark undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Newmark's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.
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SOURCE Newmark Group, Inc. | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/newmark-ranks-1-linkedins-top-companies-real-estate-list/ | 2022-06-27 13:15:17 | 0 | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/newmark-ranks-1-linkedins-top-companies-real-estate-list/ |
Kenneth Anger, the shocking and influential avant-garde artist who defied sexual and religious taboos in such short films as “Scorpio Rising” and “Fireworks” and dished the most lurid movie star gossip in his underground classic “Hollywood Babylon,” has died. He was 96.
Anger died of natural causes on May 11 in Yucca Valley, California, his artist liaison, Spencer Glesby, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Few so boldly and imaginatively mined the forbidden depths of culture and consciousness as Anger, whose admirers ranged from filmmakers Martin Scorsese and David Lynch to rock stars such as the Clash and the Rolling Stones.
He was among the first openly gay filmmakers and a pioneer in using soundtracks as counterpoints to moving pictures. Well before the rise of punk and heavy metal, Anger was juxtaposing music with bikers, sadomasochism, occultism and Nazi imagery. When the Sex Pistols and the Clash appeared on the same bill at a 1976 concert, clips from Anger’s movies were screened behind them.
Anger had his greatest commercial success, and notoriety, as the author of “Hollywood Babylon.” Scandal and Hollywood practically grew up together, and Anger assembled an extraordinary and often apocryphal family album, whether pictures from the fatal car crash of Jayne Mansfield or such widely disputed allegations as actor Clara Bow having sex with the University of Southern California football team.
Completed in the late 1950s and originally published in French, “Hollywood Babylon” was banned for years in the U.S. and was still adult fare upon formal release in 1975, when New York Times reviewer Peter Andrews labeled it a “306-page box of poisoned bon bons” written as if a “sex maniac had taken over the Reader’s Digest Condensed Book Club.” | https://www.ourmidland.com/entertainment/article/kenneth-anger-influential-avant-garde-filmmaker-18116770.php | 2023-05-24 16:09:51 | 1 | https://www.ourmidland.com/entertainment/article/kenneth-anger-influential-avant-garde-filmmaker-18116770.php |
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — The United States’ top international development official, Samantha Power, on Wednesday pledged U.S. support to Serbia and Kosovo as the two former wartime enemies work to stabilize relations at a time of heightened tensions.
“It will take political courage to find a durable solution, acceptable to both sides, but the support from the U.S. will be steadfast in the coming weeks as Serbia and Kosovo work to take next steps,” Power told reporters in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital.
Power spoke after meeting Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic earlier on Wednesday. From Serbia, Power will travel to Kosovo, a former Serbian province which declared independence in 2008.
Washington and most European Union countries have recognized Kosovo as an independent state but Serbia, along with Russia and China, has not. Washington and Brussels have stepped up efforts to help solve the dispute, fearing further instability in Europe as the war rages in Ukraine.
“As I said to President Vucic, his commitment to the dialogue with Kosovo, to the cause of normalizing relations with Kosovo, that commitment is extremely important,” said Power. “And the United States offers its very strong support.”
Both Serbia and Kosovo have been told they must normalize relations in order to advance in their intentions to join the EU. The two sides have tentatively agreed to back an EU plan on how to proceed, but tensions continue to simmer.
“We discussed how the United States can be helpful in advancing progress on what will be an incredibly important step forward on Serbia’s European path,” said Power.
Power is the first head of the U.S. Agency for International Development to travel to Serbia, which maintains close historical and cultural ties with Russia. She praised Serbia’s support to Ukraine, though Belgrade has refused join Western sanctions against Moscow over the war.
The conflict in Kosovo erupted in 1998 when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbia’s rule, and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died. NATO’s military intervention in 1999 eventually forced Serbia to pull out of the territory.
As she arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday, Power paid her respects to the schoolchildren who were killed in an elementary school in the city by a fellow student last week. She expressed “deepest condolences on behalf of (U.S.) President (Joe) Biden, on behalf of the American people.”
“Too many Americans, sadly, know the pain you are feeling, a pain that no parent, no child, and no community should ever have to feel,” said Power. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/international/usaid-chief-pledges-us-support-to-serbia-kosovo-in-talks/ | 2023-05-11 03:20:12 | 1 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/international/usaid-chief-pledges-us-support-to-serbia-kosovo-in-talks/ |
Rudy Giuliani faces ethics charges over Trump election role
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rudy Giuliani was one of Donald Trump’s primary lawyers during Trump’s failed efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Now, a disciplinary branch of the District of Columbia Bar says the former New York mayor must answer to professional ethics charges for that role. It’s the latest career slap after earlier law license suspensions in New York and Washington, D.C. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed the charges, alleging Giuliani promoted unsubstantiated voter fraud claims in Pennsylvania. At issue are claims Giuliani made in supporting a Trump campaign lawsuit seeking to overturn the election results in Pennsylvania. That suit, which sought to invalidate as many as 1.5 million mail-in ballots, was dismissed by courts. | https://kion546.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/06/11/rudy-giuliani-faces-ethics-charges-over-trump-election-role/ | 2022-06-11 19:15:48 | 0 | https://kion546.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/06/11/rudy-giuliani-faces-ethics-charges-over-trump-election-role/ |
A fire at a scrap plastics business in Indiana raises numerous health concerns for people in the area — particularly with the discovery of asbestos in debris, experts said Friday.
An evacuation order for about 1,500 residents of the town of Richmond near the Ohio line remained in effect as firefighters doused hot spots while federal, state and local agencies monitored air and water for contamination. It might take weeks for the fire to be fully extinguished, officials said.
Plans are being developed to deal with asbestos fragments in nearby neighborhoods, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. Inhaling asbestos can cause lung diseases, including cancer.
“Probably the worst thing you can do if you have debris in your yard would be to mow and break up that material” and possibly inhale it, EPA on-scene coordinator Jason Sewell said.
Crews were taking air measurements at 34 sites, he said, with some samples being sent for laboratory analysis. Monitors in the evacuation zone detected hydrogen cyanide, benzene, chlorine, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Also spotted was particulate matter, or soot, which is common with fires.
WHAT IS ASBESTOS, AND WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers in many soils and rocks. Because of its strength and resistance to heat, chemicals and corrosion, it was used widely in building construction. Floor and ceiling tiles, insulation, pipes, adhesives and boilers were among products made with asbestos.
Although not inherently toxic, asbestos fibers that people breathe in can stick to lungs and irritate the tissues. Prolonged inhalation causes scarring that can lead to breathing problems.
In some cases, asbestos can cause a variety of cancers including mesothelioma, a rare form that affects membranes lining internal organs. It can take decades after exposure to appear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
IS IT STILL USED?
In 1989, EPA banned manufacture, import, processing and distribution of some products with asbestos and outlawed new uses. Asbestos mining in the U.S. stopped in 2002, although some is imported and still used in construction.
Many homes and other buildings have materials, particularly insulation, with asbestos.
HOW MIGHT THE RICHMOND FIRE HAVE SPREAD ASBESTOS AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS?
Any significant disturbance, such as a structural failure, can release microscopic asbestos fibers, said Neil Donahue, a Carnegie Mellon University chemistry professor.
“If you had a wall that collapsed, dust gets generated and a fire plume is the perfect place to take that dust and lift it up and disperse it,” he said.
EPA collected two samples of “bulk debris” that blew away and were found roughly 1.5 miles from the fire site, Sewell said. One tested positive for asbestos.
Smoke from virtually any fire will spread particulate matter, which can drift for miles and stay in the air until rain carries it to the ground.
WHAT POLLUTANTS DO PLASTIC FIRES GENERATE?
Volatile organic compounds — human-made chemicals used in thousands of products, from paints and drugs to cleaning supplies and office equipment.
They can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, breathing difficulty and nausea. Heavy exposure causes nervous system and organ damage, while some are linked to cancer.
Burning plastic also can release hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and heavy metals.
Another potential danger comes from dioxins, which experts say can be generated when vinyl chloride — the chemical used to make rigid PVC pipes — is burned. EPA ordered testing for the highly toxic compounds after a Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that caused vinyl chloride releases.
“They’re incredibly long-lived, not floating in the air as much as stuck in the soil,” said John Anderson, a University of Chicago chemistry professor. “Those are the things people nearby should be worried about for long-term exposure. Smoke, air pollution, tends to be transient. It moves and disperses.”
Dioxins enter human bodies primarily through consumption of tainted meat or other foods.
WHAT CAN LOCAL RESIDENTS DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES?
While smoke remains visible, avoid the area as much as possible and consider wearing an N95 mask — a type used widely during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anderson said.
Inhaling asbestos over a few days should cause little lung scarring, he said. “But if you’re there for weeks and being exposed to this, it can be a real problem.”
Typically the people who are highly exposed to asbestos are those who mine it or work with it, such as construction laborers, Anderson said.
Residents should stay informed about testing by government agencies, Donahue said. Air, groundwater and soil are pathways for contaminants to reach human bodies.
“Who’s thinking about the various places that toxic residue from this event might wind up? I would want to know who’s doing that, and how can I confirm and verify what they’re finding,” Donahue said. “What concentrations are they worrying about and why, and what they’re actually seeing.”
___
AP Writer Ed White in Detroit contributed to this story. | https://www.wdtn.com/news/health-news/ap-health/indiana-plastics-fire-raises-worries-about-health-dangers/ | 2023-04-15 19:29:58 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/news/health-news/ap-health/indiana-plastics-fire-raises-worries-about-health-dangers/ |
Joshua Gelfand Expands Firm's Employee Benefits Practice
NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joshua Gelfand, an experienced executive compensation and ERISA-focused attorney, has joined Troutman Pepper's Employee Benefits + Executive Compensation practice in New York as a partner. Gelfand joins the firm from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP.
"Josh brings a breadth and depth of experience in executive compensation and ERISA matters that public and private companies, including private equity companies, greatly appreciate," said Partner Joan Arnold, who leads the firm's Tax and Benefits Practice Group. "He is a dynamic addition to the team."
"We are delighted to welcome Josh to the firm. His expertise in executive compensation and ERISA matters is in demand by our clients here in New York and across the country," said Steven Khadavi, Troutman Pepper's New York office managing partner.
Gelfand advises clients on the compensation, benefits, and employment-related aspects of domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, and finance transactions. He also assists clients with the design, implementation, and administration of equity and incentive compensation plans, including carried interest and "phantom" carried interest plans, the negotiation of executive employment, severance and other compensation arrangements, and public disclosures relating to executive compensation.
"Troutman Pepper has a nationally recognized Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice that I am excited to partner with to continue to deliver creative solutions for clients," Gelfand said. "The firm's values and collaborative culture make it a great fit for my practice."
Gelfand earned his JD from University of Pennsylvania Law School and his bachelor's degree from State University of New York at Binghamton.
Recognized by Chambers USA, as a leading law firm in Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, Troutman Pepper has extensive experience advising clients on the complex issues arising in connection with the design and administration of employee compensation and benefit plans and arrangements. The firm crafts solutions that address myriad governing laws, including ERISA, tax, and securities laws. Troutman Pepper also partners with clients on employee compensation and benefit plan matters through various business stages: from startup to going public (and going private again), during bankruptcies, reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, and in the midst of hiring and right-sizing.
Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,200 attorneys strategically located in 23 U.S. cities. The firm's litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from startups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients' most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com
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SOURCE Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/executive-compensation-erisa-attorney-joins-troutman-pepper-partner-new-york/ | 2022-08-10 17:05:13 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/executive-compensation-erisa-attorney-joins-troutman-pepper-partner-new-york/ |
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To suggest that acclaimed filmmaker Robert Eggers continues to challenge his longtime collaborator, production designer Craig Lathrop, is something of an understatement. Their first project, “The Witch,” saw Lathrop charged with re-creating a historically accurate 17th century New England farm on an indie horror production budget. Their second endeavor, “The Lighthouse,” required the construction of an actual working 19th century lighthouse. With “The Northman,” Lathrop and his crew had an even bigger assignment: resurrect a 10th century Viking civilization from scratch — at least as much as documented history would allow them.
“There’s so much that we don’t know as we started to progress through this,” Lathrop notes. “We knew that there are columns in the middle of the long houses, but what did those columns look like? How were they carved? You just had to dig in other places to try to find what that was.”
Lathrop adds with a note of whimsy, “I didn’t know anything about Vikings before I started this. I’ve learned quite a lot. I might know a little bit too much.”
Eggers’ epic follows Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), a lost Viking warrior, as he seeks revenge against his Uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang) for killing his father and holding his mother (Nicole Kidman) captive against her will. Amleth’s pilgrimage finds him traveling acrosstravels from the fictional Hrafnsey to what’s now Russia and Iceland, battling frigid seas, and ends with a climactic fight on what appears to be an active volcano. For Lathrop, the biggest contest was the scope of the story, which saw the artist and his crew tasked with building three complete villages, numerous caves, several long houses and multiple temples, among other dramatic sets.
“The hardest [village] to build was probably Hrafnsey, just because it was a difficult location that we chose to build it in,” Lathrop says. “We found this place in Northern Ireland called Torr Head that we had to build a bit of a road into it, and trying to get everything up on this very windy cold spot was a bit of a challenge.”
Sex dreams about mermaids, ill-tempered seagulls who seem possessed, flatulence employed as “deliberate displays of power.” Robert Eggers’ black-and-white thriller “The Lighthouse” has much to discuss.
The designer was proudest of those Hrafnsey sets because of their detail, even if those embellishments were often on-screen for just a passing moment. The production built nine-foot, hand-carved wooden idols and commissioned period-accurate tapestries from India. Moreover, almost every piece of furniture on screen, the swords, the shields, the knives and the weaving were created just for the film. And then there were the two massive seafaring boats that took six months to build in the Czech Republic.
“I built a langskip and a knar [Viking ship],” Lathrop says. “The langskip, which is the long boat that they row in, I built that so that the ends that have this snake or the wolf’s head, I could take them off and put on another one and make it look like I had more than one boat. I could interchange some parts on them so [it would appear you] see several of them going by.”
Production initially began in March 2020 before being shut down for five months due to the COVID pandemic. Lathrop had built a key set in Ireland, Fjölnir’s farm, during what turned out to be a rare Irish drought. Luckily, he received permission to have a greensman water the sets during the break. In the end, it turned out to be something of a silver lining for the set.
“I built all of these buildings that were built out of turf,” Lathrop says. “They were actually built, like set construction, and then they were clad in actual turf, and it was coming along great. I had seeded the outside of my sets and tried to get them to look right, but they weren’t quite there when we went on COVID [hiatus]. When we came back, they were alive, they had completely grown in. In fact, I had to trim them, because they had grown so much, which was wonderful.”
The film’s tour de force is that showdown at the base of Iceland’s Hekla volcano. In reality, it was actually staged in a quarry in Ireland.
“The hard thing for me to do was get enough black sand into Ireland,” Lathrop says. “There’s not that much volcanic sand in Ireland, it turns out. I think we probably used every bit of black sand on the whole island. I have to say, that set was more fun. I thought it was going to be a real pain. But as we were there, I realized that I’m sitting here sculpting with bulldozers as we were moving sand and making the terrain look like we want it to look, which is really cool.”
Now in production on his fourth film with Eggers, a new interpretation of the horror classic “Nosferatu,” Lathrop is abiding by the important lessons taking on “The Northman” taught him.
“As daunting as it seems in the beginning, you just take little bites and you just keep going at it,” Lathrop says. “When I first read the script, I was excited. I wouldn’t say that I was scared about it, but I was nervous because I wasn’t sure where I was going to find the people to do it, who was going to do it, and all those things. Just like on every other film, they started to fall into place. You just had to push, and you had the resources to get it all done and find good people.” | https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2022-12-13/how-the-northman-resurrects-10th-century-viking-civilization-almost-from-scratch | 2022-12-13 16:16:56 | 1 | https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2022-12-13/how-the-northman-resurrects-10th-century-viking-civilization-almost-from-scratch |
Every NFL season, a huge Week 1 performance will lead to tongue-in-cheek proclamations that the player is on pace to destroy a league record.
But could Jefferson become the first NFL pass catcher to top 2,000? A variety of factors might be combining to make that a very plausible outcome.
It’s certainly a goal for which the third-year star is aiming.
“Hopefully everything goes right and I can get that 2,000,” Jefferson told reporters in July.
After setting a league rookie record in 2020 with 1,400 receiving yards and bumping that number up to 1,616 last year, Jefferson has established himself as one of the very best at his position. The fact that he’s still just 23 suggests he has room for improvement.
In what could be a crucial development, he now has an offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O’Connell who just helped the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp get to 1,947 yards last season and appears set on making Jefferson a similar focal point of Minnesota’s attack. Jefferson may also have a supporting cast that hits the sweet spot of being good enough to merit defensive attention but not to the point of eating into his shares of pass targets and air yards.
Add it all up, and Jefferson has the potential for a pass-catching season the likes of which have yet to be seen in the NFL.
Of course, that season could also come from another wide receiver, with Kupp — whose 2021 total is second only to the 1,964 Calvin Johnson posted with the 2012 Detroit Lions — and the Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams the most likely candidates. Kupp and Adams are both 29, though, and thus are on different career trajectories, and each has other concerns that Jefferson does not. Kupp tends to run shallower routes than Jefferson and needs more receptions to get to an equivalent amount of yardage, plus there are some questions about the long-term health of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s elbow. Adams has arguably greater competition for targets in teammates Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, and even while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, Adams never racked up as many receiving yards as Jefferson did last year.
Another possible contender, former Jefferson teammate at LSU turned Bengals phenom Ja’Marr Chase, also has major target competition in fellow Cincinnati wide receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Matt Harmon, an NFL analyst who created Reception Perception, a wide receiver-focused analysis platform, cited Adams and Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills as the best wide receivers in the NFL right now, at least in terms of pure route-running. He acknowledged, though, that as far as the quest for 2,000 yards is concerned, Jefferson is “pretty much going to be within striking distance all year if he stays healthy.”
Harmon explained in a phone interview that Jefferson’s 90-plus-percentile placement in defeating zone, man and press coverages put him in the most elite of company. Harmon added that in O’Connell, Jefferson has someone willing to make him the “engine of the offense” and able to scheme him into open territory.
Having looked at film of Minnesota’s 23-7 Week 1 win over Rodgers and the Packers, Harmon was struck by how much presnap movement he saw from the Vikings. Jefferson himself was also impressed with that. He told reporters after the game that he liked all the motioning the offense was doing, because it helped him see whether the defense was playing zone or man-to-man.
Hired by the Vikings this year after Jim Harbaugh spoke with them but decided to remain at the University of Michigan, O’Connell is a former NFL quarterback who spent the past two seasons as the Rams’ offensive coordinator under Sean McVay. O’Connell is replacing Mike Zimmer, a former defensive coordinator whose preference was for the Vikings to play a run-first, risk-averse style.
The presumption that O’Connell’s Vikings might be inclined to take a more aggressive approach was bolstered by the team’s top-12 finish last week in pass rate over expectation, despite the fact that Minnesota held a 17-point lead at halftime and mostly throttled a Green Bay attack that looked disorganized in the wake of Adams’s offseason departure.
Other notable advanced stats to emerge included Jefferson’s NFL-leading mark of 5.58 in yards per route run, and his second-place showing (behind the Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown) with a 72.3 percent share of his team’s intended air yards. That combination bodes well for Jefferson’s chances of maintaining the sort of efficiency and downfield-target dominance he’ll need to top 2,000 yards.
If Jefferson plays all 17 games, his 2021 per-game receiving average of 95.1 must take a leap to at least 117.7. Only six NFL players have ever reached that figure in a requisite number of games, including Johnson and just two others since the 1970 merger and since the league moved to a 16-game schedule in 1978.
It should help that even if O’Connell’s version of the McVay offense doesn’t exactly replicate Kupp’s “big slot” role, as Harmon described it, Jefferson won’t “just be tethered to the line [of scrimmage]” as an X receiver and asked to run a steady stream of sideline routes.
“We can make it hard for defenses to know where he’s going to be,” O’Connell told PFT Live in March. “[Jefferson] doesn’t have to line up in the same spot all the time. He doesn’t have to run the same type of routes all the time. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands. He’s willing in the run game. This guy’s a special, special player.”
After Sunday’s win, O’Connell told reporters: “I credit Justin for being able to handle a lot. We move him around a lot, we ask him to play multiple spots, and he’s not just an X receiver that lines up over here and dictates coverage. We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
What the Packers, thought to have one of the league’s better defenses, allowed to happen was a scoring play on which Jefferson was so wide open downfield, it left game announcers and other observers stunned.
How do you leave Justin Jefferson this open?😯
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) September 11, 2022
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/e4Xu3dsS5M
In a video shared Wednesday by Minnesota, O’Connell explained how Jefferson’s teammates helped spring him free for a 36-yard touchdown. The 37-year-old coach went over replays to highlight tight end Irv Smith crossing the field from left to right in parallel with Jefferson but at a shallower distance. That put the Packers’ Quay Walker “in a bind,” as O’Connell put it, because the rookie linebacker was tasked with defending the short and middle zones of the right side but couldn’t cover both Smith and Jefferson, who were both heading in his general direction. At the same time, wide receivers Adam Thielen and KJ Osborn were running right-to-left patterns at different depths and taking with them cornerbacks who had to respect their abilities to make plays. With Walker “in no man’s land” and Green Bay safeties struggling to process all of what was happening in front of them, the result was a remarkably empty area on the deep right side of the field, where Jefferson hauled in a pass and was able to evade defenders closer to the end zone for a touchdown.
“We talked a lot to our team this week about wanting to be efficient and explosive,” the coach said.
O’Connell also praised quarterback Kirk Cousins’s “innate feel” for pressure on the play and willingness to “stand in there and deliver” a well-placed ball.
In his 11th NFL season and fifth with the Vikings, Cousins may not be in the same quarterback tier as Rodgers or the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, but he ranks third all-time in completion percentage. That accuracy can only aid Jefferson’s quest, as does the presence of Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, who can make defenses pay for focusing too much on stopping the pass. That the Vikings play home games in a dome, preventing weather from becoming the late-season factor it can be in places such as Cleveland and Buffalo, also helps. Then, of course, there’s the fact that the NFL lengthened its schedule last year to 17 games.
After his 2022 campaign began with a promisingly huge amount of yards, Jefferson reaffirmed with reporters that his goal is to reach 2,000.
“No better way to start it off than with 180, right?” he said with a smile. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/09/17/justin-jefferson-2000-yards/ | 2022-09-17 12:15:31 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/09/17/justin-jefferson-2000-yards/ |
Kyle Farmer Player Prop Bets: Twins vs. Athletics - July 14
Published: Jul. 14, 2023 at 5:25 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Kyle Farmer returns to action for Minnesota as the Twins face the Oakland Athletics on July 14 at 9:40 PM ET.
He is back in action for the first time since July 9, when he went 0-for-1 against the Orioles.
Kyle Farmer Game Info & Props vs. the Athletics
- Game Day: Friday, July 14, 2023
- Game Time: 9:40 PM ET
- Stadium: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- TV Channel: NBCS-CA
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -182)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +800)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +210)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +175)
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Explore More About This Game
Kyle Farmer At The Plate
- Farmer has seven doubles, four home runs and 10 walks while batting .237.
- In 50.8% of his 59 games this season, Farmer has picked up at least one hit. He's also had nine multi-hit games.
- In 6.8% of his games this year, he has hit a home run, and 2.1% of his trips to the dish.
- Farmer has picked up an RBI in 18.6% of his games this season, with more than one RBI in 5.1% of his games. He has also driven in three or more runs in two contests.
- He has scored at least once 22 times this season (37.3%), including three games with multiple runs (5.1%).
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Kyle Farmer Home/Away Batting Splits
Athletics Pitching Rankings
- The 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Athletics pitching staff ranks 27th in the league.
- The Athletics have the last-ranked team ERA across all league pitching staffs (6.04).
- Athletics pitchers combine to surrender 130 total home runs at a clip of 1.4 per game (second-most in baseball).
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.valleynewslive.com/sports/betting/2023/07/14/kyle-farmer-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-14 23:37:24 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/sports/betting/2023/07/14/kyle-farmer-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Bestselling toy joins forces with McDonald’s
Squishmallows is one of the most popular lines of toys in America. According to the manufacturer, the NPD Group, Inc., formerly the National Purchase Diary Panel Inc., named Squishmallows the bestselling toy in 2022. These adorable plush critters are so popular, they are even available as pet beds. Now, the company has joined forces with McDonald’s to offer a Happy Meal that takes the Squishmallow experience to a whole new level.
What’s so special about Squishmallows Happy Meals?
Image credit: Jazwares
Squishmallows have only been around since 2017, but the brand’s owner, Kelley Toys, states they have already won seven Toy of the Year Awards, had a Squish Tour and a Squishmallows Human Claw Machine experience. It only makes sense that this soon-to-be iconic brand partners with an iconic fast-food chain to offer a game-changing experience.
In an article on ToyBook, Gerhard Runken, Senior Vice President of Brand and Marketing at Jazwares, the company that owns Kelley Toys, stated, “In partnering with McDonald’s we are able to bring fans a 360-degree Squishmallows experience that includes exclusive digital playlists and special edition Squishmallows that will create one of the most elevated Happy Meal programs to date.”
What can fans expect?
Image credit: Jazwares
Reportedly, there will be 24 Squishmallows with “exclusive and seasonal plush designs” that you can collect through this promotional collaboration. The promotion features a musical pineapple Squishmallow, a rad shark Squishmallow, a cool cat Squishmallow and more. Universal Music Group is also getting into the action and curating playlists that will help define 14 of the Squishmallows’ personalities. These playlists will be immediately accessible by scanning a Quick Response code printed on the Happy Meal box.
While the starting date of the Squishmallows Happy Meals has not been released, fans can expect to start collecting these plush toys sometime this summer. The only challenge, besides eating dozens of Happy Meals, is that each participating McDonald’s location will only have up to a dozen Squishmallows.
Squishmallows that you can get right now
While you wait for the McDonald’s drop, you can buy these popular full-size Squishmallows right now.
Anya The Caticorn Mermaid Squishmallows
Anya is everything you’ve ever wanted, all rolled up into one toy. It’s part cat, part mermaid and all Squishmallow! Your child will love the ultra-soft, huggable design.
Sold by Amazon
Disney Mickey Mouse Squishmallows
If your child is a fan of Disney, this is the Squishmallow to get. It’s a 14-inch plush Mickey Mouse design that’s officially licensed by Disney, so you know it’s a top-quality item.
Sold by Amazon
Squishmallows 24-Inch Beula Octopus Pet Bed
Humans aren’t the only species that love Squishmallows. With this large, 24-inch plush bed, your pet can snuggle with these award-winning toys too. This smiling octopus will give you plenty of post-worthy pictures of your pet.
Sold by Amazon
Squishmallows Mini Plush Rainbow Dream Squad
Jump right into the world of Squishmallows with this set of six plush mini-collectibles. They’re only 2 inches tall, making them perfect to slip into your pocket and take with you wherever you go.
Sold by Amazon
Squishmallows Mystery Pack
For fans who love surprises, this mystery box of Squishmallows is an excellent option because you never know which Squishmallows will be in the box. Each purchase includes three cuddly toys that are 8 inches tall.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.localsyr.com/reviews/br-reviews/toys-games-br/stuffed-animals-br/squishmallows-are-coming-to-mcdonalds-happy-meals/ | 2023-06-09 18:43:32 | 0 | https://www.localsyr.com/reviews/br-reviews/toys-games-br/stuffed-animals-br/squishmallows-are-coming-to-mcdonalds-happy-meals/ |
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A Kansas native who led an all-female Islamic State battalion when she lived in Syria has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, the maximum possible sentence.
Fluke-Ekren, 42, admitted that she led the Khatiba Nusaybah, a battalion in which roughly 100 women and girls — some as young as 10 years old — learned how to use automatic weapons and detonate grenades and suicide belts.
One of Fluke-Ekren's daughters was among those who said she received such training. The daughter and Fluke-Ekren's oldest son both urged the judge to impose a maximum sentence.
They said they were physically and sexually abused by their mother, and described the mistreatment in horrific detail in letters to the court. Fluke-Ekren denied the abuse.
Fluke-Ekren's status as a U.S.-born woman who rose to a level of leadership status in the Islamic State makes her story unique among terror cases. Prosecutors say the abuse she inflicted on her children from a young age helps explain how she went from an 81-acre farm in Overbrook, Kansas, to an Islamic State leader in Syria, with stops in Egypt and Libya along the way.
Fluke-Ekren asked for just a two-year sentence so she could raise her young children. She said at the outset of a lengthy speech that she takes responsibility for her actions but spent most of her speech rationalizing her conduct. | https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/Kansas-mom-gets-20-years-for-leading-Islamic-17550094.php | 2022-11-01 19:35:17 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/Kansas-mom-gets-20-years-for-leading-Islamic-17550094.php |
SHOSHONE — Two counties independently passed resolutions on Monday to not support the proposed construction of up to 400 wind turbines on 73,000 acres of public land in south-central Idaho.
With the resolutions, Lincoln and Minidoka counties join Jerome County, whose commissioners passed a similar resolution on July 25.
“The commissioners share the concerns of Lincoln County citizens and therefore the Board of Commissioners is opposed to the project,” the Lincoln County resolution said.
On the same day, Minidoka County Commission passed a resolution saying they could not support the project.
Lincoln County Commissioner Rebecca Wood said that the resolution was an effort to make the concerns of the citizens known, and to ask the BLM to study specific impacts the project may have.
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“The majority have made it clear that they really don’t want a windmill project,” Wood said. “And so our biggest thing was to make sure that the BLM knew where the citizens stood, and to mention the items in our resolution that we really want them to check in to and pay special attention to when they’re doing their EIS and their studies for it.”
The Lava Ridge Wind Project could bring hundreds of wind turbines to public land where a few families have been raising cattle for generations.
In their resolution, Lincoln County asked the BLM to analyze what impacts on the aquifer the construction would have. The area is largely rocky, and the bases for many of the approximately 400 towers could require blasting.
Lincoln's resolution also asked the BLM to study the impact to Native American and Japanese American cultural sites, such as the Minidoka Internment Camp. Plans originally called for a turbine to be placed 1.8 miles from the National Historic Site.
Survivors of the Minidoka War Relocation Center are worried about the impact of the Lava Ridge Wind Project. The closest turbine is currently planned to be 2 miles from the site.
LS Power and Magic Valley Energy applied to the Bureau of Land Management for permits for the massive wind energy project on public lands. Following the federal permitting process, the BLM collected input for a draft Environmental Impact Study, which would help determine whether BLM could approve or deny the project.
The draft EIS was originally scheduled for release in August for a 45-day period of public review and comment. Due to several additional areas of study requested by the public, county leadership, and other stakeholders, the draft EIS is now expected to be released in November.
Jerome County Commissioner Charles Howell said the commission had originally wanted to wait until the EIS was released before making a statement.
“But then they kept moving the date back,” Howell said. “The public was looking for something more from us to reassure them that their views were being heard, and we decided, well, we’d better put something out so that the public knows we’re listening to them and taking care of their objections.”
Howell said he has heard a lot from the citizens of Jerome about the proposed wind project but hasn't heard from anyone who is in favor of it.
“I have not heard one person in the community support the project,” Howell said.
In the Jerome resolution, commissioners ask the BLM to study several aspects, including the impacts on the Jerome County Airport, and the possibility of interruptions to emergency communications of the Southern Idaho Regional Communications Center (SIRCOM).
Concerns about radio wave transmissions were raised by SIRCOMM, the Idaho Military Division and Project Mutual Telephone.
Minidoka County Commissioner Kent McClellan said other concerns about the proposed project were the impacts on cattle grazing and wildfires.
"We're concerned about the effect on cattle grazing," McClellan said. "And being able to fight fires with the towers being so tall, and being able to get airplanes in there to stop fires."
McClellan said other concerns included impact to wildlife, and the cost of the power the turbines produce. Each of the resolutions requested a study of what impact the visual intrusion the 400 turbines might have.
"I think we'll get used to seeing the towers," McClellan said, "But I don't want to see them out there." | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/not-big-fans-3-counties-affected-by-lava-ridge-wind-project-withhold-support/article_d96d273a-1e6d-11ed-b852-733389091180.html | 2022-08-18 00:57:29 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/not-big-fans-3-counties-affected-by-lava-ridge-wind-project-withhold-support/article_d96d273a-1e6d-11ed-b852-733389091180.html |
Longtime safety and security expert will oversee major metropolitan emergency management and homeland security services
MORRISVILLE, N.C., June 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IEM, the largest woman-and minority-owned disaster recovery and emergency management global consulting firm, has named Andrew Velasquez III the new Director of Big City Emergency Management. Velasquez will support IEM's emergency management projects, including disaster response and recovery efforts to build resilience, in large metropolitan areas.
"Andrew is a proven leader who will contribute to IEM's efforts to address complex challenges that large cities face," said IEM's Bryan Koon, Vice President of International Homeland Security and Emergency Management. "With such a high concentration of people, big cities face costly disasters and emergencies. Under Andrew's leadership, IEM looks forward to further growing our support to communities in large metropolitan areas, to help these jurisdictions mitigate and reduce risk, build resiliency, and save lives during unexpected events."
Velasquez joins IEM as the firm expands its focus on providing the resources and tools for strategic planning, program management, and safety, security and resiliency initiatives for major metropolitan areas.
"I look forward to providing the partnership and resources to help decision makers protect those who live, work, or visit these busy centers of activity," said Velasquez, who has over 30 years of experience. "I am excited to apply what I have learned throughout my career in emergency management, homeland security, law enforcement, and aviation to further the goals and mission of IEM and our clients."
Most recently, Velasquez served as the First Deputy Aviation Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) where he oversaw administrative and operational functions of Chicago's O'Hare and Midway International Airports. With the recent crisis relating to the influx of asylum seekers in Chicago, the Mayor directly sought his advice and assistance in leading the responsible city agencies in their support planning and response operations.
Previously, Velasquez was CDA's Managing Deputy Commissioner of Safety and Security and led airport security operations to ensure safe travel for more than 100 million passengers each year.
Prior to working for the CDA, Velasquez served as the presidentially appointed Regional Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Region 5, based in Chicago, where he coordinated preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. While at FEMA, he directed federal response and recovery efforts for 35 major disasters and emergencies.
Velasquez has held state and city cabinet-level positions including Illinois Governor's Homeland Security Advisor, Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and Executive Director of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). Before joining OEMC, he was a member of the Chicago Police Department for ten years.
Velasquez earned an M.S. in criminal justice from Illinois State University and an MBA in management from Saint Xavier University. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and completed the Naval Postgraduate School's Executive Leadership programs in Homeland Defense and Security and Radiological Emergency Preparedness.
About IEM
IEM is a global crisis and disaster management consulting firm dedicated to building a safe, secure, and resilient world. Founded in 1985, IEM is the largest woman- and minority-owned firm in the world focused on providing services and expertise across the emergency management cycle — from preparedness and mitigation to response and recovery. We integrate science, technology, and real-world experience to provide our customers with innovative solutions and outcomes that matter. For information, visit www.iem.com.
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SOURCE IEM | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/06/05/former-fema-regional-administrator-chicago-area-aviation-executive-joins-iem/ | 2023-06-05 17:11:18 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/06/05/former-fema-regional-administrator-chicago-area-aviation-executive-joins-iem/ |
Company Sets New Market Standard with Refreshed, Competitive Product Lineup, Providing Stability for Clients in the Changing Private Aviation Marketplace
BOSTON, May 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While industry providers raise prices, restrict customers, and shrink service areas, Magellan Jets is leveraging its strong and stable business model to introduce a series of program enhancements, positioning their customer-focused private aviation solutions for the most client value in 2023 and beyond. Magellan's asset-light business model, consistent profitability, and continuous 35% year-over-year revenue growth uniquely position it to make these client-focused changes while offering aggressive rates 20-40 percent below its leading competitors.
"As a customer-first company, we're excited to provide more value across our entire portfolio and offer our guests the strongest private aviation solutions," said Magellan Jets CEO and founder Joshua Hebert. "The private aviation market has opened back up, and Magellan's client-centric program and robust infrastructure enable us to make these pivots on behalf of our customers."
Included in its program changes, now in effect, are:
- Lower hourly flight rates across all jet card programs and memberships
- Lower initiation and renewal dues on its jet membership programs
- Re-introducing its popular entry level Light Jet Card
- Wi-Fi now included on its popular Phenom 300 Jet Card
"These changes represent our commitment to helping customers navigate the evolving private aviation marketplace as trusted advocates," said Magellan Jets President and co-founder Anthony Tivnan. "Our operational stability, our efficiencies, investments in our supply chain, and our expanded network of partners and vendors all combine to allow us to reduce expenses while simultaneously passing savings on to our customers. Factor in the recent drop in jet fuel prices, and the value for Magellan's guests is extraordinary."
The ability to move swiftly and pivot to market demands has kept Magellan competitive and profitable for the past decade while enabling them to maintain their programs when others suspended operations. Magellan has seen high client satisfaction as a result—customer retention rates have been above 90 percent year over year, with an average 2023 Trip Perfection Rating of 93 percent.
As a strong, stable, and resilient private jet provider, Magellan Jets is perfectly positioned to increase its market share through new customer acquisition while continuing to add value for its existing customers. To learn more about why stability matters in the private aviation marketplace, visit magellanjets.com/financial-stability—and learn more about Magellan's full pricing and benefit changes here.
About Magellan Jets
Magellan Jets is a Boston-based private aviation solutions provider built on a commitment to three core values: Lead With Safety, Care Deeply, and Create Amazing. Founded in 2008, Magellan Jets' innovative model offers Aircraft Sales & Management, Jet Card Ownership, Membership, and On-Demand Charter services, all designed to provide the freedom and exceptional personalized service that private travelers demand. Magellan and its FAA-certificated Flight Support Department ensure every detail is tailored to exceed guests' expectations. Safety, security, privacy, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence in hospitality combine with the most heavily audited and thoroughly vetted network of aircraft in the world to let travelers experience private aviation the way it is meant to be—purely private.
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SOURCE Magellan Jets | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/05/11/magellan-launches-lower-pricing-paired-with-enhanced-product-offerings/ | 2023-05-11 18:50:11 | 0 | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/05/11/magellan-launches-lower-pricing-paired-with-enhanced-product-offerings/ |
A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week:
HOUSING MARKET BELLWETHER
The Commerce Department releases its July tally of new U.S. home sales Tuesday.
Economists project that sales slowed again last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of about 578,000 homes. That would follow a sales rate of 590,000 homes in June. The real estate market has cooled after a strong start to the year as surging inflation, rising home prices and a sharp run-up in mortgage rates have made homeownership less affordable for many would-be buyers.
New home sales, seasonally adjusted annual rate, by month:
Feb. 790,000
March 707,000
April 604,000
May 642,000
June 590,000
July (est.) 578,000
Source: FactSet
SEEING RED
Wall Street expects to see more red when Gap serves up its latest quarterly report card Thursday.
Analysts predict the fashion chain slid to a loss in its fiscal second quarter and that its revenue declined versus the same quarter last year. That would match the company’s first-quarter snapshot. Gap, which also owns the Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta chains, has been struggling with slumping sales and supply chain challenges. CEO Sonia Syngal stepped down last month after two years on the job.
INFLATION BAROMETER
The Commerce Department delivers its July snapshot of consumer spending Friday.
The personal consumption expenditure price index rose 1.1% in June from a month earlier. The report is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve as a barometer of inflation, which is at the highest level in decades, eroding consumers’ purchasing power. The Fed has been raising interest rates this year in a bid to slow the economy enough to tame inflation.
Consumer spending, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted:
Jan. 1.9
Feb. 0.6
March 1.2
April 0.5
May 0.3
June 1.1
Source: FactSet | https://www.mrt.com/business/article/This-Week-New-home-sales-Gap-earns-consumer-17388815.php | 2022-08-22 08:09:46 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/business/article/This-Week-New-home-sales-Gap-earns-consumer-17388815.php |
The women’s professional tennis tour is ending its suspension of tournaments in China that was initiated in late 2021 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai’s well-being.
The WTA announced Thursday that it will return to competition in China this season, even though two of its key requests were never met: a chance to meet with Peng, and a thorough, transparent investigation of her sexual assault accusations against a high-ranking Chinese government official.
WHO IS PENG SHUAI?
Peng is a former pro tennis player who reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings in doubles in 2014 and made it as high as No. 14 in singles in 2011. In doubles, Peng won major championships at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014; her best Grand Slam showing in singles was a run to the semifinals at the U.S. Open in 2014. In all, she won 23 WTA titles in doubles and two in singles; she also represented China at three Summer Olympics. Her career prize money is listed by the WTA as more than $9.5 million. Now 37, Peng last competed at a tournament in Doha, Qatar, in February 2020.
WHY WAS THERE GLOBAL CONCERN FOR PENG’S WELL-BEING?
Peng dropped out of public view after saying in a social media post in November 2021 that former vice premier Zhang Gaoli forced her to have sex. Chinese authorities quickly removed the post. News of the first #MeToo case to reach the political realm in China was not reported by local media and online discussion of it was highly censored. “Where is Peng Shuai?” became a trending topic on social media as concern and outrage grew. Peng eventually tried to recant her accusations, including in a controlled interview at the Beijing Olympics in February 2022, and she made some orchestrated appearances during those Winter Games. But there have not been reports of public sightings of her since then.
WHEN AND WHY DID THE WTA STOP HOLDING TOURNAMENTS IN CHINA?
The WTA, which is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, pulled its events from China in December 2021, saying it would not return until someone from the tour could meet with Peng and until her allegations were properly investigated. Neither of those things has happened. In the past, about 10 women’s pro tennis tournaments were held each year in China, generating millions of dollars in revenue for the WTA.
WHAT CHANGED?
WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in an interview with The Associated Press that “what has changed with it is that we have received assurances from people who are close to her, that we’ve been in contact with, that she is safe and living with her family in Beijing. … First and foremost, her safety is the first priority, and we do have assurances that is the case.” Simon also said he hopes “more progress can be made” by returning to China, because the current strategy of staying away “doesn’t make sense.”
ARE FEMALE TENNIS PLAYERS OK WITH THE RETURN TO CHINA?
Simon called it an “organizational decision” that included discussion and feedback with players and tournament officials. “We’ve got players from over 80 countries, so there’s no shortage of different views of the world and positions on issues and topics we have,” he said. “Through reach-out to us, as well as our reaching out to athletes to find out their positions, the great majority of the athletes were supportive and wanted to see a return back to the region and felt it was time to go back. … There’s certainly some that didn’t agree but the great majority did.”
WHEN WILL THE NEXT WOMEN’S TENNIS TOURNAMENT BE PLAYED IN CHINA?
A schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Play should begin in China in September, after the Grand Slam season ends with the U.S. Open in New York, and will include the WTA Finals in Shenzhen. ___
Howard Fendrich has been the AP’s tennis writer since 2002. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HowardFendrich ___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/why-is-womens-tennis-china-boycott-over-peng-shuai-ending/ | 2023-04-14 11:49:48 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/sports/ap-sports/why-is-womens-tennis-china-boycott-over-peng-shuai-ending/ |
Travelers often use loyalty program numbers to earn airline miles or hotel points when booking personal travel. However, if you travel for work and someone else books your reservation, it’s easy to overlook or simply forget this step — potentially leaving thousands of points on the table.
And those points could be worth quite a bit. Total spending on global business travel reached $697 billion in 2021, according to the Global Business Travel Association, and that’s expected to grow as the industry recovers from COVID-19 pandemic lows.
So, if you’ve got a work trip coming up and your company is paying for your travel expenses, don’t sleep on all the potential ways to earn points. Here are some tips to consider to ensure that you’re not missing out on any extra rewards.
1. Add the reservation code to your airline and hotel loyalty program accounts
When booking your own travel, including your frequent flyer number or loyalty program number on your reservation is a relatively straightforward process. But if someone else is arranging your travel or if you book your trip on your employer’s travel portal, you may not have the option to add those loyalty programs.
To get around this, once your flight and hotel are booked, gather your airline and hotel reservation confirmations and look for the reservation code that corresponds to your flight and hotel. Then, log into your airline and hotel loyalty programs and manually add those reservations to your accounts.
Sometimes, the reservation code from your company’s travel portal won’t match the type of reservation code that the airline or hotel accepts online. In this case, you may need to call the airline or hotel and ask them to manually add your reservation to your account.
And while you’re at it, make sure your Known Traveler Number also appears on your flight reservation if you have TSA PreCheck. If the TSA PreCheck indicator doesn’t show on your boarding pass, you won’t be allowed to enter the TSA PreCheck lines.
2. Use a credit card that earns miles or points for expenses
If you purchase any extras, such as Wi-Fi, bags or food during your flight, make sure to use a credit card that earns extra points for travel purchases. When you check into your hotel and need to provide a credit card, similarly use a card that earns bonus points on travel.
Then, during your hotel stay, charge all your expenses to your room so that you earn points with your credit card and also with the hotel. The number of hotel points you earn will depend on your hotel elite status.
For example, if you are staying at a Hilton hotel, and you have Diamond status and incur a $500 hotel bill, you can earn 10,000 Hilton points since Diamond members earn 20 points per $1 during the stay. If you charge that hotel stay to a card that earns extra points for travel purchases, you will also earn rewards.
However, note that the hotel rate must be eligible to earn points. Some work trips are part of a group rate that may exclude loyalty point earnings.
In addition to your flights and accommodations, you may incur other expenses like taxis, food and gas on a work trip. Again, use a credit card that earns bonus points in these categories.
If you don’t get reimbursed for your work trip
If your employer pays for your work trip using the company or corporate credit card, you may not be able to reap all the benefits of earning points. So while you may not be able to earn those extra points, you’ll still earn miles for your flight and points for your hotel stay.
3. Choose an airline or hotel you already have status with
You may have a lot of airline and hotel options when booking a work trip, especially if you’re headed to a popular destination.
If you have elite status with one airline or hotel, make sure to book travel with those companies because you may be able to extract even more value from these trips. You can earn additional hotel points if you have status, and you also may get other perks available at your status level, including free room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout.
Those with airline status may benefit from free seat upgrades, additional baggage allowance and higher mileage earning rates.
For example, if you have United Silver status and you’re booked on a United flight, you’ll be able to select a free Economy Plus seat at check-in and get 70 pounds of checked baggage free, even when flying economy. If you’re lucky, you may score a first class upgrade.
Maximize your points on company expenses
If your company is paying for a work trip, take every opportunity to earn points. You might be surprised at just how much you can earn, especially with inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, flight prices are up more than 26% year over year, so your trip to an annual conference might be more expensive than it was last year.
After all, someone should get the rewards for paying extra for travel this year — why not you?
More From NerdWallet
Elina Geller writes for NerdWallet. Email: egeller@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @themissmiles. | https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/02/24/3-ways-to-maximize-points-and-loyalty-programs-on-your-work-trips-2/ | 2023-02-24 19:44:55 | 1 | https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/02/24/3-ways-to-maximize-points-and-loyalty-programs-on-your-work-trips-2/ |
ABMA wisdom
Editor, The Commercial:
Oooweee!! What a show. Speaking of not getting the memo. Guessing the Arkansas Black Mayors Association reps had not gotten the memo -- Pine Bluff was voted the most miserable city in America. Well, guessing Pine Bluff now gets ABMA's vote too.
Best one can tell, they came to town to help boost our economy by some $30 million over the next seven years by helping correct watershed issues that impact Pine Bluff residents. But instead, they were quickly rode out of town like some outlaws. Really?!!
Well, it appears we didn't need their offering as there are more, bigger piles of handouts to be had. Wonder why keep secrets of this bigger stash -- and when it is going to be appropriated? As I read it, the mayor indicated ABMA's intentions and ways are suspect. Hopefully, she wasn't confusing ABMA with the alleged shenanigans uncovered recently in her Pine Bluff.
Maybe we should use some of the U.S. Infrastructure Plan to install telephone communications so that some of the discussion at issue could be had weeks before the meeting. Oh, yea, that makes too much sense and would not allow for the grandstanding. Forgot, sorry! Or was it because the showboaters didn't want to ruin our reputation as the most miserable?
Anyway, we await, hopefully soon, the mayor's announcement of the bigger pile of cash/economy builders awarded to the city of Pine Bluff. As most of us know, misery doesn't love company.
Mike Lankford,
Pine Bluff
Theater absurdity
Editor, The Commercial,
Wow! Kids, did ya hear? They're gonna re-roof the Saenger Theater again! Soon we can grab a couple of empty bottles and head downtown to catch another Coke show!
Only there ain't no projector there no more, or speakers. The screen was hanging in tatters the last we saw it. For that matter, all of us "kids" are now in our 70s, or in our graves (or, increasingly, urns).
Nobody will come, 'cause there's nobody to come, and there's nothin' to see, but that don't matter, cause the Saenger is getting another new roof -- only the fourth, or fifth, time in the last score of years. (I wonder if anybody actually did any work the last couple times it was "re-roofed" -- did anyone actually go up to see?)
Instead of a big old building filled with many fond memories, and lots of cobwebs, how about we restore a smaller one, with just a few nice memories? I suggest Mae's (formerly Roy Rogers) Army/Navy Store, just west of the Hood Building; it carried an assortment of Army/Navy surplus items like caps, machetes and them big metal trunks and such. It was like a mini-museum of modern military history.
Or there was my personal hangout, The Newsstand. (I think it had a more formal name, but only a handful of folks knew what it was.)
The Newsstand stood at the southeast corner of 4th and Main, beside the railroad tracks and against the north wall of the J.C. Penney building. It was just a couple of metal buildings (possibly obtained from Mae's) hinged on one side, divided by a decommissioned telephone booth as an office. Shelves and racks offered a wide variety of newspapers and magazines, with carousels of comics and paperback books.
Plus, The Newsstand never had to be re-roofed!!
Ahh, heck! Let's just face it: Downtown is dead, and it ain't coming back, and nothing we can do will bring it back. We don't have the proper tools, incentives... or leaders. Forget the darn Saenger; give it to Mr. Brick; he's done more to improve the downtown area than any official or agency.
While we're at it, give that eyesore Hotel Pines to Simmons to use as a parking deck. That could free a couple acres of lots to be reconstructed with actual shops and offices, returning variety to the area, and eventually even giving people a reason to go downtown.
* * *
Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. did a disservice to the public recently when he announced that his deputies had joined with other agencies to intercept a cocaine delivery and arrest the intended recipient. He named the drug and date, then slipped into high praise for all the law enforcement agencies involved.
Dandy. He could just as easily have claimed that they had successfully fended off a parade of drug mules from South America, or a full-scale invasion of little green men from Mars.
The press release failed to say how the drugs were detected, who was arrested or where any of this took place. It sounded like a weak excuse to sing the praises of the lawmen and remind the public of how good a job they are doing.
By the same token, the Pine Bluff Commercial did a non-service to its readers by publishing a barely there account of this crime that may or may not have been committed by a person who may or may not even exist. If Woods will not provide the minimum information needed to answer the "5 Ws" of proper journalism, the paper should not enable him by publishing it.
I am reminded of the Deltaplex reporter who drove past a toppled log truck, then filed a skimpy eyeball report, with no further details or followup. Such egregious clickbait benefits no one.
D.H. Ridgway,
Pine Bluff | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/17/abma-wisdom/ | 2023-07-17 08:51:16 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/17/abma-wisdom/ |
The White House is not taking the possibility of a short-term debt ceiling extension off the table as it weighs options to avoid the country defaulting on its debts as President Biden prepares to meet Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on the matter next week.
On Thursday, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young told reporters at the White House that extending the debt ceiling was “one of the things on the table.”
“I’m sure one of the things on the table we will have to work through is how long. I’m not going to take anything off the table,” Young said when asked about a possible short-term extension.
The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, which will also include Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), was solidified this week after the Treasury Department identified June 1 as a drop-dead deadline for the debt ceiling before the country defaults on trillions of dollars of loans.
The president plans to warn congressional leaders about the risk of a default, reiterating his stance that a debt limit should be increased without provisions but House Republicans have demanded that an increase must also come with millions in spending cut agreements.
When asked again if an extension is off the table, Young said, “right now, remember where our debate is. We’re in the take it or leave it phase,” referring to the Republicans’ stance on the meeting.
“I would love to be in that part of the conversation,” she added.
The Republican-approved debt ceiling plan that McCarthy will bring to the table on Tuesday involves raising the borrowing limit along with sweeping spending cuts. Biden does not support pairing the two.
Young, though, added, she has “hope that we will find a path to avoid default.”
“I do believe the majority of members of Congress know that is the wrong path to go down. Look, we saw the partisan process play out, now we need to pivot to a bipartisan process,” she said. “Congress can put a bill on the floor tomorrow, avoid default. The D.C. drama, the political brinkmanship, that’s what that is.”
Young also bashed the GOP plan, warning it would mean less funding for veterans, cancer research, and other areas, echoing what the White House’s stance has been on the bill since it was released. She said that in Tuesday’s meeting, Biden will stress that the focus needs to be on raising the debt limit, not spending cuts.
“I can probably write the bill for them in five minutes, it’s pretty easy,” she quipped, adding that it is “made up drama.”
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday appeared to leave some room for the possibility of supporting a short-term suspension or extension as a way to avoid a default but said she “won’t negotiate in public on any of this.”
The White House has sidestepped questions over whether Biden might decide to invoke the 14th amendment, which would allow the president to unilaterally avoid a default without needing Congress’ approval.
But that hasn’t stopped the White House from laying all the responsibility on the legislative branch.
“It is Congress’ duty to do and we will continue to say that,” Young said about the notion.
Earlier on Thursday, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines warned that China and Russia would likely exploit the “opportunity” a U.S. government debt default would present.
Young told reporters that she agrees with Haines, adding that “they love to see chaos in the American system. They love to see that we can’t do our basic jobs.”
“Does democracy still work or does the Chinese way work? And things like this we have to step up to the plate and do what’s right for the American people,” she added. | https://www.wane.com/hill-politics/omb-director-says-short-term-debt-ceiling-extension-possible/ | 2023-05-04 20:23:22 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/hill-politics/omb-director-says-short-term-debt-ceiling-extension-possible/ |
ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic has arrived in Australia almost a year after he was deported over his stance against COVID-19 vaccination, Tennis Australia confirmed Wednesday.
Djokovic will open his 2023 campaign in Adelaide as he prepares for a shot at a 10th Australian Open title.
The 21-time major winner has been granted a visa by the Australian government and is listed to play at the Adelaide International, which starts Sunday.
The 35-year-old Serb arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday night, the governing body confirmed.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley indicated at a news conference Tuesday that Djokovic had arrived.
“Novak is welcome in Australia,” Tiley said. “I think as we speak he has landed in Adelaide and he’s going to be the player to beat (at the Australian Open) again.”
The Australian Open runs from Jan. 16-29 in Melbourne.
Djokovic missed the Grand Slam last year because of his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Australia has since lifted strict rules for unvaccinated travelers.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles last month confirmed that Djokovic, who had been facing a possible three-year ban after being deported, was granted a visa.
Djokovic has won the Australian Open a record nine times, including the last three times he played. Rafael Nadal won the 2022 title in Djokovic’s absence.
“Over the years I’ve been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,” Djokovic said in Dubai last week at an exhibition tournament. “After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis.”
But questions remain around how Djokovic will be received by Australian fans. Tiley told reporters Tuesday he believed Djokovic will be well-received.
“I have a great deal of confidence in the Australian public,” Tiley said. “We’re a very well-educated sporting public, particularly those who come to the tennis. They love their tennis, they love seeing greatness, they love seeing great athleticism, great matches.
“And I have a lot of confidence that the fans will react like we hope they would react and have respect for that.”
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More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/sports/ap-novak-djokovic-back-in-australia-a-year-after-deportation/ | 2022-12-28 20:19:36 | 0 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/sports/ap-novak-djokovic-back-in-australia-a-year-after-deportation/ |
(The Hill) — A nationwide shortage of infant formula is worsening, sending parents scrambling and lawmakers demanding answers.
For the week starting April 24, the out-of-stock percentage of formula reached 40%, according to an analysis by Datasembly, a retail tracking company. That’s an increase from 31% at the beginning of April.
In the beginning of May, the nationwide out-of-stock percentage grew even more, and stands at 43% for the week ending May 8th, the company said.
Healthy babies have plenty of options for feeding, but the shortages are being felt most acutely by parents whose children need specialty formula to survive because they suffer from severe medical conditions, including metabolic disorders.
Supply chain problems have been exacerbated by a nationwide recall of formula made by Abbott Nutrition, one of the largest formula suppliers in the country, and the continued shutdown of Abbott’s manufacturing plant in Michigan.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an inspection of the plant amid complaints that four infants had been hospitalized with rare bacterial infections after consuming powdered formula that was made in the facility. Two infants died from the infections.
Abbott and the FDA issued a recall of three brands of formula made in the facility, including Similac.
The issue exploded politically, as Republicans tried to blame the Biden administration for the shortage.
“This is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE in America,” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) tweeted. “Sadly, this has become the norm because of Joe Biden’s radical agenda.”
In a letter to FDA commissioner Robert Califf on Tuesday, Stefanik blamed Biden’s “inflationary policies” for the shortage.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said FDA is working “around the clock” to fix the shortage, but noted there is no national stockpile of formula the administration could tap to alleviate the issue.
“The FDA issued a recall to make sure that they’re meeting their obligation to protect the health of Americans — including babies who, of course, were receiving or taking this formula — and ensure safe products are available. That’s their job,” Psaki said.
Lawmakers have been pressing the agency for specifics on the investigation and when Abbott’s plant will be allowed to reopen.
Last month, Sens. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) asked Califf for an update into the investigation, but have not yet received a response.
In a letter sent to the FDA and the U.S Department of Agriculture on Tuesday, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said he was concerned about the “apparent lack of an effective mitigation strategy.”
Romney’s letter raised questions about the vigor of FDA’s inspection process and how quickly the agency responds to consumer complaints.
“In its attempt to balance safety from contaminated product and safe infant development through formula access, FDA is achieving neither objective,” Romney wrote.
“I am alarmed to see documented instances of non-descript contamination in September 24, 2021, and inadequate sample testing to prove formula products met microbiological quality standards in 2019,” Romney wrote. “This documentation suggests FDA’s routine inspection authority is insufficient to meet consumer safety demands, yet its hammer of near-shutdowns of facilities causes a ripple effect throughout the country.”
In a separate letter, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) also asked if the agency has plans to modify its investigation procedures to ensure that future shortages can be avoided.
The agency on Tuesday outlined additional steps it was taking to mitigate the shortages, including allowing Abbott to release certain specialty products on a case-by-case basis.
But FDA did not give a timeframe for when Abbott’s facility would reopen.
The agency noted that other infant formula manufacturers “are meeting or exceeding capacity levels to meet current demand.”
“We recognize that many consumers have been unable to access infant formula and critical medical foods they are accustomed to using and are frustrated by their inability to do so. We are doing everything in our power to ensure there is adequate product available where and when they need it,” Califf said in a statement.
But it’s not immediately clear if the manufacturers can meet that demand.
“We’ve received assurances from manufacturers they’re going to ramp up production, but that has not yet translated to increased stock on the shelves,” Brian Dittmeier, senior director of public policy for the National Women, Infants and Children Association, said in a CNN interview Tuesday. | https://www.fox16.com/news/national-news/infant-formula-shortages-have-worsened-retail-data-indicates/ | 2022-05-11 19:35:34 | 1 | https://www.fox16.com/news/national-news/infant-formula-shortages-have-worsened-retail-data-indicates/ |
Baylor’s 19-year run in The Associated Press women’s college basketball poll is over.
The Bears had been ranked for 365 consecutive polls before falling out Monday after losing twice last week. Baylor had been in the AP Top 25 since Jan. 5, 2004, including a 21-week run at No. 1 in 2011-12.
Only Tennessee (565) and UConn (556) have had longer streaks in the 46-year history of the poll. The fifth-ranked Huskies’ run in the poll is still active.
While Baylor is sitting just outside the Top 25, South Carolina continued its stay at No. 1. The Gamecocks, who were the unanimous choice again from a 28-member national media panel, have held the top spot for 30 consecutive weeks. That streak ties UConn for fourth longest all-time.
Ohio State moved up a spot to No. 2 after Stanford lost to Southern Cal on Sunday. The Cardinal fell to fourth. It’s the Buckeyes best ranking since they were second in the final poll of the 2006 season. Ohio State has never been No. 1.
LSU is third for the Tigers’ highest mark since Feb. 27, 2006. The Tigers, who honored all-time great Seimone Augustus with a statue before Sunday’s game, are one of three unbeaten teams left, joining South Carolina and Ohio State.
The Gamecocks and Tigers meet on Feb. 12 in South Carolina.
Indiana was sixth and Notre Dame seventh. Utah, UCLA and Iowa finished off the top 10.
Texas returned to the AP Top 25 at No. 25 after falling out of the poll in late November. The Longhorns started the season at No. 3, but an injury to star guard Rori Harmon sidetracked them early. They had a great week, beating then-No. 23 Kansas and then-No. 15 Iowa State last week.
Colorado also entered the poll this week at No. 24, a year after the team’s last appearance. The Buffaloes beat then-No. 14 Arizona on Friday, a week after handing Utah its first loss of the season. Arizona fell to 19th this week.
Kansas also fell out of the poll.
STREAKING
Maryland now has the second-longest active poll streak, having been ranked for 241 consecutive weeks. South Carolina is third with 198. Stanford and North Carolina State round out the top five, with 94 and 93 weeks, respectively.
FALLING WOLFPACK
N.C. State dropped nine spots to 20th in the poll — its lowest mark since the team was No. 21 in the final poll of 2018. The Wolfpack have lost three of their last four games, including getting swept last week by Florida State and North Carolina.
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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/ap-baylor-out-of-womens-ap-top-25-for-1st-time-since-2004/ | 2023-01-17 14:32:28 | 1 | https://www.yourbasin.com/sports/ap-baylor-out-of-womens-ap-top-25-for-1st-time-since-2004/ |
How to choose a Razor electric scooter
The word “scooter” conjures images of different things. The earliest scooters were vehicles with a narrow rectangular platform with two small wheels in tandem and handlebars on a post. Today, there are powered scooters that you can simply stand on and ride – some even have a small seat.
Razor has been manufacturing quality electric scooters in the United States for kids, teens and adults since 2003 and have a wide range of affordable and durable models to choose from. They are small, lightweight vehicles for personal fun, commuting and running errands. But which one is best for you?
What to know before you buy a Razor electric scooter
Anatomy of a Razor electric scooter
- Frame: This is where it all starts because everything attaches to it. Frames should be sturdy and made of strong, durable metals or alloys.
- Deck: This is the flat platform between the front and rear wheels where you stand when riding your scooter.
- Stem: Also called a fork, this is the vertical tube that connects to the handlebars at the top and the steerable front wheel at the bottom.
- Handlebars: Here is where you control your steering, acceleration and braking. Your handlebars should have comfortable grips.
- Batteries: This is where the power comes from to drive the motor that powers the rear wheel.
- Drive system: Most electric scooters have a chain and sprocket drive mechanism but some have small motors that fit entirely inside the hub of the rear wheel.
- Wheels and tires: Most rear wheels are solid rubber, plastics or composites. The larger the wheels, the smoother the ride. Air-filled rubber tires take more of the harshness out of the ride.
- Suspension: Few electric scooters have a suspension. The ones that do are usually larger and more expensive.
Safety
Lights are necessary for riding at night and are also helpful in low-light conditions. Look for a headlight that shows the way ahead and a brake light that illuminates when the brakes are applied.
Power
The more watts your motor has, the faster you can go. For young riders, 100 watts is plenty.
Best Razor electric scooters under $400
Razor Sweet Pea E100 Kids Ride-On Electric Scooter
The kid-size deck and frame make this scooter just right for kids as young as 8 years old. The chain-driven wheel is powered by a high torque 100-watt motor that provides up to 40 minutes of continuous use at speeds up to 10 mph. The pneumatic front tire softens the ride.
Sold by Amazon
Razor E175 Ride-On Battery-Powered Electric Scooter
The 100-watt motor powers 120-pound kids at speeds up to 10 mph and the handbrake brings it to a stop. The handlebars fold down for easy transport and storage. The lead-acid battery charges in four to six hours and lasts for up to 40 minutes of continuous use.
Sold by Amazon
Razor E200 200-Watt Electric Scooter
The full-sized deck and frame are designed for riders 13 and up. The all-steel frame and fork deliver a solid ride and stand up to rugged use. The 8-inch pneumatic rear tire softens the bumps in the road and the two rechargeable 12 volt batteries deliver up to 40 minutes of drive time.
Sold by Amazon
Razor E300 Adult and Teen Ride-On Electric Scooter
The two sealed lead-acid batteries provide up to 40 minutes of continuous use and have a quick recharge time. The super-sized frame and deck are mounted on 9-inch pneumatic rubber tires, the 250-watt motor propels it at speeds up to 15 mph and the hand operated rear brake brings it to a safe stop.
Sold by Amazon
Best Razor electric scooters over $400
Razor E300S Adult and Teen High-Torque Electric Scooter
This scooter has a 250-watt electric motor that propels it at speeds as fast as 15 mph. The seat post and cushion are removable so you can transition to a ride-on scooter. The all-steel frame and fork support up to 220 pounds.
Sold by Amazon
Razor T25 Foldable Adult Electric Scooter
The 250-watt lithium-ion battery pack powers this scooter at speeds up to 15.5 mph with an 18-mile range on a single charge. Commuters and travelers enjoy the pedestrian, cruising and sport modes as well as the LED headlight and brake-activated taillight.
Sold by Amazon
Razor Eco Smart Metro Electric Scooter
This Amazon’s Choice commuter scooter has an eco-smart 350-watt motor inside the rear hub. The ride is made comfortable by 16-inch air-filled tires, a wide bamboo deck and a soft padded seat. The detachable rear luggage rack totes your groceries and gear.
Sold by Amazon
Razor Pocket Mod Bellezza Euro-Style Electric Scooter
The vintage design is retro-mod, with fenders, full body styling and a rear suspension that smooths out the bumps. This 500-watt scooter carries riders up to 220 pounds at 16 mph and can travel up to 70 miles on a single charge.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.cbs42.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/fitness-equipment-br/what-is-the-best-razor-electric-scooter/ | 2023-03-31 20:22:05 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/fitness-equipment-br/what-is-the-best-razor-electric-scooter/ |
How to get your share of a $725 million Facebook data privacy settlement
(Gray News) - If you used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, you can fill out a claim to receive your share of a $725 million Facebook data privacy settlement.
If you were a Facebook user during this time, you can submit a claim until August 25. The claim form asks for some personal information and information about your Facebook account.
The settlement is open to anyone who had a Facebook account during that time, even if the account was deleted.
The payments given out will depend on how many settlement class members submit valid claims.
The final approval hearing for the settlement is on September 7, according to the claim website.
Multiple lawsuits were brought against Facebook by users who allege that the company shared their data with third parties such as business partners, advertisers and data brokers.
The litigation began after Facebook was involved in a privacy scandal in 2018 with Cambridge Analytica.
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has denied any liability or wrongdoing, according to the claim website.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wnem.com/2023/04/19/how-get-your-share-725-million-facebook-data-privacy-settlement/ | 2023-04-19 16:53:15 | 0 | https://www.wnem.com/2023/04/19/how-get-your-share-725-million-facebook-data-privacy-settlement/ |
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Bank of England makes biggest interest rate hike in 30 years
LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England has rolled out its biggest interest rate increase in three decades, saying the move is needed to beat back stubbornly high inflation that’s eroding living standards and is likely to trigger a “prolonged” recession. The central bank on Thursday boosted its key rate by three-quarters of a percentage point as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has drives up food and energy costs that have sent inflation to 40-year highs. The aggressive step matches the recent moves by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. The bank’s task got tougher after former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ economic plans roiled financial markets.
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Twitter’s blue check: Vital verification or status symbol?
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Elon Musk wants to change how Twitter doles out its checkmark badges for verified accounts. While the “blue check” is at times viewed as an elite status symbol for the rich and famous, its purpose has always been to ensure that the people and accounts tweeting are who they say they are. While Musk’s exact plans are not clear, experts are raising concerns about the consequences of having a paid verification system. They fear it could leave anyone unwilling to pay vulnerable to impersonation — and anyone who does pay the ability to have their Twitter presence boosted by algorithms.
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Stellantis: Park older models due to 3 Takata air bag deaths
DETROIT (AP) — Stellantis and the U.S. government are warning owners of 276,000 older vehicles to stop driving them after Takata air bags apparently exploded in three more vehicles, killing the drivers. The company that was formerly known as Fiat Chrysler is telling people to stop driving Dodge Magnum wagons, Dodge Challenger and Charger muscle cars and Chrysler 300 sedans from the 2005 through 2010 model years. Stellantis says that it confirmed the air bag inflators blew apart in two cases, killing two people. The company suspects an inflator rupture in another case that also killed a driver.
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Stocks end lower as the Fed continues to fight inflation
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped on Wall Street and Treasury yields again rose to multiyear highs a day after the Federal Reserve indicated that its fight against inflation is far from over. The S&P 500 fell 1.1% Thursday. The Nasdaq and the Dow also fell. Technology stocks were among the heaviest weights on the market. The yield on the two-year Treasury note, which tends to track expectations for future Fed moves, rose to its highest level since 2007. Higher Treasury yields have helped push mortgage rates sharply higher this year. Higher rates help fight inflation by cooling off the economy.
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Starbucks reports record Q4 revenue despite China declines
SEATTLE (AP) — Starbucks’ revenue rose 3% to a record $8.41 billion in its fiscal fourth quarter as U.S. customers shrugged off higher prices on frothy drinks and snacks. The Seattle coffee giant said its same-store sales __ or sales at locations open at least a year __ were up 7%. That beat Wall Street’s forecasts. North American strength offset weakness in China, where pandemic lockdowns are still impacting sales. But Starbucks said its net income fell 50% to $878 million as it invested heavily in store remodels and employee wages. Adjusted for one-time items, the company earned 81 cents per share, also beating analysts’ forecasts.
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DoorDash defies U.S. delivery slowdown with strong Q3
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — DoorDash defied an overall slowdown in U.S. restaurant delivery in the third quarter. The San Francisco delivery company said its orders jumped 27% in the July-September period as it expanded overseas and added new retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods. DoorDash’s revenue rose 33% to $1.7 billion in the third quarter, exceeding Wall Street’s expectations. It expects gross order volumes to hit $13.9 billion to $14.2 billion in the fourth quarter, also higher than forecast. But DoorDash’s third-quarter loss of 77 cents per share was also higher than expected. DoorDash said its costs rose as it absorbed employees from Wolt, the Finnish delivery service it acquired in June.
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Slightly fewer Americans apply for jobless aid last week
WASHINGTON (AP) — Applications for jobless benefits fell slightly last week with the U.S. job market remaining resilient in the face of rising interest rates and persistent inflation. Unemployment claims for the week ending Oct. 29 fell by 1,000 to 217,000 from 218,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week moving average ticked down by 500 to 218,750. Considered a proxy for layoffs, applications for jobless claims have remained historically low this year, even as the Federal Reserve has cranked up its benchmark borrowing rate six times this year in its effort to cool the economy and tame inflation.
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Europe urged to save natural gas to avoid shortage next year
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The International Energy Agency says Europe could face a severe natural gas shortage next year and needs to act now to conserve. In a report Thursday, the Paris-based organization warned against complacency in an energy crisis triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine after countries were able to build up storage of the fuel to heat homes and generate electricity this winter. The IEA says Europe benefited from some Russian gas over the summer and sharply reduced competition from China for scarce shiploads of liquefied natural gas, and those factors could be one-offs. Along with mild weather, that’s pushed down prices. The group urged governments to speed up energy efficiency improvements, use of renewables and other steps to reduce demand.
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Moderna misses on 3Q, shaves 2022 vaccine expectations
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Supply problems have again forced Moderna to delay some COVID-19 vaccine deliveries, a move that surprised Wall Street and contributed to a disappointing third quarter. The vaccine developer said Thursday that short-term issues prompted it to shift some deliveries planned for this year into 2023. It now expects 2022 revenue from advance purchase agreements to be as much as $3 billion lower than its forecast from August. CEO Stephane Bancel said the company was dealing with complex manufacturing issue and working on some robust fixes. The COVID-19 vaccine is Moderna’s main revenue source. Total revenue fell 32% to $3.36 billion.
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The S&P 500 dropped 39.80 points, or 1.1%, to 3,719.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 146.51 points, or 0.5%, to 32,001.25. The Nasdaq lost 181.86 points, or 1.7%, to 10,342.94. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 9.41 points, or 0.5%, to 1,779.73. | https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Business-Highlights-17556798.php | 2022-11-03 21:54:16 | 1 | https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Business-Highlights-17556798.php |
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Police in coastal Kenya found 15 emaciated parishioners on the property of a church pastor, and four of the people died after the group was rescued and taken to a hospital, authorities said.
Police officials said investigators received a tip that dozens of people were starving to death after their pastor told them it was a way to meet Jesus. Most of the followers could not walk or talk when officers found them.
The pastor of Good News International Church, Paul Makenzi, surrendered Friday to police in the town of Malindi.
Makenzi was arrested and charged last month in the deaths of two children whose parents were members of his church. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bond while proceedings in the case continued.
The people who died Friday have not been identified, and their bodies were taken to a morgue in Malindi.
Residents had complained to local authorities about the pastor, accusing him of fostering growing cultism in the area. Cults are common in Kenya which has a largely religious society.
Police received information about a possible mass grave on the pastor’s property, but initial searches did not locate one.
Investigations are ongoing, according to Malindi sub-county police boss John Kemboi. | https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/ap-international/starving-followers-found-at-kenyan-pastors-property-4-die/ | 2023-04-16 10:58:18 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/ap-international/starving-followers-found-at-kenyan-pastors-property-4-die/ |
Restaurant patrons say they were disturbed by event with officer involved in Breonna Taylor raid
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) - A video went viral on social media that shows the owner of Anna’s Greek Restaurant in Bowling Green being confronted by restaurant patrons.
The customers said they are upset that their dinners were interrupted by a Republican Women’s Club of South Central Kentucky event at the restaurant. The group hosted John Mattingly, a former Louisville Metro Police Department police sergeant shot by Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend during the raid at her apartment that claimed her life.
They said Mattingly’s event had speakers playing loud footage that involved gunshots from the 2020 protests.
“The presentation crossed the line,” said Cayce Johnson, who was dining at the restaurant during Mattingly’s event. “It was completely distasteful and disrespectful. It was devoid of humanity. They should have never put that on in a public space. We should have never been subjected to that.”
Cayce Johnson made reservations at the Greek restaurant for a group of friends. She said the event took them back to March of 2020, including the Breonna Taylor protests.
Originally, the plan reportedly was to host the Mattingly event at a private venue, but those plans changed.
In a YouTube response, Mattingly apologized for disturbing other customers in the restaurant that night.
“There was no ill will and no malice,” Mattingly said. “We didn’t want the other patrons to hear this. I apologize to you, I really do.”
Mattingly also said in his apology video that he’s offered to pay people’s receipts from that night, and those individuals have declined.
Johnson said she and her friends are still uncomfortable with the situation that took place. She said she believes the apology is a start but doesn’t erase how it made them feel.
“I am so ashamed my friends were put in that situation,” Johnson said. “The memories from 2020, an awful year for people of color and for Kentucky.”
Currently, the organization that hosted Mattingly, the Republican Women’s Club of South Central Kentucky, has deactivated its social media accounts and not returned messages.
Anna’s Greek Restaurant provided a statement on Thursday issuing an apology for individuals who were negatively affected.
The restaurant explained in the statement it had received a two-hour request to accommodate a local community group. They were unaware of the content that would be presented by the Republican Women’s Club of South Central Kentucky.
“We have now recognized the need to be exceedingly diligent in reviewing any content to be presented when blending restaurant patrons with private events,” Anna’s statement reads.
Copyright 2023 WAVE via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wsaz.com/2023/01/30/restaurant-patrons-say-they-were-disturbed-by-event-with-officer-involved-breonna-taylor-raid/ | 2023-01-30 17:34:08 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/2023/01/30/restaurant-patrons-say-they-were-disturbed-by-event-with-officer-involved-breonna-taylor-raid/ |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The ability to see is a beautiful thing, but imagine losing your eyesight because of a rare eye cancer.
Not only was that the reality for Quatisha East, but also for her three-year-old daughter, Dallas Carter, who battled the same condition.
Fortunately, the outcomes have been much different.
Dallas is as happy and carefree as any other three-year-old girl.
"She loves saying hey and loves talking," East explained.
When she took Dallas for a routine check-up, doctors noticed that there was something wrong.
"They decided to look in her eyes and said, oh no, we see something glowing. We see a spot or something," East said.
It was a scare that was all too familiar to East.
When she was around Dallas' same age, her mom noticed a hole in her eye.
"You can see like my brain, you can see like the veins and stuff like up to my brain," East described,
She also explained that she's blind because of a rare cancer known as Retinoblastoma, a condition that causes cancer cells to form in the back of the eye.
Doctors diagnosed Dallas with the same type of cancer in 2019.
"We decided to let her do chemo to see if that would work," East said.
Both of Quatisha's eyes were removed when she was younger, and she hoped Dallas would avoid that challenge.
Dr. Florin Grigorian, a Pediatric Ophthalmologist at UAMS, said about 300 Americans a year are diagnosed with Retinoblastoma— and it's commonly diagnosed in children.
"Dallas doesn't have perfect vision, but pretty good vision," Dr. Grigorian said.
Since doctors were able to detect the cancer so early, Dallas was not only able to keep her vision, but her eyes too.
Though, the treatment has been extensive.
"It's a multimodal way of treating in order to achieve that high level of success," Dr. Grigorian said.
She underwent more than 20 rounds of chemotherapy, monthly laser eye procedures, and cryotherapy.
Fortunately, Dallas received her final chemo treatment in 2021.
"I'm happy to see Dallas be a normal child," Dr. Grigorian said.
That's all her mom and grandmother could've asked for.
Quatisha said that Dallas is talking more and has been learning a lot of skills.
Those are things she never doubted her daughter would be able to do.
"I always had the positive mindset that God is going to get me through this and I know she's going to be able to see and everything is going to get better for her," East explained.
Doctors were able to report that Dallas' cancer is in remission— and like her mother, she'll need to have follow-ups every five years for the rest of her life to make sure the cancer doesn't come back. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/health/3-year-old-battles-eye-cancer/91-7109c9e8-9f7a-4461-a892-acc45b651cfd | 2023-03-10 05:26:27 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/health/3-year-old-battles-eye-cancer/91-7109c9e8-9f7a-4461-a892-acc45b651cfd |
Roma boss Jose Mourinho said Sevilla’s six previous Europa League trophy wins will count for little against his side in Wednesday’s final in Budapest.
Sevilla are bidding for a record-extending seventh triumph at the Puskas Arena, in a match the Hungarian media have dubbed ‘The Specialists against The Special One’.
Mourinho has yet to lose in five major European finals as a manager, while Sevilla have won all six of their Europa League finals.
The Portuguese told a press conference: “History does not play. My colleague (Sevilla head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar) thinks otherwise, I have respect for him.
“He believes that history makes Sevilla favourites, I respect that. We are in the final because we deserve to be.
“They have a history that we do not have. For them to play the final is a normal thing, for us it is an extraordinary event.”
Mourinho is aiming to become the first manager to win the Europa League with three different clubs after previous successes with Porto (2003) and Manchester United (2017).
The 60-year-old former Chelsea boss added: “We are two great teams, with high-level players.
“It’s curious because we talk about coaching experience, but we face a Sevilla side that has very accustomed players.
“They are a bit more experienced in finals, but my team comes here ready. We have played a lot of European games in the last two seasons.”
Mourinho’s latest European trophy triumph came last season when he led Roma to victory over Feyenoord in the inaugural Europa Conference League final.
Roma finished second in this season’s Europa League qualifying group behind Real Betis and overcame RB Salzburg, Real Sociedad and Feyenoord in the knockout rounds before edging past Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 on aggregate in their semi-final.
The Italian side, currently sixth in Serie A with one game remaining, could be boosted by the return of former United defender Chris Smalling (hip), while Argentina’s Paulo Dybala is hoping to play some part despite an ankle injury.
Sevilla head coach Mendilibar, 62, will become the oldest manager to win the Europa League if the Andalusians seal a record-extending seventh tournament win.
He said the side which makes the fewest errors on the night at the Puskas Arena will prevail.
The former Eibar and Alaves boss said: “Mistakes are what you pay for in games like this and it’s about making the fewest mistakes possible.
“We’ve eliminated big teams, but the most difficult one is ahead of us. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes will win.”
Mendilibar has transformed Sevilla since replacing Jorge Sampaoli at the end of March when they were two points above LaLiga’s relegation zone.
They have risen to 11th in the table, 10 points clear of the drop zone with one game left, and won their Europa League quarter-final and semi-final under Mendilibar against United and Juventus respectively. | https://www.beinsports.com/us/uefa-europa-league/video/we-are-two-great-teams-says-jose-mourinho-a-2/2103339 | 2023-05-31 21:50:02 | 1 | https://www.beinsports.com/us/uefa-europa-league/video/we-are-two-great-teams-says-jose-mourinho-a-2/2103339 |
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man was convicted Wednesday of killing six people and injuring dozens of others when he drove his SUV through a Christmas parade, wrapping up a trial in which he defended himself with bizarre legal theories and erratic outbursts.
It took the jury a little over three hours to find Darrell Brooks guilty of all 76 charges, including six counts of first-degree intentional homicide. He faces a mandatory life sentence on each homicide count.
Brooks, dressed in a suit and tie, silently rested his head on folded hands as the verdicts were read. His subdued demeanor was a stark departure from previous days of the trial, when his sometimes-outrageous behavior drew rebukes from the judge.
Judge Jennifer Dorow scheduled a hearing Monday to set a date for sentencing, when victims and their families will be able to make statements.
Tyler Pudleiner, who was performing with the Waukesha South High School band when he was hit by Brooks’ SUV, told reporters Wednesday that the convictions will help all the victims heal.
“One of the things that I’ve said throughout this is we’re stronger than (Brooks), and it’s been proven today,” Pudleiner said.
Brooks drove his Ford Escape into the Christmas parade in Waukesha in suburban Milwaukee on Nov. 21 moments after fleeing a domestic disturbance with his ex-girlfriend, prosecutors said.
Killed were 8-year-old Jackson Sparks, who was marching in the parade with his baseball team; Leanna Owen, Virginia Sorenson and Tamara Durand, members of the Dancing Grannies, a group of grandmothers that dances in parades; Wilhelm Hospel, husband to a surviving Dancing Grannies member; and Jane Kulich, described by her family as a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan. Scores of other people were hurt, some severely.
The incident left deep scars on the community of 70,000 people about 16 miles (25 kilometers) west of Milwaukee. Community members built memorials to the dead and held vigils.
The anger was still raw Wednesday; someone in the gallery yelled “burn in hell” as the verdicts were read. Vehicles passing the courthouse honked their horns in celebration, WITI-TV reported.
Brooks pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease earlier this year but withdrew the plea before his trial began with no explanation.
Days before the trial started, he dismissed his public defenders, electing to represent himself despite overwhelming evidence against him. Police officers and paradegoers testified they saw Brooks behind the wheel of the SUV. District Attorney Susan Opper presented several photos of Brooks driving the vehicle to the jury.
Brooks’ main defense theory appeared to be that he was a sovereign citizen, echoing a conspiracy theory that every person is a nation and isn’t subject to government restrictions. He refused to recognize the court’s jurisdiction over him, refused to answer to his own name, launched into meandering cross-examinations, and muttered under his breath that the trial wasn’t fair.
He got into daily arguments with the judge that often devolved into shouting matches. At one point he glared at Dorow so intensely she took a recess because she said she was scared of him.
Multiple times, she moved him into another courtroom where he could watch the proceedings via video and she could mute his microphone when he became disruptive.
One day, after he was moved to the other room, he stripped off his shirt and sat bare-chested on his table with his back to the camera. On another day, he built a barricade out of his boxes of legal documents and hid behind it. On yet another, he held up a Bible so no one could see his face on camera and tossed his copy of the jury instructions into the garbage.
“We felt very, very offended by his behavior, his disrespect of the court, the decorum, the families, his insulting the judge, his challenging the judge,” Opper said at a news conference.
“That’s not the way our system is designed. That was intentional on his part. We truly believe that. He did everything he (could) except claim the dog ate his homework,” Opper said. “He tried to turn this into his story. Let’s talk about Mr. Brooks and his family. We just kept redirecting it back to the real focus here, our families, our victims, our community and his responsibility for this destruction.” | https://www.fox16.com/news/national/ap-man-convicted-of-killing-6-with-suv-in-christmas-parade/ | 2022-10-27 11:20:15 | 0 | https://www.fox16.com/news/national/ap-man-convicted-of-killing-6-with-suv-in-christmas-parade/ |
ABUJA, Nigeria — (AP) — Nigeria's government activated its national response plan ahead of what is expected to be another round of annual flooding related to climate change, putting several states on alert, authorities told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Following floods last year that killed more than 600 people, the National Emergency Management Agency said it was preparing for another dangerous deluge. The agency requested support from the country's air force and activated its offices to be ready to respond quickly across the country, spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel said.
“As it is, the (flooding) outlook is still very gloomy, and we are doing our best to raise awareness and get the various agencies to prepare accordingly,” Ezekiel said.
Nigeria experiences deadly flooding every year, often as a result of ignored environmental guidelines and inadequate infrastructure. However, an unusual amount of rain and the release of excess water from a dam in neighboring Cameroon resulted in record deaths last year and destroyed more than 340,000 hectares (about 840,158 acres) of land in 33 of the West African nation's 36 states and in the capital city.
Less rain is expected this year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency said. But extreme weather combined with human activities such as building on waterways could cause flooding in several states.
“As a result of climate change, we’ve been seeing extreme weather events like unusual rainfall (and) unusual heat," Ibrahim Wasiu, the head of the meteorological agency’s forecasting unit, said. “Climate change plays a role.”
As many as 14 states are on alert for flooding in the coming days, according to an alert published Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Environment. The ministry urged the states to take precautionary measures to prevent a loss of lives.
Several states have already experienced flooding this year, including the capital, Abuja, where days of downpour swept away many houses and blocked major roads, prompting authorities to mark hundreds of houses for demolition.
“The most important thing is to put people in a safe disposition," Ezekiel with the disaster management agency said. “Our focus is to see how people as much as possible will not be affected by the floods.”
___
Follow AP's coverage of climate change at https://apnews.com/climate-and-environment
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/nigeria-triggers/6TQZIDMKPGJKUXSD532VK2AIRY/ | 2023-07-06 10:29:16 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/nigeria-triggers/6TQZIDMKPGJKUXSD532VK2AIRY/ |
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — This year’s U.N. General Assembly meeting of world leaders came on the heels of another event that reverberated internationally — the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, followed by both an outpouring of tributes and sometimes bitter reflection on the colonialist empire that came to an end during her seven decades on the throne.
There were also some questions about whether the loss of the long-reigning monarch might affect the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 nations that, in many cases, have historic and linguistic ties to Britain. Fourteen of them are Commonwealth “realms” — former colonies where the British monarch, now King Charles III, remains the head of state.
Some already were revisiting that relationship before the queen’s death.
Barbados snipped its link to the monarchy and became fully independent last year, to felicitations from Elizabeth and Charles. The prime ministers of Jamaica and of Antigua and Barbuda said earlier this year that they intend to do likewise, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Gaston Browne followed up after the queen’s death by telling Britain’s ITV News that he planned to call a referendum within three years.
Others have no such plans, at least for the moment. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had laid some groundwork for a potential Australian republic earlier in the year but said after Elizabeth’s death that it was time to honor the queen, not change up the government. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern, who supports becoming a republic, said she didn’t plan to take up the matter soon, noting there are many other issues on the country’s plate.
So there are on the General Assembly’s agenda, too, and the future of the Commonwealth didn’t factor in the major speeches each country gets to make. But some did take time to remember the queen and invoked her words and example to suggest future action — or lessons for leaders.
A look at some of the remarks:
A HOMELAND TRIBUTE:
British Prime Minister Liz Truss, whom Elizabeth formally appointed two days before her death, said Elizabeth “symbolized the post-war values” underlying the U.N. and recalled a speech that the queen gave at the General Assembly in 1957.
“She warned that it was vital not only to have strong ideals but also to have the political will to deliver on them. Now we must show that will. We must fight to defend those ideals. And we must deliver on them for all our people,” Truss said.
A CALL TO ACTION:
Mauritius is a former British colony off the southeast coast of Africa, and the two countries remain at odds over the Chagos Islands, which the U.K. continues to control. Former residents have waged a years-long legal fight for the right to return to the archipelago after Britain expelled them in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for a military base.
Mauritius’ prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, urged Truss’ new government to resolve the matter by placing itself “on the right side of history,” pointing to Elizabeth’s “values and principles.”
“What more fitting tribute to the memory of this great monarch who dedicated her life to service, to uphold values of democracy, human rights and international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity than to bring this history to an end and to do so in a manner that respects sovereignty, matters of security, environment and the fundamental rights of human beings?” he asked.
MEMORIES OF “MAMA KWIN”
Papua New Guinea is one of the far-flung “realms” where the U.K. monarch is still head of state, and Prime Minister James Marape closed his General Assembly remarks with an homage to the sovereign whom he said islanders affectionately dubbed “Mama Kwin.”
“Our beloved queen personified grace, dignity, honesty, humility, tolerance of others, forgiveness and all other Christian virtues and lived 70 years of consistent, unfailing life of public service — some lessons we leaders of the world must learn to practice,” he said.
The prime minister of another “realm,” Manasseh Sogavare of the Solomon Islands, called her “an inspiration, a figure of stability, dignity, and grace.”
Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama recalled Elizabeth stepping aside from greeting other guests to welcome him at a reception a few years ago — and welcome his country back to the Commonwealth. Fiji was suspended in 2006 after Bainimarama seized power in a coup, then reinstated after elections in 2014, when he won his first term as premier.
The queen’s welcome “was a simple gesture but a special affirmation of all that we had worked to achieve for Fiji’s new and true democracy,” said Bainimarama, whose country’s head of state is a president, not the monarch.
A SHOUT-OUT FOR CHARLES
The colonial history of Gabon and Togo rests with France, not Britain, and the two African nations are members of French-speaking countries’ own own affinity group, L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. But Togo and also joined the Commonwealth this past June.
At the first General Assembly since then, Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba hailed Elizabeth’s “respect, friendship, and wise counsel to many independent nations around the world, small or large” — and added kind words for the new king. Bongo saluted Charles’ concern about the environment, climate change and biodiversity.
BEYOND THE COMMONWEALTH
Some other Commonwealth members, from Dominica to Malawi, took time to express condolences and pay tribute to the queen. So did a few countries that aren’t part of the group, including the French-speaking Central African Republic and Madagascar and the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic.
Perhaps the most fulsome homage came from Hungarian President Katalin Novak, who repeatedly quoted a 2010 speech in which Elizabeth told the General Assembly about leadership, the work of the U.N. and what she saw as the challenge facing the world body: to continue showing “clear and convening leadership” without losing sight of its work to foster security, prosperity and dignity for people around the world.
Novak exhorted to assembly to “regain our ability to distinguish between the essential and the irrelevant, the important and the unimportant, reality and fiction.”
“We bade farewell to an exceptional monarch whose life was steeped in service to peace,” she said. “We owe it to the people and to her memory to make our decisions in the same spirit.”
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For more AP coverage of the U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/ap-an-inspiration-tributes-to-uks-late-queen-at-un-meeting/ | 2022-09-26 00:02:44 | 1 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/ap-an-inspiration-tributes-to-uks-late-queen-at-un-meeting/ |
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Nico Hoerner homered early and scored the tiebreaking run in a five-run 10th inning as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 on Saturday night.
Hoerner began the 10th as the automatic runner on second base. He stole third with one out and scored on Frank Schwindel’s fielder’s choice. Schwindel hit a high chopper off José Alvarado (3-2), and third baseman Alec Bohm’s throw home was off target.
The Cubs went up by two on Christopher Morel’s RBI single. Bohm’s fielding error on Nelson Velázquez’s hard-hit grounder allowed two more runs to score before Willson Contreras added an RBI double to make it 6-1.
Bohm drove in a run with a groundout in the bottom half.
David Robertson (3-0) tossed a perfect ninth for the win.
Zack Wheeler threw seven strong innings for the Phillies, who have dropped the first two games in the series to the lowly Cubs.
Chicago began play with the fourth-fewest wins in the majors but won its third in a row. The Cubs improved to 4-11 in their MLB-leading 15th extra-inning game.
Wheeler and Marcus Stroman were both stellar in a starting pitchers’ duel.
Wheeler allowed only Hoerner’s homer and two other hits with six strikeouts and no walks. After finishing as the NL Cy Young Award runner-up in 2021, the Philadelphia right-hander wasn’t selected for this year’s All-Star Game despite a strong first half. He continued to impress against the Cubs while lowering his season ERA to 2.78 with 114 strikeouts and 22 walks in 106 2/3 innings.
Stroman matched Wheeler, pitching into the seventh and giving up one run on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Darick Hall led off the seventh with a double off Stroman and scored on J.T. Realmuto’s single, ending the night for the Cubs’ starter after 86 pitches on a scorching evening that began with a game-time temperature of 97 degrees.
Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the second when Hoerner drove an 89 mph slider into the seats in left. Morel’s sixth-inning double and Ian Happ’s seventh-inning single were the only other hits the Cubs mustered off Wheeler.
The Cubs threatened in the eighth when they loaded the bases with two outs. Interim manager Rob Thomson lifted lefty Brad Hand for right-hander Connor Brogdon to face the right-handed-hitting Contreras, and Brogdon got Contreras to pop out.
Philadelphia had a good chance to go ahead in the bottom half when pinch-hitter Matt Vierling led off with a double, but Steven Brault struck out NL home run leader Kyle Schwarber before Mychal Givens got Rhys Hoskins to ground out and Nick Castellanos to strike out swinging. | https://www.wfmz.com/sports/cubs-scored-five-in-the-10th-inning-to-hand-phillies-second-straight-loss/article_0a9057d0-0af8-11ed-a9c0-e383b4fd8f1a.html | 2022-07-24 03:09:50 | 1 | https://www.wfmz.com/sports/cubs-scored-five-in-the-10th-inning-to-hand-phillies-second-straight-loss/article_0a9057d0-0af8-11ed-a9c0-e383b4fd8f1a.html |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Robbie Knievel, an American stunt performer who set records with daredevil motorcycle jumps following the tire tracks of his thrill-seeking father — including at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1989 and a Grand Canyon chasm a decade later — has died in Nevada, his brother said. He was 60.
Robbie Knievel died early Friday at a hospice in Reno after battling pancreatic cancer, Kelly Knievel said.
“Daredevils don’t live easy lives,” Kelly Knievel told The Associated Press. “He was a great daredevil. People don’t really understand how scary it is what my brother did.”
As a boy, Robbie Knievel began on his bicycle to emulate his famous father, Evel Knievel, who died in 2007 in Clearwater, Florida.
But where Evel Knievel famously almost died from injuries when he crashed his Harley-Davidson during a jump over the Caesars Palace fountains in Las Vegas in 1967, Robbie completed the jump in 1989 using a specially designed Honda.
Robbie Knievel also made headline-grabbing Las Vegas Strip jumps over a row of limousines in 1998 at the Tropicana Hotel; between two buildings at the Jockey Club in 1999; and a New Year’s Eve jump amid fireworks in front of a volcano attraction at The Mirage on Dec. 31, 2008.
After a crash-landing to complete a motorcycle leap over a 220-foot (61-meter) chasm at an Indian reservation outside Grand Canyon National Park in 1999, Robbie Knievel noted that his father always wanted to jump the spectacular natural landmark in Arizona, but never did. Robbie Knievel broke his leg in his crash.
Evel Knievel instead attempted to soar over a mile-wide Snake River Canyon chasm in Idaho in September 1974. His rocket-powered cycle crashed into the canyon while his escape parachute deployed.
Robbie Knievel's brother recalled other stunts including a 2004 jump over a row of military aircraft on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, a museum in New York.
Robbie Knievel, who promoted himself as “Kaptain Robbie Knievel,” set several stunt records, but also failed in several attempts. In 1992, at age 29, he was injured when he crashed into the 22nd of 25 pickup trucks lined up across a 180-foot (55-meter) span in Cerritos, California.
“Injuries took quite a toll on him,” Kelly Knievel said Friday.
Kelly Knievel lives in Las Vegas. He said his brother died with three daughters at his side: Krysten Knievel Hansson of Chicago, Karmen Knievel of Missoula, Montana, and Maria Collins of Waldport, Oregon.
Services were not immediately scheduled, but Kelly Knievel said his brother will be buried with other family members in Butte, Montana. | https://www.ksby.com/news/national/robbie-knievel-daredevil-son-of-evel-knievel-dies-at-60 | 2023-01-13 21:28:54 | 0 | https://www.ksby.com/news/national/robbie-knievel-daredevil-son-of-evel-knievel-dies-at-60 |
South Korea’s military on Monday said North Korea fired about 130 suspected artillery rounds into the water near their western and eastern sea borders, the latest military action contributing to worsening relations between the neighbors.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the weapons, fired Monday afternoon from North Korea's western and eastern coastal areas, fell within the northern side of buffer zones created under a 2018 inter-Korean agreement to reduce military tensions. There were no immediate reports of shells falling inside South Korean territorial waters.
South Korea’s military said it communicated a verbal warning to North Korea over the firings and urged it to abide by the agreement. The South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring North Korea's military activities while strengthening their readiness to respond to any “potential contingency,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
The North Korean firings were possibly a response to South Korean artillery exercises scheduled from Monday to Wednesday near the inland border town of Cheorwon. The firings also came days after Washington, Seoul and Tokyo announced largely symbolic sanctions on some North Korean people and institutions accused of illicit activities to finance the country’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.
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It was the first time North Korea has fired weapons into the maritime buffer zones since Nov. 3, when around 80 artillery shells landed within North Korea's side of the zone off its eastern coast.
North Korea has fired dozens of missiles as it increased its weapons demonstrations to a record pace this year, including multiple tests of an intercontinental ballistic missile system potentially capable of reaching deep into the U.S. mainland, and an intermediate-range missile launched over Japan.
North Korea has also conducted a series of short-range launches it described as simulated nuclear attacks on South Korean and U.S. targets in an angry reaction to an expansion of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises which North Korea views as rehearsals for a potential invasion.
U.S. & World
Experts say North Korea hopes to negotiate economic and security concessions from a position of strength and force the United States to accept it as a nuclear power. South Korean officials have said North Korea might up the ante soon by conducting its first nuclear test since 2017.
North Korean state media said last week that leader Kim Jong Un has called for a major political conference before the end of the year at which he is expected to address increasingly tense relations with Washington and Seoul over the expansion of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
The inter-Korean military agreement that established the buffer zones is one of the few tangible remnants of the countries’ short-lived diplomacy of 2018. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times that year while also helping to set up Kim’s first summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
But the inter-Korean negotiations never recovered from the collapse of the second Kim-Trump meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for a major easing of U.S.-led sanctions in exchange for a partial surrender of the North's nuclear capabilities. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/north-korea-fired-artillery-rounds-near-sea-border-south-korea-says/3983379/ | 2022-12-05 10:59:42 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/north-korea-fired-artillery-rounds-near-sea-border-south-korea-says/3983379/ |
Former England captain Gary Lineker was temporarily removed on Friday from his role as presenter of the BBC’s flagship soccer highlights show in the wake of his criticism of the British government’s new asylum policy.
The long-running “Match of the Day” program, which has been a national institution in Britain since the 1960s, will be aired on Saturday “without studio presentation or punditry,” the BBC said in an extraordinary development after a slew of Lineker’s colleagues announced they wouldn’t appear on the show without him.
In a post on Tuesday on his Twitter account that has 8.7 million followers, Lineker — one of England’s greatest soccer players and now among the U.K.’s most influential media figures — compared lawmakers’ language about migrants to that used in Nazi Germany.
The BBC considers Lineker posting such views on social media as a breach of its guidelines. The network said it held discussions with Lineker over his involvement in “Match of the Day,” which is broadcast on Saturday nights and shows highlights of English Premier League games that day.
“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting ‘Match of the Day,’” the broadcaster said, “until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.
“We have never said that Gary should be an opinion-free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”
Lineker has yet to make an official comment, though one of his former colleagues on the BBC — Dan Walker — said he had been in contact with Lineker and asked him “whether he is stepping back or whether the BBC have told him to step back.”
Walker said Lineker replied to him that the BBC “told me I have to step back.”
“So Gary Lineker wants to continue to present ‘Match Of The Day’ and is not apologizing for what he has said,” Walker said on Channel 5, where he works, “but he has said it’s a BBC decision to force him to not present the program at the moment.”
In solidarity with Lineker, Alan Shearer and Ian Wright — former England players who work as pundits on “Match of the Day” — said on Twitter they would not be appearing on the program this weekend.
After more of his BBC co-workers, like former soccer players Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas and Micah Richards, said they would not want to work on “Match of the Day” because of the treatment of Lineker, the BBC took the decision to change the format of the show.
“Some of our pundits have said that they don’t wish to appear on the program while we seek to resolve the situation with Gary,” the BBC said.
“We understand their position and we have decided that the program will focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry.”
Conservative lawmakers in Britain have called on the BBC to discipline Lineker, the network’s highest-paid star on 1.35 million pounds ($1.6 million) last year, for saying the government’s plan to detain and deport migrants arriving by boat is “an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s.”
The government has called Lineker’s Nazi comparison inappropriate and unacceptable, and some lawmakers said he should be fired.
The 62-year-old Lineker was a household name in Britain well before he became a smooth, knowledgeable presenter of sports shows on the BBC and other broadcasters. He was the leading scorer at the 1986 World Cup and finished his international career with 48 goals in 80 matches for England.
His club career included spells with Barcelona, Tottenham, Everton and Leicester.
The BBC, which is funded by a license fee paid by all households with a television, has a duty to be impartial and news staff are barred from expressing political opinions. As a freelancer who doesn’t work in news or current affairs, Lineker isn’t bound by the same rules and he often delves into politics and human rights issues with his tweets.
The BBC’s neutrality has come under recent scrutiny over revelations that its chairman, Richard Sharp — a Conservative Party donor — helped arrange a loan for then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021, weeks before he was appointed to the BBC post on the government’s recommendation.
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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.wowktv.com/sports/lineker-off-flagship-bbc-soccer-show-after-twitter-posts/ | 2023-03-11 22:41:02 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/sports/lineker-off-flagship-bbc-soccer-show-after-twitter-posts/ |
66073699007Pine Belt holds water drive for Jackson water crisis. 'Little acts mean someone cares'
Pine Belt area kicks off bottled water drive
The Pine Belt is no stranger to catastrophic disaster. The area has seen its share of them, from floods and tornadoes to hurricane-force winds.
In those times of need, cities across the state reached out to do what they could to help, including aiding Jackson through its water crisis.
“From Katrina and the latest tornadoes in 2013 and 2017, residents of the Pine Belt saw so many step in to help," said Forrest County Board of Supervisors President David Hogan. "Jackson is a sister city, and we ask all our residents to help if they can in order to pay that forward.”
To that end, officials with Hattiesburg, Petal as well as Forrest and Lamar counties united to organize a weeklong bottled water drive.
“Our area isn’t a stranger to hard times," Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker said in a news release. "During our hardest days, our friends from all over the state have stepped in to help. Today, we’re more than glad to pay that forward through a collaborative approach with the city of Petal, Lamar County and Forrest County.”
Barker, Hogan, Petal Mayor Tony Ducker, Lamar County Board of Supervisors President Warren Byrd, Forrest County District 2 Supervisor Sharon Thompson, Lamar County Emergency Management Agency Director James Smith and Hattiesburg Fire Chief Sherrocko Stewart held a news conference Wednesday to announce the effort.
“When the mayor reached out to us about partnering on a water drive, we willingly stepped up," Byrd said. "From fires and tornadoes, our area has always been able to be resilient due to others’ kindness. So we urge our residents across counties to grab an extra case and drop it off at any of our local stations.”
Twin Forks RisingHattiesburg group holds water drive to help in Jackson water crisis
Ducker said it's important to help others in times of need, not just for providing water, but for moral support as well.
“When we were in similar situations through natural disasters where we were without water and power, others stepped forward," Ducker said. "At the end of the day, it’s the little acts like an extra case of water that means someone cares — and now is the time we get to do the same for others.”
Anyone who wants to help by donating sealed plastic water bottles may bring them to fire stations throughout the two counties and at Petal City Hall through Sept. 16. Once the drive is complete, staff from the county emergency management agencies will transport the water to Jackson for distribution through the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
More than 25 locations throughout Forrest and Lamar counties are prepared to accept donations of unopened water bottles.
City of Hattiesburg fire stations
- Fire Station No. 1, 810 Main St.
- Fire Station No. 3, 53 Academy Drive, Suite 1
- Fire Station No. 4, 5033 Mississippi 42
- Fire Station No. 5, 922 East Hardy St.
- Fire Station No. 6, 3804 Montague Blvd.
- Fire Station No. 7, 46 Parkway Blvd.
- Fire Station No. 8, 104 Lamar Blvd.
- Fire Station No. 9, 7460 U.S. 49 North
Petal City Hall and fire stations
- City Hall, 119 West Eighth Ave.
- John E. Anderson Fire Station No. 1, 102 Fairchild Drive
- Station No. 2, 109 West Eighth Ave.
- Station No. 3, 1187 Mississippi 42
Forrest County volunteer fire departments
- North Forrest, 2315 Glendale Ave., Hattiesburg
- Dixie, 19 Dixie Barn Road, Hattiesburg
- Sunrise, 1071 Luther Carter Road, Hattiesburg
- McLaurin, 310 Carter Road, Hattiesburg
- Brooklyn, 48 Old Highway 49 West to Brooklyn Road, Brooklyn
- Macedonia, 609 Macedonia Road, Petal
- Carnes, 268 John Morris Road, Lumberton
- Rawls Springs, 512 Archie Smith Road, Hattiesburg
Lamar County volunteer fire departments
- Sumrall, 54 Pine St.
- Purvis, 805 Main St.
- Lumberton, 21 North First St.
- Oak Grove, 2536 Old Hwy 24
- Northeast Lamar Station 2, 5502 West Fourth St.
- Northeast Lamar Station 1, 753 Weathersby Road
- Central Lamar, 1 Keystone Drive
Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge. | https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2022/09/09/pine-belt-officials-work-together-to-help-jacksons-water-crisis/66073699007/ | 2022-09-09 03:07:39 | 1 | https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2022/09/09/pine-belt-officials-work-together-to-help-jacksons-water-crisis/66073699007/ |
U.S. owned competitor to TikTok, Lomotif integrates with Google Ads, launching the beta version of Lomo Ads with AdRizer and Mind Tank's programmatic ad platform.
Major brands such as Coke, Starbucks, Verizon, ATT and many more are currently serving ads inside the Lomotif platform.
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vinco Ventures, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBIG) ("Vinco Ventures," "Vinco," or the "Company"), a digital media and content technologies holding company, today announced the beta version of Lomo Ads and integration of Google Ads inside the Lomotif platform. Vinco Ventures is listed on the Russell 3000 Index.
The beta version of Lomo Ads will allow programmatic and automatic advertising within the Lomotif platform. The end goal of the beta test is to eventually allow a revenue-share on advertising with creators to help facilitate the creators economy within the app by allowing for monetization of content. This will be crucial for when Lomotif integrates with Blockchain technology in the future, allowing for full transparency on the Lomotif platform. Lomotif's current beta advertising model primarily uses display advertising and tests within native videos on the app.
"Launching ads within the Lomotif platform has been part of the long-term vision for the app since its acquisition, and is a major step towards executing our business model and accelerating the creators economy," said Paul Yang, Founder and CEO of Lomotif.
"The integration of Google Ads inside Lomotif is a key step to the growth of our business and brings enormous potential to both Lomotif and the entire Vinco Zash ecosystem. I believe this integration significantly strengthens our foundation and marks the beginning of a new chapter within the company. I'm excited to be a part of the app's evolution moving forward," said Ross Miller, CEO of Vinco Ventures.
Vinco Ventures, through ZVV, a joint venture with Zash Media, acquired Lomotif last summer. Vinco also acquired AdRizer earlier this year to complement and enhance Lomotif globally and increase monetization across platforms. A key component to Vinco's growth strategy is Lomotif in combination with AdRizer and MindTank driving creative experiences with its user interface and patented editing tools. By utilizing Lomotif's mobile or desktop platform, in the Google or Apple operating systems, the ad and marketing platforms help drive engagement and grow revenue with premium content across the Vinco and Zash ecosystem.
Lomotif has been among the fastest growing short video-sharing social networking platforms, with about 225 million app installations across around 200 countries globally. Offering easy and intuitive editing and curation tools that inspire creativity and collaboration, the Lomotif community shares authentic content that empowers creators to express themselves freely and find joy in everyday life.
AdRizer provides real-time analytics for marketing spend and revenue optimization to deliver streamlined ad-campaign creation for advertisers at scale. The platform integrates with various traffic partners including Google, MSN, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and others. Their technology platform for publishers and advertisers assists in optimizing the return on their digital ad investment.
About Vinco Ventures
Vinco Ventures (Nasdaq: BBIG) is focused on the development of digital media and content technologies. Vinco Ventures' consolidated subsidiary, ZVV Media Partners, LLC, a joint venture of Vinco Ventures and ZASH Global Media and Entertainment Corporation, has an 80% ownership interest in Lomotif Private Limited. Vinco Ventures owns a 100% ownership interest in AdRizer, LLC. For more information, please visit investors.vincoventures.com.
About Lomotif
Lomotif is a video-sharing social networking platform that is democratizing video creation. A home for creators since 2014, Lomotif hosts a grassroots social community with dedicated users in Asia, Latin America and the United States. Lomotif is 80% owned by ZVV Media Partners, LLC, a joint venture of ZASH Global Media and Entertainment Corporation and Vinco Ventures, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBIG). Download the Lomotif app from Apple and Google stores or visit www.lomotif.com for more information.
About FTSE Russell Index
FTSE Russell is a global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking, analytics, and data solutions for investors worldwide. FTSE Russell calculates thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets and asset classes in more than 70 countries, covering 98% of the investable market globally. FTSE Russell is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. For more information, visit www.ftserussell.com.
Forward-Looking Statements and Disclaimers
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, Vinco Ventures' management as well as estimates and assumptions made by Vinco Ventures' management. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. When used in this presentation the words "estimate," "expect," "intend," "believe," "plan," "anticipate," "projected," and other words or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to the applicable company or its management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of Vinco Ventures with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors relating to Vinco Ventures and its subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities including Lomotif, their industry, financial condition, operations and results of operations. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the expected risks and benefits from the proposed increase in Vinco Ventures' authorized shares as described in our proxy statement, Vinco Ventures' investments in ZVV Media Partners, LLC, Lomotif Private Limited, PZAJ Holdings, LLC and related growth initiatives and strategies such as the blended media, cross-platform distribution strategy, the expected benefits of Lomotif's participation in and sponsorship of live entertainment events, the expected benefits from acquisition of AdRizer and planned integration of the AdRizer technology with Lomotif and Honey Badger and synergies between AdRizer, Lomotif and Honey Badger, the regulatory risks with the NFT and blockchain business lines and such other risks and uncertainties described more fully in documents filed by Vinco Ventures and Cryptyde with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors discussed in Vinco Ventures' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2021 filed on April 15, 2022 which is available at www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, or planned. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
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SOURCE Vinco Ventures | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/10/18/lomotif-launches-beta-version-lomo-ads-integration-with-google-ads-largest-ad-network-world/ | 2022-10-18 15:33:43 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/10/18/lomotif-launches-beta-version-lomo-ads-integration-with-google-ads-largest-ad-network-world/ |
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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kerry Carpenter hit a three-run home run and four Detroit Tigers pitchers held the Milwaukee Brewers in check, as Detroit beat Milwaukee 4-3 on Tuesday night.
Milwaukee started the eighth inning with a leadoff double, but then Willy Adames, Rowdy Tellez and William Contreras struck out.
It was the first time this season that the Brewers have lost three straight, including a loss to the Red Sox on Sunday.
Before beating the Brewers 4-2 on Monday, the Tigers had lost four straight, scoring a total of five runs.
Detroit scored all its runs in the second inning. Three batters fouled off a total of nine pitches from left-handed starter Eric Lauer (3-2) before the homer by Carpenter, who had been 0-for-12.
“I'm confident against lefties, too, so I was ready for it,” Carpenter said. He was the only left-handed batter in the Tigers lineup.
Detroit added the decisive run with two outs. Eric Haase kept the inning alive with a ground ball single that third baseman Owen Miller put a glove on but couldn’t scoop. That allowed Spencer Torkelson to bat. He singled in Javier Báez, who had doubled.
Detroit entered Tuesday with the fewest runs and the lowest batting average in the majors.
It was the shortest of Lauer’s five starts this season. He threw 85 pitches over three innings. Lauer had won his previous two starts, allowing three runs in 13 2/3 innings.
Lauer said a fingernail on his throwing hand partially split in the second inning. “I don't think it was affecting me,” he said.
Detroit starter Spencer Turnbull gave up two runs in four innings.
Left-hander Tyler Alexander replaced Turnbull. He was chased when Tellez led off the sixth inning with his eighth home run, which made the game 4-3.
In the eighth, Luke Voit hit the leadoff double, off Mason Englert (1-1). But Englert struck out Adames and Tellez before being lifted for Jason Foley. Foley struck out Contreras, then retired Milwaukee in order in the ninth to earn his second save.
“The guys came in and pitched their butts off,” Turnbull said of the relievers.
Three Milwaukee relievers pitched scoreless innings Elvis Peguero (three), Joel Payamps (two) and Peter Strzelecki (one).
“The bullpen gave us a chance, but we just weren't able to get a run,” Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said.
Matt Vierling had three singles for Detroit. Torkelson, Baez and Miguel Cabrera each had two hits.
HITTING AND STRIKING OUT
Tigers 1B/DH Cabrera, who’s in his 21st and final season, “is going to go down as one of the purest right-handed hitters to ever play baseball,” Counsell said. In the third inning, Cabrera hit a 90 mph Lauer fastball for a 384-foot single off the wall in right-centerfield. In the sixth, the 40-year-old legged out an infield single.
Tigers OF Riley Greene entered Tuesday leading AL hitters in strikeouts (33). “He likes to swing, he’s missing some balls in the zone that he normally hits,” manager A.J. Finch said. “He’s a young kid, though. He’s got to ride this wave of not being perfect and not being at his best all the time.” Greene entered the game in the eighth inning and grounded out in the ninth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Brewers: OF Garrett Mitchell, whose season is in jeopardy, will have surgery (left shoulder) next week. … OF Tyrone Taylor (right elbow sprain) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville. … OF prospect Sal Frelick underwent surgery (left thumb). He’s expected to return in six to eight weeks. He had been playing for Triple-A Nashville.
UP NEXT
The three-game series ends Wednesday afternoon. Tigers RHP Michael Lorenzen (0-0, 6.00 ERA) faces Brewers RHP Freddy Peralta (2-2, 3.97 ERA).
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/carpenter-homers-brewers-hold-tigers-in-check-17918825.php | 2023-04-26 03:36:12 | 0 | https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/carpenter-homers-brewers-hold-tigers-in-check-17918825.php |
New York’s attorney general sued former President Donald Trump and his company on Wednesday, alleging business fraud involving some of their most prized assets, including properties in Manhattan, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit, filed in state court in New York, is the culmination of the Democrat’s three-year civil investigation of Trump and the Trump Organization. Trump’s three eldest children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump, were also named as defendants, along with two longtime company executives, Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney.
The lawsuit seeks to strike at the core of what made Trump famous, taking a blacklight to the image of wealth and opulence he’s embraced throughout his career — first as a real estate developer, then as a reality TV host on “The Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice,” and later as president.
James, a Democrat, was to announce details of the lawsuit at a news conference on Wednesday. The case showed up on a court docket Wednesday morning.
James’ office has spent more than three years investigating fraudulent or misleading valuations for its properties on annual financial statements that were given to potential business partners, banks or tax officials.
The goal, the attorney general’s office has said, was to burnish Trump’s billionaire image and the value of his properties when doing so gave him an advantage, while playing down the value of assets at other times for tax purposes.
“Today’s filing is neither focused on the facts nor the law — rather, it is solely focused on advancing the Attorney General’s political agenda. It is abundantly clear that the Attorney General’s Office has exceeded its statutory authority by prying into transactions where absolutely no wrongdoing has taken place. We are confident that our judicial system will not stand for this unchecked abuse of authority, and we look forward to defending our client against each and every one of the Attorney General’s meritless claims,” said Alina Habba, an attorney for Trump.
This is a developing story and will be updated. | https://www.al.com/news/2022/09/new-york-ag-letitia-james-sues-donald-trump-family-for-alleged-business-fraud.html | 2022-09-21 17:03:31 | 0 | https://www.al.com/news/2022/09/new-york-ag-letitia-james-sues-donald-trump-family-for-alleged-business-fraud.html |
RICHMOND — Democratic lawmakers plan to meet with Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) Wednesday morning to press him to change — or at least clarify — a policy for restoring the voting rights of people convicted of felonies, which has led to far fewer restorations than the practices of his recent predecessors in the Executive Mansion.
But Youngkin defended his stance Tuesday, saying it conforms to the state constitution and restores a rigor to the process that other governors ignored.
“Tomorrow morning we get a chance to listen to one another and exchange views,” Youngkin told reporters after an unrelated public event in Petersburg. He added that the state constitution is “very clear that what I have to do is give every formerly incarcerated Virginian an individual review. And that’s what we’re committed to do.”
A host of Democratic lawmakers held a rally Tuesday on Capitol Square to call for a more open process and one that allows more people with felony records to regain their civil rights. Virginia and Kentucky are the only states that permanently ban people convicted of felonies from voting, though Virginia allows a governor to restore rights on an individual basis.
The policy dates to the constitution that Virginia adopted in 1902 with the stated purpose of disenfranchising Black men, who had won the right to vote during Reconstruction after the Civil War. Gaylene Kanoyton, regional vice president of the Virginia NAACP, said the felony disenfranchisement law disproportionately affects Black people, who are overrepresented in the prison population.
One in 5 Black Virginians is permanently disenfranchised, Kanoyton said. And while about a fifth of Virginia’s population is Black, more than half of those who have been permanently disenfranchised are Black, she said.
This month, the Washington-based Fair Elections Center filed suit against Youngkin, seeking to change the practice.
On Tuesday, Del. Don L. Scott Jr. (D-Portsmouth), the minority leader of the House of Delegates, invoked segregationist and Reconstruction-era state Sen. Carter Glass, who promised that the purpose of the 1902 constitution was “to remove every negro voter who can be gotten rid of, legally, without materially impairing the numerical strength of the white electorate.”
“The progeny of … Carter Glass sits up there in the governor’s mansion,” Scott said at the rally, calling for Virginians to vote on a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to someone who finishes their felony sentence.
Such an amendment would “fix this problem so the governor doesn’t have that ultimate power,” said Scott, who was convicted of a federal drug-related felony in the 1990s and had his rights restored by then-Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R).
McDonnell began loosening the policy in 2013, saying he believed in redemption and second chances, restoring rights to thousands. His successor, Terry McAuliffe (D), tried to restore the rights of tens of thousands of felons en masse before the state Republican Party took him to court to stop him. The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that rights could be restored only on an individual basis. So, McAuliffe signed off on about 173,000 cases, one by one.
Ralph Northam (D) scrapped the requirement that those convicted of a felony complete parole before winning their rights back. He restored rights to more than 126,000 people before leaving office.
Northam’s protocol automatically submitted former felons for consideration. With that policy in place, Youngkin restored voting rights to about 3,500 people in the first months after he took office in 2022, according to a mandatory report his administration filed with the state Senate in February.
But the same report shows that from May to October, the number of people whose rights were restored had dwindled to around 800, suggesting that Youngkin had changed the policy.
State Sen. Lionel Spruill Sr. (D-Chesapeake), chairman of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, wrote to the administration in March to ask why the numbers had taken such a sharp drop. Youngkin’s office said that the governor now requires those convicted of felonies to apply to get their rights back and go through a process involving extensive review.
But Spruill said Tuesday that Youngkin has never made clear any criteria for how to qualify.
“The governor has given me an audience tomorrow morning,” Spruill said, adding he will bring other Democratic leaders to press for answers. The General Assembly convenes later that day to take up vetoes and other proposals from the governor.
Sen. Mamie E. Locke (D-Hampton), who has worked for many years to get voters to consider changing the state constitution, said at the rally that she will not rest until Youngkin’s policy is changed.
“Voting is a sacred right — not a privilege, as the governor would have you believe,” she said. “Let the voters decide. Why are we afraid of our voters?” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/04/11/virginia-youngkin-felon-voting-rights/ | 2023-04-11 23:16:05 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/04/11/virginia-youngkin-felon-voting-rights/ |
(The Hill) — A gun control group on Thursday sent a mile-long convoy of 52 buses to the home of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and filled the empty seats of the lead bus with the personal memorabilia of children who have died during school shootings.
The organization, Change the Ref, said the fleet of buses — part of a movement called The Yellow Bus Project —traveled to Cruz’s home in Houston, where founders Manuel and Patricia Oliver left a hand-written letter for the GOP senator, who was not home.
The letter was written by the Oliver’s late son, Joaquin, who was among the 17 students who died in the 2018 high school shooting in Parkland, Fla. Joaquin Oliver wrote the letter to Cruz when he was 12 years old, urging the senator to support universal background checks.
On Wednesday, the bus convoy assembled to park in the shape of an assault rifle in Houston before the fleet traveled to Cruz’s home on Thursday morning.
Manuel Oliver said the empty seats on the 52 buses represented the 4,368 children who have died from gun violence since 2020, becoming the leading cause of death for children in the U.S.
Oliver said Cruz is the leading recipient of donations from gun lobbyists, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), in Texas. According to the money-tracking organization Open Secrets, Cruz has collected $749,000 from gun rights groups over the course of his career.
“To commemorate this horrific historic moment, we are showing American voters the toll these politicians have taken on our children’s lives with this all-too-real archive,” Manuel Oliver said in a statement. “And this is only the beginning. We will not stop with Sen. Ted Cruz. To every politician who has stood by, taken NRA money, and refused to listen to the people they represent: the museum is on the way to honor you next.”
The mile-long bus convoy is called the NRA Children’s Museum.
Texas is still recovering from a deadly mass shooting in May, when a gunman opened fire inside an elementary school in Uvalde and killed 19 children and two adults.
Days after the shooting, Cruz attended an NRA convention and blamed video games, social media bullying and poor church attendance for the rise in gun violence.
Congress recently passed into law bipartisan legislation on gun control that extended background checks for adults under 21 and poured billions into mental health services and school safety. Cruz was among the 33 Senate Republicans who voted against the law.
Change the Ref, which Manuel and Patricia Oliver formed after they lost their son in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, is pushing for Congress to pass a law mandating universal background checks to cover unlicensed dealers and other loopholes.
Patricia Oliver said she wants “voters to remember which politicians are in the pocket of the NRA when they visit the polls in November.”
“We urge everyone to join us in our mission to fight for every innocent soul lost to gun violence and to demand universal background checks on gun sales,” she said in a statement. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/gun-control-group-sends-mile-long-bus-procession-to-ted-cruzs-home/ | 2022-07-14 23:54:17 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/gun-control-group-sends-mile-long-bus-procession-to-ted-cruzs-home/ |
DigiCert integrates ReversingLabs technology into DigiCert® Software Trust Manager to create tamper-proof software delivery
LEHI, Utah, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiCert, a leading global provider of digital trust, today announced a partnership with ReversingLabs, a leader in software supply chain security, to enhance software security by combining advanced binary analysis and threat detection from ReversingLabs with DigiCert's enterprise-grade secure code signing solution. DigiCert customers will benefit from improved software integrity through deep analysis that shows their software is free from known threats like malware, software implants, software tampering and exposed secrets before they securely sign it.
"DigiCert's partnership with ReversingLabs advances supply chain security through threat detection and secrets protection delivered by automated workflows that seamlessly operate within DevOps environments and CI/CD pipelines," said Deepika Chauhan, Chief Product Officer at DigiCert. "This newly combined solution protects against software-based vulnerabilities and attacks, helping organizations ensure digital trust and build confidence with their customers."
"ReversingLabs is excited to partner with DigiCert to help solve software supply chain security issues at all stages of the software development and deployment process," said Mario Vuksan, CEO and Co-founder at ReversingLabs. "Every DigiCert customer needs to think about the integrity of the software they build, buy or run. Our work together will strengthen the ecosystem and provide organizations with the necessary tools to ensure the trustworthiness of their software."
"Organizations must take proactive efforts to secure their software supply chain to withstand the continuing and evolving threats of cyberattacks," said Katie Norton, Senior Research Analyst for IDC's DevOps & DevSecOps research practices. "Digital trust strategies that centralize, standardize and unify software security practices play a key role in improving resiliency and user trust."
Weaknesses in the software supply chain have been exploited in recent years, resulting in tampering, malware insertion and other threats to critical business software. A recent ReversingLabs survey found that nearly 90 percent of technology professionals detected significant risks in their software supply chain in the last year. More than 70 percent said that current application security solutions are not providing necessary protections.
Powered by ReversingLabs, threat detection within DigiCert Software Trust Manager secures the software supply chain through advanced, comprehensive detection of threats such as malware, software tampering, inclusion of secrets and certificate misconfigurations in open-source software, proprietary software, containers and release packages.
Software Trust Manager provides a single workflow that is centrally controlled across the organization. The solution also generates a comprehensive software bill of materials (SBOM) covering internally developed and third-party software, such as open-source and commercially licensed software. As attacks on the software supply chain increase, threat detection and SBOM generation are becoming increasingly important and the focus of government and industry regulations.
To learn more, visit https://www.digicert.com/software-trust-manager, or read our blog about how Software Trust Manager protects the software supply chain. Also, register for a June 13 webinar on digital trust in software supply chains and AI models.
About DigiCert, Inc.
DigiCert is a leading global provider of digital trust, enabling individuals and businesses to engage online with the confidence that their footprint in the digital world is secure. DigiCert® ONE, the platform for digital trust, provides organizations with centralized visibility and control over a broad range of public and private trust needs, securing websites, enterprise access and communication, software, identity, content and devices. DigiCert pairs its award-winning software with its industry leadership in standards, support and operations, and is the digital trust provider of choice for leading companies around the world. For more information, visit www.digicert.com or follow @digicert.
About ReversingLabs
ReversingLabs protects the modern enterprise from sophisticated software supply chain security attacks, malware, ransomware, and other threats.
The ReversingLabs Software Supply Chain Security Platform analyzes any file, binary, or software package, including those that evade traditional security solutions. The hybrid-cloud, privacy centric platform democratizes insights across the enterprise, enabling development teams to securely release applications; third-party risk teams to safely procure software; and security operations teams to monitor, isolate and quickly respond to threats.
ReversingLabs data is used by more than 65 of the world's most advanced security vendors and their tens of thousands of security professionals. ReversingLabs enterprise customers span all industries, leveraging integrations with popular DevSecOps and SOC platforms that enable teams to access the analysis they need to make quick security verdicts, eliminate threats, and release software with confidence.
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SOURCE DigiCert, Inc. | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/06/06/digicert-partners-with-reversinglabs-advance-software-supply-chain-security/ | 2023-06-06 13:15:02 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/06/06/digicert-partners-with-reversinglabs-advance-software-supply-chain-security/ |
The season 15 episode 4 premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race will air on MTV Friday, Jan. 20 at 8/7c.
This week, Ru serves up a double helping of the celebrity impersonation game show, with the queens playing in two rounds, with two different casts of characters.
Amandla Stenberg, author of “The Hate U Give” will serve as this week’s guest judge.
While previous seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race can be streamed with Paramount+, those who want to watch tonight’s premiere and keep up with current episodes can stream the show live with Philo or FuboTV.
If you’re not sure which streaming service to go with for the season premiere, we can break it down for you.
What is Philo and FuboTV?
Philo is one of the cheaper live-streaming services available charging its users only $25 a month with over 60 channels to choose from live and on-demand.
Popular channels offered with Philo include Hallmark, Lifetime, AMC, HGTV, MTV, VH1, the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, CMT, BET and more.
Meanwhile, FuboTV is one of the better alternatives to regular cable.
It’s a sports-focused streaming service with over 100 other channels to choose from that include shows like Saturday Night Live, Yellowstone, The Voice and more for $69.99 a month.
Both streaming services offer free trials for first time users so you can watch RuPaul’s Drag Race for free before committing to anything.
More about RuPaul’s Drag Race
RuPaul’s Drag Race is a reality show in which a group of talented drag queens compete in challenges to impress host RuPaul Charles, the world’s most famous drag queen, to win a cash prize along with a crown and the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar.
Each episode consists of a main challenge, usually some form of performance, fashion design or both. The queens then participate in a themed runway show, where one is declared the winner of that week, while two others are announced to be up for elimination. | https://www.al.com/life/2023/01/rupauls-drag-race-season-15-episode-4-how-to-watch-and-where-to-stream.html | 2023-01-20 14:20:04 | 1 | https://www.al.com/life/2023/01/rupauls-drag-race-season-15-episode-4-how-to-watch-and-where-to-stream.html |
US applications for jobless benefits lowest in 15 weeks
By MATT OTT
AP Business Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to their lowest level in 15 weeks as the job market continues to show resiliency in the face of the Federal Reserve’s attempts to cool the economy. The number of Americans applying for jobless aid for the week ending Jan. 7 fell by 1,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday. The four-week moving average of claims, which softens some of the week-to-week volatility, fell by 1,750 to 212,500. Jobless claims are generally viewed as a proxy for layoffs. About 1.63 million people were receiving jobless aid the week that ended Dec. 31. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2023/01/12/us-applications-for-jobless-benefits-lowest-in-15-weeks/ | 2023-01-12 14:49:20 | 1 | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2023/01/12/us-applications-for-jobless-benefits-lowest-in-15-weeks/ |
LONDON (AP) — A Romanian man who was part of an international human smuggling ring was sentenced Tuesday to more than 12 years in prison for the deaths of 39 migrants from Vietnam who suffocated in a truck trailer on their way to England in 2019.
Marius Mihai Draghici was the ringleader’s right-hand man and an “essential cog” in an operation that made huge profits exploiting people desperate to get to the U.K., Justice Neil Garnham said in the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey.
Victims, who paid about 13,000 pounds ($16,770) for so-called VIP service, died after trying in vain to punch a hole in the container with a metal pole as the temperature inside exceeded 100 degrees F (38.5 C). Their desperation as they struggled to breathe was captured in messages they tried to send loved ones and and recordings that showed “a growing recognition they were going to die there,” Garnham said.
There was no escape and no one could hear their cries, prosecutors said.
Their final hours “must have entailed unimaginable suffering and anguish,” prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones said Tuesday.
A young mother wrote a message to loved ones that was never sent: “Maybe going to die in the container. Cannot breathe any more.”
The 28 men, eight women and three children ranged in age from 15 to 44 and about half hailed from Nghe An province in north-central Vietnam. The victims included a bricklayer, a restaurant worker, a manicure technician, an aspiring beautician and a college graduate.
A married couple, Tran Hai Loc and Nguyen Thi Van, were found lying side by side Oct. 23, 2019, in the container that had been shipped by ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Purfleet, England.
Draghici, 50, pleaded guilty last month to 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
He’s the fifth person to be sentenced in the case in the U.K. Four other gang members were imprisoned in 2021 for terms ranging from 13 to 27 years for manslaughter. The stiffest sentence went to ringleader Gheorghe Nica, 46.
Another 18 people were convicted in Belgium, where the Vietnamese ringleader was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Others got one- to 10-year prison terms.
Draghici was “shocked and horrified with what occurred,” defense lawyer Gillian Jones said in court.
But he, like the others involved in the conspiracy, had “immediately abandoned the plan and melted away in the night,” after another man opened the truck container and discovered the dead bodies, Emlyn Jones said.
Draghici and Nica both fled to Romania, where Draghici was later arrested.
Family members of the victims who had gone into debt to fund the travel said they were crushed by the loss.
The parents of Nguyen Huy Hung, 15, who was on his way to live with his parents in the U.K. and wanted to be a hairdresser, learned of the tragedy on social media.
“We did not believe it was the truth until we saw his body with our own eyes,” his father said. “We felt numb and that feeling lasted for many weeks later.” | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-smuggler-sentenced-to-prison-for-deaths-of-39-vietnamese-migrants-who-suffocated-in-truck-in-uk/ | 2023-07-12 17:19:54 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/ap-smuggler-sentenced-to-prison-for-deaths-of-39-vietnamese-migrants-who-suffocated-in-truck-in-uk/ |
OAKLAND, Calif. — The thing about a nearly empty stadium is that it can still be loud in different ways.
Instead of a lingering din that drowns out the individual voices, it turns words into a cacophony.
So on Wednesday night at the Oakland Coliseum with a crowd of less than 1,000 people dispersed around the decaying concrete structure, the displeasure of the Mariners fans, the majority in the minimal crowd, could be heard quite clearly in the stadium and on the broadcast
Complaints aimed at left fielder Jesse Winker and manager Scott Servais echoed — most not fit for print in a newspaper or bathroom stall.
Angry boos of frustration could be heard.
And, well, they were basically deserved as the Mariners were defeated for the second straight night by one of the worst teams — by record and talent — in baseball.
Another lackluster performance at the plate, a rare run allowed from the two best setup relievers and a familiar mistake resulted in an embarrassing 2-1 loss.
With the loss, the Mariners dropped to 81-67 on the season. They’ve dropped five of six on this road trip and have showed only hints of the team that had played its way into the second wild-card spot.
After getting six scoreless innings from starter Robbie Ray while providing him with nothing resembling run support, Servais called on setup man Erik Swanson to keep the A’s scoreless.
Swanson issued four-pitch walk to the first batter, Jordan Diaz, which wasn’t typical of his outings this season.
Pinch-hitter Vimael Machin then ripped a line drive into the left field corner. Left fielder Jesse Winker ambled over to the ball to try and keep Diaz from scoring. Instead, the ball bounced off the wall and then of the heel of his glove and between his legs. Seeing that Diaz, started racing for home. Winker then picked up the ball and fired it past both infielders standing in the outfield grass, serving as potential cutoff men.
Two mistakes, one error and a run for the A’s. This isn’t the first time that Winker’s subpar defense has led to runs. But it will be the last time we see him in left field? By most metrics and observations, he’s one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball.
With Jarred Kelenic called up, the Mariners might finally make a change that they’ve intended but couldn’t due various injuries and lineup issues.
After Swanson allowed a bloop single to Christian Pache, putting runners on first and third, Servais called on Andres Munoz to limit the damage to one run in the inning.
Munoz struck out Nick Allen for the first out of the inning, but surrendered a single to veteran Tony Kemp that scored Machin.
Over his six scoreless innings, Ray allowed just three hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. His sixth strikeout of the game gave him 200 on the season. He is the seventh Mariners pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts in a season.
The Mariners offense consisted of Luis Torrens pinch hit homer in the eighth inning. Otherwise, they mustered a couple of his and never threatened to score against starter James Kaprielian, who tossed seven shutout innings. | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-again-struggle-to-score-and-lose-to-as-on-consecutive-nights/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2022-09-22 05:03:01 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-again-struggle-to-score-and-lose-to-as-on-consecutive-nights/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
Freddie Coss of Albuquerque, with Service Electric, wires light switches at a former Motel 6 on Cerrillos Road on Friday. Mountain Classic Real Estate is renovating the building into studio apartments.
Felipe Quezada of Albuquerque, with Service Electric, walks the hallway Friday on his way to his work area at a former Motel 6 on Cerrillos Road. Mountain Classic Real Estate is renovating the building into studio apartments.
Freddie Coss of Albuquerque, with Service Electric, wires light switches at a former Motel 6 on Cerrillos Road on Friday. Mountain Classic Real Estate is renovating the building into studio apartments.
Felipe Quezada of Albuquerque, with Service Electric, walks the hallway Friday on his way to his work area at a former Motel 6 on Cerrillos Road. Mountain Classic Real Estate is renovating the building into studio apartments.
Work started in January to turn the former Motel 6 at 3470 Cerrillos Road into studio apartments with “attainable” rents of about $950 per month.
Mountain Classic Real Estate in Salt Lake City in May acquired the Motel 6 and nearby Quality Inn, 3011 Cerrillos Road, with intentions to convert both into studio apartments.
A building permit was issued Jan. 20 for the Motel 6 and a building permit is anticipated for the former Quality Inn in about two months, said Brandon Smith, Mountain Classic’s director of acquisitions.
Mountain Classic, once dedicated to renovating historic Utah buildings, now is focusing entirely on motel/hotel projects, Smith said.
The developer now has 22 hotel/motel conversions active in Houston; San Antonio, Texas; Denver; Seattle; Nashville, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.; Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati; and Murray, Utah. Murray, just south of Salt Lake City, was the first completed; four in Houston and one in San Antonio are also complete.
Smith expects the 80-room Motel 6 to be ready as the rebranded Oslo Santa Fe in about September or October, with pre-leasing starting in about five months.
Mountain Classic describes the predicted $950 rent for 300 to 350 square feet rent as “attainable” because no government affordable housing programs and subsidies are involved and there are no income restrictions on tenants.
“Our ideal is to provide an affordable unit,” Smith said. “We’re affordable but not part of government affordable programs.”
A person paying $950 in monthly rent would have to earn $38,000, or $18.62 an hour, to pay only 30 percent of their income on rent, the long-standing definition of affordable housing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, though some see the 30 percent marker as outdated and too high.
Units at the former Motel 6 will get granite countertops and luxury vinyl plank flooring. Each unit will have a washer and dryer as well as a kitchen with induction cooktop, full-size refrigerator and convection microwave, he said.
Mountain Classic will install new water and power lines, upgrade the sewer system and redo the power distribution in each room, Smith said.
Apartments will be mostly unfurnished, but 30% of the units will have the option to be furnished.
The 38,216-square-foot structure was built in 1994 as a Holiday Inn Express and later became an Econo Lodge before becoming a Motel 6 in 2012.
Jaynes Corp. in Albuquerque is the general contractor and JZW Architects of Salt Lake City is the architect.
The Quality Inn has been rebranded as Hotel Inn Santa Fe and is still operating as a hotel, though renovations could start in a few months on the 102-room property.
“It’s doing pretty well for us,” Smith said.
Smith said Mountain Classic intends to maintain ownership of the Santa Fe properties.
Mountain Classic, established in 2000, has done several historic renovations of older Salt Lake City towers, including the Felt Building, the Clift Building and the Jude Building as well as Amanda Knight Hall at Brigham Young University in Provo. | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/business/transformation-begins-to-turn-former-motel-6-into-attainable-apartments/article_b695d3a8-a7ff-11ed-ba64-6bea5bf1f547.html | 2023-02-13 23:37:45 | 0 | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/business/transformation-begins-to-turn-former-motel-6-into-attainable-apartments/article_b695d3a8-a7ff-11ed-ba64-6bea5bf1f547.html |
(The Hill) – Millions of student loan borrowers find themselves on tenterhooks, waiting to see if they will actually get the relief proposed by President Biden as challenges to his debt forgiveness plan work their way through the courts.
The Biden administration opened up student loan forgiveness applications last month and was planning to start applying the relief this month, but those actions came to a halt after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit temporarily blocked the measure.
Of the multiple court cases across the country, a challenge from six GOP-led states is the only one that has been successful so far in stopping the program, at least for now.
The administration is planning to forgive up to $10,000 in federal student loans for borrowers making less than $125,000 annually and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. But the 8th Circuit issued an order two weeks ago to prevent relief from being distributed while it considers arguments over whether the states have standing to sue over the plan.
A federal district judge previously ruled that the six Republican attorneys general who sued do not have standing because they could not demonstrate that Biden’s program directly harmed their states.
The 8th Circuit ended up pausing the relief program to give time for both parties to submit their briefings before making a full ruling on if the forgiveness should be paused until the whole case is settled.
Abby Shafroth, director of National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project, told The Hill borrowers will “have a decision” from the 8th Circuit soon since those briefings have been submitted.
Legal experts said the court’s determination on whether the states have standing could be key to whether the administration will be allowed to provide relief in the next couple weeks or months from now, if at all.
Michael Sant’Ambrogio, a law professor and senior associate dean for faculty and academic affairs at Michigan State University, said a ruling on the states’ motion for a preliminary injunction should happen soon, but litigation is “rarely quick” if the full case goes to trial.
“If they grant the preliminary injunction, I would say all bets are off,” he said.
Biden said in an interview with Nexstar’s Reshad Hudson last week that he expected relief to be disbursed within two weeks, but experts said that is only possible if the injunction is denied.
Sant’Ambrogio said the Supreme Court has increasingly cut back on the power of the executive branch to take action without clear direction from Congress, and the states’ challenge could succeed based on the argument that Congress never expressly approved broad forgiveness.
“This is a very bold move by the administration, and there are certainly some questions given how the Supreme Court has been interpreting the power of the executive and federal agencies,” Sant’Ambrogio said.
While Shafroth acknowledged court cases can go on for a long time, she doesn’t expect the challenges against student debt relief to last for too long or for the courts to halt the program while they decide.
She said it is “unusual for courts to order a party to do or not do something before they’ve decided a case.”
“Normally, a judge would have to find the government was breaking the law before ordering them to stop,” Shafroth said.
The six states that sued –– Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina –– pointed to multiple failed congressional attempts to cancel debt in recent years in their complaint as evidence of a lack of congressional authorization for the administration’s action.
If the appeals court decides the states have standing and grants the preliminary injunction, their briefs on the merits of the case would not be due until mid-December. The government would then have 30 days to respond, and the states would have 21 additional days to respond to that rebuttal, which would almost certainly cause the case to go into next year.
A COVID-19 pandemic-era pause on borrowers making payments on their loans is set to end on Dec. 31, but the Biden administration could seek to extend it again. The administration had been urging borrowers to request relief by mid-November to ensure they receive it in time for the pause to end.
“It’s hard for me to imagine this being wrapped up in less than at least a month. It could potentially be two or three months before the injunction is finally lifted,” said Thomas Bennett, an associate professor of law at the University of Missouri. “And of course, if appeals courts agreed with the states that they have standing, then it could be much longer.”
He said either side could appeal an eventual 8th Circuit ruling to the Supreme Court on an expedited basis, adding that the high court may be more likely to take it if the federal government loses at the appeals court level.
He said the Supreme Court may also be more likely to take up cases that challenge the program if multiple appeals courts issue different rulings on the constitutionality of the program.
Shafroth pointed out the Supreme Court has already rejected getting involved in one case regarding the debt relief program, Brown County Taxpayers Association v. Biden, and she didn’t expect them to get involved in Garrison v. Department of Education — a prediction that proved correct on Friday when Justice Amy Coney Barrett denied an emergency effort to block the forgiveness program in the Garrison case.
“It remains to be seen if any of the other cases will go up to the Supreme Court,” Shafroth said.
Bennett, in response to Biden’s prediction, said, “It’s not likely that there would be any actual loan forgiveness in the next two weeks.”
“But in the next four weeks, in the next six weeks, I think it just becomes increasingly plausible if they’re able to win,” he added, referring to the administration.
Although Shafroth said it is hard to put an exact timeline on when this could get solved in the courts, she said she does not expect a long timeframe for decisions.
“The parties are very clearly, on both sides, interested in resolving these cases quickly so they’re agreeing to fast briefing schedules. The courts are also recognizing the high importance of these cases and resolving them quickly,” she said.
“I think, hopefully, we should have everything resolved fairly soon,” Shafroth said. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/when-could-student-loan-borrowers-know-if-theyre-actually-getting-relief/ | 2022-11-06 20:35:45 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/when-could-student-loan-borrowers-know-if-theyre-actually-getting-relief/ |
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Several chains and locally based eateries are planning new locations in Lincoln, including one chain that's based in Taiwan. | https://journalstar.com/duchess/article_16301a5d-ceb8-55d6-8fe9-cd5c41bb6985.html | 2023-03-25 11:02:30 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/duchess/article_16301a5d-ceb8-55d6-8fe9-cd5c41bb6985.html |
Initiative to provide mental health services and leadership development opportunities within the Black community
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chopra Foundation today announced The Soul of Leadership, an initiative focusing on mental well-being and leadership development within the Black community. In partnership with Robert F. Smith and in collaboration with the NeverAlone movement, this initiative will focus on providing mental health services, leadership development courses targeted towards Black youth, and content to support Black entrepreneurs.
Adapted from Dr. Deepak Chopra's book and curriculum for industry-leading CEOs and executives, The Soul of Leadership and NeverAlone initiatives will offer free programming for Black youth, developing them into future leaders and equipping them with the resiliency and skillset to unlock their fullest potential and thrive in the face of uncertainty.
"I am privileged to work with Robert Smith on this much-needed initiative for the empowerment of our future leaders, particularly from the Black American community," said Dr. Deepak Chopra, founder of The Chopra Foundation. "As our nation focuses greater attention on the current mental health epidemic, we must deploy our resources in an equitable manner to ensure that everyone is able to receive the help they need."
"In order to build the leaders of tomorrow, first we must set a solid foundation where young people can fully thrive," added Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. "Addressing mental health is a critical component of this leadership development. By arming Black youth with tools to understand their mental and emotional needs, we are setting them on the path to success and creating empathetic leaders of the future that have a greater capacity for understanding and navigating the world around them."
Starting in early 2023, The Soul of Leadership's online portal will offer a free virtual catalog of leadership development courses. This initiative will also provide free mental health resources to address the stigma surrounding and disparities in mental health treatment in the Black community, where it is estimated that only about 1 in 3 Black Americans who need mental health services receive them.
About NeverAlone
The NeverAlone initiative is a movement to serve the global community, delivering secure access to scientific research, the work of mental health and wellness experts, and pragmatic tools and practices that can be used by anyone, anywhere, every day. The campaign brings much needed awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. On average, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds (World Health Organization) somewhere in the world, and it is the 2nd leading cause of death for teens and our youth.
Dr. Deepak Chopra intends to reach more than 1 billion people all around the world and spread a pandemic of joy by creating a more peaceful, just, sustainable, and healthy world.
About The Chopra Foundation
The Chopra Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization (#36-4793898) dedicated to improving health and well-being, cultivating spiritual knowledge, expanding consciousness, and promoting world peace to all members of the human family.
The mission of the Chopra Foundation is to advance the cause of mind/body spiritual healing, education, and research through fundraising for selected projects.
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SOURCE The Chopra Foundation | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2023/01/26/chopra-foundation-philanthropist-robert-f-smith-launch-soul-leadership-initiative/ | 2023-01-26 17:17:47 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2023/01/26/chopra-foundation-philanthropist-robert-f-smith-launch-soul-leadership-initiative/ |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — So let’s say the All-Star Game is tied 3-all after nine innings. Then it goes to that new Home Run Derby tiebreaker, where National League boppers Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Kyle Schwarber outslug the AL trio.
What’s the final score?
After a couple of ideas were considered, Major League Baseball made its decision hours before Tuesday’s game at Dodger Stadium: Officially, it would be 3-3, with a notation the NL won in a home run swing-off.
There had been discussion about adding a run to the winner’s score. But MLB consulted with the Elias Sports Bureau and followed the recommendation of the sport’s record keepers.
That’d make the final tally like the results in a soccer match decided by penalty kicks, more than a college football game where the scores keep escalating in multiple overtimes.
This is the first year that the All-Star Game would go to a Home Run Derby instead of extra innings if tied after the ninth.
Each squad would send up three players for three swings each — already chosen were Alonso, Acuña and Schwarber for the NL and Julio Rodríguez, Ty France and Kyle Tucker for the AL.
Rodríguez, selected as a reserve outfielder, could get into the game in the middle innings. Suppose the 21-year-old Seattle rookie went 0 for 2, but then hit three homers in the derby and led the AL to a win — could he get the Most Valuable Player award, based on that performance?
No. The MVP will be based on the nine-inning game and, with coaches doing the tossing in the derby, no winning or losing pitcher.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.ksn.com/sports/ap-sports/if-all-star-game-decided-by-hr-derby-final-score-stays-same/ | 2022-07-19 23:28:40 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/sports/ap-sports/if-all-star-game-decided-by-hr-derby-final-score-stays-same/ |
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Four key suspects in the killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse were transferred to the United States for prosecution as the case stagnates in Haiti amid death threats that have spooked local judges, U.S. officials announced Tuesday.
The suspects now in custody of the U.S. government include James Solages, 37, and Joseph Vincent, 57, two Haitian-Americans who were among the first arrested after Moïse was shot 12 times at his private home near the capital of Port-au-Prince on July, 7 2021.
Also charged is Christian Emmanuel Sanon, an elderly pastor, doctor and failed businessman that authorities have identified as a key player. His associates have suggested he was duped by the real — and still unidentified — masterminds behind the assassination that has plunged Haiti deep into political chaos and unleashed a level of gang violence not seen in decades.
The fourth suspect was identified as Colombian citizen Germán Rivera García, 44, who is among nearly two dozen former Colombian soldiers charged in the case.
Rivera, along with Solages and Vincent, face charges including conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the U.S. and providing material support and resources resulting in death, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Sanon is charged with conspiring to smuggle goods from the U.S. and providing unlawful export information. Court documents state that he allegedly shipped 20 ballistic vests to Haiti, but that the items shipped were described as “medical X-ray vests and school supplies.”
It was not immediately known if the four suspects had attorneys who could comment on the development. The men are scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday in Miami.
A total of seven suspects in the case are now in U.S. custody. Dozens of others still languish in Haiti’s main penitentiary, which is severely overcrowded and often lacks food and water for inmates.
The case has reached a virtual standstill in Haiti, with local officials last year nominating a fifth judge to investigate the killing after four others were dismissed or resigned for personal reasons.
One judge told The Associated Press that his family asked him not to take the case because they feared for his life. Another judge stepped down after one of his assistants died under murky circumstances.
Court documents state that exactly two months before Moïse was killed, Vincent texted Solages a video of a cat “reacting alertly” to the sound of gunfire and that Solages laughed, prompting Vincent to respond: “That’s the way Jovenel will be pretty much, but (sooner) if you guys really up to it!”
The document states that Solages responded that “(this) cat will never come back,” and “trust me brother, we definitely working our final decision.”
Then in June, some 20 former Colombian soldiers were recruited to supposedly help arrest the president and protect Sanon, who envisioned himself as Haiti’s new leader. Rivera was in charge of that group, the documents state.
The plan was to detain Moïse and whisk him to an unidentified location by plane, but that plot fell through when the suspects couldn’t find a plane or sufficient weapons, authorities said.
A day before the killing, Solages falsely told other suspects that it was a CIA operation and that the mission was to kill the president, according to the documents. Shortly before the killing, authorities said, Solages shouted that it was allegedly a DEA operation to ensure compliance from the president’s security detail.
About a year after the killing, U.S. authorities say they interviewed Solages, Vincent and Rivera while they were in Haitian custody and that they agreed to talk.
The other suspects already in U.S. custody are Rodolphe Jaar, a former U.S. government informant and a Haitian businessman who was extradited from the Dominican Republic, where he was detained in January 2022.
That same month, U.S. authorities arrested Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, a former Colombian soldier who was deported by Jamaica after fleeing there from Haiti. While en route to Colombia, he was detained by U.S. officials in Panama during a layover.
Also in January 2022, authorities arrested former Haitian Sen. John Joël Joseph, who also had fled to Jamaica.
Alfredo Izaguirre, a Miami-based lawyer for Palacios, said Tuesday’s arrival of the four other suspects will postpone the trial because they all have to be tried at the same time. He said Palacios had been prepared for the trial to begin in early March, but now it could be postponed for up to four months.
Haiti police say other high-profile suspects remain at large, including a former Supreme Court judge who authorities say was favored to seize power from Moïse instead of Sanon as originally planned. Another fugitive is Joseph Badio, alleged leader of the plot who previously worked for Haiti’s Ministry of Justice and the government’s anti-corruption unit until he was fired, police say.
Emmanuel Jeanty, an attorney for the president’s widow, Martine Moïse, who was injured in the attack and flown to the U.S. for care, did not return a message for comment.
In December, Martine Moïse tweeted that her husband — who also has been accused of corruption, which he denied — had fought against it, which resulted in his assassination. “Despite the blockages, 17 months later, the people are demanding #Justice,” she wrote.
___
Associated Press writer Gisela Salomon in Miami contributed to this report. | https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-4-key-suspects-in-haiti-presidential-slaying-in-us-custody/ | 2023-02-01 08:05:19 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-4-key-suspects-in-haiti-presidential-slaying-in-us-custody/ |
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, April 16, 2023
_____
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
648 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Cattaraugus
and Chautauqua Counties through 730 PM EDT...
At 646 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Clymer to near Youngsville to near Kinzua Dam.
Movement was north at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Jamestown, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Allegany State Park, Westfield,
Lakewood, Gowanda, Falconer, Mayville, Clymer, Long Point State Park,
Jamestown West, SUNY Fredonia, Frewsburg, Chautauqua Institution,
Lake Erie State Park, Findley Lake, Chautauqua, Busti and Portland.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 90 between exits 59 and 61.
Interstate 86 between exits 4 and 17.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
LAT...LON 4244 7950 4253 7939 4255 7930 4249 7897
4244 7892 4245 7882 4244 7877 4200 7890
4200 7976 4227 7976 4228 7973 4231 7977
TIME...MOT...LOC 2246Z 186DEG 35KT 4201 7966 4188 7930 4183 7906
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
_____
Copyright 2023 AccuWeather | https://www.ourmidland.com/weather/article/ny-wfo-buffalo-warnings-watches-and-advisories-17900682.php | 2023-04-16 23:44:12 | 1 | https://www.ourmidland.com/weather/article/ny-wfo-buffalo-warnings-watches-and-advisories-17900682.php |
Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant loses external power
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that a Ukrainian nuclear plant surrounded by Russian troops has lost all external power needed for vital safety systems for the second time in five days. International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said agency monitors at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported the interruption and said backup diesel generators are keeping nuclear safety and security equipment operational. He said the repeated loss of power at the plant is “a deeply worrying development.”
Biden vows 'consequences' for Saudis after OPEC+ cuts output
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says there will be “consequences” for Saudi Arabia as his administration begins reevaluating the U.S. relationship with the kingdom. That's after the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance of oil-producing nations announced it would cut oil production. Biden said in a CNN interview Tuesday that he was weighing action against the Saudis but declined to detail potential next steps. The OPEC+ production cut is expected to help Russia pad its coffers as it continues its nearly eight-month war in Ukraine. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Rep. Ro Khanna of California have introduced legislation that would immediately pause all U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
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US mulls Ukrainian-type parole for Venezuelan migrants
SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. officials say the Biden administration is developing plans for Venezuelans with sponsors to be granted parole to enter the United States, similar to how Ukrainians have been admitted after Russia’s invasion. The plan is being designed to deal with Venezuelans suddenly becoming the second-largest nationality at U.S. border after Mexicans. Three officials described outlines of the plan on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press, emphasizing that talks were fluid and subject to change. Two officials say Mexico may accept Venezuelans who cross the U.S. border illegally and are expelled under a rule designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
To hold House, Democrats eye GOP-held districts won by Biden
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A congressional district in Michigan that includes Grand Rapids hasn't had a Democratic House member in decades. But the region has turned bluer in recent years, and new congressional maps have converted it from a district that backed Donald Trump for president in 2020 to one that Joe Biden would have carried instead. The district is just one of 14 nationwide that are Republican-held but that Biden would have won under new maps. As Democrats brace for midterm losses that could cost them control of the House, they hope flipping Republican-held districts can make up ground lost elsewhere.
Protests galvanize Iranians abroad in hope, worry and unity
LONDON (AP) — As anti-government protests roil cities and towns in Iran for a fourth week, tens of thousands of Iranians living abroad have marched on the streets of Europe, North America and beyond in support of what many believe to be a watershed moment for their home country. From those who fled in the 1980s after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution to a younger generation of Iranians born and bred in Western capitals, many in the diaspora community say they feel an unprecedented unity of purpose and affinity with the demonstrations at home over the death of a 22-year-old woman detained by Iran’s morality police. Many agree that these protests feel different because they challenge the fundamentals of the Islamic Republic.
Observer: No matter who climbs Beijing's ranks, Xi rules
BEIJING (AP) — For decades, Chinese journalist Ho Pin has made accurate predictions about who would ascend into the ranks of China's leadership. But this year, just weeks before Beijing reveals its next generation of leaders, Ho says there's little point. He says Xi has consolidated power to such a degree that no matter who is promoted, they will all have to obey Xi's rule. That's a sharp contrast from an earlier era, he says, when political factions jockeyed for control. Though Xi's power has certain advantages, Ho says, he also worries Xi could become a lifelong dictator.
Graft convictions extend Suu Kyi's prison term to 26 years
BANGKOK (AP) — A court in military-ruled Myanmar has convicted the country’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, on two more corruption charges. The two three-year sentences handed down Wednesday, to be served concurrently, add to previous convictions that now leave her with a 26-year total prison term. Suu Kyi was detained in February 2021 when the military seized power from her elected government. She has denied the allegations against her in this case, in which she was accused of receiving $550,000 in bribes from a tycoon once convicted of drug trafficking. She had already been sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of several charges including illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, and sedition.
LA Council faces uncertainty amid furor over racist remarks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles City Council is mired in uncertainty. President Joe Biden is calling for three members to resign after a recording surfaced of them participating in a meeting in which racist language was used to mock their colleagues. Three current or former members have been indicted or pleaded guilty to corruption charges. It’s possible resignations could create new vacancies. It’s not known if the Council can assemble the required 10 members — out of 15 total — to conduct business Wednesday. Raphael Sonenshein — who heads the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles — calls the situation chaotic.
EXPLAINER: What next in the Florida school shooter trial?
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The jurors who will decide whether Florida school shooter is sentenced to death or life without parole are about to begin deliberations. The seven-man, five-woman panel are expected to start their discussions Wednesday. They will determine whether the 24-year-old Cruz should die for the 2018 murder of 17 people at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. For them to recommend a death sentence, they must unanimously agree. If one person votes for life, that will be his sentence. Prosecutors argued that Cruz committed an evil crime where death is the only appropriate punishment. Cruz's attorneys argued that his birth mother's excessive drinking left him with brain damage that put him on the path to murder.
477 whales die in 'heartbreaking' New Zealand strandings
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Some 477 pilot whales have died after stranding themselves on two remote New Zealand beaches over recent days, officials say. None of the stranded whales could be refloated and all either died naturally or were euthanized in a “heartbreaking” loss. That's according to Daren Grover, the general manager of Project Jonah, a nonprofit group that helps rescue whales. The whales beached themselves on the Chatham Islands, which are home to about 600 people and located about 500 miles east of New Zealand’s main islands. Scientists don’t know exactly what causes the whales to beach, although it appears their location systems can get confused by gently sloping sandy beaches. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/ap-news-summary-at-4-07-a-m-edt/article_cf61706d-08bf-50c3-91a4-3ab7545d6533.html | 2022-10-12 08:38:37 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/ap-news-summary-at-4-07-a-m-edt/article_cf61706d-08bf-50c3-91a4-3ab7545d6533.html |
CHICAGO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago-based rapper Dreadrock has announced the release of his highly anticipated single, "Toilet Bowl 2," set to drop on April 21, 2023. The track, produced by Keng Gang, promises to be a hit with fans, following the success of Dreadrock's viral hit "Toilet Bowl" which took Australia by storm.
For Dreadrock, "Toilet Bowl 2" represents much more than just another hit single. It's a testament to his journey, coming from humble beginnings on the west side of Chicago to making a name for himself in the highly competitive music industry. The rapper's raw, unapologetic style has won him legions of fans, and "Toilet Bowl 2" promises to be another crowd-pleaser.
"I'm really excited for my fans to hear 'Toilet Bowl 2'," said Dreadrock. "It's been a long time coming, and I've poured my heart and soul into this track. It's a testament to where I come from and how far I've come."
Produced by Keng Gang, "Toilet Bowl 2" is set to be another banger for the Chicago rapper. Gang's signature production style perfectly complements Dreadrock's intense and energetic delivery, making for a track that's sure to get heads nodding and bodies moving.
With "Toilet Bowl 2," Dreadrock is set to cement his place in the hip-hop world. Fans get their hands on the single Don't miss out on this highly anticipated track from one of Chicago's hottest up-and-coming rappers.
Social Media and Websites
Dreadrock's Social media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreadrock700/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dreadrocksge
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreadrocksge_/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvFkUkAHYrTVLlaQICg8KsQ
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dreadrock-the-rap-artist-0b3a16177/
Websites:
Swervnation: https://swervnation.com/
Dreadrock: https://dreadrock.swervnation.com/
Shop: https://shop.swervnation.com/
Songwhip : https://songwhip.com/dreadrock
LinkTree : https://linktr.ee/dreadrock
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SOURCE Dreadrock | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/04/21/chicago-rapper-dreadrock-releases-new-single-toilet-bowl-2/ | 2023-04-21 14:31:35 | 1 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/04/21/chicago-rapper-dreadrock-releases-new-single-toilet-bowl-2/ |
Starting Monday, California will see its highest chance of rolling blackouts as the heat wave intensifies, grid officials said Sunday.
“This multiday event is going to get much more intense,” Elliot Mainzer, CEO of the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state grid, told reporters Sunday. California is facing “the highest likelihood of rotating outages we’ve seen so far” this summer beginning Monday, he said.
The grid operator has asked Californians to reduce their electricity use from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday — a request known as a Flex Alert — and from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday. The late afternoon and evening are when air conditioning demand is extremely high, causing strain on the power grid. More Flex Alerts are a virtual certainty as the workweek begins.
Demand was expected to peak at 45,776 megawatts Sunday but then rise sharply on Labor Day as the worst of the heat arrives. It is projected to peak at 48,867 megawatts Monday and 50,099 megawatts Tuesday — which would be close to an all-time high and reflects both the continuing heat and the fact that Californians tend to use more power on weekdays than weekends. Demand could top 49,000 megawatts Wednesday and remain high through most of the week.
To put that in perspective, California has exceeded 50,000 megawatts of demand only twice in the past 20 years. The all-time record was 50,270 on July 24, 2006. California’s demand reached 50,116 one day in 2017.
Officials said the grid is expected to go through various states of emergency Monday, even if rolling blackouts are ultimately averted — and a key goal is keeping demand lower than forecast. An early stage of emergency alert has already been called for Monday from 5 to 10 p.m.; that early stage alert was also in effect Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m.
State officials plan to use all possible means of reducing demand and boosting supply in the late afternoons and evenings. Beside the Flex Alerts, options during crunch times include allowing businesses to use backup generators — a practice normally discouraged for environmental reasons — and cutting demand in other ways, for example, by reducing pumping at the energy-intensive State Water Project and having ships use onboard power rather than plugging in at ports.
One additional challenge is that in extreme heat, some plants that use water for cooling — like natural gas plants, especially older ones that are called into service for emergencies — cannot run at their full capacity or break down. Three gas plants in California have already experienced partial blackouts in the heat wave, according to Mark Rothleder, chief operating officer for the grid.
“When you get these high temperatures, equipment does fail,” Rothleder said. The length of the current heat wave increases the challenge.
Grid officials are also concerned that wildfires could shut down transmission lines, but so far that has not happened in a major way.
Imports of electricity generated by hydropower plants in the Pacific Northwest have been strong, Rothleder said, though he’s hoping that California can import more power than is forecast for Monday.
In a positive sign, electricity demand Saturday was roughly 2% lower than grid officials expected.
“That was encouraging that some of the steps that consumers are taking across California are contributing to the load reductions,” Mainzer said, adding that he very much appreciates residents’ efforts.
Kate Galbraith is The San Francisco Chronicle’s climate editor. Email: kgalbraith@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kategalbraith
This story is developing. Check back for updates. | https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/California-heat-wave-Chance-of-rolling-blackouts-17419271.php | 2022-09-05 01:32:07 | 0 | https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/California-heat-wave-Chance-of-rolling-blackouts-17419271.php |
Achieves 4.4% increase in Same-Store NOI and 12.0% increase in Core FFO per diluted share over the prior year quarter
HONOLULU, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (NYSE: ALEX) ("A&B" or "Company"), a Hawai'i-based company focused on owning and operating high-quality commercial real estate in Hawai'i, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2022.
Chris Benjamin, A&B president & chief executive officer stated: "Our high-quality commercial real estate ("CRE") portfolio continued to produce excellent results, building on our strong start to the year. Total leased occupancy improved during the second quarter to 94.6%, approaching our pre-pandemic levels. Robust leasing activity also continued in the period as we executed 76 leases, with comparable leasing spreads of 11.9% for new leases and 5.4% for renewal leases."
"Additionally, we made meaningful progress in advancing our strategic agenda during the second quarter as we closed on the sale of approximately 18,900 acres of primarily conservation and agricultural land on the island of Kaua'i. Completion of our simplification process is now clearly in sight. To that end, the Board has authorized a formal marketing process to sell the Grace Pacific business to a more natural owner. With a strong and flexible balance sheet, we remain active in pursuing opportunities across our target markets and preferred asset classes as we seek to expand our CRE portfolio."
"The continued strong performance of our CRE platform facilitated a third consecutive quarterly dividend increase and another positive revision of our guidance. We are proud of the ongoing contributions of our employees, their effective management and expansion of our CRE portfolio, and their successful advancement of our simplification strategy."
Financial Results for Q2 2022
- Net income available to A&B common shareholders and diluted earnings per share were $4.0 million and $0.05 per share, respectively, compared to $12.8 million and $0.18 per share in the same quarter of 2021.
- Nareit-defined Funds From Operations ("FFO") and FFO per-diluted share were $13.2 million and $0.18 per share, respectively, compared to $22.3 million and $0.31 per share in the same quarter of 2021.
- Core FFO and Core FFO per-diluted share were $20.3 million and $0.28 per share, respectively, compared to $18.5 million and $0.25 per share in the same quarter of 2021.
Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Highlights for Q2 2022
- CRE revenue of $45.8 million was $2.5 million, or 5.8%, more than the $43.3 million result in the same quarter of 2021.
- CRE NOI of $29.8 million was $1.3 million, or 4.5%, more than the $28.5 million result in the same quarter of 2021.
- Same-Store NOI of $29.7 million was $1.3 million, or 4.4%, more than the $28.4 million result in the same quarter of 2021.
- The Company executed a total of 76 leases, covering approximately 174,100 square feet of gross leasable area ("GLA"). Leasing spreads for new comparable leases were 11.9% for the second quarter of 2022, and 6.2% portfolio-wide for all comparable lease.
- Significant leases executed included:
- Both overall leased and Same-Store leased occupancy were 94.6% as of June 30, 2022, an increase of 60 basis points compared to June 30, 2021.
CRE Redevelopment
- Aikahi Park Shopping Center redevelopment efforts continue toward a fourth quarter of 2022 target stabilization, to result in enhanced community-focused dining, shopping and service options at this grocery-anchored, neighborhood center.
- Construction will soon commence at Manoa Marketplace to improve the visitor experience at this well-located neighborhood center, while incorporating sustainable design and building elements.
- Construction of the 1.3-megawatt rooftop solar installation at Pearl Highlands Center remains on schedule to reach completion in September 2022. This renewable energy project aligns with the Company's ESG commitment and goal of owning and operating sustainable properties.
Land Operations
- Land Operations operating loss was $7.7 million in the second quarter of 2022, as compared to a $9.1 million profit in the second quarter of 2021. Second quarter 2022 results included charges to the Land Operations segment of $59.9 million related to the termination of the defined benefit pension plans, partially offset by a gain of $54.0 million related to the sale of approximately 18,900 acres of other non-core landholdings on Kaua'i (the "McBryde Sale").
- Land Operations Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") was $52.8 million for the second quarter of 2022, as compared to $9.3 million in the second quarter of 2021.
- The Company advanced monetization efforts in the second quarter of 2022, including the following:
Materials & Construction (M&C)
- M&C operating loss was $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2022, as compared to a $1.9 million loss in the second quarter of 2021.
- M&C Adjusted EBITDA was $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2022, in line with the second quarter of 2021.
- The Company has launched the process to sell the businesses within the M&C segment.
Balance Sheet, Market Value, Adjusted EBITDA and Liquidity
- As of June 30, 2022, the Company had an equity market capitalization of $1.3 billion and $475.9 million in total debt, for a total market capitalization of approximately $1.8 billion. The Company's debt-to-total market capitalization was 26.7% as of June 30, 2022. The Company's debt has a weighted-average maturity of 3.7 years, with a weighted-average interest rate of 4.3%. 99% of the Company's debt was at fixed rates.
- As of June 30, 2022, the Company had total liquidity of $532.1 million, consisting of cash on hand of $33.2 million and $498.9 million available on its revolving line of credit.
- The Company reported consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $187.6 million for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2022, compared to $106.6 million for the same period ended June 30, 2021. This includes second quarter 2022 impacts of $73.7 million to EBITDA (inclusive of the $59.9 million charge to the Land Operations segment) related to the full pension termination, which is excluded to reach Adjusted EBITDA. Net Debt to TTM (trailing twelve months) consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was 2.4 times as of June 30, 2022, compared to 5.4 times for the same period last year.
Dividend
- The Company's Board declared a third quarter 2022 dividend of $0.22 per share, an increase of $0.02 per share, payable on October 5, 2022, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 19, 2022. This third consecutive quarterly dividend increase reflects strong second quarter CRE results and expected performance for the remainder of 2022.
2022 Full-Year Guidance
- The Company revised its annual 2022 guidance to reflect its improved outlook as follows:
Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (NYSE: ALEX) (A&B) is the only publicly-traded real estate investment trust to focus exclusively on Hawai'i commercial real estate and is the state's largest owner of grocery-anchored, neighborhood shopping centers. A&B owns, operates and manages approximately 3.9 million square feet of commercial space in Hawai'i, including 22 retail centers, 12 industrial assets and four office properties, as well as 141 acres of ground leases. A&B is expanding and strengthening its Hawai'i CRE portfolio and achieving its strategic focus on commercial real estate by monetizing its remaining non-core assets. Over its 152-year history, A&B has evolved with the state's economy and played a leadership role in the development of the agricultural, transportation, tourism, construction, residential and commercial real estate industries. Learn more about A&B at www.alexanderbaldwin.com.
The Company uses non-GAAP measures when evaluating operating performance because management believes that they provide additional insight into the Company's and segments' core operating results, and/or the underlying business trends affecting performance on a consistent and comparable basis from period to period. These measures generally are provided to investors as an additional means of evaluating the performance of ongoing core operations. The non-GAAP financial information presented herein should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
NOI is a non-GAAP measure used internally in evaluating the unlevered performance of the Company's Commercial Real Estate portfolio. The Company believes NOI provides useful information to investors regarding the Company's financial condition and results of operations because it reflects only the contract-based income and cash-based expense items that are incurred at the property level. When compared across periods, NOI can be used to determine trends in earnings of the Company's properties as this measure is not affected by non-contract-based revenue (e.g., straight-line lease adjustments required under GAAP); by non-cash expense recognition items (e.g., the impact of depreciation and amortization expense or impairments); or by other expenses or gains or losses that do not directly relate to the Company's ownership and operations of the properties (e.g., indirect selling, general, administrative and other expenses, as well as lease termination income). The Company believes the exclusion of these items from operating profit (loss) is useful because the resulting measure captures the contract-based revenue that is realizable (i.e., assuming collectability is deemed probable) and the direct property-related expenses paid or payable in cash that are incurred in operating the Company's Commercial Real Estate portfolio, as well as trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. NOI should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
The Company reports NOI and Occupancy on a Same-Store basis, which includes the results of properties that were owned and operated for the entirety of the prior calendar year and current reporting period, year-to-date. The Company believes that reporting on a Same-Store basis provides investors with additional information regarding the operating performance of comparable assets separate from other factors (such as the effect of developments, redevelopments, acquisitions or dispositions).
Reconciliations of Commercial Real Estate operating profit (loss) to Commercial Real Estate NOI and Same-Store NOI are as follows:
FFO is presented by the Company as a widely used non-GAAP measure of operating performance for real estate companies. The Company believes that, subject to the following limitations, FFO provides a supplemental measure to net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) for comparing its performance and operations to those of other REITs. FFO does not represent an alternative to net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor does it represent cash available to pay distributions and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as a measure of the Company's liquidity. The Company presents different forms of FFO:
- Core FFO represents a non-GAAP measure relevant to the operating performance of the Company's commercial real estate business (i.e., its core business). Core FFO is calculated by adjusting CRE operating profit to exclude items in a manner consistent with FFO (i.e., depreciation and amortization related to real estate included in CRE operating profit) and to make further adjustments to include expenses not included in CRE operating profit but that are necessary to accurately reflect the operating performance of its core business (i.e., corporate expenses and interest expense attributable to this core business) or to exclude items that are non-recurring, infrequent, unusual and unrelated to the core business operating performance (i.e., not likely to recur within two years or has not occurred within the prior two years). The Company believes such adjustments facilitate the comparable measurement of the Company's core operating performance over time. The Company believes that Core FFO, which is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure, provides an additional and useful means to assess and compare the operating performance of REITs.
- FFO represents the Nareit-defined non-GAAP measure for the operating performance of the Company as a whole. The Company's calculation refers to net income (loss) available to A&B common shareholders as its starting point in the calculation of FFO.
The Company presents both non-GAAP measures and reconciles each to the most directly-comparable GAAP measure as well as reconciling FFO to Core FFO. The Company's FFO and Core FFO may not be comparable to FFO non-GAAP measures reported by other REITs. These other REITs may not define the term in accordance with the current Nareit definition or may interpret the current Nareit definition differently.
Reconciliations of net income (loss) available to A&B common shareholders to FFO and Core FFO are as follows:
Reconciliations of Core FFO starting from Commercial Real Estate operating profit (loss) are as follows:
The Company may report various forms of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"), on a consolidated basis or a segment basis (e.g., "Consolidated EBITDA" or "Materials & Construction EBITDA"), as non-GAAP measures used by the Company in evaluating the Company's and segments' operating performance on a consistent and comparable basis from period to period. The Company provides this information to investors as an additional means of evaluating the performance of the Company's and segments' ongoing operations.
Consolidated EBITDA is calculated by adjusting the Company's consolidated net income (loss) to exclude the impact of interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. Materials & Construction EBITDA is calculated by adjusting Materials & Construction operating profit (which excludes interest expense and income taxes) to add back depreciation and amortization recorded at the M&C segment.
The Company also adjusts Consolidated EBITDA or Materials & Construction EBITDA (to arrive at "Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA" or "M&C Adjusted EBITDA") for items identified as non-recurring, infrequent or unusual that are not expected to recur in the Company's core business or segment's normal operations. In addition to the aforementioned adjustments, the Company further adjusts Materials & Construction EBITDA to exclude income attributable to noncontrolling interests as presented in its consolidated statements of operations.
As illustrative examples, the Company identified non-cash long-lived asset impairments recorded in different businesses within the M&C segment as non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items that are not expected to recur in the segment's normal operations. By excluding these items from Materials & Construction EBITDA to arrive at M&C Adjusted EBITDA, the Company believes it provides meaningful supplemental information about its core operating performance and facilitates comparisons to historical operating results. Such non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Reconciliations of the Company's consolidated net income to Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA are as follows:
Reconciliations of Materials & Construction operating profit (loss) to Materials & Construction EBITDA and Materials & Construction Adjusted EBITDA are as follows:
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, growth opportunities and competitive positions, as well as the rapidly changing challenges with, and the Company's plans and responses to, the coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") and related economic disruptions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, prevailing market conditions and other factors related to the Company's REIT status and the Company's business, risks associated with COVID-19 and its impact on the Company's businesses, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, the evaluation of alternatives by the Company related to its materials and construction business, and the risk factors discussed in the Company's most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information in this release should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. We do not undertake any obligation to update the Company's forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/alexander-amp-baldwin-inc-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-07-28 20:52:26 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/alexander-amp-baldwin-inc-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ |
Chromebooks are excellent alternatives to traditional laptops because they’re much cheaper and lightweight. They also offer a streamlined user experience that’s appealing to those who aren’t tech-savvy or want a device for basic computing tasks.
Like laptops, Chromebooks are manufactured by many computer electronics companies, so it can be challenging to choose the right. However, if you’re not sure where to look, there are a handful of trusted brands to start with that consistently make excellent Chromebooks.
In this article: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 and Lenovo Chromebook S330
Samsung
Samsung is first on this list, and although it’s more famous for its smartphones, TVs and kitchen appliances, Samsung has dipped its toes in the Chromebook game. Samsung Chromebooks have a durable build, and while it doesn’t offer as many models as some of the other brands on this list, the ones it does are worth your attention, especially if you own an Android smartphone.
Lenovo
Lenovo Chromebooks are known for having an excellent all-around build and design. They are reliable and usually have several customization and premium features. They’re more expensive than Chromebooks by other brands, but many find them worth the money because of their high-quality design.
Asus
Asus is a popular computer electronics brand known for making high-end gaming devices. For that reason, most Asus Chromebooks offer super fast performance and have a processor designed to boost productivity. Asus makes traditional laptop-style Chromebooks, but you can get a two-in-one if you want the freedom and flexibility to use it as a tablet.
Acer
Acer is a great brand to consider if you’re looking for an affordable Chromebook that still packs enough punch to deliver fast performance. Acer Chromebooks aren’t as durable as others, but they typically have a lightweight construction and sleek design, making them excellent for traveling.
Also, since many Acer Chromebooks are compact, they don’t require as much processing power to operate. This means the battery life is often noticeably better than other Chromebooks.
HP
HP is a heavy hitter when it comes to computers and has been around the longest of any brand on this list. HP Chromebooks have a stylish design and are known for their high quality and fast performance.
HP Chromebooks often have premium specs, such as full HD displays, fast processors and high-end graphics cards. However, all things equal, HP Chromebooks are pricier than those offered by Samsung, Asus and Acer.
What to look for in a quality Chromebook
- Random-access memory lets you run several programs simultaneously, so you’ll want a Chromebook with at least 4 gigabytes for basic computing tasks.
- Flash storage lets you store some files locally on your Chromebook so you can access them when you’re offline.
- A full high-definition display renders at 1080p, which is the standard for Chromebooks.
- Long-lasting battery life is crucial if you want to take your Chromebook with you on the road from time to time. The best Chromebooks last eight to 12 hours on a full charge, but those with a more powerful processor may last just six to eight hours.
- A flip two-in-one design is excellent for those who want to use a Chromebook like a tablet. It creates a more comfortable experience while streaming content, gaming and taking notes.
Best Chromebooks
This Chromebook has a sleek design and delivers elite performance, thanks to the latest Intel Core processor. It supports Wi-Fi 6 Gig+ for a fast and stable internet connection, and it has 8GB of RAM and a 128GB storage hard drive. Sold by Amazon
This compact Chromebook has military-grade durability and a sleek design, making it perfect for frequent travelers. It offers Wi-Fi Gigabit connectivity, long-lasting battery life and high efficiency for tasks such as web browsing, streaming content, word processing, creating spreadsheets and more. Sold by Amazon
This Chromebook has a full HD 14-inch display and a lightweight build, making it excellent for traveling. It has a MediaTek MT8173C processor for fast performance, a 720p webcam, 64GB of storage and a Power VR GX6250 graphics card. Sold by Amazon
With a stunning HD display and dual stereo speakers, this Chromebook is an excellent value pick. It has a 720p webcam, a micro SD card reader for additional storage and a battery that lasts up to 10 hours on a full charge. Sold by Amazon
This affordable Chromebook is powered by an Intel Celeron N3350 processor and offers up to 11 hours of battery life. It has 64GB of flash memory storage, 8GB of RAM and a 15.6-inch full HD screen that displays vibrant colors and excellent clarity. Sold by Amazon
This convertible Chromebook is excellent for streaming content, thanks to a flip design and Corning Gorilla Glass display. It has an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 32GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Also, it lasts up to 10 hours on a full charge. Sold by Amazon
This Chromebook has a crisp 12-inch HD IPS display and is an excellent buy for bargain hunters who don’t want to spend too much on a new laptop. It offers 100GB of Google Drive storage space and 4GB of RAM, making it ideal for basic computing tasks. Sold by Amazon
HP Elite C640 14-inch G3 Chromebook Enterprise
Those who want a high-performance Chromebook with a sleek design will love the G3 Chromebook Enterprise. It has an Intel UHD graphics card for superior streaming and gaming, 8GB of RAM for efficient multitasking and an impressive 14-inch display. Sold by HP
For those looking for a super fast Chromebook, this laptop does not disappoint. It has an Intel i3 Core processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of flash memory and a dazzling 14-inch display. Plus, it supports a Gigabit data rate for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections for fast speeds. Sold by HP
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/laptop-computers-br/5-brands-that-consistently-make-great-chromebooks/ | 2023-05-01 19:15:29 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/laptop-computers-br/5-brands-that-consistently-make-great-chromebooks/ |
WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, July 2, 2022
_____
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1219 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Pecos County
through 100 PM CDT...
At 1219 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 19
miles south of Fort Stockton, moving west at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Sierra Madera.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3080 10287 3056 10281 3057 10316 3088 10310
TIME...MOT...LOC 1719Z 100DEG 9KT 3062 10295
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-MIDLAND-ODESSA-Warnings-Watches-and-17281226.php | 2022-07-02 17:46:05 | 0 | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-MIDLAND-ODESSA-Warnings-Watches-and-17281226.php |
BEIJING (AP) — China’s credit card processor has refused to work with banks in Russia for fear of being targeted by sanctions over its war on Ukraine, cutting off a possible alternative after Visa and Mastercard stopped serving them, according to the Russian news outlet RBC.
UnionPay’s decision affects Sberbank, Russia’s biggest commercial bank, and smaller institutions, RBC reported Wednesday. It cited five unidentified sources in large Russian banks.
Mastercard and Visa suspended operations in Russia after the United States and other governments imposed trade and financial sanctions on President Vladimir Putin’s government for its attack on Ukraine.
Sberbank and another institution, Tinkoff Bank, announced they were looking at switching to UnionPay, which is operated by Chinese state-owned banks. UnionPay is one of the biggest global payments processors but does almost all its business in China.
American officials have warned that governments or companies that try to undermine sanctions will face consequences. RBC said UnionPay wanted to avoid such “secondary sanctions.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government has called Russia its “most important strategic partner” and criticized sanctions on Moscow. But Chinese companies and banks appear to be complying with trade and financial restrictions.
Other banks cited by RBC include Alfa Bank, VTB, Otkrytie and Promsvyazbank.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/04/21/report-chinese-credit-card-processor-rebuffs-russian-banks/ | 2022-04-21 10:38:43 | 1 | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/04/21/report-chinese-credit-card-processor-rebuffs-russian-banks/ |
Perception Point Recognized as Leader and Innovator in the Cyber Security Cloud/SaaS Category
TEL AVIV, Israel , May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Perception Point, the leading provider of advanced threat prevention across digital channels, announced today that The Globee® Awards, organizers of the world's premier business awards programs and business ranking lists, has named Perception Point a winner in the Annual 2022 Disruptor Company Awards. Perception Point was named a Grand Trophy winner and was also named a Gold Globee® winner for Disruptor Company in the Cyber Security/SaaS category. These prestigious global awards recognize disruptive technologies and innovative solutions that are transforming consumer experiences everywhere.
Perception Point's holistic threat prevention solution, powered by multiple layers of static and dynamic detection engines, offers a comprehensive, advanced cybersecurity solution across an organization's main attack vectors: email, web browsers, cloud collaboration channels, and proprietary apps. The company's next-gen SaaS solution detects all threats, such as APTs, zero-days, phishing, malware, BEC, ATO, impersonation attacks, and spam, in both Windows and Mac, up to 40x faster than other solutions on the market, dynamically scanning 100% of content within seconds. Perception Point's offering also includes an all-inclusive managed Incident Response Service composed of cyber security experts who efficiently analyze and manage incidents, reducing companies' SOC team resources by up to 75%, while the service also drives continuous optimization of systems' detection rates.
Perception Point recently announced the acquisition of Hysolate, a next-gen web isolation platform operating at the endpoint level, to expand its offering to encompass web security. The solution provides strong isolation capabilities to standard browsers with patented VM-based isolation technology. Perception Point's portfolio is game-changing in its ability to isolate, detect, and remediate web-based cyber threats transparently to the end-user without impacting their workflow.
"It gives us great pride to have won the Globee® Award for the third time in two years and be recognized alongside some of the top cyber security players in the market," said Karen Krivaa, CMO of Perception Point. "The rise of digitization, the shift toward remote working and the growing usage of services in the cloud have made it more complex for organizations of all sizes to adequately protect themselves without compromising their productivity. Perception Point's cloud-native, multi-layered offering uniquely provides the three necessary components for holistic cybersecurity protection – isolation, detection, and remediation – in an easy-to-deploy and seamless manner to mitigate threats while supporting our customers' business needs."
In March 2022, the Globee® Awards recognized Perception Point as a Gold Globee® Winner for the Hot Security Company of the Year in the Cloud/SaaS category, and previously, in 2021, the Globee® Awards recognized Perception Point as a Winner in the Disruptor Company of the Year (Cloud/SaaS) category.
See the complete list of 2022 winners here: https://globeeawards.com/disruptor/winners/
About Perception Point
Perception Point is a Prevention-as-a-Service company for the fastest and most accurate next-generation detection and response to any content-borne attack across email, cloud collaboration channels, and the web, including cloud storage, cloud apps and proprietary applications, and web browsers. The solution's natively integrated incident response service acts as a force multiplier to the SOC team, reducing management overhead, improving user experience and delivering continuous insights; providing proven best protection for all organizations.
Deployed in minutes, with no change to the enterprise's infrastructure, the patented, cloud-native and easy-to-use service replaces cumbersome legacy systems to prevent phishing, BEC, spam, malware, Zero-days, ATO, and other advanced attacks well before they reach end-users. Fortune 500 enterprises and organizations across the globe are preventing content-borne attacks across their email and cloud collaboration channels with Perception Point.
To learn more about Perception Point, visit our website, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Media Contact
Ben Crome
Headline Media
ben@headline.media
+1 914 336 4922
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SOURCE Perception Point | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/perception-point-wins-grand-trophy-gold-globee-award-2nd-annual-2022-disruptor-company-awards/ | 2022-05-25 14:58:26 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/perception-point-wins-grand-trophy-gold-globee-award-2nd-annual-2022-disruptor-company-awards/ |
Morgan County's state-of-the art community hospital offering jobs
with developmental opportunities, competitive benefits
MADISON, Ga., Dec. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Morgan Medical Center —Morgan County's acclaimed state-of-the-art community hospital— is now recruiting for a variety of nursing and clinical positions. These jobs offer developmental opportunities, and competitive salaries and benefits, while allowing healthcare professionals the chance to make a difference.
Nursing positions include openings in the medical surgical unit, emergency department, and surgical services. Other clinical offerings range from laboratory and cardiopulmonary positions to jobs in the pharmacy, rehabilitation, and imaging departments. Morgan Medical Center offers medical professionals big-city benefits in a small-town environment.
"In 2023, Morgan Medical Center will be entering its fifth year in its current location," says CEO Ralph A. Castillo, CPA. "The hospital's newness still shines with modern technology, enhanced treatment facilities, and amenities. We're excited to invite stellar professionals to come grow with us."
Employee benefits include three comprehensive medical plans to choose from, $50,000 employer-paid life insurance, a generous paid time-off program, a $10,000 sign-on bonus for select full-time positions, and much more.
Developmental opportunities run the gamut from tuition reimbursement to certification and training. Additionally, employees have the chance to cross-train in several areas and departments, acquire different skills, and become a more well-rounded provider.
"Morgan Medical Center continues to be a dynamic and rewarding hospital environment," Castillo explains. "All of our employees matter. They're responsible for saving and changing lives, and impacting our community. And we value that."
To learn more about career opportunities at Morgan Medical Center, visit: MorganMedical.org/Careers.
Morgan Medical Center is a 25-bed critical access hospital located in Madison, Georgia. As a component unit of Morgan County, Morgan Medical Center is governed by the Morgan County Hospital Authority under the direction of its nine Board members, who are each appointed by the Morgan County Commissioners. Morgan Medical Center provides a fully-staffed 24-hour emergency room, comprehensive outpatient and inpatient services, acute care, and swing bed programs. Originally opened in 1960, Morgan Medical Center was the first critical access hospital in the state of Georgia certified as a Level IV Trauma Center. Visit morganmedical.org for more information.
Contact: Jon Waterhouse | Lenz, Inc.
678.770.9561
jwaterhouse@lenzmarketing.com
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SOURCE Morgan Medical Center | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/12/08/morgan-medical-center-now-recruiting-team-members-nursing-clinical-positions/ | 2022-12-08 23:16:34 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/12/08/morgan-medical-center-now-recruiting-team-members-nursing-clinical-positions/ |
PARIS, Nov. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The windows opening ceremony was hosted by ISABELLE HUPPERT and NAOMI CAMPBELL, on behalf of LOEWE, partner for the 2022 Christmas windows, alongside Jean-Marc Bellaiche, CEO of PRINTEMPS.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9111351-unveiling-printemps-christmas-windows-haussmann-paris/
For more than 155 years, Printemps has been the ultimate shopping destination during the festive season in Paris. Its enchanting Christmas window display is a true benchmark and every year delights several million people passing by the Boulevard Haussmann in Paris.
This year, for the holidays at Printemps, Santa Claus is playing the role of Ringmaster "Monsieur Loyal" and bringing his troupe along for an extravagant tour of shows that will amaze kids and adults alike.
As a reminder, Printemps has already announced its upcoming opening, in the Spring of 2024, in the historic 50-story landmark building at 1 Wall Street, in New York City, bringing the French Touch to the Big Apple, and making this new spot a fashion reference.
This new address will be part of Printemps' international development, after the deployment of the English version of the Printemps.com website.
The website is available in the UK and is focused to its British clients, with prices indicated in pounds sterling. Personal stylists and customer services are happy to help in English, when contacted.
PRESS CONTACT : Gilles Desmousseaux - gdesmousseaux@printemps.fr / Maki Kotabe - mkotabe@printemps.fr
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1943080/PRINTEMPS.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1941452/Printemps_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE Printemps | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/11/09/unveiling-printemps-christmas-windows-wednesday-november-9th-530-pm-isabelle-huppert-naomi-campbell-behalf-loewe-unveiled-christmas-windows-printemps-haussmann-paris/ | 2022-11-09 23:22:47 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/11/09/unveiling-printemps-christmas-windows-wednesday-november-9th-530-pm-isabelle-huppert-naomi-campbell-behalf-loewe-unveiled-christmas-windows-printemps-haussmann-paris/ |
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — In the heart of Jakarta, the grand Istiqlal Mosque was built with a vision for it to stand for a thousand years.
The mosque was conceived by Soekarno, Indonesia’s founding father, and was designed as an impressive symbol for the country’s independence. Its seven gates — representing the seven heavens in Islam — welcome visitors from across the archipelago and the world into the mosque’s lofty interior.
But they don’t just see the light here. It fuels them.
A major renovation in 2019 installed upwards of 500 solar panels on the mosque’s expansive roof, now a major and clean source of Istiqlal’s electricity. And this Ramadan, the mosque has encouraged an energy waqf — a type of donation in Islam that continues to bear fruit over time — to grow its capacity to make renewable power.
Her Pramtama, deputy head of the Ri’ayah — or building management — division of Istiqlal Mosque, hopes that Islam’s holiest month, when the faithful flock to mosques in greater numbers, can provide momentum to Istiqlal’s solar project through donations.
The mosque’s climate push is just one example of different “Green Ramadan” initiatives in Indonesia and around the world that promote an array of changes during the Muslim holy month, which has fasting and, in many cases, feasting elements as people gather to break their fasts.
In a month where restraint and charity are emphasized, recommendations can include using less water while performing the ritual washing before prayers, replacing plastic bottles and cutlery during community iftars with reusable ones and reducing food waste. Other suggestions include carpooling to mosques, using local produce, emphasizing recycling and using donations to fund clean energy projects.
For the world to limit the effects of climate change — which is already causing worsening droughts, floods and heat waves — the use of dirty fuels for electricity and transport, petrochemicals to make products like plastics and the emissions from food waste in landfills all need to be drastically slashed, scientists say. Though individual initiatives are just a small part of that transition, experts say growing momentum behind climate goals can have an effect.
Groups taking an Islamic-based approach often highlight environmental understandings of certain Quranic verses and sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad about the earth, water and against wastefulness.
Last year, at a meeting of the Muslim Congress for Sustainable Indonesia, the country’s vice president Ma’ruf Amin called on clerics and community leaders “to play an active role in conveying issues related to environmental damage” and asked for concrete action on climate change including through donations to solar projects like those at Istiqlal Mosque.
Muhammad Ali Yusuf, a board member at the faith-based Nahdlatul Ulama’s Institution for Disaster Management and Climate Change in Indonesia, said spreading awareness about clean energy is a “shared responsibility” for Muslims, where mosques’ own solar panel installations can be catalysts toward a greater transition.
In the United States and Canada, environmental groups that began springing up in Muslim communities in the mid-2000s independently from one another formed “green Muslim understandings” from within their religious traditions, according to Imam Saffet Catovic, a U.S. Muslim community environmental activist.
“In some cases, the mosques were receptive to it,” he said. In others, mosque leaders, “didn’t fully understand” the drive, he added.
Ramadan offers a “possibility for ecological training that’s unique to the Muslim community,” Catovic said. “Thirty days allow someone to change their habits.”
The Islamic Society of North America website calls on Muslims to be “an eco-friendly community”, saying looking after the environment is “based upon the premise that Islam has ordained us to be the stewards and protectors of this planet.”
Some mosques and Muslims around the world are heeding such calls, one small step at a time.
Ahead of Ramadan this year, the mosque at Al Ma’hadul Islamic Boarding School in Indonesia received solar panels through Islamic donations, supplying enough energy for the mosque’s entire needs. The electricity from the solar panels also lights up schools and roads in the vicinity.
The Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg, South Africa, with its towering minarets and spacious interior, has a roof dotted with domes and solar panels that help keep the power on at the mosque and its surrounding schools, clinic and bazaar.
The 143 panels cover over a third of the complex’s energy use in a country that has struggled in recent years to provide enough electricity through its strained grid.
In Edison, New Jersey, Masjid Al-Wali¸ a mosque and community center, has been adopting changes such as selling reusable water bottles to members at cost and installing more water coolers to discourage the use of disposable plastic bottles, said board member Akil Mansuri.
“Preserving the environment is the Islamically right thing to do,” Mansuri said. “People accept the message, but adoption is always slower.”
Several years ago, Masjid Al-Wali, whose activities include an Islamic school and monthly community dinners, installed solar panels.
Meals this Ramadan for the mosque’s community iftars come in plastic pre-packaged boxes for now, Mansuri said. But mosque leaders encourage members to take leftovers and reuse the boxes, instead of throwing them away, he said, adding he hopes alternatives can be found next Ramadan.
In the United Kingdom, Projects Against Plastic, a Bristol-based charity, is leading a plastic-free Ramadan campaign.
“I feel like, as a Muslim, that mosques are the hub of the communities and they should take a little bit more leading role for sustainability and toward recycling,” PAP founder Naseem Talukdar said. “During the month of Ramadan is where I’ve really seen a ridiculous amount of plastic being used and thrown away.”
Mosques are urged to raise awareness on plastic pollution and reduce reliance on single-use plastic. Seven Bristol mosques participated in a pilot project last year, with varying results, and a national campaign, with more than 20 participating mosques, was rolled out this year.
Besides education, another challenge is when mosques don’t have enough funds to buy reusable cutlery, dishwashers and water fountains.
“We knew we were going to hit some hard walls and some pushbacks, but, to be honest, the engagement that we’ve seen so far, it was a little overwhelming,” Talukdar said. “Even though the progress is slow, but there’s a real appetite for this kind of initiative within the mosque.”
Ummah for Earth, an alliance-led initiative that aims to empower Muslim communities facing climate change, is urging people to pledge to adopt one eco-friendly practice during Ramadan. Options include asking an imam to address environmental issues, donating to environmental charities and shopping sustainably.
“Many Muslims are not aware that there are environmental teachings in the Quran and the sayings of the prophet and that they have a role that they can play to protect the planet,” said Nouhad Awwad, Beirut-based campaigner and global outreach coordinator for the Ummah for Earth project at Greenpeace MENA.
As they work to raise awareness, campaigners often encounter the argument that climate change is “destined” and that “you cannot change God’s destiny,” Awwad said.
“We’re trying to change the narrative,” she said. “We have things that we can do on an individual level, on a community level and on a political level.”
___
Fam reported from Winter Park, Florida.
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
___
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://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/muslims-around-the-world-consider-climate-during-ramadan/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-04-17 03:18:21 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/muslims-around-the-world-consider-climate-during-ramadan/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
NEW YORK, June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vegan Cheese Market report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including Bute Island Foods Ltd., Chicago Vegan Foods, FirstGrade International Ltd., Frescolat Srl, Fresh Start Fauxmage, Gardener Cheese Co., Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd., Tofutti Brands Inc., and Violife. The market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. Moreover, companies like Bute Island Foods Ltd. offer a wide range of dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and certified vegan cheese alternatives. The Vegan Cheese Market value is set to grow by USD 1.27 billion, progressing at a CAGR of 8% from 2019 to 2024, as per the latest report by Technavio.
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Organized retailing has grown worldwide with the establishment of convenience stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and specialty stores. Fresh and ready-to-consume packaged vegan food and beverages such as plant-based milk alternatives and vegan cheese are primarily sold by large organized retailers. Vendors are highly dependent on large organized retailers for efficient distribution and marketing of their products. Supermarkets constitute a major distribution channel that makes vegan cheese easily accessible to consumers. Given the rise in the urban population worldwide, the demand for these supermarkets is also growing. Organized retailing outlets such as convenience stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets offering packaged vegan cheese products across the world has made it easier for the new entrants to find a suitable distribution channel to sell and increase the market visibility of their products.
The Vegan Cheese Market is segmented by geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America). 40% of the market's growth will originate from North America during the forecast period. The US is the key market for vegan cheese in North America. Europe is another region showing major market growth. Veganism has been spreading rapidly in Europe, especially in Western Europe, where countries such as Germany, the UK, and France have been the forerunners in the growth of the vegan food market in Europe.
The Vegan Cheese Market is segmented by source (soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, and other milk alternatives) and variant (mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, cream cheese, and others). The vegan cheese market share growth by the soy milk segment will be significant during the forecast period. The growing awareness among consumers about the health benefits associated with soy-based derivatives is a primary reason behind the rising popularity of vegan cheese in the world. Increasing product innovation from vendors in the soy-based food derivatives category by including ingredients such as macadamia nuts, cashews, and tapioca flour will boost the sale of soy milk-based vegan cheese worldwide.
The side effects of vegan cheese will be a major challenge for the vegan cheese market during the forecast period. Veganism refers to the adoption of the strict form of vegetarianism that excludes the consumption of all animal products, including dairy products, gelatin, honey, and eggs. Despite having a plethora of health benefits, the consumption of vegan foods, including vegan cheese, can also negatively impact health as it gives rise to many side effects. Animal food products are enriched in vitamin B-12. Therefore, consumption of vegan cheese on a regular basis makes one more prone to develop a deficiency of vitamin B-12. Regular consumption of vegan cheese may make an individual more prone to the risk of osteoporosis or low bone density and bone fractures. People consuming vegan cheese and other vegan foods regularly have the risk of developing iron deficiency as the components present in the vegan and plant-based foods such as phytates, tannins, and fibers decrease the availability of iron from plant-based foods.
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- CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024
- Detailed information on factors that will assist Vegan Cheese Market growth during the next five years
- Estimation of the Vegan Cheese Market size and its contribution to the parent market
- Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
- The growth of the interactive children's books market
- Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors
- Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of Vegan Cheese Market vendors
Carmine Market by Formulation and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The carmine market share is expected to increase to USD 31.77 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.77%. Find More Exclusive Research Insight Here
Vegan Food Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The vegan food market share is expected to increase to USD 21.46 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 12.25%. Find More Exclusive Research Insight Here
Executive Summary
- Market Overview
Market Landscape
- Market ecosystem
- Value chain analysis
Market Sizing
- Market definition
- Market segment analysis
- Market size 2019
- Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 - 2024
Five Forces Analysis
- Bargaining power of buyers
- Bargaining power of suppliers
- Threat of new entrants
- Threat of substitutes
- Threat of rivalry
- Market condition
Market Segmentation by Type
- Market segments
- Comparison by Type placement
- Soy milk - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- Almond milk - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- Rice milk - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- Other milk alternatives - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- Market opportunity by Type
Customer landscape
- Overview
Geographic Landscape
- Geographic segmentation
- Geographic comparison
- Europe - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- North America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- APAC - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- South America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- MEA - Market size and forecast 2019-2024
- Key leading countries
- Market opportunity by geography
Drivers, Challenges, and Trends
- Market drivers
- Volume driver - Demand led growth
- Volume driver - Supply led growth
- Volume driver - External factors
- Volume driver - Demand shift in adjacent markets
- Price driver - Inflation
- Price driver - Shift from lower to higher-priced units
- Market challenges
- Market trends
Vendor Landscape
- Overview
- Landscape disruption
Vendor Analysis
- Vendors covered
- Market positioning of vendors
- Bute Island Foods Ltd.
- Chicago Vegan Foods
- FirstGrade International Ltd.
- Frescolat Srl
- Fresh Start Fauxmage
- Gardener Cheese Co.
- Maple Leaf Foods, Inc.
- Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.
- Tofutti Brands, Inc.
- Violife
Appendix
- Scope of the report
- Currency conversion rates for US$
- Research methodology
- List of abbreviations
Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.
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SOURCE Technavio | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_food_beverages/vegan-cheese-market-by-source-variant-and-geography-global-opportunity-analysis-and-industry-forecast-2020/article_9352b152-7a91-5791-bd5a-e3908131c302.html | 2022-06-20 13:38:34 | 0 | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_food_beverages/vegan-cheese-market-by-source-variant-and-geography-global-opportunity-analysis-and-industry-forecast-2020/article_9352b152-7a91-5791-bd5a-e3908131c302.html |
HOUSTON (AP) — Jordan Hawkins spent most of Friday in bed except when he went to the bathroom to throw up. He barely slept. Yet there was no way he wasn’t going to be ready for Connecticut’s game against Miami in the Final Four.
“I absolutely knew I was going to play,” Hawkins said after the Huskies’ 72-59 win over Miami in Saturday night’s national semifinals. “I didn’t care how I was feeling. Put me on a stretcher, it didn’t matter.”
It wasn’t quite that dramatic, fortunately. But the 6-foot-5 sophomore bounced back from missing Friday’s practice, first by hitting a 3-pointer on the game’s opening possession and then by scoring 10 of his 13 points after halftime as the Huskies rolled into Monday night’s title game.
“Final Four gameday, I wasn’t feeling the best,” he said in the locker room. “But you just have that mentality that you’ve got to go out and win a game for a national championship.”
Hawkins, the team’s No. 2 scorer at 16.3 points per game, hit three 3s in the game and played 25 minutes.
“Could’ve played better,” he said. “Always could play better.”
Hawkins said he isn’t sure if he picked up a stomach bug or had a bout with food poisoning after eating a steak and calamari meal on Thursday night. While his teammates came to NRG Stadium to go through the open public practice Friday, Hawkins was miserable at the hotel trying to recover as quickly as possible.
“I’ve been here nine months now and I have yet to see him miss a practice,” big man Donovan Clingan said. “So for him to miss practice the day before a Final Four game, I knew something was wrong. I know he’s such a dog and cares so much about winning. I had no worries that he was going to be here today.”
Hawkins said it helped to get his legs moving in pregame shootaround, and he felt better the longer he stayed on the court.
That’s why he was already looking ahead to the title game against San Diego State.
“No reason to be concerned on Monday,” he said.
___
Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aaronbeardap
___
AP March Madness coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/sports/ap-sports/uconns-hawkins-bounces-back-from-illness-in-final-four-win/ | 2023-04-02 11:10:29 | 0 | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/sports/ap-sports/uconns-hawkins-bounces-back-from-illness-in-final-four-win/ |
ST. LOUIS — A key witness whose testimony helped convict a man of murder and send him to prison 28 years ago testified Tuesday that his role in the case of Lamar Johnson “still haunts” him.
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argues that the evidence still points to Johnson as the killer. Judge David Mason is presiding over the hearing on whether to vacate the conviction, which is expected to last all week.
Boyd was shot to death on the front porch of his home by two men wearing ski masks on Oct. 30, 1994. Johnson was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. A second suspect, Phil Campbell, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in exchange for a seven-year prison term. Campbell is now deceased.
James Gregory Elking, the witness, told Mason that he was at Boyd’s house trying to buy drugs when the shooting occurred. Elking testified that he couldn’t tell who the masked men were, as he initially told police. He said he was asked to look at a lineup and was then coerced by detectives into naming Johnson as one of the shooters.
“I’m just saying I was feeling pressured, I was feeling bullied,” Elking said Tuesday.
“It’s been haunting me,” he added.
After Johnson’s conviction, Campbell and another man, James Howard, said Johnson had nothing to do with the killing. An investigation by Gardner’s office alleged police and prosecutorial misconduct.
The lead detective, Joseph Nickerson, denied Gardner’s allegations and told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he still believes Johnson was one of the killers.
Elking testified that when he was initially unable to name anyone from the lineup as a shooter, Nickerson told him, “I know you know who it is,” and urged him to “help get these guys off the street.”
Feeling pressured and wanting to help police, Elking said that if investigators would tell him who they suspected, he would identify them as the shooters. He said police also provided him with money over the next several months. Gardner’s office has said Elking was given at least $4,000.
Howard, 46, is serving a life sentence for an unrelated murder and nearly a dozen other crimes committed in 1997. He wore handcuffs Monday as he testified that he and Campbell killed Boyd while trying to rob him, because Boyd owed drug money to one of their friends.
Howard said Campbell shot Boyd in the side, while Howard shot him in the back of the head and neck. He said they didn’t shoot Elking because they didn’t think he could identify them.
“Was Lamar Johnson there?” Potts asked.
“No,” Howard answered.
Howard said his guilt over Johnson’s conviction prompted him to first come forward two decades ago to try and help Johnson get freed.
“I was trying to right my wrongs that I had done him,” Howard said.
Assistant attorneys general, in cross-examinations, sought to raise discrepancies in the witnesses’ testimony. Among them: Elking now says the shooters calmly walked away after the shooting, but in a 1995 deposition he said they ran away. Howard now says Campbell stayed at his home only briefly after the shooting, but said in an earlier affidavit he stayed three days.
Howard acknowledged he couldn’t recall every detail from 28 years ago.
“What I can tell you is I shot him,” he said.
Also Tuesday, Anthony Box, a former investigator for the circuit attorney’s office, said an investigation found a “folder full of information” indicating payments were made to Elking through a witness protection fund. Attorneys working on behalf of Johnson said those payments amounted to at least $4,000.
In March 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court denied Johnson’s request for a new trial after Schmitt’s office argued successfully that Gardner lacked the authority to seek one so many years after the case was adjudicated.
The case led to passage of a state law that makes it easier for prosecutors to get new hearings in cases where there is fresh evidence of a wrongful conviction. That law freed another longtime inmate, Kevin Strickland, last year. He had served more than 40 years for a Kansas City triple killing. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/witness-who-helped-convict-man-testimony-still-haunts-him/2022/12/13/fed98a6e-7b2d-11ed-bb97-f47d47466b9a_story.html | 2022-12-13 22:30:42 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/witness-who-helped-convict-man-testimony-still-haunts-him/2022/12/13/fed98a6e-7b2d-11ed-bb97-f47d47466b9a_story.html |
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