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TikTok said Wednesday that every account held by a user under the age of 18 will have a default 60-minute daily screen time limit in the coming weeks. The changes arrive during a period in which there are growing concerns among different governments about the app’s security and ability to alter its algorithm to push certain posts.
The update also mirrors gaming rules imposed on minors in China, where TikTok’s parent company ByteDance was formerly based. It has since relocated to Singapore. In 2021, Chinese authorities issued new rules that barred minors from playing online games for only an hour a day and only on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays — an effort to curb Internet addiction.
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In the United States, families have struggled with limiting the amount of time their children spend on the Chinese-owned video sharing app. According to the Pew Research Center, about two-thirds of Americans teens use TikTok.
Cormac Keenan, head of trust and safety at TikTok, said in a blog post Wednesday that when the 60-minute limit is reached, minors will be prompted to enter a passcode and make an “active decision” to keep watching. For accounts where the user is under the age of 13, a parent or guardian will have to set or enter an existing passcode to allow 30 minutes of extra viewing time once the initial 60-minute limit is reached.
TikTok said it came up with the 60-minute threshold by consulting academic research and experts from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital.
There have long been concerns about what minors are exposed to on social media and the potential harm it might do. A report released late last year suggested that TikTok’s algorithms are promoting videos about self-harm and eating disorders to vulnerable teens. Instagram, which is owned by Facebook parent Meta, has also faced similar accusations.
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Social media algorithms work by identifying topics and content of interest to a user, who is then sent more of the same as a way to maximize their time on the site. But social media critics say the same algorithms that promote content about a particular sports team, hobby, or dance craze can send users down a rabbit hole of harmful content.
TikTok also said Wednesday that it will also begin prompting teens to set a daily screen time limit if they opt out of the 60-minute default. The company will send weekly inbox notifications to teen accounts with a screen time recap.
Some of TikTok’s existing safety features for teen accounts include having accounts set to private by default for those between the ages of 13 and 15 and providing direct messaging availability only to those accounts where the user is 16 or older.
TikTok announced a number of changes for all users, including the ability to set customized screen time limits for each day of the week and allowing users to set a schedule to mute notifications. The company is also launching a sleep reminder to help people plan when they want to be offline at night. For the sleep feature, users will be able to set a time and when the time arrives, a pop-up will remind the user that it’s time to log off.
Outside of exorbitant use by some minors, there is growing concern about the app around the world. The European Parliament, the European Commission and the EU Council have banned TikTok from being installed on official devices.
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That follows similar actions taken by the US federal government, Congress, and more than half of the 50 US states. Canada has also banned it from government devices.
House Republicans are pushing a bill that will give President Biden the ability to ban the app nationwide, which has faced opposition from some civil liberties organizations who argue such a move would be unconstitutional. The legislation passed the Republican-controlled House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday along party lines. The bill must still get a vote on the floor of the House and Senate. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/01/business/tiktok-sets-new-default-time-limits-minors-2/ | 2023-03-01 23:33:52 | 0 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/01/business/tiktok-sets-new-default-time-limits-minors-2/ |
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – In their first game since Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field, the Buffalo Bills returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Josh Allen said the play was ”just spiritual. … You can’t draw that one up or write that one up any better.”
Meanwhile, back in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Hamlin was able to watch the game on TV. When Nyheim Hines scored the opening touchdown, Hamlin celebrated. Hard.
“When the opening kickoff was run back, he jumped up and down, got out of his chair – set, I think, every alarm off in the ICU in the process,” Dr. Timothy Pritts of UC Health said Monday.
“He was fine,” Pritts added. “It was just an appropriate reaction to a very exciting play.”
Pritts and Dr. William Knight IV announced Monday that Hamlin was released from intensive care and was able to fly home to Buffalo, where he will continue to recover at Buffalo General Medical Center. The news comes exactly one week after his on-field accident that resulted in the cancellation of the Bills-Bengals game and brought the country together in support. More than $8 million has been donated to Hamlin’s charity.
”I can’t remember a play that touched me like that I don’t think in my life,” Allen said of the kick return. “It’s probably No. 1.”
Hamlin’s excitement was captured simply in his tweet after the opening touchdown. ”OMFG!!!!!!” he wrote.
The Bills went on to beat the New England Patriots, 35-23, to clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They host the Miami Dolphins in Sunday’s Wild Card game.
Hines’ touchdown was the Bills’ first kick return score since October 2019 — a span of three years and three months, which some fans took as another sign of Hamlin’s jersey No. 3 appearing in various ways this week. NFL Next Gen Stats said Hines reached a speed of 21.25 mph while racing for the end zone — the fastest speed they had ever tracked him at, with or without the ball.
Hines added a second kick return touchdown later in the game, which no NFL player had done since 2010. He was the first player Bills player to accomplish the feat.
“That was for you 3!” Hines tweeted after the game. “You been telling me I was going to break one since I’ve been here. Happy we could give you 2 of em! Your spirit was out there with all of us.” | https://www.qcnews.com/nexstar-media-wire/damar-hamlin-set-every-alarm-off-in-the-icu-celebrating-buffalo-bills-kickoff-return/ | 2023-01-09 22:45:19 | 0 | https://www.qcnews.com/nexstar-media-wire/damar-hamlin-set-every-alarm-off-in-the-icu-celebrating-buffalo-bills-kickoff-return/ |
Customers Can Unlock the Chance to Win New Items Each Week
IRVING, Texas, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready to turn up the heat because 7-Eleven, Inc. is officially entering Brainfreeze Season™ – a time to hang loose, try new things, make unforgettable memories and take summer from a ten…to an ELEVEN.
This summer, 7-Eleven®, Speedway® and Stripes® stores are helping customers feel hot and stay cool throughout Brainfreeze Season by rewarding them with exciting new prizes every Friday to electrify their summer – all without breaking the bank. Customers who purchase participating products can win giveaways inspired by some of their favorite things: music, fashion and of course, Slurpee® drinks.
We Got the Beat
We know the perfect playlist is key to a successful summer, so 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes are helping customers get their groove on with weekly giveaways inspired by their love of music. From VIP tickets to events like Life is Beautiful Festival and Coca-Cola Presents Float Fest – to meet and greets and signed merch from the hottest artists – the convenience retailers are giving customers the opportunity to experience their favorite artists on a whole new level.
7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes customers can earn a chance to win these one-of-a-kind experiences by fueling up for their late-night concerts, spontaneous dance parties, or garage jam sessions with their favorite snacks. All they need to do is purchase select items through the Speedy Rewards® and 7Rewards® loyalty programs or via 7NOW® delivery -- including pizza, Big Gulp® fountain beverages, Slurpee drinks, Gatorade®, all varieties of Monster Energy, Zapp's, smartwater, all Flamin' Hot varieties including favorites like Cheetos®, Doritos® and Ruffles®, and more. Even better, when customers purchase the product featured on their 7-Eleven and Speedway app each week, they will earn double entries for double the chance to win*!
Drop it Like it's Haute
We know our customers like to rock the season's hottest styles, so we'll also be dropping some show-stopping, custom fashion pieces through unexpected brand collaborations and a limited-edition apparel collection with a trendsetting streetwear designer. Winners of these drops are sure to turn heads while snacking on their favorite snacks, like Big Bite® hot dogs and taquitos during a summertime picnic or sipping on a $1 iced coffee at the pier. Stay tuned later this summer for more details on these haute drops.
"Music and fashion… and of course, Slurpee drinks… are the cultural fuel that inspires our customers and helps them celebrate even the small moments in life," said Marissa Jarratt, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at 7-Eleven. "Whether it's a song that you can't help but dance to, an outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks, or that first sip of a Slurpee drink – we want to help our customers take these moments from ten to ELEVEN all summer long. Brainfreeze Season will give our customers the chance to win big – while spending little – by purchasing some of their favorite snacks in-stores or via 7NOW delivery."
Slurpee Drink Season
7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes know that summer is synonymous with Slurpee drinks. So to celebrate, customers can enjoy $1 small Slurpee drinks all season long. Sip on classics like Blue Raspberry or Cherry Slurpee drinks or indulge in our limited-time-only flavor, Mango Lemonade. Don't forget to sip in style with exclusive straws featuring Fred, the mascot for the iconic frozen beverage, out of metallic and wildly colorful Slurpee cups available at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes locations. And don't worry – it is Slurpee season after all, so more exciting news—and sweet deals—to come soon.
And with the 7NOW delivery app, customers can stock up on those $1 small Slurpee drinks and their favorite snacks on-demand. In fact, first-time 7NOW customers can redeem a FREE pizza with any 7NOW delivery order by entering the code PIZZA at checkout***.
Music-lovers and fashionistas looking to win big this summer can visit 7-Eleven.com/Catch-The-Drop or download the 7-Eleven and Speedway apps from the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting 7Rewards.com or SpeedyRewards.com.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Begins 5/25/22 at 12:00:01am CT & ends 9/6/22 at 11:00:00 pm CT. Open to legal US residents physically residing in the 50 United States or DC who are 13+ years old (minors must have parental consent to participate). Odds of winning depend on # of eligible entries. Sponsor: 7-Eleven, Inc. For full rules, free and other methods of entry, full prize details, and restrictions, see Official Rules at https://bit.ly/SZN-22.
**$1 Sm Slurpee: Valid Through 6/28/22. MFR coupon. Available while supplies last. Offer good at participating U.S. 7-Eleven® stores, excludes Hawaii. Offer not valid with any other coupon or discount. No cash value. Consumer pays applicable fees and sales taxes. COPIES OR REPRODUCTION BY ANY MEANS IS PROHIBITED AND SHALL VOID THE COUPON. ©2022 7-Eleven, Inc. All rights reserved.
***Valid 5/25/2022 through 9/6/2022. Use promo code PIZZA on first order for new customers. One per customer and one per device. Applicable with promo code and delivery order only. Plus tax and fees. Limited delivery area. See 7NOW® app for full terms.
About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to 7-Eleven stores, 7-Eleven, Inc. operates and franchises Speedway®, Stripes®, Laredo Taco Company® and Raise the Roost® Chicken and Biscuits locations. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee®, Big Bite® and Big Gulp®, 7-Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7-Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select™ brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites at an outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards® loyalty program with more than 50 million members, place an order in the 7NOW® delivery app in over 2,000 cities, or rely on 7-Eleven for bill payment service, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.
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SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc. | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/feel-hot-stay-cool-7-eleven-celebrates-brainfreeze-season-with-exclusive-drops-every-friday/ | 2022-06-01 12:43:21 | 1 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/feel-hot-stay-cool-7-eleven-celebrates-brainfreeze-season-with-exclusive-drops-every-friday/ |
– Average Discount Rates on Amazon Rising Steadily since Mid-August Across the Retail Site –
BOSTON, Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Momentum Commerce, a modern digital retail consultancy, today announced a new analysis detailing a steady, months-long uptick in discounting activity across Amazon US. With inflationary pressures likely impacting holiday shopping budgets for consumers, this trend towards more pervasive discounting is a positive sign for Amazon to capture a greater share of holiday shopping revenue in the coming months.
The release of this latest analysis comes alongside the addition of Amazon Prime Early Access Sale (PEAS) data into the Momentum Commerce 2022 Amazon Prime Day Brand Scoreboard.
To conduct the discount analysis, Momentum Commerce utilized its vast repository of Amazon search data. Specifically, Momentum Commerce examined daily pricing and discount data for all products ranking in the top 10 overall placements across the top one million keywords on Amazon between June 1 and October 18, 2022. Digital goods including software, gift cards, and eBooks were not included.
The analysis shows a notable peak in average discount rate during Prime Day in July, which quickly reverted to pre-Prime Day levels. However, since mid-August, the average discount for a product sold on Amazon rose steadily, hitting above 5% regularly since mid-September. While discounts on certain products were certainly much larger during Prime Day, this latest average discount level surpasses the July sale event.
There are several potential key drivers behind this trend. Brands may be attempting to sell down older inventory in advance of the holiday season. Other brands perhaps rose prices earlier, and are now discounting slightly to catch consumer eyes on the search page and better position their products versus competitors.
For Amazon, this shift towards larger average discounts naturally makes the retail site a more attractive option for consumers as the holiday season approaches. This is particularly relevant in the context of inflation, as consumers are expected to trim their holiday budgets, or at the very least spread out that spending over a longer period of time. This latter prediction was a major reason behind Amazon spinning up its Prime Early Access Sale in October.
"Lower prices have always been at the forefront of Amazon's value proposition to consumers, and this latest data shows how this trend is accelerating," said John T Shea, CEO and Founder of Momentum Commerce. "There are going to be more consumers looking to stretch their holiday shopping dollars in 2022, and Amazon is catering to those needs. Helping our clients execute effectively in this environment, and knowing when and where to discount, advertise, and optimize, is where Momentum Commerce is putting its focus."
For brands selling on Amazon, it's important to note that discounting activity naturally varies significantly even within a single sub-category. The Momentum Commerce Prime Day Brand Scoreboard research tool provides a clear window into how hundreds of thousands of different brands across more than 1,500 categories approached both Amazon Prime Day and Amazon's Prime Early Access Sale in 2022. The data includes whether a brand cut prices, increased their advertising investment, or largely sat tight during each sale event.
For both Prime Day and the Prime Early Access Sale, users can also dig one level deeper. Clicking on a displayed brand brings up sale event pricing changes for a selection of that brand's top products within the selected category.
"As we went through the process of updating the Prime Day Scoreboard around October's Prime Event, it was important to add in functionality to provide deeper, product-level insights," said Ben Saufley, Director of Front-End Engineering at Momentum Commerce. "The resulting drill-downs make the dashboard experience that much richer for brands."
Particularly as the holiday season approaches, this product-level data helps brands understand the nuances of a given competitor's strategy around each sale event, and how they should adjust going forward. The larger discounting environment makes these nuanced decisions even more critical to best positioning a product within a brand's current competitive landscape.
The 2022 Amazon Prime Day Brand Scoreboard is free to access and can be found at https://momentumcommerce.com/prime-day-scoreboard.
Momentum Commerce is a modern consultancy offering brands flexible technology and professional services to grow sales on digital retail platforms such as Amazon, Walmart.com and Target.com. Comprised of half technologists and half consultants, Momentum Commerce's team provides unrivaled data assets with a scientific approach to retail media management, insights services, and bespoke projects brands need to meet their growth goals. With a mission to be the most respected firm in the space, Momentum Commerce brand clients include emerging and enterprise brands such as Crocs, Chaps, Lush Decor, Level Home, XMONDO and many more. For more information, please visit https://momentumcommerce.com.
Media Contact
Andrew Waber
a.waber@momentumcommerce.com
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SOURCE Momentum Commerce | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/10/20/momentum-commerce-analysis-shows-discounting-amazon-is-heating-up-setting-stage-dominant-holiday-season/ | 2022-10-20 16:02:45 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/10/20/momentum-commerce-analysis-shows-discounting-amazon-is-heating-up-setting-stage-dominant-holiday-season/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court agreed Thursday to decide whether the Biden administration can broadly cancel student loans, keeping the program blocked for now but signaling a final answer by early summer.
That’s about two months before the newly extended pause on loan repayments is set to expire.
The administration had wanted a court order that would have allowed the program to take effect even as court challenges proceed. The justices didn’t do that, but agreed to the administration’s fallback, setting arguments for late February or early March over whether the program is legal.
President Joe Biden’s plan promises $10,000 in federal student debt forgiveness to those with incomes of less than $125,000, or households earning less than $250,000. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, are eligible for an additional $10,000 in relief.
The Congressional Budget Office has said the program will cost about $400 billion over the next three decades.
More than 26 million people already applied for the relief, with 16 million approved, but the Education Department stopped processing applications last month after a federal judge in Texas struck down the plan.
The administration said it was pleased the nation’s highest court had intervened, and Biden said on Twitter that the White House will keep fighting for the loan plan.
“Republican officials are throwing up roadblocks in order to prevent middle-class families from getting the student debt relief they need,” he said in a tweet.
The Texas case is one of two in which federal judges have forbidden the administration from implementing the loan cancellations.
In a separate lawsuit filed by six states, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis also put the plan on hold, and that case is before the Supreme Court.
The moratorium had been slated to expire Jan. 1, a date that Biden set before his debt cancellation plan stalled in the face of legal challenges from conservative opponents.
The new expiration date is 60 days after the legal issue has been settled, but no later than the end of August.
Conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups have asserted that Biden overstepped his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress. They called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of taxpayers who didn’t pursue higher education.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican, said in a statement following the high court order that the Biden plan “would saddle Americans who didn’t take out loans or already paid theirs off with even more economic woes.” Missouri is one of the six states that sued to block the plan, along with Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and South Carolina.
The administration has argued that the loan cancellations are legal under a 2003 law aimed at providing help to members of the military. The program is a response to “a devastating pandemic with student loan relief designed to protect vulnerable borrowers from delinquency and default,” the Justice Department said in court papers.
The law, the HEROES Act, allows the secretary of education to “waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial assistance programs … as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with a war or other military operation or national emergency.”
In putting the program on hold, the 8th Circuit panel said there was little harm to borrowers because repayments have been suspended. Allowing the cancellations to proceed before a definitive court ruling would have had än “irreversible impact,” the appeals court said.
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, issued a more sweeping ruling in the Texas case, finding that such a costly program required clear congressional authorization.
The justices also will confront an important procedural question, whether anyone who has sued faces any legal or financial harm.
The 8th Circuit judges, two Trump appointees and one judge selected by former President George W. Bush, determined there might be financial costs to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, and said that was enough.
In the Texas case, Pittman wrote that plaintiffs Myra Brown and Alexander Taylor could file their lawsuit, though neither faces financial harm. Brown is ineligible for debt relief because her loans are commercially held, and Taylor is eligible for just $10,000 and not the full $20,000 because he didn’t receive a Pell grant.
But Pittman said it was enough that the government did not take public comments on the program, meaning neither person had a chance to provide input on a program they would be at least partially excluded from. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-justices-keep-student-loan-cancellation-blocked-for-now/ | 2022-12-02 20:28:03 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-justices-keep-student-loan-cancellation-blocked-for-now/ |
ENTERPRISE -
Trey Haynes and Cole Willard showed up when it counted to help West Union eke out a 64-63 win over New Albany Tuesday night.
New Albany came out strong and drew first blood at the 6:26 mark of the first period with a 2-pt shot by Chris Carter who would lead the Bulldogs to a 15-14 lead at the end of the first.
In the second, the Bulldogs struggled with personal fouls that put West Union’s Trey Haynes on the line. Haynes, who went four for four on the free throw line, and Willard, who put up 6 in the second, led the Eagles to take the lead at the half - 28-23.
Cayden Howell and Mac Cheairs helped New Albany to take the lead early in the third, Daniel Conlee and Willard answered quickly. At the end of three, the score was tied at 44.
Howell wasted no time in the fourth as he started the scoring for the Bulldogs with a 3-pt shot. The teams swapped baskets throughout the fourth to tie the score late in the period at 63. With 2.8 seconds left in the contest, New Albany’s Howell fouled West Union’s Willard. Willard went to the line. He missed the first free throw and go the second to put the Eagles ahead 64-63. New Albany threw the ball in on a long shot to half court. Trey Haynes picked it off and held it as time ran out and West Union takes the contest 64-63.
After the game, Coach Hayles commented, “We didn’t make as many free throws as we should have. Cole got the one that really mattered at the end to give us the one point lead. Overall, our guys moved on to the next play and kept battling. Anything that went wrong, it didn’t transpire and lead over in to more things. I was happy for them.”
For the Eagles, Cole Willard was the high scorer with 17 and Trey Haynes had 12. Greer Manning, Daniel Conlee, and Jon Grey Morrison had 10 each.
For the Bulldogs, Chris Carter had 23 and Cayden Howell added 17.
(G) New Albany 55, West Union 45
Ella Kate Taylor’s three-point game and Laina Corder’s free throws were not enough as West Union lost a hard-fought battle against the New Albany Tuesday night, 45 – 55.
In the first, New Albany was plagued with fouls which helped West Union to take the early lead, 9-7. Hannah Finley and Amiya Terry used back-to-back 3-point shots to pull the Lady Bulldogs ahead. At the end of the first, New Albany led - 15-13.
In the second, the Lady Eagles outscored the Lady Bulldogs 16-13 and capitalized on free throws to regain the lead at the half, 29-28.
The third period started with West Union and New Albany swapping turnovers. At the 5:28 mark, Laniya Terry got a 2-point shot for the first points of the half to put New Albany ahead which they extended in the fourth to get the 55-45 win.
West Union had three players in double digits – Laina Corder – 12, Ella Kate Taylor – 11, and Zoey Wright – 11. New Albany had four players in double digits – Laniya Terry – 16, Amiya Terry – 15, Abby Laney – 12, and Hannah Finley – 11.
After the game, Coach JC Hayles commented, “The girls missed missed way too many free throws which is uncharacteristic of us. We usually shoot a much better percentage. We missed 11 and got beat by 10. That wasn’t the only thing that beat us, we have to be tougher and want the ball more down the stretch.
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New role will enhance digital equity in the broadband industry
PITTSBURGH, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today the promotion of Kirsten Compitello, AICP, to National Broadband Digital Equity Director. In her new role, Ms. Compitello will leverage more than 15 years of experience in the urban planning industry, as well as building community-oriented systems through public engagement, visual storytelling and smart policy, to enhance digital equity and inclusion in the Broadband industry.
"Kirsten has been with Michael Baker for more than four years, working to advance healthy, safe, equitable and people-oriented urban design," said Jeremy Jurick, GISP, Vice President and National Broadband Services Director at Michael Baker International. "Michael Baker's Broadband services are designed to facilitate digital inclusion and enable access to underserved communities. As Digital Equity Director, Kirsten will further this mission by drawing on her experience in urban planning, creativity and passion for delivering equitable solutions to communities. Her work will be critical to closing the digital divide in the communities that we serve."
As the National Broadband Digital Equity Director, Ms. Compitello will act as a vital link to ensure Michael Baker's Broadband Technology Solutions align with the equity goals of local, state, and regional clients and their constituents. Ms. Compitello and her team will act as client advocates and trusted advisors to evaluate resident needs, tailor outcomes to best suit the communities impacted, and build local stewardship and capacity to support both short-term improvement and long-term sustainability of their broadband programs.
Prior to being promoted to National Broadband Digital Equity Director, Ms. Compitello served as a Senior Urban Designer and Planning Associate at Michael Baker. As lead Broadband Planner for the Connectivity Roadmap for Southwestern Pennsylvania, she helped to innovate Michael Baker's unique approach toward digital connectivity solutions through a multidisciplinary collaboration of infrastructure planning, smart data tracking and management, engineering applications and community advocacy. She also served as an Urban Design Fellow and Senior Urban Designer for Urban Design Associates.
She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Arts degree in Socio-Cultural Anthropology from Columbia University.
Michael Baker's nationwide Broadband planning and implementation work is completed under the firm's Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) Vertical, which combines the firm's technology offerings, including National Broadband Development, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Geographic Information Systems, Next Generation 9-1-1, and Light Detection and Ranging. The CTS team is comprised of nearly 200 technology experts focusing on technology differentiation and innovation to support Michael Baker's growth initiatives, identifying and incubating technologies and maximizing opportunities with consulting and technology-based solutions.
About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services with Practices that encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design, civil engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, construction and program management and design-build project delivery. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to commercial clients, all branches of the military and federal, state and municipal governments, providing comprehensive services and solutions. Embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations – like intelligent transportation and engineered models, Michael Baker is an industry leader that delivers expertise and quality. The firm's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years. To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.
Contact: Julia Covelli
julia.covelli@mbakerintl.com
(866) 293-4609
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SOURCE Michael Baker International | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/michael-baker-international-promotes-kirsten-compitello-aicp-broadband-digital-equity-director/ | 2022-07-29 14:00:20 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/michael-baker-international-promotes-kirsten-compitello-aicp-broadband-digital-equity-director/ |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia deployed multiple drones overnight to attack parts of Ukraine and dozens were shot down, Ukrainian officials said Monday, in a series of relentless attacks through the weekend that killed three civilians on New Year’s Eve.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that 40 drones “headed for Kyiv” overnight, according to air defense forces, and all of them were destroyed.
Klitschko said 22 drones were destroyed over Kyiv, three in the outlying Kyiv region and 15 over neighboring provinces.
Energy infrastructure facilities were damaged as the result of the attack and an explosion occurred in one city district, the mayor said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether that was caused by drones or other munitions. A wounded 19-year-old man was hospitalized, Klitschko added, and emergency power outages were underway in the capital.
In the outlying Kyiv region a “critical infrastructure object” and residential buildings were hit, Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba said.
Seven drones were shot down over the southern Mykolaiv region, according to Gov. Vitali Kim, and three more were shot down in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a missile was also destroyed, according to Reznichenko. He said that energy infrastructure in the region was being targeted.
Ukraine’s Air Force Command reported Monday that 39 Iranian-made exploding Shahed drones were shot down overnight, as well as two Russian-made Orlan drones and a X-59 missile across Ukraine.
A blistering New Year’s Eve assault killed at least four civilians across the country, Ukrainian authorities reported, and wounded dozens. The fourth victim, a 46-year-old resident of Kyiv, died in a hospital on Monday morning, Klitschko said.
Multiple blasts rocked the capital and other areas of Ukraine on Saturday and through the night. The strikes came 36 hours after widespread missile attacks Russia launched Thursday to damage energy infrastructure facilities, and the unusually quick follow-up alarmed Ukrainian officials.
Russia has carried out airstrikes on Ukrainian power and water supplies almost weekly since October, increasing the suffering of Ukrainians, while its ground forces struggle to hold ground and advance.
In Russia, a Ukrainian drone hit an energy facility in the Bryansk region that borders with Ukraine, Bryansk regional governor Alexander Bogomaz reported on Monday morning. A village was left without power as a result, he said.
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Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ukraine-reports-more-russian-drone-attacks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business | 2023-01-02 09:23:47 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ukraine-reports-more-russian-drone-attacks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business |
Aaron Judge’s homers almost always impress, and No. 61 on Wednesday night was no exception — a laser-beam shot that landed in the Blue Jays bullpen amidst huge cheers from the crowd in Toronto.
Baseball history was made and the joy was palpable. The New York Yankees slugger had just tied Roger Maris for the American League, and what some fans consider the “real,” single-season home run record.
No controversy. No debate. No questions. Right?
No way.
As anyone who follows the sport knows, baseball has a unique and sometimes infuriating habit of being unable to completely enjoy its biggest moments. Instead of running from that reality, MLB appears to be embracing the chaos of debate.
Judge’s chase for 61 this season and, to a lesser extent, Cardinals star Albert Pujols’ quest for 700 career homers, have brought the game’s prodigious record books and historical debates back to the forefront.
Even if Judge hits No. 62 in the next seven games, MLB’s records clearly state Barry Bonds is the record-holder with 73 in 2001. Mark McGwire hit 70 in 1998 and 65 a year later. Sammy Sosa topped 61 three times in a four-year span from 1998 to 2001.
Those numbers came during baseball’s performance-enhancing drug era.
A sizable chunk of fans believe the numbers from that era are tainted. Roger Maris Jr. — who was in attendance in Toronto on Wednesday — is one of them, saying it’s Judge who is the real home run king.
The 30-year-old Judge has an impeccable reputation in an era during which each player is tested for PEDs during spring training and is subject to random tests during the season and offseason.
“He should be revered for being the actual single-season home run champ,” the younger Maris said after Judge matched his dad’s record-setting total with the Yankees in 1961. “I mean, that’s really who he is if he hits 62, and I think that’s what needs to happen.
“I think baseball needs to look at the records and I think baseball should do something.”
That’s probably not going to happen. MLB has tried to dance around the steroid debate by stating Judge is the American League record-holder, which is absolutely true. Bonds, McGwire and Sosa all played in the National League.
But since when has anyone really cared about AL records?
The answer is fans usually don’t — unless it can be conveniently used as a euphemism for “real.”
For its part, MLB doesn’t appear eager to embrace the use of asterisks. Neither does the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
MLB has been down that road before. Maris’ record had an asterisk attached to it for 30 years because he played a 162-game schedule instead of 154 like Babe Ruth did when he hit 60. It remained until Sept. 4, 1991, when a committee on statistical accuracy chaired by former commissioner Fay Vincent voted unanimously to recognize Maris as the record-holder.
Josh Rawitch, the president of the Hall of Fame, said his organization’s role is to stay as agnostic as possible.
“What we just try to focus on is documenting history, regardless of the storylines that may be surrounding it,” Rawitch said “We’ll absolutely have artifacts from the current home run chases, whether it’s Pujols or Judge or any others, but at the same time, we also tell the history of 1998 and we have areas of the museum that focus on the PED time period.
“I’d say we don’t tend to inject too many opinions into it.”
Fans, of course, will be happy to fill that void.
Baseball’s record book is the most expansive in the major American sports. Stats on baseball-reference.com go back to 1871 and have been recently updated to include stats from the Negro Leagues, which began to dissolve one year after Jackie Robinson became MLB’s first Black player with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
A lot of things in baseball have changed over 150 years. The historical arguments aren’t going away anytime soon.
“In general, baseball has always been about debates and comparing eras,” Rawitch said. “Whether it’s Aaron Judge to Roger Maris or Shohei Ohtani to Babe Ruth, I think that’s part of what makes the sport pretty special.”
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York and freelancer Ian Harrison in Toronto contributed to this story.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.wjhl.com/sports/us-world-sports/ap-aaron-judges-61st-hr-another-murky-milestone-for-mlb/ | 2022-09-30 20:54:14 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/sports/us-world-sports/ap-aaron-judges-61st-hr-another-murky-milestone-for-mlb/ |
‘One Place to Another’ art exhibit highlights students’ relationships with nature, wildlife
February 22, 2023
Hannah Jones, a senior studio arts major, contributed six photographs to the “One Place to Another” exhibit in the Frick Fine Arts Building. The photos capture Wyoming’s natural landscapes and wildlife, taken during her time in the Studio Arts’ field study program.
The University Art Gallery presents the exhibition, which is available through March 3. The exhibit includes the work of seven Pitt students who spent last summer participating in field studies in various locations. Students showcased their research experiences through photos, video, laser, sculpting and other art forms.
Jones created three different pieces to capture her experience in Wyoming 一 a collection of six photographs, a recreation of nest colonies and a painting of a prairie. She said in her artist statement that despite the rigorous conditions of the nature preserve where she resided, she enjoyed the connection she felt with her surroundings.
“It was about a 30-minute hike to my painting spot. The sun was harsh, and all my supplies were awkward to lug around, but it was worth it to soak in my environment,” Jones said. “The painting is what I focused on first in the moment of being in Wyoming. The photographs I also were making at the same time, but the nest was a reflective art after I had left Wyoming.”
Jones said she took inspiration from her surroundings, such as in her nest recreation project.
“The nest is made out of paper pulp mixed with glue and water, and pressed as molds which were based off of what the cliff swallows’ nests looked like,” Jones said. “I wanted to emphasize the form that they make, which is kind of uncanny but beautiful.”
Jones spent a significant part of her summer grinding the soil of the Wyoming prairie to use in her painting and to collect as samples. She said she found seven shades of soil which she used as components of her painting.
“Out west is very beautiful, there is so much exposed rock and soil which is very different from here,” Jones said.
She said in her artist statement that she is fascinated by the role that nests play in nature, which inspired her to pursue her nest recreation.
“The birds create these impressive structures by mixing mud with their own saliva,” Jones said. “I share these facts because they are remarkable and because they are a clear example of how nonhuman animals alter their landscapes.”
Jones’ experience in Wyoming was shared by other artists, including 2022 graduate Eli Savage. He produced his painting “Cognitive Restructuring” during his time in Wyoming. Savage painted with handmade stencils on raw, unstretched canvas. He drew from the concept of dialectical behavior therapy, he said in an artist statement.
“The steady routine of life in Wyoming, the instant, pleasantly sedating heat and the vast, calm landscape led me towards work that was time-consuming, repetitive and meditative,” Savage said.
Savage said his experience in Wyoming had an emotional impact on him.
“In Wyoming, the hectic news cycle of the summer of 2022, as well as personal issues boiling over out of sight on the other side of the continent, felt hazy and distant as long as I allowed them to,” Savage said. “I could not decide if my non-reaction to all of it was healing and therapeutic or lazy and avoidant.”
Cheyenne Degiglio, a senior psychology major and an Honors College creative arts fellow, was also featured in “One Place to Another.” Degiglio developed and workshopped a creative project of her own. She said in an artist statement that her work was inspired by her experience growing up in the Appalachian Mountain region.
Degiglio captured photos that share intrinsic details of a rural community experiencing abandonment.
“[I] researched a lot about the region [I] grew up in, and learned about ways that people in rural communities uniquely suffer from the disease of despair, and how that creates the rural mortality penalty, or the phenomena where people in rural communities die earlier than those in suburban or urban communities,” Degiglio said.
Jones said her trip to Wyoming allowed her to spend time outdoors and familiarize herself with wildlife, which is reflected in her photos.
“I love being outside, I think that’s the reason I wanted to go out [to Wyoming],” Jones said. “I love identifying animals — that is weirdly a big part of my art practice, identifying things — which has a certain rigidity with it, but I like the way that it’s a way of keying into observation, and it’s almost meditative for me.” | https://pittnews.com/article/179169/arts-and-entertainment/one-place-to-another-art-exhibit-highlights-students-relationships-with-nature-wildlife/ | 2023-02-23 11:51:34 | 1 | https://pittnews.com/article/179169/arts-and-entertainment/one-place-to-another-art-exhibit-highlights-students-relationships-with-nature-wildlife/ |
Aleksandar Kovacevic 2023 Hall of Fame Open Odds
Aleksandar Kovacevic, off a defeat in the qualification final of the Wimbledon (to Enzo Couacaud) in his previous tournament, will open the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island versus Jordan Thompson in the round of 32. Kovacevic has +3300 odds to win this tournament at International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Find all the latest odds for the 2023 Hall of Fame Open and place your bets with a new user bonus from BetMGM.
Kovacevic at the 2023 Hall of Fame Open
- Next Round: Round of 32
- Tournament Dates: July 15-23
- TV Channel: ESPN (Watch on Fubo)
- Venue: International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Location: Newport, Rhode Island
- Court Surface: Grass
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Kovacevic's Next Match
In his opening match at the Hall of Fame Open, Kovacevic will face Thompson on Monday, July 17 at 10:00 AM ET in the round of 32.
Kovacevic has current moneyline odds of +240 to win his next matchup against Thompson. Check out the latest odds for the entire field at BetMGM.
Want to bet on Kovacevic? Head to BetMGM using our link for a bonus bet special offer for new players!
Kovacevic Stats
- Kovacevic last played on June 29, 2023, a 6-2, 4-6, 6-7, 6-7 defeat by No. 158-ranked Couacaud in the qualifying round of the Wimbledon.
- Through 11 tournaments over the past 12 months, Kovacevic is yet to win a title, and his overall record is 9-13.
- Kovacevic is 2-1 on grass over the past 12 months.
- Kovacevic has played 25.8 games per match in his 22 matches over the past 12 months across all court surfaces.
- On grass, Kovacevic has played three matches over the past year, and he has totaled 29.3 games per match while winning 54.5% of games.
- When it comes to serve/return winning percentages over the past year, Kovacevic has won 79.1% of his games on serve, and 17.1% on return.
- Over the past 12 months, in terms of serve/return winning percentages on grass, Kovacevic has won 86.7% of his games on serve and 20.9% on return.
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As the iPhone maker asks the US Supreme Court to hear its appeal in the Epic Games antitrust case, a new law in the EU could mean changes in the App Store and iMessages.
Apple's legal team has had a busy few weeks across the globe -- and the latest action could mean changes to basic things, like how we download apps, or how we message our friends, or what a future iPhone could look like. There could even be changes to how Apple can own the rights to the image of, well, the actual fruit.
In this week's episode of One More Thing, embedded above, we give you an overview of what's going to keep Apple's lawyers busy between the summer barbecues -- this July 4th holiday week being no exception. On Monday, Apple submitted a court filing saying it will ask the US Supreme Court to undo the App Store order from the Epic Games antitrust case back in 2021, as reported by Reuters.
Meanwhile, Apple also has to figure out if iMessage or the App Store needs to change -- because the company is reported to fall under the "gatekeeper" label criteria of the European Union's Digital Markets Act -- which has some tougher rules about playing nice with other rival apps.
Patent lawyers also get no rest. As reported by Patently Apple, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a series of 56 newly granted patents for Apple, including one that is for textured glass.
And if you like legal dramas, you'll want to check out a recent story from Wired about Apple's unusual trademark battle in Switzerland. The report says Apple is fighting for the intellectual property rights to a black and white image of an ordinary apple -- as in, the actual fruit, not the bitten Apple logo emblazoned on millions of devices. It's got some Swiss fruit farmers a bit concerned. | https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-latest-legal-drama-may-effect-how-we-download-apps/ | 2023-07-07 13:11:20 | 1 | https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-latest-legal-drama-may-effect-how-we-download-apps/ |
The IBM facility in Ehningen, Germany, expected to open in 2024
IBM Quantum to allow European cloud region users to provision quantum systems and process data within the EU
ARMONK, N.Y. and EHNINGEN, Germany, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced plans to open its first Europe-based quantum data center to facilitate access to cutting-edge quantum computing for companies, research institutions and government agencies.
The data center is expected to be operational in 2024, with multiple IBM quantum computing systems, each with utility scale quantum processors, i.e., those of more than 100 qubits.
The data center will be located at IBM's facility in Ehningen, Germany, and will serve as IBM Quantum's European cloud region. Users in Europe and elsewhere in the world will be able to provision services at the data center for their cloud-based quantum computing research and exploratory activity. The data center is being designed to help clients continue to manage their European data regulation requirements, including processing all job data within EU borders. The facility will be IBM's second quantum data center and quantum cloud region, after Poughkeepsie, New York.
"Europe has some of the world's most advanced users of quantum computers, and interest is only accelerating with the era of utility scale quantum processors," said Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President of IBM Quantum. "The planned quantum data center and associated cloud region will give European users a new option as they seek to tap the power of quantum computing in an effort to solve some of the world's most challenging problems."
"Our quantum data center in Europe is an integral piece of our global endeavor," said Ana Paula Assis, IBM General Manager for EMEA. "It will provide new opportunities for our clients to collaborate side-by-side with our scientists in Europe, as well as their own clients, as they explore how best to apply quantum in their industry."
The IBM Quantum Network currently has more than 60 organizations across Europe accessing quantum hardware and software via the cloud, including Bosch; Bundeswehr University; Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, including its technology subsidiary Euro-Information, and Targobank; Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY); the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN); Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft; Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PSNC); and, T-Systems.
These clients across Europe are exploring potential uses for quantum computing including material science, high energy physics, energy transition, sustainability, and financial applications.
"We are happy and proud to support the IBM Quantum team's decision to set up their European quantum data center in Ehningen, Germany," said Dr. Raoul Klingner, Director Research, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. "The choice of location in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg will further strengthen the ecosystem that Fraunhofer has built with customers and partners from industry and research. We are pleased to further continue our strategic partnership with IBM."
"At T-Systems, we are collaborating with IBM to combine quantum and classical computing in a seamless and scalable experience for our customers to explore applications of quantum computing," said Adel Al-Saleh, Deutsche Telekom board member and Chief Executive of T-Systems. "Having access to a quantum data center dedicated to Europe will help lower the access barrier for our customers as they decide on how to take their first, decisive steps in exploring and using quantum."
The European cloud region is a key component in IBM's efforts to collaborate with leading European industry, academia and government to advance quantum and build a quantum workforce in Europe. IBM Quantum and the open source Qiskit® software is used in over 100 university classes in Europe. One million learners in Europe have advanced their quantum skills through hackathons, workshops and digital learning sponsored by IBM.
For more about IBM's first quantum data center in Europe, read the IBM Research blog.
Statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice and represent goals and objectives only.
IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. For more information, visit www.ibm.com.
Qiskit® is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.
Katia Moskvitch
IBM Communications
kam@zurich.ibm.com
Chris Nay
IBM Communications
cnay@us.ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/06/06/ibm-build-its-first-european-quantum-data-center-serve-expanding-ecosystem/ | 2023-06-06 05:12:24 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2023/06/06/ibm-build-its-first-european-quantum-data-center-serve-expanding-ecosystem/ |
Whoopi Goldberg is saying goodbye to her glasses. After wearing glasses for almost 30 years, the View co-host underwent surgery that has made them unnecessary.
"I had an operation and they replaced the lens [in my eye]," Goldberg told her co-hosts on Monday's episode of the ABC morning show. "The lens they replaced it with is kind of like my eyeglass lens."
Goldberg went on to explain more about the procedure, revealing, "They can remove the lens when you have teeny tiny cataracts and replace them."
"This is something they've been doing for a while and people don't know about it," she said. "Your insurance will cover it, though you have to pay for the lens itself."
Now, Goldberg is "sitting here able to read... and see." The development made her so happy that she encouraged viewers to look into the procedure for themselves, joking, "The bionic times have arrived."
"I've been wearing glasses now for almost 28 years... Now this is what I look like and it's not so bad," she said.
The development came the year after Goldberg shocked her View co-hosts by revealing that she doesn't have eyebrows.
"I had eyebrows as a little kid and you know how men get those bumps? I started to get them on my face, so my mother removed them," she said. "I kept doing it because I don't know my face with eyebrows unless I'm working -- they put them on and take them off."
Watch the video below for more on Goldberg.
RELATED CONTENT: | https://www.kvue.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/whoopi-goldberg-reveals-why-shes-not-wearing-glasses-anymore/603-bb724b4b-fde3-4d8c-9d98-184b0709dc64 | 2023-03-22 12:19:27 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/whoopi-goldberg-reveals-why-shes-not-wearing-glasses-anymore/603-bb724b4b-fde3-4d8c-9d98-184b0709dc64 |
PORT ONEIDA — The goats grazing at Dechow Farm in Port Oneida have become a welcome distraction for YouthWork Director Bill Watson.
“I can’t stop myself from going out there,” he said.
But for his crews of AmeriCorps volunteers, the goats are part of their new workday routine.
“They all want to stay with the goats,” Watson said of the YouthWork volunteers. “They’re all bummed when they get switched back to the other projects that we have.”
Amy McIntyre, owner of City Girls Farm, has moved her pack of 19 goats from her farm in Pontiac to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to work with YouthWork volunteers and take on invasive species in the area, such as the autumn olive. The goats will graze in that area until September.
The Dechow Farm is a historical site from the mid-1800s that sits on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park land. It does not currently have any active agriculture, but invasive species — primarily the autumn olive plant — have threatened the native species in the area with increasing intensity over the past few years, said Kim Mann, Historical Architect at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline.
Goats are great for conservation grazing because they have two sets of grinding teeth and a four chambered stomach and they spit up cud and rechew, so there are no seeds left in their manure and the plants do not have a chance to regrow.
“When we remove the invasives it gives the natives a fighting opportunity to reestablish their foothold,” McIntyre said.
Other invasive species, like Baby’s Breath and Knapseed, have been identified as the goats have grazed on.
Previously, the National Parks Service would thin out invasive species in that area by going through the land and cutting them down, which is labor intensive, or using herbicides, which is harmful to the natural environment.
In 2019, McIntyre’s goats demonstrated the conservation grazing work they can do at the Port Oneida Fair. McIntyre had previously taken her goats to complete other projects downstate and one at the Leelanau Conservancy.
McIntyre put her goats’ work on pause during the height of the pandemic and restarted with this project in Port Oneida, which will give the National Park Service insight into how this can work as a consistent practice and collaboration between the National Park Service, City Girls Farm and YouthWork.
“It gives us, the park, the opportunity to see how it works and do we like how this goes and kind of plan for a bigger project next year that would also incorporate the growth into our cultural landscape maintenance and management,” Mann said.
The progress that they’ve made so far is obvious, McIntyre said.
“I look to my left and I see this waving field of grass, and then I look to where the goats are and there’s broken stalks and it’s chewed down and we cut down the autumn olive,” McIntyre said. “So there’s truly a before and after visual.”
YouthWork volunteers clear the areas for the goats to start grazing in and section off boundaries for them to head into and begin chewing up the overgrown invasive species.
By doing this, YouthWork volunteers learn livestock management as well as problem solving, as the work continues to evolve each day. McIntyre said she encourages the YouthWork volunteers to make suggestions and help her problem-solve as the days go on.
YouthWork is a Child and Family Services program that hires young people through AmeriCorps and equips them with skills for future careers in construction and conservation. Young people serving with YouthWork restore and build trails, plant trees and maintain public spaces across northern Michigan, all the while learning how to work in those fields.
Working with McIntyre’s goats is one of several projects YouthWork has this summer with funding from the National Parks Foundation. Their 24 teams, made up of 80 youth from across the state, are working in places like the Keweenaw Peninsula, Pictured Rocks, River Raisin and South Manitou Island.
Watson said the project with McIntyre’s goats in Port Oneida fits along the organization’s ecological and social goals. For one, the grazing goats offer a way to handle lands in a more environmentally friendly way and avoid the use of chemicals on the land.
The work has also helped boost morale for the youth who work with YouthWork, many of whom come from backgrounds of trauma.
“They just glow every day. No one’s walking around frowning. Right now everybody’s grinning from ear to ear because (the goats are) so funny and they’re so sweet,” Watson said.
Goats are playful and intuitive animals, McIntyre said. They know how to comfort someone who needs it.
They are also helpful for the young people to take a moment to decompress, McIntyre said. This is especially good for younger populations, who have been deeply impacted by the pandemic. It helps them slow down.
“When you’re working with livestock, you kind of have to go with their pace,” McIntyre said.
The public is welcome to meet the goats from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 9 and July 23.
Watson and McIntyre also have plans for future collaborative work between YouthWork and City Girls Farm, under the name GoatWork. YouthWork volunteers will continue to work with McIntyre’s Goats on other projects for other parks and organizations with a need for conservation grazing, Watson said. | https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/youthwork-teams-up-with-city-girls-farm-to-tackle-invasive-species-at-sleeping-bear/article_31352b76-f401-11ec-ba89-47deed710f38.html | 2022-06-26 14:26:04 | 1 | https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/youthwork-teams-up-with-city-girls-farm-to-tackle-invasive-species-at-sleeping-bear/article_31352b76-f401-11ec-ba89-47deed710f38.html |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – A local motorcycle shop known for Harley-Davidson performance, service and repairs is adding a new name to its selection.
Fort Wayne Speed Shop off Lima Road will offer street, dual-purpose, and vintage-styled bobber Triumph motorcycles starting this week, according to a release.
The addition comes as David Stauffer, the owner of Fort Wayne Speed Shop, said he recognized a void in the local motorcycle community that wasn’t being serviced by the existing motorcycle dealerships.
You can also check out Triumph motorcycles at the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show.
The community can gear up for events planned this year, including the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, which the shop said raises money for non-profit organizations committed to men’s mental and physical health. | https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/new-motorcycle-dealership-brings-more-options-to-fort-wayne/ | 2023-02-27 17:24:30 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/new-motorcycle-dealership-brings-more-options-to-fort-wayne/ |
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Pakistan Foreign Affairs Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari about the loss and damage fund established at COP27.
Copyright 2022 NPR
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Pakistan Foreign Affairs Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari about the loss and damage fund established at COP27.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.knau.org/2022-11-24/pakistans-foreign-minister-says-the-climate-loss-and-damage-fund-is-a-victory | 2022-11-24 22:59:35 | 0 | https://www.knau.org/2022-11-24/pakistans-foreign-minister-says-the-climate-loss-and-damage-fund-is-a-victory |
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A new liquefied natural gas project off Africa’s western coast may only be 80% complete, but already the prospect of a new energy supplier has drawn visits from the leaders of Poland and Germany.
The initial field near Senegal and Mauritania’s coastlines is expected to contain about 15 trillion cubic feet (425 billion cubic meters) of gas, five times more than what gas-dependent Germany used in all of 2019. But production isn’t expected to start until the end of next year.
That won’t help solve Europe’s energy crisis triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Still, Gordon Birrell, an executive for project co-developer BP, says the development “could not be more timely” as Europe seeks to reduce its reliance on Russian natural gas to power factories, generate electricity and heat homes.
“Current world events are demonstrating the vital role that (liquid gas) can play in underpinning the energy security of nations and regions,” he told an energy industry meeting in West Africa last month.
While Africa’s natural gas reserves are vast and North African countries like Algeria have pipelines already linked to Europe, a lack of infrastructure and security challenges have long stymied producers in other parts of the continent from scaling up exports. Established African producers are cutting deals or reducing energy use so they have more to sell to boost their finances, but some leaders warn that hundreds of millions of Africans lack electricity and supplies are needed at home.
Nigeria has Africa’s largest natural gas reserves, said Horatius Egua, a spokesman for the petroleum minister, though it accounts for only 14% of the European Union’s imports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, that comes by ship. Projects face the risk of energy thefts and high costs. Other promising countries like Mozambique have discovered large gas reserves only to see projects delayed by violence from Islamic militants.
Europe has been scrambling to secure alternative sources as Moscow has reduced natural gas flows to EU countries, triggering soaring energy prices and growing expectations of a recession. The 27-nation EU, whose energy ministers are meeting this week to discuss a gas price cap, is bracing for the possibility of a complete Russian cutoff but has still managed to fill gas reserves to 90%.
European leaders have flocked to countries like Norway, Qatar, Azerbaijan and especially those in North Africa, where Algeria has a pipeline running to Italy and another to Spain.
Italy signed a $4 billion gas deal with Algeria in July, a month after Egypt reached an agreement with the European Union and Israel to boost sales of LNG. Angola also has signed a gas deal with Italy.
While an earlier agreement allowed Italy’s biggest energy company to start production at two Algerian gas fields this week, it wasn’t clear when flows would start from the July deal because it lacked specifics, analysts said.
African leaders like Senegalese President Macky Sall want their countries to cash in on these projects even as they’re dissuaded from pursuing fossil fuels. They don’t want to export it all either — an estimated 600 million Africans lack access to electricity.
“It is legitimate, fair and equitable that Africa, the continent that pollutes the least and lags furthest behind in the industrialization process should exploit its available resources to provide basic energy, improve the competitiveness of its economy and achieve universal access to electricity,” Sall told the U.N. General Assembly last month.
Algeria is a major supplier — it and Egypt accounted for 60% of the natural gas production in Africa in 2020 — but it can’t offset Russian gas to Europe at this stage, said Mahfoud Kaoubi, professor of economics and specialist in energy issues at the University of Algiers.
“Russia has an annual production of 270 billion cubic meters — it’s huge,” Kaoubi said. “Algeria is 120 billion cubic meters, of which 70.50% is intended for consumption on the internal market.”
This year, Algeria is forecast to have piped exports of 31.8 billion cubic meters, according to Tom Purdie, a Europe, Middle East and Africa gas analyst with S&P Global Commodity Insights.
“The key concern here surrounds the level of production step-up that can be achieved, and the impact domestic demand could have” given how much gas Algeria uses at home, Purdie said.
Cash-strapped Egypt also is looking to export more natural gas to Europe, even regulating air conditioning in shopping malls and lights on streets to save energy and sell it instead.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly says Egypt hopes to bring in an additional $450 million a month in foreign currency by rerouting 15% of its domestic gas usage for export, state media reported.
More than 60% of Egypt’s natural gas consumption still is used by power stations to keep the country running. Most of its LNG goes to Asian markets.
A new, three-party deal will see Israel send more gas to Europe via Egypt, which has facilities to liquefy it for export by sea. The EU says it will help the two countries increase gas production and exploration.
In Nigeria, ambitious plans have yet to yield results despite years of planning. The country exported less than 1% of its vast natural gas reserves last year.
A proposed 4,400-kilometer-long (2,734-mile-long) pipeline that would take Nigerian gas to Algeria through Niger has been stalled since 2009, mainly because of its estimated cost of $13 billion.
Many fear that even if completed, the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline would face security risks like Nigeria’s oil pipelines, which have come under frequent attacks from militants and vandals.
The same challenges would hinder increased gas exports to Europe, said Olufola Wusu, a Lagos-based oil and gas expert.
“If you look at the realities on ground — issues that have to do with crude oil theft — and others begin to question our ability to supply gas to Europe,” he said.
Wusu urged pursuing LNG, calling it the “most profitable” gas strategy so far.
Even that isn’t without issues: In July, the head of Nigeria LNG Limited, the country’s largest natural gas firm, said its plant was producing at just 68% of capacity, mainly because its operations and earnings have been stifled by oil theft.
In the south, Mozambique is slated to become a major exporter of LNG after significant deposits were found along its Indian Ocean coast in 2010. France’s TotalEnergies invested $20 billion and started work to extract gas that would be liquefied in a plant it was building in Palma, in the northern Cabo Delgado province.
But Islamic extremist violence forced TotalEnergies to indefinitely scupper the project last year. Mozambican officials have pledged to secure the Palma area to allow work to resume.
Italian firm Eni, meanwhile, pressed ahead with plans to pump and liquefy some of its gas deposits discovered in Mozambique in 2011 and 2014. Eni established a platform in the Indian Ocean 50 miles (80 kilometers) offshore, away from the violence in Cabo Delgado.
It’s the first floating LNG facility in the deep waters off Africa, Eni says, with gas liquefaction capacity of 3.4 million tons per year.
The platform liquefied its first gas on Oct. 2, according to Africa Energy, and the first shipment is expected to depart for Europe in mid-October.
___
AP reporters Chinedu Asadu in Abuja, Nigeria; Aya Batrawy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Samy Magdy in Cairo; Andrew Meldrum in Johannesburg; and Colleen Barry in Milan contributed. | https://www.krqe.com/news/business/ap-eu-countries-turn-to-africa-in-bid-to-replace-russian-gas/ | 2022-10-12 12:29:47 | 1 | https://www.krqe.com/news/business/ap-eu-countries-turn-to-africa-in-bid-to-replace-russian-gas/ |
Dozens of House Democrats are calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to counter online threats of violence directed against several children’s hospitals across the country.
In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Democrats asked the DOJ to outline the steps the agency is taking to counter anti-transgender threats of violence and to provide further guidance to health care providers on how to protect their staff and patients from such threats.
They also asked the DOJ to respond to several specific questions about its response to the threats, including whether the agency plans to coordinate its response with trans advocacy organizations.
The letter was led by Democratic Reps. Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Dwight Evans (Pa.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), and signed by 33 other Democrats.
The lawmakers’ letter comes after multiple hospitals have scaled back services and ramped up security in recent months due to threats and harassment.
Earlier this year, a woman was indicted for making a hoax bomb threat against Boston Children’s Hospital and its employees after false claims of child abuse were spread against the hospital by right-wing extremists on social media.
Boston Children’s is home to the nation’s first pediatric and adolescent transgender health program.
The hospital received its third bomb threat last week.
Medical institutions in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C, Pittsburgh and others cities across the country have all reported similar threats, including harassing emails, phone calls and protests that have elevated fears among staff, young transgender patients and their families.
“Online posts by social media accounts spreading disinformation about transgender and nonbinary individuals have spurred real life consequences for health care providers throughout the country and for their patients,” the Democrats wrote.
“When popular accounts share unfounded and hurtful claims about these institutions, millions of followers are instigated to send hostile messages and threaten hospital staff.”
The letter from the lawmakers asked the DOJ to consider the concerns laid out last month by three leading medical associations, which asked the department to investigate threats being made against children’s hospitals and physicians providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth.
Conservative commentators including Tucker Carlson and Matt Walsh, as well as right-wing social media accounts with large followings such as Libs of TikTok, have alleged that doctors are abusing children by prescribing puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones. | https://www.wric.com/hill-politics/house-dems-call-on-doj-to-respond-to-anti-trans-threats-of-violence-against-childrens-hospitals/ | 2022-11-21 23:19:50 | 0 | https://www.wric.com/hill-politics/house-dems-call-on-doj-to-respond-to-anti-trans-threats-of-violence-against-childrens-hospitals/ |
When Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice, then-president Donald Trump said: “Tonight, Justice Barrett becomes not only the fifth woman to serve on our nation’s highest court, but the very first mother of school-aged children to become a Supreme Court justice. Very important.”
Trump knew what he was doing. In the final weeks of his reelection campaign, he was trying to appeal to women voters because Americans knew that his appointment of a conservative justice to replace the court’s feminist icon, the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg, could very well spell doom for Roe v. Wade. It was Trump’s cynical take on identity politics — that Barrett ought not be criticized for her views on abortion or women’s rights more broadly because she herself is a woman. And how could a woman on the Supreme Court be bad for gender equality?
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But Barrett’s nomination was not necessarily an example of identity politics, or at least not what “identity politics” originally meant. A better term for what Trump was doing would be “elite capture.” That’s when powerful members of a society hijack political causes in order to prop up the status quo. In Barrett’s case, Trump was using identity politics and appropriating the language of feminist activists by noting the significance of the representation of women in an institution that has historically been dominated by men — even though Barrett’s presence on the court was a threat to what feminist activists have long been fighting for.
Trump is hardly the only person to use identity politics in this way. Democrats often do so, too. New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams, for example, held up his experience as a Black man and as a Black police officer as evidence that he was committed to ending racist policing, all while supporting practices, like stop-and-frisk, that have seriously hurt Black and brown communities.
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Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, a philosophy professor at Georgetown University, has written extensively about this phenomenon, most recently in a book titled “Elite Capture: How the Powerful Took Over Identity Politics (And Everything Else).” According to Táíwò, elite capture is neither new nor unique to the United States.
Indeed, across the world, powerful politicians have masked backward-looking movements with specious signs of progress.
In France, the far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen asked voters to imagine “a woman in the Élysée” in the run-up to the last election. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni, the leader of a party with neofascist roots, used her gender as a campaign talking point and is now poised to become the nation’s first woman prime minister — and the most far-right person to hold that office since Benito Mussolini. And in the United Kingdom, after Conservative Liz Truss ascended to become the country’s third woman prime minister, her predecessor Theresa May celebrated the occasion with a joke aimed at her liberal colleagues in which she facetiously asked Truss why she thinks “that all three female prime ministers have been Conservative.”
Never mind that these women support unjust wars, regressive tax cuts, and dangerous racist policies. To people like May, the mere act of putting a woman in a position of power is, on its own, proof that Conservatives are on the side of the marginalized, not the elites.
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But the reality is that representation as a sign of progress — let alone a vehicle for change — has its limits, even in more liberal circles.
Take the historic elections of Barack Obama as America’s first Black president and Kamala Harris as the first woman, Black, and Indian-American vice president. While their rise was “taken to be indicative or even constitutive of political progress for the marginalized communities that both of those figures come from,” Táíwò says, “the question is whether or not the machine that the Obamas and Harrises of the world end up sitting at some of the levers of serves the interests of people like them — and here I mean political elites, not Black people — or the broad interests of people in the United States and people in the United States’ sphere of influence, which is of course the entire planet.”
“I think it would be a tall order to say in a significant way how things have improved for the people of the planet, and perhaps for Black people in particular, just thinking about those two specific examples as a result of their tenure as president and vice president,” he adds.
This is not to say that better representation at the highest levels of government never leads to progress or that it’s not meaningful. I think a victory like Obama’s or Harris’s is an important symbol — one that inherently empowers marginalized people by showing them that they, too, have a say in their country’s fate. It also reinforces the ideals of a multiethnic democracy.
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I also believe, for example, that it was an undoubtedly good step for President Joe Biden to appoint Deb Haaland as the first Indigenous person to lead the Department of the Interior, which has a long history of undermining and breaking treaties with Native Americans. Surely there is some value in having an indigenous woman make decisions that affect tribal nations instead of, say, a white man who is probably far less attuned to the damage that agency has caused to indigenous communities.
Still, Táíwò argues that even an appointment like Haaland’s is unlikely to bring about the progress you might expect. “If we were placing bets, I would bet that, all other things being equal, representation is going to point in the direction of good things. But all other things are rarely equal,” he says. “It is also plausible that people who resemble the most oppressed occupying positions of power can be used by the broader system as a legitimating force.”
Regardless of whether there are some examples of representation having a net-positive impact, identity politics as a whole has fallen prey to elite capture. Because it’s not just a matter of bad-faith actors intentionally co-opting the language of social-justice movements in order to undermine them — as Trump did when he nominated Barrett. It’s also the well-intentioned people who get so wound up in identity-based politics that they end up stymieing coalitions rather than building them.
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black lives matter, we’re glad you’re our neighbor, families belong together, SAY NO to an apartment building on my street pic.twitter.com/8HptGQv8n4
— dan reed 🦀🏳️🌈👋🏾 (@justupthepike) June 8, 2019
“There’s a broader thing that happens in organizing spaces where people seem to think that in general, the right way to show up in support of a movement — in particular, a movement that is organized around an identity that one doesn’t themselves have — is to find somebody from that identity group and just in a very broad way kind of defer to their political judgment,” Táíwò says. But as well-intentioned as that may be, it still often leads to shutting out the most marginalized from the conversation.
That’s especially true in more academic circles because aristocracies tend to self-select: Powerful institutions are inclined to recruit people from financially privileged backgrounds because the pipelines to get to those institutions are generally very costly. There’s a reason, for example, that even though elite universities have improved racial diversity on their campuses, their students are still disproportionately wealthy, regardless of race. (Even when students of color do come from poorer backgrounds, they are still more likely to have come through some of America’s most exclusive prep schools.)
That’s why as more and more elite liberal institutions say that they want to diversify, it’s important to understand what they mean. Do they actually intend to break down barriers to entry for the poorest and most disadvantaged among us, or do they just want people to see more melanin on their brochures? The former requires meaningful change — a commitment to, among other things, empowering workers and recognizing unions, overhauling the education system, and actively partaking in wealth redistribution — while the latter means bringing aboard a few of the most privileged members of various marginalized groups and calling it a day.
It is clear that most institutions mean the latter. The outdoor gear retailer REI, for example, was “starting off their union-busting events with land acknowledgments,” Táíwò says, referring to the practice of recognizing the Indigenous people who, before European colonization, lived on the land where a particular space now exists or an event is taking place. “But that is just the most egregious example of something that companies are getting more savvy at doing, which is portraying their opposition to unions and to workers as part of a broader commitment to justice on identity issues.”
That’s one of the latest manifestations of elite capture — and an ugly one at that. But throughout history and around the world, elites have always been primed to win. That’s in part because they, by definition, have many more resources to preserve their place in society than the people resisting them do. And it’s also because they’re nimble at hijacking political movements, whether it’s riding an anticolonial wave only to prop up a corrupt government or polluting a class struggle with the politics of racial resentment.
But while they may have all the advantages in the world, the rich and powerful can sometimes push their luck and draw meaningful resistance. And so the next time you hear a powerful person or institution talk about, say, the importance of diversity and representation, don’t take them at their word. Check their record and see what they’ve actually done.
Abdallah Fayyad is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at abdallah.fayyad@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @abdallah_fayyad. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/13/opinion/how-language-social-justice-is-used-protect-status-quo/ | 2022-10-13 15:05:44 | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/13/opinion/how-language-social-justice-is-used-protect-status-quo/ |
BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New Era Cap LLC, the international sports and lifestyle brand and official sideline cap of the National Football League, has debuted its latest NFL Crucial Catch collection. This colorful collection, which will begin to grace sidelines during Week 4, will support the NFL's annual cancer-fighting campaign, creating awareness by providing an inspired look for players, coaches and fans at Crucial Catch games across the country this season.
The collection includes caps in six different profiles with an ink-dyed design, a white coaches cap, as well as a headband and knit caps.
- NEW ERA OFFICIAL 2022 NFL CRUCIAL CATCH CAP: The ink-dyed cap features an embroidered black-and-white primary team logo on the front of the crown with a black brim. The official NFL shield is embroidered on the right side, while the rear of the cap features the league's Crucial Catch logo as a woven label. This style is available in the 59FIFTY, low-profile 59FIFTY, 9FIFTY Snapback and 39THIRTY Stretch Fit profiles. In the 9TWENTY and Women's 9TWENTY profiles, the cap also features an ink-dyed brim.
- NEW ERA OFFICIAL 2022 NFL CRUCIAL CATCH 39THIRTY COACHES CAP: This white cap features a primary team logo in black and white, surrounded by an ink-dyed look with embroidery on the front of the crown and a black brim. The official NFL shield is embroidered on the right side while the rear of the cap features the league's Crucial Catch logo as a woven label.
- NEW ERA 2022 NFL CRUCIAL CATCH HEADBAND: This ink-dyed lightweight headband displays the official NFL shield on the front with the league's Crucial Catch logo printed on the back.
- NEW ERA OFFICIAL 2022 NFL CRUCIAL CATCH KNIT: This ink-dyed, Acrylic Yarn cuff knit features an embroidered black-and-white primary team logo on the front of the cuff with the official NFL shield embroidered on the right mid-panel. The rear of the cuff features the league's Crucial Catch logo as a woven label. Two knit cap options are available, one with a pom and the other without.
"Cancer impacts everyone in some way, and with this collection, we wanted to recognize the strength necessary while on the journey that cancer forces so many of us to endure," said Tim Shanahan, Director of Licensed Products at New Era Cap. "The ink-dyed collection brings a spirited, hopeful style to the on-field caps as teams and football fans across the country honor cancer survivors and those who are now battling the disease. We are honored to support the NFL's Crucial Catch mission to fight cancer through early detection and risk reduction."
The 2022 NFL Crucial Catch collection will be available at local retailers as well as online at neweracap.com.
The NFL does not profit from the sale of Crucial Catch products. Charitable contributions are awarded to the American Cancer Society. For more information on the campaign and the importance of early detection, visit www.NFL.com/CrucialCatch.
ABOUT NEW ERA CAP: Since 1920, New Era has been hand-crafting the finest headwear in the world. Today, with an expansive portfolio of global licenses, the addition of apparel and accessories lines, and 1,000+ worldwide retail store network, the brand is a market leader rooted in sports and an influencer of street and lifestyle culture around the world. The Company is headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., and its products are sold in more than 125 countries. For more information on New Era's global offices and partnerships, visit www.neweracap.com and social channels @neweracap.
PRESS CONTACT:
John Mackowiak
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518-618-1175 | jmackowiak@martingroupmarketing.com
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SOURCE New Era Cap LLC | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/09/26/new-era-cap-announces-2022-crucial-catch-collection-support-nfls-fight-against-cancer/ | 2022-09-26 15:09:57 | 1 | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/09/26/new-era-cap-announces-2022-crucial-catch-collection-support-nfls-fight-against-cancer/ |
Plane carrying Gold’s Gym owner, 5 others crashes in Costa Rica
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Authorities in Costa Rica have found two bodies in the search for six people, apparently including the German businessman behind Gold’s Gym, who went missing when their small plane disappeared from radar just off the country’s Caribbean coast.
The Security Ministry said the bodies of one adult and one child had been found, but that the bodies had not yet been identified.
Searchers also turned up backpacks and bags, and pieces of the plane.
All five passengers were believed to be German citizens, said Security Minister Jorge Torres. The plane’s pilot was Swiss.
Costa Rican authorities said pieces of the twin-engine turboprop aircraft were found in the water Saturday, after the flight went missing Friday.
A flight plan filed for the small plane listed Rainer Schaller as a passenger. A man by the same name runs international chains of fitness and gym outlets, including Gold’s Gym and McFit. At least one other of those aboard the plane seemed to be a relative of Schaller, but the relation was not immediately confirmed by authorities.
Searchers are concentrating on a site about 17 miles (28 kilometers) off the coast from the Limon airport.
The plane was a nine-seat Italian-made Piaggio P180 Avanti, known for its distinctive profile. It disappeared from radar as it was heading to Limon, a resort town on the coast.
The security minister said the flight had set out from Mexico.
“Around six in the afternoon we received an alert about a flight coming from Mexico to the Limon airport, carrying five German passengers,” Torres said. A search started immediately but was called off temporarily due to bad weather.
Rainer Schaller is listed as “Founder, Owner and CEO of the RSG Group,” a conglomerate of 21 fitness, lifestyle and fashion brands that operates in 48 countries and has 41,000 employees, either directly or through franchises.
The RSG Group did not respond to requests for comment on whether Schaller had been aboard the plane.
Schaller was in the news in 2010 for his role as organizer of the Berlin Love Parade techno festival. A crush at the event killed 21 people and injured more than 500. Authorities at the time said Schaller’s security failed to stop the flow of people into a tunnel when the situation was already tense at the entrance to the festival grounds.
Schaller fought back against the accusations of wrongdoing, noting that his security concept received official city approval.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/2022/10/23/costa-rica-finds-2-bodies-crash-plane-carrying-germans/ | 2022-10-23 23:16:29 | 1 | https://www.wkyt.com/2022/10/23/costa-rica-finds-2-bodies-crash-plane-carrying-germans/ |
(NEXSTAR) – The organizers of an Easter egg hunt in Ohio have said there will not be another after the parents of some participants allegedly exhibited “absolutely unacceptable behavior” during the event.
The management of The Greene, an open-air shopping center and residential space in the Dayton suburb of Beavercreek, explained in a Facebook post on Monday that staffers had instructed guests on how the hunt would work: Children would be hunting for 2,000-plus hidden eggs in three waves, with the youngest kids (ages 1 and 2) going first. But some of the adults completely ignored the instructions and instead became aggressive, the organizers said.
“When we began to gather the 1 & 2 year olds to head to their designated hunting area, parents rushed to the grassy area and began picking up eggs from other areas, which prompted all other participants to rush out and begin hunting,” the organizers wrote in a now-unavailable Facebook post, versions of which have since been archived online.
“This is not at all how we had planned for the event to go, and we are so upset with the outcome and the reactions from participants,” the post continued.
In a later passage, the organizers claimed to have seen “grown adults pushing children out of the way, and people getting knocked over,” calling it “absolutely unacceptable behavior.”
They also apologized to those who were affected by the behavior of the offending participants, and especially to the children who allegedly left the event “empty-handed.”
Some parents who claimed to be at the hunt, meanwhile, have said on Facebook that the atmosphere was indeed chaotic, but have disputed portions of The Greene’s account.
Two dads who said they were in attendance claimed that the 1 and 2-year-olds were permitted to start earlier than scheduled, which contributed to some confusion among participants. One also said staffers and organizers failed to convey the instructions via any megaphone or speaker system, and were instead “just trying to talk over a crowd.”
“The organizers then yelled for everyone to go and obviously just gave up,” he wrote, sharing his remarks in the comments section under a Facebook post reporting on the event.
Both men also indicated that organizers did not set up, or did not properly convey that there was a designated hunting area for the youngest children.
“Yes some parents were being rude and inappropriate but there was so much disorganization and lack of planning,” another woman, who identified herself as an attendee, agreed.
A representative for The Greene declined to provide further comment when contacted by Nexstar.
Jessica Baer, identified as an assistant manager of The Green, did however tell the Dayton Daily News that The Greene had decided not to stage any future egg hunts, but may instead hold some sort of Easter-themed raffle.
“There will be no plans to hunt eggs again,” Baer told the outlet. | https://www.wdtn.com/nexstar-media-wire/organizers-of-easter-egg-hunt-in-ohio-apologize-after-event-goes-wrong-absolutely-unacceptable-behavior/ | 2023-04-06 21:04:31 | 1 | https://www.wdtn.com/nexstar-media-wire/organizers-of-easter-egg-hunt-in-ohio-apologize-after-event-goes-wrong-absolutely-unacceptable-behavior/ |
NEW YORK, Aug. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for SNOW, ULTA, TTWO, AMZN, and NVDA.
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- SNOW: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=SNOW&prnumber=082620226
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- AMZN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=AMZN&prnumber=082620226
- NVDA: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=NVDA&prnumber=082620226
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-snowflake-ulta-beauty-take-two-interactive-amazon-or-nvidia/ | 2022-08-26 18:43:43 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-snowflake-ulta-beauty-take-two-interactive-amazon-or-nvidia/ |
(Green Car Reports) — Despite strong EV sales growth, the ratio of U.S. car shoppers uninterested in buying an EV is increasing, according to a new J.D. Power survey.
“Top-line metrics on overall EV market share, availability and affordability have been on a long-term upward trend,” J.D. Power said in a statement, “but beneath those headline numbers we are starting to see some consumer behaviors that suggest a possible bifurcation of the automotive marketplace.”
J.D. Power’s data show the number of shoppers “very unlikely” to consider an EV purchase in the next 12 months reached 21% in March. That’s up 2% from the month before and the highest “very unlikely” response J.D. Power had ever seen.
Price and charging were the biggest reasons survey respondents rejected EVs. Of those “very unlikely” and “somewhat unlikely” to consider an EV, 49% cited both “lack of charging station availability” and “purchase price” as reasons for their disinterest in EVs. “Limited driving distance per charge” and “time required to charge” were also frequently cited, with 43% and 41% of respondents, respectively, listing them as factors in avoiding an EV purchase.
On pricing, J.D. Power pointed to the continued confusion over the federal EV tax credit and its tighter requirements, which the firm argues impacts affordability but reduces the number of qualifying EVs. EV prices themselves are also quite volatile at the moment, which could also be dissuading consumers.
On charging, J.D. Power has found in previous studies that customers are much more satisfied with the Tesla Supercharger network, although they’ve soured a bit with home charging due to surging home electricity prices, mainly in the Northeast.
However, it’s worth remembering that these findings come in the context of strong EV sales growth. EVs represented 7.3% of all U.S. new-car sales in March, according to J.D. Power. That’s down from 8.5% in February, but still a big increase from EVs’ 2.6% market share in February 2020.
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And while this survey indicates EV holdouts may be digging in their heels, the general attitude toward EVs and EV policy appears remarkably positive. Although the policy itself might be political, polls have repeatedly found that the ideas behind the policy—and EV adoption itself—isn’t so partisan. | https://cbs4indy.com/automotive/survey-growing-portion-of-us-shoppers-are-rejecting-evs/ | 2023-05-05 15:04:57 | 0 | https://cbs4indy.com/automotive/survey-growing-portion-of-us-shoppers-are-rejecting-evs/ |
SAN MATEO, Calif. , May 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Speck announced a new line of innovative products that were designed in partnership with Google for their Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold. Each of these 'Made for Google' products adhered to Google's technical specifications and unique use case requirements.
THE SPECK 'MADE FOR GOOGLE' PRODUCT LINE:
- StandyShell™ Transformable Stand & Case for Google Pixel Tablet ($49.95 MSRP) – The new Google Pixel Tablet magnetically mounts to a Charging Speaker Dock providing a superior home experience for Internet browsing, media viewing, video calls, and much more. The Speck StandyShell transformable stand and protective case extends that experience by enabling the tablet to charge through the case while docked, and by preserving the same viewing angle when removed from the dock via a kickstand that can be deployed with one finger. StandyShell preserves the Pixel Tablet's slim, ergonomic feel with a tough hard shell and flexible Impact Geometry perimeter protection to guard against drops, dents, and scratches. Microban® antimicrobial product protection, a soft-touch coating, and one-year warranty make StandyShell the perfect protective partner for the Google Pixel Tablet.
- MagFolio™ for Google Pixel Tablet ($39.95 MSRP) – For users of the Google Pixel Tablet who often take it with them out in the wild, the Speck MagFolio wraparound-style case provides a convenient way to protect it against everyday nicks and bumps. MagFolio has 16 precision magnets that align with the ones inside the Pixel Tablet making installation and removal simple—which is especially helpful if mounting to a Charging Speaker Dock when at home. MagFolio also has Microban® antimicrobial product protection, a protective camera cover, magnetic case closure, elastic stylus loop, and one-year warranty making it an excellent choice for Pixel Tablet users who are constantly on the go.
- ShieldView™ Glass Aluminosilicate Screen Protector for Google Pixel Tablet ($49.95) – We come to depend on our electronics for home, work, and…life! So a broken screen can be a much bigger issue than just the replacement expense, it's an interruption to our world. Along with the StandyShell and MagFolio protective cases, Speck is introducing the ShieldView Glass screen protector custom-sized for the Google Pixel Tablet. At one-third of a millimeter, this ultra-thin glass is also ultra-scratch resistant testing just under diamond at a 9H on the Mohs hardness scale. It is made from the rare and highest quality aluminosilicate tempered glass and includes an additional anti-scratch coating, Microban® antimicrobial product protection, and a one-year warranty. ShieldView Glass is an essential companion to the Pixel Tablet and comes with everything needed for anyone to perform a simple and expert installation.
- Presidio™ Perfect-Clear Fold Case for Google Pixel Fold ($59.95) – Google's Pixel Fold represents a bold leap in technical achievement and usability. Likewise, Speck's patented Presidio Perfect-Clear Fold case achieves a major goal by providing a hinged case that fits the Pixel Fold perfectly. By using the flexible protective bezel as a 'living hinge' Speck engineers have placed the fold point nearest that of the Pixel Fold itself resulting in a better case fit and more elegant opening and closing experience. The Presidio Perfect-Clear Fold is a two-layer design with Impactium™ perimeter protection and has been tested to s
urvive 13 foot drops. Special coatings help prevent yellowing and scratches, plus it includes Microban® antimicrobial product protection, is compatible with wireless charging, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
AVAILABILITY
StandyShell and MagFolio will be available beginning June 20, 2023 at Best Buy store locations, and online at the Google Store, BestBuy.com, Target.com, SpeckProducts.com, and the Speck Amazon Store. The ShieldView Glass for Google Pixel Tablet (avail. 6/20/23), and Presidio Perfect-Clear case for Google Pixel Fold (avail. 6/27/23) can be purchased online at SpeckProducts.com or the Speck Amazon Store.
ABOUT SPECK
Since 2001, Speck has been inventing award-winning products designed to help people discover the magic in their tech devices. Each Speck accessory is created to make the devices they're designed for be more fun to use and useful to own. We're located in Silicon Valley where big ideas are transformed into life-enhancing products and experiences every day. Our community and environment inspire us to "Respect Your Tech" in the products we design, and in everything we do.
For press or other media inquiries, please contact: press@speckproducts.com
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SOURCE Speck Products | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/05/10/speck-announces-innovative-new-line-made-google-accessories-pixel-tablet-pixel-fold/ | 2023-05-10 21:40:03 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/05/10/speck-announces-innovative-new-line-made-google-accessories-pixel-tablet-pixel-fold/ |
Jodi Brown, who posted the video online, and her 6-year-old niece were joined by lawyer B'Ivory LaMarr for a press conference outside Sesame Workshop in New York City on Wednesday.
LaMarr said they don't want to sue the company and it isn't about money; he said it is about making things right -- and that hasn't happened yet.
"You told these kids for years 'come and play, everything's OK, friendly neighbors there, that's where we meet, can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?' And once these kids figure out how to get to Sesame Street...they reach out in open arms to these friendly neighbors, for what? To be dismissed? To be rejected? And to leave your park inferior," LaMarr said.
The nine-second video, posted to Instagram on Saturday by Brown, the mother of the other young girl, showed the character Rosita high-fiving a white child and woman, then gesturing "no" and walking away from the two girls who had their arms stretched out for a hug and high-five during the parade at Sesame Place in Langhorne, outside Philadelphia.
LaMarr said he has more documentation from the incident and may release it depending on Sesame Place's further actions.
"We have information that we possess - we are going to give this company, they got less than 12 hours to come out with information with a very genuine and authentic apology - or we're going to put out evidence showing exactly what took place in addition to the video you've already seen," LaMarr said.
LaMarr said the evidence refers to the family's comments that after passing the two girls, the Rosita character went on to hug a white child.
In an initial statement Sunday, Sesame Place said the park and its employees stand for "inclusivity and equality in all forms." The statement also noted that performers sometimes miss requests for hugs because the costumes they wear make it difficult to see at lower levels.
"The Rosita performer did not intentionally ignore the girls and is devastated by the misunderstanding," the statement said.
However, many people expressed outrage online and some called for a boycott of the amusement park.
The park issued a second statement Monday, apologizing again and promising that it was "taking action to do better." Among those efforts would be inclusivity training for employees.
The family said they showed the video to Sesame Place right after it happened, saying the character did not behave this way toward white children who were there.
"This mother tried to resolve this issue immediately. This wasn't about any publicity. This wasn't about any money. She went to management immediately at the park. She showed them the same video that millions of people across this country and the world have seen. Sesame Place had an opportunity to see that video at that time. They chose to reject it. They chose to dismiss this family," LaMarr said.
Brown said employees told her there was no supervisor available at the park at the time.
The company also invited the family to return to the park, promising a better experience, but their lawyer said they were not ready to accept that.
"I just feel the apologies were not genuine and I believe the apologies are now being put out because it has caused so much uproar," Brown said. "I want them to be able to do the right thing being that me, my niece and my daughter have all suffered embarrassment (and) discriminatory behavior."
Lamarr said they want the person in the Rosita costume fired. He also wants the park to pay for any mental care expenses the kids will need as a result of the incident.
The family and lawyer said Brown's daughter who was not at the press conference was at home in isolation.
"We reject any notion that the performer's actions this past Saturday was anything short of intentional," Lamarr said. "I know our Black girls are magic, but I didn't know they were invisible. We are tired of your excuses. We are tired of justifications. We will not tolerate racism in this country."
Lamarr said a major problem is that this wasn't an isolated incident, and he's been contacted by at least two dozen more families alleging they experienced racism at Sesame Place.
He said those claims are being investigated.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://6abc.com/sesame-place-philadelphia-incident-bucks-county-parade-langhorne/12063271/ | 2022-07-20 18:16:25 | 1 | https://6abc.com/sesame-place-philadelphia-incident-bucks-county-parade-langhorne/12063271/ |
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears heralded the Supreme Court's decision rejecting the racially-sensitive admissions policies of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, saying it is an "awesome… day in America."
Sears noted she is a high-level Black official in the former capital of the Confederacy, asserting that in itself shows the U.S.' dynamic has changed since America's 19th Century racial nadir.
The former Virginia Beach state delegate told "The Story" said the court's ruling shows that skin "color games don't work."
"And what America is doing is continuing to move forward in living up to her ideals that all men are created equal… judge us based on our achievements, not on our skin color. And that's what Dr. King [said]."
VA LT GOV WINSOME EARLE-SEARS DENOUNCES RACIALLY, POLITICALLY-CHARGED TEST QUESTION
Sears criticized President Biden's rejection of the court's ruling, bringing up Biden's comments he made during the dedication of a pool in his honor in Northeast Wilmington.
"This is the same president who said that Black kids were interested in the golden hairs on his leg. I mean, this is the way that they view people who look like me – and it's time for it to stop. So I'm very glad for this day," Sears said.
During the 2017 ceremony, Biden had said in-part that "kids used to come up and reach into the pool and rub my leg down… and watch the hair come back up again – so I learned about roaches; I learned about kids jumping on my lap."
After anchor Martha MacCallum read from Brown Jackson's dissent, which claimed the majority ruling "deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life," Sears returned criticism, saying the jurist was the subject of Biden's planned nomination of a Black woman.
EARLE-SEARS: SCHOOL CHOICE IS THE NEW FIGHT IN BROWN-V-BOARD
"You know, that's what we're understanding now: what a woman is. And Martha, while we're playing these stupid games, I'm saying that education and the lack of it in America is risen to a national crisis," Sears said.
"China is not playing these stupid games. China is interested in total world domination, and so is Russia and the rest of them. That's what we have to be concerned about."
Sears contended that while American students are "not learning" and the country is ensnared in debates on race such as those germane to the court case, the next generation is "failing" academically, which puts the U.S. at a future major disadvantage to rival nations.
"[L]et's get to what the remedies are. And I'm pulling for school choice… our children are in need."
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
When presented with former First Lady Michelle Obama's criticism of the court's ruling against Harvard and UNC, Sears said it perfectly personified the dynamic that people cannot be put in proverbial race-based ideological boxes.
"Isn't that great? She's Black and she has a totally different perspective. I am Black and I have a different perspective," she said.
"Isn't America great that we can think differently – that we're not a monolith? Imagine that: Black people don't all lockstep think alike. Who could believe that such a thing could happen?" | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/winsome-sears-heralds-scotus-ruling-china-isnt-playing-these-stupid-games-on-race/article_1692c71f-4545-5e4e-a40b-e03273cecf9d.html | 2023-06-30 01:02:59 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/national/winsome-sears-heralds-scotus-ruling-china-isnt-playing-these-stupid-games-on-race/article_1692c71f-4545-5e4e-a40b-e03273cecf9d.html |
Franchise system disruptor relocates corporate headquarters to meet infrastructure and talent scaling
OMAHA, Neb., June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Horse Power Brands, an owner and operator of a growing portfolio of service-based franchise systems, relocated its corporate headquarters to an expansive, 40,000 sq. ft., three-story building in the heart of Omaha's central business district. This move now gives Horse Power Brands more than 100,000 total sq. ft. of office, franchise development and warehousing space across its three current facilities.
"People are joining Horse Power Brands in record numbers to be a part of this unique, entrepreneurial culture thriving on excellence as we build a portfolio of legacy brands. With this new office and investment in our infrastructural growth, we are also investing in the intellectual capital that continues to drive results for our franchisees helping them achieve profitability as soon as humanly possible." - Josh Skolnick, Chairman and Co-Founder of Horse Power Brands.
Over 85% of Horse Power Brands growing population of employees currently work in the new office and with many of its remote and hybrid employees frequently visiting, the company needed the additional space to more efficiently collaborate and develop the next generation of home service franchise brands. This office expansion creates an opportunity to bring a large volume of jobs to the local Omaha economy and the company in the next twelve months.
"The new corporate facilities are just one step in preparation for our next leap of growth which will allow us to scale another five to ten franchise brands in next twenty-four months. It's really fun to look at all the jobs and opportunities we are creating and so it's not all about strengthening our balance sheets or the bottom line at Horse Power Brands, it's more about finding the ways we can perform better and what we can do as a team to make our franchisees experiences better in terms of ROI and their time." - Zach Beutler, Co-Founder of Horse Power Brands.
Horse Power Brands is a portfolio company comprised of service-based franchisors and franchise brands delivering first class customer service and experiences. Founded in 2019 by franchise veterans Josh Skolnick and Zach Beutler, the team was determined to disrupt the franchise industry to responsibly grow and support franchisees through a platform that focused on operational excellence and accountability. For more information on Horse Power Brands and their various franchise opportunities, visit https://horsepowerbrands.com/.
For more information on this topic, please call Tony Hulbert at 402-507-4930 or thulbert@horsepowerbrands.com
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taking-the-reins-horse-power-brands-rides-continued-expansion-301569690.html
SOURCE Horse Power Brands | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_stocks/taking-the-reins-horse-power-brands-rides-continued-expansion/article_231f518d-aa2f-5c09-aa49-d5285990c40a.html | 2022-06-16 17:58:07 | 0 | https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_stocks/taking-the-reins-horse-power-brands-rides-continued-expansion/article_231f518d-aa2f-5c09-aa49-d5285990c40a.html |
NEW YORK (AP) — Twitter has labeled National Public Radio as “state-affiliated media” on the social media site, a move some worried Wednesday could undermine public confidence in the news organization.
NPR said it was disturbed to see the description added to all of the tweets that it sends out, with John Lansing, its president and CEO, calling it “unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way.”
It was unclear why Twitter made the move. Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, quoted a definition of state-affiliated media in the company’s guidelines as “outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution.”
“Seems accurate,” Musk tweeted in a reply to NPR.
NPR does receive U.S. government funding through grants from federal agencies and departments, along with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The company said it accounts for less than 1% of NPR’s annual operating budget. But until Wednesday, the same Twitter guidelines said that “state-financed media organizations with editorial independence, like the BBC in the UK or NPR in the United States, are not defined as state-affiliated media for the purposes of this policy.”
NPR has now been removed from that sentence on Twitter’s website.
Asked for comment, Twitter’s press office responded with an automated poop emoji.
The move came just days after Twitter stripped The New York Times of its verification check mark.
“NPR and our member stations are supported by millions of listeners who depend on us for the independent, fact-based journalism we provide,” Lansing said. “NPR stands for freedom of speech and holding the powerful accountable.”
The literary organization PEN America, in calling for Twitter to reverse the move, underlined that NPR “assiduously maintains editorial independence.”
Liz Woolery, PEN America’s digital policy leader, said Twitter’s decision was “a dangerous move that could further undermine public confidence in reliable news sources.” | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/npr-protests-as-twitter-labels-it-state-affiliated-media/ | 2023-04-06 12:52:18 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/npr-protests-as-twitter-labels-it-state-affiliated-media/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — The start of summer is just days away, which means wildfire season is also getting closer. In an effort to make this year’s wildfire season more manageable, U.S. Representative Kim Schrier is introducing a new bill that will help modernize how forest data is collected.
“The climates changing, and forests are probably not able to adapt as fast as the climate is changing has really been a wakeup call,” said Mike Warjone, president of Port Blakely, a company that has an emphasis on sustainable forest management. Warjone said modernizing how forest data is collected is a must. “It’s time to bring that system up to the 21st century and use it in a way that can be helpful for these other issues."
Port Blakely is a family-owned forest management company with deep roots, dating back five generations.
“I know exactly what’s going on in my land, but it’s helpful for me to know what my neighbors are up to so we can all work together and put together plans that are going to be better for the next generation,” said Blakely.
That’s exactly what U.S. Representative Kim Schrier hopes her new bill the “Forest Data Modernization Act” does for foresters like Warjone and other entities. Especially with wildfire seasons of late seemingly becoming longer and more catastrophic year after year.
“Every summer we’re choking on smoke, and it has become widely accepted that we need to manage our forests better,” said Rep. Schrier.
Her bill is focused on modernizing how data is collected by the U.S. Forest Services’ “forest inventory analysis program” (FIA,) essentially making the program’s data more accessible and up to date, pushing the program to measure various factors that could lead to wildfires.
According to Rep. Schrier’s office, there are four main points the bill will focus on:
- Data accessibility - by requiring the publication of summary statistics every two years and the creation of a fee-for-service program to handle complex data requests.
- Data usability - by directing the FIA to measure forest carbon and requiring that clear definitions are provided with FIA data to ensure better interpretability of datasets which would allow the forestry sector to leverage collected data consistently.
- Data collection - by recommending consideration of advanced technologies for data collection, such as satellite sensors and computer models that could improve data accuracy and reduce costs as well as codifying existing surveys on wood use and forest landownership to ensure continued availability of datasets on which forestry stakeholders rely.
- FIA program transparency - by requiring the existing FIA strategic plan to be updated, that future updates be made every five years, and that FIA costs and priorities be published annually.
“Which ones have the sponge moth, where are the trees healthy, which ones are overcrowded, where’s there too much underbrush because you really want to prioritize forests that are at risk of catastrophic wildfires or forests that are right next to places that people live,” said Rep. Schrier.
Warjone believes this new approach ensures he and others in the forest industry can better preserve forests for years to come.
“It’s my responsibility to be a good steward while we’re here now, so that 500 years from now people look back and say we’re really glad that Mike was there during that period of time because we now have a healthy, thriving forest for generations to come,” said Warjone. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/us-rep-kim-schrier-bill-forest-data-health-wildfires/281-d4127f14-7f48-4d63-83f2-c720ade28d4b | 2023-06-19 20:38:39 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/us-rep-kim-schrier-bill-forest-data-health-wildfires/281-d4127f14-7f48-4d63-83f2-c720ade28d4b |
Anas Allouz and Alkak Nehad, Forty Fort.
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Scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..
Thunderstorms in the evening, overcast overnight with occasional rain. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated: September 4, 2022 @ 12:16 am
Anas Allouz and Alkak Nehad, Forty Fort.
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://www.citizensvoice.com/lifestyles/announcements/marriage-licenses-9-4-22/article_cba99408-99a6-50e1-98e8-553f0b671bcd.html | 2022-09-04 04:48:14 | 0 | https://www.citizensvoice.com/lifestyles/announcements/marriage-licenses-9-4-22/article_cba99408-99a6-50e1-98e8-553f0b671bcd.html |
___
Tottenham 2, Chelsea 0
Man United vs. Brentford, 8:30 a.m. ppd
Arsenal 4, Everton 0
Liverpool 2, Wolverhampton 0
Man City 2, Newcastle 0
Arsenal 3, Bournemouth 2
Aston Villa 1, Crystal Palace 0
Brentford vs. Fulham, 10 a.m. ppd
Brighton 4, West Ham 0
Chelsea 1, Leeds 0
Wolverhampton 1, Tottenham 0
Southampton 1, Leicester 0
Nottingham Forest 2, Everton 2
Liverpool 7, Man United 0
Brentford vs. Fulham, 3 p.m.
Bournemouth vs. Liverpool, 7:30 a.m.
Everton vs. Brentford, 10 a.m.
Leeds vs. Brighton, 10 a.m.
Leicester vs. Chelsea, 10 a.m.
Tottenham vs. Nottingham Forest, 10 a.m.
Crystal Palace vs. Man City, 12:30 p.m.
Fulham vs. Arsenal, 10 a.m.
West Ham vs. Aston Villa, 10 a.m.
Man United vs. Southampton, 10 a.m.
Newcastle vs. Wolverhampton, 12:30 p.m.
Brighton vs. Crystal Palace, 3:30 p.m.
Southampton vs. Brentford, 3:30 p.m.
Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle, 4 p.m.
___
Swansea 1, Rotherham 1
Preston 0, Coventry 0
Luton Town 2, Millwall 2
Hull 2, West Brom 0
Blackburn 1, Sheffield United 0
Cardiff 2, Bristol City 0
Blackpool 0, Burnley 0
Huddersfield 0, Coventry 4
Luton Town 1, Swansea 0
Middlesbrough 5, Reading 0
Millwall 2, Norwich 3
Rotherham 3, QPR 1
Sunderland 1, Stoke 5
Watford 0, Preston 0
Wigan 1, Birmingham 1
Huddersfield vs. Bristol City, 2:45 p.m.
Reading vs. Sheffield United, 3 p.m.
West Brom vs. Wigan, 3 p.m.
Stoke vs. Blackburn, 3 p.m.
Bristol City vs. Blackpool, 7:30 a.m.
Birmingham vs. Rotherham, 10 a.m.
Burnley vs. Wigan, 10 a.m.
Coventry vs. Hull, 10 a.m.
Preston vs. Cardiff, 10 a.m.
QPR vs. Watford, 10 a.m.
Reading vs. Millwall, 10 a.m.
Sheffield United vs. Luton Town, 10 a.m.
Swansea vs. Middlesbrough, 10 a.m.
West Brom vs. Huddersfield, 10 a.m.
Norwich vs. Sunderland, 8 a.m.
Blackpool vs. QPR, 3:45 p.m.
Millwall vs. Swansea, 3:45 p.m.
Rotherham vs. Preston, 3:45 p.m.
Watford vs. Birmingham, 3:45 p.m.
Wigan vs. Coventry, 3:45 p.m.
Middlesbrough vs. Stoke, 4 p.m.
Blackburn vs. Reading, 3:45 p.m.
Cardiff vs. West Brom, 3:45 p.m.
Huddersfield vs. Norwich, 3:45 p.m.
Hull vs. Burnley, 3:45 p.m.
Luton Town vs. Bristol City, 3:45 p.m.
Sunderland vs. Sheffield United, 4 p.m.
___
Derby 2, Cheltenham 0
Lincoln 1, Milton Keynes Dons 1
Portsmouth 3, Bolton 1
Peterborough 0, Charlton 0
Morecambe 0, Bolton 0
Accrington Stanley 2, Forest Green 1
Bristol Rovers 0, Barnsley 0
Cambridge United 0, Portsmouth 1
Cheltenham 1, Fleetwood Town 0
Derby 2, Shrewsbury 2
Ipswich 4, Burton Albion 0
Lincoln 1, Oxford United 0
Plymouth 2, Charlton 0
Port Vale 1, Milton Keynes Dons 0
Sheffield Wednesday 1, Peterborough 0
Wycombe 1, Exeter 1
Barnsley vs. Portsmouth, 2:45 p.m.
Wycombe vs. Fleetwood Town, 2:45 p.m.
Ipswich vs. Accrington Stanley, 2:45 p.m.
Peterborough vs. Shrewsbury, 2:45 p.m.
Cheltenham vs. Lincoln, 2:45 p.m.
Cambridge United vs. Morecambe, 2:45 p.m.
Plymouth vs. Derby, 3 p.m.
Barnsley vs. Plymouth, 10 a.m.
Bolton vs. Ipswich, 10 a.m.
Burton Albion vs. Wycombe, 10 a.m.
Charlton vs. Accrington Stanley, 10 a.m.
Exeter vs. Lincoln, 10 a.m.
Fleetwood Town vs. Port Vale, 10 a.m.
Forest Green vs. Bristol Rovers, 10 a.m.
Milton Keynes Dons vs. Cambridge United, 10 a.m.
Oxford United vs. Derby, 10 a.m.
Peterborough vs. Cheltenham, 10 a.m.
Portsmouth vs. Sheffield Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Shrewsbury vs. Morecambe, 10 a.m.
Accrington Stanley vs. Portsmouth, 3:45 p.m.
Morecambe vs. Charlton, 3:45 p.m.
Bristol Rovers vs. Wycombe, 3:45 p.m.
Burton Albion vs. Peterborough, 3:45 p.m.
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Bolton, 3:45 p.m.
___
Grimsby Town vs. Crewe, 2:45 p.m. ppd
Harrogate Town 1, Northampton 1
Tranmere 1, Crawley Town 0
Gillingham 0, Bradford 2
AFC Wimbledon 2, Stevenage 3
Barrow 1, Salford 1
AFC Wimbledon 1, Mansfield Town 3
Bradford 2, Colchester 0
Carlisle 2, Grimsby Town 0
Harrogate Town 0, Gillingham 0
Leyton Orient 1, Swindon 1
Northampton 1, Crawley Town 0
Rochdale 2, Stevenage 0
Salford 3, Newport County 1
Stockport County 0, Doncaster 0
Sutton United 1, Crewe 1
Tranmere 1, Hartlepool 1
Walsall 0, Barrow 1
Stockport County vs. Gillingham, 2:45 p.m.
Doncaster vs. Harrogate Town, 2:45 p.m.
Walsall vs. Bradford, 2:45 p.m.
Grimsby Town vs. Newport County, 2:45 p.m.
Sutton United vs. Crawley Town, 2:45 p.m.
Crewe vs. Salford, 2:45 p.m.
Barrow vs. Sutton United, 10 a.m.
Colchester vs. Stockport County, 10 a.m.
Crawley Town vs. Harrogate Town, 10 a.m.
Doncaster vs. AFC Wimbledon, 10 a.m.
Gillingham vs. Tranmere, 10 a.m.
Grimsby Town vs. Rochdale, 10 a.m.
Hartlepool vs. Northampton, 10 a.m.
Mansfield Town vs. Leyton Orient, 10 a.m.
Newport County vs. Bradford, 10 a.m.
Stevenage vs. Walsall, 10 a.m.
Swindon vs. Carlisle, 10 a.m.
Sutton United vs. Grimsby Town, 3:45 p.m.
Stevenage vs. Crewe, 3:45 p.m.
Walsall vs. Swindon, 3:45 p.m.
Newport County vs. AFC Wimbledon, 3:45 p.m.
Northampton vs. Mansfield Town, 3:45 p.m. | https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/english-standings-17822262.php | 2023-03-06 15:21:04 | 1 | https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/english-standings-17822262.php |
NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about why so many domestic flights have been canceled in recent days, and the Biden administration's efforts to fix air travel.
Copyright 2023 NPR
NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about why so many domestic flights have been canceled in recent days, and the Biden administration's efforts to fix air travel.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-06-30/while-weather-is-always-a-factor-buttigieg-says-air-travel-is-in-better-shape | 2023-06-30 11:57:17 | 1 | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-06-30/while-weather-is-always-a-factor-buttigieg-says-air-travel-is-in-better-shape |
HONG KONG (AP) — Google has suspended the Chinese shopping app Pinduoduo on its app store after malware was discovered in versions of the app from other sources.
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Google said in a statement Tuesday that it suspended the Pinduoduo app on the Google Play app store out of “security concerns” and that it was investigating the matter.
The suspension of the Pinduoduo app –- mainly used in China –- comes amid heightened U.S.-China tensions over Chinese-owned apps such as TikTok, which some U.S. lawmakers say could be a national security threat. They allege that such apps could be used to spy on American users.
Pinduoduo is a popular e-commerce app in China which often offers discounts if users team up to buy multiples of an item. Many Chinese online shopping platforms offer downloads of the app. Google warned users Tuesday to uninstall any Pinduoduo app not downloaded from its own Play store.
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“Google Play Protect enforcement has been set to block installation attempts of these identified malicious apps,” Google said in its statement. “Users that have malicious versions of the app downloaded to their devices are warned and prompted to uninstall the app.”
It was unclear if there are similar security concerns around the Pinduoduo app for Apple users, and Pinduoduo was still available to download from Apple’s iOS store Tuesday.
PDD Holdings Inc, which operates Pinduoduo, did not immediately comment. Hong Kong traded shares in the company tumbled 14.2% on Tuesday. | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/google-suspends-chinese-shopping-app-amid-17851171.php | 2023-03-21 12:54:08 | 0 | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/google-suspends-chinese-shopping-app-amid-17851171.php |
Ensure fairness of WNY election
As a longtime West New Yorker, I look with keen interest to the upcoming West New York municipal election.
Ensure fairness of WNY election
As a longtime West New Yorker, I look with keen interest to the upcoming West New York municipal election.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. | https://www.nj.com/opinion/2023/04/wny-municipal-election-must-be-fair-cant-laugh-off-councilmans-blunder-letters.html | 2023-04-21 17:04:11 | 0 | https://www.nj.com/opinion/2023/04/wny-municipal-election-must-be-fair-cant-laugh-off-councilmans-blunder-letters.html |
After a record-breaking run that saw mortgage rates plunge to all-time lows and home prices soar to new highs, the U.S. housing market finally started slowing in late 2022. Mortgage companies engaged in mass layoffs, real estate economists lamented a “housing recession” and home prices seemed poised for a correction.
But a strange thing happened on the way to the housing crash: Home values started rising again. In fact, housing prices have increased for three months in a row, according to the latest Case-Shiller home price index.
“The U.S. housing market continued to strengthen in April 2023,” Craig J. Lazzara, managing director at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said in a June 27 statement about the latest Case-Shiller reading. “Home prices peaked in June 2022, declined until January 2023, and then began to recover.”
Yes, home values were down compared to April 2022 — but only by a mere 0.2 percent. In other words, the housing boom might be over, but this pause in the real estate market isn’t shaping up as a crash.
Crunching the numbers in a different way, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that median sale prices of existing homes had declined year-over-year for four consecutive months through May, with February’s drop marking the first decline in nearly 11 years.
This breather comes after a real estate party that raged on longer than anyone expected. NAR reported that median prices in the spring of 2022 topped $400,000 for the first time ever. Even after the recent retreat, prices are up by more than $100,000 since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020, according to NAR data.
Now, bidding wars have returned, and inventories remain frustratingly tight. “You’re not going to see house prices decline,” says Rick Arvielo, head of mortgage firm New American Funding. “There’s just not enough inventory.”
Skylar Olsen, chief economist at Zillow, agrees about the supply-and-demand imbalance. Her latest forecast says home prices will keep rising into 2024 — welcome news for sellers but not so great for first-time buyers struggling to become homeowners. “We’re not in that space where things are suddenly going to be more affordable,” Olsen says.
Still, a rapid rise in mortgage rates and a sharp slowdown in home sales has some bracing for the worst. In late May, Elon Musk — the multibillionaire founder of Tesla and owner of Twitter — tweeted this prediction: “Commercial real estate is melting down fast. Home values next.”
After the June 14 Fed meeting, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters he was keeping a close eye on the housing market. “Housing is very interest-sensitive, and it’s one of the first places that’s either helped by low rates or held back by higher rates,” Powell said in the press conference. “We’re watching that situation carefully.”
Regardless, housing economists and analysts agree that any market correction is likely to be a modest one. No one expects price drops on the scale of the declines experienced during the Great Recession. Rob Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, sums up the consensus among housing experts: “We’re thinking this is going to be a moderate downturn,” he says.
Is the housing market going to crash?
The last time the U.S. housing market looked so frothy was back in 2005 to 2007. Then home values crashed, with disastrous consequences. When the real estate bubble burst, the global economy plunged into the deepest downturn since the Great Depression. Now that the housing boom is threatened by soaring mortgage rates and a potential recession, buyers and homeowners are asking a familiar question: Is the housing market about to crash?
Housing economists agree that prices could fall further, but the decline won’t be as severe as the one homeowners experienced during the Great Recession. One obvious difference between now and then is that homeowners’ personal balance sheets are much stronger today than they were 15 years ago. The typical homeowner with a mortgage has stellar credit, a ton of home equity and a fixed-rate mortgage locked in at a rate well below 5 percent — in fact, according to a new Redfin study, 82.4 percent of all current homeowners are locked in below the 5 percent mark.
What’s more, builders remember the Great Recession all too well, and they’ve been cautious about their pace of construction. The result is an ongoing shortage of homes for sale. “We simply don’t have enough inventory,” Yun says. “Will some markets see a price decline? Yes,” he says. “[But] with the supply not being there, the repeat of a 30 percent price decline is highly, highly unlikely.”
Existing home prices
Economists have long predicted that the housing market would eventually cool as home values become a victim of their own success. After decreasing year-over-year in February for the first time in more than a decade, the median sale price of a single-family home showed a 3.1 percent yearly decline in May, per NAR.
Overall, though, home prices have risen far more quickly than incomes. That affordability squeeze is exacerbated by the fact that mortgage rates doubled since August 2021, before starting to retreat a bit.
Experts say prices could fall further
While the housing market is indeed cooling, this slowdown doesn’t look like most real estate downturns. Home sales have plunged, and inventories of homes for sale have fallen sharply, too. Homeowners who locked in 3 percent mortgage rates a couple years ago are declining to sell — and who can blame them, with current rates once again pushing 7 percent? — so the supply of homes for sale is even tighter. As a result, this correction will be nothing like the utter collapse of property prices during the Great Recession, when some housing markets experienced a 50 percent cratering of values.
Yun says high-priced regions such as California are most vulnerable to a downturn in prices. However, he says, “Even in markets with lower prices, primarily the expensive West region, multiple-offer situations have returned in the spring buying season following the calmer winter market.” Overall, he expects national prices to remain flat.
5 reasons the housing market is not about to crash
Housing economists point to five compelling reasons that no crash is imminent.
— Inventories are still very low: The National Association of Realtors says there was a 3-month supply of homes for sale in May. Back in early 2022, that figure was a tiny 1.7-month supply. This ongoing lack of inventory explains why many buyers still have little choice but to bid up prices. And it also indicates that the supply-and-demand equation simply won’t allow a price crash in the near future.
— Builders didn’t build quickly enough to meet demand: Homebuilders pulled way back after the last crash, and they never fully ramped up to pre-2007 levels. Now, there’s no way for them to buy land and win regulatory approvals quickly enough to quench demand. While they are building as much as they can, a repeat of the overbuilding of 15 years ago looks unlikely. “The fundamental reason for the run-up in price is heightened demand and a lack of supply,” says Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate’s chief financial analyst. “As builders bring more available homes to market, more homeowners decide to sell and prospective buyers get priced out of the market, supply and demand can come back into balance. It won’t happen overnight.”
— Demographic trends are creating new buyers: There’s strong demand for homes on many fronts. Many Americans who already owned homes decided during the pandemic that they needed bigger places, especially with the rise of working from home. Millennials are a huge group and in their prime buying years. And Hispanics are a young, growing demographic keen on homeownership.
— Lending standards remain strict: In 2007, “liar loans,” in which borrowers didn’t need to document their income, were common. Lenders offered mortgages to just about anyone, regardless of credit history or down payment size. Today, lenders impose tough standards on borrowers — and those who are getting a mortgage overwhelmingly have excellent credit. The median credit score for mortgage borrowers in the the first quarter of 2023 was a high 765, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York says. “If lending standards loosen and we go back to the wild, wild west days of 2004-2006, then that is a whole different animal,” says McBride. “If we start to see prices being bid up by the artificial buying power of loose lending standards, that’s when we worry about a crash.”
— Foreclosure activity is muted: In the years after the housing crash, millions of foreclosures flooded the housing market, depressing prices. That’s not the case now. Most homeowners have a comfortable equity cushion in their homes. Lenders weren’t filing default notices during the height of the pandemic, pushing foreclosures to record lows in 2020.
All of that adds up to a consensus: Yes, home prices are still pushing the bounds of affordability. But no, this boom shouldn’t end in bust.
FAQs
— Is a housing market crash likely? No, most industry experts do not think the market will crash. Housing economists point to five main reasons that the market will not crash anytime soon: low inventory, lack of new-construction housing, large amounts of new buyers, strict lending standards and a drop in foreclosures.
— Will housing prices drop in 2023? After rising sharply for years, home prices decreased year-over-year in February 2023 for the first time in more than a decade — and continued to drop in March and April. The decrease is relatively modest, though: While the heated market has cooled down, it’s not likely to experience a sharp drop. Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate’s chief financial analyst, says a plateauing of prices is more likely than a steep fall. Matthew Pointon, senior property economist at Capital Economics, also expects a slowdown rather than a freefall, predicting a 5 percent drop by mid-2023.
— How much house can I afford? It depends on many factors, including how much money you earn versus how much you pay out in debts and expenses each month — known as a debt-to-income ratio. Many financial advisors recommend the 28/36 percent rule of home affordability, which states that you should spend no more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income on housing expenses, and no more than 36 percent on total debt. Bankrate’s home affordability calculator can help you crunch the numbers.
— What is a good credit score to buy a house? Different minimum credit scores are required by lenders for different types of mortgages. However, a score of at least 620 is typically required for a conventional loan — and if it’s as high as 740, all the better. Successful borrowers today tend to have outstanding credit, with a median score of 765.
___
©2023 Bankrate online. Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/03/is-the-housing-market-about-to-crash-heres-what-experts-say/ | 2023-07-03 19:02:57 | 1 | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/03/is-the-housing-market-about-to-crash-heres-what-experts-say/ |
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Larry Hogan, the former Republican governor of Maryland who positioned himself as one of his party’s fiercest critics of Donald Trump, said Sunday he will not challenge the ex-president for the GOP’s White House nomination in 2024.
“I would never run for president to sell books or position myself for a Cabinet role,” the 66-year-old Hogan wrote in The New York Times. “I have long said that I care more about ensuring a future for the Republican Party than securing my own future in the Republican Party. And that is why I will not be seeking the Republican nomination for president.”
The move is a recognition that while many in the GOP are considering ways to move on from the Trump era, there is little appetite among primary voters for such a vocal critic of the former president. Other prominent Trump adversaries, including former Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, don’t appear to be making moves toward a campaign at the moment.
For now, that leaves Trump as the leading figure in the early field of Republican candidates.
So far, he faces just three formal challengers: his former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson.
Others, including former Vice President Mike Pence, ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, may join in the coming months. One possible candidate, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that “March is a message month” and that Republicans “need to have all alternatives” to Trump. “We don’t need to be led by arrogance and revenge in the future.”
Some Trump rivals, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, could wait until late summer to officially announce their campaigns.
In an interview with CBS’ “Face The Nation,” Hogan insisted the prospect of competing against Trump didn’t factor into his decision.
“He’s very tough,” Hogan said. “But, you know, I beat life-threatening cancer. So having Trump call me names on Twitter didn’t — didn’t really scare me off.”
“It’s mostly about the country and about the party,” Hogan added. “It was a personal decision. It was like, I didn’t need that job. I didn’t need to run for another office. It was really I was considering it because I thought it was public service and maybe I can make a difference.”
Hogan wrapped up his second term as governor in January, serving for eight years in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin. He was Maryland’s second Republican governor ever to be reelected.
Some Republicans had hoped that Hogan, emerging as the new best hope of a small group of “Never Trump Republicans,” would challenge Trump in 2020. But a year after Hogan’s reelection in 2018, he said that while he appreciated “all of the encouragement” he had received to run for president, he would not. Hogan told The Associated Press he had no interest in a “kamikaze mission.”
In the past two presidential elections, Hogan said he did not vote for Trump, the party nominee. Hogan said he wrote in the name of his father, former U.S. Rep. Larry Hogan Sr., in 2016 and the late President Ronald Reagan in 2020.
Hogan won his first term as governor in 2014 in an upset, using public campaign financing against a better-funded candidate. Running on fiscal concerns as a moderate Republican businessman, Hogan tapped into frustration from a variety of tax and fee increases over the eight previous years to defeat then-Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.
Hogan had never held elected office before and in his first year as governor, he focused on pocketbook issues. He lowered tolls, an action he could take without approval from the General Assembly, long controlled by Democrats. But he was also presented with challenges, including unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody in 2015. Hogan sent the National Guard to prevent further rioting.
In June of that year, he was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma but continued working while receiving treatment. He has been in remission since November 2015.
In 2018, he became only the second Republican governor in the history of the state to win reelection, defeating former NAACP President Ben Jealous.
Hogan has long been upfront about his distaste for Trump as president.
In 2020, as chair of the National Governors Association, Hogan criticized Trump for delaying a national coronavirus testing strategy, saying the president was playing down the virus’ threat despite grave warnings from top national experts.
“I did not go out of my way to criticize the president,” Hogan said. “But unlike a lot of Republicans, I’m not the guy that’s just going to sit down and shut up and not stand up and say something if I think something’s going wrong.”
Describing the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as “one of the darkest days in American history,” Hogan said Trump should have resigned or been removed from office.
“The people that try to whitewash Jan. 6 as if nothing happened are delusional. It was an assault on democracy,” Hogan told the AP late last year.
Trump and Hogan were engaged in a proxy battle of sorts in the 2022 election. Hogan’s pick to succeed him as governor was Kelly Schulz, who was labor secretary and commerce secretary in his administration. She lost in the Republican primary to Trump-endorsed Dan Cox, a state lawmaker who said President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory shouldn’t have been certified and who sought to impeach Hogan for his pandemic policies.
Cox went on to lose the November general election by a large margin to Democrat Wes Moore.
___
Kinnard reported from Columbia, South Carolina. She can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/political-news/ex-maryland-gov-larry-hogan-wont-challenge-trump-in-2024/ | 2023-03-06 00:11:25 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/political-news/ex-maryland-gov-larry-hogan-wont-challenge-trump-in-2024/ |
BEIJING, China — China blocked imports of citrus and fish from Taiwan in retaliation for a visit by a top American lawmaker, Nancy Pelosi, but has avoided disrupting one of the world's most important technology and manufacturing relationships.
The two sides, which split in 1949 after a civil war, have no official relations but multibillion-dollar business ties, especially in the flow of Taiwanese-made processor chips needed by Chinese factories that assemble the world's smartphones and other electronics.
They built that business while Beijing threatened for decades to enforce the ruling Communist Party's claim to the island by attacking.
Two-way trade soared 26% last year to $328.3 billion. Taiwan, which produces half the world's processor chips and has technology the mainland can't match, said sales to Chinese factories rose 24.4% to $104.3 billion.
“The global economy cannot function without chips that are made in either Taiwan or China,” said Carl B. Weinberg of High-Frequency Economics in a report.
On Wednesday, Beijing blocked imports of citrus fruits and frozen mackerel from Taiwan after Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, arrived in Taiwan. Those products are only a fraction of Taiwan's total exports to the Chinese mainland. The ruling party has avoided disrupting the flow of chips and other industrial components, a step that would send shock waves through the shaky global economy.
Beijing also announced four days of military exercises with artillery fire in waters around Taiwan. That might delay or disrupt shipping to and from the island, one of the biggest global traders.
The potential disruption adds to concerns over weakening global economic growth, but Asian stock markets rose Wednesday after there was no immediate sign of Chinese military action.
The Communist Party says Pelosi's visit might embolden Taiwan to make its decades-old de facto independence permanent. Beijing says that would lead to war.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to tone down the volume on the visit, insisting there’s no change in America’s longstanding “one-China policy,” which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.
Meeting leaders in Taiwan, Pelosi said she and other members of Congress in a visiting delegation were showing they will not abandon their commitment to the self-governing island.
“America’s determination to preserve democracy, here in Taiwan and around the world, remains ironclad," Pelosi said in a short speech during a meeting with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen.
“Facing deliberately heightened military threats, Taiwan will not back down,” Tsai said.
The ban on imports of citrus fruits and frozen mackerel will hurt suppliers seen as Tsaí's supporters.
Taiwan plays an outsize role in the chip industry for an island of 24.5 million people, accounting for more than half the global supply.
Its producers including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. make the most advanced processors for smartphones, tablet computers, medical devices and other products. Taiwan says chip sales to China factories rose 24.4% last year to $104.3 billion.
Beijing has invested billions of dollars in developing its own industry, which supplies low-end chips for autos and appliances but cannot support the latest smartphones, tablet computers, medical devices and other products.
Chips are China’s biggest import at more than $400 billion a year, ahead of crude oil.
That concentration has fueled concern in the United States and Europe about relying too heavily on supplies that might be disrupted by conflict. The U.S. government is trying to expand its domestic chip production capacity.
Overall, China is Taiwan’s biggest trading partner, taking more than twice as much of its exports as the United States, the island’s No. 2 foreign market.
Beijing has tried to use access to its markets to undermine Tsai and other Taiwanese leaders it accuses of pursuing independence.
The customs agency blocked imports of cookies and other food products from more than 100 Taiwanese suppliers on Monday ahead of Pelosi's visit, according to the Global Times and other Chinese news outlets. There was no official announcement.
The Communist Party also has used military action in the past to try to hurt Taiwanese leaders by disrupting the island's economy.
The mainland tried to drive voters away from then-President Lee Teng-hui ahead of the island's first direct presidential elections in 1996 by firing missiles into shipping lanes.
That forced shippers to cancel voyages and raised insurance costs but backfired by allowing Lee to brag about standing up to Beijing in front of cheering supporters. Lee won the four-way election with 54% of the vote. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/china-blocks-some-taiwan-imports/507-31acee1a-f371-420e-9eba-9a229f3a0cd9 | 2022-08-03 12:53:33 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/china-blocks-some-taiwan-imports/507-31acee1a-f371-420e-9eba-9a229f3a0cd9 |
Board is Open to Evaluating All Credibly Financed Proposals That Maximize Value for Shareholders
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veris Residential, Inc. (NYSE: VRE) (the "Company"), a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops Class A multifamily properties, today announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has unanimously rejected Kushner Companies' unsolicited proposals to acquire the Company for $16.00 per share or to externally manage the Company.
The Board evaluated Kushner Companies' proposals – in consultation with its financial advisors and legal counsel – and determined that neither proposal was in shareholders' best interests.
The Board's letter to Kushner Companies detailing its rationale is below, and prior letters the Board has sent to Kushner Companies can be found attached. Veris Residential encourages all shareholders to review these letters.
The full text of the Board's November 3, 2022 letter follows.
VIA EMAIL
Mr. Charles Kushner
Kushner Companies
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153
Dear Mr. Kushner,
We are writing in response to your October 20th letter to the Veris Residential, Inc. (the "Company") Board of Directors (the "Board"), in which you presented unsolicited proposals for Kushner Companies to acquire Veris Residential for $16.00 per share or to externally manage the Company. Consistent with its fiduciary duties – and in consultation with its financial advisors (Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC & J.P. Morgan) and legal counsel (Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP) – the Board reviewed your latest proposals on behalf of Veris Residential shareholders.
To this end, the Board unanimously rejects Kushner Companies' unsolicited proposal to acquire the Company for $16.00 per share. The Board believes this proposal grossly undervalues the Company in its current form and denies Veris Residential shareholders the substantial value expected to be unlocked from the pending completion of the Company's strategic transformation.
Per our most recent communication to you on October 16th, the Board is committed to evaluating any proposal to realize the substantial value that has been created at Veris Residential. However, any such proposal must fully compensate shareholders for the intrinsic value of their shares and be accompanied by explicitly committed equity and debt financing. Given Veris Residential's prior experience with Kushner Companies – during which Kushner Companies was unable to substantiate its equity or debt financing sources – we reiterate the Board's expectation that any proposal pertaining to the Company must include confirmation of the specific sources for requisite debt and equity capital (including details of expected commitments and anticipated due diligence) to be considered.
The Board also reaffirms its previously communicated unanimous rejection of your proposal for Kushner Companies to externally manage Veris Residential. As clearly stated in our October 4th letter to you, the Board remains resolute in its conviction that implementing an external management structure would be deleterious to the Company's intrinsic value and severely limit its strategic flexibility at a critical inflection point in its nearly complete transformation. Over the last ten years, externally managed REITs have underperformed their internally managed peers by 93%, and traded at a significantly wider discount to NAV (~35%) and lower earnings multiple (~9.0x lower price to AFFO).1 While external management is not worthy of further consideration for the reasons outlined above, we would note that in the event the Board were to evaluate any business arrangement, it would be fundamental to the fulfillment of our fiduciary responsibilities to run a thorough process and prioritize partners with "best-in-class" property management, relevant third-party expertise, outstanding reputations and strong track records. Kushner Companies lacks third-party management expertise, has a well-documented history of questionable management practices, and is in direct competition with Veris Residential, creating inherent conflicts of interest. It is therefore highly unlikely that we would consider Kushner Companies as an appropriate partner.
As we also noted in our October 16th letter – and as clearly signaled by the significant Board and management share purchases over the last several weeks – we recognize that the Company's recent achievements are not reflected in the current stock price. This is frustrating to the Board, Company management, and no doubt – to all of the Company's long-term shareholders. Veris Residential's strategic transformation (inclusive of our recent agreement to sell Harborside 1, 2 & 3 and completion of the sale of 101 Hudson Street) results in 98% of Veris Residential's Net Operating Income (NOI) being derived from multifamily assets, up from 39% only 18 months ago. Additionally, as announced on Wednesday, the third quarter of 2022 represented Veris Residential's fourth consecutive quarter of strong rental and NOI growth across our multifamily portfolio despite significant market volatility. A full account of the transformation effectuated by current Company management is detailed within Veris Residential's most recent corporate presentation, available here. We have confidence that the Company's intrinsic value will be realized in the coming months as we continue to streamline our business and operations, and near the completion of our transformation.
To this end, we note that Kushner Companies' analysis of Veris Residential's operational performance appears to be rooted in sub-institutional market practices and lacks familiarity with public-company structures. The analysis of our cost structure also ignores the Company's history. While Kushner Companies has been a shareholder of Veris Residential for only a few months, longtime Veris Residential shareholders know that, until recently, the Company operated as two disparate companies – Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (predominantly commercial) and Roseland Residential Trust (residential) – with two separate, largely duplicative cost structures which were, in part, a function of contractual arrangements instituted by legacy management. The improvements made during the past 18 months have resulted in the lowest G&A in nominal terms for the Company in over a decade, in-line with our mid-cap public REIT peers as a percentage of gross asset value. As we conclude this transition, we continue to recognize opportunities to further realize efficiencies and enhance our cost structure.
Finally, we were surprised by your repeated contention that the Board has "ignored" Kushner Companies. Your most recent approach is the fourth proposal you have made to Veris Residential in a matter of months. Your October 20th proposal was preceded by:
- An abruptly withdrawn bid for the Company's Harborside assets (bid placed on April 4th and subsequently withdrawn on April 19th);
- A proposal for an external management contract between Kushner Companies and Veris Residential (September 20th); and
- A quid-pro-quo demanding two Board seats for Kushner Companies' employees and a "consulting contract" for Kushner Companies (October 4th).
As you are aware, over the past several months the Board has openly engaged with Kushner Companies via multiple in-person meetings and telephone conversations. Further, the Board has evaluated each proposal with its external legal and financial advisors and provided Kushner Companies detailed responses to each. As part of this process, our financial advisors spoke with the equity partners to whom you referred us (in connection with your Harborside offer) and were unable to confirm the readiness of any of them to provide you with financing in connection with a potential transaction with Veris Residential. We reiterate that this inability to substantiate your capital casts serious doubt on Kushner Companies' ability to complete any meaningful transaction with the Company.
The Board continues to welcome input from all shareholders, including Kushner Companies, and remains open to evaluating all proposals that maximize shareholder value. Should Kushner Companies (or any shareholder) have proposals that have the potential to create meaningful value for shareholders – substantiated by credible and verifiable equity and debt financing sources – we look forward to hearing them.
_____________________________
Tammy K. Jones
Frederic Cumenal
A. Akiva Katz
About Veris Residential, Inc.
Veris Residential, Inc. is a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops holistically-inspired, Class A multifamily properties that meet the sustainability-conscious lifestyle needs of today's residents while seeking to positively impact the communities it serves and the planet at large. The company is guided by an experienced management team and Board of Directors and is underpinned by leading corporate governance principles, a best-in-class and sustainable approach to operations, and an inclusive culture based on equality and meritocratic empowerment. For additional information on Veris Residential, Inc. and our properties available for lease, please visit verisresidential.com.
Investors
Anna Malhari
Chief Operating Officer
investors@verisresidential.com
Media
Amanda Shpiner/Grace Cartwright
Gasthalter & Co.
212-257-4170
veris-residential@gasthalter.com
1 Market data as of October 13, 2022.
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SOURCE Veris Residential, Inc. | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/11/03/veris-residential-unanimously-rejects-unsolicited-proposals-kushner-companies/ | 2022-11-03 11:45:33 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/11/03/veris-residential-unanimously-rejects-unsolicited-proposals-kushner-companies/ |
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When he won the pole in the pouring rain, Max Verstappen was quick to explain that it had been his father who would stand on the wet track during his early days of karting and point him to the correct driving lines.
So when Verstappen won the Canadian Grand Prix on Father’s Day — a 41st victory that tied the Dutchman for fifth on the all-time Formula One wins list with the late Ayrton Senna and gave Red Bull its 100th win as an organization — he was quick to salute the man who had molded him into the two-time reigning world champion.
The 25-year-old reminisced of the days he and Jos Verstappen traveled by van throughout Europe to his karting races, the father hoping to raise a winner. Jos Verstappen made 107 F1 starts and was once a teammate of Michael Schumacher.
“Without him I would not sit here today,” Verstappen said of his father. “He has taught me and prepared me for so much, from a very young age. He had this goal, he had this goal set for me to first of all be better than him. And then try to get to Formula One, you know?
“We still call every day. I mean right before the race, I was still talking to him about what we were going to do with that strategy. He likes to know. Even when he’s not here. It’s just nice to have that kind of relationship with your dad.”
The Dutchman’s repeat win in Montreal extended his season-long dominance.
Verstappen won for the sixth time this season — the fourth in a row — and Red Bull remained a perfect 8 for 8 on the year.
Tying Senna was simply a byproduct of his success.
“I hate to compare different generations,” Verstappen said, deflecting. “From my side, the only thing I can say is when I was a little kid driving and karting, I was dreaming about being a Formula One driver. I never imagined to win 41.
“And of course I’m proud of that. But of course I hope it’s not stopping here. I hope that we can keep on winning races.”
Lewis Hamilton holds the all-time record with 103 wins, but the seven-time champion said in Canada he expected Verstappen to surpass the mark eventually. Verstappen was quick to note that as Red Bull celebrated its 100th win, he alone was responsible for 41 victories.
“We’ll talk about maybe a new contract because of that,” he said with a laugh.
Red Bull principal Christian Horner radioed his gratitude when Verstappen crossed the finish line.
“A century for the team,” Horner told Verstappen. “Fantastic. And thank you for producing that race victory.”
Hamilton and the rest of the field had hoped to give Verstappen a challenge at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where rain throughout the weekend scrambled the competition and created optimism that Red Bull legitimately would be challenged.
Fernando Alonso thought he had a shot, and it was improved when Nico Hulkenberg was given a qualifying penalty that moved Alonso to the front row next to Verstappen for the start.
But Hamilton, starting alongside Mercedes teammate George Russell on the second row, got a surprise jump on Alonso and snagged second place at the start. Verstappen still easily pulled away from both, and on the first dry day of the weekend in Montreal, rolled to another easy win.
The one bright spot for everyone chasing Verstappen was that his margin of victory over Alonso was only 9.5 seconds.
Only?
Yes. It was the closest race of the season because Verstappen has been so dominant that he typically wins by 20-plus seconds a race. In fact, Alonso himself noted following Saturday qualifying that the only way to even pressure Verstappen was to be “two seconds behind them. Not 20 seconds behind them.”
“Probably not our best race, but still to win by nine seconds, I think shows that we have a great car,” Verstappen said of the margin of victory.
It wasn’t an overwhelming Red Bull rout; Sergio Perez, who had hoped to “reset” his season in Canada, was a distant sixth. Perez has been so underwhelming of late that Alonso answered a simple “yes” when asked if he can pass Perez in the championship standings.
Perez is second in the standings with just a nine-point lead over Alonso. Verstappen leads Red Bull teammate Perez by 69 points.
Hamilton finished third for his second consecutive podium and was followed by Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr.
Alex Albon of Williams was seventh and followed by Esteban Ocon of Alpine.
Lando Norris of McLaren, who earlier in the race received a five-second penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior, waged a frantic last-lap battle that thrilled the fans who had sat through an otherwise predictable Verstappen parade. Norris complained on his radio that the rear wing on the Alpine was flapping and a danger to him as the trailing car.
Norris chased Ocon for the final lap and the two had a wheel-to-wheel battle into the final chicane, where Norris had to bail out on the game of chicken. Norris dropped from ninth to 13th.
Lance Stroll was ninth for Aston Martin, a disappointment for the only Canadian in the field. His father owns Aston Martin and Lawrence Stroll had expected both of his cars to make the podium.
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TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese court on Tuesday ordered a utility not to restart a nuclear power plant because of inadequate tsunami safeguards, backing the safety concerns of residents at a time the government is pushing for more reactors to resume power generation after pledging to ban imports of Russian fossil fuels.
The Sapporo District Court ruled that Hokkaido Electric Power Co. must not operate any of the three reactors at its coastal Tomari nuclear power plant in northern Japan because the inadequate tsunami protection could endanger people’s lives.
The utility said it will appeal the ruling, which it called “regrettable and absolutely unacceptable.”
A massive earthquake and a tsunami over 15 meters (49 feet) high hit another nuclear power plant in Fukushima in northeastern Japan in 2011, knocking out its cooling systems and causing three reactors to melt and release large amounts of radiation.
Many of Japan’s nuclear power plants have been shut down since the disaster for safety checks and upgrades. The reactors at the Tomari plant have not operated since 2012.
The government has been urging plants to resume operations to replace fossil fuels and reduce global warming. It is now accelerating that push because of fears of a power crunch following its pledge to phase out imports of Russian coal, liquefied gas and oil as part of international sanctions against Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
About 1,200 people from the area of the Tomari plant and elsewhere filed a lawsuit in late 2012 demanding that it be decommissioned because of inadequate earthquake and tsunami protections. In its ruling, the court dismissed that demand.
Chief Judge Tetsuya Taniguchi said Hokkaido Electric failed to take steps to address safety concerns and demonstrate the adequacy of the plant’s existing seawall, which was built after the Fukushima disaster but has since faced questions about its weak foundation.
The operator has proposed a new seawall that it says could protect the plant from a tsunami as high as 16.5 meters (54 feet), but provided no details about its structure or other plans, the court said. The plant is located at a height of 10 meters (33 feet) above the sea’s surface.
The court also ruled that Hokkaido Electric had failed to adequately explain how it can ensure the safety of spent nuclear fuel inside the reactors. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/japan-court-nuclear-plants-tsunami-safeguards-inadequate/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2022-05-31 14:15:12 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/japan-court-nuclear-plants-tsunami-safeguards-inadequate/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- April is National Autism Awareness Month.
Thanks to a gift from the city of Newark, thousands of children affected by autism are getting the support and the space they need to flourish in the form of a new state-of-the-art 15,000 square-foot community center.
Nassan's place is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping make a difference in the lives of children and families affected by autism. The nonprofit provides educational and recreational programs, social outings, and resources in and around under-served communities.
The founder of Nassan's Place, Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr, joined Sandra Bookman to discuss the motivating forces behind Nassan's Place. Wright-Arbubakrr also talked about the construction of the new building and the impact it will have on the lives of countless children with autism.
Wright-Arbubakrr, a mother of a child with autism, 16-year-old Nassan, founded Nassan's Place nine years ago. She wanted to ensure that other parents would not struggle to find affordable services and programs like she did.
To learn more about Nassan's Place visit their website.
Here and Now with Sandra Bookman airs Sundays at 12:00 p.m. on Channel 7.
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We are also publishing resources in a range of areas, which will grow and can be found below:
Ways to Help
National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform
Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY)
Black LGBTQIA + Migrants Project
Teaching the Next Generation
Creating Space To Talk About Racism At Your School
Teaching for Black Lives - Rethinking Schools
Black-Owned Bookstores in New York and New Jersey
The Little Boho Bookshop (Bayonne)
Books
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children In A Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Podcasts
Movies
American Son: Available on Netflix
If Beale Street Could Talk: Available on Hulu
Just Mercy: Available on Amazon Prime
Selma: Available on Amazon Prime
The Hate U Give: Available on Amazon Prime
When They See Us: Available on Netflix
Documentaries
13th: Available on Netflix
America Inside Out with Katie Couric: Available on National Geographic
Becoming: Available on Netflix
I am Not Your Negro: Available on YouTube | https://abc7ny.com/nassans-place-autism-awareness-month/13151824/ | 2023-04-19 03:43:29 | 1 | https://abc7ny.com/nassans-place-autism-awareness-month/13151824/ |
Sapiens' end-to-end solution will fulfil all of Old Mutual's business, analytical and regulatory data needs
HOLON, Israel, Aug. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapiens International Corporation, (NASDAQ: SPNS) and (TASE: SPNS), a leading global provider of software solutions for the insurance industry, today announced the deployment of Sapiens Intelligence by Old Mutual Insure (OMI), South Africa's oldest insurance company. Sapiens' solution will provide an enterprise-wide consolidated view of the organization's data and support its reporting and analytics needs.
Old Mutual Insure has been a Sapiens customer since 2006, a 16-year relationship that began with the implementation of Sapiens Tia Enterprise solution for its core business, followed by the adoption of Sapiens ReinsuranceMaster for its reinsurance business. The addition of Sapiens Intelligence is the natural next step in Old Mutual's digital transformation strategy with Sapiens.
"We were looking for an enterprise-level data platform with native connectivity to our existing systems, and Sapiens Intelligence was a perfect fit," said Denver Naidoo, Old Mutual Insure's Chief Data Officer. "Due to licensing issues with our hosting platform, we requested that Sapiens cut back their normal nine-to-ten-month implementation period down to six or seven months, which they were successfully able to accommodate."
Sapiens Intelligence has a complete and optimized insurance information hub, integrating all business units and product lines into one unified and consistent organizational view.
"Old Mutual Insure now has access to a wide landscape of heterogenous systems ranging from core applications from Sapiens to third-party external data sources," explained Roni Al-Dor, Sapiens president and CEO. "The foundational R&D that was done on this project will be brought to bear on other existing Sapiens Tia Enterprise customers, in regions across the globe."
Sapiens Intelligence enriches processes with model outcome and predictions, optimizing the insurer's performance – driving cost reduction as well as improving customer experience.
About Sapiens
Sapiens International Corporation (NASDAQ and TASE: SPNS) empowers the financial sector, with a focus on insurance, to transform and become digital, innovative, and agile. Backed by more than 40 years of industry expertise, Sapiens offers a complete insurance platform, with pre-integrated, low-code solutions and a cloud-first approach that accelerates customers' digital transformation. Serving over 600 customers in 30 countries, Sapiens offers insurers across property and casualty, workers' compensation and life markets the most comprehensive set of solutions, from core to complementary, including Reinsurance, Financial & Compliance, Data & Analytics, Digital, and Decision Management. For more information visit https://sapiens.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Old Mutual Insure
Old Mutual Insure is the oldest insurer in South Africa, tracing its history back more than 177 years. It services personal, commercial and corporate customers across South Africa, as well as in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria under the Old Mutual brand. Old Mutual Insure is the second largest Insurer in South Africa with a gross written premium over R15.92 million in 2021. As one on the leading companies in southern Africa's non-life insurance landscape, they are justifiably proud of their tradition of service and quality. For more information visit https://www.oldmutual.co.za/.
Media Contact:
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Chief of Marketing, Sapiens
Shay.assaraf@sapiens.com
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Forward Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release that are incorporated herein by reference are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations, as well as information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "may," "will," "plan" and similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to pandemic risks and uncertainties. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the degree of our success in our plans to leverage our global footprint to grow our sales; the degree of our success in integrating the companies that we have acquired through the implementation of our M&A growth strategy; the lengthy development cycles for our solutions, which may frustrate our ability to realize revenues and/or profits from our potential new solutions; our lengthy and complex sales cycles, which do not always result in the realization of revenues; the degree of our success in retaining our existing customers or competing effectively for greater market share; difficulties in successfully planning and managing changes in the size of our operations; the frequency of the long-term, large, complex projects that we perform that involve complex estimates of project costs and profit margins, which sometimes change mid-stream; the challenges and potential liability that heightened privacy laws and regulations pose to our business; occasional disputes with clients, which may adversely impact our results of operations and our reputation; various intellectual property issues related to our business; potential unanticipated product vulnerabilities or cybersecurity breaches of our or our customers' systems; risks related to the insurance industry in which our clients operate; risks associated with our global sales and operations, such as changes in regulatory requirements, wide-spread viruses and epidemics like the recent novel coronavirus pandemic, which adversely affected our results of operations, or fluctuations in currency exchange rates; and risks related to our principal location in Israel and our status as a Cayman Islands company.
While we believe such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, should one or more of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, or these risks or uncertainties materialize, our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Please read the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, in order to review conditions that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.
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SOURCE Sapiens International Corporation | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/old-mutual-insure-south-africas-oldest-non-life-insurer-selects-sapiens-complete-data-analytics-solution/ | 2022-08-08 11:28:41 | 0 | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/old-mutual-insure-south-africas-oldest-non-life-insurer-selects-sapiens-complete-data-analytics-solution/ |
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with an injury to his nonthrowing shoulder that will require surgery.
Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman said Monday that Buchner has a severe AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. Buchner was injured in the fourth quarter of Notre Dame’s surprising loss to Marshall over the weekend and was scheduled to have surgery Tuesday.
“The expected recovery time is about four months,” Freeman said. “We can all do that math. That probably puts us somewhere in mid-January.”
Drew Pyne, who came off the bench after Buchner was hurt, was listed as the starter on Notre Dame’s depth chart for this Saturday’s home game against California. Against Marshall, he went 3 for 6 with a touchdown pass and an interception.
In August, Pyne entered training camp competing for the starting quarterback position but lost the job to Buchner after practice No. 7.
“As I said when we addressed the quarterback competition in fall camp, I had the utmost confidence in both of those guys to be able to lead our offense and lead our football team,” Freeman said. “We are still very positive and optimistic about our future moving forward.”
Pyne is 20 for 39 for 256 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in five career games. That includes a relief appearance against No. 18 Wisconsin in 2021, where Pyne threw a fourth-quarter touchdown in a late-game comeback victory.
Notre Dame is off to an 0-2 under first-year coach Freeman after beginning this season ranked fifth in the country.
Now Pyne is charged with orchestrating an in-season turnaround.
“You’re thrust into a leadership position when you’re the quarterback,” Freeman said. “You want people to be able to follow you, not just through your actions, but through your words and who you are as a leader. He’s a natural leader. He has a lot of the natural QB traits that you’re looking for.”
Notre Dame is trying to avoid going 0-3 for the first time since 2007.
With Buchner at quarterback, the Irish offense struggled in two games this season. Notre Dame ranks No. 117 among FBS teams in scoring offense with 15.5 points per game.
In addition to throwing for 378 yards and two interceptions, Buchner was Notre Dame’s leading rusher with 24 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns.
Even with Buchner’s wheels, the Irish are 110th in rushing offense with 103 yards per game.
Freeman conceded Pyne doesn’t possess Buchner’s speed, but Pyne will still be called upon to run the ball.
“I don’t see the offense changing an extreme amount,” Freeman said. “We’re still going to be able to do some of the QB runs we did with Tyler. (With the) passing game, we’ll continue to enhance it and figure out more ways to be consistent in it and put him in a position to hopefully have more completions.”
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-notre-dame-qb-buchner-expected-to-miss-season-with-injury/ | 2022-09-12 21:22:22 | 1 | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-notre-dame-qb-buchner-expected-to-miss-season-with-injury/ |
Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky is pushing for more security assistance from the U.S. and western allies as his troops face an immense assault from Russian forces in the embattled town of Bakhmut.
In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that aired Wednesday night, Zelensky renewed a plea for the Biden administration to supply F-16 fighter jets as Ukraine struggles to fend off repeated Russian missile strikes on critical infrastructure.
The Ukrainian president said President Biden previously told him that Ukraine does not need advanced fighter jets in the current state of the war, a position Zelensky said he disagrees with.
“What fighter jets could do is they could help us to defend ourselves,” Zelensky argued. “It’s a part of the air defense … and we don’t have the fighter jets to deal with it and to counteract the Russian hits. We really need this.”
Zelensky also told Blitzer that Ukraine will need additional “new weaponry” from western allies in order to carry out a counteroffensive against Russian forces in occupied regions of eastern Ukraine.
That includes long-range artillery, which the U.S. has yet to provide over fears Ukraine might strike into Russian territory. Zelensky told CNN that Ukraine is not interested in Russian land.
“We need only to protect our peaceful civilian population,” he said. “I believe we can push Russia even further with these long-range missiles.”
Zelensky said Ukraine can win the war given time and enough assistance from allies. He said Kyiv does not want to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin while Russian troops are in Ukraine, saying Putin doesn’t “hold his word” and Ukraine lacks “any confidence in him.”
The latest phase of the war has centered around the town of Bakhmut. Russian troops, led by the mercenary company Wagner Group, have likely captured the eastern part of the city after throwing waves of soldiers at Ukrainian lines for months.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned on Wednesday that Russia could seize the city within a matter of days.
“What we see is that Russia is storming in more troops, more forces and what Russia lacks in quality, they try to make up in quantity,” Stoltenberg said ahead of a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union.
Several war analysts have said it could end up costing Kyiv to continue to hold Bakhmut, but Zelensky has vowed to hold onto the town and decided to reinforce defenses after a meeting with his top commanders on Monday.
“This is tactical for us,” Zelensky told CNN. “We understand that after Bakhmut they could go further” into the Donetsk region.
Zelensky also said Ukrainian leadership is united behind Bakhmut and he wants to deny Russia a symbolic victory after Moscow has suffered a year of setbacks in the war effort.
“Russia needs at least some victory, a small victory, even by ruining everything in Bakhmut,” he said. “They need to put that little flag on top of there … to mobilize their society and create this idea they are such a powerful army.”
Ukraine will need more assistance to ward off future Russian advances and liberate more territory.
Congress approved roughly $113 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine last year, but remaining funds are expected to run out at some point this year.
House Republicans who took control of the lower chamber this year are being closely watched to see whether they will approve another large aid package for Ukraine.
In his interview with Blitzer, Zelensky expressed his appreciation for the bipartisan support for his country so far. He also invited Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to come to Ukraine.
“I’m not trying to influence his position, he’s a free person, he can have any position he chooses,” Zelensky said. But “it’s very important when someone comes here and sees in his own eyes the consequences of war.”
McCarthy told CNN he does not need to visit Ukraine when he considers passing the next aid package.
“I will continue to get my briefings and others, but I don’t have to go to Ukraine or Kyiv to see it,” McCarthy said. “And my point has always been, I won’t provide a blank check for anything.”
In the CNN interview, Zelensky also touched on President Biden’s visit to Ukraine last month, when the U.S. leader made a surprise appearance in Kyiv just days before the Feb. 24 one-year anniversary of the war.
“We showed … we’re not afraid of Russia,” Zelensky said, adding the “visit as a whole was very symbolic and a very motivating one.” | https://www.wfla.com/hill-politics/zelensky-pushes-for-more-us-aid-as-russia-pressures-bakhmut/ | 2023-03-09 03:34:05 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/hill-politics/zelensky-pushes-for-more-us-aid-as-russia-pressures-bakhmut/ |
Dedicated Senior Medical Center comes to South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Dedicated Senior Medical Center opened a location in the Midlands Wednesday morning.
The event featured the center’s “VIP” patient Lecie Worthy, to help celebrate the opening.
“I like everyone here,” said the Saluda native.
The center is located at 5900 N. Main Street in Columbia.
State Representative Christopher R. “Chris” Hart, South Carolina and Councilwoman Yvonne McBridge were among the speakers during the opening of the center.
Officials said the new center will provide affordable primary care with “VIP service to thousands of underserved seniors” in Columbia.
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Copyright 2023 WIS. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/2023/05/03/dedicated-senior-medical-center-opening-first-location-south-carolina/ | 2023-05-03 20:23:03 | 1 | https://www.wistv.com/2023/05/03/dedicated-senior-medical-center-opening-first-location-south-carolina/ |
Exclusive: Biden administration weighs Ukrainian requests for access to US stockpile of controversial cluster munitions
By Natasha Bertrand, Alex Marquardt and Zachary Cohen, CNN
Ukrainian officials and lawmakers have in recent months urged the Biden administration and members of Congress to provide the Ukrainian military with cluster munition warheads, weapons that are banned by more than 100 countries but that Russia continues to use to devastating effect inside Ukraine.
The Ukrainian request for the cluster munitions, which was described to CNN by multiple US and Ukrainian officials, is one of the most controversial requests the Ukrainians have made to the US since the war began in February.
Senior Biden administration officials have been fielding this request for months and have not rejected it outright, CNN has learned, a detail that has not been previously reported.
Cluster munitions are imprecise by design, and scatter “bomblets” across large areas that can fail to explode on impact and can pose a long-term risk to anyone who encounters them, similar to landmines. They also create “nasty, bloody fragmentation” to anyone hit by them because of the dozens of submunitions that detonate at once across a large area, Mark Hiznay, a weapons expert and the associate arms director for Human Rights Watch, previously told CNN.
Top US officials have publicly stated that they plan to give the Ukrainians as much support as they need to give them an upper hand at the negotiating table with Russia, should it come to that. But western military equipment is not infinite, and as stockpiles of warheads dwindle, the Ukrainians have made plain to the US that it could use the cluster munitions currently gathering dust in storage.
For Ukraine, cluster munitions could address two major issues: the need for more ammunition for the artillery and rocket systems the US and others have provided, and a way of closing Russia’s numerical superiority in artillery.
The Biden administration has not taken the option off the table as a last resort, if stockpiles begin to run dangerously low. But sources say the proposal has not yet received significant consideration in large part due to the statutory restrictions that Congress has put on the US’ ability to transfer cluster munitions.
Those restrictions apply to munitions with a greater than one percent unexploded ordnance rate, which raises the prospect that they will pose a risk to civilians. President Joe Biden could override that restriction, but the administration has indicated to the Ukrainians that that is unlikely in the near term.
“The ability of Ukraine to make gains in current and upcoming phases of conflict is in no way dependent on or linked to their procuring said munitions,” a congressional aide told CNN.
Both the Ukrainians and the Russians have used cluster bombs since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, but the Russians — who also used the munitions to devastating effect on civilians in Syria — have used them more often and against civilian targets including parks, clinics, and a cultural center, according to an investigation by Human Rights Watch.
Russia’s use of the munitions — including its 300mm Smerch cluster rockets that can unleash 72 submunitions over an area the size of a football pitch — has been documented in dozens of Ukrainian regions, including in Kharkiv, as CNN has reported.
Asked about the negative perception of using cluster munitions, a Ukrainian official quickly responded they wound only be responding in kind.
“So what, Russians use cluster munitions against us,” a Ukrainian official told CNN. “The [US] worry is about collateral damage. We are going to use them against Russian troops, not against the Russian population.”
CNN reached out separately to the Ukranian President’s Office and the Defense Ministry. The President’s Office referred CNN to the Defense Ministry.
The Defense Ministry told CNN it does not comment on reports regarding requests for particular weapons systems or ammunition, choosing to wait until any agreement with a supplier is reached before many any public announcement.
The US is not a signatory to the 2010 ban, known as the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and maintains large stores of the munitions. But administration officials believe that, in addition to the congressional limitations, there are too many downsides to the use of cluster munitions — the biggest being the risk they pose to civilians — to justify transferring them unless absolutely necessary. And for now, the US does not believe the munitions to be imperative to Ukraine’s success on the battlefield.
Ukrainian officials, however, argue that the Russians are using cluster munitions extensively, and largely in civilian areas. For that reason, the Ukrainians have approached the State Department, Pentagon and Congress “many times” to lobby for the munitions, known as dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, multiple sources familiar with the lobbying effort told CNN.
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko is among the officials who has been pushing the US to provide the munitions. “It is extremely important, first of all because it will really change the situation on the battlefield,” he told CNN. “With these, Ukraine will finish this war much faster, to the benefit of everybody.”
“Russia is extensively using the old styles, the most barbaric styles, of cluster munitions against Ukraine,” Goncharenko added. “Personally, I was a victim of this. I was under this shelling. So we have all the right to use it against them.”
The first Ukrainian official and another source familiar with the requests said the Ukrainians want cluster munitions compatible with both the US-provided HIMARS rocket launchers and the 155 mm howitzers, and have argued that the munitions would allow Ukrainian troops to more effectively attack larger, more dispersed targets like concentrations of Russian soldiers and vehicles.
Neither the US nor Ukraine are signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use, production, and stockpiling of such cluster bombs because of the potential risk to noncombatants. But the US began phasing them out in 2016 because they “contained hundreds of smaller ‘cluster bomb’ explosives that were often left unexploded across the battlefield, posing a danger to civilians,” according to a 2017 statement from Central Command.
The US replaced the dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, known as DPICMs, with the M30A1 alternate warhead. The M30A1 contains 180,000 small tungsten steel fragments that scatter on impact and do not leave unexploded munitions on the ground. Ukrainian officials, however, say that the DPICMs the US now has in storage could help the Ukrainian military enormously on the battlefield — more so than the M30A1.
“They [DPICMs] are more effective when you have a concentration of Russian forces,” the Ukrainian official told CNN, noting that Ukraine has been asking for the weapons “for many months.”
“Russians use all these cluster munitions, they don’t care,” the official said. “We are going to fight Russian troops, but Russians fight with our civilians with clusters.”
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CNN’s Oren Liebermann and Victoria Butenko contributed to this report. | https://kion546.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2022/12/07/exclusive-biden-administration-weighs-ukrainian-requests-for-access-to-us-stockpile-of-controversial-cluster-munitions/ | 2022-12-08 01:46:54 | 1 | https://kion546.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2022/12/07/exclusive-biden-administration-weighs-ukrainian-requests-for-access-to-us-stockpile-of-controversial-cluster-munitions/ |
Press staff reports
NORTH WILDWOOD — Citing inflation and the general difficulty of putting on events since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Anglesea Irish Society on Friday said it is canceling future editions of its Boots at the Beach Country Music Festival.
In an announcement posted to Facebook , the society said, "While our charitable nonprofit organization has enjoyed bringing country music to the North Wildwood entertainment district for the last several years to raise funds to support the communities of Greater Cape May County, inflated product costs in a post-pandemic world have also played a large role in the decision we have to make today."
Held Sept. 16-18 this year, the last edition of Boots at the Beach offered three days of live country music, vendors, dancing, crafts and food, and was free to attend.
The first Boots at the Beach was held in 2015. The event was canceled in 2018 due to bad weather and in 2020 due to COVID.
WILDWOOD — Country singer Darius Rucker is set to take the stage next year as a headliner fo…
"Our organization experienced constraints as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," the society said in its announcement. "Those constraints led us to cancel events for public health reasons ... which also resulted in our organization operating at a multiyear decrease in charitable funds that helped to support community donations, scholarships and public outreach."
Country music is a draw in the Wildwoods, as evidenced by the annual Barefoot Country Music Fest that fills the beach in neighboring Wildwood. That festival is scheduled to return next year with headliners Blake Shelton and Darius Rucker.
The Anglesea Irish Society also puts on the Irish Fall Festival and an annual Bonfire on the Beach in North Wildwood.
PHOTOS Barefoot Country Music Festival in Wildwood
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. (l-r) Zach Berg, Kaitlyn Hoover, and Zoey Berg, all of Hagerstown PA, waiting for the main act to begin at 3pm.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. (l-r) Kristi Shane and Lori Lunger of Hunterton County, waiting for the main stage act to perform at 3pm.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. Mallory Devinney of Delaware County PA gets setup for a USMC pull-up challenge.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
Aundrea Munt, of Waretown, plays a round of cornhole toss. More than 20,000 fans were expected to attend the four-day event.
MATTHEW STRABUK, FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. (l-r) Angie Bradley from Asbury, and Olivia Bosko from Howell.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
Chase Rondeau, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, tries a pullup challenge at the U.S. Marine Corp tent at the festival.
MATTHEW STRABUK photos, FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. (l-r) Brittany Boyle, David Smith, Addisyn Smith, 8, and Kathy Smith, seasonal residents as well from Voorhees and Philadelphia, pose by the BCMF sign at the entrance to festival.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
Dean and Kelly Delisa, of Trenton, snap a photo while the band Bowman performs Saturday at the Barefoot Country Music Festival on the beach in Wildwood. The four-day event concludes Sunday night.
MATTHEW STRABUK, FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. (l-r) Karl Vollmer and Brandan Kane of Poughkeepise trying to hit the bullseye with an axe.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. Terry August of Forty Fort PA, taking part in a 360 degree camera shot.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. Kayleigh Munt of Waretown playing a round of cornhole toss.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. (l-r) Don and Denise Peterson of Jamesburg PA, waiting in front of the main stage for the headline act.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue. (l-r) Kodey and Nicole Biscoe of Maryland, waiting for the first act at 3pm to play on the mainstage.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
The Barefoot Country Music Festival, held in June on the Wildwood beach, is one of the city’s biggest summer events and is planned to return next year.
MATTHEW STRABUK, FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
Fans capture a performance at the Barefoot Country Music Festival on the beach in Wildwood on Saturday.
MATTHEW STRABUK, FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
The festival lineup includes established stars but also up-and-coming performers.
MATTHEW STRABUK, FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
More than 40 performers were scheduled to appear throughout the festival, which had several stages set up.
MATTHEW STRABUK, FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 18 2022, in Wildwood, the Barefoot Country Music Festival was underway with crowds filtering into the afternoon venue.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/organizers-cancel-north-wildwood-country-music-festival/article_b03979a4-471c-11ed-88c2-e35df600bb57.html | 2022-10-08 16:36:58 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/organizers-cancel-north-wildwood-country-music-festival/article_b03979a4-471c-11ed-88c2-e35df600bb57.html |
Migrants refusing to leave Hell's Kitchen hotel
NEW YORK - A group of migrants is refusing to leave a hotel in Hell's Kitchen.
The Watson Hotel is a men's-only shelter and in a plan announced by Mayor Eric Adams last week, the migrants are supposed to be relocated to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
RELATED: NYC to use Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to shelter asylum-seekers
However, many are refusing to go.
Eventually, some boarded the bus to the terminal.
Activists say the migrants are being forced out.
FOX 5 NY spoke to the Mayor's Office, which said in part that the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal provides the same services as every other shelter in the city. | https://www.fox5ny.com/news/migrants-refusing-to-leave-hells-kitchen-hotel | 2023-01-30 05:26:28 | 0 | https://www.fox5ny.com/news/migrants-refusing-to-leave-hells-kitchen-hotel |
TAMPA, Fla. — The controversy over Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to ban an AP African American history course continues to stir up passionate conversations across the Tampa Bay area.
“I’m a former public school educator,” said Nadine Lima. For Lima, teaching African American history is essential. “And a lot of things I wasn’t taught about African American history."
Florida law requires the teaching of African American history in public schools. But many people like Lima believe it doesn’t go far enough and it doesn’t tell the full history.
“It’s just offensive to me as a woman of color, as an educator of color because we can all benefit. We’re not here to shame anyone. There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s just the truth,” she said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis cited banning the AP course because it doesn’t meet Florida’s educational standards.
“The issue is, we have guidelines and standards in Florida. We want education, not indoctrination. If you fall on the side of indoctrination, we’re going to decline. If it’s education, then we will do it,” said Gov. DeSantis.
“Well, I think that as a follower of Christ, it’s important to talk about the difficult topics,” said Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw from Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa.
In a recent sermon, he talked about hiring a teacher who can teach an African American history course at the church, and they’d pay the teacher by raising funds.
“I reached out to our board of directors, and I said, ‘What would it take for MCC Tampa to offer a space and the ability for students who want to take AP African American history to take it here? Could they do it?' And it looks like yes,” said Rev. Hero-Shaw in one of his last sermons.
Rev. Hero-Shaw said students wouldn’t be able to get high school credits for the course, but it would prepare them for the AP test, and passing that test means they’d receive college credits.
However, he said learning about our country’s full history is even more important than receiving credits.
“We want to tell that whole story. We want to enable people who are qualified to teach the kids who need to learn this,” Rev. Hero-Shaw said. | https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/local-church-offers-space-to-hold-african-american-history-course | 2023-02-15 20:48:06 | 1 | https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/local-church-offers-space-to-hold-african-american-history-course |
Chick-fil-A is testing its first-ever plant-forward entrée, the Chick-fil-A™ Cauliflower Sandwich
ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chick-fil-A® is testing a one-of-a-kind sandwich entrée, and it has everyone doing a double take wondering if it's the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich or its stunt double. The company announced today it will begin testing its first plant-forward entrée, the Chick-fil-A Cauliflower Sandwich, at restaurants in three markets. The sandwich is made with a tender filet cut from a whole, real cauliflower and embraces the plant-forward style that places vegetables at the center of the entrée*. The preparation is similar to the original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich – it is marinated, breaded with a signature seasoning, pressure-cooked, and served on a toasted buttery bun with two dill pickle chips.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9139751-chick-fil-a-new-cauliflower-sandwich/
Starting Monday, February 13, Chick-fil-A will be testing the cauliflower sandwich in these three markets: Denver, Charleston, S.C. and North Carolina's Greensboro-Triad region.
"Cauliflower is the hero of our new sandwich, and it was inspired by our original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich," said Leslie Neslage, director of menu and packaging at Chick-fil-A. "Guests told us they wanted to add more vegetables into their diets, and they wanted a plant-forward entrée that tasted uniquely Chick-fil-A. Our new sandwich is made with the highest quality ingredients and whole vegetables, and we hope it offers customers another reason to dine at Chick-fil-A."
The Chick-fil-A Cauliflower Sandwich was created, developed, and tested in-house by Chick-fil-A chefs who worked diligently for nearly four years finding the right ingredients and perfecting the recipe for the new sandwich.
"We explored every corner of the plant-based space in search of the perfect centerpiece for our plant-forward entrée," said Stuart Tracy, culinary developer of the Chick-fil-A Cauliflower Sandwich. "Time and time again, we kept returning to cauliflower as the base of our sandwich. After a significant amount of development, we knew we had a one-of-a-kind entrée; one that puts a delicious spin on what we're known for – great tasting food with ingredients you can trust."
Customers in the three test markets can check the Chick-fil-A® App or contact their local Chick-fil-A restaurant to find out if their restaurant will be participating in the test.
To stay up to date on the latest food news as Chick-fil-A continues to add new flavors and bring seasonal favorites back to the menu or to read stories about the company's people and guests, visit chick-fil-a.com/stories.
*Milk and eggs are included in the preparation process of the Chick-fil-A Cauliflower Sandwich. We do not designate vegetarian-only preparation surfaces.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a restaurant company known for the Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich and signature hospitality. Represented by more than 190,000 Team Members, Operators and Staff, Chick-fil-A® restaurants serve guests freshly prepared food at more than 2,800 restaurants in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. The family-owned and privately held restaurant company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy and is committed to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate.
Known for its leadership and growth opportunities, in 2022 Chick-fil-A was named a Best Employer in America by Forbes and a top company for career opportunities for Black employees by Glassdoor. The company was also awarded the Employee's Choice by Glassdoor honoring top CEOs and was named a Culture 500 Culture Champion in 2020. A leader in customer service, Chick-fil-A was named QSR magazine's Drive-Thru Restaurant of the Year in 2021. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com and @ChickfilANews.
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SOURCE Chick-fil-A, Inc. | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/02/09/chick-fil-a-welcomes-cauliflower-menu/ | 2023-02-09 16:07:50 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/02/09/chick-fil-a-welcomes-cauliflower-menu/ |
Gov. Evers honors South Milwaukee's 125th anniversary as a city by proclaiming Aug. 10 South Milwaukee Day
South Milwaukee's got another claim to local fame.
Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday proclaimed Aug. 11, 2022 South Milwaukee Day in honor of the city’s 125th anniversary.
The proclamation highlights how 517 residents between College and Pennsylvania avenues, Drexel Avenue and Lake Michigan applied to incorporate and establish the village of South Milwaukee in 1892.
By 1897 the village grew to 2,662 people, allowing the village to become a city.
“The residents of South Milwaukee, along with myself, are proud to be celebrating our 125th anniversary,” Mayor Jim Shelenske said. “We’ve gathered great wisdom from our past leaders to continue moving the city forward.”
South Milwaukee was home to many industries over its long history including Bucyrus-Erie — which built the shovels that helped dig the Panama Canal — Hatch Cutlery, Schutz Brothers Furniture, Eagle Horse Shoe Company, South Milwaukee Iron Company and Moore/Whitmore Basket Works.
In 1992, President George H. W. Bush sent South Milwaukee a letter for its 100th anniversary of incorporation as a village.
“As you well know, South Milwaukee is more than a collection of buildings, it is more than a place on the map,” he said. “From its earliest days, it has nurtured the lives and accomplishments of countless individuals — individuals united through the years by a common love for the place they call home.”
Between 1919 and 1920, Alfred Lawson, known for building the world’s first airliner, worked on creating his second larger airplane in South Milwaukee, according to the proclamation.
An official marker was erected in 2001 commemorating the location by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. The marker states “airliner” was a nickname Lawson had for the first commercial passenger planes, which incorporated features considered standard today including weather proof cockpits, dual pilot controls and passenger cabins with a center aisle.
“While the city of South Milwaukee has grown and changed over the last 125 years, its abundant parkland and natural beauty, industrial heritage, and rejuvenated downtown — which is also home to the world’s toughest statue of local hero, Reggie “Da Crusher” Lisowski — makes the city just as beautiful and lively a place as its founders envisioned it to be,” the proclamation said.
The Milwaukee County Historical Society also recognized South Milwaukee’s milestone last May with an “anniversary accolade” presented to Shelenske and Common Council President (and former interim mayor) David Bartoshevich. The award recognized the city’s “diligence in strengthening Milwaukee County through an enduring commitment to community and development.”
South Milwaukee has a series of events planned to celebrate the anniversary
South Milwaukee’s official anniversary was in July, but the city is celebrating through the end of the year with various activities. A few events were already held including a pop-up theater and cookies at Lionsfest.
In August and September, the South Milwaukee Library is working to collect and share South Milwaukee family histories.
Historical documents, yearbooks and more will be scanned to archive South Milwaukee’s history, said Melissa Ellis, chairperson of 125th anniversary celebration committee.
On Sept. 17, South Milwaukee is hosting an “open doors” event. The event will allow for behind-the-scenes tours of historical and cultural buildings in the city from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to the public. Maps for which buildings are open will be made available on the city website.
Historical trolley tours with narration will take place on Oct. 2. The 30-45 minute tour is sponsored by Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home in South Milwaukee.
“We’re still laying out where that will start, possibly by the Crusher statue and train depot,” Ellis said.
A gala event at the Bucyrus Club is scheduled for Oct. 27. The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is sponsoring Radio Rosies, a USO-style singing trio. Tickets go on sale soon.
On Nov. 11, a veteran luncheon celebration will take place in partnership with South Milwaukee American Legion Post 27 and the South Milwaukee Lions Club, Ellis said.
More details are still to come for the events. The city is also working on creating a commemorative challenge coin and building a time capsule, Shelenske said.
Ellis said the challenge coins are on order and will be sold to help fund the events. As for the time capsule, Ellis said items will be added through the rest of the year and the committee is looking for ideas of what should go inside.
The capsule will be buried and opened again on the city’s 175th anniversary.
A time capsule was buried for South Milwaukee’s 100th anniversary and it slated to be opened for its 150th anniversary.
For more information and updated schedules check the "community" tab on the South Milwaukee city website or follow the South Milwaukee 125th Anniversary Celebration Facebook page. Questions or suggestions for the time capsule can be sent to southmilwaukee125@gmail.com.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley. | https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/south/news/south-milwaukee/2022/08/11/gov-tony-evers-proclaims-aug-10-2022-south-milwaukee-day/10291668002/ | 2022-08-11 15:56:25 | 1 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/south/news/south-milwaukee/2022/08/11/gov-tony-evers-proclaims-aug-10-2022-south-milwaukee-day/10291668002/ |
LOS ANGELES, April 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gocious, the cloud-based SaaS solution for strategic product planning, today announced that it has received ISO 27001 certification for its Product Roadmap Management (PRM) software.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have created the global compliance framework known as ISO 27001, which is the security standard for safeguarding customer information.
This accreditation proves that Gocious has put in place all required security measures to secure customer data and the business's software platforms.
Gocious' independent, third-party ISO 27001 auditor is California based Consilium Labs.
"We are excited to attain the ISO 27001 certification and are committed to the highest possible industry standards when it comes to protecting sensitive data for both us and our partners," said Maziar Adl, CTO and co-founder of Gocious "Through a rigorous, year-long process, vendors, employees, and customers can rest assured knowing that we prioritize safeguarding sensitive data. As we continue to work to provide product leaders with some of the best-in-class tools and service, we remain resolute in our focus to security and data privacy."
As businesses grow and products get more complex, Gocious PRM software enables improved alignment and transparency in product development for cross-functional teams.
Learn more about security at Gocious here.
About Gocious
Since 2018, at Gocious, we understand that building product roadmaps can be a challenging task for product management teams. Gocious Product Roadmap Management (PRM) software is designed to help product managers communicate and align all stakeholders around a clear and accessible product portfolio roadmap. Product managers can now align cross functional teams from engineering to sales and marketing to finance around their product strategy. Gocious PRM assists product managers to capture and prioritize customer needs, define products and shared components to meet those needs, and map solutions against a timeline. Product teams can now efficiently communicate dependencies and changes using clear and accessible contextual roadmaps. For more information, visit www.gocious.com
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SOURCE Gocious | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/04/06/gocious-achieves-iso-27001-security-certification/ | 2023-04-06 14:53:04 | 0 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/04/06/gocious-achieves-iso-27001-security-certification/ |
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two people were taken to the hospital after a shooting Friday morning on the city’s northwest side, Indianapolis police said.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were called just after 5 a.m. to the 6100 block of Wixshire Drive. That’s a residential area near 38th Street and High School Road, just east of I-465.
Officers arrived and found the victims, who were then taken to the hospital in stable condition, IMPD says.
No other information was available.
News 8 has a crew at the scene. | https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/impd-2-people-shot-on-citys-northwest-side/ | 2023-02-03 11:17:13 | 1 | https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/impd-2-people-shot-on-citys-northwest-side/ |
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussed the war in Ukraine with Vietnamese leaders on Sunday and said they agreed on the respect for international law and rejection of the use of force.
Japan has condemned Russia's invasion and joined Western nations in imposing sanctions against Moscow. Vietnam, like most other Southeast Asian nations, has avoided directly criticizing Russia and has called for restraint, the respect of the U.N. charter and dialogue to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Vietnam abstained from a vote at the U.N. General Assembly in March that deplored Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Vietnam is one of Moscow's historic allies and Vietnam's military has been equipped mostly with Russian weapons. It has also strong ties with Ukraine, where about 10,000 Vietnamese live, work and study. In recent years, Vietnam has forged closer ties with the United States in opposing China's vast territorial claims in the South China Sea.
“We cannot accept the actions to change status quo by force in any region of the world,” Kishida said after talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh.
Kishida also criticized China's actions in the South China Sea, where Beijing has constructed artificial islands and turned them into military outposts to reinforce its territorial claims that have been rejected by its smaller neighbors. | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Japanese-Vietnamese-leaders-reject-use-of-force-17139748.php | 2022-05-01 10:52:30 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Japanese-Vietnamese-leaders-reject-use-of-force-17139748.php |
LONDON (AP) — Well this is fitting: “Groundhog Day” is back. Again.
The story of a jaded weatherman fated to live the same day over and over began as a beloved movie, then became an award-winning stage musical. On Thursday it opens at London’s Old Vic Theatre, where it had its acclaimed original run in 2016.
For writer Danny Rubin, it’s the latest chapter in the three-decade journey of an idea that changed his life and added a new term to the dictionary: “Groundhog Day, noun: a situation in which the same usually negative or monotonous experiences occur repeatedly.”
Rubin said he imagined weatherman Phil Connors — who wakes every morning to discover he’s still covering a weather-forecasting rodent in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania — as akin to Siddhartha, the ancient prince turned wandering monk who came to be revered as the Buddha.
“It’s about a human being going through life’s journey,” said Rubin, who came up with the original story and co-scripted the 1993 film with director Harold Ramis.
It also turned out to be a resonant metaphor for a modern-day ennui: fear of missing out, angst at getting stuck. The movie, starring a sardonic Bill Murray as Phil, quickly became a classic comedy in which generations of viewers have found deep — even spiritual — meaning. Phil can’t get unstuck until he undergoes a personal transformation.
“It’s totally the existential situation,” said Rubin over coffee in London, where he’s helping tweak the musical for its new run. “None of us know why we’re here, how we got here, or what we’re supposed to do. How is that any different from Phil?
“I think that’s one of the reasons it appeals to people in a very personal way. Phil’s transformation is not out of our reach. It’s pretty clear that the worst day of Phil’s life is also the best day of Phil’s life, and the only difference is Phil.”
Years later, Rubin realized the story wasn’t finished with him. He considered turning it into a novel before settling on a musical. At one point, Broadway giant Stephen Sondheim expressed interest in adapting it. That didn’t work out, but it was a vindication of the concept.
After a long search, Rubin teamed up with composer-lyricist Tim Minchin and director Matthew Warchus, the team behind Roald Dahl-inspired hit show “Matilda: The Musical.”
“When I met with Matthew, immediately (he) felt like the right partner,” said Rubin. “And then I met Tim and immediately felt like the right partner. They were like me in many ways that I appreciated, including the fact that we did the whole thing on a handshake and said, ‘Let’s keep the business people out of it until we’ve written it completely and nailed down creatively the best show we can do.’”
The musical is sharply funny and musically ebullient, but doesn’t shy away from darkness as Phil, in despair at realizing he is essentially immortal, tries varied ways of killing himself. The Old Vic website warns ticket-buyers that “the story ends happily but passes through some emotionally darker phases,” and includes phone numbers for mental health charities.
Rubin said the creative team agreed that “it really was a journey for Phil. And so if it had to go dark, it was going to go dark, and we weren’t going to rely on platitudes.”
“Groundhog Day” stormed London in 2016 but had a relatively brief Broadway run the following year, despite scoring seven Tony Award nominations. One setback came when lead actor Andy Karl was injured early in the run, and, Rubin said the show was up against “many really remarkably good shows” in a bumper Broadway year.
But “Groundhog Day” keeps popping back up. The new production has made some tucks and trims that will make it easier to tour, but remains essentially the same show that won Olivier Awards for best new musical and best actor for Karl, who returns in the lead role.
It must be tempting to have another crack at Broadway, but Rubin said the team is proceeding by “baby steps.”
“Let’s see how we’re received here,” he said.
Rubin, who lives in New Mexico and teaches screenwriting, cheerfully acknowledges that “Groundhog Day” has defined his career. A huge early success can be hard to live up to — Orson Welles never surpassed his first film, “Citizen Kane” — but he has no complaints.
“The groundhog has been very good to me,” he said.
“These things that we do, we like to think that they’re going to make some kind of effect. And you never know how a career is going to go. I could have written ‘Porky’s 3’ or 4 or 5 and had to apologize to people when I meet them at a party and they say, ‘What do you do?’
“It’s nice to be associated with something that’s so loved.” | https://www.qcnews.com/entertainment/its-groundhog-day-again-as-existential-musical-comedy-returns-to-the-london-stage/ | 2023-06-09 12:30:22 | 0 | https://www.qcnews.com/entertainment/its-groundhog-day-again-as-existential-musical-comedy-returns-to-the-london-stage/ |
BOSTON (AP) — She didn’t even know the Boston Marathon was going on when she wandered out for a walk along Boylston Street. Nor could she understand why someone would run 26.2 miles for “a statement necklace and a banana.”
Then, Adrienne Haslet says, “My life changed.”
The ballroom dancer was standing next to the second of two pressure-cooker bombs that exploded among the spectators watching the finish of the 2013 race. Three people were killed and nearly 300 others wounded. Seventeen people lost limbs in the blast. Haslet was one of them.
She relearned to walk with a prosthetic left leg and vowed to return to dancing. She also set a goal that surprised friends and family who knew her as someone who didn’t like to sweat in public: She would return to the course, this time as a runner.
Haslet completed the race for the first time in 2016, and she is back in the field for Monday’s 127th Boston Marathon as the city, the country and fans of the cherished sporting event mark 10 years since the finish-line attacks. In the decade since, the streets and sidewalks have been repaired, and memorials at the sites of the explosions remember those who died: Krystle Campbell, Lu Lingzi, Martin Richard.
But the healing continues. And, for many, the race itself is an important part.
Henry Richard, whose brother was 8 when he was killed, ran the marathon in 2022 and plans to do so again this year. Bombing survivors with no previous interest in distance running make it a bucket-list goal; for others, friends and family enter on their behalf. Doctors and first responders and others affected by the attacks are also drawn back to the race on the Massachusetts holiday of Patriots’ Day that commemorates the start of the Revolutionary War.
“We would say in the Navy, ‘Like a fire in the gut,’” says Eric Goralnick, an emergency medicine physician who helped treat the wounded in 2013 and ran the following year.
“I just felt it in my gut. It was something I had to do,” he says. “I wanted to feel like this is our city, and this is our event, and it’s the people’s marathon. And I wanted to participate in it and demonstrate that we’re not going to live in fear of terrorists.”
THE RACE
The Boston Marathon isn’t just a race. Or, at least, not just one race.
Up front with the television cameras and trophies, the world’s fittest athletes compete for a prize purse approaching $1 million and the right to claim one of sports’ most treasured titles.
But following them from Hopkinton to Boston’s Back Bay on the third Monday in April are 30,000 others who are not in it to win it, or maybe not even to achieve a personal best. They are happy simply to endure, to raise some money for charity, to check a box on some emotional or athletic to-do list.
“The course is the same,” says Jack Fleming, who runs the organization that runs the marathon. “The journeys are very different.”
Since the bombing, the field also includes many who were not marathoners – or even runners – but were drawn to the race as part of the healing process. The Boston Athletic Association waives qualifying for those who were “personally and profoundly impacted” by the attack, including the wounded, their families, and the charities associated with the victims and survivors. This year, 264 One Fund participants will participate.
“It became a ‘take back the finish line’ kind of a piece,” says Dave Fortier, who was hit by shrapnel from one of the bombs and has returned to run the race every year since. “You’re here to say: ‘Not me. Not us.’”
THE FAMILY
The sign is what people remember, showing the youngest Boston Marathon bombing victim expressing a hope that would go unfulfilled: “No more hurting people. Peace.”
The words were repeated by President Barack Obama when he visited Boston three days after the attacks. And when Henry Richard ran the race in 2022, his singlet said “Peace” in his brother’s youthful scrawl.
Bill and Denise Richard had always gone to the Back Bay to watch the marathon, even before they had kids. It became a family tradition. “It was always a great experience, and then an event that my family attended together,” Henry says.
The Richards were steps away from one of the backpack bombs when it exploded. Martin, 8, died. Jane, his sister, lost her left leg. Denise Richard was blinded in one eye. Bill Richard’s eardrums were blown out and he was hit by shrapnel in his legs.
Henry Richard returned to Boylston Street to run the race in 2022, raising his arms in triumph as he crossed the finish line and then collapsing into the arms of his family. He is now 21 and running again this year.
“It was definitely a personal accomplishment that I thought about for a very long time,” he says. “It was a very special day for myself and for my family to finally watch me cross the finish line. I waited years to do it, and I’m glad that it happened and I can continue to do it.”
THE SURVIVOR
Fortier was in the hospital, recovering from a shrapnel wound on his right foot, when he got the email from Boston Marathon organizers congratulating him on completing the race.
“I don’t remember finishing,” he says. “I remember the flash. I remember the heat of it. I remember having my bell rung. … I was helped across the finish line.”
A non-runner, Fortier entered the 2013 race in support of a friend with leukemia. In his training, he never went longer than 20 miles; when he passed that marker on the Boston Marathon course for the first time, he says, “I felt like Magellan sailing off the edge of the earth.”
His plan was to be “one and done.” But after the bombs deprived him of the chance to celebrate — or even remember — crossing the finish, he changed his mind. He was in a meeting with about 30 other survivors when they all got an email from the BAA offering a chance to run the race the following year.
Twenty-eight signed up.
Fortier considers himself lucky. He needed about a dozen stitches in his foot and was out of the hospital that night; he also has hearing loss in both ears. But he would lay awake at night searching for ways to help people still struggling with the aftermath. He founded the One World Strong Foundation, which connects survivors of traumatic events with their peers.
And he kept running.
“The first time I did it, I remember boarding the bus down here, like, ‘What the hell am I doing?’” he says. “And then the following year it was just completely different. It was just happy, seeing the progress that everybody had made.”
THE DOCTORS
David Crandell, who runs the amputee program at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, sometimes calls himself a “last responder.” But he knows that’s not really true.
Even after Crandell has fitted a patient with a new limb, there is still much physical and psychological therapy to come.
Spaulding treated 32 people with blast wounds; the bombs, set on the ground, did much of their damage to feet and legs. The hospital housed the marathon survivors together and brought in war veterans to talk to them – all so they would know they were not alone.
“I had never really taken care of blast injuries before,” Crandell says. “This is a type of injury that you could see in a military conflict.”
The military connection goes both ways, with expertise from the Boston attacks informing care for war wounded.
This spring, Crandell consulted via Zoom with a Ukrainian doctor and his patient. “The soldier from Ukraine is waiting for final adjustments to his left, below-elbow prosthesis so he can return to the fight,” Crandell says.
Goralnick, the emergency medicine specialist, is bringing the lessons learned in the bombing to Ukraine and other conflicts through Stop the Bleed, a program born out of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. The goal: Teach laypeople the effective use of tourniquets and packing wounds to improve the chances of survival while waiting for professionals.
“I don’t use the term ‘first responder.’ Because in my mind, first responder is the public, right? It is the community,” says Goralnick, who had run marathons before but made his Boston debut in 2014. “They’re the ones that are on scene first.”
Goralnick, who was working a post-race clinic near the finish line when the bombs went off, treated the injured at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and noticed that almost all of those with lower extremity bleeding had makeshift tourniquets applied. “Many of those were placed by the public, by laypersons,” he says.
Ensuing studies have helped identify the best ways to train non-doctors, including battlefield soldiers, to apply pressure to wounds that might otherwise bleed out. A video on the proper techniques has been translated into Ukrainian and posted on YouTube.
“The thing from the marathon was the recognition that not only do people want to help, but the recognition that they will help,” Goralnick says. “That was a huge ‘Aha!’ moment for us.”
THE BOMBERS
Many survivors refuse to speak their attackers’ names. Chris Tarpey makes sure to acknowledge them each time he runs past the shoe store where he was injured.
“When I go by, I always throw the finger at Marathon Sports, because I say, ‘Screw you, Tsarnaev brothers,’” says Tarpey, who was hit by shrapnel and needed 14 stitches to close up the wound in his right knee. “Because I’m here, and you’re not.”
Ethnic Chechens who lived in Kyrgyzstan and Russia, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev became radicalized after moving to the United States as teenagers.
They built a pair of pressure-cooker bombs. They filled them with nails and ball bearings to cause maximum injury. Then they dropped them among the spectators on Boylston Street, steps from the marathon finish line.
The brothers were identified as suspects three days after the bombing. While on the run, they killed MIT policeman Sean Collier and carjacked an SUV, leading to a shootout in which Tamerlan Tsarnaev was wounded. Police say his younger brother ran over him while trying to escape and dragged him 20 feet; he did not survive.
The next evening, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found, bleeding, hiding in a boat in a suburban backyard. In 2015, he was convicted on 30 counts, including using weapons of mass destruction; he has been sentenced to death.
“I could never understand. What was their point?” Tarpey says. “What was their message? What was their cause? What were they trying to prove?”
Two months after the bombing, Tarpey’s daughter, Liz, died while hiking in Hawaii. When the BAA offered those affected by the attacks the opportunity to enter in 2014, he ran to raise money for a scholarship in her name; he continued every year until the pandemic broke his streak in 2020.
“You definitely feel like you’ve accomplished something,” he says. “From a healing perspective, it keeps your mind off of issues. That helped me kind of recover, in a way, by making sure that we remember her. And it gives me a way to just mentally get through it.”
Tarpey had been standing right where one of the backpacks was dropped; he had moved up to get a better view, allowing him to escape serious harm. “I think of the marathon bombing as minor compared to what happened with my daughter,” he says.
But both taught him the same lesson: Everything can change in an instant.
“An instant,” he repeats. “Life is precious.”
THE COP
Like a lot of locals, Bill Evans grew up with the Boston Marathon — watching his brothers run the race or otherwise enjoying the day off from school on the Patriots’ Day holiday. He wasn’t tempted.
“At the time, I’m thinking they needed their head examined,” he says. “Like, who in their right mind would do it?”
Evans didn’t start running at all until his 20s, to deal with the stress of his job as a police officer. Early morning six- or seven-milers was plenty long enough. Then: “I got the bug.”
He ran Boston for the first time in 1988, and returned every year – one of the “streakers” who complete the race at least 10 and as many as 54 years in a row. In 2013, when Evans was the city’s chief of patrol, he crossed the finish line at 1:39 p.m., a net time of 3 hours, 34 minutes, 6 seconds, and went to the gym to soak in a hot tub.
He was back at the course a half hour later. On duty.
“I just can’t fathom what I’d seen, when I had just run down that street an hour earlier,” Evans says.
“Boston Strong” became the city’s rallying cry, and it spilled into the city’s other sports. Red Sox slugger David Ortiz told the crowd at Fenway Park to “stay strong and declared, “This is our (expletive) city.” The Boston Bruins went to the Stanley Cup Final. The Red Sox won the World Series and brought the trophy to the finish line.
But the return of the marathon in 2014 was tense. Fears of another attack loomed. Recently promoted to commissioner, Evans struggled to find the middle ground between making everyone feel safe and turning the event into an “armed camp.”
And he knew he would not be able to run in the race.
“It’s tough to watch. But I knew I had to,” he says in his memorabilia-filled office at Boston College, where he is now the police chief. “I knew my responsibility was putting that race back together.”
Evans was patrolling near Kenmore Square, the 1 Mile to Go marker; he says he felt goosebumps when American Meb Keflezighi ran past on his way to victory. A few hours later, at the time of the bombing, Evans was overcome with relief.
“I remember 2:48 passing that afternoon,” Evans says. “The bells were ringing and everybody was sort of on edge.
“I was just sort of overwhelmed that nothing bad happened after the year before,” he says. “I think we’re all still living with those tragic days 10 years ago.”
THE CHAMPIONS
When Keflezighi meets people from Boston, they don’t say “Congratulations.” They say, “Thank you.”
“That affirms that I was a small piece of that healing process,” he says.
A four-time Olympian, Keflezighi was a spectator in Boston in 2013. He left the finish line about five minutes before the bombs exploded.
“I remember vividly saying, ‘I hope to be healthy enough to win it for the people next year,’” he says.
It was an unlikely goal.
It had been three decades since an American man had won in Boston — before the addition of prize money in 1986 began drawing the top international professionals. Keflezighi was about to turn 39, five years removed from his victory in the New York Marathon and 10 since he won silver at the Athens Games. There were 16 faster runners in the field.
But it was Keflezighi who came down Boylston Street in the lead, the names of the bombing victims written on his race bib and chants of “USA!” ringing out from the crowd. He posted a personal best of 2:08:37. The American drought was over.
“It’s not how fit you are. Sometimes (it’s) to just be in the right place at the right time,” Keflezighi says. “My heart was in the right place.”
Keflezighi has grown close with the Richard family. He returned to Boylston Street last year to hang the finisher’s medal around Henry Richards’ neck. Other Boston champions have also connected with the cause: Five-time wheelchair division winner Tatyana McFadden competed in a Martin Richard Foundation singlet, as has 1968 winner Amby Burfoot. Olympic silver medalist and 2017 New York Marathon champion Shalane Flanagan helped Haslet train; 1976 Boston winner Jack Fultz worked with Fortier.
“That’s the cool thing about these races, that everybody on the start line has a story,” 2018 women’s winner Des Linden says. “That’s so inspirational. And I think so many of those stories came out of that, the bombing year.
“It’s very moving,” she says. “And I think it is to the point: We’re going to get up, and keep pressing forward.”
___
AP Sports Writer Jimmy Golen has covered the Boston Marathon since 1995. | https://www.krqe.com/sports/survival-diaries-decade-on-boston-marathon-bombing-echoes/ | 2023-04-13 18:35:40 | 0 | https://www.krqe.com/sports/survival-diaries-decade-on-boston-marathon-bombing-echoes/ |
The Tiny Miss Union County Fair Pageant was held during the fair this past Tuesday night.
Tiny Miss Union County Fair
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...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Heat index values up to 109 expected. * WHERE...In Mississippi, Marshall, Lafayette, Yalobusha and Calhoun Counties. In Tennessee, Fayette County. * WHEN...From noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. &&
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By JANET McCONNAUGHEY
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Biden administration accepted nearly $190 million Wednesday in bids from an offshore oil and gas lease sale that was held nearly a year ago but rejected by a federal judge.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s action was required by the climate bill that was signed Aug. 16 — a disappointment to environmentalists who worry about the climate impacts of offshore drilling, but praised by industry as a return to longstanding practice after an 18-month delay imposed by the Biden administration.
The bill had a 30-day deadline for accepting the bids. It also requires the bureau to reschedule three sales that had been put on hold by a moratorium ordered by President Joe Biden, with the first of them to be held by Dec. 31.
“We are pleased that the Department of the Interior has finally offered the first offshore leases of this administration, but it is disappointing that it took 19 months and an act of Congress to get us to this point,” said Cole Ramsey, vice president of upstream policy for the American Petroleum Institute.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said Wednesday that it had accepted 307 valid high bids totaling just under $189.9 million from the November 2021 sale “in compliance with congressional direction.” Companies bid on about 2% of the tracts offered for sale in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Leases resulting from this sale include stipulations to protect biologically sensitive resources, mitigate potential adverse effects on protected species, and avoid potential ocean user conflicts,” the agency said in a news release.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat who got the lease sale provisions into the law, said, “Our federal oil and gas leasing programs are critical to American energy security, and these offshore leases will provide the market signals necessary to help ease the pain Americans are feeling from record inflation and high energy prices.”
Miyoko Sakashita, director of the oceans program at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental nonprofit, called the congressional order a huge disappointment.
“Congress just gave the greenlight to a lease sale that was found unlawful. That’s a serious blow to our climate and Gulf ecosystems, which have already suffered so much from oil industry pollution,” she said.
The judge’s order in February said the Biden administration had failed to adequately consider the sale’s effect on planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington said Interior could decide whether to scrap the sale, undertake a fresh review or take other steps.
The National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore energy companies, said, “Communities along the Gulf Coast and throughout the country rely upon Gulf of Mexico oil and gas development for good-paying jobs, affordable energy supplies, and important funding for local infrastructure needs, coastal restoration and resiliency, and parks and recreation programs.”
The previous lease sale, in November 2020, had brought $120.9 million in high bids on 93 tracts. Seven of those bids, totaling $9.3 million, were rejected as too low.
In a separate action, the Center for Biological Diversity asked the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday to forbid companies to discharge fracking waste into the ocean.
It said trade-secret protections in current rules for permits governing oil industry discharges into the Gulf of Mexico mean EPA “often does not know what chemicals are used.”
As of 2016, it said, EPA had identified nearly 1,100 chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and more than 500 found in water that comes up with oil and gas. The agency “has little to no information regarding the impacts of many of these chemicals on human and marine environments,” it said.
A proposed new permit for the western Gulf of Mexico “would allow more of the same,” the organization said in public comments about a two-year industry study to assess discharges.
The climate bill’s requirement for offshore lease sales is likely to increase offshore drilling and fracking, the group said.
“With offshore drilling set to surge, the Biden administration needs to stop oil and gas companies from poisoning the Gulf of Mexico with fracking waste,” Kristin Carden, a senior scientist at the center, said in a news release.
National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito responded, “This is a complete misunderstanding of offshore production processes and does not reflect the actual science and engineering behind how U.S. offshore oil and gas is actually produced. Performance-based limits provide strict controls on the fluids that are discharged and ensure a sound, risk-based approach to protecting the environment.”
___
To follow AP’s coverage of oil and gas, go to https://apnews.com/hub/oil-and-gas-industry.
To follow AP’s environmental coverage, go to https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/09/14/agency-oks-nearly-190m-in-bids-from-offshore-oil-lease-sale/ | 2022-09-14 23:54:27 | 1 | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/09/14/agency-oks-nearly-190m-in-bids-from-offshore-oil-lease-sale/ |
2023 would be a notable year for video games on the strength of a Tears of the Kingdom release alone. But that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild follow-up isn't the only massive title delayed by the pandemic to have a credible release date in the coming months. Here are the games our staff most look forward to, in order of when they (should) come out.
Fire Emblem Engage (January 20th)
I played Fire Emblem: Three Houses twice all the way through, savoring each character's dialogue and obsessively tracking their relationships with each other. This entry looks more brash and candy-colored, but if it delivers the tactical depth and quality cast I'm hoping for, I'll be well-engaged indeed. -James Mastromarino, Join the Game editor and Here & Now producer
Forspoken (January 24th)
It's been a long time since Square Enix debuted a brand new IP, and I'm hoping Forspoken will bring a fresh twist to the action RPG genre. It's developed by Luminous Productions, which was assembled from the team that worked on Final Fantasy XV — a game I loved for its beautiful environments, snappy gameplay, and overall charm. Forspoken also gathered formidable writing and soundtrack talent, including Bear McCreary, who just won Best Score and Music at The Game Awards for God of War Ragnarök. Amy Hennig, one of the main writers, lead the 150-person team behind the legendary Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Long story short, Forspoken has a lot going for it, and if it all comes together, I'll have a great time playing it. -Andy Bickerton, Senior Digital Analyst
Dead Space (January 27)
Dead Space upped the game for space survival horror all the way back in 2008. With visual enhancements and other quality of life improvements, I can only hope this remake of Isaac Clarke's harrowing journey lives up to the original. -Bryant Denton, Grove Support Associate for Member Partnership
Season: A Letter to the Future (January 31)
The games I've been playing lately are far from peaceful. Biking around while quietly documenting a pre-apocalyptic, Miyazaki-esque landscape sounds like a nice vibe to kick off the new year. -Justin Lucas, Director, Communications and Audience Relations
Hogwarts Legacy (February 10)
Many Harry Potter fans soured on J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World after the author started loudly defending her transphobic views. Despite calls for a boycott, Hogwarts Legacy has already climbed the sales charts ahead of its release. The game presents an intoxicating escape to a magical place entire generations grew up with — and while Hogwarts Legacy explicitly allows you to play as a transgender character — time will only tell how fun and inclusive it really is. -James Mastromarino, Join the Game editor and Here & Now producer
Horizon Call of the Mountain (February 22)
Horizon Call of the Mountain is a launch title for Playstation's VR 2, a headset that promises to go toe-to-toe with beefy hardware like the Valve Index. If Call of the Wild can make you "feel" like you're in Horizon's robot dinosaur-filled world, then maybe PSVR2's $550 price tag might just be worth it. -James Delahoussaye, TED Radio Hour Producer
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (March 3)
The success of Elden Ring will probably put wind behind other studios' Souls-like titles and I'm here for it. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty's trailer includes a nod to FromSoft's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and will likely build off of the Team Ninja's own Nioh titles (which may not have been GOTY material, but were very enjoyable). Plus, there will be co-op! -Justin Lucas, Director, Communications and Audience Relations
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (March 17)
2019's Fallen Order offered a great cast and story. The combat and exploration didn't quite hit the highs of the games that clearly inspired it (Dark Souls and Uncharted), but Fallen Order laid a promising foundation for Survivor to build on. Give me more force powers! -James Delahoussaye, TED Radio Hour Producer
Resident Evil 4 (March 24)
I fell head over heels for the series' trademark schlock and mayhem over the pandemic — and I look forward to seeing the beloved Resident Evil 4 get the meticulous remake treatment that so improved Residents Evil 2 and 3. It's sure to be gorgeous and gorey — and I hope it preserves the campy spirit of the original voice-acting too. -James Mastromarino, Join the Game editor and Here & Now producer
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (May 12)
I'm not the most experienced gamer, but I've spent 560+ hours playing Breath of the Wild over the past two years. I've found most of the Korok Seeds, solved most of the shrines and completed most of the quests. I still scream in fear when I encounter a Lynel in the world, and can still taste the accomplishment and empowerment I felt when I beat my first one. If Tears of the Kingdom gives me more of that feeling, I'll be entertained for years to come. -Natalia Fidelholtz, Talent Development Manager
Diablo 4 (June 6)
In a world where angels and demons run rampant, Actvision Blizzard offers a big-budget return to the dungeon crawling series that kicked off in 1997. While critics cried foul at the monetization trickery behind 2022's Diablo Immortal, Diablo 4 could restore the franchise to its glory days. -Bryant Denton, Grove Support Associate for Member Partnership
Final Fantasy XVI (June 22)
Final Fantasy XVI could be a return to form for the franchise while also taking the storied RPG series to new heights. It's the first mainline title to receive a Mature rating, and its trailers have drawn comparisons to Game of Thrones, but with the series' memorable monster summons taking center stage. It's sure to be the blockbuster gaming event of the summer, and I'm looking forward to immersing myself in yet another breathtaking fantasy world from the imaginative minds at Square Enix. -Lindsay Totty, Morning Edition Producer
Starfield (Undated 2023)
I obsessed over Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4 when they first came out. I've beaten them a dozen times combined, with hundreds of hours played. While their engine and mechanics now feel dated, developer Bethesda promises a whole new upgrade for Starfield. I love open-world games, so the promise of over a thousand planets to explore has me hopeful it'll be just as immersive as Bethesda's other titles. -Adam Winters, Quality Assurance Manager
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (Undated 2023)
Insomniac Games revolutionized web-slinging with 2018 and followed up that feat with a Miles Morales story that had all the flare and personality we can expect from his take on Spider-Man. I'm hyped to see this sequel bring both Peter Parker and Miles together against the comic's most beloved villains. -Jamal Michel, It's Been a Minute Intern
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (Undated 2023)
I haven't played any of the previous games in FromSoft's giant robot series, but I'm looking forward to checking out Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon this year. I trust anything the studio puts out: I was blown away by the first Dark Souls when I picked it up in 2012 (around when the last installment of Armored Core was released) and have enjoyed every game they've made since. While Fires of Rubicon feels like a departure from the studio's most recent work, I still look forward to dying a bunch — this time in a mech suit. -Justin Lucas, Director, Communications and Audience Relations
AEW Fight Forever (Undated 2023)
When a wrestler (Kenny Omega) who loves video games is helping oversee the production of a wrestling game, I can't help but be intrigued. Omega is a huge fan of the Fire Pro Wrestling games, considered some of the best in the genre. With previews revealing an engine that runs similar to 2000's classic WWF No Mercy, there's a chance this could be the best wrestling game of the year. -Matt Adams, Audience Engagement Supervisor
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & butterfly (Undated 2023)
Toge Productions' Coffee Talk was my favorite game of 2020. Two years later, I'm still replaying it because the characters, story and music are so good! I can't wait to see where they go with Hibiscus & Butterfly in 2023. -Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, Member Partnership Project Manager
Redfall (Undated 2023)
Arkane Studios has helmed GOTY contenders for years. It surprised no one that Redfall drew hella praise for its 2021 reveal trailer alone. It had an audacious and diverse cast, as well as a horrifying display of vampiric enemies in the titular Redfall, Massachusetts. Stan Layla Ellison! -Jamal Michel, It's Been a Minute Intern
Stellar Blade (Undated 2023)
Stellar Blade (formerly titled Project EVE) is a futuristic hack-and-slash announced at the PlayStation showcase in 2021. Although details have been sparse, the gameplay previews show off stunning visuals and fast paced combat in a new IP. -Bryant Denton, Grove Support Associate for Member Partnership
The Wolf Among Us 2 (Undated 2023)
I've been waiting since 2014 for Telltale Games to release a sequel to The Wolf Among Us. I loved the Fables comics it was based on and the original game provided such an engaging way to interact with those characters. Nearly a decade later and after the studio's collapse and revival, I can't wait to get back to Fabletown. -Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, Member Partnership Project Manager
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl (Undated 2023)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has always been hard to sum up: a cult-favorite, magically-real, survival horror, first-person shooter series, loosely based on a 1979 Tarkovsky movie? The game's development had stuttered for years — and then when a release finally looked plausible, the Ukrainian company making it faced a very real war. I hope these incredibly resilient folks have all the time and funding they need, and I'll play whatever they end up shipping. -James Mastromarino, Join the Game editor and Here & Now producer
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Undated 2023)
2020's Final Fantasy VII Remake opened the door to a radically-new retelling of the 1997 original. The sequel, Rebirth, will likely depart even further — but it's also likely to get delayed to 2024. -James Mastromarino, Join the Game editor and Here & Now producer
Hollow Knight: Silksong (Unconfirmed)
2017's Hollow Knight may be the best Metroidvania ever made — and that includes the Metroid and Castlevania games! That feat is even more impressive since it came from a small indie studio. Silksong looks like it will deliver another beautifully-illustrated and vast world, complete with deep combat and traversal mechanics. Needless to say, there's a lot to look forward to in this sequel — which is rumored to finally come out this year. -Jeff Choi, Product Designer
Hades II (Unconfirmed)
Hades II should get an early access release this year and it's hard to overestimate my expectations for it. I fell in love with the first game for the same reasons as everyone else: the sumptuous art, rich mythology, finely-tuned combat... and obviously, the romance! Hades II has already promised almost all that and more (though I haven't seen any romancing yet). There's still plenty we don't know about our new protagonist Melinoë and the band of gods, witches, and miscellaneous creatures who will join her, but what we have seen looks like a perfect second invitation to the underworld. -Megan Lim, All Things Considered Producer
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-01-13/nprs-most-anticipated-video-games-of-2023 | 2023-01-13 13:55:16 | 0 | https://www.nprillinois.org/2023-01-13/nprs-most-anticipated-video-games-of-2023 |
At Tyre Nichols’ funeral, Kamala Harris calls for national police reform
Congress must act to pass national police reform, Vice President Kamala Harris told mourners at the Wednesday funeral of Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old Black man who died after being beaten bloody by Memphis police officers last month.
Harris’ trip to the Southern city comes five days after Memphis officials released nearly one hour of videos showing officers punching and kicking Nichols after a traffic stop. Nichols died at a local hospital three days later.
Five officers shown in the videos — Justin Smith, Tadarrius Bean, Desmond Mills Jr., Demetrius Haley and Emmitt Martin III, all of whom are Black— have been fired from the Memphis Police Department and charged with second-degree murder. They face up to 60 years in prison if convicted.
At the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Harris spoke on stage at the request of the Rev. Al Sharpton.
“We are here to celebrate the life of Tyre Nichols,” Harris said. Harris praised the “extraordinary” strength, courage and grace of Nichols’ mother and stepfather, RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells.
“Mothers around the world, when their babies are born, pray to God when they hold that child, that that body and that life will be safe,” she said. “Yet, we have a mother and a father who mourn the life of a young man who should be here today.”
Officials announced the suspension of a sixth and seventh Memphis police officer in connection with the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols.
The beating of Nichols “was not in pursuit of public safety,” Harris said.
The vice president called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed the bill in the wake of Floyd’s murder in 2020. As a senator, Harris co-sponsored the bill with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Negotiations between Democratic and Republican senators collapsed over a range of issues, including qualified immunity, a legal principle that generally shields police from personal liability.
“As vice president of the United States, we demand that Congress pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act — Joe Biden will sign it,” Harris said. “And, we should not delay, and we will not be denied. It is nonnegotiable.”
A year George Floyd’s murder, Black Lives Matter has achieved mainstream recognition. But the movement must now move beyond recognition toward concrete solutions.
Harris sat next to Nichols’ mother and stepfather during the funeral service.
When most of the mourners were seated, African drummers shuffled down the aisle, leading a procession that included Sharpton, Nichols’ mother and civil rights attorney Ben Crump. As the service began, images of Nichols skateboarding and taking selfies flashed on giant TV screens hanging behind the stage.
Seated in the crowd were family members of George Floyd, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor and other Americans killed by police.
The Rev. J. Lawrence Turner, the church’s pastor, said he hoped that Nichols’ death would galvanize the movement for racial justice.
Turner said he prayed that Nichols’ killing would ensure the Black Lives Matter hashtag gets “canceled” and is no longer necessary.
The Rev. Al Sharpton and Vice President Kamala Harris deliver impassioned speeches urging Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
It was disturbing that Black police officers in a city with such a rich history of civil rights activism would betray their roots, Sharpton said.
“Five Black men that wouldn’t have had a job in the Police Department; wouldn’t have been thought of being in an elite police squad,” Sharpton said. “There’s nothing more insulting and offensive for those of us who fought to open doors.
“You didn’t get on the Police Department by yourself,” Sharpton continued. “The police chief did not get there by herself. People had to march, and some of them lost their lives, for you to get there. How dare you?
“You wanna be a tough guy? Well, let’s get rid of qualified immunity and see if you use the same manners on the white side of town as you do on the Black side,” Sharpton said, to rousing applause.
Nichols’ cries for his mother, like George Floyd’s, resonated with Black men everywhere, Sharpton said.
“The only thing between you and disaster was your mother, to understand what calling for your mother means,” Sharpton said. “All he wanted to do is get home.”
A White House official said that Harris expressed her condolences in a Tuesday morning phone call with Nichols’ mother and stepfather, who invited the vice president to the funeral.
Harris was joined by two other senior White House advisors — former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
President Biden also spoke with Nichols’ mother and stepfather Tuesday to express his and First Lady Jill Biden’s condolences, according to a White House official.
Investigations into Nichols’ death are ongoing. The officers who have been charged with Nichols’ murder were members of the “Scorpion unit,” a special group focused on high-crime neighborhoods. On Saturday, Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis announced she would dissolve the unit.
On Monday, the Memphis Police Department said that it had suspended two officers in addition to the five it fired. The city also fired two emergency medical technicians who can be seen in the videos not providing care to Nichols, who was visibly injured, for several minutes.
Logan reported from Washington and Jany from Memphis, Tenn.
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SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightleaf at Lakeline, a multifamily community in Austin, Texas, has been sold by Embrey.
The 304-unit property featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom homes and townhomes is in North Austin, offering residents a sophisticated living experience with convenient access to area employers and shopping centers.
"This is a premier community located in North Austin that meets the modern needs of Austin residents," said Jimmy McCloskey, Executive Vice President of Development for Embrey. "With easy highway access, nearby walking trails, and welcoming amenities, this property will remain highly desirable for many years."
Amenities include a contemporary clubhouse with a business lounge, coffee bar, game room with HD TVs, billiards, foosball, and a pet park and spa station.
Residential units include inviting kitchens with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and wine and dry bars in select units.
San Antonio-based Embrey is a diversified real estate investment company that owns, develops, builds, acquires, and manages multifamily and commercial assets in targeted markets across the United States. Since 1974, Embrey has developed more than 44,000 apartments and over 6 million square feet of commercial property. Embrey is a leading developer in the multifamily sector, with more than 6,000 units under construction or in development. www.embreydc.com
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SOURCE Embrey | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/12/22/embrey-closes-sale-brightleaf-lakeline-austin-texas/ | 2022-12-22 22:40:58 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/12/22/embrey-closes-sale-brightleaf-lakeline-austin-texas/ |
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — After Mayah Zamora was shot and wounded at Robb Elementary School, her family did what many mass shooting survivors do: They sued.
They sued the store off Main Street in Uvalde, Texas, that sold the teenage gunman his AR-style rifle. They sued the gun maker. And they sued police who waited 77 minutes outside Mayah's fourth-grade classroom before stopping the shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers.
“Mainly what we are looking for is some sort of justice," said Christina Zamora, Mayah's mother.
As the grim frequency of gun violence continues, both the U.S. government and gun manufacturers have reached large settlements in recent years following some of the nation's worst mass shootings. In April, the Justice Department announced a $144 million settlement with relatives and families of a 2017 Texas church attack, which was carried out by a former U.S. airman with a criminal history.
The lawsuits, relatives and victims of mass shootings say, are an effort to get accountability and prevent more attacks — by forcing reforms, hurting the gun industry's bottom line and strengthening background checks after lapses failed to stop gunmen from buying weapons.
But despite two high-profile settlements in the last year involving gun manufacturers, and Democrat-led states rolling back some industry protections, not only do high hurdles remain for lawsuits to succeed, but in some places the hurdles are growing taller.
On May 11, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a new law that further shields gun manufacturers from lawsuits, weeks after a shooter at a Nashville school killed six people.
It comes as attorneys say the narrow path for victims to bring lawsuits has begun to widen, including for families in Uvalde, who on Wednesday will mark the one year since the most deadly school shooting in Texas history.
“I think there are more opportunities for accountability than maybe there were five to 10 years ago,” said Eric Tirschwell, executive director for Everytown for Gun Safety, which for years has brought lawsuits against the gun industry and is also involved in the Uvalde case.
The track record for lawsuits following mass shootings is mixed. The gun industry remains largely protected from liability under a federal law, known as the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, though it does not completely exempt or immunize gun manufacturers from lawsuits.
Over the last decade, courts have tossed numerous lawsuits, many of which did not target the gun industry but instead brought negligence claims against the government or the places where the attacks took place. In 2020, the casino company MGM Resorts International and its insurers agreed to an $800 million settlement over a shooting on the Las Vegas Strip that killed 58 people and injured hundreds more.
Last year, the maker of the rifle used in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting settled with families for $73 million over a lawsuit that accused Remington of targeting younger, at-risk males in marketing. In Tennessee, the GOP sponsor of the state's new law waved to what happened in Connecticut in defending the need to further shield the industry: “Few companies can survive a $73 million settlement,” state Rep. Monty Fritts said in February.
In Uvalde, victims have also accused Daniel Defense, the maker of the weapon used in the attack, of dangerous marketing. The company has denied that in court, and gun industry groups have broadly rejected the argument since the Sandy Hook settlement.
"The commercial speech is still protected speech," said Mark Oliva, managing director for public affairs at the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
The lawsuits in Uvalde are still in the early stages and not all families sued. For the Zamoras, they decided to join only after Mayah was released from the hospital, which was not until more than two months after the shooting and dozens of surgeries. Next year, her parents say, they hope she can return to school in person.
After the Uvalde shooting, Sandy and Lonnie Phillips drove to the town and shared with families their own experiences of suing the gun industry: a decision that ended with them declaring bankruptcy after losing and a court ordering them to pay more than $200,000 to the defendants' attorneys.
Their daughter, Jessica, was killed in the 2012 movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. Last month, the couple joined Colorado Gov. Jared Polis as the Democrat signed laws aimed at making it easier to sue the gun industry, one of which prevents plaintiffs from having to pay if their lawsuits are dismissed.
"They’re not aware of what’s coming down the pike," Lonnie Phillips said of victims who bring lawsuits. "They only know that they lost their child and somebody has to pay."
___
Bleiberg reported from Dallas. Associated Press writer Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report. | https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/uvalde-families-dig-in-for-new-test-of-gun-18109886.php | 2023-05-20 05:52:22 | 0 | https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/uvalde-families-dig-in-for-new-test-of-gun-18109886.php |
UK spy chief says rise of China world’s top security issue
LONDON (AP) — The head of Britain’s cyber-intelligence agency on Tuesday accused China of trying to “rewrite the rules of international security,” saying Beijing is using its economic and technological clout to clamp down at home and exert control abroad.
Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ, said that despite war raging in Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Beijing’s growing power is “the national security issue that will define our future.”
In a rare public speech to the Royal United Services Institute think tank, Fleming alleged that Beijing’s Communist authorities want to “gain strategic advantage by shaping the world’s technology ecosystem.”
“When it comes to technology, the politically motivated actions of the Chinese state is an increasingly urgent problem we must acknowledge and address,” Fleming said. “That’s because it’s changing the definition of national security into a much broader concept. Technology has become not just an area for opportunity, for competition and collaboration, it’s a battleground for control, values and influence.”
He argued that the one-party system in Beijing seeks to control China’s population and sees other countries “as either potential adversaries or potential client states, to be threatened, bribed or coerced.”
Relations between Britain and China have grown increasingly frosty in recent years, with U.K. officials accusing Beijing of economic subterfuge and human rights abuses.
British spies have given increasingly negative assessments of Beijing’s influence and intentions. Last year the head of the MI6 overseas intelligence agency, Richard Moore, called China one of the biggest threats to Britain and its allies.
In 2020, then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson followed the United States in banning Chinese tech firm Huawei as a security risk, ordering it to be stripped out of the U.K.’s 5G telecoms network by 2027.
Fleming warned that China is seeking to fragment the infrastructure of the internet to exert greater control. He also said China is seeking to use digital currencies used by central banks to snoop on users’ transactions and as a way of avoiding future international sanctions of the sort imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Fleming argued that China’s BeiDou satellite system — an alternative to the widely used GPS navigation technology — could contain “a powerful anti-satellite capability, with a doctrine of denying other nations access to space in the event of a conflict.”
Fleming warned that the world is approaching a “sliding doors” moment in history — a reference to the 1998 Gwyneth Paltrow film in which a woman’s fate hinges on a seemingly trivial moment.
He called on Western firms and researchers to toughen intellectual property protections and for democratic countries to develop alternatives that can prevent developing nations from “mortgaging the future by buying into the Chinese vision for technology.”
He said the world’s democracies can’t afford to fall behind in cutting-edge fields such as quantum computing, and warned of a potential weakness over semiconductors, the critical chips used in everyday electronics. Taiwan — which China regards as a breakaway province to be reclaimed by force if necessary — is a world leader in their production.
“Events in the Taiwan Straits — any risk to that vital supply chain — have the potential to directly impact the resilience of the U.K. and global future growth,” Fleming said.
Fleming also addressed the war in Ukraine, saying Russia is running short of weapons and Ukraine’s “courageous action on the battlefield and in cyberspace is turning the tide.”
“Russia’s forces are exhausted,” he said. “The use of prisoners to reinforce, and now the mobilization of tens of thousands of inexperienced conscripts, speaks of a desperate situation.”
GCHQ, formally known as the Government Communications Headquarters, is one of Britain’s three main intelligence agencies, alongside MI5 and MI6. It did not disclose the sources of its intelligence on China and Russia.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.kob.com/news/technology/uk-spy-chief-says-rise-of-china-worlds-top-security-issue/ | 2022-10-11 14:32:40 | 1 | https://www.kob.com/news/technology/uk-spy-chief-says-rise-of-china-worlds-top-security-issue/ |
It’s that time of year again. It’s time for the Mesa County Fair.
As Mesa County Fairgrounds Manager Kyle Carstens puts it “it’s the best five days of the summer.”
This year’s lineup of events and entertainment offers a diverse lineup and the Mesa County grandstands is the prime place to see much of the fun.
The fair starts Tuesday, July 12 and runs through Saturday, July 16.
For carnival lovers, the fair gets off to a bit of a head start with the Carnival Midway Attractions opening on Saturday, July 9 and running through Saturday, July 16. Unlimited daily wristbands are $35.
The grandstand lineup for 2022 offers quite the variety of events.
Wednesday, July 13 is “Military Night” at the fair with presentation by Kris Paronto, a former U.S. Ranger and author.
After the military he became a CIA operative and was with Special Forces team during the tragic 2012 Benghazi attack. He eventually co-wrote a book on the attack, which then was made into the movie “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.”
He will share his firsthand account of the Benghazi attack and how that fateful day impacted him and his comrades.
Paranto’s appearance will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at mcfairtickets.com.
Next Thursday, some of the top bull riders from the region and nation will be battling bulls for big prize money.
Eight seconds atop of a brazen bull is the goal for these profession bull riders.
Gates open at 6 p.m. with the action starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $15.
Rodeo takes center stage on Friday, July 15 at 6 p.m.
From barrel racing to bronc riding to calf roping, the action is nonstop and exhilarating. Tickets are on sale for $15.
Saturday, July 16 is all about horse power without the horse when the monster trucks roar into the fairgrounds.
Two monster truck shows are scheduled. The first starts at 1:30 p.m. but if you want to get an up-close look at these massive trucks, the pit party goes from noon to 1 p.m.
In the evening, the monster truck show starts at 7:30 p.m. with pit party going from 6-7 p.m.
Competition includes racing, wheelie contests, freestyle action and stunts.
Go to happsnow.com/event/monster-trux-tour for information on tickets.
OTHER EVENTS
A free community dance opens the fair on Tuesday night.
As with every year, the 4H show where local youth and neighbors showcase what they’ve raised, grown or created.
The animal judging is one of the great traditions of the county fair.
It starts on Tuesday and concludes with the Parade of Champions on Friday and the livestock sale on Saturday, July 15-16.
Carstens said the 4H events celebrate the region’s agriculture community.
“This showcases the hard work the 4H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) kids have done over the year,” he said.
Wine Night at the Fair is also back this year. The popular wine tasting event is Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the fairgrounds.
Ticket prices include $40 for single tickets, $190 for a 5 pack and $350 for 10.
DAILY EVENTS
n “Cool Zoo” features alligators to insects, and giant snakes and exotic birds. The zoo is open daily with three three interactive educational shows each day.
n Cirque Zuma Zuma has been described as an African-style Cirque du Soleil. There will be three shows a day.
n Colorado Keys: John & Amy Tuck, a fun dueling piano show will close the fair each night.
n Chris Mabrey hypnotist: This popular 90 minute show will entertain spectators as they watch people become hypnotized.
n NASCAR Experience: This includes a NASCAR simulator and photo opportunities with track driven race cars.
Information and to purchase tickets: mesacountyfair.com. | https://www.gjsentinel.com/entertainment/art/time-for-the-fair/article_83dd6b6c-fc7c-11ec-965e-b7303dc5a00b.html | 2022-07-08 07:27:13 | 0 | https://www.gjsentinel.com/entertainment/art/time-for-the-fair/article_83dd6b6c-fc7c-11ec-965e-b7303dc5a00b.html |
NEW YORK (AP) — American Express is launching a suite of financial service products for small businesses as it aims build up its presence in the small business sector.
The services, called Business Blueprint, stem from the credit card giant’s acquisition of fintech Kabbage in 2020. American Express had been offering small business lines of credit and other services under the Kabbage moniker, but now it will replace those with a suite of products — from a cash flow management hub to business checking accounts and lines of credit — under the name American Express Business Blueprint.
Small businesses often have difficulty securing loans since they lack established credit scores and often don’t have a lot of capital on hand. Some fintech providers have stepped in to offer loans to small businesses, but often at steeper rates compared to traditional banks. Rates on AmEx Business Blueprint line of credit loans vary widely — from from 2% to 9% for a six-month loan to 15.75% to 27% for an 18-month loan.
AmEx said Business Blueprint is about more than just loans, however. It is designed to let small businesses conduct a wide range of tasks they might otherwise do separately — taking out loans, paying bills and vendors, and accepting card payments — all in one place.
AmEx aims to be a “digital one-stop shop for small businesses financial needs,” said Anna Marrs, group president of global commercial services and credit & fraud risk at American Express. “It really marks a new chapter for American Express, the chapter on which small businesses can not only do business with American Express, but also run their businesses with Amex.”
It’s free to sign up for Business Blueprint, and its digital financial products are available at varying rates. The service launches Tuesday.
Alenka Grealish, principal analyst, emerging tech at research firm Celent, said the effort is part of a broader effort by financial service companies to move away from product-based offerings like one-off loans toward offering a more holistic suite of services.
AmEx has been trying to broaden its business beyond its traditional revenue sources: fees charged to merchants that accept its card and fees paid when a customer doesn’t pay off their entire charge card balance each month. On Friday, American Express reported fourth-quarter profit fell 9%, as the credit card giant had to set aside more money to cover potentially bad loans. | https://www.localsyr.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-american-express-launches-products-for-small-businesses/ | 2023-01-31 22:46:44 | 1 | https://www.localsyr.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-american-express-launches-products-for-small-businesses/ |
BOWLING GREEN, Ky., May 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Connected Nation (CN), a national nonprofit working to expand broadband use and adoption across the country, has been recognized with four 29th Annual Communicator Awards. These international awards are presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA) in honor of creative excellence among communications professionals.
CN's communications team won AIVA's highest honor — an Award of Excellence (Gold) — and three Awards of Distinction (Silver). The 2023 recipients, including CN, were chosen out of nearly 3,000 entries from the United States and around the world.
"Connected Nation is able to bring attention to our work to close the Digital Divide largely thanks to our communications team that strives daily to find creative and innovative ways of drawing awareness and attention to our mission," said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, CN. "We are honored to receive these prestigious awards. If our work resonates or brings action from even one person or community, then we have done our job."
The nonprofit received an Award of Exellence in the category General-Education & Training for Virtual and Remote for its 2022 National Kid's Tech Summit. Three additional Awards of Distinction were given in the following categories:
- Campaign (Non-Profit for Design and Print) for the print campaign, "Why broadband is important to…"
- General (Social Issues/Responsibility for Film and Video) for the video, "What the American farmer needs now to not just survive but thrive"
- Series (Technology for Podcasts) for the Connected Nation podcast
The Connected Nation team behind these awards includes: Jessica Denson, Director of Communications; Lily McCoy, Communications Social Media Specialist; Ashley Pino, Marketing Communications Specialist; Carrie Foster, Good Girl Graphics; and M-1 Studios.
"The CN communications team knows there's a lot at stake. We understand that it is critical for us to reach more people and communities about what can be done to eliminate digital inequities and improve digital inclusion," said Denson. "Too many individuals, families, and communities lack access to the resources that can improve their lives. For this reason, our team works very hard to create outreach materials and processes that amplify the mission and message of Connected Nation. These awards are both an honor to receive and affirmation that we're on the right track."
Other Award of Excellence recipients include PBS, Pepsico, George Mason University, Bank of America, and AARP, among others. View a full list here.
To learn more about the important work CN is doing across the country, visit: www.connectednation.org.
About Connected Nation: The national nonprofit's mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. Learn more at connectednation.org.
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SOURCE Connected Nation | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2023/05/09/connected-nation-wins-four-international-awards-including-academy-interactive-amp-visual-arts-highest-honor/ | 2023-05-09 16:37:11 | 0 | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2023/05/09/connected-nation-wins-four-international-awards-including-academy-interactive-amp-visual-arts-highest-honor/ |
Pence push for Kemp caps end of Georgia primary campaign
ATLANTA (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence is making an in-person push for Gov. Brian Kemp’s reelection a day before the Republican incumbent faces his biggest challenge from a candidate backed by Pence’s old boss.
Pence was scheduled to rally with Kemp in suburban Atlanta on Monday evening. Ex-President Donald Trump, meanwhile, planned to hold a telephone rally in the evening to champion the candidacy of former U.S. Sen. David Perdue. Trump urged Perdue to enter the race as retribution for Kemp not going along with Trump’s effort to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden in Georgia in 2020.
More than 850,000 people already voted early, including more than 483,000 who chose a Republican ballot and almost 369,000 who chose a Democratic ballot. Georgia has no party registration, so voters can choose which primary to vote in when they go to the polls.
Turnout could exceed the 2018 primary, when 620,000 Republicans and 563,000 Democrats voted.
Pence’s latest political break with Trump is capturing much of the attention on the final day of the campaign. Pence became the most recent Republican figure to rally to Kemp’s side. The Republican Governors Association also ran an expensive effort to defend Kemp.
“I think it just shows that Republicans not only in the state, but around the country are rallying to the person that can beat Stacey Abrams,” Kemp told reporters Monday morning as he continued to focus on the Democrats’ standard-bearer, who is unopposed in her party’s primary.
Kemp downplayed the split in the GOP, saying party leaders often have different choices in the primaries.
“I wouldn’t tell people to read too much into that,” he said.
Rainy weather in the state was hampering some plans. Kemp and Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Butch Miller both canceled plans to make a flying tour of Georgia cities. Other candidates continued to look for a boost from Trump. The former president is also scheduled to conduct a telephone rally Monday night for John Gordon, the neophyte candidate whom Trump endorsed in a Republican primary challenge to incumbent Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.
In Georgia’s U.S. Senate primaries, Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock has only token opposition, while on the Republican side Trump-backed candidate and former football great Herschel Walker was running against five GOP challengers, including Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and former Trump administration official and Navy veteran Latham Saddler. A general election matchup between Warnock and Walker in November would mark the first time that two major party candidates for U.S. Senate in Georgia were Black.
For Kemp, an outright win in the primary would be vindication after months of attacks from Trump.
Perdue embraced Trump’s election lies, opening two debates between the candidates with the claim that the 2020 balloting was “rigged and stolen.” He also joined a lawsuit meant to force a physical examination of ballots in Atlanta’s Fulton County. State and federal officials, including Trump’s own attorney general, have said there was no evidence of widespread fraud. The votes in Georgia’s presidential election were counted three times, and each tally confirmed President Joe Biden’s victory.
Trump conducted a rally in Georgia in March for Perdue and other candidates and kicked in more than $3 million for ads attacking Kemp. But Perdue has had trouble raising money and gaining traction against Kemp, and the Republican Governors Association has outspent Trump with its own ads aiding Kemp.
Kemp, meanwhile, benefited from being able to hand out pay raises and tax cuts using overflowing state revenues. He announced two electric vehicle plants and was able to sign conservative-pleasing laws that put an end to permit requirements to carry a concealed handgun and that paved the way for transgender girls to be banned from playing high school sports.
___
Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wagmtv.com/2022/05/23/pence-push-kemp-caps-end-georgia-primary-campaign/ | 2022-05-23 20:50:53 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/2022/05/23/pence-push-kemp-caps-end-georgia-primary-campaign/ |
Health plan solutions leader recognized for offering programs that prioritize workplace wellness
DALLAS, Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine360™, a leading provider of employer-sponsored health plan solutions and longtime Dallas employer, has received the 2022 Healthiest Employers of Texas award in the category of employers with 500 to 1,499 employees. The recognition is presented by Healthiest Employers®, a trusted awards program that recognizes people-first organizations taking a more proactive approach to employee health.
The award specifically highlights the Imagine360 and Livongo Whole Person program, which is offered at no cost to employees to manage diabetes, hypertension and other health goals. Members receive complimentary connected devices such as free blood glucose meters or blood pressure monitors that automatically upload readings. These are transmitted to the employee's licensed care coach who diligently works one-on-one with the member to set goals, manage their condition, and create healthy habits to help improve their health and quality of life.
"Imagine360 offers our own employees, and those of other employers, a health plan solution that puts people at the center for a completely reimagined healthcare experience," said Jacki Skwarek, Senior Vice President of TPA Operations and current employee of the Dallas office. "We understand that our people are our greatest asset, and we prioritize their health and well-being with our high-engagement program. I am proud to work for a company that understands the importance of a healthy workforce and offers solutions that prioritize member wellness."
The Healthiest Employers survey is scored and powered by Springbuk, a health intelligence platform that simplifies data-driven decision-making. Imagine360 ranked first among all employers in Texas with 500-1,499 employees, including many reputable law firms, HR & healthcare staffing companies, and companies across the auditing, software and engineering industries.
The Great Resignation, among other challenges, has forced employers to think outside the box when it comes to workplace wellness. Imagine360 has tackled this issue head on, providing self-insured employers with a personalized approach to healthcare and relying on industry-leading technology and high-touch patient care to deliver healthier employees and a better bottom line for employers.
For more information about Imagine360, please visit www.imagine360.com. For details on Healthiest Employers, visit www.healthiestemployers.com.
About Imagine360
Imagine360 is the leading provider of employer-sponsored health plan solutions that deliver deep cost savings and concierge member support. Leveraging 50+ years of expertise, Imagine360's solutions combine the financial benefits of reference-based pricing with best-in-class member support and health plan administration. Guiding members through all phases of healthcare, a specialized team provides care navigation and clinical support and relentlessly advocates for members to receive quality care at an affordable price.
About Healthiest Employers
Since 2009, Healthiest Employers has been the leading recognition program for employer wellness. Healthiest Employers has attracted over 10,000 employers from all 50 states, including 72% of the Fortune 100. Today, the Healthiest Employers community represents over 60 million employees or roughly one-third of the U.S. working population.
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SOURCE Imagine360 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/imagine360-receives-healthiest-employers-texas-award/ | 2022-08-31 20:33:03 | 0 | https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/imagine360-receives-healthiest-employers-texas-award/ |
Tyler Wiltsey posted two goals and an assist to lead Audubon to a 3-2 extra time win over Woodbury, in Audubon.
Audubon (1-0) led 1-0 at the half and scored the game-winner in the first extra time period.
Kaine Ugonna-Uferealso scored in the win while Gabe McCracken recorded four saves.
Kaden Adams scored twice for Woodbury (0-1).
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, click here. | https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2022/09/audubon-over-woodbury-in-ot-boys-soccer-recap.html | 2022-09-09 03:14:22 | 1 | https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2022/09/audubon-over-woodbury-in-ot-boys-soccer-recap.html |
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Police responding to shooting at Peruvian ambassador’s home
Published: Apr. 20, 2022 at 9:19 AM EDT|Updated: 12 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Police are responding to a report of a shooting at the residence of the Peruvian ambassador to the United States in Washington.
The Metropolitan Police Department said a shooting was reported Wednesday morning at the residence in the Forest Hills neighborhood of northwest Washington.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear and it wasn’t known if anyone was injured.
Police referred questions to the U.S. Secret Service. The agency didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/2022/04/20/police-responding-shooting-peruvian-ambassadors-home/ | 2022-04-20 13:31:17 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/2022/04/20/police-responding-shooting-peruvian-ambassadors-home/ |
Enjoy a Pre-Game Tailgate Hosted by LG Electronics and Watch The Wildcats and The Lumberjacks Come Head-To-Head
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics USA, an official partner of the NCAA®, announced that its fourth episode of The Rivalries, a docu-series that highlights college sports' most intense rivalries, will feature Cal Poly Humboldt and Chico State.
Filming for its fourth episode will take place this Saturday, Sept. 17 at 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM at the men's and women's soccer games where fans can watch the teams tough it out on the field. Game attendees can also enjoy free food and refreshments at a pre-game tailgate hosted by LG outside of University Soccer Stadium. For those who like to win, LG will also have product giveaways during the tailgate, at half-time and at the end of the second game.
Separated by four hours of Northern California wilderness, Chico State's "big state school" reputation and Cal Poly Humboldt's underdog status have been at odds for as long as they can remember. The rivalry most recently took to the heat once Cal Poly Humboldt alum Kim Sutton, who was instrumental in building the first women's soccer team there, became the head coach of the women's soccer team at Chico State. This week fans and friends can take to the stadium to cheer on the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks and the Chico State Wildcats as they meet for this season's most intense games you don't want to miss.
The Rivalries series is available free and exclusively on the NCAA Championships Channel (Channel 100) via LG Channels on LG Smart TVs. Each episode highlights a different sports rivalry as told through interviews, historical moments, and the most recent game footage. Future episodes will be announced at a later date.
The exclusive content series is part of a three-year partnership with the NCAA, Turner Sports, and CBS Sports for category exclusive marketing and distribution rights to NCAA Championship competitions that will expand the reach of college sports to legions of current fans and generations of new ones. LG's support of the NCAA Championships will include multiple initiatives to inspire student-athletes including the recent launch of the NCAA Championships Channel, which will feature up to 50 NCAA Fall, Winter and Spring championships, both live and on-demand via LG's exclusive free streaming service, LG Channels.
Learn more about LG's NCAA partnership, The Rivalries docu-series, and the NCAA Channel exclusively on LG Smart TVs, by visiting LG.com/NCAA.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $63 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, energy solutions and vehicle components. LG is a seven-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. The company's commitment to environmental sustainability and its "Life's Good" marketing theme encompass how LG is dedicated to people's happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. www.LG.com.
About LG Channels
LG Channels is LG's exclusive free streaming service, offering a wide selection of premium live and on-demand programming, including movies, TV shows, news, sports, children's programs, and more. With more than 350 channels and growing, LG TV owners can easily discover their favorite programs by launching the LG Channels application on their LG TV's webOS platform (LG smart TV models 2016-present).
About the NCAA®
The NCAA is a diverse association of more than 1,000 member colleges and universities that prioritize academics, well-being and fairness to create greater opportunities for nearly half a million student-athletes each year. The NCAA provides a pathway to higher education and beyond for student-athletes pursuing academic goals and competing in NCAA sports. More than 54,000 student-athletes experience the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics by competing in NCAA championships each year. Visit ncaa.org and ncaa.com for more details about the association and the corporate partnerships that support the NCAA and its student-athletes. NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
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SOURCE LG Electronics USA | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/lg-channels-exclusive-docu-series-rivalries-feature-cal-poly-humboldt-chico-state-soccer-teams/ | 2022-09-14 14:38:21 | 0 | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/lg-channels-exclusive-docu-series-rivalries-feature-cal-poly-humboldt-chico-state-soccer-teams/ |
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is offering a sneak peek at a $110 million expansion to accommodate passenger growth.
“Our community is growing up and the airport needs to keep pace,” said Casey Ries, the airport’s engineering and planning director.
The expansion project will widen Concourse A from 66 feet to 120 feet, and lengthen it from 510 feet to more than 900 feet.
Related: Gerald R. Ford International Airport celebrates $110 million expansion to accommodate growth
Eight new gates will be added to the concourse for a total of 15.
The project is expected to create 125 new construction jobs and add 157,000 square feet to Michigan’s second largest airport. It will be paid for with a combination of federal and state grants, municipal bonds issued by the airport and user fees, according to the airport.
“What I’m very proud of in the $110 million investment is that we’ve been able to keep the majority of that local,” said Jacob Kulhanek, senior vice president and general manager of West Michigan operations for The Christman Company, the general contractor. “Over 95 percent of that investment is in fact local with West Michigan trade partners.”
The lengthened section Concourse A is expected to open in June 2023, with the rest of the renovation work to be completed by early 2024.
The project also includes additional food, beverage and retail options; an executive lounge; local artwork and natural light “daylight harvesting” to help with efficiency.
“As the sun comes up, the LEDs will actually go down so the energy efficiency goes up throughout this whole space,” said Jim VanBeek, project manager for Bazen Electric. “It’s just a unique lighting control system for an airport.”
Click into the gallery below to see more photos, or click here for a direct link to the gallery.
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The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) marked the first “social media, internet-based bank run” in U.S. history, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said Thursday.
During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Warner placed blame on venture capitalists and other depositors at the bank for coordinating their bank withdrawals over social media and online group chats.
That all but ensured that SVB would go under, Warner said.
“I’ve been supportive of the venture capital community — I was a venture capitalist before — but I think there were some bad actors in the VC community who literally started to spur this run by virtually crying fire in a crowded theater in terms of rushing all these deposits out,” Warner said.
“I’m not sure what regulatory system anywhere, no matter how much capital and how many stress tests that would have protected any institution from a $42 billion bank run in a single day,” he added.
SVB depositors rushed to withdraw their funds following the bank’s announcement that it needed to raise capital. SVB faced huge unrealized losses on its long-term treasury bonds and other investments that lost value due to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Warner that she and federal regulators agreed to guarantee SVB deposits to bolster confidence in the banking system and ensure that more banks were not susceptible to a similar bank run.
“No matter how strong capital and liquidity supervision are, if a bank has an overwhelming run that’s spurred by social media or whatever so that it’s seeing deposits flee at that pace, the bank can be put in danger of failing,” Yellen said.
Warner was one of 17 Senate Democrats who voted for a 2018 bill to loosen regulations on mid-sized banks. Progressives have blamed the law for spurring on the recent bank failures. The two banks that collapsed — SVB and Signature Bank — aggressively lobbied for the bill.
Warner has defended his decision, arguing that mid-sized banks “needed some regulatory relief” in a Sunday interview with ABC. | https://www.kark.com/hill-politics/svb-collapse-is-first-social-media-based-bank-run-senator-says/ | 2023-03-16 18:11:36 | 0 | https://www.kark.com/hill-politics/svb-collapse-is-first-social-media-based-bank-run-senator-says/ |
CHICAGO (NewsNation) — Thousands of flights are canceled Friday as one of the most treacherous holiday seasons in the U.S. has seen in decades is underway, with temperatures plummeting, coinciding with travelers trying to get to their destinations before Christmas.
As of 5 a.m. CT Friday, more than 3,700 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. are canceled and more than 3,100 flights are delayed, according to the tracking site FlightAware.
A total of 2,681 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were canceled and 10,399 were delayed Thursday, according to FlightAware.
Airports in Chicago, Denver, New York, Boston, Detroit and Cleveland are reporting the most cancellations.
U.S. airlines are waiving change fees and fare differences for passengers in a range of affected areas.
The frigid air was moving through the central United States to the east, with windchill advisories affecting about 135 million people over the coming days, forecasters said Thursday. Places like Des Moines, Iowa, will feel like minus 37 degrees, making it possible to suffer frostbite in less than five minutes.
Forecasters are expecting a bomb cyclone — when atmospheric pressure drops very quickly in a strong storm — to develop late Thursday and into Friday near the Great Lakes. That will stir up blizzard conditions, including heavy winds and snow, Cook said.
Amtrak canceled several dozen scheduled train trips in the Midwest through Christmas because of the weather conditions, including trains in Michigan, Illinois and Missouri and trains between New York and Chicago.
“These actions are with abundant caution and in consultation with state transportation departments, host railroads, emergency managers and weather forecasters,” Amtrak said in a service announcement.
Railroad officials said on Thursday that its Northeast Corridor, the nation’s busiest railroad line, will still continue on schedule unless the ongoing weather conditions continue to get worse, according to The Washington Post.
In the seven days ending Wednesday, the Transportation Security Administration said it screened nearly 16.2 million passengers, slightly below the 16.5 million screened in the same period in 2019, pre-COVID pandemic.
All modes of transportation have seen an increase in travelers, with nearly 113 million people estimated to travel at least 50 miles from home this year between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 – 3.6 million more than last year, according to AAA. Of those, about 102 million will be driving.
The National Weather Service says travel may be difficult because of icy roads and reduced visibility caused by blowing snow.
Exposure to severe windchill can lead to frostbite, hypothermia and death, meteorologists warned — and will be made even more dangerous in some areas by the prospect of blizzard conditions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.wfla.com/nextstar-news-wire/thousands-of-flight-cancellations-force-travelers-to-scramble/ | 2022-12-23 19:26:10 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/nextstar-news-wire/thousands-of-flight-cancellations-force-travelers-to-scramble/ |
LOS ANGELES — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged higher this week after a two-week drop, a modest move in line with a mostly moderate shift in home loan rates in recent weeks.
The average benchmark rate has moved lower in seven of the last 10 weeks since reaching a high for this year of 6.73% in early March. Still, it remains elevated relative to 2020 and 2021, when the average rate fell below 3%.
High rates can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for homebuyers, limiting how much buyers can afford at a time when the housing market has slowed, but remains unaffordable to many Americans after years of soaring home prices.
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell 23.2% in the 12 months ended in April, marking nine straight months of annual sales declines of 20% or more, according to the National Association of Realtors. The national median home price fell to $388,800 last month — down 1.7% from a year earlier and the biggest year-over-year drop since January 2012, the NAR said Thursday.
Despite the pullback in home prices, a dearth of properties for sale is fueling bidding wars in many markets. One reason for the limited number of homes for sale: Many homeowners who locked in an ultra-low mortgage rate in recent years are reluctant to sell now that rates have since doubled.
Low mortgage rates helped juice the housing market for much of the past decade, easing the way for borrowers to finance ever-higher home prices. That trend began to reverse a little over a year ago, when the Federal Reserve started to hike its key short-term rate in a bid to slow the economy and cool the highest inflation in four decades.
Rates for 30-year mortgages usually track the moves in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing loans. Investors’ expectations for future inflation, global demand for U.S. Treasurys and what the Fed does with interest rates can also influence rates on home loans.
The Fed has raised its benchmark interest rate 10 times in 14 months. At its meeting of policymakers two weeks ago, the central bank signaled that it could finally pause its yearlong campaign of rate hikes, though a pause would likely only nudge mortgage rates slightly lower.
Yet recent warnings from several of Fed officials about the continuing threat from high inflation suggest it's far from certain that the central bank will forgo another increase in their benchmark rate when they next meet in mid-June.
The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with those refinancing their homes, held steady this week at 5.75%. A year ago, it averaged 4.43%, Freddie Mac said. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/05/18/mortgage-rates-interest-rates-housing-home-loans-real-estate/a4bba604-f597-11ed-918d-012572d64930_story.html | 2023-05-18 17:04:33 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/05/18/mortgage-rates-interest-rates-housing-home-loans-real-estate/a4bba604-f597-11ed-918d-012572d64930_story.html |
ZEYNEP BILGINSOY and SUZAN FRASER
Associated Press
ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey has for years tempted fate by not enforcing modern construction codes while allowing — and in some cases, encouraging — a real estate boom in earthquake-prone areas, experts say.
The lax enforcement, which experts in geology and engineering have long warned about, is gaining renewed scrutiny in the aftermath of this week’s devastating earthquakes, which flattened thousands of buildings and killed more than 20,000 people across Turkey and Syria.
“This is a disaster caused by shoddy construction, not by an earthquake,” said David Alexander, a professor of emergency planning at University College London.
It is common knowledge that many buildings in the areas pummeled by this week’s two massive earthquakes were built with inferior materials and methods, and often did not comply with government standards, said Eyup Muhcu, president of the Chamber of Architects of Turkey.
He said that includes many old buildings, but also apartments erected in recent years — nearly two decades after the country brought its building codes up to modern standards. “The building stock in the area was weak and not sturdy, despite the reality of earthquakes,” Muhcu said.
The problem was largely ignored, experts said, because addressing it would be expensive, unpopular and restrain a key engine of the country’s economic growth.
To be sure, the back-to-back earthquakes that demolished or damaged at least 12,000 buildings were extremely powerful — their force magnified by the fact that they occurred at shallow depths. The first 7.8 magnitude quake occurred at 4:17 a.m., making it even more difficult for people to escape their buildings as the earth shook violently. And President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has acknowledged “shortcomings” in the country’s response.
But experts said there is a mountain of evidence — and rubble — pointing to a harsh reality about what made the quakes so deadly: Even though Turkey has, on paper, construction codes that meet current earthquake-engineering standards, they are too rarely enforced, explaining why thousands of buildings crumbled.
In a country crisscrossed by geological fault lines, people are on edge about when and where the next earthquake might hit — particularly in Istanbul, a city of more than 15 million that is vulnerable to quakes.
Since the disaster, Erdogan’s minister of justice said it will investigate the destroyed buildings. “Those who have been negligent, at fault and responsible for the destruction following the earthquake will answer to justice,” Bekir Bozdag said Thursday.
But several experts said any serious investigation into the root of weak enforcement of building codes must include a hard look at the policies of Erdogan, as well as regional and local officials, who oversaw — and promoted — a construction boom that helped drive economic growth.
Shortly before Turkey’s last presidential and parliamentary election in 2018, the government unveiled a sweeping program to grant amnesty to companies and individuals responsible for certain violations of the country’s building codes. By paying a fine, violators could avoid having to bring their buildings up to code. Such amnesties have been used by previous governments ahead of elections as well.
As part of that amnesty program, the government agency responsible for enforcing building codes acknowledged that more than half of all buildings in Turkey — accounting for some 13 million apartments— were not in compliance with current standards.
The types of violations cited in that report by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization were wide-ranging, including homes built without permits, buildings that added extra floors or expanded balconies without authorization, and the existence of so-called squatter homes inhabited by low-income families.
The report did not specify how many buildings were in violation of codes related to earthquake-proofing or basic structural integrity, but the reality was clear.
“Construction amnesty doesn’t mean the building is sturdy,” the current head of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Murat Kurum, said in 2019.
In 2021, the Chamber of Geological Engineers of Turkey published a series of reports raising red flags about existing buildings and new construction taking place in areas leveled by this week’s quakes, including Kahramanmaras, Hatay and Osmaniye. The Chamber urged the government to conduct studies to ensure that buildings were up to code and built on safe locations.
A year earlier, the Chamber issued a report that directly called out policies of “slum amnesty, construction amnesty” as dangerous and warned that “indifference to disaster safety culture” would lead to preventable deaths.
Since 1999, when two powerful earthquakes hit northwest Turkey, near Istanbul — the stronger one killing some 18,000 people — building codes have been tightened and a process of urban renewal has been underway.
But the upgrades aren’t happening fast enough, especially in poorer cities.
Builders commonly use lower quality materials, hire fewer professionals to oversee projects and don’t adhere to various regulations as a way of keeping costs down, according to Muhcu, president of the country’s Chamber of Architects.
He said the Turkish government’s so-called “construction peace” introduced before the 2018 general elections as a way to secure votes has, in effect, legalized unsafe buildings.
“We are paying for it with thousands of deaths, the destruction of thousands of buildings, economic losses,” Muhcu said.
Even new apartment buildings advertised as safe were ravaged by the quake.
In Hatay province, where casualties were highest and an airport runway and two public hospitals were destroyed, survivor Bestami Coskuner said he saw many new buildings, even “flashy” new ones had collapsed.
In Antakya, a historic city in Hatay, a 12-story building with 250 units that was completed in 2013 collapsed, leaving an untold number dead, or still trapped alive. The Ronesans Residence was considered one of the “luxury” buildings in the area, according to Turkish media reports, and it was advertised as “a piece of heaven” on social media.
Another destroyed building in Antakya is the Guclu Bahce, which began construction in 2017 and opened with much fanfare in 2019 in a ceremony attended by Hatay’s mayor and other local officials, according to fact-checking website Dogrulukpayi.
In Malatya, the brand-new Asur apartments — billed as earthquake-proof in advertisements — sustained damage in the first quake, but residents escaped unharmed. Some residents who returned to the building to collect belongings managed a second lucky escape when the second strong temblor hit, causing the building to slide toward one side, according to video shown on TikTok and verified by fact-checking website Teyit.
The devastation across Turkey comes at a sensitive time for President Erdogan, who faces tough parliamentary and presidential elections in May amid an economic downturn and high inflation.
Erdogan regularly touts the country’s construction boom over the past two decades, including new airports, roads, bridges and hospitals, as proof of his success during more than two decades in power.
On his tour of the devastation Wednesday and Thursday, Erdogan pledged to rebuild destroyed homes within the year.
“We know how to do this business,” he said. “We are a government that has proved itself on these issues. We will.”
___
Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Robert Badendieck in Istanbul and Danica Kirka in London contributed.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://wtmj.com/national/2023/02/10/turkeys-lax-policing-of-building-codes-flagged-before-quake-2/ | 2023-02-10 09:59:42 | 0 | https://wtmj.com/national/2023/02/10/turkeys-lax-policing-of-building-codes-flagged-before-quake-2/ |
Fifteenth Annual Competition honors interactive tech startups within 8 categories
AUSTIN, Texas, March 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This evening, South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals announced the winners of the 15th annual SXSW Pitch event presented by ZenBusiness, which took place March 11-12 at the Hilton Austin Downtown during the Startups track of the SXSW Conference. In addition to a winner chosen from each of the 8 categories, winners were selected for the "Best Bootstrap Company", "Best Speed Pitch", "Best In DEI" and "Best In Show" awards.
The category winners of the 2023 SXSW Pitch event are:
Artificial Intelligence, Robotics & Voice: Reality Defender (New York, NY)
Enterprise & Smart Data: Climatiq (Berlin, Germany)
Entertainment, Media & Content: PentoPix (London, UK)
Food, Nutrition & Health: General Prognostics GPx (Boston, MA)
Future of Work: Reach Pathways (Chicago, IL)
Innovative World Technologies: SXD Ai (New York, NY)
Metaverse & Web3: Numbers Protocol (Taipei, Taiwan)
Smart Cities, Transportation & Logistics: Urban Machine (Oakland, CA)
SXSW Pitch 2023 also honored its "Best In Show" winner, PentoPix. Special awards were also presented to AMA — Environmental Agents for "Best Bootstrap Company", LeadrPro for "Best Speed Pitch", and CreditRich for "Best In DEI".
Each of the Pitch winners received a cash prize, two badges for next year's SXSW conference, a physical award (the SXSW Arrow), and most importantly, exceptional exposure to SXSW attendees and potential investors who are looking for the latest in cutting-edge technology and innovation.
"Now in our 15th year, SXSW Pitch continues to represent leading technology innovations from around the world and showcase how these startups are changing their industries' future," said SXSW Pitch Event Producer, Chris Valentine. "We are a growing global event, welcoming more startups from around the world each year. This year, 13 out of the 40 startups involved in SXSW Pitch are from outside the U.S. alone. We are excited that we had a chance to play a role in these early-stage startups' journey and are looking forward to seeing the work they accomplish in the future."
This year's participating companies represent the most innovative technology startups from around the world. To date, 613 companies have participated in SXSW Pitch, with over 93 percent receiving funding and acquisitions in excess of almost $21.5 billion.
Prominent trends showcased at this year's Pitch event included AI-assisted technologies, healthcare delivery and outcomes, and sustainability. The competition also drew a number of global companies, with startups traveling from countries including Norway, Germany, London, Ireland, Brazil, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
SXSW attendees and media will have the opportunity to meet the 40 Pitch finalists on Monday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. CT at the Hilton Hotel, 4th Floor in Salon D.
For a complete list of the 2023 Finalists, including alternates, and the Pitch event judges, visit: https://www.sxsw.com/pitch/
To learn more about the Startups Track, visit:
https://www.sxsw.com/conference/startups/
About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music and comedy showcases, film screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2023 will take place March 10 - 19, 2023 in Austin. For more information, please visit sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.
SXSW 2023 is sponsored by White Claw, Porsche, Itaù bank, C4 Energy, Slack, and The Austin Chronicle.
Press Contacts:
Benjamin Perez
benjamin@sxsw.com
512-467-7979
Nicole Lombardo
nicole@calibercorporate.com
631-357-9593
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SOURCE South by Southwest | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/03/13/sxsw-announces-winners-2023-pitch-competition/ | 2023-03-13 03:06:26 | 0 | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/03/13/sxsw-announces-winners-2023-pitch-competition/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators are accusing the Biden administration of using $39 billion meant to build computer chip factories to further “woke” ideas such as requiring some recipients to offer child care and encouraging the use of union labor.
The administration has countered that these elements of the funding guidelines announced Tuesday will improve the likelihood of attracting companies to build the semiconductor factories and people to work there — a key challenge that could determine the program’s success. It sees the guidelines as a starting point for working with companies to ensure value for taxpayers.
The tension is an example of the partisan mistrust that can arise in Washington even on an agenda item that lawmakers from both parties say is vital for U.S. national security. Republicans say the administration, in implementing the law, is trying to squeeze in priorities that please the Democratic base. They also argue that the guidelines will increase the cost of constructing semiconductor plants and will poison any sense of ongoing trust.
“What President Biden is doing by jamming woke and green agenda items into legislation we pass is making it harder for him to ever get legislation passed again,” said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who voted for the law.
But in the grand scheme, administration officials say, the guidelines can help to address two fundamental challenges to the government’s plans to transform the United States into the world leader in producing advanced computer chips: The companies need skilled labor and they need innovations that can reduce production costs.
If the investments are going to succeed, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has said, the companies must find and train tens of thousands of workers, from welders to electrical engineers. More importantly, the industry needs scientific breakthroughs to halve the cost of making chips so the U.S. can compete with Asia, Raimondo told The Associated Press in an interview before the guidelines came out.
“Innovation happens when you go to solve big fat problems like cutting the cost of chip production in half,” Raimondo said. “That’s what we have to do.”
The money for the factories comes from the CHIPS and Science Act that President Joe Biden signed into law last August. It includes $11 billion for research, in addition to the $39 billion for building advanced computer chip factories. Tax incentives bring the total investment to $52 billion.
Chips are integrated circuits that are embedded in a semiconductor, a material — notably silicon — that can manage the flow of electric current. The terms “chip” and “semiconductor” are often used interchangeably. Computer chips are used in everything from autos to toys to advanced weapons, making them as fundamental for the digital era as iron and steel were in the industrial age.
Administration officials said the factories could have an easier time attracting workers if child care is provided to parents at an “affordable” rate by companies that would receive $150 million or more in government backing. Similarly, companies seeking the money are given a preference if they use labor agreements for construction, a boost for building trade unions. The White House, in a 2022 executive order, said that can ensure projects are completed on time.
An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, said no prospective applicant has complained about the child care provision. The official added that TSMC and Samsung — two possible applicants — already provide child care at their facilities in Taiwan and South Korea, respectively.
Researchers at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank focused on national security, described the child care provisions as necessary for the “fabs,” the chip industry’s term for factories.
“It is not, as some have wrongly argued, an issue of social policy,” wrote Sujai Shivakumar and Charles Wessner, both at CSIS. “It is a pragmatic move, clearly aligned with the nation’s security interests, to grow the workforce necessary to get the fabs built and producing the chips on which our country runs.”
There are roughly 360,000 jobs in semiconductor production, according to the Labor Department. Announced projects tied to the possibility of government support could add 200,000 more jobs, including 36,000 directly tied to computer chips, according to a report by the Semiconductor Industry Association.
That same report noted that the U.S. leads in terms of designing chips and the equipment to manufacture them. But more than 70% of the chips produced globally come from China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea — an economic and military weakness for the U.S.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said the mandates for accessing government support would raise the cost of completing the factories planned by Intel, Micron and Wolfspeed, which plans to make silicon wafers in his state.
“What we’re beginning to do is discount the value of the investment that we’re making,” Tillis said. “I think that what we’re doing is social engineering.”
Support for the computer chips legislation was bipartisan. Seventeen Republican senators joined with Democrats to back the bill. Twenty-four House Republicans voted for the legislation.
Raimondo, when asked if the law could get tripped up by politics, said: “You always worry. Washington’s unpredictable. And politics is crazy.”
Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., said the practical impact of the guidance is limited because companies likely would have offered child care and relied on some unions anyway. But Young said the administration’s messaging is not going over so well with colleagues.
Young was instrumental in generating Republican support for the bill and worked closely with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in crafting it. The idea behind the proposed investments is “consistent with our free market principles,” he said. “But the communications exercise of the administration as related to these matters is complicating that.”
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who voted for the bill, said he has exchanged text messages with Raimondo since the guidance came out and told her “that when the administration does things like that, it really undermines our ability to work together in a bipartisan basis to pass legislation.”
Cornyn said he realizes that Raimondo “doesn’t call all the shots,” but he hopes she’s sending the message to the White House about Republican frustration. He acknowledged that he is still evaluating the guidance and trying to figure out “what difference does it make.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he voted to “give us the capabilities that we don’t have,” not the “union agenda” that he sees embedded in the application process.
Graham said Republicans have recourse to make sure the administration knows their objections, possibly taking the squabble well beyond computer chips: “Hold every nominee, make life miserable,” he said. | https://who13.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-gop-senators-computer-chip-money-underwriting-woke-agenda/ | 2023-03-03 15:17:15 | 1 | https://who13.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-gop-senators-computer-chip-money-underwriting-woke-agenda/ |
Matanza's return to Belen draws a hungry crowd
The fundraising celebration of food and community last held in 2020
The fundraising celebration of food and community last held in 2020
Known far and wide as the "World's Largest Matanza," this annual event returned on Saturday after a two-year pandemic pause with its celebration of Hispanic food, family, culture and community — especially food.
For the $20 entrance fee (free for 10 and under), attendees could consume to their hearts' delight while also enjoying live and recorded music — and each others' company — throughout the morning and early afternoon.
This year's edition had 12 food-preparation teams competing to see who could make the best adovada, red chile, chicharrones and liver dishes. And then there was the Iron Pig dish, made from a basket of mystery ingredients given to each team Saturday morning. The day's grand prize was the People's Choice Award, voted on by those who came to eat.
The word "matanza" refers to the killing and consumption of a large porcine animal, but for centuries it has meant much more. In Belen, it started with gatherings of family and friends, then, over time, grew into a large fundraising event for the Hispano Chamber of Valencia County's scholarship program.
Albert Bibiano grew up in Belen, then moved to California before returning home and attending this year's Mantanza.
"It's just unbelievable," Bibiano said. "If you're not here, you're really missing out on something."
For him and others, it also stirred memories from years past.
"It's something I grew up with. When I was young and small, we used to go over to my grandmother's and do something like this. Everybody was coming, it was a family affair, and friends, but never in my life did I ever expect to see something like this," he said.
He's shared those memories with other Belen friends and family members.
"We sit down and tell about what was going on, and our parents and stuff, and our aunts, and our grandparents and all the stuff they did. And it was fun, and all the family would come in the morning and the afternoon, and the ladies would come and bring all kinds of food," he said.
And one more thing, he said with a grin. "Me and my cousin used to fight over the tail. We loved the tail on the pig — it was weird." | https://www.koat.com/article/matanzas-return-to-belen-draws-a-hungry-crowd/42695023 | 2023-01-28 23:32:16 | 0 | https://www.koat.com/article/matanzas-return-to-belen-draws-a-hungry-crowd/42695023 |
Initiative reflects TT growth into new asset classes
CHICAGO and LONDON, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT), a global provider of high-performance professional trading software, infrastructure and data solutions, and Talos, the premier provider of institutional digital asset trading technology, announced today that the firms have partnered to substantially and rapidly broaden TT's cryptocurrency offering on a global basis by leveraging the Talos infrastructure and market connectivity from directly within the TT® platform. The agreement represents the first major strategic partnership propelling TT's expansion into multiple asset classes, including cryptocurrencies, and provides a significant opportunity for TT's global customer base to access Talos' extensive, market-leading cryptocurrency trading solutions.
Announced at the International Derivatives Expo (IDX) in London, the first phase of the partnership agreement intends to give TT clients ready access to 14 additional cryptocurrency markets in Q3 2022, beyond the four already offered directly through the TT platform. Later phases of the partnership will incorporate more of Talos' trading services seamlessly onto the TT platform.
TT CEO Keith Todd said: "Our acquisition by 7RIDGE late last year has given us the ability to make a substantial investment into broadening our offering into new asset classes, including through partnerships with the most innovative and reliable firms with domain expertise. Among our first priorities is becoming a primary hub for crypto trading, giving our clients the array of choices, premier functionality and liquidity that has been a hallmark of our exchange-traded derivatives offering."
"We're incredibly excited to partner with Trading Technologies and Keith's team to help power institutional access to digital assets," said Talos co-founder and CEO Anton Katz. "Trading Technologies has earned its high repute within the traditional institutional trading infrastructure space, and together we will be able to bring institutional-grade digital asset services to this long-established community with a level of familiarity and quality to which they are accustomed."
Jason Shaffer, TT's EVP Product Management, who is leading the firm's new cryptocurrency initiative, said: "We're delighted to partner with Talos, which has the trust of the world's leading institutions and a powerful foothold, infrastructure and track record in the evolving crypto space. Institutional demand continues to build for this asset class, along with a need for reliable technology partners to help facilitate adoption. Combined with Talos' infrastructure, our proven technology will help our clients participate in the crypto space with ease and confidence."
TT began offering access to cryptocurrency spot and derivatives markets in 2018, building native connectivity to markets including Coinbase, BitMEX, Bakkt and Deribit. TT has also supported trading of bitcoin futures and options on CME Group since those products launched. The new partnership with Talos vastly expands on TT clients' ability to trade on a broad range of digital asset markets, alongside other asset classes, including with Binance, Bitstamp, ErisX (now part of Cboe Global Markets), FTX, Gemini, Kraken and others.
About Trading Technologies
Trading Technologies (www.tradingtechnologies.com) creates professional trading software, infrastructure and data solutions for a wide variety of users, including proprietary traders, brokers, money managers, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), hedge funds, commercial hedgers and risk managers. In addition to providing access to the world's major international exchanges and liquidity venues via its TT® trading platform, TT offers domain-specific technology for cryptocurrency trading and machine-learning tools for trade surveillance.
About Talos
Talos powers digital asset trading strategies globally. Engineered by a team with unmatched experience in building institutional trading systems, the Talos platform is trusted by the largest and most sophisticated market participants and their end clients for its performance, reliability and security. Its growing network of services – trading platform, lending marketplace, data and analytics, and portfolio and settlement tools, all offered directly or through service providers on a white-label basis – enable clients of all types to transact end-to-end without concern for unnecessary intermediary risk or potential conflicts of interest. Talos has offices in New York, London, Sweden and Singapore. For additional information visit www.talos.com.
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SOURCE Trading Technologies; Talos | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/trading-technologies-talos-enter-into-strategic-partnership-vastly-expanding-tt-crypto-offering/ | 2022-06-07 08:40:23 | 1 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/trading-technologies-talos-enter-into-strategic-partnership-vastly-expanding-tt-crypto-offering/ |
LeBron James' son Bronny is on the mend after a serious medical scare.
The 18-year-old was rushed to the hospital July 24 after having suffered cardiac arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California, a family spokesperson confirmed to E! News.
"Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital," the family spokesperson said in a statement. "He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update when there is more information."
His parents, NBA champ LeBron and Savannah James "wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff," the message continued, "for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes."
The college freshman's health scare comes a little less than two weeks after he attended the 2023 ESPYS with his family, including siblings Bryce James, 16, and Zhuri James, 8.
During the July 12 award ceremony, LeBron, who won the trophy for Best Record-Breaking Performance, took the opportunity to give Bronny—predicted to be a top candidate in the 2024 NBA draft—and his brother a shoutout.
"I'm so proud of these two men standing right behind me tonight," he said of Bronny and his brother Bryce. "You see, they're on their own basketball journey. And no matter how far they choose to go, they're not cheating this game and that inspires me."
In fact, LeBron's oldest son serves as such inspiration that the 38-year-old has declared he will continue to play so that he and Bronny can be teammates before he retires.
"My last year will be played with my son," LeBron told The Atlantic in February of last year. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."
TMZ was the first to report the news. | https://www.eonline.com/news/1381204/lebron-james-18-year-old-son-bronny-james-suffers-cardiac-arrest-during-workout-at-usc?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories | 2023-07-25 15:43:58 | 1 | https://www.eonline.com/news/1381204/lebron-james-18-year-old-son-bronny-james-suffers-cardiac-arrest-during-workout-at-usc?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories |
DETROIT (AP) — Two former presidents of the United Auto Workers, each convicted of corruption at the union, were released early from prison after less than a year in custody, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
Gary Jones, who was sentenced to 28 months, was released to home confinement in June after roughly nine months in prison, The Detroit News reported. He must wear an electronic tether in Corsicana, Texas.
His predecessor at the UAW, Dennis Williams of Corona, California, was released from prison in March after nine months. He had been sentenced to nearly two years in custody.
Jones and Williams acknowledged they had used union funds for golf trips, expensive meals and stays at California villas.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has discretion to release some people early under a 2018 law. Separately, Jones and Williams would have trimmed their sentences with good behavior.
“Gary Jones was treated the same way as any other federal inmate who met the requirements for release to home confinement under the First Step Act," Jones attorney Bruce Maffeo said. "BOP made its decision based on a number of factors, including Jones’ age, general health, lack of any prior criminal record and his good behavior while incarcerated.”
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit said it wasn't told that Jones and Williams were going to be placed on home confinement.
UAW members from across the U.S. are meeting in Detroit next week to nominate candidates for union leadership. A national election will be held in the fall, a direct result of the government's corruption investigation. | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Ex-UAW-execs-convicted-of-corruption-get-out-of-17318066.php | 2022-07-20 21:20:29 | 0 | https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Ex-UAW-execs-convicted-of-corruption-get-out-of-17318066.php |
HOUSTON, Jan. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Capstreet, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm, announced today that it has sold TFH Reliability Group, LLC, the parent company of Allied Reliability, Inc. ("Allied Reliability" or the "Company"), a provider of predictive maintenance products and solutions for manufacturing and processing customers, to Pennzoil-Quaker State Company d/b/a SOPUS Products, a subsidiary of Shell USA, Inc. ("Shell"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Based in Houston, TX, Allied Reliability is a holistic asset health and reliability solutions provider, bringing together processes, content, knowledge, data and technology to optimize the asset journey for its customers. The Company's reliability-centered solutions include condition monitoring, advanced diagnostics, lubrication systems and services, electrical services, consulting and training, and several aftermarket products and services.
Under Capstreet's ownership, the Company grew significantly both organically and through acquisitions. Capstreet initially acquired T.F. Hudgins, Incorporated, a provider of engineered products for a wide range of industrial companies, and subsequently merged it with Allied Reliability, adding predictive maintenance capabilities and thus transforming the Company into an end-to-end industrial equipment reliability solutions provider. Capstreet also supported Allied Reliability's three additional acquisitions: Jamison Products, a provider of standard and custom-designed engineered products for fluid handling industries; Texas Rotating Equipment, which improves steam-driven turbines, pumps, and gearboxes; and Pro-Line Inspections, which specializes in the use of infrared and ultrasound inspection technologies to identify equipment problems in advance of failure.
"Through Kevin's leadership and his engaged management team, Allied Reliability brings innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers that improve the reliability and productivity of their assets," said Adrian Guerra, Partner at Capstreet. "The sale to Shell is a good outcome for all parties, and we believe the Company will continue to thrive under its new owners."
"It has been exciting to help Allied Reliability evolve into a comprehensive provider of service offerings that allow our customers to optimize production from their assets in a sustainable manner," said Kevin Bourbonnais, President and CEO of Allied Reliability. "Capstreet has been a trusted partner in our efforts to expand the Company, and we remain ever grateful for their support as we begin our next chapter."
Willkie Farr & Gallagher served as legal counsel and BlackArch Partners was the financial advisor for Capstreet. King & Spalding served as legal counsel for Shell.
Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services, and industrial business services companies. With over 45 platform investments and over 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet's investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue Framework™ to help accelerate growth and profitability, and help create long term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet's investments have been with founder- or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, www.capstreet.com.
Allied Reliability specializes in protecting assets and driving reliability improvements for reciprocating and rotating machinery using proven solutions and in-depth application expertise. The Company leverages internal engineering, manufacturing, and project management capabilities, as well as the resources of leading manufacturing partners, to yield meaningful improvements in productivity, longevity, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, safety, and environmental compliance. For more information, visit https://www.alliedreliability.com.
Contact:
Lambert
Jennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571, jhurson@lambert.com
or
Joanne Lessner, 212-222-7436, jlessner@lambert.com
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SOURCE Capstreet | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2023/01/03/capstreet-sells-allied-reliability-provider-reliability-solutions-predictive-maintenance-products-manufacturing-processing-customers-pennzoil-quaker-state-company/ | 2023-01-03 12:28:22 | 0 | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2023/01/03/capstreet-sells-allied-reliability-provider-reliability-solutions-predictive-maintenance-products-manufacturing-processing-customers-pennzoil-quaker-state-company/ |
Twitter needs to do more work to fall in line with the European Union’s tough new digital rulebook, a top EU official said after overseeing a “stress test” of the company’s systems in Silicon Valley.
European Commissioner Thierry Breton said late Thursday that he noted the “strong commitment of Twitter to comply” with the Digital Services Act, sweeping new standards that the world’s biggest online platforms all must obey in just two months.
However, “work needs to continue,” he said in a statement after reviewing the results of the voluntary test at Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters with owner Elon Musk and new CEO Linda Yaccarino.
Breton, who oversees digital policy, is also meeting other tech bosses in California. He’s the EU’s point person working to get Big Tech ready for the new rules, which will force companies to crack down on hate speech, disinformation and other harmful and illegal material on their sites. The law takes effect Aug. 25 for the biggest platforms.
The Digital Services Act, along with new regulations in the pipeline for data and artificial intelligence, has made Brussels a trailblazer in the growing global movement to clamp down on tech giants.
The mock exercise tested Twitter’s readiness to cope with the DSA’s requirements, including protecting children online and detecting and mitigating risks like disinformation, under both normal and extreme situations.
“Twitter is taking the exercise seriously and has identified the key areas on which it needs to focus to comply with the DSA,” Breton said, without providing more details. “With two months to go before the new EU regulation kicks in, work needs to continue for the systems to be in place and work effectively and quickly.”
Twitter’s global government affairs team tweeted that the company is “on track to be ready when the DSA comes into force.” Yaccarino tweeted that “Europe is very important to Twitter and we’re focused on our continued partnership.”
Musk agreed in December to let the EU carry out the stress test, which the bloc is offering to all tech companies before the rules take effect. Breton said other online platforms will be carrying out their own stress tests in the coming weeks but didn’t name them.
Despite Musk’s claims to the contrary, independent researchers have found misinformation — as well as hate speech — spreading on Twitter since the billionaire Tesla CEO took over the company last year. Musk has reinstated notorious election deniers, overhauled Twitter’s verification system and gutted much of the staff that had been responsible for moderating posts.
Last month, Breton warned Twitter that it “can’t hide” from its obligations after the social media site abandoned the bloc’s voluntary “code of practice” on online disinformation, which other social media platforms have pledged to support.
Combating disinformation will become a legal requirement under the Digital Services Act.
“If laws are passed, Twitter will obey the law,” Musk told the France 2 TV channel this week when asked about the DSA.
Breton’s agenda Friday includes discussions about the EU’s digital rules and upcoming artificial intelligence regulations with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose company makes the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT. But a briefing for journalists was canceled.
The DSA is part of a sweeping update to the EU’s digital rulebook aimed at forcing tech companies to clean up their platforms and better protect users online.
For European users of big tech platforms, it will be easier to report illegal content like hate speech, and they will get more information on why they have been recommended certain content.
Violations will incur fines worth up to 6% of annual global revenue — amounting to billions of dollars for some tech giants — or even a ban on operating in the EU, with its with 450 million consumers.
Breton also is meeting Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, the dominant supplier of semiconductors used in AI sytems, for talks on the EU’s Chips Act to boost the continent’s chipmaking industry.
The EU, meanwhile, is putting the final touches on its AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive set of rules on the emerging technology that has stirred fascination as well as fears it could violate privacy, upend jobs, infringe on copyright and more.
Final approval is expected by the end of the year, but it won’t take effect until two years later. Breton has been pitching a voluntary “AI Pact” to help companies get ready for its adoption. | https://www.kron4.com/technology/ap-technology/twitter-faces-stress-test-of-europes-tough-new-big-tech-rules/ | 2023-06-24 05:35:24 | 1 | https://www.kron4.com/technology/ap-technology/twitter-faces-stress-test-of-europes-tough-new-big-tech-rules/ |
Johnny Depp’s jealousy, substance abuse recounted by friends
(AP) - The trial for Johnny Depp’s libel suit against ex-wife Amber Heard returned to the themes of Depp’s jealousy and substance abuse Thursday.
Bruce Witkin, a musician who was friends with Depp for nearly 40 years, said the actor’s jealousy in romantic relationships was first on display decades ago.
“He can definitely have a jealous streak in him,” Witkin said during a video deposition recorded in February and played in court Thursday.
Depp demonstrated some of that jealousy during his relationship with Vanessa Paradis, his former partner of 14 years, “and a lot of it was in his head and not reality,” Witkin said.
Depp’s jealousy was also on display when he was with Heard and she was off filming a movie “or doing something that he couldn’t be around to see what was going on,” Witkin said. “I think he would work himself up.”
Witkin said he once saw bruises on Heard’s arm when he and Depp were working on a documentary about Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. And he saw Depp with a “fat lip” one time. But Witkin said he never saw Depp or Heard physically abuse each other.
Depp is suing Heard for libel in Virginia’s Fairfax County Circuit Court over a December 2018 op-ed she wrote in The Washington Post describing herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.” His lawyers say he was defamed by the article even though it never mentioned his name. The trial is now in its fifth week.
Depp says he never struck Heard and that he was the victim of abuse inflicted by her. But Heard’s lawyers argue that Depp physically and sexually abused her. And they argue that the actor’s denials lack credibility because he frequently drank and used drugs to the point of blacking out and failing to remember anything he did.
Witkin said he tried to help Depp with his substance abuse and had set him up with a therapist.
“He’d say, ‘I’ll be all right. I’ll be all right.’ And well, you’re not all right,” Witkin said, recalling a conversation.
Depp’s sister, Christi Dembrowski, was always concerned with his well-being, both in terms of his substance abuse and generally, Witkin said.
“Everybody, I think, deep down inside was, but ... the people on the payroll won’t really say much. They’ll try but they don’t want to lose their job,” Witkin said. “I’m not saying they all fall into the category. But it’s a strange thing around people like him. Everybody wants something.”
Witkin said his friendship with Depp began to dissolve toward the end of 2017, when the actor started to pull away.
“He wrote me this weird text saying I stabbed him in the back and badmouthed him,” Witkin said. “And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And he wouldn’t explain it. And I pretty much haven’t seen him since 2018.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kalb.com/2022/05/19/johnny-depps-jealousy-substance-abuse-recounted-by-friends/ | 2022-05-19 17:40:14 | 0 | https://www.kalb.com/2022/05/19/johnny-depps-jealousy-substance-abuse-recounted-by-friends/ |
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin broke her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. outdoor track and field championships Saturday.
McLaughlin flashed a broad smile when her time was announced, then gave a thumbs-up. She crossed the finish line at Hayward Field in 51.41 seconds, breaking her own record of 51.46 set last year at the Tokyo Games, where she won the gold medal.
“I mean it’s Track Town USA, what do you expect? she said afterward. “Every time I come here I can just feel something amazing is going to happen.”
Asked how she was going to celebrated afterward, McLaughlin joked: “Eating some real food besides vegetables. Like a cheeseburger or something, some pancakes.”
The top three finishers in each event at the national championships will represent the United States in the world outdoor championships, also at Eugene’s Hayward Field, next month. It is the first time that track and field’s biggest event outside of the Olympics will be held on American soil.
Dalilah Muhammad sat out of the race because of a slight injury, but she has already qualified for the world championships as the defending champion in the event. McLaughlin will also be joined on the U.S. team by runner-up Britton Wilson and third-place finisher Shamier Little.
Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in track history, finished sixth in the 400, in what was her final national championship race.
Felix, who announced in April that this will be her final season, is enjoying the final days of her illustrious career — which includes 11 Olympic medals. She plans to run her final official race in her native Los Angeles in August. Despite her finish, Felix will is expected make the mixed relay team at worlds.
NCAA champion Talitha Diggs of Florida won the 400 in 50.22 seconds.
“It was a great field. So just wanted to make sure to maintain my form, engage my core and just push,” Diggs said.
Asked if she was disappointed with the finish, Felix laughed.
“Honestly no. You guys know the 400 is hard for me. It’s not my natural passion, it’s always just been something I challenged myself with,” she said.
Michael Norman ran the men’s 400 in a world-leading 43.56. He finished first at the Olympic trials last year and went on to place fifth in Tokyo.
World record holder Keni Harrison won the women’s 100 hurdles in 12:34.
Temperatures at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus soared to the low 90s. Events for Sunday, the meet’s final day, were moved up earlier in the day because of the heat.
Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson made it through to the 200 final Sunday by finishing second in her heat.
Richardson, known for her ever-changing hair color and long nails, did not qualify for the 100 final, even though she was among the favorites after winning the event at the Olympic trials last year. Richardson did not make the U.S. team for Tokyo after she tested positive for marijuana following the race.
Richardson’s heat was marked by several late scratches, but she finished in 22.69 seconds. Kentucky’s Abby Steiner, who set a collegiate record in the 200 meters at the NCAA track and field championships, had the best time in the heats at 22.14.
American record holder Kara Winger won the javelin with a throw of 210 feet, 10 inches, her ninth career national title in the event. Sinclaire Johnson, the 2019 NCAA champion, won the 1,500 in 4:03.29. Keturah Orji set a meet record in the triple jump at 48-6 1/4.
On the men’s side Cooper Teare finished first in 3:45.86. Teare is also entered in the 5,000 on Sunday, the final day of the meet. Olympic silver medalist Chris Nilsen won the pole vault. Hillary Bor won the steeplechase by such a wide margin he pointed to the stands in celebration down the stretch. Daniel Haugh won the title in the hammer. | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/sydney-mclaughlin-does-it-again-breaks-own-world-record/ | 2022-06-26 17:38:13 | 0 | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/sydney-mclaughlin-does-it-again-breaks-own-world-record/ |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — WARNING: Article contains graphic video that may be disturbing to some.
New video has been released by deputies of a paraprofessional who was beaten by a student at Matanzas High School Tuesday, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
FCSO deputies responded to the high school after reports of an employee being physically attacked on campus. Upon arrival, officials found a woman on the ground with severe injuries, according to the arrest report.
When deputies spoke with the student, he explained that he was upset because the teacher took his Nintendo Switch during class.
He also told officials he will "beat her up" anytime she tries to take his game.
You can watch a video of the attack below. Be aware, it's extremely graphic. Viewer discretion is advised.
Investigators were able to review the attack when they reviewed the school's surveillance footage. Deputies say the 6’6” and 270 pound student can be seen walking quickly towards the teacher before knocking her to the floor, leaving her unconscious.
The student is then seen kicking and punching the unconscious woman in the back and head around 15 times, according to officials.
The educator was rushed to the hospital for her injuries, according to the arrest report. She has since been released.
When Depa was escorted away by deputies, he spit at the teacher and "made comments that when he comes back he was going to kill her", according to the arrest report.
The student has been charged with felony aggravated battery with bodily harm. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/violent-attack-on-flagler-county-school-employee-released-by-deputies/77-75fab7cc-f339-4d8a-b59f-28c028bc2557 | 2023-02-23 23:29:05 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/violent-attack-on-flagler-county-school-employee-released-by-deputies/77-75fab7cc-f339-4d8a-b59f-28c028bc2557 |
Police in Prestonsburg investigating fatal fire
Published: Dec. 21, 2022 at 11:06 AM EST|Updated: 3 hours ago
PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) - Prestonsburg Police and Fire Department responded to fatal fire that happened Sunday, the department posted on its Facebook page Wednesday.
Officials say during an investigation, a person was found dead inside the home.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Copyright 2022 WYMT. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/2022/12/21/police-prestonsburg-investigating-fatal-fire/ | 2022-12-21 19:24:18 | 1 | https://www.wkyt.com/2022/12/21/police-prestonsburg-investigating-fatal-fire/ |
KBR's Sponsorship Also Extended to Army Ten-Miler Shadow Run Series
HOUSTON, Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it once again served as co-lead sponsor of the 38th Annual Army Ten-Miler and, for the first time this year, proudly served as the official sponsor of the Army Ten-Miler Shadow Run Series. This year, the signature Army Ten-Miler race returned to in-person running on Sunday, Oct. 9 in Washington, D.C. KBR has been a major sponsor of this event since 2005.
The Army Ten-Miler is the third largest 10-mile race in the world, with a mission to support Army outreach, build morale and promote physical fitness. This year, the race attracted approximately 20,000 runners and hundreds of volunteers. To date, the Army Ten-Miler has generated more than $8 million for the Army's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs.
At the race, KBR's sponsorship provided free shuttle service, hospitality tents, water, pre-packaged meal boxes, and a reunion area where family and friends connect with runners. KBR also sponsored the Hooah Tent Zone where attendees and soldiers mingled after the race. Within the zone, KBR continued its tradition of serving Wisconsin bratwursts and provided a photo booth to document the day.
The Army Ten-Miler Shadow Run Series provides an opportunity for Army personnel and families stationed overseas to participate in the race. KBR's sponsorship covered MWR-hosted Shadow Run events at 22 sites across four continents, with a total of 3,500 runners.
"We were thrilled to be back in person this year at the Army Ten-Miler, continuing our support for America's soldiers and their families," said Byron Bright, President, KBR Government Solutions U.S. "We're also equally excited to be a part of this year's Shadow Run Series. Whether at the finish line or the frontlines, KBR supports U.S. armed forces around the world. So, we're honored to bring this opportunity to our servicemembers both stateside and overseas."
This year, KBR also donated booth space for the Army Ten-Miler Expo at the D.C. Armory to Wear Blue: Run to Remember, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to honor the service and sacrifice of the American military through active remembrance. On Oct. 7 and 8, all Army Ten-Miler runners picked up race packets at the Expo where they had an opportunity to learn more about Wear Blue: Run to Remember.
KBR has provided mission-critical military solutions since WWII. The company helps ensure troop readiness and delivers the systems and technologies that enable the U.S. Army to maintain its competitive advantage in conflict and in peacetime. Known for pioneering leading-edge solutions, KBR lends its domain expertise to the U.S. military, NASA, foreign allies and commercial customers.
We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 28,000 people performing diverse, complex and mission-critical roles in 34 countries.
KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.
Visit www.kbr.com
The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the significant adverse impacts on economic and market conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the company's ability to respond to the resulting challenges and business disruption; the recent dislocation of the global energy market; the company's ability to manage its liquidity; the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; the possibility of cyber and malware attacks; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company.
The company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
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SOURCE KBR, Inc. | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/10/20/kbr-proudly-continued-its-sponsorship-38th-annual-army-ten-miler-back-person-us-pentagon/ | 2022-10-20 11:19:46 | 0 | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/10/20/kbr-proudly-continued-its-sponsorship-38th-annual-army-ten-miler-back-person-us-pentagon/ |
BUCARAMANGA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia and Venezuela on Sunday opened a key bridge linking the countries that had been closed for almost seven years amid political tensions, launching an era of improved relations under Colombia’s new leftist president.
Delegations led by Colombian trade minister Germán Umaña and the governor of Venezuela’s Tachira state, Freddy Bernal, met in the middle of the “Tienditas” bridge linking Tachira and Colombia’s Norte de Santander state for the opening ceremony.
“From today, all the border crossings are open for transport,” said Bernal, adding that the political will existed to continue improving relations between the neighbors.
Construction of the bridge ended in 2016, but it was never inaugurated because of the political crisis between the South American countries. The bridge, which cost more than $32 million to build, was designed to ease congestion on the two other binational bridges in the area and facilitate trade.
In 2019, Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolás Maduro ordered more than a dozen cargo containers placed on the bridge to symbolically block it to protest attempts by the opposition to bring humanitarian aid into Venezuela from Colombia.
Diplomatic and commercial relations between Colombia and Venezuela were reestablished in September following the inauguration of Gustavo Petro – a former guerrilla – as Colombia’s president.
Petro’s predecessor, Iván Duque (2018-2022), had called Maduro a “dictator” and made Colombia one of 50 countries that recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president, charging that Maduro’s re-election had been fraudulent.
”Tienditas” was the last remaining crossing linking the countries to be reopened along their 2,200-kilometer (1,367-mile) border following the restoration of relations.
“In political terms, ‘Tienditas’ is the symbol of the recovery of dialogue between the two countries,” said Ronal Rodríguez, a researcher at the Venezuela Observatory in Colombia’s Universidad del Rosario.
Pedro Benítez, a political analyst and professor at the Central University of Venezuela, told The Associated Press the key symbol of the restoration of relations was the first face-to-face meeting between Petro and Maduro in November.
Benitez said the reestablishment of trade relations between the neighbors so far has been “very bumpy” because incoming Colombian products have been very expensive due to “non-institutional obstacles attributed to Venezuelan officials.”
The resumption of commercial ties began with the enabling of traffic across the Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander bridges in September. From then until November, 385 trucks passed over the bridges, most from Colombia into Venezuela carrying products such as medical supplies, fiber optics, textiles, toilet paper and cardboard. Coiled steel, motors and pipes were transported from Venezuela into Colombia.
Between January and October 2022, total trade between the two countries reached $512 million, an increase from $394 million in all of 2021, but still a long ways from the $7 billion in bilateral trade seen in 2008. | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-colombia-venezuela-open-key-binational-bridge-as-ties-warm/ | 2023-01-01 22:20:51 | 1 | https://cbs4indy.com/news/national-world/ap-international/ap-colombia-venezuela-open-key-binational-bridge-as-ties-warm/ |
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a safe and eye-catching skating helmet to protect the wearer's head and keep it warm," said an inventor, from Hallandale, Fla., "so I invented the SMART SAFE HELMET. My design would also eliminate the struggles associated with using earphones or wearing a facemask with a traditional helmet."
The patent-pending invention provides an improved protective helmet for ice skaters. In doing so, it reduces the risk of head injuries and it helps to keep the head and ears warm. It also increases safety and visibility and it enables the user to comfortably listen to music and wear a facemask. The invention features an effective design that is easy to wear and use so it is ideal for ice skaters. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.
The original design was submitted to the Fort Lauderdale sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 21-FJK-193, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/10/18/inventhelp-inventor-develops-improved-protective-helmet-ice-skaters-fjk-193/ | 2022-10-18 16:08:33 | 0 | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/10/18/inventhelp-inventor-develops-improved-protective-helmet-ice-skaters-fjk-193/ |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Grammy-winning sound engineer accused of kidnapping and threatening his wife and stepdaughter at gunpoint in Tennessee was fatally shot by police, authorities said.
A Metro Nashville Police officer killed Mark Capps, 54, during an encounter Thursday at the man’s home in the Hermitage neighborhood, agency spokesman Don Aaron said. Officers had gone to the home to arrest Capps on warrants charging him with two counts each of aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping, Aaron said.
His 60-year-old wife and 23-year-old stepdaughter told police he had held them in the home at gunpoint early Thursday, police said.
“The victims said that Capps awakened them at 3 a.m., gathered them in the living room at gunpoint and refused to allow them to leave,” Aaron said. They told police he repeatedly threatened to kill them if they tried to call anyone, but they were able to escape when he fell asleep. They went to police and arrest warrants were issued in the afternoon, Aaron said.
When three SWAT officers went to the home arrest Capps, he opened the front door armed with a pistol and Officer Kendall Coon yelled at him to show his hands, Aaron said.
“Officer Coon deemed that Capps’ movements posed an immediate, imminent threat and fired,” Aaron said. Capps died at the scene.
Video of the shooting appears to show the door of the home opening and an officer can be heard yelling “Show me your hands” before firing seconds later.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will investigate the shooting. The Nashville Police Department will conduct an administrative review of the tactics and interactions used to determine whether they meet departmental standards.
Capps’ website says he is a multi-platinum Grammy award-winning Engineer/Mixer/Producer. He won four Grammys for his work on polka albums and his website lists several other albums on which he’s done mixing and engineering work. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/u-s-world/ap-grammy-winner-accused-of-assault-kidnapping-fatally-shot/ | 2023-01-06 18:03:58 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/u-s-world/ap-grammy-winner-accused-of-assault-kidnapping-fatally-shot/ |
Daytime TV is saying goodbye to another titan.
Rachael Ray—hosted by the eponymous chef and former Food Network star—will end after its current 17th season, E! News confirms.
"In my more than 20 plus years in television I have had 17 wonderful seasons working in daytime television with Rachael," Ray said in a statement. "However I've made the decision that's it's time for me to move on to the next exciting chapter in my broadcast career."
The daytime talk show premiered in September 2006 after Ray rose to prominence as the host of cooking show 30 Minute Meals on Food Network.
"My passions have evolved from the talk show format production and syndication model to a platform unencumbered by the traditional rules of distribution," Ray continued. "I am truly excited to be able to introduce and develop new and upcoming epicurean talent on all platforms."
Earlier in the day, Deadline reported that Ray had launched her own production studio called Free Food Studios, which will focus on "in the kitchen" content made by the 54-year-old, according to the outlet, "and serve as a platform for the introduction and development of new and upcoming epicurean talent."
"When Rachael debuted her show 17 years ago, she was a gamechanger in the daytime space," president of CBS Media Ventures Steve LoCascio said in a statement. "She made cooking accessible to the masses, taught viewers simple solutions on how to improve their lives and coaxed great stories out of celebrity guests with her relatable down-to-earth demeanor."
Rachael's daytime exit comes on the heels of the Jan. 31 announcement that Dr. Phil will end after its current season after 21 years on the air.
Rachael Ray airs in syndication across the country. The final episode of the show will come out later this year. | https://www.eonline.com/news/1366849/lessigreaterrachael-raylessigreater-show-is-ending-after-17-seasons?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories | 2023-03-04 03:05:37 | 1 | https://www.eonline.com/news/1366849/lessigreaterrachael-raylessigreater-show-is-ending-after-17-seasons?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories |
Judge approves $1B+ deal in deadly Florida condo collapse
MIAMI (AP) — A judge gave final approval Thursday to a settlement topping $1 billion for victims of the collapse of a Florida beachfront condominium building that killed 98 people, one of the deadliest building failures in U.S. history.
The decision by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman came a day before the one-year anniversary of the Champlain Towers South disaster in the Miami suburb of Surfside. The judge praised the dozens of lawyers involved for averting what could have been years of litigation with no sure outcome.
“It will never be enough to compensate them for the tragic loss they have suffered,” the judge said. “This settlement is the best we can do. It’s a remarkable result. It is extraordinary.”
The bulk of the $1.02 billion total will go to people who lost family members in the collapse of the 12-story building. About $100 million is earmarked for legal fees, and $96 million set aside for owners who lost one of the 136 units in the building.
No victims filed objections to the settlement or decided to opt out, said court-appointed receiver Michael Goldberg. Several people who lost family members or property said in court Thursday that they are grateful for such a swift conclusion to a horrific experience.
Raysa Rodriguez, who survived the collapse in a ninth-floor unit that was initially left intact, had nothing but praise for the outcome.
“You have no idea what a relief this is to me personally,” Rodriguez said. “I am so exhausted. I just want this to be done. I want these souls to rest.”
The ruling came during what’s called a fairness hearing, in which anyone with objections to the deal could raise them as the judge determined whether the settlement is “fair, reasonable and adequate,” according to court documents.
The money comes from several sources, including insurance companies, engineering firms and a luxury condominium whose recent construction next door is suspected of contributing to structural damage of Champlain Towers South. None of the parties admit any wrongdoing.
A billionaire developer from Dubai is set to purchase the 1.8-acre (1-hectare) beachside site for $120 million, contributing to the settlement.
Champlain Towers South had a long history of maintenance problems and questions have been raised about the quality of its original construction and inspections in the early 1980s. Other possible factors include sea level rise caused by climate change and damage caused by salt water intrusion.
A final conclusion on the cause is likely years away. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is leading the federal probe in to the collapse, recently said invasive testing will begin soon on samples of material from the collapse site.
The tests will help investigators find potential flaws in structural elements of the building by looking into things such as density of the materials, how porous they were and if there was corrosion, NIST said.
Florida will require statewide recertification of condominiums more than three stories tall under new legislation Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law last month in response to the disaster.
The death toll in the Champlain Towers collapse ranks among the highest in U.S. history among similar disasters. The 1981 Hyatt Regency walkway collapse killed 114 people and a Massachusetts mill disaster in 1860 killed between 88 and 145 workers.
___
Anderson contributed to this story from St. Petersburg, Fla.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wcjb.com/2022/06/23/judge-approves-1b-deal-deadly-florida-condo-collapse/ | 2022-06-23 15:47:59 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/2022/06/23/judge-approves-1b-deal-deadly-florida-condo-collapse/ |
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — City documents released Wednesday show engineers and city officials visited a Davenport building nearly a dozen times in the months before it partially collapsed on Sunday. The most recent engineer’s report came out just days before the building crumbled, suggesting the west wall appeared “ready to fall imminently.”
Here’s a timeline that shows red flags were raised multiple times in recent months, according to city documents.
FEB. 2, 2023
MidAmerican Energy, an electric and gas utility, complains to the city about a deteriorating brick wall at the southwest corner of the building. The utility says its employees would not work in the area until improvements were made, including installation of scaffolding.
Chief Building Official Trishna Pradhan signs a notice of public hazard that says the southwest wall “has been gradually falling” and there is “visible crumbling of this exterior load bearing wall under the support beam.”
Pradhan says “emergency vacate orders will be posted on the building if the falling masonry area is not secured.” Notes show Pradhan was working with the building’s owner, Andrew Wold, on repairs.
David Valliere, an engineer employed by Bettendorf-firm Select Structural, does an on site inspection and writes: “this damaged area is not an imminent danger to the entire building and its residents. An evacuation or lockout of the building is not necessary at this time.”
FEB. 8
Valliere sends a follow-up letter, detailing recommendations on the “necessary” structural repairs. He emphasizes that the failing wall should not be demolished all at once, saying there are unknowns about the “stability of a 100 year old masonry structure.”
FEB. 23
Valliere performs a follow-up inspection, in which a Bi-State Masonry worker points out “a large and potentially dangerous void” beneath the façade of the area just north of the work being done.
The repairs recommended in early February appeared to be “going to plan.” Valliere says in a March 1 email that his Feb. 23 inspection showed Bi-State Masonry was “doing a good job from what I can see.”
But the city’s notes say a visit a few days later, Feb. 28, revealed the “west wall had collapsed into the scaffolding” and workers indicated it was going to require more work than expected.
EARLY MARCH
The city’s notes show Bi-State Masonry was no longer working on the building by March 3, indicating that the firm requested more compensation because of unforeseen work.
MARCH 9
A city notice says the material being used to reconstruct the wall was “not allowed” and that emergency repair work had been approved with the understanding that brick “to match existing” would be used.
All work stopped on the building as of early March, according to the city’s notes.
MARCH 13
Fire Marshal Jim Morris signs a letter to Wold detailing a lack of compliance to resolve fire safety violations. Nine issues were cited based on a Feb. 6 inspection, a Feb. 28 reinspection and a compliance inspection on March 13.
Morris asks that the violations be corrected “within 20 days. Failure to comply, will result in a progressive fine and possible rental license revocation for life safety code violations.”
APRIL 17
Building representatives fail to meet city officials for scheduled inspection of fire safety violations.
MAY 23
Valliere visits the building.
MAY 24
Valliere issues another report, which says patches in the west side of the building’s brick façade “appear ready to fall imminently.”
The engineer’s report says window openings, some filled and some unfilled, were insecure. In one case, the openings were “bulging outward” and looked “poised to fall.” Inside the first floor, unsupported window openings help “explain why the façade is currently about to topple outward.”
“The brick façade is unlikely to be preserved in place, but it can be brought down in a safe, controlled manner,” the report says.
Also on May 24, the city issues a permit for work on the wall. City also sends a nuisance abatement order because of garbage and waste on the property.
MAY 28
The west wall of the building collapses.
MAY 29
City officials sign a notification of public hazard, describing the building as “an imminent, clear, and present public hazard” and “demanding the immediate demolition of the structure.” | https://www.krqe.com/news/national/a-timeline-of-concerns-raised-about-iowa-apartment-building-months-before-it-partially-collapsed/ | 2023-06-02 13:54:17 | 0 | https://www.krqe.com/news/national/a-timeline-of-concerns-raised-about-iowa-apartment-building-months-before-it-partially-collapsed/ |
Updated April 10, 2023 at 11:11 AM ET
A ProPublica report on a railroad cost-cutting approach called Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) concludes that a strategy that employs longer trains with fewer employees puts profits ahead of safety in the freight rail industry.
"In the past, about a 1.4 mile-long train was considered huge. Now trains are two, even three miles long. Long trains are just one tenet of PSR," said Dan Schwartz, one of the ProPublica reporters who investigated the strategy that has helped rail corporations turn record profits.
Longer trains with fewer employees can transport the same amount of cargo in a single trip as a shorter train would in up to four trips. To achieve this, the rail industry constructs longer trains by using existing cars and positioning engines at intervals throughout the train to move and stop additional weight.
"Other things they're doing to reduce cost is they've dramatically laid off a lot of their workforce," Schwartz told NPR's Morning Edition. "Since 2015, they've laid off about a fifth. And a lot of those cuts have been in maintenance workers. There's fewer people to catch trains in disrepair."
Schwartz says longer trains tend to require more maintenance because greater stress is placed on more components.
Although the railroad industry says PSR has led to fewer problems, data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in 2022 reveals that the United States averaged roughly three train derailments per day.
While examining more than 600 FRA reports from 2005 to 2020, Schwartz says he and his colleagues found nearly 20 derailments associated with the long lengths of trains. Schwartz says that paints a "pretty alarming picture."
Regulators have few long train records
The investigation found that the FRA, which regulates U.S. rail safety, doesn't systematically record the length of trains. And states that have tried to enact their own rules have been rebuffed by court rulings that defer to federal agencies for such matters as safety regulation.
ProPublica consulted with experts outside the industry who suggested that longer trains are not necessarily more dangerous. But under a PSR system of doing more with less, Schwartz told NPR's A Martinez the conditions are right for long trains to be dangerous.
"Those dangers are not being mitigated," Schwartz says.
Schwartz says ProPublica's interviews with more than 200 individuals revealed concerns about sufficient training among railroad workers.
"An engineer who drives the train often needs more training to handle a long train. They aren't given that. There's a lot of other requirements that should be met to satisfy safety concerns. But to date, there's no regulation capping the length of trains," Schwartz says.
The Feb. 3 derailment in New Palestine, Ohio, of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials involved a train with 150 cars. Federal investigators believe an overheated wheel bearing caused that crash. While the length of the train has not been cited by investigators as a cause of the crash, ProPublica says PSR strategies still played a role.
Norfolk Southern dismissed safety alarm
Schwartz says his investigative team learned that Norfolk Southern has a policy that allows a help desk to wave off an alarm from a train crew. He points to a derailment of 21 cars on Oct. 8, 2022 in Sandusky, Ohio, that was preceded by an alert that a wheel was overheating.
"The detector told the help desk, you got a problem here. And the help desk told the crew, continue on. And then minutes later, the train derailed and dumped molten wax onto what is normally a very busy street. Fortunately, no one was on the street at the time."
Schwartz notes that this policy is in line with PCR principles. According to the report, the rail administration has stated it does not have sufficient evidence to suggest that longer trains pose a unique or particular risk.
A Martínez conducted the interview with Dan Schwartz. Mohamad ElBardicy and Shelby Hawkins edited and produced the audio version. Majd Al-Waheidi edited it for digital. contributed to this story
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.mainepublic.org/2023-04-10/report-railroads-cut-costs-prioritize-speed-and-efficiency-over-safety | 2023-04-10 15:40:38 | 1 | https://www.mainepublic.org/2023-04-10/report-railroads-cut-costs-prioritize-speed-and-efficiency-over-safety |
HANOI (AP) — The U.S. considers building strong economic and security ties with Vietnam a priority, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday as she met with Vietnamese officials in a visit aimed at fortifying America's relations across Asia.
Yellen arrived in Vietnam after visits to Beijing and to India, where she attended financial meetings of the Group of 20 major industrial economies.
“The United States considers Vietnam a key partner in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Yellen told Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to remarks provided by the U.S. Treasury Department.
A “free and open Indo-Pacific” refers to the latest iteration of broad U.S. diplomacy aimed at cultivating stronger ties with other countries in the region to counter China's growing sway among its neighbors.
“Vietnam is also a close economic partner, with our two-way trade reaching record highs last year and the United States serving as Vietnam’s largest export market,” Yellen said. “It is a priority for our administration to deepen our economic and security ties with Vietnam in the months and years to come.”
Yellen briefly sat atop a bright red electric scooter during a visit to a factory in Hanoi's lush green suburbs, where Selex Motors, a five-year-old Vietnamese startup, makes EV scooters and batteries.
Climate change poses an existential threat to the world but also provides a “key economic opportunity” and way to build “greater resilience into our economies," she said, describing the facility as “impressive.”
Yellen said the U.S. recognized the importance of diversifying supply chains after experiencing the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. “And then, when Russia invaded Ukraine, many countries saw what the implications could be of being overly dependent — in Europe's case for natural gas and oil — on a country that could use it for geopolitical ends,” she said.
She said the U.S. was actively trying to promote green resilience in supply chains. That doesn't mean ending trading relationships with China, she said, reiterating comments she has voiced before. “But we do partner with more countries. And we see Vietnam as an excellent partner,” she said.
Yellen said the U.S. is committed to mobilizing $15 billion to support Vietnam's adoption of renewable energy as a part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership or JETP — a financial promise made by the Group of Seven advanced economies to help the country phase out its reliance on fossil fuels. Such projects have offered similar incentives to South Africa and Indonesia.
Speaking earlier to a group of business women and economists, Yellen said she was encouraged by growing investments in Vietnam in industries including computer chips and renewable energy.
Yellen's visit is part of concerted U.S. efforts to balance China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Vietnam weeks after the 50th anniversary of the U.S. troop withdrawal that marked the end of America's direct military involvement in Vietnam. He pledged to boost relations to new levels.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were only restored in 1995. Since then, bilateral trade has grown, reaching a high of $138 billion in goods trade last year.
“We have worked closely to address the legacies of the war,” Yellen said.
China’s border is less than 60 miles (96 kilometers) from Hanoi and Vietnam, like many of China’s neighbors, has had maritime and territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. The two sides fought a brief war in 1979. But China is Vietnam’s biggest trading partner.
Yellen also met Thursday with the governor of Vietnam's central bank, Nguyen Thi Hong, and announced a new economic policy dialogue between the State Bank of Vietnam and the U.S. Treasury Department.
She thanked Nguyen for the "close cooperation" between the U.S. and the State Bank of Vietnam to address American concerns over Vietnam's currency practices. She added that the U.S. would remain supportive of Vietnam's growth and that this would be beneficial for both Vietnamese and American people.
Vietnam has quickly become a major export production hub for global manufacturers like South Korea's LG and Samsung Electronics, suppliers to Apple, Inc. and auto makers like Honda and Toyota.
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Associated Press video journalist Hau Dinh contributed from Hanoi, Vietnam.
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Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/yellen-visits-vietnam-seeking-to-build-us-ties-and-supply-chains-and-offset-tensions-with-china/DY3BN2BE4NFBXAWL4U2OJ5AWUE/ | 2023-07-20 12:31:39 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/yellen-visits-vietnam-seeking-to-build-us-ties-and-supply-chains-and-offset-tensions-with-china/DY3BN2BE4NFBXAWL4U2OJ5AWUE/ |
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