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CLEVELAND (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Ohio Lottery's "Pick 5 Midday" game were:
1-8-1-7-3
(one, eight, one, seven, three)
CLEVELAND (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Ohio Lottery's "Pick 5 Midday" game were:
1-8-1-7-3
(one, eight, one, seven, three) | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/ohio/winning-numbers-drawn-in-pick-5-midday-game/TI5DQUV7XRC6FOAO6DBSX2RVXI/ | 2022-12-16 18:40:39 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/ohio/winning-numbers-drawn-in-pick-5-midday-game/TI5DQUV7XRC6FOAO6DBSX2RVXI/ |
For Games of Tuesday, April 26
NOTE: Only games with one or both pitchers designated are listed below
INTERLEAGUE
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AMERICAN LEAGUE
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
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KEY
TEAM REC-Team's Record in games started by today's pitcher.
VS OPP-Pitcher's record versus this opponent. | https://www.mrt.com/sports/article/MLB-Pitching-Comparison-17125787.php | 2022-04-25 21:51:54 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/sports/article/MLB-Pitching-Comparison-17125787.php |
NEW YORK, May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for MSTR, YUMC, COIN, AMBA, and BABA.
Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.
Options Report – Ideal trade ideas on up to seven different options trading strategies. The report shows all vital aspects of each option trade idea for each stock.
Stock Report - Measures a stock's suitability for investment with a proprietary scoring system combining short and long-term technical factors with Wall Street's opinion including a 12-month price forecast.
- MSTR: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=MSTR&prnumber=053120224
- YUMC: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=YUMC&prnumber=053120224
- COIN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=COIN&prnumber=053120224
- AMBA: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=AMBA&prnumber=053120224
- BABA: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=BABA&prnumber=053120224
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-microstrategy-yum-china-coinbase-global-ambarella-or-alibaba/ | 2022-05-31 15:19:08 | 0 | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-microstrategy-yum-china-coinbase-global-ambarella-or-alibaba/ |
- The Israeli Advisory Committee on Epidemics has recommended that Nuvaxovid™ be approved for ages 12 and older as a primary series and as a heterologous booster for those previously vaccinated with mRNA vaccines
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced that the Israel Ministry of Health has granted an import and use permit which provides individuals aged 12 and older access to the Nuvaxovid™ (NVX-CoV2373) COVID-19 vaccine for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as a primary series and as a heterologous booster for those previously vaccinated with mRNA vaccines. The permit is based on the Israeli Advisory Committee on Epidemics' recommendation.
"Today's milestone provides the people of Israel a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine developed using an innovative approach to traditional technology," said Stanley C. Erck, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax. "Nuvaxovid is now available for use in Israel in individuals aged 12 and older as both a primary series and a booster regardless of previous vaccine history."
Nuvaxovid has received authorization for use in adults aged 18 and older from more than 40 markets, including the U.S. and from the World Health Organization. In the 12 through 17 year-old population, the vaccine has been authorized in more than 10 markets including the U.S., the European Union, and the United Kingdom. Nuvaxovid has also been authorized in the European Union, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland as a booster in adults aged 18 and older. The vaccine is actively under review in other markets.
The trade name Nuvaxovid™ has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Nuvaxovid is contraindicated in persons who have a hypersensitivity to the active substance, or to any of the excipients.
- Events of anaphylaxis have been reported with administration of COVID-19 vaccines. Appropriate medical treatment and supervision should be available in case of an anaphylactic reaction following the administration of the vaccine. Close observation for at least 15 minutes is recommended and a second dose of the vaccine should not be given to those who have experienced anaphylaxis to the first dose of Nuvaxovid.
- Anxiety-related reactions, including vasovagal reactions (syncope), hyperventilation, or stress‐related reactions may occur in association with vaccination as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. It is important that precautions are in place to avoid injury from fainting.
- Vaccination should be postponed in individuals suffering from an acute severe febrile illness or acute infection. The presence of a minor infection and/or low-grade fever should not delay vaccination.
- Nuvaxovid should be given with caution in individuals receiving anticoagulant therapy or those with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder (such as haemophilia) because bleeding or bruising may occur following an intramuscular administration in these individuals.
- The efficacy of Nuvaxovid may be lower in immunosuppressed individuals.
- Administration of Nuvaxovid in pregnancy should only be considered when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks for the mother and foetus.
- The effects with Nuvaxovid may temporarily affect the ability to drive or use machines.
- Individuals may not be fully protected until seven days after their second dose. As with all vaccines, vaccination with Nuvaxovid may not protect all vaccine recipients.
- The most common adverse reactions observed during clinical studies were headache, nausea or vomiting, myalgia, arthralgia, injection site tenderness/pain, fatigue, and malaise.
For more information on Nuvaxovid, including the Summary of Product Characteristics with Package Leaflet, Prescribing Information and Important Safety Information, adverse event reporting instructions, or to request additional information, please visit the following website:
Nuvaxovid (NVX-CoV2373) is a protein-based vaccine engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. The vaccine was created using Novavax' recombinant nanoparticle technology to generate antigen derived from the coronavirus spike (S) protein and is formulated with Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies. Nuvaxovid contains purified protein antigen and can neither replicate, nor can it cause COVID-19.
Nuvaxovid is packaged as a ready-to-use liquid formulation in a vial containing ten doses. The vaccination regimen calls for two 0.5 ml doses (5 mcg antigen and 50 mcg Matrix-M adjuvant) given intramuscularly 21 days apart. The vaccine is stored at 2°- 8° Celsius, enabling the use of existing vaccine supply and cold chain channels. Use of the vaccine should be in accordance with official recommendations.
Novavax has established partnerships for the manufacture, commercialization, and distribution of Nuvaxovid worldwide. Existing authorizations leverage Novavax' manufacturing partnership with Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. They will later be supplemented with data from additional manufacturing sites throughout Novavax' global supply chain.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) continues being evaluated in two pivotal Phase 3 trials.
PREVENT-19 (the PRE-fusion protein subunit Vaccine Efficacy Novavax Trial | COVID-19) is a 2:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant in 29,960 participants 18 years of age and over in 119 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. The primary endpoint for PREVENT-19 was the first occurrence of PCR-confirmed symptomatic (mild, moderate or severe) COVID-19 with onset at least seven days after the second dose in serologically negative (to SARS-CoV-2) adult participants at baseline. The statistical success criterion included a lower bound of 95% CI >30%. A secondary endpoint was the prevention of PCR-confirmed, symptomatic moderate or severe COVID-19. Both endpoints were assessed at least seven days after the second study vaccination in volunteers who had not been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. In the trial, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine achieved 90.4% efficacy overall. It was generally well-tolerated and elicited a robust antibody response after the second dose in both studies. Full results of the trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
The pediatric expansion of PREVENT-19 is a 2:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded trial to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and efficacy of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant in 2,247 adolescent participants 12 to 17 years of age in 73 locations in the United States, compared with placebo. In the pediatric trial, the vaccine achieved its primary effectiveness endpoint (non-inferiority of the neutralizing antibody response compared to young adult participants 18 through 25 years of age from PREVENT-19) and demonstrated 80% efficacy overall at a time when the Delta variant of concern was the predominant circulating strain in the U.S. Additionally, immune responses were about two-to-three-fold higher in adolescents than in adults against all variants studied.
Additionally, a trial conducted in the U.K. with 14,039 participants aged 18 years and over was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study and achieved overall efficacy of 89.7%. The primary endpoint was based on the first occurrence of PCR-confirmed symptomatic (mild, moderate or severe) COVID-19 with onset at least seven days after the second study vaccination in serologically negative (to SARS-CoV-2) adult participants at baseline. Full results of the trial were published in NEJM.
Novavax' patented saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant has demonstrated a potent and well-tolerated effect by stimulating the entry of antigen-presenting cells into the injection site and enhancing antigen presentation in local lymph nodes, boosting immune response.
Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) is a biotechnology company that promotes improved health globally through the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative vaccines to prevent serious infectious diseases. The company's proprietary recombinant technology platform harnesses the power and speed of genetic engineering to efficiently produce highly immunogenic nanoparticles designed to address urgent global health needs. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, has received authorization from multiple regulatory authorities globally, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Commission, and the WHO. The vaccine is currently under review by multiple regulatory agencies worldwide, including for additional indications and populations such as adolescents and as a booster. In addition to its COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax is also currently evaluating its COVID-19-Influenza Combination vaccine candidate in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, its quadrivalent influenza investigational vaccine candidate, and an Omicron strain-based vaccine (NVX-CoV2515) as well as a bivalent format Omicron-based / original strain-based vaccine. These vaccine candidates incorporate Novavax' proprietary saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies.
For more information, visit www.novavax.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.
Statements herein relating to the future of Novavax, its operating plans and prospects, its partnerships, the timing of clinical trial results, the ongoing development of NVX-CoV2373, including an Omicron strain based vaccine and bivalent Omicron-based / original strain based vaccine, a COVID-seasonal influenza combination investigational vaccine candidate, a quadrivalent influenza investigational vaccine candidate, the scope, timing and outcome of future regulatory filings and actions, including Novavax' plans to supplement existing authorizations with data from the additional manufacturing sites in Novavax' global supply chain, additional worldwide authorizations of NVX-CoV2373 for use in adults and adolescents, and as a booster, the potential impact and reach of Novavax and NVX-CoV2373 in addressing vaccine access, controlling the pandemic and protecting populations, the efficacy, safety intended utilization, and expected administration of NVX-CoV2373 are forward-looking statements. Novavax cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, challenges satisfying, alone or together with partners, various safety, efficacy, and product characterization requirements, including those related to process qualification and assay validation, necessary to satisfy applicable regulatory authorities; difficulty obtaining scarce raw materials and supplies; resource constraints, including human capital and manufacturing capacity, on the ability of Novavax to pursue planned regulatory pathways; unanticipated challenges or delays in conducting clinical trials; challenges meeting contractual requirements under agreements with multiple commercial, governmental, and other entities; and those other risk factors identified in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of Novavax' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read our filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov and www.novavax.com, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the statements. Our business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.
Contacts:
Investors
Erika Schultz | 240-268-2022
ir@novavax.com
Media
Ali Chartan or Giovanna Chandler | 202-709-5563
media@novavax.com
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SOURCE Novavax, Inc. | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/novavax-nuvaxovid-covid-19-vaccine-now-available-israel-individuals-aged-12-older/ | 2022-09-16 13:24:11 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/novavax-nuvaxovid-covid-19-vaccine-now-available-israel-individuals-aged-12-older/ |
BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced they have structured a joint venture equity raise for Morgan Arvada, a Class A, 328-unit multifamily community located in Arvada, Colorado.
The Walker & Dunlop team comprised of Jonathan Paine, Tom Fish, Tom Melody, Mike Melody, and Paul House, acted as exclusive advisor to The Morgan Group of Houston to obtain joint venture equity for the development of Morgan Arvada. After a comprehensive process, institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives were identified to provide the equity capital.
"The successful execution of this assignment demonstrates the quality and depth of our advisory platform," said Susan Mello, Executive Vice President and Head of Capital Markets at Walker & Dunlop.
"Walker & Dunlop has generated great value for us during this process," said David Whitby of The Morgan Group. "Their structured finance team is unique in this industry and their focus and strategic approach allows me to trust that our project is getting exposure to the full capital markets."
Morgan Arvada is located in a highly desirable suburb on the west side of the Denver metropolitan area. The development includes 328 residential units, 561 parking spaces, and 10,200 square feet of retail. The construction of the community commenced in September 2022, with initial residential occupancy projected for Summer 2024, and final completion occurring in Spring 2025.
"This venture represents how like-minded firms can collaborate to drive results that benefit communities for years to come. We are proud to be the trusted advisors to The Morgan Group, an industry-leading multifamily real estate developer, builder, manager, and investor," said Jonathan Paine.
In 2021, the Walker & Dunlop Capital Markets segment sourced over 1,300 loans and equity investments totaling nearly $30 billion from non-GSE capital providers. This vast experience has made them a top advisor on all asset classes for many of the industry's top developers, owners, and operators. To learn more about Walker & Dunlop's diverse financing options, visit our website.
About Walker & Dunlop
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry in the United States, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities — where Americans live, work, shop and play — to life. Our people, brand and technology make W&D one of the most insightful and customer-focused firms in our industry. With more than 1,400 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work® and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.
About J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives
J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives is the alternative investment arm of J.P. Morgan Asset Management. With more than 50 years as an alternatives investment manager, US$218 billion in assets under management and more than 700 professionals (as of March 31, 2022), J.P. Morgan offers strategies across the alternative investment spectrum including real estate, private equity, private credit, hedge funds, infrastructure, transportation, timber and liquid alternatives. Operating from offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, our independent alternative investment engines combine specialist knowledge and singular focus with the global reach, vast resources and powerful infrastructure of J.P. Morgan to help meet each client's specific objectives. For more information, visit jpmorgan.com/am.
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SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc. | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/09/29/walker-amp-dunlop-raises-equity-morgan-group-jp-morgan-joint-venture/ | 2022-09-29 11:19:30 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/09/29/walker-amp-dunlop-raises-equity-morgan-group-jp-morgan-joint-venture/ |
Trial begins for man accused in beating death of elderly Slaton man
The trial began Monday on a non-death penalty capital murder trial for a 56-year old man accused of the 2019 slaying of a 79-year-old Slaton man whose body was found northwest of Abernathy.
David Wayne Hampton, who has been held at the Lubbock County Detention Center since Aug. 15, 2019, is charged with capital murder in the Aug. 3, 2019 slaying of Celestino Rodriguez.
Attorneys worked Monday to pare down a pool of 70 people to a 12-person jury who will hear the case against Hampton.
Capital murder typically carries a punishment of the death penalty or life in prison without parole. However, prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty in the case so Hampton faces an automatic life sentence without parole if he is convicted.
Hampton is one of a handful of people charged in connection with the homicide case that initially began as a missing persons case when Rodriguez's family reported him missing .
Heather Casias and Brett Garza, are both charged with murder. Meanwhile, Freddie Salinas faces a count of tampering with a corpse, a second-degree felony that carries a punishment of two to 20 years in prison.
Toby Daughtry and Amanda Blagburn each face a count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a state jail felony that carries a punishment of six months to two years in a state jail facility.
Prosecutors believe Casias hatched a plan with Garza to rob Rodriguez, who Casias knew was about to get a monthly benefit check. Garza recruited Hampton to help with the robbery, according to an arrest warrant.
Investigators believe Casias lured Rodriguez to a location in Lubbock and watched as Garza and Hampton beat him until he was unresponsive, the warrant states.
Rodriguez died a short time later and Garza and Hampton moved his body to a cotton field west of Lubbock after taking his wallet and debit card.
The warrant states Hampton told Blagburn and Daughtry to hide Rodriguez’s white Chrysler 200.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez’s family reported him missing to Slaton police, who asked the Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit to help investigate. While investigating Rodriguez's disappearance, detectives found that his debit card was being used in multiple stores in Lubbock.
Security camera footage from the stores showed two men, later identified as Hampton and Garza, at the store together.
According to the arrest warrant, Garza reportedly admitted to being a part of the plan to beat and rob Rodriguez. He reportedly told investigators that Casias knew the PIN number to Rodriguez's card and gave it to him and Hampton.
According to the warrant, Garza led investigators to a secluded location in Abernathy where he, Salinas and and another man left Rodriguez's body. | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/courts/2022/06/27/capital-murder-trial-begins-suspect-beating-death-elderly-man/7751333001/ | 2022-06-28 05:30:15 | 1 | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/courts/2022/06/27/capital-murder-trial-begins-suspect-beating-death-elderly-man/7751333001/ |
Updated June 23, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET
The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection will convene its fifth hearing with a focus on the pressure former President Donald Trump put on the Justice Department to help undo the 2020 presidential election.
The hearing will begin at 3 p.m. ET.
Watch Thursday's hearing here:
All month the panel has been revealing details of its investigation into the connection between former President Donald Trump's voter fraud conspiracy claims and the insurrection on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Former Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and former Acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue are expected to testify on Thursday. Both pushed back on Trump's efforts to enlist the department in advancing bogus claims of fraud in the election. Also to appear is Steven Engel, who headed DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel. Engel was one of the officials who told the former president he would quit if Trump replaced the acting attorney general with Jeffrey Bossert Clark. Clark was reportedly more willing to go along with Trump's fraudulent claims of a stolen election.
Thursday's hearing is the fifth of several that were supposed to take place in June. Committee members are now saying the process could go into July. Catch up on what happened during the first hearing here — the second hearing, the third hearing and the fourth hearing.
You can watch the hearing and follow along with live updates on NPR.org. NPR will also broadcast live special coverage of all the hearings. Find your local member station or use the NPR One app to listen.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
Loading... | https://www.knkx.org/2022-06-09/the-house-jan-6-committee-holds-its-fifth-major-public-hearing | 2022-06-24 01:00:52 | 1 | https://www.knkx.org/2022-06-09/the-house-jan-6-committee-holds-its-fifth-major-public-hearing |
EL PASO, Texas (AP)Tae Hardy scored 20 points as UTEP beat Alcorn State 73-61 in overtime on Tuesday.
Hardy made 5 of 16 shots and 10 of 14 free throws for the Miners (3-1), but he missed all seven of his 3-pointers. Calvin Solomon scored 13 points and added nine rebounds. Shamar Givance scored 10.
The Braves (2-2) were led by Dominic Brewton with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Byron Joshua added 14 points and nine rebounds, while Dontrell McQuarter scored nine with seven boards.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. | https://www.kxnet.com/scoreboard/hardy-scores-20-in-uteps-73-61-ot-win-over-alcorn-state/ | 2022-11-23 20:17:18 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/scoreboard/hardy-scores-20-in-uteps-73-61-ot-win-over-alcorn-state/ |
(NEXSTAR) – A 61-year-old woman who survived a bear attack in Vermont over the weekend is crediting her Jack Russell terrier with their escape, according to Fish and Wildlife officials.
Susan Lee was walking the terrier and her labradoodle along a trail on her property in Strafford Saturday when the bear surprised her. She later told Game Warden Sergeant Jeffrey Whipple and Game Warden Kyle Isherwood that she had lost sight of her dogs and recalled them just before hearing a loud noise and seeing the bear charge at her.
Lee said she tripped on a stone wall, and then the bear was on top of her. When she felt pain in her upper left leg she knew the bear had bitten down on her.
The attack was cut short by her Jack Russell terrier, a breed that usually stands about 1 foot tall and weighs between 13 and 17 pounds.
“Ms. Lee stated that her Jack Russel terrier intervened by barking at the bear, which got off her and appeared to focus on the dog,” officials stated in a news release. Lee said she and the terrier managed to retreat down the trail and the bear took off in another direction. The labradoodle would make it home later, according to USA Today.
Whipple told the outlet that the Jack Russell had to execute “some ninja moves” to keep the bear from injuring it.
Despite the bite wound to her leg and “multiple scratches between two and nine inches long on both her sides,” Lee managed to get home safely and text a friend to take her to the hospital for treatment. She also called 911 to report the attack.
Isherwood responded to the scene of the attack with Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Bear Biologist Jaclyn Comeau and the two concluded that the bear, who they weren’t able to locate, was likely a female with cubs that was provoked when Lee and her dogs surprised them.
“Bear attacks are extremely rare in Vermont,” said Comeau, adding that the department has records of only three prior bear attacks in the state. “However, at this time of year black bears are moving in family units and mothers will be protective of their cubs. If confronted by a bear it is essential to remain calm and back away slowly, and to fight back immediately if attacked.”
Lee was treated at an area hospital where Whipple and Isherwood interviewed her about the attack and warned her of the danger of rabies. Nexstar asked about the results of a possible rabies test but the department did not respond by publishing time.
Lee’s injuries were described as “non-life-threatening.” | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/national-news/woman-attacked-by-bear-says-pet-jack-russell-terrier-helped-her-escape/ | 2022-08-24 00:13:14 | 0 | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/national-news/woman-attacked-by-bear-says-pet-jack-russell-terrier-helped-her-escape/ |
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — University of Alabama basketball landed a commitment from former West Virginia forward Mohamed Wague, according to On3 recruiting expert Joe Tipton.
Wague is a 6-foot-10, 225-pound junior from Bronx, New York. During the 2022-2023 season, he played in 28 games and averaged 4.1 points and 3.1 rebound per game while shooting 74.2% from the field. He entered the portal after head coach Bob Huggins resigned from West Virginia following a DUI arrest. Wague chose Alabama over DePaul, Kansas State and others.
The Crimson Tide tallied more length after adding Grant Nelson from North Dakota State. Former Alabama big man Charles Bediako left Tuscaloosa to enter the 2023 NBA Draft. He went undrafted but was picked up by the San Antonio Spurs. | https://www.cbs42.com/sports/alabama/alabama-basketball-lands-west-virginia-transfer-mohamed-wague/ | 2023-07-05 17:59:40 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/sports/alabama/alabama-basketball-lands-west-virginia-transfer-mohamed-wague/ |
“ Creed III ” punched above its weight at the domestic box office in its first weekend in theaters. The MGM release knocked “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” out of first place and far surpassed both industry expectations and the opening weekends of the first two movies in the franchise.
Playing in 4,007 locations in North America, “Creed III” earned an estimated $58 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Going into the weekend, analysts expected the film to open in the $30 million range. The first “Creed” debuted to $29 million in 2015 and “Creed II” opened to $35 million in 2018.
Michael B. Jordan made his directorial debut with “Creed III,” which pits his character Adonis against a childhood friend, Dame, played by Jonathan Majors. It’s the first in the Rocky/Creed films to not feature Sylvester Stallone, who chose not to return because of creative differences.
Strong reviews helped “Creed III,” which is currently sitting at an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore. The audience was largely male (63%), diverse (36% Black, 28% Latino, 23% white and 13% Asian/other) and young (55% between 18 and 34) according to exit polls.
It’s also the most expensive “Creed” film, with a reported production budget of $75 million, compared to the others which cost $35 million and $50 million. Internationally, “Creed III” earned $41.8 million from 75 markets, making its global debut $100.4 million.
“Ant-Man 3” slipped to a distant second in its third weekend in theaters with $12.5 million from North America and $22 million internationally. The Marvel and Disney film’s global cume now stands at $419.5 million.
Third place went to Universal’s “ Cocaine Bear,” which added $11 million in its second weekend in theaters to bring its domestic total to $41.3 million.
Crunchyroll’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – To The Swordsmith Village” placed fourth with $10.1 million. The series is based on Koyoharu Gotoge’s manga about a boy avenging his family.
Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company’s “Jesus Revolution” rounded out the top five with $8.7 million. The film starring Kelsey Grammer as a pastor in the 1970s has made $30.5 million in two weekends in theaters against a $15 million production budget.
Opening outside of the top five was Guy Ritchie’s “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre,” a spy caper with Jason Statham, Hugh Grant and Aubrey Plaza that made $3.2 million from 2,168 locations this weekend. The film, originally an STX release, was in distribution limbo for some time. Lionsgate recently stepped in to oversee the domestic rollout.
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Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/film-box-office/2023/03/05/e6800a2a-bb6e-11ed-9350-7c5fccd598ad_story.html | 2023-03-05 16:56:43 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/film-box-office/2023/03/05/e6800a2a-bb6e-11ed-9350-7c5fccd598ad_story.html |
JACKSON, MI -- Two Jackson residents received minor injuries after being hit by a car Tuesday evening, police said.
At about 7:32 p.m. Feb. 21, officers from the Jackson Police Department responded to a traffic crash in the 1700 block of Deyo Street in Jackson.
Two people -- a 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman -- were hit while crossing the street by a car travelling westbound on Deyo, police said.
Both pedestrians were knocked to the ground and suffered injuries that are not life-threatening, said Jackson Police and Fire Services Director Elmer Hitt.
One subject was taken to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital by ambulance and the other was driven there by a family member, Hitt said. The subjects are both being treated for their injuries.
More from the Jackson Citizen Patriot:
Hank Zavislak remembered as ‘excellent, compassionate’ sheriff and prosecutor
Jackson-area school closings for Wednesday, Feb. 22
Man arrested with meth, loaded handgun in Jackson County
Teen hospitalized after being shot several times in Jackson
Proposed summer music venue near Clark Lake shot down by township board | https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2023/02/man-woman-hit-by-car-while-crossing-street-in-jackson.html | 2023-02-22 19:56:03 | 1 | https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2023/02/man-woman-hit-by-car-while-crossing-street-in-jackson.html |
(The Hill) – Senate Democrats on Thursday unveiled long-awaited legislation to end the federal prohibition of marijuana, but opposition from Republicans and some Democrats is expected to pose a challenge to passing the measure.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced the bill, dubbed the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, in floor remarks on early Thursday, lauding the legislation’s introduction as “historic.”
“I am proud to be the first Majority Leader ever to say that it is time to end the federal prohibition on cannabis, and this bill provides the best framework for updating our cannabis laws and reversing decades of harm inflicted by the war on drugs,” Schumer said.
Schumer worked alongside Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to craft the legislation after the three released a draft plan last year for public feedback. Schumer said the senators have received more than 1,800 public comments and worked with “numerous Senate committees to improve the bill.”
Schumer said the bill would legalize cannabis by removing the drug from the Controlled Substances Act and “empowering states to create their own cannabis laws instead.”
“It will establish a robust regulatory system to protect public health and ensure that cannabis is as safe as possible. It includes rules to prevent impaired driving, prevent youth access, and prevent illegal diversion. We also robustly fund a variety of research programs to make up for lost time when it comes to cannabis research,” he said.
Schumer said the bill also includes measures aimed at expunging federal criminal records of those “with convictions for non-violent cannabis offenses,” allows “those in federal prison for nonviolent cannabis offenses to appeal their sentences,” and sets up a fund “to reinvest in communities that have been devastated by the war on drugs.”
“It is a tragedy that far too many Americans — particularly Black and Hispanic Americans — have permanent blots on their records making it nearly impossible to move forward with their lives, just because they were arrested with a little marijuana in their pocket. How unfair and what a waste of human resources,” he said.
Schumer cautioned the recent introduction marks only the “beginning of the legislative process,” but said senators will work to build momentum for the bill, which comes months after the House passed its own marijuana legalization legislation.
“I look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans to get something done this year,” he said.
But the newly introduced bill faces tough opposition from many Republicans in the evenly split Senate, as well as resistance from some Democrats, threatening its chances of passage in the upper chamber. | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/senate-democrats-roll-out-long-awaited-bill-to-legalize-marijuana/ | 2022-07-22 13:24:59 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/senate-democrats-roll-out-long-awaited-bill-to-legalize-marijuana/ |
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — After attending the coronation of King Charles III in London, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva denounced the lack of concerted efforts to free WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has spent four years in Britain’s Belmarsh Prison.
“It is an embarrassment that a journalist who denounced trickery by one state against another is arrested, condemned to die in jail and we do nothing to free him. It’s a crazy thing,” Lula told reporters. “We talk about freedom of expression; the guy is in prison because he denounced wrongdoing. And the press doesn’t do anything in defense of this journalist. I can’t understand it.”
Lula offered the remarks in response to a question about Assange, who is a native Australian. He said he had forgotten to discuss the matter with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, but that he would write to him upon returning to Brazil.
Assange has been fighting extradition to the United States, and Lula’s comments come at a moment that he has shown little reluctance to voice his differences of opinion with Washington regarding geopolitical matters, particularly in his opposition to providing arms to Ukraine for its war against Russia, and accusing the US and Europe of encouraging the fighting. His stance and repeated statements have drawn sharp rebukes from the White House and Europe.
For its part, Australia has been stepping up diplomatic pressure on the US government to call off its prosecution of Assange.
On Friday, Australia’s Prime Minister Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. in an interview that “ enough is enough. There is nothing to be served by his ongoing incarceration.” Last November, Albanese told Parliament that his “position is clear and has been made clear to the U.S. administration: That it is time that this matter be brought to a close.”
Assange has battled in British courts for years to avoid being sent to the U.S., where he faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse that stem from WikiLeaks’ publication of a huge trove of classified documents in 2010.
American prosecutors allege he helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk.
To his supporters, Assange is a secrecy-busting journalist who exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I think there must be a movement of world press in his defense. Not in regard to his person, but to defend the right to denounce,” Lula told reporters. “The guy didn’t denounce anything vulgar. He denounced that a state was spying on others, and that became a crime against the journalist. The press, which defends freedom of the press, does nothing to free this citizen. It’s sad, but it’s true.”
Last year, Assange’s father John Shipton sought to convince Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to address the issue of his son’s prosecution with the US’ top diplomat, and to get Australia’s Albanese to raise the issue with US President Joe Biden at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
In his comments to reporters on Saturday, Lula also noted that Charles III asked him to take care of the Amazon rainforest, and that he responded he needs resources in order to do so. Prime Minister Sunak on Friday pledged to contribute 80 million pounds ($101 million) to Brazil’s Amazon Fund that aims to stop deforestation, adding to contributions from Norway and Germany, as well as a recent promise from the Biden to seek congressional approval for $500 million.
But Lula told reporters that the amount pledged by Britain “is not sufficient”.
___
Pollastri reported from Sao Paulo | https://who13.com/news/ap-top-headlines/in-london-brazils-lula-calls-for-efforts-to-free-assange/ | 2023-05-07 03:36:18 | 0 | https://who13.com/news/ap-top-headlines/in-london-brazils-lula-calls-for-efforts-to-free-assange/ |
Orkin, NEA Humane Society to hold Paws for Pets Food and Supply Drive
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Local Pest Control business Orkin is partnering with NEA Humane Society for the second annual Paws for Pets Food and Supply drive.
The drive will take place at Kroger on 1725 South Caraway Road on May 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Heather Starnes is the Program Director with NEA Humane Society and says donations like this greatly help the Humane Society.
“NEAHS and other non-profits rely heavily on partnerships and community involvement to fulfill their mission,” Starnes said. “We wouldn’t be able to save hundreds of lives yearly if it wasn’t for the generous donations of supplies to our shelter.”
In addition, Orkin will also be donating mosquito protection services to the Humane Society.
The NEA Humane Society is grateful for the donations as it helps keep the animals safe from mosquito-borne illnesses like heartworms and other bacterial infections.
Copyright 2023 KAIT. All rights reserved. | https://www.kait8.com/2023/05/01/orkin-nea-humane-society-hold-paws-pets-food-supply-drive/ | 2023-05-01 23:44:27 | 0 | https://www.kait8.com/2023/05/01/orkin-nea-humane-society-hold-paws-pets-food-supply-drive/ |
Big changes ahead as City of Glendale prepares for Super Bowl 2023
GLENDALE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - When the fans return to Glendale for the big game, Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps says they will see a lot more new buildings and development since 2015. Many of those buildings include hotels. “People were coming to the Super Bowl, because the lack of available rooms, were staying in other parts of the Valley,” said Phelps.
During the 2015 Super Bowl, Glendale had seven hotels near the stadium. Now there will be up to 12 hotels for next year’s Super Bowl. As for the number of hotel rooms- a little more than a thousand were within walking distance of State Farm Stadium in 2015. However, that number will jump to nearly 1600 rooms for the upcoming Super Bowl and an estimated 3500 rooms by 2024.
More rooms could make a significant economic impact. Businesses at Westgate are hoping to cash in as well—with the entertainment district getting a recent facelift. “Yam Properties, since they’ve taken over ownership in 2018, has poured $15 million into new construction,” said Jessica Kubicki, Marketing Director for Yam Properties at Westgate.
Billionaire Bob Parsons, the guy behind Go Daddy and “PXG” owns Yam Properties and now Westgate. It’s at 100 percent capacity, with many locally owned businesses. Some of the money that comes from all the tourists will help improve streets in Glendale, along with parks and a new aquatic center.
As for those additional hotel rooms coming after the Super Bowl, many of them will be at a massive resort near the stadium called VAI, which will also be a major concert destination.
Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved. | https://www.azfamily.com/2022/11/02/big-changes-ahead-city-glendale-prepares-super-bowl-2023/ | 2022-11-02 04:42:34 | 0 | https://www.azfamily.com/2022/11/02/big-changes-ahead-city-glendale-prepares-super-bowl-2023/ |
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Nebraska state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, a Democrat, about her weeks-long filibuster over a bill she says is "legislating hate."
Copyright 2023 NPR
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Nebraska state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, a Democrat, about her weeks-long filibuster over a bill she says is "legislating hate."
Copyright 2023 NPR
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Debris from implosion of Titanic-bound submersible is returned to land
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Debris from the lost submersible Titan has been returned to land after a fatal implosion during its voyage to the wreck of the Titanic captured the world’s attention last week.
The return of the debris to port in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, is a key piece of the investigation into why the submersible imploded, killing all five people on board. Twisted chunks of the 22-foot submersible were unloaded at a Canadian Coast Guard pier on Wednesday.
Horizon Arctic, a Canadian ship, carried a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, to search the ocean floor near the Titanic wreck for pieces of the submersible. Pelagic Research Services, a company with offices in Massachusetts and New York that owns the ROV, said on Wednesday that it has completed offshore operations.
Pelagic Research Services’ team is “still on mission” and cannot comment on the ongoing Titan investigation, which involves several government agencies in the U.S. and Canada, said Jeff Mahoney, a spokesperson for the company.
“They have been working around the clock now for ten days, through the physical and mental challenges of this operation, and are anxious to finish the mission and return to their loved ones,” Mahoney said.
Debris from the Titan was located about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater and roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic on the ocean floor, the Coast Guard said last week. The Coast Guard is leading the investigation into why the submersible imploded during its June 18 descent. Officials announced on June 22 that the submersible had imploded and all five people on board were dead.
The Coast Guard has convened a Marine Board of Investigation into the implosion. That is the highest level of investigation conducted by the Coast Guard.
One of the experts the Coast Guard consulted with during the search said analyzing the physical material of recovered debris could reveal important clues about what happened to the Titan. And there could be electronic data, said Carl Hartsfield of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
“Certainly all the instruments on any deep sea vehicle, they record data. They pass up data. So the question is, is there any data available? And I really don’t know the answer to that question,” he said Monday.
Representatives for Horizon Arctic did not respond to requests for comment.
Coast Guard representatives declined to comment on the investigation or the return of debris to shore on Wednesday. Representatives for the National Transportation Safety Board and Transportation Safety Board of Canada, which are both involved in the investigation, also declined to comment.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said the Coast Guard has declared the loss of the Titan submersible to be a “major marine casualty” and the Coast Guard will lead the investigation.
“We are not able to provide any additional information at this time as the investigation is ongoing,” said Liam MacDonald, a spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the Titan, is based in the U.S. but the submersible was registered in the Bahamas. OceanGate is based in Everett, Washington, but closed when the Titan was found. Meanwhile, the Titan’s mother ship, the Polar Prince, was from Canada, and those killed were from England, Pakistan, France, and the U.S.
Killed in the implosion were Ocean Gate CEO and pilot Stockton Rush; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The operator charged passengers $250,000 each to participate in the voyage. The implosion of the Titan has raised questions about the safety of private undersea exploration operations. The Coast Guard also wants to use the investigation to improve safety of submersibles.
___
Associated Press writer Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kalb.com/2023/06/28/ship-carrying-debris-titan-submersible-returns-port/ | 2023-06-28 17:32:55 | 0 | https://www.kalb.com/2023/06/28/ship-carrying-debris-titan-submersible-returns-port/ |
Registration to Open in January
NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Time (NYSE: LTH) today announced that the iconic New York City Triathlon will take place on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Registration will open in January.
Traditionally held in July, the Triathlon has shifted to fall 2023 timing following discussions with New York City officials. With improved athlete experiences and safety in mind, the new date has been established to avoid summer weather trends, which have negatively affected event participants and spectators during many of the last several years.
The New York City Triathlon is owned and produced by Life Time, the premier healthy lifestyle brand. It is among more than 30 premier Life Time athletic events, including the Chicago Triathlon, Leadville Race Series, Garmin UNBOUND Gravel and Life Time Miami Marathon.
About Life Time®, Inc.
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 160 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The Company's healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 30,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform.
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SOURCE Life Time | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/12/21/life-time-sets-date-2023-new-york-city-triathlon-october-1/ | 2022-12-21 14:43:34 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/12/21/life-time-sets-date-2023-new-york-city-triathlon-october-1/ |
MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arlington Asset Investment Corp. (NYSE: AAIC) (the "Company" or "Arlington") today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Third Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights
- $6.45 per common share of book value
- $0.10 per diluted common share of GAAP net income available to common shareholders
- $0.11 per diluted common share of non-GAAP earnings available for distribution
- $0.07 per common share of book value accretion from the repurchase of capital stock including 1.7% of the outstanding shares of common stock
- 1.2 to 1 "at risk" leverage ratio as of September 30, 2022
- $42 million of net cash proceeds from previously announced partial sale of 371 single-family residential ("SFR") properties that resulted in a $0.47 per common share increase to book value
"Arlington's primary focus of preserving capital in the current economic environment once again proved to be beneficial for shareholders during the third quarter. Through another quarter of challenging financial markets, Arlington was able to generate a 2.4% economic return, its fifth consecutive quarter of a positive economic return. The Company's diversified investment strategy has enabled it to consistently grow book value per share during periods of volatile market conditions while traditional mortgage REITs have experienced losses. Over the last twelve months, the Company delivered a positive 8.0% economic return while its mortgage REIT peers have experienced a negative 16.6% economic return," said J. Rock Tonkel, Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer.
"With our largest capital allocation in our mortgage servicing rights ("MSR") strategy, the Company's financial results benefited from another strong quarterly performance in our MSR related investments as higher rates and corresponding low prepayments contributed to our MSR investment portfolio generating a total annualized return of 25.3% during the third quarter.
"In the third quarter, the Company successfully completed its previously announced sale of 371 of its SFR rental properties at a significant gain that contributed $0.47 per share to our book value during the quarter. The Company has also announced today that on November 11, 2022 it entered into an agreement to sell its remaining SFR rental portfolio including the assumption of its financing facility for a gross sale price of $87.3 million that would result in estimated net cash proceeds of $29 million with a slight positive impact to book value. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter and is contingent upon receiving final lender consent and other closing conditions. Assuming the second sale transaction is ultimately consummated, it would represent a culmination of an overall SFR investment strategy that we expect would result in a total annualized return of 28% with expected net cash proceeds of $71 million, including the realization of a $15 million gain over a five quarter investment period.
"In our credit investment strategy, the Company continued to migrate towards higher quality AAA rated liquid securities that now comprise 64% of its credit portfolio. The Company experienced strong returns in its credit investments producing a 17.6% annualized total return during the third quarter.
"During the third quarter, ongoing market volatility led to further widening of agency MBS spreads that negatively impacted agency mortgage investments. Although the wider spreads have led to increased current carry returns, the Company continues to take a cautious approach in allocating capital towards its levered agency MBS strategy with only 14% of its invested capital allocated to agency mortgages as of quarter-end.
"We continue to believe there is greater value in Arlington's business than the public markets recognize. Since reinstituting our current common stock repurchase program in 2020, the Company has aggressively returned capital to shareholders by purchasing 26% of its outstanding shares, delivering $0.82 per share of accretion to shareholders.
"In the current market environment, capital preservation has been the Company's priority with a focus on harvesting capital and gains from successful investments, lowering leverage and increasing liquidity. Today, with 1.2x leverage, high cash yielding investments and ample liquidity, these actions have put the Company in a strong position to adapt to uncertain market conditions and to capitalize on attractive new opportunities that may arise as market conditions evolve that should benefit shareholders over time."
Third Quarter Investment Portfolio
As of September 30, 2022, the Company's investment portfolio capital allocation was as follows (dollars in thousands):
MSR Related Investments
The Company is party to agreements with a licensed, U.S. government sponsored enterprise ("GSE") approved residential mortgage loan servicer that enable the Company to garner the economic return of an investment in an MSR purchased by the mortgage servicing counterparty. The arrangement allows the Company to participate in the economic benefits of investing in an MSR without holding the requisite licenses to purchase or hold MSRs directly. Under the terms of the arrangement, the Company provides capital to the mortgage servicing counterparty to purchase MSRs directly and the Company, in turn, receives all the economic benefits of the MSRs less a fee payable to the counterparty. At the Company's request, the mortgage servicing counterparty may utilize leverage on the MSRs to which the Company's MSR financing receivables are referenced to finance the purchase of additional MSRs to increase potential returns to the Company. These transactions are accounted for as financing receivables on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
The Company's MSR financing receivable investments as of September 30, 2022 are summarized in the tables below (dollars in thousands):
As of September 30, 2022, the mortgage servicing counterparty had drawn $27.9 million of financing under its credit facility collateralized by the MSRs to which the Company's MSR financing receivables are referenced, resulting in an implicit leverage ratio of 0.2 to 1. The weighted average yield on the Company's MSR financing receivables was 15.95% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 15.28% for the second quarter of 2022, and the actual weighted-average constant prepayment rate ("CPR") for the MSRs underlying the Company's MSR financing receivables was 6.48% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 8.10% for the second quarter of 2022.
Single-family Residential Investments
As of September 30, 2022, the Company owned 246 SFR properties for a total cost of $82.2 million and had commitments to acquire an additional five SFR properties for an aggregate purchase price of $1.5 million. The timing of the earnings benefit to the Company from investing in SFR rental properties is dictated by the pace of home purchases, the level of any property level refurbishments required after purchase and the length of the lease marketing period. The Company expects the time period between the date of settlement of the home purchase to the date the house is occupied by a tenant to average between 30 to 60 days. During the period prior to a lease commencement, the Company is incurring costs to hold the property including real estate taxes, insurance, homeowner association fees and interest costs.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company's SFR portfolio is summarized in the tables below (dollars in thousands):
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had drawn $57.0 million under its $150 million credit facility. Advances may be drawn up to 74% of the fair value of eligible SFR properties with an advance period that expires in March 2023 with outstanding principal balance due in October 2026. Advances under the facility bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.76%.
On August 19, 2022, the Company closed on its previously announced sale of 371 SFR properties for $130.0 million for a net gain of $14.4 million.
The Company also announced today that it has entered into an agreement on November 11, 2022 to sell its remaining SFR investment portfolio including the assumption of the secured credit facility for a gross sale price of $87.3 million. The sale transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022 and is contingent upon receiving lender consent and other closing conditions. If consummated, the Company would expect to receive estimated net cash proceeds of $29 million and would be expected to have a slight positive impact to the Company's book value per share.
Credit Investments
The Company's credit investments generally include mortgage loans secured by residential or commercial real property or MBS collateralized by residential or commercial mortgage loans or residential solar panel loans ("non-agency" MBS or ABS). As of September 30, 2022, the Company's credit investment portfolio at fair value was comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $89.8 million in repurchase agreements outstanding with a weighted average rate of 3.68% and remaining weighted average maturity of 27 days secured by $99.8 million of non-agency MBS at fair value. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had a $20.6 million repurchase agreement outstanding with a rate of 5.27% and remaining maturity of 327 days secured by a $29.4 million commercial mortgage loan at fair value.
Agency MBS
The Company's agency MBS consist of residential mortgage pass-through certificates for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a government sponsored enterprise, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"). As of September 30, 2022, the Company's agency MBS investment portfolio totaled $208.1 million at fair value comprised of $445.1 million of specified agency MBS and $(237.0) million of net short to-be-announced ("TBA") agency MBS. As of September 30, 2022, the Company's specified agency MBS investment portfolio was comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):
The Company's weighted average yield on its specified agency MBS was 3.98% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 2.95% for the second quarter of 2022, and the actual weighted-average CPR for the Company's specified agency MBS was 6.36% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 8.40% for the second quarter of 2022.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company's net short TBA agency MBS investment portfolio was comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $319.5 million of repurchase agreements outstanding with a weighted average rate of 3.02% and remaining weighted average maturity of 13 days secured by an aggregate of $336.3 million of agency MBS at fair value. The Company's weighted average cost of repurchase agreement funding secured by agency MBS was 2.33% during the third quarter of 2022 compared to 0.80% during the second quarter of 2022.
The Company enters into various hedging transactions to mitigate the interest rate sensitivity of its cost borrowing and the value of its fixed-rate agency MBS. Under the terms of the Company's interest rate swap agreements, the Company pays semiannual interest payments based on a fixed rate and receives variable interest payments based upon either the prevailing three-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"). As of September 30, 2022, the Company's interest swap agreements were comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):
The Company's weighted average net receive rate of its interest rate swap agreements was 0.55% during the third quarter of 2022 compared to net pay rate of (0.53)% during the second quarter of 2022. Under GAAP, the Company has not designated these transactions as hedging instruments for financial reporting purposes and, therefore, all gains and losses on its hedging instruments are recorded to line item "investment and derivative gains (losses), net" in the Company's financial statements.
Other Third Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights
The Company's book value was $6.45 per common share as of September 30, 2022 compared to $6.30 per common share as of June 30, 2022. Book value per common share is calculated as total equity plus accumulated depreciation of SFR properties less the preferred stock liquidation preference divided by common shares outstanding plus vested restricted stock units convertible into common stock less unvested restricted common stock.
The Company's "at risk" leverage ratio was 1.2 to 1 as of September 30, 2022 compared to 1.6 to 1 as of June 30, 2022. The Company's "at risk" leverage ratio is calculated as the sum of the Company's repurchase agreement financing, long-term debt secured by single-family properties, net payable or receivable for unsettled securities, net contractual price of TBA purchase and sale commitments and financing embedded in its MSR financing receivables less cash and cash equivalents compared to the Company's investable capital measured as the sum of the Company's shareholders' equity and long-term unsecured debt.
During the third quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 0.5 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $3.14 per share for a total purchase cost of $1.5 million, representing 1.7% of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2022. Subsequent to September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased an additional 0.3 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $2.92 per share for a total purchase cost of $0.9 million, representing 1.1% of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2022. Currently, the Company has remaining authorization from its Board of Directors to repurchase up to 10.2 million shares of its common stock. In addition, during the third quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 0.1 million shares of Series C Preferred Stock at an average price of $20.54 per share for a total purchase cost of $1.6 million.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call for investors at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 to discuss the Company's third quarter 2022 results.
Investors may listen to the earnings call via the internet at: http://www.arlingtonasset.com/index.php?s=19. Replays of the earnings call will be available for 60 days via webcast at the Internet address provided above, beginning two hours after the call ends.
Additional Information
The Company will make available additional quarterly information for the benefit of its shareholders through a supplemental presentation that will be available at the Company's website, www.arlingtonasset.com. The presentation will be available on the Webcasts and Presentations section located under the Updates & Events tab of the Company's website.
About the Company
Arlington Asset Investment Corp. (NYSE: AAIC) currently invests primarily in mortgage related and residential real estate and has elected to be taxed as a REIT. The Company is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. For more information, please visit www.arlingtonasset.com.
Statements concerning interest rates, portfolio allocation, financing costs, portfolio hedging, prepayments, dividends, book value, utilization of loss carryforwards, any change in long-term tax structures (including any REIT election), use of equity raise proceeds and any other guidance on present or future periods constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties that might cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations or current circumstances. These factors include, but are not limited to, the uncertainty and economic impact of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the measures taken by the government to address it, including the impact on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations due to a significant decrease in economic activity and disruptions in our financing operations, among other factors, changes in interest rates, increased costs of borrowing, decreased interest spreads, credit risks underlying the Company's assets, especially related to the Company's mortgage credit investments, our ability to close on the sale of single-family residential homes described herein, and to realize the expected benefits from such sale, changes in political and monetary policies, changes in default rates, changes in prepayment rates and other assumptions underlying our estimates related to our projections of future core earnings, changes in the Company's returns, changes in the use of the Company's tax benefits, the Company's ability to qualify and maintain qualification as a REIT, changes in the agency MBS asset yield, changes in the Company's monetization of net operating loss carryforwards, changes in the Company's investment strategy, changes in the Company's ability to generate cash earnings and dividends, preservation and utilization of the Company's net operating loss and net capital loss carryforwards, impacts of changes to and changes by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the U.S. Treasury, availability of opportunities that meet or exceed the Company's risk adjusted return expectations, ability and willingness to make future dividends, ability to generate sufficient cash through retained earnings to satisfy capital needs, and general economic, political, regulatory and market conditions. These and other material risks are described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any other documents filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time, which are available from the Company and from the SEC, and you should read and understand these risks when evaluating any forward-looking statement. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect the Company. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to, and does not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Non-GAAP Earnings Available for Distribution
In addition to the results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP, we also report a non-GAAP financial measure "earnings available for distribution" . We define earnings available for distribution as net income available to common stock determined in accordance with GAAP adjusted for the following items:
- Plus (less) realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments and derivatives;
- Plus (less) income tax provision (benefit) for TRS realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments and derivatives
- Plus TBA dollar roll income (expense)
- Plus (less) interest rate swap net interest income (expense)
- Plus depreciation of single-family residential properties
- Plus stock-based compensation
Realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized with respect to our mortgage related investments and economic hedging instruments, which are reported in line item "investment and derivative gain (loss), net" of our consolidated statements of comprehensive income, other than TBA dollar roll income and interest rate swap net interest income or expense, are excluded from the computation of earnings available for distribution as such gains on losses are not reflective of the economic interest income earned or interest expense incurred from our interest-bearing financial assets and liabilities during the indicated reporting period. Because our long-term-focused investment strategy for our mortgage related investment portfolio is to generate a net spread on the leveraged assets while prudently hedging periodic changes in the fair value of those assets attributable to changes in benchmark interest rates, we generally expect the fluctuations in the fair value of our mortgage related investments and economic hedging instruments to largely offset one another over time. In addition, certain of our investments are held by our TRS which is subject to U.S. federal and state corporate income taxes. In calculating earnings available for distribution, any income tax provision or benefit associated with gains or losses on our mortgage related investments and economic hedging instruments are also excluded from earnings available for distribution.
TBA dollar roll income (expense) represents the economic equivalent of net interest income (expense) generated from our transactions in non-specified fixed-rate agency MBS, executed through sequential series of forward-settling purchase and sale transactions that are settled on a net basis (known as "dollar roll" transactions). Dollar roll income (expense) is generated (incurred) as a result of delaying, or "rolling," the settlement of a forward-settling purchase (sale) of a TBA agency MBS by entering into an offsetting "spot" sale (purchase) with the same counterparty prior to the settlement date, net settling the "paired-off" positions in cash, and contemporaneously entering another forward-settling purchase (sale) with the same counterparty of a TBA agency MBS of the same essential characteristics for a later settlement date at a price discount relative to the spot sale (purchase). The price discount of the forward-settling purchase (sale) relative to the contemporaneously executed spot sale (purchase) reflects compensation to the seller for the interest income (inclusive of expected prepayments) that, at the time of sale, is expected to be foregone as a result of relinquishing beneficial ownership of the MBS from the settlement date of the spot sale until the settlement date of the forward purchase, net of implied repurchase financing costs. We calculate dollar roll income (expense) as the excess of the spot sale (purchase) price over the forward-settling purchase (sale) price and recognize this amount ratably over the period beginning on the settlement date of the sale (purchase) and ending on the settlement date of the forward purchase (sale). In our consolidated statements of comprehensive income prepared in accordance with GAAP, TBA agency MBS dollar roll income (expense) is reported as a component of the overall periodic change in the fair value of TBA forward commitments within the line item "investment and derivative gain (loss), net."
We utilize interest rate swap agreements to economically hedge a portion of our exposure to variability in future interest cash flows, attributable to changes in benchmark interest rates, associated with future roll-overs of our short-term repurchase agreement financing arrangements. Accordingly, the net interest income earned or expense incurred (commonly referred to as "net interest carry") from our interest rate swap agreements in combination with repurchase agreement interest expense recognized in accordance with GAAP represents our effective "economic interest expense." In our consolidated statements of comprehensive income prepared in accordance with GAAP, the net interest income earned or expense incurred from interest rate swap agreements is reported as a component of the overall periodic change in the fair value of derivative instruments within the line item "investment and derivative gain (loss), net."
The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) available (attributable) to common stock for the last four fiscal quarters (unaudited, dollars in thousands):
Earnings available for distribution is used by management to evaluate the financial performance of our long-term-focused, net interest spread-based investment strategy and core business activities over periods of time as well as assist with the determination of the appropriate level of periodic dividends to common stockholders. In addition, we believe that earnings available for distribution assists investors in understanding and evaluating the financial performance of our long-term-focused, net interest spread-based investment strategy and core business activities over periods of time as well as its earnings capacity.
A limitation of utilizing this non-GAAP financial measure is that the effect of accounting for all events or transactions in accordance with GAAP does, in fact, reflect the financial results of our business and these effects should not be ignored when evaluating and analyzing our financial results. In addition, our calculation of earnings available for distribution may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Therefore, we believe that earnings available for distribution should be considered as a supplement to, and in conjunction with, net income and comprehensive income determined in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, there may be differences between earnings available for distribution and taxable income determined in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) to qualify as a REIT and all of our taxable income in order to not be subject to any U.S. federal or state corporate income taxes. Accordingly, earnings available for distribution may not equal our distribution requirements as a REIT.
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SOURCE Arlington Asset Investment Corp. | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/11/14/arlington-asset-investment-corp-reports-third-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-11-15 00:36:54 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/11/14/arlington-asset-investment-corp-reports-third-quarter-2022-financial-results/ |
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The International Monetary Fund has agreed to provide $3 billion to Pakistan in badly needed relief to help bail out the impoverished country’s ailing economy.
The nine-month agreement must be approved by the IMF’s Executive Board, which is expected to make a final decision in mid-July, a top IMF official, Nathan Porter, said in a statement late Thursday.
The announcement followed talks earlier this week between Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the IMF, who both suggested that the sides were close to reaching an agreement.
Porter, the IMF’s mission chief to Islamabad, said Pakistan’s economy has faced several heavy blows recently, such as the devastating floods last summer that killed 1,739 people, caused $30 billion in damage and impacted millions of Pakistanis. The country was also hit by an international commodity price spike in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Porter said despite the authorities’ efforts to reduce imports and the trade deficit, reserves have declined to very low levels and liquidity conditions in the power sector also remain acute.
“Given these challenges, the new arrangement would provide a policy anchor and a framework for financial support from multilateral and bilateral partners in the period ahead,” an IMF statement read.
Porter said over the past few days, the Pakistani authorities had “taken decisive measures to bring policies more in line with the economic reform program supported by the International Monetary Fund,” including Parliament passing a revised budget.
The proposed package is higher than what Pakistan was expecting as it awaited the release of a remaining tranche from a 2019 bailout of $6 billion that expired on Friday. That deal was signed by Sharif’s predecessor, former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
There were a lot of uncertainties about what would happen after June, said Mohammad Sohail, who heads Topline Securities. “Now this funding of 3 billion dollars for nine months will definitely help restore some investors’ confidence.”
On Friday, Sharif tweeted that the arrangement will help strengthen Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, enable the country to achieve economic stability, and put it on the path of sustainable economic growth.
Sharif thanked the IMF for the new, stand-by arrangement as the deal is called. Later Friday , he also expressed his gratitude to China, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirate for their financial help over the past months. He said his government has prepared a master plan for economic revival.
Speaking in the eastern city of Lahore, Sharif also reiterated his criticism of Khan over violent opposition protests last month and blaming the former premier for the country’s economic turndown.
“If we fully implement our plan … we will achieve the target of a stable economy and become a prosperous country,” Sharif said. .
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also welcomed the agreement with the IMF.
Talks between Pakistan and the IMF had stalled in December after the global lender delayed the last crucial tranche of the previous bailout. The two sides were at odds over what the fund said was Islamabad’s unsatisfactory compliance with the bailout conditions.
___
This story was corrected to show that the amount of the expiring IMF package was $6 billion, not $6.5 billion. It was also corrected to say that Sharif’s tweet was on Friday. | https://www.krqe.com/news/world/ap-the-imf-agrees-to-a-long-awaited-bailout-for-pakistan-of-3-billion/ | 2023-07-01 00:16:24 | 0 | https://www.krqe.com/news/world/ap-the-imf-agrees-to-a-long-awaited-bailout-for-pakistan-of-3-billion/ |
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KRON) — A swimmer enjoying the water off Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, California, this week suffered injuries to his leg, stomach and arm after being attacked by a great white shark.
Steve Bruemmer, 62, of Monterey, made it out of the water alive thanks to a surf instructor, Heath Braddock, and two standup paddleboarders, Paul Bandy and Amy Johns, who launched into action.
Bandy is a Sacramento police officer and Johns is a nurse. Braddock is a respected surfer who often surfs powerful waves in Moss Landing. On Wednesday, he used all of his paddling strength to save the swimmer’s life.
He was at Lovers Point Beach at just the right moment as he was leading an ocean excursion for a group of children visiting from Kansas.
“They had never been in the ocean before. We were chest-deep getting comfortable with the ocean, embracing the nature of the ocean,” he told Nexstar’s KRON on Friday.
When the great white shark attacked Bruemmer, the Kansas children “got the full immersion, that’s for sure,” Braddock said. “They saw it all.”
While the children stood on shore, Braddock grabbed two surfboards and paddled both boards out to the screaming swimmer.
“He was 300 feet out. A lot of tourists cry wolf and cry out ‘shark!’ It’s rarely the case. It’s usually a dolphin. But this guy continued to scream frantically. I saw the pool of blood around him so I knew it was real,” Braddock said.
“The standup paddle boarders got there 10 seconds before I did. I told them of a plan I had. I asked Paul to help me put the victim on my biggest board. I pulled on his good arm and they lifted the other arm that had been bitten. His leg wound was the most pronounced, his bone was fully showing. Most of the damage was on his stomach, the front side,” Braddock said.
With the injured Bruemmer holding onto the surfer’s ankle, “I paddled as hard as I could,” Braddock said.
The swimmer made it back on the beach just as paramedics and police officers arrived. Paramedics applied tourniquets to prevent even more blood loss. Pacific Grove Police Chief Cathy Madalone wrote, “We want to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Good Samaritans that took immediate action and personal risk to assist the swimmer.”
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forensics lab confirmed that the shark was a great white.
The shark bite marks on his body were so big, Bruemmer said he was told the great white could have been as large as 20 feet. Great white sharks can grow up to 20 feet long, according to the Smithsonian Institute, but most females are between 15 and 16 feet, while male great whites are 11 to 13 feet on average.
Braddock said the swimmer was still recovering in a hospital on Friday. “Steve is more stable today. His wife said he’s in decent spirits,” the surfer said.
“It was a very large shark. He’s going to survive, but it’s going to be a long recovery,” a fellow swimmer told KRON.
Bruemmer’s friends said he is an avid swimmer who usually doesn’t swim on Wednesdays. But warm, sunny weather made him decide to go for a swim. He is part of a local swim club, the Kelp Krawlers.
Braddock has surfed in the Monterey Bay for decades and he knows of three other surfers who survived great white shark attacks off the coasts of Big Sur, Davenport, and Marina. One of the surfers was nicknamed “Shark Bait” after he was attacked near the Point Sur Lighthouse. “He still surfs today,” Braddock noted.
“All these guys were on surfboards, so they only got teeth on their back. But the swimmer got it on both sides because he didn’t have anything protecting him,” Braddock said.
Great white shark attacks against people are rare, but from past attacks, local marine biologists know that great whites usually strike once before swimming away. That’s because the apex ocean predator prefers to eat blubbery sea lions and harbor seals, not people.
Emergency officials posted shark warning signs along Pacific Grove beaches following Wednesday’s attack and closed off the beaches. Police have been monitoring the water using an aerial drone, but so far, the shark has not been spotted again. | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/california-swimmer-survives-attack-by-great-white-shark/ | 2022-06-27 12:54:38 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/california-swimmer-survives-attack-by-great-white-shark/ |
ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, Department of Human Services Commissioner Candice Broce, and Promise686 CEO Andy Cook are calling on Georgia residents to mobilize and engage in an online platform where generous Georgians can financially support or volunteer their time to meet the needs of vulnerable children. These children, and the families caring for them, face tangible needs such as clothing, cribs, diapers, car seats, laundry assistance and similar requests.
"The people of Georgia value life at all stages, and Marty and I are urging all who are called and able to serve in this way to get involved in this initiative," Kemp said. "Our ultimate goal is to have Georgians in every county helping serve these specific needs of our most vulnerable."
"It is always inspiring to see people across our state step up and support their fellow Georgians," Marty Kemp said. "We're excited to see individuals and organizations in every corner of the Peach State do their part to provide the resources families and children in their own communities need to get on their feet and pursue their dreams."
By partnering with Promise686 and joining the network of responders, supporters gain access to the needs of new parents and can rally their churches and community groups to work together to meet those needs. Through connections established by Promise686, Georgians can proactively ensure that new parents have what they need to welcome a child into the world, keep their family safe and intact, and build a strong foundation for long-term success.
In 2016, the state of Georgia and Promise686 established a partnership network through an online platform called CarePortal to support the needs of vulnerable children and families. To date, the program has served more than 4,400 children in 15 counties across Georgia. Through the support of new partners, the program can grow to serve even more vulnerable children and families across the state. Promise686 is seeking partners in all 159 counties.
"Georgians have an opportunity to practically rally around women with unplanned pregnancies," Cook said. "Small acts of service can go a long way toward securing a vulnerable child’s future. The invitation is to make hope practical by empowering parents."
Interested individuals and organizations can learn more about enrolling at promise686.org/georgia. DHS and Promise686 will initiate a growth strategy to increase community responders, effective immediately.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden celebrated a quiet Christmas with his family at the White House and spoke with service members stationed around the world.
“They’re away from their families to protect us,” Biden said in a tweet. “And they have the thanks of a grateful, indebted president.”
The White House said Biden and the first lady, Jill, called members of the Army stationed at Panama City, Panama; the Navy aboard the USS The Sullivans in the Arabian Sea; the Marine Corps at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego; the Air Force at Okinawa, Japan; the Space Force in Europe; and the Coast Guard aboard the cutter Bertholf in Alameda, California.
This is Biden’s second Christmas as president. On Saturday, Biden and his family joined a Mass on Christmas Eve at the White House and continued their holiday tradition of an Italian dinner.
The president and first lady on Friday also carried on another tradition with their second holiday visit to Children’s National Hospital. Biden was the first sitting president to join his wife when they visited hospitalized children and their families before Christmas last year, according to the White House.
Surrounded by Christmas trees and holiday decorations, the first lady read “The Snowy Day” with the president’s help holding up the book.
Biden last week encouraged national unity in a recorded address, calling out the nation’s political divisions and saying he hoped “this holiday season will drain the poison that has infected our politics and set us against one another.”
“So, this Christmas, let’s spread a little kindness,” he said. | https://cbs4indy.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-biden-first-lady-thank-service-members-in-christmas-calls/ | 2022-12-26 06:05:23 | 0 | https://cbs4indy.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-biden-first-lady-thank-service-members-in-christmas-calls/ |
Tesla Model S and Model X customers can again order a conventional steering wheel instead of Tesla’s unorthodox steering yoke.
Tesla’s online configurator now shows a steering wheel as a no-cost option alongside the yoke. It’s listed in the “Interior” section, where customers also select an upholstery color.
The yoke appeared in 2021 as part of a refresh of the Model S and Model X that also saw a switch to a Model 3-like horizontal central touchscreen, as well as the introduction of Plaid performance variants.
It was initially unclear if Tesla seriously planned to ship cars with the airplane-style steering instrument, but the first yoke-equipped cars were delivered to customers in June 2021. Perhaps unsurprisingly, one person’s impressions shifted quickly from liking the yoke to being frustrated with the awkward steering.
Awkward isn’t something you want in a car like the Model S Plaid, which packs a 1,020-hp three-motor powertrain and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just under 2.0 seconds.
Despite the drawbacks, other automakers have jumped on the yoke bandwagon.
BMW applied for a yoke steering wheel patent in 2022. The design, which incorporated fold-away grips, frees up more space, BMW said in its patent application. The automaker hasn’t discussed plans to use this yoke in a production vehicle, however.
Lexus has actually taken that leap, adding a yoke to its RZ 450e electric crossover. Unlike other yoke applications, though, Lexus’ version was designed to be used with a steer-by-wire system, which we found worked quite well. The yoke and steer-by-wire system haven’t been confirmed for the U.S., however. The RZ 450e launches here as a 2023 model but with a conventional steering wheel.
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- Mercedes-Benz announces plans for own EV charging network | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/automotive/internet-brands/tesla-model-s-and-x-bring-back-steering-wheel-option/ | 2023-01-07 04:08:50 | 1 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/automotive/internet-brands/tesla-model-s-and-x-bring-back-steering-wheel-option/ |
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Amalgamated Family of Companies, which consists of Amalgamated Life Insurance Company, Amalgamated Employee Benefits Administrators, Amalgamated Medical Care Management, Amalgamated Agency and AliGraphics, announced the appointment of Sanjay Chojar as Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer (CIO). In this role, Chojar is responsible for driving all strategic decisions regarding the organization's information technology needs, including systems architecture, application development, cyber security and infrastructure. As part of his role managing day-to-day IT operations, Chojar is directly involved in business process optimization through the application of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, as well as cloud services. In addition to his extensive experience deploying advanced technologies, he has deep expertise in digital transformation, system migrations, data analytics, automation, and user experience.
"We are pleased to welcome Sanjay to our leadership team at the Amalgamated Family of Companies," said President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Mallen. "His deep technical knowledge of the latest emerging IT trends and hands-on experience across diverse platforms and applications, coupled with a broad background in financial services, will be a valuable asset to our organization, further building our competitive edge and facilitating our continued high level of customer service."
Chojar joins the Amalgamated Family of Companies bringing over 30 years of experience as a global technology leader across various prominent financial service institutions. Chojar most recently served as Global Head of Finance Technology with Millennium Capital, a global investment manager in alternative investments. His other roles include: Managing Director, CIO Alternative Investment Services with BNY Mellon; Managing Director, CIO & Global Head Prime Services with Deutsche Bank; Senior Managing Director – Prime Brokerage Technology with J.P. Morgan/Bear Stearns; and CTO Principal Strategies with Goldman Sachs.
Chojar holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science with a Minor in Mathematics from Queens College of The City University of New York. He is also the recipient of a Diversity Award and was recognized for leading a Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraising drive which generated over $250,000 for the organization resulting in a child getting a wish each year in perpetuity. Chojar resides in Connecticut with his wife and three children. His passion is coaching youth basketball where he led two different teams to championship.
Over the course of its 75-year plus history, the affiliated companies belonging to the Amalgamated Family of Companies have individually established a strong national presence while developing a broad portfolio of market-responsive products and services, and have evolved into a true Family of Companies, each with specialized reciprocal services. From Amalgamated Life Insurance Company's group, stop loss and voluntary solutions and Amalgamated Employee Benefits Administrators' high quality, customized TPA services, to Amalgamated Medical Care Management's quality clinical advice and care, Amalgamated Agency's property and casualty solutions, and AliGraphics' printing and promotional products and services – the Amalgamated Family of Companies serves as a complete resource for a wide range of organizations including employers in diverse industries, unions, associations, healthcare providers, and managed care companies. For more information, visit: www.amalgamatedbenefits.com
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SOURCE Amalgamated Family of Companies | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/amalgamated-family-companies-announces-appointment-sanjay-chojar-senior-vice-president-amp-chief-information-officer/ | 2022-07-19 14:45:34 | 1 | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/amalgamated-family-companies-announces-appointment-sanjay-chojar-senior-vice-president-amp-chief-information-officer/ |
NPR's A Martinez speaks with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington state about the reconciliation bill that Senate Democrats reached on Wednesday.
Copyright 2022 NPR
NPR's A Martinez speaks with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington state about the reconciliation bill that Senate Democrats reached on Wednesday.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.nepm.org/2022-07-29/a-deal-on-climate-taxes-and-other-issues-is-a-big-step-forward-sen-jayapal-says | 2022-07-29 10:25:52 | 1 | https://www.nepm.org/2022-07-29/a-deal-on-climate-taxes-and-other-issues-is-a-big-step-forward-sen-jayapal-says |
Tips for using a DSLR camera
The digital single-lens reflex camera is a high-tech tool capable of capturing professional-quality images, even for the novice. However, to control the outcome and produce the best photos requires an understanding of the camera’s features and how to use them.
Most DSLR cameras offer automatic modes that let you snap acceptable photos with little effort, like those taken with a smartphone. However, photographers achieve the best results using camera features that allow complete control over the process. These settings may seem daunting at first, but with some practice, they become second nature and offer an opportunity to create unique, high-quality artistic images.
Digital photography is much more fun when you are familiar with your DSLR camera and know how to use it to get the desired results.
How does a DSLR camera work?
A DSLR camera such as the Nikon D7500 contains an internal mirror and prism mechanism that reflects light from the lens to the optical viewfinder or LCD screen, letting you compose an image.
When you press the shutter-release button, the reflex mirror swings up out of the way and the shutter opens. The light collected and focused by the lens is captured on a digital image sensor.
The camera’s processor converts the information from the image sensor into a Raw or JPEG format, then writes it into a memory card. The entire process occurs quickly — some professional DSLR cameras can do it more than 11 times per second.
Which camera shooting modes should you use?
Preparing your camera before taking photos begins with selecting a shooting mode. These are usually found on a dial labeled with “Auto, Av, Tv, P, M” and more. Between the fully automatic mode — which lets the camera’s microcontroller control all settings — and manual mode (M), the semiautomatic modes include Aperture priority (A or Av), Shutter priority (Tv) and Program (P).
Aperture priority mode
Aperture priority is a semiautomatic mode that lets you control the aperture size while the camera automatically selects the best shutter speed to achieve the proper exposure.
Aperture is measured in “f-stops” (f/2.0, f/2.8, f/4.0, f/5.6, f/8.0 and higher), which represent a ratio of focal length over the diameter of the opening. Higher numbers indicate a decrease in the size of the lens opening. For example, an aperture of f/8.0 is smaller and lets in half the amount of light of an aperture of f/4.0.
Aperture is an important parameter because it directly influences the depth of field (that is, how much of an image is in focus). A small aperture (large f-number) produces a large depth of field, meaning a considerable portion of the scene from the foreground to the background is in focus.
Shutter priority mode
Shutter priority is a semiautomatic shooting mode that lets you control the speed of the shutter while the camera chooses the appropriate aperture.
The shutter speed setting controls the time the shutter stays open when snapping a photograph, measured in seconds or fractions of a second. A DSLR typically has settings from 1/4000 — a four-thousandth of a second — up to 30 seconds.
A faster shutter speed lets less light reach the sensor, freezing the exposure of fast-moving subjects and keeping them in sharp focus. Sports and other action scenes are often taken with a shutter speed of 1/2000, or a two-thousandth of a second. A slower shutter speed lets more light reach the sensor and can often depict movement with slightly blurred images.
Program mode
In program mode, the photographer can set either the aperture or shutter speed and the camera will adjust the other setting to maintain the correct exposure. This mode lets you use either aperture priority or shutter priority without switching between shooting modes.
ISO setting controls light sensitivity
The ISO setting controls the DSLR camera sensor’s sensitivity to lighting conditions. A low sensor sensitivity (low ISO number) works best for shooting in sunny environments with plenty of light available. High sensor sensitivity is best for darker conditions when proper exposure requires more light. Adjusting the ISO setting to the proper light sensitivity helps reduce noise and minimize grain.
How to use the exposure triangle of aperture, shutter speed and ISO
Aperture, shutter speed and ISO are all linked. Understanding the relationship among them is essential to taking control of your camera. A change in one of the settings will affect the other two.
For example, if you want to reduce the depth of field for an exposure with settings of 1/10 of a second shutter speed, f/8.0 aperture and ISO 400, you might change to an aperture of f/4.0. The increase in aperture size by two whole f/stops increases the amount of light entering the camera by a factor of four (that is, a factor of two for each f/stop).
To balance the exposure triangle, you have three options:
- Reduce the shutter speed by a factor of four, to 1/40 second.
- Reduce the ISO by a factor of four, to ISO 100.
- Reduce the shutter speed by a factor of two, to 1/20 second, and reduce the ISO by a factor of two, to ISO 200.
In most cases, when fine-tuning a photo, the aperture is the first exposure-triangle parameter to adjust. However, when capturing movement is a priority, the shutter speed is often changed first. ISO is rarely the primary configuration parameter but can be adjusted to balance the exposure triangle.
Which metering method produces the best exposure?
DSLR cameras typically offer several metering modes to expose a photo:
- Evaluative Metering (Canon) or Matrix Metering (Nikon): The most complex metering method on the camera, it measures the brightness levels across the entire frame to determine a suitable exposure.
- Partial metering: Available on Canon DSLR cameras only, this method meters the portion of an image inside a circle visible in the viewfinder. Typically less than 20% of the frame, the focal point determines the portion of the image measured.
- Center-weighted metering: Like partial metering, this method reads a larger section in the center of the image. It tends to overexpose bright areas in the center of an image with a dark background, making it the least used metering method.
- Spot metering: This method reads the light from a focus point of choice, usually much less than 10% of the frame. Photographers use this mode to determine the proper exposure for a specific part of the image.
DSLR metering can seem complicated at first, but experimenting with different modes will help you determine the best method for any image.
Which focusing modes produce the clearest results?
Autofocus modes of a DSLR rely on focus points, displayed in the viewfinder as dots or squares overlaid across the screen. When the shutter release button is half-pressed, several of these may flash indicating the active focus points. Some DSLRs, such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, come with over 50 focus points.
The best method to assure the correct focus is to turn off the spectrum focusing option on the menu system, enable single-point focus (usually in the center) and place the focus point over the subject.
DSLR cameras offer a range of autofocus modes. However, the two most often used are single and continuous.
- Autofocus-single, also known as AF-S, works best for taking photos of stationary subjects such as landscapes, buildings and people portraits. When the shutter release is half-pressed, the camera acquires the focus, and it remains locked on the focus point while the button is held down. To change the focus, release the button, recompose and then half-press again.
- Autofocus-continuous, also known as AF-C, is most effective for taking photos of moving subjects and action events such as sports. Like the AF-S mode, the camera acquires the focus and stays locked on the subject. However, if the subject moves, the focus adjusts with it until the photo is taken.
Best DSLR cameras
Best DSLR for professional photographers
A 45.7-megapixel resolution, continuous shooting speed at seven frames per second and 4K full-frame video make this camera an excellent choice for the professional photographer or serious amateur.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best feature-rich camera at a reasonable price
High image quality with a 32.5-megapixel APS-C sensor, continuous shooting capability of 10 frames per second and uncropped 4K video capture make this camera the ideal choice for the enthusiast.
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.kron4.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/camera-photo-br/how-to-use-a-dslr-camera/ | 2022-07-01 07:18:39 | 1 | https://www.kron4.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/camera-photo-br/how-to-use-a-dslr-camera/ |
SHANGHAI, Feb. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ChemPartner announced today the appointment of Lilly Xu, Ph.D. as President of Shanghai ChemPartner.
Dr. Xu is a seasoned manager with a strong portfolio of success. She joined ChemPartner in 2017 to lead the strategic drug discovery services as Senior Vice President and Head of DMPK and Exploratory Toxicology. Prior to joining ChemPartner, Dr. Xu held various positions in US biotech and pharmaceutical companies including Amgen and Sanofi US. Additionally, she was the Head of the Center for Predictive ADMET at Sanofi US, and she holds a green belt in Lean 6 Sigma. Dr. Xu earned a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from Saint Louis University in St Louis, Missouri. During her time in academia, she pioneered the use of human and animal hepatocytes in drug metabolism and drug-drug interactions.
"We are confident Dr. Xu can leverage her deep knowledge of drug discovery and her proven organizational leadership experience to accelerate the growth of Shanghai ChemPartner," said Xianwei Zeng, Board Chairman and CEO of ChemPartner.
Livia Legg, CCO at Shanghai ChemPartner and GM of ChemPartner Corporation (US) and ChemPartner Europe added, "I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Xu over the past six years at ChemPartner. She is a talented and accomplished leader with high integrity. Dr. Xu deeply cares for her colleagues and clients, and her passion, commitment, and drive are evident."
As a leading, global CRO and CDMO, ChemPartner provides integrated life science services for drug discovery and development with expertise in discovery chemistry, biology, pharmacology, DMPK, exploratory toxicology, biologics discovery and development, and biologics manufacturing. ChemPartner is uniquely positioned to not only be a CRO but a true biopharmaceutical alliance partner. The company's mission is to provide the highest quality R&D services while helping customers advance their projects in a timely and cost-effective manner. ChemPartner is strategically aligned and dedicated to accomplishing the innovative research initiatives of pharma and biotech companies worldwide.
"I am excited to take on this new leadership role at ChemPartner and work closely with our highly experienced executive team to achieve our company's vision and goals. My drug discovery and development operation experience combined with the team's expertise provide ChemPartner's global clients the skills and proficiency they want and need," said Dr. Xu. "I am enthusiastic about the unique service offerings at ChemPartner as well as the potential for additional growth."
About ChemPartner
ChemPartner is the holding company of Shanghai ChemPartner and offers a broad range of drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services including chemistry and biologics discovery, biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology as well as biologics development and manufacturing CDMO services. Shanghai ChemPartner serves a diverse global client base and has laboratories, business offices, and representatives in the US, Europe, China, and Japan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Livia Legg, MS, Chief Commercial Officer
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SOURCE Shanghai ChemPartner | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/02/23/dr-lilly-xu-named-president-shanghai-chempartner/ | 2023-02-23 22:51:56 | 0 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/02/23/dr-lilly-xu-named-president-shanghai-chempartner/ |
Veronica and Brooklynn Williams Survive Simultaneous Life-threatening Cardiac Episode, Emergency C-section
EDGEWOOD, Ky., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veronica and Sean Williams could not have imagined the events following a high heart rate alert from Veronica's health watch. After mom-to-be and her partner notified their obstetrics care team via MyChart, it was recommended that they visit the Emergency Room (ER) for what they assumed would be a quick checkup. Little did they know, Sean would later be forced to answer the unimaginable question, "If we can only save one of them, mom or baby, who do you want us to save?"
After receiving an electrocardiogram (EKG) in the ER, Veronica found herself being prepared to undergo an emergency cesarean section in the unlikeliest of places: the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Throughout the entire life-saving process, nearly 50 St. Elizabeth medical professionals squeezed into the Cath Lab and worked together as a unit, offering crucial interventions and support. As Veronica fought for her life, her heart completely stopping at times, more than six different St. Elizabeth teams acted swiftly to keep both mom and baby alive.
"When you hear the baby's heart rate drop down to the 70s, the most important question is, 'How are we going to get her out in the quickest and safest way?'" said Dr. Lisa Guyton, the delivering OB-GYN. "Thanks to Dr. Marleen Johnson, the emergency medicine physician working that day, the appropriate teams were notified and ready to provide any lifesaving measures necessary for mom and baby."
Just three hours after Sean and Veronica's arrival at the ER, baby Brooklynn was born.
"We've delivered babies in beds, toilets, cars and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but never would I have imagined delivering in the Cath Lab," said Jocelyn Laake, Assistant Nurse Manager in the Family Birth Place.
St. Elizabeth nurses noted this was the first-ever Cath Lab delivery in St. Elizabeth history—and hopefully, the last.
Once baby Brooklynn was delivered safely and brought to the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Elizabeth, Veronica lay unresponsive, vital signs weak, awaiting transfer to a heart specialist at a neighboring hospital. Unsure if Veronica would ever have the chance to meet her baby, a touching decision was made by the St. Elizabeth teams. They would bring Brooklynn from the NICU to place her in her mother's arms. What happened next left the team speechless and without a dry eye in the room: both Brooklynn's and Veronica's heart function and vital signs improved upon skin-to-skin touch.
"We wanted baby and mom to meet because we knew they may not have another opportunity; we truly didn't know if mom was going to wake up. We knew it was the right thing to do,'' said Keri Hinson, NICU Nurse Manager. "But we had no idea the vital signs would be impacted. It was an amazing experience that none of us will soon forget."
While Veronica has little memory of the experience beyond what her partner and family have slowly shared with her, Sean will never forget the traumatic, life-changing event. At one point, he was told his wife only had a 25 percent chance of surviving. It was later determined that Veronica suffered from lymphocytic myocarditis, likely the result of a lingering cold.
"Never would you expect a C-section to be performed in the Cath Lab," said Melissa Canter, Cardiac Cath Lab Manager. "But we were faced with the question of 'Who do we save, mom or baby?' and we refused to answer with anything other than: 'Both.' It was just amazing to watch the various teams — many of which had never met before — work together to save their lives. The room was lined with people waiting to jump in to do their part."
The life-saving efforts from healthcare professionals reflected the multidisciplinary approach to care at St. Elizabeth, spanning across seven units including:
- Midwifery
- Emergency Room
- Cardiac Catheterization Lab
- Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Labor and Delivery
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
"Dr. George Christensen, and truly all of the St. Elizabeth associates involved were immaculate," said Sean. "Their support was overwhelming—in a good way," he recounted.
After overcoming what seemed to be an insurmountable medical emergency, the Williams family is home, safe and sound, recovering well. Brooklynn has already doubled her birth weight and mom is expected to make a rare, but full recovery in six months to a year, and will eventually return to work at St. Elizabeth where she supports human resources.
Veronica's biggest takeaway?
"Pay attention to your symptoms and reach out to your doctor, and then listen to their advice," she encouraged.
"It's so important to trust your body and trust your doctors," Sean added.
The St. Elizabeth physicians and associates involved in this incredible chain of events share the same advice and sentiment. "We're just so grateful the midwife team encouraged Veronica to go to the ER," said Dr. Guyton. "Had she delayed coming to the ER by even a few minutes, there could have been a very different result. It's a crucial reminder to not ignore signs and symptoms and listen to the advice of medical experts."
Remember to give yourself grace if you've been through traumatic experiences.
"There are days when it's extremely difficult," said Veronica. "But then I remind myself how happy I am to even be alive. I just take it one day at a time and appreciate every precious moment with my daughter and husband."
St. Elizabeth Healthcare operates six facilities and more than 172 primary care and specialty practices throughout the Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana and Greater Cincinnati region. Sponsored by the Diocese of Covington and a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, St. Elizabeth is a mission-based organization committed to improving the health of the communities it serves, providing more than $108 million in uncompensated care and benefit to the community each year.
CONTACT: Guy Karrick, guy.karrick@stelizabeth.com
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SOURCE St. Elizabeth Healthcare | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/not-one-miracle-two-st-elizabeth-healthcare-teams-collaborate-save-mother-baby/ | 2022-06-10 15:26:34 | 1 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/not-one-miracle-two-st-elizabeth-healthcare-teams-collaborate-save-mother-baby/ |
BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (AP) — Police have charged a 19-year-old man with killing two teenagers and wounding four others in an early Sunday shooting at a house party on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Cameron Everest Brand of Pass Christian is charged with murder and aggravated assault, jail records show. Bay St. Louis Police Chief Toby Schwartz said in a news release that police identified Brand as the sole shooter through witness and victim statements.
An 18-year-old and a 16-year-old died in a New Orleans hospital, Schwartz said. The Orleans Parish coroner did not return a phone call seeking to confirm their identities.
Friends and family identified them as De’Arreis “DD” Smith, 18, and Haeleigh Stamper, 16, classmates at Hancock High School.
Smith was a senior getting ready to graduate, according to Kecia Sams, who considered him an adopted member of her family.
“De’Arreis Smith was an amazing soul, a loyal friend, brother and uncle,” Sams told Nola.com. “He was loved by many and will be missed so very much by his family.”
A GoFundMe account was set up to help with funeral expenses for Stamper. In the posting, the organizer, Lillie Smith, described the teen as a “sweet soul.”
“Her beautiful smile would light the whole room up,” Smith said.
Brand was arrested at his home in neighboring Pass Christian and taken to jail, Schwartz said. Bay St. Louis Municipal Court Judge Stephen Maggio denied Brand bail, and he was being held in the Hancock County jail. It is unclear if Brand has a lawyer who could speak for him.
Students had gathered for a party at the home on a sparsely populated road after Bay High School’s prom. Local news outlets reported that trails of blood could be seen on the pavement Sunday outside the home, while cars were peppered with bullet holes. The home is less than a mile from Bay High.
Police said the six victims wounded by gunfire ranged in age from 15 to 18. All were taken to area hospitals, some by helicopter.
Casey Woods, an 18-year-old student at Pass Christian High School, told the Sun Herald of Biloxi that he was at the party with a girlfriend. He told the paper he saw Brand talking to people and then walking away before he returned and the shooting started.
“Me and my girl looked up and saw sparks coming from the gun,” Woods said, adding many people ran into the woods.
Both of the teens who died had attended nearby Hancock High School in Kiln, officials in that school district said. Two more Hancock High students were shot and wounded, as were two students from Bay High. Those are the only two public high schools in Hancock County, on the western end of the Mississippi Gulf Coast between New Orleans and Gulfport.
“Our hearts are broken as we mourn the tragic loss of two Hancock High School students who were victims of the shooting in Bay St. Louis last night,” the Hancock County school district said in a statement, saying counselors would be available Monday at school. “Let us come together as a community to show our support and love during this difficult time.”
Sandra Reed, superintendent of the Bay St. Louis-Waveland school district, said both of the wounded Bay High students were expected to recover. Bay High Principal Amy Necaise said the school was making faculty and staff available on campus Sunday afternoon to counsel students. | https://fox59.com/news/national-world/ap-us-news/2-killed-4-wounded-in-mississippi-shooting-man-arrested/ | 2023-05-01 17:08:11 | 1 | https://fox59.com/news/national-world/ap-us-news/2-killed-4-wounded-in-mississippi-shooting-man-arrested/ |
With a two-week holiday break starting next week, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) gathered some of his most vocal conservative critics Friday for a meeting intended to ease the hard-liners’ deficit concerns ahead of the long summer fight over government spending.
It’s been a rocky few weeks in the House. The Speaker’s conservative critics have been grumbling that he caved too quickly during debt ceiling negotiations with President Biden, and they’re seeking concrete assurances that McCarthy will hold a harder line — and demand deeper cuts — in the upcoming partisan battle over funding the government beyond September.
To mollify those gripes, the Speaker summoned a group of at least eight conservatives to his office in the Capitol on Friday afternoon, seeking to convince the skeptics that Republican leaders share their goals when it comes to spending cuts. Afterward, McCarthy characterized the discussion as a sort of primer on the goals GOP leaders aim to achieve in their appropriations bills.
“You have to think differently. We got to start at the beginning,” McCarthy said. “It’s walking people through what’s in the approps bills now, and what could be as the other ones get marked up. Greater input, greater conversations. And the more knowledge, the better off we are in the better chance we have at passing.”
With lawmakers leaving for a two-week recess on Friday, McCarthy said he did not want members to “just go away,” and that he is setting up more meetings on the matter over the break.
In an indication of the high stakes, some of the conservatives had delayed flights home in order to join Friday’s meeting, according to Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), who was among them. Higgins acknowledged that GOP leaders face an arduous task in rallying 218 votes behind their spending bills given the party’s slim majority — “The understatement of possibly the decade,” he said — but he also predicted they would meet that goal.
“We’re going to find a way to get to 218 on appropriations,” Higgins said. “We are united in that goal.”
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, also came away from the meeting with an optimistic tone.
“I think there is a plan of action. I don’t know about a resolution, but a plan of action,” Perry said.
Others, though, emphasized the long road ahead in ironing out the details of the spending cuts conservatives are demanding.
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) said a big part of the discussion is “making sure that we’re all on the same page” with the appropriations figures, and that members are not operating with “different sets of numbers.”
Conservatives have accused GOP leaders of using a budget “gimmick” — known as rescissions — to claim they’re setting next year’s spending at last year’s levels, while actually allocating much more. And several of them said they’re not yet satisfied with leadership’s response.
“It’s a very much continued and unresolved question,” Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) said.
“I think the disagreement right now amongst us [and], you know, our colleagues is they’re using that to help bring up the agency spending,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said of the rescissions after the meeting. “And so my view is no, we shouldn’t be doing that. … The agencies need to justify why they even need the money to begin with. They have not done that.”
The House left Friday for a two-week Independence Day recess after an extended seven-week stretch in session; the debt ceiling legislation forced leaders to cancel a scheduled weeklong recess the week of Memorial Day.
Tensions flared — and derailed leadership’s hold of the House floor — through the second half of that grueling stretch, forcing McCarthy to stomp out fires.
Eleven members of the House Freedom Caucus and their allies sunk a procedural rule in protest of the proposed cuts in the debt ceiling compromise not being steep enough, shutting down legislative action on the House floor for a week. Moderate Republicans lashed out, with one even proposing working with Democrats to get back control of the floor.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) forced a vote on a resolution to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calf.), which failed last week but then succeeded this week after adjustments in language. And Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) forced action on her resolution to impeach Biden over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, angering colleagues and surprising leaders — who then punted on her impeachment articles by working out a vote to send them back to committee.
Conservatives still have major concerns with spending levels in appropriations bills that have started to move through the committee. While they have allowed floor action to continue, they warn that shutting down the floor again remains a possibility.
Yet McCarthy said Friday the House GOP has “been so successful for the last seven weeks.”
As the leaders’ outreach effort ramps up, Republican appropriators have already begun the long process of marking up their 2024 spending bills, with a goal of sending all 12 appropriations bills to the House floor as quickly as possible.
“I think that what makes the most sense for us strategically is to be able to get these bills, get the numbers as low as we possibly can, and get them out of the House as quick as we can for negotiating purposes,” Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a close McCarthy ally who was central to debt ceiling negotiations, told reporters after the meeting. “I think that’s what’s most strategic and in our interest.”
Behind Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas), the Appropriations Committee has already marked up roughly half of those spending bills. But Graves emphasized that even those are not set in stone, and GOP leaders are reserving the right to alter those bills as needed to win over potential GOP holdouts — conservatives and moderates alike.
“The Speaker committed in January to go through regular order. Regular order includes allowing amendments and changes to bills as we move forward,” Graves said. “And look, yeah, Freedom Caucus has ideas on what they want to do. But so do a lot of other people.” | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/mccarthy-seeks-to-mollify-conservatives-ahead-of-federal-spending-fight/ | 2023-06-23 23:23:51 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/hill-politics/mccarthy-seeks-to-mollify-conservatives-ahead-of-federal-spending-fight/ |
MEXICO CITY — Authorities say they are investigating an apparent gunfight at an off-road vehicle rally in Mexico’s Baja California state that left 10 people dead and another 10 wounded.
The shooting, which took place early Saturday afternoon, provoked an intense mobilization of units of the army, navy, and state and local police.
Baja California officials say gunmen in one vehicle opened fire on people and vehicles at the rally. State prosecutor Ricardo Iván Carpio said that vehicle was found to have “perforations from gunshots and traces of blood inside.”
The state prosecutor’s office said there was evidence of crossfire suggesting it was a confrontation between members of organized crime groups.
Baja California, across the border from California, is experience intense cartel activity. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/21/mexico-offroad-vehicle-rally-gunfire-shootout/3e53c4f6-f807-11ed-bafc-bf50205661da_story.html | 2023-05-21 19:51:42 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/21/mexico-offroad-vehicle-rally-gunfire-shootout/3e53c4f6-f807-11ed-bafc-bf50205661da_story.html |
(The Car Connection) — Many mid-size crossover SUVs do not protect rear passengers as well as front occupants in crashes, according to the latest crash-test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released Tuesday.
Only four of the 13 mid-size and three-row crossover SUVs tested by the IIHS earned top “Good” results in an updated test. Those vehicles were the Ford Explorer, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Subaru Ascent, and Tesla Model Y.
The Chevy Traverse, Toyota Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas earned “Marginal” ratings in the moderate front overlap test that simulates a head-on collision of two vehicles of similar weight traveling at just under 40 mph.
The Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler four-door, Mazda CX-9, and Nissan Murano scored “Poor” ratings.
The update to the IIHS’ oldest test, first launched in 1995, was introduced last year to extend passenger protection to rear occupants. The new test uses a dummy sized like a small woman or 12-year-old child positioned in the seat behind the driver, where protection has lagged recently.
“All these vehicles provide excellent protection for the driver,” IIHS President David Harkey said in a statement. “But only a handful extend that level of safety to the back seat.”
Historically, rear-seat occupants were cushioned from front crashes by the front seats and the front crumple zone. Since model year 2007 onward, however, the IIHS found that fatal injury is 46% higher for belted occupants in the rear seat than those in the front seat.
The rear seat hasn’t become any more unsafe, but safety advances to front seat occupants have grown due to airbags, restraint technologies, and other areas of focus that the IIHS wants to see applied to the rear seats.
“Zeroing in on weaknesses in rear seat safety is an opportunity to make big gains in a short time, since solutions that are already proven to work in the front can successfully be adapted for the rear,” IIHS Senior Research Engineer Marcy Edwards said in a statement.
In recent years, car cabins have incorporated more rigid crumple zones so there is less deformation from a front crash in the passenger cabin.
The updated test was introduced last year and first applied to the most popular vehicle segment of compact crossovers. Most small crossovers—nine out of 15 tested—failed to protect rear passengers.
The front-overlap test remains the same, but the additional dummy gets tested for excessive risk of injury to the head, neck, chest, abdomen, or thigh. Chest injuries were a particular focus since they are the most common serious injury in the rear seat for adults. It also tests to see if the body “submarines” beneath the lap belt.
The top-rated mid-size SUVs had rear seat belts that remained in place on the pelvis, the side curtain airbag performed properly, and there was no “excessive force on the dummy’s chest.” There was a slight risk of head injury in all but the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
In vehicles with a “Poor” rating, the IIHS found a high risk of head or neck injuries to rear passengers.
The IIHS updates its tests as more automakers attain “Good” ratings. Last year, the IIHS instituted a tougher side-impact test to reflect the faster speeds and heavier, taller vehicles proliferating on modern roadways. Because of regular updates, IIHS’s coveted Top Safety Pick (TSP) awards carry more weight than the outdated five-star NCAP tests performed by the NHTSA. Headlight testing and automatic emergency braking have been other areas of focus for TSP criteria because most fatal crashes happen at night, as do most pedestrian crashes.
The IIHS toughened Top Safety Pick criteria for 2023 once again, partly due to automakers meeting more rigid safety standards in prior years. Yet traffic fatalities hit a 20-year high in the first half of 2022, driven by sharp increases in pedestrian deaths.
Less than half of 2022 TSP winners have qualified for 2023 TSP awards, of the vehicles tested so far this year. Many vehicles that qualify for a TSP in one year might not in a subsequent year because of the production cadence. For instance, the 2022 Honda Pilot was tested by the IIHS, not the redesigned 2023 Honda Pilot, which may have different results.
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The new front-overlap test is not part of the TSP criteria, yet. Typically, the IIHS introduces an updated test and gives automakers a year or two to address the changes before including it in TSP criteria. | https://who13.com/automotive/iihs-most-family-suvs-fail-to-protect-rear-passengers-in-a-crash/ | 2023-03-15 19:56:53 | 0 | https://who13.com/automotive/iihs-most-family-suvs-fail-to-protect-rear-passengers-in-a-crash/ |
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — An alleged hazing incident involving the Middletown football team continues to send shockwaves throughout the district. On Friday, the school district announced that head coach Scott Acri resigned earlier in the week.
Melissa Brown, a licensed psychologist at UPMC, spoke to FOX43 about how students in sports and clubs could get wrapped up in hazing incidents.
“Particularly in high school, we’re dealing with a fairly vulnerable population," said Brown. "There’s this ideology about wanting to fit in, wanting to stand out, wanting to be popular, whatever that ideology is for them.”
Brown says that mentality could apply to both perpetrators and victims of hazing incidents, and adds that it can happen on any sports team or club.
She says depending on the severity of the incident, victims could suffer long-lasting trauma.
“We’re talking about depression, anxiety, eating disorders," said Brown. "And of course, the big factor is the loss of trust in those adults and others around them that are there to keep them safe.”
Brown says coaches and other adult supervisors should monitor their students for any signs of potential hazing. She adds that parents also have a role to discourage their children from engaging in any hazing activities.
“Keep those conversations flowing, keep those doors open with your teen," said Brown. "As hard as it is and as often as they grunt at you, it really is important that you are their safe place that they can come to.”
The Middletown School District initially planned on releasing updated information about the hazing incident earlier Friday but postponed the release until Monday, Aug. 22nd.
Assistant coach Rob Brodish was tabbed as the team's acting head coach, following Acri's resignation. Middletown will take on Northern York High School in a scrimmage on Saturday at 10 a.m. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/local-psychologist-reacts-to-middletown-football-hazing-incident-middletown-high-school-dauphin-county/521-07407721-0123-419b-acd7-d6d49510df47 | 2022-08-20 01:29:37 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/local-psychologist-reacts-to-middletown-football-hazing-incident-middletown-high-school-dauphin-county/521-07407721-0123-419b-acd7-d6d49510df47 |
The New York Jets and linebacker Quincy Williams agreed Sunday on a three-year deal, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press.
Williams has been a starter the last two years for the Jets since being claimed off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars before the 2021 season. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, but was a free agent priority for New York.
NFL Network first reported that the Jets would bring back Williams, the older brother of All-Pro Quinnen Williams — who is also looking for a contract extension from New York this offseason.
Quincy Williams has been a speedy presence as a sideline-to-sideline tackler in the defense of coach Robert Saleh and coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Ulbrich has repeatedly praised the linebacker as an ascending player with Pro Bowl potential.
The 26-year-old Williams was a third-round pick of Jacksonville out of Murray State in 2019, the same year Quinnen Williams was the No. 3 overall selection by New York. After two seasons as mostly a backup and special teamer with the Jaguars, Quincy Williams came to the Jets and became a key contributor on defense.
He had more than 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons while starting 28 games with New York, along with five sacks and 10 quarterback hits.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl/2023/03/12/jets-quincy-williams-contract/e294d9dc-c126-11ed-82a7-6a87555c1878_story.html | 2023-03-12 23:13:06 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl/2023/03/12/jets-quincy-williams-contract/e294d9dc-c126-11ed-82a7-6a87555c1878_story.html |
Biden’s prime-time speech to call out Trump, his loyalists
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly two years after he defeated Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has some unfinished business he wants to settle with the restive forces of Trumpism.
Biden planned to use a prime-time speech Thursday night at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to frame the November elections, less than 10 weeks away, as part of an ongoing battle for the “soul of the nation.” It’s a reprise of his 2020 campaign theme that he is using now to cast the current stakes in as dire terms as those that sent him to the Oval Office two years ago.
Biden, who largely avoided even referring to “the former guy” by name during his first year in office, has grown increasingly vocal in calling out Trump personally. White House officials say that reflects the urgency with which he views the threat of Trump and his loyalists.
Feeling emboldened by a series of legislative wins, the president is sharpening his criticism of Republicans as the “ultra-MAGA” party — a reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan — that opposes his agenda, embraces conservative ideological proposals and spreads Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election.
“What we’re seeing now is either the beginning or the death knell of an extreme ‘MAGA’ philosophy,” Biden told Democrats at a Maryland fundraiser last week. “It’s not just Trump, it’s the entire philosophy that underpins the — I’m going to say something, it’s like semi-fascism.”
In Philadelphia, White House officials said, Biden intends to hark back to the 2017 white supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, which he says brought him out of political retirement to challenge Trump. Biden plans to argue that the country faces a similar crossroads in the coming months.
“The president thinks that there is an extremist threat to our democracy,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday. “It’s not stopping. It’s continuing.”
Biden’s allies stressed that he was not rejecting the entirety of the GOP and would use his remarks to call on traditional Republicans to join him in condemning Trump and his followers. It’s a balancing act, given that more than 74 million people voted for Trump in 2020.
“I respect conservative Republicans,” Biden said last week. “I don’t respect these MAGA Republicans.”
Larry Diamond, an expert on democracy and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, said calling Trump out for attacks on democracy “can be manipulated or framed as being partisan. And if you don’t call it out, you are shrinking from an important challenge in the defense of democracy.”
Even this week, Trump was posting on his beleaguered social media platform about overturning the 2020 election results and holding a new presidential election, which would violate the Constitution.
Timothy Naftali, a presidential historian at New York University, said it’s not unusual for there to be tension between a president and his successor, but it’s “unprecedented for a former president to be actively trying to undermine the U.S. Constitution.”
“The challenge that President Biden faces is to get on with his agenda while still doing what he needs to uphold the Constitution,” Naftali said. “That’s not easy.”
The White House has tried to keep Biden removed from the legal and political maelstrom surrounding the Department of Justice’s discovery of classified documents in Trump’s Florida home. Biden has taken advantage of some Republicans’ reflexive condemnation of federal law enforcement.
“You can’t be pro-law enforcement and pro-insurrection,” Biden said Tuesday in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
Biden’s appearance Thursday night was promoted as an official, taxpayer-funded event, a mark of how the president views defeating the Trump agenda as much as a policy aim as a political one. The major broadcast television networks were not expected to carry the address live.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy planned to speak Thursday afternoon in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where Biden was born, about “Biden’s assault on the soul of America,” accusing the president of planning to “continue to disparage hard-working Americans.” Previewing his remarks on Fox News, McCarthy, R-Calif., said Biden was “trying to distract from the disaster that he’s created in this country.”
Biden’s trip to Philadelphia will be one of three to the state within a week, a sign of Pennsylvania’s importance in the midterms, with competitive Senate and governor’s races. Trump plans a rally there this weekend.
The White House intended the speech to unite familiar themes: holding out bipartisan legislative wins on guns and infrastructure as evidence that democracies “can deliver,” pushing back on “extreme” GOP policies on guns and abortion that are out of step with most people’s views, and rejecting efforts to undermine confidence in the nation’s election or diminish its standing abroad.
The challenges to democracy have only multiplied since the tumult surrounding the 2020 presidential election.
Lies surrounding that race have triggered a wave of harassment and death threats against state and local election officials and new restrictions on mail voting in Republican-dominated states. County election officials have faced pressure to ban the use of voting equipment, efforts generated by conspiracy theories that voting machines were somehow manipulated to steal the election.
Candidates who dispute Trump’s loss have been inspired to run for state and local election posts, promising to restore integrity to a system that has been undermined by false claims and conspiracy theories. Some have claimed widespread fraud and supported efforts to decertify Biden’s win.
There is no evidence of any widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines. Judges, including ones appointed by Trump, dismissed dozens of lawsuits filed after the election and Trump’s own attorney general has called the claims bogus. Yet Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research polling has shown about two-thirds of Republicans say they do not think Biden was legitimately elected president in 2020.
This year, election officials face not only the threat of foreign interference but also ransomware, politically motivated hackers and insider threats. Over the past year, security breaches have been reported at a small number of local election offices in which authorities are investigating whether office staff improperly accessed or provided improper access to sensitive voting technology.
___
Associated Press writer Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/01/bidens-prime-time-speech-call-out-trump-his-loyalists/ | 2022-09-01 15:05:49 | 0 | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/01/bidens-prime-time-speech-call-out-trump-his-loyalists/ |
Baha Mar announces dates for its fourth annual celebrity tennis tournament and fundraiser in collaboration with Desert Smash producers Brand Innovators
NASSAU, The Bahamas, March 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Baha Mar, the Bahamas' leading luxury resort today announced the Baha Mar Smash – a celebrity tennis tournament and fundraiser in partnership with Brand Innovators. Announced live from the 19th Annual Desert Smash in Indian Wells, CA, Baha Mar Smash, previously known as Baha Mar Cup, will take place December 8-11, 2023. In its fourth year, the tournament will continue to benefit the Baha Mar Resort Foundation and the Mark Knowles Children's Tennis Initiative.
"Partnering with Brand Innovators, who have nearly two decades of experience producing one of the largest celebrity fundraising events in North America, will be instrumental in taking Baha Mar Smash to new heights," said Graeme Davis, President, Baha Mar. "We are ecstatic to have collaborators that can assist us with raising funds to support Bahamian youth and the Mark Knowles Children's Tennis Initiative."
Built on the three pillars of Community, Culture and Conservation, the Baha Mar Resort Foundation reflects the brand's deep commitment to building a strong future for The Bahamas. The Baha Mar Resort Foundation first partnered with the Mark Knowles Children's Tennis Initiative in 2019 to host the inaugural Baha Mar Tennis Cup, to support the local youth tennis community, enhance public tennis facilities, and provide opportunity for at-risk children. Past tournaments have featured an impressive roster of tennis pros, including Andy Roddick, Mark Knowles, Milos Raonic, Victoria Azarenka, Jessica Pegula, Cliff Drysdale and James Blake, and have raised more than $174,000.
Baha Mar Smash will take place at The Baha Mar Racquet Club, which features nine state-of-the-art tennis courts, with six professional hard courts, two Har-Tru clay courts, and the only grass court in the Caribbean. The tennis program is directed by Cliff Drysdale Tennis, a worldwide leader in services and instruction for tennis enthusiasts of all ages.
For more information on tickets and participating in Baha Mar Smash, please visit www.bahamar.com. Follow Baha Mar @BahaMarResorts on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
About Baha Mar
Baha Mar is a master planned integrated resort development situated on 1,000 acres overlooking the world's famous Cable Beach. The white sand beach destination includes three global brand operators – Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood – over 2,300 rooms and more than 45 restaurants and lounges, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a state-of-the-art convention center, Royal Blue Golf Course, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature course, a brand new $200 million Baha Bay luxury water park, the Caribbean's first and only flagship ESPA spa, and over 30 luxury retail outlets. Baha Mar is a breathtaking location with dynamic programming, activities, and guest offerings in one of the most beautiful places in the world – The Bahamas. For more information and reservations, visit www.bahamar.com.
About Mark Knowles
Mark Knowles is a former World #1 in doubles. He has won all four majors in doubles. Winning the men's doubles titles at the Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open and the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon. He has contested 13 Grand Slam finals overall. He was ranked World #1 between 2002 and 2004. He is a 5-time Olympian and has coached top ten players Mardy Fish, Milos Raonic & Jack Sock. Since 2013, Knowles has worked on-air for Tennis Channel, providing in-match commentary, courtside interviews and tournament analysis.
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SOURCE Baha Mar | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/03/07/baha-mar-announces-baha-mar-smash-celebrity-tennis-fundraiser-benefiting-baha-mar-foundation/ | 2023-03-07 17:22:43 | 0 | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/03/07/baha-mar-announces-baha-mar-smash-celebrity-tennis-fundraiser-benefiting-baha-mar-foundation/ |
PASAY CITY, Philippines, May 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the country's leading conglomerate, reported its consolidated net income grew 33% to PHP17.3 billion in the first quarter from PHP13.0 billion in the same period last year.
Consolidated revenues in the January to March period increased 21% to PHP138.2 billion, from P113.8 billion in the same period last year.
"This year has started well, continuing the strong momentum of 2022. We are well positioned for continued growth and prepared for any macroeconomic uncertainties. Meanwhile the whole group is pushing ahead with regional expansion plans to serve more Filipinos," SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said.
Banking accounted for 47% of reported net earnings from core businesses, followed by property at 26%, retail at 17% and portfolio investments at 10%.
Banking
BDO Unibank, Inc. reported a net income of PHP16.5 billion, up 41% from the same period last year and bolstered by solid loan and deposit growth, robust fee-income generation and improved asset quality.
China Banking Corporation booked a PHP5.0 billion net income for the first quarter, up 3% from the same period last year, driven by robust asset base expansion, strong net interest income and lower credit provisions.
Property
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) registered a consolidated net income of PHP9.4 billion, 27% higher than the PHP7.4 billion in the same period last year. Consolidated revenues grew 20% to PHP28.7 billion from PHP23.9 billion.
The Philippine mall business revenues increased 88% to PHP15.4 billion from PHP8.2 billion.
The rental income of local malls increased 72% to PHP13.0 billion with the increase in tenant sales and foot traffic and the full charging of rental fees implemented since the second half of 2022.
Revenues of its residential business group, led by SM Development Corp. (SMDC), was lower by 29% to PHP8.5 billion partly due to canceled sales as an effect of high inflation, rising domestic interest rates and the lapse of the Bayanihan Law. However, cancellations are beginning to moderate in the first quarter of 2023. SMDC's sales take-up rose 15% to PHP35.8 billion.
Revenues of offices, hotels, and convention centers grew 59% to PHP3.2 billion.
Retail
SM Retail net income grew 51% to PHP3.9 billion from PHP2.6 billion. Revenues were up 22% to PHP91.2 billion from PHP74.5 billion as consumers' purchasing power remained stable despite higher inflation.
Notably, the department store business was strong as improving employment continued to support spending. Food retailing was likewise strong with constant spending on food essentials. Specialty retail growth was also driven by discretionary spending on fashion, accessories and sports items.
Portfolio Investments
Portfolio investments continued to contribute to revenues and net income, gaining momentum from the turnarounds from last year.
SM Investments expects the portfolio businesses to make a bigger contribution to the Group's revenues and earnings over time.
Balance Sheet
Total assets of SM Investments stood at PHP1.5 trillion. Gearing ratio remained conservative with 35% net debt to 65% equity.
About SM Investments Corporation
SM Investments Corporation is a leading Philippine company that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.
SM's retail operations are the country's largest and most diversified with its food, non-food, and specialty retail stores. SM's property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM's interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country's largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the 6th largest bank.
For information, please visit www.sminvestments.com
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SOURCE SM Investments Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2023/05/10/sm-investments-q1-net-income-grows-33-php173-bn-resilient-consumer-demand/ | 2023-05-10 07:54:10 | 1 | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2023/05/10/sm-investments-q1-net-income-grows-33-php173-bn-resilient-consumer-demand/ |
Twitter relaunching subscriber service after debacle
NEW YORK (AP) — Twitter is once again attempting to launch its premium service, a month after a previous attempt failed.
The social media company said Saturday it would let users buy subscriptions to Twitter Blue to get a blue checkmark and access special features starting Monday.
The blue checkmark was originally given to companies, celebrities, government entities and journalists verified by the platform. After Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in October, he launched a service granting blue checks to anyone willing to pay $8 a month. But it was inundated by imposter accounts, including those impersonating Musk’s businesses Tesla and SpaceX, so Twitter suspended the service days after its launch.
The relaunched service will cost $8 a month for web users and $11 a month for iPhone users. Twitter says subscribers will see fewer ads, be able to post longer videos and have their tweets featured more prominently.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.azfamily.com/2022/12/12/twitter-relaunching-subscriber-service-after-debacle/ | 2022-12-12 13:13:07 | 0 | https://www.azfamily.com/2022/12/12/twitter-relaunching-subscriber-service-after-debacle/ |
World Cup 2022: Onana suspension sends Cameroon into crisis
Lolade Adewuyi
12 minutes ago
The suspension of first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana for 'disciplinary reasons' has reverberated around the squad. Cameroon secured a point against Serbia in Onana's absence, but must beat Brazil to progress.
https://p.dw.com/p/4KCj4
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Cameroon and World Cup crises tend to go hand-in-hand. Coach Rigobert Song was forced to spend more time talking about the suspension of first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana than the crucial 3-3 draw with Serbia that kept their hopes alive in Qatar.
The Indomitable Lions camp has had to deal with the departure of Onana, who is reported to have criticized the coach's tactical plan and a teammate on the team's WhatsApp group.
Onana, formerly of Ajax and currently at Inter Milan, is said to prefer being a 'sweeper keeper' while the coach was in favor of the more orthodox goalkeeping style of Devis Epassy. Threatened with a spell on the bench, Onana packed his bags and left the Cameroon training camp.
'Full support' for Song
In a statement, Cameroon's football federation (Fecafoot), now led by Cameroon legend Samuel Eto'o, said that "following Song's decision, Onana has been temporarily suspended from the group for disciplinary reasons."
Fecafoot expressed its "full support" for Song, whose decision it says is "aimed at preserving discipline, solidarity, complementarity and cohesion with the national team."
Song himself stood firmly by his decision. He said: "I had to take care of it before it affected the entire squad. But there's room for him to return if he still wants to."
As a former player who led his fair share of revolts in the Cameroon camp, Song's action seems to have calmed the team ahead of their final game with Brazil, who the African side will need to beat and hope Switzerland don't beat Serbia. It is an almost impossible scenario.
A history of crises
In 2014, when Cameroon last played at the World Cup, another crisis engulfed the team — this time before their plane had even taken off for Rio de Janeiro. The dispute, over bonuses, was only resolved by the players refusing to fly to Brazil until the Cameroonian Football Federation paid all due bonuses ahead of the trip.
Then they plunged the depths when players Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo had a falling out on the field during a loss to Croatia, with accusations of match fixing later shrouding that game.
There were also camp bonus issues in 2006 and 2002, so Song is hoping that his quick decision over Onana will nip the issue in the bud ahead of a must-win game: "We have a tournament to play and we must focus on it," Song said.
Onana's departure meant back-up goalkeeper Epassy had to fill the gloves of Onana, and Epassy's sixth cap may have seen him concede three goals, but his saves against a lively Serbia have also kept Cameroon in the tournament.
"It was a dream, every player wants to play at the World Cup," Epassy said. "Yesterday I didn't play, today I played, tomorrow I don't know but I have to be ready when my chance comes. I spoke to the coach last night and he told me maybe I would play today, and I gave everything."
Cameroon need miracle against Brazil
The introduction of substitute Vincent Aboubakar was what really turned the game on its head as the striker scored one and provided an assist for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to make it 3-3.
Cameroon now need to muster a win against arguably the strongest team in the tournament and will be hoping for a better result than their previous meeting in 2014, which ended 4-1 to Brazil.
"That was another time, this game will be a different game with new players and a different mentality, and we will show that we can give everything for our flag, the green, red and yellow. We will give everything," said Epassy. | https://www.dw.com/en/world-cup-2022-onana-suspension-plunges-cameroon-into-another-crisis/a-63920826 | 2022-11-28 23:52:59 | 1 | https://www.dw.com/en/world-cup-2022-onana-suspension-plunges-cameroon-into-another-crisis/a-63920826 |
CA Reno NV Zone Forecast for Monday, December 19, 2022
_____
922 FPUS55 KREV 201131
ZFPREV
Western Nevada-Eastern Sierra-Northeast California Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Reno NV
331 AM PST Tue Dec 20 2022
This is an automatically generated product that provides averaged
values for large geographic areas and may not be representative
of a specific area. To get a more specific forecast for your area,
please visit www.nws.noaa.gov/wtf/udaf/area/?site=rev
CAZ072-NVZ002-210300-
Greater Lake Tahoe Area-
Including the cities of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, Truckee,
Markleeville, Stateline, Glenbrook, and Incline Village
331 AM PST Tue Dec 20 2022
.TODAY...Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly
cloudy. Highs 35 to 40. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts
up to 60 mph.
.TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Snow level
rising to 6500 feet. Lows 20 to 30. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridge gusts up to 55 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the morning,
then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Snow level 7000 to
7500 feet. Highs 39 to 44. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge
gusts up to 55 mph.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows 18 to 28. Southwest winds
around 10 mph in the evening becoming light. Ridge gusts up to
55 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly cloudy. Highs 40 to 45. Light winds.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain and
snow. Lows 22 to 32.
.FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Highs 45 to 50. Lows
21 to 31.
$$
CAZ070-NVZ005-210300-
Surprise Valley California-Northern Washoe County-
Including the cities of Cedarville, Eagleville, Fort Bidwell,
Empire, and Gerlach
331 AM PST Tue Dec 20 2022
.TODAY...Mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the afternoon.
Highs 33 to 43. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in
the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers. Snow level rising to
5000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Lows 23 to 28. West
winds 10 to 15 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the morning.
Highs 38 to 48. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in
the afternoon.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Lows 17 to 27. Northwest winds
10 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY...Cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the afternoon. Highs
32 to 42. Light winds becoming east around 10 mph in the
afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Cloudy. Chance of snow and rain. Lows 24 to 29.
.FRIDAY...Cloudy. Highs 36 to 46.
.FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...Mostly cloudy. Lows 24 to 29.
Highs 38 to 48.
$$
CAZ071-210300-
Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties-
Including the cities of Portola, Susanville, Westwood,
Sierraville, and Loyalton
331 AM PST Tue Dec 20 2022
.TODAY...Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers in the afternoon. Snow
accumulation up to 1 inch. Highs 36 to 41. Light winds becoming
west around 10 mph in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Snow level
5000 to 5500 feet. Lows 21 to 31. Light winds.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly cloudy. Isolated showers in the morning.
Highs 37 to 47. Light winds becoming west around 10 mph in the
afternoon.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Lows 18 to 28. Northwest winds
around 10 mph in the evening becoming light.
.THURSDAY...Cloudy. Highs 35 to 45. Light winds.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow and rain.
Lows 23 to 33.
.FRIDAY THROUGH CHRISTMAS DAY...Mostly cloudy. Highs 44 to 54.
Lows 23 to 33.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly
cloudy. Lows 23 to 33.
.MONDAY...Mostly cloudy. Highs 43 to 53.
$$
CAZ073-210300-
Mono County-
Including the cities of Bridgeport, Coleville, Lee Vining,
and Mammoth Lakes
331 AM PST Tue Dec 20 2022
.TODAY...Mostly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs 32 to
42. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 60 mph.
.TONIGHT...Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming clear. Lows
10 to 20. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 55 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Sunny. Highs 39 to 49. West winds around 10 mph in
the morning becoming light. Ridge gusts up to 60 mph.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows 12 to 22. West winds 10 to
15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 55 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly cloudy. Highs 40 to 50. Light winds.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming
partly cloudy. Lows 17 to 27.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs 41 to
51.
.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY...Clear. Lows 17 to 27. Highs 44 to
54.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 19 to 29.
Highs 46 to 56.
$$
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.ourmidland.com/weather/article/CA-Reno-NV-Zone-Forecast-17666061.php | 2022-12-20 12:27:19 | 0 | https://www.ourmidland.com/weather/article/CA-Reno-NV-Zone-Forecast-17666061.php |
Pursuant, a full-service marketing and fundraising agency serving nonprofit organizations, proudly welcomes Dom Spinosa as Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Creative Officer.
DALLAS, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pursuant, a full-service marketing and fundraising agency, proudly welcomes Domenic "Dom" Spinosa as Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer. Dom brings three decades of expertise providing award-winning, creative strategies to internationally recognized brands.
Dom will lead Pursuant's creative department and partner with client strategy teams to craft best-in-class direct response campaigns and marketing concepts that build deeper relationships and drive results.
"I'm thrilled to bring my expertise to the Pursuant team," Dom said. "Their heart for this industry and their data-driven approach to every step of the constituent journey are so compelling, not to mention the diversity in the types of organizations they serve. I look forward to crafting impactful storytelling that enriches the donor experience."
Dom's more than thirty-year career includes past nonprofit clients like Feeding America, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish, Environmental Defense Fund, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and International Fund for Animal Welfare. Previous commercial clients include Volvo, Saks Fifth Avenue, Marriott, American Express, and Hertz. He has been honored with over 300 industry awards, including ECHO, John Caples, Maxi, and NEDMA.
Dom's expertise positions Pursuant to serve nonprofits with unparalleled marketing and fundraising services that elevate constituent communications, increase loyalty, and inspire greater generosity.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dom and his vast creative experience to the Pursuant team and our clients," said Pursuant CEO Trent Ricker. "Our current economic climate demands that nonprofits deliver increasingly powerful and creative experiences to their constituents. Dom has both the marketing and fundraising perspective to achieve that. I'm eager for our clients to benefit from his direct response fundraising experience."
Dom earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He currently lives and works in Maine
Pursuant is a full-service marketing and fundraising firm dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations increase the visibility of their mission, engage with constituents, acquire new donors, and drive donor loyalty. Grounded in data science and powered by its proprietary GivingDNA wealth screening and data analytics platform, Pursuant leverages analytics to inform marketing and fundraising strategy with impactful creative and messaging.
Visit http://www.pursuant.com to learn more about Pursuant.
Media Contact:
Meghan Wollack
meghan.wollack@pursuant.com
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SOURCE The Pursuant Group Inc | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/dom-spinosa-joins-pursuant-chief-creative-officer/ | 2022-07-21 19:25:14 | 1 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/dom-spinosa-joins-pursuant-chief-creative-officer/ |
SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SWBC Mortgage Corporation announced today that Jim Collier has been appointed Chief Risk Officer (CRO). Collier brings over 25 years of experience in financial services and mortgage lending.
Most recently, he held the title of Chief Operating Officer for Ruoff Mortgage, which is the number one lender in Indiana. Collier is collaborating with Origination and IT at SWBC to improve process enhancements for scalability and efficiency. His primary focus is on the continuity of execution, and he is working with IT to improve automation opportunities—to enhance the borrower and employee experience.
"Jim's experience with financial services and mortgage lending makes him a great addition to the SWBC Mortgage family. We are delighted to have him on board, as he aims to enhance the origination process for our borrowers and employees," said Susan Stewart, CEO of SWBC Mortgage.
Collier is a graduate of Averett University in Danville, Virginia.
SWBC Mortgage Corporation (swbcmortgage.com) is a full-service mortgage lender approved by FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, SWBC Mortgage has been providing mortgage banking services since 1988. Through the changing landscape of the mortgage industry, the company has remained committed to service, integrity, and stability while growing to serve communities and borrowers in 43 states. Today, SWBC Mortgage is consistently recognized as one of the top 50 lenders in America and is home to numerous top-ranked originators. Building on a rich history of success, SWBC Mortgage has highly experienced team members who leverage cutting-edge technology to deliver industry-leading speed and service, while providing a personal, experienced touch to the mortgage process. The company's state-of-the-art digital application, unrivaled speed to close, and seamless transition to our servicing platform result in customers who consistently rate SWBC Mortgage as a top lending experience.
As a diversified financial services company, SWBC provides financial institutions, businesses, and individuals with a wide range of services, including insurance, mortgages, wealth management, employee benefits, and more. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, SWBC has partners and divisions across all 50 states and manages businesses around the world. No matter how wide its reach is, SWBC always listens to its customers' needs, analyzes their current situations, and recommends customized solutions. For more information about our innovative approach to personalized service, visit SWBC's website at swbc.com.
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SOURCE SWBC | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/swbc-mortgage-corporation-welcomes-new-cro/ | 2022-08-23 14:06:40 | 0 | https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/swbc-mortgage-corporation-welcomes-new-cro/ |
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The field at State Farm Stadium turned into a Super Bowl slip and slide.
With the surface seeming to get worse as the night wore on, players from both teams had a hard time keeping their footing on Sunday, leading several to change their cleats during a game that ended with the Kansas City Chiefs’ dramatic 38-35 comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It was like playing on a water park,” Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata said.
State Farm Stadium has a history of slippery fields.
Players complained about field conditions at the BCS National Championship between Oregon and Auburn in 2010. Same thing in the College Football Playoff title game between Alabama and Clemson in 2015. The Fiesta Bowl has had its share of grassy slipups as well.
The Super Bowl was no different — even after the NFL spent nearly two years preparing the field.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes slipped while trying to make a cut, but was able to gain a few more yards. Kansas City receiver Skyy Moore lost his footing on a jet sweep and running back Isiah Pacheco even slipped during his celebration after scoring a touchdown.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and tight end Dallas Goedert were among the players who changed cleats to get better traction.
“I changed my cleats and right before the second half wore the different ones,” Goedert said. “The second half, you know, the field was tearing up a little bit but, you know, once again, we’re playing on the same field as the Chiefs.”
It’s not the first time this season Kansas City has had footing problems at State Farm Stadium.
In their season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, the Chiefs had all kinds of trouble with the playing surface.
First-round pick Trent McDuffie, who had earned a starting job, injured his hamstring when he slipped and end up on injured reserve.
Kicker Harrison Butker also got injured when his plant foot slipped on a kickoff, forcing him to miss games and ultimately change his entire approach to kicking for the remainder of the season.
It happened again in the Super Bowl, though both teams felt the slippage.
“It’s not like we were playing on the on ice and they were playing on grass,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “We all had to play on it, we all have to figure out our shoes.”
The grass at State Farm Stadium is on a giant tray that is rolled in and out of the retractable roof stadium. The field sits out in the Arizona sun on warm days and is brought back inside when it gets cold. | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/super-bowl-field-turned-into-a-giant-slip-and-slide/ | 2023-02-13 11:40:25 | 1 | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/super-bowl-field-turned-into-a-giant-slip-and-slide/ |
CLEVELAND (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday afternoon's drawing of the Ohio Lottery's "Pick 5 Midday" game were:
6-4-1-4-2
(six, four, one, four, two)
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5
Pike County murder trial defendant testifies for second day: Watch live | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/ohio/winning-numbers-drawn-in-pick-5-midday-game/NHVYBIX24FCZ7CW2KPOTPBD34A/ | 2022-11-17 18:51:31 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/ohio/winning-numbers-drawn-in-pick-5-midday-game/NHVYBIX24FCZ7CW2KPOTPBD34A/ |
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union unveiled plans Wednesday to ban products made with forced labor, in an effort to crack down on a modern-day form of slavery that a U.N. agency estimated affects more than 27 million people worldwide.
The European Commission, which proposes EU laws, said the policy would remove from the 27-nation bloc’s markets all products made with forced labor. It would also stop them from being made in the world’s biggest trading bloc or shipped through it.
The move does not target specific companies, industries or countries.
“Our aim is to eliminate all products made with forced labor from the EU market, irrespective of where they have been made. Our ban will apply to domestic products, exports and imports alike,” commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said.
The EU’s executive arm defines forced labor as a situation where a person is coerced to work through violence or intimidation, or in more indirect ways by having their debt manipulated, their identity papers stolen or being threatened with denunciation to immigration authorities.
Under the plans, the commission would set up and operate a public database containing information about suspect products and practices. EU countries would designate an authority to enforce the rules, and customs officers would have responsibility for ensuring compliance at the bloc’s borders.
The aim is to focus on high-risk products. Investigations would be launched if national authorities believe forced labor may have been used. Suspected cases involving bigger operators that make the most products would be the preferred target, rather than small businesses.
If a product made with forced labor is already sold in the EU, the company involved would be required to pull it off the market and dispose of it. If the company refuses, it would face penalties under the law of the country it operates in.
Europe’s main union umbrella organization, the European Trade Union Confederation, welcomed the plans.
“Many of the people in forced labor are manufacturing goods destined for sale in Europe, so a properly enforced ban should cripple the profits of the criminals behind these violations,” ETUC Deputy General-Secretary Claes-Mikael Stahl said.
The International Labour Organization estimated that in 2021 around 27.6 million people were forced to work on any given day, including 3.3 million children. Women and girls accounted for 11.8 million of that number.
Textiles, mining and agriculture are among the industries most notorious for the practice.
The commission’s proposal must now be debated by the EU member countries and the European Parliament. The rules would enter force two years after an agreement is concluded. | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/business/ap-eu-moves-to-ban-products-made-with-forced-labor/ | 2022-09-15 02:30:25 | 1 | https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/business/ap-eu-moves-to-ban-products-made-with-forced-labor/ |
DENVER (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s race remained extremely tight on Thursday and could be headed for a recount in the GOP firebrand’s bid for reelection against Democrat Adam Frisch, a former city councilmember from the upscale ski town of Aspen, Colorado.
The tightness of the race has garnered national attention as Republicans inch closer to the 218 seats that would give them control of the U.S. House. Boebert was seen as a lock in the state’s sprawling, conservative-leaning 3rd Congressional District but she trailed on election night and only took a roughly 800-vote lead after two days of additional counting with thousands of ballots left to be tabulated. The margin gave her a 0.2 percentage point lead, well within the 0.5-point margin that triggers an automatic recount.
Boebert, a staunch Trump loyalist, fashions herself as a fighter in a broader cultural crusade for the soul of the nation and earned a spot on the so-called “MAGA Squad” alongside Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Even as a freshman representative, Boebert’s brash style gained her national TV appearances, widespread notoriety and a loyal following.
During President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address in March, Boebert interrupted a somber moment about Biden’s son to blame the president for 13 service members who were killed during the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan.
Frisch was expected to face long odds after redistricting made the already conservative district, which elected former President Donald Trump by a 15 point margin in 2016, more Republican. But the Democratic challenger, who downplayed his political party and pitched a pro-business and pro-energy platform, remained adamant that Republican voters were tired of what he called Boebert’s “angertainment” and bet on a portion of GOP voters jumping ship.
To Frisch, the slim margin in the election speaks to his ability to build a broad bi-partisan coalition by touting himself as a moderate.
If Boebert loses, it would be another hit to the disappointing results for the GOP on Tuesday night after the anticipated red wave never made the shore.
But Boebert and her supporters weren’t considering that option on Thursday.
“We’re confident Lauren Boebert will win re-election,” said Courtney Parella, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, whose mission is to elect Republicans to the House of Representatives.
Thursday morning, Boebert tweeted “Winning!”
Shortly after, Frisch wrote in a statement: “The closeness of this race is a testament to the fact that the people of western and southern Colorado are growing tired of the angertainment industry that Boebert is a part of and want a representative who will fight for bipartisan solutions.”
During the campaign, Boebert and Frisch clashed less on policy issues and more on character. The incumbent claimed Frisch was a closeted leftist who would discard his conservative platform once in congress, while the challenger fashioned himself as a competent and tempered alternative.
Both Frisch’s and Boebert’s campaigns said they are closely watching the race in anticipation of further ballot drops from counties still counting votes and that neither have reached out to attorneys.
In closely watched Pueblo County, exhausted elections workers on Thursday were processing roughly 3,200 mail-in ballots and 1,800 in-person last-day ballots, said Gilbert Ortiz, the county clerk and recorder.
In Colorado, county elections boards have until Nov. 30 to certify their election results and submit those to the secretary of state’s office, which has a Dec. 5 deadline to issue its own certification or order mandatory recounts. Any recounts requested by a candidate, or other parties, must be paid for by that candidate or other party and must be completed by Dec. 15.
Elections officials urged the public to be patient, saying vote-counting was proceeding according to established procedure with no reported irregularities.
The sprawling district covers much of western and southern Colorado, including ranches, ski resorts and national forest land as well as the cities of Pueblo and Grand Junction. Grand Junction is in Mesa County, where county clerk Tina Peters has been charged with allegedly allowing outsiders to break into her election system. She has been barred from overseeing elections there.
In Pueblo County, the count would take all day, Ortiz said. And under state law, officials have nine days after Election Day, or until Nov. 17, to receive overseas and military ballots, as well as to “cure,” or verify, ballots in hand that have voter signatures that cannot be immediately verified, he said. Some of Pueblo County’s bipartisan citizen elections judges, who open and verify ballots and feed them into the machines, have left for other commitments or exhaustion, meaning there are fewer people on hand to process ballots, Ortiz said.
“We just want to make sure that our numbers are accurate, and we are not willing to sacrifice accuracy for speed,” Ortiz said. “At this point, we just want to finish today.”
___
This story corrects Tina Peters’ last name.
___
Associated Press writers James Anderson and Colleen Slevin contributed to this report.
___
Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. | https://pix11.com/ap-political/ap-trump-loyalist-boeberts-reelection-bid-could-go-to-recount/ | 2022-11-11 11:17:48 | 1 | https://pix11.com/ap-political/ap-trump-loyalist-boeberts-reelection-bid-could-go-to-recount/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — Fashion’s biggest night is just a few hours away — after all, it is the first Monday in May. Follow along for real-time updates on the 2023 Met Gala from The Associated Press. We’ll be bringing you news in all formats, all day and all night, from the carpet and behind the scenes.
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WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH KARL LAGERFELD
The late fashion designer’s selection as the theme is not without controversy, with some criticizing his unapologetically polemical comments on a variety of topics, including xenophobic and fatphobic remarks. AP Entertainment Writer Leanne Italie, who will be anchoring our coverage tonight, breaks down the designer’s multifaceted legacy.
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR’S MET GALA
This year is themed around the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s new exhibit, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” Given that Lagerfeld was, well, a fashion designer, you can expect many a haute look.
The guest list is heavily guarded, but every year leaks do escape. Check out our guide on the 2023 Met Gala for a sneak peek on who might walk up those iconic stairs tonight, brought to you by AP National Writer Jocelyn Noveck (who will also bring you one of the rare dispatches from inside the event).
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HOW TO WATCH THE MET GALA
A livestream will kick off on Vogue.com at 6:30 p.m. Eastern. But the AP can give you a first look at what to expect — check back here in the late afternoon for a livestream of departures from the Mark Hotel, a nearby venue where many stars get ready for the gala.
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For more Met Gala coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/met-gala | https://www.koin.com/entertainment-news/met-gala-2023-live-updates-get-set-for-fashions-big-night/ | 2023-05-01 07:31:51 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/entertainment-news/met-gala-2023-live-updates-get-set-for-fashions-big-night/ |
DALLAS, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), the governing body of saltwater tournament fishing, announced today the opening of the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic. The tournament will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
Three teams to watch coming out of Gulf Coast Masters are Team Quantified, Team Rebecca, and Team Quicktime. The three teams together had 68% of all fish caught with 35 out of 51 billfish released during Gulf Coast Masters with Team Quantified releasing 16 sailfish and four white marlin; Team Rebecca released 10 sailfish and six white marlin and Team Quicktime released nine sailfish. Team All In has been consistent throughout the Gulf circuit and are currently sitting in first place with 8500 points. They need a strong finish to keep things going, but are the team everyone is currently chasing.
The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic is the biggest tournament of the SFC Gulf Circuit. With a purse of $1.8 million dollars, a fleet of over 80 of the best sportfishing anglers in all of the Gulf of Mexico are all stationed in one marina. This year's Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic marks the 21st anniversary of the event in Sandestin, Florida. Competition began on June 22, with boats heading out from Baytowne Marina at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Competitors will spend three days in the Gulf of Mexico fishing day and night, returning on Saturday afternoon, with awards to be held at an event at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 25.
Fans can watch exclusive coverage of all the action at 3 p.m. on YouTube and 4 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network on Friday and 12 and 10 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network and at 3 p.m. on YouTube on Saturday.
SFC tournament points accrue based on a team's placement in the final tournament standings, with the first-place team earning 3,500 points, the second-place team 3,000 points, and so forth. Placements in the tournament standings are determined from tournament-only points based on species of fish caught and released, with the highest consideration given to blue marlin, then white marlin and spearfish, and finally sailfish and swordfish.
The season schedule next brings anglers to Cape May, New Jersey, for the South Jersey Yacht Sales Offshore Showdown from July 6 to July 8. Events thereafter include: the Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, July 12-15; the Tri-State Canyon Shootout in Block Island, Rhode Island, July 24-27; the Texas International Fishing Tournament in South Padre Island, Texas, August 4-6; the White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland, August 7-11 and conclude with the San Juan International Billfish Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 23-25.
To learn more about the Sport Fishing Championship Season, visit sportfishingchampionship.com.
About Sport Fishing Championship
SFC is the governing body of saltwater tournament fishing with SFC being the largest owner and media rights holder of saltwater fishing tournaments in the industry, available to watch on every major cable and OTT platform on CBS Sports Network and YouTube. In April 2023 SFC launched The Catch, an offshore fishing competition that paired current NFL greats with SFC star anglers. The two-hour live event aired on CBS and Paramount+.
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SOURCE Sport Fishing Championship | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2023/06/23/sport-fishing-championship-heads-back-florida-emerald-coast-classic/ | 2023-06-23 12:15:58 | 1 | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2023/06/23/sport-fishing-championship-heads-back-florida-emerald-coast-classic/ |
Laurel Bridge Software will continue to facilitate the VA's ongoing transition from VistA to a new universal electronic health record.
NEWARK, Del., Nov. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Laurel Bridge Software, Inc., a provider of software solutions that enables health systems to orchestrate their complex medical imaging workflows, announces that they have been selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to deploy their Compass™ - Routing Workflow Manager across an additional five (5) Veterans Integrated Services Networks (VISNs), as part of the VA's ongoing nationwide rollout of the new Cerner Electronic Health Record (EHR).
This deployment of additional Compass Routing Workflow Managers will expand upon a previously announced relationship with the VA. As part of a highly available implementation, Laurel Bridge Software solutions will help ensure imaging studies are accurately tracked and associated with the correct patient, regardless of whether they are stored on the legacy VistA Imaging archive or the new Cerner CareAware MultiMedia™ (CAMM) vendor neutral archive.
"We are pleased that the VA continues to turn to us to support their ongoing and complicated transition from their legacy VistA system to the new Cerner EHR," states Jeff Blair, President of Laurel Bridge. "This expanded relationship reflects our combined ability to ensure our military veterans can benefit from the latest healthcare technology."
Since 1999, Laurel Bridge Software has been providing healthcare organizations with enterprise imaging workflow solutions for image routing, prior exam fetching, migration, and modality worklist management. Our suite of highly configurable solutions solves complex, mission-critical imaging workflows that unify multiple business entities and their disparate clinical imaging systems. Laurel Bridge solutions reliably ensure new and historical DICOM imaging studies, HL7 messages, and non-DICOM objects are available to the clinical staff, at the point-of-care. These imaging workflow solutions are implemented at thousands of healthcare providers, OEMs, teleradiology firms, radiology group practices, and AI algorithm companies, in more than 35 countries, directly and through integration partners. Learn more by visiting www.LaurelBridge.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Greg Muller
Director, Business Development
Greg.Muller@LaurelBridge.com
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Dean Kaufman
Director, Marketing
Dean.Kaufman@LaurelBridge.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Laurel Bridge Software | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/11/15/laurel-bridge-software-expands-relationship-with-department-veterans-affairs/ | 2022-11-15 16:18:27 | 0 | https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/11/15/laurel-bridge-software-expands-relationship-with-department-veterans-affairs/ |
By CHRISTINE GALLAGHER
Special to the SentinelOne of my goals this year was to interview food historian Adrian Miller.
By CHRISTINE GALLAGHER
Special to the SentinelOne of my goals this year was to interview food historian Adrian Miller.
He is known as the “Soul Food Scholar” and is an expert on African American cuisine and history. Miller is a former attorney from Colorado and has written several James Beard award-winning books including “Soul Food,” “Black Smoke” and “The President’s Kitchen Cabinet.”
He was a consultant for Netflix’s docuseries “High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America.” Miller also is the national chair of the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chefs’ award committee.
I was honored to interview him over several days while he was in Grand Junction for a board meeting with the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board.
We dined on delicious meals at area restaurants and spent hours discussing everything from food, family, race, world travel and politics.
We both have a deep enthusiasm for food as a way of connecting people. As I’ve mentioned before, food is a language that brings people of all backgrounds together. It is one of my favorite things about food along the flavors, of course!
Miller recently returned from Norway where he visited as part of a celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Embassy in Oslo invited him to lecture around the country and also teach culinary students how to make soul food.
“Food is a great way to bring people together. We all have to eat, and I find that people are interested in finding out how the foods of other cultures are similar to and different from their own,” Miller told me.
Miller’s books and lectures are full of rich, historical detail and written in a way that engages the reader. I had many contemplative moments while reading his books. I would stop and just mentally “chew” on what he had written.
I love learning new things, and when it overlaps with food and history, that is an extra treat!
I asked Miller what his hopes are for the future in terms of people and food. He answered, “We have a number of challenges facing us. I hope that by building more connections, food being one of those connections, we can learn more about each other and find ways to positively collaborate and address our challenges.”
I look forward to hosting Miller during Palisade peach season someday. We could even make the delicious-looking peach cobbler from his book, “Soul Food.”
I encourage you to learn more about Colorado’s fascinating “Soul Food Scholar” and his excellent insights into Black history and cuisine in the United States.
Email Christine Gallagher at allthingsfoodchristine@gmail.com.
Chance of Rain: 43%
Sunrise: 06:48:36 AM
Sunset: 06:05:46 PM
Humidity: 63%
Wind: ESE @ 10 mph
UV Index: 0 Low
Mostly cloudy skies with late-night snow showers. Low 29F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
Chance of Rain: 64%
Sunrise: 06:47:10 AM
Sunset: 06:06:51 PM
Humidity: 72%
Wind: E @ 11 mph
UV Index: 2 Low
Snow showers before midnight. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low 28F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 50%.
Chance of Rain: 12%
Sunrise: 06:45:43 AM
Sunset: 06:07:55 PM
Humidity: 58%
Wind: NNW @ 9 mph
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Partly cloudy skies. Low 27F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of Rain: 18%
Sunrise: 06:44:16 AM
Sunset: 06:08:59 PM
Humidity: 52%
Wind: NNE @ 11 mph
UV Index: 3 Moderate
Mainly clear skies. Low 22F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Chance of Rain: 3%
Sunrise: 06:42:48 AM
Sunset: 06:10:03 PM
Humidity: 51%
Wind: SSE @ 9 mph
UV Index: 3 Moderate
Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 30F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Chance of Rain: 7%
Sunrise: 06:41:19 AM
Sunset: 06:11:06 PM
Humidity: 50%
Wind: SSW @ 14 mph
UV Index: 4 Moderate
A few clouds. Low 33F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Chance of Rain: 2%
Sunrise: 06:39:50 AM
Sunset: 06:12:09 PM
Humidity: 47%
Wind: SSW @ 14 mph
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Partly cloudy. Low 28F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.gjsentinel.com/lifestyle/food/all-things-food-visit-with-soul-food-scholar-offers-interesting-insights/article_51c8aca0-abc6-11ed-8ed0-0bcd8a098fd6.html | 2023-03-01 07:42:22 | 1 | https://www.gjsentinel.com/lifestyle/food/all-things-food-visit-with-soul-food-scholar-offers-interesting-insights/article_51c8aca0-abc6-11ed-8ed0-0bcd8a098fd6.html |
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Southwest Airline passengers are seeing delays, cancellations and are wondering when they’ll be able to resume their travel plans.
The passengers I spoke to said their flights were canceled and tried to find alternative routes for travel.
Austin Wright is the Chief Communications Officer at Tucson International Airport. He said it was already expected to be a busy day.
“We were expecting significantly higher travel volumes than what we may see on a normal day. Over the two week period of the holidays we were expecting 210,000 travelers. Adding in cancellations and delays has meant for a bit of a chaotic travel experience,” said Wright.
Steve Ross and his family had their flight canceled from Tucson to Chicago today, but it wasn’t their first cancellation en route to Columbus, Ohio.
“The Midway to Columbus, so we thought we were really smart, and we booked a room in Chicago, and we were going to drive from Midway to Columbus tomorrow,” Ross said. But with cancellations and long lines, he said he won’t make it to the room he booked for tonight. He has no idea when his flight will be rebooked.
“My guess is we won’t be able to get out until New Years,” he said.
For Elijah Kuntz, his flight to Denver was one the few with Southwest that wasn’t canceled. Still, the line for check in was so long he wasn’t sure if he would make his flight.
“I knew there would be some delays because I was flying close to the holidays, and Southwest has been going through some stuff. I didn’t expect it to be this bad,” said Kuntz.
Like Steve Ross, he accepted the possibility of not flying out of Tucson. He told me what his back up plan would be.
“Try and find a replacement flight. But it looks like there’s none available for Southwest for a few days, so likely fly out like a week later,” said Kuntz.
Officials with the Tucson International Airport were not able to speak for the airlines, but said they’ve prepared to accommodate the increase in travelers with delays and cancellations. They also have extra security to make sure all passengers have the best experience possible despite the circumstances.
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Reyna Preciado is a reporter for KGUN 9, she joined the KGUN 9 team in July of 2022 after graduating Arizona State University. Share your story ideas with Reyna by emailing reyna.preciado@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, or Twitter.
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- Follow us on Youtube | https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/southwest-airlines-leave-travelers-questioning-when-flights-will-be-rescheduled | 2022-12-28 02:22:34 | 1 | https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/southwest-airlines-leave-travelers-questioning-when-flights-will-be-rescheduled |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republican lawmakers took the first steps Monday to expel three Democratic members from the GOP-dominant House for their role in a recent gun control protest at the state Capitol.
The extraordinarily rare move resulted in a chaotic and fiery confrontation between lawmakers and supporters opposing the move and has further fractured an already deep political division inside the Tennessee Legislature.
Resolutions have been filed against Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson after they led chants from the House floor with supporters in the gallery last Thursday. The resolution declared that the three had participated in “disorderly behavior” and “did knowingly and intentionally bring disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives.”
Republican Reps. Bud Hulsey, Gino Bulso, and Andrew Farmer filed the resolutions. They successfully requested Monday that the House expedite the process and vote on the resolutions Thursday.
Despite support from the Republican supermajority, their requests sparked outrage among supporters watching in the gallery. Their loud jeers led House Speaker Cameron Sexton to demand that they be removed by state troopers. Also during the turmoil, several lawmakers engaged in a confrontation on the House floor. Jones later accused another member of stealing his phone and trying to “incite a riot with his fellow members.”
Sexton deemed Jones out of order and cut off Jones’ microphone.
Hundreds of protesters packed the Capitol last week calling for the Republican-led Statehouse to pass gun control measures in response to the Nashville school shooting that resulted in the deaths of six people. As the chants echoed throughout the Capitol, Jones, Johnson and Pearson approached the front of the House chamber with a bullhorn.
As the three shared the bullhorn and cheered on the crowd, Sexton, a Republican, quickly called for a recess. He later vowed the three would face consequences. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Karen Camper described their actions as “good trouble,” a reference to the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ guiding principal.
By Monday, Sexton confirmed that the three lawmakers had been stripped of their committee assignments and said more punishments could be on the way. A few hours later, House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison referred to Jones as the “former representative” during the evening session.
Pearson and Jones are both freshman lawmakers. Johnson has served in the House since 2019. All three have been highly critical of the Republican supermajority. Jones was temporarily banned from the Tennessee Capitol in 2019 after throwing a cup of liquid at former House Speaker Glen Casada and other lawmakers while protesting the bust of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest inside the Capitol.
Expelling lawmakers is an extraordinary action inside the Tennessee Capitol. Just two other House members have ever been ousted from the chamber since the Civil War. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/tennessee-house-moves-to-expel-3-democrats-after-gun-protest/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2023-04-04 14:43:37 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/tennessee-house-moves-to-expel-3-democrats-after-gun-protest/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
DPS arrests 2 men after finding $760,000 worth of drugs during traffic stop in Carson County
CARSON COUNTY, Texas (KFDA) - DPS is investigating after two men were arrested for possession of drugs after a traffic stop in Carson County.
According to the complaint, on Thursday, Sept. 29, a DPS officer pulled over a grey Jeep for driving in the left lane when not passing and following to closely.
The trooper initiated a traffic stop and was able to identify the driver as Alvaro Castro-Lopez and the passenger as Federico Verduzco-Vega.
Lopez told the trooper that he was traveling from Phoenix to Oklahoma City, to see his sick boss, but was unable to provide the trooper with the name of his sick boss.
Lopez also told the trooper that he did not know the name of the passenger that was with him.
The trooper said that Lopez was extremely nervous and laughing out loud when he was asked about transporting a large amount of money and illegal firearms.
When the trooper asked Lopez about transporting illicit narcotics, Lopez’ behavior changed.
According to the complaint, the trooper was granted consent to search Lopez’ vehicle.
Inside the vehicle the trooper found 19 clear plastic Ziploc bags containing a crystalline substance contained inside a large black trash bag that was hidden within the spare tire.
Both Lopez and Vega were arrested and taken in for interviews.
During the interview Lopez admitted to traveling to San Bernardino, California from Phoenix and picking up the meth from Vega’s home.
Lopez also stated that he was going to get paid $4,000 upon delivering the meth to its final destination and that Vega was the one who loaded the Jeep with the drugs.
Vega stated during his interview that he was contacted by a relative known as Jolito to go on a trip with Lopez to Oklahoma and that Jolito offered to buy him new clothes and money for food during the trip.
During a search of Vega’s cell phone, texts were found from Jolito checking on the status of the trip.
According to street estimates, the drugs are worth around $760,000.
Copyright 2022 KFDA. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/2022/10/04/dps-arrests-2-men-after-finding-760000-worth-drugs-during-traffic-stop-carson-county/ | 2022-10-04 19:46:16 | 0 | https://www.ktre.com/2022/10/04/dps-arrests-2-men-after-finding-760000-worth-drugs-during-traffic-stop-carson-county/ |
Police: Owner arrested after dogs maul 71-year-old man to death
FRESNO, Texas (Gray News) – Police in Texas arrested a man in connection with a group of dogs who mauled to death a 71-year-old man.
The Ford Bend County Sheriff’s Office charged 47-year-old Samuel Cartwright attack by dog resulting in death, a second degree felony.
The arrest comes after the sheriff’s office conducted an investigation into the death of Freddy Garcia, who was attacked and killed by seven dogs while walking to a store on July 18 while walking to a store in Fresno. Officials say the dogs belonged to Cartwright.
All seven of the pit bull mixes were captured by deputies and Animal Control.
In a Facebook post, Sheriff Eric Fagan said he is thankful the dogs have been removed from the streets to prevent another attack from happening.
“This devastating tragedy didn’t have to happen,” Fagan said. “I extend my deepest condolences to the Garcia family and his neighbors as they adjust to the loss of Mr. Garcia.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wnem.com/2022/07/24/police-owner-arrested-after-dogs-maul-71-year-old-man-death/ | 2022-07-24 21:14:49 | 1 | https://www.wnem.com/2022/07/24/police-owner-arrested-after-dogs-maul-71-year-old-man-death/ |
Decorated soldier, 4 others killed in South Carolina shooting
SUMTER, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) - A man killed during a shooting, along with four others, has been identified as a United States Army soldier.
Investigators say Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Evans died after Charles Slacks, Jr. shot him after discovering Evans speaking with his ex-wife, Aletha Holliday, in the backyard of a Sumter area home.
The 38-year-old was the Command Sergeant Major for the Headquarters & Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army Central.
According to the Sumter Police Department, the shooting happened around 10 p.m. on Tuesday night at a home at the 100 block of Whitetail Circle in the Woodridge subdivision.
WIS reports police initially said the incident appeared to be domestic-related before disclosing the relationship between the shooter and the victims in a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Sumter Police Chief Russell F. Roark III said Slacks, Jr. entered the home of his ex-wife by using a key. Sumter County records show both Slack and Holliday owned the home.
Police say Slacks discovered his ex-wife was in the backyard speaking with Evans.
Slacks then shot the man, went inside the home, and up the stairs. Holliday followed, but Slacks turned the gun on her.
Police say Holliday did not have her cell phone with her to call 911, as it was charging upstairs.
“She goes back outside of the residence, where the first individual had been shot, in search of his cell phone, wasn’t able to locate that,” Chief Roark said. “Then she hears several gunshots.”
Roark said Holliday went back inside and saw Slacks at the top of the stairs. Slacks then committed suicide.
Police say Holliday checked her children’s bedrooms and found all of them had been shot and killed. The children were identified as 5-year-old Aayden Holliday-Slacks, 6-year-old Aason Holliday-Slacks, and 11-year-old Ava Holliday.
Police say Evans was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Evans was from Petersburg, Virginia. He joined the army in July 2002 and served in multiple duty positions and locations around the world before joining the U.S. Army Central team in 2021.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Evans was an outstanding leader and caring friend who inspired and lifted up all those around him,” said Lt. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, U.S. Army Central Commanding General. “CSM Evans was well known and respected by all, and the influence and impact he made within the unit will never fade. We collectively mourn the immense loss of his presence in our lives and our thoughts and prayers are extended to CSM Evans’s family.”
According to court records obtained by WIS, Slacks separated from Holliday, who was also the mother of the children, on Jan. 1, 2022.
Holliday submitted a divorce notice on Feb. 21, 2023, over the separation. On March 2, the divorce was officially granted.
Court records state Slacks and Holliday shared two children.
Police say Slacks was retired military.
Copyright 2023 WIS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/03/23/decorated-soldier-4-others-killed-south-carolina-shooting/ | 2023-03-23 23:20:10 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/03/23/decorated-soldier-4-others-killed-south-carolina-shooting/ |
Auto shops struggle to find trained mechanics amid national shortage: 'It's really getting scary'
If you need to take your car into the shop, the work could take longer than usual.
That’s because there’s a nationwide shortage of auto mechanics, which is causing a backlog in repairs.
Seasoned mechanics are retiring at an increased rate posing a challenge for shops attempting to fill vacant positions.
"It’s been tough, especially since the pandemic," said Emily’s Garage Manager Nolan Bailey.
A mechanic prepares to perform a tire rotation on a customer vehicle at a Pep Boys - Manny Moe & Jack service center in Clarksville, Indiana, U.S., on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Pep Boys earnings are scheduled to be released on June 8. Photographer
Emily’s Garage just had an opening for a new auto technician. It took them a lot longer than it used to, to find the right fit.
"Usually, you could put out an application," Bailey said. "And when people are work hungry, you’d get 20,30 applicants maybe in a week or two. In this case, we got maybe four or five applicants over the course of two months."
According to the National Automobile Dealer Association, around 76,000 auto mechanic positions open up every year compared to the only 39,000 workers are coming out of technical colleges or training programs.
WAGE GROWTH SLOWING SHARPLY IN US, INDEED SAYS
"We’re starting to see a lot of the old timers time out of this repair industry. And it’s really getting scary for our community," said Scott Benavidez with the Automotive Service Industry.
Emily’s Garage has had to increase wages to attract candidates.
RELATED: Know any airplane mechanics? Wave of retirements leave some US industries desperate
"We had to get pretty competitive with pricing," Bailey said. "We pay our guys very fairly."
GAS PRICES COULD SPIKE AFTER SAUDI ARABIA OIL PRODUCTION CUT
Another issue plaguing the industry according to Benavidez is the amount of high school offering students the ability to explore the field.
"We’ve lost that communication, probably in the late 90s or early 2000s, with the high schools and their programs," Benavidez said. "And we’re looking to get that back, but it’s going to be a slow process."
If the shortage keeps getting worse, getting cars fixed will cause consumers to suffer in the pockets and experience longer wait times for repairs. | https://www.fox29.com/news/auto-shops-struggle-to-find-trained-mechanics-amid-national-shortage-its-really-getting-scary | 2023-06-16 22:04:30 | 1 | https://www.fox29.com/news/auto-shops-struggle-to-find-trained-mechanics-amid-national-shortage-its-really-getting-scary |
Emerging research suggests the addiction to our smartphones is perpetuated, in part, by the idea that people view them as an extension of themselves.
“Phones have transformed our lives,” said Aner Sela, an associate professor of marketing at the University of Florida. “They’re very personal, but at the same time they have a darker side that we should be aware of.”
In 2020, Sela researched how behaviors change when people do certain activities on their phones rather than on a computer or in person. The study found that when people purchased items on their cell phones, they were willing to pay more for items that they viewed as expressive and unique. He hypothesizes it is because people feel more in tune with their emotions when using the device. Sela also found people tend to express more polarizing beliefs when using smartphones.
“I think it just makes you feel more comfortable,” he said. “You reach to it when you feel a little nervous. Obviously, when it’s not around we can get very upset.”
“I actually argue that our phones act sort of like an adult pacifier,” added Shiri Melumad, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvania.
Melumad has also researched human behavior and smartphones. She says when people scroll social media on phones, they are more vulnerable to believing fake news. They are also more willing to share information they would not share otherwise, whether it be with friends or scammers.
“People are more willing to disclose intimate or personal information when it’s elicited on their smartphone than when it’s elicited on their PC, and part of the reason for this is this idea that we feel more comforted when we’re engaging in certain tasks on their phones than on their PC,” she said.
Melumad argues the information is not all bad. In a moment of stress or uncertainty, people tend to reach for their phones and clutch them. She says that can be a good source of comfort, replacing other objects like fidget spinners.
She says becoming aware of our subconscious interactions with devices can allow people to use those behaviors for good. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/how-smartphones-influence-purchasing-behavior-human-interaction | 2022-04-19 22:03:53 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/how-smartphones-influence-purchasing-behavior-human-interaction |
Prodigious offense was on display again in the NCAA baseball tournament Sunday, and another crazy game in Stillwater, Oklahoma, was Example A.
Oklahoma State came back from a 12-0 deficit to beat Missouri State 29-15 in the highest-scoring game in tournament history.
It happened less than 24 hours after the Cowboys blew a 10-5 lead entering the seventh and lost 20-12 to Arkansas.
The Cowboys' turnabout against the Bears was complete when Griffin Doersching hit a grand slam for a 17-14 lead in the seven-run sixth inning. They pulled away with 12 more runs in the eighth and ninth and had just over an hour to prepare for a rematch with Arkansas.
No. 16 Georgia Southern was the only national seed eliminated, losing 3-1 on its home field to Texas Tech.
Top-eight national seeds within one win of advancing were No. 1 Tennessee (vs. Georgia Tech), No. 3 Oregon State (vs. Vanderbilt), No. 4 Virginia Tech (vs. Columbia), No. 5 Texas A&M (vs. TCU) and No. 8 East Carolina (vs. Coastal Carolina).
No. 2 Stanford (vs. Texas State) and No. 7 Oklahoma State (vs. Arkansas) must win twice in their regional finals to move on.
Top-eight seeds that win regionals play at home in the best-of-three super regionals beginning Friday.
Louisville was the second-highest scoring team behind Oklahoma State on Sunday, beating Michigan 20-1 to set up a second regional final Monday. Of 18 completed games Sunday, one or both teams scored double-digit runs in six.
Last year during regionals, there were an average of 12.84 runs per game (both teams). Through Saturday’s games, the average is 14.57 — and that number will go up after Sunday.
Of the 64 teams in the tournament, 17 averaged at least 10 runs in their first two games and 20 teams had hit at least five homers.
THEN THERE'S TEXAS TECH
Texas Tech made a final despite producing just seven runs in three games. The Red Raiders entered the tournament 10th nationally in scoring at 8.7 runs per game. They hadn't scored so few runs over three games since April 2019, when they put up six in a series loss at West Virginia.
Pitching has saved Tech, which came in with a 5.25 ERA, allowed no earned runs in its last two games and has a three-game ERA of 0.69.
All Georgia Southern mustered against Andrew Morris, Austin Becker and Mason Molina was an unearned run in the third inning in the 3-1 win that sent Tech to the final against Notre Dame.
STEALING HOME
Florida picked up a huge run in its 6-5 elimination game win over Central Michigan when Josh Rivera stole home for a 5-0 lead in the fifth.
With Mac Guscette on first, the Gators put on a double steal. Chippewas lefty Ryan Palmblad was distracted as Guscette took off, and by the time he turned around to see what was going on, Rivera was sliding across the plate.
It was Florida's first steal of home since 2018 and Guscette's first steal in 55 career games.
RALLY PADDLE
This is the time of year when teams come up with all sorts of good luck charms. For Southern Mississippi, it's the "Rally Paddle."
As the Golden Eagles poured out of the dugout to celebrate Christopher Sargent's bases-loaded single in the 10th inning to beat Kennesaw State 4-3, reserve infielder Charlie Fischer ran onto the field holding a yellow boat paddle high in the air.
A Southern Miss spokesman said the paddle is used to stir the team's Powerade mix in the clubhouse. Somehow the paddle found its way to the dugout, and you can be sure it'll be with the team the rest of the way.
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More AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
Credit: Ian Maule
Credit: Ian Maule | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/oklahoma-st-poster-team-for-regionals-offensive-firepower/YNT7RCGS2VEYTC54DEBCCO7XO4/ | 2022-06-06 01:15:22 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/oklahoma-st-poster-team-for-regionals-offensive-firepower/YNT7RCGS2VEYTC54DEBCCO7XO4/ |
LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. (AP) — A man opened fire during a lunch reception at a Southern California church, killing one person and wounding five older people before a pastor hit the gunman on the head with a chair and parishioners hog-tied him with electrical cords.
Jerry Chen had just stepped into the kitchen of the church’s fellowship hall around 1:30 p.m. Sunday when he heard the gunshots.
Chen, 72, a longtime member of the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, which worships at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, peeked around the corner and saw others screaming, running and ducking under tables.
“I knew someone was shooting,” he said. “I was very, very scared. I ran out the kitchen door to call 911. ”
Officials said the shooting ended after the gunman killed one man and wounded five older people before worshippers hog-tied his legs with an electrical cord until deputies arrived. Four of the five people wounded suffered critical gunshot injuries; their conditions were not immediately available Monday morning.
David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas has been booked on one count of murder and five counts of attempted murder, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department tweeted. Jail records show Chou is being held on $1 million bail. It’s not immediately known whether he has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf.
The church was cordoned off Monday with yellow police tape and several bouquets of flowers were left outside the church grounds.
But on Sunday afternoon, Chen said he was in such a state of shock that he was unable to tell the operator his location when he called 911 from the church’s parking lot.
“I had to ask someone else for the address,” he said.
Chen said a group of about 40 congregants had gathered in the fellowship hall for a luncheon after a morning service to welcome their former Pastor Billy Chang, a beloved and respected community member who had served the church for 20 years. Chang moved back to Taiwan two years ago. This was his first time back stateside, Chen said.
“Everyone had just finished lunch,” he said. “They were taking photos with Pastor Chang. I had just finished my lunch and went into the kitchen.”
That was when he heard the gunshots and ran out.
Soon afterward, Chen said he heard the details of what happened inside from others who came out. Fellow congregants told Chen that when the gunman stopped to reload, Chang hit him on the head with a chair while others moved quickly to grab his gun. They then subdued him and tied him up, Chen said.
“It was amazing how brave (Chang) and the others were,” he said. “This is just so sad. I never, ever thought something like this would happen in my church, in my community.”
Most of the church’s members are older, highly educated Taiwanese immigrants, Chen said.
“We’re mostly retirees and the average age of our church is 80,” he said.
Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock praised the parishioners’ quick work to detain the gunman.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities,” Hallock said. “I think it’s safe to say that had people not intervened, it could have been much worse.”
The shooting came a day after an 18-year-old man shot and killed 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
As news of the shooting broke on the heels of the racist rampage in Buffalo — where the white gunman allegedly targeted a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood — fear spread that the Taiwanese congregation had also been targets of a hate crime.
But when the shooter was identified as an Asian man, other questions arose as the investigation into the violence and the gunman’s motive continues.
The case is in its early stages, Hallock said. He said the many unanswered questions include whether the assailant attended the church service, if he was known to church members and how many shots were fired.
Laguna Woods was built as a senior living community and later became a city. More than 80% of residents in the city of 18,000 people about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles are at least 65. The shooting was in an area with a cluster of houses of worship, including Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist churches and a Jewish synagogue.
Those wounded by gunshots included four Asian men, ages 66, 75, 82 and 92, and an 86-year-old Asian woman, the sheriff’s department said.
It was not immediately clear whether all of the victims were of Taiwanese descent, or if the gunman also has ties to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s democratically elected government has long taken a hands-off approach to religion on the island, where most follow Buddhism and traditional Chinese beliefs, but where Christianity and other religions also thrive.
Taiwan’s chief representative in the U.S., Bi-khim Hsiao, offered condolences to the families on Twitter.
“I join the families of the victims and Taiwanese American communities in grief and pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded survivors,” Hsiao wrote on Sunday.
The deadliest shooting inside a U.S. church was in 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A gunman opened fire during a Sunday service at First Baptist Church and killed more than two dozen people.
In 2015, Dylann Roof fired dozens of bullets during the closing prayer of a 2015 Bible study session at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina. Nine members of the Black congregation were killed in the racist violence and Roof became the first person in the U.S. sentenced to death for a federal hate crime. His appeal remains before the Supreme Court.
____
This story has been corrected to show that Pastor Billy Chang has not retired.
___
Bharath reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Stefanie Dazio and John Antczak in Los Angeles also contributed to this story. News Researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed from New York.
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/parishioners-subdue-gunman-in-fatal-california-church-attack/ | 2022-05-16 18:54:46 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/parishioners-subdue-gunman-in-fatal-california-church-attack/ |
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…” Charles Dickens
“A Tale of Two Cities” was set in France and England during the late 1700s but its opening aptly describes our entire country in 2022.
Our current condition is one of extremes. While many struggle to pay for rent, food and gas, others wait for months with cash in hand, desperate to buy new cars or home improvement materials. While this dichotomy has been frustrating, not to mention frightening, Northampton County has weathered the chaos better than many other areas of the nation.
The Lehigh Valley is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. According to data from the 2020 census, Northampton County is in the top 25% of population growth nationwide. We are a prime destination due to our high quality of life: a thriving business community, an extensive park and trail system, good schools and easy access to major metropolitan areas.
Drive through our county and you’ll recognize it as a great place to do business. In the last five years, 75 projects were completed in our county, representing $1.6 billion in investment and creating or retaining nearly 9,000 jobs.
However rising food and gas prices account for a 40-year high in consumer price inflation. Higher prices are sending more working families to food banks. Over the past two years, Northampton County provided $16.6 million in rental assistance and $1.6 million in utility assistance to 5,018 residents. Since 2014, we’ve recorded a 155% increase in opioid deaths.
When I read “A Tale of Two Cities,” I assumed the battle between chaos and order was a literary one, not an economic conundrum I would have to navigate as county executive.
Our polarized conditions underscore that we need to balance future development with a strategy of smart economic growth that includes supporting our businesses, supporting our workers and protecting our quality of life. The best place to start with this is by addressing warehouse development.
In the last six years, 27.9 million square feet of new warehouse space was approved for building in the Lehigh Valley; another 16.5 million square feet remains in the approval pipeline. The need for warehouses has been driven by the pandemic and America’s changing shopping habits.
Northampton County, with its interstate highways and close proximity to major metropolitan areas, is a prime location for distribution centers. But while those businesses provide jobs and economic activity, I believe we have reached our saturation point with that model and it is in our interest to encourage more manufacturing sites such as Martin guitar and Bowery Farming.
Martin guitar is a family-owned business and has been making musical instruments in the Nazareth area since 1833. In 2021, the company built and opened its own temperature-controlled warehouse to store the woods and equipment needed to craft some of the best guitars in the world. In May 2022 Bowery Farming opened an indoor vertical farm in Bethlehem, where 70 employees grow, harvest and ship greens, herbs and berries within a 200-mile radius.
Both of these businesses — one old, one new — showcase smart economic development with quality products for the public and skilled jobs for employees. These businesses make commodities that add to the quality of our lives; they don’t just ship something in from Factory A and send it down the highway to Destination B.
Manufacturing jobs pay better than warehouse work, which is important in a time where people are struggling to afford housing. In the Lehigh Valley the average salary for a full-time distribution center worker is $54,663 per year; for someone in manufacturing it’s $69,399 per year. And while salary data is useful it has to be considered in relation to the cost of living.
In the past two years, the cost of a house in Northampton County has risen by 41.5%. A household would need to earn $70,000 per year to afford a moderately priced home in Northampton County — a figure that prices out many moderate-income families.
Smart development would mean making sure there is enough affordable housing for those people who work in warehouses and distribution centers. Based on data from Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, there were 2,748 units either planned or permitted in 2019 and 2020, but no development was identified as affordable to low-income residents. This needs to change.
It makes no sense to keep building warehouses in an area where there aren’t enough residences to house the workers necessary to their success. Forcing workers to commute leads to increasing traffic and decreasing air quality.
Pennsylvania may be a right-to-develop state, but holding onto our quality of life requires proper planning. As we move forward, we need to bring order to the chaos, encouraging those industries that provide skilled jobs and fair wages. We need to protect the quality of our air and continue to preserve farmland and open space to make sure future generations enjoy the same or better quality of life than we have now.
Lamont McClure is the Northampton County executive. | https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-northampton-county-pennsylvania-smart-growth-mclure-20220630-5nt43fmexbdejnkirgeekiitzi-story.html | 2022-06-30 13:09:07 | 1 | https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-northampton-county-pennsylvania-smart-growth-mclure-20220630-5nt43fmexbdejnkirgeekiitzi-story.html |
Chair of Company's SAB, Dr. Carl Wittwer, to present on at-home PCR testing
SALT LAKE CITY, March 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CODX) (the "Company" or "Co-Dx"), a molecular diagnostics company with a unique, patented platform for the development of molecular diagnostic tests, announced today that it will be hosting a booth at the 10th Gene Quantification Event held March 20-24 at the Technical University of Munich. Dr. Carl Wittwer, Chair of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) will also be presenting at the event.
Dr. Wittwer's presentation, titled "At-Home PCR Testing for SARS-CoV-2," will take place at 2:00 pm local time on March 20 in Lecture Hall 15, and is expected to discuss how the Company's upcoming Co-Dx PCR Home™* testing platform makes at-home testing for infectious disease diagnosis feasible, including the multiplexing capabilities of the device. Co-Dx recently announced the initiation of clinical evaluations for this at-home/POCT real-time PCR platform, which is subject to FDA review and is not currently for sale.
The focus topics for this year's Gene Quantification Event include SARS-CoV-2, liquid biopsy and CNA, multi-omics biomarkers and more, with an Industrial Exhibition presenting the latest molecular diagnostics, qPCR, digital-PCR and NGS services to an international audience. To learn more about the event, including in-person and virtual registration details, please visit https://www.gene-quantification.de/GQ2023/.
Attendees interested in learning more about the Company and its products, including its upcoming Co-Dx PCR Home platform, are invited to visit Booth 7 in the Industrial Exhibition.
*The Co-Dx PCR Home platform is subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") review and has not been cleared or approved for sale.
About Co-Diagnostics, Inc.:
Co-Diagnostics, Inc., a Utah corporation, is a molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures and markets a state-of-the-art diagnostics technology. The Company's technology is utilized for tests that are designed using the detection and/or analysis of nucleic acid molecules (DNA or RNA). The Company also uses its proprietary technology to design specific tests for its Co-Dx PCR Home™ platform and to locate genetic markers for use in applications other than infectious disease.
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SOURCE Co-Diagnostics | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/03/17/co-diagnostics-inc-host-booth-10th-gene-quantification-event-munich-germany-march-20-22/ | 2023-03-17 15:17:48 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/03/17/co-diagnostics-inc-host-booth-10th-gene-quantification-event-munich-germany-march-20-22/ |
Many years ago, I spent a couple of very pleasant vacations in Portugal. It’s a beautiful country, with plenty of sunshine, fine wines, good food — especially the fresh sea food — and friendly, smiling people. I stayed at a beach resort on both occasions, but I also took the opportunity to visit the capital city, Lisbon.
This is an ancient city, the second-oldest capital city in Europe, only being beaten by Athens in Greece. Archeologists tell us that people have lived in the area for at least the last 6,000 years and the evidence of their presence can still be seen on the outskirts of the modern city. These include the remains of Saint George’s castle, the first fortifications of which date back to before the birth of Jesus.
The Romans occupied the site from the second century BC, when it is thought the city may have been called Olissipo, and the ruins of their occupation can also still be seen today. Toward the end of the Roman presence, the city became an early Christian center, with its first recorded bishop, Potamius, living there around the year 356.
During succeeding centuries the city grew and for a time it was occupied by Muslims before reverting back to Christianity. In the Middle Ages, in the 15th and 16th centuries, it became the hub of the Portuguese participation in what has come down in history as the Age of Discovery. Pedro Alvares Cabral, the first European to claim Brazil, sailed from Lisbon and Vasco de Gama, the first man to reach India by rounding the southern tip of Africa left from there in 1497. These, and other discoveries, brought back great riches that enabled the city to expand and prosper.
Lisbon developed into a center for trade and exploration, becoming one of the premier city-ports in Europe with many churches, theatres and municipal buildings being built. Today the city is home to over half a million people. It is still full of magnificent buildings and fine architecture, with a few of its monuments dating back centuries. The majority of the older buildings though, have only been there for around 260 years. This plethora of relatively modern architecture isn’t there because the inhabitants had a desire for reconstruction, instead it is the result of the events of a single day in the year 1755.
At that time estimates of Lisbon’s population vary between 200,000 and 300,000 people. Somewhere around 9:40 on the morning of Nov. 1, 1755, the population were going about their normal, day-to-day activities or were in church to celebrate All Saints’ Day when they felt the ground they stood on begin to shake.
Over the next 10 minutes, there were three separate tremors, the largest being estimated by modern scientists as at least 8.0 on the Richter scale, although this measurement was not available until 1935.The epicenter of these quakes was 180 miles off the coast, and the devastation they caused was huge. Reports say cracks up to 16 feet wide opened in the city center, causing widespread destruction of buildings. Many of these buildings were lit by candles, especially the churches, and their collapse started a firestorm that swept over the debris.
People fled from the destruction, many of them seeking sanctuary in the open space of the harbor. These survivors watched in amazement as the ocean began to recede, revealing lost shipwrecks and discarded items in a sea of mud. They didn’t watch for long though, as the water soon came back in a 20-foot-high tsunami wave that swept through the city and along the valley of the Tagus River.
It is thought that as many as 50,000 people could have died as a result of these earthquakes, and 85% of Lisbon’s buildings were destroyed either in the initial tremors, the numerous fires that succeeded it or by the three successive waves that crashed ashore after the shaking stopped. Among several important buildings that were completely destroyed in the city were, the Ribeira Palace, home to the kings of Portugal for centuries and the Hospital Real de Todos os Santos, a major hospital that had stood for 250 years. The Opera House, which had only been completed a few months before the quake, was also reduced to ashes and rubble. The devastation was not confined to the city, either; whole villages were wiped out up and down the coast and the tremors caused death and destruction as far away as North Africa.
The Portuguese King, Joseph I, and his family survived the earthquake. They had attended a Catholic mass at sunrise and one of the king’s daughters then said she wanted to spend the day away from the capital. The king agreed, a decision that probably saved their lives as the whole family went. Joseph I was greatly affected by the event. He developed a fear of living in buildings and, for the remainder of his life, the court lived in tents and pavilions outside the city. The Prime Minister, Sebastião de Melo, the 1st Marquis of Pombal, also survived. He’d been regarded as an upstart by the old aristocracy before the earthquake, but he proved that he was the right person for the task immediately after the shaking stopped.
He organized firefighters to quell the flames and recruited burial squads to remove the dead. Despite protests from the church, many of these victims were taken out in boats and buried at sea. The debris was cleared within a year and as early as a month after the earthquake plans were prepared for the rebuilding of Lisbon. There were four options and the one that was chosen included big, wide-open squares, wider avenues and roads and even buildings that were tested for their resistance to the effects of earthquakes.
As part of organizing the aftermath of the earthquake, the prime minister also sent out questionnaires to every parish in the country. These queries asked questions such as the time the quakes were felt, what direction they came from, what damage was done, did the tsunami affect them, etc. It was the first recorded attempt to analyze the cause and effects of earthquakes, and because of this, Sebastião de Melo is regarded as a forerunner of modern seismology scientists.
Lisbon is a beautiful city that is well worth visiting. Major earthquakes there are rare — perhaps four in the last thousand years. The last of these was in 1969 and, although there was some damage and several casualties, it has not put me off visiting the city again, should the opportunity arise.
Derek Coleman is a part-time writer who is a native of England and who now lives in Hurricane, W.Va. He can be reached at tallderek@hotmail.com.
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Admission prices to Walt Disney World are set to increase in the coming weeks.
Beginning Dec. 8, Disney the price of one-day one-park tickets will increase at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, USA Today, Fox Business, and The Orlando Sentinel reported.
Prices, which are increasing for the first time since 2019, will vary depending on the park and the date, the news outlets reported.
According to the company, a one-day ticket to visit Magic Kingdom will cost the most due to high demand, with prices ranging from $124 to $189, the media outlets reported.
The company told the news outlets that the $189 ticket price reflects the days around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
A one-day ticket to visit EPCOT will range between $114-$179, and Hollywood Studios could set you back anywhere between $124-$179, the news outlets reported.
The cost to get into Animal Kingdom is not changing, which will stay between $109 to $159, Fox Business reported.
That's not the only change coming to consumers.
Visitors will also see an increase in prices of Disney's Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus and most of the park's annual passes as well, the news outlets reported. | https://www.wtvr.com/news/national/admission-prices-to-walt-disney-world-set-to-increase-starting-dec-8 | 2022-11-15 22:56:06 | 1 | https://www.wtvr.com/news/national/admission-prices-to-walt-disney-world-set-to-increase-starting-dec-8 |
SALT LAKE CITY, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sera Prognostics Inc., The Pregnancy Company® (Nasdaq: SERA), focused on improving maternal and neonatal health by providing innovative pregnancy biomarker information to doctors and patients, today presented data demonstrating the health and economic benefit of the PreTRM® test-and-treat strategy. The presentation titled "Clinical and Economic Utility of a Proteomic Biomarker Preterm Birth Predictor: Analysis of a Large and Diverse Pregnancy Cohort" was given by lead author Julja Burchard today at the ISPOR (The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research) 2022 international conference in Washington DC, Session 5 from 9:00-12:45 PM.
- The study, using patient data from the Multicenter Assessment of Spontaneous Preterm Birth Risk Predictor Study (TREETOP; NCT02787213), modeled the effects of two test-and-treat intervention strategies (case management alone and a multi-modal strategy of case management together with progesterone treatment) in subjects determined to be at higher risk of spontaneous preterm birth by their measured PreTRM® Test results. The analysis demonstrated that with case management alone:
o Neonatal and maternal length of hospital stay was reduced significantly by 22% and 8.5%, respectively.
o Moderate-to-severe neonatal morbidity and mortality fell significantly by 29%.
o Neonatal costs associated with hospital stay decreased by 16% after intervention cost but did not reach significance.
o Adding pharmacological treatment in the multi-modal strategy strengthened reductions and significance.
"Consistent with previously published data, this study, conducted by leading researchers in maternal-fetal medicine and neonatology, continues to demonstrate significant benefits of Sera's test-and-treat strategy in reducing adverse impacts of prematurity," said Gregory C. Critchfield, MD, MS, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sera Prognostics. "This work highlights the benefit of biomarker testing to enable more proactive interventions in pregnancies that are truly at higher risk for preterm delivery, yielding cost-savings as a consequence of improving newborn health."
About Sera Prognostics, Inc.
Sera Prognostics is a leading health diagnostics company dedicated to improving the lives of women and babies through precision pregnancy care. Sera's mission is to deliver early, pivotal information in pregnancy to physicians, enabling them to improve the health of their patients, resulting in reductions in the costs of healthcare delivery. Sera has a robust pipeline of innovative diagnostic tests focused on the early prediction of preterm birth risk and other complications of pregnancy. Sera's precision medicine PreTRM® Test reports to a physician the individualized risk of spontaneous premature delivery in a pregnancy, enabling earlier proactive interventions in women with higher risk. Sera Prognostics is located in Salt Lake City, Utah
About Preterm Birth
Preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 weeks' gestation and is the leading cause of illness and death in newborns. The 2021 March of Dimes Report Card shows that more than one in ten infants is born prematurely. Prematurity is associated with a significantly increased risk of major long-term medical complications, including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, chronic respiratory illness, intellectual disability, seizures, and vision and hearing loss, and can generate significant costs throughout the lives of affected children. The annual health care costs to manage short- and long-term complications of prematurity in the United States were estimated to be approximately $25 billion for 2016.
About the PreTRM® Test
The PreTRM® test is the only broadly validated, commercially available blood-based biomarker test that provides an early, accurate and individualized risk prediction for spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic singleton pregnancies. The PreTRM® test measures and analyzes proteins in the blood that are highly predictive of preterm birth. The PreTRM® test permits physicians to identify, during the 19th or 20th week of pregnancy, which women are at increased risk for preterm birth, enabling more informed, personalized clinical decisions based on each woman's individual risk. The PreTRM® test is ordered by a medical professional.
Sera Prognostics, the Sera Prognostics logo, The Pregnancy Company, and PreTRM are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sera Prognostics, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the company's strategic directives under the caption "About Sera Prognostics, Inc." These "forward-looking statements" are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: net losses, cash generation, and the potential need to raise more capital; revenues from the PreTRM test representing substantially all Company revenues to date; the need for broad scientific and market acceptance of the PreTRM test; a concentrated number of material customers; our ability to introduce new products; potential competition; our proprietary biobank; critical suppliers; the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our operations, as well as the business or operations of third parties with whom we conduct business; estimates of total addressable market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; potential third-party payer coverage and reimbursement; new reimbursement methodologies applicable to the PreTRM test, including new CPT codes and payment rates for those codes; changes in FDA regulation of laboratory-developed tests; the intellectual property rights protecting our tests and market position; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in our Final Prospectus on Form S-1, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2021, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, or Current Reports on Form 8-K. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.
Contacts
Investor Contact
Peter DeNardo, CapComm Partners
peter@capcommpartners.com
+1 (415) 389-6400
Media Contact
Erich Sandoval, Lazar FINN
Erich.sandoval@finnpartners.com
+1 (917) 497-2867
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SOURCE Sera Prognostics Inc. | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/sera-prognostics-presents-data-demonstrating-health-economic-benefit-pretrm-testing-ispor-annual-meeting/ | 2022-05-18 19:52:49 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/sera-prognostics-presents-data-demonstrating-health-economic-benefit-pretrm-testing-ispor-annual-meeting/ |
EUREKA – The Woodford County 4-H will sponsor a bike rodeo that will take place this Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. It will be in the parking of Langston Hall on the Eureka College campus. Food trucks will also be on hand.
Bike rodeo on tap
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In this week's Cooking from Home, onion pork chops and peanut butter chocolate cereal bars. | https://pantagraph.com/community/wcj/news/bike-rodeo-on-tap/article_92378a22-0170-11ee-863e-8fe7340a9463.html | 2023-06-02 19:00:55 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/community/wcj/news/bike-rodeo-on-tap/article_92378a22-0170-11ee-863e-8fe7340a9463.html |
League bowling for the fall season has started back up and though some secretaries are still trying to get organized, others are up and running like clockwork. At this stage it is a Coo-Coo clock but we are doing our best.
Making a grand entrance into the season is Thunderbird’s Early Birds league where Secretary Gary Sammons is hard at it for another season.
Sammons got caught up with two week’s worth of scores that featured week one’s leader as being a new addition to the honor roll, Derek Bond.
Bond had games of 230, 268 and 223 for a 721 welcoming series.
The second week, this past Monday evening, Phil Kilmartin made his league debut with what would be this week’s high series of 763, scoring games of 246, 258 and 259.
Since we’re on the subject, Kilmartin also posted a 728 in the Guys and Dolls that went 236, 245 and 247 and bowling in the Suburban league at Twin Oaks, Kilmartin led the troops with a 725 on games of 252, 268 and 205.
Andrea Halstead held up the ladies this week with the second highest series in the Suburban of 717.
Halstead strung games of 224, 247 and 246 together to make up the impressive set.
Other Suburbanites in the groove during their second week of league play included Brandon Tipton with games of 234, 246 and 236 for a 716, Chris Reser with 225, 206 and 276 for a 707 and Patrick Caton with games of 212, 247 and 244 for a 703.
James Ray got top billing in the TNT league with a 719 shooting 237, 267 and 215, followed closely by Andrew Petering who, after starting with a 174, rolled 267 and 276 for a 717.
A quick shout out in the TNT league to Brenda Lathe who, after taking the better part of the last five years off, came out with games of 197, 200 and 203 for 600 on the money. Way to make a comeback.
Richard Jacoby led on the senior league front with a 715 from the Goodtimes league where he rolled 212, 235 and 268, followed by Bob Carter’s entry from the Entertainers where consistency was the name of the game scoring 233, 234 and 234 for a 701.
Youth news
Caden Burk was the youth bowler of the week with a mere 556 on games of 191, 185 and 180. Meanwhile Mikey York had the high game of 202 to assist in a 544.
Adonis Coleman led in the HotShots U12 division with a 370 series on games of 146, 124 and 100.
No-Tap Colorama
Gene Augustine had no-tap games of 225, 229 and 276 for the men’s high series of 868 with hand-icap, in the senior No-Tap Colorama a week ago last Friday afternoon.
Taking second place was Barry Morris with a near triplicate 234, 234, 235 for 703/808 and defend-ing champ, JP Nauman, rolled 799 that included scratch scores of 221, 275 and 255 for third place.
Shirley Hanley had the ladies high series of 724 on games of 233, 251 and 180, followed by Margit Augustine’s 717 set.
Scratch singles winners were David Yett, 752, JP Nauman, 751 and Kenny Ratke, 746.
Mystery Doubles winners went as follows.
Gm. 1, 1st – Roy Olson/Morton Williams, 592
Gm. 1, 2nd – Barry Morris/Don Ginter Jr., 559
Gm. 2, 1st – Marshall Miller/Sam Bowman, 573
Gm. 2, 2nd – JP Nauman/Gene Augustine, 566
Gm. 3, 1st – JP Nauman/Gene Augustine, 593
Gm. 3, 2nd – Dave Yett/Diane Frame, 510
Shirley Hanley, Diane Frame and Barry Morris were the only bowlers to take home any Strike pot mon-ies and the special challenge shots were also left for another day.
Marshall Miller got six, seven and six for nineteen looking for the lucky “21” count.
Elaine Henderson got a seven on her first roll but cleaned the gutter on ball two for the “Match Play” ticket.
Barry Morris needed a six count but got eight in the “Pill Draw”, Marshall Miller left only the three pin trying to get a split in the “Snake Bite” and James Halstead left the two, four and five in his try at “Waldo”.
All senior age bowlers 50 and older are invited to join the fun every Friday afternoon at 1PM at Thun-derbird Lanes.
Knights of Columbus Mixed Game results
The Sixth Annual Knights of Columbus Mixed Game Fundraiser was a huge success once again this year.
Bowlers had a great time bowling the different formats and just shy of $5,900 was raised for the organizations charitable donations.
Many thanks to all who bowled and those who offered door prizes for the event and don’t forget to support those whose banners are hanging at Thunderbird Lanes for the generous contributions.
Tournament director Carl Christman did a fantastic job of putting it all together and reported the following winners.
Taking first place was Payne Jolly and Connor Macdonald with 2127, followed by Shawn Thomas and Bill Kaplan.
Kaplan and Macdonald teamed up for the first squad and set the pace for the event that landed them a third place finish with 2022.
Amanda and Tyler Price took fourth place with 2002, Desiree Douglas and Kenny Ratke took fifth with 1998 and Charles Norman and Daniel Bailey cashed in sixth place with a 1978.
Missing the money line by two sticks was David Yett and Kenny Ratke with 1976.
As you may recall, there were six different game formats bowled to make up the doubles partners totals.
Honorable mention for some of these games was Connor Macdonald with a 290 in No-Tap and Tyler Price with 300 game, also in the no-tap setting.
Shawn Thomas and Bill Kaplan managed a 300 game in Best Ball as did Tony Mendoza and Jennifer Hazzard.
Other high scores in the Best Ball game were a 299 by Thomas Mansfield and Shawn Thomas and a 286 by Connor Macdonald and Bill Kaplan.
And lastly, David Yett and Kenny Ratke posted a 289 in the Scotch Doubles game.
And one other note of interest, congratulations to Connor Macdonald and his life partner Megan Carter who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in the wee hours of Sunday morning. | https://www.swoknews.com/sports/kilmartin-leads-as-league-play-fires-back-up/article_acd37549-181d-5240-b090-abd33d5a5854.html | 2022-09-11 09:13:09 | 0 | https://www.swoknews.com/sports/kilmartin-leads-as-league-play-fires-back-up/article_acd37549-181d-5240-b090-abd33d5a5854.html |
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police say a Family Dollar employee who was disciplined for excessive sick days threatened her boss with a gun while customers were inside the store.
Dyneisha Holliday was charged with aggravated assault and three counts of reckless endangerment following the incident at the Family Dollar in the 3400 block of Summer Avenue on December 27.
The manager of the store said that day, Holliday, sent her a text message saying she wasn’t coming to work because she was sick. The manager said after she told Holliday she was being removed from the schedule for calling in sick too much, Holliday showed up at the business with a gun.
The store manager said Holliday pulled the gun out of her right pocket, pointed it at her, and waved it around. Police said there were three other employees and customers at the register when it happened.
The victim said Holliday put the gun back in her pocket and threw a stapler at her before another employee escorted her out of the store.
She said Holliday threatened to ‘shoot up’ her vehicle before leaving.
Police said Holliday was taken into custody on Thursday and admitted to being armed with a gun when she came to the Family Dollar.
Investigators said Holliday told them she had the gun because she wanted to be prepared and took it out of her pocket to adjust her holster.
Holliday’s bond was set at $10,000. | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/family-dollar-worker-accused-of-calling-in-sick-too-much-pulls-gun-on-employer-police/ | 2023-01-09 15:47:23 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/family-dollar-worker-accused-of-calling-in-sick-too-much-pulls-gun-on-employer-police/ |
READING, Pa. - Reading looking to snap a skid in game two at home to Harrisburg. The Fightins put forth a solid effort but ultimately fall, 9-6 in 12 innings.
The Fightins complete the comeback to get things into extra innings, trailing 5-4 in the ninth. Wendell Rijo crushes a solo shot to tie things up and send this one into extra innings.
Extras, not kind to the Fightins, as they were outscored 4-1. | https://www.wfmz.com/sports/readings-woes-continue-in-extra-inning-loss-to-harrisburg/article_4d6fdb3c-c121-11ec-8859-b338aefebf21.html | 2022-04-21 06:14:06 | 1 | https://www.wfmz.com/sports/readings-woes-continue-in-extra-inning-loss-to-harrisburg/article_4d6fdb3c-c121-11ec-8859-b338aefebf21.html |
(The Hill) – Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) reportedly expressed confusion last year when Vice President Kamala Harris was presiding over the Senate to cast a tie-breaking vote, according to a new report detailing the difficulties the ailing lawmaker faces as she continues her work in the Senate.
The new report from The New York Times outlines the many functions Feinstein’s staff play and the struggles the longtime senator faces as she returns to work after bouts of shingles and encephalitis earlier this year.
The latest example, however, reportedly took place last year and illustrates the difficulty Feinstein has had recalling, at times, the basics of how the Senate operates. According to the new report, Feinstein expressed confusion to her colleagues, when she saw Harris presiding over the chamber, in one of many tiebreaking votes the vice president has had to cast.
“What is she doing here?” Feinstein asked, according to the report. The report cites “a person who witnessed the scene.”
Reports of Feinstein’s memory issues stem back more than a year, but since returning to the Senate after a monthslong absence because of her illness, the California Democrat appears frailer than she once had and relies more on her staff to help do her job.
Feinstein, 89, announced in February she would not run for reelection in 2024, but she said she would continue serving the remainder of her term. Some Democrats began calling for her to resign during her prolonged absence, but momentum has slowed on the issue since she has returned to work. | https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/feinstein-expressed-confusion-over-kamala-harris-presiding-over-senate-report/ | 2023-05-29 14:27:35 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/feinstein-expressed-confusion-over-kamala-harris-presiding-over-senate-report/ |
Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Tori Kelly will join Jason Derulo and Ava Max in concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on July 4, Wawa Welcome America organizers announced Wednesday.
Kelly, whose career began on YouTube, was nominated for Best New Artist in 2016 and won two Grammy Awards for her gospel album in 2019.
The free, star-spangled concert — followed by a fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art — will cap off 16 days of Wawa Welcome America festivities, which are returning to the city in full-force after two years of dialed-back celebrations due to the pandemic. Derulo and Max had previously been announced as headliners.
» READ MORE: Jason Derulo and Ava Max will headline Wawa Welcome America’s return to the Parkway
Beginning with a block party on Juneteenth, the two weeks of 2022 celebrations include free museum admissions, neighborhood events, the return of the July Fourth parade, and a giveaway of 30,000 Wawa hoagies on Independence Mall.
» READ MORE: How the giant free hoagie from Wawa Hoagie Day gets made
Free concerts will feature performances by the Philly POPS, the U.S. Army Field Band, and gospel legend Yolanda Yvette Adams.
More information and a complete program of events can be found at welcomeamerica.com. | https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/tori-kelly-wawa-welcome-america-concert-parkway-jason-derulo-ava-max-philadelphia-20220615.html | 2022-06-15 16:01:12 | 1 | https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/tori-kelly-wawa-welcome-america-concert-parkway-jason-derulo-ava-max-philadelphia-20220615.html |
In 2016, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduate student was killed after being struck by a sleep-deprived pledge in a truck, and this fall a lawsuit against Kappa Sigma Fraternity and former fraternity members over his death may go to trial.
The lawsuit is slated to go to a jury trial Sept. 12, after previously being scheduled for March. The case is being handled by 15th Judicial Court Judge Kristian Earles.
On Nov. 6, 2016, Rustam Nizamutdinov, a UL Lafayette graduate student from Uzbekistan, was walking home on the shoulder of Johnston Street after leaving a friend’s house when he was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by Michael Gallagher Jr., a Kappa Sigma pledge, the lawsuit says.
Gallagher had fallen asleep at the wheel and veered off the road after being subjected to multiple days of forced sleep deprivation and other fraternity hazing activities.
Nizamutdinov was an only child, obtaining his master’s degree in engineering at the university. He is survived by his mother, Farida Shavkatova Nizamutdinova, who lives in Uzbekistan, the lawsuit says.
A University of Louisiana at Lafayette fraternity has been suspended from campus for three years after an investigation into hazing.
Nizamutdinova filed the lawsuit in September 2017, seeking damages from Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the fraternity’s UL Lafayette chapter, the chapter’s associated housing corporation and individual fraternity members, including chapter officers Camp Sledge, Alex Frederick, Manny Duhon and Imaan Ouedraogo, as well as 10 John Doe members.
The case against Ouedraogo was dismissed in June 2021, per court records.
In her lawsuit, Nizamutdinova claims the named defendants, all members of the Epsilon-Chi chapter’s executive board, are personally liable because they agreed in writing on multiple occasions to refrain from, prevent and report any hazing activities, as required by the fraternity’s bylaws and code of conduct. Failure to uphold that duty created a dangerous environment that resulted in the death of her son.
She similarly argues the fraternity at large is liable because the named defendants were acting as official Kappa Sigma members at fraternity-related gatherings and because the fraternity failed to appropriately intervene after reports of potential hazing at the chapter were made ahead of Nizamutdinov’s death, the lawsuit says.
An email filed in the case, which highlighted findings from the university’s investigation into the chapter, noted that the hazing activities were broad and varied, including forced boxing and wrestling, prolonged sleep deprivation, required labor and services, and required or pressured drinking.
Nizamutdinova’s claims against the individual fraternity members were originally dismissed by Earles, but an appellate decision overturned that ruling and allowed her to proceed with her suits against the members.
Kappa Sigma’s chapter at UL Lafayette was given a cease and desist order from the university in the fall of 2016 as an investigation into the chapter was conducted in the wake of Nizamutdinov’s death. In July 2017, Kappa Sigma’s national organization revoked the UL Lafayette chapter’s charter and they ceased to be recognized as a student organization.
This week, UL announced the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity was suspended from campus until May 2025 because of a 2021 hazing incident involving sleep deprivation and the performance of calisthenics was reported in March, a university statement said.
The university’s organizational conduct status page for Greek organizations shows the fraternity chapter was issued a cease and desist order by the university’s Office of Student Engagement and Leadership in March 2022 following the allegation.
The hazing report was jointly investigated by the university’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Police Department, the university statement said.
In addition to the chapter’s suspension, eight men have been issued misdemeanor summonses by ULPD for charges related to the hazing. Seven of the men were current students and fraternity members in spring 2022, while one was no longer at the university.
In an email ahead of the 2017 Kappa Sigma revocation decision, Chris Cooley, a Kappa Sigma official who came from out of state to investigate the UL Lafayette chapter, confirmed there was evidence of hazing at the chapter. Nizamutdinova’s attorneys included a copy of the email as part of a court filing.
“[Dean of Students Margarita Perez and Associate Dean of Students Heidie Lindsey] do not feel the group as a whole can be trusted to give up on hazing. They said that in their interviews of the membership, none of the members expressed agreement with the idea that the hazing was wrong and should not occur. Even the new members talked about the ‘benefits’ of hazing, ‘unity’ et cetera,” Cooley’s email filed in the case said.
“Margarita and Heidie are adamant that the motor vehicle accident only occurred due to sleep deprivation imposed by the chapter. The evidence seems to support their position on this,” the email said.
UL Lafayette’s hazing policy, effective Aug. 1, 2019, says acts of hazing are considered irresponsible, intolerable and inconsistent with the University’s mission.” UL has a “zero tolerance policy” for hazing that’s applicable to students, current and potential student organizations, university alumni and student organization advisers. | https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/courts/article_41c6656e-e389-11ec-b505-531f9d023c97.html | 2022-06-04 10:56:29 | 0 | https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/courts/article_41c6656e-e389-11ec-b505-531f9d023c97.html |
PHOENIX — Two people are in the hospital after a shooting Thursday evening.
At about 5 p.m., police were called to a business near 27th Avenue and Bethany Home Road for reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived they located two men with gunshot wounds. They were both taken to a hospital with serious injuries, police said.
The suspect(s) remain outstanding.
Detectives are investigating what led up to the shooting. | https://www.abc15.com/news/crime/phoenix-pd-investigating-double-shooting-near-27th-ave-and-bethany-home-rd | 2022-12-16 02:03:42 | 0 | https://www.abc15.com/news/crime/phoenix-pd-investigating-double-shooting-near-27th-ave-and-bethany-home-rd |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it is awarding $100 million in competitive grants for projects that advance environmental justice in communities disproportionately affected by industrial pollution and other hazards.
The funding, established through the 2022 climate and health law signed by President Joe Biden, marks the largest environmental justice grants the agency has ever offered. The projects are among the first from an expected $3 billion in block grants targeting underserved communities authorized under the new law.
The program will be overseen by EPA’s new office of environmental justice and external civil rights, which EPA Administrator Michael Regan created last year. The office includes more than 200 staff members at EPA headquarters and in 10 U.S. regions.
“Since day one, President Biden pledged to prioritize environmental justice and equity for all, and EPA is at the heart of delivering on that mission,” Regan said.
The funding announced Tuesday “is a key step that will help build strong partnerships with communities across the country and move us closer to realizing a more just and equitable future for all,” Regan said.
Grant applications are due April 10, with projects expected to begin as soon as October, EPA said.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who co-chairs the Senate’s environmental justice caucus, said the grants will “help deliver results for environmental justice communities that have been ignored for too long,” including Chicago’s South Side and an industrial area in Louisiana often nicknamed “Cancer Alley.” The region includes dozens of chemical plants, refineries, fertilizer plants and other industrial sites that have long polluted air and water and caused health problems to nearby residents.
Access to clean air and clean water is more than an environmental issue, Duckworth said: “It’s a matter of health and safety, systemic racism and persistent discrimination against those in low-income communities. Every American deserves access to clean air and water — no matter their ZIP code, the color of their skin or the size of their paycheck.”
The EPA said it will provide $30 million in direct grants to community-based nonprofit organizations and partners, with $5 million reserved for small community-based groups with five or fewer full-time employees.
The program also will provide $70 million in funding to states, local governments and federally recognized tribes.
The EPA awarded $53.4 million in grants in November to enhance air quality monitoring near chemical plants, refineries and other industrial sites. The grants were funded by the climate law and a coronavirus relief plan approved by Congress in 2021. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-epa-to-award-100m-to-boost-environmental-justice-programs/ | 2023-01-11 15:32:56 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/ap-epa-to-award-100m-to-boost-environmental-justice-programs/ |
President Joe Biden revealed late Monday that he was asked by former President Jimmy Carter to deliver his eulogy.
“He asked me to do his eulogy,” President Biden told reporters, before adding, “Excuse me, I shouldn’t say that.”
This was according to a White House pool report.
Carter entered hospice care last month after a “series of short hospital stays.” Carter and his family have not given any updates on his health since the Feb. 18 announcement.
President Biden said he recently spoke to Carter.
“I spent time with Jimmy Carter, and it’s finally caught up with him, but they found a way to keep him going for a lot longer than they anticipated because they found a breakthrough,” President Biden said.
At age 98, Carter is the oldest former president in U.S. history. He also had the longest post-presidency ever.
President Biden last visited Carter in April 2021 in Plains, Georgia, three months after President Biden took office.
President Biden was a U.S. senator during Carter’s 1977 to 1981 presidency.
“He reminded me that I was the first person to endorse him outside of Georgia,” President Biden said following his 2021 visit to Georgia. “And we sat and talked about the old days. And he introduced me to a friend of his -- a reverend who he wanted me to get to know. And Rosalynn was great too. We just had a nice time.” | https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/biden-reveals-president-carter-asked-him-to-deliver-eulogy | 2023-03-14 12:26:55 | 1 | https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/biden-reveals-president-carter-asked-him-to-deliver-eulogy |
Equal pay deal for US women’s soccer approved by judge
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The proposed $24 million settlement between U.S. women soccer players and the sport’s American governing body was given preliminary approval Thursday by a federal judge, who scheduled a Dec. 5 hearing for final approval.
U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner granted the motion for approval filed by the players.
“Most significantly, the unopposed settlement agreement accomplishes the plaintiffs’ goal for litigation: equal pay,” he wrote. “The court is satisified that the settlement is a fair and reasonable resolution.”
Players, including Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Alex Morgan, filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in April 2016. The players sued three years later, seeking damages under the federal Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The sides settled the working conditions portion in December 2020, dealing with issues such as charter flights, accommodations and playing surfaces.
They agreed in February to settle the remainder for $22 million to be split into individual amounts proposed by the players. In addition, the settlement calls for the U.S. Soccer Federation to establish a fund with $2 million to benefit the players in their post-soccer careers and charitable efforts aimed at growing the sport for women.
Klausner wrote the parties agreed that settlement funds will be distributed to players based on playing time and their lawyers anticipated requesting “no more than approximately 30% of the common fund.”
The settlement was contingent on the USSF reaching collective bargaining agreements to pay its men’s and women’s teams equally. The federation in May announced separate labor contracts through December 2028 with the unions for both national teams.
Klausner told the USSF to send the players’ lawyers a list of eligible players within 14 days and then gave the players’ lawyers 21 days after that to notify eligible players of the settlement.
Klausner set a Dec. 1 deadline for the filing of motions for attorneys’ fees and for final approval.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
https://apnews.com/article/us-soccer-equal-pay-65070ae0dfb82598b2815295039dfd2d | https://kion546.com/news/2022/08/11/equal-pay-deal-for-us-womens-soccer-approved-by-judge-2/ | 2022-08-12 06:26:30 | 1 | https://kion546.com/news/2022/08/11/equal-pay-deal-for-us-womens-soccer-approved-by-judge-2/ |
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — King County authorities are investigating several armed robberies at convenience stores in Federal Way, Kent and Renton Thursday night into Friday morning.
According to Valley Communications, five separate armed robberies took place in Kent, Federal Way and Renton between around 10:45 p.m. Thursday and 3:20 a.m. Friday.
Valley Communications confirmed the 7-Elevens were robbed at gunpoint by two men:
- 18000 block of W. Valley Hwy in Kent at around 10:48 p.m.
- 34000 block of Pacific Hwy in Federal Way at around 11:29 p.m.
- 32000 block of 1st Ave S in Federal Way at around 11:39 p.m.
The 76 Station in the 33000 block of 1st Way S in Federal Way at around 11:59 p.m. was also reportedly robbed at gunpoint by two men. The Shell gas station in the 1400 block of N 30th St in Renton was robbed by three men at gunpoint at around 3:20 a.m.
According to the Federal Way Police Department, the descriptions of the suspects in all three Federal Way robberies were very similar. There were no injuries reported and money was taken at each location.
Police said the suspects stole the clerk's vehicle in the last Federal Way robbery. The vehicle was later recovered unoccupied at around 4 a.m. after it was involved in a hit-and-run collision.
Valley Communications did not confirm if the descriptions of the suspects in the Federal Way robberies matched the other robberies.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Download our free KING 5 app to stay up-to-date on news stories from across western Washington. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/authorities-investigating-multiple-armed-robberies-south-king-county/281-73bce68b-e2c4-4fb8-9884-4e662d7b823e | 2023-05-26 17:38:19 | 1 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/authorities-investigating-multiple-armed-robberies-south-king-county/281-73bce68b-e2c4-4fb8-9884-4e662d7b823e |
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A strong majority of the U.N. Security Council urged Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers Friday to immediately reverse all “oppressive” restrictions on girls and women including the latest ban on women working for aid organizations which is exacerbating the already critical humanitarian crisis in the country.
The joint statement from 11 of the 15 council members said female aid workers are crucial to addressing Afghanistan’s “dire humanitarian situation” because they provide “critical life-saving support to women and girls” that men can’t reach. It reiterated the council’s demand for “unhindered access for humanitarian actors regardless of gender.”
Japanese Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane, the current council president, delivered the statement to reporters before a closed council meeting, surrounded by diplomats from the 10 other countries — Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Malta, Switzerland, Britain, United States and United Arab Emirates. The four council nations that didn’t support the statement were Russia, China, Ghana and Mozambique.
United Arab Emirates Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, who called for the meeting with Japan, told reporters afterward that “the key takeaways” from the closed discussion were the unity from humanitarian actors that the work they are doing is essential — and the unity in the Security Council to remain engaged, not only to express solidarity but practically “to try and help move the situation on the ground towards a better trajectory.”
Nusseibeh said another takeaway is that engagement with the Taliban has to continue, that there are different ministries mandated to regulate different sectors of humanitarian work.
Diplomats said that some countries are pushing for a Security Council resolution demanding the Taliban reverse all its edicts on women and girls, but it was too early to say if that would happen. Nusseibeh said council members are discussing next steps.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. special envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, told the council in a video briefing that the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls violate fundamental human rights and “contradict assurances that the Taliban gave prior to taking power about the role of women in their country.”
She outlined the potential negative impact of such decisions, including immediately on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, Dujarric said.
The 11 council members also urged the immediate reversal of the Taliban’s ban on girls attending secondary school and girls and women attending university as well as restrictions on women’s human rights and freedoms.
Britain’s U.N. ambassador, Barbara Woodward, tweeted that as a result of the ban on women working for humanitarian groups, as of Thursday, “15% of NGOs had paused all work in Afghanistan, 68% had significantly reduced operations.” She added: “Humanitarian aid can’t happen without women.”
David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee, a group that has worked in Afghanistan since 1988, said that last year its 8,000 staff, including 3,000 women, served 5.3 million Afghans across the country including 2.7 million women and girls.
But the group has been forced to pause most operations because of the decree banning female NGO staff from working, Miliband said in a prepared briefing to the council obtained by The Associated Press.
He outlined a twin-track approach for getting women back to work, saying: “We have a chance of preventing further calamity for the Afghan people, but only if the international community is decisive, practical and disciplined.”
On one track, he said, it must be made clear to the Taliban that there can be no business as usual without women workers. On another track, Miliband said, when Taliban decision-makers in ministries or localities support reopening services “we will quickly move to restart services and build momentum for a return to our operating model.”
The International Rescue Committee said in a statement Friday that earlier this week, “the Ministry of Public Health offered assurances that female health staff, and those working in office support roles, can resume working.” Based on this clarity, IRC said it has restarted health and nutrition services in four provinces.
Miliband called for “a united international response across the humanitarian movement, led by the U.N., to re-establish the right of NGOs to employ women.”
The IRC urged the U.N. to remain engaged with the Taliban to restore the previous situation where male and female workers “can safely and effectively work” to help all needy Afghans.
In another prepared briefing, also obtained by AP, Catherine Russell, executive director of the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF, said the decree banning women from working for NGOs “is both wrong and dangerous” and “stands to deepen the country’s devastating humanitarian crisis.”
She said UNICEF projects that this year 13.5 million Afghan children will need humanitarian assistance and 20 million Afghans will be at crisis or emergency levels of needing food by March, including “upwards of 875,000 severely wasted children under 5.” | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-afghan-rulers-urged-to-reverse-ban-on-women-aid-workers/ | 2023-01-14 21:02:04 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-afghan-rulers-urged-to-reverse-ban-on-women-aid-workers/ |
Attorney General’s Office demands RideShare2Vote stop giving rides to Arizona voters
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is telling an organization that gives rides to voters on Election Day, claiming they’re breaking state law by being partisan. Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Wright sent a cease and desist letter to RideShare2Vote, claiming that the organization persuades voters to vote for a particular candidate. The letter says that RideShare2Vote sent text messages to registered Democrats in Maricopa County and started “rolling out rides for early voting” on Oct. 29.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, RideShare2Vote only provides rides to “Democrat Voters” and rides to those “supporting the Democrat/Progressive candidates in local and statewide elections.” Wright says that “the act of providing rides with the intent to not only induce someone to go to the polls but more particularly to induce voters to vote for a particular candidate or measure, is a misdemeanor violation of Arizona law.”
Along with stopping the rides, the Attorney General’s Office is demanding that RideShare2Vote remove Arizona from the RideShare2Vote app and website. Wright says that a criminal investigation may result if RideShare2Vote continues operating in Arizona. RideShare2Vote has yet to respond to this request.
Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved. | https://www.azfamily.com/2022/11/08/attorney-generals-office-demands-rideshare2vote-stop-giving-rides-arizona-voters/ | 2022-11-08 22:57:43 | 0 | https://www.azfamily.com/2022/11/08/attorney-generals-office-demands-rideshare2vote-stop-giving-rides-arizona-voters/ |
Flaco the escaped zoo owl can remain in the wilds of NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — For two weeks, an owl that escaped from New York’s Central Park Zoo has flown from treetop to treetop, eluding capture and amassing legions of fans worried about its ability to survive alone in the big city.
Would Flaco, a majestic Eurasian eagle-owl, go hungry because he hadn’t developed an ability to hunt while in captivity?
With a collective sigh of relief, the answer was a resounding no: It appears Flaco has regained his killer instincts and is becoming an old hand at swooping down from his lofty perch to feed on the park’s bounty of rats.
As a result, Zoo officials announced that they were suspending recovery operations, at least for now, but will keep a close eye on the owl’s health.
“We are going to continue monitoring Flaco and his activities and to be prepared to resume recovery efforts if he shows any sign of difficulty or distress,” Zoo officials said in a statement.
The bird’s name in Spanish means “skinny,” and it seemed he was in danger of living up to his name in the early days of his escape because he hadn’t been seen eating. But when he started coughing up fur and bones, it sparked excitement — proof that he had been hunting and eating.
Officials acknowledged that recovering Flaco had proven difficult, especially “since he has been very successful at hunting and consuming the abundant prey in the park.”
The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the larger owl species, with a wingspan of up to 79 inches (2 meters), according to the Wildlife Conservation Society. They have large talons and distinctive ear tufts.
Despite evidence that Flaco had been dining on rodents, the task of capturing him went on.
Most recently, zoo officials tried to lure Flaco with bait and recordings of eagle-owl calls. He showed some interest but didn’t fall for the ruse.
The search for Flaco was launched Feb. 2 after the discovery that vandals had cut stainless steel meshing at the bird’s enclosure.
Flaco has made his rounds of upper Manhattan but hasn’t strayed too far from the park. He flew to the nearby shopping hub of Fifth Avenue, where police officers tried to catch him and failed. He captivated audiences wherever he went, including a visit to the park’s skating rink. Twitter has been aflutter with sightings, and the hashtag #freeflaco, as well as an online petition to keep him free, soon took flight.
“Flaco has been doing well in Central Park. And that’s amazing. He’s made a remarkable move from being a captive owl to being in the wild much faster than anyone would have expected,” said David Barrett, who runs the birding Twitter accounts Manhattan Bird Alert, Brooklyn Bird Alert and Bronx Bird Alert.
“He’s catching prey on his own. He continues to fly better and better,” he said. “He seems to be enjoying himself out there.”
Eurasian eagle-owl’s aren’t native to North America, so Flaco would have to fly across the ocean to find his own kind in the wild. He was less than a year old when he made his home at the Central Park Zoo in 2010.
Owls are mostly solitary animals and usually only interact with another animal during breeding season.
“Is he going to be lonely out there? That’s a good question,” said Barrett.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/02/18/flaco-escaped-zoo-owl-can-remain-wilds-nyc/ | 2023-02-18 21:22:18 | 0 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/02/18/flaco-escaped-zoo-owl-can-remain-wilds-nyc/ |
Which aquarium filter is best?
Aquarium filters remove waste and debris from your fish tank while neutralizing harmful chemicals, such as ammonia and nitrates. Choosing the right filter for your tank will help keep your fish happy and healthy.
It’s important to know about the different filtration types, as they all play a part in keeping aquarium water clean. If you’re looking for an effective yet reasonably priced filter, the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter is an excellent choice.
What to know before you buy an aquarium filter
Types of filtration
There are three types, or stages, of filtration. Ideally, a quality filter should provide all three.
- Mechanical filtration separates out solid debris from the water, including fish waste and left-over food.
- Chemical filtration traps harmful chemicals, toxins and tannins. Activated charcoal is the most common type of chemical filtration media.
- Biological filtration provides an environment that encourages colonies of good bacteria to grow. Once established, these colonies get rid of harmful bacteria and certain toxins, such as ammonia.
Types of aquarium filters
These are some of the most common types of aquarium filters.
- Power filters, also known as hang-on-back filters, sit over the back of the tank. These filters are affordable and reasonably powerful. They usually provide three-stage chemical, mechanical and biological filtration.
- Internal power filters are also known as submersible filters because you can submerge them completely in the water. They’re usually quiet and affordable, but they’re only suitable for relatively compact tanks.
- Canister filters are perfect for large tanks. They have big empty spaces inside to add your own choice of media rather than being restricted to cartridges. They’re great for experienced fish-keepers.
- Sponge filters attach to air pumps, driving tank water through them. They provide biological filtration, which is effective on its own for a small tank, but you may need secondary mechanical or chemical filters for larger tanks.
What to look for in a quality aquarium filter
Flow rate
The flow rate refers to how much water a filter can turn over per hour. Filters with higher flow rates are suitable for bigger tanks, but manufacturers will list the tank size, so you don’t have to do the math. Higher flow rates also provide more water movement. Some filters let you adjust the flow, so you don’t create excessive movement.
Cartridges
Many filters have replaceable cartridges for mechanical and chemical filtration. This makes them easy to replace; just take out the old cartridge and replace it with a new one.
Noise levels
Some filters are just louder than others. If you’re worried about the volume of a filter, look for one that advertises quiet operation.
How much you can expect to spend on an aquarium filter
Basic and mid-range filters cost roughly $10-$50, while powerful canister filters for large tanks can cost as much as $300. However, unless you have an extremely complex setup, there’s no need to spend more than $50-$100, even on a high-end filter.
Aquarium filter FAQ
Do aquariums really need filters?
A. Yes. Filters remove waste and potentially harmful or fatal impurities from water. They also help aerate water so that fish can breathe. While a handful of fish can survive without aquarium filters, none of them thrive. You should always have a filter in your fish tank.
How often should you clean an aquarium filter?
A. Filters don’t necessarily need cleaning, but some parts need changing or maintenance. This often depends on the filter, so always check the instruction manual.
Parts that provide mechanical filtration generally need rinsing once a month.
Carbon filters that provide chemical filtration usually need switching out every couple of months — cloudy water is often a sign it’s time to change the carbon filter.
Biological filtration is unique in that cleaning them makes them less effective and destroys the good bacteria that help purify the water. If they become clogged and rinsing is essential, rinse them in aquarium water, so you don’t destroy the bacteria colony.
What’s the best aquarium filter to buy?
Top aquarium filter
Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter
What you need to know: It provides effective mechanical, chemical and biological filtration with options for tanks from 10 to 75 gallons.
What you’ll love: The bio-wheel provides excellent biological filtration to quickly remove harmful bacteria and ammonia from the water. It’s easy to access the interior of the filter to change the cartridges, and it’s relatively quiet.
What you should consider: Some reports of the bio-wheel stopping rotating after a few months, but this seems to be rare.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Chewy
Top aquarium filter for the money
Penn-Plax Cascade 170 Fully Submersible Internal Filter
What you need to know: This simple, quiet filter is perfect for small tanks of up to 10 gallons.
What you’ll love: It’s easy to adjust the flow rate, so you don’t create more water movement in the tank than your fish like. It provides mechanical and biological filtration. It also oxygenates water, doubling as an air pump.
What you should consider: It doesn’t provide chemical filtration — though you can add a carbon filter if you need to.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Tetra Whisper EX Silent Multi-Stage Power Filter
What you need to know: This filter is extremely quiet and offers highly effective three-stage filtration.
What you’ll love: You can choose from four sizes, with the smallest filter fitting tanks between 10-20 gallons and the largest fitting tanks between 45-70 gallons. It provides chemical, biological and mechanical filtration. The cartridges are easy to switch out.
What you should consider: The flow rate isn’t adjustable, so it may not be suitable for tanks where you need more or less water movement than average.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/pets-br/fish-reptile-supplies-br/best-aquarium-filter/ | 2022-10-03 22:08:14 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/reviews/br/pets-br/fish-reptile-supplies-br/best-aquarium-filter/ |
Child hit by police cruiser hospitalized with critical injuries, authorities say
PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) – A child is in critical condition after being struck by a police vehicle, officials said.
According to Sgt. Brian Bower with Phoenix police, a patrol officer and an assistant saw a young girl waving at them from the front yard of a home. As officers were waving to the girl, they saw another child in the road “at the last minute,” Bower said.
Bower said the officers tried to stop but unfortunately struck the child.
The child was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
“We are all heartbroken that such a young child was involved in an accident that has caused serious injuries. Our prayers go out to the family. We’re all hoping for a speedy recovery, not just the Phoenix Police Department but the community,” Bower said. “Everybody’s affected, both officers and family, with such a horrific situation that we encountered today.”
Officials have not released the child’s identity, but a family friend and witnesses told KPHO the child is a 2-year-old boy.
Further information was not available.
Copyright 2023 KPHO via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/2023/06/08/child-hit-by-police-cruiser-hospitalized-with-critical-injuries-authorities-say/ | 2023-06-08 21:05:50 | 0 | https://www.kwch.com/2023/06/08/child-hit-by-police-cruiser-hospitalized-with-critical-injuries-authorities-say/ |
Polar bear kills woman, boy in Alaska
Published: Jan. 17, 2023 at 10:41 PM CST|Updated: 39 minutes ago
WALES, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska State Troopers say a polar bear attacked and killed two people in a remote village.
Troopers wrote in a dispatch they received the report at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. The incident happened in Wales, a remote village on the western tip of the Seward Peninsula, KTUU reports.
Troopers say the polar bear entered the community and chased multiple residents. It fatally attacked a woman and boy.
The bear was shot and killed by a resident as it attacked the two, according to troopers.
Troopers and the Department of Fish and Game are planning to travel to Wales, once weather permits.
Next of kin notifications remain in progress.
Copyright 2023 KTUU via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/01/18/polar-bear-kills-woman-boy-alaska/ | 2023-01-18 05:21:40 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/2023/01/18/polar-bear-kills-woman-boy-alaska/ |
OKLAHOMA CITY,, Aug. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 7, The Journal Record honored Oklahoma businesses for their contributions to the community at the 15th annual Beacon Awards celebration. MidFirst Bank is honored to be the recipient of the Beacon Award for Charitable Impact. https://journalrecord.com/2022/07/07/journal-record-reveals-2022-winners-of-beacon-awards/
According to The Journal Record, organizations in the charitable influence category demonstrate a company culture that encourages and supports volunteerism, charitable giving and community involvement by its members. MidFirst was nominated for its Pink Card, one of many cause-related Visa® debit cards offered by the bank.
The Pink Card program has raised more than $2.5 million for breast cancer research and awareness in Oklahoma since its launch in 2008. Supporting breast cancer research is important to MidFirst Bank, and their Pink Visa Debit Card program invites customers to join in this effort. To date, there are more than 10,400 Pink Card holders across Oklahoma.
New customers who open a MidFirst checking account with direct deposit and use the Pink Visa Debit Card will automatically generate a $50 donation from MidFirst Bank to either the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center or Oklahoma Project Woman. In addition, each Pink Card transaction generates a donation of 5 cents when a customer conducts at least six transactions per month.
"Not only has the Pink Card program involved our employees, but it also involves the communities that MidFirst Bank serves," says MidFirst Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Records. "This cause-related card has been consistently requested by both new and existing customers, which makes the funds raised to date a true community-wide effort."
MidFirst is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the OKC Dodgers Pack the Park Pink and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, as well as the Research Pillar sponsor for the More Than Pink OKC Walk.
The OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center is the recipient of the Pink Card donations in Oklahoma City, receiving more than $2 million to date. Additionally, Oklahoma Project Woman has received more than $300,000 in Pink Card donations in Tulsa.
Through similar debit card programs, MidFirst Bank customers have also helped raise more than $1 million for the American Heart Association and more than $500,000 for Arts Council Oklahoma City. The bank also partners with local schools to offer fundraising debit card programs.
"We are honored and humbled to have been selected as the Beacon Award for Charitable Impact winner by the Journal Record," says Jordan Jackson, Director of Charitable Giving. "It's a privilege to work for a company that continues to invest deeply in the communities it serves."
The Oklahoma City-based MidFirst Bank is the largest privately owned bank in the country, with $33 billion in assets. It has banking centers in Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado and Texas. MidFirst Bank also operates 1st Century Bank as a division of MidFirst Bank in Southern California.
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SOURCE MidFirst Bank | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2022/08/05/journal-record-awards-midfirst-bank-beacon-award-charitable-impact/ | 2022-08-05 16:42:56 | 1 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/prnewswire/2022/08/05/journal-record-awards-midfirst-bank-beacon-award-charitable-impact/ |
OAK BROOK, Ill., July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware, the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world, is bringing back Ace Rewards Day for the fourth year in a row. The two-day event—July 12-13, 2022—offers exclusive online deals and special bonus offers for Ace Rewards Members available only at acehardware.com.
With all the top brands under one roof, Ace is a destination for everything from grills to power tools, to home restoration needs. The event kicks off at 12:01 AM on Tuesday, July 12 and runs through Wednesday, July 13. Ace Rewards Members can save 15 percent with code ARJUL on select regular priced items and earn double bonus points. In addition, grills and select mowers purchased online totaling $399 and up are eligible for free assembly and delivery*.
"Ace Rewards Day is a great way for us to give back to our loyal customers by offering valuable discounts on tens of thousands of products," said Bill Kiss, Head of Digital, Ace Hardware Corporation. "With home preservation projects and summer grilling in full swing, we are excited to say 'thank you' to our customers with these exclusive online deals and discounts."
Ace Rewards Day features limited-time savings for Ace Rewards Members on thousands of top products conveniently available at acehardware.com. Customers can sign-up to become an Ace Rewards Member for free at acehardware.com/acerewards. As an Ace Rewards Member, customers gain access to these exclusive deals, earn points on purchases, and are eligible for free delivery*.
*Participation and delivery area vary by store. Excludes same day delivery.
About Ace Hardware: Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,600 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 70 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, IL, Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Colon, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.
CONTACT:
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SOURCE Ace Hardware Corporation | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/fourth-annual-ace-rewards-day-offers-consumers-exclusive-online-only-deals/ | 2022-07-07 14:11:16 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/fourth-annual-ace-rewards-day-offers-consumers-exclusive-online-only-deals/ |
HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — A Hopewell man has been arrested after barricading himself, two children, and another adult inside his home early Friday morning.
Hopewell Police said the man, identified as 29-year-old Omar Worthan, had discharged a firearm and hit a neighbor’s home.
Police arrived at the armed barricade situation at 4:17 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25 where the Crisis Negotiation Team and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team worked to negotiate a peaceful resolution for around two hours before Worthan was taken into custody. As negotiations were ongoing, residents were evacuated as a precaution.
Worthan was taken to Riverside Regional Jail and was charged with Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Misdemeanor Discharging a Firearm within City Limits.
Hopewell Police continue to investigate the incident and ask anyone with information to contact the Hopewell Criminal Investigations Unit at 804-541-2284.
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- Online scams spike for holiday season, FBI Richmond warns public | https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/the-tri-cities/man-arrested-after-hours-long-armed-barricade-of-hopewell-home-with-2-children-and-adult/ | 2022-11-25 14:21:57 | 0 | https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/the-tri-cities/man-arrested-after-hours-long-armed-barricade-of-hopewell-home-with-2-children-and-adult/ |
The U.S. attorney investigating the death of Tyre Nichols, a Tennessee man who was beaten by police while being arrested earlier this month, promised to conduct a “thorough” and “methodical” investigation.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Kevin Ritz said at a brief press conference on Wednesday that the investigation “may take some time” as these types of federal investigations often do, but decisions will be made based on the facts and the law.
He said he has told Nichols’s family that the investigation “will be thorough. It will be methodical, and it will continue until we gather all the relevant facts. As with any other federal investigation, we will go where those facts take us.”
Memphis police officers stopped Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, on Jan. 7 for alleged reckless driving. The department said the day after that they confronted Nichols before he ran and another “confrontation” occurred ahead of his arrest.
Nichols said he was experiencing shortness of breath and was hospitalized before dying on Jan. 10.
His family and their attorneys on Monday viewed the body camera footage from the officers who arrested him. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family, said the video showed that Nichols was shocked, pepper sprayed and restrained after he was pulled over.
Attorneys said he was treated like a “human piñata” and compared the incident to the 1991 police beating of Rodney King.
Nichols’s family has accused police of causing him to suffer a heart attack and kidney failure as a result of the beatings.
Five members of the Memphis Police Department who were involved in the traffic stop were fired on Friday for excessive use of force and failing in their duties to intervene and render aid following a department investigation.
Ritz said his office is working closely with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to conduct the investigation.
He announced a federal civil rights investigation into the incident last week. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has also launched a probe.
Crump and the family’s other attorney, Antonio Romanucci, said in a release on Monday that the legal team had their own independent autopsy conducted on Nichols by a forensic pathologist. They said the autopsy’s preliminary findings show Nichols had “excessive bleeding” caused by a “severe beating” and that the injuries are consistent with what they viewed from the officers’ body camera footage.
Ritz said he wants the public to express its “right to be heard” in response to Nichols’s death, but that it should be done peacefully.
“I want this city to be a place where justice is done,” he said. “The United States is committed to following the facts and the law, guided by principles of justice every step of the way.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.kxnet.com/hill-politics/us-attorney-pledges-thorough-investigation-into-tyre-nicholss-death/ | 2023-01-25 19:05:45 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/hill-politics/us-attorney-pledges-thorough-investigation-into-tyre-nicholss-death/ |
DURHAM, N.C., May 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eye Care Leaders (ECL) is excited to announce an expanded partnership with DavLong Business Solutions (DavLong), a long tenured channel-partner of ECL. As of June 1, 2023 DavLong will be the exclusive licensee of MedFlow™ and MDOffice™ and will assume product development, service, and support for their customers. This partnership reinforces the offerings of each software suite and will strengthen the future of the MedFlow™ and MDOffice™ platforms for years to come. ECL will also continue to support and invest in the iMedicWare™, MyVision Express™, and Management Plus™ EMR and Practice Management suites, ensuring that practices using any of these products can continue to provide the best patient care.
DavLong was founded over 40 years ago to provide technology solutions for a wide range of businesses and since then has narrowed their focus to the medical industry. As one of the first ECL reseller partners and technical service providers for MedFlow™, DavLong has the necessary experience and clinical expertise that prioritizes the service and support needs of practices.
With this long-standing partnership and shared objectives, both companies expect "business as usual" to continue for MedFlow™ and MDOffice™ customers with no disruption to current clinical and administrative workflows. Further details will be shared prior to June 1, and both ECL and DavLong will be available at the 2023 ASCRS Annual Meeting to answer any questions.
You can find ECL at Booth 2557 and DavLong at Booth 1855.
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SOURCE Eye Care Leaders | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/05/05/eye-care-leaders-partners-with-davlong-improve-customer-support-medflow-mdoffice-software-suites/ | 2023-05-05 16:45:57 | 0 | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/05/05/eye-care-leaders-partners-with-davlong-improve-customer-support-medflow-mdoffice-software-suites/ |
WFO NORMAN Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, November 4, 2022
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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
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237 PM CDT Fri Nov 4 2022
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN CLAY...NORTHEASTERN ARCHER AND SOUTHEASTERN WICHITA
COUNTIES...
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At 237 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles east of
Holliday, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
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IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind
damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
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Wichita Falls, Scotland, Dean, Jolly, Sheppard AFB, Lakeside City,
Pleasant Valley and Cashion.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
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building.
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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-NORMAN-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17559399.php | 2022-11-04 20:50:10 | 0 | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-NORMAN-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17559399.php |
WASHINGTON — Tesla is recalling more than 300,000 vehicles in the U.S. because a software glitch can make taillights go off intermittently, increasing the risk of a collision.
Tesla said in documents posted Saturday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the glitch may affect one or both taillights on certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Brake lamps, backup lamps and turn signal lamps are not affected by the software problem, the company said.
The automaker said it is releasing an online software update that will fix the problem.
The recall covers certain 2020 to 2023 Model Y SUVs and 2023 Model 3 sedans. That amounts to potentially 321,628 vehicles.
Tesla became aware of the problem last month after receiving complaints, primarily from customers outside the U.S., that their vehicle taillamps were not illuminating. The company completed an investigation into the problem earlier this month.
Owners will be notified by letter starting Jan. 14. The company says in documents that vehicles in production and those set for delivery got the update starting Nov. 6.
As of Nov. 14, Tesla had received three warranty claims due to the problem, but was not aware of any related crashes or injuries related to the glitch, according to the documents.
This is the 19th recall issued by the electric vehicle maker this year and comes just days after the company recalled 30,000 Model X SUVs because of possible airbag issues.
Other issues covered by recalls this year included windows that pinched people's fingers as they were rolled up, touch screen failure, faulty seatbelt chimes and potential loss of power steering.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tesla recalls account for only 5% of all recalls issued by automakers this year, but the number of Tesla vehicles affected by a recall is second only to Ford. | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/nation-world/tesla-recall-taillight-glitch/507-cd8434ff-8dcc-4c41-9524-c956a502bdb9 | 2022-11-21 23:51:31 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/nation-world/tesla-recall-taillight-glitch/507-cd8434ff-8dcc-4c41-9524-c956a502bdb9 |
Vernon hosted Frank Phillips for a NJCAA baseball game at Chaparral Field.
The Plainsmen won 3-1.
Vernon hosted Frank Phillips for a NJCAA baseball game at Chaparral Field.
The Plainsmen won 3-1.
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<div class=”scorestream-widget-container” data-ss_widget_type=”vertScoreboard” style=”height:600px;” data-user-widget-id=”1342″></div><script async=”async” type=”text/javascript” src=”https://scorestream.com/apiJsCdn/widgets/embed.js“></script> | https://www.texomashomepage.com/sports/local-sports/vernon-college-vs-frank-phillips-college-baseball-march-2-2023/ | 2023-03-03 07:09:54 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/sports/local-sports/vernon-college-vs-frank-phillips-college-baseball-march-2-2023/ |
—Companies are more frequently using titles to attract, reward, and retain talent—
BOSTON, April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearl Meyer has published a new survey that points to a material change in US companies' use of job titles. The 2023 Pearl Meyer Job Titling Practices Survey includes information for more than 400 public, private, and not-for-profit organizations and shows a substantial shift in the data from the prior edition, published in 2018.
"We have all heard and experienced so much turmoil in the job market over the last few years and much of the emphasis has been on a combination of compensation and flexibility in this war for talent," said Rebecca Toman, vice president of the survey business unit at Pearl Meyer. "However, our data indicate that companies are also increasingly reliant on job titles as an important component of their strategy."
More than half of the companies surveyed (54%) are leveraging job titles to attract prospective employees, a 35% increase from 2018. There has also been an increase from 30% to 38% in the use of a job title to determine eligibility for some compensation programs.
"Where we see the most eye-popping numbers is in the significant effort to reward and retain employees through the use of titles," said Toman. "Thirty-seven percent of respondents are actively applying titles as a way to retain key employees, which is up from 27% in 2018. Further, a third of those surveyed use titles to reward current employees and this is a 74% increase from pre-pandemic levels."
Signaling a need to retain and reward the existing workforce in the face of a potential economic slowdown, the survey shows a growing number of companies (13%) are explicitly deploying job titles "when funds are limited."
"Job titles can be practical tools for employers and compensation professionals, but in general, I would not rely on them as a strong retention option unless they are backed up by a pay increase," said Susan Sandlund, managing director and leadership practice lead at Pearl Meyer. "This data may indicate some employers are recognizing that in the absence of large compensation increases, they need to offer something to key employees. I see this as a somewhat positive development in terms of recognizing there are rewards beyond pay that have meaning to individuals. However, I would counsel organizations to likewise focus on career development opportunities and keep a close eye on maintaining a positive corporate culture. These elements are proven retention tools."
Key Findings: Changing Uses or Drivers of Job Titles Between 2018 and 2023
- Recognize and/or reward employees when funds are limited: from 8% to 13%, a 62.5% increase
- Reward current employees: 19% to 33%, a 74% increase
- Retain current employees: 27% to 37%, a 37% increase
- Attract prospective employees: 40% to 54%, a 35% increase
- Determine eligibility for certain compensation programs: 30% to 38%, a 27% increase
Methodology and Availability
Pearl Meyer's Job Titling survey is conducted periodically; the last survey was published in 2018. More than 400 respondents from public, private, not-for-profit/government chartered organizations contributed data to the 2023 survey. Respondents' annual revenue, assets, or operating budget ranged from under $100 million to over $30 billion. Results are offered according to revenue and broad industry groupings (industrials/materials; consumer discretionary/staples/services; healthcare; financials; information technology/telecom services; and energy/utilities). Complete survey results include a full list of participating organizations and are available for purchase.
Additional Resources
- Learn more about Pearl Meyer's Salary Surveys
- Learn more about Pearl Meyer's Leadership practice
- Article: Five Reasons You Need a Salary Survey
- Blog post: How Wide is Your Talent Moat?
About Pearl Meyer
Pearl Meyer is the leading advisor to boards and senior management on the alignment of executive compensation with business and leadership strategy, making pay programs a powerful catalyst for value creation and competitive advantage. Pearl Meyer's global clients stand at the forefront of their industries and range from emerging high-growth, not-for-profit, and private companies to the Fortune 500. The firm has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Jose.
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SOURCE Pearl Meyer | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2023/04/27/pearl-meyer-survey-shows-significant-change-job-title-practices-pre-post-pandemic/ | 2023-04-27 13:58:40 | 0 | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2023/04/27/pearl-meyer-survey-shows-significant-change-job-title-practices-pre-post-pandemic/ |
CAIRO (AP) — Four months of sporadic tribal clashes have killed up to 359 people in Sudan’s troubled south, the United Nations estimated Thursday, a period that has marked a sharp uptick in violence across the chaotic nation’s rural periphery.
The surging violence in The Blue Nile state, which began in July, has displaced some 97,000 people, many of whom have fled to neighboring states, and injured a further 469, according to the International Organization for Migration. Thursday’s figures from the U.N. agency are the latest estimate that accounts for the four-month period.
Two weeks ago, at least 230 people were killed in 48 hours of violence following an alleged land dispute between the Hausa tribe, with origins across West Africa, and the Berta and Hamaj people.
The increase in violence comes as the country’s ruling generals and the main factions of the sprawling pro-democracy movement engage in internationally-backed talks to revive the country’s democratic transition. Last month, the military reportedly agreed to a draft constitutional document written by the country’s Bar Association to establish a civilian-led government to lead the country to elections, set to be held within the next 24 months. The preliminary agreement has been rejected by several pro-democracy factions who refuse to negotiate with the military.
Sudan has been plugged into turmoil since the country leading military figure, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, mounted a coup in October 2021 that upended the country’s brief democratic transition after three decades of autocratic rule by Omar al-Bashir. The former president was toppled in April 2019 following a popular uprising that paved the way for a civilian-military power-sharing government.
Since its takeover, the military has ruthlessly cracked down on near-weekly pro-democracy marches, killing as least 118 protesters, according to statistics published by the Sudan Doctors Committee. The coup has put further strain on Sudan’s inflation-riddled economy, prompting a withdrawal of international aid amid rising bread and fuel shortages, caused in part by the war in Ukraine.
Many analysts interpret the rising tribal violence as a product of the power vacuum caused by the military takeover, with the ruling generals’ clampdown focused on Khartoum and the country’s heartland, while the peripheries descend into chaos. Local activists and Sudanese outlets reported a lack of military presence during the Blue Nile’s most recent deadly clashes in late October.
In response, protesters gathered in Damazin — the provincial capital of Blue Nile — later that week, and stormed the headquarters of the local government and a military facility. Sudan’s ruling military later sacked one of Blue Nile’s senior military commanders.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/11/03/un-says-tribal-clashes-in-sudan-kill-359-people-since-july/ | 2022-11-04 00:18:47 | 0 | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/11/03/un-says-tribal-clashes-in-sudan-kill-359-people-since-july/ |
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MOSCOW (AP) — China's defense minister on Monday toured the top Russian military academy on a visit to the Russian capital that underscored the increasingly close ties between Moscow and Beijing amid the fighting in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Gen. Li Shangfu in the Kremlin on Sunday, noting that his trip follows a “very productive” three-day state visit to Moscow by Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month.
Putin emphasized that defense cooperation, including joint military drills, has helped “strengthen the trust-based strategic relationship” between the two countries.
Li told Putin that “relations between our armed forces are growing stronger with every passing day,” adding that “your personal friendship with the president of China plays a major role in this process, and everyone in China knows this."
On Monday, Li visited the military academy of the Russian General Staff, the elite institution for training senior military officers.
The Russian Defense Ministry noted in a statement issued after his visit that the academy would welcome more than 20 senior military officers from China for a training course in the fall.
Li’s trip to Moscow reflects China’s strengthening engagement with Russia, with which it has closely aligned its foreign policy in an attempt to reshape the world order to diminish the influence of the United States and its Western allies.
China has refused to criticize Russia’s actions in Ukraine and blamed the U.S. and NATO for provoking Moscow. Xi’s three-day visit to Russia last month gave a strong political boost to Putin, sending a powerful message to Western leaders that their efforts to isolate Moscow have fallen short.
After the talks, Putin and Xi issued joint declarations pledging to further bolster their “strategic cooperation,” develop cooperation in energy, high-tech industries and other spheres and expand the use of their currencies in mutual trade to reduce dependence on the West.
After more than a year of fighting in Ukraine and bruising Western sanctions, Russia’s dependence on China has increased significantly. Facing Western restrictions on its oil, gas and other exports, Russia has shifted its energy flows to China and sharply expanded other exports, resulting in a 30% hike in bilateral trade.
Last month, Putin and Xi also vowed to further develop military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing and conduct more joint sea and air patrols. However, there was no mention of any prospective Chinese weapons supplies to Russia that the U.S. and other Western allies feared.
On Friday, the Chinese foreign minister emphasized that Beijing wouldn't sell weapons to either side in the conflict in Ukraine. | https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/chinese-minister-s-tour-underscores-closer-ties-17901382.php | 2023-04-17 14:16:39 | 1 | https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/chinese-minister-s-tour-underscores-closer-ties-17901382.php |
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria’s parliament on Tuesday formally approved the country’s new government proposed by the two main political rivals in a bid to end a 30-months-long political crisis, restore stability and spur economic development in the poorest EU member country.
The GERB party of ex-Premier Boyko Borissov, which won the April general election, and the runner-up, the pro-European liberal coalition “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” have agreed to form the first-ever Bulgarian government where the post of prime minister will change hands halfway through.
Lawmakers voted 132-69 to elect Nikolay Denkov, a 60-year-old chemistry professor and former education minister, as prime minister. Denkov is a founding member of the reformist “We Continue the Change” party.
In a separate vote, legislators also approved the Cabinet, in which GERB’s Maria Gabriel, a former European Commissioner, will serve as deputy head of government and foreign minister. After nine months, Denkov and Gabriel will switch positions for the rest of the term.
Even though the two parties in this unlikely coalition are fundamentally at odds, they managed to strike a deal on the key elements in the government program.
They will seek to cobble together a constitutional majority of two-thirds of parliamentary seats to push through a comprehensive overhaul of the judiciary and to implement long-awaited anti-corruption reforms in the graft-ridden country.
The Balkan country of 6.5 million is one of the most corrupt nations in the EU. It also has the worst income inequality in the 27-member bloc.
The government’s priorities include the urgent passage of the delayed 2023 budget. It also hopes to join the EU’s visa-free Schengen area and the euro zone, and to secure the release of billions of euros in EU recovery funds, by adopting the required legislation.
The new government has pledged to keep Bulgaria, a NATO and EU member, on a firm pro-Western track; to fight Russian influence in Bulgaria’s security sector; and to guarantee support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. | https://pix11.com/business/ap-business/bulgaria-gets-new-government-as-former-rivals-enter-uneasy-alliance/ | 2023-06-06 19:29:55 | 0 | https://pix11.com/business/ap-business/bulgaria-gets-new-government-as-former-rivals-enter-uneasy-alliance/ |
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) – Chaotic scenes of the moment several Evansville Police officers rush into the west side Walmart following an active shooter situation Thursday night.
“We can’t imagine what the witnesses and employees and customers inside went through,” says Officer Taylor Merris with the Evansville Police Department. “Our hearts are with them. But without the bravery and professionalism of our department, there could have been a lot more lives lost last night.”
Police say the shooter, identifed as 25 year old Ronald Mosley II, shot one person in the store before firing shots throughout Walmart. Seven EPD officers and 1 Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Deputy exchanged fire inside and outside the building with Mosley, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Just watching the bodycam last night, it’s a very eerie feeling,” says Officer Merris. “Because there’s multiple officers and they’re looking for the offender and he could come around the corner at any time.”
EPD says Mosley was a previous Walmart employee, and the victim is a current employee. According to EPD and court records, Mosley had a previous encounter with police at this Walmart. Documents show in May of 2022, Mosley was arrested at the west side Walmart and charged with 4 counts of battery, accused of attacking several co-workers.
Mosley plead guilty in December 2022 and was sentenced to mental health court for one year. Police will rely on witnesses to shed light on a possible motive.
“We’ll look at the suspect’s social media, things of that nature,” explains Sgt. Anna Gray. “He may have posted some things that may also shed some light on it. Hopefully the victim will recover and be able to tell us a little bit more, as well.” | https://cbs4indy.com/indiana-news/investigation-continues-after-walmart-shooting/ | 2023-01-20 21:04:14 | 1 | https://cbs4indy.com/indiana-news/investigation-continues-after-walmart-shooting/ |
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Nieto converts on give-and-go play for Avs lead
Matt Nieto and Matt Calvert go on a 2-on-1 break, going back and forth before Nieto redirects a feed from Calvert off his skate and past Darcy Kuemper to open the scoring for Colorado vs. Arizona. | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nhl/nieto-converts-on-give-and-go-play-for-avs-lead | 2023-06-27 09:53:12 | 0 | https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/nhl/nieto-converts-on-give-and-go-play-for-avs-lead |
NEW YORK (AP) — “National Cinema Day” on Saturday brought the big screen to moviegoers for a small price — no more than $3 — as American theaters looked to fill seats during the late summer lull.
The one-day nationwide promotion was being offered on more than 30,000 screens in more than 3,000 theaters, including the major chains of AMC and Regal Cinemas. The Cinema Foundation, a nonprofit arm of the National Association of Theater Owners, announced the plan Aug. 28 and said all major film studios also were participating.
Labor Day weekend is traditionally one of the slowest weekends in theaters.
National Cinema Day is intended to flood theaters with moviegoers and prompt them to return in the fall, inspired by a sizzle reel of upcoming films from A24, Amazon Studios, Disney, Focus Features, Lionsgate, Neon, Paramount, Sony Pictures Classics, Sony, United Artists Releasing, Universal and Warner Bros.
After more than two years of pandemic, movie theaters rebounded significantly over the summer, seeing business return to nearly pre-pandemic levels. Films like “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Minions: Rise of Gru,” “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Jurassic World Dominion” pushed the domestic summer box office to $3.3 billion in ticket sales as of Aug. 21, according to data firm Comscore.
But that trails 2019 totals by about 20% as exhibitors have had about 30% fewer wide releases this year. Cineworld, which owns Regal Cinemas, cited the scant supply of major new releases in confirming recent discussions of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing.
Organizers of National Cinema Day described the event as a trial that could become an annual fixture. While some other countries have experimented with a similar day of cheap movie tickets, the initiative is the first of its kind on such a large scale in the U.S.
“After this summer’s record-breaking return to cinemas, we wanted to do something to celebrate moviegoing,” said Jackie Brenneman, Cinema Foundation president, in an Aug. 28 statement. “We’re doing it by offering a ‘thank you’ to the moviegoers that made this summer happen, and by offering an extra enticement for those who haven’t made it back yet.”
___
Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/On-National-Cinema-Day-movie-tickets-are-just-17417452.php | 2022-09-03 18:26:14 | 0 | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/On-National-Cinema-Day-movie-tickets-are-just-17417452.php |
BOSTON (AP) — David Ortiz knows that what he said at the first game at Fenway Park after the Boston Marathon bombing had an impact — in Boston and around the world.
Ortiz and many of his 2013 World Series champion teammates were honored Sunday in Boston before the Red Sox played the Los Angeles Angels. He’ll also be the grand marshal for this year’s marathon, which will be run Monday morning.
Ten years ago, two bombs detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring nearly 300. Five days later, the Red Sox played a home game, at Fenway, where Ortiz stood in front of the pitcher’s mound and said: “This is our (expletive) city. And nobody’s gonna dictate our freedom. Stay strong.”
The Red Sox took off after that moment and went on to win the World Series.
“You know what, 10 years later I can tell you about the impact of what I say (had),” Ortiz said Sunday. “To be honest with you, I’m so proud it was taken that way. You don’t know, sometimes somebody needs to push that button. I think I did.
“Right now, I can tell you, the feedback coming from the people worldwide from everywhere I go. I did something good and I’m pretty proud of it.”
The newly enshrined hall of famer understands what it meant to many.
“We ended up winning, right. It was a real movie,” he said. “It was a real-life story and we were all part of it.”
Ortiz was the MVP of the Series, helping the Red Sox clinch their first title at home in 95 years.
___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.qcnews.com/sports/ortiz-reflects-on-speech-given-after-boston-marathon-bombing/ | 2023-04-17 10:34:57 | 0 | https://www.qcnews.com/sports/ortiz-reflects-on-speech-given-after-boston-marathon-bombing/ |
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